Test Drive Meme!

[rubycitymods]

Test Drive Meme

That's right! A test drive meme! This meme serves several purpsoes!

- Test drive a new muse! -- If you are considering apping a new character to Ruby City, you can comment with them here to try their voice out. Others (currently played characters and other potential characters) can respond. The same deal as usual. Post ICly. Your character can be newly arrived, or you can treat the thread as though they've been in the city for a long while. It's up to you!

- Test drive DreamWidth! -- We realize DreamWidth is new, so feel free to jump in, even with your current RC characters to start a thread and get accustomed to how DreamWidth feels to RP on. But please remember, any interaction from this meme will not count towards in-game CR. What happens in memes stays in memes.

- Stop the withdrawal! -- We anticipate that the move will slow down posting between our announcement of moving and the opening of the DreamWidth communities. So if you need your fix of your RC characters, toss 'em here for fun and games.

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Test Drive - The Great Warrior Calgara

[fireofshandora]

[[ooc: Let's see how many people are secretly One Piece fans~]]

[There is a sudden shattering of glass; the watch swings violently as the windows of the train are completely broken by the individual holding the device. Shards of glass scatter everywhere, but there is little other sound save for the soft fall of bare feet on the pavement and labored, incredibly furious breathing. A man swings into view, his tattooed face framed in masses of untamed crimson hair, and his dark eyes are wild with rage and confusion. He appears to be crouching, uncaring to the minor wounds in his skin from where the glass had bitten]

This is not my island... [His voice is barely a snarl as he looks around, wariness in every movement, but he moves with a surprising grace, aware of each movement of his body] I swear to my ancestors that who is responsible for my capture will not make it out of here alive!

[broswagonist]

[Having been out scavenging for supplies, it's completely by chance that Souji had decided to swing by the train station today only to stop and blink a few times as he notices the very much enraged newcomer. Well, he gets being angry about suddenly being somewhere you're not supposed to though. Never a fun experience.

Taking a few more steps toward him, slow and hesitant so that he won't appear threatening, he stops at a reasonable distance.]

I don't think they're so easily found. [He'd heard of one of them, but that was about it... Nothing about their captors going out of their way to interact in person with people though...]

[fireofshandora]

[Calgara whirls around at the sound; he'd heard movement distantly outside the building and had followed it. There is a massive longspear in one hand; he is gripping it so tightly that his knuckles are white where the rest of his skin is the tan of a man from a tropical island. He notes the way this stranger keeps a broad distance; he is wise, then. Still, Calgara prowls around him slowly, not unlike a large cat stalking his prey. As he moves, the feathered white wings on his back become evident past the mass of red hair]

Not easily found?! [It's a snarl of outrage] And why should I believe a stranger like you?

[broswagonist]

[He's a little bit wary, silver eyes following the man's movements, even as his posture stayed relaxed, one hand hanging down his side, the other planted against his hip, expression unchanging. The wings don't really surprise him- He's seen stranger things- has stranger things living within his own mind even.

Even if his Personae kind of object to being called weird.]

I don't have anything to gain from lying to you. [His voice is even as he says this, sincere, though quiet. Acting rashly here or appearing nervous just seems like a bad idea.]

[fireofshandora]

[His relaxed posture in the face of possible death reminds him of someone who was also not afraid of him...though it had been five years since he'd last seen that man's face. Narrowing his eyes a bit further, he prowled closer, assessing him]

Don't you? You could easily be one of my captors, in which case, you would have every reason to lie! [He grins a bit, but it's more of an insane looking grin than anything friendly] You're not afraid of me.

[broswagonist]

I'm actually a very bad liar though; you'd know if I was.

[Everyone and their mother seemed to know when he was lying in Inaba at least. He always got skittish and kind of uncomfortable when he had to and he honestly didn't enjoy lying to anyone. It just didn't feel right at all and he preferred always telling the truth as much as he could, unless he was covering for a friend anyway.

He doesn't move further away even as the other prowls closer, even if there's a slight hint of alarm from his Personae in the back of his mind. They're easily ignored though, and he offers a slight, friendly smile in return to that insane looking grin and a nod to confirm what he'd said.] You haven't given me a reason to be.

[fireofshandora]

[Calgara is not swayed so easily; despite looking primitive and being from a primitive tribal culture, he is quite intelligent] You could be lying in this very moment; I do not trust outsiders save one, and you are not that man. [His voice is a growl; he almost feels as though this man is mocking him with that slight smile, a fact which stings his immense pride and causes his eyes to widen]

You are lucky this is not my island, or would have been long dead by now. Why should I trust you?

[broswagonist]

[The smile is gone about as quickly as it had appeared though- He's not a particularly emotional person when he first gets to know someone, preferring to stay neutral, impersonal, though he tilts his head a little. Well, disbelief isn't exactly uncommon, so he's not particularly surprised or anything.]

