dankmemes | test drive meme #13

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!test drive

test drive meme #13

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 September 24th, and apps are open October 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: DON'T LOOK AT ME
[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 lurking in the shadows, waiting for the perfect chance to hop right on you and chow down. This time, the Door has brought in several Boos, from the Mario video game series.

These monsters can be menacing, but are also incredibly shy. When looking directly at them, they will cover their faces and fade into the background- however, when turning away from them, they advance on you until they're in the perfect spot to take a nice big bite. The only way to defeat them is to escape this part of the level- that is, run madly away and try to keep up eye contact while you do so. They may look cartoonish, but those ghost teeth can be sharp!]

SCENARIO TWO: YOU'VE GOT RED ON YOU
[Hadriel is home to many things- temples, irate gods, angry citizens and... well, zombies, apparently. Beware as they start to walk/stagger/generally kind of shuffle around the streets of the city, since where there's one or two, there's usually a hundred more just waiting for the right moment to strike.

Zombies attack Hadriel by the dozen for this prompt, and nowhere in the city is technically safe from them! While they're not necessarily fast or intelligent, they have an advantage on you in that they have a lot more friends and they can't feel pain. So saddle up, bunker down, and try to survive the infestation!

This is a mini version of our Dead Men Walking event this month!]

R A G E

SCENARIO THREE: CAPTURE THE FLAG
[Hey, what's Hadriel without a few mind-numbingly stupid games to forget the fact that you're in a murdercave that routinely tries to scare the crap out of you while also maybe killing you every once in awhile? You're not quite sure who came up with this particular mind-numbingly stupid game, but you seem to be playing, so get your running shoes on and grab that inhaler!

This is a game of Capture the Flag, and thanks to Rage, you're really starting to feel that competitive spirit. You're going to win- you have to. So what if you incur a few fouls along the way?

There's a red team and a blue team for this prompt, with both teams trying to protect their corresponding flags. Try to strategize to take the other team's precious flag, chase someone from the opposing team down, or just go all out and full body tackle that poor guy who got a little too close to your territory- it's all on you!]

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[ Avoiding her gaze, Will nodded when she spoke. He shifted to standing up, a little bit of a wobble to his stance but nothing a little propping up against he wall couldn't solve.

Drying himself down briefly and slipping into his clothes, still damp but it would do, he felt pretty hot anyway, it would take a while for his body to feel normal again. It was still a consideration, to climb out of the window and just vanish somewhere away from here... But he knew better than to do that, especially after what he'd just gone through. ]

I'm ready... Do you have any sugar? For my coffee that is...

[ Licking his lips and gesturing with his hands to his mouth. He'd follow her into the other room, taking note that his badge had been moved and his pistol was missing. Great. ] ]

I do.

[Sugar and cream had been set out by the mugs. Maketh nudges the cream into a straight line before returning to her own. Everything ought to be done a certain way and that extends to coffee. There is a process, steps to be followed, and an expected outcome.

She likes her coffee with lots of cream and a hint of sugar. It's not the same as the kind she got on Lothal - this lacks the distinctive kick of spice - but it will do.

They ought to talk, in the meantime.

Calmly, she sets Will's pistol down on the table. If he looks closely, he might notice she's unloaded it.]

Shall we start again?

Thank you.

[ Picking up a mug of coffee, taking a quick sip from it before putting any cream or sugar in first. He took to sitting himself on the edge of the table, finally picking up the cream and tipping in a generous amount. Sugar next, 3 or 4 lots of it, he needed the pick-me-up it offered.

Nursing his mug like it was the only drink he'd ever had, Will looked across to his weapon. Of course she'd have removed the bullets, Will didn't expect anything else. Noticing she was taking not of everything, he made the effort to put the cream back in the exact place he took it from. See, he could follow orders when he sees fit. ]

If we're starting over, does that mean I'm a free man once more?

[Maketh sips her coffee for a moment, just watching him.] I haven't decided yet.

[What she feels for him isn't exactly pity, but whatever instinct urged to her snap and prod at him is gone.]

Clearly you believe yourself dangerous. Now you will explain why I should not do the same.

[She speaks quietly, calmly, back perfectly straight.]

Define the word dangerous if you will?

[ Taking another sip from his coffee, the stress of what he'd just been through painted clear across his face. Cupping his mug between both hands, warming and a small comfort in this otherwise rude and cold world he'd found himself in. ]

To the grasshopper the rat is dangerous, yet it sees less threat in the snake, which would be considered a huge danger to the rat. And the hawk to all but the grasshopper.

[ Will considered Maketh's posture and position where she stood before cocking a rare, cheeky little smirk. ]

See now to me, right in this moment, I believe it to be you who is dangerous. You have my ID, the ammunition to me weapon, the gun itself- not to mention I'm your captive. You're military trained and have a programmed way of talking that could keep ice cold on a warm day.

[ He was avoiding her question and would try his hardest to wiggle his way out if he could. Will Graham's head was not a place you wanted to try and understand and he himself would rather pussyfoot around everything and anything than delve into an explanation oh why he was a possible threat. ]

Surely you can see my predicament? You've taken me hostage against my will and now you're demanding I provide you with evidence to keep doing so? Heh, obscene.

