Test Drive Meme 019

[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!

Winter Wonderland

Experienced Voidtreckers will be the first to recognise when the announcement of a stop comes over the speakers: “Arriving at world 9126110 in ten, nine, eight…”

The doors don’t open, the train doesn’t stop. Instead, it slows, and the garden carriage opens its curved, clear roof as though it were a convertible, both sides folding back until the carriage is open to the air. The world is a picture of snow-covered mountains and sparse conifers, and within minutes the garden’s fountain and streams have iced over, soft snow coating the cobbles and benches.

The stop lasts all day, the vending machines dispense free hot chocolate, and the dressing carriage is filled with thick coats, wooly hats, and warm gloves.

Void Santa Is Coming To Town

It’s a day like any other, except that the morning announcement has a rider.

“There are packages in the luggage car for all passengers. Enjoy. ”

And indeed, it seems that something has visited during the night - the carriage at the back of the train is unusually neat, the piles of empty luggage stacked carefully near the back to make room for a huge array of wrapped objects. Void Santa, maybe? The difference between Void Santa and, say, one of the many Earth Santas or the Gyueran Spirit of Generosity, is that Void Santa doesn’t give you what you asked for.

It gives you something you wouldn’t have dared to ask for. That nerdy figurine that you eyed in the window of the store, the dress you weren’t brave enough to try on, the device you decided was too expensive. The poster of your favourite holostar, the latest risque novel from the local printworks… the list goes on.

You’ve got a present in here, better find it before someone else does!

Animal at Heart

Seibairen, world #671155003, is a world of dualities. Technologically advanced but also deeply mystical, its population is currently suffering under the rule of a nameless arcanist, a genius of artificial intelligence and magecraft who seeks to elevate her own mechanical brethren above their biological creators. Unfortunately, she is far too powerful to face directly.

Team One

The arcanist holding the world of Seibairen in thrall is particularly skilled with polymorph spells, and her first move as the Voidtreckers enter the conflict is to cast one over a wide area, transforming almost half of the force into various animals. The spell seems to be mildly incompatible with void-travellers, as those affected have turned into creatures from their homeworlds, if possible, rather than the local wildlife. The fight is still on, no time to panic!

… Or maybe some time to panic, it’s looking permanent for now. Still, the civilians need the Voidtreckers’ protection, animal or not, and it isn’t like they’ve lost any of their abilities.

Team Two

The monks of the deep peaks, trained in anti-magic combat and able to counter the arcanist and her forces, are the best hope for turning the tides. Unfortunately, their remote stronghold is blockaded the moment the Voidtreckers arrive, trapping them under a shield of pale metal and harsh light. There are several ways they and the unlucky early Voidtreckers might be freed: the power sources of the barrier, held in the centre of the arcanist’s camps, could be destroyed or sabotaged. Alternatively, the barrier could be overloaded or even broken from the inside by an ancient artefact held within the inner temple. The monks are able to guide the Voidtreckers through a telepathic metaconcert, but hurry, time is running out...

Team Three

A thaumatologist somewhere within the capital is rumoured to be able to reverse the arcanist’s strange spells, which would give the Voidtreckers a fighting chance against her directly. Several different people are claiming to be this thaumatologist, and they all have a list of ingredients they’ll need for the protective ritual and/or devices they’re offering.

At least one of them is sure to work, but there’s going to be some experimenting before that happens. Alternatively, force would find the correct researcher fairly quickly, but it would also attract attention.

Comments

Wrap hereabouts?

[unfavorableinstigation]

"Well, we're all in new territories of our own here."

While Nita sounded a little uncertain, "I don't doubt you'll get more chances to practice."

[ballseeker]

What exactly are you used to, to term everything useful? [ Once again, Bulma being a picky brat because this isn't her own curated lab with her designed tools, that kind of thing. Sue a girl for always having the best or making the best, getting used to it, and then being thrust in to multiple places without everything she's used to other than her family.

Still, the box eventually comes open, the item inside obscured by white paper that Bulma sighs as she pushes aside -

Only to come face to face with one of Vegeta's old scanners. She picks it up with a bit of a small smile on her face, rolling it in her hands. ]

Well, I can scavenge parts off of this at least. Better not turn it on though so Trunks or Vegeta don't blow it up.

[ballseeker]

"Oh, right - " Bulma sips her hot chocolate again, trying to remember to separate the two Trunks and all of that. It's hard not to slip from time to time, even as she tries not to make it confusing or difficult for everyone. "Goku and ChiChi had another son after the Androids. His name is Goten but you might as well just call him Goku 2.0."

Literally. But Bulma doesn't feel the need to elaborate further.

"Who knows how it would've been without you." Bulma smiles, happy, at least, to see Trunks even somewhat peaceful. She, unfortunately, knows what happens in the aftermath, but will refrain from bringing it up. No need to stress him.

