THE TEST DRIVE MEME: MARCH - APRIL

[checkingin]

THE TEST DRIVE MEME

SO YOU WANT TO JOIN THE CREEPY HOTEL BRIGADE.

Well, welcome potential apper! Here we have the handy dandy test drive meme so you can get a feel for how your character might react to the game setting. This post can also be used to cultivate some of those required sample threads for the application.

Feel free to play any scenario you so please. However please note that TDM threads cannot be used for Activity Checks (for existing players) and will not be considered game canon unless transposed comment for comment into logs in checkingout. We also recommend avoiding playing the initial arrival, so that the intro log doesn't become repetitive and boring for you. Other than that, go wild.

Here's a few additional useful links:

PREMISE | THE HOTEL
TAKEN | RESERVES | APPLICATION

BREAKFAST OF CHAMPIONS.

No time for losers, because we — have waffles and pancakes and crepes and delicate bowls of ripe bananas and juicy oranges. We have bacon and oatmeal and cereal and milk; we have coffee (that's really hot and will burn you quite spectacularly) and tea (that, on the other hand, is miserably cold and bland). And we have orange juice (that might just kill you)!

Basically, every component one needs to start the day off right. Which is good, because this is the only meal ever served in the hotel. So come one, come all — get it while it's hot and try to pick among seats amidst the crowded circular tables, or stand along the wall. Bemoan the lack of hashbrowns or fight over the last fork. Mix, mingle. Have "fun".

DON'T YOU LOVE MY TASTE IN MUSIC.

What starts as soft, subtle musical notes wafting out of unseen speakers?

Yeah, that quickly manifests into blaring, loud, aggressively high pitched notes — so distorted, and reverberating so magnificently in the main lobby that even those impenetrable windows rattle in their frames.

And what's more, there doesn't seem to be an off switch anywhere in sight. Good luck finding one.

GOING DOWN.

Right by the stairwell in the lobby is an old timey elevator, the sort that really ought to be manned by staff to insure that it's in decent working condition and won't kill you. But it's usually not. And usually doesn't run.

But today, your ears are treated to an oh-so pleasant ding, and the doors will slide open, offering a ride to the floor of your choosing. Finally, no more calf workouts on the stairs, right?

...well, you probably should have taken the stairs, because three seconds in the entire carriage shudders, screeches to a halt, and refuses to move.

Then the lights begin to flicker.

CHOOSE YOUR OWN ADVENTURE.

Don't see a scenario that appeals to you here? Make up your own. Get crazy with it! Good luck getting outside.

Comments

[facemyenemies]

[At least here she doesn't have to make the same shameful mistake she made with greeting him with Skye's face. She knows now. And it's the warm smiles and comments like that that make her feel like a stupid girl. Did she do that when she was Agent 33? Flutter at a smile like that?]

[So stupid. And yet she couldn't help but smile faintly at that. She still wanted a clear face, but she was at least Kara now. With a single nod she kept her voice down still]

Taking charge. Yes. I'm... trying. [But with all the men that were living still, living proof of her fail to Whitehall (that programming still deep in the back of her mind, damn) she was finding it harder and harder.]

We've got me put together. Now to get you back on your feet again so that statement will stand true.

[ingrantitude]

[It's not really intentional. Ward laughs and he points at her] See? You're off to a good start. We've learned that you're funny today.


Get back on your feet so that statement will stand true.

[His smile is briefly, ever so briefly genuine before it fades into something warm and fake - something so may or may not be able to tell anymore.]

[facemyenemies]

[The comment wasn't intentional, and it took her a moment to understand what he was laughing about. She blinked, then smiled faintly at that.]

You know what I mean. [She let her smile fall a bit, still there but not all that real either. With her left hand she pushed the banana pancakes closer to him.]

Eat. If you go about this like you did before you'll be back to standard in no time.

AW BUT DAUGHTER

[scienceexperiment]

I did this?

[He can't help but laugh softly, shaking his head as he drops his arms and gives her a warm smile.]

This side of you came from your mother, actually. I can't really take the credit for it. Oh but I wish I could. It's all so extraordinary, isn't it?

hello!!!

[technologist]

It isn't poisoned.

[ Which is a very helpful observation, if slightly missing the point. Fitz gets it, of course— it's too hot, which would be why he hasn't got any coffee. Just a plate full of pancakes and his best attempt at not looking too surprised at turning around to find a familiar face. ]

Not that we can test it. But we're all still alive, so.

