Test Drive 020

[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!

Crisis On... An Aeroplane

The train has a game carriage and the VR video games are always popular. A good way to relive boredom as well as teaching some good skills.

Crisis on...This game can be played with two to four players. It is essentially a crisis simulator mixed with an escape room. You can chose the scenario (the bridge of a space ship, a camp in a jungle, a high rise building, a sailing ship etc) and you are thrown into the middle of a crisis of some kind. Teamwork and a cool head are important as is using the surroundings wisely.

Here you are the crew of a small aeroplane in desperate trouble and attempting to land, the wind is strong, your engines are straining and the visibility is near zero. Can your crew land safely?

Dressing up

The Voidtreckers have a new mission and the dressing carriage is open for their convenience...

The mission is taking them to a circus and the clothes sure reflect that. Clown costumes, glittery leotards, many feathers and an overabundance of sequins.

There is make up and facepaint provided as well, hopefully there are enough voidtreckers with expertise to make it look convincing.

Clowning Around

Strange happenings have been happening in Kilpi, a monster ridden land and joining a performing troupe is the best bet of protection outside of the small settlements. The voidtreckers are masquerading as one such troupe, in order to help out a small settlement that has seen a spate of killings. Voidtreckers must put on the show of their lives, investigate the killings and bring peace back to the town.

Team One

Setting up the stage for the performance is a good time for building bonds with the towns people. Everyone knows something, no matter how small and they are more likely to gossip with stage hands than talk to the town guard.

Gather information, set up a stage and get ready for the show.

Team Two

The killings always happen in the evening or at night, always when people are alone. So making sure people are not alone is the task of team two. The show is ready, it is big, it is loud and hopefully enough to draw in the whole town.

Eat fire, juggle, walk that tightrope. Music plays, sequins glitter. The show is a distraction and their task is to be the best distraction they can be.

Team Three

Whilst team two are distracting it is team threes chance to catch the killer. The streets are deserted, quiet and stealth is necessary to remain undetected.

Most people are at the show, but not everyone. Are they in danger? Or are they potential suspects.

Comments

clowning around;

[deferences]

Lan Sizhui, however, feels a bit out of his element. The tightrope walking wasn't too difficult and he can play music on his guqin, no problem whatsoever, but the white and blue ombre-faded leotard and footless tights he'd had to wear were definitely not something he's familiar with. Or all that comfortable in, admittedly, though that didn't keep him from dressing up anyway in hopes it'll help with distractions.

Before starting to trek back toward the Voidtrain, he at least gathers his hoodie, shoes and something large enough for wrapping around his waist then heads out, scrubbing at the eyeliner remaining from his earlier makeup escapade.

Traveling by himself while there's a murderer on the loose isn't the brightest idea, but Sizhui's capable (or believes himself to be!) and isn't planning on staying out long— just a few minutes to collect some other things he wants. Hopefully, danger isn't lurking around the corner, yet that doesn't exactly disclude him from being a suspect now, does it?

[jiangshao]

Danger depends on ones definition of it. As Jiang Shao would gladly tell anyone. But in the still of the night, he sees the lone performer looking odd and out of place.

He silently follows along the rooftops until the figure stills. White and blue. Not necessarily very incognito in the dark. Perhaps he’s one of the other passengers on the train. Either way, he shouldn’t be wandering like that at night.

Unless the murderer IS someone from the train. Jiang Shao monitors him closely. No use in attacking just on a hunch.

[deferences]

Following the removal of his makeup, he moves on to undoing his hair from the intricate bun-styled thing someone helped him with before, too. Side braids first, which he lets hang and frame his face while he loosens the rest of his hair from the ribbons and tucks those away into his hoodie pocket.

You know that sensation you get whenever someone's watching you? Yeah, that's exactly what Sizhui feels as he continues onward, carefully loosening the fancy twists, fingers combing through the wavy strands, attention darting this way and that. He hasn't seen or heard anybody, so he's less cautious than he probably should be, but his guard isn't down entirely; he's still listening, despite pulling his hood up over his head, one hand lowering to the pouch at his side in case he needs to be prepared for any attacks.

Whoever it is creeping around behind him will surely be in for a surprise when he instinctively produces a musical instrument to defend himself with.

[jiangshao]

Why is he undoing the overly complicated style in to eb middle of the street? Didn’t he know there was a murderer about? Jiang Shao wants to shake his head at how silly he was being.

At least he’d cover more ground if this one turned out to not be the killer they’re all looking for.

This one definitely didn’t look like a murderer right away. Certainly not capable of hurting the number of people they were told.

