testdrive | welcome to the new age.

[geistnet]

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.

Comments

Ella Ryan, 5 (locked to Riley Falner, Open)

[outstanding]

Locked to Mr. Falner

It has been a little over two weeks after being Embraced, and Ella feels like she had delayed this for too long already. It had come up in conversation with Barbara a few times, that Riley was not only the big vampire in charge (much as he acted like it wasn't that way) but also her mentor and, Ella guessed, something of a surrogate sire to her. Not that Ella had dared to ask, because even though Barbara had been trying to be open with her, time needed to flow naturally between them.

But Ella is very happy, even when she sees her blurred reflection or when she pops her fangs and bites her tongue...or when she tries to use Celerity and runs into a wall (once!).

So there she is, making her way to where Barbara had told her Riley usually spent the idle time; up in the Malice Kings' floor, where security to enter was so tight she was surprised to be let into. Her sire had most likely let the guards know, and being the childe of the Golden Hand carried a few perks on itself.

Reaching which she was pretty sure was his room, Ella hesitated for an entire minute before finally knocking. "H-hello?"

Open

The thing with only being active at night was that most people were either asleep or away in missions by then. The state always had activity though, but she was pretty sure it was more obvious during the day. Most people awake during the night seemed to be either busy with important business or looking to make their ways to bed.

Still, that doesn't make much of a dent on Ella's mood; it simply means she has more freedom to roam the place and use the facilities, within reason of course. People that come in an out the Falner State might find one Ella Ryan in one of several places:

a) On the gardens, probably plopped on the grass, reading a book while sipping a blood bag.

b) By the entrance, perched on a corner with her cellphone out and making an awful job of pretending she's not checking everyone that enters out.

c) Getting lost in the greenhouse, as you do.

Pick your favorite choice!

A!

[scratching]

The night air is familiar, cool, something that Ro can certainly get behind as he changes into a more suitable form for skulking about the grounds. On four, rough paws and with sturdy form, he makes his way through the gardens, sniffing about the grass and hearing the soft pitter pattering of tinier feet, minute squeaking noises and soft chirrups from night birds. Hunting at night affords his feral nature privacy that daylight can't cover. Fewer people to get in the way to scare his prey just as well. He moves slowly through the dark, canine shoulders hunched forward as he pursues and catches himself a particularly fat-looking rodent. He's digging into it quite vigorously and by the time he's through with it, there's nothing left but a few scattered bones and some hair he couldn't care for.

It's the odd scent of blood and plastic that has his nose turning upwards, tongue sliding over his teeth and jaw as he looks around and makes his way towards the shape of a young woman sitting in the garden, a book spread open in her lap and bag full of blood being sipped at.

Huh.

He's certainly not after her blood, but rather, the company might be nice. His muzzle is still a bit stained, but he decides he doesn't look too menacing. Just like any other dog. Most people can't tell the different between dingos and regular old house breeds anyways. So here is just peeking out from some bushes and looking at her. Hello.

[outstanding]

Ella had noticed the particular smell of something wild in the midst, but she hadn't done a thing, partly because she supposed that ignoring it will bring it closer to her, partly because she didn't know what she was dealing with.

When Ro comes around though, Ella turns to look at it better, all attempts to play it cool going right off the window. "Hey boy," she says with a smile. Ella's not sure of how animals would react to a vampire, but she wants to believe she could at least pet it a few times before it freaks out.

"Are you lost? I don't remember seeing anyone with a dog like you around." Talking to it feels natural, perhaps because nobody can see her.

[conscient]

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.

[outstanding]

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.

[conscient]

"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."

[outstanding]

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.

[conscient]

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.

[outstanding]

...

...

...

"Did you just say family?"

This is going to be a very slow conversation.

[conscient]

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.

[outstanding]

"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.

[conscient]

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."

[outstanding]

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?"

[conscient]

"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.

B - Enter one Gray Magallanes and his Dragon

[anteayer]

He's making his way out of the mansion when he spots her, and Gray curiously raises one eyebrow at a girl who looked to be about his age. A quick study of her resonance, though, showed that she was more than she appeared to be. He could make out the faintest traces of a pale aura about her, as well as the impression of something bestial - driven by instinct. It felt young, though, and was (for the most part) quiet.

Moving off to one side, Gray settled in so he could better observe the vampire at a distance. A quick glance from Temeraire, together with the empathetic bond between them, was enough to have the dragon nod back, then fly over to strike up a friendly conversation.

