sail_ooc | TEST DRIVE MEME #1

Entry tags:

!tdm

TEST DRIVE MEME #1

1. now it's fun to wake up in a strange chateau

[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.]

2. messing with my mind was fun at the time

[freshly lei'd, your legs are forced to lead out onto the deck and towards your muster station. the same woman is there, carrying a clipboard. this time, she introduces herself as Gal Friday, the cruise director, before immediately going into the muster drill spiel. it is very boring, and you are not allowed to move, except when you are required to show you know how to put your life vest on. you could try to not do this, but Friday will move to stand in front of you very closely and just. look in your direction until such a time that you decide to do it. and I'm sure your fellow passengers want you to just get on with it, too.

but, once it ends? she reiterates her desire to welcome you aboard. and, then, you're free.

well, free to move about the ship at your own leisure, of course. which is a kind of free, and probably the best one you can hope for. you could try to escape, maybe, if you have the means to; Friday certainly won't be one to stop you. that's what the barrier is for, after all.

but, wouldn't you much rather have fun?

the buffet is full. the pool is open. the casino jingles and chimes.

welcome aboard.]

3. lots of mystery in the history of the devils I knew

[you were never alone.

a few days have passed since you first arrived on the Serena Eterna. perhaps you've made yourself a little routine, and settled in a bit. or maybe you haven't done that at all. either way, you're here, and it looks like somebody is pretty pissed off about it.

it starts small. sometimes nearby plates skid off tables, or a pool chair upends while you're walking next to it. and sometimes that chair is aimed right at your head. objects are moving with quickly increasing frequency, and a wide variety of styles: some are dropped, or pushed, and others and others are tossed, but a few of the items are thrown, with great force and odd accuracy. if Friday is around during the lighter moments, she simply titters and cleans up whatever mess is made. if a pot of soup sails off the buffet line and nearly drenches you in boiling minestrone, she simply walks away.

and then there's the voices. hundreds, maybe thousands, calling out. not all are intelligible English, but you seem to understand them anyway. some sound scared, or angry. some are screams, others whispers. some sound entirely strange, while others are achingly familiar. and they're all saying the same exact thing:

Get Out.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

✧ i.

[ waking up in a strange room wasn't exactly what Childe expected, even if the subtle rocking of the boat (or implication thereof) is more familiar than anything else. the sunlight peeking out from behind the thick curtains is blinding when he draws it back, and what he sees beyond his little window is something he can't really connect with his last conscious memory.

he remembered the Traveler, leaving the chamber, and then... nothing. he also remembered the events leading up to that clear as day so he could rule out any issues with his memory, and as far as he knew he happened to be in peak physical health. there wasn't any ache, no lingering grogginess suggesting any kind of foul play, nothing to suggest he'd been overcome in battle (an acceptable theory) or incapacited in some way (equally acceptable), so it appeared that the circumstances surrounding his arrival would remain a mystery, at least for now.

it's as he's sitting up, the note on his nightstand jostled with the shift of the mattress, that he hears the telltale, erratic breathing of another body rousing from slumber and knows that he isn't alone. this particular revelation is pushed to the back of his mind as he reaches out, taking the note to skim over the words within and maybe take stock of the situation before he addresses whoever's in the room with him. ]

Well, now. [ when he speaks it's cheery, bright; despite the situation he doesn't seem terribly bothered. ] This is unexpected. I don't suppose your memory's faring better than mine? [ the folded note is tapped against his chin and he turns, regarding his current cabinmate with an unreadable expression. ]

✧ ii.

[ once the drill is over - which doesn't take very long, given the way it's enforced, but Childe would be lying if he said he didn't find a certain charm in how things are being handled and in the woman with no eyes and no face - he sets out exploring the cabin, finding very quickly on that while he may have his Vision and his Delusion the barrier quickly stops any and all attempts at leaving the boat.

so, he wanders. from the library to the spa, the bridge to the guest services. he takes in the sights and the rest of his fellow shipmates and it's probably testament to the bizarre reality of the situation that he recognizes no one he knows, no one that even looks like they might come from Teyvat. everyone looks as lost as he does and he's unsure if the thought he isn't in this alone is a blessing or a curse. ]

✧ iii.

[ ooc; don't see anything you like? feel free to come at me with your own or pm this journal! ]

....Wah?

