TEST DRIVE MEME #10

[abraxasmods]

Test Drive Meme

Welcome to the 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.

Below are some links to information you may find useful. Our Setting pages have information about the world itself as well as current events for each nation, while our Game History page outlines the game's story so far.

Setting | Game History | NPCs | Arcana
You can also find answers to questions asked on previous TDMs in their respective questions threads.

Summoning

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. It's hard to make out any individual objects, as if you're looking from beneath rippling water.

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 - still unclothed.

Arrival

You'll find yourself summoned to one of the following three major nations: the extravagant and magical Kingdom of Thorne, the bustling and advanced Free Cities, or the tightknit and faith-driven rural community of the Solvunn Commune.

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. After a week or so, your abilities will return.

When you gather your bearings at last, you look up into a series of unfamiliar faces...and equally unfamiliar surroundings.

Welcome to Thorne

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 another mage with highly decorated robes and a large, heavy book. The man 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 nods, satisfied. "Excellent." He motions for one of the young apprentice mages over. "Settle our guest in, please. I don't have all day."

The apprentice hurries forward with a fine silk tunic, pants, and some basic sandals. With a wave of their hand, the clothes reshape to fit you perfectly. Once you're dressed, the apprentice leads you into the hallways of Castle Thorne, prattling on about the kingdom, names of royals and nobles, and, of course, the reason why you're here: 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.

◎ Surroundings

Castle Thorne is where not only royals and members of the court reside, but includes the surrounding city itself. With winter still here, the weather is frosty and in the distance, you can see snow-covered mountain peaks. Fortunately, the castle is enchanted to be at a comfortable temperature.

As you walk or look around, you take in some of what's going on around you:

• The East Wing where members of the royal family and court reside is tightly guarded. At this time, you won't be able to go here - and the guards take their job seriously. The dungeons are also well-guarded, and newcomers will be turned away. You might hear rumors that the cells beneath are beginning to fill up.


• Apprentices, kitchen staff, guards - everyone seems to be bustling and busy. The air is tense, and you hear chatter of crop shortages for winter and something about scorched farmlands in Nott, the lakeside city to the south. As a newcomer, you won't know any different when you visit the buffet table, but those who are familiar with the extravagance of Thorne might grumble about the lack of quality and choices in food. The food is still excellent. It was just apparently even better before.


• There's equally talk of the Free Cities among the common folk, dubious truths or not: magic will soon be outlawed there, their army has great metal machines, and dissenters are exiled into the desert where they're left to perish. Attitudes range from wary to dismissive to disdainful depending on who you talk to.


• Despite the troubles that continue to plague Nott, life in the Castle is less touched by those difficulties. There's also plenty of chatter about the giant ocean life that found itself onto the shores of Borrel, Thorne's military city. Borrel is not accessible at this time - but perhaps some of the older Summoned can tell you of their visit.

◎ Exploring

Despite the troubles that plague the land, Castle Thorne and its surrounding city have much for you to indulge in.

Trail Riding
Thorne has beautiful trails for riding and many horses of fine noble stock. Each horse is well-groomed and well-trained. No matter your skill level, the stablehand will help you find a horse. There are a few trails that take you around the castle city, ranging between an hour to a half-day's ride with a stop for a packed lunch and to enjoy the view: beautiful snowy mountains rise in the distance, lush gardens with glowing ponds make for great resting spots, the city has several taverns and bookshops, and of course what would Thorne be without its potion shops? Take a friend if you wish to see the sights with some company. Or maybe you run into a new face while riding? Be sure to return the horses in proper condition! One or two trails are unfortunately closed due to soldiers on patrol, a reminder that all is not well despite the idyllic scenery.

Magic Lessons
Regular magic lessons are held by apprentice mages as part of their training, usually involving learning to cast a small spell. These classes are for the natives of Thorne, but you're welcome to join if you wish. The spell they will be teaching is conjuring a white ball of light that will illuminate the space around you for about an hour. It functions much like a candle, but without the risk of fire. The spell relies on Academic Magic which involves a few words said correctly. You'll likely need a few lessons to grasp it unless you're well-versed in magic already. In the meantime, the class of fresh-faced students means there's a constant bright explosion of light coming from the practice room as the spells fail. It isn't dangerous, but it can be annoying.

