NOVEMBER 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. EVENTS - 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

Knut | Original Character

[squeakofthedevil]

[1-1]

[WALK INTO THE TRAIN STATION LIKE WHAT UP, no seriously, what is up, what is going on here, where the hell am I. This new arrival slinks through the station, gaze darting around suspiciously as he looks for signs of anyone else nearby. When he doesn't spot anyone immediately he dares to step out of the shadows a bit more, but keeps his guard up as he goes to check out the oh-so-helpful posters with an expression of pure bemusement. Perhaps you're passing by while he's absorbed with this task, and decide to offer him a friendly welcome!

Or maybe you just want to make fun of his dorky outfit. He looks like he's dressed for a play, or a Halloween party, with a ruffly shirt and a long black cape. Nerd.]

-

[10-2]


-ard enough time just figuring out rotary phones, now they expect me to use a watch as a computer, as if I am some sort of millennial hipster-

[The video starts out as a mumbled stream of complaints as the owner of the watch fiddles with the controls in an annoyed attempt to establish communication. Enjoy the awkward closeups of his nose, eyes, and fingers until he finally notices that the recording has started. He immediately brightens up and pulls back so the camera can capture his full, grinning visage.]

Ah-ha! Ha ha! I have succeeded! Truly, my genius knows no bounds!

[...he's holding the camera upside down.]

-

[wild card???]

[WILD CARD!]

10-2

[tonic]

I'm impressed!

[ No, it's not sarcasm. She had a really hard time figuring it out her first go around, and because they're basically incomprehensible to newbies to start with, his estimation of himself isn't exactly wrong. (To her.) She gives a slight wave, and though her expression is clearly frozen into a default state of nervousness, there's a welcoming fortitude as well. ]

Have you, er-- have you read the posters? Or are you fresh? -- Er, not fresh as in fresh meat, none of us are going to eat you, are you just--

... has anyone given you the run down?

[ Even for someone new at this, she manages to putz around the point and sound more worried than necessary. ]

Re: 10-2

[squeakofthedevil]

[For all his preening, he wasn't actually expecting to see another face right away, and he almost drops the watch.]

Ah! Y-yes! You! Should be! Impressed, that is! Surely there are few who could successfully decipher such a strange device so quickly. Ohoho, but of course, such a task is child's play for myself.

[I mean, no one saw the twenty minutes he spent messing with it before it turned on, so it totally doesn't count. He clears his throat and hides his fidgeting fingers by adjusting his cravat- yes, he's wearing an actual cravat, who the hell dressed his man.]

I do suppose I am as "fresh" as I could be, if by such you are referring to my arrival in this place. I did observe the placards, although I found them to be a bit...lacking...in the informative sense.

[tonic]

Oh! Yeah, they're useless. They're more alarming than they are reassuring, but-- here goes.

You're in a place between worlds. Kind of like-- everyone you meet will be from an alternate universe with its own worlds. While the people who kidnapped us are kind of hard to get a hold of..., there's no immediate danger from-- from being here. People work together to make it a livable place. We-- um. We... trade for what we need, and food is never short in supply. There's a lot of free places you could stay, and--

[ A pause.

And then another, humorously following the previous. ]

--- T-t-t-t-there's no way to make this place sound not bad! I mean, you were just kidnapped across worlds! Who cares if food and rent is free? What am I even saying!?

[ A long, deep breath... ]

-- What I'm saying is, even as harrowing as it is, there's nothing we can do about it but work together. There's no-- well, sometimes there's danger, but it's not-- it's not life-threatening danger. Unless you really look for it.

[squeakofthedevil]

[While she speaks, his expression shifts from confusion, to flat disbelief, to vague distress as his brain tries to process the information. Before he can even start to decide what parts of the explanation to believe, however, she's already talking herself into a minor breakdown and his face has to go through another series of emotional contortions.

He settles for "cautiously detached but genuinely concerned."]

...um.

Not to...change the subject, or anything - believe me I have quite a few questions and I will be getting back to them posthaste - but...are you...okay? Do you...need a minute?

Findekano | The Silmarillion

[utulien_aure]

1.1: A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Thangorodrim....

