TEST DRIVE MEME ( 023 )

[lifeaftr_mods]

Test Drive Meme #23

Hello, and welcome to LifeAftr! We're pleased that you're expressing an interest in the game. Here, you can test the waters, gauge how your character may fare in the world of LifeAftr, and even gain some in-game incentives, if you so choose.

In conjunction with our monthly Test Drive Meme, Reserves are now open! Applications will open on April 24th!

Two important notes:

1. LifeAftr's test drives take place on the island of Mu, which exists apart from the real world and possesses a dream-like quality that characters are innately aware of from the moment they appear on its shores. No need to panic or fret. Dreams are odd things, after all - and anything can happen in them. Why would anyone question where their mind chooses to wander in its sleep?

2. Due to the nature of Mu, threads in our test drive can not only be accepted as thread samples in your application, but can be accepted as game canon as well. In fact, certain choices your character makes in Mu have the potential to bear in-game consequences, largely in the form of test drive reward items.

It's Hard Work
Today, Mu has sought to recreate the fantastic island of Io - the island where the local Avatar of Celebration resides. Io is resplendent with comforts and excitements designed for relaxation and delight, from wineries to play structures. One of the most popular draws are the bathhouses, which are massive, tiered structures of the utmost luxury. Multiple stories, hot and cold water, scented perfumes and shampoos...these bathhouses are designed for the utmost enjoyment and tranquility.

For paying customers, that is. Oh - did you think you were going to be relaxing? Not tonight. Tonight, you're on the bathhouse staff, and your job is to make those paying customers happy. Those customers, many of which appear to be nothing more than shadowy, faceless blobs of a vaguely humanoid shape, can make your life very miserable if they're unsatisfied with their care. So...get to it! We need more towels on the second floor. The water heater is broken - who here knows how to fix it? This one needs a very exact perfumed blend to go in their water, so you'd better learn it quick. Make sure those floors are clean before anyone goes walking across them. Keep this house running, and you might just be allowed to relax with a warm bath at the end of the day as a reward.

But if you don't do a fine enough job, you might very well regret it. The bathhouse patrons, strange as they may be, have one very particular talent, and that talent is luck. If they're satisfied with their care, you might find a handful of gold coins in the gutters when you're clocking out - and they may very well still be in your knapsack if you end up waking up on the shores of LifeAftr.

If they're not, however, you'd better be especially cautious for the next few hours. Slippery patches of ground will seem to appear with far more regularity, or a precarious stack of towels may tip over right as you're walking by, or the water heater will break as you're washing your hands and scald you from the elbows up in boiling hot water.

Do a good job, and you'll be rewarded. If not...well, at least it's only for the night, right?

A Drink With Jam and Bread
Also unique to the island of Io are the tea gardens, which are exactly what they sound like. With softly glowing lanterns and thick, fragrant groves of tea leaves growing wild, the tea house is nestled at the very center of the garden. Within, all manner of kettles and mugs and strainers can be found, as well as dried tea leaves, honeys, milks, and spices. You can mix and match your own blends, pick from some of the pre-existing teabags, or even wander about the garden to pluck a few tea leaves straight from the trees.

Some of these drinks are relatively harmless. Others...not so much. And they all tend to affect people differently, too.

[ ♆ ] Black tea will fill you with energy, far more than the high caffeine content might allow. You feel like you can run ten miles - no, twenty! This may also, however, reduce your conceptualization of your own limits. You might be able to feel like you can lift one thousand pounds...but unless you've got super-strength to compensate, you might end up hurting yourself trying to do exactly that.

[ ♆ ] Chai tea will give you the ability to breathe fire, though only in short bursts about five feet ahead of you. If you try mixing different things into your chai - such as honey or milk - you might find that you can breathe different colors of fire as well. Just...take care not to set anything on fire. Those lanterns are lit by all sorts of tiny, firefly-esque bugs, and if they feel antagonized, they'll try and burn you right back.

[ ♆ ] Chamomile tea will relax you completely and utterly. In fact, it'll make you incredibly sleepy. You might start feeling tired gradually, or you might conk out right on the spot. Almost any surface suddenly feels very comfortable and easy enough to sleep on, from the ground beneath your feet to your buddy over there. Chamomile: better than the world's greatest sedative, evidently.

[ ♆ ] Earl grey tea will allow you the ability to shift in phase: make yourself and any part of your body corporeal or incorporeal on a whim. Just be sure that you don't have your arms or legs sticking into any solid surfaces by the time the effects wear off - or that'll make for some very painful removal.

