metamemes | TEST DRIVE MEME #02

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!test drive meme

TEST DRIVE MEME #02

TEST DRIVE MEME

Welcome to

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.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

I know. [ he taps the toe of his shoe lightly against loki's thigh. ] But you're not one, and everyone knows that.

[ a week ago, he wouldn't have expected he'd be here, in another reality, discussing loki's love life, but life has a way of surprising you, doesn't it? ]

.. And from what I've gathered, he's a little bit of a himbo. [ indicating a small space between his thumb and index finger. ]

[ That makes Loki's lips twitch, failing to straighten them as he glances up at Billy. ]

Actually, he reminded me a little of you. [ Before Billy can give him a kick, he hurries to explain in a placating voice, ] He was beautiful.

[ Don't hurt him, okay. ]

[ he falters, then goes pink just when he thought he was done feeling flustered during this conversation. ]

Now you are flattering me. You see me often when you look at other people?

No, in fact. That's probably a disservice to Josh, he's perfectly nice in his own right.

[ Sipping his now cool coffee, he enjoys the sight of Billy's blush. He tries to lighten the sentiment. ]

I'm shallow and I like a good view, don't fret.

You can fool a lot of people, but I know for a fact you're not that shallow.

[ he's a little like the beach, really. there's a point where the safe shallows abruptly become the ocean, and if you're not prepared, that drop off can be terrifying. ]

Besides, I'm not fretting. [ his glance lingers against the red around loki's wrist, then drifts up to his eyes. ] I like that you think of me.

[ He has to do something to save face, it's all too easy for Billy to read and deconstruct him. Only fair, really, that Loki starts to push back a little (well within the bounds of the trust he is granted, of course). After all, what harm can words really do ... ?

He leans forward, lowering his voice and leaning on the arm that sports a bracelet-clad wrist. ]

If we didn't have our significant others I would kiss you until you were breathless and drag you onto my lap so that I could feel every inch of you under my hands.

[ his breathing catches so abruptly that it hiccups, eyes widening, ears beginning to resemble his cloak. that is not fair. ]

Loki. You can't just-- just say things like that. [ he can and apparently will, and even over breakfast. and he knows he's probably just doing it to tease him, but it's working, which is embarrassing him even more.

he presses both hands to his cheeks as if to hide or take away some of the heat there. ] And anyway, you'd have to date me first before any of that.

[ Success. Sitting back triumphantly, he munches on a forkful of pancake. ]

Then you had better watch out for our first date if you're intent on riling me up for it.

[ He stretches out his legs, ankles crossed, and they go under Billy's chair. Making Billy blush is fast becoming one of Loki's favourite pastimes. ]

You're the worst, [ he accuses with a shocked, pleased laugh. ] And I am perfectly innocent here. Besides, who knows?

[ he takes the last sip of his coffee with an arched brow, humming lightly as he sets his cup back down. ]

After having to wait that long, maybe you'll find that you've lost interest. Or that dating me isn't what you were hoping for.

[ Pretending there is a lock of unruly hair on Billy, mirroring the touch from earlier, Loki brushes his hair back as he leans in and lies, ]

Perhaps.

[ When he sits back he feels the sunshine on his shoulders and his demeanour shifts into something more appropriate for a breakfast date, the scent of fresh coffee and the chatter of patrons filtering back into his peripherals. ]

For now we ought to focus on getting free of this realm, for I'm running out of ideas. We have a bunch of newbie superheroes and confused supervillains tottering around Central City. [ Loki requests a fresh coffee from the server, gaze returning to Billy. ] Two Osborns are here from different worlds, father and son.

[ billy's eyes sharpen immediately at the news about the osborns, and he straightens, fingers curling white-knuckled around his cup. for a moment, two, the air around them all but crackles with his magic, heavy with anger, blue light pulsing behind his eyes. it takes more effort than he'd like to admit to suppress it, jaw clenching with displeasure. ]

.. Ugh, [ he sums it up, relaxing his hands carefully and reaching up to pinch the bridge of his nose. ] Of course they are. [ he shouldn't prejudge, he knows. alternate universes often mean alternate histories, after all. it's just.. hard not to remember all the harm that's been caused in their world. ] Have you met either of them?

[ Thank gods someone is having an appropriate reaction to the news, Loki wanted to bash Fandral about the head for defending the younger Osborn. ]

I haven't met Norman and don't especially want to, but I did meet Harry. He's sick, some sort of wasting illness. [ Loki purses his lips, giving Billy a knowing look. ] His temper was frayed and he seemed desperate. To what end specifically, I know not, but I doubt it involves petting kittens and puppies.

