TEST DRIVE MEME (1)

[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
Outside the train, a large, strangely spinning cube floats over a pedestal, hissing discordantly and shedding strange black light onto the surrounding area. Beyond lies only shadows and slithering noises, a landscape of tangley thorns and eyes that glow in the dark. Your phone says it's noon, but out here it's midnight under a starless sky. As you step into the dark, an alarm blares -- your phone is sending you an alert.

"Goal: clear the area of snakes," it says. "Remember to use the buddy system!"

Soon you realise that the ground just a few feet away is actually writhing in black snakes with crimson eyes. They'll bite if you approach alone, but as long as you're touching another passenger, they're totally docile. You could easily move them away from the clearing, or toss them into the spooky-looking pit at the edge of it.

★ Three
You've been here awhile -- at least, long enough to have made some friends. Currently the TV in the public lounge is playing a weird puppet show, where all the puppets look and act like exaggerated versions of you and other passengers. What kind of person do the puppets think you are? Dramatic? Over-affectionate? Surly?It's all in good fun but it's definitely painting you in a light that, if not unpleasant, is certainly embarrassing.

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

Comments

angela "mercy" ziegler ( overwatch )

[cadeuces]

ONE ) ginger or hazel

( The undergarments may as well have been military issue, yet nothing about her surroundings followed through on that assumption. There's a warm sweater laid out for her to tug over herself before carefully checking the rest of her surroundings, and then down the steps as quietly as possible (holding her shoes), swallowing down that initial queasiness both physical and psychological— what did "restoring your body" mean? Had it needed restoring? The rest sounds like a fairy tale.

Nothing had been missing. All ten fingers and all ten toes as she'd been born, no aches or pains or scars from surgery, no fatigue or overheating from nanites working overtime on any damage done to her. That original panic was quelled and she's wary of the tea she finds, but the curl of steam and an ordinary smell of regular leaves brings her guard down. The warmth calls to her and the promise of a soothed stomach is soon enough to win her over, and her hands are curled around the mug after pulling on those shoes at last and beginning her wandering for others, in the same carriage or beyond. Wait, is that someone...? )

Excuse me! Have you just woken up as well?

( Humans before technology. She'll try others before resorting to attempted snooping on the device she woke up beside. )

TWO ) "why did it have to be snakes?"

( "The buddy system" sounds so friendly despite the writhing mass of snakes on the ground, doesn't it? Though there is nothing friendly about that dark flavor of light over the scene. How many black snakes were venomous? Angela's no herpetologist, but the answer is quite likely "most if not all of them". And whoever is in front of her is either not checking their phone or too focused on the ground to notice.

Don't mind some random lady reaching out to grab your arm with a gentle chiding of: )

Mind your feet. No sudden movements.

( Except the mere act of physical contact has the beginnings of hissing dying back down. Curious. )

WILDCARD ) u mirin my clinic?

( Like a hound on a trail, it never takes long for a doctor to find the smell of latex and gauze. Angela's stumbled on the car housing the clinic and she's quick to begin taking stock. She finds something to write with, something to write on, and is turning out every drawer and bin to take proper count of supplies and see if anything needs to be supplemented.

Turns out that list is going to be longer. The first thing she'll need, however, is a proper surgical kit and suture sets. The pods are a mystery to solve another time. Step into her parlor, whether it's with some injury (and it better not be a snake bite) or just general curiosity— she isn't looking up from her count. )

Will you pass me that bin, please?

( Her aim is dead-on when she points, even without it being in her peripheral. )

( ooc: —or whatever else may come to mind! find me in the game disco @ wamie ♥ )

clinic

[oorah]

[ he's in what look to be purple plaid long johns with purple doc martens on his feet. he's not wearing a shirt (because it was mostly see-thru anyway) but there's a velour hoodie zipped up halfway over his chest with the hood drawn down over his face. there's a cutesy skull bejeweled onto the back, but at least it isn't too snug. frank comes up behind her, handing her the bin before she's even through the sentence - all of his focus on her patient. this place seemed so cuddly and innocuous, so of course, it's just as fucked up as any other place. ] I know first aid. [ it's a gruff voice, but he's already pulling on gloves before she can protest. whatever this place is, frank is betting on them needing every damn person who came with them to survive. ]

[cadeuces]

( Angela hears the approach and his voice before she even acknowledges him in her peripheral— perhaps that's for the best. What he says and the quality of his voice is more important than his appearance, though when she does glance over as she takes the bin she'd indicated and he helpfully provides, she's understandably giving pause.

It's just a split second, but it's noticeable when her every other motion is fluid and with purpose.

Though she's seen others dressed (sort of) similarly, so she supposes it isn't entirely his fault. )

—Right, much appreciated. This one had approached the pit and ended up bitten. I'm trying to ensure any lingering venom is extracted, as much as possible at least. Please fetch a cotton pad and place it against the wound. I'll work the flow back down toward it.

