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

[detia]

What about a Spanish restaurant?

[He's never tried tapas.]

I'll even dress up.

[detia]

"Barely, surely," he replies without even thinking. He might not be very good at the whole interacting with people thing, but even he's not about to say anything about a pregnant woman's weight and look. He doesn't have a death wish, honestly.

He offers her his arm anyway. "Let's go see if there's anywhere we can be terrible at dancing together."

[detia]

No time.

[He means it - there's so much to be done still.]

When everything's secured, I'll take a break.

[lushton]

I hope you mean a suit and tie, not something else.

[ Spanish-themed, for example. She would walk in and out of that date like Grandpa Simpson. ]

[uglyminded]

If you get hurt because you're too tired to function we'll have the same amount of work to do, plus getting you to safety and any first aid.

[diagenesis]

[He gives her a brusque nod.]

Ma'am.

LMK if this works!

[prisonking]

Don't put your shield through it!

[ Michael isn't a super soldier. He isn't even a regular soldier. The trek from the wall hadn't been easy. By the time Michael catches up with Steve and Bucky, his breathing is ragged and his legs are burning. He has to take a minute to bend over and catch his breath before his lungs will cooperate enough to let him speak again.

If Michael wasn't so wet, and cold, and already thinking of the task at hand, he would be embarrassed. Michael won't be running a marathon, or fighting a monster anytime soon, but, already looking at the box, seemingly devoid of clues, everything else seems to fade into the background.

This is his area of expertise. He doesn't even need to touch it, the positioning and reaction of the environment around the device tells him all he needs to know. ]

Conductive material, probably got fried during the storm. An electro-magnetic field could disable it. The downed shield generators, near where the second wall used to be, might do the trick. If I could start one up.

Only problem is, those... things. There's a bunch over there.

loki laufeyson, marvel-616

[ikols]

i. batten down the hatches.

[ 'You're supposed to be good with words, right? They're scared, help out a little.' So, here he is as some official or another walks away, leaving Loki with a small group of children to entertain. This isn't exactly my forte, he bites back, hoping the bolshy fella falls into the swollen river, but all the same ...

The rain is smattering hard at the tarpaulin under which the children have taken shelter while there is no one spare to return them to their homes. He ignites a green flame on his palm, which prompts a few squeals and coos, then laughter as he shines the resulting rainbows into the tent from the doorway. ]

Now that the Terminator is gone, who can tell me anything about the deadly yet fabulous Light Elves of Alfheim who harness rainbows into swords to fight off their enemies?

iii. hold your lover close.

Why, of course this is my [ BOYFRIEND/GIRLFRIEND, you decide, ] and I appreciate your dedication in sticking to the rules, my good bouncer. The shadiness of some is not to be taken lightly, eh?

[ Having flung an arm around your character, they can expect to be reeled in as Loki tries to lie his way into a couples' pool party. ]

Me and my darling heart, here, have been together so long I can barely recall our first date! What about you, lover?

[ His smile may be charming but his eyes say DON'T HECK THIS UP. ]

ii

[ikols]

Or human monsters.

[ Making that distinction as he turns his head, looking up from the golden sword currently getting cleaned in his lap. ]

Maybe they'll have more guns than you.

[ A pleasant observation, yes. ]

[burntbridges]

"You're very flattering." She giggles at that, taking his arm in a grand gesture. "I'm sure you're not as bad as you think... after all, dances are probably very different from what I remember..."

o n e

[amelioraate]

[ Maybe it's curiosity that makes Tony double back to see where the official was leading Loki, or maybe it was masochism, but something makes him stop hauling the sandbags to more strategic locations (seriously, they were wasting their time putting them near the river, but nobody wants to listen to him) and check in.

He is not making sure that the godling isn't in trouble (or making trouble) no matter what that stupid little voice in the back of his head might be chirping at him. Nope, just good old curiosity.

Curiosity that leads him to... story time?

