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

[bad_crowmance]

[ He considers that for a moment. ]

Which Albarea? There's two of them.

[voreaciously]

[She considers this for a moment and holds her index finger and thumb up in front of her. In the space between ice crystallises into being. On one side, Rufus. She turns the other side: Jusis.

She flips it and lets it hit the sand.]

His Lordship the elder.

[bad_crowmance]

[ He watches with some fascination as the ice falls to the sand, revealing her choice. ]

Alright!

[ He nods, his decision already firmly in place. ]

In that case, I'd go with bedding Rufus, wedding Eliza, and beheading Elaine.

[voreaciously]

[Hm, but he's banging her teammate and she wonders if she should say anything, like, Rufus did not seem to have any compunctions but that was only to a few people who might have otherwise known or discovered.

She will keep mum, for now.]

Miss Eliza does seem as though she would make a good wife.

[bad_crowmance]

[ He's not seriously interested in Rufus that way, there's no point in bringing it up anyhow. But Rufus is hot and this decision was a very shallow one. ]

Yeah, she's got a very pleasant personality and she seems like a hard worker.

[voreaciously]

She most certainly is, and an intellectual. She also likes dragons. I endorse her taste.

[bad_crowmance]

You a big fan of dragons, then?

[voreaciously]

I could not trust anyone who was not.

[bad_crowmance]

An interesting standard! But I can't say I disapprove.

[voreaciously]

As well you should not. Dragons are amazing.

[But she is looking at her card like.]

Would you mind waiting here a few minutes? I will not be long.

[bad_crowmance]

Huh?

[ He glances at his card for a moment and then shrugs. ]

Sure, I can do that.

[voreaciously]

Thank you.

[She heads out for the water, but there is a brief momentary blue glow from beneath her feet and she walks onto it. the waves continue to roll in and she rises and falls with them, but her gait is steady. Natural.

And then she dives under.

It's not nearly enough time. It's never enough time, but she cannot have it both ways and she said she would not keep him waiting and so not much time passes when she walks out of the waves, normally this time. Her skin and hair wet and slick and shining with the sea. Her leotard leaves even less to the imagination than before.

In one hand are several tied to...something. She is certainly holding something--a string? But it is difficult to tell from this far. The other hand has a blue, glowing net of stones and shells.]

My apologies for keeping you waiting.

[bad_crowmance]

[ There's something inherently appealing about breasts covered in a pale, wet leotard-- even if he's seen those breasts completely unclothed, had them in his mouth. It makes for a very pleasant sight as she emerges. ]

What was that all about?

[ His tone is casual, amused-- not much different than usual, really. But his eyes are glimmering with curiousity and interest. ]

[voreaciously]

Sharing a meal is a square.

[It's early enough for it, but--]

Ah, unless you do not typically eat fish for breakfast. I can save these for later and prepare something else.

[She could dry herself--she's done it a number of times for him already--but she does not seem inclined to do so.]

[bad_crowmance]

My memory doesn't really go far back enough to have a "typical" anything just yet.

[ He shifts his position again slightly, sitting in a way that would be more comfortable for eating. ]

And... I can't say I'm against it. Fish sounds pretty good to me.

[voreaciously]

Fair enough, I suppose.

[She does not frown and Crow is a Big Boy, but she feels a needle of guilt for reminding him, even tangentially, of his amnesia.

Oh well, there is just no getting around it in some instances. She knows this better than many people here. But when he looks to be getting comfortable she blinks, unseen.]

Oh, did you wish to eat out here, then?

[She does not mind it either way--well, she is still a perfectionist, but she has made worse on her own with nothing, but she could do her best in a kitchen, inside. Still, the fish is flavourful on its own with minimal additions.]

[bad_crowmance]

You seemed to be so fond of the beach I figured you'd want to stay longer. Buuut it'd probably be more comfortable to eat inside.

[ He shrugs loosely. ]

I'm guessing you're the one cooking, so the choice is yours.

[voreaciously]

Ah!

[Embarrassed, she is embarrassed.]

N-no, that is fine, we can go inside. Was it that obvious?

[Of course it was, she never makes any point to hide her love of the water. There is no point. But she is thrown off a bit because she does not want to put him out. Unacceptable.]

[bad_crowmance]

[ He places his finger and thumb close together but not quite touching. ]

You were a little obvious.

[ He shifts to stand up. ]

Heh! Not that there's anything wrong with that.

[voreaciously]

[No bully!]

Ahh, well...it is fine.

[She starts to take a step, but then realises oh right she is nearly taken and washes and dries herself with her magic before slipping her stockings and boots on, then her dress and gloves. She undoes her hair a little before adjusting it--it's never been all the way down that he's seen--and decides she is satisfied.]

...A swimsuit may be ideal....

[bad_crowmance]

[ 80H is banging the wrong guy if she doesn't want to be bullied.

While she's getting dressed, he's putting his shoes back on and adjusting his clothing slightly, making sure it's neater and less rumpled. He's ready a bit quicker than she is, but that's to be expected and he really doesn't mind. ]

I bet you'd look great in a bikini.

[voreaciously]

[Gothic lolita takes some time. But she is pretty prompt in spite of everything.

God she misses her pods, they made dressing easier and faster.]

Bikinis are very revealing, Crow-san! No modesty at all.

[bad_crowmance]

Well.... Yeah.

[ That's the entire point??? ]

It'd show off all~ your curves! Man, I'd love to see that. Bikinis are definitely sexy.

[voreaciously]

You really are red-blooded.

[Listen.]

Something should be left to the imagination, a little.

[bad_crowmance]

Look... you said you're an android, right? So someone had to have designed that body. It's their work of art! And it should be appreciated. A bikini would be a great way to appreciate it.