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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Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Poise, I would think. Your demeanor is relaxed and quite unlady-like. You must first sit properly - attentive, with straightened back and gently folded hands. Not an inch of you may be out of place.

"Unlady-like?" That's mean. You really went right for the throat.

[ There's a sudden scrape as Übel pushes back her chair, then she lifts it and plops it right in front of Musse. ]

Back straight, folded hands... [ She sits, following the instructions as she murmurs them. ] Look over every inch as close as you want, Miss Teacher.

Msse closely examines Übel's stance, walking around her and getting in close to take in every detail.

"Acceptable, I suppose. Now, hold it."

[ Übel follows Musse's movements with her eyes, and a little smile returns to her face. Otherwise, she manages to stay quite still. ]

I'll have to get you back for this.

You can work on that after you've finished this assignment. I think two hours should do for a beginner like yourself.

Plenty of time for me to think up something good.

You going to stick around and watch?

I can't correct your posture if I don't. You may speak as you sit, but I expect you to do so in a courtly fashion.

So very magnanimous of you, m'lady. Though it wouldst behoove me just to keep my mouth shut, in that case.

Considering you just traveled back in time with your speech, perhaps that would be for the best. I'll leave that decision up to you.

Call me a renaissance girl.

[ Übel sighs. She sure keeps walking into these traps—though that doesn't bother her much, apparently. There are things she can learn from Musse well beyond etiquette. ]

Making you sit there bored for two hours doesn't seem ladylike at all. Besides, I'm guessing that word choice really isn't the most important thing. Let's cut to the chase.

What you fail to understand is that being a proper lady means listening to the menfolk talk for hours on end. They are often like preening peacocks, so you must listen attentively and stroke their egos while taking every scrap of useful information they might divulge. The choice of word is important, because you must speak in a way that makes them at ease. A comfortable man is one who will reveal his deepest secrets for a chance at your winsome smile.

I'd like to think there would be some benefit to coaxing information out of noble ladies, too. Ahh, but alright...

Why don't you grab a chair, too? Then you can playact as one of those peacocky types. Like one who's sitting nice and close to me.

Noble ladies are advanced lessons, you're not ready for that yet.

[Musse obligingly pulls up a chair quite close to Übel and gives her a faint smile. When next she speaks, she adopts a husky voice that sounds absolutely ridiculous]

O fair maiden! After months on the battle front, I have finally returned to you! How blessed I am to see your luminous beauty once more!

Uh-huh, if they're anything like you...

[ The voice almost gets her. Übel's lips tighten, then she clears her throat and puts on her own affect. Her lashes flutter, and she brings a hand gently up to her chest. ]

Oh my, sir, you flatter me. I'm a simple woman who knows nothing of war, but the tales of your bravery do often reach my ears. Please, if you would, recount for me some of your most recent and finest glories for the Empire.

[Musse doesn't drop character for a moment, nor does she drop the husky voice]

But of course! But be warned, tales of my prowess oft cause ladies of gentle breeding to swoon. Why, I would not wish to do harm to a lady so fair with my tales of grisly battles. Though we do the work for the glory of the Empire, it can be far too much for a gentle lady such as you!

You're very gracious to take a maid's gentle feelings into account, My Lord.

I will hear any gallant tale you deem suitable for my ears—gladly, and with bated breath. Your wise judgement I trust more than my own. Though you may need to be patient, and explain things plainly.

[ Übel tilts her chin attentively, and holds Musse's gaze. ]

Then I shall tell of our most recent hunt, I know refined ladies such as yourself enjoy tokens of our valor!

[Musse proceeds to recount a rather grisly hunt where an entire farming village was decimated. The details are chillingly accurate - she is likely repeating word-for-word a story that was told to her in a similar setting. She maintains the voice, but the recounting is a bit more mechanical, as if she is going through a full script, with harsh laughter and movements to the finest detail captured in her performance]

[ Übel giggles along at the right moments, and throws in little a gasp or two when it seems appropriate. That winsome smile Musse was talking about earlier is something she can't quite nail, though. Clearly, it's difficult for her to completely soften her features. ]

Oh, goodness. You let none of them escape?

It must be tedious, sometimes. I mean, putting down the rabble when they don't have the proper training or strength to resist. If only there was someone out there...

[ Übel leans in close. With her lips hovering at Musse's ear, she runs a soft hand up her side, then her fingers curl into a sudden grip that matches the timing of her next words. ]

... who could make you sweat.

Passable.

[Musse gave her a sly grin, completely dropping the voice]

But that smile simply won't do. You look ready to disembowel me where I stand, and many noble gentlemen will find that off-putting.

[ Übel pulls back, then folds her arms and pouts a bit. ]

Seriously, my face hurts from that. It really is the worst to fail even after trying your best...

[ Her expression shifts again after trailing off—like she's still thinking of violence, but not the kind even she thinks is fun. ]

So. That story. Were you retelling something you actually heard?

Yes.

[Musse's expression was distant]

I've heard many stories like that. And I remember every single one. I could likely recite hundreds of them, given the time.

Right.

Basically, if I went out of my way to kill that particular nobleman, it wouldn't even do that much good. Sort of puts things in perspective, doesn't it?

Even you would be hard pressed to kill them all, and that's not really the point of this exercise. We have to make sure they enjoy themselves so we can steal the secrets they hold. That's why this training exists.

I know. That's just where my mind goes.

Anyway, I told you I wasn't a good fit for this kind of stuff. Not that I regret giving it a go, but it probably isn't worth us investing that whole two hours. We could have some nice girl talk instead.

If this was just an excuse for some girl talk you could have just asked. Saved us some time.

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