TDM The First

[lethevale_mods]

You probably know how this works, but just in case, here's the idea:

1. You put the name of the character you're testing out in the subject line
2. You write a starter (or several!) in the comment, with the Lethevale AU of your character.
3. People respond with their characters. Threads occur. Friendships are made. The world is put to rights.
4. None of the threads in the Test Drive are game-canon.

Here are some prompts to start you off!

1. Seeking Shelter

You were riding along the mountain road when your horse, terrified by some dark shadow you couldn't see clearly, screamed and bolted, throwing you. Now you're caught in the middle of nowhere, in Lethe Wood, and the rain is getting heavier by the minute.

But what's that? A light? A house? Perhaps if you knock, they'll give you a bed for the night. It'll all look better in the morning...

 

 

2. The Beast! The Terrible Beast!

You took all the precautions. You carried a lantern, kept to the safer streets. Or maybe you didn't. Either way, you were attacked by something as big as a horse, with gleaming white teeth and a hideous howl.

When you run into another person, will you warn them? Will you ask them for a hiding place, or stand and fight? If all else fails, maybe you can use them as live bait...

 

3. Eat, Drink, and Be Merry

Lethevale isn't all monsters and storms. Mostly, but not all. Tonight, there's a party in the Black Swan - dancing, music, and of course, an open bar. Take the chance to get to know your neighbours, why don't you?

4. Pay No Attention To The Passage Behind The Curtain

The two of you were just wandering around Lethe Hall, when you leant on a candlestick, and... what's this? The bookshelf's opened? There's a hole in the wall now, and a spiral staircase leading down into the dark. You know, it's probably best to just leave well enough alone - but you have to admit, it's curious...

COMMS	GENERAL INFO	NEW PLAYERS	CURRENT PLAYERS
main writings ooc mods mod npcs	rules setting premise faq/mod contact gameplay	reserves taken latest tdm application au workshop	contact (locked) hiatus/drop calendar latest hmd lethevale

Comments

[gloves]

She looked delighted in response to his laugh. When it was like this — free and unfettered and unplanned and sincere — Marie thought it was the most wonderful laugh she’d ever heard. She could hardly say she’d known him for a long time. Or even a decent stretch of time. But she could tell the difference between his showman’s laughter and the moments where he was caught off guard by something he found genuinely funny.

And for a few seconds it was like being back in New York again when the entire world had seemingly opened up to her.

Marie was breathless and looking far from wanting to growl when the music stopped and he tugged her in close. The thrill of that definitely hadn’t faded yet, even if, now married, it was slightly less taboo to show affection openly in public. It still reminded her of evenings where she’d push the boundaries of how late it was acceptable to stay out and the mornings of waking up to the excitement of getting to see him again.

“I can’t promise anything, darling. But I’ll try to behave.” She would behave. Even with their troubles, doing anything to jeopardize the chances of this circus making a comeback would be monumentally stupid. And, frankly, she hoped he’d remain in this good mood for the rest of the night so she wouldn’t be left wondering what, if anything, was bothering him and whether she’d participated in his sour demeanor.

“Don’t keep me waiting too long. You know how easily I can get myself into trouble.” That could have been taken as a threat, but she was still smiling and had offered his hand a light, barely there squeeze before he’d pulled away. Besides, she looked entirely too amused to be doing anything other than teasing him. “Come fetch me when you’re done mingling.”

[criminallysane]

How beautiful she was! Breathless and happy and asking him to come fetch her, Marie looked like the idea of girlish beauty incarnate. Her words didn't sound like a threat to Jack. They sounded like a temptation.

"I'd take you home this minute if I could."

Of all the rich lambs he could have swindled, of course he'd had to go and pick this one. The teasing, smart-mouthed one, who'd wiggle her tail at him and say, Gee, shepherd, better not leave me alone too long!

Sometimes Jack thought he wasn't half as smart as he needed to be. Love was for suckers and Bowery songs; he knew that. He'd gone to New York not to comfort his grieving heart, but to find a docile, obedient girl with money. Yet he'd come back with her.

Which was fine as a start; Marie certainly met his qualifications for a bride. But now he was looking at her and thinking about how shepherds had to stand watch all night over their sheep. All this lion flattery was well and good, but nobody ever lost sleep guarding a lioness. No, it was the lambs who'd keep a man up through the darkest hours, shivering on a hillside, because they were too precious to risk. And as he gazed at his little Lamb Chop now, there was no mistaking the look of protective tenderness in his eyes.

He wondered what Jeannie--a lioness, if ever there was one--would think if she could see this. Her useless failure of a husband, fawning over an innocent half his age! The thought shamed him, and the walls seemed to snap back into place behind his eyes. His showman's smile, however, held steady.

"Enjoy yourself. And wish me luck."

Another wink, but it felt forced. Then he was turning away from her, with a smile that told the crowd everything was just peachy keen. Another song started up, and Jack left his wife behind, forcing himself to keep his back to her so that the sight of her couldn't pull him back to her side.

He had work to do.