"I think having you around as an adult really had a part in changing your dad, you know. He made a lot of effort, after you left. Didn't mean it was perfect, but you know him." She laughs despite herself, knowing that she's put up with a lot from Vegeta over the years. More than most people may have.

[ballseeker]

"He's too humble, in that part of the timeline. For everything he's made it through." Far too eager to toss off any compliments for himself though he's so quick to offer them to others. Fast to idolize his father when Vegeta tended to be a complete ass in those times.. that kind of thing. It must've been a hell of a whiplash when he'd come back again to see them living happily and Vegeta significantly more calm than before.

Bulma does cut her eyes at the implication that Trunks has more guts than brains, huffing a little laugh.

"In that you may give him only a little too much credit. He is the son of the prince of all saiyans, and he gets it pretty honestly from time to time. If he didn't have my brains in there it would be full on."

[ballseeker]

Okay, once we can get our hands on one I will. [ If it makes Vegeta feel better... fine. She'll put a lock on this one. No need to have one of the kids find it or anything, after all.

Bulma gathers herself up a little bit and picks herself up to settle next to her husband, though her present is still, pointedly, abandoned on the floor where she'd dumped it when she had come over to harass Vegeta. ][ Another raise of eyebrow, as if saying she could continue on if he wanted her to. You know, carry on about the cuffs, whatever it took. ] Yeah, I guess. Or we could just put your present to good use, right?

[ Avoiding. ]

[firewalled]

[Rich does indeed look like he's seen a ghost, putting a hand up to his neck as if making sure something isn't there, before shaking his head.]

I-It's nothing. You just... remind me of someone. [Especially with that grin. He's so creeped out right now.]

You look like some kinda robot or something.

[firewalled]

It's a public car. People are moving through it a lot. And some of those people prefer being able to breathe.

[He's in a rush because he's one of those people, dammit!]

[light_of_willpower]

It is a peace for him that won't last; he absolutely has his Father's tendency to just Not Be Content. But for now it's more than enough. He ducks his head with the implied compliment. "You also deserve credit for that--my version of you built the time machine and never gave up, after all."

As for the subject of Vegeta...

"I admit, it's been a bit hard to experience myself. I'm glad for it, don't get me wrong, but it's just... Such a change from when I first showed up." A pause, and he shifts his gaze to her, slightly sideways. "I'm sure you also wore him down over time, Mom." He's teasing her a bit.

[flatteries]

Ack--! Talk about it going way over her head! Then again, maybe that's preferable to the kind of girls who shoot him down after two words.. Or who threaten to pulverize him in some way.

So even though this is a minor setback, he can roll with it! He makes sure to keep smiling, at least.

"Heh, I do suppose it helps!" He shakes his head. "But I think it may also have a lot to do with the way you radiate kindness and beauty."

[paopuofyourlife]

I am sure that will be useful later.

[Kairi soon started to walk around, checking what there was.]

Not sure what I am going to be looking for, but I guess something out of place, right?

[sisterflayn]

Flayn blinked in momentary surprise. “While it is very kind of you to say so, my brother would not approve of such compliments before a proper introduction has been completed.”

Seteth would be against them even then, but, no need to go into that.

And then a new thought, as visions of Sylvain flashed in her mind.

“You have never flirted with a chicken have you?”

[light_of_willpower]

Trunks hadn't thought about it like that before--and it'll take a moment to sink in. Mostly because his father is trying. Which is still also very new, and takes a moment to sink in. He can't help the surprise in his eyes, but at least he's quiet as he takes a moment to absorb all of this. Covering it somewhat by taking another sip of his drink.

"I hadn't thought about it like that, Father." His 'thanks' is in his tone, and he's not going to make a big deal out of this. At least, not outside of his own surprise and mind.

"Usually when the train stops at a station, its because some people are leaving and others are boarding. If we stop at a world, it's usually because of a mission. It's never been this--where we just stop at a station and wait."

It's a subject change, but hopefully to one that Vegeta will find interesting. Trunks is also curious about the world Vegeta came from, since apparently it wasn't home. The best way to inquire, is to bring up the subject of alternate worlds anyways.

[nutkrusher]

"Well, you did a good job with him in his timeline," Cassie says, obvious fondness in her voice indicating that Bulma had in fact raised a cinnamon roll.

[gentle_jim]

"No surprise there. I am pretty freakin' famous."

[Jack tilts his head, giving the kid a 'no duh' expression.]

"Yeah, well. Apparently that's what happens when you're an AI and they're fresh out of meat sacks around here."

[renegadeprince]

Fine. [It's good in theory, but as soon as Vegeta moves to try and head off in the direction of the fight, he finds it's much more difficult in practice. This body just... does not move right.

