dankmemes | Test Drive Meme #22

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!test drive

Test Drive Meme #22

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 July 25th, and apps are open August 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 WRONG KIND OF SCARY
[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.

There's an odd shuffling to your right and to your left. Do you know what that is? Maybe not, but at least nobody else does either. You might peek at an eye stalk or a stinger, you might catch a glimpse of something that can maybe pass for fingers... or maybe it just has a mouth on its butt because its creator was feeling particularly sadistic that day. That's right, you're looking at the creatures from Spore, EA's infamous alien creation game with the most awkward alien creator imaginable.

These particular Spore creatures are the carnivorous kind, the kind who seek out and eat other creatures so that they can instantly procreate to pass on their victim's genetic code and make their species even more wild. You might not want to stick around and watch the mating process. I promise it's just as weird as you think.]

T R A N Q U I L I T Y / C O N F U S I O N

SCENARIO TWO: STEPFORD SUNDAY
[You wake up one lovely weekend morning to the sounds of birds chirping outside and sun streaming through your window. What a wonderful day to be perfectly normal and happy in the suburbs! Your family is all around you, like a Norman Rockwell painting, happy to go about their average day in their average life in their average city.

So what if your sister is an archdemon? Or your father is somehow a dragon? It's just the way that things have always been... isn't it?

The perceptive of you may begin to see cracks in the veneer, may begin to wonder why everything seems to be so perfect... and as the truth begins to unfold, it paints a much darker picture than the one you're seeing. Are you sure you don't want to stay, just a little while longer?

This is a mini version of our Stepford Summer event this month!]

R A G E / D E L I G H T

SCENARIO THREE: CAKE WARS
[There are plenty of ways in this world to rouse your competitive spirit. Many of them involve athletics- few involve such beautiful edible artistry as this.

That's right, you're in a cake baking competition, and no matter how competitive you normally are, thanks to Rage's influence, you want to win. Competitors can be in teams of two or alone, and they have until morning to bake their cakes to the fullest and bring it to Delight's temple for judging.

So what kind of cake baker are you? Do you revel in your artistry? Do you measure everything and carefully prepare each icing tip? Or do you know that you suck at cooking and decide to use the opportunity to sabotage your opponent's cake instead? Nothing is off limits, and all's fair in cake and war, after all!]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

scary like a questionable adaptation

[ She feels small again in a way that she hasn't in years. Suddenly facing the unknown without her allies, without her armies, without her dragons, Daenerys Targaryen is all but alone in the shadowy corners of the coliseum. The silver-haired queen tries to calm her pounding heart, to silently remind herself to be strong in the face of what is... certainly a nightmare, but she... doubts. The fear is keen like a blade at her throat and even the air of this place is somehow palpable, sour and dangerous. It cloaks something, she knows, because she can hear them moving beyond its darkness. ]

Show yourself. [ The queen commands, her expression a mask of command and steel, though she feels the panic grow despite herself. No matter how she stifles it, that feeling is budding, watered by her surroundings and fed with each passing moment. The figures beyond are just out of her sight, and so she has to assume they are her enemies as she stands stock-still and waits for herself to wake.

Dany is still 'asleep' when one of the beasts shows themselves. Her eyes widen in pure shock at the sight of it, and she thinks: this must be a nightmare, without question. No beast so terrible exists. Of course, though, in their world... well, one can never tell.

Then, though: this may not be that world.

There's no use in a debate with this horror. Dany knows, if she is in real danger, that her best option is to run and find somewhere to hide. She has no weapons, and even if she did, she lacks the experience to fight anyone, let alone... this. So she flees, knowing that the thing is right behind her... ]

there's a high chance it will be completely charred

[ Dany is no cook. At no point in her life has she really learned the skill, beyond basic human assumptions about food, to be a chef of any kind. The contest seems ridiculous, then, except... there's something compelling her to participate that is beyond her normal, fiery spirit. It's a kind of competitiveness that is both laughable and very serious, and so she is watching an oven with great intensity, waiting for the cake to come out.

It's not looking good, based on the expression on her face. ]

... Honestly, who can make sense of these? [ She grumbles, gesturing to the oven at the first person who approaches. ] It isn't exactly a fair contest, given that we aren't all accustomed to... this kind of technology.

[ Really, though, she isn't sure that any of her advisors could produce a passable cake, at least as far as she knows. ]

Is this a... common event in this world? [ Dany asks, faintly exasperated. ]

[Being one of the two assigned chefs for their crew, Lup often finds herself stuck in the kitchen, working alongside her brother to whip up meal after meal for their friends for the last fifty years of their mission. So, now that she's given the chance to be on the opposite side of the kitchen counter, the elf is enjoying her break while strolling around to each of the contestant's areas. She's silently judging their progress and making an inappropriate amount of disapproving noises at each one.

