June 2023 Test Drive Meme

[folkie]

June 2023 TDM

Introduction

[ TDM Questions ★ Jump to Comments ★ Full Navigation ]
This Test Drive meme is open to all.
Welcome to Folkmore's monthly Test Drive Meme! Please feel free to test drive any and all characters regardless of your intent to apply or whether you have an invite or not.

All TDMs are game canon and work like "mini-events". For new players and characters, you can choose to have your TDM thread be your introduction thread upon acceptance or start fresh. Current players are allowed to have in-game characters react to TDMs via the Network or make a Log with the prompts they want to participate in.

TDM threads can be used for spoon spending at any time by characters accepted into the game.

Playing and interacting with the TDMs will allow characters to immediately obtain canon items from homes especially weapons or other things they may have had on their person when they were pulled from their worlds! There will always be a prompt that provides some sort of "reward" to characters who complete certain tasks.

Current players are always encouraged to tag new people on the TDM!


🦊 New Star Children meet the Fox still in their worlds, and she brings them into the new realm of Folkmore. As you follow her, your body begins to change and new characteristics emerge. These may stay for a while, or perhaps they will hide away after. And during all of this, the Fox explains to you where you will be going: to Folkmore.

and then... you fall like a shooting star, falling to the land in a burst of starlight.


🦊 Experienced Star Children are already familiar with this time of the month. There are shooting stars all across the sky, and some fall to the land, which means the Fox has brought new arrivals. These newly arrived Star Children will face some tests, but Thirteen wants the more seasoned residents to participate as well.

Perhaps you follow the falling stars on your own, or perhaps the Fox simply teleports you there, but it appears you too will be part of this.

[ Prompt One ★ Prompt Two ]

Right Where You Left Me . ★

Content Warnings: Alternate Universe, Memory alteration/altered sense of self, Exhibition

If This Was a Movie

You forget everything the fox told you on your way over. You forget your own history. You remember a completely new one, one that matches whatever story you're now in. It could be a story from your world—a folk tale, a novel, a movie, a telenovella—or one you've never heard of. Whatever it is, this is your life now. Your memories match as though you've lived here your whole life. The tone may match your world, or it may drastically differ.

And you're not alone.

Whatever scene you're in features at least one other Star Child in the same situation you are. They might also be a new arrival, or they may be someone Thirteen has plucked up out of Folkmore and brought here to join you. Whether you've known each other your whole previous life or never met before, you know each other as the people in the story—whatever relationship that is. You don't remember being placed here. It's your life! It always has been.

The two (or more) of you pick up at whatever point in the story it is. Perhaps it'll go the same way as the original story. Perhaps not. You still are you—memories redacted—after all. This story is yours to write together!

The outfits, the setting, the NPCs (played by Spirits going along with things), etc. all perfectly match the story and adapt with you as you create your own retelling.

Big Red Button

As it turns out, you aren't only in an entertainment, you are an entertainment. Across Folkmore, large screens showing these stories appear: in every school, in public squares, before a large meadow, in the middle of the desert, you name it. It's also streaming on everyone's relics. Everyone has the chance to see your story play out.

That's not all, Star Children are your key out of the story and into Folkmore itself. Along with these screens, there are big red buttons. Digitally, a big red button appears on people's relics when they watch these stories. It's pretty simple. Someone presses the big red button and you're free! The reason doesn't matter—boredom, pity, recognition, the irresistibility of buttons. These are the only way out, so when you get out is completely up to your fellow Star Children.

Once the button is pushed, an invisible wall between your story and Folkmore falls away. With it, you regain all your memories from home and from the walk to Folkmore with the fox. All you have to do is step out of the story and into the school of Baba Yaga. The school of magic. Thirteen isn't there personally, but you may feel her spirit around you. Baba Yaga—Thirteen—is the school itself.

A small chest is also there as soon as you leave the story containing an item from your homeworld. This may even be a weapon or magical item.

Small bat spirits have a couple stations set up within the school near where Star Children exit their stories. If you're injured or need to rest, they are ready to help treat you or provide you as many pillows and blankets as you wish. If you're hungry or thirsty, the other station has food and drink for all. Steaming tea, freshly baked bread, and all sorts of warm comforting foods. You'd be forgiven for thinking it might be autumn. They want you to be at your best when you leave Baba Yaga and enter the rest of Folkmore via Exile.

No Body, No Crime . ★

Content Warnings: Optional mind/body split, Possible invasion of privacy, Possible monster/creature violence

Eyes Open

When you leave Baba Yaga, you're somewhere in Exile. Not even the Spirits or experienced Star Children can tell you where exactly you are. The school walks around on its chicken legs. Unless someone leaves at the same time as you, you'll start in different places. You'll have to find your own way out.

If you have been exiled before, you'll have an easier time navigating the land. It'll help guide you toward where you want to go. If you have never been exiled before, you'll have a harder time navigating this section of Folkmore. The trees may try to push you back. Perhaps nothing happens, exactly, but the aura is one that doesn't want you. Regardless, there's enough fog that it's difficult to see where you're going. Attention certainly seems to be on you. Are the trees watching? Is the water listening? Those are simply stories Spirits share to scare new Star Children isn't it?

Suddenly, you may appear to be in another part of Folkmore! It could be anywhere. It could be a public area, a business, someone's home… Wherever it is, if you try to touch something, you realize you cannot. Instead you pass right through solid objects. You cannot open a door, but you can walk right through it. You may surprise someone with your sudden appearance, or perhaps you reach out to people you see for help. Perhaps you simply explore this new area where you were.

Take all the time you want. Hopefully nothing bad is happening back with your body still in Exile… On second thought, perhaps you don't want to spend too long away from your body. You can use your own skills or get help returning to your body or find yourself suddenly back in it. Time to take stock and maybe find your way back to the rest of Folkmore body included.

Cowboy Like Me

On your way through Exile, you may come across weapons sticking out of the ground. Swords, axes, shields, bows, guns… All manner of non-magical weapons. They're simply there, scattered here and there, free for the taking. It looks like someone had a bad time trying to get out of Exile. Whoever the weapons belonged to, they don't need them now.

A word of warning to those who grab the weapons, as soon as you do, one of the dangerous creatures in Exile will find you. These creatures don't only have sharp claws or fangs, poison or sharp senses, they are intelligent. You'll need not only the weapon(s) you grabbed but your wits to defeat them or the luck of someone else coming along to help you out.

Comments

Questions

[folkie]

[ezra_of_lothal]

For the Cowboy Like Me Prompt, how susceptible to psychic suggestion and/or gifts with communicating with animals that may lend themselves to some measure of reasoning with are the creaturs in Exile?

Nicholas D Wolfwood | Trigun Stampede | Familiar

[nomansundertaker]

Right Where You Left Me

CW: war/violence, blood, guns

1. All You Need Is Kill
They've been fighting the same battle, the same day, over and over and over. Each time the battle resets. Failing to reach the enemy serving as a beacon, an anchor, is one thing. That took subjectively forever. Literally a handful of hours. They 'won.' It reset anyway.

Nick wakes up in his bunk, sits up, and ponders the beginning of the same old day. Why are they here? Why yet again? He uses the small amount of time before the klaxon calls to ponder it. They did what they set out to do, what he was told they needed to do. It didn't work this time. The only difference is that he's here. There's two of them reliving this day.

It hits like a mortar to the chest. It's him, or rather it's them. The fact they're both still alive when the battle ends. The only way out of the loop is for one of them to die. Well, shit.

The bell rings, and orders get barked out. Everyone starts running around, and he suits up. One problem at a time. It only matters if they get the alien's side first. Stupidest situation would be them both dying. Then their side would have no one learning from the battles until they win. They'll all lose. They'll all die.

He runs to meet up with his partner, the one who's lived through far more of these battles on repeat than he has. Once more unto the breach.

2. A Clean Slate

Wolfwood blinks as he steps out of a war zone and into a strange looking space. It's built nicer than many places in No Man's Land, and he immediately checks out everyone in the area. No one looks immediately hostile, but it's hard to tell with the black worms in one corner chittering and beckoning people over. One even catches site of the blood on his face, leftover from his time wherever the fuck he was, and motions at him.

Right, not so fast wormy.

He takes another step and clunks into something. Nick looks down to see a long narrow chest. Crouching, he flips the lid. Inside something pokes up: rectangular but hidden behind belted sheets. That should only mean—

His fingers slip under a belt, and Nick stands. It earns a soft grunt, but the punisher comes and keeps coming out of the chest until it's entirely removed. The full cross. He sets the long end down on the floor next to him and peers at the chest. It should not fit in that thing. He crouches again and waves his hand around the inside. Nothing. Fair enough. It already fit more than it should.

His situation hasn't changed. Nick's away from one overpowered being with an agenda and in the domain of another. It all feels better with his cross. He walks toward the black worms and accepts the offer of washing up. "What?" he asks when he feels eyes land on him. "It's not mine."

