TEST DRIVE MEME ⚔️️ 4

[avalonmods]

{ QUICK NAV } Premise ⚔️️ Rules ⚔️️ FAQ ⚔️️ Taken ⚔️️ Reserves ⚔️️ Apply ⚔️️ Locations ⚔️️ Bestiary ⚔️️ Top-Levels Only ⚔️️ 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. It's a fast process, as they no longer have to collect possessions and pets from drowning in the waters, so they're only needing to go around hitting the ice that keeps forming on the surface with their shells to keep the surface open for the falling arrivals. 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** and tell them to "Check the Shit Box." The "Shit Box" refers to wardrobe more formally known as the Wardrobe of Finding, a hammerspace-like wardrobe that opens to each person's items and pets when the person touches the handle. It was recently enchanted by Merlin to prevent people from having to fish their waterlogged possessions and pets out of the water with them. From there, Archimedes directs everyone to settle in groups into modernized carriages pulled by horses and gives 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. For the month of February: there are complimentary chocolates placed on the pillows that make you feel warm and fuzzy when you eat them, all the rooms have been temporarily redecorated after hearing about Valentine's Day after an announcement about an upcoming Valentine's concert to be held by the off-worlders. They wanted to celebrate love too, and help the newcomers feel welcome! Unfortunately, this means that the two-person bedrooms only have one bed this month... maybe you can get a roll-away? 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. As the snows give way to rain and the cold persists across Avalon, it may seem as if some of the local businesses are suddenly short-staffed. A favorite spot might have shorter hours, longer wait times. Whatever it is, it seems that there are fewer Avalonians as the days go on. It is not long before there are signs posted outside local businesses and every clinic, there is an illness striking the populace and adventurers seem to be immune. While the healers can cure this malady, they are short on supplies and some of them are not easy to obtain. All are urged to take up a task and gather these ingredients. Anyone who does obtain one or more of the required ingredients will be given a Fairy-blessed Tincture of Wellbeing from one of the faeries who stayed behind after the tournament. It is said to bring healing no matter where you are when you sprinkle it on the ground in front of you. (Note: The tincture will teleport the nearest healing mage to your location. This information is not included with the tincture... surprise!) A ⦿ Ingredient One: A Can of Sprite Sprites can be found in and around Avalon, and thankfully so. The first task is to obtain a small can of magic dust from a sprite's wings. Now an adventurer may think to capture and take this by force, but be wary: sprites always travel in packs and will be so inclined to curse any would-be attackers dance till they drop, literally. Sprites are mischievous sorts with a wry sense of humor and can be quite fond a flower which grows near the Red Springs called the Cinnabar Paper Bush. Bring them a bouquet and beg for their cooperation, but be cautious of breathing in the flower's pollen-- the sprites will not warn your character that it's a potent ingredient in probability spells, so breathing it in may cause sudden repeated visions of 15 seconds of a potential future based on every choice your character could make in a particular situation. Getting out of the pollen's effects takes a full day of going through visions of parallel possibilities if there's no one to help you, and the sprites will be long gone by then. You'll need another adventurer to use their magic to get you out of this or prevent the pollen from spreading... good luck. B ⦿ Ingredient Two: Deez Nuts Within the Brocéliande there grows a certain tree. Even in winter, this tree produces tiny star shaped nuts that when ground into a powder are a key ingredient in many healing tinctures. However, the nuts are coveted by the wildlife for they taste quite sweet when eaten straight from the tree. Adventurers are tasked with entering the woods and retrieving baskets full of these tiny nuts. A warning was given to not go unarmed, those animals can be very protective of their food supply and they are rumored to be coveted by the Bear Fir, who won't hesitate to come for you. A warning to the wise: do not eat them yourself. They can be quite tempting. A tiny call will induce the desire to devour all of them, burrowing deep within your conscious. Not only would an adventurer fail their task but they would fall gravely ill for a period of two days. With these obstacles in mind, it may be best to team up and go at this task together to make sure everyone comes out alive and well. C ⦿ Ingredient Three: Wait, isn't that a Pokémon? The hills to the south-east of the Red Spring are home to the elusive Hill Trolls, who never leave their hills, but like to engage with any traveler who does come through. Most try to avoid them as they are extremely rude in every way. However, for this particular remedy, there is special bluegrass known as poliwag grass, so named because the seer who discovered this unique grass had seen the creatures it is named for in an alternate world and found them endearing. The catch? Only the Hill Trolls know now wherein the hills the small patches of this grass can be found. Adventurers are tasked with entering the hills, engaging the Trolls, and requesting a guide to the grass. Avalonians will advise doing anything the troll asks of you, it’s the only way to appease them and get the prize. Characters will be set about various household and yard chores by the Hill Trolls, who will lead them to believe that this grass will take several days journey to reach and they simply can not leave their home and yard in such a state when on a long trip like that. Make sure to complete all your tasks, though, try not to be too angry when once their yard and home are spotless the Hill Troll produces a satchel of poliwag grass straight from their cupboard. They didn’t say you had to go on the trip with them and they will need to replenish their supply after, so they're not apologizing for anything. A video is sent to everyone's devices, a strong magic spell making certain that it opens. Morganna's face appears. Morganna, after all, is to be listened to when she speaks. She seems to be looking at her nails as the recording starts, not looking at her captive audience.

