The Nineteenth Trial

[hot_mess_express]

Who: Everyone
When: Day 43, evening
Where: The Mermaid's Beach

Come on, come on heroes...! Come hither!

[ There's a playful giggle and the sound of splashing as the Mermaid's beach appears in the clearing. ]

Let's play a game...!

Comments

[schrodingerscockroach]

Only big enough for one person to really work in there.

And I'm a big person.

[voreaciously]

Ah, right, of course. I'd nearly forgotten about that.

[schrodingerscockroach]

Guessing Jasmine got that expansion a while ago?

[voreaciously]

Inasmuch as it could be a "while", but I suppose I have gotten quite used to it.

[schrodingerscockroach]

...it is weird how long days feel here.

[voreaciously]

It is not strange. No one wishes to be here and so the days drag on.

[schrodingerscockroach]

But it seems like a lot can happen in a day. It's weird it can be busy and dragging.

[voreaciously]

As you say.

[she doesn't think that refutes her argument, really. they're given and assigned tasks, but, ultimately, not many people enjoy them and would rather be elsewhere overall.

but she negative cares to argue the point.]

[schrodingerscockroach]

Just...weird, I guess. [He shrugs.]

Have anything you want to talk about from your card?

[voreaciously]

[when the time is up she doesn't stop stroking and instead her hands rub his head with deeper strokes against his scalp, very clearly a massage.]

Not particularly, but I will do so nonetheless.

[schrodingerscockroach]

[Well, okay then.]

[Laughs.] Of course.

I am supposed to tell someone something I like about them. [If she could take it.]

[voreaciously]

I will not keep you all day.

[because clearly he doesn't have anything good to say to her.]

[schrodingerscockroach]

[Oh you]

I like how you're always willing to help. Whatever your reasons are, you've helped a lot of people and made things better.

[This is what you get when you try to be dismissive.]

[voreaciously]

My reasons are entirely selfish.

[schrodingerscockroach]

I just like that more.

Selfless reasons means there's always that chance of saying 'fuck it' and washing your hands of it.

Being selfish about it means you're getting something out of it, so you'll keep doing it.

[voreaciously]

In my experience, those are reversed. Selfless people cannot help themselves. At any rate, I am not a photographer, but I can picture you and I together.

[schrodingerscockroach]

Selfless people have limits. Either for themselves, or self destruction. Neither are very reassuring for the people around them.

If I had a garden, I'd put your tulips and my tulips together.

[voreaciously]

Selfless people do not have limits as they often should.

[it takes her a second because she actually likes gardening.]

Moving quite along now. You are a stalwart individual and I do not hate you.

[schrodingerscockroach]

They really don't. That's why some selfishness is good.

...thanks.

[Considers] The rest is getting a little more awkward.

[voreaciously]

[a little cloud appears above dusk's chest

and it starts to rain on it.

now how could that have happened?]

[schrodingerscockroach]

See, you do that to be petty, but considering how hot it's been, I'm going to count this as a win.

[voreaciously]

I was not being petty. I have a square, but if you like, I can continue it.

[schrodingerscockroach]

Ah, a devastating prank.

I also need to pet someone. Want to switch when you're done with the massage?

[voreaciously]

We can do that now. Could you arm wrestle me, after?

[schrodingerscockroach]

Sure. The wrestling square? [But sitting up now.] How do you want to rest?