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ABRAXAS MODS ([personal profile] abraxasmods) wrote in [community profile] abraxasooc2021-05-20 09:20 pm
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TEST DRIVE MEME #1

TEST DRIVE MEME
Welcome to the very first test drive meme for Abraxas! This meme is run a little bit differently than most in that you'll be asked to choose one of the two 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 here. For general game questions please still use the FAQ.

Arrival

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"I beg your pardon," he says, so absorbed in the pages of the book that he doesn't bother to look up, "I am Ambrose Rhett, the High Mage of the Kingdom of Thorne. One of my apprentices will explain everything in a moment, but please refrain from yelling and thrashing about until then. You're quite alright, and screaming gives me a hell of a headache."

Regardless of your response, he keeps flipping through the heavy tome, until he stops on one specific page, stares at it for a moment, and then exclaims:

"Aha!"

Scenario One: Welcome to Thorne

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

"Success! It's a success!" he exclaims, slamming the book shut and scurrying towards you.

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

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

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

Once inside the castle you're taken to the North Wing, which has been set up as living quarters for you and your fellow newcomers. There are four people to a room, but each generously-sized bed has opaque curtains that can be drawn around it. You can meet your roommates here and discuss your shared situation (everyone appears to have arrived within the last few days), or you can wander around and meet the others.

There's also a dining hall stocked with all sorts of fancy food to meet every possible dietary need, and a library filled with epic tales and legends and the history of Thorne. Given that this is the Thorne library, it may be a biased account that makes the Kingdom look a fair bit better than the rest of the world sees them. Last but not least, there's a study hall where a few junior mages (younger and less experienced than the apprentices from earlier) might be willing to teach you some simple elemental magic. Think holding a small flame in the palm of your hand, or blowing a door shut with a gust of wind.

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

Last (and, if you ask anyone else in the castle, least) there is a worn stone staircase leading underground to the dungeon. You can go there, if you wish, but all powers are restricted in the dungeons and spending too much time with the prisoners will lead to some suspicion being cast upon you. If you ask anyone why the prisoners are being held there, you'll be told that they pose a great threat to the Kingdom (and, by extension, the entire world).

Scenario Two: Imprisoned

The High Mage scowls, grinding his teeth as he slams the book shut. "Another failure!" he barks at the apprentices, "You lot wouldn't know your ass from a hole in the ground, would you?"

All four of them lower their heads, and two of them mumble an apology that Ambrose either doesn't hear or refuses to acknowledge. "Well, don't just stand there," he says, waving a hand in the air, "We've put all this effort into getting this wretched creature, we may as well put it to good use."

One of the apprentices drops a baggy, rough-feeling tunic, a pair of pants, and some worn sandals in your lap and glares down at you until you put them on (if you refuse, they'll tell you they can kick you back down that well if you don't want to cooperate). They're glaring at the High Mage as much as they're glaring at you (when they're sure he isn't looking, anyway). You might catch one of them long enough to ask them why they're so upset with you, but all they'll say is that the High Mage knows something they don't, and he's awfully upset about it.

Once you're fully clothed, another apprentice clamps some heavy iron shackles around your wrists and leads you on. The High Mage is far ahead of you already, muttering some long string of Thornean curses before he stands up straight and pauses, spinning to face you.

"One more thing," he says, holding one hand in the air and chanting something under his breath, "Can't have you getting too troublesome."

If you had powers, the slight connection you still had to them slips away completely and you're left with nothing as the four apprentices drag you towards the castle. They may answer a few of your questions (with some insults and curses peppered in), but they won't tell you anything important.

Once you arrive at the castle you're brought to the dungeons and thrown into a locked cell. There are four people to a cell, and two sets of bunk beds with a thin and lumpy straw mattress. If you're over six feet tall, these beds are going to be awfully uncomfortable. You might as well meet your roommates. Once per day you're dragged out to an enclosed courtyard for one hour of recreation (with some crude weights, benches, and balls lying around but not much else), where you can meet the rest of the prisoners, but you can also talk to your immediate neighbors in the cells on either side and across the hallway. Just don't yell too much or the guards will snap at you to be quiet.

