avalaughs | TEST DRIVE MEME ⚔️️ 3

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TEST DRIVE MEME ⚔️️ 3

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A ⦿ Soaking in Your Arrival

KERPLUNK, SPLASH!

Regardless of what you were in the middle of, you and your familiar have been magically pulled into the world of Avalon just above the Bay's chilly waters. After a brief plunge into the Bay, the rush of water filling your ears and soaking up into every creak and crevice of your body, you may need to cough to clear your airways when you rise above the surface. It's paralyzingly cold for a few seconds before you're approached by the Lady of the Lake beneath the water's surface. She puts a vial of a vibrant, glowing red Everwarm* potion to your character's lips. The icy water doesn't feel so icy once consumed and you'll be able to move your limbs enough to swim to shore on your own. She can't stick around to explain, she's got to get this to all the new arrivals! Many of which you'll see plopping in around you.

If you can't swim, a handful of helpful ice turtles will scoop you up from beneath and drop you off at the shore. When not helping people, the turtles are going around and hitting the ice that keeps forming on the surface with their shells to keep the surface open for the falling arrivals or pushing personal items to the beach near the new arrivals they smell like (belong to). If anyone tries to ask the Lady of the Lake for directions, she will direct you to Archimedes at the Rent-a-Ride. If anyone with Animal Magic asks the turtles, they will give the full spiel, but very slowly, and they like to get off topic and gossip about other turtles you've never heard of. The shores themselves are littered with new arrivals complaining their way up a staircase carved into the walls of the White Cliffs. There is no railing, so be careful, but if you do fall, be prepared for a mysterious sand hand to reach out of the side of the cliffs to catch you. The hand will pat you atop the head twice before retreating back into the wall. This is the Cliff Beast; despite the name, he is quite friendly.

B ⦿ The Caravan to Camelot

Once everyone is wrangled up to the top of the White Cliffs, the handsome owner of the Rent-a-Ride, Archimedes, will distribute smart phones, a pair of earbuds, and a winter cloak** to everyone before getting them settled in groups into modernized carriages pulled by horses and give them a basic explanation of why and how they've been brought to Avalon: The rest of the universe is frozen in time and your character has been brought here by a familiar that was able to bond with them. They'll have to learn magic to help save their own world from destruction, but first they've got to get them to Camelot. It is here that you have the first opportunity to decide who they will be in their new home. You'll have about an hour to wander around here, meet and greet, and pet the horses before it's time to go.

These carriages use fae technology that combats weight, so your character will be able to get in regardless of whether they're light as a feather or weigh two tons. The carts have air conditioning when it's hot, heating when it's cold, and a mystical shield to protect from bugs. There is also a mini-bar that pops out of the console with nip bottles. Characters can use their smartphones to connect to Camelot's internet service,

avalononline (AOL), to chat with other characters, watch dumb videos, learn about the world, contact Camelot Support (they'll answer any questions they can for you, from how to use a smart phone to where to find quests and resources to learn more about your magic). Be careful if you decide to use your phones while in the caravan-- if you don't use those earbuds and start forcing everyone to listen to your nonsense, Archimedes may make you walk.

C ⦿ The Red Spring

The journey from the White Cliffs to the City of Camelot is a long one, and the first evening you arrive you'll end up spending at the Red Spring, a booming resort town. Because of the volume of new arrivals and vacationers, inn rooms are assigned two-to-a-room. The rooms have two twin beds, a bathroom, a mini-fridge and microwave, and a TV equipped with a couple of entertaining video games and a few free movies.

If you don't want to relax in the room, try taking a dip in the spring for another chance to meet your fellow travelers. The waters have restorative properties that help horses and travelers recover quickly when drunk. It is known to relieve stress, improve energy levels, and mildly accelerate healing. It may be a little chilly when you get out though, so make sure you don't slip rushing back indoors when you get out!

The springs are also home to a large training grounds just outside town limits, where there are teachers who will teach basic magic safety and help you discover what kind of magic you have together with other new arrivals. Try target practice, obstacle courses, meditation circles, and other ways to try to figure out just what you can do... if you didn't already have an accidental discovery on the ride there.

Everyone needs a little fun from time to time; the locals have put together the annual Snow Games. As with all things Avalonians plan, magic plays a part in the competition. There will be three separate tiers for characters to enter. Each Tier will have its predetermined track or ring, set up and ready to go.

A ⦿ Foot Races

three-legged race

B ⦿ Sled Races

magically driven sleds

C ⦿ Snow Chicken

Snow Chicken, Magic Vs Yeti Style... This competition will differ from the previous two; it is not a race to the finish line but instead a competition to be the last team standing! Participants will pair off and one person will climb on the shoulders of the other and try to wrestle their opponents off without getting knocked off themselves. The field is full of snow, with more coming from the sky. Your opponents will be Yeti. Try to stay on, Yeti are no slouches so teams will have to work together using their magic not only to stay put but to knock your big-footed opponents to the ground.

