test drive
Firstly, thank you for your interest! Secondly, since the game hasn't begun and therefore characters haven't actually gone to a world yet, this test drive is going to be a little different. It's intended to be presented as a mini-mission of sorts, on a much smaller scale and timeframe than a real mission in-game but with a somewhat similar feel. Because of this, if you join the game, you're allowed to count this as game canon, so make sure you make choices you want to follow your character into the game!
You know how this works, so go forth and have fun, and don't forget to reserve!
BASICSAnwick might have been a beautiful town once. It's hard to tell now, since most of the buildings are scorched and crumbling, but they do resemble some rural modern-day buildings. Likewise, the people don't appear to be living too much in the past; several are carrying intimidating guns. For years, Anwick has been terrorized by dragons, living in fear of the next attack. Not anymore.
The people have just ended a bloody battle. Several people limp towards the outskirts of town, holding their bleeding wounds or new burns. In the center of town lies a slain dragon, the last full-grown one left in the world. To be honest, it looks like they've already taken care of their own problem.
A monotonous voice comes through your communication device to explain. You aren't here to help the townspeople; you're here for the dragons. The one motionless on the ground may have been the last adult, but it certainly wasn't the last dragon. Her children are located in a nearby cave, alone and orphaned. They're the ones you need to protect.
WYRMLINGSThe wyrmlings are still growing up, only the size of a small dog. Each has a slightly different appearance, but all of them have at least a few bright copper scales. They're beautiful, and they look a little bit harmless... at least, until they notice you. These dragons have never been exposed to humans before. Or anyone outside of their family, for that matter. They're small and scared, and they don't know any other way to protect themselves than to attack. Luckily, because of their tiny size, they can't do much more than small burns at a time — but make no mistake, it still hurts like hell.
The cave they're located in is pitch-black and labyrinthine. Every footstep echoes throughout it if you aren't light enough on your feet. It'll be difficult to navigate if you don't MacGyver yourself a torch or other form of lighting. Cell phones will work decently, at least until their battery dies, but you don't want to get stuck deep within the cave with no light.
If you do manage to get through the cave and rescue some without getting burned to a crisp, the trouble's not over yet. You'll have to find a safe place to stash them until they can be relocated; the townspeople aren't done with their dragon-slaying yet, after all. Walk into town with one in tow, and you're putting a target on your back. (Of course, this doesn't mean you can't do it.)
PROMPTSONE ✗ GOING ROGUE
Not feeling too obedient? Maybe you're ignoring the orders and helping the wounded people in town instead... or just coming to gawk. Maybe you're coming to slay the wyrmlings yourself. Whatever it is, at least try to be sneaky about it.
TWO ✗ THE DRAGON'S CAVE
Try to navigate the cave, fail to navigate the cave and get lost, or try to take the wyrmlings without getting barbecued. Somehow, you get the feeling that you aren't alone. Those footsteps are probably just your imagination... or they could be townspeople coming to kill you and the dragons. Of course, they could also be an ally, but you'd better hope you don't find out.
THREE ✗ HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON
You've gotten the dragon(s) to a secure campsite out of town, but the fun's not over yet. They're kind of freaking out a little. Some of them are still spitting fire. Even the less aggressive ones are crying shrilly, bound to attract townspeople or at least annoy everyone nearby. It can't be too hard to calm them down; they're basically scaly, fire-breathing babies, right?
FOUR ✗ NIGHT TIME
It's been a long day, and now it's time for the crew to sleep. Get to know your tentmates, try to ignore them, pray that they don't want to bring along a wyrmling to cuddle... or maybe you've been put on night watch with a few others, in which case you'd better find a way to pass the time until your shift's over.
FIVE ✗ CHIT CHAT
Network option! Maybe you've got a little downtime and you're bored. Or maybe you're frantically asking the rest of the team how bad a dragon bite is. Maybe you're just trying to figure out how the hell this magical jewelry thing works. 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 network is here!
SIX ✗ WILDCARD
Do whatever the hell you want. Explore the ashes of the burned city, try to run as far away from this crap as possible, or try to teach a wyrmling tricks. The world is your oyster. |
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thirstology2015-09-14 06:51 pm
HDIHKHKHF KIDA
Sorry, I guess I was getting a little out of hand...
If you do have pointers... um... I would really appreciate it! [He folds his hands together and casts puppy dog eyes at her.]
STEVEN!!
They are attracted to light, I've found. If you master the light, they are easily soothed. Watch: Atish. [ 'Child', is what she calls her own little wyrm, and at the familiar sound it raises its nose. Kida pulls her glowing pendant over her head and holds it before her like a pendulum, rocking it gently. The dragons' eyes glaze over, entranced by its smooth glow. She suspects, but doesn't say, that it might remind them of their mother's flame. ] Like that.
