sixthiteration | Test Drive (December & January)

→ 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 NETWORK 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

SNOW BLIND - It's snowing, a lot, and pristine landscape though it might create, it also brings plenty of problems, especially when you live in an Edwardian-style village with a serious lack of snow shovels. It's currently blizzard conditions and visibility is nil — Maybe you gave in and ducked into the nearest house for temporary shelter, and discover someone else had the same idea (or just lives there, oops). Maybe you're stubborn enough to still be out in it, struggling against the wind and snow. Or maybe you've tromped into the South Village Inn like a human popsicle, and are just hoping you don't lose any fingers before you make it to the fireplace.

JUMPED-UP - Winter's here, which means it's the perfect time for an expedition to warmer, southern climes. You've joined a group following the river all the way down to the far southern beach, for fun and for science. On this latest break in your journey, you've spotted a large, jewel-colored feather and picked it up, maybe as a specimen to bring back or just a feather for your cap. Turns out it's an archaeopteryx feather, and you're now, well... let's call it a little gravity-challenged. Not a bad benefit once you figure out how to control it.

COLD CALL - The snow has slacked off, leaving behind a winter wonderland. Sure, there's plenty to do, but after being cooped up inside for days, most people won't blame you for a morale-booster — That is, unless your way of starting a snowball fight is to pop up and throw them at unsuspecting passers-by. Making a snow man or snow angels might come with a little less retribution, but you do you.

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

Network

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

- Text and/or video, any length
- 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.

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Frank doesn't bother vouching for Bruno a second time, it seems like Blaine is warming up to him enough on his own. He nods in acknowledgment to the greeting, face flushed from coming in from the cold some time ago, undoing his scarf to let some more cool air to his throat before he answers the question.

"They're... cow-like." He shrugs a shoulder and takes a sip of too-hot coffee, black. A taste of the familiar in an unfamiliar landscape, something Frank is all too accustomed to now and doesn't often consider how someone new might be adjusting. It was over four months in Reims and it's been six months for him here so normal doesn't really factor in anymore, not even as a basis for comparison.

For all that he was rude to the pet, Blaine is being exceedingly gentle with it. He sets down the milk again and spares Bruno a few long head to tail strokes as he comments on it.

"I think I'll pass, for now." The croc-dog's tail wags against his arm even after he stops petting and reaches for the coffee, also leaving his black. He savors the heat through the mug and lifts it to his face to let the scent and steam hit. Next best thing to tasting, he'll wait until he won't burn his tongue to take a drink. "You seem used to all of this. I guess it's tiresome, seeing the newbies boggle."

"Suit yourself." It's not like Frank had ever put anything in his coffee either, and he's sure Blaine is more after the warmth than anything. He loves this weather, but he knows it isn't for everyone. And it's kind of a logistical nightmare for him, trying to make sure everyone's taken care of with two feet of snow on the ground.

Bruno seems to like their guest quite a bit, though Frank tries not to read into his opinions. He is extremely friendly and he loves everyone. Again, he won't call attention to them getting along in hopes that they'll continue to do so. Is it tiresome? Not really. This is one of the only times where Frank isn't tired. Where he can let a bit of the former Mayor Hotdog show through without giving too much of himself away. A hot drink and an easy conversation go a long way when you're starting over, right? Something like that anyway.

"It's understandable, I guess." The implication being: just not to him. He doesn't even remember his arrival to Reims, that he hadn't believed anything he'd been told. He takes all the weirdness for granted now.

Blaine makes a soft amused sound through a smile, tilting his head at this stranger. He's gruff. Probably some tortured stoic type, never the kind of person Blaine liked to surround himself with. You don't know what's going on in their heads. They could be thinking something dangerous.

"You're rather laconic. No tips for a relative newcomer? Or just for flavor, what do people do around here for fun? I miss Netflix already." Liv's told him what to do for food, as distasteful as he finds it, and he's more than capable of providing for himself, but entertainment has proven harder to come by.

He snorts, an apt descriptor really. And okay, maybe because the Netflix thing was a little funny.

"Hunting, gardening, raising animals." He points to Bruno before glancing out the window briefly. There's a lot more to do now, fun wise, with the blizzard raging. "Snowmen, tobogganing, igloos, ice fishing. Pick your poison."

There's another long sip as he considers, then: "Or you could stay inside and troll people on the network." Not that he'd ever do such a thing, mind.

