Test Drive Meme #18

[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 March 25th, and apps are open April 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 'P' IS SILENT
[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.

The only warning you get is the flapping of wings above you- leathery and noisy, not unlike a herd of bats, before you are descended upon by a creature with a long, sharp beak, beady eyes, and an appetite for blood. Unfortunately, you've come across a pterobuzzard from Stephen King's The Mist.

Despite the difficult to pronounce name, a pterobuzzards' job here is actually quite simple: to eat. With their large bodies, sharp claws, and savage beak, they can rip chunks of flesh from your body and feast on various entrails after you bleed to death. So that's... fun. Maybe you should run inside, where you could totally be safe, until you realize that one of them has the strength to shatter through a window.

Underground bunker, maybe?]

L O V E

SCENARIO TWO: VERY VERY EXTRAORDINARY
[Something is different about today. From the time you wake up, to the moment you look in the mirror, to the minute you greet your usually-annoying neighbor who you sort of hate. That difference is... love? Surely not- your cold, dead heart has been... well, cold and dead for an eternity!

And yet, you find yourself forgiving your own past mistakes, overcoming the obstacles that stand in the way between you and your acceptance of yourself and just... letting it be. You're a pretty cool person, you know, and you should appreciate yourself a little more! During this event, you're damn well going to, with some self love and acceptance.

Everyone else is on your Nice list as well, though- maybe you have a friend that you've been crushing on? That's dialed up to eleven, now. Or hey, that stranger has some cute shoes and you love them so much it hurts. All's fair in love and... love.

This is a mini-version of the beginning of our upcoming All you need is love event!]

T R A N Q U I L I T Y

SCENARIO THREE: CLASS IS IN SESSION
[Breathe in, breathe out.

It's a pretty simple concept, but now that you're supposed to be focusing on your breathing, it seems like the most complicated thing in the world. How does breathing help with concentration? Are you breathing the right way? What are you supposed to be thinking about? Do these yoga pants make your butt look cute?

There's too many things to think about and clearing your mind is hard, but the good news is that you're not the only one in Tranquility's yoga class who's having troubles. There's familiar squirming and fidgeting from the people around you who are probably lack just as much chill as you and are having difficulty finding their center.

Whatever that means.

Maybe the person next to you looks just as lost as you are, or maybe their side crane pose is really on point and you want to ask for tips. Either way, whispering is allowed as you contort yourself into human pretzels, so chatter away!]

Comments

Miriam Day - OC

[canisminor]

O N E

[Nope. Nope.

Hadriel comes back to Miriam in flashes, in between dodging monsters and tying off her stump of a wrist. It's weird. She was there and she wasn't, she remembers and she doesn't - idly, she thinks it's like trying to bridge the space between a memory and a nightmare without knowing which is which - but in the end, she remembers.

This is happening. There's a monster after her. Move.

She ducks into one of the stores and promptly crams herself behind the register. Barnaby the dog paces, pressing his nose against her knee with a whine. He smells blood. It's all over Miriam's jacket, her front, her arm, and everything hurts, it really fucking hurts and she wants to cry but can't.

Gotta stay quiet. Can't let the monsters get you. She's not going to be fast enough to run for it.

Miriam presses her cheek against the wall.]

Hey, buddy.

[Barnaby noses her gently.]

Guess we're back.

T H R E E

[Yoga is weird, okay? Still, Miriam is giving it a try. It's...not going so well. Mostly because she refuses to wear stretchy clothes - bomber jacket and combat boots for this girl, hey - and also keeps her right arm tucked close to her chest at all times. She's stiff and uneasy and thinking way too hard.

But, hey. Barnaby the dog is curled up by her feet and unlike the rest of the class, seems utterly content to be lazy, stretch, and think of absolutely nothing.]

Shush, buddy. I'm supposed to be focusing.

[Barnaby grunts.]

W I L D C A R D

[Miriam will be wandering around the city with Barnaby. Feel free to run into them.]

THREE

[surgent]

[ The Outsider floats next to Miriam lazily, watching her with only mild interest. She's a little stiff to be doing this kind of workout or perhaps that's all the more reason for her to do it. Hmm. ]

Perhaps that is your problem? [ Isn't this yoga thing about letting the mind and body align or something like that? He never saw much use in any of the fad diets or exercises the more fashionable and elite of Dunwall would go through, but this? This seems more about body and mind. ] You are focusing but not on the proper things.

I believe you are to let go of your thoughts and loosen yourself. [ Which she is clearly not doing. But who is to trust the man with black eyes, lazily floating in the air without much care for the lessons at hand? ]

ONE

[hornrims]

[The shop Miriam ducks into is one in which she has set foot many times before. She's panicked, injured, has lost a considerable amount of blood (unless of course that's not hers)... and is directly behind Richie's register.

The sudden sounds and movement cause Richie to stop in the middle of organizing his inventory. Setting down a candlestick onto a shelf, he turns to look at her mildly. Richie takes in the appearance of his long missing employee, arching an eyebrow over the top edge of his glasses.]

It's about time. Where have you been?

newt scamander ( fantastic beasties )

[bowtruckles]

( fear )

[ newt scamander isn't afraid of very many things, particularly massive creatures with giant teeth. if anything, that's where he feels most comfortable. and yes, he supposes it is alarming to suddenly wind up in a new world, but adventure is one of the perks of life.

or something.

worrying means you suffer twice.

at any rate, newt has found himself in quite the predicament, and an odd feeling of fear is bubbling in his chest, which isn't something he feels very frequently. he has his wand, and he can feel pickett buried in his coat. he has his case (which feels ... light, for some reason, though newt hasn't had a chance to open it). and for all the world, newt looks as if he had just stepped onto a ship to enjoy a nice vacation.

he's managed to isolate himself in a building, quiet and careful as he considers what he's up against. it's a large creature, carnivorous, and something he hasn't seen before. there's a good deal of curiosity and a need to see what it is, and to help it, maybe (after all, a creature stuck in this place is likely scared and frustrated, and wants to leave as quickly as possible, so newt has zero interest in harming it), but newt also has a very keen interest in not dying.

decisions. ]

-- may as well.

