TDM: SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER

[ryslighelpers]

TDM: SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER

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

(CW: Human remains)

When you awaken, you are hit with an immediate feeling of motion. A bobbing, if you will, or perhaps more of a rocking. You take a deep breath through your nose and take note of salt, along with the pungent scent of rotting wood. Creaking sounds echo all around you. Sitting up, you find yourself locking eyes with a skull.

An entire human skeleton is positioned across from you, resting limply against a pillar. Surveying the rest of your surroundings, you soon realize that you're below deck on an old, dilapidated ship. A ship that's on the move. The crew must have suffered a terrible fate, strewn as they all are across the floor. With their ripped poofy shirts, sheathed cutlasses and jaunty feathered hats, they seem to scream one word at you. "Pirates". ...Ooh, is that an abandoned bottle of rum? And a treasure chest? Surely they won't mind if you help yourself. They're dead, after all!

Once you've ascended the creaky steps, you find yourself on the deck of this vast, once proud vessel. A tattered Jolly Roger flaps overhead. Thick fog obscures most of the ocean surrounding you, but what's that straight ahead? Land ho! The ship's about to make port, and a crowd of curious onlookers has already gathered on the docks to stare up at this spooky new arrival. They appear apprehensive, perhaps even fearful, as if they haven't seen a ship come in for a long time. Will they hold you accountable for what happened to the skeleton crew? Will they praise you for 'ridding' them of pirates and allow you to keep the booty? There's no way to know just yet. Perhaps you'd best hide and find a way to disembark without being seen. Or perhaps there's someone else to be found here on this ship who suffered the same fate; someone who has a better idea of what to do.

SCENARIO TWO

You've stumbled your way into a city, and you're promptly besieged by the overwhelming sights and sounds. 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 lost expression and your clothes- so different from their own- 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. A hefty laptop may be handed to you, with words of a ‘network’ used for communication. Wonder what that’s about? Then there’s the very confusing pamphlet stuffed within: "What To Expect When You're Expecting (To Turn Into A Monster)”. They may direct you to an organisation known as the Lighthouse, their members most prominently found at the 38-8 apartments and the Lighthouse Church. Or perhaps, if you're injured, they'll refer you to the Crowe Clinic instead. Unfortunately, the directions you're given are so very complicated that you lose your way in the streets after two left turns, a right and a left at the soup kitchen.

Take care when asking for more help. 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

Now that you've found a moment of peace, you open up the mysterious device that's been handed to you. Perhaps you'll recognize it as some sort of laptop, albeit an old and clunky one. Or perhaps you'll be astounded by this curious feat of technology, which is unlike anything you've ever seen before. Regardless, the moment the lid is propped open to reveal the screen and the keyboard within, you gain your first glimpse of the network.

Perhaps you'll want to choose a username and write your very first message, posing the pressing question that's on your mind at this very moment. The lettered buttons click and clack awkwardly beneath your fingertips as you type.

However, you may instead want to respond to today's most popular message.

WELCOME TO RSDOS. PRESS F1 TO COMPOSE POST. *** TODAY’S TOP POST *** 018.07.154.55 <JUSTSOMEGUY> Let's play Two Truths, One Lie! It's real easy! You just post three statements about yourself, and the rest of us have to guess the lie. It'll be fun! And you get to be a liar liar without your pants catching fire for a bit.

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

[le_mat]

And with Akechi paying such close attention there's no missing the subtle shift in his demeanor. No change in expression exactly, but a small adjustment in body language. His weigth moving to one leg so the other can tuck in closer. His head tilting down just enough that his hair falls in his face and his glasses hide his eyes. He reaches up and starts fiddling with a curl.

Between one breath and the next he's completely socially and emotionally invisible.

"Guess this means our deal is back on then?"

[policedefective]

He's not too hard to read, once you pay attention to the signs. It pisses him off to no end how he had let his guard down so easily early on. Did he hit a nerve? He supposes someone like Joker would be a bleeding heart, after all.

"If I'm being honest," which is never a good thing to hear Akechi say ever, "I'm surprised you're this calm, despite you knowing exactly what would happen when we beat Maruki" He shrugs. "But if this is how to wish to see it, then I suppose we could create a new deal, since the last one was completed to its end."

