Test Drive Meme #004

[khuimods]

KHU IODUAN; TEST DRIVE MEME #004

I. THE OPARA CORE - May I Borrow That? The engineers of the Opara Core facility are always on the lookout for new technology they can adapt into the ever-growing web that provides communications across the archipelago and beyond. Their staff are assembled represent a wide swath of the native races in Konryu whose skills are mechanically-inclined, and of Dreamfolk who've arrived and want to pitch in. Part of their standard operating procedure is to take an interest in tech coming in with the newly arrived Dreamfolk. An excitable female Muin, her bright shock of electrically pink hair and matching, jewel-like eyes alight with a madcap glee, is wheedling for whatever gadget you have on your person. "Please?" she asks for the third time, blinking at you hopefully. "I'll put it back exactly how it was when I'm done. I promise..." II. KIRIN RODEO - Place Your Bets! At the end of every month, the Mounted Division of the Sentry holds their skills competition. When they're not on the field, their steeds are often the subject of much admiration from children and more than a few adults. Astride many breeds of kirin, some lithe and fleet, some stockier and stronger, these off-duty officers demonstrate their control and bond over the notoriously strong-willed and intelligent creatures with complicated maneuvers. There's a surprisingly in-depth system for betting on one's favourite to win the various matches, and just about everyone's willing to explain the odds to newcomers. There's only one rule: all proceeds go to funding of the city's charities. (Bragging rights on winning are still yours to keep.) Two bells ring loudly over the crowd - last call for wagers! III. WE HAVE REGULATIONS ABOUT THIS - Munga on the Loose! Munga are ill-tempered, rat-sized spiky lizards with a gift for camouflage, and whose venom in their spines and teeth is also highly hallucinogenic. And... they're on the loose. Fortunately, keeping them is highly regulated, and pretty much everyone in Aifaran knows about them, but loose Munga are uncommon enough that the reaction is more likely to be startled flailing at a hint of spines and skittering. Today someone's exotic pet has slipped out of their hands, and it's trailing a harness and lead as it zigzags away, prickling and hissing and going for the ankles. It's given a wide berth, except by those who don't notice until it's too late or those too preoccupied by something else. Hopefully the proper authorities have been notified to catch and return the creature, but maybe someone helpful can keep it from getting too far away? IV. KNOWLEDGE IS PRECIOUS - Accosted By Monks The Tariken monks are out in full force today, their orange and green robes making them easy to spot in a crowd, and there's a high chance you might be approached by one. Their sect values knowledge above everything else, so recording information from Dreamfolk, who are transient to Konryu, is something they see as imperative. Some of the questions are standard ("what's the name of your world? is it anything like Konryu? do have have any special position there?") but sometimes they move into stranger territory, like what's your favourite bath soap scent and how many times you wear your socks before washing them -- all of which are asked with the most studious attentiveness, just in case your answer holds the secret to the multiverse. V. INTO THE UNKNOWN - Watch Your Back Out There The sea patrol discovered the new irregularity a few days ago, reporting that it looks like a series of tall and jagged stone towers rising up from the ocean. It's incomplete as these planar-shunted locations often are, as if something massive had taken a bite of some mysterious city and then spat it whole into the seas of Konryu. Having been chosen as part of the exploration team, you've been working your way through the complicated labyrinth of stone tunnels and dead ends, searching for what the Opara engineers had enthusiastically described as a potential new power source. "Trace the green glowing power lines," was their (sort of helpful) instruction. However the lean, dark and toothy thing you've just glimpsed should probably be a more pressing concern... warn others? Take it on yourself? Pray it hasn't spotted you? 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! Applications • Reservations • Taken List • Game Navigation

Comments

[bigandnotsobad]

[ Cat person, huh? Bigby's never seen one before, at least not like this, but he's seen enough weird shit to be completely unfazed by it. ]

I'm not saying you are. But given the area, is it really the best time to be prideful?

[whattail]

Says the guy who looks like he's going to go fight it himself.

[True, the man was taller than him and seemed very muscular, if not been in a lot of fights before, but it seemed kind of hypocritical. At least, Konoe was pretty sure that's what this Two Cane was doing.]

Even if you're a god, you don't seem to be a magic user.

[bigandnotsobad]

[ ...Fair point. It was hypocritical. But Bigby was sure he had a fighting chance, and if he failed... well, he wouldn't be terribly devastated about it. ]

I'm not a god, short pint, but I do have experience handling situations like this back where I'm from.

[ Checks the path. They're so far away from the others. He couldn't even see them. Bigby wants to send this kid back to them, but he wasn't sure if he'd be safe going by himself. He cranes his neck, sighing in defeat. ]

Look. Let's stick together for now. Two against one gives us both a better chance. If I go down, I want you to run like hell and warn the others. You're faster and more agile than I am, so you'll have a better shot at saving them than I do. You got that?

[whattail]

But you're a Two Cane, aren't you?

[Konoe was still confused with this whole human thing-some denied it, some didn't-and this man looked very like all the other Two Canes he'd met. Still, he flicked back one of his ears.]

Fine, but I'm not going to run away from a fight I can win. Besides, I can hear it moving around.

[The ears, no longer indicating annoyance and instead pricked up in full attention, were indicators of this.]

[bigandnotsobad]

I don't even know what that is.

[ He gives this kid a good look over. It's either he's highly competent, or he's blowing it out of his ass. Given his temperament, Bigby's thinking the latter. He's not gonna argue anymore, but he is planning on pushing him away, should it come to that. He walks towards where he saw the beast again. When he listens closely, he could also hear it. It's near. ]

[whattail]

A Two Cane. They died out long ago but they were our ancestors. They had really big brains, and walked around on two sticks for legs. I just didn't realize you'd look so much like me.

[Minus the cat ears and tail, of course. Konoe sort of wanted to continue questioning the strange man, but he had to follow Bigby. At the sound of the monster moving, his ears shot straight up, and Konoe drew his sword with little noise. A growl was forming in his throat, but he glanced sideways to see if the larger man was going to do anything.

His eyes flicked back barely in time to see the monster climb up onto a piece of building and leap at them.]

Watch out!

[Konoe immediately tried to leap backwards out of the way, hoping the Two Cane had done the same.]