thisavrou_ooc

SEPTEMBER TEST DRIVE MEME

ABOARD THE MOIRA

Whether adjusting to space travel has been difficult or not, there is always something to be done. From working to leisure, the Moira offers a multitude of opportunities to get to know your crewmates a bit better. Exploration of the ship is highly encouraged, but as another planet grows closer to being docked, things start to get a little hectic. You'll notice a slight change in the artificial gravity as the Moira is pulled into the planet's gravitational field; however, more noticeable changes can be found in the overall morale as you prepare to descend.

☄ in the mess hall:

Things have been pretty smooth sailing thus far. There haven't been any unexpected horrors or accidents, and no one has gone missing. Later in the evening, you find yourself hungry and decide to check out what's on the menu. Making your way toward the mess hall, you discover that the door is closed and a sign has been posted directly in the center. It reads:

We don't know who did this or why, but action will be taken if it is not fixed immediately.

At the bottom, in very small print, it is signed by the captains. Venturing inside, you find something irregular about the room, and it's not what you might have thought. Finding the culprit, however, is hardly on anyone's mind. In fact, the kitchen has been closed until everything on the tables has been "fixed". Decadent foods and desserts from many of the planets explored in the past are laid out like a feast. There might even be liquor, but who knows how strong that stuff is. Consider this a thank you for all the hard work and effort you've put forth as a valuable crew member. Whoever said the mess hall wasn't for messes was sadly misinformed! It's party time.

☄ on your own:

There are plenty of other communal areas on the ship to explore! Pick a place, and see where it takes you.

PLANET EXPLORATION

Unlike some of the previously found planets, this one is populated. However, the majority of the natives are located in one central area near a very large body of water. At some point, it might have been a lake, but due to some abnormal constructional designs, it has been transformed into a well-maintained connection of underwater cities. Still, accessing them may prove to be difficult. Your MID warns of no pollutants in either the air or water. Yet, it has problems translating the language spoken between these humanoid beings—if they even speak at all. Most of them appear friendly, more than welcoming, but what's to be said about someone (or something) that doesn't wish to talk?

☄ the submerged:

I would like to be the air that inhabits you for a moment. I would like to be that unnoticed and that necessary.

Exploring the surrounding areas, which consist of marshes and some small trees, doesn't yield much. There are little resources and no fauna to speak of. The natives continue to lure whoever dares to follow closer to the water, their gestures open and curious. There is nothing to hint at the dangers that await anyone who wanders within arm's length of the shore, and if you do... Hopefully you weren't traveling alone and a friend is there to attempt dragging you away from the tight grip of the thing suddenly yanking you into the murk of that lake. They will fight to keep you, sink their hands and fins deep enough to draw blood; it calls more of them up from the depths to bring you down. For they need you like air, are desperate to call you their own, and if you surrender, how are you to ever describe the the last thing you see?

Is that what happened to the all those ships found crashed here and there, buried beneath mud and moss? Is this what became of the people aboard them? How ironic the dead say even less than the things that got you.

OUT OF CHARACTER INFO

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For mature or graphic content, please label. Test Drive Memes are not game canon but can be used as samples in applications. For questions, please direction them to the FAQ. As always, be kind and have fun!

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Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

a. main hall

[Newly arrived, there is a man looking less than happy about the new job contract on board the Moira, staring intently at the device stuck to his hand. He got the explanation, but he's still trying to remove it--so far unsuccessfully. There's got to be a lock or switch. Who wants a phone permanently attached to him? He scowls at any other passengers who happen to enter the main hall, almost like he's accusing them for being accessories to his current condition. The calmer they look, the more disgusted he appears by them. But if they keep to themselves and avoid the stranger's glare, he does speak up in a rough voice.]

What are you looking at?

[Nice to meet you too.]

b. mess hall

[At the surprise party, Saitou is slightly less irritable. At least they have food, although he's giving the drinks a suspicious look. Apparently the captains think alcohol roulette is a fun game. The dark expression he's had is more dry amusement now. If whomever is near him happens to be a bit tipsy, he's watching. Probably waiting to see if they stumble into that conveniently placed chair.]

It looks nice. It could always be poisoned.

