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Fade Rift Mods ([personal profile] faderifting) wrote in [community profile] allthisshitisweird2021-02-07 07:33 pm
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TEST DRIVE MEME!

TEST DRIVE MEME

While in some alternate, tidier timeline, the War against the Elder One ended years ago, you're not in that timeline. It's 9:46, and there's a war raging in northern Orlais, where the Chantry, aided by the Inquisition, marshalling Orlais and the faithful of Southern Thedas into a new Exalted March against the army of demon-bound Wardens, Red Templars, Venatori loyalists, and darkspawn Corypheus has amassed over the last four years. Rifts are still scattered across the continent, periodically spitting out strangers from strange worlds with green-glowing anchors embedded in their hands. There's no Herald of Andraste to save Thedas. Someone else is going to have to do it.

You're part of (or allied with, recently hired by, imprisoned by, etc.) a new organization that's an offshoot of the Inquisition, dubbed Riftwatch, that consists mainly of the otherworldly new arrivals, rebels and Wardens, and other people who want to prevent the apocalypse without necessarily marching under the Chantry's banner to do it. Their headquarters is an island fortress called the Gallows—formerly a Circle of Magi, more formerly a prison for slaves, but its new occupants have done a good job removing the more grotesque reminders of that past and making the place livable.

Maybe you're here because you want to help. Maybe you need the money (though there isn't much of it). Maybe you acquired an anchor and sticking around is the only way to prevent your hand from falling off. Maybe you've been sent by the Chantry or some other entity to keep an eye on everyone—they're rumored to be a lot of weirdos and troublemakers. Or maybe you're a new rifter and just going where the nice people with swords tell you that you need to go.

OOC: We post Test Drives fairly infrequently! But current players are strongly encouraged to track new top-level comments to the post so they don't miss new arrivals, and new folks should not be shy about commenting just because the post has been up for a while.


I. KIRKWALL: Even when enormous evil darkspawn are trying to take over the known world and you and your colleagues might be the only ones who can truly stop him, you can't work all the time. And when you aren't working, Kirkwall is there for you, with its dingy Lowtown taverns, its flashy Hightown establishments, its market stalls and street musicians and underground network of old mining tunnels inhabited by the disenfranchised and a few violent criminals. Or maybe you can work all the time, and you're in the city to do some official shopping, keep an eye on a suspicious character, or show a potential financial backer a good time. The city is grey, cold, and in places vaguely sinister—but it's home.

II. SUNDERMOUNT: North of Kirkwall lies the highest peak of the nearby mountain range. In more ancient days it was rumored to be the site of unspeakable horrors, but at present prowled by more speakable horrors, like possessed skeletons, shadow warriors, and the rare revenant or varterral. And you've been sent to prowl along with them, inside the winding caves that cut through the peak or over the snow currently coating the paths that wind around it. The reasons vary: maybe you're in search of medicinal herbs, maybe you're tracking a party of suspicious travelers lurking outside Kirkwall, or maybe you just took a wrong turn off the road trying to travel in or out of the city.

III. ORLAIS: Further south, Orlais is weathering the winter and the invasion of its northern territories in its usual style—which is why you're here, in a snow-blanketed manor just outside Val Royeaux, representing Riftwatch at the invitation of a gathering of masked nobility who have gathered to discuss ways to support the war effort while not starving their serfs and alienages. And to play parlor games. Maybe have an occasional chamber concert. Your role may be to actively participate in the planning, or it may be to be charming and noncommital while observing, or it may be to provide an example of a well-behaved rifter/elf/mage/Qunari/Fereldan. Regardless: your best behavior is expected, but that doesn't mean you can't sneak into the Duchess' very well-appointed library at night or slip away to try sliding down the length of a frozen reflecting pool in the gardens.

IV. THE FRONT: Riftwatch is no longer part of the Inquisition or directly engaged in the war that it, the Chantry's faithful Exalted Marchers, and Orlais are fighting against an invading Tevinter and Ander force in northern Orlais. But frequently enough, Riftwatch's business—delivering helpful intelligence, spending quality time with prisoners of war that might have information, assisting soldiers with a rift they've found too close to their camps, or passing through on the way somewhere else—requires passing near or through the frontline drawn through northern Orlais and now northern Nevarra, where it's possible to encounter enemy bands of dracolisk-mounted soldiers, fire-throwing mages, or particularly nasty darkspawn with red lyrium growing from their bodies.

V. SEND A MESSAGE: Each member of Riftwatch (or rifter, or ally) is assigned a blue crystal, small enough to wear around the neck, that can transmit voice messages, as well as an enchanted book tied to that crystal that can be used to exchange written messages. They're secure enough to discuss the war, if you'd like to get down to business, but loosely controlled enough to ask a question or play a game with only a few rolled eyes from people who hate fun.

