Test Drive Meme | #37

[ironwood]

TEST DRIVE MEME - TU SHANSHU EDITION!

Itching to try out writing a character? Then rev up your engines, grab your accounts, and slam your way into this meme! Here is a venue for you to try out whatever character there might be tickling your fancy, from fandom to OC, for as few as one and as many as MANY. Seriously, there's no limit. How do you partake in this fantastic congregation of character testing? Why, by following these simple steps: → Comment with the journal of a character you want to test; put their name and canon in the subject line for added sparkles. → Tag around with everyone! → Profit like you live on a the back of a turtle! → Maybe even RESERVE so you CAN live on the back of a turtle! But wait, there's more! For the low, low price of $9,999.99, you can even use one of our handy prompts when you tag someone. You could even pick one with a Random Number Generator to help decide which prompt to go with! Haggling Over Something in the Marketplace! Maybe someone else saw the exact same shiny thing you did at the exact same moment! However shall this be resolved? Remember: blood is extremely hard to scrub off of turtle shell! Dramatic Chase Sequence! You're running away from something! It could be anything, from a rampaging kirin to a gaggle of overly enthusiastic children! One way or another, you can't stop, and much like a katamari ball, you feel obligated to grab everyone in your path along the way to keep them out of danger! Or perhaps you're more the sort to try and knock them into it as a distraction...? Where There's A Will, There's A...? The Life and Dreaming Planes have been merged, and sometimes what starts out as wishful thinking becomes lured into reality. That slick new motorcycle or pile of kingly treasure you were just daydreaming about? Surprise! It's just appeared in front of you. Though, it may only stay for a short while before it disappears again, so make it count. Hopefully you're not the type to daydream about terrible things befalling people you don't like... SECRET UNDERCOVER MODE ACTIVATE! The three major kedan families all have their own agendas, and you've chosen to entangle yourselves with one (or more!) of them. Are you hoping to shift the balance of power? Gain some favours? Perhaps you're on a mission to bring a criminal to justice, or maybe you just want to get the cream of the crop from the black market. Maybe you haven't been hired by them at all, but are using their name for your own goals... as long as no one discovers the lie! Wait... you want my what now?! The kedan are a curious folk, and the Foreigners are entertainment in conveniently arriving packages, especially when they come along with unique items that the kedan might not have seen before. Maybe it's your cellphone... or maybe it's your knickers! How badly do you want to keep your stuff from some overeager native shapeshifters who want to buy, bribe, or burglarize it right off your person? Sea prunes, get your sea prunes right here! Life in Keeliai can take a little getting used to: the chickens have scales, the cows have feathers, and the fruits come in more colour and pattern combinations than your average tye-dye shirt. Not to mention that meal you just ordered from the food vendor? Has arrived on the plate, and you're pretty sure you just saw it move. Everybody needs a little darkness... The Great Enemy may have been defeated over two years ago, and people are even willing to speak Malicant's name aloud now, but there remains a taint in the city never fully purged. Those who consider Malicant a dark god whose end was unjust are the cultists of Keeliai, and they aren't always so easy to identify as one might think. Sometimes their presence is felt in the growing urge to give into one's darker instincts, especially in such a foreign place... Illicit substances, anyone? Every city has its vices, and Keeliai is no different. Perhaps you actively sought it out, or perhaps an opportunistic dealer saw you as a potential customer needing a free sample, but you're now in possession of a packet of Lucid, an emotion-enhancing drug. Interested in finding out what happens when you crush that colourful crystal and ingest it? Incoming! Tu Vishan's latest landfall stop has brought an unwelcome problem to its residents: enormous, toothy creatures who look more like pterosaurs than most people are comfortable with! With a twenty-foot wingspan, these aren't exactly harmless local wildlife, and they have a nasty habit of swooping down on targets both Foreigner and kedan! How are you going to fend them off, or help someone who might have been injured by the latest dive bombing?? WILDCARD! Go nuts. Suddenly your character is fighting dragons! Good God, they've found the Millennium Falcon drifting in the ocean! Do you really feel the uncontrollable urge to polish every paving stone in the Earth Sector? Anything goes!

Comments

2/5 - Dramatic...Theft Sequence?

[backpackjedi]

[Yoda knew he wasn't the only Jedi here. His compatriots shined like beacons in the darkness of the unknown he faced in this strange land. There was...also the fact that almost as soon as he stepped outside of the Welcome Center, he was accosted by a crowd of people, pawing and clawing at the mysterious newcomer. Most troubling of all, someone had gotten their hands on his Gimer stick. He didn't really claim to "own" much of anything, aside of his lightsaber, but his Gimer stick was the one material object he was really attached to. It had seen him through years of relative isolation on Dagobah, and he didn't long to part from it in this strange new place.

