spoofer: (piano)
Xistentia: Mod ([personal profile] spoofer) wrote in [community profile] xistentiaooc2017-09-23 06:03 pm
Entry tags:

Test Drive Meme #5

Test Drive Meme #5
You wouldn’t wake; i couldn’t sleep for years.


CRASH LANDING

Exit one dimension, enter the next. It was chaos: pressure against your ears, light bending in an impossible, unimaginable way. The very molecules of your body vibrating against one another. If you have windows, the view outside makes no sense. Even if not, your hands, your face, your feet seem like an uncertain thing. It's the feel of reality itself tearing apart, reshaping, reconnecting, thread by thread.

And suddenly, there's a beach— or ocean, whichever you land in. Smoke. Fire. Salt water churning up, fizzing around.


Maybe you crash, in a ship wrecking into sand. Maybe you merely stumble out of a portal, a ragged wormhole in space. Or maybe you fall off the back of an incredible steed, some creature that carried you into this place. Either way, there's pandemonium around you. Incredibly, severe injuries are far and few between— nobody's screaming about the dead. But you might have to help pull someone free of wreckage, or move quickly to salvage burning belongings from the landing craft. Maybe it's the crafts themselves, that you're trying to salvage.

Likely, you don't know them, these other strangers who arrived here[1]. Maybe you don't trust them— you just came out of a dying world, after all. But you all have one thing in common: you're here now.

When you get a second to breathe, maybe you'll see it. The brilliant green forest across the sand. Beyond that, the glint of a faraway city.
THE RAIN

Here comes the rain. Trickling down the rafters and tinkling down the trees, it starts as a drizzle and steadily increases to a downpour. Maybe it catches you by surprise, chasing you indoors or to share the umbrella of a friendly stranger. There's something oddly elaborate about the gutters of Xistentia's city-- it clearly carries the water toward the temple in the East, a storm system that causes the lamps to pulsate without threatening to shut down.


You'll notice too that you're prone to nostalgia which even infiltrate your dreams, memories sad or happy. This is easily a private experience, but you might find yourself wandering the city to get away from old ghosts or feeling invincible in the glow of memories. More oddly, whether or not you're an artist, you might be inspired to draw on the windows with your finger in the condensation.

Personal symbols, detailed illustrations, these inextricably lead back to the nostalgia. Whatever it is, it might pull someone to ask.
NETWORK

By now, the city of Xistentia has a population of over 400 people. Shops line the streets of downtown, and increasingly well-trodden paths will take you into the agricultural zones nearer to the forest or even down to the beach. There are still distinctive animal presences around— careful with that— but the most common critters you'll see are birds crapping on your stuff outside and tiny winged hairless people creeping your food.

One afternoon, you are taken from whatever you’re doing - taking a walk through the city, sunning yourself on the beach, running around in the forest shoring up defenses - by a message, appearing on your Daemon’s network screen. It’s a simple line of text, that reads:
PHOTO SENT

It would appear that your daemon accidentally sent a picture, perhaps one from your photo roll or instagram, or a random shot of you or your surroundings. Wait. Was that a public network post? Wait—

IMAGE CODE TEMPLATE
CHOOSE YOUR OWN ADVENTURE

hells yeah
Footnotes
  1. Some of these can be nameless, plot-device NPCs to facilitate interactions! But even in this case, please avoid gore in describing their current state of being. Anyone dead or catastrophically injured will have disappeared by the time your characters make it to Xistentia. There are no corpses or dying here.

  2. But like OOCly ask permission ofc.
monologue: icons by <user name="manual"> are commissioned, please dnt w/o asking. (xi.)

[personal profile] monologue 2017-10-10 07:25 pm (UTC)(link)
[ juno glances at the bird on peter's shoulder, the kind of bird that he's fairly sure would both be least and most suited to him. he eyeballs it for half a second before letting out a sigh that's definitely, definitely, definitely suffering here. if juno blinks fast enough, though, he can almost pretend that he isn't stepping into a stall with the same nureyev he left in a warm bed for the cold acid rain of hyperion city's streets.

god he...

he really hates himself for that.

and nureyev should hate him for that too. none of this... whatever the hell you call this.

he's more than three quarters of the way stuck inside his own head when he hears red and he hears gold and it makes him prickle a little bit and look up. he gets the good intent behind it. maybe. nureyev has the best eye for clothing he's seen in a while, has dressed him up before, made him feel weirdly violated and at the same time beautiful and he's not sure which is worse because it's been years since anyone bought him clothes. ]


Nure--Sydney, I...

