graveyardsmash | TDM: MARCH / APRIL

Entry tags:

test drive

TDM: MARCH / APRIL

TDM: MARCH / APRIL

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.

Threaded | Top-Level Comments Only

____ || ONE: SO CLOSE AND YET... ||
[cw: loss of infant through game mechanics, potential for mentions of pregnancy and/or child death in this thread.]

[ "You will lose yourself!" the voice calls out behind her. Tasi forces it out of her thoughts and instead frantically pulls away the metal grate, shoves the glowing container into its slot. The machine buzzes with life. With suffering, she almost thinks, before she forces that out of her mind too. She clutches Amari tightly to her chest with one arm, and doesn't notice when the other snags at some piece of the machinery, scraping skin. Tasi lunges for the button.

"No! Don't leave me!"

Tasi lunges for the button, and for an instant the Empress' voice echoes all around her. Light engulfs them, from sickly green to burning white, to a sensation like nothing she will ever get used to. 'Shhh, shhhh....', she coos to the baby in her arms, as best as her ragged breath will allow. The world around them vanishes, Tasi's body and soul spinning and tumbling at the portal's whims until-- ]

Ahhh!

[ Until the searing light of the journey goes dark and Tasi lands gracelessly on Vandare's beach. ]

Oh, f-- [ Tasi spits out a mouthful of sand. Fuck.

[ She blinks to adjust her eyes to the dusk, the sight of lights in the distance catching her attention. On her knees she digs both hands into the wet sand beneath her, and so marks the exact moment her heart stops. One last panicked beat. Her eyes go wide. ]

Amari...

[ The name tastes salty and raw in her throat, nothing but a hoarse whisper of fear. She scrambles to her feet and hastily looks around, at the ground just at her feet. ]

Amari!

[ She runs a distance this way and that, a sprint just to look for tracks, for a bundle dropped in the sand. No. No, no, no, this can't be, she had her, she had her, they were together! Tasi's eyes dart around and she spins. Stares wide-eyed out into the ocean and wades into the water to her knees. Screams. ]

Amari!

[ Screams again at the top of her lungs, the same name over and over. Hitched breaths between screams. Mutter nonoNO between screams, asking 'Where are you? Little one, where did you go?' between screams, biting back sobs. Always between screams.

Changes are she'll still be screaming the name by the time you get there. ]

____ || TWO: YOU WILL LOSE YOURSELF ||
[cw: physical assault - choking, possible themes of body horror and cannibalism in thread]

[ Amari is gone. Her child is gone - again. Her fear has turned cold fact, an icy dread that settles in her stomach and weighs down her every step. The locket, gone too, and how will she find her way back to Amari now? God, how will she even know where to look? Her feet take her further than her thoughts, past the letters 'North Vandare' on a sign, until her reflection in an empty storefront window inevitably catches her attention. ]

Could... could this be?

[ Tasi sees her face. Tasi sees her face the way it used to be, not the way she saw it last. Not the way the Empress wanted it, but she touches her cheek to be sure. A cut, but that was probably there before. Of all the things missing--

Tasi looks down at her arms. More cut-up and bruised than she remembers, but lighter. Human. With no trace of the harvester's disease flowing through her veins. And so she squeezes the pamphlet in her hand, scowling. Then what the hell is this supposed to mean? ]

What to expect when you're expecting- to turn into a monster?

[ Tasi reads it to herself and scoffs. Somebody chose their audience poorly. She found this- She frowns, tries to remember her walk here. She picked this up on a park bench, but nobody in their right mind would play such a cruel joke on her. And even those out of their minds have used different methods so far... ]

It doesn't make any sense... what is this place? It almost looks normal, this isn't her world anymore, but--

[ Her thought is cut off abruptly by the iron chain wrapping around her neck. Tasi's scream turns choked gurgle as she's yanked off of her feet and to the ground.

