bumfuckidaho | TEST DRIVE MEME, FEBRUARY 2017.

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TEST DRIVE MEME, FEBRUARY 2017.

TEST DRIVE MEME

There was an accident. That's basically the only thing you know for certain. Maybe a car wreck - metal and broken glass everywhere, and the sirens and the screaming. Or maybe there was an explosion. Maybe your bike hit a rock and you careened uncontrollably off a mountain path. You can't can't quite make out the details, not who was at fault or why. Try as you might, the chaos is all you can remember.

It's also the last thing you remember from before you wake up here.

When you open your eyes, the accident is gone. Instead, you're in a hospital bed – the nursing staff greets you with a cheerful smile.

Welcome to Wayward Pines, they tell you. You'll make a full recovery here.

option one WELCOME TO WAYWARD PINES

The hospital staff had seemed very friendly, but ultimately unhelpful when it came to answering your questions, insisting you shouldn't worry about such things, and that it was smarter to just rest until you'd fully recovered.

That was some time ago. You've since managed to leave the hospital – either via escape, or simply by waiting patiently and filling out paperwork until they finally agreed to release you. Now you've found yourself in the small but hearty town of Wayward Pines, Idaho. It's a charming little place, and the people there are all friendly enough, more than willing to greet you on the street, or give you directions if you need them.

Unless you're asking for directions out of town, of course.

Some will simply smile and give you a hearty pat on the shoulder and ask why you'd ever want to do a thing like that? Others will get quiet for a moment, and direct you to the nearest sign posted near the doorway of every building.

Don't bother taking the road, either. Whether you walk or get your hands on a vehicle, you won't get anywhere. The road simply takes you away from town for a short while before looping around and bringing you right back in.

There's no use questioning things, and it seems pretty useless to try to leave. So really, why not stay a while? Everyone's convinced that you'll find something to love in Wayward Pines.

(For the purposes of this test drive, you're welcome to handwave the existence of basically any local business or activity.)

option two INTO THE WOODS

You've just heard a scream from the woods.

I mean, it could've been an animal. There's bound to be some kind of wildlife amongst the trees, right? But then again, it did sound awfully... human.

Though all of the locals nearby conceal a flinch at the sound, they'll assure you it's nothing, if you ask them. Why, you're probably just hearing things! (But with an anxious undertone of stop asking questions.) If you're curious, though, and brave enough to go see, they won't make any move to stop you from going into the wooded area surrounding the town.

The trees are tall, and their branches are thick enough to block out a significant amount of sunlight from breaking through the canopy, leaving the forest floor a little dimmer and cooler than the streets of town.

Whatever the source of the scream was, you won't be able to find it out here. An experienced hunter might notice some signs of a struggle, and a few faint boot prints, but they don't really seem to lead anywhere in particular.

What you will find, if you walk far enough, is a fence. A big one - at least 30 feet tall, made of metal and concrete. It goes on quite a ways in either direction as well; follow the wall far enough, and you'll see that it connects with the steep, sheer cliffs that surround the rest of Wayward Pines, effectively boxing the town in.

In actuality, you'll probably feel it before you see it. A full 500 yards from the wall, when it's hardly a shadowy smudge through the trees, you start to feel a little bit tired, a little bit weak. Trouble is, the closer you get, the weaker you feel - like the wall itself is sapping the strength out of you, and the closer you get, the worse it feels. Any powers you may have had grow weaker in kind as you make your way to the fence, but even ordinary humans will find their strength sapping away. By the time you're close enough to read the signs and to feel the crackle of electricity radiating from the thick wires criss-crossing the wall's metal surface, you're too weak to stand.

Do you crawl closer still and risk electrocution, or do you crawl away and assess the situation once you're far enough from the fence to be able to stand?

option three IT'S A COUPLE OF FLAKES

There's nothing particularly insidious about the inch of snow that settles over the town one night while everyone sleeps. Kids run outside to have snowball fights and make snow angels, neighbors wave across to you as they shovel their driveway, the local coffee shop runs a 2 for 1 deal on hot cocoa. Snow crunches under your feet at your walk down the street and the cold bite in the air is revitalizing.

