flawedmemes | TEST DRIVE MEME

TEST DRIVE MEME

01. ARRIVING IN PELEA
A cold wind singing down from the white-capped mountains which hang blue-black in the distance stirs your cheek, the tall grass all around you. A bough creaks as the wind makes it tremble, and the dappled shadows drift over you, leaves rustling. As you blink awake, you hear the quiet hiss of water over stones. You are not where you once were!

You and a large group of strangers are blinking awake, pulling yourselves up off the dirt, grass, and rubble near a small wooded stream. There is no evidence of civilization in sight, and as you exchange stories you realize that you must decide what to do.

Will you head past the trees and towards the mountains? Deeper into the forest? Stay put and wait for help to arrive? You might even try to meet everyone else, and either convince them to band together... or head their separate ways.

02. CITY SLICKER
There are many cities throughout the world of Pelea, and in most of them player characters, the Flaws, are welcomed as curiosities. Whether they're among the passionate, oft thought as hot-headed, but hospitable folk of the Banner or the noble and haughty people of the Empire, your characters will find a wide variety of cultures, races and simply people to interact with and investigate. They could be seeking employment, answers to the mystery of their arrival or other folk like themselves, or a quiet place to drink away their worries.

03. WILDCARD!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

I live in New York.

[ She projects it: Stark Tower, Times Square, perhaps it's the same place. ]

[The name sparks recognition, but she takes a second to put a name to the place, because she hasn't seen anything like what Wanda is projecting.

Ollie has never seen New York in person, but she's seen pictures and it's those that she thinks of now. Broken buildings, overgrown concrete and still smouldering fires. New York was a battle ground, and the city lost.]

[ Wanda frowns. This city is a ruin, and no one can lie to her with their thoughts. Conceal, sure, but never lies. ]

Is it all like that? The whole world?

[That answer is a complicated one, or it would be to give in words, so it's lucky she can do it with her thoughts.

There are two main images in her head: the first is a mess of a city, slums with shining apartments stacked on top, hovercars speeding over rickshaws, and a heavy military presence throughout the whole city.

The next thing she thinks of is a rural town, farms spread out over the land, automatic machinery harvesting crops, while farmers tend to livestock. Barefoot children play amongst ruins of rusting fighter jets.

It's a complicated place.]

[ It is what their world might have become, if Ultron succeeded, save for there being less people. Those that remained would have been enslaved. Wanda studies the thoughts carefully. ]

I know what that is like.

[ The fear. The powerlessness. ]

In my world, I have not met anyone like me. How did you know what I was?

[The next series of thoughts are almost... blurred, as if Ollie isn't comfortable sharing the full extent of them. So far, she's seen no reason not to trust Wanda, but her coven is the only thing worth protecting.

But she shows them, making potions, carving sigils, casting spells. There's no fancy spellwork with flashy red smoke, but it's clear that they're practicing witchcraft.]

There are many of us.

[ There's a brief wave of disappointment, these women are not like her at all. Their faces and shapes are blurred, and Wanda doesn't care to sharpen the image. Instead, she simply shows Ollie Loki's sceptre, with its strange radiation. ]

Two of us.

[ Red, for her, and a blue blur, for Pietro. ]

[She can feel the disappointment and curiosity rises in response, until it's answered just as quickly as it came on.]

You were... made?

[There's a hesitation, because the idea is a strange one to her. There are ways to steal power from witches, but it isn't the same as this.]

[ She nods as they're down one of the busier streets. Wanda walks a little closer to her, wary of anyone coming too close. ]

Yes. Created to fight.

[She wonders if it was a choice, or if this was forced upon Wanda, but doesn't put too much strength into those thoughts, not wanting to ask for too much.]

Witches are born, we were never human.

[The distinction is an obvious one. It's not just that witches are humans with magic, they're an entirely separate creature.]

[ She doesn't have to wonder too long. Wryly, ]

I don't think I am, anymore, but that was my choice.

[That's a relief, at least. Too many people have their choices stripped from them.]

I would choose it, again and again.

[Despite everything, despite the image of a cage that flashes through Ollie's mind before she clears it.]

[ It is then that she decides she won't peruse this girl's thoughts — not that she was, but everyone has secrets, and places they wish no one else to go. If let in, she will. If not — there is little need. ]

As would I.

[ She reaches out to Ollie's wrist, to touch her hand gently. ]

Do you know why we are trapped here?

[Touch is a strange thing; something given so easily by so many of her coven, but not something that Ollie returns as easily, though she never turns them away. It isn't that she's uncomfortable with it, touch is just a way for people to get too close, and she's too scared of losing them for that.

But she doesn't wince or pull away, simply looks at Wanda and shakes her head.]

This is not the work of hunters. Nor do other witches have this much power.

[Or if they do, Ollie has never seen it before.]

[ She lets go immediately. Ollie doesn't say no explicitly, but there's a lack of a favourable reaction. ]

I know of someone who might.

[ The image that follows is of a hole yawning in the sky above New York, with Chitauri pouring through it. ]

[Ollie actually falters a step as that image comes into her mind, just from the sheer shock of it. She doesn't even have to think the specific words, because "what the fuck is that" radiates so strongly from her.]

[ Apology radiates out from Wanda. ]

We don't know how they did it. I came through something like it to get here.

[Ollie mentally dismisses the apology, knowing that Wanda didn't mean to startle her.]

I was wandering amongst ruins before I grew tired and awoke in the woods.

Just like that?

[ She frowns. ]

This is frustrating. Are you hungry?

[A general sense of agreement radiates from Ollie's thought in response to everything Wanda says. Yes, just like that. Yes, it is frustrating. Yes, she's always hungry.

The latter is mostly her fault; she has a bad habit of prioritising supplies over food.]

[ They head for the market quietly, and Wanda looks around. Stealing she has absolutely no trouble with: only with Pietro not around it necessitates a change in tactics. ]

Pick anything you want. They won't remember we were here.

[Hesitation rises, and Ollie glances at Wanda.]

Do you know who can afford it?

[ She gives Ollie a sharp nod, pointing. ]

[That's all that Ollie needs for reassurance before she practically dives in, taking a loaf of bread, two apples, and a chunk of cheese.]

Would you like anything?

[ She picks up only a fruit. ]

I am not that hungry, thank you.

(no subject)

sigillum - 2016-08-14 03:49 (UTC) - Expand