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test drive

Test Drive Meme (February + March)

TEST DRIVE MEME: FEBRUARY + MARCH EDITION

Welcome to

bravenewworld's test drive meme! This post is designed to help players test out their characters within the setting, as well as give them an opportunity to collect samples for their future application. The prompts below are all optional, and can be used to get a feel for the game, but we encourage players to get creative and use this post however best suits their needs. Players are welcome to use either prose or brackets for their threads.

When creating a thread, it is advised that players give their prospective thread partners a bit of information in the subject line, such as the characters name and canon, or a possible typing and Enlightened ability (if this is applicable). These are not required, but will make it easier for any prospective players to thread with you. While not required, we also encourage you to take a look at the most recent AU Planning post.

THIS CYCLE'S PROMPTS
#1 After the events in Union, the settlement of Refuge has decided to make the Shattering a more public affair. People who were impacted by the tragedies that befell the city, or those who wish to pay respects to a lost family member are encouraged to either send a Litwick off into the caves, or go off to find one. Who knows, you may find something out about yourself--or about the others around you.

#2 The Medical Center in Union is in need of volunteers, and has sent out a call. But it's not because of what you might think. The weather has been surprisingly warm this time of year, and because of it, a number of Pokémon have decided to, um, fix the population discrepancy that the Elite Four's attack has caused. Baby 'mon have overrun the Breeding Center, and many have found their way at the Medical Center for overflow. There are going to be a lot of diapers that need changing...

#3 With the warm weather hinting at a full return, flocks of Pokémon have begun their northern migration back into the Verdant Forest and beyond. Unfortunately, a few of the wild Flying-type breeds are less than respectful of old monuments, and the Lake and Forest Shrine have received a few unwanted guests making a mess. Shooing them off only seems to anger them, and the Shrines are filthy as a result of their visit. Ugh, will these rude Pokémon ever leave?!

#4 After the attack from the Elite Four, help has been filtering in from all parts of the known world. As a result, a number of temporary food carts have opened up in the business district of Union. Workers have to eat, right? This is a perfect time to expand your palette, but be warned, some of the delicacies can be a bit... eclectic, we'll say. Eat at your own risk.

#5 Wildcard! Come up with your own prompt!

If you have any setting questions, or want to do some reading before posting a thread, you can find the setting directory here! Happy tagging!

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4.
It's a warm day out, a rather pretty one despite all the rubble and ruin that's been made out of Union. Perfect day for a pleasant stroll down to the new food courts that have just opened up. Not that she's lifted a hand to help with the rebuilding. No, no, hard work is for... other people.

The tiny girl could almost look like some kind of princess with her graceful walk the parasol open above her head and the pair of serious-looking toughs shadowing her. And maybe she could be, in a way, because this is Neo Politan one of the more notorious of Union's criminals. It's probably more than a little brazen of her to be walking around out in the open like this, but what are they going to do throw her in jail? Keeping her there would be futile enough without the giant hole in the side.

At the moment though, she's not out to be bad. In fact, she might even be willing to follow the rules as she walks among the carts, wrinkling her nose a little at the spicy Calderan offerings. That's not to her taste. No, today, she's looking to indulge her sweet tooth.

5
Okay, even considering the circumstances, life isn't all fun and games. There's work to be done and Neo has to do it. The relative chaos and destabilized state of the city and the cover of night is a perfect combination for crime.

Daylight or not, she's happily twirling her parasol over her head and sitting on a Rhyhorn-drawn cart while she watches tonight's gaggle of goons fan out. Tonight's agenda? Good old fashioned burglary. There's a lot of homes and businesses left empty and damaged and just waiting for somebody to stroll in the holes in the wall and take everything they can carry.

Or maybe it's not robbery. Maybe she's out to meet a contact, or oversee a deal if anybody else in town is of the criminal persuasion.

2
Aww, look at all these adorable little baby Pokemon! So tiny, so cute, so rambunctious! It's definitely a handful for all these caretakers to keep the little tykes in line and it seems like things have just started to settle down.

At least until Neo happens. And by happens, we mean she reaches into a coat pocket and scatters double handfuls of Pokemon treats out among the babies and lets havoc reign.

Why does she do this?

Because she can cause a riot in Sunday school.

Edited 2016-02-08 00:18 (UTC)

Perhaps there will be time for an old fashioned burglary later. First, however, is a black market sale: incomplete data obtained from neglected historical archives, plucked unseen in the midst of all the chaos. Fascinating, really, where security priorities lie in Union during times of strife.