"Hurry up! Hurry up, we caught one!" ]

[[ OOC: Please feel free to have your character show up either at the end of this prompt, or midway through to talk to her before the attack. ]]

____ || THREE: MISC ||

[[ OOC: Hi all, happy to work with various other prompts, just give me any set-up you like or hit me up via PM or PP @

fishrepairs if you'd like to discuss details beforehand. ]]

Edited 2021-03-13 21:07 (UTC)

[To say that Daniel isn't much of a fighter is putting it mildly. When he sees the men wrap the chain around that poor woman's neck, his first instinct is to leave her, to turn around and run until this whole scene is nothing but specks on the horizon. He doesn't want to be a part of this. Yet there's something within him, something he can't quite control that makes him scream:]

Let her go!

[Daniel himself is already monstrous -- a second mouth juts awkwardly out of his cheek, his extra limbs are covered with carapace, and two brown, dingy wings hang down from his shoulders like a cape.]

Or I'll eat all of you!

Warm welcome

[When Luke awoke to the sound of crashing waves, he was quite shocked. When he had given himself to that...thing, he expected the feeling of burning flesh as the mansion around them burned. And even if she let him die...well he certainly wasn't expecting the sound of birds and a gentle breeze to greet him.]

Bloody hell...

[The stinging pain of fresh wounds was expected, but the refreshing feeling of cold water washing over him? It wasn’t what he expected Hell to be like. Swearing quietly, he opened his eyes to the blinding light of the sun and squinted at his surroundings around him.

The beach huh...Hannah loved the sea. Was this an illusion to torture him? Gritting his teeth at the pain of salt entering his wounds, he sat up and inspected himself. His Kiton X-5 suit was ruined beyond repair, both torn all over and soaked from the seawater.]

This cost forty thousand pounds...

[Groaning, he swore loudly and dramatically flopped back down, letting the salt water wash over him. As he lay, he thought back to what happened before he woke here. He remembered the ghost, Feathers dying, the screaming...Hannah.

At the thought of his late wife, he listened for the sound of tortured souls. But as he listened, he didn't hear the screams of his wife and unborn children, but the sound of lapping waves. Are they free?

Against his better judgment, Luke let himself hope. Perhaps he was free himself. Laughing loudly, he almost didn't hear the sound of footsteps and the sound of a shotgun being cocked.]

Another arrival eh? Let's get rid of him before he's a problem.

[His eyebrows furrowed as he heard a couple of simpletons talk. Another arrival? What did that mean? Did the others come here? Glaring at them, he got up and straightened his ruined clothes.]

Put down that blasted weapon, will you? I have questions for you. Where am I?

[You might want to help him before he gets himself killed.]

All eyes on me

This is absolute bollocks.

[Luke had been handed pamphlets as a way to answer his questions. But they were ultimately filled with useless information. He couldn't believe there were people who actually believe this shite. Gordon Bennet, there was even some bloody cosplayers walking around in ridiculous attire fitting monsters. As if there is such a thing as monsters. The only monsters that exist are humans.

Sneering at some terrified locals, he crumpled the latest paper he was given before carelessly throwing it away. What utter bullshite.]

How hard is it to get some real information around here?

[There was some good that had come from his mysterious arrival. Everyone was staring at him, with a mix of fear and hate. Preening at the attention, he grinned darkly at the feeling of power he felt at the fear. He could get used to this.]

You there! What's with this absolutely useless information I've been given? Bunnyipyips And You? What to Expect When You're Expecting to turn into a monster? Alternatives to Human Flesh?! What kind of sick fetish parade are you having here?

Punishment (CW: Body Horror, eye horror, gore, blood)

[Although he had been waiting for it, he was still surprised when his first changes happened. Surprisingly, Luke had been almost eager for the transformation to begin. The fear the locals were giving him was intoxicating, making him almost dizzy with power. He wasn't surprised by the fear but actually transforming into a monster? Well, it was certainly new.]

I guess being only a monster by title is no longer in style.

[So when the chill of the fog rolled into the streets and buildings, he thought he was ready. When he woke up to daffodils growing in his hair, he thought it ironic and fitting. Thinking the transformation was done, he decided to go out into the streets to take a stroll. He was feeling disappointed at the lack of change when he suddenly felt an intense pain in his eyes. Letting out a shocked yowl, he fell to his knees and clutched his left eye.

