metamods: (Default)
meta moderators ([personal profile] metamods) wrote in [community profile] metamemes2022-03-04 04:33 pm
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TEST DRIVE MEME #02




TEST DRIVE MEME
Welcome to [community profile] metaheroes! As the game is invite-only, please bear in mind that new players must have an invitation from a current player to apply. Interested players who do not know anyone in the game can reach out to the mod team HERE to request an invite for the March app round. These invitations will be processed the day before reserves open. However, no invitation is necessary to play on the this test drive.

Threads from this post can be made game canon if players agree upon it. To facilitate this, this log has no new arrival prompt. Please see the PREVIOUS CONFLUENCES for general ideas as to how characters may have arrived. New characters will be arriving with the March 27th arrival log.

For players who do not want to thread out an arrival, they may backdate their characters' arrival to a previous Confluence. These characters were not picked up by the transportation spell used by the Alliance. These characters will have been living on their own for the last few months, so please address this in the 'Brainstorming' section of the application.


01. METASTRAVAGANZA — everywhere.
Things haven't been the same since Confluences started again. The last two months have been more exciting than the last twenty years! The skies are full of new heroes, the day is saved and threatened by unfamiliar faces, the media is having a field day trying to report on every single new face while companies try to snag them for brand deals.

But not everything in this world centers around costumed combat. Today is a perfectly normal day and you're tasked with the most dangerous mission of all - leading an every day life. Maybe you go to a perfectly normal job to maintain your secret identity - or maybe you've already abandoned that, living full time as your metahuman self.

The sun is shining, and even in the early hours of the morning, parties in the DOWNTOWN STREETS of those CITIES STRUCK BY THE RECENT CONFLUENCES are disrupting the reconstruction efforts that have gotten well underway. These parties celebrate meta efforts to save the day! The streets are full of booths selling food and hastily made knock-off toys of the newest heroes who haven't yet put a copyright on their costume.

But not everyone looks so thrilled about this celebration. Many people look disgusted at this celebration of metahumans interrupting their commute to work, muttering under their breath about what a pain in the ass metahumans are and how much destruction they've wrought in these few short months.

Meanwhile, school-aged metas board the bus to LOFTY HEIGHTS META SCHOOL, hidden somewhere in the sky. There, in-between learning about grammar and punctuation, they are trained to use their new abilities ... Notably, when powers training arrives, the new arrivals outshine the metas native to this world. Very few seem to have any powers on par with the new comers.

Later in the day, the Student Council holds an assembly dedicated to the responsible use of powers. They award any students who have helped save the day with accolades — as well as detention for skipping class to help out as an unlicensed hero. Whoops!

Maybe you should just skip today.


02. SEEDY UNDERBELLY — central city.
Central City is a hard place to live. The city is in almost constant peril, with constant power vacuums in organized crime and city government being filled by worse and worse people. Despite having the Guardian Alliance stationed at its center and doing their best to uplift the people and their citizens, the city suffers from a corruption so deep that it seems to be baked into the very concrete.

The Alliance does what it can to make the city a better place but it's a bandaid over a bigger wound. Because the nigh constant metahuman-centered destruction is the source of so many of Central City's problems - meta organizations are often the last resort for its people. Still, the Alliance makes sure to keep heroes on hand to punch muggers as well as run soup kitchens. Their healers provide healing free of charge, and many of their psychics are trained therapists who use their powers to soothe the citizens' many traumas.

But the real power in the city is held by people like FRANK KAFKA, a crime lord with a finger in every pie. Both guilds leave Kafka to his own devices because he officially possesses no metahuman abilities and he avoids any dealings with them. Tonight, his goons are running their favorite extortion scheme with a twist. A group of them marches through a run-down street, shaking down vulnerable families and businesses for protection money. If an individual resists, the gang threatens to bring the spectre of newly created metahumans down upon their head. Though Kafka himself is not present, his goons will give up his location under enough pressure.


03. NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM — excelsior.
With how often the city is destroyed, one wouldn't expect the MUSEUM OF EXCELSIOR to get much in the way of priceless artifacts, but the museum's basement vault is one of the most well guarded facilities in all the country. Practically impenetrable, it stores every conceivable relic of value. But today, thanks to some villainous meddling, there's a lapse in their security that aligns perfectly with the planned time for the changeover of an art exhibit, affording some enterprising thieves a chance at millions of dollars in priceless artwork.

