TEST DRIVE.

[futurologists]

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! BASICS Anwick 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. WYRMLINGS The 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.) PROMPTS ONE ✗ 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.

Comments

Steven Quartz Universe | ...guess.

[jamminshield]

[ooc: He is being played post-Nightmare Hospital, but spoilers can be avoided if need be!]

[Steven was heartbroken at the sight of the dying dragon. So, once the call came through to save some babies? The answer was a resounding yes!]

Two

[Well, this is a cave alright. Dark, spooky, with dripping noises. This cave certainly knew how to be what it was!

And Steven was desperate to try to find a way through. At the moment, he has his shirt lifted, to reveal the gem underneath. One hand is lifting up his shirt, while his other hand is patting up up his belly near the gemstone while he frets.]

Come onnn. Can't I get just a little glow out of you? [He pauses and blinks as he hears something.] Is someone there?

Three

[Steven laughs as he tries to play with a wrymling he managed to save. He lifts up a rock for a moment.]

Let's calm down and play a game! What do you say, little guy? [The dragon responds by spittin fire right at the boy... but almost instantly, Steven generates a solid shield that absorbs the flame. He takes it all casually, with a laugh.]

Nice one! You're really on fire today! ...But you still should really calm down!

[This would be a lot easier if he had some chaaaps with him...]

Four

[Steven introduces himself to his night watch partners with a chipper smile.]

Hi! I'm Steven, and I love saving dragons! So what do you do for fun?

[He'll follow that up with a yawn, though. It's starting to get past his bedtime.]

four!

[unoradinary]

[Geez, look at this guy...her big sister instincts might be kicking in here a bit.]

Steven, huh? Name's Ran! Put 'er there.

[And she holds out her hand for him to shake.]

I'm a martial artist, so I like trainin' for fun. Wrestling bears. That kinda thing. [...that might not be a joke.] Are you gettin' along with your dragon?

[jamminshield]

[Aw, his big sis senses are tingling! It reminds him of Amethyst a little, and that makes him smile.]

Hi Ran! Nice to meet you. My name's... Hey, I already said that! [He says as if she was somehow trying to trick him into saying his name again, and he laughs as he takes her hand, his own tiny hand giving a very friendly handshake.

And wow, those are interesting hobbies! Steven looks attentive as she describes them, stars lighting in her eyes. She doesn't seem to have any powers, so that seems like all the more reason to respect her.]

Wowww, you're like some kind of action hero! I'm really glad I met you, Ran!

[Then he smiles bashfully at the thought of his dragon.]

Oh, Frowny Tiger? We're getting a long great! We had some good times, some burny times, we sang a little... We're doing great! ...Now that he's asleep. [He adds that last bit a little sheepishly before he looks back to her.] What about you, how have you been doing?

[unoradinary]

[Whoa there...she's got a real talker on her hands here. Still, she listens as attentively as he does to her, nodding, smiling.]

Burny times, huh? Nothin' too serious I hope.

As for me, sure, it ain't been too bad. It took a while, but they ain't much different from dogs. [YES THEY ARE.] You just gotta be nice. Play with 'em. They warm up pretty fast.

...without the burny times.

[jamminshield]

[Steven giggles and shows her the palm of his hands in response, to show that there were indeed no burn marks. And he did giggle at the part about warming up.]

I know what you mean! For me, it reminded me of when I made friends with the Centipeetle. Good thing my burny times weren't too burny.

But I guessss you could say things got a little heated?

four.

[stitchworks]

[ while the others seem tuckered out and more focused on not passing out after a long day of not getting attacked by the grumpiest baby wrymlings in the world, ella is all but tired. in fact she seems more alert than ever as she takes up her night watch shift to awake to keep an eye out for trouble.

wonders of being a puppet. she reaches out for her necklace, making sure it's still there around the neck and continuing to give her the appearance of a redheaded woman. last thing she wants to do is spook the poor kid with her by suddenly turning into a spooky thing in the middle of the night. that's one way to kill the flow. ]

I'm Ella. [ she smiles at him, seeing no harm in having a conversation buddy as she's stuck doing this. ] Hmm! That's a good question. Well… I like long walks on the beach, thoughtful conversations, and not getting burned during my free time.