[ juno wants to back out now. it'd be easier now, to not be in this kind of proximity with him. it's a gut instinct, he ruined it once, he might just ruin it again. it's not a pleasant or pretty thought, but juno's head has never been a particularly pleasant or pretty place. juno opens his mouth to continue but closes it instead with a sigh. he's cooperative enough to already shrug off his soaked through trench coat, to roll up his shirt sleeves a little, but he's still shaking his head as he eventually looks up at one of the mirrors, peripherals catching sight of the multiple slouching versions of himself while dahliad makes a comfortable seat beside one of the mirrors, feathers fanning out briefly in a bit of a shake to remove the excess water form outside before settling neatly to the side. nice. ]

I have never wanted to see this many sides of myself. Thanks.

[ juno only sounds petulant about it, but his stomach sinks, a little resigned, a little sick, a little angry at himself and only at himself because who is he to be angry at nureyev? with teeth like little pinpricks of starlight in his mouth and a tongue that talks all kinds of liquid velvet and hands that are.

they're hands, steel.

(but there's nothing else like them. no one else like peter nureyev.)

he looks over his shoulder.

this isn't what you do when you hate someone and god does he want nureyev to hate him badly. ]
ptrprkr: (pic#10443323)

[personal profile] ptrprkr 2017-10-11 01:32 am (UTC)(link)
[ He snorts in laughter at the 'Just Peter' comment -- it's right up his humor alley and he appreciates someone with a similar sense of humor to his own. It's a bit of a rare find, after all. ]

Not too loud, sometimes my ears can get a little sensitive.

[ Or rather, all of his senses can, but that's a conversation for another time. ]

Oh, I'm headed that way, too! I was going to check out some of the shops there, I need a couple of things that can't wait until all this decides to let up.

[ When Jubilee gives a glance toward the stag, Peter does the same -- although, not to make sure that it's following them, but more because he's still pretty curious about it. It isn't exactly every day that a deer follows him around.

He's actually pretty sure he's never even seen a deer in the wild. There weren't exactly very many running around Queens. Or any part of New York City. ]


I can take you, if you want. I'm sure there's plenty of dry places.
deathstouch: (006)

[personal profile] deathstouch 2017-10-11 02:58 am (UTC)(link)
People are often presumptuous.
mordacita: (i m l i s t e n i n g)

[personal profile] mordacita 2017-10-11 03:34 am (UTC)(link)
[ Rafa watches for a moment, before carefully reaching out to brush Mika's long bangs back from his face. He tucks them behind his ear. ]

Why do you hide from me? I know what you are drinking.

[ The truth is, Rafa has raised many fledglings in his time. It's a small number considering his age, but it's more than most vampires he knows. He tends to have a difficult time in letting go of humans who become important to him. It's enough, however, to recognise those feelings of shame in a young one.

He moves to crouch beside Mika's chair, so that he can look up into his face. Rafa touches his chin, wiping away a tiny drop of blood from the edge of his mouth. ]

You are safe here. No one will judge you, myself least of all. It will get easier in time. Rely on that.
breen: (❄ listening)

[personal profile] breen 2017-10-12 12:31 am (UTC)(link)
ohhh, okay. think i understand now.
shadowblends: (❧ focused)

[personal profile] shadowblends 2017-10-12 12:35 am (UTC)(link)
indubitably! it must also be a stroke of luck that no one's tried to attack me.
deathstouch: (013)

[personal profile] deathstouch 2017-10-12 06:03 am (UTC)(link)
Why is it lucky? Does it usually happen more often?
viewsource: (:/expressions aren't your thing are they)

[personal profile] viewsource 2017-10-12 07:02 am (UTC)(link)
[ Elliot's sanity is certainly still in question as he continues to observe her. It's indirect, of course, he doesn't stare in the way that normal people do. It's in the corner of his eyes, a constantly twitching gaze that always searches to preemptively avoid direct eye contact. ]

That doesn't have to stop anyone.

[ Much less him but he hasn't really tried. He's still more disoriented than he'd like to admit.

Daemon? Right... it was around somewhere. Flipperd, a small black dog that seemed to make itself known again now that it was being talked about. Elliot's been mostly ignoring it since he's certain that he was hallucinating it for a while there -- after all, he definitely doesn't have Flipper any longer. ]


What do you want to do?

[ What's the point of beating around the bush? There isn't one. ]
servomotor: (drankin)

sorry my whole life got derailed by wildfires, but i'm ok!! just slow

[personal profile] servomotor 2017-10-12 11:01 pm (UTC)(link)
YES I CAN INTRODUCE YOU TO THE SPIDER-PERSON. ASSUMING YOU AREN'T A BAD INFLUENCE. OR HE WOULDN'T BE--

NEVER MIND, I'LL INTRODUCE YOU TWO. TRY NOT TO DIE.

HOMESCHOOLING WORKS SOMETIMES I GUESS. HOW RELIGIOUS ARE YOU? I'M NOT A CRITIC, I'M JUST ALSO NOT A FAN.

