TEST DRIVE MEME #8

[abraxasmods]

TEST DRIVE MEME

Welcome to the eighth test drive meme for Abraxas! This meme is run a little bit differently than most in that you'll be asked to choose one of the three different arrival scenarios below for your character to take. If you have any questions about this mechanic or anything else related to the TDM, please take a look at the questions below or ask one of your own under the Questions header below. For general game questions please still use the FAQ.

Our Setting pages are full of information on the world of Abraxas, and an overview of the story so far can be found on our Game History page! Anything on that page - including information about the Horizon and the Singularity - can be assumed to be told to newcomers after they arrive, no matter which faction they are received in. For more information on Ambrose and the apprentice mages, Marlo, and Rowan, please see our NPCs page.

You can also find answers to questions asked on previous TDMs in their respective questions threads.

NOTED CURRENT EVENTS
◎ Rumor has it that two emissaries - a werewolf and a vampire - visited from Nocwich in early July. With them came some wares distributed to shops throughout each faction. A few sparse items may remain for purchase, such as glowing flowers or fine ales, but much of it has now been sold.

◎ New arrivals in THE FREE CITIES may hear a bit of chatter around Cadens about art, politics, and recent performances involving its sister city, Libertas. It's all standard fare - the kind of topics spoken about over a beer or in line at the market - but there's a small stir in the air.

◎ Lately, locals in SOLVUNN have begun to approach the Summoned with a sort of awe and respect. New arrivals will find themselves treated much the same way and may be asked for advice or given gifts that seem like offerings such as wine, harvest bounties, or some delicious goat cheese. Your character is free to turn these down and should they turn down enough people, they will not be bothered further as no one wishes to offend them.

Arrival

You awaken suspended in the abyss, silent darkness stretching out in all directions. If you try to yell, you'll find that the sound doesn't carry. If you try to move, you'll find it's impossible to tell whether or not you're actually getting anywhere. If you reach for an item you were carrying last time you remember being awake, your hand will only touch bare skin.

You're naked and floating helplessly through the void, and what little air you have in your lungs is running out.

There's a pinprick of light that almost looks like a faraway star but as it grows it becomes clear that it's actually quite close. Through the opening you can see a bright room, but it's hard to make out any individual objects, as if you're looking from beneath rippling water.

Scenario One: Welcome to Thorne

A hand plunges through and you realize water is just what it is. Whether you take hold of the hand or not it will grab you and yank you up through the surface, lifting you out until you're sprawled on solid ground. Once you catch your breath, you can get a better look at the surroundings: tall trees and even taller stone pillars surround the platform you're laying on. Behind you is an ornate fountain, the base of which is so deep and so dark you might be compelled to scramble away from it lest it suck you back in to that endless abyss. Ahead of you are the walls of a large castle with several tall towers reaching up towards the sky.

If you had any powers, they feel unusually weak. Attempts to use magic or enhanced strength or powers of any sort fizzle out without any effect, but they don't feel completely gone, either.

Set into an indent on a marble slab behind the fountain is a card bearing the image of one of the arcana.

An apprentice mage - the one whose hand lifted you out of the fountain - brushes the water off on their robes and runs back to join a group of three others, who all stare intently at a mage with highly decorated robes and a large, heavy book. He peers up at you for a moment and starts flipping through the book.

"One moment," he says, not bothering to look up from the tome. He looks tired. "I am Ambrose Rhett, the High Mage of the Kingdom of Thorne. We’ll explain everything in a moment, but for now, please calm down. You’re completely fine."

Regardless of your response, he keeps flipping through the pages, until he stops on one specific passage, stares at it for a moment, and then sighs with relief:

"Finally!"

Ambrose's expression brightens, relief visible across his features. He waves one of the apprentices over with a fine silk tunic, pants, and some basic sandals and with a wave of his hand they reshape to fit you perfectly.

"Oh, thank heavens," he says, closing the book and approaching you with a sort of worn-out relief. “I was beginning to believe we’d never get it exactly right.”

Now that he's not hunching over the book, he doesn't seem quite so stuffy and inapproachable. The apprentices all seem to visibly relax, and the one that handed you the tunic stops to take the tarot card down from the marble slab. If you show any curiosity about the card, they'll let you take a longer look, but won't let you touch it.

"Please, come with me," he says, motioning for you to follow him towards the castle. "As promised, my pupils will explain your current situation. And, ah - if you had any magic of your own, or other special abilities you can't access right now, fear not, they'll return within the week. The summoning takes a lot out of you."

One of the apprentices steps forward and rattles on and on about the castle, Thorne itself, the names of a bunch of royals and nobles, and of course, your reason for being here. The Kingdom and the world itself is in great peril, and tales of your exploits have reached far and wide across universes. If asked about these exploits, the apprentice will simply smile and shrug. The High Mage was happy to see you and that's good enough.

Once inside the castle you're taken to the North Wing, which has been set up as living quarters for you and your fellow newcomers. There are four people to a room, but each generously-sized bed has opaque curtains that can be drawn around it. You can meet your roommates here and discuss your shared situation (those who were previously brought in may have a great deal of information to tell you), or you can wander around and meet the others.

There's also a dining hall stocked with a rotating 24/7 buffet in celebration of the new honored guests. Somehow, your very favorite food is part of the rotation (or at least an attempted recreation of it given the limited technology available to the Thorneans). The town surrounding the castle is all abuzz as well, with most shops and services willing to give free samples of their wares to the new arrivals.

You may also notice that your sign is embroidered on your tunic: the same image you saw on the card from before with the name of the sign itself beneath it. If you ask the castle residents, they'll tell you a little bit about your sign (and will mostly stick to the positives, although some might point out the negatives).

Last (and, if you ask anyone else in the castle, least) there is a worn stone staircase leading underground to the dungeon. You can go there, if you wish, but all powers are restricted in the dungeons and most of the cells stand empty.

Scenario Two: Welcome to the Free Cities

You find yourself pulled from the water by a pair of strong hands. Dry warmth hits you at once as you're set on a warm hard floor. As your senses return you realize you're on dull ruddy stone and surrounded by strangers. Men and women in unfamiliar uniforms of brown and red leather stand in a semi-circle around a small pool of water. The very pool you were just pulled from. The water is still now, rimmed in pale gold tiles with odd symbols etched into them. Across it on the far side is a raised pedestal with a card propped on it. The card bears an arcana symbol.

