TEST DRIVE MEME #5

[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 January 25th, and apps are open February 1st.

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: HERE KITTY KITTY
[The Door brings in all that is chaotic and evil in the world. This may include you, may include the person next to you... and may include the monster behind you.

Watch out as you explore the streets of Hadriel, because you're not alone, and there's always something on the rooftops watching and waiting for the perfect opportunity to separate you from your group and tear you into pieces. This time, the Door has brought in coeurls, from the video game Final Fantasy X for you meet.

These cat-like monsters can use elemental magic to attack, as well as their teeth and claws. When injured, they can cast a spell that will drain energy from their attacker and give it to them - and they are even able to temporarily petrify you. So if you decide to fight, let's hope you can finish them off quick!]


SCENARIO TWO: BURIED ALIVE
[What a wonderful day to find yourself - or a friend, or a stranger - buried six feet under. Covered in thick earth, the sturdy oak walls of the coffin trapping you in darkness, all alone. Not a soul to hear any cries of help.

Either you're in a coffin yourself, trapped, hoping for rescue, or you've got a GPS, a set of coordinates, and a shovel. Will you try to claw your way out of your possible grave, using only your bare hands and pure terror? Or will you be the one digging, hoping that down below is someone you love, waiting for you to unearth them?

Just don't take too long. Their air - your air - could run out at any moment.

This is a mini version of our Buried Alive event this month!]


R A G E

SCENARIO THREE: PET PEEVED
[Everything seems to be going just wrong enough to drive you right up the wall. Maybe your shoes keep coming untied, or you slammed your finger in the door while you were leaving the house. Maybe your friend keeps using the wrong form of 'your/you're' when they text you. Maybe that guy in the shop with you won't get off his damn phone.

Whatever it is, your day has been full of tiny annoyances, enough to leave you on edge and just about ready to explode. They're such little things, nothing that should inspire so much anger, but one after another - well, shouldn't anyone understand why you're mad?

And then someone else comes along, perfectly primed to push your buttons. Maybe they keep pronouncing your name wrong, or they won't stop staring at your scar, or they have hair just the right color to remind you of your last ex. You're already primed for a fight, and they seem just as pissed as you. What will you do?]

Comments

[slagging]

Not even a thank you? And here I had my own herd to deal with.

[probably in a few allies over is the neat area where the group was dropped as they stood. slinging the rifle over his shoulder, he makes his way down with ledges and a solid jump to land by her, and reaches into his belt to take something out to toss over to her. SMG ammunition box.]

Of all the faces I might've expected to see in this place, yours was one of them.

[cashlin]

[you're a doll, mordy. she watches him descend, then catches the box with one hand.]

Thanks. [on both counts. she looks him up and down, half ensuring he's not some weird hallucination, and half making sure he's uninjured: he's neither, thankfully, so she relaxes.]

Uh huh. Good to see you too. [she glances over her shoulder at the felled cats, and segues right into--] So, what now? These things didn't have anything interesting in 'em. [didnt even drop any cash smh!!!!]

[ijustlovethat]

[How far can she-- does he mean physically?] Oh, not-- not very far. [She presses her hands against the top of the box she's in, pounding on the smooth wood once or twice. Maybe he can hear her.

He may not be here, but he's on his way to help her, and that makes her feel better. Less afraid. Still a little anxious (this is an uncomfortable and surprising development, to say the least), but more hopeful.]

Are you very far? I don't mean that to rush you, of course! I'm only curious. [For how long will she have to practice deep breathing to keep calm?]

oscar would neveeeer make him do that

[somewildeguy]

[the insults were fine; exactly the kind of rapport he was used to with cliff. the cut off sentence and cursing? that sends a fresh wave of fear into him. he pauses for a moment, wide eyed as he watches the dirt level lower, abruptly realizing what prompted the cussing.]

