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

[desirestruth]

Telling you would have given it away.

[She shrugs a little bit.]

[bad_crowmance]

Yeah, you just wanted to be a brat.

[desirestruth]

Not this time...I'm just not used to hugging. It's uncomfortable. Too easy to get strangled from that position.

[bad_crowmance]

[ He flashes a grin at her. ] Awww, and you trusted me? I'm touched!

[desirestruth]

Don't make me start it up again without a fortune for it, Crow.

[SHE WILL BURY YOU IN AFFIRMATIONS.]

And I know how to kill someone from that position if I need to.

[bad_crowmance]

Yeah, I'm sure you do.

[desirestruth]

I think I'll refrain from offering to teach people that one.

My point is, I've been through murder attempts via hugging, so I'm not sure what you're excuse is.

[bad_crowmance]

Someone hugged me too hard once.

[desirestruth]

Uh-huh.

[bad_crowmance]

Well, it's as likely as anything else.

[desirestruth]

My bet's on a tragic wrestling accident.

[bad_crowmance]

And then I never wrestled again...!

[desirestruth]

It must have been truly traumatic, for you to pass up opportunities to take off your shirt.

[bad_crowmance]

It was. I'm sorry for this loss to the universe at large, but I just can't wrestle.... anymore....

[desirestruth]

It's a shame, now you'll never claim the title of champion.

[bad_crowmance]

That's why.... [ He places a hand on Naeva's shoulder. ] You'll have to move forward in my place.

[desirestruth]

...I have to tell you something, Crow. I've kept it secret all this time...

[Leaning in, in a conspiratorial tone.]

I am the Champion.

[bad_crowmance]

[ Crow gasps and clutches at his chest. ] It's....! Been you this whole time!

[desirestruth]

[She does a remarkably good evil cackle, turns out!]

Of course! Who else would it have been, Crow? All this time I've been waiting to see if you'd ever become a worthy rival, kihihihihii~

[bad_crowmance]

Why...?! Why did you keep it a secret?!

[desirestruth]

Because I could.

[And with that, she's going to straight up lift him over her head.

She's just carrying him over to the punch bowl it's fine, she just got too into character.]

[bad_crowmance]

Wh--- hey, wait a minute!

[desirestruth]

It's fine, it's fiiiineeee.

[Setting him down. And then digging in her coat for something.]

[bad_crowmance]

[ He brushes off an invisible wrinkle in his outfit before looking over at her with a raised eyebrow. ]

[desirestruth]

[Pulling the whiskey flask out of her coat. And gesturing to the punch.]