riverviewooc | riverview: test drive meme

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meme: test drive

riverview: test drive meme

riverview test drive meme

Welcome to Riverview's 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 April 1st.
● Providing all parties are amenable, threads on the test drive meme can count as game canon, as the plot in the prompts presented is game canon.
● TDM threads do not count for Activity Check, but they do count for Activity Bonus Points, so long as all characters involved are accepted into the game.
● Since this particular TDM is plot-heavy, current players are welcome to do their own top-levels to interact with the plot. However, since it is still a TDM intended to help potential new players get involved, there will be a special additional +25 Activity Point bonus for any thread submitted by a current player that involves a potential new character rather than focusing on existing CR, for this TDM post.

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. Thanks to player-created plots, this month's Test Drive is set to effect the game setting for the next few months, so please enjoy!

information resources
premise ● arrival ● setting ● ask a question ● calendar ● navigation

plot overview

After just over a week of increasingly serious blackouts and brownouts around the city, the team in charge of the structural integrity and defense of the wall has found the source of the problem, and posted a network entry explaining that the issue is caused by a large quantity of lizard-like monsters that have compromised the underground infrastructure of the city, and requesting volunteers to help do a full-scale manual extermination of monsters and assess the damage and do urgent repairs.

prompt i: a call to arms

The most urgent request presented is for people to help clear out the monsters in the underground tunnels - and there are a lot of them! With estimated monster numbers in the area of 500-1000, ranging from adult to juvenile, there's a lot of work to be done to clear out the underground infrastructure of the city. The Perimeter Guard will have a steady stream of transport trucks going to escort any fight-capable residents who want to volunteer out to the tunnels. They will also provide weapons of various varieties as well as short training sessions on how to use them safely in a confined space for anyone who doesn't have their own.

Whether you fight with a weapon, your fists, magic, or poison darts, your help is more than welcome down in the tunnels. The only real request is to keep seismic or explosive abilities or attacks on the mild side, and to be careful not to poison the city's water supply! Other than that, go wild.

prompt ii: into the depths

Clearing out monsters is all well and good, but they have definitely done some damage to the city's infrastructure. So it isn't just the brawn that needs to step up to help the city, it's the brains. There's a call for anyone with any kind of special ability that would help with emergency repairs. Whether it's engineers, chemists, anyone with first aid, runners to distribute supplies, or any other special ability that would help out in the underground tunnels and fix some of the damage that's been done, anyone is welcome to help. And if you think it's just scientists who are needed, think again - magic is a well-known if not-well-understood facet of life in Riverview Quarantine, and some of this stuff works on a more arcane level than a mundane one.

And, of course, all of these brainiacs are going to need a little backup, so any bruisers to act as escort and protection are also welcome.

prompt iii: trapped in a...

Not everyone has the skills or desire to head out into the jungle and fight for the city, and that's perfectly fine. Inside the Quarantine walls, life is carrying on as normally as it can. That is, aside from the ongoing blackouts.

Wherever you might be in the city, you run a pretty decent risk of getting trapped somewhere for a short period of time. Whether it's trapped in an elevator, a tram car, a store, the housing you share with someone you barely know, or anywhere else in the city, it could happen to you. This could be the start of a beautiful friendship or a meet-cute to tell your grandkids about...at least, that is, if you get along with the person you're stuck with...

prompt iv: friendr/network

Whether your character is posting up a silly word game to distract people from the dangerous mission going on, trying to get hold of a friend, or putting out feelers for people to go out into the fray with, the network is going strong.

Alternately, an offer for a new, free app is popping up on people's devices - Friendr is a friend-finder and/or dating app. If characters choose to install it, they will fill out a short bio and parameters for what they're looking for, upload a snap of themselves, and then proceed to browse for matches. This is a typical swipe-left-or-right type app.

Code to post your character's bio is in the textbox below, or you can just do a text version of the information in the app. An example of how it looks can be found here.

