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Test Drive Meme: The Overflow
PLEASE CONTINUE YOUR THREADS OVER AT THE LATEST OVERFLOW POST, THANK YOU.
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!
 THE OVERFLOW Since the last post is fast approaching 3k comments and getting laggy for some of our players, we have decided to go ahead and stick up the overflow post. 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: 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. 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 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!
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Funny.
[Have a look, Setsuna. Mello knows it's a joking prod, but the glare is automatic.
He jumps down, landing without a problem, but it's not as effortless as he would prefer. He knows to expect that Setsuna will cover the distance with ease, but this time Mello steps aside and waits before forging on ahead.]
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[ Setsuna takes the glare for what he knows it to be now, just a natural aspect of Mello's ever so charming personality. But he also figures it's a bad idea to push his buttons too much, so when he slips to the ground this time, he makes less of a show of it, and once again allows Mello to take the lead. A subtle way of saying that he's more than happy to fall in line and do as the other man pleases; he's used to taking orders, and so long as their goals align, he'll bow his head to them, and to Mello, whatever his wishes. A truly symbiotic partnership. ]
You like chocolate? [ Casual conversation is something of a difficulty for him, but he can try. ] But it might be better if we get something else to eat. Some of the festival food looked good.
[ If mildly suspicious, but between the two of them, he's sure they can find something edible. ]
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It's what I prefer to eat.
[Of course, Mello eats other foods as well — no one can survive on chocolate alone, and being that he needs his mind to work at optimal performance, Mello does try to maintain a healthier diet than just chocolate. More often than not, however, Mello picks at his food, returning to chocolate as a comfortable staple. Wammy's is an excellent establishment for many reasons, but it has a number of flaws as well, given how sheltered and insulated it is. The orphanage did little to break the children of their bad habits — encouraged them, even — and so childish indulgences and obsessions had a tendency to follow the children into adulthood.
Still, eating is not a bad idea. It's a good way to blend in with the crowd, to participate in the events without actually participating, so Mello nods in agreement. They can scope out people of interest without calling much attention to themselves, that way.]
What do you like?
[With his abrasive attitude and tendency to intimidate, Mello may not seem like the chatty type, but if given interest and reason, he can actually be quite extroverted. Small talk, showing mutual interest, learning more about a person — it comes quite easily to him. It just so happens that there is rarely a reason to be amicable when dealing with the underbelly of society.]
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I like sweets, too. But they're hard to come by, where I live.
[ Where I live, of course, being in the middle of space. Processed food, cheap, fast, and easy, is his life. That's why a bit of endearingly childlike curiosity slips through in his tone at the chance of sampling something else, for once.
There's plenty of stalls, too, and while Setsuna is naturally drawn towards them and the enticing smells wafting about, he stifles the urge to approach, keeping in close tow with his companion. Also because he's sincerely trying to be civil, not embarrass him, and not draw attention to themselves, as Mello also wished to avoid. It's rare that Setsuna exhibits anything beyond dull interest, let alone excitement, but the place is exciting in its own way once one worked past the initial shocked of being, well, kidnapped and chipped. ]
I'll eat anything. Apples are my favorite, though.
no subject
[He means it, too. Mello has difficulty conceiving of being in a place where he cannot find chocolate — good chocolate, too, and not the cheap kind that you can buy just anywhere. He'd be irritable for days, if not longer, without being able to quell his cravings. Thankfully, Ariel doesn't seem as though it will pose any problem when it comes to chocolate options.]
If I find the good stuff around here, I'll make sure you get to try some.
[Mello doesn't like to share — he is terribly self-motivated, and often that results in a spoiled sense of privilege — but Setsuna has shared with him, and reciprocity is important within budding partnerships like these. Not to mention, Mello operates off of the belief that no one should be deprived of sweets — especially chocolate.
Apples...
Scanning the stalls while also doing his best to avoid any inappropriate nudging or groping from the now-thickening crowd, Mello tries to find something that looks both appealing and safe. He trusts that Setsuna is behind him and doesn't glance back as he weaves, maintaining a leisurely but focused pace.