It felt like something was trying to burst out of his eye socket! Groaning, he curled into a ball on the street, in too much pain to care about the stares. Grinding his teeth together in pain, he suddenly let out a cry of agony as a black dahlia burst out of his left eye in a shower of blood and flesh. Screaming, he covered the bleeding flower as he twisted in agony.

Eventually, the screams lessened to whimpers as blood dripped down his nose and cheek from the wound. Dimly he wondered if this was indeed hell and this was just the start of his punishment.]

((OOC: This boy is an asshole so here is his opt out just in case.))

This feels too familiar

[When Makoto slowly awoke to the sound of crashing waves, well at first he wasn't that alarmed. He was on a boat back to the Future Foundation after all. Hearing water crash against the boat was normal and most of the time relaxing. But as the waves grew louder as his conscious returned, he stiffened in alarm.

Waves?! This close? A-And I can feel them washing over my body!

Launching his eyes open, he was blinded by the sun shining in his eyes. Squinting through his fingers, he noticed sharp pain all over his body. Like he had injuries all over his body. What the?

Wincing at the pain, he pushed himself to a sitting position to take a look at his surroundings better. He was on a beach but not a beach he expected. Not the tropical beaches of Jabberwock Island or polluted and sick like the ones he remembered seeing after he escaped Hope's Peak. It had been a while since he's seen a beach like this.]

Where am I...

[Unease filled him as he checked the wounds on his body. He was covered with cuts and scapes all over him. And he had no recollection of how he got them. Or how he got here on this beach. No...it can't be...

As he tried to calm his racing heart at the thought of being in another killing game, he muttered to himself.]

No...Don't think that. It's not that. ...Where are Togami-kun and Kirigiri-san?

[He was sure they were with him on the boat. And he knew that if he was taken, they would not be far behind. Calming slightly at the thought of his dear friends, he pushed himself up with a groan and looked for signs of life around him. He could see the signs of civilization in the distance. As he slowly walked in the direction of the city, he heard the sound of something approaching him.

Tensing, he shifted into a stance the Future Foundation taught him. He wasn't a fighter but he was pretty good at evasion. He reminded himself to breathe evenly as he waited for the person to approach.]

Hello?

Well...this is new

[After a while of walking, he was in a city that felt...strange. It certainly wasn't the ruins he expected nor the city of Towa. And there were people here! And they weren't crazed with despair. Feeling a little lighter since his arrival, he watched the civilians do their daily activities. Like the world hadn't ended.

It felt, hopeful. Well...almost. There was a feeling in the air that made him hesitant. The air of fear and misery were all around the city, especially around the locals. So when someone nervously offered him new clothes and food, he was confused.

It was expected for strangers to feel nervous around him since he gained his title of Ultimate Hope. But this? This wasn't nervous excitement or awe. It was terror. The woman shook as she offered him pamphlets, refusing to touch him or look in his eyes. Unable to help himself, he frowned in concern and gently ask.]

Are you okay? You seem shaken.

[When he tried to put a gentle hand on her shoulder, she shrieked and ran away. Unable to do anything but stare at the vanishing woman, he stood there with his hand half lifted in a reaching posture.]

What...just happened?

Arcade Dreams

[One minute Makoto was walking through the thinning streets of Bavan, the next, he was somewhere else. Reeling from the change of light and surroundings, he looked around hesitantly. The flashy lights reminded him of old arcades he saw in movies and at home. He usually stayed home to play games but sometimes his friends would invite him to play games at the arcade. There even were old pinball machines all around.]

Um...

[He let out a yelp when he saw tiny robots wheeling around the floor, some going in between his legs. Gawking at the sight, he couldn't help but think, Thank god they're not Monokumas. Relaxing at that, he smiled at the robots and crouched down to talk to one.]

Hello there. Do you know where I am?

