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]

Perhaps the gift, but mine will take a little time. I can multitask.

[Once she is done with the dishes, she starts to wash the stones and shells she brought with her.]

[bad_crowmance]

Oh, I like presents!

[ He considers his options, what to give her so he gets the credit too. ]

A gift, a gift.... Hmm....

[voreaciously]

[He says he likes presents and her hands and shoulders tighten for a moment.

It's fine, he's sitting. He won't notice. It's fine. She simply needs to do it.

It is fine.]

Truly, you need not think so hard about it.

[bad_crowmance]

[ Honestly, his first thought was "does my dick count as a gift?" ]

Yeah, but I've gotta think of something. I told you, I'm interested in winning too.

[voreaciously]

[The d does, indeed, count.]

I know that. [Don't say you're worthless, DON'T SAY THAT.]

You could give me anything at all and it would satisfy the condition.

[She idly casts a minor soundproofing spell before turning the water in the sink to grains of very solid ice, buffeting the stones she's collected in total silence.]

[bad_crowmance]

Oh, I know that. I gave Naeva my gloves earlier. But I don't have too much else on me that I'd be willing to part with.

[ He snaps his fingers. ]

I know! How about my gift's an IOU-- one sex act of your choosing. Time, place, details. All of it.

[voreaciously]

Oh, is that where they went? I suppose you could get another pair, they looked nice on you.

[But ooooooh that's nice. Also Very Familiar, but you know, still great, she does not have complaints. It's pretty good.

Or it would be if she would let herself be the whole of herself. But bondage, yes, that should be fine enough after their discussion, she will not take it too far.

Despite her reservations and worries, she is prompt with her reply.]

Done.

[bad_crowmance]

I wouldn't complain about a new pair.

[ Especially if he doesn't have to pay for it himself. ]

Alright, that takes care of that then!

[ He's pretty satisfied with himself, honestly. ]

[voreaciously]

You may choose something else while I do this. Ah, would you excuse me for a few minutes, actually? I will not be long.

[bad_crowmance]

I'll pick when you get back then.

[ He's curious what she's up to, but he figures it can wait. ]

[voreaciously]

As you like, Crow-san. I will return presently.

[A sphere of what looks like compacted, glittering blue sand floats behind her as she disappears into a room.

Time passes, as it does.

...And a little more passes.

And a little--oh, 80H emerges from the room she was in, walking crisply, but hurriedly and immediately bows, apologetic.]

Ah, Crow-san, I am truly very sorry! That was longer than I meant.

[bad_crowmance]

[ He shrugs, looking pretty unbothered. ]

Nah, don't worry about it! .....Though I've gotta ask: What were you up to?

[voreaciously]

[But don't you understand she KEPT YOU WAITING!!!

End of the WORLD!!!

That is so rude.

But he asks her what she was doing and she looks...shy, all of a sudden. Nervous.]

Ah, I got caught up in my work--for the bond, of course. Um...

[Just


Just do it. She holds out her hand and in it is a bracelet of carved, polished stone beads with small shells interspersed at some intervals. But the decidedly main feature is the carving of a cat head. It is elegantly simple, but has some subtle embellishments.]

[bad_crowmance]

[ He takes the bracelet and turns it over, examining the skill and craftsmanship it had taken to make it. ]

This is seriously impressive.... You made this just now?

[voreaciously]

Ah yes, there is a working in it, actually. It is made to be spent in an emergency, if necessary. Like a trump no one expects--not that I presume that you cannot handle yourself, that is! Ah, I simply...

[She is babbling a bit.]

[bad_crowmance]

Hey, I'm not gonna turn my nose up at an ace in the hole. What's it do?

[ He looks genuinely interested. ]

[voreaciously]

It is called "Flash Freeze". Unprotected entities within an approximate diameter of seven-point-five metres will be blinded and frozen in place for a few seconds.

[bad_crowmance]

[ Cow lets out a low whistle. ]

Damn, that sounds like it'd be useful in a pinch. How do I activate it?

[voreaciously]

It would be easiest if you gave me a name to use.

[bad_crowmance]

A.... name?

[ He looks at her in confusion for a moment, then shrugs. ]

What about the "nickname" you gave me earlier?

[voreaciously]

[She sits across from him and a long, thin tool forms in her hands as she carves something very slight in the cat-shaped head before turning it to the side and gently blowing the tiny shavings away. She examines it and re-examines it and makes minute adjustments before deciding, perhaps, that she is satisfied. Though her lips turn down slightly.

She starts to speak and her voice becomes echoing and layered again.]

Levez-vous.

[The bracelet glows a faint blue in the engravings.]

Entrez dénomination: Yuki. Entrez mot-clef: ...

[She pauses for a moment, before her mouth quirks slightly.]

Fais tapis.

[It glows violet and then fades.] The process is complete. You have two options; I do not know your proficiency with magic, so saying "Yuki" with intent to use it will be enough to activate it, however, if you do not trust yourself to do that, "Fais tapis" will do, without intention. I am not certain it is likely for it to come up in conversation for you, even if it is something you might say.

[bad_crowmance]

I doubt it'd come up in casual conversation.

[ He slides the bracelet on. ]

Anyway, I dunno if it'll ever be needed, but it's definitely nice to have a surprise no one would expect.

[voreaciously]

[the context is almost certainly likely to, though. But maybe she will keep that to herself.

Maybe.

But the bracelet glows for a moment as he slides it on.]

It is always good to be prepared.

[bad_crowmance]

Yeah, that's true enough.

[ It's the main reason he bought his guns as soon as he remembered how to use them, after all. ]

[voreaciously]

Um. [She tries not to fidget, but her hands tighten in her lap under the table.]

So it is alright? Not too drab or distasteful--I can make another, if you do not like it, really. It is no trouble at all.

[Her voice slows and quickens, insistent, but quiet, unobtrusive. She does not want to exert her will too hard at all, and she is wound tight, ready to ask how high if he asks her to jump and fix it.]