test drive meme #16

[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 January 24th, and apps are open February 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: THE CREEPY CRAWLIES
[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 to impale you on its giant claws and crunch your bones between its mandibles. That's right, this time the Door is bringing you bugs from Starship Troopers, in all their giant and disgusting glory!

Bugs are, well, giant insects that come in all shapes and sizes, depending on the rank, and are way too tall or too heavy than they have any right to be. They can move quickly, most of them have the ability to fly, and their exo-skeletons means that it's difficult to really hurt them unless you've got some muscles on you. Or a really big boot, I guess.]

C O N F U S I O N

SCENARIO TWO: WHO'S THAT IN THE MIRROR?
[Something's lurking in the dark. Something that really wants to ruin your day by any means necessary- that includes preying on your darkest fears, or just, you know, simply killing you. But that's not a problem, right? You're big and tough! Except, so is this creature out to get you. And it knows all of your weaknesses and insecurities too because, well... it is you.

Doubles of characters will be flooding the city and attempting to ruin the originals lives by whatever means necessary. This generally involves killing the original and then impersonating them, but it can also mean killing people you love or just bringing up your awkward teenage years to traumatize you in front of all your new cool friends.

What can you do to stop it? Well, you could kill them first, that certainly won't require a few trips to therapy later! There's always locking them away, or maybe trying to befriend them because hey, who's better at ruining your life than you?

This is a mini version of our Dead Ringers event this month!]

T R A N Q U I L I T Y

SCENARIO THREE: CAN YOU JUST LIKE, CHILL FOR A SEC?
[Embrace tranquility! Or rather, get pulled, kicking and screaming into an event during which you magically have to find some chill, or else Tranquility will force chill upon you.

For this prompt, characters will find themselves in a state of sudden peace and calm, without much anger or meanness to go around. That guy you hate? Maybe you should give him a peace offering. The chick who stole your girlfriend? Maybe you should congratulate her! Everything is peaceful and everything is... sorta gray.

Don't get me wrong, it's nice to be able to relax, but we have an emotional spectrum for a reason. Pretty soon, the tranquility of this might turn into something a little creepy, even Stepfordish... but it's hard to really care when everything is so damn pleasant, right?]

Comments

[mercurio]

[prompto makes a rather comical expression as the insect basically explodes so dramatically. but his attention spans immediately to the how, because that blue light around the weapon and the crystals as it moves so elegantly through the air is extremely familiar. noctis level of familiar]

[except that as prompto hurries to get up, while on his hands and knees, he notices that it isn't noctis who took on the monster with such calculated ease and power. it's the king, regis lucis caelum.]

[he quickly gets up on his feet and is shocked at--a number of things. 1) having his name remembered by the kind king, and 2) the king being alive.]

Your majesty...!?

[well, at least he's using the right honourifics. he isn't sure if he should bow or stand straight or keep his guard up or take a picture. everything is suddenly too much.]

A-ahh, I just somehow found myself here! Are you alright? --sir?

[now may not be the time for idle chitchat]

[kingslight]

[Regis couldn't help but smirk somewhat once the blond used the right honorifics this time around. Prompto always seemed the most nervous around his presence and understandably so. The king is quite aware of how imposing he could seem despite his legendary kindness. He is royalty after all and twice as old as Prompto. So, it doesn't come as any surprise that Prompto is so nervous around him but now isn't the time for questions.]

You just arrived--Look out!

[The king hurriedly shoves Prompto aside roughly once one of the overgrown insects tried to strike the youth from the left. Regis summons forth his glaive once more and cuts down the second bug just as quickly as he slashed through the first. The ethereal gleam of his magical sword leaves a trail of blue embers in its wake that nearly resmebles ash.

Once the twitching insect goes still, Regis pivots on his heel quickly to swipe at the third incoming fiend. The last bug looked more reminiscent of a winged spider of some sort but dies in the same gruesome manner as all the others. Again, Regis flicks the yellowish slime off his glaive. It's then that the bitter scent of the insect's fluids reaches his nose. The king's face scrunches up in disgust.]

Ah, this is not the time for questions. [Regis commemts with an apologetic smile. He didn't mean to shove the youth so hard but he rather that Prompto doesn't get impaled.]

Come! Let us find safety first, I'm certain Noctis will be grateful to see you again.

[mercurio]

--wuoh!

[the rather harsh shove was unexpected, but king regis must not worry himself about how someone like prompto lands. since prompto is--clumsy, as a default. the younger man loses his balance momentarily, ducking involuntarily, and awarding himself to be out of the way of more insect massacre gunk]

[he decides it might be best to just... stay on his haunches for a bit longer, until the third threat is eliminated]

[(ignore how he's taken a couple of pictures in the meantime)]

Noctis too?!

