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.

Go to top ⇑

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.

Go to top ⇑

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.

Go to top ⇑

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.

Go to top ⇑

Comments

[tedandroses]

"Not Boy Scouts," Teddy says, with a little mischievous curl of their smile. That would've been an interesting argument. Jesus. Their parents don't even know about the gender thing now, much less at age seven. They didn't even have a word for it then. Then again, they really didn't feel it, much, until later.

"No, uh. Neither version, actually. My parents are just very you should learn the basics, and it's the middle of nowhere, it's good to be a little handy. And hey," they lift their hands, pretty sure he's not offended but still a little hasty to set the record straight. "Honestly -- I'm not judging. There's a lot worse shit you could do. I'd just ...rather the first friend I make here doesn't get ..." They look around. "Put in the stocks, or something."

She grins, relaxing when he moves on to the next subject easily. "No, not at all! I don't know shit about Canadian history, so? But yeah, we used to be part of Virginia and -- basically a lot of resentment built up between the mountain folk," she gestures broadly to herself as the, apparently, designated representative, "and the rest of Virginia, especially large plantation owners, who had a lot of government influence. So." She makes a little breaking apart mime.

"Almost heaven, West Virginia," Teddy sings back, nodding with a smirk. "You got it." The ubiquitous love their state has for a song a not-even-native shoved into the right syllable count is the most West Virginian thing he can think of: there's some used-to-pulling-theses-out-of-the-air part of him that could make that a metaphor for the way the state's been treated since before its formation. And yet, he's, begrudgingly, one of those people who will still sing along with it and even feel a little despite knowing all that.

"I mean, I think most people who like nature like it aesthetically at least a little bit. I do love camping, but if you asked me would I prefer to go hiking and come back to a cabin with AC and Wifi and usually a giant bed and a Keurig? Hell yes. ...Oh man. I wonder if this place has coffee." That...That is maybe more of a problem than nicotine. Teddy's at least attempted to quit smoking before. He's been nurturing the caffeine habit like a favorite plant since they were, what, eleven?

"Oh, good. Maybe good?" They consider that. "Good, no major disasters, bad, no incredible news or mention-worthy revolutions?" They shrug expansively, but then nod, expression relaxing into something more serious and interested as Iggy goes into his own life. His shorter curls sort of spring back from being pushed back; it's cute.

"Nanaimo," they echo, their turn to be intrigued. "That's -- is that also an island?" Vancouver being off the coast is one of the few geographical things about Canada they have relatively pinned down. They nod, a slow emphatic agreement.

"I don't know much about Vancouver," she disclaims. "It's a -- hazy impression of um, rain and killer whales, and -- film? And cool but nonspecific city images, and...I think the stock images of my brain might just be generic Pacific Northwest, I'm sorry." She laughs and pushes her own hair out of her face, shaking it back, embarrassed. "Oh! And um, Neko Case. Is from there?" She tilts her head, raising an eyebrow in did that get any points and grins, burying her head in one hand only a little over-dramatically. "You know, I should have just shut up and pretended I did know."

Teddy lifts their head and adds, more seriously, "But...yeaah, I think of the rent prices on ourwest coast and my brain just makes alarm noises, so I assume it's the same a little north." They smile, wry.

"So -- wait, art school. That's awesome. What kind of art are you into?"

[dead_tongue]

"Ohhhhhh, okay, I gotcha, I think. Preferred pronouns? I'm he/him." It's not an unusual thing to discuss, for Iggy.

With all due respect to Teddy's roots, Iggy is imagining Doomsday preppers. Just a little bit. But that doesn't matter because the word friend has been uttered. Friend! As someone who grew up very isolated and terribly lonely, the word makes Iggy's heart open right up. Teddy could probably ask for anything now and Iggy would do his best to provide.

He listens to the abbreviated history of West Virginia, trying to reconcile it with movies or YouTube videos or even TikToks he may have seen. He's forming a bit of a mental image now. Mountain folk. Alright.

Iggy's face suddenly pales in horror. "Oh my goodness," he says. "No coffee. I didn't even consider..." He groans and covers his face with his hands for a moment. "No cigarettes, no cocaine, no coffee... Oh my god, just kill me now, nevermind putting me in the stocks!"

