TEST DRIVE MEME (4)

[trainmasters]

test drive meme

Your character wakes up in a neat bedroom in their team carriage, in nondescript underwear. They might be missing their memories, or their special abilities, or they may just feel a little queasy. Next to them is what seems to be a smartphone, which they know how to use even if they never had before, even if they don't know if they have before. On the screen is a simple message:

Welcome aboard the Aurora!

You have been selected by the Star Prince as a potential hero, tasked with saving the universe from Malice. As a passenger I, your Construct and Conductor, will attempt to provide you with quality lodgings and safety. In return, we ask that you join your fellows in making bonds and doing your utmost to bring joy back to the Stars.

Due to the process of restoring your body, you may find some things are missing. We apologise for the inconvenience and hope to return them to you as soon as possible. Thank you for your cooperation.

★ One
Upon investigation, you'll find some basic clothes matching your team's theme in the storage provided in your room. Or, perhaps, you're wandering out of the room still undressed. Either way, downstairs you'll find someone has left a tray of cups of hot tea on the living room table. Drinking it may be simply pleasant, or it may cause you to feel a sudden need to warm up to the others in your carriage -- emotionally or physically. Welcome to the team, newbie!

☆ Two
Shortly after your arrival, you find yourself wrapped up in some monster NPC's Game. You're inside what appears to be a stone temple, with a massive golden scale on one wall. Suddenly, on one side, a heavy metal weight is dropped. As the scales tip out of balance, the floor begins to slowly disappear, brick by brick, ready to drop you -- and whoever is with you -- into an abyss. Your only hope comes in the form of an inscription on the altar:

How much do your secrets weigh?

Every secret you tell causes a weight to fall onto the other side of the scale. The bigger the secret, the bigger the weight. If you can collectively tip the scales, the floor will quit dropping bricks and a door will appear to allow you back to the train. If you can't, you'll fall, seemingly forever, til you pass out. When you wake up you'll find yourself unable to lie.

★ Three
You've been in aurora for awhile -- long enough to have recovered a memory/power or two, if you lost any. And it's lucky for you: today, the area around the train has been surrounded in a strange mist that makes you feel dizzy and overly warm. Left alone, your condition will slowly degrade, with increasing lethargy and shortness of breath until you lose consciousness. The cure is easy enough, though -- touch another person and they'll see one of your memories, experiencing it as if it's their own. The effect is mutual -- you now have a piece of eachother, and you're safe from the illness... at least until you take another big breath. Good thing there's no mist inside the train!

☆ Four
Wildcard. Make up your own prompt! Check out the setting and team pages for info on the train. If you have any questions, ask on the q&a page. Otherwise, apps open on February 8! In the meantime you're free to join us on Discord.

Comments

[crimeboy]

Eugh. I dunno if I'd trust anyone who would actually call themselves an angel. Like, no offense if you guys were close, but.

You know what I mean? Seems shady.

[wellhanged]

Well.

He is literally kind of a worker for the entity that created my world? That's what he said an angel was...

Kaleb's a good boy.

[like he's talking about a dog.]

[crimeboy]

...Oh, I see. I mean that makes more sense than just calling yourself one, I guess.

[That's a weird way to talk about an actual, literal angel though.]

I guess I'm just used to demons being nothing more than a species, so I figured angels would be like. The same kind of thing? Or a way to disguise someone who was less than pure.

[wellhanged]

And demons are related to angels?

[crimeboy]

Uh like. In mythology, right? I've never met an actual angel so I don't... know...

Could just be that humans don't like monsters, so they call them something universally reviled when they're... like... that.

Know what I mean? [He hopes he knows, because he's doing a terrible job explaining it.]

[wellhanged]

Kind of.

I don't think I've ever really heard of demons or angels before. We've got actual monsters in the dark to worry about.

[crimeboy]

Oh... well where I'm from a lot of purple believe there's like... another dimension? Where all evil lives. And the creatures that are born there or call the place home are called demons.

And one the opposite end, there is a realm of all that's good, inhabited by angels who are meant to be saviors.

So when monsters start showing up that look human, but they have the tendency to tear people apart like wild animals, they get labeled "demons", like beings of pure evil from another world.

[wellhanged]

Hmm... if they didn't come from the same place, I'd say that Worldbuilder Diederik could be a demon, then.

[crimeboy]

[GRIMACES.]

That sounds not great, I'm going to be honest with you.

[wellhanged]

Well... end of the world scenarios tend to be not great, that's true.

[crimeboy]

end of the world scenarios are less great when someone who's called "worldbuilder" can be considered demon-like...

And here we are in another 'save the universe' kind of scenario. Can't escape 'em, huh?

[wellhanged]

Might just be my lot in life.

[lolol shrugs a bit half-heartedly.]

But I also might be biased against that Worldbuilder since he is the one who put a noose around my neck.

[crimeboy]

Yeah, I can't imagine that'd endear anyone. [Seriously... u ok bro???]

It's a really shitty lot. Especially when they think you're going to be some hero...

[wellhanged]

--who thinks that?

[crimeboy]

Apparently this 'Star Prince'! A "potential hero", and we've got to save the universe? Like man...... I'm tired of trying to save worlds and stuff. I'm 17. I'm not even allowed to drink alcohol yet, give me a break.

I wanted to go to college. Maybe run a coffee shop. I dunno! Instead I'm on some interdimensional train saving the world with the power of friendship again.

The last time there wasn't a train, though.

[wellhanged]

... seventeen is practically an adult where I'm from.

Time for a drink.

[COME, FRIEND. WE'RE GONNA GET PLASTERED.]

[crimeboy]

Huh, what?

[THAT WASN'T WHAT HE MEANT.

...Like he's not going to say no to trying. Just the once.]

Uh. Oh. Okay? Yeah, sure. Wh-where...?

[wellhanged]

No idea! I'm sure there's some alcohol here somewhere.

[crimeboy]

Ah. I mean I guess that must be true...?

[He sounds skeptical.]

Guess it's time to head inside to the dining car!