(Network)< 11037 >

Hello there. I guess I'm only one of the many arrivals that have found themselves here. My name is Naegi Makoto and I'm one of many who are trying to leave Ryslig.

I have a question for the veterans of this place.

How long have you been on this peninsula? And has anyone made any progress in leaving Ryslig?

Also, why do you think we were chosen and brought here?

I am wondering if the residents here could introduce themselves to me. If it's not too much of a bother. I'd like to get to know as many people here as possible. That way we can work together in surviving this place.

Fallen Angel (Body horror, transformation, blood, some gore)

[Makoto shivered as the fog rolled into the streets that morning. Up unusually early due to nightmares, he walked through the streets shivering and wished that he had dressed warmer before he left the apartment. Shaking his head to keep away the exhaustion and misery that threatened to consume him, he looked at the sky and marveled at the fading stars.]

It's been a while since I've seen the stars like this. It's nice to see them again after so long.

[As the cold fog brushed past him, he couldn't help but wonder how his friends were doing? Were they safe? Is the Future Foundation hunting them down?

And Komaru...his dear sister. How was she, helping the hated children that nearly slaughtered all adults in Towa? How was she holding up after all that mess?

Closing his eyes, he took a deep breath and let out a promise to them.]

I'll come back. No matter what happens, no matter how long, I'll find a way out of here. I promise.

[As soon as he finished his promise, he felt intense pain coming from his back. Letting out a cry of pain and shock, he reached behind him to feel what was happening. Near his shoulder blades, a large lump was growing on his back as his skin stretched painfully to make room for it. As he strained to feel the lump more, his skin suddenly ripped, making him cry out in pain as he fell to his knees and hunched over. As his skin ripped, he felt something soft erupt from the wound and brush his back.

Tears dripped down his face as he took strained breaths. Daring to open his eyes, he felt something light touch his arm and took a look. What he saw surprised him. Bloodstained feathers gently brushed against his shaking body in a comforting way. Green and black colors peeked through the blood, slightly reflecting the light from the streetlamps on them.]

Huh...Guess I'm a harpy.

[Thinking it was over, he straightened up into a sitting position. Eternally optimistic, he let out a small laugh.]

Well, that wasn't too b-!

[Before he could finish the words, he screamed in agony as his already torn skin tore more as another pair of wings burst out. This time they were white with black tips. Like the crane he saved when he was young.]

I-I guess that's sweet in it's own way...Now I need to-

[Again, the pain came back tenfold as more wings slipped out. This time stopping himself from screaming, he gritted his teeth tightly as his new wings left the confines with a flourish. Of course. With his bad luck, he didn't know why he was surprised.

After waiting for the pain to subside to a level more manageable, he groaned and inspected the new wings. They were black as night, shining with the fresh blood reflecting light off of them. Standing to his feet, he winced as moving irritated the gaping wound on his back.

Letting out a shaky breath, he blushed in embarrassment when he saw some people staring at him. Evidently, he wasn't as alone as he thought. And some time had definitely passed, the sun rising higher in the sky. The stars were completely gone.]

Um...

[He gulped at the intense stares and put on a shaky smile and laughter awkwardly.]

1. but who had your back when you had a heart attack?

[Riley, can I have the key?
No, Cai, you can't.

Cairo twists, coughing up a mouthful of sand. Where the hell is she? What did Riley - no. Riley would never. Riley wouldn't hurt her. Even at her craziest, Riley wouldn't. They're best friends. They've always done everything together. She coughs again, bringing up more sand. Fuck. Fuck, fuck, fuck.]

Wha - help, I -

[This is the worst day ever. It's absolutely the worst. Three people are dead and the mascot killed Annleigh's boyfriend and her best friend trapped her in a fucking basement and she had a knife and - you know what? Deep breaths. Deep breaths and it'll be fine. Hahahahaha. "Fine."

Yup, yeah. Fine. It's definitely fine. Her best friend murdered two people and Cairo's perfectly fine. Everything! Is! Fine!]

2. so forgive me for doing what's best for you

Uh, no thank you.

