April Test Drive

[rubycitymods]

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:

• Use an RNG to choose a location and prompt, or wait for someone else to tag.


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


• 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 - The place where everyone gets dumped off at. Your first view of Ruby City, complete with informational posters telling you all about where you've ended up.
2. THE BEACH - Lovely year-round, though in the winter months, you're probably not likely to dip your toes in.
3. THE BLACK STALLION - A rather quaint bar. Supposedly, the burgers are great, but you don't see anyone immediately who's willing to serve you. Maybe you're meant to get it yourself.
4. THE OBELISK - The tall monolith in the center of the city marks the gathering place of many events, though right now it seems to be cold and dark.
5. THE CLOCKTOWER - Offering an impressive view of the city, several residents come here to clear their heads, if they don't mind braving the narrow staircase.
6. THE COFFEE JOINT - the front windows are warm and welcoming, and it seems there's always someone friendly enough to fix you a cup when you wander through.
7. THE CATACOMBS - Intrepid, aren't you? Those weird holes may beg exploring, but go too deep and you're going to be in a lot of trouble, considering the viciousness of the creatures held within.
8. THE CITY STREETS - All told, Ruby City is a lovely place, once you get past the fact that several of the buildings look derelict and on the verge of falling down. There's no harm in doing a little sightseeing.
9. THE PARK - You thought it'd be a lovely stroll, but the park is anything but friendly, if those approaching wolf-like creatures are any indication.
10. CHOOSE YOUR OWN - Don't like what we've come up with? Feel like picking your own place? There's a whole host of lovely locations to choose from in the City.


Scenarios


1. NEW ARRIVAL - Step off that train, walk down the street. People usually latch on to newcomers to try and help them out. Even if you look shy, the other residents probably won't be!
2. WATCH TALK - Feeling lost? Disoriented? Don't worry, everyone feels that way on their first day. Fortunately - if the signs at the station are to believed - the watch in your pocket can be used to talk to whoever else might be here.
3. BAD WEATHER - Aw, man. Whether it's snow, or rain, or just plain cold, today was definitely the wrong day to get dumped off in a City in the middle of nowhere.
4. A RUN-IN - Maybe you weren't watching. Maybe they weren't. Either way, you just bumped into someone. Perhaps apologies are in order?
5. HELP, IT HURTS - Clumsy, aren't you? Perhaps wherever the train brought you from wasn't so friendly, or you just tripped and twisted your ankle. Either way, you're in a bit of pain. Hopefully someone will notice your booboos and help patch you up.
6. HUNGRY - It isn't very obvious sometimes that restaurants are what they are, especially in a place like Ruby City. Where can a person go to get a bite to eat around here?
7. MISTAKEN IDENTITY - Hey, there's someone you know! --Or maybe not.
8. BEING FOLLOWED - Maybe you're just being paranoid, or maybe you've got a reason to be afraid. Whatever it is, it feels like there's eyes on you...
9. CURRENT EVENTS - None at the moment, but feel free to look through our event tag!
10. CHOOSE YOUR OWN - Don't like any of these ideas? Feel free to come up with your own!

Comments

Miriel | Tolkien

[silver_jewel]

2-1
The wind blew, threatening to tear away a star-studded cloak from an elven woman, pale of face and hair. Frail though she looked, her hands drew the cloak closer about her, maintaining a firm hold on it as she walked. Feet bared, though she seemed not to notice as she walked along the sands. Unhurried, soundless steps even when the wind and sea were silent. Only the ruffle of cloth could be heard.

A ghost? The woman was pale enough. Frail enough. Gentle enough.

Yet strong enough to keep on going. Keep on walking, holding the cloak of memory around her. Those that knew the story of her family would recognize the scenes woven in amongst the stars of the cloak itself with a skill rivalled by few.

Questions tumbled through her mind. Where were the Valar? She could see no one familiar. This was not where she was meant to be, that she knew of. That she'd seen. Where elves were resistant to cold and the weather, she felt the wind. She felt the air and the chill.

But this time she would not let it beat her down nor batter her away.


Wildcard make your own adventure!

[twicelived]

He had been so young when she had died yet still her pale face was familiar. Glorfindel approached with caution, however, as he doubted that she would remember a young elf who had only seen her from afar. His family were only distant kin but still he recognized her from those few times he had been at the court of the High King.

"My lady." His voice was gentle, he hoped that he did not startle her at the very least as he kept to Quenya. Asfaloth remained some steps behind, as if sensing that his presence would be too much at the moment. He realized how he must look at the moment, currently standing before her in jeans, a v-neck t-shirt, but the sword at his hip had been forged in Tirion, and the glow about him indicated he still had the light of Valinor around him. "My name is- G-" Ah yes, not Sindarin. Sometimes it was difficult to make the switch after so long. And then there was the matter of tenses. This was strange. "-Laurefindil, I serve the High King. May I be of assistance?"

[silver_jewel]

Miriel looked up at the voice, one hand reaching to push hair aside and out of her way as she stopped, sand settling over toes unnoticed. There was something familiar about him, enough to hold her silence as she studied him for a long few minutes.

