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meta moderators ([personal profile] metamods) wrote in [community profile] metamemes2023-05-04 10:10 am
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TEST DRIVE MEME: MAY EDITION




TEST DRIVE MEME

A Confluence, capitalized, is the converging of one or more supernatural forces. Typically, a Confluence only occurs in one place at any given time. Typically.

These are not typical times.

Most of the Starfallen will arrive in Excelsior, Washington, slipping from the sky one by one, needing to be helped as they come floating down. To many citizens in Excelsior – individuals who are far from fond of metahumans – their arrival is a sign of bad things to come. It’s always a sign of bad things to come. This time, however, the bad things don’t come in the typical sequence. Instead, they’re dealing with a problem when the Starfallen begin to unwittingly arrive. What’s that problem? Plants with a rather problematic taste for flesh.

While Excelsior is hoping for spring to actually stick on the horizon, they’re warding off plants left and right. At least none of the plants seem to be able to spit fire – uh, yet?

In the midwestern part of the country, a huge barrage of rain has begun to settle over the land. Rain like this isn’t normal. Stormfronts usually keep moving forward, but this isn’t. And while rain isn’t a bad thing, this rain … is a deluge. A flood upon floods. Some Starfallen individuals will be showing up in the middle of this, arriving in both Little Love and Central City. Hope they can keep their heads above water!

Making matters worse is that everything seems a bit – planned? No, that’s not the right word. Like it’s all happened before. Or happening again. People all over are definitely noticing a strange uptick in déjà vu. Most worrying is how it seems to be happening everywhere.


EXCELSIOR

Ah, Excelsior – the city that doesn’t ask “why” something should be explored, but how quickly it can be explored. If only someone there had developed a swift measure to deal with a sudden influx of killer plants! The good news is that these plants haven’t killed anyone – not yet, anyway – but there is all the time in the world for that to change.

As the Starfallen arrive, they’re unlikely to notice the plants, and instead will see technological marvels all around them. Although Excelsior isn’t fond of Starfallen, they like the idea of welcoming them and getting them the hell out as quickly as possible. This philosophy results in all of the Starfallen being guided down to the ground, with further instructions awaiting them once they’re on two feet. (Or four. No one’s judging!) But once they land, they’re likely to notice that things aren’t the way they’re meant to be.

After all, someone in Excelsior failed to ask “why it’s bad to create an incredibly unlikely strain of plants that is genetically inspired by snapdragons, the flowers from those plumber games, and piranhas,” and instead went ahead with “how quickly can I do it?” Their experiment proved to be far too successful, aided by cutting-edge bioengineering technology.

Even though all Starfallen are encouraged to depart for the Midwest after they receive their teleportation devices, it’s apparent that the people of Excelsior need help. Right now, their chilly reception can easily be written off as a symptom of what’s happening. Dealing with newcomers at a time like this? Preposterous! People are injured from wild, flesh-eating plants. Obviously!

So, kind Starfallen – whether you’ve just arrived or came by when you heard word of the Confluence of trouble – will you give these dour folk the hand they so desperately need?


THE MIDWEST

Elsewhere, both Little Love and Central City are experiencing a flood of problems. Most of the problems are the result of the flood. While Little Love is known to be the quieter of the cities in this Confluence-ridden world, it finds itself dealing with a torrential downpour that it’s never seen before. Meteorologists quickly note that this is unnatural. All the way from Kansas to Illinois to Michigan there is rain, rain for as far as the eye can see. Flood warnings have no end in sight, and the people in these cities have asked for help from outside. If this rain doesn’t stop, all summer crops will be at risk!

The source of these problems? A Confluence. More specifically: a five-year-old girl who was born in Little Love just got news that her father died in an accident. Combine that with the incoming Confluence and the girl unwittingly unleashed her sadness upon the land.

Anyone investigating would learn that the rain began in Little Love, right before it began to spread upward and outward from the little town. Soon, Kansas, and then the entire Midwest, would feel the impact of her grief. Even when she sleeps, it doesn’t go away – her pain is a constant, after all. Finding her is key. No one can truly prevent a child’s grief, but perhaps they can help her realize her impact on the world and get her newly-arrived power under control.


