sixthiteration | Test Drive 20 (August & September)

→ Holds and applications are always open. Holds are required for all applications.

→ Choose one of the scenarios below or make up your own. Feel free to try multiple scenarios.

→ Write LOGS or TEXT prompts, or both.

→ THERE ARE ONLY THREE RULES FOR THE TDM:

1. It has to take place in the 6I universe.
2. It cannot be the character's arrival into the game.
3. Please only test new characters who do not have a version in the game. Our cast list is here.

→ TDM threads cannot be used to meet AC, but if the character is accepted into the game and both players agree, you may keep the CR.

→ Character want ads are here.

Prompts

Happy anniversary, villagers! Buckle up!

HEAT WAVE - Poor you. All you were trying to do was get yourself a little something to eat from the kitchen at the inn. Maybe you cooked it up yourself (The inn does, after all, have an electric stove — FANCY!), or maybe you just grabbed some leftovers. By accident or on purpose, you ended up with way more RED SALT in there than you maybe should have, and this is no ordinary seasoning. Whether you like things eye-wateringly spicy or not, it's August, you're sweating buckets, and it's only getting worse.

SKUNK DRUNK - Isn't that just the way? You're out and about, minding your own business, and you get sprayed by a BROWN SKUNK. The good news? It doesn't stink like a normal skunk. The also possibly good news, depending on who you ask? You're now in for about 5 hours of being very, very friendly. (Just remember to keep the test drive PG!)

BRAIN CANDY - Whether you made it to the anniversary party or not, you've gotten your hands on a piece of leftover candy from the big bash. Careful, though, these treats are more than meets the eye: Whatever COLOR it was, you've now taken on the associated personality traits. (Not the power, just the traits.) At least it only lasts 10 minutes.

WILDCARD - Choose your own adventure. Maybe play powers roulette.

Texts

All characters are fitted with a smart watch-like device on their left wrist, which they can use to send text messages to other villagers.

- Texts may only be 140 characters long
- No video or voice, text only
- Display names may be changed by characters on the fly, but anyone can tap to see someone's real full name

Please list your CHARACTER NAME, CANON & PROMPT in your SUBJECT LINE.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Ty had thought he would have been safer closer to the woods where there should be less metal. He glanced behind him to make sure he'd seen the last of the kitchen shears, when he heard the now familiar sound of metal singing through the air. Quickly, he whipped behind a tree so that the knife could embed itself into the trunk.

Exhaling in relief at the close call, he peered out from behind the tree only to see the knife's mountain man of an owner. Holding up a hand in a wave, putting on his best smile, he still made no move to get out from behind the tree.

"You don't have anymore of those on you right?" And to answer the other question so as not to be rude, he added, "Ty Rhodes. Pleased to meet you. And you are?"

Other than looking like he had walked off the cover of some wilderness survival magazine.

Rolling his eyes, frustration adding into the anger as he strolled closer. Staring at the man behind the tree as he wraps his fingers around the knife, giving it a tug. It barely moves. He growls, shaking his head.

"No, just that one that needs to be returned to the stores we all use," he says, shifting to drop the carcasses on the ground. "And two, Bobo Del Re. Also known as the man that had that ability you seem to have stolen," he says, stepping back, gesturing the man to come forward.

"Want to get that knife out of the tree then? I signed it out," he says, which isn't why he cares, but it's the excuse he'll use.

Having a hulking, angry mountain man covered in blood come stalking towards him should be enough cause for Ty to turn and get the hell out of here, but it's not like he could really go anywhere. The villages weren't that large, and it seemed people had been stuck here for months, even years. Might as well do his best to make a good impression right now.

... At least until he was accused of stealing something. Ty put his hands up as if to defend himself against that, eyes wide. "I definitely didn't steal this ability. Why would I when I can't even use it?"

He was a bit leary about giving a knife to such a large, irritated man, but maybe as a gesture of good will... Just one problem.

"Not sure how. I can't really control this. Do you have any tips?"

"People are the epitome of dumb. Especially when it comes to being more than they were before," he says, speaking from experience even if he hates to admit that.