Evening Banquet
To improve morale, Thorne has pledged to hold a banquet now and again. One of these will take place as the new arrivals come through, and you're free to join at your leisure. If you don't have the appropriate clothes, you can ask one of the mages to conjure you an outfit or approach one of the existing Summoned to help you dress. The banquet is not overly extravagant, but it is a nice party with fine food, wine, and music that seems to come from nowhere. If you're here to make friends (or enemies), this is a good place to start.

Nocwich
Nocwich, which is shrouded in an eternal darkness and is home to the werewolves and the vampires, opens on the first weekend of every month for a total of 3 days. Shortly after arriving, you'll be given a pendant that allows you to travel to and from the portal. In Castle Thorne, the portal is a short walk around the back of the castle. You can enter Nocwich freely and explore what's available in Oleuni Square and Luna. You won't be able to enter Ikorr nor will you be able to exit into another faction's portals. Once there, you're welcome to meet those from other factions, take in the sights, and - if you've come by some money or a generous soul - even make a few small purchases. Inns are available for a fee if you want to stay overnight. Otherwise, you'll need to return home through the portals each day.

◎ Settling In

When you're ready to rest, you're shown 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).

Although you can leave the castle, you can't leave its surrounding city with the exception of entering Nott via portal in order to assist with rebuilding or visiting Nocwich. Borders are especially well-guarded right now due to the recent attacks. Besides, Castle Thorne gives you everything you need: fine clothes, great food and wine, massive libraries, and all the magic and knowledge you could want. Isn't that plenty? You won't be given money as you're provided for, so if you want to do some personal spending later, you'll have to find a job in the city on your own.

Welcome to the Free Cities

Dry warmth hits you at once as you're set on a hard floor of dull ruddy stone. 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 is a raised pedestal with a card bearing an Arcana symbol.

A guard covers you with a simple robe and returns to their place in the semi-circle. Before you stands another woman, dressed in a more elaborate and decorated uniform than the others. A sword rests at her hip. She carries an air of authority as she approaches you with a nod and a warm smile. "Sorry about the circumstances. Take a minute, catch your breath. 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 robed mage off to the side approaches to help you up. 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. You'll learn you're in the Cadens Desert Outpost 003, a military base on the outskirts of the major city of Cadens. You're told the world is in delicate and dangerous times, and you're needed to help. You're important and they're very grateful you're here.

◎ Surroundings

While you're currently at the outpost just outside of the city proper, Cadens on the whole is a large bustling city. Temperatures have cooled but the climate remains hot and dry - during the day, at least. At night, they'll plunge to near freezing. Look to the west and you'll see a long stretch of desert wasteland. This is the infamous Badlands. The soldiers don't recommend going out there unprepared - you're likely to face a slow death to the elements or be eaten. Reaching Cadens is possible by wagon, a trip of about 2 hours each way. You're asked to return by sundown for your own safety... but no one will chase after you if you don't.

You'll be given a military style uniform with your Arcana stitched on it where a formal rank would normally be. As you walk or look around, you take in some of what's going on around you:

• Though Libertas is steadily rebuilding, the chaos that resulted from it and the refugees that have poured into Cadens are still causing difficulties. There might be tensions in the air between citizens - though there's also plenty of chatter about the giant ocean life that found itself onto the shores of Aquila, a neighboring city.


• Among the soldiers, anti-Thorne sentiments are high. Thorne seemingly destroyed one of their cities on a whim, civilians and all. Rumors abound, true or not: Thorne is run by a Mad Queen, dissenters are fed to the frost wurms in the mountains, and some of their mages perform gruesome blood rites. Nonetheless, many also aren't eager for war. They worry for their comrades and friends.


• Cadens itself is even more chaotic and crowded than usual. Refugees from Libertas are now in Cadens, seeking temporary shelter and struggling to rebuild their lives. Discontent can be felt around rising food prices due to shortages. The shelves of some shops are emptier than usual and not everything can be readily found.


• A particular inn and tavern stands in Cadens - The Sarstina - where natives say the Summoned are frequently found. They might point you there if you're looking for one of your own.

◎ Exploring

Despite the troubles that plague the land, the barracks and Cadens have much for you to indulge in.

