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.
wordiness: (009)

[personal profile] wordiness 2022-03-13 06:35 pm (UTC)(link)
Fandral is Asgardian. I am a five-eight witch with no alcohol tolerance.

[ granted, he could probably just spell the alcohol out of his system, but at that point he's not sure he'd trust himself to do it without screwing up.

also what are all these? he looks to loki, looks to the glass he has, and with a shrug, picks another pink one. ]
I have no idea what's in this.
ikols: a private toast to new horizons (a private host)

[personal profile] ikols 2022-03-13 06:40 pm (UTC)(link)
I would not leave you swooning drunkenly at this bar, have a little faith in your favourite god.

[ Clinking their glasses, he laughs and shrugs carelessly. ]

Nor do I.

[ And down goes one shot! Hsss, it's sharp. ]
wordiness: (014)

[personal profile] wordiness 2022-03-13 06:54 pm (UTC)(link)
My hero.

[ oh god he's going to hate this. he knocks it back with a grimace, a hand flying to his mouth as if that will make it burn less. ]

Ugh. I regret choosing the same color.
ikols: that you don't see (i'm the only part of me)

[personal profile] ikols 2022-03-13 06:55 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Faster than Billy can see, another shot is in front of him, this one purple to match Loki's new one. ]

Your do suit this shade more, as we have discussed.
wordiness: (020)

[personal profile] wordiness 2022-03-13 06:59 pm (UTC)(link)
[ he shoots him a slightly dirty sideways glance. he said one, loki! .. on the other hand, he's right, what else is he planning to do today?

heaving a very put-upon sigh, he lifts this one too. ]
Okay, this is the last one, though. [ he's already had an entire drink, plus the first shot, he's already going to be a little tipsy. ]
ikols: our lovers (we should leave)

[personal profile] ikols 2022-03-13 07:13 pm (UTC)(link)
Just this one, yes.

[ Loki necks his shot again, gasping with a laugh. His tolerance is higher than a mortal's but not by much, being a Frost Giant leaves a lot of room for alcohol to affect him far faster than it would an Aesir.

He looks surprised to see two shots left, green, on the bar next to their empty glasses. ]


... Oh no, they're going to waste away without their fellows.

[ The saddest eyes. ]
wordiness: recadreuse (034)

[personal profile] wordiness 2022-03-13 07:27 pm (UTC)(link)
[ the purple shot burns just as badly as the first, and billy whines a little when he sets the glass down, dropping his cheek into his palm.

the green shots get an accusing look. when did those get there? ]


Rude. [ he reaches up to cover loki's eyes with his palm so he doesn't have to see the pleading. ] Last one. Seriously this time. [ as it is, he can feel his thoughts softening around the edges, his vision going a little unsteady. ]
ikols: CAPTURE YOUR ATTENTION (anything to)

[personal profile] ikols 2022-03-13 07:33 pm (UTC)(link)
Billy, we are heroically returning these brave warriors to their comrades, this is a solemn occasion. I must see.

[ This time he hooks his wrist around Billy's to bring them in close, snickering like a child caught out of bounds. His glass is offered to Billy. ]

Skål.
wordiness: (017)

[personal profile] wordiness 2022-03-13 07:40 pm (UTC)(link)
[ he goes pink as he's pulled in close, but with a pout, he reflects the gesture back to him. ] Same to you. [ he tips his glass into loki's mouth, taking loki's shot with a gasp. ]

These are awful, Loki.
ikols: i been poppin bottles all night (i been fuckin models)

[personal profile] ikols 2022-03-13 07:45 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Loki gurgles his shot as he laughs, pulling back to thump his chest after being made to laugh. ]

It's in my nose —!
wordiness: (008)

[personal profile] wordiness 2022-03-13 07:50 pm (UTC)(link)
[ he laughs as he sets the glass back down, patting loki's chest to help him get it down. ]

Serves you right, Mister Silvertongue.
ikols: & your muttered whens and hows (all the pins inside your fretted head)

[personal profile] ikols 2022-03-13 07:53 pm (UTC)(link)
This is foul fare, [ sniffff! ] let's ask if they have any mead. Mead is best!

[ It's important to have a hand on Billy's arm as he declares this, a little woosy himself when he sits up straight. ]

Innkeep! [ The bartender gives them a judgemental look. ] Have you anything sweet?
wordiness: (009)

[personal profile] wordiness 2022-03-13 08:01 pm (UTC)(link)
No mead. [ he slumps sideways a little to rest his temple on loki's shoulder. ] I'm already kind of drunk, and the bartender's judging us for day-drinking.

