TEST DRIVE MEME #1

[inthenightmods]

TEST DRIVE MEME #1

Hello and welcome to the In the Night test drive meme for June! Thanks for your interest in our game! Reserves open on June 20, and applications open on June 22.

While you're here...

• Take a look at our rules and faq pages to familiarize yourself with the game.
  
• Note that we have a reserve/application cap of 20 apps per month (this has been waived for the first month!).
  
• TDM threads can become game canon if both players wish. If the situation isn't something that could happen in-game, you're free to chalk it up to some strange hallucination, a shared dream, or other mysterious circumstance.
  
• Note that this is not limited to new characters threading with characters already in-game. If current players wish to thread out the TDM prompts as canon events, they are welcome to do so.
  
• Though threads can become canon, they cannot count toward AC.
  
• If you plan to apply, please keep in mind that we do require at least one sample thread on the application to be from our TDM (though it doesn't need to be the current TDM).
  
• You're welcome to use the provided prompts or come up with something on your own, but we do ask that all threads take place in our game's setting.

Thank you again, and we hope you'll choose to join us!

log prompts

YOU'RE DEAD, JIM

You haven't been in Beacon long when you find yourself in Bonfire Square, staring into the flames and thinking about how you ended up here. Maybe it was an accident, a sudden freak thing that you never saw coming until you woke up on the ferry, or maybe it's a miracle you made it as long as you did. Maybe death was a relief. Maybe it was just your time. Whatever the case, you can't help but reflect on your final moments as you linger in the firelight.

But however you died, it's behind you now, and you're here, stuck in this little town with just a few buildings and a smattering of other people. You're going to be here a while, so you may as well get to know your neighbors, but... Would it be cathartic to commiserate about your deaths? Or is your time better spent stocking up at the general store? Then again, you've got plenty of time, so why not catch a drink or two (or three) at the Invincible? Pretend you're unaffected by your death, and, well. Fake it 'til you make it, perhaps.

Point is, you have options. You're dead, you died, and this is your "life" now. Better get used to it.

AND THEY WERE ROOMMATES

Currently, there's only one place to live (technically speaking) in Beacon: the Invincible, a tavern and inn located in Bonfire Square. Luckily, the place has working amenities (minus light), and the forest spirits don't charge anything for your stay. Unfortunately, it seems there may not be enough rooms for everyone. Guess you'll have to get cozy!

Maybe you'll try to pick a roommate from around town or in the bar downstairs, or maybe you'll just walk into the first room you see and choose that way. Want a room all to yourself? Get ready to fend off any potential intruders. And the fun doesn't end there.

The Invincible's rooms aren't all created equal. Some may have had their furniture stolen or become a dumping ground for unwanted pieces, resulting in a single bed, five dressers, and other equally distressing situations. Will someone sleep on the floor? Will you nail two beds together to form bunk beds? Maybe you just want to make this room into something more like home— potentially to your roommate's chagrin. Whatever you decide, this is where you're staying for now, so you might as well get comfortable.

network prompts

HACKER VOICE: I'M IN

In order to use the network, you have to register a username. Er, at least, that's how it's supposed to work. For some reason, new users have recently been able to bypass that requirement, allowing them to post anonymously. Time to troll strangers on the magical internet!

Eventually though, you'll need a username in order to use the tablet's other functions, like the direct messaging system. So hey, why not take advantage of the ability to source opinions, and workshop your potential usernames on the network? Share ideas, get feedback, steal ideas, critique others, and figure out what you want everyone to call you.

TURN ON YOUR LOCATION

When you wake up, you're in the woods. An iron shackle complete with a chain leashes you to a tree, and the only light you have is your lantern. You've never seen this area of the woods before. You certainly didn't go to sleep here.

Hm.

But, all is not lost. You find your phone in your pocket, as well as a scrap of paper covered back to front in cryptic scribbles. Are these clues to your location? They must be. You also spot a key dangling from a branch, though it's hanging from a tree you'll never be able to reach from here. Perhaps someone on the network will be able to lend you a hand...

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Comments

billy russo | the punisher

[jigsawn]

» YOU'RE DEAD, JIM

( so, this is what hell looks like. it's oddly peaceful, if not a little dark. it took a minute for him to wrap his head around his own death and come to terms with it. he honestly... doesn't think he has. it's a complicated mix of emotions — anger, confusion, sadness, fear, loneliness, relief.

the last one took him a bit by surprise, but it kind of makes sense, you know? death hasn't given him any more clarity than life had. he still doesn't remember. there are facts and details in his mind, but that's just what they are. things people have told him; things he doesn't fully understand.

but maybe that's one of the reasons why he's here in this weird post-death town. he hasn't found peace. he doubts he ever will.

well, at least he isn't entirely alone. there are other people around him. it brings some degree of comfort, even if he isn't ready to get all chummy with any of them yet. he has his hesitations. sins written across his face in distinctive scars that he doesn't want to be questioned on. the never-ending blanket of darkness cast over them works better than any mask he can find, but it hasn't stopped him from making one to wear all the same.

