Test Drive Meme #001

[khuimods]

KHU IODUAN; TEST DRIVE MEME #001

I. THE VERDANT SENTRY - Attention, New Recruits! It's clear that all of the city's law enforcement is handled by the various branches of the Sentry: from Mounted Division handling street patrol, to the Aerial Corps provided airborne support for tactical and rescue operations, to the Nautical Branch undertaking regular sea patrols as the first line of defense along the archipelago's borders. But everyone interested in joining up has to go through their basic training program, and that starts today with a general skills assessment. There's quite a mix of attendees today, spread across nearly every race represented in Aifaran and including other Dreamfolk, but whatever the recruiter is saying is getting lost in the two chatty Igheeri who seem to think they're too good to listen to the standard welcome speech... time to interrupt by signaling the person in charge? Take care of it yourself? Gripe about it to the person in line beside you? II. KIRIN RODEO - Place Your Bets! At the end of every month, the Mounted Division of the Sentry holds their skills competition. When they're not on the field, their steeds are often the subject of much admiration from children and more than a few adults. Astride many breeds of kirin, some lithe and fleet, some stockier and stronger, these off-duty officers demonstrate their control and bond over the notoriously strong-willed and intelligent creatures with complicated maneuvers. There's a surprisingly in-depth system for betting on one's favourite to win the various matches, and just about everyone's willing to explain the odds to newcomers. There's only one rule: all proceeds go to funding of the city's charities. (Bragging rights on winning are still yours to keep.) Two bells ring loudly over the crowd - last call for wagers! 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. INTO THE UNKNOWN - Watch Your Back Out There The sea patrol discovered the new irregularity a few days ago, reporting that it looks like a series of tall and jagged stone towers rising up from the ocean. It's incomplete as these planar-shunted locations often are, as if something massive had taken a bite of some mysterious city and then spat it whole into the seas of Konryu. Having been chosen as part of the exploration team, you've been working your way through the complicated labyrinth of stone tunnels and dead ends, searching for what the Opara engineers had enthusiastically described as a potential new power source. "Trace the green glowing power lines," was their (sort of helpful) instruction. However the lean, dark and toothy thing you've just glimpsed should probably be a more pressing concern... warn others? Take it on yourself? Pray it hasn't spotted you? 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

v. into the unknown!

[afoolsgold]

Whatever small and fragile hope he'd held in his heart that the stone towers might, in fact, be Skill pillars faded into bitter melancholy as they came into view before the prow of the boat. No; of course they weren't. There was no Skill river in this place, no Elderlings to craft them nor coterie to use them. The Fool stood with a hand upon the hull watching them, and set aside his despair for now. There was work to be done.

He disembarks the ship with the rest of the patrol from the city tasked with exploration of the labyrinthine structure, and cautiously brings up the rear as they make their way inside.

Each twisting stone tunnel and unexpected dead end makes for enough of a frustrating experience for him to shelve his fears of ever returning home. Venturing down one corridor on his own, the Fool traces his thin fingers near the green glow of the power lines, marvelling privately over their peculiarity--but stops short at the sound of something sharp scraping across the stone further ahead of him.

All he needs is a bare glimpse of the thing, all rending teeth and deep hollow sockets where eyes ought to be. Eyes wide, he takes several quick, deer-like steps backward, before turning to bolt with startling speed back towards the others. "Wait--" he hisses to the first person ahead of him he sees, "there is something--"

Yes, there's 'something' all right. He has no idea what it is, but it has left an impression.

[grimreaping]

This sort of mission is exactly the kind of thing that Kid's been doing his whole life, and he'd been among the early volunteers for it. The others in his allotted group seem all relatively well-equipped for their tasks, so it's a surprise when one of them comes careening out of an adjacent corridor at high speed.

"Something?" Kid echoed, glancing past the Fool in the direction he'd come. "What did you find?"

[purered]

If nothing else, Klaus was an absolute rock in any kind of crisis. When the Fool hurried over, tone and expression urgent, Klaus gave a short nod. It could be nothing. It could be something.

"Show me," he said, gesturing the Fool to lead the way.

[tombadgerlock]

This has been a difficult few days.

Fitz has been attempting to help, yet the technology is beyond him, and it does not respond to the Skill. He finds some solace in fighting, when he must. There are creatures in here that like the taste of humans (and others - the other species here are quite interesting) and there are only some of them able to protect others. He's far from his peak condition, yet he has trained, and yesterday? He found himself an axe.

It is easier, to manage when he can allow the wolf to lead. When he can live in the moment, of whirling blades and skull-crushing blows.

So he moves swiftly when he notes an alarmed movement in the small group. "I will go," he comforts the person without looking back. "Stay back."

Enki/Rokuta | The 12 Kingdoms

[choseanidiot]

II.
Watching the race about to start with a small frown lodged firmly between his eyebrows and narrowed eyes, Rokuta knew he should try to think of them as youjuu if anything comparable at all. It might help him feel less... unsettled, about it.

