annexedmeme | Test Drive Meme #3

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!test drive meme

Test Drive Meme #3

Test Drive Info

⇝ Test Drive Memes take place in a virtual reality simulation occurring in characters' minds that tests them for 'fitness' before they enter the setting officially. Because it is set in a simulation created by the Sylphid, the missions, while being comparable to regular missions in the game, will be from a Sylphid perspective.
⇝ Characters will not be chipped during the simulation, and will have access to their abilities from canon, but will be chipped upon waking for the rescue.
⇝ Current characters can easily be pulled into the simulation if they are sleeping and dreaming when it's happening. The Sylphid cast a wide net with the simulation to fill it out with characters to interact with for prospective new arrivals.
⇝ Test Drive Meme threads may be considered game canon so long as all parties agree to it.
⇝ Test Drive Meme threads do count for Activity Check.

i. Awakening

It happens in a dream. You fall asleep and the next moment you feel like you're awakening again, but without any exhaustion, as if you've had a full night's sleep. You find yourself in a comfortable bed in a room full of comfortable beds, all of which contain other people waking up just the way you are. The room is large but cozy, with wide windows that are framed by light curtains, and the sun is shining in from an angle that suggests morning.

Once you're up and moving around a little, ready to explore this new place, you'll discover an open door on one of the walls in the room, through which soft strains of music can be heard, and above which there's a sign saying "Free Breakfast." Once you make your way into the room, possibly with some of the other people just waking up in this strange place, you find a buffet table loaded with breakfast foods - some familiar, and some strange, mainly featuring mushrooms and root vegetables. Quiet, soothing music is playing and there are a variety of tables with chairs available to settle down and enjoy some food.

This is just a dream, right? What could be the harm in eating a bit of food, maybe trying out some cool alien cuisine, and getting to know the other people here?

ii. The Mission: The Fungus Among Us

Once everyone has eaten their fill and gotten to know their new compatriots a little better, there is an interruption in the music playing in the room. Three musical chimes sound, and a pleasant female voice speaks.

Attention, new recruits! We have a mission for you.

The intercom goes on to explain that there is a forest of mushrooms called The Troop that borders on the northwest walls of the city, which releases spores near constantly (though more prolific in fall) that have a hallucinogenic effect on sentient beings. These spores can cause people traveling in The Troop to become disoriented and confused, experience vivid auditory and visual hallucinations, and become permanently lost. Generally, the spores aren't a problem inside the city or in the surrounding area because no one has built close enough to the Troop to suffer serious effects. However, this particular fall, the spore count has been significantly higher than previous years, and spores are making their way into the neighborhoods bordering The Troop. Even worse, the spores are having a slightly different effect on top of the usual ones.

The spores, once inhaled, are growing into microscopic fungi that populate in the brains of citizens and take over the brains of the infected. Once taken over, the citizens who are infected are servants of The Troop, and will do whatever they can to infect others by whatever means possible, whether it's by capturing spores and releasing them in people's faces or by gagging up fungi that will infect others. Beyond that, there is a kind of mania about the people who have been infected - they are wide-eyed and high-energy, they will accost random people with spores or fungi, they will chase people down on the street to infect them.

Beyond that, there's another effect. Those inflicted with fungal infection become distinctly lacking in any kind of verbal filter. They will say exactly what they're thinking, they will blurt out secrets, expose themselves emotionally, and share their innermost thoughts and dreams. After all, it's not like the individual mushrooms in The Troop keep secrets, they're all part of a larger whole, and that's how infected individuals will behave. It's as if they're sharing a consciousness, taken over by the hive mind of The Troop, and see others as simply extensions of themselves.

