ᴛʜᴇ ᴍᴏᴅᴛᴇᴀᴍ ᴏғ ʜᴀᴅʀɪᴇʟ (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
hadrielmods) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
dankmemes2017-06-20 10:01 am
hadrielmods) wrote in dankmemes2017-06-20 10:01 am
Entry tags:
test drive meme #21
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 June 24th, and apps are open July 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: A LITTLE FRENZIED
[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.
Do you hear something weird? Some kind of strange, constant humming? Hopefully by now you know enough to know that it's probably not nothing, and maybe you should run. If you don't, well- the Door has brought in some Winter Lanterns, from the Bloodborne video game.
Winter Lanterns are rather hideous creatures that hum constantly and glow orange when they detect someone's presence. They can grab you with their tentacles and take a nice bite out of you, which is super fun, or they can mess you up just by looking at you too long. Yep, hanging out in the gaze of a Winter Lantern for too long will end with you being afflicted by Frenzy - blood shooting out all over the place. Not great for the health, really, so maybe don't get into a staring contest. Maybe just run.]
S O R R O W / L O V E
SCENARIO TWO: HAUNTED
[You thought you might never see them again, but now they're here. That person you loved - that person you miss terribly. Except that you seem to be the only person who can see them, and you also seem to be getting steadily weaker.
So that's what it comes down to, then. This ghost that's haunting you will take your life so it can live, even if it doesn't mean to. Do you have the ability to stop them? You'll have to kill them to do it, and you love them so much. Now's the time to make your choice - but be careful. They're strong enough to be visible now, and one of your friends or even a passing stranger might have something to say about your decision.
This is a mini version of our Ghosts That You Know event this month!]
T R A N Q U I L I T Y
SCENARIO THREE: SLEEPING SICKNESS
[For some reason you can't quite put your finger on, you're tired. Like really tired. Like slurring your words, stumbling over your own feet, nodding off if you stop for a second tired. You can't seem to get enough rest no matter what you try - because it's always a light sleep. The slightest sound or movement will wake you up, leaving you just as tired and irritable as before.
What are you going to do? Try to find a quiet place to nap? Good luck. It seems like a lot of other people have the same idea as you - it might be hard to find a truly empty place. Or maybe you just can't take it anymore, and you're going to lay down and take a nap right in the middle of the street. Or maybe you actually feel fine, but everyone around you is falling asleep - and they glare at you when you make the slightest sound.
Maybe you should wake them up? Sleeping in the middle of the street isn't exactly safe. But then, maybe you just want to join them and argue over who gets the most comfortable bit of road.]
no subject
He can't help it. He lets out a laugh of pure disbelief. He catches it in his throat, and covers his mouth in shock. He shouldn't be laughing. He shouldn't be laughing, not now, look at her, she's feeling exactly what he felt. It's almost too late for one of them too.]
He's... He's a lich, maybe he'll just... come back.
[He covers his eyes, pressing fingers into his skull, trying to think straight. He's starting to feel almost hopeful about it. Like maybe there really is a chance for them.
He's scared to feel it. Because Julia never got that hope.]
Fuck. Who's Fisher?
no subject
But Magnus' question catches the woman by surprise enough that she almost doesn't feel Barry's hand on her shoulder.]
Fisher? He's--[her hands instinctively move to make a round shape, hovering there in the air between them.] He's the fish-thing you... [But before she can finish, her head is already shaking, face twisted in disbelief. After everything they've seen and struggled through, this one just surprises her the most. Of anything, she hadn't been expecting that reaction.] Magnus, how can you not remember Fisher? You--You were always going on about that thing. We joked about you liking it more than the rest of us! You spent so much time carving ducks for it...
no subject
[And there it is. He knows he was remembering something, before. Before he returned to his body, he knows something was coming back to him. He knows there was something missing being returned, before it was all taken away again.
What does she have to do with it? Did he have another fish besides...]
You mean... Steven? My fish?
[Her face is so... horrified, almost.
God, he doesn't want to deal with any of this. But he can't help but feel he has to do something.]
There's... a big blank space. Ten years ago, there's something I can't...
Just-- Just kill Barry. It's you or him. He'll come back. It's fine.
[He has to. And it's easier to concentrate on that than this right now.]
