TEST DRIVE MEME

[ryslighelpers]

TEST DRIVE MEME: SEPTEMBER

Welcome to the Ryslig Test Drive Meme! Below are a few prompts to get you started, but you may make up any prompt you desire! Please take a look at the navigation page for rules, setting information, and links to reserves and apps. Have fun!

SCENARIO ONE

You wake up on the beach thoroughly drenched with your mouth full of sand. The salt water causes various cuts and scrapes on your skin to sting and the sand isn't helping. The air is slightly humid, ruining any feeling of refreshment you might have gotten from your dip in the ocean. There are lights in the distance but the unfriendly scent of gunpowder fills the air. If you're lucky, you're alone. If not, you might find yourself staring up into a pair of monstrous eyes or down the barrel of a local's shotgun.

SCENARIO TWO

So you've just arrived, and already SOME the natives are trying to get on your good side. Offers of food, shelter and other luxuries in return for hoping you don't eat them. They even have some helpful pamphlets to share with you. "How To Deal With Changes", "Alternatives to Human Flesh", "What to Expect When You're Expecting (to turn into a monster)" are all great pamphlets. There's even some detailing certain monsters, and the changes they go through. Some of these seem to have been passed down from one monster to the next.

Among these however, are some... not so helpful ones. "Bunnyipyips And You", "Axe Thief Axehounds," and "So you're becoming a Fur Bearing Trout" among others. Sometimes they have marks on them from previous people who had them saying they are lies, or pointing out good "jokes." Then there's the people who aren't happy to see you at all. Glares and silent, judging stares if you're lucky. Torches and pitchforks attempting to drive you out of the town if you're not. You may need a friend to help you.

SCENARIO THREE

"Seek us out," the voice whispers in your head, and before you have time to question it you've found yourself in someplace entirely alien. Maybe it's the Fog God's ghostly town of Dyster, where exultant followers dance around bonfires and sing their praises to the skies above. Maybe it's the Fourth God's arcade, with small robots wheeling about amidst the lights and colors of old pinball machines. Only one thing is certain: you are not alone, in this sacred place.

SCENARIO FOUR

The time has come and you've found yourself becoming a monster. Is the change instant, or gradual? Are you familiar enough with monsters to know what's happening, or is it a complete shock? NOTE: Feel free to pick any monster type for this prompt, but note that you may not get the same one in game.

Comments

[hamham]

[HE IS EVEN MORE OF A MAGNIFICENT HAMSTER LORD THAN HE WAS BEFORE.

That being said and out of the way, he relaxes some at the recognition, nodding at first though realizing that she doesn't have her glasses. Ah, that was probably a bit useless.]

Correct.

[Yes, Peko, it's him. Hello. How are you? Probably not fairing great huh? He draws closer now, though still not coming too close to avoid seeming like he's cornering her.]

I will repeat myself: are you injured? More than what the violence the sea gods have likely wrought upon you?

[The locals haven't given you trouble, in other words.]

[rambunctiousgirl]

[Sorry, Gundam, comes with the whole red eye territory. Probably.]

I'm... not.

[But she's looking him up and down as though he is.]

What..... what's happened to you?

[hamham]

[Probably, but that's alright.

It's good that she isn't injured at least. Of course he had no doubt that if any locals had tried something, she'd dispatch of them rather easily, but there was still a chance she could get hurt in the process. That's what he'd been most worried about. With that worry put to rest, he can focus more on that question.]

What you see before you is a product of what the denizen of this world is capable of. By using her bewitching fog, this so called deity is capable of forcing transformations upon those she drags to her peninsula. While this has merely revealed my true form and, therefor, is hardly a concern in my case, many humans find themselves gripped with different transformations. Claws, fur, feathers, scales...it's a lot to explain.

[Especially out here on the beach.]

We should focus more on tending your needs rather than addressing issues like that for now. You have not arrived in the most hospitable territory.

[rambunctiousgirl]

[And kind of as though she has just accepted his explanation as true, Peko... nods.

Ah, yes, of course the lord of demons has returned to his demon form, apparently.]

...I see. Then we should travel quietly.

[She understands. The answers she wants will have to wait. Peko gets to her feet, pressing her confusion into the back of her mind. And with a very serious, steady stare, she adds--]

Thank you, Tanaka-san.

