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

[heliophilous]

[ while he would gladly ride to your rescue (or help when it was needed), he thought himself a pretty terrible knight all things considered. so much loss had occurred while he'd been helping john lead, after all. ]

Takes practice and time to really get a hold of them.

[ and at least she had people here who would help. she wouldn't be young and thrown out because of what she could do. ]

And I don't think there's a shortage of people who'd be willing to help you get it under control. You weren't that bad today. You just panicked.

[gasping]

Yeah, but you helped. Don't sell yourself short, Marcos the Magnificent.

[ there, a stage name. she's picked it and she's sticking with it. ]

I'm just hoping I won't have to deal with it too much. I was kind of looking forward to being normal for once here.

[ did she say "for once"? is that going to make it obvious that she wasn't normal back home. ugh, damnit. caroline tries to stay cool, but the anxious sweep of her fingertips through her hair might give it away. ]

[heliophilous]

Normal for once?

[ he's going to forego talking about that nickname so he can focus on something a little more interesting. she doesn't look much like she wants to talk about it though so he waves a hand and shakes his head. ]

I'm sure you were fine. Society's definition of normal doesn't really sit right with me anyway. You were normal no matter what was going on.

[gasping]

[ it would be really easy to take that out, wouldn't it? just carry on with the conversation, maybe laugh a little about how one best friend was always the smart one and the other was always the artsy one, leaving caroline somewhere in the middle? how all the boys always picked everyone else, even when she tried so hard to be the right one?

well, maybe a few years ago she could. but this caroline stopped taking the easy road a long time ago. ]

When you can do things other people can't, you don't exactly get treated like you're part of the Brady Bunch. [ she huffs a little, hands lifting to idly pick at the cuticles on her nails, a nervous habit. ] Especially if people get hurt before you figure out what you're doing.

[ is she saying too much? maybe. but it feels nice to be able to talk about it... and perhaps a little bit therapeutic, given that she can't compel him to forget the conversation ever happened. ]

[heliophilous]

[ for the briefest of moments, marcos wonders if she's a telepath. if she's picking up thoughts from his head and reading his mind like the terrible triplets. but no, there's no blue glow to her eyes and she's paying her nail more attention than she is him right now.

he exhales. ]

Yeah.

[ he nods. ]

But, you find your people eventually. The people who are like you or accept you. They're out there. And they don't care what you can do or can't do or anything like that.

[gasping]

The people like me? [ her mouth purses together for a moment before relaxing as she tries to maintain a straight face... or as close to it as she can manage. she's never been very good with a poker face. ] Maybe.

[ it had really been a toss-up. some had been trustworthy, some not so much. but maybe that's the downfall to being technically a living curse. or not living. the metaphors weren't great. ]

I just... [ a breath blown out between her lips signals her frustration as she tries to find the right words. ] I miss it and I don't. The me that was back home, I mean. Does that make sense?

[ she misses being powerful and strong and able to handle any physical threat that came up against her or her family. she doesn't miss being able to compel people, though. ]

[heliophilous]

Yeah, of course it does. No one's really expecting to come here so no one's really expecting the...changes that come with it.

[ he taps his chest to indicate that weird blue light thing and shakes his head. that had certainly been a thing to get used once he'd gotten past everything else. at least they hadn't shaved his beard when they'd shaved his head. ]

But, I bet the you that's here isn't so bad either. Just gotta get to know her.

[gasping]

What about you, then?

[ don't let her monopolize the conversation to be all about her own woes, or you'll be treated to a ten-hour-long drama about the love story of two people that aren't even here. even caroline doesn't to talk about that. but marcos? she can talk about him instead with no complaints. ]

The you that's here doesn't seem so bad either.

[heliophilous]

[ her statement makes him laugh and he shakes his head, shrugging one shoulder as he does. ]

I don't really know who the me here is. I spent...years getting myself to a point of being comfortable with who I was and what I could do back home and now I'm here and that's all gone.

[ replaced by another ability. was the x gene even still inside of him? ]

I think the me here is just trying to put one foot in front of the other for the time being.

[gasping]

He seems okay to me. [ another nudge, another sympathetic smile. ] I mean, he did come to my rescue. I have to give props to the man in invisible armor.

[ smile a little, damn you! ]

Maybe we can work on the whole Christmas movie theme song thing together. [ you know the one!!! ] Like a support group, only less depressing.

[heliophilous]

[ that was asking a lot, caroline. ]

I'm a little out of practice with Christmas and theme songs but -- [ why not? it wasn't like he was doing much else besides wandering around, drinking coffee, and trying to figure things out. ]

Does someone have to bring snacks?

[gasping]

What kind of support group doesn't have snacks?

[ yes, marcos, and thank you for volunteering. ]

Coffee might be a good start. [ the new amsterdam equivalent, anyway. ] And cookies — I've been meaning to test out my oven anyway.

[ a beat. ]

You can help me make them.

[heliophilous]

[ his eyebrows shoot up and he laughs a bit, trying to beg off the whole 'help me make cookies' thing. a support group with snacks sounded fine but he was not a cook or a baker or even much of a microwaver. ]

I think I might be better off standing by and staying out of the way. I haven't really done a ton of cooking over the last few years.

[gasping]

Oh, no. [ nope. no way. you're not getting out of this that easily, sir. ] I need a sous chef, and somebody to reach the top shelf in my cabinets.

[ and mister six foot something was the perfect fit for that particular role. ]

Don't worry, I have an extra apron with your name on it.

[heliophilous]

I barely know what a sous chef is. [ so, you were going to be taking your literal life in your hands if you really wanted him to help. grabbing stuff off shelves, sure, but don't put him in charge of actually preparing things to be cooked. ]

I'd have to wear an apron too? [ he can't but laugh a bit, amused at the turn this whole encounter has taken. ] I've never really looked good in an apron.

[gasping]

That's okay. You'll learn all about it and the wonders of not getting flour all over your clothes.

[ you know. when he wears the apron. ]

Tell you what. You help me bake cookies for the meeting, and then you can pick what you want in return. Fair?

[heliophilous]

What I want?

[ there went his eyebrows inching up towards his hairline again. ]

I'd say that's a bribe but it's actually a compromise. I just have no idea what I'd want.

[gasping]

[ does she know what those lifted eyebrows could indicate? yes, of course she does. she's a grown woman with needs, thank you. is she going to indicate that she knows? hell no. ]

Well, I guess you have time to think about it, right? I'll even write you a fancy IOU.

[ well, not literally, considering paper is basically non-existent. but she'll think of something. ]

[heliophilous]

[ don't worry, caroline, his eyebrows had not gone up for that reason. he'd just been surprised at the offer. ]

You really don't have to do that. Any of that. I'll help you and you don't owe me anything. I wouldn't be helping someone just to get something in return.

[ that felt...dirty. ]

[gasping]

[ beyond a very small group of trusted friends (though some were more like negotiated business partners these days), caroline's not really used to people doing things for her just because. she's used to having to bark orders, yes, and to tell people what to do... but being willing to do something nice just because is still a very rare thing.

the smile she gives is understandably pretty bright as a result. ]

Really? [ oh, marcos. what are you getting yourself into?? ] Okay. But I'm baking you a batch as a thank you, then, so you'll just have to deal with that.

[heliophilous]

Well, yeah. [ he wasn't in the habit of people feeling like they owed him just because he'd done something for him. if he did something, he did it because he wanted to not because he expected repayment. he wasn't a frost, after all. ]

But, I'll always take cookies. [ maybe he wouldn't take the whole batch but he'd take a few with him and enjoy the sugar high. ]