[ ♆ ] Green tea will drastically increase or decrease your tolerance for pain. Either you'll feel absolutely fine no matter what kind of punishment is heaped on you...or anything from sneezing to stepping on someone's foot can feel abruptly excruciating. It's worth noting that this does nothing for one's resistance to that kind of damage. Green tea only alters the sensation behind the pain, meaning that whatever damage you might undergo is liable to be damaging, no matter how much you might be able to shrug off.

[ ♆ ] White tea will dramatically increase your sensitivity to physical stimulus. This can be either enchanting or positively overwhelming. Imagine being able to lie down in the grass and feel each blade beneath you in excruciating detail. Imagine being able to feel every air molecule flicking across your skin. Whether this improves your day or absolutely ruins it is down to how much you enjoy that sort of thing.

So take care which of these blends you sample. Some of these effects might even stack, which can really ruin your day.

We Don't Need Another Hero
Fun doesn't always go hand in hand with relaxation. Perhaps you're the sort who'd prefer to have your adrenaline pumping, grinning around a missing tooth as you lay a beatdown on your opponent. Maybe you need some excitement and some action to really feel like you're living. Sure, you might get a few bruises - but check out the other guy.

As Mu is more eager to please on this front than its real world counterpart, those keen on letting loose all their pent up energy will find a rather good area for it. Inexplicably located within the complicated twists and turns of the Honeycomb is the perfect location to hurl yourself into an all-out brawl; an almost stadium-like fighting arena. Shadowy silhouettes are piled into the seats in excited speculation - you can hear them hissing and sputtering in disappointment or delight, or erupting into cheers, whenever blood is spilled.

Or....not spilled, as it were. Those who enter the fighting arena must pass through a curtain of clear, streaming liquid before they may take up a weapon. This will only temporarily strike you with the oddest sensation on your skin: a coating reminiscent of wax which provides the user with nigh invulnerability to even the most overpowered of attacks. Further experimentation will prove that the walls, floor, and ceilings also sport this exceptional defense. Blood, bruises, and structural damage might be off the table - but that good old fashioned brawl? It's on, like a cartoonish ape from a prominent video game series. What your audience wants is a spectacle, not a bloodbath, so you'd best give them the show they deserve.

Alongside the freedom to punch, kick, stab, and slash at one another without fear of permanent damage comes a complimentary arsenal for those who feel like getting creative. Honeycomb Sledgehammers, Cactus Clubs, and the ever popular arm holding onto another arm that's holding onto a knife are just a few of the weaponry that innocently rest at the edges of the battlefield, with a full selection limited by nothing more than your imagination.

Unfortunately, imagination is all it is - upon waking, those currently living in LifeAftr will find those weapons remain a fanciful dream...but the memories remain, nonetheless. And the aches might very well, too.

---

LOGS ● OOC ● STORIES ● MAIN NAVIGATION

( CODED BY BOOTYCALL )

Comments

Steve Rogers | MCU

[indomitables]

Hard Work

[ Honest, hard work is nothing to be ashamed of.

Steve has never been afraid of work, even during his childhood, when he often too sick to indulge in it. Here it's honest labor, at least; making sure the bathing chambers he's been assigned to have enough toiletries and towels for the guests. He tries to divide his attention evenly, checking in at regular times so they know when to expect him, and cleaning up as quickly as he can when each room is emptied.

Of course, he's not against arguing with a paying guest if he feels he, or any other staff member, is being treated unfairly. Steve's never been ashamed - or afraid - of confrontation either. ]


Another Hero

[ It's not that he's a big fan of gladiator events. It's the opposite, in fact, stemming from his distate of bloodsport for sport, and lingering memories of the spangle circuit he endured just after becoming Captain America. What this is, although he'll more than likely deny it to those who might perceive his intentions, is an attempt to get some intel on the event. And the person or persons responsible for its running. Best way to do that, Steve decides, is to infiltrate the local fight club. If it has to be as a participant, so be it. He's an old hand when it comes to fistfights, and Natasha the government did give him some excellent training.

So he picks up a hardy-looking staff on entering the arena and tries not to think about how much easier this would be with his shield. ]


Wildcard

[ Have a slightly different idea? Toss it here. ]

hard work

[semistableman]

[It's been a long, long time since he's had a dream like this. Months, he's pretty sure. It's hard for him keep to keep track of individual days, has been ever since he came out of HYDRA's control. It's not like he's consciously aware of it, but sometimes it occurs to him that it's been two days and he should maybe actually leave his home.

It's only the lack of his constant companion in the form of a sheep covered in flowers that he's able to recognize where he is so easily.

So, sure. Help out start things up for the local deity. The last time he was on Mu was a lot more unpleasant than hard work cleaning up a fancy-looking bath house, so he does it easily enough, muttering to himself after a particularly nasty customer complains about the tiniest bit of grime in their bath.

