dankmemes | Test Drive Meme #3

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.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

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.

Edited 2015-11-23 21:53 (UTC)

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?"

Staying hidden is probably a more astute decisive maneuver in this particular incident. Because investigating a noisy Bolton on a presently very small path of destruction can only get worse. Interaction with sane, logical, human beings is only fueling the already blazing, uncontrollable fire.

Oh well. You live, you learn. Hopefully.

At the sound of another living breathing human being, Ramsay instantly pivots, facing Noah. The devilish grin on his face softens slightly and he attempts to give his most genuinely pleasant of smiles. Don't want to scare the newcomer away! Not that the animalistic gleam in his eyes ever dulls for a second.

"Weeell..." He takes his time, giving Noah a full once over. Scaling him up. His attire, his stance, his overall demeanor. Attempting to get a decent read on him sooner than later. He's a predator jumping the gun and preemptively plucking apart his prey's strengths and weaknesses. "This really isn't much of a 'shop' if there's no keeper, is it?"

Ramsay pauses, for a moment, his eyes sheepishly drifting to the upset shelf beside him. "And I apologize. About that. I've a nasty tic. Entirely uncontrollable." Bullshit. As usual. He cants his head slightly, predatory gaze gradually shifting back to Noah. "I hope I didn't frighten you."

Noah glances at the mess Ramsay made when he does as well before turning his cautious gaze back up to Ramsay.

"... My friend Ronan gets angry and knocks things over sometimes. So. Um. It's okay. Probably." Actually Noah's the only person who considers Ronan's acting out in anger to be 'okay' as others actually hold him accountable for his actions, but Ronan is Noah's friend and he will forgive the other boy for anything and everything. He's still holding the snow-globe when he steps out more into the open, still hesitant but trying, but hopeful.

He keeps out of arm's reach of Ramsay just the same. He's failed to live and learn in the past, even if he's got a living body again.

A teenager, he's on the shorter end of average for his age and gender, though some of that is probably the slouch. Like he's trying to make himself a little bit smaller, he doesn't know how to occupy the same space he should anymore. He's wearing his school uniform, the chinos, the shoes, the slightly rumbled navy Aglionby sweater with the raven crest on it. It's warm, even if he hates wearing it now. Oddly, he's got a knife at his belt. Oddly because it seems so out of place with the rest of him, like just by being close to Noah it couldn't possibly be a real knife? Even if it is within easy reach he doesn't make any move to go for it. He often forgets he has it.

Everything about him screams helpless, screams easy target.

"I guess calling them shops isn't really accurate if there's no shopkeeper, but... I dunno what else to call them."

Arya is in the shop next door, doing her scavenging rounds. She's got it down to a science. Food first, then weapons, and then medical supplies for the clinic if she can find any. She's honestly surprised that she's established a real routine in this city. It's the closest she's had to a normal, dare she say civilized life in years.

She almost feels safe here. Almost.

She hears shouting from the adjacent shop, and she swears she knows that voice, but she can't quite place it. It's enough to set her on edge, and she draws Needle almost instantly, creeping towards the door of her shop. She has to be careful -- Arya expects an enemy, never a friend, and she's ready to strike or run, whichever is necessary.

She peers through the door of the other shop, the source of the voice, and freezes in place. She's never spoken to this person, but she recognizes him. Bolton. She bites her lip, praying that he didn't see her. She didn't exactly leave the service of his father on the best of terms.

Test Drive Meme #3

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

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

forecast says yes. 100% chance of yes.

no subject

launches in here