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tdm 16

test drive meme

Ingress travel can be disorienting, but there’s no need to worry! All side effects are temporary and lessen with each trip. Your body may experience several sensations at once: being pushed forward as if a hand is resting on your back, momentary and startling blindness, a gentle ringing in your head. You may have difficulty discerning whether it is hot or cold, but where you have been prodded is noticeably warmer than the rest of you. Some may suffer from dizziness while others are perfectly fine. You notice that the area you are in is filled with a soft cerulean light and feels slightly humid and dark despite the glow around you. Regardless of your current state, however, the stress of initial Ingress travel forces your body into unconsciousness.

Waking up is another story. Or maybe it isn’t.

You find yourself in a nondescript room; sometimes with others who have found themselves in the same situation, sometimes alone. A medical tech is always present to explain what’s happened before giving you some clothes, a TAB, and a guide that discusses things in further detail. This entire process also consists of a complete work-up of medical history and current health in order to obtain your signature—a specific frequency that will allow them to hone in on exactly where it is you’re from in order to get you back there.You spend your first week on the Ingress Complex while other accommodations and arrangements are made for you.

welcome to thisavrou

escoria

⋆ Escoria is classified as Exploration Class (EC), and travel through the Ingress is mostly smooth except for one issue: anyone with powers or abilities will find that the distortion between worlds has temporarily caused problems accessing them. Essentially, it has left all travelers depowered. Another similar issue comes in the form of the location of Escoria’s Ingress—seemingly in the middle of a vast ocean, the Ingress is balanced precariously on a set of buoys connected to a small floating dock. Once on this dock, it is clear there is no getting anywhere without some transportation. Testing the dark waters will find it unbearably cold, though not cold enough to form ice, and far off in the distance, between the mist and ever-constant gray light - where’s the sun? - some might even notice what looks like an island.

⋆ The boat that eventually comes to your rescue isn’t very big, one of a fleet used to transport visitors from the floating Ingress platform. Only a few passengers are allowed on each one--a maximum of six. The boat’s captain is quite insistent that each group remain small, handing out blankets to those who did not come prepared for the chill. It isn’t too much trouble as there are a great many boats and plenty of natives to pilot them. The weather is cool, the skies are dark with rain that might fall, but for now things seem alright. Leaning out on the rail, you might see some shark-like sea creatures breaching the surface to breathe. Of course, you might also see quicksilver figures darting underneath the water from the corner of your eye, which is then followed by a sharp rocking of the boat. Did something nudge the vessel? Maybe you ought to make sure people stay back from the sides in case they fall in...

⋆ Despite the calm appearance of the sky, the worst has happened. A storm hits at just the right time to drive your boat against one of the multitudinous reefs, roughly jarring its passengers, and then, the waves continue to batter the ship against it until it falls to pieces. You get lucky and find a piece of debris to hold onto to keep your head above the water until the storm passes, although it’s some time before even a calm comes. Once it does, you have to deal with the facts: you’re stranded with minimal supplies, all alone except for the other people who were on board with you when the ship went down in the waves. And what’s worse, the water isn’t getting any warmer. What do you do to survive until help, hopefully, arrives? Will you make an attempt to swim to shore or wait for someone to send another boat?

⋆ The few who manage to weather the storm and make it to one of the few islands of Escoria are, indeed, lucky. What lies beneath the surface of those dark waters is much more dangerous and deadly. Distant cousins of Thisavrou’s native Gorgona of Region Four, these nameless creatures are ruthless as they hunt. They slither the shallow surfaces of the reefs spread out across Escoria, waiting for even the slightest ripple of water to alert them to their prey. At first, looking into the water reveals nothing. Then, the closer these things come to the surface, the faster it begins to change and look as if something familiar, something you long for is calling to you. It can be a person, alive or dead, or it could be something intangible like a goal waiting to be fulfilled or an object waiting to be touched. This is how they lure the unsuspecting below the surface, and once they have their claws in you, it’s very difficult to escape. The urge to be with them is impossibly strong regardless of the fact that no one can hold their breath for that long or survive the deep cold of the water for longer than a few minutes.

Your only chance of escape? Someone who might have noticed that you’d suddenly slipped under without a sound. Or, if by chance, you manage to snap off a piece of the coral in the reefs. It changes with the shape of the holder, and that, if you’re lucky, might be the very weapon that saves you.

OUT OF CHARACTER INFO

FAQ | LOCATIONS | RESERVES | APPLICATIONS | NAVIGATION

For mature or graphic content, please label.For questions, please direct them to the FAQ or the Feedback page. Any scenarios listed (unless otherwise indicated) can be used as game canon. As always, be kind and have fun!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[He's grateful for the touch and it shows, just a tiny bit of tension disappearing at Shiro's hand on his shoulder. After months of captivity, after isolation and harsh treatment, just a simple touch feels like heaven.]

[However, Shiro's words hit him like a ton of bricks, and while he doesn't pull away, he looks more than a bit horrified.]

