dankmemes | Test Drive Meme #6

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Test Drive Meme #6

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 23rd, and apps are open March 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: BLOBBED
[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 several Blobs, from the similarly titled 1988 movie, The Blob for you meet.

These gelatinous creatures have no weak spots or brains that can be sliced or crushed to kill them. Instead, their only goal is to absorb and dissolve its prey so that it can grow larger. Think that its, er, blob-like form makes it easy to avoid? Think again- it moves faster than one might expect, as shown in its canon 'kill' video here (with a healthy cw warning for gore and 80's movie effects).]

R A G E
SCENARIO TWO: WENDIGONE
[Hey, that snack you found? It might taste a little too familiar. At least you don't have time to worry about accidental cannibalism too much though, because you've now become host to a vengeful wendigo spirit! The transformation will be sped up for the purposes of this test drive, though you can post at whichever point in the change you desire. Want to tear people to shreds? Go for it. Want to try to clutch onto the last few pieces of your humanity? Be our guest!

On the flipside, as someone who is unaffected, you may be trying to arm yourself and take these wendigos head-on... or, you may be trying to figure out a way you can save them, which would involve somehow trapping them on Hope's altar. Think you can handle that?

This is a mini version of our Who What Where Wendigo event this month!]

H O P E

SCENARIO THREE: CARNATION DAY
[You know those moments in high school that everyone used to dread? Where everyone would spend a week or so with the opportunity to buy a carnation or two for someone they like, only for carnation day to come along and dash any hopes and dreams you had of getting a flower from that special someone?

Well, here's your chance to relive that day- but, you know, hopefully make it end a little happier.

In this prompt, some characters will emerge through the Door- or wake up, or just suddenly appear- with carnations clutched in their hands. These flowers can be any color of your choosing, and all have tags on them. They can be addressed to you or to someone else, and in that FROM category? Well, from your secret admirer, of course- or any other character who may or may not have sent it! Here's to hoping they're a good one!]

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RAGE: WENDIGONE

[ Monsters are not uncommon in Eorzea. Quite the contrary - most of them are simply part of nature to be cautiously avoided or culled as necessary when the bolder ones stray too close to cities or settlements for comfort.

Wendigo, however... no, those are new. A strange, foreign kind of voidsent more savage than the rest of their kin.
Unfortunately for the Admiral, she's no scholar in dark magicks and therefore clueless as to how one would go about banishing such an entity. An underground city of snail shells and summoned bloodthirsty beasts... she can, if grudgingly, acknowledge the irony of the situation. After all, the Sahagin have similar decorative tastes.

The silence outside the squat home Merlwyb has chosen for her shelter is broken by a distant, echoing shriek. Enough reason to ever so slightly tilt her head to see out the window, one hand settled on the musket at her hip, the other clamped firmly over a rent in her coat courtesy of the wendigo welcoming party. A shallow wound. Just enough to sting, really, although the surprise at not slaying one immediately after shooting it in the head had nearly got her killed.
So, naturally, she'd shot it again - and this time squarely in the eye. The petty satisfaction almost made it worth the waste of ammunition.
Partially because it was a stopgap measure to cover a strategic retreat, yes. But mostly because repairing the tear in her uniform would be a costly venture and it was her favorite Twelves-damned coat.

It's almost enough to make one miss the beastmen and their stubborn bloody eikons. At least they had the courtesy to stand in the open to be shot; none of this painfully drawn out hide and seek garbage.
But hey, maybe you're outside and fleeing from the same monsters, or maybe completely oblivious to the wendigo altogether. Either way, Merlwyb is quick to poke her head outside and wave you over to share the relative safety of the house. ]

Inside, quickly! Seven hells, do you have a deathwish?

HOPE: CARNATION DAY

[ Call her arrogant, but a bouquet of flowers is among the tamest of gifts she's received during her career. And, frankly, she would much prefer a bottle of spirits instead.

