tdm 14

[hohnkai]

T E S T D R I V E

Survival is the exception "living is an act of courage." THROUGH THE INGRESS The Ingress has pulled you in. Your body experiences 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 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. Once equilibrium has been reestablished, you will notice you are standing on a rocky planet. Former crew of the Moira are there to greet you, and it’s a grim message they have to share. The Moira has crashed and is beyond repair, but there’s good news... the destination the crew has been heading towards for over a year? You’re standing on it. But before you get into exploration and survival, it’s best to deal with the effects of coming through a broken Ingress. ☄ slip and trip find your footing fast Coming through the Ingress has left your character with one of three changes - an age slip, a form of body horror, or an extreme weakness. The first, the age slip, will mean that the character is either older or younger and this change can’t be rectified during their first month in game. The second, body horror, comes in the form of an alteration to the character's body due to whatever they were carrying at the time they came through. If they were wearing a watch, it’s now fused to their wrist, clothes are permanent, knifes replace fingers, and many other alterations (anything goes) and it lasts the first month as well. The third, extreme weakness, can be a mental or physical decrease - weaker arms, legs, or the weaker ability to talk or do math. ooc: the choice of change is up to each player and this prompt can be game canon. ☄ introductions aren’t awkward as long as you don’t shake their hand too long A new planet. Physical and mental changes. Talk of a ship that crashed and a Hub that is home to the ‘creators’ of a technology you’ve never heard of. A lot is happening and the best way to sort through it is by getting to know the Moira’s crew. They’ll help you settle in and get you any care you might need, all the while informing you that the group is on its way to the center of the hub. Something that might seem mundane is an absolute necessity for survival. Ask a seasoned space traveling veteran for answers and guidance. ooc: this prompt can be game canon. ☄ dealer's choice just make the right one Characters have the option of coming through an Ingress that is any possible location on this planet. It can be inside a cave, at the top of a rock formation, etc. This means you can have your character have to climb or slide down, have them yelling for help, and have other characters see them and come to their aid. Your character's arrival is completely up to you, and since this is a unique situation that hasn't happened before, go nuts with it! ooc: this prompt can be game canon. OUT OF CHARACTER INFO FAQ | LOCATIONS | RESERVES | APPLICATIONS | NAVIGATION For mature or graphic content, please label. For questions, please direct them to the FAQ. As always, be kind and have fun!

Comments

[hawkethat]

[He resists the urge to step backward and put some distance between them.That smile she's giving him is like a physical reflection of how he's feeling, and he's not sure if he's feeling like laughing until he cries or if he's feeling like hitting something. So, best to play it safe for both of their sakes, at least until they figure out what's going on.]

Well, you're doing better than I am! Typically I find it difficult to see much of anything in the dark.

[His tone is light and warm and almost sounds perfectly natural, like he's not forcing cheer he doesn't feel. He's certainly had enough time to practice. Most people wouldn't even be able to tell.]

It sure is an odd coincidence about the staff, though...I always thought it was one-of-a-kind. This one belonged to my father. Where did yours get his?

[otiosity]

I've been living on a darkened ship for months. Your eyes get used to it.

[She continues to advance on him. To the outsider, the image is probably comically. He has half a foot on her and probably weights twice as much as she does. Physically, he outclasses her in every way. Yet Marian Hawke has always seemed someone who could move mountains despite her small size.

She pulls her own staff out of her pac-disc as she moves to close the distance between them. It's needlessly aggressive but despite being the aggressor, she feels backed into a corner here. It's a disorienting fear that she has rarely felt before in her life.]

It is. He made it himself.

[hawkethat]

That's interesting. So did mine.

[The stranger with the uncomfortably familiar face may be six inches shorter than he is and built like a twig, but that doesn't stop him from taking an involuntary step backward. She has that look to her that makes him think that even if she's not quite out for blood just yet, she very soon could be, and he would prefer to keep all of his blood right where it is.]

...I can't help but wonder if that makes us related somehow. I've already had my fill of alternate timelines and unpleasant surprises for the past six months or so, but life never seems to tire of throwing more unexpected tomfoolery my way, so it makes about as much sense as anything else. Not that I'm calling you an unpleasant surprise, ser, because you're remarkably easy on the eyes, but just in the general sense of things, you know?

