metamods: (Default)
meta moderators ([personal profile] metamods) wrote in [community profile] metamemes2022-03-04 04:33 pm
Entry tags:

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: a venom dripping in your mouth (this could be perfection)

[personal profile] ikols 2022-04-16 06:00 pm (UTC)(link)
Oh, yes! It happens often when you become well-known in this realm, no one ever thinks you are yourself unless poised in the middle of a fight on the news.

[ He glances up and down, taking in the sight of her. ]

Does "Earth-616" mean anything to you? I have a witch-boy who will be heartbroken if not.
fledges: (100)

[personal profile] fledges 2022-04-16 06:06 pm (UTC)(link)
[And just like that, Kate's eyes light up, all questions of "which Loki is this" gone for now.]

Billy's here?

[Wait.]

I mean, yes, it means something. Is he okay?
ikols: keeper of thought & memory (come odin)

[personal profile] ikols 2022-04-16 06:09 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Whatever he was holding back eases in his smile. ]

He's just fine. [ Misses Teddy but whatever, they've been not-quite-making-out and Loki isn't in the mood to be told off when he's so happy to see Kate. ] Give me your phone, I'll put his number in. He will be thrilled to know you've made skyfall in this realm, between you and me I think he is growing a little tired of brunch with just me.

[ And everyone who isn't his husband. A fresh face may help. ]
fledges: (089)

[personal profile] fledges 2022-04-16 06:31 pm (UTC)(link)
Don't do anything weird with it.

[She says, instinctively, before she hands it over. And if she tries to let their fingers brush a little as she does it, oh well. Totally innocent!]
ikols: a dangerous cipher in the quiet (i'm a shadow creeper)

[personal profile] ikols 2022-04-16 06:57 pm (UTC)(link)
I'm going to text the Man of Bats that you're single.

[ Waggling his brows HAHA, no, he won't. He tilts the phone so she can see him input Billy's number (BILLIAM) then hands it back. ]

This ought to be the realm of dating, everyone is doing it. Are you single? You won't be long.
fledges: (pic#13650809)

[personal profile] fledges 2022-04-16 07:10 pm (UTC)(link)
[Ah, okay, no reaction. He doesn't try to avoid the direct contact, because there's no need to. Their fingers touch and nothing happens. No instant transfer of emotions, no glow, nada. That's one thing mostly answered.

She's totally thrown by where he takes the conversation.]


What? You're worried about dating? And what "Man of Bats"?
ikols: i promised you i'd bring (think of all the horrors that)

[personal profile] ikols 2022-04-16 07:26 pm (UTC)(link)
Kate, you do not understand the severity of the situation.

[ His eyes widen and, as if to further prove he isn't bothered by contact (if he even knew what she was up to, which he doesn't) he takes her by a shoulder. ]

Everyone is seeing someone. David is with a sky-pirate! Elixir of the X-Men has his sorta-dead girlfriend back and he's scared to go home in case she totally dies! My younger-self is after emo girls! I have a Spider-Man! Eros the god of love set me on fire and this land is brimming with chaos.

[ That is a bit dramatic but funnily enough, all true. ]

I am not unconvinced we are not all under some sort of mass hysteria or love spell. Again.
Edited (fackin iphOOONE) 2022-04-16 19:26 (UTC)
fledges: (002)

[personal profile] fledges 2022-04-16 07:32 pm (UTC)(link)
[Kate huffs, and then, offended by... Well, all of this, she puts a hand on his face and gives his head a little push.]

You have a Spider-Man? What, like one of those guys who dresses up in Times Square and hassles you for pictures?
ikols: i've left them behind (the rest of my pack)

[personal profile] ikols 2022-04-16 07:35 pm (UTC)(link)
No, I am dating an actual Spider-Man from an undetermined universe. He is extremely attractive and wonderful with all the extra powers of climbing on walls and shooting web-stuff, which makes me worry all the more because he has got to be under some sort of outside influence to have stuck with me this long.

[ RIGHT? Come on, Kate, don't be all feels-y, see Loki's logic!! ]
fledges: (017)

[personal profile] fledges 2022-04-16 07:45 pm (UTC)(link)
Loki.

[What if she whacks him over the head? How much of a scene is that going to cause?]

Tell me about your dating life later! Tell me useful things now!
ikols: that's separating your thighs (there's a light in the crack)

[personal profile] ikols 2022-04-16 07:55 pm (UTC)(link)
My life isn't important? Wow.

[ But he is the centre of his own universe!! ]

Fine. Doctor Strange is from another universe, Tony Stark is weirdly anti-social, and I have a map of the omniverse which includes two multiverses estranged but linked via this nexus-realm, I am working on a universal designation spell because no one else seems to understand that designations actually exist.
fledges: (066)

[personal profile] fledges 2022-04-16 07:59 pm (UTC)(link)
[She'll soothe his hurt feelings later. Maybe. For now she bites her lip, filing most of that way.]

