Test Drive Meme #3

[hadrielmods]

Welcome to Hadriel's test drive, and thank you again for your interest in the game! As always, our reserves page is here, and our applications page is here! Reserves open November 24th, and apps are open December 1st.

Two quick points here as well:

1. Any thread made in Hadriel's test drive will be accepted as the sole Action Log sample in the application.
2. All threads made in the test drive can be considered game canon!

Test drives will be broken up into specific god mini-events, during which your characters can see how well they fare under the watchful eye of one of the gods. Choose wisely or just simply pick 'em all, and have fun!

F E A R

SCENARIO ONE: GIMME A HUG
[The Door brings in all that is chaotic and evil in the world. This may include you, may include the person next to you... and may include the monster behind you.

Watch out as you explore the streets of Hadriel, because you're not alone, and there's always something on the rooftops watching and waiting for the perfect opportunity to separate you from your group and tear you into pieces. This time, the Door has brought in a large slithering beast for you meet.

This Titanoboa is not the friendliest of snakes. Over fifty feet long, it requires quite a lot of meals in order to keep going, and it seems to be most interested in making you one of them. A giant anaconda, this is a constrictor rather than a venomous snake - but don't worry. It's got teeth, too, in case it needs to do a touch of nibbling. We're sure you'll get along just fine.]


SCENARIO TWO: THE DOCTOR IS IN
[You awaken on an operating table. How did you get here? What's going on? You don't remember checking into a hospital or seeing a doctor, and when you try to get up you quickly discover that your hands and legs are secured tightly to the table, the straps digging into your skin.

Next to the table is a tray of gleaming steel surgical instruments, their sharp blades glittering as the overhead light flickers. They seem to be the only clean thing in the room, as you begin to realize that the walls of this operating room are moldy and stained, and there's something dripping from the ceiling. This may not be a legitimate hospital at all.

There are footsteps outside the door. It could be a friend - or not. Will you call for help? Try to free yourself? Lay back and wait for the doctor to arrive?]


H O P E

SCENARIO THREE: HOPESGIVING
[You find yourself in a kitschy, brightly lit, utterly pleasant gift shop. Lining the shelves are all manner of stuffed animals, inspirational figurines, greeting cards, and delightful ornaments. Some even look familiar, like something you might have seen before.

The door isn't locked. You can just leave, if you want. But on a pedestal where the registers should be is a globe of glittering light, and within it, a picture of the person you care for most in the world. Carved on the pedestal are the words Bring someone hope, and you will bring them happiness.

Of course, you aren't alone in there. Will you find something on the shelves to show to your companion, something that might bring them hope? Or maybe you brought something from home. Or maybe you don't care at all, and just want to smash everything in there. It's all up to you.

This is a simplified version of this month's Hope event.]

Comments

beyond birthday (crau) | death note: another note

[recinerate]

scenario two.

Beyond wakes, strapped to a table, and he can tell it's been a while since he was last awake. Everything is painful and new, like his body has forgotten what it's like to be alive, and since the last thing he remembers is being murdered at the hands of a girl with weaponized blood and unnatural strength - well. It's not difficult to put the pieces together, solve the puzzle for a complete picture. He was dead; now he's not. (Again.)

But this isn't the Barge infirmary; he knows that much, at first glance. This place is filthy, an undercurrent of menace running through everything inside the room, the way the operating instruments are placed, the inconstant light blinking overhead. He turns his head toward the sound of footsteps outside the door.

"Who's there?" His voice is quiet, raspy from disuse, but it still rings through the silence louder than he expects.

scenario three.

Beyond inspects each object inside the shop with a agonizing attention to detail, the sort of keen interest that most ordinary shopkeepers would attribute to intent toward shoplifting or some other sort of criminal activity. This is no ordinary shop, of course; his unnerving quietness goes, for the most part, unnoticed.

He does finally turn to the person nearby after reading the words on the brightly lit pedestal, his voice even and calm: "Does hope need to be gift-wrapped as well?" He could be serious; he could be sarcastic. It's difficult to say.

three.

[justscience]

Chris doesn't mind the other man's quiet. He's a quiet person himself, and if he doesn't have to make small talk with the other people in the shop, that's just fine.

He's been examining the pedestal for quite some time. He doesn't know what the other man sees, but Chris sees a picture of his daughter. His daughter, who he hasn't seen in years, who is most likely dead.

Chris takes the man's comment as sarcastic and replies cooly, "Gift-wrapped and delivered, I'd wager. Though I don't think this place has a mail service."

yaha | drakengard 2

[barebacking]

SCENARIO THREE: HOPE

[ Yaha can honestly say that he's confused. He did not expect himself to be in a shop -- and one absent of its shopkeep. The elf thinks that he would be somewhere with a lot more fire.

He wanders through, looking at the objects on the shelf, with befuddlement. It is only when he notices the globe on the pedestal does he stop his aimless wandering. His eyebrows come together as he steps forward -- tilting his head a little so that he could catch a glimpse of what is inside at a "safe distance." But it is only when he sees what is within that he rushes forward. His hands gloss over the globe as he breathes heavily upon it until the outside fogs.

Urick. The elf looks to read what is carved. His hands immediately drop away from the globe. ] Hope?

You do not bring someone happiness with hope. [ Pulling away, he walks towards the object in the shop. How did the shopkeep know? How? Is it a test? What an unfortunate test that it is. Because the elf understands the truth of "hope." Fill a person with it and it's worse than any poison that you could give.

He starts to grab various items off of the shelves to smash them on the floor. ] Let's see if we can bring the shopkeep forward, hm? [ His voice remains calm, lilting as it always does, even as he starts to rip the stuffed animals apart. ]

[lethen]

[The shop is large enough that if he wanted, he could ignore the other elf in it completely (and he can tell it's an elf by those tapered ears, long and pointed). While he maintains a healthy distance, a mixture of suspicion and wary interest keep his eyes on the stranger.

Fenris says nothing when the elf begins speaking, although his brow draws tight with confusion at the words. He hasn't approached the globe himself; there's something unusual about it that makes him stay away. He would not be surprised if magic is at work here.

Glass shatters across the floor, causing him to start forward, body tense.]