What? She's just trying to keep everyone on their toes!

But it isn't until she moves to Daenerys' station that Lup actually pauses and double takes. Her head tips inquisitively to the side.]

I never thought a cake could cave in while already being so flat. Huh. [That's talent right there.]

[ That's a blow to her pride, but she keeps tight-lipped about it, for now, rather than snapping back. If this woman is at all involved in the judging, then she ought to at least try to sound... pleasant. ]

I don't suppose there's any award for the worst of the bunch? [ Dany ventures lightly, brow quirked in a humored question. Of course there isn't; this isn't a contest of ironic proportions. It's a cake-baking contest, and she has absolutely failed to bake a cake of any substance. ]

[Thankfully for all contestants in this competition, Lup is not involved in the actual judging of the cakes. That would be a real nightmare. She's just too honest with everyone she meets, usually to the point of rudeness.

Still, Dany's comment has the woman's mouth curling to the side in an infectious grin, unable to help but chuckle. Nothing's better than a little self-deprecating humor, right?] Doubtful. Want a hand? As much as I love a good fire show, I'm pretty sure you're going to get docked hella points if your cake goes up in flames.

[ "Fire show" and "goes up in flames" are a little too on the nose. Dany admits a wry smile, turning her gaze from the stranger to the "cake" in front of her. ]

I've long since realized I have no chance of winning. [ On her own, at least. The young queen eyes Lup, though, considering. ] Is it allowed to have help in this?

[ She's trying to win, okay. Disqualification would be embarrassing. ]

[Lup would argue that turning in that cake would easily trump the embarrassment disqualification would bring. But that's just her opinion.]

Pretty sure the rules state one or two people teams are allowed for this thing. [The elf takes a step forward, hands falling to rest at her hips as she mets Dany's gaze with confidence.] Just tell 'em that I was late. Look, you're not going to get a better offer than this. I actually have kitchen experience unlike the rest of the schmucks in here.

[And really, taking a look around, it's pretty clear that most of the contestants have barely more skill than Dany does, their only real saving grace that they didn't have to struggle with figuring out the technology on top of making their cakes.]

[ That's fair enough. Dany appraises the other woman for a moment, then dips her chin in a faint signal of admittance. ]

I could use the help. Thank you. [ Lup hadn't needed to offer, after all, and who is she to turn down unwarranted generosity? ... Though, her experiences tell her that this person will want something in the future, that no good deed comes without its strings, so she keeps a little suspicion in the back of her mind. ]

You worked in a kitchen, before this?

[Only time will tell if Lup expects something in return or not.]

Rad, [Now that they are agreed on it, the elf shoots her new teammate a grin and immediately slips behind the kitchen counter with Dany, reaching around her to grab an apron. As she slips it on over her head, Lup gestures towards the oven.] First things first, let's get rid of that thing. We don't want to leave any proof of it's existence.

[ Dany hovers, waiting for further instruction, compelled by the gods' influence to try and win this contest, however inane. Her eyes follow Lup as she moves and ties an apron around herself, nodding curtly at the suggestion. ]

I couldn't argue with that. [ It's disgusting-looking, anyhow. Dany carefully removes the offending 'cake' from the oven, handling it delicately, and promptly slips it into the nearest trash bin. Lucky for everyone, the bin does not immediately go up in flames.

The Targaryen looks to her new partner expectantly. ]

And now?

[Lup's already moving, tying up her own long hair up into a messy, lopsided bun when she turns to watch Dany pull the cake pan out of the oven.

With her own bare hands.

Lup has lived nearly two hundred years, visited forty-eight different planets, studied magic and cooking in more cultures than she can name. As far as she was concerned, she'd seen it all. It took a hell of a lot to surprise her. And Dany has managed to do it in under five minutes of meeting.]

Holy shit, [the elf mutters, eyes wide, staring straight at Dany.] You are one hell of a badass.

(She is no warrior and her heart beats like a frightened bird's wings as she approaches the disturbing monstrosities. Her sword is sharp and it cuts easily, reminding her that somewhere, even now, her adoptive father is looking after her. She can be strong; she can conquer these foes.

Daenerys's voice distracts her from her gruesome task and Sansa gasps, forgetting her current assailant and hurrying to the young Queen's side. They have similar ideas about running and she reaches for the young woman's hand, not letting herself be cowed by Daenerys's obvious beauty. She has walked amongst Elves - some even had hair similar to a Targaryen's.

Not that she knows this woman's identity as of yet.)

This way leads to some buildings. I spied them from a hill earlier. I have a sword, a bow and some arrows to keep them far from us until help arrives.

[ Someone grabs for her hand and Dany stiffens, immediately put on guard. She is only calmed somewhat to stare into the face of another young woman, one of comparable age to herself, and there is only a slight pause before she considers what she's said and allows herself to be lead away. ]

You know that someone is coming? [ Soldiers, perhaps, more trained in battle than herself and the stranger with the sword and bow. It's at least a reassurance to know that she is with someone who is armed, though the other has not claimed to be a warrior, and they may still find themselves facing the monsters unprepared. ] Lead on.