That's why he's running faster than his age and diminutive frame should allow for, deftly leaping over passerby and inanimate object alike, trying to catch the thief who'd so brazenly stolen from him.]

[shepward]

[In Shepard's experience, a kid pelting through the crowd with uncommon agility, and glancing behind with something like smug and horror, usually means something's been stolen. This place doesn't strike her as much different from the Citadel or the dozens of planets she's visited. The weirdest thing about it is how low-tech it is. She stands out in her armour.

[She can't quite see what it is on this occasion, but she does side-step casually--like she's just clearing someone else's path. As the urchin tries to shoot past she reaches out and snags his furry scruff, barely looking over, hardly budging at the whiplash. Aren't grav-boots wonderful.]

Hold it, kid. What'd you take?

[It looks like a ... stick? Well, it's got to be important to somebody, and far be it for Shepard to judge an alien's valuables.]

[backpackjedi]

[Yoda can sense something's changed, so he slows his mad pursuit to a jog more suitable to his age. By the time he catches up to his quarry, and the large armored woman who's caught it, a few minutes have passed. He elbows his way through the small crowd that's gathered, and comes face-to-chest with his assailant.]

If my walking stick you wanted, ask is all you needed, hmm?

[And he looks up at his walking stick's rescuer, smiling vaguely. ]

Have my gratitude, you do. Unexpected was the child's speed, and need for my walking stick.

[He giggles, sound every bit the mad old hermit.]

[shepward]

No problem.

[So it's a definitely a stick. Shepard gives the kid a slightly disbelieving look, gloved hand still firmly on his shoulder so he doesn't wriggle off.]

You stole a stick from an old man? What did you need it for?

[The child's answer isn't precisely expected as he points accusingly at the old man ... or. Whatever. Could be a woman for all Shepard knows. Could be neither, or both. Aliens don't make her double-take anymore.]

It's magic! Saw him use it to jump real high!

[Well then. Shepard lifts an eyebrow and maneuvers the kid to be face-to-face with the alien's wrinkly face.]

Well, now you can give it back so he can make use of his magic stick. Because it's his.

Lucifer | FOX's Adaptation based on DC Vertigo Comics

[retiredfromhell]

6. Because who can say no to a good sea prune?

[ What a fascinating place this was turning out to be! Lucifer had been walking for hours, taking in all the similarities and the nuanced differences between this world and the one he'd known for so long. It was as if someone had taken Father's blueprints (for chickens let's say) and made their own edits!

Fascinating.

He didn't exactly need to eat, not the way humans did, but Lucifer enjoyed food. He liked the taste of it, the experience of flavors and the quaint traditions humans placed on meals. Well, alright more the flavors than the traditions but regardless, sitting down for something 'native' to eat seemed a good idea.

At least until his plate was set in front of him and he found himself eyeing a meal that appeared to be eyeing him back. Not that he'd never eaten fish with the head still on but Lucifer was fairly certain the ... item on his plate blinked at him.

Expression pensive, he lifted his fork and attempted to pin his food down. Sure enough, the item wriggled out of the way of the tines. Lucifer frowned. ]

Not to be ungracious but as a general rule [ again, he tried to stab the odd blob only to have it oooz free of the fork ] I prefer my food a bit less ... animated.

[ That'll teach him to tell a native to 'just bring me whatever's on special!' ]

9 - Incoming!

[ People and kedans were running and screaming and most definitely heading away from what looked like landfall up ahead.

This mean, of course, that Lucifer was walking towards the chaos. He wasn't running, just sort of strolling, with his hands in his pockets and look of curiosity on his face. In fact, he looked rather like a kid at an amusement park; positively delighted.

As one of the creatures swooped down low, it's jaws gaping and wings fanned wide, Lucifer did little more than duck out of the way of lethal talons. He straightened as the creature banked off to the left, chasing a small group of ... somebodies or other, a wide smile on his face. ]

Very nice take on the dinosaurs. Not exactly the same; rather like the chickens. [ Watching it wing up and start to bank back around for another strafing run, Lucifer sighed a little wistfully. ] I actually miss dinosaurs.

10. Wildcard

[ He'd walked as far as was allowed, from one end of the turtle to the other and from side to side. He'd walked till he was stopped, gazing out to the horizon. Thinking himself alone, Lucifer dropped his facade and though youthfully handsome, his face took on a sort of ancient, contemplative stillness.

It was in his eyes.

