TEST DRIVE MEME 003

[larkers]

> TEST DRIVE MEME #003

Welcome to the Meadowlark test drive meme! After waking up in strange and rather worrisome conditions, characters will need to begin to live their lives in this new world. All TDM threads take place after the arrival process, so please assume that the initial adjustment period has passed. Now it's time to see the bright sights and sounds that New Amsterdam – and beyond – has to offer. All Meadowlark test drive memes will not be game canon. Please feel free to carry on relationships that make sense, but if your character is off on a colony researching terraforming or in jail because they vandalized corporation signage with Morningstar's emblem, that will be a little harder to transfer into game. All applicants can use threads from the TDM for their samples.

> SETTLING IN

There is very little that can smooth over the experience of your arrival in this world. Coming to in a van, drugged and restrained, only to be carefully helped out by the unknown guards and nurses and then abandoned in an alleyway. What comes after is relatively straightforward: you're found by others and taken back to a safehouse, hidden under an abandoned supermarket. This has happened before. There are others not from this world who have experienced the same, with no recollection of how they came here, bearing signs that they've lost months of their lives, but unfortunately, no more answers on how or why than you do. There are theories, crossed realities, a very real sense of immense violation to one's self. Maybe this knowledge brings you a growing sense of futility, or perhaps it inspires a deeper determination in you. But even as you begin to think on what next, life has to go on. All of the new arrivals will be given a fake ID and a background that will lend them access to entry-level jobs. It may be overwhelming, but Morningstar won't be asking anyone to get their lives together immediately. It would take at least a month's wages to put down a deposit on even the smallest apartment in the city, so everyone has a grace period before they set out. Morningstar will also make their purpose clear if asked: they are a group dedicated to fighting corruption and righting the wrongs of this world, though they won't go into detail to someone who isn't a member. It will be made expressly clear that anyone who's received assistance from Morningstar has to keep that a secret, as it could compromise their life and safety, as well as the lives of others. > 001: EXPLORE THE CHANGES You have been changed, and unfortunately Morningstar know very little about how or why. They won't be able to give a crash course to answer everything, and in fact, may seem just as surprised (or scared) as you over some of the strange abilities you now have. They know this has happened, but it's just as strange for them as it is for you. Most of the troubling changes will be what's happened to each person's physiology. Every aspect of this situation is already enough to make someone feel scared, stressed, confused, or even angry at what's happened to them - having to navigate a new, crowded and noisy world could easily provide enough stimulation to make it worse . Unfortunately, strong emotion could be just the key to triggering your new power. To get things under wraps, you'll want to duck away to somewhere more private or hidden. Thankfully, there are numerous underpasses, dark corners, and currently-empty shops, but you'll need to be quick to avoid raising any eyebrows – or avoid hurting anyone. Otherwise, you might prefer to play it safe and avoid striking out before you have more answers. As much as Morningstar has been helpful, you know that the others in your situation may have more information. But be careful that you don't end up sharing more than you intended. Every instance of skin-to-skin contact will trigger an immediate empathic bond, letting you feel the other person's emotions and vise versa. While there's nothing that can be done to completely prevent this, someone can either decide to hold on and continue sharing that level of emotional intimacy, or let go and end the shockingly vulnerable exchange. > 002: THE NETWORK One thing Morningstar do know about is the neural implant. This piece of tech is a basic necessity of life in this world, and you now have one in your head. Thankfully Morningstar are able to provide any necessary information to help you understand this new tool and its application to daily life. Early on, every newcomer receives access to an encrypted network, only available to you and the others like you, making contact between you easy and safe. Familiarize yourself with this network and dig in. Perhaps you're hoping to find some bigger answers, ask about the latest weather or nail polish trends in New Amsterdam, or want to discuss how much Morningstar suck in a venue where they'll absolutely see it. Don't worry, you won't be booted. They're used to it. There are private, one-on-one modes of communication available as well, though without the security of Morningstar's encryptions, they're much less safe. You can make calls, send texts, make videos, and even interact with others in a VR simulation – however, there it's made very clear that the government has a means of tracking these. This definitely isn't a place to be careless about your communication.

