it's time once again for a...test drive meme!

[herotypical]

the luceti test drive meme

Reserves have just opened and apps are right around the corner. But are you still on the fence about any of your would-be characters? Well -- here is your chance to take them out for a spin!

▣ TAG IN or reply to others with characters you would like to test drive for Luceti.
▣ ONLY add top-level comments for characters who are not yet in the game. You're free to reply to others with Luceti characters (because that's half the fun) but remember that the whole point of this meme is for potential characters.
▣ PLEASE do not post duplicates of characters already in Luceti.
▣ GO AHEAD and give us a brief description of your character in the top-level comment, along with one or two possible ways to run into your test-driven character around town.
▣ YOU MAY use these threads for your first person samples on your app -- just make sure that you link threads of a goodly length (i.e., threads with at least ten comments from your character).

Need a little help getting started? Remember, you needn't post here as though your character is still brand-spankin' new. It'll probably be more fun for all involved if this isn't a simple dress rehearsal for showing up. Here are a few scenario ideas:

o1. The grocery store is out of food. What do you do?
o2. Wing injury! Call for help or stagger your way to one of our fine clinics.
o3. It's a busy evening at Good Spirits, one of Luceti's local bars. Do you dare try the drink specials?
o4. Have a talent for playing music? Try Cloud Nine's open mic night!
o5. Beach party? Snow party? Leaf-raking party? Gardening party? YOU DECIDE.

Okay. So my examples are pretty non-exciting. But they're really just suggestions. I'm POSITIVE you kids can come up with more creative things.

Above all? HAVE FUN. Oh. And don't forget to RESERVE your characters.

Comments

[handing]

[Whoever had the idea of a beach day definitely has Pepper's appreciation. It's a nice diversion from Luceti's quieter times, without the full-blown frustration of an actual experiment. Pepper fully plans on going out into the water later, but first she wants to find a sunny spot to relax in.]

Hey. [Pepper thinks she's found a place, but just to be sure, she smiles to the guy occupying the blanket next to it.] Do you mind if I set up here?

[jamesbarnes]

[His gaze flicks up to her eyes, and Bucky smiles at her and cocks his head in invitation.] Go for it.

[He rolls over onto his back and props himself up on his elbows so he can see her without craning his neck.] You know, I think I've seen you around. You a friend of Steve's miss..?

[handing]

Thanks. [Pepper unrolls her own towel, laying it out next to Bucky's. At the mention of Steve, she smiles brightly to the other man.]

Pepper Potts, and I am. [She drops down onto the cloth, then leans over to offer a hand to Bucky.] Nice to meet you.

[jamesbarnes]

Not a problem at all. [Yup, she's friends with Steve. The 100-watt smile says it long before she does, and Bucky grins just a little at that. He's got mixed feelings about it to be honest, but for the most part he's glad people are finally giving Steve a chance. And that Steve has talked to (more than one) beautiful dame all by himself.]

Had a feeling. James Barnes. [He sits up to shake her hand.] Likewise, Ms. Potts. We're still kinda catching up so I can't say Steve's told me much about you yet... Which is a shame, because I'd definitely like to know about you.

[handing]

[Once they've formally greeted each other, Pepper settles a bit more comfortably onto her towel, shifting so that she's sitting up with her legs bent in front of her. She's got a bag with her, and she pulls out a bottle of sunscreen so she can lather some on.

Her grin widens when James both introduces himself, then makes a pass. It's both very polite and very blatant, which amounts to something kind of cute in the end, and Pepper could imagine most people going for it.

Of course, it doesn't hurt that history lists James as a war hero.]

Just Pepper is fine. And I'm sure we'll both get to know each other pretty well. Are you staying with Steve and Howard?

[jamesbarnes]

Call me Bucky, then. [Pepper's got a pretty great smile, just a little mischief in it, and he's starting to think he'd like to get into plenty of trouble with a girl like her.

He raises his eyebrows at the question, the gesture more suggestive than curious. He wants to see where this is going.] Yeah?

[handing]

Bucky? That's a unique nickname. Where's it come from?

[Poor Bucky. His eyebrows go up, and Pepper knows she's got him: hook, line, and sinker.] Then maybe one of them's mentioned someone named Tony? Who I live with.

[Pepper does feel a little bad for the guy, but it's best to let him down early.]

[jamesbarnes]

Is it? [That kinda catches him by surprise.] My middle name's Buchanan so. [He shrugs.] It just happened I guess.

[He realizes a little too late that he's being humored here and... well, there goes that.]

Stark. You're Tony Stark's girl. [Face, meet palm. Bucky actually looks a little guilty here.] I should have known that.

[handing]

My first name is actually Virginia. [Since they're sharing.] But the freckles got me the nickname Pepper, and it stuck.

[And then the light bulb turns on for Bucky. Pepper's a little fascinated to actually see the moment of realization, and definitely amused when he smacks himself in the face.]

Got it in one. And don't worry about it. [She waves a hand dismissively, seeing no reason for Bucky to feel bad.] It actually wasn't a bad pick-up line.