They looked nothing like kirin as far as he was concerned, but the name was there and while there were two horns instead of one... Shifting where he sat perched cross-legged on the edge of a low wall instead of in a proper seat, Rokuta planted elbows on his knees and his chin in his hands.

Anyone passing by close enough at the right time might hear a muttered 'it's just not right' as the boy glowered from his seat.


III.

"Watch it!"

Congratulations, you were just shoved aside by a blond kid just in time to not step on the escaped lizard... or get scratched by the spines. Rokuta doesn't pay much attention to whoever he just shouldered aside at first - instead he squats down just in time to sweep that weird-looking creature up in his hands, muttering quietly to it.

It keeps hissing, but there's no attempts at biting or scratching.

"Sorry 'bout that, but you could've stepped on it," he finally says, looking up.

VI.
[Or hit me with whatever! I can switch format, too.]

X | Original | II!

[psituational]

"What's not right?"

X didn't really have the same concept of personal space as a lot of the people here. He'd already been yelled at for that, in fact, when he passed too close to a woman with wings and the feathers inadvertently wrapped around his face when she turned around. He was trying to be more mindful of it, but old habits died hard, and the kirin were too impressive not to be completely distracting. He was nearly brushing the boy's knee when he overheard the mutter.

He looked over at the field, then back again. "Gambling? Or is it the harnesses?"

The harnesses bothered him. But he'd figured there was something about the kirin he didn't know. If someone else was also bothered...

Wendy Oldbag ✪ Ace Attorney series

[watchmewhippersnapper]

I - Attention, New Recruits!

[Wendy stood at attention, her posture impeccable and her expression unwavering as she took in every word of the lecture before her. Committing it all to memory so that, when the time came, she knew she would be able to step up and perform to the best of her abilities. Which were quite exception, if she said so herself. There was a reason she had been assigned rather high-profile security jobs even at her age...whatever what was...and with her sharp eyesight and deceptive speed and strength, not to mention air of professionalism, there was little doubt--]

SHH!

[Eye twitching, she turned to the chattering offenders, shooting daggers at them.]

No respect, I tell you. Kids these days. Close your mouths for one minute and pay attention so you don't end up as dead on the job as poor Mr. Hammer, may his handsome soul rest in peace.

II - Munga on the Loose!

[Those who happened to be walking by at that moment would be greeted by a...very odd sight.]

[A creature resembling some sort of lizard scampered across the pathway, tail swaying behind it as it half-strutted, half-dashed back and forth in a zig-zag pattern. Its head bobbed in such a a manner from the erratic movements that it seemed to be either gloating or taunting. And trailing only a few steps behind was an elderly woman, her face twisted into a look of pure annoyance as she screamed incoherently at the creature.]

[They passed by, and her voice began to fade into the distance for a solid ten seconds before growing stronger once more as the lizard then scampered back the other way, screaming old lady in tow.]

[Again, there was peace for a fleeting moment before the scene replayed itself once more.]

[If one were to remain in that spot long enough, they might almost hear the sounds of accompaniment in the air. Of course, it was probably just their imagination.]

[Either way, Oldbag wasn't about to let some smart-alec animal creature get the best of her.]

You come back here this minute, before I turn you into Lizard Soup! I don't care whose pet you are or how many times you try to stab me you're not the first and you won't be the last!

VI- You're Not The Boss Of Me Now - [NETWORK POST]

[There is an elderly woman staring into the camera. Her expression seems calm. Almost eerily so. She slowly looks around. Head turning slightly to one side. Then the other. Taking in the buildings. The flora. The citizens casually strolling by, each without a visibly discernible care in the world. Weather, pleasant--perhaps a bit chilly, but she shows no signs of succumbing anytime soon.]

[There is a pause.]

[Her shoulders tense. Her eyes darken. A vein in her forehead begins to throb. Then, without warning, she takes a quick breath before--]

Really, now, if you're going to go through the trouble of kidnapping a lovely lady such as myself, the least you could do is follow through with the plan and not leave me here to fend for myself in this strange land without a single familiar face or even a phone number. Why, in my day, kidnappers had a shred of dignity to them and their work I mean it's like you didn't even TRY could you just imagine and besides all that what do you even plan to get out of all this? Oh, I suppose my dear Edgey-poo would be willing to pay any ransom you seek--because what is money in the face of true love and all that--but if you can't even guarantee my safety then someone as knowledgeable as he would surely thing this was some kind of pathetic trick and dismiss any and all threats against my life as possible intimidating for whatever upcoming trial he has next. He is the best, after all, as as long as you don't have any no-good, cheating whippersnapper lawyers twisting the words of those honorable witnesses, making them look bad for an attempt at aiding justice, then I have every confidence he will once again be victorious.

[A pause, and while might assume a grandiose intake of air here, her next breath was inaudible as she concluded with:]

So I guess what I'm really trying to say here is --

[And suddenly her face filled the entire screen in an extreme close-up.]

