TEST DRIVE MEME #17

[abraxasmods]

Test Drive Meme

Important Links

Setting ⦁ Game History ⦁ NPCs ⦁ Arcana ⦁ FAQ

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

The TDM is forward-dated to when the summonings occur in-game (when applications are accepted), at the start of April.

While the world is undergoing some tumultuous weather, newly arrived characters will be assured that everything is being taken care of and cautioned to shelter indoors where possible.

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 getting anywhere. If you reach for an item you were carrying the 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 territories: 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.

Go to scenario

Kingdom of Thorne ⦁ The Free Cities ⦁ Solvunn Commune

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 is cool and marked by howling windstorms. In the distance, snow continues to cover the mountain peaks. Spring flowers are beginning to bloom in the gardens. 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:

• Windstorms batter the walls outside. The city of Castle Thorne is largely safe, but debris, fallen trees, and toppled wagons are still a danger. Try not to go outside unless you have to! Across the sky, lightning surges horizontally, never touching the ground.


• 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. There's some buzz about the arrival of Admiral Rudolph Sidwell, the Queen's uncle. While Rudolph is temporarily staying in Nott, he can occasionally be seen in the castle halls when he visits Castle Thorne.

◎ Exploring

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

Sorting Tomes
A few apprentices out on errands have grown trapped behind some fallen debris, leaving the library short of helping hands. Volunteers are desperately needed to help sort and shelve the books, which are beginning to pile up. Fortunately, Thorne's magical shelving system means the shelves will immediately let you know if a book has been placed incorrectly. Unfortunately, the way this works is that the book will expel itself back out and fall to the floor. Watch your head!

Serene Steeds
Due to the heavy storms, Thorne's prized horses are growing nervous in their stables. To help soothe them, apprentice mages have asked you to cast a calming spell on each horse. The spell relies on Academic Magic. While the spell only requires saying a few words correctly, a lack of concentration can result in some unexpected memories or feelings surfacing, inducing strong emotions. You might vividly recall a tumultuous moment in your life or find yourself reflecting on who you are, where you came from, and where you might go next.

Painting Session
You're encouraged to explore Thorne's proud naval history in Borrel at its Maritime Fair. Because of the storms, it's being held indoors within heavily strengthened walls. Here, you can join a paint and cider session where you can follow a guided instructor to paint a displayed model of Thorne's famous naval warships. To finish your masterpiece, decorate the frame with Borrel's famous sea glass. The paints and brushes are enchanted to help you along, but it requires a little concentration. Growing frustrated with your progress might cause some splatters or turn the colors muddy. Not to worry! You can always start again with a fresh canvas.

Nocwich
Nocwich, which is shrouded in eternal darkness and is home to the werewolves and the vampires, is, unfortunately, CLOSED due to recent events.

◎ 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).

As an important figure to the kingdom, you can't move out of the city of Castle Thorne without permission or take any extended trips. If you're feeling restless, though, day trips to Nott or Borrel via portal are allowed, or you can visit Nocwich. Don't try to sneak out - someone will bring you back. 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 or you can earn some pocket money by doing chores around the Castle.

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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. The climate is hot and dry, though the sandstorm has obscured the sun, lowering the typical spring temperatures. At night, temperatures will drop further. 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 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:

• Sandstorms assail the cites, especially in Cadens. The dust is thick and choking, and visibility is low. Try not to go outside unless you have to! Across the sky, lightning surges horizontally, never touching the ground.


• In the Cadens barracks, soldiers are hard at work fortifying its walls and preparing for further changes in weather. Shops and merchant stalls that populate Cadens' outdoor markets are absent. With the storms going on, the city streets are eerily empty except for vagrants and those who don't have shelter to retreat to.


• City guards are present around an inn and tavern at the heart of Cadens - The Sarstina - where the Summoned like you are often found. They're here for your protection, not to prevent you from moving freely.

