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: DO YOU SEE WHAT I SEE? It's a pretty lonely night. Maybe you want to share whatever may be on your mind, or perhaps you're simply looking for some company for a short while while you bundle up in your found supplies for the night. Whatever the case may be, you're feeling a bit stir-crazy on your own, so you decide to turn on your video feed and see who else is online. Only, something odd happens. You can't get your tablet's video to focus. At least...not where it's supposed to be focusing, which would logically be on you, as you're front and center and there's nobody else around. The focus keeps shifting behind you, no matter how you try and fix it. Like there's someone, or something, looming just behind you. You look over your shoulder and there's nothing there, but the longer it goes on, the more the feeling that you aren't alone creeps into the pit of your stomach. Maybe you should say something about it: maybe someone can put you at ease...or maybe someone can see something that you can't. TWO: NEW PHONE WHO DIS? The day is started off with a bang when you're woken up extra early to a flashing blue light from your tablet. There isn't too much time to register what might be wrong with it, because all at once it restarts, correcting whatever the problem was. At least, so it seems. Everything looks as good as new, until you notice there are apps and files on here that you don't recognize. In fact, doing some digging it looks like there's nothing at all that you recognize as your own. On a hunch, you check your tablet's helper program and discover that it's different from how you'd set it. In fact, when it addresses you, it talks to you as if you're a whole different person. Whatever name that you requested it call you, it's adamant about calling you by something new: a name that seems like it belongs to someone you've never met before. Who are you? Maybe someone else can help you figure this out. Action Prompts THREE: DISTORTED REALITY You and your traveling companion have found a strange place to stay for the night. It's the sort of strange you have trouble describing, like something's inherently wrong with it. You feel odd, crowded, the atmosphere squeezing in on you. But you're stuck here. Is it your imagination, or are things flicking in and out of existence when you aren't looking? A paperweight that was just sitting on a desk is there--you blink, it's gone--you blink, it's there again. The only thing you can think to do about it is record it. Except, recording it only makes matters worse. Because when you play the recording back to yourself, your screen glitches out in a bright hue of distorted, flashing colors, and then turns off completely. As far as you can tell, your tablet is dead. It's definitely a good thing you aren't alone tonight. FOUR: FOUND FOOTAGE With the pressure being on lately to get in contact with "those who came before" and find as many clues as possible toward reaching an exit to get back home, you can't help but be excited to find an SD Card during your sweep of the house that you and your traveling companion have chosen to stay in for the night. Maybe you plug it into your tablet right away or maybe you wait until you've regrouped, but either way, the contents are unexpected, to say the least. Because the people on the distorted camera footage are definitely without a doubt, you and your traveling companion. Maybe it's a video of something you'd done earlier today, maybe something that never happened at all, maybe something that only just happened in this very house that you've arrived in. It's unsettling, no matter how you look at it. How did this SD Card get here? And who was recording...?

Comments

David Bouchard | Bon Cop, Bad Cop

[jmencalisse]

two; video

[The feed opens to David already muttering angrily at the tablet.] Mais c'est quoi ton problème, 'sti de...

Okay, hello. This thing is calling me the wrong name. One of you smart people know what to do about it?

All my files are gone and now there are new ones. And whoever the fuck [peering at the bottom of the screen] "Randy Donahue" is, his organization of files is discomb... disc... it's shit.



four

[David is not a happy camper. He's having a hard enough time with all the pseudo-supernatural bullshit going around in this town and reality changing around him doesn't do much for his mood.]

Come on! Piece of shit technology du tabarnak! [He whacks the side of the tablet several times and, when that doesn't seem to do much, proceeds to bang the entire thing on the nearest surface. Getting it to work seems to be a secondary concern here.

When the brute force approach doesn't accomplish anything either, David just tosses the tablet over his shoulder. RIP.]

Hey. Hey. [Snapping his finger in his companion's direction.] Yours, is it still working?

[He may or may not try to snatch it away for further inspection.]

@FirstFrontier; video

[worldbynight]

[Blaze looks intrigued and cautiously optimistic, which is pretty much her default expression. Norfinbury is a terrible place for optimism, but she immediately has all sorts of ideas.]

Oooh. Maybe your tablet is being possessed? One of the ghosts might have gotten in from the network. What kind of files have you got? Share with the class, please!

[jmencalisse]

Possessed?

[Not that he believes it but that won't stop him from immediately shaking the tablet, leaning in towards the mic.]