PUT ME BACK NOOOOOOOW!!!!!

[The screen literally shaking from the intensity of her last word, echoing off every nearby structure around her to amplify the sound even further.]

VI [Voice]

[darkwingsofkilvas]

Egads! Go on wailing to the gods, human. If the ones here are merciful, they'll whisk you back to your world just to save our eardrums!

X | Original

[psituational]

IV

"No... no, this isn't --"

-- mine. They're drugs. There are drugs in the case. But the officer didn't see X pick it up off the street, so why even try to defend himself? No one here knows him. No one here would believe him without proof.

Besides, the building's still on fire.

X heads over to the officer and shoves the case at him. "Here," he says briskly. "I don't know what they are, but they're probably illegal. You take them." Then he points at the nearest person who doesn't look like they just ran out of the flames themselves, in amongst the Kin'nal coughing and supporting each other. "You," he says, with direct eye contact so there's no doubt about who he means. "Come on. We need to make sure everyone's out."


VI

[Feel free to throw anything at me! Basic info about X can be found here.]

iv

[afoolsgold]

Curious as a cat, and just as foolish, the Fool has been hovering nearby with an inquisitive crease between his eyebrows as he observed the goings-on. That mild interest has quickly transformed into shock as flames burst forth from the building. Then:

"You. Come on. We need to make sure everyone's out."

Perplexed, the Fool turns to look over his shoulder once, then looks back to X, realizing that yes, this strange man is addressing him, then takes an agile step backward, lifting his hands. "I am afraid I would only add more kindling to the blaze," he begins to protest, but his eyes wander to the Kin'nal who lean upon each other's shoulders, coughing out smoke, and he relents. "--oh very well," he sighs, gathers up his hair into a tail, and makes to follow the hero of the hour into the building.

eve baird | the librarians | voice testing

[colonelnope]

III - we have regulations about this

"Get back here!"

It's a lizard. It's not going to listen to her. Eve saves her breath and darts after it, hiking up skirts. She's still stuck in this damn Elizabethan dress, she's down a Librarian and is somewhere completely unfamiliar, but at least she can still identify 'I didn't want that animal to get loose' and 'it is probably going to hurt people' when she sees them. She bolts down the streets, leaping where she needs to, elbowing people who move too slowly. "Out of the way, angry lizard! You-- catch that lead!"

II - kirin rodeo

Look. Eve prides herself on being used to weird, at this point. The animals really are gorgeous, in their strange, scaly way, even if she's half expecting one of them to breathe fire.

It's just that the explanations of the odds keep going right over her head, because the reasons make no sense. A little helplessly, she turns from the person explaining things to her to the nearest other person who looks vaguely Dreamperson-ish. "Hey, is this making sense to you? Are we seriously betting on this one because it's greener than the others?"

you're not the boss of me

wildcard me up! I'll roll with anything

III

[annihilist]

While Devin is no longer a member of any police force in this world, he's not beyond lending a hand here and there - particularly when the person in question is wearing completely inappropriate attire for the chase she's attempting.

He steps on the lead as the lizard skitters by, apparently unconcerned with how the sudden resistance would jar the spiny, hallucinogenic creature, and offers the woman an arched eyebrow.

"You don't look like animal control," Devin says dryly.

Naesala | Fire Emblem 9/10

[darkwingsofkilvas]

IV. A Surprise Windfall

Well, well, what have we here?

Naesala's world wasn't particularly modern, but given that he was holding a bag full of an unfamiliar substance and quite a few people giving him odd looks, it wasn't difficult to put two and two together. Whether this was a drug, poison or spice, it had to be quite valuable to be the first thing rescued from a fire. Yet there it was, having fallen right into his arms like a gift from the goddess. And who was he to refuse such a gift?

Naesala looked one of the Kin'nal right in the eyes as smirked, spreading his wings. There was more shouting from the alley as Naesala launched himself into the air, only needing a few powerful beats of his wings to clear the rooftops, his prize in tow. He had quite a view of the growing fire from here... but given that he didn't hear any crying babies in the midst of all that, stopping to do his civic duty was the last thing on his mind. He was rather hoping that the Sentry would have their hands full enough to forget all about the winged Dreamperson that was also fleeing from the fire.

Of course, those wings made him stand out quite a bit, given that he otherwise looked nothing like an Igheeri. There was no doubt in Naesala's mind that he'd have someone of the criminal persuasion eventually paying him a visit... which made it all the more important that he tuck himself out of sight as fast as possible. He promptly flew in the direction of one of the less seedier districts of the city, leaving the scene of the fire behind him. Four blocks and a quick glide underneath a Skyway rail later, Naesala landed in the back alley behind a store, taking a moment to shake out his wings and brush his jacket down before shouldering the bag.

When he stepped out of the alley and onto the crowded street, it was with a casual air, as though he were on his way home from a sparring session instead of carting around a bag full of enough drugs to kill someone. Or so he assumed, anyway. If he could get a good price for it, he didn't care if his pilfered goods were something as mundane as a Kin'nal foot powder.

