worldsmeme | West World - Test Drive Meme #1

West World - Test Drive Meme #1

★ Test Drive Meme #1 ★

Reserves are OPEN, and Apps open on February 18th!
Game opens March 1st!

Your body is gently rocked awake. No, not to the dulcet tones of an Aerosmith ballad, but the rumble of wheels, the creak of wood, the thunder of dozens of horses beating the ground with their hooves. Perhaps you're asleep in the saddle, perhaps awkwardly jammed between strangers in the back of a canvas covered wagon. It's a peaceful prairie afternoon, the sun is shining and the birds are singing, a herd of bison are baying down by the river, but this is the wild frontier, and the tranquility won't last forever.

But first, there's you. What do you remember? Perhaps it's a fabricated history on the East Coast: a huge family of which you are the youngest; a toppled business empire; a brush with the law. Whatever it is, it's why you've hit the trail, a past that you can't return to, your hopes staked on a future in the town of Horseshoe.

Perhaps. Or perhaps those hazy memories are quickly slipping away. Perhaps you know exactly who you are, and you have no idea - none at all - how you got here in the first place. One second you were fighting a space battle in a galaxy far, far away, and now you're eating dust, blinded by the hot summer sun, your ass being beaten sore by the road beneath your feet.

The question is: now you're here, what will you do? The road is hard ahead, but it's dangerous to go it alone.

★ It's Only Horse Play

The thing about horses - and mules, for that matter - is that they're not cars. They have minds of their own, and you can't fix them by swearing at them until they start, although I guess you could try. They have limited energy, so they might stop dead in the middle of the road, holding up traffic. They might throw a shoe--no, it's nothing like changing a tire. Irritated by flies or the whip, or surprised by a snake in the road, they might bolt at random. If the worst should happen, that wicked cool stallion you're riding might just have his eyes on a mare in harness. Be careful he doesn't break his leg trying to climb over the wagon's shaft.

All in all, four feet and a mean set of teeth make for a fun ride. These horses, too, have come an awful long way, and they're getting as miserable, tired and grouchy as their owners. Harnesses are one size doesn't fit all, wagons are heavily loaded, and the horses are bruised and sore, their legs and feet aching from the slog, their necks arched painfully forward to take the strain. To spare your horse, its good to get out of the saddle now and again, but on the trail, that's not always possible. Don't be surprised if, hitching up, a horse resists the harness--and be careful! Remember, that animal is your lifeline. Without it, you and all your worldly goods are stranded out here.

★ Old Man River

A river crossing. Awesome. You remember this part in Oregon Trail, right? All you have to do is cross the river. But it's not that simple. One wagon might cross easily, but another, more heavily laden, might sink too deep a few feet in. A weaker, more exhausted horse may struggle, or lose its footing in the swell of the current, or worse, one of the wagon's wheels may break halfway across. A horse might even panic, as the water wraps around his feet, jump sidewards and take the wagon with it.

Perhaps you make it, but if not you're going to need help. Brute strength or supernatural powers might come in handy helping you to wrestle across the haphazard ford. Maybe that help is friendly, and maybe it comes with a price.

Rivers are dangerous. One missed step, one misjudgement, and it's the end of the road. Whatever you do, be careful. Make a plan. But whether you like it or not, you have to cross. The road to Horseshoe is on the other side, and you're so close now you can taste it.

★ It Was A Dark And Stormy Night

It was a dark and stormy night, and the travellers had pulled their wagons into a circle. Firelight glowed from the campfires that struggled despite the makeshift windbreaks, damp wood keeping their glow muted. You're close, one more day's drive away from the town, the scout says. One last night of misery. One night in gloomy, damp wagons, wearing wet clothes. One more night of dried meat scraps and corn meal. If you've remembered who you are already then it's all okay for you, but for some of the group this is it, the end of their long road, their turmoil; their hopes and dreams on the line. There's an air of celebration despite the weather.