You feel weak. Drained. Any abilities or magical powers you have seem far away and impossible to access. You're in what looks like a cave lit by dozens and dozens of torches set into the wall. There's no furniture or decoration to be seen besides the pool. It's almost uncomfortably warm and there's the sound of rushing wind somewhere in the distance. Flickering shadows obscure the faces of the guards. A robed woman stands off to the side, looking at you anxiously and then to the authoritative woman standing before you. She's grinning, dressed in a fancier uniform than the others. There's a sword at her hip. A guard covers you with a blanket and returns to their place in the semi-circle.

The woman with the sword gives a nod of approval and smiles warmly.

"Sorry about the circumstances."

She gives you a good hard look before standing again.

"Take a minute, catch your breath, you've had quite a shock. Take it nice and easy. I'm Prime Minister Marlo Reiner and you're in The Free Cities. That nice lady over there will explain everything to you and get you settled." A nod to the robed woman off to the side.

Marlo Reiner steps back and the robed mage approaches to help you up.

"Come with me, please." She brings you out of the cave through a corridor that angles upwards until you emerge in what looks like some kind of storage facility. Shelves of wooden boxes and cloth bags line them, unidentifiable parts of what might be machines are tucked into corners and propped against shelving units. "This is one of the Free Cities' outposts," the mage explains as she leads you. "We're honored to have you with us, I'm sure you have many questions but please save them. You need to recover!"

You'll learn you're in the Cadens Desert Outpost 003, a military outpost on the outskirts of Cadens city. You're brought to a room in the barracks that's been prepared. Each barracks room is rather sparse and utilitarian. Six simple beds set against the wall, three on each side of the room, each with a trunk at the foot of it. You're told the world is in a delicate and dangerous times and you're needed to help. You're important, you're told, and they're very grateful you're here.

You're asked to stay close for the time being, but to make yourself at home. The outpost is more a proper military base than the name implies, with full facilities. The barracks have a communal bathing room at the end of the hall, with curtains that can be pulled around the individual raised round tubs for privacy. There's a mess hall that has food available from sun up till a few hours after sundown. You're even encouraged to make use of the training grounds, if you'd like, with non-lethal training weapons available for use and obstacle courses set up. And the city of Cadens is only a couple of hours away by wagon - though you're asked initially to please be back at the outpost within a few hours of the sun going down.

For your own safety.

Scenario Three: Welcome to Solvunn

The feeling of floating is the first sense that comes to you as the edges of unconsciousness start to ebb. Sunlight filters through the rippling water as you open your eyes, making you squint. Before you have the chance to panic and inhale, firm hands grasp your arms and pull you to the surface of the water. Moments later, soft warmth is wrapped around your shoulders as you're guided on unsteady legs out of a pool of water. You're lowered to the soft grass. Men and women in simple garments with lavish embroidery stand by, waiting with bated breath, glancing seriously at an old man in an ornate robe. He holds an old leather-bound book in one hand and in the other is a card bearing an arcana symbol. His eyes move quickly over the page, and he mumbles idly to himself.

Any strength you may have possessed feels as though it has slipped through your fingers. Any abilities or magical powers you have don't come to the surface no matter how hard you try. You're in a grassy clearing in the midst of a circle of large stone slabs stacked to look like doorways. In the middle is the same glimmering pool you were just pulled from. A gentle breeze blows through, carrying the scent of flowers and herbs from an ornately decorated altar set off in front of one of the stone doorways. The mage closes his book and steps out of the water, addressing a matronly old woman. Behind her are two younger people, a rough-looking man, and a meek young girl, both of whom are also watching the mage.

“I detect no ill will from the gods, it seems we've been blessed with success.” Those that had gathered all breathe a sigh of relief and now seem pleased.

The old woman smiles and steps forward, offering to take your hands and help you stand. “Any gift the gods give us is one we will happily take. I'm certain you have many questions, and they will all be answered in time. For now, rest and know you will be taken care of.”

She pats the top of your hand and steps away with a serene smile, letting one of the others come forward with some clothes that seem to fit you perfectly. Once you're dressed, someone approaches to drape a delicate-looking charm depicting a long-horned creature with large wings on a thin chain over your neck. Ask around later, and you may find that it is a symbol of Vielehauffe, the God of the Herd.

The rough-looking man from before steps forward once you're decent and motions with his head outside of the stone circle. His speech is informal, his consonants harsh.

“Hold your horses, I can see all those questions coming about! Rowan March, at your service. I'm one of the council members of Solvunn. There's a lot to discuss, but it's best talked about over a hot meal.” He leads you to a horse-drawn carriage and helps you up into the back. He talks the entire ride to the settlement.

You find out you are in the Primary Settlement, the first of three that make up Solvunn's great territory. The settlement is situated between two lakes and is humming with life. You're brought to the center of town and escorted to an apartment above one of the establishments in town. Rowan explains that the living conditions are temporary if you'd like them to be, that local families would also be happy to host you in their home. That there are others like you who have also taken up residence within the three settlements. You're told that the world hangs upon the brink of disaster and that there are those in this world that are happy to see it fall to ruin with their meddling.

You're important. The gods have graced them with your presence. They're delighted you're here. Welcome to Solvunn.

Everything you need has been provided in this humble apartment, and if it hasn't, there are shops that line the streets and a marketplace in the center of town. Owners of some establishments or stalls are more than happy to give out samples or barter with your time for their goods. Babysitting can be a very lucrative business. You're told of the other settlements, that they'd like you to stay here for now, but if you can find a family to host you, the secondary and tertiary settlements are best to get to with an escort.

There are tales of travelers visiting the secondary settlement without invitation disappearing without a trace. The gods are as hungry as they are protective, young traveler.

You’ll find that there are more than enough activities to throw yourself into to better settle into your new life in Solvunn. Work is done in the first part of the day so that families can spend the rest of it together in leisure and work on their crafts - whatever those may be. For those children who are not of school age, they need nannies or storytellers, and there’s always a gaggle of them running about unsupervised. Families with livestock can always take a spare hand, especially since farms are so spread out, they have a tendency to wander. Whatever skills you may possess can always be of use to the community or to honor the gods.