He sighs. "Yeah, just more of the same old shit. Some good news, lots of bad, but we have to keep on going regardless." A pause. "Well. We don't. Not anymore."

"It's on Vancouver Island, yeah," Iggy explains. "Vancouver the city is on the mainland. You know, just to really confuse people. It's just a few hours north of Seattle, if that helps. And we have a lot of movies shot there, yeah, so you're not wrong. The killer whales are on the coast too! I've seen em. Mostly growing up I saw harbour seals, though. So cute." He smiles impishly. "I think Case is from Washington though, sorry."

He wrinkles his nose. "God, yeah, like, a one bedroom is going for three grand a month. In comparison being stuck here in the Olden Village is a fucking relief."

Iggy flips a wrist in a sort of 'voila!' gesture. "I? Do watercolours. Mostly landscapes. I've been told it's super boring of me. Were you in school? You look about my age. I'm twenty-four."

[tedandroses]

Teddy brightens like the spill of light at sunrise, slow and then all at once; their grin turns into a wider, softer smile, a little caught off guard and very much appreciative.

The joke had been — not even with particular thought, just out of habit — put in such a way that someone who doesn’t discuss those things might breeze right past it. Oh, haha, right, of course not the Boy Scouts.

But Iggy’d caught his drift. Maybe a — pretty evidently queer — artist-slash-cam-boy in art school in a big city was almost guaranteed to: it’s still rare enough an occurrence for Teddy to be asked about pronouns instead of thrusting them on other people that his entire chest sort of clenches, in a good way.

(It also occurs to Teddy that they could say anything. This is an entirely new world. No history; no but-we’ve-known-you-so-long-as…)

“Thank you,” they say, both for Iggy’s pronouns and for being asked their own. “Got it. And um, if I had my choice?” Teddy’s tone is a little wistful. “Kind of yes-and?” She arcs a hand in a little depicting-a-scene gesture. “All of them. Any of them.” For just a moment his eyes are bright with possibility, meeting Iggy’s. “I think sometimes, that I would love not even knowing in advance, if someone was going to say he, or they, or zie, she…. But. That’s a…big ask? So.”

They lift a shoulder. “I guess…” Teddy thinks. “Maybe, whatever feels the most like me to you. If it changes, rad, and if it doesn’t, fair enough. Is that too weird?”

[OOC: this got long and feelsy, so I’m breaking it up — I really want to reply to other things he said but it feels natural to get a response? We can wrangle it. Unless you’d rather I just keep going??]

you're perfect, don't worry!

[dead_tongue]

Iggy is very used to paying attention to people's facial expressions and body language. It's been a major part of his life for as long as he can remember, with the problem laying not in identifying emotions but in determining the reason for them. He can see how happy Teddy is, so Iggy smiles right back even though he's puzzled as to why they seem so pleased.

"A surprise every time? That's cool, it's like... vibe based. Oh, I love that. You're strutting around like, 'fuck yeah, I'm totally big dick energy today, call me Miss Jackson if you're nasty,' But then maybe in the evening it's soft bitch hours so you're a he..."

Iggy clasps his hands together a moment, beaming. "I'll just say what I think the vibe is right then! And if I'm off you can just be like, 'nuh uh.' That's so cool."

He leans down just a little bit. "You're not weird, okay? Not to me, anyway. Gender is so fake, don't even worry about it." He gasps as something occurs to him.

"Ohmygosh. This is like, medieval peasant town, right? I wonder if they ever wear like, tits-tastic Maid Marianne gowns?" Iggy has no idea if that's historically accurate - he's thinking of movies, not anything he saw in a book. "I will absolutely suck a dick for one of those."

🥹💕

[tedandroses]

[OOC: the last couple days have been such a mess, sorry for the lag!]

Teddy blinks a few times. Whatever response they’d expected, it wasn’t the dawning delight with which Iggy absorbs the idea. There’s a subtle feeling of no seriously, what fucked up fever dream is this, but all they can do is grin at Iggy’s impression, if slightly bemusedly.