Just... be wary, these friendly yeti are surprisingly big on hugging as a form of congratulations. It's much more challenging to escape from a yeti's embrace than it is to knock one over.

Trumpets hail an announcement by the town crier in front of the castle. More than a few people pull out their phones to record it and post it to the AOL network for all to see.

"Hear ye, hear ye! Our noblest of lords, King Arthur of Camelot, will host a tournament on this January the 20th on castle grounds. All are welcome to participate in competitions to determine those most skilled in both the physical and magical arts. In preparation for the upcoming tournament, we are sending envoys to Celliwig. In Celliwig lies the Magic Mirror of the South, gifted to Camelot by the Fae, and a means to communicate with their royal court at will. It is a vastly important task in your journey to become magicians and to show your good will toward the fairies. Parts of the mirror's frame have been damaged. We will need those brave of soul and pure of heart to retrieve the crystals needed to repair the mirror. Those interested, the party leaves at dawn."

A ⦿ Brave of Soul

The first stop on the trip to restore Celliwig's Mirror is to a cave just north of Albion's White Cliffs. No longer a part of the cliffs themselves, this outcropping goes underground and to a dank, dark cave. It is the only place which a special prismatic crystal grows. The crystal itself is hidden deep in the cave, which can only be passed by passing into a zone in which magic cannot be used. Characters will enter the cave and must face an illusion of one of their greatest fears. Those frozen in fear will pass out and wake up outside of the cave with no crystal. Those who run will find themselves turned out of the cave as well. Only those who recognize and face that fear deep in their soul will find the path forward. The fear will turn into a small light spirit, which will smile and reveal to them the crystals they seek.

B ⦿ Pure of Heart

The second stop is past a shanty town and at the bridge north of it. The bridge itself is broken, only the ends in existence. The water itself is impassible, white rapids sweeping away anything that steps into it. Silver crystals are on the other side of the bridge, visible in an outcropping from where they are, but it appears there is no way around as magic does not work on the bridge. The only clue as to how to get across is a plaque in the dirt before the bridge.

"The pure of heart will form the bridge with a leap of faith."

Since everyone has gone as a group, it will be possible to see others walking over the water once one person figures it out. Though the clue may seem challenging, it is quite straight-forward. Characters who are pure of heart will find that if they believe in themselves, they will be able to step off the bridge and hardlight will form beneath their feet to allow them to step over the water. Those with ill intentions or those who are willing to harm others to get their way will slip into the rapid waters and may need to be saved by other characters. At least you're off the bridge, so magic will work to that end.

C ⦿ Celliwig, the Splendored Court

As the travelers leave the bridge, they turn toward the shanty town-- wood shacks and failing farms. Not a place anyone would want to visit. Those who try to run ahead will find that it disappears as if an illusion, and they will find nothing. Those who stick with the party will wait a fair distance away until the sun sets. Once the sun begins to fall beyond the horizon, the small town will begin to shimmer brilliant whites and colors-- a glamour hiding its true glory, a city made solely of crystals and glass: Celliwig, the Splendored Court. Though smaller than Camelot, every part of the city is beautiful and glistening. The population is small and it's very quiet and serene for a city. The people of the city don't seem keen on speaking to outsiders, and will typically scatter before anyone can really engage them. They seem humanoid in nature, but not entirely human. Even the animals around the city seem to be ethereal in nature, gliding more than walking.

The party is led to a hall at the center of the city-- the hall of mirrors. Those who have succeeded in obtaining crystals need to bring them and set them on a table placed before a mirror at the end of the hall, which appears to have a number of empty settings. It's unclear what happened to the mirror previously, but now it's necessary to restore it to garner the favor of the fae.

Once crystals have been delivered, people will be free to explore the quiet city, but it seems most of the city is closing shop while the visitors are around. There is a restaurant that will serve visitors food, though all of the dishes are of the molecular gastronomy variety. Alcoholic drinks seem to come in vapor form and flashes of light if ordered, but seem effective nonetheless. The local general store seems to be willing to sell supplies to weary travelers as well, but that's about it.

...That said the inn doesn't seem particularly keen on allowing visitors in strangely, so you're either going to be sleeping on the iridescent streets or camping just outside the city if you prefer the soft grass and the darkness of night. Just be aware, if you leave, you won't be able to get back into this mysterious city so easily.

