Test Drive

[medietas_mods]

Welcome to Medietas! Are you interested in joining the game? Do you have an old muse you want to dust off? Are you looking for a place to voice test a brand new character and would like to do so in our little island setting? Well, you've come to the right place!

You all know what to do but if you don’t, just follow the instructions and HAVE FUN!

How To Play:

→ Comment with the character you’d like to test drive. Don’t forget to add their name and canon in the subject line.
→ Choose a scenario, or start your own!
→ Tag around!

Possible Scenarios:

1. New Arrival: You have just arrived on the island of Medietas, in the city of Aerilon via a floating boat with people you may or may not know. Of course, you can't help wondering what the heck is going on here, or how you even got on the boat in the first place. But as soon as the vessel docks you are greeted by some lovely locals who offer you a map and a communications device before leaving you to your own. You probably have questions and there seems to be a number of people there already who may or may not have those answers. Talk to them! Or, get on the network and introduce yourself!

2. Getting Settled: So, you've arrived, but now there's five islands you should get yourself acquainted with. Meet your starter home neighbors! Start your new job! Check out the market on Aerilon. Or, attend one of the many block parties!

3. Lost!: Somehow you got yourself turned around and confused and getting back to where you want to be is looking impossible.

4. Wild Card: Got something else in mind and want to create your own scenario? Go for it!

Comments

[cricketsong]

Almost anyone can be coaxed to sing after a few glasses of wine, especially if it's good wine. However it's not something Cricket would pursue until much later. It's not something you just spring on a person you just met or even after the first date or so... if there was to be one.

"Is it a challenge you're interested in, though? Or should I take my talents elsewhere?" At being called a barbarian an absolutely offended look (spoiled by the amusement in the eyes) crossed Cricket's face. "I am no barbarian! I'm a cultured man of the city and a musician."

The trowel got a thoughtful glance. "But if I must kill you to get an apology, then that is what I'll do. I've seen quite a few shows where this is an excellent weapon. The garden is also freshly overturned so I won't have problems hiding the body either."

[manaveris]

The other claims his cultured nature and Dorian drops his hand, placing them both on his knees, laughing softly at the others reaction, enjoying his ability to play along. Yet suddenly things take a little bit of a drastic turn and his chuckle wilts before he gives the other quite the look, his brows furrowing as he listens to the rather intent description and reference to his plants. There is a long pause, Dorian holds it longer than needed because it might all be a joke, a man with a good sense of humour but it came all out of left field. Keeping his eyes on the other man a hum catches his throat in thought, flattening out his gaze and pursing his lips before he inhales and begins to speak, leaning forward, his hands pressed on his knees, shoulders straight.

Amusing crossed between unamused but highly disturbing.

"A cultured man would never bury a man in his own garden, you'd ruin the plants. If you are who you say you are then use your creativity better than that." Deadpan was his voice before he leaned back and gave the other one more glance before taking his finger, touching the tip of the trowel gently and allowing to exert the smallest amount of mana along the handle, frost catching on it. "Come on, Tal. You wouldn't lay a hand on me, would you?"

[cricketsong]

It was a joke. Perhaps a tasteless one that shouldn't be offered when has just met another person. One that should have waited until he's gotten the measure of the man's sense of humor before him. If he could blame someone other than himself he would.

He sat back on his own heels, hands on his knees. "You're right. I think there's a gully near."

Any sort of joking manner dropped from his expression when the trowel blade began to frost over. He didn't even notice the use of 'Tal' instead of 'Cricket'. Aisling, who had been poking at some of the plants zipped right to the blade to hover over it, the carefully approaching it as if the magic was some possibly wild animal.

"That depends, do you want my hands on you?" he said absently still watching the frost.

[manaveris]

The other jokes again but then what he says at the end has Dorian pausing, looking from the ice that grows on the handle of the tool and slowly up at the other. Dorian was not always a very nice man, he could be rather blunt and he's used to one night stands, as they were. Relationships had never been what he was able to have, the closeness of them, the offer of what life could be with something steady and unyielding but he swallows, the smallest tinge of pink showing upon his cheekbones as he looks at the other quietly, the silence standing between them at his rather forward comment. He could be brave, he could ignore it, he could pretend it wasn't something he wanted to hear and throw it away as a mistake but instead after searching the others face even though it was cast downward, he too looked back at the frost.

