NOV. TEST DRIVE

[missleadingquestions]

Sorry to be late this time!



G'day, Ruby City!

Thinking of apping a character but not sure they'll fit in the city walls?

Have no fear, a meme for you is here.

Directions:

• Post with your character with their name and canon on top!


• Choose a location and prompt or wait for someone else to tag.


• If you'd like, leave contact info for people to get in contact for plotting and other such shenans.


• Tag around! Make friends. Don't be afraid to chat OOC while tagging.

Locations:

1. Train Station: New arrival, or waiting to welcome people? Either way, the train comes in, but you still can't ride it out.


2. Cathedral: Looking for redemption? Just doing a little sight-seeing? Or just getting a little shelter?


3. The Clocktower: You can see the whole city from here!


4. The Black Stallion Saloon: You were told the burgers were great here-- but maybe you just came for the beer.


5. The Library: You came to do a little research, but it looks like all of the information's just out of your reach. Though, you can always find a way to pass the time here.


6. The Coffee Joint: A lovely place to have a chat and a bite to eat.


7. Le Cafe Anglais: A Parisian-British fusion that's as charming as it sounds and serves the best tea around.

Scenarios

1. Just walked in: You intended to get here, and you made your way in; but now someone's caught your eye and you'd like to have a chat.


2. Been here all day: You've been sitting around minding the time. Maybe you didn't notice them at first or maybe you were just working up the courage to talk-- either way, they know you're here and you know it too.


3. Bad weather: You're here because you've gotten rained in. This wasn't your choice, but at least it's dry-- right?


4. Wild card: Got something better in mind? Well screw these prompts, try it out yourself!

Have fun, guys!

Comments

[dotard]

[ A: A man in chains steps off the station platform. Dressed in black and white and with a hawk on his shoulder, he looks like he just stepped out of a modern-day samurai soap opera drama. While he should by all means look happy to be out of police custody (what criminal wouldn't?) he actually looks furious. Just where in all the six hells is he? ]

[ Well, at least he can send his hawk out to investigate. Maybe she'll find something of interest in this bizarre place. Or maybe she'll see a familiar face and try to claw their eyes out. It's a toss up. He cocks his head, giving the bird the signal to survey the area. Perhaps Taka can find an answer to the mystery of the misplaced convict prosecutor... Yep, definitely sounds like the premise to an anime. In the meantime he remains stock-still. Meditating? Thinking about the way of the samurai? Wondering if he's going to miss the new episode of Neko Zamurai? Who knows.... ]

[ B: Having spent his fair share or time in the clink, Simon Blackquill has read his fair share of books in that time. It is therefore, not all that strange to see him in the library, leafing through yet another adaptation of 47 Ronin, his favorite book. He might still be in chains, but that doesn't mean he can't enjoy a good book. ]

[ The stern look on his face never fades as his eyes scan each page. He is as a samurai in training, fully engrossed in the book but ever aware of his surroundings as his loyal hawk, Taka, perches quietly on his shoulder. Are birds even allowed in the library? Well... ]

A, just because.

[vocalsteel]

[ Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo. No. Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo. Bad. Apollo was just out strolling, and now he regrets doing anything of the sort. Trying to slip by unnoticed, he just turns around and tries to walk away, his hair antennas bobbing as he tries to make his escape, so he doesn't get approached by Blackquill. He'd rather live tyvm. ]

Re: A, just because.

[dotard]

[ Unfortunately for you, Apollo, Taka has the eyes of... well, a hawk. So she comes swooping down to try and give your face a most familiar thrashing. It's how Taka says hello... to lawyers, anyway. ]

[ Ah, that ruffling sounds familiar. Simon turns and walks toward the sound to investigate. QUICK, RUN WHILE YOU CAN! ]

[vocalsteel]

[ HE TRIES, HE REALLY DOES. That is, until his chords of steel come into play. ]

GYAAAAARGH!

[ He tries to shoo away the encroaching hawk, unaware that Simon is approaching. Why this. ]

[dotard]

Such inhumanly loud warbling...

[ It could only be one man. Blackquill speeds up his pace, turning the corner to catch the eyes of one very familiar defense attorney. He's rather enjoying the sight of the thrashing Taka is giving him, but he eventually reels her back with a sharp whistle. The bird comes back on command. Good Taka. ]

[ Simon Blackquill is not happy to be here, Apollo. His hand goes to his sword as if preparing to draw (he doesn't actually have one, and he couldn't anyway, since he's chained up, but his glare is no less murderous.) ]

Justice-dono. What is the meaning of this? You'd best explain yourself, lest you wish to taste my blade.