MOD NOTES:
• All test drive prompts are open to anyone in the game at any time to create your own logs with, but this post should have top-levels by potential new characters only. Current characters may reply to any threads, but should not top-level comment on this post.
• If your application is accepted, you may accept TDM threads as game canon as long as both players consent. Characters may begin threading as soon as their journal is accepted to the communities.
• If nothing here tickles your fancy, try one of this month's Quests for your TDM prompt.
• Note that the third prompt in this TDM will have consequences on the game's progression. After the application round, a poll will be put up to see how many characters who are in the game, both new and old, are able to obtain the crystals from the Brave of Soul and Pure of Heart prompts.
• The first "Arrival" prompts are present on every TDM, but may contain seasonal tweaks for flavor. All other prompts will change monthly.
• Questions about this TDM's content? Comment here! If you have a question about the game at-large, please head over to the FAQ.

*This Everwarm does not count toward your potion collection for those who wish to take up potion brewing. You must obtain Everwarm from the Elphame Trader's to count.
**Jackets come in a variety of neutral colors, enchanted with a fit-adjustment spell that will adjust to your character's size.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

♱ When my light burns out—

[ arrival, caravan | open | CW: mild Castlevania (animated series) spoilers ]

( Alucard couldn’t recall anything very remarkable happening between then, and arriving here; part of that would be his unwillingness to acknowledge anything around him in general, in those tense and quiet days after his castle became empty again, the trail of guidance and teachings cut to a sudden stop, a void where all of his thoughts and plans had begun to fill the negative space that had slowly been spilling through his days like a staining pool. what to do, now? what was there worth doing?

nothing, Alucard decided coldly. there was simply nothing worth the effort of doing.

he may not feel cold, but he certainly feels bitter; falling away from the world he belonged to (for better or, especially, worse) and into a strange place that suddenly ’needs him,’ cornering him out of a choice on the matter. a frozen universe — he could almost laugh. his own little universe had frozen over months ago, and his attempts to thaw it out only served to ice him down to the bone.

he’s self-aware to know that his internal reactions to this are in the realm of childish; he knows exactly why he would love to resist, to turn away from the call for his involvement, what does it matter, when so much of the world is rotten anyway. those weren’t always his thoughts.

they were his father’s…

Alucard is consumed in thought as he sits on his seat within the carriage, up against the window, one seat open beside him. your newly-arrived character might see the spot beside this brooding-looking man and, if that general vibe doesn’t deter you from sitting down, either intending to mind your own business, or to hook such a quiet-looking individual out of his depths and surface him with conversation, you might be moving yourself to plop right down next to him.

and...the most bizarre reaction might occur, not from Alucard, but the space around him: your character will bounce back, as if you’ve just dropped your weight against a large buoyant ball, despite the space beside the blond appearing completely empty… appearing being the operative term.

when your character ricochets right off of thin air, Alucard jerks with a snap of awareness, turning to look at them. surprise is present in his face, unaware of what has really occurred, and especially, his unknown hand in causing the reaction — but an instinct snaps from him and, once again without awareness or control, Alucard feels in his gut the urge to grasp the other person from falling into the row of seats on the other side of the caravan, and the people in them. whether Alucard’s unrefined kinetic instinct to grasp your character from recoiling backward succeeds or fails — is up to you.

because regardless of the outcome, Alucard will look your character over, unsure of what’s happening before him, and looking toward you with quizzical concern. ) Are you all right? ( the word choice might swell with kind-hearted worry...but his tone doesn’t cooperate with that intent. thankfully, the hollow and low quality in his tone keeps him from sounding too irritated at the strange disruption. )

♱ And when my fire is cold—

[ training grounds | open | CW: n/a ]

( Alucard feels the grim dog’s snout brush his idle hand. he thinks of Sypha and Trevor — trapped in that moment of suspension, is his guess. he wonders if whatever powers that be here are capable of making mistakes; pulling him here, and not them? they might have a better chance at returning the universe to the way it was if this place had called them, instead of him.

...Alucard doesn’t like the idea of them trapped in unknown time. he just doesn’t know how to reconcile such a responsibility. alone.

shared, as it seems to be. he looks across the group of refugees just like himself in this resort town, those who have come here to pursue information behind their newly-born gifts — the training fields. he watches quietly, standing away at a distance from others congregating with Avalonians and others who have been learning to understand their powers. Alucard looks down at the dark dog, shrouded as if by a black veil, present yet almost immaterial at their edges; he’s beginning to think he knows what his powers might have become, and they’re not entirely unfamiliar to him. it’s a useful ability to have...if he intends to assist this world in their pursuits.

does he, though?

he stands aside and watches some of the vaguely-familiar faces from the caravan beginning to test their abilities, meeting with more and more strangers that he would never have known. what will he decide to do?

—before he can get that far, Alucard senses something in his periphery, and in the pivoting moment between heartbeats, he realizes something is about to collide with him; an inanimate object, a burst of a rogue element, or even a weapon. he reacts quickly enough to bend out of the way, but the misfired attack also bounces off of the space around him, as well, purely an unintended reaction. the projectile lands sharply into the earth. when he straightens up again, Alucard’s expression is alert, and he scans the training fields for the source of the attack…hopefully unintended. )

♱ And when my breath is the wind, where will you be?

