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TEST DRIVE ∞ May 2025
Test Drive ∞ May 2025
The First Collision
The Diadem is an invite-only panfandom game set in a retro-futuristic world where uprooted souls find themselves deep within an eerie wasteland of roads and highways frequently assailed by cosmic storms. Three united strongholds keep the population. Its capital is Panorama, a large metropolis at the planet's center.
Soon, you realize you aren't alone. Calling themselves fluxdrifts, the "locals" have similar stories to you, either for themselves or their ancestry. You speak to an old woman who claims she hailed from another star. You meet a young man who says his great-great-grandfather knew a strange language everybody spoke "back home." As you explore, you stumble across a coin you recognize or your sister's locket. How did it get here? What does this mean? That's for you to discover.
But first, you need to find a ride.
Soon, you realize you aren't alone. Calling themselves fluxdrifts, the "locals" have similar stories to you, either for themselves or their ancestry. You speak to an old woman who claims she hailed from another star. You meet a young man who says his great-great-grandfather knew a strange language everybody spoke "back home." As you explore, you stumble across a coin you recognize or your sister's locket. How did it get here? What does this mean? That's for you to discover.
But first, you need to find a ride.
No invites needed to play on the TDM. Everyone's welcome! Use the Invite Request thread below to request an invite from another player.
∞ Summary ∞
IC-wise, arrivals are scattered throughout the month. Events described on the TDM are also ongoing throughout the month. If you'd rather jump right into the action, you're free to begin in media res with your character having already been on the planet for several days.
Post-impact, characters will wake up in a med tent by the Scrapyard. From there, they must accept a vehicle on loan and make the 2-hour drive to the nearest city, Panorama. If they refuse the car because they don't want the loan, they'll be in debt for medical bills instead...so just take the car. It'll come in handy.
Some things to keep in mind when bringing in your character:
TDM threads can be canon if characters are accepted. Top-levels made to the TDM should be open to all.
Post-impact, characters will wake up in a med tent by the Scrapyard. From there, they must accept a vehicle on loan and make the 2-hour drive to the nearest city, Panorama. If they refuse the car because they don't want the loan, they'll be in debt for medical bills instead...so just take the car. It'll come in handy.
Some things to keep in mind when bringing in your character:
- Pick an injury. At minimum, they got knocked out; at most, whatever they can recover from. Medicine is decently advanced so they'll heal faster if not painlessly.
- Decide items kept. Reasonable items on their person only: photos, keys, clothes, costumes. No pets or animal companions. Wildly out-of-place tech and personal cell phones will be damaged beyond repair.
- Select a weapon. Do this only if eligible. Guidelines about weapons and powers are on the FAQ.
- Choose a vehicle. Decide whether your character gets 2-3 options or if they're stuck with something they hate. Players can pick directly from our collection or source their own images. Anything under a similar aesthetic will work. If your character needs accommodations for driving, they can have them. Ask us for details.
- Get a phone. Characters have to obtain a phone (and a SIM card) themselves. If they've got one from home, it's damaged beyond repair. Phones are cheap. It'll only take a couple of weeks to afford one. You need to know the number before you text or call anyone. Read about phones and the Forum before you hop on it.
TDM threads can be canon if characters are accepted. Top-levels made to the TDM should be open to all.
Fluxdrift
Arrival & Introduction
Date: Throughout May
You've tumbled over a cliff. You were fighting for your life. You're on the cusp of death. You slipped in the shower. Whatever the catalyst, you struggle to cling to consciousness. As darkness overtakes you, a swirling vortex warps light and shadow in a way that defies all physics. A dark wail etches into your very bones. You couldn't describe it if you tried. You can barely comprehend what it is.
Then you open your eyes.
Through the figure's mask ©, you swear the face is grinning down at you. The tent you're in smells of antiseptic, and scratchy blankets line your cot. Injuries you've sustained have been bandaged. In the corner, you spot a MedBot that's fixed you up. Depending on the extent of your injuries, the doctor on duty might give you some painkillers before you go. Thankfully, your belongings are by the exit. Sorry if anything's damaged. Your landing was pretty rough.