VI. WILDCARD
[Also up for anything else!]

[iseeall]

It had taken awhile for Leo to catch up to the flying man with his tiny, short legs, but if god eyes were good for something, it was keeping track of a person even when he couldn't normally see them.

Thankfully, the guy slowed down after awhile and had a unique aura from the natives, which was how Leo was able to find him in the crowd. He was out of breath, but knowing that the fire was under control and nothing he did could really help the fire brigade, he went to do the next best thing; catch the asshole running away with very illegal contraband.

Leo reached out with one hand and attempted to latch onto the thief's arm. "Hey! Where are you going with that??"

Valdis | OC

[redlightgreenlight]

II.

Valdis paid the whole affair little mind, deciding to view her surroundings with soul sight, learning to recognize each race at a glance. Each soul held its own unique signature, however, all races held slight similarities among their own kind. The exercise reached a certain point where frustration began to set in. Too many people, all crowded together, and the chatter didn't help either. Much of the said chatter seemed to surround a particular Kirin.With a sharp sigh, she let the lights fade back into the duller colors of the life plane.

"Don't waste your money," Valdis muttered to the nearest person, "The kirin in question doesn't look right, he won't run well."

IV.

"Seriously?" Valdis stared at the officer, "I used to work law enforcement, why the hell would I?...they don't even do anything for me. That building is on fire and you want to question me? I don't have time for this and I certainly don't plan on making time."

Arguing with the officer might not be the wisest course of action, but Valdis felt rather put upon. She'd been ripped from her world into another, decided to return to her home world and then ended up here, not exactly her idea of home. She turned to walk away, but the officer reach out to stop her.

"I suggest you remove your hand before I remove it for you," she growled.

VI. (Up for anything!)

[choseanidiot]

Glancing up at the mutter, Rokuta rolled his eyes, blowing golden-blond hair out of the way. "I'm not betting on this."

Her comment, however, already had his eyes straying towards the animal in question, sharp eyes narrowing.

"If it's not all right, why are they racing it?" Of course, he was of the opinion that they shouldn't be racing any of the kirin at all, but in this case it was more important if it also was ill or hurt.

Zelda | Hyrule Warriors | OTA

[divinusly]

A: THE VERDANT SENTRY

[ Although this place has many races of which she does not recognize, she can see that they are not at all unlike her own in traits and personality. They are all deserving of being protected, of being kept safe, of protecting the peace and order they have obtained here. It seems organic, really, that after a thorough assessment of this world and its inhabitants that she enlist in law enforcement to aide in that effect. She's no stranger to enacting repetitive training and drills, for after all she's practically overseen them in her own world. Still, it is almost homey that she engage in them once again, discarding her regalia for this world's footman uniform and a simple pike. Working her way from the bottom up may prove a challenge, but one she is willing to accept. ]

This might be an interesting day. [ She comments to whoever is next to her and willing to listen. She doesn't exactly like how the two Igheeri seem to chat while the speech continues on, but, well. Having given many speeches herself, she understand that those in charge cannot make everyone stand at attention and hang on every word. What's more is that the speech is almost over anyway. ]

B: KIRIN RODEO

[ Watching the riders prepare to mount their beasts-- and even gambling to some extent-- is all well and good. But honestly? She cannot help but express to whomever has joined her as a spectator this afternoon that: ] It would be much more fun to participate, no?

C: Munga on the Loose

Why, hello there, little one. [ As luck would have it, the munga has crawled right into her arms. And then up to her shoulder. And finally up to her head, where it sits perched upon her blonde hair like a crow, vigilantly looking this way and that for whoever may be pursuing it.

Zelda reaches upwards it, taking it back into her hands and lifting it so that she may peer at it more closely. The creature is curiously fickle, but a delight to behold. ] And to whom might you belong? [ She'll casually ask whoever happens to be nearby, whether or not she knows them personally: ] Yours, perhaps?

B!

[purered]

[Klaus had a horse back at the Reinherz estate whom he missed dearly and was watching the rodeo with a mix of delight and nostalgia when he heard someone put words to what he was thinking.]

I couldn't agree more. They do look like they're having fun.

Arietti | The Secret World of Arrietti

[justborrowingit]

III: Munga on the Loose

The munga skitters underneath a cabinet where it stops short at the glint of a sharp blade- well, sharp needle. Arietti holds her needle outstretched at the large reptilian creature, five times her size.

"Don't move!" she calls out to it, although her only response is a disinterested blink. It follows her movements as she slowly circles it. She can hear the commotion outside as people panic, asking where the munga went. She spots the harness trailing behind it, and starts to move for it.

She was just a little bit too large compared to its normal prey, which is why it hadn't attacked her yet, but just as Arietti grabs the harness, someone peers under the cabinet, startling the creature.

"Ah!" Arietti calls out as it bolts out from under the cabinet, with Arietti now riding on the harness, clinging on for dear life!


