test drive meme #15

[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 December 25th, and apps are open January 1st. Please remember that there is an app cap of 20 apps.

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, either through handwaving or through a shared mental experience while coming through the Door!

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: YOU SMELL SOMETHING?
[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 lurking in the shadows, waiting for the perfect chance to knock you out, drag you back to its cave, and hang you upside down for some reason. This time, the Door has brought in a number of Wampas, from the Star Wars movies.

Wampas are large and furry, in order to stay warm and alive on their native ice planet of Hoth. While their white fur helps them blend in at home, it's less helpful in Hadriel - but that's fine! They're giant and terrifying with big claws and teeth, they don't really need camouflage too. They'll be more than happy to hunt you down - and if they don't eat you right there, they could knock you out and take you home for a later meal. If you wake up in a wampa cave, let's hope you remembered your lightsaber.]

R A G E

SCENARIO TWO: WE'RE ALL PISSED OFF HERE
[For some reason, something's just pissing you off today. It's something weird, too, something that wouldn't normally bother you at all. Maybe it's jackets or buildings with too many windows. Maybe it's animals or the simple act of sleeping. Whatever it is, it's total bullshit and you hate it.

What are you gonna do about it? Smash some windows? Kick a puppy? Or hey, maybe you'll run across someone who hates that thing just as much as you do, and you'll make a new friend! Or a new enemy, if they're wearing that most horrible of wardrobe items, a jacket.

This is a mini version of our Why Do You Have To Be Mad? event this month!]

D E L I G H T

SCENARIO THREE: THE SPIRIT OF THE SEASON
[Generosity and charity have infected the city! And hey, that's a good thing, right? Hadriel could use a little more kindness. Who knows what's causing it - Delight is probably bored - but whatever it is, maybe it's affected you, too.

If it has, you'll be inspired by the desire to give gifts to your friends, your family, that stranger across the street. Of course, Hadriel doesn't have a lot of gift shops, so... well, maybe you should just give them the shirt off your back? Or hey, smash a shop window and grab that can of beans, they'll love that! You could even steal your friend's favorite jacket and give it to your other friend. How generous of you!

Or maybe you're totally unaffected, and a complete stranger just ran up to you on the street and tried to give you a shirt they ripped off their friend. It's, uh. Not weird. Aren't you gonna say thank you?]

Comments

[mismanagement]

[Any hesitation will betray a lie. So she doesn't.] None that would call themselves that.

[Kylo Ren would go to him without hesitation. It's less clear what Ashoka will do. Either way, Maketh has a feeling that people will die in the cross-hairs.]

What do you intend to do?

[prophesiedone]

[Good, good. Though hesitation or not, he only trusts what he sees with his own eyes.] Meaning they have a reason to hide their identities.

[He appraises her silently.]

I'm not sure yet.

[mismanagement]

[Maketh thins her mouth.] They are not of your time.

[For all that entails. Maketh holds his eyes as best she can.]

You didn't kill me. I suppose that means nothing to you, but years from now, on Lothal, you...refrain. Not out of mercy but because it was better done elsewhere. I served a purpose and you knew that quite well. I know you can tell if I'm lying. I don't bother with that, so I'll offer you a proposition. And you'll listen because I know what you become and I'm still standing here.

[She lifts her chin.]

There's no point in killing me in this place. It won't take.

[prophesiedone]

Does that matter? [Jedis of the past and the future interest him. He certainly doesn't fear them.]

I'm glad you understand. [It does become tiresome to explain. He pauses overly long, glancing at his lightsaber and then back at her.] I wasn't thinking of killing you.

My actions serve a purpose. I do not kill without a reason; that would be a waste of energy.

[Yet his eyebrows raise, curious.] Why doesn't it...take?

[mismanagement]

I wouldn't know. [No matter how much information the Inquisitor allowed her to access, it's never been her place. Either way, she needs Ashoka and Kyle alive to protect the city. Maketh nods just once.] It's simple. We're not useful if we're dead and it takes less power to resurrect us than bring in new bodies. So we die.

[She thins her mouth.]

There are two. One served during the Clone Wars. The other...I don't know what you would call him. Perhaps he's insane. But I need them alive to fight the gods.

[prophesiedone]

Makes sense. [Cold logic. He can respect that until the gods are within his reach. Then he will slice through them regardless of their stance.] I can understand why they keep themselves hidden after decisions like that.

[Kicking aside the Wampa, he approaches her.] The first... Give me a name. Then we'll move onto the second.

[mismanagement]

[There are a lot of things Maketh could say to that, so many awful truths she could spit about the gods, but she keeps quiet. There's a different threat standing right in front of her. This time it's Lord Vader without his armor, hand staying purposefully close to his light saber. The gods weren't staring her down. They could wait.

Maketh wished she could be rid of her fear entirely, but the best she can do is stand tall and endure. So she'll endure..]

Ashoka Tano.

[prophesiedone]

She's here. [There is tension in his voice and in the air around them. His Padawan and him have fallen out of agreement. Obviously.] I'll need to find her.

[Just to shoot the breeze, you know. Old friends and all that. He smirks and rolls his shoulders.]

Now onto the second.

