TEST DRIVE 001

[returnjourney]

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.

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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. 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.

Comments

jinx | arcane | inmate. (spoilers for arcane: imagine dragons the video game tv show.)

[blowup]

a. IN THE ARVO | wardens only.

Jinx is in terrible pain, bloody, beaten, and the world turns black with the sound of her explosions. And then... less so, somehow. It's very odd. She hadn't planned to live.

But you have to take things as they come to you, or you'll never get an edge up anywhere. As her senses come back to her, she realizes she's in the seat of some kind of carriage. It moves with the unfailing rhythm of an automated dray, lacking the steady rhythm of hoofbeats. Whoever found Jinx's body, most likely unconscious and shoved off a bridge, is probably rich.

The thought is funny. It spurs her to action. She screams at the top of her lungs, as though she hasn't been aware if unmoving before now.

b. LIGHTS OUT.

Was someone in the elevator when the power died?

There's a sickening crash, and silence. Something in the dark moves, and maybe it's dust settling-- no, the sound gets louder. A child? A high-voiced creature stifles sobs somewhere out in the darkness. Their voice is high and panicky, confused. "H-hello?"

A sob echoes through metallic confines.

"Is- is there anybody out there?"

c. TRUTH BOMB.

You are minding your own business in literally any part of the ship when suddenly- something grabs you. Someone. A teenager with a manic expression, all joy, all excitement, very little concern for your personal space. Her grip, wherever it lands, digs in at the fingernail. Her eyes gleam.

"What's your biggest secret?"

d. WILDCARD.

[im down for anything, fingerguns.]

b. Lights Out (Fellow inmate okay?)

[lessandmorethanhuman]

[Alex heard the crash, and sighed...then headed in the direction it came from. Mostly because he was curious what was broken. The sobs though, had him dropping his quieter-steps and moving a bit more quickly. The voice had him fast-walking.]

You break anything?

[If his memory was right, this was near the elevators. Moving towards the metal doors. Hands out and testing, trying to make out dim shapes in the dark, to see if the doors would open. If the person was stuck between floors, they might have a problem.]

perf!

[blowup]

Y-yeah, my... pinky finger!

[The voice veers from a young child to an older teenager, and Jinx springs from the elevator shaft with arms open. The darkness hides the fill effect of the surprise, which means she has to compensate-- the need to make a scene is the most tantamount. She wraps her arms around Alex and cackles.] Sucker! I didn't think anybody'd fall for that.

Re: perf!

[lessandmorethanhuman]

[At least Alex was able to brace quickly, although clearly surprised to suddenly be hugged. He didn't do hugging, okay? Her words brought out a soft scoffing laugh.]

If you don't get off me, I will break your pinky.

[It was a polite warning.]

Besides, we're supposed to be getting 'redeemed'. Which means being all helpful and shit, right?

[Please do mind the sarcasm.]

[blowup]

[Jinx's answering cackle is throaty, mocking, joyful. She leaps away, and in the process manages to hit her companion in the face with one of the long braids hanging from her head. What a total, complete accident!]

Don't tell me you fell for that. Wait- actually. You fell for my trick. I shouldn't be surprised!

c. warden data, mess hall?

[positronivity]

The arm Jinx digs her nails into through a very plain grey jumpsuit offers no resistance to being grabbed, but is surprisingly heavy. His artificial skin is designed to feel and behave like its biological counterpart, so he is warm, but he experiences no discomfort from the tightness of her grip.

Data looks down and raises his eyebrows very slightly.

"I cannot tell you," he explains, apparently unfazed, "It would no longer be my biggest secret."

data!! 🤩

[blowup]

Okay. That's, uh, weird, but Jinx has lived through weirder (so she thinks, believes-- entirely satisfied with her own experience and strength, maybe a little too much).

Yet this sideways logic immediately appeals to her, and the distraction is enough to distract her from pink and blue fingernails in off-color flesh. She relents, hand up to tap her chin.

"Wow, good point. What about your second biggest?"

ty!!! jinx please enjoy.....this.

