JANUARY/FEBRUARY TEST DRIVE

[ryslighelpers]

TDM: JANUARY/FEBRUARY

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

[justbeingknife]

You said it.

Anyway. Everyone who comes here from another world, they turn into a monster. Werewolf, vampire, a slime, stuff like that.

[ Majima indicated himself with one long, clawed finger tapped to his chest. ]

Happens at different speeds dependin' on the person, but it always happens. We're supposed to embrace our true potential, or some shit.

[hevenly]

[ Hang on. Give her a minute. She's not the sharpest sword in the armory, but she'll get there. ]

You mean to say, the monsters which eat people and return to life with the fog... Are people who were brought here just as I was? And I shall meet their same fate?

[ She's not going to let that happen. But for the sake of argument, let's say it will. ]

[justbeingknife]

Exactly. When I first showed up here, I wasn't half as furry.

[ Now look at him, fluffy as fuck -- at least in regards to those parts of him which were currently canine. Winter clothes covered most of it. ]

Been here about a year now. Not as long as some.

[hevenly]

[ ...

Again, Angela refuses to give into fate just because someone tells her this is how things shall be. She will not go quietly into the fog. She kills monsters, she doesn't become one. ]

I am sorry for your sad fate. What has been done to try to stop the Fog God's machinations? Surely some have thought to fight?

[justbeingknife]

[ There was a pause as Majima considered this, and when he spoke again, it was with more calm. A little less simmering anger with noplace to go. ]

I think you ought to talk to the Freedom Fellowship. There's a guy here by the name of Tsukikage who's been here longer'n I have. He can tell ya more than I can about the Fog God, and her Heart.

[hevenly]

[ Angela nods solemnly, accepting this next task in her new quest. ]

Very well. I will speak to this Tsukikage.

What is your name, that I may tell him who sent me?

[justbeingknife]

It's Majima, pleased to meet ya. Even if it ain't exactly under enviable circumstances. And you are...?

[ Only right to return the gesture. Majima bowed his head a little as he introduced himself, being as how he had no way of knowing if handshakes were a thing in this situation or not. ]

[hevenly]

Angela. [ She's glad Majima didn't give a second name. Saves her from having to explain that she doesn't have one.

She bows her head in turn, honoring his form of greeting as is only polite when in a new land. ]

Thank you, Majima, for your wisdom. How can I repay you?

[justbeingknife]

Re...? [ That threw him for a brief loop. ]

When I first got here, I had no idea what was goin' on, and a couple monsters helped me get my bearings. I'm just returnin' the favor.

[ In other words, no repayment needed. Though he understood the sentiment. ]

I know this's all pretty sudden and all, but is there anything else ya need? A lead on a place to stay, a place to grab some food?

[hevenly]

Nothing is for nothing. [ Angela explains. ] Everything has its price.

[ It is the creed she lives by, how she was raised. It is the only thing the Angels gave her that she decided to keep, apart from her name.

But she considers his words, giving them the proper weight they deserve. ]

In return for your help now, I will "pay it forward," and help any other newcomers I see come along. But, if I am to accept any further assistance, then I will be in your debt.

[justbeingknife]

[ Majima considered Angela's response for a moment -- it sound suspiciously like a capital-P Principle.

Something he could respect. ]

Reasonable enough.

Y'know, one of the things I miss most out here is some good conversation. Might sound strange, but it was part of my old line of work. And ever since the claws and fangs came in, it's been harder to come by.

[ A wry note to this observation. ]

Wouldn't mind offering some additional assistance for an interestin' story. About yourself, or where ya came from, something like that.

How about it?

[hevenly]

[ It is very much a capital-P Principle. One that Angela was raised to follow and swear by. Perhaps the only thing she kept of what the Angels taught her.

The request for a story sends a pang of longing through Angela's heart. Part of her wonders whether her reputation precedes her-- or more precisely Sera's reputation. Could her beloved have been brought here? Is that why she was not in their Brooklyn home?

But the moment passes, and Angela realizes the question was asked in innocence. By her own rule, she must oblige, though she is reluctant to, and saddened by the prospect of having to be the one who tells the stories for a change. ]

I am not usually the one to be telling my stories. That role falls to my... [ How to put her all consuming relationship with Sera into a single word? ] ...girlfriend. But, as she is not here, I suppose it falls to me now.

What sort of story would interest you? I can't promise I'll be very good in the telling, but I will try.

[justbeingknife]

Hey, it doesn't have to be elaborate or anythin'. Let's see...

[ He paused, thinking of a kind of conversation starter that might lend itself well for some initial light discussion. ]

For instance, I'm from Japan. Earth, 1988. Used to work in the cabaret business, so I pulled a lot of late hours. Turned out, that worked pretty well when I had to go werewolf, because they're all about bein' nocturnal.

[hevenly]

[ The look on Angela's face could be described as fond, if you squint. ]

I have never been to Japan, but I am familiar with Earth. I lived there, for a time. [ Somewhere between a few weeks and seven years, depending on your point of view. ] I was in Brooklyn, New York before I awoke here. I had not been there for some time, and in the interim, the apartment that had belonged to me and my girlfriend had been leased to someone new.

[ Now her face falls. ]

I had hoped to find her still living there, but my hopes were dashed. Now I have no clue where to look to find her.

[justbeingknife]

Sorry, didn't realize.

[ Which was the problem, really -- one never knew when an innocuous question like 'where do you live' might be answered only by 'a horrible hell dimension filled with screams and cackling Sam Neill'. But they were in it now, hold on to your butts. ]

Ya figure she's looking for you at the same time?

[hevenly]

[ Well... He asked for a story. He didn't specify a happy one. ]

The last time we were separated, [ When Sera died. ] She sent me clues so that I would know where to find her. This time... I have none.

[ And now she's been waylaid by this unforeseen detour. Things are really not going in Angela's favor right now. ]

[justbeingknife]

[ Not the most promising development. ]

I don't want to pile more on your plate and all, but I figure I should mention: last year, about ten or so of us went through an experimental portal. It let us see what was happenin' back home, but only for a few days.

What I saw when I went back is that time moved at about the same time there as here.

[hevenly]

So I am losing time that could be spent finding her.

[ Thanks. That was about the worst news you could have given her. ]

Is there no chance of crossing back into the Realm we came from? Or of others finding their way into this one?

[ Maybe it's Sera's turn to find Angela for once. ]

[justbeingknife]

There is a chance. But it's harder for us to go back than it is for people to end up here.

[ Times were tough in Monsterville. ]

Or maybe it's got more to do with the Fog God not wantin' us to leave. I had someone tell me once that she didn't have the power to send us back. Sounds like kind of a load to me, though. Considerin' she's the one that brought us here in the first place.

[hevenly]

[ Angela wholeheartedly agrees with that assessment. ]

If this god has the power to bring us here, and to keep us here, against our will... I am certain she has it in her domain to send us back.

[ She will have to find this Fog God and have words with her. And if words won't do, then perhaps a sword will.

She just... needs to find a sword first. ]

Is there anywhere in this land which sells armaments?

[justbeingknife]

For persuasion at close range, there's a lady named Fiora who makes swords and knives and all that. Her place is called Starlight Road, and she takes commissions.

[ It was actually kind of weird that he knew the answer to this offhand, but look. Everyone needed a hobby. ]

If you're after firearms, there're a couple places around. Only thing is most of the gear around here's strictly 1950's-era. Ya won't find a lot of laser guns around Bavan.

And if you want something from back home, Mana might be able to get it for ya, for a price.

[hevenly]

I have never favored guns. [ Though she has seen their efficacy in action. You don't run with people like Rocket Racoon, Gamora, and Star-Lord and not develop an appreciation for guns. ] Swords and axes are much more elegant.

[ Absently, her fingers tangle in the long strands of ribbon which hang limp around her neck. ] I used to be able to control these and bind an opponent with them... I suppose I could still do so manually... It's just so much less convenient when your hands could be used for other things.

[ Like stabbing and slashing. ]

Who is this Mana? Another local god?

[justbeingknife]

A witch who takes magic coins in exchange for performin' a spell or two for ya.

[ Majima fished in his pocket, producing a thin gold coin with a wolf emblazoned on one side. ]

Far as I know, she's not a god herself. But she uses a dead god's power to work her magic. Maybe she could even fix those ribbons up for ya.

[hevenly]

[ That's an interesting development. At least this witch operates on the same principle as Angela herself: equivalent exchange. Coins for a spell. ]

How does one earn these coins? Are they the local currency, or something special?

[ She would like to regain the use of her ribbons. ]

[justbeingknife]

They show up about once a month, and it seems like the amount's different for everyone. Can't say I know how or why -- or if anyone does, even Mana.

But I do know you can ask for all kindsa favors. Hell, I know someone who switched monsters.

[ Although there was that minor part about having to bury themselves alive oops ]