Everyone in the dungeon is fed one meal a day, and for a prison meal it's decent: a bit of meat, a bun, and a salad. It would seem that the Thornean chefs take too much pride in their craft to send bad food to the dungeons. The meals are all served in equal portions, though, so the smaller prisoners may be overfed and the larger ones may be getting hungry. Feel free to fight for food or share with your cellmates.

Crudely embroidered on the back of every prison tunic is the same image that was on your card and the name of the sign beneath it. A guard may explain a bit about the sign, and tell you some negative stereotypes they hold about yours.

You may be blessed with a visit from one of the more welcomed newcomers, and they may sneak you some extra food or a small book to read or they may share some of the information they've gathered. However, rumors travel fast and some people believe the honored guests in the castle above are somehow responsible for the lot of the prisoners below. And although you may hope for kindness, there's nothing stopping them from being cruel to you if they wish. The guards will certainly turn a blind eye if one of them wishes to take out their frustrations on you.




Questions


How do I choose a scenario for my character?
Pick whichever situation appeals to you most. Whether your character is honored or imprisoned has nothing to do with their personal morality, or how highly they regard themselves and their own accomplishments. Anyone can be put into either situation.

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

What happens if my character refuses to comply with Ambrose?
Prisoners will be dragged against their will. Honored guests will be forgiven for their moment of panic or anger if they have one, and Ambrose and the apprentice mages will try to calm them and persuade them further. If they put up too much of a fight and/or start actively attacking anyone, Ambrose will warn them once that he's willing to put them back in the well where they came from (see below), and if they continue to fight he will make good on that promise.

My character intends on causing a lot of trouble (destroying parts of the castle, murdering the castle staff, etc.), what would happen to them?
Characters who make too much trouble for the mages and other staff would be thrown back in the well (which will mean drowning in the void, not returning home). Brawling with other PCs and causing minor damage is fine and will be greeted with a cranky attitude (if they are an honored guest) or a punishment like denial of food or temporary solitary confinement (if they are a prisoner), and there will be plenty of opportunity for destruction and murder later, but for now the Thorneans have no desire to keep huge liabilities around.

Ambrose will take it especially personally, as this experiment was his idea and too much trouble would risk the summoning spell being scrapped and potentially result in him being demoted. Rest assured it does not take much for him to throw someone back in the well at this point in time.

Is the power loss for the prisoners permanent?
No, although honored guests will regain their powers first due to the lack of interference from Ambrose, the prisoners will be able to regain theirs soon enough as well.

Can the prisoners talk about anything private, or will they be overheard at all times?
There are guards patrolling the dungeon, but they aren't always within earshot. Most of the attention is being focused on the new guests, so the prisoners will have some opportunities for privacy.

Can my character leave the castle?
For now they will be prevented from leaving the castle, even if they are an honored guest. A bit of a gilded cage, isn't it? They'll also find that any powers they regain cease to work outside of the castle walls (this is also a temporary effect) so flying outside is not an option.

Can my character eventually side against Thorne if I choose to make them an honored guest/can they side with Thorne if I choose to imprison them?
Yes, characters in Scenario 1 will be able to betray Thorne, and characters in Scenario 2 can work themselves into Thorne's good graces.

How much will my choice of scenario affect my character's plot later on?
This choice will have a major impact on gameplay throughout the first few months of the game, and potentially a bit beyond that depending on where our players guide the plot. This decision - and every other major decision you make in game! - will also be used to flavor some mod surprises that will be coming down the line.

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

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

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

Can a put a character on the TDM if their canon is less than 30 days old?
Yes. For this app round, anything that's at least 30 days old when the game opens on June 12th can be applied from.

Do the apprentice mages have names?
Their names are Jeffrey, Grigory, Noelle, and Jolene.


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dadlands: (pic#14907871)

sunny | into the badlands | strength

[personal profile] dadlands 2021-05-21 11:23 am (UTC)(link)
LIBRARY

[ Sunny's sitting alone at a table, both his brows furrowed and a book open in front of him. It's thick, but for all that its outside appears aged, the pages are nicer than he'd expect them to be.

His lips are pressed together, his fingers curled into tight fists that rest atop the table's surface. Anyone who might've been watching him would notice that he's been stuck on the same page for quite a while (at least two minutes, to be honest).