But as that's neither here nor there Merlwyb amuses herself by studying the flowers one by one, the faintest hint of a smile on her face as she carefully smooths the petals between her fingers, reads the tag attached, and sorts them according to recipient. House Valentione must be behind this. It seems like something they would do - drawing young lovers together by sending them flowers on the sly from an anonymous 'admirer' and letting them fill the gaps on their own.
A worthy enough cause even if the postmoogle seems to have lost it's way and dropped a parcel in the Storm Admiral's lap.

For the few that have been addressed to her, she tucks them inconspicuously in her belt and flips through the tags of the rest once again. Might as well humor the situation and see these delivered herself. After all, it would hardly do to have half a dozen young hearts broken because their anonymous gifts went astray. ]

Edited 2016-02-21 21:57 (UTC)

[Yep this is a bad day, Miriam thinks, darting between buildings and shadows with her hand curled tight around Barnaby's harness. This is bad, like the time the brothel on the 8th Level got Tarred and everything was on fire. She remembers the sounds the people made when they got the infection stuck in their throats. How they'd staggered and screamed.

Kinda like this, honestly. Only these things were faster.

Aaaand yep, that's one right behind her.

Barnaby snarls, Miriam says a very bad word, and the monster slashes at her. Several things happen very fast then. First, Barnaby yanks her back just in time to avoid the slashing claws. Miriam falls, twists, and gets back on her feet.

And someone shouts out.

Oh! A person!

Miriam promptly turns tail and runs for it, Barnaby growling all the way through the door.

Thankfully, the monster doesn't make it through the door. Miriam sinks to her feet, hugging Barnaby's neck, and tries to grin up at her new best friend.] Thanks, lady! I think it was gonna eat me.

[ It's tough to tell what happens first; the echoing report from Merlwyb's musket, or the sudden anguished shriek from the Wendigo as a bullet takes it full force in the left eye (lesson learned from the previous run-in). The Admiral allows herself the luxury of a shot well taken before slamming the door behind the girl and her pet with enough force to rattle the hinges.

The time it takes to reload is spent eyeing her new companions. ]

Don't thank me yet, child. This is no time to rest on our laurels.

[ Sure enough, when she glances out the window to check for the creature, it's gone. No doubt lurking out there until someone more unwary comes along, or until they poke their heads outside again. ]

It knows where we are now, after all. And we dare not go outside without a plan.

[Miriam scrambles back, dragging Barnaby with her - well behind the scary lady with the gun. The monster looks hungry, so it'll probably go for the bigger meal first, right? Sometimes it pays to be small, Miriam thinks, hugging Barnaby close.

Damn, that was close. She takes a shaky breath, watching the lady.

Serious, business-like. Probably a soldier type. So that's good.]

Got anymore guns? I mean, I got a stun baton, but that just made it mad last time....

[She blinks, remembering her knapsack. Which she's still wearing! Awesome.] Oh! I got a couple grenades, if that'd help.

[To an adventurer, going head to head with terrible fiends and monsters was just a part of life. Especially when you're a trained marauder. None of that training and experience helps however when you're completely unarmed and with no armor to protect you. No, he just had to be whisked away to wherever the hells this was when he had nothing but a watering can and his casual clothes, and his pet smallshell. The watering can had long since been abandoned while running for his life as there really was no point in keeping it, but what frustrated him with this whole situation was he knew if he ever made it back home that missing watering can would totally be docked from his pay.

Instead the hyur found himself generally running for his life and playing a very dangerous game of hide and seek in the times he needed to catch his breath. In a completely unfamiliar city what else was he to do? Finding shelter would be the safe thing, but he wasn't going to shut himself up somewhere without a weapon of some sort at least. He was already pretty scraped up from a few narrow escapes, he knew those monsters meant business.

The relief that washed over him when he noticed another person beckoning him to join them in their shelter. He must have look positively silly running around with the small crab clutched closely to his chest.]

If I did I wouldn't be runnin' for my life now would I!?

[He quickly darted into the safety of the house and almost immediately doubled over, letting his little friend down on the ground as he put his hands on his knees all the while panting for breath.]

