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

Starfire | Teen Titans

[chernobolt]

[except here she's Kara, the American-friendly name she'd mercifully chosen to replace her real one. today she's at the gym, blissfully ignorant to some of the looks she's getting over her Hello Kitty towel as she makes her way to the weights.

the towel is neatly folded and left on the open bench press station as Kara goes about retrieving the proper weights, stacking up to a number that is surprising for her size. once finished, she glances about the gym before walking up to someone seemingly less preoccupied and tapping them on the shoulder]

Excuse me. Would you mind looking for the spots for me?


[orrrrr you could hit me with a totally different scenario! I'm not picky I'm just voicetesting because I got bullied oh god help me]

[shiftycent]

[Why is Garfield in the gym? Its still a mystery. Despite his whole vegan act, he's pretty on on the laze-o-meter. Making appearances every now and then didn't hurt -- and he got to hang out with Victor if he was lucky.

So when Kara taps him on the shoulder, he's a little startled. His face brightens up almost immediately when he recognizes her.]

Kara, hey!

[God she has a weird way of talking. His head tilts.]

Uh. Sure? But I don't see any.

[chernobolt]

And I hope to keep it that way! But should I fail I am glad to have a friend such as you to catch the weights.

[her grin matches Garfield's as she tilts her head towards the bench and the ludicrously weighed down barbel waiting for them. it's always more fun to work out with a buddy, and she's very pleased to have found one here today]

Shall we begin?

[shiftycent]

[Oh. Awkward. He's a spoiled rich kid without much desire to exercise because everything gets done for him, and now Kara was trusting him to help lift heavy objects that she might not be able to lift once she gets tired?]

Uh. Right! Yeah, friend like me.

[Think fast, Garfield.]

Not that you actually even have a chance at failing. Right?

[chernobolt]

I do not usually drop things, no! But it is always good to have the backup in case I make a mistake.

[she laughs]

If it does happen, you will have to promise not to tell Victor. I do not think he would let me forget it.

[shiftycent]

[Fuck.]

Right. Cross my heart. Lips are zipped. But uh, just for the record, let's not drop anything. That'd be awesome.

[This is taking a lot of mental preperation on his part while he moves around the barbel to spot her. Please don't screw up, please don't screw up, don't embarrass yourself in front of the girl, Rachel might actually kill you if Kara gets hurt.]

[chernobolt]

[Kara, meanwhile, is blissfully unaware of her friend's conflict - she's simply happy to have someone she knows sharing the joys of exercise with her. the cutesy little towel is carefully placed to the side as she takes position]

There will be as little dropping as possible! Today I am going to do ten sets.

[aaaaand off she goes, moving that behemoth of a barbel into the air with a practiced motion. she continues speaking as she works out, tone strained but still cheerful]

How has your day been? I do not believe that I have seen you as of late!

[shiftycent]

Oh, its been.

[He spents a good amount of time watching, just in case. Someone probably thinks he's checking her out, but he's more focused on the weight itself until he realizes Kara was still waiting for an answer.

He smiles awkwardly.]

I'm in high demand. Lots of running around and junk. Kind of nice to take a breath. What about you?

[chernobolt]

I am certain that you are handling the demand quite well! The attention seems to suit you.

[she grunts as the reps begin to stack up, but the barbel remains (mostly) steady]

Things have not been quite as exciting for me! My supernova essay is almost due, so I have been holed up in my dorm trying to finish the last few pages. I think that my blood may be turning into caffeine soon!

[titansno]

[Rachel is just finishing up on the elliptical and closing her water bottle after a long sip when Kara approaches. Normally she'd just make some excuse--since she was pretty much done for the day--but something about this girl seems familiar once Rachel manages to get over her initial surprise at that tap.

She feels like she shouldn't mind helping her out. And not just because she's cute.]

... Sure.

[she nods once. lead the way.]

[chernobolt]

Glorious!

[Kara just barely restrains clapping her hands together and settles for flashing a megawatt smile as she trots back to the bench. she continues to speak as she sets herself up, moving with the practiced ease of someone who does this very often]

I would usually come with my own buddy to look out and encourage with, but he is working today and I cannot skip a session. I will not take very long, though, I promise!

[titansno]

[How in the world is this girl even real. Rachel nods, knocking back more of her water as she follows her.

She does kind of raise an eyebrow at how much weight she's putting on there, but hey, she clearly knows what she's doing]

I don't mind. And... yeah, sticking to a regimen is important. I just do cardio, but...

[getting into position, focusing primarily on the weights...]

Okay, ready when you are.

[chernobolt]

[aaaaand off she goes, pumping that iron with practiced motions like a trooper. her exuberant chatter continues in between occasional grunts]

Cardio is a wonderful way to remain healthy! I prefer to jog around the city so that I may see the sights and take in the culture and partake in unsanitary street food.

[she laughs a little]

But I suppose that not everyone is as interested in that as I am.

[titansno]

Heh.

[she's definitely a little amused. and impressed.]

Could be hard to get back where you started if you aren't careful, couldn't it? It... sounds like fun, though.

[chernobolt]

Americans are very friendly people! I have no trouble getting the directions from strangers when I become turned about.

[she grunts softly]

You should come with me for the next time! Everything is better with buddies, and I will show you my favorite purveyor of the fevered dogs.

[afamilyact]

[Tim's not really the "regular work out" type. Then again, you could probably tell that from the armful of books he was carrying. Honestly, he was just kind of... passing through, if you could say that of someone that just got there.

Besides, it's always good to see a friendly face.] Uh, I think you mean you need someone to spot you, Kar. [Though the correction isn't critical, it's actually pretty well-intentioned.

not that he's much of an expert on this suff but he's pretty positive that's what she means]

[chernobolt]

Is that not what I said?

[her brows knit in confusion. Kara had spent several months doing nothing but consuming every Rosetta Stone session she could find, but with two languages already learned it was difficult to keep everything together when speaking her third.

it's a little embarrassing, but she doesn't feel it as much around her friends. they know her well enough to take it in stride.]

[afamilyact]

It's close enough. [Now was probably not the time to be arguing pedantic, anyway.]

Where's Victor? Doesn't he usually help you with this stuff? I would lend a hand, but I'm pretty sure you're stronger than me.

[Actually he's positively certain that's the case.]

[chernobolt]

Victor is busy with his academics today! I am sad that I could not wait for him, but it is very important to remain consistent.

[especially with a tournament coming up against Locke U's rival.]

It is very easy to spot check, though! You do not have to lift anything unless I make a mistake.

[sucrosity]

[Yoko's on break herself, between sets, and she turns around, in the middle of sipping at a water bottle with a top spout. It's bright yellow. There's a bunny on it.

Basically, she's the last person to be judging the cute towel, if she could see it.

Her eyebrows rise at the phrasing, but then she smiles, a little--]

You mean spot for you, right? Sure! Are you willing to return the favor?

[chernobolt]

Of course! It is only fair to do the looking out in return.

[she really appreciates that water bottle and will probably tell Yoko just that in a little bit. but for now she's grinning because yaaay spotter and yaaay possible new friend]

I usually do such a thing anyway, but my working out friend is busy today doing the academics.

[sucrosity]

Then we've got a deal. Where're you set up?

[Wow, this girl is super enthusiastic! Even moreso than Yoko herself. She likes it.]

They're at school? [Unsure.] Where do you go? [Not LCA, she doesn't think. Locke High?

Maybe she was a college kid? She didn't look that old, though...]

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.