Test Drive Meme #2

[diceofthegods]

SEASONS GREETINGS

On the morning of the first of the year, a notification message pops up on everyone’s Rocky-Talkies no matter if they just arrived or are longer-established offworlders. Small minor-illusion fireworks accompany the ping which features Charlie smiling and waving. Alongside him are both Slayd and Dimitri (where Dimitri is not smiling, but what can you expect?)

Without further ado, Charlie begins to speak: "Happy Winter Solstice and beginning of a new year! We have some fantastic news for you! The town of Hast has opened its arms to us in welcome thanks to your good work in the area. Not only that, but we have some very special visitors in their harbor. You will get to meet one of the legendary heroes that saved this world! Hoshiko!"

At her mention, an image of a... wanted poster mugshot pops up with a brunette woman holding up two fingers and sticking her tongue out. "Wait, no, sorry- Not that one!" Charlie corrects, the profile changing to a more recent photograph of the woman. Here, her hair is longer and she holds herself a bit more maturely.

"She'll be accompanied by a group of friendly kobolds who assisted in that journey as well. Hoshiko will be putting on a lovely firework display for everyone as a New Year’s celebration. The kobolds, meanwhile, are avid traders. They travel all around the seas to the north and have collected plenty of interesting items to trade. They have sent word that they are interested in any scrap metal you can find! Thankfully, the beaches near Hast are plentiful in scrap metal to collect from previous mining ventures there. You will also be doing the people of Hast a favor by cleaning up their beaches.

That said, please take care and wear gloves if you plan to collect the scrap! I will make sure there are plenty available in our shop for the taking. I have also restocked it with more warm winter clothes!" Though they are basic, it might be nice to accessorize a little. "Be on your best behavior to our hosts in Hast if you plan to visit, and please go with our warmest wishes besides! Hoshiko will make sure you're safe!"

The next part is said lower since Charlie seems to think the recording has ended before it actually did: "She promised she would, at least."

Hast To Be

The town of Hast is a cascade of buildings that trace down the large Bail Mountain and spill out into the harbor below. Hast is a busy and active mining town. Several mine entrances can be seen dotting the mountainside. Here, they mine for precious metals and useful minerals that are used throughout the continent for a multitude of purposes.

You are welcome to explore the mines at your own risk! You are warned that outside of the normal risks of being in a mine, there are some monsters that inhabit the older mines that are no longer in use. The town is not liable for anything that happens to someone foolish enough to enter unprepared.

The people here are friendly, albeit seemingly always on the move. They appear too busy to even really worry about newcomers. There are plenty of small shops where you can find raw minerals and metals for sale as well as products that are refined from such materials. Tools, more sturdy weapons, and useful gear are some things that may catch your eye here!

Charlie has afforded everyone 10 gold pieces to spend here. We will leave what you buy and how much it costs up to the player, on the honor system that you don’t go hog-wild. Generally, one gold piece = 100 modern-day American dollars for reference. (Please don’t over-worry about what-costs what, we trust you to use your best judgement!)

Aside from material goods, you can also enjoy one of the few pubs or eateries that exist around the town.

⁂ "The Rusty Nail" is a pub that serves primarily the local miners. Meanwhile, "The Bitten Coin" is the tavern that also serves as one of the local inns. If you’re looking for fancier fare go somewhere else you can find some slightly more stately restaurants toward the harbor.
⁂ "The Tossed Dagger" serves some delicious local fish dishes, and "Gordo’s Big Biscuits" is somewhat self-explanatory.
⁂ Most of the entertainment here is bar-fights and somewhat crude performances given the local’s preferences, but you can certainly find comfort at the inn if you’re not looking to mix with rowdy miners and fishermen.

Enjoy your time!

Kobold Chaos

Rusty Bucket Bay by Grant Kirkhope

1:07 / 3:P57

▶︎

Click here to listen.

Grant Kirkhope is a Scottish composer and voice actor for video games and film. Some of his notable works include GoldenEye 007, Banjo-Kazooie, Donkey Kong 64, and Perfect Dark, among many others.

code

The kobolds mentioned are plentifully packed in a barely-seaworthy hunk of metal ship that serves as their maritime clown-car. It is being tugged along by a far more... ship-looking ship. These creatures are hyperactive, will yip your ears off about nothing, and are all too excited to receive any metal or 'shiny bits' and will parade around with it like little peacocks proudly. That said, they are friendly (even if somewhat annoying or tiring for lengths of time).

If asked, they will happily tell you that the scrap is not only to repair their ship but also to build an effigy to their god: the "Arsenal Dragon." When pressed on this, they will say their god is indeed a very real person. He was another one of the great heroes that saved the land! He had ascended to divinity at the end of his journey and is currently helping to rebuild the otherwise desolate north. They will then proceed to gush about how cool and amazing and strong and great he is.

