riverview: test drive meme

[riverviewmod]

riverview test drive meme

Welcome to Riverview's first test drive meme! Feel free to dip your toes in on the test drive meme to try out your character in the setting, play out a mission, and get samples for your application at the same time!

● Reserves are currently OPEN.
● Applications open on March 1st.
● All threads on the test drive meme can count as game canon once the game is up and running.
● TDM threads do not count for Activity Check, but they do count for Activity Bonus Points.

Feel free to use the prompts below or create your own scenario. The setting is built to be flexible, so feel free to make things up as you go.

information resources
premise ● arrival ● setting ● ask a question ● navigation

prompt i: batten down the hatches

If the sky has seemed a little more yellow-green than usual for the past couple of days, there's a reason for that. Meteorologists have been warning of a particularly nasty storm blowing in from the direction of the Delta in the Southwestern part of the Abandoned City.

The Quarantine is about to be hit by a nasty typhoon, and there's a lot to be done. Whether you're helping sandbag the banks of the river, which is bound to be swollen by the storm and flooding, weatherproofing your building, or just huddling indoors for warmth and helping reassure your friends, family, or partner that everything will be okay, it's time to take action!

prompt ii: monster madness

There's been a lot of talk around the Quarantine about the various predators and monsters outside the fence, and how they've been getting steadily more active, crowding the fences, trying to leap over them, seemingly driven by some kind of mania. There have even been increasing instances of predators that normally mind their own business attacking the fences wholesale, slamming into it over and over as if they're trying to find a weakness.

The good news? The fences have been holding. So far.

The bad news? They won't be holding for much longer.

The Perimeter Guard is in a bad way, and it's all hands on deck. They've also sent out a few of the Perimeter Guard Cadets to post up flyers around the city asking for temporary help in fighting off the beasts. So pick up whatever weapon you're best with, hop onto a truck transport, and head on over to the fences to help drive off the monsters and keep the Quarantine safe.

prompt iii: hold your lover close

With a storm rolling in that's going to keep everyone indoors, that might cause power outages, and is just frankly pretty scary, a lot of the clubs, restaurants, and hotels are doing special events to keep everyone's brains occupied and flooded with endorphins.

There are flyers around the city advertising various couples activities: speed dating, dance classes, overnight pool parties, and all-expenses-paid lovers' nights in.

The catch? The great deals only count if you're a twosome. So if you don't have someone to love, hit up speed dating in the indoor courtyard of Riverview's largest mall, or grab the first person you see and take the opportunity.

prompt iv: solution

After a day or two of storm activity, things are definitely not getting better: the rain is torrential, the monsters are attacking with increased energy and decreased rest times, and the distractions are starting to wear thin. Power outages happen off and on, a very rare situation in Riverview Quarantine.

The government has put out an all-points-bulletin imploring anyone with an exploratory spirit to help.

From what government science techs can tell, the storm isn't natural - after all, even the meteorologists were saying that the pressure systems seemed extremely strange. They've managed to narrow the cause to an area in the delta where the storm seems to be originating from, and are broadcasting the general location so anyone with the guts can head out into the storm and try to find the source of it.

Any characters who decide to penetrate the jungle in search of the source will find a device in the shape of a pyramid, with glowing blue edges about a day's walk into the Abandoned City. The pyramid is a malfunctioning weather control device that is causing wild pressure fluctuations and causing the storm as well as making the animals in the jungle aggressive and erratic. Characters can destroy or deactivate the device to end the storm.

This mission can be threaded out however you would like, in groups however large you would like, and more than one team can accomplish the goal.

prompt v: wildcard/network

Whether you're looking for help with a mission or just want to get to know your fellow new arrivals, your character can make a post to the network.

Or you can choose your own adventure and do something else in the setting!

navigation

Comments

Steve Rogers | Marvel Comics (616)

[livingsymbol]

ii. Of flags and fences

[Steve doesn't hesitate when he hears that the fences are in trouble. He hops right on a truck and heads to the edge of Quarantine, joining the other volunteers. When they arrive, he can see why so many flyers are being handed out. The Perimeter Guard is holding back what looks like a siege, with movement well beyond what he can see from inside the fences, indicating a countless number of-]

What are they?

[The creatures surrounding them aren't humans or animals that Steve has seen before. He asks a nearby Perimeter Guard the question, hoping to find out about these monsters before they decide to charge. Know your enemies' habits. Figure out how they think and use that. Not so easy to do when you've never seen beasts like them before. Steve joins the rest of the group trying to repair the damage done to the fence while there's a pause in the fight. It's a race against time before the next attack.]

iii. Well, this is awkward.

