Test Drive Meme: The Overflow, Part Deux!

[arielmods]

CITY OF ARIEL: THE TEST DRIVE THE OVERFLOW, PART DEUX! Since the last post is again fast approaching 3k comments and getting laggy for some of our players, we have decided to go ahead and stick up the overflow post, even though there's just a little over a week to game start. Please continue your threads or start new ones here if you'd like. To make this easier on those continuing threads from the last meme, here's a handy form: <small>(<a href="THREAD URL HERE">Continued from here.</a>) between <user name="CHARACTER 1"> & <user name="CHARACTER 2"></small> Response here! Please remember to let your thread partners know you've bumped your threads over here as well! We started the meme early to give you plenty of room to do just that. ◆◆◆◆ With the City of Ariel grand opening only a month away, we are holding our first ever test drive meme. Tag in and see how your character would settle in the game. You're a fresh face in the city, newly processed, and arriving at a bustling time. The city is expanding and you are greeted first in the re-education center by your helpful counselors and then directed out of the building to a large festival. Be puzzled, make friends, have sex, or whatever you want! There are no restrictions on thread types played out here. Your first awareness that something has gone wrong comes during a groggy moment of semi-lucidity when you look around yourself and find that -- instead of wherever you remember being last -- you're in a chair, in a room with a man you don't recognize. He's sitting behind a desk whistling to himself and sorting paperwork. The whole atmosphere might remind you of a high school guidance counselor's office, only with far more comfortable chairs. When your head clears enough to speak and you ask him where you are, he smiles brightly and says, "Welcome to the City of Ariel." You were brought to Ariel during a very special time! There's a large festival going on celebrating the new expansions to the city and everything is decked out for it. Everything is bustling and vibrant in the city today because of the celebrations. There are decorations up, food vendors set up all along the streets, kissing booths, games, and just about anything else you can imagine an event like this would have! The people of Ariel are out and about as well, some are in vibrant costumes and others are just checking out the sights. Some of the more exhibitionist types are even having a little more fun out in public than you may be used to seeing back home. As soon as the grogginess from your arrival passes, you are allowed to leave the re-education center and see it all for yourself. Upon exiting, you are even handed beads of various colors, several of each so you don't worry about running out. Each color has a special meaning listed below: pink - toys blue - oral yellow - watersports green - age play lavender - crossdressing orange - multiples grey - bondage white - hands (mutual masturbation, fingering, handjob) red - blood black - wildcard These are to aid you in making a connection with others. Show your interest in others and tell them exactly what you would like to do with them by sharing the beads. If you would rather take a different approach, feel free to walk around the festival and see what (or who) catches your eye. The point is to relax and get settled in your new home.
TAG IN - Post your character's name, canon, and preferences. - Set up an opener in your comment or leave it blank. - Tag around and have fun!	USEFUL LINKS: [Premise] [Rules] [F.A.Q.] [Locations] [Local Citizens (NPC)] [Taken] [Wanted] [Reserves] [Application] [Main] [Logs] [OOC]

Please note that all CR in this meme can be carried over when the game starts between characters that are accepted into the game.

Threads can also count towards third and first person samples on the application, just provide links.

Take a look at our OOC Meet and Greet post! Meet. Greet. Make friends. Have fun!

Comments

[noblesnow]

Taking clothes off was clearly something that happened whenever they felt like they needed to take their clothes off. Which could be almost immediately or six years from now, judging from their lack of a consistent rate of progress.

"Then do as you like, Umi. --But that felt good just now." The movement of her hand, that was.

[chandelluring]

You don't mean love, do you? [Love being a waste of time- what a terrible thing to hear!] It can cause problems, but those problems simply make love stronger! [She grips her pen tightly, making a determined fist.] And it's never a waste of time, even when it fails!

[samuraint]

[Yeah, but ~!*politeness*!~. Directly asking that could be interpreted as rude! Which is not something Yoshi wants to be, especially to a young lady.]

Your friends... alright, what are they like? Names and appearances would be a good place to start, and if you have any idea where they might have gone first... [In the back of her mind, Yoshi wonders why Reika is so certain her friends are here. Yoshi's been searching for the past hour for her own friends, and hasn't find hide nor hair of anybody she knew.

But it isn't her place to question.]

[broken_tool]

[Everything was telling him that this was a bad idea and that he should turn back, but with the lack of other interesting things he really didn't have anywhere better to be. Bars he never partook of and the crowd's general emotions were of absolutely no interest to him, at least not being out in the streets like that. Thus he was held by the fact it was something different and possibly a challenge considering they seemed so intent on hiding their face in the beginning. Eyes were quick to search his face, making note of various features and anything distinguishing before he moved to the cups.

