auroraexpress | The Twenty-Eighth Trial

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

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Like.

Everyone? I mean, bias and stereotyping and all those concepts are a thing for a reason. I think it might be literally impossible for people to meet someone and not assume something.

Hayseed, you just assumed I insulted you, didn't you?

Edited 2020-03-15 01:17 (UTC)

What did you just call me?

[ At least with that, he's more confused than insulted. ]

And calling someone passive is an insult.

An introvert is someone who is usually more reserved, shy, and isn't big on socializing. Not incapable, but getting friended instead of making friends would happen a lot.

Passive is fairly close, except that's more because you're reluctant to try than just feeling better on your own usually.

Neither one of which is an insult.

I meant the one that started with hay.

And I'm not shy.

.... [Pony version of hell.]

It's like....an expression? How Do you define it?

It's like....an enhancer of the statement?

[ Yeah, no, he's got no frame of reference for slang and lingo. ]

Enhancer?

Yeah. Like to draw attention to am extreme.

In this case, the hypocrisy of grtting on my case for assuming you're introverted, a non-insult, while assuming I'm insulting you, which can be saying bad things about me.

I don't like people deciding who I am without asking me.

Thus the enhancer 'cause you decided I was someone to just insult you out of the gate. Its hypocritical.

Whatever. I don't feel like fighting. I have to this stupid trial to help my friends.

[Shrugs.] Then let's get started.

At least you're someone who has a clear idea on his own wants. That's admirable.

[ Thinking... ]

... You're sure not afraid to say what's on your mind. That's better than lying.

Darn straight it is.

[Holding up her arm, looking through the bracelets before pulling off one with a few suns on a chain.] This should work for you.

[ Takes it, studying it probably more awe than expected ]

Thanks... But I don't really have anything to give you.

....

[She motions for him to follow and she goes to where she left her bag by the closet of clothes. Because aesthetic.]

Ever try drawing? Also, do you know what kisses are?

[ He's still kind of mad at her, but his fascination with the charm has dulled that some, along with the knowledge that he needs to work with her to complete this trial. So he follows along ].

Not really. But I know someone who's really good at it.

No. What are they?

A form of affection. Some of us have been seeing if had kisses work.

[She sits down on the ground and pats the spot next to her for him to sit.]

[ Gives her a confused look but sits ]

Affection?

Yes. It's how you show you like someone.

Or ways to just be awkward because someone doesn't understand how socializing works.

Give me your hand. I'll show you and you can do the same, and then you can draw me a picture.

How you like someone?

[ He's holding out his hand though since his desire to help is stronger than his aversion to being led around. ]

[She'll kiss the back of his hand.]

Yeah. You know, people you're fond of? Want to be close to?

[ This is so strange... ]

Oh. I have people like that. My best friends...

[ Kind of trailing off, as he stares at his hand. ]

Do they do any consistent touching? Or like....rituals, stuff you do specifically with them?

We used to eat ice cream and watch the sunset together. I guess there was a lot of teasing pushing.

Yeah, that would be physical affection. Though it should be said all touching is subjective. Some people take well to playful pushing, others don't. Some would take pushing better than things like a hug.

But usually people who know each other enough to be consistently affectionate can figure out what people are comfortable with.

(no subject)

terribletwos - 2020-06-06 01:53 (UTC) - Expand