xistentiaooc | Test Drive Meme #2

Entry tags:

#meme,
#tdm

Test Drive Meme #2

Test Drive #2

I saw a flower, furrow, and brook

New TDMers are free to RP here as if "new" or "established;"
"new" is likely easier to keep in continuity after apping.

When gameplay begins, the second wave will have
their own intro plot and crash log!

CREATURES IN THE DARK

Far away from the city, the wall of light that is F.A.T.E.S. seems calm, glowing peacefully. You’re on an evening walk through the city, or maybe on a camping trip in the woods, or maybe on a romantic date on the beach; whatever it is, you’re outdoors, enjoying the apparent peace and quiet, for once.

That is, until you hear a noise. It’s a rustle, or a step, a branch breaking underfoot, a heavier sound than a human would make. And that’s when you find yourself faced with one of the many Xistentia critters: the Green Backed Bison. She's massive, with small horns and a broad, mossy back, a small calf at her side. She does not appear to want to charge you^[1], but that might change, depending on what you decide to do! Either approach it, run away, or go into aggressive mode; how will you react to being introduced to the incredible fauna of Xistentia?

Glitch in the City

The city of Xistentia now boasts a population of over 200 sentient souls! Congratulations on surviving your apocalypse, now feel free to enjoy the city and outlying forest. Today, a number of local businesses are open, including the local tailor, our diner Pop's Chocklit Shop, and Sue's Salads. For now, the only bar and lounge is the atrium of the Citadel, the outpost overlooking the sea. It's a lovely day to be out and about.

But at midday, the rendering errors begin. New arrivals, those who came into Xistentia since the second crash find themselves subject to a bizarre phenomenon, where a holographic projection seems to be floating above their head! It contains data about the character's marital status, preferences for fun and dating activities, and pet peeves... and perhaps embarrassingly, it isn't necessarily accurate.

As your daemon will explain the glitch is easy enough to fix! You can either move 100 yards from the location where it began, or another character can remove it for you by touching the graphic.

RENDERING ERROR #285
Preferred Alias: F.A.T.E.S. McWeirdo
Marital Status: Hateboning Nemesis
Preferred Dating Activity: Creating new universes, maintaining the equilibrium of the multiverse, organizing temporal divergences/alternate universes, restoring damage inflicted by D.E.S.T.I.N.Y.
Other Enjoyable Activity: DJing music
Pet Peeves: Unfiltered tap water, gluten-fee pasta, unscheduled apocalypses

Optional Code

GAME NIGHT

At 6 p.m., your Daemon starts making noise - a software update is being installed. It lasts for a few minutes, your Daemon mainly unresponsive if you attempt to make it do anything else than upload the data F.A.T.E.S. is sending it. Afterwards, it resumes acting as normal as it did before the update, but if you ask it, your Daemon will tell you:

Upgrade was installed for entertainment and integration purposes; Hangman.exe was installed.

Launch the application, and you will be given a match against one of your fellow citizens who also decided to join the game. On your holoscreen is a rudimentary, simple game of Hangman, as well as a chat window to taunt your opponent if you so choose. However, it becomes clear that F.A.T.E.S. has no idea what she's doing... the first word is 16 letters long, and she has pre-filled in the letters Z, C, and Q.

It's a good day to complain about technology, or start a new game afresh.

CHOOSE YOUR OWN ADVENTURE

hells yeah

Footnotes

Note any violence or injury in your subject headers, thank you.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

If you like pina coladas, then you must be Magnus Lightwood-Bane. And I knew there was a reason you were my friend.

[ Beams! ]

Also, I don't know what that thing's talking about. Your eyeliner is always on fleek.

[ Sniff snoof, say her dogs. Hello, Magnus, they're happy to see you. ]

[ Magnus looks delighted. And he looks delighted for three distinct reasons.

First, seeing Rose. Because how could seeing Rose ever not make him happy? She's family.

Second, because of the song. It's a classic, even if it is unbearably silly in some respects.