[ Her eyes slide over to him, taking him in, her gaze heavy like a mantle despite the casual way she holds herself, crouched so that they're nearly level. She sees no bump under his shirt, and wonders where he hides that crystal. ] You should try.
I'm so excited that someone plays her!
That is so cool! Your shiny gem is really pretty!
[Then he pauses for a moment and composes himself with a clearing of his throats.]
Right, now it's my turn to try. [He dusts off his hands.] It's not as pretty as your gem, but... Here it goes!
[Now he turns to face his wrymling.]
Hey, little buddy! [And then he raises his shirt to reveal the gem that is in place of his belly button, and he concentrates to make it glow, and he repeats Kida's word as if it is an incantation.] Atiiiiiish!
[Who knows if this would actually work.]
wtf he's so cute im gonna die
[ 'Close' isn't the way Kida would describe it: more like, she can get the little one to behave by plying it with shiny things. She's partly glad this arrangement is temporary.
Kida chuckles indulgently as she watches him: Atlantis has so few children, and the long lifespans of the adlantisag means children come longer and longer apart. They grow as normal into adults, and then stagnate at maturity, spending centuries in gangly adolescent bodies. Hearing Steven use Atlantean as a kind of spell makes her laugh outright, but seeing him flash his gemstone again is deserving of a more serious interest. She watches it glow pink, her own pendant humming to life in response, a mother's heart to a mother's heart, though Kida couldn't begin to identify the cause.
Steven's gem's glow is bigger and brighter, though, and combined with the answering glow from Kida's, the wyrmlings hiss and turn their heads away from the light, overwhelmed. Kida throws out a hand to shield them. ]
Ah, too bright!
[ There is an old saying: the road into the volcano is paved with good intent. Or something? It's a very old saying. ]
ffff he tries
[It looks close enough to Steven, but he's not always the best at picking up on subtleties.
Steven was looking excited at first. It was really happening, he could make friends with the wyrmling and impress the really nice person! But then... things got too glowy. As they hissed, Steven panicked and quickly pulled his shirt back down, the gem's glow dying out as the woman called out.]
Sorry! Sorry sorry! [And he steps back from the wyrmlings in a worry.] I really messed up...
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You did not. It is normal to fail, the first time. [ Kida. Not helping. ] You will improve with time. What is most important is that you made your best effort.
[ Truthfully, Kida's not the best at comfort: she's used to taking charge, not nurturing. She has no idea if her words are even effective. They sound to her ears like little more than platitudes, but then, Kida hasn't been a child in a very long time. ]
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So he calms himself and gives a nod, managing to smile lightly.]
Thanks. If it's normal then it's not so bad. That just means that next... I'll have to make my best-er effort!
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Just so. Now-- [ She unfolds from her crouch and picks up her spear, scanning the area. The little ones have wandered off while she was speaking to Steven, but she can see them a few paces away, now caught up in play-biting each other. ] --what do you say we find them some food? A full belly always makes me more relaxed.
[ Hunting is 100% a child-appropriate pastime, yes? Kida was hunting at that age, so obviously, it's fine. ]
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Foods a great idea! But where are we gonna find some? I couldn't find any chips at all in the village! Maybe we could try candy, or pizza...?
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What is a 'chips'? And 'kan-di'? 'Pi-tzah'?
[ Would you believe she's several millenia old? ]
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I do not. All of this is food from your world?
[ She begins to walk towards their pair of dragonets, her attention split between them and Steven. ]
What does it taste like?
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[He follows along, shocked by this. How could someone so nice not have had snacks that are so great? It's really sad!]
They all taste different, but they're really really great! I don't know how to describe them in words. We should see if there are any at the village!
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[ Truth be told, she'd like to see the city. Bringing Steven along, however, is a bad idea--she has no idea what, if any, skills he has to defend himself with. ]
I do not think we-- [ she motions to the babies ] --would be welcome at the village.
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[He frowns and pokes at his chin.]
Right. Because... they don't like the dragons.
But maybe we can try to make peace! ...Or we can just try to wear disguises.
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[ It's difficult not to be too indulgent with him, given his age and his upbeat attitude. Kida finds him refreshing. ]
And we have nothing to disguise ourselves with, I'm afraid.
[ She uses the curved end of her spear to gently herd the dragonets back towards them. ] You didn't tell me your name, you know.
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S-sorry.
My name's Steven. Steven Universe.
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I am Kidagakash. Would you like to come hunt with me, Steven?
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It's really nice to meet you, Kiiiii...dag... cash. [And then he scratches at his head uncertainly.]
I never really hunted before...
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Kida. [ That correction out of the way, she motions towards the trees surrounding them. ] I will teach you. It is a good skill to have.
[ Don't go into the woods with strangers Steven...don't do it!! ]
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W-wait! Someone should stay behind to keep an eye on the babies...
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Fine. I will go hunt. You stay, and practice calming them. Do you agree?
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Yep, I agree! I promise I'll guard them the best I can!