IV: A surprise Windfall

Things don't go quite the same for Arietti as they might for someone who was Bean sized. She cries out as the massive bag smashes into the ground near her, the gust of wind and dirt from the impact enough to send her skitting back several inches. She gets her bearings quickly, looking around to find out where it came from, seeing the flames picking up. She can't help but investigate the strange thing that might have squished her if she'd been even a foot closer.

Getting the zipper open is a bit of a hurdle, but after a few seconds of trying, she manages to get it open a couple inches, enough to slip inside.

She pulls out a cut-down match from her backpack and strikes it, using it as a torch as she explores the cavernous duffel bag. She's completely puzzled by these giant blocks. She isn't given a lot of time to explore, however, before the world is upheaved! Someone has grabbed the duffel bag, and she falls!

The match slips out of her hands and she tumbles off of one block, falling down the side and into a nook of the bag. She cries out again as she sees one of the massive blocks shift, and tumble after her. She puts out her hands in some feeble form of defense, but fortunately it gets wedged between another block and the side of the bag before it crushes her. But now she's stuck!

III

[perfectenn]

And she is very lucky that the boy close to the cabinet has fast reflexes. Hours a day of dance practice means Tenn manages to just catch the tip of the leash under the toe of his boot. That's the good news, but...!

What's the term for this? Catch a leopard by the tail? His gaze moves immediately to the much-warned-about spines. (Are his ankle boots thick enough to guard against those? He should've found out before his heroics. As usual, he didn't think past hearing a child scream and reacting.) And then he's looking in concern to... who is that?

"Are you hurt?"

If the reptile doesn’t charge him, he can reach down and grab the lead. This can't be harder than dodging kitten claws... right?

Captain Marvelous | Kaizoku Sentai Gokaiger

[justmarvelous]

III.

Marvelous isn't sure what a Munga is, nor does he especially care, and it's really only by chance that he's involved in this mess at all. Fortunately for whoever might be chasing the thing, it happened close to him as it went skittering down the street, and odd as it may be, there's enough for Marvelous to guess that someone's pet escaped, and it just so happens to be easy enough for him to step on the end of the leash as it slides by.

Significantly less fortunately, he's totally unfamiliar with these things and the fact that they're venomous, and unless someone feels like intervening, he is very likely to find out the hard way, because the critter is not pleased to have just hit the end of its lead.

V.

Marvelous isn't too invested in finding a new power source, but exploring new terrain sounded interesting enough. Up until now, it's been relatively peaceful, but the creature he just spotted not so far away might bode otherwise. He's a good enough fighter that he's not really concerned, but so far it seems like he's the only one who's noticed the presence of a threat at all. He taps the shoulder of the person next to him and gestures in the direction of the creature, quietly alerting them to its presence, and his intentions. His next nod is toward whatever members of this exploring party aren't so likely to be useful in a fight.

"Keep them out of the way."

V

[powertotearer]

Eiji's eyes widen at the sight of the creature, but he nods and turns serious right away.

"Don't worry about them. What are you going to do?"

IV.

[theinfamous1412]

[ Kaito is in the middle of doing what he does best-entertaining. Specifically, he's entertaining a group of small children by pretending to inhale a card and then pretending to choke on it before coughing up a whole deck of cards. ]

[ The children all seem concerned and impressed with that all-telling look of wonder on their face. He pretends to cough like he's clearing his throat. ]

Sorry kids, I don't know where that came from. Now, who wants to see- [ Before he's able to finish his question though, a large bag hits the ground in front of him. What the Hell? ]

[ He manages to get the kids to go away so he can check the contents. He may be childish himself but he knows not to go opening mysterious bags in front of children. ]

[ Aaaaaaaand it's drugs. ]

[priforprince]

Not exactly a rabbit you've pulled out of the hat there, is it?

[ Someone has observed this transaction. Leaning calm as can be against a building. It may be the one on fire. It may not.

She hasn't checked. ]

Padparadscha | Houseki no Kuni (potential spoilers for chapter 63 of the manga)

[corundrum]

[I. The Verdant Sentry]

[It's been centuries since Padparadscha has actually been awake long enough to do a full patrol, so in theory, they were completely on board with this "Verdant Sentry" idea. Weird details aside, it just sounded like a more expansive and organised version of what they had back home.

That makes it extremely distracting to have two people chatting it up in the row in front. It's the kind of thing they'd normally just call these people out on themselves, but it's sometimes hard to know how to act around the people of this world, and Padparadscha leans with a casual smile over to whoever happens to be next to them.]

Hey, would it be considered rude to carry those brazen kids out of the hall?

[Despite not visibly looking older than about twenty, Padparadscha's tone is that of someone amused by the unimportant misbehaviours of a child.]

--

[V. Into the Unknown]

Ah, this one is a nice place!

[Stretching luxuriantly with their sword above them, Padparadscha strolls through the labyrinth with a deceptively casual air. It's nice and homey with all this rock around, and they're just thinking it might be good to take a break and get their bearings before moving on. There's enough light in here that they're not getting too tired, but it's good to be mindful of where you've been and where you're going.

The glimpse of that monster has them drawing their sword, though, attention suddenly fully there, though there's still a slight smile playing around their mouth as if this is familiar procedure for them.]

Well, well. What are you, then?

I

[driverslicense]

[Rude or not, at the suggestion, Chase pushes his way forward and slings one of the Igheeri over his shoulder. ]

[...Who is too tall for him, so he's actually half-dragging the Igheeri to the door.]

You take the other.

Asaka Narumi | Cardfight!! Vanguard

[cirquedelalune]

[II. Kirin Rodeo]

[Betting isn't usually something Asaka partakes in unless she knows she's going to win, and she doesn't know enough about this system in place to do so here. But she's paying close attention to any explanations of the odds and methods in play here, while also watching the kirin display their training and physique.

When the bell rings, she glances up, expression musing, then glances over to the person next to her with a slight smirk, holding up a small amount of money to bet with. It is going to a good cause regardless of who wins.]

Shall we? It's our duty as members of the audience to help ensure a smooth performance.

--

[III. We Have Regulations About This]

[About all that can be said for this situation is that there are people worse equipped than Asaka to try and take care of it. Beast taming isn't her forte, but she's familiar with the basics of it, and even though this creature looks like it's going to bite her hand at the slightest provocation, it's probably better her than most of the others on the street.

After some hasty conversation with the nearby vendors, Asaka has managed to get some food that the creature apparently favours, and is luring it away from the very busy street at the end of the one it initially escaped into. If nothing else, she's good at leaping out of the way each time the angry, camouflaged lizard goes for the food.]

Ah, we'll have you tamed in no time at all, won't we? [They...really won't, but a good stage face is part of the performance.]

II

[priforprince]

You have a rather lofty opinion of audiences.

[ Audiences stand there in awe of the performer. That's what they're for.

And, in exchange, the performer conveys their all. ]

Hibiki Shikyoin ♔ Idol Time PriPara

[priforprince]

[ I. ]

Gauche and uninspiring.

[ Hibiki isn't here to be assessed herself so much as to assess everybody else. Thus, she is hanging back. And sipping tea. ]

Anyone who can't pay attention to a simple speech is bound to be eliminated.

[ II. ]

All of this on number one.

[ Hibiki places a considerable amount of currency on the betting table. When the wisdom of this move is questioned: ] Splitting it diminishes the fullness of victory. Number one shall prevail.

I guarantee it.

[ The bookies are sharing a shifty look now. And a third is coming up behind Hibiki. ]

[ III. ]

[ Hibiki watches without much interest as the stray munga dashes down the street. She delicately spears a bite of the local dessert she'd seen fit to try at this outdoor cafe.

It is halfway to her mouth when the lizard leaps up, snaps it away from her, and lands on her table. Her beverage falls to the ground, cup shattering. ]

OI!

[ Anyone in pursuit of the creature will get a finger pointed at them Very Insistently. ]

CAN'T YOU CONTROL THIS UNSIGHTLY, UNRULY COMPANION?!

[ VI ]

I am unaccustomed to cohabitation.

[ Yes, Hibiki saw that multiple names were assigned to this room in the Dreaming Bridge. No, Hibiki does not seem to care, from the way her things now occupy both beds. (How did she obtain this many material goods already, anyway? There's even a red carpet on the floor...)

Not even being confronted with her new roommate(s?) has her dissuaded from owning the whole darn place. ]

Ample rooms exist. Use one of those.

VI

[hearted]

The only room that doesn't belong to somebody is the broom closet.

[Minako's bag is very small, but she clutches it as if it's the largest burden to ever exist. Because this pushing-out is completely unacceptable.]

Kit Gandir, a casteless dwarf | Dragon Age OC

[bestofthevein]

v. into the unknown

It's no darkspawn, but it's definitely just as ugly.

On the bright side, its bones still break under the weight of his axes just like any other monster Kit has fought in the Deep Roads. This kind of thing is what he's built for--and frankly, it's a nice distraction from the fact that his own death in Thedas evidently wasn't the permanent kind.

"Sodding stay down--!" A grunted oath as the Legionnaire strikes his axe hard against the hissing, roaring beast's skeletal head again, sending it shrieking back a few feet. Kit advances on it, blinking some blood out of his eyes, and swings again; this time, the blade connects with the beast's jaw and knocks it loose from the joint. There's a spray of.. something... that could be blood across Kit's face, and he grimaces, but the fight appears to be over as the monster lumbers away into the dark.

He spits some of the gunk out onto the stone and wipes the rest off his forehead. Gross. "It's gone," he calls out to whomever he'd been asked to rescue, turning around. "You can, uh. Come out now." If they're hiding, that is.


vi. because you're not the boss of me - the city streets in the rain

The driving rain must have pushed the bibiru into the path of someone's cart, which is more than enough to account for the fragile thing's injured wing and forepaw. It's either a pet, or a stray, but either way it's apparent enough to Kit that walking away from it in the street isn't an option.