And third, though there's something vaguely ironic about it, he's always so happy to see her crew. He will, naturally, pet each and every one. ] Why, thank you, my dear! I'm glad to know it meets with your approval. Both the song choice and-- [ he gestures to his eyes. ]

It's lovely to see you, Rose.

[ Likewise, she's pleased as punch to see her packmate. She just couldn't resist the opportunity for such a musical entrance, of course... Still. She's beaming because, well, it's Magnus. He's here. That's incredible. And he remembers her! Which is good and not something she actually wanted to consider would be possible.

The dogs accept the pets graciously, tails going like motors now. They're excited by the prospect of all this new attention. ]

Great to see you too, dude! All things considered. [ End of the worlds. It's hard to let it dampen her spirits though when she gets to see Magnus again. ]

Hope the trip was smooth, at least?

[ And Magnus would never want to deny her the opportunity for a good musical intro! He's a big fan, after all. Of music, but of hers particularly. As for memory, yes. It would appear it's all perfectly intact. A good sign? ]

Yes, all things considered, I'd say it was as smooth as you could expect. And you? [ He cocks his head to the side while continuing to greet the dogs in turn.

Everyone will get equal attention! Magnus is very fair-minded. ]

Did you arrive from Eudio? [ Still kind of figuring out how all this shakes out logically, but Magnus is typically a quick study. ]

[ A great sign! So far, so many of them had seemed to remember her... She's not actually sure what she'd do if it hadn't been the case. Aggressively have been their friend all over again, of course, but still. ]

Other than losing my lunch on the beach when I first portaled here, it went about well as one could expect. Dogs, cat, and boyfriends all made it too. [ So, yes, Vanyel's here too. And... another boyfriend, apparently. Even if that status hasn't exactly been discussed or agreed upon just yet. ]

And I did! What was left of it, anyway. Things were pretty rough there too in the end.

[ That's the way to go, Rose! Optimism. Magnus is either very much that or he's experiencing some denial, because he does not outwardly seem too thrown by the end of our worlds as we know them. ]

That is a common side effect. [ Of traveling by portal. He looks around a moment. ] You arrived on the beach? [ There's a faintly implied 'too' there. ] All of you? I'm glad to hear that.

[ Emphasis being on 'all of you' there, not 'on the beach.' ]

It was pretty sudden, wasn't it? Alexander and I were at City Hall, only for a short while. Then, here. [ He makes a vague gesture that sort of implies plop, nothing to it! ]

So I've learned. Hopefully the next world hop won't make me upchuck for once, but... That won't be for a while anyway, so.

[ If at all. Though she keeps those doubts entirely to herself for now. ]

Yeah, the whole gang's here. Well. Almost. Some people, uh. Some people weren't as lucky as me in the loved ones department, but! You guys showed up fashionably late so I'm hopeful they will too.

Yes, let's hope. [ Both that there will be no upchucking and that they aren't due for another multi-universe hop anytime soon.

Unless it's a hop back home. That would be... welcome. ]

How late, if I can bother you to ask? [ His brow furrows a little, half in thought, half in something akin to distress. ] If there's a chance more will keep arriving, that's promising.

[ 'Home' for Rosie is still up in air, but... Someday she'll get there. Wherever it might be. ]

It's been like... three weeks, I think? You guys are the first ones to show up since everyone else arrived. [ Meaning, yes, there is a chance more will keep arriving. ]

Time's all out of whack for some people though, I think. Like Vanyel was home for a bit, but... we arrived here around the same time. So who knows!

Three weeks, [ Magnus reiterates, sounding thoughtful. ] I see. It will probably be wise to keep track of this sort of thing going forward.

[ Just in case there is something to be reasoned from it.

Especially if there's any chance that reasoning leads to a way back. Wherever that might entail traveling. Magnus exhales, shaking his head. ] It's no simple matter, that's for sure.

Probably!

[ Rose isn't about to pretend to understand all that's happening here. ] Who knows if F.A.T.E.S. will be as consistent as Eudio was in bringing in new people. It has already tried to do some questionable things. Like DJ. Poorly.

