archishellago | Test Drive Meme #008

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test drive meme

Test Drive Meme #008

KHU IODUAN; TEST DRIVE MEME #008

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 rhinn 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. [JANUARY SPECIAL] AFTER THE STORM - Cleanup and Rescue

The recent Storm of the Century - also known as Xi Tianlong - has devastated parts of Aifaran. It's expected for everyone to pitch in with cleanup and rescue efforts in those areas, but Xi Tianlong was no ordinary storm. Mysterious trees veined with metal have sprouted where lightning struck, and some buildings flooded entirely - and still are, despite the water everywhere else having drained away by now. There's plenty to be done, so if you just sit and watch, prepare to get some dirty looks.

VII. 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

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

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

Nita's reaction was what some might have called sensible - putting one palm to forehead, she walked over and dropped the suitcase off, with no fanfare, at the mounted officer's feet.

Then she turned and, gearing up for what was no doubt going to be a long discussion with the local air in the Speech, charged toward the flames to start deoxygenizing the area.

Not the people, though!

VI. [JANUARY SPECIAL] AFTER THE STORM - Cleanup and Rescue

No matter where Nita went, it seemed, there was always some trouble that needed fixing. By this point in her wizardry career, she could even be said to be used to it.

Her Talent, a sort of molecular-level dissolution effect, was actually rather well-suited to the cleanup effort. And then there was the matter of her water infra-affinity and the buildings that just would not drain-

Basically, Nita Callahan is a very busy teen.

Allana had meant well when she’d rushed into the burning building to save the children she’d sensed were trapped inside.

There was just one problem: dim light. She did not mix well with dim light. She’d been born and raised in a planet that did not run out of daylight. And the interior of the burning building was practically awash with dim light, the flames and the shadows eerily intertwining.

Of course, she could find her way through the Force, but it wasn’t as fast or easy as simply being able to see. And so she stumbled along, slowly, trying to make her way through the dimly-lit corridors and towards the room where she felt the children were at.

Nita, who had been trying to talk individual empty rooms into making themselves air-tight to try speeding things up, was immediately distracted upon sensing someone else coming in.

She turned and ran, what she could remember of mundane CPR rushing to mind as she did.

"... Can you put out any flames?" she panted, skidding to a stop.

"We might find people faster if we work together."

"Oof," Aly says, and throws some rubble behind her onto the slag pile. Her arms are hurting from the hours of exertion, but she's determined to go until she collapses. And her utter stubbornness won't let her stop.

She glances at a girl about her age (maybe younger?) who's doing some kind of magic to drain away the water. "On behalf of everyone who hates water, I thank you."

Nita returns the glance, paired with a wry grin.

"'Thank you' accepted," she replies, before putting her focus back on her transportation spell.

/You'll find a better purpose right this way, all of you... Just sitting here isn't all that fun, is it?/

V. Accosted by Monks

[Once his worries about getting back to Thedas and the Inquisition are eased (if not entirely dismissed) by repeated assurances that he'll be returned to the same time as he left, Lavellan's natural curiosity kicks in. He's in a completely different world! He's still not really sure how that's possible, but honestly, after his stint with time-travel it doesn't seem quite so far-fetched as it might have once upon a time.

A new world, new people, new sights and sounds and smells--! He hardly knows where to start. Which is how a tattoo'd, armor-clad elf, complete with a greatsword strapped to his back that's as tall as he is, ends up roaming the streets of Aifaran.

...at least until the monks find him.

Now he's being bombarded by questions from at least four different robed figures, and he's too polite to shove his way out of their grasp. And looking at passers-by as if he very much needs to be rescued.

This is what happens when you mention being the Herald of a Prophet to a bunch of curious monks. Oops.]

Wildcard - Library

[Now that he's eluded the monks, the elf has all but taken up residence in one of the neighborhood libraries. It kind of looks like he's trying to build a fort around himself, the way he's seated on the floor (yes, the floor) and surrounded by stacks of books.