Did they mention great? And strong? And cool? Oh, and amazing!

There are two kobolds running an official trade-in booth hastily constructed on the beach. They have (barely legible) nametags.

"Mung", reads the tag in front of a red and cream kobold with gold horns. "Liberius", meanwhile, is a squat, white creature with thick glasses that looks like he's on the verge of a nervous breakdown at all times.

You can trade scrap metal and they will give you a random magical-or-interesting item of equal value. While can gather as much scrap as you wish, but please keep it to one trade-in per character. Everyone that helps out can report so to Mung and Liberius here and receive - in addition to their item - a bit of reputation as well as five (5) bond points to use for activity rewards.

LIGHT 'EM UP

Once the sun begins to set, offworlders are encouraged to head down to the harbor for a fireworks show on the water as promised. They are gifted sparklers of whatever color they choose and given the option to buy larger fireworks of their own if so desired. It can be noted that any purchased with the gold provided by Charlie have a unique logo branding on them that is separate from the town of Hast. This is a personal investment, it seems, versus helping the town proper.

If questioned, the proprietor herself - Hoshiko - will make an appearance. She wears a long, furred cloak that covers most of her body from view and shields her from the cold. "Look, a lady has to make money in this world somehow," is all she’ll say with a cheeky sort of smile. However, anyone that comes across her is free to make a perception check to notice that they have less gold than before.

If successful (a roll of 12 or higher), Hoshiko will congratulate them on their quick catch and return the gold then. If unsuccessful, they’ll find (most of) the gold returned and a note at the end of the night that simply reads: "Thanks! Here’s your change."

Other than the brief encounter, the captain seems mostly preoccupied with making a magnificent display of pyrotechnics. They launch from her ship and dance across the sky for quite some time before a large finale. Any stray sparks or potential fire hazards are to be expected, whether from her own show or careless handling of other fireworks, but thankfully they have a plan for that too.

A large, white dragon will put out any fires with a powerful blast of frost breath. Sorry if you get caught in the chill! It doesn't seem too concerned with that so much as stamping out any flames before they can spread. "Find someone to warm you up!" it will laugh (in a perhaps familiar voice) before moving on.

Notes

⁂ Hello and happy new year! Welcome to Children of Bahamut's second test drive meme! If you have any questions, suggestions, or feedback then feel free to ask here.

⁂ We have a top-level directory for folks this test drive for ease of finding ones to tag into! We also ask that you please mention though if you are a current or new player in your top-level.

(Example header: character name | canon | current/new player )

⁂ Additionally, we have a separate top-level for rockstar profiles for people to post if they want to participate in an easier icebreaker texting option!

⁂ A reminder that TDM threads can be used for activity rewards even if the other person does not end up claiming and joining the game!

⁂ Full Navigation ⁂

Comments

[blue_ice]

"Oh, there was a blanket...?"

Kaiba looked relieved to see it. But there was only one, which meant...

"Guess we're sharing it. Get over here, it'll be inconvenient for me if you freeze."

His face flushed just a little. This was only practical, he told himself.

[destinedhost]

Ryou, nonplussed, nodded. It was practical to share a blanket in this cold; nothing strange about it.

After all, compared to what he'd unwillingly shared with others, this was a walk in the park.

(It's nice, too. It's nice to have someone here who he knows he'll be able to see tomorrow, even if he knows it's for survival.)

He sat down, spreading the blanket evenly across their laps.

"I hope you don't mind wool," he chuckled. "It's not the physics-breaking high thread count blankets you're used to, but it's warm."

[blue_ice]

"It's fine," Kaiba promised, scooting a little closer so they could wrap themselves in it more fully. He'd need to keep his hands underneath to keep them warm...

"Beggars can't be choosers. That's going to be the motto of my life from now on. Not what I'm used to, but. I have to endure if I want to be a dragon."

[destinedhost]

A dragon...

Ah, yes. The promise of becoming a dragon: of course Kaiba would find that appealing. With his love for the Blue Eyes, it was a wonder that this man wasn't going to scalie conventions in high-tech dragon suits, complete with scaliesona.

...Oh. That was a rather pleasant image, actually. Cute.

Ryou scooted a little closer.

"...I wonder what we'll look like when we transform."

Becoming a dragon...at least he'd remember it. He wouldn't have long black-outs wondering what happened as everything fell apart around him.

... right?

Right. Absolutely. It had to be true. Draconic transformation wasn't the same as spirit possession; this implied a type of fusion on his part.

Who would be more dominant, though? The dragon? Or himself?

