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

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?

NO BULLY

[bad_crowmance]

He's pretty easy to get along with. Charming, outgoing... we were on a similar wavelength during that child-raising simulator, which was helpful.

;Dc

[voreaciously]

Ah yes, your boss of the town daughter.

[Boss of this Motherfuckin' town, she knows, but, manners.]

I wonder what she will achieve in the meantime.

[bad_crowmance]

Achieve? You think they still exist?

[voreaciously]

[


okay, she's at a crossroads here, there are some truths she doesn't want to drop but not letting someone know about their kid is kind of like

really. really bad.

So she sighs, lightly.]

I know for an absolute fact that they do.

[bad_crowmance]

[ There is an entire world in what she isn't saying, volumes of information and he knows he has to tread lightly here. Part of what he likes about her, after all, is that neither of them feel any particular need to unload any baggage on each other. They can keep their thing light, casual, fun.

But still, he's curious. ]

That's a pretty strong statement.

[voreaciously]

Facts are neither strong nor weak, nor are they opinions. You said so yourself, did you not?

[bad_crowmance]

I said that and I meant it. Perhaps "bold" would be a better way of putting it, hmm?