No Body, No Crime

CW: Drowning imagery

1. Dumbfounded, Not Drowning

One moment he's picking his way through alien plants in an environment he's never seen before, the next Nick's surrounded by… water. He holds his breath and kicks and flails upward until he reaches the surface. He gasps for air and flails until he sees the closest way to land. Strangely, the surface of the water isn't disturbed by his frantic motions. No time to ponder alien water properties. He kicks and flails his way closer and closer to land until it's shallow enough his feet touch the bottom. Nick makes his way out to the shore, somehow not dripping water. He doesn't even feel wet. Perhaps it isn't water?

Regardless, once he's a safe twenty feet away, Nick sits under a large object that provides a ledge of cover. He leans back to find it not solid. Not expecting the lack of resistance, he falls flat on his back. The round cylinder stands tall right through his stomach. Squinting at this, he waves one hand at the rough surface, half-expecting to hit it and half-expecting, yeah, his hand going right through. Nick sighs and lays his head back and his hand down.

Why bother getting up? He'll take a few right here.

2

[huntedtyphoon]

It was an incredibly strange thing to be dragged into some kind of story that Vash didn't know. At the time it hadn't bothered him, but as he was stepping out, somehow freed of being the entertainment he found himself back in a more neutral space with his memories back in order. Good.

He was directed to a chest, he definitely had one of his own but more importantly - he'd know that cross anywhere.

"Wolfwood!" He exclaimed with the brightest of smiles and wave, practically bouncing in place with his goofy excitement. He wasn't expecting to run into him, but he wouldn't turn his nose up at such a blessing.

Peter Parker | MCU Spider-Man | Apocalypse How CRAU | Legend

[heyunderoos]

A. If This Was A Movie

[There is an inkling of something being wrong. Peter can't completely place it. The feeling is easy enough to brush aside. He has things to do, a life to live.

A guy has to eat after all. So he needs to get out there and find some money.

His sneakers hit the pavement, fingertips digging into the fabric of the purse he's stolen. The fake pleather makes his fingers sticky where they're dug into it. Peter can hear someone chasing after him, trying to corner him in an alleyway. Be it cops, another criminal, the owner of the purse, it doesn't matter in the long run. Peter knows they think they are about to corner him. A metal chain link fence is just ahead at the end of the alley. It should in theory stop him.

Peter feels a grin brighten his features as he hits the fence, launching himself upwards. The toes of his sneakers find purchase in the gaps of the fence, and he's up. He's up, up, up-

The roof is in sight, and he's almost free.]

Doubt you can keep up~!

[He taunts from above, climbing like he was made to climb. He's almost been free the past few loops. Only to be pulled down by his pants leg at the last second.

And the temptation of Freedom is strong enough that it keeps Peter believing in it. The lie is easier to hold onto when it gives him a better chance than he's had in months.

No ADI holding him and his friends back, no death looming over his head, no one to stop him-]

B. Big Red Button

[Stumbling out of one reality, an imagined one, into another one leaves Peter haggard. An exhaustion is written in his features as his gaze sweeps over other people mutually freed from whatever was making them play act. The fact he lost himself entirely, leaves Peter feeling spooked, disquieted in a way he can't articulate. As far as he could tell, there wasn't an artifact or curse anywhere here, much less entities tainting everything. It just leaves his thoughts an unruly jumble.

The only comfort he has is the weight of his web shooters against his wrist, found in... a strange chest of all things. Then again, what about this hasn't been strange so far?

Peter knows fairly quickly, this isn't the ADI. The official stiff air the workers had isn't present. The fact there are fewer humans also makes that more obvious.

He ends up stumbling over to someone, new or old, who seems mildly more put together than he is.

His voice comes out a little weary.]

Have you seen two giant turtles or an Owlbear anywhere?

[Priorities. He has to find Leo, Donnie, Rue- that is the highest priority in all of this.]

C. Wildcard

[Want something different? Hit me up with a wildcard!]

A

[fistofvengeance]

[He sees the petty mugging from a distance, perched atop the roof of a nearby building. He watches the thief sprint off, and his glowing eyes narrow. Is it worth his time to pursue? ...He might as well. No other crimes to stop at this point in time, and this shouldn't take more than a minute or so. He moves with almost superhuman speed, leaping from roof to roof to keep up with the thief. The ones chasing him down below are having a harder time of it. The thief starts climbing a fence, one of the pursuers grabs him by the leg. It makes no difference. The kid kicks himself free and makes it over the fence- he sees it from above. So he jumps.

Just as Peter lands on his own two feet, a second figure lands before him in a crouch. Decked out in all white, face hidden by a combination of hood and wrappings. An ornate crescent moon on his chest plate glimmers in the dim glow of a light overhead. He stands up straight, staring the thief down.

It's the Moon Knight.]

Monika (CRAU) || Doki Doki Literature Club || Myth

[peninhand]

A/ If This Was A Video Game Movie (cw: blood, wounds)

[ Maybe it would have been better if it had been a video game. There is something nagging at the back of Monika's mind. A feeling of déja-vu. Such an uncomfortable and awful sensation... As if something horrible is about to happen. Something is horribly wrong and twisted here, none of this should exist any more. She wants to run and leave, but why would she? She's just in the classroom after school finished, preparing club activities. Everything is normal. Everything.

Up until you enter the classroom. The new club member. ]

Hi! Welcome to the Literature Club.

[ Monika is crying pixelated black tears as you step in, but she seems to be absolutely unaware of it. There are three other girls in the room, who all stand up and get closer, glancing curiously at the new member. ]

This is &ù%$#@, [A strident, unintelligible noise escapes Monika's lips as a ginger-haired girl with bloody marks around her neck waves at you.] $ù&£%#*, [Now it is a smaller pink-haired girl with her eyes blotted out. She doesn't speak though and just crosses her arms.] £%$#, [And finally a purple-haired girl with a gaping dripping wound in her chest shyly mutters "hello."] And I'm Monika!

[ She beams radiantly-- Or would if not for the black pixelated tears flowing more abundantly. ]

I'm so glad you came to join us!

[ None of the four girl appear to be aware of the weird things happening to them... But you are! It's a horror movie and you're the star! Hopefully this is a horror movie where the main character survives and not the kind where they die at the very last second before the credits roll. ]

B/ Eyes Open

[ To say Monika is lost would be an understatement. She'd gotten used to navigating strange places back in Avalon, but right now? That was on another level. Until finally, finally--

She steps in right in front of you, wherever you may be and whatever you may be doing. ]

...What? [Blinks blinks.] Um... Ahaha! [Awkward laughter is a go!] I-I'm sorry, I got lost in Exile and...

[ And now she's here. And without her body, but she doesn't know that yet. ]

C/ Big Red Button (locked to Minako)

[ To most people, being thrown into a movie, brainwashed into playing a role and then brought back into the real world by breaking the fourth wall would be a confusing and disorientating experience.

To Monika? This was world-ending. How could she believe this world was real after that? Had that fox been real? Had... Had any of her time in Avalon even been real at all?! How could she be sure her character file hadn't just been restored and thrown to into another game, one where she couldn't mess with the files?

Needless to say, she is wide-eyed as she steps out of that "movie."Blinks blinks. Where is she anyway...? And how did she get out? She looks around and--

... ! ]

C

[reloves]

[ Minako feels completely out of breath by the time she quickly steps over and wraps the other girl right up into her arms. And it's not even like she's been doing anything that would leave her out of breath - certainly nothing too physical, anyway.

It's all just worry. Because she saw Monika on that screen, so soon after showing up in this place herself, and everything for a moment felt much too overwhelming and Minako's brain was already firing up three ways into soldier mode just to try and deal with this clear emergency situation. Forget the fox, forget everything else, all Minako knows is that she has to get Monika out of there. Whatever this is.

It's how she finds herself smashing that red button with the hope that it can do anything about this, and the moment Minako realises it did just eject the other girl from that horrifying scene, she doesn't even say anything. She just quickly wraps Monika up into her arms, still feeling the adrenaline soaring through her veins, even now.

It makes her hold on a little tighter.

Which, you know, it'd be great if Minako also remembered to talk and all, but she's just a little too startled by the situation still to force out any words just yet. She first has to make sure Monika is okay. ]

minako aino | sailor moon | crau | legend

[reloves]

(1. no body, no crime - eyes open)

[ Has this ever happened to you before? You're sitting in your own residence, just taking it easy. Chilling. As much as one relatively can, considering the circumstances, anyway.

And then there's someone in your home. More specifically, a teenage girl with long, blonde hair and a bright red bow in her hair.

Has it never happened to you? Well, it sure is happening now, because Minako is standing right there in your house. It doesn't matter what you were doing. Just sitting? Eating? Maybe even in the shower? Uh oh, she's suddenly there.

Maybe you don't react at all, or maybe you're mid-reaction when the girl raises her hands, like she's trying to pacify a rabid animal. ]

I can explain..!