Finding himself here, the Morningstar had been torn between two emotions. Rage, at having been caught and trapped by forces he could not bend to his will but then curiosity. For the first time, he found himself in a world flung far from the machinations of his father. A world with no taint of the Silver City or the loathsome envy of the lower worlds, like the Windowless Rooms.

A world with it's own threats, no doubt but threats which Lucifer had not faced while tangled up in the politics of his father's puppet show. It was almost enough for him to forgive the soul gem.

For now, at least. ]

6!

[meds4sale]

My goodness.

[It was a deadpan voice, coming behind Lucifer, to his left. The Medicine Seller was watching the whole ordeal with a vaguely amused expression. Or perhaps it was just because his mouth was painted in an eternal smirk.]

Perhaps you should have asked before...

[Dramatic pause.]

[...Wait for it.]



[Waaaaaaaaaaiiiiiit for it.]

...Ordering.

[There we go.]

[retiredfromhell]

[ Lucifer turned, looking unperturbed by either the address or the tone. The dramatic pause was noted with a slightly wry twist of the lips, more of a really? kind of expression than anything and it smoothed out before he responded. ]

That would have ruined the surprise, now wouldn't it?

[meds4sale]

And the surprise has ruined your dinner.

[The Medicine Seller was used to that kind of reaction. He certainly got it a lot. And the fact that he continued with his deliberately slow, soft monotone probably meant he didn't particularly care. Or found it funny.]

[There was a chime, like two tiny bells and the Medicine Seller looked to his right.]

...Oh my. How interesting.

10! Because Biblical Buddies :-D

[on_the_books]

[The Accountant had, since arriving on Asti, made his own soujourn across the turtle. He had to know his domain, after all, or what would pass for his domain as long as he was here.

Sure, he'd made himself known to the gangs, and the politics, and everything else that made the society he found himself in unique, but he hadn't explained the limits of his power, or who he really was.

That was about to change.

He walks up behind the man, having a very strong idea as to who it was, whistling absentmindedly. He's gotta know who his boss is, after all.]

I've always known you to be the quiet type, but never brooding. What's the matter, the job back home get too boring?

Luci isn't known for liking his Biblical anything .. unless you're Michael. /o\

[retiredfromhell]

[ He had not expected to be disturbed. So far as he could tell, not many came out to these edges, not even the kedan and so having his peace interrupted rankled.

Especially by someone who tasted of the supernatural. Not angelic, those he could sense almost immediately but someone who left a touch of brimstone at the back of his tongue. Sort of also matched up with the familiar way in which he was being addressed.

Lucifer's mind, worked at a speed and breadth that was beyond human limits. He took all the pieces of what he knew, being here in this place and quickly fitted them together, building a very curious picture indeed. One in which, perhaps, he was a constant across dimensions (or points in time) but perhaps not consciously aware of those events.

It was odd to consider. He was used to knowing all about DAD'S creation, usually more than he gave a fuck about. However, that Asti existed, suggested there was yet something beyond the Father's will. If that was possible, then it opened up a whole new universe, so to speak. Something beyond even the void.

However, back to the matter at hand. He did them both the favor of not playing around with knowing which "job" The Accountant referred too. ]

You hadn't heard? I retired.

The Accountant just loves his boss for the field trips he gets to go on. Ferrying souls is boooring!

[on_the_books]

[That...honestly catches The Accountant off-guard, but he rolls with it. Not the first time he's encountered someone he should know but doesn't, and vice-versa. He's...honestly kind of curious about what could drive The Devil to abandon his post.]

Considering the job, I can't say that I blame you. Still, I know damn well that a person doesn't end up here by choice. You must have really pissed someone off.

[He smirks. The Accoutant knows he's probably treading on thin ice, but he just can't help but have a little fun at Lucifer's expense.]

9.

[hellboundheart]

[A voice speaks up from behind Lucifer, the words smoothly spoken with confidence in a language that had been dead for at least two thousand years despite Michael's name being invoked as a protection or protector.]

[The man at Lucifer's back isn't impressive or handsome, sort of midrange on both. The spell he cast tears through the air although it's doubtful Michael himself was answering. Magic likes its masks. Either way, one of the oversized lizards ends up torn in half and falling on either side of the pair of them.]

[The blond man in the ratty tan trenchcoat turns on Lucifer, all anger and harsh Liverpool accent.]

What the fuck's sake is wrong with you? Only stupidity like that I've seen was in an angel. Look behind you instead of acting like you're taking a bloody stroll through the park! Get someone killed that way.

[Lighting a cigarette with steady hands, John shoots an glare at him as he drags in a smoky breath.]

Damn stupid, mate. This place doesn't forgive that easy. Watch your back next time.

