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quaranmeme2018-05-20 02:35 pm
riverview: may test drive meme
riverview test drive memeWelcome to Riverview's test drive meme! Feel free to dip your toes in on the test drive meme to try out your character in the setting, play out a mission, and get samples for your application at the same time!
● There are currently 34 Character Slots available.
● Reserves are currently CLOSED. Applications are currently OPEN and will close on June 7th at 10:00 pm EST.
● Providing all parties are amenable, threads on the test drive meme can count as game canon, as the plot in the prompts presented is game canon.
● TDM threads do not count for Activity Check, but they do count for Activity Bonus Points, so long as all characters involved are accepted into the game.
● Threading on the TDM is intended for prospective new characters, so top-levels should only be posted by players of these characters. Since the events in the TDM are considered game canon, characters currently in the game are free to use the TDM prompts for logs and posts on the regular communities.
Feel free to use the prompts below or create your own scenario. The setting is built to be flexible, so feel free to make things up as you go.
information resources
premise ● arrival ● setting ● exploration progress report ● ask a question ● calendar ● navigation
Something strange has been happening in the city over the past few weeks, and it's starting to get kind of serious - people are disappearing. It started with a little girl whose parents are still convinced and terrified that she wandered off into the jungle to the north of the city, and things have only gone on from there. So far, a total of 10 children ranging in ages from five to their teens have gone missing, most last seen near one of the exits at the city walls or near where the river flows through the fences of the Inhabited City.
Today, it's reached the point where it's becoming a bit of an emergency. With so many sightings near the exits to the city, the government and Perimeter Guard have set up a joint search project, and are requesting volunteers to help scour the jungles in search of the missing kids. Any volunteers or members of the Perimeter Guard are offered a handout with images of the kids and will be forming a grid to search the entirety of the jungle. Which won't be easy, because it's not just a jungle out there - it's dangerous!
Normally, living inside the Inhabited City is a pretty safe bet. You can go day to day without running into a monster or risking any kind of danger requiring a fight. Generally, the tall, laser-fenced walls keep out anything particularly dangerous.
The problem with walls? They only go so high.
While usually assault from airborne monsters isn't a problem that's on the map, as residents who've been around for a while might remember from last year, there's a few weeks during late spring where a swarm of flying monsters not unlike feathery pterodactyls are migrating back to another part of the moon. They're only in the area for a couple of weeks, but during that time, residents can expect occasional attacks by swooping monsters if they should see easy prey. Usually, a good sturdy dark-colored umbrella is enough to keep them from seeing a potential victim or meal, but sometimes the attacks still happen. So the Perimeter Guard sends extra details, calling in all the reserves, to patrol the city and keep an eye out for citizens in distress. There's also a general call for anyone who's experienced at fighting to help protect their fellow citizens. Whether your character is being attacked or protecting someone else, be prepared - these monsters are quick and have very sharp teeth.
It's been all over the news lately, the restoration of the old abandoned Amusement Park that was successfully cleared out and repowered, and is gearing up for a grand opening. However, thanks to a team led by Aecinos Ixocia and the technical expertise of Aoba Seragaki, there's another entertainment feature that was powered up and cleaned up at the same time, and is ready to open over the weekend - the Hot Springs!
Flyers and other advertising has been put up all around the city to alert city residents to the fact that the springs are opening, and expounding the various amenities and activities that the springs have to offer. Among the touted features are mineral hot spring pools of various temperatures ranging from cool to near-boiling, said to have healing qualities that moisturize and soothe the skin, as well as whisking away stress. There are a lot of testimonials to the fact that the springs have had an impact on chronic pain, headaches, and even temporary, acute illnesses.
If soaking in a hot tub isn't your thing, there are also lap pools, a wave pool, and even a few waterslides that are cleaned up and running smoothly - there's an easy and medium one for the less adventurous, but the other two slides are pretty harrowing! There's also a lazy river with inner tubes intended for couples or groups of friends to laze on and enjoy the warm spring weather. For those with something a little more frisky in mind, there are special tubes intended for romantic pairs or groups that go through a Tunnel of Love that lasts for 10 minutes and affords a pretty decent amount of rose-tinted privacy for lovers to enjoy.