For the last time-

[Steve has said that a couple times already, to no avail. The man passing out flyers is especially persistent, throwing an arm over the blonde's shoulder as he pushes the eighth colorful ad into his hands.

Aw, come on, buddy. A guy like you? You've gotta have plenty of girlfriends. Or make some new friends. Show them a good time!

The hard-sell is quickly leading to Steve losing his patience. He's trying to help everyone, but this method is definitely not his forte. He looks around, finally just desperate enough to silently beg for help from a bystander. Please, give him an excuse to throw this overly eager promoter off so he can escape without physically shoving him away? He might even play date just for the chance to breathe again.]

iv. I saw this on a movie once

[The storm isn't improving and the call goes out for people to risk the wilds in order to find the source of the problem. Of course Steve is going to volunteer. He joins the group as they face the jungle, fending off the wildlife and avoiding sinkholes caused by the excess rain. When they reach the strange device, Steve has no clue how to even open it.]

I hope you're a technician.

(ooc: For prompt iv, I'm up for more people in one thread. If you'd like to make it a three or four person thread, hop in? Or we can do pairs.]

iv. totally cool with others jumping in too

[anotheroldsoldier]

[Wherever Steve goes, Bucky goes with him. They're partners - Captain America needs a Bucky to watch his back, and here in Riverview Quarantine, that hasn't changed. It's a long day in the intermittent rain, fighting off aggressive animals and trekking through difficult terrain. When they finally find what seems to be causing the strange weather patterns, Bucky snorts, coming up behind Steve, shouldering his weapon.

A technician, he is not.]

We can wing it. How hard can it be to turn it off?

[livingsymbol]

[It feels good to have Bucky with him again. Like old times--although he tries not to think like that. Humoring that thought is a slippery slope to tragedy, and he's trying to move forward. Trying to create memories now and not get trapped by his own weaknesses. Still, being on a mission feels like home to him. And it shows in his movements: full of energy and enthusiasm for the job.]

Easy there. If we start hitting the wrong things, it might cause more trouble. We don't know how it works.

[Then again, Steve's back up plan is to smash the whole device in.]

[anotheroldsoldier]

Why do you always assume I'm going to punch it? You know very well that I can defuse bombs, how different can this be? [He sounds a little offended, gesticulating with one hand toward the device. It's a lot like old times, and there's a familiar comfort in it - being out in the wilderness, doing something important, bickering with his partner.]

[livingsymbol]

I know you can.

[And he also knows that Bucky can get frustrated and go for the more direct route, skills be damned. It's like Steve trying to go for stealth. He does have the knowledge if he really bothers to apply it, but he just doesn't apply it.]

Okay, partner. How do we turn this thing off?

[anotheroldsoldier]

I should be the one makin' sure you're not gonna put the shield through it. [Steve is definitely the one here with no patience. Bucky has his faults, but Steve... well, no, they've both rushed into things they probably shouldn't have. Still, Bucky's job was usually the disarming of bombs back during the war, and he's dealt with a lot of tech in his time working for Fury. Surely they can handle this.

He kneels down by the device, running metal fingers over the surface.] Help me find an access panel.

[livingsymbol]

You probably should.

[Steve agrees, because he honestly was considering just forcing the device open by breaking it. But he thankfully also considered that damaging the strange pyramid while it was running might make whatever it was doing worse. He stands behind Bucky, frowning at the perfectly smooth sides.]

It looks like it's made of one solid piece.

[Taking up position next to his friend, Steve kneels down to try to find a line or switch to open up the machine. His fingers run over the sides of it, trying to catch any imperfection with his nails.]

Maybe we need a key.

[anotheroldsoldier]

Don't put your shield through it. [A pause as he looks over the casing. It does all seem to be a solid piece, and he's not finding any grooves. There has to be something, though. He lifts it to turn it over and check the underside as well. He amends his statement,] Don't put your shield through it yet.

Okay. Where are we gonna get a key?

iii

[burntbridges]

[If there's anything Letha is good at spotting in a crowd, it's someone who looks out of place. She wanders closer out of curiosity, and a few snippets of the conversation confirm her suspicion... along with a few ideas on how to help.]

Darling? That man isn't bothering you, is he?

[She may not even look like she's from the same century as them, but it's difficult and ill-advised to argue with a pregnant woman. Even one as small as Letha. She loops an arm smoothly around the blond man's, and smiles politely at the one with the flyers.]