Or... I'll do it. If you need me to. Uh. Sorry, Barry. You know how it is.
no subject
Wha-- [She should have seen it in his eyes, the obvious lack of recognition, but Lup had been so focused on the dullness she'd seen there to even consider that Magnus wouldn't know her. After decades of being the only survivors, Lup had always just assumed their group's bond was untouchable. But if there was a gap in his memories... Well, maybe they weren't as invincible as she sometimes felt. Shit.
It leaves Lup feeling more than a little vulnerable than she remembers with the man, having opened up to someone with no memories of her, arms crossing defensively over her chest.] No, not Steven. It--It really doesn't matter.
[Barry takes the chance to move closer, stepping out from behind Lup, smiling apologetically and adjusting his glasses.]
No, I get it. [He shrugs. not looking nearly as conflicted over this conversation as Lup. Because, honestly, Magnus is right. It's her or him, and he'll (probably) come back. In some form.] Hey, uh, Magnus, would you mind? I can't--I don't wanna leave this on her, y'know? When I'm back, I'll owe you one, bud.
no subject
He coughs and screws his eyes shut, trying to will the lump in his throat away. He doesn't want to avoid thinking about her, but the subject of Julia hurts so much right now. It doesn't help that these two are in the exact situation they were in.
He blinks away some errant tears. He sniffs a bit, addresses Barry.]
Yeah, uh. Sure thing.
[It's hypocritical, isn't it? That he'd blame Taako and Merle for doing the same thing he's about to do.
But it's... It's different. Isn't it? Barry will come back. Barry will come back, so it's fine. Magnus tells himself this as he crosses the way towards the other man, taking out his axe. It's not in the best shape, but Magnus keeps it sharpened. It should do fine to kill him without much pain, if he aims correctly. He hopes he aims correctly.
He glances at the woman, which he knows is a mistake as he does it. He takes a shaky breath and looks back at Barry.]
You ready?
no subject
What was going on in this place and why the fuck was it messing with her family?]
Um-- [Barry holds up a semi-translucent finger.] Sorry, one sec?
[The ghostly figure turns to Lup, reaching out to take her hands in his. There's a few private whispers shared between the two and a very sharp 'this is bullshit' from the elven woman, but it isn't long before Barry is turning back to Magnus, stepping closer and leaving Lup behind. She crosses her arms and angles her head away, but she keeps watching from the corner of her eye. A part of her knows it's the only way out of this, that Magnus is all too right in this particular instance, but that doesn't make murder any easier.
It was so much simpler to just see one another get eaten up by The Hunger. Having to do the killing themselves is hell.]
Okay. I'm, uh, ready, I guess. Do you want me to, uh-- [He gestures a little vaguely with his hands, not sure where he should stand or what he should do. This is definitely new territory for all involved.
Lup glares across the way at both of them, but there's no real heat behind the look. Just worry and distress.] I'm kicking both of your asses if you don't come back, Barold, so you better not leave me hanging.
no subject
When Barry says he's ready, Magnus swallows and takes a good long look at him. Don't look at the axe. If he doesn't look, maybe he can just do it without panicking. He's killed before. Plenty of times. It's just... never been this hard. Never been someone he kinda liked.
But he's going to come back. He's got to.]
Yeah, just-- just stand right there. Don't, like, try to dodge or anything. Maybe you should close your eyes?? Fuck, I don't know. Whatever works for you.
[Killing someone who's willing is somehow the most awkward, excruciating process.
Okay. Don't look at the woman. Just focus on Barry. Aim carefully -- for the love of Istus don't miss.
Magnus takes a shaky breath.]
Sorry.
[Magnus swings his axe straight at Barry's throat. He deeply hopes it won't be messy. But axes are messy.
Fuck, he's gotta pick up a sword.]
no subject
Barry takes the hit like a champ, going down without another word, dying so that Lup can live. The woman's eyes squeeze shut a second before the strike, flinching at the sound while digging her nails into her arms. But with Magnus' skill with an axe, it was at least over quickly. Not even enough time for Barry to gasp.]
Fuck. [When Lup finally opens her eyes again, there's just blood. So much blood. Even if Lup kept telling herself that the ghostly figure of her lover was just some illusion, some specter or even a trick of the mind, the body bleeding out between them makes it seem like she'd made the wrong choice. He looks so real.] Fuck.
[And now there's a body to deal with.
Without making eye contact with Magnus, Lup moves to Barry's side, kneeling down close enough to reach down and pluck the blood-splattered glasses off of his face, fingertips brushing affectionately over his hair. She's silent for at least a full minute before she finally speaks, still not lifting her head to look at the man who just saved her life.]