[Findekano had wandered in near-complete darkness since he had left Mithrim. If he had not traveled the way to Angband before with his father's host, he would never have been able to find the way back-even now, over a week since he had begun his travel, the poisoned gasses of the air blocked his path. It did not matter: Findekano breathed into a scarf around his mouth, kept an arrow ready to use, and kept going. He had survived the Ice, he would survive this as well.

But suddenly there was light-that of the setting sun (that wasn't right: he had kept count, and by these new days it should have been mid-morning). Findekano looked around him, a metal box closing its doors at his back and speeding away.

Nothing about this made sense, but wherever he was it was the wrong place. He needed to get out, he needed to get back, he needed-

to calm down and find out what was going on. Findekano allowed himself one shaky breath, and left the station.]

10.10: Your Choice

1:1

[castintofire]

{It's a fairly typical day in the City for Maedhros, though he'd left his Fire Lizard with Aragorn to keep the little brown hatchling company. He'd taken to wearing his long hair in a single braid, though Sansa's added a few embellishments that he likes - it's easier and safer with little flying lizards who like to use him as a climbing obstacle.

It's on the way home to the forest that he passes the train station and a familiar presence catches his attention, stopping him in his steps to stare ahead. He's armed, naturally, with a sword at his waist. But it's far from his mind to draw it as he wonders. Another hallucination or illusion?

It's a figure out of memory, foggy, blurry memory of when he'd lost his hand. But he can't not call out, hardly daring to hope or believe.}

Finno?

[utulien_aure]

[A pause, then warily,] Maitimo?

[ He looks at the figure calling his name. The height is right, and the voice is more familiar than his own- but Findekano somehow doubts the captives of Angband are let out to wander on their own.

It could be a trick- but it could be him. He keeps his bow at hand, but moves forward.]

Cousin? What are you doing here?

[castintofire]

{Maedhros decides to accept that this isn't an illusion. He's missed Fingon too much not to. He approaches, not minding the caution his cousin displays.}

This is not the Thangorodrim. Morgoth holds no power here.

{A pause, then he sighs and a small smile appears.} You have been missed, Cousin. There is much to tell you.

[utulien_aure]

Russandol, I have spent a great amount of time traipsing about looking for your sorry arse, so you'll have to forgive me if I'm not so quick to believe.

[That he's staring like a parched man looking at a glass of water should, of course, be completely ignored.]

:D WELCOME!

[rangerandking]

{He knows him by sight alone, which might be unnerving for the poor Elf. Aragorn is cautious to approach, giving the Elven Lord space to breathe. Trains are not part of their world and he is likely confused (if not downright terrified).}

Lord Findékano... {Yes, it is best to use the older name.} Welcome to Ruby City. I am Aragorn and you can count me as an ally - if not a friend.

Thank you, glad to be here

[utulien_aure]

[It is very unnerving; of course so is everything about running off to the fortress of an evil god and suddenly finding yourself diverted. Findekano will appreciate the caution later, when he's gotten through this without shooting anyone.]

That is my name [he agrees warily] and I would welcome an ally in any new place. But I cannot remain here; I left my people on an urgent errand and it is still incomplete.

Aragorn, how did I arrive here? And how do I depart?

/pounces on ... /has threaded with you a lot

[rangerandking]

{Aragorn understands. He had been standing in his palace in Minas Tirith, surrounded by Arwen, his councilors and his people and then he had been on a train. He was grateful the city had many Elves at the time; they had helped him adjust.

Fingon will need to settle for a Man.}

The simple answer is you cannot return. The deities of this city have decided that you must remain for an unknown amount of time. The good news is: you will not be missed in our world. Time pauses there while you are here and you will likely not have memory of your stay.

*checks* Ah! Excellent!

[utulien_aure]

[There are worse men for the role. And worse elves, as well.

He listens to Aragorn in mounting alarm, letting out a bitter laugh at the end]

After fire, ice, and darkness-now strange gods as well? Forgive me, Aragorn, but this news could not come at a worse time. There is something I must do-

[He sighs grimly] Well, it seems it does not matter here. Are all the residents of the city taken in this way?

Forgive me, it was rude to harp on my concerns. How long have you been here?

1:1

[bythewaves]

[ He does not linger by the station the way he did in the early days, hoping (fearing) for faces he once knew, but he still comes by often - he has no choice, in truth, not with his dear ones living nearby.