You follow the figure outside. They are Yom Crook, here to lend a hand to fellow fluxdrifts like yourself. Their car's parked beside them. Actually, there are lots of cars around, but Yom Crook's stands out with its painted shark mouth. They explain they found you, unconscious, in a diffusion zone and brought you here. The nearest city is a 2-hour drive northeast. Forget about walking. You'll never make it. Also, you owe the doctor a lot of money for patching you up. But you're in luck: they've got some wheels for you and if you accept the vehicle on loan, Yom Crook will cover your medical bills. That's a good deal, right? It's not the shiniest car or motorcycle, but it'll do. If fortune favors, you'll get to choose between two or three options. Plus, if you need accommodations to drive—like adjustments to your seat height or modified controls—you'll receive all that for free.
Take the vehicle. (And the loan.) Yom Crook assures you that you'll have six months before collectors come around. Any time you're ready to pay a part of it down, return here to the Scrapyard. You'll get a receipt and everything. Paying off the loan in six months isn't impossible, but it will take a lot of work. Just don't get too lax. There's a good chance you'll be juggling multiple loans as you try to get by.
You either know how to drive, or you'll have a bare-bones manual to get you started. Road rules are more a suggestion than enforced, so just hit the pedal and go. The car has some basic features. The built-in compass will help you navigate.
Through the figure's mask ©, you swear the face is grinning down at you. The tent you're in smells of antiseptic, and scratchy blankets line your cot. Injuries you've sustained have been bandaged. In the corner, you spot a MedBot that's fixed you up. Depending on the extent of your injuries, the doctor on duty might give you some painkillers before you go. Thankfully, your belongings are by the exit. Sorry if anything's damaged. Your landing was pretty rough.
You follow the figure outside. They are Yom Crook, here to lend a hand to fellow fluxdrifts like yourself. Their car's parked beside them. Actually, there are lots of cars around, but Yom Crook's stands out with its painted shark mouth. They explain they found you, unconscious, in a diffusion zone and brought you here. The nearest city is a 2-hour drive northeast. Forget about walking. You'll never make it. Also, you owe the doctor a lot of money for patching you up. But you're in luck: they've got some wheels for you and if you accept the vehicle on loan, Yom Crook will cover your medical bills. That's a good deal, right? It's not the shiniest car or motorcycle, but it'll do. If fortune favors, you'll get to choose between two or three options. Plus, if you need accommodations to drive—like adjustments to your seat height or modified controls—you'll receive all that for free.
Take the vehicle. (And the loan.) Yom Crook assures you that you'll have six months before collectors come around. Any time you're ready to pay a part of it down, return here to the Scrapyard. You'll get a receipt and everything. Paying off the loan in six months isn't impossible, but it will take a lot of work. Just don't get too lax. There's a good chance you'll be juggling multiple loans as you try to get by.
You either know how to drive, or you'll have a bare-bones manual to get you started. Road rules are more a suggestion than enforced, so just hit the pedal and go. The car has some basic features. The built-in compass will help you navigate.
OPTIONAL PROMPTS: a flat tire; a body on the road (is it a trap?); a fender bender
Panorama
Explore & Settle In
Conditions: Warm spring temperatures, light showers
After 2 hours on the road, you find civilization. The largest of the strongholds, Panorama is where the economy thrives. Massive power plants glowing red make it visible from a distance. The city is divided into three districts. For now, you can access the Pavilion and the Blocks. Don't worry about the Sanctum; they're not letting you in.
You only need to know two things about Panorama: 1) it's big, the size of a modern metropolis, and you'll need your car to get around; 2) anything goes as long as you don't pick a fight with the wrong person. Street smarts will get you far. Despite its geographical size, the population isn't huge. With roughly a million people in a city designed for over twice that number, Panorama is far from deserted, but nor is it overcrowded. It's a good thing. Resources are limited as it is.
