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riverviewooc2017-02-19 07:56 pm
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
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!
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.
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.
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.
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!
Jason Todd | Red Hood and the Outlaws | Will Match
Yellow-green skies, Jason Todd is completely fine dealing with; it’s when the skies are burning a deep, angry red that he tends to worry. That’s when shit’s really hit the fan, he knows.
He can’t just sit and wait this storm out, though, and not do anything. It’s never really been the way Jason was built. Not during his earliest days, living on the streets in Gotham City, and certainly not now, after having been a Robin and the Red Hood.
Though he's been helping to weatherproof the buildings, he’s seen enough of storms and hurricanes to know that there’s only so much that humans can do in situations like this. Honestly, at this moment, he’d give anything for one of the many gadgets that WayneTech would be experimenting on - anything that could help the people around him. They’d already seen enough loss and suffering.
“Hey,” he says to the nearest person. “We need a plan B here.” Did they even have tornado cellars here?
II. Monster Madness.
Monsters. Predators. Fighting. Violence. These are things that Jason Todd is more than familiar with, more than comfortable with. For all of his life, it’s always felt as though he’s been fighting one monster or another, one predator or another. So when this opportunity comes along, Jason can’t help but jump right into it. At least he's in his element.
Thankfully, between Bruce, Ducra, and all of the other teachers he’s ever had, Jason’s fairly good with a small variety of weaponry. He’s chosen a couple of guns for this, though, guns having been his chosen weapon ever since he’d returned to Gotham City as the Red Hood. Still, he’s secreted away a couple of knives too, just in case he runs out of bullets or something.
“It strikes me now,” he says, “monsters. Did they mean human-sized monsters, or are we about to face off against like Godzilla and no one has warned us about that yet.” He holds up his two guns. “Because these might not be enough against Godzilla.”
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She's trying to be helpful because she's got experience with boarding up windows, but the fact of the matter is, usually...well, in her experience, trying to weaterproof for a tornado, anyway, is pretty much a wasted effort. It's either going to hit you or it isn't and there's no in between. Tornados are unpredictable and funny that way. Usually, the better plan is to get into a tornado cellar, if there's one available or, barring that, going to the basement or, barring that just getting away from all the windows and as close to the center of the dwelling as possible and pray to God that it doesn't matter anyway.
Caitlin looks over when a voice beckons attention and then mentions that they need a plan B. Yeah, that's no joke... "I was just thinking that. I only have experience with tornados, I don't know a whole lot about hurricanes and I assume that they're not the same but that we should be doing something to prepare for either," she says, chewing her bottom lip thoughtfully. "Um...what about a cellar or, uh, does this building have like a basement? I just got here a couple of days ago, so I don't...you know, know a whole lot more than what we heard in orientation but I think it's maybe time to abandon this effort and start evacuating people to a safe space," she says.
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"Honestly, my only experience with hurricanes comes from television," Jason says. "Then again, my experience with tornadoes comes from The Wizard of Oz and Twister." He shrugs helplessly. "You do what you can, right? Though my hometown has had storms before so...this should be cake." Though to be honest, he would rather be fighting a bunch of thugs or relaxing on a beach right about then.
He grabs the ladder and walks over to Caitlin, giving her an easy, welcoming smile as he does so. It's positively oozing with charm. He's clearly had practice smiling for strangers in an attempt to win them over. "I'm Jason, by the way. Hi."
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"Caitlin," she replies, "nice to meet you." He could've fooled her, though, she thinks; he seems to have at least some idea of what he's doing. "I wish I knew what the weather here is typically like so that we know even better how to prepare for it. Have you been here long enough to have an idea, or...?" she asks, leaving the question open-ended. "Maybe we should see if we can find someone who's a local if not. Maybe they'll know if there are any cellars or anything we should start leading people to, just in case..."
The last thing Caitlin wants is the weight of the loss of others on her mind because she didn't do everything she could to make sure that people were as safe as possible before the storm really hits them.
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"Moments like this, I really wish we could say 'there's an app for that' without any irony. Sorry, I'm pretty recent. Still learning the lay of the land. You know. If there's actually a land after this." Which there may not be, all things considered. Depending on how the weather went.
Seriously, where was the Weather Wizard when you needed him? Or his Earth-3 heroic counterpart.
"If hurricanes or tornadoes or - all of that - are the usual around here, they must have something, right?" He looks around and, when someone passes by, reaches out to tap them on the shoulder. "Hey, are you a townie or a - okay, not a townie." He waves the person away and licks his lips.
"For all we know, the locals all took shelter, and all of us here are the...transplants? Newbies? You know what I mean."
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In spite of herself, Caitlin huffs out a surprised little laugh at that. "Yeah, that would be nice, wouldn't it?" Her eyebrows cock just once as she looks around. Yeah...that's actually something they may have to worry about if the weather gets too bad too quickly…
"Yeah, that's what I'm thinking. If this weather is normal, it shouldn't be too hard to find adequate shelter. If there's a storm cellar around here, it shouldn't be far and it won't be hard to find," Caitlin replies.