[ it's murmured under his breath as he straightens and ducks out of his alcove -- quickly, scanning the area to try and spot some place underground. the claws of the creature don't look too adept at digging, and underground is definitely the safest bet. but in stepping out into the open, newt has made himself vulnerable, and he very quickly darts to the nearest shelter --

or he was, before he slams directly into you.

there's a startled noise, and newt quickly grips his case steadily before he (without really properly paying attention to who he slammed into) grabs your wrist and drags you along with. ]

Quickly --

[ at least you're in good company?? ]

[canisminor]

[She's being quick and quiet even though it hurts to move, everything fucking hurts so much she can feel her veins shifting, and so Miriam doesn't scream when the man stumbles into her. How did he see her? She's been so careful, so quiet and careful not to bleed on the ground or leave a trail. Hide, hide and regroup, that's the plan. Step back. Get perspective, get some pain meds, whatever, but don't let anyone find her. But maybe he didn't, maybe he wasn't looking at all and somehow that's worse. Miriam shudders all over and tries to twist free. He grabbed her good hand, the one that's still there.

Don't get caught, little girl.

Miriam does her best impression of a dumbbell and hits the ground. No one is taking her, no sir, she won't let them, she'll hurt anyone who tries.]

Barnaby! Barnaby, help!

[A large black and tan dog comes snarling out of the shadows, teeth bared, and lunges at the man.

It never occurs to Miriam that he was trying to help.]

[boxxxer]

[the wall of muscle poor Newt has slammed into doesn't seem inclined to follow his lead, though]

Eh? Why, what's the matter?

[and then Ideo sees it, flapping toward them. And is not at all amused. Fear does not come easily to him, especially not now. He's seen bigger.]

Get behind me, I'll take care of this.

[This guy with the super-weird extra-tall shoulders doesn't mind a fight, even if he's fresh off the boat. He curls his right arm back as if winding up for an uppercut, waiting until the pterobuzzard gets a little bit closer...]

elena gilbert .. the vampire diaries

[rehashing]

<VERY VERY EXTRAORDINARY

[ Elena Gilbert is a girl with a weight to her shoulders. She lives in the shadow of lives she's lost, mostly family members, but others on the periphery that she thinks, in some way shape or form had to do with her. She's the girl people risk their lives for, the girl who'd Bonnie Bennett would die for.

Fake dying. One time.

But, today that weight seems to have lifted off of her shoulders. Today won't be different. It just is.

One one of the benches in the park, Elena pulls out what passes for her journal here. As she puts pen to paper, she pauses, ink barely registering. It's not as if she has nothing to write about. There are trials and tribulations day to day here, as well as something unspoken between her and her best friend, something they can't bridge quite yet. But, today, that doesn't matter. It's water under the bridge. She closes her journal, sticks it back in her back and gets up, slinging her bag over her shoulder. Life moves on. People have died. She almost died. But, she didn't. She's alive. They're all alive.

It's not as if Elena doesn't smile, or that she doesn't know how to have fun. But, this Elena Gilbert is light.

It starts off with small compliments and grows into hugging those she's met here and one or two she hasn't.

Finally, she decides to give back. And so she acquires a few empty journals and pens, and she offers them to people. There's so much beauty in the world. Why not write it all down?

It's a simple request, coming from your friend or a near stranger, but here she is, standing here holding her journal for you. ]

CLASS IS IN SESSION

[ She blames Caroline's tea.

Elena isn't a yoga person. She could probably benefit from doing yoga, considering her life. The extent of her yoga involves her best friend Caroline, and Bonnie, and Caroline insisting they all cleanse and breathe.

But, Elena's not good at just standing and doing nothing. Or, breathing.

She knows she's trapped, she knows this isn't right, that they should be doing other things besides yoga. Klaus' body needs to be dealt with.

She wobbles on one leg, managing to at least stay up.

Something just isn't right.

Everyone else is entirely too good at hand stands for her liking., Turning, she addresses one of her neighbors. ] Um, aren't there usually easier techniques if we can't make it all the way up?

[ It's the sitting that's difficult, the sitting and closing her eyes and just breathing. It's not what she does. So, she pops an eye open here or there. Elena Gilbert is not a cheater, but this is not for Elena Gilbert. Not right now.

very very extraordinary

[arenacanary]

[Love isn't a luxury a victor can afford. Love means there's a way for Snow to hurt you. Wiress is lucky that she can hide her heart behind madness brought on by brilliance, but even so, it's a risk she'd rather not have to take. At least Beetee is safe by virtue of being a victor, but otherwise? Well, maybe she'd be the one killed. It'd certainly hurt more to lose someone with a look of childlike innocence about her, right?

Suddenly there's a girl in front of her, holding out a journal. The girl seems nice -- just old enough that she can't be reaped, maybe? Lucky her. The Games are terrible, and no victor ever really leaves their arena.

Wiress looks around, covers the girl's hands with her own, and leans in to whisper--] They're always watching. [She shakes her head as she straightens. You can't leave any evidence behind. No records in writing, no words spoken unless drowned out. Keep your secrets close. It's safer that way.]

Ignis Scientia | FFXV

[cookingmama]

ONE - FAR MORE TROUBLE THAN ANTICIPATED

[There are pros and cons to being in the dark. Pros: When you arrive through an abrupt portal, you don't have to see the ugliness that is the monster that arrived with you. Cons: A monster arrived with you and you have no idea where you're going.

For better or for worse, that doesn't stop Ignis from whirling around with a flask in hand. He takes a moment, turning his head to follow the beast as it begins its swoop down to tear into some unfortunate soul, before he throws the flask into one of the pterobuzzard's wings. It explodes into ice, veering the creature off its course and headfirst into the ground.]

Let's go! [He flashes the briefest of grins in your direction, summoning a dagger to his hand and taking a step forward. Then the ice cracks. Then the thing screeches as it crawls back to it's feet. "Let's go" suddenly turned into,] Let's go-- some other way!

[Flight or fight, he needs direction, or you both are going to be lunch.]

TWO - L IS FOR THE WAY YOU LOOK AT A NEW RECIPE

[Today is a beautiful day. The brilliant, vibrant, fake sun is shining. Complete strangers, or perhaps long-lost friends, were meeting one another after they've barely escaped being eaten alive.

Ignis has decided whomever he's ran into with his walking stick is a wonderful, wonderful person. Nevermind the fact he nearly ran into them-- he smiles, pulling it back and patting their shoulder.]

I don't think any harm can be done today. Are you hungry? You deserve a nice hot meal. Let me make you something worth your while.

[This can be really, really ironic, depending on how terrible this person is.]

THREE - WITTY TITLE HERE

[Ignis is not meant for relaxation. He's meant for hot coffee, a briefing, and creating the next plan for his party members.

