What it says on the tin

[justabignobody]

TEST DRIVE MEME

You want to join the game with a (new) character? Maybe you’re simply curious about the premise? Or maybe you just need a sample. Well that’s the meme for you to try and test your character as if they were already in the tower! The meme is open to anyone!

• Reply to this entry with a character you consider apping! Put your character’s name and fandom- Your usual meme thing.
• Comment around with your pups. You can also post and tag with characters already in-game of course!
• Most importantly, have fun!!
• Then feel free to go and reserve and app your character when those open.

Have a number of prompts to get you started:

[Floor 29]: This floor has seemed pretty peaceful so far, the maze isn't all that hard and the garden that lies beyond it is rather lovely. Still it seems best to head back now that the sun is about to set and nighttime is approaching fast. ...Is that just the leaves rustling in the wind behind you, or is it something more?

[Floor 56]: Oh this looks definitely like an useful floor - the room stretches into a hospital ward, dusty and old, a surgical suite surrounded by a maze of empty beds. The closer you look, the more you'll find that the first impression is quite deceiving - no medical supplies of any sort, unstable lights and what was that noise just now?! Clearly you are the only one on this floor. Or are you?

[Floor 25]: After all you have seen so far, this just might be the first truly innocent floor you see. But is it truly as trustworthy as it seems...? Many other people seem to think so at least! Come and see what they are up to?

[Elevators]: It's quite a long ride between the Dormitories and the Cafeteria - it probably doesn't help that the minutes and seconds seem to stretch out more and more towards eternity, what a hassle. Are well, maybe there is someone stuck with you and up to provide conversation... or entertainment~

[Anywhere]: Do you still have track of just where you are after spending your day exploring the Tower of Animus? If not, you might want to ask someone... or just start climbing the stairs regardless of where you are! Nighttime is approaching fast...

[Event]: Just earlier this day you have been called for (and/or brought in to) an unscheduled collar check-up, in which the color of your collar was changed. It takes a few hours, but soon you feel the effects of it, feel lightheaded and dizzy, feel all your power slip out of your control. Or maybe you heavy to the point of breaking down on the spot, while just none of your powers seem to work. Either way... hopefully you are at a safe place or in friendly company... That is, if either of these things exist in this tower.

Comments

[vasavishakti]

My apologies. Formality is a preference. [ he can't call him 'master', and 'waver' is too intimate, would remind him too much of other times.

that much is good to know. he's too tired and out of sorts to deal with petty rivalries right now. at the question, though, he offers a small nod, curling gloved hands together to keep them from reaching out. ] My master's wish-- [ your wish ] --was for my sake. I wanted nothing but to serve an honorable man, to make up for the oath I made in life. But he-- [ he cuts himself off, fingers tightening around one another, pain in his chest as he forces himself not to look away. ] My master is the only man worthy of my service. I have been at his side since.

[ even here. at a distance, quietly, he'll serve. ]

[fionnuisce]

Fine, if that's what you're more comfortable with I guess I can't complain.

[...oh. Well damn if that motivation didn't sound familiar. Though it did hurt just a little to realize that in some world Karna had lingered while his Diarmuid couldn't. Whoever his Master was (and Waver had a sneaking suspicion) they were lucky.]

I...think I understand, believe it or not. But at any rate I'm glad you were summoned by someone you thought was worthwhile. [Better that than someone like Kayneth. The idea of magi that thought any Servant was little more than a tool left an unpleasant taste in his mouth.]

[vasavishakti]

[ he offers a stiff, expressionless nod, finally allowing himself to look away under pretense of examining the surrounding area. in truth, he simply.. can't. he can't look at him right now and know that karna is a stranger to him. ]

If he is truly gone-- [ and.. he is. at least, whatever meant anything between them. ] --then I will linger as I am required. It was fate that I was brought here-- [ there you go talking about fate again, his master would say, arm over the back of his chair, a pen behind his ear. he'd be smiling, exasperated, and there'd be a lock of hair that had stubbornly escaped his hairtie, falling across his brow. karna would reach out, and--

--and.. ] --but I cannot begin to imagine for what reason. [ for punishment. let him be punished, then, and allow him to fade.

he makes a small, musing noise. ] Your Servant serves you well, I hope, Lord Waver. [ and if he or she does not, may the gods save them from karna's wrath. ]

[fionnuisce]

It's a little hard to say just what constitutes 'gone' around here. It's a complicated mess of Second Magic, but I wouldn't count out the possibility that he could show up here as well.

[Waver was struck by a distinctly awkward sensation; intuition (and a little common sense) told Waver he already knew who Karna's Master was. He was starting to feel like he was on the other side of every conversation he'd had with Diarmuid here. Someone who didn't remember all they had been through together, someone who was the same and yet wasn't at all.]

[Idly he wondered if his Lancer was ever this much at a loss for what to do about him.]