Then she pauses, looking around, and chews her bottom lip a little. "Yeah, I know what you mean…and you might be right about that... You think these people have this handled? We could check for a basement and see if we can find a storm cellar," she suggests. "I just think it would probably be safer…"
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...that doesn't mean I'm turning into Bruce, though.
"I appreciate that," he laughs. "I think they're good. Two people less might not hurt them much - at least not if we can find some adequate shelter that helps, right? A storm cellar, a bunker, a cave filled with bats. Something. Anything." Jason surveys the room, his intense navy blue eyes sweeping over everything. The place they're in, the room leads off through a view different ways. He looks at the central of the three options and nods. "Maybe that way."
He still noticeably holds on to the hammer he's been holding, though, as they make their way to the doorway. They're in a new place, and he's weaponless. While he's more than capable of handling himself in a fight, he likes having a little back-up. Besides, in his experience, storms sometimes tend to bring out the crazies. It's better to be prepared, just in case.
As they had that way, he swoops down and grabs a couple of flashlights just sitting around, tossing Caitlin one. "Sadly, we're both lacking for night vision goggles," he says.
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II The monster mash
Ronan brushed his fingers against the raven on his shoulder, forcing her to hop and away from his ear.
The presence of the raven was not his only distinguishing feature. Ronan Lynch was, in polite terms, memorable. Eighteen years old, he was tall and had grown past the gangly stage of his life over a year ago, directly proceeding to the menacing snake stage. Everything in his posture, from the slouch of his shoulders to the tense rippling of his muscles to the snarling curve of his lip all formed the words in a sign that said: Don't fuck with me.
But maybe it wasn't just that. Maybe it was the buzzcut like the kind a military man would get. Only it was clear at a glance that the only document Ronan would have in the military's files would have the words "dishonorably discharged" underlined twice.
He shrugged, a slow roll of tightly wound shoulders that dislodged his raven. She squawked before alighting on his other shoulder.
"Hire a giant-ass gorilla."
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He studies the other man intently. He's a couple of years younger than Jason - rough, tough. The guy Jason could have maybe become if Bruce hadn't brought him in from the streets. The guy that Jason might have become again after coming back to life, if it hadn't been for Talia al Ghul, Ducra, and the All-Caste. Still, given a fair fight, Jason os fairly certain that he can take the other man. Not that he's there to fight the mother man right now.
His eyes tick towards the Raven and he raises an eyebrow. "Interesting pet you got there," he remarks. "Don't suppose you can send it ahead to scout out the area and inform us about anything?" Sure, the raven might just be a pet, but Jason's experienced enough weirdness in his life to know that sometimes, a person formed a telepathic connection with an animal. "Since you seem so keen about employing animals."
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"I never said shit about hiring something for myself. Chainsaw doesn't take orders." Well, she did, it was just that Ronan had an odd way of asking. But she could always refuse to if she felt strong minded enough. Being both a bird and Ronan's creation, that didn't happen often.
That's what he thought whenever he paused to consider it, anyway. He didn't like to do that.
"Why don't you use your two pets there," Ronan said with a jerk of his head to the guns in Jason's hands. "And these." He pointed to his own eyes then to Jason's. "They'll tell you a lot more than her."
"Kerah!" Chainsaw shrieked, helpfully.
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"Guns can't exactly scout ahead, kid," Jason says, finally. "They don't fly, they don't have eyes. Don't get me wrong - when confronted by the monsters, they'll do the job. I was asking for a scout ahead, that's all." He shakes his head. "Maybe lose the edge a bit. We're all on our own here. Keep it up, there's a chance that the only friend you'll have is your pet over there." Of course, this is where Jason's new acquaintance will undoubtedly tell him that the raven is all the friend he needs.
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In one sense, Jason was, undoubtedly, correct. In another sense, he was also, undoubtedly, incorrect.
"Just shoot the damn guns. Why bitch about it to me when there's fuck all my bird can do about it."
The wording was precise because Jason wasn't one of the people who was going to be privileged or burdened with the knowledge of what Ronan was. Because...
"I'll save your ass but that doesn't mean I want to be your friend, gramps."
He might have liked the snark coming from Jason if it were intended as banter or a taunt, but his nerves were raw. He did have friends. He had a-- fuck, it was both weird and thrilling to even think the word-- boyfriend. But they weren't here and without them, Ronan was unmoored.
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Maybe a little self-consciously, he runs a hand through his short, raven-black hair. There had been a white streak there when Jason had clawed his way out of his grave after being brought back to life, but the Lazarus Pit had done away with it - along with his all of his scars and everything else. In some ways, he'd become a blank slate. In others, he'd been saddled with way too much history. "I'm like twenty-two," he adds with a frown. Even Damian hadn't called him gramps, and Damian was the demon brat that hell had spat out.