[Cairo backs off from someone trying to offer her some questionable looking food. She doesn't have much of an appetite, not after the day she's been having. The inside of her mouth still tastes like sand and she feels like shit. Honestly, the friendliness of some people is creeping her out. She passes someone trying to offer her a pamphlet and in trying to get away without taking one, she bumps into someone... less friendly.]

Sorry, I'm just trying to -

[With a glare, the person storms off and Cairo scoffs. Rude much?]

Worst. Day. Ever.

3. i'll always be on your team

[I'm happy work with whatever you want to throw at me! If you wanna plot something out, you can hit me up on plurk (flyingthesky).]

[ Each set of arrivals, Riley's dutifully looked for any familiar faces. Each time, she's not really sure what she'll do if she recognizes one, figuring she'll play it by ear.

She...couldn't quite predict it would lead to the reunion it does. Almost just relieved Cairo's listening to her, Riley slots very easily back into the spot beside her, resorting tot chattering incessantly to keep any bit of silence from passing between them. Any moment where they'll have to address one of the many different proverbial elephants in the room. ]

...and he's the person you want to talk to about, you know, the rent-free housing— they aren't anything to really brag about, but they have the essentials, and they're close to, ummm...other places, that...are important to know about, if...it...may take awhile, to get back home—

[ ...You ever just kind of, like. Talk without having anything to really talk about...? Yeah. Caught up in the minutiae, to say the least. ]

Well, I figured. I watched Outlander too, remember? [Please do not ask Cairo about Outlander, I don't remember fuck or shit about Outlander.] Oh, we're in a totally different world! How will we ever get home?

[Cairo's pressed the back of her hand to her forehead and is being Dramatique AF™. She's earned it, okay? It's! Been! A! Weird! Time!]

Tell me what I need to know about these gods and shit. [She waves the pamphlet someone handed her around.] I'm guessing this isn't anything like Annleigh trying to get me to "accept Jesus into my heart."

[Yes, she made the airquotes.]

[ Cairo's got her own brand of dramatic, the kind that naturally lends to people gravitating towards her. It's the kind of thing that makes Riley's usual mask of a smile a little more natural. ]

First thing's first, do not listen to any of this crap. [ She reaches over and grabs the pamphlet from Cairo's hand, one of her claws catching on the corner of it. Self-conscious, she draws it back quicker than she means to. ] Um, sorry. [ clears throat— ] They're, uh. Well, okay, imagine all of Annleigh's...devotion, but like...an actual thing to talk to and beg for the power to...smite the non-believers.

[Cairo startles, but only just. She's still getting used to, Riley's..... well. Riley did say she wanted to be a phoenix. Now she's got get wish and Cairo's happy for her. Even if she's slightly terrified of what she might become. Shaking off her apprehension, Cairo plasters a cheer smile on her face.]

So Annleigh but the gods can actually do the shit Annleigh always claimed Jesus could, got it. Anything else I should know about these gods? You're the one with all the deets here.

[ Tasi lets out a choked sound of pain, barely enough to suck in air with it. The chain closes around her neck and she doesn't look up to see who holds it. Instead her fingers claw and pull at the restraint uselessly. (....) Weakly. She breathes a rattled gasp, waits to struggle against the black haze at the corner of her mind, but the pull of darkness never comes.

Instead she hears a voice calling out- cascading as the others respond. "Shit, there's another!" "Step up, you take him!" "You kidding me, look at that thing! Fuck, let's go, let's just get out!" "But what about--" "I said let's get the fuck out!"

And just like that the chain around her neck goes slack, and footsteps bound off into the distance.

Tasi scrambles to her feet, pulls off the iron as quickly as she would a living thing that might change its mind about letting her go. She sucks in a sharp breath. ]

Thank you. God- [ She coughs, tries to rub the pain from her throat with unsteady hands. ] Thank you, I don't know what- Ahh!!!

[ And there is the moment she looks over at her savior, and suddenly doesn't feel quite so relieved about his presence anymore. ]

Shit... shit... fuck... shit...

