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

bryn zethir | original

[zethir]

[[ooc: app/history in progress here.]]

→ prompt i: batten down the hatches

[Bryn's not the sort to just sit inside and wait for the storm to blow over. Maybe once, she might have been when she was younger, but she's been through too much now to ever be the sort of woman to stand idly by while there's work to be done for the good of the community. Even if she hadn't intended to come to this community at all. While operations are already underway with the methodical moving and stacking of sandbags along the river, there are several buildings in the city that could use some weatherproofing as well.

Bryn, all 5'1" of her, takes it upon herself to start assisting some of the local businesses in weatherproofing their buildings. She's petite, but after her years in the military she's strong and knows how to pace herself. Armed with a two-wheeled cart, she starts stacking sandbags and takes them with her through the city, offering them to every business that seems to need a hand getting ready for the weather ahead.

After a couple of blocks of carting the sandbags around and lugging them into place, she stops in the street and reaches a hand up to wipe her brow. It's something of a workout, getting everything ready, but she understands the value of community effort which is why she does this without complaint. To no one in particular, she voices aloud:]

Anyone got a bottle of water or something on them?

→ prompt ii: monster madness

[She didn't want to be here. She wanted to be back home, safe within the borders of Askoupur. Oh, sure, she knew that if she were back in her own dimension, if she'd never been brought through the portal she'd still be tromping through the jungles of Rhevidjan, hoping to the deities that she wouldn't get caught by the enemy soldiers on her heels. It just doesn't change the fact that at least in that situation she'd only been miles from home. A definitive distance, one she could rationalize in her mind.

At least while she's here, she knows she can be useful. While she's waiting for a way to get home, it's easy to find a place for herself. The call goes out for help against monsters at the perimeter, and Bryn doesn't hesitate to gear up. She dresses, laces up her boots, and begins arming up. The dagger she straps to her thigh is more of a last resort than anything, but it's easier to get in place first than the belt around her waist that holds her kiirium pistol. The kiirium bangle at her wrist accounts for her sword, but she leaves it as it is, untransformed as she slips her worn leather jacket over everything. Assuming she won't need more than her weapons this close to the city, she heads out of community housing to find the nearest transport out.

Inside ten minutes she's seated in the back of a truck with others, looking out the window as they pull onto the road. When that ceases to hold her interest, she turns to the person sitting next to her.]

Haven't heard much about what's out there on the other side of the fences other than "monsters" and other nasty beasts. Heard anything different?

→ prompt iii: hold your lover close

[When it seems like everything's been done that can be done, Bryn has no issues settling somewhere inside for some down time. Rest and relaxation doesn't always mean curling up quietly or alone, however. Given a choice between peace and quiet alone and a social event, anyone who knows her knows exactly what she'll choose. The prospect of the pool parties and an all-expenses-paid lovers' night in sound best to her, but she's still getting to know the other people in the city which means her first stop is speed dating.

She takes time to clean up, dress up, and even accessorize before making her way to the Riverview mall. Once there, she doesn't hesitate to sign up, slap a nametag on, and make her way to the first available table she sees. Getting her mind off the storm by flirting with handsome men is hardly a fate worse than death, even if she didn't expect to go adventuring quite this far beyond the borders of her country.

Fixing the person across from her with a smile, and leans her chin on the heel of her hand, her elbow on the table.]

So, first thing's first. Are you actually looking for companionship or just a partner to go with you for some of those couples' activies they've been advertising around town? [It seems important to make that distinction off the bat. Some people are here to stay, here to build a life. Others are just getting by until they get out. Why start a friendship or more without making sure you're on the same page?]

iii

[detia]

[To say Adam's surprised by the sudden, very direct question, would be an understatement. He'd only shown up to the speed dating event because, well - he had nothing else to do.

At least, it was what he liked to tell himself. Truth was, back home, and here, he'd always been lonely. Isolated, on purpose. He never had friends - not true ones, not ones made by choice.