Finally, he chooses a pastry booth, and takes a place in the queue, turning to Setsuna.]
I bet they have something with apple here. Pies, tarts. We'll ask.
[It occurs to Mello, standing there, pausing for Setsuna step in beside him, that this situation is contains a degree of normalcy which Mello has not experienced in a very long time. True, he is not fully relaxed — he pays attention to every little detail, scans the face of every passerby, and continuously monitors the situation for anything upon which he can capitalize — and yet, it's such a normal thing to do, standing in line to get some food without actively tracking a person or thinking of Kira's next move.
Unsettling. The situation is uncomfortable in its comfort, because Mello has a concern — perhaps even a fear — of falling into complacency. Of enjoying. Too much enjoyment is a distraction, a deterrent from important matters. He refuses to give into such feelings, pushes himself back into a more structured frame of mind — business, this is about business — and discourages himself from finding simple pleasure in such little, meaningless trifles.]
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Apples are most definitely a weakness of his, however, as Mello will soon discover. ]
I'm counting on you, then.
[ And Mello does not disappoint. Apple-related pastries happen to be his favorite, the few times he actually got the chance to try them. His mouth isn't watering or anything, but he's certainly perkier than he was a few seconds ago. Surprisingly thoughtful of him, too. No, he didn't seem the sort to share, not at all, so his willingness to seek out something for Setsuna's sake is rather...
Endearing. A word that doesn't fit for him, and would likely earn him another barbed glare if he so much as mentioned it, but it's a thought that strikes him nonetheless.
Mello won't have to worry about Setsuna falling behind, though. He's immediately at his side once they take their place in line, loyal soldier that he is. Maintaining a certain wariness about him, as Mello does, but more subuded, because damn if that food didn't smell absolutely delicious. ]
You should have some, too. [ Perhaps a bit boldly, he nudges Mello in the side. ] You should eat more.
[ The boy was skinny, that was for sure. Not in a worrisome way, but again, Setsuna is teasing. Maybe unwilling adding on to Mello's uncomfortable sense of comfort, but smiles are what he likes to see. He's not very good at them himself and Mello's are certainly... special, yet he wants to leave a good impression. He might even be overcompensating a little to accomplish this, inexperienced as he is with social conventions. ]
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He does, however, notice that Setsuna seems a little perkier, but if there's any amount of interest in that, it's all chip-induced. Clearly, that was not the intent behind choosing this stall.
The nudge is a little invasive, but Mello remains relaxed, only briefly meeting Setsuna's eyes in response, before focusing ahead once more.]
I eat enough.
[A brusque reply, one Mello utters as they move forward in the queue. Mello is well-aware that he is slender — and were it not for the scar, his clothing, and his attitude, that he could easily be seen as unassuming or even frail. A sensitive spot of his, because Mello does everything in his power to seem anything but weak — something that hasn't always been easy for a pretty boy who left his sheltered home and entered a world of criminality.]
I'll get something.
[Sorry, Setsuna. No smile for you this time.]
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Because he's stubborn, too, enough to take a bullet to the shoulder and still insist on fighting, and Mello will need a lot more than brusqueness and dirty looks to shake him off so easily.
Those eyes of his really are something, though. Alert. Focused. Alluring in their own way. If only Mello would look at him more. He's sure he wouldn't mind it. ]
Alright.
[ Setsuna will wait patiently for him to do so, allotting him his personal space again without complaint. He can take a hint, don't worry, and he's not underestimating that you're a feisty little thing if provoked, so don't worry about that, either. Sometimes the smallest opponents were the trickiest. ]
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Then they are up, and Mello orders a chocolate tart — predictable, perhaps, but Mello is actually not incredibly interested in chocolate mixed with other ingredients. He prefers it pure, dark, and without flaky crusts and other unnecessary additions. Nevertheless, it's the best alternative, so he settles for it and accepts the plate.
He takes the liberty of asking whether or not they have any apple pastries, and sure enough, they do — Apple turnovers and apple pie! Take your pick!, the scantily clad concession worker exclaims cheerfully in reply. Mello then turns his attention to Setsuna, giving him the chance to order.]
