Test Drive

[snowblindmods]

TEST DRIVE MEME

If you'd like to apply to Snowblind and would like to test the waters first or get a sample set up for your application, this meme is for you! We've even provided some prompts for you to use if you want (but feel free to make up your own). Here's how it works. ✭ Reply to this entry with a character you're considering apping into the game. You can include the name of your character and the fandom in your subject line. ✭ Comment around to others on the meme, whether you're in the game already or not. ✭ Now you have a sample ready for your application! ✭ So go reserve and apply when reservations and applications are open. ✭ Seriously, do it. Network Prompts ONE: DRUG PUSHING What luck! You've found a bottle of medication...only, oh, it looks like it's a prescription for one of the other people trapped here with you. You have a lot of power in your hands now: you could do the right thing and give it back without a fight, demand a worthy trade to see how badly they want it, or auction it off to the highest bidder. They're not the only ones who could use a painkiller or an antidepressant, after all. If you don't need it for yourself, you're sure to be able to fetch a high price (or bank some high gratitude points) for it from someone. TWO: CHECK YOUR RECEIPTS After a long day of traveling, you reach into your bag to scrounge up some dinner but you find that all of your food has gone bad. Everything, including the rations you stocked up on just yesterday, is covered in a thick layer of mold. Even the packaged nonperishables are somehow spoiled. Your whole backpack reeks of rot, and nothing edible has been spared. Maybe you can restock tomorrow, but what if you're not the only one whose food has been tainted? And what about the meal you had for lunch just hours ago? Your stomach turns. You'd better take to the network to get to the bottom of this Action Prompts THREE: WRITING ON THE WALL You've just settled into a building for the night with your traveling companion when you notice a message left somewhere on one of the walls. It's signed by a username you don't recall ever seeing before. It tells you discoveries and facts about the town you don't think are really real or should be followed. Tells you that they're heading in a direction they're convinced has the exit, and urge you to follow their lead. One of you thinks it's worth consideration. After all, why would anyone leave a message like this if they didn't mean it? But there are risks involved in chasing the assertions. Do you have the resources left to try? FOUR: CORPSE PARTY Just before lockdown, you and your traveling companion are about to seek shelter in the nearest building when you spot a huddled figure nearly buried in the snow. When you get a little closer, you see that it's a person wrapped tightly in a blanket. Neither of you recognizes them, but you can't be sure; the blanket covers their face. They seem to have succumbed to the elements, but it looks like they're still breathing! You manage to drag them into the building with you with seconds to spare. Good job, you've saved somebody's life! But, as you pull apart the blankets to check on your new companion, you realize that they're not a "somebody" at all... And you're locked in with it until morning.

Comments

[spoileralert]

[ Steph sends over a description of this event, this event and this post. ]

There's a few people who report having bled static. Ask House and Brian, @hotstud_xxx and @totheark respectively.

[ She sighs and rubs at her forehead. At least there's someone else to take some of the secondary Joker guilt. ]

He's making a nuisance of himself. He hasn't actually killed anyone yet, but not for lack of trying. He's about half useful. The other half will probably try to take control of the town rather than help us all get free.

[srsbat]

Not surprising. [Which is to say, Bruce doesn't doubt the Joker's intentions. Especially considering he's here. It'll be double time with attempts. Goading. Worse.] He thinks this is a simulation. [While he's looking over what she gave him.]

Do you agree?

[spoileralert]

I'm not convinced. There are a lot of other potential explanations, and not enough evidence to rule any of them out. There are almost certainly computerized elements at play, but I don't think it's a full-out simulation. Too many practical issues that a program would solve easily.

[srsbat]

I thought so, too. [There's a long pause. He's considering the information.] I'll look into it. For now, we should worry about staying alive.

If it's virtual, it may take a while to find out how to disengage it. If it's technical, there is going to be a centralized hub, a power source. If someone is manipulating the town, it'll be connected somewhere.

