raisednpcs: (Default)
raisednpcs ([personal profile] raisednpcs) wrote in [community profile] cracktheearth2015-10-17 09:42 pm
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Fall 2015 Test Drive

Hello, and welcome to the test drive for Fall, 2015! Similar to last time, one of our test drive prompts is the same as an event presently going on in the game! And that's not all; both players in the game and out of it can treat everything that happens with these prompts as canon to the game, and that they happened concurrently with what's going on on the main community. So, if you're looking to apply to Raise the Earth, here's a chance to get in on the ground floor of what's happening in-game!




[A - Factor Industries Charity Event]

Even for Benjamin Factor, arranging this charity event had been something of a challenge. Just as he held great influence in Gateway City, Thunder Corp's influence in Locke was great as well. But with time and money, all things were indeed possible in this case, and the Memorial Dance Hall was playing host to the night's events. It was a glamorous affair: politicians, captains of business, dignitaries, and celebrities had been invited. For whatever controversy that existed, the world legitimately wanted to heal the wounds left by the invasion, and that meant there were a lot of people who wanted to use events like this to either advance that cause, or to make themselves look good.

But they weren't the only sorts of individuals who had received an invitation.

Benjamin Factor had also made it so the Numbered would be invited to his little party. Arrivals through the teleporter would be greeted by drivers at the community center, and the same courtesy was extended to anyone who might live in Locke. The only stipulation? Was that anyone who came make an effort to make themselves presentable. If that was a problem, or anyone arrived without knowing, they had clothes on hand for people to change into.

Indeed, it seemed that the Numbered would be well provided for tonight. That being said, their presence would get people to talk, given the presence of news crews making live coverage. Nevertheless... "getting people to talk" seemed to be exactly what Benjamin Factor wanted to happen.

[This prompt is the same as this current event. You can have your character start a general mingle thread, but we ask that your character not serve as an event speaker for the test drive, as that's a rule best suited to characters already in the game.]

[B - Pest Control]

Beta testing. "A trial of machinery, software, or other products, in the final stages of its development, carried out by a party unconnected with its development." A crucial, important step in ironing out the "kinks" in something, to ensure it's ready for whatever it has been designed to do.

In the last weeks of October, someone is beta testing. Just what are they testing, you might wonder? Diminutive little robots with powerful, fangy jaws. They appear to be designed for pest control, and their hardware includes tracking software. Indeed, they're apparently being deployed in secret, acting autonomously in Gateway City, Locke City, Woodend, Christchurch, Tokyo, and even Shepherd's Haven. No one would see who is setting them loose, beyond nondescript men and women who disappear as quickly as they first emerged.

The robots are autonomous. They seek out their prey with zeal, without being controlled by a central source. Alone, a single machine is far from a threat, but they have been loosed in sizable groups, making them fairly dangerous. And it seems there's a bug: all animals are targets for these things, and they're not all. It seems they're capable of identifying another, more unique target: Anyone who might be Numbered.

[C - Sudden Storm]

Rain wasn’t planned today. The forecast had called for sun and minimal clouds, and a warm breeze. Instead, the falling drops seem to sparkle in the sunlight peeking through the clouds. Out a window, strolling down the street, sitting at a bus stop, it’s hard not to feel the drops coming down. And should you stop to stare at the rain for a bit, something seems to shift. A hollow feeling, a certain vertigo, that passes in a moment.

As it clears, something changes. A new memory, from a life that isn’t familiar and doesn’t make a whole lot of sense; a tingling at your fingertips of some new energy; a certain knowledge of the world that shocks you with the new information it provides; something in your hands you weren’t holding before. Maybe you’ve already had an Echo somehow, and you recognize the feeling; maybe you haven’t, and it brings back memories of the people talking about “pulses” on TV, what seems like forever ago. If the latter’s true, the fading sense leaves behind a number, that seems to worm its way into your mind and not leave. Does this mean… you’re Numbered, now?