> RESOLUTION DAY FESTIVAL

One day a year, everyone the whole system over participates in the annual celebration of Resolution Day. It's not explicitly stated what Resolution Day actually is; there's no reason to declare what everyone already knows, and characters may find themselves experiencing some intense culture shock as they stumble into the festivities. The celebration starts early and finishes late – very late – so whether you choose to join in the fun, learn more about the history of the festival, or take advantage of the revelry for other, more nefarious goals, you'll have plenty of time. As the festival sprawls wildly throughout the streets of New Amsterdam, it gives even the most desolate parts of the city new life with bright lights, noise, and plenty of food. Recent circumstances have left New Amsterdam in a constant state of rebuilding, but the festival adds gloss to a lot of the damage – though most of the festival strays away from the most ruined architecture so that it doesn't serve as a constant reminder. Most businesses are shut for the day, giving their workers the time to enjoy the celebration, but some might consider this one of their most profitable days of the year – if you've gotten yourself a restaurant, rickshawing or corporate PR job, you might find yourself stuck on a double shift. Better snatch what small moments of enjoyment you can! > 003: ENJOY THE FESTIVITIES Anything you'd think it would be at a festival in the year 2511 is definitely at this festival. Care to play a game? All attendees can play for free. Some games – like the hoverblade racing, the augmented reality fightboxes and the street-wide bouts of laser tag – involve a partner or a competitor, so you better hope someone's willing to do you a solid or bring out your competitive side. If having fun involves less competition and more opportunities to feel emboldened, there are karaoke setups all over the city. Most of the songs will be unfamiliar to anyone who's new to this world, but like any music in any era, they're catchy enough. There are some jingles that have managed to survive several hundred years, and you might stumble across a gaggle of teenagers declaring that "All You Need is Love." To encourage letting loose, most of these karaoke booths have bartenders available to help someone find the courage they need to reach the stage. Or maybe it's time to try the delicacies of New Amsterdam. Hundreds of food trucks have turned out today in droves with high hopes that they'll come away turning a profit. Down for some Mexi-German fusion? Or perhaps you're hoping that pad Thai still tastes the same with grasshoppers? Share your food – or give away whatever you don't like. Food trucks are the hub of activity, and the busiest ones might be worth the time, but you'll be standing in line for a while. > 004: HISTORY LESSONS Aside from your typical booths of free samples, charitable causes, volunteer applications, and white chocolate-covered beetles, you'll find an opportunity to learn about Resolution Day’s history. There are various stands available where – thanks to the augmented reality application of your neural implant – you can view video about the origins of the festival and what, exactly, everyone's celebrating. These videos will play for you and you alone, and you'll soon learn that this is the day, 410 years ago, that humans successfully ended the AI war. If you'd like to feel like a hero, the UNA are running several virtual reality simulations where you can be taken to the battlefield to fight alongside fellow soldiers, working to bring the outwardly robotic AI to submission. The virtual reality simulation interacts with your neural implant to give you the most realistic experience possible. If you don't ground yourself enough, you'll be certain that the sights, sounds, and smells around you are real as you march in formation toward the brutality waiting up ahead. Feel free to team up with a partner on a side mission, or maybe try to keep someone from plugging in for what could be a traumatic experience. Eerie, heart-wrenching music plays when you die, but is promptly followed by the image of several corporate logos reminding you that they sponsored this day and this event. If you're uncomfortable with this information, no one will understand why. AI sympathizers are not present among the native population. Will you risk trying to change their minds? > 005: USING DISTRACTIONS There are other opportunities in the city being flooded with festival-goers. For Morningstar, this is a prime opportunity to test new recruits when it comes to charming corporate execs and getting in good with them. Whatever your cover story is, make it good. Whether you claim you're hoping to pitch an idea for some new tech or are more interested in seducing – or squeezing – some information out of them, following them into the next bar or karaoke booth may give you the perfect chance. But you might want a lookout to watch your back, a co-conspirator to keep them plied with drinks, or maybe you'll need a voice of reason to stop you from squeezing too hard. Morningstar values discretion – and so does everyone else, for that matter.

