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.
ikols: but you came close to it (you're not my happy ever after)

[personal profile] ikols 2022-04-27 10:46 am (UTC)(link)
He did offer his cape eventually but I declined, as he called me names. [ SNIFFS! ] That killed the vibe.

[ Loki drapes a companionable arm around Tim as they walk, resting it there. ]

Tip: calling someone a weirdo is neither charming nor endearing.
buildallthethings: (they'll try to take from me)

Grease Monkey // Native OC

[personal profile] buildallthethings 2022-04-28 06:38 pm (UTC)(link)
OOC; character appearance. character uses xey/xem but they/them is also acceptable because god knows I mix such up as well

1. METASTRAVAGANZA
[The monkey-themed hero has been around for at least one other Confluence, but they're still not a very well-known face; certainly not well enough to warrant a toy, though xey're investigating them curiously. in fact, looking at one, looking at you, looking at one, looking at you...]

Wait, you're telling me that's supposed to be them? Come on!- gimmie half off and I'll take it.

2. SEEDY UNDERBELLY
[There are a few kinds of people in this world. Some commit crimes. Some stop crimes! Others...watch those who are punching those who are commiting the crimes, and then try and sneak in and make off with the goods before anyone notices. It's not stealing if you're not the one who originally took it, right?...

Either way, GM's managed a bit of a scavenge today, clutching some tech tightly in xeir messenger bag as xey look over xeir shoulder for any signs of pursuit. Ducking in to an alley, xey quickly bounce from wall to wall, gaining altitude before landing on the roof in a crouch, ready to see the 'profits' of xeir...well, maybe not hard work, but it was hard getting away without a tail, okay?

...

Other than the one they already have.]
buildallthethings: (dream of a world for me and my kind)

dinotopia

[personal profile] buildallthethings 2022-04-28 06:44 pm (UTC)(link)
[XEY HATE THIS PLACE SO FREAKIN' MUCH. THIS PLACE SUCKS. SCREW DINOSAURS. GM NOW OFFICIALLY HATES-

-oh hey that. That sure is a someone coming in as the water receeds, and the young 'hero' shifts from where xey've tucked xemself in a high corner - one hand and one foot on either wall, using pressure to keep xemselves from falling. Xey stay up there for a few moments, just blinking at xeir savior, before-]


Okay, but, if there's any stupid dinos in the way I'm using your bow to shoot 'em.

[GM you have no idea how to shoot a bow and arrow]
thelastlaugh: (024)

THE JOKER | DC COMICS | cw: intended harm to children

[personal profile] thelastlaugh 2022-04-29 01:55 am (UTC)(link)
A. CLOWNZ 'R' US

[The man that's considering the action figures doesn't stand out that much at first. Even if his plan will still work if someone notices him, he didn't want so much scrutiny he'd be held up at the door. You can't just swan into a store looking like a mix between a ringmaster and the Monopoly guy if you don't want to immediately get noticed.]

[So he's dressed slightly more subdued than usual, black gloves replacing the usual white, a fairly fashionable gray trench coat covering bright purple, and a low-brimmed hat on his head mostly covering his green hair.]

[What stands out is that he's very pale. Unnaturally pale. And his lips are strikingly red.]

[He stands there, bowed over slightly as he scrutinizes the toys, a hand rubbing his chin thoughtfully.]

You know, back in my day we didn't have action figures with 20 points of articulation. We had to hit our hoop and stick uphill in the snow both ways! [He doesn't seem to be talking to anyone in particular, maybe just to himself, but he's close enough anyone might think he's speaking to them.] And I notice a disappointing lack of representation of certain classes of individuals here.

[Such as the criminal classes.]

[He tuts with the disapproving head shake of a school marm.]

Such a shame that they're limiting it to only some of the newcomers. Variety is the spice of life, after all. [A very exaggerated shrug.] Oh well! Sometimes you have to D-I-Y this sort of thing! Self-promote that synergy! Get your product out there to an adoring public by hitting the bricks, through the sweat of your brow!

[Reaching into the voluminous kind of pocket that can potentially hold an unreasonably sized mallet, he pulls out an action figure that looks like himself, pale skin and all. The purple clown outfit is fully visible, though, and so is the green hair.]

