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]

Eh? Really?

[ But she nods. ]

Yup. I've got seven so far, and from what I remember, I wouldn't have had any abilities to lose anyway.

[time5kip]

Being twenty instead of fifteen means you're just barely out of childhood.

[bluediligence]

Oh! So that's what you were referring to.

[ She doesn't seem to be offended, though. ]

You're not wrong. A kid is a kid, in the end.

[time5kip]

[ He didn't actually mean to offend, and it was just a statement. But he's still pleasantly surprised that she agrees instead of getting defensive ]

Pretty much. But the good news is that age doesn't have anything to do with whether we can complete this bullshit card or not.

[bluediligence]

Right!

[ FIST PUMP ]

Let's change back, then we can do a few more.

[time5kip]

[ What are you doing

He's going to just stare at that gesture like she just grew two heads before he starts undressing because yes, let's get this going as soon as possible ]

You said you wanted to take a selfie.

[bluediligence]

[ quickly turns away again! ]

H-Hey, give a little warning!

[time5kip]

I never said I'm a gentleman.

[bluediligence]

I don't need you to be a gentleman! [ she's so indignant ] Just a warning next time.

... Though, if we're lucky, we won't have to do something like this again.

[time5kip]

I was just about to say if you actually plan on getting me out of my clothes next time, so. That's good to know.

[bluediligence]

I have no intention of getting anyone out of their clothes again, if it can be helped.

[ Changes out of his clothes and back into her own as quickly as possible. ]

[time5kip]

[ He'll be nice enough to not continue teasing her with that, and instead focusing on getting dressed. ]

I'll give you a warning next time, if we end up with a repeat.

[bluediligence]

Thank you. [ Huff! ] ... And I guess that counted as a reprimand? [ Another square down, and one step closer to a blackout. ]

What do you wanna do after the selfie?

[time5kip]

[ Checking his card and, wow, it's kind of bad honestly ]

I could serenade you to keep the atmosphere.

[bluediligence]

These cards sure like making things weird, don't they?

[time5kip]

Considering I have "Share one of your kinks" in there, I'm pretty sure the answer is yet.

I'm not doing that one, for the record.

[bluediligence]

[ turns BRIGHT RED ]

... Y-Yeah, no thanks. Serenading it is.

[time5kip]

[ He's not exactly sorry, but making her uncomfortable wasn't the goal so he's very quick to specify again— ]

I'm not doing it.

[ Which is his way at the vaguest attempt to make things LESS uncomfortable ]

Do you have any preferences for songs?

[bluediligence]

[ She wasn't too worried after he already said he wouldn't, but still, she appreciates the extra reassurance. Blows out a breath, rubbing her chin. ]

Anything you like is fine.

[time5kip]

[ See he's not always mean. But he nods at her answer and just starts singing some cheesy 90's romantic song. He's a good singer, so there's that ]

[bluediligence]

[ this is SO MUCH BETTER ]

[ she applauds once he's done! ]

That was great!

[time5kip]

[ There's like the smallest quirk of his lips at the compliment, and then he just brings his hands to his pants' pockets and super simply— ]

I know.

[ Because he's still an overconfident little shit ]

But thank you. Your turn next. What do you need?

[bluediligence]

[ he is very confident, but that's not always a bad thing ]

I've got a few ... maybe this "ask for advice" one could work. [ But what to ask about? ]

[time5kip]

What do you need advice on?

[bluediligence]

[ HmmmmmMMMMMMMM ... ]

I dunno. Hmm ... I guess - maybe ...

What's the best thing to do when you know a shoe is gonna drop, but you don't know what it is or when it'll happen? Or is that too vague ...