It wasn't difficult to see the cups move at first but as soon as they moved quicker he tensed up a bit, seeming to turn off the distractions around him. Focus and attention was placed on the moving objects, though enough so to where he didn't notice the movement of the bead disappearing from the cups.

A light smile tugged at his lips as they finally stopped, looking up at the man again and motioning towards the cup on the right.]

If my eyes are as accurate as I think they are, it should be in that would. Alternatively, however, if it is not there then I would wager it is somewhere on your person. Though I doubt that, given that I did not notice an extra movement within that time.

[noblesnow]

[Reika shall now give the same basic ramble she gave Dean in another thread, though this time with more theorizing about locations.]

Well... We're all close to the same height. Miyuki's hair is magenta, and she has it styled so it looks like she has two cones on the sides of her head. She's always smiling, and she says "ultra happy" a lot. If there's a library here she's probably found it. Akane has short red hair, and she tends to say strange things [they're called jokes, Reika] and tease people. She's probably helping out in a food stand or looking at something cute. Yayoi is blonde and always wears a white hairband, and she's probably hiding and crying right now. Unless she's found some sort of robot or transforming hero, in which case she's probably the happiest person in the city. Nao has green hair with a ponytail, and I'm a bit concerned about her, because I thought she'd still be inside shouting at people for kidnapping her. If there's any place here that has a lot of insects, she's probably as far away from it as she can get, unless she's gotten trapped inside somehow. Otherwise she'll also be looking for something cute.

[reddirtydeeds]

"More of a third date thing?" He chuckled low and took a step closer. "Kinda rules out a lot of things, but there's always the option of a long screw. Doesn't always need bells and whistles, especially if it's done right."

[broken_tool]

[The words were more than enough to shift his focus, knowing that the voice was directed towards him. At first Haku did not react or reply to him, merely tugged a bit at the collar of his shirt, having no interest in feigning that he was unaware of the chips by any means. Though he could not help a light snort, giving a cold shoulder to yet another person propositioning him to let them know he was not interested in their games. As far as he was concerned, this place would be a minor annoyance and nothing more than that. Sure he had his body back and was breathing again, but there were always lingering hints of the grave on him. Outfit sullied by dirt and dried blood, nails in about the same state with the polish chipped from breaking down in the grave.

Slowly he finally turned, regarding him with a cool but calm gaze.]

You say that as if I do not know that, though these people are natives to this place and as such I sincerely doubt that they have the chips such as us newer arrivals. They know about the programs and they know what they have to do, thus they do so as it means the survival of their kind.

[He pauses for a moment, lightly fingering one of the beads on the chain.]

When faced with extinction humans turn to their base instincts, what makes them happy and what will propagate their numbers so that their blood does not die out. It is simple observation, though it seems simplicity was lost upon you.

[codedvixen]

"As opposed to a short one?" She stayed where she was, letting him move closer, smile turning slightly teasing. "It's the 'done right' part that isn't always achieved. Sometimes, I think there needs to be a guidebook."

[comfortyou]

Actually...

[She's starting to feel warm as well. This is all happening very quickly, but she doesn't seem to mind, going along with it. She wants to encourage him, so she places her hand over his to guide him. His mouth feels so good on her neck she can hardly hold still.]

I kinda like showing off for a crowd.

[Not that she actually has much to show off, but her enthusiasm hopefully makes up for it. She lifts her arms as he tugs at her shirt.]

[samuraint]

[Yaaaay, same basic ramble!

Miyuki, magenta, super happy, books. Akane, eerily similar to one of Yoshi's friends, likes cute things. Yayoi, blonde, cowardly apparent anime enthusiast. Nao, green hair, angry with a phobia of insects... she rattles that off in her head a couple of times, then nods.]

Right then. We can look for my companions after we've gathered your friends. [Yes, that's inefficient in a way, but, again, Reika is a young lady. Unlike Yoshi. Wait, hold on, no. ... Okay, she just wants to help.]

Now... a library would be something even a place like this would probably have. Even if your friend isn't there, they might have some sort of map of the city, and we could ask somebody if there's some sort of... stuffed animal shop, or something. [Since two of her friends liked cute things. See, Yoshi totally knows what she's doing.]

So, I think we should hunt down a library, first. Does that sound like a good plan?

