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

iv

[usandthedead]

Rick is a problem solver, or at least he tries to be. If nothing else, he knows he can fight off just about anything so that the real problem solvers can do what they need to do. He's in the thick brush outside the walls trying to track the broadcast location when he spots the guy in the strange suit - flying - landing. Rick has seen lots of strangeness in his time, so it doesn't necessarily surprise him. It's the flying part that has him startled.

The guy lands and Rick only hesitates a moment before rushing past him to slam his machete into one of the creatures that was about to pounce on the guy. And another beast, Rick draws his colt and fires. Then he looks back at the man, blue eyes momentarily wild as anyone who's survived what he has would be, before they settle into something calmer.

"Probably easier by air. But if you're after what I'm after, I think we're close." He says, holstering his pistol again but keeping hold of the bloody machete that's become his weapon of choice.

[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.

[advanced]

[At least with the serum enhancing him the sandbags are really no issue to lift, and it's quick work now with two super soldiers on the task. The silence, though, is tense and awkward.]

You knew I was here.

[It's not really a question, more of a rueful observation. Of course he knew, Bucky's a fool for thinking he's been that stealthy with his attempts to keep tabs on Steve.]

[starspangled]

I knew.

[even if steve could lie, he wouldn't, not to bucky. there's still a little tension in his shoulders, because try as he might, he just can't predict his friend's reaction. it's not violence that he's worried about, he doesn't want him to run.]

I wasn't sure, not at first. [steve offers him a lopsided smile, one thing that the serum didn't change.] You're good. I thought I might be [wishful thinking] imagining things. Something that might make me feel a little more at home.

[advanced]

[He's honestly not sure if that makes him feel better or worse, at least Steve respected his wishes to remain isolated and didn't seek him out or run him down to demand answers.]

Seems like there would be better things for that than to imagine me.

[Like imagining the him that he used to be, or Falcon, or Widow, or Iron Man, or any of the other Avengers. He places the last sandbag on the wall and lets his gloved hand rest atop it as if to make sure it's secure.]

You should get inside.

[starspangled]

[he wanted to. he would've if he'd thought that bucky would do anything besides run. he's been chased enough. he would've if bucky didn't pop back up on radar every time he started getting worried.]

You think so?

[steve gives him a steady look, because he doesn't believe that. yeah, there are other people that he misses, and he knows that he's changed, knows right down to the gritty how and why of it. he read the folder, it's one of the things that keeps him up at night. but at the end of the day, it's bucky, and this is a second chance that he couldn't even dream of after they pulled him out of the water. ]

Not until I'm sure everyone else is. [which might not happen until after the storm hits.] What about you? Where are you bunking down?

[advanced]

[He's not surprised at the refusal. Even when Steve was this skinny little twig that would have been carried off by the first breeze of this storm, he still would have been out here until everyone else got inside. It makes his expression soften just slightly, not quite a smile but not so blank either.]

Don't know.

[He has a few places scoped out, but he needs to figure out which one is the least populated before he actually commits himself to it.]

I'll figure it out later. I'll help 'til everyone else is in.

[starspangled]

Wanna take a walk around and see if we can spot any loose ends?

[they are the super soldiers, after all, probably the best ones qualified to do a lot of things. and time is becoming more and more of the essence. steve tries to make it sound casual, logical. good strategy, nothing more.]

Unless you're afraid that the first strong gust of wind might blow you over. I'll understand if you are.

[with a hint of a smirk on his lips.]

[advanced]

[The tease takes him by surprise and for a moment all he does is stare, a long and blank sort of look. Steve always manages to surprise him, always had and always will, why should this be any different?

He breaks the look, gaze shifting down to his feet instead, before he nods just slightly.]

I suppose that wouldn't be such a bad idea. For a little while.

[automobile_enthusiast]

[His eyes narrow thoughtfully in response to that comment. He knows a moderate amount about humans, especially as regards their physical frailties, but he also knows not to underestimate them despite those.] You must be a resilient one, then~.

[Ooh, and she fires back! There were definitely some cybs of Knock Out's acquaintance who could dish it but not take it, but he does not count himself among them. He laughs, short and sharp, and grins down at her through the rain. He even leans down to wag a long, sharp-clawed finger in her face in a deliberate parody of a scolding human parent.] Oh now, don't you worry about me. This metalhead is more than capable of treating his own rust infections-- and that's if I were to develop one.