His state of dress was unfamiliar - strange and struck some unease in her. But the Quenya he used told her without a doubt he spoke true, though she knew from the glow he was at the least from her own time. Her gaze flicked to Asfaloth, and the horse's clear intelligence and awareness was of some comfort, along with the distance he kept.

"Call me Þerindë," barely above a whisper, but at times that was still all she could manage. The name she preferred kin to call her.

'Push down the unease and focus on the now and what you see.' He knew her - this 'Laurefindil'. But that still left the matter of which High King he spoke of. And if it mattered here. Looking back to Glorfindel, she gathered herself. Her voice strengthened to more of a normal level, closer to what it had once been.

"Is the High King here?" Did she even want him to be? Miriel didn't know.

[twicelived]

Glorfindel put a hand over his heart, bowing his head. "You honor me, your majesty-Þerindë," he said seriously. He had only seen her briefly but she was a queen nonetheless and worthy of that respect. He was in a difficult position. How could he tell her that her husband and son were dead? All her grandchildren gone except for one?

Hatred and darkness had taken so many and for a moment the grief makes him silent. He still grieves for each loss, all that light overcome by shadow.

"Yes- though not the High King you knew," he said slowly. "It has been many Ages since your time and much has changed. High King Arafinwe reigns the Noldor now," he explained slowly. He would try to be as sensitive as possible in explaining things to her, he did not wish to cause her more grief.

"Would you allow me to escort you somewhere safe?" he offered as he moved slightly closer, offering her his arm. Asfaloth remained several paces behind though watched them carefully.

[silver_jewel]

He knew her.

Miriel's gaze softened slightly at his bow and kind words, and she inclined her head gracefully in response. She let him take his time, watched him closely. Saw the grief etched in him.

There was something about him that she knew. That she almost recognized, but she could not quite place why. Arafinwe was the High King this one served.

She looked away for a moment. When she returned her gaze to Glorfindel, there was a flicker of fire and strength back to her that urged her to forward and place her free hand on his arm in acceptance to his offer.

"I know much of what happened, lord Laurefindil. I observed from the Halls before I returned to do work for the Vala Vaire. I may not have seen all, but I followed the paths of my son and his sons."

[twicelived]

Glorfindel could not help but admire her strength. He had been in the Halls of Mandos but he had not dared to look at the tapestries hanging there. For a time there, he had been overwhelmed with grief but it had been Vaire who had had given him hope and then Manwe and Varda who had given hima second chance.

"I am pleased to hear you have met of Vaire, her kindness is truly without limit," he said quietly with a soft smile for a brief moment upon his lips as she took his arm. "I am sorry you have seen that grief, my lady, but I can assure you the darkness and shadows have been finally defeated once and for all. None could forget those we have lost but there is hope for the future once more," he assured her as he lead her down the street. He felt the same awe around her he had when he was a young elf even though it had been many ages since those days but she was exactly as he had remembered.

[silver_jewel]

Should he tell her so, she would understand entirely. Miriel knew the pain and misery her son had brought, even with his brilliance and the good he'd done. Fëanor had never acted by half - it was all or nothing. She was the very first proof of that. Though it did not decrease her love for him.

"Vaire has been kind and generous to me," she murmured.

The hand on his arm tightened a little as she walked with him, listening as he spoke of the shadows losing and fading. Back down the streets, feet still bared to the stone, though she hardly noticed. There was a strength to her escort that helped reassure her. Held back the lick of panic that had been hounding her steps since her arrival.

Though she pulled the cloak's hood back over her head, she dared look around, away from him and Asfaloth behind them. Studied the strange buildings and those that peopled the streets. Movements masked by curtains. "That is how it should be. I am pleased you have seen the end to the darkness."

[twicelived]

When they came to the steps of the house, Glorfindel helped her up the steps, never once leaving her side. The inside of the house was warm and full of light, though thankfully quiet as it seemed the other elves were out and about doing their own thing.

"Would you like something to drink? We have water and cold juices which are rather wonderful," he offered, pausing only to gesture for Asfaloth to stay behind when the horse started to come up the steps. Asfaloth tended to wander inside when not watched, he often 'forgot' this wasn't Imlardis and he couldn't just wander in when he wished, even if Glorfindel didn't mind it.

Once they were inside, he lead her over to a comfortable couch, making sure she was settled down before letting go of her arm.

HAH you get mags first because ... I'm lazy to boot up babyFe

[bythewaves]

"Grandmother?" Soft and wondering - he's only ever seen her in pictures and heard of her in tales, but she has his father's eyes.

lol

[silver_jewel]

Even if the greeting didn't give away who the tall elf was, his face would. Miriel had seen what had happened - it hurt her heart, but she'd made herself watch and record all. Someone had to. It was her purpose.

But this one - this one was less like her fire spirit of a son than the rest of his brothers. Kinder in ways, and yet not in others or all at once. Hesitation turned to surety and she stepped forward, slowly at first, eyes searching Maglor's.

Would he run from her?

...Should she from him?