Sitting back with his feet in his hands wasn't apart of the plan. There were a variety of less embarrassing poses to be done, but he just doesn't trust himself on his feet. It was his own fault. He could be leaving.]

Perhaps I'm just missing the point of this. Are you?

[Or he can get to the bottom of this exercise through you.]

FOUR - NETWORK

[There were a few attempts before Ignis had finally figured out how to start up the voice. He'd mashed the end call button all but three or four times, leaving 3 to 10 seconds worth of incoherent noises and him swearing. But hey, he's got it now. He's just standing out on the street with furrows brows.]

I'm sorry, but it seems I've accidentally come across someone else's cellphone. This isn't mine. [His text to speech was a nicely accents lady, thanks.] I'm willing to return it if anyone is able to find me.

WILDCARD

[He's wandering or cooking for himself, unless you want to be horrible to him. Don't do it.]

L IS FOR let's pretend this is later so we can have the holy shit happen in game

[manspreading]

[ Bumping into blind guy, that's a whole new level of rude. Bumping into your blind, kinda sorta best/mom friend is even worse. Way to be, Gladio! ]

Shit, sorry.

[ When he agreed to meet Ignis outside he wasn't expecting to get run into, nor was he expecting this level of... vibrance. I mean Gladio had only heard about Ignis losing his sight, seeing it in person is still gonna take some getting used to. At least he seems to be doing okay otherwise? ]

Uh, Iggy? You feeling alright?

Caroline Forbes | The Vampire Diaries

[overarching]

F E A R.

[ Much of Caroline has always been chaotic. Her moods and personality, the darkness that follows her. Is it laughable that after the growth she's had as a vampire, life comes back to bite her with that trailing darkness that plagues every vampire? Not just to separate her from her kids (a choice she won't take back; she wants Ric to be sure they're safe as often as possible.) Not just to have Stefan's humanity, life, and personal life choices slammed down on her heart, several times over threatening to turn it to mush (she'll persevere, but screw you, Cade and life.) No, now there's this.

It's not funny, not at all, because Caroline has two massive pint-sized responsibilities back in the land of the living. She doesn't know how or why Cade's decided to suddenly use her as a pawn, but she's having none of it. That's the first thought, until she smells something vile, hears it and looks up to see this ridiculous dinosaur, horror looking creature. ] What the hell?! [ Speaking to anyone else hasn't transpired, but she quickly realizes that there are others there too. Humans, maybe other types of people too. She doesn't think about it quite so thoroughly, however.

What kind of twisted game is this?!

The winged beast doesn't come for her (yet), and if it heads at someone else? Caroline isn't unfeeling but she pays it no mind, because she doesn't think they're real. She lingers where she stands, breathing out a huff. Arms cross over her chest, and she calls extremely important words up into the air. ]

This isn't funny or necessary, Cade. Whatever you want, just tell me. You like deals so much, so name your price. [ In offering this, Caroline is utterly sincere. Her next words fall out, softer and bearing less hostility because they're the ones that she means the most. ] Just -- don't hurt my girls.

[ She believes she's in some version of Hell. Not the Hell, because there would be more catatonic states of pain, or lashings and brandings, or devilish imps running about. Maybe. What does she know about the reality of Hell?

Nothing happens. Her arms go down in impatience at her sides, fingers spreading, palms out. ] Seriously?!

[ Okay. That's not going to help. She needs out of there, though. Help her out, Satan, come on. She's willing to broker a deal and everything. ]

Manon Blackbeak - Throne of Glass Series

[windcleaver]

SCENARIO ONE: THE 'P' IS SILENT

The beating of wings had initially drawn her to that place deep in the tunnels. The sound was wonderful, wild, and reminded her of the home she'd left behind. It reminded her of the Wyverns that she and the Thirteen had ridden.

When the winged creature appeared behind her, Manon whirled around. And smiled. The creature had bared its fangs and talons at her in a threatening pose that illustrated its intent to attack and leave behind no trace of its prey.

She showed no sign of retreating but intending to meet the creature head on in a battle.

SCENARIO THREE: CLASS IS IN SESSION

She had conquered soldiers, slain humans, dispatched incredible beasts; it seemed silly for a thing like clearing her mind to be difficult. However, as Manon focused on the steady inhale and exhale of her breath, her mind still wandered.

How she had arrived, events of the past few days and all of what had happened since she'd gotten to this place all seemed to swirl in her mind like a storm that would never clear up.

Manon let her arms go slack. "These exercises are foolish. They're accomplishing nothing." She suddenly decided out loud. Surely, there would be other ways that could clear her mind outside of this.

love upon request

[manaiakalani]

fear

[This cave is a little like Oz. It doesn't have the same heat or the same kind of irradiated, ruined land, but it's harsh and hostile just the same. And, apparently, filled with all manner of nasty critters that want to take a bite out of an unsuspecting person.]

[The thing about Roadhog, though, is that he's too used to living in dangerous places to ever be caught off-guard. And he's not an easy man to take a bite out of.]

[He hears the flap of leathery wings swooping down at him. The strange little bat-beast dives at his back, then squawks raucously as it's caught in one massive fist. It thrashes in his grip, cutting his fingers a little with its struggles until he squeezes. The bones are fragile and hollow like a bird's, and they crush just as easily; the struggling stops.]

[Hog chuckles, dark and low, and drops the still corpse to the ground.]

tranquility

[Hog sits, legs folded and eyes closed behind the glass of his mask, and breathes.]

[The air rasps in his broken lungs like it always does, and he's not following the poses; this is calming in and of itself. Quiet. Hog likes it when things are quiet, it's been hard to get a little peace ever since he started working with Junkrat. And while he relishes the mayhem too, sometimes he needs to be free from his boss' endless chatter and perpetual motion. Hog's not a man of many words, and Rat seems to have so many that he can't stop them from pouring out of his mouth.]

[So he breathes.]

[Wheeze-in rasp-out, great big lungs expanding and contracting in his great big chest, long and slow.]

Fear

[canisminor]

[First rule of staying alive is knowing how to win. And knowing how to win means picking your allies just right. There's always somebody stronger. The Commander says if you can't kill them, join them. Then stab them in their sleep and take all their stuff. Simple. But it's a game, yes it is, a game Miriam knows and one she has to play right here, right now. Once again.

She's hurting, her stump of a wrist tucked into her jacket. If she stands up straight and doesn't tremble, then maybe no one will notice. There's blood, sure, but there's always blood in a place like this.