Possibly literally, given his name.
"Don't worry, son. I don't do too well with friends anyway." Except for maybe a handful of people. Roy. Kori. Artemis and Bizarro, kind of. Sometimes Dick and Babs.
He looks out the window of the truck to see them approaching the fence, and he sets his mouth in a grim line. "Looks like we're almost there." His eyes tick back to Ronan. "You ready for this?"
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ii
"If we meet Godzilla out here, I don't think any one thing we're bringing is going to be the deciding factor. We'll just have to get creative." The answer is calm despite the very real possibility that they'll be in over their heads. They don't know what kind of predators are hunting in the storm.
"We'll manage."
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Whatever kind they may be.
He raises an eyebrow when the man speaks. There's something very calm, very sure about him. It reminds him a little bit of Bruce, but without that dark edge that he tended to have around him.
"We always have to, right? No matter the circumstances or the odds?" He offers his hand to the other man. "Jason."
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"That's what we're here for," he agrees. "Steve. I'm glad we have you here."
He can tell that at least Jason is experienced. He's calm when he talks about the monsters in a way that isn't bluffing. It's familiar. Steve likes that.
"Okay, we're here. And it looks like we aren't a minute too soon."
The area of the fence they approach is a mess, only holding together by luck and some frantic Perimeter Guards that are trying to reinforce the spot while fending off predators. Steve doesn't see anything he'd call a monster at first, but it is clear that the damage was done by something bigger than wolves or even a bear. Great. It was still there, hiding at the edge of the trees and waiting for a chance to charge when the Guard left an opening.
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Steve's grip, Jason notes, is strong, assured. Friendly, but confident. Amazing how much you could tell from a handshake.
"Thank you," he says, meaning it. "Hope I can at least prove my worth." Isn't that what he's always been trying to do, lately?
When they approach the fence, Jason kneels down, checking the bottom of it, looking for prints, so that they can get some sort of clue on what they might be up against. "I'm starting to wonder if the monsters might not necessarily be magical or mystical in nature," he says. "That was my assumption. But you know. Science. This could be something else entirely." He stands up and looks at Steve. "Just speculation, obviously. But the monsters must have a reason for attacking."
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"You will," Steve says. There's a promise in his answer. He's got Jason's back, because Jason is now his teammate. For this mission at least.
At the fence, Steve scans the wood beyond the border while Jason checks for tracks. He frowns at the mention of science, because that explanation makes plenty of sense. Experiments could be the source for unusual animals in a place called Quarantine. And he's never been comfortable with the idea of experiments. Not when the one that made him turned out so much destruction.
"You think they're trying to get through the defenses for a reason." It's not a question, and Steve thinks Jason just might be right. "They're certainly putting in a lot of effort if they're just scared animals. And they know how to weaken the perimeter."
Intelligent attacks. Not the random encounters with stray wildlife that Steve had been expecting at first. Even monsters wouldn't necessarily be this particular.
"Did you find any signs of what's been attacking?"
ii
[ The same way her magic always provided enough money for her first team before Loki died. Without the god's influence here, her power seems to be her own and she's eager to use it freely once again. Restocking a gun's chamber is easy, she doesn't have to focus on a certain type of monetary bill to put into a specific bank account; altering a simpler reality seems like the best stepping-stone for now, and this stranger presents the perfect opportunity.
Minus weapons of any kind (save a banging ensemble and hair-do, arguably), she rubs a bare arm self-consciously and appears entirely unprepared next to his small arsenal. Definitely the I'm A Sorceress And Left My Cape At Home type. ]
As long as you're a good enough shot not to hit me.
[ The wryest of jokes. ]
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Are you packing an arsenal of bullets somewhere?
[He doesn't sound rude or mean when he asks it, but there is a little skepticism in his voice. There are, he knows, ways that would help him not run out of bullets, but he's interested to hear what she has to say for herself.]
Believe me, I never shoot anyone I'm not aiming for.
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[ Holding out a gloved hand for one of them, her air is one of nonchalance. She wiggles her fingers impatiently and amends, ]
I don't want to do anything while you're holding onto it, you might get jumpy. Sometimes people freak out.
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Hold on. This isn't going to come with some sort of Faustian deal is it? Unlimited bullets for my soul or something like that?
[He's been around mysticism enough to know that sometimes, things just were not what they seemed.]
Not that I don't trust you, but if you're gonna get all magical with this, I just like to know the rules.
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No, but you can buy me a drink sometime. [ Both hands now spread for the gun, open-palmed and wiggling encouragement. ] The lady likes red wine, for the record.
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(ii)
He's not dressed for a monster fight like the others in the truck, and carrying nothing close to what this man has. It's no surprise when he scans him discreetly with his vision he sees knives in addition to those guns. ]
Those aren't armour piercing rounds?
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[ 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. ]