test drive — winter

[villagemod]

WINTER TEST DRIVE
Welcome to the test drive and thank you for your interest in The Village. This test drive is not game canon but will allow players the opportunity to experiment with game mechanics, the setting, and the flexibility of choice allowed by this game. The following prompts are examples of typical situations characters might face in the game. At least one thread from the TDM is required as part of the game's application process.

The setting details and locations are still being unveiled in the game, so prospective players are welcome to play with established locations or create their own within the general setting of Mathias.

( Recommended listening: ♫ )

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INTO THE ENDLESS
Winter has arrived in Mathias. Snow falls steadily, big puffy flakes that pile up quickly in drifts as the wind blows them around town. The trees in the forest are covered in it, the branches bending under the weight and shaking when the piles fall from them to the forest floor. The roofs of buildings become solid white and drifts form in doorways as the wind tries to rush inside anywhere it can.

New arrivals wake in the forest, with its winding paths twisting back on themselves as they branch in either direction. It isn't safe to stray from the path, there is a menacing fog that waits just a few yards inward in any direction, but for now, there is nothing impeding movement along those snow-covered paths that cut through the trees. Continue stumbling in one direction and you'll reach the small town, coming out near the mishmash of quaint houses that nestle beside crumbling ruins that used to be homes. But choose the other and you'll seem to stumble on forever, huddling against the wind until there seems to be a clearing up ahead—

And then nothing. The earth opens up before you in a ravine so deep that the bottom cannot be seen. The other side can be seen, tantalizingly out of reach, and there is the sense that safety is just beyond, if only you could get there. But with that sensation is also the knowledge that if you stay here, you will die. The edge seems unsteady, like getting too close would set it crumbling and send you tumbling into that dark endless nothing that waits below...

BODIES WITHOUT SOULS
Benedict Books is nestled quaintly on the square surrounding Mathias's Town Hall, a thick layer of dirt covering the front windows. Looking through those windows provides a much different view than looking directly into the shop through the doorway — vague shapes and forms of figures seem to be inside, though no details can be determined through the streaks of grime. Flickers that resemble flashlights can be seen passing along the windows from time to time, and on occasion there is even a muffled tapping sound that comes from behind the glass, as if someone is trying to get your attention. The same distorted figures can be seen looking through the windows from the inside outward, but moving from one side or the other reveals... nothing. There is nothing there, and perhaps it is all in your imagination.

A portrait hangs at the front of the store to illustrate the namesake of the little shop... that may, in fact, not be so little. Dust covers everything in sight and detritus litters the wooden floor, as if someone left the door open and allowed half the forest inside.

The books are mostly familiar titles from the 1990s and earlier, but close examination will reveal that key details seem to have been changed. They fill shelves in neat lines along the walls and rows in between, the building almost seeming to stretch on forever until, finally, a small office can be seen tucked away in the back. A glance back toward the front door gives the impression that the room isn't that big, after all. Strange that you previously thought so.

Prying the door open is the only way to get inside the small office; the hinges have rusted and are caked with dirt and grime. Search as you might, there are no interesting bits of information to be found here beyond a few inventory lists on the little desk. There is, however, a green and gold safe in the corner that, no matter how many times one turns the dial, simply clicks and clicks. Scratches around the safe indicate that someone tried to get in at one point, though there's no indication as to whether they succeeded.

THE END APPROACHES
Standing at the center of Mathias, the town hall is a modest two-story building that would be welcoming if not for the faded sign, chipped paint, and deafening silence within its empty halls. It's a typical government building, with a reception desk at the front and rows of identical offices within, the names half faded from each door. But what catches the attention is a large bulletin board on the main wall beside the reception desk, once meant to hold flyers or announcements for the community.

What it holds now is decidedly different. Tacked onto the board are scraps of paper covered in an assortment of handwriting styles — requests for supplies should anyone find them, pieces of information shared in the hopes of someone understanding the strange symbols and mathematical equations, notes about those missing or recently deceased. And over the center of the board, tacked on top of other papers, is a map discolored with age. Mathias Township can be read in the corner, a stretch of forest displayed beneath it, but everything else has been smeared to illegibility with red... ink? Upon close examination, a keen eye will realize that the ink is actually blood, though whether it is human is unknown. And scrawled across that forest, nearly covering the illustration of a clearing and a large house within, are the words

he is coming
A number of tarnished metal pushpins are scattered around the edges of the board, waiting for future messages to be shared, and a stack of pristine white paper and pile of cheap ballpoint pens rest on one of three chairs beside the board. The chairs are clearly meant for those waiting for meetings and are covered in the same layer of grime as everything else in the building — everything except the pens, paper, and bulletin board.

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Comments

Sam Winchester | SPN

[moosey]

[ooc: I haven't decided on an exact canon point, but for now I am going to take him from the end of 15x18 Despair ]

Endless
[Sam blinked as he looked at the sky, snow falling on his face. Something was wrong. He looked down and expected to see a phone, but there was none. Dean. Dean. He needed to find Dean was a mantra he kept on repeat. None of this made sense. Sam could feel the ground beneath his feet but nothing felt familiar.