DIADEM HOTEL
Whether you’ve gone to investigate the rather moist trouble or you’re just looking for some shut-eye, you’ve got a place that’s waiting for you. Need to clean up some plant-induced wounds? It’s time to hit the LUXURY HOTEL to ease any concerns.

The DIADEM HOTEL is usually reserved for the obscenely wealthy. Its rooms are enormous, the beds quite literally enchanted to offer the perfect night's sleep, and the food would usually cost your life savings for just a small taste. But given the circumstances, the Guilds feel its the least they can do to aid your transition into this world. EVERYTHING is complimentary, and everyone gets an ALLIANCE CREDIT CARD to spend on entertainment, clothing, and whatever other necessities they might need. The cards have an obscenely high limit and there doesn't seem to be an expectation for you to pay it back... though if they catch you abusing it, their accountant will be coming for your head.

There's a shopping center immediately across the street. It has an impressive array of outlet shops that cater to your every need. Food, clothing... and swords? If you can think of it, it's for sale. Although anything clearly supernatural or metahuman seems to be at a minimum and offered under the table. You can grab clothing made to withstand any superpower and a surprisingly mediocre Taco Bell order while you're at it. There's a Super Cinema in the shopping complex across the street that's showing a film called BARKS OF THE DEAD, a story about a zombified dog who protects a small family during the zombie apocalypse. Despite its taste for other dogs’ brains, this dog is fiercely loyal and will do anything for its owners.


EVERYWHERE: DÉJÀ VU
Less obvious and more innocuous are the strange stints of déjà vu all over. At first, it might seem like it’s a familiar thing you’ve seen before, but then you’re certain that you’ve ordered those chicken tenders before. Wait, you haven’t even been to this city before, much less this restaurant.

The feeling of déjà vu isn’t just that. Whole days will begin to feel like they’re repeating – surely they’ve solved that rain problem? Or the plant problem? Didn’t you hear that it happened?

Anyone keen to take notes might want to – assuming you haven’t just gotten that you did and they’ve been lost to time.



CLIFF NOTES.

➢ New arrivals will be appearing in Excelsior, Little Love, or Central City – with the bulk of them arriving in Excelsior. Their arrival will be expected and handled by a number of odd pieces of technology that help them as they fall from the sky itself. None of the locals will be happy to see the arrivals, but they’ll be so frazzled that they won’t be able to give them their usual chilly welcome. Vicious plants are on the loose and it’s not a meta’s fault. This might be meaningless to newcomers, but anyone who’s old hat at this will know that Excelsior can cause its own problems just fine, thank you.

➢ Arrivals who land in Little Love or Central City will arrive to a lot of rain. This much rainfall can impact the climate, daily life, crops – you name it. Arrivals will also be very, very soggy. If they’d like, they can ignore the trouble in favor of getting answers or heading to the hotel. No one’s obligated to lend a hand.

Current Players are welcome to treat this as a bonus event. These events are canonically happening within the game but can be largely ignored if you'd prefer to use the month for personal plots. You can tag into the TDM, reference these prompts in network posts, or use them in your own logs.

➢ As for the time stuff, feel free to treat it as a wobbly time event! Mess with memories, get a character caught in the same day, or even just make someone feel like they’ve suddenly acquired precognition as a power. The sky’s the limit!


WILDCARD.
Metaheroes takes inspiration from all walks of comics. Take a look at the CITIES to get an idea as to what day to day life is like in the other cities. Perhaps you've encountered a supervillain (or hero) who needs to be thwarted, or a metahuman with unusual powers creating bizarre effects.
threephds: (pleading)

[personal profile] threephds 2023-06-05 11:39 pm (UTC)(link)
[ She didn't like the sound of 'similar to Providence,' but he was right. If she hadn't gotten hold of him, she likely would have made her way there eventually. ]

[ Holiday is tempted to ask him about doing mercenary work again, but holds her tongue. More important issues at hand. ]


Good thinking.

[ She stares up at the building. ]

Does the Alliance just pick up anyone who wanders here from another world or do they also handle the carnivorous plants?
sixthdeadliest: (Leaning against a wall)

[personal profile] sixthdeadliest 2023-06-05 11:46 pm (UTC)(link)
There's also the Society. Both of them try to recruit Starfallen, what they call people who get dragged here like us. Many of the Starfallen end up with some sort of powers from traveling to this world. I managed to avoid that headache.