even if other people can't see the ugliness there, he can feel it in the very depths of his soul — or whatever's left of it.

billy won't be going too close to the bonfire. sort of prefers being unseen for the most part. instead, he'll be scoping out beacon, getting his bearings on its locations and its people. feel free to approach him or maybe don't. he is a little odd with bullet ridden clothes and a diy mask on his face, after all. )

» AND THEY WERE(N'T) ROOMMATES

( he chose the shittiest room he could find. there are too many useless furniture in here with only one bed, so to say the least, he has staked his claim here. anyone who cares to disagree with him will have to deal with a 6'1" masked man with very little patience for a verbal dispute (aka he will get physical if he has to get physical).

otherwise, if you're only here to play greet the neighbor, then he may be slightly less hostile. it's a roll of the dice with this one. )

» NETWORK: ANONYMOUS

how far has anyone traveled outside of this town?

» » » WILDCARD
[ choose your own adventure etc. ]

[kungfuey]

[ She's not easily spotted, dressed all in black and all but blending into the treeline but then Billy wasn't the only one among them who preferred to watch more than engage. Scarlett had spent a long time with only herself for company and the last year, while not altogether awful, hadn't changed her preference.

She might not have spoken to him at all if he hadn't been circling close to where she stood and while she wasn't looking to make friends? She knew it was better to announce her presence than allow him to stumble on her. She could get cold in this so-called afterlife, she was willing to bet a punch to the face would hurt too. ]

No illusions as to how you ended up here. [ A comment on the holes in his clothes as she steps out from the shadows, the light from the bonfire reaching just far enough to now cast her face in a soft, golden glow. ]

[jigsawn]

( the past year hasn't exactly been kind to him either. he thought he finally found his road to redemption, but it was brutally taken away from him. what resulted was a dismal return to the same loneliness that had followed him for most of his life. it really makes one reflects when one is at death's door, huh?

he didn't have time to change yet. it's still at the top of his priority list, but... something about this town makes it seem less urgent than it would be anywhere else. besides, it might make people think twice about approaching him and being left alone is what he needs most at the moment.

billy doesn't respond immediately, but he does at least stop in his tracks. it wouldn't have been an issue if she hadn't spoken. he is too aware of his surroundings not to catch even the slightest movement right now and he likes to think he is stable enough not to overreact. )

How did you? ( seems like a fair thing to ask all things considered. )

[kungfuey]

Knife. [ It's said far too flippantly, considering the topic at hand. ] Really big one. [ A hand absently rubbing her chest as if to quell the memory of pain that she'd swear she can feel, even if just a phantom echo of it. ]

Seemed like a good idea at the time.

[ If she's aware of how cryptic that sounds, it certainly doesn't show but if he took the time to look at her? She hardly comes across as normal. While all black attire could be seen as a fashion choice, it almost looks like a costume a child might pull together. Padded guards are strapped to her arms and legs, a thick, wetsuit-like material covering almost every inch of her body. A scarf is looped around her neck, covering even more skin and while her face can be seen, he might notice the mask - not unlike his own - pushed up on top of her head.

Of course, those swords strapped to her back probably say a lot, too. ]

Guess it could have been worse.

( prompt: they were(n't) roommates. )

[sunborne]

[ daylight is making it his mission to greet all his neighbours. hence him checking rooms that, normally, wouldn't be picked by someone, for whatever the reason.

so he sticks his helm through the door, his smile bright and big as he's ready to chirp out a friendly, 'hello!' then he gets a good look of the man. and the room.

the smile quickly drops off his face. ]

Oh.

Um. [ um.

umm.... ]

... hi? [ he raises a servo up, giving a meek little wave because. hm. this setup is vaguely frightening and very weird. very much so. ] Uhh... I'm Daylight. I'm in the same corridor as you, more or less, and I wanted to say hi.

[jigsawn]

( it does vaguely resemble a horror room, doesn't it? just needs a couple of torture devices and it'll be aces.

but speak for yourself, daylight. you're the weirdest thing he's laid eyes on all day. in fact, he thinks he might be hallucinating for the briefest moment. eyes narrowing behind his mask, he sits up on the bed. )

What are you supposed to be? ( he never thought death included giant robots. )

[sunborne]

[ daylight's optics blink in and out for a few seconds, his equivalent of someone's confused blinking towards the question.

um. okay. alright, this is a reaction, sure, but this reaction is different from the other ones. for one thing, the guy isn't immediately telling him to leave or trying to shoo him away.

success...? ]

I said I'm Daylight. [ the winglets behind him hitch up and flutter a bit. anxiety over the situation? irritation over the reaction he got? who knows. ] I'm going to be one of your, um, new neighbours here in the corridor. I wanted to say hi, mister...?