The big guy is tough looking. Strong. Killed one of the things with one hand like it was nothing. Wasn't even showing off. (Or was he? Was he waiting, does he know she's been watching for a while now, hiding in the shadows?)

Gotta be careful now, Miriam thinks. She presses her knees against Barnaby and steps out from her hiding place.

Barnaby walks in front of her, tail raised like a banner. His ears are pricked, eyes watchful. He might not be fast enough to kill the big man on his own, but Miriam still has the Commander's pistol hidden in her jacket.

Smile. It's fine. Everything is just fine.

Miriam gives the big man her very best smile. Look how small she is. Look how bruised and dirty. How utterly harmless, clinging to her dog like a lifeline.]

Uh. Hey, mister. Can--can you help me?

Mae Borowski | Night in the Woods

[begaydocrimes]

[Scenario Two]



[For once, Mae isn't picking apart her reflection when she sees it. She looks a little less round, her eyes a little less... nightmarish. Yep. Looking good today. Looking good for someone stuck miles underground in God knows where!

And it just so happens that everyone she's running into here is looking pretty cute too.]

H-hey you... uh...

[Just ask them to go get lunch or coffee with you, Mae. It's not that hard-]

... you wanna hang out? Somewhere?

[Awesome. Nailed it.]

[Scenario Three]



[Mae is trying this yoga thing. But she's pretty sure limbs aren't actually supposed to bend this way.

She hears something snap. Thaaat's probably not good.]

Soo... is that cracking noise supposed to be your center? Because I think I found it.

Shit. Ow.

Two

[butterflyoffate]

[Yuuko's invariably aware of other worlds, unknown species, and everything to be associated with such. Even for arriving in her Death Kimono, she appears to be completely at home with her surroundings.

But when this adorable little cat asks her to go out with her, she can't help but light up a little.]

Well, aren't you adorable? Of course I'll go out with you~! [Who knows, maybe booze will be involved~]

Gertrude | I Hate Fairyland

[fuckfairyland]

[ FEAR ]

[ After wishing to be swept away into a magical Fairyland and actually having her wish come true, Gertrude was kind of surprised to find it had worked again! She'd been searching for the Key to escape the sickeningly sweet world she'd been warped to, the happy toadstools and magical creatures just pissed her off, and after all the damage she'd caused on her constant rampages, even the Queen wanted rid of her.

So, seeing as it had worked before, Gertrude pondered if it would work again. Making a wish at possibly the same time Fear was operating the door, and Alakazam~! What 'd ya know! Here she was! As if by magic. ]

... No singing flowers... No happy woodland critters... This isn't Fairyland, is it?

[ Looking around, the seemingly innocent and cute young girl stood there with her hands behind her back, holding onto her trusted battle axe. She didn't look like much, all skin and bones and green curly locks. She didn't even look like she was aware of the ugly flying fuck that was making a b-line towards her.

Standing there, talking to herself, trying to determine if she really had been warped back out of the world she'd been trying to escape from for years when the monster swooped, beak open ready to tear her to shreds.

Gertrude bent down, going to pull her socks up with one hand, her other thrust the battle axe into the air, slicing the flying monster clean in half. Blood spraying out and raining down on her as she rolled her eyes and stood back up. As the halves of the creature lay there, twitching as it died to each side of her, Gertrude looked up at the sky. A cloud of flapping wings and clamping beaks swarmed down over her in a whirlwind of death from above.

Surely it was game over for the little girl, there was no way in hell she would make it out of there, right? ... Right? ]

This shit again! REALLY!?

[ Her voice heard and her face spotted in a break in the swarming mass of monsters. Swinging her battle axe around and overhead, it was clear she had some skill when it came to rounding up and taking down an enemy. ]

Straight outta the frying pan and into the fire huh? Give me a break!

[ She called out, leaping up in the air and jumping down, using her axe to propel herself into the air. It didn't take Gertrude long to annihilate the swarm. Standing there, covered in blood, panting and with a crazed look in her eyes. ]

Whose head do I have to cut off to get some answers around here?

Nathan Drake | Uncharted

[nonscriptum]

THE "P" IS SILENT

Oh, holy crap, holy crap-

[Out of the frying pan and into the fire, trading a gunfight for the Twilight Zone. He wanted "excitement" in his life and he can't say that being attacked by dinosaur-like creatures doesn't qualify: with a relatively high threshold for weirdness and prior experience with the fringier elements of biological weaponry - like an attaché to archaeology, if unwanted - Nate should be prepared to deal with things like monsters in places where there shouldn't be monsters.

In fairness, though, he wasn't entirely prepared to deal with being here, let alone its bloodthirsty fauna. He ran into one of them long enough for both parties to be startled and escaped with a scrape to his arm, blood seeping through his shirtsleeve. The shock gave him the half-second needed to scramble back into another building, one with fewer accessible points of egress for cumbersome abominations. They're not even remotely human enough to justify with a science experiment gone wrong, all snapping jaws and teeth that only a mother could love.

One of them shoves its head through a small window, hissing but incapable of squeezing its shoulders through the hole. With his back to the wall and two inches of barricaded steel door between him and the world full of those things, Nate laughs nervously while it scrabbles at the frame.]

Maybe- [Shit, hold on, catching his breath-] -go on a diet, pal.

CLASS IS IN SESSION

[Nathan Drake has never excelled in sitting still.

From a very young age he was what contemporary doctors might refer to as "a textbook case of ADHD," bouncing from subject to subject provided they are of intensive interest, easily distracted and desirous of new stimuli. While some of that restlessness has tempered over the decades, he's never really adapted to sedate activities such as yoga, or Pilates, although he will defend any woman's right to wear the pants in public because honestly, who wouldn't?

Breathing in and out while maintaining a pose is all well and good for people with meditative tendencies, but when his brain is running a mile a minute and his feet itch to be up and moving, his hands to grip something that isn't air or his own knees, Nate finds himself too conscious of his surroundings out of a desperate need to be preoccupied. Someone in the street told him that he looked anxious and that he ought to "find his center" in here, but the only thing he's found is that he isn't suited to chilling out for longer than sixty seconds when the anxieties of a job cut short are still whizzing around in his head like a mental pinball machine.

He stage-whispers to the person next to him in the midst of executing what their teacher referred to as the Agnistambhasana pose, something that he's definitely seen in the entablature figures of Nepal.]