Thank you... I uh, wasn't sure... I was goin' to get away from them that time.

[ H u h. Hiding in a shack with a Hyur adventurer and a smallshell...

There's a bawdy joke in here somewhere, but Merlwyb's pirate days are long over and she can't much be bothered to try drumming up a punchline at the moment. Perhaps later after many (many) glasses of wine and some quiet time devoted to thinking about her poor life decisions. Generally with an excess of cursing to top it all off.

As it is, Ikar is graced with the Storm Admiral raising one eyebrow while he regains his breath, arms crossed over her chest and looking distinctly amused by the fact he'd thought to carry his pet with him instead of leaving it to the monsters. What a charmingly considerate gesture. ]

Thank me after we arrive in a safe haven proper. This - [ Que dismissive handwave at the dusty building interior ] - is nought but a temporary measure.

[ She'll have to revise her plans with a second (and third, counting the swiving pet of his) body to coordinate. What a bloody mess.
After it becomes apparent he's not about to keel over into an insensate pile on the moulding carpet, Merlwyb turns back to the window and resumes her vigil as if nothing at all is amiss. Simply another challenging obstacle to overcome. ]

Tell me, how many have you seen out there?

Edited (whoops coding) 2016-02-29 07:42 (UTC)

[Don't think he didn't catch that look you were giving him Merlwyb, though Ikar is fully aware at how silly he must have looked. You just don't understand!! He would die protecting this crab, this crab who was otherwise oblivious to any approaching danger. The cute little critter who was idly snipping up at the air by his owner.

Having finally caught his breath for the most part, he looked around at the interior of the building then back to his savior with a solemn nod.]

At this point I'm just thankful for runnin' into another person, but alright. I'll hold my thanks.

[Ikars eyes lingered on Merlwyb's face for an almost uncomfortable amount of time, as his brows knitted in thought. She seemed mighty familiar for some reason and he just couldn't place where he had seen her before. You could almost see the wheels turning in his head, but he was snapped out of it at her question.]

Oh uh, hmm. Two or three? Hard to count when they move so fast and I wasn't really lookin'. I've seen more than that though, but it may just be the same ones stalkin' me. I don't suppose this place has any weapons laying about does it?

[Since his companion seemed to have watching for the fiends taken care of, Ikar took this moment to go further into the building. Not too far really, but he really needed something to arm himself with. He pondered over breaking one of the over sized chairs legs off, but wood wasn't that reliable. This looked kinda like a house, maybe there was a kitchen knife somewhere?

Before he wandered too far though he reached into his pockets and pulled out three hi-potions, two to set on the table and one he drank right there. He had them on him ~~to fuel his addiction~~ as a refreshing drink after doing his chores. But getting to use them for what their intended use is works too.]

If you need a potion, feel free to use one. Those are my last two though... By the way, you know you seem really familiar for some reason. I coulda sworn I've seen you around somewhere before-- and I'm not talkin' here.

[Totally not the time for small talk when wendigos could break into the house at any moment. But hey he wasn't the one keeping watch. And he could talk and dig through questionable looking kitchen drawers at the same time.]

[ Ikar Kestrel: confirmed to have a serious case of the crabs. It's now canon. No takebacksies! ]

No more and no less than anywhere else in Eorzea. Take what you can, and pray to the Navigator you will never have cause to use it.

[ Does Merlwyb have, in fact, a grand total of two (2) muskets on her person at all times? Yes.

Is she going to lend one to him? No.

Half because she loathes the idea of anyone but herself laying a finger on Mistbeard's guns (A certain Marshal would turn an interesting shade of purple if he were privy to that thought), and the other half because some fool Hyur with no arm for firearms could as easily send shot through his foot as one of the wendigo.
So sorry, Ikar. You're on your own as far as hitty sticks and slashy tools are concerned.