Heroes affiliated with the Guardian Alliance are asked to patrol and keep these relics safe, while the members of the Society of Villainous Reformation are called upon to pay favors forward by getting in their way. As the untested new kids on the block, player characters draw the short straw and are sent in pairs to complete their task, regardless of whether it's to steal these artifacts or guard them.

Villains, now's the chance to get rich quick! Heroes, protect these treasures from falling into the wrong hands!


04. DINOTOPIA — excelsior.
Confluences are back.

And that means new unaffiliated supervillains are running rampant in the streets, causing the kind of directionless, clumsy chaos that the Guild typically frowns at. A little mischief is good if it serves as distraction for a heist, but this is...

Well...

This a very large velociraptor with human arms standing in the middle of Excelsior. If anyone asks, he calls himself DINO DAN. But why would you ask when he's busy transforming people into dinosaurs - or partially into dinosaurs - using his aptly named Dino-Ray? The people of Excelsior are used to a lot of chaotic shenanigans, but this is a little much even for them. The newly transformed dinosaur-people are losing themselves to their instincts and charging at bystanders. Of those that retain (or regain) their senses, some appear strangely delighted to have this new experience, while others wail in horror at their lost humanity.

As heroes line up to stop him, he'll tell anyone who listens about his displaced rage and the revenge he seeks on an unfair world that let him turn himself into a dinosaur. Not surprising, out of an Excelsior local. However, confronted by metas who can stop him, Dino Dan hooks the Dino-Ray on his belt and grabs a second ray-gun. Anyone he shoots with this one disappears with a comical POP!

Those unfortunate enough to be hit by this ray will find themselves standing in a land before time, right beside a research station. Those clever enough to pull out their cell phones will notice that they still have reception, and rule out time travel.

In addition to clippings of ancient and extinct plants, characters who venture inside will find a half dozen prehistoric humans have apparently been displaced through time and held captive in Dino Dan's remote island research station. If that wasn't obvious enough, his research notes suggest the use of time travel — though like all other dimensional travel, it stopped working in January.

Characters may trigger a trap in the research station and find themselves also temporarily transformed into reptiles, or they may take it upon themselves to rescue the poor folks this mesozoic maniac has been holding hostage! Whatever the plan: if he's causing havoc in the city, that has to mean there's there's a teleporter in his lab to get back. But there's no shortage of Guard T-Rexes blocking the path.
fledges: (013)

[personal profile] fledges 2022-04-16 02:17 am (UTC)(link)
[Kate can't help it—she bursts out laughing.]

Oooh, so there is something to unpack.

[But she won't torture him. Too much. Right now, anyway.]

Okay, let's test. Totally emotionless. Do you recognize me?
corpuslingua: (64)

[personal profile] corpuslingua 2022-04-16 02:28 am (UTC)(link)
Those are good questions.

[They are. But they also do not help her with her detecting.]

So is, how do you know me? Pretend I may have anemia.
interloping: (149)

[personal profile] interloping 2022-04-16 02:44 am (UTC)(link)
[ God, and he was doing so well too. He groans, but he does seem relieved.

Thank you, Kate Bishop. You are truly merciful. ]


I might. [ He studies her. Truth is, he meets a lot of people.

But he's also got a pretty genius-level memory, so. ]
You're — Clint's friend. [ Partner? Not side-kick. Hawkeye doesn't really do side-kicks, unless the dog counts. ] The Hawkeye who could probably work a DVD machine better than he could. Right?
fledges: (009)

[personal profile] fledges 2022-04-16 03:01 am (UTC)(link)
[Ouch. Well, he's not technically wrong, but she can't hold back a long-suffering sigh.]

Yep. Young Avengers, remember?
lightmyself: (013)

[personal profile] lightmyself 2022-04-16 03:02 am (UTC)(link)
[Anemia?????????

He knows Cass still struggles with words a lot. Some more than others. Maybe she's trying to use that for whatever role she is playing. But if she is, maybe he's supposed to follow along. His face contorts in confusion and a bit of tension. He feels like this is some kind of test and he isn't sure what he's supposed to say.]


You're my foster sister. We were all taken in by B?

