TEST DRIVE 002

[returnjourney]

RETURN JOURNEY: TEST DRIVE 002

Welcome to the Return Journey's test drive meme! We appreciate your interest. Our TDM features a small sample of events your character might encounter in game, which you're free to embellish or improvise with your own ideas as desired. Don't worry if you haven't read everything yet; while we recommend skimming our FAQ for relevant questions, critical information should be contained or linked within the prompts themselves!

TDM threads can be used as samples for applications. Players can mutually keep threads as game canon after being accepted into the game, though threads featuring non-canon squalls or events may need to be adjusted.

We suggest putting your character's name, canon, and potential role (warden or inmate) as the subject. If you're not sure which role you want to choose, feel free to try your hand at both!

If you have any questions about the TDM, please ask here.

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The Peregrine

1. Welcome Aboard!

Welcome aboard the SFS Peregrine, a ship in the Admiralty's Transformative and Penal Reparation Fleet. It is presently circling the outer perimeter of the Oos Ring Galaxy.

Wardens have been approached personally by the Navarch with a job offer: Come aboard the SFS Peregrine to assist in the redemption of an inmate, and receive a miracle known as a windfall as payment. Even if you don't ask as many questions as you should, every warden will be treated to a short Warden Orientation video explaining their expected duties and conduct.

Inmates have died and been placed aboard the SFS Peregrine as candidates for reformation. You may have come willingly, offered a choice between death or redemption, or you may have been collected against your will. Inmates are also treated to an Inmate Orientation; you'll find you have less privileges than a warden, but more motivation for...latitude. Violence? Chaos? Bribery? Blackmail? Well, no one said the path to redemption was without a few bumps along the way.

Given staff shortages, some wardens may be asked for a favor. Rather than leaving directly for the Peregrine, you've been asked to pick up an inmate from the limbo between death and redemption. During this mission, wardens will have clearance to enter a snapshot of sorts, where the inmate died (so devoid of other living beings). You either have to talk them into willingly coming along...or bring their unconscious, fresh-from-death not-corpse with you in the Avro provided. Better hope they don't wake up on the way!

Inmates, in this case, you'll be presented with the choice of death or redemption from a warden rather than the Navarch. Or possibly not provided with a choice at all, if death has rendered you unconscious. Good luck when you awaken to find yourself in a small ship, with someone you've never met. Try not to cause any trouble.

2. Pairings

Pairings are a critical aspect of the dynamic between warden and inmate. While interactions between wardens and inmates are not restricted to those in pairings, this relationship is a bit more...inescapable. Inmates test the limits of a warden, whether they take a more typical or unusual approach to matters; likewise, wardens learn what makes an inmate tick (and hopefully cooperate). Chances are, your values will clash.

A pairing of any sort is as varied as the individuals involved in them. And today, courtesy of the Navarch's monthly announcement, you and your sorry partner have been paired. Temporary or permanent, with a warden for an inmate or an inmate for a warden, it's your first day together — out of at least a month, so good luck setting some ground rules and figuring out each other's breaking points.

3. Life on the Peregrine

Hey, inmates! Ever gone to summer camp? Had a sibling? If so, you might see where this is going. If not, welcome to your first experience with shared sleeping arrangements!

The dorms are lined with bunks, though maybe they're better described as pods: futuresque capsules stacked two high, with sleek white paneling and cool blue LED lightning. Each bunk can be closed off with a sliding door privacy and boasts a bladeless fan for temperature control. Bedding is adequate. If such modest conditions do not appeal to you: consider not committing crimes against other people.

And just like with siblings or summer camp, you don't get a say in who your bunkmate is. Maybe you'll luck out and get a light sleeper who doesn't toss and turn in the night. Maybe you won't, and you'll end up with someone who will kill you if you snore. Whoever you get is who you're stuck with until further notice!

Wardens get much more hospitable quarters, but they may want to keep an eye out on the inmate dorms. Just in case an inmate does try to kill their bunkmate.

4. Squalls

Occasionally, the ship passes through squalls, the equivalent of cosmic turbulence that can mess with little things like, say...the fabric of reality. These are shipwide effects, though who they hit is variable. Sometimes you might fall victim; other times you might be the one standing by, exasperated, as you deal with those affected.