You only need to know two things about Panorama: 1) it's big, the size of a modern metropolis, and you'll need your car to get around; 2) anything goes as long as you don't pick a fight with the wrong person. Street smarts will get you far. Despite its geographical size, the population isn't huge. With roughly a million people in a city designed for over twice that number, Panorama is far from deserted, but nor is it overcrowded. It's a good thing. Resources are limited as it is.
The Pavilion: Free Samples
Like any large city, Panorama features a couple of supermarkets. The stock's not as consistent as a proper supermarket. On occasion, shelves can remain cleaned out for a week or two. Regardless, the long tradition of free samples remains. If you're not already shopping, you'll notice the crowded parking lot and clusters of lines inside.
Try samples, push through the crowds as you shop, or give yourself a five-finger discount. If you're cautious, you can pocket a few small items without consequences. The Pavillion doesn't have the infrastructure for surveillance; unless someone sees you, you won't be caught. Steal from the store or pilfer someone's wallet. Maybe you even make a new friend if you bump into another fluxdrift. Or, start a fight with somebody who cut you off in the cheese line. Don't make too much of a ruckus, or you'll be thrown out.
As you look around, you'll see posters advertising temporary positions for the cash register or graveyard shifts in the warehouse. Seems they might've lost several employees recently (how'd that happen?), which is good for you! It's just a 6-week position, but it'll get you on your feet. The city has temporary positions like this all over. Permanent ones are harder to come by when you're new.
Try samples, push through the crowds as you shop, or give yourself a five-finger discount. If you're cautious, you can pocket a few small items without consequences. The Pavillion doesn't have the infrastructure for surveillance; unless someone sees you, you won't be caught. Steal from the store or pilfer someone's wallet. Maybe you even make a new friend if you bump into another fluxdrift. Or, start a fight with somebody who cut you off in the cheese line. Don't make too much of a ruckus, or you'll be thrown out.
As you look around, you'll see posters advertising temporary positions for the cash register or graveyard shifts in the warehouse. Seems they might've lost several employees recently (how'd that happen?), which is good for you! It's just a 6-week position, but it'll get you on your feet. The city has temporary positions like this all over. Permanent ones are harder to come by when you're new.
Samples include: steamed cabbage dumplings, synthetic cherry juice, cheddar cheese, and chocolate-covered alien eggs (it's crunchy and weirdly tasty). They're served in the usual throwaway paper cups with little toothpicks.
The Blocks: Power Outage
Power's finicky in Panorama, especially in the Blocks. Saint Margery's Hospital, located in the same area, has priority for power so the first to go are the motels. Maybe you've been in your room for a couple of weeks, maybe you just got here—and by the way, every motel desk is happy to put the fee on your tab if you don't have the money upfront—but all the motels on the east side are in a blackout, leaving only the west side motels up and running.
What do you do? You have three choices:
What do you do? You have three choices:
- Risk leaving your room and head to the other side where there's power. Knock on some doors and negotiate with another to share the room. They might shut the door in your face, ask for a favor in return, or be nice enough to help you with no strings attached. There's no guarantee your unattended room will be untouched, though, and you'll be on the hook for any damages an intruder causes.
- Sit in the dark and deal. It's not the worst idea, but the TV's down, the vending machines are powered down, and with the entire place plunged into darkness, you risk getting robbed. If you struggle with defending yourself, you might want to find some trustworthy company. You can also sneak out of there and let them take your leftover pizza. It's not like you've got a ton of valuables, right? Plus, clobbering someone in the face with a frying pan sounds great until you realize you've gotta do something with the body. And what if this person's got a friend waiting?
- Get in your car and drive (or grab a friend for a road trip). If you scroll the Forum, you might notice reports on diffusion zones southward. Besides, these motels are hardly your forever home. The city can only provide so much. Why not go for a ride and see what you can find out there?
OPTIONAL PROMPTS: clean up on aisle 3 (what is that goo?); a knock at your door but no one's there; you hear screaming or a commotion down the hall
The Fringes
Quad 3: Lockdown
Conditions: Stormy, with flooding roads
Felix Bjurstrom
> Date: 125-05-17
> Time: 02:15:57
> Emergency road lights have been reported in Quadrant 3! Please, can someone go see what's there? When last we chasers investigated emergency lights, a whole truck filled with sour candy had tipped over. Our stores were stocked for weeks! Oh, be careful - reception looks bad in that zone.
