Test Drive 018

[voidtreckermods]

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

1. Post with your character, including their name and series in the subject. We’ve written out some prompts but feel free to make up your own, you have a whole train to play with!

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

3. Have lots of fun.

Happy testing!

Heated Debate

The spa carriage, the newest addition to the train, boasts sunlamps and loungers, massage tables stocked with fluffy towels and a variety of oils and lotions, an enclosed sauna… Soothing birdsong fills the warm, scented air, and the terminals offer several masseuse courses or a playlist of relaxing music.

In pride of place, a three-tiered heated bath in the centre of the room, each tier able to fit five people comfortably.

‘Comfortably’? Well, it could definitely fit more, but it might get a little awkward, depending on your feelings on personal space. Ditto with the sauna, really. But the important thing is, you got here first.

Didn’t you?

Getting Draughty In Here

The lower floor of this carriage is open and sprawling, with two wide, low tables and plenty of cushions and beanbags. The walls are lined with shelves and wooden chests, both filled with games. Board games, card games, you name it, though train themes feature heavily. On a shelf of its own sits a case of Duel Monsters cards.

The upper floor is split into two. One half has a pile of oversized games - lawn jenga, twister, giant connect4 - and the other, sectioned off with soft rope barriers, hosts a screen, a console, and a variety of video game controllers, including four VR headsets.

Perhaps you’re testing yourself in one of the VR Crisis simulators. Perhaps you’re learning the rules of a competitive card game a little too well, and your friendships are suffering accordingly. Perhaps you’ve convinced someone to play twister with you..?

Shiver Me Timbers

You are aboard the PNV Vexation, a first-rate ship accompanied by several escort vessels currently halfway through a voyage across the Sunsea of Yarra, AKA #59352110. The cargo she carries is of utmost importance, and must reach the Shining Port intact.

The pirates who sail the Sunsea have other plans.

Team One

The Vexation has several sloops in tow - the best of which are the Gemstone Heart, the Fallen Lord and the Duckling. Team One is split across the three sloops, and can use their greater speed to good effect in boarding actions. Your job is simple - sink every unmarked ship that approaches the Vexation. The captains are cooperative and daring, and happy to lend out boarding axes and pistols. The pirates are less happy.

Team Two

Back aboard the Vexation, it seems that either the crew are playing tricks, or something more sinister is going on - whispers of spirits roaming the deck at night, strange screams or whimpers in the hold. Lights off the starboard bow. The day holds no such terrors, and shipboard life is mostly ropes, deckwork and stints on the masts, but as the mission continues, the crew are getting more and more restless… Team Two needs to figure out the source of these strange events, before they incite the crew to mutiny.

Team Three

Unbeknownst to the crew, on the second day of the mission, the precious cargo is loaded onto the fourth and fastest of the Vexation’s escorts, the Sun’s Edge, and sent ahead, while the fleet remains as as a decoy. Team Three are sent aboard the Edge to crew the ship and keep the treasure - something sealed in a large, padded steel pyramid - safe. The pirates don’t notice the deception, but the sea serpents definitely do, and with just one serpent able to wrap its entire length around the Edge, the third day is a harrowing one.

Comments

[its_dad_sanzo]

[ Koumyou watches the gestures with interest. A mudra? But the man doesn't chant, and nothing seems to happen. Huh! ]

Koumyou Sanzo, or just Sanzo.

[ The correction comes easily to the priest; he's gotten used to people thinking 'Sanzo' is a surname instead of a title, but he can't just let random people call him by his holy name alone. It's just too inappropriate.

He claps his hands together, enthused, at that question. This guy practically read his mind, as far as goals go! ]

Doesn't everyone? Ah, but I don't know any specific dances other than disco. Do you have disco where you're from?

[subcircuits]

[The correction is accepted as easily as given. Devero bobs his head--] Sanzo, then, thank you. [--And then, reminded of something:] Oh! [He places a hand on his chest.] Forgive me, he/him for pronouns.

[He gives his head a shake.] Not ringing a bell, I'm afraid. [He grins, lopsided, and with a burst of rare mischief:] Maybe I should sit and you can show off?