Had our roles been reversed right now, what reason would you have given me to trust you? [It was a rhetorical question of course and it reminded him a little bit of when he'd first promised to solve the murders back in Inaba, when Teddie had told him and Yosuke to prove their innocence, but...] How does an innocent man prove his innocence when the one demanding answers has no way of telling if the truth is being told or if it's a lie?

[fireofshandora]

[Calgara does pause at his words, and narrows his eyes. It reminds him of something the Elder had told him once, when Norland had come to save them all. 'I can hear the words of a wise man'. Hrm. If this man had knowledge...Norland had once spoke of trampling on advancement and knowledge. To kill this man would also kill any information or knowledge he might have...

Calgara growls a little at the logic of it all, and straightens, standing fully and no longer in an offensive position. His eyes never leave Souji, however, and he continues to pace about him]

I will not kill you just yet, outsider. You will tell me about this place now and how I can return home.

[broswagonist]

Thanks. [Just a smidge of sarcasm there, though it's good-natured rather than mocking. Honestly, he's just odd like that. Of course, that calm and collected attitude was one he'd taken upon himself more than ever lately and adapted well to during his time in Inaba, being so used to being everyone's rock in stormy oceans. Right now he had to function as his own he supposed and try his best to get by while also giving a helping hand the best he could.]

It's called Ruby City. [There's a hint of a frown.] I don't really know its location, [Or if it's in any particular world at all for that matter,] only that all the people here were brought here against their will on the train and so far, no way to leave has been found.

[A hand to his chin in a contemplative pose then, he glanced to the side as he thought about what else to mention.]

The town itself seems abandoned besides its prisoners though I've heard mention of a "Temper Vale" as one of the people pulling the strings... [Though that was about all he'd heard...]

Other than that, any open house is free for the taking, food is free and shops that are not tended to can be scavenged for items...

[What else... Oh right. Pulling the communicator out of his pocket then, he holds the silver watch up for him to see.] And this is a communicator. It allows you to stay in contact with the other captives here. You should have one of your own with you already.

[fireofshandora]

Ruby City...No such place exists on Jaya! This is the work of witchcraft or the gods!

[Calgara recalls the strange box that he had arrived in this place in, and turned to regard with suspicious eyes. His eyes widen when he notices that the train is gone, and turns angry, but unstartled eyes onto Souji]

It is gone! That box that brought me to this place! And you say that a person named Temper Vale is responsible? [His grip tightens on his spear; he is a very volatile man in this moment]

I cannot stay here! I must return to protect my village! I will find this man, even if he is a God, and he will pay for his conceit in thinking that he can hold me captive!

[He notices the silver watch with a wary eye, but stops, the anger fading somewhat. It finally seems something that startles him, and he grasps it in a hand that is surprisingly gentle. He turns it over in his hand; it is not gold, but silver, which is different that what he is used to, but...]

This...device. [Norland had a pocket watch; he had brought it from his home far across the seas. Such technology was unheard of to Calgara's people, but he never forgot the many things the botanist, his dearest friend, taught him]

[broswagonist]

Gods? [Well, he wasn't above believing in them, considering how he'd recently defeated a Goddess with the help of his friends. He did not, however, think any Gods had a hand in this, but who knew...] ... Maybe. Maybe not.

That's what I've been told. If not responsible, at least part of everything. [He hadn't seen him around yet though, though he'd been told he sometimes spoke to people over the communicators.

At the mention of 'the box' he's momentarily confused until he realizes he's talking about the train and looks toward where it was. It was typical really, gone as soon as it had arrived and always only to let people off.] It's called a train, and.... I think a lot of people would like to do that, honestly.

[Not just the Temper Vale person, but all of the others too. If they truly are responsible that it- Personally he would add some questioning before the whole making them pay thing... He wasn't so quick to accept everything he heard as truth.]

Communicator. [He flicks his open to show the inside.] You can use it to talk to the other captives that choose to use theirs. [And then he went on to showing him how exactly to use it, explaining the text, voice and video functions in the most simplistic manner he can think of, taking a breath when he's done with the explanation.]

Got it, or should I explain it again?

[fireofshandora]

What other beings aside from the Gods could spirit me away from my island by use of this...train? [Calgara's eyes were still wild, but he was far from panicking. A part of him was curious, but it was still small compared to the rage that he felt at being taken hostage. When Souji shows him the watch, he gestures to it with his free hand]

My old friend showed me one of those; a watch, he called it. [However, when Souji explained it to him, Calgara leaned in and regarded it with narrowed eyes. It was fascinating; a device that allowed him to speak to others who were captive here? He glances at his own, still a bit suspiscious, and frowns]

Then we are being watched constantly; not just by each other, but by those who created all this technology for us to use. [It is not a thought that he enjoys at all; his eyes are still filled with defiant fury]

I love this so much. I just. I had to.

