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

[selfimage]

[ Loki raises a curious brow at the phrases and the term 'wrymlings.' you must've tried hard for that one, Thor. ]

You don't actually think people will believe that, do you?
Besides, it'll weed out a few of the more desperate hunters, if they do decide to act upon their obvious stupidity.
Your swinging arm isn't getting tired, is it? :-)

[norse]

[ People keep using it, so eh. Maybe those dragons are a specific breed solely from this world, he's not going to argue with locals again today.

Thor takes advantage of Loki's interest in texting to neatly whisk Mjolnir at a smallish branch over his brother's head. Mind out, little horns! Leaves everywhere!! Catching the returning hammer, he types back a mite faster moment's later. Smug, him? Never. ]

you tell me

[ And just because as he picked up on the little face in Loki's previous message: ]

:-)

[selfimage]

[ there's the barest snort of amusement from behind the tree at Thor's very obvious show of "prove Loki wrong." he can't say much for it, he did bait it. ]

Don't use that emote ever again. :-(

[ and a pause, followed by more typing. ]

You got leaves in my hair.

[ you know, after the dragon fighting. because they're both looking oh so very pretty. ]

[norse]

[ Emote. He's going to use all the emotes Loki employs, often and frequently. ]

:-)
try not to complain, they will make you more comely to a wider range of fair maidens

[ Someone is proud, oh so proud of his little brother having a friend from Midgard. Loki has a friend, even bare-boned at its essence, is astonishingly refreshing. Say it a thousand times! Thor could not be more pleased after his meeting with the pink-haired woman. ]

even if you seem to be doing fine in that area already, brother
:-) :-)

[ This is his ancient right as a sibling, suck it up. ]

[selfimage]

[ there are nuances there, as in: Loki has one friend, and Loki could have had more friends, but he chose the easier way to avoid any sort of emotional attachment or grief. having friends was hard work, and on his worse days he wanted nothing more than to mimic an ostrich with its head in the ground.

for now, there's an odd fondness in his expression whenever he's around Thor, and it seems to even translate into text. something, if Thor digs back into the coils of his brain, might've been there far long ago as a reflection of a past that comes with memories blindsided by nostalgia. ]

JUST fair maidens may be a bit constraining, don't you think?

[ he's sending a selfie with a sprinkle of leaves in his hair as he flicks one off. ]

SIGH. No hot date for me tonight. Your hazing ritual has left me in need of a shower.

[ not saying anything about the dragons as the actual cause. ]

[norse]

[ He tries to picture his own brother walking Midgard's streets, chatting to mortals, and the fantasy always ends up with someone getting stabbed. It's amazing that Loki (the littler Loki, as Thor can't help thinking of him) is doing so well at such a young age, he deserves to be completely ... hazed, yes? He will be hazed greatly. Thor isn't over there right now to drag him into a a one-armed hug, so for now Loki's freedom is his own.

A snort follows the picture of a leaf-strewn face. ]

the rose-haired ladyfriend of yours is most charming !
if you will not fetch her an ale this eve then i shall do so in your stead
i shall spread the word you are courting all and sundry as you please

[ Again, every scenario where his Loki courts someone ends up ... with people getting stabbed. Honestly, Thor's brother could have used a bit more help in that regard. ]

i shall also spread word that you are bathing before doing so :-)

[ Thor is the best brother, he knows. ]

[selfimage]

[ hazed greatly, or hazed into greatness?

even as some kind of younger iteration (or something of that sort, it's still a mystery) seems entirely more personable, far less crazy, and dangerously charming. that doesn't mean that the sense of dirty scheming layered in gray morals has left him—no, quite on the contrary. somehow he's made the journey of a new self into a game, and foul tricks and untruths were all part of it like he's found comfort in his own skin. ]

Oh, you mean Verity.

[ as if he didn't put those two together. well, cat's out of the bag. he tips the device a bit to squint at Thor's words. ]

She likes wine more than ale. Big Gulp, be it possible. :-)
And I'm not. We're not. We have some kind of friends thing going on.
I'm also wounded!!!!!
Terribly horribly and legit WOUNDED that you would think that I've no ability to court.
I'm good at courting.