The next morning, there's a few more inches of snow. And then a few more the day after that. By the end of the week the snow is a good three feet deep and the entire experience has lost its novelty. Wayward Pines only has a single street plow to its name, and even when the streets are clear, surprise patches of black ice make travel downright dangerous if you aren't prepared. No special sale on hot cocoa can possibly be worth trudging through knee high snow drifts (even your most consciences neighbors can't keep up on the shoveling anymore).

And the power starts to fail in some of the houses. Sure, the repairman promises to stop by as soon as he can, but you're hardly to first person to call him today and he won't be able to pencil you in until tomorrow at the earliest, and what are you going to do about the cold until then? Maybe your neighbor's heat is still on, or maybe that trek to the coffee shop is looking more appealing by the second.

Either way it's time to layer your clothes, watch your step, and hope that Spring to comes early. And try to ignore that kid double dog daring you to lick a flagpole, it just won't end well.

option four ON THE NETWORK

Though it's not as high-tech as you might be used to (or hell, maybe you're ren faire and it's centuries beyond anything you've seen), but Wayward Pines does in fact have a network to accommodate its citizens.

Go ahead, post a network post! Just note that the network, at current, is audio-only and can only be accessed from the telephones in each character's home.

( a few notes )

Welcome to our second test drive here in The Pines! Just one important thing to note this time:

Upon arrival in Wayward Pines, characters find themselves struggling to remember entirely who they were or where they came from. Memories return progressively over the next two weeks. You're welcome to play with this mechanic in any of these prompts, but it's definitely not mandatory! For more details on this temporary memory loss, see our FAQ.

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[Something about that face--that voice--makes his rosy face go absolutely sheet-white for reasons he can't place. He hasn't talked much to anyone in town--probably never even met this guy, much less had enough of an interaction to produce such a strong reaction, but he remains positively on edge, hands tightly gripping the arms of his chair.

More immediately, however, his rage is ignited by the response.]

No?

[In any other situation, he would try and attempt politeness, but he's already wigged out and cold and tired, and this is just another straw for the camel's back.]

Are you for real?

As his confidence built thanks to the familiarity of their hands together, the ease fit of fingers between fingers, Magnus began to feel some sort of energy flowing in his palm. Magic, he reminded himself, something he had but couldn't really remember how to control though he trusted himself not to hurt this man. Rather than holding back, he let it seep out of his skin and into reality, harmless blue flames winding around Alec's hand while Magnus was both entranced by it and anxious to see what reaction it would bring.

Eyes darting back up to Alec at the question, he nodded and then smoothed a hand up his forearm and over the defined muscles of his bicep. "We must have been together," he said slowly, like he was testing that theory out by voicing it aloud. That would make the most sense, since it seemed unlikely for them to be in two accidents at the same time without being together. He couldn't remember the details of it, though, and perhaps that was for the best. Why focused on something traumatic when he had Alec in front of him?

Chuckling a little, he let his hands wander up to Alec's neck again, unable to pull away from him even if he had wanted to. They would probably draw unwanted attention with such brazen displays out in the open like this, but Magnus found that he didn't care. "Darling, you wouldn't give up your name for mine," he said with confidence, wonderign where it came from but drawning strength from it. "Names are important."

The strange sensation that had been running through his hand changed slightly. Glancing down, his eyes widened when he saw that their hands were wrapped in blue fire. A bubble of panic started to choke him, but before Alec even registered that fear, it was gone. Whatever was happening wouldn't hurt him. He knew it with an absolute certainty that felt like one of the only solid things in his life. "It's pretty but people are going to freak out," he teased, shifting slightly so that no one around them would see the flames that should not be there.

Frowning at the thought of Magnus being hurt, he started studying his husband for signs of injury. Then he mentally rolled his eyes at himself. The hospital wouldn't have released Magnus if he was still hurt. Considering how fussy they'd been when Alec had tried to get out of bed 'too soon', Magnus had to be okay. "We must have." It was the only thing that made sense, but why wouldn't someone at the hospital tell him that his husband had been admitted as well. "Maybe no one knows we're married." The thought didn't feel right, somehow related to the memory of the kiss. Alec didn't have to hide anymore. He knew that, so why would they hide their marriage?

