TDM #3

[glencolans]

TEST DRIVE MEME #3

Welcome to Glencola Reef's third Test Drive Meme! This is a place where anyone interested in applying a character - or just curious to see how their characters might interact with the setting and others in the game - can mingle with one another. General prompts are provided below for inspiration.

TDM GUIDELINES

• Please read the rules before posting to the TDM. These still apply here and will be enforced, up to and including deleting tags/toplevels and prebanning.
• Posts from a TDM are required to apply. At least three tags across any number of threads within a TDM, posted within the last 6 months, must be provided in every application.
• TDM threads can be used for AC. Note that new characters only need to check in for their first AC cycle, but established characters can use TDM tags for their AC.
• TDMs are not considered game canon by default. This is mostly for logistics reasons - due to how characters travel on the map, it's unlikely that non-network threads that take place here will actually happen in-game. However, I won't stop anyone from working out how to make parts of threads game canon if they really want to.
• New TDMs will be posted every three months. Keep checking back into the current TDM for new toplevels!

I. ARRIVAL

You awaken on a tropical island beach, soaking wet, powerless, and without any idea how you got here. Were you carrying something important, or wearing powerful armor? How unfortunate - it looks like only the most basic clothes, items in your pockets, and simple weapons managed to make the trip with you. Are you even physically the same as you remember? If you had superhuman abilities tied to your physiology, you might be stuck in a completely different body that lacks your usual senses. You might've been whisked away from a tense battle or a near-death experience and wake up delirious, or even injured.

Thankfully, against overwhelming odds, you're not the only one to wake up on this particular stretch of beach. You and your companion have a lot of puzzling out to do.

II. NETWORK

Even if you weren't lucky enough to wake up near someone else, at least you've arrived with a military-grade radio transceiver gripped tightly in your hand (or mouth, or other vaguely opposable appendage of choice). The clunky walkie-talkie will start buzzing and crackling for every public message that starts coming your way. Answering them back is as easy as pressing the "talk" button on the side of the device and either speaking into the receiver, or using the keypad to type into the message box that appears on the screen, then pressing the button again to send. A list of ongoing conversations with responses that are less than 24 hours old can be found by scrolling through the menu, identified by the callsigns that are participating in them. It seems that you've been assigned a callsign, too - it shows up in the top right side of the screen, format AB123C. The letters and numbers picked are...probably random.

This is your easiest avenue to communicating, or coordinating with, or complaining at the other people stuck on this island; how you decide to use this tool is up to you.

III. A SAFE PLACE

Whether because someone else directed you via the transceivers, or someone found you and is leading you there, or just out of sheer luck, you have stumbled your way up the western coastline and run into an abandoned airfield. At least it used to be abandoned; there are obvious signs that the area has seen recent use, from the myriad of footprints in the sand leading up to the ocean, to the racks of drying fish lined along the shattered asphalt of a runway, to the strangely complex water stills and...who even knows what chemicals are brewing in those pots next to the largest airplane hangar? Even if you find the signs of people first, you're likely to run into the inhabitants themselves sooner rather than later, as the airfield has become a surprisingly busy hub of activity in comparison to the bleak isolation of the rest of the island. Maybe some of the more experienced inhabitants will help you figure out what's going on here, or try to rope you into exploring or cleaning out the more run-down buildings lining the runway, like the smaller hangars or the desolate traffic control tower at the far end. You likely aren't the only new person trying to find your way around, either. Hopefully the person you arrived with is more interested in helping rather than just looting the place and running off.

IV. STORM WARNING: REDUX

The weather on this island can be rather unpredictable sometimes. Just yesterday it was sunny and hot, then today, without warning, the sky opened up - literally, like the pale blue horizon was a vase smashed by a hammer and a billowing cyclone poured through the hole - and dumped at least a foot of rain on you in the span of an hour. This wouldn't be the first time this has happened to you, and you doubt it will be the last, but this time the freak rainstorm doesn't let up. Days pass. Did you decide to take shelter in the rainforest, only for the ground beneath you to start sinking with water? Were you camped next to a tranquil stream that has turned into a swelling river? Regardless of the circumstances it's time to go somewhere else before things get worse, and you probably ought to help the person you're stuck with come with you (or maybe you need some convincing yourself).