[Apparently he's more comfortable asking questions than answering them. With anyone else, his attempts to derail and snatch control of the conversation might work. But of course she has interrogation training. The Empire is thorough in its teaching and she was always a good student.

Maketh sips her coffee, thinking.] I am not in the mood to beat the answers out of you, Will Graham, though there was a time where I would have.

[It's not a threat, not really. Just honesty.]

I will make you an agreement. I will answer a question of yours and then you will answer mine in turn. Truthfully, with no games.

[ Will was more comfortable in his own company, not having to talk to anyone at all, but if he had to, he'd ask and ask until he was blue in the face or you slipped up somewhere.

Nodding after a moments consideration, extending his hand for Maketh to shake on her deal. He'd rather not have human contact, and he partly think she'll turn her nose up at the gesture anyways. Will was amused by her honesty and though it wasn't his question exactly, he still had to comment. ]

You'd have beaten an answer from me? What stopped you? ....

[ Musing over her mindset for a short moment. ]

Alright then. Sounds fair.

[ Will stood up. He walked around the room, taking in their surroundings as he considered his question. ]

Why are you so scared of failure? Is that whats driving you to continue such strict orders and behaviours? ... You feel the need to enforce, don't you? ... Your're hiding... What are you hiding yourself from?

[Must they do the hand shaking? Apparently they must.

Maketh sighs, but does it. She's thankful for her gloves, at least. A bit of armor, some shield between her and the rest of the world.

The first question comes.

It's not as painful as expected.

Maketh sips her coffee, watching him all the while.]

Where I am from, failure has consequences. My men bore the brunt of such punishment. I was their commander and they acted unwisely. They were killed for that.

[She sets the mug aside.]

It is to be avoided at all costs. My turn. Why are you allowed to carry a weapon if you are not a soldier?

[ So she'd lost men on the job? Not so different from Will then. His thoughts raced. Maybe they were not so different after all.

Will set his drink aside. His hand came to rub at his chin and mouth, the scratch of days old stubble making a faint sound. He could feel her guilt, she has to keep this up, that way if more people die, she can still hold her head high knowing that she did what she had to, to prevent it... I told you so attitude but on a much more strict and enforced level.

How interesting. ]

I don't like carrying a weapon... It came with the badge. I need to be ready to use it to protect the people I'm trying to save.

[ And there he was, right on cue. The deathly figure of Garret Jacob Hobbs, still fresh with the bullets from Will's gun that killed him. Will hissed and turned his face away, now was not the time to hallucinate. ]

What is it that makes you concerned about me?

[That tension again. A flashback? Perhaps. Or perhaps something more insidious, something that might cause harm to the people here. Still, someone, at some point, decided that Will Graham was capable enough to carry a gun. Holding such a weapon means he would be expected to use it. And in the protection of others, apparently.

Maketh inclines her head ever so slightly.]

I'd think that obvious. You are displaying erratic behavior and a certain proficiency with weapons. I won't allow harm to come to the people here.

Yet you're inadvertently causing me harm. Picking and pulling, pushing and prying at the parts I'm trying to keep down.... Don't I count? I'm here in this place, a person but still you want to harm me?

[ He managed to shake the image this time, maybe his brain couldn't take any more for the evening? Or maybe Maketh was actually doing a great job of grounding him in the moment?

Pinching the bridge of his nose, eyes closed, Will sighed. ]

Okay... I have a very unique mind. I'm able to imagine just whats going through someones head when they do certain things... I call it my seeing. Trouble is, the FBI would have me use this gift to get inside the heads of some of the worst murderers on this earth...

[ The last part was spoken with malice and resent for the FBI. Will didn't like it anymore than Maketh would like learning about it. ]

The problem I've been having lately... Is that, where my mind stops and their minds begin is starting to blur...

[ Will looked more ashamed than guilty. He was being extremely honest with her here, it normally took a lot of trust for Will to admit these things about himself. ]

I've been losing myself in their memories... And now my actions have been deemed as questionable with regards to a few of the murder cases...

[ A pause. ]

I'm not a bad man... I'm just a confused one.

It's simple. I know them and I don't know you.

[Maketh leans forward. That sounds strangely like Force trick the Inquisitor would ply from time to time when prisoners were being difficult. Or he was simply bored and looking for entertainment from whoever was unfortunate enough to be in range. She's never seen it in anyone else before. Not up close, at least.] You have Force sensitivity, then?

[ Of course it would so black or white with her. He's not bitter about it, just frustrated. ]

I'm not sure I know what you mean? I've never heard it called that before... Never met anyone else who can do it too.

[ Did she know something Will didn't? He was getting the feeling she'd come across his kind of condition before. ]

It's rare. A man I served with had such gifts. He could stand in a room with a prisoner and pull their thoughts from their head. Make them tell him whatever he wanted without touching them. Other things as well. But-- [Maketh frowns.] You're not quite like him. I could feel it when I stood next to him. But you do know things. Perhaps yours is a weaker version. You combine it with psychology, yes? To determine the information you need.