If any of these options are no good for your lifestyle, the main roads between settlements can always use a bit of monster clean-up… just make sure you don’t go alone.

---

Questions

How many slots are open?
Please check the Taken page for how many player, franchise, and canon slots are available. Activity check will be processed before applications open, so the count may change between now and then. Existing players can apply for a second character without restriction.

How do I choose a scenario for my character?
Pick whichever situation appeals to you most. Which faction your character is drawn into has nothing to do with their personal morality, beliefs, or how highly they regard themselves and their own accomplishments. Anyone can be put into any one of the situations.

Can I try out more than one scenario?
You can! But please keep in mind that only the one you eventually choose can be game canon, if you decide to keep any of your TDM threads.

What happens if my character refuses to comply with the NPCs?
They will be forgiven for their moment of panic or anger if they have one, and the faction leaders will try to calm them and persuade them further. If they put up too much of a fight and/or start actively attacking anyone, they will be warned once that everyone is willing to put them back in the well where they came from (see below), and if they continue to fight they will make good on that promise.

My character intends on causing a lot of trouble (destroying parts of the cities, murdering the NPCs, etc.), what would happen to them?
Characters who make too much trouble for the mages and other NPCs would be thrown back in the well (which will mean drowning in the void, not returning home). Brawling with other PCs and causing minor damage is fine and will be greeted with a cranky attitude and intervention from various NPC guards, and there will be plenty of opportunity for destruction and murder later, but for now the Abraxans have no desire to keep huge liabilities around.

I want to wildcard a prompt or use one of the prompts from an earlier TDM that isn't on this one (eg. the library), can I do that?
Yes, in terms of the settings. As Thorne is no longer imprisoning any newcomers, that option is no longer applicable.

Is the power loss for characters permanent?
No, but it does take a week or so for their powers to be back in full, and certain powers (determined on a case-by-case basis) may require nerfs. If your character has world-breaking powers, please discuss with the mods what modifications may be necessary.

Can my character leave the bounds of the faction?
In Thorne, characters can leave the castle but not the city. In Cadens, they can take a trip from the outpost to the city. In Solvunn, they can explore the entirety of the Primary Settlement.

Can my character eventually change factions?
Yes. While the faction borders are currently closed, there will opportunities in the future for characters to relocate. For the time being, they are stuck where they are.

How much will my choice of scenario affect my character's plot later on?
This choice will determine where your character initially lives as well as the bias of the information they receive from NPCs (although other PCs can and most likely will give it to them a bit more straight). This decision - and every other major decision you make in game! - will also be used to flavor some mod surprises that will be coming down the line.

Don't get too anxious about this choice, though; this is just one choice you'll get to make in a game that has a lot of them, and every character in every scenario can work their way towards many, many individual goals and outcomes. You're not locking yourself out of anything in the future via the choice you made on the TDM. It will primarily impact the immediate future with the far-reaching effects being up to each player.

Are TDM threads mandatory for my application?
No, you may use other samples, but we encourage you to post to the TDM and get a feel for this game and its mechanics before you join. If you do not have a TDM thread you will still need to choose one of the three scenarios on your application.

What if I haven't settled on a sign yet?
You can ignore sign-related prompts if you're undecided (or try out different signs in different threads).

Can my character go to the Horizon?
First time visitors to the Horizon must be taken there by other characters, through either shared meditation or a physical journey to the Singularity, and all first-timers experience memory loss. For the purposes of the TDM, we suggest against using the Horizon.

What about making use of the network?
Much like Horizon they would need to be introduced to it by another PC, as no NPCs would be aware of the network or be able to access it. Because of this we would advise against using this mechanic for TDM top-levels.

---

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Comments

nikolai lantsov | grishaverse | free cities | the fool

[reznikolai]

I. around the barracks

Despite all the wrong turns his life has taken in the past handful of months, Nikolai has to admit that being fished from a pool to find himself in an entirely different world was not a turn he anticipated. And he had a whole mental list prepared of all the ways things could go (further) to hell...

However, Nikolai is nothing if not quick to adapt, the too-clever fox that always finds a way to survive another day. He listens to the welcoming spiel and asks questions until the robed mage gently suggests that he get acquainted with his new lodgings and comrades. So off he goes, exploring every corner of the compound and easily approaching whomever he crosses paths with.

At the training grounds, Nikolai watches another Summoned practice from a few yards away, noting the form and technique, before walking over with a disarming grin.

"In need of a sparring partner? I promise that I'm a step up from the practice dummies," he jokes. Tall and trim, his physique lends some credibility to this claim. And with his shirt sleeves rolled up — he prefers to cover up, but the desert heat has forced his hand — the scars fracturing his hands are visible. They're curious things, black tendrils climbing up his forearms. From a distance, one might think he'd dipped his fingers in ink and made a mess of himself, but up close the tilled-up texture of his skin is unmistakable.

Eventually, he finds his way back to that storage room he'd been led through after his drowned rat episode. His curiosity leads him to the bits of machinery seemingly gathering dust on the shelves, and his sharp eyes to a small tool box tucked among the wooden crates.

Long story short, should you enter the storage room for whatever reason, you'll find this man kneeling on the floor, methodically taking apart a who-knows-what with an expression that wavers between intense focus and manic glee — and if you're especially lucky, you might even enter at the exact moment that a small screw or spring or what-have-you pops into the air and pelts your way. Nikolai looks up, reminiscent of a(n incredibly handsome) rodent suddenly emerging from its hole.

"Did you see where that went?" A frown and a thoughtful hum. "I imagine I'll need it to put this thing back together..."

II. around the city

Of course Nikolai jumps at the opportunity to explore the nearby city, uncomfortable wagon-ride be damned. There, he sponges up news, gossip, and political discourse from cafes and taverns. He peruses the history museum, uncovering the conflicts and triumphs that have made this nation. He finds his way to a particular corner of the city where several of its academies cluster together.

On a whim, he walks up alongside a student on their way to class — or who he thinks could be a student, but maybe it's another Summoned?

"Say, are you a student here?" he asks, all measured charm. "You wouldn't happen to have a bring-a-stranger-to-class day coming up soon, would you?"