V. TERRORS OF THE REEF

CW: Shark Attacks

The large coral reef on the western edge of the island, just south of the airfield, seems like it's come straight out of a magazine. The waters are shallow and crystal clear, and the spots that aren't full of vibrant rainbow corals are coated in a soft layer of white sand. Fish of all sizes and shapes and colors swim in shoals along the reef. This seems like an ideal place, then, to do some productive fishing, or to take a relaxing swim in the warm tropical waters. And for the most part, it is.

Except, you aren't the only one interested in the fish. The sounds of struggling prey and the scent of blood in the water draws reef sharks by the dozens - or, if you're further away from shore, tiger sharks that could grab you by the ankle and drag you underwater in an instant. Hopefully someone is around to warn you, or at least pull you away and tend to your wounds, before you become a casualty like the fish.

NAVIGATION

Comments

Merlin | Merlin(BBC)

[onesideofacoin]

I. ARRIVAL
The sun felt warm. It was nice. His clothes felt wet. That was...not so nice and more than a little disconcerting. Why were his clothes wet? Merlin scrunched his eyes, resolutely keeping them shut. He wasn't quite ready to face the outside world and instead reviewed what he could remember.
There had been a tavern and Gwain. And there had been a trouble in the tavern because, well, Gwain. That kind of excitement tended to go hand in hand with his friend. None of that helped answer his questions, but it was funny. Merlin grinned a bit in spite of things before rolling onto his back and looked up at the bright, blue sky. Huh, must be close to midday. OH. His grin vanished. Oooooh, Arthur was not going to be happy with him being late! He supposed to be polishing boots for the rest of his life in exchange for sending a certain tavern bill to him. Merlin sat up in a panic and for the first time fully took in his surroundings which were very, very much not in the realm of Camelot. This could be a problem. Well, this could be a problem if it was real. He had to be dreaming, right? Merlin brushed the sand that clung to his face and made a soft hiss as he unstuck a seashell that had been pressed into his cheek. That stung a bit. Probably meant this was not a dream, then. Perhaps this was some sort of enchantment? But why and who? Merlin felt dimly aware he was not alone and cast a glance over his shoulder. It was with no small amount of relief that he spotted another person on the beach. Even if they weren't friendly, he was bound to get some information. He offered a grin as he called out to them.
"Hey, uh, excuse me. I don't suppose you would know where we are?"

III. A SAFE PLACE
The settlement looked to be in various states of disrepair, the watchtower clearly had seen better days, but it was the most beautiful thing Merlin had seen since his arrival. Its beauty had very little to do with the unusual architecture and everything to do with the fact it was obviously inhabited, if the footprints and racks of fish were anything to go by. After not seeing a single soul since his arrival, Merlin was practically ready to hug the first person he came across. Maybe. Provided they were friendly. He did have some sense of self preservation, thank you very much. Given there was a chance he would not be welcome, he decided against immediately announcing his presence. Merlin had pretty much made "being where he shouldn't be" into an artform by this point in his life, so he didn't feel many qualms poking about while keeping an eye out for any of the residents.

What was this place? He picked up a broken chunk of the dark, unnaturally smooth road and turned it over in his hands. It felt strange and had a faint odor to it as well. Merlin absently pocketed the bit of road before turning his attention to the containers bubbling merrily. Ah, here was something passingly familiar! Even if he didn't know what was in the containers, he could recognize that Science was happening. Merlin peered a little closer, momentarily forgetting to be on the lookout for other people.
"Gaius would love this."

I.