What are you doing? [He doesn't ask out of concern for the shop's wares. He watches the elf tear apart a small stuffed rabbit with bewilderment.] Although I suppose it's an effective method, if you're seeking an angry merchant.

[deadmeat]

[There's nobody in the world he cares for most. There's no draw to stay in the shop for the biker, and he'd decided to leave. But not before smoking the last of his Lucky Strikes, leaned against the windows of the hokey little shop.

He's almost done after minutes pass by, flipping his helmet back down as the cig burns to the filter. That's when he hears the shattering, the clinking of things being tossed. The biker glances over his shoulder to look at what might be causing the ruckus. Flicking the smoldering stub he has left to the ground he stares. There's-- someone looking like a shitty David Lee Roth impersonator breaking things.

This is funny. Funny enough to step back in, maybe dinging a little bell on the door.]

That works better in a grocery store...

[mangsting]

[Really, Oliver has no other purpose in being here save for scoping the place out. The mystical words inscribed over the pedestal hit home on some level, but it's not enough to hook his attention for too long. He's more preoccupied with getting a general feeling for the layout of Hadriel. Sentimental toys and decorations aren't exactly his style anyway. He struggles enough as is with the whole... domestic married life.

And that's when he hears the crash. Presently, he's in the back of the store, nearly debating about leaving but--welp. Obnoxiously loud commotion and the potential for an actual crime taking place is enough to drag him over to the scene of the action.

Oliver stomps on over to where Yaha is causing a ruckus. Frankly, seeing as that he's presently decked out in his Arrow gear, which is comparable to a LARPer on steroids, he could easily be mistaken for said shopkeep. If this were the 16th century.

He stalls momentarily and just sort of stares at Yaha for a moment. Stares at this androgynous elf tearing apart a stuffed animal right before his eyes. You know. Just when he thinks he's seen it all...]

That's vandalism.

[He grunts in his classic Batman voice. Okay really, all things considered, this is probably the most minor crime he's ever had to put a stop to.]

And completely unnecessary.

fenris | dragon age

[lethen]

2 | fear

[The disorientation of consciousness comes with a painful headache, sharp behind his eyes, intermittently pulsing. When he recovers enough to look up, he's blinded by the flicker of an overhead light, grimacing and turning his head away. He closes his eyes, seeing only bright spots. His cheek presses against something stiff and cold. It has a strange texture that reminds him of leather.

After a long moment, Fenris forces his gaze back on his surroundings. Everything is alien and unfamiliar. The nightmarish quality of the room comes with its own sense of nostalgia - there's an awful taste like metal on his tongue. He's never been here before, but it feels like it. The panicked churning of his gut only makes it harder to concentrate on getting out.

His wrists and ankles are bound. He strains against them, lyrium flaring in the dimness, but he's not focused enough to fade through it. His thoughts are all slurred and loose, slippery in his mind. Was he drugged? Blinking to clear the fog, Fenris rolls his upper body up, head bent forward, eying the tight straps as if to determine whether his teeth will be able to get through it.

At the sound, he goes rigid, eyes narrowed to slits.]

Show yourself.

3 | hope

[There isn't much in the shop that he recognizes, an otherworldly strangeness to the items lined on shelves. It feels more like a dream than anything real. He pauses to eye an assortment of small animal toys, brow arched. He's more wary than calmed by the brightly decorated atmosphere.]

What is the point of this?

[Fenris says it aloud, irritation coloring his tone. When he turns, it's as though he's noticed his companion for the first time, his glance uncertain.]

Are we meant to purchase these useless items?

hope

[closerift]

[ She hadn't noticed the presence of another in the store, not until he speaks. ... Well, she'd noticed, but hadn't paid him much attention, not with so many strangers in Hadriel. If they aren't outright monsters, it's easier to go about your business, keeping to yourself, and not completely fearing for your life.

But he does speak and she isn't beyond polite conversation. ]

You've just arrived, then? [ Cecily Trevelyan explains, eyeing the elf on the other side of the shop. ] There aren't any merchants; you can take whatever you like.

[ As long as you can find it. They still have to find weapons, but two months of searching haven't turned up so much as a dagger thus far. ]

River Tam | Firefly

[littlesoul]

[I'm taking River from right before her box is opened in the pilot ep, if anyone is curious, so she's basically going from one horrible place to another. *is awful*]

[Scenario 2]
River wakes slowly, her mind groggy and confused and her body uncooperative when she tries to move it. She doesn't remember what she was doing before the cold set in but she knows she wasn't here.

She tugs at the binds around her arms and legs once, twice, but they don't budge. She's trying to panic but her body still feels heavy and filled with lead, everything is thick and hard to move in.

There's a noise outside the door, someone coming, and that jars her into enough of a state that she's tensing up despite how slow she feels. Her eyes dart from the door to the weapons and back again.

Her hands twitch just a little, anticipation building in her chest as she waits to see who might be beind behind the door.

Re: River Tam | Firefly

[justscience]

Chris isn't sure how he got here. The last he remembers he was walking -- no, stumbling to the gates of the township, the zombie virus taking the last of him, weak and delirious. He doesn't feel weak anymore, but he must be still delirious. He's never been to a place like this. These places only exist in horror movies. Then again, he used to think that zombies existed only in horror movies, too.

He's trying to figure out exactly where he is, opening doors, looking for clues. That sort of thing. Most of the rooms have. Turned up empty, the occasional have had corpses, but he's a little surprised to find someone in this one. A young girl, no less.

"Excuse me, miss?" He looks pointedly at the restraints. "Would you like some help with those?"

Enjolras | Les Miserables

[bloodofapollo]

un.
[ Funny thing is, Enjolras doesn't even remember hitting the ground. The army was good at their job, he supposed, and he died before ever hitting the streets of Paris. He must be on the streets of purgatory now, he reasons. It's dark, drab, and there's a definite chill in the air. Maybe this place is supposed to freeze out all your sins instead of burning them away.

He strides through the streets calmly, not really expecting to find anything. He vaguely wonders if he'll see any of the other Les Amis here. There's a decent enough chance. Grantaire's probably gone to hell, and Marius could probably get straight into heaven if he tried, but someone is bound to show up here, right? Revolution spares no one.

But maybe purgatory is solitary. That's okay, too.