Cal Kestis | Jedi fallen order | Thorne, Strength

[tombsurfing]

North Wing; Rooms

[ Cal kept his attention divided between this little orientation and his surroundings, mostly watching other people in the hopes of seeing a familiar face or two. As the minutes went by, it began to look as if Cal alone was thrust into this strange place and his friends were still back on the Mantis. He wondered how long before they noticed he wasn't there. Likely a while. Cere insisted he rest in the back, that he needed to take advantage of the reprieve they were finally granted after what felt like decades of racing around the galaxy desperately trying to stay one step ahead of the Empire. BD-1 will probably notice he's gone first, and with any luck he'll tell the others.

But would that actually help? It's not as if he fell into a cave and got stuck, or got lost in a seemingly endless tomb. He woke up in a fountain stripped of all his belongings...his lightsaber. Something tells him he won't be so easily found.

First thing's first, he scopes out where he's meant to stay. He's desperately manifesting the belief that he won't be here long enough to need it, but he should check it out regardless.

The thought of sharing a room was new and, probably silly in light of everything he's been through, a bit nerve wracking. He's stopped in front of the door, contemplating if he should...just go in, or announce his presence and then go in, or announce his presence and wait, or—

—maybe someone should tell him to stop blocking the doorway. ]

Dungeon

[ There's no way Cal can ignore the stone steps descending deeper into the castle. He's not sure if he's allowed, but that hasn't stopped him in the past, so why start worrying about such things now?

Doesn't seem like much going on here, but you'll catch Cal walking through the dungeon and looking into the empty cells with curiosity, sometimes reaching out to touch the bars expectantly, as if waiting for something to happen. ]

...Nothing.

Library

[ What better way to find out more about a place than scouring its library? Aside from listening to force echoes, of course. But his connection with the Force feels weak right now, and apparently it's only temporary, however that's supposed to work. Until then, though, he can be found wandering about the grand library, opening books to read a little before he closes it and puts it back, repeating the process.

He sighs after a while as he sets a book back in place. ]

Don't even know where I should start.

[ Boy does he miss BD-1. He would have found so many useful things by now. ]

Wildcard

[ Feel free to make up anything, I'm super open and love unexpected wildcard things 👀 Also, as a note, I defaulted to brackets, but I am absolutely fine with prose. Just hit me with whatever you find most comfortable! ]

cadens!

[godshattering]

[ It's been a bit since Claude's gone out to any of the taverns, mostly preferring to lurk around the inn where he stays. But a merchant he's befriended offered to buy him a drink after Claude spent the better part of the day organizing his inventory, and who is he to say no to a free drink? Plus it provides an opportunity to people watch until the place gets too crowded to make out anyone past the tables where they are, and he should probably pay more attention to the merchant who invited him there. Maybe it'll be an opportunity to find a job or just glean more information from someone with a wider social circle than Claude has now.

Time passes and he's mostly finished with his drink when someone approaches the table while he's taking a drink. At first, he doesn't pay attention beyond noting a presence. There's a good chance it's just someone who knows the merchant or that they're just waiting for people in the makeshift aisles to pass by to get to wherever they're going. It's not until said person speaks and he realizes he recognizes that voice that Claude straightens up and looks right at - yes, it's definitely Sylvain.

If there's any surprise on his part it's very quickly wiped away in favor of a mock frown because Claude never turns down a chance to be dramatic when one presents itself. ]

Really. [ Now he'll hold his hands out at his sides with palms up in the universal gesture of a disappointed parent asking their child what it is they think they're doing, though his tone betrays nothing other than sheer amusement. ] You're really just gonna walk past me to hit on someone else? I'm absolutely wounded.

[ This feels like the safest response for - well, lots of reasons, really. Whatever reaction he gets might help him gauge what else his should be. ]

mess hall!

[godshattering]

[ Claude can count the number of times he's been back to the barracks since he was summoned on one hand. As in: basically just this trip. He'd caught wind of there being more arrivals to the Free Cities and curiosity won out when it came to making the trip out. Mostly he'd just surveyed things from a distance to note the new faces anyone he doesn't recognize but didn't necessarily stop to talk to anyone unless they looked truly lost. That turns out to be more people than he'd thought because he remembers struggling with that sudden change all too well since it was just a couple of months ago for him. Eventually it dawns on him that it's around a mealtime and he's starving, so why not take advantage of the mess hall?

Fortunately, whoever's on duty that day either doesn't know that he's not new here himself or doesn't care, so Claude's seated at a table with a number of dishes himself on his tray. A book he picked up from the bookshelves is opened before him, mostly just to give him something to focus on rather than continue people watching, but when someone speaks up he looks up with a quick smile. ]

Not at all, go right ahead.

[ Claude's quick to clear the book out of the way, closing it to set on the seat next to him and corralling some of his food back into his own side of the table to be a considerate tablemate. It's while doing so that he realizes her tray is just as loaded up, and that smile grows just a bit wider. ]

You're after my own heart with that amount of food. Not all of it out here at the barracks is great, but it's pretty much all worth trying once. Are you new here?

And they were *roommates*

[tawltales]

Before Cal can make up his mind, the door opens anyway. Ben has decided it'll do for now, and he should start trying to figure out this castle.

Ben does a small start at seeing the young man...right there when he opens the door. "Oh. Hello." He offers, before standing back. "Are you looking for a bunk to claim? There seem to be plenty here."

He may as well stick around a little longer and make sure the young man's all right. It was a harrowing experience being pulled out of the water.

[Has to be non-canon if you're apping, but the prompt was too tempting, haha.]

[solmate]

In the arid climate and her near constant attempts to keep the unsightly antlers knotted in her skin out of view, Alina has come a far way from poorly conceived hat-based disguises. It isn't surprising that Nikolai wouldn't recognize her immediately, blended into the crowd with a linen scarf swooped around her neck and shoulders and then up over part of her hair.

She turns, more surprised that anyone is talking to her rather than who it is.

"Oh," She looks around to confirm he isn't talking past her to someone else. It happens. When she sees none, she adjusts the bag on her shoulder carrying an over-sized drawing tablet for her figure drawing session. "In the large halls they don't take attendance. You can walk right in and no one will notice."