[ shut up. ]

[norse]

[ Hazed in every way that lasts. ]

she seems clever enough to deal with you, i like her all the better for it

have you ever courted so much as an acorn with a margin of success ?
we will find you someone comely to tend to those grievous wounds your thoughtless brother has caused

[selfimage]

That depends. Have I ever met an acorn that I've deemed attractive enough to lavish my attentions upon?
Well, no. Absolutely not.
But admittedly they're all a tad nutty.

[ because he could've met hot acorns, it wouldn't be below him to make out with one. all the better if they don't have to talk about the specifics of Verity. that could head into possibly-have-to-lie-town very quickly. ]

I do hope 'comely' doesn't mean walnut or pecan.
I may accept pistachio.

[norse]

do not worry, brother
i will not embarrass you :-)

[ Which is what he's taking all that gibberish for, at least. Rising — trying to avoid twisting the small of his back under a red cape where a particularly brave little dragon tried to barbecue him — he hitches Mjolnir to his belt and texts as he wanders across the field in the direction of his leaf-haired sibling. ]

will you take an ale with me now
before your scores of admirers swamp us

[selfimage]

[ translation: he will absolutely embarrass him.

it will be odd and anecdote-worthy, full of covered faces and pinched noses, but it will be filed beneath 'fond memories' somewhere in his addled brain. ]

I may need you to usher me through the back door. :-) :-) ;-)

[norse]

I may need to usher us both in the back door if the townsfolk are unwelcoming.

[ Switching off the wrist-bound comm as he trudges up to Loki to draw him away from that tree without preamble, an arm half-drapes, half-hauls around his brother's shoulders and Thor steers. This way. Don't mind the weight, Loki, you can bear it. ]

The camp ought to be up by now, we shall head there. I've an itch leftover from one of those beasts that I should like tending by a healer, first.

[selfimage]

[ Loki's a tad defiant, tugging just a little bit to make it difficult. it's not that Thor's presence is unwelcome, but he has to put on a little bit of a show and make his brother work for his company. his little fuss doesn't last that long, and Loki is ceremoniously harvested from the trunk of the tree and tucked beneath Thor's arm. he staggers elegantly with a little oof under the weight before falling in step. ]

Is this healer by-chance named ale and does said healer dabble in the art of intoxication? That sounds like a perfectly healthy way to scratch an itch, brother.

[ that may come out as a bit of a challenge. ]

[norse]

[ Of course Loki protests like a bug tugged from its cranny, that's half the fun in pulling him along. Thor's laughter is a rumble and a loud bark, brief but lasting in the way blue eyes crinkle. ]

If anything exists worth the time it would take to pour, aye, then surely we shall find it along the way. [ With a voice that carries like thunder over rolling hills, he turns to call over the heads of those milling by the approaching camp, ] Ho, there! We are wearied! Do you have any ale — or the arms of some pretty thing for this ugly one?

[ Black hair is ruffled as they enter the camp. Tipping his chin down, he hums helpfully. ]

Show them your best side, brother.

[selfimage]

You say that as if I have a bad side. [ badum-tish. ] You know, as much as I appreciate your attentions, I'm rather capable of finding myself a fanciful date.

[ he's not sure if he's amused or offended, or maybe a little bit of column A and column B. then there's Thor, loud as ever. some things never change, even through the stretch of expanse of the multiverse. here was Thor, always noble, always good, always loud and a tad moody.

and here was Loki, struggling to get his footing. ]

[norse]

[ The leery look he gives Loki rides a snort. Bad, indeed. Very funny. Into the tent they go, a collective hub that passes as a makeshift tavern and makes Thor wish the townsfolk were more kindly disposed to let outsiders visit the real thing not miles away. ]

You are, but I'd trust your taste not at all.

[ He's here to grill all your dates and ruin your life, littlest little brother. For kicks. ]

[selfimage]

A wound and then a twist of the knife, how long until you add the salt? You'd think I was a celebratory ham.

[ he lets Thor lead them, speaking dryly as he pad along behind him. he ducks down into the loosely constructed tavern. he's used to this whole thing, the whole people not wanting him places thing, so something like this surprisingly comfortable for him.

their bartender is a round woman with neatly painted eyebrows. she lowers the growlers of ale so hard onto the bench that it quivers. ]