agentleooc | test drive 02

Entry tags:

!modpost,
!tdm

test drive 02

I know dust grows even when there is a breeze
Can't move, can't grow When you've fallen on your knees

► All TDM threads may be considered canon provided both parties agree and are accepted into the game.

► Canon threads may be redeemed for influence and reputation depending on how you solve the issue at hand or how you engage with the prompt. They also count toward AC.

► Feel free to switch up your character's Jewel from thread to thread. Get a feel for how a Birthright Jewel may limit or enhance your character's abilities.

HOT UNDER THE COLLARD GREENS
The relationship between the Blood and the landens has never been easy anywhere, least of all Draega, and even less so now that the Strangers have arrived. Between Blood and landen, opinions on the Strangers vary wildly. Some Blood believe the Strangers were landen in their original worlds and thus cannot possibly have anything to offer, but some landens think this means that the Strangers will be more sympathetic to them—or that landens could gain the power of the Blood one day, too. Then there are the landens who think the Strangers have sold their souls to Queen Fayura to gain the Jewels and the Blood who think the Strangers have embraced what it truly means to be Blood. Whatever that means.

Tensions are high, and they're highest on the main street of the Old Town Bazaar, where two restaurants have an on-going feud. The Last Meal is owned by a Blood family, none of whom wear a Jewel darker than Yellow. Across the street from them stands the mockingly named Blood and Breakfast, owned by a landen family.

To say these two hate each other would be something of an understatement.

On this particular morning, Lord Harle, the Yellow Jeweled owner and chef at The Last Meal, comes storming out of his front door. "You've done it now, Laney Cook! Soured all my milk!"

Simultaneously, Laney Cook, who is the owner and chef at Blood and Breakfast, comes stomping out the front door of her establishment, brandishing a wooden spoon like a sword. "Aye, and you've replaced all my sugar with salt, you ripe old bastard!"

Without missing a beat, both turn to you and the Stranger at your side. Wrong place, wrong time, friend. The two chefs decide the two of you can be trusted to help them prove the other party guilty of sabotage because neither of you has a stake in this. And, well, if the Queen brought you here, you should be an independent party. Both Harle and Cook seem to think the Queen is pretty okay.

Truthfully, they're both equally guilty. Lord Harle and Ms Cook have been trying to ruin each other for years, but who knows what you'll find when you go searching for evidence. And even if you find evidence that decides one way or the other, perhaps you'll simply lie and manufacture a solution that suits you—or the Queen who brought you here.

TERRIBLE TWO(HUNDRED)S
You're not entirely sure how this happened, but you're starting to understand why Blood females constantly grumble about the caste of males they call Warlord Princes. Prince Loren has, somehow, managed to maneuver you to the place you're at now: the head of a classroom full of Blood children who all look like they're somewhere between the ages of eight and ten. It's hard to tell, and you're pretty sure one bossy little boy declared he was 203-years-old, so everyone else has to listen to him, thanks.

Regardless of how Loren managed to get you there, there you stand. Fifteen energetic elementary school children all wearing Jewels shriek and shout, using Craft to amplify already shrill voices. One girl floats near the ceiling, her face screwed up in concentration as she clutches a Rose Jewel. Two little boys are taking turns passing their hands through their desks, which strikes you as distinctly unsafe for eight-year-olds to be doing. (You're not wrong.)

At least there are two of you, and you only need to babysit these children for the morning. "They're here for Craft lessons. Surely, you can manage until Lady Sheera arrives," Loren had said before abandoning you to a battlefield full of powerful, pint-sized children.

There's a lesson plan on the teacher's desk, but maybe you should lead with the snacks.

REVENGE, SERVED STINKY
The air is crisp and cool; it's still winter, but it's not as chilly as it has been, and so you're out for a walk. You've made your way north through Old Town and now find yourself meandering down the roads in front of the landen Guild Halls. Even though they're all made of red brick, each building is entirely unique. The Hunter and Crafter Hall, the largest of all the buildings, has more in common with a hunting lodge than the university building it once was. The Elektriline Hall might be the smallest building, but it's covered in neon lights and impossible to ignore.