And now he was sitting across from a pretty girl, who was asking him - basically - about his intentions, and all he could do, at first, was stare and blink at her, before he got a hold of himself.]

Um. Is both an appropriate answer?

[He laid his hands on the table, wishing he was better at talking to women as he was. That had never been incorporated in his training regimen. Sure, he had some experience, but it also usually involved alcohol.

Alcohol made him a lot smoother than he was sober, and that was a fact.]

Not sure why anyone would feel the need to hook up before a pool party, but who am I to judge?

Lola Pacini | Degrassi

[threatenwithcuteness]

I. Batten Down the Hatches

Lola might not be, you know, very useful. She's a high school teenager, not even five feet tall, and cares more about coordinating outfits than higher mathematics. But she was basically a sugar high given human form, so she was busily running around the Quarantine making sure of how the supplies have been handed out. Making sure those that are lacking get what they need, and those who have an excess move their supplies to where they might be of more value.

She's more than a little proud of her cute little rain slicker outfit. Even if the heels are probably a poor choice in this state of emergency. Maybe you're looking for a way to help, Lola will direct you where she thinks they need help. Or maybe you're avoiding work, well, careful about that. Lola's got a mean withering gaze.

III. Hold your Lover Close

Lola, in spite of her energy and outgoing nature, is sadly very single. And so many of these activities sound like a blast! She'd love an overnight chance to show off her body in a swimsuit, or any of the nights of dinner and dancing and fun! So she's prowling around for cute lonely people that can take her out for some fun.

"Do you wanna blow off some steam?"

Clementine | The Walking Dead (Telltale)

[staystrong]

i.

[Ugh, of course this sort of thing has to happen while she's still in the middle of repairs. The place she's fixing up needs a lot of them too - there's a hole in the middle of the roof, for example. It's in a good location and once it's fixed up it'll make a nice place to live. She figured she could do a lot of the repairs herself but she didn't expect a storm of this magnitude to happen before she did.

Luckily Clementine already had tarps around. She figured she'd need them for various things, rain included, but this hadn't been the scenario she'd had in mind. It's careful work, covering up the hole and weighing the ends of the tarp down so the winds don't blow it away. Some parts she straight up hammers in. Better that than having a corner flapping around.

The roof is slick and it's hard to keep her footing. It only takes one misstep for one loose tile to send her tumbling. She lets out a startled cry, sliding down the sloped roof on her stomach. She manages to grab onto the gutter, but the rusty piping is another thing slated for repairs. It's already buckling under her weight, and with her house being two stories there's a bit of a ways to go before she'll hit the ground...]

ii.

[Clementine isn't used to fighting actual monsters. She's used to fighting the risen dead. It was easy to consider those monsters because then you could forget about the fact that they were once human. Walkers were just mindless corpses, all remnants of what they used to be long gone. They were relentless, but slow. If you didn't have to worry about being killed by one of their bites it would be a lot easier to take them out.

The one good thing about the monsters here is that they can't make any more like themselves. If you were bitten by one all you needed to do was clean up the wound and you'd be fine. But most of them were smaller than walkers, and Clementine doesn't have any special powers like a lot of the other residents here. In the face of this threat she once again finds herself feeling small and helpless. She hates that.

At least she has her gun.

She could leave this job for others altogether, but that's not her style. She likes this place and she wants to be able to help protect it. She has good eyes, keen senses, and can fit into spaces a lot of people can't. That's something, at least.]

There's a rusted support on that section over there. [She gestures with the barrel of her handgun.] That whole part of the wall will give if they keep putting pressure on it.

[zethir]

[Okay. So maybe that was a bit too direct, but with speed dating there really isn't a lot of time, is there? So why not make sure everyone's on the same track. She grins a bit at his reaction, the um, and nods in understanding. If he feels awkward, she certainly isn't noticing it, not when she's at ease enough with social interactions to take the weight of them on her shoulders.]