(In other words, it's up to player discretion. And feel free to make up your own squalls!)

---

This time around, the squall comes with an interesting side effect: whenever you lie or someone lies to you, you experience an immediate rush of anger — whether you consciously know someone is lying or not. Think of it as a temporary lie detector, but instead of being hooked up to a machine, you might punch someone in the face.

5. The Peregrine

The Peregrine's layout and protocols have been designed with its intended passengers in mind, who are primarily Earth humanoids and inclined towards certain social and cultural practices. If you're wondering why you are on a ship of Earth humanoids despite not being one yourself, please understand that all ships in the Admiralty have a population capacity. At times it may be necessary to assign other species to a ship of this type, based on availability.

As a warden, you have full run of the ship map. Inmates...less so, but that's nothing a little creativity can't fix, right? Just remember, if a warden catches an inmate somewhere that inmate shouldn't be, it falls on the warden to handle the matter. And if the warden turns a blind eye...well, let's hope neither of you get caught. While it won't result in anything as extreme as a demotion, wardens can expect to get a stern dressing down; inmates, meanwhile, will be reprimanded by the warden who found them.

6. Networking

Now that you've powered on your CommLink for the first time and sat through the short tutorial and appropriate orientation, you're ready to explore the wonders of messaging. Video, audio, or text, the world is your oyster and you surely have opinions on it.

There is no anonymous option and IDs must be some variation of your name. (IC, characters will have to try their luck and see what the communicator will or won't accept when they register; OOC, it's up to players to decide what name to use if the character has multiple names or aliases.)

Wardens have access to a group network filter, something that inmates lack, and can track inmates throughout the ship with their CommLink. Inmates, best avoid getting your device confiscated or monitored.

7. Wildcard

If it's in our game pages, you can use it as a prompt! The sky's the limit.

Comments

lucifer morningstar | lucifer | warden

[dealwiththe]

[ ooc note: his canon point is post-series, so he’s essentially a walking spoiler for season 6. ]

1. Getting his bearings.

[ Lucifer can be found casually strolling the ship - he’s learning the layout, figuring out where everything is, and generally getting his bearings. He spends some time in the observation deck, taking in the view, lost in thought.

Eventually, he finds his way to Warden Command. Hey, a minibar! He gets himself a drink, still poking around. ]

I don’t suppose we could get a piano here? It might lessen the 2001: A Space Odyssey vibe.

2. Pairings.

[ He’ll meet you where you are - observation deck? Mess hall? Whatever. It doesn’t matter to him. All he’ll do is look you over, eyebrows raised. ]

Well, let’s start with: why do you think you’re here?

3. Network.

I suppose introductions are in order. I’m Lucifer Morningstar, and I’m your newest warden. I know, try to contain your surprise. But I’m perfectly willing to answer your questions! Consider me an open book.

4. Wildcard.

[ Got another idea? Hit me! ]

3. !!!!!! HI HI HI (its fire)

[aposeme]

Why, so I can do your fucking job for you?

[Lucifer's inmate had to be tracked down, in bed. He didn't answer his communicator. He's been in bed for three days. He speaks from a lump of blankets crammed as far back into the bunk as he can get. There's like, part of an elbow and some hair visible, and a pair of glasses stuffed into a shelf.

He's got a file, though. This guy sold his soul for fame. Look how well that's going for him.]

:D

[dealwiththe]

[ Lucifer finds a chair from somewhere, scoots it near the bed, unbuttons the jacket of his suit and takes a seat. He is in no hurry. He adjusts his cuffs, an absent, unthinking sort of gesture. ]

The rehabilitation is your job. I’m just here to facilitate it. Now -

[ He digs in his jacket, producing a file folder. ]

I have this, but I’ll be honest with you - I’ll always be honest with you - I almost never do the reading. I’d much rather hear your perspective on things.

[aposeme]

[This makes Volk mad enough to try and sit up-]

MY job - ХУЙ.

[- where he promptly smacks his forehead on the beams of the bunk above.]

Fuck, хуёво fucking - I ALREADY HAD A JOB AT HOME!

