vivalaooc | Test Drive Meme #1

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Test Drive Meme #1

TEST DRIVE #1

The day begins as any other, you’re going about your day, living your life, when, without warning, you feel the world around you shift on its axis. You feel a great tear, welling from the depths of your soul as you are ripped from all you have known. If you’re lucky, you arrive in the wilderness of an unfamiliar world, where the language is foreign and the people are hostile. To make your escape, you must learn some language, flee, and occasionally fight, all to find your way off the floating isles you find yourself on and to the great ocean below, where rebel forces will welcome you.

If you’re unlucky, you materialize within a room full of armed guards and are quickly subdued with charged nets, stripped of your belongings, fitted with strange devices that suppress your powers and pressed into servitude. Your days are unimaginable pain and toil.

Fortunately, even in this world, there is still hope. For the denizens of this world have not given up. And it is for that dream of salvation that the Crimson Corsairs raise their flags and sail - for liberation. Perhaps you are one who has lived their entire life under the oppressive yoke of the Empire. Perhaps you have seen first hand your family and friends cut down by nobles hunting men for sport, or perhaps you have run afoul with the church and barely escaped with your life. No matter your origin, the Corsairs sail for you, for your freedom, for your life. And today, a taste of freedom will be won for all.

ARRIVAL/LIBERATION
This month, the Crimson Corsairs raided a Larendt labor camp in order to obtain much-needed parts and textiles as well as liberate another batch of servants for the cause. The raid was executed under the cover of night, with one team sweeping the dormitories and gathering as many servants as they could while the other team hit factories as they could, focusing on taking important items like ship parts and clothing, loading them into prepared trams and fleeing before the guard could mobilize. The operation, thankfully, went off without a hitch, and the Corsairs were able to usher a number of servants into their waiting ships.

As dawn breaks, the raiding fleet docks at Flotsam as the city-fleet begins the long journey away from the continent before a retaliation fleet can be mobilized. The former servants are finally let above deck. The sun is beating down hard on them, its brilliance marking their first step into freedom.

Corsairs on the fleet will have a lot to do - the new arrivals will need to be sorted, clothed, and fed. Many are emaciated from the conditions in the labor camp, and the former servants will be immediately ushered to a mess hall for their first meal as free folk. Corsairs will be needed to organize the movement, prepare and serve the food, and also just sit with them and talk to them, helping them adjust and filling them in on the situation.

Former servants will have found the entire process exhausting to say the least. They were awoken in the dead of night by heavily armed people quickly moving through, shattering their chains and ushering them into ships. The entire night was spent sailing, and while the hull is dark it is crowded and difficult to sleep in. Finally, upon arrival they are ushered into a meal hall and served a humble meal - but a meal that far exceeds anything that was ever served at the servant’s table. What is known is that they are now free.

MEANWHILE IN THE WATERLOGGED ROW…

With another successful mission under their belt and their duties more or less complete, the triumphant Corsairs observe a time-honored tradition: heading to the Waterlogged Row and getting absolutely shitfaced on awful grog.

The mood is jubilant and self-congratulatory, with drinking songs ringing out across Flotsam. In consideration to other residents, the Row is currently moored a good distance from the residential areas to keep the celebrations from disturbing what little peace there is in the chaotic town that is Flotsam. But for those who participated in the mission, tonight is about celebration. Singing, storytelling, socializing, this is the glue that holds the operations team together. And as the Crimson Corsairs do not officially recognize a drinking age, everyone is welcome! Even if they probably shouldn’t be!

New arrivals are, of course, not at all restricted so those who finish their meal and go exploring will quickly find the Row, as well as many Corsairs eager to buy them a pint to toast their newfound freedom.

MAKING THE GOOD STUFF

Elysium often serves as the crux of Corsair operations, and the next operation is no different. While the operations team is carousing and toasting their success, the planning team is hard at work preparing for the next mission.

