TEST DRIVE MEME: SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER

[ryslighelpers]

TDM: SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER

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 is making all the cuts and scrapes on your skin 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 of the natives are trying to get on your good side with 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 on the more informative end of the scale. 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 readers saying they're lies, or pointing out good "jokes."

Then there are 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? Feel free to pick any monster type for this prompt, but note that you may not get the same one in game.

Comments

Rapunzel | Tangled | OTA

[hairandbackagain]

A.

[This wasn't the first time that Rapunzel had woken up damp and with sand in her mouth, nor with salt water making the cuts and scrapes sting... but she's still quick to wake, glancing around in a bit of panic because what happened? The last thing she remembered was making it to the moonstone... and now she's on a beach? It doesn't add up. She pulls herself up quickly, brushing the sand off of her dress, and does the first thing she can think to:]

Eugene!? Cass!? Hey, are you guys here??

[She doesn't know what she expects, honestly. She glances around nervously again, and takes her first few steps to figuring out what's going on, trying to pick the branches and twigs and everything out of her incredibly long and, well, unbound hair. Some part of her notes that it's going to be a pain to take care of later, but it's fine. That isn't what's important right now.

But that's when she calls out again, cupping her hands around her mouth:]

CASS, EUGENE—!

B.

[Of course, new arrivals means that the angrier villagers are out and about, ready to deal with whatever new monsters are appearing. Rapunzel's long hair is certainly not doing her any favors, thanks to how unusual it is. It made her an obvious mark for having a shotgun pointed at her face, and while Rapunzel is trying to not panic... well, there is a gun pointed at her face and she has no idea why because what could she have done that was so wrong? What happened?

She can be found trying to bargain with the guy with the gun, trying to be her usual, charming self.]

Haha, is this supposed to be a prank? Because wow, you've got me. You're good at this—!

[missleadingquestions]

[Maya's come to investigate why there are arrivals happening more often at all-- not at all clinging to a vague hope-worry she might run into someone she knows, of course-- and seeing the clamor in the streets over it, she's suddenly quite glad she's got a little more strength on her. Once upon a time if someone human were to aggress her, she'd be done for, but nowadays she has a few more tricks up her sleeves and a bit more muscle to make up for everything else. It makes walking past angry townspeople a bit easier, especially when she can flash some a sharp toothed smile to get them to retreat.

Of course, it also means she sure thinks she can take on more danger than maybe she should. So when Maya hears a woman's sheepish voice and a man replying--

The only prank here is the fact you things keep showin up!

--Maya quickly turns on her heel and runs for the source of it. What she sees is that man pressing his rifle in closer on a woman with the most incredible hair Maya's ever seen.

...Which isn't the point.

Give me one good reason why I shouldn't blast your head off--]

Uh, because it's super rude to shoot at cute girls?!

[Maya calls from behind the two, hesitating for just a moment. Maybe-- maybe they can just get this guy to back off??!]

[hairandbackagain]

[Oh, wow, this is escalating a bit further than she wanted and she doesn't have a frying pan—she's about to respond to the man when she hears Maya's voice, and while it's not familiar, it's friendly. She doesn't seem all that perturbed by the other girl's appearance, either.]

She has a point, y'know! I kind of like having my head on my shoulders anyway. My mom always said I had a good one to keep there.

[The man hesitates, spinning around to point the gun straight at Maya.

Ugh, it's like you're all multiplyin!

And Rapunzel is considering using her hair to shield the both of them, should she need to. Not that it would work here, but she doesn't know that yet.]

[missleadingquestions]

[Man, even if she was bulletproof, it'd still feel super threatening to have a gun in her face. Maya's eyes get wide, but she gives a sheepish smile, hands up, and does what she's always done since becoming a mermaid--

--relied on magic.]

Hey mister, don't you think you're kind of overreacting?

[Somehow, she's still able to sound soothing despite still seeming sheepish- though with the man between them, Rapunzel might not be able to feel the effect at all.]

Don'tcha think that we could talk this out?

[The man actually wavers a bit, his gun lowering just slightly in his uncertainty. Perhaps he wasn't expecting a mermaid, or... well, to be sung to, at all, but it's enough for Maya to put her hands on the barrel of this guy's rifle, trying to lower it.]

I'm not your enemy so, won't you pleease just let it go?

[She still casts a look at Rapunzel-- run! Get him while he's distracted! But-- something!]

[hairandbackagain]

[She knows what that look means, and she scrambles into action. Thankfully, in the debris that covers the beach... there was a frying pan. Rusty and falling apart and certainly not good for cooking ever again, but that didn't matter.

And before anything can happen to Maya, she swings. She hits the man and knocks him over, the gun falling out of his grasp as he drops into unconsciousness.]

I wish he didn't make me need to do that.