I had the same thought but for all I know they have activities planned for pairs? [She shrugs.] But both works, and it's my answer as well I guess. I tend to play things by ear myself, but I figured at the very least I might make some new friends, if not something more.

[And at a glance, he seems handsome, well over a foot taller than her but then she likes that in a man. It's only then that she realizes she skipped right past introductions. Straightening up, she offers out her hand. ]

I'm Bryn, by the way. Bryn Zethir.

i.

[automobile_enthusiast]

[The incoming storm was a palpable pressure on his sensors, a tingling electromagnetic itch that he had no way to scratch. Even without the dire predictions of the city's meteorologists, he would have known this was going to be a big one-- and like a caged animal in a zoo, it made him restless.

When he was restless, he drove.

Just as palpable as the storm about to break was the atmosphere of-- of altruism permeating the city. In his alt mode he cruised, his powerful engine rumbling and his sleek red paintjob gleaming in the fitful spurts of early rain. (He was very careful to obey local traffic laws and steer clear of the GroundTram cars still hurrying to and fro, carrying residents running last-minute errands or seeking shelter.) It seemed like everywhere he looked he could see organics in little groups, hard at work preparing the city while he rolled slowly past and observed.

Perhaps it was that priming that spurred him to act instead of ignore when he heard the cry. (Or perhaps this place was getting to him.) It wasn't hard to pinpoint the source, and he was already transforming fluidly from alt mode to root mood as he veered off the road and over to the residence. He positioned himself under the dangling organic-- human?-- and held up his clawed hands, cupped together.] Go ahead and drop. [His voice is deep.] I'll catch you. [He may not be as tall as he used to be-- don't let it get to you, Knock Out, not right now-- but he's still got more than enough height to help out.]

iii

[companero]

The breakup with his first real girlfriend had been kind of rough on Stiles initially, but he's had time to move on and, now that he's not wrapped up in the Dread Doctors, he's sort of in a weird place. It's finally hitting him that he's on his own and admittedly, he kind of misses the companionship. Malia was a little...unconventional in some senses, but it was still nice to have someone to spoon with — even if he had to be the little spoon — and he'd be lying if he said he didn't miss the other...benefits of being in a relationship.

Nothing drives it home more, though, than noticing that there's a ton of cool stuff to do to keep their minds off the oncoming storm, but just in case he'd forgotten how painfully single he is again, the catch is that all the cool stuff is only good deals in pairs and Stiles has nobody to go with.

So, okay, maybe he's sulking a little bit. ...a lot... He's sulking a lot, just kind of hanging off on his own and trying not to look like he's feeling the way he's feeling. The question is way more welcome than she probably realizes and Stiles smiles. "Hey...yeah, sounds good. Did, uh...you have anything specific in mind, or...?" he prompts curiously.

[keepitup]

◉ i. batten down the hatches

When he heard about the incoming typhoon and the various ways to volunteer, Ray immediately went down to the river to help sandbag the river banks. He knows his suit won't be of much use here, unless he simply wanted to use it to carry a heavier load. But the fact that doing manual labor like this has the potential to help this city reminds Ray to investigate building some type of shrink ray into the suit itself.

Sure, he can become smaller, but wouldn't it be nice if these sandbags could become smaller too? But then there's the problem of getting them back up to size again ... hm. He'll work on that.

◉ iii. hold your lover close

It's actually surprisingly nice, how many business are putting on special events just to keep everyone's mind off things. He's not exactly used to city's banding together in times of crisis on their own, and not only is it refreshing, Ray finds it admirable. It's what he'd been trying to accomplish with Star City after all, and see a community like this one really look out for each other ... it's ...

Let's just say Ray Palmer is really excited. Especially after all the sandbags he helped move yesterday.

