nonotagain | 01. Test Drive Meme

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!tdm

01. Test Drive Meme

TEST DRIVE MEME

Thinking about joining Iterum? Unsure of who to bring or if they'll even fit the setting? Posting here offers you the chance to find out how they'll do while getting the sample for done for their application.

→ Comment down below with the character you'd like to test drive in the setting. Don't forget to add their name and canon in the subject line.
→ Choose a scenario or create your own, and tag around!
→ Test drives will be posted regularly in the months of March, June, September, and December.
→ Threads in the test drive are NOT eligible to use for activity checks, however, you can make them game canon if you wish and both you and your scene partner agree.

Possible Scenarios
Please note that all characters will initially arrive in their assigned housing; they are free to explore the City to their heart's content after that!

01. Arriving: You're pretty sure you knew where you were before you closed your eyes. But somewhere between then and now, you discover that you're definitely not there. In fact, the setting is so unfamiliar to you that it's bordering on unnerving and questions start to stack. Have you been abducted? Did you get drunk and pass out somewhere and not remember? Whatever the case, you need some answers. Or maybe this is familiar and the only thing that doesn't make sense is the layer of dust on everything around you which obviously means some time has passed. How much? No one seems to know. What you do know is that sitting around and waiting for answers is likely not going to happen.

So, you set out and hope to run into someone in the City that looks like they may be in a similar situation. Or, at the very least a person that might be able to provide some explanation. Veteran Chosen, make sure you warn the new people about the Shadows and advise them to steer clear of dark alleys and things that go bump in the night.

02. Party, party!: Now that you've arrived and hopefully settled, it's time to unwind. Inside your welcome basket is an invitation from the Duchess, who has decided to celebrate the growing population of the City with a massive "Welcome to the City" party in the Tower District. Wine spills free, and drugs abound, this is the kinda party that caters to all! The wicked and debauched demons and the good and decent who, if not careful, might end up tainted and corrupted at some point, like everyone else. Even if it's only for one night, why not cut loose and forget about whatever is pressing on your mind?

Nothing to wear? Check your closet, we're sure you'll find something suitable to wear.

03. Prominence: Everyone knows that the City sometimes influences its population on a monthly basis. Unfortunately, you arrived right in the middle of a heavy Prominence. Lust, Greed, Gluttony, Envy, Wrath, Sloth, or Pride: choose your sin and get wicked. You'll find it's hard to avoid being sinful, almost as if your basic instincts are taking over.

04. Run!: A lot can go wrong in the City; demon attacks, muggings or there's even danger of being plucked from the streets and forced to partake in the Coliseum's version of Fight Club (if you know, you know). There are plenty of unsavoury types that all Chosen must be aware of. They rule the night, and once the sun goes down it becomes the Sinning Hour. Demons and monsters and humans capable of inciting just as much fear, if not more, come out to play. Mind yourself. It's hardly a tea party out there.

05. Network: Broadcast a video, voice or text message to anyone in your phone's directory. All Chosen have a device that they can use to communicate. Those that are returning will find their phone as it was, though without any contact that was previously in the City that is not currently. For the newly Chosen, a device will be supplied in your welcome basket and will match the type of telecommunications that was being used at the time of their exit.

06. Wild Card: Choose your own adventure in the game's multiple settings!

n a v i g a t i o n

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

At least he cleans up nice, if you can ignore the peek of rough scarring that his collar doesn't quite cover. Formal occasions sometimes demand a little sacrifice.

"Everyone has been very...hospitable so far," he agrees thoughtfully, with a small nod.

"It's not my scene, either. It may just be something to get used to here." He pauses, then offers, "Andrew Jaeger. I'm guessing you're a...recent arrival as well?"

"Yes, that's usually the way of it at these kind of parties. Everyone is just so nice." Her expression is friendly and she is smiling. However, she will be damned if she doesn't recognize that same behavior in herself. (And she does.)

"Just stay away from Lust, that stuff is dangerous. It's a red powder." She smiles again, "Kate Cordello. This is actually my second time in the City. I've been here before."

"I'm used to networking, at least. These kind of events are familiar, even if the...party favors are a little different."

Not really, though. It's not like the upper echelons of society aren't filled with debauchery in his own world. It's just a little more discrete...some of the time, at least.

He tilts his head in question, then nods gravely. "There was some in my 'welcome' package. I decided against sampling it, for obvious reasons." He presses his lips together in a thin line of disapproval, but the moment of ire fades quickly and he regards her again with calmer focus.

"So you're familiar with this place, then, and how it runs."

"Aren't they just. At least there are no orgies." At least not in this district. Well, probably not any public ones in this district. Those are mostly in the Red Lantern District.

"It's good that you did." She is not kidding when she says that the drug is dangerous. It should be avoided.

"I suppose that I do, as much as anyone can. I'm not sure how much things will have changed with the new Magistrates. I can try to answer your questions." There is no harm in asking.

"Small favors," Jaeger murmurs, feeling suddenly that much more self-conscious. The collar and sleeves of his dress shirt mostly cover his scars, but times like these he can still feel them like chill lines on his skin.

He shakes it off after a moment, and takes a measured sip of his wine while he gathers his thoughts.

"I suppose I'm trying to make sense of the fact that we're simply intended to live here? Business as usual, just...find a job, live where they put us, as though this is all normal." He casts a gaze around the room, taking in the spectacle, then looks back at Kate. "Does it ever really feel normal?"

"Sometimes it feels normal, like when I'm baking and just concentrating on what I'm doing. When I'm drinking my morning coffee but other times? There's nothing normal about it. This City will make you feel and do things that you might not normally do. It's called a Prominence and the last time I was here, they seemed to sweep the City monthly."

