wakingthedead | testdrive | welcome to the new age.

Entry tags:

testdrive | welcome to the new age.

testdrive meme.

1. First Day At Falner
You have just arrived at Falner Estate, a sprawling, beautiful, 400-hectare co-located space between Britain, Germany, and the Philippines, and the main base of Netsach. The flora and fauna in the area gives both a sense of familiarity as it looks at first glance like things you’ll find on Earth, and a weird sense of otherworldliness. Given the size of the place, the Estate is less of a compound and more like a town unto itself. The older buildings within the estate are gothic in their construction, and clear throwbacks to 19th Century Europe. The newer facilities, however, sport cutting edge contemporary designs that were clearly inspired by Fourth World architecture and technology.

If you want a better idea on what can be found on the estate, you can refer to this link.

2. A Day On The Job
You are pushing papers at Methuselah, doing research at the Arcanum, or going out on patrol -- whatever it is that you're doing, it's just another day for you as a Hunter of the Vigil.

3. Let's Head Down to Haven
Find yourself itching for a night out on the town? Why not head over to Haven, the classy nightclub that looks like a large, monolithic black building with no visible windows from the outside and the name of the club emblazoned in bold, white letters on one side.

Haven is located in Makati City, and is open to the public (especially the local supernatural community), but you might want to prepare yourself to wait in line for a very, very long time – unless you’re a Hunter, of course.

Falner’s Maenad Division holds office on top of Haven, as does Ordo Daywalker. Some of Haven’s staff also live above the night club.

4. The Awakening
Want to tag out your character's origin story? Set the stage and let's see where things go.

5. Choose Your Own Adventure
If none of the suggested premises hit the mark, feel free to set things up and let's do a tag round.

Instructions for the Testdrive:
1. Specify your chosen scenario number on the subject line.
2. Should you wish to tag with a specific character already established within Waking the Dead, indicate who. The current list of available NPCs can be found over here.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

He's in conference with Raura over some matters when he hears her speaking to his people on the floor. He can't help but smile just as he tunes the conversation out: a gentleman does not pry into a lady's conversations, nor does he share his personal amusement with his son-in-law, though he does make a gentle gesture to the other vampire, offering a few choice words to inform Raura that they can pick up their discussion at some later date.

As such, the Daywalker is alone and standing by the window watching the comings and goings of Falner at Night with an unlit cigar by the time the girl -- Ella Ryan, his darling Barbara's first childe -- finally knocks on his door.

"Come in, my dear." His voice carries well enough. "The door is open."

He's going to cut that cigar and light it up now.

Ella walks in slowly, eyes wide as she inspects the room, first, and the incredibly old vampire a moment later. For a moment she fears her Beast might force her to run away, but Riley...he's everything but threatening. Extremely powerful, yes, but she knows without asking that he won't hurt her. He's like a nice grandpa that happens to be able to break you in two with his little finger.

Pushing away the mental image, Ella walks a few steps towards him before stopping. What's protocol for this sort of stuff? "So, um. I'm Ella. Barbara probably mentioned me...hm, pleasure to meet you?"

This was going just great.

"Come sit, child." He's smiling now as he steps towards the seat that Raura had only minutes before vacated himself turns it at an angle so that he can take the one right across from her.

"No need to be shy, Ella." He's extending a hand her way at that. It's oddly in tune to the clothes that he's chosen to wear: a three-piece suit and matching cravat that looks like it should belong in a BBC series set in the Victorian era.

"And yes, Barbara did mention you."

He says that like it's the easiest thing in the world, but Ella goes and sits. Seeing no alternative, she takes the offered hand and holds it lightly. How many people even touch this guy? Most vampires were either humbled or terrified by his name or title alone. The feeling she had been adopted into royalty popped up in her head, and it was enough to freeze her. She was . So. Out. Of. Her. Element.

"She mentioned you too. Sorry I didn't come earlier. You must be very busy anyway." Ella bites her tongue then, and forces herself not to stare too much at his attire. Hey, this is his house, state, everything.

She's staring.

Oh Barbara, the child is precious. He's going to have to tell Aidan about this. And then he plans to ring Hikaru up for a drink. It's been a long while, after all, since 2012.

"I'm never too busy for family, Ella."

Now that he's got you seated, he'll sit right down and join you. Really though, darling. There's no need to feel awkward. "Are you settling in well, my dear?" He's saying that with concern and genuine curiosity meant to put you at ease.

...

...

...

"Did you just say family?"

This is going to be a very slow conversation.

Oh, he is definitely going to have that drink with Hikaru.