> Date: 125-05-17
> Time: 02:15:57
> Emergency road lights have been reported in Quadrant 3! Please, can someone go see what's there? When last we chasers investigated emergency lights, a whole truck filled with sour candy had tipped over. Our stores were stocked for weeks! Oh, be careful - reception looks bad in that zone.
Through the open windows, a computer awakens and displays a cheerful smile. The lights inside switch on.
Pick your scenario role below. Your thread partner doesn't need to take the opposite role! They can join you in the same scenario (i.e. trapped together). Players are also free to create a generic NPC for the other side to facilitate the thread.
After characters escape, they'll find one bottle of antibiotics in their pocket or car, whether they remember taking it or not.
After characters escape, they'll find one bottle of antibiotics in their pocket or car, whether they remember taking it or not.
A: Sealed In
As you peer through the windows, you see crates of medicine floating around. Antibiotics in the diadem are valuable. Hospitals and doctors are always buying. You can keep it for yourself or make a quick buck. Or maybe you're compelled to help somebody back in the city who's in need. Whatever the reason, you decide to take the risk and step inside.
Water splashes around your ankles. The lock buzzes behind you. If you try to break the windows, you discover they're unnaturally resistant to shattering. With the whole place locked tight, the water begins to churn. Then the computer lights up again.
Warning, it flashes in large, bold text. Quarantine in progress. Release code required for exit.
- To find the code, you'll have to search. Duck under the water, go through sopping envelopes and sticky notes or pick the locks on the filing cabinets and desk drawers. You can also try hacking the computers. Use your computer knowledge or fall back on the age-old trick of seeing who wrote down their password.
- The files, notepads, and emails start innocuous, but as you look through them, disturbing phrases jump out at you—a dark thought you've had or a cruel taunt from someone in your past. The longer you're fixed on the terrible words, the higher the water begins to rise. Only another can break you out of your trance.
- With the rising water comes fear. And the more you're afraid, the more the water also rises. You begin to see faces in the water, bobbing like balloon heads. Do you recognize them? If you move to take a closer look, they will sink back beneath the surface as if never there.
- If you manage to swallow your panic, you can eventually find a triple-laminated binder with the release code and instructions. Bad news: you need someone on the outside to punch in the 6 strange symbols in order. The instructions explain that the code panel is located at the back of the building.
B: Set Free
As you peer through the windows, you see not just the crates of medicine but someone trapped inside. They look like they might be in trouble, and from your vantage point, you notice that the water is bubbling strangely. It's definitely not normal rainwater. As you watch, the water rises unnaturally, stopping and starting. It's as if the water level is responding to an external stimulus.
- The glass is soundproof. You can't hear what the person inside is saying, so you'll have to communicate with each other another way. Try charades, typing on your phone, or whatever you think of. Eventually, you determine that they're stuck and that you need to enter some sort of code onto a pad located—according to your trapped partner—at the back of the building.
- Around the back, shadows swallow your surroundings. The panel must be pried open, but a slippery substance makes it hard to get a good grip. Each time the substance touches you, you grow uneasy. You swear you see eyes watching you, though when you turn around, nothing's there.
- You can't seem to keep the instructions in your mind. And those symbols...they burn into your retinas. Through them, you glimpse an incomprehensibly massive figure unfurling in the darkness, pulsing as if in a deep sleep. When you snap back to reality, you realize you've injured yourself, slicing your hand on a sharp edge or a bruise you can't remember getting.
- Once you manage to release the doors, the water inside the office drains upward into the sky as though sucked out by a giant hose. The darkness spreads. Get out of there fast before the shadows drag you or your partner into the void.
Main Navigation ::: ⇅
Top
no subject
(—and though she's separating herself from him, unconsciously, a hand remains holding onto one of his arms—as a point of reference, as an anchor, to just live in said illusion for a few seconds longer—) )
They're uneven, but I just moved here ( she's new ) so I haven't gotten used to them.
