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

[knightwalksintoaboar]

[ Lancer isn't being all that careful either, but then again, he's not exactly moving. He's sitting leisurely in one of the classrooms, in the front row, staring absent-mindedly out the open door and watching the other "students" hurry past to their own classes in time before the second bell sounds, signalling the actual beginning of class. Details of their faces barely register as they whirl past.

He's just looks away, the thought occurring to him suddenly that perhaps it's not the wisest or safest move ever to be flashing his face like this at everyone who walks past, when he hears the sound of books crashing to the floor and papers scattering. His eyes fly back up from the surface of his desk, his attention caught by the noise, and that's when he finally actually notices a face-- his face.

His face is on someone else.

Lancer gets up right away and before he really understands what he thinks he's doing, he's already heading outside the classroom, bending to pick up the other Diarmuid's things. He hands them over, but doesn't say anything-- just stares. No. This isn't possible. How is this happening? ]

...Management's idea of a joke?

[otherwise_proven]

[He doesn't notice right off-- it only really registers when he looks up at the other man, ready to thank him for the help and make a joke at his own expense. But he never gets the chance.

It's like looking in a mirror. The reflection is slightly tired-eyed, but accurate in most other ways-- and oh, it speaks. The accent is his, too.

But, being himself, he answers his own question without thinking too hard about it.]

Well if it is, it's either a really bad joke or very good one.
[Having gathered up most of his stuff, with his own help, he stands in the hallway-- with himself.]
I don't suppose your name is Diarmuid, now is it?

[knightwalksintoaboar]

[ Lancer makes a low, thoughtful hum in the back of his throat, his expression serious and disbelieving still. How can this be? How did they do this? It was difficult enough to accept that there were two versions of Kayneth here, but he didn't think -- or perhaps he didn't want to think -- his double would ever show up here. ]

Diarmuid Ua Duibhne.

[otherwise_proven]

[He nearly drops a book a that-- but his reflexes are excellent, fortunately.]
The-- well, if you're who you say you are, it's you I'm named for.
But it's Ó Ruadháin, Diarmuid Ó Ruadháin.

You've got to forgive me, I know I've got to sound like an idiot- but it's a bit of a surprise meeting myself.
This place. It gets more and more mad all the time!

[knightwalksintoaboar]

Ó Ruadháin...

[ Lancer chuckles a little at that-- the sound a bit like a scoff, but without the derision. Instead, it's more like wonder.

Of Ruadhán-- the more familiar and affectionate form of ruadh, meaning red. He thinks of Gae Dearg. ]

It does take some time getting used to, but I admit that as long as I've been here, I still never expected you.

[otherwise_proven]

What, me in particular, then? Or just-- another you?

If it makes you feel any better, I certainly never expected you, either.
It's not everyday you meet a Legend.
I'm a lot things, but I'm not one of those, I'm afraid.

[Diarmuid looks about as the hallways clears.]
Is it going to result in some awful punishment if we skip class?
I'd rather talk a bit more with you, to be honest.

[knightwalksintoaboar]

[ Lancer glances back inside the classroom, then back at his... counterpart. He's not as certain as the younger man is if he wants to have a conversation right now, especially considering he suspects a great deal of it will involve Kayneth. ]

I'm sure it will. If we're not brought to Management's Punishment Hall, the school administration will think of a different way to discipline us. There will be time to talk later.

[ It's as much of a warning as it is a diversion. Although it's true that he doesn't want to talk to Diarmuid right now about their lives, he also doesn't want to get him in trouble. It's probably foolish of him, but he feels some protective impulses towards him. ]

[otherwise_proven]

[Diarmuid gives-- Diarmuid a glance, a little unsure as to how to read the other man. For all they look alike, it's not as if they really know each other. Lost for any better reaction, he gives a half smile and a sort of one-shouldered shrug, shifting the load of books beneath his arm.]

Fair enough, then. I suppose If I'm back at school, I'd better act like it.
Later would be brilliant, though-- for a talk.

[It's an odd thing to find himself doing, but he puts out his hand for a shake.]
Good to have met you-- Diarmuid.