archishellago | 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!

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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?

Test Drive Meme #008

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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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