[positronivity]

Data considers this counter-proposal, pausing for long enough to convey to the girl that he is thinking about it earnestly.

"My 1,683rd biggest secret is that when asked about his most recent attempt at constructing a ship model by my friend Geordi," he responds, "I did not mention an error I observed in the attachment of the rigging."

"Secrets of greater magnitude are either classified information you do not have permission to access, or involve other individuals not available to consent to their disclosure." Data tilts his head at her, looking faintly curious. "What is your biggest secret?"

i love it thank you.

[blowup]

He's... weird. The more she stares at him, the more she notices something is... off. To a studied pick-pocket, used to following marks with her eyes, Jinx thinks she knows the shape and murmuration of normal human features. And this guy... hm.

She thinks he has a secret. What are the chances? Probably somewhere between one thousand six hundred eighty-two and one.

"Oh? Me? Probably that I killed a lotta important people." A big, theatrical sigh. "Y'know how it is."

b.

[smugreport]

[ When the power goes, there's the initial feeling of annoyance, followed by a steadily growing sense of unease as the seconds pass and its not renewed, and finally into some genuine panic as Rhys hears the loud crash down the hall.

He...probably should not go towards that, just make his way back to the dorms and wait this all out, but since when did he make the choice that was safest?

It's those cries that really get his attention though. Rhys may not be one for charity cases, but that doesn't mean he's totally heartless. Once he's reached the elevators, the place where he's guessing the sound came from, he calls out into the darkness. ]

Hey, everyone alright in there?

[ It's weird, he didn't think there were any kids on this ship. ]

[blowup]

Nooooo... I broke my funny bone. [As she speaks, the voice goes from childlike to something more adult, even if it's not old by any stretch. Jinx sounds like an older teen-- which she is-- with a smoker's rasp. Too many years spent sucking in smog.]

[There's a light in the darkness. A lighter. How did she get a lighter? Who did she steal it from? Considering the blood splashed down her front... someone very unlucky. She sits in the open elevator shaft, upon the crashed elevator, practically lounging in the wreck.]

Ha. Can't believe so many people are falling for that one.

[The lighter flicks off. Darkness creeps back in.]

[smugreport]

[ Rhys takes an abrupt step back at the reveal, but his initial surprise turns quickly into annoyance. ]

Are you kidding me?

[ But that annoyance is soon accompanied by unease as the brief moment of light is snuffed out and he's pulled back into complete darkness again. Worse than before as his eye re-adjusts.

She had blood on her shirt, didn't she...that's probably bad. ]

Don't- don't try anything funny. I have a robo-arm and I'm not afraid to punch with it! I'm just gonna back up and away now okay? You and me didn't see eachother.

c;

[spanning]

[She misses his arm, but not for lack of trying. More that there isn't any arm for her to grab; Aki's left arm is just an empty sleeve.]

I have less than two years to live.

[His nose wrinkles and he checks himself with an annoyed exhale, glancing down at the nails digging into the sleeve. He opts to meet her eyes; Power, he thinks, despite himself.]

What are you doing?

[It's curt.]

sorry for the slow! moving cross country 😵‍💫

[blowup]

I'm askin' questions, duh. That's a good answer. Does it got anything to do with the, uh, omitted appendage?

[Said while batting at the empty sleeve, not unlike a cat.]

[spanning]

Not really.

[He tamps down on the urge to say more, and shrugs his sleeve away with a beleaguered patience born of dealing with this kind of behavior way too often.]

So why are you asking questions? Trying to throw people off? Blackmail?

c

[sadist_type]

Treat the entire world as your enemy, her father told her. It was the last thing he said to her before they were separated. She has. Annie has assiduously done that very thing so the reflex comes faster than conscious thought to twist out of the grip laid on her, to step in and twist this stranger who's accosted her into a throw around the hip.

That's her impulse but it's not the only one. Such things can't be resisted on this stupid ship.