Training Grounds
Non-lethal training weapons and obstacle courses are set up for anyone to use. The soldiers will be watching, and if you catch their attention they might approach you and encourage you to enlist. You're free to invite other new arrivals to spar, but be sure to keep things friendly and avoid trouble. Discipline is key in the barracks. If you're especially competitive, the soldiers will sometimes hold impromptu obstacle races with informal wagers made. They'll be happy to race against even the most unlikely of opponents, and you'll be judged more on your spirit rather than your skill. If you really impress them, they'll even buy you a drink.

Traveling Merchants
Word of new arrivals spread quickly to enterprising merchants. Many will arrive with samples of their wares, offering free things to try. These items include miniature pastries, trinkets powered by New Magic similar to those cheap flashing toys one find at a carnival, ales, fresh fruits, and healing elixirs. Not all of the elixirs are of proper quality. Some are akin to snake oil and might have adverse (though harmless) effects - take care not to accidentally turn your hair bright green or similar. All of the merchants will be gathered at a central point in the barracks so they'll be hard to miss. Maybe you can make a friend or two while perusing.

City Tours
The arrival of refugees from Libertas means tour groups have sprung up around Cadens to show these new folks around. Organized for free by volunteers, these tours are meant to help the refugees feel welcome and take their minds off the loss of their homes but anyone can join in on the walk. The tour will take you to one or more of the following places: the Hall of Natural Relics where you can look at the skeletal remains of various desert beasts, Portam Hall where you can observe the chaotic government bureaucracy of a large city (and the beautiful architecture), backstage of the Catterborough Theater ("The Cat") where you can meet some of the theater performers, and the Academy of Knowledge where you can attend one of its free public seminars (the topic of the month is on the various types of spiderwebs that can be found in nature. Exciting!)

Nocwich
Nocwich, which is shrouded in an eternal darkness and is home to the werewolves and the vampires, opens on the first weekend of every month for a total of 3 days. Shortly after arriving, you'll be given a pendant that allows you to travel to and from the portal. In Cadens, the portal is a short walk away from the center of the city. You can enter Nocwich freely and explore what's available in Oleuni Square and Luna. You won't be able to enter Ikorr nor will you be able to exit into another faction's portals. Once there, you're welcome to meet those from other factions, take in the sights, and - if you've come by some money or a generous soul - even make a few small purchases. Inns are available for a fee if you want to stay overnight. Otherwise, you'll need to return home through the portals each day.

◎ Settling In

When you're ready to turn in, the barracks are waiting for you. They 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. Each barracks room is rather sparse. Six simple beds set against the wall, three on each side of the room, each with a trunk at the foot of it. You can greet your roommates here, most of whom will be new arrivals, as well.

If you plan on making use of your assigned quarters, you'll have your basic needs met: uniforms, a roof, bland food from the mess hall, and access to the training grounds. You won't be paid unless you formally enlist with the army. The longer you take advantage of the barracks, the greater the pressure to enlist. Some soldiers will start to see you as a freeloader if you refuse to join them yet continue to use their resources. If you're set on not enlisting, you can always strike out on your own in Cadens - but you won't be provided for and handouts are rare. You'll have to work to earn every copper and loaf of bread. Whether that's honest work is up to you.

Welcome to Solvunn

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. An elderly mage stands before an ornate altar. He holds an old leather-bound book in one hand and in the other is a card bearing an arcana symbol. "I detect no ill will from the gods," he says. "It seems we've been blessed with success."

Those that had gathered all breathe a sigh of relief and now seem pleased. One offers you some clothes of leather and knitted wool that seem to fit you perfectly. A rough-looking man steps forward once you're dressed 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 center of the Primary Settlement. 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.

◎ Surroundings

The Primary Settlement is full of greenery, blessed with the fresh ocean breeze. Winds are moderately chilly with the occasional heavy rains that soak the farmlands. The scent of flowers fills the air. The shops, farms, and homes around you are all modest and unassuming. You get the sense that the people here prefer to blend in with their neighbors than stand out.

As you walk or look around, you'll be greeted warmly, even eagerly...though there's an edge of awestruck nervousness to some. Though the settlement is often quiet and calm, there's still plenty to take in:

• While farmers are still recovering from events that led to failed crops, ruined livestock, and a massive loss in fishing, life is slowly returning to normal. They'll be happy to receive any assistance: brush the horses, milk the goats, weed the gardens, churn butter, mind the children...whatever you can think of, you'll be needed.