Tony stands in the doorway, one eyebrow raised, as he watches green flames and rainbows entertain the children and--- seriously, who put Loki in the same place as children? How did that--]

Please tell me you are not telling them stories about Middle Earth because that would just be cruel. Though it might be enough to put them to sleep despite this storm.

[ Hope you don't mind company, Loki.]

[ikols]

I've never been to the Tolkien reality, sadly.

[ Shouldn't Stark be beating his metal chest over some hapless victims of the worsening conditions, heroically in the spotlight? On the other hand, it's not like Loki is surprised to see him slacking off when he glances over a shoulder. ]

No, we're learning about Alfheim, where rainbows are turned into shrouds that bar the rain for as long as both last. As so ... !

[ The rainbow in his palm is angled at the downpour dripping down behind Stark and upon touching it, the shimmer of colours intensifies; raindrops hit a translucent arc and the muddy entrance is provided with relief. Loki lowers his hand, self-satisfied, and the magical shield-wall remains. ]

[courtintrigue]

As volunteers rush to finish the beast off and attempt other creatures from taking advantage of the fence's weakness, she helps the woman up. The thanks offered is as unexpected as it is courteous, and she gives a slight nod of her head in acknowledgement. It may take her some time to get accustomed to the fact that not everyone here who is uncertain about or unfamiliar with what she can do will also feel constant suspicion about it.

Her eyes linger on the gun for a moment before returning to the other woman's face. "I have little experience with these weapons myself. Let us hope they were right."

She gets the impression that her new ally is not much of a fighter.

"I am Morrigan."

[amelioraate]

If you ever go there, you should raze it. I hate that guy.

[ Yes, he hates on a dead guy, what of it.

Also, excuse me? You are reading to kids and performing magic tricks while the place is about to flood. He is (was) carting sandbags to at least lessen the impact of the flooding. Beating his metal chest wouldn't do anyone any good right now, he wants to build a legion of

The engineer has his mouth open, something adequately annoyed and perhaps snarky about rainbow umbrellas when Loki angles the light and--

Well then. That's -- interesting.

Tony pokes it, curiosity on his face. ]

Shielding capabilities? Does it only work with rainbows or is it just light oriented influence?

[ He says light oriented influence because he refuses to say magic. Because S C I E N C E. ]

[ikols]

It's magic, stupid.

[ Might have some science behind it but it's Light Elf sorcery, who knows how those guys work their shit? He isn't going to debate it for Stark's benefit. Tony's hand will go straight through the rainbow shield with a shimmer, as if it isn't solid, and some of the bolder kids (forgetting about the incoming storm along with their fear) scoot around them to do the same, making a game of it when their fingers come back wet.

Loki stands with a hand on a hip, attention mostly on the other man sidelong save for when a small child starts painting a smiley face on his coat with rainwater. He pretends not to see them, continuing with his explanation to the others. ]

The Elves use the sugar-water storms to their advantage, blinding their opponents with iridescent beams from their shields and skewering them on sharpened gumdrop spears. If you get stabbed and try to pull away, the honeyed blade sticks to your guts and pulls them out for the sugar-ants to start swarming when you fall to the ground, eating you alive while you're inside-out.

[ A few kids pull faces, others laugh. It's the best storytime! ]

But nothing can get through the shields while they're up. We're just like that old saying, As safe as Light Elves.

All my friends are dead.

[prisonking]

[ Michael is already regretting his decision to come. Dancing is easy. Michael is good at patterns, and repetition. People are complicated. Less predictable. Everyone marching to the beat of their own drum.

There's one person in the room without a partner, a man, and Michael isn't altogether comfortable approaching him. It isn't because he's male. That, Michael could care less about.

He just can't get a read on him.

Even here, all he can think about is survival. The entrances. Exits. Who is wearing a weapon. Concealing, or openly carrying. Whether this man has hands strong enough to choke the life out of him, given the opportunity. At some point people had stopped being people, and started looking like predators or prey.

Michael watches him for longer than is polite, or necessary, before finally picking his way through the dancing couples and over to where the man is standing. He tries to soften the intensity of his eyes, alert, watching for the slightest hint of movement, with a smile. He stands with a soft spine, casual and relaxed, except for the tension in his legs. Always ready to run.

