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]

Please don't with the mister...

[voreaciously]

You did not give me a family name, I have not much recourse.

[awakenerd]

I'd rather just be Rean.

[voreaciously]

Rean-sama, then.

[awakenerd]

Sama...? Could you go with something less ostentatious please?

Sensei, maybe, if you insist on formality.

[voreaciously]

[ok, firstly, drat

secondly--]

You said you were a Divine Knight? That is hardly ostentatious and why "sensei"?

[it's not a defensive question, she wants to know what it is he's done to warrant it for her curiosity, she can call him that no problem]

[awakenerd]

[Sorry he's a fucking weeaboo.]

According to Randy I was a history instructor, I don't think I'd mind going by a title like that.

[voreaciously]

Mister Or--he knows who you are?

[awakenerd]

We were coworkers apparently, so yeah.

[voreaciously]

I see. That is for--[no wait hold the phone]

You were a history teacher and then you became a powerful spiritual entity?

[like, mind doesn't blow so much as whistle because familiars and spirits and servants are a thing but these are some, hm, humble? beginnings?

how the fuck]

[awakenerd]

I don't know what happened either you know. You'd have to ask Randy or Rufus. But they don't seem to know how I ended up a divine knight, but they at least remember more than I do.

[voreaciously]

My apologies.

[she does sound a bit softer and sincere. Amnesia is really, really rough. She wouldn't wish it on anyone.








except kuuha maybe. double amnesia.]

[awakenerd]

It's fine.

[He can only guess what she's apologizing about but he isn't fussed.]

[voreaciously]

But Lord Rufus as well, you say.

[RUFUS DOESN'T FUSS ABOUT TITLES!!!]

My, what a growing number of people.

[awakenerd]

Yeah. Four of us does seem like a fair percentage.

[voreaciously]

Four? Who else?

[oh that means jusis was too oh well]

[awakenerd]

Oh, Crow.

[voreaciously]

[what the fuck is this a world of super hotties or WHAT]

I see, duly noted. So, do you not have a family name then?

[awakenerd]

I do but I prefer just Rean so I'll decline giving it to you.

[voreaciously]

[rude af]

That is your prerogative, sir.

[time to never call him by his na]

[awakenerd]

Why don't you like using my name, does it have a bad association or something?

[Did a radioactive Rean bite you?]

[voreaciously]

[the bite has made her into a NICE AND HONEST PERSON

yeah jk]

I do not use anyone's given name, if I can help it.

[awakenerd]

Why is that?

[Are you allergic, do names make your throat swell??]

[voreaciously]

Because that is for friends and family, or other such relationships. It presumes closeness, familiarity, equality. It is rude to use with acquaintances and I prefer formality.

[not entirely true but definitely true here she's so allergic to all of you]

It is unthinkable to me to call an instructor by his given name.

[but wow rean's literally the only one who's ever asked]

[awakenerd]

I've never thought of it that way.

Personally I don't like much distance or formality at all, honestly. But if it makes you really uncomfortable, can we compromise with just "instructor"? You're still free to call me Rean too, and I'd honestly prefer it, but if you have to call me something else than instructor is better than mister.