[retiredfromhell]

[ Well, well, well.

That was one way to make an entrance, Constantine. The language alone, forget the split lizard, was enough to catch Lucifer’s attention. As the large creature fell in two pieces around them, he looked remarkably unperturbed, despite Constantine’s stern warning.

Instead, he was watching John with a very intense expression in dark eyes. They didn’t flash over but there was a weight behind the gaze. Anyone who invoked Michael’s name was getting a good hard scrutiny. ]

Well then, aren’t I lucky you just happened along? And with such a fascinating vocabulary.

[ Paying no mind to the creatures circling in the air, Lucifer advanced on John as if he were an utterly fascinating beetle he’d like to get a closer look at. Just hold still, Constantine, this won’t hurt a bit. ]

Tell me, where did you pick up such language?

Kusuri-uri | Mo No No Ke

[meds4sale]

7 - A Spoon Full of Sugar Helps the Medicine Go Down

[The Medicine Seller knew something was off-kilter when he stepped into the abandoned building. Some kind of dark ritual had played out here and left its mark.]

My my, how troublesome.

[He spoke mildly, as if it were the most natural thing, and slid the wooden pack from his back. He set it on the floor easily and opened one of the drawers, from which he procured an impossible number of tiny scales and went about setting them in many rows along the floor.]

[And now, to wait.]

8 - Mr Apothecary's Box of Magical Wonders.

[The Medicine Seller was no stranger to drugs and various mind altering substances. Lucid held his interest only because it was new and its side-effects unusual. So there he stood, silhouetted in the alley, looking over an envelope of pink crystals with a vague sort of curiosity. Maybe this stuff had actual medicinal benefits, but his 'job' as an apothecary was 99.9% ruse. This was going to get shoved in a drawer with all his other recreational drugs. ...And porn. Thank every god ever for the innovation of the printing press.]

7

[impendings]

[ Something moves along the upper catwalk, a shadow of black on black, but whomever it is stays out of the small beams of light that come through the broken patches of rooftop. Still, it's a female voice that speaks, not aggressive, heavily accented with a thick brogue. ]

And what might you be doing there, lad?

Re: 7

[meds4sale]

Ohhh?

[The Medicine Seller dragged out the syllable for an almost ridiculously long time. A few of the scales tilted inquisitively in the stranger's direction, several more drifting down around her or perching on her shoulders or head.]

[She was something unusual, but not what he was hunting.]

[He smiled. Iceboxes had more warmth in them than a smile from the Medicine Seller.]

Just... plying my trade.

Felix Bakar | Original Character

[ambibionic]

Sea prunes, get your sea prunes right here!

[Weird food wasn't unusual to Felix, as traveling around the world as an assassin forced him to eat things that would been considered weird to him as an American with a certain point of view as to what constituted normal food. Still, whatever was slopped onto his plate was weird even for his expanded standards and he couldn't help poke the strange possibly gelatinous possibly living thing with one of his fingers, the food making a rather disgusting squelch noise as he did.]

...what is this, slime? A sentient slime that might possibly destroy us all if we don't eat it first?

[He can't help but pick it up off his plate between two fingers, his face showing something close to horror as it makes a pop sound as it detaches from the plate, which makes him immediately drop it back down and wipe the slime off his fancy prosthetic hand onto his pants.]

I...think I'm going to pass on that one. Yeah, definitely passing on that.

[androit]

[ Jesus Christ, it's Felix Bakar. Junior literally stops everything he's doing (shopping for groceries) and beelines to his best friend across the road. He recognized his voice and recognizes his face now, and those hands especially. Hard to not recognize metallic hands you've completely taken for granted by now. ]

Felix! When did you get here?!

[ambibionic]

[There was a pause in investigating the creature that was his meal when he heard Junior's voice and he quickly went back in motion, ignoring his meal to run over to him and pull him into a tight hug, looking incredibly glad to see him.]

Not long. I was getting worried that I'd be stuck on this turtle without my better half. How long have you been here for, anyways?

legolas, tolkien + eachdraidh

[orcsurfing]

4. SECRET UNDERCOVER MODE ACTIVATE!
Monarchs or people with power, in Legolas's recent experience in worlds other than his own, they were not folk to be trusted. Or at least, they ought to earn the trust rather than receive it as a given for the sole reason of being there and having knowledge. Truth be told, it applied to the general folk as well, and those others coming in, sharing his plight. Drabwurld had taught him that trust could come with a high price attached to it, paid with pain and blood. And so he kept his ears open, listening to any and all conversation that he could understand, or asking innocent questions of the folk that clearly liked to talk and they liked to talk a lot.