But of course, there's a catch. It's not actually that bad, compared to what he thought he'd have to brace himself for, but oh god Ray is not ready to speed date strangers right now. But if he could just get a friend to play along, maybe the two of them could get an amazing meal and a fun dance class out of this.

◉ iv. solution

"IMPLORING ALL CITIZENS WITH AN EXPLORATORY SPIRIT."

Seriously, it's like this place is just leaving catnip around for people like him. This is when his suit can be useful. It'll keep him dry in the downpour, weather any surprise attacks by monsters or trees, and he can help figure out why the weather's been so haywire for the last three days.

Plus, Ray won't lie. Being about to fly really helps. At least, that gets him over the first wall really easily. The next step is to try and zone in on that broadcast location.

iii

[naz]

This place is beautiful to look at, Caitlin will give it that. The thing is, she's starting to worry that being here, as nice a break from everything happening in Central City as it is, means that she's not home to contribute the way she should be. Iris is going to die if they don't figure something out soon and the longer she's here, the more guilty she feels that she isn't home helping the team come up with a solid plan to prevent it. Then, of course, there's the whole inviting Julian to Team Flash and then not being there to follow up the way she ought to in order to make sure that everything goes smoothly — if it ends badly, that's on her, after all.

So all of the things that are being offered up to keep their minds off the oncoming storm are thoughtful, but they're helping Caitlin pull her focus away from her own sense of guilt more than the storm. However bad that storm is going to be, she's been through a lot of things that could prepare her for the worst. She's not worried about the storm.

The problem is that she can't even do most of those things because she's single — single feels less depressing than being widowed, even though she absolutely is — so when she sees a familiar face, a wave of relief rushes over her. This doesn't have to be romantic, right? They can pretend.

Caitlin makes her way over and clears her throat, tucking her hair behind one hear and she offers him a smile when he looks over at her. "Dr. Palmer? Hi, I didn't realize you were here, too. It's good to see you again," she greets warmly.

[keepitup]

When he catches sight of her, Ray has to blink an extra time just to make sure he's seeing correctly. Caitlin? His lips part easily into a wide grin as he turns to her completely.

"Dr. Snow, it's so good to see you. I just arrived a few days ago ... and I seem to have brought Star City's weather with me," he says, huffing out a laugh.

"Is there ... anyone else that you know here?" he asks, as casually as possible. Because if Cisco or Barry or anyone else is here too, she's probably got this pretend date thing covered, and he doesn't want to impose.

[threatenwithcuteness]

Lola's smile is electric at Stiles's reaction to her invitation. He hadn't even said a specific yes, but it was enough of one. She just wanted fun, everything was so serious and there wasn't a lot she could do about it. But fun, fun she was very good at.

The question was which fun was the right fun, "Um... that overnight pool party seems like fun. I haven't gotten to break out any of my swimsuits lately. But there are five different restaurants offering deals that I have literally been dying to try!" There wasn't a specific desire one way or another, anything that was fun and involved people would have her full attention. And she could pick out an outfit to really feel her best no matter what she did.

She's easy, this let's Stiles make the call.

[naz]

"Me too," she admits. It feels like forever because she's drowning in guilt, but in reality, it really hasn't been more than three or four days. Long enough to need a distraction, anyway. It's been a short while since the Dominators and seeing the Legends, but it's still nice to know that she isn't completely forgettable. All things considered, she had pretty minimal contact with Dr. Palmer; Cisco mostly helped him out with his suit the first time they'd met and then he'd been working with Teams Arrow and Flash, plus Supergirl last time. Caitlin usually spends her time with Felicity in these instances.

So, she would've been understanding, if not a little hurt, if he hadn't remembered her name. Because he does, she beams back when she continues, "don't feel too bad. I'm willing to bet you're not the only person who 'brought' bad weather with you," she finishes, looking and sounding amused at the idea.