[...And so is a rather alarming smile, all teeth, one that looks like it must make his face ache. He places it on the shelf. It even has a box with a clear plastic front, all mocked up to look like the other figures being sold.]

[Then he puts his hands in his pockets and starts walking out of the store.]

I sure hope the kids like it. If they do, it'll be a real gas.

[Then he laughs an abrupt little laugh, as if at his own inside joke. It's not one of his patented (and terrifying) full cackles - yet.]

[That'll happen later. Toy trends are just like that sometimes, you know. They can happen totally by surprise. You never know which toy's going to blow up and attract everyone's attention!]
Edited 2022-04-29 02:04 (UTC)
slowmotionbuscrash: (043)

[personal profile] slowmotionbuscrash 2022-04-29 02:30 am (UTC)(link)
[ A young man with hair that looks like a fashion choice isn’t far from the action figures in question. He isn’t looking at them now because someone else is, and Tommy would prefer to keep any action figure purchases that he makes for the nerds in his life quiet.

But he’s certainly close enough to recognize that something’s Not Right about the guy in the trench coat who’s talking to himself. Because he’s talking to himself.

So Tommy pays attention for a second. Maybe even ten. Weird look. Mutant. Makeup. Who knows, he’s old as dirt so he could be a fan of the Cure or Marilyn Manson. It’s all very local loony, and Tommy half expects to be hit up for a loosey.

And then… Fedora produces another action figure box out of nowhere and leaves it on the shelf and walks off. That’s not how capitalism works.
]

You dropped this neatly on the booth.

[ The words are possibly in the air before Tommy blurs to a stop a few feet in front of Fedora, holding out the box.

What the hell, he has time, and this is more interesting than a superhero farmer’s market.
]
thelastlaugh: (045)

[personal profile] thelastlaugh 2022-04-29 03:33 am (UTC)(link)
[The Joker is very go with the flow. For the most part. The annoyance doesn't creep in until interruptions to his plans are a repeat performance.]

[This loosey-goosey flexibility has served him well. It's let him find loopholes, or helped him rebound from failed plans to find new ways for them to succeed.]

[It helps that his plans are often multi-faceted.]

[Like this one.]

[He doesn't take the action figure back.]

Now, now, sonny Jim, haven't you ever heard of self-promotion? How's a guy supposed to get his name out there? It's not like I have a PR budget, you know.

[He suddenly looks outside the window in an exaggerated way, meant to draw attention to what's outside.]

Oh wait, I forgot. I do!

[Down the street is... a parade? Of some kind? Moving towards the shop. In the time that Tommy's been in the store, part of the street has been discreetly cordoned off. And now a marching band is approaching, as well as wranglers who are wrangling a giant float.]

[You could get all kinds of help, talent, and materials with the right money. They've all been lied to that the proper permits are in place. Of course, the lack of said permits means the police will eventually come - but the more the merrier. In fact, the police showing up is something Joker is counting on. Always a laugh when the fuzz gets properly lint brushed.]

[The float looks like the Joker, except he's wearing a purple spandex superhero costume that looks an awful lot like an old-timey strong man costume, or swim trunks, the kind with suspenders. The cape on the float is comically small and purple as well.]

[People start to gather to gawk, looking confused. Traffic starts honking at the ends of the street over the sudden, unplanned hurdles blocking traffic, in some cases trapping drivers right where they were.]

[He gestures widely, giving Tommy an exaggerated frown for hindering him.]

My public awaits! It's about time I made my mark on this town.
Edited 2022-04-29 22:37 (UTC)
fledges: (024)

[personal profile] fledges 2022-04-29 06:11 am (UTC)(link)
[What a creep. Kate starts off doing that politely disinterested New Yorker thing—if she ignores him, maybe he'll stop ranting at her and go away. How many weirdos has she been trapped with on the subway, after all? But then he keeps talking, and she can't help but listen. Just in case. It could be nothing, but better to be alert than let something catch her off guard.

She tenses, instinctively, when he reaches into his pocket, and it's only then when she finally turns to him. It could be nothing, but she's expecting the worst, and instead gets... an action figure? An oddly detailed one, in fact.