[He straightens back up, regarding her dwelling with a critical eye-- and then staggering as a particularly violent gust of wind buffets down the road, whipping rain and debris along with it. For the first time, his gleaming composure falters.] I don't suppose your piece of crap has a relatively stable garage?

[starspangled]

[for a little while. something in steve's chest starts to loosen. it's been years since his last asthma attack, but steve still remembers a similar feeling, when it started easing up and he could actually breathe again. it's a little bit like that. he exhales before taking that first step.]

So, what're your thoughts on this place? [this time, it's steve who keeps his voice neutral.] Anything seem off to you?

[advanced]

There's a lot they aren't telling us.

[That's an understatement and a half, but the answer is a wary one. He's not sure where Steve is going with it and so he keeps his reply vague on purpose.]

I've been doing some digging. Observing. Haven't found much yet.

benjamin holt ( original character )

[snarkbark]

i. monster madness.

[He isn't one to count the days, but he's aware that he's been a while now. It's the longest he's been away from his family that he can remember and that, in itself, is not easy. He misses them more days than not. He's sure everyone here misses someone, but he doubts anyone misses their loved ones like he loves theirs.

It doesn't occur to him that it isn't a competition. Who can miss who the most.

He misses them today especially as he nurses a gun and heads out to face monsters. He wonders what they look like, if they're humanoid like he is. Wonders how they feel, constantly trying to break in through the Quarantine walls. Vaguely, he knows most people are not thinking like he is about this. It's fine.

He turns, thumbing over the handle of his gun and leans in to whoever's next to him with a wry smile: ] Y'think they look like they aliens from Alien?

ii. hold your lover close.

[The first time Benjamin ever went speed dating, he went with his brother. It had been a game to see who would be able to tell them apart. It's not a game tonight: he wants to have fun and all these deals want him to is get drunk and maybe kiss someone. Mostly get drunk.

He slides into the opposite seat with a grin, hair tucked behind an ear. Tonight, there's something deliberately inviting about his smile. Something warm that might put whoever's in front of him feel at ease, or maybe even feel a little unsettled. Not everyone is comforted by Benjamin's Boyish Charm, but that's fine. He can't mind control people like his sister or his parents, but he can at least act a functional human being. ]

Hey, I'm Benjamin, [and, with a hand outstretched:] I like your eyes.

iii. choose your own adventure.

[wildcard it]

[usandthedead]

There's another fighter here; well, more of a survivor who's now a professional fighter in his own right. It isn't like fighting was a Grimes birthright or anything so epic as that. Rick's had the talent thrust upon him out of a necessity for survival. Such a human thing, isn't it? Not that Rick has ever been one to lay down and take it, whatever it is, but actual fighting? He'd never call himself, not before, not until the last handful of years where he's refined it into an art form.

So of course he's here at the front lines as well. He's here to fight to keep this place as safe as it can be. He's here because fighting is what he knows now - and without it, he feels just a little bit lost. He's almost thankful for something to attack, sad to say.

He sees the woman fighting as well and they seem to be close enough that they keep tackling the same groups when there are clumps of the creatures attempting to break through the fences. They fight within sight of one another long enough for Rick to know that the woman is friend, not foe, even if just in this. That's why when they get surrounded, Rick is sure to get close to her, put his back to hers as they circle around. Rick counts eight.

"Eight against two. Still doable." He says, head turned back so that she can hear him.

monster madness.

[barksnark]

Really?

[ He checks on his gun, looks around for any signs of activity that doesn't belong in a place of peace, and gives his brother a look. The Look. ]

Can't wait to get acid spit on your face or something?

[ Having said that: ]

And they're called Xenomorphs. Idiot.

[dust_of_life]

An important aspect of Arty's training regime was always 'awareness.' You had to be aware of everything, from the scent of the room to the color of your opponent's socks. You never knew what would end up coming in handy, later down the line. So it went without saying that Fatima took note of the beardy guy holding his own nearby. He didn't have any particular style. Probably not classically trained. But street fighting could be damn useful sometimes.

The process of the two of them coming together was slow. It only really occurred to her in drips and drabs as she dealt with the seemingly endless hoard as only a Merali girl could.

She was drenched in blood. All of it hers. Flowing from her palms and her arms and the bends of her elbows. The inside of her cheek. Anywhere soft and unimportant. She stabbed herself with her necklace. The tip of her knife. Occasionally her teeth. And with each new little pool of blood on the surface of her skin, another spell. She was favoring telekinesis today. Alternating between sending the critters flying into one another and freezing them in place for others to do away with.

