test drive 01

[thestewards]

'Cause I have these new fears I carry with me
So you can feel stronger, you can know peace

► 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.

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

GOOD MORNING, DRAEGA
The psychic summons comes with the first light of dawn, waking you from a dream of home. It takes you a minute to remember where you are (a warm, comfortable room in Queen Fayura's residence) and then a moment longer to parse the words.

*Your presence is requested in the training field behind the Queen's Residence. You have ten minutes to get your ass out of bed on your own, or ten minutes to decide you want to be up to your neck in ice-cold mountain water. Your choice.* Gray power flavors the voice. Ah, you recognize that psychic touch. Allairavar, the Master of the Guard.

You remember, too, that he warned the household at last night's supper: if you live in the Queen's Residence, you practice with the Queen's court. You…

i. Drag yourself out of bed with an aching groan, dress with the bleary-eyed confusion of one too suddenly forced awake, and amble onto the training field to avoid the promise of a much more shocking wake up call. Or maybe you make your way quickly with a skip in your step and a twinkle in your eye. You haven't realized yet that Allairavar does not like morning people. Even so, you don't want to get dunked in ice water in the middle of winter.

ii. Roll over and go back to sleep. The Master of the Guard isn't really going to carry through with his threat. In your defense, he doesn't. But one of the First Circle does. You're not sure how you got from your room to a large barrel full of water that could freeze open flame, but here you are, soaked and shivering and very much awake.

Regardless of how you get to the training field, Allairavar pairs you with another Stranger and puts you through your paces. It's barely above freezing, but you're going to need a shower when you're done.


BUILD BETTER BOMBS
There are three rows of four tables set up in the Tinker Guild Hall's auditorium, all heavy laden with materials. Bits of wires, buttons both small and large, ticking clocks. A tank full of goldfish. Sand, canisters of gasses, a strange viscous liquid in a bowl of lead.

"Handle that with gloves," Master Tinker Mari warns you with a wink and a grin. "The bowl, I mean. Don't handle the liquid or you'll lose your hand." She waves her hands at you.

This is supposed to be a crash course in bomb making, and in a way it is. Master Tinker Mari crashes into person after person, pushing them into pairs. She shoves someone up to you. "Blow my mind!" she whispers dramatically, and then she vaults the table, making something in a vial smoke, bubble, and pop.

Around the edge of the auditorium are four chalkboards, each with several diagrams on them. Presumably, these are schematics for you to follow. Smoke bombs, flour bombs. Fireworks and sparklers. Water bombs—maybe she means water balloons? One schematic requires a hamster wheel.

You might as well give it a go.

Note: Master Tinker Mari won't let anyone blow themselves up (or blow up the building). In the event Strangers make something truly dangerous and not just inconvenient, she will hurry over with a much more serious demeanor and disarm the bomb they've created with a suggestion that they take her advanced course.


CHARITY IS AS CHARITY DOES
You were sent here to help, so help you have: by letting the Ebon Council auction off three hours of your time and the power in your Jewels to help with local troubles. Maybe someone's cold box has lost its cooling spell—that's basic Craft and you can help with that—or maybe someone needs you to fetch their cat down from a tree. Whatever it is, you're here to take care of it.

The stage you stand on creaks beneath your feet as a polite older witch bids on you and your partner (the Ebon Council would never let you work alone, no, the landens are too dangerous for you to be out on your own!) with three jars of pear preserves. No money exchanges hands here, just items like non-perishable foods and handmade clothing or blankets.

You'll help the little old witch who needs some rocks moved from the fields just outside Draega's walls, but it occurs to you that only the Blood were at this auction, and only they will reap the rewards. That's hardly charity… but that's also not your problem, is it? Maybe it is. You could always ask that landen couple hovering just to the side of the stage what they need (their roof is leaking, and the man's right hand is crippled, twisted into a rigid claw). Or maybe you won't. They don't have anything to offer, and everything has a price, even your time.


HIT AND RUN
Chill winter air doesn't keep anyone inside in Draega. Stalls line the streets of the Old Town Bazaar, and vendors hawk their curious wares. Blood and landen mingle here, each a little wary of the other but with the affect of those who have accepted they must live alongside their enemy. Expressions are shuttered, but marks are marks no matter who hands them over. No shopkeeper denies a customer just because the money comes from someone they don't like, not in times like these.

As you make your way through the Bazaar, perhaps in search of something or someone or a place to eat (the scent of meat pies is thick in the air), you hear a shout and a cry of pain. People peel back as one, revealing a group of young landen men carrying clubs and wearing cruel sneers. At their feet, a young boy sprawls across a puppy in the muddy slush that covers the road.

You catch the flavor of his psychic scent: he's half-Blood, one of those pitiable creatures accepted by neither the Blood or the landens.

"Y-you can't hurt him!" the little boy cries, curling around the puppy. "P-Prince Verim will stop you!"

The young men laugh. "Prince Verim isn't here," one spits, raising his club.

You could step back. After all, this isn't your problem. You could just alert the First Circle and call it done; they patrol the area, one of those males will surely be here soon. Or you could step in. Everything has a price, and the price of attacking a helpless child and a puppy is a tussle with you.


WALKIE-TALKIE
Catch up with a new acquaintance you met at the Queen's Residence or simply pause to listen to the news playing in a store you're passing through. Far-casters come in all shapes and sizes, from the held-held device that's a bit clunky to the radios that stand at a man's height in some restaurants. If you're spinning the dial and listening to some radio programs, you'll hear…

etiquette with evandra and aren.
[A woman's voice leads. It's a little bit rough and a little bit husky, the kind of voice that gives bad ideas to young men and headaches to fathers.] …just as well. Since you don't want to die for offending a Warlord Prince's lady, what do you do, Lord Aren?

[A man's voice, chipper and bright. He sounds more like an eager boy than the full-grown man he is.] Apologize immediately to her, but meet his gaze so he knows the apology is for him as well. Remember, dear listeners: a Warlord Prince's lady may be all that stands between you and a violent end. Make sure she likes you!

[The woman laughs.] Or at least doesn't think killing you is worth the trouble. If we all learn a little more about each other, we can learn to live together. As always, I'm Evandra.

[With great gusto, Lord Aren says:] I'm Aren, and you've been listening to…

[Together:] Etiquette with Evandra and Aren! [Jaunty outro music plays, a complete tonal dissonance with the fact that the two were just educating landens on how to avoid murder.]

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.] …rain tomorrow with overcast skies through the morning and afternoon. Landen weather devices indicate a decrease in sky-pressure, so those of you who suffer from migraines may want to talk to your Healers or Medicos now.

There's possibility of snow later in the week from the northwest. Questions about snow removal? Reach out to your local Transport Guild rep or your Ebon Council chairperson.

the news
…Blood family of four found murdered in their homes. The Queen's Court assures Draega that no payment for the murders is being asked for at this time. [The man speaks at a brisk pace, hurried and harried as though he has too much to say and not enough time to say it.]

That's right, Garret. [Another man, nasally in tone. He doesn't sound rushed so much as put upon.] Preliminary investigations do indicate the Hunter Guild may be responsible for the deaths.

[Garret:] Indeed they do, Wilt. Evidence at the scene supports the use of Breakers on the family. Turning now from the grisly murder to the surprising way the Queen's Winsol gift to the city is being used to benefit both Blood and landens.

Comments

[stickypete]

The last time I saw him, he was with another host, one that I trusted to keep him at bay [His voice cracks just slightly] one that I trusted to keep him away from me.

[There's still damage there. There might always be damage. Yes, he's friends with his Eddie Brock - not that he's seen him in a while, but they were good. But it's definitely one of Peter's greatest fears, that something will happen, that he will decide he's not satisfied with his current host, and that he'll try to take over him again -.]

[Crawling under his skin and inside his head.]

[- or act like a jilted lover and try to ruin his life when he doesn't get his way.]

But now he's here, with you, and I have no idea if he's the same one from back home or if he's a version from another dimension. Or who's driving.

Who are you? Are you in control or is Venom?