It should make sense, firstly due to it being based on four legs, not two. But it's not only that, it's the balance, the change in how he would hold himself normally flying, being far less streamline than what he's used to. He may be able to lift himself into the air, but being in the air was... so very, very off. Enough that he almost looks like he's flailing with his legs underneath him, almost as if running on air, his brain fighting his new body in working out just how the hell he's supposed to move easily through the air.]

WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH THIS BODY?! [Being a candy was easier than this! That didn't have so many legs to worry about!]

[renegadeprince]

Trunks' first comment gets little more than a 'hn' out of Vegeta, more than happy to move on from that without it getting more than it had to be. He's better with all this talking and emotional stuff but... it's a hard habit to break. He can only do it in little bits. Instead he stays focused on that drink as Trunks continues, pausing before his next sip at the topic of the stations and turning to look at his son.

That was interesting. However, "Considering there are still people on this train I assume these stations do not let us out willingly." After all, why stay here if so? Bar those from worlds in which were far worse. He can see how for some this train would be a refuge from that.

Even if for him it was boring. He had his abilities back at full power here, but little to test them on. He can't decide if it's better or worse than having them locked away but full space to train what he could access.

[renegadeprince]

Effective, but a cheap shot and too easy. Plus it only works with some humanoid species, as not all store them in that location.

Most of what she says goes ignored, Vegeta really not too interested, however that 'heavy hitters' part catches his attention, enough for him to cast a proper look her way to eye her up and trying to catch any signs of her claims in how she held herself. He well knows that appearances meant little when it came to a fighter and it was easy to have special skills and talents hidden away. For the most she just looked like a typical human fighter.

But he's found humans had a way of surprising him when he least expects it. "You're part of the team's fighters?'

[nutkrusher]

Where war and kombat are concerned, it's not how you play the game, but whether you win or lose. That's what her dad had always told her. Besides, the nut shot works great against Shokan.

"Yeah. Team Purple does a lot of things, but we're one of the groups that tends to fight. A lot of defensive missions for us."

She smirks a bit.

"I've been hitting the training gym pretty hard while I'm here, too. I've gotten a LOT stronger."

[controlsthedie]

[ Thanatos moves to look over Ryo's shoulder at his lists. At least between their fours lists there is finally some overlap. However, it's not very encouraging when the variety of ingredients suggest they are trying everything and anything to break the spell. That doesn't sound like there is much of a plan yet. ]

If they are ingredients local to the area, they should know. We could look for a market or place of medicine.

[fivemilesdeep]

[Oh gods there's a fourth list. There are at least four different people claiming to be able to help, and probably only one who can actually follow through. He sighs.]

Medic or healer first - the market's first priority will be to sell us what they claim are these ingredients, and we'd have no way of telling if they're being truthful.

[It's a fact of life, but that doesn't stop him from being irritated that his knowledge doesn't apply here. It completely removes his ability to spot the lies in question.]

Though anyone should be able to tell us who the local healer is.

[Hopefully.]

[fivemilesdeep]

[That..is not the expected expression, and Ryo stops short, suddenly unsure.]

You- you're bleeding.

[Does he not know?]

[light_of_willpower]

"No, they do let us out at least into the station. There are barriers of some kind around the station we haven't found a way to break yet. The people who leave...it's like they're controlled. They don't acknowledge us or anything. They just walk off the train and out the gates, and we don't know what happened to them."

Re: Ha! That's a wonderful way to put it

[azrthmtrnznthos]

It's his superhero name. He's human, but can shapeshift into animals regularly. Except they're all green skinned, like he is.

[She doesn't quite realize she's being confusing.]

[ballseeker]

"Yeah, I don't know how the hell I did it, but hey. I guess I did decide at some point it was Trunks and I against the world. Just didn't need to be so damn literal." Granted, the future her and Trunks had also had Gohan around, and she's sure that a part of what he became was in large part thanks to the other half-saiyan being there to help and teach him.

Not that any iteration of Trunks had ever been a troublesome child, but you know. Boy to man stuff. Saiyan things that Bulma would never be able to fully understand.

"He's a very good kid. Imagine being his mom and figuring it out after you've already met him once." Bulma laughs at the memory, wondering what the hell Trunks must've been thinking at the time. "He looks like my dad, too. But I wasn't really thinking of that at the time."

[ballseeker]

"Yeah but I wasn't the one that took the risk to come back in time and train with your dad." Bulma wouldn't have stood a chance, admittedly. She shrugs her shoulders at the compliment regardless. She'd move the sun and stars to make sure that Trunks would have a future, had pretty much decided that from the moment she'd known she was pregnant.

"I did put up with a lot of his shit." Bulma concedes but then quickly giggles in mischief. "Maybe you two will get the chance to talk about it while you're here. In your dad's own way, at least."