Was there even enough of himself to salvage?

No, there had to be. If Seto Kaiba, a man with so much personality it oozed from every pore, was sent here, too... then it wasn't about a dragon taking over a weaker host. The host had to be dominant in this case...

[blue_ice]

"From seeing some of the dragon transformations around town...there's a lot of possibility. But we'll be strong. We'll take to the skies."

That was what Kaiba wanted more than anything. To fly.

"I'm sure you'll look just as appealing as ever. Maybe more so."

...wait, was it his turn to flirt now?

[destinedhost]

Appea--

Ryou was thrown out of his thoughts with all the subtlelty of a bomb.

They will be strong.

Not I.

They.

His lonely heart curled into itself, shriveled and dehydrated, but ready and willing to lap up these words like it was everything he needed.

"I..."

Oh gosh. His cheeks burned. Seto Kaiba, being kind to him? Was this real, or was he in a long dream?

...

Well, he supposed that if he was dreaming, he would have heard the words coming from that tanned man he dreamt about. Hot sands, dark skin, and a face that was always out of sight, just out of reach. His voice always had this pleasant rumble, though...

"More so, huh?" He asked, "Do wings and a tail really make the man for you, then?"

A light tease, even as he could barely hear his own voice over the beat of his own heart.

[blue_ice]

"They might," Kaiba admitted, his face still slightly pink. He definitely had Thoughts.

"But we have to endure the middle stages. It might get uncomfortable...but if everyone else got through it, we will too."

He'd use his grit and determination. And maybe lean on his new ally a little bit. At least he wasn't facing this alone...

[destinedhost]

Oh.

Ahaha, oh. They were really having this conversation, weren't they?

Ryou's own cheeks darkened slightly as he averted his eyes.

"I think you'll thrive." He said. "You...always do."

[blue_ice]

"You will too," Kaiba promised. He looked at Bakura seriously, his eyes glinting with...something. A deep determination, perhaps.

"I'm not leaving you behind. If the rest of your friends ever show up and find out I let you got hurt...I'd never hear the end of it. And you have skills I don't, that I'll need to rely on.

And...you're not bad company. Like it or not, we're in this together." The smallest of smiles crosses his lips.

[destinedhost]

If your friends...

Why didn't he entirely believe that? Seto Kaiba cared so little about what others thought, it was almost a meme. There were actually memes on the internet that just focused on Kaiba and how he gave so few fucks.

("When Seto Kaiba smiles, it's because he fired a man's entire family. And they don't even work for him.")

There was also Kaiba thirst twitter, but Ryou only passed a glance at that.

("Seto Kaiba riding a dragon? Look, hear me out: Kaiba IS the dragon. Asking for a ride.")

So it...

Was it fair to say that his heart felt...something? Perhaps not much more than a pleasant heat, but...Definitely something. Especially since when was the last time anyone other than his...

...

Fan club of stalkers gave him more than a once-over?

"Ah, together...yes. We...we are."

Ryou smiled back, but it was shy. Hesitant, even.

[blue_ice]

"Mm. Feeling any better?"

Kaiba adjusts the blanket around them a bit. It's certainly scratchy, as promised, but it'll keep them comfortable while the cottage continues to heat up.

"Depending on how long this takes to heat...it's getting late. You could stay here, if you wanted."

[destinedhost]

Oh, no no no. He couldn't. He couldn't possibly. It was rude, he was outstaying his welcome, he couldn't possibly do it. He knew he needed to head home and warm up his own cottage and get everything situated.

He needed to...

He needed--

"Definitely warmer. It's getting rather cozy in here. Like a dragon's den."

He needed to get--

"And if you're offering, I'd love to stay here with you."

Dammit. Just because he was lonely didn't mean he needed to impose. Because he was imposing, right? He had to be imposing. It didn't matter what hung in the air and sat on the tip of his tongue like his favorite sweet. It didn't matter.

What mattered was--

"It's rather lonely being in a cottage by yourself, especially in this cold. Food even tastes better when you're with good company."

[blue_ice]

"Then it's settled. And if you're hungry, I heard that the food's free. I could head into town quickly and grab something for us."

It would help that the house would continue to warm up. They could share a meal, and...it'd be comfortable.

Bakura was interesting, and certainly decent company. Kaiba was happy to keep him for tonight.

[destinedhost]

"Or we can go together," Ryou suggested. "After all...I'm going to need to go to the market anyway. We can increase our load with two people rather than one, right?"

It was just practical to go together, and had absolutely nothing to do with the fact that it felt weird for Kaiba to go out and fetch something for him.

"And I might be able to ask some questions about animal husbandry while I'm there."

Ryou. Ryou what are you thinking.