Will your character get infected, try to help the infected somehow, or just plain stay out of the way of all this madness?

iii. The Mission: Full Fungal Smackdown

As the infection gradually progresses, those who are infected start to become more violent, which is a big problem. The infection is slowly spreading throughout the low-income neighborhood that it initiated in and moving toward the city proper, with increasingly aggressive infected doing their best to infect others. Their methods are starting to become more aggressive as well, where before they would simply spray others with spores or present them with mushrooms, they are now altering common devices like leaf blowers to spread the spores over a broader area and violently attacking people to shove mushrooms into people's mouths, curling fingers inside their mouths to force the fungi into their victims' sinuses and infect them.

It isn't just infection techniques that are getting more aggressive. Their behavior in general is aggressive - the infected are starting fights, are attacking people, often shouting in a strange, unintelligible language. The tone of the attack is that of people defending their own territory, fighting off intruders or predators, even if the person they're attacking made no moves to strike first. Attackers may fight hand-to-hand or even employ weapons that they are familiar with to attack others, whether it's guns, knives, laser swords, or anything else they might use in their regular uninfected life. Even those who were non-combatants will use kitchen knives or other makeshift weapons to attack the uninfected.

They never attack the infected, somehow they seem to know immediately who is and who isn't part of the hivemind.

As the attacks start to really escalate and there is panic in the streets, characters will be informed that a cure for the infection has been found, and everyone who isn't infected should stop by one of the Sylphid trucks carrying syringes of the cure and load up. Anyone who's able to fight, or even who is just capable of carrying and using a syringe, is asked to take a bandeau of them and to inoculate anyone infected. Unfortunately, though, the only real way to tell if someone is infected is by that wide-eyed look, and the attack that comes out of nowhere.

iv. Welcome to the Broken World.

The simulation is over, and you don't even know how you got here from there.

All you know is that one moment you were participating in a mission to save the Sylphid children, to uphold peace talks, and then you were asleep again, after the mission was over.

You wake up in what seems like the blink of an eye, nauseous and dizzy but otherwise unscathed, possessions taken away, barefoot and dressed only in a set of plain grey clothing, like the most bland uniform ever imagined, in an empty room with empty walls and one single door with a small barred window and a single number printed just above it. The door is locked and cannot be broken by any means, you can feel your connection with any superhuman powers you had severed, leaving them just out of reach - you can feel them there, tingling at your fingertips or in the back of your brain, but you just can't get to them. There is no one to greet you or explain what's happening. You start to lose track of time, the only sound the distant ticking of what sounds like a massive clock.

Just when things seem hopeless, when you feel like you're about to go mad, there's the sound of a commotion outside your door. The sounds of a battle, or perhaps an infiltration gone just slightly wrong. Either way, when the door opens, there is a figure there with a hand outstretched.

"Welcome to the Broken World. Come on, we'll explain everything just as soon as we get you and the others out of here."

NAVIGATION

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

There's a few of you, then?

[It makes sense, she supposes. There needs to be some kind of organized resistance against... well, against monsters that would do that to people.

Mio nods.]

I'll keep an eye out. I'm ready.

More than a few. The Sylphid have brought people in from other worlds for some months now if what I was told is accurate.

[Nodding, Donatello steps back out into the hall, adjusting the grip on his staff. He motions for Mio to follow once he confirms it's clear.]

Months? And... many worlds, then?

[Mio gasps. Then...

This isn't what she thought. She was pulled here by something.]

Is there a way back?

Well...I'm not too sure on the number of worlds but there's been quite a few from Earth so far as I've confirmed.

[The hesitation at that question she asks next is noticeable, the turtle gripping his staff a little tighter as they near the first branch off from their current corridor.]

...presumably. It unfortunately involves trying to get our hands on the magitech that was used in the first place- easier said than done due to how little we know on it and how established the Sylphid are.

Earth? [Mio blinks. Never heard of it.

Then, she frowns, and nods her head. She didn't expect it to be easy. It wouldn't work like that.]

That's... I guess it's not a surprise. If they brought us here, they wouldn't make it easy to get back. You've... fought them, then?

[Well from her response he can chalk one for non-Earth origin.]

