dankmemes | test drive meme #16

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!test drive

test drive meme #16

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?]

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We wouldn't be much use if we could get away, either.

[Maketh nods slowly. Anne has a quick grasp of the situation. A smart woman, whatever her station had been in the world she'd been dragged from.]

There are many, yes. And we have tried. Many times.

[She rubs her face with a sigh.]

And we will continue to fight for as long as we must.

[Anne sat back as she took in the information. Queen or not, she felt a responsibility to help however she could. Sitting still had never been something she could do.]

Then I will help fight as well. [It's clear that she's not experienced fighter but she wouldn't just sit around waiting for rescue. Her expression was determined, her voice firm as she met Maketh's gaze.]

What can I do to help?

[Maketh leans back in her chair, watching Anne.]

That depends. You're not a soldier. What can you do?

[She pauses.]

Myself and one of the others here lead the guardsmen. I commanded troops as---where I came from. I have experience in such things. Others have medical training or....power. Of varied sorts.

[There was an awkward pause as Anne tried to think of an answer. She knew what she had been taught as part of her royal education would be next to useless here.

I admit I don't have experience as a healer but I am willing to learn what I have to.

[She had tried to learn how to cook and had given it her best effort. She would just have to apply herself here.]

I want to do all that I can here, Maketh.

[Maketh nods slowly. She can work with that.]

Should you wish it, we can also teach you how to fight. Or at least defend yourself effectively.

[It is curious that Anne hasn't said what she did in her world, other than being married. Perhaps it's nothing. Maketh tucks that information away just in case, though. Occasionally it pays to be paranoid.]

It's called Hadriel, this place. I don't think I said.

[Anne smiled, glad that Maketh was willing to take her up on the offer. If this wasn't France or Spain, perhaps she would have more freedom here.]

Thank you, I would certainly love to learn.

[The musketeers had always protected her but they weren't here and she knew she couldn't depend on them. Even a queen had to fight in a situation like this.]

Hadriel. The name isn't familiar. Were you brought here as well, as I was?

Good. That's good.

[The smile, though unexpected, it welcome. Maketh returns it hesitantly. She's been too tired lately, trying to fix all the messes that the gods have gotten them tangled in. At least Anne isn't creating more problems or threatening them. She's not someone who will need to be handled.]

Yes. Under different circumstances, but...yes.

[Maketh pauses. It's better to be blunt, she thinks.]

I died. Before coming here. A few of the others as well. But most are like you. Dragged out of a--seemingly random moment.

Maketh...I'm so sorry.

[Anne didn't hesitate to reach out to grasp Maketh's hands in hers to try to provide some comfort.]

That must have been awful. I hope, at least, you have a chance to be happy here.

[She didn't know Maketh but she didn't think that this young woman didn't deserve a chance.]

You must be so strong to be a guardswoman. Women don't often hold such an occupation where I am from.

[While she knew that others would disapprove, Anne admired that strength and dedication. It was difficult for a woman to have such freedom.]

[Though she didn't jerk her hands away, Maketh does stiffen instinctively, prepared for a trap. It doesn't come. Anne's hands are strangely soft.

This is happening. This is a thing that happened.

Maketh stares at Anne in blank confusion for a long moment before clearing her throat.]

It--it was not your doing.

[It does not matter. Stop your foolishness.]

Apparently it is strange on many worlds. Not mine. [Maketh tips her head to the side.] Women do not serve in your military at all?

I know but that does not mean I cannot understand that it must be hard on you.

[Anne softly squeezed Maketh's hands, looking at her.]

No, war is the dominion of only men. No woman would ever be accepted in the guard, no matter how capable.

[And she had felt so helpless at the monastery because she had never had a chance to learn how to defend herself. The innocent nuns had been in danger because of her, one had died and she hadn't been able to do anything about it.

This was her chance to do more without the expectations she faced her entire life.]

That doesn't mean we don't have our own ways of fighting back when needed.

[What is she meant to say to that? Maketh clears her throat again, glancing away.]

It seems foolish to limit your resources like that.

[The Empire wouldn't have dared cut their fighting force in half, to say nothing of the officer corps.

She meets Anne's eyes briefly.]

No doubt. Perhaps you will teach me some of them.

[Anne let go of Maketh's hand, sitting back.]

I've known many capable women, perhaps that will change in France someday.

[But the problem was getting around Louis and the Cardinal.]

Of course. I am sure we could learn many things from each other.

[She wondered if Maketh would be a friend, she had never had anyone she could speak to freely since she was a young princess.]

France?

[Maketh leans forward, curious.]

You may not be from the same world - or at least not the same time, I suspect - but the man who runs the guardsmen with me is from a place called England. He's mentioned France a time or two.

[She smiles a little.]

His name is Henry Percy. I call him my brother.

I would love to meet him. I am sure we would have much to talk about, at least.

[It didn't matter that her father had often referred to the English as infidels, the ones who had nearly destroyed Spain, she knew she couldn't judge someone harshly for just being from England.

Many had judged her just for being Spanish, leaving her isolated in a strange country since she was 14 years old.]

You said he could be from the future- does that happen often here?

[Maketh smiles again. She's uncertain of how the introductions will go, but Henry is a reasonable man and good judge of character. If Anne is worth knowing, then Henry will make the effort to know her.]

Quite often. Though I think Henry is likely from your....past. [Or something of the like. Maketh leans back in her chair.] Gunpowder is a recent invention in his world and they have not yet developed rifles. But you recognized what mine was.

[Likely not the exact type, but close enough.]

That is some time ago. Yes, I've seen rifles before but these ones look different than the ones I've seen before.

[Anne didn't know how the guns worked, she wasn't sure if that was the same.]

I hope I'm not holding you up from your duties, Maketh, you have been so helpful already.

[Interesting. Then Henry is likely well before her time.

Maketh blinks.]

You are--very kind, Anne. But this is one of my duties as well. Answering what questions I can.

I still feel very fortunate to have met you. You are doing a great service here, I admire that. [Anne said sincerely, she knew it was easy to be selfish.] Perhaps you could show me around a little? I would like to learn my way around Hadriel.

[Maketh nods slowly, then stands.] All right. What would you like to see first? We have a clinic and several buildings that serve as apartments, as well as an orchard.

I will let you lead the way, Maketh.

[Anne smoothed down her dress as she stood, it was automatic instinct to make sure her appearance was in order.

She gave the other woman an encouraging smile as they left the guard station, she was ready to face whatever they would encounter.]

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test drive meme #16

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