If someone still has some bourbon to hand, then now is the night to pass it around. Stories will be told, songs will be sung. The constant sound of a fiddle or a banjo cuts through the night, keeping all but the heaviest sleepers awake. Tired horses doze standing up around the edge of the circle, one hind foot cocked as though to catch them if they fall. Now is your last chance to really get to know your fellow man, in the cameraderie of the trail, before the town swallows you up. Tell your stories, struggle with reality, teach someone the words to Yellow Submarine. Sleep when you're dead.

★ Wildcard

You're on the trail, so why not let your mind wander where it pleases as well? Perhaps your character is riding out to scout the trail ahead. Maybe they're law enforcement or ex-army? Maybe the wheel comes off your wagon, or your horse drops dead and you have to beg for a stranger's help. Maybe you're Superman, and you want to frighten the natives by flying off ahead, or you're a faith healer, who can revive a broken down horse with a touch. Start a gunfight, or go shooting rabbits, or soothe a stranger's teething infant with an alien lullaby. It's your adventure, so make it up as you go along.

(p.s. if your character absolutely must fly off ahead to get the lay of the land, they won't be able to find the town. That would spoil the fun of getting there, wouldn't it?)

★ Mods notes: A quick reminder that characters can have either no memory loss, OR a partial memory loss which allows them to recollect their past at a player's chosen speed. Characters are also allowed to have NPC family members (who may or may not be on the wagon train with them), for instance an NPC wife or kids who might give them a hard time about not remembering who they are. NPC family members are not mandatory, we just thought they were a fun thing that you could play with if you wanted! We also accept OCs and game-based OCs,as well as canon characters! If you have any questions about gameplay, please check out the FAQ! ★

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

You won't owe me any favors over saving your life, Ned. [He'd appreciate it if he like, took the opportunity to do the same, but. It's fine. He was going to flash a smile at him, but the pans...]

Well, I can't cook, and they're heavy. Are you going to make us both dinner?

[Look, if Jacob ever needs Ned to dashingly come to his rescue, he'll give it a shot. But how often does that happen?? He scoffs, waving a hand at Jacob as he goes to get down from the wagon to get their new pans back.]

Well if you're giving up already, it looks like I am. [How good is Ned at cooking?? He can cook a fish on a stick, probably. Sure.]

Oh, well, in that case. [Jacob severely doubts they're going to make anything of those, but he'll let him go get it if he wants. He's going to sit on the side and pick up a really, really ugly doll. Whatever kid owned her prior did not take care of her face.]

Ms... Evie Jr. and I think we can live just fine without them. [He's even pointing her hand at Ned, what a child.] Make a campfire, enjoy what the land has to offer us raw.

[Ned's down here on the ground, lifting the pans back onto the floor of the wagon, but even from all the way down here his judgmental stare is visible. Jacob...

He sighs.] You don't give the "junior" part to girls.

[Put that down... He's just tall enough to lean on his elbows on the floor of the wagon, from the ground, and keep giving Jacob this judgmental look. Hey.] At least you're having a grand old time.

Evie Jr. is offended. [Jacob had the doll place her hand to the forehead, jutting his lower lip in a pout. He does lower her, even if it's to make a show of himself instead.]

Are you not having a grand old time, Ned? I'm hurt. [He places a hand over his heart, dropping the other to his side defeatedly.] Get off my own wagon of fruit just to join you.

Not that I don't appreciate the company, but dolls and dresses aren't getting us across the river. [He waves a hand at Evie Jr. now, like this is her fault personally. Sorry, doll and namesake. If he's not offering his occasional unsolicited criticisms, what will he do??

But alright, it's better having Jacob here than being completely among strangers. Honest, hard-working pioneers? He doesn't relate.] C'mon, let's move this thing and then I'll try making you breakfast.

I see your point. [Jacob heaves a sigh, giving the doll one last mournful look before tossing her aside. Better yet, he's just going to drop the box of children's things over to make up for the pans.]

