TEST DRIVE MEME #8

[futurologists]

test drive 8.0 The world has shifted. Or maybe you’ve shifted? Either way, things have changed, and it’s going to be quite a while before you see them change back again. BASICS You were going about your business as usual until the world went white around you, and when the fog cleared: Oska. You've arrived in a snag of reality between worlds, the full extent of which can be read about here. But in essence, you’ve arrived in a grand, magical, almost empty castle. Outside the castle is an empty, long-abandoned village, partially in ruin. Past that, the world simply fades out into white mist. Your best bet is probably to stick to the castle and its grounds. Suits of armor patrol the quiet hallways, but good luck getting them to speak or answer any questions. There’s absolutely nothing inside them, they move under their own power. They don’t talk, but they also go out of their way not to hurt you. You can even attack one, it will just patiently wait for you to give up and leave. If, however, you ask one for directions, it will dutifully turn and lead the way to wherever you’ve requested. Librarians lurk in the halls of the enormous, well-stocked library, in which you can find nearly any book from nearly any world. The librarians are tall, wide, and very muscular, but they’re also not out to hurt you. Provided you play nice, of course. The usual rules apply: be respectful of the books, keep your voice lowered, and never bring any source of flame into the library. That last one might make the librarians reconsider their nonviolent natures. Outside, there's a greenhouse with every type of flora you can imagine (and more, since they're from all over the universe) — be careful, though, because not all of them are friendly. If you'd like to take a dip, you can check out the lake; just be friendly to the fish. You can catch sight of almost any animal you'd like in the stables, real-world or fantasy. Most of them have been tamed, and won't do any real harm. However, some of them can be a bit testy. Stay away from the unicorns unless you have perfect manners — they hate impoliteness. Current characters in game can assume that the Timeline glitched and sent them temporarily back to Oska. You are welcome to take any threads that happen here as game canon, should both parties arrive in game. Threads done here by prospective players may be used as application samples, and threads done by current players may be used as Bonus AC. PROMPTS ONE ✗ THE KITCHEN The kitchen is always stocked with food, freshly cooked and ready to be eaten — although there was no one to do the cooking, and it might just be you to do the eating. That doesn’t seem to discourage the kitchen in the slightest, which is constantly churning out new, fresh courses. Some of them are more innocent than others today. That tart you just ate? It was harpfruit, native to Cendiares, and has a pesky side effect of making the eater blurt out everything that pops into their head. The completely average-looking salad actually has flakes of Raphian wildflowers, which cause a bit of dancing fever — it isn't contagious, but it does make the sufferer want to dance with everyone they can. The choices and effects are endless and up to you, and don't worry; ALASTAIR is working on getting the kitchen under control as we speak. TWO ✗ THE TRAINING CENTER Maybe you find your way into the Training Center. A lot of work went into setting this room up, and it can construct nearly any scenario that you can imagine. All it takes to activate this room, still and featureless until it comes to life, is the brush of a finger against one of the glowing pads on the wall. The magitek will take it from there. Just envision the setting and any enemies you’d like to train against, and they’ll instantly materialize. Would you rather go sightseeing, without worrying about a fight? No problem! The room is eager to provide you with a sparring partner, but it can be convinced to hold off -- just don’t think of getting into any fights. The Training Center also offers any games you can think of: soccer, basketball, literal freeze tag, etc. Every supply you need will be simulated for you. Additionally, the following scenarios are also preloaded into the system for user convenience, each coming with a small summary of mission objectives: ANWICK: A ruined little village with a massive, dead dragon skewered in the center of it. The goal is to protect her young in a nearby cave. The terrain is treacherous, the wyrmlings are squirmy and unhelpful, and the townsfolk are furious. But for good reason -- it seems dragons have been plaguing them for decades. Even the simulation’s enemies are programmed to say as much, and will do their best to convince you to their side. CHANTES: Chantes, Audentes' first mission, is a typical medieval town cloaked in darkness and surrounded by a winding forest. It comes in two default flavors and difficulty settings. Fairies are the easier enemy; the objective is to collect three jars of unpleasant, glowing sap from their nests without getting your eyes poked out. The fairy goop can also cause disturbances with magical powers, unwanted levitation, and unfortunate cosmetic effects. Demons are the more difficult setting. The task is to clear ominous runes off of various town structures, but when approached, each one releases a red, misty spirit. It will fight tooth and nail to protect its ‘home,’ but is largely invulnerable short of destroying its rune. To prevent this, it may resort to spells, violence, and possessing someone else in the simulation -- consider this a lesson in PvP. (NOTE: You’re also welcome to use anything from the previous events from Chantes as well.) OSKA TRAINING: The goal in this simulation is simple: outlast the timer. It’s exactly the same castle, but after it’s been pelted by a firestorm, architecture ruined to rubble and ash. Navigating the half-destroyed castle is hard enough, and the earthquakes and fireballs raining from the sky will continue until characters survive for a certain amount of time (from an hour to a day) or find a full bushel’s worth of food. And just to rub salt in the wound, all the dirt, grime, and mud in this simulation will last outside of it, so you might need a shower after. NALAWI: An island nation populated by diminutive deer people. The first setting is a mini version of the Gilligan's Island event -- it's less action-packed and more focused on survival. Marooned on the drowned island of Dakal, it's up to you to figure out where to find food and shelter. You might also want to avoid the hungry sea creatures that have made their way up on the island, too. The second setting involves lava monsters erupting out of Nalalona, the largest volcano on the Nalawi islands. Lava imps will do their best to hypnotize recruits into following them back into the volcano, and can be defeated the normal way or non-violently lured into the water. Next comes the fire golems, hulking but fast. Their weak spot is their glowing core, but it will require some cleverness to reach. (NOTE: You're welcome to use any scenarios based on other Nalawi events as well!) ZETA-12: Oh boy, a whole planet to explore! The objective here is simple: protect your delicate goo baby at all costs. Luckily for you, the simulation has seen fit to skip over the frozen wastes! Your first challenge is crossing the deep forest: carnivorous plants try to get a bite out of you, but that isn't the worst part. Eventually, you come to a deep chasm, and have to choose between forcing your wailing, distressed squidge across, or soothing it for several hours until it's willing to go with you. Scenario two is a thick bog inhabited by an aggressive plant monster. It spits a crippling neurotoxin, so anyone attempting to fight it should be wary. Outsmarting or avoiding it would be best for the squidges' well-being, but some people are too hot-blooded for that. What will you do? Finally, there's the desert; it's picturesque, but only if you can ignore the dehydration and punishing heat. There's a cave network for you to seek shelter in, but make no mistake: pretty soon a freak meteor shower causes a cave-in and leaves you trapped inside with an increasingly aggressive squidge. Are you out there dodging meteors or navigating caverns? PERDITION'S REST: This is a mining colony on a planet known only as Q-65, populated solely by an alien race who have come to mine the planet for argecite, a mineral required for their survival. Members of the fundamentalist group called the Deemers have been outed as Taraxa, slug-like brain parasites who belong to ALASTAIR's rival group, Zymandis. The parasites infect unwilling hosts and leave them a husk. The first scenario brings you to Boneyard Junction, an abandoned town at the end of the rail line that is half-sunken into the desert, surrounded by Deemers. The goal is to incapacitate your foes without killing the host body; if a Deemer is killed, a loud buzzer goes off. Use whatever tactics you need to, just keep them alive. The second scenario takes you inside the mine, where several workers are trapped. The objective is to find them and bring them back to the surface, which is made a little more difficult by the large, hungry sand worms slithering in the depths. You'll need to get rid of them to save the miners, but be mindful of the fracking equipment, please! WOODHURST: A sprawling suburb in an alternate Earth circa 1993, Woodhurst is besieged by the Bristol Virus, an infection that is spread by fluid contact. In addition to physical symptoms, its sufferers show heightened irritability and hunger in the later stages of the infection, including cannibalistic tendencies. Because of Woodhurst's "mundane" state, all recruits will be cloaked to appear human so as not to startle the native population. This is considered an advanced training scenario! In the first scenario, you must find clues in the hospital as to the origin of the virus and who is responsible. The hospital workers will bar the way for any civilians merely strolling in, so you'll either need to go unseen or be very good at lying and disguises. The second scenario is set during the final stage of Woodhurst, in which a large portion of the population is infected. Your task here is to ensure the safety of civilians while injecting any infected you encounter with a cure. (For the purposes of this exercise, your cure syringes are automatically set to limitless, but you may adjust the module to make it more challenging.) You will gain points for how many deaths you prevent and infected you cure, and you will lose points for killing infected or allowing civilians to die. LERAMZEN: A futuristic, luxurious city located on the planet Perun, Leramzen is nestled at the foot of a mountain and is currently undergoing its dark winter with nights lasting eighteen hours. Luckily, nightlife in Leramzen is particularly lively, with many clubs, restaurants, and theaters to visit. Of particular note is the Lyushny Theatre, which hosts the galaxy-famous Lyushny Ballet, and the State History Museum -- which holds a giant diamond on display. The name of the game in this scenario is diamond heist, where you attend a fancy gala (complete with holographic fancy outfit) and must move through the museum without being noticed by gala attendees or guards. Positions available include Distraction, Infiltration, Hacker, and Lookout. If you're a jack-of-all-trades, try Support and fill whatever role is needed. Each simulation begins with 100 points, with points being subtracted for each time you arouse suspicion. A game over will result if your points reach 0. THREE ✗ HOT SPRINGS EPISODE One of ALASTAIR's teams extracted an enormous, very hot core from a sentient and murderous AI. What better way to put it to use than to heat up the springs? It's a nice place to get some much needed R&R or just hang out. Some enterprising recruits have built wooden decks and stairs around and through the whole affair. It's a little bit of a hike to get there from the castle, but anyone who has visited can agree: it's worth it. FOUR ✗ THE NETWORK There is some good news, along with all these bizarre and fantastical new sights: you’ve arrived with a new piece of jewelry which, if examined, gives you access to anyone else that might be currently inhabiting Oska. You can speak into the jewelry and be heard, you can get it to project moving images of yourself and others, you can even think a message into it and have it arrive as written word to whoever you’re communicating with. It’s a useful little trinket, provided you can get it to work. FIVE ✗ CHOOSE YOUR OWN ADVENTURE You are free to use any of these settings, or anything from the Settings Page. You may use any virtually created setting you can think of in the Training Center, even scenes from your character’s world (although they’ll be devoid of people, unless they’re brought in as opponents).

