archishellago | Test Drive Meme #006

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test drive meme

Test Drive Meme #006

KHU IODUAN; TEST DRIVE MEME #006

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 (and substantial) prize of 500 hhinn 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. 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!"

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. A SURPRISE WINDFALL - Officer, This Isn't Mine...

There was a loud thud as someone tosses a heavy bag from the window of a dilapidated building. Five seconds later there’s smoke pouring out the windows and your holding what seems to be someone else’s luggage. Opening it, you find carefully wrapped bricks of some very illegal drugs, and someone down the side alley is pointing at you and yelling. A mounted Sentry officer is giving you a rather peculiar look as well while he calls in the fire brigade. And among the people fleeing the building, there are five Kin’nal looking at you, wide-eyed, as it suddenly dawns on them that they messed up. Take your new prize and split before reinforcements arrive? Try to explain the mistake? Take note that the building is still on fire?

V. 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.

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

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[Diamond has yet to really understand the concept of a "selfie" or what that entails, exactly -- and they also aren't quite sure what is "normal" behavior for these other creatures they've discovered to be quite unlike them in many ways.

But still, they can't help but try and dash to the rescue when they see someone starting to fall off the balcony of a building above, rushing below them to catch them just before they fall on the ground.

... unfortunately, although the catch was perfect, they bump into the wall from behind them and their arm cracks, dropping to the ground with a clatter. ]

... Oh, dear.

III

[ Fortunately for Diamond, they don't exactly have skin or veins with which to inject venom or cause pain by biting. They do notice something taking a nibble at their ankle, though, and they move to pick the munga up gently. ]

What a cute fellow you are!

[ They don't seem to notice the people looking on in horror, nor do they seem to be too terribly bothered -- a little surprised, maybe, but nothing more -- by how grumpy and squirmy it is. ]

My, my, you diamonds are as brittle as ever.

[Padparadscha apparently picked a good time to happen upon this scene, arms halfway to a stretch above their head. As usual, their shirt is wide open, revealing the filled holes in their torso that mercifully haven't had to be redone since they came here.

They crouch down to pick up Diamond's arm, somewhere around the elbow. Even though Diamond wouldn't have much to fear from Padparadscha's hardness, it's a bit habitual to avoid touching anywhere that might be easily damaged on another gem.]

Hopefully Rutile found a substitute for the glue we used back home, huh? [Neither Padparadscha nor Rutile have broken yet, so it hasn't been an issue...until now.]

[ Diamond beams with excitement to see their sibling who they've missed so dearly, the Instagram-worthy sunlight lending a beautiful rainbow sparkle to their hair. ]

I have to say, I'm a little embarrassed someone as cool as you has caught me in such a pinch ... but it is very good to see you.

[Padparadscha just gives a slight smile at that, offering their arm back by the non-hand end. It's hardly uncommon to see gems in such a state, though it's usually ones of a lower hardness than Diamond that Padparadscha has watched break.]

Same goes for you. Though it's a shame it's not at home. [From their point of view, they'd disappeared before anyone but Phos had the chance to see them recovered by the techniques of the Lunarians.]

Yes ... though, this place is quite interesting, isn't it? It's very lively!

[ Of course Dia wants to be with all their siblings, but it's nice to look on the bright side, isn't it? Being here still accomplishes the goal they sought by going to the Moon, too ...

They gratefully take their arm back from Padparadscha, gingerly trying to slot it back in place on their own, just to hold it in place and make sure no fragments chipped off to keep it from going back into place properly. ]

I hope Rutile has something ... oh, I'm so clumsy!

It has more people than we've ever seen before, so of course it seems that way.

[Some parts of the city are quieter, some are indeed lively, but ultimately it's the change in numbers that has the effect of making it overwhelming. Coming from their place where there's only around thirty of them around at any given time, a city this size, or a city at all, would be unthinkable.

Padparadscha laughs a little at Diamond's fuss over their arm.] Well, much as they may not like to hear it, Rutile isn't the only scientist here. But that's only for if you get desperate.

[ Yes, maybe that was what it was ... but beyond that, so many here seemed so young and full of energy, still. Maybe that was just because they were all organic beings ... ]

Other scientists? Is that true?

[ ... Diamond leans in, as though Rutile might appear any moment to hear them talking shit. ]

So they are upset about it, hm ...