The order of the day is gathering, which has brought the team to the forests outside of Elysium. In the coming month, Elysium will host a lavish party for the guards of a certain continent, and it is the duty of the gatherers to ensure that any drink served is “enhanced”, with such potency that they won’t be in any position to do their duty when the raiders strike.

Any herbology specialists will be absolutely vital for this operation. While the Corsairs have some documents and know, generally, what they’re looking for, there are a wide variety of things that grow within the forest, many of which can be quite dangerous.

Those new to gathering will really need to watch their step. Elysium is rich in hallucinogens, and a whiff of the wrong flower or mushroom could leave them contemplating their navel for the next hour. Tasting is out of the question, but what they don’t know can’t hurt them right? After all, the Elysium workers spend a lot of time eradicating poisoned growths to keep wandering nobles safe so anything they find can’t be THAT bad. Right?

And of course, for experienced foragers, they will find an entirely new duty thrust upon them - keeping the newbies in line. Really, how can they expect anything productive to be done when they send a bunch of green recruits into a forest full of hallucinogens?

EDUCATION AS THE BOMBS FALL

New Corsairs almost always find themselves in the Vault. Nestled in the earth and subject to the constant pounding of munitions overhead, the Vault is the repository of knowledge for the Crimson Corsairs and the place where new inductees are educated. Language instruction, education on the world and its people, writing, reading, arithmetic, just about any kind of learning can be done in the Vault’s halls.

Notable about the Vault’s education is how deeply tied it is to the Crimson Corsair’s broader philosophy - everyone’s unique talents and insight have value. As such, Corsairs are often called to the Vault to share their specialized expertise. While many Corsairs do choose to become full-time teachers, any Corsair can come and teach a class.

For the new Corsairs, now is a time to learn and train, acclimate themselves to their situation and figure out where they want to go from here. For established Corsairs, this is an opportunity to meet the new recruits and help train them so they can help with the cause. Those who might be students today will be comrades standing at your side tomorrow, so teach them well.

DANGER AT SEA

As the most mobile of the Corsair’s settlements and the only obvious Imperial target, Flotsam is well equipped to deal with any number of dangers. One such danger is the enormous sea monsters who dwell within the Eternal Ocean. While many are not too keen to tangle with such a large fleet, occasionally a monster will become angry or territorial enough to try to attack the fleet.

And it is for that reason that the Corsairs now find themselves battling a massive sea serpent that has stretched itself across the western edge of the fleet. New Corsairs aren’t expected to assist in this battle, but as the sinking of Flotsam would be VERY BAD for those who are currently trying to live on it, many will jump in anyway, especially as they should have been issued weapons. As to established Corsairs, well, you know the drill by now. Monster bad, try to sink ship, let’s convince it that there are easier marks than the pride of the Corsair fleet.

Some Corsairs will need to man the cannons to blow it away, but many will get up close and personal, jumping into melee range to drive it away from the ships and mitigate as much damage as they can. Others still will provide support from the back with magic or ranged weaponry, and still others will need to weave their way in between the battle to carry out wounded Corsairs for medical attention. Whatever your specialty, your city needs you. Best get to work.

WILDCARD

Have an idea for your own prompt? Feel free to make any prompt that you think would fit!

OOC
Welcome to the first Test-Drive Meme for Viva La! All threads here may be considered canon once characters have entered the game. Threads here are eligible for use as a roleplay sample for applications, which will open on the 15th of June at midnight.

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If he had just jumped, from this height, that would have allowed him to make a decent hit. But the sea serpent was big, and Ziel had spent most of his life training to fight monsters. More would be needed and he could tell.

Ziel took a moment to get the timing as close as he could, then jumped, head first, hammer cocked back and ready to swing. While falling another ring of emerald light formed along his path of decent and another one below it. Unlike the platform he’d been standing on a moment ago, these ones didn’t stop things from falling through them, they accelerated them. After passing through both, Ziel wasn’t just a falling cartoon anvil, he was a meteor coming to wipe out the dinosaurs.