I should have fought my own battle, instead of making you fight it for me. I...

[There's a tone to his words that might indicate that is something he's heard many times before. His hands ball at his sides, and he takes a breath.]

I missed you so much, Shiro.

You didn't make me do anything. You didn't -- you didn't do anything wrong.

[He can't believe what he's hearing. Ever since he'd remembered the moment, ever since he pieced together what those dreams had been, he'd regretted it. Not taking Matt's place -- never that. But what he'd done to achieve it.]

[That... and leaving him behind.]

[Guilt, really. He'd expected to be the one who needed to apologize. Not the other way around. His hand squeezes, briefly, expression twisted. It feels like someone has his ribs in a vice.]

I'm sorry. I... I never wanted to leave you. Either of you. I don't know how it happened. I --

I don't remember anything.

[Matt looks a bit worried, reaching up and putting his hand on top of Shiro's. How broken is his friend that he can't even remember anything? Somehow, all of his worries seem unimportant.]

It wasn't your fault, Shiro. It was the Galra. You did what you felt that you had to. I'm just sorry I couldn't do a damn thing to help.

[He takes a breath, and then something hits him.]

You don't remember anything? What do you mean?

You stayed alive. I... do you have any idea how much that means to Katie? To ... [He wants to say to me, but another part of him is shouting it down. Because again, how dare he make this about himself. How dare he put his own feelings into this situation.]

That helps. So much.

[At least he can say that. At least he can say those words and have them be completely and utterly true.]

[His expression, though. It twists. Metal fingers close, his shoulder twitching until it's at least partially hidden behind himself.]

... The last thing I remember clearly is... taking your place. That's all there is. I don't remember anything else.

[To Katie. Yes, she's important, yes, if anything, she's more important than Matt himself, but there's a tiny spike of emotion as Shiro doesn't mention himself. Matt's not sure what to think about it. Maybe it's too much. Maybe he's just being self-centered, but... he had hoped when he saw his friend again that he'd be glad to see him.]

[He doesn't have time to go down that mental road, though, as Shiro's expression changes and he winces.]

I'm sorry, Shiro. I... well, I heard some rumors of the Champion's exploits, but who knows if they were even close to true. You're... not okay, that's obvious, but...I'm here now. I can try to help. At least I understand at least some of what you've been through, so if you want to talk, I'll listen. I know you, you've probably not talked to anyone because you don't want to bother anyone with your problems, even people who care about you, so now I'm here, maybe you'll feel like you can talk to me and that'll help you.

[He's rambling, in a very similar way to Katie. He just wants his friend to be alright.]

That --

[That's not me. But it's also not important, right now. Is it? That's miles and light years and universes away. It's done with. There's so much to explain, to tell, and so much that shouldn't be his to do.]

[This isn't fair. He can't ask any of that -- even if it's offered. After all, he's the one who got away.]

You're rambling. Like... like you always did.

[It slips out, then. Just a little more emotion than he wants to. Just a little bit of how good it is to see that. How happy he is to see it. He shakes his head, the expression going from twisted, to something fond.]

[Maybe he can't bring himself to say it, to admit it, but it's in that look, regardless.]

Yes, well, it's a family trait.

[He's still worried, still determined somehow at some point to try to help his friend, but then he sees it. That tiny hint of fondness, the tiny hint of emotion that shows him that somewhere in there is his friend. A tiny, tired smile crosses his face, and he squeezes Shiro's hand on his shoulder.]

Never did figure out how to stop rambling. Or how to shut up, if it comes to that.

[He visibly relaxes a bit, tension and worry falling off of his shoulders.]

Yeah... yeah, I know. It's a good one.

[He swallows. It's good to see the smile. Small as it is. Good to see everything, and despite the weight in his chest, the one threatening to crack him apart, there's a sense of relief, too.]

[As much as this isn't the time or the place do unload everything, he is relieved. And maybe... the others, maybe Angela and Darin, are right. It's okay to crack a little.]

... I'm glad you're alive.

Don't know about a good one. Got more than a few teachers mad at me at the Garrison for it.

[He can't help the sigh that escapes him at Shiro's words. It's stupid, he realizes, that he needed that confirmation so much, that he needed to hear from his friend that he was glad to see him, but after everything, it's good to hear.]

I'm glad you're alive too. I...well, neither of us are really alright, but um.

[He's not sure where he's going with that, but he knows that they always did do things even better if they worked together.]

So what? That doesn't matter now.

[He's not sure why his friend is so... oddly relieved all of the sudden. Maybe it's just being back with humans. Back with at least one familiar face. Away from their enemies and out of captivity.]

[He gives the shoulder under his hand a brief squeeze, like he's almost trying to assure himself it's really still there.]

Let's get you planet side. Okay?

Yeah.

[He pauses, worried, glancing back to where Shiro was coming from.]

