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

[truthbombs]

[She doesn't doubt him, there's no 'really?' on the tip of her tongue. He says it, and Verity knows it's the truth. She has been reading a lot about alternate futures lately. Why not alternate realities too?]

Thanks.

[Verity takes the mug gratefully, sipping from it. Yeah, better already.]

My name's Verity. We met through Loki.

['We' used a little loosely.]

[norse]

[ Amiable as she is, albeit reticently, Thor parks himself nearby with a cape and cloak both swept underneath him on the grass. A gesture flicks toward her as both arms rest on bent knees, signing a short height. ]

My far littler little brother, I take it. [ That's ... good to hear. Verity seems a pleasant enough companion for anyone, it's still a mild wonder that there's a younger version of Thor's own brother running around and doing so well for himself. Next he'll be on decent terms with Odin. Alternate universe? He can swallow that, but some things are proving more trying; like any Loki deigning to fraternise with Midgardians.

It's enough to give into the wonder of it, unable to resist a huffed smile. ] Have you known him long?

[truthbombs]

[He's welcome there. Verity's actually glad for his company too. His presence somehow helps this place make a little more sense.

She's only wary at the subject of Loki, ready to leap to his defense. The Loki that she knows is trying, and others aren't always so quick to believe it for their own reasons. But Thor isn't cursing his name, so that's promising.

Verity sets her mug down, wrapping her arms around her knees. Her head tips forward and hides her expression, but there's still a sadness in her voice.]

A few months. But it's been a few more since I last-

[Wait. Thor didn't know her, but he knows the same Loki that she does. Verity looks up, eyes widened.]

Have you seen him?

[norse]

[ A show of patience seems to be needed, so he doesn't stare or press her for further details. Verity could have her own reasons for withdrawing so. A few more since she last what? ]

I have, we spoke somewhat of the differences between our realms. He is ... happier than my own brother was in the past. [ To put it mildly. Thor glances up at the stars; Asgard always had an abundance, they would camp together in the palace grounds when children and Thor would fall asleep as Loki tried to teach him all their names.

He's homesick for someone, not somewhere, he realises. Maybe that's why he's so incurably fond of the youngster with his brother's name. ]

The Loki I knew would never have assimilated himself into Midgardian culture for a day, let alone a year. Your friend is transformed by his actions for the better.

[truthbombs]

[Thor's seen him. They've spoken, and he can't understand exactly what that means to her when it's been months since she last spoke to Loki, leaving her with so many unanswered questions. But he did promise to do his best to make it see you later instead of goodbye. Maybe this is that.

Verity stands up, digs the cell phone out of her pocket, and looks around in the darkness after lifting it to her ear. Listen, Thor. Listen and tell her if you hear the dulcet tones of Daft Punk.

She ends the call with a sigh, momentarily disappointed but with more hope than she's had in eight months. Verity sits down again and gives the god an apologetic smile.]

Yeah, he has been. I believe in him, I want him to keep believing in himself too. [She wraps her arms around her legs, resting her chin on her knees.] Thank you for being willing to give him a chance. I know it means everything to him.

[norse]

[ 'Never doubt that I love you.' But he did, and then Loki died in Thor's arms. A horrible, excruciating, undeserved and honourable death; he will do his very best to ensure he does not lose faith in the boy.

Keen blue eyes watch as Verity tries to patch a call through, patiently waiting for her to sit once more when no one answers. ]

I gave him too few in the realm from whence I hail, perhaps here I can mend some of those failings. [ He gestures to her phone, lightly commenting, ] When he wants to be found you'll hardly be rid of him. My brother has a great many tricks up his sleeves but feigning disinterest for one he loves is not the most often employed.

[ Only against Odin, really. Verity is Loki's friend, that really sets her apart by a wide berth. Loki doesn't willingly associate with anyone out of kindness or sympathy, as bad as it sounds he likes to know he's wanted first before latching on. And he has. ]

Give him time to finish his games. He will return.

[truthbombs]

Yeah.

[A soft agreement before she looks up at the sky. It's nice to talk to someone who gets it, who doesn't think her faith is a mistake or the result of "doing kissing". Maybe she's given him second chances, but she knows that Loki's still doing all the hard stuff on his own.]

Hey, do you have a favorite breakfast meat?

[Verity looks at him with a little smile. She's not totally without tricks of her own. And whenever Loki does make his way to them, he's totally cooking.]

[norse]

I am fond of pancakes, in fact. [ It draws a crooked smile free. Breakfast Meats sounds like something from Loki's mouth, even if it comes out of Verity, and he wonders at his brother's influence on her in little ways. ] When I was exiled to Midgard I was taken in by the noble-hearted Erik Selvig and the lady Jane Foster. To earn my keep in the eyes of my hosts I learned their customs and ways — particularly at breakfast and lunch. Erik was very specific about the importance of those meals, almost as much as my own mother.

[ Gesturing with large hands built for battle, he does so subtly, riding a shrug that would diminish Thor if he wasn't so comfortable in everything he takes on; like learning how to cook for people and how that should be beneath him, but is not. ]

So, I made a great deal of pancakes for them, many a time. To answer your question, I find I hunger more for meats at dinner than before noon. [ Blue eyes dance as he keeps his face straight. ] Despite our disparate sizes it is Loki who proves the pig, not I.

[truthbombs]

[The snort she makes, a hand slapped over her mouth to try to hold the laughter back.

She doesn't try too hard though, just enough to say that she at least made an effort before she's laughing out loud. It's the straight face that really sold it.]

[norse]

[ With a sage air he shakes his head. ]

I have heard there are certain illusions to trim down the, ah ... [ Patting his stomach. ] Truly, it would not be outside his power.

[truthbombs]

[The laughter becomes chuckles, before they end in a sigh.]

Yeah, that's the thing. He really is that skinny. Meanwhile I eat one extra fun-sized Snickers and my jeans start cutting off my circulation. I'm cursed with a mere mortal's metabolism.

[Among other things.]

[norse]

You look fair enough to me, lady.

[ The compliment is a warm one, tinged with a side-order of harmless flirting; she's cute, okay? Verily so. Thor shrugs. ]

In my experience, there is no such thing as a 'mere' mortal. All of my friends from Midgard do themselves proud in different ways. What is it that you aspire to be or create, Verity?