The Inn - After Inej

[itookashot]

It has been a long few days but in the most marvelous way. Jesper has been out from dawn to sunset ever since the Art Walk started selling his wares, and then he goes back to make some more, and do it again the next day. He's sold out and currently carrying a box back with him, protectively holding it tight to his chest because it is completely full of money. A lot of small bills and coins, since he sells trinkets, but many of them pile up after a while. The funny part is that it's not as if he needs it, since he is not gambling anymore. He and Inej have a stash that he keeps adding to without big plans to use it.

He looks weary since he's been on all day, selling his bright smile as much as his jewelry, but very, very satisfied. Jesper doesn't bother to ask for a drink from who is tending, he simply walks behind it to get his own, that is how comfortable he is here. He did not take out his bright green jacket today since it was too hot, but he does have a green vest over a white short-sleeved shirt, so he still pops in color. A pair of revolvers are on his hips, similar enough to be mimics of the ones back home, but not the same.

"Hmmm? New guy?" The bartender talks to him quietly and he keeps the box but looks in the direction of Kaz. It's become fairly normal that Jesper notices when new people come in and greets them, but he really doesn't expect this. His jaw drops and his eyes widen and he leaves his drink behind to hustle over to where his boss/best friend is casually sitting across from the door.

"Kaz, if you wouldn't kill me, I would kiss you right now." Jesper smiles so wide, so absolutely relieved and joyful.

Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad | Assassin's Creed | Free Cities

[aquilus]

arrival/barracks/training ground;

[In one moment, he is in Masyaf with the Apple, clutching fire that doesn't burn, holding power he will not wield. And then all he knows is that he is somewhere else — wet, nude, greeted by strangers.

It would be no surprise to his brothers that Altaïr lashes out in this moment, certain that this is another phantom of the apple, an illusion sent by Al Mualim from beyond his pyre. It's very much a surprise to himself when he doesn't attempt to fight his way out and does, indeed, calm down.

(What else can he do? This is either more convincing than any illusion his mentor was able to cast while he lived, or it is real. And an Assassin by observing, learning, gathering information, always.)

In the period of time that follows, Altaïr is somewhat mollified when he's able to find clothing with a hood, which remains up at nearly all times. It makes him feel better to partially conceal his face, even if he can't truly blend with the people. For the most part, he keeps to himself in the barracks, though he will answer if spoken to. In the dining hall, he enjoys his food, surprised and pleased that cuisine of the Levant is available, and visibly confused by some of the other, more 'modern' options.

The training hall is more to his style, where he vents his frustration with weapons that may not be meant to kill, but if they could do so in anyone's hands, they would in his. Clearly, he is a fighter of no little skill. The obstacle course is also a favored location as he pushes himself farther, faster, making almost no sound as he goes.]

out & about/Cadens City;

[As always, he takes to the rooftops as best he can, certain that the best way to learn the lay of the land is from above. For the most part, he's able to escape detection, but that is largely because most people do not often look up — anyone who does so may spot a figure traversing what is not often a pedestrian space. And of course, eventually he has to come down, which may or may not be in a place of solitude.

Reconaissance achieved, he ventures into the region of the city that may hold a forge, a sheaf of papers depicting a hand-drawn mechanism under his arm. If asked what he is looking for, he will simply reply "a blacksmith, one of skill and discretion."]

wild card;

[TOSS ME ANYTHING I WILL MEET YOU WHERE IT LANDS. Apologies that Altaïr is not Mr. Social with his starters but if you care to tag this nerd I promise not to make actual interaction like prying teeth.]

Where else would they meet but a rooftop

[moderndayassassin]

[ Desmond really did not expect to wake up to this situation; he didn't expect to wake up at all. Finding himself experiencing a city that looks historical is not new, but this isn't any Bleed, this is real. He has to slap himself a few times and cut his hand just to be sure. Real. Ish. He is a more social person so after experiencing a decent amount of shock, he did start to chat with others, try not to bring too much attention to himself, and then ran off. He's never wanted to be a part of any army, that's why he fled the Assassins in the first place.

Proving himself very much a descendent of his ancestors, Desmond not only found a shirt with a hood, but he climbed up easily to the rooftops and had the same exact idea as Altaïr. Look around from there, get a lay of the land. He has spotted something of interest so he's hopping between them and finds himself landing on a rooftop at the same time as Altaïr. This is when he's fairly sure that he is not in Kansas anymore.

He openly gapes at the man who has only ever existed in his mind until now, and he smacks the side of his head a few times, as if thinking that will reboot his mind's computer and remove the face that shouldn't be there. Except. He stays. ]

This can't be real.

forces u to rp with me twice (storage closet)

[groza]

One second Nikolai is minding his own business, enjoying a blissful moment away from the responsibility of his kingdom and filling the space with manic tinkering and the next the door swings forward with a jarring and unnatural gust.

"There you are," Zoya says, exasperated and unsurprised. Of course if she was here Nikolai would be as well. After all, this is not the first time they slipped into a strange pocket dimension together. Zoya expertly hides any relief that she actually has found him, and embraces the role of a storm cloud rolling in to ruin his sunny day.

"Come," she instructs with the flex of two elegant fingers. Shouldn't it be considered improper the way she orders around a king? Not that notions of propriety would stop her. "We have to find whoever can send us home from this awful place."

Jack Skellington | The Nightmare Before Christmas | Solvunn | The Fool |

[doubledead]

((OOC: I'm happy playing in both brackets and prose!!))

1. ARRIVAL-- newbie apartments

The last thing Jack remembered was the shrill whistle of a military charge headed straight for his sleigh. The roaring wind and the hissing of fire lingered on the edge of his senses. And then there was nothing but the free floating feeling of falling through miles and miles of open sky. However, Jack did not come crashing down in an old cemetery surrounded by his ruined plans. He opened his eye sockets underwater and before he had the chance to question what had happened, he was gently tugged upright and given quite a welcome.

Human beings! All around him were humans and while they were all looking at him with varying degrees of awe, none of them had run screaming. Jack couldn't decide if he liked that or not. He felt...terrible. He felt weak, weaker than he had when he'd spent several nights awake unfolding the algebra of Christmas with only wine to keep him going.

After everything is said and done, the tall skeleton stands at the window of his apartment looking down on the foot traffic below. It is clear his quarters belong to a newcomer so should anyone come knocking, he will be there to answer.