Usually it was all done inconspicuously, while Legolas was busy with his own matters, with his attention split between these matters and the words he was hearing. He memorised everything, though he did not believe every word straight away.

Sometimes he would move quietly at night, dressed in dark garb that had him blend in with the surroundings and cover his bright hair, his step elven light and making no sound at all. A thief in the night, except stealing nothing at all but for some sights and whispered conversations.

Then, as commonly as all these other and unlike all those times: openly, he would simply try to talk to people.

"How can one be related to Tu Vishan and not be a turtle of such size themselves, has this question been asked at all?" Yunxu's curious apparent relation was one point of curiosity, indeed. Or perhaps he would have joined the conversation about current crops, about the woods and the trees, about how people are managing, what guilds are worth joining. The subjects were as many as rich was this world, and he was newly arrived, after all.

( ooc: catching him eavesdropping or sneaking, only if it's been discussed. ♥ )

5. Wait... you want my what now?!
After the first day, the first few times he became the point of interest for the natives for his armour and all weapons, Legolas decided to shed that outfit and instead wear something less eyecatching. Still, he kept a knife hidden in a boot, within easy reach should he need to defend himself. Yet it seemed that he was still something of a curiosity for nothing else but his hair alone. Even braided, it reached well below his waist, long and thick and very shiny, it drew attention and many were far too eager to touch.

Thankfully his elven grace spared him the unpleasant experience, every time so far he managed to duck, to ease out of the way just in time and discourage the stranger with a stern, though kindly look.

It was only when one of those manoeuvres had failed him that Legolas grew frustrated. No elf enjoyed strangers touching their hair, and Legolas had all the more reason to loathe it. He spun on his heel, grabbing the hand that stroked along the pale golden strands, and bit back the growl that threatened to spill. Instead, he still tried to speak nicely, though unable to wholly hide his anger, "It will do well, a child and adult both, to learn to keep their hands to themselves, least this desire to touch all that shines will get them in trouble."

Legolas smiled, still, but there was a warning in that smile as well. He released the hold soon after, and pulled his braid to hang over a shoulder, easier to protect this way.

10. WILDCARD!
Or... feel free to run into him just after arriving, as he's walking this new world, that he's been spirited away to, for the very first time. Dressed for war, in full armour, with blood splatters, that he still needed to wash off, darkening the fine metalwork.

10

[hellboundheart]

"I missed the Renaissance Faire coming to the turtle's back, didn't I? That's an amazing costume there, mate. Almost looks real."

In fact, John Constantine was rather sure the person he saw was real. That was probably real blood, real armour and a real bow. Wouldn't surprise him these days. Then again, who cared what a slovenly looking man drinking booze just before noon on a park bench thought? The few people around at this hour were probably ignoring the strange man in the trenchcoat for just that reason.

Or maybe he had a mild spell on him that encouraged the human eye to slide over him, pretend he didn't exist. He'd wondered if it worked on an elf. Or a Vulcan. Or whatever this pointy eared frou-frou was.

He hoped Vulcan. Constantine had loved Star Trek as a kid.

"Wouldn't happen to have green blood, would you?"

Hermione Granger | Harry Potter

[courageous_wit]

6
[being a part of the magical world for so long, she's gotten used to things being a little on the strange side. So she doesn't really bat an eye at the odd creatures. In fact, she's fascinated by them and tries to find books on them so she can learn more about them. Or if someone's passing by, she may just tap them and see if they know anything.

The food is a bit more questionable. She frowns at it and decides that she's going to wait and see how it agrees with someone else. After all, it may not even be made for human consumption]

[purrns]

[Adrien remembers his first sea prune. It was awful, and he's eaten some questionable things in his time. But he's got better at it since then, and noticing the girl looking more than a little disgruntled about them, wanders over with his plate and a friendly smile.]

I promise they're not as bad as they first seem. It just takes some practise.

[courageous_wit]

[she gives the unfamiliar boy a polite little smile. This must be a "new arrival initiation" sort of thing that everyone goes through]

So you've eaten these, erm... things before? And they've been all right?

6

[ruined_jaw]

[For Jono, food was more a curiosity and politeness thing than anything else. He could smell, sure, but it wasn't something he needed, thanks to the perpetually-burning furnace of energy in his chest.

He knows perfectly well that he's eventually going to throw out whatever it is that the vendor hands him, but when the plate of food her ordered vibrates, he raises his hand, questioning the chef.]

Oi! What kind of shite are you pushing here? Pretty sure this...whatever this is didn't hardly get passed over a bloody flame.

[He pushes the plate forward in a huff. Consider that all he could do was smell it, he was damn well sure going to get what he paid for.]