returnjourneymemes | TEST DRIVE 001

RETURN JOURNEY: TEST DRIVE 001

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.

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. Accidents and Sabotage

A. Lights Out

As everyone knows, when it's lights out in a prison...interesting things can happen.

Whether a natural fluctuation from traveling through heavy space debris or something more unnatural (maybe it was you), the power has gone out. While life support continues to function, it's pitch black and any areas usually locked to wardens are left with doors open. It's the perfect setting for a riot, breaking and entering, thievery...your general crimes, petty and otherwise. Wardens, of course, are expected to stymie these efforts, but that doesn't necessarily mean they'll succeed. What's a little chaos between friends?

Our apologies if you happen to be in an elevator when the power dies.

B. Invasive Species

Being in space, sometimes space things happen.

Somehow (and hopefully you or someone you know isn't responsible for that "somehow"), a greater lunar tetacocien has gotten on board. Quite a feat, since they're the size of a rhino, but they have an impressive ability to squeeze through anything large enough to fit their beak. Unfortunately venomous, carnivorous, and native to the starstuff of Oos, the creature needs to be rounded up before it destroys anything (or anyone) aboard the ship. Please do not attempt to eat; the flesh is toxic.

The multi-legged predator can be immobilized with shots from an energy weapon... Too bad inmates can't carry them. Time to improvise! Or steal one, if you're canny enough.

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!)

A. Truth Bomb

One week, those affected cannot tell a lie. Wardens and inmates alike can only speak the truth, though it varies whether they blurt out a response to any question asked or can keep mum.

B. Stuck Together

Another week, you're stuck together. Travel any farther than two meters from your buddy and you'll experience intense physical pain. There isn't anything visible to this connection; it isn't something you can sever (not that this means you can't try). So have fun with your group activities and try not to kill each other.

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.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Welcome Aboard

[Limbo is an interesting place. Time seems to have stopped completely, and the world exists only in muted shades and grey. Maybe there’s objects around, maybe even frozen people, or perhaps it’s just a void. But there is one other fully colored creature in this place — a three foot tall black and red creature dressed in a futuristic uniform.

Ok so maybe limbo is way weirder than anyone actually knew. Is this real? No, this has to be some kind of incredibly stupid dream.

The spiky…. cat…. person??? approaches and clears his throat]

I am here on behalf of the Navarch and the Admiralty's Transformative and Penal Reparation Fleet. I am to offer you the choice between redemption and the void.

Make your choice quickly, I don’t have all day.

[alternatively, your ass is unconscious and tied up in the back of a strange space ship. KIDNAPPED!!!]

Elevator Issues

[Shadow doesn’t need to use the elevators to get around — he’s more than capable of teleporting wherever he needs to go on the ship, even as it careens through space. But other Wardens and inmates are not so lucky. So here he is, in the elevator, looking like he’s about to die of boredom.

And then there’s a pop. The lights go out, the elevator jerks to a halt, and the sound of electric equipment everywhere spins down]

... I hate this ship. Everyone, stay where you are.

Wildcard

[Shadow is a stern, stubborn Warden of few words who doesn’t suffer fools lightly. He is also all of a meter tall and kind of adorable.

Edited 2021-12-13 04:33 (UTC)

It would seem that is our main option, yes.

[Loki conjures some light around his hand, peering across the elevator at Shadow. Gravity is lighter here than on most areas of the ship and Loki does his best not to look like a clumsy idiot as he moves to inspect the walls and ceiling of the elevator.]

Though I suppose if we can find a vent, you might just fit through. Although I'm not sure what good that would do the rest of us.

I am not in the mood for sass.

[Shadow also holds up his hand, alighting it with greenish gold crackling energy. He looks up.]

I can get us out of here but I need to orient myself to the ship. I'm not sure where we stopped. [Hmmmm...] There's a maintenance hatch. Stand under it.

Edited 2021-12-13 18:39 (UTC)

Show Hange a weird, inhuman critter and she's basically contractually obligated to be there. What's more, a frowny little guy could practically have a flag planted on top of his head: come over here! Try to make friends with me!

"Hey there, cute stuff!"

Weird androgynous person. Slopped-up ponytail, glasses worn over an eyepatch covering her left eye. Smiley smiley and headed his way.

"I'm so glad we've got some rare types spicing up the population! What's your name? What's your world like? What's your story?"

He is, for better or worse, somewhat used to overly excitable science types. There were more than a few on the ARK, though Professor Gerald kept most of them away from his precious subject.

Regardless, he is pretty sure the flag actually says Go away, don't talk to me, I bite, but who's counting! The small creature rolls his eyes at the woman's approach.

"My name is not 'cute stuff', it's Shadow. Shadow the Hedgehog. And my story is none of your concern."

You know that meme? That how to talk to short people meme? Hange is doing the No stance. Slightly crouched, hands braced on knees, elbows out.

"So nice to meet you, Shadow!" She sounds so genuinely happy to say this. "My name's Hange. Inmate or warden?"

A small, irritated growl escapes the hedgehog's throat and he folds his arms, closing off his body language. How condescending...

".... I should think that part is obvious," he says curtly, eyes flicking down to the service weapon (which is hilariously oversized for him...) on his hip. "Hange."

Hange drops to her knees instead, but she also shuffles the slightest bit closer. Is this a win-lose? A lose-lose?

"Well, well, well, well, well, well."

Seems like she might... blink less than a normal person?

"Guess what that makes us?"

Definitely losing. Nothing but loss. And pain. And irritation. He instinctively moves back when she gets closer, quills bristling.

That was entirely too many "well"s.

"I don't care, but I have a feeling you're going to tell me anyway."

How can something so cute be so surly?!

It's so, so much like Levi. That time he almost stabbed her when they first met! Ha ha ha ha! Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!

Hange allows her voice to come out in a dulcet, bell-like time: "Cooomraaaadessss~!" 🎶

Edited 2021-12-20 02:54 (UTC)

Shadow and Levi have much in common. Devoted to their causes, angy, willing to get things done by any means necessary, short..... But Shadow is maybe just a hair taller.

"Wonderful."

His tone implies that this is, in fact, anything but wonderful.

"I think so too! I look forward to us working together lots."

Her smirk is just enormous.

And then she dies it in a bit, sitting back on her heels and looking totally contented with how that interaction went: bad (for Shadow) highly-entertaining-ly (for Hange). She's content to be patient. She'll wear him down.

"What's your deal, Shadow?"

Edited 2021-12-20 03:31 (UTC)

If you listen very closely, one can imagine a high pitched whining sound. Its the sound of Shadow dying inside, just a little. Hange may have patience in spades, but Shadow does not. However, by some miracle, he's not completely tired of her just yet.

"I don't have a deal," he says plainly. Then, with a sneer, "Are you always so damn nosy, or am I a special case?"

"It's my job to be this nosy!"

Debatable.

"And if you're here without a deal - " - if he's telling her the truth - "then that is extremely foolish!"

Well, she's definitely good at it.

Shadow grumbles again, ears folded.

"Then let me put it this way -- my deal is none of your business. We're all here because we want something we can't otherwise obtain. You can assume my "deal" is one of those sorts of things."

TEST DRIVE 001

Shadow the EDGEhog | Sonic games | Warden

Elevator

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wildcard

oh my god hange YESSSSS

HEHE sorry for my slow pace i'm still drudging through final exam malaise

AH yes a feeling a remember well and DO NOT MISS AT ALL. ganba

thanks I made it thru

Feels so good right???

SO good UwU

/CONFETTI

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