It's only when he turns his head to look at the person working next to him that he freezes. He'd recognize that blond hair anywhere. But Steve can't be here, it's probably just one of the deities fucking with him again, so he turns to leave, not noticing the bucket against the wall. He trips with a loud clank, not cursing in dismay, but making enough noise it's likely to be distracting.]

The Enhanced Defence Intelligence "EDI" | Mass Effect

[machina_ex_luna]

i. it's hard work
EDI's mobile platform is of a design originating in the private sector, twice over. The original intent of the design, beyond simple mimicry, was intended for use as a general-purpose assistant and mobility aid. And then it was modified. But even when wearing a body intended partly to deceive and partly to destroy, the heart and core of EDI remains; she was designed by humans, to serve human needs. Service is therefore not an alien concept to her, nor reconnaissance.

So, when asked to work, she first glances to be sure that it's her the overseer is referring to, and not anyone aside from the highly-armored combat and infiltration mech. No? Of course.

"Of course. I will repair the boiler," she accepts the orders with a slight bow. Taste, and smell, are deeply subjective; she has them both, but is ill-suited to interpretation. Water-pressure and temperature need little artistry to understand, and EDI's metal hands will cope better than frail organic meat; all the better to snoop around where she's not wanted, as well. She continues, at full volume: "However, I will not be held responsible for the resulting terrible explosion and numerous deaths."

There is a pause.

"...That is a joke. Excuse me."


ii. a drink with jam and bread
After some observation of the results, EDI has attempted to store some of the tea in the chamber her platform designates as a stomach. Just, for science, you see, and in the spirit of friends not present. She feels they would have dared her to try, and the White Tea goes down without any difficulty.

And the results? One robot lady, sitting quietly on a stone bench, staring in fascination at her own hands as she rubs them together, or the texture of her seat, or over the surface of a single, delicate blade of grass. Touch, she'd had before, but like this? The data-overload is exquisite, as painful as it is delirious. Is this how organic people feel, always?

"How can they bear it?"


iii. we don't need another hero
While not a fan, precisely, of gladiatorial combat, EDI finds it nostalgic. We always long, in some way, for the experiences of our childhoods, and the infancy of EDI's digital life had been spent in almost constant combat, not to much more purpose than this.

Well, that wasn't true. It had been Alliance training exercises, and to a more honest point were of great purpose, though not to EDI.

She also doesn't seem to be using any weaponry, and maybe that's alarming for you, to see a shiny metal woman with arms like sticks ripping through enemies like tissue paper. Or maybe the alarming thing is how quickly she moves, or how abrupt and ruthless her attacks.

Or maybe it's the way she's coming right for you.


iv. wild wild west
Have an idea or approach of your own? Come at me!

iii

[forwearemany]

They see her, and their headflaps flare not in alarm, but joy.

"EDI!"

Not that this stops them from pursuing their goal of winning this fight. In fact, the knowledge that they cannot harm her means they feel safe throwing every ounce of their strength behind swinging the bladed weapon in their hands.

HELLO I DON'T KNOW YOU BUT I LOVE YOU

[tenthstreetbred]

It seems Mu is up to its usual tricks. Shepard has gotten used to wandering the dream land and seeing strangers pass her by. It doesn't bother her as it once did but in fact is a welcome sight- she does not want to experience Mu not working correctly ever again.

It's a welcome sight to see Io reflected in the dream land so Shepard leisurely makes her way through the tea garden. She's never been much into the stuff herself so she'll politely decline to partake but it still makes for a beautiful scene. Her casual walk is instantly interrupted when she spots a very familiar robot sitting on a stone bench looking a bit out of her mind.

"EDI!?"

Shepard's eyes are wide as she looks at her squadmate. If this had been a few months ago she would have rushed over immediately, her joy at seeing her boundless. But she's learned her lesson now, learned that just because she welcomes someone doesn't mean they welcome her. So she approaches more cautiously than EDI might remember of her Shepard, looking like she's seen a ghost.

"Is that really you?"

Seto Kaiba | YuGiOh | Airlocked CRAU

[playthedamncard]

i
[The last time he worked in the service of anyone was never, so you'll forgive if Kaiba's not the biggest fan of being reduced to a sweaty errand boy. There are several times where he just...walks out, mumbling something about having better things to do, and always, inevitably, ends up right back here, stack of towels at the ready and looking not unlike someone is going to die.

(Not of fun.)

So when he does finally actually start working, he's...oof. He's gonna garner a lotta bad luck with the way he deals directly with the amorphous blobs that are supposedly, theoretically, customers. This may not be the strangest thing to happen to him yet, but it's pretty damn close. His tone would be a monotone if not for the frustration laced through his words, and he does everything stiffly. But swiftly. There's little motion he expends that isn't seemingly calculated to be efficient, and when he actually hunkers down to work, it's a good job. Maybe not the fastest, but good. Apparently if you can't do something right, then it's not worth doing.