• Those in Solvunn are reluctant to speak of the conflict between Thorne and the Free Cities in any depth. Their stance is that Solvunn is above petty grudges and violence. They are sorry for the loss of innocents in both nations.


• There are whispers of a shrine deep in the woods that took a powerful sacrifice. If asked, the natives will say that they do not know where this shrine is and that it's best to leave these matters in the hands of the gods' chosen, the Council.


• You're free to venture towards the ocean if you like, though heed the warnings of leviathans. These beasts do not stir near the shores, but if you look closely in the far distance - at night in particular - you'll see the water's surface bubble and roil beneath the moonlight. Recently, a giant ocean life found itself onto the shores in Solvunn. Many will tell you this was a test from the gods, and that saving these creatures granted the world a boon of fish.

◎ Exploring

Despite the troubles that plague the land, the commune and its settlements have much for you to indulge in.

Goat Racing
That's right. One of Solvunn's fine traditions is its regular goat races. Meant to be a bit of informal fun, there's a pen of goats where you can choose a goat, get a number, and simply join one of the starting lines. These goats are not trained so the race is less of a race and more pure chaos as the goats do what they please. Whoever eventually wrangles their goat over the finish line wins. The only rule is that you can't pick up or physically pull your goat, but you're free to cajole, lure, or even use a bit of magic to get yours to the finish line first. Winners receive small prizes of cheese, ale, wood charms, woven baskets, and other similar tokens.

Shrine Offerings
As a new arrival, you'll be encouraged to perform your first offering. This can be anything that feels right to you: fruit, wine, flowers, even an animal you've hunted. Whatever you choose, it must be retrieved by your own hand meaning you must pick the fruit, cut the flowers, or pour the wine yourself. You can travel to the shrine by yourself or with a companion. Once there, lay your offering and ask for a blessing through Solvunn's tradition of High Magic. Blessings are often made for the commune overall such as abundant crops or good weather. You will not see the effects right away, but you may find over the next day or so that the sun has cut through the rain. Of course, you're free to dismiss this as the nature of how weather works...but don't be too loud about it. Solvunn takes its beliefs very seriously.

Evening Feast
Potluck-style feasts are common in the settlement as a way to strengthen the community. You'll be invited to join in one of these feasts at any time, held outdoors in a lush grove filled with wildflowers. As a new arrival, you won't be expected to bring anything yourself but you'll make a better impression if you do so even if it's merely a few apples you picked in the morning. Want to help hang decorations before the feast? Your assistance is more than welcome! Place flowers, pin ribbons, or lay the tablecloths. The food is simple and hearty, ranging from stews, roasts, fresh bread, and puddings. If you're shy, someone will be there to fill your cups and plates if you won't do so yourself. Eat, drink, and be merry - it's what the gods would want.

Nocwich
Nocwich, which is shrouded in an eternal darkness and is home to the werewolves and the vampires, opens on the first weekend of every month for a total of 3 days. Shortly after arriving, you'll be given a pendant that allows you to travel to and from the portal. In Solvunn, the portal is a short walk away. You can enter Nocwich freely and explore what's available in Oleuni Square and Luna. You won't be able to enter Ikorr nor will you be able to exit into another faction's portals. Once there, you're welcome to meet those from other factions, take in the sights, and - if you've come by some money or a generous soul - even make a few small purchases. Inns are available for a fee if you want to stay overnight. Otherwise, you'll need to return home through the portals each day.

◎ Settling In

When you're ready for your bed, you're brought to the center of town and escorted to an apartment above one of the establishments in town. The living conditions are temporary if you'd like them to be: the local families would also be happy to host you in their home. In return, you'll be expected to contribute to their household, taking upon daily chores and repairs. While money has its uses, many establishments and craftsmen are happy to barter with your time or skill for their goods. You'll find your willingness to trade and your friendliness with the natives more valuable than gold.

You can even leave for the other two settlements if you like, but you're encouraged to remain in the Primary Settlement. Just be sure you have an invitation to the Secondary Settlement. There are tales of travelers visiting the secondary settlement without invitation disappearing without a trace. The gods are as hungry as they are protective.

Questions and Answers

If after reading these you're still unsure about anything, or your question wasn't covered, please feel free to hit up our Questions thread below!

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.

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.

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 nation?

In Thorne, characters can leave the castle but not the city. In the Free Cities, they can take a trip from the outpost to the nearest main city, Cadens. In Solvunn, they can explore the entirety of the Primary Settlement.