I regret none of this
This is not one of those times.
It starts innocuously, with Setsuna stepping innocently up enough to the stall, giving his order. However, that overly friendly concession worker insists that no, no, we've got that, too, come look!, luring him behind the counter. Something about him she must have liked, because she's pressing far closer to him than he should be, and then against him, and oh, hi, breasts in his face, what exactly is going on here, again? ]
Err... ma... madam, could you—
[ Could you stop groping him, please, he's actually trying to be polite for once and he just wants his damn turnover, but no, she's hanging off his shoulder and giggling and trying to trip him and only with a particularly forceful shove does he manage to escape her claws.
He does not escape getting his ass grabbed as he makes his speedy retreat, however, and so does not escape his dignity crumbling.
Hang on just a second, Mello, you can sit down once he finishes rebooting. It might take a moment or two, because he's used to being stabbed and fired at and even electrocuted, but not sexually assaulted.
(Or rather, that happened in the first season of his show, and he's mostly blocked it out to protect his psyche. Yeah.)]That was beautiful.
And it pisses him off. He and Setsuna are clearly at the stall together, and the 'clerk' obviously was well aware of that fact, so who the fuck was she to lure Setsuna in and feel him up when he is standing right there? As aforementioned, sharing is not Mello's strong suit, and whether he has any right to be possessive or not is irrelevant. As Setsuna is managing to pull away, Mello himself is taking his place, but only to irritably shove his tart into the woman's chest, which isn't all that perky or nice anyway. He has kidnapped an innocent woman before — likely ruined her life forever — assault with a pastry is no big deal.
Tarts don't smear as well as he'd like, but it'll have to do.
And while he's at it, he's going to grab the whole platter of apple turnovers, because fuck you.
There will be no hanging on. Mello grabs Setsuna's wrist with his free hand and yanks him away, pulling him off to a free bench, and then giving him a shove that is meant to make him sit down.]
What is your deal?
[Irritable, frustrated — you're some sort of fighter and yet you let yourself get accosted by some stupid vendor? — Mello tosses the plate beside Setsuna and a few of the tarts tumble over to the ground.]
How can you just let that happen?
I aim to please. :>
Surprised he may have been by that little encounter, Mello's flare of fury catches him off guard all the more. If anything, pondering it after the fact, he figured most would've just found the display amusing, teased him about it. But Mello is indignant, enraged, and Setsuna is earnestly so surprised by the reaction he can't help but be tugged along Mello's war path, chancing a concerned glance over his shoulder at Mrs. Skimpy, tossing obscenities at them (or rather Mello) while they trudge off together.
In a few angry seconds, they're at a bench, he's being pushed, and oof, down he goes like a sack of potatoes (apples), blinking slightly wide-eyed up at his companion.
What is your deal? How can you just let that happen? Understandable complaints, yes, and it takes him a bit to formulate a reply, but... ]
She wasn't going to hurt me.
[ He states it simply, a basic fact. He wasn't exactly a fan of getting felt up, but the woman was harmless, just overly friendly, not trying to shank him with a pie cutter. It was a key difference between the two—Setsuna is perfectly capable of using violence, should the situation call for it, but it's not his first plan of attack. It actually tends to be the last, when nothing else works. He'll drop that target for you, Mello, sure, but only if diplomacy, negotiation, and earnest efforts to get said target to reconsider were either refused or impractical.
Setsuna tilts his head, then, baffled by Mello's flood of indignation on his behalf. Ruffled nerves aside, he'd already mostly forgiven it; why is he so upset? ]
Did I... offend you? What's wrong?
Re: I aim to please. :>
[THe statement is unimpressed, and edging upon sarcasm. That annoys Mello further. Like this is no big deal. This is exactly the city's way of pulling them in — catching them off guard, luring them into the recesses of debauchery and setting off those forsaken chips, pulling them further into their little mind control games.]
Has it not occurred to you that sex is exactly how they get people here? How they brainwash?
[He wasn't expecting Setsuna to swoop in with a blade and murder the woman, but have a little common sense. This city doesn't deal in weapons; everything is based off of sex.