Currently, he's stuck on a sentence that reads: The Kingdom of Thorne's royal army consists of both the most accomplished mages in the land and the strongest soldiers, who too are enhanced by magic. Don't ask him how long it took him to get there. ]


The ki... king... kingdom of Thor... neh. [ That doesn't sound right. ] The Kingdom of Thorne. Thorne's. [ Damn it, he forgot about the apostrophe rules. ] Thorne's royal army con... sists of both the most acc... accom--

[ Yeah, clearly he's not doing too hot. Sunny's brows furrow, and whether you choose to approach him yourself or pass by close enough for him to notice you, he'll lift his head with suspicion in his eyes.

Suspicion that, inevitably, melts into mild chagrin. ]


...sorry. [ A beat. ] I'm stuck on this word. [ His finger taps lightly under the word "accomplished". ] I can't figure out how to read the two C's.


DUNGEON VISIT

[ He visits the dungeons the first time only because he heard there were others there like him along the grapevine. Sunny isn't entirely sure it's the best idea, but something doesn't sit right with him being free to roam the castle while others are locked below ground. Maybe he's turned into a bleeding heart. Maybe he's just tired of cages.

Regardless, by the time he comes down again today, there're a few people he's talked to here and there, and the trip that he makes is one with purpose.

Whatever it is you've asked of him, he's managed to sneak in. Food will come from inside his sleeves. A book will be hidden underneath his tunic (but might not be the precise type of book asked for; he isn't the best reader). Regardless, Sunny offers it between the bars. ]


Here. [ His voice is low, brows furrowed. ] ...sorry if it's not enough. I'm starting to think they don't want me going down so much.


MAGIC FOR DUMMIES

[ Fire sparks at the ends of his fingers and Sunny has to hold back the urge to jump back in surprise. You did this yourself, he tells himself in his mind. This is magic you did.

But it's still bizarre to look at, to feel, without it hurting.

It fades about two seconds after, but it's more than what he managed to do the week before. Sunny's never had interest in magic (he didn't think anything supernatural existed until two or so years ago), but the words of the Master echo in his head: you have much work to do with your Gift.

He's never seen anyone throw flame back home, but he tells himself that magic is just another form of training. If nothing else, at least training gives him routine.

Turning to the person at his side (who's struggling, it looks like), Sunny offers a brief tick of the mouth in an attempt at a smile. ]


Need help?


WILDCARD

Sunny was welcomed into Thorne, and he's spent a lot of his time trying to memorise the castle layout, read up on the history (poorly), and attend any training available. At magic training, he's best with the fire element, but can't really do anything with it; he also does his own personal, physical training outdoors (think tai chi, wushu forms, etc.) that other people can join in or learn from if they'd like. Feel free to PM me if you'd like to plan anything out in specific, or just drop a starter! No worries.
Edited 2021-05-21 13:22 (UTC)
inthemeadow: (pic#)

magic for dummies (I'm so happy to see a sunny btw)

[personal profile] inthemeadow 2021-05-21 03:01 pm (UTC)(link)
[ He'd been trying not to stare at Sunny's display of magic, tried to concentrate on his own, but it's hard not to watch others more accomplished than him when he feels absolutely hopeless at this. He could have asked for help from Alina, but he doesn't like asking her for anything. He'd rather struggle on his own. ]

That obvious? [ He sighs, clenching and unclenching his hands with frustration. Magic doesn't come naturally to him. He prefers a weapon in his hand, or using his fists. But he wants to learn because this is an opportunity for him to be better at protecting his best friend. He needs to be stronger for her. ]

I don't know what I'm doing. [ He doesn't know what he's doing in a place like this in general. This castle is for people who are special and extraordinary, like Alina. He doesn't belong here. ]
dadlands: (pic#14907877)

meanwhile i'm going bananas at someone knowing about badlands at all!! hi ;_;

[personal profile] dadlands 2021-05-21 03:32 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Casually, and with just enough dry amusement not to sound like an accusation, Sunny pokes back with, ] You think I do?

[ But he digresses, remembering what it was like to be young himself-- and then, in a more bittersweet way, what it was like to train someone young back home. The little bit of fire at the ends of his own fingers were definitely more than the nothing Sunny first believed himself capable of. Much as there's frustration at the fact he's a novice again, the voice of his mentor in the back of his mind reminds him there's no shame in learning new things. It wouldn't hurt to teach Malyen the same.