[le_mat]

And just as easily as it went up, Akira' s mask falls again. He stares at Akechi with a dagger's sharpness, eyes flitting back and forth over his face, looking for a lie he's not finding.

"That's because last I checked we hadn't beaten Maruki."

He had been already forming theories on why Akechi was back to his old self but not trying to kill him. Maybe being dragged here had severed their connection to Maruki's reality and he had defaulted to an earlier "state"?

Though if he was honest, even in that reality a part of him doubted. When the insomnia was at its worst and he was nothing but paranoia and guilt he often convinced himself that Akechi WAS aware. That he was playing along with the new reality just to torment him. His own personal Mephistopheles in this Faustian hell Maruki had gifted them.

But what Akechi's words are implying is something completely different and infinitely more terrifying.

[policedefective]

"What."

Akira's mask isn't the only one to completely fall off. There's a growl under his breath, of the mixture of unhinged behavior and controlled anger that was 'just your everyday Akechi' as his rival had once told Violet. If the ex-detective had had access to a gun, this would be the moment he'd thrust it under the other's chin. Alas all he has is the ability to try and at least push him closer to the wall and attempt to use his large, gaudy, oversized computer instead and threaten to choke him.

"Don't toy with me, Amamiya," he warns him, his voice dangerously low. "If this is some sort of prank, the joke is falling quite flat. I heard the gunshot when you defeated Maruki's evolved Persona. And even if I was stuck inside of..." -fucking embarrassing- "Morgana's helicopter form when his palace began to crumble, I could hear the others saying you were punching him one on one and your subsequent rescue...right before until I ended up in this world, as everything would return to normal."

Right before his death , being implied. Like they had agreed, not realizing this was nothing like the other had seen. And even more terrifyingly to Akira - Akechi had literally no reason to lie to him about this, or make up such a story. Especially under the threat of his life.

[le_mat]

Indeed, he has no reason to doubt him. He's crowded against the wall with no fight, his chin tilted up over the threat of the laptop- and he has no doubt Akechi can and will crush his windpipe if he finds reason to.

It's funny, even through all the confusion and horror he can't help a thrill. Adrenaline rushing through him, cutting through the gray fog of his life under Maruki's will. He's missed it. Missed the risk, the threat. His eyes are a bit too dilated and his nostrils flare.

But more than that or any of Akechi's story something ELSE catches him like a fish hook. He whispers:

"What did you just call me...?"

[policedefective]

It would be easy to just give the laptop a little more of a push, but Akira's confusuion and subsequent question takes off whatever edge he has and fills him with a sinking sense of dread. Theories are already forming due to who he spoke on the ship, and he hates every possible option that is opened to him.

"Amamiya," he repeats, his hands shaking before he releases his threatening grip and drops the computer and hands to his side. "Ren Amamiya. That's the name on your govermental files, so I least know you weren't making that shit up."

[le_mat]

Of course Akechi looked up his records. Of course. But-

"Never heard that name in my life." He eases down off the balls of his feet as Akechi lowers his 'weapon', but keeps his back against the wall. Like Akechi is a feral dog ready to bite at the slightest fast movement.

[policedefective]

He had access to them, what did Akira think would happen?

Perhaps more insultingly than trying to kill him, Akechi looks briefly away in disgust. One 'Ren' was already enough, but...

"Then you're not the Joker I know. I've spoke to others from different worlds and different times. In this place it seems probable."

There's a strange sadness to it, almost. Like his realization that while both are together...they are, ironically, alone.

[le_mat]

"Ah." That makes as much sense as anything else. Not even the weirdest thing that's happened to him. The idea of another Joker out there... and one that apparently made a choice he could not... is something he just has to accept.

He suddenly hates this 'Ren Amamiya' with an almost uncharacteristic passion. It boils, rancid, in his guts. His mouth is suddenly dry and he licks his lip to try and fight the feeling back. But it just sits there like a rock.

As for this Akechi not being the one he knows, unlike the man in front of him he only feels a guilty relief. While he would be happy to see Akechi back to himself, even if it would only be for moments before his rival killed him for his betrayal, it would be... worthwhile. But what if the happy, pleasant Akechi showed up? He's not sure he could bare it.

This way his secrets are safe in his chest.

"But you're still Goro Akechi, then?"

