the road's got me hypnotized

[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

[applepirate]

[Barbossa couldn't help but let out an amused cackle.]

Is it that obvious?

[The pirate offered no further explanation yet, and instead took a couple of cautious steps towards the man, despite not sensing any ill intent from him. He hadn't crossed paths with the likes of him before.]

What about ye, boy? What could ye be doing here, all alone, hmm?

[mountain_sage]

[Saleh planted his feet as the man came closer. Luckily his manner of dress wasn't so outlandish, and neither was his speech.]

I come out here often. I commune with nature, and keep an eye out for people needing assistance.

[applepirate]

[There was a pause before the pirate replied.]

Do you now?

[Barbossa was struck by intrigue, as well as a degree of amusement from the other man's words. He let his guard down a little as he gave a toothy grin.]

Well, then. Shall we put that to the test? Ask your nature where I may find some bloody apple trees, boy.

[mountain_sage]

Apple trees?

[He's surprised at the inquiry, but asking nature was not necessary. He knew where the apple trees were.]

This way.

[He picked up his staff and turned to lead the way, a part of him a bit wary about turning his back to a pirate.]

[applepirate]

That sure was quick.

[Another chuckle, and a moment of silence of Barbossa silently regarding the man as he followed him. His monkey, Jack, was clearly thrilled already, judging by the shrill noises he was making.

The pirate would hold his excitement until he had an apple in his hand, however.

He eventually spoke up again.]

I'm curious. How does this... communing with nature of yours work, exactly, hmm?

[mountain_sage]

[Saleh walked along casually, his staff held tightly in one hand.]

You focus on all the sights and sounds around you. The sunlight, the shade, the breeze, all the creatures...you immerse yourself in nature's creation. Set aside your petty desires, and you will feel at peace. And then you appreciate what it means to be alive.

[Shortly, he came to a clearing with a few apple trees standing here and there.]

[applepirate]

[Appreciate what it means to be alive...

The pirate certainly knew that feeling. He died once. And then he actually returned to the land of the living; he was given a second chance. And before he knew, he stood on a ship's deck again - and he never felt more alive.

His fortunes have changed since then, obviously. Again.]

Petty desires, eh? And which ones of those have ye set aside?

[What he said coincided with his eyes coming into contact with the first apple he had seen that day upon coming to the clearing with Saleh, now remembering that they were there. Jack immediately let out a yelp and left his shoulder, eagerly running towards the trees.]

Well, well.

[He sauntered a bit closer to one of the apple trees.]

[mountain_sage]

Such as the desire for wealth and material pleasure that often brings strife. I've no need of those things.

[Saleh will simply stand aside as the pirate makes his way to the trees.]

[applepirate]

[Barbossa needed to go no further, for an eager Jack was already bringing him an apple he had quickly retrieved from the tree. The pirate examined it when it was brought to his hand, smiling. It was indeed perfectly ripe - just right.

As he took a bite, he turned around to face the boy again, remembering what he had just told him. No need for wealth and material pleasure? As absurd as it sounded, the boy did not seem to be lying, which only amused him.]

If only more folk thought like ye, and were so willing to part with their gold!

[He let out a chuckle before he took another bite.]

If that were so, perhaps there wouldn't be a need to pillage and plunder anymore, or desperately seek buried treasure.

[Though that would take some of the fun out of it.]

[mountain_sage]

[Saleh watched, satisfied at the simple act of helping someone. This is where he got his pleasures from, as well as immersing himself in nature's beauty.]

Exactly. The world would be a much peaceful place if only people appreciated what they had rather than pillaging and plundering from others...

[But Barbossa's last line confirmed something.]

...You're a pirate, aren't you?

[applepirate]

[Barbossa approached the man with his brows scrunched, the apple slowly being eaten as Jack retook his place on the pirate's shoulder.]

And what, pray tell, finally gave it away?

[This question still amused him. Normally, people would recognize a pirate like him as such from miles away.

However, things were a little different in Luceti, which was full of strange folk like this boy. After being around for as long as he had, the question stopped surprising him.]

[mountain_sage]

[And it's the fact that things were so different in Luceti, that Saleh did not point the finger right away.]

Your clothing, your manner of speech...it was rather obvious from the beginning. I did not wish to be judgmental, however. Regardless of their walk of life, we are all in this situation together.