”"As infamous as Arthur and Merlin are, there are many magics they are unfamiliar with. They live in the realm of basic magics, the ones you all have touched and trifled with. But there are skills you will need in the future that require something a little stronger. Now if you came to me seeking spells, I would ask a fair price, dears... but it is my universe you are all saving too, so I will offer you a taste." She finally looks directly into the screen. Despite that it's just a recording, it looks as if she's looking directly into your soul. She sees you even without you responding. Her lips curl up in a little smile, friendly and yet mischievious. "Magic is stronger when more than one person performs it. Where you would be able to toss fire, you could create a fire tornado or rip the earth until it spits the fires of hell up as lava. To perform this kind of magic, you must be entirely in sync with your partners. Of one mind, of one movement. Open the attachment and it will place a memory of how to perform Synchronic Magic with a partner into your mind. It will still take practice, of course. Baby steps."

Magic-infused technology is a hell of a thing-- those who listen after the video ends and open up the attachment will find themselves rapidly flooded with what amounts to an instructional video and a visual sample of witches moving exactly in sync. After a little finger painting on each other's face and collar bones and some deep meditation while performing the spell, the caster of the spell will have complete control over the movements of the person the spell is cast upon. For the duration of the spell, the person who the spell was cast upon will mentally reside in the caster's head outside of their body. Their body will do anything the caster's does. For this particular version of the spell to work, it requires the consent of the person it's being cast upon, though there are other forms of the spell that do not that are not. With that knowledge, get practicing. A ⦿ We Succeed Together When a goddess gives instructions to learn something, you learn it, and so some of the locals have set up meditation tents at one of Camelot City's parks. The tents are filled with incense, steam, and have a spell cast on them to provide relaxing sounds-- babbling brook, yoga music, rain on the ocean, a crackling fireplace, the cries of your enemies, the relaxing sound of change falling from your favorite plinko machine... It will respond to your emotions and find the sound that's most relaxing to you to help you clear your mind. If you trust the person you're with, the spell will go smoothly and you'll be able to perform the much simpler practice spell provided in the tent: a shadow dance. Follow the dance steps around the circle on the floor of the tent; shadows will begin dancing along the walls of the tent outside of their light source. Your shadows will be able to separate from your feet and travel without you once the dance is completed. It will return after completing whatever task you need from it. If you need some help developing your trust in the other person, try playing a game of twenty questions or partaking in some of the sparkling ginger shots in front of you-- they've got a heated kick to them that's sure to warm you up and make you fire out a secret to the person you're sharing the tent with. B ⦿ We Fail Apart If you aren't perfectly in sync with your partner to cast Synchronic Magic, all kinds of things can go wrong. People who do not trust each other may end up accidentally sealing the tents shut and trapping themselves inside until they tell each other a secret they've told no one else, thus forcing them to trust each other. People believe the exact opposite at their core could end up temporarily body swapping with their partner until they wipe off the body paint and break the spell. And of course, even if you're completely on the same page and the person controlling both bodies has two left feet, a mistake in the shadow dance could cause the shadows to enter your eyes, turning both of your vision to complete darkness until you've been in sunlight for about 15 minutes straight. I hope you weren't practicing at night. C ⦿ Loss and Gain After performing the Synchronic Magic, magicians of all kinds are going to feel a little strange. It's a magic outside of their field of expertise used to perform further magics, after all, and they've shared their essence with another person to perform it. There's a chance that characters are going to feel very alone after being separated from the synchronic magic. Alone, tired, and wanting to feel connected again even if you're normally the lone wolf type. Synchronic magic makes you feel connected to others in a way that's hard to do otherwise, and without it it leaves a sense of loss and disconnect. It's not a side-effect that was discussed ahead of time, but the citizens of Camelot have prepared for it for anyone who wishes to stick around after their spellcasting. After the magic is done, at the center of the tented area, everyone is invited to gather around a huge, prismatic bonfire taking place in the center of the park that the tents had been set up in. The bonfire is filled with flames of all colors, like a prism reflecting light and warmth, and acts as a beacon for casters' shadows to find their owners and reconnect with them. It also is enchanted to encourage affectionate feelings. This may inspire people to be more... touch-friendly than normal, wanting to hug and hold onto or simple be shoulder-to-shoulder with the people around them. These feelings can easily be fought even if they're present, but fulfilling them will help to eliminate the sense of loss from the synchronic spell ending. At the end of the night, little rainbow fireflies will begin to fly away from the flames, having been hatched within them, and fly off into the night as the flames turn to embers, and then to charcoal. It is said that if you catch a rainbow firefly, you can make a wish on it, and when let go they will take those wishes to the heavens with them. Some wishes may actually be granted, so if your character has a wish, submit it here. 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. • The first "Arrival" prompts are present on every TDM, but contain seasonal tweaks for flavor. All other prompts will change monthly. (This month, please check updated method of inventory collection at the Rent-a-Ride and the "February Special" rooms at the Red Spring.) • The Shadow Dance Ritual is a form of advanced dark magic; this means that yes, after significant practice, a dark magic user may be able to do this on their own with only their own shadow. Even if your character isn't a dark mage, they can do a ritual to perform out-of-discipline magic. More information on rituals and how to unlock them will come in the future! • Please comment with wishes regardless of new/current member status if you want to participate! :) • 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.

