Test Drive Meme #32

[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 May 25th, and apps are open June 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: HONK HONK
[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.

Hope you're not afraid of clowns!

Evil Clowns have been a terror on the imagination of children everywhere, and show up enough times in literature for us to reasonably say that plenty of adults are afraid of them too. While they love to laugh, they often bring themselves joy by murdering others and slicing them up with the sharp knives and other torture devices that they have tucked away in their seventeen pockets.

It's not difficult to outrun them, as they have big, squeaky shoes, but it might be difficult to fight them- these bastards are hardy!]

F E A R

SCENARIO TWO: MISSING SOMETHING?
[You may arrive in Hadriel... well, incomplete. Though some may reassure you that it's temporary, there's still something terrifying in suddenly losing your sight or your hearing... or even you arm!

While this event does not affect memories, it does affect body parts, senses, and potentially powers and abilities. You may find yourself unable to do things you once did, or behave the way you normally do.

This is a mini version of our Senses Fail event this month.]

T R A N Q U I L I T Y

SCENARIO THREE: MAY FLOWERS
[You're in a beautiful garden. The sun is shining, the grass is green, and there are hundreds of thousands of flowers all around you. The temperature is just perfect, and above all else, it's satisfying.

Maybe you should pick some flowers for a friend, or your mother- you did skip mother's day, after all. Luckily, there's a few cutting shears to go around and you're more than welcome to start hacking away at these thistley bushes! Hopefully you know a thing or two about flower arranging- maybe that person over there is more experienced?]

Comments

[luckyblunder]

Vanessa Ives. It was a pretty name, a bit less witch and more Muggle maybe, but she could be from Muggle parents. Harry cleared his throat at the return question. It said something that she hadn't recognized him right away, he realized. Even after seven years he still wasn't used to that and never expected anyone to recognize him, despite it happening way too often.

"Sorry, uhm. I'm Harry Potter. Pleased to meet you, Miss Ives." He gave her a small smile, and then almost tripped over a lump in the pathway. Luckily he caught himself, and he gave her an embarrassed smile then.

[widow_of_the_crag]

I have never heard of power like this. It was only ever in the possession of gods. They call themselves that, but I suppose anyone can call themselves certain things. Many looked to name themselves king, but they had no right to it.

[Only Robb. However hypocritical that made her, she couldn't acknowledge any other king. Not Joffery with his cruelty, not Stannis with his severity, not Balon with his barbarianism, and not Renly with his arrogance. Only Robb had the qualities of a king and he was killed for it.

Honor was a tricky thing and she had seen it lead to poor results. Had she accepted her loss of virginity and insisted Robb marry Roslin Frey, would he still be alive? Her mother's plans would have failed, but what would have become of her? But Robb held his honor close and she was at least given a few months of happiness.

His revelation had her looking up in surprise, eyes wide but apprehensive.]

No. It isn't easy.

How long were you married?

[widow_of_the_crag]

Betrayal always comes with an insistence that their cause was right. I suppose it takes a great deal of arrogance and conviction to manage something like that.

[Her mother had shown no signs of considering the outcome and what it might mean for her daughter. The Lannisters likely had no qualms about breaking guest rights. It was war, they would insist that and she would have no argument in return.

She didn't understand war, but she understood cruelty.]

You know it? Not many remember us. We are no longer a family of means or standing.

[She met Margaery's eyes with pride. No matter what happened to him, Robb was still the best man she had ever known.]

Robb Stark was my husband. Is my husband.

[strikes_x_twice]

She softly exhaled, “Gran Pulse is the last place I was before I came here. Originally from Cocoon.” Either of those would be evident to him but the expression on his face was not one of recognition. “Hm.” Nor was her own expression evident of recognition for where he had come from. Another stranger amongst strangers—yet the boy did not look too different than herself, nor did he speak a dialect unfamiliar to her. Strange—

wasn’t it?