[ She can.

.. maybe. It's a weird situation to her too, okay!!

Does it make it worse or better when, only a moment after, her hand accidentally moves right through a piece of your furniture? Maybe your house just got haunted. ]

(2. no body, no crime - cowboy like me)

[ Maybe Minako should have thought twice before taking one of the weapons - but can you really blame her, when the instinct to be careful and ready for battle has been drilled into her so much? She can't see a sword just sticking out of the ground there and not pull it out, she was basically born for this.

.. even if it means there's the loud roar of a monster right after she's holding the weapon in her hands. Minako at least seems to recognize this is bad news, since the girl's mouth drops open, and she quickly looks around for the source of the noise--

But finds you first. ]

Do you want to run or fight?!

[ Who cares that you might be a total stranger. This girl looks ready for battle, despite looking very much like a teenage girl in every single way. ]

2 MINAKOOOO

[hershiningheart]

[Usagi instantly recognizes the roar of that particular monster, her fist clenching. That gross thing just kept coming back- she never wanted to experience that acid spit or fire blasts again but it was back or maybe there were just so many of them.

She doesn't hesitate to run toward the sound since she's not going to just let it go around freely to hurt someone. Her hand is already closed around her brooch, ready to transform when she stops cold. The worm is in front of her, ready for a fight but Usagi can only see Minako standing there.

Not a mirage, not a whisper just out of reach in a dream, but the worm is between them and Usagi can't forgive it for getting between her and her best friend, not when she missed Minako so much it hurt.]

We'll fight it together.

[Because there is no question of doing otherwise. She doesn't hesitate to throw up her hand, ready to show this monster it shouldn't mess with pretty soldiers.]

Silver Crystal Power- MAKE UP!

Edward Elric | Fullmetal Alchemist | Myth

[expensiveidiom]

I. If This Was A Movie

[To the viewers, there’s little to see for the moment but the metal door of a locker. Then it swings shut suddenly and the teenager leans forward and bangs his head on the locker three times with a groan. He's leaning heavily against the bank of lockers looking somewhat disappointed with his current predicament. His long blond hair is tied back in a braid and he tilts his head and looks at the screen with another groan.

He’s not talking to the camera, but rather a companion, some poor hapless Star Child that has been dragged into this mess with him. He’s dressed in baggy jeans, sneakers, a black tank top with a red flannel shirt thrown overtop. His right hand happens to be in his pocket.]

Is there ever going to be some moment where I don’t embarrass myself? It can’t be this hard to get a girlfriend!

[A skeptical look perhaps? Or maybe they’ve just tread this conversation so many times that Edward feels compelled to explain what happened this time.]

I had a totally foolproof plan! But when the moment came I... she smiled at me and I couldn’t even get a sound out.

[A flashback! Edward standing before another girl. He’s said hi, and she greets him and smiles in his direction. He turns red, stammers and flees. Cue laugh track.]

What am I gonna do? [He groans loudly.]

II. Big Red Button

Are you fucking kidding me?

[Oh the out, the wonderful out and stepping out of this weird fantasy puts Edward back in his usual clothes and right mind and he’s mildly irritated, to say the least.]

What’s the big idea?! [It could be said that he was rather renown for his temper really. Notorious, in fact. He spots the chest and opens it, pulling out a very well worn journal with many tabs, pulling it close to his chest.]

You didn’t read this, did you?! [The poor other Star Child with him might want to tread carefully.] It’s private!

III. Eyes Open

[Edward has never been exiled and so it feels, very much, like he’s walking in circles. He’ll start in one direction and find himself second guessing where he’s going.

He looks...lost.

He’s not frustrated yet, he just finds himself a bit at a loss and could use a hand...

Or perhaps a little later he finds himself in an out of body experience where he’s suddenly appeared in the middle of someone’s house?

No problem, he’ll just open the door and leave. Or not...his hand passes right through.]

What is happening?! [He’s loud, it’s unlikely the occupants won’t notice him, of course, walking through the door itself doesn’t exactly occur to him.]

IV. Wildcard

[Choose your own adventure! Maybe explain what a Relic is or how it works, this boy’s straight out of 1915. He’s never seen a phone or computer like this before!]

I. If This Was a Movie

[nomansundertaker]

Wolfwood looks down at the idiot beside him and leans back on the adjoining locker. He crosses his arms and stares across the hall, rather than directly at the moaning fool. He's something of a bad boy, a cool kid, the kind that doesn't look like he has any problems asking someone out.

"You have to be able to talk to someone, Braid Brain."

An obvious point. Even suggestive hand motions is communication. He sighs and rolls his eyes behind his sunglasses.

"What was your 'foolproof' plan?"

Matthew | The Sandman (netflix) | Familiar

[astheravenflies]

Eyes Open
Matthew assumed that he was talking with another dream creature when he first came across the fox. He understood that this was all some sort of a pocket dimension that the fox had created. He thought that was pretty darn amazing in itself and more than a little amazing that she was able to bring others into her pocket dimension.

As he flew out of the open door of the chicken-legged house, he sailed right up to perch on the limb of a nearby tree. A misty swampy area seemed about right for where the chicken-legged house had been roaming around. The foggy area didn't much help Matthew when he tried to find a landmark to mark where he was and try to start figuring out what to do next.

All of a sudden he wasn't sitting on the limb of a tree. Now he was in the midst of a busy train platform. Being Raven sized on the ground was not a very good idea and Matthew was immediately concerned about getting stepped on. He was quick to try to fly toward the back of a bench to perch and figure out what had just happened. Though when he attempted to use his feet to grab said perch he fell straight through. He landed with an involuntary squawk and a bunch of ruffled feathers.

"Okay, what the fuck?!"

If you've never heard a Raven cuss, well you've heard it now

Cowboy Like Me
A Raven alone in a misty swamp wouldn't be that odd of a thing to see. What was an odd thing to see were the weapons that were littered around on the ground. Did someone raid a ren faire and then leave the weapons all strewn around like this?

Matthew flew to the handle of a battle axe that was sticking out of the ground and perched on it. The blade was new so whoever had left it here had left it here recently.

"This is so weird."

But lacking any hands he wasn't able to pick it up. The person that he could see passing close enough to see the Raven sitting on the handle of a battle axe gets called out to.

"Hey, do you know if there was a battle here recently?"

((OOC: I'm sorry about the first but the only stories I could think of with ravens were native american creation myths. ))

Eyes Open

[ezra_of_lothal]

Ezra hasn't heard a raven swear out loud, specifically, no. And he's hung out with a lot of ravens, the last year and half! But he is very used to communicating with animals, even the occasional talking one. So sure, he raises an eyebrow, but it's only mild curiosity.

"Which bit's throwing you?"

bertolt hoover | attack on titan | familiar

[thiscruel]

If This Was A Movie (Pacific Rim-ish)

An alarm blares. Bertolt jerks awake, tangled in his sheets, his long limbs strewn across his bunk. His heart rate accelerates, breath quickening as adrenaline shoots through him, but he isn't afraid. He knows what that alarm means; he knows it's his time to act.

He rolls out of the bottom bunk and stands, his sleeping clothes as rumpled as his dark hair. Green eyes find his partner in the top bunk, checking on them. (Easy to do: he's six-foot-four, so he doesn't have to look up.)

"It's a Kaiju…"

Stating the situation, just in case his partner awakens disoriented.

Big Red Button

Eventually, reality returns to Bertolt, along with all of his memories. He falls silent when it happens, something faintly haunted in his somber expression. That air of melancholy lingers even when he steps into the school of Baba Yaga, having obtained his vertical maneuvering equipment from a chest (though he has yet to don it, keeping it in its case). The incredible sights that greet him don't quite penetrate; he moves as though lost in a haze.

He sits with a plate of food and a warm drink, seemingly captivated by the rising steam. For all that he's a tall, athletic young man, his quiet nature makes him remarkably easy to overlook. His light gray button-up and dark gray trousers exacerbate that, helping him blend into the background.

But if someone approaches, he raises his eyes, seeming to pull himself back to the present from somewhere far away.

"Oh, um." His voice is low, naturally soft. "Did you want to sit here?"

Eyes Open

Bertolt has absolutely no idea where he is.

Granted, he had no idea where he was before, either. He was navigating a strange land that didn't seem to want him, battling the bizarre feeling that even the trees themselves despised his presence. Not an unfamiliar feeling—except that it came from trees, not people. But he was making progress, or at least he thought he was, and now?

Now, Bertolt is somewhere completely different, standing entirely too close to another person.

"Uh," he gets out, the opposite of eloquent. Then he takes a hurried step back, a nervous sweat already forming on his brow. "Um, I'm sorry."

Where is he, even? Hopefully, somewhere public, at least. But he might not be lucky enough for that.