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Agrias Oaks | Final Fantasy Tactics

[cleansingstrike]

[1. The Caravan to Camelot]

[While Agrias is a seasoned and traveled warrior, she unfortunately comes from an age that knows little of such machinery. These... "smart phones" and "earbuds" are sadly beyond her realm of familiarity.

She stares at the items with a mixture of curiosity and frustration.

What exactly is their purpose?

They seem not at all useful to her upon first glance.

Such a bother.]

You there, might I ask for but a moment of your time?

[Please just tell her what these things are for.]

'Tis embarrassing to ask, but might I know... the purpose of these trinkets?

[She holds up said "phone" and "earbuds".]


2. [The Red Spring]

[Two individuals, yet only one bed. For some, this would be quite the dilemma. For Agrias, the answer is simple.]

The bed is yours. I shall sleep upon the floor.

[She didn't hesitate at all.]

Worry not. I assure you, a roof over my head is more than enough comfort.

I've spent many a night with only the stars and trees as my company.


3. [Ingredient Two]

[Agrias would've made a liar of herself had she not admitted at the temptation that compelled her to make a meal of the nuts. Simply put, however, she disregarded such thoughts through sheer force of will. The chore had been trusted to her, and a knight would not betray that trust.

To yield when she had never yielded before...

What would that make of her?]

T'would seem as though we've gathered the necessary amount. Let us make haste and return the spoils.

[Her traveling partner, on the other hand, does not seem to have as nearly an iron will as hers...]

Hold there. I would ask your intent, and remind you of what we have been tasked.


[WILDCARD]

[Hit me up and I'll reply in kind!]

iii

[compendiem]

[ Minato's hand is halfway to his mouth, tiny nut pinched between his fingers and frozen in space when Agrais tells him to hold, though his hand slowly, sheepishly, drifts on down while the seconds pass and he contemplates how to answer her.

His stomach saves him the trouble by growling, just then. ]

...Not even one?

[cleansingstrike]

Even for such a small portion, that I cannot allow.

[Her response is stern, to the point.]

I shan't chastise you, however. I understand not how, only that the thought of indulging remains ever-present.

Why not give yon share to me?

I'll not give in to such temptations.

[compendiem]

[ When he has food in front of him, indulgence usually is at the forefront of his mind, so that he doesn't even realize this thought is more pervasive than usual. For as much as they've collected and how much grows right out in the wild, there doesn't seem to be any harm in eating just one—

But Agrias' conviction isn't something Minato can brush off either, and he finds himself holding his handful of nuts out for Agrias to take. ]

If you're confident in your strength of will, sure. Maybe we should make a piggybank or something like that... a container we can toss these in, but can't be easily removed.

[cleansingstrike]

Rest assured, I've never once broken my word. And I make no plans to begin on this day.

[The temptation is there.

Always present.

Always... gnawing at her thoughts.

Yet Agrias refuses to give in. It's a simple request, and she has resigned herself to it's completion. On her honor, she would.]

Ah, your idea is sound! Have we tools at the ready for such?

[compendiem]

Impressive...