( hm.
realizing she's holding on to his arm, she lets go, brings arms closer to herself, clinging onto the strap of her cross-body bag. she'll start carefully making her way back towards the stairs, fishing for the phone she was given and hoping to use some of the light from the screen to catch the glint of her keys. it's no smartphone, but... )
—I need to find my keys.
( if he wants to help. )
no subject
I'll have to sweet talk to management when I can then, get them to smooth those out. Shouldn't have to risk you getting hurt like that.
[ though if he could, he'd just as easily stand guard at the foot of these steps endlessly just to make sure young men like her don't face any risks in getting down these stairs, in darkness or light.
when she makes mention of her keys, the small subtle glow of the phone's light giving some shine upon the stairs, sanji is quick to step forward, carefully moving past her as he lowers himself on his knees on the bottom step, beginning to pat around on the higher steps. ] Don't you worry. I'll find them for you. [ he turns his head, his own face now visible in the gentle light, though still unable to see her. still, he gives a confident, easy going smile her way. ] You just stay right there and if you can cast that bit of light for me, I'll make sure you don't have to go through the trouble.
no subject
and here he is, reassuring her, saying that he'll do it for her so she doesn't have to go through the 'trouble' of it all.
she reacts, like she always does, always with a tinge of not wanting to just be saved. )
—I'm not helpless.
( but there's not bite to her words, as she joins him, sitting on her haunches and letting the light of the cellphone's screen help them look about. her shoulder bumps against his arm. she notices suddenly, between the steps, underneath the stairs, something shiny. )
I think they fell under the stairs. ( she points at a space in between two steps, hoping he notices them, too, and confirms what she's seeing. it's unfortunately difficult to reach them from the sides, as the stairs have a wall closing them up against the wall of the building. ) Can you reach?
no subject
Oh, no, miss, I don't expect you are. Just wanted to give you a chance to steady yourself back on your feet, that's all.
[ to say nothing of his own fairly selfish intentions in simply wanting to be useful, in following instinct after instinct of presenting his own worth in offered service. but he doesn't say anything further about it once she moves down to join him, instead returning his own attention to what he'd offered his assistance on, until she seems to catch sight of their target. ]
Yeah, I see them now. [ he squints in the slight light, trying to map out an idea for obtaining them considering the blocked entry for trying to simply get down there himself. at the most, there's a slight gap between the metal steps, wide enough to stretch his arm between with ease, except the keys seem to be out of reach for even that.
but there's a metaphorical bulb over his head lighting up as he turns to her and gives a cheeky smile. ] I got it.
[ pushing off his knees to briefly stand, he lowers himself back down onto the step to reposition himself to instead slide his feet in between the steps, seating himself backwards on it as he lets long legs dangle in the open space. giving a slide arch of his body, he slides a leg with graceful controlled movement, the tip of his shoe carefully angled to try to dip beneath the keys and giving a gentle nudge to urge them on top of the shoe.
balancing the price on his foot, he prepares a slow studied swing, his eyes focused on the proper angle before he bends his knees and then gives it a swift stretch to kick up the keys, propelling them in a perfect flying circle that has them flying up, directly through one of the higher steps to land with a clang on the metal.
he turns to her with a proud grin. ] There you go.
[ if his smile briefly wavers, it's because as he tries to ease back to pull his legs out, he realizes the muscle of his thigh might have actually been too thick for the empty gap of the steps, and may actually be ... a little stuck now. ]
no subject
(all this trouble—she should have just used here telekinesis.)
her head shifts up at the sound of the keys on the metal, knowing now where they are, and hurrying to get them, to let him know that they in fact are now in her possession. but as her eyes have briefly adjusted to the darkness, she can tell that he's... stuck. )
Are you stuck?
( she steps back down, careful not to slip again, holding tight to the banister. )
...I got the keys, thank you. ( uh. ) Should I pull you out?
no subject
now there's just this other little problem. ]
No, I'm alright. Don't, uh, don't worry about me, yeah?