[desperate_times_right]

The woman he’s encountered has clearly been a castaway for much longer than he has if her tattered clothing is any indication. The right leg of her trousers has been cut off just above the knee, and the revealed skin is crisscrossed with healing pink scars. She's limping a bit, but that's mostly because she's wearing two different-sized boots.

She eyes him warily as she approaches. “You just wash up here?”

Re: I.

[onesideofacoin]

"I...guess so?" Merlin looks from the woman to the waves and back again. He shrugs. "No idea, actually. I mean, I did just wake up here. The how I got here is a bit of a mystery."

He notes her unease and is careful to keep his hands visible and not make any sudden movements as he gets to his feet. His new companion's physical appearance also does not go unnoticed. He frowns, concerned. "You're injured. Did you wash up here too? Were you shipwrecked?"

In addition to the scars, a shipwreck might explain the state and selection of her unique attire as well.

[desperate_times_right]

“Nah. Well, I fell in a river but that's probably unrelated.” It’s so far from her current concerns that sometimes she forgets about it.

“It's more wizard shit, isn't it? You just appear here, some of your stuff gone. I've been here for about a month now, but you look like you're fresh off the cart.”

III.

[meadqueen]

Randvi is intrigued to see a newcomer in the village after all this time, especially one who looks a little more normal than the rest of them.

She approaches once the man starts sniffing at the mixtures in the barrels. “Please be careful! I don't know what that second one is.”

[onesideofacoin]

"Sorry!" Merlin steps back, both startled and embarrassed that he hadn't heard anyone approach and turns to face the woman who addressed him.

"Sorry, I was just, er. I mean, these are all so..." He grins sheepishly as he runs a hand through his hair and tries again. "Excuse me. Do you live here?"

[meadqueen]

“Yes, for now. I washed up on a nearby beach, and found this place abandoned.” He can see for himself the state it's in, though it's clear that there are people living here now.

“This is a safe place for any of us to rest. There is food available as well as clean water, and though it may not be much to look at you can sleep with a roof over your head.”

I.

[copacetic]

Jane is, at it turns out, not fucking friendly. Sorry, Merlin. It's not you. It's definitely her.

Stumbling to her feet, wearing all-black clothing that hangs heavy on her thin frame from how drenched it is, Jane glares back at Merlin like he's somehow to blame for this.

"How the hell would I know?" she shoots back. "Look at me! I'm just as soaking wet as you are."

[onesideofacoin]

Well, that's a no if he's ever heard one. In any case, your outburst is quite forgiven, Jane. Merlin is used to it. Such is his life with a boss such as his. This is why he responds reflexively by poking the bear.

"I don't know, but you might." He turns to more fully face her and rubs his chin thoughtfully. "You do have the...uh, the air of someone returned from a relaxing swim. Maybe you've been here before." He grins.

[copacetic]

Let it never be said that Jane doesn't take the bait every single time. Because she does. Every single time.

She watches him turn to face her as she rings her hair out. Ugh. The saltwater and humidity are going to destroy her hair. But she stops what she's doing to squint at him.

"Wha?" she says, surprised by his cheekiness and, clearly, mildly affronted. She stares at Merlin, confused, not sure what to make of him. "Did you hit your head?" It's halfway between an insult and an actual question. He might actually have hit his head.

She also gestures at him broadly. "What's with this getup?"

The Doctor | Doctor Who

[thedreamer]

[ ooc: happy to adapt and match brackets or prose! ]

ARRIVAL

[ While the Doctor can't quite recall ever waking up on a beach like this, specifically, it's far from being the strangest thing to ever happen to him. In fact, it's nearly an ordinary Tuesday as these things go for him. The only truly disconcerting thing about being here is he can't locate his TARDIS at all, and he's missing a few items he'd been wearing before. At least, he thinks so. What had happened just before this? Oh, right, Clara. He was going to help Clara — or, try to work out what she is, exactly. Who she is. Questions for another day, evidently.

