cityofsin_ooc | 🚕 TEST DRIVE 🍁 September

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!test drive

🚕 TEST DRIVE 🍁 September

Test Drive Meme

Considering apping to the City of Sin, but unsure of who to bring or if they'll fit? Feel free to give the setting a test drive here! These are a perfect way of getting your playing sample done for the application.

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Rules | FAQ | Taken Characters | Reserves | Applications

→ Comment with the character you'd like to test drive in the setting, with name and canon in the subject line.
→ Choose a scenario or create your own, and tag around!
→ If you're still tagging in the last TDM, you may continue to do so, or feel free to move your threads here. We have four test drives a year. New test drives are now posted sometime during the months of: March, June, September, December.
→ Threads in the test drive are NOT eligible to use for activity checks, however you can make them game canon if you wish — and only if both players are accepted in the game.
→ Prospective players are always welcome to contact the mod for any questions or clarifications regarding the game.

Possible Scenarios
Please note that all characters will initially arrive in their assigned housing; they are free to explore the City to their heart's content after that!

01. A New Arrival: Hello, New Person! You seem to have found yourself on a sidewalk in the City of Sin with nothing but the clothes on your back and a stomach churning feeling of being displaced. Thankfully, the streets are full of people - Watch out that you don't get mugged!

02. Demonic Presences: You were just minding your own business, weren't you? But that's always when bad things seem to happen, and the City of Sin isn't really that friendly. Whatever bar or street you're hanging out in suddenly go dim, filling the area with an unnerving feeling as the shadows on the walls jump out into reality. We suggest you phone a friend for help, or maybe try running?

03. Party Hard: You've been invited to a massive, elegant party in the Tower District that spills out its doors in welcome. Obviously, this whole thing is weird and you don't know who your hosts are, but maybe you can get some free drinks and food out of it! This place might not be so bad.

04. Prominence: The City of Sin influences its population on a weekly basis. Too bad you came right smack dab in the middle of a heavy Prominence. Lust, Greed, Gluttony, Envy, Wrath, Sloth, or Pride: choose your sin and be wicked.

05. Trouble: Not everyone is sunshine and roses here. Some people are violent and cruel, raised in the sludge of a sinful city. And they like to pick on people they think can't fight back. Are you that person? Or are you the Hero who can't stand to watch? Worse yet, could you be the person doing the instigating? Villain.

06. Carnival: The City has carnivals or festivals now and then; you're lucky to catch one! With its open booths filled with cork gun games and funnel cakes, how can someone not have any fun! Go win your darling a stuffed animal, or meet someone new on the spinning cup ride. You might even see someone you know being talked into sitting in the Dunk Tank.

07. Network: There's a network device in your pocket - or at least a familiar object that seems to work in mysterious ways. Perhaps you can take to that and ask for a bit of help? Or maybe you'd prefer to have a little fun with all of this. Surely someone will reply.

08. Wild Card:Choose your own adventure in the game's setting!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ Yeah.

That's his demon, all right. Aziraphale smiles wide, warm and fond, and tilts his head down like he needs to keep it secret, the way he can't quite turn his eyes away. Oh, he's glad. In fact, glad is quite the understatement, because he rather feels ... ecstatic, and incredibly relieved. ]

So am I. I've been here a little while now, it was getting ...

[ Empty. Lonely. ]

I've gotten used to having you around. Somewhere. Never too far, I could always count on that. This city is ... not on Earth at all, I suspect. What its purpose is, well. Who can say?

[ There's the slightest grimace at it. It's very possible that the Almighty would have created all kinds of worlds and universes, and of course She wouldn't have mentioned it. Could be Her creation, could have been made the way it is now because of humans being humans, flawed and complicated. Could be something else entirely. ]

[He doesn't need to finish that sentence because Crowley already knows the feeling. That empty space that nothing quite fits into the right way until a certain person comes along. And then, naturally, it must all be steadfastly denied, because it's one thing to be friends but something else entirely to admit that you need the person who is supposed to be on the 'other side'.

At least, that was the problem... but now it's their side... isn't it?]

I don't--

[Hmn. He pushes away from the wall and walks a thoughtful circle around the angel, tapping the tips of his fingers together.]

I was just with you. [Crowley says, and it's not as if he hasn't noticed the place feeling 'off' (strange, like when a recipe gets changed and you know it's different but you can't place how).] How long have you been here?

[ It is. It is their side, and Aziraphale isn't about to go around denying it anymore. That's difficult enough by itself, without saying out loud just how much Crowley matters to him, how much he actually needs him. How clearly he'd felt it as soon as they were well and truly apart.

All this - the nickname, the smirking, the way he brushed over what he decided was too honest and affectionate, the circling - is right. Even in a place that is so wrong, this much is right. All those small habits that only make his fond smile wider.