Angela.

( Her name, that is. She offers it with a brief glance and a little smile before turning her attention back to her hands, still moving. )

[oorah]

[ he gives her a LOOK. like this is his choice of outfit!!!! get out. frank does as he's told though, used to being bossed around in the field by medics and not about to let someone suffer because he wasn't listening. ]

Frank. [ he says without thinking, though he probably should've said 'pete.' this place is just screaming "TRAP" to him atm. ] You're a doctor?

[cadeuces]

( Is it not? The tilt of her head in exchange to that LOOK seems to ask it even if it never leaves her lips. He had to have willingly put it on, after all! 2076 is not the year to be judging these things, however. It simply didn't suit his aesthetic and seemed jarring because of it.

And she said "please", so it isn't bossing, is it? )

It's a pleasure then, Frank. ( He does exactly as instructed, as she massages down the patient's leg in long strokes with a firm grip, skin turning white in her wake before slowly regaining color. She can't be sure if they're venomous snakes or not, what the side effects may be, how long it may take to show— but there is no congealing and no feverish sweating. That was a good start. ) I am, to keep it simple. I'm a few other things too. And you?

Marine, aren't you?

( She knows her soldiers. Their demeanors. )

[oorah]

[ a few other things too. he makes a face before snorting softly at her assumption. ]

Once.

[ a lifetime ago, now. at least. ]

[cadeuces]

( He doesn't seem too put off with the reply, at least. That was good. He's steady. She shoos his hand from the wound once she's finished and reaches across for a clean gauze pad to press over the punctures, taping it down in short enough order and getting the kid upright. She checks their eyes, floats a finger in front of their face, checks their pulse with steady fingertips at their neck, and gives them some departing advice for side effects to look out for.

And no more snakes.

She turns to Frank properly this time, getting a good look at him. )

Not too long ago, it seems. Isn't the saying "once a Marine, always a Marine"? It's in the way you present yourself.

( Her accent is soft, but still there— something Germanic, playful in the way it twists her words up at the end, as if he wouldn't already be able to guess she's nowhere near American. )

I have worked with too many soldiers in my time. I'm a combat medic and trauma surgeon, would be those "few other things". As well as a researcher.

Was there something that I could assist you with? I don't imagine you appeared just in time to help me with my patient.

one

[half2death]

[He looks around on his way into the room, carrying a cup of tea himself. He certainly looked like he just woke up as well, blinking and using a hand to rub at his eyes.]

Yeah. [He yawns.] Need something? [The sixteen year old asks this like it was an automatic thing for him to ask someone if they needed, or wanted, something or other from him.]

[cadeuces]

( Is the tea even helping? Hard to say. The boy's immediate response to offer assistance is something that leaves her smiling, lopsided as it may be. )

Not particularly, no. Unless you happen to know where we are. Are you all right?

( Maybe her faint stomach was a unique case, but she would never count on it. )

[half2death]

[He blinks.] Yeah I'm alright. Just tired. [He finds somewhere to sit down, sipping at the tea and then making a rather confused face at it. It wasn't bad, to him, it just wasn't what he would call good either. Maybe it was just his preference to coffee that he somehow knew he liked but had no associating memory to go along with it.]

[cadeuces]

Tired, and not aware of our location either, I assume.

( Don't mind her taking that seat beside him, leaning over juuuuust enough to get a good look at him. It's a very brief doctor's visit, you see. This little run-in. Looking at his eyes, his color, seeing if his hands tremble— but he does in fact seem to be just fine.

That's a relief, at least. )

Not a fan of tea? I believe I saw some sugar on the tray if you think it may help.

[half2death]

Yeah, I'll try it. [Danny does put some sugar into the tea, and it does make it a little better.] And, yeah. All I know, for where we are, is that we're on a train. But... I think that's obvious. [Be sure to routinely check. He's known for not getting enough sleep.]

[cadeuces]

Better? ( She figured it might; everyone needed a bit of energy, and sugar's a good little boost. It cuts the bitterness of machine-processed leaves (if that's what these are— it tastes like cheap teabags to her). She's looking to see some hint of enjoyment. )

I suppose it might be a little obvious, but it would usually be a hint. In the styling of the cars, or any staff, their language— we don't seem to get any of that, though. If only we could see what's outside.

Any hopes for a surprise vacation? I'm hoping for... ( Let her think a moment. Her default is "home", except she'd be dragged right back into work. ) The Himalayas.

two!

[hissoff]

[ well he was mostly just focused on the snakes to be perfectly honest. he doesn't seem too overtly concerned, but he does tense somewhat when she grabs his arm. hm. ... ]

None whatsoever? Are you a snake expert, miss?