Come on, let's find someplace with a few less... distractions.

[livingsymbol]

[Steve is as surprised as the other man at hearing the female voice, but he picks up the signal once Letha keeps talking. He's much rather have a lady on his arm than this fellow up in his face. The promoter looks frustrated by suddenly having a perfect target couple, but with the woman clearly not interested in his pitch. While he's searching for a good answer, Steve jumps at the chance to leave.]

Yeah, let's go. We'll find a quieter place.

[He pretends to lead her away, but as soon as they are clear of the other man, Steve sighs with relief.]

Thanks.

[Finding a polite exit is hard when he's more used to direct conflicts.]

[burntbridges]

[She gives him a bright smile.]

I'm happy to help a man in need - I'm sure I'll need your left in the future.

[She releases his arm then, giving a small cursty.]

My name is Letha Regis, it's a pleasure to make your acquaintance.

[livingsymbol]

[Steve returns the smile. Letha seems nice, and the curtsy is charming. He can't help but be warmed by the introduction.]

Steve Rogers. The pleasure is mine, Letha. If you hadn't interrupted him, who knows how long that guy would have kept going?

[Steve would have eventually just left, but this way out was far better.]

What do you do besides rescue strangers from flyers?

[burntbridges]

I was a housewife back in my world, but I've yet to find my place here. Unfortunately my husband didn't follow me to this world.

[It hurts a bit to not have Aristeo around, but she's used to masking feelings like that. To the unobservant, it looks like she doesn't even particularly care that he's not around.]

And you? What do you do when you're not awaiting rescue?

[livingsymbol]

[A housewife, and she's missing her husband. Steve thinks that he should probably stick around to help her out. If nothing else, he owes her for bailing him out of the awkward situation. But leaving Letha in a potentially dangerous place alone also bothers him on principle.]

I work with the government. I handle investigations.

[Errands, really. He can't help but feel that Fury treats him like a personal agent.]

While I'm here, I guess I'm keeping animals out of town.

[burntbridges]

Investigations? Well, doesn't that sound exciting.

[She doesn't usually hear of that as a job - investigating much of anything is considered a punishable offense in her hometown.]

I wouldn't mind hearing a few stories about that... I'd never traveled outside of Thornwell before I came here.

it's me, I'm the worst

[wingedman]

Who said anything about girlfriends?

[Sam comes up behind Steve, taking pity on the poor guy, and slings an arm around his shoulder, pushing the other guy's arm off and smiling brightly at both of them as he takes the flyers from Steve's hands.]

Come on, honey, let's go take a look at some of these and see if we can't find something to do together.

[He gently but pointedly steers Steve away, giving the hapless flyer guy a pointed Look over his shoulder. Asshole. Sam rounds the first corner he sees and drops his arm from around Steve's shoulders.] Man, what was the deal with that guy? He working on commission or something?

nah it's still me

[livingsymbol]

[Steve is momentarily caught off-guard as well, unable to really say anything as Sam puts an arm around him and leads him away from the annoying man that now looks completely disgruntled that his intended customer is getting away. He doesn't even get a chance to follow up on his offers after Sam whisks Steve off, and Steve makes his escape willingly, quietly smirking when Sam drops his arm to complain.]

Mm. He really seemed invested in getting more business. Thanks for the rescue, "honey".

[wingedman]

Think there's something else we don't know about here? Why would they be pushing the couples thing so hard?

[Sam furrows his brow for a moment, then just shakes his head and grins at Steve.]

Anytime, sweetheart. [The wink he flashes him is entirely over the top.] You actually wanna do any of these things, or should I just pitch the flyers?

[livingsymbol]

It does feel off. I get the idea of trying to provide something positive during situations like these, but this doesn't seem normal. It's-

[Like the war effort. Only what they collect are very different materials. Steve shakes his head. Maybe he's thinking too deeply about this, getting paranoid and missing some cultural nuance. He smiles back a Sam, grateful to have a more pleasant topic.]

Mm, some of them look like they could be fun. Did you want to try something?

iii. because I'M FEELING HORRIBLE ATM

[amelioraate]

[ First off, Tony is kind of impressed that the man manages to get an arm around Steve's shoulders without dislocating his damn arm, or getting punched in the face. Actually, maybe he is just impressed that the man doesn't manage to get punched in the face full stop, but really the guy kind of deserves it at this point. Tony has been watching (and kind of laughing) as the blond is harassed by a man who really needs to learn how to pick better targets for his selling habits. Because Steve? Not the kind you try this shit on.