But he's quiet and respectful, and the librarians don't seem to mind him being a little odd. So far.

Just try not to trip over him, if you would?]

Wildcard - Choose your own adventure!

[Got an idea you'd like to try out with Lavellan? Go ahead and tag me with it, I don't bite :) ]

[Valdis' knowledge concerning the dreaming was sorely outdated, the Aisling tower's papers contained so much she needed to know. Anani followed her through the aisles, tail held high. The library had no rules against small animals as long as they were quiet, but even if they did, the cat's sneaky nature got him many places.

She picked up one more book, adding it to the carefully balanced stack in her arms, before deciding to settle somewhere to read.]

Come on, Anani, let's find a table.

[But the cat vanished behind a wall of books on the floor, purring madly at the sight of the strange person sitting behind them.]

Anani?

[Alice couldn't abide the priests and vicars back in London, and she had only nominally more respect for the monks of Ban Om (they, at least, worshiped something that undoubtedly existed). Even so, they had no business accosting passersby, calling them Herald or whatnot, and he looked rather uncomfortable about the whole affair.

Well, Alice knew just how to deal with such a situation.]

There you are! Really, we must hurry. We can't be late.

[She approached the elf, about as cheerily as a sickly young lady dressed in a sensible, charcoal black dress and even more sensible boots could manage. She had something approaching a smile, but her face strained a bit from the effort. She was rather out of practice on that front, unfortunately.

She gave a brief wink - a sign that if he wanted an out, she could get him away with minimal rudeness.

Not that she had much qualms about being rude, of course.]

I always thought both brick and mortar made for a better castle than paper, but perhaps I am mistaken.

[This observation comes from a peculiar-looking person standing just beyond the borders of Lavellan's impressive book fort. The Fool holds a few particularly ancient-looking tomes cradled in the crook of one narrow arm, though he does not have the look of a librarian about him. He regards Lavellan with a curiosity that is rather sharp, as though he cannot quite decide what to make of the strange sight before him.

At length, he gestures towards one of the tables nearby.] Would one of these not better suit your purposes?

ii.

What?

[Mikhail had just been getting used to walking around in public like it was a normal thing, so having someone pin the blame on him like this comes as a surprise. To be fair, he looks easily blamable. He won't deny this. Compared to the relatively plain looking guy casting blame he looks like a downright menace, what with all the red and black and the scars...

He just stands where he is, staring bemusedly at the hole and not even arguing his case as the one responsible runs off.]

...How irresponsible.

iv.

[The bag is certainly a surprise. Mikhail takes a moment to look at it, glancing over what contents he can see. He then meets the eyes of the concerned individuals, followed by the officers. Finally he tilts his head upwards, to where smoke is still pouring out of the open windows of the building. If someone had tossed this down, then they might still be up there. There could be multiple people up there, and no one would reach them in time.

He's a good guy now, isn't he? Pointy teeth and all? He's also likely the only one here who can fly. So the choice is simple.

The bag is dropped unceremoniously to the ground. The officers are aware of its presence so it shouldn't fall into criminal hands. A faint red glow surrounds the vampire's body and he shoots skyward, alighting on the window sill.]

HEY! Anyone still in here?

v.

I've never seen a building full of water like this before.

[The comment is made to no one, Mikhail simply speaks his thoughts aloud as he stares at the structure before him. He's seen flooded towns, but not buildings that still retained this much water after the fact. All the doors and windows had to be sealed up tight.

Upon realizing there's someone standing near him, the vampire turns and continues commenting as though he'd been aware of their presence from the start.]

We'll have to start from the top. Opening the bottom doors will just end in disaster.

[Her unit's response time to the incident could have been better, by the time they arrive, flames were flickering out of the lower windows. Valdis told her officers to get people away, they could worry about what started the fire later. She turned, seeing the man out of the corner of her eye, the red surrounded his body, seeming to lift him into the air. Impressive. Without alerting her team, she darted inside the building, flames lapping at her skin, cinders burning holes in her uniform. She'd have to be fast.]

