TEST DRIVE #6

[fairyfoes]

TEST DRIVE MEME

Considering apping to EACHDRAIDH? Why not give the setting a test run here! OPTIONAL SCENARIOS 01. ARRIVING IN THE DRABWURLD. The Seelie and Unseelie courts welcome you with mirthful revelry and hearty food. After you have been briefed on your purpose here, you will find an endless feast and a night filled with entertainment to placate your concerns. Mingle with new arrivals, sneak down the castle halls and make sure your eyes are always on your glass; fairies and imps have no bias when it comes to tricks! 02. THE STATION. Looking for a little slice of home? The Station gives you all that and more. Take advantage of the wifi, have a cup of fairy-brewed coffee (the one they didn't spit in) or sit back and relax on the patio. You can even move your things into one of the available rooms! 03. WILDCARD. Your own scenario! Explore the Drabwurld or simply take advantage of your Locket!

Comments

jason todd | dc comics | unseelie

[uneulogized]

[ locket; voice only ]

[The beginning of the message is just breathing, but it's obvious that someone wants to make as dramatic of an opening as possible before he gets down to it. After all, what's the point if he doesn't play with it as much as possible. Of course, he goes with just sound to keep it subtle, to make people wonder if he's gonna say anything at all. After all, what if this is a broken locket? What if it's speaking into the void? What if it's not working at all? Mysteries.

But then he does:]

Got you. Nah, someone's done that before, haven't they? Well, can't fault me for trying.

[He laughs, a low, husky sound that sounds just a little forced. (Because it is.)]

I'm looking for intel. Reliable pieces of information. And I'm willing to trade something for it. Training, knowledge, a favor—you tell me just how much you know, and I see if it's worth it. I wanna know what you're asking for. Training wise, let's just call me a jack of all trades. [He pauses, considering something.] And let's just say that arriving here didn't lead to any set backs. Oh, yeah. I'm that good.

[But that comes with his training. First, Batman, and then, the rest. He can't help it.]

As for the rest: if you know about the Trinity. I'm all ears. No, not that Trinity, though that'd be a little on the nose, huh? I mean Batman, Wonder Woman, and Superman. For that bit of information, I'm offering nothing. Call it a necessary curiosity.

[And Jason's not willing to believe he's the only special one.]

[ the feast ]

Huh—nice food they've got here. Looks like you're enjoying yourself. If they make it up like this a lot, though, I'd say we're all very, very lucky that we're here. [He offers this kind of statement to just about anyone with a smirk.

For Jason, though, it's strange. Socialization. Being in a room full of unfamiliar people. His training the past couple of years since his resurrection has called for some smart moves and thinking quickly, but something tells him he has to go about it differently. He has to be like Bruce Wayne in a room full of rich people. The brain's gotta be turned on to full blast, but he's got to be smart—really smart. That's how he handles himself. That's how he does things.

He rolls his shoulders back as he grabs another drink and throws the person he was speaking to another smile.]

But honestly, I wanna take a look around. Care to join me?

[selfimage]

[ it's feasts that he's used to. Loki looks up over a cup of foreign mead and a no-plate full of nothing. he looks up because someone's talking to him, and he can't really say no to banter. ]

Join you? We haven't exchanged pleasantries yet, how forward.

[ but he looks pleased nonetheless. ]

But if I have a guide. [ he tips his drink up. ] Who am I to say "no"? So, Mister Guide, care to indulge me with an introduction?

[uneulogized]

What if that's half the point? I'm still making up my mind about everything.

[Jason's clever enough to know that he shouldn't give too much away. Being social seems like it's important in a world like this, and with everything laid out before him. But that doesn't mean he has to play his entire hand. A name is just a name, especially a name like Jason Todd, but without that little tag attached to him, he could be just any guy. Harder to nail him down that way. That means he can slip from one mode to another if asked for it and he needs it.

Of course, if someone's going to go for that right away, he might as well indulge them.

Somewhat:]

So, let's see if you can earn it. Come along nicely, think fast, and you might end up with my name. Kind of like ... [He motions his hand vaguely.] Rumpelstiltskin.

[If this guy decides to be inflexible, though, Jason will drop the gag.]

[selfimage]

[ not giving too much away is particularly enticing. if there's a game that Jason's playing, Loki's already one of the major players, even without the introduction. he holds the glass with his mead at attention, waggling his little finger like a faux pas. ]

You could at least choose something semi-intriguing like Neo, or is that too far down the rabbit hole?

[ but he doesn't sound particularly against Jason's proposed endeavor. ]

When do we start?

[uneulogized]

C'mon, who claims to be Keanu Reeves? I couldn't dream of holding a candle to him. Realistic expectations, that's the name of the game.

[He straightens up and motions toward Loki's mead.]

We'll need to get our drinks nice and full. If we go somewhere we can't go ... [He trails off meaningfully. Then at least they'll have an excuse. They don't have to drink it necessarily, but they do have to handle what they can.