Lightning gave a small nod. “Right.” She drew in a breath and once again counted to four seconds before she closed her eyes to count to six seconds for an exhale. When she opened her eyes she took in his face once again and thought of another youthful face looking back at her. Hope.

“How old are you, Harry.”

[kingforboth]

That kind of power isn't any different than being able to light a fire or use a sword, if you know how and have the right skills. It's the same as calling yourself a king or queen, as you said. You have to do it right, or you are just a Pretender.

[And Kelson had enough of Pretenders. His father held the peace for twenty five years. Kelson was crowned and it set off 2 invasions from neighboring kingdoms, 2 civil wars, 1 religious insurrection and then his cousin tried to seize the crown. All in the last four years. No more Pretenders, kings, queens or 'gods'. Kelson had had it.

Honor was a dangerous thing. It saddened him that it took the death of an innocent girl for him to figure that out. If he had simply marched into Meara like his father and grandfather and great grandfather had done and simply killed the Mearan Pretenders, Sidana like Robb and so many others, might still be alive. But he wanted another way. He wanted people to live.]

Thirty seconds. Maybe a minute.

[He could remember it vividly, his hands tied to hers, their eyes closed in prayer as vows were recited. Sidana tensing and then blood spilling out her neck and then chaos. Kelson was never getting married in that church again. He would always see her body and himself, the bloody altar.]

How long were you married?

[widow_of_the_crag]

I haven't heard of power like that. There are stories of magic. My mother's grandmother was said to be a witch, but that could only be legend. Magic seems more like a story told by a septa at night rather than anything true.

[But there had been some disturbing rumors surrounding Renly's death. Lady Stark had spoken of a shadow with Stannis' face. Had it not been from her goodmother, she might have dismissed it as ramblings brought on by shock. But Lady Stark was a good woman and not one for exaggerations.

In the end, Jeyne knew little of the world and couldn't say anymore what was true and what wasn't. She only knew that magic seemed to exist in this one.]

That short? What happened?

[Though, even in asking, she suspected the answer. Such a short amount of time. It was possible he married her as she was dying, but her recent experiences with weddings made the true reason crystal clear.]

A few months.

[kingforboth]

Stories usually have truth to them, my lady. There are many people in my kingdom who don't know of the power they possess, or how to use it fully. Magic is like anything. If you forget how to use it and don't pass down the knowledge, it's forgotten.

[Now that was a subject close and dear to Kelson's heart. And he believed wholly that power was just that, power, just like fire. You could use it to heat a chill or blind a man.

Kelson kept playing with the ring, probably not realizing he was even doing it. Over the years it had become an almost unconscious habit.]

Her brother slit her throat. She wanted him to walk her down the aisle, I didn't see the harm. He promised to be on his best behavior. I didn't have time to move, I couldn't react, and there was just so much blood. I didn't think he'd hurt his own sister.

[Kelson shook his head, still in shock, both furious and saddened still by what had happened.] He killed her rather than see her wed to her mortal enemy. I would have loved her. I would have tried. I like to think she was starting to do the same.

[He took a breath, realizing he had shared more than he had meant too.]

May I ask what happened to your husband?

[widow_of_the_crag]

It is a common thing in your land? The ability to wield magic?

[She's intrigued enough to ask and listen, though the subject was unnerving in itself. She couldn't imagine someone having that sort of power and using it as easily as they drew breath. It seemed like something too close to the gods...

...Or the Targaryens, though their only power seemed to be taming dragons once.]

He would kill his own sister? Why? How could someone do that to their family?

[How could her own family do something similar to her? More and more, she could see the similarities between them, betrayed and battered, having lost someone they cared about because of the cruel machinations of others.

Her family may not have slit her throat, but they put a dagger in her back.]

Sometimes people cannot see past their ties to country or king. It only shows them to be cowards though, using such dishonorable means.

[She understood better than he might realize.]