It doesn't last much longer, though, because the question forces him to think, brow furrowing and lips pursing just slightly. ]

Ah, it must be ... a week or two. I suppose you were with the Aziraphale that would look right. I have met several strange people here. Not human, but something entirely else. It seems there may be more than one ... universe, or reality, or whatever you'd like to call it, and there's no saying the Almighty couldn't have created as many as She wanted.

[ He shrugs, sheepish, because he can only guess. That's all anyone can do about the Almighty. Guess. ]

Perhaps all Earths needed an angel and a demon who wanted to preserve it.

[The Aziraphale that would 'look right' would be saying things like this too. Looking at him with that dopey smile. He'd be trying to make the best of it all even when his worry was obvious.

And the 'She' catches him, trips him slightly, but not too much. Why not, after all. Gender is a construct.]

Yeah... yeah. [Crowley snorts out a soft laugh and shakes his head. He would say something like that.]

Not that I'm feeling particularly preservative about the place at the moment.

[But--

Now there's someone here that he wants to save.

There's a dull bang against the door of the shop, and he jumps, looking sharply in that direction.]

Oh, bless it, what now.

[ Aziraphale jumps at the very same moment, and he takes a tentative couple of steps forward, squinting at the door. If the shadow creatures were intent on following them, wouldn't they have been making noise a lot earlier? ]

Perhaps we could ... have a peek through a window. Surely those things ought to have moved on by now?

Be careful.

[He's of the same mind - if they were going to be chased, they wouldn't have had the chance to have a full conversation beforehand - but he's still twitchy about the idea of going too far in the direction of danger.

Crowley glances the angel's way, then towards one of the windows.]

Alright, come on, let's have a look.

[ He nods, his expression grim, and shuffles quietly towards the window. The light worked for a while, so he could always try that again. And there are always the wings.

Once he reaches it, he leans in as close as he dares to get the door into view. ]

[Crowley leans in too, careful, cautious, and peers out into the street and towards the door.

Outside, everything looks... normal again. The street is lit, and there's nothing waiting for them outside the shop door. He doesn't trust it one bit, but Someone knows they can't stay in here all night.]

... Let's get out of here.

[ It looks fine, and Aziraphale at least allows himself a quiet sigh of relief. He's heard whispers about the City being dangerous beyond the frequency of crime, but it's the first time he sees it for himself.

At least closed doors appear to give them trouble. That's always something. ]

Good idea.

[ If you ask him, it's best if they get out of here as quickly as possible, so he immediately makes for the door, though he's not in quite as much of a hurry to walk out. He opens it, leans out, looks right and left down the street a couple of times before he decides the coast is clear. ]

[He had a good idea! Very, very subtly... he spends half a moment preening before he heads for the door and does his own check up and down the street, equally in no hurry to simply run out there.

But it looks clear. He can't sense anything amiss.

Crowley steps out into the street and frowns, sweeping a suspicious look from one end to the other.]

... Right. Where to, now.

[And that feels strange to say, because normally he'd ask if the angel wants a ride home, but he doesn't know where he lives, here...]

[ He doesn't say anything immediately, but he does start walking with a destination in mind, hands clasped in front of him. Crowley will probably have somewhere assigned to him. At least, that's how Aziraphale has understood it. Those brought here get some sort of accommodations, but if you ask him they should really give more than that. He's still annoyed about the fact that they're forcing him to find a way to make a living. And, sure, he doesn't actually need anything - he's an angel, after all - but plenty do! If they have the gall to kidnap them the least they could do would be to provide them with essentials like food.

The point is ... Crowley should have accommodation somewhere in the City, but Aziraphale is tempted to invite him to stay at his place. It's a really big house, so big it's almost unnerving to only be one person. It's a completely new place, they have no rules to follow anymore, so there's nothing actually stopping them except ... his own nerves. Nerves shouldn't even be allowed to be felt like this. He's an angel. ]

They should have given you somewhere to stay.

[ He tries to sound casual, like he isn't overthinking this. Like Crowley wouldn't say yes. Like it's something he doesn't want, when it must be, if he's thinking about it. ]

At least they gave me one. It's a ... It's a very big house. Three floors. A bit excessive for one person, honestly.

[Crowley does have accommodation in the city, though for a lack of a need to sleep or eat and knowing nothing he actually wants is there, he hasn't even been to look at it yet.

He falls into step beside the angel easily, hooking his thumbs into his belt loops and trying to persuade his shoulders to relax. It feels right, even if Aziraphale doesn't look quite right, and there's no denying how much more settled he feels with someone familiar at his side.]

Mm. They have.

[So casual. He slides his sunglasses back on while Aziraphale keeps talking.]

That does sound excessive. Can't imagine you being comfortable rattling around in a big house like that.

Yes, exactly, it's quite ...

[ He trails off, gripping his own hand a little bit tighter, glancing towards Crowley only briefly to try and get a glance at his face. Except the sunglasses are back on, and the lights aren't that bright, so he looks back forward with a slight grimace.

