Pre-game Test Drive!

[raisednpcs]

Welcome to the pre-game test drive meme for Raise the Earth! Because of the way the game’s designed, reincarnations can take a little bit of work to feel out, so we wanted to make sure we had this ready to go before reserves and applications opened. We’ve got a few sample prompts for you to choose from; don’t worry about actually sticking to these, though! Go wild and enjoy what you’re doing with test drives. Threads can be part of game canon if all characters involved agree on it, though you can’t use test drive threads toward AC. One note: characters can get Echoes from test drive threads that will be game canon! They count toward the starting allotment for their application, so don’t go too crazy there. You don’t need to request these, so long as they’re in keeping with the general Echo rules - just put them on your application. If you’re at all unsure, ask us and we’ll be happy to give you advice there.

Since nobody’s going to know who your reincarnation is yet, comment to this post with your character’s preincarnation and canon in the comment title! You might also talk just a bit about personality, appearance, and/or reputation for your character’s reincarnation, so we know what we’re in for. For this post, we’d like to ask that returning characters not make top-level comments unless you’re not sure they’re coming back - we want this one to be set aside for new characters! Anyone is welcome to reply to top-levels once they’re up, though.

---

[A - 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?

[B - Shepherd's Haven]

Though much of the world is still reeling from the invasion and ensuing damage of a year prior, some parts are virtually untouched, feeling only secondhand and indirect shock. One such place is New Zealand, and about 10 miles northeast of the quiet small town of Woodend on South Island, a primarily Numbered hamlet exists for those who have fled the prejudice and conflict of more populated areas, choosing to isolate themselves and build a community with those they know they can trust. For many, Shepherd's Haven is a refuge, a sane patch on a scarred earth teeming with people who blame them for what happened.

It is intentionally difficult to find, and if you've made it to the village with straight rows of small, simple buildings and patches of land where gardens are being cultivated, you've almost certainly been given directions by Numbered who have heard of your plight and sympathize with your situation. Cars and motorcycles travel this way, but it only started a few months ago, as the "roads" are little more than places where tires have worn the grass a little thinner. Whether you've arrived by foot, vehicle, teleporter, or recently acquired means of your own, you were greeted upon arrival by a thin, dark-haired man with brusque mannerisms and a small tattoo resembling a seedling below his ear. He made it clear that you're welcome here and you'll have time to acclimate, but everyone is expected to pull their own weight. In short, slacking off and freeloading won't be tolerated.

As you settle into your simple but comfortable living space and develop a routine, you learn quickly that Shepherd's Haven is working toward self-sufficiency, but still has a way to go. Today, there's some downtime. Maybe you’re still so new that you don’t know many of your neighbors, and you realize you should really go around and introduce yourself, or at least hang out in the modest town square until someone notices you. Maybe, lacking any significant social skills, the only way you can approach others is by spontaneously working to fix something that’s broken, or breaking something that isn’t! Regardless, it’s a small community, and your day’s about to get more interesting. If that’s not interesting enough (with just homes and gardens and the occasional roaming livestock, this isn’t unlikely), you can wander off to Woodend’s various locations or, if you’re feeling more restless and adventurous, maybe even to Christchurch where you’re more likely to find better entertainment and shopping options, but also more likely to meet with hostility.

[C - Echo Incursion]

Locke City, New Jersey was hit hard by the alien assault just over a year ago. Yet, it fared better than some places thanks to the effort of the Numbered defending the city they first originated from. Other cities may have been defended soundly by the presence of their Guardian Animals, but they also suffered the consequences of giant monsters rampaging through their streets. The damage is still evident, but the city is recovering.

While opinions of the Numbered are mixed worldwide, in spite of their efforts to save this city, sentiment towards their kind has become less than favorable. Those not understanding what happened, and in truth there are few who truly do, may even cast blame for all the devastation upon them.

It makes for a very volatile environment.

Which becomes even worse on this day, as there is a sudden… flux within reality itself. Something unknown, something new happens, as if the city already hasn’t dealt with enough. Giant, humanoid robots suddenly appear in downtown Locke City and begin to march. Though not much concerned with collateral damage, they move with a simple purpose: hunting those that are different from your average human.

In this case, a Numbered would be close enough.

[D - Gateway City]

Gateway City: Formerly, figuratively, and now currently and literally the gateway to the west. In a few short months, business and activity is booming in this city. Of course, that’s because it’s become the staging grounds for military and humanitarian action in the western half of the United States, so it’s something of a double edged sword. But people are coming from all over the world, which means the city is being invigorated by the flood of attention.

And today, it’s getting even more attention, because it’s the grand opening of Factor Industries Plaza! Yes, Factor Industries, the company owned by one Benjamin Factor, who has taken the business world by storm with his advancements in applied sciences and technology. He’s arranged a week long celebration to commemorate making Gateway City the home of Factor Industries, and with it comes live stage shows, tech demos, talks about the future and the efforts to rebuild the world after the alien attack, and all manner of other exciting events. If you’ve come looking for something, there’s a good chance Factor Industries is selling it, developing it, or invited someone who is.

And who is invited to this event? Well, it goes without saying that the usual captains of industry, scientists, dignitaries, and high-ranking officials are in attendance. However, they’re not the only ones Factor has rolled out the red carpet for: he’s sent invitations to Numbered from all over the world, and given them information on how they can arrive at the expo from his brand new teleporter. When you arrive, you’ll find yourself greeted by Factor Industries staff, shown rooming accommodations, and given all access information about the celebration.

It’s no secret that Factor is publicly supportive of the Numbered, and for this week only… he’s made sure that you get the appreciation you deserve.

