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 | mcu

[starspangled]

i. batten down the hatches

[some people might dismiss it, but mother nature can still be a force to be reckoned with. steve's willing to bet that that's just as true here. a lot of people are out, trying to get ahead of the storm, and of course he's one of them.]

Need a hand?

[that's the question of the day, whether he's moving heavy bags of sand from point a to point b or boarding up windows. steve lends his strength and stamina to anyone he comes across, finally stopping just long enough to catch his breath and turn wary eyes to the sky.]

We might not have much longer. Do you know where the nearest shelter is?

[he's not asking for himself. steve will probably be out there until the last thing is done or the wind carries him away, whichever comes first.]

ii: monster madness

[he's empty-handed when he jumps onto the transport. maybe, maybe he should've brought a different weapon, but his shield was the only thing he was used to using consistently. without it he's falling back to his old standbys - his fists.

and if that doesn't work, he can just throw himself bodily at the nearest monster.

so far there seems to be no shortage of things that need done here, and steve's actually kind of glad for that. maybe that's just the part of him that's a magnet for trouble talking, but at least he can feel useful. he hops off the truck before it's barely stopped, eyes scanning the fences for signs of anything on the other side.]

So when they say there's monsters...got any ideas what that might mean, exactly?

[smoak]

[ When a rather large and sturdy-looking blonde man offers her a hand, Felicity doesn't think twice about it. The people she's met here have been incredibly helpful since she's arrived. ]

Oh my god yes, please, thank you, really. That board right there, I just can't seem to reach high enough to put the last two nails in.

[ Sometimes she feels rather useless in moments like this. Where no amount of technology can help people, other than what she can do to make sure the networks are hooked up and backup generators know when to go online. Which is why she's trying to do what she can physically today, even if it isn't a lot.

Like boarding up at least a few windows.

When she finally looks at her new helper though, a flicker of recognition flashes over her eyes. What an uncanny resemblance to ... couldn't be. And then he's asking her a question, and Felicity needs an extra-split second to process what he's just said, because his voice ... also sounds just like ... ]

I think there's one a few blocks over. But I'm not sure. Are you- [ She nearly asks. Just nearly, but she stops herself and pivots to a different question instead. ] Are you from here?

[starspangled]

[little does she know that it's actually people like her who inspire steve to do more. everyone seems to be doing their best to stay ahead of the storm. he'd noticed her too, on her tiptoes, trying to get that board into place.]

Tell me if I've got it straight.

[he nudges the board up, glancing at her to check before he hammers the nails in. he gives her a little smile when he's done.]

I'm not. I guess I'm just here to help out. [the second part quieter, almost to himself before he looks at her again.] I'm Steve.

[smoak]

Just a little higher-a little more- YES right there.

[ Felicity can't help but grin a little as she glances down, still not sure of who exactly this is supposed to be. It seems ... ridiculous that a famous actor would actually be here. Not that it'd surprise her if acting really contributes to people's feeling of loneliness, or being displaced. But still ... of all the people in all the world.

And then of course he introduces himself. As Steve. ]

Felicity.

And I just got here yesterday, so I guess ... I'm just here to help out too. It's one of the more inspiring things about this place.

[ Don't let her totally friendly demeanor fool you though. Felicity is freaking the frack out. Steve Rogers she wants to ask, but she doesn't. It's stupid. There's no way. He's just a really ... good ... impersonator. Okay even if that isn't it, this can't be him. ]

[starspangled]

[he nods gently. as optimistic as her words are, he can't help being a little concerned too. maybe she's actually happier here, or will be once she settles in. or maybe she was just having a bad day at home and is already starting to miss it.]

Where're you from? [they're both new, displaced. no reason not to get to know each other as far as steve can see.] Oh, and unless the person on the other side of these windows wouldn't mind letting us in, maybe we should find out where to go for sure. Just in case this storm hits us by surprise.

i

[advanced]

[He's still out in the storm for two reasons. He wants to help, it feels good to be doing something that's constructive, that might actually save lives instead of destroy them; but he's also wary of boxing himself into any of the secure buildings with other people. He's safer on his own, and they're safer without him there too.

Steve's one of the people that he's been skirting around since they arrived, always making sure that the other man is safe without really interacting with him. It's too awkward, he doesn't have all his memories back yet, it doesn't feel right.

Still, he's not about to just run off when he comes face to face with Steve, though his expression and voice are carefully neutral.]