[D - Network]

The number stuck in your head refuses to go away, so to work it out of your system, you decide writing it down on something is a good idea. Maybe you punched it into your phone; perhaps it’s on a piece of paper, or a mirror, or almost anything else.

The thing it’s on comes alive, filling with text and images. None of it was there before, and you can interact with it. Hundreds, maybe thousands of posts, all tagged with a number that looks similar to your own. Tales of fighting, of betrayal, of loss and sacrifice; stories of heroism, of gain, of victory and the elation attached. Questions about life, about the network, about the future of the Numbered. Idle conversation, videos of stupid things. Three years of history, from the beginning to the original incident on April 1, 2013, through to today.

You could add something. Clearly, it need not be profound, and if you don’t put a name, a face, or a voice to your number, nobody would ever know it’s you. It’s there, at your fingertips. What would you say…?


[E - Wild Card]

Don’t feel pressured to stick to our prompts - you’re welcome to do whatever strikes you. Lighthearted, serious, dangerous, mundane, spectacular… Raise the Earth is a game designed around everyday life getting a lot more interesting in a hurry. Play around with things!
truthcharted: (Is it important?)

Kevin Steele :: Chrono Harlaown (Lyrical Nanoha)

[personal profile] truthcharted 2015-10-18 06:56 am (UTC)(link)
[A]
While he'd been sharply less active on the Numbered scene lately, Kevin is at the benefit event for the same reason certain others are: he's in a position of some minor power. Namely, he's an FBI agent, which would get him in the door anyway. A combination of the two is why he's here, looking a little less dark and brooding than the last time he'd showed up at a function like this. Some of the faces have changed, but by and large, he knows how a Numbered event looks, even if it's got some big names from the more normal world that have him on edge. The suit and tie aren't terribly out of place on him, and he largely looks the same as he did two years ago, the last time he was terribly active. Maybe the bags under his eyes are more pronounced, his stance is a little less open, but it's still Kevin.

For his own part, he's people watching at the moment. There are familiar faces that he remembers from the old days, but there are also people he recognizes from things outside the network. And then there are new folks that he'll probably want to make the acquaintance of at some point. Par for the course, really. A sharp, wandering eye keeps tabs on the room, scanning for signs of trouble, but the Numbered have enough combat presence that he suspects any issues that do crop up will sort themselves out before his concealed sidearm gets past the top of his breast pocket.

After a little bit of mingling, Kevin makes his way over to the refreshments; being more or less on the clock for this, he can't drink, so he settles for a bottle of water snatched from somewhere or other. He addresses the bottle with a brief scowl before he downs half of it in one go, closing it again and sighing. "Aren't there other guys on the team that stick out less than I do?" He settles into a chair heavily with some mild frustration, looking out over the crowd and letting his expression fade to something a little more neutral. Ideally, nothing will go wrong. But if it does... that's why Durandal's storage form is in the other pocket.

[Kevin is returning from Save the Earth, so he's got a couple Echoes up his sleeve already, but he's really not much further than a new character, plus he's been gone for a while. I'm good for other shenanigans at the benefit function or more or less whatever else!]
trollingmessiah: (Well hello there)

Nicodemus Jewell/Izaya Orihara | Durarara!!

[personal profile] trollingmessiah 2015-10-18 03:53 pm (UTC)(link)
Nicodemus doesn't mind wearing a suit to this kind of thing. In fact, it has him feeling a bit giddy on the inside. He isn't wearing a tie, and the last few buttons at the top of his shirt remain undone, but the rest of it is as formal as he'll get, y'know, to keep his personality in the ensemble. His piercings are still in place and he's gotten his hands on a strong whiskey and soda.

He's roaming the floor as he looks around, making a few greetings and warm gestures as he meets people. But, none of them seem to keep his particular interest for very long. Until he sees a rather brooding gentleman in the corner. He weaves his way between people as he heads toward him. The man scowls before taking a long drink from his bottle. Oh, this is going to be interesting, he hopes.