VI. WILDCARD: From the Gallows' library to the pirate islands off the coast, from Hightown's high-priced market stalls to the bloody frontlines of the war, Thedas is yours to explore.

altusimperius: (laugh)

[personal profile] altusimperius 2021-07-09 01:12 am (UTC)(link)
God of--

[This is absurd. Enough so that he claims to be a god, but that--]

Thor??

[Benedict can't contain the laughter that bubbles out of him at the notion that Thor, heir to House Asgard and giant self-righteous blowhard, could be anything that important.

And then, because he's high, Benedict can't stop laughing. He lets the hose drop to clap his hand over his eyes, which have already begun to stream tears of mirth.

Mischief, Loki, sure, but this is... this is a lot.]
icasm: (she comes along)

[personal profile] icasm 2021-07-09 01:23 am (UTC)(link)
[ At first Loki bristles a little bit, because he's being laughed at: why? Is it so hard to imagine? But then the fact that Benedict is laughing at the idea of Thor being a god, perhaps moreso than himself, occurs to Loki and he's able to relax a bit.

Besides, if he were mortal and someone he knew waltzed up and said 'by the way, I'm a god' he might have a hard time with it too. So. It's fine.

They're fine.

Benedict might be his new favorite though. ]


For the record, he's fairly terrible at it. Irresponsible, loud, boisterous, constantly causing trouble.

[ Sure, he was destined to get better, become a great hero in the Avengers and beyond them, but that was destiny. In the meantime Thor was Thor and while Loki loved him more than anything he would be the first in line to admit his brother had flaws. ]
altusimperius: (teehee)

[personal profile] altusimperius 2021-07-09 01:27 am (UTC)(link)
[It takes a while for Bene to come down from that revelation, and when he does, it's to roll over with a cheerful, kittenish smile and pull from the hose again. He stays there, resting on his elbows, gazing at Loki's face.]

What sorts of god things can you do? Smiting?
Edited 2021-07-09 01:27 (UTC)
icasm: (and it's not fair)

[personal profile] icasm 2021-07-09 01:40 am (UTC)(link)
Not that kind of god. Mischief, remember?

[ But Loki smiles; he likes to talk about himself, likes to show off. Benedict is being the perfect audience.

He starts ticking things off of his fingers. ]


I can change my shape to look like anyone and cast duplicates of myself that take up real space. I can teleport. I can call things to my hands with a thought, and summon them from a pocket dimension. I can hide my presence even in a one-on-one fight. What am I forgetting? [ He frowns a little. ] I can't be enchanted, my mind is too strong. Did I say teleport already?
altusimperius: (:3)

[personal profile] altusimperius 2021-07-09 03:27 am (UTC)(link)
You did say teleport, [Benedict replies, but without judgment.]

That sounds... [He's high, give him a moment.] ...wonderful. Making duplicates of yourself. That would solve so much.

[He kicks his feet behind him, chin resting on his hands.]

I had a double once. Someone who looked so similar to me, I asked him to be my bodyguard.

[His smile fades-- then the double vanished, as Rifters tend to do.]
icasm: (but I love to see the ee-yah)

[personal profile] icasm 2021-07-09 04:16 am (UTC)(link)
Mhm. Well. It's an important one, very... impressive.

[ He frowns, because he is also high and has never been high before. It's very confusing. ] Duplicaters aren't permanent though.

[ Yep he sure said duplicators. More frowning. ]

It's like being drunk without the energy.

Oh? How'd that go? You look all... sad about it now.

altusimperius: (aint i a dickens)

[personal profile] altusimperius 2021-07-09 06:30 am (UTC)(link)
Like you said, [Benedict replies, toying with the hose,] duplicators aren't permanent.

[It means the same thing in his mind. At the moment.

He lapses into silence for several long moments, riding the high, smiling pleasantly to himself as all this new and ridiculous information washes over him. It makes perfect sense, at least for right now.

It might be a minute or a day later when he says,]

want a blowjob?
icasm: (and I'm talking to myself at night)

[personal profile] icasm 2021-07-09 07:09 am (UTC)(link)
I'm not sure, [ comes the answer a beat later. ] It's not you, it's... [ he gestures at himself. ] My body feels weird.

[ But he sits up and considers Benedict for a moment. ]

What about kissing?
altusimperius: (ofuck)

[personal profile] altusimperius 2021-07-09 05:19 pm (UTC)(link)
[How disappointing. Benedict stares at him a moment, eyes glazed, and then... nods. Yes. That's fine too. Why not.]
icasm: (far from this opera forevermore)

[personal profile] icasm 2021-07-09 07:46 pm (UTC)(link)
[ In the time it takes Benedict to decide, Loki has raised his eyebrows encouragingly. Yes? Yes. Good. He rather believes himself to be a good kisser, so this should be fun.

Moving on hands and knees he crosses the space between them until his face and Benedict's are near enough to one another for him to reach out, put a hand alongside Benedict's cheek. He grins, still a little sharp for the amount of weight he feels in his body right now, before leaning in and kissing the other man.