<center><blockquote style="width: 220px; margin: 0; padding: 0px; background-image: url('http://i42.tinypic.com/2uf53s4.jpg'); font-size: 12px; font-family: verdana; border-radius: 20px; text-align: center;"><div style="padding: 10px 0 0 0; text-align: center;font-size: 25px; font-weight: 900; font-style: italic; color: #528887; text-shadow: -2px 2px 2px rgba(150, 150, 150, 1);">F<span style="font-size: 16px;">RIENDR</span></div>
<center><img src="ICON URL HERE" style="border-radius: 50%; width: 70px; height: 70px; box-shadow:-3px 3px 2px 0px rgba(82, 136, 135, .75);"></center>
<center><div style="width: 210px; background-color: #528887; color: #fff; padding: 5px; font-size: 14px;">Name of Character</div></center>
<center><div style="width: 210px; background-color: #528887; color: #fff; padding: 5px; font-size: 11px; text-align: left;"><b><small>AGE:</small></b> ##
<b><small>INTERESTED IN:</small></b> Male/Female/Any
<b><small>SEEKING:</small></b> Type(s) of Relationship(s)
<b><small>ABOUT ME:</small></b> Blurb goes here, can be as long or short as you wish.</div></center><br>
</blockquote></center>

Many thanks to

mistojen for coding this especially for Riverview!

prompt v: wildcard

Choose your own adventure and do something else in the setting!

navigation

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[And Tony is just going to watch Steve's rippling muscles as he strains to open the doors. It would have been better if he was wearing something more skin tight, but still...

It's a really great view.

Anthony pads back to him to see what holds his attention so thoroughly and Tony covers the boy's eyes to protect his innocence.]

Not until you're older.

[Steve hears Tony talking, but he's concentrating on getting them out of the elevator so he doesn't ask who it is to. When he finally does force the heavy doors apart with a creaking metal groan, he turns back and offers the man his hand.]

Come on. We're leaving.

[Today is his lucky day. He doesn't get to watch nearly as often as he'd like to and now he's getting front row seats as well as a hands on experience. As Steve helps him up he feigns unsteadiness to hold on for a little longer than necessary.]

Why didn't you do that in the first place?

[He's meant to be the last resort.]

[Steve pulls Tony up and leads him out of the elevator. The slight stagger does its job and he makes sure to keep hold of him, concerned that he might fall.]

Why didn't you just fix the doors?

[It's a gentle retort. Since Tony won't or can't fix the problem, Steve had to turn to different means.]

If we go to the source, will you fix the power there? You said we can't resolve things from here, but you can repair the damage done to the power lines, right?

[Obviously this means he's going to take Tony to the tunnels.]

[Tony would always follow Steve's lead, even this strange Steve who was being really civil and polite. But it begged the question why? He's not used to this kind of treatment and it shows in the way he hesitates.]

I could, but why would you want me to?

Because I need your help. I can't help with the blackouts and we need to get the generators working.

[He says that like it's an obvious solution. Relying on Tony for answers.]

I can get us to the tunnels, but I'll need you to help with the machines.

You're very nice. [Tony looks really upset about it. He's not going to cry, but the fact crushes him.]

I'll do what I can for you.

[He shuffles forward a few steps and nudges Steve to lead the way.]

What?

[That response surprises Steve. He's not ready for Tony, any Tony, to come out with that painfully depressing reaction to him. If anything, Tony should be angry. He should really be smiling, but that seems so far from a possibility Steve doesn't know what to do.

So he takes Tony's hand and leads him that way.]

I'm not nice. I'm trying to help everyone here, just like you want to.

[Because he firmly believes Tony does want to. And he firmly pulls him along as well.]

Things will look better once we get the power on.

[Tony sort of goes limp and lets Steve lead them wherever he wants. Left to his own devices, he would have draped himself over Steve at the first chance he got when he knows it would be appropriate, but now he's at a loss when someone else initiates contact first.]

I'm a selfish bastard who's only in this to pick up women. [Talking helps him regain his emotional balance and his voice which starts off slightly hoarse, clears up as he goes.] You should show me where the bar is after this so we can get laid. I'll show you how to go after unmarried women. If you're into that sort of thing as well.

[Steve pulls Tony along like he's a kid leading his parent to a favorite store until Tony's talking gets to unmarried women. Then he stops suddenly, turning back to give the man a surprised, critical look.]

After this, I'm going to take you home so you can get some rest.

[A bar is the last place he wants to see Tony go. He looks like a mess. Steve was hoping that maybe once they started moving Tony would gain some stride, but he seems like he's ready to slump back down if Steve lets him.]

