archishellago | Test Drive Meme #007

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KHU IODUAN; TEST DRIVE MEME #007

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. [SEPTEMBER SPECIAL] BIRDS OF A FEATHER - Bodyslammed by a Big Bird in the Booty - By Chuck Tingle

It's gyroshei mating season, and these massive birds are trekking far and wide to collect decorations for their nests. While they usually nest on the far northern side of the archipelago, the gyroshei can have twenty-foot wingspans and crossing the main island is no trouble. They're bold, too, and have no restraint about poking heads into windows to snatch food or anything shiny to take back to their nests. Fortunately, the gyroshei are not a numerous species, so only a dozen of the birds - both male and female - pester Aifaran throughout the month. They're not aggressive, but they will hold on tightly to something they wish to harvest, and they're quite strong. Good luck if they make off with your silverware.

VII. [SEPTEMBER SPECIAL] DREAMING SICKNESS - Dream Weaving

There's a saying - "may all your dreams come true". But does one ever take a moment to really think about that? What it really means for dreams to 'come true'? ...Especially some of the things you might have dreamt?

It starts with mild fatigue and headaches, which progress to migraines and hallucinations. In the early stages, one might have some trouble distinguishing dreams from reality, and a general uncertainty or paranoia if they're really awake or not. As things progress, they will find they can lucid dream, and their dreams may even manifest in reality.

For example, if they were having a nightmare about a giant boot with teeth chasing them? It may just appear down the hall. Having a dream about soaring through the air? Anyone around them may also sprout wings. Fortunately for others, these visions don't manifest much further than a radius of about 30 feet, only last a few minutes, and the harm they can do is negligible at best.

VIII. [SEPTEMBER SPECIAL] DOOMSAYERS - It's the End of the World as We Know It

Every big city has them - those slightly unhinged individuals with sandwich boards and bells proclaiming the end of the world. And most people tend to ignore them. Though recently there seems to be a few crowding around these individuals, nodding along in silent agreement or tossing money in the hat conspicuously set beside their feet.

One of these doomsayers has personally accosted you, ranting and raving about the Night Fisher and the ripples in the barrier and all other manner of calamitous sounding things. While you manage to fend him off, once he's finally gone, you realize that so too is your wallet.

VIV. 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 • Wanted List • Taken List • Game Navigation

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A • ARRIVAL

[ A lanky young man stands on the beach, so still you almost can't see his chest rise and fall as he breathes. Contrary to that stillness, however, he looks terrible. He's nearly all bone and muscle, and while he's only eighteen (or nineteen, he's not really sure how long it's been), his face is chiseled and his features hard, making him appear much older than he really is. His skin's a sickly pale shade, and his arms are scarred, healed but still vivid, particularly around the wrists.

If he's perplexed by the strange circumstances of his arrival, or the feeling of freedom and comfort after being enslaved... it doesn't show. He's calm, accepting. He stands there, eyes closed, bare feet buried in the sand while little waves crash over them, taking in the world around him through his senses.

Then a faint smile tugs at his lips as he comes across a strong, powerful presence on the island. Or what feels to be the island. He's not sure. But it seems to be reaching out to him in greeting, and he reaches out to the Force in kind, gently, as if to touch its hand. ]

Hey there.

—

B • MAKING FRIENDS

[ Sensing danger, Jacen swiftly turns around, in time to see a munga beginning to make a beeline for him. It doesn't take him long to realize that it's poisonous, dangerous and... very upset.

His eyes narrow, then close. He hears the startled screams around him, feels the panic in the air, but all those fade into the background as he focuses on the approaching threat.

But, unexpectedly, the munga stops. Right in front of him. It's still hissing and snapping its teeth, but it doesn't bite, or take a step any further. Taking that as a good sign, he gets down on one knee, opening his eyes slowly and smiling at the creature. ]

Let me help you, little guy.

[ There's definitely a chorus of startled gasps as he reaches for the munga with both hands. But for all its hostility, it lets Jacen rest his hands on its harness, which the young man quickly works on loosening, almost expertly. He doesn't remove the harness completely, but adjusts it just enough so it confines without being painful. ]

There. Much better?