Randy? Randy, can you hear me. I have a message for you from the great not-beyond: Get - out - of - the - tablet - douchebag.

[Bringing his head back up David immediately sees that nope, that didn't do anything. Well, plan B then: humoring Blaze's enthusiasm. He looks through the files - more muttering and swearing - and starts checking off the fingers on his hand.]

There is an application, it says "Do not open". There are files on how to build a front porch. There is a calorie counter. Merci, Randy, I was really getting a little concerned about my macros here.

three

[keepthemsafe]

[ Sara isn't very happy either, but at least she hasn't resorted to striking her tablet or hitting it on the floor. She's seated on said floor, but she looks up at him when his actions start to veer more towards the angry side. ]

Look, I know you're frustrated, but is breaking your tablet going to make that better?

[ Clearly he's not concerned about that, given the way he just pitches it over his shoulder. Obviously anger management isn't a concern for him either.

She raises an eyebrow at being snapped at. ]

Is that always how you get people's attention? If it is, you might want to rethink that, because people aren't dogs. [ But she sighs. This is getting too tense too quickly, and they need to focus on cooperation, not altercation. ]

But since you asked, it's not. [ Even if it was, she'd be reluctant to hand it over to him, in light of what he's just done to his. ] What were you trying to do, anyway?

yep this was supposed to be a three sorry about that!

[jmencalisse]

[David spreads his arms, turning in a half-circle to face her.] It helps me think.

[At Sara's complaint he scoffs and turns away again, proceeding to walk up and down. There is something restless about him and he handles the feeling of wrongness of this place badly; he's tense, agitated, can't seem to keep still. Pacing. Rubbing the back of his head.

Her question makes him uncomfortable because answering means admitting to the weird things happening. Things vanishing. Reappearing. The feeling that he can't trust his own eyes.

David answers slowly, his voice losing some of its drive and dropping with reluctance.]

There were... I saw something. I wanted to take...

[He brings up his hands as if holding a camera, moving his finger up and down.]

Three

[zunesareawesome]

[Peter holds his tablet up, trying to keep it out of reach from this guy. What is his problem, anyway?]

Nope, it's completely broken. Sorry about your luck.

[jmencalisse]

Oh really?

[Then why are you hiding it, Peter. What do you have to hide.

David needs video evidence that he's not crazy, that he's not imagining things. Or rather that he is crazy, probably just tired and that's why he's imaginging all this and the video will show him that this is in fact a very normal house with very normal things that do not phase in and out of existence.]

Let me see. Maybe we can access the camera.

[He reaches up, grabbing and pulling at the tablet.]

@prettypinkflowers; video

[lacecase]

[Ginger is not one of those "smart" people who are good at knowing how to do with technology when it starts acting cooky. But, well, here she is, prepared to...help...?]

Discombobulated?

[What a fun word! She beams despite the potentially concerning situation.]

I hope Mr. Donahue didn't have anything naughty he didn't want someone else looking at! Not that it's right to, like, snoop, but, like, have you found anything interesting? Maybe you can do a, uh, what do they call it? A factory reset?

[jmencalisse]

Yes, that.

[He clears his throat. He can English, Ginger, really!]

If only he had! [Really, that would have been the only good thing to come of this mess.] There are a lot of company files but it's all very boring. He must have been an accountant or a, a sales rep.

... A shitty one if his way of sorting stuff is any indication.

[He scratches the side of his head, then the camera starts spinning as he turns the tablet in his hands.]

Do you know how to do the factory reset?

Adam Warlock | Marvel Comics

[infinitywatcher]

one; video

[Warlock is categorically not a fan of the tablet's video function, possibly because of his secretive nature, although perhaps also because the sight of a gleaming-golden man in a massive crimson cape curled up around meager human warmth in the back room of a hovel is not quite the image he wants to project. Needs must, though. As ever, what choice does he have?

The camera is still not focusing on him despite a great deal of careful trials culminating in the averted desire to punch the damned thing. He glances over his shoulder at where the camera does focus. He is no fool. He knows how this is going to go.]

What is it? I assure you, I do want to know. I tire of playing games with the imperceptible.


four; ohshit

Well done. A good night's work.

[It isn't often that Warlock allows himself to betray exhaustion - or satisfaction, for the matter, but now he affords a moment of both. The search had taken a considerable time. At least they have their prize for it. Now he would very much like to sit down. To examine it, of course. Sleep can wait. All powers have been taken from him, but not the power of will.