Comments

sansa stark | game of thrones (tv)

[behaviours]

hot springs episode:

[ it's not modesty that keeps sansa's back to whoever else is coming into the hot springs in the wee hours of the morning. the sun is only just beginning to rise, and she has the good sense to be calm and slow in how she wraps a towel around herself, but that doesn't keep the hard edge out of her voice — ]

I came here to be alone.

[ of course, that's the trouble with public bathing. coming there to be alone is an altogether poor idea, no matter the hour. that sort of logic and reason have no place in sansa's perpetual sour mood, however. it's hard not to feel like an open wound here; she doesn't know what to make of the people, the politics, the missions. she thought she'd been out of her element in the south, but at least cersei's machinations had been predictable. ]

network - un: alysanne

For those of you who come from worlds that do not make communicating across a distance so easy:

How long did it take you to grow accustomed to this jewelry? It seems that so many find convenience in it, but even now, I hardly think to reach for it.

[ it's a bigger question, really: when does all of this stop being so strange? when can she consider herself assimilated? when will it stop feeling overwhelming? when will her feet be under her? but these questions are a weakness she has learned to hide, and so she exposes only this. ]

network; un: connor

[akweks]

I am still growing accustomed to it. I do not know if it will ever come as naturally as penning a letter; there is a sense of urgency in communicating this way, and often I find myself burdened by the immediacy of it.

clark kent / dceu

[signifies]

i. anwick.

[ It's a simulation, but Clark is sombre the moment he sees the dragon's body. He's been surrounded by too much death recently to take any satisfaction or relief in seeing it here. He just feels tired. Even if she's an enemy, she deserves better than to be a trophy in death. Asking around the town doesn't help. The townspeople are justifiably angry, and like all mobs it doesn't look like their anger will die down.

At the very least, the wyrmlings might be relocated to where they don't harm the townpeople, or vice versa. Clark isn't willing to tolerate vengeance against them. These are just children. It's not their fault to act in their nature, and they shouldn't be left vulnerable.

Clark looks at his teammate. ]

I'm going to help the wyrmlings. You should find somewhere safe.

ii. kitchen.

[ It's nice to sit and eat without needing to worry about preparation, but Clark has been hunting for some recipe books. He's adjusting to Oska well enough, but there are routines he likes to have, and didn't realise how unbalancing it is not to be able to cook at all.

There's a lot of alien food to try, and he piles a few courses on his plate.

He keeps to his own corner of the kitchen, nodding politely or waving at whoever comes in. ]

You might want to avoid those. [ Clark points at the fruits with a wry smile. ] They make you say everything that's on your mind.

iii. @ck — text.

Hello. I'm curious as to what kind of space travel exists in your worlds. How far can you expect to go? Is there extraterrestrial life?

iv. wildcard.

( if none of these work, reply with your own scene )

anwick

[unburdening]

[ the anger in this town is familiar, mirrors the anger that used to be rooted firmly in his heart. bellamy knows this, he feels, even if the place is new.

"they'll kill us," someone tells him. "that's what they do. that's all they know."
"we didn't start this," another adds.

(a simulation, he knows, is all this is; but he wonders how much ALASTAIR really knows about all of them, their worlds. is this coincidence, or something else?

"we've been at war since we landed," he once said. "we did what we had to do." "we didn't start anything; they did.")

he's nursing a small burn on one hand from approaching the wyrmlings already, but he doesn't blame them for that; they're small, they're scared, and they don't know better. and he knows for a fact that, simulation or real life, he has no intention of letting anything happen to them. ]

We're going to help the wyrmlings, [ he corrects firmly. ] So if you have a plan, now would be a good time to share.

clarke griffin | the 100

[coleader]

001 » training center / leramzen.

[ Were Clarke completely honest, she'd have to admit that she's a tad uncomfortable in her gala garb, dressed to the nines as she is in an ivory, sleeved gown. The pure, innocent color is ironic, considering how much blood she has staining her hands, but that isn't what bothers her. She's simply unaccustomed to finery now, used to wearing things based only on their usefulness rather than their appearance; wearing something simply because it's pretty is as foreign to her as wearing shoes on her head. Luckily, her heels are on her feet instead — another odd feeling, walking in shoes that aren't designed for comfort and resistance to wear — although her hair, pulled back at the nape of her neck with flowers weaved into the updo, seems just as strange. Looking at herself in the mirror, she feels a different person.

The ambassador from a planet called Pyxis, a short, red-faced man with a habit of spitting when he talks, has taken a shining to her, much to her dismay. For ten minutes now she's been sucked into a conversation about the primary exports of Pyxis. Apparently, they grow the best beets in the galaxy according to the ambassador, who begins to give her tips on beet-farming. She wonders, idly, if this is just a randomized AI or if somewhere in the galaxy there truly is a planet known for its otherworldly beets.

She seeks to gain intel and slip off into the museum undetected, but with his attentions on her, it seems an impossible task. Spotting a familiar face passing by, she takes her fellow recruit by the arm smoothly, smiling mildly although her eyes tell a different tale. ] Ambassador, I'm afraid I have to go. I think my... intended must be getting lonely navigating the party alone.

[ "Nonsense!" he says jovially, patting his newest victim on the shoulder. "You mustn't leave on my account. The more the merrier." Clarke fights back a frown. "Tell me everything about your paramour. I have to know!" ]

Um... [ Her eyes dart frantically over to her fellow recruit, message obvious. Help. ]

004 » the network.

[ un: griffin. ]

The library here is amazing, but I hardly see anyone talking about it. Honestly, I don't even know where to start. Any ideas? There's books on magic, the entire history of the multiverse, an entire tome on the ancient history of ALASTAIR, books on art from entire other universes... there's fiction, too, although some of it is a little odd. I guess it's to be expected, given cultural differences.

Speaking of the library - the librarians. They're very... unexpected, aren't they?

005 » wildcard.

