Test Drive Meme #31

[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 April 24th, and apps are open May 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: WHAT BIG TEETH YOU HAVE
[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.

Even if the monster looks cuddly.

Direwolves are not quite what you medieval fantasy folks might think they are- they're untameable and almost the size of a bear. While usually a predator like the direwolf might wait for the opportune moment to strike, these beasts hunt in packs and are very, very hungry. You won't be able to tame them, and any attempts may result in a couple of missing fingers.]

S O R R O W

SCENARIO TWO: REGRETFULLY YOURS
[Have you ever done something you regret? A thought or an action you've performed that you look back on and wished you hadn't? Even if it's something outside of your control, something you couldn't have known, if there's something rattling around in that brain of yours, it's coming out in full force right now, leaving you guilt-ridden and prepared to confess all your sins to the nearest bystander.

But what if confessing isn't enough? You need to show them how sorry you are in any attempt at redemption you can muster. Work as hard as you can and maybe someone will forgive you. Work even harder and maybe someday you can forgive yourself.

This is a mini version of our Tears of Joy event this month.]

R A G E

SCENARIO THREE: TEAMWORK MAKES THE DREAM WORK
[The goal is simple: stay together in this room and use the supplies provided to build the best tower you can. You've got matchsticks, popsicle sticks, Q-tips, four different kinds of glue, and various little wheels and doodads. The team with the best tower at the end of the exercise gets a wish granted! That isn't so bad, is it?

Except your teammate is insufferable. Everything from their ideas, to their building strategy, down to their accent is absolutely intolerable to you. How can you be expected to work with such a difficult partner? If you leave the room your tower is forfeit, but who can expect you to stay in these conditions?

Careful- they're just as fed up with you as you are with them. Can the two of you overcome your mutual disdain to build this arts and crafts masterpiece, or will it be a race to the door?]

Comments

Why hello there <3 [Fear]

[prophesiedone]

[He has learned to use fear and anger to his advantage. He moves with a deadly grace, his lightsaber only a flashing light as he cuts through his opponents. With his free hand, he renders others useless by choking off their airway. If you're looking for mercy, you won't find it here.

Thankfully he knows Kylo - though it is likely he is not remembered. When he reaches the other man, he pauses to give him a nod of recognition.]

Welcome back.

Oh hey!

[disequilibrium]

[ There’s no mistaking the lightsaber he wields, nor the energy of the Force that encircles the man, and it only takes a moment to narrow down what that means. The familiarity of his facial features merely confirms the implausible conclusion.

Disbelief and shock flit across Kylo’s expression for a moment before he regains control. ]

Back where? I've never seen this place before.

[ Location no longer feels like the most pressing concern but it is the easiest to address. The other questions that come to mind are... more difficult to broach. ]

[prophesiedone]

[His signature in the Force is similar to what it will become, but it is not quite that Dark yet. Anakin fights himself daily, expending his energy so he has nothing left with which to think. But he is always raring for a fight. It's a shame he hasn't found many opponents worth the effort.]

I thought you'd say that. [Anakin grins nonetheless, turning to face Kylo.] I'm Anakin Skywalker and this is Hadriel. A place of nightmares.

[disequilibrium]

[ The man in front of him is not quite what he’d expected—though in truth he’d never given much thought to Anakin Skywalker as he was before—but he’s clearly powerful. Regardless of how dark he is or isn’t, the Force moves through him in a way he’s only seen a few times before. For now, that’s enough. ]

An ominous introduction.

[ His tone is dry as dust. If fear is truly the intention of this place, they’re going to have to try harder. A pack of beasts isn’t exactly a match for his nightmares.

Speaking of the wolves, between the two of them they’ve cleared out an easy way to the exit. He starts to make his way towards it. Anyone still in the arena can either take care of themselves or they can’t. It’s none of his concern. No, that’s something else. Someone else. ]

You know who I am.

[ That much is clear. How much he knows is not. ]

[prophesiedone]

[It's hard to separate the man from the legend. Anakin has run into that plenty of times before Darth Vader even became a name he recognized. People that need saving want someone who is perfect. Unwavering. So he had swallowed his fear and his uncertainty and charged forward like a battering ram.

Funny, that hasn't really changed. He's just more in touch with his weaknesses.]

An honest one. You'll have your emotions toyed with and used against you. [He is nearly as dry in his response, swinging his lightsaber with an ease that almost made it seem like a simple extension of his hand.]

