auroraexpress | The Thirteenth Trial

Who: trialgoers
When: Day 27 all day
Where: The Cat's Zone

[Once again the Trial time has come. Just like the Eleventh, it's the Cat's bar that's appeared in the clearing, and just like then, he's not here for formalities.]

Can you believe you've been dumped on me again already? Lame, I know. But come on in and let's get going.

[But he's not the only voice! The booming, cheerful tone of the Hermit can be heard as well.]

Right, right, come along! This one should be fun for you and us.

[Once you enter the bar, you'll find... it's just a bar. In fact, you are free to come and go from it. The inside, though, has been dolled up -- there are swaths of colourful fabric above the windows, jingly dangly crystal decorations hanging down over tables, and patterned tablecloths. It's the kind of cheesy fortuneteller decor you've seen in the Hermit's tent before!

Otherwise, though, there's nothing strange. There are plenty of tables and an open dancefloor. The cabinets behind the bar are sturdily locked, but there are pitchers of non-alcoholic punch on every table, and on the bar is a jar of paper slips and a laminated instructions sheet.

The name of this game is: Fortune and Lies.]

RULES ☆ TURN-IN ☆ WINNERS & ENDGAME

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Hoh? Is that it? Did you wish to fight, then? I can assure you, I am not a monster, nor do I act like one.

Fi--are you insane?

[WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU. WHY ARE YOU LIKE THIS?]

Why would I fight you? I despise your nihilism and self-loathing, your selfishness and your cowardice, fighting you will not change any single piece of that. What sort of absolute idiot do you take me for?

I do not loathe myself. [She cannot help but sigh, like she has had this argument so man times.]

I am not a nihilist, either.

[She shrugs.]

You called me prey. I thought you meant to fight or eat me, and the last person who was as angry as you were wished to duel me. It did not seem a farfetched conclusion to come to.

My instinct is to eat everyone and everything with blood in their veins! I do not want to do so, fighting you would be counterproductive to that!

I see. Well, I am not prey, unfortunately. Unless you wish to change your mind and indulge yourself.

What?

[WHAT IS HAPPENING.]

If you require blood. You may have it. From me. Or what have you, I do not mind it.

Why--why would you just offer that? You don't even like me.

[She is honestly so bewildered it's cut through how mad she was. She feels like she missed part of this conversation somehow. What's going on.]

I can be useful in at least this way.

[Just. Putting her face in her hands.]

Useful.

[THERE IS JUST. SO MUCH TO UNPACK HERE.]

Yes.

Let me see if I have this right. You have been avoiding me, and in fact have...stated no desire to form any connection to anyone here. However, despite your avoidance and clearly stated desire to not be emotionally involved with me in any way, you're freely offering to let me consume you, without asking any questions, because it'll make you useful?

That is correct.

[Yep.]

You don't think that an effort to be more personable would, in turn, make you more useful to people here?

[She doesn't think this'll get anywhere but she has to try.]

No. I am not personable by any means. However the selection process determines its so-called heroes, I was a grievous error.

Whether or not you were, the fact you're here now cannot be changed. No matter how many sparks you generate, if you continue to cause conflict you are also generating bait for the Malice. I do not think you would have to make even a large adjustment.

[She sighs, a long, slow exhalation kind of like a deflating balloon.]

To clarify--your avoidance and...meekness doesn't seem the right word. Subservience to others bears similarities to prey behavior. Issues of my feeding aside, I do not wish to lose control of my instincts, and so I'd take it as a kindness if you were...less of that in my presence.

[How does she even begin to address the rest? Where do you start with this.]

I exist to be useful. If I cannot be, then there is no use to my being here, barring trials, I suppose.

It is a fair request, at any rate. I will continue not to be in your presence, otherwise.

[can't have conflict if she just ghosts and doesn't exist!]

Have you considered asking people what they'd find useful assistance, 80H?

[Just like. Sayin'.]

Yes? But you have made that knowledge available.

I am speaking more in a general sense. Your manner would seem to imply you don't feel you're as useful as you should be.

If people have need of me, then I will be of service as much as I can be. If not, then I cannot. It is that simple.

And how is anyone supposed to know this is an option? You hardly advertise it. Most would assume your demeanor would mean you are unwilling to assist.

There are better ways to do this.