fellmemes | Test Drive #4

Entry tags:

! test drive

Test Drive #4

Welcome to the January test drive! We're so excited to have you with us!

A few things of note:

✦ Test drive threads can be considered game-canon if you choose. They're essentially in a shared dreamscape and take place between your character leaving their world and arriving in the audience hall with their faction leader.
✦ Reserves will open at 12:01 AM UTC on February 1st, and continue to be until 11:59 PM UTC on February 7th. This is to reserve a character, not an application slot.
✦ Applications will open at 12:01 AM UTC on the 8th, and remain open until 11:59 PM UTC on the 15th, or until all application slots have been filled. Once Activity Check ends, we will have an application slot number available on the application page. The IC & OOC intro logs will be posted two days later.
✦ We have added a Suitability section to the application. Check it out! We will be requiring this going forward as it not only helps players see if their character is a good fit for the game but it lets the mod team gather some ideas about direction for your character!
✦ Questions? We have a FAQ that's chock full of good information! If they are test drive specific, we have a top level thread below that allows for OOC questions to be posted.
✦ The network is available to use! No matter where your character is, their compass arrived on their person. Please feel free to include a network post in your top-levels! Once opened, the compass will display instructions on use, such as using voice-commands to activate it. Usernames are your characters first name or their most common nickname.
✦ Below will be a header for OOC questions as well as a request for Death or its Attendants if you risk placing a coin in their offering bowl.
✦ As in December, a secondary blessing will be available in February to those that tag others on the TDM!

All set? Perfect! Welcome to Fellden.

AS THE MOON RISES.
You’ll find yourself just outside the Temple gates, which will be locked if you try to open them. A little rude, keeping you out after bringing you all this way, and the more you try to look up at the Temple structure the more insistent guards become in pushing you down the pathway to somewhere else. The thing is, you can hear a lot of commotion in the distance, and smoke rising from the center of a district; you may want to check that out. Where there’s smoke, there’s fire!

Except the smoke is not at all something to be concerned over. Instead, people are gathered near a large bonfire in the decorated city square, drinking and carousing, singing songs of celebration; Moon saviors have arrived! War winners! The residents of the city laugh and sing and dance in pairs throughout the square, grateful for those who have come to aid them. Their merriment doesn’t dwindle as the sun begins to set on the horizon, twin moons rising in its place.

When you (and other new arrivals) are finally noticed by the revelers, do not expect to be left alone! Chrysanthemums will be offered as brooches or corsages, food and drink placed into your hands, while live musicians play loud enough for the dead to hear — for this is a celebration dedicated to them. Several were lost in the battle held the previous weeks, and the Priestess has decreed a time of mourning through revelry. Spirits must be kept up, even in these dark times. You’ll be invited to dance, to drinking games, and offered food and flowers and other items of value. Some may cry when they look into your face, thanking you for becoming their champions during this long and exhaustive war.

Hopefully you’re here to enjoy the festivities despite the pall that may hang over the town. Sneaking off is just fine, too, but don’t expect to be let go of quietly; the people of the Moon Temple are so happy to see you! Enjoy the celebration while it lasts long into the night. If you do manage to leave, a helpful citizen of the Temple will inform you of the nearby transport mirrors that will take you anywhere on the map, one of which they will provide to you.

THE SETTING STARS.
You'll find upon your arrival that the castle is not accepting visitors as they prepare the interior for a solemn remembrance of those lost. Guards at the door will instead direct you to the center of the city where most of Starfolk have gathered to say their goodbyes and reminisce of memories past.

Venturing there, you'll be greeted either by those who are serving food and drink from nearby taverns, or those with drawn faces tired from battle. Or perhaps you're a late arrival and the worst of the exhaustion has left the city, now imbued with laughter and happier memories! Those loyal to the Court of Stars greet the newcomers with guarded gratitude in their eyes and wary hesitance. How many more of these Otherworlders will betray them, they wonder out loud. If you try and take a seat with a party or three, chances are the conversation will halt as soon as you grow near, and the longer you stay the more uncomfortable the gathered people become.

Trust is not easily gained in the Court of Stars; broken now as it is, the natives of this world fear the worst for their Emperor. Will you help us, or will you hurt us, they ask, wanting to believe they still have a chance at surviving this exhaustive war.

Whether you choose to remain for the remembrance or wander off, one thing is certain: things must turn around for the Stars soon. If you do manage to sneak off, a hopeful citizen of the Court will inform you of the nearby transport mirrors that will take you anywhere on the map, one of which they will provide to you.