There's a wisp of smoke from beneath a tattered awning, where a tall busty woman lounges in wait in the dark; one arm is folded across her stomach, while the other holds her hand high, long fingers balancing a cigarette holder. She certainly appears alone, and certainly looks unconcerned at being alone, in an temporarily abandoned section of the city.

There's a flick of ash, dulled embers lost in the grit and snow of the street. "..Ohh? What have we here." There's a throaty lilt to her voice. "On time, I see."

Edited 2016-02-08 03:30 (UTC)

Well, maybe she'll be able to get around to robbery later. For now, there's a deal to oversee and it's important to put your best face forward when meeting the clientele. Who could be better for the job than her?

Security or not, difficult times for the poor law-abiding dolts of the city were a profitable time for those who made a living on the other side of the law. The black market had flooded with all kinds of little goodies and with a few advertisements where the right people knew to look business was booming.

Neo isn't here alone. Not because she's worried, but because she needs a goon around to carry the briefcase. Stepping off her cart, she opens up her parasol over her head and saunters over to where the woman is standing, stopping a short distance away and tilting her head to give her a decent once-over.

She smiles, nods her head slightly to the comment and then lifts a hand, rubbing two fingers together. Money?

Of course, when there is a flood of goods, the chance of being picked up by false hooks baited by the Establishment had led to many a cautionary tale - but Union, whether through sheer bad luck or simple incompetence, did not appear to have such checks and balances in place.

Yet. It was still early with the tide of aid from the outside. This woman had walked in as one of them. And she certainly was lending her skills, providing legitimate aid.

She just happened to have.. other needs. Ones that, rumour had it, could be filled by certain parties.

The gesture is recognisable whatever town your from, and the woman smiles, her own pink hair tossed slightly as she stepped out of the gloom. "Ah ah. Not until I see the goods." There's something playful measured beneath that serious voice, expression unchanging in its lazy regard for Neo and her personal Tough. A meowth stepped out of the ruins behind her, the coin on its forehead reflecting in the dull light, settling on its haunches to watch.

The Establishment wasn't the only thing you had to worry about in this type of game. The promise of rare items and valuable goods had brought out all sorts of people who, frankly, just had no business being here. A few of those had already met unfortunate fates on the ruined city streets.

Neo's been doing this job long enough to tell the marks from the people who know what they're doing and this woman's complete lack of jitters and the fact that she isn't scrambling for her money like an idiot marks her pretty clearly as the latter. Neo smiles, always pleased to meet somebody to do business with. Marks are nice but there's always money to be found and repeat customers are important.

A snap of her fingers and that Tough, really only there to carry stuff for her, steps up. Wordlessly, he unlocks the briefcase in his hands and holds up the document for Lemon's inspection. Eyes only though, no touching until the cash changes hands.

That Meowth gets a glance but Neo dismisses it just as quickly and tilts her head. Everything is in order, yes?

"..You're not one much for small talk, are you, little missy?" Perhaps that's stating the obvious a bit, but it's actually rather refreshing from Lemon's point of view. Getting down to business with a chatter box can be educational, of course, but there's a lot to be said for the silent types.

When the case is opened, she does step forward, her right hand extending towards the product on display - but no touchie. That's bad manners, for one. She does however take a moment to peruse that top page, full lips widening her smile once she's confirmed that the delivery is as was promised.

"My associates will be very pleased," she says, before turning her back to both Neo and the Grunt, stepping lightly towards her Meowth. Cocky, really, to do that, but the pink haired woman seems unconcerned by any potential danger she's opening herself up to. The cat yawns a moment, before looking over at Neo in disinterest, then up at Lemon. "Darling, pay the nice lady for me, if you please."

With a sigh, the cat rises off her haunches and turns away. The coin on its forehead shimmers gold, before multiple sparks seem to bounce off battered brick work, the remnants of a wall hammered by Pay Day. Only once an acceptable number of coins have materialized does she stop. And start purring as Lemon reaches over to ruffle her ears.

"This should cover the costs this time, I believe." The coins are almost impossible to trace back between parties, especially when melted down.

Lemon's observation just earns her a little shrug. As the saying goes, if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all. And Neo will deal with humans, even work with them as far as treating them like her own personal mook squad goes, but she doesn't have a single kind word to say to any one of them. So, she stays quiet.

She blinks a bit, watching curiously as the Meowth starts hammering away at the wall with its Pay Day attack. It almost seems like... cheating in a way, but she can't argue with the results. Hm. Maybe she should get a Meowth.