I can't wait to tell the Greenies I've got London's finest promising to make me breakfast. [Well, he can wait, what with actually having to get home. He'll actually work now, dumping any other useless items before hauling Ned back up front.

If that weren't enough to complain about, he's wrapping his big heavy coat over his shoulders.] Wouldn't want your suit getting wet, would we?

You're starting that before I try my hand at breakfast? Be smart about it, Frye.

[He's full of his usual attitude when he says this, but that goes right out the window the moment Jacob starts pulling him around again. He makes that irritated face he makes, hands coming up to his chest like socking Jacob in the mouth is the next logical step. Release him!!

Once he's deposited up front he opens his mouth to protest what's just happened, but then there's a coat draped over him to add insult to injury. And yet it's a nice gesture, as much as he's willing to accept it. Coat charity. Hmph.]

No, I guess not. [That's it, that's all he's willing to say while he tugs on the coat to rearrange it, like he's just letting Jacob do this and doesn't appreciate it at all.]

[He can act like he doesn't appreciate it all he wants, but Jacob's grinning like he knows otherwise. Or maybe he doesn't. Maybe it's just the sight of Ned Wynert, the crime lord of all the London boroughs, wrapped in something twice his size.] Try not to chew me out too hard.

[The river current wasn't harsh, but it was high. No amount of careful steering and horse comforting was going to prevent cold water from spraying over the side at them, and the rocks didn't made it all but a bumpy ride. The horse didn't seem to care much for anything besides getting out, lugging a wheel over a particularly high one that had Jacob colliding with Ned.

His chest wasn't the worst place to be mashed against, but it's uncomfortable and wet for the both of them.] Shit, sorry--!

[Ned hums in vague agreement but also vague criticism; if Jacob would try not to flip the whole wagon over, he won't have to shout. It's quite simple. At first he's apparently content to sit back and hold the coat shut in front and just wait it out, but after about two bumps he doesn't believe they should have hit, the criticism comes—

Come on, Frye!

We'll be out here all day at this rate!

Watch where you're going, Frye!

He could do this part all day, honestly, but his latest is interrupted when the wagon lurches and he's sent sideways at the same time Jacob is sent toward him. Ned Wynert, crime lord, with his face smushed against a wet shirt that now smells like a barn and a river. He wiggles a hand free from inside Jacob's jacket to push himself back, leaning from where he is to try and assess any damage the wagon took from that.] If we don't sink or drown, I'm calling this a success.

I don't see you making any suggestions, Wynert! [Jacob doesn't usually lose his cool, but if Ned says they're going to drown one more time... He probably wouldn't be too far from the truth, but it doesn't frustrate the driver any less.

The body of the wagon was all well and good, but the wheel Jacob supposedly had fixed creaked like it was at the point of breaking. He glanced between land and water before ultimately deciding the smartest decision was to just ford the rest of the way. He snapped the reins.

The lurch forward nearly knocked their heads into their knees, and they hit the dry ground hard, but it was still the ground. The wheels were still turning... and turning... until the one rolled off the wagon entirely. Well.] We didn't drown.

[Lord have mercy, Jacob is never allowed to drive them across rivers again. Ned goes back and forth between gripping the side of the wagon for dear life and grabbing onto Jacob's shoulder for much the same reason—if they drown, there's no way he's going down alone!!

But, by some miracle... they make it across. Ned doesn't relax until the wagon wheel has made its exit, and even then, the way the whole thing sags and tilts into the mud makes him startle again. Honestly... he sits back, putting his hands over his face and speaking into his palms.] This is why I prefer trains. Rails and boxcars, I'm your man, but water...

[Leaving aside that wagons aren't meant to be in the river in the first place. They still suck.]

I'm the one that did the driving! [Jacob says indignantly, as if this were something to be proud of. He sighed, leaning back in the seat and letting the reins fall to the side.]