[He just manages not to say Bruce just in case.]
interloping: (001)

[personal profile] interloping 2022-04-16 03:36 am (UTC)(link)
Is that still a thing? I thought you went solo.

[ Tbf she really became extra awesome after her time with the YA???

Spidey looks a little apologetic. Long-suffering sighs aren't uncommon when it comes to him. ]


fledges: (pic#13650809)

[personal profile] fledges 2022-04-16 03:43 am (UTC)(link)
Oh, um— I was in L.A. for a while, but then I came back to New York. And then... You know what? Nevermind. It's complicated.

[When isn't everything complicated with superheroes, really?]

Now let's unpack your baggage.

[Look at that sick swerve so she doesn't have to get into the New Amsterdam mess! Masterful.]
lowercase_el: (005)

Re: Superboy / Kon-El | DC Comics

[personal profile] lowercase_el 2022-04-16 04:14 am (UTC)(link)
Exsqueeze me? First of all, my sense of fashion is impeccable, and not at all dictated by the fact I had to put most of this costume together in another dimension.

[He's been too lazy to update it and hasn't gone back to the super t-shirt in part because of Match running around causing trouble waring it, and partly because it's comfortable to go around in your jimjams.]

Secondly, how's this symbol retro? Big Blue's sporting one just like it as we speak.

Thirdly, you're not Batman. [He effects a really good Batman impression, definitely recognizable to Terry.] Batman talks like this and never smiles ever.

[He drops the impression.]

Plus, between Bats' ears [He holds his hands up to his head and points both index fingers upward, then points to the design on Terry's chest] and the Nightwing vibe, you look like a dollar store knockoff action figure that merges two other real toys.

[Batwing. Nightman.]

You're a Teenage Mutant Power Ranger.
mostdangerousbird: (004 you’re so novel what a good idea)

[personal profile] mostdangerousbird 2022-04-16 04:25 am (UTC)(link)
[ The clock. His last name. Even nicknaming the dog Ace - that’s not Titus, though.

Tim looks around again. He’s not sure what he expects to see. There’s no one else who knows him, no one to signal that it’s fine or to follow him, and no one appears too invested in this conversation.

But he manages a few seconds of eye contact with a jogger. Just to make the guy think that Tim’s not alone on this Earth.
]

Not on the street, but not alone either. Is there anywhere quiet and open nearby?
lowercase_el: (006)

[personal profile] lowercase_el 2022-04-16 05:05 am (UTC)(link)
It's just a graze. My teke gets weaker when I'm using another power. Still blocks things, but it feels like bullets glide off the center and can still nick me on the edges.

[His teke shouldn't be the only thing defending him, but...welp. It is what it is.]

[He uses his TTK to tie off the bandage on his arm, as well. Otherwise he'd have to get help or use his teeth.]

[He looks around to see if he can spot any bullet holes.]

What do you need the bullet for? CSI stuff?
Edited 2022-04-16 05:06 (UTC)
neverrobin: (Neutral)

Re: Superboy / Kon-El | DC Comics

[personal profile] neverrobin 2022-04-16 05:08 am (UTC)(link)
In case you haven't noticed we're kind of in an alternate universe right now.

[People giving him grief for not being Bruce was old hat by now. Not that it didn't annoy him, but they had bigger fish to fry.]

Superman, at least where I'm from, hasn't worn that symbol before I was born.

Now, do you want to take this guy down, or do you want to keep doing this all night?
neverrobin: (Default)

[personal profile] neverrobin 2022-04-16 05:23 am (UTC)(link)
I saw a small park a couple blocks away. Almost everyone in the city is here, so there's space to talk.

[It is in fact a park Terry and Ace lead Tim to. There's people there, but not so many that anyone will inadvertently eavesdrop. Terry takes a seat at one of the small tables there.]

Okay. Look, first things first. What's the last thing you remember from home? Because we're either dealing with time travel or alternate universes and I really want to know which it is before I start telling you anything important.
lowercase_el: (006)

Re: Superboy / Kon-El | DC Comics

[personal profile] lowercase_el 2022-04-16 05:32 am (UTC)(link)
I hate multiversal crap. And time travel crap. This also sounds like time travel crap and that always makes my head hurt.

[Kon shakes his head.]

I've been eyeballing the place since we started talking. There are too many lead pipes to get a good look from outside. I need help getting in.