2. ADVENTURES IN BABYSITTING--around town

The sound of wailing children can be herd emanating from a building down the lane. What at first may seem like an attack by some terrible undead creature on a household full of orphans plays out. Jack stands at the doorway with his arms pinned to his sides and his head dipped in shame. The woman in the doorway barring the way between Jack and a herd of unhappy children shakes a finger at him and shouts.

"You're supposed to be a chosen one and this is how you behave!"

"I'm so, so sorry, ma'am. But that is how I remember Cinderella ending! I thought they would like it, honest I did."

"You won't be telling any more stories on my watch." The woman picks up a toddler who is red in the face and scrubbing at her eyes with her tiny fists. "Go!"

Jack heaves a sigh and nods before turning with his metaphorical tail tucked between his legs. It wasn't his fault that kids these days couldn't handle the original Brothers Grimm fairytales! They were the only fairytales he knew! With a hand rubbing one shoulder, Jack skulked away from the scene, thoroughly embarrassed.

Nobody saw that, right?


3. SCARECROW--farmland

What better place for a man who prides himself on being terrifying than out in a field where his only job was to frighten crows? This is what the people of the settlement eventually came to agree on. Jack couldn't tell stories to children without making them cry, couldn't emborder robes without making grisly scenes of people being beheaded, and could hardly be counted on to carry heavy loads. He was only bones after all.

Yes, a scarecrow was the perfect job for him.

Jack sat perched atop a wooden frame that stood tall over a sprawling field of vegetables of all kinds. He looked the part of the scarecrow as well, having been gifted with a broad hat to keep the sun out of his eyes. He barely looked alive at all save for when his fidgety nature prompted him to turn and wave at those passing by on the roads or to fling his arms up and spook circling birds.

"Boo!" he would shout at them. "Go away!"

[bealufull]

Just the three of us. It feels painful in a way. A reminder of their loss. Wondering if that had brought an acute loss for Jesper. But it was the three of them. That mattered in ways Kaz might never talk about, but they had been his long before anyone else had become close to them, and now even in this odd slip in time or whatever it was, they were there now.

"I don't know. It does make people talk," he notes, not used to being the one to make the grand entrance as it feels he is. Just as the curl of her finger against his feels like something so much greater than most might think it is, but for him, in public, it is huge.

Not that he's so much as looking at their fingers, or looking away from her face.

He snorts though at that, giving her a hard look that is more amused than most might think. "As if you need an escort to get anywhere safely. It was more not risking your job. I can't imagine what I would do to a tender at the Crow Club that took too much time away from their work."

Yet he's quickly caught up in the story she tells. About their arrival, about what has been happening in the city, the factions. Especially about this Singularity and the Horizon... and the magic that comes with it.

"Much better together," he says with a nod, as if that is all there is to take away from it all. "They really have a way of giving people abilities like the Grisha possess? Just be existing in this dream like land?"

[bealufull]

Inej had told him all she could about this place and he is still working on processing that. About where he'll go from here, what he wants in this place. If this is going to be his world for who knows how long, then he needs to find his path... and theirs. For all of them, with no thought in his head that it wouldn't be just as it had been in the Barrel.

And she had told him about Jesper being there. So when that flash of bright green comes through the door, he straightens to watch him as he moves through the room. Taking in the way he dresses, that he goes for his own drink behind the bar as if its as much home as the Crow Club had been, and how he clutches that box tight to his chest.

Then that familiar gaze turns to him.

Not rising, mostly because of the pain in his leg that he's working to hide, gesturing Jesper closer as if he needs that permission. Right until those words.

For the briefest of moments there's a look on his face that is nearly shock, and worse in his mind, uncertain. If he was willing for that kind of contact, would he want Jesper to kiss him? Its not a thought he needs now and he pushes it away.

"So I've been told you and Inej decided to rush off and start a new empire for us," he says in that dry way of taunting he had.

I MEAN REALLY

[aquilus]

[His instincts must truly still be rattled. Altaïr had thought himself steadier this last day or so, but he's not used to being discovered, and here someone is, clambering up near to him on the roof. Or maybe it was his own carelessness, underestimating the people in this land. It won't happen again.

He tenses, caught in a crouch and then standing as the other man fails to speak. It's not that he expected an inquiry about his intention from someone else who saw fight to climb, but he expects something — but at first there's nothing, and when the man speaks, it's clearly not to him.

A moment to observe, then. Altaïr takes in his coloring, the hood he wears. The man could almost be one of his brothers, but he knows every Assassin in Masyaf and many cities beyond. None of them are prone to acting as one crazed.]

Are you mad?

[shadowthief]

There is something rather right about the three of them in a place together. It was just that for so long, but she still misses Nina and Wylan, still sends prayers to Sankt Demyan for Matthias at night. The six of them had become a family. The three of them here could still be.

"Was that a laugh?" she muses, tilting her head a little to the side, almost like she's studying him. She'd actually really like to earn a real one from him one day. "Mag isn't you," she points out. "Most people aren't. And this is regular inn, Kaz." Not something backed by gangs. She isn't worried about getting in trouble, half the people in here would be just as likely to serve themselves because they also work or live here anyway.

As she talks, she slips up onto the edge of the bar, swinging her legs over to the other side of it, sliding her hand surreptitiously back toward his as she leans back on her arms. There if he wants it. Or not if he doesn't. No pressure, because she wouldn't want it, herself.

There's something so... grounding in hearing that from him. The small sort of admission he wouldn't let slip to anyone else– she was always the one that goes those confessions, though, wasn't she? "It's The Singularity... you'll have to go into the Horizon. The first time is... very disorienting. You'll hate it, but...after, it is...like a dream. A dream that you can control, in any way you want. If you want the sky to be purple, it is. It's- amazing." Not that she spends a lot of time in hers, but it's nice to go to on occasion. "It's vulnerable to go into it, though... it's a mental space that feels like reality, but your true body is still out here," she gestures with her free hand at the space around them. "you're essentially unconscious the entire time you're inside of it." Which is, for many, many reasons, part of the reason she doesn't go to the Horizon as much as some people tend to.

"But the magic... once you start gaining those abilities... you can use them any time. Much more limited than the Small Science of the Grisha, but useful all the same. And you can build on the spells that you learn. Make them stronger with practice." It's all very awe-inspiring to her, like being granted something from a Higher Power.

[tombsurfing]

Cal also starts when the door is suddenly opened, eyes momentarily widening like a cornered bogling.