[ Followed by a slightly awkward pause. There are about a billion questions he could ask, the last thing Coulson remembers, who else he's seen. What he settles on is: ]

How long have you been here?

[scienceexperiment]

They do indeed.

[In order to accomplish his goals, he has to know things and be able to think ten steps ahead of everyone else. To figure people out and know how to handle whatever is going to come his way.

He can't help but smirk faintly at her mumbling, his gaze following her as she moves to the leavers and messes with them.]

Well enough. Keeping busy. I would have been doing great if it wasn't for a little interruption I had.

[Damn teleporters.

His jaw clenches before he forces himself to relax, shifting his weight slightly.]

And has Mr. Ward been taking care of you?

[ingrantitude]

Not until you pick.

[He points.] Because you're sharing these with me. Bananas or Strawberries.

[his voice is quiet] I'm not going to force you to make up your mind, but you deserve something nice for all the help you've given me.

[scienceexperiment]

That's a shame. They could be quite useful.

[He leans back in his seat now, smoothing his hands over his thighs.]

I'm sure with practice you could learn though.

HELLO

[technologist]

[ It's sort of tragic to think that he's already settled into a routine, but that's exactly what Fitz has done. He avoids the coffee and tea, amasses a small mountain of pancakes on a plate, and turns to head back to his room.

Initially, Fitz doesn't really notice him. There's a brief glance to register someone new, and it isn't until another step later that he freezes and does a double-take.

The last (and only) time he'd seen the man, it'd been under dim lighting, focus split between wires and the blood gushing out of Trip's wounds. Fitz stares for a few seconds before realizing what he's doing; honestly, it's a small mercy that he hasn't dropped his plate. ]

You're...

[ He fails to say Skye's dad out loud, so the sentence awkwardly stalls out. ]

FITZY

[scienceexperiment]

[Calvin was waiting to be noticed. He had spotted Fitz the instant he walked into the room and had just watched, studying him, noting all the little ticks and quirks about the young man.

Such a curious young man.

When the engineer finally did look at him, Calvin couldn't help but grin wider, slowly pushing his chair back to stand.]

I'm..? Come on, go ahead and finish. I'm curious what you want to say.

calls an adult tbh

[technologist]

[ Fitz isn't a coward. Jumpy and a bit meek, sometimes, but now that the initial surprise has worn off, he manages to settle into a guarded, cautious calm.

There's a very obvious pause as he considers his reply, and something reluctant in the flat way he gives it. Using the name Skye seems like a misstep, but he can't bring himself to call her anything else.

He may not be a coward, but he isn't stupid, either. Provocation isn't a good plan. ]

The doctor. You— [ Hurt Trip, held his life hostage. ] Helped Trip.

[facemyenemies]

What? I can't pick from both?

[she says as she takes a banana round with a fork, then cuts at the strawberry pancakes, mixing the two.]

[His insistence on her having something good makes her raise a brow is all.] I have had plenty of nice things since helping you. Do not worry about that.

[facemyenemies]

[She's still not sure on you, Calvin. but she's not going to provoke a creature in an elevator, that is for sure. But still, she can't help but ask:]

Interruption?

[She was moving now, looking up to the top of the elevator. For a hatch to the shaft. While she searched, not staying still in a stuck elevator, she spoke]

Why do you think it is Ward who has been taking care of me? [does he know Ward had been shot by his Daughter? And that she took care of Ward for a while? Curious]

i'm so sorry

[advising]

[ Haymitch really should be working on more ways out of this place, but before any sleepy mind can get to work, it requires a proper breakfast. Someone's told him that, but his breakfasts were never altogether nourishing or balanced.

Unfortunately, they don't have any form of liquor here so he's become accustomed to the pancakes. He's piling some on his plate when he notices the woman. ]

I've played hide and go seek, but I'd imagine you're losing with that get up, sweetheart.

[hacker]

[ There's enough. Her voice twangs, metallic, like a glitch, but it couldn't possibly be more familiar. May's voice is as familiar to Skye as a mother's might be to their child. That, combined with her words—a face like this—is enough to spark the memory.