Wildcard

( hit me with something else! )


ooc notes: i default to prose but am happy to match brackets; please use whichever you prefer!
bertolt's canon point is ch 78 / ep 52, right when he transforms in shiganshina. i'm 100% fine with him finding out about future events if that comes up.
hmu by pm for any additional questions/plotting/etc!

wildcard-ish combo

[dishardened]

Not too long ago, Annie embarrassed herself while mishandling her relic, so she's since devoted some time to tinkering with it. This includes her discovering that film and TV shows exist. Though she obviously never had an opportunity to go to the opera or see a play, she figures those must be somewhat analogous. It's indolent entertainment. A luxury for people with too much time on their hands.

Also a fresh curiosity, now that she actually has the time and freedom to indulge. She hasn't yet watched a movie all the way through—the experience is weird, still difficult for her to penetrate, and she gets antsy staring at a screen for too long.

When Bertholt appears on the screen, transfixation naturally takes hold. Her chest feels like it starts to crumple, rib by rib. The pacing and rapid cuts of a modern action film make it hard for her to follow what's happening, but Bertholt is unmistakably one of the leads. He's paired with someone inside a machine monster. Fighting other monsters? Also ugly giants, but distinct from titans. Annie stares hard and keeps still, straining her eyes.

Damn the Fox. This is the first time Annie has felt truly livid since arriving. Even running into Eren doesn't compare. Because this, this is...

Thirteen is really fucking with her this time. That's the first conclusion she draws. And what's the red button really supposed to do? It's impossible for her to put any faith in it. But she pushes it anyway—twice, three times just to be sure. Then she immediately sets out to track him down, even though she still refuses to believe that she'll ever see the real Bertholt again.

Though, en route, her thoughts clash. There is a chance. Erwin Smith is dead, but she's seen him here alive in the flesh. This could be the same. The journey otherwise passes in a haze, but torturous in how long it takes, almost like she's barely conscious again and back in that damn crystal. Annie's determination cuts her across Exile and directly to the school. Once inside, she weaves and jostles past students in order to find him as soon as she can.

Her breaths are heavy by the time she does. When Annie finally spots him seated alone and facing away from her, she hesitates. There's the beat of her heart and a low garble of chattering students. She presses ahead. One step, two. Once at his side, she seizes his shoulder.

"Bertholt."

She's wearing her typical plainclothes: hooded sweatshirt, practical pants, boots. The hems are dirty and she smells a bit like the swamp she just trudged through.

Rui Ninomiya | Gatchaman Crowds | Myth

[partofthecrowd]

I. If This Was A Movie

[The young woman was leaning against a wall at the end of an alley, her finger raised to her ear as she listened to chatter from someone on the other line, the proverbial ‘guy in the chair’. Her long blonde hair was curled in ringlets down her back, she was wearing modest looking green dress with a belt that cinched it perfectly to give her the silhouette she wanted. At the top of her head, a hat was pinned into her hair and she was holding a pocketbook.

Rui nodded once and smoothed the curls to hide the earpiece. She smoothed down the skirt of the dress and stepped out of the alley.

She approached the Star Child – her contact, and offered a warm smile.]

Hey there ace, care to escort a lady to lunch?

[She looped her arm into the stranger’s.] I know a wonderful little cafe that will offer us a little discretion, hm?

II. Big Red Button

[With the end of the simulation and Rui’s exit, she was no longer spared the comfort around the illusion. She was back in her normal clothes, only her blond wig was stained with blood and no longer curled, and her usual black and red clothing was far more revealing but the way she moved....she was hurt. It was a graceless exit for her as she stumbled through, falling to her knees before the chest. With a heaving breath, this was obviously meant to be opened so she did, finding inside her tablet. That was comforting.

Rui’s legs wobbled as she tried to get up and had to double over, blood pouring from her lips.

She needed a medic, probably.]

I’m okay. [She tries to claim, but really, is she fooling anyone?]

III. Cowboy Like Me

[Once free from the infirmary and stabilized which is really all Rui needed, along with rest but who has time for that – Rui found herself wandering a place full of discarded weapons.

They didn’t particularly hold much appeal to her, she didn’t need some weapon as far as she knew.

She more likely to find another Star Child among the blades, one who might be more inclined to grab one.

If they’re in trouble, regardless of how she feels or how ill-advised it might be, she would have to act, right?]

IV. Wildcard

[Choose your own adventure! Rui is genderfluid and prefers the pronouns of how they’re presenting at the time – in this case and in all prompts, they’re presenting as female, thanks to their canon point.]

II

[cursedpromises]

[ Not really fooling Yuta at all, thank you. He'd hit the button to stop as soon as he could - barely watching what was unfolding in the show - now, he darted up to her, looking concerned. ]

Hey. Take it easy. [ Gently, he'd try to take her shoulder. ] Let me help.

Zarina Kassir | Dead by Daylight | Familiar

[pluckydocumentarian]

New Star Children [ooc: warning for violence, she's from DbD.]

[She's thrown over a shoulder and fighting for her life during a Trial when she sees a flash of red. A red that wasn't the right shade for the blood of her fellow survivors. She focuses on that red for a moment, realizing it was a fox somehow in this desolate place. Why would the Entity bring a fox to a Trial?

But, she'd figure that out later, giving in to the urge to reach for this strange fox. She then found herself standing behind the person carrying her... and she was still on their shoulder. Something else to figure out later, as she followed the fox, realizing it was taking her from the Trial to elsewhere.

As it explains, she feels an itching in her hands, and looks down to see claws where her nails should be.

Folkmore, huh? It was better than wherever the Entity would send her next. She feels herself falling, and then landing in her own body... of sorts. In one hand, she held a gaming device of sorts, in the other...]

A spoon?

If This Was a Movie

[She found herself walking down a street, humming a tune she'd heard family members sing before. It was a nice day, the forecast was to be sunny all day. She waved at the other people around before wandering up to the friend she saw earlier.]

There you are~! Did you forget our plans?

[ooc: I'm down for any story if someone wants to pick one~!]

Cowboy Like Me

[You know, in the Trials, she was only allowed to fight using stealth and trying to put generators back together. Here, it seemed she could fight back in a better way. With weapons and cunning.

She reaches for a gun, something familiar that she could use. Something that didn't involve too much brute strength, which she didn't have.]

This is something I can use. Let's take care of this thing.

[ooc: Feel free to also throw me a wildcard! Also, I default to brackets, but will absolutely follow tags~ And Here's her wiki page for more info.]

[pianola]

[ Likewise, Dorothy had also just arrived, after following the strange creature. Not quite a dog. Certainly not a cat. She had searched her Memories before she'd been laughingly told by Thirteen ... a 'fox'? ]

[ She's not certain why she's been chosen by her, instead of the Negotiator. Or perhaps Norman. Even Angel. This is ... ]

[ It's uncertain, how to define what 'this' is. ]

[ She turned to look at the woman. Dorothy was short, by all appearances a girl of perhaps eighteen or nineteen. Twenty at the oldest, surely. She was very pale, her eyes dark, and while her movements were smooth as she turned - she did not blink. Her chest did not rise or fall with breath. ]

[ Her voice wasn't a monotone, but it was extremely calm. Likewise, she held; ]

Yes. A spoon.

clint barton | mcu | familiar

[brandingproblem]

if this was a movie
[It's a forest, dense but not uninviting, with a well-trod path weaving through. A few carriages and wagons, pulled by horses, amble on by. There are the trappings of the upper echelons here, richly colored banners declaring some house or another, the type where the people must be lords and ladies, barons and baronesses, so on and so forth.

It's all otherwise quiet save for creaking wood and steady hooves.

Until- thwack! -an arrow from somewhere in the trees crosses the path, a sturdy line attached to it. From the branches, Robin Hood uses his bow to slide down the line, grinning like a maniac. His Merry Men come out of the woodwork, and the horses jerk when the drivers do.]

Seems like you folks have a lot on your plate. [This Robin Hood does not have an English accent, nor does he speak the olden times the stories originate from. Shh, who cares about accuracy?] Don't worry, we'll lighten the load for you. [At a whistle signal, the Merry Men make to raid some of the wagons, taking whatever riches can be found.] And make sure it all gets back to people who could actually use it. Ah ah- [He swings his bow to bear at someone clearly reaching for a weapon, a sword at a hip probably.] Wouldn't recommend it if I were you.

big red button
[Some soul lets him out of this moonage daydream, and everything shifts in a moment. The jocular Robin Hood melts into the very unhappy Clint Barton, and he clutches his chest for a moment as everything he's supposed to be comes rushing back.

It's not fun, having whole sets of memories displaced. Not his favorite sensation, getting his mind played with.

He's cautious when stepping out of the woods and into the school, and when he crosses the boundary, all the trappings disappear as magic, leaving him looking modern and cozy rather than in tights and tunics. In spite of (because of?) what the Fox said, he's wary of everything around him, turning down any offers of food or drink or rest.]

If I make a joke about not being in Kansas, how many times would you have heard that by now?