[ And he means it, for as honest as he tries to be and how he goes out of the way to keep his own promises, sometimes he gets hungry and wants to eat a nut. He looks at the way they're cupped in Agrias' hands after he's passed them along, and tries to think of whether they have the means to make his idea into reality, digging through his pockets and finding—- ]

Maybe this? After it's emptied out.

[ He produces a little vial of liquid, given to him by Morganna that he hasn't gone around to delivering yet. The neck of the bottle looks narrow enough that any nuts stuffed inside won't fall out very easily, and it's the best he has without actually creating something new himself. ]

[ wildcard - loss and gain ]

[ofnovalue]

[ She had not participated in the magicks, having a distinct discomfort with the whole process that she just couldn't make herself get over long enough to partner up or enter any of the tents. In the end, she still felt like she was sleepwalking through this world, only half-understanding its realty, still just thinking of herself as a wandering ghost unable to find true rest or calm.

The prismatic flames, their colors dancing over the clearing, over the others, over herself, drew her in. It felt so strange, to be bathed in such an ethereal light as that. Surely it was a more kind magick, that she might even reach for it, and find herself unburned. It definitely help calm her anxious heart... but she also just felt profoundly alone.

... Until she followed the sparkling light... and there she was. ]

Ser Agrias!

[ She might have been illusion. She might have been hallucination. She didn't care. At that point she just didn't care. She ran towards the knight, nearly tripping over her skirt, crashing into them with her full weight... ]

[cleansingstrike]

[Agrias was one who would focus on what was in front of her. Dedicated, and enduring, even as she was ripped away from her country. Though she continued to walk and act on her own, a distraction would remain. Persistent, and never fully leaving her thoughts. Though much of Ivalice's nobility had turned on her for associating with "heretics", there remained but one.

One that she had always imagined coming back to.

That voice... surely it the gods were not this merciful.]

Ovelia...?

[She steadied and braced herself against the impact, the knight's thoughts continuing to race.

Her face.

Her voice.

Agrias dared not hope, not for this. And yet... if there was a possibility, however slight, she simply could not ignore it.]

Would fortune smile upon me so? Nary a day passed when I thought about returning to Her Majesty, only to be reunited in such distant lands.

[Please.]

Pray allow this knight to ask...

Is this truly the Lady Ovelia?

[ofnovalue]

[ Her voice, like the tears welling in her eyes, spilled from her lips. Her heart hammered away in her chest, for the first true time since she felt herself once more alive, over burdened with relief and exultation. It would be a wonder if Agrias could even make sense of it. ]

I am! I am her! Oh Agrias you live, you live and you breath and you speak!

[ It was the darkest of her doubts, the ones that plagued her in the final days of her time in that wretched prison of a castle. That Agrias had not survived her battle with the Templar, that she had no future to find. That doubt, that had say so heavily, enough to crush her beneath it, that lead her... to that decision... ]

[cleansingstrike]

Ovelia... oh gods, Ovelia!

[It was her, it had to be.

Agrias' was no longer bound by hesitation, and she allowed herself to place both arms around her, with one hand cradling the lady's head. It was tight embrace, fueled by the countless nights she had spent thinking about her. She had known little of her since last they met, with the knight's travels and duties keeping her so occupied.]

To stand with you once more...

'Tis a moment I saw only in mine dreams.

[ofnovalue]

Dream no longer, my knight...

[ Ovelia felt herself truly melt into the embrace, Agrias' strength, her voice, having been missed so dearly. The tears came soon after, unable to be controlled, chaotic and formless. Just everything... all of the shock, the idle misery, the resignation she'd given to her nothingness...

It all felt like it no longer mattered. Because she was there, holding her... ]

I thought you perished... Rumor had spread you were slain...

[cleansingstrike]

'Twas naught but falsehoods, my lady. All coming from the same venomous lips that would label me and many other good men and women as heretics.

[Truth be told, Agrias has never felt more alive.]

But tell me... what of you?

Have you been well? Many an eve has passed since we last met, and I would ask to hear the truth from Her Majesty directly.

[ofnovalue]

I...

[ It was such a beautiful moment, wasn't it? The prismatic flames casting an array of beautiful lights over them both... the warmth of Agrias' arms comforting her well more than the spring ever could hope. She was alive, and strong, and so very much her precious knight. She had not felt so happy in so long... so very very long...

And that question, and the weight it carried, threatened to drag her back down into those frozen waters. Her hands clenched. And she felt herself shake... ]

I am well, and in the care of Ser Delita, still. He has treated me kindly, and assured my protection. The war will find its end, with our espousal, and he is crowned King of Ivalice.