[ January quest: Bridge Trolls | open | CW: n/a ]

( Alucard isn’t even aware of there being a problem with trolls and bridges — once he gets to Camelot, he stays primarily in his small, minimalistic room, keeps to himself, and in the best of moments, observes the social media aspect of AOL, attempting to learn more about this place, but those bursts are always short. when he gets restless, he walks the streets only to get to where on the outskirts feature as little people as possible. he can forage and hunt for himself, and nestles instantly into a reclusive, low-key presence in Camelot for the initial days in the city, always in between waves of contemplation and mindless functionality.

farmlands always mean the potential for minor prey animals — rabbits looking to ruin someone’s garden, or streams nearby for fish to be found — and Alucard even considers interacting with someone long enough to barter for some vegetables… if he can’t find something suitable himself.

the plan is to roam into the wilderness beyond the farm lands, but on and attempt going west, Alucard finds a disruption along the way; a lost bridge, causing issue with the ability to travel, but more than that. a cluster of laborers, a couple dozen capable hands doing anything but work, lingering at a standstill. the lack of obvious logic captures Alucard’s attention, critical and wondering.

’trolls,’ Alucard hears them say. a couple of workers sit in the grass as if reeling, and they’re all talking with people and pointing in the direction of the bridge. he doesn’t know about any requests or contracts to dispatch the trolls when he approaches (still at some cautious distance,) but given his stature and long sword on his belt, it...might be absolutely possible to mistake Alucard for a do-gooder showing up to kick some trolls off of this defunct bridge. you can’t be blamed to mistakenly assume, and approach him as such. great, you were JUST discussing that they need someone to lure the trolls down from the bridge, or maybe you have that part covered, and seeing someone show up carring a bladed weapon was exactly the missing piece you needed for the fight. bark your orders, noble-minded person! )

plot with me! PM @ crucifixate | EMP @ here | plurk @ plasticlove | discord @ ghoulette#8643

[Well, score one for Alucard's catlike reflexes, because what he winds up grabbing and catching is — not a fellow human at all, actually, but a kitten-sized black cat who somehow manages to put on an expression of being utterly miffed at the weird kinetic disturbance, despite being...y'know. An actual cat.

Regardless, there he is, dangling from the red bandana tied around his neck, paws and legs askew. He probably would've landed on his feet, if he'd had the chance to land at all, but as it is, he's only getting out of this if he starts wiggling, and he doesn't seem particularly inclined to do that.]

Nice catch.

[...Says the apparently talking cat, now, though it's less that the sound is actually leaving his mouth and something more on the level of telepathy. It doesn't make his "tone" any less dry or deadpan for it, though.]

Mind putting me down? This isn't exactly comfortable, you know.

( Alucard genuinely scans around the space in the carriage briefly, because he really expects the comment to be coming from an onlooker, not a rogue cat that...what, just jumped at him? something about that assumption quickly doesn't seem air-tight to him as soon as it crosses his mind.

he takes another look at the cat, suspended in the air, just as that accusation is leveled at him, and confusion only builds. ) Me? What exactly are you—

( and the moment that self-awareness dawns to question if he truly is the culprit, the hold releases. Alucard straightens slightly, breathing in, realization awakening in him. the sensation is so familiar, but the power doesn't feel quite as innate as he remembers it being. it's the difference between wielding a tool and his own limb; not only does the ability feel oddly separated from him, but as if he can't guide it as he expects to.

it's startling, but moreover— ) I realize I am questioning my own sanity at a more than regular basis these days...

Which means the only options I can conjure are that you're either speaking to me, or this entire place truly is evidence that I've lost it, and more thoroughly than I thought was possible. ( worry not, Alucard was wondering that possibility the moment he surfaced the water and was met with a woman in the lake with a complimentary potion. honestly, if this is his loss of mental facilities, he probably deserves this. )

[With a soft thump, he lands on his feet, as cats are wont to do. His tail flicks a bit, mildly annoyed, but he seems to shake off the indignation soon enough and peers up at Alucard instead.]

Well, I see it, too, so if this place is the proof that you've lost it, then it looks like we're both in the same boat.

[Says an actual cat, reasonably.]

You're not crazy for thinking you hear me talk, though. That's really me. I've been able to talk to people like this ever since I died. ...Which was way before I got here, so I'm not saying you're dead right now. Just that I was, once.