Or at least this sea serpent.

Lentils, mainly. A bit of pork fat for flavor…

[She smiled apologetically.]

Not luxury fare, I know, but better than seafood, right?

[She had noticed the flinch at the mention of healing magic, but one step at a time here.]

"I'd picked these ones up as well for a bit of reading, I imagine you've already perused them as well, given your accomplishments yes?"

In her hands this time was not naughty books, but instead complex engineering schematics for airships and sea ships. You've already read them too, right Momo?

We will do our best to nurse you back to health. That is our duty, after all.

"The only eating we need here is for them to eat and regain health. Well, the fun kind too but that can wait for later~"

i. ARRIVAL/LIBERATION

[ After a while, you can get used to all kinds of weird things happening, which is why suddenly appearing in an unknown place doesn't phase Michinaga much. At least not until they try to move in to steal his stuff, at which point he lashes out hard and fast. It takes a good dozen of the guards to take him down enough to restrain him and he still manages to take a few of them down with him.

After that, it gets hard to keep track of time. Michinaga is a construction worker, physical work is doable enough, except that he spends most of his time picking fights with anyone who tries to order him around instead. It doesn't do much other than earn him more bruises, but it makes it clear enough that he will not go quietly, and that's more than enough for him. The weird collar thing seems to be blocking whatever sped-up regeneration he still has in his system, but Michinaga's been throwing himself into bad situations long before he got involved with the DGP, he can live with it.

It's an easy pattern to fall into, so when a sudden swerve happens it takes him a moment to catch up. Not that Michinaga's not happy to throw himself into a fight as soon as it happens, but a few of their erstwhile rescuers might get a few hands thrown at them as well before he manages to get a handle on things. Sorry about that. But as soon as the chains are off, Michinaga shrugs out of any hands trying to steer him towards the waiting ships and turns to stomp back towards the guard houses. Like hell he's running and just leaving those fuckers without consequences. Stealth? Subtlety? Never heard of them.

Anyone who tries to stop him will just get pinned with a dark glare. ] Either keep up or get out of my way.

ii. EDUCATION

[ So this is what hell is like. Michinaga's not dumb by any means, but education has never been much of a priority, let alone having to learn an entire new language. He's picked up a few words here and there but considering he's spent the majority of his time since arrival finding new and inventive ways to get the shit kicked out of himself, it doesn't exactly lead to being conversational. On the plus side, he's probably already picked up a handy list of new swears.

He might be found at times with what might be a children's learning primer, eying the book like it could jump up and bite him at any moment. You never know. ]

This is so stupid.

[ By the time he's gotten at least enough of the language to work out that he's being asked to share what his talents are, Michinaga just stares. ]

Do I look like I have a talent?

[ Sure he can fight, but that's mostly throwing himself at anyone and anything with sheer brute force and stubbornness. Even Michinaga can be pretty sure no one else needs to follow that example. ]

iii. DANGER

[ So. Very large monster. Where's his Driver when he needs it.

Failing that, Michinaga has found his way onto the deck anyway and seems to be actively contemplating just going after the massive serpent with his bare hands. Wouldn't be the dumbest thing he's ever done. At least that's the plan until the boat suddenly rocks hard underneath his feet and the goal becomes find something to hold on to until things settle and then try to see how his un-enhanced strength works again snakeskin. Who says he can't plan ahead?