None of that sounds very fun to Blaine, and it shows on his face. It sounds like work, and cold, and he's about to ask another question when Frank keeps talking and similarly, that's a little funny. He takes a test sip of the coffee before replying, though, and it's just cooled enough now to not scald him. Perfect.

"Gotta admit, that's slightly more my style. How about the library, I saw one attached to the schoolhouse... you been? I should go see if it's not all kiddie stuff."

He had a feeling Blaine might be the type, call it a hunch. Frank nods heavily like his head is a million-pound boulder that's just following gravity through more than a conscious affirmation.

"It's... not really a library. But there's a manual on anything you could ever wanna do in there. I've got wine-making, knitting and leathercraft if you're lookin' for 'em."

It's an accurate hunch. Blaine does enjoy messing with people, usually not even in a malicious way. It's fun doing so 'innocently' just to see when they'll catch on. And he loves a good snappy comeback. Verbal sparring is the most he really enjoys.

The news about the library is disheartening, though.

"Man, I had hopes for that place. Oh well. I'll learn a new craft, sure, if my existing hobbies don't work out. Do you know if there's anywhere around here with instruments?"

He nods, honestly empathetic. Frank misses reading. A lot, actually. The dilapidated library in Reims was his one sanctuary and now he doesn't even have books to get him by.

"You play? Or you wanna learn? I was tryin' to source some materials for a guitar."

"I play. And sing, if there's a lounge around here in need. Mostly piano, but I could play guitar if you put it in front of me. Definitely couldn't make one, though, even if there's a "for dummies" guide for that in the library." He considers Frank thoughtfully. "You think you could? That's some pretty fancy woodwork."

"Just this place." As far as anything loungey goes. He's never actually tried to make a guitar so it might suck, but he's made a lot of things he never thought he would in his life since entering multiple horror survival scenarios one after the other. He shrugs one shoulder, not really coming to a conclusion either way. "Bet I could with Stark's help. He's a good guy to know if you want thing's done around here. Hangs out in the Forge most days."

"Well if a guitar happens and you'd like a lounge singer -- you run this place? Or should I be talking to your manager?" He's a little curious now, too, about this Stark fellow. The name is filed away as someone to look into, make nice with.

"I take it you play already? I could try and get my hands on something else, we can jam." The way he emphasizes it is with a certain irony, like that's not a word he uses in seriousness. "Just don't insist on Wonderwall."

"Kate runs it, ish." He's not really sure what that means, but. Yeah. "Or at least helps. No one really runs anything here." Not for real. It's very nearly ideal anarchy for him, especially since people are finally starting to realize on their own they need to work together for some stuff.

The mention of Wonderwall reminds him immediately of Chloe and he has to smile just a little behind his cup. She had been making fun of him, hadn't she? He's only connecting the dots now, and with her nowhere around to even be smug about it.

"How do you feel about The Boss?" He's being serious. (Sorry.)

Kate, another name for the vault. Blaine files it away too, with the information that this is some kind of business-less hippy commune apparently (ugh), and notes that he doesn't know this guy's name yet. He'll get there. He's being asked a question right now.

"Springsteen? I can dig it. I know him, for sure." And since a little honesty goes a long way, he'll lean in conspiratorially. "I'm a bit old-fashioned in my tastes. Classical music, oldies, but I do know plenty of modern stuff for the kiddos. Singles nights I take requests and do all kinds of music."

Edited 2018-12-01 01:44 (UTC)

The 'I can dig it' gets a smile. Despite this guy's interesting looks, maybe they're from a similar timeline. Hoping on stuff like that never goes well around this place so Frank just nods amicably, leaning in closer too with his coffee held aloft in one hand.

"You're serious about this lounge night shit, huh? We could get something together in the Town Hall."

What, he can use a turn of phrase, even if he sounds like a grandpa while doing so. He looks genuinely pleased about the other man talking about pulling something together.

"If we can get our hands on some kind of instrument. I don't do acapella." Too much of a solo artist, though he'd be fine with further accompaniment. He sets his mug down on the table again, extending a now very warm hand to introduce himself properly. Somehow they haven't yet. "I'm Blaine, by the way. Didn't get your name, though I could just keep calling you Laconic but Hospitable. Descriptors can be useful."