Can my character eventually change nations or kingdoms?

Yes, but tensions between the major nations are at an all-time high. Doing so is possible, but will require some plotting and discussion with the mods once you're in-game!

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). It will also affect your character's day-to-day life and development. Characters who seek technological advancements or combat will find more of it in the Free Cities while those keen on court politics and learning magic will have the most access to it in Thorne. Anyone who wishes to uncover the secrets of the Old Gods and forest mysteries will best do so in Solvunn.

This is not to say characters can't do these things from another faction - with effort and the help of friends, anything is possible! Don't get too anxious about your choice. This is just one of many, and every character in each scenario can work their way towards many individual goals and outcomes. Additionally, once in-game the Horizon will provide characters with a way to easily find cross-faction CR.

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?

Your Arcana sign won't have an immediate impact on your character beyond them seeing it on themselves or being told what it is by the locals. You're welcome to disregard those aspects in your prompts or try out different signs.

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.

If you're interested in threading with characters outside your borders on the TDM, you can utilize the Nocwich prompt which will allow all characters to meet in person regardless of arrival scenario.

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.

Can I try out more than one arrival scenario on the same TDM?

Yes, although only threads taking place in the arrival scenario you formally choose upon applying can count as canon. However, you're welcome to try out as many as you like on the TDM.

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Comments

Thankfully laundry is now done. Though not put away. But... eventually. ;;;

[preferscuffs]

[If anything Caitlyn's color deepens at the appraisal. But instead of shrinking away, she squares her shoulders and meets Vi's gaze head on. Fortunately, her wardrobe here has been filled in nicely. The deep violet trousers hugging her form well and if the jacket she's wearing is similar in style to the one foisted on her during her visit to the undercity? It's a coincidence, nothing more. It's not, it had been a poignant reminder. and she'd bought the jacket on sight with zero hesitation. Hadn't even haggled. Which means she'd absolutely gotten ripped off for it. Stupid top sider habits.]

[She'd never expected to hear that blasted nickname again. As much as she's complained in the past, hearing it sends a little thrill up her spine. But then a small smile curves Caitlyn's lips at the jab and instead of just taking it, she returns it with one of her own.]

Is that what you want?

[The moment feels real, but part of Cait half expects this to be some strange dream. Like she'll wake up in her bed at the apartment she shares with Jayce and Viktor with none of this having ever happened.]

Because that one lady had some particularly fascinating things to talk about after all. It's interesting the things you can learn.

[If there's one thing she's learned recently, it's that not taking chances would be her biggest regret. If she can fix that now... why wouldn't she?]

why is putting it away the WORST part always

[dxvi]

[ red still, but firing right back at her. Vi's soft laugh clips off the tail end of her words, eyes fluttering low as she shakes her head in amusement. it's a welcome distraction from... everything. moments ago. they hadn't had time for these kinds of distractions — not even when Vi had found herself succumbing to them anyway, curled up on the biggest bed she'd ever laid upon. ]

Riiiight, I overheard her talking about some gardens. [ something that probably exists topside that Vi only has peripheral knowledge of, incapable of understanding the grandiose kinds of foliage rich people just have space to grow where they aren't all stacked on top of each other. it isn't relevant to the conversation, but Vi loads the information like a bullet in the chamber to a gun called taunting ]

Did she invite you to her lady garden?

[ if Caitlyn's question bears sincerity, Vi has elected to sincerely... ignore it. ]

It's all bad, because laundromat. Gotta get there, do it, come back, and THEN put away? UGH Gross

[preferscuffs]

Is this really what you want to talk about right now?

[Caitlyn shakes her head, though there's still a curl of amusement to her lips. The fact that they even have the opportunity to do this, is more than she'd dared even let herself imagine.]

But for your information, she meant her actual gardens. She'd been working on crossbreeding some roses.

[Not that Caitlyn knows much about flowers, but she what she does know is how to listen. Even to things that aren't being said.]

I'm glad you're here.

[No more sauciness, just some real-ness. Which is honestly the easiest way to counter Vi when she gets like this.]