The small crystals travelled from his touch along the handle then onto the metal, brushing only ever so slightly against the others flesh, not enough to freeze or burn, he was not putting enough into it, only a brush of cold and Dorian draws his grin back upon his lips when he notes the attention of the spirit as well.

"Maybe the question is, do you want to put your hands on me."

Came a whisper of a comment, teasing, quiet as he urged the soft spell onward, watching the frost grow into crystals on the metal part of the trowel.

[cricketsong]

The big problem is with this place is how small it was. A one night stand could get awkward. They're easier to do when you're going to be leaving in the morning. Relationships were never anything he allowed himself to have - except for that one friend, but that was more like friends with benefits than anything else.

Things held in a quiet balance, go forward and face possibilities and consequences or pull away keeping it as a joke. As the frost touched him he shivered slightly, resisting the urge to pull the hand away or shake it out.

Did he want to put his hands on him?

Very carefully, ready for Dorian to pull away, he brushed the back of his fingers on the other man's cheek. "I think so. Yeah."

[manaveris]

There is little knowledge to this place, he only arrived a little while ago, only explored to his means, researching what he could close the home he was given. He was prone to wandering but right how he had his garden, he had this moment, this strange, odd moment that he never would expect and in his mind he can only think that it will be another passing affair, what he was used to wherever it went but they've already gone this far, he would not be so much a coward to back down yet could move with careful steps; affair or no, he had to protect himself as well for his walls where hard to break. In that quiet moment in the space between, his heart drummed within his chest, certain that if any louder it would be audible; to himself right now maybe, and possibly the spirit.

The finger on the trowel curved ever so slightly, the ice spread further along it, the crystals growing slightly as the quick beating of his heart made his blood rush. The other spoke and the sensation of his finger touching the side of his face brought Dorian's gaze forward to meet his own, his free hand shifted, pushing along the soil towards the kneeling bend of his knee, his knuckles curving and pressing every so slightly against the side of the joint. He didn't pull away, not even for a hesitant second.

"Well." Dorian murmured, his voice quiet, leaning ever so slightly into the touch, subtle, his eyes searching the mans face, a fond and small smirk upon his lips. "This escalated quickly."

[cricketsong]

Within the first few days, Cricket had explored as much as he could, not even bothering to stay at his given house as he did so. Which is what brought him to this garden, kneeling next to a man here wondering what he was doing. Indulging in a momentary whim.

Wasn't he?

A whim that made his heart sink nervously into his stomach as he wasn't rejected. It would have been easier if he had been. They could laugh it off. Perhaps let Taliesin give his goodbyes and nice to meet yous. Instead he had this man leaning against his rather dirty fingers as if asking for a bit more.

"So it did," he murmured back, watching his face, the frozen trowel forgotten. This man in front of him the most important thing for this moment.

A single quiet moment.

... Well...

He leaned over and, not quite sure why, but definitely deciding not to resist the urge, and kissed Dorian very lightly on the lips. Just a bare brushing, nothing more. An invitation of welcome if the other man wanted it.

[manaveris]

It had been so long, since he was this close to someone. His own life had been on hold since arriving at the Inquisition with small moments here and there to partake in what his life was, but otherwise his full focus was on the success, the battles, the desires of his Inquistor whom he adored heart and soul, his best friend, perhaps his only friend. Still, that did not mean Dorian did not want, did not desire something more in his life like he had seen his friend gain, that did not mean there was not the possibility to reach out on this moment in time, to see where it goes, to either leave it or take it and where was the harm.

All unexpected though, all completely random and all like a burning wildfire, unsure which direction to take when no wind guided it.

His fingers curled against the soil, his finger upon the trowel pulled away ever so slightly and when the other spoke he watched him, when he replied he allowed the silence to linger, didn't lean further into the brush of fingers, didn't push his hand but when the other leaned forward he sucked in a quiet breath, feeling the brush of his lips against his own and pulling his finger back from the tool, the ice quickly melted, leaving water in its wake. His hand pulling back, it tentatively moved upward, finger tips still cold and placed them on the edge of the others jaw, leaning in to return the pressure, his lidded gaze slipping closed as soon as he felt the firm pressure of mouth to mouth, a simple kiss, tilting upwards against the others affections, returning them.