◎ Exploring

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

Pimp My Ride
Innovation is the way of the Free Cities, and showing it off is just as important. Every few years, wagon enthusiasts will display their customized New Magic-powered wagons in the Wagon Parade. Although this usually takes place in the streets of Cadens, this month's storm has forced the parade indoors into the Fortune Arena, the oldest horse arena in the city. They'll need help boarding up windows and doorways so that the this year's amazing entries aren't harmed. As with any event, pop-up merchants appear along the parade line selling food, drink, and a variety of commemorative tokens.

Masking Up
Dust storms are not unheard of in the desert, but the reduced air quality is still a concern. In response, the government is distribuing breathing masks and is asking for volunteers who are willing to brave current conditions to hand them out. Standard government-issued designs are free, but some wealthy citizens have elected for a more refined design while the cautious opt for total coverage. You'll be given your own mask (in the design of your choice), but the winds will still be a force to contend with. Be sure to travel with a partner for safety.

New Wave, New Age
New Magic is how the Free Cities diverges from reliance on more traditional magic. With New Magic, the Arcana plays a much more limited role. However, New Age thinkers of Libertas have risen with the arrival of the Summoned. They stress that to move to the future, you cannot forget your past. To encourage this reconnection with one's roots, a group of New Age practitioners have set up a table at the Cadens Library. You can take part in designing your own tarot card on pieces of thin metal. The goal is to create a design that speaks to you the most: find inspiration from your connections to the world, from home, or through an important symbol in your life. Special pens will easily burn and engrave any marks you make, so craft carefully.

Nocwich
Nocwich, which is shrouded in eternal darkness and is home to the werewolves and the vampires, is, unfortunately, CLOSED due to recent events.

◎ 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 are 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'll eventually have to strike out on your own. The government won't provide for you 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, but you will want to start making money. Nearly everything in the Free Cities has a price - including the portal to Aquila. Luckily, the portal to Libertas is free if you want to stretch your legs.

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Welcome to Solvunn

You're in a grassy clearing amid 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 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 who 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 who 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. With spring on the way, the winds remain somewhat chilly and the rains are heavy - not to mention the small twisters forming across the plains and on the ocean. 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:

• Small twisters assail the settlements. While it isn't strong enough to lift homes or large structures, important shrines, and small animals are still in danger. Try not to go outside unless you have to! Across the sky, lightning surges horizontally, never touching the ground.


• Shops and stalls have closed due to conditions. The strong community means in Solvunn everyone has chosen to pitch in to help each other out, delivering meals when there's a break in the storms, finding lost pets, repairing broken gates, and exchanging essential goods.


• Fishing in the Tertiary Settlement has also ground to a halt. Isar Hart, who sits on the Council, can be seen frequently in the Primary Settlement to gather much-needed supplies for the residents.

◎ Exploring

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

Shrine Offerings
As a new arrival, you'll be encouraged to perform your first offering. Due to the turbulent weather, Solvunn believes offerings in the tradition of High Magic might quell the Gods' fury. Create a bundle using a combination of fruit, wine, flowers, or an animal you've hunted. It must be picked and put together by your own hand. Once you're ready, you can approach any shrine belonging to a God that speaks to you: is it Cadaevos, who purifies the community and soul? Endrborrin, who brings forth spring and change? Vagn, who oversees one's journey in death? It's a good idea to travel with a partner. While the twisters aren't deadly, they can be dangerous if you're not careful. Perhaps, along the way, you can talk about what the concept of gods and blessings mean to you.

Goatnado
Due to the heavy rains, Solvunn's fine tradition of goat racing has been put on hold so the goats can be kept safe inside their pens. Of course, the goats prefer their free-range lifestyle and are prone to escaping. Help find missing goats or tend to the ones who have been returned to their pens. It may not be as simple as following the sound of bleating and tying them up; reports of small twisters picking up goats and other livestock have been made, sending them far away from their pens and farms and even into the more dangerous wilds or inconveniently on buildings and houses. You'll need to team up and track them down before they can cause any property damage or get hurt themselves.