Do you see anyone?

[Hopefully the man could hear her over the crackling fire, if not, he seemed like he could care for himself. Either that or he was an absolute fool who needed rescuing.]

[He almost doesn't hear her, but Mikhail's able to catch the tail end of her question. Leaning back out of the window slightly, he spares the ground only a momentary glance. He doesn't know this woman, but that doesn't matter. She's assistance of some type.]

Not yet! [The smoke is heavy up here, but one advantage of being undead is not needing to breathe. He'll have to keep the yelling to a minimum too.] I'm going further in!

[He slips off the sill and into the room. Seeing no one in the immediate area, he leaps ahead over a pile of debris and rushes further down the hall, where the sound of coughing finally reaches his ears.

The stairway down has partially collapsed, and the man is stuck at the top, desperately looking for another exit. There's no time for introductions. The man's eyes widen in shock and he sputters something incoherent but that's as much as he can manage before the vampire grabs him up in his arms and continues forward toward an open room on the other end of the hall and the already broken window leading out.

The man screams raggedly as Mikhail leaps straight out of it with him into the open air.]

If you say so.

[She can hear better than she can see, but at least her breathing is unimpaired by the smoke. Small blessings, even if it is also a double edged sword. The scream catches her attention, but the location is near the outside. The colors of the world fade, allowing the light of souls to enter her sight.

Two figures above and to the left, one brighter than the other, both small, likely children. Valdis rushes to the stairwell, taking a running leap, summoning more speed and strength so she can catch the edge. What remained of the stairway creaked, so she quickly pulls herself up, heading straight to the room where the children were hiding.]

Edited 2019-01-28 07:20 (UTC)

[Landing with the rescued man, who's too frightened by the whole situation to do much else besides lay on the ground as law enforcement runs over, Mikhail turns his attention back to the woman who'd called up to him. She isn't with the officers, and she isn't back around on the other side of the building where he'd started.

Hearing a noise, his attention is drawn to the stairwell where he just barely manages to catch a glimpse of her heading in. He doesn't know what she might have seen to cause her to rush in so unprotected, but it wouldn't be right of him to just leave her to it.

Without a second thought, he runs in after her.]

[Valdis breaks down the door standing between her and the children, quickly evaluating the pros and cons of taking them out the way she came in. She might not burn, but they would, though a few burns on their way outside is much better than dying in the fire or of smoke inhalation.]

It's ok, I'm going to get you out of here.

[She scoops up the smaller child, holding out her hand to the other one, hoping he will take it. She can carry both, it just makes the stairwell trickier. There's got to be another way out.]

Come on.

[She tries to keep her voice calm, but the fire is spreading and she's not sure how long her exit will stay clear.]

Need a hand?

[She won't move fast enough on her own, not with two children to look after. Though his overall appearance probably isn't going to make the kids want to have anything to do with him, he's hoping the threat of being burnt alive will be enough to get them to at least temporarily accept his help.

If all else fails he can grab all of them by way of the woman and launch everyone out a window again. Sometimes you have to go with what works.]

[The man reappears, the usefulness of which doesn't fail to escape her. She quickly shoves the child in her arms into his, scooping up the other one.]

Do try to keep up.

[The next instant she's gone, faster than possible for a human, leaping down the stairway and landing smoothly. The doorway is still open, not that it would have mattered. Fresh air is just beyond, so she keeps moving, holding the child close to minimize the potential for burns.]

[He hopes the kid doesn't wriggle too much. The last thing he wants to do is accidentally hurt them in his attempt to keep them still. He hasn't held a child in his arms since... well, his brother. It's a sobering thought, though not enough to distract him from the task at hand.

His grip won't be warm and comforting, as he can offer only the faint chill of undeath, but comfort isn't important right now. Someone else can worry about comforting the child once they're free. He follows quickly, feet lifting free of the ground so that flight can provide that extra burst of speed he needs.