Which really seems to come to a head when someone mentions the water heater being busted, and without anyone even asking him, he rolls up his sleeves.] So long as you have tools somewhere, I'll fix it. Out of the way.

ii
[He'd prefer coffee as his caffeinated drink of choice, but tea will do as a healthier alternative. So...yeah, he's definitely running around feeling like he could take on the world. Sorry, is this island for relaxing and celebrating and all that? He's doing the opposite. Please give him something to do or he's going to climb everything and also jump off of things once he does, and maybe even get the idea in his head that he can swim to the other islands and do not let him do that.

It gets more fun when he starts breathing blue flames. Cuz of course he's gonna end up breathing blue flames and cackling something about burst stream of destruction.

He'll be mortified when the teas wear off. ...And also start picking some to take with him. This is certainly still one of the better dreams he's had since the show.]

i.

[barnaculled]

[ The two green creatures having the discussion - one a toad, the other a tall man who looks human aside from his pointed ears - look over to regard the source of the terse interruption. A pair of yellow, viper-like eyes give Kaiba a once over before the taller of the pair takes a step to clear the hall.

"Well there you have it!" Shrills the frog, who also reaches into the collar of his uniform to procure a long, wooden pipe. "It's your problem. You take him!" ]

Where're the tools?

[ The half-orc inquires, but the frog, pipe now clamped in mouth, just springs dismissively down the hall at speed past Kaiba. ]

Fuck...

[ Fjord scowls after their manager, the black-clawed fingers of his right hand twitching. He's tempted to launch a magical bolt after the damn thing, but his eyes twitch back to the human. He sighs. ]

I dunno where the boiler-room is yet, compadre, but how'd you feel about takin' a walk 'til we find it?

[ One scarred brow ticks up. There's a drawl to his speech - a good ear might guess East Texas, a bad one the American South, though neither are anywhere near the truth. ]

Shadow | American Gods (book)

[itsaname]

It's Hard Work

[ This isn't the strangest dream that Shadow has ever had. Not by a long shot. His job here is clear, and he sets to work for the bizarre, faceless creatures without argument. He's a big man, tall and muscular, and he's a hard worker; he lifts what needs lifting and hauls what needs hauling. It's not the worst job he's had.

To the creatures, he's polite and speaks only when spoken to. He knows his role here. It's obvious. But when his gray eyes light upon another non-blob creature, he approaches as soon as he can. ]

Hey. [ A greeting said quietly, with no evidence of disquiet. ] What is this place?


A Drink with Jam and Bread

[ Tea isn't Shadow's drink of choice. In the absence of coffee, it'll do. Having never been a big tea drinker, he doesn't know what kind he'll like best. He decides to try the chamomile first.

As soon as he starts sipping the tea, Shadow thinks that it may need sugar, or perhaps honey. However, the idea of getting up to get such things sounds … difficult. It's not that they're far away; it's just that he doesn't want to move. Instead, he stares dully at the sugar and honey while continuing to slowly drink his tea, growing more tired with each sip. ]


Wildcard

(( ooc: go nuts! i'm happy to do any other type of tea-effect, too. ))

a drink with jam and bread

[postictal]

[When's he ever, ever, ever in his life felt like this? Like...energized.]

[It's weird. He's not entirely sure he likes it, the feeling of his heart drumming away in his chest, like he's on the verge of a panic attack, but he feels better than he has in weeks. Like he's actually slept well, like he can sprint ten miles, even if Tim's not even in the right shape for that, or anything. He just wanted some caffeine in his system, and he knows that black tea is the way to go if that's what he's after but god damn his eyeballs feel like they're vibrating out of his skull.]

[He nearly runs into someone else, mid-pace, freezes in place, and gets a good look at his face - ]

Woah - hey. Hey. You okay? You don't look okay. [The guy looks tired. Like he's about to drop off any second. What the hell?]

fjord | critical role

[barnaculled]

hard work;

[ While far from a stranger to hard work, this hospitality business is a bit new on Fjord. The stress of being thrown into an unfamiliar situation as a concept itself, however, has become an increasingly repetitive theme in his life over the past six or so months. Honestly? He's kind of just relieved to have someone else dictating what he should be doing and to have what he's doing seem so utterly inconsequential.