I knew there was a chance you'd get brought here one day, but I didn't even want to hope.

been there... true hell

[dxvi]

[ Caitlyn's right; it is the correct counter, the swing she doesn't see coming. should've. her expression softens, brows pinched and jaw rounding, shoving her hands in her pockets as a way to stop herself from holding onto her like the anchor she is. what is she, desperate? it's only been a few days— ]

You're saying that like you didn't just see me a few days ago. [ a beat. the realization seems to dawn on her: if she's been dragged across the cosmos to some mysterious planet, then there's no telling what else is possible. Vi's not one for magic or even the science that can't yet explain these things, but when you "blink and you'll miss it" your way into a foreign land, it has a way of making you a believer. ]

Wait. [ this time she does grab Caitlyn's arm, pulling her away from the crowd. the training grounds are one big dustbowl, taking a little walk might do them some good. ] How long have you been here?

It truly is.

[preferscuffs]

[A few days maybe, back home, but it's not been a few days here. Plus, even back home Vi's absence after being around her constantly had been...jarring. It felt surreal and wrong in all of the worst ways. Not that she'd had much time to process their separation before she'd been yanked to this place. Summoned while in the shower no less. The indignity....and the irony of it all]

That's because I didn't see you q few days ago.

[Shut up, even if she might have dreamed of Vi that doesn't really count. It's a dream. She doesn't object to being pulled about, follows Vi as the other woman clearly needs time to process everything. Then she smiles faintly, placing her hand over Vi's lightly. ]

I've been here for... a few months now. Should be about two months now, roughly.

[Normally she'd keep track better. Have an exact answer, but things have been hectic lately. She's had other things on her mind.]

So, for me at least, it's been a while, Vi.

[dxvi]

Oh. ...Shit.

[ that's about the sum of it. what else can she say? maybe once, when she'd turned her back to her in the pouring rain, she'd never expected to see her again, left her wounded and wilted on her own front door — and then Jinx hadn't given her an option. should she be grateful to her sister for reuniting them, no matter how poor the conditions? grateful to the cosmos for bringing them here together, giving her that anchor? too soon to tell. ]

[ nonetheless, she senses the pang of yearning in Caitlyn's voice. if Vi knows anything, it's how being separated from the people you come to care about can ache in places you didn't even know you had. so Vi's dried blood-sticky fingers take the hand on hers and pull the enforcer into a hug, fists against her back to keep her clothes from staining. it isn't for herself — or at least, that's what she tries to think. ]

Sorry. [ for that. ] And for before. I shouldn't... have left you like that.

[ especially not with all it led to, goes unspoken. ]

[preferscuffs]

Yes. I suppose you could say that.

[Oh, she's needed this. Hasn't even realized it until right this second. Heedless of her clothes and any potential stains, they're just clothes after all, she'll settle against Vi's much sturdier frame with a quiet sigh.]

You're right. You shouldn't have.

[Not that Caitlyn's in any mood to lecture. Or really in any position to do so considering their position.]

But you're here now, and that's what matters most.

[There's so much they need to talk about. Timelines established and all sorts of technical details about what might be different between them. But not just yet. Until....]

You smell like someone who's been abusing a training dummy for far too long.

[Not that she's complaining, at least not exactly, but it's definitely true that up close Vi definitely doesn't exactly smell like daisies. Honest sweat and a bunch of other stuff, sure. Does Caitlyn move to pull away? No. No, she does not. She'll feel self conscious about that fact... later.]

[dxvi]

Tch.

[ scolded, twice? not Vi's favorite, even when it's at its most loving and playful. at least this time neither of them seem stabbed or cut open, but she's so used to that gym-funk sweat smell that she doesn't even notice, barely thinks she smells anymore between all the nose breaks and lower city living. of course, she can't let Caitlyn get away with her criticism either, not when she's right there — so Vi grabs the back of her head and pushes it down, down. ]

[ and her with no jacket on. yeah, she's about to rub Caitlyn's scalp all up into her armpits. ]

Get a good whiff, princess. I can already tell you've been doing pretty well for yourself here, huh? [ it's turning into a headlock. ] You tell 'em you were an enforcer so they set you up with some sweet digs, huh? Huh?

[preferscuffs]

[Honestly? Caitlyn should have seen it coming, but she didn't. Which is why soon enough she's being dragged down, down into even smellier territory.]

Vi! What are you. No d-

[Caitlyn struggles, arms flailing, but not trying too hard to get away. Because for everything, she's always been conscious of her size and strength. Though Vi's always done a great job of making it seem like neither matter. After all, Vi might be shorter but she's definitely the stronger of the two. By far.]