Jason moves to get a bit himself, filling up the rest of his mug.]

[selfimage]

There's a limited script, all you'd have to do is act the same way you do in every movie.

[ says the guy in the horns. when he brings the mug to his lips, Jason's already filling his own glass and Loki's watching with mild interest.

then he leans in at a bit of a hush. ]

Then we claim ignorance by intoxication.

[ there's a flicker of dubiousness on his expression, but he doesn't make any move to protest. instead he just looks amused, intrigued? somewhere inbetween the two. ]

How quick are you at memorizing saucy ballads?

[uneulogized]

Give me the lyrics, and you'll notice that I'm a quick hand at these things. [He wishes that he was better at all of that. He had been before his death, but those things change. They always change. Catatonia is one such reason, for instance. The other is that he doesn't have a whole lot of time to listen to Queen or whatever kids are listening to these days.

It sucks, because he's always appreciated the heavy strumming of a guitar.]

But that aside, I think we're gonna make a fine team here, don't you?

lockets.

[fiamme]

[She knows that voice -- ]

There is no means of inter-dimensional travel that I've found. Technology is completely useless and the nobility will not speak to new arrivals directly.

[Does she sound mad, because she mad. ]

They are very rude. The Justice League are not here either, if that is what you were asking. I didn't check, but Superman is very hard to miss. He is very righteous and blue.

[thank god, 100% sure she does not have the patience to deal with rational adults. Oh, but -- ]

Arsenal is not here either. It's very disappointing, I was hoping he would test the food first.

[this is probably really surreal for you Jason. ]

Oh -- it's Starfire. Hello!

[uneulogized]

[Things that Jason Todd is not: familiar enough with Starfire to be spoken to this way. Sure, he guesses he doesn't dislike her, but after years of being dead and running around learning how to kill people the most efficient way possible, it's really, really surreal.

Too surreal.]

I think you have me mixed up with someone else.

[Like a certain Dick Grayson. That'd make more sense for that tone for just about everything.]

[fiamme]

[-- sweats. ]

Are you certain? Your voice is very familiar.

[You know for a girl who says she doesn't remember, there is a tiny voice inside praying please don't be Nightwing. Though Nightwing is probably being replaced with that dude I don't wanna remember.

He definitely doesn't sound like Red Robin, but if she's being honest Red Robin's voice was kind of like a high pitched drone with words. ]

That is unfortunate. Who is this?

[uneulogized]

[What identity does he respond with? Red Rood? Robin? Jason? Some other kid that he ran around the world as?

No, when it comes down to it, he's Jason Todd. He's always been Jason Todd.]

We've met. Not for long. I'm not what you'd call memorable. [That's his understanding, anyway. Jason hasn't dug into the Titans' records yet to see how little they've remembered him.

That comes later.]

I'm Jason Todd. [There's a beat.] And yeah, being alive? It's as strange to me as it is to you, Starfire. [That's added on for pure theatricality. But hiding how long he's been alive? That seems wise. If it's just the two of them, he can handle that.]

[fiamme]

[On her end, there is a terribly big frown on her face. Jason's jokes aren't usually like this, whatever this is. ]

This is not the time for pranks, Jason.

[And why would she be surprised? She knows the story, just as well as she knows her own. She reconsiders everything he's said; Jason instead of Red Hood. There's no way his memories been tampered with again -- ]

What is the last thing you remember, Jason Todd? I think even you are not obtuse enough for pranks right now.

[uneulogized]

I'm not wearing spank pants and running around in pixie boots, so you can count out pranks.

[This is just annoying. Of course, Jason's capable of his own kind of humor. It's dark humor. But he doesn't see the humor in this at all.]

And which part do you find a problem with? Me being alive? You're gonna have to spell it out. Something tells me we're seeing two different ... things here.

[debts]

You always this forward?

[ Natasha's taken great care not to eat or drink anything, even if it looks like food she's familiar with. Not yet. She knows enough Baba Yaga stories. And, besides, physical discomfort doesn't really matter after you've been launched into a fairy kingdom with a whole new parade of political enemies.

Her plate and goblet are full, though, giving the impression. She laughs at him, not entirely unkind, and lets her mouth curl upwards into a huff of a smile. ]

What if I'm some— shard-eating hellbeast?

[uneulogized]

[That whole deal of not eating or drinking, but giving off the impression that you are? He doesn't notice it right away. Jason's too busy crafting a plan about everyone else in the room, and he gets caught up. He's always gotten caught up. It's one of those flaws of his. He can't help it.

(And for what it's worth, he should be more careful, but he's been around too many people who catch on to that trick.)

But as he steps nearer, it clicks in. He's gotten better. He isn't Robin anymore, and he's supposed to be on his crusade to take over Gotham, to rip it bleeding and crying away from Bruce. He has to be as good as Bruce.

No, he has to be better.

So, as he notes the goblet's appearance, he takes in all he needs to know.]

