Let's Play 20 Questions

[trainmasters]

Who: Everyone
When: Day 30, afternoon
Where: the Aurora

[Though the sun should be high in the air, just after noon the sky clouds over, and a steady drizzle begins. While gloomy, it's not particularly harsh, and the warm weather means you might even enjoy being out in it! In fact, the relatively thin and patchy clouds mean you may seem rainbows here and there. It's quite nice, really -- except, that is, that there are now tiny frogs everywhere. Near the train they're safe, but closer to the corrupt areas they're toxic.

At the same time, you hear the jingle associated with an official message from your Chain -- the usual "newbie time" balloon animation and text:]

WELCOME NEW HEROES

[This round's new blood are waking up in their rooms, in the usual nondescript undies or team pyjamas.

For the first hour or so, it seems that'll all that'll happen today. But then there's that all too familiar Trial feeling...

...Aaaand a flashy pink convertible has arrived in the clearing. It's followed up by another message:]

Hello, everyone. Your ever-grateful Prince speaking. It's been awhile and we've got some new faces, so I'm here to answer a few questions.

Buut to spare myself a little, I'm limiting it to one question per hero. I'll tell the truth, no matter what you ask, as long as it's at all reasonable! After that though, I reserve the right to cut you off -- but I won't, probably, if you play nice.

Sooo, how about you come outside and see me?

[Message sent, Cardamom gets out of his car and unfurls a big, incredibly sparkly silver umbrella. It looks like the most intensely holographic nail polish you can buy, and the raindrops only make it worse.]

[[OOC NOTES: As the monthly prompts, the rain and frogs will continue until next month's placements. You can find more info on them in the announcements over here!

If you want to tag Cardamom, there's a toplevel here. If you have any questions, please ping the mods via the q&a. Thank you!]]

Comments

[ruinatings]

[Humidity is bad for hair but rain does not stop life from happening! Despite it Rufus is outside at the moment, in part of the clearing farther away from the Aurora, doing some sword drills. He's got a lot of frustration to burn off and a perfect figure to keep in shape!! Plus, it's always good to practice keeping your footing even in less than peak conditions.

So here he is, drenched and being cool fighting the air and all. If you have a weapon, you could join him!]

[crimeson]

[hot

wolf whistles!!]

[ruinatings]

[Swings sword in Randy's direction----!

Of course it isn't in any risk of hitting him whatsoever but he does stop with it pointing at him, from a safe distance. This attitude is very much purposefully exaggerated.]

Do you really want to disrespect a man with sword in hand?

[crimeson]

But the man with the sword is so hot! Wanna spar?

[ruinatings]

If you flatter me so much, how could I say no?

[come at me darling]

[crimeson]

Halberd or gun?

[ruinatings]

Your choice. I'll beat you with either.

[crimeson]

Rude! Guess I'll go with the halberd, then.

[aaaand pulling that out.]

[ruinatings]

You know it's true.

[He's at the ready!]

I'll give you the first move.

[crimeson]

Yeah, but that doesn't make you less of a bragging butthead.

[cheerfully, as he goes ahead and charges in for a heavy strike.]

[ruinatings]

And yet you adore me.

[He side-steps the first hit! And after that it's a pretty nice match. They both have to push themselves, but Rufus is... Rufus. So he wins, ultimately, but not without being winded!

In the moment after, he's pulling his sword away from Randy's throat and putting it away.]

You fight well.

[awakenerd]

Mind if I join you?

[Hey look it's a guy whl likes sword! Too bad it's Rean.]

[ruinatings]

[It would be so easy--

He expected this would happen eventually, so he's not surprised, but he's still not ready. He probably never will be! But he did agree to coexist, and he knows that means not just carefully avoiding Rean forever. So... Oh well.]

Go right ahead.

[awakenerd]

[He smiles mildly, summoning a sword from who knows where, settling into a comfortable stance.]

Go easy on me.

[He doesn't mean it.]

[ruinatings]

That would be an insult.

[Rufus will take the first strike this time!! Normally he thinks he can beat Rean alone, but this Rean is different. He is not nearly that confident, and he's not going to give even an ounce less than his best.]

[awakenerd]

[Rean's holding back, himself. Just fighting at a human level. But that's more than enough to give him a workout when his opponent is as insanely strong as Rufus. And he's himself not at peak condition, so without pulling out some Divine Knight stunts it's a close battle.]

[ruinatings]

[It's close! But eventually, somehow, Rufus comes out on top. He's sweaty and his muscles are twitching but HE WON.

The problem is, he knows Rean was holding back. So even though it's Rean whose sword is on the ground, Rufus still feels like he lost. He feels belittled, even, so he's forcing himself to straighten up and get back into stance.]

Again. For real this time.

[awakenerd]

[Rean feels pretty satisfied. Frustrated to lose but against someone like Rufus it's not the worst. But... this isn't the outcome he expected. So he looks at Rufus in confusion. Sure he was holding back, but...

He pushes himself to his feet, sword summoned back to his hands but...he doesn't lift it.]

You won fair and square.

[ruinatings]

No. You were holding back.

[and Rufus DOESN'T LIKE IT]

I want to fight you seriously.

[awakenerd]

...

[He... he doesn't know what to say to that. He understands the urge but... he scratches his cheek.]

You're right. I was holding back. But not to insult you. This is a friendly match, and I fought my current best without overreaching. To try to reach beyond the limits of the strength I'm being currently granted would only stretch my Awakeners thin right now.

Besides. Just fighting you like this, I feel some of the rust coming off. I had a lot of fun.

[desirestruth]

[Clapping!]

You're quite skilled.

[She doesn't have a weapon. She is the weapon.]

[ruinatings]

I do my best.

[He says when he has a moment to pause.]

What about you?

[desirestruth]

I don't seem to have my weapons training back, but...

[Streeetching out, and then falling into a boxing stance. This is in fact an invitation.]

I get by.

[malignstar]

[ Watching with interest, tapping a rapier at his side ]

[nihilmancy]

[Hlasoh at least is under an umbrella like a civilized person.]

Very impressive. Do you do this regularly?