"Hmm. That makes a strange sort of sense, i suppose. Clinging to our usual rituals, as something reliable and distracting." He nods slowly, accepting that easily enough.

After all, he is already checking out coffee shops and places to sit here. Stations for observation, and something familiar to settle his restless mind.

"I know I can't just sit in my apartment and hope it all passes," he says quietly, a continuation of that thought before he turns his attention to the other bit of information she's sharing.

"That is very worrying." Control is important to a mage. It's also important to a man like Jaeger- control, strength, structure. The chances of this being a truly awful situation notches up, in his estimation. "That further suggests a great deal of power at work."

"You really can't," Kate says in a tone that is a little more blunt than she means it to be. "I mean for starters, the City won't let you just keep to yourself. Secondly, you'll need a job. They only give us one-hundred dollars to start with." Kate is lucky that she still has her bank account from the last time she was here. "And thirdly, you need something to keep you busy. I'd offer you a job at Flour Power but you don't seem the customer service type."

She nods her head. She is sympathetic to his plight but this is her third trip on the multiverse merry-go-round. "It does. A lot of it can just be summed up as being magic."

Blunt doesn't bother Jaeger: he's already cynical and the truth doesn't cut at him the way it might a younger, more idealistic man. He might be dismayed, but not particularly surprised that the city is not the escape he might have hoped for.

"Im...not at my best with the public, but I appreciate the offer," he says with a small nod and smile. "I would have to see what other options there are, preferably before my money and gift cards run out." He sighs quietly.

"I've done some research in the past on...place magic, genus loci and that sort of thing, so it's not a completely new idea. Not a reassuring one, but at least it's something I'm familiar with. Just maybe not to this scale." He takes another measured sip from his glass, and shoots a considering glance at the buffet table. It's probably wise to get food when he can and save his meager resources at the apartment.

Food later, though. He raises a dark eyebrow at Kate, and asks, "Are you used to being around magic, or is it something new for you?"

"There are a few other Chosen run businesses. You might check those out." She is trying to be helpful.

"Powers yes, magic not really. Where I come from there are a lot of different kinds of people who can do extraordinary things. You? Clearly yes if you've studied place magic."

"I'll keep that in mind, it might be better to work for someone who understands this...predicament more than a native would." No shade on the residents, but he's pretty sure that so far, the Chosen are a hair more trustworthy. It might be an imagined bond, but Jaeger is going with it. As evidenced by his choice of conversation partners thus far.

"Powers are rare in my world and most of us avoid revealing ourselves to the public," he muses. "But I was raised...it's complicated."

No, it's not complicated, he just hates talking about it.

But he can do a little better than that. Especially since Kate has been very pleasant so far. "Strong magical ability runs in my family," he amends. "But most humans are happier not knowing, so that's the way it is."

"Hmm. I understand that. Some humans are really funny about how they treat those that are different." She still believes peace is possible between mutants and humans. It's just that some humans needed to be snacked upside their head first. She was also raised Catholic. She understands complicated.

"If you don't mind the question, how does your magic work? Do you need a wand?" She has known a wizard or two.

"And being frightened sometimes brings out the very worst in people," he says solemnly. Would it eventually work? Maybe, but then again there's plenty who prefer their secrecy.

He cocks his head, giving her a strange look at the mention of wands. "Magic is usually done with focus, concentration, and intent. Some magicians use items or rituals to help them direct their energy, but combat mages are used to having to cast quickly and with little preparation. That's my area of expertise."

Fast and dirty and often very, very messy.

"It does." Kate lives her mutant life out in the open but she's a lucky one. She has the privilege of passing as a regular, boring human.

What? She's known a wizard before who had used a wand. Oh, his magic had been so neat, functional and efficient too. She misses Draco. "Do you have to go into combat regularly?"

Janet hums quietly. Wands and trinkets are something he associates with other branches of magic, and while he appreciates well-made tools of the craft, they're just not something he messes with unless he's got a good reason and time to spare. And the stereotypes of magicians with wands and hats and rabbits is...a long way from what he does.

"I worked in private security, so I ran into my share of conflict. Protection services are often in high demand." He's not going to distress her with details, but he's had experience in presenting his occupation as something clean and professional. Palisade had maintained a perfectly legitimate mundane presence, after all, there was a completely non-magical demand for security services.

"Oh. I see." She considers something. "Well. Maybe you might find something similar to do here? There are demons and monsters in the City, not all of them nice. There's also crime but maybe now is your chance to branch out? There are more than one kind of magic here."

Jaeger nods thoughtfully.

"I noticed there are a lot of shops and hotels and such in the better districts, I'm thinking I might try my luck there. Even a simple security job would fit my skills, especially if they need someone to look intimidating in a uniform."

He's fully aware of the image he presents, and is willing to make the most of it.

"I'd prefer something legitimate, though, yes. I know there are less savory options, like the Coliseum, but very honestly I intend to keep my head down until I have a better idea of this place, and what my options are on a long term."

Because he might be dead back home. He doesn't know, and is a little worried to find out.

"That's a good idea." Some of the higher end shops could definitely use his services.

"And another good idea from you as well. It makes sense trying to get the lay of the land first before deciding on anything really long term. If you have any questions about the City, I'd be happy to answer them as best that I can."

There's places here that he could actually be comfortable working, and that's something. The memories might not always be good, but there's something to be said for the reassurance of competence and familiarity.

"I think I'm still processing a great deal, but I think I'll have questions come up as I go." He nods, considering before he offers, "What district do you find most comfortable here? Is it the one you came to, or someplace else?"

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

01. Test Drive Meme

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