Test Drive Meme #006

[khuimods]

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

Comments

[afoolsgold]

A clever bit of theatre, this, but whose play are they acting in now?

The Fool yelps, nearly dragged down into the dirty street alongside the conniving would-be grifter Chade, and fixes him with a look of seething outrage that, thankfully, no one else can see. "You are unbelievable," he mutters tartly so that only Chade can hear, then turns to look back at their small audience with an expression of utmost regret on his face.

"No, please," he entreats a few of the spectators who are already reaching into their pockets for whatever loose change they might have on hand, "you mustn't be taken in by his pageantry--our household would be waist deep in nothing but antique bibiru figurines if you gave him a single rhinn, for that is all he spends his money on. No, you do not need to worry, I shall get him to a hospital immediately."

He heaves Chade up off the ground with a surprising amount of wiry strenght. "Come along, grandfather. Time to get you taken care of." You bloody menace to society.

[thepockedman]

Would-be grifter? You do him a disservice, Fool.

It's always a bit surprising to find how much strength the Fool has in him, though from him Chade has come to expect the spectacular. It's part of what makes him such a thorn in Chade's side, as useful as he can sometimes be.

Chade leaves off the act when they've made it some ways away from the street corner, a wry grin still tugging at his lips. He stands and pats the Fool on the shoulder, then straightens his clothing. "I do thank you, dear boy," he says cheerily. "I would never have thought to find you here, and so amenable to helping me out of a tight spot. The loyalty to the Farseers you've shown this day will not be forgotten."

His words are jovial and only slightly sarcastic; the glint in his eye adds whether you like it or not. He has not forgotten: the Fool is a wonderful ally, and better not left to his own devices.

[afoolsgold]

As soon as they are out of sight of the crowd, the Fool directs Chade down a nearby laneway that is not peopled by more than a handful of shift workers out for a smoke. Then he yanks his arm free of Chade's and rounds on him with a scowl, immediately tugging his beautifully ornate tunic straight after that presumptuous clap to his shoulder.

"Oh shut up," he snaps and folds his slender arms tight across his chest; Chade's part in Fitz's ploy to leave him behind in Buckkeep is still fresh in his memory, though his mistrust of King Shrewd's assassin and spymaster has older roots than that, those seeded much closer to his heart.

He's quick to dart a glance out the mouth of the alleyway to ensure no spectators have followed them, then fixes his eyes on Chade again. "Consider that bit of ill-conceived kindness the last favour I shall ever do for you, or the Farseers--none of which shall be remembered by either of us, once we've left this place."