> CRIMINAL ACTIVITY

Traveling down from the hectic main city streets reveals a different side from the gloss and promise of New Amsterdam. Economic disparity runs rampant throughout the city, and many people are pushed to desperation, looking to find other ways to make ends meet. In the darker shadows, many illegal activities thrive, out of view of the authorities - or perhaps known and supported by corrupt individuals. Maybe you're here exploring, completing a task for Morningstar, or working a job in the place you excel. Whatever's brought you here, you may want to watch your step, or else find the city eating you as it has so many others. > 006: GETTING IN Organized crime still has a strong foothold in the world, with gangs and more established families working drugs, weapons, property and black market cybernetics, to name a few. These organizations are sprawling units that regularly recruit new members into their ranks, so long as they can prove themselves by passing the intensive hazing. Maybe you'd like to have a role in such a powerful organization. Or maybe you'd like to use your relative anonymity to burn it all down. One way to get an in is through their numerous clubs and illegal gambling dens, where to get past the door you have to know a guy who knows a guy who knows a guy. Don't know a guy? Feel free to try to use brute force or some chicanery to make them believe that you belong among their numbers. Just don't get caught doing anything they don't like – which could be breathing the wrong way, if you're unlucky enough. Best to have an escape plan in place, like perhaps stealing one of the many hovercars or hoverbikes parked outside the establishment. If you've got the skills, you'll be able to weave through the chaos of the city and make a clean getaway – just don't let the chase run for too long, or you'll have law enforcement on your ass as well. > 007: FIGHT CLUB No matter the occasion outside, New Amsterdam's fight club events are held every evening. The bouncers at the door don't have too many scruples on who they let inside. All they care about is whether someone has the money to pay the cover charge. The interior of the fight club reveals the sophistication of a business that's used to uprooting itself regularly. All the fights take place in a large cage in the center, and you remain on your feet while you enjoy the show. There is a special VIP section if you've been lucky enough to receive an invite or bribe your way in – just keep in mind that these invites are scarce, and you will have to have done something spectacular to earn the attention from someone high up the food chain. Regardless of where you end up, there is one rule: what happens in the fight club stays in the fight club. This tenant is law, and everyone's heard stories of the different (and sometimes extreme) lengths which have been taken to maintain it. Maybe you're here to sign up and test your chops against other fighters. Many of the fighters boast illegal cybernetic enhancements, so it would be a really good idea to have someone on hand who knows some first aid. Maybe you'd prefer to just enjoy the show, or take the opportunity to grill the bartenders for information. Just be careful not to make a fool of yourself. Asking too many questions might catch the wrong kind of attention – the kind that might find you being thrown into the ring, whether you wanted to be there or not. For all the blood spilled, these fight clubs thrive on discretion, so whatever you do, try to keep it quiet.

> THE STATUS QUO

By the next morning, the true shape of New Amsterdam will come to light for everyone who steps out and sees that it has been devastated recently. There are numerous construction sites throughout the city, with some being more expedient than others, all to try to rebuild a city that's been under duress. There are numerous mandates that filter through news feeds, telling citizens that they should turn in any monster carcasses from the June 27th attacks. With no further context, it might be up to you to look into what this even means: doing just that will lead to numerous articles about a mysterious creature attack that assaulted the city and led to countless people being made homeless. No one knows the cause for the attack, as investigations are ongoing. The effects of this attack are more apparent today than they were the day before. While the festivities demanded that the streets were bare, numerous tent cities have gone back up to take the place of the booths. The people living here look like they've been here for a while, and Resolution Day festivities mildly inconvenienced them. The supplies going to them are only just enough for them to be comfortable, with most of their facilities being maintained and highly restricted to keep up water rationing demands. Soon enough it will be apparent that this is what New Amsterdam is like, with the same amount of targeted advertisements built in to the city's foundation to show the influence of the local corporations. > 008: WHERE THERE'S SMOKE Around midday, vents open up throughout New Amsterdam to let smoke rapidly filter up into the foreground of the city. The reason why? A fire sparks in the underground portion of New Amsterdam, spreading quickly between two apartment buildings. The cause is unknown, and while firefighters are on the scene, they could use an extra hand. Numerous people suffer from the effects of smoke inhalation, and there are likely more inside the buildings themselves waiting for an assist. For anyone who's been here already, this may feel like a familiar sequence of events, but going into the fire puts anyone at risk for being infected by the smoke itself. The infection is far from contagious and doesn't spread from one person to another - but it's highly unpleasant, leaving someone feeling mild nausea and headaches, irritability, vertigo, feverish … and vengeful. As the sickness takes hold and worsens, anyone impacted by this infection will feel the need to take revenge on people around them. This retaliation can take any number of forms from violent to non-violent: pick countless fights, or manipulate your friends into fighting one another for your own satisfaction, just to prove that they will turn on one another. Thankfully, there is a cure for this righteous anger – unless you're inclined to feel this normally, of course. Any of the player characters who didn't stage a rescue in the burning building will be able to cure others by making skin-to-skin contact and holding on to it for a prolonged period of time. This contact will lead to their chest glowing blue for the entire duration, an increasingly burning sensation for both parties involved which eventually culminates in a sense of peace before giving way to a deep, pervading sense of sadness. Throughout New Amsterdam, there will be countless people impacted by this infection thanks to their close proximity to the fire itself. It's up to you to help them – or leave them hanging, if that's what you prefer. But the only existing cure appears to be anyone with the strange blue stuff in their chests. The news reports that follow reiterate that everyone in the city should turn in any remaining monster carcasses that they have because of the risks inherent in keeping them close. While they don't make a strict connection between the fire and the second string of chaotic attacks, Governor Gill-Jade appears on screen to implore everyone to be cautious and vigilant. There will also be increased fire inspections throughout the city to try to prevent more of these outbreaks, and she promises that all of her resources will be dedicated toward preventing further infection.