He hears the man muttering to himself as he finally gets within speaking range.

"Oh, come on, I don't think you stick out that badly," he gives a chuckle and raises his drink, as though strongly suggesting the man get one to ease his troubles. "Although, such a bitter face for a party might attract more attention than deflect it."

He gently takes a seat next to the man and reclines easily, tapping his teeth to his glass before taking a drink. He shoots Kevin a smile as he turns toward him.

"Finding it hard to enjoy the party?"
gone_streaking: (pic#9433432)

Jason East - Barry Allen | The Flash

[personal profile] gone_streaking 2015-10-18 09:14 pm (UTC)(link)
A.

Isn't this supposed to be a fancy party? It's pretty certain that there was a dress code mentioned in the invitations, formal wear at the very least. ... So if that's the case, then how the heck did this guy get in?

Jason is currently taking up space by the big buffet table with... well, for starters an entire serving plate full of sandwiches in his hand with some extra snacks piled up on top, all of which are vanishing into his mouth one by one at a rather astonishing pace. He's also apparently opted to show up to the fancy party in blue jeans, sneakers and a red hoodie.

"Party's kinda slow, huh?" He'll remark to anybody who happens to wander up to him, grinning around a mouthful of sandwich. "Food's good though."

D.

[The young man appears on the network in what appears to be a simple backyard, adjusting a camera before stepping back with a smile. In his hands he holds three simple tennis balls, raising them up to the camera.]

Hey, guys, you like juggling?

[And without waiting for an answer of any kind he'll... begin juggling. Pretty simple at first, nothing special. After a few moments, he sighs, shrugging at the camera.]

Ah, this is actually pretty boring, huh? Okay... wait a second.

[And suddenly he tosses all three balls into the air and just... vanishes from the frame, leaving for a split second before returning into frame wearing a different shirt. And drinking a Red Bull in one hand. The other becomes a blur of motion, juggling all three tennis balls on its own, even faster than before.

After a second of that, he looks at the camera again and raises his eyebrows at the camera with a grin.]
jasminebloominginshadow: (smirk)

[personal profile] jasminebloominginshadow 2015-10-18 10:51 pm (UTC)(link)
[Hey Jason, have a girl with a bat wing.]

Huh, a speedster. I can't remember if we've had one of those before. Mm, probably have, though.

[Her wing flexes for a moment, before she laughs.] You're pretty good though.
starlightheart: (kind smile)

[personal profile] starlightheart 2015-10-18 11:14 pm (UTC)(link)
Kevin isn't the only one arriving to this party that might be remotely familiar to some, yet has been under the radar for some considerable time. In fact, another one has essentially arrived with him - Natalie Tamura, looking not too unlike she had before the invasion, who has actually more or less arrived with him. Natalie's seen and done a lot of things in the intervening year and months - perhaps more than she'd done before the aliens came down upon them, in fact.

Dressed to impress, something she does know how to do if she does say so herself, Natalie is also there for much the same purpose. Her observations are much less learned than his, and her innate nature makes it so she actually involves herself with the party's participants a little more, but the goal is the same. Observe, learn. Investigate. A lot of those things she's done has been under his eye, and this is the first time she's really putting herself out there more concretely before the eyes of her fellow Numbered.

Still, some things with her remain the same.

As such, at some point Kevin's going to feel a hand on his arm, trying - whether futilely or not - to tug him more towards the crowds.

"You know, I don't think you were picked because you're inconspicuous," she chirps merrily and gives a slight wink. "Come on! On the clock or not, it's still a party."

She then adds, in a lower tone, but just as cheerfully: "Plus, you might seem even more obvious if you just look like you're stalking everyone."
Edited 2015-10-18 23:14 (UTC)
gone_streaking: (pic#9433427)

[personal profile] gone_streaking 2015-10-18 11:28 pm (UTC)(link)
[Oh, hey, bat wing girl. ... Preeetty sure he's seen her on TV or something somewhere.]