"If we're staying here, it would be convenient to have animals for eggs and wool and raw materials without having to get it from other sources. I was considering at least building a coop for a few birds to get fresh eggs for breakfast in the morning."

[blue_ice]

"Fair enough. But we can't risk leaving the fire unattended. My fault, I should've thought ahead."

They'd just have to do this warming up thing again, but if they hurried, it wouldn't get too much colder. He shrugged and stood up, reluctantly pulling away from the warmth of the blanket...and Bakura.

"Let's be thorough so we don't have to go outside again for a bit."

[destinedhost]

Oh dear. The Seto Kaiba, admitting fault? The world really is falling to pieces.

Or perhaps things are looking up.

Ryou stood in turn, bracing himself for the trip outside. He was dressed warm enough, but...the market might be a long walk. He'd better be prepared for that.

"Right. I don't want to step out of the warmth once we're inside."

[blue_ice]

Kaiba doused the fire with a little sigh, then joined Bakura at the door. It would be fine.

As they walked, he huddled close to ensure they were both warm enough.

"Right. And I'll work on insulating the place too, all that cold leaking in doesn't help. I think I see the shops---"

Thankfully it wouldn't be long, right?

[destinedhost]

"Insulating!" Ryou clapped his hands together. "I didn't think of that!"

They needed to keep the cabins warm to get through the winter... because they didn't have central heating.

"If we had the metal, do you think we might be able to build a stove eventually?"

The market wasn't too far...

At least it didn't look far...

[blue_ice]

"I'm sure I can," Kaiba nodded. He'd need to get better with his tools first, and perhaps ask for help, but he remembered enough about how these things worked.

He stuck by Bakura's side until they reached the market, where thankfully everything was generously provided. He thanked the vendors with little grateful bows, happily carrying whatever his partner needed him to.

"Did you get everything?"

[destinedhost]

"I did!"

How did a man who could carry barely twenty pounds look so energetic in the snow as they carried out their purchases? He held a bundle of cloth in his arms, which contained the more delicate purchases.

"I should be able to make a good dinner with this, and the fat will help with seasoning the cast iron and keep it in good order."

Wait. He'd need water, too...

"There's a well here too, where we can get water...did you collect any earlier, or should I get some more?"

And what were they going to do about bathing...?

[blue_ice]

"I can grab it," Kaiba promised, his steps back to their cottage a little faster now that he's sure of the route. He was ready to hole up and relax with Bakura, but it was true. they needed water for drinking and washing...

"The sooner one of us is home and watching the fire, the better. And then we can cook and clean and...bathe and everything."

[destinedhost]

Home...

Geez, it was like they were roommates.

He was not questioning this in the least. If anything, something inside him encouraged this line of thought, like a gentle push against his mind. It was... different than the Ring Spirit was, but it was still... familiar.

His smile even brightened, far more than one would expect in this situation, but...

Home.

That word made his stomach flutter.

"Then I will watch the fire when we get home. I'll also start on prepwork for our dinner."

[blue_ice]

"That'll work just fine. Thank you."

Once they arrived home, Kaiba carefully carried everything into the kitchen. He ensured Ryou was set up with all that he needed before ducking out for more water, and he quickly retrieved enough bucketfuls for all the washing they might need.

He returned, slightly tired and with a dusting of red across his nose, but all was good. "Everything all right?"

[destinedhost]

When Kaiba walked out of the cabin, Ryou set to work: First, he had to organize the shelves and make sure everything was in proper order. Then, set the few dry goods he was able to procure (flour, sugar, salt, suet) on the shelves. A jar filled with...something (a combination of flour and water?) sat with them, covered with a cloth.

A bowl for eggs sat nearby, which was neatly set. A cutting board was on the counter, a fire was going in the kitchen hearth, and the vegetables and meat he was going to use were set on the counter while the rest were arranged on another shelf, under the dry goods.

The garlic hung from the ceiling by the window as the last shreds of sunlight filtered through the window and reflected off his hair.

Ryou?

His hair was pulled back in a high ponytail, peeling potatoes a sharp blade and putting them in a bowl. The shavings were set aside.

He looked up and smiled.

"Oh, Kaiba! Welcome home!" He said, "I'm getting started on the prep now. Dinner might be a little bit, but get in and get warm! Blanket's out and ready for you."

[blue_ice]

"...ah, Bakura?"

When Kaiba caught sight of his (temporary?) housemate hard at work, he felt a strange warmth in his chest. Somewhere inside, this felt familiar. Comforting.

He swaddled himself in the blanket obediently, glad to have the chance to relax for now. He'd started to ache from all that lifting.

"You've been busy, huh. Looks good."

He was talking about the kitchen, but his eyes caught on something else...