Test Drive 007

[sinfulmods]

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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→ 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
→ Tag around

Possible Scenarios 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 chruning 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, filing 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 at the Tower that spills out it's doors in welcome, by someone who calls themselves the Emperor. Obviously that's weird, 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 it's 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 choice of 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? Villian. 06. Carnival: The City has carnivals or festivals now and then; you're lucky to catch one! With it's 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. Wild Card: Choose your own adventure in the game's setting!

Comments

[alphaophiuchi]

"Well, the City, to be quite frank, fucks with our emotions." That was the easiest way to put it, blunt as it was. "So yes, in a way. It's hard to resist something when you don't even realise it's happening.

"Picture, for example, simply being out and about. Suddenly, you wander by a shop, and you think to yourself, yes, I do deserve nice things, and you buy a few hundred Galleons' worth of things. There's no rhyme or reason behind it. You just felt like it."

[unyieldingebony]

Merlin, he's not sure he's ever heard his father swear. At least, not that casually. That was enough of a reminder of the differences just by itself. "I can see how that would be an issue."

It seemed like not much of a person's life was under their own control here. It was a little terrifying.

[alphaophiuchi]

There was no better way to punch that little fact home than with a very casual bit of profanity. But he was right - that too was probably an excellent way to indicate that he was not yet and not quite Scorpius' father, save in name alone. He did, however, have a paternal streak a mile wide, and the urge to step into those shoes. Hopefully, that would be good enough.

"It's an odd little issue, but an issue all the same, yes. Perhaps you'll have a better time than most avoiding such influences," he mused, glancing to Scorpius a little hopefully.

[unyieldingebony]

"Perhaps... though the way you described it, it seems more complicated than a matter of self-control." Part of him hoped that was the case; if it was out of his control then maybe it wouldn't be a grave disappointment if he slipped and gave in to those impulses. The rest was terrified at the thought of not being able to control himself.

[alphaophiuchi]

"There is a bit of resistance you can put up against it," he admitted, shrugging slightly. "But you have to know that it's happening beforehand. Otherwise, it's rather hard."

He was slightly ashamed to admit that he was considerably weaker than he could have been. He so often ended up just giving in and letting his emotions have the better of him. Of course, he'd been there so long, sometimes he wondered if he wasn't just entirely mad anyway.

[unyieldingebony]

"Does skill with Occlumency help at all with that?" Scorpius asked. On the one hand, if the problem wasn't magic in origin, perhaps it wouldn't apply. On the other, Occlumency was more a practice in mental discipline than pure magic. Tight control over one's self and one's emotions were the basis of it.

[alphaophiuchi]

"Yes," he replied mildly, glancing over. "It helps a bit, at least. You can keep some things out, and that's probably a good thing. I can't imagine what it might be like without Occlumency on my side."

[unyieldingebony]

Scorpius nodded thoughtfully. It had been a few years since his Occlumency lessons and, rather fortunately, he'd never had to put them to real practice, but he could still remember the process. Of course, as Draco had mentioned, it wouldn't do much good if he didn't have any warning. "Are there any other dangers that come with living here?"

[alphaophiuchi]

"It's...complicated." To say the least. Where Draco was normally happy to let people figure things out for themselves, he felt an odd sense of protectiveness when it came to Scorpius, even now. They'd barely known each other for two minutes, but he already wanted to protect the boy.

"There are demons prowling the streets sometimes. It varies. You can never really predict the horrid things, unfortunately, save at night, when they're a little more populous than otherwise. There's a drug on the street called Lust - there's a bit in the welcome package you'll get. Avoid that. It melts your organs. Ah-" He paused, tonguing the back of his teeth. "I'm sure there are other things too."

[unyieldingebony]

'Complicated' certainly seemed to be the appropriate word. Demons? A drug that melted organs? "Just those are-- quite a lot, really." It was beginning to be irksome, being tossed here with so very little information. What would he have done if Draco hadn't run into him? How would he have found any of this out?

[alphaophiuchi]

He likely would have found out the hard way. Not an end Draco cared to look into, as it generally ended with people on his table, but-

Well, that was neither here nor there.

"Yes, it is. And here we are," he mused, gesturing to a cafe before them before snagging the door and holding it for the boy. "Order whatever you like. Tea, coffee, a cake, a few cakes." A shrug.

[unyieldingebony]

Scorpius gave an appreciative nod, looking over the menu briefly before deciding on a rose tea latte and a light sandwich. Not that the cakes hadn't sounded good, he just hadn't realized how hungry he was for something a tiny bit more substantial until he'd smelled the food. Sitting in the cafe, it was almost like things were normal, at least until he caught sight of Draco again. Right. That likely wouldn't stop being surreal for a while yet.

It wasn't until he'd taken a few calming sips of tea that he spoke again. "What exactly do you do here, when not dealing with demons or muggers armed with knives? Not just you specifically, though I do wonder about that as well, but the people who have been brought here in general."

[alphaophiuchi]

Really, Draco was a little appreciative that Scorpius was opting for real food as well. It was clear that the offer wasn't being treated as pure politeness. There was a chance, hopefully, for them to get to know each other better here. Or, in Draco's case, to get to know Scorpius at all.

He was fascinated, truly, by the fact that the young man sitting in front of him was his son.

He ordered himself a tea as well, paired with a scone; he wasn't that hungry. But it would give him something to do with hands, and give him something to focus on.

Grey eyes flicked up to Scorpius once more when the silence broke, and he studied the other for a moment. "Generally, we just...do our best to build lives. What else can we do? We meet each other, build friendships, find some way to pass the time." And briefly, he realised that he hadn't addressed the wedding band on his finger; he shifted, wondering if he should hide it.

Probably not. "I, erm. I got married, actually."

[unyieldingebony]

Scorpius absolutely did not squirm under Draco's scrutiny. Build a life... it seemed rather like giving up to him, but at the same time, he could see Draco's point. What else could you do? Obviously things still cost money in this city, and even if they did have access to their own funds from home, there was no guarantee that everyone would have come in with enough to live off of for however long they'd stay.

And then Draco said he'd gotten married right as Scorpius took a sip of tea and he almost spewed it all over. It was a very near thing, but he did manage to catch himself and swallow it down rather roughly instead.

He hadn't thought to look for a wedding ring but indeed, there was one. "To who?" To his credit, he mostly sounded surprised, which was the majority of what he was feeling about that anyway.

[alphaophiuchi]

Really, when he stated it all out loud like that, it sounded horribly cheesy, not to mention a horrible lie. There were those who did all they could to try and force their way back home, and while Draco was willing to look at that as an option, he had also stumbled into a life that made him happy. He wasn't terribly eager to leave, not when it had given him a reprieve.

He couldn't help but look just slightly apologetic at the way Scorpius clearly sputtered, very nearly losing that sip of tea. It wasn't exactly the easiest thing to hear, he knew. Especially when his partner was probably the furthest thing from Scorpius' mother.

"Erm." A beat, and Draco sniffed thoughtfully, glancing aside for a moment. "Charles Xavier. I'll- You can meet him, if you like. He's quite nice."

[unyieldingebony]

That name buzzed around in his head for what felt like an eternity. It was a man's name. He's quite nice.

Scorpius was having a bit of an internal crisis. Was this-- situation unique to the Draco here? Or had he been hiding his own inclinations for years for no reason? If that were the case, was that really a bad thing? At the least, it made him very frustrated with himself.

Merlin, he needed to say something. "I would like to. Sorry, I-- wasn't expecting--" Any of this. He was still a little dumbstruck, but genuine. And if there was a little curl of something unpleasant in his gut at the thought of Draco having the freedom to pursue such a relationship here, well, he could certainly keep that pushed down far enough that it wouldn't even come close to affecting his tone or expression.

[alphaophiuchi]

And there it was. The shock and probable horror resulting from his son realising he was not only married to someone not his mother, but someone of the opposite gender entirely. It occurred to him that this was probably how Narcissa felt when Draco had protested to Aramis initially. Not that Scorpius had said anything yet.

Actually, the silence was just as worrying.

