TEST DRIVE MEME #11

[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.

Reminder that the TDM is forward-dated to when the summonings occur in-game, at the start of April. For current players, this means all of the Summoned will have been rescued and recently returned home to their respective factions.

For prospective players, there's no need to familiarize yourself with the recent event, but prompts in the TDM may reflect the aftermath.

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. Now in spring, the weather mild and cool. In the distance, you can see snow-covered mountain peaks that are beginning to melt, and the gardens are in bloom. 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 North Wing, devoted to housing the Summoned, is tightly guarded against outsiders. As one of the Summoned, you're free to come and go. The guards aren't keeping anyone prisoner. They're there to protect you, and they take their jobs seriously.


• Apprentices, kitchen staff, guards - everyone seems to be bustling and busy. The air is tense, and you hear chatter of abductions and mutated victims who were only just recovered a week ago.


• The infirmary is full. Healers are in high demand. Normally, Thorne's staff put effort into welcoming new arrivals. This time, they're focused on what seems to be an influx of the wounded - including other Summoned who arrived before you.


• Despite the troubles, life in the Castle is beginning to resume. Still, you can sense that a major crisis has only just been resolved, and much of the fallout remains.

◎ Exploring

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

Care Packages
Castle staff are putting together care packages consisting of flowers, hot meals, and draughts to manage pain. Gather flowers from one of Thorne's many beautiful gardens. The gardeners will direct you if you ask, though you're welcome to gather anything that catches your eye. There's no magic in the flowers beyond their ability to brighten up someone's day.

You can put together the bouquets and care packages with a partner, as well as deliver them yourself to one of the older resting Summoned. They might be in the infirmary or in their rooms depending on their injuries. Why not stay and chat? Though you've only just met, they've evidently been through something terrible. Perhaps they could use a friend.

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 modest defensive light shield that can protect against a single magical blow. 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.

Forest Growth
Patches of woods in the city of Castle Thorne have suffered from dead flora. It appears to be related to some heavy magical corruption from the past several weeks. Though Thorne's deemed it too dangerous to go directly into the woods, you can help plant new saplings in square crates filled with soil and pack them onto wagons. Make sure they're secured and kept upright. These trees will be taken out into the woods later by mages to replace the withered plantlife in the forests.

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. While Nocwich is normally thriving, no shops are open in Oleuni Square. Nocwich citizens explain that unforeseen circumstances prevent the market from opening as usual and request you return next month to explore. However, you can stay to help. Tents, tables, and medical supplies around the Square need to be taken down and packed up. You can guess that this was once a site for heavy rescue operations and emergency treatment.

◎ 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 are rising, and the climate is hot and dry, though still pleasant - during the day, at least. At night, they'll cool rapidly. Desert blooms dot the landscape for the spring. 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:

• Libertas shows signs of having suffered a devastating attack, but a good portion of it is rebuilt including a new garden park memorial that commemorates the lives lost. Chatter has shifted from the fire attacks to the abductions and failed experiments recovered only a week ago.


• From Cadens to Aquila to Libertas, the streets are heavily guarded. Soldiers patrol all areas, especially those typically occupied by the Summoned. This includes a particular inn and tavern in the heart of Cadens - The Sarstina - where the Summoned like you are often found...though it may not be as busy and thriving as it normally is.


• Instead, many of the older Summoned are either resting in their homes or recovering in Cadens' largest hospital. Doctors are busy, and the hospital is heavily guarded, too.


• Despite the troubles, life around the Free Cities is beginning to resume. Still, you can sense that a major crisis has only just been resolved, and much of the fallout remains.

◎ 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.

Supply Delivery
The Summoned are important to the Free Cities. The government means to take care of them through their recovery, and have instructed the military to assist. Soldiers are packing rations, medicine, and other supplies into crates to be delivered to the hospital in Cadens. You can help pack or make the deliveries yourself by hopping on the wagon. Though you aren't supposed to wander around the hospital, as one of the Summoned you have a bit more freedom than the average citizen. Maybe you could visit one of the rooms while you're there? Or you might run into a Summoned in the halls arriving to check on a friend.