Weren't you going somewhere, though? I can wait here until you're done. I'll find a corner or a chair or something. Or, uh, I think someone said I have quarters somewhere.

[Another pause as he thinks for a moment.]

I, er, should find a job and somewhere else to live, shouldn't I?

Don't worry about that. I set my own hours -- they'll understand if I have an emergency.

[After all, it's happened before. And he's not going to let Matt just walk away again. He's not going to let anyone down again.]

You're staying with us. There's room.

I'm no emergency, Shiro. You can go take care of what you need to. I'll just...

[He glances around and finds what looks like a bench a few meters down the hall.]

I can sit over there. I won't move, and you can come collect me when you're done.

[He doesn't want to have to watch Shiro walk away again, but too many months in captivity have taught him that he does not matter, that everyone else is much more important.]

[Another small smile creeps across his face, however.]

Who's we? You and Katie? And I can take the couch or something. I don't take up much room.

You're here. We should take you to medical, get you food... that's important enough to be an emergency.

[There's something unspoken under the words. Something he's not sure he knows how to say right now. Or ever. Please. Please let him help, please let him do this. Let him do something right by Matt.]

[He shakes his head, hand still on his friend's shoulder.]

Come on. There's plenty of room at the house.

[A brief, flickering smile.] And the rest of our team.

I...

[Before he can say anything, his stomach growls at the thought of food. It's been a while since he's had an actual meal, before his mission, in fact. He smiles a bit, shaking his head.]

Guess my stomach is not going to listen to my stubbornness. Alright. I'll come with you.

[And let you take care of me for now is left unsaid, hidden down under the layers of his worry and months in prison. Taking a breath, he glances up at Shiro.]

What team? Can you tell me about them?

[It's like the moment he agrees, some part of him uncoils. Relaxes. Like he's finally being given a chance to make things right. Even in some small way.]

[He ducks his head, before picking up the cargo again, a little too easily.]

I'll drop this off and take you down. Okay?

[Before he elaborates:] Your sister. Three guys from the Garrison. We kind of fell into this, to be honest.

[Matt raises an eyebrow at the cargo. He knows his friend is strong, but that's... almost absurd. However, he says nothing for now, just nods.]

Alright. I, er... [He takes a breath, a bit pink. Matt's never been very good at showing weakness, even though it tends to sneak up on him and he freaks out.] I don't know how much I want to be alone right now.

[He can't help but smile at the mention of his sister.]

This being... wherever we are here? Or something else?

[His curiosity is getting the better of him. But at least he feels, for once, that he can express it again. Be careful, Shiro. It's almost Matt Holt Question Hour.]

It's all right. I... I think I understand.

[He does. He really does. He wouldn't have wanted to be alone either, if it weren't for the others finding him. And then... he really hadn't been. Not once. He's grateful for that.]

[Very grateful.]

Something else. It's a long story. We've been through a lot, all five of us. This place almost feels like a walk in the park.

[He doesn't mind the questions, honestly. It's oddly familiar.]

Figured you would.

[He glances at Shiro's arm, worried. He really wants to know, but he doesn't. Shiro, of all people, doesn't deserve whatever the hell they did to him.]

[It's odd, really, being back with his friend, being on a planet where no one will yell at him for not working hard enough, for not doing something right, or for talking back. Maybe, if he's lucky, he'll even find something to research or discover.]

[Shiro's words bring him out of his thoughts, however, and he smiles softly.]

I think I can understand that. I want the story at some point, though. It doesn't have to be now. I'm just glad you and Katie found each other too. She needs people she knows.

I'm that predictable, huh?

[He's glad there's no questions right now. Not about the arm, not about the hair or the thing across his face. He doesn't know if he could answer it adequately right now.]

[Instead, he's just going to haul the crate to its destination, like nothing at all is amiss. It's just easier for now.]

She's got a whole team with her now. And meeting more people all the time -- she's amazing.

Not necessarily predictable, just... well, I do know you pretty well by now.

[Or he did, before everything went to hell. He's not sure what he knows about anything anymore, between long months of imprisonment and isolation, and being torn from everything he cares about. Hopefully this new place with people he knows and new people to meet will be helpful. Or maybe it'll break everything even more. Who knows at this point.]

[A small smile crosses his face and he nods at Shiro's words.]

She always was the star. The night before we launched to Kerberos, Dad told her that she was going to be part of something huge. Guess she found that, huh?

[There's a wistful smile as he mentions his father, biting back a wave of emotion that threatens to take over. Nope. Not the time for that. He can break down once he's not in public, not within earshot of anyone else.]

... yeah. Yeah, you do.

[He pauses, long enough to look over at him, expression something distant and sad. Something fond also twisted up in it. There's a big part of him that wants to reach out, put a hand on his friend's shoulder again. Like he could vanish all over again.]

[But he's got the cargo. That's enough to keep his hands to himself.]

She really did.

I guess we all did. Didn't we?

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

tdm 16

test drive meme

welcome to thisavrou

escoria

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