[ he gives an easy laugh, his hand giving a vague wave to ease away any of her concern and to avoid making her go through more trouble than he's worth, as he tries to give a wriggle of his leg between the metal to maneuver his thigh, but it becomes more and more apparent that he'd wedged it in a little too far in his attempts to be helpful.
after a moment, a quiet breath leaves his lips that soon press tightly together in the awkwardness. ]
But just a ... light pull might help?
no subject
Don't worry, just a light pull.
( bemused, still, she walks closer to him and leans down, placing her arms under his shoulders and around his torso; boots press against the bottom step as she pulls, hoping it'll help him.
spoilers: it isn't a light pull.
she pauses. )
Try wiggling a little when I pull, okay?
no subject
he may not know her name (yet), but somehow he's already decided he'd very much like to hear that laugh again. ]
Just a light pull.
[ responding with his own chuckle and widening smile, he watches the shape of her move behind him before she's out of sight, trying not to think too much about the warmth of her arms wrapping around his body (it's just a pull, a light one).
no, he needs to focus, feeling the leverage of her trying to draw him back as he uses his own hands on his thigh, like he could somehow squeeze the flesh of his skin tighter beneath the fabric of his pants to loosen the grip between the metal. ]
Yeah, got it, just a— just one more light—
[ even with enough of a yank from both of them, he eases his leg free (biting his lip when the fast pull knocks his knee briefly against the metal for a subtle throbbing pain but certainly not one he's going to complain about) as his body now falls a bit back, butt sliding off one step to fall onto the other, legs now in the air. ]
no subject
they flop onto the floor, a mess of limbs, but at least no one's hit their head on the concrete.
pff, sanji will hear, as wanda draws her arms back, another litany of laughter peeling out of her as she presses her hands to his back and pushes him off of her so that she, too, can get up on her feet again. )
Now we're even.
no subject
there's a minor grunt from him before he's quickly aware of his weight on top of her, quick to scramble in spinning over onto his side and then lifting himself on his knees so he turn to her from there with his full attention. ]
Shit, sorry, are you—? [ he's ready with an apology, panic and worry instant in his voice as he aims to check on her, but his words cut as he catches that sound again, her voice letting out another lovely laugh.
it's enough to make him relax, shoulders sinking with that relief before his own soft laughter bubbles out with hers. ]
Long as you're alright, then— yeah, I guess we are. [ the smile stays prominent in his voice, as his adjusted sight in the dark watches her rise up, soon following her to stand (oh, yeah, that light thrumming in his knee is still there, huh). ]
Thanks for that. Any chance that I can ask my heroine's name? [ he really does wish he could make out more details, just barely able to map out the shape of her eyes and the curve of her nose like that. ] I'm Sanji.
no subject
that's a happy coincidence. )
As long as you never call me that again. ( 'heroine', that is. ) Wanda.
( he's tall, so wanda has to tilt her head up to try and catch his face, but the blackout isn't doing them many favors here; just a voice, something of an outline from cast shadows and weak cellphone screen light, but who knew that's all wanda would need to feel — okay, for the first time she's been here? she won't admit it, but she hasn't laughed like this in a long time, or had this unexpected amount of fun. )
You live here too?
no subject
I promise. Especially now that I know that name — Wanda.
[ he repeats it now with his own voice, the kind that seems to always carry a smile when he speaks to her, even more prominent now with the way she's been able to summon that laughter from him, not having expected a little rescue to lead to that silly but fond chain of events.
and now that he does know her name, maybe it'll come to be useful when trying to find her again eventually in the proper daylight, plenty intrigued enough by her mystery in the dark. ]
Live isn't quite the word I'd use, but— [ his nose scrunches a bit at that idea, even if he has already been here longer than he ever would have wanted to, his separation from the sea, from the merry, from his crew, still leaving him a bit unnerved. ] But yeah, second floor. 203. You said you were newer, right?
no subject
Yes, I arrived a few days ago. I am a few doors down from you.
