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

[fairandterrible]

[And that does what nothing else could do.

Celegorm's hands drop, his whole posture does, slumping imperceptibly, the fire and strength that it always radiates diminished - as if one threw a bucket of water on a bonfire.]

But he didn't-

[bythewaves]

I know. [ He whispers and pushes down the memory of his nephew's body, broken and flayed, displayed like a gruesome banner, their family's fate finding him despite everything they did to try and avoid it ]

I'm sorry. [ And he pulls his brother into his arms, because what else can he do? ]

[fairandterrible]

[This time, it is Celegorm who clings to his brother, his chin on Maglor's shoulder, eyes open but not seeing anything, his arms wrapped tightly around the older Elf.

He doesn't cry, but only because he can't yet, the shock sitting too deep, paralysing him. He always thought that Curufin's son would make it. He had to - not having taken the Oath, not bound to their fate like they were, and though he had not thought that the fate of all the Noldor would spare him, he had at least hoped, had clung to the hope that Tyelpe would survive, somehow (for who else of their bloodline should?).

To hear that he didn't...]

[bythewaves]

[ Maglor does not sing, for there are no songs for this, save the Noldolante, and he will not inflict that on his brother, not yet. But he cards his hand through Celegorm's hair and hums softly, not protesting the almost bruising hold. ]

[fairandterrible]

[It takes a long time - half an hour, perhaps, or more - before Celegorm starts to cry. It is silent, furious, despairing (any other, he might have accused of a lie, but what would one of his brothers gain from such a lie? How would one of them even lie to him?).

He'll cry like that for a long time, and then just... remain where he is, his face leaning into Maglor's shoulder.

Until he sits straighter abruptly.]

Tell me more of this place.

[bythewaves]

[ Maglor can wait, patient as the tides, and for his brothers he always has all the time in the world, particularly when he thought he would never see them again. He cards his hands through Celegorm's hair and rocks him when he cries as if Celegorm was young again, and he never lets go or protests ]

What do you want to know? We are... at a place between worlds, I suppose is the best description. Folk call it Ruby City. Why we are brought here, no one truly knows, but from all of time and the many varied worlds they bring us, and once here we cannot escape.

[fairandterrible]

What is the nature of the prison? Are there walls unclimbable, or mists over the sea, or still another device which keeps us here? And how great is our prison's perimeter?

Those brought here - who are they, and how many are there? How long does one stay, or is it without end?

[bythewaves]

[ Maglor's eyes crinkle in fond approval. He has missed this, and he didn't even realise how much until he hears Celegorm dissecting the situation ]

In initial seeming, a very benign one - this place is an island, although I have not ranged that far afield, but those who have indicate it is not terribly large. But. Following the tracks that brought you here will turn you around to where you began. Trying to cross the sea, they say, is impossible, with mist and current and driving wind to confuse you and turn you around. There are rumors that to keep trying exacts a punishment of sorts, but what that punishment might be I know not.

The folk here are from all walks of life, and many and varied lands. Most are Men, of a sort, but there are beings here from many worlds, and not all of them are anything familiar. As for how long one stays... I do not know. I have been here some few months now, and there are those here who have been here years. Those who rule the city, it seems, take and send away as it pleases them to do so without any regard.

[fairandterrible]

[He listens intently and while Maglor speaks sits back a bit, hands dropping into his lap.]

Who is here that I would know, or who would know me or about our family? And is there anything which you can tell me of those who rule the city safe for that they are?

[bythewaves]

We are... rather infamous. Better to ask who does not know of us? But... of the people who you know... Uncle Arafinwe is here. Artanis, although she is Galadriel, now. Finrod. And... Nyelo is here. But! He is Nyelafinwe still in truth. I told you time is strange. He is so young, Celegorm. He has not even sworn the Oath yet.

[ A sigh ]

Of the people you should know about... Glorfindel is here - Turgon's liegeman. Galadriel's daughter Celebrian. One of my folk - Erestor, who I do not think you ever met, although I released him from my service millenia ago. King Thranduil, the Sindarin king of a forest east of the mountains. A dwarf king of Durin's line - Thorin Oakenshield. And two Men - Aragorn, the King of Gondor, a kingdom that has not even had her first borders settled, in your time. And his many times fore-father... Elros. Idril's great grandson.

[fairandterrible]

What about those not of our world? Have any been told our tale?

Is... Nyelo, does he know of the Darkening yet, or of the Silmarils?