They reach the cool outside air just in time, as the sound of further structural collapse can be heard once they're out the door. He's quick to hand the child back over to the woman.]

[The man emerges soon after she does, handing the child to her just as the noises of the creaking building sharpen. Instead of thanking him, she hands off both children to the paramedics, dusting the ash from her Sentry uniform. Only a few burned spots, but it will need to be replaced. She sighs, turning back to look at the building.]

No hesitation, an admirable quality in most circumstances.

[Including this one, though it does also lead to complications]

What's your name?

Mikhail.

[He hasn't seen any reason to give his last name for a long time. It's not that he isn't proud of his family, quite the opposite. He just hasn't heard his full name spoken in so long that it feels awkward to say it to a stranger.]

And these circumstances aren't exactly usual.

[Hopefully the drugs he'd caught earlier have been handled at this point and no one suspects him of anything foul. What happens to them now is none of his concern.]

No, I suppose not.

[Valdis can't find it in herself to smile, not while the building is on fire, but a quick check of the soul plane assured her that everyone alive had been rescued.]

My name is Valdis.

[Though now that immediate danger has passed.]

Are you human?

[The Sentry has been a bit tetchy about letting anyone in or near the drowned buildings, but it seems they've decided to investigate a few. With disaster recovery taking up so much of their resources, the Sentry are spread thin and utilizing civilian help where appropriate.

Devin, being among the hardier of the Dreamfolk, is also curious about what the hell is going on with these buildings. He glances at the stranger - takes in his appearance quickly, makes mental notes - and then follows his gaze to the top of the building.]

Oh ye of little imagination. [Pot, meet kettle.] It's entirely possible the water won't drain even if the walls are knocked down. [Have a cold smirk, Mikhail.] Welcome to Konryu. Physics need not apply. You'll get used to it the longer you stay here.

[The Englishman cranes his neck and starts to circle around one side of the flooded structure as he considers various climbing routes. A weary-looking Sentry officer hands him some rope and Devin hangs it across his back.]

With our luck, there'll be a giant abyssal squid inside, [he says, too cheerful for the situation, and starts to ascend via the fire escape.] Let's go give it a proper welcome, shall we?

[How would a giant abyssal squid even fit? Mikhail actually spares a brief moment to contemplate this as the other man begins to make his way up. He watches, making sure the route is safe for his new companion before foregoing it completely.

The vampire leaps upward, lifted by little more than what seems to be a faint red glow, and lands lightly further up the fire escape to wait. It appears sturdy enough to hold a second person, so that's good.]

Yell if you slip.

[Oh good. The newbie can fly. Brilliant.

Well, it is useful, even Devin isn't arrogant enough to dismiss that. He shoots a faintly annoyed look up at Mikhail all the same, though it's tinged with wry amusement.]

I can handle falling a few stories. [Ish. If he's careful. It'll still hurt. ~~just accept help you moron~~ Devin wastes no time clambering the rest of the way up; at least the fire escape is more or less intact.] Neat trick you've got there. Does it work underwater, too? That would be rather convenient, having a built in magical propeller.

[He peers through the window adjacent to where they're standing, then heft the rope off his shoulder and spools out one end so he can knot it around the fire escape railing.] Otherwise, I hope you know how to swim.

IV.

[ As soon as Black opened the luggage and took note of his surroundings, he knew he was fucked. The foresight didn't stay foresight for long as soon as he saw a fucking pig pointing at him. Of course he'd think he was part of this! Of course! He hadn't met a cop with two whole brain cells yet. He looked between the criminals and the sentry. ]

[ He knew what side he was going to choose. Those criminals might be lousy, good-for-nothing thugs, they might even stab him, but he'd be caught dead before he'd suck a cop's dick. Besides, from previous experience, some of the loveliest people he's known sold drugs. He flips the cops off and bounds towards the criminals. ]

Eat shit, pigs!

[ Black was no snitch. ]

VI.