A

[wright_idea]

[Man, I know this place occasionally bails people out of the clink, but this is just BLATANT. Maybe... Maya will forgive me if I bail out of the welcome committee juuuuust this once.]

*He'll just... be going now...*

[dotard]

[ Too late. Taka would recognize that spiky head anywhere. The hawk swoops in, making a dive at Phoenix's face. ]

[ Ah, yes. That's Blackquill's cue. If you wanna run, you better run, Phoenix. The twisted samurai cometh. ]

[wright_idea]

YEAAAAAAAAARGH! H-HEY, what's the big deal?!

[What kind of guy sics a freaking HAWK on people?!]

[dotard]

[ Blackquill issues a single, sharp whistle, calling Taka back to perch on his shoulder. ]

Ah. Wright-dono. So we meet at last.

[ What do you mean, you say that like it's weird or something. ]

B

[hemopath]

[ who the heck brings a hawk into a library? some guy that's obviously a weirdo, and who mirai fully intends to sneak past quietly with her precariously balanced stack of gardening books. but, of course, if she actually has a need to be careful and coordinated, then there's absolutely no chance of it, so she trips over a stray book on the floor and the books she had been holding promptly go flying in simon's direction.

mirai doesn't even look up to see the damage, too flustered and too nervous. she bows her head low, still on her hands and knees from the fall. ]

I'm sorry! P-please excuse me!

[dotard]

[ Lucky for Mirai, those samurai reflexes aren't a joke. In an instant, Simon tosses his own book up, knocking the falling books back using the chain between his huge handcuffs. The danger gone, he turns his gaze on the girl below him. ]

I see you're the culprit of this latest attempt on my life. Do you have anything to say for yourself before I cut you down where you stand?

[ You can't tell he's joking. He might be. He might not be. His eyes betray no amusement. ]

[hemopath]

[ cut her— is he for real?! she can hold her own in a sword fight, sure, but she didn't want anyone here to see her ability - and more importantly, is it even alright for her to fight a human being? youmu are one thing, but there's no way she can hurt a normal person. ]

Ahh, wait!! I-i-it was an accident! I don't want to fight anyone!

[dotard]

Hmph. So I see. [ He huffs, relaxing his stance instantly. Because why not. The hesitation he's sensing in this girl seems real enough. Plus he didn't actually plan on starting a fight. ]

In that case, I will forgive your transgression this time, lass. Next time you may not be so fortunate.

B!

[magicpanchira]

[ Trucy had made a trip to the library with a purpose. Without school here, while it's an interesting prospect, sort of like a never ending summer vacation from hell, she finds herself almost missing the life of a student.

She doesn't miss the piles of homework, of course; but she's been here long enough to know that even without school, she's going to need to at least study. Libraries were good for that purpose. Anything to keep her mind sharp, and besides, this made her mature.

Except by the time she'd gotten to the library, thoughts of studying had been completely derailed as her thoughts trailed to magic books, naturally. That's still studying, right?

She's just about to go head down one of the aisles to find at least one book about magic, when she notices the man. He's... why is he wearing chains? She gets a creepy vibe from him, that's for sure. This is the kind of person her dad has warned her about.

...Except this guy has a hawk. So that changes everything in her book.

"Er, e-excuse me," she calls out suddenly, pausing as she lowers her tone... library. She doesn't quite approach, because she's unsure, but she's at a distance where she can at least communicate with him at indoor-voice level. "Um, I don't think I've ever seen you before. Did you just arrive...?"

[dotard]

[ That's... hm, does this girl look familiar? Not really. Maybe a later canon point, but not this one. Still, it's not like Blackquill hates kids. In fact, he's quite good with them. Taka loves kids. ]

That's correct. I arrived a short while ago and found myself with a good many questions-- naturally, the library was my first destination in my quest to answering them.

[magicpanchira]

[ Don't feel bad. This little lady isn't even from AA5 yet! When he speaks, the creepy vibes are pretty much gone, which is a blessing, really. Still, why is he in chains...? ]

I came here, too, when I first arrived... has anyone warned you about stuff yet? Er, or told you anything at all?

