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

[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.

[half2death]

Yeah, it is better.

[Well, now he has to think a bit on the vacation spot he'd like to be going to now.]

I think the Himalayas would be nice, but I think a couple of days in Hawaii, or just going to places like Florida, because of NASA would be good too. [He doesn't even really know why NASA, or why he chose Hawaii of all places, but the mountains still sounded nice.]

That does sound interesting though. About the cars, and possibly other languages. I do know one other language besides English, though. Not sure if it'll help at all. [Mainly because he doesn't know how he knows it, or if it's an obscure language or something rather popular. For all he can guess, he could've grown up bilingual.]

[cadeuces]

Oh, Hawaii would be wonderful as well— are you a fan of the stars? ( You'd have to be quite motivated to go to Florida, she thinks. Besides that and Disney World, she isn't sure why much of anyone would want to travel there. (Disney has of course lasted through to the year 2076— Wizarding World, however... Who Knows.) )

It would be, I suppose, but each one is so different. And I've yet to see a single member of the staff. It's only us, all milling about trying to regain our bearings. What other language do you know? ( She'll see if she can answer him in it— though chances of her knowing it are 40/60. )

[half2death]

[Danny nods his head enthusiastically to the mention of being a 'fan of the stars']

Yeah, us being left to our own devices is pretty odd. And it's, ah, Esperanto.

[cadeuces]

Oh! Well, I'm afraid I've only ever heard of Esperanto; I don't know any, myself. Traveling the world at least gives one a few basics— "where does it hurt", "what is your blood type", "allergies" and so on. The important ones. I speak Swiss and Traditional German alongside English, with passable French and a dash of Arabic.

( Which is to say, she thought she might have had the chance to be a bit cheeky, and he's outright beaten her. )

Have you ever had the chance to see the night sky from the middle of a desert? I don't think a clearer option would be possible, without poking one's head above the clouds themselves.