Oh, fuck me. [ a desperate osborn is a dangerous osborn--as if they aren't usually dangerous--and given the fact that confluences give new arrivals powers (apparently), there's literally no way to tell yet just how dangerous.

he drums his nails on the table, turning his glance toward the windows in the cafe and out to the city beyond. ] .. What are the odds that the guild officials won't take either of them seriously as a threat if we talk to them about it?

[ the guilds don't seem to take crime particularly seriously anywhere in this city. ]

I think any Osborn in this realm will make of themselves whatever they want, no matter what we say.

[ Loki hadn't noticed any surprising abilities in Harry, but then he had been trying to see how light-hearted and different to Norman the young man had been (not overly). ]

It was strange ... Harry's neck, right here above his collar, it appeared to be rotting.

Rotting?

[ gross. also unfortunately not an unfamiliar symptom of various ailments, particularly of the dark magical variety. the problem is that without seeing and examining him, there's no real way they'd know. and if it's something wholly biological, josh would really be the one to speak to about it. ]

.. Did you get any sense that it might be something more in our wheelhouse?

[ A shake of his head is given. ]

He seemed wholly disbelieving of who I am and what I can do, when I made my helm appear he seemed to think it was incredible.

[ His lips purse as he pauses before admitting, ]

Peter told me that Harry is from an earlier point in his timeline. That's the Harry that killed Peter's old girlfriend ten years ago, so if he hasn't gone bad yet ...

[ immediately, his brows knit, concern filling his expression. ] Is Peter handling him being here okay? [ if harry had eventually killed someone peter had loved, he can only imagine that it's traumatic to have him here, even if he's coming from before that act.

of course, billy doesn't know this peter, this spider-man, but loki clearly cares deeply for him, and that.. sort of means billy does by default. ]

[ Loki appreciates the concern in Billy for Peter, even though he doesn't know him personally. It means a lot. ]

He freaked out at first, the whole multiverse concept is still very new to him. I think he's handling it about as well as anyone could.

... I haven't told him I met Harry in person. Peter still blames himself for the last time I was injured.

[ he can imagine. he and teddy both have people in their lives like harry-- teddy especially, and it hurts him to see how badly it hurts teddy.

the mention of loki being injured catches his attention again, the concern deepening in the downward tilt of his mouth. ]

When were you injured? What happened?

Oh, I was immolated by a native god.

[ Said super casually right before he takes a long pull from his coffee. ]

Loki. [ what the fuck? ] Yeah, well, I can see why it scared him. [ particularly if you aren't accustomed to people with magic. but immolation is nothing to sneeze at even if you are a god. ]

What happened?

[ Wow! Is it such a big deal? It happened weeks ago! ]

Eros cast a spell where we all became enamoured but I happen to be the God of Lies [ tadaaa! ] so I eventually started to break free of it. Unfortunately not before it forced my attentions onto people including Stephen, which was extremely unnerving for all involved, but he was there as I shrugged off the spell altogether. Lucky for me as Eros didn't like that and set me on fire, the kind a god can't put out alone. A swimming pool was dumped on my head, albeit not before ...

At any rate, I looked less than dashing when Stephen teleported me home.

[ Loki rips some bacon from his pancake to chew on mutinously. ]

Peter was there at the time. Break between patrols. He saw what a god can endure and it scared him, understandably, when I admitted my reason for resisting. I saw it in his eyes.

[ the honest truth of it is that billy isn't happy it happened, would have been upset and angry at the time, but he wouldn't have been worried. he knows loki, knows what he's capable of, knows that he's already been through awful things, and it wouldn't have killed him. it's the benefit of both of them being from the same reality, in which the extraordinary is fairly commonplace.

at least, compared to this peter's world, apparently. he can only imagine the horror he'd felt, the panic, especially given what apparently happened to his last love interest.

he drops his hand down beneath the table, resting it on loki's knee, thumb tapping against the side of it. ] I imagine it's going to take him a while to get used to the idea of.. a lot about being here and being with you.

I've explained much, it's ... not as if I hide my real self from him. I, perhaps, play a little more human for his benefit, but that is because he treats me so normally. I like how he sees me. I'm not only Loki, I'm ... whoever I was before this.

[ A magpie, a spirit, a roaming soul's imprint. Peter likes whoever that was. Under the table Loki leans his knee into Billy's touch. ]

You will help him, won't you? He hasn't had a team behind him, before. I wish for that for him.

I thought earlier that someone from another reality would be good for you, [ he admits, musing. ] Someone who doesn't know Loki's story, who doesn't have any preconceived ideas about who and what you are.

[ he squeezes the knee in his palm, fingers curling beneath in the crook of his leg. ]

Of course I will. You're probably going to deeply regret introducing us, actually. [ he smiles, the small, coy note back. ] Pretty sure I have some good stories for him about you.

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