[deferences]

Sizhui knows, of course he does, he's simply doing everything within his power to ignore the fact he is somewhat nervous about traveling alone but didn't want to impose on anyone by asking them to tag along. He's a strong, capable cultivator, able to take care of himself!

Or so he likes to believe, anyway. He has proven it enough times, though no matter how much he does, it's not difficult to imagine there are people who still worry for his safety.

Still, he continues on, keenly aware of the odd sensation of being watched while also being unaware there's someone in front of him until it's too late. They collide, the items Sizhui's holding fall and without hesitation, he murmurs a soft, “I'm sorry,” then immediately kneels to start picking up loose ribbons alongside the stranger. It's when he's moving to get back up that there's a moment to blindside him; whoever they are, they waste no time shoving him off-balance, knocking him into the dirt again, making a quick grab for the bag at his waist.

“Ah, no you don't!” he exclaims, then grabs their wrist seconds before they're out of reach so they stop dead in their tracks. Because he can imagine the individual believes it's filled with money or something just as valuable, except to him, what's inside the qiankun pouch is actually far more priceless.

[jiangshao]

He stays hidden even when he sees the assailant approach the performer. Jiang Shao lets the scene play out, staying silent and curious. If there truly is trouble, he’ll jump in.

But from how quickly the performer grabbed the assailant’s wrist, he could tell that they were skilled in defending themselves. And if he had swooped in like some hero, then where would they be? An annoyed hero and one less contact for Jiang Shao. And he couldn’t afford that. Not yet, at least.

Whatever was in that white and blue pouch at his waist had to be important. The performer’s savings, perhaps. More ribbons?

[deferences]

‘Trouble’ is another thing that depends on definition; Sizhui's having trouble, but there's no reason he can't get himself out of it, aside from being worried about offending any of the settlements they're supposed to be helping. (Being fair, this person is trying to rob him, so he'd imagine people wouldn't judge defending himself and retrieving his goods.)

With one hand gripping this unfamiliar's wrist, he stretches the other out, snatches the bag away, clutching it tight to his chest as he withdraws from his attacker. Unfortunately, he doesn't get too far, and they switch tactics, clutching his forearm instead, shaking him so hard, he's almost certain his teeth are rattling. Yet he does not let go, clutches tighter, even, hoping they'll find the fight not worth it and eventually give up—

But, surprising no one, that's too hopeful. Rather than continue uncontrollably jostling him, they release, letting him drop again to which Sizhui responds by curling into himself out of sheer instinct. Smart, considering their next move is mercilessly attempting to kick him over and over again during his retreat.

[jiangshao]

Before the first kick could even land on him, Jiang Shao swoops in and catches the other's leg. He quickly grabs the white and blue bag and tucks it into his own pocket. It must have been important for a reason, after all, right?

He twists the captured leg out and kicks the assailant in the chest hard enough to send him skidding down the street. He keeps his eyes on him, ready if he wants a fight. When the assailant comes back, Jiang Shao easily subdues him and manages to spin him around and throw him further down the street. Just some street punk. Not someone that seems like they would be capable of murder. He pulls a rope out and ties him up before knocking him out.

He stands and dusts his hands off before turning back to the performer. He crosses his arms and tilts his head.

"I thought you were able to handle him. You seemed tense enough that you should've been able to."

[deferences]

He's prepared to take the hit, an arm raised in front of himself for defense, then once the leg is within reach, he can grab and pull—

Although whoever it was that'd given him the somewhat unsettling feeling before decides now is the moment to finally show their face. (Or at least come to his aid, anyway.) They handle the attacker with ease, collect the qiankun pouch, subduing him after the slightest tussle, leaving Sizhui gawking astonishedly. Who exactly is this person and why were they nearby enough to come to his aid? Hmmm, seems a little suspicious, but he isn't willing to look a gift horse in the mouth, especially when there's a chance it could've been whoever's murdering people. Thank goodness, it isn't, it's just someone trying to make a quick buck off an unsuspecting ‘performer’ and they got more than they'd bargained for.

His attention is instantly on the bag afterward, panic gripping his very soul at the thought this other newcomer might want whatever resides inside. Sizhui's gaze darts up, mouth opening, shutting, then reopening again so he can plead his case, “I was doing fine!” Except that sounds far whinier and thin-skinned than he'd anticipated, so. “I'm— I just—” Words, Sizhui, use them! “I didn't want to hurt him.”

[jiangshao]

He crouches down to look at him, smiling at the entire predicament. Jiang Shao reaches up and pulls the covering from the lower half of his face.

“Hurt him? From what I saw, you would’ve easily subdued him without hurting him. Unless that’s a part of the act.”

