archishellago | Test Drive Meme #003

KHU IODUAN; TEST DRIVE MEME #003

I. AROUND AIFARAN - Getting The Perfect Shot!

This month in Aifaran, there's a contest being held on the popular social site Xa Xa, which Earth-based Dreamfolk may recognize as vaguely Instagram-like -- it's all about the pretty pictures! With a top prize of 500 Rhinn per category, lots of people are getting into the game. Prizes will be handed out for awards like Best Composition, Most Creative Angle, Best Use of Lighting, etc, and this means that it won't be uncommon to see people in unusual places (even some risky ones) trying to score the perfect shot. Maybe they're bumping accidentally into you on the street, or slipping off the edge of a rooftop, or not paying attention to that train heading their way??

II. BE A GOOD NEIGHBOUR - Surprise Petsitting?!

Success! You've scored a quiet day, and you're just about to settle in for a marathon of your favourite Tears of the Ocean Heart episodes when there's a knock on your door. A very distracted looking Castian is standing there, talking away on his yimo, and beside him, a very fancy Inan on a glitzy harness and leash.

"Right, right," the Castian says to whomever he's talking to. "I'm just dropping Ruqhina off at the sitter, I'll be there in ten." Shoving the leash at you, he announces, "Thank you again for agreeing to watch my darling Ruqhina, I really appreciate it. Don't forget to exercise early in the day, she likes eating energy of active people only, I don't want her on a lazy person diet. Did you change your hair, I thought you had blue hair? Well nevermind, I have to get going, I'll be back in a week. Goodbye sweetheart, Daddy misses you already!" And then he's gone.

III. TALENT IS A MISNOMER - You Didn't Need That Wall Right?

There are a lot of Dreamfolk in the city, and all of them are dealing with their own newly gifted Talents in their own ways. Some, especially those who are used to extraordinary abilities from their own worlds, have some idea of how to train on them safely, learning the ins and outs of their new gift. And then you have some whose only exposure to "magic" is through stories, fairy tales, or really entertaining TV, and pointing a finger-gun at a target and saying "boom!" has never actually worked... until now.

"Uh," the other Dreamfolk says, staring dumbly at the car-sized hole in the wall, and then glances at you who just happened to be the closest person. "That's... new. Yikes. Should we run? Wait, I've got a better idea--" Cue loud voice and frantic pointing in your direction. "IT WAS THIS ONE! THEY DID IT!"

IV. SHADY BUSINESS - It's A Shakedown

You're in the right place at the right time (or the wrong ones, depending on your point of view) but you're entering a shop just in time to see some Beika punks accosting the shopkeeper, demanding protection money, which they owner is stammering that they've already paid this month. Upon your entrance, the shopkeeper looks over at you with help me plainly written on their face, while the Beika thugs look very unhappy at being interrupted...

V. BEACHFRONT CLEANUP - Oh That's Nasty...

It's not a pleasant task, but it does pay volunteers pretty well: following a massive storm, several dozen dead Giant Jellyfish corpses have washed up on the shoreline, and they need to be cleaned and disposed of before they start to decompose. It's dirty, smelly, and slimey work... but the promise of two weeks worth of rhinn for one day's work is hard to pass up! You're assigned to teams and given some shovels and a wheelbarrow, but as you reach the latest jellyfish body, you're surprised to see that this one appears to be covered in... burns?? Is this something you should report?

VI. WILDCARD - Because You're Not The Boss Of Me

Anything else that doesn't fit the above prompts is welcome, just keep it within the game setting please!

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[ Tough-looking guy. Handsome too. Jack doesn't know if he wants to kiss him or steal his jawline and stick it in his mask, but if there's anything he knew about guys with swords, it's that they're prrrobably be pretty good with it if they could stand kids asking them if they were in cosplay.

He's standing pretty close. Jack did not want to be on the other side of that. Deep breath. Whispers, pretty convincingly, ]

Oh, thank god, are you a cop? I got nervous there. Thought if I ran out, they'd chase me -- I did not want those guys following me around, lemme tell you. Are you gonna waste them now? Do some sword slashy things? Please, be my guest.

[ Cade raises an eyebrow, still slouched against the doorway. It’s not that he’s unconvinced by Jack’s story; it’s the part about letting him lay waste on the bandits. Tempting, especially after they’d harrassed the shopkeeper, but... ]

And what, spoil your fun?

[ He grins, gesturing towards the troublemakers. ]

You go right ahead. And no, I’m not a cop. Not here, anyway. So you don’t have to worry, I’m not gonna tell.

[ Pressured by a handsome guy while people look at you. Is this what High School feels like? Jack looks at the guy, then the bandits and the shop owner. Tsks. He pulls his gun out of its holster.