...hey, uh...any idea how long this thing is supposed to last?

WILDCARD

[Naturally curious of his new surroundings, Nate can be encountered around anything capable of being climbed with his bare hands!]

slides on in here cause im CLASSY

[skelebro]

[To think that Sans would be willingly engaging in any kinda exercise, no matter how relaxed and low-key it might be, is kinda laughable at best. C'mon, what's he gonna stretch? His bones? Ain't like he's got muscles that need relaxing. He just ain't the target audience here, and that's fine. He ain't the target audience for most things.

Mostly he's been passin' the time dozing in between the occasional pointed remark in his direction that it's almost like he ain't even trying. Which, uh, he's never tried hard at anything in his life, and anyone who says otherwise is touting lies and slander.

One eyesocket slits open lazily as he stares at the guy who's lookin' about as antsy as a picnic, unperturbed.]

Hey, don't ask me. I'm just here for the relaxing atmosphere.

HABIT | everymanHYBRID

[nastyhabits]

[ooc: NOTE THE CONTENT WARNINGS]

FEAR

[He was in the middle of some real important shit, is the thing. He had some very time-sensitive info, some real important data, and what happens next? He gets fuckin' hijacked to fuck-knows-where. That kinda spontaneous teleportation to realms unknown? That's his little shtick. Jesus Christ, man, what the hell do these morons think they're playing at, huh? Snatching a guy like him into worlds unknown, just to have a laugh?

He can give 'em all this much in their favor: the place is full of all sorts of sideshow bullshit. Shit like flying beasts with beaky-looking faces and shrill voices to match, and a real easy way of getting all shot down without so much as a by-your-leave. And would ya look at that! His good ol' reliable meatsuit is down here with him, all nice and bound up to him in a convenient package!

How courteous.

He's not gonna just up and leave now. Nahhh. Not when there's fun to be had.

So enjoy, if you will, Hadriel, the sight of a guy in his twenty-somethings, cheerfully hacking at pterobuzzards with a goddamn machete of all things, and looking like he's having the time of his life doing it.]

NETWORK POST BECAUSE I FUCKING CAN

[Heya, Hadriel. Hope you don't mind ALL-CAPS. 'Cause here's one irritating little fucker who won't post in anything but.]

MORNING RABBITS.

BEAUTIFUL DAY DOWN HERE. BUT SOMETHING'S MISSING. A CERTAIN JE NE SAIS QUOI, YOU COULD SAY. SOMETHING REAL FUCKING IMPORTANT, YOU KNOW?

OH, RIGHT.

NOW I REMEMBER.

LAUGHS.

KNOCK KNOCK, RABBITS.

Yuuko Ichihara | xxxHolic

[butterflyoffate]

[L O V E]

Sure, Yuuko's actually totally down for this. Love is a fun thing. Besides, these stuffed animals are ridiculously cute. In fact, she found this, and she is carrying it around rather shamelessly. It's adorable, got a problem with it?

Although what might be more of the problem here is not that she's carrying it. It's that she's going around Hadriel, and anyone she meets, well...

"Well, aren't you a cutie! I have a present for you." and the second she sees an opening, she'll smoosh the stuffed alpaca's face against yours. Congratulations, you got kissed by an alpaca, and Yuuko appears rather pleased with herself over it. "You two make such a cute couple."


[Y O G A]

Well, this is certainly interesting, and rather counter-productive. Yoga's supposed to be relaxing, but today it just seems frustrating. Yuuko chalks it up to the only thing she's lacking right now - booze. Man, a hard drink sounds like Heaven right now. And she's going to complain if she doesn't get some relatively soon. It's a driven need, not just a desire, you know.

She looks over at you, and may not be so subtle as she asks, "Want to ditch this place and go get a drink?"

Mostly because she's expecting you to provide or pay.

Love

[rememberthepast]

The child had been wandering the city, wearing a worried expression and clutching hard to a sheathed sword like a lifeline. In the space of a day, the young prince had lost his lord father and his homeland. And now his lady mother had been taken from him too...or rather, it was the opposite. For the young prince now finds himself stranded in an unfamiliar city, whisked away from sea and sky to a prison in a cave.

Where is he? Where is his lady mother? Is this where she had intended to take him? Was it magic that brought him from the swaying of a boat to the solid ground? Even now he feels weak to stand on his own two feet, and it's only sheer will that's carrying him forward in some vain attempt to find his lady mother in this vast underground city. The young prince bites back fears and tears, trying to be brave. He can't cry now, what would his lord father think of him? He has to get back, get back to the boat and find a way to rescue everyone--

--...and suddenly, something soft and fluffy tickles his face. Blinking and caught off guard, the young prince stumbles back, wet eyes widening as he looks up higher and higher and beholds the tall, slender woman in front of him.

Is she friend or foe? The last time he remembered this feeling of being towered over, part of the roof had collapsed to reveal Aku's terrible leering visage. His hands unconsciously grip the sword tighter, bringing it to the front of him as if to defend himself. But unlike Aku, this woman's face lacks fangs and fiery brows. There's no sneer or evil laughter, just an amused smile and a fluffy toy.

The young prince doesn't know what to make of her. Biting down on his bottom lip, he stands in place and waits to hear what she has to say to him.

Ashley | Until Dawn

[explicative]

❶ мarcн on, and ғear noт тнe тнornѕ

[ She'd been running from psychos and wendigos for hours, adrenaline burning through her body, sending her flight-of-flight response bouncing off the walls and her sanity plummeting so she knows it was pure, dumb luck that she managed to dive out of the way before that demon bird landed on her head. It had immediately arched back into the sky and nearly disappeared into the darkness above her all the while letting out an indignant croaking shriek at having been denied.

Ashley had no plans on being tonight's dinner and took off running, not once registering that this, wherever she was now, wasn't the tunnel she'd just been standing in, that there was no path carved in rock that she was following. It was all open space and a distant definition of some stone structure. Ultimately didn't matter, not with the sound of those gigantic wings flapping in the air behind her, sounding closer. She just needed to get away.]

Guys! [ She yelped, voice cracking with terror. ] Sam! Chris! Please!




❷ ѕιlenт ιѕ an anagraм oғ lιѕтen

Be one with the universe. [ She muttered, trying to find her zen ] Just close your mind to distraction and breath in tranquility.

[ Yeah, this wasn't working.