He works to brush the sand off his clothes, checks his pockets for a few items, and then begins to quickly look around. He was brought here for a reason, obviously, but that's the strange thing — his TARDIS would have brought him here, generally speaking, and she's nowhere to be found. There must at least be someone else here, somewhere, so he sets off looking for something or anything at all, and he's utterly delighted to come across a person, to whom he waves immediately. ]

Hi, hello, excellent! Just the person I was hoping to see.

[ To be fair, anyone would have been the person he was hoping to see. But he sounds genuinely pleased regardless. ]

Lovely day! Could be better. Could do without what I presume is an abduction, truthfully, I didn't have that on my bingo card. As the kids say.

[ Here, he'll pause for a breath. Amazingly. ]

You okay? Been here long?

STORM WARNING: REDUX

[ Some rain? Okay. A little more rain? Still okay. Endless, unstoppable, torrential, hard rain? Bit less than desirable, under the circumstances. The Doctor can tolerate a lot, has weathered his share of unpleasant situations so often through his long life. This is easy, at least at first, but as the deluge worsens the environment around him quite rapidly, even his patience is wearing thin.

The stream where he'd been keeping relative shelter has turned into a wide, fast-moving river in a matter of what seems like only a few hours, and it makes trying to even escape the area an almost impossible endeavor to imagine. But he likes the impossible! It's also what he does best.

He also realizes he's not alone, and over the heavy rain, he calls out. ]

Oh, good, has anyone told you that you have excellent timing?

storm warning-

[wingbound]

[ It's really pure luck that Levi happens across this spot on his way to higher ground -- and it certainly looks like someone's in trouble. Trouble of their own doing, mostly, because you don't stay near fucking streams in this weather, but he's not about to abandon anybody to their death, so-- ]

[ The person that the Doctor spots is dressed in a dark green cloak with a hood, hiding most of their face and clothes, but they look... kind of small? Or maybe just short? And their voice is -- serious and practically inflectionless. Grumpy, even. ]

No.

[ (Is the river simply nearby, or did the Doctor accidentally end up trapped in a rapidly shrinking island? If it's the latter, the vertically challenged stranger will be climbing up into a nearby tree real fast and throwing one end of a long rope over a thick branch and toward him, while then making his way back down with the other one. He may be able to Tarzan-swing over the roaring waters? Maybe? Is this guy heavy enough to hold the rope steady? Stay tuned to find out.) ]

arrival

[nervouslaughter]

[ Cheyenne looks around, a little confused at who the Doctor could be indicating. When she realizes he's addressing her, though, and telling her she's the person he wanted to see, she blinks at him. And points to herself. ]

Me?

[ Wait, she's the one he wanted to see??? OMG, yay! She loves being the person people want to see!!! Cheyenne doesn't question this at all and eagerly walks over to join him, seeming very pleased! ]

Oh. Uh. I'm okay. I don't think I've been here that long. Probably the same as you. [ She looks down at her wet clothes, and frowns slightly at the way they cling to her body so heavily and uncomfortably, but then she's all smiles.

And since the Doctor seems to be done talking for a bit, Cheyenne takes over! ]

Hey, can I tell you the truth? I'm, like, super freaked out right now. I've never been abducted before. Is this part normal? Because this is not like the movies. [ The Doctor sounds like he has been abducted, probably, so Cheyenne trusts him to let her know if this is a normal abduction or not. ] Do you think they abducted us for ransom money or to turn us into drug mules? Oh my God, what if they abducted us to get ransom money and turn us into drug mules?

What if we're going to have to be drug mules and then they ransom us to ourselves for our own drug money???

[ She looks at the Doctor, full of concern, because in Cheyenne's brain, this is a very legitimate concern!!! ]

Arrival

[solitarysoul]

[The boy with the spear and the army coveralls stops and blinks at the Doctor.]

Y-you wanted me...oh.

