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

Alex Benedetto (GANGSTA.)

[windowsills]

➥oo1 EXPLORE THE CHANGES (cw possible gore description)

[ If she had known it would be this crowded in the street she never would have come here. It’s wall to wall people in a way Ergastulum never really achieved despite its large population. In Ergastulum one’s reputation and appearance kept those away from you, an innate knowledge of who was dangerous and who was just a bit less so. People have no regard for that respectful distance here. And Alex learns this too late as she finds herself swept up into the sea of commuters. Before she can get her bearings, someone’s bare arm knocks into hers and suddenly a wave of anxiety not her own rolls over her. Worries and heartbreak and anger. Intense and nothing like her own emotions.

Goosebumps explode all over her skin. Sweat starts prickling on the back of her neck.

She's frozen to the spot, people nudging and pushing her but she barely feels it over the panic clawing at her chest. It was like that touch was an open invitation for all her stress and sadness to burst free and she can suddenly feel him, right at her back. Just watching. She’s trapped in the crowd and entirely convinced he will get her this time. Her knees shake and then suddenly without warning her feet respond to her panic and she bolts, barrelling through the crowd ignoring the shouts and curses as she knocks against people.

She runs straight into someone and gives them the hardest shove she can manage. She’s small but running on paranoid adrenaline and fear. ]

➥ oo2 THE NETWORK

un: alex.benedetto

The videos of animals accessible on this implant. Specifically pets; cats and birds and things like that. Are there more like that? Where do I find them?

Or maybe the location of an actual animal. As long as the ‘touch’ doesn’t work on them. If it does, I’m just fine with the videos.

[ She seems to have all her priorities in order here. She needs a little comfort from someone that is not a person, but if she were to find out that a cute animal also has complicated and messy feelings it would probably kill the point of this quick fix.

And then to sign off in the most awkward way possible: ]

Thank you for taking the time to read this.

➥ oo3 ENJOY THE FESTIVITIES

[ Alex is extremely wary of venturing outside again, but it’s a little hard to avoid it while making the smallest attempt to look for work. And the wild commotion in the streets is everywhere, a completely inevitable interaction. She has never seen such a large group of people gathered so harmoniously and happy without a care. Even with the start of her awful week here, she is curious despite herself. Finding the longest sleeved dress she can, she ventures out very carefully, jumping a few feet away from anyone who almost touches her. She's hypervigilant now.

She stops dead in the street when she hears the music. Voices singing along to a hard thrumming song. Entranced, she wanders over to where a group is gathered, singing lyrics on a projected screen as the music happily kicks along. Alex doesn’t know the song, but she looks extremely wistful all the same, completely absorbed.

And then someone selects a familiar old song and the crowd yells something about 'too many archaic tunes', but Alex’s face breaks into a small delighted smile. She knows it and loves it well, something familiar and comforting. She wants to join, but she doesn’t know these people, doesn’t belong to them and she can’t even dream of imposing like that. So, she just watches with open longing on her face and hums along quietly. ]

➥ WILDCARD

( spring whatever on her! )

3

[blyat]

[His presence in the crowd doesn't carry purpose. There's no reason to loiter and listen, captured in the thrall of vocalists - some good, some bad, some with a voice like a golden instrument - while others spectate or sing along. Truthfully, he's never seen anything like this before. Not the least of which includes the sheer quantity of strangers on the street, outnumbering even that dark and unending party in the caverns below.

So he's here for the novelty. Here for the food, and the brief reprieve from a grinding and dreary week, so he'll stop thinking about how much his body aches.

Nothing snares his interest more than the woman standing alone in a long-sleeved dress, hum lost in the loudness of her surroundings. Cain only picks it up when he's within a closer radius, and the melody follows a weaving tune, light as dust in the air. He's still an arm's reach away when he speaks to her.]

It sounds like you know that song better than they do. [Archaic, or just unknown, the singing from attendees is well off the mark.] Why not join 'em?

[windowsills]

[ Alex is so absorbed in her own little world that she doesn’t even notice the stranger approaching. She visibly jumps, which exposes her as a person that just naturally startles easily. It’s a disorientating minute, no men have approached her in months and months. Not with the Handymen always close by; her menacing guardians, keeping her safe and untouchable. It takes her a moment to settle. This is fine. The conversation is benign and conversational. And he is a good distance away. ]

Is it that noticeable? I guess I do, but I’d never be able to go up there.