Yes, but if you were a figment of my madness, I expect that is exactly what you might say. ( listen, Alucard isn't trying to be contrarian...it's just that...sometimes he is. (this time, it's over a genuine concern. madness is not knowing that you've gone mad.)

ah, but how curious is that, for a 'reassurance'? ) You're undead? ( okay, that is something Alucard is familiar enough with to conceptualize with ease. raising the dead isn't his expertise, but he knew his father had an old associate who was rumored to have the ability to reconstruct the deceased. not to the most ideal results. moreover, they weren't always so cognizant at a sophisticated level as this, which suggests to Alucard that this is a different sort than he's familiar with. ) How are you aware of how long ago your death was? ( less demand for evidence, more...curiosity. afterlife, perhaps, or remained as a spirit? existential matters are not, strictly, mutually-exclusive with all that he has learned and understood of the supernatrual. heavy overlap, yes, but also easily bypassable when studying goblins and how running electricity works. )

Maybe. But if you were really crazy, don't you think you'd have more important things to focus on than convincing yourself a cat could talk? Not that I know much about it. It just seems like a strange thing to land on.

[Somewhat instinctively, the cat stretches, his tail flicking as limb by limb he shakes his muscles out.]

I spent a while as a ghost. It turns out that's what happens if you die in a particular unusual way, which I did. So then I just kept track of time, the same way anyone else would.

[There's a pause.]

Well. I can't actually tell time. But I pay attention when other people talk about it, so it works out to basically the same thing.

[It's distraction pure and simple that brings Ashi to her chosen seat. She'd spent much of the time between emerging from that frozen lake and subsequently drying off both acquainting herself with her familiar and likewise with the horses drawing the carriage. She wouldn't call herself an animal lover but the least she could do is thank them for the ride much as she had done with the bird that aided her back in her own time.

So now she was finally getting around to the task of looking over the device handed to her when they all began. The little things that went with it -- earbuds, she had been told -- were pocketed in the cape now draped over her shoulders and upper body. She's in the middle of holding that device in both hands, tapping at it with her thumbs for now and so concentrated she simply looks up for a free seat and then goes to plop herself squarely in it.

Then she immediately bounces upward. She jerks with her own snap of awareness then, confusion overtaking her concentrated expression. Both hands tighten on her device and aware that she's likely to go forward or backward she tries to judge which way her momentum is going so she can counteract it by going the opposite and--

She stops just as suddenly as she started, blinking upward at the ceiling of the carriage. The bounce was enough to send her ladybug familiar into startled flight from it's former comfortable spot in the fuzz of her cape's collar. It circles around Ashi's head a moment before it eventually lands, a bright spot of red against the black of her hair.

It isn't until Alucard speaks that Ashi actually looks over at him with round eyes. All is quiet from her for a beat or two and then she replies in a clearly confused tone.]

Are these sorts of seats always this ... bouncy?

( flat in expression, one lone eyebrow floats up from Alucard's gaze, staring at the woman. ) I...can't say that they are.

( he moves his attention to the seat beside him, and anything about this slowly-awakening ability completely retreats — leaving the seat completely open, which is demonstrated by him moving a hand to press into the seat vacantly at his side. nope, just a normal seat...

unless...it's not the seat. it doesn't feel like his powers that he has always known — and he's assessed himself enough since crawling out of the lake to know that something about him had been changed, or more accurately, taken away, and Archimedes only could confirm as much. his abilities drained out of him and given charitibly to a world he didn't agree to come to. lovely.

but this feels like a slippery fish trying to be caught in a river by hand. luckily, Alucard still thinks he could perform that task successfully, but this — is this what magic he has? why doesn't it feel so familiar to him? )

Perhaps it's me... ( tone low and wondrous as he stares down at his hand... maybe it is him who is bouncy. (no, that's not what he meant, but that is definitely what it sounds like he said.) )

[Maybe it isn't the right thing to say in the moment suspended in the air as she might be through a magic apparently even the wielder himself doesn't thoroughly understand but there's nothing there to stifle her first amused reply.]

You're bouncy?

[She doesn't laugh or any such but there's enough of a quirk of her lips and a lilt in her voice to suffice. Maybe she's spent far too much time around Jack and his odd sense of humor...

Her solid black hands drift down to where she thinks she might feel the grasp of whatever it is that's still holding her up. Or would if there was anything solid there.]

I'm going with it definitely being you. New abilities?

[Surprisingly she can relate to that. Both since arriving and before arriving.]

( it's just as he's looking down at the black dog at his side — large, shrouded, their edges masked in inky, slow tendrils of smoky darkness, almost lacking in dimensional details at most angles aside from two flat, round, glowing eyes, which are currently on the young woman — that she says something that snags his attention.

not the part about new abilities, though.

