Test Drive Meme #1 (cw vehicular crash, moderate injury)

[spoofer]

Test Drive Meme #1

Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world.

You don't need an invite to test
but please remember we're currently invite-only

CRASH LANDING

Exit one dimension, enter the next. It was chaos: pressure against your ears, light bending in an impossible, unimaginable way. The very molecules of your body vibrating against one another. If you have windows, the view outside makes no sense. Even if not, your hands, your face, your feet seem like an uncertain thing. It's the feel of reality itself tearing apart, reshaping, reconnecting, thread by thread.

And suddenly, there's a beach— or ocean, whichever you land in. Smoke. Fire. Salt water churning up, fizzing around.

Maybe you crash, in a ship wrecking into sand. Maybe you merely stumble out of a portal, a ragged wormhole in space. Or maybe you fall off the back of an incredible steed, some creature that carried you into this place. Either way, there's pandemonium around you. Incredibly, severe injuries are far and few between— nobody's screaming about the dead. But you might have to help pull someone free of wreckage, or move quickly to salvage burning belongings from the landing craft. Maybe it's the crafts themselves, that you're trying to salvage.

Likely, you don't know them, these other strangers who arrived here^[1]. Maybe you don't trust them— you just came out of a dying world, after all. But you all have one thing in common: you're here now.

When you get a second to breathe, maybe you'll see it. The brilliant green forest across the sand. Beyond that, the glint of a faraway city.

INTO THE WOODS

Your first night at Xistentia does not feature five-star accommodations, but as the sun begins to set, the forest offers everything you need to survive. By now, you may even have met your daemon, who'll help guide you through this. There is fallen wood to make fires for warmth and cooking, any number of rabbits, deer, and fish if that's what you're into eating. Those very same animals also provide guidance as to what vegetation is edible, including a variety of vine mushrooms, fruits, and flowers. If you're the kind of creature that mostly eats other sentient creatures, well. Technically, there are a lot of those hanging out too^[2]! Now and then, you'll see tiny, winged humanoid creatures the height of a finger dart in and out of view.

A resourceful group, the multiversal refugees have determined ways to create shelters, using wreckage, supplies, and basic survival knowhow. There aren't enough blankets to go around, but the weather is mild and the fires seem to keep out any aggressive creatures.


Things get quiet. This could be a good time to meet the others under less fraught circumstances. Maybe you'll see some familiar faces and reunite with others who fled from your dying world; maybe you'll meet someone new.

Try not to seek out and fight any Rock Trolls. It's still early.

ENTER THE CITY

The city is beautiful, even with the vines covering everything, the streams running down half the streets, the massive white deer leaping off under the highway overpasses. The architecture of the skyscrapers is incredible to look at, modern and sweeping. It's clear that terraced gardens were part of the building design, and some of the greenery that lines the street had been part of the original city plan. This is a city of great potential.

And it knows you're here. As you walk by, beacons like streetlamps begin to emit a gentle glow, registering your presence. No doors are locked, though you might find yourself chasing out nests of silver-winged birds and bug-eyed rabbits.

Here, you can claim empty shops or the clothing and other sales items inside of them. Apartment complexes aren't difficult to find in a range of sizes; nor are standalone homes, brownstones, loft studios. Penthouses may not feel like penthouses when there's a thin layer of dust growing on everything and a flower growing out of the sink, but you know what? Maybe that little bud is gonna be your first roommate.

It's the strangest thing. After a few days, the lights begin to work and the water begins to run, fully operational within the unseen sewer system. At some point, the keys to your house or residence are going to turn up. Your daemon will help you find what you need. F.A.TE.S. welcomes you.

NETWORK

By now you've settled in. You have some time to explore the city, the woods, and your new kit.