[jamminshield]

[Steven's eyes linger on the necklace for a moment - but not out of any suspicion. He just thinks it looks pretty. Then he smiles as she speaks. I response, he starts by humming.]

Ella, ella. Hey, hey! [Then he chuckles a little bit before he goes on.]

Those are really great choices! I think I can get behind all of those things... but short walks on the beach can be fun too, y'know!

[He smiles a little sheepishly.]

Not getting burned is one of my favorites right now, too! How did it feel for you to meet the dragons?

[stitchworks]

A walk a day helps keep danger away is what a friend used to tell me. Not too much of a surprise since he's a doctor. [ she smiles at his enthusiasm, glad some people were able to have a good time still in their situation. the others all seemed tuckered out or just plain annoyed. she can't blame them considering how they found themselves roped into this 'job' of theirs but dragons, you guys. dragons.

when asked about how she felt about the dragons so far, she puffs out her cheek and seems to put some thought into her answer before she replies: ]

It's great! It's a little weird for me, though. I'm used to them talking even at a young age. [ the 'them' she means, most likely, are the dragons. she feels like since they're all in this situation, she can talk about her home and the others without worry.

it's not like anyone is going to fine her or anything. ]

[jamminshield]

Huh... [He strokes his chin in thought.] I don't wanna question a doctor, but I walk around so much during the day and I still end up in danger!

[But he shrugs it off, time to talk about dragons. He looks quickly impressed by her declaration.]

Wait, you met dragons before?! And they talked?! [Teach him your ways!!]

4.

[mesmerized]

[ quiet remembers steven as the boy with a pink gem attached to his body, and a shield that appears in the world like it's magic. it's similar, she thinks, to the way her sniper rifle disappears from sight when she puts her touch of camo.

there's no response from her yet, a curious noise leaving her throat. fun — that would be target practice, but she doesn't tell him that. instead, she begins to hum out her favorite song. singing is what she would say, but not anymore. ]

[jamminshield]

[Steven glances towards her curiously. He had expected words, but a pretty tune is being hummed instead.

He'll let her hum away. Steven does love music, after all! He closes his eyes and bobs his head lightly with the tune. In fact, he'll see if he can manage to hum along a little as well after hearing part of it.]

[mesmerized]

[ by the end of the song, when she repeats the lines in her mind, quiet only thinks of one person before ending up with an intrigued smile on her face.

it's after that there's a tilt of her head, looking towards steven. one hand raises up to point at him, as if saying, "And you?" a pause. how do you ask someone you're tired with body language — ah. she moves her hand and presses the back of it against her temple. quiet didn't miss that yawn. ]

[jamminshield]

[Now he grins sheepishly as he takes in her body language. He does look a little groggy at the very least, but he shakes his head to try to deny it.]

M-me? Tired? Um... Maybe a li-[The end of that word gets mingled with a yawn.] but I'm still good to keep watch! Your humming is really pretty by the way!

Four!! Awww, Steven ;~~;

[dreamcatcher]

( Emma is not sure how she feels about a night watch, but in the end she can't sleep so its probably for the best she does something with her time. something that isn't thinking, she can't afford to do too much of that right now. she's balanced precariously on a log when a voice chirps next to her, and it makes her heart clamor uncomfortably as she turns to glance at her company.

he's way too young to be here... and on a night watch? what were people thinking?

she feels a bit wary to be close to someone so young. she doesn't trust herself, even less than she trusted herself after she lost control of her white magic. this is even worse, and she doesn't want to hurt anyone, but especially not a kid. she swallows and shakes it off, but the gap between his introduction and her answer is oddly delayed. )

Hey there, kid. I'm Emma. ( she doesn't reach out for a handshake. ) You should maybe get some sleep, I can handle this. ( is that what she does for fun, send kids to bed? well kinda, she is a mom after all. )

[jamminshield]

[Steven lightly kicks his legs as he sits on the log. He certainly looks tired, but he's trying his best to stay alert.

...Lady, that is some odd hobby. But Steven is very well acquainted with the feeling of being mommed at by someone who isn't related to you.]

Hi Emma! Um... That's really nice of you, but I can handle this too. I promise! I think I got another four hours in me. [He then starts to yawn and clamps his hands over his mouth as containing an explosion. Then he keeps on talking as if nothing happened.]

Y-yeah, that's it! Four hours. I've got lots of experience, so... I got this!