Ever heard of Tough Mudder, the Spartan Race, or Ninja Warrior? Well, something similar is brewing in Riverview. With the weather warming up, several companies in the city have contributed to the construction of a difficult obstacle course with three different levels of difficulty to make it challenging for people of all fitness levels. Featuring just about any obstacle you can think of, it tests participants' running, jumping, climbing, and other athletic prowess. It also tests participants' teamwork skills, since several of the obstacles can't be overcome without a little help from a friend or stranger.
But what about people with super powers? Isn't that an unfair advantage? Yep! It sure is! Any participants in the Mud Run are required to use a power dampener of some sort if they're super powered, so everyone is on the same level. Have fun with that!
Whether your character is posting up a silly word game, trying to get hold of a friend, or putting out feelers for people to go out into the fray with, the network is going strong.
Alternately, an offer for a free app is popping up on new arrivals' devices - Friendr is a friend-finder and/or dating app. If characters choose to install it, they will fill out a short bio and parameters for what they're looking for, upload a snap of themselves, and then proceed to browse for matches. This is a typical swipe-left-or-right type app.
Friendr base code is by photosynthesis.
The code in the textbox is for the default color scheme, but the Friendr app has a wide variety of themes, so feel free to customize with colors and patterns as you see fit, but do not remove the credit line out of respect for the creator of the code.
Use the wildcard prompt to choose your own adventure and do whatever else you like in the setting!
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He starts to pull away when Billy talks, brows furrowing.]
What are you talking about, B? Not go back-- what would you do? What about your parents and the team?
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There's a future out there where we already saved Tommy, we got back together, and everything else was--as fine as it was going to get. It already happened for Tommy, for Loki it was years ago. Staying here won't--hurt anyone, I'm there already?
It's--it's safer for everyone if I do stay here.
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[He reaches up, trying to guide Billy's hand away from his face. He can't help but feel hurt, to feel a bit angry if he's honest, and the least Billy could do is look at him properly.]
Don't give me that. It's you who saves everyone... that's you who stops Mother, right? It's not safer to hide out here so afraid of yourself that you turn your back on that future, Billy. It's the easy way out and it's too painful to watch you be that afraid of yourself and not be able to do anything.
[And it feels like he's not terribly important to Billy if he can turn his back on going back like that, no matter what they might face together.]
I think I need to go, Billy. I have missing kids to help find... and I can't really do this right now. I don't see how we get back together when you don't even seem to care enough to go back and fight for us.
[But he can't stroke Billy's hair and tell him it's going to be okay this time. Not when it doesn't feel okay at all at the moment and Teddy isn't sure it will be.]
I'm sorry...
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I know, I'm--I'm sorry. ( brows furrowed and he looks hurt, but it's not--directed at teddy. no, all of this is on him, and billy is more than aware of that. he knows his own faults, hates them as much as he's sure teddy does. ) I didn't think to ask who stopped Mother. It didn't. . seem that important.
( just that she was stopped, teddy was safe, tommy was safe, everything was well enough for them to throw a huge new years party. )
I know I sound. . awful and I'm trying, I promise, I just--
( this is so much harder than he could have imagined it would be. how the hell are they supposed to have pulled this off back home? )
Go--save those kids, I'll, uh--search the other side of Quarantine. Don't apologize, it's really not. . your fault. This's all on me. I know. And you--you deserve so much better than that.
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[He thought he could walk away, but-- no. He can't just yet. He does pull his hand away, shaking his head. No touching. That hurts entirely too much.]
You're right. I can't even argue that, Billy. It does sound awful. I know you're better than this. I know you're braver than this.
[He clenches his fists idly, jaw tightening.]
Don't. If you thought I deserved so much better, you'd act like you cared about me... about us at all! I'm not feeling all that important if you can just stay here, hidden away for the rest of your life, Billy, because you heard some future somewhere ends up okay and didn't even bother to ask how.