Stepping back from the tree and the knife, he gestured with a curl of four fingers before him to come out from behind the tree.

"I don't have it anymore, and I can't get it out like it is so you're going to have to learn, aren't you?" Which does have him considering that maybe if he kills him, he could get back what was his. Only problem is, someone turns up dead and Wynonna is likely to fucking blame him. Even if he didn't do it, even if in this case he had.

"Well... you want to learn or end up with a knife between the eyes?" Okay, that may not be reassuring or helpful. He is really not good at helping people.

"There's nothing wrong with wanting to improve yourself." Ty said, sure he didn't agree with this man's statement in the least but not enough to make a large fuss about it. Especially if this man knew how to control this power he had apparently 'stolen'.

He did at least, step out from behind the tree, eyeing the knife cautiously as it wriggled ominously, like a deadly needle trying to point true north. Because overtly helpful or not, this man had known how to control this at one point. And Ty did owe it to him to get the knife out.

"Do you mind stepping back a few paces? Just in case this doesn't go very well." His few forays into trying to control his powers had mostly ended up with him running from a bunch of cutlery, which probably looked as silly as it sounded.

He arches a brow at the brow, trying not to laugh outright but it's there in the smile he gives the other man. "I'm not sure you could call this improvement. Another inch or so and we wouldn't be having this conversation," he points out.

Bobo laughs then though, even as he takes two very large steps back. "Try and focus. Feel the vibration of the metal. They're all different to me," he says, shrugging. "Though trust me, if you aren't paying attention you can jerk a gun to you... that has a grenade taped to it," he admits, figuring that should give this man an idea what can happen.

"And without control, there's a lot that could happen. I'm less worried about that knife hitting me. I'll just duck behind you," he says, as if that is entirely acceptable or normal.

"We're still having it, aren't we?" Ty countered cheerfully enough, not too offended by the obvious laughter in the other man's expression. He supposed he should be grateful for the thickness of the trees around them, and the fact that despite his bloody appearance, he was willing to be helpful.

Ty turned back to the knife warily, exhaling loudly as he tried to concentrate on it. The knife wriggling around was easy enough to focus on, but the rest... "Are you speaking from person experience?"

He hadn't noticed much in the ways of weaponry here, but he'd keep that in mind in case that ever changed. Even though it would probably get the other man laughing at him again, he reached out his hand as if he was going to physically pull out the blade, concentrating on pulling it out slowly, when the other man spoke again and broke his concentration.

Even if it wasn't a joke, Ty was going to take it as one, turning to look at the taller man with a small laugh. "Thanks. I guess if I can't control this, at least I'm an acceptable human shield."

"For now," he says, a low rumbling sound, amusement there though. Maybe he is pushing buttons, but he can't help himself. If for only the fun in it all. Even if said fun could end with either of them losing an eye.

"About the grenade?" He asks it though he's staring at the knife, watching for the movement of it in case he truly does need to dodge the possible damage. "Literal experience, and I have the scars to prove it."

Not that he's entirely sure how he's still alive, but he's not looking that gift horse in the mouth. So far this curse is turning out a lot better than the last one.

"Most people make decent shields, if only the one time. Now come on. Focus. We can't have you running around hiding in the woods forever, can we?"

"Okay, okay, but we're talking about the grenade thing once this is all settled." Ty stated, reaching out again for the knife, focusing on it wholly. He wasn't sure he could feel the difference between metals, but this particular one felt malleable enough, tempered. Slowly, as he drew his hand back, the knife started to come along with it, shaking like a newborn fawn the whole time. He only exhaled when it was fully out of the tree, tentatively reaching for it.

The only problem seemed to be once he had grasped onto it, it stuck to his hand like a magnet, even when he tried to shake it off.

"I'd call it progress." Ty said with a slightly sheepish grin, holding his hand and the knife back out to the other man.

"Sure. Whatever if you don't get me stabbed. Not entirely as easy to cope with as it was before this place," he points out, still not sure just what healing properties he has here, and not wanting a knife wound to be the way that he finds out.