As the guy turns to leave, Kate snatches up the box and turns to follow, half a step behind him.]


Hey, Pennywise. What are you trying to do, give a bunch of kids nightmares?
hevenly: (severe)

seedy underbelly

[personal profile] hevenly 2022-04-29 04:55 pm (UTC)(link)
[ When xey reach the roof and recover xeir breath, xey will look up to see a pair of hooves standing in front of them. Looking further up, xey will see that the hooves belong to a stern looking minotaur woman. ]

Those items do not belong to you.

[ Said plainly, and very judgementally. But, Angela has not yet decided whether she wants to do anything about it yet. ]
buildallthethings: (mutual sight)

[personal profile] buildallthethings 2022-04-29 05:11 pm (UTC)(link)
[that

okay uh give xem a moment, the kid's just going to kind of blink owlishly through xeir goggles for a moment, staring up at the woman before seeming to recover.]


Uh.

[wait okay start again, the monkey-kid gives as disarming a smile as xey can muster. spoiler; it looks far more like the smile of a kid with their hand caught in the cookie jar]

There's no receipts in the bag, so unless you know who they do belong to...?
hevenly: (Hm.)

[personal profile] hevenly 2022-04-29 05:17 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Again, Angela makes no move to draw her weapon or step closer to the monkey-child. She simply narrows her eyes and asks, ]

What is your intention with these ill-begotten goods?

[ There's the heavy implication that the wrong answer could lead her to feel the need to take action. ]
buildallthethings: (so stick your standards)

[personal profile] buildallthethings 2022-04-29 05:23 pm (UTC)(link)
[This feels just like being caught with a hand in the cookie jar, dangit. Complete with adult who isn't mad, just possibly disappointed. Grease Monkey looks left, then right, cheeky smile fading a bit before eyes return to the minotaur lady.]

I was...gonna see if there was anything that said where they came from?

[Not...TECHNICALLY a lie.]

You wanna help?
hevenly: (nothing is for nothing)

[personal profile] hevenly 2022-04-29 05:29 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Her eyebrows lift as though she wasn't expecting (and possibly doesn't believe) that answer.

Still, though. ]


What will you give me for my help?

[ She doesn't do anything for free. ]
buildallthethings: (dream of a world for me and my kind)

[personal profile] buildallthethings 2022-04-29 05:35 pm (UTC)(link)
[The fact the woman's entertaining the thought is a very good thing. The kid immediately seems to relax a bit, no longer edging towards 'flight'. In fact, xey sound outright confident as xey make xeir offer;]

Half. Take turns picking, but I go first 'coz I'm the one who found it.

[It's mostly electronic store stuff - think Radio Shack, back in the day, except...modernized - with nothing obscenely expensive. Or large, for that matter, but that doesn't really affect price.]
hevenly: (Angela36)

[personal profile] hevenly 2022-04-29 05:45 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Angela, lip quirked, kneels to peer into the bag to see what it even contains. Then she shakes her head and stands again. ]

What use have I for a HDMI cable and a pack of rechargeable batteries? [ She doesn't give off the vibes of someone who uses many electronics. ]

No. Make another offer.
buildallthethings: (mutual struggle)

[personal profile] buildallthethings 2022-04-29 05:57 pm (UTC)(link)
What're you in the market for, a taser?...actually, probably not, you look like you could kick ass without one. [does flattery work, is that a thing that'll work here. just gonna shuffle through the haul a bit.] I mean, I could show you what I could make with just an HDMI cable and batteries, but one, it'd probably explode, two, oh, hey.

[Xey pull out what appears to be a small SSD, turning xeir wrist to examine it]

I'd probably just break this one apart for what's inside, but if you've got any computer friends, this isn't a bad present for them. Or to put on Bobslist for cash.
hevenly: (4d)

[personal profile] hevenly 2022-04-29 06:00 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Angela leans in once more to examine the SSD. Xey seem to think it is of some value, but... Her knowledge of computers is Extremely Limited. The last world she was in was still working on DOS, okay? ]

What is it?
buildallthethings: (for shared ground)

[personal profile] buildallthethings 2022-04-29 06:09 pm (UTC)(link)
[Oh, ye poor techbab. All points in to STR, huh? GM manages to sound only *slightly* condescending as xey try to explain in baby-talk-]

It's called an SSD. It's storage for computers- this's a decent brand, has a good size, and, since it's still wrapped, has warranty. Like I said, you can give it to someone who knows computers, oorrrrrrr-

[cheeky grin!]