Where have you noticed the most available places of electricity, if any?

[spoileralert]

Not many. Most places any wiring or circuitry has been cleared out. We do know that there's something under the town, in the center. The power source, if it's separate from the Thing, is probably there.

[srsbat]

But you don't know for sure. [It isn't meant to be as condescending as it could sound. He's just being logical, pointing out in his usual Bruce way that they could waste time digging only to find nothing.]

No one can stay underground for so long without another route in unless they're artificial. In that case, they'd be only stewards.

Do you have a way to dig if there's no access?

[spoileralert]

Well, we kind of do. [ People have seen it, so they know it's there, and there's plenty of reason to assume the power source is down there with it. ]

We've been told there should be a path. How true that is remains to be seen, but I don't think they were saying we should literally dig.

People have tried it anyway, but it's slow going without real shovels or anything.

[srsbat]

We'll search for an access underground. [He's quiet for a long time, likely thinking again. He doesn't say it as often as he should to his "kids," and it's something he's grown to regret worse the older and more stubborn he gets. So:]

Good job. [He's taken note of how she's handled things the Bat way, and he appreciates it.]

[spoileralert]

[ She doesn't really think of herself as one of his, but she's worked with him enough to know how rare his praise is. She blinks, surprised. ]

Oh. Um, thanks. It's... been a rough couple of months. I'm glad you're here.

[ Grudgingly so, because she hates admitting how much of a relief it'll be to have someone with a similar skill set to pick up her slack, or even that there is slack to be picked up. ]

[srsbat]

We'll figure out what is going on, and we'll put a stop to it so everyone can leave safely. [It's more of a reassurance than a certainty, but he doesn't let his voice betray him.]

Are you going by your name here?

[spoileralert]

[ If she didn't hear that all the time from Al and even from herself it might be more comforting. ]

Yeah. When I first got here I didn't think I'd keep up the vigilante business, so it's kind of common knowledge. And I gave away my civvies, so.

[ She shrugs. The girl who got her extra clothes needed them more. It's just too bad that she died and Steph can't get them back. ]

[srsbat]

All right. [He's in the cowl--obviously the Batman shindig is still going to frustratingly fly even in Snowhell.] Stephanie. [He may not approve of it, but he's gonna have to get use to it.]

With the Joker here, be careful.

[spoileralert]

Yeah... [ She grimaces. Things with the Joker have not gone great so far. ] I think he's decided I'm more trouble than I'm worth, but I'm not about to push the issue. He's already hurt my best friend, and I doubt he's forgotten that I'm the one who outted him.

[srsbat]

I'll keep an eye on him. Let me know if you hear that he is up to anything.

I assume he is going to try what he can now that I'm here. It's best if you're not involved.

[spoileralert]

Yeah, of course. [ If she's there, obviously she'll help. But now's not the time for another manhunt. ] And everyone else knows to be wary of him, too.

[srsbat]

Good. Make sure it stays that way.

I'll check back in with you when I can.

[spoileralert]

Aye aye, Cap'n. [ She gives him a mock salute and a wry smile. ] And if you can't reach me, call Zach.

[srsbat]

Zach. [It's not a question, but the way he says it sounds probing.]

[spoileralert]

@zachtastic.

He's.

[ blush. ]

My boyfriend.

[srsbat]

[There's an amused smile in his voice:]

You've been busy.

[spoileralert]

I've also been here five months.

[ It's not like she immediately went boy hunting or anything!! ]

[srsbat]

[Why are even his not-babies growing up so fast...? He can't take it.] It goes by quickly when you're courting, doesn't it?

[spoileralert]

[ Oh no not that word ]

You're not going to start talking marriage too, are you?

[srsbat]

I don't have the authority to legally or religiously bind the two of you, if that's any consolation.

[spoileralert]

[ SOB. At least she knows she's being teased. Probably. ]

This is what I get for being honest with people. I can see why Red Robin doesn't like it.