Frustrated and none to comfortable, Ashley let out an explosive sigh, trying not to let a groan join it. Clearly she was not going to find any kind of relaxation pursing this method but she didn't want to disturb those around her, the ones that seemed to either be completely synced with this place's version of Buddah, or whatever, or were doing a better job at pretending they were. Well, most of them because she swears that person in the corner is outright sleeping on their mat.

She wonders what in the world possessed her to sign up for this. ]

My kingdom for an oversized sweater and a good book.


❸ ᴡɪʟᴅᴄᴀʀᴅ

[Hit me with your best shot. Fire away.]

Yoga

[rememberthepast]

[He had heard about the classes. Classes that focus on achieving inner peace and tranquillity. Now those are fairly big words for the young emperor's son, but he's heard his lord father speaking of such things with high regard.

If his lord father had strove to pursue and extol the virtues of tranquillity to his people, then shouldn't the young prince do the same? No matter how far he was from his homeland, the young prince will never forget his roots or the task that lay before him. He had a duty to fulfil, a demon to vanquish, his people and his father to rescue. He could not fail.

Still. It is intimidating to be the sole child in these lessons. He hoovers near the entrance, peeking in and watching in awe as the god (an actual!! god!!) assembles a variety of positions, looking as serene and still as the quiet pond back in his homeland. Occasionally he sneaks a peek at some of the other attendees, hoping to see some children among them so that he can join in without being the odd one out. But he'll ducks his head back behind the doorway if he thinks any of them are looking at him. Once he thinks the coast is clear, his innate curiosity emerges, and the little boy peeks out again, eyes wide as he looks out upon the rest of the crowd...

...until they make contact with a pair of eyes belonging to one of the ladies. The prince's eyes widen and he quickly ducks behind the doorway again. He hopes she didn't see him, he wouldn't want her to think he's being rude!]

enkidu - epic of gilgamesh

[enkidont]

[ i ]

[There were only two things to do when thrown into a new situation where one had no idea where they are an there is a giant lizard bringing up the rear: try and fight it, or else run for cover to try and get a read of the situation. Then fight it.

A single glance informed Enkidu that the latter was the smarter way to go. He had seen a great number of beasts in his time, and that this creature reminded him of Humbaba was not a good sign by any means of the imagination. So, with swift feet and keen eyes, he began to run for the nearest house.

If there was anyone at home, well, he trusted that no one would begrudge him safe harbor for a time. That there was no one within the walls gave him some measure of relief, and it was that in mind that he took a second to look around the home he had broken into.]

--There has to be something here that would be an acceptable weapon.

[Or else quickly modified into one. A broomhandle and somthing pointed would do, so long as there was rope and just a few minutes of time.]

[ iii ]

[Sitting still wasn't something that came naturally to Enkidu. He moved through spaces, through steppes, through palaces, rarely resting, always alert. The concept of focusing on nothing but breathing was to put it politely, weird.

Or if his thoughts were broadcast out loud, they'd be more precisely rendered as Ereshkigal's realm is there a point to any of this? I can't be the only person thinking that there are twenty other things worth pursuing right now, correct? What kind of man even began a practice like this? And why?

The only thing Enkidu had going for him was that the actual stretching was no issue at all. He could quite literally try doing it on his head if he wanted, but he chose to try and stick it out until the end of the course.

Not that that prevented him from glancing around in the hopes that someone, anyone, might be struggling with paying attention as much as he was.]

Solas | Dragon Age: Inquisition

[spitstea]

Love

[It's unusual enough to see Solas strolling around rather than off in his own little area, but for him to be smiling at anyone who passes a glance his way is beyond strange. It hasn't gone past his attention that his mood has been altered in some way, of course, but he can't seem to bring himself to be as bothered by it as he should. Maybe he lacks the strength. Is he looking at those flowers potted flowers...?

Well, whatever oddly happy thing he's doing, it stands out on its own whether you recognize the man or not. But don't worry, he won't be standing and waiting for someone to approach him first, today. Anyone who looks his way will get a personalized compliment!! Get them while you can.]

(ooc: So obviously for this one you can just tag me with not much and I'll give the Real Prompt of his compliment!)

Tranquility

[In the end, yoga didn't sound like such a bad idea, after all. Solas seems fairly good at it, remaining calm and relaxed and bending his body in just the right way to stay in his pose without wobbling around.

Of course, it does distract him a bit to have those around him struggling with their focus so much. Whether the person beside him is wobbling, falling over, or just trying to whisper to whoever might hear, Solas gives them a side glance for a quiet moment before he lifts his chin, and seemlessly moves into a standing bow pulling pose.]

I do believe the idea is to focus. [It's said with such pointedness that it's very clear he's making a playful jab here.] Are you having trouble?

Some furry shit

[Between everything else he's been dealing with in being trapped here, he has found a fairly nice sized empty building to use as a canvas for his frescoes. It's not a building out of the way for anyone, purposefully located along a street and with window views to see the art inside.

Currently, all he has is one section of wall done, an image of a wolf standing at the center of a large group of figures on the bottom (people and many other things, it seems), and looking up to some sort of pattern in the sky, casting down various designs to the group. He's viewing it now, a hand to his chin and his other arm folded lightly over his chest, but the moment he hears footsteps he glances over. It's literally a big empty building otherwise, with not even any furniture in here, so he's a little surprised to already have a visitor.]

What can I do for you? [Don't tell him this is your building because he's been here for days now, he's just saying.]

Wildcard

[And of course, find him anywhere! He's brand new for me so excuse me testing his voice!]

chinhands

[cookingmama]

Believe it or not, I am.

[There is no reason why a calm, blind man shouldn't be able to focus easier. But Ignis has been struggling on the mat beside Solas for awhile now. Has he said anything? No. Is it kinda rude of Solas to point thing out? Yes.

It's fine though. He's nearly toppled over being on one leg three times now.] You don't seem to be having any.

Andros | Power Rangers in Space

[killedzordon]

FEAR

[One moment he was saying goodbye to the Galaxy Rangers, and the next he was fighting for his life. Because that wasn't strange at all. He just couldn't catch a break, could he? Other Ranger teams got to retire. Maybe even lie by the pool and drink lemonade (that sounded nice), but him? Nope. Andros kept getting called back, and it seems, kidnapped and attacked.

All in a days work. Lying by the pool would be boring anyway. Andros spun around and morphed in a flash of red, tumbling out of the way because even if he was morphed, he could still be hurt. That thing looked big. At least it wasn't big enough to need a MegaZord. So, he could deal. ]

Hey ugly, that's right, follow me!