That didn't matter. They weren't hiding now and they were together. That was what mattered. They'd figure everything out.

Alec knew that he should pull away. Not having to hide didn't mean that PDA would be accepted. He couldn't remember anything about the town and the rules had seemed strict but not as rigid as some he knew he'd been used to before. But Magnus kept distracting him whenever he tried to put any distance between them. "I wouldn't have to give it up. We'd hyphenate. Isn't that what M -" Mundanes? Why would he say that? It didn't make sense. "What most people do?"

[Dio watches him squirm with agitation impassively.]

Take yourself to the store and purchase some if you're that desperate.

She nods; she'd half made her mind up about this already.

"I think you're right. If it's not the wall itself, then it's something on the other side of it, maybe." Aloy frowns a little, looking at the wall, and she checks it with her Focus, the ring of blue light briefly appearing over her ear; at this distance, there isn't much she can tell, but it does seem to be honestly electricified.

"Only one way to find out," she says. "I'm going to try to get closer." Whether he does or not is up to him.

It's the middle of the night, the roads are shit, and I'd be dead before I even got halfway to the fuckin' supermarket if I tried rollin' myself over there in this goddamn weather.

[He forces his voice into flatness, imitating Dio's calm.]

Those're my three reasons, what've you got?

Magnus felt Alec tenses as his eyes found the flames, but he didn't pull away. Something about that filled Magnus up with an intense love for the man, unsure of the reason but simply knowing that it was important. Somehow he doubted that most people would look at magical blue fire trickling over their skin and call it 'pretty' and yet Alec had done just that. Pulling it back, flames fading, he nodded with a smile. "We should go home," he said, wanting to be alone with Alec.

Though he could sense that Alec was trying to keep some space between them, Magnus didn't understand the hesitation. He wanted to relearn this man who had his heart, his husband who he knew cared for so deeply that he'd remembered him when so little of his life had come back to him. Reaching for both of Alec's hands, he raised them up so he could kiss the knuckles but then granted him the distance he wanted. He kept hold of one hand and started to lead him down the street; to where, he didn't know. "Mundanes always take the man's name," he said with a frown, the word coming easily but the source alluded him. "Perhaps we haven't had the time to change it officially."

"We should, but I'm not sure where home is." For some reason, he thought he should go wherever Magnus lived, but he wasn't sure why. It was more than just 'we're married so we live together'. There was something special about Magnus' home that was better than where Alec lived. "You can explain whatever that was when we're alone."

Maybe when they were somewhere that they should recognize, things would start to make sense. He already felt like that place would be where he was supposed to be, but that might simply be because Magnus would be with him. Whatever had happened to his memory didn't seem so daunting if he had his husband with him.

The kiss caused a blush to creep across Alec's face. Somehow he sensed that the reaction was normal when he was around Magnus but unusual in other situations. Something niggled at the back of his mind, but every time he tried to focus on it, the thought drifted even further from reach. Deciding not to push when it was obvious the injury wasn't fully healed, he smiled at Magnus. Chuckling as his husband began to lead him toward their home, he paused when Magnus said the same word he'd been thinking.

Mundanes. What were Mundanes? Why were they different than Magnus? Were they both not Mundanes? "If they take the man's name, does that mean we have to swap? I think I like Lightwood-Bane better." It was a silly thing to mention, but it was easier to figure out than the strange word that felt almost wrong to speak aloud. "Or would it be Bane-Lightwood? When we figure it out, we can ask how I can change my name."

It's not my problem, and I don't recall asking for reasons in the first place. Find someone else to pester, Joestar.

Opening his mouth to respond, Magnus discovered he also had no idea where home might be for him, for them. He frowned, but after a moment the expression passed and he was smiling again. "We could ask at the sheriff station," he said, gesturing down the street towards the building in question. He didn't know why he hadn't thought to ask about it before. But it felt good to have a goal rather than randomly walking about until they found something, so he pointed them both in that direction. "As for the—" he raised a hand and wiggled his fingers, "—I'm a warlock. I don't entirely remember what that means, but it's why my eyes are this way."