[cricketsong]

Dorian didn't pull away and Taliesin's heart skipped a quiet beat, some part of him chastising himself for reacting like some goober teenager. This was just a ... nothing... or a test of the waters. Not anything more.

It might be more.

Maybe in the future.

But for now.. he leaned lightly into the hand on his jaw despite the cold fingers, enjoying the feel and pleasure of a little something he'd not had in a little while. A quiet kiss instead of a hurried one to get in bed for the night's pleasure and leave in the morning... nice to meet you too.

At least he enjoyed it up until the point Aisling landed on his nose and then peered at Dorian as if wondering what they were doing. This close there's a faint feeling of a humanoid shape, more like a shadow than anything with substance. It felt nothing more like a light, warm breath skipping across the skin.

Pulling back Taliesin swatted irritably at the spirit saying something obviously rude in Welsh possibly dealing with the spirit's parentage.

[manaveris]

The kiss was soft and tender, not the drunken mess he was normally used to, or a man looking for a good time, a moment to experiment before heading off into his inevitable future. Hushed whispers and secrets, but this was different; it felt sincere, in the light of the garden, at night under the summer sky. Dorian accepted it willingly, his face flushing slightly, his eyes closed, moving his mouth gently and carefully against the others. His hand slides upwards slightly, thumb under the side of his jaw, smoothing against the hairs there, the rough stubble but then there is a light and it's clear that this little soirée is being interrupted by the curious spirit, the warm glow of their presence obvious through the lids of his eyes which he opens when notices the presence.

The small outline of a body, the idea of eyes meeting his and when Taliesin pulls back, unfortunately, and swats at the curious creature Dorian cannot help but laugh, the sound warm and genuine, amused and a little flustered as the other sounded like he cursed at the being, the mage dropped his hand and let his hand slide down to the others shoulder, fingers smoothing over the fabric of the leather beneath.

"Someone's curious." He looked to the floating spirit, shooed away and smiled at her, face still flushed and laugh still catching in his chest. "A little too curious."

[cricketsong]

It definitely was one of the nicer kisses he's had in a long while which is why the spirit gets a good telling off. As he did so he reached up and put his own hand over the one on his shoulder, rubbing his thumb against the skin.

If a blob of light and idea could look utterly unapologetic then this one did.

At least Dorian didn't seem too upset and was taking it in good humor.

"I'm sorry about that. It normally doesn't do that; I think it's because you're new magic that it had to check you out to see if anything interesting happened."

[manaveris]

The laugh softened out and he gave a small shake of his head, shifting his hand so the back of his lined up with the others palm feeling the soothing sensation of his thumb upon his skin and arched into it. When the laugh ended, a soft smile replaced the amused grin and he looked up towards the other, smoothing the hand on the others shoulder down to rest it where the shoulder and chest met. Dorian exhaled and looked once more at the creature of light before moving back to keep his gaze on Taliesin's face.

"Don't apologise." He gave a small shake of his head and looked sincere. "It was worth it, they will get used to it, eventually."

A small roll of his eyes and he gave the spirit a small look before pulling his hand back, hesitantly, making sure that the flesh touched as he pulled back, his hand on the ground still resting beside him.

"I'm always happy to show them more."

[cricketsong]

"I hope they have the chance to," he said, a soft sigh as the hand leaves him. Which was silly. They'd only met, lack of physical contact shouldn't cause such a feeling so quickly. "Though not at particular moments."

The spirit gets a glare.

"I'd be happy to show them more."

[manaveris]

The other sighs and Dorian is tempted to place the hand upon him once more but instead he holds it back. This evening had gone in a direction he had certainly not expected. It was not what he thought would come from a man with a spirit, sneaking up upon him while he started his garden. Now it was nearly done, and he was a kiss closer to the other and while something like this would turn into a one night stand with an empty bed in the morning, he was glad it hadn't, he was content that what they shared was there but not too much, not forced, it was strangely comforting yet out of his league of comprehension. Normally people wanted him then would leave him, that was the story however, this story had just started he had a innate feeling and it made him feel good.