Edited 2018-09-27 09:38 (UTC)

[ While Anakin doesn't have the same connection with living animals as his brother does, he can easily pick up on the sense of danger suddenly in the air. He doesn't need the screams or cries of outrage from the local natives to know that something small but deadly is moving through them.

The eleven year old boy is about to make a move in order to stop the alien lizard he catches sight of the creature as people part in its wake but suddenly, he doesn't need to. It's darting for a person and then stops short in front of them.

Anakin is used to being the little brother but not this little in comparison to his older brother. Yet he has no trouble identifying the man now facing down the munga and honestly, he's quite relieved. Even though he'd been willing to step in and stop the creature, the boy knows it wouldn't be so... friendly towards him.

If anyone has the best chance of subduing the munga and not getting bit or stung by the spikes, it's Jacen. He heaves a relieved sigh before moving closer. As much as Anakin trusts his brother to keep the munga calm, he also makes sure to not accidentally agitate it by being fearful or making quick movements.

He steps up next to Jacen's side and looks down at the small creature. ] Looks like he has an owner. As far as I can tell, he came straight down the street. If we backtrack, we might be able to find them.

Edited 2018-09-28 06:25 (UTC)

Yeah. [ Jacen acknowledges the newcomer almost absent-mindedly as he checks for any sort of tag or identification on the munga, but finding none, he picks up the leash and stands back up. The alien lizard's much calmer now, but it still looks dangerous, and other than the kid, no one else dares to approach. ] They shouldn't have gone too far—

[ Whatever he's about to say dies in his throat as he looks down and recognizes the boy, color quickly draining from his face.

And for a moment, he's back in their home on Coruscant — no, Yuuzhan'tar — talking to the ghost of his dead brother. Spirit, apparition, hallucination... he'd never really figured out what it was. But it's not that that gets to him; it's the resurfacing feeling of regret, guilt and self-loathing. He grips the leash tighter, recalling the burn-cracked flesh in the middle of his palms...

Then the munga starts thrashing and hissing angrily, and it's enough to draw Jacen back to the present.

To the boy at his side. ]

Anakin?

[ Thankfully, Anakin knows enough about animals to not try to reach down and touch the munga. Instead he's focused more on finding the owner and noticing that everyone around them is giving them a wide berth.

At least that is what he's thinking about until Jacen suddenly stops talking mid-sentence and Anakin's gaze shoots back to his brother. It's obvious that something is wrong from the way Jacen turns pale, not to mention the torrent of emotions he can sense pouring off the older male. Even the munga reacts to the slip, becoming hostile again.

Anakin shifts uncomfortably under his brother's gaze. He'd known something was wrong - Jacen is older than the boy remembers him being... older than he's supposed to be. And if Jacen is too old to Anakin, then the reverse is true for his brother. That can be unsettling but he somehow doubts it's just the obvious wrongness of their ages.

He's not sure he wants to know why his brother is staring at him like that. ]

Yeah, it's me.

A. Arrival
[If there was anything remarkable about Will's arrival, it was how very commonplace it was. Looking at him as he examined the cafeteria offerings at the Dreaming Bridge, you would think nothing more had happened than a minor change in travel plans.

At length he chooses a sandwich and drink, and makes his way over to a table by the window. He was perfectly happy to eat alone, but he wouldn't mind some company.]

B. Accosted by Monks
[ Will smiles blandly at the monks, the extended questioning not being enough yet to override his customary politeness. ]

I'm afraid there's nothing very interesting about me. I'm just the youngest of a very large family.

[ But even as he answered, there was the slightest hint of amusement hiding in his smile. ]

Edited 2018-09-29 00:37 (UTC)

[ If there's anyone here who feels Will's pain on not being all too comfortable with talking about himself, it's Anakin. He's gotten used to Tahiri at his side with her constant chatter that he keenly feels the empty space next to him.