[otiosity]

[At that statement, Marian stops and gives him the once over. Being friends with Tony and Nate, she's aware of the whole double things in alternate universes but never really thought about it much other than she's pretty sure the other down is DTF and so is she.

But she never really thought about it applying to her. She always assumed she was the only Hawke left. It'd been something she carried for so long.

She gives this man a once over again. He really does look just like her father. Except his eyes. They're dark like her mother's and sister's.

Her nose crinkles, but at least she's stood down at least a little bit.]

You think you and I are the same...

Ugh. I'd have at least gone for my own fashion sense if I was male instead of copying father's. I do have some creativity.

[hawkethat]

[As weird as it is, he can't help the grin that suddenly spreads across his face at her remark about his clothes. Suddenly everything seems slightly less ominous than it did mere moments ago. Maybe he should be worried about that, but for the time being he can't actually bring himself to care. It's such a relief to have some relief, he'll take it where he can get it.]

Would you really, though?

[He spreads his arms for the sole purpose of giving her a better view of his sleeves, and also the ensemble as a whole.]

Because current evidence says otherwise.

[otiosity]

Look, Beard.

[You can't be Hawke, she's Hawke, so you're beard. Congrats.]

I'm used to this doubles thing. And honestly, while you're far below my expectations, we're going to have to live with each other. So, stop flexing. It just makes me feel sorry for you and that's exhausting.

[hawkethat]

[Well, it is a good beard; he knows, because he grew it himself.

Her apparent lack of a sense of humor is a bit of an unpleasant surprise, however.]

I haven't even begun to flex. And don't worry about feeling sorry for me if it's too much trouble, because I can do that perfectly well on my own, thanks.

[But if she wants to be srs bsns, fine, he can be srs bsns too. He crosses his arms and regards her thoughtfully, all pretense of humor dropped for the moment.]

So I'm guessing you've been here for a while? Who else has doubled? Anyone I know? Isabela?

[Because boy oh boy would that be one heck of a rebound fling.

[otiosity]

Please, no flexing. It's just a little bit sad to sit around and flex to yourself. Literally. Also, not feeling sorry for you. I have plenty of sorry feelings to direct elsewhere. Continue feeling sorry for yourself.

[She crosses her arms in front of her chest and then cuts him off quickly.]

No. Just me. And recently Fenris. But mostly me doing all the hard work around here.

[hawkethat]

Duly noted. Only flex when additional self-pity is required.

Fenris is here?

[For a moment, his heart lifts. But only for a moment. Fenris in Loria had been expecting a rogue, and had been unpleasantly surprised to discover Hawke was a mage. It had taken some time to rebuild their friendship as a result. Somehow he doubts the situation will be much different when he reunites with the elf, here, if he's already familiar with Lady Hawke.

So he sighs, and moves right the heck along.]

...Why am I getting the feeling you don't mean double-fisting pints of ale when you say you've been doing "all the hard work?"

[otiosity]

Flexing and self-pitying in combination seems a bit sad. I'd try to space it out a bit. Otherwise it's trying too hard.

And yeah, he's here only recently though.

[Kitty circles towards her and nudges at her thighs like he can sense the heaviness that comes from being without her friends for so long. Certainly she's made new ones but... it's different. She strokes his ears.]

Well I was doing that. But also trying to keep the bloody ship flying, stopping invaders from killing all of us, and trying not to be sick when we ended up crashing.

[hawkethat]

I never try too hard. If I set a precedent, people will actually start relying on me to do things.

[Even moreso than they already do. He knows how that works.

Champion, who's been sitting like a good boy while Hawke talks to the stranger, chooses that moment to let out a quiet Bwoof! and pushes his giant head under his master's hand. Garrett begins to absently scratch the dog's ears as he notes the large dog behind Hawke 2.

And, while he's been taking in the vast amount of wreckage since he was first pulled here, her recitation prompts him to have a second quick glance around.]

Hm. So, business as usual, then?

[otiosity]

As usual.

[She can't do much other than agree with that sentiment. Then she gives him a once over and snorts a little.]