"Whoa — uh, hi," he offers weakly, rubbing the back of his head. "Sorry, yeah...I wasn't sure which rooms were free."

He's relieved that the first room he tried seems to have spare space, though. He did not relish in the idea of doing this several more times. It wouldn't have felt any less awkward after the first.

[ No problem! I am so glad my prompts have tempted 👀 ]

[itookashot]

Kaz Brekker is here and if he didn't already know the weight of that sharp gaze on him, when his familiar voice speaks, it may be one of the most beautiful sounds he's heard in a long time. That is what absence can do, make the heart fonder. Jesper pulls up a chair and can't stop smiling at him like he's a winning hand after losing ten.

"Well, we didn't have much of a choice, but we're very adaptable, as you know." They both have Kaz partly to thank for that. They were all very capable on their own, but it was only when brought together that the chess pieces they are were became a true threat to the others.

"She must have given you the summary. And you will be needing a cane, which I'll get you. A friend of mine uses one, and I think his blacksmith boyfriend made a few extras. I'll put the crow head on, make it all official-like." Jesper is trying not to seem as eager to please as he is, but he's gotten out of practice pretending to be cool. He hands the box of money over to Kaz with a wink.

"I got you a present without even knowing it."

that meat remains a mystery

[warfed]

[Pleased to see that someone else has the same idea, Petra offers a confident smile in reply, lowering the sword she had previously been pointing with.]

I am always being ready for battle.

[Now is no exception, even if she is feeling weaker than she would like. She shifts her stance, raising her training blade in preparation to deflect any incoming blows at a moment's notice.]

We begin on your count!

Re: I MEAN REALLY

[moderndayassassin]

Uh, technically, maybe.

[ To be fair to Altaïr, Desmond is as quiet as any other Assassin, so it's not as if it was a normal person jumping onto the roof. He pushes the hood back and it's true, he and Altaïr look like they could be brothers, so alike that it would seem impossible they aren't connected in some way. But he is so not going to get into all of that.

He is still trying to make sense of the fact that this particular man is here. Could this be a weird heaven or purgatory he's been sent to? It would make sense for Altaïr to be here if that was the case, being long dead himself, but it's so confusing. Desmond stops tapping his head as that's not going to help at all, considering what to do here. He can't explain, but there may be a middle ground.]

Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad.

[ He points at his ancestor. ]

Desmond Miles.

[ He points at himself. ]

We work in the dark.

[ The creed. ]

mess hall!

[godshattering]

[ The barracks aren't a place Claude spends a lot of time these days - having not really returned at all after making his way into Cadens proper to stay there instead - but hearing there were new faces showing up at the outpost was reason enough to make the trip back over. Curiosity both about who would be showing up and whether anyone he knew was a large part of that, and as he worked his way through his former one-time residence: it wasn't looking good since there's no one from his past around so far.

Stopping in the mess hall to eat rather than waiting to get back to the city starts to sound like a better and better idea the longer Claude's there, so that's exactly where he ends up. With a tray in hand he surveys the room for somewhere to sit and has the strangest feeling of deja vu to back to his academy days for a second - until he spots someone familiar. Or at least she looks familiar from where he's standing a few tables back behind her so he approaches to have it confirmed that yes, he is looking at who he thinks he is. ]

It's definitely not boar, I know that much. I've never actually asked what it is but I can confirm it's delicious, if that helps any.

[ He's just going to sit right down across from Petra like everything's totally normal here, like they aren't both in a place that's decidedly Not Fodlan. Claude gives her an easy smile to go with it as he picks up his silverware and then points with his fork to the vegetables. ]

I'm not gonna say this place is known for great food overall, but you definitely can't go wrong with what's on your plate. We ate more questionable things back in Garreg Mach's dining hall, really.

[warfed]

[Petra has long been acquainted with moving through the shadows, a skill that has proven itself useful time and time again, going so far as to save her life on more than one occasion. Now, its use is not so dire, but it is still to her benefit that when she realizes sleep will not come easily, she is able to slip out of the barracks without notice. She does not go far; she perches herself on the roof of the building and keeps lookout, going over the events of the day in her own head as she tries to process what has happened and what to do next.

It's from her perch that she sees Claire slip out and away; the girl is clearly someone who is used to moving in such a way as to avoid attention, and Petra might not have noticed if she were not an expert herself. For a moment, she considers whether or not to speak out or to follow, and almost stays put to allow the other girl peace, but concern and curiosity eventually win out.

She quietly drops from her own perch and follows at a distance, only approaching when Claire has folded in on herself. She does so with a raised hand, cautious, her voice calm and even.]

I also could not sleep. Are you alright?

[A silly question. She clearly is not, but it is difficult to know what to say in situations like these. That has never been her strong point.]

Toko Fukawa | Danganronpa | The Lovers | Solvunn/Free Cities

[shiftybladesofcray]

1) SOLVUNN ARRIVAL

[“I detect no ill will from the gods, it seems we've been blessed with success."]

Wha—?!

[“Any gift the gods give us is one we will happily take. I'm certain you have many questions, and they will all be answered in time. For now, rest and know you will be taken care of.”]

Eh? G-Gift?!

[There's an offering of clothes and a retinue of placid-faced mages, a gentle breeze, and a postcard-worthy tribute to Stonehenge curling around the clearing. It's serenity defined, something to daydream about when pining for the mystic. Fukawa would happily concoct such a scene herself, though she probably wouldn't be getting dragged naked from a pond.

A kindly hand reaches out to her.]

Don't touch me! [Fukawa snaps away, rolling and curling and hissing, doing her best to maintain modesty while threatening to bite a finger.] What is this, s-some kind of freaky cult orgy? Are you looking for a virgin sacrifice? I b-bet you are, sicko! You t-took one look at me and said that hideous girl has to be a v-virgin, didn't you?

["Ah, no, I think you're misunderstanding—"]

You can't fool me! If it's not a sacrifice, then it's some kind of creepy sex magic! Isn't it?! [The mages are uncomfortable. Fukawa cuddles her knees close and throws an accusatory finger at them.] Well know this! You can d-do what you want with my body, but you'll n-never break my spirit!

[There is a weary sigh. "Ma'am, can you please just put some clothes on?"

