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

[causational]

I get that.

[The startled expression smooths out to something a little softer, a little warmer, just for a moment before he smiles. It's broad and unguarded, and he exhales a little pent-up breath.]

I'm mostly here because I need something to think about that isn't the storm. You know? The storm, and coming through a portal into some kind of crazy science fiction jungle city.

[Another deep breath, and he lifts his hands, idly straightening the leather belt he's wearing, tilting his head.]

I'm Eddie. Is there any event you're particularly interested in? We could go together. Platonically, I mean.

[divulsion]

[Oh. That is quite the smile. A bright flash of teeth that lights up his face and Wanda's at once struck by the fact that he really is quite handsome. It's not an observation that warms her or makes her feel awkward, but rather it just takes her by surprise. Her brain had processed it at once, but the smile added something more.

She's not looking for a date but she can appreciate attractiveness when it all but jumps up in front of her. Smiling in return, understanding entirely what he means by needing a distraction from the reality of this reality, she nods.]

I'm Wanda. And I was thinking of the pool party. I've never been to one and I thought it might be fun. If you're interested I'd be glad to go with you. Platonically.

[There would be less pressure that way, she thinks. It's already an adventure in itself getting to know someone as a friend, after all, and she'd like to be able to relax and enjoy herself.]

[causational]

[The fact that she's pretty wasn't lost on him either, though he's struggling a little with the concept right now. There's something about her smile that makes him think, instinctively, that it's something special. Even thinking it, though, makes a weird combination of guilt and relief twist in his belly.

His eyes go bright when she mentions a pool party though.]

I didn't see the ads for a pool party. I haven't been swimming in a long time.

[Giving a quick little nod, he holds his hand out.]

I would love to go, if you'll join me, Wanda.

[divulsion]

[It's simpler than she thought, arranging such things. Or perhaps she lucked out and met the right person for something like this. It could have been an awkward situation, meeting a stranger and inviting them to what was essentially an event for couples, but it's already incredibly easy to be around Eddie.

Pleased, she puts her hand in his when offered and nods.]

I'm glad.

[She pauses a beat.]

Though I think I'll need to make a trip to one of the shops in the mall here before we go.

[She lacks a swim suit and towel and well, basically everything she would have normally had back home.]

[causational]

[Eddie squeezes her hand, tilts his head toward the exit to the room they're in, relieved to be leaving without signing up for speed dating. It feels less like an admission of failure, of giving up on what he had with Iris. This is platonic. It's something he's doing to make friends, and it's a lot less overt, easier to swallow.

When she says she'll need to make a trip to the shops before they go, he laughs, the expression much easier than it had been before they agreed.]

Me too. I didn't exactly come here with a swimsuit on me, and I don't have one at my apartment either. Do you want to split up, or grab a coffee and go shopping together?

[divulsion]

[Truthfully, Wanda's glad to not have to partake in any of the speed dating either. It's not her style. Speed was always Pietro's thing and Wanda finds the prospect of meeting so many people so quickly a little alarming.

This is much easier. One person. One event. No pressure.]

Coffee and company for shopping sound perfect. Do you know of any shops that would have suits for both of us?

[She hasn't explored the mall, she's not the kind of girl that goes shopping often, so it hadn't exactly been a huge draw for her.]

[causational]

[Eddie smiles warmly at her as they head out of the area for speed dating, and when she asks if there are any shops that could have suits for both of them, he nods. Keeping her hand in his to avoid losing her in the crowd, he navigates out into the swarms of people moving through the hallways of the large mall, tries to ignore the howling wind outside the skylights as they move.]

Yeah, I saw a store that specialized in all kinds of swimsuits and beach gear. But we definitely, definitely need some good coffee first. Or at least I do.

[Offering her another little grin, he guides them across a courtyard and down a side hall, where he'd seen a nice-looking coffee shop earlier in the evening.]

This one looks like it has some good stuff. What do you think?

[divulsion]

[She notices at once that he doesn't let go of her hand. With Pietro, it was a source of comfort. An unspoken way to reassure one another that they were still there, still alive, still with each other. Their last remaining family member. With any of the Avengers she might take it in a similar way. A gesture of comfort or affection.

From a man she's just met, it's a little more complicated for. If they hadn't agreed to the pool party being a platonic affair she might have wondered. Wanda soaks up the sensation from that point of contact without comment, not wanting to prompt him to let go when it's been so long since another person held her hand. Instead she follows where he leads, across the courtyard and down a wing of the mall.]

I think coffee sounds perfect and I think I've been to another shop of that chain outside the mall. It should be good.

[She'll even treat him to their drinks since he's coming with her to the pool.]

How do you take your coffee?

[causational]

[It's not really clear to him, what it means when he keeps holding her hand - it's something he's only really used to doing with Iris, his fiancée. But it isn't like that with Wanda, and it isn't just to keep track of her in the crowd either.

