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childrenofbajablast2025-01-01 12:23 pm
diceofthegods) wrote in childrenofbajablast2025-01-01 12:23 pm
Test Drive Meme #2
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."
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.
Enjoy your time!
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
▶︎
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.
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.
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.
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.
⁂ 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 ⁂
⁂ 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!
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"Take the bed. You've worked hard today, you've earned it."
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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."
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..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.
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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.
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"...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.
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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.
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"You all right? Just. Thinking?"
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Ryou shivered, despite himself. Hopefully Seto would think it was just nerves, and not that he was a bit chilly, even with the fire and the blanket...
"A little, yes."
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Seto noticed, and scooted a little closer.
"Are you all right? Did you catch cold while we were out?"
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He was moving closer. This was not a drill: Seto Kaiba was moving closer and they were in the same bed!
"No, I don't...th-think so..."
Yeah, that was convincing. Maybe don't tremble with cold next time?
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It would definitely be even more awkward. But he had to take action, because the alternative was worse.
"Come here," he offered, extending an arm. "You getting sick here without modern medicine would be an ordeal for both of us."
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This.
Okay. Yes. This was. Definitely. Ah.
Happening?
For a moment, Ryou stared...
Until his brain rebooted and he realized what was happening.
"Ah...yes! Yes. All right."
They were just staying warm. That's all. Just staying warm in the middle of a snowstorm, with Ryou resting his head against Seto's chest and leaning his body against his side.
Nothing to see here, folks.
"Like...like this?" He asked.
Don't hear his racing heartbeat, don't hear his racing heartbeat, don't hear his racing heartbeat--
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"Yeah...is this any better for you?"
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His soft eyes stared right into Seto's, curious but gentle.
"But...yes, I'm very warm. Thank you."
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Seto focued on his breathing. In and out. Ryou looked at him with that soft expression, and it did help him relax a bit. He was warm.
"But...it should be fine. I'll be able to sleep."
His heart rate's finally slowing, the longer he's in contact with Ryou and the more normal it becomes.
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Ryou leaned against him, and without thinking, scooted up so their bodies more properly slotted together; it was comfortable, and far easier to relax and melt against his bed partner.
But really, why did Seto have to be nervous? It was just Ryou; he wasn't exactly anywhere near the man's league or anything.
"Mmmm...Me, too. I can sleep pretty easily..."
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He sighed softly, adjusting to the new level of touch. The heat seeped through him, slowly bringing a sense of calm.
"But it's not bad. I...ah. Thank you."
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He paused, closing his eyes.
"Since Mom and Amane passed away."
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"Yeah...well. Guess I'm looking out for you now."
Somewhere deep inside, he felt a rumble like someone was laughing with approval. It was the right thing to do, embarrassment or not.
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Something deep in his heart fluttered at that; unspoken words whispered approval that Ryou understood but could not hear.
"We'll... look out for each other."
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"Sleep well, Ryou."
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Ryou relaxed against Seto's warm, muscled body, and all he could think was "I could get used to this," before he finally, finally fell asleep.
--
Morning broke, and a hush settled over the cottage.
Ryou woke up first, shifting in Seto's arms; it was as though he was waking up to a boyfriend or a lover, held close and safe.
Of course, that was ridiculous...he would never. Not with Ryou. Look at the set of his cheekbones, the way his hair swept over his brow.
Ryou reached out a hand, delicately brushing the bangs away.
His cheeks grew hot, but that didn't stop the fond smile on his face, or the twinkle in his eyes. He was never close enough to Seto to touch him before, but he really was handsome, wasn't he...?
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Well, it mostly was. Light slowly trickled into the room, and Seto came to awareness slowly. Someone brushed fingers through his hair, so gently. It should've been strange or threatening, he was so used to sleeping alone---but he knew deep in his soul that he was safe.
He cracked an eye open, catching the briefest glimpse of Ryou's expression. Radiant. Or..
"...morning?" His voice was still heavy with sleep, cheeks tinged pink from the attention. But his tone of asking was curious, not upset.
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He didn't startle... good. He didn't overstep any boundaries, it seemed.
"I wish we had a sundial in here; I don't know what time it is."
Time to start breakfast? Probably? Probably.
In a minute.
Warm.
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Kaiba's mind came back to him bit by bit, but he didn't pull away.
"Did you sleep well?"
There was a strange lightness in the air around them. It wasn't uncomfortable at all to be this close.
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