The Shrieking of the Weeds
Goats and livestock aren't the only victims of the sudden winds. Farmlands and crops also face the brunt of destruction. The twisters travel quickly across Solvunn's low and flat landscape, and the freshly tilled earth is even easier to disturb. As a result, Shrieking Weeds, a staple garden guardian in Solvunn, are being ripped from the ground and sent in whirling, noisy tempests that keep everyone up all night and day. The weeds must be retrieved and will only quiet when planted back into the ground. Luckily, you can easily follow their discordant cries to find them.

Nocwich
Nocwich, which is shrouded in eternal darkness and is home to the werewolves and the vampires, is, unfortunately, CLOSED due to recent events.

◎ 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.

Goat-drawn wagons can help you get to the other settlements, but you're encouraged to remain in the Primary Settlement. If you insist, though, no one will stop you from leaving. Just be sure you have an invitation to the Secondary Settlement. There are tales of uninvited travelers to the Secondary Settlement disappearing without a trace. The gods are as hungry as they are protective.

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Questions & 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 territory your character is drawn into has nothing to do with their morality, beliefs, or how highly they regard themselves and their 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 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 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 into 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 territory?

No, they must remain within the territory except when visiting Nocwich. Review the Travel section on each territory's Setting page for where characters can go within their borders.

Can my character eventually change territories?

Yes, but tensions between the major territories are at an all-time high. Doing so is possible, but will require some plotting 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. Those interested in court politics, the Singularity, and magic will have the most access in Thorne. Anyone who wishes to uncover the secrets of the Gods and other mysteries will best do so in Solvunn.

This is not to say characters are locked out of other scenarios completely. With effort and the help of friends, anything is possible! Don't get too anxious about your choice. Every character in each scenario can work their way towards many individual goals. Additionally, once in-game, the Horizon, Nocwich, and certain events will let characters make easy cross-border 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. You'll 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?

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. In situations where Nocwich is closed, you can put up prompts for multiple scenarios, though only the one you choose in the application can become canon.

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. 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

Wynonna Earp | Wynonna Earp | Free Cities

[pacificator]

S U R R O U N D I N G S

[ She's special and important and she is so fucking tired of being either of those things. She was never supposed to be chosen – that was Willa – but, whatever, she got the nod and she's got her own damn war to fight, one which requires her to be back in the Ghost River Triangle instead of in this desert, in this military get-up, getting sandblasted out here on the Fury Road.

Even worse, there’s no muzzle tucked into her boot, pressed against her calf; no weight at her hip. She grabs one of the stuffed shirts wandering by, gripping their sleeve. ]

Look, you want me to fight for you? Fine, whatever. But I need my gun. What am I gonna do without it, give the bad guys a stern talking-to? Write a strongly worded letter?

Where the hell is my gun?

W E N C H

[ Unsurprising, maybe, that she ends up in the one place in town with wench in the name, but she opens the door to the tinkling sound of broken glass as one patron takes a swing at another and yeah – it feels like home.

There's no one for her to meet yet and no quiet conversations to be had, but she needs a drink. The goddamn military uniform puts a little bit of a cramp in her usual drinking strategy – namely, having some lust-blinded cowboy buying them for her – but she manages to coax a few out of some reasonably generous patrons. Even better, a few hours in, she finds herself at a table opposite a grinning, overly confident opponent who took one look at her slim frame and figured he'd win a drinking contest, easy.

They're five shots in and he's starting to look a little glassy-eyed. She knocks her next back and starts looking around for a new opponent. Without pool tables around for her to run or poker chips to win, she's got to make some cash somehow. ]

So, who's next?

S A R S T I N A

[ She's not Dolls; she's not a soldier. And she's for damn sure not going to sign up to fight for some uniformed assholes just because she got dragged out of her world and into this one. All that to say: staying in the barracks was never really her long-term plan, even before the would-be recruiters started giving her the cold shoulder. But it's not like she's got a lot of choices for alternate housing.

She hears about the Sarstina from somebody one night at the Wench: a place where she can get a roof over her head and a bed to sleep in for the cheap price of slinging drinks or washing dishes. Even better: the place only needs a longhorn skull hanging over the rows of liquor bottles behind the bar to make her feel right at home.

A mechanical bull wouldn't go amiss, either, but that seems more like the Wench's style.

She's not much of a bartender, but she can pull beers and barback easily enough, even if she's not so hot at fixing stuff up. Wynonna moves through the inn, pausing at a table where a patron is finishing up a drink. ]

Get something else for you?

W I L D C A R D

[ looking for something else? PM this journal or hit me up at repeatandfade ]

W E N C H

[catholica]

( matt can hear how intoxicated the man she's playing with is so it's no surprise to him when she decides she's done with him and asks for a new opponent.

he doesn't recognize her voice so he's guessing she's a new arrival and while matt's constitution is high, he's impressed that she's done five shots and sounds like she's absolutely fine.

it makes him think. )

He didn't take you seriously.

( that's what matt says when he approaches, cane in hand and glasses fixed to his face. )

Sounds like he's going to pay for it too.

[pacificator]

He didn't know I'm the undefeated champ.

[ She's relaxed, slouched back against her chair, her gaze tracking the way the her opponent's friends help him shuffle back off to some dark corner where he can sleep it off in peace, before it flickers to the newcomer. Sunglasses; cane. Interesting.

Wynonna taps the bottom of the shot glass on the table, solid glass on wood; once, twice. Focuses through the haze of alcohol that's giving this place the faintly fuzzy look of an old movie where they'd smeared Vaseline on the lens. The drink burns in her stomach, the only familiar thing here. ]

Here for a round?

[catholica]

Suppose I am.

( why not? he hasn't actually done a lot of drinking lately with everything going on and because he knows certain things hit him more intensely than they would anyone else.

matt reaches out, hand fumbling just a bit to find the chair before he pulls it out and sits down. he holds the cane up, pockets it. )

What are we drinking?

[pacificator]

[ That's a good question. Wynonna reaches for the bottle and turns it to study the label, then shrugs. ]

Tastes like cheap whiskey to me, whatever it is.

[ So probably... cheap whiskey. She unscrews the cap with a lazy flick of her finger and reaches to pour out a measure in a clean glass. Once the whiskey is a centimeter or so below the top, she cuts off the pour and sets the glass in front of him, a little harder than she usually might so he can hear the thunk of glass on wood.

Wynonna pours another measure of her own, then lifts the glass. ]

To drinks with mysterious strangers.

[catholica]

( matt waits a second, head tipped up while he listens to her pour the drink, listens to her move and then the thump of the glass on the wood. he waits a tic, picking up on her heartbeat, the alcohol on her breath and smiles to himself.

he feign missing the glass once before his hands find it. he sniffs the whiskey and then tips it back, letting it burn its way down. )

Oh, it's very cheap whiskey. But, it's good too.

S U R R O U N D I N G S

[tobeclosetohim]

Hey, there—

[ Enter one small blonde, getting her hands in the middle of this momentary dust-up between what looks like a burlap sack—albiet now weirdly uniformed —newbie and one of the Captain's before he can go reach for whatever he might be carrying. Or magic he might have. Or anyone else he'd call in. Looking more at the captain, who she does recognize well enough from being one of the people in and out the gates so often hunting or with the caravans. ]

Sorry about that. I've got this.

You know how new arrival day goes.

[pacificator]

[ The officer gives her a hard look over Polly Pocket's head, and Wynonna flares her eyes at him, eyebrows lifting in a challenge. If he wants to go, she's perfectly happy to get into it right now – but his glance falls from her to the smaller blonde girl and he visibly decides he'd just rather not deal with it.