"Yes, Ella." Have a pleasant smile your way as before he reaches for that nifty little intercom on his desk that will let his people know to bring up a meal for the girl. "Barbara is as close as I will ever get to having a daughter," Elaine rest the good souls of her mortal parents. "And you, my dear, by virtue of the Embrace, are hers."

The better that he break this down to what is important and essential. Vampire politics can come later, but for now, Ella needs some semblance of 'normalcy', even if the word itself is something he sometimes found terribly trite.

"So, yes, Ella Ryan. You are family now." He's going to tweak your cute little nose like a grandfather might his teenaged grandchild. "Unless, of course, this makes you uncomfortable."

That is something that just won't do. It has to be her choice, after all, just as accepting Barbara's offer was.

"I- but-"

And then he tweaks her nose and she's basically five and sitting on her gram's lap and wow, she doesn't hate it, not at all. Her grams died soon after, and that was the only grandparent she had had.

Ella snaps back to reality and the fight feels pretty much lost. "You are Riley Falner, the Daywalker. And I'm just- well, I'm me, barely a vampire." She's not uncomfortable, she's happy, and maybe that's the problem. "I don't- How could I deserve this?"

This is what happens when you spent a lifetime with a father that didn't really think much of you. "What if I'm a disappointment?" It's a mutter, barely audible, but any Kindred listening would catch it without trouble.

He inclines his head to one side, two fingers coming up for his temple to lean against as his elbow is braced against the arm of the chair. It is the words she speaks that tell him more than what he considers the bare bones of Ella's story in the dossier tucked in the drawer of his desk. It is the contrast of her own feelings ( the girl is happy, perhaps relieved? that his reception of her has been what it is; he cannot be sure yet, and he was never the kind to presume... ) with those words that settle whatever surface concerns he had over Barbara's decision to embrace a dying child who had been at the wrong place at the wrong time in a city that could have been safe.

It is that question that softens the look in his eyes.

"I have a question for you, my dear."

That wasn't exactly what she was expecting. She wasn't really sure of what she was expecting. To get shouted at? It hadn't happened to often with her father, but it had happened a few times.

"What is it?"

"What would -- by your estimation -- merit being called 'a disappointment'?"

The smile on his face is kind.

"Take your time," he leans forward at that and reaches to clasp both of her hands in his. "This is something that requires considerable thought."

And they have all night if it comes to that.

She remains in silence for several minutes. "Well...people will expect things of me, being the childe of the Golden Hand and someone with what people will assume some privileged access to you." She looks at the man's face, wondering if she's actually making a point here or not.

"What if I'm not what they expect? What if I'm not what you expect? What if I'm not mature enough, or not skilled enough? I still feel more human than vampire."

He's oddly reminded of the way Barbara had looked at him when he'd first announced back in 2012 that she would be his Golden Hand. There had been those with doubts that a girl of 18 so fresh to the ways of Kindred, could take on such a responsibility. But Riley counts himself a man capable of judging the character of those he elects to offer such responsibilities to, and he has, he believes the phrase goes "a fairly exceptional track record."

Have another smile, Ella Ryan. He's also folding your hands in one of his and covering them both with his other one.

"I believe that it is best for us to take things step-by-step." A moment's pause, then: "I have seen your academic record, my dear. It is no feat, getting into one of the top schools in all of Southeast Asia." The University of the Philippines is, after all, at par with other Ivy Leagues. "I hardly think that someone who is driven enough to be exceptional as a student will be a disappointment."

He takes a breath. "As for all things Kindred, you shall have Barbara, and Raura, and myself." He'll not mention the others in his circle just yet. No sense overwhelming a child already overwhelmed.

He really is like a loving grandpa, which is strange and comforting at the same time.

Ella doesn't know if she can blush anymore, but she feels like blushing all the same. "And I plan to keep my studies, but I also want to do more, considering my...situation."

Raura, she still hadn't had much of a chance to talk with the man. As far as she could tell, the vampire wasn't all that concerned by his wife's sudden progeny, but they had remained respectfully distant so far. Maybe he had no hurry in meeting her? Time wasn't probably that big of an issue among Kindred. "Barbara had been...well, really nice. And strict, but that's good. Oh, I still need to call father."

The last bit comes in a tone that implies it iss a lamentation, and it is. She still doesn't know what to do about that.

He doesn't miss that last part at all, nor is he unaware of the situation surrounding Ella's parents.

"We can do this a step at a time, my dear." There is no real rush. And frankly, Riley is of the uncharitable thought that if Ella's parents refuse to provide for the girl, it is not as if it is so great a loss. She can have all she could ever need here, in Falner.