[symbiyeet]

[ This guy sounds like he knows way too much about what's going on here, and it makes Eddie's blood run cold. ]

[ He's been trying to keep Venom mostly a secret, but that's just because life's simpler without having to explain his very special, toothy medical condition to strangers. It's easy enough to just explain away with this Craft stuff everybody does. ]

[ But if someone from Earth, his Earth, knows more about Venom? That's dangerous. Eddie gets up carefully, watching Peter, breathing a bit too hard. Shit, he's not cut out for this. Every time they do this he's painfully aware it's Venom carrying him in any kind of fight. ]

Alright. Alright.

[ He knows too much to keep pretending. Eddie holds his hands up in a placating gesture. ]

My name is Eddie Brock. I'm a reporter. I don't know how you know him-

[ A thought strikes him. His eyes narrow. ]

You're with the Life Foundation, aren't you?

[ I don't know this one. I'd know his smell if he were one of my hosts. Venom interrupts. Eddie turns to answer him, no longer trying to hide the internal conversation. ]

Well then where the hell does he know you from, huh?

[stickypete]

You're Eddie Brock?

[He's confused but calming down just a little. The gears are spinning. This isn't Eddie but that means maybe it's just not his Eddie.]

[Just like the other Peter looked different, too. Maybe they had the same face (other than the busted nose), but if another version of himself could have blonde hair and blue eyes, maybe another version of Eddie could look wildly different from the blonde beefcake-ish guy Peter knows.]

No, I'm not from the Life Foundation. It exists in my universe but they were doing some pretty shady stuff, so I took them down. With a friend.

[He'd had help: Eddie.]

[He gets up out of his crouch, a little less alarmed.]

You don't recognize me?

[symbiyeet]

Who else would I be?

[ Though now he's bracing for this guy to bring up the Daily Globe Incident™, which he'd rather not endure again, but at least that's a normal awkward conversation. ]

I got no reason to lie to you. I have no idea who you are or what your deal is with Venom.

[ I want to talk. ]

No. I don't want you to talk. He doesn't like you.

[ Let me talk, let me talk, let me talk, let me talk! Venom chants, rising in volume each time. Eddie winces like a parent on the phone. ]

[stickypete]

[They're fighting. Arguing. Without Venom just taking over. That's a good sign. His Eddie and Venom were like that. It means there's some equilibrium.]

Okay. Okay.

[Peter holds up both hands placatingly.]

I think I know what's going on.

So, there are a lot of different dimensions out there. I came here fresh off a big fight where I was working with multiple versions of, uh, the superhero identity I go by. All different people, with similar origin stories, drawn into similar lives.

The dimension we were fighting in had a version of me that was dead. He looked different from me. Slightly. Blonde hair and blue eyes. And he was younger. But same name, similar face, same powers, same family, same everything else.

[There you go, Eddie, now you know about the the spider-verse.]

[He casts his eyes away, looking a little jittery and uncomfortable.]

In my universe, I was my version of Venom's first host. He tried to control me, messed with my head. When I finally kicked him to the curb, he just kept taking on new hosts, controlling them, and coming for me. He was obsessed with bonding again.

[He gestures slightly with a hand.]

But he and my Eddie bonded, and after we clashed a little bit, they settled in and got used to each other. Eddie was my friend and he - he kept Venom in check.

But he looks different from you. That's what freaked me out - for a second I was worried Venom had showed up with a new host to come for me again. I think - I think maybe you're just a version of Eddie that looks different from the Eddie I know.

[He rubs his chin.]

Which...isn't that out there. All it would take is a few different genes being expressed for you to be mostly the same person but to look different than he does.

[symbiyeet]

[ Eddie nods slowly. It sounds crazy, like something out of a comic book, and is kind of a lot to take in. Which Eddie supposes is also kind of rich, considering everything that's happened since he snuck into the Life Foundation that night, and since they're here in this magic-powered fantasy craphole- ]

[ A symbiote tendril has pressed up out of the collar of Eddie's shirt and shaped itself into Venom's head. He's lost patience waiting for Eddie to give him a turn, apparently. The horribly familiar railspike rictus, the white eyepatches, he's unmistakably himself. Venom's head sways protectively in front of Eddie's chest, eyes narrowing. ]

As if I would want anything to do with you. I already have one disheveled loser.

