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

[bluediligence]

[ Faito takes one look at her card ... and! points dramatically! at the nearest person! ]

Hey! I order you to help me with my bingo card!

[time5kip]

With beautiful eyes like those, your wish is my command.

[bond]

[bluediligence]

Good, good! Thank you.

And in return, I promise to help you with yours. A pact, if you will. [ Shows him her card, that sure is one of the squares. ]

[time5kip]

I've already finished one, but I'm considering a second. How much are you willing to help with that?

[ He's got 1000 sparks on the line he's gotta go hard or go home ]

[bluediligence]

[ The order was also one of the squares, she's going hard, too. ]

One hundred percent!

[time5kip]

[ He's taking another card before saying anything else, and eventually— ]

Good. Then it's a pact. What else have you got?

[ going to hand over his own card so she can see ]

[bluediligence]

[ Compares their cards, hum, hummmmmm ]

You have a square for giving an order, and I have one for following one. We've both got cuddling and dancing, and ... [ wrinkles her nose ] pick-up lines, and trading clothes, and petting. But if you'd rather do those with someone you haven't literally just met, I'd understand.

[time5kip]

I've already thrown out most of my dignity for this game and at this point it's better to do them with a stranger than not.

[ Because he sure as hell is not cuddling Dusk ]

Give me your clothes.

[bluediligence]

Ah ... well, okay.

[ let's see, is there someone not completely out in public? she'd rather not strip in front of everyone ]

[ but! speaking of strangers! ]

My name's Faito, by the way. It's nice to meet you.

[time5kip]

Number Five.

[ He's crossing his arms at his chest and just waiting for her to give him his clothes like he's not even thinking about other people's presence ]

[bluediligence]

[ That sure is a name ... ]

Is it okay if I call you Five? [ HMM. ] Let's head over that way, I don't want to take all of my clothes off in public.

[ Sets off, gesturing for him to follow. ]

[time5kip]

Five is good enough. My father's been the only one who ever used "Number" as well.

[ Following, since she's going, and then it hits him that maybe he should try to be a decent person if she's helping him with a second card ]

I can turn around and just hand you my clothes for the exchange.

[bluediligence]

Five it is, then.

[ ??? His father calls him a number?? That seems rude as fuck - but it's not her business to pry. ]

That works for me. Thanks. Ah, and I guess this counts for following an order ...

[schrodingerscockroach]

[Salutes.] Yes ma'am.

Have need for a selfie?

[bluediligence]

[ quickly checks her card ]

Yup! [ Pulls out her chain ] C'mere.

[schrodingerscockroach]

[Comes over and will drape an arm around her shoulder, pulling out his own chain to take his picture after.] Sweet or silly?

[bluediligence]

Sweet! [ ... She says, right before trying to tickle him ]

[schrodingerscockroach]

[YOU TERROR]

[Goofy laughing face.]

[bluediligence]

[ PEACE SIGN ]

[ Snaps the picture and sends it over to him, grinning ]

[schrodingerscockroach]

....you absolute terror.

[And there's a wicked grin as his arm wraps around her middle and he lifts her up.]

Now you get to smile for the camera.

[And she's getting a raspberry against her shoulder.]

[bluediligence]

[ oh my god ]

D-Du-

[ oH MY GOD NO ]

DUSK, NO! [ squawks, flailing ]

[schrodingerscockroach]

[CLICK]

[And he's laughing as he let's her go.] Turnabout is fair play.

[bluediligence]

That was on a completely different level!

[ what if ]

[ she jumps back into a FIGHTING STANCE ]

And vengeance will be mine!

[schrodingerscockroach]

[Well, he does need to wrestle.]

[Pocketing his Chain and stepping back, looking ready.]

Come at me then, Faito.

[bluediligence]

You're going down, Dusk.

[ chhhhhaaaaAAAAAAAARGE!! ]

[ except it's a feint, and at the last second she ducks low and tries to sweep his legs out from under him ]