[it's at these words that he gets back up again, an expression of relief on his face]

He-- He knows you're here?

[he'll follow, just lead him to safety]

[kingslight]

[Regis gives a quick nod before gesturing for the youth to follow. If they survive the long journey back to the apartment, then the king will properly answer Prompto's many questions. For now, he's eager to get Noctis' friend to safety while he still able. That bad knee of his is already giving him hell once more.]

Lady Lunafreya and Noctis both are quite aware of my presence. [And both of them are undoubtedly worried sick about the king during this onslaught of beastly insects. Maybe venturing so far from the apartment was a terrible idea.]

You're lucky I happened upon you when I did! The streets of this city are likened to a labyrinth--

[The thunderous sound of something quite large prompts Regis to come to slow halt. He glances over towards Prompto worriedly for a moment before ushering the blond towards one of the adjacent alleyways. It's then that thunderous boom gains more fervor and speed.]

This must be the gods at play here. [A deep sigh escapes him as he turns his green gaze towards Prompto.] Do you have enough ammunition on you---

[A sudden pause.

...Why are you holding a camera?

[mercurio]

Lady Lunafreya?!

[he immediately looks apologetic for his rather loud outburst. all this sounds unbelievable to him, but this sure is noctis' father--dead quite a while ago--having a conversation with him about what is and what isn't, and having actually saved his sorry ass from danger]

[prompto being prompto, he has a hard time focusing on other details, such as what this city is like as described or where they're going; his thoughts are focused on lunafreya being alive, and of noctis being able to meet both his father and childhood friend--]

[he stops cold. this sounds like an accusation]

Uh... To take pictures, for posterity and things! [what a rude answer to give to the king!! he knows that was a garbage response!] I got sufficient ammunition, though! I got a Bioblaster, too, and other guns, as well...

[kingslight]

[Congratulations, Prompto! You're the first to get Regis to roll his eyes. He stares at the young photographer for a moment and slowly shakes his head. Poor lamb, how in the world did you become entangled with such violent affairs? Regis let's out a quiet sigh.

His urge to protect this youngster surges almost ten forth.]

Very well. I may need you to assist me in the battles to come. [The king glances down at his right knee, the one in the golden brace. A deep sigh leaves him as he gazes at it worriedly.] Only a fool would wander out here alone but I allowed my curiosity to best me.

[His green gaze rests on Prompto again.]

We'll follow the alleyway towards the residential district. Stay sharp.

[mercurio]

Ye-yes, sir.

[prompto may not be an expert in combat, but he did receive training from one of the best: the marshall, cor leonis. he's taken his role to help protect the prince (although he's been told it was unnecessary, that being able to defend himself would be enough for the prince), and has always aimed to improve himself in the combat aspect--be it by looking at gladiolus or asking ignis for advice.]

[regis might be pleased to see prompto put away the camera and unholster not one, but two guns.]

Your highness, [the knee brace doesn't escape his attention; he noticed it before they had left insomnia] I really, really appreciate your wandering out here to help me... Especially with your... leg and all. [trying to be Tactful here] I'll be serious now! And stay sharp!

[he wants to offer himself to help the king with walking, but would that be rude??]

[kingslight]

[Two pistols, huh? Regis gives the lad an approving glance. Even though Prompto certainly lacks the years of experience, something tells him that the gunner is a worthy combatant. The young man reminds him vaguely of Weskham if only for the firearms. His good friend was a quick shot much like Prompto in his heydays. Quick on the draw, Weskham could kill a man dead in just a blink of an eye. Regis remembers watching in awe as his companion would out snipe even the best MT snipers. It's really absurd how the man could ricochet his bullets to strike just about anyone. The king remembers those days fondly.]

There's no need for gratitude. [He says with a chuckle before rushing forward along the path. The king signals for Prompto to follow.] I'm grateful to assist however I may.

[Regis follows along the shadowed path using the adjacent buildings to hide their movements as they try to avoid the massive bugs along the perimeter. The king halts every once and while cause of his bad knee but eventually he manages to sprint towards the end of this path.

Those massive insects haven't spotted them yet but all of that changes when one of the fiends hops onto the roof of a nearby structure. The monster let's out a horrific screech as it flutters its wings wildly alerting the others near. Eventually the disgusting insect goes on the attack. It's trying to rain an acid-like liquid upon them that looks ironically like golden ichor.]