bumfuckidaho | test drive meme, june 2017

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test drive meme, june 2017

TEST DRIVE MEME

There was an accident. The details are hazy and obscure, but it's still the first thing you remember. Maybe a car wreck — metal and broken glass everywhere, and the sirens and the screaming. Maybe your bike hit a rock and you careened uncontrollably off a mountain path. Maybe something less mundane, even impossible seems to have happened to you. You can't quite make out the details, not who was at fault or why. Try as you might, the chaos is all you can truly remember.

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

When you open your eyes, the accident is gone. Instead, you're in a hospital bed, and the nursing staff greet you with cheerful smiles.

Don't worry, they tell you. You'll make a full recovery here. Where is here? Why, home in Wayward Pines, of course!

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
FOURTH OF JULY

If there's one thing to be said for Wayward Pines it's the town's resilience and staunch refusal to give up on the image of a picturesque little town, and July 4th this year has the community putting it's best foot forward in this regard with its annual 4th of July picnic and fireworks spectacular.

To hear anyone (Linda) familiar with the town talk (complain), this year is a much more sedate affair than any of the years prior, but in a lot of ways today is a very good opportunity for people to reconnect with their neighbors; chat quietly at a table, share a recipe, play some catch, or argue with Jerry over the proper way too cook a burger. Jerry never listens, of course, but thankfully the whole event is a pot luck so there are plenty of other, far more edible options for those with a more... discerning palate.

The day passes pleasantly, and the night? The night brings the fireworks. A beautiful cascade of bright colors and lights in the sky. Sparklers are handed out like party favors while everyone is strongly encouraged to play safe by a long-suffering and weary looking sheriff. After all, the town has had quite enough excitement by this point, don't you think?

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), 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!

( a few notes )

Welcome to our fifth 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.

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That depends on the context. Do you mean which stories I prefer or if there is one I worship?

Wait. Did he just--? Penny shoots the guy an incredulous look, because it's been a long-ass time since he's been told to watch his language. Then again... it's been a long-ass time since he's been to any event like this: quaint and family-oriented. He's got no patience for it, really-- for any of this. Fuck small-town living.

"Really, old man?" He lets out a short scoff. "You think these kids don't know how to curse already?"

"That is not the point, it is about avoiding problems with their parents." Ezio shrugged, half smiling. "If they do not know what you are saying in front of their children then they do not complain about you to authorities."

Don't you think it's more than a little strange?

[Not just the amnesia. Everything. They all woke up here with amnesia and can't actually remember the accident that put them in the hospital. Their entire lives suddenly broken into tiny pieces separated by giant holes.

And Jace is thinking he might be going a little crazy because sometimes it feels like he belongs here in this little town.]

I doubt we can find a Vampire here willing to part with a demonic motorcycle.

[As if the last Vampire had simply handed over his to Jace.]

We're not calling anyone out by name.

[ it's totally jerry ]

"Most coffee is terrible." Ezio grumbled, letting Desmond lead the way.

He sits heavily in the nearest comfortable looking chair when they arrive, an amused quirk to his expression. "I will take it easy tomorrow, and then I have every intention to go right back out to it. A fall only stops you if you do not get back up from it, and fresh air is far better for a man than sitting around on the couch for a week."

"Many ladies believe me to still be." Ezio grins, "But not really, exam week is usually worse. There is a good breeze and cold drinks to be had here."

He holds up his own glass in something between a salute and a toast at that. "Besides, if the students saw me in shorts and a t-shirt it would destroy their perceptions of reality. I wear suits and get excited about the unit on the Italian Renaissance."

[Alec shrugs, seeming to act as if it seems normal to him, but he tips his head in a way that he's hopes is familiar with Jace, giving him a look that would normally be an entire conversation when they were on a hunt. Yes, it's weird but it isn't safe to discuss that at the moment.

It's strange but Alec also likes the town. It's one of the few places where he isn't constantly under scrutiny and he can be with his family.]

It doesn't have to be demonic even if I'd like one that flies.

[He might be a little pouting a little over it... at least he might seem that way to someone who knows him well.]

I've always wanted a motorcycle.

Though Magnus knows that Alec is in town, he hasn't actually talked to him yet. With the aftermath of the attack, it's been all he can do to recover his strength and not stay in bed all day. But even though he's older than the United States, he thinks Fourth of July is a quaint enough celebration to attend. And no, it totally had nothing to do with Alec dragging him along for the barbecue.

But even though he's been living here a while now, and he's started making some friends, Magnus can't help feeling rather bored partway through. When he spots Jace wearing an expression that matches Magnus' current emotion, he walks over and offers him a beer. Where did it come from? Probably one of the personal coolers dotting the area populated with lawn chairs and blankets where families are sitting. Don't tell Alec, but it's most likely stolen.

"The only worthwhile part of this holiday is drinking in public," he says once Jace has taken the bottle; if he doesn't, Magnus will drink it himself. "And the fireworks."

[Jace knows that look and everything Alec isn't saying outloud. So he simply goes back to drinking Alec's tea and eating a chip as if everything is normal. The really odd thing is this is the kind of normal he never imagined they would have. This was Mundane normal, not Shadowhunter normal, and Alec seemed to be enjoying it.