[ Gin wakes up slowly, rubbing his head and trying to curl back under the blankets at the sound of someone shuffling around. When Childe speaks, he sits up, slowly blinking with a truely impressive bedhead of ruffled brown hair. The gaze that meets Childe is sleepy and without any recognition. Gin stares for as second before he looks down and realizes the majority of his costume, mask, hooded cape and gloves are lying on a small table beside him. ]

...! [ Silently, the kid dashes for the clothes, shoving them on with an urgency that total ignores Childe's evaluative expression. It's only after his face is covered and the gloves are in place that he turns to address Childe. ]

Of course not, woof! Raaah, did you kidnap me, scarfy!? I won't forgive you, meow!

Edited 2022-02-11 07:59 (UTC)

"Kidnap?" [ he parrots, blinking in disbelief at the accusation. well, he supposed he could see how it might appear that way, but he wouldn't really kidnap a kid, especially one that was as close in age to his little brother as this one was. ]

Now hold on, I'm in the same boat as you. Literally. [ the way that the boy speaks is... certainly unique, but he's been around enough little kids often enough that he can write it off as some kind of make-believe sort of game, and he's not the kind of asshole that would debase or make fun of him for it.

he has to wonder if it's a dog or a cat he's talking to, though. ]

I didn't wake up all that long ago, and I promise I didn't kidnap you. You're free to believe whatever you like, but before you do that you should probably read the note.

[ he lays down said note on the nightstand before retreating a safe enough distance away so as to appear nonthreatening. he'll even put his hands behind his back to humor his new cabinmate. ]

Yeah, I've been kidnapped before, scarfy! So I know what its like, you wake up somewhere and there's a buncha strange adults, woof!

[ Not that this guy seems bad at first glance... Gin isn't good at predicting people sometimes, it made getting along with his classmates hard, but this stranger had promised. Promises were a pretty serious thing.

The note doesn't illuminate much. A cruise...? Vacation...? A cruise would be pretty crowded, Gin wasn't sure he'd like that. He didn't even let his mom take him to Shibuya. ]

Well...if you're kidnapped like me then big sis would call you an ally, meow! So even if you're lying, I can work with you. I'm Gin Ibushi, woof! A sixth grader.

[ it dawns on him suddenly that maybe the kid keeps calling him scarfy because of. well. his scarf. which would make sense if he was, in fact, around the same age as Teucer (what's a sixth grader??? nothing but a mystery), since that was the sort of thing kids his age tended to do. a lot of things about Gin reminds him of his little brother, and that by itself fills him with the sort of relief that comes with experience dealing with these kinds of situations.

rather than be offended that he doesn't seem to have won him entirely over - being suspected of lying despite everything wasn't exactly a clean victory, he thinks, and sounds more like a compromise with Gin saying he could work with him - Childe only finds himself laughing and shaking his head. smart kid. though he supposes that comes with the whole "been kidnapped before" experience. ]

An ally, huh? I'll take it. My name is Tartaglia - [ he pauses, realizing that that might be a mouthful, though his nickname isn't much better for other reasons. ] - but you can call me Childe. It's nice to meet you, Gin. Have you ever been on a boat this big before?

[ Childe may recognize at least one person once he reaches deck one, particularly the Island Gems storefront. A familiar figure is looking with interest at one of the glass cases and its contents, which happen to be rare gemstones of all kinds. Zhongli looks quite absorbed in his observations.

The store clerk is seen speaking to Zhongli, but the ex-geo archon is barely paying attention, enough so that the clerk eventually gets tired of speaking and has to return to behind the registers to get themselves some water. ]

[ at first, he's not quite sure what it is he's looking at. as surreal as the situation was, and as much as he'd like to think it was all some kind of weird, fanciful dream, there really wasn't any reason for him to conjure up a phantom image of someone he'd left behind in Liyue. certainly not the former Geo Archon, although he has to admit it's a testament to his own experiences with the man that he's not really surprised he'd end up running into him here, inside what is essentially a souvenir shop. looking at pretty gemstones.

some things never change. ]

I hope you know that my money's no good here. [ he says by way of greeting, and while it's easy enough to navigate his way over to the man's side to see what exactly he's looking at, the smile on his face is the sort that just barely reaches his eyes.

even if this was some sort of vivid hallucination, that doesn't mean he has to forgive past transgressions so easily. definitely not without the proper apology. ]

[ it has been quite some time since he last saw the Harbinger, what with him storming off out of the Northland Bank after confronting him and La Signora.