( and it seems like their schedules were opposite enough that they never ran into each other going up the stairs or down, until today.
she motions up the stairs, and wonders if he catches that much of the movement in the dark. )
I promise I won't fall again, if you are thinking of going up, too.
no subject
then again, it's probably his fault plenty he hasn't spent as much time here, not when he's been too busy trying to find himself a steady job, only to get himself thrown out of each one because he keeps trying to change the menus, insisting they try to make better quality and healthier food.
he grins at her promise, pressing his lips together with a small hum. ]
Well, while I definitely believe you, how about you go up first and I walk up behind you? Just a little ... extra, tiny security anyway.
no subject
You saying you believe me but wanting to walk behind me makes me wonder if you think I'm a liar or if you are one. ( she'll put her foot down about this ) I'd prefer you didn't walk behind me when going up the stairs.
( because he's... still a guy, and she's a girl, and it's a little weird...? even if she doesn't think he means it that way. )
Let's go together.
no subject
I'd never think of women as liars and I'd also never lie to them, but— [ not intentionally, anyway. ] I haven't had a chance to prove that to you yet, so fair enough.
[ he raises his hands in defeat before lowering them again and giving a nod with his smile. ]
But together sounds good.
no subject
he agrees, though, and that's enough for wanda.
up the stairs they'll go, wanda holding onto the banister because it still is unspeakably dark. and while she doesn't go up too fast, she notices that he still falls behind a little, though he seems to be trying his utmost to go up at the same pace as her. her eyes narrow a touch, because it's so subtle—
and then the power comes back on.
the neighborhood bursts into cheers, as every electric device bursts to life anew, the lights in the hallway and out this way flickering back on. just as they reach the landing.
wanda's eyes are locked down onto his knees, so she's not really in a rush to acquaint herself properly with his face. )
You got hurt.
( it's not a question; she can tell, both from observation and a light brush of her telepathy into his mind's surface level thoughts. )
no subject
there hasn't really been much to give him a reason to smile as of late, the frustration of being separated from his crew lingering just beneath the surface of his skin that it's affected any opportunity to even pretend to be normal during these weeks here. unable to keep a steady job on account of not being able to present the fullness of his own dedication to his craft, while drowning in the worry of whether his friends are getting all the proper nutrients they need in their daily meals, hasn't exactly led him to the happiest of days.
so it's nice to joke, to smile, to laugh at himself with someone else, especially someone whose voice sounds as lovely as hers.
it makes the walking pleasant all on its own to catch a few more minutes with her, even as he momentarily gets distracted again by the rising ache in his knee again, where the edge of the metal had banged so suddenly that it'd even scrapped a hole in his pants, scratching a line against the skin beneath. it slows him a little, even as he tries to set the thought aside, focused on the walk that by the time they reach the second floor, he's momentarily caught off guard by the sudden presence of light.
and it's the first he gets a look at her, eyes instantly drawn to peer down at her, in case the power decides to flicker out again, to steal a chance to actually see the woman he's been speaking to for the past several minutes. it's only brief as her own gaze seems to be distracted by something below, but he does catch a glimpse of her eyes and their calming green, along with the slight scatter of freckles that he's sure could map out constellations against her cheeks.
you got hurt. he's momentarily distracted with the rest of her that he doesn't immediately grasp what her voice is saying, blinking a few times with a light squint as if trying to recall something they were speaking about that he might have somehow missed. ]
Hurt? What do you—? [ he huffs a light chuckle in his confusion before he stills, finally realizing the direction of her eyes, lips parting with his quiet surprise. ] Oh, you mean my knee? Just a light scratch is all. You noticed that?
no subject
eyes flicker up at him momentarily. )
You're loud about it.
( not in the way he might think, but wanda doesn't let him ponder upon that thought long enough to think about. instead, she figures that she still owes him, since his trousers are ruined and he's got a bit of an injury. if he were to notice anything beyond her face, though, he'd notice the light burnt mark around her neck and the bandages peeking from under her sleeves at her wrists.
which makes sense in tandem with what she says next. )
I put together a small first-aid kit. I can try to fix your pants, too.
