Test Drive - March Edition

[rekindlemods]

SURPRISE! It's time for our new Rekindle Test Drive! Trying to see if a character will fit or work in the setting? Need some interaction samples? Well this meme is for you! Make a post, tag around, and most importantly, have fun! Here's the setting page for those who want to learn a little more about the city itself. And don't forget to go reserve your character, GO GO GO.......

Here's some prompts to help you get started, if you need it:

Option 1

[ It's looking gray here, still in that colorless pre-spring phase. There is one bright spot of color, in the form of roses decorating a few tables inside buildings. They even appear to be free for the taking, if you need a little color! And mostly benign. Mostly.]

Option 2

[ The entire city looks pretty new to you, but there seems to be a special amount of shine to one particular spot. Maybe it's just the lights on the ferris wheel, which looks like it could offer a great view of the new city. Only catch is that you're going to end up sharing the ride with another person.]

Option 3

[Apparently this place has a zoo and an aquarium, and is currently holding a special deal and event. Bring a second person in with you, get a special pass to the exhibits! Though why the bath house is ALSO holding a similar event is anyone's guess.]

Option 4

[The slow warming and change in the season has another effect; visibility has a way of suddenly dropping when a cool mist rolls in off the banks of the river and down from the clouds. It's got a chill and dampness to it, and makes it hard to see. You might want to be careful not to bump into anyone while trying to get in out of the fog.]

Option 5

[Whoops. Looks like you haven't taken the cautionary words of the other NPCs to heart, or maybe you just wanted to take your chances. Either way, the withdrawal symptoms have started and you need to find someone to hug quickly before you get even more sick.]

Option 6

[If there's something else you wanted to play with, that you didn't see here, then have fun with that. You've just arrived in a strange city, after all. There's got to be plenty to explore out and about, not to mention people to meet.]

Comments

BACKFLIPS THE FUCK IN HERE

[gaggles]

[It's hard to miss such a large, er...Wheel. Lit-up, rotating-on-the-spot wheel. As if this place isn't hard enough to navigate when you've a quiver of arrows on your person, Gordin's currently standing in front of the ferris wheel trying to figure out what its purpose is.

Carriages. Sure, it seemed to be a thing for moving people. But they didn't move forwards or backwards. What's the point of it, and why is it lit up so nicely if it's for transportation? Why does it keep stopping?

He's not keen to leave it for some reason. Not that he needs to, because when he turns to ask someone in line just what the hell is going on here, he spies a blue form. And that, to an Altean son, is always a good sign. Especially when he'd been losing his shit upon arrival about being alone. The other patrons be damned, he's going to follow his hunch and make a beeline for what looks like his lord (or Frey, or maybe Draug no but he's too big but HEY who else colour-codes like an Altean does).]

Hey! Excuse me! [Then a little louder--] Excuse me! Sire?!

[If anyone knows what the hell people are doing sitting on this contraption, it's got to be Marth. Please be Marth please be Marth please be Marth]

/CATCHES!

[for_altea]

[If being shouted wasn't enough to draw his attention, the green-haired archer moving through the line so quickly (and the complaints of all around him) was enough to alert Marth to his presence. Gordin..? Yes, it was him! He moved to close the distance between them, a bright smile upon his features, before so clouded with worry.]

Gordin! I'm so happy you're here.

[That meant everyone else had to be, right? Somewhere in this crowd? N-no. Gordin's face... it looked just as worried as his had a few moments past.]

-- I do not know what has happened. Where we are or...

[But he wasn't alone. They just had to think, to retrace their steps, or...
No, there was no retracing any steps. They hadn't happened.]

