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]

"Thank you," Seto called, stretching as he stood up and shook some energy back into his limbs. He made his way over to the dinner table, giving Ryou an appreciative look.

"It looks delicious, and..."

He reached for the fork and took a bite, taking time to chew thoughtfully.

"It is, unsurprisingly. You're good at this."

Another little smile.

[destinedhost]

So...

Seto Kaiba had a smile that could give a man wings. Who knew? Who knew he was even capable of smiling; before today, he'd never seen it before.

Ryou took a bite of his own food, humming softly.

"I think once I learn more about the herbs and flavorings here, I'll be able to make better dishes for us, too."

Maybe something nice and warming...

"With the cold, I was thinking of a simple but hearty soup."

[blue_ice]

"It sounds good," Seto admitted, humming softly in between bites. It was a small bit of comfort in the cold strangeness of this new world.

"I'll see what else I can grab for you next time I'm out."

This partnership was going to be a while...somehow he didn't mind.

[destinedhost]

"Thank you."

You know... talking like this, being so cozy, discussing what to get while they're out...

It was kind of like they were married.

...

Nah. Him and Seto Kaiba? Never in a million years; the man's so far out of his league he's in space.

"Let me know if there's anything specific you want me to make for you, and I'll see if it's possible."

He took another bite.

"If not, I'll try to make an approximation."

[blue_ice]

"I did like steak dinners..." Seto took his time thoroughly enjoying what was on offer, then gathered up the dishes and water to start cleaning.

"But we're in survival mode. The most important thing is staying healthy and strong...to that end, I'm sure whatever you can make will be good."

He nodded over to Ryou, then rolled up his sleeves and resumed scrubbing. Best not to let himself get too cold---hurry up so they can go back to a blanket.

[destinedhost]

"Ah, I'll help!"

Ryou joins Seto, standing at his side as the man is already hard at work scrubbing things to a shine.

He reaches his hand out, but goodness, it is rather close to Seto's, isn't it?

[blue_ice]

"You cooked, I can cl----"

As he reached for another dish, his hand brushed over Ryou's. He pulled away quickly, but it was so warm...

"I've got it. There's only two of us, it's not much," he said hastily.

[destinedhost]

"O-oh, okay..."

His hands were...surprisingly soft. He hadn't expected Seto Kaiba to have such pretty hands; but this was a man who made his living with them and needed to keep them pristine.

"I will, ah. Keep the couch warm then."

Was he blushing? He had to be blushing.

Nnnngh, what was wrong with him? Was he really so lonely that he'd get fluttery over the first hot guy who was nice to him?

In a cabin?

During a snowstorm?

[blue_ice]

"Thanks," Seto laughed, finishing up as quickly as he could. Even with the cooking supplies it wasn't much, so he soon rejoined Ryou on the couch, slipping under the blanket. But trying to give a little space, of course.

"Of course we'd have the luck to land here in the dead of winter, right? Stomping on our exploration plans."

[destinedhost]

Warm... he felt so warm. Having another body with this cold made so much difference.

"It's really pretty though, isn't it?" He asked. "All of the snow falling from the sky, blanketing the earth."

Ryou huddled himself more, leaving only his head to stick out from under the blanket haven.

[blue_ice]

"...I guess it is. We can enjoy it if we're careful not to freeze."

Seto looked over at Ryou, so cozy already. It was...cute, he had to admit. He definitely felt something.

"I never really had time to play in the snow when I was younger. Maybe this time."

[destinedhost]

"I..." he scooted a little closer. Just a touch... just enough to feel his warmth. "I used to play with my sister, when I was little."

He smiled, but it was a bittersweet, wistful one. So many memories...

"She loved the snow, and would even drag father and mother in to play with us."

[blue_ice]

"Those must be special memories," Seto whispered softly. He knew vaguely of what had happened to them...they'd both come from tragedy, but poor Ryou even more so.

"I'm not the same, but...maybe we could try making something small. To ease the boredom once chores are done."

[destinedhost]

"They are... some of my most precious."

Of course Seto would understand; he was an older brother, too.