I--he does, but he's more my friend than my Servant. He's a Lancer-class by the name of Diarmuid ua Duibhne; if you run into him here I'm sure he'll help you get the idea of how this place works better than I could.

[vasavishakti]

Perhaps. [ but he is and he isn't here already, and he has little hope of that changing.

at the name of the servant, at his class, he nods. of course it's another lancer. it's a bitter sort of parallel, it makes sense. ] I am certain that we will speak eventually. [ if for no other reason than to take his measure. to see and understand this other servant.

once that's done.. well, karna will stay out of their way. he'll watch, he'll do what he can from a distance, but he won't interfere. it isn't his place to do so, and he doesn't wish to complicate or trouble their relationship.

he straightens, small and slender and almost frail in appearance. people had often questioned since the end of the war how he and his master had won. for a moment more, he's quiet, but then he glances back at waver again, expression unreadable. ] My apologies, I do not wish to trouble you any longer.

[fionnuisce]

Wait-- [He'd spoken automatically, out of some odd emotion that wasn't quite sympathy and wasn't quite pity. Waver didn't know Karna past this one conversation, yet...he couldn't help but feel some level of concern.]

Look, I...I'm not who you were looking for. I'll have to ask your forgiveness for that much. But if you need anything around here, anything at all--just come find me, if you'd want to. I'll do whatever I can to help.

[vasavishakti]

There is nothing to ask forgiveness for. [ his expression takes on a stern note, lips thinning in a faint frown. ] Do not apologize for being yourself, Lord Waver.

[ he pauses, then shifts, removing his gloves and tucking them in his pocket, then reaching for the other man's hands, he gathers them between his own, glancing down at them briefly before lifting his gaze again. ] Do not waste thought or concern or pity on me. Think only of your own Servant and the bond between you. I wish it to remain strong with all that is in me.

[ he'd had ten years. ten years with someone he'd loved and served with all his heart and soul. that has to be enough, now. it will be enough. he can give him up if it means waver can still be happy with someone else. ] Forget what you've guessed here. I am simply another Servant.

[fionnuisce]

...It doesn't seem fair that you should be left on your own just because I'm not--

[He stopped himself before saying 'not the right Waver Velvet'. What was wrong with him suddenly? Why was this such a big deal to him--maybe Waver really was just a bleeding heart under all that sarcasm and irritation.]

Look, I really don't like thinking of Servants as just that. Even if you tell me to, I can't just ignore you on reasoning like that.

[vasavishakti]

I can be satisfied knowing you are well. That you are happy. So be happy, Lord Waver. [ he lifts the other man's hands to his lips, pressing a brief, dry kiss to the knuckles before releasing him and stepping back. ]

Do you understand? I will not be a rift. I will not be a cause for doubt or uncertainty. And I cannot-- [ his hands clench at his sides, nails digging into his palms. ] It will hurt less this way. I am strong, Lord Waver, but even my strength has a limit. You look at me and speak to me as a stranger might. I, who first beheld your trembling shoulders as you searched and found steel at your core. I, who watched you grow to manhood, became great, no matter the doubt and opposition. I, who-- shared your bed and your life, your triumphs and defeats. I cannot bear it.

[fionnuisce]

[Waver was at a loss for words for a moment, startled into silence. Finally, he folded his arms and glanced away; it felt rather like he'd been punched in the chest ant realizing his attempts to help would only make things worse.]

I'm...sorry. I didn't...I didn't realize-- [He stumbled over half-formed sentences, tunring quiet before speaking again.]

...I understand.

[vasavishakti]

You could not have. I am not.. your Lancer. I am a stranger.

[ he takes a breath in through his nose, then releases it slowly, forcing his fists to uncurl. ] .. Perhaps in time, if I do not fade from this world, this damage will heal. If so.. If so, I would be grateful to speak to you again. If you would have it, knowing now what you know.

[fionnuisce]

...Of course I would.

[He wasn't the type to just ignore someone outright, least of all in a situation like this.]

I'd like to get to know you a little better sometime, if you would let me.

[vasavishakti]

One day. I hope. [ he hesitates, then shifts forward again, reaching up to curl fingers at waver's jaw. he draws him down, then, pressing a brief, tender kiss to his brow. his lips linger for a few moments, then he releases him again. ]

When it does not cause so much pain to look at you, to speak to you. You are so very like him, after all.

[fionnuisce]

[He was caught by surprise but didn't pull away--there didn't seem to be any harm in it, and if the gesture reassured Karna at all then that was fine.]

I really will have to ask you to forgive me. It wasn't my intention to hurt you.

[vasavishakti]

As I said: there's nothing to forgive.

[ he steps back again, shifting to turn, to leave. it's reluctant, of course; if he could stay at waver's side forever, he would. but it would hurt him in the end and damage waver's relationship with his own servant. ]

.. I will be nearby if you need me. I swear this.

[fionnuisce]

...Thank you. And I won't be hard to find, if you decide you want to.