Please, tell me. Did you suddenly feel faint and find yourself here, not long past?

ooh so romantic u///u

[gaggles]

[Hey, those civilians can put up or shut up this is a very important reunion!! Rude.
Which is to say, Gordin looks as relieved as is humanly possible for anyone to ever manage; if it wasn't for the whole prince-knight level of decorum, he might even go in for a hug.
Alas, he just stands there with a face lit up like a Christmas tree for now.] Oh sire, it's a weight off my mind to see you well. I was worried that something had happened to you and the others, and--

Ah, um. Well, there goes my hope of you knowing more than me. [He has the grace to look rather sheepish, at least.] I was training, and then I woke up in this place-- Well, in a building where this is apparently a common thing, not here here, but the point is that the same thing happened to me as to you.
[Okay, so they haven't found anyone else yet, but they've found each other, and that's an incredibly important thing. Definitely way better than him floundering about in the park alone like he'd been planning on doing until things became clearer.]

It definitely seems to be a busy place, at any rate...So perhaps, if we keep looking, we might find more people we know. But if I'm to be stuck in a strange place with someone, I'm glad it's you milord.
[Stop saying things like that in front of a ferris wheel Gordin this is right out of Pokemon or something gross]

/possibly gets booted in the face from the catch but hey *~ROMANCES YOU~*

[for_altea]

[The sheepishness is returned. And of course, he's going to feel more than slightly guilty for that.]

..I am sorry.

[Sorry for not knowing where he immediately is after suddenly falling asleep in the middle of dispatching brigands. Yeeeep, only he would apologize for something so inane. However, he listens to what his friend has to say, nodding quite firmly.] Yes. You're right - we mustn't waste any time. There must be others here as well; faring far worse than we.

[Worse is alone. Possibly swinging swords and lances about in confusion. He's the utmost faith in his companions, he knows they wouldn't, but part of him worries that the disorientation could be perceived as an attack.

So! The line is abandoned, and he talks as he walks, at a brisk pace.]

I am glad to see you, as well. Very much so, actually. It has been years since you left, hasn't it? Is everything well? [It's a shame something like this brought them together again, but really. It's almost worth it just to see such a dear friend once more. Perhaps he's too sentimental, but he's missed him around the castle.]

...i promsie to be more careful with my feet next time eAe

[gaggles]

[Getting apologised to by Marth of all people is enough to send Gordin into a fit of embarrassment; really now, if anyone should be apologising it's him for not being a better soldier.]
Um! It's fine, really; I would have done more to figure things out more if I'd known that it could be of use to you as well, so...Please don't worry.

Oh, oh; if someone like Cain got here with his horse as well, it could be chaos on the streets with so many people about. I didn't even think about that! [Not that his mental image of Cain or Abel or heaven forbid, Frey or Jeigan trying to ride a horse down narrower streets than he's ever seen isn't a little on the hilarious side, but...
Yeah. Not the best first impression of the Altean League. Which is why he's at least trying to stifle his giggles as he scuttles on after Marth.]

Haha, it's been far too long; Master Jeorge's been working me into the ground, and I only hope that it's paying off and making me better! I was planning on coming back to Altea for a while, maybe get to watch Ryan train a little and catch up with everyone, but...Then this!
Er, I really should thank you for taking him into the army, y'know; it means a lot to him, and to me that he's safe with you.

But enough about me; how have you been? Things were alright before today, weren't they? You haven't been overworked? [Since not a day had gone by in Akaneia when he'd wondered if he'd made the right choice; Ryan's news notwithstanding, the thought of leaving home right when it needed him most...
That really gnaws at his patriotism. But what can you do? He either provides apprentice bowmanship, or gets better so that he can serve better when he comes home.

And that it was all maybe worth it for this situation now is a nice feeling.]

/cuts them off! >D

[for_altea]

[There's a thoughtful nod. Anything like that happening would be terrible, I agree...

[Though he's got the feeling even Frey and Cain have better luck of not inciting mass panic than Princess Minerva. A man with a sword... himself, is getting Looks from the people which notice he has one. Gordin as well, his quiver hasn't gone unnoticed. Even with warhorses - he's faith in his mounted units enough to know they'll be able to control the animals bred for war. But a wyvern... people rightly fear them. He presses on, turning to Gordin when he mentions returning to Altea.]

You intend to? That would be wonderful. I know that you've been missed. The barracks speaks of you frequently. Ryan pushes himself to be like you. He's very earnest, and hard working.