But that song, he knows the sound of that life, that figure...

He steps hesitantly into the station gates and calls out ]

Fingon? Cousin, is that you?

Re: 1:1

[utulien_aure]

[Sorry, Maglor, were you hoping for your happy, optimistic cousin? He's not available right now, you can have him back when the universe stops screwing with his rescue plan.]

You know my name, cousin; if you've forgotten just reverse your own. [Second languages are not for relatives and personal crises] Aren't you meant to be kinging off in the south?

[Is he in Mithrim? Please let him not be in Mithrim. He can't have gone that throughly wrong, can he?]

[bythewaves]

[ ... Oh dear, Ambarussa murmur in his ears with nonexistant voices. He's from then.

Maglor shakes his head, apologetically ]

Findekano. It is you. And that was a long, long time ago, for me.

[utulien_aure]

What, have we begun instituting calendars based on personal whim? Or does the sun rise differently at the other side of the lake? [Aren't you just glad to have him back?]

[Sighing] Look, just point me north and I'll be out of your hair. I have something I need to be getting back to.

diego brando | the part of jojo's bizarre adventure we don't like to talk about

[raptorcious]

a. [melodica intensifies]

[Unlike certain Italians who need not be named, some people have their shit together a little more and they didn't leave their horse at home.]

[Granted, that doesn't clear anything up about where he is or how exactly he managed to go from being near a train to being on it and at a station like this in what appears to be more ass end of nowhere than other parts of the race have been, but Silver Bullet is important. He also won't need to spend nearly as much time wandering around this place as he would if were traveling by foot.]

[He pauses a moment after stepping off the train to look at the posters. Or more accurately, he sneers at how crude they are. He looks at his watch skeptically, opting to pocket it for now rather than fiddle with contacting anyone. As far as Diego's concerned, he doesn't need to contact anyone.]

Ruby City.

[He says this flatly no one in particular as he swings himself up onto his horse's back. Unimpressed is a little bit of an understatement.]

[He directs Silver Bullet away, towards the self-proclaimed city, but you can bet his opinion of it won't improve when he sees what an abandoned ghost town of a place it is. Then again, even if he does come across another person, it's not likely he'll give them the time of day. At most, if they happen to be standing in Silver Bullet's path, he might direct a cold look in their direction, but he has better things to do than dwell on the run-of-the-mill losers around here.]

b. clever girl

[That movement out of the corner of your eye? Just a figment of your imagination. It definitely was not a microraptor stealing something from a vendor, another person, or even you, and racing off with it to bring back to its master with its stolen prize. Nope. What makes you think that would happen? You silly nerd. Dinosaurs are super extinct.]

[Of course, if you happen to believe your eyes (or maybe you don't believe them, and that's the whole problem) and are curious as to what caused the scurrying and yet rhythmic click clack, it's entirely possible you've decided to follow the trail. And... Well... Um... Dinosaurs happen to not be as super extinct as you thought. Sur...prise??]

[Anyway, follow the bugger long enough and the microraptor will lead you to Diego on one of the shores of the river where he's conducting a bit of an experiment. Said experiment is with the kelpies. Or what used to be kelpies. Diego is surrounded by three larger raptors currently. Two of them would appear to be as normal as inaccurate depictions of dinosaurs can get without feathers and all scales instead, while the third appears to have retained that slimy kelpie skin. Diego's in the process of testing the stickiness when the microraptor runs and leaps onto his shoulder.]

Back so soon? [He holds out his hand for the microraptor to drop its findings into it, and the raptor immediately places it there in his palm. Diego strokes under the raptor's chin with his free hand once in gentle albeit unnecessary praise.] Good girl.

c. that is one big pile of shit

What the hell kind of stable is this? Do you really expect me to be satisfied with this thing's condition? Even if my horse was just a workhorse from the country whose only purpose is to plow the fields every year, I wouldn't keep him here.

He deserves far better than this.

B;

[originallutece]

[This isn't the first time Rosalind has seen the microraptor.

Possibly not that particular microraptor. She hasn't gotten close enough to study them (yet). But she's definitely seen the damn things darting around, moving so fast even she felt her heart jump in fear. The first time, one had been skulking outside her lab, scratching gently at the door's entrance. She'd opened it with a shout, and it'd run off, fleeing towards its master. She'd been too stunned to give chase, but that only lasted for so long. Then she'd closed her lab door and begun making plans. There'd been no moment of disbelief, because that would be wasting time. Her eyes are good, and she's not in the habit of distrusting herself.