It doesn’t escape him that Iggy slaps Miss Jackson if you’re nasty on top of big dick energy and puts he/him with soft. It’s not always the case, but it actually is a lot of the time, the same way that since he started binding more often than not, it’s much less intimidating to wear lace or cropped tanks or scoop necks. And besides that, it’s just thoughtful.

Teddy beams right along with him, nodding along in pleased excitement. “Yeah, no — exactly! That’s. Perfect.”

How the hell are they standing in the middle of a …magic communist Ren Faire village that yanked them bodily from home and this is where Teddy feels maybe the most seen they ever have?

And then Iggy closes the distance, a little, to tell them seriously that they’re not weird. Teddy’s half tempted to look around like where am I and what fever dream IS this?. They aren’t bothered, historically, by being a weird kid, especially because of pushing back against norms: they like that about themselves and it’s found them good friends. But it can be lonely, especially when the thing they’re pushing back with is just themself. Iggy so easily accepts it and there’s no reason he has to.

“Oh, I absolutely am weird,” he demurs, but it’s warm and very grateful and just a tiny bit wobbly. “And gender is such a fucking scam, and. …Would it be okay if I gave you a hug?”


The change of subject makes Teddy snort-giggle. “I don’t think of Maid Marian as having the titty shelf dresses, but I also think of her as being a fox. In the furry Disney way.

“You could rock a corset though. Hell yes. Do it. Not sure either of us are made for heaving bosoms, but. Who knows, maybe one of the gods grants petitions for uh, bodily alterations of a temporary nature.”

Teddy pauses. “Man, if they did they’d have a new devotee. That’d be. Amazing. Also just fun.”

never apologise for delays! life occurs

[dead_tongue]

Iggy is a veteran soft bitch himself. He's pleased to see that Teddy looks so happy, slowly coming to the realisation that this might be a conversation that traditionally doesn't go so well. It's not that Iggy's ignorant of how the wider world views gender, it's just that on a personal level acceptance is the norm and has been his whole life.

Teddy's insistence that she's weird, however, just makes Iggy smile a little. He's yet to meet anyone that actually was as weird as himself, but that didn't invalidate anyone's experiences.

He opens his arms. "Oh sweetie, of course! I'm one of the world's great huggers, bring it on in." He is, too - he embraces Teddy like a long lost friend, releasing him just before it gets awkward.

He has to consider this new information. "Oh yeah... yeah, her tits were covered up. Maybe I'm thinking of like... Marie Antoinette. Oh my god I'd look so good in that era."

He grins and gropes his chest. "If I had tits I'd look like a stick figure with circles added, like how a kid draws naughty pictures. I'd still try it, though."

He hums thoughtfully and looks around. "The god thing... that's new to me. Like, okay, I am familiar with the concept from other cultures and like, the occult and whatever, but personally I've got no experience with the idea of anything so big being so immediate. I was raised religious but it wasn't the sort of thing where you sacrifice a goat at a shrine in the woods."

A frown. "...I hope I don't have to kill a goat. I'd cry."

Re: never apologise for delays! life occurs

[tedandroses]

Teddy's often shy of initiating contact -- being thoughtful about consent to touch is, also, a convenient stepping stone -- but they love physical affection; sometimes it's really the best way to communicate certain things. What being so easily accepted feels like is one of those.

He gives as good as he gets, hugging-wise -- Teddy's pretty strong, and hugs are supposed to be rib-crushing, in his opinion -- and the length of the hug doesn't bother him at all. It's a bit of an excuse to gather himself, if anything, ducking his head into Iggy's shoulder for just a second. "You weren't kidding," he laughs. "I had to teach my first girlfriend to hug properly. You're not going to break me, I promise."

Teddy considers this. "Hell yes, you would." She does a little gesture of cascading curls. "With the hair, and everything! Little pastel heels, heart under one eye? I can see it. Plus! I'm pretty sure no asshole would be calling landscapes boring. You could just be an artiste. With like, a rich patron." She laughs.
"I'm not sure this town is ready for it, but I can see it."

Teddy nods, slowly, thinking about it. "I was too." Raised religious, that is. "What flavor? If you -- You don't have to go into that, if you don't want to." It comes easy to Teddy; they're still kind of wrestling with what they do believe, and the concept of devotion to gods here is almost more familiar than not, but it can be pretty traumatic for people, and they get that.