WHAT'S SO HARD TO BELIEVE ABOUT HOMESCHOOLING?
shadowblends: (❧ inquisitive)

[personal profile] shadowblends 2017-10-12 11:41 pm (UTC)(link)
not necessarily, but arriving in a world that could be entirely different from my own might cause a bit of shell-shock. then, on top of that, i never know how people will react to how i look.
whitedevilofthesea: (♒ I can't remember the verse;)

I'm glad you're okay!! Slowness is nbd, your health and safety come first <3

[personal profile] whitedevilofthesea 2017-10-12 11:57 pm (UTC)(link)
I don't *think* I'm a bad influence! ... I do like to eat a bunch, but I don't hurt people or act mean!

I'm not very religious at all, I'm just...

Well, I'm technically a giant squid. So I'm not really used to being treated like a human, or going to public schools. It's only been a handful of years since I've come out of the ocean.

(That's the unbelievable thing, by the by.)
jawsitivity: (pic#11767119)

[personal profile] jawsitivity 2017-10-15 09:12 am (UTC)(link)
She is not, as far as I know.
My daemon supplied the picture.
It seems to know an awful lot about me!
jawsitivity: (pic#11767128)

[personal profile] jawsitivity 2017-10-15 09:12 am (UTC)(link)
I'd like to meet this cat daemon when I get the chance! Also, I'm glad to hear that you have your husband here with you. I too arrived with a dear friend of mine and I'm very grateful for it.

[ The Zora follows the butterfly with interest. She's unlike any species from back home and it's quite fascinating! He can't help but smile at her beautiful coloring and graceful flutter. ]

Oh, no need for that! Please, just call me Sidon. [ And immediately after, his daemon gives a little glittering twirl of her own. ] A pleasure to meet you, Magnus.
jawsitivity: (pic#11767127)

[personal profile] jawsitivity 2017-10-15 09:12 am (UTC)(link)
He is! One of the most amazing people I know! No, the most amazing! Nothing short of absolutely incredible!

[ Kurt, look what you've done. Sidon will absolutely gush about Link if given the chance. The tough part is actually getting him to stop...

Though if anything could, it would be way his new friend suddenly loses his composure after turning a brilliant shade of purple. Was it something he'd done?
] Do be careful! [ he can't help but say after Kurt so gracefully smacks his face into the window.

He lets the boy stammer, seemingly unbothered by his nerves. Perhaps oblivious? It's hard to say.
]

How terrible, [ he hums thoughtfully. He knows that not everyone gets along - even in his world - but to be looked down upon for something as uncontrollable as the color of your skin or race you were born as seems... awful. Well! ]

Thankfully, you won't have to worry about that with me! I know we've only just met, but I think you're quite amazing!
jawsitivity: (pic#11767119)

[personal profile] jawsitivity 2017-10-15 09:13 am (UTC)(link)
[ If he notices the flush in his friend's face (he does) then he doesn't draw any attention to it. He had been worried, after the fact, that Link wouldn't have appreciated the gesture. While he knew he was carrying Hyrule's hero in his arms, everyone needed a little help from time to time. For as much as he'd wanted to be able to take down Ruta on his own, he had to recognize his own limitations and ask for help.

And he's glad he did. While their paths would have crossed eventually, he's grateful for the fact that things had unfolded the way they had and he'd gained such a dear friend from the whole ordeal. More than a friend, even- Even though that's something he doesn't quite recognize.

He will. All in due time. For now, however, he's laughing at the rumble of Link's stomach in response to the promise of food.
] I'm glad you're in agreement!

[ He lets Link down once they come to where the beach and forest meet, careful to make sure he doesn't fall again. ] It seems like we're on the right track, at least! We appear to have everything here we need. Well, except for the actual food! I can go fishing, if you'd like.
infatyuated: (pic#10040050)

[personal profile] infatyuated 2017-10-15 10:14 pm (UTC)(link)
[ he almost jerks back from the touch, not fond of people being so close. but rafa smells like krul and that's comforting in a way. he'd hated and cared for her in equal measure. he can see the same happening here. so he doesn't pull away as the blood is swiped away from his lips, even though he keeps his gaze downcast. ]

She used to say that all the time. First when it was her blood, and then when it was Yuu-chan's. It shouldn't be easy. I shouldn't want it, but I can't escape it.
mordacita: (p u p p y)

[personal profile] mordacita 2017-10-15 10:29 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Rafa goes very still, and careful. His brow has knitted a little. This is dangerous territory. ]

Why should it not be easy? [ He keeps his voice gentle. ] Blood is what we need to live, as humans need food, and plants need the sun. There is no shame in that.
infatyuated: (pic#10056772)

[personal profile] infatyuated 2017-10-15 10:36 pm (UTC)(link)
[ there's a pause before he responds. his lips press together as he considers what he wants to say next. he's not used to revealing so much of himself in one setting, but maybe that's the part of him that still refuses to abandon his humanity. the part that hates being a monster. ]

Were you born a vampire or did you become one?
mordacita: (b r o o d y)

[personal profile] mordacita 2017-10-15 10:49 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Rafa moves his hands from Mika, leaning his arms against his crouched thighs instead. ]

Born?