Yeah, if he can try to sweet-talk a dragon that wanted nothing more than to eat him and manage his way through a haunted, underwater bone orchard, Fjord can deal with this shit. Sure, the blobby shadow patrons creeped him the fuck out at first ( and to be honest, they still made him jump and yelp a little if they managed to sneak up on him ) but he's quickly learned to disregard their appearance in the same way anyone else might politely disregard a wonky eye or gruesome battle scar in favor of business. ]

( a )
[ The way Fjord's decided he's going to make it through this is by playing to his strengths. With his backwater drawl and a practiced disarming smile, he plays every part of a genteel escort to the incoming patrons, guiding them to the various communal or empty baths depending on the preference. At first it seems like there's always a more competent worker to hand them off to once they get to the bath itself so he doesn't have to figure out how to draw the water or all the little bath tokens. His luck in that respect runs thin at one point and with a hasty excuse to the patron, he finds himself slipping out into the hallway. ]

Hey! Psst! [ It's a hissing sort of stage whisper towards the nearest corporeal-looking person he can see. Should whoever not be interested in immediately entertaining a tall, green-skinned half-orc's request for attention, Fjord is not ashamed to dart after them. ] Hey now, beggin' yer pardon, but I've got one surly sumbitch waitin' back in that privte room. You wouldn't know how all them tab things work, would ya?

( b )
[ When Fjord starts to get sick of the patrons, he switches over to dedicating some mindless elbow grease to the tubs. Having had a large portion of his life dedicated to being a sailor, getting down and dirty to scrub a surface clean is like muscle memory by now. If someone else wants to get in and help him, he's not likely to make conversation, but he'll certainly respond to one or - should whoever clearly not know what they're doing - go over to make some friendly suggestions. He's always of the mind to try to be friendly first, but he's also not afraid or ashamed to try and kick someone incompetent out of his work area.

There's also a moment when, hearing someone hollering for towels or help otherwise where he sighs, puts his shit down, and goes to help. This is the 'Fjord is helpful' prompt, just hmu with a more specific scenario. ]

( c )
[ By the end of his shift, Fjord is good and ready to accept the reward of a bath. Who had told him he was entitled to that? He can't remember rightly, but he understands he is - such is the nature of dreams. But of course, because not even his own dreams can offer him a perfect scenario ( or these managers are just greedy fucks like every manager ) he's led to a communal pool. Apparently all the workers have to share the same 'reward' bath. Fuuuuckkk...

Fuck it. Fjord shucks his clothes and just bee-lines it naked over to the pool. Even though most people would say his toned physique is nothing to be ashamed of, he's nonetheless self-conscious about it and it might be obvious, even if he doggedly refrains from covering up anything. Once he's in the water, he sinks down until it's at his shoulders, sighing with relief.

To everyone gathered, he gives a friendly nod, but decides against saying anything for now. A memory arises, unwarranted, of the last time he'd visited a bath-house. Someone had been quite insistent about it being a good way to get to know everyone... But Fjord's not sure yet if that's a goal he wants to pursue. Maybe everyone here's just trying to get a quiet moment and a good scrub while they're being afforded the opportunity. ]

tea party;

[ It probably says something about him that he finds a dream about a garden tea party to be highly suspicious. Lately he'd been afraid to dream, for most dreams offered him the untouchable darkness at the bottom of the sea and terror. It's shady in the garden now, but not dark - more of a dim twilight with soft glowing lanterns and the occasional flutter of moon-winged moths. It's picturesque and Fjord doesn't trust it.

But he's still uncertainly milling around the tea selection. He's already made the "What, no beer?" side-comment to no one else's amusement, it seems. Fjord watches others serve themselves, noting the colors of the brews. He's thinking maybe he'd better go the Jester route and pour himself a cup full of milk since it doesn't seem cool water is on hand. ]

You don't suppose any of this tea's grown outta dead people, do you?

[ He muses to whoever's nearby. ]

not another hero;

[ Hey now, a fight Fjord can get behind. He's been watching contenders go at it in the arena for a little while now, fascinated by how no one who's getting their ass kicked really seems to be getting hurt. Eventually, he made his way down to check out the weapons rack. The stream he has to walk through perplexes him, but soon the waxy film settling on him makes him realize this is probably why no one seems to be getting hurt. Some sort of enchanted armor? That's outstanding! Holy fuck, if he remembers this waking up, maybe their wizard, Caleb, might like to hear about it? No, that's stupid - this is a dream.

A dream is also what he chalks the bemusing selection of weapons up to when he goes to check them out, though it doesn't really make them less bemusing. Fjord gives a little jump when he sees someone approach from the corner of his eye. He raises his hands, defenselessly. ]

Just lookin', compadre. Is there some sorta... tournament or somethin' goin' on?

[ Unlike some of his friends, Fjord's not really into beating into people for the sake of beating into them. He needs a motive - or even better a reward at stake for things like this. ]



[ ooc; Feel free to modify or offer up your own prompts! Just wanted to offer possible starting off points, but I'm far from married to them. Any questions feel free to PM! ]

hard work b!