"It's -- yeah, I would say I'm in the same boat. And I, definitely, don't think what I believe in is all that immediate." They pause, imagining if one of these gods just showed up and did something in front of them. Jesus. No pun intended. "At least, you know, until proven otherwise. But then again, we prayed for people who were sick, or in pain, you know? And -- other less important stuff. That's at least a little immediate."

He makes a face. "Oof. Yeah... I've seen animals killed, I've gone hunting, even, but for food, mostly. First time I shot a deer I cried and cried. My cousins teased me about it a little bit. And it was a good clean shot, took it right down, and it fed us for months -- but." He makes a face and shakes his head; he's still not a fan, and doesn't like sport hunting at all, despite having very good aim: he gets pleaded with by those same cousins to come enter the elk lotto, but never has. "I do think I appreciate food differently than kids who've never seen small farming, or hunting? But there's also a ...lot there to talk about."

Teddy thinks about it. "I guess if you believe that a sacrifice to the gods directly affects what happens to you, though, it's not any different than killing for food. Moreso, really, because that livestock would normally be food, or be worth other kinds of food. So you're saying, God, I'm giving you this life that could very literally keep me and my family alive, because I hope you'll protect us. That's pretty intense."

She rubs the back of her neck. "And...I just got real depressing there. But, also, I'm pretty sure we don't have to sacrifice anything," she adds, and if it's a little hopeful, well. "I feel like sacrifices are a thing one of the." She waves. "Big guys do? The Council, you know? I get the feeling the every day offerings are more. Flowers and food and things."

[dead_tongue]

Iggy's so ridiculously comfortable with physical contact that he sometimes has to remind himself to ask if it's okay. But Teddy hugs back so tight that he thinks he'll be alright in just surprising them with affection in the future.

"Really?" he asks. "That's so cute, though! Have you had many girlfriends? Boyfriends? Anythings?" He just loves romance stories.

Iggy primps his hair and grins. "I'd be dazzling," he agrees. "Even in boy drag. Gosh, what a time to be alive." He looks around. "Well. We got stuck a little further back, I guess. I'll find something appropriately slutty for parties, I'm sure."

His smile becomes a little more defensive. It's not that he consciously expects Teddy to suddenly turn on him or make fun of him, but historically talking about his family's religion has resulted in people either thinking he's a weirdo or a fake. Sometimes other people raised in Evangelical Christian sects have accused him of devil worship.

"Uhm," he starts. "We're Spiritualists." A nervous glance. "I don't know if you know what that one is, I guess it's kinda... niche. Uhm. But we did a lot of healing prayer, which it sounds like you're used to. Less important stuff too - for people to get jobs, find love, whatever." He skirting around the big thing that sets Spiritualism apart from other religions until he knows if Teddy is going to react poorly.

Iggy looks half impressed and half queasy. "I've never even seen a gun," he admits. "Damn. That's so butch."

He shakes his head. "That's not depressing. Things die. And I think you've really nailed it, like that's very much the vibe." He chews his lower lip a little. "I wonder if people hopscotch between them depending on what they need or if they adopt one if it matches up with a career or something. You know, it's all very strange to us but it's kinda neat?"

[tedandroses]

Once Teddy's been given permission for hugs -- unless it's explicitly taken away -- it's pretty much a yes, though they still tend to telegraph. Being surprised with them? Bonus points. Whether it's their own social justice awareness or generally affecting a sort of stoic attitude -- apparently interdimensional travel puts your heart on your sleeve -- or just being tiny, that almost never happens.

"I have faith in you," Teddy assures in a deadpan, restrained grin tugging at the corners of her mouth.

Like that, though, Iggy's own smile goes a little nervous and hesitant, fading from his eyes to a polite sort of thing that Teddy can recognize from how often he's done it. Teddy nods, slowly, listening and thinking. "Well," he says, and the vowel shift his accent puts there makes the word an easy thing to draw out to think on. "I don't know if what I'm thinking of has anything to do with the religion, or not.

