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Test-Drive Meme!

TEST-DRIVE MEME

Maybe you've considered appping a new character but you're not sure how well they would adjust to the in-game scenario? Well, here's a chance to give it a try!

• Post with a character journal you'd like to voicetest or you've considered apping to Ruby City. Feel free to play them as newcomers or as if they've been here for a while - the setting is your own choice.

•Respond to other threads with new characters or with characters who are already in the game.

• Explore different interactions, find castmates, develop possible CR - anything you want, as long as you have fun!

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[ Lorelei isn't sure she wants to venture into the city without any semblance of self-assurance yet. She has been here for a couple of hours but the train's return prompted her to hide behind one of the pillars, where she remained unmoving for the longest time.

Her own appearance could come off as anachronistic in some way to an observer, but her most striking features are perhaps her eyes. At some point she finally peeks around the corner of the pillar. Her voice is almost a little too quiet to be heard properly. ]

So you don't know where we are?

[At the sound of the feminine voice, Oliver turns, and his own eyes are immediately noticeable as well. Far from human, with a rich blue that encompasses almost the entire iris and pupil - elven eyes. Straightening his posture, he smiles in a welcoming, if rakish manner and steps towards her.]

Hello, dear lady. [He nods his head graciously.] I'm afraid I don't have a clue, and judging by the curiosity in those beautiful eyes of yours, I suspect you feel much the same.

I assure you, I mean you no harm unless, of course, you bring that harm with you behind a pretty disguise.

[ Her eyes widen in surprise once he turns, but the look is quickly replaced with a frown once she receives her answer. Something about the way she holds herself behind the pillar makes her seem almost uneasy once he steps in her general direction, but otherwise she makes no move to run, nor to hide. ]

I don't. [ She's too quiet, too honest about her answer. Her tone is, essentially, that of a confused young woman. ]

I just want to go home.

You have nothing at all to worry about from me, I assure you. I'm just as hopelessly lost as you, and generally...well, I'm not accustomed to being lost unless I choose to be.

[Oliver's tone takes a gentle tone, purely honest and good-natured.] But I will also say that...I've a lot of questions. Such as who brought us here, and why. How to get back to where we came from. [He pauses and smiles.] Your name.

[ She ponders his statement briefly and finds a question worth asking: ] Would you say you're a travelled man?

[ Lorelei shuffles a bit before she finally steps away from the pillar, holding a paper in her hand; undoubtedly one of the pamphlets they could find scattered about the statement. She makes a point of holding it out for him, should he want to read it, but maintaining her arm outstretched as if to maintain a distance. An odd gesture, indeed, but not intended as disrespectful. ]

... Lorelei.

[Her question prompts a cheerful laugh from Oliver - he moves to take the pamphlet from her hand, but takes her hand instead and kisses it fondly, his elven eyes twinkling a bit.]

Saying that I am a traveled man is quite the understatement, Miss Lorelei. [He releases her hand and bows in an almost theatrical manner, but then again, he has a very gypsy-like appearance to him, so it fits impressively well.]

Oliver Valarian - scholar and explorer.

[ There's a blatant air of uncertainty surrounding her after he has reached for her hand - Lorelei is certainly the kind of person who, albeit unintentionally, is quick to display a significant lack of social skills. Her reactions aren't ill-intended; far from it. But it feels like she's walking on eggshells and she's slowly trying to push that feeling away. ]

Oliver Valarian. [ She repeats his name with a slight nod, although her next words are spoken with a hint of hesitation. ] It's... A pleasure to meet you. Even if I don't understand how this happened.

[ It couldn't have possibly been a spell. She has never heard of one that could take her to a different location, much less at random. ]

[He notices her uncertainty and immediately gives her a bit of space, respectful. He doesn't seem put off by her lack of social skills, however, and gestures with a flourish. One thing he learned from growing up in a gypsy caravan were plenty of stage tricks. A flower appears in his hand and he offers it to her with a smile.]

And a pleasure to meet you. You can relax, I am far from the sort of nobility that would expect you to have extreme social grace. I'm a nomad and a wanderer. As for this...