He offers the card to his companion as he settles into one of the chairs in the large living room where they have made their discovery. His cape settles about the chair, just shy of tangling in it.]

Do you wish to do the honours?

one; video

[jmencalisse]

[Yeah, this is...

This is Bouchard seeing Adam for the first time on screen. This is also Bouchard staring, mouth slightly agape, because what in the absolute fuck are you wearing. Even if the image is out of focus it's the only thing David can pay attention to right now.

The open mouth slowly transforms into a grin and then he averts his face, tiny gasps of air escaping him as he's laughing soundlessly, his shoulders shaking. When he looks back his eyes are bright with more suppressed laughter.]

Scusez-moi, your majesty. You were saying?

[infinitywatcher]

Do I dare hope you're laughing at what is behind me?

[Another glance back, just in case, but he already knows this is not it. Is he going to have to put up with this earthling's idea of entertainment in order to get a response?]

Please. Share what you find so amusing.

[Adam Warlock has his virtues. But a sense of humour? Never.]

One | @wiccandoit, audio

[fanboyascended]

Something that should probably be completely horrifying but is actually just irritating at this point?

[ Billy is busy staring in fascination because, well, golden man who's a pretender to the cape throne. Not enough room in this town for the three of us, buddy. ]

-I mean, I don't know. That's just everything here. It looks person-shaped.

@G; video

[alivingweapon]

[ Well, that sure as fuck is a countenance Gamora would be very happy to never see again. The man who will never be her father, he can't possibly truly be there, can he? There's no way anyone would be sitting so calmly with that behind them. Unless they served willingly, in which case they certainly would not be broadcasting his face. ]

Does the name Thanos mean anything to you?

four

[warriorscribe]

[At least if he's stuck on this diversion, cut off from his intended destination, he gets to add something to the public data record.]

Thank you. I'll inform the network, too, once we see-

[Enoch stops talking abruptly, mouth slightly agape in utter confusion as he watches the playback. The audio is the sound of things shifting around, perhaps a mutter under someone's breath or two, indistinct.]

What... It's us.

Wayne Oxford - Don't Rest Your Head / OC

[ufologist]

［ ｏｎｅ． ］

@wjo ; video

[ Wayne really doesn't look like much, to be honest. The feed isn't flattering, either-- the man it shows is whip-thin and lanky, with a drawn face that shows all the signs of a remarkable lack of sleep. The jacket he's wearing doesn't seem to fit him very well, but the rest of his clothes are in order-- the brightest thing about him is a startlingly blue bowtie, neatly tied in place. He's a bit hard to make out, considering the fact that the tablet's camera just won't focus on him, although that hasn't stopped him from broadcasting all the same. ]
Is this thing-- hm. It's not working properly, is it. But it is working, I guess. [ The feed focuses on something behind his left shoulder, and after a moment, he glances back as well, frowning. Whatever it is that's gotten the camera's attention, he can't see it; it's something he's starting to get used to, admittedly, but it still sends a shiver down his spine. After a few seconds of staring just to be sure, Wayne turns back around, brow furrowed in quiet worry. ] There's just, um...one problem, which-- I think you can see it, actually! This device is pretty damn well convinced there's something else in here with me, and...as far as I'm aware, there isn't. The idea that I might be wrong is a bit, ah. A bit concerning!

[ Wayne spends a few seconds fiddling with his tablet, trying to get it to focus properly on him rather than anything else. It's not exactly helping, and is, in fact, just making it worse before he throws in the towel. ]
But, uh. Is anyone else having this kind of problem? I'd try fixing it myself, but I'm afraid I'd just damage it more than it already is. I'm-- not exactly familiar with this kind of technology, sorry to say. [ He spends a moment or two nervously wringing his hands; the unshakable feeling of being watched convinces him to take one more look around, though, and he seems a little more spooked than previously when he turns back. ]
I should also mention-- even though I don't think I have company, I certainly do feel like it. I would like to believe that isn't the case, although...
[ He fixes the camera with almost pleading look, leaving the feed on to try and help his nerves. Someone watching might spot something he didn't, and-- well. It may prove useful, but hopefully not as a record of his death. ]


