the tenth trial?

[hot_mess_express]

Who: everybody
When: Day 22, starting bright and early
Where: the jackal zone


[What was it...ah, yes. Come hither, Heroes, prove thy worth.

The familiar tremor of a trial comes with a voice that's probably familiar to a lot of train denizens. Entering the door to the trial reveals that somehow, yes, it is in fact Naeva who's done this.

The game room is a beautiful tea garden with elegant, victorian-style tea tables set out throughout. Naturally, the tables all have tea, a variety of snacks, and flower arrangements featuring the herbs from each team. The garden is also full of crystalline jonquil, though they can't seem to be picked up normally.

There are baskets set out for everyone who arrives, and a sign explaining the rules of the game. Across the top it reads Bonding Game.

Cardamom, you've made a huge mistake.]

Comments

[bowtiedbones]

[claps her hands twice, bouncing, and spreads her arms wide]

Hugging, let's go! 5 points!

[grimpa]

Oh-- then-- very well.

[ANGLES HIMSELF FOR AN AWKWARD SIDE-HUG]

[bowtiedbones]

[SQUEEZES HIM side-hugs are okay but she's gonna get the most!!! out of it]

Yay! Thanks, Fang.

[grimpa]

Of course.

[physical affection threw me off my groove of ambushing teammates with Honest Feelings. REFLEXIVE SMALLTALK!]

Are you-- enjoying the game?

[bowtiedbones]

[another bonus of side-hugs: she's casually angling straight from there into trying to hold his hand]

I'm enjoying it so far, but I'll like it more the more people play with me.

[grimpa]

[STARTLES AND DRAWS HIS HAND PROTECTIVELY AGAINST HIS CHEST LIKE SHE'S A TOO-FORWARD SUITOR]

[grimpa]

[and then visibly realizes that was fucking dumb and sheepishly offers it back]

M-my apologies.

[bowtiedbones]

Oh gosh, no, my bad. I should have asked first, huh?

[swings their hands when she takes his again. she's not going to SAY it, but she's THINKING IT THINKING HE'S CUTE]

[grimpa]

It was unexpected, but I understand, it's for the trial.

[TOLERATES THIS ////]

[bowtiedbones]

I would totally hold your hand outside a trial too if you let me.

[grimpa]

That's for couples!

[bowtiedbones]

And for friends and family.

[grimpa]

Well, family, yes.

[bowtiedbones]

[GASP wait]

Is this the first time you've held hands with a girl??

[malignstar]

You like hugging?

[bowtiedbones]

I do so c'mere!

[malignstar]

... you sure that's a good idea?

[bowtiedbones]

It's just a hug.

[malignstar]

[ Still looks unsure... ]

... all right.

[bowtiedbones]

We can do a side-hug too, if that's better? Extra-casual!

[spreads both her arms wide, his pick]

[malignstar]

[ He will do a normal hug, as side hug just feels awkward ]

[bowtiedbones]

[hugs!!]

There, now that wasn't so bad, was it?

[malignstar]

I guess neither of us exploded.

[bowtiedbones]

Of course not. I'm only strengthened by hugs!

[malignstar]

Now, there's a fact I didn't know about you.