[ you know what to do! i'm at regnant if you want to discuss anything/have any questions. ]

4; un: sumsum

[texty]

Oh, my god, why would you waste your time in a library? There's, like, documentaries on this Netflix thing. You can't multitask with a book.

bellamy blake | the 100 | ota

[unburdening]

► viewing hall

[ there are too many mirrors to look into each one, but bellamy seems to be trying. he's walking, anyway, slowly moving down the length of the room; sometimes his gaze is at eye level, sometimes he cranes his neck trying to see into one, and sometimes he crouches down to get a look at some of them. finally he pauses and lingers, dwelling near a set of mirrors as the view changes from the unfamiliar to the still unfamiliar.

the room is quiet, and footfalls echo; so when someone else approaches he looks up, eyes resting on them briefly. ]

Anything look familiar to you?

► network | un: blake

If you're willing, I want to hear about how long you've been here. Doesn't matter if it's been a few days or a few years; I want to know. If you want to share the longest you've heard of anyone working with ALASTAIR, I'm all ears.

► wildcard

(feel free to hmu with any of the other prompts or PM me if you want to discuss anything!)

network (un: star.lord)

[danceoffs]

Okay so it's simple and to the point I'll give you that

But this is just boring dude like there's no personality to it at all

You gotta have some showmanship if you're gonna get people's attention because that's what they like

[because he's helping and clearly this is important right now.]

dale cooper (twin peaks)

[tibet]

i. kitchens;

[You never realize how much you've missed out on a thing until you've had a chance to experience it for yourself. Self-preparing food is that thing for Cooper. By no means is it the only marvel Oska's offered, but it's by far one of the most satisfying — maybe even a tiny bit more-so than the library. It's the presentation that hits the hardest. There's something so enchanting about the sight of roasted pigs and elaborately crafted tortes and big pots of hot stew with big chunks of meat and vegetables simmering by themselves without the need for a flame let alone a cook to tend it. It's like something out of a movie or — maybe more relevantly — a fairy tale.

Cooper's not wondering if sampling pieces from every platter is liable to incur him some sort of supernatural debt; the danger, he gathers by this point, is very low. But that doesn't mean there isn't some sort of risk at play by eating everything offered blindly, something he's come to realize in his short time here, though perhaps it's not the same for the person across from him. Watching them eye up one of the salad bowls, Cooper begins to grin, the kind of smile that's slow to form but grows ever wider and wider as the gears in his head turn.]

Feel like dancing? [Because it's okay if you are, that smile says, and if it doesn't convey that, maybe the mischievous lilt in his tone will.]

ii. training (zeta-12);

[This isn't so bad. It's not good, running for your life never is, and it's even worse when you have your hands full with cargo that won't stop squirming and trembling like an actual lump of overexcited jello, but there are worse disadvantages to be at, Cooper decides. For example, the forest could have been on fire. In the middle of an earthquake. With lightning bolts shooting out of the sky.

Of course he doesn't dare voice any of this for fear of giving the powers that be who are manning the simulation ideas, but does thinking about it count? Because if it does, they're going to have a lot more on their plate than a fussy baby, now more than ever.

Making it to the chasm seems to trigger something within the baby, and if it wasn't distressed on their way here, it sure is now. By the time Cooper's able to give the gorge a thorough enough assessment, it's gone ballistic, choking on its own sobs and thrashing in his arms. It's...pretty unpleasant.]

...I'm starting to think the plants were the least of our problems.

[He exchanges a look both alarmed and frazzled with his fellow recruit. The dashing Agent Cooper is many things, but a babysitter isn't one of them.]

iii. network;

[username: d.cooper]

Technology sure is amazing, isn't it? Where I'm from, our computers are so much more bulky and, honestly, not very user friendly even at the best of times. You'd never know that accessorizing one could be so much more convenient. And seamless, too! Sometimes I even forget I'm talking to my hand.

[tbh it helps that he already does that often enough with his cassette recorder.]

By the by, going through that library got me thinking. Perhaps I haven't been looking in the right places, but I wasn't able to find anything very comprehensive on ALASTAIR's current state of affairs. Recent activities, missions, a record of past volunteers, things like that. All very helpful things for a new kid on the block to know, wouldn't you agree?

I'm hoping someone can prove me wrong, but if such a catalog doesn't exist and you don't mind explaining things the old fashioned way, I'm more than ready and willing to listen!

wildcard;

[anything's good by me! PM me if you have any questions or want to hash out something super wild and rad.]

iii. text; un: babaylan

[kalis]

Hello, Mr. Cooper. Unfortunately there isn't all that much to go on. It all rings a little suspicious, if you ask me.

As for these devices? They smell of magic. It's not simply the modern world at work: it's the old one, too. Pretty innovative of them even if they aren't forthcoming with the organization's history.

alexandra trese | trese

[kalis]

one - network; un: babaylan
My knowledge of the occult in universes other than my own is extremely limited. With the balance of the Timeline at stake, it's necessary that I learn as much as I can, so as best to lend you all my skills. If you could, I would very much like for you all to share whatever knowledge of the supernatural in your world that you have.

I'll even give you a starting point, if you aren't sure where to begin: what is the underworld like where you are from? What are your demons like?

Thank you for your time, my friends.

two - oska, village;
[There's a short, dark-cloaked woman with a bob of jet-black hair crouched in the dirt and the ruin of the abandoned village at the edge of the castle. She pays little attention to any passersby, mumbling to herself in a foreign language: careful listeners from worlds with an Earth will detect it as an Asian tongue. The characters and circle she's huddled over on the ground-- a dripping candle, a fistful of some herbs from the Oska kitchens, and a glass of water in the center-- glow once, weakly, and fade. Trese grumbles to herself and gathers her supplies back up. Apparently, whatever ritual she's attempted has failed.

Just kidding, btw. She saw you staring. Trese sees everything. 👀]

If you were curious, I was trying to reach out to the spirits remaining in this area. Either all of them have passed on-- which I find to be very unlikely-- or there's something very different about this area that even my abilities can't place.

[yo u want a candle? have a candle shoved at you.]

Would you like to help me try again?

three - oska, lake;
[Well, she knows of some creatures that're around the area, but going to them for information hasn't borne much fruit, either. Especially not the unicorns (way more fussy than Earth unicorns, for the record).

Her last lead is whatever creature lives in the lake. She's got a basket of a dried and definitely-not-Earth-native fish in a small basket as a bribe-slash-peace-offering for the tentacles and whatever they're attached to, and she approaches the edge of the water without fear or hesitation.]

Hello, there. [She jostles the basket a little, hoping to draw attention. It works: there's a ripple of something moving under the waters.] I hope I'm not bothering you. My name is Alexandra Trese. My family does not exist in this world, but we have always had great respect for the magical creatures of our realm. Would you have time to answer some questions for me?

[The tentacle pokes out of the water, tentative. She answers with a dried fish, tossing it to the water with a crisp tilt of her hand-- the monster catches it neatly, the fish and tentacle disappearing beneath the glassy surface with a splash.]

four - wildcard;
[go for it yo]

Jay Zimin | OC

[amourtician]

i - hot springs episode
[ Jay isn't going to participate in this hot springs nonsense. He's going to sit nearby, fully dressed and covered from ankle to chin, and read a lurid romance novel while smoking a cigarette through a ridiculous long holder. And he's going to glare daggers at anyone who looks like they're having fun.

At some point, merely glaring becomes not enough, so he voices his disapproval to a handy passer-by. ]

You know, dearest, communal bathing like this is incredibly unhygienic. You're all risking all kinds of disgusting infections. Better hope the medbay's stocked up on broad-spectrum antibiotics and nobody's got anything exotic colonising their skin.


ii - network (un: gravely_foppish)

Darlings! I'm terrifically bored and you know what? I won't stand for that. Boredom is a crime.
Boredom is ugly. Boredom is intolerable. Frankly, darlings, it should be outlawed.

So, ah. Help me in my time of need. Tell me about your worlds. Tell me the most ridiculous thing that you thought was perfectly reasonable until you came here and found out how other universes live.

I'll start: we have a species on Mir that, upon reaching maturity, stands on their head, digests their brain and turns into a sessile statue-like creature. They consider this to be extremely civilised and sophisticated. Bloody idiots.

[ No, he's not making it up. ]

isha devan // original

[diamondhack]

geocities message boards
username: shiny

as much as I love functional and fashionable technology, this is really not my style. any chance for a new type or am I simply asking too much? I'm a fan of gold and diamonds myself, sometimes a good ruby if the occasion fits.

and if you know a thing or three about technology, we may have a little chat to discuss these lovely trinkets.

sanctioned criminal activity
[It's only by sheer providence that Isha finds herself exactly in her comfort zone, her MO, her lifestyle now paid and endorsed by INTERPOL. Too bad it's all just for play.