[ Eddie lets out an explosive little noise of exasperation. ]

Thanks.

If he's going to talk about me, he can talk to my face. It's only fair.

[ At least he's not going anywhere. Venom's defending their honor, a hovering specter of indignation. ]

He's talking about other versions of you!

[ Eddie gesticulates at him. This hissing frustration is clearly a normal part of talking to the alien. ]

I'm sure they'd appreciate it.

[stickypete]

[Peter's eyes narrow.]

You're just a miserable, oily, little turd no matter what universe you're from, aren't you.

[He's annoyed, but this time it's the normal annoyance of hating someone. He's not agitated enough to be close to picking a fight.]

I've got no issues with you, though, Eddie. As long as you can keep tall, dark, and brain-snacky under control.

[symbiyeet]

[ Venom rumbles and tilts himself to look at Eddie. ]

Eddie, can I eat him?

Venom, no.

Just a little?

No!

[ Eddie starts trying to squish the symbiote back into his chest through his shirt. Venom keeps reforming around his hands, teeth shifting back into place each time Eddie disrupts his face. ]

He's judging me.

I'm judging you. Anybody would be judging you right now.

[ Eddie's determined jamming is, at least, annoying enough. Venom huffs. His eyepatches deform in a gesture that can only be an extraterrestrial eyeroll before he sinks back through Eddie's clothes. In seconds, not even a black stain remains. ]

[ Eddie looks at Peter. ]

Sorry about him. He doesn't get out much.

Or have like... [ he mimes a very small amount with his fingers ] any manners.

[ Thanks for being on my side, Eddie. ]

But he's... my friend. And he helped me stop Carlton Drake from bringing more of these guys to take over the world.

[ It sounds really dumb when he says it. ]

He likes it on Earth more than he likes it with them.

[stickypete]

[Peter eyes them both for a long time.]

[Then he nods a curt nod. He'll take Eddie's word for it and refrain from wanting Venom's greasy head on a platter for now.]

How long have you been together?

[If it sounds like he's asking a couple about their romantic relationship...he kind of is.]

[symbiyeet]

[ Eddie lets out a long breath and stretches his arms a little. Venom's settled, still unhappy but not moving around anymore. They'll have to talk later, he's sure. ]

Couple months. It was... kinda a huge mess for a while.

[stickypete]

[Peter nods at that, too.]

You were good back there, but I could tell you're still learning to work together. I saw him muppet flailing you a few times, taking some hits so you didn't.

[His words are reluctant but he says them anyway.]

If you both want any pointers, it's been a long time, but I still remember a few things from the time I was superheroing when we were [slight shudder] together.

There's a lot you can do with those powers.

[symbiyeet]

Alright, maybe.

[ He maybe right, but they did just get swung around and interrogated a bit. Eddie decides not to analyze how much of the annoyance is him and how much of it's Venom. ]

So. You, ah, never did say who you are, that knows this other us.

[stickypete]

Ben. Ben Reilly.

[He lies well.]

[And also apologizes.]

Sorry about the less-than-warm welcome and yoyo-ing you around like that. My time with Venom...wasn't a good time.

Do you need a lift down?

[symbiyeet]

[ It hasn't felt great, but he can't really blame this Ben character for that reaction after seeing what he did down in the labs. ]

It's fine. I've... seen what these guys can do.

[ Eddie peers over the edge and breathes out through his teeth, regretting it. Heights. But his hand's grabbing the edge and black slime is pooling around his fingers. ]

[ I will get us down. ]

[ Eddie's not enthusiastic, but it's probably the least awkward way to get off this roof. ]

Thanks, Ben, but we got it.

[ And Venom takes them over the side, swinging down on a long black strand with teeth firmly clenched the whole way. ]

thread wrap!

[stickypete]

[Peter waits until he sees Eddie get safely to the ground and then webswings off, chewing over everything he just found out in his head. He's anxious, both for Eddie's sake and because of that gnawing fear that he himself might get possessed again.]

[But there's only so much he can do. He'll just have to buddy up to this Eddie as close as he'll allow and keep a close eye on this one.]