[technicallytechnically]

[This dream is already way less fun than the reality of Io. Jester had some practice being a handyperson around the Mistake and the Ball Eater, but that doesn't quite directly translate to being an outright housemaid to some shadowy fake people. She's been quietly causing mischief where she can, slipping "surprises" into freshly laundered towels and sneaking paint into bathwater, you know, the general chaos tiefling M.O.

Of course, sometimes this means she gets caught. And chewed out. And left to grumble as she goes to clean up her mess.]

DOES ANYONE HAVE SOME EXTRA SOAP!?

[She yells in an entirely undignified and entirely careless way, because she doesn't think to worry about the patrons being alerted to their "invisible" helpstaff. She's a little busy cleaning up the remains of her last, perfectly executed paintbomb.

Someone walks up and she assumes they've gotten the extra soap she asked for, and she turns to grab it—and her fingers connect with a very familiar set of green-toned, clawed hands. She jumps a bit, her hand recoiling out of sheer surprise, and then she sees who it is.

And she gasps. The most exaggerated, overdramatic gasp ever heard, her eyes widening about two sizes in the process.]

hard work c!

[devilstongue]

[ Dreams are cruel sometimes. You have a stray thought to some old memory and then your brain decides to play that memory out for you. At least that might be the reason why a very familiar lavender tail swishes in Fjord's peripheral vision, and the nude body of a certain tiefling slips into the water not far away from Fjord.

It's undoubtedly Molly, even if his horns are oddly free from delicate jewelry and instead adorned with twine and red rocks. He doesn't seem to have noticed Fjord quite yet, looking rather exhausted and a bit unkempt.

(He knew the wonderful bath house had to come with a catch, but even if he's tired, he still thinks it was definitely worth it.)

It's an odd dream, isn't it? Especially when those ruby eyes open and fixates on the half-orc, widening a bit in surprise. ]

Fjord?

not another hero!! also HEY

[lesbeau]

[It's a cool place, to be sure. It's rare Beau gets to go anywhere and not pull her punches when she's fighting someone, with the added benefit of not having a broken bone at the end of it. She could take a little more blood though, it really ruins the ambiance.

She's exiting the ring as Fjord addresses her, rolling her shoulder without much fanfare, when her eyes land on him.]

Oh shit. Hey.

[Well, this isn't the first time someone's showed up when she's... dreaming? Could be. If pressed Beau might admit to not paying a lot of attention. What's important is he's supposedly here, so lets work with that. She crosses her arms, tilting her chin at him.]

You seen any of the matches yet? I dunno if there's an official prize, but I've seen people in the crowd throw stuff, so.

BUSTS IN HERE LATE tea party

[barberian]

Probably not.

(Because Yasha was looking at the teas and thinking something along those exact lines, it takes a moment for her to realise that was a strange thing for a random person standing next to her to say.)

I think that was exclusive to...

Fjord?

(She pauses, and simply stares at him for a moment, clearly surprised. Then, she lowers her hand at her side as if to hide the fact that she has what looks like a small tree clutched in her fist, roots dangling, dripping dirt onto the ground by her shoes. What, nobody said you couldn't just... take one of the tea trees, right out of the ground.)

diego hargreeves 🔪 the umbrella academy

[guidedblade]

🔪 it's hard work

Diego knows he's been spending too much time doing odd jobs and janitorial work around the gym when he starts dreaming about mopping up and fixing the boiler. It's weird that he's dreaming he's in a bath house, because usually when Diego dreams, they're very mundane, copies or mashups of the things he did during the day. Sure, maybe he dreams he's fighting a gang of home invaders in the gym, using a mop, but it's not some fantastical thing he's never seen in a movie or whatever.

Still, he's amiable enough, mopping the floor while the big faceless blobs wander by, ducking his head politely but not talking much unless spoken to. When the boiler goes down and there's a huge flurry of panic, well. Diego's fixed the boiler a few times in the past few years, so he heads on over, leans in to look at the pressure gauge.

"Hey." he asks whoever might be around, "Mind handing me that screwdriver over there?"

🔪 we don't need another hero

This is more like it.

Still weird, for a dream, but Diego's always functioned best when he has a productive way of getting rid of the aggression that's perpetually building up in him. And fighting is what he does best.

Smirking, he swaggers into the stadium, picks up a bandolier full of assorted types of ridiculous knives, tilts his head and withdraws one, holding it between two fingers, the picture of cockiness.

"You really sure you wanna take a go at me?"