As for the potions, she shakes her head slightly - the gash in her side isn't worth bothering with - intent on watching his little smallshell friend scuttle around happily in his owner's wake without a care in the world. ]

I have little need for one, but my thanks for the offer.

[ Ikar. Babycakes. Sweetheart. Darling. If the full Admiral regalia isn't enough to clue you in, she's certainly not going to volunteer any information offhand. But from the way she crosses her arms over her chest, one pale eyebrow arched, she's finding some entertainment in eluding an outright introduction. ]

Do I? Well, far be it from me to assume everyone need be a stranger. [ Whoops there's that almost-but-not-quite smug grin of hers. The one she usually slings at Marshal Eynzahr to great effect. ] We may have spoken in Limsa Lominsa. Perhaps not.

[Ok see when you put it that way it sounds terrible!! I demand a retake!]

Hn. I'll take that as a no then and suit yourself, the offer still stands if they're needed later.

[It's ok the Admiral was right in her judgement about his experience with firearms and knowing him he'd find a way to shoot his own damn foot. Lucky for Ikar he's managed to find the kitchen utensil drawer. To no ones surprise ever he did not find an axe in these drawers, but it did give him an idea...

Hey, hey Merlwyb do you see this incredulous stare Ikar is shooting back at you?? Yeah he sees that grin of hers and he does not get what's so amusing.]

No, no I woulda remembered talkin' to someone like you. [Hottie with a body!] I'll think of it... Anyroad, the name's Ikar.

[Excuse him as he tugs this drawer of silverware or whatever the Hadriel not quite right equivalent is and turns full body to you.]

I think I might just have a plan if you wanna hear it.

[ Nope. You made your bed, now lie in it. B]

Naturally, the return stare doesn't elicit so much as a blink while she stares steadily back, entirely unruffled by the intense scrutiny. You're cute when you try to intimidate a Roegadyn almost twice your size, tiny Hyur friend. Were she less sober, that would be worth a pat on the cheek.
Alas, there's not a drop of ale to be had. Instead, his introduction is met with an acknowledging tilt of the Admiral's head. ]

A pleasure, Ikar. [ Casually not returning the gesture by giving him her own name. That would ruin the fun, after all. Further, her body language clearly states she has no further hints to give him - getting comfortable where she leans by the wall, letting her gaze roam over the pitch black shadows across the street. ] Pray speak freely. However -

[ She'll judge whether or not he should be allowed to make plans afterwards. It should make for a fine diversion in the meantime. ]

- I'm sure you need not be reminded how swiftly our foe moves. An outright offensive is not viable.

[Seriously, it's bugging the crap outta him that he can't remember where he's seen her before. However there was more pressing matters to attend to than trying to solve that mystery. He'll just keep that on the back burner.

He made his way back over to the table his potions were on to set down the drawer, casually pulling out a steak knife from it.]

Oh no worries, I have no plans on dyin' today. I don't feel like being that reckless without my armor anyways.

[No reminders needed! They are pretty fast though as his burning legs kept reminding him.]

Distraction is somethin' I could call my specialty though. So how good is your aim? Utensils ain't gonna do much to them, but get their attention on me.

[Yep... that's his whole plan. Hopefully have an amazing shot and throw a knife into a monsters eye then run like hell. Throwing utensils is not nearly like chucking tomahawks though. But hey making sure to keep enemies attention and taking the pain is a marauders job after all!]

[ -> No Plans to Die
-> Don't Feel Like Being Reckless

------> Grabs steak knife

IKAR PLEASE. If it wasn't obvious before, it should be by now: Merlwyb is judging you super hard. Any regular pirate worth his or her salt would just let the sacrificial lamb with the butter knife run in one direction while they fled to safety the other way.
Sadly, Merlwyb cannot in good conscience allow an adventurer to fling themselves into the jaws of a waiting wendigo. A shame, really. ]

Absolutely not. They would be upon you before you went two paces from the threshold.

[ Bam. Shut down.
The Admiral closes her eyes briefly, pinching the bridge of her nose between a forefinger and thumb. ]

We needs must think on this carefully. There is no margin for foolish errors.