[There's a voice crack in the middle of the cursing which is both frustration and the bump he's going to have in a minute or two.]

[dealwiththe]

[ Well, smacking his head is one way to make a first impression. Lucifer can’t help biting back a smile at the cursing, tucking the folder back into his jacket. ]

Yeah, you had a life. You were unfairly ripped from it, and dropped in this cold, dark place, full of strangers and you have no idea how to end this nightmare, or if you even can end it.

Am I close?

[aposeme]

Yeah, yeah. 'Just like being born.' Is that what you're going to say?

[He pulls his hands down from his head and squints over at Lucifer, who is just a blur of beige and black. UGH. Fine, glasses, fine. He grabs his pair off of the shelf. In the second before the tint of his lenses hides them, the whites of his eyes are so bloodshot that they're shades of red all the way through.]

I don't want to get with the program. I don't want to fix my life. It's not a great life, but it's mine.

2

[reek]

[ He isn’t stupid; he knows why he’s here. Anyone who’s taken even a brief look at his file would know why he’s here, though he mentally insists there’s more to it than that. Theon has been wronged as well.

But he’s a stubborn young man, and it’s never that easy to get a straight answer out of him. He only smirks, inclining his head ever so slightly. ]

Why am I here? You called me here.

[dealwiththe]

Touchè.

[ If he thinks he's going to get a rise out of his new warden, it's going to take a lot more than just being a smartarse, for sure. Lucifer is pretty chill, these days. ]

But we're both here now, and I want to hear your side of the story. You got kidnapped from your world and your home and your family - a totally unfair situation, right? Why do you think it happened to you?

[reek]

[ It is an extremely unfair situation, Theon will agree with that much, but he doesn’t completely agree with the rest of it. ]

I wasn’t taken from my home or from my family.

[ That happened when I was ten, he thinks grimly. He’s clearly skirting around the question at hand, but he isn’t in the mood to spin the tale of his tragic childhood or what happened in Winterfell, not to a stranger. ]

I know you're meant to have all this information written up for you already. Why should I relay it for a second time?

[dealwiththe]

First of all, your file is as long as my arm and I don't have the patience to read all that.

[ Yes, he did just say "tl;dr". He did watch all eight seasons of your show, though! So he has a bit of knowledge. Which he will not use to fourth wall you - merely to poke at some of your potential issues!!!! ]

And frankly, I find getting the information from you far more useful. Speaking as someone who's had other people telling my story for me, often from incredibly biased perspectives, I know how frustrating it can be. How enraging, to see other people making assumptions about your life and your choices - and the things that weren't your choice. Who knows your life better than you?

[reek]

[ Who knows your life better than you? Theon can’t help it. He lets out a loud bark of laughter as if it’s the most hilarious thing he’s ever heard.

It may be true that other people know their lives better than anyone else, but Theon hardly even knows himself. He built his entire life and his entire person around the concept of the man he thought he was meant to be, but that concept has totally disintegrated. ]

There are a number of reasons why I might be here.

[ But I mean he has a hunch. ]

network.

[ardre]

I have a question for you.

A woman shoots her husband, then holds him underwater for five minutes, then hangs him. Right afterwards, the woman and her husband enjoy a lovely dinner together.

How is this possible?

[you didn't specify what kind of questions c:]

im sorry

[dealwiththe]

That sounds both a bit like some orgies I've hosted and also some Hell loops I've seen, so I'm not sure.

i'm not c:

[ardre]

Your best guess, then. Certainly one idea stands out more than the others.

[dealwiththe]

I'll go with orgy, since those are traditionally much more fun.

2

[unsheathedfromreality]

Your masters need me for something.

[Illarion doesn't raise his head from what he's doing: Methodically disassembling his CommLink, having already smashed the screen on the edge of the table.]

You?

[dealwiththe]

I'm here because I want to be.

[ He's grabbing a chair from somewhere, sitting in it with an air of nonchalance. He's in absolutely no hurry, nowhere to be, just sitting down for a chat. ]

So, who do you think my masters are? And what do you think they need you for? [ You must have a theory, right? ]

[unsheathedfromreality]

The Navarch. Those above her.