MARKETS OF THE COAST.
The coastal city of Kyst is abuzz with an extra amount of people who sought refuge here during the attack on the Moon Temple. Some calm had finally started to settle but now the foundation has once more been shaken. Newcomers will be welcomed with smiling faces from merchants as they look to try to sell their wares. Tavern owners and barkeeps will beckon with the promise of warm food and delightful drinks, a place by the fire, and information to help you find your bearings. The air is rife with the scent of the coastline, fishermen bringing in their haul from the day. Perhaps if you pay enough attention, you'll hear or smell something you recognize from your home; as Fellden is the beginning of all worlds, it wouldn't be an impossible likelihood!

Those looking for something more exciting will find closer to the northern border of Kyst a rather curious bi-pedal cat bouncing on its back legs. It flags you down with a wave of its paw, asking excitedly if you'd like to flex your claws into a juicy quest. You're just the hunter for the job! Purr-fect in every way! Out in the wild lands there's a great beast in a deep river, and it's bothering all the people who live in the nearby town! They can't get fresh water or fish for their meals; it's furr-ightening! If you agree to help, the cat will explain that the creature is a Nokken that has been luring many a brave fisher to their untimely death. It must be removed either by force or by convincing it to leave! Help them, Hero-wan Kenobi, you're their meownly hope!

BEYOND THE CITIES.
In the distance from Kyst, a large forest looms, the Gods Wood imposing even from this distance. Should you travel there, everyone you encounter will urge you to be respectful while within the forest. There, people can be found visiting intricately decorated shrines, and leaving offerings for their passed. If you catch their eye, they will beg of you to pay respects as well, and press a gold coin into your palm. Offer a wish or a happy memory to who you miss and place the coin into Death's offering bowl and there's a chance someone will be there to speak with you. Be mindful of your actions though; those that show disrespect will be forcibly removed from the Gods Wood by the trees.

If the forest is too intimidating, Terebellum is open for semester registration, and the grounds are even more regal with a light dusting of snow all around. Students of all branches of magic can be found exploring the campus and practicing their craft. If you're lucky, perhaps you can find a teacher who will explain what is offered here at the University. But ah, there's a catch! Tuition is extremely expensive, so you must impress your faction leaders if you wish to widen your breadth of knowledge within these walls!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

i. MOONRISE (closed to moon)

[ In something of a daze over the recent turn of events, Pepper lets a young woman weave some braids into her loose hair without protest and another to pin a chrysanthemum on her like she's at a prom, while yet another pair of hands presses into Pepper's a cup of some sweet-smelling drink. Someone throws a robe of deep blue over her shoulders, to clothe her in something more than the dubious sports bra and pants she's wearing, though she doesn't realize she can't register any chill. She thanks them all faintly, an automatic instinct rather than any conscious effort, and finds a seat off to the side before her legs give out. While she had chosen to be here, Pepper hadn't expected... well, all of this. The revelry is laced through with mourning, and she can't help but wonder how many have perished. Is it always like this?

The threat is imminent, Tony had told her, but he couldn't possibly have known about this. She takes sip of the honeyed mead to chase away the twinge the thought causes somewhere behind her breastbone, tugging the edges of her newly acquired robe closer about her body. If she looks a bit disoriented, it's only because a lot has happened even before she wound up in Fellden. She's honestly still wrapping her head around the whole thing. That doesn't mean she'll shun company, making an attempt to accommodate any who initiate contact or perhaps take a seat at the same table. ]

So, this sure is... something.

[ Yep, totally nailed it. ]

ii. KYST (ota)

[ In the middle of the hustle and bustle of the markets, Pepper can almost fool herself into thinking she's visiting some old European town during a winter faire. Merchants hawk their wares in stalls and booths of all shapes and sizes, the scent of fresh bread hangs in the air in front of the small bakery she passes by, overtaking the briny whiff from the coast. An old matron loads her purchases into a basket under her arm, while a young man haggles over the price of fresh fish. Small children play tag, weaving around the throngs of adults going about their business. It's simple and straightforward living that went on despite the war, the kind that is a far cry from Pepper's own, everyday life back home. It's not something to be charmed by like some kind of curiosity, she reminds herself, but something to get used to. Sooner rather than later. ]

A) [ She wanders from stall to stall, taking in the different wares available with no small amount of interest. Lingering by the booths also gives her the opportunity to slyly listen in on casual conversations, perhaps to glean some information on the general mood and opinions being floated around by the natives and fellow Otherworlders alike. If she sees someone hesitating over what to get, she isn't above offering her unsolicited advice; albeit with a smile. ]

Shopping for yourself, or someone else?

B) [ Or perhaps you happen across Pepper exchanging some words with a clothes merchant in front of his stall of fine fabrics. ]

Very clever of you, sir. [ Her tone is dry, and it doesn't sound like a compliment. ] I just overheard you offer another patron a better deal for items of roughly the same worth. Is it my faction, gender or glaring sense of newness that's the issue here?

