TEST DRIVE MEME #2

[sailmods]

1. this hotel room got a lot of stuff

[you wake up.

it doesn't matter where you were before. going to bed? dying? opening the door to face a great evil? same result. you wake up in a soft bed with starched sheets in a cool, darkened room, sunlight peeking out from behind thick curtains. maybe you're alone; maybe you aren't. maybe you immediately notice the folded paper on the bedside table near your head. if you don't, you better fix that real quick: you won't be able to even open the door before you read it.

the note itself is written in a neat hand on white card stock; there is a stylized logo of a ship with the words SERENA ETERNA printed underneath. the note reads as follows:

Dear Passenger(s),

As your cruise director, it is my great honor to welcome you aboard the Serena Eterna, your destination for fun and adventure! We know you could have chosen any cruise line for your vacation, and we're very grateful you chose ours! On behalf of the Captain, I would like to assure each and every passenger that will we do whatever it takes to fulfill all your needs and desires during your journey with us.

At your earliest possible convenience, please attend the mandatory lifeboat drill by the end of the day. I'm sure everyone is very eager to get started on all the fun and sun, but safety always comes first! You can find your life jacket in your cabin's closet; carry it to your assigned muster station on deck one, where I will take you through the drill. If you can't find me in the crowd, just look for the gal with the winning smile!

See You Real Soon!

Sincerely,
Gal Friday

you walk to deck one. you have no other choice: every time you try to step in a direction some unseen being considers "not towards deck one," you find your legs no longer move, staying stock still, frozen. whether compelled quickly by curiosity, or delayed by pure stubbornness, the result is the same, and you are left milling around with other similarly curious or stubborn people.

you see someone in uniform near the front of the crowd. she seems to be a gal, but is missing the winning smile, along with most of her other features. she seems to see you, though, rushing to your side and placing a lei around your neck with great formality. a voice, cheery but artificial, sees to come from nowhere and everywhere.]

Welcome aboard! We're so glad to have you!

[you touch the lei. rooster feathers, lotus seeds, and a carved circle of something white and hard, linked onto a silk string.

after the drill is completed, you are seemingly free to go. or, well, your legs work, now. and maybe that's as good as it's gonna get.]

2. and a touch-tone phone

[chatterbox isn't exactly the most popular venue onboard. it probably has something to do with the distinct lack of open liquor bottles. so, nothing personal. except it seems that it's decided to take it that way, suddenly.

anyone enjoying the other amenities of deck five will feel the distinct sensation of being watched while they do so. the kind of feeling a prey animal gets while being stalked on the grasslands. something may slither by their foot, or past their elbow while they rest it on the bar, but nothing appears to be there when they look.

until there is.

a black electrical cord originating from somewhere will, first, wrap around their ankle, tugging in a very clear "follow" instruction. should this instruction be ignored, a second cord will wrap around their other ankle, and, once again, tug. should this clear final warning be ignored... well, now they're being dragged down the promenade, and that's really their own fault, isn't it. don't struggle. struggling means more cords show up. and none of them seem terribly aware that most species need to expand their lungs to live.

their final destination, no matter the journey, is chatterbox's main stage, where the karaoke machine awaits. the cords place a microphone in their hand; the mic's cords bind it tightly to their hand.

they don't have to pick a song. there isn't an actual gun to their head, in any literal sense. it's just, those cords really don't seem that interested in letting go until they do.

and if you were heading to chatterbox anyway? welcome to the weirdest goddamn karaoke night you've ever seen.]

3. and a bucket of ice (cw: cannibalism mention)

[no longer will scoops be bound by the shackles of only having 31 flavors. for this month, and this month only, a sign that very much looks like Friday hand-wrote it announces, they will have 32!

what is that mysterious 32nd flavor? it depends, really: the letters on the display case seem to shift and change with each new pair of eyes that fall upon them, with the contents changing along with it. someone from the capital wasteland might find some Nuka-Cola ™ branded ice cream. twilight town residents will be thrilled to find sea salt on the menu. and a frankly concerning amount of people bring out a flavor that only describes itself as "long pig." it's a weird off-white color. don't think about it too hard.]

Comments

[exiledwill]

[It could definitely be worse. That's something they're both in agreement on, although Rion tries not to let the utter ridiculousness of the situation get to him. It helps that he isn't tied up quite so severely, of course, but thats why he's also doing his best to try and make this as painless as possible for him companion here.

So he simply nods at Lars with a smile before turning his attention back to the screen. After hearing it once, singing along with what they have to read shouldn't be too difficult. Here they go!]

My stuff's so cheap
That you will not believe
How much you can save!
So swing on by
And then purchase things
'Till you are broke ♪

[All things considered, Rion actually has a fairly pleasant voice! Matching with the rhythm of the song is a little trickier when he's only heard it the once, but it's a simple enough song that he doesn't sound terrible by any means.]

