The Twenty-Eighth Trial

[joybound]

Who: trialgoers
When: Day 60 all day
Where: the trial zone and elsewhere

[Sometime this morning (morning? there's still no sun, so what's the difference), you feel the call to a new Trial.

The entrance to the Trial Zone is a new one: a tower has sprung up in the clearing, like a bit of a fairytale castle. It's made of a sparkling pink granite and has lovely star-themed carvings -- if you can see them behind the excess of neon and lights its been decorated with. If the fairy godmother made a dance club, this would be it!

Rather than a disembodied "come hither", your call is a video on a big screen above the entrance -- a young man in a masquerade mask and a flashy, witchy costume (including a big hat) stands... on top of the tower?? It's hard to see up there, but on the screen you can tell he's got twinkly star-filled hair and a black cat with blue eyes perched on his shoulder. He's also striking a pose.]

Heroes of Distant Stars, gather 'round! I, the mysterious and handsome witch of love, have a Trial for you! Come into my party tower and prove your love to me! If you're not a weenie, that is...

[Upon entering the tower, you find yourself in a vast ballroom. Lit with rainbow lights, magic sparkles, and an excess of blacklights and glowing things, it really does look like a club. Bubbly electronic pop blares over the speakers, though there are several tables and curtained-off booths if you'd prefer to avoid the dance floor. One table includes infinitely re-filling glasses of fruity soda, which lower inhibitions incrementally as you consume them (though only for positive urges). If you wish to get even more in the mood, there's a changing room with costumes -- all hybrids of fantasy and neon pop, just like the decor.

Time to get your love on!]

Rules ☆ Turn-in ☆ Winners & Endgame

Comments

[dragonheartedgirl]

[ reading these rules and

if she knew what a record was, there'd be a record screech going on in her head. ]

Share a kiss!?

[ Dahlia is

visibly mortified by the mere suggestion. ]

[daydreamshimmer]

Prince seems the type to go all in and not understand societal nuance.

[dragonheartedgirl]

What sort of Prince doesn't understand societal nuance?!

[ was he RAISED BY WOLVES?! ]

[daydreamshimmer]

The same kind of prince who thinks fulfilling the list of bonding things to earn sparks is actually going to promote proper relationships.

He has an extremely simple view of the world.

[dragonheartedgirl]

"Simple" doesn't begin to describe this.

[ it's so vulgar and rude and disrespectful..... ]

Surely this has to be a product of all of this dark magic.

[daydreamshimmer]

I really don't think it is. When you talk to him, it's pretty obvious he's not used to complicated social interactions.

He knows kisses are done for 'good' relationship things, so clearly kisses must be good for bonds.

[dragonheartedgirl]

Then someone should really teach him better. I don't mind complimenting or gift-giving, but that last one's too much!

[ even though... it would have been nice to win.... oh well. ]

[daydreamshimmer]

Working on it, but there's obstacles. [Sighs.]

How would you feel kissing a pony? [Listen, if she can get a kiss form someone no one can, she'll take the points.]

[featherbeaned]

What's wrong with kisses?

[dragonheartedgirl]

It's not that there's anything wrong with them, but--that's not the sort of thing you do with near strangers!

[ It's so scandalous. ]

[featherbeaned]

[ Tilts her head one way. ]

[ Tilts her head the other way, her fluffy ears flicking with interest. ]

I don't see why not, but if you don't want to kiss, you don't have to kiss.

[dragonheartedgirl]

It's the principle of the thing, though.

[overworker]

Ahaha...

[Towa understands your feelings completely, Dahlia.]

It’s... a lot to take in so suddenly... isn’t it?

[dragonheartedgirl]

It is, isn't it?! Just what are they thinking?!

[overworker]

Y-yeah... I don’t think they meant anything bad by it but still...

[dragonheartedgirl]

[ this girl... seems really nice and understanding. ]

I don't mind giving gifts or compliments, but... kissing... that's just a little too much, isn't it?

[ she gets it, right? ]

[overworker]

It's definitely a lot to ask.

[Towa absolutely gets it.

But if gifts and compliments are fine then--

Towa gently lifts her hand to touch a few strands of hair at the side of Dahlia's head, smiling. She takes the gold ribbon out of her own hair and gently ties it into a pretty bow at the side of her head.]

There. Heehee-- You have really beautiful hair. It really compliments your eyes quite nicely.

/2

[dragonheartedgirl]

[ OH no. what... an incredibly kind thing to say. One moment please. ]

[dragonheartedgirl]

That's very kind of you. ... Actually, you've been very kind in general--and patient, and a good listener, putting up with my complaints.

[ should she compliment her eyes or her hair in turn? or is that laying it on too thick? --she's probably over-thinking it. ]

I'm Dahlia. What's your name...?

[thunderbeast]

[ Ryujin's definitely got one of those drinks in hand. Who knows how many he's had... ]

It's an opportunity to sit back and relax. Have fun, Princess.

[dragonheartedgirl]

You can't be serious!

[ How many HAS he had....? She might be a little concerned underneath her indignation. ]

[thunderbeast]

[ ...Enough. They taste good, okay? ]

It's harmless fun. No different from the candy hearts or the chocolates. It's not like anyone's life is in danger.

[dragonheartedgirl]

Are you really suggesting we should go along with this, and--and go around... kissing people?!

[ HAVE YOU NO SHAME?! ]

[thunderbeast]

[ DID HE SAY THAT? No. DID HE THINK THAT? ...maybe...something like that. ]

I guess you're cute enough. I wouldn't mind you kissing me.

It's not like it's the only thing to do though. You don't have to get any points, if you don't want to.

[dragonheartedgirl]

Oh, those drinks made you really drunk, didn't they?

[ Ignoring, for the moment, that backhanded "compliment" was just a little insulting--there's just no way he would say something like that to her in his right mind. She's fairly sure. ]

I think you'd better go sit down.