He could've gotten somewhere here too! So annoying. ]

Fine, but I'm telling you, I've got a finite amount of bullets here -- [ He glances at the bandits. Shoots two of them in the head with ease, then shoots the weapon out of the last guy's hand. He takes advantage of their confusion and breaks their neck with a quick twist. Ohhh, that crunch. Just what he needed. He takes whatever relevant things on their person like, ugh, like some filthy Vault Hunter, then turns around sharply to face this guy again. ] -- so if some real baddies come after me and I run out, that's gonna be your fault. That's right.

[ Huffs. Dusts self off. Might as well try to form something relevant here, maybe turn on the pressure with the shop owner when he leaves. Meets Cade's eyes and offers a handshake. ] Jack. Handsome Jack. I'm new and confused. I'm guessing you're old and confused?

[ Cade whistles admiringly; the way Jack’s made quick, efficient work of the bandits isn’t lost to him. This guy’s actually pretty good, and not just all talk. The blonde makes a mental note not to make an enemy out of him.

He pushes himself off the doorway finally, shutting the door behind him. Jack’s pilfering is painfully obvious - the shopkeeper’s clearly wincing at the sight - but Cade simply lets the other be. He’s not that noble. ]

Handsome Jack, huh? [ He shakes the other’s hand firmly. ] Cade. Not too new, and not too confused. How long have you been in the city?

[ There are rustling noises outside the door now. Must’ve wondered what’s taking their friends so long. ]

[ He shakes his hand back, just as firm. ] Few days. Like a little baby, I know.

[ Jack hears the rustling noises outside too. Ahh... crap. He groans like a petulant child, slumping his shoulders. ] Oh my gooood. There's more of them? Stupid, filthy little inbreds breed like... goddamn... cockroaches... Ugh, I just can't get a break today. You know how hard it is to get blood out of your clothes? [ Reloads gun. He's painfully aware of how many bullets he has left. ] Are you gonna help, or is that sword just there for decoration?

Edited 2018-04-11 10:05 (UTC)

[ Cade laughs now, amused at how childish this skilled fighter can seem. A clever ploy, yet he doesn’t begrudge Jack for it.

He’s actually reminded of someone from home - their crown prince, Heylel. The kid’s a spoiled brat and doesn’t seem to take anything seriously, but when push comes to shove, he’s one heck of a fighter. Just lazy, mostly. ]

Well, you said it’s my fault if more baddies show up. Why don’t you help the poor old man over there while I take care of the reinforcements?

[ He doesn’t even wait for Jack to agree or disagree. He just turns around and leaves. The door’s barely closed when there’s a sound of a sword being drawn, followed by other not-too-pleasant noises. Nope, not for decoration, Jack. ]

[ Oh, there we go! There's the pay off he's been waiting for! Jack beams and gives Cade a mock salute. ]

Right-o, I'll see everything's taken of back here. [ Points at Cade with both hands, then turns it into two thumbs up. ] You're the wind beneath my wings, kiddo.

[ As soon as he's out of view, Jack slides to the back of the counter and gives the owner a sly, serpentine grin. Bats eyelashes at him. ] Rough day, huh? You know, you're just lucky me and pretty boy showed up earlier. You didn't have their protection money... my god, what would've they done to you? To your family? That's gonna be so... awful to think about. [ He touches the old man's face, then traces a finger to his neck. He draws a threatening line at the middle. The old man swallows. ] A little token of appreciation is in order, don't you think? Something for dinner. And a little extra, for my clothes and all.

[ When the fighting's over, Jack has an apple in his hand and a bright grin in his face. He steps on one of the bodies on the ground as he walks over to Cade. ] Caaade. My man. You, me, dinner. My treat. What do you say?

Edited 2018-04-11 10:33 (UTC)

[ Cade avoids killing as much as possible, although he's not opposed to a good beating; apart from the code their army adheres to, it's just less messier that way. So when Jack joins him outside, the bandits are unconscious, but still very much alive.

He sheaths his sword, then turns to Jack. He's surprised at the offer, but doesn't refuse. It wouldn't hurt to make a new friend - or at least, not make an enemy. ] That's awfully generous of you. The old man gave you a token of appreciation, eh?

Mhm. Sweet guy, that one. Did you know he has two beautiful daughters he loves a lot?

[ He claps Cade on the back. ]

I'm a pretty friendly guy, Cade, and youuuu deserve it. We make a good team. Here's to the start of a beautiful friendship, hm?

[ ooc: might be good to fade out soon (~o.o)~ tysm! ]

[ Cade rolls his eyes, but he’s smiling. Jack reminds him of someone else from back home: his sweet-talking, occasionally exasperating father. ]

Come on, Handsome. I know a good place, just around the corner.

Test Drive Meme #003

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You’re fantastic! So looking forward to having you in the game~ :D