[fray]

[ What kind of song is this? Lars doesn't have much time to ponder it as the microphone in front of him bobs insistently again to prompt him. It looks like it's his turn to go along with this thing. ]

Prices so low
That you need a great sword to slash them more
Any lower
Would be illegal...really? ♪

[ Having failed to read the song through the first time, Lars can't help his puzzlement slipping in. He isn't much of a singer. Whether from lack of enthusiasm or experience would be impossible to say, but there's a subdued flatness about his tone.

The effort, at least, hasn't warranted further corded reprisal. ]

[exiledwill]

[It really is a bizarre song. Coming up with a catchy little tune is one thing, but Rion can't imagine any sort of shopkeeper putting in this much effort to advertise their store... Yet Emil's Shop seems to be exactly that.

But it doesn't matter. The cords aren't tightening up again on Lars it seems, so that should mean this performance is more than good enough! Rion nods encouragingly, his smile a little brighter. Not that he necessarily expects Lars to have fun with this, but if they keep this up, then hopefully it'll be enough to free them from their singing shackles.]

Every day's a sale
Every sale's a win!
Buy stuff now or... kick yourself later ♪
Every day's a sale
Every sale's a win!
I won't even charge you a mark-up ♪

[It's... a surprisingly aggressive song, all things considered... Even Rion can't keep his confusion out completely.]

[fray]

[ Focused as he is on the small screen they need to read from, Lars fails to notice the way the other boy's disposition brightens. At least, he doesn't see it. Absently, he registers the difference in sound - the smile comes through in his tone - but Lars' focus always bends in one direction.

And, for the moment, that's soldiering through this nonsensical song. He's bitter and biased about this whole affair, what with being abducted... ]

Every day's a sale
Every sale's a win
Better buy now, or you'll cry all night ♪
Every day's a sale
Every sale's a win
Every day is great,
When you are me ♪

[ That last line sticks to him like a barb. Imagine having that kind of energy (he can't)... ]

[exiledwill]

[Neither can he, frankly speaking. Rion might have an easier temperament and disposition in comparison to Lars, but having been sickly his whole life, he can't really imagine having this kind of cheer and energy all the time. It seems a little exhausting, in all honesty...

But that's neither here nor there. The song comes to a close, and with it, their black cord imprisonment does so as well. Rion watches as his hand is finally allowed to uncurl from the mic, the black cords around his feet finally slinking away at the same time. Nothing happens when he lifts his feet, and looking back at the screen, it's returned to the title selection.]

... I believe we did it! The wires finally seem satisfied. [Sweet, sweet freedom is theirs at last!]

[fray]

[ When at last the cords go slack, Lars feels relief wash over him. At least, for a moment he does. His arm had long since lost feeling and drops lifelessly at his side, sending him fumbling for his sword with his other hand, lest it clatter away and injure one of them in the process.

Once that's done, he puffs out a tense breath, drawing his weapon close. His arm will recover, eventually, but he trusts their surroundings no more than he did before. ]

Someone out there's got a bad sense of humor.

[ The words are nearly toneless under the weight of his disenchantment. He assumes, as he cautiously picks himself up, that there's some kind of mind behind those cords. Someone who gets a kick out of visiting indignities upon strangers. ]

...So now what?

[ This place is still as alien to him as it ever was. ]

[exiledwill]

Perhaps they simply wanted someone to make use of this room? [It does surprise him a little that despite this room clearly being made for performances, not a single person stopped by while they attempted to sing.] Although they certainly could've asked for the favor in a less... aggressive manner.

[Bad sense of humor, poor taste in manners... If not for how harmless it ended up being, he'd probably be a little more miffed himself. As it is though, he's willing to let it go, assuming of course that they don't get dragged back here again against their will. He's especially glad to see Lars free of the cords, and he's hoping they can keep it that way now.

When it comes to what's next though? Rion has a fairly simple answer in mind, even if it isn't anything exactly concrete either.]

I don't know about you, but I was exploring the ship before being taken here. It seems to me I can continue with my exploration now. [The whole things is very, very alien to him, and clearly not as peaceful as he might have once thought. Still, he figures the best way to make this alien terrain a little more comfortable is by becoming familiar with it.] You're free to join me, if you'd like.

[He has no idea what Lars was doing before all this, but if he's up for some company still...]

[fray]

Maybe...

[ It's a lot of trouble to go to, just to ensure a room sees use. Then again, Lars doubts that any answer would really satisfy him, at this point. Surely making random boys sing isn't worth this whole big production.

The unpleasant tingle of sensation returning to his arm diverts his thoughts for a moment. He broadcasts the fact by looking down at his hand, as though he can force his fingers to move by force of will. As of yet, however, he doesn't have any luck with that.

As for joining this other boy, who it seems is just as out of place as himself... ]

Guess I might as well.

[ Not that he couldn't do this exploring thing on his own, but. This other boy's smaller than him. Probably younger. And he seems to be unarmed. This place has already demonstrated the potential for hostile activity.

He might not be a soldier anymore, but this is the sort of person he was always being nagged to protect, right? ]

[exiledwill]

[Despite it being true that Rion is far less equipped for danger in comparison to Lars, he honestly hasn't minded exploring the ship on his own. If anything, he probably should be a little more concerned without his clockwork companion by his side; he can just imagine the scolding Dimos would give him. And it's not that he thinks he'll be fine and safe here, of course. This whole event has shown him how potentially unsafe his new surroundings could be.

