TEST DRIVE MEME: JUNE

[ryslighelpers]

TDM: JUNE

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

B. /Slams an Elf in Here

[wineflavoredroses]

[Rosefica is on the opposite end, she is not at risk for losing her humanity, as she was never human in the first place. (And therefore, better.) But, she was not paying attention herself as most people knew to get out of the way of the tall woman as she strutted down the sidewalk. She catches herself by placing her hand on his biceps to keep from falling backwards.

And, if she had, to pull him along with her. If she's going down, it is going to be everyone's problem, but mostly his.

Still, in an attempt to remain cheery, she does offer him an apologetic smile. She's a tall woman, at least to humans, but in her high heels she is several inches taller than Bruno. And her long ears are decorated with chained earrings.]

Oh, that's quite alright; I should also have been watching where I'm going.

[She lets go of his arm and smooths out her skirt.]

You certainly sound a fair bit stranger than some of the others here. And your manner of dress is also unique. Are you new here, perhaps?

[arrivedercibaby]

[That is...a rather tall woman. Not that he hasn't met tall people before - Polpo towered over everyone in his lifetime, for one - but it is a bit striking. He gives her the faintest of smiles in return, and listens as she speaks.]

Do I? I can't imagine what the others here sound like very well - most everyone I've met is too anxious to give decent conversation...though, yes, perhaps my style is a bit more unique than those around me.

[Not commenting on how she sticks out fairly well either because he's a gentleman.]

I am. I just washed up onto the beach earlier. [He extends his hand.] Bruno Bucciarati. Pleased to meet you. If you have any less frenzied information, I'd appreciate it, seeing as I likely need all the knowledge I can get.

[wineflavoredroses]

They sound a bit like... [peasant humans. Even commoners like she'd been can enunciate.] Well, perhaps you have it right. They're rather anxious creatures here. It's a shame.

[She looks down at his offered hand, and smiles politely. In her heart, she knows she is about to be a brat, but it doesn't show in her manners or her expression.] I'm sorry, my people don't shake hands.

[She curtsied gently instead.] Lady Rosefica Sungazer, it is a pleasure.

[He's a human, so it isn't, but at least he's a polite human.] I've not been here very long myself, but I am happy to assist you, if you would like.

[arrivedercibaby]

They have their reasoning, which they've attempted to explain. Transformation, I believe. They see most anyone outside their community as a potential threat given their situation. I wish I could say they were entirely wrong to do so.

[Oh. Okay. He takes his hand back then.] Apologies - your people? [Still, he bows in return. That's a name that seems to imply she's from high standing. Should treat her with respect, not that he wouldn't anyway.]

You haven't? Well, definitely longer than me. I assume things get easier as they go along...I've been taking them all at their word, but I should reconfirm information. The basics being 'transformations', some manner of deity having to do with fog, and the touchy subject of cannibalism on technicalities apparently happening at some point. All of this is correct, yes?

[wineflavoredroses]

Well, yes, I'm a Rim'fael. [The way she says it is so pleasant, Riim'fai-el.] Which, sadly, means I am very far from home indeed. [She sighs, wistful for home. That isn't a lie. The moment she can get herself right back to Sel’enial and to her husband and child, the better.]

I've a companion here who is also from my home in Sel'enial. But we seem to be the only two here, sadly.

[She smiles at him.] And yes, those seem to be all the major points, though there is the other deity that is... Oh, what do they call him. The Fourth? Which would imply at least two others aside from the Fog God, but I've not heard of them. If you haven't seen them, there are a number of transformed humans around that they call monsters. But a fair few are pleasant enough to speak to.

As for the cannibalism, I cannot confirm or deny it, but it is upsetting to say the least.

[arrivedercibaby]

[Riim'fai-el. He doesn't raise a brow, but he is surprised.] I'm afraid I haven't heard of your people or your home, but I suppose that's normal here, given that I've never heard of Rhyslig before, either. [He begins contemplating keeping a notebook on all these new places and terms, provided he can find one and a pen.]

I'm sorry to hear that - I've seen none of my companions thus far, either. The entire situation is concerning in that regard.

[He has to mentally note this new information as well - the Fourth. He'd never considered himself a god-fearing man, but the presence of multiple deities is intriguing.] ...Multiples. I see. That means either harmony or a war, but neither could be pleasant considering the thus-presented facts. [He nods.] I've heard rumor of them. I was assuming there might be a community of some sort for the like, since I don't...well, I don't see my presence being accepted here any time soon.

It is upsetting, but many things in life are. I'm...bracing for it, myself. [He's not excited, but he's never faltered in his life. He has to survive for his men, so ultimately...he'll do what he must. But he won't do it without consideration.]

[wineflavoredroses]

[She smiles warmly again and offers him her arm.] Well! In that case, you shall be pleased to know that I am on the way to where many of them are. And! There is a pleasant section of small apartments that are monster-only. I've been staying there myself.

[Very small, actually. She had a closet at home that was bigger than the apartment she had accepted. But things would change eventually, of that she was sure. That, and the idiot human man she was making give her money for being beautiful and completely unattainable.]

I would be happy to take you, if you would like.

[arrivedercibaby]

That is pleasant to hear. And convenient. Hopefully they don't ask for pay - I'm...a bit short at the moment. My funds are at home. [He's not sure if they'd take Euros, anyway...]