Caitlin shakes her head in response to his question. If he's trying to be casual, it's working, because she hasn't noticed anything uncomfortable about it. "Oh...uh, no. I don't think so, anyway. I haven't seen anyone yet, until now you." she asks, her eyes shifting slightly away from his face to look around the general vicinity, looking for any of the other Legends or Felicity. They're not still together, she knows that much, but she hadn't gotten the impression that it was a really terrible breakup or anything, either. Then again, she and Felicity aren't that close. Maybe it was. Her eyes move back to Ray's face. "What about you?"

[companero]

Oh God, no. Not the pool. Stiles isn't completely uncomfortable in his own skin or anything, but you try being the lone human surrounded by a bunch of werewolves. It does tend to give a guy some body image issues.

But on the other hand...girls in bathing suits is, like, never a bad thing. That said, she gives him an out without probably realizing she's giving him an out to the internal battle of should he/shouldn't he agree to the pool party. Yet. In any case, she's brought up food and food is always a green light. "Oh, score, really? I hadn't actually looked at all the deals, so I hadn't thought about the ones for food."

He grins back and nods more to himself than necessarily to her. He holds his arm hooked out at his side for her to take. "Shall we get some grub first, then?" he asks.

[keepitup]

"Oh, no," he says, eyes widening to stress the point, "I haven't seen anyone. Honestly-" he starts again, this time with a slightly embarrassed laugh, "-given what they told me about how people get here, I didn't think anyone I knew would ... be here."

That feeling of being displaced, or in Ray's case, a little more like useless — well, it had stung. Apparently, it'd hurt him enough to catch the portal's attention, and if he was really being honest here, Ray doesn't mind it. He doesn't even want to go back, not if he can make a real difference here. And with the company safely in Felicity's hands, there's nothing left for him to worry about.

But anyways, Caitlin's answer just now opens up a lot of possibilities, and since Ray's never been a shy person, so he takes a breath and just asks.

"Hey- these fliers everywhere-" He pulls one off the billboard he was just reading, and flips the page towards her and holds it up in front of his chest. "Any chance you'd be interested in doing some of these things with me? Purely platonic," he assures her, "but I promise, I can be very good company."

[naz]

There's something so...animated about Ray and Caitlin finds herself wondering absently whether that's part of what drew Felicity to him; he's like the anti-Oliver or something. None of her business. Never mind. His comment has her taking in a sharp, deep breath and she nods. "Yeah..." she replies, slowly drawing out the word almost to stall. "...I thought about that, too. I didn't expect to see anyone I knew, either." She's been feeling a little useless herself, lately. Okay, she staved off Iris's death with Killer Frost's powers, but she almost lost herself and Julian had to reel her back in. The only time she's been really useful in a way that no one else on the team could've been and she couldn't even keep herself under control to do it right without help. That thought must've been the reason she'd been brought here.

A part of her wants to ask what happened to make Ray feel that way, but then she would be opening the door for him to ask her the same question. So...she'd rather not.

Her eyebrows lift with interest when he starts to change the subject and she smiles, cheeks coloring a little as her nose wrinkles with sheepishness. "Confession: I actually came over here because I was going to ask you the same thing," she admits, catching her bottom lip between her teeth for a second before smiling apologetically. "I would love that, is what I'm trying to say. That sounds perfect. Did you have one in mind? I was thinking that the overnight pool party and the dance lessons sounded like fun, but I'm flexible," she offers.

[staystrong]

Drop?? I can't just - oh fuck.

[Clementine starts to question the voice before she even turns to peer at it through rain soaked bangs, the hood of her poncho partially obscuring her view. That she hadn't even heard something that large approach through the sound of the storm is more than a little disconcerting.

She's talking to a giant robot, and that same robot is insisting it'll catch her. Is she supposed to trust that? Her choices are limited, of course. It's either that or tumble to the concrete below. This option at least gives her a lower chance of dying. Hopefully.