[What does catch his attention, eventually, is the chest that tugs at him in some inexplicable way. When he opens it, reaches inside, it's also a bow, but much more modern in design and construction. He runs his hands along it, then slings it across his body. And looks for the closest way out.]

eyes open
[Exile is disorienting. The feeling of being watched doesn't fade even when he leaves the...sight? Of the school. And the fog is unsettling and dense. Things might hunt here, but he, too, is a hunter. He makes to scale one of the sturdier-looking gnarled trees for a better vantage point.

--and then suddenly he's not in Exile at all.]

Uh. That didn't seem like a way out. [It's sunny? Pleasant? With buildings around? And people?] I'll take it, though.

[Maybe you're around. Maybe he makes to lean a hand on a wall and falls straight through it and into your place, complete with undignified noise.] Sorry! Sorry, uh, should I just leave the way I came? [Unhelpful, Clint. Maybe help a new starry asshole figure out where he is and why he is and that maybe his body actually is still all the way back up a tree, thanks.]

big red button

[heyunderoos]

[The sentiment, one Peter overhears startles a laugh out of him. He turns, surprised to see Hawkeye of all people here, but also kind of relieved in equal measure. Even if the man has no idea who he is, the seventeen year old is happy for someone he knows of. He smiles at the other super hero, relaxing a little.]

I feel like if you started to say it, they'd finish the quote for you. So, lets go with a lot.

[Peter for his part has accepted one of the offered drinks.

At this point if he's going to get cursed by something he at least can figure his way out of that. He might as well indulge in something familiar for as long as it lasts. His life is mildly a disaster in new unexpected ways.]

Kanji Tatsumi | Persona 4: Golden | Learning toward Myth

[topgun_textiles]

[I. Phoenix Rangers Featherman R! Feather Falcon Lands!]

He set his jaw, eyes sharp. He needed to be careful when dressed as a civilian, lest his identity be revealed. Having sought refuge behind a dune, he watched as a very odd, floppy monster that looked like its skin was too baggy for its body- almost like a costume, hmm- stormed along the sands and cackled in glee. Nobody here could enjoy their youthful, lively time at the beach so long as this bully called himself king of the beach.

Kanji(? That sounded right.) clenched his fists. He needed to control his temper, but he couldn't sit idly by as he heard the screams of fear and cries for help. He needed to get in there, but he'd been told time and time again by Feather Hawk not to do everything on his own. He didn't have the patience for another lecture like he was some kind of kid.

He grit his teeth. Around his left wrist was a chunky, emblem-marked device. Collect the whole set at stores near you!! Now with REAL sounds from the hit TV show!

He raised it to eye level and let the power begin to grow, fueling his determination. "Fuck this... I'm goin' in there...!"


[II. Reach Out to the What, Again?]

"Suck it! RrrRRRRAAAAAUGH!"

Some people use shields for defense. But one charged in and figured the best defense is a merciless offense. With a body spattered in swamp muck and god knows what else, a tall and burly dude in sunglasses was walloping the living snot out of some shrieking creature that had aspirations to make lunch out of another Star Child.

He turned to face this person.

"I've got this one! Can ya walk? If so, GET YOUR ASS MOVIN'!"


[III. Wildcard with the Emperor!]

[Want something else? PM me or hit me up at MechaPony or rainbowdonut on discord!]

Reach Out to the What, Again?

[astheravenflies]

Matthew was still perched on the handle of the battle axe with his wings slightly spread as though about to fly away.

"Technically I could walk but I think I'll fly instead."

Which he does and moves perch on a tree branch in Kanji's path so he's actually above Kanji when he speaks again.

"Any idea why things started attacking all of a sudden? They weren't before."

Yuta Okkotsu | Jujutsu Kaisen | Myth

[cursedpromises]

A. (Movie) Sonovabitch ... I'm In!

This was going to be the Last Job. One final score, that would let them retire comfortably for good. If they could pull this off, anyway. That meant their leader would need to find the best of the best - safe crackers, counterfeiters, muscle, gunmen, people good with disguise, hackers ... it took all types to pull off the heist of the century.

The other Star Child could be any one of them - but Yuta was the hired muscle. Not that he looked it. Certainly, he was tall and broad-shouldered, well built, perhaps that might fit the image his team might have for the boy. But he's young - he didn't even look out of high school, yet - and he had a gentle way of smiling under the deep bags beneath his eyes. (Was this kid showing up half-asleep?)

The person meeting him was going to try to recruit him, see if he was a good fit to pull off this theft ... but as he smiled cheerfully at them, perhaps they might think he's too soft for the job.

"Hey! Sorry I'm late!"


B. (Red Button) STOP - in the name of love - (CW: Car accidents, gore, child death)

It's not a long scene which played out, over and over, on the screens around the city, on televisions, on people's relics. It's a rather short series of events, perhaps giving the subject matter more weight. But perhaps it would seem all the more cruel for its repetition.

Two young children, perhaps aged ten or eleven. A boy and a girl. Meeting at playgrounds, smiling brightly, clearly happy together. Blushing as they stood close. Exchanging rings -

"It's a promise."

"When we grow up - we'll get married."

It's very innocent.

It then turned bloody.

A car swerving - people shouting and screaming, people pulling out cell phones - someone saying, quite accurately, that the girl's head had been crushed - and the young boy watching it all, frozen, helpless. He asked in a shaky voice, as if he didn't believe the long smear of blood which followed the tire to the girl's body, "... Rika-chan?"

Then, loop. Watch it again.

Or ... Press the red button and let him out, won't you?


C. (Cowboy) I was just a red-neck wannabe ...

None of them seemed cursed, but all the same Yuta was still giving them pretty serious consideration as he wandered through the field of discarded weaponry. He's not sure what kinds of things he's going to come across in a place like this. Thirteen said she needed him for a reason, right? Unfortunately, that meant he'd probably have to fight something.

And he wanted to be ready for that. If he was unprepared, somehow, and someone got hurt ...

He looked up when he realized someone else was nearby - Yuta waved at the other Star Child, entirely friendly. "Hi there! Anything catch your eye?"


D. WILDCARD! (( ooc: hit me up! find him all over - just run into him and say hello, write your own movie script, or maybe your character is intangible and thinks he looks like he could help? yuta is brand new to me so I'd love a chance to test drive him with all kinds of characters! if you want to plot ping me in the discord chat or find me on plurk! ))

D Because what is dealing with things?

[cursedwords]

It had not escaped Toge's notice that Yuta had been on the screen, and it was entirely possible that he'd slammed the red button so fast, but that was neither here nor there. It hadn't put him in contact with the other boy.

He would just wait for the opportunity, keeping his eyes peeled for Yuta coming from Exile.

When Toge saw him, he waved. "Kelp!" He called.

Yuta getting closer though made his eyes go wide as he pointed up at him. "Fish flakes!"

diluc ragnvindr | genshin impact

[deathinthefamily]

1. if this were a movie

[ if this were a movie, it would start in a coffee shop. A small, local one, where the barista cares about the sourcing and roasting and-- well, you get it. this is the start of an in-depth biopic on the coffee industry. but as for the atmosphere in this little shop?

it's unassuming, for one. the decorations are simple, the interior a little dark. and there's only one person working there in the front. sometimes, that person will trade off. and as of right now, he's stocking coffee cups.

and that, of course, is when the bell over the door rings, announcing another visitor. He glances up at, and smiles just slightly. ]

What can I get you?

2. cowboy like me

[ let's nevermind the coffee shop. however that ends, eventually, one must escape, right? and diluc, of course, would rather immediately go his own way. seek out solitude. that is the way he's been for the past few years, and it's a hard habit to shake.

could he ask questions? for help? of course. but he's grown used to solitude, and it's a hard habit to break, to make room for thoughts other than his own. And so, he tries to navigate exile himself.

It's eerie. Unsettling. But manageable.

He comes across the weapons, and stops. They stand out in the midst of everything. and he's keenly aware of the fact that his claymore is Not There with him.

Better safe than sorry? ]

or: wildcard me.

If this were a movie

[shadowsincryo]

[A tall man steps in and smiles slightly back. His dark blue hair is offset by his dark coat and white shirt. He strides in and settles at a stool as his smile turns a little tired.] The usual and one of the cinnamon rolls.

I thought you had today off. [He had swung by anyway. Any day he sees the man he grew up with is a good day. Even if his night is going to be digging through information and tracking down files.] Or did I get the days mixed up?

[It wouldn’t be surprising if he did. This case has been a nightmare.]

Ezra Bridger | Star Wars: Rebels + CRAU | Familiar

[ezra_of_lothal]

I. If This Were a Movie (AKA the MASH AU cw: for aftermath of violence, non graphic, so far)

There are no wizards with tide-turning powers on what's left of this battlefield, no knights with shining swords - not even a wise cracking doctor present, at the moment. Just a lot of mud, and blood, and a Jewish kid from the Lower East Side doing his best as a field medic. Ok, so sometimes he does make a quip here or there, but often he seems anxious, wincing at the laugh track (that others may or may not hear). His hands, though, are always steady.