The answers Will gives to the monks are so painfully familiar that Anakin can't help but intervene. Which means bodily inserting himself into the center of the circle and taking a place next to the other boy. ]

Sorry but my friend and I are late. We really have to get moving.

[ Anakin turns to Will then and quietly says: ] Let's go.

[ Will gives the other boy a slightly bemused look at the interference. But since he honestly didn't have any objection to bringing an end to this conversation, he simply nods and plays along. ]

Has it gotten so late, then?

[He politely apologizes to the monks, and then starts walking toward the other boy. Once out of easy overhearing range, he starts to speak softly.]

Thanks for the help.

H-Hey.

[ Anakin feels real, if anything. But so did the Anakins he’d seen after Myrkr. He recalls what the volunteers told him when he’d arrived on the Dreaming Bridge, about this strange world and its strange occurrences, of the people it takes from other worlds and times...

Well, apparently here’s a textbook example.

He takes a deep breath to compose himself, and when he exhales he lets go of the emotions that had bubbled up inside of him. The munga, also, calms down. ]

Sorry. I just... you’re really little. I’m pretty sure you were nearly taller than me when I saw you last. [ There’s a tiny hitch in his voice right there. Please ignore it, Ani. ] When did you get here?

[ Luckily, the boy catches on quick to what Anakin is doing and goes along with it. He merely nods to Will's question and then shrugs apologetically at the monks before moving after Will.

There's a slight smile at the gratitude and makes sure to keep his own voice down so as to not arouse suspicion with the monks behind them. ]

You're welcome. It seemed as though you weren't interested in answering their questions. [ A small pause. ] I'm bad at telling other people about myself.

You would be right about that. It was rather a lot of questions. [Although Will says this with good humor.]

And I suppose I like my privacy, these days. [Like much of what Will said now, it was a truth. A truth, but not the entire truth. Still, it served well enough.]

I don't think that's entirely a bad thing.

[In a way, there was safety in that. Even in these days, there were spells that could control people with simply a name.]

[ Time descrepancies would account for the shock at seeing an older or even younger sibling but sorry Anakin's not quite buying it. Though thankfully, he doesn't push for an answer now. If Jacen wants to tell him, then he will. It's usually that simple when it comes to his siblings.

Anakin is the one who doesn't always say what he thinks, he's the quiet one out of the three. The thoughts knocking around in his head are just that - in his head. Unless Tahiri decides to voice them for him.

So he doesn't push but of course Ani will be running through all of the possibilities of what could have given his brother that reaction. Given the circumstances, it could be a lot. Things that don't happen for a few years. ]

I'm not really little, you're just too big. Now if you kneel down, I might be taller than you. [ He holds out a hand to the height Anakin remembers Jacen being. It drops so he can shrug. ] Earlier today. I haven't been here very long.

[The turtle's head is a popular destination for those individuals who enjoy meditation; the peace and tranquility found here is hardly accessible anywhere else in Aifaran, but meditation itself isn't exactly a popular past-time... especially not with all the recent disturbances to the Dreaming.

Nevertheless here the Fool is, taking light, barefoot steps across the sand, though he slows to a stop when he spots the young man some distance away from him. The marks of recent hardship are impossible to miss, but he doesn't draw undue attention to them, instead smiling rather slyly.]

Do you greet the sand, [he calls out lightly, wryly,] or someone else, I wonder?

[ Try as Jacen might to remain composed, seeing his brother like this hurts. They’ve never had normal lives, true, but at least they’ve always been together, him and Jaina and Anakin. Three siblings against the galaxy.

Good things never last.

So he hides his pain with a laugh, kneeling down beside his brother. When he doesn’t quite meet the height Anakin indicates with his hand, he sinks a little lower. He manages a grin. ] There. You’re taller than me now. Don’t grow up too fast, kiddo.

[ The munga continues to strain against its leash, apparently finding something ahead of them interesting. Jacen asks it to wait for a while. ]

Did they give you a room? You can stay in mine. They said I have roommates, but I haven’t seen anyone around.

[ Anakin has always been better at sensing what was wrong with machines rather than people but when it comes to his family, it's so easy. Especially his siblings because they were basically the only friends he had his own age before going to the Jedi Academy. The twins are a large part of him.