Tony, however... Well, maybe he feels a little bad for the guy (which guy though is up for debate).

Stepping up and angling himself between Steve and the man, Tony puts on his brightest boardroom smile, all teeth and flashbulb glare, fingers wrapping around the hand with the pamphlets to pull it away from Steve, eyes scanning the colourful (and ridiculous) advertisements before giving the man a look.]

Couples retreat with lessons? Why, are you saying this fine man would need lessons on how to woo? Or anything else for that matter, I mean, come on now, have you been looking at him at all?

[ Oh don't mind Tony, casually putting himself between you two here, back to Steve, of course.]

[livingsymbol]

[Steve is bristling at the way the man seems to need to be up in his face, but with Quarantine in such bad shape, he can't help but feel bad for the guy. He's trying to help the town in his way... presumably. Although the heavy marketing angle really isn't winning Steve over. He pulls back, almost ready to physically move the man away from him (but not punch him), when Tony moves in and somehow manages to finesse his way between them. Steve watches as Tony starts his familiar, smooth-talking display that always impresses him. The promoter, however, seems less impressed.

Come on, buddy. I'm looking right now! If anyone needs help, it's the quiet guy standing off on his own at the party, right? I'll give you both a good discount. How's that?

Steve frowns, putting a hand on Tony's shoulder.]

Let's go.

[amelioraate]

[ You say not punch him, but is it the truth there, Steve? Is it? Either way, Tony can tell when someone is pushing because they think they have something to sell and when someone is pushing because there is a tremor of something else beneath it all. And, in this city? Tony isn't all that surprised that he senses more of the latter in this instance.

The grin on Tony's face doesn't falter, even as the promoter clearly takes what he is saying as some sort of challenge; if anything, it sharpens. However, whatever Tony might have poised on the tip of his tongue (something razor sharp and scathing, the dredges of protectiveness rising up in him and turning pointed when then man implies Steve as being someone who needs help, even if it's true) fall away at the weight of the hand on his shoulder.

Turning around, eyebrow raised, Tony regards Steve for a moment, eyes dark and unreadable before he deflates just a little.]

If you insist, darling. I suppose we can go show this poor blind fool just how amazing we are, mmmm?

[ Hollow. There is an echo in his words, in his eyes, but Tony puts on a good show. ]

[livingsymbol]

[He doesn't like punching people that aren't fighting back. He would throw the man off, provided he wasn't really hurting him, but Steve is trying to keep from making a scene in the new place. After all, he doesn't have any authority, and this jerk isn't a criminal. (And he's right, isn't he? Steve is a good target because he never could figure things out.)

His hand slips from Tony's shoulder at the lie. It still hurts, that they can't get along, and it has nothing to do with fake dating. Steve ruins the act by walking away, but at least he does withdraw from the salesman, who seems upset that he's losing his mark. He chases after them, still trying to pitch them some of his special deals--and this time, trying to rope them both in as a couple. Steve winces.]

Amazing, huh? [He says under his breath.]

[amelioraate]

[ Pretty sure the guy would fight back if you swung at him, but Tony can talk his way out of a non-fight than a street brawl so, yeah, probably better that this didn't get confrontational. There is way too much energy in this place, and any sign of that kind of chaos or energy might just lead things in a terrible direction.

Whatever Tony might have thought about putting a spin on goes up in flames when Steve drops his hand and turns on his heels to walk away. That-- well, even Tony would have a hard time selling that as something. Not that he wasn't going to try.

However, when he turns to look at the salesman this time, there is nothing of the smooth salesman from before, it's barely contained fury and the promise of things burning to cinders if he doesn't fuck right off.]

Look, you've now pissed off my dear heart here and it's gonna take me time to make sure he doesn't break your jaw, so do yourself a favour and fuck off, thank you.

[ There is another flashbulb grin before Tony spins on his heels and moves to catch up with Steve. ]

Mmm, you're right, that's Spider-Man's adjective. Would you prefer volatile?

[livingsymbol]

[The man at least freezes when Tony turns on him with a dangerous glare. Clearly if Steve had tried, he might have cowed the promoter into leaving him alone, but he hadn't shown his teeth. Tony's threatening look does the trick, and the man backs off with both hands raised. He does mutter some unfriendly things as he goes, though.

Meanwhile, Steve is moving at a slow enough pace that Tony easily catches up.]

Are you going to keep telling everyone that tries to sell me honeymoon suites that we're dating? Because I think they're gonna catch on to that.