Cliff!? [this dirt isn't moving quick enough, dammit! but it's lower, it's closer, and oscar thinks they can do this. that doesn't mean he's stopping, that just means he's shoveling harder, trying to carve out the center. ]

Come on, tell me you're okay down there?! I'm working on it!

yeah he better not if he knows what's good for him /ineffective teen glare

[thebigredog]

[turns out spitting dirt out of a wolf's muzzle? harder than you'd think. it honestly wasn't something cliff'd had the chance to test for himself before but there you have it.

so he's not going to answer oscar, mostly because he's too busy redoubling his effort on the quickly expanding hole in the lid above him with a slightly frantic application of teeth and claws.

as soon as he's got enough space to squeeze the upper half of his body through said hole he's digging for all he's worth which, luckily, in this form, is significantly more than oscar. that dirt is shifting a whole lot quicker now, even as cliff's lungs start to burn with the need for air.

it's a bit like a scene from return of the living dead, except instead of a radioactive zombie (or whatever, keeping zombie movies straight was honestly more trouble than cliff could be bothered to expend even on a good day) it's a giant red wolf bursting out from the loose dirt and throwing himself to the ground next to oscar and just.

breathing. wow, why didn't people talk more often about how great breathing was?]

[somewildeguy]

[oh thank lord. unlike any scene from any zombie movie, there's nothing but relief that grips him when he sees cliff's form emerging from the dirt, the remainder of the grave filling the coffin as the wolf leaves it.

except relief is shortlived and outweighed by worry at how heavy the wolf's chest rises and falls with each breath, desperate for air. the shovel is promptly ditched and oscar scrambles next to him, dropping to his knees. and he knows, knows that cliff hates being touched, but the circumstances outweigh the reminder. he brushes a hand over cliff's face, shaking off the dirt clinging to the fur around his eyes and ears in once motion. then he's just worrying there.]

Are you okay? [as okay as he can be, given the circumstances.]

[thebigredog]

[cliff doesn't even flinch away from oscar's careful ministrations, that's how focused he is on breathing. enjoy this opportunity while you can buddy because it's a one time thing.

after a few more beats he switches back into his human form and rolls over onto his back, chest still heaving with exertion as he glares weakly up at oscar.]

Just perfect, I've always wanted to see what suffocating slowly felt like. [brows furrow and his mouth twists into something distinctly pained looking.] And I think I swallowed a worm.

[synthedick]

[More dirt shifting. When gods decide to bury people, they don't do the job only halfway.]

Good. Stay calm in there another minute, and I'll have you out. I'm doing this as quickly and quietly as I can.

[thebigredog]

[it was just cliff's luck that the person(s??) trying to kill him would do so competently.

asking him to stay calm under the circumstances was maybe a bit much to ask but he shifts back into his human form, presses his palms flat againt the lid and closes his eyes as he counts his breaths.

his breathing is still a little tight, still going a bit faster than it really should be, but if he focuses hard enough he thinks he can almost feel the shift of the earth above him through the spread of his hands against the wood.

and then part of what the man just said to him catches his attention and cliff has to ask:] ... why quietly?

[why would digging need to be done quietly, what other new fresh horror is waiting for him outside of this hole?]

[synthedick]

[The voice is clearer now. Nick's a good digger. Probably helps that he doesn't tire out the same way a normal person does.]

Because I'm pretty sure I heard some howling a minute ago, and I don't want to know what else this cave has lurking in the shadows.

[Clunk. That'd be the shovel hitting the roof of the coffin.]

[ichaer]

[ this entire experience has ciri on edge. it's not the first time she's found herself in some unfamiliar world but she cannot remember wishing to leave her world, her family and come here. worse, although she calls on her powers there is stopping her from leaving this place. this world... or wherever she has found herself.

it's frustrating but for now, she has to ignore it. right now, her focus is on whatever is lurking in the shadows and if engaging in it would be worth the effort. her tracking is halted by a sudden sound, turning and looking back just in time for someone to run straight into her.

the collision causes a moment of a shock but she quickly realizing that she is staring at the dark hair of a young woman close in age to her. she blinks once, glancing beyond them and frowning. run, huh? a witcher doesn't run. ]

I won't allow it the pleasure of chasing us down.

[ she steps past the other girl with a frown, putting herself in front of her and pulling her sword free. ] Stay behind me.

[thebigredog]

[oh, oh, so clifford was the fresh horror this time. it's kind of a new experience for him but considering the other possible alternatives he thinks he can handle it.

as long as his rescuer doesn't look too close at the inside of his coffin after he gets cliff out because the claw marks might be a little bit hard to explain...]