His gaze flickers towards the sky. "If we don't make it to the unit by the time the storm breaks, we're screwed."

(Feel free to go wildcard with the general 'verse on this one!)

II. Big Red Button

Ezra just blinks as memories settle more properly into place. "Oh. That sort of thing."

Not his first 'other life' rodeo. He pats himself down, relieved to find his hair is back to longer than what had, a moment ago, been regulation, and he's no longer in a uniform.

Well, not a uniform by many points of view. Some might have familiarity with the combination of a cloak plus a particular style of tunics, and tabards although his current set are burnt orange tabards with yellow stitched detailing, over deep blue underlayers. His belt looks like it has many clips and small pockets for useful things. Too bad they're all not in use at the moment.

Then he sighs heavily. "I'm new. Where are we now?"

III. Cowboy Like Me

He doesn't have his lightsaber, or any other weapon he'd call his, and he's spent too much of his life in settings he's needed to be able to fight at the drop of hat to be perfectly comfortable with that aspect of the situation. Still, he eyes the weapons strewn around warily.

"I don't think touching them is a good idea."

IV. Wildcard (And of course general wild card. Feel free to hit me up at skipthedemon on discord or skipthedemon for plotting!)

now pressing the button in the CORRECT spot ;;

[unapprovedtrash]

Cal hasn't had all that many experiences with the trials Thirteen throws at people in this place yet. He hasn't been here that long himself. This one was by far the most annoying out of the few he's played part of. He doesn't even want to talk about what he went through. He's fairly certain he was living one of Skoova Stev's big fish tales. The less said about it the better.

He has decided to hang around Baba Yaga for a bit since he's here. Seems like that's where most people are popping out after their 'Experiences'. A few are a bit disorientated so he figured he should stick around a while to help before heading off to.. do something? Yeah, something.

This latest Star Child that's been released from the 'Experience' though. He can't bring himself to answer him right off the bat. He feels something thick in his throat, a lump he has to force to swallow. He's familiar with that style of tunic, that cut of tabard. The colors aren't quite the most traditional but. Yeah. He wore them himself until he was thirteen and then, well. Stuff happened. He probably could if he wanted to. He doesn't keep it quiet about who he is anymore. Openly 'flaunts' his lightsaber and all. But he's never tried to wear the robes again. He-

-Is staring a bit. Come on Kestis don't have an existential crisis over wardrobe. It probably doesn't even mean anything. Cosmic coincidence or something.

"Oh hey, sorry, just spacing out a little," he gives him an awkward but friendly little wave. He is totally a normal well adjusted person, "This is Folkmore. Or specifically if you want it Baba Yaga. You know you seem pretty blasé about all this."

leonardo hamato | rise of the tmnt | familiar

[neonleon]

if this was a movie

[The scene is set up in a fancy dark office with a heavy oak desk and a tall back chair. Smaller lesser chairs are facing the desk while there are various animal youkai in fitted suits guarding the door and next to the red ear slider turtle sitting behind the desk. He's looking unimpressed, but a smile creeps across his face.]

You know? You aren't the first to try and steal from the Hamato family. And you won't be the last. But what makes you special that I should forgive you? My brothers aren't as nice as me, so I'll hear you out. See if I can make a case, but you better have something good to offer in exchange.

[The Leader of the Hamato Family is a tough role to play, but if anyone can do it, it's Leo. His baby brother is too sweet, his twin brother is too closed off, and their big brother doesn't have the capacity for the long game planning. No, it's always been Leo taking charge of these delicate situations.]

Tell me, why shouldn't I have our guys take you out right now?

big red button

[He stumbles out of the scenario with a gasp, rubbing at his head like he's got the worst headache.]

Okay, so who touched the artifact? [It's an easy enough question but he realizes pretty quickly he isn't alone, and it's not his brother or Rue or Peter.] And who are you? What happened? Where's my brother?

wildcard

[hit me with anything, leo's pretty versatile]

if this was a movie - this is very silly

[heyunderoos]

Tenacity. [He's not much of a thief, hell, he's probably a terrible one since he didn't get away with what he wanted here, but he certainly had gotten close. A lot closer than other people had.

Close enough, he had an audience with one of the Hamato's.] Tenacity is useful, it means, I'm hard to kill. I was hard to catch.

[He raises a hand, proving he's broken out of the restraints he was in to poke his index finger against his cheek.] That, and we both know, I'm cute. Be an absolute waste. [He pairs it with a wink.]

Tinya Wazzo | Legion of Super Heroes (reboot) + CRAU | Myth

[unphase]

Arrival

It had seemed like a useful trade at first. Go with the Fox, become even stronger, go home and kick the ass of a teammate who had eyes on her husband. She assumed some form of mental training would be involved since her opponent was a powerful telepath.

The transformation hadn't been part of the deal. At least Tinya hadn't been expecting this much.

It could've been worse, she supposed. She'd worn a very similar outfit dancing as the Black Swan in 'Swan Lake,' but no matter how hard she scrubbed, the makeup on her face and hands didn't come off. She sighed in frustration, but not so loudly that she couldn't hear the snap of a twig behind her.

She put on her best 'Everything Is Fine' smile and turned to face the person behind her. "Peculiar, aren't I? I certainly didn't start off this way, but I suppose it could be far worse?

If This Was a Movie

All Tinya knew was that she was supposed to be here and that she had a rival of sorts, one who wanted to take her part. She was the Swan Queen, Odette and Odile both, the light and the dark.

But she couldn't help cleaving to the dark a little more closely. She twirled in a series of sloppy, hardly up to her usual standards, pirouettes and spun her way into someone's arms.

Were they a friend? An enemy? A rival?

Either way, Tinya smiled at them as though she'd been expecting them all along. "Oh, it's you. Of course it is."

Cowboy Like Me

This looked like a trap. She'd been in similar situations before and it seemed as though she would be again.

Might as well get it overwith.

Tinya drew a long staff with blades on either end out of the ground, tested its weight and tried a few practice swings. One of which happened to strike a newcomer. One who looked decidedly unfriendly.

And there were quite a few of them. Lovely.

She scanned the area, looking for a companion. Such battles were best shared, her time both at home and away from home proved that. Once she saw another Star Child there, she gave them a warm smile and said "Shall we dance," nodding towards the creatures.

((OOC: this is Tinya's Myth form, only with red eyes instead of blue))

Cowboy Like Me

[expensiveidiom]

Edward hadn't been tempted by the weaponry lying around. It was fine, but he wasn't looking for a weapon so he hadn't picked one up.

He couldn't help catching attention when Tinya was under attack and he nodded a bit more serious.

"Not sure we've got a choice." Edward commented as he found himself a polearm and swung it into a position to take aim at the visitors. That would put him in their crosshairs too.

"Some place this is." He grumbled.

R. Dorothy Wayneright | The Big O | Familiar

[pianola]

A. If This Was a Movie TV Show

[ While most of these films staring the Star Children began with a cold open - this one did not, proudly proclaiming its title card right at the intro - ]

[

SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DATE A ROBOT?

]

[ Let's cut to a confession cam. ]

[ The subject in question looked pretty human, except her skin was perhaps a little too pale, and she stared unblinkingly at the camera. Her voice wasn't a monotone, but certainly, it was perhaps too calm for this situation. But was there a touch of ... annoyance? ]

[ The caption card below her read called her R. Dorothy Wayneright: Robot Bachelorette. Her calm-if-annoyed voice stated bluntly: ]

I do not have high expectations.

[ Smash-cut to the erstwhile suitor! Who are they? Are they a man, woman, outside such restricting definitions? Human or machine themselves? ]

[ They can introduce themselves to a confession cam - before arriving to knock on the door of Dorothy's home. ]


B. Red Button

[ Dorothy is seated on a high balcony ledge, overlooking a cityscape which is littered with domes toward the center, protecting the most privileged of buildings. The sky is dark and overcast. The camera pans in towards her back - as it gets closer and closer, winding at last over her shoulder, you'll begin to hear her softly humming. ]

[ This song. Whose was it? It was not something her Father had programmed into her, had ever asked her to sing. She had not sung since her Father's death. Something about it ... when she considered signing again ... it was as if every one of her internal motors ran dry from all of its oil, locking up tight. ]

[ But this tune was different. Wordless. She was only able to hum it, each additional note coming to her from somewhere remote and distant. ]

[ Coaxed while she stroked the gray kitten's fur in her lap, revealed by the camera once it crested over the shoulder. ]

[ Nothing violent happened here. This movie was - peaceful. Just a girl, gently and lovingly stroking a small, gray cat. Now and then, the little creature would yawn, exposing a pink tongue, before continuing to purr. ]

[ After someone pressed the button - well. They'd find her standing on some tall place, somewhere that looked impossible to climb to - looking out in the distance, at a sky strangely free of clouds. So blue. ]

[ Dorothy did not have any physical mechanisms to allow her to cry. ]


C. So I Bet You Think You're John Wayne

[ Dorothy was not a fighter, and would never be one. She's walking around the scattered field with a little bit of unease. Fortunately, she thought, that expression didn't translate onto her face. There were advantages to being an android. ]

[ There's only one conclusion she could draw, and she would state it plainly to the first person she saw - hopefully before they grabbed a weapon themselves. ]

We need to leave this place.