[ Oh, hell no. ]

[ This was his third stop at this place. He couldn't believe those slackers were still trying to take pictures for Xa Xa. Really? With their surroundings looking like fucking World War II? ]

[ Black shoved his broom away and stomped right over to the little shits. ]

Hey, assholes! Everyone's busting their asses off since this morning. Have some fucking consideration to the people around you. Either go help, or make sure I don't see you 'cause -- [ balls hand into fist ] -- I swear to god I'm gonna smash your comms right here, right now.

Edited 2019-02-05 04:13 (UTC)

Pigs?

[That was an interesting way to address a member of the Sentry, but it didn't stop her from cutting off the vulgar man's escape route. One minute no one was in front of him and the next, she was, and with a very amused expression on her face]

☘ MUNGA ON THE LOOSE

One good thing about having a Carbuncle is that for all that they have a physical form they are not technically a physical being — they are crafted of aether, and thus Era's Emerald Carbuncle is able to chase after the fleeing pet and retrieve it without worry of any toxins (not that it or its summoner are aware of the dangers). The lizard hisses and squirms uselessly in Carbuncle's aetherial jaws as it returns to Era, body language clearly expressing how pleased with itself it is.

Era leaves the lizard in her Carbuncle's capable jaws for the time being, focusing instead on looking around for whoever the creature may belong to. Her summon trots along after her, hissing lizard still in its mouth. Eventually the lizard realizes its not going to be let go anytime soon and quiets down.

"Excuse me," Era might be overheard saying, voice soft and lilting. Her accent is predominantly what others may recognize as British, though there is a melodic Irish undertone. "Do you know who this lizard belongs to?"

☘ SURPRISE WINDFALL

Era is caught off guard by a bag filled with... bags? But is far more concerned with the smoke billowing out of the building's windows than whatever she's holding or the look the local peacekeeping officer is giving her. People come hurrying out, but that doesn't mean everyone has evacuated.

"Is there anyone else inside?" She asks those around her as though they might have an answer. The one water spell Era knows isn't much use in this situation and so she cannot help put it out, but she can shield herself and others — rescue any others trapped inside of the building. The only problem is that she doesn't want to go in searching blindly.

☘ NETWORK PROMPT

ssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss
asdfghjkl;'
zxcvbnm,./`1234567890-=
qwertyuiop[]\
aassddfffreqadgythjjikp[]\;gwsq1`3507

hello, network.
i am era ra.
there are others who can see this
that was a question. i do not know how to access the other punctuation symbols.

my occupation where i come from is that of an adventurer.
i have a variety of skills if anyone is in need of assistance. i am particularly talented in disciplines of combat, but am a skilled botanist, leatherworker, and goldsmith. i like to keep busy.

this machine is impressive. there is nothing like it in eorzea or othard, but perhaps the other continents have something like it. how does it function [question mark]

i hope you are all well. i look forward to meeting you.

Edited 2019-02-07 12:51 (UTC)

II. Talent is a Misnomer
[Great. Cloud is being blamed for something that isn't his fault. With a sigh, he looks at bystanders as he turns to take off.]

Might want to run before they blame you, too.

[And he's off. Stick with him, or not, Cloud knows when running is better than sticking around.]

V. Knowledge is Precious
[Being asked mundane questions about his world is one thing. Cloud can answer those readily. Despite his looks, he's very knowledgeable, and more than willing to share.

It's when he gets to the more personal questions where he starts balking. Anyone nearby will be looked at for help as he waves at the monk.]

Can you answer these?

VI. [January Special] After the Storm
[Cleaning up was fine. It wasn't too hard and Cloud knows if this is all left around, there might be more of a mess. Anyone who just sits around will be getting a look.]

Are you just going to sit there?

[Don't be lazy! Unless you're already helping. Which in that case he will be assisting with anything that's too heavy.]

Wildcard
[Hit me with anything! Any prompt not listed here is fair game, or make your own adventure.]