He merely glanced down and away, focusing on his tea instead. "No, no. It's-" He swallowed, then shook his head, clearly both apologetic and uncertain. Even if Scorpius hadn't shown a single sign of that curl, that was what Draco immediately leapt to. "It's fine. You don't have to."

[unyieldingebony]

Oh no, he'd really stepped in it now. That hint of jealousy dissipated at the apology in Draco's expression. That uncertainty. He was all too familiar with it. "No, I do want to meet him. I just-- I never thought you'd--" He chewed the inside of his lip anxiously; he'd never actually said it out loud to anyone before, but it seemed the only way to steer this back on track. "I'm gay. I always thought that if you knew that, you would--"

Well, he knew he wouldn't be disowned over it, he was only that catastrophic on his worst days, but he'd expected at least disappointment. "I thought you wouldn't approve."

[alphaophiuchi]

This was very quickly turning into a mess, Draco decided, feeling something knot in his stomach. He hastily moved to sip his tea, setting the cup down again a half-second later, his eyes still averted.

Until, of course, Scorpius came out with that admission - quite literally, too - and Draco couldn't not look up at him, studying the boy curiously and wth slightly wide eyes. That wasn't what he'd expected.

"Well," he murmured slowly, blinking once. "That's a surprise."

A beat. "Not...a bad one, necessarily. I- Well, I suppose you can figure out that I...probably don't mind that much."

[unyieldingebony]

Wizard God save them both. At least they were in the same boat, utterly shocked by the other. That's something.

Even if it would be terribly hypocritical and nonsensical for Draco to disapprove at that point, he couldn't help but be on pins and needles until there was a verbal confirmation.

It was the biggest relief to finally say it and not be rejected for it. Even if the circumstances were entirely bizarre. He took a slow breath, giving a short nod. Not really a confirmation of anything, except maybe to himself. "I would hope not. This is all--" He waved his hand in a vague gesture; weird, confusing, overwhelming... all of it. "But I would be glad to meet him."

[alphaophiuchi]

It would be hypocritical and nonsensical, but it also wouldn't be the first time he'd done something like that.

Thankfully, Scorpius wouldn't suffer from it. After a moment, Draco offered a warm smile, tentative and quiet. No, he wasn't disapproving at all; it was just another thing that made the boy who he was.

He nodded a little, a chuckle escaping him at the vague gesture. That was precisely what it felt like. "All right. I'm glad," he responded, his tone suggesting that he truly was. There was a lot going unsaid in that appreciative tone, a lot going on, and none of it would be acknowledged. Right now, at least. "I- Well, you're...both family, aren't you? Though I won't tell you that you need to look at him that way."

[unyieldingebony]

Not actively disapproving was one thing, but acceptance... he'd never dared to think. At best, he'd hoped for a begrudging indifference. What really struck it home, though, was Draco saying they were family. His smile echoed Draco's, soft, hesitant, but warm. He idly stirred his tea. "By extension, certainly." He wasn't sure about anything more than that, but he wasn't completely opposed to the idea.

[alphaophiuchi]

He would most certainly be getting more than begrudging indifference in this world. After his own life back home, Draco's main goals were generally just to be happy, and what made him happy was seeing his son happy. Even if they'd only known each other perhaps half an hour now.

Though the acceptance of his hesitant offer of family brought a wider smile to his lips, one that was partly relieved. "Certainly. And- If you want a better place to stay, you're welcome to join us. I'm sure that he wouldn't mind. He runs a school back home; his house is apparently filled with children he's decided to take under his wing."

[unyieldingebony]

If one thing can be said for the Malfoys, it's that they have always valued family. That doesn't change, even when, apparently, dragged outside of their own world and times by forces beyond their control.

Scorpius' smile brightens at the offer. "So long as I'm not imposing... I'd appreciate that." The last thing he wanted was to ever go back to Shantytown, but he didn't exactly have enough local currency with which to buy or rent a new place to stay. Possibly not even for a decent hotel room.

[alphaophiuchi]

"Not in the slightest," Draco told him in earnest, glad that they'd bounced back so quickly. It made him feel that much more comfortable. Now that that had been dealt with, he turned some of his attention to his food. "We've got more than enough space for an extra person."