> THE WILDCARDS

> 009: SPACE Whether you're desperate for a reprieve from Earth after getting a taste of some unwanted righteous fury or curious about this century's space exploration, there are a number of opportunities available to let someone blast off. Most people will find that the process of getting into space is tedious, but also one that occurs regularly from day to day. The opportunities are there for anyone seeking a job out in the colonies, but first you'll have to get hired, or have approval for subsidy granted by the government. Journeys to the colonies are long and arduous, and what people find when they show up isn't any better. Most of the facilities are in poor condition, with food and water far more strictly rationed than back on Earth. If you'd rather just take a trip out to space without having to worry about a job, you have a number of options. Anyone can book a trip to go off planet, if they have the capital, or perhaps you'd prefer to work towards some proper credentials and join a crew. Of course, someone wishing to skip to the front of the line can always just stowaway on the back of a ship – or steal one for themselves. Just be wary of the fact that the hangars these ships are in come with increased security to match their price tags. They're hard to steal, but not impossible. As long as you know to skip the hacking and go with brute force, it should work out fine. > 010: GO NUTS This isn't all there is to explore, so feel free to branch out! Visit a doctor about some advanced cybernetics. Sneak through the city checkpoints and set out into the wilderness. Experiment with some insect based versions of your favorite recipes. Perhaps you'd prefer to engage in some illegal street racing, spend some time getting used to the technology, or make a bold declaration to become a llama farmer. Use the SETTING for inspiration and choose your own adventure.

> NAVIGATION

Comments

kaldur'ahm | young justice

[shorelined]

001. EMPATHY

[ it happens soon after his arrival, before he learns not to reach out, before he understands the full extent of what has been done to him, to them all. it happens in conversation or when someone walking past drops something, it happens in a corridor or on the street when he simply walks past someone, brushing against them.

no matter how it happens, skin touches skin and the empathic bond kicks in. in some ways, it feels natural to kaldur - he is used to a bond with the team via miss martian's powers. but m'gann isn't here. the emotion comes across as a sense of loss, a sense of guilt, a near overwhelming sense of responsibility, the sense of a burden on his shoulders. there's determination, too, somewhere beneath it all. ]

002. NOT QUITE THE SEA

[ kaldur has found a park that features a small lake and that is where he can be found now, a scarf wrapped around his neck to hide the gills and his webbed hands hidden in the pockets of his jacket despite the fact that there is no one here to see him.

he needed to be near water. this lake is a poor excuse for the sea, but it is water and it calms the storm raging inside him somewhat - although none of his inner turmoil shows on his face. still, if someone were to sit next to him, if their skin were to brush his at any point, they would feel his overwhelming sense of responsibility, the burden he carries. his fear of failure and his need to do good.

even without skin on skin contact and the empathic bond kicking in, it is clear that kaldur is lost in thought, something melancholy in his expression. ]

003. NETWORK (@kaldur'ahm.shayeris)

I have come to understand that I am not among the first to wake like this. Is there anything those of you who have come before me have learned that you could share?