It's open and wet and has a bit of teeth to it, but objectively? Definitely not a bad kiss at all. ]
altusimperius: (teehee)

[personal profile] altusimperius 2021-07-10 05:10 am (UTC)(link)
[It'll do.

The angle at which Loki approaches sends Benedict rolling onto his side and then his back, rather than crane his neck with improbable flexibility; it's important that they both be comfortable, seeing as neither of them has all that much muscle control.

Grasping the back of Loki's head, Benedict holds it by his own, breathing in the scent of him so strange and familiar all at once.]
icasm: (I just wanna feel)

[personal profile] icasm 2021-07-10 10:57 pm (UTC)(link)
[ There's a chuckle as Loki repositions himself, half draped on Benedict, half lying against the pillows at his side. He gets a little lost in the act of kissing, losing track of time almost immediately, using his hands to frame Benedict's face.

Some time passes. Don't ask him how long, but his lips are swollen and he is very pleased with himself, thank you very much. He tilts his head a little, looking at Benedict with heavily lidded eyes. ]


Would you like a handjob? [ An offer for an offer, apparently. ]
Edited (formatting o9) 2021-07-10 22:58 (UTC)
altusimperius: (aint i a dickens)

[personal profile] altusimperius 2021-07-12 12:41 am (UTC)(link)
[Benedict left the physical plane a while ago, and it's only Loki's gentle words that bring him back to it, with a dazed refocusing of his dark eyes accompanied by a foolish smile.

He nods.]
icasm: (watch them fall)

[personal profile] icasm 2021-07-12 10:13 pm (UTC)(link)
[ It's a nice smile, Loki notes, as he takes Benedict in hand and keeps kissing him. A nice smile, a nice time. When they're done, Benedict has several dark hickies blossoming on his neck and Loki has leaned back in order to lick his fingers one by one. ]

That was fun, [ he says earnestly, looking entirely too pleased with himself. ] Did you ever... [ a gesture meant to encompass sex in it's many forms ] with the other me?
Edited 2021-07-12 22:27 (UTC)
altusimperius: (u love me)

[personal profile] altusimperius 2021-07-13 12:15 am (UTC)(link)
[It takes Benedict a moment to respond, as he's still floating off in the stars somewhere, but the question draws him back to reality and merits a large, wry grin.

He shakes his head.]

Always wanted to. Like always.

[It's strange to have something ticked off his list so unceremoniously like this, but he's not complaining.]
icasm: (but I can feel you)

[personal profile] icasm 2021-07-13 12:22 am (UTC)(link)
Well, I am quite happy to oblige. [ That 'always' has him thinking that he and the other Loki grew up in some proximity to one another; he files that bit of information away for later.

His head is starting to clear and he gestures at the hookah. ]
Does smoking elfroot always feel like that?
altusimperius: (ok bud)

[personal profile] altusimperius 2021-07-13 05:06 am (UTC)(link)
When done correctly, yes.

[He sighs peacefully, hands folded atop his chest.]

You're welcome to use the hookah when I'm not here, as long as you replenish it.
icasm: (I'm going to Wichita)

[personal profile] icasm 2021-07-13 07:52 am (UTC)(link)
Huh. I tried tobacco on Midgard but didn't like the taste of it. [ A nosewrinkle. ] This is different.

[ Not different in a bad way! He's just. Very tired, now.

Maybe he'll nap. ]
altusimperius: (:3)

[personal profile] altusimperius 2021-07-13 06:27 pm (UTC)(link)
It is different.

[Shifting his shoulders, Benedict sinks a little further into his bed of pillows with the air of a contented cat.]

Though tobacco is nice too, if you have a taste for it.
icasm: (so hard to hide away)

[personal profile] icasm 2021-07-13 08:02 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Loki reaches over and pushes some of Benedict's hair off his face with a smile. ]

Well, I'll try anything at least twice. [ Perhaps he should give tobacco another shot.

Without preamble: ]
Do you like it here?
altusimperius: (wasnt me)

[personal profile] altusimperius 2021-07-14 12:03 am (UTC)(link)
[That's a complicated question, far too complicated for Bene's current state of mind. He angles his head to look at Loki, blanking for a moment.]

Sometimes?
icasm: (one by one by one)

[personal profile] icasm 2021-07-14 12:09 am (UTC)(link)
Better than never, [ he replies. ] You'll tell me if you have any trouble?

[ From Tevinter, he means, but it's a broad ask. He knows that. ]
altusimperius: (lol ok)

[personal profile] altusimperius 2021-07-14 03:50 am (UTC)(link)
[This merits a long look, then a smirk, then a little laugh-- oh, yes, when something goes wrong, Loki will be the first fucking person to know about it.]

Yeah, [Bene says, as dismissive as he is amused. Sure, pal.]
icasm: (can you tell me what's wrong with me?)

[personal profile] icasm 2021-07-14 04:11 am (UTC)(link)
[ Hm. Well. Loki considers arguing, briefly, because it's clear that Benedict is not taking him seriously, but. It might spoil the mood.

So he just gives Benedict a little smile. ]