Not that it would have been back in Kirkwall. Anders would be proud of him.

"C'mere, salroka," he murmurs, coaxing it into the shelter of his beaten up coat. He's soaked through from the rain now, but that's no matter. "Just a little walk from here to a nice, warm bed for you--we'll get that wing looked at."

vi!

[meds4sale]

A familiar figure stood not far off, half hidden by a red umbrella patterned with stylized moths. His face was hidden, but there was no mistaking those robes or the giant wooden pack he carried.

He was apparently staring up at a building, though it was hard to say exactly if that was the case given the aforementioned umbrella.

The Medicine Seller turned to watch the brief commotion in the streets - even motioned to help before someone got to it before him.

Someone familiar.

"Well, well."

His tone was amused as he moved to greet Kit. He didn't have much else to say, because he wasn't a very chatty fellow, but he offered the shelter of his umbrella from the rain.

Amos | OC

[darkenedheart]

II
"Fascinating." Amos appears quite interested in the rules and regulations involved with the strange creatures and this rather familiar event. "It is, however, unfortunate that we get nothing back for our trouble. Not even a small percentage. It seems a shame. Surely the charities are well funded by private investors, no?"

He holds himself with poise, a fair smile on his face, his tone soft, gaze seemingly inviting more conversation, perhaps a good debate.

VI
Amos sat a bar, testing the local drinks. It always soothed his broken mind, helped him think more calmly. This place, both familiar and different from his world, held so many possibilities, and yet, it didn't hold his one goal. Still, the city's opportunities were too good to pass up and since he was trapped here anyway, "Sir? I'll have another one of...whatever this is."

II

[grimreaping]

Kid has been watching the races for the better part of an hour, not just the kirin running them but the people in attendance. Hearing the question, he glanced over at the man who'd made the remark. "I'd hardly consider being in attendance here and voluntarily giving away money as 'trouble'."

Minako Aino | Sailor Moon

[hearted]

II.

[Charity betting? Hey, it's better than no entertainment at all. Minako listens to the explanation of the system, nodding along...and promptly places her bets on the absolute cutest Kirin she can find. Within minutes, she's hand-drawn a cutesy caricature of her chosen Kirin and started waving it in the air.]

You can do it! Don't let anybody get you down!

V.

[Minako didn't show up for this mission. A mysterious magical warrior calling herself Sailor Venus is here instead, glittering gold in that strange sailor suit. She's fairly quiet on the journey through the caverns, though she murmurs gentle reassurance along the way...but those teeth she just spotted around the bend? Not reassuring. At all.

She presses a hand over her mouth...wait, that's not right. Venus gently shakes her head and turns to the group.]

I'm sure we can get past...but do you want to go back?

V

[choseanidiot]

[This had been ill-advised, but everything had been fine up until they got far enough into the corridors it would take a bit to run out again. And then, of course, whatever was in here made itself known. Looking up to the girl at the question, Rokuta shook his head.]

I'm fine. [But there's a weight to his shadow now, and he keeps looking past her - he can feel the intent to violence from whatever is over there, and it hangs in the air like a miasma. It almost smells of blood.] Can't help you if it decides to try its luck, however.

[Though who would necessarily expect what looks like a thirteen year old to do anything at all in a fight?]

[thekingssnake]

III

[Jafar was initially minding his own business when he hears the people around him talking animatedly to each other about some runaway lizard. It has him interested enough that he decides to investigate himself.

Just in time to see the poor creature speeding through the crowd, causing the crowd to react in a flaily kind of way that has him shaking his head. With nimbleness and grace, he immediately follows after the lizard.

But if he sees someone ahead the lizard is aiming for…]

Watch out!

[It’s entirely tempting to throw out his wires to catch it, but he might end up killing the poor creature. So, hopefully the person who hears him can help out.]

IV

It’s not mine.

[Jafar sounds entirely calm, only a flicker of annoyance seen as the Sentry continues to eye him.

But his eyes soon shift up to the Kin’nal looking down at him, and they narrow almost dangerously. However, his attention is focused on the burning building and he tosses the strange back to the officer.]

Here. [Whether he sounds annoyed or not is a question that’ll remain unanswered as his attention shifts to the burning building and he flags down someone else.]

Do you know how many people are still left in the building?

V.

[He’s practically grown up on the sea, and his instincts are prickling at him, warning of a danger that they cannot see. And he’s learned that anything found at the sea can very well pose a danger on its own.

Jafar keeps his pace with the team he’s on, though his eyes would occasionally flicker whenever a sense of uneasiness dawns on him.

When he notices the strange thing lurking around, he stops and motions others to do the same.]

Careful.

Wildcard

[Make a prompt of your own.]

iii

[corundrum]

[The lizard's spines flare out as it charges that person's ankle with a hiss. Padparadscha looks down with a slight sound of curiosity...

