catcophonous: (Default)
Midnight Paws Reverie Orchestra ([personal profile] catcophonous) wrote in [community profile] auroraexpress2019-06-04 07:46 pm
Entry tags:

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.]

RULESTURN-INWINNERS & ENDGAME
unaffective: (174)

[personal profile] unaffective 2019-06-09 10:20 pm (UTC)(link)
Of course.

[ a pause, ]

Though there is, I suppose - within such a place as this one... that is to say, rather, the means through which those that have been separated from their memories see them regained in this place - it does provide you the opportunity to add to such knowledge, I suppose.
Edited 2019-06-09 22:21 (UTC)
desirestruth: (I wonder which one is better)

[personal profile] desirestruth 2019-06-09 10:22 pm (UTC)(link)
It does. I'd prefer to see it if he chose to show it to me, but I can't pretend I'm not...very curious.
unaffective: (Untitled-16f)

[personal profile] unaffective 2019-06-09 10:23 pm (UTC)(link)
It is nevertheless a topic of discussion, is it not?
desirestruth: (What if I return?)

[personal profile] desirestruth 2019-06-09 10:25 pm (UTC)(link)
That is so, just not one I'm particularly adept at.
unaffective: (3)

[personal profile] unaffective 2019-06-09 10:27 pm (UTC)(link)
Ah, that is...

... I can't say I'm quite skilled with men. My apologies.
desirestruth: (Ran away on it's own)

[personal profile] desirestruth 2019-06-09 10:43 pm (UTC)(link)
...Eh?

[Wait when did we start talking about sex.]
unaffective: (160)

[personal profile] unaffective 2019-06-09 10:47 pm (UTC)(link)
... Speaking with them? Certainly there is my brother, and studying physics many in my cohort are men as well, but to speak with them as lovers is rather...

[ hmmm ]

... Though, to reflect upon the matter, perhaps I'm simply ill-spoken.
desirestruth: (Love is indestructible)

[personal profile] desirestruth 2019-06-09 10:50 pm (UTC)(link)
I don't believe you to be particularly ill-spoken, though at times you do seem rather inexperienced and uncomfortable around others.

[When she tilts her head, her ears wiggle...]

I do sympathize, however. I had...very few people to talk to, at your age. Many of the people I would come to count as friends and advisers had not been born, yet.
unaffective: (3)

[personal profile] unaffective 2019-06-09 10:55 pm (UTC)(link)
That is...

[ . . . ]

... Save for a few, it is not you, but rather this - simply this situation, I suppose.
desirestruth: (I won't admit the game is over)

[personal profile] desirestruth 2019-06-09 11:01 pm (UTC)(link)
'Save for a few'?

[She considers this, and sighs.]

It is difficult. I don't think anyone could argue it isn't. I cannot ask you to be more comfortable with it, it would be unreasonable to believe anyone could be.

And you need not say anything for a yellow fortune, if you don't wish to tell me.
unaffective: (174)

[personal profile] unaffective 2019-06-09 11:06 pm (UTC)(link)
[ exhales, relieved ]

. . . Thank you.

Though it is honesty owed aligned with the conceit of our stay here - to behave in such a manner remains taxing regardless. My sincerest apologies.
desirestruth: (Mother mother--!)

[personal profile] desirestruth 2019-06-09 11:11 pm (UTC)(link)
Your self-awareness already puts you a step ahead of several people on this train.

[She says it pretty dryly, even as she shrugs.]

It is alright. I would much prefer that, should you chose to be open and honest with me or anyone else, that you do so because you wish to be.
unaffective: (39)

[personal profile] unaffective 2019-06-09 11:20 pm (UTC)(link)
Ah, her case is somewhat...
desirestruth: (pic#13213294)

[personal profile] desirestruth 2019-06-09 11:23 pm (UTC)(link)
Somewhat what? I saw her fear, and it isn't as though I'm unsympathetic, but...

unaffective: (Untitled-28f)

[personal profile] unaffective 2019-06-09 11:28 pm (UTC)(link)
What is it that you saw, exactly?
desirestruth: (Even when it comes to love)

[personal profile] desirestruth 2019-06-09 11:34 pm (UTC)(link)
A week or so back, there were...flowers. The ones I touched showed me feelings, not her memories, but...I felt it, as though it were my own.

A loneliness that could drown you in it, faster than any sea or lake. Venomous, virulent self-disgust...the turning away of others. The lack of trust in others.

I saw myself in her. I cannot stand it, cannot stand to watch her run from a pain no one ever escapes, she is---

How does she believe it's fine to live that way?