[ Which is a lie. But just a little white one. She’s been on stage a few times, in an outrageous cocktail dress and boa, belting out jazzy tunes for an entire club audience. But the difference was her friends were there, a constant comforting presence. Worick’s loud bombastic voice cutting through the music as he did too many shots with Galahad and Nicolas skulking somewhere around the perimeter, unseen but definitely there. Just in case. ]

I would need someone there to watch.

[ She’s quiet for a moment, contemplative whether she’ll ever have that again before she realizes that that statement sounds like she’s fishing for company. Her lips clamp shut and her face burns with embarrassment, but she doesn’t say anything. She's too flustered to think of a way to backpedal on that one. ]

[blyat]

[As she startles like a spooked animal, Cain's expression drops from the cutting smile he wore. He gets the sense if he comes on too strongly, it'll chase the woman away, and he'd rather have a conversation before that happens, particularly as she appears to be as entranced by the festivities as he feels. It could be an assumption. He wonders.

Something tells Cain she's no native, but he must have missed her with the most recent flood of arrivals. He can't imagine how he managed that oversight.]

If you just need an audience, I don't mind playing the part. I could be good at it.

[Who knows? Whatever that entails, it reminds him of nights at the local bars in town that occasionally got performers back home. They were rare, and usually not all that skilled, but a little singing could lift spirits on the coldest of nights. Cain crosses his arms in a casual stance and shrugs, nodding toward the stage.]

I'll cheer you on and demand an encore.

[windowsills]

[ She isn’t really suspicious of the change in his smile. She knows most people have some sort of alternative motivate to their actions most of the time, but she isn’t really one to pry or think about it too much, just giving someone the benefit of the doubt as long as possible.

She laughs a little at the image of him making a racket on her behalf. ]

That’s very kind of you. But it might be an impossible task to compete with them.

[ She points a neatly manicured nail over in the direction of the obnoxious crowd who obviously have the power of alcohol and giddy excitement on their side.

As soon as she points an electronic sign above the stage flashes the words “last call”. She blinks, surprised, and a little disappointed. She still hasn't made up her mind, her anxiety and nerves competing against each other.

And then if some sort of mad impulse grips her she snaps her look at him, focused. ]

Do… do you really think I should? What do I sing?

[ She doesn’t know why she’s asking. She has mistaken him for a native and probably any answer he gives will be lost on her. But she’s looking for reassurance, just the gentlest of shoves. ]

[blyat]

Nah. They've got energy, but they're pretty shit at performing.

[Alcohol may grease the nerves, embolden the spirit, but it won't sincerely promise a decent act. Cain has seen it enough in the past. Had to drag a few of his own drunken friends off the stage, considering how badly they were embarrassing themselves.

He can't say whether he knows this stranger will sing well. Only he possesses the hunch, and she's done nothing to dissuade him of it. If anything, he finds himself more determined to coax her onto stage.]

I think you should.

[A private smile, a little darker and a little gentler.]

Sing whatever's your favorite. Or what you know the best. That's what I'd do if I actually sounded any good.

[windowsills]

[ She has a strange expression on her face, thinking it over, weighing the risk and options. Cain can probably see the moment when the idea hits her. ]

Okay. Okay. You’re right. I'm going to do it.

[ And like that she's off and consulting the host before she is up on the stage. A few people cat call and whistle as she walks across to the microphone and she stops for a moment looking a little spooked, having second thoughts. But then the music starts and all the tension goes out of her. ]

Um, this is a song about wine. Since everyone is having a good time.

[ She's chose something a bit cheesy but a known crowd pleaser. With lots of fun repetition and long belting notes. Fun for her and for everyone else. And she nails the song expertly. But the real accomplishment is how suddenly relaxed and exuberant she is, stage presence in spades, her genuine enjoyment infectious.

The music ends and the crowd is making too much noise for her to tell if it is a positive reaction or not, but she gives a quick bow and goes to find Cain in the sea of people, full of excited energy and a smile. ]

I'm sorry if that was strange. It's an old song, even when I was young.

[ Giving away her status of foreigner in the one comment, but she doesn't seem to notice. ]

1.