Ever been horseback riding, Ned? [He's going to have to get on it with a very soaked Jacob. There he goes, shaking his hair out like a dog.]

Barely—Frye! [He's already ruining it!! Ned leans away from him, shielding his face from the spray. Sure, Jacob's coat is already wet, but spare him this much.

That's it, he's pushing himself up to get down to the ground. Is there any of this stuff they can carry on a horse with two grown men... He's short, so that should save some room for supplies, right...?]

I think we lost your dress.

[There he goes... with Jacob's coat. He blinked, staring after him with a tease dying on his lips. He was so small... He'll let him have it.]

Not my dress! [He turns around, climbing over the side to feign disbelief.] That was the most important item we had! Would have got us millions of pounds-- or... whatever it is here. [a beat,] Dollars.

[He shouldn't look so uncertain, and yet... While Ned goes through their things, he'll set about untying the horse from the wagon.] My life is ruined, Ned.

[Go away, giant menace. Ned can't help but give him a wry smile anyway; it's stupid, yes, it's so stupid, but carrying on about the dress makes him feel better about the wild ride into the riverbank.]

At least you figured out the right currency exchange. [good job!!!] You'll get through it.

[That said...] The pans are gone, too. I guess breakfast'll be something even simpler.

You mean I can't sample your wonderful cooking? That's a real shame. [Jacob chuckled, guiding the horse out of the mud. It's taking some effort to keep it from not running off at this rate. The two were crazy for dragging it into the river.]

C'mon, Ned. No use crying over spilled wagons. [He shook his head, beckoning for him to come.] I'll make you money some other way. Put me out on the street if you have to. I'll put the ass in assassin.

[Ned won't leave this wagon until he finds something of moderate use. Like... here, one single bag of food that isn't soaked through. It's probably potatoes or apples, judging from the lumpy size. This is going on the horse with them.]

Frye, no offense, but I could get more money picking pockets from the poor. [burn....] Stick to what you know.

[Jacob legitimately gapes at him, looking between him and the horse as if it would understand how mean he was. The horse stared ahead.] You don't think anyone would buy my time!

[He's so offended by this. Look at him, wet white shirt sticking to his abs as he climbs onto a horse. He's stunning!!] I should leave without you.

[Ah, there it is. Ned feels better already. He laughs, taking a few hasty strides forward to put the potato sack onto the horse's back and hold on casually, because there's no way Jacob is leaving him here in the goddamn wilderness.]

Maybe if you didn't talk to them. Then, I could see it... [Wear that shirt, don't say a word: perfect. He pauses.] Are you gonna help me get on the horse, or not?

[Come on, he's actually asking for help. This is astounding.]

[If he didn't talk!! Jacob would have been offended enough to get a few yards on him if Ned weren't smart enough to hold on.]

You're lucky I like you, Wynert. [He's determined not to call him Ned for a whole five minutes now. Even if he is actively using an arm to haul him up into the saddle behind him. Shut up.]

[Will it ever be less annoying that Jacob can just lift him up and haul him around? No, but Ned's putting up with it right now. He even chuckles again, once he's settled and past the point of looking affronted. Even though he asked.]

Natural charisma goes a long way, Frye. Remember that. [wink..... Anyway, he'll have to hold on around Jacob's wet shirt, ew, so let's get this horse ride over with.]

I just think you're looking awfully cute in my coat. I don't know about charisma. [Or cute in general. Jacob hums as he settles in, giving him enough time to latch on before he urged the horse into a run.] To New Hampshire!

[To Horseshoe, but let him have this.]

[Is this because he's short???? Shut up, Jacob. Ned scoffs and digs an elbow into his side. That scoff is for calling him cute and for saying New Hampshire again. Stop that...]

We've got a bag of potatoes between us. I think I can hear opportunity calling from here. [Theft..... he's talking about theft. Time to dramatically ride toward the horizon.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

West World - Test Drive Meme #1

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject