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

[assassinatedassassin]

[Looks over his shoulder back down the hall. That's like 5 more doors than he has the patience to open one by one to figure out which one belongs to this guy.]

Want to use mine?

[Gestures with his head at the door he came out of. It's not like it's really his, nor does he particularly want to go back to bed right now.]

[hissoff]

I'm sure I can find my own way. [ it's a curt response. distant, and strained as if it hurts to say it ]

[assassinatedassassin]

'Kay.

[Pathiri's response is short and dry, but he's looking at Naan again. After a moment of that, he slips around the other guy (this hallway is narrow, but fortunately he is smol) and heads towards the stairs.

He is going to be back, not that Naan would know that yet.]

[hissoff]

[ he watches him leave... for perhaps a little bit too long. even once he disappears down the stairs he lingers in place for a while... just. standing there. until he just kind of. abruptly crumples to the side like strings had been cut, his shoulder meeting the wall beside him being the only thing that keeps him from falling on the floor. he. really needs to get out of here. slowly trying the door beside him. but it's locked for some reason. rattles the doorknob. rattle rattle. sigh... ]

[assassinatedassassin]

[Meanwhile, downstairs... it seems like their mysterious host is serious about wanting to take care of them. Prince or whoever is already getting points for the free drinks, warm and fancy no less. Pathiri sips one to make sure it isn't anything weird without even really thinking about the implications of that, then moves all the cups aside from that one and one other off the tray.

It's too bad that Naan was taking his time, because the source of his misery is going to be back with hardly a delay. Someone should scold this guy about climbing stairs too quick, especially while carrying things.]

[hissoff]

[ he's too focused on trying to open doors to actually notice him in time to scold him.... or even like. notice him coming up at all, really. he's so out of it. just single-mindedly trying to open the door, find clothes, maybe get off this damn train... if that doesn't work he can hide in his room ... this is surely a bad dream... ]

[assassinatedassassin]

[Watches Naan rattle at that door for a moment before sighing audibly- not that the other guy is paying attention, apparently. He places the tray he's carrying on the ground (off to the side, not right in the middle of the hallway) and also starts trying doors. This is frankly a pain, but snakey guy is clearly somewhat delirious or something and he can't just go about his business having done nothing about that. Anyway, this one is locked, that one is...]