Edited 2018-12-01 15:53 (UTC)

"I don't mind that," he admits, even while shrugging a shoulder. He's been called way worse, though he's opening his mouth to answer with his real name anyway when it clicks into place. Blaine, white hair, charming but fake. He swallows. Of course, Ravi has gone now, but he hasn't forgotten his promise. Something akin to fear flashes in his gaze, not for what Blaine is, but what he's done. And not even that really, but for what he represents. People who have hurt the people he cares about most.

"I think we have a mutual friend."

When the other man doesn't offer his hand or a name, and at that flash of fearful recognition in his eyes, Blaine realizes what's happening here. Of course. He makes a soft tsking sound, but doesn't reach for his coffee again just yet. Just in case. Instead he pets Bruno, whose tail is still wagging contentedly.

"Quite possible. I've run into one here already, a certain Ms Moore." And he wouldn't put it past Liv to spread some pre-emptive shit about him, so to speak. To 'warn' people. As if he could start up an enterprise in this sort of community. No, no, he's not planning anything like that. But a man -- or zombie -- has to survive somehow. He plans to stick with the upstanding citizen routine for as long as he can, build some goodwill and maybe get rewarded for it this time. Ah, there's a tack.

"Looks like I'll never get a fully fresh start, then?"

"No one does," he admits gruffly, including himself in that assessment. Though he'd never had anything extra-human before coming here, Frank has come to rely on the sixth sense granted to him by this place. Blaine doesn't make his hair stand on end, or his heart race. And it's not like he'd attack someone outright who was holding something he loved, no. Blaine isn't the only one who needs to navigate these waters carefully. Not by a longshot.

The cogs are visibly turning over in his head: Blaine is a zombie, he'll need brains. Also, a louder voice: none of this is his goddamn responsibility. Not again. And yet he knows if he fails to protect even one person, he'll blame himself for whatever happens. This place can denounce him all it likes, but he could never truly be uncaring in a community this small, not to mention helpless.

"Is that what you want?" Frank asks after a long pause, covering over his gaze with something more neutral as he levels Blaine with it. He's careful to only look at the man's face and not Bruno's, who still is as happy as can be. "To start over."

"I'd rather it not be here," he admits with a shrug of his unburdened shoulder. "This place is not my style, not one bit, but yes. I've tried to start over before and everyone spit in my face so I was thinking... maybe here. I didn't think she'd go around warning people off my existence, we typically have an understanding. I just wanted to run my businesses in peace."

It hasn't occurred to him yet that it could have been someone else, someone who hates him more, who'd seen his attempt at being an upstanding citizen as just more monstrousness no matter what anyone said. Especially not Blaine himself.

"I guess it'd get me nowhere to ask what you've been told? Probably doesn't matter anyway. I'm just looking to survive like everybody else here."

That gets a snort, okay. Maybe they're not so different if any of what Blaine is saying is true. He's believable just like Ravi said he'd be, Frank will give him that much.

"It wasn't Liv," he admits after a beat, narrowing his eyes but looking much calmer than even a second ago. If Blaine is concerned with survival, he can use that. He's been planning for this moment more-or-less since he arrived here, albeit to trap a different monster. Similar rules apply, he's sure. Frank licks his lips before speaking up again, his nose wrinkling up briefly like this is amusing somehow. "He's not here anymore. Ravi. Any idea what he might say about you?"

"Ohhhhh.... yeah." Blaine drags out both words like this is a revelation, then nods decisively. "That makes more sense," he declares, understanding now. Ravi never could see the big picture of it. Was too goody two-shoes to work around or with Blaine, and then... well. Now he'll probably never see past his own nose about Blaine, as it were.

"We may have been after the same woman, and since then he takes any opportunity to talk shit about me even when I'm doing the right thing. To be fair, I've given him plenty of reasons to talk shit, but it's also very personal. Take Dr Chakrabarti's warnings with a grain of salt, if you can."

Even when I'm doing the right thing. It's familiar in ways Frank doesn't like. In ways he never thought he'd be responsible for again. Instead of responding to any of it, he holds both his hands across the table.

"Can I have my dog back now?"

He probably should have seen that coming -- can't even be trusted to hold a pet, tch. Blaine doesn't say anything to that effect, though, just gives the croc-dog one last pet and passes him across to Frank with a soft, "Bye, bud."

Without the warmth in his arms he does reach for the coffee again, meaning to finish it off and get out of the other man's hair quickly.

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Test Drive (December & January)

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