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billy couldn't say the same about himself. ) I got here and everything was all messed up! I--I guess we'd been here before? You and me. But you were so much younger I guess and the me who wasn't me messed that all up, too. And I mean--I would've done the same thing, so I can't even--argue against it at all, I don't. .
( hands back to his side and he takes a few deep breaths. tries to steady himself.
it goes about as well as anticipated. ) I care about you more than I could ever put into words, Teddy. I love you, I'd--I'd do anything for you. You know that, right? I'd still be sitting in my room trying to pretend I didn't exist if it wasn't for you--several times over. If you're going back and want me to come with you I'll--I'll figure it out. I've been trying to get better. To be better. I want to be better for you. But I--I'm not, and you deserve so much more than I can give you.
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How do you even know that? Did you hear it second hand like the stuff with Mother?
[He crosses his arms, looks away from Billy. His eyes are stinging and he's not going to cry in front of Billy again.]
I said don't. If I hadn't shown up, you wouldn't have come back for me, so you don't have to say you would now. I don't need you to be perfect... I don't need you to already be better. Just showing me you're trying is enough. And just... stop telling me what I deserve or not! All I wanted was you, Billy Kaplan. I always felt lucky to have that, even after losing everything else.
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All I ever wanted was you, Teddy Altman. Since the moment I met you, that's all I wanted. There's no one I missed more than you, no one I wished I could see again more than you. But I guess that was the problem, right? Because I loved you so much, clearly I was influencing you. Or made you, or--whatever. I've been trying. You're the one who left.
( he doesn't blame him for that. for leaving. not--not exactly. it's complicated. )
I--get it. I'm happy I made you feel lucky, that's all I wanted--to make you feel happy. Wanted. Loved. But how am I supposed to feel good enough for you if you can't believe in me?
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I never intended to stay gone though, and I'm sorry I hurt you. I am. You don't think that kills me? Walking away from you was one of the hardest things I've ever done... if not the hardest.
[He opens his arms, gesturing around.] But you know what? I decided for myself that I know us... none of what we have is a lie. I don't even care if you made me or not!
[Though he doesn't really-- think Billy did now. Or would.]
I made a mistake, B. But I never thought for a second that you weren't good enough! You're the most amazing guy I know. I just wish you weren't so scared of yourself all the time.
[He drops his arms, slouching his shoulders a little in defeat.] and I kind of wish I didn't know you were choosing to stay here forever. If you wanted me to feel how much it hurts, you succeeded there.
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over half a year and it takes teddy half a conversation to break him down. )
I'm--god, Teddy. ( it takes him a moment, hands raised to his cheeks once more to wipe off the remaining tears. clean off his face a little. ) Teddy, I--you know how people end up here, right? When they're lost. When they don't feel like they belong anywhere. I thought--this place would be a new start. That it'd be safer if I stayed here, if I ran away.
( it's not the first problem he's run away from, and it won't be the last. teddy's slouching himself over, and it hurts him just as much to see that as he's sure it does the other way around. billy reaches a hand forward, tries to place it against a shoulder, tries to pull him in. ) I tried to pretend everything would be okay if I just--hid somewhere else, but I can't just. . I love you, Teddy Altman. I could never just--
( this is so complicated, god, and he hasn't even covered the last six months yet, but. )
I can't live in a world without you.
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[His own cheeks are wet, he knows they are, but Billy is pulling at him before he has a real chance to brush them away. He almost wants to hesitate, to not go with the pull, but a hug... some sort of comforting touch would be great right now.
He's still not sure what to feel or what to think but he lets his head tip forward on to Billy's shoulder for a moment and lifts a hand to rest against Billy's waist lightly.]
I love you too, B.
[He manages a weak smile. He's nowhere near over the hurt he feels, but it's nice to hear the reassurance.]
That's all I really needed to hear.