So he knows something is wrong, that Jacen is hurting but he won't ask with words. Anakin will just try to make it better.

Once his brother is down at the right level, he reaches over to ruffle Jacen's hair. So yeah, the younger sibling is definitely solid and not some Force ghost or other apparation. ] Your knees are going to suffer if you go around like that all of the time. I can't help how fast or slow I might grow up.

[ Sometimes it feels like he's older than his body lets on. He looks down at the munga and nods his head in the direction of where the creature came from. A silent gesture that they should get a move on. ]

Yeah, providing housing must be standard procedure. I didn't stick around long enough to meet mine. Maybe we actually ended up in the same one.

I don't mind talking about my world or any that I've visited... but it's different when they want to know about you. [ He sighs lightly. It hadn't been him caught by the monks but it might only be a matter of time.

Luckily, Anakin doesn't ask much about Will. ] Sometimes we all have things we want to keep to ourselves.

[ There's a soft and short laugh. ] My friend would say it could be a bad thing.

[ Tahiri basically told him her entire life story within a single day of meeting him. And then protested not knowing anything about him because Anakin had barely been able to get a word in edgewise. ]

[ The hair ruffle gets a laugh out of Jacen, this time a genuine one, his pain easing a little at his brother's touch. Part of him realizes that he's not fooling the younger boy, who's not only Force-sensitive but also family, and he's grateful that Anakin hasn't asked any questions. Because whether he lies or tells the truth, it's going to hurt.

The truth: You're dead, and it's my fault.

And lying to him would hurt twice as much.

He would've hugged Anakin then, if not for the persistent munga, and the thought that his brother might not approve such a public display of affection. ]

Hey, I should be doing that. [ He puts on a look of mock indignation as he stands back up and reaches up with a hand to fix his hair. The scars on his arms, especially those around his wrists, are more noticeable under the sunlight. ]

Now all we'll need is Jaina and it'll be just like the old times. But we need to get this little guy home first. [ He pauses, sensing something from the lizard. ] And something to eat. He's hungry.

[ The smile is still on Jacen's face when he turns to the Fool, and he spreads his arms a little to the side in a welcoming gesture. He'd been drawn to the Turtle's Head by a feeling rather than a concrete knowledge of it being a popular meditation spot, but he's obviously not the only one. ]

Not just the sand. There's life, here. Beyond the wildlife and the people. A... force, of sorts. [ He's not quite sure how to explain what he's feeling, and he shrugs, his smile turning a little sheepish. ] But I haven't been acquainted with the local religion or mythology, so I might be wrong.

[ Sometimes there are things that just can't be shared - that any answer would just bring more hardship and pain. For now, Anakin will trust that whatever his brother is holding on to isn't something he can just tell him about. He's satisfied at the laugh that he manages to draw out from Jacen.

It won't be easy for either of them to know the elder sibling is keeping some secret he can't say - they've always been so close - but Anakin will do his best to ease that.

Because he doesn't want Jacen to lie to him, and so Ani won't ask.

In this particular moment, he wouldn't turn down a hug from his sibling even as they're standing in the middle of a street. Anakin has missed his family no matter how busy he gets at the academy. ]

Since you're so much taller than me, I have to take advantage of it when I can. [ Not a hint of remorse in his voice. As Jacen stands, it's easy to see the way Anakin's eyes track his brother's movements - his gaze lingering on those scars.

Once again, he doesn't ask. ] We can look for her as we return this guy. [ By this point Anakin is used to his brother anywhere near animals so the pause isn't all that unusual. ] What does he eat?

[ Jacen’s hardly surprised at Anakin’s staring — he looks like crap, of course people have been staring, and worse, he’s felt them passing judgment on a total stranger — but he’s astonished that his brother doesn’t ask a single thing. Oh, Ani.

With his free hand, he ruffles the younger boy’s hair right back, and a tad too enthusiastically. ] There. Now we’re even.