[whitehair]

[ at first, Heine had thought maybe he's just been brought to a neighbouring city (if it even existed at all, if anything still existed outside those walls, beyond the concrete and steel of the "sky" he's grown so used to seeing). that opinion changed fast once he'd actually been allowed outside the safehouse, once he'd actually seen what a real sky looked like. it's nothing like how he could have imagined, some vast expanse of nothing, and the burning light of the sun, too harsh and too much for his eyes too accustomed to a lifetime of artificial light and darkness.

out of everything else that he suddenly now has to get used to, that was the worst. the one thing that really drive it home that this place is - foreign, and he a displaced stranger within.

as it stands, it's rather rare for him to be out in daylight like this. mind you, he keeps to the shade of the streets, and he's managed to acquire a set of dark tinted glasses that wrap around his eyes, ostensibly for the bright cutting sunlight that continues to blaze down on the city, or rather, shielding the blood red colour of his eyes from curious passers. the shock of white hair and pale skin already draws enough attention as is.

turns the corner, almost at the same time as Alex does, and Heine doesn't stumble back as much as recoil away from her as soon as the initial shock wears off, the adrenaline spiking sharp and high as her hands move to his chest, shoving him away as hard as she can. the touch is unexpected and it's - sickening, dizzying to feel those hands on him, long slender fingers and neatly trimmed nails and it's mostly those nails that make heine take in a hiss of breath through clenched teeth, flashes of old memories (old horrors, faded nightmares that flutter in and out of his consciousness) burning acrid in the back of his throat.

a frightened wild animal lashing out at anything it can see or reach; he's too familiar with that. she had been like so, as well. he's always been-

his body is - different here, slower and not as responsive as it used to be, not altogether so in control under his will as it were, but before she could run a hand (gloved, he isn't stupid) shoots out and grabs for her wrist, tight. his voice too, holds tension that bleeds through his words. ]

Breathe.

[windowsills]

[ It takes her a moment to realize that the person in front of her has grabbed her. She only catches a brief glimpse of him: the tinted glasses, the tight defensive lines of his body, black gloves, and a snarl of disgust. She misinterprets the expression as one of aggression. Definitely a hitman. Or worse. She lets out an ugly sob as she tries to twist her wrist out of his hold. Vaguely she hears the word ‘breathe’ said from far away and some part of her agrees. It’s good advice. But just as she takes in a shaky breath, she sees him out of the corner of her eye. His coppery blonde hair turning to actual sticky red. The white bone of his jaw shining wetly in the ruined flesh of what’s left of his face. Even through the gore she can see the wicked grin angled her way. ]

L-let me go! He’s right there! Please.

[ Only there’s no one there. Her eyes are wide, seeing something that doesn’t exist to anyone else. In fact, the crowd starts giving them a wide berth, because something strange is happening. There’s something off about the pitch of her voice. It’s unnaturally high and ringing, a frequency just shy of painful, causing a bit of dizziness to anyone within hearing distance.

Instantly, Alex and Heine are the centre of intense suspicion. ]

[whitehair]

[ he doesn't see what she sees - but the wide eyed terror in her expression, the way she tries to twist out of his grasp to put distance between whatever lurks in her head and herself - it's something familiar. heine doesn't let go of her, the other hand moving to grab for her shoulder. he is not much taller than her - not much bulk either, but there is strength in his thin limbs that hopefully would be enough to keep her from bolting. ]

There's nobody there.

[ her voice ... there's something wrong about it, a ringing pitch that sends a sick sort of feeling bubbling in his gut, a sour taste in the back of his throat - but Heine has enough sense to keep it out of his voice. the crowd starting to gather, the attentions starting to be focused on them gradually, is going to be a pain in the ass.

the hand on her shoulder moves to the side of her face, black hair tangling into his gloved fingers; closing his eyes to blink away the tense nauseous sensation, heine grits his teeth tightly, letting out a strained breath. ]

It's not real. Breathe.

[windowsills]

[ For some reason ‘it’s not real’ seems to be the magic words that cut through her panic. The combination of a familiar mantra and the sight of Heine’s pale hair out of the corner of her eye reminding her vaguely of someone she knows, or used to: a safe and reliable person.

When his hand touches her face, she flinches but all the fight seems to go out of her in an instant. The fist she had made in her caught wrist unclenches, and she does just as he says. A slow breath in and out. The situation starts making a bit more sense now. He’s not a hitman or a thug or out to hurt her, just an innocent bystander that she happened to tangle up in this mess.

Her eyes darts to the side though, just to be sure. Barry is not there. Never was. She realizes she’s been subconsciously leaning into Heine’s touch, using it as an anchor to calm herself.

Her eyes are clear and present now. ]

I don’t know what’s going on. Everyone’s staring.

[ She must have been staggering or yelling. Hot humiliation washes over her. ]

I’m sorry. That… that wasn’t supposed to happen.

[whitehair]

[ It's not real. The ghosts dripping blood, their wide eyes staring, grinning though broken jaw and teeth like sharks drawn to the smell of blood, of terror, they're not real. Dead and gone, they are, even though they seem more real than anything else he encounters every day, more real than himself, because what was he if not a shell of what used to be, a broken stray dog still dragging around the chains that bound him?

Heine keeps the eye contact, his gaze remaining on the other's face, searching for that moment when Alex breathes, in and out, the clarity returning to her panicked gaze. It's not as violent as what he's used to (not like lily), but the way she blinks, the weight of her head against his palm, is similar.

(it's okay. it doesn't hurt anymore)

Heine lets go, slackening his grip on her wrist as tension bleeds out of her, and he takes in a shaky, silent breath, brows furrowing as he glances around - catching flurries of the gaze directed at them, the apprehensive, waiting curiosity. ]

'S fine.

[ Heine isn't used to ... being reassuring. Caring enough to show. After all, what's the point? It will only end up coming back to bite him in the ass, having emotions. Having bonds like that. The years have shaped him to be an asshole with a take it or leave it attitude and he makes a rude gesture at the crowd with a hand, frowning heavily. ]

The hell are you staring at?

[windowsills]

[ The gesture he shoots at the crowd takes her by surprise. Not because of the crudeness of it but the way it reshapes her impression of him. She lets out a little laugh that is half parts fond and astonished at herself for mixing it up. ]

Ah, you're not like Worick, you're Nicholas.

[ The context is absolutely not there but it makes sense to her in that moment; her system overshot from the panic attack and whatever strange tidal wave of emotions that had caused it. The crowd is slowly turning away, some shamed by Heine's call out and most losing interest after realizing that the show is over.

Alex goes to stand but her body feels sluggish and tired. Her knee gives out and before she can collapse she throws her hand out and it catches in the material of Heine's shirt. She groans and squeezes her eyes shut. The ground feels like it's spinning. ]

I... need to sit down.

[ She says it less as a request for assistance and more like someone trying to politely excuse themselves without causing offense. She's trying to collect her feet from under her but it's hard. Not for the first time since arriving she wished she could remember the name of the little pills Dr. Theo had given her. ]

1.....POOR ALEX

[colemans]

(gladio doesn't like crowds, but no more than the average person. they're claustrophobic, even if he can peer over most people's heads without much difficulty, and disorienting when these ants all pile in droves into subways and sidewalks — bumping into them is natural. he's a big man; he never has enough room.

being shoved, however, is another matter entirely.

the woman catches him by surprise, not because her push does much — because it doesn't, gladio's position doesn't give an inch and it's more liable to make her step back. but because she seems distressed and this shield makes himself out to be a pretty damn good guard. whatever's bothering her will stop or it'll meet the business end of his fist, while alex gets the placating hand that raises with comforting motions between them.)

Hey, hold on a sec, hold on. Take it easy...

(his first impression?

gladio's eyes narrow over her head, trying to get a read on who exactly she's sprinting away from. he sees nothing but normal people traffic.)

What's up? Can I help?

She’s a tough cookie :,)

[windowsills]

[ It’s probably a testament to how panicked she is that she doesn’t see the mountain of the man in front of her. When she hits him, her push is about as effective as running into a brick wall, and she stumbles back, catching herself at the last moment. His tone and words have her confused, it doesn’t line up with her desperate state of mind. But it’s comforting enough that she turns her back to him to desperately search the crowd, like his presence will prevent any unexpected attack from behind. It’s safe to face away from him just for the moment.

She sees Barry’s coppery hair reflecting from different points in the crowd, the blood shining out like a beacon. It’s nonsense she knows, he can’t be everywhere at once, but her mind whispers that here in this world with various powers, he could very well be. She takes a step backwards, further into Gladio’s personal space. She’s tripping over her words as she speaks. ]

How is he here? He’s dead. How did he get here? It’s impossible.