But Isha so loves a good game.

If you're outside watching in, you might find yourself in the company of a robotic greyhound, black and inlaid with swirling designs made of gold and diamonds. Q-11 is his name, but you wouldn't know it. Still, he likes to make friends. And everything he sees and hears, Isha sees and hears.

If you're in this game, this heist, there's a woman sweeping through the crowds, wearing a black gown that could easily make her a part of the richest crowds. Her round sunglasses are tinted more gray than black. Her left prosthetic arm, also black encrusted with golden henna designs and diamonds, gleams in the light. Her first action would've been reconnaissance of the area at least a month in advance. Learn the names and quirks of the guests, surely find ways to influence and charm them away from her own true intentions.

She'll have to make do with what little she knows. For a moment, she stops to pick up a glass of some drink or other, not really intending to drink it. Isha can't tell who is friend or foe, much less because she doesn't know anyone here. She's counting off guards, analyzing every single possible point of entry, extraction, and alarm systems that could be in place. What she needed was to get to a control room and start disabling things. Cause a scene and a panic of some kind so she could get in and out.

Because, frankly, she doesn't trust others to do the very thing she's done her entire life half as well as she can.]

A lovely diamond, isn't it? [She holds out her arm, fingers flexing, diamonds twinkling.] We almost match.

we've run out of ideas
[got something interesting in mind for a hacker/thief/engineer type? feel free to message me or make up anything!]

criminal activity!

[tibet]

[The target of Isha's question is no more remarkable looking than the rest of the guests gathered around her, wearing the same opulent clothing — in this case, a formal black suit — with a drink in hand that seems like it's largely for appearances more than anything else. Which, technically, it sort of is considering it like everything else in this room is made entirely entirely from hard light and concentrated data.

Cooper blinks slowly and glances at the woman when he's spoken to, alternating smoothly between her lavishly adorned prosthetic to her face, unable to make total eye contact thanks to her glasses but pretending like he can anyway. Were it not for his own gaze, it would be easy to mistake him for another data person, but unlike the other debutantes with their bland faces that convey nothing past whatever shallow personalities they were programmed with, Cooper's eyes are sharp, steady and intent. He isn't lost in thought so much as he's too busy taking in everything around him, every little detail that could come in handy to completing the exercise.

Ah, no — the mission. Best to start thinking of them like that, from now on.

In that regard, Isha is no exception. And it also helps that, unlike the other guests he's been held up with, she isn't trying to lead with a fascinating conversation on the ills of donating so much money to the museum and not having a thing to show for it, not even a say in what second-rate wine the caters picked to stock, the absolute nerve.]

Almost. [—Is what he agreeably says when his eyes finally leave the precious stones twinkling on her arm.] But not quite. I'd say you have it beat in style.

Dick Grayson (Batman) | DC Preboot

[batmantled]

I | wildcard (castle rooftop)

[ Playing dumb when the endgame is teamwork is typically a bad survival strategy, but right now the secrecy of the suit gives him an edge Dick Grayson wouldn't have without it. And this is what he knows how to do. This is what Batman does, in the absence of a plan or an exit strategy.

So by night Batman takes to the roof, navigating soaring turrets and loose shingles with an ease no one lacking a lifetime of experience should be able to manage. Find him surveying the grounds from one of high points, or munching on an energy bar as he perches on a precarious section of masonry (the kitchen sure is getting a hard pass for now). ]



II | Perdition's Rest

[ He's careful with his early selections, steering it away from any possibility that feels too close to home or too deceptively simple, all-too aware that the AI is likely here to assess him as much as the other way around. He needs to understand the system before he can trust it. Rely on it.

But Boneyard Junction- Boneyard Junction is fun. He's grinning despite himself, despite everything about the situation as he moves through the fight with easy, near careless grace. He sticks close his partner, trading blows with deemers only when necessary as he tries to scope them a path through as few attackers as possible. ]

Well- [ and there's an unguarded smile- ] -what do we have to lose?


III | hot springs

[ Dick is here for recon. Here to get the lay of land, here to blend a little while he meets his new teammates in what seems to pass for their natural habitat.

So he's blending, wearing a smile and carrying a drink only the observant will note he's not sipping. Catch his eye and he'll introduce himself. ]


IV - Network | un: d.grayson | audio

I get the sense I already know the answer, but I wouldn’t feel right if I didn’t ask. Does the tall, dark and shiny squad ever take any direction beyond the obvious?

I'm thinking a Congo line. Maybe the Rockettes?

i!

[kitrite]

[ Really, Vanadi was under the impression he'd have the place to himself if he went through the bother of finding somewhere as remote as the roof. How could he have been wrong on this? How could he possibly have been wrong, it's the roof.

But comany is exactly what he has, spotted a few parapets over. And so he sighs, rising from his seat at the edge to move nearer — at least into raised-voice-without-quite-shouting range. ]

I beg your pardon, are you lost?

prince lotor | vld

[assimilative]

i. kitchens;

[ Lotor has a few plates in front of him, all uneaten--some diced, ruby-red fruit, glistening with white seeds; a salad with fresh greens, chopped vegetables as blue as sapphires, and flakes of something red and sparkly; and a cake, made apparently of simply vanilla and strawberries. A few more plates are beside these, though they're empty of anything aside from smears of sauce and unrecognizable crumbs. ]

It's nice that we have such silent, efficient help, don't you think?

[ He sips something dark and bubbly from a goblet, his tone pleasant; welcoming. ]

I'm afraid my eyes were a little bigger than my stomach, though, and I do hate it when anything goes to waste. Help yourself, if you like. The fruit is especially succulent.

[ And it might, like everything else in front of him, induce a forced state of truth-telling, but listen. Sometimes you pay a price for flavor. ]

ii. chantes;

[ Demons, huh? He's never encountered anything quite like them before, but that's fine. He's always up for an education. There's an intricate rune, circle shaped and dotted with spiky markings around its circumference, carved into the side of a small, thatch-roofed cottage. Lotor draws his sword and glances at whomever might have stepped into the simulation with him. ]

Be careful. I've seen what these spirits can do, and I'd hate to have to kill you.

[ There might be just a few too many teeth in that grin. He darts forward, weapon brandished, and strikes the rune--releasing its angry demon a moment later. ]

Here it comes!

iii. network;

video; un: prince.lotor

[ Lotor sits with his fingers steepled, leaning forward, his expression going for just the right mix of friendly-yet-slightly-smug. He's somewhere in the castle; some dusty corner that he'd been exploring up until just that moment. Old paintings and silent suits of armor line the wall behind him, and the high-backed chair he's found looks like no one's sat in it for years. Still pretty fancy woodwork in the carving, though. ]

I knew other realities existed, of course. But, I must admit--the breadth and width of the multiverse is truly impressive. There's so much more to know and to see than I ever thought possible.

[ To use, to take, to conquer. ]

I come from a place of many worlds, many cultures. Vast in its magnitude--seemingly endless. But even that horizon pales in comparison to what we can access through our missions here. I look forward to going beyond that horizon--and to working with all of you.

[ Big smile. ]

>:3 (>:iii) un: ysorin

[ysorin]

You're quite the eloquent one, aren't you! What sort of position have they slotted YOU on? Timeline Ambassador? Consul? Surely some sort of diplomatic position! You're too silver-tongued for plebeian boots-on-the-ground work! ALASTAIR would be wasting talent!

[likeviolence]

I. LIBRARY»»

[The books were useless.

Books were nearly always useless. A considerable amount of knowledge to be found in them was pure fiction. When it wasn’t fiction, it was outdated. When it wasn’t outdated, it was nonsense. Exa flips through one book after another, spending mere seconds on each one before tossing them over his shoulder carelessly. A small collection of them scattered the floor looking crumpled and forgotten.

The large, more than seven foot tall robot remained hunched, continuing his search, paying no mind to anyone else in the room.

He tosses one that skitters to a stop near your feet, making a disgruntled clicking noise.]

II. GREENHOUSE»»

[Inside the greenhouse, Exa looks up at the canopy of green. He’d never seen this much green...not outside of photo slides and the memory banks. They didn’t need green, and these places filled with an acute sense of unease that he pushes to the back of his mind. Something to be confronted but not now.