-yeah, pretty sure they weren't thinking of having to return anyone. Fought a few, the worst part is you can't really tell any difference from them and well, anyone else because they're already wearing someone else's skin. I guess the easiest way to figure someone's a Sylphid-

[He breaks off at a shout from down the hall ahead of them, a few uniformed men pulling up weapons as one points them out.]

-well, case in point. Run!

[Donnie points down the other hall between them and the incoming Sylphid guards.]

[Beings that steal the bodies of others and could look like anyone? That's horrifying. Mio stares while she takes that in until--

Shouts.

She tenses, then she breaks into a run. Her hands go out to her sides, fingers open like she's ready to grab something. But her Blade doesn't appear.]

Spark! [That's a swear word where she's from.] They don't play around, do they?

No, they do not!

[He flinches at the sound of guns going off, his bo blurring as he spins it expertly before him to try shielding them as they make for the junction.]

I'm pretty sure it has to do with the fact that we're liberating their resources before they can make use of them.

[Reaching a hand to his belt, he pulls a few shuriken loose to fling at the Sylphid, hoping to at least slow them down.]

Down that way. The others should be ahead of us- I needa take care of these guys so they can't box us in!

I don't think I like the idea that we're their resources! [Mio calls that back to him -- and then she looks at him. Worry's all across her face, then; guilt, too. It's not right, she thinks. She should be helping protect him, not...

But she doesn't have her Blade. It's a sickening feeling.]

Hurry. Please. After you saved me, I don't want to see you lost.

[She waits only a second, before she runs -- and grits her teeth, then sets her jaw. What else could she do? She doesn't even have a weapon, right now.]

[Donnie tosses a quick smile over his shoulder.]

Will do!

[He certainly has no intention of being left behind. Once he's confident Mio's on her way, he turns and charges towards the Sylphid guards. He lets his grip loosen on the staff as he thrusts it forward to take advantage of its full reach before they can fire off another shot, snapping it at one of the guard's wrists and letting it bounce back to smack the guard in the face.

Donnie does have to say this about fighting these aliens, at least they're in shapes that are a little easier to deal with.]

[Mio nods to him.

Then she runs. She bolts down the hallway -- running fast as she can. She gets what she thinks is a good headstart, before she slows a little. She doesn't quite stop moving -- just slows, so she hopefully won't outpace Donnie when he finishes.

She hesitates, though. It's not lost on her that she could easily get lost here, and doesn't know where she's going. Either to Donatello's allies, or... or something not good to think about.

The worry is heavy, then.]

[The sound of sporadic gunshots echo from down the hall, probably not reassuring, but neither do they last long.

Donatello's just glad that there weren't too many guards to deal with. He doesn't have too much experience with fending off against firearms so he's not going to stick around to see if reinforcements show after the few have been incapacitated.

Soon enough Mio can hear footsteps coming from down the hall, Donnie's face brightening just a little when he sees her up ahead, kind of glad not to be completely left behind but mostly relieved she hasn't run into further problems.]

[Mio waves a hand at him the moment she sees him. She smiles when she does, though it's brief; smiling in the middle of a flight for their lives is hard to do for a long time.]

I'm so glad you're all right! Are you all right?

[She's checking him over just to be sure.]

[Hard but not unwelcome for what stress it tends to alleviate, even if it's just a little. Donnie nods, giving a dismissive wave as he puts on a brave face.]

Yeah, I'm fine! Not a scratch. Let's hurry and catch up before more come.

Good. I was worried. [Mio nods, then she starts walking again. At a brisk pace, and paying attention to what's behind them.

She glances at Donnie.] Where'd you learn to fight like that?

[It's not something he expects, having someone he's just met worrying about him. He blinks as they continue onward, keeping on the alert himself for any sounds that might alert them to something ahead or behind them. He's glad Mio's keeping an eye out too.]

My father. He taught my brothers and I. [Even though technically a lot of it as from his father's movies, but same diff.]

