Test Drive Meme 002

[voidtreckermods]

Welcome to our Test Drive Meme! Here is the place to see how your character might fit the setting, grab some samples and start having fun!

1. Post with your character. I’ve written out some prompts but feel free to make up your own, you have a whole train to play with!

2. Assume they have been around long enough for threads to jump right into the action!

3. Have much fun!

Happy testing!

Luggage Handling

The last carriage of the train is full of luggage. It’s all empty but there sure is a lot of it. Suitcases, old fashioned travelling trunks, rucksacks. And they are scattered everywhere, a safety concern to be sure.

Or perhaps the most fun place on the train, if you are thinking about it right. These cases could be anything, a fort, a bunker. How many can you stack up until they are too high to reach or they tumble down on top of you?

Let out your inner child and relieve some of the boredom of being stuck on a train by creating the luggage castle of your dreams, or step in before disaster strikes and attempt to bring some organisation to this chaos.

Scavenger Hunt

You’ve found yourself on a world that seems to be one huge scrap yard. At least all the parts you can see are and you aren’t the only ones there. A small fighter craft has crash landed here and the pilot needs help fixing their craft to get out of here!

Team One The parts needed must be around here somewhere! This place has all sorts and so it’s just a matter of trying to sort through all the junk to find what you are looking for.

Team Two Some parts from the actual ship are salvageable but it’s going to take a team to get this thing sky worthy again. Fix what can be fixed and get the craft ready for the spare parts that will hopefully be found.

Team Three This planet is not without its nuisances. Most prominent are some strange cyborg rats that have a taste for wiring. Fend them off before they get into the craft and render all the hard work undone.

A picnic with a view

Heroes deserve rewards every now and again and after a few days of protecting a settlement from strange shape shifting alien blobs there is a moment to relax before boarding the train once more.

What a place to relax in. High up on a cliff overlooking a vast plain of crystal stalagmites. The light of two suns reflects of them creating a dazzling prism mirror effect of colour, it’s almost like hovering above a sea of rainbows.

A picnic has been provided by some grateful villagers, the food is strange but delicious and a perfect way to unwind after a stressful few days.

Comments

[so_dark_a_road]

His brother is amazed that he can do so much with one hand (and his teeth!). This, even though they have so much experience tending to each other's injuries.

"I know I was a problem, and I am heartily sorry for that. When I was dying, I knew that you would suffer a loss, and I wanted to tell you I loved you. Only, I couldn't speak."

[castintoflames]

He has had a lot of experience using his mouth and his hand to do what two hands usually do. If he can manage it. Sometimes he has to admit defeat.

"I love you too regardless of your behavior. Nothing can change that." he closes his eyes, grimacing, "I remember."

[so_dark_a_road]

But being an Elf of a clan known for skill of hand, Maedhros probably doesn't fail very often. Not even with one hand.

"I am grateful for your love, Nelyo. I've had cause to be grateful, time after time, from my childhood on." He doesn't want to inflict pain on Maedhros by asking him what he remembers, so he asks a general question and leaves it up to his brother to get specific or not. "How did you fare, afterwards?"

[castintoflames]

The one who inherited their father's skill is sitting in his lap, however that won't stop him from lending a helping hand. Maedhros is quite serious about being the eldest.

"I'm relieved I could give you some brief moments of gratitude." he rubs over the eye injured by Morgoth, feeling the scar that is engraved into his skin, "Where to begin? All of you were lost except for Kano and I. He and I continued the quest, burning and killing as we went. We thought we had found one of the Silmaril at the Havens of Sirion. But it fled us in the hands of Elwing, daughter of Dior and Nimloth. However she left behind two more precious jewels, though I couldn't see it. I was prepared to end their lives too, yet Kano plead for their lives."

[so_dark_a_road]

Maedhros is wonderful at being the eldest!

Curufin has actually heard this story before, being the Curufin who remembers everything, including those many experiences after his death. But it is one thing to hear the sad ending of the tale of the sons of Fëanor, and another to hear it again from the lips of his brother.

"Those moments were more than brief," he replies softly. He leans up to kiss Maedhros' brow gently, seeing that his brother is feeling an old injury.