One cannot be born a vampire, Mika. Not in my world, or any that I have heard of before now.


[ It's a very strange thought. He frowns, not sure what to make of it. ]

We are all mortal, and then turned by another vampire. That is how we reproduce. Is it not so for you?
Edited 2017-10-15 23:03 (UTC)
infatyuated: (pic#10056773)

[personal profile] infatyuated 2017-10-15 11:13 pm (UTC)(link)
It's the same, it's just... it doesn't happen very often. There hasn't been a new vampire in centuries and that's me. I've only been like this for a few hours and before that, an incomplete vampire for only four years.

[ he swallows, still feeling the slick feel of blood in his throat. ]

I still remember. What it was like. I remember my family and how they were all but one slaughtered by a vampire. That will likely be me some day.

[ his free hand lifts, clutching at his chest, below his tie. ]

I don't want to be a monster.
mordacita: (w a r y)

[personal profile] mordacita 2017-10-15 11:24 pm (UTC)(link)
[ This...

This is disturbing. This is not the kind of person Rafa would ever turn into a vampire. Those like Mika tend to have trouble with the life granted to them. If they cannot feed, then they will waste away.

Whoever turned this one was a fool. Or in love, perhaps, but a fool for that as well.
]

All of us have choices to make. You do not have to kill, to feed. These bags are proof of that. I am sorry, for your family. Truly.

[ Then he looks up at him, meeting his eyes and watching them closely. ]

What do you mean when you say...an incomplete vampire?
infatyuated: (【m】 011)

[personal profile] infatyuated 2017-10-15 11:36 pm (UTC)(link)
[ rafa's not wrong that the one who turned him could be considered a fool, but krul tepes had her reasons. her machinations had assured mika would not die after ferid bathory's attack and better yet, that he and yuu would be reunited. but the cost had been his humanity, which he had not given up freely. and now that he is what he is, forced to live off the blood of others, mika hates himself, but keeps living if only for the sake of his yuu-chan. ]

Yuu survived, at least. That's why I have to get back to him, to protect him.

[ when rafa's eyes meet his own, mika notes they're not the crimson red he's grown so familiar with over the years spent with vampires. it makes rafa almost seem human. ]

I was dying when I was turned, but for four years, I refused to drink human blood. I lived off my sire's blood. So I remained incomplete. I still aged, I still grew, my eyes stayed blue. It was not until I was separated from her and without her blood that I was forced to drink human blood. Yuu offered his to me and I was so thirsty that I couldn't...

[ he shakes his head. ]

I drank the blood of my own family.
lacquers: (should i be insulted by that?)

[personal profile] lacquers 2017-10-16 12:12 am (UTC)(link)
[ Magnus looks genuinely heartened to hear that second part. He smiles in response, nodding along. ] Thank you! I'm glad to hear you've got a familiar face here with you, too! It's always good to hear that people haven't arrived alone.

[ Thank you, powers that be. ]

Sidon it is! Sidon, [ he nods Sidon's way. ] And Miphad. [ Another nod. He'll remember that. ] It's a pleasure, really.

How are you settling in, if that's not too nosy of me? [ Nosy nose. ]
mordacita: (s e r i o u s l y)

[personal profile] mordacita 2017-10-16 12:35 am (UTC)(link)
[ If nothing else, it's obvious there are great differences between the vampires of their worlds. Rafa smiles faintly, and lets out a little sigh. ]

That is not how it happens, for us. You can see, there is no change like that.

[ He gestures to his own eyes - but of course, Rafa had not hesitated to drink human blood. It had been a very long time since he had understood there was anything wrong with it. Even now, he still finds it somewhat hard to understand. ]

You are what you are. There is no helping that. Feed without killing, and you will have achieved more than most humans. This...

[ He taps his finger against the blood bags. ]

...is nothing to be ashamed of. We are not monsters because of what we need. Our actions make us that, and yours need not, my friend.
infatyuated: (【m】 079)

[personal profile] infatyuated 2017-10-16 12:47 am (UTC)(link)
[ following rafa's line of site, mika merely nods. this new exposure to something so different from what he'd known will take some time to parse. it won't be easy accepting vampires here as easily as rafa has accepted him, but mika does intend to try. furthermore, he knows he can trust rafa for this blood and that he must because nothing else is possible. and since he still has to get back to yuu, he'll do what it takes to survive. ]

You're a kind person, Rafa. Far more than any other vampire I've met. Far more than a lot of humans, at that. ...Thank you.
Edited 2017-10-16 00:47 (UTC)

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