D. WILDCARD!

(( ooc: hey howdy hey this is the panther again with one of my oldest characters, hit me up on plurk if you want to plot something out! Dorothy is very quiet but very curious, very quick to help others, even if she's not someone willing to fight. however, if she needs to pick you up and zoom off to safety, she certainly will. she's also a great listener if someone wants to complain about being intangible - or, if you just want to run into her, feel free! come at me! ))

Constance Blackwood | We Have Always Lived in the Castle + CRAU | Familiar

[aprettysight]

Big Red Button

Constance thought that maybe she'd seen everything odd in any world available, but this was even stranger. The presence of a cat's tail and cat ears, both a deep sable to match her hair, made things stranger all by themselves. Finding herself playing Ophelia from Hamlet, believing herself to be Ophelia was another. So she took a deep breath and let it out, reciting "Oh, what a noble mind is here o’erthrown!
The courtier’s, soldier’s, scholar’s eye, tongue, sword,
Th’ expectation and rose of the fair state,
The glass of fashion and the mold of form,
Th’ observed of all observers, quite, quite down!"

And she looked genuinely mournful. She thought of her fierce little sister, Merricat, how the words described her as much as they did Hamlet. She, too, possessed fierce eyes, a tongue, and in place of a sword, a broken snowglobe. But Merricat wielded that snowglobe with a finality unparalleled by anything Constance had ever read about.

But finally, finally she was freed, finding herself in one of the strangest rooms she'd ever seen. It seemed to be a school of sorts, but there were jars of all kinds of artifacts, herbs, and even body parts. Constance stifled a scream when she saw the latter.

And there was a strange feeling, as though she was being watched and enveloped at the same time. She couldn't quite decide if the feeling was comforting, but it was similar to the one she'd felt when the fox drew her away from one world and into another.

So when she's free and the chest opened, she looked inside and saw the deadly snowglobe, shrieked, and scrambled backwards, starting to cry and maybe toppling anyone nearby over.

Constance gasped through tears and looked immediately apologetic. "I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I was so--so very surprised, I never thought I'd see such a thing again and I don't want it! Can you...can you take me out of this place, please?"

Eyes Open

It was a relief to get out of that school and the path laid before her seemed simple enough. She'd had to navigate strange places in the other world, but this one seemed almost as though it was urging her on. It was a relief to be surrounded by nature after the steel and concrete and glass she'd escaped from. She never wanted to be in any such place ever again.

But that was when the surroundings shifted. She was in a pub, a rather nice and friendly one at that, a fire crackling merrily in the fireplace. Constance smiled happily and stepped towards the bar, intending on having a seat on the stool and maybe having some ale and food, if they had it.

That was when her hand passed through the stool instead of grasping it. Her eyes widened and her cat's tail swished back and forth frantically as she tried and failed to touch other things.

Constance desperately gestured for the barkeep's attention. "Ex--excuse me? I can't touch anything and I'm so terribly frightened! Please, if you have any mercy won't you help me?"

Obi-Wan Kenobi | Star Wars: The Phantom Menace | Legend

[hasmuchtolearn]

Arrival

“Promise me, you will train the boy.”
“Yes, master.”
“He is the chosen one. He will bring balance. Train him.”

And with those last words, Obi-Wan’s world would change forever. Cradling the lifeless body of his slain master, all he could do was weep. That is until movement caught his eye. He looked up, his face wet with tears, as he saw a strange little animal. She spoke to him, beckoned him to come with her.

Though a part of him wanted to stay with his master, Obi-Wan knew he had to let go. He accepted this fact, and in that instant he felt himself leave his body. Is this what Qui-Gon had felt too? He stepped towards the Fox, feeling drawn to her. Though he couldn’t help looking back, seeing himself as he continued to mourn for the man who had been like a father to him.

A small noise drew his attention back to the fox and he followed her. As she explained her intentions, white wings sprouted from his back. A golden light also bathing him as he practically glowed, small dots of light twinkling and trailing behind him as he walked. Completely mystified by what was happening, he did his best to take it in. His world fading behind him.

Then he was falling, like a bright star through the sky. Obi-Wan began to panic, flailing his limbs and attempting to use the wings he only just acquired. Flapping helplessly it was no use as he continued to plummet until making impact rather ungracefully with the ground. A loud thud accompanied with a bright flash, followed by a groan.

“This is why I hate flying,” he complains. “Or falling in this case.”

Arrival

[aprettysight]

There was a young woman in her mid twenties standing by as she watched him come to a halt at her feet.

Frankly, this wouldn't list in the fiftieth of fifty strange things she'd seen in life, but it was a close shave. Hiding a dead man's sportscar in her family's garage eked it out just a little bit. Followed by the entire village embarking on a "We're Sorry" food and luncheon drive at their front door. It was far too late for that, but then she was there and now she was here.

So she may as well try to offer comfort to those also new here, her cat ears and tail twitching gently. "You've flown, ser? What is it like? Which airline did you choose? They say that United has the best deal for any location, but it can't compete with the luxury afforded on a PanAm flight!"

Rick | Star Wars Jedi: Survivor | Familiar

[hardestbossbattle]

Arrival

Rick's has had a really rough day. Granted maybe he shouldn't have charged screaming at the Jedi trespasser with absolutely zero backup... but all he could think about was the sweet promotion he'd likely get for taking him down. Maybe he could even get a cushy desk job! Doing as little work as possible was his dream!

But no it had taking the Jedi terrorist all of about two second with a swipe of his hand to use some Force nonsense to knock him off a bridge and that was that. And then some Fox(?) was telling him about this Folkmore place and then he was falling to the ground (he's had enough of falling for serious).

So here he is, no electro baton. No blaster. No clue. And he's just had enough and there's only one way to deal with the stress.

He takes a sit where he's standing, just right on the ground, takes a deep breath and-

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!"

And once he's had enough yelling he collapses fully. He's clocking out for the day. Right here.

[hasmuchtolearn]

The scream echoes through the forest and happens to get the attention of another nearby Jedi. It’s Rick’s lucky day! Obi-Wan comes running to where he heard the cry of distress, seeing a collapsed man in some sort of armor.

“Hello? Are you all right?”

Coming to stand by the prostrate trooper, Obi-Wan nudges him with his boot. Is he alive? Bending down, the Padawan reaches out to try to find a pulse or something that would indicate life.

Wanda Maximoff — Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU)

[divaricate]

(ooc note: familiar, post-endgame)

BIG RED BUTTON

As if coming back to life after being snapped out of existence by a purple alien that looks like a McDonald's mascot who got hod of cosmic stones wasn't disorienting enough? This adds to it, A LOT. More memories come back to her, rushing in and fitting back into place. That, and plenty of nausea like she got off a terrible roller coaster.

Opening a chest that she notices nearby and intrigues her, she finds a ... rather old, dusty looking book inside. How anticlimactic. (It's the Darkhold, she doesn't know it yet.) But she picks it up regardless, and tucks it under her arm.

Eventually making her way to a recovery station by the bat spirits, she has a cup of tea and bread beside her, but hasn't touched them yet. She still feels like she might barf.

“Is this...normal?” She asks to no one in particular; maybe someone nearby enough to hear.

EYES OPEN

The first time she happens to pass right through a door, she finds herself in someone's house or business, it appears. She yells loudly, both at the fact of apparently being a ghost and the fact of being where she is.

“Am I dead???!!” A pause, then: “Still???” As in still dead, yes. Is this some Thanos bullshit again after all? Help a girl out.

WILDCARD

( come @ me )

Big Red Button

[heyunderoos]

"Like, normal here, or normal in general?" Peter questions back, just holding onto a cup of cocoa loosely as he looks at Wanda. He recognizes her pretty immediately, but can't exactly go 'hey, we fought in an airport once!', that would be too weird.

Well.

The situation was kind of weird to begin with anyway.

"I'm thinking this is normal here, since, uh, all of this?" He gives a vague gesture at their surroundings and the well stocked care stations.

Cirilla — The Witcher (Netflix)

[destinatae]

ooc note: legend. end of s2; she's around 14 years old I GUESS because timelines are weird??

IF THIS WAS A MOVIE

Ciri is now on a spaceship, part of a crew going through space on missions and fighting and protecting. She's in her room during some down time, flipping through her hi tech tablet, reading notes, documents, and maybe playing whatever version of Candy Crush is on here.

