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

WILD - In Coach J

[its_dad_sanzo]

[ It's impossible to say, perhaps, how long Koumyou's been here. It's quite likely he'd been in here already, sitting alone in the dark, enjoying the quiet, and he simply hadn't moved or reacted to the newcomer.

But it's also just as likely that he'd simply slipped in quietly and found a seat while the man's back was turned.

Either way, the priest doesn't interrupt. Only when the invisible dance seems to be over, does he chime up, clapping enthusiastically from his seat. ]

That was really lovely!

[subcircuits]

[Absorbed as he'd been in his footwork, Devero hadn't noticed anyone else in the carriage. He's still more in his own head than looking outward even as he shakes out his arms and shoulders-- so the applause startles him visibly. He almost trips over his own feet spinning to find the speaking voice.] By the vax-- you scared the hell outta me.

[its_dad_sanzo]

[ Koumyou laughs, delighted. ]

Sorry, sorry!

[ And there's the blond priest in a seat in the dark. It's easier to spot him now, because he's lighting a cigarette. There's the little flicker of flame, and then the glowing cherry as he takes an inhale.

Once one knows where he is, Koumyou's much easier to see. The white robes certainly help, there. ]

I assumed it wasn't too private of a moment, being on a stage and all.

[subcircuits]

[Once his searching eyes find his watcher in the seats, Devero's pounding heart calms back down. He dismisses the health alert flashing in the corner of his Interface with the swipe of a finger, and walks to the edge of the stage.]

Ah. Well. There's not exactly anywhere private to practice, is there?

[But he says it was a smile, and huffs a laugh himself as he sits on the edge of the stage, feet hanging.]

Were you... watching long...? [My my, does he sound a little shy as he asks that? It sits incongruously on a man as tall and well-built as this one.]

[its_dad_sanzo]

I'm afraid so.

[ That there's no privacy? That he'd been watching for a while?

Both. ]

What sort of dance was that?

[subcircuits]

[He covers his eyes with one hand and laughs again. There is a transient touch of wobbliness to it, but by the time he heaves a breath and lowers his hand, he's composed himself.]

That's Anada's Waltz for Two. It's a little out of fashion this season-- Mm, that is, where I come from.

[its_dad_sanzo]

Is that so? I can't say I've ever been any good at tracking what's in or out of fashion, anywhere. I think if something's fun, one should just do it! And if it's not, then don't bother!

[ It's a very simple philosophy, but it's served Koumyou well.

He takes a little pity on the guy sitting on the edge of the stage, and gets up from his seat to wander over. His garb is very much not the train-issued starter clothing, dressed properly as a Sanzo priest in his cream robe, bamboo breastplate, and so on.

Koumyou hops up onto the stage, and gives a twirl. ]

So, is it fun?

[subcircuits]

Bit of a hedonist, then, are we? [His voice is wry, perhaps even teasing.

He watches the other man approach, taking in his definitely non-standard garb with raised eyebrows. That is quite the outfit-- and quite suited for twirling, as it turns out.]

Well, I think it is. Anada's waltzes can be a little challenging, but I like the challenge.

[its_dad_sanzo]

[ It really is very suited to it, from the ends of the sutra over his shoulders to the ankle-length robe itself and its wide, billowing sleeves. ]

Life is suffering.

[ Koumyou's as cheerful as ever, giving a twirl in the other direction, too. His cigarette is held out to one side in one partially-gloved hand as he does it, and it makes a thin ring of smoke with the movement. Just as impermanent as anything else. ]

One has to enjoy what one can. What else is the point? Live, laugh, or give up and die.

[subcircuits]

[The stark contrast between that bald statement and the cheerful joy with which the man spins on the stage makes Devero's eyebrows hike up a little higher. That's certainly a juxtaposition, isn't it? Not an entirely unfamiliar one, though. He chuckles.]

You really would fit right in with the Hedonics.

[He climbs back to his feet, fingers reaching out to catch at the end of the 'scarf' fluttering by.] I'm certainly not going to give up and die any time soon. So I guess that makes living and laughing my only options.

[He smiles.] What's your name, stranger?

[its_dad_sanzo]

[ Luckily for Devero, the Seiten sutra is currently doing a very good impression of regular, smooth paper. It slips through catching fingers without any hint of a snag, refusing to budge from Koumyou's shoulders despite his antics.

Koumyou comes out of the twirl and takes a drag of his cigarette, watching his fellow stranger from over it with one of his usual, squinting smiles. ]

Koumyou Sanzo. And yours?

[subcircuits]

[Huh. Paper's a weird material for a scarf, but who's Dev to judge?]

I'm Devero. [--Which statement is accompanied by a particular movement of his hand: hand raised slightly, palm up, then a touch of middle finger to thumb, then a flicking gesture: he's released his public tag to Koumyou's Interf--

Oh. Right. His own Interface blatts in his ear, flashing a text warning as well. No local network found. A quick slicing gesture of the same hand dismisses the error message that he's grown very tired of seeing.

All of that happens in a bare moment, and his smile-- well, it does go a little strained, but otherwise doesn't falter through the interrupted electronic call-and-response. He lifts both hands and swings his hips.] Do you dance, Koumyou?

[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?

[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!

[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!

[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]

[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?']

[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?

[subcircuits]

[Devero is a little relieved that cigarette's finished, actually, but he doesn't say anything. Everyone has their vices, and he smokes too; he's just never been a fan of tobacco.]

Something like that! Think you can keep up? [He grins, and starts to lead Sanzo into the opening steps of a dance he learned while he was still in the Guard.]

[its_dad_sanzo]

[ Koumyou drapes the wrist of his free hand over Devero's shoulder, because why not. ]

You lead, I follow, is that it? I suppose there's only one way to find out.

[ The priest was pretty easy to lead into even an unfamiliar pattern; he is a martial artist, of some renown. Reading another person's movements, footwork, and coordination are just parts of the package deal. ]

[subcircuits]

That's the idea.

[And the dance that Devero leads Sanzo into is, considerately, a fairly simple one. Fast-paced and energetic, sure, definitely spicier than his waltz on the deck above, but easy enough to get the hang of nonetheless.

Damn if he isn't tempted to ramp it up, though. Sanzo is a joy to lead.] You're quite good at this!

[its_dad_sanzo]

Why, thank you.

[ Koumyou wasn't even staring down at their feet, instead smiling right up at Devero's face. ]

Is this the best you've got?

[ CHALLENGE! ]