FIFTH TRIAL

[splitaseam]

[As the Stretching Room descends, there is a long pause before Oogie says anything.]

What? You wanna 'nother speech? You ain't getting one!

[New day, brand new epitaphs for our dearly departed awaiting in this graveyard.

Here lies Demyx
All he wanted was a heart
But he ended up torn apart

Here lies Kiara
Our most beloved kitty
Now ready to sit pretty

Here lies Tip
She wanted to think ahead
And ended up torn to shreds

Only a dozen of you guys left, think you can figure out whodunit?]

Come on, I ain't gettin any younger here!

Comments

[sixfingeredstan]

[Ford blinks at Mike.]

I'd...rather not.

[He really, really would rather not.]

[aboyandhiscar]

I'm not telling you to strip, Pops. At least ditch the outer layer.

[mike himself is only wearing his basic tee/tank, since his jacket is holding a head right now.]

[sixfingeredstan]

[Ford's jaw tightens, and he lets out a hiss of breath through his teeth.]

Fine.

[Reluctantly, he shrugs off his trench coat, and hesitates for a long moment before pulling off his turtleneck, too. Underneath, he's got on an undershirt that doesn't do much to hide the massive scarring on his torso, the slashes and bite marks and raised welts of scar tissue. Nor does it hide the tattoo on his neck.

He's clear of any magical nonsense. Happy, Mike?]

[splitaseam]

BAHAHAHAHAHA!

[holy shit he's dying at that tattoo]

[sixfingeredstan]

Yes, yes, laugh it up, Bugbag.

[He pulls his sweater back on hurriedly. You are all the worst.]

[toogoodforhim]

[He can't read that tattoo but hey it's kind of cute.]

[ilovepuppies]

[Star is a black hole of despair, but Ford's tattoo gets the tiniest half smile from her.]

So cute.

[sixfingeredstan]

[CAN IT, STAR.]

[aboyandhiscar]

[VERY

Shit honestly this is the most badass/cute combo he's seen in a while. Amazing???]

Well dang, Pops, you've got some stories to tell, huh?

But you look clear as day for this scenario!

[sixfingeredstan]

Clearly.

[He looks a little grumpy as he pulls his sweater and coat back on. That better have been worth it!!!]

[whistlenotchirp]

Oh sweet mercy.

[sixfingeredstan]

Yes, yes, get it out of your system.

[whistlenotchirp]

No no, its, uh... [...its super dumb Ford its so dumb and tattoos are SINFUL how could you do this to yourself for something so pathetic.]

...Surprising. Is all.

[sixfingeredstan]

Mmm. That's what I thought.

[He's giving the cricket the stink eye.]

[whistlenotchirp]

[....no, I'm sorry, he is a sin obsessed cricket from the 1880s, he HAS to know.]

Was there a really friendly sailor who didn't judge too much or...?

[sixfingeredstan]

Later.

[There is no way in hell he is explaining this right here and now. No way.]

[kindaruledatit]

Dude!

[Yeah, she's laughing her ass off. Because she gets this reference.]

That's the best tattoo I've ever seen!

[And yes, she's being ironic.]

[ilovepuppies]

[Star's dress is covered in blood thanks to her all but fainting at the sight of Tip's corpse.]

[aboyandhiscar]

[yeeeah he's not gonna make her prove anything else] You're good for now, Star, no worries.

[outsidethecircle]

[She's just wearing her tee-shirt for the moment. She pats it down but there's nothing there.]

[aboyandhiscar]

[Good enough for Mike! He gives her a thumbs up.]