The first couple of months, the guilds provide money and temporary housing. Then if you decide not to sign up with either one, you're on your own.
threephds: (yayyy)

[personal profile] threephds 2023-06-06 12:08 am (UTC)(link)
If you trust The Alliance, then I hope you don't mind me sticking with you.

[ She hadn't had free housing in months. It was nice to think about not using up what little savings she had left, but mostly she didn't want to be alone here. ]

[ Strange world, strange rules. At least there was Six, even if he seemed a little off. ]

[ Also the powers thing just kind of went over her head. Too many things happening at once. ]
sixthdeadliest: Yes, that's Holiday; what about it? (Backlit)

[personal profile] sixthdeadliest 2023-06-06 12:16 am (UTC)(link)
It wasn't about trust. We're using one another. Nobody here had ever seen nanites like ours so I needed access to people who could monitor mine and who might be able to come up with an alternate cure since Rex wasn't here. Both guilds were interested in my skillset. I picked the Alliance because they were more likely to draw any Providence agents' attention.

I wouldn't mind you staying with me but I'm currently stationed out in Little Love, Kansas, for the most part. Not exactly life in the fast lane but I'm isolated in case I go EVO between missions.
threephds: (Default)

[personal profile] threephds 2023-06-06 12:21 am (UTC)(link)
[ She nodded as he spoke, understanding his reasonings. It's not like she ever trusted Providence when she worked for them, either, so it was a familiar feeling. ]

Whatever's safest. If we're together, then it'll be easier to keep track of our nanite activity.

[ Maybe she could start monitoring everything herself. Might save time and energy they've been wasting on Six. ]
sixthdeadliest: (Leaning against a wall)

[personal profile] sixthdeadliest 2023-06-06 12:29 am (UTC)(link)
[Technically, Six is using Providence, too. If he can train Rex enough to survive an encounter with One, maybe he could have his master back...]

It'd be a lot more reassuring to have someone who knew what she was doing keeping track of it.

[The scientists here have been working in the dark since he definitely doesn't know enough about them to be useful.]

Ready to make the jump to Central?
threephds: (yayyy)

[personal profile] threephds 2023-06-06 12:38 am (UTC)(link)
That's what I'm here for. I'm sure I can simplify the nanite testing process.

[ She looked at him with a raised eyebrow. ]

I guess I'm ready as I'll ever be.
sixthdeadliest: (Leaning against a wall)

[personal profile] sixthdeadliest 2023-06-06 01:12 am (UTC)(link)
[He hands her the device and it'll only take a couple of seconds before they're in Central. He takes a moment to slowly breathe in and out to keep control of his stomach. God, he hates teleporting.]
threephds: (wait what)

[personal profile] threephds 2023-06-06 01:16 am (UTC)(link)
[ Holiday gets a woozy feeling in her head, but not much else. Everyone reacts differently to these sorts of things, she supposed. ]

[ She looks around at their new location and then stares down at the teleportation device in her hand. Her engineering brain really wants to take it apart and see how it works. ]
sixthdeadliest: (Leaning against a wall)

[personal profile] sixthdeadliest 2023-06-06 01:34 am (UTC)(link)
[He sees that look.]

If you're signing up with the Alliance, they'll likely give you one to play with if you ask.
threephds: (feeling some kind of way)

[personal profile] threephds 2023-06-06 02:05 am (UTC)(link)
[ She's surprised that he knew what she was thinking - it'd been a long time since he was able to read her like that. Holiday throws him a little smile. ]

It's been so long since I've had the chance to play around with anything besides nanites.
sixthdeadliest: (Leaning against a wall)

[personal profile] sixthdeadliest 2023-06-06 02:24 am (UTC)(link)
Being the lead nanite researcher of Providence is a fulltime job.

[Seems more than obvious to him.]
threephds: (greeting)

[personal profile] threephds 2023-06-06 03:00 am (UTC)(link)
No kidding.

[ She pockets the device and crosses her arms over her chest. ]

So where to now? Are you taking me to some lab to get checked out?
sixthdeadliest: Relaxed. (Leaning against a wall (full body))

[personal profile] sixthdeadliest 2023-06-06 03:19 am (UTC)(link)
Alliance Headquarters.

