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thirstology2018-04-01 12:05 am
futurologists) wrote in thirstology2018-04-01 12:05 am
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TEST DRIVE MEME
FANTASTIC MR. FOX  Welcome to Azeria, a small single-biome planet covered almost entirely by deep, mossy forests. The natives of Azeria, a sapient foxlike species called Vulphytes, have reached out to Hathaway for help in repelling a planetary invasion. Other Vulphyte tribes have sent word of dangerous aliens descending in silver machines and laying waste to the forest, killing and capturing Vulphytes and animals in their wake. Hathaway analysts have calculated that the Merging is to blame for this sudden invasion; before, these two nearly identical universes didn't see each other, but now that they are one, these strangers are suddenly planetary neighbors. The aliens, seeing a new planet, must be searching for colonization prospects, while the Vulphytes are helpless against their spacefaring weaponry. ▸ FOR NEW VOLUNTEERS.On greeting the Hathaway agents, the Vulphytes will initially be very awkward and surprised, or as awkward and surprised as sapient foxes can appear. The Vulphytes speak telepathically, and eventually a spokesfox explains the cause of their discomfort: the invading aliens are humans, just like most of you. ▸ PROMPTS Your mission is simple: protect the Vulphytes, forests, and native animals from the invading humans. It's not necessary to kill all the invaders (unless you want to), simply keep them from taking the planet for their own and do a good enough job to persuade them never to come back. Of course, the invaders are a bit... forceful in their methods, so it's up to you.   The Vulphytes live in a cluster of burrows which are unfortunately not large enough for anything human-sized to visit, but the presence of non-aggressive aliens (that's you!) is enough to get the majority of them to pop out and curiously observe. The Vulphytes are variably black, grey, or red, with fur transitioning to moss along their backs; animals you might see in the forest, including deer, rabbits, and owls, have a similarly moss-covered look. The Vulphytes will take awhile to warm up to anyone who is human (or those who visibly look human), their telepathic tones suspicious as they ask questions about their loyalties, where they're from, and what their homeworlds are like. Those who are clearly not human will receive a much warmer reception, the Vulphytes asking curious questions and the Vulphyte kits trailing behind in fuzzy little rows. When the invaders' silver machines -- spaceships -- become visible in the sky, through breaks in the tree canopy, the Vulphytes look skyward and begin to howl. It's a pre-battle ritual, one of them explains, and characters are invited to join in: howl to the sky, to your enemies, and get ready to fight. TWO ▸ THE INVASION. The silver spaceships of the invaders crash down through the trees, sending animals fleeing in all directions. The Vulphytes stay put, snarling in the direction of the noise and waiting for the invaders to come to them. If you'd like, you can rush forward and head them off -- or stay and fight alongside the foxes. Just as the Vulphytes claimed, the invaders are human. They are dressed in armored space suits, the visors on their helmets obscuring their faces and reflecting the forest all around. Their weapons are various types of laser guns, though a few are holding axes that have laser blades, which they use to start chopping down trees as their compatriots march toward the Vulphyte dens. The invaders are surprised to see people here, but they're not interested in talking: they open fire on anyone they see, not recognizing any of the recruits as their people and thus pegging them immediately as enemies. Though they're aggressive, they're not suicidal; if a single invader encounters too much violence or are outnumbered, they'll run back to their compatriots for reinforcements, so it's best to dispatch them quickly (or prevent them for running for help in some other way). Once the invaders reach the Vulphyte dens, the foxes fight viciously, swarming individuals in a flurry of claws and snarling teeth. Kill the invaders or simply give them enough trouble to make them retreat for good, it's up to you. But either way, look after your furry/mossy hosts; despite their telepathic way of communication, the Vulphytes don't possess any magical abilities, so they'll need to be looked after in the face of laser weapons. THREE ▸ BABYSITTER'S CLUB. The baby Vulphytes are in the greatest amount of danger from the invading humans, being entirely unable to defend themselves and uncertain of what's actually going on. Hathaway has been tasked with rescuing them from their dens and whisking them away to safer areas away from the fighting where they can be cared for until the fighting is over. The only problem is that baby Vulphytes are... well, babies. They're quite upset by all the ruckus, yowling in a way that resembles crying, and aren't exactly happy to be taken away by strangers they don't know. In fact, some of them might try to make a great escape, so you'd better be quick! Those who make it to a safe area will need consoling and, once that's done, entertainment. They'll also need their caretakers to make sure no invaders sneak up on them -- since some are hidden in the woods. It's a big job, but you can handle it, right? FOUR ▸ VICTORY CELEBRATIONS. Once the invaders are finally chased off, everyone gathers together to celebrate. The Vulphytes bow (as well as a fox can) as the team enters and apologize for their uncertainty before; they see now that many of you