And, damn it, Setsuna was there with him. It was a blatantly rude and disrespectful thing for the woman to do — free sex city or not. Mello is used to feeling entitled and at the top, and it does not due for others to so easily trample upon that by taking what is his. It's not even necessarily about whether or not Setsuna fancies a romp in the back of food cart somewhere — it's just not the time and place. Not when he is working with Mello — planning to sit and eat and socialize with Mello.
He crosses his arms, glaring down at Setsuna.]
I'm not offended. [Yes, he is offended.]
I just can't work with liabilities. [But it's not really about that.]
[He turns away now, glancing out at the crowd and commotion — and yes, the people getting groped and groping in return. Suddenly this place seems all the more sickening.]
no subject
That being said, it doesn't take very long for Setsuna to piece together exactly what's happening here, the huffing and puffing Mello's doing over something so relatively minor, so inconsequential in the long run. They'd likely never see that woman again, and her breasts were most certainly bigger than her brain. She posed no threat to them, none at all, nor was he immediately going to descend into a soupy, slutty mess just because someone decided to get a bit frisky around him. People still were, and he was still keeping his cool about it.
So that left only one viable option, and Setsuna has to try not to smile or smirk or do anything similar because he knows it's only going to make that temper of his even worse. ]
Are you jealous?
[ Sorry, Mello, but Setsuna doesn't beat around the bush with things. It's both a blessing and a curse, having a partner who is so straightforward it's almost painful, but there is, out in the open, his envy on display for all to see. ]
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gettingmissing the point. Except that would be dangerous, seeing as Setsuna is armed and quite capable of overpowering any attempt at a physical altercation. Angry and provoked as he may be, Mello is still far from stupid.]I'm not even answering that.
[He turns back around.
It's not jealousy if it's common sense and basic respect. And it isn't his fault that Setsuna can't recognize it. Mello isn't about to give him a lecture of the basics of respectful behavior — certainly not after that question — but that also doesn't mean that he is going to accept the situation.
If he seems entitled — well, that kind of what happens when you're accustomed to throngs of people pledging their allegiance and fearing any slight misstep, less they set off your temper.]
no subject
Entitlement is another matter he won't touch, but temper issues don't faze Setsuna. He is wise in assuming that starting a physical altercation by choking him would be a poor choice and a quick way to sever their civil ties, but Setsuna is simply too even keel. He is not Matt. He will not engage with him, not bite back the moment he flashes his fangs. He is more patient, more understanding, and a good balance to Mello's volatility in that regard.
But he will at least try to calm him down, some, in the interest of not causing a (further) scene. ]
I'm here with you because I like you, Mello. For right now, I don't have an interest in anyone else. And I won't let myself get distracted, either. So talk with me and eat with me.
[ Setsuna reaches down to the plate, and offers a pastry to Mello. Another chocolate tart, one that got misplaced in the batch, or perhaps simply the commotion. ]
Here, your words are the only ones I care about.
[ So have an extra dash of earnestness to combat your snappishness, Mello, because he's not quite that easily baited. ]
I so typed all of this and then lost it ;-; it never sounds as good the second time around.
Understanding, if that is what this is, has no place. Mello can't even take such words at face value — they mean nothing, offer nothing up to the table, and anyone's inclination toward liking and interest amounts to nothing more than distraction and mistakes.
It makes him uncomfortable — how Setsuna sits and just weathers the storm, bears the burden of the glare, and speaks to him like that. As though he is a child. Mello is not a child. He has had to fight every step of every path he has ever taken — has focused on one singular goal since childhood, effectively removing any chance at actually being a child.
He turns and faces Setsuna again — glances at the pastry, then back at Setsuna — no longer glaring, but his features aren't particularly kind, either.]
You've got it wrong.
[It's not about wanting to be liked or to like in return. Any tendency toward liking can easily be put off on the chip, because that isn't a language that Mello allows himself to speak. Mello doesn't want to be liked — prefers not to be liked at all, actually. He wants respect, dedication — and yeah, maybe even a little fear, because that is an element that leads to action.]