[dragon_blossom]

Someday they might be able to get that far, but right now it was just a lot of hesitant touching. She squeezed, just barely, looking down at where her hand was, then back up at Reika. "And you can... do more too."

Moving slowly, her lips brushed against Reika's, just barely.

[academicsandbara]

"Gah! Some fell into the storm drain!" Tsutomu didn't have time to listen to the stranger. His mind was going off, worrying about things left and right. Poor guy was a total mess. He kind of looked funny as he went for the beads as if his life depended on it.

"Oh man...not even half..." He finally murmured to himself as he handed over the beads that survived. "A-again, I'm sorry. Here, you can have mine."

They must have been really important to Tsutomu...he sure as heck acted that way. He handed over a few grey and white ones, unaware of what that meant.

[volatility]

[Mello's intentions are to just continue walking after his comment, ready to discount the consideration that this kid will be of any use to him, but the comments keep him rooted to his spot. His expression may have been disgusted before, but now it is downright pissed off — eyes narrowed and glaring. This is exactly why Mello needs to stay away from punk kids and their little, narrow opinions of the world. Anytime he tries to stop and impart some knowledge of the real world onto them, they turn around and start smarting off like they hold all the knowledge in the universe. Mello may not be much older than this kid, but he assumes that he has far more real-life experience — and that isn't even taking into consideration his training to be the next L.

In short, the comments are more infuriating than they should be, but having already had to deal with one smart-mouthed teenager since his arrival, Mello's patience is running fairly thin.

While the kid is talking, Mello takes the opportunity to size him up — taking in the dirt, the dried blood. He looks like he either had quite the struggle or like someone has already taken advantage of him. That hardly quells his annoyance, however.]

Are you kidding me?

[The tone is tight, annoyed, and the words erupt before the kid's even finishes talking.]

You really believe that? You think that all of the natives around here are just running around, happy with the way things are?

[He takes a step closer. It's force of habit — Mello is accustomed to commanding attention.]

Do you know what's outside the walls of this city? A wasteland. Nothing. No options. No other city, no way to get anywhere without dying when your resources run out. People aren't here because they want to be. They're here because they have no choice.

[He laughs, now, but it's humorless.]

If it makes you feel better to think of everyone as screwing each other because they're happy to bring more people into this controlling society, then fine — believe whatever helps you sleep at night. But don't inflict that inane bullshit on other people.

[There may be some locals who enjoy this city, but Mello would never buy into the fact that everyone is in the city on their own free will.]

[hasnomentor]

Jaime watched Tsutomu rush after the beads as if they were something worth while. They weren't worth much to the teen hero really. He knew what they were for and really he wasn't in any rush to really use them. He took the wet beads in one hand and was about to ask Tsutomu something when he held out his own beads.

"You do know what these are for, right?" He asked and held up his own wet beads. He wasn't taking the other guy's yet. He wanted to make sure he knew just what they were for. He hadn't had a clue and it lead to one embarrassing situation a bit ago.

[broken_tool]

[The anger, the spouting off, did nothing to bother him what so ever. He'd been around those types before and thus he stood his ground as the other moved closer, a light smirk playing on his lips at the assumptions. Haku knew far more about life than he'd really let on, knew far too much about life and death and how it worked in the real world. Hell, he'd been on death's door once before and then in death proper later on. For this person who seemed not much older than him to be acting like he was somehow above him and knew more than him. Presumptuous and disgusting.]

You speak as if I have not already considered these options. I have been watching these and other people and it makes the most sense. They fear their extinction and legacies going to nowhere, thus the reason we were brought in to help in this endeavor. New blood as to not mix the same blood and end up with something that cannot be of use to anyone.

They may not like it, but they do it out of necessity. I doubt they like our being here, outsiders to their world, but know it is necessary that they embrace us. They know that there are things they do not like that are being done but are necessary.

This is how humans work and this is how they will continue to work. If you do not believe in it then you are the fool among us.

[happiestsinner]

“It’s nice to meet you too,” Sara says, and she means it. It’s lucky she was able to find such a nice person here. When he bows, she bows with him, braid dipping low to the ground as she does.

When he asks how her friends would find her if she ran away, Sara stairs at him, as if dumbfounded. Kind and wise! “I didn’t think of that,” she admits, embarrassed, before looking at him appraisingly as one finger hovers over her open-hanging moth. “I didn’t think at all.”

Unconsciously she moves closer to him, as if seeking his protection.

“What do we do now?”

[happiestsinner]

Mello’s amusement was understandable. Sara didn’t cut an impressive figure despite her attempts to look imperious. But she wasn’t going to back down no matter how silly she might have looked to outside eyes.