(What Ella will see when she notices Temo is a cat-sized dragon with blue-green scales. The underside of his wings is a bright shade of red, and there is a curious gleam in his wide-eyed stare as he lands right next to you)

dragon o.o

[outstanding]

The advantages of being Kindred included a higher sense of awareness given by supernaturally sharp senses...but still, seeing the dragon coming her way was not something Ella could have ever prepared herself for. So while her eyes register every minute detail of his pretty scales, she ultimately yells something that sounds a lot like "Waaah!" and falls backwards, probably shaming the entire Kindred community.

A moment later she's sitting back though, realizing the little dragon is not there to hurt her...probably not right away. How do you even deal with dragons?

"Uh, sit?"

[anteayer]

Yes, he expected her to be surprised. What he did not expect was her getting that surprised. Hence, Gray wince in response to Ella's reaction, but quickly composes himself as he continued to watch.

He does roll his eyes, though, at Ella trying to tell his dragon to sit.

For his part, Temo simply tilted his head to one side as he eyed the girl intently, before sitting down on his hind legs with a snort. What happens next might turn out to be another surprise for the newly sired vampire.

"Do you want me to roll over next?" he asks with a bemused smile, head moving to tilt to the other side. "Or maybe you'd prefer to just say 'hi'".

[outstanding]

"N-no?"

It talks! She was not expecting it to talk. Him to talk? Definitely sounds like a him. "Sorry about that," she says after a moment. "Never seen a dragon other than Mr. Clayce, specially one so small."

And now she kind of wants to pat him on the head, but she's still a bit scared of getting burnt. Kindred and fire don't mix well.

[anteayer]

"Oh, it's fine. I kind of get that a lot, especially from people who're new here. And you're new, right? I don't think I've seen you around before. Have you been in Falner long? My human and I have been here for four years, already. And speaking of my human..." Temo pauses in his babbling to glance over at his partner's direction. "It's alright, Gray! He's harmless.

Ay, mierda... Have one Acanthus Mage flinch for the second time in the span of an hour, before throwing a rather peeved look at his dragon's direction. Really, Temo? Really?!

(Oh, don't give me that look, amigo. You owe me for scaring her, and she seems pretty nice).

Yeah, right. I can see you smirking there.

Holding his stern look on Temo for a few seconds more, Gray is already smoothing out his expression as he began moving to join him and their new acquaintance where they stood by the entrance. He nods in greeting to a couple of people who were passing his way coming in, before turning to address Ella with a polite smile.

"Good evening, ma'am. I apologize if my dragon might have startled you", and he's glancing again at Temo as he says this next. "He can be really lively around new people, as he was with you".

(This time, Ella will note that the young man here (Hispanic based on his looks and accent) is wearing the distinct form-fitting blue coat of a Netsach hunter, complete with the conspiracy's insignia printed on both shoulders and a pin showing which division of Netsach he was a part of - Ziz)

[outstanding]

"Ah, yes, just a couple of weeks. Mr. Gomez is still sorting out the housing details..." Ella can't keep up with Temo though, so she's answering in between his questions.

She looks past the dragon and smiles back at Gray. "It's okay, he's very nice and polite." Ella probably has a different idea of what these words mean, let's be real here.

Ella herself looks very...blonde and pale. Her English accent is strong and obvious, too.

[anteayer]

Gray gives her a nod as Temo flies up to perch on his shoulder. He was curious, though, at what she had just said, but he'll get to that soon. "Well, he is that, too. But yeah. This is really the first time you've seen a Mage's dragon?"

[outstanding]

"I believe so? Or at least from this close; I don't really go around stopping mages to see how their dragons look. It seems like a very rude thing to do."

And she's not rude. At all.

[anteayer]

"Good point", Gray replies in agreement before slightly cocking his head to one side. "Then again, some people might also find it a bit rude when someone is conspicuously checking them out".

His smile took on a more apologetic note. "Sorry. But you were standing out so much that someone else might have called you out on it sooner or later. You're probably going to need more work on being subtle".

Then again, it's understandable, seeing as this girl was obviously new to her unlife.

[outstanding]

"Ah."

Ella looks down, feeling slightly embarrassed. She's supposed to be a creature of the night, a hunter or some sort of really awesome predator, not the same old Ella who isn't really at approaching strangers.

"I guess being blonde doesn't really do that well for hiding in the dark."

[anteayer]

If that was supposed to be an attempt at humor, then this vampire will thankfully get a chuckle out of Gray. "Maybe you could tie back your hair in a way that it doesn't stand out too much?" he suggests in an assuring manner. "That might help".

Temo was quick to speak up at that instant. "That's a good idea! Or maybe she could wear something that could cover her hair? How about a hat? Or maybe a cap would be better? Or-Oh!", he suddenly realized that neither he nor his human had introduced themselves yet. "I'm Temo, by the way. And this is Gray. And you're?"