I also thought it wise to introduce myself. My name is Kaldur'ahm. I am still finding my footing, but if I can help in any way, please contact me.

001

[shove]

( it's not unusual for kaldur, but it is for jason. he's walking passed kaldur, moving with purpose to get beyond him when a bare arm brushes against the other's and there's a spark of--something. blue glowing in his chest, an unfamiliar addition to his usual emotions sparking behind eyes and for jason it's--

fear. confusion. a sense of loss but determination. he pauses in his step, moves a hand to shove against kaldur even if it was entirely his fault to begin with, speaks loud but not quite yelling. yet. )

Watch your step, asshole.

[shorelined]

My apologies.

[ the reaction is immediate, quietly polite and unobtrusive in the face of jason's angrier tone. that anger doesn't quite match up with what kaldur has sensed through the momentary connection, but he isn't going to point that out.

jason pushes, and kaldur barely moves an inch. part of it is simply atlantean physiology; he's sturdy, but part of it is also training, knowing just how to position himself to keep an even balance at all times, to counteract things like this.

besides, it wasn't a hard shove. ]

Are you all right?

[shove]

( no, it wasn't. it was fronting more than anything else but the more it seems to not bother kaldur, the more it bothers him. kaldur doesn't move, which leaves jason--right fucking in front of him, barely a centimeter of space between them even before he leans in closer, tries to get right into this guy's face.

but he's shorter, so it doesn't. quite work out as well as intended. whatever, close enough, and he does get up on his toes to compensate a bit. )

I'll be even better once you get out of my face.

[shorelined]

[ very calmly —perhaps even a little dryly, kaldur responds: ]

I am not in your face.

[ but jason very decidedly is in his. still, kaldur has never been one prone to rage and over the months of being undercover, he has learned to stand his ground even more than he had previously.

he has also learned how to fake rage, whenever necessary. he is not undercover now, though, and he does not want to go back to pretending anything unless he has to. ]

[shove]

( attempt number two to earn a rise out of him gets nothing. and jason's already low on steam, continuing to scream at a guy who doesn't budge, doesn't get snarky and continues to just fucking--stand there. well.

kaldur's calm is enough to get the same in return. jason shoves off his chest (not as much strength as he has in his arms but enough to try and prove a point) and takes a few steps back, crosses both arms over chest. clicks his tongue against the roof of his mouth, )

Yeah, whatever, man. ( a moment, eyes down before they look back up to kaldur. ) I'm fine. Just great. Dandy.

[shorelined]

Have you also arrived recently?

[ kaldur remains where he is, only shifting his weight a little for the shove jason gives him. he is glad, at least, to have de-escalated the situation.

he also decidedly does not believe jason's assessment that he is great. sarcasm isn't that difficult to spot, these days. ]

[shove]

( it's hard to be angry and pissed at someone who a: did not do anything and b: isn't giving him any fucking ammo to work with. kaldur: 1. jason: 0. )

Nope. ( popping the p between his lips for extra. god. being extra. ) Been here my whole life.

( for all his bravado he does actually offer up a hand. realizes his mistake a moment later and folds it back over his chest. no more touching for either of them. ) Jason.

[shorelined]

[ it isn't a contest. ]

I see.

[ kaldur's tone remains measured, but for a brief moment his expression betrays his doubtfulness as to the truth of that particular statement. someone is being very extra and that someone is named jason, apparently. ]

I am Kaldur'ahm. [ he inclines his head in greeting and acknowledgement. ]

[shove]

( everything is a contest. from who wakes up the fastest to who survives the longest. )

Kaldur'ahm.

( it's pronounced correctly, manages to catch the accents in kaldur's own speech to mimic the way he says his own name. even if jason turns around and makes a shitty face after. not over the name just. over everything. )

Where're you from?

[shorelined]

A place called Atlantis. Have you heard of it?