The greeting now is quite nostalgic, reminiscent of a time when they could have perhaps been considered friends. Despite seeing that half-hearted smile, Zhongli simply smiles warmly in return. He hasn't forgotten how upset Childe was when he left, and it's no surprise to see him mostly likely now still holding onto those feelings and struggling with them. ]

Childe, it has been some time since we last met, has it not? Have you been well? [ the Northland Bank employees never seemed to have much information on Childe's whereabouts or his status once he had left Liyue. For Zhongli, it admittedly took some months to adjust to the idea that he may well never see the other again (—not that he would admit to such.)

That is how life works— fleeting, ebbing, and flowing—afterall.

... Yet, it also works in mysterious ways, as well, such as having them meet once again on this strange ship that is quite obviously a very long way from their homeworld, of all places.

He can't help but wonder if there is any hidden significance to their unexpected reunion. Only time may tell. ]

It has, and I have. [ he says, and leaves it at that. there's really no reason for him to elaborate any further. while he and Zhongli had been acquaintances during his stay in Liyue, there's no need for them to remain as such here. having walked up and down the ship it was easy to discern for himself how big the vessel was, so the likelihood of running into the consultant was slim to none.

there was no need to make nice for the sake of his mission. to try and play at being friends after what had happened between them would just be insulting.

it wasn't as though he especially held a grudge, but he wasn't going to go out of his way to associate himself with Zhongli again unless he really had to. ]

It seems like you're acclimating to our situation well enough. This isn't some top secret adepti thing I don't know about, is it?

[ does he mean the ship or Zhongli's adaptability? who knows. he supposes when one is (or was) a literal god, there wasn't a whole lot to be concerned about. ]

I am glad to hear it. [ Zhongli also leaves it at that. His thinking is similar to Childe's, although perhaps a little more gentle in the sense he is aware the other is angry with him and isn't interested in accidentally creating more tensions between them. Still, he imagines they will have much to deal with ahead, and it would be better for them to be on good terms then not. For now, though, he will give Childe his freedom to be distant and tight-lipped.

—And avoidant of any future encounters, if he is so inclined. ]

It is not. [ he says matter of factly without looking for clarification on what Childe is referring to. ] It is simply what comes with time. [ there's no long spiel explaining such further like usual. In fact, for once, he would rather not. ]

This ship is quite fascinating with all its amenities, it seems best to be familiar with it in case anything troublesome is to happen. I do not suppose in your exploration of this place you have come across any others from Teyvat?

[ even Childe is observant enough to see that Zhongli isn't as verbose as he normally is, but it's hard to determine if it's from their current situation or the fact that Zhongli has caught on to the Harbinger's stiff pleasantries.

either way, he's not going to address it, and Zhongli probably wouldn't, either, so it doesn't really matter.

the question hangs in the air between them and he considers how to answer. given that Zhongli had never left the city and never really kept any company that Childe wasn't aware of - though that could change, given how long it'd been since he'd left Liyue until now - he doubted the man would know anyone that he might have happened to meet.

so he shakes his head. ]

This place is pretty big. If you're looking for someone in particular, I wouldn't give up hope just yet.

[ and then, because he can't help himself, since finding Zhongli in a fancy gem shop is exactly what he would have expected: ]

Is that what you're doing? Familiarizing yourself with all the fascinating, pretty stones?

[ Zhongli is quiet a moment before there's something of a slight smirk tickling the corner of his mouth. He could explain it to Childe, but they aren't "friends" anymore, so what reason is there to explain himself when Childe is teasing him? ]

Yes. How could I miss the opportunity to see rare stones that may not exist in Teyvat? This is a rare chance that is truly hard to come by. [ he moves to walk by Childe now, only adding to his words as their shoulders barely brush against each other in the process. ] Anything beyond that, I am sure you would rather discover on your own.

[ As much as he would love to say he's really simply ogling shiny items like he would back home, it's not quite the case here. ] I am heading to the next shop now. There are so many to visit, an old man like myself needs to get a head start.

You are welcome to come, otherwise I will not be offended if you choose to continue with your own agenda. [ It doesn't seem as if Zhongli is tired with Childe, angry at him, or anything of the sort. It's merely typical distance between mere acquaintances, like when they first met in Liyue.

Polite, cordial, and brief in public. There's no sense holding Childe and his time hostage. ]

childe | genshin impact | ota

i.

oh no an actual baby

no subject

no subject

II.

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

punches you but also two

my first time tagging shenhe.... uguu...

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

I

no subject

no subject

disowns u

but im not even the child(e) here

no subject