[That's a valid enough concern with Rutile, so Padparadscha smiles slightly as they lean in to listen to Dia's comment.]

I think it's making them a little bit restless. There are a lot of different branches of science here that Rutile couldn't have known about in our world, so compared to that, they may feel like they're just like one of us again.

[Rutile had always been very proud in their knowledge and in their work, even if Padparadscha lay at the core of why they did it. It stands to reason that exposure to a variety of new things they have less understanding of would drive them to work harder.]

I see ...

[ Dia holds their chin in their hand, thoughtful as they decide what the best course of action in this case might be.

And then, their face lights up with an idea! ]

Perhaps we should try to bring Rutile as many books and journals as we can, so that they can catch up as soon as possible!

[Amusement touches the side of Padparadscha's mouth at that comment.] I'm sure they're making more than enough progress on that by themselves. There are plenty of libraries here, and even ones made just for things like science and research that Rutile is far too interested in.

[They even have proper places of learning here rather than just a specific room where newborns are taught by their leader. More people requires something more impersonal, Padparadscha supposes.]

[ Perhaps more noticeable are the cries of offense and slight bruising as Rutile elbows their way through the crowd, drawn by both the activity and the strange gleaming of light refracting on the surrounding city. ] Pardon me, excuse me - well, I wouldn't have hurt you if you'd stood aside the first time, would I have? - oh, send for the Sentry if you're that upset...

[ Then they break through the crowd, emerging into the clearing that has formed around ... Diamond, of all people, holding a squirming munga in their arms. They stop short for a moment, eyes narrowing, but then close the distance between them and reach into their pocket. ]

Hold it still if you please, Dia. I want a sample of its venom before we're accosted for aiding and abetting.

[ Oh, what a coincidence! It's Rutile!

Dia compliantly holds the little sucker still for them, but they do look a little confused. ]

Accosted? What are we aiding and abetting, exactly?

[ Rutile might say the same. Of everyone they might have anticipated seeing in Konryu - well, while Diamond hadn't been at the bottom at the list, they certainly weren't at the top.

They slip a delicate file from their lab coat and scrape some of the gooey toxin from the munga's spines into a glass vial. ]

This tiny fellow is on a city-wide rampage. The citizens are at a loss trying to capture it, partially because it secretes a venom that is highly hallucinogenic to organic beings. We, of course, are fine. It's quite fortunate that you happened upon it.

[ The vial goes in their pocket, and Rutile bends forward to get a better look at the munga squirming in Diamond's arms. A gleam runs through their eyes, and they tap their scalpel with a gloved finger. ]

I volunteered to help catch the creature, but I can't say I'm not curious about its anatomy.

[ ... Oh dear. Diamond has seen that specific sparkle in Rutile's eyes more than once ...

They move to hold the creature just a little closer, almost protectively. Despite its hissing and spitting and squirming ... ]

But ... is it really okay for you to, you know ...

[ Dissect it? Experiment on it? ]

[ Rutile rolls their eyes at Diamond's trepidation. They reach for the garish lead dangling from the munga's harness and wave it before Dia's face. ]

Of course it isn't. There are strange laws here about personal property and pets, and even if there weren't, I would have to be affiliated with the Academy, which I am not.

[ They hand the lead over to Dia, a slight scowl twisting their lips. Rutile has already had plenty of run-ins with the Sentry and can't afford - literally - to worsen their reputation. The munga is safe. For now. ]

It all takes a great deal of getting used to, but this little thing belongs to somebody who will likely be very upset not to get it back.

Oh!

[ Dia seems quite excited to lead this thing around with a leash. It bites at their ankle before it seems to almost resign itself to a growly sulk, upset that its biting and thrashing about has done nothing to keep these gems from doing what they will. ]

All right. It seems to have settled down a bit. So, how shall we find them to return it?

[ The biting of Diamond's ankle is really unremarkable; rather than pay it mind, Rutile raises a finger to their chin, considering the situation with the utmost solemnity. With Diamond being new, of course they don't know the proper protocol in such a situation.

Truthfully, Rutile doesn't quite know, either. ]

I suppose we might find... [ their expression takes on an air of disgust, ] a member of the Sentry to take custody of it. And then, failing that, a local pet store. Actually, on further consideration, reverse that. We can start with a pet store.

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Test Drive Meme #006

diamond / land of the lustrous

slides in here, I

OH HELLO <333

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hi I just woke up | III

HELLOOOO

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