[E - New Los Angeles]

Far away from the gleaming jewel of Gateway City, in New Los Angeles, there are far less things to celebrate. The city is one of the last few bastions of civilization left in the western half of the United States - now called the “western territories” after the collapse of most state governments - and its here that a great many people have fled. Though the city is in the process of being rebuilt, the majority of it lies in ruins after the aliens’ attack, and most of the people have to live in camps. The luckier ones have spaces in shelters, but that just guarantees a roof over your head instead of a tent.

People have formed communities here, however. Some come together to share what they have, while others consolidate power and lord it over the other refugees. Most of the time, the governor and General Miller allow them to function independently, save for when a new city ordinance is in effect. And just your luck, one of those just happens to BE in effect today.

See, a shipment of relief supplies was discovered savaged and destroyed; what wasn’t ruined was taken, and the damage to the facilities led Miller to decide that Numbered could have been the only ones responsible. So, a curfew is in effect, and anyone suspected of being a Numbered is being brought in for questioning. You’re out past curfew? Well, now you’re suspected of being a Numbered. Little does Miller know that the real beings responsible are pack of Vermedi roaming the city. And while this is going on, groups of thieves are prowling the city waiting to take advantage of anyone stupid enough to be out and about after dark.

Are you one of the refugees living in New Los Angeles, or did you come to help with the relief effort? Either way, tensions are high, and the nights are dangerous, and monsters both human and inhuman are lurking the streets at night.

[F - The 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…?

[G - 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!

Comments

NPC Requests!

[raisednpcs]

If you'd like to request an NPC for any of the threads above, just reply here with: 1) A link to your test drive thread; and 2) Which sort of NPC you'd like to request (for example, a New LA soldier, a Sentinel, a Vermedi, or anyone you'd reasonably encounter in the prompts above) and an idea of what you'd like to have happen!

Do that, and the mods will come along shortly to help you out!

Harrison Wells/Edwin Weller | The Flash (TV series) | OTA

[speedpariah]

[D - Gateway City]

Edwin Weller would be remiss to not attend an event such as the week-long gala being held in Gateway City. He was a scientist of some notoriety himself, and one of the first people to study some of the technology left behind by the aliens in the wake of the invasion all those months ago. He'd published various papers on the subject... well, what he'd been given clearance to write about, anyway. So much of what he'd seen had dubbed classified.

Yes, Edwin Weller was still struggling to make a name for himself. He was stuck in the shadow of larger men, including the one whose party he was attending now. Edwin couldn't help but feel jealous and small in comparison, and wonder what the secret to Factor Industries' success was. But for someone who dreamed of changing the world, having to constantly look up to others who were doing just that was extremely frustrating.

The fact of the matter was, he wasn't even invited to this soirée for his scientific accomplishments. No, that was what made him decide to accept the invitation. He was actually invited due to the fact he'd publicly outed himself as a Numbered.

It wasn't just humbling, it was aggravating.

But this was an opportunity. Both to see what Factor Industries was building here, and to meet other Numbered. Potentially, those Numbered who'd allegedly dealt with those events months prior. They would be just as helpful as the memories he'd received, of his other self working with those heroes in that other world, and the amazing technology he'd inherited.

Yes, Edwin couldn't afford to be consumed by his jealousy and aggravation. This was an opportunity. A great opportunity. As so, the man went about the grounds of the plaza, smiling and introducing himself as he leaned upon his cane. A cane he truthfully no longer needed, but one he kept for appearances anyway.

His time would soon come. Edwin was sure of it.

[C]

Visiting Locke seemed like a good idea. It had been where all this Numbered business clearly started. His face wasn't exactly well known outside of academic circles, and thus, he didn't expect the common man would recognize Edwin Weller as a Numbered. All he intended to do was go around, take some interviews, see what readings he could get.

It was supposed to be simple. Uneventful. Free of things like enormous, rampaging machines. Machines that appeared out of nowhere and wasted no time in attacking him.

Weller wasn't a fighter. The looks into his previous self's life had been focused on assisting someone else in their heroics. Weller knew that Harrison was fast because he'd gained speed, but action clearly wasn't his forte either. Thus, he was unsurprised to learn he could only manage bursts of speed rather than running continuously.

Unsurprised, but frustrated nonetheless. As such, the laser fire fired from the attacking machine had successfully managed to blast the older man off of his feet, sending him face-first into the pavement. Groaning, he grapped his knee, which throbbed in pain, before crambling to find his cane so he could get some leverage to pick himself up.

That's when a very large shadow fell over him, and Edwin cursed.

D!

[impulsive]

Go in your cousin's place, Stefan said. ("Since you're a Numbered too, this'll be the place to be.") At this point, Bilal's just wondering if his cousin was making stuff up to get him to leave.

Sure, he's been to the US numerous times. Most of his relatives had immigrated there in the past twenty years, even if some had remained in Amman during the invasion. With international travel being as rocky as it is, though, he hadn't left Jordan lately. That is, until Stefan Alesci - the country's only publicly-Numbered - had somehow wrangled an invitation for his baby cousin. (He probably outed Bilal, in hindsight, even if it was for a good cause.)

As he walks around, Bilal's long since lost sight of where he's going - so of course, he bumps straight into an unfamiliar guy. Hastily, he steps back, holding up his hands in surrender.

"Jeez! Sorry about that, sir," he says, remembering to use English (though his speech has a slight Arabic accent). "You're okay, right?"

Kirara Amanogawa/Kirara Hoshimoto | Go! Princess Precure

[twinkletwinklesuperstar]

[D - Gateway City]

Well, what would a show like this be without some kind of celebrity presence to draw in the crowds? That's what she was here for. Kirara Amanogawa, a new and rising star in the rebuilding film industry, hot off the success of her first big role, "Valhalla", as the daughter of a soldier returning from war that struck a definite chord in the post-invasion world.