-you can give me a day or two to pawn it, and I can give you the cash in return for letting me mess with the rest'f the stuff?
hevenly: (Sera; coconspirator)

[personal profile] hevenly 2022-04-29 06:13 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Angela thinks about that. She only really knows two people here who she would consider to be "computer people," one of whom she thinks would probably find the SSD to be quaint and of little importance, and the other she can't think of any reason she would need to barter for a favor from him.

So, really, cash is the better deal. One needs money in this world to procure goods and services. ]


Very well. Pawn the SSD and return to me your earnings, and I will give you leave to do with the rest of the items as you will.

And neither of us will tell the police or the Alliance of any of this.
buildallthethings: (they'll try to take from me)

[personal profile] buildallthethings 2022-04-29 06:16 pm (UTC)(link)
[It'd be so easy to not return, buuUUUUUUt also? GM isn't in the habit of making enemies. Lying is hard because then you have to worry about the truth, where if you just tell the truth and follow through, it's pretty easy? So there's the intent to follow through, the kid nodding as they consider]

Where can I find you?

[Xey aren't about to rat out xeir own nest - so to speak - but letting the lady pick the meeting ground seems safe enough.]

And yeah, no, none of their business.
hevenly: (turn to look)

[personal profile] hevenly 2022-04-29 06:21 pm (UTC)(link)
Club Crimson, uptown. I am there most nights.

[ Xey'll recognize it as the name of a rather popular nightclub.

And, just in case the child is thinking of breaking the terms of their arrangement. ]


If you do not come to me in two weeks, then I will find you. No matter where you try to hide.

[ Minotaurs are extremely good hunters and trackers. ]
buildallthethings: (mutual sight)

[personal profile] buildallthethings 2022-04-29 06:25 pm (UTC)(link)
[Nevermind the fact that nightclubs are usually restricted of age, the kid seems confident xey can get in, if that nod's any agreement. And have another cheeky grin]

Lady, like I said, I'm pretty sure you could kick at least -my- ass so don't worry about it showing up. Who do I ask for?
hevenly: (Default)

[personal profile] hevenly 2022-04-29 06:33 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Getting in won't be an issue. Angela works as the club's bouncer, so she'll be standing outside, readily approachable. ]

I am called Angela.
buildallthethings: (it's safe to say)

[personal profile] buildallthethings 2022-04-29 06:36 pm (UTC)(link)
Grease Monkey.

[did that kid actually just fingergun that kid actually just fingergunned. we are so sorry.]

Couple days, max, but I don't mind the extra cushion 'case something goes wrong!
hevenly: (from below galaxy)

[personal profile] hevenly 2022-04-29 06:38 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Angela's lips twitch upwards in the barest hint of a smile. ]

Well met, Grease Monkey.

[ She turns to glance down the alley where the sounds of commotion are beginning to filter through. ]

Now, go, before they realize the goods have gone missing and decide to give chase.
slowmotionbuscrash: (032)

[personal profile] slowmotionbuscrash 2022-04-29 10:39 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Tommy’s leaning towards worried, at this point, because he’s not stupid. That’s BS, and there’s a razor blades in Halloween candy vibe that he’s not liking. ]

PR blasts give the merch away. They don’t plant it for someone else to sell.

[ He looks at the figure. The Joker. With a face like a Stephen King trip, His eyes dart around for a second. Fedora. Marching band. Giant balloon. Float. Figure. Repeat. Twice. ]

What sort of knockoff Ronald McDonald Macy’s Day Parade is this?

[ Tommy’s not entirely sure what to make of this. There’s nothing wrong with anything that’s happening - aside from it being fucking bizarre - but there’s nothing right about it either. He can feel it in his jellies. ]