Shifting his gaze down to the cool, clear pool of water, his single optic adjusts, catching the glint and movement of fish. Golden and spotted and spattered with different hues and patterns, they would probably best be described as beautiful. He reaches out, movement uncannily quick and steady, snatching a fat one from the near surface with a slight splash.

He’s holding it tightly, up and closer to his face, watching it wriggle and gasp.]

2

[reexamined]

It will die if you keep it out of it's habitat for too long.

[The voice the approaches is "British"-accented, but still entirely synthetic, and obviously so. K-2SO steps closer, a thin-limbed, seven foot mechanical being, and watches the golden fish twist about, trying to get back into the water.]

crow ( ragnarok online oc )

[bewreaks]

ONE ✗ GILLIGAN'S ISLAND

[ Survival isn't much of a concern when you're both technically already dead and sort-of immortal. Neither food nor shelter is strictly needed, so Crow is quick to find out that the mission he selected at random without reading the summary isn't really for him at all. At least not until he finds a cluster of ferocious-looking sea creatures wandering around and that's more like it.

However, his particular skill-set doesn't lend itself to dealing with a mob of monsters so he does the sensible thing of tracking down the nearest person to ask a simple question: ]

Hey, you! Want to go fight a giant sea monster?

[ Asked casually as if it's the most normal thing to ask of a perfect stranger probably just trying to survive. ]

TWO ✗ LERAMZEN

[ This mission has him both very much in his element and yet also rather out of it. Everything about it is fancier than the kind of thievery he's used to; the gala, the museum and even the guests outclass anything he's stolen from before. But that only makes it a challenge and therefore all the more exciting. The very moment he steps into this simulation and gets a good look around, his fingers are already itching.

So it can't be helped if his immediate reaction is to briefly take a few steps away from his teammate and subtly pickpocket a nearby guest, returning with the spoils within a minute. ]

I assume grabbing a few extra things means extra points, yes?

titan | show by rock!!

[qarn]

i, kitchens.

[ given the ability to wander freely, titan's first stop is the kitchen. it's a habit, and a currently useless one-- there's no one here to return home to with the spoils-- but he still takes his time to pace the length of it, eyeing everything that's currently out. only eyeing. he isn't touching any of it.

... not yet.

it takes some deliberation, and some more pacing, but he finally decides on a course of action: squirrelling away as much of this as possible for a rainy day. is it a concern he really has to have right now? well, no. does it really benefit him to have a secret snack supply in his room? well... no, but opportunity is knocking, and it's better to be safe than sorry. this is his justification.

and so, titan starts bundling some of the more durable-looking options into a dishtowel. since no one else appears to be around, there's no risk of embarrassing himself by doing it so openly, right? he hums as he piles things on, a new composition he hasn't quite figured out the end to yet. ]

ii, training center. ( anwick )

[ theoretically, titan loves kids, even nervous, restless, scaly ones. alas, that theory is experiencing a bit of strain at the moment, after this particular wyrmling has caught his fingers for... the fourth time, now. he hisses, shaking his hand rapidly as though to fling the pain away. it doesn't work.

they're closer to the outskirts of town than they should be. apparently, this rambunctious fellow wants to see the world. apparently, that's also not how this particular exercise is supposed to resolve itself. titan looks a little lost; all his attempts at leading and cajolery have failed, and all his attempts to just pick it up have ended in minor injury. he doesn't know how to compromise with something that doesn't talk back. ]

Well. [ well. he frowns a little more than the usual, glancing over at his partner. ] I'm not sure what else to try.

iii, network. ( un: melodious )

Uh, hi.

[ ...... ]

The music app in these; does anyone have any recommendations? Genre or specific songs. Either is fine.

iii; un: fiona

[cachemoney]

Skag Phallus is pretty good.

Angel | Borderlands

[r3f4c70r3d]

CYOA: STUDY SESSION // LIBRARY

[ It's still strange for her, having to go analogue, but Angel, needing (by personal want or habit, it's unclear) to be in the know wishes to learn more about this world and its sciences. With no digital system to tap into she's taken to the library instead.

The bookshelves are tall, reaching from floor to ceiling on every wall of the grandiose room. Unlucky for her, after a quick scan through the directory it seems like the books she'd be most interested in are both at the back where there is little to no help, and on one of the higher shelves. She's found herself a ladder, wheeling it over to the bookshelf containing what she's looking for and has climbed up as high as it will let her. Combining it and her arm length she can juuuuust about reach the books she wants to take down, pulling out one with a finger while she balances another in her left arm.

The acrobatics are taking a lot of her concentration, it would be pretty bad if someone broke it... ]

[cutlery]

[ Sebastian spends most of his free time in the library, since truth be told and shockingly (it isn't), he's a nerd. For a creature in the business of selling information at an extremely high premium, this library presents the kind of opportunity that's not only rare, but it's near impossible. There's so much information here that he couldn't hope to access any other way, so as long as he has the free time, this is where he tends to go.

He's finished one book (a rather serious, dry tome on the biology of a particular world), so it's off to find another that catches his eye. He has a vague idea that he might explore technology of the future, but really, he tends to just aimlessly wander the shelves until a title catches his eye. He passes by a row and glances down it idly, and he nearly passes by the row where Angel is completely. However, seeing her perched so on the ladder causes him to do something like a double-take, and he steps back and into the row. ]

My goodness... Do you need help, young lady?

captain jodariel | pyre.

[capriast]

( NOTE: pyre is still technically new and if someone is interested in playing the game, i'd like to help avoid spoilers as much as possible! so if you're interested in tagging in but also want to play the game just leave a comment and i'll draft up a spoiler-less starter for you. c: )

one — library.

[ She'd like to believe very little can surprise her; she's seen enough, both of the Commonwealth and the Downside. Survived enough. Hardened, whether she likes it or not, by what she's seen and what she's survived through; she even has the horns ( and the stature ) to prove it. Badges of honor, in some ways, and simply curses, diseases, in others.

But the point is— while she's never been cocky, there have always been firm limits in her bounds of possibility. She'll accept sorcery, witchcraft, and the Rites; even the Scribes to a certain degree. And yet, of all things, it's the library, the books, that falls squarely outside of those limits, what has her stumble even among "saving timelines" and "the multiverse". The shock clear on her face ( a rare sight, Rukey would never let her live it down ), as she stares from one end of the bookshelves ( stacked high, almost too high, how can so many books exist? ) to the other, and then back to the beginning. As if she's watching reality bend into itself; fortunately for everyone trying to read, she's silent through all of this.

At least until her jaw snaps shut and she narrows her eyes. ] You. [ To the closest patron in the area, pale eyes locked on them and refusing to budge. There's a pause as tension fills, before she spits out a simple— ] You can read these?

two — oska grounds.

[ More often time than not, she finds herself outside — old habits die hard, especially after years and years of living without a roof over one's head. Oska's grounds are nothing like what she's familiar with ( not enough death, decay, or danger ), but the open air and the limitless sky... helps. If nothing else. She settles by a tree at the edges of the forest, too wary to trust the depths but still determined to bask in the silence as much as she can.

... Until her peace is disturbed by a loud bark that pierces the air, loud and threatening ( threatened? ). Her eyes open to a large dog, with its ears flattened and its tail raised and tense. She blinks, and the dog barks again, just as loud as before. Surprise wipes off her face quickly, replaced with narrowed eyes and furrowed brows, as she tenses in kind.

( The dog just wants its tree back, without the large, intimidating intruder. ) ]

Use your words, cur. [ Her teeth are bared, voice a growl more than anything else. Naturally, the canine's body lowers, the bark turning into a snarl of his own.

Someone might want to tell her dogs can't talk, whatever she may believe. ]

three — wildcard.

( pick a prompt, and i'll write you a starter! or leave me a starter. or if you want to go through the classic "illiterate character tries to use the network" shenanigans, i'm down. )

one - library

[larsenist]

(( jokes about ripping off masks go here ))

[ Honestly... honestly. She really looks like something that could have lumbered out of a palace, or Mementos. (He's gotten the briefing, knows not everyone who wanders Oska's corridors are definitively human, but Akira still has to fight the urge to duck behind a corner. Or chair, or shelf, etc. Old habits and such.)

And it still doesn't stop him from going stock-still, when she(?) addresses him brusquely. Her tone seems to be one of severe distaste, or indignation, or... he's not sure, actually, and blinks up from his current volume, expression carefully neutral.

...Is she going to punch him if he answers 'yes'? Well, he'll risk it and find out. ]

Sure.