[hamham]

[Wow it's not apparently. It's very obviously!!! You'll understand when you see their other classmates. You'll look at them and say, "Ah, yes, truly Tanaka-san's great, powerful and intimidating demonic form has shown itself. Rather than turning into something completely different like the others. This must be the explanation. He's so cool." Definitely.

But that will be then, and this is now. And right now he's nodding. Quietly is definitely how they should travel. Not that he couldn't easily dispose of any locals wanting to bring them harm if they were caught but it's better to avoid unnecessary killing if possible. But ah, that thank you-]

There's no need. You are, however, welcome. It's the least I am able to do for you.

[Okay, give him a moment to decide the best route to take...]

Once we are out of the area of Vandare, we will be better off. The town and its people, both natives and foreigners alike, are quite in arms. While some may be friendly enough to offer you pamphlets of information, others are just as willing to try and put you down on sight.

[rambunctiousgirl]

[Yes, and when she has some kind of glasses again. It'll be nice to re-process his majesty in full 20/20 splendor instead of "i guess you're an oni but you sound heavier than before" standard vision. Why the hell couldn't the kuzuryuus afford lasik

Anyway at the moment all Peko's focused on is the fact that yes, from a warrior's perspective, Gundam is very right. She should be getting some place safe before she gets any information, if she has allies here.

Not that she deserves those allies, but... she'll acknowledge that when she's back on her own two feet.]

If you lead, I'll be able to follow. Don't worry about me.

[A warrior would be able to follow him even blind.]

[hamham]

[Don't worry, Peko. You're talking to the one classmate present who also does not deserve allies. Well, other than maybe your young master, but the two of you will always have each other no matter what.

Not that you know that, but he won't keep you in the dark about that for too long.

As for leading, he nods, still turning to actually point out the direction they're heading.]

Bavan, the more welcoming city here on the peninsula and our home, is in this direction. We'll be moving that way, doing our best to avoid Vandare. If need be, I am able to fly and would be easily able to carry you.

[Despite his problem with physical contact, he'd be willing to do this. This is Peko, after all, and he owes it to Fuyuhiko to look after her until the two are reunited. As far as he's concerned, she's just as important to himself as she is to his kyoudai. Well, not just as, but he'll go through hell or high water for the swordswoman if he has to.]

I will not force you to accept such transport, but it's there. The trek between here and Bavan is a long one, so tell me if you grow weary. We will rest.

[And with that he starts leading.]

[rambunctiousgirl]

[The nice thing about the island they'd been on together is that if anyone had cool powers there, there was a long enough portion of time where they weren't freaking dying to be like "wow, dude, that's cool, I can't believe you can fly". Peko has no such liberty right now. She can only accept that fine, you know what? Gundam can fly, sure.

She'll process it later.]

...Understood.

[She doesn't want to burden him, but she knows she's less use to him falling apart than she is fully alive. She'll rest if she needs to.]

[hamham]

[There will definitely be plenty of time to process it later. There will be a lot more to process, after all, so Peko will get all the time she needs...

But thank you for listening to him. Not that she's a burden at all, but he cares and would prefer that she remain in once piece and also somewhat well off. As well off as can be expected under these circumstances. At least they'll take it easier once they're out of harms way? Like walking through the country side will be a pleasant stroll compared to the careful and watchful movements they need to take now! Just a couple of pals hoofing it back to a city that won't kill them on sight. Like bros. Maybe talking about the whole monster thing. It'll be great.

For now though, he's mostly silent, speaking only as they edge closer to Vandare's city limits.]

There's the town itself. It is in the middle of unrest and upheaval...the populace of this town were never accepting of us, and this animosity grew into violent protests once a local anti-monster organization came into power.

[Are you up for a quick history lesson while you guys move?]

Fed up with this treatment, a group of monsters aimed to try and retake the town for themselves...and its since been divided. Many residents who still harbor their hatred for us tend to kill new arrivals such as yourself on sight now more than ever thanks to this butting of heads. This is the reason caution is necessary.

[Just so you know.]

[rambunctiousgirl]

[Maybe it's a good thing Peko doesn't question Gundam's antics as much. Accepting them for what they are just seems to be easier, and at the very least, it sure gets him through his speeches quicker. She just has to pick out the information that's relevant, is all.

Peko does her best to keep pace with Gundam, not so much to stay by his side as to avoid drawing more attention to the both of them.]

...You speak as though you've been here quite a while.

[And that, my fair boy, doesn't make a god damn lick of sense she just died]

[hamham]

[It's definitely easier, at least when there's relevant information to pick out. Which there isn't always a guarantee of that.]