Far more than her previous film "Karate Time Cop" or her time on the superhero series "Starlight Hero Squad" but the point is she's had a big hit now.

Big enough to land a spot as a guest celebrity of Benjamin Factor at this party, where she'd assisted with a stage presentation or two before moving out to mingle with the crowd, maneuvering the party as if it was as easy and natural as breathing. All pleasant smiles and charm.

... Until she takes a moment to slip away from that and head outside, where she's quick to set down her drink, and take the opportunity to take a breather and have a seat. Sighing, she looks down at her feet with a tired, sour look.

"... Next time I come to one of these things, I'm wearing different shoes." They're nice but after two hours of standing and talking, these heels kill.

Now the only question is if somebody catches her "on" or "off."

[jasminebloominginshadow]

Jasmine had no idea what she was really doing in a place like this. She'd gotten the invitation, and shown up, despite the fact that her first instinct was not to trust men like Benjamin Factor. After Thunder Corp, and her own activist streak, she couldn't really help. But he'd been on the level so far and this was an easy opportunity for self promotion, so here she was.

But there was only so much overly indulgent corporate bullshit she could take before she couldn't take it anymore, so she ended up slipping away herself. Only when she heard someone speaking next to her did she realize she wasn't alone, and she turned her head.

Oh, it was a girl, around her age. There was something that seemed almost familiar about her to Jasmine. She smiled and laughed a little.

"You're telling me," she said, kicking her own shoes against the ground. "Of course, it helps that I have to fight in heeled boots sometimes..."

[princesscut]

Nobody had bothered to check the guest list and see if Winter Adamas, goody-two-shoes extraordinaire, had already checked in when her double had walked in; that, or there were explicit instructions to allow exactly two of her in. In any event, nobody had batted an eye when Summer had come into the gala, and it hadn't been long before she started to mingle and snack. Really, what had anyone expected?

Still, even for someone of her general personality, there are a lot of interesting people here... maybe it'd be worth hanging around for a little while. That's the thought going through her mind when she comes across Kirara, movie star of some recent renown - she and Rose had gone to see Valhalla on opening night, having long figured out how to get into the theater without wasting precious money. For what it was, she'd actually enjoyed it quite a bit.

And the girl's in good form today, all smiles, apparently right at home in this environment. Summer strides close, in a sleeveless black dress that ends just above her knees and heels even taller than Kirara's, a glistening golden necklace completing the look. She looks like Winter, but something... is off. "I'm a little surprised to see someone like you here. I would have thought you'd be off shooting your next film already, too busy to come to a human interest event like this. For your age, you're a big hit - I'm impressed."

[twobirdsonestone]

Rakka was already at the party, dressed modestly and mingling with the equally excited crowd. Certain people, like her, were at the party specifically to meet Kirara... and hopefully snag an autograph. Rakka had brought her copy of Starlight Hero Squad and everything.

Reki, however, didn't particularly care for Valhala, or the various other movies this girl had stared in. But it was a party. Parties meant food - food that she could easily get if she dressed up just right and wore an entirely fake smile. No one would suspect a thing.

Surely no one would notice that there was a second Rakka in the are... that was missing an arm.

"Those shoes do look like they suck." Reki mused as she walked up beside the table Kirara was sitting at, managing to balance a plate of those little sandwiches on one hand.

Skeletor/Anton Keldek | Masters of the Universe

[willdareanything]

D - Gateway City

As both a captain of industry himself, as well as effectively a visiting dignitary in some ways, Anton Keldek is of course present at this celebration. CEO of Infinita Industries and de-facto leader of the city of the same name in Colorado he's already made quite a name for himself, being one of the first to drag civilization out of the ashes of the post-war world. Even if there are some who question his methods, as well as the actual conditions of his city.

Regardless, here he was on stage, delivering a speech in front of a large screen displaying facilities, troops, and vehicles from back home.

"... as you can see, with the advances made in defense technology as well as energy production we have made great strides in securing our territory and protecting the people within our borders. It is our hope that before the year is over we will be able to finally begin to reclaim the rest of the Western United States from the lawlessness and chaos that has overtaken it."

He pauses, allowing a moment for a few applause before raising a hand.

"If I may, on a more personal note. I am... very well aware that there are many people who question whether I, a 'notorious arms dealer' have any right to be spearheading this effort. Some of them in the room with us right now, I know because I can feel the daggers being glared at me." Another pause for a murmured laughter, before he continues in a more serious tone. "But, like many others in this room, I have been to war, a much smaller one yes but war nonetheless. I know the misery and chaos and pain that comes with it and I can say that I have never taken action to prolong or cause conflict, only to end it."

"And that is what we at Infinita intend to do. In the coming months I hope to work closely with Mr. Factor and others like him to see that not only this country, but this entire world, rise up from the aftermath of this conflict greater and stronger than it has ever been before. Thank you."

He nods his head as applause overtake the room, stepping down off the stage where he's quickly joined by a tall, severe-looking woman carrying a tablet computer. He smiles to her.

"I think that went rather well."

[speedpariah]

Waiting for him just past his assistant is another man... who may or may not have had to lie to get backstage like this. In any case, he clutches a cane, making an obvious show of being enfeebled.

"Mister Keldek," he said. "That was quite an impressive speech. I have to say I was impressed."

[coprire]

"Nice speech."

In a sea of business best, Dan wore casual best. His faded Army jacket had several patches, some of which belonged to organizations that worked in war-torn and ravaged areas of the world, his slacks, though clean and having a slight history as being part of a suit, was worn at the ankles and looked as if it would no longer hold a crease. Despite the poor dress choice, his most noticeable features was his poof of frizzy curly hair and the brace on his left leg.