Equally impossible to ignore is Master Tinker Mari and her collection of landen young adults. They're clustered around a storm drain. When Mari sees you, she detaches herself from the group of landen students and bounds over to you. "Ahhah! Stranger! You have been brought here against your will and are surely sympathetic to our cause!" she exclaims.

That doesn't make you feel too great since, you know, you're aware that the Hunter Guild tried to kill all the Strangers maybe two or three weeks ago. They may have mellowed out, or they may just be biding their time. Thankfully, none of Mari's students bear the markings of a Hunter.

She pulls you to the group. Already, canisters have been lowered into the sewers. A handful of students have clambered down after the canisters. "The Blood wouldn't help us repair the damage in Old Town," she says, rubbing her hands together. "Our people's homes were unlivable. So we're going to make their workplace unbearable." She points at the canisters. "Stink bombs."

There's another Stranger in the group, and you make eye contact over the top of the storm drain. Are you of the same mind as each other? As Mari? The choice is yours: agree to Mari's plan and fill the buildings of the Ebon Council with untenable stench or try to convince them there's a better way.

AIR TIME
Whether you catch the news on a Far-caster in the city or you're spinning the dial on your own device, you'll hear…

etiquette with evandra and aren
[Evandra's voice is a little bit rough and a little bit husky, the kind of voice that gives bad ideas to young men and headaches to fathers.] Today we're talking about everyone's favorite subject.

[Aren's voice is chipper and bright. He sounds more like an eager boy than the full-grown man he is.] Food?

[A laugh from Evandra.] No, Lord Aren. Sex and flirting. Culturally, the Blood don't consider it rude to flirt quite blatantly with each other, even when one or both of the parties is married. Isn't that right?

[Aren:] That's exactly it, Evandra. Older males allow young witches to flirt because it's understood that the male isn't interested or available. He becomes a safe partner for her to practice on, and his approval lets her know what is and isn't acceptable.

[Evandra:] What does it mean if a married male or witch flirts with you?

[Aren:] Casual flirting means that witch or male thinks you're safe. It's their way of telling you they feel comfortable around you. Of course, it's always acceptable to ask them to step back! [He laughs.] As we all know, just because you can flirt with a Warlord Prince's lady doesn't mean you should!

[Evandra:] Let's take a look at casual flirtation between different Blood castes…

the weather
[A soft-spoken man's voice rumbles out of the Far-caster. He's pleasant to listen to, with a soothing cadence to his voice.] Warmer temperatures will see melting snow over the next week. Be careful around the Heartsblood River, as the heavy snows will result in flooding along the banks. Need flood insurance? The Transport Guild is looking to expand into…

the news
…amusing to hear that Grand Master Niall blames the Blood for the fires in Old Town. It is my understanding that members of the Blood, these so-called Strangers, went out of their way to rescue both Blood and landen during the fires set by the Grand Master's Hunter Guild. [The man speaking has a slow, clipped cadence to his voice. It's very posh and polished.]

[Another voice, presumably an interviewer:] The Council counts the Strangers as Blood, Lord Grejor?

[Grejor:] What else can they be? They wear the Jewels, therefore they are among our number. [He laughs, and the sound is cold.] The Council is pleased to welcome our new brothers and sisters.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Ooh, a cannibal. Kinky. Been there, done that. Bite me and I promise I'll bite back.

[He was amused more than anything at just how much this guy's panties were getting twisted over a little compulsion and conflict resolution.]

Look, whatever's squirming around up your butt, I'd suggest removing it. We are what we are. They are what they are. If Queen Boogypants didn't want vampires here sucking her precious subjects, she wouldn't have brought us here.

[See that? That's a shrug.]

[Oddly enough it's the remark that he's kinky that makes Jonathan splutter in embarrassed horror, and perhaps fortunately drives the thought that perhaps it would be easier if he took care of this problem himself right now out of his head.]

You are completely irredeemable, aren't you? [Despite everything there was a sigh of resignation to his words. Jonathan had often hoped that there were others like himself and Lady Ashbury who cared how and when they fed, but perhaps the hunters of the Guard of Priwen were correct, and most of their kind simply couldn't be given that chance.]