[ Tasi stumbles back, nearly trips over the chain at her feet. Her back presses against the storefront window, her eyes dart around. Plenty of open space to run to. Plenty of open space to get caught in.

And did she mention SHIT? ]

Edited 2021-03-14 14:31 (UTC)

1. Initialize (CW: Panic Attack)

Those happening along the shore may encounter one lone man - facedown, but not buried; muscles strained, but no outward signs of distress...

If this new arrival is panicking, he's not vocalizing, but that is an effort of sheer will. Sheer disbelief.

Sheer terror.

How can any of this be real?

Some distant part of him is aware that there has to be more to this, that whatever is happening he can't just lie here-

But maybe he needs a little help first. An external force to ground him in this reality.

I never would have thought, never would have hoped, never would have dreamed...

Ha. Haaaaaa.

2. Investigate

Some time - a not insignificant amount - later, and Webmind has his wits about him. ~~And enough motor control that he can trust he can act for himself in this form, now.~~

So he's tackling the business of getting himself acclimated, whether it's seeing the sights (with his own eyes!), tentatively tasting foods for the first time (and he is not looking forward to 'trying human', thank-you-very-much), trying not to be too transparent about his disbelief towards the gods (he's an empiricist, not just an atheist; he knows very much better than to antagonize certain kinds of people by doubting their existence), or, if one visibly looks to have wings or be adapted for undersea travel, inquiring quite energetically about what there is to see from the air or underwater, respectively.

3. Intern (aka: Arcade)

Someone (several someones, naturally) had once asked Webmind what he would have thought the afterlife looked like, if he were to believe one existed.

(They'd gotten clever with the phrasing.)

And, to be perfectly honest... it would not have been this. Though, as one might find him inspecting the place, Webmind can't help but think that this is what people were thinking he would have said.

The recursive consideration isn't distracting him as much as he would like, however, so he turns to seeking out conversation instead...

[The fear doesn't just sting -- it makes bile rise in his throat and heat settle on his forehead. You idiot! Can't you see that I'm one of the good guys?

But he swallows the bubbling rage, tamping it down with reason. Of course she's frightened! He's hideous, and she doesn't know any better yet. He just needs to be patient. He clasps one of his hands over the teeth jutting out from his cheek, as though covering it up will make her forget the grotesquerie underneath. ]

Listen to my voice. I'm an ordinary man.

[That had helped him when he first arrived. In spite of their unearthly appearances, everyone sounded normal. ]

I won't hurt you.

[ She gives a nod that’s somehow both hesitant and eager at the same time. It’s so familiar, to to hear Cairo vaguely talk shit about someone that she almost forgets to pretend to be a little put-off by it. That straightforward attitude’s always been something she’s been drawn to.

...Anyway! ]

The Fog God’s the one who brought us here, first of all. She's the one responsible for, well. [ She can’t help but glance at her claws. ] ...yeah. So, you know, bad news. There’s a few people who like...follow her that’re okay, but- mostly just stay away from them unless I say so, okay?

[ Oh, saying that’s a bit of a rush. For once she’s the one who really has authority on a social situation, between the both of them? ]

[ She lets out a laugh, despite herself. A despairing bubble of incredulity, devoid of any mirth. ]

Did. Did you look in a mirror recently.

[ Ordinary man her arse. Tasi huffs. Her eyes still flash this way and that, mapping her chances. Human speech and human mind are not the same. It just means they can tell you exactly how angry they are at you, before they kill you.

Yasmin, though. She helped. She tried, at least for a time. Tasi swallows. You tried.

Tasi makes herself look, and gives the creature a slow nod, as if to say she believes. For now. ]

--Where are we?

TWO

Finding herself in an unfamiliar town was unsettling to say the least, the clothing and buildings nothing like the ones she's used to. But the offers of help are not to be ignord, at least, even if she was wary initially. The information provided is enough to keep her focused on the pamphlets once she's had some food and shelter.

But realizing exactly why they're being so helpful takes longer than it likely would have under other circumstances, Wen Qing reviewing the available information and discarding what seems to be the least useful.