Either way, it's nice, so he tries not to think too much about it. Tries not to read too much into it.]

Great. I am a total sucker for a good espresso. I usually go for a nonfat latté with lots of foam. You?

[A few steps, and they're heading down the side hallway, where there's less of a crowd. He doesn't let go of her hand, though, just holds on and keeps moving.

Definitely not reading anything into it.]

[divulsion]

[Wanda can't help but laugh just a little as he describes his drink, shaking her head.]

Just coffee with room for milk. Sometimes a sugar if it's particularly bitter.

[She and Pietro always seemed to be scraping by, and neither of them really had money to wait in line for fancy coffee drinks, at least not consistent enough to have a favorite. Black coffee and creamer is easy to come by, and they've both stocked up on extra sugar packets when possible.

Glad that she won't be left behind, she squeezes his hand and tries to stay close as he moves them forward.]

For someone who definitely needs a coffee break you don't seem to be lacking energy. [He's got a certain pep in his step, okay. She hasn't had to be careful to not fall behind with anyone outside a mission in a while.]

[causational]

[Eddie winces when she says she likes her coffee plain with a bit of milk, but it's a humorous expression, and he laughs softly.]

Ouch. You're definitely more hardcore than me.

[But he heads into the coffee shop with her, pulling her along gently by the hand, glancing up at the menu. She mentions that he seems energetic, and he laughs again, shaking his head a bit.]

Not so much. I'm still a little disoriented, you know? But I was cooped up in the hospital after I arrived for a couple of days, so I guess it's probably that. And, you know, trying to keep my spirits up.

[divulsion]

You were in the hospital?

[She never would have guessed. He seems light, unburdened, and not like someone who's needed time recovering from...what, sickness? Injury? Wanda wets her lips with the tip of her tongue, looking over to the menu there as Eddie tugs her along.]

And I wouldn't mind trying something else if you have a recommendation. I haven't really had much of an opportunity to try the fancier drinks...

[And yes, Eddie, pumpkin spice vanilla lattes and peppermint swirly drinks with whipped cream and half-caf something something or others are fancy to Wanda. Sorry.]

Coffee with creamer is just what I'm used to ordering.

[causational]

Yeah, just for a few days. I was injured when I arrived, so they brought me directly there. The level of tech they have here is crazy, at least compared to where I come from.

[They make their way up toward the counter, and he turns to smile at her lightly.]

I can think of a bunch of different drinks that are really good, but it all depends on what kind of flavours you like.

[This is nice, this is good. He feels a lot more at ease in this setting, with one person, with no pressure. And he's definitely finding himself interested enough in Wanda to sit and chat for a while without any trouble at all.]

What's your favourite ice cream? That would be a good start.

[divulsion]

[She's not opposed to trying something new, and while she's curious about the injury that he sustained and healed, she doesn't press the issue. Instead she thinks about her favorite ice creams, all generally basic flavors, and smiles. Shrugs.]

Most anything, but I think my favorites are...mm, strawberry, mint chocolate chip, and there's this other one that has a swirl of caramel and fudge? Oh, and rocky road, of course.

[Who doesn't love rocky road ice cream??]

What are your favorites? [Since they're talking about it.]

[causational]

Interesting, very interesting.

[He furrows his brows a little, taps at his lips with the forefinger of his free hand, as if she were a puzzle game, but he can't hold it. Ends up laughing softly and shaking his head a little.]

Alright. I know a great recipe for a mint chocolate chip drink, but it's cold and there's no coffee in it, so I think we could stick with caramel, chocolate, marshmallow, and nuts.

[A beat, and then.]

Me? I don't really judge. I love all ice cream. Except maybe vanilla. I admit, I like the ones with crunchy bits the best, though.

[A little nod, and he gestures toward the counter.]

Do you trust me enough to order for you?

[divulsion]

[A chocolate mint drink that isn't coffee based doesn't sound terrible, really. She once had a milk shake made with mint chocolate chip ice cream, on a hot summer day with Pietro. It had been delicious, refreshing even after the cup had gone empty.]

Of course. And I'm not opposed to a drink without coffee, if you think that might be best.

[May as well keep his options open, after all, and she wouldn't mind trying something new. After all, she'd never tried speed dating before and she ended up making friends she never expected to. Surely this was a far smaller risk.]

Will you tell me what you're ordering me or will it be a surprise?

[causational]

Let's make it a surprise.

[He says it with a warm grin, and steps up to the bar. And while she might've said that she wouldn't mind something without coffee, he ends up ordering her a mocha with almond flavor and marshmallow fluff. After they're settled in, it's a comfortable coffee date, they chat, and eventually head over to the pool party much more at ease with each other.

It's good. It feels good. Like maybe things are going to be okay.]