Only that idea gets derailed too when he spots someone else lose their footing and start to go over the side of the ship. And completely without thinking, Michinaga all but launches himself over the side as well to try and catch them. Maybe he got a wrist, an ankle, a piece of clothing, but once he's got a hold he is absolutely not letting go despite the awkward position. ]

What the hell are you doing? Hold on! [ This is how Michinaga shows concern, don't worry about it. ]

iv. WILDCARD

[ Feel free to throw me anything you like or PM if you want to plan something. I'm fine with prose or brackets and will match styles! ]

Edited 2024-06-02 16:33 (UTC)

Liberation
Aerich would be hardly recognizable to his friends after several months in the labor camp. It seemed the best way to attract the negative attention of the guards was to hold belief in the wrong caste-based system. After all, an outlander man holding himself like high nobility might cause questions about the validity of the Servant system in the lower classes — if the Divine had ordained a similar system elsewhere, then what would it mean that the Servants’ Gate had summoned a duke rather than serf or commoner?

It also did not help that Aerich was a man unaccustomed to duplicity. He had managed to stand as ‘one of the noble houses, but untitled’ in his youth, but that had been some time ago. Even then, the House of the Lyorn were known for a strict adherence to honor, including the appearance of honor. Aerich had had to learn to think about these things.

As a result, Aerich was one of the more half-starved, bruised and disoriented prisoners who was easy enough to rescue because by the time he was registering what was happened, something else was happening. He only had stopped to reflect once a bowl of something that smelled better than the greatest feast he had ever attended was set in front of him. Despite his hunger, he still was savoring the first bites when he noticed that he was not alone.

“Give the cook my thanks?” He could speak the local language now, but it was much simplified from his normal manner of speaking. While it had been clear that he would be punished if he didn't learn the local language, the guards and supervisors saw little need to teach anything more than what was needed to follow orders and show what they considered proper respect.

Education
Aerich was not a natural academic, but he was aware that he lacked any sort of context for events, and the use of technology and ether (which was neither sorcery nor witchcraft, but some third thing). He couldn’t even read the local language — which, yes, was not unexpected given the role he had been given, but inconvenient. So his first few book choices in the library were mostly to practice reading and to improve his vocabulary. One can find him also carefully copying letters and words, getting used to the motions of a pen. “Can you read this?”

The purpose of being able to write includes being able to write well. Aerich is also aware that the handwriting of a noble is not the same as a commoner who knows just about enough to keep accounts. What he is called on to do here might need the sort of dexterity that looks like either someone who has been educated, or a secretary whose handwriting reflects on his employer. So, he must learn how to write, but also how to write well.

Danger at Sea
Aerich had not done much nautical travel, but he was a trained warrior and that, at least was something he could do. While logistics had delivered him a firm lecture that he could not be picky about what he was granted, especially as his height meant that any sword design intended for his fighting style would be too small. So, he was improvising with sword and dagger, and vambraces that were clearly made of whatever scraps the Corsairs could find, held together by leather.

He was still willing to jump into melee, focusing on a highly defensive style that was mostly about deflecting blows until one could find an opening. Which wouldn’t be the fight ender the way it would be for a humanoid opponent, but was certainly causing the creature to snap at this new irritation. He might need an assist.

"Yeah, no fun eating today, I'm afraid. Wholesome, filling meals only you guys."

She waits a beat for Musse to react, and then thrusts her point home.

"Cookies and cake and other sweets are for later when they won't do more damage than good."

[I] LIBERATION;

[While Eva does by and large keep herself to the Vault in Bavrecht even she comes aboveground now and then to try to help in the fighting efforts alongside healing and just plan helping with new arrivals. The latter is what she's doing today.]

(1) [Eva is one of many in the kitchens today, helping fix up vegetables and the like for cooking. If you come anywhere near her you're likely getting a carrot or potato tossed your way with a command:]

Ready to peel?

(2) [If you're one of the newly liberated then Eva is here to help you adjust. At the moment she's escorting you around the ship, lantern in hand to light the way as she talks.]

There's the mess hall if you're hungry or I can lead you into the hull if you want to sleep. It's a little crowded but it's definitely safe. Later on you can find a room in the dormitories of the Vault, if you want to go there.

[She quirks up a brow now, looking your way.]

Did you get briefed on everything going on?

