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

[cowardley]

[ Ash moves quickly, crossing the hall to the double doors that led to the operating room. She tries to open them as quietly as possible, but the rusted hinges squeak and whine; she freezes, half in the operating room, straining her ears for any sound that signaled danger. When nothing happens, she fully slips in.

She's by his side in a matter of moments then, thin, shaking fingers working at the leather strap that keeps his right arm down. ] God, why is it so... [ It's too tight, or maybe she's shaking too much, but she can't get it undone. She can't. But maybe...

She grabs a surgical blade. ] Stay still, ok?

[ She'll just cut the damn leather strap open! ]

[pighead]

[He doesn't realize who it is at first either, just thankful that someone's distracting the giant snake - not that Josh is totally convinced it's real, not yet, but it seems like it is, and at least someone else can see it. That counts for something.

It's distracted for long enough for him to scramble away, heading in the opposite direction, calling out to whoever had thrown the rock.]

Thanks, man, you better run before -

[And it's only then that Josh recognizes his sort-of savior.]

Mike?

[kamiizumi]

[He leans forward a touch to watch the snow settle. Glitter settle, rather.

It's pretty sparkly, which isn't really a thing he's that into, but being an older brother has given him miles of practice at faking polite interest - and anyway, there is one thing that he finds himself genuinely interested about it:]

Does it look like hope to you?

[Not judging. Just honest curiosity, because he's not sure where to start with all of this stuff.]

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.

[pighead]

[He knows that voice. Of course he does. But how or why Chris ended up here, he doesn't know. Is he even real? Josh isn't entirely sure of anything right now, except that he wants to get out and that the straps aren't loosening. They're just digging into his arms, and it hurts, and the pain gives him a brief burst of greater clarity. It sounds like Chris, and even if it's not, what's the alternative? A hallucination? Someone else? Something even crazier?

Whatever. He can't worry about that shit right now, not if he wants to get out of here.]

Chris? Hey! You out there?

[Because Josh doesn't see him, but he can't see much from where he is. It doesn't mean anything, he tells himself. It's totally possible to hear someone and not see them and still have them be real.]

Hey, uh, give me a hand, bro, I can't get out of this thing!

[casperdisaster]

[Noah hums thoughtfully at the question, giving the snowglobe another light shake when it starts to settle. Noah is uncommonly fond of glitter, though he is giving Leo's question some thought.]

Um, back home - there was a snowglobe just like this back at the dollar store. [He smiles a bit, he's got a point, really, just bear with him.] Only I vanished while I was holding it and so I dropped it. Crash, glitter and glass and water everywhere.

[Noah gives a deep, sad sigh at that. All the whimsy of the dollar store, ruined.]

But I have an actual body here? So. I won't vanish. I don't have to worry about breaking this one. ... Like, unless I just drop it because, clumsy. Which could happen. But not because I'm dead and prone to vanishing. And sometimes, like now, that's nice. So. I guess that's kind of like hope?

[pighead]

[It really is her. She's real. This place is real? Or - something. Whatever, what matters is getting out of here, any questions about the nature of reality and why Ashley, of all people, is here can wait for later.]

Yeah, sure. Just don't cut my wrist open, okay?

[It's a joke, sort of, but it's a really awful joke, all things considered. But hey, it's the best he can do right now, and he does stay very, very still.]

What are you doing here? What is this place?

[thechoiceisyours]

[That's too complicated a response to be a monster mimicking a voice.

...Isn't it?

It has to be, because the chance that it really is somehow Josh is too significant for him not to investigate. If it really is Josh then he can't just abandon him a second time, no matter the risk.

He shoves the door open, tense and ready to be met some sort of horrible creature, but... Oh god, it really is Josh.]

H-Hey, man, just give me a sec-

[Focus, don't think about how crazy this is or the utterly complicated mix of emotions that arise at seeing his best friend again after everything that went down. There's time for all of that later, when they're not in a creepy abandoned hospital that might not be so abandoned after all.

It takes a second to figure out the buckle on the strap around Josh's left wrist, but he soon gets it open and starts on the other arm. The glint of the surgical instruments catches his attention--weapons, even if they're tiny ones--but he'll snag one later after he's done getting Josh loose.]

[leprotto]

[Actually, Triela isn't really accustomed to having adults place themselves 'on her level.' In general, she's expected to rise to theirs instead... She always stands with her back straight and her shoulders square, and she's used to tilting her chin up to look men in the eye. Having a man instead meet her halfway is... novel... And it flusters her: she flushes slightly, and clears her throat, awkward like a child trying to be grown up.]

It's not really something I need... It just made me sentimental. I know that sort of thing is silly.

[She adjusts her necktie with her hands, but she's stuck looking at the bear again. It really is cute.]

Besides, it's kind of a Christmastime tradition. If I got one now, wouldn't that mess things up?

[twincurses]

[Well, that clears up any confusion about the girl’s age. Clearly a child - and obviously one that’s seen too much. It’s a very recognizable sight...Which only serves to make him more determined.]

...Silly? Ah, but that’s not true! There’s nothing wrong with being sentimental, especially in such a strange place.

[At least, he assumes it’s strange to her. Most people here don’t seem accustomed to the type of travel he’s familiar with. More importantly, it’s apparent that she’s drawn to the toy. Her denial, while cute, is a little painful to watch. When her eyes land on it again, Fai holds it out to her slowly. Just in case.]

Hmm, which tradition is that? It doesn’t sound familiar at all.

[Not entirely true. Given his recent travels, there’s been more than a few holidays mentioned. Each with their own customs and such. However, it's hard to tell exactly what she's referring to. Something to do with gifts in general, or is it more specific?]