It is a balmy afternoon that sees the Fool seated on the patio of a cafe that is, sadly, not Die Rosa Tulpe; one can only hope that the tea is comparable to what Klaus used to sell. He is absently sipping at his beverage of choice when he spots one of the Dreamfolk rushing down the street as though the Sentry are right on his heels--and possibly they are.

He rises to his feet and, with a quick glance about to ensure the Sentry haven't caught up yet, waves at the fellow until he grabs his attention.

"Better to blend in than draw attention to yourself by running." He gestures at the seat across from him at the table.

Cloud slows to a stop when he sees someone waving at him. With a raise of an eyebrow, he considers the suggestion before finding it sound.

So with a nod he sits down and tries not to openly look like he's checking out the street he just came from. "I don't know how well I'll blend in." He sort of sticks out with his appearance. "Unless the guards here are idiots with short memories."

"I don't know how well I'll blend in. Unless the guards here are idiots with short memories."

In response, the Fool only smiles slyly and rests his chin against his curled fingers. "That is debatable," he says wryly, which is more than enough to communicate what he thinks of the Sentry in general. "But we can muddy the waters for them a bit, so to speak."

He lifts his hands out before him and considers Cloud's hair. "This is merely an illusion," he assures him--and then, with a little flourish, it's as though a veil of colour has draped itself around the newly arrived Dreamfolk, changing the colour of his hair and even the cut and colour of the cloth of his clothes to something more nondescript. Less eye-catching. "I shall change it back once our temperamental friends have left the neighbourhood."

a - Munga on the Loose!

"Gotcha!"

Reigen's hands closed over the munga, and he held it aloft triumphantly. It was definitely a spiny little devil - he'd probably have more than a few scrapes from grabbing it like that, but he'd had worse, and retrieving a lost pet in such a public place was very good for business relations. Or future business relations.

He gave the creature back to the owner who was giving him a peculiar look.

"You dreamfolk are really something - most would've just let him run loose."

Reigen was about to see if he could wheedle some kind of monetary gratitude without looking crass when there was a sudden lurch in his vision.

"...Oh that's not good."

It was pretty amazing how one man could go from vertical to horizontal in such a short space of time.

b - Accosted by Monks

"Do you have any special position in your world?" asked one very eager monk.

Reigen would have been annoyed - actually he couldn't really say he wasn't, this was hitting a little too close to home with the reporters that had swarmed outside his flat - but it wasn't a bad idea to build himself up.

"Well, not to toot my own horn, but I'm a pretty famous exorcist back home," he said, flashing a charming smile and striking a pose.

"I've been on television a couple times too," he added, though he also failed to mention how disastrous that had been. There were a few confused stares from the assembled monks.

"Television is like the network on the Yimos."

c - Wildcard

Did you find a flier for Reigen's exorcisms and need some 'help'? Want to get roped into his wacky shenanigans? Just need someone to lend you their ear? hmu with anything

Fortunately, there's a dwarf nearby to keep Reigen's head from connecting with the pavement.

"Yep," Kit grunts, catching the human as he staggers sideways, "that's usually why we just let 'em go. Easy does it, salroka." Carefully--and assuming Reigen doesn't thrash about like a fish on a line--he guides him over to a wall to lean against to support his weight, until the worst of the hallucinations can pass him by.

The munga and its owner had already fled into the crowd - likely to avoid any inconvenient questions about the legality of owning a pet that can cause hallucinations - but that wasn't what Reigen was paying attention to now.

Sidewalks really shouldn't slope like that. And wow was the sky pink.

He squeezed his eyes shut as he was guided away from the throng of people milling around. At least he'd been saved from faceplanting on one of the flagstones - the last thing he needed was a broken nose on top of the bad trip he knew was coming.

He fished around the inside of his coat for the little pack of cigarettes, and pulled one free. He'd been doing good on cutting down, but goddamn if he didn't need one right now.

C'mon Arataka. You were in college, you've had your share of bad trips. Just play it cool.

"Thanks," he said, offering the pack to Kit, trying to look calm and collected and definitely not sweating profusely because the world was an ever twisting neon light show. "You smoke?"