And then it's simply a matter of seeking actual answers beyond the pamphlets. The ugly looks and comments are nothing new, her expression carefully neutral as she picks her way through a group, only pausing when she collides with someone after being shoved off balance.

And offers a bow in apology, her expression closing off a moment later. "Excuse me, I didn't see you there."

[Not the best at cold starts but I'm open to wildcards or you can pm me to discuss a different prompt if you want something more specific.]

We're in Ryslig.

[It's a Swedish word, but he butchers it in a way only an Englishman could. While he speaks to her, he attempts to make himself smaller and less monstrous, clutching his wings closer to his back. His antennae move of their own accord, however, almost like they're searching for something in the air.]

It's a dangerous world -- [His eyes flicker towards the discarded chain.] -- and you'll need to be careful in it. Are you injured?

Hey there. I've been on Ryslig for about two years, myself. Couldn't really claim to know why we got picked, but I can tell ya that we've been able to leave Ryslig temporarily a couple of times.

Every once in a while, we get kicked over to an alternate version of Ryslig where the Fog God doesn't exist. There's also a guy who's made a temporary portal to a couple different home dimensions.

[ ONE - CLOSED ]

[Waking up in strange places with his clothes sticking to him is a common occurrence in Michael's line of work. Though he has to admit - sea water and sand is among the better things Michael's found himself covered in. You ever get sent to investigate a facility that cures sturgeon roe - say no.]

[He pulls himself up off the sand, and panic immediately grips his heart when he sees the small, rumpled body on the beach, immediately throwing himself upright to get over to Adrian, lying there on the sand, blonde hair soaked. He's out cold, and when Michael gently pats at him, he doesn't stir. He bundles him into his arms, casting eyes about the beach. They need to get somewhere warm and dry. Fast.]

[When Adrian awakens, he'll be bundled in a blanket in front of a roaring fire, Michael in the kitchen with a knife, peeling something. On the mantlepiece there are black and white photographs of a family.]

[It makes the single spot of blood on the glass of one all the more noticeable.]

[When he sees Adrian's awake, he's immediately tender.]

Darling. You had me worried there.

[ TWO - OTA ]

[Michael picks over the document with interest. They aren't particularly high quality, and they really do make him think of some of the health documents the Agency handed out occasionally addressing new health concerns as the squints in Q's office came up with them.]

[He leans over to another person nearby, someone who isn't one of the natives plying them with drinks and pressing food into their hands and wafts a brochure, titled What To Expect When You're Expecting (To Become A Monster) at them.]

D'you think any o'this is realistic?

[ WILDCARD ]

[Want to plot something? I can be reached at talloran]

I'm fine, [ she says too quickly. A beat passes, and she repeats in earnest: ] I'm- fine.

[ And why is that? Where was the rage that should have unleashed on her attackers? Her heart beats in her chest so hard she thinks she needs to swallow it down before it escapes her throat. They were so close, Mother of God, she swears she saw home. But now Amari is gone and she is here and she is-- Holding it together far better than she would expect. ]

You drove them off before they could-- [ --what? The end of that sentence is a dark alley, and for once she turns back from it and leaves. ] (...) Do all ordinary men in Ryslig- [ It is now a Swedish word, butchered by an Englishman, repeated with a French accent. It may as well be gibberish. ] -look like you?

[ She's still not a fan, but her eyes have stopped wandering for the moment. ]

Edited 2021-03-14 18:22 (UTC)

And there, where the eyes open and the mouth starts to part, begins a smile sure of one thing:

“Victory.”

That is all Adrian Wolff has ever needed.

Though—much as he might be remiss to admit—the company of a belching fire and this warm blanket are welcome bonus. He doesn’t move (not immediately, avoiding aggravating preexisting soreness), instead letting himself exhale and lie back into the sofa he’s been lied out upon. On his side, of course, because who would Michael be if not attentive to the last detail?

Hnh. He had worried him.