But so: she'd been out on the street when the dinosaur had stolen a hunk of meat. Steak, if she's any judge, but then again, she's keeping a healthy distance between herself and the raptor. She's armed with a baseball bat, but she's got no illusions on who would come out the victor in a fight.

The dinosaur eventually leads her to the beach, but more importantly: it leads her to a man. Brando, that's his name, isn't it? Yes. The man with the horse. Rosalind lowers her baseball bat and takes a few deliberate steps forward. Her heart pounds too hard in her chest, her breath coming just a touch too quickly, but her blue eyes are cold and steady.]

Does she normally take on properties from her meals?

[She calls it over the ocean's roar, and nods down towards the one raptor standing out from her cohorts.]

[raptorcious]

[The raptors around Diego react to Rosalind's presence sooner than he does, orienting themselves so that she's easily seen and he's guarded before he turns towards her.]

[The contradiction she's wearing is interesting. The water's too noisy for Diego to hear her heartbeat distinctly, but his vision's sharp enough that he can see the subtle rises and fall of her chest. They're coming in quick successions. It could be that she's a little out of breath trying to keep up with his microraptor as she raced back over here, but Rosalind doesn't look particularly flushed and there are no small tremors of muscles that would suggest she had to push herself to keep up. And yet even when her breathing gives every indication of a rapidly beating, fearful heart, her eyes remain unmoved by her body's responses. She keeps a clear mind to ask a question.]

[It's the only reason he's willing to give an answer to the question. People rarely interest him. Their behaviors are painfully predictable, but when some of them show a little more promise than others, it's occasionally worth the second or two of inspection.]

She hasn't eaten yet. [He gives a small shrug of his shoulder, the microraptor hopping back down to the sand.] Why else would I send this little one out on its own to fetch meat?

[originallutece]

Quite possibly to see who would follow.

[A beat, and then she follows that thought to its logical conclusion:]

A person makes a far larger meal than a bit of steak.

[Her breathing goes a touch faster at that. Even she can't talk about being eaten without feeling a spike of fear. But still Rosalind takes a deliberate step forward, her posture as nonthreatening as she can make it.]

So if it isn't what she eats . . . how is it she's taken on the kelpie's properties?

koto | kyousogiga

[gigahammer]

4.1

[There's a small girl standing in front of the monolith, letting out a whistle. She takes a few steps back, looking up to make sure it's as long as she thinks it is. After a moment, she confidently nods to herself. Someone standing close by might notice the red and blue sparks running about her, or the giant hammer she has lifted to her shoulders.

The girl is confident when she speaks, a little too loudly to be passed off for talking to herself.] Do you think I could smash that with Aratama?

8.4

[Someone passing by Koto on the streets might notice the way she's strolling confidently without paying attention to her surroundings. She seems more interested in humming and swinging along to some sort of song she's humming. There are two slightly smaller children at her side, also kind of just taking in the scenes. The one in the red hoodie yells, "Neechan, I'm hungry!" But Koto doesn't seem to have heard it because-- ] MFmffpfhf---

[There she goes, straight into someone without looking around her surroundings. When she pulls back, she looks up (or down) with a frown on her face.] What's the big idea with you standing in my way?

10. Wildcard!
I'd love to play Koto off just about anybody. Please let me know if there's a scenario you'd like to work out! Also... I posted this in the wrong month by mistake... I'm sorry.

4.1

[yourloyalstudent]

I don't think you should try to smash it with anything...

[Twilight looks slightly nervous, the small feathers in her wings puffed up against the cold despite the coat and scarf she's wearing. She taps one forehoof against the ground and makes a quiet 'ehm-hem' sound in the back of her throat.]

The last time somebody tried, really bad things happened.

[gigahammer]

Bad things? Like wha- [She rolls around to face the speaker, cut short as her eyes fall upon Twilight.]

... A talking pony! It's very nice to meet you, Miss Pony, I'm Koto!

[The blue and red streaks zip their way towards Twilight, swirling about her without touching her, curiously observing, though they could stand to be a little less obnoxious.]