Chances are pretty good that your daemon is not a phone or a computer or a wax-sealed piece of parchment or a Howler, nothing with a convenient camera or a keyboard; it probably isn't even a pocket sized. Likelier, it stares at you with eyes that contain the lenses-- or powers-- of a camera, and some part of its body projects a holographic keyboard into the air. For those of us who are not accustomed to manipulating intangible light prisms, it's about as intuitive to type on as shaping a cloud with your fingers.

But here's your network access. Accessible to all your fellow travelers in XISTENTIA.

Misfires, typos, and blurry video footage are likely. Time to feel like a Luddite!

CHOOSE YOUR OWN ADVENTURE

hells yeah

Footnotes

1. Some of these can be nameless, plot-device NPCs to facilitate interactions! But even in this case, please avoid gore in describing their current state of being. Anyone dead or catastrophically injured will have disappeared by the time your characters make it to Xistentia. There are no corpses or dying here.
   
   
2. But like OOCly ask permission ofc.

Comments

Shane ( original character ) ota

[scarrings]

i. CRASHING DOWN

[ It all comes crashing down too fast. One second, his world's in danger. He can feel the way it retches and heaves. The way it the magic shifts and grinds on his skin and threatens to make the vampiric side of him heave with discomfort. His magic hadn't been meant to save only him. Yet when he looks up from the sand he's the only one there.

He's trembling as he picks himself up off the ground. His chest heaves with the air he swallows in deep gulps. He puts his arm up to keep the sun from his eyes, though the effort is shallow and does nothing to really help.

When he sees a blur in the distance, he starts making his way to whoever it is. At first he stumbles in the sand. It's hard to really deal with the fact that he was in a castle one second, and now he's standing on a beach. After some mental adjustment, and as the light stops burning his retinas, he jogs over to the other person he's found. ]

Hey. Are you okay? You're not hurt are you?

ii. CITY STYLE

[ Eventually, Shane makes his way to the city. The trek didn't have to take as long as it did, but he had many reasons for taking his time. Getting to know the area, getting information from the panda that trails behind him slowly, and just processing if he was being completely honest.

He reaches the city finally, already running a hand through the fur of the bear that is more comforting than he expected it'd be. ]

You'd almost think this was Earth. [ He laughs slightly to himself as he starts wondering the streets. ] Maybe with a little more decay, but it's not such a bad look overall.

iii. NETWORK

[ The video clicks on, Shane sitting back with a look of surprise as the panda tells him he's filming. ]

I can just start talking?

Yes. I've already begun the recording. When you are ready, you may begin.

Oh. [ Shane rubs the back of his neck. ] Guess I'm on, then.

Hello, everyone. My name is Shane. [ He lets out a deep breath, trying to settle his nerves a bit. ] I don't know if everyone else here is just as confused as I am, but it looks like we're going to be here awhile. So I wanted to introduce myself and offer my assistance in any way that I can.

[ He smiles again and shrugs. ] There's a number of things I can help with, including hunting and healing if needed. We can talk out what the need is, and I'll find a way to help as best I can.

Ah, I'm that's enough-- [ He starts. Stops again. Then finally add. ]

Also, if anyone has seen a shorter, Italian man with dark hair running around, could you let me know? He's slight with warm eyes and a huge grin, if that helps. His name is Rafaello, or Rafa if he likes you. Thank you.

That's enough, Vaid.

iv. WILDCARD

( ooc; open to any other kind of prompts here! )

3

[vexy]

Shane, huh?

[ Here was a fae who didn't look altogether pleased to see someone asking about Rafa, especially not with that name. ]

Which husband were you again? Number two? Five? Nine?

[scarrings]

You've met Rafa. [ It's not really a question, but... is this dislike because of Rafa? He's rarely met a person who doesn't like Rafa. ]

I'd be husband number two. And you would be?

[vexy]

Husband number sixty-nine. [ He smirked, though there wasn't a lot of humor in those eyes of his. ]

Vex. Kidding about that first part, he hasn't put a ring on it. Well, other than a cock ring.