Especially the part where he was married to Magnus. But that was also not a subject for a public party in the park.

He licked the salt off his lip and gave Alec a small smirk.]

Then we should find a motorcycle. And a bar. And a leather jacket because I miss mine.

[ Settling into his seat, John nods at the introduction. He's almost exclusively known as Blake — it's practically his only name for how common it is — but he doesn't mind being a little casual. ]

Well, Brock, you've got at least some of that right.

[ He is fine and upstanding, thank you very much. ]

You up for a beer while all this project takes off? I'm buyin'. Least I can do for givin' you a bit of a hard time.

There had been a time when Jace didn't drink. That time had passed, despite not knowing how or why, and he didn't hesitate to take the bottle. He was happy to feel cool condensation dripping between his fingers and only vaguely wondered where Magnus had found an ice cold beer that wasn't in a red cup.

It's half gone before Jace manages a response and slides over a bit to give Magnus more space if he wants to join him.

"We hope the fireworks are worth it."

The beer isn't bad, but it's not nearly strong enough.

"The worst." He nodded, his own tiny smile coming out at someone actually finding his joke funny.

"Next thing we know it'll be going after the napkins and where will we be then?"

Heard of the who??

[wow this guy is rambly. finn follows along well enough, even if he doesn't understand it, but at least it's (mostly) from a reference standpoint more than anything else.] Walls don't keep anything out forever.

It's probably not safe to go, at least unarmed. But the scream sounded more human than monster, didn't it? We'd probably hear a giant monster too if it was there, even if no one else acknowledged it.

[Cloud hadn't wanted to chase after the guy, he's not some kind of dumb hero prone to rescuing people. Not at all, but running off in to the woods is just plain dumb and he has a civic responsibility to uphold.

He stumbles this close to the wall though, using a nearby tree to keep himself upright and level a flat look at the guy on the ground.]

You're an idiot, come on. Let's go back.

[To anyone else it would seem like his look had been completely lost on Jace, but Alec knows that his parabatai understands what he meant and they'd discuss the 'not for Mundane' subjects at home. Looking around, he realizes how much he's become like the people they'd sworn to protect...

Or as much like one as he could be when he still trains every day, lives in a house full of magic, and is married to a warlock. It feels good, like he's finally free, but Alec knows eventually Jace is going to start getting twitchy over it.

Which is why he winces slightly before snagging a piece of steak.]

Two of those I agree with. The third depends on if you're planning on another brawl. I do not want to end up in a cell or trying to explain to Magnus and Izzy how we got beat up.

I do not start bar brawls. They just...happen.

[Smiling and then laughing lightly. He remembers far too many fights where Alec had his back despite who started the fight. But they're fond memories he didn't even realize he had until that moment. What he remembers is Alec and the two of them walking back to the Institute in the middle of the night.

And then he remembered something else he'd been trying to forget.]

No bars then.

[He looked away and grabbed another chip.]

Sure they do. You never said anything about the bartender having fleas.

[Noticing the smile, Alec realizes that the strange ache in his side that focused on the parabatai rune is almost gone. There's a faint hollowness but not the loss that he'd grown to accept. Even when Jace's expression turns to something Alec doesn't quite understand the sense of distances doesn't return the way it had in the past.

The idea of not bothering with bars is actually a relief since he knows that the two of them shouldn't drink. Not when Jace has a tendency to snark uncontrollably and Alec usually becomes maudlin if he's drunk.]

If you want a drink, Magnus' liquor cabinet's probably got the best stuff in town. And we'll be planning a party at the shop soon.

The first. [ the second is a bit personal, isn't it? and perhaps too self-glorifying for even thor to swallow, these days. ]

I'll take that as a no, shall I?

Er yeah probably... sorry :( The only gods I know about are the Astrals

"If by 'decent-ish' you mean creepy 90s throwback, then yeah, you're in luck." Her voice is flat, obviously sarcastic, but she had been walking quite a while, she'd seen most of the town in trying to get out of it.

"It was, uh, like a half a mile that way?" She points. "Kinda hard to tell, with the roads all fucking looping around."

Taste the same to me. Why pay more for the same thing?

[Rumlow had a lifetime of experience being followed, even when it came from his own shadow. He might not know where or even the person that was haunting his steps and activities, but his sixth sense was alarming whenever he seemed to perceive it. At first, he had thought it at was just trying to get his bearings back in town, but as he observed people pretending everything was normal (and some not), he began to understand that his instincts were still very much there to keep him alive.

The memories clamoring against that constant feeling of wrongness only seemed to elevate the idea that not all was as it seemed. It was heightened by the notion that regardless of the people he thought he knew, he didn't actually know them. Neighbours were strangers regardless of their spotted pleasant conversation and lame jokes.

As he pulled away to take up his own investigations, his eyes flick to the approaching individual and, perhaps for the first time, there was actual recognition that seemed to line up where no other did. He had no memories of this guy, but there was something so moving in his gut about it that he actually found himself offering a grin in response. A man? A weapon? Both? Why did this suddenly feel very important?]

Oh well, you know me, always involved in something that takes me far and away. How have you been, pal?

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