[ Applies to the one in hand, anyway. Also it's not the question he was expecting at all—implying that this horned lady might not be literate herself, and it piques his curiosity. (Of course, he was already curious before, but inferred from her Ominous Aura that she was best left alone.)

Anyhow, he's at least tactful enough to tailor his own questions. ]

...Need a rec...?

Link | The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

[longnap]

i. kitchen

[If there's one thing that he can't turn down, it's a free meal -- especially one that's basically gourmet to him. Link's already spent the better part of 30 minutes being an absolute glutton, but when he quickly figures out that the food magically restocks itself?

Oh boy. Well. That just lent itself to kind of a personal challenge.

At the moment, Link is busy chowing down on a roasted turkey leg in one hand, and he has a croissant in the other ready to replace it. When he notices you walking in, he stops momentarily mid-munch, his eyes slowly narrowing. He debates going back to what he's doing, but he seems to be waiting to see if you stay or go.]


ii. training - zeta-12

[As far as training scenarios, Link admits that he hadn't been sure about what to totally expect from this one. It's a simulation from a previous mission, apparently, which includes caring for and raising a strange infant, and traversing through difficult territory. At the very least, he's used to the latter, but the former...

Link likes kids, he just doesn't know if he should be raising one.

Regardless, he's in the middle of something he does know how to do, and that's fighting. The carnivorous plant has already made its attempts in biting him, but Link has been able to dodge swiftly before he draws back his bow, armed with a fire enchanted arrow.

Behind him a few feet away is the squidge he's protecting who is doing its best to imitate Link. D'aw.]


iii. hot springs

[Ah yes. The Relaxation Station, as it were. Rejuvenation Central. It reminds him a little bit of the hot springs on Death Mountain, but these are certainly a little more suitable for a common crowd rather than trying to trek up a hazardous mountain full of fire, lava, and danger.

Suffice it to say, it's not as stressful.

Link sighs and closes his eyes as he sits in the steaming water, quietly appreciating the serenity of it. It's been awhile since he's had a moment of calm, and he'll take it now while there are no disasters abound.

However, should he spot someone coming in, Link's face will go a deep red before he sinks into the water, as if trying to hide out of embarrassment.]


iv. network; text; un: courage

I like the magitek that they've given us. It's pretty useful to stay in touch with everyone, and it has some interesting additions.

Does it have any additional runes I can unlock? Maybe "runes" is the wrong word. Features, maybe?


v. wildcard
[Choose your own adventure! Let me know if you'd like a custom starter, or do one of your own!]

iv.

[selfimage]

[ who in the Ten Realms uses the word runes. ]

There are some.
Of course, you wouldn't want to rune it by not doing it properly.

[ that was a horrible pun.

very bad.

F---- ]

hedwyn | pyre.

[lenoriel]

(ALSO NOTE. like jodi's player above JUST LET ME KNOW if you want me to keep things as spoiler free as possible. pyre's still pretty new! it's pretty cool! go play it, I'll be here when you get back, probably.)

one. the library. (basically just jodi's prompt but like 99% less intimidating.)

[Even forewarned, the presence of a library here is staggering. The reality of it even moreso. He has never seen so many books. If the stately arches of the castle might convince one to wonder if this place was connected to the Commonwealth, the library places it a world away. A cache like this would have been burned in the Commonwealth on sight.

He has painstakingly searched out something from the shelves with letters he recognizes—without the magitek translations to complicate it, theoretically, lets not think about this too hard for a tdm—and found himself a corner to pursue it. It's out and open in front of him, next to the thick tome he'd arrived with. As if to compare them.

He's either too engrossed to notice he's not alone, here or he looks up just in time to catch a passerby.]

Apologies, but— [Since they're here and all—] You're a Reader, am I right?

[He says this like it's a remarkable—even dangerous—thing. But with no small measure of respect.]

two. anwick.

[For as alien and out of his depth this can be, there are elements of the scenario in Anwick that feel...familiar. It's not the Bloodborder, and comparing the Highwing Remnants to the fire-breathing creatures laying siege to the town would probably be insulting to both sides. But this is a problem that resonates with him, for the normality of it. The people here fear for their livelihoods, and the safety of their homes. And rightly so, given they have been under attack here for some time.

Their orders, therefore, take him somewhat by surprise. (And yet—)

It's getting dark, and Hedwyn volunteered to keep watch at the mouth of the cave, as the others stationed there with him take their turn with the dragons. Feeding kindling thoughtfully into the fire, until he realizes he's not alone. He tips his head toward the edge of the firepit, as if in invitation.]

Room for one more.

[If you want it. (He might look like there's something on his mind. Or maybe he could just use the company.)]

two. no spoilers ty

[heritors]

[ It's strange to be on the other side of it — to protect the wyrm as opposed to its victims. It'd be an understatement to say that it doesn't sit right with her, and while she's not one to disobey objectives, or to do anything less than her best, it's— weird. There's no other word for it.

She simply has to remind herself that every world is different, that what she sees isn't everything.

But at some point, she still wanders back to the opening — because the fact that the baby dragons refuse to cooperate means that their job got even harder, and while she'd normally grit her teeth and bear it, she still needs a breather ( she can't help but wonder if this would have gone better if Gerome was here. Or Nah ). Notes the unfamiliar face that's settled himself in front of the fire, but allows the corners of her lips to be tugged up in response. ] I'd appreciate it.

[ ( She would, after a long day like today ). And then, once she sits down— ] Hopefully this isn't too taxing for you. [ The training, she means. It's better than being thrown into a mission right away, but— still. It's supposed to emulate a mission, isn't it? ]

kyouichi saionji • revolutionary girl utena

[rosegroomed]

one; kitchens

[The first thing a stranger might notice about Saionji is that he is a remarkably good dancer. Before he speaks, to introduce himself or otherwise apologize for what's about to happen, unlucky visitors to the kitchen may find themselves suddenly accosted by a tall, surly looking young man pulling them into a fairly quick waltz.

He looks about as pleased as one may expect.]

I don't know what's going on.

[It's not like he's asking for help, but it's implicit in his petulant tone and shifting eyes. He keeps up a pace, though, and a pretty good one at that: it pays to have rich friends, both in the literal sense and in that he's had plenty of practice at balls and parties thrown by especially overbearing socialites.]

two; training center (anwick)

[Saionji truly hates these awful, slimy creatures, and he would much rather skewer them than protect them, but as he's been told, that's Not Allowed. Bullshit. It's all bullshit, and he says as much to the first person that approaches him, the wyrmlings squirming near his feet.]

These aren't--I mean, I don't find it necessary that I protect these. Why should I? They're gross, and if they grow up into something like that thing outside, it seems like a bad idea. I'm just saying, though. It's something to think about.

[Judging by the sword in his hand, he is not "just saying". This could break bad very quickly.]

four; network (un: kendomaster17)

Does anyone here have experience with fencing? I've been dismissive of it in the past, I'll admit, but I would like to learn any fighting strategies that I can, and I believe it would come easiest to me. I'm an experienced swordsman (you see, I have made my name kendomaster17 because I'm a kendo master and also 17).

That being said, any fighting disciplines are also acceptable. I'm a quick learner.

4 - text; un: white_lotus

[pummelling]

Congrats, kendomaster17. Do you want a medal?

Drizzt Do'Urden | Forgotten Realms

[outofdark]

hot springs
Since finding himself in this strange world, so very unlike the Icewind Dale, Drizzt had maintained a caution that heightened the edge of his perceptions, cautiously accepting the explanation he'd received for his role here but still skeptical. Despite the talk of them all working together, he'd learned not to let hope obscure the reality of how the upper world viewed his kind, and while he welcomed the chance that this place might be different, that those here would look upon a drow no different than any other man or woman, he still kept his hood low to shadow his features.

Although on a day like this, with the sun beating down on him and bright enough to make his eyes ache, he welcomed the hood as well for the protection it offered. The water of the spring had seemed as though it would offer relief too, though as he'd approached close enough to see that the clouds were steam and not his eyes playing tricks on him, he realized that may not be the case.

Kneeling down, fingers dark as obsidian and with a grace few outside of the elves possessed brushed against the water and his brow wrinkled.