He knows he isn't alone when he turns the corner and sees the largest snake imaginable. It hisses, bares its fangs, and Enjolras knows this is no purgatory. This is hell.

He turns on his heels, and runs. ]

trois.
[ Enjolras doesn't know why he's even in this shop. He's never been one for frilly, kitschy accessories, needless trinkets that serve merely as distractions and a way to placate the masses. He's always strived towards loftier goals, and besides, the idea of so much excess while others are starving repulses him. It's curious though, this shop. There are things he recognizes, and several things he doesn't, candies and plush things and toys that must be from other cities, other nations.

He doesn't take anything. He's too cautious for that, and besides, Enjolras does not steal for no reason. This shop must have a proprietor, and he doesn't want to cheat them out of their living. He makes his way through the shop slowly, carefully, peacefully. That peace is shattered when he sees the podium.

Grantaire.

It is only now that he acutely realizes what he's lost, what he's missing.

He reaches for the globe slowly, tentatively, lost. How does one bring the dead hope? ]

un.

[theresolve]

[Whether purgatory or the inferno itself, Enjolras isn't alone. What little illumination there is to be had coming from stones that glow with their own inner light reflects off the dark metal of the fine armor Rainier wears as he rushes forward.

He'd been hunting the snake. It got away to seek easier prey, but Rainier isn't about to let it go.]

Behind me!

[He calls in consideration to Enjolras, putting himself between the snake and the young man, shield drawn and sword swiping at it.]

james t. kirk • star trek (aos)

[caelus]

SCENARIO THREE: HOPESGIVING

[ jim isn't exactly sure how he'd gotten here. scratch that, he's got an idea, but he's pretty sure that this place wasn't the place that he was just looking in on risa. it had been a quick stop, everyone needed a break after the last few months, and the crew was eager to get some time planetside.

while he wasn't a stranger to the resort scene, it was midday, and he wanted to see what else the planet had to offer. he'd found a small market just off one of the main beaches, and headed in, spock and bones trailing behind. bones had veered off their path to look at something for joanna, and spock kept just a few paces behind his captain. jim had seen the gift shop, full of atypical trinkets, and mentioned something about stopping in.

spock had said something supremely logical about it being a waste of time, to which jim asked "even when it comes to picking up something for uhura", but it didn't seem to work. he told his first officer he'd be right back and as soon as he walked in the din that he'd grown used to outside was gone.

so was spock. bones too. what the---?

he groaned and pulled out his communicator, all the while continuing to peruse the shelves, they were explorers after all. once he flipped his communicator open: ]

Kirk to Spock. Uh, I think something happened, maybe I lost you guys back there. Do you read me?

[ nothing. huh. jim keeps making his way through the shop, small satchel bag slung over his shoulder, and tugs his jacket closer, hand going into his pocket to find his command rank insignia pin that he keeps there. he tries changing frequencies manually, but he's still not getting anything from spock or bones.

that's when he sees the counter and the globe. there's other people in here, but he's distracted by that globe. is that---? he moves over to it and picks up the globe. the enterprise is there, shining against a backdrop of stars. his ship. his crew. everything he cares about in the universe, that gives him hope and makes him want to put on the uniform every day.

he gently sets the globe down, and shakes himself slightly: ]

Kirk to Enterprise, is anyone reading me at all?

[64th]

[ Cashmere is not very impressed with whatever the hell it is the gods are doing here, but she does like all the trinkets and interesting odds and ends. some of it looks like it might even be useful, so she's playing along with it all for now.

not everyone seems so settled about it, though, and she glances over at the unfamiliar man who seems to be talking to... himself? some sort of weird cell phone? his confusion is not really her problem but he does seem lost (and handsome, which is to his favor), so she pockets the necklace she's been holding (Gloss's token from his games) and call over to him from down the aisle. ]

If you brought your cell phone from home, it won't work here. Not without the right chip.

Fai D Fluorite | Tsubasa: Reservoir Chronicle

[twincurses]

SCENARIO TWO: THE DOCTOR IS IN

[As waking up goes, it’s not the worst experience Fai’s ever had, but it’s close enough. The bindings and ‘medical’ equipment are fear-inducing on their own. However, it’s the solitude that worries him the most. The escape from Lecourt had been chaotic, but they’d all still been together. Now, there’s no sign of anyone at all. Which, if this place is as bad as it seems, may be blessing. There are many things, in many worlds, that the children should never be subjected to. Whatever this is? Is likely one of them.

He tests the bonds for a moment, before relaxing. It’s clear that strength isn’t going to break them - at least, not his strength. Magic’s not an option (is never an option). And that rule’s been broken more than enough for today. If only he-

The footsteps coming closer put an abrupt halt to any thoughts of escape. For a moment, he just waits. Until finally, the door starts to open.]

Ah, does that make you the doctor?

[Someone observant enough can probably catch the worry and hint of fear in his smile. It’s still awfully carefree, given the situation.]

SCENARIO THREE: HOPESGIVING

[Now this is much better! Fai's not what you'd call a 'hopeful' person, generally, but he's certainly good at acting like it. He's content to skip around the gift shop - oohing and ahhing over various little trinkets. If he seems to be avoiding looking too long at the globe itself, well...who can tell? At some point during this, he's coming up to you. Yes, you!]

Hello~ I need a second opinion!

[Without giving time to respond, he presents his new, hopefully willing assistant with two small stuffed...toys? Key chains? Who knows! In his right hand, there's this one. In the left hand, it's a similar one, vaguely resembling the 'little kitty' shown here.]

Which one brings you more 'hope'?

scenario two!

[swill]

[When the door opens, it's Hawkeye that's standing there like he's made a wrong turn and ended up in the girl's locker-room at the opposite end of the gym. That is, his eyes go to the first body he can see, and he's actually honest-to-god surprised there's a body to see at all. Then there's the straps securing the fella, and the table that's entirely too familiar. And speaking of- because it's impossible to not catch sight of those too- there's some good-looking non-rusty tools just waiting for something to happen.