[He points in the direction of a very obvious building.]

Makes Providence Headquarters look downright subtle.
threephds: (pleading)

[personal profile] threephds 2023-06-06 03:35 am (UTC)(link)
Ah. You're not kidding.

[ She starts walking towards the building, expecting Six to follow behind. ]

Let's get this over with, then. I'd like to see what equipment they're using for these tests.
sixthdeadliest: (Leaning against a wall)

Timeskip over lab work?

[personal profile] sixthdeadliest 2023-06-06 12:57 pm (UTC)(link)
Similar to Providence's but it's not as specialized.

[He'll stay with her as long as possible but he might get called away to give a debriefing over who precisely Holiday is along with getting yelled at for going into a hot zone that might trigger his nanites.]
threephds: (yayyy)

makes sense to me!

[personal profile] threephds 2023-06-06 01:13 pm (UTC)(link)
~*~timeskip past the needles and blood and other icky stuff~*~

[ Holiday's trying not to scratch her wrist, but it's been quite a while since she'd had blood drawn and the bandage is itchy. ]

Thanks for sticking around. I'm not used to being on this side of the syringe.
sixthdeadliest: That'll do, kid. (Pleased)

[personal profile] sixthdeadliest 2023-06-06 02:08 pm (UTC)(link)
[Six gives a brief shadow of a smile at that.]

How was it?

[As he'd predicted, he'd gotten some flack for risking potential mutation like that. However, they'd had to begrudgingly admit that it was better he'd gone since he would be able to recognize her right away and get her out of the hot zone that much faster.]
threephds: (happy)

[personal profile] threephds 2023-06-06 02:23 pm (UTC)(link)
Not as bad as I expected. They're doing what they can, but they could definitely use my help around here.

[ At least when it came to nanites. She wouldn't be able to do that much, since it was just her and Six, but at least she had a nanite scanner with her from home. ]

What happens to me now?
sixthdeadliest: Relaxed. (Leaning against a wall (full body))

[personal profile] sixthdeadliest 2023-06-06 02:35 pm (UTC)(link)
That's up to you. I made my decision fairly quickly out of necessity, but you've got a lot more options than I did.

[He reaches into his pocket and hands over what looks like a credit card with her name on it.]

For the first two months, you can use that to get whatever you need. Kind of complimentary from the guilds for you getting dragged here. You'll also be given a room at the Diadem Hotel. Think of the Ritz only more gaudy. The guilds pay for it all, but the cost is they'll try to recruit you into their ranks the whole time.

You could join one of the guilds if you wanted, but given you're an accomplished scientist, you could choose to move to Excelsior and work with a lab there. Stay independent.
threephds: (yayyy)

[personal profile] threephds 2023-06-06 02:45 pm (UTC)(link)
[ She stares at the card, a small smile on her face. She hasn't been able to use a credit card in months since they'd been trying to stay off the grid. ]

Sounds nice. Thank you, Six.

[ Holiday appreciates how helpful he's being, though she's sure he has better things to do with his time than babysit her. ]

[ She considers everything he says, thinking about the monsters back in Excelsior. ]


A guild sounds...nice. I've been getting tired of working alone all the time.
sixthdeadliest: I will never understand them. (Teenagers...)

[personal profile] sixthdeadliest 2023-06-06 03:50 pm (UTC)(link)
I don't understand. You have a whole research team working with you.

[Very curious.]
threephds: (wait what)

[personal profile] threephds 2023-06-06 05:44 pm (UTC)(link)
Um?

[ Is he trying to make a joke? Didn't look like it. ]

Not since December.
sixthdeadliest: (Concerned and holding back)

[personal profile] sixthdeadliest 2023-06-06 06:40 pm (UTC)(link)
...Were you fired after I disappeared from there for some reason?

[Because he'd think he'd remember her being kicked out of Providence.]
threephds: (wait what)

[personal profile] threephds 2023-06-06 07:05 pm (UTC)(link)
Fired? What are you talking about? We left.

[ Her first thought is that this is some aftereffect of his amnesia. But...with his old suit.. ]

Six, what's the last thing you remember from home? You mentioned something about dinner...

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