That's right. I'm able to make a profile on a person after I've been in their mindset. I analyse what they were thinking, why they think that way and as uncomfortable as it is, I understand exactly what drives them. It's their memories I find hard to shake afterwards.

[ That was the hard part. Knowing how and why someone would commit horrendous crimes and murders ... And actually feel as they did, as if their reason wasn't mad. ]

It takes a lot out of me.. As you've seen- but that's just a resent side effect, I believe I've been tampered with.

I see. [So utilizing a Force user's natural abilities combined with an understanding of human psychology. It's ingenious really, provided that Will's world even has something comparable to the Force. Whatever he has, it's only strong enough to enter the mind - not directly tamper with it or physically move objects. Maketh frowns.] Tampered with how, exactly?

I believe my Doctor has been inducing seizures, using unorthodox methods through therapy. I don't trust him... I've never felt as ill as this before and it's since I've been seeing him.

[ There was no force on Will's world, though had he known what it was, he would have loved for it to be real in his world too! But still, Will had this ability and no one else did. Made it hard for him to explain to others. Maketh was actually being more reasonable than some of the people back home. ]

[Psychological torture, Maketh supposes. Perhaps trying to test his abilities? Such things aren't unheard of in the Empire.] Are you in control of yourself?

I'm in control. I'm always in control.

[ Will paused, looking nervous, anxiety rising once me. He'd already opened up to Maketh thus far, heck she'd even seen him naked. There was nothing left to hide. ]

...But I tend to black out... I'll see, feel someones memories, act them out in my head, then come to my senses only to find I've lost hours of time.

[ He was on the verge of breaking down. ]

I can't tell if the murders are my own memories anymore.

I can remember everything, every last little disgusting detail about the murders... But I can't recall my own memories between doing so.

[Occasionally Maketh finds herself wishing the Inquisitor was here with her. The version of him that was still under her command and not the one that smiled while executing her men. The one she imagined. The man himself was nothing at all - a tool with a shark-tooth grin and no name. He might have understood this thing Will is describing, but Maketh doubts he would have shared the knowledge easily.] It sounds as if you are losing yourself to the power. Such things are--dangerous. I have no gifts, so I cannot speak to that. However, a few of my guardsmen have abilities of their own. They might be of some help to you.

[She's quiet for a moment, thinking.]

I have come to a decision, Will Graham. You will be allowed to leave and to keep your own council. Choose a residence wherever one is available and no one will stop you. Should you wish it, medical care will be provided to you.

[She picks up the pistol, examining it.]

You may take a weapon out of the armory for your own defense, but I will keep your firearm for the time being. I think it best if you cannot kill anyone easily, should you black out. Gain my trust and I will return it to you. Do you find these terms acceptable?

[ A deep, relieved sigh left Will's lips as he slumped down where he sat. She was letting him go? Will offered a genuine, if not a little awkward, smile in return. He'd never have though she would have been so reasonable when they first met. ]

I might take you up on that medical care... If this keeps happening... Don't know how much more of it I can stand.

[ Looking at his gun as he examined it in her hands. He knew she wasn't going to let him take it back, but was surprised to hear she was permitting him one from the armory should he see the need to have one. ]

No I um... I think I'd rather not have a weapon. I can have that one back once you trust me though? It's something from home, something familiar, I wouldn't want to part with it, not fully.

[ Sipping the last of his coffee before rubbing at his temples. A headache forming, one that Will knew was going to be a pain in the ass to get rid of or sleep off. ]

I'll get my bearings then leave you in peace then. Whereabouts would I find somewhere to stay exactly?

[Maketh frowns slightly.]

The armory has no firearms. Other, more primitive things--but our supply of guns and ammunition is severely limited.

[She ought to be clear on that point. But, thus far, she's decided to trust Will. At least as far as trust can go with a stranger.]

You ought to find a device on your person, like this.

[She produces her phone.]

There will be a map there. Most of the apartments are unoccupied.

[ Seems fair enough. She's got a trustworthy vibe about her, but he's still uneasy about being unarmed in a new, dangerous, environment. Still, all he has to do is prove his worth, then he can have it back. Fair, fair and square. ]

I'll pick myself something up then, I guess. Hmm?

[ Fishing around his pockets, Will finally found the device she was talking about. Flipping it over in his hands a few times, accessing its menu and so on. Pretty easy actually, kind of like a small smart phone? ]

Got it. Thanks, I'll be sure to check those out. Do you mind if I take the towel with me?

[ Motioning to his still wet hair. ]

I'll bring it back when I'm more settled in, if you don't mind that is?

[She's not going to begrudge him towels, of all things. Maketh nods just once.] Go ahead. And stay alive. There are good people here. Worthy of your trust.

[Whether she's among them is debatable, but the fact remains.]

Oh I have every intention of staying alive. You can count on that.

[ Draping the towel around his neck, Will made his way for the door. Turning back to face Maketh with an awkward smile. He'd remember her words, he'd be careful with who he trusts. ]

You take care and eh I'll be sure to check in from time to time. Thank you.

[ Heading off out the door with a head full of noise and paranoia slowly growing. He'd find a house and lay low a while. ]

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test drive meme #13

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