[ Fact is she can't really afford to pay much when she has very little to pay with, but this argument is largely over the principle to begin with. She can't stand cheaters. ]

iii. GODS WOOD (ota)

[ Curiosity gets Pepper to the Wood, but she realizes soon this isn't her place. Worship, make offerings to the Gods? To Death? She isn't particularly religious on a good day, and suddenly she's caught between feeling like a fraud and getting a bad feeling about this, the gold coin that was pressed into her hand upon entry seeming to burn her palm. She doesn't know enough about the way of things yet, about the nuts and bolts of worship in Fellden to be comfortable with dropping the coin into any of these shrines. It makes her hesitate, to turn to the closest person around and offering them the golden token. ]

Here. Do you want this?

iv. NETWORK | UN: PEPPER (ota)

So, how long have us Otherworlders been brought here to fight in this war?

Edited 2020-01-28 10:07 (UTC)

( There's a war going on, but life continues in spite of it. Day to day tasks still need doing, and even Tony has the mundane to attend to. Practically speaking... there's no one else who can. He might have Hakuno run the odd gofer errand around Medii, or deliver supplies to Kyst in an emergency, but she's a master alchemist with her own duties, and doing his basic marketing isn't on her list of tasks.

He could make sure it winds up on the list, but y'know. He's past needing intensive assistance.

Today, lists and coins have exchanged hands, with packages wrapped, saddlebags packed, larger deliveries scheduled, and he's honestly feeling pretty peppy for the first time in a couple weeks.

Leading his horse through the crowd of market-goers, intending to grab lunch at a favorite spot closer to the coast before heading home, he's not expecting to hear her voice over the low din of shoppers. Shocked, in fact, that he's at first pretty damn sure he's hearing things.

He presents a large obstacle when he stops but doesn't care, straining to listen. There, at a fabric stall, and just the sight of copper hair has him weak in the knees, his heart in his mouth. )

...Pep?

( Okay, so, his appearance is a little wild, what with the whole Viking Wolf Dad kit, the horse, the sword on his hip, but under it all he's still Tony, if looking more than a little dazed to see her. )

Jesus Christ, is that really you?

Edited (redundant ) 2020-01-28 10:13 (UTC)

[ She'd always thought a nickname for a nickname was a little redundant, one of those silly but ultimately endearing things that Tony did. The tiny syllable that nobody here should know has her forgetting all about the shady merchant, turning on her heel and unerringly picking Tony from the crowd-- easy to do, he sort of stands out with the horse and all accompanying paraphernalia. Pepper's lips part as she draws in a breath of shock and surprise as their gazes meet and hold, eyes widening as the resignation that had begun to overtake her is shed in favor of dawning exhilaration. Tony.

Relief crashes into her, along with half a dozen other emotions she can't focus properly on, staring intently at him as if afraid he'll disappear if she doesn't. He looks... like some kind of barbaric version of himself, kind of unkempt and kitted in full Viking-like regalia Pepper is having some trouble wrapping her head around. And a horse? Since when did he ride? Is she still dreaming this? ]

Tony?

[ Pure incredulity suffuses her tone, breathing a weighty huff that is not quite a laugh. Her voice wobbles a fraction, caught between exasperation, endearment and complete bafflement as she goes on. ]

What... are you wearing?

[ Yes, clearly the most important part. So sue her for not being entirely rational right now. ]

( He wants a dozen things all at once, to rush in and scoop her up, to kiss her, to bury his face against her shoulder and breathe her in, assuring himself she's really and truly here and all her, not the illusion he's suddenly so fearful she might be. He wants to tell her everything, all of it, the way he never could at home because he never remembered.

Some small, shameful part of him also wants to run.

Tony exhales a shaking breath, the leather reins creaking in his gloved fist. )

Wolf is in this season.

( There, that sounds more like himself, managing to slide into cool irreverence all too easily. Sort of. See, someone's gone and reminded him it feels like he has a chestful of splintered ice, cold and heavy and hurting, and even one step into her warm orbit might make him shatter. He goes to her anyway, because the self-doubt can wait, dammit, he needs her in his arms. )

When did you get here? Where did you get here?

( And just in case his anxiety isn't jetting through the roof already, the paralytic fear that she might have been brought by the Emperor dumps fuel all over that particular fire. )

[ She gives a tiny, nearly hiccuping sound that could have been an aborted laugh -- an incredulous one -- tipping her chin down and staring at him with that look of hers that's 85% admonishment, 15% reluctant amusement. She shakes her head minutely, in disbelief rather than anything else. Unaware of Tony's own inner turmoil, Pepper can't help the overflow of relief she feels; stuck in a seemingly impossible situation, she could ask for no better person to weather it with her than Tony.

