dankmemes | 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.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Hadriel has taken a lot out of L, but as far as he can be after nearly a year in this place, he is holding things together reasonably well. He hasn't accomplished much, but when he lacks motivation and direction, that tends to be the case. Ironically, what makes him seem unlike himself to the contemporaries familiar with his life and deeds is dismally true to the man he actually is, which has so often been swept under the rug to preserve an image and an illusion. The second idols seem truly human, after all, they cease to be idols.

He's passing the Colosseum, because he heard that the new arrivals were making their appearance, and as always, he is curious about which new faces he will encounter. He always holds out morbid and anxious hope that at some point, perhaps Light of all cursed and desired foes will emerge, bloodied and battered and reaching out only to find L staring down at him, resurrected and righteously furious. They could fight again, tear each other into little pieces, maybe even do it while wearing the grudging guise of friendship, and it would stimulate L like nothing has been able to yet. As fantastic as Hadriel can be, as long as Light is missing, a significant part of L is, and it's not even anything he can grieve. Those he's closest to would condemn it swiftly and mercilessly.

A figure is running toward him, one that seems off and immediately makes the hairs on the back of L's neck stand up. They were never supposed to encounter each other; that case was one that L solved at a distance, not only because it was how he operated, but because this man is dangerous. He pales, knowing that while he beat Beyond, left him in flames and ruin, he's likely to harbor the kind of bitterness that transcends life and death. He doesn't want to be here alone with B, doesn't want to test how long it would take for him to piece together his identity.

When he had prayed for a rival, this was not what he meant.]

[Beyond stumbles and coughs near L, gripping to his shirt tightly to pull the cloth taut against his skin to try and cease the bleeding on his body. But there's only so much one can do with only two hands. Breathing a little heavy, possibly more from the bloodloss than the run, he glances back the direction he came from, looking to see if he escaped it significantly enough for it to cease pursuit. Satisfied, he sets himself on the ground and begins inspecting his injuries quickly, pulling up his sleeves first. There's a few marks on his arms, and when he lifts up the front of his shirt to look at further damage, there's a few significant lengths of cuts that are concerning.

He digs around in his pockets for a knife, to cut his sleeves with to be able to compress to the best effect. His shirt's already soaked in blood, but that' less concerning than the fact that he still seems to be bleeding. It also strikes him odd that the shirt bears no signs of the cuts from a weapon or otherwise. He'd have to think later, he can't find his knife. Perhaps he dropped it in his scramble, and it causes him to huff slightly. Then he glances over at L, glancing up above his head to look for a name and date, of all curiousity.]

Do you have anything I can cut with?

[His tone is flat, if not weary. He continues to observe L for a reaction. Most people aren't going to take very well to a body of blood resting at their feet.]

[L withdraws, very nearly recoils at the way B seems to reel and stumble closer to him with every difficult step. He perhaps should rush to the wounded man's assistance, try to stem the bleeding, offer him advice at least on where to go that will gladly give him these things. Instead, he merely watches, hand clenched behind his back, as Beyond reaches into his pocket to find...

...nothing? L realizes he's holding his breath, and consciously releases it in a soundless, slow exhale.

The name above L's head, L Lawliet, weaves and wavers in red.]

No. Nothing.

[It's a lie. L, who bears a passing resemblance to Beyond, has a knife of his own. He hasn't survived this long in Hadriel without one, but he is not about to hand this man a weapon.]

There are better ways to deal with injuries like the ones you currently possess. The clinic is a good place to start.

[The words are brisk and stilted, and he wonders if he's actually offered too much.]

[The name instantly strikes him as curious, and a series of thoughts forms - contemplating. Peculiar, alliterative names aren't all that uncommon. At all, in fact, given the people he's sought to kill. And never mind the faint similarities in appearance. Besides, L wouldn't be foolish enough to show himself in public, would he? Or would he?

Outwardly, though, he shows no reaction to such, pursuing the attempt to secure his wounds.

Still, it's better to test those limits, isn't it? With a even tone, he responds. Watching L's tense reactions, he might as well.]

A clinic? That would be helpful. Would you mind assisting me there?

[After all, who wouldn't assist a profusely bleeding man to get immediate help?]

[L notices B glancing at the space above his head, the hairs on the back of his neck standing on-end when intuition props them up that way. He swallows, weighing his options. If he said no, it would be suspicious... but if he says yes, and does as much for Beyond, it will give him more of a chance to figure out just who he is.

If a first name like "L" isn't tipoff enough.]

It isn't far. I could give you very concise instructions; as it happens, I'm in a bit of a hurry.

[Busy is he?]

I see... Well, then, I suppose directions will have to do.

[Beyond moves to stand up, but as he pushes himself off of one knee, he ends up wobbling and collapsing back down onto the ground.]

Ah, it seems I've lost the strength to stand on my own. [As bloodloss would.] My apologies, but could you escort me after all? I can compensate you for your trouble.

[Sorry, L, he's not letting you off that easily.]

[Yes. L is busy; at least, he's always been too busy to give Beyond the time and nurturing the young man may have wanted at one point. Too busy, and the reality of it really is that he was never interested in having a relationship with any of his successors. Mello was an exception; Mello was also, like so many others, a tool, who would see it as a reason to strive harder to ensure L's immortality.

L had never given that distinction to Beyond, or indeed any distinction. Perhaps it had been a mistake; perhaps it only would have been even more disastrous in the long run. Is it worse to be scorned violently or worshipped like the false idol L became to so many others?]

I've already said it isn't far. I suppose that translates to it being relatively little trouble, to escort you.

[But only that far. Then, he really must leave. He keeps a wary, uncertain eye on B; does he expect to be supported, even carried?]

You're too kind.

[Look, Beyond is too proud to be carried, especially in this circumstance. But support will do fine. He makes a fair, fumbling show as he gets back up to his feet and then reaches out a hand to L's shoulder. He sees that wary look in L's eyes.]

What seems to be the problem? Rest assured I am in no position to take advantage of you, if that's what you're afraid of. Besides, I'm not attracted to the male gender.

[Whether that's a lie or not, well... It has plenty of room to be up for debate. But it's more meant to be a prod at L's disposition, to observe the man further.]

[Under the circumstances, L believes that he actually is too kind. He should have walked away the moment he identified Beyond, put distance between them, ensured there was no way he could have been glimpsed by his wayward would-be successor. His touch his hateful, makes L's skin crawl; he tolerates it, even if he's somewhat stiff under the long-fingered grasp.

He glances sidelong at B in response to the odd comment.]

I would never think that was even on your mind, given your current state of injury.

test drive meme #21

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