He was attending the wedding of his uncle, hoping to seal an alliance that would bring more men. My husband was previously betrothed to them, the Freys, but he broke his promise to marry me. [Her fault. This was her fault.] He hoped his uncle would pacify them, but the Freys conspired with my husband's enemies.

Despite having guest right, they were killed during the wedding feast. He and my brother.

Kanji Tatsumi / Persona 4

[getknit]

one.
[Last time Kanji checked, there wasn't a great big ruined colloseum and loads of dust in his classroom. Not exactly what you expect to see when you cross the threshold, even at Yasogami. Sure, some of the teachers are a little weird, but none of them are this weird...

Right?

Definitely not. There isn't even any cohesion between themes. Ancient junk AND creepy clown cosplay? What even is this...

There's one thing he knows for sure, without having to think about it; this doesn't feel like that place. If feeling weren't enough, the fact that he doesn't need his shades to see is a big fat clue even Kanji can't ignore.]

Th'hell is goin' on— [Squeaksqueaksqueak.] Huh? Ted, is that you?

[Nope, just your friendly neighborhood killer clown creeping up behind you, hefting a bat with a comically large nail knocked through the end.]

three.
Hey. Ya need a hand with that?

[He gestures with a set of clippers. Tucked in the crook of the boy's (man's? it's hard to tell with that hairline and those eyebrows, particularly when he's frowning. which he is) other arm is a huge bouquet. It's... very elaborate.]

honk honk | holy dusting off the old muse, batman

[cardtrick]

( You know. Clowns aren't all that scary. They sort of get a bad rep. A good clown is an excellent performer. They're not a Gramarye or even The Gavinners, but Trucy still appreciates a good clown act. And one even helped her daddy, back in the day!

She really wished she could have been there for that case...

Wait. Where were we? Oh, right.

Clowns? Generally not that scary. Generally. It's quickly determined by some investigating (read: walking up to one; Trucy, honey, what are you doing?) that these are not the clowns Trucy is referring to when she says they get a bad rep.

These clowns are the reason clowns get a bad rep.

Trucy's reaction, once the bright smile and a quickly demonstrated sleight of hand doesn't strike up a conversation between professionals of a similar nature, is to shrink back from the couple she approached and turn her head quickly left to right, trying to find a familiar, or friendly, face. Or an exit.

Where's a smoke machine when you need one...?

Thankfully (for certain values of thankfully) it's about then that a young woman comes barrelling by and nearly takes Trucy's hat off with a swipe. )

--Eeeek!

( Well that's just rude.

But it's also a good path to follow. )

Hey! Wait for me!

( If she's chased panty thieves into garages, you bet she can outrun a few creepy clowns, right? )

:')

[tmied]

( She has a voice. And an offer of a drink. Maybe calling her expression a smile is a touch much, but it's not... as angry? )

...Yeah. Beer. ( Or whatever passes for a beer here. ) We sit. We drink. None of this "getting to know you" crap.

( Which... may be flexible depending on weirdness, entertainment, or how strong the beer is. )

[magician_king]

Ah- not- really, no. Not even close.

[But have some foamy prison style fruit booze, frothy and a little fermented. He pours them both some, and moves to sit down.

Quentin is equally glad to drink in silence.]

[tmied]

( At least that crappy knock off iPhone she woke up with had some information about this place on it, although Rosa doesn't particularly like the fact that she's being used as some sort of wikipedia link, she helps anyway.

She's a detective, not a traffic cop, but she's not an anarchist.

READ SOME CRAP ABOUT GODS. YOU WANT ME TO SHOW YOU?

Thank god she kept that knock off iPhone and can easily bring up the newbie guide. )

[tmied]

Ugh. Tastes like hard cider.

( All fruity and shit. Not exactly the kind of drink she'd ever pick out herself, but it has alcohol in it.

... Maybe she should have just asked for scotch.

- Then again. Maybe not. Who knows what that would taste like.

The silence passes long enough for Rosa to down her drink, tapping her finger against the empty glass before she opens her mouth. This is not small talk. This is not getting to know you. This is I'm new and the newbie guide only says so much information gathering. )

There anything but bad booze in this town?

