test drive 02

[thestewards]

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.

Comments

[ilves]

[You know, as great as his friend is, Lalli would love it if Emil just! Processed things! The same way he does!! It would make Lalli's life so much easier, thanks.

But as no children are currently approaching, Lalli just settles back against the desk... only slightly miffed that Emil didn't tell him what a great job he's done. He wishes that he couldn't hear anything at all... hmph...]

I would. [Probably. Anyway, he's just sayin'.] But if you're scared, then just stay quiet.

[HMPH!!]

[illequipped]

[Did he do a great job? Did he, really? Emil was not expecting total deafness, so did he go good???

Anyway: whatever! Emil sits back himself with a scoff, crossing his arms to complete his fussy baby Look.]

I'm not scared, I'm just... confused.

[Also, he is scared. Also, he is allergic to staying quiet, even when he's in a mood. He lasts only a few moments, as usual - less time, actually, because the silence is oppressive. Lalliiii.....]

Are you ignoring me now? Lalli, come on.

[ilves]

[Confused about what? Does he not trust that Lalli knows what he's doing here?? ...I mean, that's fair—Lalli doesn't know what he's doing, not really, but this apparent lack of faith is something he's definitely going to get a bit huffy about; it's why he doesn't look over Emil's way, and why he, you know, takes his sweet time responding.]

No? [Yes.] I'm listening. To them.

[The KIDS! Just in case they decide to rebel or something? Surely he'll hear some war cries... but anyway, after another pointedly long pause:]

Why are you confused? You wanted things to be quiet.

[illequipped]

[Oh, now it's petty time! Emil understands. First Lalli doesn't want to hear any kids and now he's ignoring Emil so he can listen to kids? Please.]

Not this quiet! You can still hear a little. I wanted it to be like that.

[UUUGGH. But okay, okay. You know what? All things considered, as much as he is Bothered by the way this turned out, he can spare... a petty compliment.]

Well, at least you're good at making things quiet.

[ilves]

[Let Lalli Be Petty 2k19!! Especially since Emil got the perfect version of the spell while Lalli got, like, the half-baked version... in his humble opinion, there's no reason for Emil to whine about it...

Oh, and that is possibly the worst compliment of all time? Lalli isn't entirely won over by it, but—well, some recognition is better than none, which is why he deigns to glance over Emil's way. This baby.]

I am. [And that's it! No, no—] It's not even hard. You just gave up too quickly.

[illequipped]

[He thought the half-baked version was perfect!! He wanted it!! Emil is a beta tester who is dissatisfied with the final product, confirmed.

But please, stop judging him. He gives Lalli a look, exasperated.]

I'm not magic like you are, so it is hard, actually. And this place- [he waves a hand over his head, for emphasis; this place, a literal school, but--] -is terrible to learn anything in!

[Emil's scathing commentary of the public school system rears its head again... no, it's just loud in here. He's a beginner Lalli is trying to make master level 50 right off the bat! Too much!!]

[ilves]

[At least Lalli doesn't have to teach Emil how to recite a runo; he's certainly grateful for that, but ugh, this whole telling-Emil-how-to-do-basic-shit is still the worst? He didn't sign up for it?? He briefly thinks back to his early years, when he learned valuable lessons by just, you know, accompanying his grandmother right into the thick of things; compared to that, this noisy classroom is...

Well, it's annoying, but it's nothing to whine about. Things could be worse! Things have been worse, so sorry, Emil, but Lalli's pity is practically non-existent.]

Why? You're not doing anything? And you can't hear anything. [Thanks to him! Listen to that mental huff!] Just... focus on your Jewel. Try.

[illequipped]

Well, now I'm thinking about it!

[The noise!! The rowdy children! Is that one still crying? He doesn't know and he probably should! To say nothing of how he doesn't know how long this Lalli-only-hearing is going to last and once they get out of here it's going to start being a real concern, but basically - magic is hard, stop bullying him.

But fine, he'll try. It's... a rock, though? He doesn't know what magic is supposed to feel like, and "just do it" isn't helping. Maybe he'll just sit here in silence and not complain and pretend like something happened.

...okay.]

I am trying, you know. Even if I can do it, no one can be perfect at this immediately.

[ilves]

[It's going to take Lalli a hot minute to figure out how to cancel a spell, since that's not something he's ever had to do before, but! Shh! He'll worry about that later; for now, he's just watching Emil's dumb face like a hawk, waiting for even the slightest flicker of... something. Surprise? Discomfort? What he sees, however, is a whole bunch of nothin'.

Hmm!! There's a real-life huff this time, but eventually he responds with a curt:]

...I know.

[Like, even he doesn't have the hang of this yet? He doesn't expect Emil to start casting complicated spells left and right; he just expects Emil to at least... feel something! To understand the basics, because while Lalli isn't a patient person... well. There are other things to worry about, which is why he straightens up.]

