dankmemes | Test Drive Meme #29

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!test drive

Test Drive Meme #29

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 February 21st, and apps are open March 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: FRACTURED FUTURE?
[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.

This time, the Door has decided to bring in some monsters who already have a taste of what it's like to win their war. Welcome to the Risen, from the Fire Emblem franchise!

Risen are reanimated corpses, dedicated to obeying their master's will. While they have some form of sentience, they cannot be dissuaded from their goal and attack all who oppose them with a singleminded desire to execute their purpose, which unfortunately for you is "killing indiscriminately". Still, they're not all bad and some of them may even be relieved to finally be put to death. Have fun!]

T R A N Q U I L I T Y

SCENARIO TWO: ONLY THE GOOD STUFF
[Tranquility has decided to take over Hope's food supply regimen and- well, if anyone thought he was a self righteous hipster before, this is probably what's going to seal the deal. All the food provided in the shops is now extremely vegan-only, from basic lettuce to the most bland fruit you can stand to look at.

None of it even tastes like anything, either- it's all like you're eating water. Maybe to Tranquility, this is a feast, but for you, it's difficult to register that you're even full. Better start prepping those salt mines- it's gonna be a long month.]

R A G E

SCENARIO THREE: YANDERE LIFE
[Unfortunately for you, you came at a time when Rage was very unhappy with everyone- and now you get to suffer for it. Is there anyone who catches your eye? Anyone who you might want to get to know a little better? Well, you're about to get to know them a lot better, because now you're obsessed with them.

It's not the innocent kind of obsession, either- this is a full speed ahead, breakdown, pull out the knives and rope kind of obsession, where your desire to be near someone is synonymous with stalking, being a creep, and overall just not really anything remotely approaching healthy.

Better look out and hope that nobody gets a crush on you either.

This is a mini version of our Kiss me Kill me event this month.]

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Kelson was still going with hallucination. Or random kingdom he'd been teleported too by a most likely sinister unknown force(or at least unknown to him), who most definitely needed to be stopped if they were procuring others. As for being terrified of him, that wasn't entirely unusual and Kelson used some of it to his advantage. Sure his people liked him well enough, he was a good, fair king and did his best to ensure prosperity and safety among his people. However, he was also known to use magic. That prejudice and fear would take longer than the four years he'd been king to unravel.

"I don't either. But we're not bound and free to roam around so whoever is behind this must believe we're secure enough." Or this was a hallucination and he was rationalizing it to himself.

There was a pause that was perhaps a few seconds longer than was comfortable while Stefen considered how much he should say, whether or not saying anything would give away things he'd rather not share. He'd never been ashamed of his past, really, but it also wasn't exactly a point he was proud of, either. He'd survived it, he'd escaped it, but he also knew he was one of the lucky ones. And while he may have risen far beyond it, it wasn't exactly a happy topic that he brought up on a whim.

"You don't have to be tied down to be a prisoner."

That was something Kelson wouldn't have had experience with. As a King, he made a valuable commodity. Outside of his castle in Rheumeth he wasn't even allowed to find the privy by himself. And the times those closest to him had been taken prisoner, even drugged with merasha and unable to use mind or body, they had still been tied up. Better to not take any chances.

So he regarded his new acquaintance, face open with polite, gentle curiosity.

"I won't press if you don't want to elaborate."

After sharing the memory of the princesses rape, he didn't want to pry on somethings. This was something he didn't necessarily need to know. He would like too, but those were two different things.

He gave the man a look out of the corner of his eye but said nothing at first. He couldn't decide whether that was true or not, but the way he asked it, the way he was holding himself, seemed to say that he wasn't lying. But then, that could mean he'd just dig into his head without pressing for more details with his words. He'd have to earn to watch his mouth even better than usual if he was actually stuck here, which he still refused to believe.

"Thank you. I'd rather not, but...it's just as true. Just because there aren't ropes doesn't mean you're not being held."

Kelson did his very best to never lie if possible. There was always the possibility of another truth-reading him, and as a King it's simply bad form. He took the oath he swore to serve and protect Gwynnedd and her allies seriously. You don't lie to your subjects, and it's disastrous to lie to your political allies or sometimes even your enemies. Just because he knew how to get around a truth-read didn't mean it always needed to be employed. Court intrigue and politics is a art form all its own.

"Perfectly alright. I'll accept it at face value." Still, without more information, there was little he could do with that revelation. It seemed like everywhere he was being tied down or restrained, it was just with lack of knowledge than anything else. But something told Kelson that was not what Stefan meant.

Assuming this is a sensitive subject, he looked around, spotting an odd pool of water. "How are you faring in the sun?" Even if the shade was cooler, it still wasn't weather in Rheumeth. And he didn't want anyone here to pass out from heat stroke.

Given that opportunity, Stefen simply dropped the entire subject, thankful that he could just move past it by the simple convention of ignoring it. At least he hadn't been forced to relive the entire experience of his childhood in painful detail, even if it hadn't been as bad as it could have gotten. He still didn't like to remember what it was like not to know if he was going to be able to eat that night. He idly wondered if that would end up his situation here, and quickly stamped that thought down. He'd sing until he was hoarse and play his fingers raw for a cruel master who fed him before he let that happen again.

He managed a polite yet pained sort of smile, at least, falling back to that Court mask he'd worked so hard on to hide what he was actually thinking. Granted, that was far easier around people who couldn't just dive into his thoughts whenever they wanted.