Despite his appearance, he was at least well-received by some of the more informed people at the event thanks to no small part in his useful skills in finding and aiding trapped people in the wasted West. Some might say it was a skill gleamed from running drugs but most knew he used a version of sonar and old techniques gleamed from desert caravans. Sure there was a knack to surviving in harsh conditions, but the badges on his jacket were symbols of having that knack.

"Thank you yet again for giving my searchers and I upgrades on our vehicles last time we headed into the Wastes, Mr. Keldek."

In this crowd, there was no telling who could be listening and he had learned long ago how to never say anything that couldn't sound like the truth.

[peacefulwinter]

Near the front of the crowd, a young woman sits quietly, eyes intent on the man speaking today. Winter Tsukuyomi has heard the rumors, and she's not sure she likes them all. But it's not in her nature to act on impulse with something like this, and something tells her Rikka would be screaming at her if she tried, anyway. No, better to do this by the book, and gather information. If something were wrong, there would be channels, and opportunities. She'd make it work.

Today, she's here to listen to the speech, and see if she can make herself understand. It's not hard, really - she understands the idea of a smaller war intimately, so she can see where he's coming from. He speaks well, and the visual aid of imposing infantry and armor is a strong signal. Maybe... she's wrong? Is he simply looking out for society's greater good? Time would tell. For now, she's convinced well enough, though the stories will continue to hold her attention a while longer.

As the presentation ends, and he steps off the stage, Winter rises herself and starts in that direction. Her long dress, understated but typical for her, hides the scar most English-speaking people have heard wraps around her torso; keeping close, Raquel is visibly nervous but keeping quiet about it. He trusts his partner, by now. Once she's close, she starts, "Your goals are very ambitious, Mr. Keldek. The chaos is difficult to manage, so I'm hopeful you'll be able to bring peace back to the land." Whether that would be a peace without bloodshed... that remained to be seen. She had a feeling things wouldn't go quite as well as she'd like.

Seiren (Ellen Kurokawa) / Selene | Suite Precure

[cattrist]

[B - Shepherd's Haven]

[Whatever reason you have for being in Shepherd's Haven, there's a cat very interested in you. It's a black cat, who would almost look normal if it wasn't for the very intelligent look in her eyes. This isn't a normal animal, as some might be observant enough to notice.

She's almost determined in how she follows you. If you look at her for any reason, she'll meow. Why? Because she wants food, jerk. And she wants it now. Like, right now. Let's hurry this along, she hasn't got all day, you've gotta have something worth eating. But she's a very dignified feline, so don't expect her to act cute and cuddly just to get something out of you. She's above that. Or at the very least, she likes to believe she's above it. Cats are proud like that.

At least she isn't looking at you threateningly, as some cats might be. No hissing or growling unless you deserve it.

...Make sure you don't do anything to deserve it.]

[speedpariah]

For whatever reason Edwin Weller came to Shepherd's Haven, it wasn't to be harassed by what appeared to be a stray feline. So, with every meow, the man would return a glare and a gentle nudge away with his foot.

He has things to do, people to see, all of these things to observe. Maybe he can find someone willing to interview him. But a cat? Not something he wants to deal with.

... It is oddly well groomed for a stray, though, now that he thinks about it.

Alexandra Ryker/Setsuna Higashi | Fresh Pretty Cure

[switch_over]

F

[Alexandra had to admit she was shocked to find the Network at her fingertips. So much information about these sudden changes that happened to her, a library of stories gathered over the last couple years. What could she possibly ask or add to this mysterious communication system.]

[Nailed it.]

G

[Alexandra had not even thought that Giant freaking Robots to the list of things she did want to deal with today, but here she was adding them right to the top. She let out an annoyed sigh and found a hidden enough alleyway to transform into her recently acquired white haired alter ego. Once one of the machines approaches the alleyway she had fled into it'll come face to face with by a giant trash can with arms and legs trying to push it back.

Alexandra or Eas as this form had been called will step looking very annoyed as the trash can proceeds to take out the trash.]

surprise

[raisednpcs]

[Thanks to an array of advanced sensors and tracking equipment, it was rather easy for one of the mechanical men to find Alexandra in they alleyway. It stepped in, holding up its hands as it delivered an order to the young woman]

"BY ORDER OF ONSLAUGHT, ALL MUTANTS AND ADVANCED HUMANS ARE TO IMMEDIATELY SURRENDER, OR AVOID INSTANT TERMINATION."

[as if to punctuate its point, a hum began to fill the air as a cannon deployed from its outstretched palm and began powering up]

Edward Nigma / Edward Nashton | Batman: Arkham Series

[enigmaster]

[ C ]

[Visiting Locke had been on his to-do list for a while now. Taking trips wasn't really something he did a lot of, but Locke... Oh, how could he resist seeing the place for himself? It was famous, after all. Or infamous. Depends who you ask. So after finally managing to get two days off, he decided it couldn't hurt to just... take a look.

The robots had been unexpected.

But rather than immediately pack up and leave, this idiot decided to snap a picture with his phone, before hiding away in a relatively safe location. Because this is just a day of excellent life choices, apparently. He was pretty sure the things hadn't spotted him, at least.]

Fascinating... Absolutely fascinating!

[Excitement probably isn't the correct emotion to be feeling here, but Edward's an odd one like that.]

[ F ]

[Some use the network responsibly, the way it's meant to be used. Others fool around, because that's just how they are. And then you have guys like Edward, who've reached a special level of obnoxious.]