He's clearly high enough to nug hunt with a wooden spoon, but he's handling it surprisingly well. Still, Kit doesn't loosen his grip on the guy until he is leaning against that wall and not in danger of toppling over again like a man-shaped log.

Then the cigarettes come out.

"You smoke?"

Now that makes him laugh. "Like a chimney," he says, still chuckling, and accepts one of the cigarettes without preamble. He lifts it up almost like saying 'cheers,' then fishes around in his pocket for a lighter. "Thanks. Want me to light yours? It's, uh. Probably best if someone else does it given your, uh." Pause. "Condition."

"Yep," Reigen agreed hoarsely as the scenery in front of him reared and swirled like the seething tides during a storm. A really colourful storm.

He thought, in retrospect, having met several psychics and having dealt with the drama that comes with that, it made the world shifting around him seem less horrifying.

He shut his eyes. It didn't help.

Passing the cigarette to Kit to light, he tried to give a cocky grin but could only manage a grimace.

"Would it surprise you if I said this wasn't exactly the weirdest thing that's ever happened to me?"

Hallucinogenic lizards. Well, there were frogs back home that you could lick to get the same effect. Not that he had ever done that - Reigen was a good boy who had a perfectly sedate college experience.

I. SELFIE TIME

It seemed so long ago now, and yet... Ilda stared down at her yimo, into the grid of pictures in her old Xa Xa account. These still existed?

More importantly: Aifaran existed?

That brought a smile to her face, though it seemed nostalgic more than anything. As time passed back in her world she'd thought Aifaran had been nothing but a dream, something conjured by her mind to cope with the stress and trauma of the Emergence. Yet here she was.

Well, okay. For old times' sake.

She got to her feet and stepped all the way to the edge of the roof, feeling the wind whip against her face and the rest of her body. But she wasn't scared, not in the slightest. In fact, she realized just how much she missed this feeling, this... freedom.

She held the yimo up with one hand in the way she remembered she'd been taught. Selfie time!

II. WILDCARD

[ She's been to Aifaran before, but it's been two years or so for her now and a lot has happened. Feel free to say hi or glomp her or whatever! :3 ]

[While Ilda may recall Nita, Nita does not recall her in turn - which is a shame!

Ilda can find Nita at one of her odd jobs, helping people who are still making repairs or relocating, tending (and talking) to the plants in the aftermath of the Giant Death Knell, and so on and so forth.]

[ If Ilda's understanding the network and Xa Xa posts right -- she's not exactly a modern, techie person -- it's not been very long since she's been in Aifaran last, but... a lot has obviously happened, if the ongoing bustle of repairs and relocation is any indication. She purses her lips together as she walks around town, trying to re-familiarize herself with the world she used to know. It all seems so real, and yet... it also doesn't?

Then she spots someone she's pretty sure she's met before, and her eyes widen in recognition. ]

Nita? [ Holy Queen Mother of Apodeia, she knows that face! ] Nita Callahan?

[That meant both of them had missed the worst of the storm, didn't it?

Nita paused, hearing an unfamiliar voice speak her name - but, it wouldn't be the first time someone knew her when she didn't know them.]

I - yeah, that's me.

[She squints, though it's really more of a wince, and tries to find a good way to hold the box she's carrying and not have it block her face.]

Have we met?

Steve Rogers was a man out of time. That was something he was used to. Now? He was also a man out of his element. This wasn't his world. Or, his universe, if he understood it as it had been explained to him. Walking down the street, he realized he felt a little out of place in his uniform and shield. He'd have to start really trying to fit in if he wasn't going home.

He was about to do something, stop somewhere, something when a very large blur ran past him. "What the..." He blinked, before staring at it. Whatever it was, it was on the loose.

Even in a place that is not his home, not of his world, Steve will still want to be a hero. That will never change. "I got it," he cried out as he starts chasing after the thing. It only takes a moment for him to catch up, grabbing the harness with both hands and tugging the large creature to a halt. Well, at least until the creature turns around fast and throws Steve against a wall. "I don't got it," he muttered to himself.