"Hot water out here?"


training center
The training center was another strange discovery but one that had become welcome once Drizzt had realized its purpose and how best to use it. He takes to spending much of his time there, twin scimitars in hand and an array of enemies before him. Sometimes they're creatures he's faced, goblins or ghouls or horrific creatures of the Underdark, other times he lets the room give him opponents he's unfamiliar with to test himself further.

This time it's a strange mix of the two as corpses themselves rise to fight him graceless but relentless even in the face of his flashing blades, and for all Drizzt's scimitars glide through the air like deadly extensions of his body, for all his speed and surety, he finds himself falling back from the oncoming dead, his focus entirely on them and not the sound of the door opening to herald a new arrival to the fray.

9S • nier: automata

[bestaround]

oska grounds
[ The circumstances were... strange. He'd gotten the explanation, of course, which had only left 9S with a mess of conflicted feelings about it all; he had a mission to pursue back home. He also had nothing to return to, beyond that. Everything here was so foreign, and yet, there was something familiar about this ALASTAIR business too.

But sitting around and mulling too much within his own head never solved anything. There was also nothing that could ever stop the high level of curiosity programmed into him, and so, when he's finally free to roam the castle as he desires, 9S sets out to familiarize himself with what he can, at the very least. With Pod 153 floating alongside as usual—a small, box shaped robot with two mechanical arms—if nothing else, he isn't completely alone wandering the... surprisingly empty hallways.

For a hub this huge housing all the teams he was told about, he was expecting the place to be a lot more lively.

After a bit of walking and memorizing the layout of the land, he finally spots someone—you in particular, whether your're just passing on by or busy doing something—and grinds to a halt. And then he... stares, which may be even stranger than usual coming from a guy with what appears to be a blindfold tied over his face, but despite what he's wearing it's pretty obvious he's sizing this new stranger up.

A few beats pass, and what breaks the silence is a mechanical, monotone female voice emitting from the tiny robot floating around 9S' head: ] Analysis: life form is indeed organic. Proposal: continuous gawking will get you nowhere.

[ Aaand that jerks 9S out of all his thoughts. Clearly flustered (they had to have heard that), 9S can only manage to stammer out, ] —What? Pod, c'mon!

[ Don't call him out like this...!! ]

network: username 9S
Sooo... they just let you use this network for whatever you want? You can say anything and no one will care?

The higher-ups around here must be really laid back. Not that I'm complaining, of course, but that's a level of leniency I wouldn't have expected from an organization like this.

It's kind of nice.

wildcard
[ choose your own adventure, plop down a prompt if your heart desires, ask for a custom prompt, whatever I'm easy peasy :* ]

network; un: fiona

[cachemoney]

That's because there are no higher-ups. You're on the same level as me, as someone who's been here twenty years, as someone who's been here 800 years...

THAT's what's nice. In my humble opinion.

jon lane kent ( dc )

[metacides]

network - un: j.kent

Magitek nanobots? Really?
You sure this isn't some big, fucked up joke?
Also, these uniforms? Lame.

training center - demons

( he doesn't need training, but sometimes it's real nice just to have something to punch, you know? which leaves him where he is now: fending off against some (apparently hardmode) demonic magic-wielding spirit intent on fucking destroying him. which is great, amazing; that's exactly the kind of shit he was looking for.

the fact that it wields magic, the kind of shit that actually does get to him, just makes it all the more better. he's been through a few already, if the blood and scrapes on him have anything to say for it; the left side of his face is particularly banged up, eye bruised, lip split, blood dripping down his forehead. considering how easy it is to end the simulation--it's a little fucking stupid, how beaten up he's gotten.

regardless, jon shows no sign of slowing down. there's a red glow to his eyes, surrounding his hands, and he's pretty fast to reach out to the demon just as it reaches out to him, fingers curling deftly around the run to the center of his chest and crushing it against his palm.

one more down. several more to go. jon twists around fast enough after disposing of the last one, drops the remains of the rune to the floor and reaches his fingers out to wrap them around the neck of--whomever happens to be closest. another demon? you? whoever. his hand moves just barely too fast for the average human eye to catch it, much slower than usual, for him, but fast enough to (hopefully) catch them off guard. )

Anyone ever teach you it's a shit idea to sneak up on people?

@kansas [ text ]

[signifies]

[ He stares for a while at j.kent. Clark doesn't believe in coincidences, and the people brought here always follow a pattern.

It could be nothing. . . ]

You don't have to wear them.

Sir Gilman | Pyre

[scuttled]

(note: 'cause all the cool pyre kids up top are doing it too, since pyre's pretty new lmk if you want spoilers filtered out!!)

hot springs.
[ Should you find yourself at the hot springs, you will be greeted by a mighty knight's helm propped at its edge. It is, perhaps, on the smaller side of what you may be used to, but it is no less impressive! Sturdily built, lovingly shined, with the boldest of plumes at its crown. The rest of its armor set, however, appears nowhere to be found. ]

[ It had taken a long, thorough swim to determine that this body of water was strictly for rest and relaxation, into every nook and cranny for potentially hidden foes, but for now it seems this... little yellow one-eyed worm has found itself at peace. If bursting out of the water beside anyone that so decides to enter the pool could be considered peaceful. ]

[ Even at ease, chill has no place in Sir Gilman's noble heart. ]

THIS IS MAGNIFICENT!!

[ The voice booms from the tiny, weedy creature and reverberates across the springs as it watches you with its one great big glistening eye. Somehow, even here, it seems less of a wet glisten and more of a gleeful, teary glisten. How one eye can express so much aggressive bliss is truly a marvel. ]

This Knight scarcely remembers the last time he has encountered waters so warm and fresh and calm as this! Perhaps he has never encountered them in all his years of service!

training room.
[ Did someone say training? Did someone say difficult setting? This is precisely what a tireless wyrm-knight such as himself lives for. As the demons burst into being from their respective runes like rival triumvirates looming protectively over their pyre, the wyrm straightens up to his fullest of heights beside his fellow soldier in this simulation. ]

Comrade in arms!! [ He begins, cry as great in volume as it is in sheer spirit, his eye fierce and set upon their foes. ] This Knight has full confidence in you to strike head-on and without fear!! Draw these wretched creatures' attentions and this Knight shall dart around the back to deal a decisive blow to their runes!!

[ His sound tactics and bolstering speech grant you +1 Hope for the next Rite Fight! ]

network. @SIRGILMAN
THIS KNIGHT HAS MADE A MOST INTERESTING DISCOVERY!!
WOULD IT BE THAT THE LOUDER ONE SPEAKS TO THIS PENDANT, THE MORE MARKS OF EXCLAMATION APPEAR!!!!

At least... That is what he presumes the marks to be! There is a point at which the kindly translator ceases to raise her voice no matter the quantity!!

BEHOLD!!!!!!!!

[ And anyone with the text-to-speech feature on their magitek will find the exuberant word followed by deadpan "exclamation point" after deadpan "exclamation point". ]

[ ... Honestly anyone within several rooms of his can probably hear the narration, too. ]

training room!!! finally

[frati]

[Rukey Greentail is a lot of things. A shrewd businesscur. A quick wit. A commited and loyal friend.

He is, also, somewhat of a coward.

This isn't to say that he'll shrink away when the chips are down. If a friend is in need. Or when his triumvirate is counting on him in a pinch. Just that he has a...healthy sense of sensible self preservation, and he prefers to avoid these situations when he can. Which means he's feeling a little skeptical about this situation. While Gilman is zipping around the streets with the demons, (these aren't demons, Jodi would be offended) he's dodging falling wreckage and sharp claws and looking at the Wrym-Knight like he's lost what marbles he has left.]

Now wait just a damned minute, there, chum! I don't remember this being part of the deal!