If you know me, you'll want to share me. But if you share me, I'll be gone.

What am I?

[Seriously, Eddie, for your very first post?]

F

[speedpariah]

[oh, he couldn't turn this down. Not as an intellectual. This was actually rather insultingly easy, and he'd be even more remiss to let it pass for that exact reason]

A secret, of course.

B

[witnessme]

A hairless and twitchy youth is excited to go on a supply run to Christchurch, and more excited that he's no longer the lowest person on the totem pole as of a few recent new arrivals. As he pulls his leather jacket and driving goggles on, he calls out to you on his way to his motorcycle. "Hey! We're going south to Christchuch on a medical supply run. D'you want to ride with me?"

Luca doesn't have a lot of friends, but a lot's changed since he worked for Albero as one of many throwaway goons. He's thrown his lot in with the Numbered and recently acquired one of his own, and the result is someone who is a lot more enthusiastic to contribute now that he feels like he truly belongs.

[solvethepuzzle]

A lot has changed indeed. Nathan has found a family, gained a bit of confidence even if he still falters with relative frequency. And here is now, trying to adjust to rural living. Not an easy task for someone like him. His upbringing had not been an easy one by any means, but the difficulties he'd faced there had been a bit different than the ones he faces here.

He blinks at the unexpected offer. He's not sure if he and Luca are friends, exactly, but they get on well enough. Nathan simply isn't terribly used to being invited along for things. And he certainly isn't used to riding on motorcycles, which makes this more awkward for whatever reason. Why should it feel more awkward? That doesn't even make sense, does it?

"I'm . . . not sure how much help I would be."

It is not precisely a refusal. He's just . . . uncertain.

A Big Dog/Mouse | The Dresden Files

[dogosaurus_rex]

B

[Nobody really knew where the big dog came from, only that one day out of the blue he'd come rolling into town without tags or ID and nobody coming along to claim him. He hadn't been easy to miss, standing more than half as tall as most people at the shoulder and packing the mass of a small bear.

Despite, apparently being a wild dog, he'd quickly made the small hamlet his home. In fact, he'd already proven himself to be quite useful. Big, friendly and surprisingly intelligent, he helped with tasks where he could, offered company when he couldn't, proven a capable guard dog for any kind of livestock along, was pretty happy to live off of whatever food people wanted to offer and seemed to almost intuitively know when somebody need something huge and fluffy and warm to hug.

He's always somewhere. Roaming around town, snoozing in the shade, playing with children, chasing the cat. What do you need a humongous dog for today.]

E

[New L.A. is a dangerous place to be sure. Packs of Vermedi, roaming gangs of thieves, both always waiting to pounce on anybody they see as an easy mark and it looks like today that mark is you! Whatever the danger is, you've been cornered by it and it looks like it's fight or flee time.

At least until a small tank covered in fur came crashing onto the scene, slamming into the danger and quickly taking up a position between the Numbered and whatever might be posing a threat to them.

Say, isn't that the big friendly dog from Shepherd's Haven! It scarcely looks like it now, standing with his paws wide apart, fur bristling and emitting a growl that could easily be mistaken for the rumbling of a truck's engine. Not to mention baring teeth that look like they could punch a hole in the side of said truck.

What the heck is he doing in L.A.?! He couldn't have used a teleporter... could he?]

E

[raisednpcs]

[The scene: A father and his daughter, rushing to get back to camp before curfew. The father is carrying a bag containing rations and other essentials with one hand and holding his daughter's hand with the other. The threat? A group of three, head-shaven thugs, each of them brandishing an aluminum bat, a chain, and a knife respectively. Their target is the supplies, which can be sold at a premium in this city, and they don't care who gets in the middle of getting them.

But before this story can play out like you might expect... there's suddenly a dog, leaping between the would-be victims and baring his teeth at the would-be ruffians. Their leader stares, frightened by the dog's size and ferocity, but he quickly marshals up some courage. This is just a dog, right?]

Oy, is this mutt yours, pops? Maybe we should beat the shit out of it and sell it for food, eh?

[The father victim just stares in fear and confusion, while a daughter feels a surge of bravery. Has this dog come to save them?]

F + G

[coprire]

F
[the numbers hadn't given him that much pause. it was when the tattoo - and the memories that came with them - that did. so after some searching through a few channels, Dan decided to attempt using the numbers.]

so. how many people think that going insane is standard for waking up with memories you never had before?

G
The invasion of alien forces almost did what the combined efforts of several nations could not do - it almost wiped out the hidden fields of Central Asia. Even after six months, some of the various small time cartels were having problems with their harvests, which meant that the fighting between the groups were growing far more intense. This field had seen a lot of attempts by hostile takeovers, but the core group of defenders were not just average gang thugs who may accidentally blow off their own hands, but some military people who had given up on the maybe freedom of a government in exchange for a proper meals and housing.

Today wasn't a normal kind of attack though. The group of militants in the lane were facing down one young man sitting on a dirt bike, their guns held at a slight angle that suggested that they were going to start pointing them at him if he doesn't answer them. Months of sun and dry air had turned the young man's skin a dark brown, his curly hair streaked from sun exposure, and his arms corded from hard work. The armed group was talking at him like they thought he was just another worker, but when he gunned his bike and spun it around to kick up dirt at them and attempted to run them over, it was clear he was nothing of the sort.

Especially when he grabbed at one of those guns and used it to hit one of the people in his way.

G

[devils_shadow]

His traveling had taken him south, much further south than initially expected. The copy had no goal in mind, no solid destination. He lived like a nomad, the false history of his original aiding him in day to day struggles. But he was proud, far more so than his counterpart and found more... dignified ways to gain what he needed for survival. No scrounging around in garbage heaps for this one. Not if he could help it.