[cadeuces]

( It's something she feels, but not anything she considers out of the ordinary— most people tense when they aren't expecting strange women to grab their limbs, don't they? )

Enough to know they don't appreciate things interfering with their day-to-day lives, at least. See? They're already quieter.

We can't know if these are venomous or not. I don't want to see anyone bitten. Are you familiar with them?

[hissoff]

Hm, hm. That's true, snakes are fairly private creatures. [ lightly agrees~ ]

But I've never seen snakes quite like these. [ a pause as he reconsiders, ] That I remember at any rate.

[cadeuces]

I don't suppose I'd take kindly to any houses dropping down around my life, either. ( Wizard of Oz, anyone? ) I'm sure it's quite a shock to the senses to have something so much bigger than you just tromping around.

You sound as though you like them. ( Snakes in general, she means. It's something spoken with a little smile, prompting. And slowly backing away from the snakes, fingertips curled in his sleeve in a gentle tug to do the same. )

[hissoff]

Maybe a little. [ noncommittal hums. since they seem to be so much more gentle now... he stoops down a bit to brush a finger against one as it slithers past. ]

They're really quite cute, don't you think? It seems rather unfair that we should have to invade their space and uproot them from where they've chosen to make their home.

two

[verstoned]

[He was going to lean over and try to deal with one of those snakes. He honestly was, because for some reason, Rhus has no fear of serpents, even when they're hissing at him in warning-- they're just not frightening to him.

Probably for the best that someone pulled him back, really, because he might have gotten himself hurt otherwise.]

Ah-- [His eyes are wide, ears twitching. It's clear from the surprised expression on his face that he wasn't expecting someone to grab him.] Aye.

But-- have you not noticed? Their hissing has stopped.

[cadeuces]

( Oh goodness, the ears were moving. The young man had been fearless enough as it were, perhaps the confidence wouldn't have resulted in the snakes striking— but she isn't going to take the chance. Or the chance that they're venomous.

It's an easy little movement to keep him from stumbling or staggering, nothing that jerks him back and startles them further, though her expression is apologetic when he turns to face her with those wide eyes. )

Just a step or two back, now— oh, ( He's right. Snakes were not known to give up so easily once on the defense, yet these cease their flaring and rearing, going right back to the original task at hand. ) —so they have. That's strange.

[verstoned]

[The ears aren't the only things moving. His tail rises slightly, gaining a curve at the end to show his interest. And he leans over to place his hands on his knees, not enough to dislodge her hand, but enough that be can distinguish where one black snake ends and its equally-black fellow starts.]

Look at them, 's as if nothing happened!

[If there's one thing Rhus can take from this experience, it's that he likes snakes.]

[cadeuces]

( It's hard to look away from the ears, ok!! She's never been around animals like cats for very long and isn't very good at reading the body language associated with them, yet he sounds kind. He's gentle in his movements and his curiosity for the snakes is well-meaning, and she looks a little sheepish in having been the one to overreact in comparison. )

I don't imagine their attention span is very long— wild animals don't often remember things that fall out of instinct. They'll remember where to hunt and where to nest and where danger may be, but the occasional run-ins are likely forgotten as soon as they're encountered and departed from.

( She'll take her hand away from him, assuming the danger has safely passed. Maybe that's going to be a mistake, but she isn't turning around and walking off, either. )

Were you going to investigate that cube?

[verstoned]

Impossible for them to forget when we're right in front of them... [No, Rhus thinks there's something else entirely at work here. But for the life of him, he cant tell what. More curious about the snakes than the cube in the distance, he crouches down and attempts to poke at one with a finger... But the snake lunges at him for his trouble, mouth open wide and fangs looking to sink into Miqo'te flesh. And Rhus jumps back in alarm-- except he doesn't react so mildly as simply hopping back. No, he's rather emotive. He leaps in the air and lands several feet away, his arch several feet up in the air. And he leans over, hands balled into fists and tail sticking straight up, fluffed out like a bottle brush, and he hisses.]

clinic

[ruinatings]

[As Angela is counting packets of gauze, there's the soft mechanical hiss of the car's door opening. Confidently stepping through is a tall man with long blonde hair and a Ginger uniform. If he's surprised to find someone already here he doesn't show it, instead politely inclining his head as he comes in to look around.]

Good morning. You seem to be getting right down to business.

[cadeuces]

( The appearance of yet another person is already not a novel concept— she's had quite a few visitors already, whether they were intentionally seeking out the recovery car or they were simply exploring, however, was her guess. The sound of the door is familiar by now and she's already offering the visitor a smile without looking up. She has to finish this count and mark it down, first. )

Good morning! Was there something I could help you with...?

( And with the scratch of graphite on (a gauze wrapper) paper, she's finishing up this box and turning to look at another new face. Her smile only widens, warming further. At least he doesn't seem to be injured. )