[ he can't even blame him. ]
ikols: but we were so young (oh)

[personal profile] ikols 2022-03-13 08:04 pm (UTC)(link)
I want something sweet and your lips are out of bounds, so I will have my satisfaction elsewhere.

[ He waves a hand to the bartender, pointing to the beers and ales on tap. His arm comes around Billy to help him stay steady. ]

Give us any of those, I will fix them up.
wordiness: recadreuse (032)

[personal profile] wordiness 2022-03-13 08:21 pm (UTC)(link)
Who says my lips are sweet after those shots?

[ the bartender looks unconvinced, glancing from loki to billy and back again, but he pours a beer and slides it in front of loki.

billy curls a hand over the arm around him, eyeing the drink warily. ]
.. I'll take a sip of that once you fix it.
ikols: will hear us screaming at the cold (all the stones & kings of old)

[personal profile] ikols 2022-03-13 08:24 pm (UTC)(link)
I know what I'm about, fear not.

[ He casts a spell to change the ale to mead, the colour shifting to a deep yellow. The scent of honey rises and he brings it closer so Billy can smell it. ]

This is what I was drinking when Thor had to bail me out of jail, he was most vexed. It was worth it.
wordiness: (026)

[personal profile] wordiness 2022-03-13 08:31 pm (UTC)(link)
[ he raises his head enough to reach for the glass, pulling loki's hand toward him. ] It does smell sweet. Is it very strong?

[ whether it is or not, he tips the bottom of the glass up so he can take a sip. ]
ikols: through the cities in the sky (flying high)

[personal profile] ikols 2022-03-13 08:43 pm (UTC)(link)
Oh, yes. It ferments for only six weeks, that is why it is the drink of summertime.

[ He watches Billy, chinning a hand as he rubs between Billy's shoulders to keep him centred. ]

Sometimes, when the season is most fair, the goddess Idunn spares a golden apple for the barrel and everyone is rejuvenated, we hunt for weeks at a time under the mountains of neighbouring realms. Those who do not journey meet for a Feasting Day in Odin's golden hall of Gladsheim.
wordiness: (009)

[personal profile] wordiness 2022-03-13 08:50 pm (UTC)(link)
[ if it's that strong, it doesn't taste that strong, but he limits himself to a sip just in case. his head drops back down to loki's shoulder a moment later, and he hums out a soft, encouraging noise to keep him talking. ]

It sounds pretty incredible. Maybe one day I can see it.
ikols: what power (the babe with the power)

[personal profile] ikols 2022-03-13 08:54 pm (UTC)(link)
[ His cheek rests on soft brown hair, swigging the mead for himself. ]

You would like it a sight better than Jotunheim. Come see me there and I will keep you safe and warm for a time, until we leave for Asgard's finery and comfort.
wordiness: (009)

[personal profile] wordiness 2022-03-13 09:04 pm (UTC)(link)
Jotunheim is part of your heritage. [ he fumbles a little to catch loki's free hand, drawing it snugly back around him. ] .. So I'd like to see it, even if it is ridiculously cold.

[ besides, even though billy's been around gods off and on now for years, the norse myths will always hold a special place in his heart. of course he'd like to see some of the other realms. ]
ikols: purrs LOUDLY (purrs)

[personal profile] ikols 2022-03-13 09:17 pm (UTC)(link)
It's freezing ...

[ With one arm around Billy, he reaches over the bar when unsupervised by the staff and steals two umbrellas for their mead, two straws as well. Plopping them in their drink as he chuckles, Loki presses a kiss to Billy's temple. ]

Little Asgardian. [ He remembers that title. ] You loved us long before you knew us, that is a kindness the Aesir would be pleased by.
wordiness: (019)

[personal profile] wordiness 2022-03-13 09:27 pm (UTC)(link)
Oh God, [ he turns his face into loki's shoulder. ] "Asgardian".. it was so cringey. I even had that stupid winged helm.

[ at least he'd eventually changed his costume around. loki's not wrong that he'd loved them, though. all of them. they'd been his bedtime stories. ]
ikols: WHEN I WALKED INNNN (OOOOH YOU KNEW I WAS TROUBLE)

[personal profile] ikols 2022-03-13 09:30 pm (UTC)(link)
It was a bit cringey but all devotees are. I would not have wanted to come near you if you still wore that helm, you know.

[ He puffs a breath into Billy's hair. ]

I do not want fanboys.
wordiness: (008)

[personal profile] wordiness 2022-03-13 09:33 pm (UTC)(link)
Good thing you didn't know me at fifteen, then.

[ he tilts his chin up to gently bump his brow against loki's jaw, smiling a little foolishly. ] Teddy and I were both embarrassing fanboys.

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