are nothing like the aliens who threatened them, despite your similar looks. They'd like you all to stay and celebrate, if you have time. The celebrations are... a bit different than most might be used to; it's definitely not a human party. There are games with handmade balls of packed moss, which the Vulphytes seem to love. In fact, they go crazy for Fetch, a game they were never introduced to before due to their tragic lack of opposable thumbs. They "sing" for the team in howls, a rare example of adults not communicating telepathically. As for the team, they receive a congratulatory message from Imogen on their magitek suggesting they take the rest of the celebration to meet and greet with the unfamiliar faces. There won't be much time to do so back at Headquarters, I'm afraid, she adds. Drakstaden awaits, darlings! FIVE ▸ CHIT-CHAT. It's your standard network option. Make battle plans, chat about how cute the foxes are, or share good hiding places. No matter what, you get one username to identify you and one only -- if you don't enter one, it will default to your real name (for example, Voldemort's would be tomriddle.) Choose wisely... or make it assfarts69, if that's your thing. More information on the jewelcomms can be found on the devices guide. SIX ▸ WILDCARD. Do whatever the heck you want! Go pick wildflowers. Climb a tree. Hunt animals. Loot innocent fox dens, you monster. The world is your oyster. ▸ OOC NOTES Welcome to the second test drive meme of Futurology Season 2! This test drive will function as an optional mini-mission for both new and current characters, similar in feel to the missions we have in-game but on a much smaller scale. Threads on this test drive are game canon by default unless one of the participants would like to retcon it. Current characters may use TDM threads for non-!plot AC proofs. Both test drivers and current characters are welcome to top level! While current characters are allowed to tag other current characters, we ask that you please make an effort to be welcoming to test drivers as well! Since incoming characters currently don't have official specializations, we have no specialized prompts. However, feel free to play as if your character is level 1 of whichever specialization you would like to choose. Questions about the game in general can be directed to the FAQ. If you've been with us before, you might notice things look a little different around here. Make sure you check out the welcome page for the basic rundown of how your character joined up with Hathaway. For further information about the game, the full navigation has all the links you'll need. ▸ Upcoming Events (Futurology runs on timezone UTC): |
babysitter's club!
No, I —
[ But this human, whoever he is, is already at ... whatever he's doing. Vanadi grits his teeth and drops to lean from his cover of a boulder, placing a few well-aimed shots to dissuade anyone from taking advantage of the distraction. He doesn't glance over until Giorno speaks again, and then looks surprised to see the little fox intact. He'd been quite sure that one wouldn't make it. ]
What did you do?
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[ he glances at the elf's - elf? yes, upon closer inspection, if his books haven't lied to him he'd say that's an elf - pistol, and purses his lips into a thin line. ]
However, that's not an excuse to test the limits of your mortal frame, so don't get excited.
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Don't you worry yourself on that count. [ He likes to think he's very good at self-preservation, thanks. ] But considering their weapons seem to be teeth, against lasers, I imagine you'll be seeing quite a few patients today.
[ And determined as Vanadi may be to not make himself one of them, a laser blast at the edge of his cover, a little too close for comfort (no injury, but it does have him flinching back and leave him brushing rock chips from his shaggy hair), seems intent on proving him wrong. ]
Are you armed?
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And I'm armed. [ or as armed as he'll ever be. curiously he doesn't do anything more than to slip his hands into his pockets as he eyes the horizon, scans for their allies. ] We should get going.
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Going? [ His eyebrows arch upward, and doesn't appreciate the suggestion in the slightest. He's growing attached to this covering rock, and isn't keen on the idea of leaving it behind. ] To where? Let them come, as you said. It was an excellent idea.
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[ he gives the elf a judgmental glance. that body, and the lack of a fight - he can drag him, if need be. ] Stop cowering behind that rock.
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Have you a camouflage kit to go with that miraculous healing of yours?
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[ he hears shouting. one of the invaders step into the clearing where they are, and before it can even strike them with an axe, gold experience moves into the distance between them and punches its guts. the axe turns into a snake, which wraps angrily around its neck and hisses, trying to bite through the armor. all this while it screams frantically and retreats.
giorno narrows his eyes and clicks his tongue. ] Make faster, better decisions, elf. Someone or something out there needs me. I don't intend to wait on you forever, but I can't do this by myself either.
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Kitrite. [ He climbs to his feet in a fluid motion and pumps the loader of his gun; it whines softly as it recharges. ] To be accurate, human. Let's go.