Let's just get the lights on.

[He almost starts pulling again, but hesitates. His free hand goes to Tony's shoulder.]

You're not selfish.

[Tony goes unnaturally still as Steve's hand rests on his shoulder, afraid to do anything that might set something off. Seconds pass before he quietly speaks.]

You're basing your opinion on a different man's life.

[Finally he pulls away and walks ahead of Steve.]

Come on, I've got work to do.

[Steve freezes when Tony does, surprised by how still the other man gets at a gesture that should be familiar and easy. It has the opposite effect he intends--he wants to reassure Tony, but the hand seems to upset him. Steve isn't sure what to do until Tony suddenly pulls ahead and starts leading the way down the hall.

He catches up easily enough, falling into step with Tony when he's called.]

It doesn't matter if you're a different person than the man I know. You're entitled to your own reasons for being here, but that doesn't make you any more selfish than anyone else.

And you're helping.

[Which means he isn't selfish, clearly.]

[Steve needs to shut up because Tony has never had anyone be this understanding and nice to him before. Brushing it off hasn't worked so he'll have to try another tactic. He looks straight ahead and refuses to acknowledge Steve's words. The only thing that betrays him are his hands balled into tight fists.

He is going to fix this and then leave Steve so he can get very very drunk.

Once they arrive Tony gets to work collecting what tools are lying around before approaching the power box.]

Hey, can you access it at all?

[He's looking down and off to the side, addressing Anthony.]

[The comment seems to make Tony shut down, and Steve, well, Steve can't really say he's surprised. Even if this isn't the Tony Stark he knows, it's a trait he recognizes. When they're butting heads and Steve pushes his point, Tony in any world apparently responds by freezing him out. So he goes along in silence, allowing that to end the conversation.

They get to the generator without harassment and Tony gets to work, but the deep basement is dark and feels abandoned. Steve stays near his unfortunate companion, keeping guard while Tony talks to--himself? It doesn't seem like himself, but Steve can't tell. He only interrupts when he hears something else: the scratching of nails against a hard surface. Larger than a dog. Heavy.]

Something's coming.

[Anthony shakes his head and apologises for not being any help and Tony smiles down at the boy.]

It's okay. You did great.

[So what they have here is a physical issue and he's likely going to have to get his hands dirty. Tony is considering his options when Steve interrupts.]

I don't hear anything.

[However he trusts this Steve and he's already fashioning something from the wires and bits he's got. He's really got to get Iron Man down to something more portable if this place is going to be like this.]

[He does note the strange actions from Tony, but Tony also smells like an upturned liquor cabinet, so it's hard to say what he's seeing. And yet Steve still thinks he can get the generator going. He just believes that, because it's Tony, and Tony does impossible things.

Steve is more focused on the scrabbling sounds moving toward them. Soft, but quick against the floor, and coming from... He frowns, stepping closer to Tony and the generator.]

I think it's in the wall.

[Tony shuffles away from the wall and closer to Steve.]

This is a horror movie in the making.

[He's nearly got a crude taser set up, but he's doesn't have a power source for it. The only thing he can think of is his nanomachines, but he'll have to draw blood for that to work. That is going to hurt.]

Tell me you've got the shield squirrelled away somewhere. Or a gun, I'll take that too.

[Steve stands next to Tony like a trained guard, keeping an eye on the wall as he tracks the scratching noises coming from behind it. The creature is quick despite what should be drywall and boards in its way, and that makes him wonder what exactly it is. How big is it? How is it able to move so easily?

He grunts when Tony calls it a horror movie. Yeah, that sounds about right.]

I've got a shield. It's not the same, but it's something.

[Steve deploys the energy shield from his wrist device, holding it in front of them. He doesn't think to mention that it could be used to fire a laser as well, defaulting to his usual methods.]

Don't worry. I've got it.

[Even though he hasn't even seen what "it" is yet.]

[So he can recognise his own work even if it isn't really his.]

Better than the original.

[Somewhere in the gloom there's a crash as something hits the ground. Now that even Tony can hear.]

Is it just the one or are there more?

Well, I wouldn't say that.

[Steve manages to make a real comment even during the danger. It's just something he's always done, and Tony hasn't been chatting like he's used to. He almost wants to give the man a reason to talk.