Furry Friends
Researchers in Cadens have been studying the positive effects of animal companions on those who recently went through traumatic experiences. They've settled on the catlike Leosylph, a popular domestic breed, as the best choice. You can help bring these animals to anyone who would like one in the hospitals, or you can simply play with them and make sure they're fed while they're awaiting their assignments. They enjoy chasing mechanical mice powered by New Magic and purr when happy.

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. While Nocwich is normally thriving, no shops are open in Oleuni Square. Nocwich citizens explain that unforeseen circumstances prevent the market from opening as usual and request you return next month to explore. However, you can stay to help. Tents, tables, and medical supplies around the Square need to be taken down and packed up. You can guess that this was once a site for heavy rescue operations and emergency treatment.

◎ 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 pleasantly cool with the occasional heavy spring rains that soak the farmlands. The scent of wildflowers 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:

• Shops and stalls in Solvunn are temporarily closed. Many of Solvunn's residents have instead dedicated their time to helping the rescued Summoned. They're reluctant to speak of the recent abductions, stating that what happened was blasphemous to the Old Gods.


• Solvunn Elders will accompany anyone who strays too far from the Settlements, and will give you protective charms to make sure you're safe. You're advised to stay close to the commune where possible.


• Shrines around the settlements are overflowing with offerings. It seems something has happened recently that's made the locals especially dedicated to showing their devotion.


• 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.

◎ Exploring

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

Warding Homes
In order to aid recovery, commune Elders have asked for your help to ward the doors of homes occupied by the Summoned. Many of these homes are in housing provided by the Council or with host families in the settlement. You can hang bone wreathes on the doors to request blessings of protection and healing from the Old Gods. You can also bring hot meals and herbal medicine to the Summoned while you're there. Host families are friendly, and will welcome you in as long as the Summoned inside are willing to receive you, as well.

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.

Goat Herding
Due to the circumstances, Solvunn's traditional chaotic goat races will not be happening this month. This means the goats are filled with pent-up energy. Ornery and mischievous, they'll headbutt anything that moves, chew fence posts and clothes, and generally make a nuisance of themselves - some even escaping their pens. Exasperated farmers and herders are struggling. You can help retrieve escaped goats, repair broken fences, and do your best to contain the animals.

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. While Nocwich is normally thriving, no shops are open in Oleuni Square. Nocwich citizens explain that unforeseen circumstances prevent the market from opening as usual and request you return next month to explore. However, you can stay to help. Tents, tables, and medical supplies around the Square need to be taken down and packed up. You can guess that this was once a site for heavy rescue operations and emergency treatment.

◎ 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

THEY'RE PWECIOUS

[redencion]

[Oh, right. The animals are meant to be for those in the hospital, not for the nerds volunteers. He glances up at the man, realizes he's bandaged-- so he's a patient-- and immediately leans back to offer him a look at little Pablito here.]

They said he's called a "leosylph?" Seems to be some kind of popular pet around here.

[He slowly gets to his feet, cradling the squirming little ball of adorable up against his chest.]

And I'm supposed to be bringing him 'round to visit you, actually.

[takeatrip]

[Jayden isn't a huge animal person, not because he dislikes them or anything, but just because they've never really fit into his life, but he's now immediately considering that maybe that should change. This thing is so cute, but then again, maybe he's just glad to see a creature native this world that isn't trying to kill him.

But kitten--leosylph, apparently--aside, Luis' response gives Jayden enough reason to take a guess with his next comment.]

Are you new? To this place, I mean, not the hospital.

[redencion]

They pulled me out of a well a couple days ago. Don't ask me how or especially why.

[Dutifully, Luis holds the little critter up to where the wounded gentleman can take a closer look, or give him a little pet.]

Seems like I missed some kind of action, sí?

[takeatrip]

[He reaches out to touch the kitten's littler fluffy ears, and it purrs, and suddenly Jayden feels less of an urge to abscond from the hospital. Sure, that urge isn't gone, but it's sure lessened a bit.]

You did, but nothin' you should regret missing.

[Which was probably obvious.]

Has anyone pointed you to the Inn yet? I don't know how many people might be around there right now, but they're pretty helpful to new people.

[He says, as if he knows what he's talking about, as opposed to having arrived only about two weeks before before he ended up in the cultist death pit.]

[redencion]

Oh no, no regrets here. [He offers that very quickly.] Sounds like it was a real mess. I hope everything's more stable now.