But you have to keep trying, and you have to learn. Faster. [He gives Emil a Look.] You can't be weak! Not here.

[Not when everyone around them knows this weird magic?? Who knows what's out there!!!!!]

[illequipped]

[Oh my god, Lalli!! This suddenly more serious reaction surprises him, and he almost leans away a little-- what is the big deal? Clearly only one of them thinks that all problems must be solved with magic, and that one is not Emil.]

I— okay? I know!

[He could take a proper class, probably, for idiots who can't do magic...? But that would require being in a class, his biggest fear, and the feeling of dread he gets at the very thought of being in a class is far worse than the one for, like. Doing spooky magic.

But right now, he can't do anything, and it would be great if Lalli would just-- calm down about it for the rest of the day.]

I'll do it, alright? But you can't get mad if it takes me a while, because I'm not like you. Still— I promise I'll do it.

[They're in a room full of kids, and perhaps having that on the brain is part of why Emil lifts a hand to wiggle his pinky at Lalli expectantly, like the child he himself is. Come here and pinky promise with him, grumpy. That's how you know he's serious.]

[ilves]

[It's more like one of them knows that magic comes with some serious strings attached? That not understanding how to use it makes Emil particularly vulnerable?? So yes, Lalli's being somewhat snippy, but he's not about to, like, pitch a fit about it; he's just... frustrated, both with Emil and, to a lesser degree, with himself.

But how do normal people express such things... hmm. Lalli doesn't have a bowl of soup to flip, thank goodness, so he settles for pressing his lips into a thin line as he glares down at Emil's pinky. Is this one of those things Tuuri kept trying to teach him? He didn't get it then, and he doesn't get it now.]

Good. You have to.

[Learn, that is. It's non-negotiable. A part of him—the petty part—even wants to leave it at that, and yet, well... this is Emil? Emil is his friend, which is why, even though this whole thing is STUPID, he lifts his opposite hand and sticks out his own pinky. He makes no move to link them, because he's clueless, but! Still! It's a tiny step.]

...I won't get mad at you if you keep trying? Really trying. You can't give up.

[His tone is still, uh, rather irritated, but he's... making an effort. Really.]

[illequipped]

[Lalli... bud. He's promising right now, which Emil at least is going to treat like a huge deal if only because he's never had any friends to make pinky promises- or any promises- with before. Still, okay; Lalli is just... the way he is, and Emil has accepted that for that most part. One day he'll fully awaken his miraculous psychic powers and Lalli will never have to worry about talking like an adult.]

That's what I said. That's what the promise is for!

[Specifically, the pinky promise! He'll demonstrate, linking their Sacred Promise Fingers and looking at Lalli significantly, waiting for him to catch on. This dorky pinky promise cheers Emil up, at least; he's not thrilled, of course, about the prospect of having to learn something difficult and kind of terrifying, on top of still being functionally deaf right this second...

But hey! They have this, right? Friendship. Pinky friendship.]

I know you're worried, [call out post: lalli] but I'll do what I can.

[....okay, soft moment over, back to the Concerns:]

Can you do this quiet thing in reverse?

[ilves]

[Water is wet, the sky is blue, Lalli is Terrible at expressing himself, etc. What he really wants is for Emil to say that he'll push himself, that he'll do his best to learn basic Craft very, very quickly, but—well. This has already been an exhausting exchange; as serious as the matter is, Lalli supposes that, for the time being, a promise to ~just keep at it~ is... acceptable. He can deal with it.

So... a (somewhat exasperated) sigh, then, as he scrutinizes the pinky looped around his and tries to ignore Emil reading him like a book. On the one hand, it's not the worst thing in the world for Emil to know that he's concerned; on the other hand, it almost makes his stubborn self want to, like, pull his hand away, even though he doesn't! He hesitates, thinking back to a time Tuuri definitely tried this with him, before he finally hooks his pinky around Emil's. ...Weird. So weird.]

Mm.

[Promise... acknowledged. Now he's free to focus on other things, like Emil's crazy request, and whether or not he should pull his pinky free RIGHT now. What's pinky promise etiquette...]

You mean... make things loud again? Yes. [Ah, well—] ...But I need time.

[illequipped]

[Pinky! Promise! Lalli can sulk all he wants, Emil is being realistic about his magic skills (status: still zero) and delighted over this pinky promise. That, and the chance to not be stuck in this real silent world anymore-- great! This, above all else, is why Lalli is his favorite.

So Lalli earns a pinky squeeze and a little hand wiggle before Emil lets him go. Now it's official.]

That's okay! I think we have time before we're kicked out of here. [.....] Unless it's... a lot of time?