Two multiverses? Why two?
ikols: rip that pussy (i'm getting ripped tonight)

[personal profile] ikols 2022-04-16 08:07 pm (UTC)(link)
The skyfallen hail from two distinct multiverses where they all know of each other but things are different, tiny details within their lives like the people they know or choices made. The factions have crossovers within themselves but, for example, I know nothing of the Man of Bats and he knows naught of me but what the eddas says in fiction. He knows of no heroes from any world I have been to. They have their own Earth-Prime, as we have Earth-616 which is commonly referred to by other reality-warpers and interdimensional walkers such as myself as Prime Earth.

[ Arching a brow, he squints. ]

I know much of our multiverse, Kate. I walk the space between realities, I have created one with the Infinity Stones since last you and I met, by my reckoning of time. But I do not know of their worlds at all.

So! Two main Midgards. Two multiverses.
fledges: (089)

[personal profile] fledges 2022-04-16 08:45 pm (UTC)(link)
I'm putting a pin in that Infinity Stones thing.

[Because what. But okay, one crisis at a time. Kate lets out a thoughtful little sound, fingers going to her lips. She'd never considered that there could be two separate universes. Even in New Amsterdam, even when Damian and Jason had never heard of the Avengers or whoever, she figured that was just a fact of the multiverse being so huge. Surely there were places where all the superheroes she knew had never become superheroes at all, right?

But she'll cede to Loki's expertise here. Sure, she went dimension hopping for a few months, but that was just a field trip compared to America and Loki's innate knowledge.]


Okay, so two. Or at least two, maybe? Who's here that you've pinned down from the other multiverse?
ikols: but we were so young (oh)

[personal profile] ikols 2022-04-16 09:22 pm (UTC)(link)
[ He can be awfully useful when he isn't freaking out over being in a steady loving relationship. ]

Do you want to do this in the street or over something to eat tonight? With Billy, obviously. And David, if he wants in.
fledges: (038)

[personal profile] fledges 2022-04-17 12:18 am (UTC)(link)
Mm, okay. That's a better idea. I guess we've got a lot of catching up to do.
ikols: the things i'm thinking (i shouldn't think)

[personal profile] ikols 2022-04-17 12:20 am (UTC)(link)
I'll set it up. [ His expression softens. ] How are you, Kate? What was the last thing you remember from home?
fledges: (066)

[personal profile] fledges 2022-04-17 12:37 am (UTC)(link)
[It feels like genuine concern, which is... sweet. It's just that this whole thing has her feeling totally unbalanced. Not so much being here in a new world—that's sort of lost its shock value at this point after the whole Mother thing. It's this, talking to a Loki who's her Loki but doesn't remember New Amsterdam.

So Kate sighs, gaze slipping away as she absently starts to tidy the action figures sitting out on the table.]


It's sort of... complicated?
ikols: i can be a lil' bit aggressive when i flirt (twist it in a circle; put it in reverse)

[personal profile] ikols 2022-04-17 12:47 am (UTC)(link)
Complicated how? Did your dad eat you? Because boy, do we have some notes to compare if so! But enough about me, go on.

[ Keep talking!! ]
fledges: (041)

[personal profile] fledges 2022-04-17 01:59 am (UTC)(link)
No. Gross.

[Geez, Loki.]

I may or may not have been stuck somewhere else before this.
ikols: faint tired & weary (young man came from hunting)

[personal profile] ikols 2022-04-17 02:02 am (UTC)(link)
Let me guess, was Tony Stark, David, Josh and Laurie there too?
fledges: (090)

[personal profile] fledges 2022-04-17 02:06 am (UTC)(link)
[Kate opens her mouth, realizes she looks like a total idiot, and then snaps it closed.]

No. Tony, Strange, Thor, Bucky... And you, actually.
ikols: of a huntsman's pain (can drown the sorrows)

[personal profile] ikols 2022-04-17 02:07 am (UTC)(link)
Me? Another Loki, you mean.
fledges: (075)

[personal profile] fledges 2022-04-17 02:11 am (UTC)(link)
Apparently. Since you don't remember anything.

[Does she sound irritated by that? Maybe it's unfair, but absolutely.]
ikols: might seduce your dad type (make your girlfriend mad tight)

[personal profile] ikols 2022-04-17 02:14 am (UTC)(link)
I haven't been anywhere since the ... stuff I did which you wouldn't know about anyway, so never mind. I guess.

[ Arching a brow, he hesitates from reading her expression to ask, ]

What happened with that Loki?

(no subject)

[personal profile] fledges - 2022-04-17 02:21 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] ikols - 2022-04-17 02:24 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] fledges - 2022-04-17 02:43 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] ikols - 2022-04-17 02:53 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] fledges - 2022-04-17 03:05 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] ikols - 2022-04-17 03:09 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] fledges - 2022-04-17 03:19 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] ikols - 2022-04-17 11:56 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] fledges - 2022-04-18 02:21 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] ikols - 2022-04-18 07:09 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] fledges - 2022-04-19 15:44 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] ikols - 2022-04-19 20:13 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] fledges - 2022-04-20 21:38 (UTC) - Expand