So he stays partially behind the other man, watching the movement of the knife. Shifting slightly as the knife comes back to his hand, putting himself out of direct range.

Nodding though as he got the knife. "Progress is a start," he says, reaching for it. "Now let's see if you can let it go," he adds, smirking. "To give you an idea? You can use this to redirect bullets. And fire them back."

"We're really going to have to have a talk when this is all over." Ty grumbled, trying to shake the knife out of his hand. It seemed stuck on as if it had actually melded with his skin, and pulling against it with his other hand only seemed to transfer it back and forth.

In an attempt to maintain some dignity and because he was curious, he glanced up at the other man. "So what are you exactly that you could control metal or survive injuries better than most? And what did you do that got you shot at so often or get grenades tossed at you?"

Given he's in what he still assumes is a test facility for Black Badge, Bobo hasn't seen much reason to hide what he was. Not that he's talking about it over meals, and really only one man knows most of the details, but since this kid has what he started with, no reason to entirely hide the details.

He reaches out to take the handle of the knife. "Think about what I'm saying and just relax? Okay?" Because kid was going to end up cutting his own balls off at the rate he's going.

"Well, in fairness, a lot of people got shot at in the eighteen hundreds," he points out, shrugging as if that sounds entirely normal. "That said, what I am, was, depends on how you look at it here, is a man that saved a lot of people and was punished for it." Not a lie. Just not the rest of the story.

"As for the grenade... Well, a pissed off bitch with a savior complex thought it was funny to strap one to an automatic weapon knowing I would jerk it out of her hand. Real fun, huh?"

He keeps staring the other guy in the eyes, and then jerks on the knife, hoping he can pull it free from his hand before he can react. If he's worried it will hurt someone else, he might be subconsciously holding it to him, Bobo figures.

Ty had been listening, which was part of the problem, but he let out a small sigh, nodding and trying to relax and focus on the other man instead. It was easy, considering it seemed to be a game to him to come up with more and more ridiculous things to say.

"Eighteen hundreds? What-" If he had been hoping to distract him, it had certainly worked, and Ty let out a small yelp of surprise when the other man grabbed the knife away from him. He was half-relieved, half-weary, but he still out a hand to high five the other guy.

"Thanks, great team work." He beamed, not sure what to make of his story, but he definitely had been helpful so he'd believe that part at least. "Though if you're from the eighteen hundreds, how do you know about automatic weapons and grenades?"

Bobo held tight to the handle in case he lost control again, figuring he might have enough to fight it if this guy was trying to keep control. They'd see.

He smirks as he continues to put it together, thinking about the things Bobo has confessed to and what it could mean. He chuckles at the questions.

"I was born and died then. That isn't what year it was when I got here. It was over a century later. Twenty sixteen," he says, shrugging. "Hence the weapons. I am betting your mind is going to keep spinning, to let me clear it up. It is a curse. Simple as that."

Nothing that was simple. Not at all.

"Geez." To say that Ty's mind was spinning was an understatement, and he had to fight the urge to start pacing around, aware it was a bad habit. Instead he crossed his arms across his chest as if to restrain himself from asking more questions or moving, facing the other guy curiously. Did he believe in curses? Not really, but this guy seemed to and it wasn't like it would be the weirdest thing that had turned out to be real.

"That sounds like some curse. Who cursed you?" He remembered he had mentioned something about saving people and being punished for it. "And are you looking to break it?"

Bobo holds the knife, toying with it as he watches the other man coping with that. He's not sure why he talks about it, but what's the worse that can happen to him?

"A demon. He had hold of me and put me between himself and the man that could stop him. I gave him a nod, and he shot the demon through me. He just didn't mention the fact that I was going to go to Hell with the rest of the people he shot with that gun, and so he left me there to die. Very cheerful story."

He snorts and rolls his eyes. "And course I am. Who the hell wouldn't? Problem is, my own chance walked out on me right after that grenade."

It was definitely a lot to take in, and Ty winced in sympathy. The way he talked about it was almost like it had happened to someone else, matter of fact.