The choice is taken out of her hands as she feels the gutter bend further under her weight. If she'd been a full grown adult she would have broken it off already. She lets go, gripping onto a couple of the robot's fingers as she lands just in case this surface also proves to be too slick when wet.]

I hope you don't get any wild ideas about throwing me now.

[threatenwithcuteness]

Lola shrugged, it was his loss. Lola was cute in a bikini. Lola wasn't shy, or unaware of what her assets were, and she took pride in her appearance. But if he didn't want to swim, there were plenty of reasons not to want to swim. Plus, food was always a good choice, provided nobody was allergic to anything.

"Yeah, but they do require it to be a table for two," That was the theme, apparently. Lola wasn't sure why that was the theme. It didn't really have much to do with the storm outside. "Some of the places want a picture of a kiss, though. We can... skip over those deals."

[keepitup]

Haha, anti-Oliver. If only Caitlin knew how anti-Oliver he'd been at the beginning. But they'd worked that out, he thinks, even if it was after some ... admittedly amateur attempts on Ray's part to apprehend him.

He wonders too, about her, and what led her to get transported here from Central City. The last he saw the team, they'd worked so well together ... and when it comes to hero stuff, Ray's always loved team-ups more than flying solo. Even if that had been the opposite to how he likes to run companies, until he met Felicity. But that's- Ray knows that's over now. She'd never really been his to begin with, even if he loved her.

When he hears her confession, Ray's open-mouthed grin is back, and he pins the paper back onto the board.

"Well in that case, I... definitely wanted to go to the dance lessons. Maybe we can get dinner after, so we can be all fueled up for the overnight pool party. What do you think?"

The pool party hadn't been something he thought Caitlin would be interested in, so it surprises him a little, but Ray is more than happy to roll with it. Because when it comes down to it, he knows he doesn't know her that well. They'd only worked together once, and even then, most of his work was with Cisco.

[companero]

"Well, yeah...I mean, I got that, but that's okay, right? Table for two?" Stiles asks, faltering a little, because he'd kind of gotten the impression that that was the point of her asking whether he wanted to blow off some steam. Now he's wondering if he's mistaken and feeling admittedly kind of stupid about it. "...or no?" he adds because he might as well clarify right now before he ends up looking like an idiot.

Although, if these places want photographic proof that...could be awkward, so he's kind of okay with glossing over those places if that's what she'd rather do. She's cute, though; it's not like he'd object to a quick kiss selfie for the purpose of getting into a really cool place to eat. "Yeah, that's cool, whatever works," he replies. "Should we, like, close our eyes and point to a flier and see where that takes us?" he suggests, because he hasn't been here long enough to have been to most of those places; he doesn't have a preference, but he also doesn't want to force her to make all the choices in this scenario just because he's used to Malia doing it. She's not Malia. Malia is over. That's done. Time to move on.

[naz]

The way he grins back at her is a relief because it makes her feel a lot better about the confession that she'd approached him specifically for the purpose of finding someone familiar to drag along to these events.

While a pool party is something she wouldn't ever really be all that interested in back in Central City, neither are dance lessons, but she isn't in Central City and if she only lets herself stay in the comfort zone, she'll never stop thinking about Central City, either, which would make this whole attempt to distract herself completely moot. So sure. Pool party with Felicity Smoak's ex-boyfriend. Why not?

"That sounds perfect," she replies with a warm smile. "I was looking at some of the restaurants but I haven't actually been to any of them yet...are there any you've been to that you can recommend or want to avoid...or should we just wing it?" she asks, eyebrows lifted with curiosity. Then, she thinks better of that question. If she's going to try to stick to things she wouldn't normally do in Central City, then making plans ahead too meticulously is out. "Actually, let's just wing it," she says before he can answer. "Dancing, dinner, swimming. Makes for an interesting purely platonic endeavor," she laughs. Because it kind of sounds like a date. ...there's no kind of. It sounds like a date, but she supposes that's the whole point of the things; she and Ray are just circumventing that whole angle, that's all. "Should we go now?"