Alucard's head swings back around to her, confused first before spreading back with perplexed surprise. ) What? No, that isn't what I... ( he doesn't even know what to say, its absurdity is so palpable that it feels moot, and yet... please forgive him, this over-serious and disaster-riddled young man who hasn't heard a joke or even just something so harmlessly silly in weeks.

new abilities, she asks, and with that, the black dog barks softly — if 'barking' is what it could be called, the rumbling-low gruff sound that comes from the familiar. whatever the sound constitutes as, it cues a change, and the capturing pressure holding her breaks away. )

I apologize — I didn't realize. ( it isn't that he doesn't seem genuine, but Alucard definitely does seem preoccupied by the discovery. he was told that magic would be planted within him, with no more explanation than that; and now that he's seen it happen, he still feels as though he isn't understanding it. at least something about it still feels...familiar to him. he did practice it as it was, where he comes from.

but it forces him to think about its manifestation here and now — the force made around him, the active rejection on a stranger who just tried to move into his space, and the symbolism is as subtle as the sun in the sky. surprise and shame make him...softer, self-aware and rather guilty for it. he feels exposed, as if any of his reasons, perceivable or not, have been laid out to be read. as if that's actually occurring (it probably isn't...unless?) and as if Alucard can atone for this mishap, he makes a gesture: ) If you decide to sit, I can endeavor not to interrupt you again.

...Hopefully. ( still, there's something amusing, or perhaps Alucard just hopes this can be played off as a laugh, totally not serious, don't think about it to much. (coming from the person thinking about it too much.) )

'Bout time someone else showed up.

[And this man looks capable, too. Tall, looks kinda dead inside, has a sword way too damned long -- everything that pretty much screams "prepared to skewer some trolls". Honestly, the man could pass for a noble, and here he is.

Alas, Abbacchio does make the assumption that he's here to lend a hand. He doesn't see any other reason why blondie would be here.]

There's a pretty easy solution to all this, depending on how good you are with your sword there.

( the sheer amount of attitude that oozes from Alucard as he tilts his head at the white-haired stranger is enough to snap a lesser man's neck. Alucard doesn't appear pleased to be addressed as if he's just walked in on a conversation that he wasn't part of, and never looked to be involved in.

a pretty easy solution — and Alucard has the brain stem to connect dots in the rough shape of a hideous bridge troll. he didn't sign up for this (gee, isn't that the statement of the decade) and at this point, with any pending threat that ever concerned him gone, he looks at the man with unrestrained refutation. )

No end to the assumptive volunteering in this place. Does anyone ever get a say in what they do here, or am I simply special? ( good news is, Alucard can manage, at best, to sound mostly bored. the bad news is...well...his attitude in general. just, all of it.

this can't possibly go badly. )

Oh trust me, you're not special. But if you aren't here to lend a hand, then piss off, huh?

[It's entirely possible that Abbacchio could have responded in a better way, and very well might have if the blond man's attitude was better adjusted. Hard to say, though. Maybe Abbacchio just instinctively has a tough time with blonde assholes who are sons of vampires.

Either way, he waves off the other man.] Fine, then. I'll figure it out myself.

( Alucard can't decide which is more astounding: the assumption of involvement in something that he feels childishly resistant about, or that being tailed-off by a sudden rejection of his presence at all. Alucard isn't prideful in the way that narcissists are, but...he is still young, stubborn, and high in standard.

(maybe you just can't be raised as a half-vampire prince and be fully humble every time. maybe you just can't.)

obviously, no one's response here is winning any awards in polite conduct, even if isolated in a vacuum. Alucard's brow deepens down over his equally-narrowing stare. the bend in his lip is sour. ) Perhaps you might give me a reason to bother, and I might reconsider.

( the bitterness of his tone might be enough of a contrast to suggest he's only sniping back, very mature of him. however...it might be the most ironic statement from someone who's going out of his way to stay uninvolved and remain pissed off about it, especially as...the response group probably needs to lure the trolls off the damaged bridge.

sure would be unfortunate if Alucard had to fight one of these bridge trolls for any other reason... the shine off of his bladed weapon might even be enough to begin luring one of them down in a magpie-spirited rampage. )

You're a real winner, huh.

[There's a tsk from Abbacchio, and he turns his head to glare at the blonde man from over his shoulder. He's gazing over him again, as if slowly piecing together what kind of person he is in the next few seconds.]

I don't know how I should explain to you that people need a fucking bridge to get to where they're going. These guys can't fix it if there are those trolls around. Without the bridge, people can't get to work on the farms. Without farms, there's no food.

But hey, if you feel like starving some people, that's your business, isn't it?

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crucifixate - 2021-01-13 22:40 (UTC) - Expand

[Judging from the sigh of relief that quickly follows, that was indeed an accident. This isn't the first time Regis has acted as an instructor here. He's one of the few newcomers to become quite accumulated with the magic of this realm. While he still has yet to unlock the mysteries of all the elements, Regis has become a well-known figure in Camelot thanks to his sorcery. However, the old king seems to struggle with teaching others. Magic is something that always came naturally to him thanks to his Lucian heritage but teaching others how to wield such sorcery baffles him.]

