TDM: MAY/JUNE

[ryslighelpers]

TDM: MAY/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 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

Jonathan Harker | Dracula (original novel)

[hotpaprika]

1.

[Jonathan wakes up with a start, tormented by his nightmares. The first thing he noticed was the night sky, shining above him as though he was outside. The second thing he noticed was how stiff his whole body was, like he was laying on a board.

He then realized, that this wasn't a bed. He wasn't in Dracula's castle anymore

Instead he was in an open grave.]

Oh dear Lord! [He scrambles to his feet, looking up in pure terror.] Dear God, Count! What did I do to deserve getting buried alive-?

[His shouting stops when he realizes that there's absolutely no response. No taunts from the Count, no footsteps, and most importantly: no dirt being dug on him.

He doesn't know what's going on, but he has to use this moment to try making a break for it. It takes him awhile to climb out of the grave, climbing is something he's never really done before, but he eventually makes it out of the open grave. H

Jonathan takes a moment to catch his breath, looking around at the other grave stones.

His heart stops when he notices the one right next to him.

COUNT DRACULA]

Oh dear Lord, no. That can't possibly be right. [He moves closer to the grave, hoping that this was some trick.] Dear god what does this mean? The Count, he was just there, I... I was just talking to him...!

[He looks like he's about to have a meltdown.]

2.

[Eventually, he makes it out of the graveyard and he sluggishly shuffles to civilization. He was certainly glad he was out of the castle, but he feels even more lost than he was before. And sure, he was alive, but he didn't even have his wallet anymore, how could he possibly make it back to England like this.

His moping eventually stops once he notices something speed by him on the road.]

What was that?

[He looks at the road and his eyes brightened in pure wonder.]

Are those horseless carriages? I've read about people attempting to create such a devise but I had no idea they made such progress! Who would have known that something so small could go this fast. They must be faster than any train I've seen.

[He smiles giddily as he really takes a look around him and seeing how futuristic this all was. Perhaps there will be more horrors later, but right now he will happily relish in something that's new and fascinating.]

4. - Vampire

[Eventually, Jonathan learns of the true horror of this place, and how he was likely to never find a way home. He had learned to cope, but he was dreading the day he transforms, seeing what horrific creatures they'll become.

For him, it started with his heart stopping. If he didn't know what will become of him, what he was going to feast on, he would have considered dying the worst thing that's happened to him. When he came to his body had gone completely cold.

Next were the fangs, and after that growing hair around his neck and on his hands. Eventually, he catches himself in the mirror, only to realize he wasn't there.

He lets out a gasp of horror, speaking barely above a whisper.]

Oh dear God I've been held captive by a vampire.

Wildcard
[If you want anything else feel free to dm me on BlankBlankity. And a sidenote for those curious as long as you don't try to convince Jonathan that he's a fictional character I am completely down w fourth walling!]

i

[alexandercityborn]

[With all the disdain you'd expect of a teenager who's just come across a man talking to himself in a grave:]

...Are you okay?

[The young demon with the scarred face is standing on the edge of the grave, brow furrowed quizzically. When he'd come out here to explore 'finding weirdo human' had not been on his to do list, but here he was, the unfortunate chaperone to a new arrival that's yelling about a Count.]

You're the only person here I've seen. Don't think your Count is responsible. You need a hand up?

[hotpaprika]

[He jumps at the voice, but he assumes that maybe it's the groundskeeper, or perhaps a mourner.]

I'm... I'm afraid I'm rather shaken up right now.

[He rubs his arms a little. It wasn't cold right now, but he feels chilled to the core at all of this.]

What sort of creature would rescue me from his captivity only to leave me in such a state? For what purpose-?

[He stops short when he turns to look at the person talking to him.]

Oh my-!

[Harker practically falls over as he looks up in pure horror at Aaron.]

I-I... dear Lord, what are you?!

[alexandercityborn]

[He looks down at himself. He figures what he is is kind of… Obvious? Most people see horns, red skin and black sclera and come to conclusions real quickly, whether they’ve decades of biblical art in their world or not.]

A teenager. You want a hand or not? An open grave ain’t good shelter.

[hotpaprika]

[Truthfully, he did quickly realize what this person looked like, but didn't want to dare speak its name. When he says he's a teenager, however, he relaxes the tiniest bit. Sure, maybe they're a being from Hell, but worst case scenario they must be a lesser demon, if he's careful he likely won't have to worry for his soul.