Very well. I'll let the Queen know of your intentions despite warnings it wouldn't be tolerated here and she can have the same conversation with you that she had with me. Although I suspect it may end differently.

[The reaction had him smiling wider, hands sliding into his pockets as he watched Stuffy McNofun try his hardest to blush while dead. Sorry -- undead.]

It got the job done. They were both lying, and now they know it. And we know it. And maybe they won't do it if lying gets them eaten. Ends justifies the means, buddy.

[Perhaps he was approaching this the wrong way, Jonathan decided. His thought had been that explaining to the stranger that the consequences here would be different might work, but perhaps it would help to explain the... offer given as well. How did it go? More flies with honey...?]

I cannot believe I'm saying this... [And really, it twisted his stomach because he rather doubted that this man had the moral compass to control himself but still. If it helped...]

The Lady did not bring us here and expect us to go hungry, no. But she also doesn't wish her people to be killed simply to satisfy strangers to her land. She's made a... suggestion. That she or certain others of her court could assist with meeting our needs should it prove necessary. Or, if they aren't suitable, then she would help find others who are.

If you absolutely cannot control your hunger and feed on animals, then I would suggest asking her about the offer.

I don't do animals. I'm not my brother.

[In fact, he looked utterly disgusted with the thought. Figures that St. Stefan's vegan influence would extend here.]

God, don't tell me I'm stuck in a place where you all live by sparklepire logic. I can't handle it. I might just have to... continue not to give a crap.

[Rabbits. Deer. It hadn't worked for Elena, either. Some vampires just couldn't stomach it if it wasn't from the source.]

I'll think about the whole offer thing, though. Nothing wrong with a willing source. Makes the sex more fun.

I agree it's hardly palatable but when compared to the alternative...

[Jonathan shrugged. Rats and vermin where, quite frankly, disgusting to feed on. But he also doubted he would be able to stop himself with a human, willing or not, and falling into a frenzy was infinitely worse than dealing with a foul taste.]

At least consider the offer. Although I would not attempt to suggest any... other arrangements at the same time. [And Jonathan actually does blush at that idea. Why anyone would think that an option a human would want with their kind was beyond him.] Her consort may not respond so favourably.

As for all of us... it would seem there is only you and I here with our particular affliction, although I suspect if you annoy the wrong people that number will decrease.

Rats are disgusting. Too much fur. I did a stint on them during an ocean crossing once. Do not recommend. Deer aren't any better, and anything without fur you don't have to spit out is just... avoid iguanas. Nasty.

[Damon's face twisted up at the memory.]

Why not? You can't get it up? Aww... eternity with an erectile dysfunction? You'd think that being a vampire would fix... that.

[He looked down at the other man's crotch. Yeah, he was going there. Blatantly.]

Crap luck. But hey, bright side, sunshine. Maybe it'll increase. Maybe I'll make a few here and there. Ain't no party like a vampire party, right? Just kidding.

... Or am I? Besides, if you're not having sex with your food, you're not doing it right.

[There was a moment when Jonathan simply couldn't comprehend what the other man was implying (or perhaps didn't want to) and he simply stared in blank horror, uncertain where even to begin. Finally he cleared his throat awkwardly.]

I don't see how that is any of your concern. Besides, I don't feed on humans. Now if you're done being childish, I'm going to escort you back to the palace before you can get into any more trouble.

Vegan.

[He folded his arms and gave the still unnamed vampire a look.]

No, you're not. I had a dad and he sucked at it. I don't need two. Just because you look older doesn't mean you are, sparkleballs. So I'm going to go find something... sorry. Let's not be coy here. Someone to wet my whistle with, and maybe dip my wick in. I dunno. Depends on if she's a looker or not. So you can go find Chip and Dale to play at being Capri Suns, but I'm good, thanks.

[That was it. Jonathan's fangs lengthened again and he snarled, pure fury and rage. He barely had to think to disappear and reappear directly in front of the other vampire in a swirl of black smoke, his hands fisting clothing as he aimed to shove the man back against the brick wall of the building.]

You will do no such thing.

Ooh, that's nifty. You learn to do that here?