[in_italia]

[What in the everliving fu...

Lovino takes a few steps back, shivering as he watches the wild man tearing around. Does he even dare to snark at him? Nope, he's scared to even run away. That... thing... cannot possibly be human, and at that size, he stands no chance. Oh god.]

Ch-chigigigigigigigi...

<3! You know who he is??

[fireofshandora]

[The slight movement catches his eye, and Calgara turns sharply, eyes narrowing in anger. He lunges at the hapless man, leaping several feet into the air to easily clear several benches and a few other fixtures. When he lands, it's mere centimeters from him. A deft hand darts out and grips Lovino's front, and Calgara leans in with a snarl]

Is this your doing? Speak! I will eliminate you if you have anything to do with this!

Yessssss~ I just got past that part before I lost the ability to watch anime |D;;

[in_italia]

[OH SH--

Lovino stares wide-eyes at the.. evil fucking creature that is about to kill him. Oh shit, he's dead, oh god oh god oh god...]

No, I- I- F- God- Shit- I- FUCK, DON'T EAT ME, I TASTE LIKE SHIT, I SWEAR!

OMG YES. You can judge my characterization, please! This is totally Austria-mun, btw.

[fireofshandora]

[Eat him? No, Calgara was not a cannibal, but he never minded propagating the rumors that he was. It helped to steer invaders away from his tiny island, which he was very furious that he was no longer there to protect. He had many promises to keep, and the current invaders would not let it lie so easily!]

Tell me how to return to my home now, and I will consider NOT killing you! [His voice is still a vicious snarl] There is no God that can save you from my wrath if you lie.

And you can judge mine too, I haven't played out scared!Lovi in ages. x3

[in_italia]

[For a second, he considers telling him to go into the woods. No, this guy would kill the monsters in there and be back to let Lovino's head roll before lunch. Damn, all this fear is making tears spring up.]

Shit- please don't kill me! I swear I don't know! I don't know, no one's made it out before! Fuck, please don't kill me, I have a brother and a dog to take care of and they need me! [Haha, not really. But it's worth a shot to get pity.]

Oh I think it's great. Scared Lovino cracks me up.

[fireofshandora]

[It's true, that is exactly what would happen. Calgara chuckles a little; this man is even crying with fear! And begging for his life...pathetic. Killing this man would provide no satisfaction for his rage. With a disdainful growl, he drops Lovino and stands to his full, impressive height. He seems to hardly notice the cold; the majority of his body is nude save for his leather pants, and much of his skin is ornate with tribal tattoos. He never takes his eyes off of Lovino, though, and levels the spearhead into his face]

What do you mean, 'no one had made it out before'? [His voice is low, demanding]

Cook popcorn. Prepare video camera. Time to intimidate Italians. :3

[in_italia]

[He falls to the ground with an indignant squeak, and sits up only to face a spearhead. Fuck.]

S-shit, I don't know, damnit, I don't know! No one's escaped, we just disappear sometimes! Sometimes we don't come back, I don't know if those people are really gone or.. fuck, please don't hurt me...!

Bring the booze. It'll be a party!

[fireofshandora]

[Calgara narrows his eyes with suspicion; in the threat of death, most people told the truth to save their hides. Calgara was vicious, but he was not stupid, and after a moment of consideration, loweres his spear]

No escape? Ha! There is always a way to escape a trap. I will not kill you, if you are a captive as well.

It will be glorious. |D

[in_italia]

[Lovino keeps his eyes on the spear, every fiber in his being screaming to get the hell away from this monster. But he has to be sure that's safe. And from now on, definitely not talking. Just crying buckets.]

Most definitely!

[fireofshandora]

[Calgara regarded Lovino for a long moment as he watched the grown man sob. It really was pathetic, to the point that Calgara, greatest and most revered warrior of his entire tribe, almost felt pity for him that he was such a hopeless coward.

Almost.

As it was, he was simply disgusted]

Get up, you pathetic weakling. [His voice lost the snarl, but it was still gruff, more irked than angry] You are in no danger from me.

Actually, they throw toilets out the window on New Year's, so maybe they're braver than we thought..

[in_italia]

[He gets to his feet nervously, more because it's a command than anything else. At least his nervous habit seems to be back.]

....ch-chigigigigigigigi...

...Italians are soo strange and yet awesome. That's right out of Boondock Saints. XD

[fireofshandora]

[Well. At least he was standing now. Calgara regards him with disdain, but not hatred, and looks around the room suspiciously. As he turns his shoulders, delicate feathered wings become evident beneath the mass of hair, and his tribal tattoos pass far onto his back beneath them]

Tell me what you know of this place, since you know so little about how to escape.