[mismanagement]

[They know each other. He knows Ashoka instantly by name. Maketh schools her face into blankness. She and Ashoka aren't friends - aren't really anything except tedious allies - but Maketh needs her.

There would have been no point in lying. Maketh repeats that to herself. There would have been no point in lying.]

Kylo Ren. He's...powerful. Half-trained.

[Possibly insane.]

He comes from a time after the Empire falls.

[prophesiedone]

I should meet him too. [Half-trained power could be put to good use. If he takes Kylo Ren under his wing, so to speak, that will be even better.]

You have been helpful, Maketh. I can see why I let you live. [Yes, that makes perfect sense for a Sith.]

[mismanagement]

[No doubt he will. Hadriel is small. Not much space to hide.]

O-of course, Lord Vader. [Somehow it's worse when she can see his face. He's smiling at her.] I have--guardsmen. They listen to me. If you give me your word you won't harm them, then I'll help you. Willingly.

[prophesiedone]

It might be best if you call me Anakin in public. [He doesn't want to be hunted down by those seeking to do some "good".] I have no reason to harm them if they do not attempt to harm me first. Can you assure me they won't?

[mismanagement]

You--you're General Skywalker? [It comes out before she has time to think of it, a name she knows from the history records and from her mother's infrequent stories of the Clone Wars. Maketh straightens before she can say anything more foolish.] They won't. They only want to protect the civilians.

[prophesiedone]

Yes. [Surprise? A sadistic part of him revels in ruining the image he had before. No longer a Jedi-trained hero. He will be a hero in his own right.] Then they are safe...for the time being.

What do you know of General Skywalker?

[mismanagement]

[Maketh clears her throat.] A hero of the Clone Wars. We studied his--your, tactics in the Imperial Academy.

[She may or may not have written a paper on him. Maketh pauses.]

My mother fought at the Battle of Bakura. You wouldn't know her. She was--she was just a mercenary. But she remembered you.

[prophesiedone]

I'm different than I was then, but only in my perspective. I want to make the galaxy peaceful for everyone. [He can see only one way to do that.]

She was more than that and I'm honored she remembered me.

[mismanagement]

[Of all the ways she might have imagined Lord Vader, none of them looked at all like this, spoke like this. Maketh had imagined he'd be something like the Grand Inquisitor - smiling and empty inside, a weapon who had been assigned a name and given up everything else. Maketh watches him for a moment, not sure what to say.]

She...would have liked to hear that.

[Both her parents are long dead. Maketh is the only one left.]

Sir...I would ask you a question.

[prophesiedone]

You've suffered losses. [He lays a hand on her shoulder, squeezing lightly.] I seek to change that. Everyone has suffered too much for too long. The Jedi cannot do anything; they are too weak - too divided.

[His eyebrows raise and he cocks his head to the side.]

Go ahead.

[mismanagement]

[Maketh goes rigid but doesn't flinch away like her instincts are screaming to. Get away, get distance, run. Don't try to fight, just survive. Get high ground and get away. She doesn't like being touched under good circumstances and the sensation of being this close to Lord Vader only makes her see how easy it would be for him to kill her. It wouldn't be hard. All he'd have to do is--

No, stop. Focus. Do your duty, soldier. Maketh takes a slow breath and meets his eyes.] The Jedi are dead.

[Only the rebels are still breathing. The Inquisitors don't count. They're barely alive.]

You say you want peace. Then why...why did you support the Emperor?

[prophesiedone]

[Her instincts are impeccable. She should run and hide from his touch for surely such a thing could taint even the brightest of presences. He had done it to Padmé and his children in the future. But she is in no immediate danger, at least.]

Good! [He laughs, the sound cold, sharp and bitter.] The galaxy is better off without them.

[Anakin looks away at the question.] He is the only one willing to guide me to the power I need to save Padmé.

[mismanagement]

[Maketh doesn't ask if he's sure. The Jedi are dead and that's the end of it. No point in asking what-if.]

And did you? Save her?

[The name rings vaguely familiar, though Maketh can't place it. Another figure from the history books. But she recognizes that tone, the drive to protect someone who matters. She's felt it before, with Lilith and Henry and all the others she's pulled into her makeshift family. She'd do awful things to save them.]

[prophesiedone]

Not yet. [His voice quiets and his expression tightens.] But I will.

She will not die.

[Not like his mother. The Force had warned him and he will continue to act on it.]

[mismanagement]

[Maketh nods shakily. Of course he'll save this woman. He'll probably kill her if she asks too many questions or implies otherwise.] Yes, sir.

[She swallows hard.]

What--what do you require of me?

[prophesiedone]

Your assistance and your loyalty. [He has the upper hand here and he knows it. Why not put it to good use?] Lead me to the other Force users first. Then we can discuss accommodations.

[mismanagement]

I--I have patrols to coordinate. The perimeter must be secured. [She needs time to warn Ashoka, if not Kylo. Kylo Ren is only a tedious ally, prone to fits of temper and far from loyal. But Maketh trusts Ashoka to be honorable and follow her duty. She ought to be warned. But to do that, Maketh needs to get away from Vader - Anakin? - long enough to send a message. There's no way to she can do it in his presence. He'll kill her the moment she tries.] Things are always unstable after the gods bring new people in. We only have a few guardsmen to protect the city.

[He's a tactician, he must understand that.]