"When I hear 'Spiritualism'," he explains, tilting his head thoughtfully and seriously, "I get --" Another waved hand in much the same way as Vancouver. Hopefully more accurately? "Spirits, mediums, uh: the Fox sisters, Lily Dale, Arthur Conan Doyle? Which is probably why I even got into this...oh!" Teddy blinks out of the literal string of free association in a realization that actually, there is a religious aspect they know about.

"No: It was Quakers. I took this Radical Thought class sophomore year of college, and the Quakers were. Kind of all over it, honestly, it was great. And they got really into Spiritualism, and a lot of their ideas got linked up -- pacifism, and abolition, and --" Teddy's being sort of enthusiastic. They liked that class, and it was also kind of nice to read a lot about progressive religious groups while having one of their many many periods of what do I believe.

Unfortunately, they're rambling. "And...I'm either way off the mark, or I'm explaining the history of your religion to you," they say and make a face, holding up both hands in apology. "But uh. Yes! Healing prayer. Is a thing I am intimately familiar with." Teddy's, frankly, just glad they didn't go to some other, just-a-step-to-the-right churches that would have absolutely, in the Year Of Our Lord 2023, seen their epilepsy as a sign they'd been possessed.

"And -- hey..." Her voice softens and she looks up at Iggy. "You can't weird me out, okay? Tell me whatever you want to. Or not. I mean." She shrugs. "My sorta boyfriend in high school was from a Pentecostal family -- that's the one with the speaking in tongues? And I know he at least, kind of...panic attacked himself into it. But...I'm still open to the possibility that some people don't. You know? I don't know everything. Much less about God. ...sss? I mean. Isn't that the point?"


"Yeah okay, Canada," they tease back and try to think if there's any kid in their state who hasn't seen a gun, at least historical weapons. "Hm. I'll take it."

Teddy nods, feeling a little warmed and increasingly relaxed about verging onto serious subjects. Iggy's got a lot of surface flash: clever, funny, pretty, light-hearted -- but it's the more thoughtful, considerate underneath that actually intrigues him. He hums softly in thought. "I mean, just based on other polytheistic religions -- I don't know, Greek mythology? Or Celtic, Norse... I'd guess they're sort of all available to pray to or go to for advice depending. Or. From my very brief I'm sooo edgy 13 year old pagan dabbling, maybe different ones become relevant at different times of the year? But." He pauses. "Then again, I guess there are devotees of a single god in Greek history, too..."

[dead_tongue]

Iggy snorts, but then his face pales and stills as Teddy goes on. It's rare to find someone who actually knows much about fringe religions, after all. And rarer still that they seem... into it?

"My great-great-grandma knew the Fox sisters," he says shyly. "Her family were Doukhobors - they emigrated to get away from the Russian government, and she met them after she landed in Ontario. She kinda fell in love with the whole thing, so she broke off from the rest of the family and started a Spiritualist church. My mom runs it now." He looks down at his hands, then back up again with another nervous smile. "Uhm. I'm named after Sir Arthur Ignatius Conan Doyle, actually."

He perks up a little bit. "I've never seen anyone speak in tongues in person. Not like they do in movies, anyway. We were more about getting, you know. Clear messages." Not that he's trying to throw shade at the Pentecostals, but he can just imagine the disdain his mother would have for such a garbled communication.

Iggy relaxes even further, because really who didn't have an edgy 'spell candle' phase? "You're really open minded, huh?

"I have a feeling whatever is here is a little more immediate than we're used to, though. Like 'might see a god out in the woods' immediate. I dunno. It's just very much the vibe."

[tedandroses]

Iggy kind of goes still, and at first, Teddy is sure they've said the wrong thing, and chews on the inside of their lip a little bit.

Then he sort of gently, hesitantly introduces that little tidbit and Teddy's eyebrows climb. "What. Really?" She listens intently. Teddy doesn't know what Doukhobors are, exactly, but there are a lot of reasons, especially historically, to run from the Russian government; besides, Iggy can probably tell her about that later.

"Wow. Runs it. That's got to be -- a lot." Like being a pastor's kid. A lot of pressure. For the English MA, though, it's the next thing that really gets Teddy. "Wait. Fuck all the way off. Really?" He grins, laughing in more of a lift of shoulders than a sound. "Ignatius," Teddy says slowly, nodding; almost testing out the sound of it in his mouth. "Iggy. Fair. You know what's funny, I think I've read almost all his work at some point -- even the stuff he was super annoyed that people still wanted -- and I don't think I ever managed to remember his middle name."

"I haven't either, honestly. I wasn't exactly prompting Z to channel the Holy Spirit while we hung out." They grin. "I think it's -- supposed to be undecipherable because it's the language of God flowing through you, or something like that? Incomprehensible to human minds." That's at least the impression they got from Zach; they hadn't asked him too many prying questions. He'd hated that place.

"I have seen snake handling, though," they add, because, when else are you going to get to bring that up. "And --" They huff a wry laugh. "Yeah, I'm very open minded -- my dad likes to say one of these days my brain's gonna fall out --" This with a slight roll of the eyes. "But." Teddy makes a little judgy face with maybe a slight side of guilt. "That one is ...actual bullshit. I mean. More power to that kind of faith, I guess? They don't even accept medical care if they get bit, they just pray, and accept that if they die, it's because God wanted them to. But shit. I don't care what God I believe in, If I believe they created everything, I'm gonna go ahead and assume the rattlesnake got given a warning rattle for a reason. And I mean, if you want to play Holy Russian Roulette, why stress out a totally random snake for it."

He thinks about that. "Wow. I...don't know that you're wrong, but. I don't think I'd processed that. When I think about gods, I kind of think about turning into a little pile of ash or something if they appear in front of you. You know, the way that angels have to say fear not every time they deliver a message."

Teddy pauses. Speaking of messages. "Wait. Before, you said you were about getting clear messages." They tip their head, thinking about Spiritualism and trying to put the pieces together. "Do you mean, from God, or -- were you actually accessing the...afterlife? I don't know if that's the right word."

[dead_tongue]

Iggy nods, visibly relaxing. "Really! And yeah, it's a lot. It's why I was home schooled, so I could help out." The nature of Iggy's help was perhaps a little weirder than he's letting on.

"You know I've only read that one story, about the ghost dog or whatever? And I don't think he has his middle name on much, I think my folks just have a weird sense of humour. My mom was really pushing for Ivan, actually, which I think might have been worse."

At the explanation Iggy nods. "Like... Barbarous words, sure. I just can't imagine it being very useful. Personally. But I'm biased."

His eyes go wide. "I can't understand that," he says. "Like, I get that God has a plan but in my experience it's very rarely to do with how your dumb ass dies."

Iggy smiles and nods. "Yeah, same. I've never seen an angel, but I feel like if I did I'd shit myself."

His smile turns into a nervous thing again and he looks down at his hands. "Uhm. I mean. Mediumship is an integral part of Spiritualism..." Duh. Teddy knows that. Iggy glances up, then down once more.

"I'm sorta. Like. Uhm. You ever see The Sixth Sense?"

[tedandroses]

Teddy nods. "Oof. I guess it depends on how much you like helping, but. Oof." That's probably true for anyone who has to work at a family-run...business is the wrong word. (Or is it? Kind of the same thing for most churches.) But adding religion has got to stack extra pressure on anyone.

He's abruptly aware of how the light's shifted since they started talking. "-- Hey. I'm sorry, I should've sooner: Do you want to come up?" He lifts his head in a nod toward the apartment above the storefront they're outside. "Y'know. I'd normally move to the liminal space of 'beverages' before asking a boy home." He gives Iggy a little grin. "But. I'm not sure if this place does coffee shop." And even in the most platonic sense, when a conversation gets good it's only polite to have furniture and sustenance involved.

"Hound of the Baskervilles?" At Ivan, Teddy considers -- no, Ignatius sounds better, and Iggy fits better, they think -- but can't resist a joke. "Terrible, even," they deadpan. They can't maintain the innocent look though, and grin. "I can't speak on names. I was the first," they lift one hand to scare quote with two fingers, "'girl' in my generation, so I'm named for my grandmother. Theodora."

Teddy hastens, "Who I love. Theodora Prime is the best. But." She gestures at herself and lifts an eyebrow in do I look like a Theodora?