Hubby's around here somewhere, I'm sure he'll find you in no time.

[scarrings]

[ Shane is not innocent by any means. Nor is he unaware of Rafa and his many lovers. None of that bothers him. It's just the ease with which Vex talks about sexual things when they've only just met that maybe makes him blush a little. ]

That's... a big relief to hear, in all honesty.

[ Then he smiles again. ] Especially since it sounds like he's had good company in the mean time.

[vexy]

Pfft-- [ Yes, that is an actual sound that comes out of Vex's mouth. ]

Good company? Are you mad? Do I look like good company to you?

[scarrings]

[ Oh. This is gonna be like that, is it? ]

So Rafa fucks you, but he doesn't like you?

[vexy]

I'm fae, he doesn't like any of us.

[ Vex doesn't realize how weak that non-answer was, considering who he's talking to. ]

[scarrings]

[ It takes everything in Shane not to laugh. ]

So am I. Hasn't stopped us yet.

Rafa doesn't sleep with people he doesn't like.

[vexy]

[ DAMMIT. WHAT? URGH-- ]

Alright. So. Maybe he likes me. It doesn't mean I'm good company.

[scarrings]

[ Theeeeeere we go. Although he doesn't get why this long turnabout.... ]

I'm sorry, did I offend you somehow? [ He's really trying to think about all he's said. ]

[vexy]

So how do you and Hunter do it? [ He interrupts, loudly. ]

Every other day? Is there a rotation? Or do you get higher priority because you're number two?

[scarrings]

[ ...... Hunter? What's he got to do with it? And why Hunter and not Nikolai too? ]

Rafa just spends time with us both each day....

What does Hunter have to do with this?

[vexy]

Ahh, the rotation gimmick. Alright. So anyone new who pops on gets a day? What happens when he gets past 365? Oh! Is there one that's stuck on the leap day?

[ He could only imagine where he'd end up if Rafa loved him.

Good thing he didn't. ]

iii (!!!!!!!!!!)

[mordacita]

[ That face. Rafa's eyes were wide and excited even before his own name was mentioned. He has a fully fledged argument with his unicorn around letting him respond, while it patiently explains that Shane needs to finish recording before he can do that. He argues. And argues.

And then finally he's able to answer, and he doesn't know whether to be stunned or elated. ]

Shane. Shane, you are here, how can this be...

Where are you? I will come to you right away.

[ Yes, the sun is up right now. No, he doesn't care about that at all. ]

[scarrings]

[ There's his husband. And the relief is plain to read in his eyes at the sight of Rafa. ]

Calm down, Rafa, I'll come find you.

Where are you? We're already on our way.

[mordacita]

[ A bright smile suddenly flickers on Rafa's face. That's his Shane. He hasn't seen him since before he left for Eudio again, and to see him here...

Well. There's actually only one reason why he should be here, which is that something really did happen at home. The attack has gotten that far. The realisation makes that smile disappear again, and then Rafa's eyes focus on his unicorn instead. ]

I am...

Where are we? Can you send the address to them, to his daemon, whatever it is?

Yes. Transmitting now. [ The unicorn has a sweet, friendly tone. It sends coordinates to Shane's daemon, and Rafa looks up again with a frown. ]

Did you get that? It is just an apartment I overtook. Everything seems empty here.

[scarrings]

We got that. [ Shane grins as he starts to stand up. He touches the pandas head and offers Rafa one more smile. ] I'll see you soon, my love.

[ Then he's gone. He's running, shockingly Vaid keeps pace with him, even though he runs at a greater speed than most humans.

It's not long before he's at the address, climbing stairs until he's at the door.

He could rush in, he knows Rafa will let him. But he just knocks on the door instead, breathing heavily as anticipation courses through his veins. ]

[mordacita]

[ Rafa, of course, was already waiting. There's barely time for one knock before Rafa pulls the door open. It's a miracle he's had enough presence of mind to put his sunglasses on, because the only thing he can think about is getting Shane into his house and into his arms. He flies at him, arms wrapping around him and pulling him inside at the same time. ]

You are truly here. I cannot believe...