🔪 wildcard

Honestly just write me a random starter wherever and I'll reply, even if your character's just minding their own business. Or you can hit me up at coffee #6251 on Discord or private plurk me at caffemisto.

hard work

[fourgasm]

Hey, so this dream? Klaus hates it! He tried to explain to anyone within earshot, fellow workers, supervisors, or patrons alike, that he's pretty sure he's permanently deferred from any and all employment. It's just that real world logic doesn't apply to dream logic, and so Klaus can't actually explain in a meaningful way to anyone around him that he's never had an actual job in his life, nor does he have the skills necessary to have gotten this one in the first place.

Some workers are entry level, and some workers are at a secret, lower level than that. Klaus is even lower than those guys.

So he's mostly just trying to stay out of the way and sneak snacks and wine where he can, doing his best to not look obviously like he's shirking every single one of his responsibilities. He just also happens to be within earshot of the boiler shitting itself.

And within earshot of a very familiar voice asking for a screwdriver.

So. While he normally might've just gone for cover so no one could try to get him to help repair the thing, instead he just sort of hovers closer to where his brother is checking out gauges and what have you.

And then, rather than handing Diego a screwdriver, he hands him a screwdriver.

Okay, not really, they don't do a ton of vodka drinks at the winery here, it's just a glass of wine.

[evergonnahaunt]

"No, but I can't actually hand you anything." He absolutely can, but the important part here is Diego doesn't know he can and Ben actually doesn't feel like doing anything. "Klaus isn't here."

Since this is a dream, Ben's not particularly surprised that Diego's here. Five said everyone would be coming soon and so of course that would mean that their other siblings would show up. And because he was in a dream with Klaus before arriving, it would make sense that Diego would also show up in a dream first. It doesn't occur to him that the opposite isn't necessarily true and that Diego might be surprised by his presence. Well, and might not necessarily recognize him.

They all saw Klaus channel him, but at the same time none of them were really close enough to properly see that he's aged. That shouldn't even be possible, really, but Ben stopped questioning it ages ago. It's Klaus' coping mechanism, not his.

hard work

[deadlylittlething]

A Hargreeves brother doing some simple, honest work in this dream? Apparently, it's more likely than you think. Obviously that brother is not Five, who at any point in his life has literally six to ten better things to do than whatever he's being told. The first person who'd gotten pushy about putting him to work is still struggling to remove a broom handle from their thigh. He hasn't been staying in any area long enough to be noticed since then.

Of course, some sort of upper management panic warrants a closer look and he wanders into the boiler room, carrying a drink with an umbrella in it that he relieved some patron of. If he's surprised to see Diego he doesn't show it, instead opting to slip a hand into his pocket and hover with mild interest.

"I'm curious. Do you actually know what you're doing? Doesn't exactly seem like your... area of expertise." Can't be solved by stabbing it, for one.

hard work (or as i call it, 'three tools wind up in a boilerroom')

[ohshitsweetflips]

You know, this bougie ass bathhouse is really turning out to be much less of Taako's scene than initially expected. Which is a shame, because it seems like it would probably be a pretty dope operation if there weren't a bunch of--shudder--customers and work-related expectations in his way. Taako's over it and the kitchen wasn't hiring, so here he is, where the boiler lives.

Or doesn't. He considers the screwdriver as well as the ostensible repairman, both of equally unknown provenance, before passing it over with an invisible Mage Hand. Shit's probably got grease and handjuice and whatnot, no thank you. Also this seems like the kinda place where cursed implements might get magically glued to lazy wizard-hands.

"So are you like, a ninja-plumber or a really confused cat-burglar or what?"

Rin Okumura | Blue Exorcist (Lost Carnival CRAU)

[flashover]

[[OOC: Rin is from Lost Carnival! He’s been mutated pretty heavily by fae magic, but I don’t have a current up to date reference. But in general he has a sort of dragony look to him, with scales and a short snoot, as well as a pair of spindly hand-wings on his back with no membranes to speak of. He’s also been blessed with additional elemental magic.]]

A. SHABON FLASHBACKS
Aw, man! Even in a dream I have to do a bunch of work? This is way worse than scrubbing pots and pans.

[But hey, if they need help, then he’ll help for sure! Rin can be found actively helping as much as he can with chores — cleaning, mopping, carrying especially heavy stacks of towels… or you might catch him with a particularly picky patron]

Oh come on, you want it cooler? [The changeling frowns and creates a ball of ice magic in his hands, then dunks it in the water] Is that better? … Wait, now it’s too cold?! Ugh! Make up your mind!!

[later he can be found resting in the staff quarters] Maaaaan. This was so much cooler when I was the one getting waited on… [Hopefully an evil faerie won’t come tear THIS place up, too.]

B. TEA PARTY
[After a long day at the bath house, nothing sounds better than a relaxing cup of tea. Rin will find someone else to sit with, carrying a cup of chamomile tea]

Hey! Is this seat taken? Just because this is a weird dream doesn’t mean I can’t make some new friends, right?