He hesitates, slightly, before nodding.]

Y-yes, I would like some help. Any place would be better than this.

Arrival

[mertondingle]

Help! Tommy?

[Merton's voice is coming from a grave right next to Harker's, possibly interrupting his Moment with the grave marker.]

Little help here, someone?

[If Harker looks into the grave, there will be a pale face looking back up. Merton waves.]

[hotpaprika]

Oh-!

[The yelling startles him out of his thoughts, and he quickly moves to the open grave.]

I'm here! [He reaches down to grab the stranger's hand.] Grab my hand, I can help you up.

[It was a shock that there was another living person in an open grave, but he wasn't about to question it right now when someone needed his help.]

[mertondingle]

[Merton can just about get one hand over the top of the grave, if he digs his boots into the soft dirt of the walls. So it’s not to hard to accept the man’s hand while he tries to gain traction.]

Oof!

[His pale face and a mud-streaked ruffled shirt are now visible over the top and he grabs at the grass with his free hand.]

[hotpaprika]

[Jonathan helps pull Merton out of the hole until he's fully on the ground.]

Well, there you go!

[He stands himself back up and offers a hand Merton a hand.]

I can't say I expected to see someone else in the graveyard today, although I didn't quite expect myself to be in one either.

I. i'm sorry i can't resist

[yesferatu]

[The grave next to Johnathan is not empty, however. It is not his count who sleeps in the grave, and he certainly isn't a count anymore, but he sure is a Dracula. Or, well, the Dracula, just addressed backward.

But what's more unusual is how bright it seems right now, even with the fog, and why everything around him smells like earth. This wasn't where Alucard was planning to wake up— nor was he expecting to wake up to a fretful man pacing six feet above him.

...Of course, Alucard is five inches over six feet, so when he stands up to get out of said grave, his sharp-angled red eyes are just over the surface of its edge. Those eyes flash up to see Jonathan, out here in this strangely bright foggy night (as it must be night, what else could it be...?), and after 30 years stuck in unreality arguing with himself, he absolutely can't resist saying;]

Boo.

Don't apologize this is beautiful

[hotpaprika]

[Jonathan gasps in horror seeing someone crawl out of the grave, and he immediately tenses, expecting the Count to attack him.

The terror subsides when he realizes he has no idea who this man is. He looked far too young to be Dracula, but those red eyes...

He realizes that he is perhaps staring to the point of it being rude, as he finally speaks up.]

H...Hello?

[yesferatu]

[ "Hello." Now that... that isn't the response Alucard's expecting.

A deep, rumbling laughter comes from Alucard's belly in little bubbling waves. As if he isn't in the middle of laughing at Jonathan, he reaches out to hand Jonathan his large, red-brimmed hat.]

Hold this for me.

[Whether or not Jonathan takes the hat, Alucard lets go of it to push himself up out of the grave— though the smile on his face fades quickly.

He is... heavy. Heavier. Movement used to be effortless. And well, he hasn't eaten in thirty years, yes, but that wasn't a problem just moments ago, when he had decided where and when to be.

When he is out of the grave, he stays on his knees, putting a hand to his chest and breathing a little... well, not exactly heavily, but deliberately.]

Oh. That's new.

[hotpaprika]

[He reaches for the hat, not quite fast enough as he stumbles to grab it from the air, barely keeping it from reaching the ground. Jonathan wonders if he should help pull the man out of the grave, but before he can reach a hand to help, he's already out.]

Might I ask what's new? I'll admit I've never woken up in a grave myself, but...

[Well, he gets a strange feeling that this is not what this person is finding new.]

1

[bugbeverage]

_{[Beetlejuice has been chilling on a nearby tombstone eating a sandwich the entire time poor Jonathan has been scrabbling out of his grave. Once he does make it to the surface, the ex-ghoul takes a break from his lunch to belch and greet the newly arisen.]}

Mornin' sunshine! Ahaha!

[hotpaprika]

[He's currently trying to catch his breath when Beetlejuice starts laughing, and he looks him up and down. Jonathan wonder if he heard his cries of agony, or saw him desperately claw his way to the surface. In the end, he decided to hope for the best as he speaks.]

It's morning?

[He feels foolish asking that first thing, but what do you even say in a situation like this. He gets to his feet and goes to approach the stranger, hand outstretched to shake]

Are you the groundskeeper of this place?