And speaking of waiting for something to happen-] Yeah, yeah, it does, but I'm not the one who put you here. [So let's get that out of the way. And Hawkeye's seen enough boys with those sorts of smiles to give it much of a thought- only he does because this shouldn't be happening. That is to say, this one wasn't scheduled. Which meant a whole lot of other things he didn't quite feel would be welcome to dwell on at the moment. That big drop of whatever-that-slime-was that nearly misses the son of a gun tied to the operating table told him it was high time to get a move on.] I didn't even know we had this room. I didn't even know we had you.

[But he's moving quickly and deliberately to loosen those binds. Mistake? He can't really care.] How long have you been here, fella?

michael j. caboose | red verses blue

[friendlyforce]

scenario two

[ Caboose blinks a few times beneath his helmet as he looks around to see where it is that he is. It is an unfamiliar room! He does not like unfamiliar rooms! But that is all right, because an unfamiliar room can become a room that is full of friends -- what is that on the table!?

He does not quite like that he's tied up, but he realizes where it is that he is! They've taken him ... to the dentist! No! It's not fair! He remembers to brush his teeth just like Agent Washington tells him to do! He didn't need a check-up! Struggling against the bindings, the metal strains and lets out a harsh sound as he jerks his legs free.

Throwing himself forward, the table comes with him as he rushes towards the door. ]

No! I don't want it! The bubblegum flavor doesn't taste anything like bubblegum! [ It may be a good idea of whoever is on the other side of the door to get out of the way as Caboose comes crashing through it by using the table (and his own body) as a makeshift battering ram. ]

[scanner]

[Guess who was opening the door just as Caboose flung himself toward it? A man (?) in full SWAT gear, pointing a rifle at the Marine's helmet.]

Do not move.

[His voice, slow, calm and with a noticeable accent that might be Russian. He doesn't lower the gun, extended optics trained on Caboose just the same. Doesn't know where he is or who this is but he's the one with the deadly weapon, so he's got the control.]

josh washington | until dawn

[pighead]

one: slither

[The city itself is weird enough, so strange and unreal that Josh can't be entirely sure it's not a product of his imagination. The buildings are strangely curved, and the sky above isn't a sky at all, only rock and some kind of glowing light. So, yeah, that's all pretty fucking weird. But this? Turning a corner and practically stepping on a giant snake?

That's something else entirely.

Josh backpedals, holding up his hands as if to calm the snake, or fight, or - something. It doesn't look real either, it looks like a movie monster, some crazy special effect, but then it moves, it slides toward him and he scrambles back and suddenly everything seems very, very real. Thanks, adrenaline and terror.]

Oh, shit.


two: bedlam

[It isn't as if Josh hasn't woken up in hospitals before, but - not like this. Not usually. But how can he know for sure? Maybe those walls are actually clean and sparkling, maybe he's supposed to be here and he's forgotten. It's more than a little disturbing, to think that, but he knows it's possible. Still. If he doesn't remember, he can't give consent, right? Is that how it works? Whatever procedure he's here for, he knows he doesn't want it anymore.

He can feel panic in the back of his mind, caused less by the situation itself and more by not knowing if he's forgotten why he's here or if he was never supposed to be here in the first place. Hearing a footstep outside, he struggles, pulling at the straps.

Maybe he shouldn't call out. But what else is there to do?]

Hey! Someone there?

two

[cowardley]

[ the voice echoes down the halls, and it feels as if her heart stalls. ]

Josh?! [ the last she'd heard his voice, it'd been his screams as the metal saw tore into his abdomen. she's heard the truth: that the whole thing had been an elaborate prank in revenge for Beth and Hannah, but that sounds as much like the truth as the reality of their current situation.

she considers her options, wanting to turn around very suddenly and pretend she heard nothing, but she knows that wouldn't be right. she couldn't do that, not here. she steels herself before she jogs down the hall. ] Josh, I'm coming, all right?

hannah washington ☠ until dawn

[wendigoner]

fear ; two

[ She's in Hell. What other explanation is there? After - After what happened, after the nightmarish memories that are corroded and bent out of shape in her mind, there's no other place. The light above her head flickers, a stereotype within a stereotype, and she realizes she has a headache throbbing in her temple before she really realizes where she is. ]

Oh - Fuck. [ It's quiet, sharp, and she struggles against her bindings. It's for naught, though, given that they're so tight and she is (now, somehow) only human. Thin arms flail as much as there is room, but, mostly, she isn't able to make any headway.

Hannah Washington hasn't been afraid like this recently, but now it hits her full-force. Stuns her in a way that clears aside other fears and memories that are surfacing like bubbles rising to the top and which she can't bear to face or own up to at the moment. ]

Is anybody there? [ She calls, her voice wavering. There's got to be a way out, somehow, and then she can figure out why she's in this fucking creepy place to begin with. Her eyes fall on the surgical tools and her stomach summersaults; Hannah swallows hard, blinking back tears, but it doesn't stop the terror that threatens to choke her before some mad scientist, or doctor, or... whoever comes in and - ]

Fuck, fuck, fuck - [ She whimpers, pressing her head back and into the seat, heart pounding out of control. ]


hope

[ Things seem kinder now. The brunette lays a hand on a stuffed animal, one that looks a little too much like another from her room at home for comfort. It'd been done on purpose, probably, but she can't think that way. Paranoia hasn't gotten her anywhere so far, and there's no use getting worked up just because of a plush bear. ]

It's like they know. [ She says aloud, tone one of wonder, fingers trailing over the lid of a music box. Hannah looks almost trance-like as she opens it and the melody of Frère Jacques plunks outward. ] About our lives, and... like they've seen our stuff.

[ Because it's almost exactly the same as the one Josh had given her for Christmas, minus the inscription he'd added. The hairs on the back of her neck prickle with the insane coincidence of it all and she shuts it with a snap. ]

Sorry, didn't mean to scare you. [ Hannah says hurriedly, upon noticing another person in the room. ] I'm just, um... getting used to this place.

hope

[cowardley]

[ The lid snaps shut, and Ashley startles, nearly dropping the elegant ornament that had stolen her attention just moments earlier. She hastily returns the orb to its original spot, nestling it up neatly against its siblings, and turns to Hannah. She wonders if she'll ever get used to seeing her friend's face again without a sudden shock of guilt. ]

I don't know if I'll ever get used to this place. [ She admits, quietly. She's been here longer, and she still feels as if she's just woken in the coliseum again. ]

ramsay bolton | game of thrones/a song of ice and fire

[flayerhater]

hope

Initially, Ramsay finds himself traversing the brightly lit aisles of the quaint little gift shop with some level of wonderment and delight. Why, he'd never seen such a delightful little shop in his life! Such strange peculiar little trinkets and ornaments. Granted, the only thing that would bring the young Bolton any glimmer of hope or joy would likely be sharp and covered in blood.