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but it becomes such a secondary thought compared to the rest of the present distractions, namely her, standing there in front of him with so much to draw his eyes now that he can see everything that had been so hidden in the darkness before, like when he lifts his eyes to hers again and catches the curious color at her neck.
he doesn't let his gaze linger, nor does he ask, but the sight remains put to memory. instead, he gives a gentle smile to her offer. ]
I wouldn't want to inconvenience you, Wanda, and I promise you, I'm more than alright — [ with a parted mouth, he pauses briefly, before his bottom lip curves inward, giving a gentle drag of his teeth as he considers her words from before (i'm not helpless) and his own insistence on aiding her. ] But I'd appreciate that, thank you.
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she nods, and offers no other words as she leads the way past the door of his room to her own, a few rooms down, and lets them both inside. when the light is turned on, it's clear that the place is exactly the same as sanji's, except she's gotten herself candles and curtains for her window; the place is as neat as she could keep it, the bed pressed to the corner while other fixtures and furniture gravitated closer to the kitchenette.
wanda tosses her keys onto the small table, toeing off her shoes against the wall, places her bag and jacket on one of the two chairs. without her jacket, it's clear, too, that she has bandaged wrists to go along with the mark around her neck. )
Sit anywhere you like.
( is all she offers before she goes into the bathroom, turning on the light there for a moment and grabbing at the pouch she's used to put together her kit. it's not just for first aid, though; she has a few sewing needles and scraps of cloth in there, too.
coming back into the room after turning off the light in the bathroom and closing the door, she sits at the edge of her bed to peruse her the pouch, socked toes pressed to the floor. )
Your pants are — a dark blue?
( it's hard to tell with the ugly, orange glow of these old lightbulbs. )
Or are they black?
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stepping within her space, it's close enough to his own, just as simplistic with the way he's barely made much efforts to turn it into anything too comfortable, nothing beyond stocking the fridge with as much as he could afford with what little he had.
with her offer to sit, he peers around before settling on the chair free of her bag, watching as she moves in and out of the bathroom. ]
Dark blue, sort of a navy. Anything you've got is more than fine, though. I'm sure it'll make it look better regardless.
[ he cracks a light playful grin, his mind now turning to her intent to give his pants a fix, suddenly mapping out the process in his mind as he stares down to knees, extending it out a bit to watch the ripped fabric graze together and split. ]
Do I, ah — do you sew it like this or — ah, should I take these off?
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she starts looking around for different clothes in that tone, and only raises her head to stare at him when he asks about the logistics of it all. wanda holds two different cloths already on her hand, between her fingers, and she was genuinely thinking that he'd remove his trousers before sitting.
suppose this isn't entirely a normal situation. wanda, too, realizes that this might be awkward for him. for her? them?
(truth be told, she isn't bothered too much by the practicality of it.) )
You should take them off so that I can sew them from the inside. That way the stitching won't be noticeable.
( ...a pause... )
Do you need — a towel? Or a blanket?
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he's well aware that there's no suggestion anywhere between the lines, but it proves to feel a little awkward all the same, if only because of his own standards in being a proper gentleman, which doesn't consist of flaunting around in his underwear. ]
Uh, no, it's — as long as you're alright with it. I just don't want to be indecent in front of a lady.
[ standing back up, his hands fall to his belt, undoing the buckle with slow care, suddenly far more aware of just how small this room is. ]
It is alright with you, yeah?
[ even if she's technically already confirmed it. ]
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he's a handsome guy, and the situation could definitely be misconstrued for something else, any other time. )
Yeah. ( anyway, ) Don't call me 'lady' either, makes me feel old.
( she doesn't need more scraps of cloth, but she's pretending to be busy, looking through her pouch of miscellaneous materials. hating that this feels stiff and awkward, she stands, her back to him, and sets down her selected cloths; hands push locks of hair behind her ears as she goes about the drawers on the side table to find her sewing kit. )
I used to mend my brother's clothes a lot. He always grew out of them, or he ruined them by doing stupid things.
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