TEST DRIVE MEME.

[soulmods]

Test Drive Meme

Prompts Arrival: So you've just arrived in Nyoi-Cho. Congratulations! You must be so excited about having your wish granted. Or maybe you're upset that the result wasn't quite what you expected? If that's the case, then that's too bad! There are no take backs and no redoes, so you're stuck with what you have! Maybe you should have been more careful about how you worded that wish... Oh well. There's no use in dwelling on it. You're a magi now, and that means adjusting to a whole new lifestyle! Maybe one of the townspeople can help you out. Only... they're acting a bit strangely, aren't they? They're all too happy to show you around, but there's something unsettling about the way they're behaving. Almost cheerfully dissonant. Any questions about the history of the town are met with blank stares and brief silence, before they plaster a smile onto their faces and change the subject. Any attempts to tell them about your duties as a magi or anything else that relates to the magical will get similar reactions. Isn't there anyone normal here that you can talk to at all? Home Improvement: The houses that the magi are given access to really are something, aren't they? There's almost no limit to what they can do! Why don't you create the house of your dreams, or maybe recreate and relive your favorite childhood scenes? Invite some spectators over to marvel! A Corrupted Soul Gem: You neglected to take care of your soul gem, and now you don't feel quite yourself anymore. You feel like you're losing your sense of self - all you seem to be able to focus on is your old regrets and past failures. What's happening to you? A Day in the Life: Everyday hero by day, magician by night! You've got a busy day ahead of you and no time to waste! Maybe it's school, or maybe it's work, maybe it's both! Being magical doesn't make you exempt from paying those shopping bills! May Day: Uh-oh. This magical girl stuff looked easier on TV. You're in some serious trouble! Or maybe you see someone else who is! It's time to pull up your socks and show them what you have. Be the hero you've always wanted to be, or give in and be that damsel in distress. There's no shame in needing a little help now and then. A Successful Mission: Congratulations! You met up with your first Nightmare, and you fought valiantly. You even mastered that tricky power of yours! What sort of power did you get? Is it a useful one, or is it not so useful? Maybe you've mastered it beautifully, and now you're showing off to all of your friends. Maybe you're having a hard time keeping it under wraps, and now you're wreaking havoc across the town without meaning to! A Dreadful Nightmare: You had an absolutely horrid day. As you drift off to sleep, your mind dwells on all the injustices you've had to endure. In response, your bed swallows you up, and your room shifts into a horrific Nightmarescape. What sort of Nightmare are you? What kind of Nightmarescape do you create? Hopefully your fellow magi can stop you before you cause too much damage! Wildcard: Feel free to use any information from the FAQ or the World Info page to make your own prompt!

Comments

merrill | dragon age 2

[pridesend]

nightmare battle

I... Oh dear. That's not right, is it? At least I don't think it's right... This magic works so differently! [ The poor woman mumbling to herself doesn't really seem to notice the mess she's caused. She's too busy trying to puzzle out how that spell went wrong - it always worked before no problem, why should now be any different?

Except it sort of is. While she can still use "blood" magic, it's... w e l l. It's more that she can now summon blood, and bend that to her will. Not transform her own body into a power cell for magic.

And she's not particularly... good. At blood bending. At least it looks like the nightmare has lost interest and wandered away. ]

Sorry! Sorry, sorry, sorry. That one got away from me. Ah - here, have a napkin... though I s'pose that won't do much.

[friendshiprocks]

Jeez, you're new at this, aren't you?

[ Hime can't help but remark, in a teasing tone, as she heads over to Merrill with a sigh. Technically...she's new at this also. At least, new at being a magi. Hime's experiences on the magical girl spectrum have been pure Pretty Cure. But these new powers are similar enough to her magical girl powers back home that she's taking to them like a fish takes to water.

It also just so happens that Hime doesn't realize that the weird red fluid that Merrill summoned and then got on her dress was...well, blood. She didn't know what that weird red stuff was but ewwww, it had gotten everywhere. ]

Don't worry about my dress. If this is anything like home, it'll just vanish once I turn back to normal. We've gotta go stop that nightmare!