[You asked him up here for a friendly joust, Gilman, you didn't say anything about monsters.]

malcolm graves | league of legends

[deadmanwalkin]

[ TWO ]

[ It takes Graves a moment or two to realize what this room's for-- at first, the empty walls provide no real hint, but once he makes the mistake of brushing up against that glowing panel, the chamber comes to life all at once. The setting is new to him, but he's far from a stranger to its purpose; once the enemies begin to appear, a predatory grin finds its way to his face, and he knows exactly what he'll be spending the next few hours doing. Destiny's in his hands in a single breath, the shotgun a reassuring weight; Graves isn't nervous in the slightest, but the comfort of a familiar weapon is nothing to sneeze at. ]
[ The scenery of Nalawi is all around him, although the sky's streaked with fire and smoke. Were it not for the eruption happening, this would almost be familiar-- it's not Buhru, but it's an island, and that's good enough for him. It doesn't take a lot of effort to figure out what's happening off in the distance, but the imps are doing a pretty good job of distracting from any sightseeing he could be doing-- not that Graves would've been too preoccupied with that otherwise. It's clear that these creatures aren't friendly, and he wastes no time in shooting first; if he's got the idea of this room right, it's going to be fine. If not? He can figure out a convenient enough excuse for gunning down what may very well be someone's pet or...something. (Wasn't his fault they started acting threatening in his direction, probably. Their hypothetical owners should've kept them on a tighter leash.) ]

[ It doesn't take many shots for Graves to grow bored of mowing down the imps, though-- once he's cleared out one last wave, he prowls out of the starting area, keeping his gun at the ready. He moves quietly, eyes scanning his surroundings for any flash of movement; his starting position isn't hard to figure out, considering how Destiny roars, but he's not about to be taken unawares regardless. Slowly but surely, he puts some distance between himself and the clearing he began in, enough to where he's more or less shrouded in leaves and smog-- visibility is just about nothing in these conditions, and he's every bit as on edge as he would be if this were a genuine assault. As far as he's concerned, it might as well be. ]

[ There's a rustle in the undergrowth nearby, and he whips around in an instant, finger already on the trigger-- he backs up into the cover of the forest to obscure his silhouette, attention locked on the source of the movement. If this is something trying to get the jump on him, it was about to be treated to a very nasty surprise; alternatively, he might just be pointing his gun at somebody who happened to get stuck in this scenario with him. ]
[ Either way, Graves isn't putting his gun down. Good luck approaching him, if that's what you're aiming for. ]


[ THREE ]

[ The idea of the hot springs is at least appealing, although Graves is a little leery of letting his guard down around that many people. Even if there's no way the authorities of Valoran were going to find him here of all places, the thought's been beaten into him time and time again, and he knows he's not going to completely relax no matter what he does. He's an old criminal-- there was no way he would've lived this long if he melted the second there was some warm water to be had. ]
[ Still, he eventually settles in to one of the springs, grumbling quietly to himself as he props his elbows up on the edge. This is nice enough, he supposes; could definitely be worse, and he knows that full well. He'd have had a better time of it if he'd been able to find an empty pool, but a quick look around confirms that there is no such thing at the moment. Doesn't that figure. ]

[ Graves breathes a stifled sigh, wrinkling his nose. He'll at least admit that the hot water is incredible for his joints, although that's about the only compliment he'll give it at the moment. He glances over to the person at his side, briefly sizing them up before he actually says something. ]

'Least this's public. [ There's a beat of silence, and his brow furrows-- ] Place is open access, right? Gotta say, I didn' look too hard for a sign or somethin' 'fore gettin' in here.
[ If he's actually trespassing, by some stroke of bad luck? Oh well. He's fine with booking it out of here-- once he's done, of course. Until then, he's not moving an inch, unless another part of the spring empties out. ]


[ FOUR ]

network u.n. : graves

aight if this ain't actually workin and is just a way to get me to look like a damn fool, i'm gonna have to have a lil chat with somebody here in a bit
not much of a fan of gettin duped, and i'd say this counts.

[ There's a considerable pause between his first few messages and the next-- at the moment, Graves is looking around, silently scowling as he tries to figure out of this magic jewelry thing is a joke or not. He's seen plenty of magic and spells in his time, but this just seems...dubious, largely on account of the fact that his apparently magical accessory looks like a plain old leather wristband. It's usually far more flashy than that, in his experience, and he can't shake the feeling that this is just a prank. ]

i'll give this like...three minutes fore i call it bullshit. that's bein generous. lucky i'm even givin yall that much.

4 - network; un: cardmaster

[fateality]

[He's hemmed and hawed about responding. By now, Twisted Fate knows the universe is too large for there to just be one man going by Graves, even if the text is probably about how he'd use the damned network.

Hell with it. He's probably too sober for this, but might as well see where it goes.]

Depends on how often you get duped into looking stupid.

Shuuzo | Show By Rock!!

[shuuperstar]

network; u.n. - trichronika

Please tell me I'm not the only one here who has any appreciable musical talents, and if I'm not, where do your skills lie?


hot springs episode;

[ internally cursing from having to hike all the way from the castle to the springs (where are all the chauffeurs tbh), the sight of a steaming hot spring makes his eyes sparkle with almost-tears. without hesitation, he moves around to an unoccupied spot far away from the entrance and sits down to promptly peel the boots off of his feet before dunking them in and sighing.

stare too long at the idol, and he'll stare right back with a bright and nod that could be an interpretation of an invitation. come too close to his multi-hued tail, and he'll give the same look albeit with a slight narrowing of his eyes and a brief clearing of his throat before saying: ]

Please be careful. My tail is [ ahem ] definitely worth more than you, and I'd hate for you to have to reimburse me for any damaged hairs.

[ his tone is lighthearted but not without something threatening at the same time. ]

?!?! omg... judas boys... ( network; un: melodious )

[qarn]

[ titan recognizes that name, and... he doesn’t like it. shuu can’t see it, but he does pace his room for a full fifteen minutes before replying. maybe it’s just a coincidence. maybe he doesnt have any need to be suspicious. (maybe he’s never been that lucky in his life.) ]

Yes.

[ PAUSE. ]

What’s your goal here

jude mathis | tales of xillia

[sedulitas]

zeta-12;

[ The squidge had been crying and howling for well over an hour and Jude couldn't blame it no matter how it wore away at his nerves. Things haven't been exactly pleasant for the little guy with how it seemed like every plant wanted to eat him and Jude. Protecting the little goo child from the plant monsters wasn't exactly difficult but just stressful. There was still some adjustments that he needed to make to fully adapt to fighting in these different terrains (thus the reason for him entering these training simulation in the first place) and while he knew some people who learned best under pressure or real-life application, Jude wouldn't mind a less hands-on experience from time to time.

Yet, this was he selected and this was what he was going to deal with because simulated or not, Jude wasn't going to fail this mission. And so here he finds himself consoling a goo baby to the best of his abilities and using all of the tricks he could think of. Being a good doctor required to have some level of bedside manner, after all. ]

Come on; all of the scary plants are gone now, and I promise things will be better from here on out. You'll see. [ Jude said as calmly and as reassuring as he possibly could manage. He even got down to his knees and was crouching before the squidge and patting it gently on its head.

...not that it stopped the crying, but it did stop the howling! Finally. Jude called it progress—agonizingly slow progress. He still needed to broach the topic of crossing the chasm but baby steps. Step one was to calm it down. ]

All we have to do is go a bit further.

network; ( j.mathis )

Wow so you can just talk into these things and others will be able to see or hear this? For how discrete it is, you’d think there might be some sort of limitations or draw back from using something like this.

Wait—are there limitations on these? Side effects?

medical center;

[ The first time Jude visited the medical center it was because he needed something asinine—probably something to help with swelling in his hand from training. Nothing he couldn’t treat himself but he had seen it as an excuse to see what kind of medical services were available here. Needless to say, he has become a frequent visitor ever since. ]

I still can’t get over how advance all of this is. [ Jude says to himself more to anyone else as he scans his arm once more. It’s clear to him and the magitek that there’s nothing wrong with his arm but to see all of the information immediately and structured in a way that even the most laymen of laymen could understand it was something else.

With technology like this, people like him wouldn’t be necessary and that thought alone is bittersweet. Getting people the proper treatment as soon as possible was the end goal but wasn’t there a certain “human” aspect that was missing through all of this? Still to write this off as a bad thing would be stupid. ] Even with all of the differences with biology here—the nanobots are able to adapt as needed to ensure proper treatment.

[ Sorry, he’s just going to be a huge nerd about this because, well, how could he not? What kind of nerd med student isn’t fascinated by the newest and greatest innovations? ]

All of this without the use of Spirit artes, too. I wonder if it'd be possible to take some of this home with me. [ A small sigh. ] Probably not...

wildcard;

[ hit me up with anything, i'm fair game! ]

Zeta12

[cuedoves]

[You know who's not good with babies? Who can barely tolerate the sound of screaming? Who's just about to ruin everything for Jude?]

[Hello, Zuko here]

It's so annoying! Can't you make it shut up!?

[It seems they've been assigned on this together....... and it's not going to be pretty. Zuko risks making the poor baby howl again]