[ But instead of pulling his hand away completely, he lets his arm drape around Anakin’s shoulders, then playfully draws him closer. Thank you, brother, he means to say, with a little affectionate squeeze. ]

Insects. And... I’m not sure what it’s called. [ He frowns, trying to make sense of the impressions he’s getting from the munga. ] Fluffy. But winged. And round... ish.

... Let’s stick to insects, they’re easier to find.

Other worlds? [Will couldn't help but be interested in that.]

They were polite about it at least. [He shrugs.] A bit persistent, but polite. And if you don't want to share things about your life, you shouldn't have to.

[He didn't mind sharing things about the human side of his life that much. Although they were still things he didn't care to share with strangers. But the other, and ultimately more important, side of his life was not something he wanted to talk about with just anyone. It wasn't a secret, exactly. But Will also knew that it was not something that was easy for just anyone to understand.

Stephen's reaction to the truth had taught him that.]

[ Even while at the Jedi academy, the twins had their fair share of dangerous situations so seeing the scars aren't a surprise. Jedi aren't infallible, bad things happen and they walk away with wounds. Anakin might get around to asking eventually.

He sighs heavily - clearly overexaggerated and reaches up to push his bangs out of his eyes. ] That'll change soon.

[ There isn't even the slightest protest when Jacen gives him a one-armed hug, actually Ani relaxes into it. As unsettling as the unspoken things make him, the kid is grateful to have his brother here. Jacen's presence and touch are comforting.

At the description of some unknown creature, his expression shows his displeasure. Anakin does not liking the idea of trying to feed something fluffy, winged and round-ish to the reptile. (This is partly why he prefers machines...) ]

Insects, it is. [ His eyes scan the street, checking out what foliage is nearby. ] Where should we start looking for them?

Yeah, there's a whole bunch in my galaxy. [ He doesn't mind talking about this sort of thing. ] Several star systems and each planet is unique in its own way.

Most of the time, I leave the talking to Tahiri. Once she starts it can be hard to get a word in edgewise.

[ Which can be extremely helpful in some situations, especially if Anakin isn't in the mood to talk. Sometimes he has to make her stop just so he can tell her something important. Though the girl has surprisingly good at picking up on his moods or even thoughts on occasion.

Good thing about Anakin, if Will did want to talk about his non-human side of life, he'd take it as truth instantly. After all, he looks human but doesn't live a normal human life. ]

[That surprises Will into a grin.]

They must be. I've never left my own planet, but even there the different countries can be very different.

A friend of yours?

[ Jacen gives his brother one last squeeze before — rather reluctantly — letting go. It’s strange, how someone can both hurt and comfort you at the same time, yet he’s grateful for this, even as he doesn’t understand what the Force is trying to tell him by bringing him here, or how any of this is even possible. But he’ll work on that later; there’s been so much he’s lost from thinking too much.

He offers the leash to Anakin, smiling encouragingly. ] He knows where.

[ The munga also looks at the Anakin, wagging its tail like an excited scaly puppy (just less adorable and more dangerous). But it’s not hostile anymore, at least not to the brothers. ]

[Zohvin had already replaced his uniform with a set of clothing like the locals wore, a loose tunic and pants in pale blue with darker embellishments. It was suitable enough for now. He could hide his affiliations, but he couldn't very well hide his looks. Zohvin hadn't seen anyone else that remotely resembled a chiss among the aliens on this planet, nor did he find any other races that he recognized, aside from the ones that might be human. It was more unsettling than he wanted to admit.

When screams erupted in the market, he stopped to see what the commotion was, but took the cue to keep his distance when he saw everyone else scrambling away from the small reptile. The sight of it was almost laughable, until someone wasn't running away. That... looked like the Force. Perhaps he couldn't touch it right now, but he knew all too well what a display of power looked like.]

Good job, [he commented as he stepped in closer.] It looks like you stopped its little rampage just in time. There's no telling how many ankles you managed to save.

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Test Drive Meme #007

Jacen Solo | Star Wars Legends | CW: mentions of captivity, torture and death

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omg hiiii

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Will Stanton | The Dark is Rising

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