[intercessory]

[Finding oneself suddenly struck and subsequently blinded by a wayward gout of gore does not, on any day, bode particularly well—even less so while rushing to the aid of a fellow combatant.

Aymeric stops in his tracks, no small part of him mortified as he braces himself for impending attack. However, the moment the other magi's numerous and earnest placations reach his ears, the knight quickly regains a measure of composure. From the mere sound of her voice, he can very reasonably conclude that the blood now dripping warmly all about his person is, in fact, not hers.]

No, no – A napkin would do nicely, I thank you.

[With his eyes still shut hard to the streak of red painted across them, he manages a wee smile. Certainly, he's in no position to scoff at the offer of anything more efficient than the back of his own hand. He can only be thankful that she'd come thusly prepared.]

That creature you were fighting is... [And here he must pause to wipe away some that's beading a little too close to his mouth.] It, ah, won't be of any further trouble to us, I presume?

[He's fairly convinced the thing exploded.]

Weiss Schnee (Bad End AU from Trustfell)

[mosaicity]

Arrival:

...I suppose it was too much to expect to still be at Graceside.

[Weiss shrugs once. She didn't expect that she would go back to Remnant, not after those weeks away. She's changed too much; sacrificing herself to get the others back had just cemented those changes.]

At least everyone is safe. I have that.

[She keeps her arms folded across her chest as she takes a walk around the city. She's not going to particularly want to greet any welcoming committees that are around Nyoi-Cho, that's for sure.]

A Dreadful Nightmare:

[Sleep doesn't come easy to Weiss most days, and tonight is no exception. If anything, it's worse now than it has been in a long time. She tosses and turns for a while, finally flopping onto her back and staring at the ceiling.]

...nothing about this is the slightest bit fair.

[Weiss starts to fiddle with her Soul Gem, which she wears as a necklace.]

The fighting is one thing, but the fact that I - I'm expected to smile, to pretend everything is okay. It's not, it hasn't been since -

[She doesn't finish her sentence. It feels like she's been caught and yanked underwater. She struggles, but the more she moves, the more she feels the weight of the water around her. Eventually, she closes her eyes.

Her room shifts from what she's used to seeing into a long hallway. The walls are darkly colored, in shades of red and black. The red could easily be taken for blood.

The hallway has a single door at one end, a door that leads to a large, circular room. Nightmare Weiss is at the center, floating a few inches above the floor. Around her are a series of podiums, and she looks to be attacking them, one at a time. If you're in the way of her, she'll certainly aim for you.]

Merlwyb Bloefhiswyn | FFXIV: ARR

[bloodbrine]

ARRIVAL

[ The Admiral has seen many things during her lifetime. The establishment of a free nation made of Eorzea's most savage pirate crews, the destruction of - not one, but two - fell Primals within the same Umbral Era, the fury of the Elder Primal, Bahamut, raging across the land and razing all in his wake.

Nyoi-Cho is a new experience altogether. And, frankly, not one she's enjoying.

Merlwyb stands head and shoulders above the natives that escort her from place to place, taking one stride to their two or three as they chatter inanely in mockery of a tour; to which the Admiral makes no great effort at a response beyond a dip of her chin or a muted hum of acknowledgement. It's no secret she greatly mislikes these 'townspeople' from her body language - watching like a hawk from the corner of her eye should any of her guides turn hostile in hopes of blindsiding their charge.

They might as well be mammets as far as Merlwyb is concerned. Utterly brainless save for whatever purpose they've been tasked with, and next to useless even when performing said purpose. ]

Seven Hells, but I tire of this poor comedy. Be silent. [ Her sharp command cuts off one of her guides mid-sentence. The Admiral instead turns to whomever else that may be within hailing range - probably you, knowing how these things tend to work out - pale eyes blazing with thinly veiled impatience. Merlwyb is not a woman that enjoys being lead around in circles. ] You there! Be so kind as to answer my questions.

[ What will you do? ]

arrival

[miasmajesty]

[ People stand out around here.