[ They get the occasional odd look but Gladio’s right that no one is chasing her. Just a bad memory or two. ]

[colemans]

(she crowds in with her step back and he feels it's unspoken permission enough to place a hand on her shoulder. surprisingly gentle, understanding, calm. gladio's been a port in the storm for many, his king, his family, his friends — in that order — and his shoulders can take a lot more weight on them. alex's is as light as a feather.

sharp eyes track the crowd's horizon. still nothing. no one.)

Just say the word, alright? You want him gone and he's gone, that's a promise. (there or not, maybe playing along will help this disappear.) 'Cause nobody's gettin' through me.

(there's a pause to let that sink in before gladio's giving her some direction to point in that isn't the crowd, standing in her line of sight.)

What's your name?

[windowsills]

[ Gladio can probably feel Alex take a deep shuddering breath as she lets his words wash over her. He has a natural calming presence, an air of finality in his statements like it’s the universal truth.

She’s so reluctant to tear her eyes away from the ghostly image of her former pimp, but the fact that no one sees the man walking around with a twisted mangled face plants her in reality. She buries her face in her hands, concentrating on the warm palm on her shoulder. ]

He’ll be gone in just a moment, right?

[ It’s quite childish, she realizes that, but saying it herself with him there to confirm it is exactly what she needs. She cracks her fingers open and looks at Gladio through the space between her middle and ring finger. Properly seeing him. ]

It’s Alex.

[ She sounds calmer, more grounded now. But she’s still not looking in the direction of her absent attacker. ]

[colemans]

Damn straight he will be. (gladio waits a moment longer, glancing down at a large eye peering through slats in soft fingers, before quirking a brow at the crowd and allowing a put-on smirk to tug at the corner of his mouth.) ... Yeah, you better run, asshole.

(his sympathy for her has settled over him, but he doesn't let himself judge the display as "weak". it takes all kinds of strength to fight against something only you can see, illusions from the past that come back to haunt, and gladio forces his opinion into a new kind of admiration — there's no treating the rest delicately. it's time for her to gather her bearings and move on, at least for today.

if he can help her take one step in the right direction, he's done the job he set out to do.)

That coward's long gone, Alex. (said as he gives her shoulder a careful squeeze.) Dig deep for that courage to take your hands down, alright? See for yourself.

Your Gladio is so presh omg

[windowsills]

[ she knows that he is playing along, this is an illusion of her own making, she knows that. But the fact that this person, this stranger, is willing to take her fears and terror seriously and treat it as real as it feels, has emotion boiling up in her chest.

She waits a few beats, breathing slow, before she lowers her hands. No Barry. No bloody apparition fueled by hatred and a tiny kernel of guilt. She looks at Gladio and gives him the tiniest smile. ]

You’re right. He’s gone. Really just a coward in the end.

[ Gladio doesn’t know her well enough to really appreciate how bold and scandalous that last statement is for her. But it’s no less true. ]

Thank you. I— you’re very kind.

[ She’s not talking about vanishing the illusion, just treating her with compassion and understanding. ]

2

[cauterrant]

i have noticed a lack of common animals here, certainly.
birds are common if you care to look around, I believe there is a shop in the markets that deal in them.

[windowsills]

[ he has said the magic word. What if there were love birds? Budgies? Cockatiels with rosey little cheeks? She’s so weak. ]

They’ll most likely cost a fortune, wouldn’t they?
....
What kinds have you seen?

[cauterrant]

[ oz isn't super familiar with birds bred for the purpose - he probably knows more about messenger or hunting birds, or else the wild ones in forests. ]

unfortunately yes, it will be more than what you or I could earn, I'm sure

I don't recognise them by name, but there seemed to be many with bright colouring.
Or songbirds, if you prefer those instead.

[windowsills]

oh. I was afraid of that. I’ve always wanted a bird.
And you’re right, a song bird would be wonderful.
I always thought I could teach them how to mimic my favourite song. We could sing together.

[ the closest she will ever get to a ramble here. ]

[cauterrant]

you sing?

[ it's hard to tell, but oz is surprised. ]

there isn't much to sing about in this place.

[windowsills]

[ She wilts a little, feeling suddenly self conscious, an instant instinct to downplay it. ]

No, not really. Just to the radio. But I think that is something long gone.