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

[utulien_aure]

I'm afraid it just became obsolete again, though I can give you the pertinent points. The first is that you've been a fool, the second is that I am still angry with you. [Findekano drops the bow, pulling Maedhros into a hug.] Don't you dare do anything like this again.

You mean this city kidnaps people and freezes time? And we are all supposed to find this pleasant? I am glad I will find you [He wasn't planning on coming back if he didn't, really] but it does not sit right with me that there is some version of you still out there where I cannot reach.

[castintofire]

{Maedhros once would have flinched from such a quick embrace. No more. Now he returns it, quick and tight.} You have good points, I will admit. I hope to earn your forgiveness, though I doubt I deserve it.

{A small shrug and he looks down at his cousin with a half smile.} Because there is no war here? There are no Silmarils, no Orcs - though there are Wargs outside the city walls. And while the city plays with those brought here, we do revert to what passes for normal.

{But the mirth fades.} There is more - much more - to tell you. Will you come with me to the home where I live? There is space for you there.

[utulien_aure]

Since when is forgiveness something earned? If you need it so, it will be yours in time. Simply do not go where I cannot follow; that is all I ask.

I volunteered for that war, I remind you. And for the orcs. But you have been fighting longer than I have, it seems, and so I shall bow to your greater experience. For now.

[Concerned] Of course. What is wrong?

[castintofire]

There is very little that would make me happier than to never leave your side again. {The other has to be obvious. For Maedhros' family to not have become so divided. For the Kinslayings to be reversed. For the Silmarils to never have been created.}

Longer than you believe, Finno. Before I came here, I had not seen you in centuries. {And the time had dragged painfully, maddeningly.

He rests a hand on Fingon's shoulder, guiding him away from the City toward the forest.}

Time passes differently here, as I have said. Much has happened both here, and on Arda, since the time you rescued me from Morgoth. It... will not be easy for you to hear. What has passed here is easier, though with its own set of confusion.

[utulien_aure]

Apparently so, if you need me to find you at every mishap. [Despite his irreverence, Findekano's cheeks flush.]

You mean I'm dead. [He had followed until that was acknowledged,but now he halts in his place.] There are two reasons I would not see you for so long, no matter my anger at you. I'm dead. It is either that or there is something you don't want me to see.

[He shakes his head.]I can handle what you have to tell me. Whatever it is, I will hear you out.

[castintofire]

{Maedhros doesn't mind! He grins faintly, fond.} I can think of worse!

I have never lied to you. I will not begin now.

{He stops, turning to face Fingon, grin fading.} You died because I failed to protect you. {In his mind.} Kano and I reached you too late. {And it had destroyed him.

He takes a brittle breath.} You were here once before, for several months. I do not expect you to remember, for that... version of yourself came from your death.

[utulien_aure]

[He can't quite manage his normal confidence after that confirmation, but he tries his best for his cousins' sake.] Was I really so incapable of managing by myself? Never think I don't value your affection, Russandol, but you have always had a habit of blaming yourself for things that were not your fault.

I..see. I won't say that isn't very strange, but I can deal with it.You...you must have had an easier time with this other version of me.

[castintofire]

{Maedhros shakes his head, expression growing bleak.} It was no fault of yours. I take the blame because I trusted the wrong people. And it cost me you. My sanity went with your death.

{Yet somehow, much of that sanity has been regained. Any one can see it. It's what allows him to shrug.} This world is strange. You are still Findekáno. Someone I care deeply for. I'm simply glad you are here, difficulties, challenges, and all.

Just... stay?

[utulien_aure]

I cannot believe I am so essential to your sanity. Your are stronger than that, and you have always had your brothers beside you.

But if you want me, here I am.

[castintofire]

You are. I let my brothers dictate where I should have stood firm. {With so many telling Maedhros that same thing, he has trouble not believing it. He just can't forgive himself for all the deaths he could have prevented.

He finds a smile, even if it doesn't quite reach his eyes.} I do, I want to stay wherever you are.

[utulien_aure]

The story behind that is not one I will enjoy hearing, is it? [Still, whatever the issue is, it's over; perhaps they can fix things, but if they can't the world will still go on.]

[Findekano's answering smile is bright and hopeful] My dearest friend-don't worry, Maitimo. I'm right here.

[castintofire]

No, you will not. {Maedhros trusts Fingon now as much as he always has. There are many reasons he can trust himself when this particular Elf is around. Fingon is one of the few who isn't afraid to call him to task, and can literally knock him on his ass if it's necessary.

The light in his cousin's eyes and smile eases his own.} I cannot worry when you are near.

[utulien_aure]

[He nods once, sharply, at the warning.] Well, the honesty is a good place to start. It is your story, Russa, so I leave it up to you: do you wish to tell me now? [ Findekano is not so sure he deserves that faith, but for Maedhros' sake he will try his best to live up for it.]

As a practical matter I can't advise that, you know. I've failed people before. [Arakano, Elenwe, a thousand names Maitimo would not know from the Helcaraxe. They'll linger forever in the depths of his mind.] But I would not leave you while I have a choice.

[castintofire]

Not here. The forest is not far, and it has been a welcoming place for me here. {Fingon hasn't failed Maedhros yet! The one doing the failing between them has always been Maedhros, in his view.}

You bring light, Finno. You bring hope. Both help more than you might think.

[utulien_aure]

I don't think I ever imagined you at home in a forest. But I would like to see where you live now. [Maybe, but he hasn't rescued Maedhros yet either. Not from his perspective, at least.]

I won't say not to a finely-turned complement, but perhaps they can wait until I've earned them? [Not that he's hanging on every word from Maedhros. Absolutely nothing like that.]