LET'S [test] DRIVING

[cava]

IT'S THAT TIME AGAIN, YOU KNOW THE DRILL. Here's a few options, all stolen shamelessly from previous iterations.

> The Park. Man, what a nice day out. Why not enjoy it? I'm sure -- shit, yep, there's some echo monsters or whatever they're called.
> The Mall. Exactly what it says on the tin! Dodge the hordes of teenage mallrats or take part, whichever suits your tastes.
> Rainy Day. Agh, it's fucking awful out. And is it raining those vermilion things?? Now you've got an Echo to contend with on top of everything else. Find some shelter, quick!
> Arts and Crafts Fair. WILL THE KITSCH OVERWHELM YOU


or make up your own whatever this is basic and just for the purposes of getting a new test drive up.

Comments

[metalbent]

True! Weirdly enough putting down imaginary people apparently doesn't go over that well. Or so I'm told.

[ ...SHE HASN'T TRIED IT, BUT SHE WOULD IF IT CAME UP. ]

[titansno]

I'm working on a few short stories right now. After Malchior? [sai with a little contempt] I need to get to my roots again.

What about you?

[titansno]

... You're awake, Gar. That was never in doubt.

[yeah, he should be. she's giving him a very unimpressed look]

[titansno]

[no shut up Tim you see nothing]

Never. That thing is going to stay buried, and they'll all forget about it. Someday. I hope.

[shiftycent]

[He flinches a little, tone turning slightly defensive.]

Never in doubt? Rae, I'm green!

[Oops, too loud. He clamps his hands over his mouth instantly.]

I swear on my exotic butterfly collection that I didn't do this. You have to help me! What if someone sees me?!

[taijiya]

[Sonja huffs a little.]

Well, if you don't mind being away all the time.

[sponsorigami]

It's only if they actually follow up on the references, right? How can they tell otherwise?

[detectivetroll]

I'm pretty sure that was a vague implication that the bar owner is less intelligent than I am, so I'm going to take that as a compliment.

[Of course he just went there.

Nick doesn't even question the we, man. Like he'd go there without his partner, anyway.]

Oh, good, because what else would I do with my Saturday nights?

[sassymaru]

The bar owner isn't a detective, and certainly not my partner. Intelligence isn't required of him.

[He just beams, slinging an arm over the back of the bench and crossing his legs.]

I wouldn't know. Maybe I'd have a better idea if you developed a social life.

[dancingonapin]

What... Oh, I didn't mean anything offensive or presumptuous by what I said, I really am looking for some Satanist literature. I'm a theology professor, you see... [He looks a bit sheepish as he stares at the book that she pulled from the shelf.]

Ah, yes, I already have two copies for personal use. I teach a lecture on demonology and angelology at the university.

You said there were Aleister Crowley books, though...? That may be interesting.

[detectivetroll]

I'd leave statements like that out of your apology speech.

[But secretly he's pleased. Or maybe not so secretly, since he shakes his head with a grin and drops onto the bench next to him.]

I'll develop a social life when people stop murdering each other so often.

[sassymaru]

Saa... if you say so.

[He doesn't bother moving over when Nick sits down, smirking at him out of the corner of his mouth.]

Sadly, those same murders do keep us in business, so to speak.

[detectivetroll]

Is this going to be one of those times you listen to me? Awesome.

[Of course he doesn't move. Nick nudges him with his shoulder slightly, leaning back and stretching out his legs.]

And we'd have no purpose without them. Which is pretty morbid, when you think about it.

[sassymaru]

There you go, getting your hopes up again. Such a shame they must be dashed.

[Neon floodlights have less watts than his grin.]

[He doesn't nudge back, but leans, instead. Heavily.]

There, there. We could always turn to petty crime. Rounding up missing dogs. Charming things like that, yes?

[detectivetroll]

I'm eternally optimistic.

[It's as dry and sarcastic as a human voice is capable of sounding.

He'd remind Yuji again that he's not furniture to be leaned on, but he knows it'd fall on deaf ears. Well, and he's used to it by now.]

Hmmm. Rounding up missing dogs does have a nice ring to it.

[sassymaru]

So I've come to notice. Anata wa, zetsubō-tekida. Shitte iru na?

[He doesn't bother translating. Or even giving a hint. He's said that so many times, it's probably already memorized by the other man.]

[Good, because not only his shoulder is pressed against his partner now. Most of his entire side. Like a dog, leaning on their owner.]

I do like dogs. So much more companionable than corpses.

one million years later...

[chernobolt]

This way!

[she practically bounces towards the weights and the rest of her setup, continuing to talk as she goes]

I attend the Locke City University, as do the rest of my friends! They exchanged students so that I could come here to study, although I am not quite sure who would want to learn in Ukraine so badly.

[afamilyact]

[oh but he sees everything]

Don't you think you're being a little overdramatic? [He should really not be that entertained but he is anyway. Oh well.]

Don't worry, I'm sure it'll lose its appeal in another ten years or so.

[songoftimeandtimeagain]

[Luke makes a soft 'whoa' and one hand reaches out, as if to poke him and see if he was made of metal. He catches himself however and snatches his hand back, eyes blinking up at Gavin almost bashfully.

He rocks back and forth on his feet, looking Gavin over, trying to spot any rivets or a tail he might have missed earlier.]

Can you do anything else weird?

[stagnantair]

I can.

[He's obviously messing with the kid, eyes flashing neon again as he leans against the plexiglas wall of the bus stop.]

But only when the sun's out.

[songoftimeandtimeagain]

[Luke's head jerks up to the sky, glaring at the dense wall of drizzling clouds above him. Or at least he would have if rain hadn't...y'know...fallen from those same clouds and gotten in his face.

His expression scrunches up comically and he shakes his head, fat water droplets flying off his pointed ears. His head bows once more, and he tries to dry his eyes by ineffectively dabbing at them with his drenched sleeve. Dejected and a little embarrassed, Luke mumbles a reply at the sidewalk.]

Aw....how come?

[stagnantair]

I run on solar energy, from the sun.

[Gavin don't be meta.]

[Wait did he make the kid cry.....]

Maybe you'll see it later.

[songoftimeandtimeagain]

So how're you moving now?

[No! He's not crying! There's literally water everywhere it's RAIN cause it's raining he's not crying. >:C

Luke brightens up a bit at the promise, but then suddenly his face goes still. His Grandpa had told him repeatedly that things were different here. It was a big city and they didn't know everyone. He was supposed to be careful and not follow strangers.

He takes a step or two back, suddenly very wary.]

Okay, but I'm not going anywhere with you.

[stagnantair]

Backup batteries.

[His brows raise a little then, and he tries not to laugh. It's one thing to have an adult accuse you of something like that, but when kids do it it's... just kind of adorable. In movies, anyway.]

Don't worry about that, bad guys kidnap kids. I only use my powers for good.

[songoftimeandtimeagain]

[Luke doesn't respond for a considerable length of time. He just stands and stares at the would be cat-robot intently, as if trying to unnerve him into telling the truth.

Eventually he blinks though, and his stance softens again. He turns around and picks up his bike again, maneuvering it around to face Gavin then tossing one leg over. He believes him well enough, but he's taking a precaution just in case.

Once he's settled half on his bike again he finally speaks again.]

So what are your powers?