[Well, if they were going to whip their magical dicks out and have a sword swinging contest, Damon wasn't going to just lay down and claim defeat. He moved in that blur of motion his kind had, seeming to just blink from existence and show up a hundred feet away, waggling his fingers almost coyly.]

Yoo-hoo! Over here, big boy. No fanfare of smoke for me, but hey, it works.

No.

[Jonathan's senses are so much sharper since he received his red jewel, it's as if he were reborn anew once more. He can tell the other man was moving at a speed that would seem a blur otherwise, but he tracked him easily and disappeared again to reappear in front of him, this time crowding close and taking advantage of their height difference to loom over him.]

I don't think you quite understand, childe, and I am quickly growing tired of giving you chances that you seem intent on throwing away. You may wear green, but my jewel is red and that is what matters in this place. I could force you to submit to my will and you would not be able to stop me.

And yet even then the Queen would be able to turn my mind inside out if she wished, while any human with a jewel darker than yours would easily resist what you did out there and then make you pay for it.

This is the world you are in, and as I have been trying to explain, you cannot act as though you can do whatever you like here. You will be killed, and no one will try to prevent it if you act as you have been.

[That was a bit of a surprise, but again, Damon hadn't exactly not come across vampires that were bigger and badder than him. Or sassed off to his progenitors. He had zero respect for authority. Less than zero. Sub-zero. Fuck the po-po.

So as the vampire loomed over him and snarled, Damon lifted up onto his toes and gave him a quick kiss on that snarling visage.]

Aww, is that concern, grampa? I'm touched, really. I don't know how whatever works in whatever world, buckaroo, but unless you're one of the Originals, you can't mind-bend zippity doo-dah on me, and I'm pretty sure you're not of ye olde Mikaelson clan. So save your holier than thou fluffy critter biting ways for some priest who'll want to hear it.

Honestly? I still don't get this whole jewel thing, but it is what it is, and yay, you got the gold star. And the queen can-- Jesus. I don't know if I'm talking about Lizzie or some mutant bee. Whatever. I'm used to people trying to kill me, and I'm definitely used to the lack of shits given about that. So, you know, thanks for the pep talk, but I'm going to go have fun now.

[It was lucky it was only a quick peck because Jonathan was in no mood to play around and it was met with a snap of teeth that only just narrowly missed catching the other man. Because while Jonathan would hardly admit it unless extremely pressed, his hunger had been far harder to manage since he'd acquired his red jewel and while he'd tried to ignore the Queen's comment that he would likely need blood more frequently than before, he was determined to keep to his abstinence. The result was that the other man was more correct than he liked; all those suppressed instincts to hunt and feed were eating at him and this... was too tempting a target.

He was done with debate now, his hunger in full control as he snapped a hand out to try and sink hands more like claws now in the other vampire's arm in an effort to hold him still as he went for his neck.]

[He was still a bit surprised to find someone that much stronger than him, but again, it wouldn't be the first time. So while Jonathan went for his neck and dug claws in, Damon used his brain; he lifted his knee and aimed for the vampire's gonads.

Breathing or no, that was going to give him pause. Or should. And if not? Oh, you poor, poor bastard.]

[The growl of hunger became a cry of pain and instead of sinking his fangs into the other vampire's neck, they only scraped skin as Jonathan instinctively doubled over and fell back. It wasn't the same pain as an incendiary round had, but it hurt all the same and took him a few seconds to recover from.]

[Good. Because he'd put strength behind that, forgetting for a moment that he had a bit more than he was used to. As much as he really wanted to stay around and gloat, he still hadn't fully gotten a fix on this vampire's attitude, but he seemed a bit more sensitive than most.

So while Jonathan howled and cupped his balls, Damon vamp-sped through the town, past the still-standing-there duo, and sought to lose himself among warm bodies.]

[His body healed fast enough, even with his poor diet, and the scent of blood still lingered faintly in the air. Remembering the vampire's early comments about finding someone to feed on, Jonathan darted out into the streets as well, although he slowed to a more human run speed now that there were more witnesses. Even this early in the morning, there were people making deliveries and cooking for the day's trading, and he didn't want to inadvertently start a panic.