But you're not alone, Kylo. [Anakin's smile warms and he nods.] I know you.

[disequilibrium]

[ You’re not alone. An unexpected phrase to come up multiple times in such a short period and one he’s no more comfortable with receiving than he was saying it not long ago. Then there’s the warm, almost familial greeting. The combination leaves him off-balance.

He gives a short nod in response before looking away to survey the area. An excuse to hide his own unease more than anything. ]

For what purpose?

[ He’s no stranger to manipulation; a fact that’s become more apparent recently. There’s always been a reason behind it. He assumes this place is no exception. ]

[prophesiedone]

[He isn't offended or put off. From what he knows of Kylo's situation, it's...totally understandable. Besides, Anakin is well aware that he isn't prime father/grandfather material. That's putting it lightly and nicely. Speaking of nightmares, right?]

Family? [He glances around for any other foes before making his way to one of the exits.] This is the way out. I can help you find a house or you can do that for yourself.

[disequilibrium]

[ His lips quirk in an expression too bitter to be a smile. Family, indeed. His grandfather’s approval is something he’s hungered after for years and just as he starts to realize how hollow that ambition was… he’s brought here and gifted with some version of it. How ironic. ]

I could use your assistance. [ Requesting help doesn’t come naturally but there's no sense in parting ways. Despite the awkwardness there’s more to discuss. He slows slightly to allow Anakin to lead the way. ]

You spoke earlier about this place. What it can do. Is there a reason behind the chaos?

[ The communication device present upon waking hasn't been spared a glance given the more immediate distractions offered. ]

[prophesiedone]

[Irony rules their lives and eventually leads to their deaths. If Kylo can break that nauseating fate, Anakin will be impressed.]

Sure. [He holds out his mechno-arm, his gloved hand opened in invitation.] We'll find you a nice place to stay.

[His steps are a comfortable stride - not too fast or too slow. It isn't often he gets to be around family and Kylo has been a curiosity of his for some months now.]

We're ruled by deities that pose as emotions. [No, he doesn't believe Love or Hope are the real deal.] They cause chaos on a whim and force us to experience the full spectrum of emotions. So don't be shocked if you're suddenly so angry you can't see straight or you're strangely...giddy.

[disequilibrium]

[ He matches the pace set, keeping an eye out on their surroundings while they work their way through the city. The creatures from earlier don’t seem to have made their way out this far but he’s not foolish enough to take that as a sign of safety. ]

I see.

[ The calm, measured response does little to hide his true reaction. Which is, at first, one of disbelief. A moment spent wondering if he’s being misled or taunted for some reason. But no. It’s the truth. Merely a ridiculous one. There’s anger, as well. Burning at the thought of being toyed with and manipulated by this place. For now, it remains in control, balanced by curiosity—for the situation and with the man in front of him. ]

And do you believe in their divinity?

[ Kylo is not a religious man. A spiritual one, in some aspects, when it comes to the Force but that’s hardly the same thing. He finds it difficult to believe his grandfather wouldn’t feel similarly. ]

[prophesiedone]

[The creatures will meet one fate if they follow them into the city. Anakin has no fondness for them and hunts their like whenever the mood strikes him. For now, his focus is on leading them to the houses; he does like to keep an eye on which ones are empty - though, of course, Kylo is welcome to stay with him.]

No. [He smiles, but it's not really an amused expression.] I don't believe they have any connection to the emotions they claim to represent either. It's not like we have ever needed them to feel before - and if they die, nothing will change.

[It will take a lot for Anakin to believe in a god or gods. Unless they are tied directly into the Force, they have no claim to that title in his book.]

[disequilibrium]

[ It’s a good answer. One he finds himself agreeing with despite not yet experiencing the supposed gods or their abilities up close. There’s more to be learned, about their strength, about what could be done to go against them, but it can wait. The implication that they can die—or be slain—is a starting point, albeit one that's likely easier said than done.

Kylo remains silent for a period as they continue their way through the city, digesting the information that’s been given and questions that still linger. ]

You said I was here before. [ Which is discomforting but no more unbelievable than the rest of the situation. ] Is there anyone else present? From our galaxy?

[ The question sounds calm but there’s an edge behind his curiosity. The number of people from home who could be of assistance here is... infinitesimal. Leaving aside the ones that would just be an inconvenience or minor disruption, what’s left is a handful of truly dangerous possibilities. Made all the more so by being in a place that feeds on the inhabitants' emotions. ]