[ Deciding it's safe, she moves closer and takes a seat in the chair across from his own. If she can help clear stuff up for him, then that's good -- people had been kind enough to do it for her, so if she can pay it forward, that's a plus.

She finally peers up at the hawk on his shoulder and smiles again. ]

Your hawk is beautiful, by the way. I've never seen one up close before!

[dotard]

[ Why, Blackquill is the friendliest death row inmate you ever did see. He looks up from his book, smirking. ]

I've heard no word of warning, though such guidance would hardly undesirable.

[ Any admirer of Taka's is a friend of his, of course. Blackquill nods up at Taka, giving her permission to fly over and land on Trucy's hat. ]

Her name is Taka. I'm sure she is flattered to hear such fine words of praise from such a smart lass. If you'd like to have a closer look, you are free to.

i should not tag things when i'm half asleep. i end up accidentally threadjacking.

[alwayskidnapped]

[ At first, Annette is hesitant to approach. She's got no clue as to where she is, this guy is in chains of all things, and he's got a hawk. Furthermore, he looks like a vampire.

But really, what are her other options?

No, she's not going to be terrified. Really. She's taken on big, bad Dracula in verbal warfare... this can't be any worse, right? Besides, he's in chains. Unless he's got magic, he can't do anything to her. Probably.

Quietly, the woman takes a few steps forward and clears her throat, plastering a small smile onto her face. Her dress, manner of speech -- it all screams late 1700's She's from 1797 give her a break, man. ]

E-excuse me? I hate to intrude, but have you any idea as to where we are, sir?

shhh it's okay, you're never too late

[dotard]

I'm afraid I do not.

[ Hm, that accent, those clothes... They're not something you see every day says the convicted samurai prosecutor, clinking and clanking with his hawk on his shoulder. ]

Do you find yourself lost as well? Perhaps we can endeavor to seek out the answers together.

;-; <3

[alwayskidnapped]

[ Okay. Maybe she's wrong... he doesn't sound like a vampire. Still, best to keep her guard up probably. ]

Unfortunately, yes. I fear I've no idea how I came to be here. Erm, other than on... that. [ She turns to point at the train just as it starts to pull out again. ] I've no clue as to what that even is...

the blade of justice is patient and eternal

[dotard]

That, my dear lady, was a train. [ Such a gallant knight. Er, I mean, samurai. ] It is a mode of long-distance transport, quite popular in many countries-- from America to Japan. I take it you are from neither?

[ You could just be horribly sheltered. Blackquill wouldn't put it against you, having spent the last 7 years in jail himself. ]

FUCK IT I DON'T CARE ABOUT POTENTIAL SPOILERS B PLS

[missleadingquestions]

--Whoa, what're you reading there?

[Maya doesn't seem to care about Blackquill's appearance or his gritty little hawk. No, she sees that book, and she's interested in why he's reading it.

...Okay, she totally cares about his appearance, but more in the dangerously-curious way than the oh-no-he-could-be-dangerous way.]

I haven't seen you around before.

I'LL DO MY BEST, LUC

[dotard]

47 Ronin. It is a classic tale of Japanese folklore. Are you familiar with it?

[ nbd, just wearing shackles and chillin' in the library. ]

I arrived recently. The library seemed a natural location to begin my search for knowledge on this most mysterious place.

no really no one believes me but I give no shits about spoilers

[missleadingquestions]

I've never heard of it! [Excuse her if she just gets all up in your personal space.]

But I love stories about Samurai and stuff. Though, that's deeefinitely not going to tell you anything about Ruby City.

shhhhh I went with the wrong icon shit shhhhh

[dotard]

A lord is slain unjustly by his rival-- his family and lands are taken from him, and his loyal samurai, unjustly robbed of their master, stage a revolt and slay every one of the dishonorable wretch's vassals, included the wicked man's head.

[ He smirks, cocking his head just a bit. ]

In the end, as such acts of revenge were sanctioned by the law, the 47 Ronin are put to death. Though their lives were cut short, their master's honor was reclaimed. Their lives were not wasted so long as they did this.

[ I didn't pick it for nothing. Though Blackquill is somewhat confused by this intrusion-- more like, why would you get this close to a guy in chains, Maya? ]

Ruby City? Is that where I find myself?