Okay, maybe more the Candy Crush than anything.

When she hears a knock on her door, she looks up. “It's open!”

COWBOY LIKE ME

Despite her young age, Ciri knows her way around a few weapons, so when she sees a close sword nearby, she picks it up, thinking she doesn't have one now and may need it. Logic no one would fault her for, most likely.

However, she soon has a regret about that when creatures start to come after her. “Ah, fuck—” Yes, the young princess of Cintra has a mouth on her. “Come get it.” She starts to slice her sword through the air.

Also, she wouldn't say no to help.

WILDCARD

( come @ me )

If This Were A Movie

[ezra_of_lothal]

Guess who has being a teenager, living on a spaceship, going on mission fighting and protecting as part of his actual origin story? This guy.

Well, he was 14 back when he took to space. Now he's 20.

He opens her door and leans in. "Hey, Ciri. Weapons practice in the main bay?"

If she says no - ok, he didn't actually make a bet with anyone. But he'd wager part of his helmet collection that she's game.

Power | Chainsaw Man | Myth

[thefinalpower]

Eyes Open

Hey!

[ The upper half of Power's torso suddenly juts through the nearest wall, and Power's weird crosshair-pupiled eyes fix the nearest person with an intent glare. Were you hoping to have your day rudely interrupted like this by some strange, horned devil-girl? Probably not, but too bad, them's the breaks!

(Being Exiled hasn't been a problem for Power, thus far. She's used to feeling unwelcome or untrusted in new situations - nothing personal, it's generally a Fiend VS Humans thing - and barging right through anyway!) ]

What's going on? Why are these walls so inferior? Am I haunting you?


Cowboy Like Me

[ Now this is more like it! It's been far too long since she's had access to weaponry! Naturally, Power would prefer her own - it feels like forever since she's been able to generate any blood weapons - but she'll settle for the next best thing. In this case, that means a pair of short swords.

Power twirls the swords around for a moment before noticing the approaching monster, and then you in turn. One moment, she's locking eyes with you, and the next, her face splits into a huge, disturbingly pointy grin as she lunges at the monster, swords-first. ]

Watch and learn!!

[ Sorry, you're probably gonna have to cover the 'intelligence' part here, Power is a dumbass who fights like the Tasmanian Devil! ]

Wildcard
[ Dealer's choice! ]

Eyes Open

[heyunderoos]

[Peter does not like Exile. He is kind of wishing he had stayed on Baba Yaga specifically for the promise of safety, but...

He needed to go, and needed to find his boyfriend, and friends. There had to be people he knew here. He almost wishes it was the ADI for the familiarity of it all.

Having Power suddenly appear in his space, peppering him with questions makes Peter jolt back.]

Woah- hey- [Recognition hits.] Power-?

[Oh no, its the girl he gave a piggy back ride to. Shit.]

Alluka Zoldyck/Nanika | Hunter x Hunter | Familiar

[tooawesome]

🐼 If This Was a Movie Kids' Show
CW: Talking stuffed animals

Nanika sits at a short table in the backyard on a pillow. The pillowcase, like those for the stuffed animals around her, is decorated with a bright pattern of tiny flowers. A bone white tablecloth covers the table, and a glass teapot with a large blossom in it sits to one side. Each stuffed animal and Nanika has hot tea poured into a small porcelain cup on a small saucer. One open space remains opposite her.

The teddy bear lifts the tea and takes a sip. "Thank you, Nanika. You make the best tea," it says.

The rabbit chews furiously on a tiny sandwich and nearly spits some out. "It's very good, but is anyone joining us today?"

The pre-teen girl deflates at the empty spot. She glances back toward the house. "I don't know, Bunny, but I'm very glad to have tea with all of you."

The animals chitter and continue the tea party. They try to distract her, but Nanika constantly listens for attention until she hears someone coming. Her face lights up, and she claps her hands together.

"Join us! Join us!" she declares and turns to face an older sibling. Her face is inhuman, as though someone blurred out all the features and drew large black ovals for eyes and thick marker across the face for a mouth.

🌸 If The Matrix was YA
CW: Matrix-esque Body Horror

"This is your last chance. After this there is no turning back. You take the blue pill, the story ends, you wake up in your bed and believe whatever you want to believe. You take the red pill, you stay in Wonderland, and I show you how deep the rabbit hole goes… Remember, all I’m offering is the truth, nothing more…"

Alluka stares determinedly at the pills in each hand, her mouth flat. After only a moment's thought, she takes the red pill and swallows it.

"Follow me…"

She follows and sits where directed as multiple people get busy and antsy about something she doesn't understand.

"The pill you took is part of a trace program. It’s designed to disrupt your input/output carrier signals so we can pinpoint your location."

Alluka looks down at herself. She's right before them. "I'm not here."

"That's right, Dorothy," someone else says, "You're in Oz."

"Have you ever had a dream, Alluka, that you were so sure was real? What if you were unable to wake from that dream? How would you know the difference between the dream world and the real world?" the leader asks.

Her mouth opens and closes as she considers it. "Things don't work the same in dreams," she answers. Alluka shivers. "It's cold."

"Got her!" a voice sounds tinny over the comm. Alluka passes out.

When she wakes up, she's somewhere else entirely. She's on a table, and when she looks at herself, she sees… plugs, so many plugs. It's like something out of a movie. "Am I okay?" Alluka asks and closes her eyes against the bright light.

🌸 Unaccompanied Minor
CW: Invasion of Privacy

Alluka steps out of the screen, looking behind her in awe, and stares at the new place she's never seen before. A small o forms of her mouth because it's so new! It's another new place! She skips forward only to trip over an ottoman because she hadn't looked down. She catches herself on her hands but bonks her shin. Sitting on the floor, she opens up the oddly placed ottoman that looks like a sheep. Her face lights up with glee as she pulls out a large stuffed panda bear. It's at least half her size, but she clutches it as she takes in all the strangers.

"Big brother?" Alluka says tremulously, but Killua doesn't materialize. For a couple moments her eyes start to fill with tears, but she remembers what the nice fox said. Of course her big brother isn't here. She left him, not the other way around.

Immediately, she decides to be brave. She's here because she wanted to see the bigger world. So she will! (Her stomach growls.) After she eats something.

Alluka makes her way over to the bats, still hugging the stuffed animal to her chest, and accepts tea and cookies from the cute little bats. She sits there and watches people.

🌸 Giggle Function
CW: Matrix-esque Body Horror

One moment Allure's tromping through foggy forests that point her in the right way in a friendly fashion. The next she's home. Rather, she's in someone's home. It's not her home because the walls aren't painted like hers, and her collection of stuffed animals and other toys is missing. Homes! People live in homes! Allure's never seen inside someone's home before. She barely remembers the rest of her family's home.

She's curious and cannot help herself. She looks at everything. Everything in sight, careful to walk around furniture and not knock everything over. When she reaches the refrigerator, her hand goes right through the handle. "Huh?" Alluka exclaims. She tries again. And again. And again.

Then the girl walks straight into the refrigerator to view what's inside. She adjusts until something at the right height is inside her tummy. This elicits giggles and free laughter. She just laughs and laughs and laughs and doesn't hear anyone coming.

🐼 MIA
CW: Mind/Mind Split, Monster

Nanika wakes up with a jolt. Alluka is gone. Not asleep where Nanika can sense her but gone. Outside their body. Her thick line of a mouth straightens, and her dark pits of eyes angle downward in anger. No one takes Alluka away from Nanika. Whoever hurt her will get hurt. She stomps through the forest without much regard for where she's going or any dangers. She's in too much of a hurry. The forest still points the way, and she follows it. Mostly. Nanika isn't sure if the trees can be trusted.

When she comes across weapons sticking out of the ground, Nanika pauses to consider them. She cannot demand someone simply gives her allure back. That wouldn't be fair. She's seen her family, though, and remembers them practicing with weapons. Stomp stomp stomp between the weapons. Most of the swords are too big for her. Nanika picks up two daggers, ready to point them at the next person she meets.

Immediately, she feels wanted. Oh, not the warm fuzzy kind of want. Not the desperate path to freedom want. The hungry want. Literal hunger. Nanika cocks her head. Someone already stole Alluka right out of her. No one gets to eat them. No, no, they'll have to share their name.

"Hello," Nanika says flatly. Tell me your name she wants to say. It doesn't work like that. Killua always introduces himself and her to people, but he's not here to do it for her. "I'm Nanika." Say your name.

What stalks her moves closer but doesn't immediately attack.

Unaccompanied Minor

[cursedwords]

Free food was definitely a perk from having entered the strange gauntlet the fox was throwing down.

"Salmon." He said cheerfully when he was asked if he wanted food and he accepted what was on offer. Tea was one of his favourite things to drink anyway, it was good for his throat.

There weren't many others around, just a young girl and he raised his hand. "Kelp." A little wave, maybe she'd perceive him as friendly? It was hard to say.