TEST DRIVE MEME #5

[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

[depicted]

There was a clerk at one of the counters here who offered me this to try. It was, I believe, to the west end of the place.

[prioritise]

Then west we will go. [Mary links her arm through Dorian's.] And thank you, for letting me come along - [a beat, and then she hides a smile behind a fake serious expression] for support, of course.

[Mary points to the broken device] How exactly was this damaged in the first place?

[depicted]

[The physical contact brings another rise to those poetically described cheeks of his, but one does get tired of going on in the manner of Oscar Wilde about attractive youthful beauty. Anyway, he ducks his head again, which is so common with him that it doesn't really reveal that he's flushed again.

Stupid baby.]

I—I am afraid I must not know my own strength, or at least its own delicate quality. I held it a little too hard.

[So it must be made of chalk layers, how could this kid possibly have enough grip to crack something stronger?]

[prioritise]

[laughs, because, well, that is funny] Forget Lancelot and Gawain, you must be Hercules reborn.

Or it could have been damaged already, like a crack in glass: one soft tap and the whole thing shatters.

[depicted]

[Her laugh evokes his, so charming he finds it.] That would seem to excuse me, but I have no proof.



[Story of his life, he thinks, unaware that actually there is a different story for his stupid life.]

[prioritise]

The thing was so fragile it broke in your grip. And while I haven't known you very long, I can still vouch for your honest and careful character. What more proof would you need?

[depicted]

[This time, when Dorian ducks his head, the smile is more forced.] In the eyes of the world, the suspicion of wrongdoing provides better material for gossiping mouths than even the truth. One's real character often seems to have very little to do with it.

[prioritise]

[she can't argue with that truth...] Then it's good we are away from our own worlds. Perhaps this one will be less cruel.

Before I woke up here, I discovered someone was posing as me, trying to destroy my name. It was a scheme by my cousin to discredit me. Cheaper and easier than the alternative, or so I was told.

[depicted]

[Dorian is shocked and offended on her behalf. He mutes it as much as he can, having been somewhat tempered by experience in society, but it is still a terrible thing.] It is a bitter thing when family itself betrays the blood. I wonder sometimes if—if perhaps—[Here, he is a frightened game animal. He doesn't know if he has a right to continue.] Don't you think at times that perhaps it . . . it is one's found bonds, more than one's familial bonds, that you can rely on yo support you?

[He rushes to retraction once his moment of bravery is over.] Not, of course, that one can't rely on family to see one through to the end, merely that—that is, family cannot be overvalued. Only that even royal bloodlines have dissent between veins. If you understand what I mean.

[prioritise]

[Mary hides a smile] I understand very well. My friends are often my greatest source of strength and support.

[She doesn't hide her smile as she squeezes his arm gently] It's why I know I will be able to count on you in the future.

[depicted]

[That brings a proper smile back to him, as small and breakable as it is.] Are we to be friends? I should like that very much.

[prioritise]

Of course. It would be foolish not to befriend the man who can crush solid objects with his bare hands.

[depicted]

[His indignation is betrayed by his laugh.] Crushed! I only cracked it a little!

[prioritise]

That's only because you stopped yourself. Left unchecked, we both know that would be nothing but dust in your iron grip.

[depicted]

[Smile persistent, Dorian must retort.] Do you tease all your friends so? More the pity to them, and to me.

[prioritise]

I'm really a tyrant and a bully underneath it all. And now you are stuck with me.

[depicted]

How abominable! Is there any way to plead for your mercy, O Tyrant?

[prioritise]

You could try, but I'm afraid I'm quite merciless.

[depicted]

Surely you have some heart. There is not a woman in the world without one.

[prioritise]

[she's sure she could argue that point, but won't try] I wonder if that's true. Why not try pleading for mercy. It may just melt my cold and icy heart.

[depicted]

[Dorian sees the moment to be dramatic and gallant, to be like a character in a play, like a work of art. But he is just a boy, little experienced and little learned. When he unhooks his arm so he can genuflect before her, the theory is sound but the execution is more uncertain, as with an actor who is too shy to commit fully to the part. Still, he bows his head—] Your Imperial Majesty, I beg you to show mercy on this unworthy servant of the crown! Or, um, sceptre, I suppose, if you're an Empress. [He tries to put the act back together.] My heart beats for you, my hands work for you, my mouth speaks for you. [Did he flush at that last one? Yes. Look, Constance taught him other things mouths can do, and he hasn't forgotten.] I plead my case only—only for love of you, so that I might do your work? [Slipping into uncertainty again, he gives one of those pretty, fragile, helpless smiles, the kind that lets him get away with anything, sincere even in its failure to commit.] Please?

[prioritise]

[Her hand covers her mouth, in an attempt to hide her smile, but she can't help but let out a delighted laugh. Dorian is too precious and charming.] Your bravery and humility have melted this once icy heart. Only mercy lives there now.

In honour of your gallantry, I will knight you. [she takes the broken tablet, and touches each of Dorian's shoulders with it. when she is finished, she takes a step back] Rise, Sir Dorian of Mercy.

[depicted]

[Smiling helplessly now, he rises to his feet.] A knighthood! Your Majesty, you truly have honoured me. I hope I can use my Knighthood to serve you well.

[prioritise]

I trust you will. It is one's found bonds, more than one's familial bonds, that you can rely on to support you.

[depicted]

[He laughs a little, offering his arm to her once again.] I imagine I cannot shy back from my duty now, not with the support of a monarch behind me. I needs must play the brave knight.