［ ｔｈｒｅｅ． ］

[ The initial creepy feeling hasn't worn off since he got here, but Wayne's doing his best to work in spite of it-- from the moment he first realized what was going on, he's only gotten more and more thrilled about the building they've found themselves in. Sure, it's weird and uncomfortable in here, but what was that when compared to the fact that the house they're stuck in was basically Schrödinger's dream? His...debatably unfortunate traveling companion has had to endure far too much excitable rambling since lockdown had started, and he's shown no signs of stopping any time soon. ]
[ At some point during his impromptu dissertation, Wayne's gotten the idea to try and record the phenomenon, both for later observation and proof it even happened in the first place; if he's going to do any work with this, he'll need more notes on it, though. Fortunately enough, he's pretty well equipped to do just that! It takes him all of a minute to get set up properly, with his tablet filming and his notepad already in hand as he scribbled away at some line of thought. ]
This is-- I don't know what, exactly, but it's fascinating, isn't it? If I had the time, I'm sure I could come up with...well, all kinds of theories, but there's other steps to go over first. It's just-- look at it all! [ He looks up from the screen, grinning widely. His tablet's still recording fine, even as the paperweight he's currently fixated on blinks in and out of view. ] Have you ever seen anything like this? I sure haven't! And it's incredible, isn't it? This is the kind of stuff that would send half my department into a collective fit!
[ He rocks back onto his heels, straightening up as he gently closes his notepad before tucking it into the crook of his elbow. The tablet is a little more difficult to get situated, but he manages alright, turning off the recording with a pleased smile. ]

Is it limited to this one area, or is it the entire house, you think? Maybe we should explore a bit more-- but oh, hold on! Let me review the footage first, just to make sure I won't have to do it again before we leave.
[ Wayne almost fumbles the tablet entirely in his haste, just barely catching it before it clatters to the floor-- he gives a nervous laugh when it's securely in his hands, glancing over at his companion with a sheepish grimace. ] Good catch, huh? [ No, not really. ]
[ The replay at least starts fine, but it doesn't last long. The flashing takes him by surprise, to say the least, and he comes close to dropping the tablet a second time; the look on his face is a mix of horror and despair as he stares down at the blank screen, the realization that he's probably lost the footage gradually dawning on him. When he speaks again, his voice is quiet, almost inaudible-- ]
...that-- could've gone better.

three

[lacecase]

Oh, no! Sugarbear, what happened?

[You're Sugarbear now, Wayne. This is your life. You'll just have to be content with this new identity. It's felt to Ginger to be a pretty appropriate nickname, because all his excited talking, it just...it's just so cute! She's so happy to be able to travel with someone who has so much to say! Granted, she understands precisely none of it, but she's more than content letting him ramble.

The clatter really catches her attention, of course, and she whirls away from a tasseled lampshade she was fretting over to come see. Ginger joins him in staring at the apparently-dead tablet, and puts her hands over his, like they're both joined together in mourning for this electronic device.]

I had no idea these were so fragile!

Phi | Zero Escape

[whatjupitercouldnt]

two; audio

[Phi's not normally a super-private person, but she's still usually a bit more restrained with how often she uses video and audio on the network. Still, this time? It's better that there's no confusion about her identity.]

I'm curious. What username is this message showing up from? It should be user "ex post facto," but my interface seems to be swapped with someone else's.

[It's also her way of probing the masses to see if anyone else has run into the same problem.]

three;

The wonders of modern technology.

[She sighs in exasperation, testing the power button one last time. Not even a hard reset is doing anything.]

The way I see it, we have thee options.

One, we either chalk this up as one of those random effects and do our best to get some sleep. Two, we look around ourselves to try to see if anything might be causing this.

[Technically that's only two options, but the third isn't really a viable or useful one, in her opinion.]

Lilly Desange | Mama

[fuckingwolverine]

A - meeting

[Lilly likes this house. It's nice and small, with only a few rooms, and a couch that's pushed back just enough from the wall that she can wiggle behind it if she wants to. There's no furniture in the bedroom, so she sets up camp back there, dragging in her backpack and the small pile of blankets that she's gathered. And even though there's no one else in the house, that's where she spends most of her downtime. She explores, and gathers some things up, and then she takes them back to her little nest to look them over. If she likes them enough, she shoves them into her bag. If she doesn't, they'll get pushed under the couch, assuming they fit.

It's not long before lockdown when she hears the front door creak open. She freezes, fingers curling more tightly around the bottle of shampoo that she'd been examining. Quietly and cautiously, she pokes her little head up and peeks over the top of the couch. Hi.]