[possidetur]

( vanessa gives a nod at the question, though when rosa takes out the device vanessa looks entirely confused. she can see that there's writing on it though once she's read the small bit on it she writes again--

Are there other pages?

what is 'touchscreen' and 'scrolling' )

[possidetur]

"And you, Mr Potter." She simply gives him a smile, pretending that she didn't see him trip.

"Where were you before you arrived here? Perhaps where we came from may tell us something about who brought us here."

[possidetur]

A god?

( there was a frown. vanessa had her own beliefs, even if they were shaky at the minute, but keyleth's mention of a god sounded a little different )

[magician_king]

Well. There's a shit ton of canned goods and like, six extremely confused monsters.

[He says, with a soft huff.]

But not a lot else.

[So basically, they're practically still in Brooklyn.]

[madambutterfly]

[He looks terribly put-upon - not a very becoming expression on someone with such a square jaw - and defends his argument with such vehemence she can tell that he is asserting the truth. Or something he believes so strongly it might as well be.

A girl who got kidnapped resonates too strongly and she takes a deep breath, releasing the hammer of the gun and lowering it.

It remains at her side.]

Maeve. [Still mildly suspicious, she nods to him.] The picture, please. And perhaps you can explain your ability to cast fire from your hand, while you're at it.

[kingforboth]

Not as common as it used to be. Humans kill what they do not understand, and I'm afraid the Deryni have not given much reason to be trusted over the centuries. It's everyone's fault, I'm afraid. Gwynedd was conquered by Deryni, who murdered most of my family and imposed despotic rule for four generations. When my ancestor was restored to the throne, a backlash of anti-Deryni and anti magic was almost inevitable. 2/3's of the Deryni population was killed I believed. So, no, not as much as before.

[And so, Kelson walked a tightrope, trying to show that Deryni magic need not be feared, and doing his best to try and reverse the laws relegating those of Deryni heritage to death and second class citizenry, while showing that no one, human or Deryni was above the law. It was incredibly difficult, but it could be so much worse he knew.]

Those with magic are not gods. They can easily pretend to be though.

[It had not escaped his notice that most of the miracles prescribed to the saints were easily reproduced by magic....which he knew was dangerously close to heresy.

As he listened to her story, to what happened, the conversation he had with Margaery came to mind. What had she called it? The Red Wedding? He felt his stomach start sinking like hot coals, and sickened, wondered how many other similarities he would find between their two worlds. No one should have to go through what he had. And yet, they had.]

The Red Wedding. [He hated that they had a name for it. What kind of people name something like that? Just call it a horrible tragedy and be done with it.] Margaery told me a little.

The more I hear the more similar I think our worlds are. The wedding was supposed to reunite our two lands once more. It was too easy a solution. Marry the pretty princess of a rival house. I didn't want to have to march into Meara like my father, grandfather and great grandfather had done.

[He supposed violence was all but guaranteed even before then, but Kelson had done everything he could to avoid that solution. Other men would have summoned their army the moment their Bishops waxen head was paraded into Christmas Court. Or at the very least killed the hostages. Not marry one of them.]

Llewell thought he was doing an honorable thing, for the honor of his family, saving his sister from the hands of someone he'd been told was a monster. And it was pride. It's always pride, and the inability to give up old grudges and hopes, to see an old and proud line stand strong enough. Pride gets in the way and they don't see the treason and cowardly, dishonorable actions lurking behind it. It sounds as if the reasons behind your own tragedy were similar. A veil of upholding honor wronged underneath something worse.

[In a small movement, Kelson offers her a hand, disengaging himself from Sidana's ring.]

I hope their murderers were brought to justice, my lady.

[That was all he had, that was all that mattered. Breaking an oath was one thing. Serious in it's own right, but murder during a wedding celebration was unjustified. Kelson only hoped the men responsible were dealt with in the dishonorable manner they deserved.]

