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

[grimpa]

...But you're soulmates?

[bowtiedbones]

I know, that tripped a lot of us up too. Not that there weren't pairs that ended up dating, but it was who balanced and complemented each other that makes a soulmate. It was like... matchmaking for a partnership!

[grimpa]

I see... That sounds unusual.

[bowtiedbones]

Honestly explaining it would not make it sound any less weird. He's technically from a different world than I am, too?

[grimpa]

...You led an interesting life. That was okay? To be separated.

[bowtiedbones]

It was okay. We still had a way to visit.

[past tense, cause. here now.]

[grimpa]

[nnnods]

And you were brought together to find each other...?

[bowtiedbones]

Oh! Yeah. There was some drama, but it was actually pretty fun— We are all in a big group for a few weeks, and we would take votes to try and figure out who the matched pairs were. I had a whole chart made by the end of it to math it out!

[grimpa]

...That sounds stressful.

[bowtiedbones]

It did get tense at times. There were couple-couples that weren't soulmate pairs, like Seo and his boyfriend, and that hit hard... And sometimes it was just frustrating to solve, but it ended well I think.

[grimpa]

I'm glad it seems to have worked out for the best. I can't imagine something like a soulmate, romantic or otherwise.

[bowtiedbones]

It was really meant to be only as serious as you wanted to be. Our soulmates weren't predestined or anything like that— they were just what the gods running it thought were the best matches.

[grimpa]

--I see. More like a trial, then. That would be much less pressure.

[bowtiedbones]

Right! But better than a trial.

[grimpa]

I'm glad you enjoyed yourself.

[bowtiedbones]

Thanks! I super did!

[grimpa]

[nods!! and then, oh, I've unflustered enough to remember the game; looking from a placard back to her]

--Oh. Eliza. I'm very grateful that you and I are on Thyme together. Your influence helps to make our team stronger.

[bowtiedbones]

Oh! Aw! My influence..? Thank you!

[grimpa]

Yes. You're positive but realistic and don't waste time being frozen by hypotheticals when decisions have to be made. All good qualities.

[bowtiedbones]

Okay okay okay, that's plenty!

[giddy and flustered OH NO COMPLIMENTS]

[grimpa]

[looks puzzled as if he wouldn't be just as flustered if someone was earnestly telling him their favorite things about him]

Very well.

[bowtiedbones]

[swings their hands ahhhh]

Thank you, though! That means a lot to me that you think well of me.

[grimpa]

[s-swings hands ///]

[but nods!!]

Of course.