Surely Crowley knows what he's getting at. Must he be like this?

...

Oh, but this is ridiculous! What is he actually afraid of?

He stops abruptly, and turns to face Crowley properly. Straightens up, takes a deep breath ... Nothing to be afraid of. He can do anything he wants to do. ]

If-- If you'd like, you could ... stay with me. Or I could stay with you, perhaps. Depending.

[He knows what Aziraphale is getting at. Has an idea, in any case, though not one he'd want to assume because for how close they are and how long they've known one another they've never really talked about venturing into cohabitation.

The angel stops, and he stops moving, one eyebrow lifted quizzically over his sunglasses. He can see Aziraphale perfectly, even through the darkened glass and the dim light around them, and as he stumbles through the words the demon almost smiles, one corner of his mouth lifting in a crooked little expression of amusement.]

With you?

[But there's... nothing stopping them, is there?

Not even the vague threat of being found out, of anyone coming after them, because there's no one to come after them and they can do all the fraternising they want without any kind of repercussions.

He doesn't give Aziraphale too much time to agonise over what he just said.]

Yeah-- I mean, if you think you can handle being around me all the time.

[ Oh, does Crowley have to look at him like that? Suddenly he feels self-conscious, and he responds to it with a scoff and a pouty scowl before he keeps walking. How actually dare. ]

I think I'll be fine.

[The demon holds a soft chuckle in the back of his throat, stepping along by Aziraphale's side once again.]

Well, alright then.

[And as easy as that. It's comfortable, familiar, so normal even though nothing is quite how it should be. He smiles slightly at the floor while they walk.]

Haven't turned the entire place into a library already, then?

[ Now that's something to actually be pouting about. ]

No. Can't afford it. I seem to be able to perform miracles fine for the most part, but ...

[ He snaps his fingers, trying to get some money into his hands. It just falls flat, though. No sign of even an attempt at a miracle. ]

I'd like to! There are so many rooms, I truly could have a library.

[Ah, yes, he's already noted that particular deficit in his own abilities. Not a pleasant thing, really, to realise that you've had something taken from you (even if it's something so entirely inconsequential to the big picture).

His expression turns softly sympathetic, just for a moment.]

Mm. Keep a room free. We'll work on it.

[Not that he wants to make sure Aziraphale is happy, or anything.]

Might just take a bit longer.

[ Even if it's only for a moment, Aziraphale still catches it, and it's enough to make him smile. ]

I've been looking into working at the library. It will be strange to have such a ... human job, but at least I'll have books.

Oh, I'm going to have to get a job, aren't I... [Crowley rubs one hand over his face at the thought and sighs in a way that suggests very much that it's all a massive inconvenience and how dare they force him to have to come up with something to do with his time.

Something clatters on the road behind them and he looks back suspiciously, silent for a moment.]

... But that sounds very 'you'. You do understand that people will be checking the books out and taking them home with them, though, don't you?

[ Yes, it's rubbish, and he looks sympathetic. At least until Crowley makes a comment about how a library works, and he scowls, offended. Yes, all right, his "bookshop" was just a way for him to hoard books but, really. ]

Of course I do. I'm not an idiot.

[ A sniff. ]

I also understand that people will then bring the books back.

[ He's considered this. ]

[Crowley shoots a small smirk Aziraphale's way.]

Don't pout, angel.

[Let him tease. It's one thing he's really good at, and Aziraphale always looks so ~~cute~~ funny when he's irritated in that way.]

Sure you'd make a very attentive librarian.

[ Crowley is free to tease as much as he wants. Doesn't mean Aziraphale isn't going to be annoyed by it. (Has he considered that's precisely what Crowley wants? Ehhh.) ]

Yes, I would, thank you.

What about you? Any ideas for something you might tolerate?

Hmn...

[He'd be lying if he said he wasn't still unsettled by the differences in his companion. When you get used to something, and when you get used to it for thousands of years, it's difficult to adjust to a sudden change. It's... upsetting, in a peculiar sort of way that he hasn't even begun to consider how he might process yet, but...

But he still feels the same, and it's still Aziraphale, and every time he glances at him he picks up on those little habits and expressions that he knows so well.]

Never really gave much thought to working a human job. [He mutters, making a face and rubbing the back of his neck.] I could probably manage something in sales.

[The best kind of job for making other people miserable, let's be honest.]

[ He makes a humming sound in thought, and looks Crowley up and down for a moment. Yes, the demon could probably sell things. He certainly has the charm when he wants to.

Not about to say that out loud, though. ]

Probably.

[ He pauses for a moment, tilting his head back towards the night sky. ]

I wish I had ... well, anything, back at my place.

[ Meeting up with Crowley at least used to always come with some sort of food and drink. ]

We'll just have to make do without.

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