[The thing clawed at him, and there were some things the suits couldn't protect against. He hit the side of a building with a thud, but the morph held. That was going to really hurt later. It really hurt now too. Pulling out his astro blaster he shot at the thing. No reason it couldn't hurt too.]

Tranquility

[Andros understood the concept of meditation. He'd studied similar techniques for years in order to develop his telekinesis and other mind abilities that were typical for Karovans. This outfit and the weird body contortions were new though. This wasn't like any of the martial art forms he'd become familiar with, either on KO-35 or Earth, and....was this supposed to be relaxing? He leaned over to whoever was next to him and whispered.]

I'm not sure I understand the concept. What's the point of this?

[You know what was relaxing to him? Working on his ship or destroying monsters. Although it could never be said that he didn't need this. Andros was a very tightly wound individual. Maybe yoga would help remove that stick that seemed to be shoved so far up his ass it was jutting out of his mouth]

Fear

[pyralisit]

[The second thing Cal learned being here (after how fucked up the "gods" liked to keep the place) was that he should never wander unarmed. So at least he had that going for him when he saw the newest hell-creature, flapping through the air after some other hapless explorer.

Maybe the thing was attracted to the bright red...whatever he was wearing? It seemed likely. The color stood out against the drabness of the city around him. There weren't a whole lot of colors in a cave.

He fired a shot at the thing before it could regroup for another dive and hopefully that would be enough time while it reconsidered its options. Without so much as waiting a moment for permission he grabbed the man's arm and dragged him inside the nearest building. He didn't care whether it was occupied. IF it was they'd understand.]

You must be new. That's the only way I can think of that you wouldn't have dived for cover immediately.

the drifter | hyper light drifter

[hyperlit]

fear

[Waking from a nightmarish death isn't unusual. Waking at the foot of a darkened cave, surroundings abstracted with a wave of disoriented nausea, that is, as it stands for the Drifter, perfectly normal. Jerking to life again because something sent a burst of ragged blackness pinning them through the chest, because dark threads clung to their front until they covered their eyes, clawed their way down their throat; none of it is atypical.

These...things. They are not the Judgment-corrupted monstrosities that clawed their way from the pink ooze that saturates their world. They are something else entirely, but as one of the winged pterobuzzards comes streaking for what it perceives to be easy prey, the Drifter reacts instantaneously.

They slide to the side in an abrupt flash of precise, inhumanly fast motion, and their sword whips from their sheath to cleave the thing in two in a well-oiled cyan arc.

Immediately after, the Drifter falls to their knees, chest hitching in a series of rough coughs. A hand goes to their mantled face, largely obscured - but not obscured enough. A spurt of pinkish blood slicks their fingers, pooling across the floor, and another pterobuzzard is already rearing up behind them.

They'll deal with it, in due time. Just as soon as they can stand once more.]

jason todd | batman: under the red hood | prose or brackets, come at me

[fulminatory]

scenario one: there's a godawful shitty feeling of dread in my heart.

Welp. You sure don't see something like this every day. Getting attacked by vicious winged predatory creatures like these is weird, even by Gotham's standards - which is decidedly not where Jason has found himself at present, for the record, and which presents an entirely different mystery to untangle, one that will need to wait until Jason isn't busy fending off the animal currently swooping down at him from above.

"Any idea who I have to bribe to get these things called off?" he asks to anyone who may be within earshot, gaze locked on the approaching creature. At the last possible moment, Jason ducks, rolls onto his shoulder, and rights himself in a crouch, and the pterobuzzard snatches at air. His movement has the elegance and timing that speaks not only to a natural gift of agility but years of practice honing it as well.

The pterobuzzard is thoroughly unimpressed, sweeping up into the air again and curving around to dive at Jason again, and Jason decides it's time he got going. A moving target is harder to hit, after all.

"Nice night for a run," he mutters, eyes still lifted toward what passes for sky in this place, and takes off in a dead sprint. Catch him if you can.

[canisminor]

Running and hiding seems to be the order of the day. Or at least the smart bet and Miriam has always made a point of playing it smart when she can. And if a girl happens to be missing give or take a pound of flesh when thrown into the shit? Well, then it's only practical to stay out of the fray. Which is what she's been doing, hunkering down and moving slowly - but steadily! - closer to the city with Barnaby hanging tight to her side. Keep it slow, keep it quiet, then nothing will see you. And if it doesn't see you, it won't try to et you.

Easy, right?

Less so when somebody comes bolting along.

Miriam jerks back with a yelp, grabbing for Barnaby's harness. The dog growls in warning, ears pinned close to his skull. "Buddy, you'd best step off. Personal fucking space!"

Meagan Foster | Dishonored (will match formatting)

[dreadfulwale]

FEAR
Years ago, the section of the city nestled at the foot of the Shindaerey Peak had been called the Batista mining district, back when Stilton was still around running the mines and Meagan still had her sword arm and two good eyes. Now? Now, dense clouds of silvery dust blew down from the mines, ferried by the decaying steel and wood tubes meant to power the massive windmills below the district, and the sheer quantity of shit in the suspended air made even breathing a chore. Everything that wasn’t buried in dust and detritus was coated in a thick patina of grey, making the whole of the area look every bit as miserable as the impoverished underclass that dwelled there.

Not for the first time, Meagan regretted not bringing a mask – or at least goggles to spare her remaining eye – as she squinted out across the plaza toward where the entrance to Stilton’s manor lay. It was a futile effort. The wind had kicked up again, howling through the streets and bringing with it clouds of dust and dirt dense enough that she could scarcely see the outline of the door frame – no, wait, she couldn’t even see that now; couldn’t see more than a foot or two ahead of her – and the far-off sound of machinery, mining equipment most likely, was punctuated only by distant (and a few not-so-distant) screams.

“Someone must’ve found some shit,” she grumbled as she lifted her hand to shield her eye. Already she could feel the grit of the air making it water. This city was a wreck. “Howlers and Overseers. What a combination.”

Gradually, the wind’s cacophonous roar began to die down and over the din Meagan could make the vague sound of something – leather? cloth? – fluttering nearby. She scowled. Something must have caught on the ruined balcony somewhere off to her right, a flag or jacket-- her thoughts cut off as the noise came again, closer this time, and she could feel the hair along the back of her neck stand on end. Tension corded along her shoulders. She licked her lips. The human screams had shifted, morphing into something else altogether, and the familiar clanging of metal on metal or metal on stone had vanished altogether.