Then I'm in for a real treat, [he replies quickly.] But forward? You could say so. If you're out for me, then this could be trouble. And if you're not, well, I might be able to find you someone else to munch on. [And if she knows now to drink, to put on a front, she might be a good person to check things out with.

Bravado aside, it looks like it could potentially be a win-win situation.]

[debts]

[ A beat. Her expression shutters too quick to parse out the particulars, briefly flicking past a careful neutrality before it lands on that huff of a smile again. This time it veers on unimpressed, but there's still a certain good-naturedness that sheens over it. ]

You're funny.

[ She peers at him over her cup, which she drinks from. Lips, actually, but it's not exactly like that's hard. ]

Sure. Let's go for a walk, sailor.

[uneulogized]

[His eyebrows raise at the sip. She noticed. Well, he can't say he's not impressed. The boyish part of him (the part that almost certainly will never leave, even if it's hidden under layers of rage and self-hatred) can't help but smirk at that. She's good, so he has to admire her. It's as simple as that.

Of course, his body language changes ever-so-slightly, almost like he has to impress her now. To keep up, that is.

Isn't that what anyone would do?

Jason motions ahead of him before doing a small bow, hand coming back to rest lightly on his chest.]

After you. It's only to be expected. [It's the kind of "chivalrous" he'd never do normally, but if they're going to make a play at her being dangerous, it's only natural that she go on ahead of him.]

locket

[smithwork]

'Reliable pieces of information' is a broad spectrum to ask the Drabwurld to delve into. You might get something interesting or the fairies could always send you a cookbook of their favourite cake recipes because they think those are incredibly important.

[ Things are video on this side, not voice. Hiccup can be seen with a wintry forest behind him, and just now is when a big black something moves behind him with a growling grumble low enough to put the bass on an R'n'B track to shame.

He ignores the creature completely, continuing. ]

I've been here a while, I can try to answer your questions if you have any. No charge.

[uneulogized]

That's why you discuss your agreement before you put it into writing. I can always fail to make good on my end. Keeping an open "mind" and all that.

[Of course, he knows that's not implicit in what he said. But asking for intel is asking for intel. Sometimes, it's a messy game. And it's harder without just being able to sit at a terminal for hours with a few handy searches on hand.

Then again, Jason prefers talking to people and piecing it together, anyway.]

And I should give you a proper lesson in the first place. If you have someone offering you something, you take it. Unless you doubt what I have to offer. Which I'm curious. Do you?

feast!

[andallbite]

[ Eren enjoys himself as much as a perpetually solemn kid does. He's not terribly keen on attending lively festivities, and there seems to be an abundance of those around these parts, but if there's one thing he's come to appreciate, it definitely is the food. There's always more than enough to go around with very little he's yet to dislike, so it's usually more or less the only reason he bothers to show up to these.

So it's no surprise the large spread was precisely where Eren was making a beeline to—until he's spoken up to, that is. ]

There's nothing in the hallways that's gonna jump out at you if you're alone.

[uneulogized]

Well, now that's a relief. [Jason sizes this kid up. He definitely seems like the type of guy who could do with relaxing. Of course, getting some teenager to relax is low on Jason's list of priorities. But he does want to pry out some information.]

That just tells me that you're free to roam, no risk. Right?

[andallbite]

Sure, if you want.

[ His expression appears about as dull as his tone, as if it were a question with an obvious answer. Of course, the natives around these parts aren't all pleasantries and cordial encounters, be they human or otherwise, but Eren keeps to himself often enough to not have frequent bad run-ins. Most of the trouble he falls into happens outside the castle grounds.

Eren also looks him up and down, very cursory, but it isn't a subtle glance. ]

You seem like you could handle yourself fine, anyway.

[uneulogized]

You aren't wrong, [he says, a little disappointed. The kid isn't taking the bait. Of course, thinking of anyone just a couple of years younger than him as "the kid" is maybe not the nicest thing he's done, but eh. There are bigger problems.]

But maybe I'll stick around. What would I ... you know, hypothetically, need to face?

[andallbite]

Around here?

[ Eren pauses for just a beat before shooting a quick look over his shoulder, then jerks a thumb behind him. ]

See those tiny things over there? [ The imps, he means. They stand out well enough because they're small and ugly looking, not to mention all over the damn place—especially during large gatherings such as this. ] They're a bunch'a annoying assholes most of the time, but you can just kick 'em around a bit.

[ Which... he does. Often. They're the worst. ]

It's once you leave and start heading into the forest that they say you gotta be careful.

[uneulogized]

[He notices what Eren means, and he wonders if that's such a good idea. Sure, kicking things around is something Jason does a lot, but he wonders if there is a checks and balances system that's in place. He'll have to look into it more.

Of course, he could just kick them around. It could be as simple as that.]

What's their purpose? [Jason nods to the imps when he says that.] And what happens in the forest? Spill, come on, I'm clearly asking here.