He pauses and purses his lips, looking him over. He supposes that could be the motive as well. To lure out the murderer as bait. Seemingly helpless. Except it was more than just seemingly. Jiang Shao stands up again and hefts the blue and white bag.

“What’s in here anyway?”

[deferences]

Seriously? Sizhui can make out the playfulness even before Jiang Shao is kneeling at his level, and he would've made another indignant remark if all words didn't immediately die in his throat the moment his rescuer uncovers his face. His eyes become almost comically wide with the realization that whoever this person is, they look unnervingly like an all-too-familiar sect leader back in his homeworld.

(He knows it isn't Jiang Cheng because then the man would've recognized him in kind, wouldn't he?)

There's no familiarity here, which is probably for the best, taking into account he's already made quite the fool out of himself by overacting. Whether it's pluck or sheer defiance, the disciple manages a slow nod, followed by, “What if it is?”

Ignore, too, the fact it was extra theatrical because perhaps a part of him is distracted by something besides murder. ‘Helpless’ ought to fool someone quicker anyhow, they just chose the wrong thing to go for. The same item Jiang Shao's currently holding, what Sizhui wants back, and that's why he doesn't hesitate to extend his hand, palm upturned expectantly, voice confident when he says, “My weapon. And if you don't mind, I'd like it back.”

[jiangshao]

"Your weapon?" he asks.

Jiang Shao peers at the bag. Could be helpful. Could not be helpful.

"What weapon is a bag?" he asks. He even shakes it for good measure. "It even sounds empty."

Not like his knives that are on his person at all times. They don't make a sound but he's pretty sure they have a weight that he could feel. This bag of his sounds and even feels empty. He looks at the performer on the ground then back at the bag.

[deferences]

So weird. This is so weird, how is the Lan disciple supposed to act like talking to Jiang Shao is totally normal when he looks the way he does? He swallows hard, nods, twists around until he's sitting with his legs crisscrossed, offered hand still held up, unwavering. “Yes, my weapon.” Weapons, if he'd been smart enough to put his sword in there as well. Alas though, it resides on the train, in the safety of his cabin.

“A magical one, obviously, and I assure you, it's not empty.” Aside from the guqin, it also has his clan robes from Miss Spider, a reed butterfly, and a couple leftover fire talismans he's been saving for more desperate times.

What Jiang Shao doesn't know is that if not for the magical properties of the qiankun pouch, everything inside would have a rather significant weight, one that'd cause difficulties had he been carrying it all without the bag. “Please,” he begins, “give it back to me and I'll show you what I mean.”

[jiangshao]

Magical one? He shakes the pouch again. Still no sound, no weight. It must be pretty powerful in order to conceal its physical self within. He makes a humming noise, hefting the bag again.

"Well in that case, I might as well keep it. Might be helpful in this sort of place, wouldn't you think?" he grins. "And besides," he muses as he starts to walk backwards, "how would I know that you wouldn't use it to kill me? Dangerous place, this."

[deferences]

Okay, definitely not Jiang Cheng because he would never, ever one: smile like that, and two: tease Sizhui in such a manner. That, and he'd also understand how the qiankun pouch works rather than rattling it around like so.

He wrinkles his nose, lowers the hand, uses both to push himself until he's upright and on his feet. “Do you often go around helping people out of trouble then claim their goods for yourself?” A huff and he audibly tsks, striding forward as Jiang Shao moves back. “It being dangerous is exactly why I'd like my things back.” The briefest pause while he takes another step toward him then Sizhui continues, “And as for me not using it on you, I suppose you'd have to trust me not to. Honestly, what reason would I have?”

[jiangshao]

He thinks on it. Well, he makes it look like he thinks on it for a moment as he continues to step away.

"You could be the murderer. You could be looking out for yourself and looking for an opportunity to dispatch me whenever you are able to," Jiang Shao replies easily with a shrug. "And I might. If the items are useful."

[deferences]

It takes all of Sizhui's willpower to not launch himself at the other male and make a desperate snatch for the qiankun pouch; a foolish move on someone he knows nothing about, on someone who might be wielding a weapon he could use to attack him with.

(Because Jiang Shao makes the comment, but who's to say he isn't the murderer? Huh!?) He hesitates mid-step, cocks an eyebrow with disbelief, both arms raising and tucking across his chest. “Says the one sneaking around, dressed in dark clothes and covering his face. Do I honestly look like a murderer?” If he can just bridge the distance between them enough, hand-to-hand combat isn't out of the question, but Jiang Shao's steadily keeping one step ahead. “Trust me, you will find them useless.”