"Yes, they could have picked better time, but spirits run on their own agendas." Dorian murmured, smirking when Taliesin glares at the tiny other. "I'm sure they'll have plenty of more chances to learn, sate that tiny curiosity, though I suppose I can't blame them being so interested in what I do, I am after all, a very interesting person."

The smirk turned into a light grin.

"And so is the man named Cricket."

[cricketsong]

This would be similar to his experiences. Who would have thought a night's rambling could bring him here. Though for the briefest of moments his mind said home before correcting itself.

Here is not home and home is not here.

And here was, while he wanted to be here, perhaps not where he should be right then. If he stayed he might do something that he didn't want to do. At least not with this man.

'Yes, you are and yes I am. We both are." He tucked some hair behind his ear, getting more dirt on his face.

[manaveris]

Home is indeed home, and home is not here and it never would be, but this is a new life, it is a different life, it is not the same life and Dorian finds himself thinking that this could have gone badly, this could have been something far different, it could had been a regret or a mistake but it really wasn't and he couldn't consider it. A little quick perhaps, but he was not one to deny affection, a pull or a push of a connection. The other tucked his hair back and Dorian watched, laughing again, amused and warm. Dirt is what lead them to this moment, he could always blame it on the gardening; the threat of burying someone lead to something much more and he was content were it came to rest.

Never more, never less; a perfect amount.

"You're a mess." Came Dorians' reply with a roll of his eyes as reached down and pulled a small cloth out of his robes, hand it out to the other, not expecting to get it back; quietly a token perhaps, his voice playful, humoured and affectionate. "Even though I can't deny the rough and rugged looks good on you, I think you've overdone yourself with gardening tonight, it might become a rather nasty addiction."

[cricketsong]

It could never be home at least not for real, but some life could be made without expectations of people from home.

Dirt and a garden lead to this moment, perhaps a relationship that could grow from it. He was the sort of person that would play around with that sort of symbolism.

"So I am and a good shower would be welcomed," he said taking the cloth to try and wipe the dirt off his face. "But... perhaps you'd like to see me again when neither of us are covered in dirt?"

[manaveris]

There was always something to plant, something to grow and that was entirely the metaphor of the evening. Gardens would take time to tend, as do anything building between two people, unknowing or not, there was no certain direction only the fumbling of trying to figure out what. Still, Dorian watched him and placed his hands down onto the ground and moved to stand up, dusting himself off and stretching skyward from having knelt for so long; afterwards he dropped his hands though and offered one out to the other to assist him off the ground, even though they were still stained with the activities of the evening.

"Something we can agree upon, it's going to take me all night to get this out from under my nails." Dorian quipped, arching an eyebrow and offering a smile, hand out stretched. "Yes, I would like that but please, no more gardening for awhile, let's think of an equally productive activity that does not involve scooting about in soil, and it's not like you have a choice in the matter in the first place. I believe you owe me wine."

He smirked.

[cricketsong]

He took the hand to help him up, squeezing it lightly as he did so.

"I owe you wine and you owe me a story. So, yes, I do believe I will be seeing you again." Not wanting to lose the moment and wanted to return again he said, "How about tomorrow night then? If you're not doing anything?"

[manaveris]

The man squeezed his hand and he returned the gesture softly, hesitantly letting go once the other was settled on his feet and sliding his hand outwards, fingers brushing against the others own as he did with purpose before giving a nod of his head and a smile upon his lips.

"Fine, I'll give you part one of the story, you bring the wine." An exhale followed and he looked the small distance upwards to the bard. "My only plans for tomorrow night originally involved reading some texts and questioning the plausibility of this place once more, so needless to say I'll happy take the company. I'll be here, just give a knock."

[cricketsong]

"Tomorrow night then with wine and stories. I'll be happy to share some of my own as well." He bowed, much like he did when they first met and introduced himself. "Until then, Dorian."

With that, Aisling drifting back around his head, took his leave until the next night.