He nods along in a slow, sort of absorbing way that characterizes the way he listens: it's different from a yes, though it's not not one. "Barbarous words," he echoes back, thoughtfully: he's heard the term but hasn't ever really seen it in use. It -- maybe not unlike Ignatius, but as a phrase -- has a sort of melodic, internally coherent sound. Ironically, since it's clearly describing words someone hears as gibberish. "Do you know where the word barbarian comes from?" he asks, a little pedigogically. It's sort of a real question and sort of a are you interested in my weird interests.

Teddy shrugs, unbothered by the judgement of a church they don't belong to. "Biased, aren't we all." It's a little bit of a ...paraphrase of a reference. To something Iggy's probably too young to get and that they really should be except that their oldest cousins were tweens when they were born. "I don't know if everything's supposed to be useful," he muses, but it's just thinking out loud, not correction.

Teddy snorts. In my experience doesn't escape them -- that's an interesting way of putting it -- but they're still chatting and they end up moving on before they can interrogate it, which is fine. They start to laugh at the angel thing.

Then Iggy's all ums and half smiles again and Teddy frowns. Yep, that's why she'd asked the question. And why she'd asked the question in quite the way she had: if she thought Iggy was, at least knowingly, knocking on tables to cheat grieving people, it might be different, but you don't avoid the subject of messages that you bring up if you're trying to sell something.

That or he's one of the best actors Teddy's met. But the whole everything else about him tells Teddy that Iggy is a goddamn terrible liar and also, doesn't bother with it much. And there'd be no point in doing it here, anyway. No one uses money and the church he's from doesn't exist, in any organized sense.

More than that, though, Teddy just hates the nervous shifting. Right after he's been so kind about one of the worst, most nervewracking things they ever have to talk about? Fuck that. He reaches out -- hugs have already been approved, so probably simple touch is okay -- and captures Iggy's hands in his own where he's fidgeting. "Hey," Teddy repeats, soft. If they were the same height, he'd be tipping his head sideways to try and catch Iggy's eyes. Being a whole foot shorter, though, he just steps in a little more and looks up. "I'm asking because I'm curious. If I was gonna fuck with you about it, I could've done it back at Lily Dale. You know? It's okay."

Spirits, ghosts -- and not the Holy kind -- rank even further toward the things Teddy just believes in part of the spectrum and away from trying to be optimistically open-minded. It's not a struggle to ask if that's a thing that's possible. And okay, sure, why should Iggy trust him? They've known each other for the length of a conversation. But it's a conversation that's included hugs and pronouns and drugs and blowjobs and talking about their ancestry, so Teddy figures they've blown way past overdisclosure.

They step back to give him some space and look back up as he looks down. They haven't, actually, watched the movie, but they do know the plot, and most of the salient quotes. "You see dead people?" they ask, because that seems like where this is going.

And then pauses. "...Please say that is what you mean, and not we are dead people, uh, spoiler, because I went through that possibility already about this place? and I was doing okay with not being dead."

[dead_tongue]

Iggy grins and nods. "Up is good," he agrees. The storm isn't going to stay lulled for long, after all. He follows along, grinning further at the idea of any sexual implication.

"Yeah, careful, I'll think you're easy," he teases.

On the topic of literature Iggy brightens. "That's it! I don't remember much about it, though. I'm not much of a reader."

He snickers silently at the terrible joke and breezes on to exclaim, "Theodora is so pretty! But no. No, you sure didn't grow into that one. I like Teddy, it's cool."

Iggy shakes his head, eyes wide as they ascend to the apartment. "No, I don't know where 'barbarian' comes from. Are you an entomologist?" He's close?

The way Teddy says that little biased line sounds familiar, but Iggy can't place it. His parents definitely own the film on DVD, though.

But then they're back to the one topic Iggy usually tries to avoid. His nerves are singing but then Teddy is holding his hands and looking up at him. Their eyes are so kind. Iggy relaxes a bit again.

"We are definitely not dead," he says with an absent sort of confidence - it's like how he'd say 'water is wet.'

"But yeah, I see and hear dead people." He smiles, looking embarrassed now. "Ever since I was born. Which isn't that unusual - lots of kids can. It just never went away with me. Uhm. My mom called me her little prodigy." The faintest of blushes.

"So. There's that. I don't usually, you know. Disclose it. But in this place I guess it's not that fucking weird, so..."