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: SEE THAT WE CAN SEE It's late and you're settling down for the night when you notice a strange light coming from... outside? Through the heavy snowfall, you can just make out the haze of glowing eyes in the distance. Dozens of them. It's difficult to tell through the window, but they seem to be staring directly at you. Since it's after lockdown, you can't get outside to investigate, but maybe others in town are seeing the eyes too. You'd better take to the Network to see what's going on. TWO: BEHIND THESE HAZEL EYES You can't sleep. You've been trying, trying, trying. But every time you close your eyes, you see the eyes of the prophet etched into the insides of your eyelids. The symbol only seems to get brighter and clearer the longer you keep your eyes shut, the closer you get to drifting off. It chills you awake. Nothing seems to help. Maybe there are others on the Network who are having the same problem. Or, at least, someone who doesn't mind keeping you company through the long hours. Action Prompts THREE: THREE'S A CROWD You and your traveling companion are exploring what looks to be a perfectly normal building when you notice something strange carved into the wall. Is that an eye? Strange indeed, but what's stranger is that new carvings keep appearing, always where you're not looking. Soon, the whole room is full of eye carvings. Is your companion doing this? If not them, then who? FOUR: THE KNIFE'S EDGE Most everyone in town still has eyes that are either glowing or shaped like the prophet's symbol, and your eyes are no different. These are the same eyes that made everyone attack each other a few nights ago. Every time you catch a glimpse of yourself, maybe in the reflection of a window or the video feed on your tablet, you feel a little sick. Unfortunately, your traveling companion's eyes look strange too, and they're the opposite of yours. Both of you are in danger if those murderous urges come back, which makes it difficult to trust each other after what you've been through. It's late at night when a dark thought crosses your mind--you do have a knife. Not that there's any reason to use it, of course... Right?

Comments

[livingsymbol]

Has anyone ever seen this Prophet? How do you know this isn't just a story made up to keep us busy? Or to explain the weird occurrences here so they can sound like they put a name to it? There's no real sign of life beyond bits and pieces, and they're all buried under rust and rubble.

Kind of convenient, if you ask me.

[He stands in the middle of the room, looking around at the eyes as if he expects to have a staring contest with them.]

So you think this is just art? That's what you're saying? No.

[advanced]

People have met the Prophet.

[He's not going to say that he's one of them, because he's already done with this conversation. He hates being in the same place as Steve, even a Steve that isn't his Steve. He hates it, and he craves it. Steve is who most of his more solid memories are of; but the more he remembers someone so important to him, the more aware he is of just how far he's fallen from the man who used to be his best friend.

It's dangerous to be around him.

So he shifts back towards the door again.]

Keep watching them if you're concerned.

[He turns to walk away again. He's not going to even attempt to sleep tonight. His plan is just to find an out of the way corner, keep watch all night, and slip away as soon as lockdown ends. Foolproof.]

[livingsymbol]

[It's a good plan, except that Steve follows him out. He just happened to say the right thing to get the man's attention and now he's picked up the blonde by saying he knows something about the Prophet and guaranteed that Steve isn't going to let him off easy.]

People have actually met the Prophet? In person?

[He comes up just a step behind Bucky, keeping pace with him.]

[advanced]

[No, thank you. He's so tense when Steve follows him, and it's probably evident in the stiff line to his back and the way his muscles are all corded under the skin.]

In a dream. Go ask the network, they'll tell you.

[livingsymbol]

I'm asking you.

[Don't dodge him, man. He can tell when he's being brushed off, and that isn't going to help anyone. If Bucky has answers, he shouldn't keep them to himself. So now he has a big, blonde tag-along at his heels.]

What was the dream like?

[advanced]

I don't remember.

[It's gruff, with an undertone of warning that quite clearly means 'back off'.]

[livingsymbol]

What was the Prophet like?

[He's persistent, but not angry. Just steadily pushing, like he's steadily keeping up with Bucky's retreat like they are taking a friendly walk together.]

How do you know it was really the Prophet if it was just a dream?

[advanced]

I told you.

[He stops short, glaring daggers at Steve. It kills him to have this man near him.]