I don't want to be liked.
[It doesn't matter if it's Matt or Setsuna or anyone else. Matt is useful because despite his flaws he is loyal. Setsuna is a much-needed ally in a foreign city, with solid abilities that make him worthy. The little exchange on the roof, lingering hand shakes and subtle attraction — blame the city, let it go, and move on.
And the jealousy? That desire for Setsuna's attention to be on him and him alone? Mello is a man who gets his way, and it's as simple as that. He refuses to consider any alternatives.
In a protest, he doesn't sit down, but he will take the stupid tart — a sort of middle ground — and just hold it.]
That means nothing to me.
/patpats it's fine brosis I still love you
It breaks his heart that Mello only seems to know the worst, instead of the flowers and the aimless skygazing and the silly pastries shared between friends, because the worst is all he'd ever received. And it's unlikely that will ever change, because those sorts of wounds always ran the deepest, but understanding is something he'll never stop trying to do. He has to do it. Just as it is in his nature to pick up a gun and fire it, it is paradoxically in his nature to put it away and embrace his enemy instead.
If only his Gundam were here, 00. He'd see. He'd know what it was like, for hearts and minds to be open and free, up above, in that sea of stars. To love and be loved in turn. It's naive and idealistic but Setsuna is naive and idealistic, just as Mello had claimed (accused). And if Mello looked down on him for that, just as he is looking down on him now, so be it. ]
I'll like you anyway.
[ The words are permanent. Immovable. Impenetrable. They will not budge. Setsuna will not budge, no matter how murderously he might glare at him. They may never be friends and only be allies and nothing more, but Setsuna will not budge.
Setsuna likes him, and that will not change. ]
At least sit down.
i am glad for that!
Fine.
[Acknowledge and move on. Setsuna is still an important associate, someone Mello wants on his side, regardless of the excess.
He sits, but he puts as much distance between them as comfortably possible, and starts to eat the pastry, because eating is better than letting it melt in his hand].
no subject
Or rage uncontrollably regardless, but again, he'll take his chances.
Eating quietly, then, and hey, these turnovers are actually pretty good. You should try some. Just saying. ]
uppity housecat...haha.
He stands, and breaks the silence without any hesitation, ready to move on to important topics.]
Have you explored your 'home,' yet?
[Hardly a real home, this place, but they are meant to live here. There likely isn't much to discover in their assigned areas, but being familiar with the living quarters around here can prove important.]
DON'T YOU GET UPPITY WITH ME BOY I'LL PUT YOU DOWN
Not yet. [ Munch, munch, munch. Reaching for another turnover. ] Was going to head there later, though.
[ The invitation to come along is implied. Mi casa, su casa. That and it's probably better to keep an eye on you so you don't go shoving pastries angrily into any more breasts. ]
no subject
Right.
[Useful exchange, that one. Mello will try again when you're done eating and ready to focus again. If nothing else, his experiences with Wammy's children taught him that you leave a person to his or her addictions and weaknesses.]
I'll be over here.
[It wasn't a question aimed at getting Setsuna to try and share his casa, but more because he's interested in learning more about Ariel, elsewhere. He's had enough of the crowd and the overly friendly residents for the time being.
Mello walks a few feet away, eyes on the crowd, the buildings.]
no subject
I wonder how many were taken, and how many were already here. [ Swallows. See, he can be smart and eat at the same time. ] The level of technology present also interests me. It would be best to figure out what sort of network we're dealing with, if any. Maybe a satellite we can hijack for our own use.
no subject
There seem to be a lot of new arrivals. Like there's been a sudden influx.
[At least, judging by a few of his previous encounters, and the way some people look as though certain vendors are crazy for offering certain 'services.' What was with that? Why the sudden need to pull in so many people?]
That's not a bad idea.
[But one that makes him think of Matt. That's his territory. Not that Mello can't hack and hijack at will, he just prefers to make that someone else's responsibility, instead freeing him up to be a little more proactive.]
I wonder if we can find a computer.
[Maybe back at the Reeducation Center?]
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