She's seen that expression plenty of times before. It's a familiar one. He walks away, and she forgets him almost instantly, turning to focus on the newcomer. ]

I had that.

[ She absolutely did not have that. ]

[tobeclosetohim]

[ There's a look that absolutely contradicts that. ]

Sure, you did.

[ Jo's impatient with the damn storms keeping her here at the outpost, but she never forgets there are parts of this that suck ass. On the daily. From the first day. And just never get around to making themselves better. Those first three months were brutal being stuck in Cadens, penned in restlessness by this place, Dean's promise, and training with Ciri. ]

Look, it doesn't matter how much you yell at them. They aren't going to go around handing out weapons—yours or theirs. Unless things have gone ass up around here, and even then, they'll take it back right after.

It's real stupid. But facts.
Especially with the guns.

[ Says the girl with one, and a long thin sword across her back. ]

[pacificator]

I don't give a shit about their crappy guns. I want my gun.

[ Her big ass magic gun, the one that drags revheads back to hell in a pit full of flames and screaming. It's a useful gun to have, and it's also become, okay, kind of a safety blanket. She likes feeling its weight at her hip, in her hand.

She eyes the other girl, taking in the clothes, the sword, the attitude. ]

What are you, the welcoming committee?

WILD CARD -

[sscuriosity]

[The thing about accidentally stumbling into horizons is that Dustin's fight or flight checks in faster than his brain ever gets a chance to. Traversing the upside down back home has made him distrustful of unfamiliar but vaguely reminiscent territory, and the Roadhouse is no exception.

He has to peel his attention away from the corkboard to investigate other things, first, the jukebox, where he selects Master of Puppets, and next the shooting game, which is enough like a pinball machine that he has to try his luck with it.

He cranes over the prop rifle and moves the reticle into a more comfortable position. That makes it a lot easier for him to hit the targets when they appear and do it without playing at a disadvantage. It's all hunting animals and target practice and Dustin makes quick work of all of it, too transfixed to notice he's not alone until the song turns over onto the jukebox to something different. When that happens, he raises his head and slowly takes in his surroundings again. Dustin's not a hunter, not even close, but he's been through enough to feel that atmospheric change in pressure that means he's got eyes on him. He spins around slowly to try and find the source, and the game becomes a lot less important by contrast. The sound effects of missing his shots fall on deaf ears until, "GAME OVER," is announced.

It's then that his blue eyes find Wynonna at the bar, and he's too sheepish over being caught to notice that she might be out of place too.]

Uh, sorry. I dunno how....

[Dustin's about to go into excuses when he realizes it's not important. It won't make a difference, so he settles on going into what he does know.]

- it doesn't matter. Your game's cool. It's the first thing I've seen that reminds me of home since I got here.

[pacificator]

Not my game, kid.

[ She's leaning against the bar, because that's what you do in a place like this; you belly up to the bar, order a cold beer or a couple of fingers of whiskey (maybe you take the bottle, too, depending on the day you had before getting there). It's reflexive. It has to be, because she's never seen this place before in her life.

Places like it, sure. It's more barebones than Shorty's, but Shorty's isn't the only dive she's ever haunted. This place, with its mis-matched chairs and its jukebox full of classic rock, brings her right back to that summer she rode with the Banditos. She knows exactly how this place would sound, full of people, the clack clack of a pool game punctuating idle conversation.

But. Still. ]

Not my game, not my place.

[ She's not even sure how the hell she got here, but at least there's cold beer. Wynonna tips her head toward the jukebox, a long curling lock of brown hair sliding over her shoulder at the motion. ]

Good song, though.

[sscuriosity]

So, you wound up here the same way I did.

[Dustin casts a forlorn look back toward the video game, considering a couple more goes with it before trying to find his way back to Solvunn.

Whatever.

She's behind the bar, and Dustin misses beverages other than water or tea.]

Do they have coke back there? Sprite?

[He knows of a couple of cocktails that utilize one or the other so he has to ask. It's not exactly some high-end establishment but it reminds him of home in the best possible way.]