[leprotto]

[This guy has a nice sentiment and all, but Triela's not sure that it's appropriate for her to buy into it. What would Hilshire think? The same stuffy thing any adult would, she tells herself. What would someone who's not an adult think? She tries to imagine what other kids are like — she doesn't have much experience there. Hesitantly, she tries to imagine Mimi Machiavelli, the only normal teenager Triela's ever met. Mimi Machiavelli would tell her to keep the bear, right?

But Triela can't afford to do the things that normal teenagers do. She's loath to admit it, but maybe stuffy adults are on to something.]

The tradition? Oh, well... For Christmas, my— [My... How to explain Hilshire? Now Triela blushes for real, before closing her eyes and willing it away. To her credit, her complexion does go back to normal.] My brother... He gives me stuffed bears.

[To keep herself from taking the bear from Fai, she folds her arms sternly.]

Hope

[fierycharm]

[He recognized her from behind and his breath caught in his throat. That wasn't fair. He wanted to see his friends here, but he also didn't, this place sucked. But friends that were dead? Friends that had died in part thanks to his stupid complacency and misplaced sense of humor? He'd almost rather face the wendigos again.

Except she'd been the wendigo he'd faced last. The one that had grabbed him and thrown him, the one he'd watched kill Sam and he'd killed in return by blowing them all up.

God, he should just turn around and go, he really really should.

He moved to the glowing globe and looked in, it seemed like something was supposed to be there in the middle of the light, but it was empty, just filled with more light but swirling like it was trying to make room for whatever it was missing.]

This place is weird. Been here around a month and it's still...you know. [He shrugged. He didn't know if he could look at her.

After a moment, he worked up his nerve and tried to anyway.]

[twincurses]

[Any adult? Aww, but what does that make the weird stranger talking to her?

Fai waits for her to finish the explanation, but at the word brother...He closes his eyes for a moment, and the ever-present smile changes. Less soft, and more...bitter? Wistful? Whatever it is, it only lasts a blink before it’s gone and the normal one returns. A little faker brighter than before.

At the sight of her crossed arms, he gently places the bear back where it came from.]

That does sound important!

[Which means he’ll stop pushing. About that particular subject, at least. He stands up straight for a moment to look around - still carefully glancing away from the globe.]

But there's more than that here. Would taking something else be all right? Or would that mess things up, too?

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?"

Oh my god my formatting, I'm so sorry, too used to prose tags

[fierycharm]

[The guy was scrambling away and that was his only concern for a moment, up until he heard his name and it jolted his attention to the guy himself.

But not just any guy.]

Josh!

[He felt a range of emotions in quick succession (anger, guilt, confusion) and it all jumbled together until his instinct to act took over and swept them all under the rug for the time being.]

Come on, man, we gotta go.

[He held his hand out and gestured for Josh to follow him as he backed away from the thing and took off, glancing back only to make sure Josh could and was keeping up.]

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.

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.

[smited]

[ cullen is all but useless in a fight here without his armor or his sword. luckily, this fight he's stumbled upon is the kind one runs from, not the kind one joins in on. pressed against the wall of a nearby alleyway with a steadying hand on his mabari's withers, he watches for a moment before coming to a decision.

he whistles sharply then calls, ] Hawke!

[ once he has the chanmpion's attention, he jerks his head in the direction of the alley he stands at the mouth of. ]

This way. We can lose it in the streets.

[iwannabeadragon]

[The Inquisitor receives a blank stare that lasts but a fleeting moment before Hawke focuses on the matter at hand. At least that answers his question. He's definitely in the Fade because not a damn thing makes sense right now.]

You know I think I've had my fill of giant Fade monsters. I think it's time to make a strategic advance in the opposite direction.

[Confident as he is in their abilities, he doubts their weapons will do little more than anger the beast. Ever so slowly, Hawke begins backing away.]

Go ahead and I'll be right behind you.

[With the way it's looking at him Hawke feels certain that the moment he makes any sudden moves those jaws will be snapping towards him again.]

[iwannabeadragon]

[Even with his weapons Hawke feels pretty useless right now. Times like these make him wish his friends were still with him. Instead he gets Cullen. Not bad all things considered, but definitely not what Hawke expects and it's easy to tell by the bewildered look on Hawke's face.]

Cullen?

[In that second of distraction the giant snake strikes. A third time Hawke throws himself out of the way of death's jaws but a flash of pain runs of his leg as he does so. No matter, Hawke and pain are bed mates at this point. Gritting his teeth he sprints towards Cullen and his mabari.]

Lead the way! Preferably while I still have all my parts intact!

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.

[pighead]

[There's a rush of relief, seeing that Chris is real, but past the relief are hundreds of other questions - like, where the hell is this place, what are they doing here? At least the apparent reality of Chris assures Josh that this weird, crappy hospital, or whatever it is, is probably real too. That's simultaneously reassuring and very, very not.

Josh flexes his free arm, working out the stiffness, and does the same with the other when he's totally free. He wastes no time getting the hell off the table, looking between it, the walls, and Chris.]

What is this place? How'd I get here? How'd you get here?

[He pauses, breathes for a moment, trying to ignore the panic and - everything else.]

Hey, thanks.

[closerift]

[ Unfortunately, the Fade isn't the only place where things are dark, dangerous, and nonsensical anymore. ]

Excellent. With me, then. [ His presence is reassuring, though she could bet on his not being happy to be here. It isn't as if anyone is, really.

Cecily nods once, still watching the monster like- well, a hawk. She begins to move, also looking out for the Champion, just in case, as he's thinking, that the creature lunges. ]

Careful. [ Comes the soft warning. She's seen enough of Hadriel's workings to know that any second could make the difference for its prisoners versus its nightmares. ]