The Eleventh Trial

[catcophonous]

Who: everyone
When: Day 23, evening
Where: The Trial Zone

[Just as twilight darkens the clearing, you hear the train's customary shift, the sign of a Trial.

Outside in the clearing, a brick building has appeared. It's shabby, paint peeling from the heavy door, but the windows are full of neon signs advertising various brands of liquor. From inside you can hear the thumping of bass, and the faint sounds of a rowdy rock song.

A voice chimes in, lazy but amused.]

You all know what this is. I'm not "come hither"ing you. Just get in here.

Comments

[awakenerd]

Why is that?

[voreaciously]

Though that is predicated on your ability to form sound decisions and that has been cast in doubt, however, if your sense remains within acceptable parametres, you cannot be convinced to undertake anything that may result in inconviences at best and calamities at worst.

[awakenerd]

Would anyone here try that?

[voreaciously]

[cael is a piece o shit that absolutely would if he were still here.

it may just be rean but the air grows a little colder]

You can never be certain.

[awakenerd]

I see, I'll be careful.

[voreaciously]

[temperature returns to normal who let the draft in here.]

If you wish.

[she is kinda worried about his cognitive stuff if he got that many things wrong tho]

I suppose I am wasting your time, now.

[awakenerd]

No, I appreciate the concern.

[voreaciously]

I am not concerned, Mister Rean.

[awakenerd]

Please no mister, you make me sound old.

[You ARE old Rean.]

[voreaciously]

And how old are you?

[awakenerd]

Does it matter? I don't have to sound old.

[voreaciously]

You are older than me and an adult, thus it is appropriate.

[awakenerd]

Do you hate me or something?

[voreaciously]

We have only just become acquainted.

[awakenerd]

I'm taking that as a yes.

I know I made a bad first impression, and I don't know how much apologizing will mean to you, but for what it's worth, again, I'm sorry.

[voreaciously]

[she's annoyed a bit, honestly.]

That is rather arrogant of you. Hatred requires dedication and effort and care. Hatred is knowing. Hatred is a livelihood. I do not hate you, do not be absurd. I do not know or care enough about you to hate you.

[awakenerd]

Sorry. I didn't put much thought into the word choice. Should I have said dislike instead?

[voreaciously]

I do not dislike you, either.

[just your softness and everything you stand for]

[awakenerd]

That's better than I expected I guess.

But then the next question is, how do I go about getting along with you? Everything I say either seems to offend you or be a landmine. I don't want to annoy you constantly but I also don't particularly want to walk on eggshells.

Is my desire to get along one-sided?

[voreaciously]

You could simply avoid me. It would do you some good, I imagine. I do not get along with others at all.

[awakenerd]

I don't want to? You've called me arrogant and I don't think I can deny that really, because I want to get along with you if you're not completely against it.

[voreaciously]

What does my calling you that have to do with anything at all?

[awakenerd]

[???]

Then why did you call me arrogant?

[voreaciously]

For a number of reasons, but you presume much in this case. But just because you are, does not mean you need to better acquaint yourself with me.

[awakenerd]

It can't be both can it? Both that I presume a lot but it's unrelated.

I don't need to do anything, I want to.