Yeah, one of my friend's favorites.

[pacificator]

Uh –

[ There's a clunk as she sets her beer down, and a series of rustling noises as she searches through the stuff behind the bar before she finds the soda hose. ]

Yeah, both. Which one you want?

[ She's gonna guess... Coke. This kid seems like the kind that likes caffeine. Wynonna searches out a clean glass and does a little more digging until she finds some ice, then starts pouring some into the glass in preparation for his order. ]

And I guess I did, but I still don't know how you or I got here.

[sscuriosity]

[She guessed right, anything sugar-based that'll keep him going for however long he needs to stay on the move. Dustin's not impolite either, he gives her a half-muttered thanks as he heaves himself up onto the bar stool in front of her.]

From what I understand this kind of thing just happens here. If it's not my place and it's not yours, it belongs to someone else just like us. One of the summoned.

Wench

[philancer]

[ This tavern is a little closer to the Loft than the Sarstina is, so while the sandstorm rages through Cadens, Sylvain finds himself coming here rather than making the trek to where the Summoned normally hang out. It’s definitely a more disreputable place than the one Mags runs, but he’s fine with that. It’s definitely similar to the taverns back home he would have gone to to blow off steam and avoid everyone.

He’d been bored, nursing a beer, when the commotion of the drinking contest caught his eye. He watches as she expertly handed the guy his ass after five shots and she still looks completely fresh and clear-eyed, other than maybe a slight flush to her cheeks.

Curious, he gets up and crosses to sink down across from her. ]

You just really bored or really intent on getting drunk today?

[ It’s asked with friendly curiosity as he arches an eyebrow and studies her intently. Or maybe she’s like Steve and this is all just a very clever scam. ]

[pacificator]

[ She stays relaxed as he comes over, as he takes a seat; slouched in her chair, toying with an empty shot glass. Only her eyes move, tracking his movements, studying his face with a studiedly bored expression. ]

Can't it be both?

[ Somewhere off to the side, her previous opponent stumbles sidelong into a doorframe. The big guys never can take their drink the way they think they can.

But this one, now. There's no aggression in his tone, no challenge; but that keen, quick gaze of his is familiar. She's been sized up plenty of times before.

Wynonna tips her head toward the bottle still on the table, a silent invitation. ]

Which are you?

[philancer]

[ His lips curve into an easy grin, friendly and charming, almost boyish in its playfulness, but there’s an intent gleam in amber eyes that doesn’t quite match that easy innocence. ]

Oh, definitely the first one. But I’m not opposed to the second.

[ He reaches for the bottle and tips it in her direction, offering to refill her shot glass for her. ]

Shall we give it a go?

[ She has a head start on him, which might put her at a disadvantage here, but he’s not about to underestimate her, either. But he knows he can certainly hold his liquor better than the last guy at least. Having to navigate hours and hours of inane social events with a drink in his hand had to pay off somewhere, after all. ]

Wench.

[wiedzminka]

[ It's a game Ciri knows well: find an overconfident man, let him underestimate you, take your winnings and amusement in easy time. She sits at a table nearby, alone for the moment, watching a new woman drink one of the regulars under the table-- a fine and funny show for Ciri, who actually laughs out loud when the liquor visibly hits Mr. Thought-He'd-Get-Lucky like a whole horse-cart barrelling downhill. He hiccups, slurring some protest she can't hear when his opponent turns around asking for new drinking partners.

Ciri gets up, leaving her empty ale mug behind, steps over to the table, and grabs the lilting man by the shoulder before he can slump off his seat. ]

Take your losses gracefully, Duncan. To bed with you.

[ With a hard squeeze, Ciri leverages the drunk man right out of his seat and stumbling away, cursing to himself.

She takes the now-vacant seat, crosses her arms over the table, and sizes up the woman across her with a grin. ]

Not looking for a contest, but I wouldn't mind sharing a drink if you still want another.

I'm Ciri.