[jamesbarnes]

That's pretty cute. [He grins, and it's just friendly this time. What else are you gonna do, right?

Hopefully neither of the Starks will end up giving him hell for this but it wouldn't be the first time he managed to get into a fight with someone's boyfriend. This time though? He doesn't really want to.

Pepper doesn't seem like she's angling for that either, so he shrugs and laughs when she tells him she's heard worse.] I try to avoid the bad ones. You know, sometimes. Just to keep 'em guessing.

And... well, don't take this the wrong way, but I am actually - curious. Steve seems to make friends with some pretty interesting people.

[handing]

Thanks. [Well, Pepper could name some guys who would immediately lose all interest. It's to Bucky's credit that he isn't one of them.

And considering that Howard flirted with Pepper when they first met, Bucky is probably safe from rebuke--at least from the father's end. Tony, well. Tony might get a little grumpy, but he's mostly harmless.]

Better to have a bit of variety in your routine? [No, Pepper definitely isn't looking to make waves. She's both very happy with Tony, and a fan of peaceful friendships.

She looks a bit curious herself when Bucky makes his request though.] Well, I'm probably one of the more boring ones when you get down to it. But I don't mind at all; is there anything in particular you want to know?

[jamesbarnes]

Something like that.

[Bucky raises his eyebrows.] If by 'boring' you mean no costume heroics, we've got that in common. So what do you do for fun, Pepper?

[handing]

[Laughs quietly, already impressed by how quickly Bucky seems to pick up on things.] You're pretty quick; that's exactly what I mean. Although you've done your share of heroics.

Around here? Anything I can, really. [Luceti's pace outside of an experiment has been torturous from the start, and Pepper sincerely doubted she'd ever fully adjust to it.] But most of my time is spent running the local art gallery.

[jamesbarnes]

[Bucky shakes his head.] Wouldn't call it that. I'm just a soldier.

[It's easy to tell Pepper's pretty quick herself. Anyone who could get someone like Tony Stark to settle down has gotta have more than a few things going for her.] You like to keep busy, huh? I don't blame you. [He cocks his head a little, curious.] But where do you get the art from?

[handing]

[It's a brand of modesty that Pepper isn't unused to, thanks to Rhodey, and she knows she won't be able to convince Bucky otherwise. But still, she grins at him, equally unconvinced.] Like I said.

I was busy all the time back home. It's been one of the harder things to adjust to, honestly. And I get the art from people here. There are actually quite a few talented people in Luceti--including Steve.

[Then that look of mischief comes back into her smile.] Who I am trying to convince to contribute.

[jamesbarnes]

[Bucky flashes her an easy grin and lets it drop. He doesn't feel like much of a hero. The army promised three square meals a day and kept his only family safe, until it didn't. If there was more to it than that, it came after, with Steve.]

[Pepper brings up a more interesting topic anyway. He's never been too enthusiastic about art galleries but only because the people in them seemed so snooty. Unlike Steve's art classes there were no nude models to be seen. He likes Pepper though, and he likes the idea of (mostly) ordinary people getting a chance to show off.]

No kidding? Sounds nice. I'll stop by sometime.

[He'll drag Steve, it'll be fun. Bucky matches that smile with one of his own. The thing is, if Pepper hasn't gotten to Steve yet, there's probably a reason. (Or Bucky's just more of a sucker for a pretty face. Either way.)] I'll see what I can do. No promises. That guy's stubborn as a mule when he wants to be.

[handing]

[Unfortunately, a lot of modern art galleries are just as full of snooty people. But Luceti is definitely more casual over all than Pepper's life back home, including the art on display.]

That'd be great. Let me know when, and I'll make sure I'm there to show you around.

[Personally, Pepper thinks it's because Steve is a bit shy about sharing, but Bucky will probably know better.] Hey, I'm happy just to have a co-conspirator. [She laughs at the mention of Steve being stubborn though.] You know, that's not exactly the first word that comes to mind when I think of Steve? But I can see it.

[jamesbarnes]

[Normally he wouldn't want her to go out of her way - it's not like he knows how to talk about art - but she did offer and he doubts she'll give him a hard time about that anyway.]

You got a deal.

[Bucky laughs at that. He's definitely getting in trouble with her even if it isn't the romantic kind, and he doesn't really mind that at all. He's a little surprised at someone not thinking of Steve as stubborn and the skepticism shows on his face.] If you ever see him fight, you'll see it. Or better yet, try to keep him in bed when he gets the flu. [He frowns a little.] Not that he gets sick anymore I guess.

[handing]

[It really isn't going out of her way in Pepper's mind; she spends a good chunk of time there anyway. Still, she's glad to hear Bucky agree.]

Well, he also works pretty well with Tony. That requires some definite stubbornness. [Pepper speaking from firsthand experience. But the "never give up" attitude Bucky implies suits Steve pretty well. She's curious when he frowns, however.]

Is there something wrong with him not getting sick? [She's curious, not accusatory. Even without knowing his history, it's clear that Bucky cares about Steve.]