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[ there's a copse of trees not too far away from them and he's going to move into that clearing, carefully. crouching low, he stumbles onto a deer who bleats at the gesture, giorno just puts a hand on his mouth in surprise and kneels in front of it. real disney princess bullshit. he's gentle as his hands disappear into its mossy fur, feeling where the wounds are the worst at. he scoops some earth - pushes it into its more fatal wounds - and gold experience works its magic from there, the stand kneeling as giorno does in order to help. ]
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He's not so distracted that he doesn't spot movement over Giorno's shoulder, though. His reaction is nearly instant, aiming and taking his shot. It sizzles the air as it passes near Giorno's head, but the attacker he's spotted between two trees about thirty feet off drops without a sound. ]
Is there a limit to this ability? [ The healing, of course, although his eyes remain on the area around them rather than on the recovering deer. ]
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[ giorno looks surprised. ] I know a guy who loves his gun. He always crawls back to me more injured than he'd left. I've replaced more of his organs than I should.
I'm not sure if there's a limit. I'd rather there not be.
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It's not a thought to explore right now, but certainly one that needs it. Later, though. ]
Me too. Let's hope you don't find one here. [ His eyes are on the trees again, searching for movement. ] Are you done there?
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[ it leaves his hands soon enough; giorno is careful as he rises, and then moves forward to where there were more noises at the distance. curious that he's interested in his power as well; then again, when you're in the company of rather volatile stand users everything is interesting. ]
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As they go, though: ] Perhaps I ought to ask your name. We seem to be somewhat in this together, for the time being.
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The name is Giorno. [ just one name for now, like madonna or cher. ]
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Vanadi.
[ And nearly as soon as he says it one of his long ears flicks, and he throws out an arm to silently stop Giorno, attention focused laser-like ahead of them. There's the cacophony of battle up ahead, but there's something more — a small troop headed toward them, not yet in sight. He melts back behind a tree, hoping Giorno is smart enough to follow suit. ]
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the troop, however, is a problem. about fifteen, last he counted, and attempting to move through the ruckus in an effort to assist other units. giorno sinks his hands into the earth until the trees seem overgrown, branches heavy with leaves, bushes slithering against each shadow. ]
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They don't have far to go to get out of the way of the oncoming attacker's path, but they definitely do have to go. Vanadi creeps forward, moving low, with just the faintest of metallic clicks sounding now and then from his limbs. The rustling and low, harshly whispered orders draw closer to them, and Vanadi moves a little faster. ]
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The time for stealth seems well past to him, with an attack like that announced so plainly. Giorno may still be hidden, Vanadi supposes if he's quick-thinking enough he could leave Vanadi as the distraction to lead them away and stay crouched down — it's only logical. But in case he spooks, jumps up as well: ] Away from the dens!
[ It would be a bit counter productive, leading them toward the distressingly unarmed Vulphytes. He doesn't wait to see if Giorno stays or goes, he doesn't have the time. He takes off in a headlong sprint, ducking and dodging around trees and headed for where he clearly recalls a good, sturdy tree with thickly blanketing foliage to hide any climbers. ]
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he moves after vanadi later on, trying to follow the route he'd taken through the forest. what bad luck that they should be stuck fighting in a place where the terrain is uneven and difficult. giorno, slightly injured, runs. by the time he gets to where he'd last saw him, his injuries would've been gone. ]
Are you still alive? [ a pause. ] I suppose if you're dead, that's a moot point to ask, but a polite haunting would be nice.
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It's not great. There's the hole burnt into his cowl and jacket, which isn't ideal, and the laser blast seems to have seared through a level or two of plating and wiring at his shoulder. His arm still moves, but with a delay and a few unsteady jerks to it. He'd pulled the sleeve back into place over it all with a scowl just as Giorno's voice floats up to him. ]
Hathaway is lucky they have the means to offer the rewards that they do. [ The disembodied voice sounds sulky, but at least not pained. ] Any less than what they offered, and I'd not be putting up with any of this.
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And yes, we all put up with a lot more hardship than what we can tolerate within a day .... anyway, let me see you. [ does he need to be ~healed? because he'd rather they do this now than later. giorno is not interested in carrying anyone twice his size. ]
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Only gibberish to me, I'm afraid.
[ But he does emerge — he drops without much of a warning rustle, landing lightly enough in an easy crouch. There he is: seen. He seems not interested in sticking around long, already turning back toward the dens. ]
It sounded like you quite handily managed the lot of them. [ A little accusatory, there. Did Giorno even need Vanadi sticking his neck out at all?? ] But I suppose we'd best retrace our steps, see nonetheless if any of them made it back to the dens.
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