The skirmish hadn't lasted long; Agent 33 was (is) the better combatant. Especially given that Skye's been sedentary for two months now, trapped in this hotel and miserably trying not to aggravate any negative emotions that might set her off. ]

No. I guess you're right; I wouldn't. [ She takes a drink from her orange juice, smiling through her gulp before quipping, ] But when we were in Vancouver, that's not what your face looked like. Well. Part of it was.

Omfg i yelled in pure joy, horrible <3

[facemyenemies]

[Look, there was a reason for the hood and glasses, okay? Her mask wasn't working properly and this was the only way she was getting food right now. Fuck off.]

[Of course she didn't SAY that. She turned her eyes to him and said nothing at first. Picked up a piece of bacon instead and took a bite of it.]

And what 'get up' would you suggest I wear to win? I was unaware that hide and seek required costumes.

[wentalong]

"A bit?" I haven't seen one Consuela hovering around to go and fill my minibars, never mind this travesty going on every morning.

[ yyyyeah Harv would opt for Gotham River water over this swill ]

See, that's the part I don't get. Maybe all the rest of you guys here are crazy — no offense — but me? I'm a regular guy. Joe Schmo, I keep my head down and I do my job and that's it. What the crap did I do to deserve this setup?

[ Woe betide the poor abused corrupt cop. Someone cue the violins. ]

[facemyenemies]

[Do you know how badly she wants to switch faces now? To smile that dumb smile back to the other. The girl she had been so sure for so long was the only person Ward would want. Now she knows better. Or so she thinks.]

[Instead she looks back to her plate, eyes glazed over, calm. The woman knows, as does she. It doesn't matter.]

People change. [as does her face, when it works] Is there a reason you came over to talk, or did you just want to gawk?

[ingrantitude]

[That makes him smile for real.] Well all right.

...thanks for ...being there with those ghosts.

yes yes good. :|

[advising]

Hiding in a corner. With shades and a hat. Indoors.

[ Because that's perfectly normal. ] I was unaware, too, but here we are. [ He has no fears, especially as he settles himself heavily in the chair opposite her, kicking his feet up on the seat of another chair. ]

I hear it's a great way to make friends.

hyrdra friend zoned but that's what you get for being a nazi guy

[hulk]

[ Skye earns a smile in spite of himself as he makes to gather up his own food his own way, waving away the offer ]

Got it all here, I can get it out. J- Lead on, that's all. Still getting the hang of this place.

[ (It takes time to map out and test every possible escape route. Remember, kids, it's only paranoid when nobody's out to get you!) ]

NO X( /SLAPS HANDS

[hacker]

[ Unwittingly, she thinks of Ward in the cell. Coulson interrupting when she let her emotions get the better of her, carry her off-track. But Coulson's not here now, and remembering the time it happened before doesn't help her stop it from happening again.

She hates him because the alternative involves making concessions on things she can't afford to make a gray area in. Either she's an agent of the good guys, or she's got to wonder if she's not just as monstrous as any of them for ousting Donnie Gill. ]

Extraordinary? [ Disgust darkens her voice. ] I'm hurting people. I'm a monster.

[hacker]

[ Now that she's sure it's 33? Yeah. There's a few things. ]

What I wanted was … to say that I'm glad you made it out.

[ Despite their altercation. Everyone and their mother knows that HYDRA used brainwashing technology on 33. If Gill could shake it, so can she. It has nothing do with (it has everything to do with) her guilt over seeing Gill's ghost haunting her for two weeks.

Taking them out isn't the answer. Especially not when she's had two months of nightmares of being on the wrong end of her scope. ]

Of San Juan. I know things got bad there, but you're okay now. You're safe; you can come back to SHIELD. We can help you.

he wishes he were friendzoned more like bullet in the backzoned

[hacker]

Yeah, bad news, I don't think there's a hang to get.

[ But she's already on her way to the door anyway, turning to glance towards him as she talks and keeping a conversational walking pace. ]

They're always finding a way to make things worse just when you think you've got the hang of it.

[facemyenemies]

Seems to work for the most part. People generally leave me alone when I am like this.

[she peeked over the edge of her sunglasses at him as he took a seat. Well, generally strangers left her alone. Never mind that, huh.]

And here I thought I came down for breakfast... [She lifted her head a little and the scars might be easier to see, at least some of them. Dark brown hair falling from either side of her hood to help a little.] ...not to make friends.