(Even if there is a little bit of shame at conjuring the voice of your missing mentor in your mind to comfort yourself through a bizarre new world.)

So Sunny's head cocks up, chin pointing in the direction of the other apprentices at work. Malyen had been there with him when the apprentices willing to help had talked to the new arrivals as a group; he should know which elements they can learn to manipulate as much as Sunny does. ]


Tell me which one you wanna learn most.
inthemeadow: (pic#14910728)

I've only seen the 1st season and thought it was awesome, you've inspired me to get back into it

[personal profile] inthemeadow 2021-05-21 06:55 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Sunny might not be a pro, but he can conjure something, which means he's ahead of Mal. But maybe some guidance is the solution and Saints knows Mal trusts someone in the same position as him more than he does an apprentice. ]

You say that like it's an easy question to answer.

[ He's never had to think about this before. This is what Grisha did back in his world, not normal soldiers like him. ]

I guess if I had to choose... The Earth one. [ He's most comfortable outdoors, roaming the woods, tracking animals, or people. ] I don't think I trust myself with fire or ice or any of those but... I know the ground, the trees... [ He should quit before he sounds like a crazy person, ending on a shrug. ] Or I could learn whatever keeps me alive the longest. [ That's probably a smarter idea. ]

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justicereigns: (White Hunter on board)

Reading

[personal profile] justicereigns 2021-05-21 05:31 pm (UTC)(link)
Accomplished. [He just glances at it, but then pulls up a chair, and awkwardly tries to figure out how to comfortably do this without JEANS. Maybe he should have prioritized that over reading? Whatever, too late now.] It's not always the same. Sometimes it means a double Keh sound, so "ack" plus "com" here, but other times, like with accelerate, it's ack plus sell. Bit of a pain in the ass like that.

What are you reading?
dadlands: (pic#14907870)

[personal profile] dadlands 2021-05-21 11:39 pm (UTC)(link)
[ He hates everything about that explanation. ] Thanks. [ He hates everything about reading, frankly, but whereas it'd never been necessary to know before, evidently it's all he can do to learn new things without asking.

In any case, with his right thumb caught in the book, he uses the left to fold it back into itself and show the cover. ]


It's an "en-ky-klaw-ped-ya".

[ Sunny's never seen the word before now. ]

It was over there. [ He points, then, to a little pedestal by the entrance. ] Thought that meant it was a good start.
justicereigns: (heh)

[personal profile] justicereigns 2021-05-22 12:13 pm (UTC)(link)
Encyclopedia. [A nod... and a gentle grin.] Yeah, the first c makes a Suh sound, but the second is a KLO, I know, right?

Does it say how this country was founded? Or anything about the other symbols? Or what threat we're supposed to be facing?

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exil: (ᴏɴᴇ ꜰᴏʀᴛʏ ɴɪɴᴇ)

► LIBRARY

[personal profile] exil 2021-05-21 07:07 pm (UTC)(link)
Accomplished.

( lydia hadn't been the person that sunny had asked but on hearing his voice sound out the words it had drawn her closer, her own book that she'd been perusing in her hands, wondering whether what she heard was true.

but on seeing him, his mannerisms as well as how he looked it was enough to draw her word, to answer the question before another could.

hello, sunny )


I'm sure many books here will give a similar story. Wouldn't any ruler want that read about them?
dadlands: (pic#14907875)

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

[personal profile] dadlands 2021-05-22 12:03 am (UTC)(link)
[ The turn of his head towards her is sharp, but the surprise on his face melts away into some kind of... relief. Joy, too, if only because the sight of her doesn't make him feel as lost as he had been.

But, remembering the last time he'd seen Nathaniel Moon, Sunny's expression falls. Just for a moment.

He shakes his head. ]
I don't know. I've never been one. [ Sort of, but the memories of Azra are still trickling in.

The first person he'd asked somehow reads the room, murmuring an "excuse me" before they leave. Sunny affords them a perfunctory glance, but returns to Lydia immediately. ]


Knowing something is better than nothing. The lies people choose to tell say something about them, too.

[ A beat. Sunny almost wants to get to his feet and salute her, but he smiles (an awkward smile) instead. ]

It's good to see you, Lydia. [ Then he pulls the chair beside him out in silent invitation. ]
exil: (ᴏɴᴇ ꜰᴏʀᴛʏ ᴛʜʀᴇᴇ)

i am SO RUSTY but i had to

[personal profile] exil 2021-05-23 09:22 pm (UTC)(link)
You know the Barons, they built themselves around lies.