Rising to his feet, he dusts himself off and begins to give chase again after it. "What is that thing," he mumbled.

Edited 2019-05-07 17:53 (UTC)

"Watch the spikes!" Tony shouts, as the loose munga – which is truly enormous, holy crap, that thing looks like a roided-out bulldog – slams poor mister Good Samaritan against a wall and bolts off again. Tony winces.

"Why am I always the one who ends up catching these things?" he mutters under his breath, and sprints after the creature.

He manages to get a hold of the leash, and quickly drags the hissing, snarling beast of a lizard to the railing of some nearby steps. Before the munga has a chance to figure out what's going on and start trying to chew through his ankles, Tony wraps the leash once around the railing, pulls it as tight as it will go without lifting the animal off the ground, then ties it off with a sturdy knot and darts out of reach.

The munga scrabbles furiously against the paving stones, making a running-in-place motion that Tony is able to appreciate as pretty hilarious, now that the toxic spines are out of range.

"See? That's why I have a job and a house, and you're wearing a polka-dot pet harness. Brains over brawn, buddy," Tony tells the munga. The munga glares at him with malevolent, beady eyes, and hisses.

Satisfied that the lizard won't be going anywhere until its owner, or animal control, shows up, Tony turns back to seek out the first guy who had tried to catch it. He'd unwisely tried to grab it directly by the harness and gotten body-slammed for his efforts, so Tony should probably check that he isn't tripping balls on munga venom.

"Hey, are you— oh!" Tony's face lights up with recognition, and splits into a grin. "Hey! Steve!"

Steve sits back, watching the clearly experienced young man easily dealing with a creature he obviously has seen before. He can't help but be a little impressed. He watches the animal, seeing it easily get caught by the new arrival. A small laugh slips out against his better judgment. The creature clearly has forgotten its place.

"Huh."

Pulling himself to his feet, Steve dusts off his uniform and takes off the mask he'd been wearing, running a hand haphazardly through his messy hair. He doesn't even get a word out before the young man addressees him. And knows him!

Steve blinked, looking awkward. He did not recognize the face before him.

"Uh, I am," he murmured. Steve stepped to the right, out of the way, so that the munga couldn't spit on him. "I don't know. I think the polka-dot harness brings out his eyes," he tried to joke. One hand reached up, rubbing his face as his mind whirled.

"I am so confused."

Steve brushes himself off and runs a hand through his tousled blond hair – nice, Rogers, helmet hair is a good look for you – and blinks at Tony with an expression that clearly says 'I have no idea who the hell you are.'

"Oh. Right. Different Steve Rogers, you probably don't remember— yeah, there's this whole multiverse thing, so sometimes a bunch of versions of the same people show up here. I've met other versions of you. And, technically, we're from the same, uh, grouping of universes, but I haven't met you there yet, so..." Tony waves his hands vaguely, brushing off the whole thing as 'multiverse bullshit.' "Anyway, I'm Tony. Tony Stark. I'm guessing you probably know an older, beardier version of me. That's usually the first thing people say."

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Test Drive Meme #008

Nita Callahan | Young Wizards

IV

Re: IV

VI

Re: VI

Lavellan | Dragon Age: Inquisition

Library

Monks!

library!

Mikhail Jirov | Sirius the Jaeger

iv

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(Totally messed up my coding up there, oops)

(it happens to all of us)

Re: (it happens to all of us)

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v; say hello to the asshole vampire OC :V this is gonna go well

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Black | Original Character | IV. and VI.

IV

Era Ra (Warrior of Light) | FFXIV

Cloud Strife | Final Fantasy VII

II!

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Reigen Arataka | Mob Psycho 100

i.

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Ilda | Original Character

II!! As promised.

OHAI FRIENDO

Re: OHAI FRIENDO

Steve Rogers | Marvel Cinematic Universe - 3 - Munga on the Loose

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