That's uh, okay.

[cliff startles a bit at the first clunk of metal against wood above him, forehead smacking into the wood soundly with a tightly hissed:] Fuck. [and then he realizes what that sounds means and starts throwing his weight and shoulders at the lid with renewed fervor until it opens for him.

and then he gets his first real look at his rescuer.] What the hell are you supposed to be?

[synthedick]

[Nick pries the lid open with the end of the shovel, freeing Cliff from his underground prison. As pleased as he is that the kid is okay after his ordeal, Nick can't help that mildly annoyed look he gives him.]

Good to see you, too.

[His yellow eyes look the kid up and down before he glances at the coffin. If he notices anything, he doesn't make mention of it.]

Let's get you out of this hole, first of all. You good to climb out on your own?

[quaerit]

[ Once he's out of the grave, Gansey tries to compose himself. This task is far from easy; he's already worried that Adam might have heard him shouting, and is trying to work out how long ago he cut that off. He lifts his hands to brush soil content out of his hair, and then realizes they're bleeding too much to make that worthwhile.

He wishes his heart would stop racing. Quickly, he shakes his head. ]

I don't know. I don't remember anything about it, I thought I was dreaming. But you're here, and...

Jesus, look at this place.

[ It's a city. Or something like a city, anyway, but not one unlike anything Gansey has ever seen before. Enormous columnar spires jut out from the ground, reaching towards a sky that doesn't even look like a sky. The realisation that it's the same color as the stone he's standing on makes Gansey's heart rate spike again. He looks back at Adam, expression disbelieving. ]

Adam, where are we? How did you know I was there?

[quaerit]

[ That is not what Gansey expected. His head flashes up, his eyes zeroing in on her hands.

Richard Gansey has, by now, seen quite a lot of magic in his life. He has seen it do miraculous things in many different ways. But this? This is different to anything he's ever seen. She's called forth something primal, something immediately visible with no requirement for faith to be involved.

Incredible.

The cat hisses and turns back to her, and at this point he realizes it's still an issue. He drops back, immediately coming behind her. He's not entirely sure, but he doesn't think the code of chivalry applies to witches in the process of saving your life. ]

So sorry. I didn't actually realize there'd be a wall of fire. You might consider warning people first, it only seems polite.

[ But from his tone, it's clear that he's not offended at all. He's more interested than that. Much more interested. ]

That said, do feel free to do it again should the urge occur.

[thebigredog]

[cliff rolls his eyes and then his shoulders at the annoyed expression on the guy's weird face because if he pissed the guy off, whatever, who cares, he hadn't been in that hole to make friends.]

Yeah yeah, I can get out just fine on my own.

[and he does, too. pulls himself up out of the ground with relative ease considering the fact that he'd just been buried alive five minutes ago, what the fuck.

he tries to brush himself off to little effect, barely giving nick a sideways glance while he does. rubs irritably at the top of his head where there's sure to be a bruise later, huffs out a breath before shoving his hands meaningfully in his pockets and giving nick a sullen look.]

Any chance you can tell me what the hell this is all about?

[quaerit]

[ These buildings are like mazes. Gansey tries to keep track of their turns, even while he's hoping the cat won't be able to. Movement around them while they run tells him that there's more than one of these beasts around, and then finally Noah is pulling him through a door. He shuts it and backs off, while Noah disappears behind a table.

Disbelieving, Gansey follows him. He crouches, which reminds him that his whole body is aching from damned blast. He'll worry about that later. Right now, there's too much he needs to know.

Starting with Noah himself, actually. His friend is more there than Gansey has seen him in a long time. He's also considerably more armed and dangerous. He leans close to look at Noah, eyes expectant. ]

That was quite a rescue.

[ A brief, wild smile flickers on his face. He can't help looking up over the counter to make sure they're not being pursued, and when he's satisfied, he drops down to sit beside his friend with a wince. ]

Thank you. That almost got unpleasant I'd no idea you were so handy with a blade.

[beefartist]

Yeah. A big one.

[At least it's not trying to eat them? Small blessings. He's totally tuned her out and is following the coeurl's swishing tail with his eyes apprehensively.]