[Aw man, cultist death pit. There's a combo of words that are gonna set him off. Fortunately, he's not about to go asking for specifics when he's meant to be on therapy wingaling kitten duty.]

There's an inn? Here in the city? And they take new people? They've been acting like I'm stuck in the barracks.

[Pablito lifts a little paw and snags the patient's outstretched hand with some not-too-sharp little kitty claws.]

[takeatrip]

[He's glad to just gloss over it for now as well; he'd love to pretend the whole thing never happened at all, and Pablito is helping a lot in that at the moment. Jayden doesn't quite smile, but there's still a hint of it as he lets the kitten grab his hand without protest, taking the opportunity to pet his fluffy chest.]

Yeah, the Sarstina Inn; the owner even lets us stay without payin' as long as we help out around the place.

[Something which fills him with a brief sense of dread every time he thinks about it; it had been fine before, as while bartending didn't really suit him it was fine as a temporary job, but he has no idea how he's going to manage it now after everything that happened. But that's a problem for later.]

Definitely an upgrade from the barracks, and it's pretty easy to find. If you didn't leave anythin' you wanted back at the barracks, you could probably don't even have to go back, Mag'll probably just set you up.

[redencion]

Ah, gracias a Dios. [The relief on his expression is palpable.] I don't know who they think they're drafting into their little army, but it's not me. The sooner I get out of there the better.

[It occurs to him after he's already said it that maybe that's not a great sentiment to be expressing out loud in the middle of efforts he's been recruited into by the Free Cities military.

With a very slight wince he glances around, as though checking to make sure nobody else heard him say that.]

Hey, you got a room here somewhere? I'll bring Pablito here, and we can get a little more... comfortable. [Both in privacy and in the ability to lay this little sucker out on some furniture and rub that fuzzy little tumtum.]

[takeatrip]

From what I can tell, that's not a rare sentiment.

[He says it dryly, as Luis is glancing around, hoping to alleviate a little bit of the paranoia there. As far as Jayden can tell there's not much risk--yet, anyway--of getting into trouble for something as simple as that, though then again, he also wouldn't be able to bring himself to care at the moment if there were. So he might not be the best judge.

But right. Probably better not to talk in the open, and despite his grand plans of potentially ditching the hospital, he realizes he's feeling a little shaky already. Maybe sitting down in a good idea.]

Yeah. Down the hall.

[He reluctantly draws his hand away from Pablito and turns back down the hall, ignoring a rush of dizziness from the motion and leading the way back to his room. It isn't very far at all, and so soon they're there, and once they're both inside he sinks down on the foot of the bed, very casually and certainly not at all obviously because he was about to fall down.]

[redencion]

[Following the patient to his room is nice, because it gives Luis a chance to size him up. Not just what he looks like or how he carries himself, either... the slight labor in his steps, any other signs or symptoms. When they reach the room he forces himself not to ask, or even to have obviously noticed.

Instead, he waits for the patient to have collected himself, then brings Pablito over to place him in his lap.]

Here you go, amigo. He's quite the cuddler.

[He smiles, and finally gets around to introducing himself.]

Name's Luis. Pleasure's all mine.

[takeatrip]

[As much as he'd love to convince himself that it isn't obvious he's a mess, he knows that isn't the case, though he does appreciate that Luis doesn't mention it.

Jayden manages another almost-smile when Pablito is set on his lap, especially since the little creature immediately starts purring, and his bar for good things happening is so low right now that this is almost unfathomably nice right now.]

Jayden.

[He introduces himself in turn, carefully petting the leosylph's fluffy body; his unbandaged hand is shaking a bit, but the one silver lining of all of this mess is that he doesn't have to bother hiding what would normally be a symptom he didn't want anyone noticing. He can just blame it on his injuries right now.]

Have you talked to any of the other Summoned yet? Gotten filled in on anythin' about being here?

[redencion]

Encantado.

[He can't help but notice Jayden's demeanor. What the hell did happen to these people? As his curiosity grows, so does the volume of the voice in his head telling him it's none of his goddamn business, and he doesn't want to make it his business. Nobody needs to know who he is. Not when they've already got him on the back foot, and it'd be beyond easy for them to use it against him or force him into serving them.

He'll never let that happen again.

He pulls out a stool intended for use by hospital staff and has a seat on it, leaving Jayden to enjoy the leosylph himself.]

