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

[time5kip]

[ It's detailed enough, and he looks at her, examining, like he definitely didn't expect a serious one. But eventually. ]

My go-to method would be obsess over it and try to fix it before the shoe can drop to star with.

[bluediligence]

[ Looks at him, kind of surprised but mostly considering ]

Not a bad idea. But ... in this case, I don't think it'd work.

[time5kip]

Let's hear it then. What's your case? In actual details.

[bluediligence]

... Really, it's kind of silly.

[ Sighs, rubbing the back of her neck. After a moment: ]

I've got scars. A lot of them, all over my body, and a lot of them are ... bad. [ Really, really bad. Like the extremely visible one looping around her neck, surgically precise, like a collar. ] And it's weird, 'cuz most of my memories have been of a regular high school life. On the one hand, I know there's no point in worrying about it; on the other ...

I don't know. Like I said, it's kind of silly.

[ Winces - ]

And a lot to dump on someone I just met. Sorry.

[time5kip]

You might have missed that, but I'm not big on manners or politeness.

[ That's very obvious sarcasm ]

I wouldn't have asked out of that. If you want to continue, I'll listen.

[bluediligence]

[ Cracks a grin ]

Thanks. There's not a whole lot more to say, though. I don't have any context for any of it, except a reasonable certainty that time travel and Dusk were involved somewhere, somehow.

[ Rolls her shoulders in a shrug. ]

And I dunno how I should approach the idea that my memory tokens are essentially a game of roulette.

[time5kip]

So you're the mysterious friend of his.

[ He had an inkling because of the scars, but it's good to have confirmation ]

What are you worried about? Remembering how you got them, or just not being a regular high schooler?

[bluediligence]

Ah, he's mentioned me...?

I'm more concerned about remembering how I got them, yeah, since we relive them like it's really happening.

[time5kip]

[ Well that fucking sucks then doesn't it ]

It's not silly.

You already know it's going to be painful and reasonably traumatic. It makes sense to worry about it. But like you said, there's no point to it and it won't do you any good.

What's the most painful thing you experienced here so far? Or that you remember.

[bluediligence]

[ it sure as hell does suck, yep ]

[ she hesitates for a moment at the question, more sober and serious now ]

The most painful thing ... Mm. There was a stupid trial just over a week ago. It was essentially a guessing game, and if you guessed wrong you were tortured. [ Lifts her right arm, wiggling her fingers. ] My right arm and leg turned into clockwork.

[time5kip]

Good. Then you already have some experience of it. Don't get me wrong, whatever you did to get those scars is going to be more painful.

[ Making a gesture toward the one around her neck ]

But it's a baseline. There's nothing you can do to stop your memories or the pain that'll come with it, and you can't change the past. But you can prepare for it and the aftermath.

So focus on what you can do instead. That's my advice.

[bluediligence]

... [ Lets out a breath, and offers a small smile. ]

It's good advice. Thanks.

[ ... ] Can I ask - if you were in my position, would you take your memories privately?

[time5kip]

I don't trust people as a general rule, so I'd take them privately scars or not. Why the question?

[bluediligence]

I usually take mine in public, because it's cheaper and faster. I've been debating taking them privately instead.

[ It'd kinda suck to broadcast something potentially extremely traumatising, for a variety of reasons. ]

[time5kip]

I need to collect Sparks for my powers as well. If you need extra, we can do our bonds together from now on.

[bluediligence]

[ ..! brightens ]

Ah! Sure! That's a good idea - I'd be happy to do bonds with you.

[time5kip]

[ He just nods at that, non-committal like it's not a big deal ]

Let's focus on your card first.

[bluediligence]

Mm, okay.

[ Takes another look at it. ]

I've got six left ... Two massages, for some reason; a dance; something I like about myself; talking about an important person; and ... a secret. [ Wrinkles her nose a bit, that's gonna be a tough one. ]

[time5kip]

Start with the secret. The rest is easier.

[bluediligence]

Yeaaaah ... [ Runs her fingers through her hair. ] I don't think I have any secrets.

[time5kip]

Is there anything you haven't shared with anyone yet?

[bluediligence]

Not really. I haven't really talked about my concerns about my memories much, I guess, but ...

[ ... ]

... I guess I haven't told anyone that I think I got shot through the heart at some point.

[time5kip]

[ He's guessing it's because of a scar, so no point in asking ]

That's close enough. [ and since he's got the same task--] I found my siblings' dead bodies when I was 13.

[bluediligence]

[ jeSUS ]

[ Draws in a sharp breath - ]

I'm so sorry.

[time5kip]

It's been a long time ago.

[ Not that it makes it better, but at least it's not fresh ]

Dusk already knows, but it's not something I'll advertise to others. I figure it counts as enough of a secret, and you told me about your scars.