[He said he was going to toss it at them, not run in and attack! GOSH! I mean ok it's kinda reckless to attempt to kite an enemy without a healer, even more so if you're the only one even bothering to damage the thing. There's no point in it.

With a slight huff, he leaned back to sit on the table and crossed his arms. He's not mad at her, but he was frustrated all the same. He kinda looked like a pouty child really.]

I'm sure I coulda made it a few yalms at least...

[Yes because a few yalms versus a few step was that big of a difference.]

So what's yer big plan of action then?

[Scant had he expected to catch sight of the Admiral—be it here, or even back in Eorzea. Was not oft that she ever found a need to leave Limsa Lominsa, let alone to travel so far north on Aldenard, particularly when Ishgard has never been known for being the warmest of nations—eternal winter aside.

However, seeing the admiral in all her glory here surprised him far more than it would had she been traveling upon Coerthan soil. What added to the surprise was what she carried: carnations it would seem, but for who he hadn't the slightest idea of. There was a light worry, however, with the fact it would seem more Eorzeans were being brought here with her arrival, and so his mind wondered, of its own accord, to who might be next.

Surely he hoped not his dear friend, they had far more pressing matters to attend than to play guardian and attendant to this cave-city. But, surely, that held just as true for the Admiral.]

'Tis a right surprise to see you here, Admiral.

[He finally spoke, approaching her slowly as to not startle her—not that he thought her the jumpy sort, 'twould be a fine laugh if she were—but he hadn't exactly been the noisiest as he approached her, and she seemed preoccupied. Once close enough, he halted his approach—giving her a respectable salute.]

I am Lord Haurchefant, I serve as the garrison commander of Camp Dragonhead under the privilege of House Fortemps of Ishgard. 'Tis a right pleasure to make your acquaintance, my lady.

[He'll address her being here, and the flowers that are in her possession in a moment. Introductions are important, and Haurchefant knows well how to make a good one.]

[ Ishgard could keep their frigid weather and politicians both as far as she's concerned. Seven hells, like she'd need another reason to start drinking heavily if wine and whiskey were the only ways to keep a chill at bay...

The furrow in her brow should speak volumes on her progress, thumbing through the tags a second time to make certain she hasn't sorted them incorrectly. What really puzzles her is the majority are addressed to one name - all from various admirers, to judge from the handwriting on each tag. A popular person indeed.
It's due to force of habit that she doesn't pay particular attention to Haurchfant's approach, as desensitized as she is to her support staff buzzing around her office at all hours of the day. Don't mind her if she takes her sweet time finishing up this flower business. ]

Oh? A good surprise, one would hope.

[ A glance up from a red carnation, one eyebrow quirked.
Jumpy? Her? Please. Only fools made the mistake of bum rushing the Storm Admiral, and only once. Those muskets aren't just for show. Still, the slow approach is appreciated and she grants Haurchefant a slight smile in return. ]

Ah, yes. I've heard of you. Our mutual friend spoke most highly of your sword arm, last I saw of them.

[ The Warrior of Light had also mentioned he had died, but the Admiral isn't so uncouth as to bring that up. She'll just have to watch him very closely and reach her own conclusions as to how a supposed corpse is walking around as if all is well. Worst case scenario there's voidsent involved, and... well...
Better not to think about that just yet.
She fans out the lion's share of tags around her thumb, studying the myriad inks all spelling the same word. ]

Be so kind as to spell your name for me, Lord Haurchefant?

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Test Drive Meme #6

Merlwyb Bloefhiswyn | FFXIV: A Realm Reborn

Fear

Assuming you meant Rage? c:

whoops, you'd be correct

Rage

IKARRRRR <3

I hope the suspense of the mystery tagger wasnt too much!! <3

I WAS SO MAD Z was being a butt

cuz of you I had to unlock all my icons again GEEZ

ur welcome c8

no subject

no subject

no subject

Hope

haurchefant pls