TEST DRIVE MEME: JUNE + JULY 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 encouraged to use either first person or third person 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.

THIS CYCLE'S PROMPTS
#1 Refuge has opened its gates to the people of Union, Caldera and Citadel, in the most hospitable way they feel possible: A party. Some have come to explore the expansive underground city, but mostly, word has spread about how Refuge's brews are on point. They don't seem to discriminate on age, either.

#2 The city of Caldera is starting a major production project and they need workers. The forges are constantly going day and night and the pay's good, but it's hot, hard work that'll leave you tired and achy to say the least.

#3 The Summer Solstice festival has begun in Citadel. The tree is in full bloom, with flowers of every color dot its branches. This week-long celebration brings together the various tribes that call Citadel its home through music, dancing and, of course, fighting. There is a tournament set to begin, boasting some of the strongest Valkyries that Citadel has ever known among the combatants.

#4 The heat has really gotten to the people of Union, and as a result many have moved south for a weekend get-away in the Archipelago and the larger Island. The sand is warm and the water is too, but doesn't the beach seem a bit crowded for a once seemingly deserted area?

#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!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ Jack doesn't know if he trusts himself enough to drink, if it might make his many problems even worse and turn this party into the most unpleasant kind of winter - but he's really, really tempted, so he's been hanging around the drinks table and debating with his Duskull about the pros and cons of being a complete idiot. because if he decides to actually do it, that is undeniably what he is; he doesn't even have any other Enlightened friends around to keep an eye on him and kick him outside if the temperature starts to drop.

he hears James' shouting and turns, laughter bubbling up as he sees the Poliwag waddling towards the drinks. ]

Oh, no you don't. [ he crouches down and scoops her up gently; his hands are cold, he knows, but at least that shouldn't be too bad to a Water-type. ] Sorry, buddy, but I think someone's trying to get your attention.

[James peels to a stop before the drinks table. A little out of breathe, not too bad. Hasn't been looking long, too, that's lucky. He'll just get Polly back from--- from this stranger, and go home, and that'll be the end of it. Yes.]

Oh, thank you. Sometimes... she can be a bit of a troublemaker. [He guesses that's what you'd call it.] I... could I have her back now? [He holds his arms open. Please don't run for it.]

[ sheesh, this guy's twitchy. obviously not much of a party type, either. he'd like to do something to put him at ease, or get some cheer in him ideally, but... nervous ones are tricky. nervous kids, no problem; nervous adults feel a little more like walking on eggshells than Jack is normally comfortable with. ]

A troublemaker, huh? She sounds like our kind of girl. [ he grins over his shoulder at the Duskull hovering behind him, and it makes a raspy, rattling noise, eyes curved with a smile. ] Uh, he's laughing. Some people get kind of creeped out by the sound, but - it's a laugh.

[ ... right, he's still holding the Poliwag. ] Oh! Right, here she is. All yours.

[ he goes to hand her over, perhaps with a tiny moment of hesitation; he's so used to every small touch being something that has to sustain him for a week, maybe longer, before he'd get the chance again. taking a kid by the hand, or pulling them in against his chest to shield them in a snowball fight - little fleeting things that he'd miss again as soon as they were over. he can't cradle Duskull like this either, something solid and real.

but it's not like that anymore, and he just has to remember that. he actually lives in a city now, and there are people that aren't afraid of what he is. anyway, he can't just hold onto this guy's friend, that would be weird. ]

[His eyes trail to the alcohol and he forces them away. Stop prolonging this. The longer he stands here chatting, the harder it will be to turn his back and go.

A little conversation, though, that won't... and he did find Polly for him...

James shakes his head, clearing whatever internal debate's going on out of it.] She showed up... a few years ago now, and, well, she's... been hard to ignore ever since. [Oh. Uh. That's... that's laughter?] Oh. I guess-- I don't really know too many... that's a ghost, isn't it?

[It's been awhile since he'd gone exploring out there. Since--

Too long. A few months. A lifetime. What's the difference? The seconds pass like hours, all of them spent staring at the floors of waiting rooms and the empty side of a bed.]

I don't usually go out like this, uh, that often.

[He holds the Poliwag to him. A remnant of what may as well be another life. She fidgets in his grasp, maybe a little too tight, until he loosens up, and she clambers up until she's sitting on his shoulder.]

Oh, I can tell. [ no matter how nervous the guy is, Jack can only hold back sarcasm for so long. ] It seems like a lot of people turned up for this, though. I'd feel weirder sitting around in an empty city than knocking a few elbows.

[ but it might feel safer, too. every time he gets a chill he has to remind himself where the exit is and get ready to make a run for it. honestly, who builds a city underground, anyway? that's just asking for trouble. ]

Hey, watch it. [But he doesn't have anything to argue his point. He's a little obvious, isn't he? So, instead of sulking, he keeps talking.] But... it's almost like... nobody'd really... blame you for coming, right?

[Right. Nobody.

Nobody at all.]

[ he eyes James with - not caution, but a certain awareness. he knows that kind of lost, trailing speech; the vague hint at something bigger, more personal. there's no way he's going to ask about it. it just won't hurt to be prepared for the guy to sink into the kind of brooding Jack sometimes does when he starts talking like that. ]

I don't know if anyone would blame you for coming anyway, but - yeah, I mean. It's a big deal, right? Refuge is trying to be open and everything, people want to see what all the fuss is about.

[He looks to the stone floor, slightly to the left. Cavern floor, same difference. He comes to some sort of conclusion, and when he does, he looks back up.]

I should... bring something back with me, I think.

[A souvenir. Maybe for work. Once in a lifetime opportunity like this. Who could pass it up?]

Sounds like a plan. What're you thinking, rocks?

[ Duskull thinks Jack's teenage attitude is hilarious, apparently, given the rattling. this is definitely why Jack brings him along everywhere. ]

It'd have to be a pretty big rock.

[The joke sails completely over his head. Whoops.]

... Wait, y— Are you for real? [ he's not sure if this is funny or just pathetic. weird might be a good compromise. ] You'd actually take a rock as a souvenir?

[He shrugs and shuffles his feet.]

Well. It's... it depends on the rock?

[Something only Refuge would have.]

You're not getting a rock. I'm not gonna let you take a rock back to Union. [ maybe he can't cheer an adult up with a handful of snow to the face, but he can at least fix this. and maybe it will make this guy less... whatever he is. ] We're looking for something cool.

It's not really... that important, is it? [It's just a, well, it's for work. Right?] And hold on a second, I never--

[Whatever 'he never' is lost to the poliwag bouncing on his shoulder. Guess somebody's gotten a bit excited.]

Fine, I guess... what did you have in mind, anyway?

Edited 2015-06-24 17:21 (UTC)

No ideas yet! That's why I said looking, duh.

[ do you regret this conversation yet, James. do you regret teenagers. ]

Your friend seems like she's up for a little search expedition too, so I guess it's three against one! Come on, it'll be fun.

[He regrets teenagers so much. You don't even know.]

I don't really have much of a choice, do I? I mean, if it's all... decided, anyway.

[Before he gets morose, though, he'll start looking for a more worthwhile memento. Whatever it might be.]

Test Drive Meme (June + July)

TEST DRIVE MEME: JUNE + JULY EDITION

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