But eight against two. Assuming they could each handle four, she'd still have to resort to some knife work for this.

She glancing back, flashing the beardy guy a devil-may-care grin. "Seems like unfair odds," she replied. "For them."

[snarkbark]

I heard it really rejuvenates the skin, you know? Like those venom facials?

[A small nudge of his shoulder against Will's, clearly not offended at being called an idiot. ] But okay, nerd. Ruin my groove with facts. Whatever.

[His thumb slides back down the handle of the gun, idle and distracted. He glances around at the others on the truck, at their pensive faces and quiet contemplation. He can imagine how they're feeling, which isn't almost as unifying as knowing exactly how Will is feeling right now. Sometimes he wishes he had their dads empathy, his desire to reach out to people. Sometimes he doesn't really want that at all. He isn't sure what he wants now. ]

ii

[rouxgaroux]

Easy enough to fix. [ Maybe she didn't intend for anyone to be listening, but this very tall and very broad man was standing right behind her by a few feet trying to figure where and how to best help out with the city under attack by rabid animals. He's a fighter, and a something other than human, but there seems to be plenty of those out and about. Too many super powered cooks in the kitchen.

What Alcide can also do is fix things. Back home, before his world went to shit, he ran his own construction company. Building and repairing things is one of the few things he knows he's good at where other super powered individuals might not be. He's quick to jump on that.

He looks at the teen next to him. ] Good eye. Short time, we need somethin' to prop it up, reinforce it. Long term, we can fix it once there's a lull in the attack.

[starspangled]

You know we weren't brought here by chance.

[over seven billion people on their planet alone, and the both of them managed to end up here? the odds are definitely against it. so yeah, he definitely has some questions and doubts of his own.]

I'd really like to get a look at what's beyond those fences.

[because of course he would.]

[barksnark]

[ William has a bit of a clearer image about it, and his nudge on his brother is both physical and mental. Their empathy remains strong, stronger than Diana's, which means they can upset or help each other just as easily, depending on who's more determined to make the other feel what. ]

You're starting to look like Diana with that frown. Relax, we're gonna kick some ass! Granny P would totally be proud of us.

[ She would see them dead for calling her that first. ]

[snarkbark]

Okay, first of all -- [SHifting in his seat, thighs parting to settle his gun between them. Comfortable, slightly slouchy. He lifts a brow, gives the kind of look William will recognise as the 'you're about to be schooled' look. It's nice, being able to communicate with a glance. It's even nicer to lecture people. ] Nobody can imitate Diana's frown. It's like, the ninth wonder of the world. Nobody can look that upset, ever.

Secondly -- [And this is the important thing, which he lowers his voice for. ] What she'd be really proud of, is if one of us manages to seduce a monster.

[advanced]

Not much.

[He's already been and ventured out, it nearly ended with him getting eaten by a monster. He doesn't mention that part.]

The perimeter guard don't mind people going out exploring as long as they accept the risks, I went out a few days back.

[barksnark]

[ Meanwhile, this guy over here is one beat short of scoffing at his brother. The so-called 'Granny P' has an impressive reputation in the seducing and monster department, but he's pretty sure they never went together.

Then again, this is Ben, and a lot of stupid comes out of his mouth.

He means that in a loving way. Maybe. No bromo. ]

Whoa, weirdo - keep your kinky shit away from my brain, I don't wanna have nightmares.

[starspangled]

Yeah?

[steve arches a brow, curious about what bucky found even if he says there wasn't much out there.]

Whatever it is that's going on here, they've got a lot of innocent people tangled up in it.

[the way his brow knits tight is more about that than the way the wind's picking up, but the latter's worth noting. steve steps a little bit quicker, his eyes scanning the area for any other people.]

I used to hate getting caught in the rain. But then, it always ended with me sneezing my head off for a solid week.

Bucky Barnes | MCU

[advanced]

i: batten down the hatches

[The storm has finally broken and all that's left to do is huddle inside and wait for it to pass before fixing the damage, not something that Bucky enjoys doing. He's been spending most of his time moving around to various empty buildings, or even sleeping outside, to avoid the vast majority of the population. So being trapped in a shelter with more than a few people is digging under his skin.

He waits until the last minute to slip in the door, dripping wet and causing puddles wherever he chooses to stand. He drops a bag to the floor, voice low.]

I brought food.

[Who knows how long they'll be trapped?]