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]

... [ 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.

[bluediligence]

... Mmm ... [ That's still very much horrible. ]

[ But she's not going to harp on about it. ]

I won't talk about it with anybody else, obviously. Do you want to do some more squares-?

[time5kip]

I have a bet of 1000 sparks on the line, so yes. The more squares I get the better it is.

[ Time to check out his bingo card to focus on that and not any of the personal things they just shared with each other ]

I can make a confession to you and that'll give me a line. I still need a selfie, and you need to say something you like about yourself and a dance.

[bluediligence]

Are you aiming for a double blackout? [ Ambitious ... ]

[ Reaches for her chain! ]

Let's do the selfie first, then you can do the confession.

[time5kip]

I can't get a double blackout without taking care of the kink question, and like I said. I'm not doing it. But I want to get every spot aside from that one.

[ Moving in closer so they can take the selfie ]

[bluediligence]

Aha. I'd forgotten about that one. [ The power of EXTREMELY NOT THINKING ABOUT IT. ]

[ She stands close but doesn't touch him, lifting the chain. ]

Three, two, one - [ SELFIE TIME ]

[time5kip]

[ He's not even going to bother smiling for the selfie ]

Whoever came up with these cards has too much of an interest in people's personal lives. How far are you aiming to go? Just one black out?

[bluediligence]

[ That's fine, he doesn't seem like the type. ]

No kidding. [ Tucks her chain away again once the photo is taken, loosely clasping her hands behind her back. ]

I'm just gonna go for one blackout, mm. As much as I like people and making new friends ... trials like this get exhausting.

[time5kip]

Torture would have been easier.

[bluediligence]

[ Makes a bit of a face. ]

Each to their own. So ... you said you need to make a confession?

[time5kip]

Your company's tolerable and I don't regret talking to you.

[bluediligence]

[ ... Oh! ]

Thanks! I'm glad you think so.