[II] MAKING THE GOOD STUFF;

[Generally Eva keeps herself to the Vault, helping in tending the subterranean farms there and assisting with the newer recruits. However she's an old hand as herbology by now with both her mother Clara's teachings and her own studies tucked under her belt. With the planning team making their way to Elysium as well Eva has arrived with them to comb over the forest.

Today she's out here gathering with the rest of the group, taking a moment to casual gesture to a particularly vibrant flower.]

Don't get too close to those. They won't exactly hurt you but they're pretty potent as far as hallucinogens go.

[III] EDUCATION AS THE BOMBS FALL;

[Amidst the sea of people in the Vault new recruits are bound to come to recognize Eva's face, if only by word of mouth and in passing. Eva's mother Clara was an active participant here after her days undercover in Elysium came to an end and Eva herself has been raised mainly in the Vault, it's library, it's academy and the farms.

Today Eva is actively seeking out the new recruits down here. Maybe you're exploring yourself but eventually you'll run into the woman in her casual coat and sort of business casual dress (as far as 'business casual' goes with the Corsairs). She seems all business even as she is warm and friendly too.]

New here, right? Are you settled in yet? Anything you need?

[Whatever the answer is she follows those questions up with:]

I'm going around trying to get a feel for any new recruits with special interests or skills. Anything you're particularly interested in?

[IV] WILDCARD;

[Want to do something that isn't in the prompts above? Feel free to hit me up or toss whatever you want at Eva. PMs and plurk (goodluckstarfighter) are open for plotting.]

Edited 2024-06-02 17:13 (UTC)

If I had missed something, I'm not sure I'd even be able to tell. I've certainly learned a lot even in just the last few hours... Hah, hah... Feels like I'm an ant abruptly invited into a new hill that's a hundred sizes bigger. I'm really not sure which part to go trot off to yet.

[ appearing self conscious, she rubs at the back of her neck. It's wrapped in a bandage. ]

Hm, how about...
...What do you think of the Vault?

Edited 2024-06-02 17:46 (UTC)

"Ah?" Momo glances back towards Eva, then to the flower. "Oh, thank you Eva. I'll be more careful in the future." She'll be useless to everyone if she ends up under the effects of one of these plants. She takes a quick mental picture of the flower, and then hurries to keep up with the doctor.

"I can't believe nobles actually come out here just to eat these plants." She shakes her head. "It's utterly bizarre." Hard to imagine there was a time her family counted themselves among that group.

Edited 2024-06-02 17:47 (UTC)

[He gives a nod]

They only look like that it's been a very wet season - I do tend to set up my camp around here whenever my travels take me to his region.

Rezo considered the question, briefly. Ferns, as far as Rezo was aware, did not have any kind of higher brain functions. There was certainly no reason to believe that a fern could think 'I am a fern,' the way a human could think 'I am a human.' But on the other hand, what did it really mean to know you were a human or a fern, or whatever you were?

However, if Rezo said any of this out loud he suspected the two of them would be there all day. So he offered his healer's judgment of the situation instead:

"I do believe you're high."

Crimson Corsairs. [ ... ] It's got a lovely ring.

...

They moved swiftly through the camp's layout, in conditions with poor visibility. It was more about taking us, and taking things out of the workhouses. I don't remember hearing alarms go off until I was too far away for it to matter. Do you... remember smelling smoke, or seeing very many things broken?

They can certainly give you a lot to have to consider.

Without even knowing it, something as simple as a physical need being met, or not, can completely change a human's temperament in a very brief time... an example that's easy to test for yourself! Have you heard of the phenomenon of being "Hangry?"

...Ah, but you're my teacher today, aren't you? Here I am going on.

Ziel took a moment to consider this. It had really snuck up on him but...

"I think you're right."