But even so he was mindful of the sun that would rise far too soon for his liking. All the more reason to find his opponent quickly. So as soon as he could, Jonathan shadow jumped to the rooftops and started crossing those swiftly in inhuman leaps and blurs of shadow. His senses shifted as well, focusing in on the heartbeats he could hear below him and the scent of blood in an effort to narrow in on the path the other vampire had taken.]

[Damon wasn't exactly looking for a snack at the moment. Fun, yes, but a snack? Well, if someone started spurting blood in front of him, maybe he'd stop and have a taste. But Damon also fed well; either by taking long swallows from a lot of sources, or draining someone dry, which filled him up good. Not that he couldn't glut if he wanted to, but there was no reason to at the moment. So he wasn't especially hungry in any way other than that faint tickle in the back of his throat that was always there. He usually numbed it easily with something alcoholic, but he hadn't found a bar yet. That's what he'd been out looking for.

He wasn't bleeding anymore; the cut healing almost as quickly as it had been made, but Jonathan might hear him if he listened. He had a heartbeat, but it beat at a quarter the speed of a human's. A slower, deeper 'tha-thump'. He wasn't sure if the other vampire was still chasing him or not, but he'd stopped moving in a blur and was now casually strolling down the street, whistling and looking for something to catch his attention.]

[It took him longer than he liked but Jonathan finally located a heartbeat that wasn't the right speed, a slow pulse that stuck out in the sounds of humans around it. Unnatural. Tired. Undead.

In a better mindset he'd have found the difference between himself and the other vampire curious and worth asking about, but his hunger and anger take the lead once more as the sunlight starts peeking over the horizon and he launches himself in a blur of speed and shadow to slam into the other man and use his momentum to carry them both away from the crowds.]

Son of a--!

[He hadn't really been expecting that, and there it was.]

Persistent kind of jerk, aren't you. Go find someone else to gnaw on. I'm busy.

[He swatted at the other, stronger vampire, trying to change the direction of where they were headed. He might not be afraid of the sun anymore, but he also knew what it did to vampires. Or, what it should do to vampires. It wouldn't hurt to find out just what kind of problem this one had with it.]

You're not getting enough vitamin D, buddy. Lemme help you out with that.

[As they tumbled, Jonathan wrenched the other vampire's head to the side and sunk his fangs into flesh. The taste of blood was an immediate, euphoric high, strength and pleasure flowing through him with that first mouthful and his senses narrowing in to only the taste of blood and the sucking pull as he swallowed a second time.

But no sooner was he lost in sating himself then pain lanced through him and he pulled back, wincing and snarling as his skin cracked and burned in the sunlight. There was still little of it in the street, but the early rays burned like fire and Jonathan fought to free himself from the other vampire in sudden contrast to his early attempt to hold onto him.]

Hey! Not on a first date!

[Damon's hand went to his neck, feeling blood, but the small wounds had healed already. Bites usually lasted longer than that, especially ones where the other party had gotten at least one good suck from it. But nope, just a smear of red on his fingers and no holes. Okay, that was... handy.

But he noticed the reaction, smiling as he went to stand directly in a band of sun. Good. Some things still held true, then. He could at least rely on that. Of course, now he was going to have to find out this guy's other weaknesses, because this was like running into the Mikaelsons all over again. Jerks.]

This is what veganism and abstinence gets you, Nippy. Crappy table manners.

[Jonathan fell back to the shadows and the wounds dulled to deep and painful looking scars in his flesh. While he hadn't had more than two mouthfuls of blood, it bought with it a clarity that he hated and he dragged his wrist against his mouth to rid himself of the blood.]

How... [He stared at the other man, standing in the sunlight without a concern in the world.] How are you doing that?

Magic...

[Damon did a little wave of his hands, all Abracadabra-like, then turned the one that wore a ring on it. He tapped it with this thumb.]

Magic ring. And before you get it in your head to take it and use it, you can't. Part of the whole magic thing is it's for one person and one person only.

[His thumb pointed at his chest.]

Me. I mean, unless you can find yourself a Bennett witch to cast the spell. But I don't see any around here, so...

test drive 02

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omfg that is beautiful

Damon fights dirty

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