And if it doesn't kill us, you're not pressuring this monster into showbusiness. You don't even know if it likes acting. Or... if it's even a lady.

[linda why. he ducks the arm.] And I'm not checking!

[synthedick]

[Nick gets himself out of the grave, keeping his shovel in hand. There's more digging to be done.]

One of the gods in charge of this outfit thought it'd be fun to see what we'd do if he buried half the people here alive. Some panicked, some didn't, and some have been lucky enough to be rescued.

[That's you. He's talking about you, Cliff.]

Not all though, so we need to keep moving. You should stay close, unless you've got a way to defend yourself.

[He raises an eyebrow questioningly, wondering if there's some bite under that bluster.]

[quaerit]

[ It is not an opinion Gansey is liable to argue with, since from what he can see, there's not a lot that's sane in this place. Instant graves and demonic cats? Has he been dropped into Hell early?

The energy drain, when it hits, is a shuddering blast. By now, Gansey is mostly running on adrenaline. He does not have a great deal of energy to spare, and it puts paid to his efforts to run. He stops, doubling over and trying to catch his breath, and that gives him a perfect view of his rescuer literally lifting the cat and snapping its body in half.

He's going to be sick.

Gansey backs off, still weak and still nauseous, and reeling from what he just saw. ]

You did say you could handle it. Jesus Christ. I heard it snap.

[ The cat probably would have killed them. He repeats that to himself, and tries not to feel pity for the broken body in front of them. He tears his eyes away from it. ]

I just got here too. I was buried. Then I got attacked by a demon cat, who was thwarted by a sorcerous talking eagle. My day is turning out to be eventful. How's yours?

[ His tone is mildly conversational, as if all of this is completely normal. Even Gansey knows that it's anything but, and he's made it his business to be involved with the strange.

He needs to sit down. ]

[quaerit]

[ For a moment, Gansey meets Ronan's eyes. He doesn't expect him to just leave him to this, does he? Not alone. Not when he's seen what this thing can do.The bat connects, and the blast of electricity around them is explosive. Gansey shields his eyes and bides his time, and launches the rock at the cat's head just as it swings its tentacles around. The stone doesn't do much more than throw it off balance, which doesn't say great things about how strong these creatures are. But it does knock the cat's stride, and that's all Gansey wanted. ]

Come on!

[ Is his response, and then as if by magic, he's doing what Ronan said. The fact that he has no idea where he's going comes into play now; there's a building not that far ahead, and while Gansey doesn't know what it is, he deems it vaguely Church-like in appearance. Either way, it will do. He aims straight for it, and turns his head back over his shoulder to make sure Ronan is with him. ]

Get to that Church. Are you all right?!

[ From the blast, he means, because it had been all around Ronan. ]

[thebigredog]

[cliff's rolling his eyes again at the mention of gods, and he's sixteen okay you can't really expect him to just take you on your word for something like that, witches and ghosts and werewolves are one thing but gods?

he does straighten up from his artless slouch at the mention of more holes to dig though. and he doesn't look happy at all about it.]

There are more people buried? [well shit. as much as cliff would like to just label that mess as Not My Problem he can't exactly stand back and let people die either.]

How're you planning on finding them?

[catankerous]

I'm a griffin. And a wizard.

[Because, obviously, these are the most important points of clarification. Kit doesn't - well, he doesn't like being thought of as a monster, but he doesn't mind it either, not like Don does. He is what he is. He lets Gansey deal with it, or not, in his own way. He turns his head upward for a moment, to stare at the not-sky.]

I wonder if this place even has days.

[More curious than it is bleak, but a hard sort of curiosity, an unblinking curiosity, pecking at a puzzle that needs to be solved.]

[synthedick]

We've got coordinates, courtesy of another, more benevolent god.

[He pulls his Hadriel-issued communicator out of his pocket with the hand that's nothing more than a bare, mechanical skeleton.]

You wake up with one of these in your pocket like the rest of us?

[pummelling]

Shit!

[It's secure ENOUGH, but he only just manages to scramble out of the way. um, rude.]

It's one cat, it's not gonna make a difference. [he says, obscured from behind a chunk of rubble, as he begins to descend the tower.] You wanna kill more of 'em, there's certainly no shortage around here.