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both arms wrap around shoulders, one hand sliding up to press fingers into soft blond hair. )
I'll tell you as many times as you need to hear it. ( his heart still aches, a thrumming discomfort with every beat, and billy's so close to just bursting into tears again--but he manages not to. for now. ) That I love you, that I--I need you around, T. That you're more important to me than I could ever manage to say clearly.
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You mean that, Kaplan?
[He doesn't know what's going to happen next, but at least for a minute, he can pretend things are okay.] We still have a lot to work on, you know.
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( like the whole thing with loki, and billy definitely isn't willing to prove him right on the whole teddy replacement thing that's--not right at all. ) There're kids to find and save, right? We should--help them out first. Deal with our stuff later.
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Yeah... you're right. Are you sure you want to come with?
[If Billy was-- in the middle of doing something else, he doesn't want to drag him off.
Even if part of him selfishly still wants to keep Billy near after their argument earlier.]
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a sharp exhale, and he's turning his head in to press a kiss to teddy's cheek, squeezing him tight once more before letting go. a wave of a hand, a spark of blue magic, and billy's shifting his clothes back into wiccan gear. much more suitable for searching for missing children than a t-shirt and jeans. )
I want to stay with you for a while longer at least--so yeah. I can try to pull some locator spells. My--my magic's a lot more limited here than usual though so.
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That sounds like a good start. Even if it doesn't work, it's worth a shot, right?
[He hesitates a moment before he reaches out to take Billy's hand, giving it a squeeze.]
Can I have another kiss first though?
[It's weird, asking permission, but it's been... a while, on both sides. He isn't sure he should just go for it or not.]
Then it'll be all work and we'll find those missing kids, promise.
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and billy squeezes teddy's fingers tight, purses his lips together before shaking his head a little. )
I don't--think that's a good idea right now.
( cheek kisses are one thing and it's weird that it's not--it's weirder that he has to say that out loud, but. )
Kids first?
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[That-- actually stings more than he thought it would, but if there's one thing he's good at doing, it's pretending things are okay, that they don't hurt. He's definitely feeling the need to do that right now, so a quick, easy smile to show it's fine and he's turning to look around their surroundings.]
Definitely. Come on, B. I don't want to waste too much daylight here... I have some pictures of the missing kids if you think you can do a location spell easier with those.
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because it's not that simple anymore. )
Teddy, I-- ( bad timing, they're supposed to find kids, work together, but teddy's smiling like things are okay, like they're going to be okay, and it won't be. ) I love you, I do, and I would never lie to you about that. I'd never hurt you intentionally. Hell, I'd, ( take a gun and do whatever it took to save teddy if it came down to it. teddy's always been that much more important to him than anything else. ) I'd do a lot to make sure nothing hurt you. But I don't want to lead you on either. . Loki's here, a Loki who doesn't exist back home anymore as he does here. He died again, was reborn. But he's here and we're--dating. Have been for a while. And I love him, too--but that doesn't mean I love you any less either. I'm sorry. I don't know how to--lessen that any. Make it easier.
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And no, things really aren't okay, and apparently Billy doesn't need him to pretend they are either. He takes a step back, recoils like he's been punched in the stomach -- but even he knows that'd be a lot easier to take than that.]
So that's why you didn't want to go back... was all that earlier, that promising to come back with me, that I'm important-- it was lip service wasn't it?
[So much for trying to not be angry at Billy, for trying to be understanding.] Loki, Billy? Really?
[Teddy knows that weird little kid that just showed up, that tried to take Billy's powers once already, the former villain. How is he even supposed to wrap his head around that?
He feels suddenly left behind, out of place, and with no idea how to fit in with any of it. Worse yet, he feels even more betrayed, even more disappointed. He wipes idly at his eyes, wanting the fresh tears gone.
He told Billy once that he was all he'd had and now he supposes he doesn't even have that. And whether it's his fault or Billy's, it doesn't really make it feel any less hopeless or painful. It also doesn't make him wish that he had a mom to go to, or just-- anybody, honestly.]
