TDM: MARCH/APRIL

[ryslighelpers]

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 in a dark ditch, the sky cloudy overhead. Dirt cakes into your cuts and scrapes. The air is clammy and damp, and it smells like rain.

You’re in a grave. And when you sit up to inspect the tombstone marking your spot, it has your name on it. Maybe the graves next to you have the names of familiar friends, family, acquaintances. Not all of them are open like yours are. RIP.

There’s a light dancing in the distance, and you hear the jingle-jangle of heavy keys, or worse still, the gravekeeper’s massive pitchfork or shovel. If you're lucky, you can sneak out beyond his notice, and get out alone. If not - you might find yourself on the wrong end of a shovel’s swing, or worse yet, tripping headfirst in front of a pair of monstrous eyes.

SCENARIO TWO

You've stumbled your way out of the graveyard, and you're promptly besieged by the overwhelming sights and sounds of the city. Cars honk at you to get out of the street, and strangers try not to look in your direction for too long. They see your dirty clothes and scraped faces, and pretend to busy themselves with something else. Rarely, a look of pity is cast your way.

But some people try to reach out. Enterprising citizens and those that hope to curry favor with the newcomers pass out new clothes and bundles of food, asking if you have a place to stay the night, wondering about the details of the world you came from. Some are even handing out pamphlets which vary in how helpful they are--"What To Expect When You're Expecting (To Turn Into A Monster)", "Wolpertinger: Fact or Fiction?", "100% ACCURATE MONSTER QUIZ ASSESSMENT: GUARANTEED TO PREDICT YOUR MONSTER!", and "Ryslig Law In A Nutshell".

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? Does it fit you, or does it feel incongruous with your nature? Feel free to pick any monster type for this prompt, but note that you may not get the same one in game.

Comments

[certaininequities]

It's sure an awful lot, no two bones about it.

[he'll be the first to admit it, but he's still smiling as they shake hands. yes. good. this is how he can do right by May, try to correct his mistakes. he can be here for Peter.]

I'll tell you as much as I know. But let's get outta this crowd, go somewhere quieter. You hungry? Thirsty? We can go t' Hill House.

[heyunderoos]

Does it ever get any less weird? [He has to ask all things considered. He draws his hand back from the handshake, just tucking his hands into his pockets.

Peter does nod at that.] Food never hurts. I mean- I kind of just crawled out of a grave, so my day would be a lot better with something to eat.

[certaininequities]

Ahh ... little bit more, actually. Maybe a lot more. A little adaptability is looking like it goes a long way - considering I've been here about a month.

[Norman glances around until he finds a door no one seems to be showing any interest in - a service entrance to a cafe. He pulls out his card, the light glinting off its holographic surface, and swipes it through the doorframe. There's a brief shimmer, and then he pulls the door open.]

After you.

[the door will, of course, lead Peter into the Fourth God's Arcade, in all its retro glory]

[heyunderoos]

Well, at least I'll be kind of prepared for the weirdness. [He will not be, but as any teenager can, he can delude himself just fine.

Norman casually swiping the card and what lay inside changing is enough to openly impress the teenager.] Woah- thats- how did you even do that?

[He doesn't hesitate to walk into the arcade, clearly fascinated.]

[certaininequities]

The card can create a quantum doorway. I'm still trying to figure out how, exactly, it works. But swipe it in any doorframe, and it creates a passage to this place: Elias' Arcade. Swipe it any door in the Arcade, and it'll take you out any other door you like. I use it to get from my room outside the city to all kinds of other places. Shops, restaurants... even the city of Haftesal, which is hours away on foot. Beats having to save up for a car.

[he holds the card out for Peter to inspect: there are no visible microchips, wiring, or magnetic strips - just a black card with that alluring holographic sheen]

I've got a little room here in the Arcade, too, but it isn't much. Like a hostel bunk. But these cards work a little like your friend Strange's magic. You just have to have a physical door. And there's actually science involved.

[the implication of 'feh, magic' is extremely strong with this one]

[heyunderoos]

That- is so, so, so cool. [The teenager's natural enthusiasm rises to the surface as he leans forward to look at the card Norman extends out to him. His smile brightens even further.

It looks so simple, but contains the ability to all but fast travel. Peter can't help but try to guess at how it works.] Is there anywhere you can't go with that card?

[The implication does amuse Peter all things considered.] Doctor Strange's magic is cool too, but this is a lot less- dramatic.

[certaininequities]

[that gaping grin is a balm for his battered soul. Norman just takes a moment to soak in the warmth of it, to let it heal him a little. And then Peter asks a question that brings the world crashing back in around him]

Home.

[his mouth settles into a rueful line]

It only works in this dimension. I'm sorry, Peter.

[heyunderoos]

[That single comment just takes the wind out of Peter's sails entirely. He hadn't even thought of using it to try and go home yet.

His expression drops before he manages to bring a thin smile back to the surface.]

Yeah, that makes sense. I- kinda had the feeling. Would be too easy if we could just walk home through any door.

[certaininequities]

As far as I can tell, though ... I can go to any door I've already been to. As long as I know where it is. Friends' homes, shops, the clinic, the lab I'm working at ... it's very handy. And since I'm starting over completely from scratch here, I'll take any sort of transportation I don't have to pay for. At least, until I can afford a car.

[he tries to rally Peter a little, gesturing toward a table at the back]

You want to take a look around here? Or would'ja rather get a bite to eat and come back later? I know I was famished when I showed up...