Sometime later, Fukawa finds herself neither killed nor ravished (and somehow put out about both) left to explore in town on her own. She was tempted to sulk in the free lodgings they gave to her, spooked by the medieval trappings outside, but she's loathe to stay in this hellhole for another minute. Whether it's a dream, a simulation, or a complete freak Narnian circumstance, it doesn't matter. She needs to find the way out.

First, she's been disarmed. The taser and scissors are as AWOL as her clothes, and so she slinks amid the shops, scowling over any displays of tools or blades. There might be a pair of shears or two, but they're rather large, and she has no clue what would be a good substitute for her usual blades. No way to ask either, outside the obvious. That's not happening until she knows what she's dealing with.

When she hears about the farms she also agrees to work, though she immediately disappears into whatever passes for a tool shed. She's dead set on finding a weapon, legally or not.]


2) STORYTIME

[Once Fukawa realizes that cash is king and her feeble body is unfit for any decent pre-industrial labor, she's left to grasp at straws. Oh, sure, anyone would think that the SHSL Literary Prodigy, wunderkind behind over eighty best-selling novels, would leap at the chance to play storyteller. Sounds perfect, doesn't it?]

Th-the wind blew...c-c-cold over the m-mountain...

[If it were in writing, maybe.

Fukawa shivers, glancing up at the cow-eyed passel of tykes she's been abandoned with. They're all waiting on her. Sweat beads at her brow. Her eyes skate over the pages and her heart thuds harder. The prose is simple but her tongue is tied. It's this fucking stutter. It's bad enough on a regular day, but add the pressure of performing? Public humiliation?

Figures that someone whose only gift is words still has to mangle them once they're off the page.

She sees a stranger passing by and hunches up tighter, voice dimming. Don't cry. Don't cry, you useless sack of trash.]

...b-bringing the f-f-first taste of winter to th-the v-v-village.

[A tow-headed boy raises his hand. "Miss? Can you go faster please?"

She shrivels further and feels a tear break loose. What a bunch of ungrateful brats.]



3) FREE CITIES - BARRACKS

[Being cast out into an alternate reality and landing in the middle of Jock Central is proof that this is actually hell. Fukawa has no patience for meatheads. Military, gym, sports, nature-lovers. All of them, revolting. She despises their can-do candour, their easy affability, their repetitive, incessant exercising and all the greasy sweat. And people tell her she smells. Ha! Have they ever been to a locker room?

She slithers through the hall with a non-stop grumble, the words muted but the bile inescapable. There was no refuge here. She was surrounded. There wasn't one single upside to...

She slows.

Backtracks to that slight crack in the door.

Is that a public bath?

A man breaches the water, droplets cascading down a fine-chiseled back, the shoulder blades winging wide as he scoops his wet hair out of their face. The lights make a gleaming pillar of his body, a glistening Adonis captured in the nude.

Fukawa, whose pallor leans more corpse than fair, goes tomato red in two seconds flat.

She'll just, um. Linger here a second. Don't mind her.]



((NOTE: if you're canon familiar and want the better? other half, let me know in the subject/a DM/Whatever! Happy to do a wildcard or spring her into a thread at the right moment))

[bealufull]

"That was a sound only you are ever likely to hear," he allows, a memory that he is more open around her than he's used to being, but not wanting to take that away either. He has to make the choice to change if it's worth it for her. For them. Isn't this the place for it, is only that he has no reputation as Dirtyhands to uphold. Yet that didn't mean he was truly ready to let go of who he is. Just to maybe open those doors a bit. For some.

"A regular inn," he says with an entirely different snort like sound than he'd given before. "Is there such a thing?" Though now he's curious about this Mag who isn't him and who has employed his Wraith without utilizing her greatest traits. At least not on the surface, and certainly not if she's running a "regular" inn.

He watches her move, leaning back slightly as she does. It feels suddenly like too much, leaving an uncertainty he's not sure about. Yet when she slides her hand into place, her words come back to him. How much is he willing to give?

This time his fingers come to rest against hers, curling around her index finger and holding onto that connection as they talk.

"Oh there's so much I already hate about this place," he says, tones flat because it will be a while before he gets over that pool and how somehow they come to naked and in water. "But it's working to redeem itself. As for the dangers, with having others here we can certainly explore with the others to watch from outside, as well as establishing a place at some point where we can ensure our safety as best we can."

Nothing is ever perfect, but they have made "safe" places before. They could do it again.

They way she talks of this Small Science -- it has to be the same in some ways, after all -- if she talks about it that way, then he has to assume she's experienced herself.

"What sort of gift have you gained from this place?"

[warfed]

[It is, just for a moment, like being back at the Officer's Academy— the long tables of the mess hall had already been enough to prick at a feeling of nostalgia, but seeing a familiar face suddenly sitting across from her causes a wave of it to surge forth in full.]

Claude!

[She makes no attempt to veil her surprise, but it's very clearly a happy one. She laughs at his assessment of the food, giving a nod before looking back at the contents of her plate.]

I am not one to complain about having a full stomach, even if it is not the best quality, but even from smell alone, the chef here is deserving compliments.

[She slices off a piece of one of the root vegetables with the side of her fork before spearing it, leaning forward to prop an elbow against the table.]

You do not seem to be surprised about our surroundings at all! Were you not arriving today, too?

[bealufull]

While Kaz knows they were in better places from the time he remembers with Inej and Jesper, he hasn't expected that joy on the latter's face. He's so happy to see Kaz, and that causes an odd twisting in his chest. Nothing bad, just still uncertain about what to expect and where he thinks things stands and what he's learning.

Though he can be generous in his own way.

"You've always been adaptable in surprising ways, Jesper."

Maybe there had been a secret thought in the back of his head that once the doors to freedom opened, they would be gone... and yet they're both showing how glad they are he is there with them and already talking of making things easier for him. First Inej about the loves and now...

Staring at Jesper as he immediately notes Kaz will need a cane and his leg throbs almost with the words. But when he speaks of putting the crow head on it, his mouth opens to ask but then he is being given a box. One that he would consider a money box and the rattle of coin within proves he's right.

He takes the box, setting it onto the table before him without removing his hand from it. How could he? He's barely walked in this place and been handed money. Well then.

"You will put the crow head on it?"

So much for appreciation, instead focusing on the one thing that piques his curiosity the most.