Test drive vroom vroom

[selfpreservationist]

You know how it goes. Pick a scenario, reply to the post with the number in the subject line. Ping me at haeralis/dolphinsdontmoo or haeralis#8694 on discord if you have any questions or suggestions.

One. There you are, minding your own business, taking a nice stroll through town, when something catches your eye. At first, nothing seems unusual about him; he's just sitting on a park bench reading a book. The goth look is a little distinct, but other than that there's--oh it's the giant griffin sitting on his shoulder, that's the bit that probably has people staring at him. Well, he doesn't look too bothered about it, at least?

Two. A dark alley, a wrong turn. You can retrace the steps all you want but regardless, you've ended up cornered by a pack of nasty-looking demons, all weird fuzzy pincers and sticky tentacles. There's no way out. Just as you're contemplating your options, a figure appears in the distance. Are they friend or foe?

Three. Distantly, you hear the sound of someone wheezing and gasping for air. Leaning up against the side of a nearby building by the dumpsters is a pale-looking man collapsed on the ground, one hand clutching his cane and the other his chest. He, uh. He doesn't look too good...

Four. You know that scene in Ouran where Haruhi takes Kyouya to get a cheeseburger and he doesn't know what to do with it, this is basically the dirty hobo version of that

Five. Catch-all! YOU WRITE ME A PROMPT FOR A CHANGE.

Comments

[gigadevilbreaker]

[Ha. His stomach couldn't have timed it better. Nero's shoulders shake with a chuckle, and he jabs his thumb towards the main street.]

Luckily for you, I was headed there myself.

[selfpreservationist]

I shall follow your lead, then.

[gigadevilbreaker]

[All right. Walking at a slower pace than usual to make sure this guy could keep up, Nero makes conversation as they go.]

Soo, what brings you to Fortuna?

[selfpreservationist]

[v walks slowly, but keeps a steady pace]

A wrong turn. I was looking for something... but it seems it's no longer here.

[despite leaning on his cane, v twirls it a couple times while walking]

What brings you to a place like this?

[gigadevilbreaker]

[...Show off. He digs it, though. Nero looks amused, chuckling at this private joke of his.]

Well, it wasn't exactly by choice, lemme tell you that.

[selfpreservationist]

A native? I wouldn't have guessed.

[gigadevilbreaker]

Oh?

[Nero raises a brow, waiting for elaboration. Somehow the mystery goth in an alley could pick up that he'd never fit in here?]

[selfpreservationist]

[i mean, the white hair is kind of a dead giveaway]

You don't seem like the others who live here. For one, you stopped to help me.

[gigadevilbreaker]

[>:(]

Oh. Well, people 'round here tend t'be pretty wary of strangers.

[selfpreservationist]

With good reason. There are strange people about.

[gigadevilbreaker]

[Smartass.]

Look who's talking.

[selfpreservationist]

"A fool sees not the same tree that a wise man sees." It didn't seem to discourage you.

[gigadevilbreaker]

[Squints like, 'is he calling me a wise man or a fool'???]

That some kinda parable?

[selfpreservationist]

Yes.

[gigadevilbreaker]

[Scoffs,]

Don't tell me you're a preacher, 'cause I've had my fill of those.

[selfpreservationist]

Speaking of having one's fill... are we near our destination, yet?

[gigadevilbreaker]

Just about.

[But this is definitely a residential area, with not a single restaurant in sight?]

[selfpreservationist]

[chuckles, dry]

If you wanted to mug me, the opportunity has already passed. My strength is starting to return now.

[not that he seems particularly on guard]

[gigadevilbreaker]

Nah.

Welcome to home sweet home.

[It's a modest little place. And the kids, thankfully, are out with Kyrie today. Nero wipes his boots on the welcome mat and unlocks the front door, welcoming the stranger in.]

[selfpreservationist]

[oh.

...

there's visible hesitation on v's face, lingering at the door for longer than strictly necessary, glancing at nero (and his arm) as if to confirm]

[gigadevilbreaker]

[ ?? ]

What? It's not the Ritz, but-- we've got lots of leftovers. Unless you don't like casserole.

[selfpreservationist]

... that's not it. I...

[he shakes his head]

Never mind. Thank you.

[gigadevilbreaker]

[?Welp?]

Don't sweat takin' your shoe-- uh, sandals off.

[Anyways, he's gonna head into the kitchen first and get the leftovers out of the fridge]

[selfpreservationist]

[v steps inside and removes his sandals, quietly taking it all in--the humble but cozy atmosphere, evidence of children, of a home being lived in]

You have a family?

[gigadevilbreaker]

...Yeah. [His voice softens, glancing over to a photo of his self-made family stuck to the fridge.]

There's five of us-- well, sometimes six. My girlfriend and I took in three orphans after demons destroyed the city five years ago. Plus my freeloadin' business partner, whenever she's in town.