[zechs_isonfire]

Nobility in masks? One side of Zechs' mouth twitched slightly in an aborted smirk. Now, wasn't that familiar. But he judged she was being figurative more than literal, like most of Romefeller.

"From my experience," Zechs observed dryly, "internal upheaval can seem like the only way to bring about any change. Especially in a stagnant, inherently destructive system."

He paused for a moment. "That being said. I understand peace is often the ideal anyone would want to reach."

Himself included, as much as that warred with half of his nature.

[fun_thementalist]

"Mm, I was wondering if you were the type, my dear." Gen grinned at her, a little playful. "You know, this place isn't really a vacation - it's a bit more like a prison - but that doesn't mean you can't relax just once in a while."

[fun_thementalist]

Gen just slumps a tiny bit in disappointment. "Ah, an old trick for you, in that case? I've got better ones up my sleeve, but I just really lack the equipment. Unfortunately, I can't simply bend water to my will, that'd make my illusions a lot easier."

He winked.

Really, though, the more this man talked, the more familiar he was. As if they both wore the same sort of mask. "I just figured I'd offer! It's not as if I'm really good at that kind of high-level thing either. My name is Asagiri Gen, by the way - what's yours?"

[melodiouspacifist]

"I know a guy who does card tricks or whatever." He said, with a bit of a shrug.

"It's Demyx." He grinned. "Nice to meet ya."

^_^

[iamnotgod]

[Webmind takes that rub to the eyes as his cue to come clean.]

Ah, my apologies; I did not disrupt the mood too abruptly, did I?

[Despite the perhaps-suspicious circumstances, his tone is open and genuine. And, of course, his response is actually composed of carefully-processed-and-smoothed voice clips, though that may or may not be something Devero is familiar with.]

so slow, sorry!

[emerald_mirror]

[Wings, scars, either way Xander was way too used to being stared at for some reason or another, so he just laughs it off and waves a hand.]

The only sweat you're gonna get is 'cause we're in a sauna, don't worry about it! You're fine.

[Besides, it felt like good old honest curiosity, not 'let's stare at the freak', so he isn't bothered a bit.]

Though if you wanna ask questions, feel free to do that. Or not. However you like.

[its_dad_sanzo]

[ Koumyou wags his cigarette at him, before taking another long drag. ]

If I wanted to dance alone, I could do that anytime!

[ So instead, he reaches with his free hand to try to snag one of Devero's, intending to haul the other man downstairs to the first level of the carriage. ]

We're going to need music!

[inquisitor_lavellan]

"Maybe this is relaxed," Alleyana countered, just to be contrary. "Or... as close as we're getting without some extremely strong booze."

Not that it would be anything but a very temporary solution, but, you know. Baby steps. Drunk baby steps.

[subcircuits]

[Startled, Devero jerks up and around at the sound of a voice. The person he sees at the end of the stairs is so unexpected that it takes him a moment to parse the meaning of the actual words.]

No, I-- I didn't even realize you were there. [Is he staring? He feels like he might be staring, and gives himself a little shake. Smile, Devero.] No worries. Were you needing this room?

No worries!

[subcircuits]

[Okay, it takes him a second to puzzle it out, but he smiles tentatively once he does.] Thank you.

[And since he's been directly invited to ask questions:] Were you working out too? [Maybe not what the other person had in mind, Dev.]

[subcircuits]

[Devero seems a little surprised to be touched, but he doesn't try to pull his hand free. In fact, the obvious startlement on his face morphs to delight as Sanzo starts to pull him down the aisle. He laughs.] That we are!

WILD

[firewalled]

You know you've gotta keep your partner at least a ruler's length from you or the chaperones are gonna be on your ass.

[Rich pipes up from one of the seats he managed to slip into while the man was preparing, smirking a little at his own dumb joke.]

Seriously, though. You're not a bad dancer. You a professional or something?

[emerald_mirror]

Probably not like you, but yeah. [No, not what Xander was expecting, but he'll roll with it. He's all smiles and cheer. No need to be super serious, not at the moment.]