...and there's a faint "clink" as the spines rebound off solid rock when they touch their leg. The lizard actually seems jarred enough to stop for a moment, and Padparadscha bends down to pick it up with a look of amused curiosity.]

Well well, you're an eager little one, aren't you? Sorry about your attack.

[At that, Padparadscha looks up and only just seems to notice that the people around them are backing off and giving the lizard a wide berth. In fact, it's only the one who tried to warn them that's still fairly close, so it's him they address their afterthought to.] Ah, right, you're all soft like that...

Heart | Kamen Rider Drive

[knownbyheart]

IV - A Surprise Windfall

Heart looks at the bag in his hands with consternation. He is not aware of the details of whatever horrible drug this might be, but he's aware that anything that so affects someone's mind, taking away their right to choose their own actions, is wrong. That it would not affect his own artificial body is immaterial.

He shakes his head, and tosses the bag to the mounted officer. He would not trust the person with his family, but to be just, in general? Perhaps. Besides, the building is still on fire, and there are screams. He shoves past the Kin'nal and kicks down the closest door.

V - Into the Unknown

The power in the wall thrums beneath his fingertips, and Heart wonders wistfully for a moment if it might be accessible for his own hyper evolution. The beings near him are all human, or humanlike, but they do not appear... harmful. No, on the contrary, everyone has banded together for the most part.

Almost like a family.

With a pang, Heart forces himself to focus on the task at hand, until he hears growling. "Stay back," he calls, striding to the front of the group.

IV

[driverslicense]

"Heart."

Chase would have no compunctions about entering the building anyway, but this is almost a surprise. There are no Roidmude here.

"What are your intentions?"

Trahearne | Guild Wars 2

[necrocabbage]

III. We Have Regulations About This
Trahearne didn't immediately notice that there was something wrong. He was standing at a market stall that sold books and magazines, and he was flipping through whatever caught his eye, which was most of it. He was acting a bit like a sapling that had just discovered his first library, but how could he be blamed for that when everything here was so fascinating? There was so much to learn about this place that it could keep him occupied for weeks, perhaps months -

When a short, startled scream from a hapless pedestrian finally draws his attention, Trahearne looks up to see everyone else on the sidewalk scattering away from the munga. The awfully small, angry munga that was zipping in his direction, right for his bare feet. Trahearne is familiar with large lizards that would hardly consider a munga to even be an adequate snack. That's why he doesn't budge, instead looking at it like it was a total curiosity, clearly not realizing the danger he's in.

But can you get to him in time to save him?


V. Into the Unknown
Trahearne is glowing in the dim light of the labyrinth, his purple luminescence at least making him stand out in the passageways, far more like a nightlight than a proper source of illumination. Chalk in hand, he's taken it upon himself to mark each tunnel the group passes through, with different indications for dead ends, the way forward, and the way back. Stopping to make those symbols takes time, however, and he's starting to lag behind the rest of the group while he's busy scribbling on the walls.

Thankfully, his instincts are far more keen in spooky, mysterious dungeons. The slightest sound of a claw scraping against stone draws his attention to the source, followed by the clatter of chalk as it falls from his fingers. Yes, that could very well be a problem.

"Hold! There's something here!"

And now that he's drawn attention to himself, Trahearne can't expect anyone else to reach him before that creature does - but he can certainly keep it distracted. A sickly, greenish-black glow erupts around his hand as he gestures, dropping his hand low before dragging his fist back upwards. Two small, black portals open next to him along with the motion, out of which two bone minions pop out, as though they were pulled straight out of the Underworld. They chitter by clicking their teeth together, momentarily swarming around his ankles before rushing towards the lurking creature.


VI.
[Also open for wildcards!]

V

[eyeinfusion]

Judai has been stopping every once in a while to look back at their glowing companion, frowning as he does so, discomfited by leaving someone behind. He's finally decided to just stay back and keep Trahearne company instead, when he hears the clatter of chalk.

He reaches Trahearne just in time for the minions to appear, and Judai stops in his tracks, his attention focusing on them rather than on the impending creature for the moment.

"He~h? So you can do that? That's pretty cool."

Eiji Hino | Kamen Rider OOO

[powertotearer]

III

"Huh?"

Eiji sees the munga go running off, trailing a leash behind it, all while whatever animal control unit is pointing at it and sending officers to corral it.

Well, he's close enough, and he can't not help them, right?

"Don't worry, I've got it!" he calls out and starts after the lizard.

Someone warn this poor idiot what he's risking before he gets stung or bitten.

...Or don't. After all, he is more than old enough to know better.

[driverslicense]

As Chase is going after the munga himself, he assumes Eiji does, in fact, know what he's in for. And that's why he's standing back and watching for a bit.

Until the munga veers and comes right for him, that is, prompting Chase to pull out something that looks very suspiciously like a gun. (A purple gun, but a gun nonetheless.)

"Move out of the way..." It shouldn't be too difficult if Eiji's chasing along behind the munga and Chase is in front of it, but just in case.