"I'm not enjoying it much, I'll tell you. Haven was far more temperate."

Kelson knew that mask well. He'd mastered it himself and had seen it mirrored in the other lords and ladies in court who had learned to school themselves. So, true to his word, he didn't press. He didn't know what was in the man's past, but he knew if someone had asked him to talk about what happened with Conall, it would have been difficult. If he could prevent it, he didn't like causing pain. Sometimes of course it was unavoidable. Hopefully it would not be in this case.

"Do you need any water? There looks like there's a pool over there." He smiled and shook his head. "It doesn't get this hot in Gwynedd either. Torenth, yes. I count myself lucky I haven't had to visit lately." Probably because he was holding their young king and dowager princess hostage. Which, honestly, sounded worse than it was.

What a brazen suggestion. Clearly from someone who hadn't needed to worry about things like where his water came from. Stefen wasn't quite sure he trusted water just sitting there, contained in a pool in the hottest place he could have imagined being short of the hells, and he eyed it a little suspiciously. Oh for the comforts of the Palace and a kitchen he could beg food off of by simply playing up how slim he was.

"I'm not sure about it, but I suppose I don't have much of a choice. I'm certainly not looking forward to the taste, if nothing else."

No, Kelson most definitely did not need to worry about where his water came from. But that didn't mean he hadn't drunk from streams during the wars. Although, it helped to be with people who were familiar with the areas and knew what to look out for when refilling bottles. This was a man who didn't know grain could go bad and his foster brother got sick and hallucinated for a day.

Despite Stefan knowing he knew how to use magic, Kelson was reluctant to go right out and say he could usually tell with some effort if things were tainted. Not alwas with what, but he could tell the offness. So instead, he strolled over to the stagnant pool and bent down, probing gently.

"Yeah, maybe we shouldn't." Because the water was off. It may look fine. But it wasn't just water. It certainly made him appreciate what he had at Gwynedd. All he had to do was cough and ten people would be there with goblets.

Even not being certain exactly what he'd just witnessed, Stef could tell it was something magical. Or else some other Gift. He wasn't exactly certain which one, but apparently he'd been right not to trust the water outright. Maybe there was someplace else they could get it--there would have to be, right? That dark part of him that Vanyel would be proud of kept saying probably not. But then why would whoever had snatched them give them an entire city just to watch them die of thirst?

Nothing made sense, really. He should probably stop trying to make it before he gave himself a headache.

"I'm not sure where else we'd find any, though perhaps inside stands a better chance. Or else it would be somewhat cooler, at least."

"Well, we are never going to find anything unless we scout around. We can't stay here forever. We're going to need better shelter, food and see if that's our only source of water." And there was no one else to do it and divide up but himself and Stefan. But it was an unknown area. They shouldn't split up.

He pushed himself off of his squatting position by the pool and stood up.

"Let's go."

Naturally he thought Stefan would agree with him and follow.

Stefen hesitated, staying in his spot where he'd been watching. He was reluctant to lose another person he could hide behind but he also wasn't a Herald. He didn't risk anything if he could help it--let alone his life. They had no idea what was out there waiting for them, and he'd worked too hard to lose everything because he' gotten careless. Or worse, altruistic.

"I'd rather find a hole somewhere and stay there until someone finds me. I'm sure I wouldn't be of much use to you, regardless."

Kelson wasn't sure he'd heard correctly. This man wanted to hide rather than go find useful supplies. He'd rather hide in a hole, and hope nothing found him. Not everyone could be a warrior that was true, but he had hoped for some semblance of courage within the man.

"Be that as it may, it may not be safe to separate. I would hate for something to happen to you while I was away." He'd seen it enough. Hiding was well and good, but it was better if you were with a group. Preferably a group who could defend you.

"I took an oath to protect and defend those under my care, while you are not technically a citizen or vassal of Gwynedd, you are still under my care. And I won't leave while you hide in a hole. Do you understand?"

If he had a set of ward cubes he could shield him, but he didn't. His options were limited.

That was probably the smart thing to do, but Stef didn't like it. He did not like being in danger, having to make the difficult choices about which option was safer. He'd had enough of that growing up, and now here he was again, back on the street and trying to navigate the best way to draw the least attention to himself in the hopes that he'd be overlooked and live.

He raked his teeth over his bottom lip, worrying for a moment, but eventually he sighed and nodded. He didn't have much of a choice. And if this man could protect him--as terrifying as their introduction had been--he'd have to go with him. At least until he found a place to hide.

"Very well. Although I warn you, I won't be of much help."

Stef would hate Kelson's job then. Nothing but nonstop decisions, most of them not fun. Not like which would you like for dinner, duck or venison? He saw the other man worrying, weighing pros and cons and Kelson's approach weighing him down. Good. The man wasn't stupid. He'd hate to have to force him to come along, but he would, rather than see harm come to him.

The king smiled and laughed softly. "That's alright. Just keep your eyes out and stay close, and if you see anything--food, shelter, movement, speak up."

Stefen did not return either the laugh or the smile, instead trying very hard not to make a face. He'd never been the hero and now he was being asked to do exactly that. With little more than faith that the man in front of him wasn't going to just abandon him somewhere. Or kill him outright. He wasn't sure what to even make of the man's amusement that he'd gotten his way.

"I'll do my best."

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Test Drive Meme #29

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