[He peels the camera out of its socket on the device's back, sets it aside. Flips the circuit board back and forth between his fingers as if studying it.]

What mortals always ask for: the impossible. To change the course of a world.

[The circuitboard snaps as he bends it over one finger with his thumb.]

What's to want about being here? [He has his theories.]

[dealwiththe]

You think Navarch is mortal? You think I'm mortal?

[ Lucifer smiles. ]

I like helping wayward souls. It's my calling. I find it challenging and fulfilling.

[ He never lies, and that is the bald-faced truth. ]

for funsies - 1

[devilsheel]

[ chloe is off to the side with a group of other wardens, her back slightly turned to the door. at first she doesn't bother glancing in that general direction upon hearing the quiet hum of it sliding open and shut, however it's the voice that gives her pause. makes her turn away from the current conversation.

is it relief? surprise? worry? disbelief? perhaps it's a combination of all.

excusing herself, she goes to cross the room, moving to his side. ]

I think it depends. [ voice lowering, ] Are you referring to the pornhub version that's been floating around for years? Or the actual original film?

[dealwiththe]

[ Lucifer isn't here for frivolous purposes, nor did he come here on a whim. This isn't a vacation, it's not a way for him to dodge responsibility. He came here to accomplish something, following his calling, and he certainly didn't come here with any hope of ever seeing anyone from his home universe.

Least of all Chloe.

Which probably explains why he freezes so thoroughly in place at the sound of her voice, explains why his eyes go wide with shock as he sees her face. The mix of emotions that play across his features veers between that shock, and joy, and concern, back to joy again. He raises a hand, almost hesitant, to touch her face - cup her jaw, almost as if afraid she's not real or she'll vanish if he makes any sudden moves.

He's basically incapable of speech, let alone making a joke. He finally manages to croak out one word: ]

How?

1. this'll end well!

[expectaspectre]

[ Grace was NOT hiding in Warden Command. NOT. It was just quieter there, with no one else around. Better for reading, trying to draft organizational plans for inmate schedules. Fewer interruptions than working in the Mess Hall or Library. She could get more work done when she's not unsettling so many other people with her presence.

And then someone walks in that makes that familiar feeling of pain and terror, the feeling of being hunted, shoot up her spine. Her dark gaze snaps up and clicks onto its source-- but it's just a person. Or, it looks like a person. It doesn't look like Eli, or even the others, the ones who keep trying to...

Grace shoots to her feet.]

Who are you?

[ She sounds frightened, but determined. As if she thinks she already knows the answer. ]

excruciatingly so!

[dealwiththe]

[ Lucifer certainly doesn't think of himself as giving off any particular vibe - except maybe one of general charm and desirability. It's, you know, his thing. And whatever vibes Grace gives off, he is completely immune to, given who and what he is. Live human? Dead human? Somewhere in between? It's all pretty much the same to him. As far as he's concerned, she just looks like a skittish young woman, jumping at her own shadow.

The most he can think, sizing her up quickly, is she doesn't look cut out to be a warden.

He raises his eyebrows at her question, getting himself that drink from the minibar. Mm, liquor. ]

Lucifer. Morningstar. Pleasure to meet you, Miss - ?

[ He smiles pleasantly. It's easy to be pleasant when there's actual liquor here! ]

[expectaspectre]

[ Holy shit. She just stares, trying to control her breathing. ]

You can't kill me here. I'll just come back. Again.

[ She's actually not sure about how that works, to be perfectly honest, but she's happy to wield the threat of resurrection as a shield in this instance. Something about the edges of her form shimmers like sunlight glinting off asphalt at the wrong angle. Like trying to look through curling smoke. She still hasn't blinked, hasn't otherwise moved, fight-or-flight waging war under her too-pale skin, rooting her to the spot. ]

[dealwiththe]

[ ...Right. That's a thing. That she just said. Lucifer takes a sip of his drink. Oh, that's nice. Whiskey is nice. He doesn't get whiskey in Hell. ]

Is that a normal greeting where you come from? Just wondering. Or does your world have some psychopathic, murderous version of me? Even at my worst, I didn't go around murdering people, and I'm not planning to start.