[ mister will you give daylight a name? ]

⪧ and they were(n't) roommates

[facelessgirl]

[ Arya isn't about to get too comfortable bedding down anywhere new before thoroughly checking her surroundings, and even then a full night's sleep is unlikely. Not here, where things are familiar in a ghostly way - because nothing is familiar, and yet it's all reminiscent of the world she knows. Well, a little. But a bed is better than nothing, even if she feels far from tired. She can't exactly stay out here all night, drawing attention to herself.

The door across the way from her room is open though, and Arya drifts towards it. Silent, curious. She doesn't want to surprise whoever is inside though, so a few feet from the door she lets her footsteps sound. She looks around and leans slightly against the doorway, watching him for a tense few seconds.

A mask, huh? Instead of smirking, she blinks. ]

That's an interesting choice.

[jigsawn]

( he can't sleep either, so she isn't alone. a little ridiculous that they still need basics like food, water and rest to survive here. you would think dying meant they were exempt from those fundamentals. but who is he to question it? he isn't an expert on the afterlife.

since sleep isn't going to come to him soon, billy is making use of his restlessness by sorting out the current state of his room. some of these furniture can be repurposed. he also stopped by the store earlier to get some fresh clothes and supplies.

his eyes dart towards the doorway where a young brunette now stands. )

Do you have a better recommendation? ( he assumes she's talking about his mask. )

[facelessgirl]

[ That's been a curious thing to see: how the people around her have gone about making themselves more comfortable here. How they've all responded so differently to what's happened to them. At least, Arya assumes that they're all in the same predicament that she is. She hasn't had the chance to talk to many people yet. In fact, she's been actively avoiding it.

But apparently, this man's response has been to try and make some sense of his space, however little good that will do. It's telling. Arya doesn't come any farther into the room, but she doesn't back out, either.

She's also still wearing the cracked and worn leathers she died in, although other than looking ragged and notably out-of-time, there's no obvious indicator that any sort of violent death befell her. ]

Me? [ As innocent as she can sound, although she's enjoying the irony with an internal little smirk. ] No. I'd choose the same thing. [ A mask, that is. She studies him, hands clasped loose and relaxed behind her back. ] You must be hiding something awful with it. But you're not worried about standing out.

network: anonymous; newt is also on anon for now

[completelycrazy]

Uh I would barely call this a town. More like a vague smattering of buildings.
My point is you're gonna need to flesh out your description of "outside of town" for me. Walking down the path from the docks to the """town""" may as well be the wilderness.

[jigsawn]

outside of the surrounding area, past the wilderness

[ and they were(n't) roomates ]

[identifier]

[ what is the fucking deal with tall, imposing masked men.

dick was only looking, anyway. he'd entered without knocking to look around, and tenses. only because he'd felt the ghost of another man. taller. caped. bat ears. maybe billy was in the same club as his father.

more likely it's just somebody else with the same bright idea, who might be just as territorial. jeez.

dick nods at him. ]

This whole room yours?

[jigsawn]

( far from it, dick.

maybe he could have been considered a "hero" once upon a time, but those days are far behind him. he never stood a chance. not at redemption; not at a second chance. no, he is just the stark remnants of a man who had always been broken.

but he did nail him being territorial.

looking at the bed and then back at the kid in the doorway, you can almost see the incredulity on his face behind the mask. )

Yes. ( he likes his solitude. safer for everyone around him, too. )

[identifier]

[ "yes."

just like that.

so, verbose and territorial. noted. ]

Yeah, I see. [ makes friendly questions look like an interrogation. he's got to tread carefully here. ]

What's your name? [ he gestures around the mask. the codename. ]

text; un: priest

[vowers]

The borders of the city.
I’ll go farther soon.

[jigsawn]

alone?

[vowers]

I don’t have to be.

Network, also anonymous

[ordinaryannie]

as far as the church.

planning to explore further in whatever passes for the morning.

[jigsawn]

did you just arrive here?

[ordinaryannie]

yeah. seems to be the standard.

you?

[She'd put money on 'yes', because a) statistical likelihood and b) 'how far has anyone gone' is a new kid question, but leaving an assumption unexamined has never really been her style.]

roomies

[antipsychotic]

[Dex doesn’t know what the hell is going on, but he’s sure he’s nearing the time he usually goes to sleep. Schedule is important to him. The first unlocked room seems a reasonable enough choice. He looks inside and it looks disgusting. He assumes they all look like this. He’s not going to sleep well like this, but it was better than nothing.

He glances around the room, noticing the man and the single bed.]

You got a roommate?

[He’s asking only to not come off as a complete dick but finder’s keepers. He’s staying.]

[jigsawn]

( if he's going with the logic of finder's keepers, then billy has more claim to the room than he does. sorry to say, but he has no interest in sharing the same space as anyone else. he likes his privacy. it keeps him relaxed. )

Not looking for one. ( straightforward enough, but he is going to keep the hostility at bay. for now. )

network - from @cuttingedge

[knifecollecting]

it's the middle of the night.

[jigsawn]

it's only night here if you haven't noticed