"I suspected, too late, that Dior was covering for the flight of his children, and that they had the Silmaril. But tell me of these two other precious jewels, the children of Elwing?"

[castintoflames]

He closes his eyes for a moment, memorizing the soft affection. His brothers are some of the few that can touch him without him panicking. All of his scars throb, in truth, and it is enough to drive him insane.

"The jewels are dim rocks in comparison to her sons. Elrond and Elros - twins - that miraculously opened their hearts to us. We thought to hold them as hostages, but then we became...family." Maedhros smiles faintly, the scars pulling - he is unused to happiness, "Elrond bonded fast with Kano and Elros was my shadow. We were there when they made their choice - a gift given to them by King Manwë - on whether they should live as Elvenkind or as Men. Elrond remained an Elf and Elros chose mortality."

[so_dark_a_road]

Curufin knows his brother well enough to know how much he suffers from those old injuries, and why. And all he can do is give affection and acceptance, which is not enough, but it is essential, and it is something Curufin is very happy to do.

Fatherhood was the great blessing of Curufin's life, and he is glad that Maedhros and Maglor had that opportunity to become parents to those twins. He is only sorry for the way it came about, and sorry that they were separated from those foster-sons.

"It would have been better, would it not? -- if our children had been the only jewels of our lives. We did not need the Silmarils. They were a curse. But children are more precious than anything. How did Elros come to choose mortality? Did he explain?"

[castintoflames]

The affection is something he has missed dearly; it is something that kept him sane after the Thangorodrim. Without it, the threads of his mind unraveled slowly and finally he had nothing left. Or so he thought. He forgot that he had someone's love and a solid reason to live.

Maglor should be furious.

"Mm." he rests his head against Curufin's shoulder, soaking in his presence, "He saw a need; he knew his brother could lead their people, but the Men had no Lord or King to unite them. To understand them, he became one of them." his lips quirk, "No one could convince him otherwise and it was I who helped shorten his hair."

[so_dark_a_road]

Curufin strokes his brother's fiery red hair gently, allowing him all the time he needs to absorb the affection and the tenderness.

"There was so much destruction. So many of those who might have lead were dead and gone by that time, I guess. Elros must have been been very dedicated, as was his brother. We'll never know what Elros experienced when he became mortal, nor what he felt. He must have been a great man, to have made such a sacrifice."

He smiles a little. "You gave him a haircut? Was it stylish?"

[castintoflames]

Will forever be a possibility? Maedhros is reminded sharply of their childhood and how precious his brother could be. Besides, he is exhausted, mentally, physically and emotionally. He just wants a place where he can block out all that has happened for a little while.

"I know he remained himself and he was determined to never fail in any endeavor he undertook." he lifts his head slowly, humming his assent, "I believe it was crooked. Kano had to even it out."

[so_dark_a_road]

Forever would definitely be a possibility! Curufin remembers their childhood well, and how sometimes when Maedhros came home tired from his day and threw himself down on a couch to rest, little Curufin would to come and sit beside him and stroke his hair and sing him a lullaby. Maedhros was such a good role model as a nurturer that Curufin wanted to emulate him, and who better to bestow that tenderness on than Maedhros himself! And now in the present, he is simply happy to be some kind of shelter for his brother.

"Elros must have been an amazing leader after that." He smiles again to think of Maedhros engaged in barbering. Well, why not? The Noldor are always good at the crafts. "Good thing the two of you were there to make it look nice."

[castintoflames]

His little brothers all have a secret sweetness to them. Maedhros is glad he spent so many years loving them and helping them grow strong. Being the eldest isn't something he would change, though at times, he had felt overwhelmed. Then again, the reason he had felt that way was because his brothers all wanted his attention. Is that not a sign of love?

"He was the best. His line will continue for many generations to come." Maedhros has no doubt - especially with Elrond around, "He looked like a proper King." his lips twist sadly, "Letting them go was difficult for both of us."

[so_dark_a_road]

Maedhros would know that secret sweetness well. He has it himself, always did. People outside the family would not necessarily know that, because what they saw was the fiery sons of Fëanor, stern of face and iron in strength, always ready to fight, kill or die. But they had that other side to them as well. And of course the younger six had wanted the attention of the eldest! They worshipped him. They loved him dearly.