Silence reigns for several seconds after the attack stops... finally broken by Neo clearing her throat. Instantly the rest of her thugs jump and quickly rush forward to start gathering up the coins. Sighing, she shakes her head at Lemon, rolling her eyes. Good help is impossible to find.

Finally, the money is gathered up and presented to Neo for inspection. She looks over them before smiling in satisfaction. Finally, she raises an arm and gestures toward the still-open briefcase with a little nod of her head.

Lemon has always been...flexible. When it came to rules. Here and now, this is a simple way to bend things to suit both their purposes, and she very rarely asks this of Darling as it is. Being so new in town meant that exchanging some of her existing items for local currency had been delayed, especially with the chaos in town - but by that same token, it meant she could be here, now, to complete this exchange.

Both arms fold over her chest, distant amusement evident at the mad scramble. The lit cigarette is flicked, dislodging more ash, before she offers a shrug of her shoulders to in reply to the eye roll. Men, she seems to say. The unspoken understanding is clear enough, at least.

And then all is approved. "Thank you, little missy," she purrs, before closing the gap to accept the briefcase and its contents. "I'm certain we'll be doing business again," she adds, though a regretful sigh follows as she moves back towards her cat, who is still watching the proceedings with lazy gaze. "Sadly, I won't be the one to handle those. I'm needed for a more...public facing role."

Still. Transaction complete - and without any fuss or feathers flying. Just how she likes it.

Oh, it's nothing to quibble about. Neo can hardly criticize somebody over where their money comes from but it just seems so dissatisfying to her. Money's just a means to an end, a method that allows her to have her fun but not the end goal in itself. No, it just seems like a waste somehow if it's not being taken away from someone else.

With the deal done and the goods and money exchanging hands, Neo waves a hand to flippantly dismiss her grunts without a care. They jump to action at the silent command, not a single one of them wanting to earn the small girl's displeasure, and it's fairly clear who is the most dangerous of this particular gang of Union's criminals.

They're just about done here but before they part ways, Neo smirks a bit at Lemon's comment about her role. A quick reach into a coat pocket and she pulls out a slightly-used and old fashion magazine from Caldera. One with Lemon's face right there.

But to what purpose? Blackmail? Extortion? ... Well, perhaps none of those as she next produces a pen and holds both out to the taller woman.

Looks like Lemon has a fan in the criminal underworld.

The trouble, such as it is, is that the exchange rate around these parts is rather terrible. Thanks to the dragon drop in and such. At least Lemon earns most of her pay as fair wage.

Lemon looks impressed at the speedy exit. Hard as good help can be to find, it IS clear that Neo has her grunts well trained. And really, that's the first step in any successful business practice no matter what your market.

The magazine does get a blink though. Then a genuine smile, not at all like her business one, makes itself known, Lemon reaching for both pen and paper when offered. "I thought you had good taste," she winks, briefly admiring the condition of the magazine - someone certainly enjoyed this issue. With a florish, her signature forms in ink, complete with its heart in place of an O, before she offers it back.

"Should you ever need help with something, you just let me know. I'll make sure to add an extra slot for you, little missy."

Notorious criminal or not, one particular face in the crowd doesn't know her at all. All she sees is a well-dressed young woman, and assumes she has money. Fate isn't a thief by nature, but she's new to this city, hungry, and someone who needs to survive...

It's something she has to do, really. Even with free food being offered, she's going to need money at some point.

Before making her attempt on Neo's wallet, or coin purse, or whatever she happens to be carrying, she adjusts the cowl of the cloak she's wearing around herself, and tucks her long, blonde hair (which there is far too much of, frankly) inside of her. Then, she draws near, making her attempt

Despite living on her own for some time, this is something that Fate has never been able to get used to. She's not a practiced pickpocket. As she gets closer to Neo, she's also holding something else in - an effort to hold back her unstable electrical abilities so she doesn't shock or otherwise harm this woman before she gets what she wants.

There are a hundred people Fate could have picked for a target, and a dozen reasons why she shouldn't have picked the one she did. The two goons with her, the way people stepped out of her path when she came by, any number of reasons that a trained pickpocket might have pointed out to her.

Sadly, Fate went and made the worst possible choice of a target today. Her move is sloppy, unpracticed, and destined for failure. Fate's hand barely makes it to Neo's coin purse before her wrist is seized, thumb and fingers squeezing down on a couple of painful pressure points and twisted painfully.

Slowly, Neo turns her head toward the little girl and tsks at her. Very, very bad move....