Your father? It's good that he taught you. And your brothers.

[She wants a little bit of a distraction. It's dawning on her that she's alone here. Well--no, that's unkind to Donatello and others who helped save her. But she doesn't have the people she thought would be with her. To say nothing of the people she wasn't sure she would see again.]</small I didn't have a chance to see much, but it was impressive.

[Distraction isn't something he can fault her for. It's a lot to process, and talking helps with the disorientation. He would've felt a lot better if he'd had someone to converse with during the rush to get out.

Being alone, that's something Donatello can relate to, unfortunately, and something he's still trying to get used to.]

Yeah... It's been weird here without them. I've never been apart from my brothers before.

[He latches onto that bit of praise like a lifeline, forcing a smile.]

Aw, that was nothing. You haven't even seen my mystic tech!

Mm. It's been a few terms since I've been apart from Sena. Or some of the others...

[Mio smiles when he seems pleased by the praise. Then she perks up

Literally. Her ears perk up. It's a thing.]

Mystic Tech?

[There may be some tiny part of him nerding out about being with an actual cat girl or at least some variant. He breaks off from overthinking it even though the distraction helps.]

My brothers and I all have some mystic ability. Admittedly mystic anything isn't really my forte, I'm more of a science-guy, but I've managed to make it work for me.

[There's sounds of a fight ahead, and once they round the next corner they can see the rest of the rescue team and whomever else they've freed at the door, trading of shots with the guards outside.]

[Mio, alas, just doesn't quite know that she is a catgirl. Aionios hasn't invented anime. (Yet.)

She blinks -- she sort of follows it. Mystic ability must be like some of the stranger powers of her world. Ether, for instance. She blinks, but she nods her head.]

So you... can make technology?

[She tenses as she hears the shots. She looks at them -- then at Donnie.] They're with you?

Affirmative! [He gives the edge of his battle shell a tap.] This is one of my standard technical creations-

[Looking down the hall towards the exit, Donatello nods.]

Yeah, I came in with them. Looks like they got us pinned down.

[He tips his goggles down to get a better view of how many they might be dealing with outside before shoving them back up again.]

Get ready to move, guys! I'll get us an opening! [He gives a spin of his staff and holds it in front of him like a mage about to summon minions.]

Mio, keep back and make sure no one's coming up behind us.

[The rectangular markings on his shoulders and legs glow a vibrant fuchsia along with his staff. Four shapes trace out in the same brilliant lines like weapon schematics drawn in real-time in the air around him, large glowing, transparent missiles.]

Everyone down!

[Donnie sends them off not too long after his warning, the mystic-tech missiles hurtling for the unsuspecting Sylphid outside.]

That's impressive.

[She means it, too. It looks like something that Valdi would make. She stares for a second, but when he gives her a task, she nods. Mio keeps an eye out -- making sure Sylphid aren't coming after. She wishes she had a weapon to do something about it.

But... seeing this, maybe she can get a weapon.

She stares for a second, though, as she sees him make those transparent missiles. Mio gasps softly -- staring -- and then keeps her attention back on the way they came.

Mostly.]

That's... really something else!

[At least the Rebels know well enough to use things to their advantage. They're up and off the floor in the wake of Donnie's mystic tech missiles, using the resulting explosions and surprise on the Sylphid's behalf in order to clear their way, shouting for the others they'd liberated to follow.

Donnie grins brightly at Mio, jerking his head towards the exit.]

Come on!

Right! I'm with you.

[She does glance at the Rebels -- taking in how they do this, how they handle things -- before she hurries after Donnie. They seem to be organized. That's good.

But really, it's relief that fills her; relief to be getting to the exit. And away from this terrible place.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Test Drive Meme #3

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sorry for delay! life came up!

It's cool! Hope everything's fine!

It is! Had a brief cold but it's all good now.

Yay! Colds are no fun!

They sure aren't! Thankfully all done!

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