TEST DRIVE MEME

[behind_the_box]

Starting now, we'll put up a new one of these very month! Feel free to use the current setting of Pandora (Christmas in July) or make up your own! You can also use the following scenarios if you'd prefer:

1. Mushroom Kingdom

Have you ever wanted to be a fairy? Well now you are, even if the answer was no! The City is a big, big place, all of a sudden. Houses are roomy affairs inside giant mushrooms, there are colorful flowers everywhere you look, and the animals are always friendly! Unfortunately, the only food items being sold in the market this month are fruit, fruit, and.... more fruit.

2. School Town

You may be too old to attend the academy, but that doesn't seem to matter; your attendance is mandatory anyway. Or perhaps you're there to teach, because you're the only resident of Pandora that possesses a certain skill. It doesn't matter if it can't be learned; you have to come up with a lesson plan anyway. At least the uniforms aren't some god awful color, right?

3. Zombie Apocalypse.

There's no coming back from death in Pandora, so you'd better do all you can to survive. Three quarters of the city are already infected, and this is the last stand. Are you going to pool your resources and try to make it together, or is it time to stop trusting others and go it alone until the month is over?

Comments

[tenured]

[Kayneth should have been paying better attention, perhaps, but he is a man with important matters on his mind, so when he's suddenly sent sprawling by someone knocking into him, he doesn't feel he is at all to blame.

He moves to gather up his books and sketchbooks, grumbling.]

What kind of idiotic lamebrained oaf doesn't look where they're going--

[Kayneth is not a hypocrite at all.

In the midst of his grousing, he hears that familiar voice speak his name, causing him to freeze, his books forgotten. He blinks, then looks up, his eyes wide. He regards the other man warily, hardly believing what he sees before him. This isn't some kind of cruel trick, is it? There's no telling, with this place. It seems to enjoy taunting him.

Yet there, to all appearances, is Diarmuid, staring down at him, with a familiar look on his face and recognition in his eyes.]

Diarmuid?

[otherwise_proven]

[For just a moment he hadn't been sure of anything-- it Kayneth would know him, it Kayneth was actually Kayneth, if he himself was actually himself, if all this might be just some mad, mutual dream. But his doubt disappears in the space of a few words-- and then he's ostensibly helping Kayneth with his books and papers but really just touching Kayneth with his slightly tacky hands and then he's holding Kayneth fairly tightly and laughing for the sheer joy of it. When he goes to speak, his voice is a bit shaky, but he just doesn't give a damn.]

That's right, I'll be any kind of oaf you say as long as it's really you.
Kayneth. I know I shouldn't be glad you're here, but God, I've missed you.

[tenured]

Well, you are an oaf.

[Kayneth feels he should say something to prevent himself from becoming too emotional as Diarmuid's arms come around him.]

It's fine to be glad I'm here. Humans are inherently selfish. I understand.

[Meaning: I'm glad you're here too, Diarmuid. He slides his arms around Diarmuid, not particularly caring who might be watching.]

How long have you been here? And why wasn't I informed of the fact?

[otherwise_proven]

[All of these things are so ineffably Kayneth-- the joking words that might not sound so joking to anyone else, the demanding questions, the slender arms coming around his back, the touch saying all the things Kayneth wants to but won't in the moment. Diarmuid knows. He knows very well by now.

In spite of the fact of this knowledge, he pulls back just enough to kiss Kayneth on the forehead.]

Yes, I am a terrible selfish oaf-- and lamebrained, too.
It's a good thing one of us is a fine example of a human being.

[He's not ready to let go just yet, so he doesn't. It's been long enough since he had a proper hug-- or a proper anything, really. Of which he's currently feeling the lack quite keenly.]

Oh, I've been here only a little while-- a few days, maybe a week?
I can't think why I haven't seen you, if you've been here all this while. But I can't say why you weren't informed!
I wasn't either. Otherwise, I'd have found you straight away. I'd have liked that much better than sitting in a empty schoolroom, certainly.

[tenured]

I already know that I carry the weight of excellence on my shoulders.

Good, good, so long as we're clear on our respective roles.

[Kayneth is also in no particular hurry to let go, resting his hands on Diarmuid's back, continuing to hold on as his forehead is kissed. He does make the slightest contented noise before carrying on irritably.]

I know why. It's because this place likes to spite me. It exists solely to make me miserable.

[Because it's all about him, obviously.]

You should have found me anyway. [Although he supposes Diarmuid did find him, eventually, so he adds:] Sooner.

[otherwise_proven]

Funny, I thought it was having a go at me, having me coach boxing instead of teach poetry.
[Still smiling, He moves enough to hold Kayneth back at arms length.]

It's good to see your face, even if it is a bit miserable. I'm glad you're all right.
But maybe we should take this somewhere besides the sidewalk-- here--
[Simple enough to put Kayneth back on his feet, to gather up his things while trying not to wrinkle any important-looking papers.]
What are all these for, then?

[tenured]

Boxing? Yes, that's hardly as essential as poetry. Well, there's no accounting for their tastes.

[Kayneth doesn't exactly smile back, yet, but his expression grows less irritable as Diarmuid smiles at him.]

Miserable? There's nothing miserable about my face.

[He allows himself to be helped up without complaint.] I suppose you're right. We should go somewhere else.

[Not that he can immediately think of where to go, as he's too inwardly flustered and distracted by Diarmuid's sudden appearance. He takes his books and papers from Diarmuid as they're offered.]

They're for my class. I'm teaching art history. Not that it makes much sense in this place without any art history, but I've done my best.

[otherwise_proven]

I'm betting you're brilliant at art history, even without the history bit.
[He smiles again at Kayneth, he finds he can't help it. He hadn't realized how lonely he'd been, really. Now Kayneth's here, everything feels more bearable.]

I think boxing and poetry are both essential-- we could go to my "classroom" if you like? God knows there's no one likely to be there. Unless you've got some proper rooms you'd like me to see.

Just so long as it's somewhere I can get a good long look at your face.