I suppose it would do us well to take a break.

[He announces to the others with a halfhearted smile. Despite his somewhat stoic appearance, Regis isn't as grim as he seems. He waits for the others to disperse before turning his attention towards the blond with an apologetic smile.]

Forgive for that paltry display. You were not the intended target.

( Alucard isn't looking for the culprit so much as he is looking for the source; his stance is angled, joints loosened to move or to block, prepared — but not on full guard, not in the anticipation of an attack. a group on the field appears to begin dispersing in an idle manner, and one man breaks away from them to move in his direction — to him, it becomes clear, but only once he's taken enough steps into his direction to make the approach unmistakable.

the apology feels mostly formal, but doesn't lack in intention. Alucard's expression softens with mild surprise, awareness given back to the man, some bruised remnant of mirth bending his brow. ) That's a refreshing concept. ( said quietly and barely outward from himself, it could almost go missed in the space between them.

the man exudes something respectable about him without being a profuse aura of personality; Alucard can feel it in his reflexes that he, on approach, would prefer to pull back and turn away now...

but he had come here on his own two feet, and had he truly desired isolation, he would have kept walking. relaxing as he rests his weight on his arms on a logged fence insinuating more of a perimeter than security, chooses to attempt something, to extend himself rather than retreat. ) Are you an instructor here?

[Whether Nero counts as a 'noble-minded person' is dubious at best; it's more like he's bored, needs money, and likes fighting. So of course he shows up to smack some trolls around, his demonic horse familiar trotting after him. The farmers help by pointing him in the right direction, but one look at the horse and they're otherwise giving him a wide berth.

When Nero notices a man with a sword seems to have beaten him to the punch, he calls over to him.]

Hey, I don't remember calling for backup. Or are you here to steal the reward under my nose? That's not nice, you know.

( hey, getting that bread is still pretty noble...no complaints here.

mostly because Alucard isn't involved, or invested. which is exactly why he has been hand-picked for this exact scenario, in this precise moment.

he's planting his heel to pivot around, his mind set on taking off on his very-unmerry way, but a voice hits his ear, and he has a terrible, irritable feeling pinging at the base of his head from the pitch of it, as if those words were being, unbelievably, lobbed at him out of everyone here. couldn't be him, the only guy here who showed up unbeknownst of the little bridge drama occurring today...

Alucard sighs, and with a bored expression, shifts a glance. unbelievably does not mean impossibly, demonstrated by the discovery that a short-haired man is calling at him directly as he approaches with...a very demonic looking horse. it's a little surreal to see something here that is somehow vaguely familiar to Alucard. )

I beg your pardon. ( any emphasis from inflection is completely missed in his reply. it doesn't...really come off as a question at all. the dark, misty-shrouded dog, large and lumbering yet willowy all the same, stands at his side, odd eyes glowing and unmoving, head lowered as if weary. ) Neither is it very becoming to thrust accusations blindly, since we're on the topic—

( but since they're on the topic, one that looks like will become quickly barbed and thorned if not full-blown heated, it's certain that Alucard isn't fully aware that the trolls on the bridge are now...stirring. seems they've detected some uninvited visitors themselves, either between the ooh-shiny blade at Alucard's hip, or perhaps the ominous but intriguing glow off of the bizarre-looking horse. either lured or threatened, one begins stepping off of the bridge and onto this side of the land. he doesn't look friendly. (do any trolls, though?)

sure would be awful if either of these valiant heroes notice while they're...conducting what looks like a completely mature, civil discussion... )

[The horse beside Nero tosses its head in agitation as it spots the trolls on the move, but Nero either doesn't notice or doesn't bother to give them any attention. He's looking Alucard up and down and letting out a short laugh.]

Not very becoming of you to dodge the question, either. [Nero grins, sighs, and reaches for the sword on his back.] If you're not here for the quest, beat it. You're gonna get in the way.

[It hadn't taken Lucy long to figure out which magic she got, animal. She'd heard the ice turtles as though they were speaking human language, and then she'd heard her two pet dogs that were brought along with her. What she did not expect was that she could turn into animals, so it came as a great surprise when she learned about that from the instructors at the training ground.

Lucy decided to transform into a sparrow to give flying a try. It was exhilarating--until she couldn't figure out how to stop. There was nothing for her little bird feet to grab onto in midair and to use as breaks. She came in like a bullet towards a man, and she twittered frantically to try and warn him. Thankfully, he bends out of the way, but then Lucy feels herself crash into something (although she's sure there wasn't anything there). She cries in a high-pitched chirp upon impact, landing on her back, wings spread, and bird feet sticking straight up.

After a moment of just laying there dazed, Lucy is able to transform back into her original shape, revealing the two white horns poking through her pink hair as she slowly sits up with a groan and rubs at her forehead.]

Urgh, damn it...