Nope. No flaying doodads or instruments of torture here.

Anyway, after another few minutes of exploring the rest of the store, he stops at the registers and freezes. Ramsay gawks at the little pedestal for a couple of moments, the expression on his face akin to a manic chimpanzee. His eyes drift from the inspirational words of wisdom, up to the glistening globe of light, back to the words. Then, without even looking he simply reaches over to the nearest display of this year's Hallmark collectible ornaments and violently knocks it over. Little glass bulbs, porcelain Snoopys, and plastic obligatory Disney Princess Of This Year ornaments shattering and scattering all over the floor.

Ramsay then clears his throat and loudly shouts, "Is there an actual merchant here? I've a question about your wares!" You know what? He's going to just. Knock that cash register off the counter too.

... this is going to turn straight into a Fear isn't it.

[casperdisaster]

Noah has not been inaccurately compared to a soft toy himself, at least emotionally. Specifically the extra-soft plush toys for newborns that are in all pastel colors. He doesn't mind, he likes putting other people at ease, so... it works out.

He's sitting on the floor gently shaking a snow-globe and watching the glitter swirl though it - like the one back at the dollar store, with the palm tree in it before Noah broke it - when Ramsay yells, and oh, that's definitely a crash. Things are getting knocked over.

Noah's first instinct is actually to stay hidden at that, or maybe make a quick exit through the front.

But Ronan yells, and knocks things over, and he'd hope someone would check on Ronan.

... Against Noah's better judgement, he peeks around a corner endcap filled with stuffed bears holding plush hearts with 'Someone Loves You Beary Much!' stitched onto them.

"... Um - you - uh. I don't think anyone is actually here like... a merchant person?"

Leonardo | TMNT (IDW comics)

[kamiizumi]

I.
[Clearly, this is going to be one of those days.

(But if he's completely honest with himself, Leonardo has to admit that his life in general has been a long series of those days since day one, so that's not exactly news.)

As soon as he rounds a corner and finds himself face to face with far too many teeth, he moves, bounding backwards towards the closest building, and grabbing a protruding bit of the doorframe to use as a handhold to start working his way upwards. A few leaps, swings, and pulls upward are enough to get him onto the roof - it's not out of the fire, he's sure, but at least it gives him a few more moments before the frying pan gets too hot to handle.

It could be worse, right? Unlike the last abnormally intimidating animals he's come face to face with, this one looks like it's just hungry, and not like this is personal.

On the other hand, that means he's not the priority target - anyone unlucky enough to cross its path is. And as he crouches at the edge of the roof and scans the street to see if anyone else is still stuck below, he's already expecting that someone will be - because why should anything ever go the easy way?]


III.
[This is very, very not Leo's element.

It's nothing he doesn't have a concept of, at least, but also nothing he's ever surrounded himself with or felt a need to. And so the message below the globe, bring someone hope, and you will bring them happiness, is harder to wrap his mind around than he feels like it ought to be - because what's hopeful about a teddy bear or a Hallmark card? Hope is having the people you care about around you, where you can see that they're still in one piece and remember what you have to to do to keep them that way. Hope is having a plan in the face of an overwhelming threat, and knowing that you're ready to do something and not only stand quietly.

And he's sure that Splinter, whose picture is hovering inside that globe, would see things the same way he does.

But put a challenge in front of Leo, and he still feels like he ought to be taking it on, rather than turning away, and so anyone else in the store is met by a strange scene: a five foot turtle in ninja gear, looking dubiously between stuffed foxes and cutesy figurines, apparently pondering these things very deeply as he says to himself -]

There must be something better than this.

I

[eyelander]

[That is a huge snake.

Not that Demoman is scared -- surprised, yes, but scared? Not likely. This is a man who often blows a dozen men to smithereens before lunch -- maybe more on a good day. He's definitely caught off-guard, given he'd been looking above him rather than ahead of him. He was sure he'd seen a green hunchback scaling the building, but before he could get a good look or put too much thought into it, he'd rounded the corner and come face-to-face with an anaconda big enough to put Nessie to shame. Yes, that was definitely a huge snake.

At least a fight with something clearly borne from the depths of Hell sounds like a good way to spend his time, if you ask him. It's only a shame that killing giant monsters isn't a paying job here.]

Well now. Aren't you a wee thing?

[He says that with a smile as he pulls the Eyelander free of its sheath, the claymore glinting in the light. He could use his stickybombs, but then he wouldn't be able to claim the head of a giant snake for his collection, now would he? And with the sword's ghostly voice whispering in his ears, he definitely does want the creature's head.

With a roar into the air, he makes himself the snake's priority target as he charges forward, dodging as the beast lunges at him. It might be one man against a monster, but well... he's not one for being scared.]

triela (gunslinger girl)

[leprotto]

scenario two.

[Triela wakes with tears on her face. That's not unusual: she often cries in her sleep, especially during operations, though her dreams leave come morning like marine layer. Are they sad dreams? She couldn't say, but they do bring her to weeping.

It's also not unusual to wake up in a hospital room, on a thin bed, but she's usually just out of surgery when that happens. Triela can tell right now that she hasn't gone under the knife just yet, so it is a little strange for her to have come awake already. She makes to lift her hand so that she can dry her eyes, but the bonds of the bed snag her and she realizes that she can't move. That realization comes instantaneously with a dreamy fragment of terror: she can't remember when or how, but there's the recollection of this, a table, a saw, a hurt, a mother... It leaves her with a thick tide of adrenaline, fear almost overwhelming her militant training, and now that she's on high alert, she sees that her surroundings aren't right either. This isn't the Social Welfare Agency's hospital. Her doctors didn't put her here. Her handler didn't put her here...