Ryou's smile melted into something happier, warmer, before looking up at Seto with a soft chuckle.

"I'd like that," he sighed, "I'd like that very much."

[blue_ice]

"Then we'll do it," Seto promised, pleased with himself. They could really find moments of peace in all this nonsense...

But it was getting late, and. They were staying the night.

"Do you want to go to bed? All yours tonight," he offered.

[destinedhost]

Ryou shook his head.

"And have you sleep on the couch? Absolutely not. I refuse to let you freeze."

He wrapped himself tighter in his blanket, ready to burrow in a little nest if necessary.

"If either of us are sleeping on the couch, it will be me. I'm smaller, and am used to sleeping in strange places."

Thank the Ring Spirit for that, but...

[blue_ice]

Seto frowned.

"What strange places..."

He was thoroughly distracted, but he'd get back to the main point in a bit.

[destinedhost]

"Oh! Don't, ah. Don't worry about that! I probably shouldn't have said anything...It's not important."

Asking for a friend: was it normal to wake up in an alleyway with your hands aching?

Was it normal to wake up curled up under your own table?

Was it normal to wake up holding a knife you don't remember owning while sitting in the middle of your living room?

[blue_ice]

"...You still deserve to feel safe," Seto murmured, looking over at him. He imagined what might've happened, and he worried a little.

"Take the bed. You've worked hard today, you've earned it."

[destinedhost]

He deserved to...

Feel safe.

Oh.

That...That was his cheeks warming up. His cheeks were bright red and the blush wasn't going away!

"Seto..."

He glanced away slightly.

"You earned it, too. I'm not throwing a man out of his own bed. So..."

What was he going to have to do to get this stubborn man to actually go to bed in an actual bed? Instead of taking the couch? If Seto refused to let him take the bed, and Seto refused to let Ryou not let him take the bed...

"We share. If you don't want me sleeping on the couch, then we'll just have to share, because I'm not kicking you out of bed."

[blue_ice]

Seto's face flushed, just a little. That was such an intimate proposal...

..But this was an extreme situation, he supposed. It was frigid and they were stranded in a strange new world. It wasn't like he hadn't shared with Mokuba when they were small, but.

This was a little different, wasn't it?

He sighed, and nodded. "All right. The circumstances are unusual tonight. Shall we?"

He rose up and hastened to ready himself for bed. Once he reached his...their room, of course. Another question rose to mind. He hadn't exactly brought pajamas, and any shops were surely closed now.

"...This is a little awkward. Sorry."

But he was absolutely not sleeping in all those belts and leathers, so he'd be stripping down to his turtleneck and boxers. Then awkwardly climbing in the bed, taking one side.

[destinedhost]

Ryou tried not to stare.

Really, he did.

Look, it wasn't every day that an attractive man stripped in front of you and you learned that a man could definitely sleep in a turtleneck and boxer shorts. They were likely going to change clothing styles later down the line, but...

It was a strange mental image.

One that probably wouldn't leave Ryou anytime soon.

At least Seto acquiesced. There was that.

"Ah...oh! Yes. Coming."

He pulled his shirt over his head and gently set it on the nightstand, before...

Nnnngh.

He stripped off his pants quickly, being far less careful with those before slipping into bed on the other side, hopefully fast enough for Seto not to notice...

You know.

The Scars on his chest.

[blue_ice]

Seto was thankfully doing his best to keep from looking---this was painfully awkward enough as it is, but they were in survival mode. He exhaled softly and pulled the covers up over his shoulders.

"...well, we survived day one. Good night, Ryou."

With the safety of the blanket there, he finally looked back over and smiled, just a little.

[destinedhost]

Shyly, Ryou smiled back, wrapping himself up as much as he could under the blankets.

It was...

Warm, here.

Very, very warm...

"Good night, Seto."

He closed his eyes, curling into himself to keep the cold out, but it was clear that he wasn't asleep yet. He wasn't quite there yet.

[blue_ice]

Seto's nerves were doing something interesting....he was having a little trouble sleeping too. He was hyper-aware of how close they were, and how little they were wearing. And that they were bundled against the cold.

"You all right? Just. Thinking?"