Much to the relief of the merchant behind her, she finally gets her feet to obey, or maybe they move on their own; regardless she meets him halfway and bypasses his questions, ignoring his outfit and everything else as well in favor of throwing her arms around him in a tight hug. ]

Ugh. You smell like horse and wet dog, [ she complains quietly in a slightly watery tone, but it doesn't seem to deter her any, squeezing him a little tighter and closing her eyes, chin sinking in soft wolf fur as she presses it against his shoulder. #romance! For her part, her hair probably still smells like smoke and oil from Killian's stupid barge.

And, right. He did ask her a pretty relevant question. ]

I only got here a little while ago, by the temple-- the Moon Temple?

( Oh fuck him, that's such an off the cuff remark that's so Pepper, and it leaves his eyes watering, stinging against the lash line when he squeezes them tight. She feels like home up against him, fisting his hands in her cloak as if to ward against the chance she might dissolve into nothing like a fading dream.

Tony nuzzles in and impulsively kisses her ear, and only regrets it because it just makes him want more of her. If he laughs, it's low, wobbly before he shores it up with the quick clearing of his throat. He's not the praying type, but he has one now, quick and silent to that goddess all the way back in Moon, a silent thank you crafted of pure relief.

Alright though, he's going to just not stop holding her if he doesn't watch himself, and if his eyes are red when he pulls back, well, that's just his thing now. Don't hate. )

We, um. We should, probably think about getting you into something warmer; what is all this about?

( Can he peek a little, what's going on here... )

Edited 2020-01-28 17:12 (UTC)

[ Pepper's lips curve happily at that brush of lips against her ear, squeezing him once more before loosening her hold, letting her arms slip down; though not without a gentle touch of her hand against his cheek, covered in dark bristles. Her lips twitch, just faintly. She's never seen his beard this unkempt and outgrown. It's... kind of strangely attractive, but this is hardly the time nor the place for any of that. ]

I'm not against that, though I'm not cold. [ She sounds resigned about it though, looking a little grim as she pulls back from him properly. ] My problem runs in the opposite direction now, remember?

[ Well, no, Tony probably doesn't, immadiately. It doesn't even occur to Pepper to think that there could be months and months worth of time and events separating their last recollections from home. She throws her arms out at her sides just a little in a gesture of weary exasperation, her Temple blue robe fluttering and giving Tony a glimpse of the black pants she wears underneath, along with a flash of bare midriff. At least she'd been provided with shoes as well, eve if they were a pair of sleek, slipper-like things. ]

I don't... I have so many questions, [ she says almost a little helplessly, a faint sigh edging the words. Only half of those questions have to do with Fellden and Tony's sojourn here, as it's apparent he's been here for longer than a few days. ]

( Lord, but he'd walk right into Hell to have Pepper's soft hands on his face again, so safe and so very, very missed.

As clever as Tony is, it takes him a second to cotton onto what she means, when he sees that flash of midriff beneath her cloak. Just like that, there's a year and a half gulf of time between them, and his heart drops at what this means for Pepper.

Extremis. )

...Wow. Uh.

( Not ideal, but. Workable, and his mind's already racing toward potential workarounds for the lack of equipment they'll be facing. Computing power, mostly, but with 43 here... )

Okay. It's gonna be okay. One step at a time; we are gonna put a pin in that, ( gently, so gently, he takes her hand between both of his, bringing her knuckles to his lips, ) And get you dressed.

( After a beat though, while he leads her over to help her up into the saddle, he risks teasing: )

How do you feel about a chainmail bikini?

Yeah, wow.

[ She agrees quietly, unaware there might be more to Tony's dismay. It's interesting how they switch roles now, Tony's turn to be the reassuring one while Pepper wrestles with a shot of genuine, unadulterated fear that's reflected in her eyes for a moment before she gets a hold of herself-- but she is honestly afraid of this thing inside of her, even if Extremis is strangely quiet now. One step at a time. Tony has a point. Drawing in a deep breath, Pepper squeezes his hand and nods her head. ]

Yes. Okay.

[ ...And bless Tony's terrible humor right then, it effectively gives her something else to react to. Predictably, she gives him one of her driest looks as he herds her toward the horse. ]

If I dignified that with an answer, it'd be "hard pass". Thanks. [ The reality of having to get up on the beast suddenly hits her, and she puts on the breaks a little with barely a pause in between the sentences. ] Since when do you know how to ride horses? Tony, how long have you been here?

pepper potts | mcu | moon

ii - b

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