A few here and there... but there's an awful lot of questions to ask. And I don't think they're really telling any of us all the answers we might want.

They give you the same story about saving the world?

[takeatrip]

[Jayden scratches under the leosylph's chin, and one of the little creature's legs starts kicking automatically like a dog, and it's possibly the cutest thing to have ever happened. Jayden briefly glances at Luis like 'are you seeing this?' before looking back at Pablito, though he's listening to what Luis is saying.]

Somethin' like that, yeah. I can't say I know all that much about the situation, but what I've heard from the other Summoned is that it's less savin' the world and more that we might be useful to the different factions.

[So not as much some grand thing as it is that they're wanted as weapons. Or at least that's the impression he got, anyway, though he may also be a little extra bitter about the whole idea of being here at the moment and so not the most accurate judge.]

[redencion]

[It's really hard to deliver a cynical quip when Pablito is showing off. Indeed, it takes Luis a few seconds to actually respond to that news.]

Oh, of course it is.

[He shakes his head, in an odd sort of combo of "it figures" and "wookit da babyyyy." This is a very emotionally diverse conversation, isn't it.]

Well, joke's on them. Don't know what they think I'll be useful for. [Yes he does.] Kitten wrangling is about the extent of it, I think.

[takeatrip]

Who knows. Maybe kitten wrangling's a rare skill in this world.

[He's joking, even though his tone is deadpan. But with Luis' response about not being useful, Jayden has to ask--]

Do you have magic where you're from? 'Cause that's a thing here, though you might've already figured that out.

[But it had taken a bit for it to sink in for Jayden, despite the entire 'being summoned' thing, so it seems worth pointing out just in case.]

[redencion]

I'm from Earth. For us, magic is the stuff of storybooks and stage shows.

[It feels incredibly weird to have to say that he's from "Earth." But he's talked to that many of the Summoned, at least.]

Unless they're looking for someone to make their cute animals or their liquor cabinets disappear, they've got the wrong hombre.

[Yeah, that's it. Keep insisting. Double down. There's no reason they'd want him. None at all.]

What about you? You some kind of magician or soldier?

[takeatrip]

[So far, the number of people Jayden's met who are from Earth has been pretty low. Of course, being from Earth doesn't exactly mean much in terms of timelines, so they could be quite far off, but answering Luis' question will be an easy way to narrow down those details a little.]

Neither. Just a normal, boring FBI agent.

[Which isn't totally true, since he's a fancy variety of FBI agent, but whatever.]

You? And don't tell me you found a job that combines drinking and cute animals, because if so I'm in the wrong line of work.

[His tone has a little more life to it this time, as he waggles his fingers in front of Pablito so the leosylph can bat at them. It's hard not to feel at least the slightest bit better when faced with something so cute.]

[redencion]

Oh, Americano, sí? I used to be a cop in Madrid.

[The lie rolls off his tongue as easily as ever, though he'd better keep the details light. An FBI agent will be able to sniff him out in an instant if he tries to get too creative.]

Wasn't any good at it though, didn't last a year. I'm just a good-for-nothing drifter these days.

[He chuckles, and rests his chin in his hand as he watches the little creature making nice with Jayden.] Think I'll be looking into the drinking and cute animals now, though. Seems a promising career path.

[takeatrip]

Really? That makes a few of us who are from more or less the same time on Earth and were law enforcement of some sort.

[A strange pattern, perhaps, or just an odd coincidence in who Jayden's met so far. Probably the latter.

And Luis is safe for the moment as far as getting caught out in any lies, at least as long as he's not too obvious; Jayden's much too out of it to be particularly suspicious, let alone suspicious and observant. His gaze flickers briefly to Luis, then back to the leosylph.]

If you find a job like that, you'll have to let me know. Haven't had much of a chance to look into career options here yet.

[redencion]

Same time? 2004? [Oh, that's gonna be a surprise when some of these other folks give him a date.] Well, heh... maybe they were hoping we'd arrest somebody for them, eh?

[More like Luis will be taking a rest... somewhere as far away from the conflict as he can get. Damn, too bad he can't share that, it's a pretty clever joke if you ask him...

He continues watching the little creature in Jayden's lap, smiling idly.]