Please understand, this was not your fault.

[It felt hypocritical to even say those words out loud, but it was different for him. Sidana's death had been his fault. She had been under his protection and he failed her. It was as much his fault as if he had held the dagger himself. But Jeyne was a lady, she could not have prevented this even if she had known. Those deaths were the fault of those who set it in motion, and those who had stayed silent. He was still looking at you, Margaery.]

In my experience, such events were bound to happen, one way or another. Tensions flair and politics are a dangerous game.

[He was adding the Frey's to his list of people he wanted to 'talk' to if they ever came to Hadriel.]

[glacius]

I... I see. I am glad to hear that.

[The alien pauses, his operculum fluttering gently as he tries to figure out what else he can even say in this situation.] I am sorry that I am doing that friendship a disservice now by not knowing you. We could... try to rectify that, if you would be so willing. [Glacius has no guarantees that it would work, as he has no idea what sort of events transpired in that other world to bring them together... but there must have been something about this girl that drew him to her in the first place, and that would bring them together again.]

[tmied]

( This city has no laws. No cops. Something called a guard which seems to be more concerned with potential monsters than actual law enforcement (which makes sense considering the first statement). And people - supposedly - come back to life. Rosa could just kill him and get some peace and quiet.

But no. She's a badass. Not a murderer. Murderers aren't badass, they're just cowards.

So, with all the strength of someone repressing every violent urge for a moment because beating on a one-armed man is unfair, she picks up and pen and piece of paper and scribbles:

SHUT UP OR I'LL RIP OFF YOUR OTHER ARM AND BEAT YOU OVER THE HEAD WITH IT.

That's... proportionate retribution, right? )

Jane Doe | Blindspot

[endingpoint]

F E A R

[ She can't speak. Jane tries, she tries so damn hard to open her mouth and yell for Kurt, but there's nothing. She can't remember where she is, she doesn't know where her husband is, and now she can't actually call out for help. There's a faint thudding at the back of her head and she thinks she can somewhat remember fainting, but she has no idea what that has to do with no longer being able to talk.

Finding something to write with and paper, she tries looking for someone who seems like they won't mind helping her with a message pre-written on the paper: My name is Jane. I think I need to go to a hospital.

If she really is pregnant and passing out, she needs to know now, and she needs to understand what's happening. She needs her husband, too, but this seems like a 'one step at a time' situation. First her voice, then her suspected pregnancy and passing out. It's the order Kurt would go in, she thinks. Flagging someone down, she shows them her message, hoping the urgency is conveyed in her eyes. ]

T R A N Q U I L I T Y

[ Jane's in love with this garden. It's the kind of beauty she's always hoped to be surrounded by. There's a warmth she can feel as soon as she breathes deeply and all she wants to do is sit here, maybe lay in the grass and stay as long as the sun is shining.

She has a sketchbook with her, and she gets to work on drawing a few roses rather than cut them and when someone offers her the shears she shakes her head, smiling just a little. ]

No, I'm okay. Cutting them kills them, eventually. I'd rather enjoy them the way they are.

1/2

[roseofthetyrells]

You speak as one who has had experience with betrayal.

[the Lannisters (or a specific Lannister) had no qualms about destroying the Sept of Baelor with wildfire, killing hundreds in an effort to kill two specific people, Margaery being one of them.

if Cersei Lannister ever arrives in Hadriel, she'd not last more than a minute before Margaery killed her]

Yes, grandmother had me memorize every House in Westeros. Their symbols, their words, and their lords. It was in preparation of making me the best possible candidate to be queen. Then Robert Baratheon went North and chose Sansa Stark, much to her eventual misery.

2/2

[roseofthetyrells]

[and she's taken completely off-guard at the mention of the girl's husband]

--what? You say that Robb Stark was your husband? That can't be. Robb Stark wed a foreign woman supposedly for love, forsaking his alliance with the Freys. His wife died with him at the Red Wedding.