Only a few people here know I was an Enforcer. All of them are Summoned, like us.

[Conversing while in Vi's armpit isn't Caitlyn's version of ideal, but instead of trying to force her way out she just sags, pulling them both to the ground, but at least getting her nose down and away.]

I wouldn't be doing near so well if it wasn't for Jayce and Viktor. They've been here for far longer, are more established. Have more of a reputation.

[To most of the SUmmoned, Caitlyn is mostly just the younger sister Jayce basically won't stop gushing about. It's.. a little embarrassing really.]

[dxvi]

[ down they go, Vi chuckling in the slant. practically a slave to her emotions, it doesn't really strike her as strange that not ten minutes ago she was on the verge of a breakdown and now here she is, laughing for the first time in a week. is it just the ebb and flow of how her heart works, or Caitlyn's spell? who knows. either way, she frees her from the confines of those muscled arms — but not without giving that perfectly-kept navy hair a ruffle, for good measure. ]

Jayce. Right. [ oh, she remembers him. the one councilor who actually started doing something and then didn't. Caitlyn mentioned they were practically siblings — but it isn't always easy to rely on that anymore, is it? at least she's being taken care of, even if the mere mention of his name sours Vi's expression some. she's in a squat with her elbows on her knees now, distracting herself from the anger and, somehow, worry about the Talis golden boy by digging a finger into the sand and tracing out a pattern. ]

[ she doesn't know if this means Jayce has told Caitlyn what they did together, but she thinks for the moment she'd rather not talk about it. there are other things pressing. like: ] Who's Viktor?

[preferscuffs]

The shift in mood doesn't really surprise Caitlyn. Vi can be... capricious on occasion. Plus, sometimes you just need to laugh to keep from doing other things. Gotta let the emotions out somehow. Sometimes happy venting is just as valid as angry venting.

Caitlyn hasn't really been allowed to do much angry venting in her life, which might be why she's all too familiar with this. After all, she's little Miss Kiramman, there's a certain level of decorum that she must maintain at all times.

Which is why sitting here on the ground with Vi like this? It's silly and it feels good. The shift of expression doesn't go unnoticed and Caitlyn frowns slightly, goes to reach out and then changes her mind. Also drawing in the sand.

I know things are... [tense, troubled, an issue? There's so many words she could use right here, but they all feel insufficient.] rough back home. But things are different here. They have to be.

[For some pretty obvious reasons.]

You could... get to know each other? Outside of everything. See how things change when you can just be without worrying about the world around us.

[It's probably bad, that Caitlyn has realized she's grateful for this new start. This new chance to be without any expectations. What she is, who she becomes, what she does? There's no real expectations of her here. It's strange.]

I think you'd like each other. If you can both get past the stubbornness anyway.

[Her voice is fond. They're her people really. It's... nice.]

Jayce's partner. The one he invented hextech with? They're both here.

[And partners in multiple ways now. But that's not something she's going to bring up out of the blue. Though them being together has certainly made Caitlyn consider a lot of things, since her arrival.]

[dxvi]

[ there it is — the idealism and hopeful sincerity that made Vi really see Caitlyn in the first place. once, she'd scoffed and brushed it off as shallow words and empty wishes, but then she'd really gotten to know the enforcer: naive, absolutely, but willing to work for the ideals she espoused, letting her judgments fall to the wayside to see people for who they really are. it's a skill (or maybe a gift) Vi has not yet grasped. not because she's unwilling to see, but because she's never been able to be anything but what she is — a sewer rat the world would rather exterminate than feed. if they are oil and water, she knows she's the former, the accelerant eager to burn. ]

Could. [ could being the operative word, one she bandies without commitment. it's a jagged we'll see, no promises. she's a little aggressive in smacking her hand through the dusty earth, disrupting the mindless designs she'd lain. ]

Never heard of him. [ equally flippant. some nerd who works alongside Piltover's silver spoons — who cares. she tracks forward dauntlessly: ] You're not worried about "the world" around here? Sounds like they're on the brink of war.