[ It's still unbalancing, to feel so powerless again after so much time, but she will adjust. She will find a way to survive here, wherever it is. The young woman has spoken the Common Tongue, so they must be in some part of Westeros - kidnapped, somehow. ]

(She tries to find a comforting smile, but it is weak; ineffective. She is scared, emotionally and physically strained and unsure if any safety can be found. Yet Sansa has become a defender; a protector over the past several years. She does not like seeing anyone frightened or harmed. Like her, this young woman had not asked to be brought here.)

I can only hope, my lady. (She squeezes the hand she holds and nods.) This way.

(The path isn't easy, but what path to safety is ever simple? They know better than to falter. Occasionally, Sansa strikes out with her sword, cutting any monsters in their path and forcing them to back off. She has some strength in her; she is more a wolf now than ever before.

Upon finding the building, she ushers Daenerys in before her, quickly looking for ways in which they can bar themselves inside temporarily.)

They do not seem exceptionally intelligent to me. More...grotesque and hungry.

[ Dany thinks: the girl reminds her a bit of Missandei. Brave, now, when it matters, yet still with gentleness in her guidance. Her heart aches for her most trusted advisor, for her people, too, but this is not the time for wishes. This is the time for action, as her companion is rightfully urging her.

The stranger cuts through their enemies well enough, more effectively than Dany might have guessed. The young queen is silent as they go, but her eyes are sharp, her mind alert. If this is to be their only chance to find safety, she cannot waste it.

They take shelter and she isn't idle, working alongside the other to find ways to keep their position secure for as long as possible. ]

"Grotesque and hungry" may be just as dangerous for us, in the end. [ The beasts may not be devising a plan to catch them, but they may break through out of sheer strength. ] Do you know what they're called?

[ It's only one of many, many questions that still vie for attention at her tongue. ]

[ Killy turns the corner just as Dany comes up to it. The woman's panic tells him all he needs to know.

In an instant he side-steps her, putting a hand against her back to help her along behind him. Then he lunges into a full sprint at the monster chasing behind her. He slides down on a knee to snatch a spindly leg and pull the entire thing from beneath itself. Suddenly Killy's knife is pressing and twisting deeply into the creature.

It struggles more slowly by the second under the heavy weight of his body.

He calmly looks over his shoulder to the woman in the meantime. ]

[ She nearly barrels into someone as she goes, but manages to stop short to avoid it. Now she has to choose between facing this potentially-dangerous stranger and turning back toward the monsters... though, luckily, he acts more quickly, brushing by her to lunge for the beast.

Despite herself, Dany turns to watch, eyes wide. The man seems to dispatch it easily in a few, practiced motions, and then it falls, lying still. She releases a breath that she hadn't meant to hold. A younger Daenerys would have thanked him first, but she is afraid, and so she must be firm before she is polite. ]

Who are you? [ The young queen demands, straightening up to her full height, for as much as it's worth. ] What was that creature?

[ His attention turns briefly to the creature beneath him before giving any indication of a response. He slides his knife from the body, wiping the blood on his pant leg and returning it to the sheath on his thigh. Then faces her as he stands.

He isn't more than a few inches taller than her, but he recognizes what she's doing. And there aren't any words for an uncomfortable many seconds. He's still trying to make sense of the blue data flickering in his eyes as it tries to feed him information on her. Though it tells him nothing he needs to know.

He's also thinking of what he even cares to say.

Then simply: ]

Kyrii.

Edited 2017-07-31 16:48 (UTC)

[ There's too long a silence before he replies, one that makes her wonder, first, if he'll even respond at all, and then, whether that's really his name. Does it matter? She's more or less at his mercy at the moment, or else the mercy of the monsters he had so easily dispatched.

Her eyes follow the dagger as he replaces it in its sheath. ]

Where are we? [ Comes the next question. If he decided to answer one, then she may as well try for as much information as he'll give. ] What is this place?

[ The truth is that he doesn't know. None of the data he cycles through is telling him anything important about everything he looks at. Just glitched lines of coding strewn across the HUD of his retinas. But with so many monsters nearby, he doesn't want to stop moving here to find out what's going on or where they really are. Taking one on at a time is simple enough. Any more than that could get messy.

His reply comes a little sooner than the last. ]

I don't know.

[ Kyrii picks a direction and starts walking without any prompt or warning of leaving her. Though after about ten feet he stops. And silently waits for her to follow. ]

Edited 2017-08-01 05:37 (UTC)

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Test Drive Meme #22

daenerys targaryen | game of thrones

cake boss

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Monsters

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defending the queen, nbd

smooches

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