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

[oathshackledbird]

A curfew?

[For a moment, he almost doesn't think he has heard her right, but considering how little seems to make sense about this place, perhaps he shouldn't be so confused.]

Why is there a curfew? Or maybe a more important question would be, when is the curfew?

[shortafewcircuits]

Starts about two in the morning or so. Everything closes off until dawn.

[oathshackledbird]

And the penalty for ignoring the curfew?

[shortafewcircuits]

I've never been punished for it, but things get... very odd after curfew. I don't know how to explain it.

[oathshackledbird]

That is all right. Your expression tells me a lot of what I need to know. It is not a time during which people should be out even if they are a servant like me.

[He nods in acknowledgment and then moves onto his next question.]

Where might I stay during the night, then?

[shortafewcircuits]

Any place you care to, honestly. Most of the buildings are abandoned, but in perfect condition. We're expected to simply find one that strikes our fancy and take up residence.

[oathshackledbird]

So simply? I don't need to ask anyone or let anyone know? It can't be that easy. Nothing in this place is.

[He pauses in thought a moment before speaking again.]

What about rules? The people who talked to me when I arrived mentioned there are rules. Do any of them pertain to housing?

[shortafewcircuits]

Yes, that simply. Though you're correct about the rules-- you'll be expected to live with two other people. New arrivals are given some leeway to find a situation they're pleased with.

[oathshackledbird]

I have to live with two other people?

[Diarmuid crosses his arms over his chest. He doesn't exactly look happy.]

How much leeway are we talking? I don't exactly...want to be around others right now.

[And with his curse, it would probably be better if he wasn't.]

[shortafewcircuits]

[Waver wouldn't have expected he'd be antisocial, but she can't say that she blames him. The magus simply shrugs.]

I live with Archer and Rider, but I come and go as I please and I've never been punished for it.

[oathshackledbird]

[It's not that he is antisocial. It's just that he needs some time to think through the feelings caused by being forced to kill himself...]

Wait a minute! Of all the people you could live with, why them? Especially after what you said about Rider...

[shortafewcircuits]

[She tilts her head and blinks at him, not sure why he's asking when the answer should be obvious.]

Rider is my king, why wouldn't I live with him?

[oathshackledbird]

King?

[Well, the Waver and Rider of his world had been very close, so he really shouldn't be surprised that this Waver and Rider are also close. Still, King is an odd way to put it.]

So you are his Master here as well?

[shortafewcircuits]

No, I forfeited my right as a Master before the War ended and swore my loyalty to Rider. He is my king and I am his loyal retainer, even in the face of all of his stupid bad habits.

[Waver puffs her chest out and lifts her chin with pride.]

[oathshackledbird]

[Diarmuid seems a little confused as to why a master would do such a thing, but then he thinks about the...unique relationship the Waver and Rider he had know had. As he does the confusion on his face melts into a gentle smile.]

Good for you. If that is what you really wanted, then that is all that matters. I'm sure he's proud of you.

[When she's not yelling at him for not picking up the house that is...]