( each of them did in their own ways, using it as armour, as a weapon. the politics of the badlands was just a lie, a false belief of what the world was and could be.

she offers him a smile as she sits down, gesturing to the book )


I imagine that the rulers of this world surround themselves in similar ways.

it's SUCH a good show

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arhivista: (pic#14858153)

► MAGIC FOR DUMMIES

[personal profile] arhivista 2021-05-23 07:02 pm (UTC)(link)
( considering that she's a magician, a master magician, it seems a little ridiculous that zelda's having trouble conjuring a little fire. though that might be because she's not trying to cast in the way that the mages are showing them, still trying to conjure fire but using the simple spell she already knows.

except it's a simple spell she can't currently do, her natural affinity for magic somehow blocked. oh, the mage that summoned her said that her abilities would return within a week but it doesn't stop zelda from trying to prompt them.

at least until this man asks if she needs help. she lowers her hands, looking to him before giving a slight shake of her head )


It's quite alright.

( and then holding out her hand she casts just as the mage had shown them, the flame appearing. she had at least paid attention to that even if she was trying something else. it wasn't brushing off the new methods but wanting to know what was blocking what she could already do )

I was attempting something else.
dadlands: (pic#14907869)

[personal profile] dadlands 2021-05-24 05:44 am (UTC)(link)
[ Both his brows lift at the ease the fire blooms in the woman's hand-- it's significantly better than his own miserable attempts, but it does make him wonder why she'd been struggling so much earlier. ]

...you're a magician? [ She'd done it way too easily for Sunny to believe she was any sort of magic novice. ]
arhivista: (pic#14858214)

not gonna lie i've been excited to tag this all day

[personal profile] arhivista 2021-05-24 07:16 pm (UTC)(link)
( whilst zelda isn't a fan of showboating that... has ended up being what she's doing even if it was just a little. her hand closes quickly as the flame extinguishes, a little surprise (and oh shit) in her expression.

and it has her pausing, debating whether to try and pass it off or to admit it. though considering that they're teaching magic here, that people are capable of it, surely they're all magicians? )


I am. ( she smiles slightly, trying to relax back again ) I knew of magic before being shown this spell.

you are... too kind to me ;_;

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your sunny is so good!!!!

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yes! such an easy pair

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dreamtofheroics: commission; please do not use (🌹171)

library

[personal profile] dreamtofheroics 2021-05-24 02:33 am (UTC)(link)
[Belle glances up from her own book when Sunny seems to notice her, offering a smile to his apology. when he points out the word he's stuck on, she doesn't hesitate to lean over his shoulder and glance at it.]

Accomplished. The Kingdom of Thorne's royal army consists of both the most accomplished mages in the land -

[ she can't help but notice that this is one of the larger historical texts in the library. useful, but wordy. likely biased in favor of the kingdom, as many of these books are.]

This is an interesting find. I don't suppose you'd be willing to share it? We could read through the text together.
dadlands: (pic#14907873)

[personal profile] dadlands 2021-05-24 05:52 am (UTC)(link)
[ Accomplished. Damn it, it's exceptionally humiliating given it's a word he actually knows (albeit rarely uses; "succeeded" is easier, and don't they mean the same thing?), but he does his best to be gracious about his lack of knowledge nevertheless. ]

Thank you. [ Her offer has him letting out a soft "heh", but he does nod in agreement. ] I'd appreciate the help, yeah.

[ If he could pick, he'd read more stuff like The Cat in the Hat, but text like that isn't exactly going to teach him more about this kingdom he's ended up at. ]

The people who brought me... [ A moment, as he considers. ] Us. Here. [ Her tunic is the same as his down to the symbol and the word beneath! ] They haven't been much help explaining things so far.

I've never been good at reading, though.
dreamtofheroics: commission; please do not use (🌹254)

[personal profile] dreamtofheroics 2021-05-25 03:32 am (UTC)(link)
[he may find this uncomfortable, but in her mind there's nothing to be embarrassed about. many of the men she knew back home had been raised as warriors; their time spent training for battle instead of reading books. it's a practical choice, one that she would never judge.

though, if he does want help, she'd be willing to teach him.

but for now, in a quest for new information, she's happy to claim the seat beside Sunny so that they can read over this together. and by that, she means she'll read it out loud.]