“Shit.”

Around her, the thick plumes of silvery dust slowly sank to the ground and the tiny ruined apartment she’d been waiting in was nowhere to be seen.

Shit.

The flap of leathery something came again, accompanied by an inhuman, hungry shriek, and it was instinct alone that prompted Meagan into ducking as something swooped down from somewhere above her. She cursed, tucked the stump of her right arm against her chest and rolled as the thing, whatever the fuck it was, dove at her again. It caught the fabric of her coat, talons cutting thin lines through the heavy material. She clamored to her feet a moment later, her left-hand fishing in her coat for the pistol she kept. No doubt her lack of depth perception would make hitting the damned thing a completely impossible task, but maybe she could scare it off.

She fired.

And missed.

Or she could just piss it off altogether.


TRANQUILITY
The amount of tranquility that resided Meagan Foster’s soul could fill a thimble and still have room to spare for a finger or two.

But that fact didn’t stop her from taking advantage of the class offered by one of this strange city’s patron gods, not because she felt the urge to actually be tranquil or whatever nonsense they were spouting off about but rather to eyeball the other residents. More than once she had wished for a way to wake up a new person – a new life, a new her, a new everything – but the problem with starting all over was staying ahead of trouble.

Billie was cursed, hexed, and Meagan wasn’t much better off. Not after what had happened to Stilton, to Sokolov. Maybe this time she could keep ahead of her bad luck before shit hit the fan.

So, she watched the other people in the class contort their bodies with various levels of success and practiced her breathing. She fantasized about going home, about driving a knife or a wooden ornament through the Duke Luca Abele’s eye, all in the time it took her chest to rise and fall. Rise. She imagined him in the Void with his dead dandy of a brother. And fall. Maybe she’d take out Luca’s other eye so they’d be matching set. Two pricks with missing eyes howling in the Void. Deidre would like that.

Maybe this tranquility thing was paying off. If nothing else, it would keep the body limber.

At the head of the room, the instructor shifted positions and Meagan watched as they balanced the weight of their body upon their hands.

“You’re kidding.”

Her gaze fell to the stump of her right arm and her mouth twisted. How exactly was she supposed to copy that particular pose?

fear

[honores]

These monsters were decidedly worse than the three-headed snakes that had attacked the empress when she'd first arrived. These... monstrosities, winged and fierce, were not only airborne, but quick. Emily had returned to the Colosseum to see if any of the captives were Corvo, to try and spare some of the more defenseless the fate of being a meal for the beasts... and it became more and more difficult to justify the trip. The ability that had come with that single rune was an advantage, but not so much as before, now that her enemy could reach the same heights.

She swore as one of them darted past her, claws sharp. Without the Outsider's gift, she would likely have been torn to ribbons already. Luckily, perhaps, the monster continued past her, and she breathed a sigh of relief until she realized that it had chosen new prey. As Emily ran toward the other captive, she heard the pop of a pistol, but if it had hit, it wasn't enough to fell the beast. Without waiting to assess further, Emily withdrew her father's sword and traced a deep line along the back of the looming pterobuzzard, eliciting a shrill cry.

"Get back - " She spoke to the stranger, until her gaze fell on the face of Meagan Foster, one not so strange after all.

Lance Sweets | Bones

[lifetothefullest]

[FEAR]

[This is a bad day.

Lance has no idea how he got here and has no idea where here is, and the only ideas coming to mind are possibly worse than not knowing. The last thing he remembers before waking up on the floor of what seemed to be an ancient coliseum is not hugely encouraging either, in terms of explanations that bode anything but horribly.

And nothing really explains the creatures.

He's ducked into the first building he stumbled across after somehow finding his way through the tunnels of the coliseum--whether by luck or intuition he isn't sure and it really doesn't matter--and is really, really hoping one of the things hasn't followed him as he ducks behind a counter and sinks to the floor to catch his breath. It's easier said than done, a sharp pain shooting through the entire left side of his chest with each inhalation, but he can ignore it for now. What matters is that he's alive.

Isn't he?

He swallows hard, ignoring the taste of copper and rubbing his suitcoat sleeve across his face to wipe away some of the blood on his face, rising to his feet once again. Wherever he is, he needs to get back to the others and tell them what happened before more people die.

So, after a quick glance back and forth to make sure there are no screeching... Things waiting for him outside the store, he steps out onto the road and begins trying to get his bearings, but there is absolutely nothing familiar in sight. It doesn't even look like the right part of the country, if in the country at all, and once again the more terrifying explanations for where he might be begin to rise in the back of his mind.

But panicking won't help and Lance takes another shaky breath, checking to make sure he has his gun on him--he does--and, feeling a little more confident in that knowledge, glancing around again to look for any sign of another person in this place. Finally he catches a glimpse of someone just past another building a street over, and begins in their direction; he can't really shout at the moment--getting punched in the throat hurts--but does his best not to sneak up on them as he approaches, stopping carefully out of arm's length.]

Hey, can you tell me where we are?

[And please, please be someone willing to help a dazed and distraught looking twenty-something year old psychologist.]

[fulminatory]

[While Jason does have the physique of a guy who could probably bench-press a guy like Lance without breaking a sweat, there are factors in Lance's favor toward not getting dropped the second he's near enough for Jason to make a move - namely, that Jason is well practiced in staying alert to his surroundings in sketchy situations, and this is one hell of a sketchy situation. Lance's approach doesn't surprise him, and Jason turns to face him with a sympathetic shake of his head.]

Nah, sorry. I'm pretty lost here, too, and the welcome wagon - well, not really all that welcoming.

[Gaze flicking upward, Jason points at a pterobuzzard off in the distance. It's far enough away that it probably can't see them, but Jason's keeping an eye on it all the same to make sure nothing changes.]

melisandre ( asoiaf )

[kahina]

( fear )

( Someone had gotten her inside. It hadn't been an easy retreat, with Melisandre's curiosity over the birds stronger than her fear over the situation. Answers had been promised once they'd gotten in, and a promise that she would be dead if they remained out.

She did not wish for her death, and though Melisandre believed herself protected this place was something that Melisandre hadn't seen -- couldn't see. She'd agreed to go with the promise of answers, and to learn more about this would-be-protector )

Do you know much of them?

( She's stood, watching the birds through the window still. They're larger than most, and strange to see. Nothing quite like what she's seen in her flames, but nothing that Melisandre has seen before either )