[policedefective]

"Unfortunately."

Not because he fully hated his name - but mostly what it meant - whatever universe this 'Ren' came from, it seemed that he didn't seem all that too surprised by his behaviour or his way or talking. It implied that his path in life was the same - and for all that Akechi was and had been, he hadn't lied when he had told Ren he wished they had meant earlier. Meeting someone who had, even if it would have created a well of jealousy deeply wedged inside of his heart to the point of turning it even more black, still meant that somewhere out there, he had at least lived a more fruitful life.

"So then, not-Amamiya, what is your name?"

[le_mat]

"Kurusu. Akira Kurusu." He gives a slightly over-the-top bow, all melodramatic charm.

[policedefective]

Which clearly falls flat on the other.

"Akira...really?" That's such a generic name. Now he appreciates his own Joker's a lot more. But now on to a theory which makes him even more angry and annoyed, least one forget that Akechi is built upon them and jealousy.

"Perhaps that is how the worlds in our universe differ themselves...with your name." Urgh. Gross. "For all we know, there's another you called Kouichi Miyama, Tsumugi Arikawa or even Nozomu Akase." Each name more stupid sounding than the last.

[le_mat]

His nose wrinkles in slight pouty annoyance at his show falling completely flat. Well, at least now he knows this Goro is exactly the same as his own. Was. Used to be.

"You just had all those names on hand? What's wrong with Akira?"

[policedefective]

"They came out of my mind," he replied shrugged. "I was just trying to prove a point."

The point of how lame your name is, Akira.

"To put it bluntly," wow, really Akechi being blunt? "It sounds a little too...typical for someone like you."

[le_mat]

"Typical?" He looks a bit aghast. "But isn't Ren Amamiya a bit too... hmm..." He narrows his eyes, letting his pettiness come out a little bit. "Too much? It sounds like an anime character."

[policedefective]

Hey don't diss his protagonist Akira. That's Akechi's job.

"And you sound like a generic manga character. What's your point?"

[le_mat]

Wow rude???

"Tch. Well, it doesn't matter right? Joker works fine either way."

[policedefective]

"A thorn on my side either way."

Well with that out of the way, time for more pressing matters.

"Ama--Kurusu...have you bothered to read the leaflet?"

[le_mat]

"A little. And I've seen these 'monsters' around too. How much of this are you buying?"

He's pretty sure at least some of it is true- if just from how the not-monsters are acting around him and the other new arrivals. But it's still a lot to swallow.

[policedefective]

He frowns as he takes the papers from under the computer - honestly what he wouldn't do to get his briefcase right now - and looks at it again for a few seconds in silence.

"As much as your name is actually Akira Kurusu."

Can't stop being a brat for all of 2 minutes, it seemed. But also to prove a point.

"We're clearly dealing with an entity even more powerful than Maruki's or the Holy Grail. More annoyingly, it seems like there's two of them."

[le_mat]

He makes an annoyed scoff through his nose, but it's not worth bickering over right now.

"Two that hate each other. From what I've heard they actively cultivate followers too."

[policedefective]

"Well I don't see how that's any different. Recall Maruki's palace and how they reacted."

He'd also mention the end of Mementos but he wasn't there when Ren went all giant Satanael.

"What honestly worries me is how...accepting everyone is of this. By now it appears to be normalized."

[le_mat]

He frowns slightly, not thrilled at the idea of comparing Maruki to these strange alien gods. For all the man's flaws, Akira still saw him as a friend. But... he has a feeling Akechi would not appreciate any attempt at putting the man in any sympathetic light.

... he wouldn't have been thrilled at being seen as someone with 'followers' either, but thankfully that thread is unknown and unspoken.

"Not surprising for the locals, if this has always been the way it is. But the people like us..." He shakes his head in distaste.

[policedefective]

"For all my enjoyment in obliterating demons, it is a far difference from cannibalism."

He's just going to air that part in the open.

"It's surprising the townspeople bother having children."

[le_mat]

"Hm. It's a big city, so even with all the monsters we've seen it must be a pretty small part of the population that gets eaten. People die every day from things like car accidents, but we don't ban dangerous things that only kill a small amount of people."

He shrugs.

"... I'm not excusing it, of course. But I can see how it can maintain like this if they don't really have another choice."