I do a lot of stretches. Stuff more like yoga for flexibility and range of motion. Still growing, so I don't go so much into bodybuilding or that sort of thing. Yet. I mean I probably could, but I'm not sure anyone's asked for books like that for the library before.

[subcircuits]

[Absorbed in his own world as he has been, it goes without saying that Devero is startled by the editorial comments from out there in the audience. The big man spins-- with far less grace than he had just been exhibiting-- until he pinpoints the speaker.

Sadly, the joke sails right over his head-- sorry, kid.] Er-- thank you? Not a professional, though, just-- an enthusiast.

Have you been... watching me long...?

[subcircuits]

[He listens with head cocked, nodding his understanding as he does.] How old are you? Because I was already doing weight training before I got out of creche. Even if you're still growing, there's no reason not to start if you're interested in it.

That said, don't discount yoga. The stuff I've seen advanced practitioners do... [He whistles his appreciation.]

[emerald_mirror]

Eighteen. [Though he's read the roster and knows what that says, but...it just has to be wrong. No way in hell is he less than half...just no. He's not going to go there verbally, but there's definitely more than a hint of doubt on his face.]

Creche? What kind of place did you come from, that there's one of those there?

[Yeah, he may have just given himself away with that comment, but...oh well. Wouldn't be the first time he shoved his foot in his mouth. Surely it won't be the last.]

[its_dad_sanzo]

[ Down the stairs they go, then, and then to the front of the car where the screens are. Koumyou lets go and starts poking around in the various menus as he smokes. ]

Let's see...

[ There's tons of music, and he's never heard of any of it. But song names can usually hint at the general vibe, at least, so that's what he's browsing through. ]

How about... this one!

[ Beep! The priest has picked something suitably fast and pop-ish, with brightly colored cover art and all. That ought to be fun! ]

[subcircuits]

[He marks that doubt on the kid's face, and frowns a little, but he's spent his life taking people at their word and he's not going to stop now.] If you want to start, let me know. I can show you the basics.

[He sits back against the next second tier of the sauna, resting his arms along the edge of the bench above. He titls his head as he regards the other person, and says evenly:] A good place, I think. Comparatively speaking.

[subcircuits]

[Devero listens for a moment, smile widening as he starts to get a feel for the beat of the song. He doesn't know it either, but it's got a strong beat, and that's what matters the most.]

This isn't going to be any waltz. [Is that a warning? He takes Sanzo's hand and pulls him out into the open floor of the practice space, already bopping to the beat as he does.]

[its_dad_sanzo]

[ Koumyou's turn to be pleasantly surprised at being handled! He allows it with a laugh, letting himself be pulled along. Bopping side to side, cigarette hand up, a little bit of a twist here and there to make the long cloth belt at his hip flare out. ]

Good! Your 'waltz' looked sad; no one needs help to feel that way.

[ Just gonna drop that wisdom out of nowhere, and then try to encourage Devero to do a twirl with their linked hands going overhead. Spin! ]

[subcircuits]

[Well, doesn't that little editorial give him a moment of pause? A little stumble, an uncertain look at Sanzo. But-- he decides consciously to release that and focus on the moment.

He spins! There is, in fact, something almost balletic in his twirl, if hampered by his totally inappropriate footwear. He whirls out, then back in, stepping into Sanzo's personal space to put a hand on the other man's hip. He pauses again, this time to look down into the other man's face with his eyebrows lofted. Without words, his expression asks, 'this okay?']

[lovelikeyou]

Oh! Okay!

[Rose giggles a little. She's never totally gotten her head around all the different parts of their names humans prefer to use, but that sounds like a nice one!

In something of a confidential tone, she says:]

I only just got here. I don't know very many people yet.

[its_dad_sanzo]

[ If anything, Koumyou seems pretty amused at this turn in events. His brown eyes all but sparkle with it above his smile, and he takes another deep drag of his smoke, finishing it off down to the filter.

Just gonna drop the cigarette butt on the floor and step on it to snuff it out, mid-dance. He might remember to clean it up, later.

But he probably won't.

No complaints, though. His official Sanzo robe is thick silk, and going by the feel of his hip there's definitely jeans on under it. ]

That's some good footwork! Are you a martial artist, perhaps?