Billy, I can't do this. Don't-- just don't tell me you love me because right now? I really can't and don't believe it. Maybe you should go back to your new boyfriend and just forget you saw me. It'd be easier.
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how much more would telling teddy have hurt if he waited longer? if he'd held onto teddy's hand and nosed in against him, whispered how much he cares about him, kept him up. )
It wasn't lip service. I'd--I'd never just lie to you, Teddy. ( it comes out as broken as teddy looks, tone shaking just as much as billy's shoulders are. ) I'll come back with you, we just-- ( need to figure out a way to save loki, too, but teddy doesn't want to hear that. )
I do love you. I missed you so much. ( his heart hurts just having this conversation, but there's nothing he can do to fix that. this is a grave billy dug himself into. one he's not going to be able to get out of using magic (ha, could, but that'd be lying, manipulating, and he's not doing that to teddy. teddy deserves better) or his own strength. he gets it, how teddy felt. telling him he had to leave. this must be close, right? ) But I'm not going to--make this worse by lying. I won't forget I saw you, I won't forget this. I don't want to hurt you, please believe me. I'd never want--to hurt you.
( and hurting teddy hurts him. he still has teddy's hand, holds onto it tight, fingers shaking. )
I'm sorry.
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Even when he left, it wasn't that he hadn't trusted Billy exactly. He knew Billy wouldn't intentionally control him or hurt him. He wouldn't have intentionally wished up a boyfriend, let alone a boyfriend who'd have to watch his mother die with his own eyes.
Right now though? His trust is shaken and it hurts. Billy had always been enough for him. He could have lost everything else in the world, but he'd still feel like the luckiest guy alive if he had Billy with him. It's why he stuck with him, tried so hard to be what he needed through every depressive episode, could shoulder his own losses because of it.]
What if I don't want you to come back with me? [It's not true. He knows it even as he says it. He asked Billy to marry him -- and maybe partly as a desperate act to get him off the windowsill, to react to something, but mostly because he'd wanted to spend the rest of his life with him.
He just doesn't see how that can happen now. Billy's moved on and he hasn't even been given a chance to yet.]
Well, you did, Billy, whether you meant to or not. [He manages to squeeze Billy's hand back where he's still gripping it, though he still can't bring himself to look at him.
And it isn't even that what Billy is saying doesn't make sense. He'd rather know now than be lied to or have false hope, but it doesn't make it any easier to process. It feels like he really did end up in his worst nightmare.]
Right. I'm sorry I can't forgive you right now, Billy... or know when I'll be able to.
[If ever, really.]
no subject
teddy's still holding onto him regardless. even though he's crying and looks like a giant disaster, even if teddy doesn't want him to come back.
and billy's slumping his shoulders, trying to keep himself from trembling too much. it doesn't help, much. he's tense and wound up, two steps away from laying down on the floor and trying to cease to exist again but. doesn't. not yet. he can't let himself fall to pieces. not in front of teddy, not now. )
I'm sorry, Teddy. I'm--s-sorry, I'm sorry.
( sorry but he's not making any promises. he's not leaving loki, regardless of how much this hurts. that'd--hurt even worse, he's sure. losing loki on top of teddy, on top of everything else. maybe he should. maybe hurting himself is the right way to go here.
maybe it's the only way to make this right. )
I don't. . expect you to forgive me. I don't. If you--don't want me to come back, 'll stay. ( it was his original plan anyway. ) I. . I'm sorry.
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[Teddy is too weak to that. Billy hurting has always been a weak spot, even if part of him wishes he could be petty about it, find some satisfaction in knowing Billy is hurting. He can't though. He's not that type of guy.]
And stop apologizing, then. It doesn't change anything, it doesn't make anything better. Besides, you were the one who already decided to stay. I'm just giving you what you want, and apparently it's not me, or your family, or home. You made your choice... I guess it wasn't me.
[He lets out a shaky sigh of his own, wipes at his eyes again. He should at least try to get himself together a little bit. He can't go and crawl into a hole yet after all. Maybe later, when he's away from Billy.]
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