[ She'll hear the maddening mixing in her nightmares, Magnus. IT WAS THAT BAD. ]

[ Oh? There go the brows again. Listen, this trip has definitely been causing a lot of brow action. ]

I'm sure you had something to say about that, my dear. [ Can he hear more of this tale? Unless it's too painful, of course.

He wouldn't want dear Rosie to relive something truly awful.

It's just... well, he is curious. Can't help that, it's a cat thing. ]

[ Understandably so. Rose had risen her brows more than a few times when she first arrived, so. He's definitely in good company. ]

Oh, you bet I did, [ she practically huffs. Some of the residual sting is still there. The blond can feel herself getting worked up all over again. ] It was going from, like, seventeenth century lute to Blink 182 then to Disco then to dueling banjos. It drove me crazy.

[ Clearly. She seems annoyed just remembering it, which. Is actually probably one of the few (perhaps only) time Magnus has likely seen Rose get upset about just about anything. ]

[ It's a certain kind of exercise. Not just for the facial muscles, but because it implies a lot of mood whiplash. Magnus is definitely having that. For instance, right now.

Now, he takes Rose's dilemma very seriously. And because of the unique relationship they've formed, he doesn't hesitate to place a comforting hand on her arm. He takes this seriously, see.

But. It's really, really, really hard not to feel a. a twinge of curiosity about what that might've sounded like, going from one to the other in quick succession and b. a tiny hint of amusement about the strange progression of genres.

Consequently, Magnus' resulting expression is a little amused, the emotion heavily outweighed by a healthy sympathy. ] I can imagine. It sounds, frankly, cacophonous. Does that sense of confusion extend beyond music? [ He looks around again. ] Out surroundings do have a strange air to them.

[ He doesn't exactly elaborate, but if Rose's musical experience extends to the area at large, then... that is what he means. Anything that implies traversing the gap between lutes to Blink 182 to dueling banjos. ]

[ Having her friend's reassurance definitely does help ease some of the pain. The salt stocks aren't nearly as rich at that comforting hand. Breath, Rose. It's okay. It's going to be okay. The terrible mixing can't hurt you anymore. ]

It's... Yeah, it kind of does. I mean, Apollod doesn't seem to know what's going on beyond what he's told me.

When things suddenly sprout up like the Atrium did in the first place, it was just 'Hey! This is a thing now! Go to it!' and we did.

[ She feels like 'Hey, this is a thing now' is going to be the general Xistentia theme. ]

[ The pain of those terrible sounds will fade before too long, Rose. Believe and soon good music will come your way again! Until then, Magnus promises not to try and play anything for you, lest the memories only worsen... ]

I wonder if we should expect that to continue happening. [ A beat. ] And if so, for how long?

[ The city around them does have kind of a feeling of something putting itself back together.

That's the sensation Magnus gets, anyway. ]

[ Look, Rosie is as much a fan as the Top 40 as the next person. She wouldn't mind some played too often Pop compared to the garbage that F.A.T.E.S. tried to mix together. But. Still. She appreciates it. ]

I mean... I don't know. I did notice that our house is looking a little better by the day, which. I'm not sure if that's F.A.T.E.S. at work or us or what. [ 'Our' house. Hm. ] Though it seems like this is only a temporary relocation, we still gotta' work to get things up and running and our worlds back. Who knows how long that'll take.

[ There's gotta' be a way to check. Doubtless though that things will happen to push them back or slow them down or... whatever. ]

[ That's very kind of you to say, Rose. Truly. One day, you may hear Magnus' attempts at "music" and then you may be forced to seriously reexamine your kind remarks. ]

Yes, the question of time is a-- [ he purses his lips, hunting for the right word. ] Troubling one. But you said you've started settling in?

[ Well, he inferred as much. He made note of the "our" bit there, mouth forming a silent question at the mention. ]

You and...? [ He looks pointedly at the dogs. Not just them, right? Is she talking about someone else? ]

[ Magnus, you are are her packmate. She will love you no matter what. ...Even if she might not be able to be in the same room as you when you're making these music attempts. ]

More or less. [ The house was still a work in progress. Vanyel had done a great job of sprucing it up to start and, like she'd said, it was beginning to come to life little by little the longer they stayed. ]

Ah, right. Me and Vanyel. It was, uhm. It was his idea that we live together, so.