Or... well. Magi stand out, really. It's something in the way they move. He's on his way to school as he passes her, slowing his walk and turning to look as she passes by, debating for several seconds before he turns. ]

... Hey. You... new?

[pridesend]

A little bit. This particular kind of magic is rather... finicky. Like it's not quite sure what it wants to be.

[ The less she knows the better, really. Merrill smiles sheepishly. ]

Oh! Maybe I could throw it in his eyes. Stun him a little? Or inconvenience him long enough for you to hit him with - [ she pauses. ] what... do you hit him with?

[pridesend]

Oh, I'm certain he'll be back when he feels up for a little nip.

[ She pats the pockets of her magical outfit for a napkin, coming away empty - then remembers rather abruptly that this creature's domain seems to be made primarily of towels and tissue paper. She tears off a strip of the surroundings and hands them over. ]

I'm so, so, so so so sorry. I'm certain I'll get the hang of this someday soon.

[friendshiprocks]

Air! [ said with a grin. And then, Hime made a little finger gun with her hands and blew imaginary smoke off the top. ]

Of course, it's not like 'light breeze' air, it's more like 'trying to walk forward when it's really windy outside' air. It's enough like what I had back home that I'm getting it down pat pretty easily.

[mosaicity]

[She almost doesn't hear him at first, but after a moment, she nods.]

That's right. I just got here. I'm -

[She almost uses the title she was given, but thinks better of it.]

- Weiss.

arrival

[rickdiculous]

[Well, there's welcoming committees and then there's...others. Like, the man who walks by in a pair of shades and a large trenchcoat, covering up the majority of his body. What keeps this man looking somewhat distinct is the visible scar across his neck, and the wild-looking hair popping up from his head.

He walks down the streets with a case of alcohol, still equipped with a pricetag, and passes by Weiss. Never stopping but slowing down just the smallest bit, turns his head to look at Weiss, and there's what sounds like a mumbled curse under his breath.

The man immediately picks up the pace and strides away from her as fast as he can.]

[unreasoning]

[Well. She certainly seems... polite.

Honestly, the Demifiend isn't one to begrudge her for the way she's treating the locals. There's something unsettling about the way they're acting, after all. Something... off.

He gives her a curt nod.]

Sure; shoot.

[bloodbrine]

[ The Admiral was polite even as a pirate, shockingly enough. One can be eloquent enough to express anger without tacking on unnecessary cursing despite the widespread image of swearing like a sailor.
Not that she can't cuss up a storm, of course. She simply has better control over her temper than the average buccaneer. ]

My thanks.

[ Merlwyb tilts her head slightly, carefully considering which should be the first of what is in all honesty a veritable barrage of questions waiting in the wings. He may or may not be here conversing with her for a bell or three yet before she is content to leave off. ]

Firstly, I seek an accurate map of the city and the territories surrounding it. Where might I find one?

bless you for this

[mosaicity]

[...what.

No, really, what. There's a matching mumbled curse, and for all that she would absolutely love to leave this where it is, there is something wrong here.]

...did everyone else get brought here? That's not what I wished, dammit.

[She's going to wring that cat's neck.]

oooh a merl--too many vowels! :D

[chainsawstick]

[ To be fair, Kanaya has had her own experience of craziness that should outweigh everything here too. Like playing a video game that helped to destroy her entire universe and create a new one that included the birth of the human race. And yet here she is, still just as confused as anyone else. Or perhaps more so than most, given that she's a teenage alien girl with grey skin and candy corn horns that only has a peripheral knowledge of how human society operates, which is a great deal different than her own.

She just happened to be out trying to find a fabric store, to figure out how to trade "money" for "goods" or whatever humans did. Only to suddenly be called out by someone with a voice that makes her stop in her tracks. ]

Um. Are you speaking to me, perhaps? [ She looks to her left, then her right, as if making sure that yes, she's being addressed directly. ] Is there a topic in particular that I can somehow help you with?

Terezi Pyrope | OTA

[drubbings]

LIKE TROLL JUMANJI

[ The hive on the outside is the most boringest of law rings to ever exist. Neat little windows and doors all in a line, like terrible teeth ready to gnash whoever set foot over the doorway. But instead of a tidal wave of gore, all visitors would get is yawns. This is what Terezi thought until she opens the door.