[pacificator]

Wynonna.

[ She returns that interested glance with one of her own, taking in the woman's pale hair and vibrant eyes; the scar that chases over her fine features and the grin, easy and confident, all at once. That's the kind of thing that has a tendency to catch her attention – that, and the way the other girl shooed Duncan off. Somewhere, off to the side, he stumbles, rams his hip into a table. Man can't handle his liquor.

Wynonna lifts the bottle she'd been pouring from, offering to fill a clean glass. ]

You drink bad whiskey, Ciri?

[ Not like there's much of a choice otherwise. Wynonna shakes the bottle, letting what's left slosh around. ]

We didn't quite get to finishing it off.

[wiedzminka]

Sure. [ She'll drink whatever's offered, especially if it's free. Ciri takes the glass when filled, raising it a little toward her new drinking companion. ]

Haven't seen you here before, Wynonna. The way you're drinking the men under the table, I'd have remembered.

𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔𝑠;

[righteously]

( Every couple months around the summoning, Dean preps for a trip to the Barracks. He's done this same routine for nearly two and a half years now, save for one unpleasant stint nobody likes to talk about — a rocky patch, where new arrivals were the last thing on his mind. Outside of that little demonic hiccup, visiting the new greenhorns is a habit reinforced on repeat by the sheer number of times he's found one of his people there. The chance feels like an obligation, and so he goes.

It means he's seen people in all sorts of states, from resigned to fired-up, and everywhere in between. It also means he has enough of a rapport with a few of the guards that they offer him enough leniency to step in every once in a while and handle things when it's clear a military presence ain't exactly deescalating things.

If his people person skills don't earn him a little more of her grace, maybe the rifle strapped to his back will. )

Sorry, sister, but uh- the carry-on luggage doesn't get sucked through the creepy naked portal with you, and guns are harder to come by here than they are back in Kansas. But I'll tell you what we got plenty of on hand right now--

( He fishes around in one of his side satchels, and underhand-tosses her a flask. )

Cheap ass whiskey.

[pacificator]

[ She catches the flask by reflex – someone tosses her booze, she's not about to let it fall – and spins the top open without preamble. Sure, it could be poison... but if it is, at least she'll be dead and she won't have to deal with this shit anymore. Silver linings.

Wynonna lifts the flask for a swallow, lifting her eyebrows at the exasperated guard and following it up with a flicked-up middle finger before the guy visibly opts to make her the newcomer's problem and turns to deal with some other confused – but less aggressive – arrival. The whiskey tastes just as cheap as the guy promises, which makes it nicely familiar. Maybe the only familiar thing so far, aside from the rifle he's got tucked there over his shoulder. ]

At least somebody here's got their priorities straight.

[ Regarding booze, anyway. Wynonna tips the flask for another sip, then lowers it, giving him a long glance, sizing him up. ]

Is this where you tell me we're not in Kansas anymore, or has that one been played out already?

[ But, really. Why else would you even bring up Kansas? ]

[righteously]

( Ah, yes, he recognizes those booze-catching reflexes. A very familiar sight, and an encouraging one. Nailed it. That middle finger maneuver only cements to him that his decision to step in here was the right call, and he slaps Ott the guard on the shoulder in half-hearted apology. There's a mutter of hit the showers or something, pal, and the poor idiot wanders on out — likely filing away hit the showers as a new idiom he can borrow, in his eternal quest to steal references from the Summoned that he fangirls.

His lips twitch up just a little at that throw-away Wizard of Oz line — thank god. One placating hand goes up, and he kicks off with a preemptive: )

First of all, the fact that you know that reference? Is a treasure. Just. Trust me. Practically nobody around here's from a place with cable, and it shows.

( Like, on a deeply distressing level. Even Jo's a decade or so behind him on pop culture, he is a one-man island of loneliness. )

Second... this is about as far from Kansas as you can get, Toto. Unless ye olde Ren Faire's in Topeka these days.