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]

Truly, I count myself surprised to hear that.

[Her voice is Very Polite as she calmly eats more rice.


Dry wit, indeed.]

I also could not think of more words you might enjoy.

[She eats a berry.

Slowly.

To savour it, nothing more.]

[bad_crowmance]

[ He laughs at that. ]

I wouldn't object if you wanted to give it a try anyway.

[voreaciously]

"We have a casino."; "You are in charge."; "Yes, Crow-san, I will definitely wear that lingerie you picked out."

[bad_crowmance]

[ There's a startled moment before he laughs again, shaking his head. He looks delighted. ]

I'm feeling really called out all of a sudden!

[ SHE'S NOT WRONG, THOUGH. ]

[voreaciously]

[ABSOLUTELY 100% CORRECT.]

I would tell you to lie in the bed you've made, but I am reasonably certain you would ask me to come with you.

[bad_crowmance]

Haha, well of course I would. It's the best use for a bed.

[voreaciously]

Most would say beds are for sleeping, Crow-san.

[Man, her food is super good tho actually. She takes a bite o the tamagoyaki.]

[bad_crowmance]

[ It really is, he's already planning on crashing Jasmine at some point again to mooch off more food. ]

I didn't say that it was the only use, just the best one.

[voreaciously]

[some would still say sleeping but


she's not one of them. sleeping is eh to her most of the time.]

On that note, when your food has had a chance to settle, I can massage your shoulders, if not everything if you wish. I shall leave it to your discretion. You are due, anyway.

[bad_crowmance]

I wouldn't say "no" to another full-body massage. The last one was pretty great. And I'm not saying that just because of the sex.

[ Though the sex was a perk. ]

[voreaciously]

[She blushes a little because, while it's obvious she enjoys having sex, that first time was...

A thing.


Just shyly eats more rice don't notice her face is red.]

M-mm...as you like then.

[bad_crowmance]

[ It was a pretty great thing! Even if he'd ended up completely exhausted by the end of it, he regrets nothing. ]

I'll look forward to it.

[ He takes a bite of the tamagoyaki. ]

[voreaciously]

[Don't have sex. Don't have sex. Don't have sex--]

Yes, Crow-san. Ah, is there anything you do not like, so far?

[she knows he has no regrets and like, well, she doesn't regret most of it but lord she was. sure full of voracious lust and gave him like forty hickies. good grief.

But the tamagoyaki is soft and fluffy, but with literally layered, complex flavours between its colourful rolls. With the soft bite of spinach and earthy tartness of the parsley to add as a counter, it makes for an interesting medley of tastes in the surprisingly artful little roll.]

[bad_crowmance]

[ Why not, though??? ]

The fish is my favourite part, but I don't think there's any one part of this meal that's not delicious. There's no small skill in the preparation, that's for sure.

[voreaciously]

[Crow you are going to murder her. Her face is as red as one of the tomatoes in the salad.]

Y-you flatter me. Thank you.

[bad_crowmance]

Is it flattery if it's the truth?

[ The blush is hilarious, honestly. It's like she has no idea how to take a compliment-- actually, he's starting to think she really doesn't. ]

[voreaciously]

You really need to be less charming.

[bad_crowmance]

Nah, I like my current levels of charming just fine.

[voreaciously]

You would, I am sure.

[She cannot be mad, she isn't, but she has food. That makes everything better.]

Did you have any plans for sparks?

[bad_crowmance]

I've got lots of plans. Aside from what we've discussed, I want to get a deck of cards, some more outfits, a cat toy, and a few other things. Not to mention that earning sparks also gets me closer towards getting more memories.

[voreaciously]

[Okay, but--]

A cat toy?

[bad_crowmance]

A cat toy!

[ He confirms it breezily but with no further explanation. ]

[voreaciously]

...Why?

[bad_crowmance]

Well.... you never know when one might come in handy.

[ Look, he just likes cats. Don't judge. ]

[voreaciously]

[Honestly, she isn't going to judge. She's a weird person even if she doesn't always get all of why and she cannot like, begrudge someone esoteric preparation.

It's a little endearing actually.]

No, I suppose not. It is good to be prepared.