Inside is a twist and turn of tree branches, sprouting from the floorboards, breaking in through the walls, upturning furniture and spiralling up cabinets and tables. It is wild and completely disruptive. She loves every inch of it.

After getting a good sniff of the interior, Terezi shuts the door with some effort. Those vines are tricky customers! Spreading in every crack with wild abandon. Yes, she was sure she'd love it here. Only one problem.

She says rather loudly to no one in particular. ]

My perfect hive has a sorry lack of a recuperacoon. They must have ran out of a fresh supply when it was my turn. I have to get in contact with the white cheese beast that brought me here. I'm sure he can fix this.

[intercessory]

'Twould be folly for me to barge into a fight without accepting that I may be marred in some fashion. I doubt any knight has come from battle smelling as pleasantly as he went. [A small dip of his head once again assures his gratitude as he accepts the scrap, setting it to work toweling away the viscous fluid from his eyes and brow.]

As for the means by which we're meant to contest against these Nightmares, I must confess they do take some acquainting to.

[You see, despite referencing knights and looking every bit the part of one, the length of steel wielded by the tall man's main hand is... well, it's actually a very non-lethal, very safe-looking scepter.

Complete with a blue ribbon.]

[miasmajesty]

Dirk.

[ A slow nod. Like this makes sense. And it does, really. He just hadn't been sure how many contracts that cat thing was capable of. ]

You get a rundown of what you're in for yet?

Karkat Vantas | Homestuck | The Games CRAU

[crabmunicator]

(OOC: Please be aware that this Karkat comes from a game where a lot of violence and trauma has occurred, including death/killing. The gory details likely won't come up unless asked about, but there will be oblique reference. And if you absolutely want to avoid the details, feel free to let me know, and I'll steer around them!)

A. Arrival

[When he first appears, stuck on a narrow street he's never known, he can't quite believe it. The Psiioniic had predicted his death - fire, falling, an area he couldn't escape - and some part of him had been too certain it would happen even as Kyuubey appeared in that space between worlds and offered him a wish. He took it, of course. Stop the fire, save everyone, and the rain that had come down out of nowhere had done it, but the pain he felt after... He half wondered in that slip of time before he lost consciousness if he had died anyway, if his taxed brain had just made up something ridiculous to spare him the real thing.]

[But here he is, safe and alive, if a little singed. He smells of smoke, grey jumpsuit dusted with soot, and his eyes are exhausted, dark circles ground into the topography of his face by months of poor sleep and the tendency to wake at the slightest noise.]

[He had to take the offer. He had to save people if there was the chance. He'll have to help save them here, too. But in this moment, the difference - new world, new people - is still too overwhelming.]

[He covers his hands with his face, and his breath rattles in and out.]

Fuck.

B. Home Improvement

No! No, no, no, no!

[Karkat has come stumbling out of his house to slam shut the door, and he kicks it after, grimacing frustration down at the little gem that stands in place of a knob.]

How the hell am I supposed to go in and get rest if my own special maaaagic hive cannot keep its shit together? One home, one coherent design, something I'm comfortable with. Is that too much to ask? Have I angered the yappy fur weasel god? Or am I just the naive pus fountain that catches on last that no, Karkat, the punishment wheel never stops! Not even when there's no one to watch it anymore!!

[He might be yelling this at the house itself. The house, for its part, remains impassive.]

[Karkat groans and sinks to sit before it. He'll keep glaring until his head settles, or until something else interrupts him.]

[chainsawstick]

...I think you will probably have need of some form of gardening instrument in order to get that situation.

[ And from behind is Kanaya, practically looking over the other girl's shoulder as she opened the door, getting a good sight of utter chaos inside that makes even Kanaya's mess of fabrics at home look neat. ]

And by situation I mean the fact that your hive has clearly been attacked by some form of sentient vine creature bent on keeping you out of hive and home.