[ shayeris, really, but he is atlantean, so the specific distinctions hardly seem to matter.

he catches the expression on jason's face, but doesn't read into it. if his time with the team has taught him anything, it is that there are people far more expressive than him who make faces at just about anything. perhaps jason is one of them. ]

[shove]

( he does, in fact, make a lot of weird faces thank you. the snort that passes his lips is ugly, matches the roll of his eyes. )

Oh yeah, sure. The place Fishman comes from, right? Dude who saves submarines?

[shorelined]

Aquaman.

[ a beat. he has not betrayed atlantis and the man who had been a father figure for him for a long time, a mentor and even a friend, not in the way everyone thought he did, the way he made everyone think he did, but while his outbursts toward king orin were exaggerated, there was truth in them, too.

the best lies are based on the truth, after all.

his feelings are complicated. and still he inclines his head in a gesture of respect. ] He is my king.

[shove]

Uh huh. ( he knew that. the name was bullshit, to see if kaldur'ahm did know who he was referring to. but jason tries to hide that from his face, lifts shoulders in a loose shrug. ) Yeah, whatever it was.

( a step forward then, closer to kaldur'ahm's space but not quite in it yet. looking him over from head to toe, taking in his--everything. look. it's important. )

And what does that make you?

[shorelined]

It makes me Atlantean.

[ the answer comes easily, in the same calm tone as before. it makes him a lot more, of course —it makes him aqualad, for instance. that's not the sort of thing he will reveal quite so quickly, however. ]

001

[otherflash]

[ Being lost in his own thoughts is how Wally comes to accidentally bump into someone solid in a hallway; the collision isn't a forceful one, but there must have been some form of skin contact if his chest glowing blue and the new wave of emotions washing over him are any indication. He knows the other person has to be getting a heavy dose of his own sense of loss, loneliness, and frustration that has been building up within him ever since he arrived not too long ago in return.

He blinks once or twice at the other man, waiting for the sensation from the empathy bond to subside a bit, before he offers up an apologetic smile and says, ]

Sorry about that. [ Sheepishly, he runs a hand through his still way too short red hair. ] I don't think I'll ever get used to this no matter how long I stay here.

[shorelined]

[ the sense of loss and loneliness is familiar in some ways and kaldur's expression tightens for a moment in sympathy. his own sense of loss and the guilt he carries for the things he has done while undercover are more familiar, are companions he has gotten used to, but this wave is worthy of sympathy despite the similarities, the familiarity it brings. ]

It is all right.

[ a beat.

there's more that seems familiar about this person he's bumped into. ] Have you been here very long?

[otherflash]

[ Familiar feelings or no, Wally finds the whole sharing of emotions with complete strangers thing to be incredibly unsettling. He doesn't appreciate being so exposed, especially since he's been trying to bury everything he's been feeling for so long, and can't imagine the majority of people feel any different than he does.

At least this stranger is seemingly taking the accidentally run-in and mixing of emotions in stride. ]

Pretty new, actually. It's only been a few long days. Still trying to find my footing as they say.

[ His stay in this world has obviously been longer than that given the changes that have been made to his person without his blessing. Not only has some sick whack job(s) shoved something in his head and stuffed who knows what into his chest, but they were somehow able to sever his connection to the Speed Force when using him as a lab rat.

It's the loss of his speedster capabilities that he has been lamenting the most. Throughout all the changes and losses he has experienced in his life, his speed and ability to be The Flash has been the one thing he has been able to hang onto while the rest of his world fell apart. And now? He doesn't even have that. ]

I'm Wally, by the way. [ His right hand comes up as if he's about to extend it, but it ultimately falls back to his side a second later after thinking better of it. ] I'd shake your hand, but I'm not exactly eager for another go around of feelings.

[shorelined]

[ the bond between the team vis m'gann's abilities has made it easier for kaldur to deal with the emotional bond of these newfound powers now, although he would have to agree if he knew what wally was thinking: it is unsettling to share with complete strangers. ]

It seems we have arrived at the same time.

[ there are other similarities, of course: they've both been experimented on, stripped of their powers. kaldur's head had already been shorn before his abduction, so that has not changed, and he is still atlantean, gills and webbed fingers and toes and all.

he doesn't think of any of those things, though. what he thinks about is the familiarity he hadn't been able to place. what he thinks about is that name, wally. what he thinks about are multiple universes. something slots into place, an ache in his chest at the loss of a friend, something hopeful that he thinks he doesn't deserve to feel, shouldn't be feeling. ]

Wally West?

