The Ninth Trial

[advisories]

Who: everyone
When: Day 18, starting just after dawn
Where: The Hermit's Tent, and all around

[This morning as the sun begins to pour through the train's windows, there's the tremor that signals a Trial.]

Come hither, Heroes. Prove thy worth. Or something like that!

[It's the same older man's voice from the sixth trial, and outside is the same fortune teller's stall. Today the front flap is lifted to show a normal interior -- there's a wooden table, carved with geometric patterns and painted in bright colours, lit by teal-coloured carved candles.

At the table sits a man of indeterminate age, somewhere between 30 and 60. He's wearing what appear to be monk's robes, teal with patterned trimming. In front of him is a crystal ball and a stack of bingo cards, along with a stand-up sign bearing the rules of this Trial.

Across the top in large font, it says:

Icebreaker Bingo

Good luck and have fun!]

Comments

[malignstar]

[ Well, he doesn't resist, but his eyes flash a sort of gold, as he jerks back, a furious look in his eyes ]

Don't do that again.

[desirestruth]

...My apologies. It seemed less alarming then cutting myself open.

[She stares back at him, implacable, impassive. What she says is genuine, but no need for her to get defensive, either.]

[malignstar]

I beg to differ.

[ Stares down at his arm and carefully feels around it with precise movements ]

[desirestruth]

It is my mistake, then.

[The magic is gone, having dropped the moment he objected. Now that it is, nothing feels any different...]

[malignstar]

I should think that is obvious.

[ Releases his hand once he's sure nothing is out of the ordinary ]

[desirestruth]

I have not disagreed on that point.

[malignstar]

In any case, your candor is noted.

[desirestruth]

...Your manner of speaking has changed.

[She's just saying, she didn't expect you to actually know the word candor.]

[malignstar]

... What does that matter?

[desirestruth]

[Her eyes are very sharply narrowed.]

Your demeanor has as well...as if you are not the same person.

[There's a question in that. She's not going to accuse him of anything, but usually when she sees this shit happen it's Real Bad.]

[malignstar]

Such things are impossible. People do not simply become other people. Perhaps you just set off a bad mood.