I find that how helpful they are depends on who you ask. They can be very complimentary, but those comments won't help us understand what they're after.

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facelessgirl: (043)

training wildcard!

[personal profile] facelessgirl 2021-05-24 02:48 am (UTC)(link)
[ Arya has been watching him in the yard from far enough away that her stare has probably gone unnoticed. She wanted to be sure of a number of things before approaching him - were his skills worth learning from? Was he temperamental? Did he take any joy in hurting, accidentally or not, his training partners? None but the first would be a deal-breaker to Arya, but she would prefer to know what she's getting into before volunteering to collect some fresh bruises.

He moves... fast. And strangely. It's nothing she's ever seen before and she watches for a long time, memorizing the moves he uses the most, considering the way he makes allowances for who he's teaching. Kinder than most, she's already assumed. Perhaps he was the master-at-arms for some castle with a gentle lord. He certainly doesn't look Westerosi, or even Braavosi, but Arya hasn't been everywhere in her world, nor has she been exposed to every single fighting style.

She has the slightest smile of confidence on her face when she finally approaches, both hands clasped behind her back in a collected, relaxed posture. She stops a few strides away from him and looks him over, arching one brow. ]


So. What's all that called? That's no water dancing I've ever seen.
dadlands: (pic#14907502)

i... i am blessed by the old gods on this day

[personal profile] dadlands 2021-05-24 07:17 am (UTC)(link)
[ As the girl approaches, Sunny's stance changes. From the bent knees and the outstretched right arm, he pulls his arm back in a circle and uses that path of motion to stand tall once more.

Her observation has the corner of his mouth pulling up the slightest bit, too. ]
It probably isn't. [ Not that he knows what "water dancing" is, but he builds up on her lack of recognition to provide the best answer he can. ]

My teacher never told me what it was called. [ His hands curl into fists, his arms folding to get them at waist level. ] The name was lost over a century ago.

[ Both Sunny's palms push out, right hand higher than the left. The right curves out, the left pulls back, and as he forms another circle with both his arms and his knees bend again, Sunny's left arm is drawn backward by the elbow with the right pointing its fingertips towards the girl like a snake. ] The moves were passed down fine, though. [ There's a quick punch with his left fist and a high kick with his right leg, both perfectly straight as they harmlessly hit the air a safe direction away. Sunny relaxes immediately after though-- it's only a demonstration of stance and form, nothing serious-- and his hands go to his hips as he looks down at her once more. ]

You're a fighter. [ He didn't miss the glint in her eye; the girl looks young, but youth doesn't mean much in combat where he comes from. ] What'd you learn?
facelessgirl: (Default)

i am the lucky one, ser!!

[personal profile] facelessgirl 2021-05-26 12:07 am (UTC)(link)
And no one ever came up with another one?

[ She's irreverent the way only the young can be, though her smirk is far from unfriendly. She watches, sharp-eyed, as he moves with intent, obviously for her benefit, and she doesn't flinch in the least when his strikes come a little closer to her.

She shrugs at his assumption. It would take some explaining to tell him exactly what she is, and Arya has no intention of doing that. No one but Sansa even knows the wide array of skills she possesses. No one at all knows what she's done with them. She certainly isn't about to reveal herself to a stranger when she's kept her secrets so long. ]


You could say that.

[ But what she doesn't know, or at least is far less confident in, is her ability to fight without a weapon. This is what's drawn her attention to this man the most - that whatever he's doing, it seems to require no blade. ]

A bit of everything. [ Coy. Vague. She smiles, bringing both those things into her expression. ] But I didn't know dancing without a blade could be anything but courtly.

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touchtonedetective: (J'accuse)

dungeon

[personal profile] touchtonedetective 2021-05-24 08:13 pm (UTC)(link)
[When Masumi had asked for a razor, she'd been quick to nervously clarify that she wasn't planning on attacking anyone with it, she just needed one for personal reasons... although she was dodgy about why, exactly.

Sticking to the shadows of her cell, she breathes a sigh of relief when Sunny finally arrives, carefully taking it from him through the bars.]