[otherflash]

[ The mention of his last name that he didn't offer up has Wally tilting his head, curiously. ]

Yeah, that would be me.

[ This person knowing of him is a revelation that earns the guy a quick once-over, but unfortunately, there isn't anything immediately familiar about his appearance that provides Wally a clue about how he knows him. Which leaves the two most logical possibilities being this is more multiverse shenanigans or the younger man is from further up his timeline.

Either way, he can already feel the headache coming on because it never gets any easier no matter how many times he goes through situations like these. ]

It seems you have me at a bit of a disadvantage here. [ A polite way of saying "I don't know who you are". ] I mean, I'm assuming you know another version of me?

[shorelined]

I believe I do.

[ kaldur nods, slowly. he tries not to let any of what he feels show on his features and largely succeeds because he has a great deal of practice, these days, in not betraying a thing. he could not have survived undercover for as long as he did otherwise. ]

My name is Kaldur'ahm. [ he considers, for a moment. there is no one around, much less paying them any attention. that doesn't mean there is no surveillance in place.

voice lowered, he adds: ] You may know me as Aqualad.

[otherflash]

[ There is no spark of recognition in Wally's features at the mention of the younger man's civilian name, but the moment the hero alias is brought up in that quiet voice, his eyes widen slightly before he casually glances around to fully take in their surroundings — more so out of habit when talking shop than anything else.

Once he's convinced things are safe, he adopts the same low tone that the person in front of him had used. ]

The Aqualad I know is Garth. But he prefers to be called Tempest these days.

[ Though now that he thinks about it, there is a new Aqualad among his younger cousin's edition of the Teen Titans; one Garth had mentioned a few times in passing since their respective Titan teams came together to battle the mercenary Deathstroke who was trying to change the timeline in an attempt to save his son.

Whether or not the new Aqualad is this Kaldur'ahm, Wally can't say as he had missed out on the initial introductions and exchanging of pleasantries on account of being kidnapped at the time, and everything after that had been a blur even for him. ]

Do the words Teen Titans mean anything to you?

[shorelined]

I know Garth.

[ his best friend, or former best friend. a member of the team, too, before tula's death —and then kaldur had gone and used tula's death and the truth about his father that king orin had kept from him to go under deep cover, to convince everyone that he had turned sides. to learn about the light, to expose them.

he cannot say that they are best friends anymore because he does not know if garth will ever trust him, will forgive him for the ruse. it was necessary, but. . . he shoves those thoughts away. ]

I am afraid I do not. It seems our timelines are very different. [ the wally west he knows is dead. ]

[otherflash]

[ Wally nods slightly in agreement that the timeline discrepancies between their worlds seem to be pretty drastic. ]

It definitely sounds like it. [ A beat, before he mentions offhandedly: ] I really can't imagine what my life would be like without the Titans.

[ His lips curl up into a smile as his thoughts drift to the original group of sidekicks and Lilith Clay, the best friends he has ever known. Not only were they a team of teen superheroes back in the day, but they were a support group that was always there for him when it came to dealing with the difficulties of life and growing up.

Still are, in fact. Their friendship is one of the few connections Wally has been able to repair after Abra Kadabra had wiped his existence from the minds of everyone in the world. ]

So how exactly do you know the other me? Are you friends? Just have an interest in the same job? Should I be making apologies on his behalf?

[ Simply trying to get a feel for how awkward all of this might be depending on their relationship in this alternate universe. ]

[shorelined]

No apologies are necessary.

[ quite the opposite.

kaldur cannot imagine his life without the team, either —but they're called just the team, not the titans or teen titans. kaldur takes a breath. ]

In my world, Robin, Kid Flash and I formed a team, together with Superboy. The Justice League soon realised that we were effective and could operate where they could not, so we officially became the Team. [ do you hear that capital letter? ]

I have led the Team for years before handing leadership to Nightwing. It has grown considerably in size over the years. [ a beat. more quietly, because wally is dead — ] We were friends. [ were. ]