[keepitup]

Ray can't help but notice the way she relaxes a little when he grins. It smooths his smile into something a little gentler and less goofy, because he's not here to make anyone feel nervous. He got plenty of experience doing that while he built Palmer Tech, and look where that got him: displaced on a planet in an alternate universe. Not that that was bad, but Ray just wants Caitlin to feel comfortable tonight, as much as possible. After all, step one to pretending like you're a couple is to not seem tense.

He's actually contemplating which restaurants he's actually been too — there had been that one on the first night — when she changes her mind, and Ray is more than happy to agree. "Winging it sounds fantastic. Though, honestly, if you're planning on staying here, I'd love someone to explore the neighborhood with. While I do find eating alone to be awfully under appreciated, I'd much rather try things out. With a friend." He adds that last part on as an addendum, but it's not less genuine.

"Aaaand what? Pfssht. Purely platonic," he repeats playfully. "And you know, we'll just have to pretend the whole time like we're dating. I can't imagine that'd be terribly difficult."

He doesn't mean to imply anything specific besides what his last sentence literally means: that it doesn't take a lot of skill to pretend like you're dating someone. But reasonably speaking, it's also possible to interpret it as him saying that he could easily see them being together.

And since they're going on such a fantastic non-date together, Ray takes a step towards her, pivots and holds up an arm for her to take. "Let's." It only takes him a few steps though, to start talking again. "I think it'd be fun if we came up with some kind of backstory. Like ... how did we first meet? What's your favorite food? How many years have we been together? Hmm ... I feel like three months is a good answer to that last one."

[naz]

Okay...Caitlin had noticed a long time ago that Ray is an attractive man. She'd have to be blind not to and, if she remembers right, she complimented Felicity on her taste the first time she met Ray. But all of that aside, she can still see what her acquaintance had seen in him. Ray is genuinely a nice guy. She can see the way that his grin softens when he can tell that she's relaxed. His enthusiasm is almost contagious. Most of all, he seems genuinely interested in spending time with her as a friend and, to Caitlin, that translates to not feeling obligated, but still feeling inclined to keep her company in a new place, something which Caitlin can't even try to deny is a really big relief. Going it alone had seemed kind of scary, if she's being entirely honest with herself. This? This is much better.

One thing she does not allow herself to do is read into his comment about how easy it will probably be to pretend that they're dating. He probably doesn't mean anything by it, anyway, so overanalyzing it is just asking to make something that could be a lot of fun into a night full of awkward pauses and unwitting mixed signal interpretation. Nobody needs that. It does, though, make her laugh a little. "We've totally got this," she assures him in a mock serious tone that the little smirk on her face absolutely betrays.

She laughs again, in good nature, when he pivots and offers his arm before happily looping her own through his, her head held high with a genuine smile on her face. Okay, whatever this ends up being, she's pretty sure fun is going to be at the top of her list of descriptors. Already, she can tell Ray is going to be incredibly easy to spend time with. Maybe he's onto something with the ease with which he seems to think they can fake this, after all.

"Ohhh," she says thoughtfully, giving a thoughtful facial shrug. "Okay, we're just going all out, then. You should probably know that the last time I tried to roleplay, Cisco and I nearly got ourselves killed, but this will be decidedly easier, so just kind of bear with me here," she says, only half-joking. "Best to keep the backstory close enough to reality that it's easy to keep straight, so...we met through a mutual friend," she offers lightly. "Favorite food...hmmm, I'm really partial to Big Belly Burger but that doesn't sound very classy..." She pauses. "Three months or three years? Don't confuse me, now," she points out. "I could go for either. Favorite food...let's just go with Thai. It's classier than fast-food, but still accurate. What about yours? Do we live together back home? Or haven't we crossed that bridge just yet?"