[applepirate]

[The pirate's lips pulled into a faint smile, a look of intrigue on his face.

Fortunes have changed for every lad and lass here, that much was true. But were they all truly together in this situation? That was a matter of debate.

Barbossa simply walked to the other man's side, curious.]

Do ye have a name, boy?

[mountain_sage]

[Technically, they were together in this, though everyone was free to do their own thing. Saleh turns to face the other man, his stance tensing up a little.]

I am Saleh. And you?

[applepirate]

I be Captain Barbossa of the Queen Anne's Revenge, and this little monkey here be Jack.

[Former captain, to be exact, until he got his hands on a ship and a crew again. Which he hoped would be soon.]

I reckon ye leading me to these apple trees was enough to warrant... proper introductions, one could say.

[mountain_sage]

Captain Barbossa...as a pirate, I reckon you don't do "proper introductions" very often?

[But the name of the monkey certainly pinged him, and his stature perks up.]

Jack...?

[applepirate]

It quite depends on one's point of view, Mr. Saleh.

[The pirate simply let out a chuckle, not quite elaborating any further.]

Aye, Jack. Named after an old acquaintance of mine.

[He doubted there was a better word to describe his relationship with the great Captain Jack Sparrow.]

Me crew thought the name fit well.

[mountain_sage]

I see...

[Well, since this was a pirate he was dealing with, Saleh had the hunch that he didn't need any further elaboration.]

An old acquaintance... Are you...?

[Surely this man couldn't have come from Jack Sparrow's world, could he?]

This acquaintance...that wouldn't be a pirate named Jack Sparrow, would it?

[applepirate]

Ye know of Jack, do ye? Isn't that interesting!

[Bloody everyone seemed to know that swashbuckler rogue - Luceti wasn't an exception to the norm by all means, either. Captain Jack Sparrow was surely making a name of himself wherever he went, wasn't he?]

What ill fortune could've brought ye to him, I wonder? See him in the Good Spirits wasting his life away drinking rum and seeking pleasurable company, perhaps?

[What he painted, however, was becoming an uncomfortably familiar picture.]

[mountain_sage]

Yes, we've been...acquainted for a few years. He's tried to rob me many times, but I do not carry anything of value to hand over to would-be looters.

[And that's his first defense against bandits and such. Failing that, he had his magic.]

[applepirate]

Shiver me timbers! Old Jack always picks his targets well, doesn't he?

[The pirate gave a grin which he shared between himself and his pet monkey, who seemed equally amused.]

He needs a crew to bring sense into him every once and a while. Without that, he's naught but a scoundrel.

[Not that there was a lot to do here if you did not have said crew or ship.]

An unpredictable one, though. I'm surprised he didn't get a hold of that staff ye've got there.

[mountain_sage]

I'm afraid there's not much of a pirate crew to be found here.

[Even if Barbossa and Jack joined forces, that still wouldn't be much of a crew.]

[He let out a thoughtful hum when his staff was pointed out. It might be worth a few gold, but otherwise, it'd be useless to the common bandit. And since there was no currency in Luceti, that made stealing his possessions even more pointless.]

Hmm. Even if he did, it is easily replaceable.

[applepirate]

And for that, a lot of folk here are undoubtedly glad.

[The lack of any currency in Luceti did make piracy a hard thing to do too, certainly not one that would bring a lot of wealth - even if one had a way to do it.]

Must've hold yer ground pretty well against Jack, then, Mr. Saleh. I can't help but be curious - how did ye fight him off?

[An entertaining story leading to Jack's eventual defeat was always something the old pirate captain was up to hearing. He certainly had quite a few of those to tell himself.]

[mountain_sage]

No doubt.

Actually, fighting him hasn't been necessary. I usually manage to talk him out of it. However, when I do need to fight, I use this...

[He pulled out his Thunder tome, a yellow cover with a lightning bolt depicted on it.]

[applepirate]

[Talking that scalawag out of a fight? Old Jack must've known there was no way he could possibly win.

The tome Barbossa's acquaintance was holding out in front of him now did not particularly impress the pirate, but made him curious nonetheless.]

And what could a book like that possibly do to help ye fight off the likes of Captain Jack Sparrow, I wonder?

[It was obviously more than it looked like, however.]