[bugbeverage]

<sub>[He tilts his head, considering what to do with this man. If he was anything like he'd been that day he popped out of the ground, he had no idea what was going on. Lost. Confused.]

[Vulnerable.]

[Beetlejuice leaned away from the tombstone and slithered out from behind it, grinning cheerfully]</sub>

No, I'm just a humble observer.

[hotpaprika]

[Harker's eyes dart down to Beetlejuice's tail and he immediately recoils in horror, taking a single step back.]

Dear Lord, where on earth are your legs?

2 lol

[offtracks]

[This other man, who is generally bedraggled and also covered in the mud of the graveyard, turns about at that comment. He sort of looks like he's glowering intensely? But he sounds very excited.]

You have seen a train?

[hotpaprika]

[Jonathan doesn't look much better, absolutely covered in dirt and mud himself, but he's grinning ear to ear at the stranger.]

I'm afraid not here, but look at this! [He gestures to all around him.] This city is gorgeous, I've never seen anything quite like it in England!

[offtracks]

But you have seen a train before?

[Sorry, Jonathan, this guy seems like he's got a real










one-track mind]

What can you tell me about them? I have - heard of them before, I believe, but my memory fails me - I would very much like to know what they are.

[hotpaprika]

Oh! Yes I've been on quite a few trains myself, actually.

[He's pretty curious about this stranger and how one could know bout trains, but have no idea what they are. Still, Jonathan is more than happy to enlighten this stranger.]

A train is composed of large compartments, much like these [Gestures to the cars.] but four times wider and capable of holding dozens of people. Each one is connected together with a driver up front. They're quite useful for traveling long distances and often have beds and a cafe for meals on longer voyages. I miss them myself.

[It had only been a few weeks since he had been on a train but, well, he was pretty sure he would never be able to ride one again.]

2- THIS SILLY LITTLE MAN

[darlingdraculina]

[That nearly gave her a heart attack.

Before she knows it, she's dragging this poor young man out of the road and onto the sidewalk to hold him in place in front of her while she catches her breath. Just a moment ago she was a block away, sure she was about to witness a human become roadkill, and honestly if the driver hadn't decided to swerve around him, she certainly wouldn't have made it in time.

But now she's here, holding an unfamiliar man in a strangely familiar outfit at arm's length, head lowered while she fights to catch her breath.]

S-sir, please, you-- [pant] --cannot walk in the road, here. I-it's not safe, alright?

JUST A LITTLE GUY

[hotpaprika]

[Jonathan had, truthfully, not meant to step in traffic. Sure, cars like this were new to him, but walking in front of a horse drawn carriage wasn’t a smart idea either. He was genuinely so amazed by the advancement of technology trust he didn’t even realize what he was doing.

He takes a moment to catch his breath himself as he calms down from the excitement. Jonathan quickly turns to Seras, looking flustered.]

O-oh, I’m so sorry ma’am! I’ve just never been to a city like this and I-

[And then he gets a better look at his savior

And her dog ears.]

Uh, ma’am, is that some sort of costume you’re wearing?

[If it is, it certainly looks extremely well made.]

[darlingdraculina]

[Really, it's sweet and all how truly enamored he is with his new surroundings-- really gotta give it to him for being so gung-ho about being in an obviously unfamiliar place --but boy he's gotta be more aware of his surroundings than infatuated by them or he's gonna get flattened.

Releasing him, she places both clawed hands on her chest with a sigh and a shake of her head. Seras isn't sighing at him, she's just still chasing that regular breathing pattern. One moment.]

N-no, sir. It's not, I'm afraid... [Huff, puff. She lifts a hand to push her bangs from her face, finally regarding him with a crooked, almost apologetic smile.]

I-- ah. This is-- this is me. I'm a werewolf. B-but please don't be alarmed, I'm still a person! I mean you no harm, I promise.

[hotpaprika]

[At hearing that, Jonathan immediately goes from cheerful if confused to absolutely horrified. Even the immediate reassurance does little to ease his mind as he finds himself shrinking.

Deep down he wanted to trust this woman who saved him, but he thinks about the Count, how friendly he acted towards them, how he saved him from those cruel women.

How he gleefully sent him into the throes of despair.

When he speaks again, his voice becomes meek, and he doesn't look Seras in the eyes.]

Oh.

W-well, I thank you for saving my life, ma'am. I suppose I'm indebted to you.

[He says those words out of gentlemanly habit, but fear is edged into what he says.]