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

[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.

[voreaciously]

[she's dying inside and he doesn't know. CAN NEVER KNOW. for as long as she can help it.

There is so much embarrassing irony at "someone designed this body" that wants to be screamed out, but she swallows it. It is a challenge, but she does.]

The true works of art are my internals. [Wait, that might still sound bad.] That is to say my structure, processing power, capabilities. The shell is...

[Lewd. Very lewd.]

Not very slight. Not feminine enough.

[bad_crowmance]

[ "Not feminine enough." ]

[ ... ]

[ ....Not.... feminine enough?

Crow blinks at her in confusion for a moment, then takes a long moment to check her out, his eyes following the lines of her curves. Curves that are only enhanced by that sexy little outfit she's wearing. His eyes slowly move back upwards, lingering on her lovely breasts before he looks back at her face.

Nope. Still confused. ]

Just.... what definition of "feminine" are you using, exactly?

[voreaciously]

[She watches him watch her, calmly curious. Is he looking for something? She wonders.]

...Ah, slighter, smaller. Daintier seeming, sometimes. Less...overt.

[bad_crowmance]

Let me assure you that "lusciously curved"--

[ He gestures with his hands in an exaggerated hourglass figure. ]

--is definitely considered feminine in my book. I wouldn't be surprised if more than one woman wished she had a body as nice as yours.

[voreaciously]

[That seems...



Very fake.]

Perhaps different ideas of femininity, then.

[bad_crowmance]

"I don't believe you, Crow." There, I said it for you.

[ He shrugs. ]

You know I wouldn't have wanted to fuck you in the first place if you weren't attractive, right? I seriously don't understand how you can stand there with a straight face and say you're "unfeminine."

[voreaciously]

[Goddamnit Crow don't see through her.

But he is right, she does not believe him, but she is trying to be careful so she gently presses the point.]

Well, people do have different ideas of it, as we have both just explained.

[She keeps her tone light, like it does not matter. Because, really, how she sees herself really does not.]

What is your type, incidentally?

[bad_crowmance]

[ He could keep arguing the case but he really doesn't want to. If she doesn't want to listen, that's her business. It has nothing to do with him in the end.

That said, he'll take the topic change. ]

"My type," huh...? I don't think I have just one. I guess I'm a fan of big breasts and pretty faces.

[voreaciously]

[Well, that is one out of two at least. But she's not dumb enough to say that aloud.]

I suppose I cannot say that I am surprised.

[But as they return to the train she ponders something.]

Did you wish to come to Jasmine?