[No, that made no sense. It made more sense that this guy wanted help. The babble reminds him a bit of Daan.]

Uh, yeah, a few weeks maybe? I can take you back to ba--to the village. Or try to answer questions, but I don't really know much.

Giriko | Soul Eater

[failsaw]

I. Arrival
[Giriko shoves damp bangs out of her eyes with a glove that's already fucking ruined by the rapidly drying salt water. A glance down the beach and up the beach, and there's nothing but too-bright sunlight and pounding waves and a swamp stretching away into the distance. It's obviously not the castle, it doesn't feel like another chapter of the Book, and she's got absolutely no idea where she is.

(for a second, she looks worried, confused, scared, and then her glance finds a stranger and that moment of panic morphs into seething anger)]

Hey! Who the fuck are you!?

III. A Safe ^{[citation needed]} Place
[There's a lot that Giriko doesn't like about this. The whole situation, in fact. It makes her skin crawl, there's a pressure in her chest from an engine that won't start up, and her head is pounding (that last one is probably just the last lingering bits of a hangover). She stalks around the airfield, poking the various bits of functional machinery with a frown.]

At least these idiots aren't completely useless. [She mutters, mostly to herself.]

IV. Warning (Storm and Otherwise)
Hey! Idiot! [That... friendly greeting comes from the young woman standing out in the rain, soaked from ponytail to heavy workboots. She looks furious about the whole situation.] Move your ass before you get yourself killed!

[[ooc: or wildcard! Giriko is a terrible person and I apologize in advance. Hit me up at hydok if you have any questions!]]

IV

[desperate_times_right]

[Chloe, drenched, face almost completely hidden behind wet hair that's come loose from her ponytail, laughs.]

You think you’re gonna give the orders on your first rodeo, honey?

[Some of her experience with the last storm is visible on her body: the right leg of her jeans was cut away at the knee and the visible skin below is crawling with healing burn scars.]

Just be glad you're with me and not some Italian psycho threatening you with an axe. Watch your head, a statue fell on a guy last time.

[failsaw]

[She was going to (insultingly) point out the extremely treacherous looking dead branch caught up in the tree above Chloe's head, but--]

The fuck did you just call me?

[desperate_times_right]

Oh, ha, are you Italian? No offence.

I'm sure you can't be as bad - [She’s interrupted by the branch in question crashing into the ground just behind her.] Oh, look at that. What’d I tell you, huh?

III

[meadqueen]

[A quiet voice sounds behind her as she's poking at the vats.]

I don't think you want to touch that.

[failsaw]

Yeah? [She's not stupid enough to keep messing with something she's being warned off of.] What's in it?

[meadqueen]

It's for tanning leather.

[Don’t worry about it.]

Did you just arrive?

i

[solitarysoul]

[Levi freezes as Giriko shouts at him.]

N-nobody...

[She looks pissed...and wet. Was she new or did she just try to go swimming.]

Did you just, uh, wash up?

[failsaw]

No shit I just washed up. Is that fucking common here, "nobody"? [She doesn't make the airquotes, but they're there in her tone.]

I.

[somethingintangible]

[ Maddy bristles at having anything demanded of her by someone she clearly doesn't recognize. Usually she'd be a bit more antagonistic right off the bat to somebody who DARED talk to her like that, but she saw the confusion and the fear first, and it's hard for her to just outright snap at somebody in a survival situation. Besides, she's supposed to be, like, this bitch's rescuer or whatever. So here she is. Doing rescuing.

So she's nice... ish... for Maddy, anyway. She does roll her eyes though, and her tone is... not snotty, exactly, but it's a dispassionate monotone with just a hint of an edge. ]

Hey. Nice to meet you too or whatever. [ She softens slightly. ] I'm Maddy. Who the fuck are you?

[failsaw]

What, there's a fucking welcoming committee for this kidnapping? You just wander around all day looking for people who got no fucking idea what's going on here?