No. "I know your face," she murmured just as soft. The hand not holding the cloak to her reached out to him.

[bythewaves]

He steps closer, shy and wondering and reaches out to the meet her hand. She's only a bedtime story to him, Indis being far closer to an actual grandmother figure in his life even if he has never and will never call her that.

"Father said... you watched us from the Halls."

[silver_jewel]

She managed a smile when he took her hand. Stopped close to him, closer than she did with many. Miriel fought to keep from clutching his hand, though it took some effort. That was nothing new.

"I did more than merely watch, Canafinwë."

He deserved to know, even though she had kept to herself even after she returned from the Halls.

"When your grandfather passed, I was allowed to return so that I might weave our story. What happened will never be forgotten."

[bythewaves]

Shy fingers curl around hers, the hand scarred and the movements clumsy, and he ducks his head to look away.

"We... must have been a disappointment."

A startled blink and he looks at her sideways.

"You... left the Halls?"

[silver_jewel]

Miriel gently pulled his hand up so she could press a kiss to the scarred hand. She didn't look away so that she could hold her composure. Physical evidence to what she'd seen.

"No more than I myself."

She met his gaze with determination, some of her old fire returned.

"Yes. I see many things, including what you have done since the last Silmaril was lost to you." There was a certain pride in that. That the jewels that had caused such madness were lost, or as good as.

[bythewaves]

The hand trembles in hers, shy and embarrassed, but he does not pull away.

"No!" He protests immediately. "How could you be a disappointment! It wasn't your fault."

A flinch and he looks down and shuffles. "I was probably pretty boring" Weak attempt at a joke go?

[silver_jewel]

"Hush," she murmured gently. The smile that had started out so weak warmed, growing stronger as she saw his gentle spirit flare. Though it dimmed again as her thoughts drifted back to those days, her gaze flicked away. Out over the water.

"If I had been able to stay."

But she hadn't been able to. Her fire had waned, all had gone to her son. Perhaps, though, if she had known what would happen... Perhaps then she could have found the strength to remain.

His attempt at a joke threatened a faint twitch of pale lips and she focused back on him. Gave his fingers a squeeze.

"Never. You were the one I watched, that I listened to when I needed... light."

told you I'd do it~

[needscounselling]

He stumbles off the train and turns to glare at it as if personally affronted, the irritation shading to curiosity.

Where is he? What is this... thing. And more importantly, how does it work?

The flash of silver hair at the corner of his eye is ignored as he walks closer to the train engine, trying to see how it would work. Oh hey. Steam. That's an interesting thought.

(Someone might want to stop him before he walks right off the platform in his curiosity)

lol

[silver_jewel]

That fire was one she could never forget nor ignore. Miriel stopped to watch him for a long few minutes, unease somewhat forgotten (or ignored) in favor of seeing him for herself. Not from afar, through visions and images or tales.

Did she dare approach him?

It was the fact he was so distracted by the train that spurred her to move, pale hand reaching out to tug him back from the edge. Would he strike without thought? Automatically? She did not know.

[needscounselling]

"What?" He snaps irritably at the hand on his arm, jerking around with a scowl to yell at whoever was fool enough to accost him, but his irritation dies on his lips at the familiar sight of silver hair and eyes exactly like his own. Eyes that have been shut for over a hundred years, now.

"A...amil?"

Suddenly he sounds less the proud princeling and more the frightened child.

[silver_jewel]

Fingers tightened on his sleeve as matching eyes met his. Awake, aware, and watching him intently. Being snapped at by any would have had her real back - but this was her spirit of fire. She was able to hold her ground and not move away or release her hold.

"Your eyes do not betray you, Fëanáro. Do you wish otherwise?"

[needscounselling]

He wants to fall into her arms and cling like a child, he wants to hit her for leaving, he wants to yell and scream and so he does none of those things (You are a prince, Feanaro, says his father, Remember that you need to act like one)

His voice is cold, but the light in his eyes burns bright, confused, angry and hopeful, and he does not pull away.

"What are you doing here?" Why were you not where I needed you?

[silver_jewel]

He had the right to do all of those things. She'd abandoned him and his father. Miriel remained still, seeing those emotions burn in him so bright and hot.

"I know not the reason for our having been brought here." I would not be here otherwise.

[needscounselling]

A flash in his eyes, and slowly, he steps closer, searching her face, reconciling memories of stillness and the pallor of death with health.

"And who brought us here?" Who stole you from me?

[silver_jewel]

Miriel did not let herself move back nor pull away, fingers remaining firm on his sleeve. Holding on, as she hadn't been able to before.

"Not the Valar." Do you hate me?

[fairandterrible]

Of all your brothers, you are the only one to have my mother's hair and it is almost eerie to hear that voice in his ear, now that his father has been dead for so many years.

Even more so considering what roused the memory - there were enough portraits of Miriel back in Tirion to recognize her. It's been a long time since he's seen any of those, but he looked at them often enough as a child to recognize her.

"Grandmother?" There are others from future and past and Valinor and even the halls here, it should not surprise him - and yet it does.