Maybe, maybe not. [He finishes up his drink, tosses the can over his shoulder toward the trash can behind him. Then suddenly zips over to catch and slam dunk it before returning to his juggling without missing a beat.] Maybe you were just too slow to see.

But thanks. Thinking I should start doing kids parties.

jasminebloominginshadow: (ego)

[personal profile] jasminebloominginshadow 2015-10-19 01:05 am (UTC)(link)
Eh, there's a lot of Numbered. I'm sure they're out there.

[She chuckles to herself.] Maybe you could. I mean, you've got one of those family friendly powers that doesn't send people running and screaming.
thinkingfire: (listening)

D

[personal profile] thinkingfire 2015-10-19 01:41 am (UTC)(link)
[Have an older guy with a weird look on his face. This seems...familiar. Like it's the sort of thing he's seen before, only...not.]

Fascinating. I take it the friction of the air doesn't hamper your movements too much?

[Look, science is a perfectly valid way to avoid having to deal with issues like numbers or weird memories he may or may not be getting back. He's just...gonna go with that.]
actingstorm: (wait what)

Ronnie Raymond | The Flash

[personal profile] actingstorm 2015-10-19 02:42 am (UTC)(link)
[B]
Life is sometimes hard when you're a big shot football player. You get stuck at press events or autograph signings when you'd really rather be doing anything else.

Then, you get to wish that you were stuck at a press event or an autograph signing, because now you're being pursued through the streets of Gateway City by crazed killer anklebiting robots. Ronnie's just glad he's in shape, or else this would be a really short run.

"Get outta the way, outta the way!" he's yelling at anyone who might be ahead of him on the sidewalk. He plays football--he's confident he could bowl over anyone in his way--but that doesn't mean he wants to. Sure, the crazy robots seem to be unusually focused on him to the point of ignoring everything else, but he doesn't want to think about what might happen if he knocks someone over and the robots decide to chew up a weakened target.

He's feeling hot. Really hot. And a weird sort of tug in another direction, so he's just going to keep right on running that way and hope for the best.
gone_streaking: (pic#9433432)

[personal profile] gone_streaking 2015-10-19 04:19 am (UTC)(link)
Well, you got one right here, so. First time for everything.

[His hands continue to speed up, until both they and the tennis balls alike seem to become a blur of motion around him. It doesn't really seem like he's trying to show off anymore, as much as seeing how fast he can actually go.]

I mean, I'm not sparkly transforming magical girl... but I think the kids'll like it anyway.
gone_streaking: (pic#9433437)

[personal profile] gone_streaking 2015-10-19 04:23 am (UTC)(link)
[There's something oddly familiar about that voice and face, something that he can't quite put his finger on. But then, he's kind of busy right now with the superspeed juggling act going on to really pay any weird feelings much mind. It'll come to him later, probably.]

I thought the same thing but no. ... Well, okay, I torched a jacket and a couple of pairs of sneakers a little but overall, no big deal.
truthcharted: (I can work with this.)

[personal profile] truthcharted 2015-10-19 04:08 pm (UTC)(link)
Not that he doesn't recognize what Natalie is trying to do, of course, but he chuckles all the same. "Yes, it's a party. And I'm a boring stiff. Imposing presence or not, this still isn't really my thing." With a heavy sigh, he looks over to her. "And it's not like I haven't been honest before. There are at least a couple of people that might even still know me. But I get what you mean, whether I like it or not."

But all the same, he lets himself be tugged back to his feet. "At least Factor found good catering. I haven't had a good mini quiche in months. I'd be even more cross without that."
starlightheart: (just smile!)

[personal profile] starlightheart 2015-10-19 04:14 pm (UTC)(link)
Ah, laughter! If nothing else, she would take that much as a victory. Plus, he's not resisting, so that also is good. With that, it very well makes her think or at least hope she is doing some amount of good.

"It doesn't really have to 'be your thing' to enjoy yourself a bit though, does it?" She asks, still beaming. "It's like you say - some people here probably still know you. So... maybe try not to at least look like Big Brother is watching."