It's a block back that way. I can load the last few sandbags, you head on.

[starspangled]

[it feels a little bit like being haunted. sometimes steve senses him, sees him out of the corner of his eye. but when he turns his head, he's gone. he tells himself that it's enough to know that bucky's there, safe and unhunted, but steve still has to hold himself back sometimes.

maybe they can't do this dance forever. whatever bucky's dealing with, he doesn't have to go through it alone. the wall between them isn't physical, he can't just go crashing through it.]

These ones here?

[the last sandbags in question. which steve starts loading too. doesn't look like he's going anywhere.]

[advanced]

[Damn it, Steve.

A slight furrow appears at his brow when Steve quite clearly moves towards the sandbags rather than away from them, but after a moment he just steps up beside him to start hauling too.]

I told you that I could do it.

[starspangled]

I know.

[and he does at least sound a little abashed about it.]

I guess I'm just a little restless, you know? Because of the storm, all of this. [steve glances his way. he sighs and hauls up two bags at once.] Having something to do helps.

ii. enter the fanboy!

[toolatetochangethename]

[Scott doesn't NEED weapons: he's got his fists! Okay, he'd feel a lot better if he had some ants, too, but life didn't organize itself to Scott Lang's convenience. Like. Ever.

But hey, going into battle with Captain America. Again! This is awesome! ]

No idea. But we can handle it!

[Because hey, he can't not sound like a badass in front of Cap!]

only the best though!

[starspangled]

[the only thing that ants have ever done for steve is ruin a good picnic. having scott by his side is all it takes to make steve feel better. people from home, people that he knows he can trust mean a lot.

steve looks over at him and smiles. he admires that enthusiasm. it's nice to be on the other side of a pep talk sometimes.]

We can. Whoever drives the fewest monsters back owes the other guy a beer?

[toolatetochangethename]

[ Don't let Antony hear that kind of anti-ant talk! It would hurt his non-existent feelings. ]

Better get ready to owe me a beer, then.

[Because, hey, if you're going to make yourself sound like a badass, you might as well go all the way to 'trying to one up Captain America', right?]

[starspangled]

[he would never. besides, any friend of scott's is a friend of his. as long as they stay out of his sugar bowl.]

You sure about that?

[steve sounds playful, but he's suddenly on full alert, muscles tensing just beneath the skin. something comes at the fence, something large and reptilian and fast. steve goes to meet it, turning it around before it can get past them.]

Maybe we should add some appetizers to that bet. Those little chicken wings are great.

ii.

[divulsion]

[Wanda is equally empty handed when she makes it onto the transport, but she knows that neither of them is without their skills. Being without weapons doesn't mean that they're not dangerous, and she's seen Steve adapt. Improvise. He may not have his shield but it doesn't mean he won't be able to hold his own against the monsters, especially when they're fighting side by side.]

No, but I imagine that some terms are universal. Transuniversal? I expect there to be claws, or fangs, inhuman features. But likely flesh and bone.

[Ultron's robots had been tougher, in some ways. Certainly more durable than humans. They would have said that the monsters were robots if they were robots, wouldn't they? Would have said if they were unusually armored or venomous somehow?]

Do you know how strongly they want them discouraged? Driven off or killed off?

.

[starspangled]

[she's right, he thinks. steve's noticed that some of the others have guns, crossbows, weapons designed to draw blood. he gets the feeling that they'll have their chance before the day is done.]

Let's start with driving them off. [they're all a team here, focused on the same goal whether they're strangers or not, but steve knows for a fact how effective he and wanda are when they work together.] If that doesn't work, we put 'em down.

[these monsters could also just be animals, malicious only because they want to eat and survive. steve wouldn't take any pleasure in killing them. but they still have to protect the people here.]

Think you'd draw too much attention if you got a little airborn?

[divulsion]

[Wanda nods at once in agreement. She's not particularly bloodthirsty, and if the monsters turn out to be no more than simple beasts she's not certain she'd want to slaughter the poor creatures off at the start. There's nothing personal in this, and for that reason it's easy for her to remain calm and steady as they travel to the outer wall.]

I won't know until we get out there and see what everyone else can do. But I don't mind drawing that kind of attention if it's somehow effective. [She looks around them, wondering which of them might have powers. If they'll lose their concentration to see her levitate or if they'll take it in stride.] Did you have something specific in mind?

[If he has a plan, some method of attack he wants to work in tandem with, then she's all ears.]