[threatenwithcuteness]

"A table for two is fine, the kissing is fine too if you're fine with it." Lola smile weakened as the conversation took a bad turn. She liked people, anyone she could make friends with she'd try to befriend. And cute boys, of course, were the best sort of friend you could make. Cause they could be more than friends at some point. But she was aware that there was something up and she didn't want to be too... pushy. She was trying to be normal, which isn't really her speed, so she's not sure how to do that.

She was good at standing out.

As to how to pick which place to go, that... honestly she wasn't sure. She was a lot better at calling the shots with girls than with dates. She tried, for various reasons, to let the guy take the lead and see where it took them. "If that's how you want to choose, sounds fun!" Not the most orthodox of ways to pick where to go, but certainly more entertaining than arguing over it. Let fate decide, fate was usually good to her.

[detia]

I've never played things by ear, so I guess it's... [He pauses, unsure. A new start? A new life? Hope? He's jumped into something new and strange without hesitation, but for what? To feel like he belongs?

No.]

A chance. I guess it's a chance. [He smiles, a little crookedly, to try and hide how awkward he feels. He shouldn't - he's a soldier, he's trained for leadership. He can talk to a pretty girl.

Then she mentions friendship, and his brain halts again, for a second. He shakes his head, still smiling.]

You know, it'd be nice to not be completely alone all the time, here. [Nice change of pace. He takes her hand, shakes it firmly, but careful not to grip too tight.]

Adam.

Adam | Lazer Team

[detia]

i. batten down the hatches

[Adam can't remember when the sun began setting. He feels like he hasn't slept in days - muscles aching as bad as after a day of hard training, hands grimy and sweat making his shirt cling to the small of his back. But he keeps going, hauling bags of sand to the riverbank, nailing planks to windows, carting food and water to buildings.

Organizing the rescue isn't something he's felt comfortable with - he's a strategist at best, but for fights, not to help. But he couldn't stay idle, sit with his thumbs up his ass and wait for the work to be done. He was the Champion, after all, raised to save the whole world. He wasn't about to stay behind; he couldn't.

But the tiredness was taking its toll on him - movements more sluggish than they'd been in the morning, vision going sometimes blurry when sweat falls into his eyes. He's not paying enough attention, which is how he ends up crashing into someone else, falling back a step or two, and dropping the sandbag he'd been holding over his shoulders, hands outstretched.]

Sorry, sorry! Didn't see you there!

iii. hold your lover close

[This is stupid. He should be out trying to prevent extra damage, but the doors have been locked, everyone asked to remain indoors. Still - it's definitely stupid, that he's finding himself at this speed dating event. He knows he looks awkward, all 6'2'' of him shifting from foot to foot as he waits at the bar for a drink. The nametag with his messy scrawl reading Adam is stuck just above his heart on the grey henley he's decided upon, and he knows that if he really wants to do any of the activities advertised around, he's going to have to go and sit down, talk to someone.

Talk to someone. That really isn't his specialty. But - fine. Some Dutch courage should help, and he downs the straight vodka he ordered just a moment ago, managing to only wince a tiny bit. Taking a deep breath, he approaches the first person he sees, and, putting on his best smile, he holds out his hand as he smiles.]

Hi. I'm Adam.

iv. solution

[The rain is coming down hard, sheets and sheets of hard, cold water that makes visibility difficult. Adam shakes hair out of his eyes, water falling in rivulets along the sides of his face, and he clenches his jaw, tightens his slippery grip around his gun, before turning around to the small ragtag group they've assembled.]

City's this way! [He has to yell over the howling wind and loud patter of the rain hitting the group, but he points to the blurry outline of buildings, indicating the Abandoned City, making his point as best he can. They're almost there.

He starts walking again, taking the lead, but stops dead in his tracks only a moment later. In front of him, growling, obviously rattled and looking ready to pounce, is a mountain lion.]

Shit.

((ooc: I'll match brackets or prose!))