Even if he is.

"I should expect him to have that much, though." Given what they know about the man. Which probably isn't near enough - hey, that's probably a good reason why they're here, isn't it? "...still, if you'd been wanting something like that, I can cook pretty well, actually."

It's a hobby, even. The one thing she and Fuyuka never did running like chickens with their heads cut off across the country was go hungry, or even eat awfully. Natalie just wouldn't have it.
starlightheart: (buck up!)

Nanoha Takamachi | Natalie Tamura | Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha

[personal profile] starlightheart 2015-10-19 04:16 pm (UTC)(link)
[A]

Natalie is at the same time in her element and severely out of it. After all, she'd been to large gatherings of Numbered before - but at the same time, this is much broader. Much larger. It isn't just about them, and they are fewer in Number than they once were. Even if she hadn't ... done much to keep people aware that she was still very much in their fold.

It seemed a bit deceitful, if she stood and thought about it for a little while. Yet, at the same time, perhaps that came with her territory now. It was all for a reason, and that was all towards working with one Kevin Steele and the FBI to hopefully be able to help everyone else in the long run. That was her hope, at least. It was a hope she'd been given after so long of things falling apart around her, and she'd be damned if she didn't stick with it.

Which brings her to tonight, where she'd arrived - as has one particular comrade in arms - to do a little digging. And also maybe feel kind of good about herself, as she's wearing a rather nice looking pink dress, and honestly has been "hiding" for so long that it feels good to stretch her legs. Get out in the open.

And talk!

She will talk your ear off, honestly. She can't exactly say much about what she's been doing, but what about you? What have you been up to? She really wants to know, and not even for her job.

...okay.

Maybe a little bit for her job.
abundantlove: (omg squee)

[personal profile] abundantlove 2015-10-19 05:04 pm (UTC)(link)
"Ah!"

Have a happy little ball of sunshine calling out to you out of the blue all of a sudden Natalie. It's a teenaged girl, whose eyes are wide with appreciation and wonder.

"Ah, I-I'm sorry Miss!" she exclaimed. "I don't mean to stare, but... your dress is so pretty! I really love the color!"

... Natalie may or may not be the only one she's said this to tonight. Don't blame her, this is her first time at a party like this. She feels like she's in a fairy tale.
starlightheart: (buck up!)

[personal profile] starlightheart 2015-10-20 01:54 am (UTC)(link)
"Oh, my!"

Natalie makes a little sound as said ball of sunshine directs itself at her. She smiles appreciatively, laughing a little. It might not be the first time she's ever been complimented, but it's still nice to hear, isn't it?

"Why, thank you very much. I hoped it would turn out well enough!"

She observes the girl for a moment. She's young, and unless she's accompanying a parent, too young to just have come on her own. Unless... She's one of them. It sticks out as a pretty distinct, likely probability.

So, Natalie smiles back to her. "Yours seems to have, as well. My name is Natalie. Natalie Tamura. It's nice to meet you!"
feastorfamine: (65)

[personal profile] feastorfamine 2015-10-20 02:11 am (UTC)(link)
Amy is walking home from class, when suddenly, she sees of all people, a famous athlete barreling towards her. Her eyes widen and she moves to the side, getting out of the way. What... what the heck is that following him?!

Of course, as she gets out of the way, she notices some of the robots chasing Ronnie break away and come after her, snapping their jaws. "What... what the hell?!"
truthcharted: (I'll take care of it.)

[personal profile] truthcharted 2015-10-20 04:09 am (UTC)(link)
Kevin glances sidelong at the new arrival, wondering if he's looking for something or just observing the scowl he's making a... token effort to dismiss. "Numbered parties tend to turn into something nasty. I'd rather be on top of it, but I'm expecting the worst. The thought of explosions could make anyone look like they're having a bad day."

...Part of him really wants to nag about the chair, but Factor can probably afford to replace one folding chair. "Is the booze any good? Job says I can't drink, so I'm sticking to the light stuff."
truthcharted: (Me? Nah.)