I've been here a little over a year now. Though these events in Vandare transpired fairly recently.

["Quite a while" is right.]

Along with her capability of transporting us here, the Fog God is also capable of pulling us from different points in our lifetimes. It is guaranteed that what you remember and what I remember are vastly different. And she is able to do this at different periods of time within her own lifetime as well. It is possible she very well could have transported you here sooner, so that it had only been a few months since I arrived. Or never at all.

don't feel obligated to continue this if you don't wanna!!

[rambunctiousgirl]

...Ah.

[Once upon a time, Peko might have doubted or protested that all of these things are impossible, but right now she has been raised from the dead only to meet her comrade as a demon after she'd killed someone while on some.... bullshit highschool field trip kidnapping murder game.

Whatever's happening is happening, okay.]

Then you should know... that I only recall my execution as though it were hours ago.

oops too bad i'm gonna anyway

[hamham]

[Honestly even he was a little disbelieving at first, and he's the one who makes this kinda shit up regularly. But yeah, it's...it's happening. It's a thing that is happening.

He nods, however, at this information.]

An unsurprising fact, that. That is how it has been for all of those who have died in that game, including myself. It took a while to adjust to the idea that this was not some form of purgatory.

[rambunctiousgirl]

If you are sure... then I can't argue.

[He's been here longer, after all, but it will still take her some time to fully accept, she's sure. Still, now's not the time to get sentimental.]

But surely the nature of this place must be different. You didn't stay that long after my trial, did you...?

[hamham]

[He's quiet for a moment, trying to figure out the meaning behind the question before answering. Mostly because if she's referring to the time immediately afterward, that'd deal with talking about Fuyuhiko and he assumes the heir would want to take care of that himself.

So he goes with the other option.]

If you are referring to the time I spent there before arriving here, it had been a little over a week...? If I remember correctly. Long enough for two more trials to pass, in any case. I arrived in a similar state as you, having only just suffered my own execution.

[Stated so that she knows they are on similar ground in that regard.]

[rambunctiousgirl]

Then it must be different.

[Confirms Peko with a nod.]

If the span here is so much longer, a much more powerful force must be at play.

[But heaven only knows what.

She looks to Gundam patiently, eyes alert but expression unchanged. There is no reason to assume she knows the motives leading to his execution, nor to assume she should distrust him yet.]

May I ask the circumstances?

[hamham]

[Gundam offers a nod in reply. That's exactly it. Some sort of god. But the full God Talk can wait. Mostly because, aside from "don't follow them", he kind of hates the full God Talk.......it often involves the full "different universe" talk that no one can ever understand which is the most frustrating thing. It's so straight forward guys. It's like...elementary school logic. Come on!!!

But, ah, here's something a little easier to talk about.]

Upon the island that had been opened after the last trial, an amusement park stood. Using his clever ways, Monokuma lured us onto a train of his design that knocked us out with some form of gas. We awoke inside what he referred to as a "fun house", locked up with no way to know how we got there or how to get out. We would be starved until a killing occurred. Hinata had convinced the others that sitting and waiting for their deaths in such a manner would be better than playing Monokuma's game, and I disagreed.

[So he decided to do something about that. While he's not outright saying "I wanted to save them" he's at least gotten better about trying to twist it into "I wanted to be selfish and evil". Peko can take it how she will.]

Nidai had been my victim.

[rambunctiousgirl]

[Peko doesn't respond for a few paces, nor does she change her stride. After that pause, though, she turns her head to face him fully and respectfully despite her lack of vision, and nods, her expression still as icy as ever.]

Thank you.

[She says, and turns her head back to face the path before them, as though nothing had been discussed.]

I understand.

[hamham]

[That's something he hadn't been expecting, and he's not sure how he feels about it. G...good...? Maybe? Maybe that's what this feeling is. Every other time he's brought this up, it's always been an accusation of "you did it for this reason didn't you" but never any gratitude, not stated so plainly and easily understood.

He raises a hand to rub at his nose a little sheepishly - something he's picked up from his kyoudai - while glancing away from her.]

...it was nothing.

[Clearing his throat, he drops his arm again.]

I'm sure Kuzuryuu will be glad to see you, once we've arrived at the castle.

[Another thing he's picked up from the heir: deflection. Let's talk about this instead. Surely you're gonna be more interested in this than that weird, feels-y topic right?]