Test Drive Meme

[mercenarymayhem]

The city of Gulch is a bustling place, a haven for criminals and rogues, yet a cherished home to its natives. You might be a native, well familiar with typical, day-to-day life here. Or you may be from off-world, here for some opportunity you think you can't get elsewhere.

Or, you may have been dragged here by the dimensional portal known as the Transponser™— an outsider, confused and weary.

What will you do while you are here?

1) New arrivals: Maybe you're a mercenary who just arrived from off world. Or maybe you're a visitor who came through the transporter. Either way, you're new, and it's time to explore.

2) Taking a job: Everyone who comes to Gulch needs to have a means of making income. Maybe you've taken a job as a mercenary. Maybe you become a lowly store clerk. Either way, you need to make contact with customers.

3) Avoiding the plague: The clouds are descending and it's time to find shelter! Make your way through the streets with the others who have found themselves vulnerable.

4) Touring the city: It means a long train ride but you want to see the sights, so you pay for a token and off you go!

5) Wildcard: Whatever you want to play out! Tag around and have fun!

Comments

[baruthumos]

Well. Things need to change, number four. If you can't be there more often, do more when you're there. I'm putting you in charge of the downstairs bathroom. Either keep it clean or bribe one of your brothers to.

And you should meet Tex. You and her have things in common. Maybe she can help you look?

[wanderingmemory]

Yes, Omega. I understand.

Let me meet her before I make that decision on help, Omega. And whether I choose to work with her is my decision.

[baruthumos]

See, this lone wolf thing? This is why you two will get along like a house on fire.

And, you know, Gamma's old enough to clean a bathroom. You could always encourage him to add that to his plate next to the floors.

[wanderingmemory]

I'm not trying to play lone wolf. I search alone because I need to know, and I won't have someone else vanishing because of me.

I'll keep that in mind, Omega.

[baruthumos]

So long as you don't vanish on us. Epipen.

[wanderingmemory]

I haven't yet... And I'm not planning to.

Just remember this: If I ever stop responding to calls and messages... If I ever don't come back? It won't be because I chose to walk out on my family.

[baruthumos]

Oh, ask Delta what happens if you stop answering my messages.

And you're coming to Sig's party, right? This weekend, in the park?

[wanderingmemory]

... Do I even want to know?

Of course, Omega. I wouldn't miss it.

[baruthumos]

I am going to pay for it for the rest of my natural life.

Good. We'll have sandwiches and cake. I'm going to see if I can find the frisbee. What kind of sandwich do you want?

[wanderingmemory]

Wow. How did you make Delta that angry?

Just make me a vat-turkey snadwich Omega. And thanks.

[baruthumos]

I may have called him some names. Made some poor word choices. Accidentally asked a mercenary to find him. Really, he blew the whole thing up far bigger than it had to be.

Turkey sandwich it is. No problem.

[wanderingmemory]

You insulted him and sicked a mercenary on him? What the hell, Omega?

[baruthumos]

It was an accident! I didn't know Florida was a mercenary! He'd just slapped me and disappeared, what was I supposed to do?

[wanderingmemory]

You sent a stranger hunting after Delta in a complete panic. Or at least someone you didn't know well enough to know his occupation.

And I don't know... Trust Delta to be able to take care of himself long enough to calm down? If he can handle the family... He can handle himself.

[baruthumos]

There was context. That you would know about if you had been there. Trust me. I'd rather have him hate me than dead.

We're good now. Everyone's going to stop dumping everything on Delta. You are going to clean the downstairs bathroom or arrange for someone else to clean it. Someone who is not Delta.

[wanderingmemory]

Nice way to turn things on me not being home. Really. Now, why don't you give me the context so I can judge? Or would you rather I get that from Delta?

The bathroom will be cleaned by someone other than Delta. I've got it.

[baruthumos]

I got a new job offer, it's a little dangerous, he was upset that I brought up the possibility at all and decided to scare the piss out of Sigma by declaring he was moving out and dropping off the face of the planet. I had to call out the Marines to get him to hold still long enough to get it through to him that I had not, actually, made any promises, and since I had to take the kids to school as a result of his hissy fit, Ed fired me for not showing up. So I took the job.

Now, I suspect some of this was precipitated by the fact that Delta has been lying to us for years about how okay he is with playing housewife, which he has always said is enough for him, may I remind you. But go ahead, ask him for context. I'd love to hear what he thinks happened.

[wanderingmemory]

...

I see I missed a hell of a mess. And I will talk to Delta, because had I known? I would have been home more.

Trust me, I will do my part.

[baruthumos]

None of us knew, number four. And I'm going to be home more too. Talk to him, because apparently he lies to me.

I know you'll do your part. I figure, give you the bathroom, and then none of them can complain I didn't hand out you an assignment like everyone else.

Do you want cheese on that sandwich?

[wanderingmemory]

I can try to get truth from him. I can't promise anything...

Thanks for trusting me that far.

Sure.

[baruthumos]

Hey, we gotta look out for him. He's been looking out for us for a long time. It's his turn.

Oh, and so you don't freak out when you come home. Sigma got cut up.

Also the twins got light-up sneakers. Be excited for them. I'm covering envy.

[wanderingmemory]

It is.

... What happened?

[baruthumos]

Tex bought them light up sneakers.

[wanderingmemory]

I meant to Sigma. What happened?

Sneakers are not a priority to me.

[baruthumos]

One day, you will develop a sense of humor, penguin.

First, he's okay. He's going to be okay. Let's get that clear.

He was helping a lady find something she'd lost when she was set upon by some ruffians. They roughed him up a little, then his boyfriend brought him home.

Do not panic when you come home. But maybe fuss over him. It's been rough.