She swallowed hard when he started talking about people having their way with her. If he was trying to scare her, it was working.

She didn’t know what to make of the lightening in his tone and regarded him warily, but less angrily than she had before, her own facial expression softening in turn. She was prepared to start yelling at him as if he were responsible for all of this, even though he wasn’t. But if he was going to lighten up, even a little bit, then Sara was thrown for a loop. Thrown for a loop, but still cautious.

His answer to her question disturbed her and it showed on her face, her expression contorting into one of…not fear precisely, or even worry, but there was a sickened, shocked widening of her eyes. “Those didn’t all happen here,” she said, unsure if she believed her own retort her or not. Maybe they had. She had arrived today but maybe others had been here longer. “You, you’re just a thug. You like scaring innocent girls! I know about guys like you. You think I don’t, but I do.”

She steeled herself, taking in a few deep breaths, trying to decide what to do with him. “Anyway, I can’t just accept a place like this! Who could? It’s disgusting!”

[volatility]

[Mello may not have experienced death, but he has come close, and he bears his own scars — on his face, his shoulder. It's true, he is young, but he has also done much in the past three years — turning his back on his only support system to try and make his own path to the only goal he has, joining and eventually running the mafia, kidnapping and blowing people up. Mello is not much older, but he has seen the worst of society and its people — has even used the worst to his advantage.

To him, there is no excuse for revering a society that uses mind control — whether the locals are spared or not. In his mind, whoever is running this city is similar to Kira — playing god.]

I'm not the fool. I don't look at a supposed utopian community and see people who accept their lot in life without worrying or questioning. I see control and people — natives and us — forced here against their will. I'm a realist. Meanwhile you're standing there with all these ideals about the way people live and act in a society that you actually know nothing about.

[Mello continues to take up personal space, body language still on the offensive, but his voice is a little lower when he speaks again, tone a little more controlled.]

There are other options. Other ways to build communities, to get compliance from the masses — ways that don't involve mind control and kidnapping people against their will. This isn't a necessity. If they have the technology to make little chips to influence the way we think, then they should be able to figure something else out to keep their city populated and prosperous. Humans are capable of finding alternatives. That's what I believe in.

[happiestsinner]

Intuition…. [ Sara repeats the word to herself. She knows what it means, but she’s confirming its meaning for herself. ] The things you know without being said. But what do you do when your intuition tells you something wrong? You can’t rely on gut feelings all the time. Can you?

[ When he steps forward, so does she, taking a deep breath. It’s time to be brave! ] Where do we go first? I’ve been that way already – [ She points. ] – and there’s nothing.

[broken_tool]

[And he still did not move from his spot, even if one of his hands slid close to the underside of his obi to ready the senbon that were hidden there. Just in case this happened to go sour and attacking was the only option that was left to him. Eyes narrowed at the older one of them, muscles obviously tensing beneath his skin.

He was sure he had never insisted that this was utopian or the best way of doing things, but it made sense that they would go for that particular route. It was the obvious choice and with no other options, it didn't matter if it was done by manipulation or not, it was in the best interests of the people that were in the working class.]

I never said it was the best idea or utopian, sometimes there are no other ways to do things. And if one must be manipulated and pushed in the right direction for what is best for the majority, then so be it. There are other ways, they could always revolt and take over if they wished to.

Nothing is permanent and I am sure that there are those looking for other ways and when those come up then things will change. Or they could push for a change, whether peacefully or violently it does not matter. Change is change even if it's to a less obvious method than what you can see.

[Haku gives him an almost condescending smile, hand resting on the top of his obi in an almost lazy manner.]

My master taught me much and I have seen much in my time both back home and through here. People change and shift to mold to what is best for the needs of the many over the needs of the few. One becomes a tool to be used and molded to what is needed, though they must give up a part of their freedom for it to be possible. Though the rewards that come of it and the results are always worth more than the cost.

[Certainly he could have gone on a lot more than he had, but his demeanor falters, body cringing into itself for about a minute or two. Once it's gone he takes a deep breath, working to steady himself.]

Ultimate sacrifices must be made for things to be pushed to the absolute limit, whether it means something they have or their own selves depends. I believe one must give their all, give themselves, give their life up for a cause if it is worth it.

[That smile turns into a far more sincere one, posture shifting to stand as tall as he can manage.]

If you can save someone who is an important piece to the change, then you have fulfilled your part.

[flowersteps]

"They never stopped loving me, and they still care for me. But they have their own children as well, their own flocks to care for. Each of them asked before they left, not wishing to leave me, torn because they thought they were betraying my love." He took another sip of wine. "Do not mistake me, I enjoyed their company when they traveled with me, and I missed them when they left. But I was happy that they had made a life in Terre d'Ange, that they had found people who needed their love as much as they had needed mine. And through the whole thing I had my Cassiel, the most perfect companion I could have hoped for."

Of course Cassiel's opinion was very similar to the one that the Cassilines had, he had always looked down on the other Companions, as much as Elua would have liked his Companions to love each other as much as he loved them. But even he couldn't have everything that he wanted.

[protectandserve]

Joscelin frowned, toying with his cup of water- he hadn't touched the wine at all. It was hard to shift his opinion so quickly, even if Elua was his god- and he knew how kind Elua was reputed to be. The stories had never claimed he was omniscient... how would he know what they thought or felt? "I see," he said respectfully. He was still unconvinced that they were not Misguided.

Thinking of that only made him think of Phedre and Kushiel's Dart- and thinking of Phedre reminded him of Alcuin and Delaunay and how they had died for Melisande Shahrizai, a true scion of Kushiel, and her plots. No, he could not think of all of them as loving. He pressed his lips together tightly, not wishing to speak of that- Elua wouldn't want to know.

[fatedtodie]

[Those were probably clever instincts, and a good thing to listen to, but Luxord wasn't about to tell him that. No, he wanted to play his game, wanted to get his satisfaction, and Haku would have to play for that to work. Luxord swept his hands aside as he waited for him to choose, grinning internally beneath his hood because there was only a one-in-three chance he'd actually get it right.]

You accuse me of cheating? Perish the thought.

[The odds weren't in his favor. Luxord flipped up the right cup and there was no bead beneath it. He promptly tipped up the left one, revealing the glittering green jewel.]

Perhaps your eyes aren't as keen as you thought. A shame, but you'll have to part with an article of clothing.

[volatility]

[Mello catches that movement — the way the kid tenses — and being without his gun, should probably step back, ease his stance. But Mello does not back down, even if he is at a disadvantage, and therefore holds his ground — while simulatenously ensuring that he doesn't give off any movements that can be taken as an attack. He may want to command attention, but he does not want to push the kid over the edge into attacking him.

He has trouble comprehending how someone can have so much faith in something they don't even truly understand — to believe that the people in charge of the city are looking for alternatives, when they have taken to such drastic measures. Talking about systems where its okay to be molded and used as a tool — that was a deplorable point of view.]

You can't say that with certainty. Many people abuse the power that they have — it's not just about rewards and cost, it's about getting what they want —

[It was only a precursor to what he wanted to say in reply to those first comments, but he cuts himself off when the younger teen falters, seemingly in pain. He watches and has a brief internal debate about what he should do — help? Wait it out? He takes a tentative step forward with no real decision in mind, but then the kid recovers and resumes talking. Mello's stance becomes less aggressive, and more wary, but he doesn't address the temporary lapse — it isn't his business.]

I don't disagree with that.

[Even quieter, now, as those last sentences hit a little too close to home. Mello understands sacrifice all too well — he has sacrificed so much for his goal, and as soon as he gets back, he'll put everything on the line again. It is worth it, if the goal is important enough — and here the line blurs.]

I have my own cause, and have made plenty of sacrifices for it.

[He finally takes a step back, eyes lowering for a moment, focusing on the ground as he considers those sacrifices — both the ones he has already made, and the ones he plans to make.]

But my cause has involved bringing down a regime like this one.

[Perhaps on a somewhat lesser scale, although Kira had political officials playing into his hands and masses of supporters professing their dedication.

He looks back up, meeting the younger teen's eyes again.]

If you're content with being a tool, then you can live like that. Fine. Follow your master's lessons and go on to be used to make this society work.

[It's a grim discussion — all of it — and the kid's acceptance of such a fate is not something Mello can smile back at.]

But I refuse to be anyone's tool, and I'm not going to let anyone use me to achieve their own corrupt goals. Humanity doesn't consist only of people who want the best for others — there are terrible people out there, and I will not be part of their games.

[wantitall]

[A problem that didn't bother Greed at all. He just works his fingers around inside Silver's mouth, stroking playfully across his tongue, until he's sure they're dripping wet enough already. He pops them free and moves that hand down, pulling loose his thumb only to replace it with the two slick fingers. It's still a tight fit, but Greed is determined to make it work and so he does.]