[ He presses against Shane's chest, his words trailing away. At the same time, his unicorn wanders up behind him, and goes to investigate Shane's panda daemon. Rafa looks up, his smile having restored itself. ]

I missed you. It has been months for me; how long, for you?

[scarrings]

[ Shane's arms wrap tightly around Rafa the moment he lays eyes on him. His arms are tight around his shoulders, letting Rafa curl in against his chest as he so often does. He kisses his forehead, brushing back his hair and stroking his back. ]

Moments, my love. [ He's surprised, while Vaid wanders up to the unicorn, sniffing at it curiously. ]

What do you mean months? [ His brow furrows in confusion as he looks down at him, thumb brushing over his cheek. ]

[mordacita]

Moments.

[ And yet he'd still sought him out so quickly. The unicorn at least does the service of getting the door closed, so that Rafa can pull his glasses off and look up at Shane properly. He reaches up, setting his hand against his cheek.

Shane has always been beautiful to him. Rafa remembers him as beautiful, too; it shouldn't be a surprise. But he's lovely. He's always more lovely in person. Rafa leans into his hand. ]

I was in the other world, in Eudio. With Hunter. Something was attacking that place, and we meant to go home, in case it came there too. But I ended up here, and now you are here...

[ Rafa's hand settles on Shane's shoulder. ]

Why are you here? What happened, Shane?

[ The unicorn has settled beside the panda now, waiting to be needed again. ]

1;

[hasitsthorns]

I'm fi- [ huuuurrrrrrgh

That, uh. That would the sound of her throwing up on the shore. What a lovely first impression. ] -ne.

So fine. The most fine. [ A quiet ugh sounds from her before she's looking up at this kind stranger through a mop of blond hair. Her dogs (eight of them, if he happens to count) have already swarmed the man curiously. Their tails wag slow, snuffling and sniffing him all about.

Rose moves her mess of curls out of her face, getting a better look at him and him probably getting a better look at her. ] M'not hurt, just nauseous. How about you, dude?

[scarrings]

[ Shane is a little careful of the dogs once he realizes they're there. He doesn't have anything against them, but some dogs respond positively to the fae in him. Some react aggressively to the vampire in him. He pauses, just to give the dogs a chance to decide whether they like him or not. Rose isn't hurt, so no need to push the dogs to accept him. ]

I'm okay. Nothing bent or broken. [ He smiles from the slight distance. ]

That was a bigger jump than I expected. Did all these dogs come with you? Or were they here when you got here?

[hasitsthorns]

[ Thankfully, Rose is a 'demon' in and of herself so they are very familiar with the supernatural. They are also familiar with another vampire so that side of him doesn't seem to off put the dogs in the slightest. If anything, it might even make them more friendly. Hope Shane doesn't mind getting his hand licked by one of the friendlier ones. ]

You're tellin' me, [ she says, stifling a nauseated belch. Ugh. She shouldn't have eaten than mac and cheese before portaling to another world... ]

They're mine, all eight of 'em. Though the portal would be a safer bet because of it but. Haha. Well.

[ N o p e ]

ii

[helical]

[ alec would find it amusing too, how similar it looks, if he wasn't so focused on being responsible and was... anyone else. while shane might look at the city and think it's not a bad look, alec is wondering if the structures are safe, how much of that decay as reached the walls, the beams, the foundations of these buildings.

it is pretty, in a way, nature taking over what was man made, but that doesn't mean it's secure. it doesn't mean they should take it as is. ]

How do we know it's safe?

[ the snow leopard by his legs chuffs, like a sigh, as if it knew alec would find something to pick at. alec glowers sharply at it, but then turns to the man and his panda. ] These things could collapse on all of us.