[dreamcatcher]

( she can't help herself, she automatically shifts away when he joins her. it's very unlikely that touching her could actually hurt somebody, she just doesn't want to take any chances.

she is incredibly tempted to put in more distance than that, actually, it's just... well, Emma is trying not to socialize, it's just the younger ones do tend to strike a chord with her. she misses Henry, even though she's glad he's not here. even though she supposes he might like the adventure. )

Lots of experience with night watches, huh? How'd that happen?

( she's not going to call him out on the yawns, but there might be an encroaching motherly tone to her voice. sorry, Steven, you don't have to be hers to get that tone of voice. )

[jamminshield]

[Something seems a little... weird and distant about her. But Steven will respect that, and he won't try to get any closer to the nice lady. He nervously tries to go on.]

Wellll, um... at home? I'm part of this group called the Crystal Gems. We fight all kinds of bad guys to protect the world! And sometimes, that calls for drastic measures.

As drastic as... [dramatic pause.] ...later bedtimes!!

joins the four train

[changewithinme]

[It's a bit...strange, seeing someone this young. She's not entirely sure that he should be on watch but she offers him a smile anyway. It beat being bored with nothing to do, and he gets a wry smile from her.]

Hi, Steven, I'm Sunset. You...look a bit tired to be staying up like this. Are you going to be okay?

lucky number 4

[jamminshield]

Sunset?! [His eyes shine, in impressed awe.] It's nice to meet you, Sunset! I didn't think people were allowed to have names that are that pretty!

But... Don't worry about me! [He waves his tiny hands dismissively.] I do lots of stuff like this at home. I'll be okay! [But he does look a little groggy despite his best efforts to look awake instead.]

oh my gods precious

[changewithinme]

[That leaves her a bit flabbergasted for a moment, her eyes widening before her expression turns...almost shy. Sunset crosses her arms over her knees, drawing them up.]

That's nice of you to say. I don't think anyone's said that to me before.

[Nevermind that many of the people she knows are still holding a grudge against her for her actions over her three years at Canterlot High. Still, he does look much more tired than she feels, and that part gets a raised eyebrow before she inclines her head.]

Well, if you want to sleep, let me know. I'll keep watch.

c-c-combo breaker--3!

[adlantisag]

[ Propped up against a cavern wall, Kida watches the pair, one eye on them, the other posed on the wyrmling gently dozing by her ankles. She'd been partly lucky, partly skilled with a soothing voice and gentle hand; a mother, she knew, was a painful thing to lose. None of this business sits well with her, not either side of it, and yet—

Being here, seeing all this. Watching a boy laugh. Kida feels equal parts restless and calm. He is a child, and yet full of vitality, eager. It's hard not to smile.

Her attention is caught by Steven's shield, and she pushes off the wall in surprise, rigid suddenly, the dragonling at her feet squeaking awake with the movement. A second goes by, the child is clearly unhurt, and so she relaxes again, in increments. ]

If you wish him to be calm, you must also be calm.

[ She says it with amusement, as if she doesn't really think Steven wants his dragon to be calm. They look like a pair at play. ]

Would you like some help...?

HDIHKHKHF KIDA

[jamminshield]

[It's true. Steven wants the dragon baby to be safe, but he also wants to be able to play with it and make buds. Luckily the fire attack had stopped, and so Steven's shield was able to dissipate as he looked towards the woman with a sheepish smile.]

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!!

[adlantisag]

[ Indulgently, she smiles when the boy gives her an apology, half-sincere though she believes it to be. ]

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.

Three

[perma_banned]

[Ban, holding an armful of wriggling wyrms, was occasionally sprayed in the face with little bits of flame. His eyebrows burned off, but came back just as quickly as they were singed off of him.

He stood in front of Stephen, looking precariously at the wyrm the young man had been playing with.

Admittedly, while he wanted all of the dragons for himself, Ban wasn't sure where he'd put them all.]

Oi, brat. I don't think they know how to play that well. [Handy that the kid had a magic shield to make use of, though. Ban didn't have that luxury, so he had to regrow his eyebrows every single time.]

[jamminshield]

What do you mean? [He glances towards the man without putting down his shield. Wow, those are a lot of wrymlings he's got there!]

They're kids, of course they know how to play! [He says that cheerily and innocently, without an ounce of doubt.]