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 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.

[time5kip]

You're welcome.

[bluediligence]

[ Smiles, she's so pleased ]

As for what I like about myself ... mm, I guess I like that I'm a lot stronger than I look.

[time5kip]

Really. I wouldn't have thought that. How strong are we talking?

[bluediligence]

Nothing superhuman! I could probably pick up Dusk if I really wanted to, I guess, and ...

[ Here, she'll demonstrate a few handstand push-ups ]

My workouts involve a lot of things like this.

[time5kip]

[ There's a genuine smile at that and he just seems pleased to see that ]

Wow. You work out regularly. That's pretty good.

[bluediligence]

[ Lifts one of her hands so she's essentially doing a one-handed handstand, then flips back up onto her feet. ]

Whew. Yeah, I spend a lot of my downtime in the gym, if I'm not out exploring.

[time5kip]

[ He's not going to mention any of his siblings after he told her he found them dead but he's definitely thinking of Luther ]

It's a healthy enough habit. Keep it in mind for you aftermath plan.

[bluediligence]

Within reasonable limits. I bet Dusk'd fuss like a motherhen if I overdid it. [ Sighs, but it's fond. ]

[time5kip]

One more reason to pick him up. And maybe throw him away somewhere. Might keep him off your case for long enough.

[bluediligence]

[ pfffAHAHAHA ]

I like the way you think, Five!

[time5kip]

One more reason to find you tolerable, then.

[bluediligence]

[ After one last snicker ]

... Honestly? Dusk's really important to me, and I know he means well. He's thrown himself into helping everyone and anyone as much as he can. I just wish he'd take more time for himself.

[time5kip]

He's annoying an pushy. But he's reliable enough.

Do you actually have memories of him?