[He understood Gordin's reasons for leaving, of course he did - hence permission to actually leave came freely from him. But it felt like an important part of all of them left with him. The fact he intends to come back does make a smile come to his face - of course it does - and it's one he actually means. Very much so. But at the question it turns serious again.]

No. Not at all...

[Kind of. Sort of. Of course.]

Jagen and Chris are helping me shoulder what is to come. No- everyone is helping. [And he's grateful. Very much so.] The world has gone mad, again. But we will all set things right, together.

WOW i need those are you gonna carry me everywhere X-(

[gaggles]

At least if they're here, they shouldn't be too hard to track down? It'd be hard to hide a horse or pegasus in the middle of a city. I wonder-- haha, I wonder if they have stables that we could look at? [Very, very hard to hide the sort of horse bred for battle. Thank goodness he hasn't even thought about wyverns, else he'll end up doubled over in laughter at poor Minerva trying to land to the horror of an entirely civilian city.

...And that's assuming they know what wyverns and pegasi are.

But the tittering bubbles back to a rather bemused (and yet again, flustered) frown when he hears that his return would be desired.]
Um! Um...Really? Haha, I didn't think anyone would remember me, if I'm honest. I'm certainly no-- Well, I'm not you, am I?
[Quick leap on the subject of Ryan that's always a good one go go go!!!]
Gods, I'm glad to hear you say that milord; he's a good boy, but I was worried that he might get bullied or something. He'll be a fine archer some day, but I wish that he didn't have to be. [After all, despite the immense pride at having his precious brother join the Altean ranks, there's a nagging fear of being the reason for him marching to his death.

Still, the pride's too strong to be swallowed by that guilt. Gordin shakes off the wistfulness in his tone and returns the smile, turning it into something hesitantly playful at the idea of Marth ever not being completely swamped by work and drama.]
I don't believe you for a second, if you'll pardon my saying so. You always seem to end up with more on your plate, even with an army to help you; it might be forward of me to say, but you can't spend so many years serving under someone without picking up on things like that--

Oh! Chris...I've read about Chris. [But the letters never did specify a gender...Better tread carefully.] I'm glad that you've at least had so much support, and that things might have worked out so that I can be of some help too.

[It's a little difficult to be so forward about his feelings at the best of times, let alone now, but...Bless him, Gordin's going to try to speak above a shy mumble when he gets it out.]
...I don't know how much use I'll be on my own, but if we are the only ones here...Then I'll do my best for you, sire. Anything you need of me! I mean, it's the least I can do after, er...Everything.

I-I'll buy you rollerskates. 8|

[for_altea]

I wonder... yes, that is a very good idea. If they are not doing what we are, that is.

[At Gordin's statement about not being remembered, he actually looks quite confused. Where would he get that idea? Oh. those stories about the war of shadows. If anything, he's started to dislike them if only because all of the talk about him being the "Hero-King" is so wrong.]

..I..

[Embarrassment? Slight embarrassment, yes. It's one thing to shrug all that off to people which weren't there, but someone that was...

Welp.]

I was nothing without those that fought alongside me. Were it not for you and the others, I would have died when Altea was taken. [He wouldn't have left Elise for a start, and two hostages? Too much hassle.] Even now, I am nothing without my allies... no, my friends. And you, Gordin. We are good friends, aren't we?

[Ryan!]

Ryan is in the seventh, is he not? Yes. I am certain of it. I recall clearly, Cain placed them first out of all of them. He, and the rest of his unit, are exemplary soldiers, and Chris leads them very well. Nothing is certain... but please, be at ease, my friend. Ryan is in the best hands possible... [And, if they ever get back, he's going to ask Jagen to keep an eye on the bittyarcher. Just in case. Bullying and all. Hopefully that won't be more of a hinderance to him than a help.]

...If we are the only ones here, I am happy that it's you with me, my friend. Truly happy. Thank you...

[For being worldnapped?]

...i accept this substitute as long as you don't laugh when i fall over

[gaggles]

Well, we all seem to be differently dressed to everyone else; one way or another, I'm sure it won't be hard to find each other again. Stables, taverns, large open areas; we can figure it out between us!