[He takes her arm gently.] Grazie. I'd much appreciate that, Lady Sungazer, especially given I'd be very likely to get lost on my own.

[wineflavoredroses]

It is a rather large city, isn't it? Still, you needn't worry about cost for those lodgings. They are apparently free. I don't know why that is, but it is.

[She leads him along the road and as they grow closer to the section of the city there are more monster businesses than humans and takes care to point them out.]

There's a very nice little cafe - full of cats, but that is how it goes - that I work at. There are always multiple opportunities for work on the network; but I believe there are a group of people that can provide you with such things.

I do miss using magic, though. Dawnstone was never so filthy, and that was our capital city.

[arrivedercibaby]

It is. I'd imagine Naples would be larger, but I've lived there for so long that...well. A place just feels smaller the more people you know there, and the same in contrast. It's very considerate for the free lodgings, however....I'll still repay them someday. It's what they deserve for their kindness to those in need.

[He listens intently as she points out the buildings.]

Oh. Cats tend to roam freely back where I come from...it's endearing that there's a cafe here for them. Very nice idea for companionship and relaxation. [He might very well visit there sometime, himself. He debates on what to say, mentally, to the idea of employment, but relents that honesty is the best policy for now.] Employment would be appreciated...it's been a while since I've held a normal line of work.

...Are abilities unavailable here? [No wonder. He hadn't tried to use Sticky Fingers yet, but now he's assuming it just won't work...]

[wineflavoredroses]

I haven't managed to learn who it is that set up such charity, but I will be sure to let you know when I do. Then perhaps we can both pay our respects and repayments.

[She sighs softly and pats his arm as they walk]


Unfortunately, that is very much the case. I haven't been able to cast a single spell, there's not a lick of mana to be obtained. Though living without mana is typically the same as causing my people to starve, it does not seem to be the case here, which I am very thankful for. I imagine that isn't the same case for you? No special dietary needs for your type of humanity?

[And then there's the wine situation. Which is regrettable, to say the very least. Still, even if he is a human, he seems to have his head in the right place thus far. She wonders how much how much it is he's leaving out.]

[arrivedercibaby]

That would be nice. I'll try to look into the matter as well.

[Hm. He purses his lips, thinking it over.]

No. The special abilities I've had aren't vital to my survival. [Well...mostly, but in one specific case it was someone else's special ability and there were a lot of nuances...but at any rate, he doesn't need Sticky Fingers to survive.]

No special dietary needs. Preferences, but not needs. I'm a normal human, for the most part. [For the most part.]

[wineflavoredroses]

For the most part?

[She chuckles and looks at him from the corner of her eye as they walk, mulling it over how this type of human and others might be different. But she is no scholar, that is better placed in the hands of Magistry officials who bothered with it.]

You'll have to illuminate me. The humans where I am from... hmmmm.

[She taps her chin in thought. It would be unwise to tell him her true feelings about those little false-god made upstarts, so she decides to couch this carefully.]

Well, they do things very quickly. It sometimes backfires on them. Like magic. Our mages are always studying. For centuries in many cases. My people can live nearly a millennia and sometimes over that, so we tend to take our time to enjoy what we do. But as human lifespans are typically very short, they tend to speed through it without thinking of consequence.

So, is your type of "normal" human a magic one, as well?

[arrivedercibaby]

[...He mentally mulls over the best way to explain Stands, if he so wishes. He supposes there's no harm telling her - especially if they don't work here - but exactly how is a bit complicated.]

My....magic is a bit different. There's no studying, there's no backfiring, there's a 'you have it, or you do not' quality to it. The magic I've used is called a 'Stand'. Some are natural, some are gained through other means. It's a bit more limiting than what yours is like, I'd imagine, as I'm mostly limited to one ability, and only others who have stands can see the others stands.

Mine is called Sticky Fingers, and allows me to open zipper-tears in the universe. Somewhat like a...portal? I've gone into using it fairly regularly for transportation purposes, storage purposes, it's very useful, but I suppose it simply just doesn't work here. Which makes me merely a human, mortal man.

[He shrugs softly]

It doesn't make me any less complete, however, obviously. It just is a convenience stripped from me.

[wineflavoredroses]

It does sound somewhat limited, yes. We have things like portable holes, and those sound similar enough. Portals of course, go many leagues from where you start. I've taken one that's brought me all the way to the furthest continent. Our magic also keeps all of Sel'enial in a state of eternal springtime. We do have help, of course. Mana crystals, leylines, and the like.

[If she speaks only of the utility and not the fact that a well placed spell by a well-trained mage could melt an entire block, then perhaps that will continue their pleasant conversation.]


Do all of these... Stands have names?

[arrivedercibaby]

Mmm. Sticky Fingers has a far shorter range. There are stands with longer ranges, but I'm afraid I can't go from continent to continent that easily. The rest of that sounds...nigh impossible for my world.

[I mean, considering the shit he's seen, not like that would phase him too much anyway.]

Yes. They do. Don't ask me the origins, though. Those are...beyond me.

[wineflavoredroses]

Fully noted.

[She chuckles and points out a few other places of interest. Before long, though, she's brought him to the apartments.] So, this is place and I live in that one, up there. Should you ever see fit to visit. I believe there's a kind person in that office just there to help you get settled and sorted.