But we're being sneaky, okay? Robin'll kill me if he finds out I just busted down a wall and tried to solve it with my fists.
mostdangerousbird: (013)

[personal profile] mostdangerousbird 2022-04-16 05:33 am (UTC)(link)
[ Tim takes the seat across from Terry and chooses words with deliberate care. ]

I went to a family thing at my brother’s apartment. I guess you could call it a brunch.

[ There was cereal, coffee and chocolate, at least. ]

I doubt that’s what you’re looking for, but it’s the truth.
lowercase_el: (007)

2

[personal profile] lowercase_el 2022-04-16 05:56 am (UTC)(link)
[Kon doesn't know if this guy is on the up and up. Apparently, things aren't quite as icy between Jason Todd and the Batfamily anymore. But Kon didn't experience the last two iterations of the timeline the same way everyone else did. He wasn't there for the progress due to being trapped in Gemworld. Reality had decided to erase him from everyone's memories. Hell, he'd missed time in his own timeline by dying and reviving.]

[Kon's life has skipped like a stone off the surface of reality in more than one way.]

[He has no idea what this Jason is supposed to be like. All he knows is that in the original timeline he came from, before it got rewritten twice over, he was a dickhead who shot people and who liked to beat up on his best friend.]

[It's also a big multiverse so who knows if this guy is even from his reality.]

[So he does a thing he doesn't often do and lands lightly on a roof nearby and lurks, head down low. Because he wants to see whether he goes for the kill or just breaks some bones like Bats.]

[(The irony of a super trying to sneak up on a bat and lurk is absolutely not lost to him.)]

[Jason might be able to hear or spot him. Or Kon will intervene the second it seems to be getting too brutal. It depends on which happens first.]
the_caped_crusader: (pic#15390880)

[personal profile] the_caped_crusader 2022-04-16 06:55 am (UTC)(link)
It's not like you haven't gone undercover before, Timothy.

[ he raises an eyebrow, glancing peripherally with the hint of a smile. ]

But there are a lot of unknown variables here. I wouldn't blame you for taking the offer.
the_caped_crusader: (pic#15390894)

[personal profile] the_caped_crusader 2022-04-16 07:09 am (UTC)(link)
Yeah, sounds like a typical family squabble...

[ he stifles a sigh and crumbles the now empty tin foil package in his hands. he pauses. ]

...How long has it been since you've been back?
neverrobin: (Default)

[personal profile] neverrobin 2022-04-16 08:54 am (UTC)(link)
That doesn't really help.

Okay, look. I need something big. It doesn't have to be any thing you were a part of. Just something I can use to work out what's going on.

[An out of sorts. Tim doesn't have to give any details that nobody else would know.

He's pretty sure this isn't his Tim by now, but Bruce would have his hide if he didn't make himself 100٪ sure.

A better question pops into his head.]


Actually, y'know what? I know how to figure this out. Is the Joker still alive?

[If this is his universe's Tim, he's too old to still be Robin. The Joker would've died years ago. It's not messing up the timeline to ask.]
Edited 2022-04-16 09:17 (UTC)
nepotis: (Harry TASM2 024)

[personal profile] nepotis 2022-04-16 08:56 am (UTC)(link)
hell no. I don't need money that badly.
whocares: (this city trembles)

[personal profile] whocares 2022-04-16 09:01 am (UTC)(link)
pretty sure you're supposed to join cause you get hard for being a square, not for the dough
nepotis: (Harry TASM2 082)

[personal profile] nepotis 2022-04-16 09:04 am (UTC)(link)
either way, the hero gig isn't for me.
I don't look good in tights.
whocares: (from cold blood and bruises)

[personal profile] whocares 2022-04-16 09:13 am (UTC)(link)
they got a dress code too?
nepotis: (tasm2cr-184_zps1f1638c2)

[personal profile] nepotis 2022-04-16 09:18 am (UTC)(link)
haven't you seen them? capes and spandex seem to be the "in" look this season.
whocares: (we are X-rays)

[personal profile] whocares 2022-04-16 09:20 am (UTC)(link)
i thought that was just the freak show
fuck, the hell is wrong with people
nepotis: (tasm2cr-231_zps8a6bf58a)

[personal profile] nepotis 2022-04-16 09:22 am (UTC)(link)
who knows.
I'm just trying to get by as best I can, and keep my head down.