[starspangled]

[the portal has supposedly brought in people from all over, so steve would be surprised if wanda was the only one with powers. but he knows what fear and ignorance can do to people. he doesn't want anyone turning on each other. not again.]

If you could see where they are, what direction they're coming from, we could concentrate the bulk of our forces there. We could make the most of our manpower. And womanpower.

[he adds with a bit of a smile. he could almost feel the arch of a brow that nat and peggy would give him for that.]

ii

[anotheroldsoldier]

[Steve might have gotten on empty-handed, but the next person on isn't. He's got a handgun and what will be, to Steve, a very familiar shield on his back, both things Bucky'd had when the portal brought him here, because he rarely was without either.

He's here for similar reasons. To feel useful, to work out those restless feelings. He even tries not to be too awkward around a different Steve Rogers, one he hasn't known for most of his life. The question gets a bland shrug out of him.]

No telling. Probably your bog-standard giant monsters. Just go for the heads.

this is amazing

[starspangled]

[steve has seen wars and aliens and a.i. hellbent on genocide. portals. he's seen enough that he shouldn't be easily rattled, but seeing the shield on someone else's back wasn't something that he ever expected. and that's not even the weirdest part.

so he maybe gravitates towards the man more than he normally would. steve has questions, so many questions, but he also knows his priorities.]

Right. Sounds like you've already fought your share of those.

lmao yes this won't be awkward at all

[anotheroldsoldier]

[Working with the Avengers has jaded him. He's fought off an alien invasion, seen dinosaurs in the Savage Land, seen all kinds of abominations of science and nature alike. It's a strange, strange life he's lived. It's just as strange to think that this Steve maybe hasn't been around as much as his own.

And, in the presence of another Steve, one who doesn't maybe know the whole situation, the shield feels weighty on his left arm.]

A few. Not many, thank god. [He's fine leaving a lot of that up to the heavy hitters - Thor, Hulk, Namor.] You, uh. They didn't arm you? [Are you going to punch a giant monster, Steve. Really?]

[starspangled]

No...guess I should've armed myself.

[that's closer to the truth. he looks a little embarrassed by it now.]

I'm just okay when it comes to guns though. Figured it might be better to stick with what I know best.

[he takes a breath and faces the fence. yeah, he's gonna try to punch a giant monster. just watch him.]

ii

[wingedman]

[Sam just gives Steve a look because - come on, man, are you seriously going out unarmed against god knows what? What the hell did they teach you in the Army? Steve might be a super-soldier, but some things are just goddamn dumb, in Sam's opinion.

(Sam himself is kitted out in all his gear, which means he's got weapons to spare. He unholsters one sidearm and passes it over to his friend. Don't even try to turn it down, Steve.)]

I'm gonna guess that it's something nasty with too damn many teeth, but if there's one thing I've learned, it's that what you think you're gonna face is never what it ends up being.

saaaaam the most precious!

[starspangled]

[come on sam, you have the (mis)fortune of knowing steve rogers better than most, which means you already know the answer to that question. he hesitates at the offered gun before accepting it. it just doesn't have the same familiar weight to it, and the only option it gives him is pulling the trigger. he doesn't regret that he gave up the shield, he regrets that he had to.]

I wouldn't worry too much about the teeth. [steve smirks in the other man's direction, and that's always a bad sign.] I'm the bigger mouthful here. They'll go straight for me. Just make sure you take them down when they do.

<3

[wingedman]

[Of course he does, which is why he's making Steve take a gun anyway. For his own peace of mind, if nothing else. Sure, he knows Steve can probably punch one of these monsters - whatever they are - to a pulp, but that doesn't mean it'll necessarily be the best option.]

Who said I was even gonna get close enough to worry about the teeth? They'll be chasing after a dinner of grade-A dumbass. [Sam grins back at him, an answer to that smirk - a facial expression he's more than familiar with when it comes to Steve. It means that he's about to do something goddamn stupid, and Sam's just going to follow him and make sure he doesn't get torn into pieces. That's the goal, anyway.] Unlike some people I could name, I know when to keep my distance.

[starspangled]

[it's a compliment, sam. steve knows he can trust the man to have his back when he's doing something goddamn stupid.]

I guess that's one way of doing it.

[choosing an easier, safer option that's just as effective. what a concept.]

So what're your thoughts on this place?

[steve's eyes are scanning the horizon. but the tone and lowered volume of his voice suggests that he has his suspicions.]