Whatever sedation they've given her doesn't negate her cybernetic enhancements — Triela is strong, and she knows this, has been trained for pretty much this exact scenario by men who have feared their asset falling into the wrong hands. She's able to, with her great strength, snap her arms free of the straps — though they still cuff her chafed wrists — and hurriedly reach down to undo her ankles. Once she can properly move, she's off the bed and clattering around with the tray of medical instruments. As footsteps draw near to the terrible room she's in, Triela stands like a fighter, scalpel brandished, long blonde hair falling around her face, disturbed by her angry, frightened huffs of breath.

Depending on the angle you talk when you come to see her, she looks like a scared little girl who's just been crying — or a furious young woman who's ready to cut your throat.]

scenario three.

[The man Triela sees in the pedestal is pale, a little bit drawn. He has high cheekbones and dark hair. He's the love of her life. Of course she wants to make him happy — but more than that, she thinks bitterly, she wants to keep him safe. How can she do that if she is here and he is... somewhere...

So she's frowning as she holds a modest stuffed bear. It's the color of cinnamon; it has a green ribbon around its neck. It looks soft... Feels soft, too, in her gloved hands.]

Well, this is what he'd get for me, [she mumbles,] but...

[Then she shakes her head, just a little irritable, mostly with herself. This bear is just too much. (She wants to take it home and hug it.) Like a little adult, she releases the bear back onto a shelf and then puts her hands on her hips.]

I guess this place doesn't have any firearms. [She's talking to herself, so her voice is soft, but it must seem out of place coming from a young teenager with pigtails... Even if she looks a little stern in her suit and tie.]

Scenario three.

[twincurses]

[Stern or adorable? Fai notices the girl right away. Given her age and clothing, it’d be difficult not to. While she looks at the bear, he starts to make his way over. After all, no one so young should be trapped alone in a place like this. He can just make out her voice, though, and that makes him pause.

Firearms? The word’s only vaguely familiar - from Spirit, mostly - but he knows what it brings to mind. A weapon. Either she’s older than expected, or...she’s experienced more before this than a child should. In either case, it only slows him down for a moment. A few more steps, and he reaches over to the same stuffed toy.]

Aww~ It's cute, isn't it? [He leans over slightly. Not so much that he’s in her space, but enough to get closer to her level. Without looking, he gestures over to the pedestal and continues gently.]

You don't have to place it there. [With a glance around the empty store.] If you like it, I don't think anyone will mind you keeping it instead.

Minoru - Naruto OC

[itmeanstruth]

[interested in your game, so I thought I'd try a test drive. There's plenty of character information in the journal, so you can get a good idea of who Minoru is, with or without knowledge of any canon material.]

Option 1: Gimmie a Hug

Minoru finding himself in a strange new world wasn't anything out of the ordinary. He was a wandering Sage, having dedicated his life long ago to traveling across dimensions, studying the mysteries of life, death and rebirth, and spreading messages of hope wherever he could.

The first thing he heard were the screams, then the hissing and the rustling of scales against dirt. Terrified people ran past him, and Minoru spun around to find himself face to face with a massive serpent. That wasn't anything out of the ordinary either, really. Minoru was a Snake Sage. And if anyone stopped long enough to watch what happened next, they might be left wondering if this strange man was part of the fear, evil and chaos the door let into the world!

When the snake started to circle him, Minoru stood his ground.

"Lord." He didn't recognize this snake personally, but he addressed him with the same formality and respect he showed the Great Snake Lord Elders. It didn't soften the predatory gaze he received in return. "...You're starving. Let me help you find something to eat..."

The snake only wanted one kind of help, though - its next meal - and it wanted it now! As the coils tightened fiercely around Minoru, he activated his Sage Mode. His human appearance changed and his powers increased. Skin turned to white scales, nails turned to claws, horns sprouted from his head and his eyes morphed into reptilian slits. When the snake, as desperately hungry as it was, still did not see him as one of its own, he was forced to defend himself.

No onlooker could see what he did, just the effect. The coils of the snake loosened, its head bobbed groggily and the snakelike creature that was Minoru climbed free. What looked like a small white viper literally receded back into his wrist. It was a frightening sight in and of itself!

"...that's not how I wanted to take the edge off, Lord. But it'll have to do for now." He stroked those scales as he looked around. There were people screaming and running before. Were they still nearby? "Hello? Is anyone here? Where can I find food for this snake?"

Harry Dresden | The Dresden Files

[underwforwizard]

II

[The first thing Harry notices as he begins to come around is the throbbing in his head. That's not unusual for Harry. At this point headaches and concussions are a staple of his life. No, what's unusual is everything else.

Warning bells sound in his head even as his eyes reorient themselves. His instincts know something's wrong and Harry knows to trust his instincts. He tries to move but feels the leather straps biting into his skin. Harry strains against them taking a moment to test his bonds. Strength alone won't get him out of here.

His head twists around as he searches for another angle of escape. Everything he sees he doesn't like. The room itself conjures up one too many bad memories and the surgical tools nearby do little to ease his mind.

But there is one good thing to all of this. At least he isn't being held with thorn manacles.]

Getting a real Hannibal Lector vibe from this place.

III

[It probably says something about Harry that he feels instantly paranoid the moment he finds himself in the gift shop. Then again, when you suddenly find yourself magically transported into an overly cheery gift shop it's hard not feeling paranoid.

Harry eyes the stuffed animals carefully as he passes them. Honestly he half expects them to start growing fangs and spring to life at any moment. That's probably a sign he needs to take a vacation, but there's no rest for the wicked and especially no rest for a wizard living in Chicago.

When he notices the pedestal it quickly grabs his attention, the globe especially. In it he sees a picture of not one person but many. Thomas, Murphy, Molly, Mouse and Mister, the Carpenters, all the people he's come to love as friends and family. The tension in his shoulders begins to disappear and the inscription brings an honest smile to his face.]

Starting to wonder if Mr. Sunshine is behind this.

[He looks around the gift shop again.]

Still, feels like there's a lot easier way to get the message across.

II

[amos_moses]

Dripping walls and dank rooms and grimy leather straps were, unfortunately, not unfamiliar to Amos. He'd managed to get himself loose with a lot of scraped skin and a strained joint of two, and was creeping down the dark halls with every sense on high alert. Not knowing who might have captured him was not unusual, given he was a yakuza errand-runner, a spy, a thief, and an assassin in turns. Being all alone in an abandoned place, though, that was unusual...