[ Should she say hi? Ask her how it is to be alive again? Or maybe just say anything of actual substance? Probably, but talking about real shit isn't so easy for her anymore, not when she's trying so hard to ignore all that in her daily life. So for now this is what Terezi gets from her. ]

[chainsawstick]

I informed Rose that I was going to go out for a walk but I didn't expect to witness... that.

[ Kanay is here. Just standing at the edge of the lawn ring on the sidewalk looking past the shrubbery or what have you to the other troll looking like he is ready to tear out his horns over something or other.

So pretty much standard operating procedure for one Karkat Vantas as far as Kanaya is concerned. But that doesn't mean she's not actually concerned because she is. Just more so situated on the fact there hey, it's Karket, right here, in front of her. ]

Hi Karkat.

!!! KANAYA

[crabmunicator]

[What. No, what?]

[Karkat gets up and turns around because he knows that voice, and the face and horns he sees after--yeah, that's her.]

Kanaya? God, it's been--

[Ages. Going on a year. But how does he just go and say that? Rose is here as well by her implication, and for all they weren't close Karkat feels a pang for missing her, too.]

--It's been a while. Which probably makes precisely zero sense to you, but the constant, complicated merry-go-round of bullshit that is my life has no breaks and merrily trashes the recommended speed safety limits.

[He rubs a palm over his face. No, seriously, is there a manual for this? How did Nill manage?]

KK!

[chainsawstick]

[ It's most definitely her. At least she is pretty sure she is still herself. One can never know. And from the look of things... Karkat looks like Karkat, stubby horns and yelly personality and all. ]

How long is a while? Because I guess you could say it's almost been an Earth month since I've seen you, but I also saw you just before we ended up having our horns handed to us by her royal fish bitch.

[ More specifically Kanaya ended up lasered by her highness, but tomatoes-red seeded vegetable.

She moves a little closer, inside the lawn ring to get a better look at the shorter boy, as if trying to figure something out. ]

Karkat's such a jumbled up mess right now

[crabmunicator]

[His thoughts roll. A month is a lot less for him. Is that how long she's been here? And 'her royal fish bitch' sounds familiar, so could it mean--? He's spent so long thinking that timeline ended then and there, but who's to say she didn't come from the same bad end?]

[He sees the way she's looking at him. His hands curl up at his sides, nails pressed to palms.]

Longer than that. The last I saw you was before Gamzee murdered me.

[And he has to look different. No older despite the time, but his eyes are so tired, and he doesn't have his old outfit anymore. It's still the grey jumpsuit from District 13. He's too new to have replaced it with anything more fitting. It's the kind of thing that says on its own that there's a lot left to be told.]

[But he thinks of Nill still - will be thinking of her for a long time - and how she had been so careful not to tell him about the other places she'd been until she could make sure no one else could observe her part of the conversation. And what about here? He got a wish, and he's been brought to save more people, but he's too jumpy after the Capitol to dump everything blindly.]

[After a too-long pause, he gathers his words and asks her plainly.]

Is it safe here?

[Even if she can't answer straight, he's spent too long learning to read and give signals to get past the cameras. If there were a hint, he wants to think he'd catch it.]

[ironicoolly]

[The thing about living among the magi is that, after a while, you stop looking where you're going. The houses of the magi all look samey, to the point where even streets are frustratingly indistinguishable from one another; for a small town, it's too easy to get lost.

So Dave doesn't really lift his head as he walks. He just counts the number of houses as he passes them by, because that's the closest thing to a reliable way he's found to not getting lost as he tries to navigate his way to the house that belongs to him.

As a result, it's the voice that captures his attention first - utterly unmistakable, despite how long it's been since he last heard it.]

Holy shit.

[Honestly, he doesn't even process what she's saying at first. He just sort of... gapes, like he's having a hard time believing she's actually here and is afraid to believe it because, well, since when has he had luck that good?

After a few more moments of hesitation, he speaks again.]

Uh, okay, two things. One; when did you get here and why was I not informed. Two; pretty sure that thing's long gone. It got what it wanted out of us after we signed that hella dubious contract and fucked off to parts unknown.

Sup.