Can you stay for a few more minutes? I think I'll be in real trouble if they catch me with this, so I need you to take it back once I'm done.
dadlands: (pic#14913453)

[personal profile] dadlands 2021-05-27 12:12 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Sunny has to look over his shoulder to consider the nearby guard-- who, surprisingly, is turned away. Whether it's a stroke of luck or the man's already got enough suspicions not to have to watch him any more is up in the air, but Sunny's not going to overthink it.

He figures the issue is less the guy knowing Sunny's snuck a razor in and more that he's been around to see Masumi more than once already, anyway. ]


...yeah. [ He turns back to give her a nod. ] I think so.

[ And because she'd had a significant lack of explanation when he asked, Sunny's head cocks in the razor's direction. ] I hope you meant it when you said you weren't gonna do anything stupid.
touchtonedetective: (Urk)

[personal profile] touchtonedetective 2021-05-27 03:49 pm (UTC)(link)
Cross my heart. [Masumi theatrically places hand over heart before turning around, taking some of the water she's been given and splashing it on her face. She has to admit, she's still nervous about doing this around a stranger... but all things considered, Sunny didn't seem like a bad sort.

Squinting as she does her best to get a good angle with the mirror a different "guest" had smuggled her, Masumi takes the razor to her face, carefully shaving off the stubble that had built up over the past week that had been hidden by the shadows of the prison cell before.]


Ghk-

[And she cut herself. It was to be expected considering she was doing this with just some water, a mirror, and a crude razor, but Masumi still winces. Hopefully it wouldn't get infected, but she'd have to take good care of it down here since she doubted the staff would be so considerate as to give her medical attention.]
moontwin: (🌙 18)

dungeon | as discussed, here's baby princess selene >:3

[personal profile] moontwin 2021-05-28 02:55 am (UTC)(link)
[ Selene's eyes are red-rimmed from crying, but she does try to school her features into the queenly mask she'd been taught, especially now that someone has come to see her. She'd wanted to reject Sunny's kindness, of course... but she knows she has to be smart, if she's to escape another prison.

It's too soon for her to be back in a dungeon of any sorts, though. Shackled, too, which only makes the nightmares much worse. Because it takes so little to bring her back to Rome, to those last few moments with her twin brother, to that humiliating parade through the streets in thick chains made of her mother's gold.

She approaches the bars cautiously, eyes darting to see if any guards are nearby. Then she takes the book, stashing it underneath her own tunic. She's a small thing, but if she hugs herself around the stomach it's not so obvious that she's hiding something there. ]


Thank you, my lord. [ Her voice is quiet, but her gratitude is clear. ] I shall not forget your kindness.
theotherfirefox: (pic#14921205)

Duneon Visit

[personal profile] theotherfirefox 2021-06-03 01:10 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Huojin was never exactly one to socialize, what with his isolated upbringing and his inherent distrust in others, it made the want, let alone ability to hold a conversation with another relatively difficult. So when someone who was actually lucky enough to be deemed worthy of their freedom sauntered over to his cell, it was difficult not to be snarky with them.

And yet, as they continued to speak, it was hard not to garner some sort of warmth towards the man, seemingly ironically named Sunny. ]


You got it?

[ He can't help the surprise in his tone, not used to the genuine kindness of another. Huojin's fingers curl around the spine of he book as it's passed over and he quickly hides it underneath his clothing before it can be seen.

His eyes move up towards Sunny's, shaking he stunned expression from his features after a moment. ]


I- Thank you. I understand. I don't want to get you in trouble.

[ His gaze flickered between where the book was hidden and the man who brought it for him. ]

I don't know how to repay your kindness.
Edited 2021-06-04 02:14 (UTC)
dadlands: (pic#14907502)

[personal profile] dadlands 2021-06-06 05:47 am (UTC)(link)
You can start by telling me what's in that when I come see you next.

[ The serious look on his face melts away, though, replaced by a sort of weary smile. ]

...no, I don't mean that. [ It's hard enough being down here. A point of contention that Sunny does, in fact, feel a little bad about. He doesn't understand what makes them different, and having experienced his fair share of dungeons in his life, just being down here exhausts him.

He digresses. At least coming down here helps in finding out more about this strange kingdom they're in-- how people treat their prisoners is telling in its own way.

Which is to say he now has to ask: ]
They been treating you okay the past few days?