TEST DRIVE MEME, APRIL 2017.

[officialnotice]

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

PTA BAKE SALE

It's that time of year again. The time when everyone digs into their wallet, ignores their diet, and spends a little time supporting the local school bake fair. You know, for the good of the children. And it doesn't hurt that Linda's Blondie recipe is honestly to die for. The school PTA has pulled out all the stops this year in the hopes of encouraging a good community turn out, posters advertising the sale plastering every street corner and stuffed into every mailbox for a solid week leading up to the event, and today is finally the day.

There's at least two dozen different tables set up with all manner of delectable treats, even one or two offering vegan alternatives for those inclined, not to mention a few others catering to some of the townspeople's more... unique palates.

Maybe you've got your own table set up with your wares, or maybe you were simply lured to the park today by the appetizing scents wafting through the air. Either way it seems like the whole town has come out to show their support today and why wouldn't they? Children are our future, aren't they? Or maybe it's just Linda's Blondie recipe.

Yeah, that's probably it.

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 currently has two basic functions. The first is audio-only and can be accessed from the telephones in each character's home. If an audio-based medium doesn't suit your needs (or aesthetics), be sure to take advantage of the Wayward Pines Message Board from your brand new laptop for the chance to communicate with your fellow townspeople in a text-based format instead!

( a few notes )

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

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.

Comments

sn: kent

[silver_lined]

Well, if there's something you'd like help learning how to make, something you'd really like, I could offer some suggestions. Otherwise, yes, I've got a few simple ones.

A lot of good food is just a matter of patience and knowing what works with what. Nothing too complicated.

[babyhunter]

If you are willing to watch things burn in a fantastic fashion, they your on.

I'm not sure what works with what. I've only been cooking for myself for little under a year. :/

[silver_lined]

Have you seen if there are any lessons offered around here?

But if burning is your problem, I'd put my money on one of two things: you're cooking at higher temperatures than you ought to OR you're getting distracted midway.

[babyhunter]

I haven't but I imagine cooking is a lot like painting or drawing. Each piece adds something new to the dish. That's the best way for me to visualize it.

Both might be the reason.

[silver_lined]

The other thing you want to make sure of is what's called mise en place. Namely, you want to make sure that you have all of your ingredients prepared and measured before you ever start cooking. It helps keep you from rushing or slowing down any process which can also cause problems.

Just like you said: I'm sure you make sure your paint and your water and your brushes and your cleaner and everything else is out and ready before you start on a piece. Same thing.

[babyhunter]

Mise en place is French for putting it in place. I've taken French.

How about this, we trade recipes and you just watch me cook once and give me some pointers. If I do well you might even get food out of it.

[silver_lined]

I wouldn't mind that at all. I bet you're a lot better than you're giving yourself credit for.

[babyhunter]

Might be best to wait and see before you judge. I can say with confidence that my food is eatable.

My house in L12. I trust that you aren't creepy or anything since I'd be inviting you inside. :|

[silver_lined]

Only on Halloween, I promise.

Just let me know when you'd like to give it a try. My schedule is pretty open, it seems like.

[babyhunter]

You're one of those guys that makes every little girl not want to trick-or-treat at their house aren't you? Sitting on the front porch and not moving until someone has safely assumed that you're a part of the decorations.

I'm free after school when I'm not working at the shelter. I mostly have half days thanks to my art program.

[silver_lined]

Only for the ones sporting toilet paper. The little ones and the costume-wearers get the Good Candy (tm).

[ And everyone knows what the Good Candy is. ]

Just give me a ring when you're feeling like cooking. I'll try to keep a couple of nights free for you.

[babyhunter]

Noted.

[Even though Clary is a little old to go trick-or-treating.]

I will. How about next Thursday? It's 8 days from now. Gives me time to buy stuff and find all my moms recipes for you.

[silver_lined]

For YOU, not me. I'm just the spectator :-)

But that's fine. I'll keep the night clear. Short of a fire, I'll be there.

[babyhunter]

I'll be hoping for no fires that night.

[silver_lined]

Same here. I'm a firefighter, if I hadn't mentioned.

[babyhunter]

That makes a little bit more sense. I work part time at the animal shelter.

Sorry, thought we were exchanging job information.

[silver_lined]

I think we're just chatting, which means you can talk about whatever you like.

But working with animals is a great job.

[babyhunter]

It is. I draw the animals when I have time and let people buy the images to help support the shelter.

[silver_lined]

I don't suppose you have any grumpy grey cats, do you?

I'd be happy to donate for a picture of one of those.

[babyhunter]

I think we do. I'd be happy to do a drawing or painting for you.
If I remember correctly his name is Whiskers.

It isn't a very creative name.

[silver_lined]

Cats are more about personality than names.

Consider yourself hired for a picture, then.

[babyhunter]

I'll try to have it done when we meet.
You can give me whatever you want for it. It'll go to the shelter.

[silver_lined]

If it's work, then you should get compensated appropriately. Price it however you think best, but keep in mind the amount of time you worked on it and all the effort you put into learning to draw.

[babyhunter]

I've yet to sell a picture so I wouldn't know. I spent most of my time drawing. Not sure if that's a good way to price things.

How about 20$?

[silver_lined]

Like I said: see how long it takes you. And don't undersell yourself. Make sure you're working for more than minimum wage and take into account the value of your skill.