Skirmishes like this weren't uncommon in this land, and as such the doppelganger didn't even bat an eye when a scuffle broke out on the road ahead of him. He didn't even alter his course, just continued on, a hood pulled low over his face to protect pale skin from the scouring sun, and a sword not particularly well hidden at his side.

And he proceeds to stride straight toward the melee as if nothing is even remotely out of the ordinary. Don't mind him, just out for a casual stroll.

kei kugimiya (kylie kurihara) | majestic prince

[purpletwo]

( A — SUDDEN STORM, GATEWAY CITY )

[ Rain always makes things look a little bit different. Then again, it's all the same sort of different to Kylie. Gateway City as a whole is on the new side for her. It's bigger than she imagined - taller, and the slightest bit brighter. Which isn't to say she's totally immersed herself yet, but she does well enough navigating. Despite the rolling of clouds overhead, the streets are busy even when it starts to rain. Ever the sort to think ahead, Kylie's pace slows as she shifts her bag aside to search for a small pocket umbrella. She watches her elbows and the other pedestrians when she flicks the navy umbrella open and swings it up overhead.

Tipping it back, Kylie sneaks a thoughtful glance up at the sky. Not yet night, but not quite afternoon either, the clouds are backed by a weak sunlight, and the streets are already slick when she stops dead in her tracks. She looks unbalanced, and almost frightened. But she quickly stamps her gut reaction down despite feeling as though the ground has gone out from beneath her. Like something breathes through her.

That's when all the sounds around her become impossibly loud. Painful. What on earth?

Kylie jumps when another passerby clips her shoulder with a comment to watch herself. Her shoulder bag slips, clattering to the ground in a mess of handwritten notes. She heaves a frustrated noise. Too many people are too close. ]

— no, excuse me. I apologize. [ She begins to kneel, hoping the city folk don't just go over her. ] I don't really know what came over me...

( D — FACTOR INDUSTRIES PLAZA, GATEWAY CITY )

[ This is what she came for. Surely if there way any way to claw herself out of the economic pit that had resulted from the war a year earlier, this was it. Kylie has come to listen to the seminars, immerse herself in all of the upcoming hope and intelligence a benefit celebration like this has to offer. Dressed in cool, somber neutrals, she makes her way from booth to booth, tapping out notes on her tablet at lightning speed. She tends to shy from the glitzier displays, and the more star-studded fare. Not her gig, though attention-grabbing all the same. Kylie supposes that's just half the battle.

Almost as much as the murmur she picks up on throughout the crowds. And that word. Numbered. In other places, it was difficult to reconcile the term. Here, it's everywhere. Kylie briefly wonders if any of this is truly safe, but she's not one to dwell on what might come.

No, she's here to try and gently maneuver herself (past you, perhaps?) towards those extremely rad gadgets being talked about.

Others can party, it's the information she's after. ]

( G — CHOOSE YOUR OWN ADVENTURE )

[ FLAG HER DOWN OR RUN HER OVER OR DRAG HER AROUND TO YOUR HEART'S CONTENT ]

A - Hell, let's say he actually has a reason to be in this city today

[solvethepuzzle]

[Nathan is generally content to stay in his little corner of the world, but sometimes he needs the amenities only available in larger cities. And Gateway is far more tolerant of the Numbered than Christchurch; it's actually safe for him to come here on his own.

[He isn't the one that bumps into her -- that person moves on without further comment -- but she looks like she's having some trouble. It isn't overstepping his bounds to help, right? Maybe? He's not good at knowing about these things.

[Nathan inwardly sighs at himself. He's overthinking this, isn't he?

[He kneels down to help her gather her notes, pushing back the sleeves of his somewhat oversized raincoat.] I don't think it was your fault, Miss. [As if he never apologizes for things that are not his fault.] Are you alright?

Yumoto Hakone/Cute High Earth Defense Club Love

[sparklingscarlet]

[A - Sudden Storm]

Blaise Pyre, a boy nearing the age most teenagers look forward to in becoming adults, walked a fast pace down the street, almost a skip in his step, and a big smile on his face. The rain inspired good feelings in him today. He was almost tempted to frolic and play as though a child. His slightly curly, strawberry blond hair bounced as he hopped over a curb onto the sidewalk, his pink-red eyes sparkling when he opened them, as he lightly flitted around looking for the rainbow in the shimmering sunlight. As he peered into the rain, for a moment, he wished he wouldn't have to become the adult everyone else hoped he would be - to stay living with his family, taken care of, without any burdening responsiblities.
Then he quickly grabbed the nearest lamppost, feeling a slight dizzy. As quickly as he felt it, something else replaces it. His next moment, if he described it to himself, felt floaty, lightweight. Then he tumbles to the ground, blinking and shaking his head.

"What... What on Earth was that?"

He takes a quick glance around himself, then gets back up as others watch him with looks of concern, dusting himself off and walking at a normal pace, like nothing happened. He would sometimes mutter under his breath trying to make sense of what he saw, what he felt. He thought it was almost too weird. He perks up and laughs it off.

"Yea, like anything like that could happen! I must've fallen asleep while I was walking," he said, perhaps a little too loud for the public, but he isn't concerned with their thinking.

[princesscut]

"Try sounding a little less like an airhead."