A voice. Amos listened, and after a very cautious moment, put his butterfly knife to hand and crept over to open the nearest door.

It opened with a suitably creepy creak and rusty whine, and Amos blinked at the man bound in the same way he'd been earlier.

Amos stood for a moment, uncertain, leaning against the doorframe so he was less of a target. Then he asked, New Orleans accent gone thick in his trepidation, "Guessin' ya ain't behind this, huh?"

Not if he was tied up, too.

Garrett Hawke | Dragon Age

[iwannabeadragon]

I

[Not a lot makes sense to Hawke right now. In fact very little makes sense the more he thinks about it. He's fairly certain he was on his way to Weisshaupt after the mess that happened at Adamant. Now he's got no idea where he is.

Part of him wonders if he still might be trapped in the Fade. That makes as much sense as anything else right now. Yet if that's the case shouldn't the Inquisitor be around somewhere too? This is all too complicated. It's making his head hurt.]

By the Maker, I miss the days when the most I had to worry about was fighting loonies in the streets of Kirkwall.

[What does that say about his life when those were the good old days? Probably nothing good Hawke surmises.

His thoughts come to a halt when he hears something move behind him. In an instant he draws his blades and turns to meet the noise only to see a reptilian head with fangs far too big for his liking. Hawke rolls out of the way, narrowly avoiding becoming the giant creature's lunch. Only as he it rears back for another strike does he see the giant snake for what it is.]

Why can't something nice ever be giant for a change? Like a rabbit? Or a squirrel?

[The only answer the snake gives him is a hiss before it strikes again. No time for commentary now, Hawke is on the move. Fighting a beast of this size is foolish even for him. He needs to escape.]

[closerift]

Careful what you wish for; it'll be a monstrous nugalope, next.

[ Of course, if he's ever seen a nugalope before (or any nug, for that matter) it'd be easy to make a comment about how they're fairly monstrous already.

Ahem. Not too far away, the Inquisitor smiles in a grim sort of way; the fight isn't anywhere close to her idea of a good place to reconnect with the Champion, but it's all they've got at the moment. Cecily has her bow drawn, but she doesn't seem to be preparing for a fight. Instead, the woman is stepping cautiously away, not too fast, but the Titanoboa has its eyes still trained on Hawke. ]

Care to get out of here, or were you more interested in feeding this delightful beast?

gwen stacy, marvel 1610.

[candidly]

fear — two

[ gwen comes to slowly, groaning quietly before she opens her eyes. the overhead light makes her wince, the flickering not helping any with the pounding in her head. she tries to sit up, still groggy, and that's when she notices the restraints. adrenaline surges through her veins and she's suddenly wide-awake and wild-eyed. ]

No. No, no, no. Fuck no, I just got free of this!

[ this doesn't look much like the triskellion, true, but she's trapped. still in the tank top and shorts SHIELD had provided her with when they decided they wanted to study her. and those sharp and gleaming instruments aren't really doing anything to help her panic. she's had enough poking and prodding and questioning for more than one life-time, thankyouverymuch. and she is not looking forward to more.

heart hammering in her chest and breath coming in quick pants, gwen tugs at her restraints. ] This can't be happening. I--

[ her words die in her throat as she gasps, breath catching in her chest. red creeps up her skin from her back, crawling across her shoulders and neck as she tries to calm down. ]

Stop! Just stop already!! [ whether she's talking to the red slime or her supposed captors is anybody's guess. ]

hope — three

Seriously?

[ a pastel and beige statue of two children with overly large, doe-like eyes is plucked from a shelf and eyed with disdain. ]

Precious Moments? What are we, a bunch of old ladies who cook god-awful casserole for every church potluck?

[ gwen tosses the statue from hand to hand a few times, deliberating. the thing's ugly enough in her mind that she honestly wouldn't care if it just... slipped and smashed on the floor. but that's the kind of thing that would make aunt may disappointed in her. so after a moment, she sighs and places the thing back where it came from. ]

This is all bullshit.

two!

[morphinum]

[ Well, she sure as hell better not be talking like that to Johanna Mason. Johanna doesn't have her axe with her right now, but she doesn't exactly take kindly to that kind of tone. As far as she's concerned, she can say what she wants to people -- but if she doesn't like what you have to say, you'll know it.

Johanna's familiar with those kinds of screams, though. She's made them. Lived in cells next to people who've made them. It's why she's going from room to room, looking to fill her morphine drip, because dammit, she is not going to deal with this without some good, quality, drug abuse.

Johanna, at first glance, looks like she might belong here. She's wearing a hospital gown, has a mobile IV stuck into her arm like a good little patient, and looks pretty nonchalant about the whole thing. But there are hollows to her cheeks and bags under her eyes that suggests that she hasn't come from a hospital -- she's spent more of her recent life in prison. ]

You could say please. [ She shrugs. ] They've been giving you any meds? Because fuck, I'd like to know where the hell these people keep them. They certainly don't have any goddamn cleaning supplies around here.

Morsov || Mad Max

[toochromeforthisshit]

FEAR

[He has no idea where he is. Underground, so that probably means Buzzards, which is problematic on a number of levels. Also it's freezing and all he's wearing are pants, shoes and gloves. It's weird being alone. He doesn't like it, there's safety in numbers, and there's ferocity in a pack.

Also ... he's being followed. It feels different than the watching eyes of Buzzards, which at least he should be able to see, and he has no idea what or where that feeling is coming from. Reaching into his boot he pulls out a knife, turning slowly in the middle of the street, arms outstretched in the traditional 'come at me bro' pose.

Come at him?]

HOPE

This is the shinest thing I've ever seen!