[ Or, well. He had assumed as such and she hadn't corrected him. ]

[ After the incident with the migrating llamas, he pretty much abandoned musical pursuits. Except dancing. Magnus loves to dance. All styles and eras, solo or not, Magnus loves to dance. ]

I see, so, the two of you and all your friends? [ He indicates the canines again, smiling a bit. Listen, he's fond of them! He is. ] And it's a good arrangement for you?

[ He's not prying!

He's not. Really.

Okay, a little. Tiny bit. Like a concerned big brother would! ]

[ They definitely need to dance someday, then! Rose would love to learn from him. Right now, she's proficient in swing and breakdancing. Also maybe a little Salsa. Anything else though she's lost on. ]

The whole family. [ A little prying, she notes. But it's fine. It's... not really something she's talked about since it happened, so. Kind of nice to, in a way? There's still a lot of uncertainties about it all but, ] We've been doing alright. It's definitely... new. I try to be a bit more, uh. Tidy. Now that we're sharing a space. Vanyel can also magically clean things if I get lazy so that's nice.

[ Also nice: banging. Like, a lot. So much of the banging. ]

I'm trying not to, like, make a big deal out or anything since he didn't so. Y'know.

[ Even though it's a pretty!! big!!! deal!!!!! ]

[ They can share tips! Maybe tutor one another a bit. She can choose the soundtrack and they can have a grand old time. Magnus would absolutely love that. It would be a lovely way of keeping some focus off the less pleasant thoughts that are no doubt apt to creep in eventually in this situation.

He's not having those thoughts now. Actually, not having them might be what's prompting him to be a little more direct about his questions. Talking about living arrangements sure beats focusing on the end of the world, right? ]

Oh? [ Again with the 'oh?' Magnus, please. He'd be hard-pressed to forget his adventures in furniture-selection and whatnot with Rosie though. ] Merging two households can be tough. [ He trails off a little here. ]

Is it a big deal to you, Rose? [ This, he asks kindly. Her opinion on the matter is hugely important! ]

[ Anything to delay the inevitability of the new reality they've found themselves a part of sinking in is right up Rosie's alley. She's a grandmaster at delusion by this point. ]

It's, uhm. [ Yes. ] I guess? I've... stayed with people before and shared spaces, but. Nothing like this.

[ Also, ] I worry a little that he might not like it? [ Granted, they've been too busy getting it in to really talk about it overly much. So far nothing seems amiss but - then again - it hadn't last time on Vanyel's end when she'd run away. ] Or that I might mess it up somehow, but. So far so good. Just hoping it stays that way.

[ Delusion may not be the best aim, but momentary distraction isn't so bad. A healthy amount of distraction.

That, he would be happy to provide.

Her answer has his brow furrowing slightly in contemplation. ] So, your first time having a significant other who lives with you? Or living with a significant other? [ He considers this for a moment. ]

I think it's probably something we all worry about a little. You might find it goes a long way telling him you're feeling that way.

[ The sum of all Magnus' advice to Rose about her relationship: Talk to him. (What Magnus sort of suspects Rose does not want to do: Talk to him.) ] I hope it will be good for you both, but you in particular, my dear. [ He reaches across the space between them, lightly touching her arm for a second. ]

[ Delusion's worked for her so far! (No.) ]

Both, actually. I never, uh, necessarily lived with Roxanne. We crashed together sometimes, but... Not consistently. It was never 'our' space either. Usually a hotel or someone else's couch. [ Such was the roadie life. ]

Maybe. [ Or it could go horribly wrong. Rosie imagines horribly wrong is more likely with her track record. ] I mean, not maybe I'll talk to him. I will.

[ ...Sure. ] Learned that lesson, y'know, but. Just gotta' find the right time. He's, uhm. [ She doesn't want to divulge too much of Vanyel's personal life. That's not... for her to tell, really. ] Things went pretty sour for him back home, so. I think he's a little out of sorts lately. Don't wanna' make it worse, if I can help it.

Test Drive Meme #2

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