Really, just a tall, out of place young man, with a cool voice, looking for a dance partner. Unless you happen to know what a fugitive looks like. ]

Looks like I was late to the party. Are you waiting for someone?

[inthemoonlight]

Cecelia dips a curtsy, which feels slightly ridiculous while holding a weapon, but manners are manners.

"I am Cecelia Wynn. A pleasure to make your acquaintance, though I do wish the circumstances were better." She gives the fence a worried look. "All our efforts will be in vain if we cannot push them back enough to repair the fence."

[diagenesis]

[If is any one unassailable thing, one truth of the world that is held resolute, it is thus: like knows like. The man is not subtle about watching him in ways that go beyond interest in a dancing partner, and though James is hardly made uneasy about it, it does sharpen the intensity of his own scrutiny. He understands the vigilance but not its source, and what it means to look to all the places a man hides a knife.

He is not altogether unsurprised when the young man takes it upon himself to approach. James has assured, seemingly at random, that this engagement should take place with his back to the nearest wall. There are no old pirates by luck alone.

He is two men at the best of times. Flint watches like a wolf from behind wary eyes. James shakes his head with a smile.]

No.

[He says it mildly, not without a friendly sort of charm. Even so, it's a cold word. Isolating. The dichotomy does not seem to trouble him.]

Are you?

[prisonking]

No. I don't know anyone here. Thought I might meet someone.

[ Michael's first move is to be honest. Dancing is all about give and take. One step forward. One step back. Until someone bows out, or takes the lead.

His shoulders drop a fraction of an inch, and he turns to the side, not away, to look out over the dance floor. He's not that generous. Michael knows better than to turn his back, even if he'd had to learn it the hard way.

He looks back at him with a smile that reaches his eyes. His second move. Michael's always been more comfortable leading than following. ]

To tell you the truth, I don't even like dancing.

[diagenesis]

[His arms are folded across his chest, sleeves conceal the sunburnt forearms and their plethora of scars but his hands are worn, knuckles that have broadened from the breaking of the bone. For some, it's a defensive posture, reactive to some fell thing. For James, it's something he wears easily as he nods out towards the crowd. ]

I'm certain you could find a young lady keen to show you the ropes.

[It isn't as if he's unattractive. If anything, the look of him puts Flint in the mind of Billy, who could've had a lady in every port from Nassau to Havana if he'd ever been so inclined.]

[starspangled]

Let's go with the goulash.

[steve's fixed on something, a little stirring in the underbrush that could be nothing. or it could be something.]

I have the feeling I'll appreciate something more like a home cooked meal before the day is done.

[starspangled]

[steve hesitates. when most people think of him, they think of the shield, and vice-versa. it had been through a lot with him. this one isn't his, and taking it doesn't feel right.

but bucky's words make him reconsider, and he finally accepts it with a grateful nod.]

I'll make her shine. [the weight is familiar, almost perfect. steve glances up at him.] When we have more time, and if you're willing, I'd love to hear how you got this.

[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.]

[amelioraate]

[ You say 'magic' like that actually explains things.

It doesn't. In fact, it just makes Tony want to call it something completely ridiculous even more. But won't right now because-- well, that is a rather interesting version of events you are telling these children Mr. Silvertongue. Not that Tony is going to stop you from telling them about it, but he is going to have to actively try to hide a twitch of a smirk.]

Sounds like Candyland meets a gory version of Risk. Do they ride into battle on unicorns with horns made of candy canes, or perhaps semi-sentient clouds of cotton candy?

[ Tony is still poking at the rainbow though, he might even squat down a bit and pull out his phone (honestly, more like really tiny computer whatever) to take pictures and tries to get readings on the thing.]

[ikols]

[ Witness: Tony Stark unable to purely enjoy a pretty light-show. ]

The unicorns are extinct, their parts were last sold on the Midgardian black market, as far as I know.

[ BOOM, HAVE SOME FACTS SINCE YOU LOVE THEM SO MUCH. ]