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 do think. Pity, I cannot be directly involved for obvious reasons, but his hair would need doing. Perhaps Miss Eliza could, if he agrees, of course.

[bad_crowmance]

I'd bet Rufus could do it, if he asked him.

[voreaciously]

Hm. That may do. I would have assumed, perhaps, that he would have had attendants to do it, but he is lacking in them as far as I am aware, and His Lordship's hair yet remains fabulous. Purple.

[bad_crowmance]

[ BUZZZZZ!! Crow laughs, though, not at all bothered. ]

You were just guessing from what was left. I wasn't even lying.

[voreaciously]

Actually, a thought occurred to me, much too late for my liking: you could have lied at some point. You are very clever and intelligent, it would be very like you to play the long game in order to win and intersperse your lies carefully in between truths and mundane conversation, which is what I assumed you were doing.

[Because it







is what she would do too whoops]

Am I wrong?

[bad_crowmance]

[ The smile changes character, something a little less cheery-- a little more dangerous. ]

You're not wrong.

i can't believe i had to write all this because of a two line fucking tag i hope you're happy

[voreaciously]

[Oh dear, that is a problem, because a shudder runs down her spine at the look, the lurking danger. Her lips part very slightly and she lets him see, because she does not mind it, any of it.

She is not afraid of Crow, but she knows he is more than he seems. He isn't a fool, either, so he very likely knows that she knows. To say nothing of those grains of truth he's chosen to share of himself. He must remember that.

She's called his bluff and he's shown his hand, but this game is not over yet. Not by a long shot. Not when she doesn't even know what they're playing for.]

My, you are just several flavours of trouble. [It's a nod to his honesty, but she's walking a very fine line, here. She doubts she will get more than a moment or two of this.

She is curious now and wonders if this is how others feel when she lies an they know it but cannot pick her lies from the truth.]

I'M VERY HAPPY

[bad_crowmance]

[ The look on her face is deeply satisfying-- the way her lips part, the way her breath catches for the briefest of moments. There is something, too, in realizing she's letting him see this reaction-- she's every bit as good at hiding behind her facades as he is. He wonders, briefly, how much of herself she leaves in her presentation. Does she use pieces of herself as a mask, not unlike the way he does? How much truth is there to her? It's an exciting puzzle, a game that he's enjoying playing. ] It's only trouble when I get caught. And even then, I'm sure it's negotiable.

I'M GLAD I GUESS o`////o

[voreaciously]

Mmmm, well I did, so what to negotiate, I wonder.

[She is keeping herself under control, she well and truly is, but she wants him, and there are threads of desire weaved in the undertones of her voice.

She does not bother hiding those, either. She cannot continue--not so publicly--but she dances on the line for the moment.]

[bad_crowmance]

I wonder...

[ A very different smile is playing on his lips. ]

Perhaps we could come to an... arrangement?

[voreaciously]

[She feels the stirrings of excitement, though she manages them. She cannot act on them here.]

I am listening.

[bad_crowmance]

[ He shakes his head and places a finger on his lips, winking at her. ]

Let's meet up later. We can discus.... getting into trouble.

[voreaciously]

We are most certainly going to do that.

[That was never in question. But she's curious at all the things that could possibly be going through his mind at the moment.]

[bad_crowmance]

[ There are two equally appealing scenarios running through his mind and he's not sure which one he wants more. ]

Then I'll look forward to that conversation.

[voreaciously]

[Sounds like they will actually get some talking done, this time.

She will let him redraw whenever but she's still curious--]

Top Five people you have not had sex with, yet?

[bad_crowmance]

Let's see.... One, Rean. Two, Eliza. Three, Elaine. Four, Lucky. Five, Rufus.

[voreaciously]

The instructor is newly-arrived and he is already at the top of the list? I am also surprised His Lordship ranks so lowly.

[bad_crowmance]

What can I say, hot and nerdy is my type.

and back to stupid

[voreaciously]

[you can practically hear the ticking in her mind before it dings and she slowly points to herself in silent inquiry.

Does.

Does that include her?]

[bad_crowmance]

Yes, that includes you.

[ He answers out loud because of course he does. ]

[voreaciously]

But I'm--

[Breeze voice tells her, again, accept the compliment.]

...Thank you.

[She's back to being red.]

Have you not simply asked Miss Eliza?

[bad_crowmance]

Indirectly. I know she's in a relationship back home but it's an open one. So the option's definitely there.

[voreaciously]

Interesting. I wonder if she will oblige you. But I have not met this "Lucky" individual.

[bad_crowmance]

It's worth a shot! Lucky's one of my newer teammates.

can't believe we imeeji now

[voreaciously]

Is that so? What is he like?