C. WILDCARD
[OH NO WHAT COULD IT BE]

B 8>

[onegreeneye]

Oh no.

Ginko recognizes that voice immediately, and his fingers curl tightly against his cup of green tea. He doesn't allow himself more than a brief glance at Rin, which... yeah, no, that is absolutely not the one he knew. Of course not.

"No, uh... go ahead." He almost hopes that this version doesn't know him at all.

C - wildcard is just... more tea

[reflash]

[The tea gardens have been a lot easier for Yukio to deal with than other parts of this island. He's not much for celebration, and even less so when he doesn't have his brother or Shiemi or Shura or the exwires to drag him into things.

But the tea garden is quiet, and Yukio pours himself a mug of chai tea, adds milk and sugar and is about to take a sip when he catches a familiar scent. That's his brother.

Yukio doesn't run to find Rin, but he does stand up from where he was sitting and deliberately go looking for his twin.]

There you are. [Yukio says, once he finds Rin. He's really hoping he doesn't look as relieved as he feels to see that familiar fae-altered face.]

b for MORE TEA

[egin]

( maybe, just maybe, she should be more spooked at this odd looking kid (teen, maybe? kids these days, man) talking in her direction but honestly? yuri sort of feels at home. she always was the odd one and it probably sticks out more in such an odd place surrounded by odder characters. )

A dream? You have some pretty crazy dreams if that's the case.

Zangetsu | Bleach (Lost Carnival CRAU)

[moonfang]

[[OOC: Zangetsu is also from Lost Carnival. Having been separated from Ichigo for quite some time, he’s developed his own unique personality and some new powers to boot — mostly shapeshifting his body into various new arrangements. ]]

A. DANGER BEES
[The strange white-skinned teenager can be found hanging around the stadium, watching the bouts, a pair of feathered hare’s ears canted forward in rapt attention] Heh… who needs a bathhouse dream, huh? This shit… this is more like it! You’re going to try it, right?

[Or now — shit. You’ve found yourself in the arena across from the pale, rabbit-eared teen. He doesn’t have one of the strange weapons, but he does have a fuck off enormous sword, shaped a bit like a knife with a hole through the middle. And he looks positively bloodthirsty]

Come on, what do you say? We should have some fun, right? Right?!

B. WILDCARD
[a MYSTERY]

a.

[barnaculled]

[ From beside the pale teen in the stands, a green-skinned man in a set of beat-up, leather armor glances over. The half-orc had clocked the guy as soon as he'd arrived in his peripheral and had made a surreptitious account of his odd features, wondering at his origins. He's pretty sure this is all a dream, but he's also pretty sure dreams had some basis in reality; he can't for the life of him figure out how his mind would have concocted this particular specimen for him, however. He did not consider himself a very imaginative man.

Now, given the invitation, he makes no secret of giving the other a once-over with a set of yellow, viper-esque eyes. ]

I can't rightly say I've made up my mind on it just yet. I'm not normally in the habit of fightin' for free, which is what it is by my estimation so far.

[ There's a distinct drawl to his words, something that speaks of backcountry roads traversed on horseback. ]

And yourself? You plannin' on throwin' your hat in the ring?

Maximilien | Overwatch

[laundering]

It's Hard Work

[ Well if anyone knows about hard work it's this omnic. Maximilien has known nothing else his entire life. Being an accountant turned head council member he's very good at keeping the books but when it comes to physical labors he's not exactly doing those chores. Instead he'll be escorting patrons to various rooms within the bath house, and like any good business owner he'll do it with finesse and perhaps trying to make a few deals here or there. ]

If you would like complimentary meals to go with your room, it's only a few extra coins. Perhaps I could even lower the cost if you stay and extra night or two? Of course this will also come with our finest shampoos and perfumes for the baths as well.

[ Well he can't ascertain whether or not his customers are happy but they seem to be taken with the idea, so go him. ]

A drink with jam and bread

[ Well it's not as if he can actually drink or eat, but he's more than inclined to wander the gardens and take in the sights. It's a very well put together and well maintained place, that's for sure, Maximilien is rather taken with place as he wanders, casually rolls a casino chip between his fingers, before he might happen upon you. If you happen to run into him he might give a nod of his head, optics turning to regard the gardens once more. ]

It is quite a fascinating place, is it not?

Wildcard

[ Hit me up with something else if you'd like! ]

[assoverelbow]

Fascinating that we're both here, surely.

[Genji remembers Maximilien - it would be hard to forget Havana, even though it's been years since that mission.

But here and now Maximilien is not his enemy. There is no Talon, as far as he can tell, just like there's no Overwatch. Though whether the omnic wants to play nice is a question he can't answer.]

It's been some time since I've last seen you.