"I like heroic people." It comes out terse. A different word might have been more refined. Idealistic people, or driven, but heroic came first to hand, is the one pushed out.

sorry for the slow! moving cross country 😵‍💫

[blowup]

"Wow!" Jinx dances around the other girl, quick on her feet. She's better at dodging than attacking, all told-- she doesn't have any of her tools. She enjoys the dance of the fight, whatever it is they're doing, however. Her bottom lip remains bitten, blue eyes wide in excitement.

"What a shitty secret! We're gonna hate each other."

my turn to be slow due to finals then post-finals brain sludge

[sadist_type]

Annie's tools are her hands and legs. Less amplified, in a manner of speaking, than they would be with her own abilities, which is

good. A good thing for everyone.

But it means she's not disarmed even with very little. She follows up the attempted throw with a concise, controlled kick sliced in Jinx's direction. If it connects, good. If not, it should put more distance between them. And then, if there's more distance between them, she might talk!

c.

[withmeinparadise]

Sam's eating leisurely, or at least making a show of doing so, though one arm rests on the table. It's not curled around his food, but also not not curled around his food. Sure, they give out seconds and thirds. He's still back in prison - and that means making sure his dinner gets from his plate to his stomach without interruption from...where'd she come from, a rave?

"Killed my brother. Ah, Jesus fucking--" The first bit comes out unexpectedly, said around a mouthful of some kind of mystery meat ("meat") and rice that reminds him of orphanage food. The second bit's in the moment after, when he realizes what he's said. It sounds like he's stubbed his toe; it feels a little like he got sucker-punched.

But it's not the first time a fight's started before Sam knew it. He recovers quickly. "What's yours?"

[blowup]

"Ohh!" Jinx literally steeples her fingers together in excitement. "Can ya give me any tips? I keep tryim' to kill my sister, but the bitch won't stay dead!"

A moment. She tilts her head to the side, considering, but nothing else is forthcoming. "Huh. Guess that's mine."

She'd figured it was, you know, that night in the rain. But apparently trying to kill Vi counts-- she'd never consciously thought about it until now. (Shame lingers in her periphery, a bright pink smudge over the eyes of everyone she isn't staring directly at.)

[withmeinparadise]

He keeps eating, despite the way this conversation just did a number on his appetite. If his voice is a little more subdued, maybe it's the fact that a three-ring circus would be next to this kid. "Nah. Not unless you're near a cliff. Why?"

What the hell prompted this?

C

[deardirect0r]

He scowls down at the child and attempts to tug his arm free.

"I have no intention of telling you anything of the sort." He only has to tell the truth, not answer the question.

[blowup]

Jinx would object to being called a child, but it's a matter of perspective. Sometimes, she wagers, the best option is to do the childish thing. Her eyes wide, she asks, "why?"

[deardirect0r]

He's sixty... anything less than thirty is a child to him. Well, a certain thirty-something excepted.

"Because it's none of your goddamned business." His normally congenial southern accent takes on a cold, scolding tone.

Any other time he wouldn't swear... But the compulsion to honestly voice his thoughts sort of ruins that.

b!

[heavyhands]

( she knows that voice.

of course she knows that voice.

not that vi would walk by if she didn't recognize the sounds of her sister. someone else, someone young, vulnerable, trapped, would have just as easily tugged on what few decaying heartstrings vi has left. no, that's not quite right. someone else would have caught vi's attention, but only powder could have stopping dead in her tracks, have her feeling her body move of its own accord, flinging herself to where she knows the metal doors to be. )

Powder?

Powder... Stay right there, all right? I'll get you out.

( it doesn't make sense, but she doesn't have time to think. how is powder here? chances are she hearing things, some squall that has her revisting her past memories. but there's a chance that she isn't, and she's not going to let another opprotunity to do right pass her by.

even if she is hearing things, she's prepared to dig her fingers into the metal and doors and pry. if it means losing a finger along the way, so be it. she can still punch with nine fingers. prying, though, it's a little easier said than done in the dark. she's slapping her hands along the wall, searching for smooth metal. )