[Aw, that embarrassment is endearing to the max; Gordin barely bites back a smile even as his ears burn up.] That's true; every soldier is nothing alone, and no matter what the stories say, you're only human. Without you, though...No one would've made it to Talys, least of all me. [Boy howdy he's not used to talking about such deep (or painful) topics and it shows with how slowly he speaks. Gotta take time to consider his words and all.] You gave us all someone to fight for, and you're a really good leader besides; I used to pity our enemies sometimes, that they didn't have you for a king. ...But then, I suppose we grew up together, in a way. [Not that he'd ever dream of using that as an excuse to treat Marth like a little brother, no. Never.] For that alone, you've been a great friend to me.

Ah, he is! They seem like a bit of a mixed bag, but all good sorts from what he tells me. [Softly--] ...He mustn't have gotten around to writing about placing first though, and under Cain too!
Um, that is...Phew. I'm not going to lie, but knowing that they all work together so well and that you think so highly of their captain is a weight off my shoulders. There's no higher endorsement for a soldier than his king's approval, right?

[Aaaaand that's enough to have him trip over his own feet for a second. Honestly, much more praise and he's going to pop. Once he's righted himself and tried to cover it up with nervous laughter though, Gordin's voice turns to something softer than usual. How long had it been since they'd gotten to talk like this?] Heh, you'll have me crying if you keep that sort of talk up. I always was a little soft for your speeches, sire.

[Hey, kidnapped, worldnapped; he's a pro at this sort of thing right?]

♥!

[for_altea]

I wonder if they sought to leave this place. That is why I went to that gigantic... lit... wheel... thing, in order to try and find the way out. The roads are all very confusing. [Frankly, he can understand why. It's so noisy here all the time. The buildings are strange. Everything is.]

From what I heard, many of our best were bested by your brother's unit. They're indeed the best recuits we've had for a very long time. And I promise you - I'll do everything I can to make sure no harm comes to any of them. I swear it.

[The speech is... too much. Far too much, really. And the subject is one he finds simple. It's a matter of hating fighting. And a matter of trying to avoid any bloodshed whereever possible. ...and more than likely remembering who everyone is helps, too. Some part of him feels a pang when Godin mentioned escaping to Talys, however. Very much so. If it weren't for Malledus shouting some sense into him, his dawdling would have meant they'd all have died.

...Which is why he needs the people around him more than most. He's all too aware of the fact his idealism makes him weak, of course he is. But it doesn't stop the fact he doesn't want anyone to pay for his safety with their lives. Regardless of their oaths.

He's about to respond, but then! He reaches out an arm to try and assist Gordin, stepping back once he's actually righted himself without any help.]

...Your words are more than I deserve. Far more. Shall we continue on?

[gaggles]

Oh, that's a great idea! D'you think it's worth going back to the wheel to try and see if we can see anyone? It might be hard to concentrate if we're always spinning, but it might be better than walking blind.
...I just came here to see what it was, after all; we might as well use it if we can. [The arrival spiel had made it pretty clear that this city needed help and that going home wasn't likely for at least a while...Gordin's goals had been more on getting to grips with Sing Song or whatever this place is called, rather than leaving.

And he's curious about why everyone is lining up to get on the stupid hoop, anyway.

The thought that he wouldn't trust Marth with Ryan's life for a second is so beyond his comprehension that he can't help but snort quietly (and look ashamed of himself for snorting at his lord, oops).] I know he's safe under your watch, sire; if I didn't believe that he'd be in good hands, then I'd have come home and hauled him out myself long before now! And obviously I was right on that hunch; his letters are glowing with praise for you and his platoon. Things like, 'Prince Marth is so cool', if I remember right.

[Saying so much heartfelt praise is enough to make him rather self-conscious; it's the last thing that Gordin wants, to alienate Marth with flattery...But he can't help himself when it comes to topics he's passionate about. There's a definite apologetic lilt to his words when he next speaks.] Haha, I'm sorry if I said too much and made you feel uncomfortable. It's true from where i'm standing, so I hope you'll take my words all the same.