[ can't blame Caitlyn if she says she isn't; this isn't their world or their people. maybe this is all a dream or some passing-by waystation. why pledge loyalty to someone else's cause? but Vi knows she gets one look at some dirty orphan's face and that mix of pity and rage boil up inside of her anew. Piltover's problems aren't unique — the blight of the rich should be lanced and drained from anywhere it plants its infectious roots, and that isn't going to change just because she's a foreigner in a strange land. ]

[preferscuffs]

[While Caitlyn wouldn't call herself an optimist necessarily, even she can admit that she's an optimist when compared to Vi on a lot of things. So even a grudging agreement is enough. Partially because she knows that Vi isn't the sort of person to say one thing and then do another. If she says it, that pretty much means she means it.]

Thank you. For even being willing to try. [A gentle, all too fleeting touch to the knee. Grounding them both in this moment. But also to counteract some of that aggression. But better the ground see Vi's frustration than someone's face.]

He's not really one for the public. Left all that sort of thing up to Jayce. I'm not sure he's ever been fully comfortable up in Piltover honestly. At least not when he was outside of the lab anyway.

[Maybe she still doesn't know Viktor that well, but she's a pretty good judge of character. And honestly Viktor seems uncomfortable outside of his work a fair deal, in her experience.]

Things are certainly... complicated. [Maybe a bit of an understatement that.] But is that anything new for us?

I've been helping with the rebuilding. It's been good work, feels like I'm actually helping people and making a difference. Maybe it's not ideal, but every place has it's issues.

[Plus after the meetings and everything she's hopeful things will move to slightly smoother ground, a lot less hanging on a knife's edge for the next while.]

They can always use more hands. You'd be a lot of help around the city in a way that I'm not. But before that... we really need to get you out of the barracks.

[See this? This is Caitlyn thinking about a future. She's not quite ready to say she's thinking about their future. But maybe... parallel futures at the very least.]

[dxvi]

[ mercury eyes shift from the ground to Caitlyn's hand on her knee, and after a beat — it comes with a heavy sigh out, one that rings of resignation. the question of when she started caring about Caitlyn's opinion or the ones of those she considers important to her is for another time when she doesn't already feel so off-kilter and tumultuous. she silently files the information about Viktor away until it seems necessary; if they're the only people from their world, there's a high possibility they'll be seeing each other sometime in the future anyway, especially if Jayce is the star in this little constellation of orbiting bodies. ]

[ she's heard the rumors about the bombing. it seemed like some kind of dreamlike synchronicity, that this place would suffer from the very same thing Jinx unleashed on Piltover. she still doesn't know how to stomach it, but Caitlyn makes it sound... ]

Rebuilding, [ with some huffed, wry twist of amusement. ] That sounds like you. You talk with your hands, you know. [ fingers on a safety, a scope, a trigger. fingers on her face, pulling her out of her haze of blood loss. the ones now on her knee she looks at again, too insecure to hold onto them. ]

There's a big city not far from here, right? I can get there and figure something out. [ if that's where you're staying, left unsaid. ]

[preferscuffs]

[Very apt really. Jayce being the sun that they revolved around. Because in a way it's more or less true. It's really the only thing that's tied Caitly and Viktor together. Without Jayce here.... just how much they might have connected is anyone's guess.]

Yes. Rebuilding. [She's not entirely sure what's caused the amusement, but it's at least a positive enough emotion. Progress.] I do?

[She looks at her hand, sees what Vi sees and promptly pulls her hand back.]

I think you might be right.

Her hands don't get shoved in her pockets, goodness no. For a fleeting moment she tucks them against her legs, but realizes that looks far too stiff and relaxes them before deciding the safest thing to do was stand up. Only to instantly offer her hand to Vi.

Yes. Cadens. I'd be happy to show you around? Though I haven't been here that long, there are probably better guides.

[After all, part of her own introduction to the city had come from someone who'd been a complete stranger. Though he was less so now.]

[dxvi]

[ a warm gaze watches Caitlyn's self-evaluation of herself and shifting expression; it curves her lips into a smirk, one that twitches and cements itself back down as she takes the sniper's hand to stand again. the blood has dried on the outside of her hands, thick and dusty in the desert sun. they'll split open at a moment's notice, but for now, she's not oozing all over the place. ]

[ of course she's right. Vi doesn't waste her time observing people who aren't important, and she's not about to get things wrong once she takes notice. ]

Lead the way, Cupcake.

[ there's a smokiness to her voice that suggests she'll be following close behind for the view. ]