The words are a little too soft for their message; Summer learned a long time ago to enjoy the dissonance. Her long, long hair sways dramatically in the wind, along with the hem of her short black dress, under a small, dark umbrella. "What the hell kind of statement was that, anyway? You'd think you were having baby's first Echo or something," she adds dryly.

soldier blue (bryn schäfer) | toward the terra

[reachfor]

( G — WILDCARD, IN YOUR WILDEST DREAMS )

Are you dreaming, Numbered? So is he. You'll have to forgive his intrusion. As he is, this is the only way he can communicate with so many unique individuals. He has his limits, but the Numbers and those they've chosen compel him. Dreams are all he has left nowadays, dreams and strange visions, sensations that rifle through the fabric of his mind and leave him with... well, this. The ability to tread through the world that exists parallel to the waking one. An image of himself that seems like fiction, but is rooted in some sort of truth. He wouldn't be able to consciously wear this face and body if not for that. "Blue" has become irrevocably intertwined with Bryn over the course of the last year. Because of Blue, his budding powers and strong memories, Bryn doesn't have to miss the hardship or the renewal brought about by those like him. He's grateful. Otherwise he'd only have bits and pieces of information to go off, like whatever news manages to reach his hospital room in Christchurch.

Thanks to the pulses, he's no longer confined there. At least, not in so many words.

Which brings him to you. Whatever it is you dream of, or whatever lurks in your nightmares, you may find a visitor that is out of place. Red eyes that are too sharp on the dreamer, but never unkind. Or a wisp of bright energy like starlight just on the edges of the dream, blending in but not truly belonging. Many times he goes unnoticed, though he'd be happy to speak up if the dreamer seeks him out. It's rare, but not impossible.

Is that day today, where he'll become a participant and not just a spectator? That's in your hands.

(ooc. more info on blue/bryn here! feel free to get crazy with dreams, i'll respond accordingly.)

[twinkletwinklesuperstar]

It's a fairly simple dream, even a shallow one by some people's standards, he finds himself wandering through right now. Not an unusual one either if he's visited this particular person before.

It's a party, that much is true, and a big one. The kind one would expect to see the rich and famous at. Decorations hanging up above the huge room like starry lights, seeming to shift and change according to weird dream logic. And, of course, she's there at the center of it all, radiant as the brightest star in the sky. Why? Because it's her dream and she can shine the brightest if she wants to.

Besides, according to the dream logic this is her party. Celebrating her fame, her rise to the top after years of work. For most of it, she moves through the dream, basking in the fantasy as she drifts from conversation with hazy, faceless dream-people before something seems to catch her attention and snap her out of the world of the dream.

A single person off in the crowd, watching her with red eyes that should seem threatening but somehow aren't. More than that, whoever it is seems familiar... like she'd seen that face and those eyes before somewhere. For a second, she stands there, before tilting her head curiously. As she does, the rest of the dream starts to flicker and grow a little distant. A sign that her conscious mind is starting to work as it tries to deal with this new happening.

"Hey, what're you doing there?" ... It seems like a logical question at the time.

Mewtwo/Experiment X-Y | Pokemon | OTA

[berserkgene]

[C: Dammit giant robots]

[Locke City wasn't the first place this one planned to go. He didn't plan to go anywhere though - simply someplace that wasn't... back there, trapped in a metal box, or a glass tube filled with water and hoses and needles. And pain. Pain.

Never again.

He all but crashes into an alleyway from above, having literally rocketed out of his so-called home. A reflexive blast of psychic energy stabilizes him enough that he doesn't break every bone in his body on landing.]

....

[This was... less then what he was expecting of the outside world, for sure. Let's just go out this way and check if there's any-oh. Alright.

Giant metal beings. Was this... normal?

He'll just stare at it until it does something.]

[F: babby's first network post]

[From a being such as this one, accessing the network was still new. It was a new thing that he knew Humans used, judging form what his previous "carers" had said. It was a simple matter of inputting the string of numbers that floated in his subconscious into... something. A plot of soft dirt would do. There wasn't anything else around to use...

....Ah. A problem. He doesn't know how to switch to video. Using dirt.

.......Maybe text will do? He sure hopes he knows how to do this...]

>hello

F - Text

[switch_over]

...Hello?

Bill Cipher | Gravity Falls

[lookoutforthetriangleguy]

[Any city mentioned up above]

[Gateway, New L.A., Locke, Shepherd's Haven, doesn't matter. Whatever part of the world you're in, a voice suddenly hollers out at you.]

Hey! Hey, you! Yeah, you, the one with the blank look on your face!

[The voice belongs to an odd man, whip thin with a wide grin stretched across his face. He's dressed in a quite frankly obnoxiously yellow suit, top hat and eyepatch. He's seated at a small table that looks like it was slapped together out of a few two by fours with a banner over his head attached by two poles depicting a yellow pyramid with a single eye in the center of it. He doesn't stand up, but points a cane in the direction of the character he's addressing.]

This is your lucky day, kid, one time only the master of the mind is giving away free fortunes! Step right up and get a glimpse into the infinite kaleidoscope of time and space! Any question answered, no topic taboo!

[His grin widens.]

What do you say?

[In Your Dreams]

Boy, this place sure is a mess!

[He laughs, hovering around this poor mortal sap's dreamscape, pausing for a moment to take in the scenery. Not a human this time but a glowing triangle with a top hat and bowtie. He floats there for a second before shrugging.]

Well, fun as this is might as well get down to business! [One spindly limb comes up to tap his "chin" thoughtfully.] Now, let's see... it's gotta be around here somewhere.

[And he'll promptly get down to work rooting through the memories of subconscious. He's after something, but what could it be...?]

[Network - Text]

[No image, no voice, just text out of the blue.]