[That hurt, but she supposes that she owes the man an apology. Her red-colored eyes flick up at him.]

Uh, sorry. I couldn't figure out how to stop.

( Alucard hadn't gotten a good look at what had come careening at him, on account of self-preservation, but the black dog isn't shy to approach for a curious observation first. her dazed delay buys Alucard just enough time to look up, look over, and give a quizzical stare of consideration at the small creature that he just narrowly avoided. (or, did they narrowly avoid him?

thankfully, despite how strange the concept is overall — the moment that the bird changes and shifts, physical form expanding out to the size of an entire person, more times the capacity in size than the matter of a sparrow should warrant...Alucard's expression shifts with realization. this is somehow normal for him to be hit with.

well, in a way, at least. he's never had someone in animal form come barreling at him head-first. )

How to stop—? ( which one, being a bird, or flying? the reason why Alucard doesn't complete the sentence is...because he thinks it must have been both. he moves closer, kneeling down beside his familiar, leaning in to look her face over for signs of injury (another thing he's...pretty familiar with...for multiple reasons, really.) ) Well, you've managed it anyway, for better or worse...

Are you injured?

Yeah. I've never flown before, let alone as a bird. They make it look so simple.

[To Lucy, his rather "normal" reaction tells her that he either came from a world that already knew of magic, or had plenty of other, crazier things in it. Not that his reaction bothers her. Better than him laughing at her.]

No. My head's sore from the impact, but that should go away if I take it easy for now.

[Her forehead's slightly red where she hit herself, but other than that, there's no injuries. The only thing that's bruised is her pride.]

It's just weird, because I don't remember seeing what I crashed into. I could've sworn there was nothing there after you moved out of the way. It was like I hit an invisible wall or something.

[Lucy's own familiar, a hainu, or winged dog (about the size of a golden retriever), glides over to where everyone is gathered, stopping and landing much more gracefully than her partner. The hainu sniffs at the black dog curiously, but maintains a respectful distance.]

( aaand here comes the dose of unforgiving realism that no one asked for; at least when Alucard responds, his tone is painlessly neutral. ) After constant effort, practice, and natural selection. I'm certain we make walking look effortless to them in turn.

( not bad for a 'well, actually' moment, and mostly because Alucard might be a capable and natural pedant, he isn't snide by nature. in fact, the heart of his reply might just qualify for...an attempt to reassure, perhaps? don't feel bad, birds have to learn how to fly, too. )

You should lie here for a few moments, before moving. You've hit your head. ( which...this person probably knows, but Alucard remembers his mother's teachings, especially the incredible perils of head injury. should he brace their neck, he wonders, head tilting and pale gaze roaming over her head, mulling over the ideal course of action...

and then she says something that could be mistaken for mundane; of course most people wouldn't know what they might have just run head-first into, usually by the affect of the impact.

but...considering the day that Alucard has just had, when she comments on the phenomenon of hitting an invisible wall, he immediately wonders... )

That may have been me. ( it's said with the vaguest amount of self-awareness, an almost guilty sort. the grim gives the hainu a glance of acknowledgement, calm and unthreatened, but doesn't make any show of returned intrigue. almost as if the dog were immeasurably old, nearly to a point of agelessness. ) Unintentionally; I came here to see if someone is versed in kinetic magic. I've known it before, but here in this place, it's...different. ( he learned to use it as a tool outside of himself; now it's innate, shrouded behind his subconscious mind, a piece of him he's not seen, doesn't know the shape of. it's...particularly frustrating, given the fact that he used to practice it before. )

Err... Yeah, that's true.

[It's not like she expected him to baby her (she would have been irritated if he had), but wow. He took her comment seriously when she really just meant to casually throw it out there. Still, she's not going to rebuke him, because that is true. Even with her original powers, it took time for her to truly master them.]

Right, that would probably be for the best right now.

[She's still not feeling anything other than soreness, but it wouldn't do if she made it worse by overexerting herself too soon. She could no longer defend herself with just a thought. She had to be alert.

At the mention of kinetic magic, however, she perks up, lifting one brow in interest.]

Oh? I'd heard there was kinetic magic here, too. I also knew it beforehand. It sounds similar to my original powers yet different in some parts.

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TEST DRIVE MEME ⚔️️ 3

adrian ❝alucard❞ țepeș — castlevania (netflix series) — ota

when my light burns out

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when my light burns out

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hi sorry about the delay! but i'm here!

and when my breath is the wind, where will you be

oh this is going to be awful, i love it

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And when my fire is cold—

forgive the wait! but now that i officially go here... uwu

when my breath is the wind

SORRY FOR THE WAIT but i live here now so lets be friends forever

sorry for the wait in return! and welcome welcome

and when my fire is cold (Lucy)

forgive the delay, but i'm here officially, so let's go!

\o/

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