Something about Alec's comment, said so candidly, made Magnus laugh brightly. The thought of switching names amused him to no end, and he had a feeling it had a deeper reason than the inanity of the suggestion. "Lightwood-Bane has quite the ring to it," he agreed, squeezing Alec's hand again and stepping closer to him as they walked. "It sounds like a sentence. Or a title." His chest swelled with the thought of Alec taking his name, and the urge to kiss him was overwhelming. Yet he resisted, not wanting to startle Alec after everything that had been happening. He had a strong inkling that it would be too much of a public display. "I hope our home isn't far away. I'd really love to kiss you."

[ What a strange man. He doesn't provide her with a real answer and yet, not many others have truly cared about how she felt about being here. She isn't so sure it's sentiment that brings him to ask her, but all the same, she's surprised to hear it. But then she doesn't truly have an answer of her own, does she?

She wants to say yes, but can't bring herself to.

So instead, she gives a soft shake of her head, lips pressed tightly as if still wanting to give an affirmative answer. But she doesn't. ] I'm too dangerous to be let free. I think I put myself here.

option 2

The woods give Brady chills, goosebumps popping up on her skin down to her forearms. There's danger here, and she's sure she heard a human voice. It doesn't matter that she doesn't know who it is; all she knows is that she has to help them.

So she wanders slowly through the woods, glad that the heels of her boots are chunky. The ground may be hard, but a heel like her favorite stilettos would sink into it with only half her weight on it. These shoes aren't ideal, but they'll do, and they can hurt an assailant if that's what made that person scream.

Are you following her? She will only notice if you're not stealthy. Snap a twig or take too sharp a breath and she'll turn to face you with a glare and, if you're not a threat, a sharp, "You heard it too?"

If you are stealthy, then you have the element of surprise on your side! Just use it at your own risk. Brady's bark is pretty bad, and her bite? Well, we just don't know yet, do we?

option 3

Fuck snow. Brady gets the distinct impression she's never had to deal with this much snow before. It's a nuisance, and this town is full of too many idiots to get it cleaned properly.

But she will not be deterred. It's freezing in her house, and she is going to warm up and complain until this is over. (And complain after it's over, let's be real.) She sneers at the kid issuing a dare, hissing, "How stupid do you think I am?"

You may find her at that particular moment, or as the child skitters away in fear of this fierce-looking lady with blazing brown eyes, or you may find her on her way to the nearest open business (the coffee shop). Or maybe you are already at the coffee shop, next to the only free seat, or inviting her to share a table with you in the half empty establishment, or anything you want.

ota

Come at me.

Edited 2017-03-27 00:00 (UTC)

[ She panics at the sound of the voice, mostly because she heard one, always on edge from the mere idea of being around company these days. But as soon as the snowball falls to the ground, she immediately realizes there's little reason for it. It's only Steve.

Except, that's impossible to say because somehow she still feels uncertain around him, as if she's forgetting something truly important. And she knows she has, because there's too many holes, too many blocks of space that she can't quite fit in. She's almost ashamed to admit it. Because somehow she knows she's done something, or somethings wrong. Because what else can these hands possibly do? ]

Just a little. [ She wrings her hands together, pressing her lips together in a tight, modest smile. ] I shouldn't be doing it out here.

[The closet's door is wide open, inviting scrutiny. From their angle, all that's visible is the mess that Izumi will probably ignore for a week until he steps on a screw.]

It's fine. [His tone is flippant. He really doesn't care, and there's no one to tell him to clean up, so he gestures to the matchbox instead.] You can have the whole box. Do you need anything else?

Oh. I see.

[She puts her chin on her hand and looks off into the middle distance. (Which, in this case, is at the percolating coffee pot.) This seems like information someone like her shouldn't care about--but she also isn't entirely sure, yet, who "someone like her" is.]

Then I imagine the horse I met was owned by a fuckin' idiot. [Her brow furrows a bit. Who . . . ? Well, maybe it--doesn't matter?] That seems right, yes.