Now that he sluggishly thought back, he did recall warning about the nature of the plants in this forest that he had probably not paid enough attention to. Honestly, he didn't feel bad right now, but he did recognize that he was impaired while he actually did have a task. The immeasurable peace of exploring higher planes of mental infinity was replaced by mild annoyance that he hadn't noticed what was happening himself. He flopped backwards onto the ground and stared at the trees overhead, which now that he was aware of what was going on, did look to be moving in suspiciously symmetrical ways he probably wouldn't be able to see while sober.

"Well, I guess I'm not going to be very useful for this mission. This is embarrassing."

[Ziel did his best not to get his hopes up. This wasn't the first time someone had offered healing in return for his services. Though the fact that she apparently didn't recognize him was encouraging. She wasn't specifically fishing for the Hero of the Dawnwings.

Probably wasn't, at least.]

You don't happen to have any particularly powerful healers who can repair a shattered spirit, do you?

[ ... ]

[ .......... she narrows her eyes. ]

Wrong!

[ And there comes her second wind, giving Celes enough indignant strength to roll RPK over the riverbank, with a resounding SPLASH -- ]

[ silently staring up at the board again

she can feel her system temp climbing the longer she looks at that . . . . ]

How long did that take you?

To fully internalize everything here? Fifteen...maybe twenty years.

[Those pointy ears aren't just for show. Elves live a long time.

But also, realizing what she had just said, Marcille quickly course corrected.]

But it doesn't take that long to learn magic! It took me that long to reverse engineer the fundamental principles of what most mages start out doing by mainly just winging it. You can learn the basics pretty easily, but the more of what you're doing that you FULLY understand, the more powerful and adaptable your spells will become!

"It happens to the best of us," Rezo said, as he remained crouching patiently over Ziel.

It did not seem that this man was in any real distress, but as he pointed out this also wasn't conducive to what they were supposed to be doing. After a brief hesitation, Rezo offered. "If you like, I could cast a-"

Wait. Rezo paused. He'd been speaking Imperial for the past few years now, but it was still not his first language, and there were times he needed to translate things on his own.

"-Cast an unpoisoning spell," he finally finished.

Hm. I expect there's wet blankets in every culture. [ She says this a little sourly, even when she's making a self-deprecating joke at herself. ]

I see...

[ She curls her fingers around the tankard, for lack of anything better to do with her hands, as Akizet tells her story. ]

I'm sorry. [ Such hollow words to say, in the face of what had been done. Celes supposes it'd be worse to point out that the obesk probably got off easy, and their subterranean country was literally beneath the empire's notice. ]

You don't miss your olta-- [ Stumbling on the pronounciation. ] --where you come from?

[ tbh the expression on Celes's face, when glancing over at the singing and dancing, is pretty well identical. Don't worry, Shionne, this is a Safe Space for Judging(tm). ]

Going by the living quarters they had you in? I can't blame you.

[ Not that she'd had a good look at the servants' quarters -- it'd been after dark -- but the labour camp hadn't been the kind of place that would have improved in sunlight, to put it lightly. ]

If you're looking for clothes, there's the floating markets, or, uhm... I think there's a fashion district downtown at Elysium...?

[ Celes just kinda trails off, there. She genuinely has no idea. When would she have gone looking for that sort of thing? ]

[ splash.

a few seconds later, a much more waterlogged mop of silver hair pops out of the water. ]

Oh, well. That didn't work. Worth the shot, though.

[ despite the words, she at least SOUNDS more sober. ]

[ Celes returns the smile, although hers is more distant, even chilly. ]

That so? I'm not surprised if they've been feeding you up. They're... terribly kind, here.

[ Privately, Celes might amend the descriptor "kind" to "far too trusting", or even "hopelessly naive" -- even as much as Celes has thrown her lot in with the resistance, there's a part of her that can't get used to the lengths they'll go to shelter total strangers. ]

... How long were you being held hostage at that camp?

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Test Drive Meme #1

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Azuma Michinaga | Kamen Rider Geats | OU

Aerich | Dragaera books | OU

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Dr. Eva Rosalene | To the Moon | AU

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