Lup.
no subject
He's never had to kill someone in the way he did just now. Like an execution. An execution of someone who he doesn't even want dead. He's not even sure how the lich thing works. If he's really supposed to just crumple to the ground and bleed like anyone else. But if there's no lich... spirit, or whatever, doesn't that just mean... he wasn't real to begin with?
Magnus just stares at the blood on the ground, barely registers Lup coming over to take his glasses. He doesn't know what to say. Doesn't know what he thinks of himself right now. Doesn't know what all of this changes.
He just fucking killed Barry Bluejeans? He just... did it? He struggles to swallow, both literally and the situation itself. His eyes are wide as he stares at the blood spilling out onto the ground like spilled wine. Fuck. Fuck.
She introduces herself. It feels painful to him too, to hear that name and find something to call the woman whose life he may have ruined.
He's sure it'll make him sound like a jackass, but he falls back on learned politeness. A little rustic hospitality always went a long way, but in times like this it just rings hollow, when his voice comes so strained and numb.]
Nice to meet you.
[A beat.]
I'll bury the body.
[He doesn't want her to have to deal with that on top of everything. He did the damn thing, he'll finish it.]
no subject
[She's back up on her feet without missing a beat, Barry's glasses getting tucked carefully inside her red robe. Lup doesn't mask the hurt she's feeling--that would be completely impossible at this moment, no matter how talented the twins were at it normally--but she doesn't burst into tears or wail on about how unfair things are. Life's been plenty unfair to all of them so far. None of them can really be happy for very long, huh? Maybe it's their curse for running away from their fate too long. Like a super shitty Final Destination where the destination isn't final it's just...being alone.]
I've got this. Thanks though, big guy. You're... [Lup hesitates, turning the words over in her head a few times before deciding what she wants to say.] You're a little different than I remember, but you're still the same Magnus. [another pause, her gaze finally rising to meet his.] You're a good dude. Thanks for, um. Just thanks.
[She can handle the rest. There's no reason to make Magnus help when he doesn't even remember her. That's putting even more than she already has on him.]
no subject
Yeah, sure, he saved her life. But it sure doesn't feel that way.
He doesn't know, he can't know that she's seen this scene before. Her loved ones, dying, and her soldiering on through it. Knowing that if she doesn't survive, at least, then they'll really be gone. Part of him clings onto a feeling, a feeling like he might have even an inkling of an idea of what she must be thinking right now. There's something in his head that is really dying for the rest of him to realize, but it's like a muted scream. Like he can almost read the words on her lips, but she's not even forming them to start with.
He is different. He is very different than how Lup remembers him. Especially right now, drained as he is. Completely hollow of his usual vigor, his outwardly carefree attitude. He's back to the man he was when Raven's Roost fell. He's back to feeling both so purposeless and like he needs to carry on at any cost.
It'll pass. Probably. But right now Magnus doesn't see an end to his grief.]
Shit happens, I guess. [He shrugs. He feels so distant from the man he was five years ago. If she knew him before that, then, well... It's no wonder.] Promise I'll be back to my Magnus-y self eventually. And... I wouldn't thank me if I were you. Not for this.
no subject
All in all, it sucks. Big time.
Lup absentmindedly pats the pocket of her robe, just to check Barry's glasses are secure, before she lets herself sigh, shoulders raising in a half-hearted shrug.] No, he'd want me to thank you. I know he would. He was a giant nerd like that. [Magnus didn't know her, but he had to have known at least that much about Barry, right?]
But really, I got this. You can go. [For once, she's not trying to sound rude, but the sooner that Magnus leaves, the sooner she can stop trying to keep it together around him. Because all she wants right now is some space to cry and let some genuine feeling out.]
no subject
I guess he was. Is. He's still... He'll be fine.
[He has to tell himself that.
It's tough to know if a person needs you there or needs you gone. Magnus is the type to feel better around people, but if she insists, there's not much he can do to change her mind. He just hopes she fares better than he is.]
If you're sure. Yeah. Uh...
[He glances away. He's not sure how to say bye after that.]
Take care, Lup.
[That works. It's as good as anything else he can say.
He lingers for a couple more seconds, glancing over the body once more. Finally, he turns and leaves, not sparing another glance back as he goes. He'll have to trust her.
Something in him thinks that he can trust her.]