I don't remember, now leave me alone.

[livingsymbol]

[Steve stops, and at least stops grilling him for information, but he stares right back without backing down. He's not going anywhere.]

Okay. No more questions.

[advanced]

[His expression grows darker.]

I told you to leave me alone.

[livingsymbol]

[He raises an eyebrow. He just agreed not to ask questions, didn't he? Does Bucky expect him to walk out of there?]

[advanced]

[Fine.

He'll step back and move away, then.]

[livingsymbol]

[That's fine. Steve gives him space and lets him retreat.

And just keeps tabs on him. He doesn't engage with him or get too close, but he does stay within sight of Bucky. Good luck with him. Now he's decided to stick around.]

[advanced]

[That's so frustrating.

He'll put up with it until about midday the following day, when he wheels around in the snow to glare.]

Leave me alone.

[livingsymbol]

[Steve stops when Bucky turns on him, but he doesn't look put off by the glare. He just looks back, making eye contact with the patience built on years of training, and doesn't say a word. He hasn't done anything to stop Bucky from going where he wants to go or having some space--He just refuses to leave. Like a dog, following along stubbornly and keeping track of his man. A dog that doesn't understand "go away."]

[advanced]

Why are you following me?

[livingsymbol]

I figure someone should keep an eye on you. You seem like the reckless type.

[Not sorry at all.]

[advanced]

I don't need a minder, and I don't want you with me.

[It's not his Steve, it makes it easier to say this, but still not easy.]

[livingsymbol]

I'm not babysitting you. I'm watching your back. You might not like it, but since I'm the only one here and I don't want you to get hurt if you're ambushed while you're alone, I'm staying with you. I can't let you fight these things without backup.

[advanced]

I don't get a choice in this? I said I don't want you with me, Steve.

[The name slips out without him really noticing in his annoyance.]

[livingsymbol]

You have the choice to either keep whining or make something good out of it.

[He glances over with a hint of annoyance. Oh, so he is Steve. Well.]

Making sure we're all safe with these symbols popping up is our biggest concern right now. That means working together. Like it or not, buddy, we're all stuck in this place. You can pretend you don't have to deal with us, but you're just lying to yourself. No matter what you do, wherever you go, there are still going to be people here. And I'd rather be with you than run into you. So I'm staying.

[advanced]

[His expression darkens further throughout that.]

You're not my jailer or my minder, I'm allowed to make the choice of who I travel with. I'm making my own contributions here, and they don't involve you. Go and help someone who actually wants you with them.

[livingsymbol]

[Okay, that's rude.]

I'm not your jailer so my opinion that you trying to isolate yourself is reckless and stupid doesn't count, huh? Sure, you can decide who you want to travel with. That's your choice at the end of the day. You can decide you don't like me.

I'm deciding that you shouldn't need a jailer to get backup. Maybe you beat everyone else back with that shining attitude of yours, but I'm not impressed. I think you look like you've spent a month crawling through Hell, and until I know you won't be stranded on your own, I've got nothing better to do here than make sure you're taking care of yourself. If you'd like to talk me out of it with something other than insults, I'm listening.

[advanced]

How about because I didn't ask you to.

[He's struggling to keep a control on his temper. This feels too much like being trapped, and it's getting right under his skin. If Steve wants to help, this is the wrong way.]

How about because I have the right to make my own choice about whether I travel with you, and I'm choosing not to. If you follow me, you're spitting on that choice and making yourself my jailer because you won't let me go.

[livingsymbol]

Your choice isn't just about how you feel.

[He can get mad. That's fine. Although Steve is grateful to at least hear this now.]

Not agreeing with what you want isn't taking away your choice to want it. Or to do whatever you need to at the end of the day. I still respect that. But you're wrong here. Pulling away, putting yourself in more danger because you don't want to think of anyone around you as anything but a jailer? That's only going to get harder if you keep running from your problems.

Looking out for someone doesn't make me their jailer. And if I wait around for you to get that trough your head and start asking for people to help you without treating them like they're an obstacle, I might end up frozen again before it happens.