"Do you think that might have to do something with us all being brought here? Some weird version of hell or the work of demons?" He felt silly even asking, but the Akiyamas had him believe anything was possible.

To give him something to do while he processed that information, he started back to town since it seemed like that had been where the other man had been heading.

"How are you supposed to break it?" If he could help, he'd try.

It's not the first time he'd thought about that, truth be told. Quiet a minute before giving a big shrug. "That's the million dollar question I ask myself every day," he admits. "Then you gotta believe though, somehow, a singular demon or witch worked across multiple timelines and worlds and cursed individuals from each one, or small groups in each world. Not entirely believable."

Not that he's ruling it out. Not with the weirdness going on around them.

He fell quiet then, not having faced this yet and likely never going to. "By not getting blown up by a grenade and watching the key to it all leave anyway."

"I can't say I'm familiar with how demons or witches work, but wouldn't it be possible if there was a group of them? Or do they normally work alone?" Not that he thought the idea of being brought here by some weird dark magic was comforting, but the knowing would be. Still, the existence of the bunker probably ruled it out more than anything else. Unless magic really involved test tubes and machines.

"The key to all of it?" Ty prompted, curious. It seemed like the other man had been dancing around the topic.

"If they are, then this could get ugly. Last time I knew a demon and witches to work together like that an entire town ended up cursed," he points out, making a face thinking about it. "But the way things seem odd here, who knows. Different worlds maybe? Damned if any of it makes sense to me."

Which he hates as well. Just nothing of it that made any sense to him.

He sighs. "Two ways to break the curse. All of the heirs of the asshole that got everyone curse kill all the victims of his gun again. Or one of those cursed walks out of the place with the a willing heir. How demons and curses work. With all this bullshit."

"I wouldn't be surprised if you told me this place was cursed. It just seems strange that this place was completely wiped of everything. If people were fleeing, usually they'd leave a few belongings behind." Or maybe people had never lived here at all, and this place was built explicitly for them. If so, why? And there were so many empty houses... How many more people were they expecting to put here?

He crossed his arms over his chest, thoughtful. "And these heirs aren't helpful?" He couldn't say he understood the intricacies of it, but it seemed cruel to leave someone cursed when all you had to do was walk somewhere with them.

"Tell me it's not." He isn't sure if it is or not, but he doesn't like the thought. He's been caught up in enough curses for a lifetime. Really, going on about his third lifetime at this point.

"You checked the storerooms? Items there I don't think they gave us. I mean, those damn walking blanket snuggy things? Come on. Someone else left those behind. Not their present to us," he notes, shaking his head at the thought of it.

He snorts then, rolling his eyes. "One of them seemed to be. Then when I couldn't walk because of the grenade, she left. No idea how far she got before her sister found her."

Talking about curses was like going in circles: maybe it was good exercise, but ultimately futile. Instead, he crossed his arms over his chest, frowning down at his feet as he walked.

"I heard people that were brought here often disappear. I wonder if they get to go home." He would like to believe it, but what was far more likely was that they just got sucked back into a tube for reasons Ty couldn't fathom.

"Is her sister against helping you then?" Because the way he had phrased it seemed rather ominous. "If I see one of them, should I point them your way or is it too dangerous?"

"You'd like to hope, though I can think of a few dozen other reasons and ways they vanish, and they don't even involve death." Which is probably not the most reassuring thing to say but it's honest.

"The sister blew me up intentionally, so yeah, I'd say she's against helping me." He makes a face, giving him a look. "Anyone named Earp shows up here, be leery. They come from a long line of assholes. The good ones are still ... they're dark, and apparently only out for themselves." He'd loved the dark part of her though. Not the selfish part.

"What do you think then?" Ty asked, immensely curious. It seemed like the people here didn't do searches when someone disappeared, just knew they were gone. It seemed a bit strange if you asked Ty, but he supposed if people were on alert for it and knew the signs, it was hard to miss.

"Sure, I appreciate the warning." Ty said, as they neared the edge of town. "And thanks for earlier."

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Test Drive 20 (August & September)

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

okay to wrap up?