You been busy? Oh- [Well... clearly he has been.] Losientos, sorry, you don't have to answer that. You haven't been here very long?

[takeatrip]

2011 for me, but that's pretty close comparatively.

[Surprisingly close, actually. At home, of course, the idea of anyone being from different times would be absurd, but that's one of the many things about being here someone has to get used to fast.

Jayden's quiet as Luis continues, but just sighs and shakes his head a little at both the apologies and the question, the former because they're not necessary and the latter as a simple no. He keeps his focus on Pablito, carefully petting his delicate ears.]

I think I've been here about two months, but it was only a few weeks before everything happened.

[Which he's not going to keep talking vaguely about; he can only imagine how annoying that is, but also how ominous it must be to a new arrival to get here and then immediately have to deal with some sort of unknown event having happened. So he takes a deep breath, and as casually as he can manage, explains.]

There was a... A cult thing. They grabbed a bunch of people for whatever they thought they could make happen, and it took about a month to get out.

[It's an incredibly abbreviated version of what happened, but it might at least give a little bit of an idea of the situation. Though he feels he should add--]

From what I can tell, this isn't exactly a common event, so probably not something you need to worry about.

[There's enough to stressing out over as a new arrival already.]

[redencion]

[Different times are easy compared to the rest of this dimension and magic business. Once you believe one the others sort of fall into place.

Unfortunately, Jayden's explanation seems to impact him severely. His eyes widen and for a few flickering moments his expression falls from calm and content to stricken with something in between shock and fear.]

A cult?

[Even his attempts to catch it quickly don't quite work. The smile that rebounds looks a lot more like a nervous tic, and he speaks a little bit faster.]

That's some wild shit, certainly hope it isn't common. That sounds... [And he manages to get it under control again.] awful.

[With a quick exhale he shakes his head.] You ah, on the mend though, right? Nothing too serious?

[takeatrip]

[Even though he's been keeping his gaze on Pablito, Jayden can sense the change in Luis' mood more than well enough to prompt him to look up. Although good at reading and picking up on emotions, as well as using those skills when dealing with suspects or working on a profile, he is not particularly talented at responding in a way that's reassuring. Especially not when it's something the other person may not be wanting address directly anyway.

So, clearly, the best way to handle this is to gently pick up the leosylph--thankfully his hands aren't shaking too badly right now, and the kitten is very light anyway--and offer him out to Luis. As he does, he responds as if there's nothing to the gesture at all, and certainly neither of them is feeling any sorts of negative emotions about anything at all at the moment, because that's the healthy way to deal with things. Right? Right.]

Yeah. Already much better than before.

[And that's even sort of true.]

I don't think this cult's got much left to it after all a' this, so we shouldn't have to worry too much about them reformin' or something.

[It's half to reassure Luis, half to reassure himself, but he thinks it's true as well. With how many of them are dead or under arrest, even if the leader's still out there, it probably wouldn't be easy to try anything like this again any time soon.]

[redencion]

Good. That's good. I'm glad to hear it. That you're better and they're not-

[Right! Let's two grown men pass a magical kitten back and forth and desperately pretend they're not both having some kind of serious Feelings. The only thing to do with Feelings is to cram them down and pretend they're not there until they go the hell away. Perfecto.

That is to say, Luis wordlessly takes Pablito and plops the little guy onto his lap, encouraging him to roll over for more tummy rubs.]

Were the, ah, factions trying to stop them or something?

[takeatrip]

[Absolutely top-notch, well adjusted behavior here.]

I don't know too many details about what happened out here. Other Summoned were lookin' for everyone, and I think they did convince the factions to work together for a time.

[So there's that, he supposes. Of course, Jayden also has a suspicion that the factions wouldn't have cared nearly so much if Summoned weren't involved; the people native to this world who had ended up involved in this whole thing seemed to have been an afterthought the entire time, something that Jayden hasn't had much chance to think about in depth but is quietly bothered by all the same.]

[redencion]

¡No me digas! Must've been something to make that many people work together...

[Wait. Wait. Right. They weren't gonna talk about it. Subject change. Subject change.]

Anyway. [He goes awkwardly quiet for a second, lost in petting the kitty. Then he seems to remember who the kitty was brought to visit, and he stands and picks him up to offer to Jayden again.] Your turn again? They didn't tell me there was a time limit or anything.