returnjourneymemes | TEST DRIVE 001

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test drive meme

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.

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You are welcome to prove me wrong.

[He shrugs easily, even if it's not particularly visible. If he's about to meet a knife in the dark, then so be it; he likes a challenge.]

Ezio Auditore. And your name?

[He knows.]

Nah, too much trouble and you're not a threat to me unless I give you a reason. I'd rather find a flashlight--it's annoying with the damned lights out.

[Wardens had more access to toys and their abilities after all. Even if Alex thought he might be able to take the other in a fight, he had no need to right then.]

Alex Mercer.

[The warden probably already knew, and so Alex's tone was grudging. But it didn't necessarily seem like the other was doing it as a power ploy.]

Well, Alex, let us set about finding you a flash-light.

[He's not completely sure what it is, but he can guess, given the context. He weighs his options just the same: the storage facility is sprawling but may have a variety of options. The warden's office almost certainly does, but Ezio is serious about its security.

He decides:]

Come. With the power out, we may very well be able to find something for you in storage.

Storage is going to be a nightmare to navigate like this.

[But Alex moved closer anyways. Wardens usually weren't assholes unless you gave them a reason to be in his experience. Besides, he might find other useful things besides a flashlight. And if he did, he'd find a way to keep it even with a warden nearby.]

Normally the dark isn't a problem...

[With the power out, he assumes the storage machines have stopped moving as well, dead in their tracks just like the elevator. If not... well, he'll be able to see them.

Alex, though...]

Would would you do, normally?

[Alex's eyes flicked to where the voice came from, wondering just how much the warden already knew about him. If he knew anything about him. Did it really matter anyways? He was supposed to be here earning his 'redemption' anyways.

If that meant his sister would be safe, and the infection stopped...]

Use thermal vision, unless I can get my hands on night goggles.

Clever. And unfortunate, to lose such a thing.

[Which does not mean it isn't deserved, in Ezio's mind, and his tone betrays no sympathy.

Ezio moves, headed down the hall, his footsteps relaxed and comfortable.]]

[Alex wouldn't have liked sympathy anyways. A lot of this whole shitty set up seemed like a crock to him. But they'd taken his abilities, and he needed to find a way to start unraveling the conspiracies. Besides, if there was a chance this was legit--he could save Dana. Stop what he'd started...]

I've been told good behavior means I can earn things back. Which is shitty, but I don't have a lot of good options.

[Alex's eyes are getting more used to the dark. He's still not as sure footed as he'd be otherwise, but he can follow the other easily enough.]

Edited 2021-12-11 00:43 (UTC)

[Ezio glances back occasionally. His sixth sense grants him no ability to see Alex's expression, but the subtleties of his body language are enough, the way he moves.]

Anyone can behave, if they can tamp down their baser instincts. And for some, I imagine, the decision to conduct themselves with patience and consideration is a step in the right direction.

[Alex let out a scoffing-snort.]

If that were enough, I don't think I'd be here.

[Then again, he might still be here. He still was learning, after all. How to be human. How to not be a shitty one either.]

Edited 2021-12-11 01:29 (UTC)

[An invisible nod. Mild approval on his voice:]

Almost certainly.

[More neutral:]

One can tend to all the gardens they would like, assist in all manners of maintenance or missions for our Navarch –– such things will not improve one's character as long as the difficult questions go unanswered.

Right, and if we're good little prisoners, we can even earn the impossible!

[Can you hear the sarcasm? Because it really couldn't be more obvious from the low voice. The hint of mockery.]

How much do we really know about the Navarch anyways, and why do they get to judge?

The wardens are well-acquainted with her. I had a meeting with her just last week –– I trust that her judgement is well-reasoned.

[Ezio has no real patience for sarcasm; maybe when he was younger, but sincerity suits him best now.]

What makes you think it is impossible?

Gosh, as if the wardens didn't get enough privileges.

[Snark is a way to deal with things okay? Maybe not always a healthy way, but still a way.]

Because it seems too good to be real. I've seen a lot of strange shit, done stuff that's stranger still, but a chance to change things? In the way it was told us? Yeah, I'm not buying completely what they're selling.

[He wanted to, but he wasn't stupid either.]

It is difficult to believe.

[There's no denying that.]

I come from a time where such a thing would be considered a vision from God or something along those lines. I found it difficult to understand when I first arrived, too... but if all of this is possible as is, and we can stand here today, then there must be so much more beyond that.

[That got a small chuckle from Alex, still with that hint of snark.]

Yet you're gonna help me find a flashlight. Which means you're playing babysitter or you've had to learn what one is.

[At least Alex sounded darkly amused by the situation.]

I mean, Arthur C. Clarke talked about how magic is just science we don't understand. To paraphrase badly--but this all still seems too good to be true. I'm looking for the catch. There has to be one.

[Without a trace of self-consciousness:]

My mother taught me to assist others, even if the task is small. [And a beat of humour.] And if a flashlight spares you running into some wall and breaking your nose, I will have spared the infirmary some work.

[Especially when they're bound to be busy. Wandering the storage facility in search of a flashlight is multitasking: it wouldn't be the first time an inmate thought to stash a body there, and a warden's presence is occasionally a deterrent.]

Is it so difficult to believe people can act out of goodness and make the world a better place?

It's.....extremely rare, from what I've seen.

[Between Alex's own life, and the memories and experiences he'd assimilated into himself from others. It wasn't non-existent but it was so FAR from common as to be so.]

In case you couldn't tell, I have trust issues.

A pity, but an understandable reality.

[The world is difficult, violent, cruel — but none of those traits deny the existence of good.]

All the more reason to create more, I think.

More what...trust? That's a hard thing to get.

[Oh Alex knew what the other was getting at. The world was shit enough, why add to it? Because he was still learning to care in the first place at all.]

[Ezio gives him a raised eyebrow, even if he can't see it in the dark. You know what I meant.]

Is it? And how is your sense of judgement?

In what way? Because in a lot of ways I can say it's fucked up. But...I'm trying to learn. Most of what I've experienced and dealt with don't lead well to being too trusting. I'm actually fairly paranoid.

A man's ability to judge is the most powerful sense he can hone. On its own, there is nothing wrong with lacking trust with others. But without the ability to judge accurately, how can you tell the difference between an untrustworthy person and your own paranoia?

Oooh I get a bonus philosophy conversation with this adventure.

[Again, there was sarcasm. It's not personal Ezio, really. It's a coping mechanism.]

I can look at actions, as they often speak louder and more clearly than words. You can also learn to read people's faces and body language for tells.

[Of course, normally Alex had heightened senses he could use to help him read those tells too.]

[He feels a flicker of amusement, and he rises to meet that sarcasm, though his voice remains pretty mild:]

It found it intimidating when I was a younger man, too.

[More sincerely:]

So what troubles you, then, if action and bodies are of little relevance to your sense of judgement?

(no subject)

lessandmorethanhuman - 2021-12-14 04:04 (UTC) - Expand

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