tushanshu_ooc | Test Drive Meme

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Test Drive Meme | #49

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...
Let's play cops and robbers!
Local law enforcement is handled by the Keeliai Police Department, an organization of both Foreigners and kedan dedicated to keeping the peace in the turtle... and they're about to make a raid on a large, illegal gambling ring! Are you going to collar the nearest bad guy, or are you one of the high rollers now looking to make a quick escape? Or a bookie who's now getting booked downtown?
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??

(Please note: This scenario isn't applicable to becoming game canon if you choose to app your character, as an alien pterosaur attack is a major event.)
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!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[The thing that strikes him first about the voice isn't the fact that he can understand the man's words--without Mokona to translate. Fai isn't paying enough attention, is too dazed and heartsick to think about it right now. Mostly what strikes him is the bluntness of the man's words, even while offering help in the same breath. Very much like someone else Fai knows, and would very much like to see right now.

But it isn't him. Fai looks up, first through gloved fingers and blond hair that hangs in his face no matter that most of it's tied back, and then hastily wipes away the tears to look up at the man properly with his one good eye.]

Do I?

[His voice is light and airy, both his tone and his bearing fairly effeminate. Without looking down at the blood covering himself, Fai puts on a smile and laughs a little.]

Yes, I suppose I do. I don't want to be a bother--

[It won't matter in the end anyway, if he can't find Kurogane--]

--but I could use some help, yes. I've just arrived in this world, and I-- [there's a slight hitch in his voice] --I can't find my companions.

[Devin spots the tears; not such a surprise to see, since the man is also covered in blood. It doesn't look like his, given the splatter pattern.

The vampire studies him for a moment before replying.]

You don't have to pretend you're not a wreck, [Devin tells him. It's neither gentle nor biting: simply a statement of fact.] And your companions are most likely not here. We tend to arrive alone; I've been told time stands still until we return to our place of origin. Some of them may show up eventually, [he assures the stranger. Devin straightens then and moves a little closer.] I'm guessing you were in a fight.

[Fai looks stricken for a moment, the forced facade of cheeriness dropping. How many times have Sakura and Kurogane told him basically the same thing? Told him not to smile if he doesn't feel like it? He blinks, wrapping his arms around himself in a sort of hug. The last few hours of his life have been so terrible, he doesn't know what else to do but smile to cover it up. He can feel the edges of himself cracking under the pressure.

Smiling is at least familiar. Smiling keeps the pieces together a little while longer.

So that's what he does.]

It's fine, really. The... blood isn't mine. Barely a scratch on me.

[Not that there would have been anyway, thanks to his vampire blood.]

But at least one of my friends must be close, otherwise I'm guessing I wouldn't be able to understand you at all. That's usually what happens when we lose track of Mokona.

[The fact that the stranger still tries to keep up appearances, even something so small, is telling. It speaks relatively well of him, in one way.]

I didn't think it was yours. But this-- [The vampire gestures up and down Fai.] --this is not fine. [He still looks like he's about to fall over. Again, Devin's tone is just pointing out facts, and not criticizing him.]

Part of the magic of this place is translation. Otherwise we'd never understand each other and there'd be little point in bringing people like us here. [He offers Fai a small, brittle smile, though it is genuine. There are details he should know, but now is not the time.] I understand the instinct to worry about your friends, but I assure you that you'll see them again, someday. For now, it may be advisable to worry about yourself.

[This stranger is far more curious--and perceptive--than most of the people they usually meet on their travels. Maybe that's a good thing this time, with the others missing and Fai a half step away from breaking down completely. Someone to needle him into taking care of himself is probably just what he needs.

He has some important questions about this world and the way people are brought here, but--]

I guess... I could use some new clothes, couldn't I? [The smile slips a little, despite his efforts] I don't have any of the currency from this world, though.

New clothes and a stiff drink, [Devin agrees.] I'm good at getting blood out of clothing, but this much is usually a lost cause.

[Helping people is not something he gets to do often, as there's rarely anyone left to help. Here though... things are very different from home.]

The Welcome Center will be able to provide you with startup funds. Apparently Foreigners like us are not uncommon. Come on. [Devin stands next to him, close enough to offer support.] I can front you some money so you can get cleaned up at the Hotel. No need to keep walking around looking like a bloody Rorschach test.

Well, I wouldn't say no to alcohol if you're offering~

[His tone is light-hearted and amused, his smile widening a little. The idea gives him something to focus on other than the memory of the last time he saw Kurogane. It's a little easier to pretend to smile when he's not thinking about that.

A world that welcomes travelers from other worlds? It's not the norm, but it's not the first time Fai's heard something of the like, either. It sounds a lot like Outo Country, actually. Hopefully minus the demons.]

That's very kind of you. [He moves to slip an arm through one of the stranger's. Fai is a couple inches shorter than Devin and so skinny he'd probably float away in a stiff breeze, so Devin should have no trouble supporting him. Except--]

I... don't want to get blood all over you.

[Devin snorts quietly and wraps his arm under Fai's. He's strong enough to lift grown men with little effort, and this stranger weighs what he'd expect of a much smaller person.]

I'm not worried about it. Getting blood on me is practically a pastime. It's fine.

[He starts guiding Fai towards the Hotel, moving slowly to let him take his time.]

[Practically a pastime, huh? That sounds familiar. Fai doesn't say it aloud, though--that would be offering too much information, and Fai still isn't used to that. Especially with someone he's only just met.]

Is that so? Should I be worried?

[He doesn't sound particularly worried. He continues holding the bigger man's arm as they walk, not caring in the slightest that it's a traditionally feminine thing to do. Feminine and weak are not the same thing. Normally he wouldn't bother, but it's been a hell of a day.]

I haven't even introduced myself, have I? My name is Fai. Fai D. Flourite, if you prefer the formal version.

M-- [He has to stop himself from giving a pseudonym. There's no point here.] Devin. I'm not much for formality when I can avoid it.

And no, you have nothing to worry about. [Oh, Devin. If only you knew.] If there was something to worry about, you wouldn't have time to. [He takes no pleasure in killing, and does so efficiently when such actions are called for.]

Devin. [The name is significantly different from the sorts he's used to, so he's trying it out.] Do you make a habit of rescuing strangers on the streets, Devin?

[Fai smiles at the second part, still not looking particularly worried. It's not patronizing, either. Just a friendly, bright smile, made somewhat gruesome by the blood still spattered across his face.]

You must be very strong, then. You're a warrior of some sort?

I try to help where I can, that's all. It's more rare an opportunity than you might think.

[Devin isn't at all put off by the blood-stained smile. He's seen versions of it before, though not often so gentle.]

I fight for a living against very nasty creatures. It's by no means a noble enterprise, but it's the path I've chosen to walk.

Oh? Does this world not get many travelers? Or am I the only one who managed to miss the Welcome Center you mentioned?

[There's a bit of a self-deprecating laugh at that, though it's nothing bitter or biting. Just amused.

...yep. Totally not the first time he's heard something like this, Devin. Fai just nods.]

There's nothing wrong with fighting for a living. My companions have done that a time or two to support us in different worlds while we travel. What sort of creatures do you fight?

They get a regular handful. I meant that I'm not usually in a position to help anyone. [Unless mercy killings counted.] Someone would have pointed you in that direction eventually, but I imagine the blood is off-putting for most of the kedan.

[Devin doesn't answer the last question immediately, keeping the tension it triggers from becoming visible. Fai's companions don't provide much comfort that his own chosen path would be taken well.]

Predators of humans. Vampires, [he replies, looking anywhere but Fai. It may be obvious he doesn't like talking about this.] My own kind.

I would imagine so, yes. [He lets out a little laugh at that] Thank you for not immediately assuming that I've just murdered someone.

[It's a flippant comment, meant to hide a lot of very raw emotion that comes with the blood on his clothes. It mostly succeeds, too. Except that a moment later he goes very pale--more pale than he already was, anyway--and gets very quiet for the span of a few heartbeats. Just long enough to realize that he can't react like this if he's going to have a prayer of staying alive.]

You're a vampire?

[It's said with the same lightness to his voice as before, the same carefree tone that one might use to ask about a book or a pair of socks. He can't undo the damage that silence might have done, if Devin noticed, but he can damn well control his conscious reaction. It's what he does best.]

You had the wrong look about you for something like that. [He's seen a lot of murderers, and the way he found Fai suggested trauma, not a reaction from killing.

Devin notices the pause, the barest traces of tension when he tells Fai what he is. Yet the other man doesn't run from him, and whatever fear that admission may have triggered isn't enough for complete revulsion. The pause is just the slightest of stumbles, and it begs several questions.]

Unfortunately, yes, though not by anything resembling choice. [He doesn't attempt to hide the bitterness in his voice.] It's different here - there's no one from my world but me, and even if there were, I've been told we come back from the dead thanks to part of the spell that brought us here. Hunting wouldn't have a point.

Well, thank goodness for that~

[He's not going to ask what kind of look he did have. No need to make Devin state the obvious.

Fai stays quiet through Devin's explanation, but it's the attentive, thoughtful sort of quiet. At least until Devin gets to the last part. At the last part he abruptly stops walking, staring over at his new companion in blatant confusion.]

Come back from the dead? That's... that's impossible.

[Devin stops when Fai does, even though he could drag the other man along easily if he wanted to. He doesn't blame him for the confusion, although it's less bizarre for Devin than one might expect. Most vampires in his world could do that, unless they were killed in certain definitive ways.]

You'd think it would be, but apparently it's not. [He reaches under his shirt and pulls out a simply-set gem on a cord around his neck.] Everyone brought here gets one of these; they call them soul gems. [The vampire's tone is dry. He doesn't actually have a soul in his body, at current.] You'll have a bit of jewelry on you somewhere that you didn't have before - don't lose it. Anyway, these things tie us here, and keep us from remaining permanently deceased. Or more permanently deceased, in my case. [Having no heartbeat made such topics amusing, occasionally.] It's all very powerful magic.

[No, Fai wants to say. That's not how it works. Death can't be reversed. It's one of the fundamental principles of the universe. The dead can't return. That's why people like Fei Wang Reed--and indeed, Fai himself--go to such extreme lengths to try to cheat the system. To wish for something that can't be wished.

But there's no point in debating all this with a stranger. Besides, Devin's explanation sounds more like some kind of charm to prevent death rather than to bring someone back from the other side of it. Or hell, maybe this world isn't real at all, like Outo. Fai had 'died' in Outo only to wake up in a virtual reality pod in the Fairy Park. Maybe this is something similar.

He doesn't even know what to make of Devin calling himself 'dead.' It's like saying the sky is down.

And then it finally dawns on him. Fai's one good eye goes wide as a saucer.]

Everyone who comes here gets one of those? Just... like that? As soon as you arrive?

[It can't be a given thing, if Fai's meant to already have one on him somewhere. He hasn't spoken to anyone yet beyond Devin.]

[Fai looks like he's taking that information about as well as could be expected. Devin had been quite unsettled himself, when he'd had his introductory download of information.

With regards to Devin's mortality, Fai may notice that he's a little chillier than most would expect of a human, and - if he's observant enough - that he lacks a pulse. He nods in answer to Fai's question.]

Yes, all of the Foreigners do. That's what the native residents of the city call people like you or me. It'll be on you someplace. [Probably to be located when Fai gets the chance to clean up. Devin gestures to the street ahead of them to see if he can get Fai moving again.] It sounds a little far-fetched, I know, but it's apparently been tested an unfortunate number of times.

[If Fai could concentrate he'd probably notice the lack of a pulse. He's a bit preoccupied at the moment digesting this other information Devin's just given him, however.

If Kurogane has one of these gems on him, it might yet save him from bleeding out. There might still be time to find him.

With a just barely noticeable look of relief on his face, Fai nods after Devin's gesture and starts walking again.]

It does sound a little strange, yes. I've never heard of a dimension quite like this one.

[Distraught is not the best state to be processing information in, no.

The Hotel is only a few more blocks from here, fortunately, so Fai will hopefully get the chance to recover some from the shock.]

Nor have I. It's... quite a bit more pleasant than most situations I've gotten dragged into, however, so you may even come to like it here. [Devin isn't sure he does, yet. It presented some unwelcome challenges.] You've heard of other dimensions? I mean that in the sense of realities, I suppose, rather than geometric dimensions.

Oh I don't doubt that I'll like it. Nothing's tried to kill me yet, so that's a good start.

[He puts on a smile again at that last part.]

My friends and I have been traveling through different worlds, actually. We usually arrive together but there was... a complication, last time. That might be why I can't find them.

[Key word being 'yet', says the vampire to the vampire killer.]

It's agreeable enough. [He looks at Fai, expression unreadable. He was so dedicated to his companions. So sure they would come. It almost made Devin feel bad to inform him they likely weren't anywhere to be found.

Almost.]

If you're accustomed to dimensional travel, then at least you have a leg up on the rest of us. Odds are, unfortunately, that you're the only one of your group that's arrived here. I've been told that others from our home worlds can come and go at random, however, so they may yet appear and surprise you.

[A short pause.]

Quite a bloody complication.

[It's a statement, not a question, and Fai doesn't have to answer it.]

[Fai just continues smiling at Devin's assessment. When you've been to a world where everything is being melted by acid rain, Keeliai at first blush seems pretty idyllic.]

So none of the rest of you, or at least the majority of you, were actually travelling when you arrived here. The world pulled you in, instead of you finding your way here. [He's thinking out loud, more than anything.] Well, I suppose that explains it. But you said you were sure I'd see my companions again, sooner or later--so if we're brought here by some power, is there a way to leave?

[He pales at the statement, then simply nods.]

Yes, unfortunately.

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Test Drive Meme | #49

eeeee :3

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