“I wasn’t expecting fainting, myself,” he says. “Product of the grafting process, I imagine. Temporary. More importantly, how are you feeling, Michael? Spritely? Able to decommission a whole institution of that devil, capitalism?”

Clearly, Adrian’s laughter would have been dry as ever had it not broken into coughing. The episode doesn’t last long, not before he rights himself and waves off Michael crooning over him—and in same motion Adrian realizes that his glasses are gone, and so is his coat. He lets out a stern sound of (raspy) annoyance, but doesn’t bother going further. The transportation process had never worn a guarantee of being perfect, successful though it was. Although he had measured its chances favorably. Such were rolls of the dice.

Hmph.

“Where are we?”

He never did consider himself a gambler.

Wasn't planning on it, but good to know. You know I'd burst into flames if I set foot in a church, Riley.

[Humor's safe, so Cairo's fallen back on her usual methods of dealing with things she doesn't want to think too hard about. The other option is getting into a fight and, well. Yeah. She's not doing that here. Not until she's at least as big and monster-y as everyone else seems to be.]

[ It's the sort of thing she'd click her tongue at anyone else for, but Cairo only gets a roll of her eyes. It's safe to be like this around Cairo, after all. If they both just pretend everything's normal, despite it all, maybe it will be. ]

Har har, very funny Cai. [ In that dry voice to let her know she does NOT find it funny (but maybe does, just a little). ] They don't really have...okay, so there're a few churches but they're more like, um...like a cult? [ Not elaborating on that at all, because that would be too helpful, she continues: ] Oh, but there is a church to keep in mind, I can show you, it's like...it's just where a local soup kitchen's set up, for uh, trying to get on your feet.

[ We're walking and talking, and we're not addressing the fact that the soup kitchen serves both veggie stew and people stew. ]

Cults? [Cairo does a fake shudder.] Gross. Next you'll be telling me they sell lipstick and Tupperware.

[She considers asking about the soup kitchen, but well. Riley's clearly not super comfortable with the whole monster thing so if we're not gonna be chill about it then Cairo's not gonna push yet. Eventually she'll find the groove again, the amount that she can push Riley out of her comfort zone before she panics and then it's all for nothing.

It's been a while since Cairo feel like she knew the balance between just enough pushing and too much pushing, though.]

[ There. There, this is normal. This is painfully, beautifully normal, despite the fact that Riley's covered in feathers and sporting two massive wings. It's just like she'd dreamed, once she decided even if she doesn't need Cairo, she...still wanted to see her again. ]

Try prepackaged crap about how we're all damned for our sins, instead. [ ...Ah, wait, that's getting a little too close to— ] Anyway~! The only other one you really have to worry about is the Fourth God, which, I know, where are the other two, but they're more, uhm... Just the locals really worry about them? They aren't, like...tangible as...far as I know.

[ Moving on. Not addressing it. ]

Okay, so Fog God real and Fourth God real, but like Annleigh's.

[She would never outright say "God's not real" to Annleigh but also, at the same time: not real. Cairo's making mental notes of all this stuff, because she'll eventually ask someone else about it. It just feels important that Riley tell her about it first.

Riley would never lie to her. Well, not about this kind of stuff. Honestly, Cairo's not sure Riley even lied to her about the other stuff. After all, why did Cairo decide they should frame the freshman instead of just. Calling the police? Well. Actually, nevermind. ACAB and all. There are compelling reasons to not call the cops that rich white girls don't think of, but still. Cairo's not entirely sure she didn't realize it was Riley, somewhere deep down.]

Enough about gods and other bullshit. Who's the cutest boy here?

[This is, in Cairo's opinion, equally important information.]

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TDM: MARCH / APRIL

Tasi Trianon || Amnesia: Rebirth

TWO

Luke Wright | The Letter (SPOILERS (specifically the true ending)

Makoto Naegi | Danganronpa | OTA (Danganronpa Spoilers)

cairo ★ we are the tigers

3 wildcard!!!

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Webmind | WWW Trilogy

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Wen Qing | The Untamed

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<kyouken>

Michael Cruikshanks | OC | OTA

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