Fate's eyes widen as the woman grabs her arm; she immediately realizes she's made a mistake as she feels her arm being twisted and going numb. But as she looks up at Neo, desperately, the concern on her face isn't so much for being caught...

... it's at the spark of electricity that passes from her into the other woman suddenly, with a futile cry of protest from the would be thief. "I'm sorry! I-I'm so sorry!"

Neo's smile just grows a little at the brat's protests. It's much too late for that now. You don't punch above your weight class without consequences, little girl. It's time to learn a lesson....

At least, that's the plan until the shock of electricity suddenly surges up her arm, pulling a harsh, pained gasp from her as she throws Fate's arm away and stumbles back. She stares down at her numb, tingling hand in shock and looks back up at fight, oddly colored eyes wide before narrowing dangerously. She'd attacked her? She had the GALL to actually strike her?!

Fate's apologies fall on deaf ears, as do the cries of concern from Neo's escorts. Instead, the girl spins quickly and lashes out with a quick kick at Fate's stomach.

This had all gone wrong so very quickly. The moment Neo releases her hand, she looks away in shame in fear, and quickly tries to put some distance between herself and the criminal.

It's not fast enough, and Fate is struck soundly in the chest. She lets out a cry of pain, falling back. She looks up, gritting her teeth. In that moment, it's very difficult not to mentally flash back to what she experienced from her mother...

"Please...! I'm sorry, I didn't mean to hurt you like that! I can't control it...!"

There's just never a Sword around when you need one is there, Fate? Neo steps forward to stand over the fallen girl and snaps her parasol shut before jabbing it down into her shoulder, just enough to keep her pinned. She blinks once, eyes copying the color of Fate's for a moment and then going back to their normal color after a second blink. She smirks, letting a few sparks of electricity dance along her body.

Tilting her head, she pats her pocket where Fate had just attempted to rob her and then stretches her arm out, crooking her fingers to silently demand that Fate hand over whatever she's got.

You tried to pickpocket her and then shocked her, Fate. How are you going to make up for this...?

Fate winces, more from the sense of being pinned than a sensation of pain from what the woman is doing with her umbrella. She stares up at her, gasping a little as she sees what she's doing with her electricity.

But that's not something Fate can really afford to focus on, as she comes to understand what Neo is demanding.

"I don't... I only have a little..." she said. "I'm doing this because I don't have enough right now..."

This visit was supposed to be important business. They were there to case the medical center and find any particularly young and strong pokemon so they whisk them away at a later date. No one was going to notice or miss a couple of them when there were so many to care for.

It's about then that he realizes the little critters are whole lot more rambunctious then they were a couple minutes ago. He tries to shoo a couple Pidgey's pecking at his boots with his cane, but they just get come right back. It's about then that he realizes the treats scattered and that they obviously wanted more.]

No. Knock it off, I don't have any scraps for you freeloaders.

[Clearly somebody had decided that the best way to figure out which Pokemon were the strongest was to get them all to throw down in a king of the hill battle royale over poketreats. Or something. That sounds good though.

Neo is, of course, up on a high shelf safely out of range of the anklebiter mob with an impish smile on her face. Reaching into her pocket she scatters another handful of treats around, setting off another flurry of activity. Hope you like being covered in feathers, Roman.]

[If Roman weren't caught in the middle of this battle royale he might think it was a bit more amusing. It is anything but funny for him at the moment. He pivots and swings his foot to try and clear some of the babies out of his path, but the effort is in vain.

His escape is foiled even further when he feels a handful of treats land against his back and shoulders. He only has enough time to turn and see Neo on the high shelf before the swarm of itty bitty Pokemon swarm over him to get at any treats that managed to stick to him.

There's a look on his face that screams "Et Tu, Neo?" before he's sent crashing to the ground.]

[Neo actually winces a little when Roman is swarmed by a rush of excited baby Pokemon, but it doesn't last long before she goes back to watching the mess with a smile and a little giggle.

Only for a couple seconds though before she decides that she'd better intervene before the boss gets too mad. Hopping gracefully down from her perch she gives a sharp whistle and sweeps her parasol from side to side, effortlessly herding the babies away.

By the time the mess of fur and feathers clears from his vision Roman will see nothing else but Neo's smug, smiling face hovering over his as she crouches by his head.

Can you be mad at that face, boss?]

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Test Drive Meme (February + March)

TEST DRIVE MEME: FEBRUARY + MARCH EDITION

Neo Politan | RWBY | Ditto Shifter

5~

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RIOT! RIOT!

NO! BAD!

You mean bad-bad or good-bad?