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]

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.]

[bad_crowmance]

Huh? Nah, I like this the way it is now.

[voreaciously]

[She opens her mouth as though to protest, closes it, nods once.]

Very well.

[And a quick addendum--]

--but if you change your mind, do let me know, it will really be no trouble.

[bad_crowmance]

[ He waves a hand dismissively. ]

Haha, I doubt I'll be changing my mind.

[ Crow grins, tucking his hands behind his head. ]

But if I do, I'll be sure to say something.

[voreaciously]

As you like, then.

[Time to wait FOREVER FOR HIM TO SAY "ACTUALLY--"]

That is another square.

[And bond points for her, since she meant to kill two birds with one stone.]

[bad_crowmance]

[ Oh yeah, he definitely was going for bond points with his, ah, "gift" earlier too. Gotta farm for those sparks, after all! ]

We're making pretty good time with these! I appreciate working with someone who's efficient.

[voreaciously]

I disdain wastes of time and inefficiency so I am doing my utmost to complete these as smoothly as possible.

[sex breaks and crazy gifts are. totally part of the plan, yeah it's fine.]

[bad_crowmance]

[ The sex was multi-tasking! Getting sparks and fulfilling at least two squares for the trial. ]

It's definitely the right way to do it. Anyway, wanna make music for our next square?

[voreaciously]

[Fuck. Well, she expected this one.]

Yes. How would you prefer to do this?

[bad_crowmance]

Well.... that depends. Are you gonna sing or use an instrument?

[voreaciously]

I will be playing an instrument.

[bad_crowmance]

Alright, then the way I figure it, it'll be easier for you to grab your instrument and then play first, and then I'll sing afterwards. Sound good to you?

[voreaciously]

Very well. Please excuse me, then.

[She will leave and come back with a long and large beautifully lacquered case and take a kneeling position on the floor as she pops it open. She removes a large koto and sets it on a low table that she creates out of ice. She slides a few bands around her fingers with flat rectangular picks on the edges and flexes her fingers.

She plucks a string and lets it reverberate, her head unconsciously dipping lower as she focuses on the quality of the note.

Good, still in tune. She tests other strings and does not make adjustments.]

For your pleasure then, Crow-san. This piece is called Sakura.

[She spreads her fingers, exhales out of habit, and lets fingers dance across the strings.

Here.]

[bad_crowmance]

[ Crow closes his eyes as he listens to it, quiet and rapt. It's a beautiful piece, and he takes a moment after she finishes before his eyes slide back open to look at her. ]

That sounded... really nice.

[voreaciously]

Ah...I have recently only resumed regular practise, so I apologise if it was not more pleasing.

[She played, like, perfectly BUT YOU KNOW we can never be happy with ourselves.



still tho that was praise so she a bit red.]

Thank you, though, you flatter me once again.

[bad_crowmance]

Heh! Well, if this is what you sound like without practice then I'd like to hear you when you've gotten some of the rust off.

[ So to speak. ]

Anyway, I just believe in giving praise where it's due.

[voreaciously]

Ah, well, if you wish....

[She would not mind playing for him, she supposes, it's just that it's...

It is music.

And that is always complicated. Still, it is unavoidable. She needs to continue practising every day, lest she grow sloppy in everything else related to it. She still needs to buy kimono, on that note.

But she bows, sincere in her gratitude for his attention and kindness even if she also does it or the points.]

Ah, do you require warming up?

[Can't damage those vocal cords.]