[Yes, he is saying that loud enough to be heard. Probably on purpose. He's a kill joy at heart.]

I guess we'll find out soon enough.

c. the submerged

[Exploring the planet is not as good as he wanted it to be. He had wanted to get off of the ship, but the planet seems empty of animals and the plant life is foreign and scarce. So much for relief from the strange setting. Eventually he wanders up to the one point of interest that seems to exist on the planet. The natives seem determined to draw everyone's attention to the water and he slowly appeases them, although he doesn't seem thrilled with the idea. He'll let other crew members go first, thanks.]

They want us to swim?

[Is that supposed to be a joke? He's failing to see the benefit of this, even if the locals are trying to be friendly. Going along with things has never been high on his list of priorities. But he is curious enough to poke around.]

My apologies.

[David wasn't singling this man out, he was looking at everyone. Carefully observing, trying to discern patterns that would give him invaluable insight into this new situation. As a whole, it didn't add up. The mix of species, human and otherwise, having been pulled here through the Ingress, all with varying levels of intelligence, possibly from alternate times as well as worlds.

There was no distinct pattern, but David was aware that that itself might be where the pattern lay. Truth concealed in an unsystematic way meant to deter complete understanding.]

I am David. [A quick grin, too fast, too stiff as he slowly lifts and extends his hand to be shaken.]

[As someone who is used to spying on others and being the observer in the room, Saitou notices when he's being noticed. It's not really so much irritation at being looked at as a way of calling the man out when he speaks up, but as usual his contrary nature means he takes the situation head on and almost challenges the stranger for looking him over like that. Just to see what he'll do under pressure.

He looks at the hand evenly when it is offered, not bothering to take it. He doesn't often make an effort to greet people properly, which less bother with Western customs.]

Saitou.

[What? He wanted more than that? Saitou is still staring, like he's attempting to read what the stranger is thinking.]

[He holds the grin longer than is necessary, placing his hand back at his side. David wonders if it might make Saitou uncomfortable, his smiling this way. He doesn't stop.]

Are you displeased with your new surroundings?

[So many people are. He arches a brow, glancing around in disdain. It's not meant to comfort, but to show that he understands any unhappiness with the situation, even if he doesn't feel it himself.]

It isn't very different from what I knew.

[He watches the stranger with a fixed expression, like he can see through the smile somehow. He doesn't both hiding his disgust at the whole thing and doesn't apologize for being standoffish. Courtesy is optional in this case.]

You think we should be satisfied by being pulled away like this? It's not like anyone volunteered to be brought here.

[He's nothing if not proud.]

Maybe you're used to it, but unless this is a slave ship, that should be the exception.

Is it the lack of choice, then, that bothers you so?

[Most humans don't enjoy having their decisions made for them, or so he's found that to be the case. He assumes this man is similar to others David has known and that he would feel uncomfortable or unhappy with being taken from a place and brought to another without his permission.]

I'm used to a spacecraft like this, but not the technology. [The Ingress.] Or people that are so unlike one another.

Nothing decides what I do. I'm sure everyone else brought here has a problem with this, unless you like being trapped and isolated from everything else.

[He still doesn't actually fully understand the idea of being in space. There were general explanations, but he's from the 1800's and the concept of being brought out to space might as well be explained as him being carried to heaven by the gods. His grasp of their location is pretty limited even if he is smart.]

So this is normal for you. Then you know how it works? I want this off.

[He holds up his hand to show the MID. No thank you.]

[David didn't want to be trapped or isolated, necessarily. There wasn't much to do when one was alone, he'd cycled through every language learning program, and similar pastimes, when he'd be alone aboard the Prometheus.]

The ship, yes, and life on it, is familiar. This technology is not.

[He glances down at the MID then back up to the human's face.]

I've examined it and do not know how to remove it safely without damaging the wearer or the equipment.

Ship.

[Yes, they keep calling it that. The captains and this man. But it's like no ship that Saitou has ever seen, let alone been on. Not even the iron-sided battleship. He sounds doubtful, like he doesn't see how the Moira could be a ship.]

Then how do you get it off by breaking it? I'm not going to keep this thing on my arm.

TDM 2

Saitou Hajime | Rurouni Kenshin (AU)

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