The Thirteenth Trial

[catcophonous]

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

Comments

[voreaciously]

I can be useful in at least this way.

[desirestruth]

[Just. Putting her face in her hands.]

Useful.

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

[voreaciously]

Yes.

[desirestruth]

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?

[voreaciously]

That is correct.

[Yep.]

[desirestruth]

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.]

[voreaciously]

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

[desirestruth]

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.]

[voreaciously]

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!]

[desirestruth]

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

[Just like. Sayin'.]

[voreaciously]

Yes? But you have made that knowledge available.

[desirestruth]

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.

[voreaciously]

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.

[desirestruth]

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.

[voreaciously]

They do not always need to. I prefer people not suffer my presence if at all possible.

[desirestruth]

Then set up a request box or something. There are ways to be more actively useful without being in the presence of others.

[voreaciously]

Is this the orange fortune?

[desirestruth]

I still mean it.

[Buzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.]

[voreaciously]

That should be a fair amount of points for you, you've made a number of suggestions. Well done. I suspected as much, but thought...well I suppose it does not matter.

[Her Majesty's since regarded her with disdain, so for her to go out of her way to help seems unlikely.]

It is a good idea, however. One I may employ all the same.

[desirestruth]

[IT IS NOT DISDAIN IT IS FRUSTRATION YOU ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS FISHBOT.]

It wasn't what I had when I started.

[voreaciously]

I am aware. What luck you must be having. I would not gamble rigt now, if I were you.

[desirestruth]

No, to clarify, I had no fortune for advice when I started giving it.

[She can't. Refute the other point, though.]

[voreaciously]

I see. A missed opportunity then.