Had Chuck succeeded?

Sam couldn't think about that now. It was too slippery of a path to tread down. He comes across the pit and skids to a stop looking down and seeing nothing.]

Jack? Cas? DEAN!!! Answer me... dammit please...

[Sam sinks to the ground, not really giving a rat's ass that the knees of his jeans are wet. ]

[wildcard]

[if you have an idea feel free to hit me up on plurk @ plentyofwords ]

[abrightboy]

Malcolm had gone for a walk to clear his head and give the cowboys some peace. A man shouting names into the chasm sounded like a new arrival.

“There’s a Dean here, but I don’t know if he’s the one you’re looking for.”

[moosey]

Sam turns so quickly that it is a shock to him that he doesn't faceplant in the snow. Sam wanted to believe him so badly, it didn't occur to him that he shouldn't trust him. He just really needed to see his brother.

It was as simple as that in Sam's mind.

"Shorter than me, stockier, has a mullet rock obsession, maybe shot his mouth off a few times?" Sam finished, slowly standing up, his weariness showed.

He gave a bit of a half-hearted smile.

"I'm Sam Winchester," He extends his hand because it's the polite thing to do.

[abrightboy]

Malcolm shakes his hand. "Malcolm Bright. That sounds like the Dean that's here. He lives down the street from me. Come on; I'll take you there," he offers, heading back the way he came.

[moosey]

Sam stared for a second before he remembered to move his gangly limbs and follow Malcolm. He looked around, trying to get a grasp on his surroundings but Dean was always better at getting his bearings in a strange place then Sam, mostly because Sam's nose was usually stuck in a book. Sam was definitely more of a people person.

"Are you friends?" Sam asked quietly. He knew that he could be somewhat imposing when he wanted to be and he didn't want to scare the guy off, at least not when he was trying to be helpful.

Sam hoped anyway.

[abrightboy]

Malcolm laughed. “Does he have friends? What does that look like? I saved his life the other day and he accused me of breaking into his house and then he was rude to me for half an hour or so and then I left. Does that count?”

[moosey]

Sam chuckled because his brother really must be here because only the real Dean, his Dean could elicit a reaction like that from someone. Sam's eyebrows furrowed together, his concern growing by the minute.

"He grows on you?" Sam answered, a question lilting his voice slightly. "Can we go back to the I saved his life the other day thing you mentioned?" Sam asked.

[abrightboy]

"Sure. He drank too much moonshine and passed out in the snow. Would have been dead in under 40 minutes if nobody found him." He looked at Sam. "Oh. Oh, I get it. You're the one," he noted, wagging his finger in Sam's direction.

[moosey]

Sam rolled his eyes because that was completely and totally his brother. "Where the hell did he get moonshine?" Sam asked, clearly frustrated trying to piece everything together.

"Thank you for what you did. I'm almost sure my brother didn't say it to you so I am... You know, thanking you," Sam stopped as well. "What do you mean 'the one'?"

[abrightboy]

“From the cowboys, same as everyone else,” Malcolm told him matter of factly about the moonshine.

He looked at Sam at his next question. “The one that normally drags him out of the snow. I knew there had to be someone responsible for that, but he didn’t want to talk about it.”

[aprofoundbond]

[Castiel doesn't expect to come across Sam Winchester in the woods, and yet, here he is all the same, falling to his knees in the cold, wet snow, and shouting for Dean. Typical for a Winchester, really, Castiel thinks as he hurries over to where Sam is currently kneeling.]

Sam? Is that you?

[He moves right next to Sam, offering him a hand up should he choose to take it.]

Come on. Let's get you out of the cold before you catch something.

[moosey]

[Sam takes his hand like it's a life-line, and to him it kind of is. Sam had been more than a little panicked at not being able to reach Dean so seeing Cas is a welcome sight. Sam rests his hand on his bicep.]

Yeah, it's me, Sam.

[ Sam is startled out of his momentary shock but Cas speaking. ]

Uh. yeah, about that. Where is here? And did Chuck do this?

[aprofoundbond]

[Castiel lifts Sam up with ease, knowing Dean will be glad to see him; Claire too, hopefully.

At Sam's questions, Castiel sighs.] Here is a place called Mathias Township. As far as we're aware, Chuck has had no hand in this.

[He considers Sam a moment, tilting his head as he studies him.] Sam, what's the last thing you remember before finding yourself here?

[He wonders how much Sam knows; he wonders at what point in time this place has decided to pull Sam from, wondering if he is still the one from the farthest point in time, having arrived from Heaven.]

[moosey]

[ Sam smiles and shakes his head at the sigh. So very Castiel. He nods, his expression going somber once again. ]

We? [Sam questioned as they started to move only to stop again. Cas's question, however, sent a chill through him. He looked down and had to clear his throat before trying to speak. ]

We... split up. Me and Jack and you and Dean. Chuck... well he made everyone go away. Why, what's the last thing you remember?

[aprofoundbond]

Yes, we. Dean's here too, Sam. As is Claire. As far as I know, we're the only ones from our world here.