01100010 01100101 01110111 01100001 01110010 01100101 00100000 01110100 01101000 01100101 00100000 01110011 01101011 01110101 01101100 01101100 00100000 01100110 01100001 01100011 01100101 01100100 00100000 01101101 01100001 01101110 01110111 01101000 01101111 00100000 01101100 01101001 01110110 01100101 01110011 00100000 01101001 01101110 00100000 01110100 01101000 01100101 00100000 01100010 01100101 01101100 01101100 01111001 00100000 01101111 01100110 00100000 01100001 00100000 01110011 01101110 01100001 01101011 01100101

Text

[charcoalfeather]

...uh, hello?

[She's not the right kind of nerd for this, what does she do.]

Yoshino Fujieda/Yomiko Fujiwara & Lalamon | Digimon Savers

[rosesoul]

[B]

Yomiko Fujiwara was a woman who lied for a living. No, she wasn't a criminal, she wasn't anyone malicious, she was someone for whom secrets were a fact of day-to-day life. As an agent for the National Police Agency in Japan, Yomiko had been approached by her superiors, working in conjunction with the FBI, after she'd awakened as a Numbered (naturally, she'd shared this information with her organization). Both organizations needed someone on the inside, someone to gather information on the "Numbered community", someone who knew what they were doing and what they were thinking... and didn't know who she was.

To be honest, Yomiko felt a bit out of her depth. Not enough that she would compromise her position. But she had been rushed through the ranks due to her Numbered status, and she hadn't fully gotten used to this way of life. She felt like a wolf in the henhouse, even if her intention wasn't to hurt anyone.

But she would see her mission through.

To everyone else, she was just a normal woman, new to Shepherd's Haven. She got a menial job in Woodend - nothing too special, nothing that would draw attention to herself or seem like she was too important. But of course, she couldn't go without forming a connection with anyone. She'd look like she was attached more to the potted plant growing on her windowsill than real people. So, she set out to introduce herself.

"Hello there!" she said to literally the first person she came across in town, sounding rather nervous (partly for effect, and partly in truth). "How are you doing? Ah... nice day, isn't it?"

---

[B -2]

One day that potted plant on Yomiko's windowsill became more than a potted plant. And she went about exploring.

She was a strange-looking creature: a pink, bulb-like one with a pair of leaves sprouting out of her head, and two black, empty-looking eyes and a round mouth to match. Somehow, she seemed to be floating in mid-air.

Everything around her seemed so wonderful! So amazing! Everything was new to her, and she couldn't help but feel amazed and entranced by it all! She'd never seen things through eyes like this before... In fact, she'd never seen things through eyes at all! Living like this was a totally different experience!

She wanted to experience even more!

That's when she saw something else that was new: a living being! Somehow, she knew it could move around and talk like she could. She wanted to learn more about them! She wanted to know as much as she could!

The creature knew she could do a thing called "speaking". Somehow. She could learn more by speaking to this other being! And so she floated over to them.

"Hello! What are you?!"

B

[solvethepuzzle]

And that first person happens to be someone whose thin frame, lack of height, and youthful features seem to hint that he might be a young teenager. His appearance is a bit odd in other ways -- dark, glassy eyes set against pale skin and even paler hair, and the overall effect is a bit surreal.

"Ah, I suppose I'm alright." Yes, said like he isn't quite sure. This kind of environment is not one that suits Nathan, in truth. But cities are so potentially dangerous for them right now that he would rather be here. "Have you been managing to settle in?"

Even if he isn't very suited to a more rural lifestyle, Nathan does take it upon himself to help any new arrivals if they have need. Especially if Lazarus is otherwise occupied or not up to dealing with people for other reasons.

November 11 || Darker Than Black

[justttkidding]

[ D ]

[ It's a fresh start.

Or rather, it's a build off of an already started foundation. Gateway City is the new pinnacle; the disrepair and destruction is difficult to make out around the bustle of activity. Around the influx of people. He's been here before, of course. Just for a couple of guest lectures at the budding university. Those handful of lectures had turned into more. And more.

The job offer hadn't been the least bit surprising. Though, the grant he was getting on his research was an eyebrow raiser. Not because he was unused to such things. It more had to do with the amount he was getting. Applied Sciences were the rage, it'd been a shock to imagine anyone would be so interested in literature and historical text.

Jack isn't one to look a gift horse in the mouth, however, so he helps the family pack up their things and go. Another move, nothing special. They'd all gotten very good at boxing up their belongings and setting it back up.

Unpacking has been put on pause for the day– the celebration going on is too much to ignore, no matter how much they might've wanted to.

(He didn't really want to).

Walking around the plaza is invigorating, all the new ideas and events spilling forth like a rushing river. Pushing past the crowd is less enjoyable, but his height is giving him the advantage. Except, he's not exactly sure where he is in the grand floor plan scheme of things. ]

The signage is proving rather useless here.

[ Understatement of the year. ]


[ G ]

[ Choose your own adventure! ]

D

[rosesoul]

[a young woman, Japanese, is standing not too far away from Jack when he makes that comment. She overhears, and flashes him a sympathetic smile]

I can sympathize with that, sir. Maybe I can help you find what you're looking for?

Rowen Hashiba || Ronin Warriors/Yoroiden Samurai Troopers

[strataspheric]

[ F is for friends who do stuff together ]

okay stay with me here

i'm just saying that when something is destroyed or remade there are traces left behind. nothing leaves no trace. it's physically impossible. even if the trace is baseline atoms or carbon there has to be something

who wants to go to Los Angeles?

[ An addendum, moments later: ]

WAIT before Los Angeles who knows how to make macaroni and cheese without milk

the milk requirement seems so unnecessary at this point


[ How are these things even connected??? ]

[enhalo]

[ U IS FOR U AND ME please murder him ]

You just saying anything is usually bad news. Or really inadvisable news, if you want me to be nice about it.

Also, define "unnecessary".

[ MAKE HIS DAY. ]