B - what's this?

[On those days when opening the front door reveals nothing but heavy, blinding snow, it's safe to say that traveling isn't going to be happening. It looks like whoever had spent the night in the same house as Lilly last night will be spending the day with her today.

She's a weird housemate, as one might be able to guess if they've spent more than thirty seconds in her company. She doesn't talk and she keeps to herself a lot, but as long as whoever she's with is calm and nonthreatening, and doesn't make any weird or sudden movements in her direction, she's pretty peaceful. She'll even approach at one point, dropping to all fours and doing a weird sort of crawl-hop instead of walking. When she's a few feet away, she'll stop, and solemnly hold out a toothbrush for their inspection. Her fingers are wrapped tightly enough around the handle that it's clear she isn't trying to give it to them, but she wants them to see. She found this. What is it?]

a

[toerr]

[The boy is happy to get out of the snow. It makes him feel all kinds of uncomfortable, especially when he's alone. Like he could get lost or turned around or end up stuck down in it. He isn't expecting anyone to be in here, but when he closes the door behind him and sees a movement out of the corner of his eye, he whirls his head around.

Or, well, where his head and eyes should be. Lilly's faced instead with a large, round helmet rested on top of the neck of a boy that appears to be roughly about her age. He freezes, unsure what to say, and adjusts the straps of his backpack.]

Um...hello.

B

[bywolves]

[ Royce has no idea what this little girl... is, or what's going on with her, but he sees a lot in her that's similar to the way he was as a child. The night before had been a doozy, to be sure, but now that he's figured out she's not a normal kid, he can deal with her just fine.

He's sitting on the couch, looking at his tablet, when she hop-crawls towards him. Not the weirdest thing he's ever seen, not by a long shot. He looks down at her, not making any sudden movements. ]

Toothbrush. [ He tells her, in a calm, low voice. ] That's a toothbrush.

Porter Neirland | Original

[hoardmind]

two

[God, he hates showing his face publicly... but after a day of being cold and alone and trying his damnedest to reach out with his mind to available hosts - which of course does nothing - he is too frustrated to bother texting.

Everyone gets to enjoy the scowling face of a scrawny teenage boy in an oversized trenchcoat, speaking in what sounds like a dull rage... and an Australian accent.]

Tablet. What's my name?

Your name is Anthony McQueen, but you've asked me to call you Duke.

No, the hell it's not. What exactly is going on with this thing?

four

The first thing Porter does at any opportunity is split off from the group... it's half for the solitude, and half to stop imagining how people judge him for trudging along at the rear, clutching his stupid right leg and struggling for a grip for his cane in the snow. It's pathetic to have a permanent limp at eighteen, and even worse to be slowing down a traveling group... he'd much rather be sitting on the floor in the dark, where even he doesn't have to think about it.

Except this time, he can be found in a corner, replaying something on his tablet over and over again. It's propped up like a television, so what he's viewing is clear from the doorway - a video of one of his companions claiming that he could walk, jeering at him for pretending to limp so he could be lazy. And then Porter had walked, right over to strangle them.

He keeps pressing the button to replay it, over and over again. He's not sure why. He just has to, it's... comforting, in a way.

@hotstud_xxx; text

[rubikscomplex]

say my name
say my name
when no one is around you
say baby i love you

aka tech support apologizes
we're experiencing problems with our data ghost collective

four

[himalayanyeti]

I don't think it's good to be watchin' that shit over and over again. Healthy. Y'know?

[It unsettles Magenta just by existing--but the fact that his lone companion keeps going over it is even more worrying. It's not like he trusts anyone these days, but Porter is almost making it too easy. As such, Magenta has discreetly coasted to the other corner of the house, only poking his head in slightly to assess that yes, Porter is still back on his bullshit.]

I don't like it, anyways. Stop doin' that.

four

[stolenparts]

[Dio isn't one to judge a cripple when he could be considered one too. He watches as Porter trudges off, saying nothing. And for awhile, he doesn't bother him. He could use some time alone, too, self-consciously fiddling with the bandages on his face and wondering if there's a better way to present himself.

It's an accident, really, when he glances with his good eye and sees what's playing on the screen. Wait...is that a video of himself? Being strangled? By Porter? And Porter keeps playing it...he should really say something. It's awkward, though, so he decides to start slow. Maybe play innocent.]

Did you find a movie?