[personal profile] truthcharted 2015-10-20 04:21 am (UTC)(link)
He sighs again, more theatrically this time. "Natalie, it's a party. It's a charity event, even. I'm not the kind of guy that enjoys putting on a fake smile and chatting up the people that make multiple times my salary in a year. Frankly, I'd rather take the time at home doing... things," he cuts off, a little awkwardly. "But it's the job, plus I'm sure you'd be here without me anyway. And I'm not going to let Little Miss Rookie create a national incident." That part, at least, is more him playing and less being a pain. He trusts her not to do anything he'll regret in the morning, whether he's there or not. But he can teach a little better when he's actually here.

Popping another of the tiny casseroles and making a show of munching with some actual cheer on it, he grins. "It's the principle of the thing, though. If I let you make them, it's just not the same, even if I'm sure they'd be just as good."
starlightheart: (just smile!)

[personal profile] starlightheart 2015-10-20 09:41 am (UTC)(link)
An exasperated, if exaggerated sigh leaves her lips as she just continues to tug him along. "Who's to say you have to chat it up with those people? No one wants a fake smile, either! Be yourself!" She pauses a bit. "The 'yourself' that I know is nicer than that, anyway. At least interact with the rest of us out here, or y'know. Me."

She puts on a determined look, even as her smile doesn't flicker for a second. "Besides that, if you say something like that, that just makes me determined to give you a genuine smile!" She resists sticking her tongue out at the part directed to her. That would be very immature, but perhaps the look on her face telegraphs her thoughts well enough. "I think if we're worried about either of us handling themselves around people, I'm fairly well suited~"

Still, he enjoys the food. That's... progress?

"So what, you'd rather have it made by a stranger?"
truthcharted: (I'll take care of it.)

[personal profile] truthcharted 2015-10-20 06:03 pm (UTC)(link)
"The fact that they make up a large portion of the crowd tonight," he offers back. "I just don't get along well with the money crowd. Not anymore." Not since Lisa, at least. What's money good for if it can't fix problems? He at least reflects that he's made some progress; the thought of his sister hasn't immediately dampened his mood. "I can be nice, but only to certain people. I have a feeling you'd mutiny if I gave you grief, anyway. That, or smile harder." A raised eyebrow; he knows it's true, but every once in a while it's fun to push her buttons.

"Anyway, you're missing my point. Factor could have chosen to have worse catering; that's not the point of an event like this. The people are. He could have settled for water, tea, and coffee. He didn't - this is a high-end spread. Not just something good to impress, but this is legitimately good catering. To someone that notices, it signals his intention. He honestly wants to do right by us. You can tell because he bothered with little details that won't always be noticed. A good mini quiche means it was made by hand by someone that's being paid enough to pay attention to detail, not kept in hot hold for so long that the egg tastes wrong, not made from ingredients that are easier to afford to boost profits." Silence for a moment, as he pops another. "It's a signal. Something you'll eventually start to look for."
jasminebloominginshadow: (smirk)

[personal profile] jasminebloominginshadow 2015-10-20 11:25 pm (UTC)(link)
... Heh. The kind of magical girl I am is anything but sparkly I'm afraid.

So, we haven't been introduced yet. What's your name?
thinkingfire: (gonna get excited about science)

[personal profile] thinkingfire 2015-10-21 02:33 am (UTC)(link)
That's a better survival rate for your clothing than I would have thought, really.

How fast do you think you can go? Have you ever measured it?
actingstorm: (do we have a problem here)

[personal profile] actingstorm 2015-10-21 02:41 am (UTC)(link)
"Ah, geez..." He'd like to keep running, he really would, but there's no way in hell he's leaving anyone else to get eaten by these things. "Run! I'll hold them off!"

He still feels so warm, and he's still getting that weird tug, but for now, he can't think about it. He's got to do something. Even if that something's flipping over a trash can and rolling it at the robots.

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