[He looks around thoughtfully, and slides a thumb into his purple sash in a jaunty manner.] I'd assume some sort of teleportation magic...except that I can't explain the automated wagon that brought me here.

[ Her eyes go wide for a brief moment but she takes the flower with a nod of gratitude. As he speaks, she examines it with great care and momentarily considers placing it on her hair; but perhaps later. For now, she simply holds the flower and pays attention to the conversation at hand.
Her ears perk up at his last words, however. ]

I've never heard of such kinds of magic. Or that... Thing. [ The train, she means the train. Trains do not exist in her home world. ] Do you think that maybe we're in hell?

Magic is common where I'm...hm. [Oliver glances around, looking at the poster on the wall, and the pamphlets littering the ground. After looking over one, he frowns, but he also seems thoughtful.]

Where I'm from, magic is common. And I hardly think this is Hell...it's too quiet, and not enough...well, devils. We'd know if this were the Nine Hells.

[He pockets the flyer.]

According to this, we seem to have all been brought here from all over - many different planes of existence. It's fascinating...but I was never really one for being captive.

[ Now there's something Lorelei hadn't considered; then again she wouldn't have known for sure. It's mostly the factor of novelty playing into her confusion. She takes a good look around and finally nods. ] I suppose you're right. But... What? [ It was a strange concept to grasp, but ultimately she shook her head. Stranger things could have happened; at least it wasn't Hell. ]

This doesn't feel very much like captivity, does it. [ Her tone decreases at that. She would know about that - in some way. ]

Sometimes, a prison doesn't have bars or walls, or even shackles you can see.

[Oliver takes a breath and closes his eyes, and frowns.] Hm. There's a lot of memory here. No one will tell me why we were brought here though. And I get the feeling that, judging by the austere welcome, our hosts are not likely to make themselves easily known.

[Resting a hand on the hilt of his cutlass, he breathes out and runs a hand through his hair.]

But we might find a few more answers to our question if we explore a little. What do you say?

[ Very quietly: ] I know.

[ But just as she says it, she's quick to focus on the change of subject. ] You can sense that? [ Curiosity laces her tone. ] I suppose we could go... But I should come back here soon.

[Oliver turns a sharp eye to her.] As do I. And yes, I can. The women of my people...well, my mother's people - are known for having the gift of Sight. For a man to be born with it is rare, but I was strange enough as it was. And I inherited it from my mother. My caravan was known for their fortune telling and psychics, and their music.

[Smiling lightly, he steps towards the door, never stepping ahead of her or behind her. He peers outside, and looks mildly impressed.]

I've never seen a city like this...but for a city, it's oddly empty. [He glances back at her.] Why would you want to come back here?

That's very interesting. [ Lorelei means that, even if her tone could indicate some sort of absence, seeming disinterest. It's just the way she sounds - if she didn't care to know, surely she wouldn't have asked in the first place, nor would she have listened intently. ] Do you play an instrument?

[ Upon reaching the door she pauses, looks back and then, only then, looks towards the city. ] Hm... It is strange. And, ah... [ She bites her lip, looking back just one more time before taking a step towards the city streets. Perhaps it's best to move along. ] I am waiting for someone.

Well, it's not everyone's cup of tea, exploring, but it's in my blood. [Oliver smiles as he steps out into the street, and extends a hand cordially to her.]

I play violin - my father was known for his work. Doesn't look like it made it with me here, though. Pity! But if you're waiting for someone...how do you know they'll arrive at all?

[Oliver looks a bit apologetic.] I'm not trying to discourage you, but we arrived here by change and a healthy dose of magic, I'm guessing.

[ Lorelei shifts her weight from one foot to the other, carefully considering her options for the shortest moment before she finally decides to step forward and, with a nod, take his hand. ]

I have never explored past the forest. [ The one she knew, of course. ] But it sounds fascinating. [ A pause as she collects her words. ] As does your musical talent.

[ However, he makes a good point and Lorelei cannot help but to look down at the pebbles on the ground, hunching her shoulders slightly in a vague semblance of a shrug. ] He never strays too far.

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Test-Drive Meme!

TEST-DRIVE MEME

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