But the crash has him on alert again, listening to the noises, and, now that Tony mentions it, Steve realizes there are distinct patterns in the scratches.]

Three. They're keeping close together.

[Steve is the greatest man Tony has ever known, but even he's reluctant to say Steve could take them all on while covering for him. He's going to have to pitch in.]

Three against two seems like good odds.

[Then he takes a deep breath to steady himself and stabs the sharp edge of his taser into the palm of his hand. He hisses in pain, but the moment blood wells up there's a crackling of electricity as it powers up. It's a bigger gash than he'd have liked, but he doesn't have the luxury to be picky.]

[Steve is determined to protect Tony against whatever is hunting them. Especially since this Tony seems drunk and unwilling to fight. He's ready to take on the whole pack, when Tony surprises him by counting himself in the fight. Steve can't help but look back, not knowing what to think as the taser bites into the man's palm and hums to life.]

I won't let them get to you.

[He says that with conviction, because Tony looks grim. He might be feeling just a bit guilty for dragging him down to this ambush. But Steve doesn't have much time to reflect on that as one of the nearby walls shakes and cracks with a hard crash. The pounding is followed by another impact, this time breaking a hole in the wall. A lizard's head pokes through it, hissing as it locates them and tries to squeeze through the opening to reach them.

Of course Steve hits it. And that naturally just makes the creature cry out--bringing the others scrambling to the weakened wall.]

[Tony jumps as it crashes through the wall and it's a good thing Steve is here because he wouldn't have reacted fast enough. He ends up jumping back, bumping into the wall as the others burst through.]

I'm not-- I'm not a hands on fighter, just so you know.

[No matter how many times he's gone into battle, the fear doesn't get any easier to bear. Steve had looked at him before like he should have the answers to everything, but he doesn't know if he can think them out of this mess.

The creature that got hit scrambles to its feet behind its brethren. They circle the two warily and seem to be able to recognise that Tony is the weakest link, eyeing him over Steve.]

It'll be all right, Tony.

[Steve keeps his back to him, facing the lizards with the energy shield raised between him and them, blocking the path to Tony with his body. He stays close to him, making the other man a harder target, because even if they lunge from the sides, he's easily within range for a strike of his own. Apparently even giant lizard creatures understand the risks of chess.

One of them gets grave and dashes forward anyway, hissing and snapping at Tony as Steve turns to kick it back, and as he moves to defend his adopted friend, the two others lunge in. One leaps, aiming to pounce its prey and knock him over, while the other runs in low from behind. Steve pivots and smashes into the first lizard with his shield, hitting it midair.]

[That's the power of Captain America, Steve says it and Tony automatically believes him. He believes it even as Steve can only block two of the three and he's forced to jump away from Steve before pushing forward with a jab of his own. This lizard avoids it easily and clamps down on his taser with its jaws.

It's a bad move as Tony pushes his nanites to shove as much electricity as he can down its throat. There's no avoiding the smell of charred meat and its dying screams, but then he finds himself having a little difficulty prying his taser out of its frozen mouth. He ends up dropping it in favour of a nearby pipe, but it's slippery in his hands due to the blood from his wound.

By then the remaining two have gotten back onto their feet and have taken advantage of Tony needing to back away by getting between Steve and Tony.]

One down, two to go.

[He still believes they'll walk away without a scratch that wasn't self-inflicted.

And perhaps they will, Anthony's rushed off to pick up the pieces of the Iron Man armour Tony's left in a pile in his room.]

but it's to show he's his number one fan!

Oh, tony.

insert my tony brows emote here

NOOOOOOO

NOOOOOOOOO i lost my tag and didn't notice it until days later

YOU LEFT STEVE HANGING OMG TONY WHY

BECAUSE HE'S THE WORSTTTTTT

This tag WHY

because i'm a good person who ruined it right after

Tony breaks my heart.

why won't you let me ruin things then

I want to spoil your fun obviously

then suffer your heartbreak!!!

drinks in the suffering

pours you another

keep em coming bartender

who plays the alcoholic here

I give up. Who?

yours is in a different game he doesn't count

lies i always count ALWAYS

NEVER

DON'T YOU SASS ME

THAT'S NOT EVEN SASS

It's always sass because it is you.

:<