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

[nihilmancy]

I am?

[That's. Oddly sweet and unexpected. She blushes a little.]

[acts_her_age]

That's what I've found in the other trials like this one.

[nihilmancy]

I, um... thank you.

[acts_her_age]

[shrugs!]

Of course. The trial asked us to share our compliments, after all.

[nihilmancy]

Oh, that is correct. Well, you are a courteous and intelligent girl.

[acts_her_age]

Thank you. Do any of the other tasks catch your interest?

[nihilmancy]

Do you want to share something, um, about yourself?

[acts_her_age]

[nods]

...I think at home I was in some sort of junior detectives club.

[nihilmancy]

Ah, you solved crimes? [Kids in her world must be pretty smart...]

[acts_her_age]

General mysteries. Not always crimes.

[but usually crimes]

[nihilmancy]

Sometimes crimes, though.

[acts_her_age]

Surprisingly often. I think I had a very eventful life.

[nihilmancy]

You must have. I am not certain I approve of somebody your age being in so much danger.

[acts_her_age]

Oh, it--

[--was about to say "it wasn't terribly dangerous" but then the honesty effect intervened]

[hmmm.]

It was manageable.

[nihilmancy]

That still sounds concerning.

[acts_her_age]

It wasn't any worse than the more dangerous trials here.

[nihilmancy]

I don't think that those are appropriate for you either.

[acts_her_age]

[shrugs]

We're dealt the hand that we're dealt. What about you, then? For sharing something.

[nihilmancy]

Hmm. I like to go to the theater, sometimes.

[acts_her_age]

Live theater?

[nihilmancy]

Is there any other kind?

[acts_her_age]

Oh, that's right, you weren't familiar with cameras. We can record live theater now and go watch it without any of the actors actually being there. What kinds of stories did you like?

[nihilmancy]

Sort of, remote theater?

All sorts of stories. Tragedies, comedies, romance, stories of heroism. I think I like best those stories that capture some spark of passion and feeling in them.

[acts_her_age]

Something like that.

You're not very picky, then?

[nihilmancy]

Well, I am a little picky. It needs to have at least some thoughtful content. If a story can make me think and make me feel, then it will have done its job.

But if I had to be more specific, I enjoy fantastic stories about encountering the bizarre and supernatural.