[Sam mentions them all splitting up, and Castiel feels a distinct chill run through him. He runs a hand over his mouth, tries to contain the sigh he feels desperate to escape.]

Let's just say I'm from...after that point in time, for now. That's a conversation we can have once we get you inside and warmed up. Come on, the house we all share isn't far from here; I'm sure we can find you an extra pair of clothes to help with the wind chill, too.

[moosey]

[ Sam raises an eyebrow and gives Cas a look, not the bitch, please look that he gives Dean on a regular basis but rather the don't mess with me right now look. Sam reaches up and pinches the bridge of his nose, his eyes closing. ]

That doesn't sound ominous at all, Cas.

[ He did follow though because he trusted the Angel with his life and the lives of his people. ]

Claire and Dean are both okay? I... [he stops because he knows Cas is trying to help]

You know that Dean and I don't share clothes, right?

[A little sass but he was starting to feel better about being here. ]

[aprofoundbond]

[Sam's not wrong; it is ominous for Castiel to have this additional knowledge, especially a certain aspect of that knowledge that he knows Sam will especially...dislike, he supposes, is the closest word he can describe it as.

He nods as Sam inquires about Dean and Claire.]

They're okay. You can check in on them yourself once we arrive. [He imagines Sam will want to, at least, even if just to confirm with his own eyes.

At Sam's remark about sharing clothes, Castiel shakes his head.] You won't have to share clothes with Dean. The previous owners of the house have left some articles of clothing behind, and there's a store in town in which you can grab some more when you need them.

wildcards and hand grenades

[cholesterol]

( Knowing Sam's luck, he found Cas or someone before Dean. As for the town, he's made quite the impression. He's made friends and annoyances alike. There are a few lines drawn in the sand. He cares about his people. He likes few others. He'll defend almost any of them, if there's ever something to defend someone against.

Dean is out, like he is most days, when Sam's brought back to the house he, Cas, and Claire occupy. 1301 Phillips Dr. And because technology is 1990's dated, it's land-lines or searching someone out.

Cas and Dean miss each other by five minutes, with Dean not realizing his brother's in this with him. He lets himself into the living room and freezes in place. )

... Sammy?

[moosey]

[Sam might argue that both their luck was shitty but that was definitely an argument for another time. Sam was still processing everything that happened to all of them in the last 48 hours. Sam feels the adrenaline leave his body slowly as he settles on the couch.

Cas had left him here to go somewhere but he didn't feel unsafe in the home that he and Dean shared. His eyes grow heavy and he honestly feels that he hasn't slept in months. When Dean walks in, he will find Sam sleeping on his couch but Sam is not a deep sleeper and startles awake at the sound of his name. ]

Dean. You're real right? They told me you were here.

[cholesterol]

Yeah, yeah I am. They?

( He looks back to the front door, wondering who Sam fell in with. Not that it matters. Sam is blood. Even if he ran into someone that didn't prefer Dean's company, Sam would side with his brother. Someone found him and someone dropped him here.

Once Sam stands, he doesn't hesitate to pull him in for a bracing hug. The kind that would never question his and his brother's codependence. Nine days away from his brother isn't many, but for a Winchester, it can matter.

He pulls back. )

Welcome to Castle Rock.

[moosey]

[ Sam looked at his brother a little codfish like, his brain still trying to form a coherent thought. He snaps out of it when Dean turns back towards him again. ]

Yeah, Malcolm Bright and Cas...Oh [ He cuts off as he accepts his brother's hug, returning it with equal veracity. Sam finally feels like he can breathe freely for the first time since he left Dean to go with Jack. Why did he ever think that was a good idea. ]

Never change, alright?

[ Sam laughs quietly. ]

Please tell me that you haven't pissed any more God's off?

[cholesterol]

Ha ha. Catch up to Cas, he's got a great Chuck campfire tale. One with a happy ending.

( But, please, Sam. Make all the jokes. He steps back, though. )

Careful with Bright. He's an analyzer. Never shuts up. He'll probably go on about how you're the force that keeps me from my worst impulses. ( A hand comes up. ) Don't. ( Now for other, more important matters. ) What do you know so far?

[moosey]

Happy ending, how? Does this place come with a give the Winchester's a break warranty? [Sam thought it was mildly funny at least in his own mind. Sam takes a step back as well, looking around, taking in his surroundings. ]

So, he's basically he's me only shorter?

[Sam smirks at his hand and then bats it down. ]

Hey, dude. I don't need to, do I?

[Sam sits back down on the couch, running his hands over his face as if the motion will clear away the cobwebs that his life has turned into over the last 15 years. Stanford seemed more than a lifetime ago. ]

I know a lot of things... could you be more specific?

[cholesterol]

What's Cas said. Where we are. What's up. Why you think we ever catch a break.

( They don't, for the record. Not even here. He got here before Cas, but after Claire. And after Claire died. Any breaks he thought he caught (he didn't), were dispelled by meeting Negan. )

[moosey]

[ Sam looked up at his brother, his eyebrows pinched together. ]

He said he's from after we split up... He said for now. Do you know what he meant? He also said Claire lived here too. Is she okay? I mean I haven't seen her since Cas left. What am I missing, Dean?