[missleadingquestions]

[Maya stares ahead as the man tumbles over, her mouth open in half-smiling surprise and awe. She lets out a little laugh, and--]

That was... so cool though.

[She stoops down to grab that gun-- but not to take it, rather, she immediately tosses the thing to the side before she beams up at Rapunzel.]

What do you say we get out of here?!

[hairandbackagain]

We were just lucky that my weapon of choice was nearby! [She laughs, and spins the pan, trying to look super cool. Only for it to hit her head and make her stumble back as she drops it.] Don't—Don't worry, I'm fine, that just happens sometimes—

Let's just get out of here before that happens again!

[missleadingquestions]

[Maya laughs along with Rapunzel-- until that pan donks her head, and then Maya has to cover up her laugh. What, she's super cute too!]

Okay! Um-- do you need help?

[Maya points at Rapunzel's hair.]

I know some of the safe places around here but, uh, you're kinda... dragging your pretty hair there.

[hairandbackagain]

[Oh yeah, the hair. There's just so much of it, and dragging it through the sand and everything else sure isn't helping it. She had been in the process of starting to pick it up, but there's way too much of it for just her.]

It's been through worse... but if we want to get out of here sooner rather than later, I think I'm gonna need a little help. Just take an armful!

B

[adandyinspace]

[The gun only stays pointed in the poor girl's face for so long before an entire body throws itself at the perpetrator, Dandy comes flying out of nowhere, dropkicking the poor bastard in the face and sending them to the ground. He then scrambles over to the shotgun and flings it away as far as possible because he's tired of these SHITTY PEOPLE and their SHITTY GUNS.]

Get outta here!! [Why he feels the need to scream more at the gun than the person carrying it is anyone's idea, but it doesn't take long for Dandy's attention to turn to Rapunzel and whip himself in her direction.] You...

[Despite marching over and making a face that could make milk curdle, Dandy isn't the scariest looking monster. He's a mermaid! In fun, happy dolphin colors! That won't stop him from trying to look intimidating though, and he gets a little too close to her face than he really should.]

The hell do you use in your hair?

[hairandbackagain]

[Wow. It happened so fast that she barely has time to register what happened till Dandy is getting all up in her business, and her expression changes from concerned and confused and stunned to beaming pretty quick. Even though Dandy's expression is probably kind of scary to other people, it's not to her.

Despite his demeanor, he's totally gotta be a good guy. What else could he be? The question takes her a bit off guard, but frankly, it's not the first time she's been asked something like that.]

Nothing! I mean, I wash it and brush it, but I don't use anything that special.

[Except the whole sundrop flower thing.]

[adandyinspace]

[It's kinda funny how quickly Dandy's face slides from something so angry into a look of both awe and confusion. Although he doesn't straight up grab her hair, he does start to circle her in his disbelief. Dandy's definitely skeptical, years of hair care has taught him otherwise, but...if someone were to have this kinda hair naturally...]

So...what? You're human arentcha? [She could easily be one of the nonhumans who get all changed up before coming here, just some alien that has freaky long hair. This is a totally normal question to ask someone.] No, like...conditioner or anything to tackle split ends...?

[He places his webby hand on his chin as the gears inside his head try to solve this puzzle, although a part of him still can't help but admire what is obviously YEARS of hard work. Even if her hair did just get drenched in horrible, muggy salt water, it's fine. He's a mermaid after all, that just makes it better.]

See, I'm tryin' to grow out my hair for the whole mermaid aesthetic vibe I got goin', kinda of a big deal around here.

[Big enough to kick some guy in the face over.]

...Oh, and, uh, sorry you're in hell now.

[hairandbackagain]

[It's not the first time people have marveled over her hair. It doesn't make her as nervous as it used to, back when she'd first left the tower, but despite the fact that it's all soggy and damp and covered in twigs, it does seem to be in remarkably good condition.]

Oh, I don't think I get split ends? I've never really paid attention... [And she couldn't really cut them even if she did, she's just always been very meticulous about taking care of her hair all the same though since there's just so much of it.] But I think you're doing great with your hair! You've definitely got the mermaid aesthetic happening.

[But wait, excuse her?]

We're... where?

[adandyinspace]

[Oh, compliments... It's so rare to hear them from people he doesn't even know, most people are usually turned off by his attitude...

His ego explodes.

Without even thinking about it, his hand runs through his hair as he grins like an idiot, making sure to bump the shells he's put in it to make sure they clank together. Why yes, he DOES definitely got the mermaid aesthetic happening. Good to see not everyone is an idiot.]

Ain't that the truth~ That means a lot, comin' from an expert and all.

[Look, the twigs came from the ocean, that makes them SUPERIOR twigs.]

Try not to take it too literally, yeesh. All I'm sayin' is this place is the pits.

[hairandbackagain]

I wouldn't call myself an expert... I just had a lot of time to figure it out. [She sounds a little sheepish, but it's fine. There's a bit of pride, too.]

I'm sure it's not that bad... wherever we are. If there are more people like you, I'm sure it's fine!

[adandyinspace]

[Dandy can't help but give her a look. What a dummy.]

Uh, not sure if you've heard, but that's how people, y'know, become experts.

[Geez, if she would stop being so nice to him, he'd make fun of her more for it, but...really? More people like him? That is literally the last thing anyone else would ask for, it's like this chick's been living in a tower her whole life-]

For example, I've been here a long ass time, so I'm an expert on what a bunch of shit this planet is. [Just to emphasize his point, he daintily places a hand on his chest. Dandy's all set to whine about her newfound predicament, but...that smile. She's like a puppy, the kind of puppy dumped on a hell planet who doesn't realize the dangers its in, but everything's fine because it's a puppy. It breaks his heart, he...he just can't do it.] ...But I'm also getting sick of tellin' people the worst news of their life, so let's just leave it at that.

[hairandbackagain]

[She meant every single word that was nice about him and even though Dandy's not so sure about it, she is, and that's all that matters.

But this still isn't helpful. Planet? What??? She knows of stars and planets but saying 'planet' is weird when he could've just said country or something.]

Wait, you said planet... what do you mean by that?

A

[feudalladyshandmaid]

[Living as a werebear came with interesting changes to Cassandra's life, beyond just the typical cannibalism she was forced to indulge in from time to time. The extra strength added onto her physique made chores a... well, chore. The fur was a nonissue once she found the right shampoos to use. Even the bear form she changed into at nighttime became just a skill she could use to patrol the grounds of Solsikke castle, with those heightened senses of smell and hearing to help her pick up on any people.

Like it was right now. It was faint, but she heard a voice; it sounded very familiar.

It was calling her name.

Suddenly Cassandra is moving, feet kicking up dirt behind her, wind whistling past her ears as she heads in the direction she assumes it's coming from, which turns out to be one of the many sandy beaches around Ryslig.

Her heart was racing, not just from the exertion of running full-speed, but it almost stopped when her eyes laid on the woman picking herself out of the sand.]

Raps?!

[hairandbackagain]

[She whips around when she hears Cass' voice, and while she looks different, Rapunzel knows that it's her. It's her voice and how she says her name and it doesn't really matter.

Also maybe she just found another weird potion or something, that's not unheard of. She jumps out of the sand and all but flings herself at Cass, though, wrapping her arms around her in as much of a bearhug (ha) that she can muster.]

You don't know how happy I am to see you, Cass.

[feudalladyshandmaid]

[Cassandra steps out, and... her looking different is an understatement. Sure, in general, it's the lady-in-waiting Rapunzel has come to know and love; she's just furrier, with sharper claws, and fangs. No biggie.

The hug catches her off guard, and her entire body goes stiff. Some small part of her thought this was a dream, but it certainly feels real.]

I'm not... I'm not dreaming this, right? [She asked, her voice quieter, less composed.] Raps, you're here, you're back.

[hairandbackagain]

[After a moment she lets go, stepping back so that she can take in her friend's appearance.]

Believe me, I've already pinched myself. See? I'm doing it again for you. [And she lifts her arm and pinches herself, a soft ow escaping her lips.] I'm here.

[But wait.]

... Cass, what do you mean by 'back'? [Because she's never seen this place before.]

[feudalladyshandmaid]

Raps, you don't have to- [And there she goes. Even the soft 'ow' reached Cass's new ears with clarity. She should have been the one pinching herself, what with Rapunzel suddenly being here, and feeling very real.... not like she would disappear in a moment.

She sighs softly. God, she loves this woman so much.]

....Uhh, wait, you don't remember?

[hairandbackagain]

Um... nope. Should I?

[Did she get hit with more memory loss? Oh god. That's worrying.]

I'm sorry if I was supposed to—do you think something happened??

[feudalladyshandmaid]

I'm... not sure.

[But it's concerning, so Cassandra is doing her best to roll with this. Ever so gently, she cups Rapunzel's face in a hand, looking her over, checking for signs of... Well, she's checking for anything; sickness, magic, god nonsense.]

You're in Ryslig again, do you remember that? The awful place full of monsters?

fuck it. princess time.

[comeasyouare]

[ At some point, walking the beaches had become something of a tradition this time of the month for Sonia. Regardless of however many newcomers appeared, it still felt like there was a chance that someone could've accidentally been dragged over here. She was courting dangers from the hunters that tended to stalk these beaches, of course, but she was far more capable to handle things than anyone new typically is.

Which makes it super amusing that when Rapunzel starts calling for her friends, Sonia gets spooked and ends up turning into a horse and falling over. ]

Shit--

[ Squint hard enough, Rapunzel, and you can see a majestic kelp unicorn flailing around on the beach for a few moments. That's... different. ]