[bythewaves]

A few - one is an elf from another world entire, one Beleth. A sweet child who has, I think caught the eye of Galadriel's Marchwarden. Ah. Yes, she has one of her men here - Haldir. I forget, sometimes.

[ He shakes his head slowly ]

No. I... cannot... tell him yet. To tell him that... would make him ask... some of the other obvious questions.

[ Like why Maglor was all but in tears to see him again, why even now, he looks as if he is on the edge of Fading, why madness lurks so clearly in his eyes, why his hands are so scarred. ]

You know me, Tyelko [ He manages a faint, depreciating smile. ] I was... always a coward.

[fairandterrible]

Eh. [He reaches over to place a hand on Maglor's shoulder and squeeze it.] You're brave on the battlefield, only a coward in politics and things like that. And that's where we come in.

I'll tell him, if you don't want to do it, but he'll need to know. Someone who would rather see him dead might not hesitate as you do, and care not for whence he came from, so he must know why danger might come his way.

[bythewaves]

[ A quiet smile, Maglor leaning into his brother's offered comfort. ] That is not bravery, Tyelko. On the battlefield I... am simply mad.

He already knows... that there are many who hate him. The only one here who would threaten... has reached an agreement with me.

[fairandterrible]

There is no better place for madness.

...And who is that one? [He'll keep an eye out for that person. Not to harm him without reason, but... if a reason arises...]

[bythewaves]

Maybe.

Tyelko. Celegorm. [ he corrects himself, meets his brother's eyes ]

Do not seek him out. He hates you, more than anyone, for what you will do to him. Stay away from Thranduil. I will make it an order if I have to.

[fairandterrible]

If you tell me what I will do to him, perhaps I will see a reason to not protect my brothers from him. [Challenging - he heavily doubts that Maglor can present him with a reason that would keep him from doing what he deems necessary to that end, but he will let him try. Challenging also because unlike Maedhros's, Maglor's authority was shaky at best when he was High King, and he doesn't have a higher chance of Celegorm respecting his orders now than he did then. Especially when there is no outside force to keep him in line as there was back then.]

[bythewaves]

Destroyed his kingdom. Killed his king. Kidnapped his princess for ... I do not know. You said you loved her, but how you treated her...

[ Maglor flinches, a tremor starting in his hands ]

Please. Don't... I don't want to say it.

[fairandterrible]

And if he hurts you or our brother, it won't be only his kingdom, king and princess that will suffer at my hands.

You can give me an order, Makalaurë, but I will not let you order me to abandon my blood in the face of danger. Especially Nyelo. [Not again, goes unsaid.]

[bythewaves]

Then don't make me beg! I can't lose you again, I can't! [ He is out and out shaking by now ] Thranduil is not the only one who loses everything in that fight. Please! I would die a thousand deaths on your behalf but I can't lose you again.

[fairandterrible]

Then you should make sure that he doesn't harm you or our brother.

[He'll grab Maglor's shoulders, hard, trying to force him to steady himself.]

Steady yourself, brother. I will not pose threat or insult to this man lest he issues a provocation dire enough to ignore it first.

[bythewaves]

[ Maglor's eyes are dark with fear and old, remembered pain, and he clings to Celegorm as if he were the younger ]

I don't matter. As long as I can keep you and Nyelo safe, that's all that's important

[fairandterrible]

Laurë.

[He abruptly grabs Maglor's shoulders and almost drags him away, bringing half an arm's distance between them so that their faces are far enough from each other that he can properly look at Maglor but still close enough for Maglor to be hardly able to look away from him, unless he fully turns his head.]

You are all that keeps this family together, if Nyelo cannot do it - and if he is truly that young, he will not be able to. No others of us can do that. [They are all excellent leaders in their own right, and in different ways (though some of them need a combination to stand on their own), but he heavily doubts that he or any of their younger brothers could keep the family together. Maglor may not be as good at it as Maedhros, but he's at least somewhat able to.] We will be lost without you. [Maedhros, if he is so young, needs a brother, and Celegorm... he needs his pack, in the long run, some kind of pack. But he cannot lead it. It is the only sort of authority that Maglor has over him, really.]

[bythewaves]

[ A soft hiccoughing sob, as Maglor tries to focus (Celegorm needs you), pulling the tattered remains of his masks to some sort of solidity ]

I... I ... I already... I already failed you, Tyelko.

[fairandterrible]

[His laughter is almost a bark.]

Then do not fail me again. And that you can only do if you remain.