"I can understand how hard it must have been to say goodbye to your foster-sons. And yet. . . that was an act of love. Letting them go on to their destinies, to do their part in saving the world."

[castintoflames]

He adored every single one of them; they had kept him alive when he felt the deepest of grief and if he could have freed them from the Oath, he would have done so at any cost. If his life needed to be forfeit, so be it. At least then his brothers could have bloomed and followed the paths intended for them.

"I wasn't meant to be with them. We stole those moments we shared - Kano and I - and we knew the peace we acquired wouldn't last. How could we have forgiven ourselves if doom fell upon them?"

[so_dark_a_road]

Alas, there had been no way -- that they knew of -- to free themselves from the Oath while they lived. They knew, of course, that Maedhros would have made any sacrifice for them, and that was one of the many reasons they loved him. When he had come back from Angband they had cared for him and inundated him with love and affection, silently telling him that he must live. And they had done the same after the Fifth Battle of Beleriand, when Fingon died and the Fëanorions had lost all their lands.

"You were wise, you and Kano. Even if those years you had with Elrond and Elros were stolen years, still, I'm guessing that it was partly your influence that allowed them to become the people they grew up to be. And I'll bet they understood that you were choosing to keep them safe even at the cost of losing them. They wouldn't have forgotten what you taught them -- that love makes amends, and love makes sacrifices."

[castintoflames]

Maedhros was calmed by his brother's words, feeling less broken thanks to Curufin's unquestioning understanding. He was proud - and awed - by how much the other had matured and he wondered what Curufin had experienced to change him so.

"What have you seen?" he pressed his lips to his brother's brow, peering into his eyes a second later, "Have you been injured? Who do I need to kill?"

He was only half-joking. If it was possible, Maedhros would ride down any and all of Curufin's enemies. He knew how to use his size imposingly and he definitely knew how to kill.

[so_dark_a_road]

Curufin could see in Maedhros' face that he was calmed, and he stroked his brother's hair again, softly. And oh heavens, what Curufin had seen! This is the Curufin who remembers everything, every place he's been, even the off-road paths.

"If I were to tell you, we'd still be sitting here tomorrow and I would have talked you to sleep! But to make it short, I've seen communities pull together to work for the common good, and I've striven to be a part of that, and even to be an innovator and a leader. And I've seen communities tear themselves apart over the most ridiculous disagreements. And in my personal life, I've known friendship and I've known love, and though I've loved and lost, I've tried to remember the good from all those experiences. I've seen what is possible, and because of that, I have set my sights on the highest of goals." He smiled into his brother's eyes. "And I've learned compassion."

He grinned. He knew Maedhros was both joking and not joking. "You don't have to kill anyone for me, though I do appreciate the offer."

[castintoflames]

He hardly minded being the recipient of a kind touch. As Curufin spoke, Maedhros would rest against him, the bright strands of his hair falling into his face. Yet he was listening intently, wanting to know what his brother had seen and experienced.

"It seems to me we have time." he pulled back slightly so that he could see Curufin's face properly, "You have loved? Have you married without me realizing? Without me present?"

Now that was unforgivable! But he could not mourn missing so much for long upon hearing about Curufin's discovery. Compassion, hm? What a lovely lesson.

"I will do what I must to protect your happiness." Maedhros had long since given up on himself, but if he could exist to defend the good in this world or any other, that was a fine way to exist.

[so_dark_a_road]

Curufin kept his arms around his brother while he told his story. He was a little startled, though, when Maedhros objected to his way of loving, and he had to answer.

"I loved a man named Yukari Mishakuji, and for a while, we were happy. Eventually, our ways of thinking drove us apart, but we managed to talk it out and get back together. Still, I guess our reconciliation was not enough. There were forces at work that no one really understands, and in the end, Yukari slipped away into the darkness of nonbeing. I am not sorry to have loved him and I will always remember him. But you know how I am, Nelyo. I never was and I never will be content to love once and never again. The communion of spirits I understand well, and the union of bodies. But marriage in the sense that the Valar would understand it is not for me."

And he smiled to see that Maedhros understood what he had said about compassion.

"I know you would do much for me. I have always been grateful for you love and care."