Thank the Maker for that. I didn't want you to go around damaging my reputation.

[hawkethat]

We already have a reputation? How long have you been here?

[Ear scratches from his human are all well and good, but there is a new person right there, and also a new dog! Champ shoulders up to stand fully next to Garrett and stretches toward Marian and Kitty, sniffing curiously. Hi hello, how are you? It's nice to meet you!!]

[otiosity]

I have a reputation! There's a difference. You really ought to not go around trying to steal other people's reputations. I know how good we are at creating them.

[Kitty sits by Hawke still, watching the other dog with curiosity. His tail wags. He wants to go over and say hi! But for now he sits loyally by his master.]

[hawkethat]

Oh, well, in that case, if you want it that badly, you can definitely keep it. Would you like mine, too, while we're at it? I've always liked the idea of starting fresh somewhere, with a clean slate and no infamy or notoriety to speak of.

[After stretching for several moments and getting no acknowledgement from either of the humans, Champion sits down next to Hawke and whines. He wants to say hi! :c]

[otiosity]

Oh good. Because I can't support another reputation. I've got one at home, one here, and while I may be good at juggling rodents to Orlesian ballads, I haven't quite figured out the skill of metaphorical relationship juggling. So let's limit the balls in the air.

[She reaches out to encourage the dog to come closer to her. She even seems to address him when she speaks. She'd rather talk to a dog about this. Dogs are easy.]

[hawkethat]

[Champion practically vibrates when she reaches out to him, but he stays by Garrett's side like a good boy until he gets the okay to move forward. One small signal later and he is sniffing all up on that offered hand! Yes, hi, hello, it's nice to meet you, you smell like his family, this is a good day!]

Hm. I've always said the more balls the better, but if that's how you'd prefer to do it, then I won't argue.

[SHRUG.

Also yes that was a terrible double entendre. You're welcome.]

So, is it always so cheerful around here, or have the Powers that Be just spruced the place up to welcome the new arrivals?

[otiosity]

I prefer the quality of the stick attached to the ball.

[She retorts quickly, petting the dog.]

Oh no. You missed the ship that flew through the stars. That crashed.

[hawkethat]

[He can't help it, that makes him laugh.]

Just one ball?

[Aww, look at Champion, so happy for pets.]

Through the stars? That sounds dangerous. No wonder it crashed.

[otiosity]

What can I say? I'm attracted to the quirky and unusual. No sense taking everything off if it's going to be boring.

[Well, at least he has a good sense of humor. Kitty is sniffing Champion and waggling his butt. Surrounded by doggos. The dream is real.]

You get used to it. I sometimes forgot I was in the stars. Until we crashed anyway. You missed the worst part, lucky bastard.

[hawkethat]

[What a good pair of doggos!]

That's the first time I've been called "lucky" in a while. If only it could last.

[He can't resist anymore, he has to introduce himself to Kitty, so he reaches out a hand for introductory sniffs.]

...There, uh, probably isn't anywhere nearby to get drunk around here, then, is there?

[The curse of sobriety has followed him all the way from Loria...his life really is in shambles.]

[otiosity]

Well we can't both be unlucky. Our combined unluckiness would end up causing a massive hole to open up in the middle of the ground and send everyone falling to their deep dark deaths.

[Kitty sniffs his hand curiously. It smells like his master's hand but is far too large to be hers. Very confusing but pets win out. He ducks his head under Garrett's hand.

Hawke looks at him and shrugs.]

Might have some back at the camp. Or we drank it all. You'll be amongst alcoholic friends here. You are one, aren't you? I can't be the only Hawke drinking to excess. It ruins our symmetry.

[hawkethat]

Or maybe our combined unluckiness will cancel each other out and we'll finally have the opportunity to embark on normal lives, like normal, average people with normal, average luck!

[Check out this optimist over here, wow. Also hello Kitty, please enjoy head pats and ear scratches!]

...Or not. I was in the middle of an unplanned holiday in the middle of a little village called Astor before being pulled here, and I may or may not be mostly responsible for drinking it dry. If you've already done the same here, then...that sounds just about right, honestly.

[Sigh. Sigh!!!]