That's very interesting, anyway. I've never had a horse. [A beat.] Prob . . . ably.

I'm not sure they'd help if I broke my leg. Or yours.

[She really just needs to get a coffee maker for her house at this point.]

Um, pretty sure, yes. I never really looked out for tea there. I'll totally get you something though. Least I can do.

They'd keep us warm while we got to the hospital.

[ He sounds a lot like an optimist sometimes, though he's more of a practical man than anything. ]

But you don't need to trouble yourself. We're watching each other on the walk. And it's always nice to have company when it's cold out.

[Rachel would like to be grumpy and tell the guy she's got this, but truth is she doesn't and now she's soaked and cold so she's not going to turn down help. At least the leather jacket protected her skin, even if it's not doing a whole lot for the cold. She takes his hand with a small grin]

Thanks. It's uh--[she almost says something about her mother, since she's sure it was something she'd picked up from her, but that then she remembers that stupid notice and almost swears again] An old favorite. I always tried to be original with my curses.

I'm Rachel. [she says before taking her hand back] Rachel Morgan. And I swear I'm not usually this big of a klutz. [at least she doesn't think so. Her foggy memories of running so much wouldn't make sense otherwise]

[The pause causes Alec to wonder if her memory is as random as his own, but she recovers quickly. Maybe one of the rules that he'd been told about is the reason for her hesitation.]

It's unique. I keep cursing in foreign languages.

[Why he knew so many of them is still a mystery but Magnus seems even more fluent in them so maybe that's normal. Since he doesn't really have a past to discuss, it seems like the solution that is least likely to freak him out.]

I'm Alec Lightwood. We'll blame the ice instead of questioning your innate grace. [That sounded right and wrong at the same time so Alec shrugs it off.] Do you need help getting somewhere? I don't seem to be effected by the snow.

(ooc: Is she TV canon? Alec is from the end of the books.)

[The voice and the tone are recognizable but Alec isn't sure why. It's not his sister. He's certain of that but he isn't sure who she is. Another frustrating detail that Alec can't figure out.]

I don't think anyone has answers. [He tries to sound helpful, unconsciously picking up the big brother tone that he doesn't remember using but knows he relied on regularly.]

You'll get in trouble for asking too many questions. [Despite his words, there's a hint of frustrating in the warning.] You should be more careful.

[For some reason that seems like something he's told someone, ore more than one someone, on a daily basis.]

[ooc: I take her from the books. Most likely the beginning of book 1 for the start of this game. So maybe while their at Magnus's party and Simon is a rat lol.]

[Clary can't say that she knows the voice but something in it bugs her.]

So not asking questions is better? Don't you want to remember? How can you think this is okay?

[She's frustrated, she can't help it. Clary knows she's looking for someone very important but she can't remember who.]

And what possible trouble could I get into?

[Even knowing that she's not the sister he can't help feeling like a family member was angry at him.]

I'm not saying it's okay but making demands isn't going to give any of us our memories back. If it worked that way, none of us would have amnesia.

[The thought of 'trouble' makes him cringe mentally, thinking of one of his few memories. He'd kissed Magnus in front of a group of people, not caring that he could be severely punished for it.]

The Law is hard.

[The phrase is incomplete but Alec knows it represents something important, dangerous. He almost shivers at the foreboding that creeps along his spine.]

I don't know, but I think whatever could happen would be terrible.

Right that's assuming we'd actually make it there.

[She'll go along with sarcasm considering that's practically her second language. Sarcasm.

Her eyebrows shoot up at the last comment he makes even though its pretty clear that's not at all what he meant by it.]

Really?

[ HE blinks for a moment before turning to look at her, rather guileless of anything odd he might have said. ]

Of course. There's someone there to help if one of us falls. And someone to talk to to distract from the cold.

[The fact that he didn't even seem to realize just makes her smile grow even more.]

Right.

[Totally not on the verge of laughing. Nope. Although she does reach out for his arm when she spots a patch of black ice.]

Might want to watch the sidewalk. You almost just busted your ass.]

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