Still, maybe it's because of the knowledge that he already died, or maybe it's because his health is actually in a much better state than it has been in a long time... Whatever it is, he just can't bring himself to view this place as an entirely bad thing. He wouldn't call it whatever force is at work here benevolent either, but surely something that eased his illness couldn't be all bad, could it?

Regardless, with how obviously discomfited Lars still seems to be, Rion's offer actually came from him wanting to look out for Lars. Even after death and in an entirely strange land, it seems he's still a prince who wants to help others.]

Wonderful! [Look at this smile, Lars, going off together can surely only be a good idea!] Ah, but where are my manners? My name is Rion, and it is a pleasure to make your acquaintance.

[fray]

[ Lars observes Rion's expression with overt skepticism. He's quite sure no one who has known him long enough would claim to be pleased to have met them, and he couldn't exactly blame them. Not that this awareness spurs any desire to change himself into some more personable form.

What would be the point, really? ]

...Lars.

[ He responds, glancing away from Rion's smile. It's brighter than what he's accustomed to having turned his way. ]

You got any idea where this boat is?

[ Thus far, he hasn't seen anything about it. ]

[exiledwill]

[The circumstances they met might not have been ideal, but nope, Rion is genuine when he says he's pleased to meet Lars! Of course, it probably helps that this is the first time in a long while where he met someone without them either trying to kill him or the experience souring when they realized just who he is...

But that's neither here nor there, right?

Instead of dwelling on any of that, he gestures for them to start walking, not minding how Lars glances away. They might as well get out of the room and leave behind all the unfortunate associations with it.]

I'm afraid I haven't the faintest clue. We're far out at sea... And that's about all I could gleam. [There's nothing but water around them, so honestly, they could be anywhere.]

[fray]

[ So neither of them have anything to go on, beyond being out at sea. Lars may not be surprised, but it's pretty unfortunate for them both. If they look hard enough though, there has to be some kind of documentation - maps or charts laying out their course and nearby shores.

It's just a matter of where, exactly, they manage to find that information. ]

Didn't spot any landmarks either, before those...cables.

[ He frowns at the memory as he trails after the smaller boy, falling into stride behind him rather than at his side. The passageways aboard the ship strike him as narrow, and he'd rather not bump elbows.

Especially not if something else comes after them. ]

[exiledwill]

From what I've noticed, there don't seem to be any nearby... But I didn't see much of the ship beyond the room I woke up in and the deck before those cables decided they had other plans in mind for me.

[Admittedly, Rion doesn't feel much urgency in trying to understand where they are or how to leave given that... Well, there's likely nowhere for him to go to.

Seeing Lars though, he can see that his own ambivalence is probably more of an outlier than anything. If Lars woke up here as suddenly and randomly as he did, he's sure the boy is eager to figure out the how and why, and more importantly, how to return to where he was before.

So he offers what information he can, even if it's honestly very little.]

If we can't find that sort of information elsewhere though, we'll have to pass by some landmarks at some point, surely. [They seem incredibly far out at sea, but they'll have to pass by something eventually. Worst comes to worst, every ship inevitably needs to resupply somewhere.]

[fray]

[ Lars knows no more of Rion than his name and disposition, but he wonders at his calm. Is it a high level of personal restraint or a lack of urgency? Unwilling to ask, he can only speculate as he warily monitors their surroundings.

His life has never been peaceful nor calm, growing up in a nation locked in constant strife. It breeds a certain anxiety that digs in and grips tight. Even now.

Perhaps it's worse, actually, as he arrived here on the heels of a jarring revelation. He'd yet to process what to even do with that.

The name he'd heard whispered in the dark was-

Forcibly, he shoves the thought aside. Bends his focus on listening to the rest of what Rion is saying to him... And admittedly, he only picks up the tail end of what that soft voice has to say. ]

...Probably.

[ At some point. Right.

He's never been one for waiting. ]

[exiledwill]

[Rion is also much more inclined to take action when he can, but growing up sickly and then falling deathly ill, he's also very aware that "when he can" is actually incredibly limited. There's only so much he can do on his own, and he's spent plenty of time waiting. Waiting for a coughing fit to pass, waiting for medicine to make him fit enough to walk on his own, waiting for food from his clockwork companion.

He knows when to act, but he's also learned how to be patient as well. He's had no choice but to, really.

Lars, on the other hand, seems a touch more tense than he is. Of course, he realizes that his own circumstances are... hopefully unique to him, in all honesty, and those circumstances are part of why he can maintain such a sense of calm. It's during the most stressful times that one should try to keep calm, so he tries to encourage the same in Lars by keeping a cool head himself.]

For now though... Why don't we find something to eat? Being dragged to and fro just to sing has taken up quite a bit of energy! Or at least it has for me. [They can't do anything without energy, right? Maybe food and something to do will help settle Lars a little.]