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

[commodification]

[ Abel's at a cafe's patio sitting area taking sips of his latte when he sees a guy -- a pretty, but overly narcissistic guy -- blabbing on about his skin care technique and fabrics. He knows attention hogging when he seas it. Those monk guys are annoying, but he's really jumping into the opportunity, huh? When they start to dwindle down, Abel gives him an unimpressed look and says, ]

...I'm not sure they were trying to get your opinion on bath scrubs, but alright.

[godkingoftrickery]

[ What a refreshing change of pace that'd been. Loki's sad to see them move on, because he hadn't at all run out of subjects that weren't directly telling on who he'd been. He swept imaginary dust from his shoulders and hummed quietly, but almost jumped when someone random calls him out. Literally calls him out. Rude. But very attractive, so Loki doesn't have the heart to snap at them for it. ]

What can I say? Good listeners are rare treasures. And personally, I commend their organization for having such noble, educational pursuits. Perhaps my words will help contribute to a dictionary and small children will better understand which bath scrubs are the finest.

[ Clears throat. ] Kidding. I apologize if that was obnoxious to behold, I didn't mean to be too noisy. I've seen those monks treated with aggression, and although persistent, they don't mean harm... humoring them is a nice thing to do, and distracts them from others for a while, yes? [ Bows lightly. ]

[commodification]

[ ...So he wasn't as self-absorbed as he thought. Huh. That just brings up even more questions, though. ]

Oh, no. I was interested in your opinion on that, actually. What is the best bath scrub, in your opinion? [ Truly, a defining test of character for Abel. ]

You did that for altruistic purposes, did you? Not sure I believe you, but you're cute, so I'll let that slide. You got a name?

[godkingoftrickery]

[ Loki's eyes grew a bit rounder, his curiosity now given a new open door. He chuckled appreciatively and pulled out the seat across from the stranger. They'd quickly fix that "stranger" nonsense, ha. If he had a hook, the game was on. ]

Handmade, never store-bought. If you're putting something on your skin, you should know exactly where the ingredients of said item came from, if your self respect doesn't start there it won't start anywhere. [ Snort. ] Now, as for the ingredients, there are many plants that work and one should discern which is best for their own skin type. Experiment and do your research. Not that I'd fault anyone mixing it up! But, is it not apparent that this is no simple, shallow matter? So foolish to overlook. And body scrubs are a whole other beast to get into, you'll have to rent me out for an hour if you're intrigued.

[ Folds hands in lap and straightens up proudly. ] My name is Lyn. That's short for Lyndon, but I am cute, aren't I? There can be many reasons for a single action, but you just complimented me, so I'll let your hurtful suspicion slide. You can believe anything you'd like. [ Winks. ] We're both unmistakably cute, that statement is truth enough to agree on.

[commodification]

[ Raises an eyebrow ] Fair enough. I'd argue that handmade stuff aren't as regulated as ones from stores, though.

[ Abel knew fully well he left out a hook at the end there. Most people shrug it off, but this guy... He didn't just bite into it. He was fully prepared to kiss ass, with the same intensity Abel did when his bosses were considering promotions. ]

Abel. [ Lips begrudgingly quirk into a smile ] Don't let it go to your head. If you're gonna start flirting, buy me a slice of cake first.

[godkingoftrickery]

[ Raises both eyebrows to match. ] Is that meant to be a downside? Some regulations are surface level, cosmetic, meant to dissuade idiocy that's laughably easy to avoid if you know what you're doing. Sidestepping this is almost a rite of passage, and nothing blatantly illegal.

Abel's a lovely name, but I'm sure you've heard that one too often, and you're the real show. [ He recalled a certain myth about that name-- interesting thing to call your child. "Don't let it go to your head", he said, but Loki's already waving over a waiter before he has the last word out, ordering cake for the both of them, mixed berries to share, and iced tea for himself. ]

Do I have to wait until the server comes back to start again, or are you pleased by my promised offerings? I'll be frank, you don't look like you'll be easy to please even after that. Your jewelry and eyeliner are too sharp. But I love that, so I'll let you stab me with it if I can savor the view as I bleed out. How's that sound? [ Grins. When the order arrives, Loki takes a flask from his coat and pours it in his tea, then adds a tiny umbrella, also from his own pockets. Perfect. ]

[commodification]

Sure. But that doesn't guarantee quality. I know a lady that used her own breast milk for lotions. I don't know if there are specific laws against that sort of thing, but it should be illegal.

[ He shrugs. ] Good eye! I'm not easily impressed, but the cake's a start.

Interesting imagery. Are you a poet or a masochist? [ Okay, that umbrella thing is pretty cute. He's not expecting a straight answer, but... ] What are you, Lyn? What do you do?

[godkingoftrickery]

[ Loki stared blankly for a moment before he recalled that was, in fact, unnerving to more prudish societies. ] If she wasn't informing anyone, then that'd almost certainly be a problem, but... oddity aside, some brews are enhanced by that kind of thing, and some people seek it out for their own reasons... Ha, I imagine she made quite a profit. Quality depends on what you're looking for. I prefer to craft things myself and pick the ingredients from sources I've investigated. That way, you can't be slipped anything unusual until you're looking for it. Better than having work outsourced to scattered, undefined places, which I wouldn't call guaranteed quality.

[ Greatly amused look. ] A little of each, tastefully cultivated. My life circumstances made it hard not to be. And I have a sense of humor, which is more valuable and necessary than both, perhaps a prerequisite.

Sorcerer, knowledge-seeker, artisan, and great at party tricks with that resume, so invite me to some! I dance with and occasionally fight with the flow of life. [ Wiggles fingers. ] Exaggerating. That makes me sound like an oafish bard. I do a little of everything. I love stories and culture and people. [ Even if they didn't always love him. ] And yourself? Eye for an eye.

[commodification]

[ Laughs and rolls his eyes ] She did. Well, way more than you'd expect with that sort of thing. Her audience is largely New Age moms and... weird fetish guys.

[ He's bragging a lot. Abel's squinting even more. Was this how he looked like to other people? He's a bit embarrassed, but... charmed all the same. Weird. ] You're not that funny. [ He says, noticeably smiling. ] That's kind of vague. Are you a wizard? Do you street performances? One time a guy pulled out a quarter from my ear, but then turned it into a dove. What a waste of money.

[ When the subject's turned back to him, he does a nonchalant shrug. ] I sit in a desk all day and crunch numbers. It pays well.