[Here is Morsov. Lancer on Elvis, lead car in the convoy, important enough to be in Imperator Furiosa's War Party. And he is completely mesmerized by a snowglobe. He shakes it and stares. Shakes it some more and watches as the glittery snow falls on some landmark he's never seen before. Some pointy yellow things, doesn't matter. What matters is that it's water, and it's shiny. He shakes it so violently it should probably shatter in his hands. But it doesn't. And he is not putting that thing down. You can pry it from his cold dead hands but that thing is his.

fear

[lyriumburned]

[Fenris is unfortunate enough to be in the wrong place at the wrong time, or maybe it's the other way around and Morsov is the unfortunate one. Regardless, the elf pauses as the man reaches for a weapon, something small and hidden. In sharp contrast, Fenris' giant sword, the one nearly as tall as he is, is strapped obviously to his back, his gauntlets also look like they could be used offensively.

There's a glimmer a few alleys away, sleek scales reflecting the artificial lights and it catches the elf's eye. Whatever he sees obviously unnerves him and he looks back at the stranger, raising a finger to his mouth to motion for him to stay quiet. Please don't get them both killed. And then points in the direction of the very, very large snake. They can fight later if they both survive, doing so now is just suicidal.]

furykill | warcraft oc

[howlingblast]

[TWO]

[Rag'kar wakes up strapped to some flat, cold surface and it's not the first time. If he were still alive, his little heart might be pitter-pattering. Instead it beats at a slow, leisurely pace as it pumps stale blood through his icy veins. Nearby are his twin runeblades, thankfully; he can feel them like an extension of himself. He grunts and tries each limb, then all his limbs at once.

No give. He notes with some annoyance that if he tries hard enough, he might be able to slice off his hand at the wrist.

His keen orcish ears pick up the sound of footsteps. He could call for help, but he's too proud. So he bellows out a challenge instead.]

If you are here to torture me, you are WASTING YOUR TIME! I have endured worse at the hands of unseasoned priests! Did you want screams of agony? This is nothing but a chuckle!

[THREE]

[Normally Furykill avoids these kinds of places. He has no interest in mundane things like shopping. He's very to the point. But something drew him in here, caught his eye, whatever-- and now he's staring blankly at the pedestal.]

What banal 'advice'. These items would be far more useful if they served any actual purpose.

[Further inspection reveals that picture, though, and that's what sends him over the edge. He's managed to keep the endless hunger concealed for now, but some emotion conjured from the past sends him spinning into a frothing madness. He drops his jaw almost impossibly wide-- wow that's a lot of teeth-- and roars so loud it shakes the shelves.

And then he slams a plated gauntlet into the nearest shelf so hard it falls into pieces.

Whoops. Sorry about the... knick-knacks. He could've used his swords but why bother when he can fist some wood instead.]

two because this is a great idea

[peoplediewhenikillthem]

[ Having a flexible enough body to slip out of most bindings, Shiki wasn't contained for long. A proper lady may have found themselves disgusted by the condition of the building or frightened over their sudden abduction, this young woman felt nothing of the sort. There was a lingering curiosity, but most of her attention was placed on the tools.

It didn't take her long to pocket those either. If the owner was inclined to look for them, she'd be sure to return the tools to them properly.

This left her to wander aimlessly up until she heard the cries of another. No, crying wasn't the right word to describe what she heard. Had it been something like that, she would have likely ignored it, but Shiki was a different breed of human altogether. When a challenge was presented to her, there was no choice other than to accept it. ]

Yare yare. [ It's a dismissive sort of noise, but one to draw attention to the fact that he was no longer alone. Her steps are light, almost too much so to be heard easily. ]

Large men crying loudly is unsightly.

seviilia brightwing | oc (warcraft)

[miscreant]

II

[Waking up strapped to a table isn't necessarily cause for alarm -- torture attempts have happened more than once in her un-lifetime, and at this point its routine enough that she's almost bored by the prospect. That isn't to say that she isn't going to try and snap those restraints, of course. She wouldn't simply play nice with someone who managed to sedate her enough to strap her there in the first place. The boredom evaporates quickly enough into dread and a very heavy to desire to Not Deal With What's Coming.

The footsteps make her rotting ears twitch, face wrinkling in disgust. The struggling will stop the second she realizes someone is entering the room. After all, she isn't about to give someone else the satisfaction that she is uncomfortable.]

Might we make this quick? Surely you have nothing to gain from attempting to torture a corpse.

III

[The globe near the cashier is being pointedly avoided. Seeing just the eyes in its reflection was more than enough to convince her to avoid it. Instead, she is spending her time wandering around the store plucking things from the shelves to inspect them.

Some of the stuffed animals have claimed her attention. Turning between her blackened fingers is a plush animal bird, and she handles it with some obvious care. Judging by the pile next to her, she's already gone through a few of them and spotted other native Azerothian wildlife. Elekks. Mammoths. Dragons. Nightsabers. Wolves.

There's no end, really. But the bird hold her attention to the point that she seems to be ignoring most people who approach her. But every now and then, she'll lift her eyes and silently dare someone to interrupt her.

A dead elf in full bone and plate armor playing with stuffed animals? Definitely an odd sight.]

III

[respired]

[Just what the hell is he looking at right now? Koltira leans against one of the clean, brightly lit shelves and observes Seviilia, his eyebrows arched in amusement.]

Enjoying yourself?

Kamina | TTGL | choose your format!

[themightykamina]

Scenario 1

The giant snake dropping from the rooftops is met with a loud yell, but it doesn't seem like the man doing the yelling is anything but surprised. In fact, after the initial stagger backwards, he doesn't seem to be anything at all besides interested. There's a cocky smile on his face as he pushes his sunglasses further up his nose, hitching up the belt at his waist, adjusting the scabbard shoved through it.]

"Well, look at you. You're a pretty big fella, aren't you? Well, you picked the wrong meal today, for the mighty Kamina is no snake's dinner! Go ahead and run, or face my wrath!"

Scenario 2
He doesn't know where he is. All he remembers is Gurren, the rain, the pain across his belly, blood obscuring his vision...Kamina tries to lift a hand to his stomach, to check the wound that should be there, but apparently whoever left him here has bound him thoroughly. There's a few moments' surprised struggle, then a shout.

"Hey! Whoever you are! Who the hell do you think you are, tying me up like this? Come out and fight me like a real man!"

two.

[bekommen]

The door creaks open, and a figure slowly enters with a loud huff, making no effort to deaden her footsteps.

"I ain't a man, dude." Nick slams the door closed behind her to punctuate her statement. "Who the hell are you?"