[ So she lied. She lied to Agrias, knowing she had not the strength to dare tell her the truth... ]

[cleansingstrike]

I see.

I am relieved to hear that he has kept his word. I shall offer him my sincerest thanks should we ever meet again.

[She knew no better, of course not. Instead choosing to believe Ovelia's words at face value.]

But enough of him. Today is but a joyous day, and I would not have it tainted by his memory.

[She pulled away from the hug, instead choosing to place both hands over her shoulders.]

My Lady Ovelia... My Queen.

[She knelt down in front of her, as was proper.]

This humble knight wishes to serve you once more. Far too long has it been since I remained by your side.

3

[birdflipping]

[Nero had been starting to get hungry on the journey back, and so Agrias manages to catch him -- almost -- in the act. He grins and shakes his head.]

Hey, I was just looking! It's not like I was gonna snack on it.

[Sure you weren't, Nero. Suuure. He drops it back in the basket before he actually does eat it.]

You've gotta admit they are pretty tempting, though...

[cleansingstrike]

[Agrias she doesn't believe him. Of course she doesn't.

But as long as his hands remain where they are, then she'll drop the matter.

Not her guard, though.]

I only admit that they occupy mine thoughts more than expected.

Nothing more.

Even so, our task was to gather, not to indulge.

[birdflipping]

If you don't trust me that badly, you're welcome to take over carrying them.

[He offers her the basket. At least she admits to being tempted too.]

We'll see how long you hold out before you get the munchies.

1

[standvastig]

[Tugging close the "cloak" that had been handed to him along with the far less familiar items, Hendrik turns his head when he hears that general way of address to a stranger. His brows knit together as her remarks cause him to look down at his own ... fancy rectangular object and ridiculously small pair of objects.

But most items seem rather small when you have been two meters tall since the age of 16.]

I fear my guess would be no better than yours. They are unlike anything I have ever seen before.

[At least most of everything else he has seen since being pulled out of the water has resembled something more familiar.]

They also seem rather ... small. Easy to lose.

[cleansingstrike]

Aye, I'm inclined to agree. I would also question their craftsmanship and durability.

'Tis plain to mine eyes that their durability leaves much to be yearned.

[It's just a phone and earbuds, what are you expecting.]

Surely they must serve some use.

[standvastig]

I am certain they serve some use, though I fail to see what it is at the moment.

[To the comments about craftsmanship and durability, he agrees by knocking two knuckles across the glass(?) part of the "phone." It seems that he managed to accidentally turn it on at some point, as the front of the "phone" goes bright.]

This one, at least, seems akin to magic.

[cleansingstrike]

We've no such devices in my kingdom, 'tis no wonder that I am at such a loss.

[Her eyes focus on brightness of the trinket. It could be enough to blind someone, were it dark enough.]

It would appear as though mine behaves in similar enough fashion.

[...]

Such a bother.

2

[ordinaryannie]

[It's tempting. It's really goddamn tempting, because the ridiculously-decorated room is a lot on top of a day that's already been more than a little trying.

Really, Annie's still not entirely convinced there's a good reason for not finding and throttling whoever got the bright idea to greet people who've just been yanked out of their home plane and pitched into the bay with a series of honeymoon suites.

But it wouldn't be the first time she's shared a bed - between away games and the occasional convention, it would be more of a miracle than anyone in her family has ever experienced if she hadn't wound up in at least one situation where there were fewer beds than there were people. And the fact that the other woman's actually offering means Annie would be an asshole for agreeing.]

Nah. That--

[She waves a hand towards the bed, eyes averted as though its very existence offends her, because it absolutely does.]

Is big enough for the both of us. You stick to one side, I'll stick to the other, and we'll both be able to look at each other and flex our spines the normal amount in the morning.

[cleansingstrike]

[Ah, but therein lay another problem. Another hurdle to overcome...]

I mean no offense to the lady and her kind gesture. Truly, I do not.

'Tis simply the idea of sharing a bed together...

It would not be proper.

[The fact that she's so very old fashioned.]

[ordinaryannie]

Practicality over propriety, every time.

[She drops back to lean against the wall, shoulders thudding gently against the plaster.]

We both know neither of us has designs on the other's virtue. And given the design choices in play, anyone who wants to get a broken nose for gossiping already has their ammunition.

[cleansingstrike]

Perhaps during times of war, I would agree with such a notion. Yet I'm afraid I must insist.

'Tis only for a single eve, is it not?

Worry not over this knight.

[She was steadfast and unwavering. Though also... uncompromising.]