"I think I can say with confidence that our more immediate concern is making sure you are settled in, with a plan on what you feel comfortable pursuing." The servants come in at that, and he gestures that they can set down the bottle and glass for Ella right beside them.

Riley is basically right, or so that would be Ella's opinion if she knew what he was thinking.

"Well I- if possible, I would like to join Ordo Daywalker eventually? And for that I need to join a conspiracy as well." It was easier to talk about it than to think of her parents, which she wasn't completely sure if they made her feel sad or enraged...and she certainly didn't want to be around them if she lost her control.

Talking about control, the bottle set next to her almost makes her fangs go out; controlling the impulse reflex is a skill that's coming slowly to her. "Just one glass?" She forcibly removes her eyes from the blood and back at Riley, repeating the question with her stare.

He'll pour you a healthy helping into that wine goblet, and hand it to you. A hungry childe won't do. Not on his watch in any case.

"You may have as much as you think you should have. I," he pauses a little, smiles, "I do not need to feed in such a way."

As for joining Ordo Daywalker...

"Have you been giving some thought on where you might go?"

"In such a way..."

She wanted to press, of course, but she wasn't sure pressing Riley Falner was a wise thing to do, and if something hadn't changed with her Embrace was her capacity to think before talking. Well, at least when it really counted. Enough talk would probably give her the answers to her questions, and they had time, probably.

"Where as in conspiracy-wise? I think The Methuselah would probably suit me best as a starting place, mostly because I can put my knowledge of law and diplomacy at use there. Afterwards...it's a big world."

Cue Ella picturing herself as a badass vampire kicking ass in some recondite corner of the Earth.

Have a smile, girl. And no, he doesn't mind questions. True, it is always wise to err on the side of caution, but clarifying things never hurt anyone.

"I have reached Golconda," he says that simply as he settles back into his chair. "As it is, I can take food and drink as non-vampires might and enjoy them as if I were human."

Humanity had been his dream, and the trade-off has been worth it, for the most part. His maudlin moments over going to sleep for centuries with no guarantee on the length of his slumber was a necessary evil. One he did not have to enjoy, but that he understood well enough.

He does not feel the pull of it in recent years though. He quietly hopes that it will remain that way for a long while yet.

"Is that...is that what happens, then? Kindred can eat and drink again?" It sounds wonderful, but also a bit of a downer? Ella knows next to nothing about the subject, but she's somehow expecting...more, perhaps. Or maybe it doesn't work the same way for everyone, she doesn't know. Hence the question.

"How many have reached Golconda?"

"A number of Kindred have, the number so far is small, but it is growing."

A smile now, at Ella.

"Golconda varies from case to case. Some of us embrace the beast, but are no longer beholden to it's urges, and some, like myself, return to humanity." He pauses, and then adds thoughtfully: "The exchange for such an existence, however, is that for long periods of time, I would need to sleep, and that is something I could not help."

He reaches for the box of cigars on the table, fetches the cutter, and contemplates a smoke.

"Would you mind terribly if I had one?" It is only polite to ask.

She takes it all in, taking notes and committing everything to memory. This is all invaluable information to her.

"I don't understand...embrace the beast?" Was that the contrary to what Riley had done? She couldn't imagine a vampire being more vampire-like.

She shakes her head energetically. "I don't mind!"

There's a smile your way the, child, as he goes through the routine motions of cutting and lighting his cigar.

"You are fond of reading, yes?" He's rising from his chair at that and walking towards the tall bookshelf lined with hardbound volumes. A glance over the shoulder as he pulls out two of those books and returns to his seat. He sets them on his lap, one palm skimming fondly over the leather.

"I don't suppose you've ever read the classic gothic works, Dracula... Carmilla."

"I am." She could be confident on that topic.

Ella follows him from her seat until he returns, and her eyes widen as she reads the titles. "Stoker and Le Fanu, of course I've read them! I couldn't take them home but we had it in the library." She smiles at him, feeling oddly proud of actually knowing what he's talking about. "I had forgotten about Carmilla. I guess we're alike, only that I'm not biting girls around."

You have wit. He likes that.

"Well, it is good to know that I won't have to ask you to read those then." He's handing those volumes your way now. "That one," he nods to the first, "are the personal memoirs of Vlad Tepes." Taking a leisurely puff now from his cigar as he relaxes into his chair. "He used to own Haven, the bar down in South District."

"Management has changed over though, and a good friend and business partner of his runs it now." Of the second volume, he says: "And that is the personal accounts of Longinus."

A smile. "If his name sounds familiar, it might be because you encountered it in the Bible."

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

testdrive | welcome to the new age.

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject