auroraexpress | The Fourth Trial

Who: Heroes
When: Day 9, Midday
Where: The Dragon's Tower

Come hither, Heroes. Prove thy worth.

The earth rumbles beneath your feet with a mighty roar. This time a crumbling stone tower looms above you, unscalable and unbreachable. At the top of the tower is a single window with a single light, beckoning. The only entrance at the base is an arched wooden door which creaks in protest when you open it.

Upon entering the tower you will find yourself in a large room with high walls constructed of dark, uneven brick stone. The ceiling is so high that you cannot see anything but darkness as torches lining the walls serve as the only source of light. The room itself is achingly cold. It’s reminiscent of a dungeon… or a treasure room.

But the only treasure to be found lies in the middle of the room; a small pile of seven bracelets, each one inlaid with a beautiful jewel corresponding to each team’s color. It may be fairly obvious, but just in case anyone is slow on the uptake:

“What is it that you treasure in this world? What are you willing to give up? Until you can decide that much, you will not be allowed to leave this room. It matters not to me if you rot in here.

However, I will tell you this much; should you decide who among you is most precious, only they may bear the weight of your altruism.”

Mingle | Pre-Game Rules | Hostages | Rooms | Endgame

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[a low whistle]

I'm impressed. Then again, that sort of ability seems to fit with your personality.

[what are you saying, Akira]

I'm gonna assume that's a compliment.

[a slow, cheeky smile curls up the corners of his mouth]

You can take it however you'd like.

[oooh~]

Definitely a compliment, then.

[a soft snort, before he slowly slides closer to Aria, lowering his voice a bit once he's close enough]

Hey. . .

What do you think of this set up, anyway?

I talked to one of my teammates about this stuff yesterday. Whatever it is, it's gonna be something bad... probably worst for whoever takes the bracelet.

[and yet!]

I don't like the "what are you willing to give up" part most of all.

Randy?

[saying his name right this time! because it was Randy with whom Akira spoke about this kind of stuff, too]

. . . but-- yeah. I've got a pretty bad feeling about all of it myself.

Yep! He's on my team.

[a beat]

I'm gonna take our bracelet.

[another pause]

. . . be careful.

I will~.

[covering up the worry with a smile!]

[meanwhile, Akira shifts from one foot to the next, suddenly uncertain on whether he should've argued with Jusis about taking that bracelet or not]

This is all so. . . [mmm]

[he still doesn't know how to feel about any of this]

Saving the world sure comes with the best benefits, doesn't it?

[. . . SO WRY]

No health insurance, no salary, no paid leave. . . these benefits suck.

Can we stage a strike?

It'd be a union-backed strike if we did.

[he can say that as president of the (still non-existent) hero's union]

I gotta say, it's also ridiculous how cold it is in here. Crop tops are not meant for cold weather.

[even if it comes with baggy pants and a long knit jacket. he has sandals on! sandals!! his toes are freezing!]

I wish I had your onesie.

I knew this thing would come in handy.

[everyone who judged him before must be super jealous now, right??]

You could share the warmth and hold me gently.

[without missing a beat]

Sorry. You'd have to take me out to dinner for that one, too.

Damn. Striking out with every swing.

[wags a finger at his temple, amusement dancing in his expression]

I used to play baseball; that's why.

I have never done a sport in my entire life unless it was in gym.

Thaaat explains it.

Can't even do pushups.

You should try jogging. It'll help you get back into shape in a jiffy.

(no subject)

lapofluxury - 2019-01-27 01:39 (UTC) - Expand

purrtagonist - 2019-01-27 01:43 (UTC) - Expand

lapofluxury - 2019-01-27 01:45 (UTC) - Expand