TEST DRIVE MEME

[ceoqueen]

ΩUTSIDERS
TEST DRIVE MEME

Welcome to the outsiders test drive meme! You can use this post to tag with characters you're interested in bringing to the game or who you'd like to try out in the setting.


Please set all threads in one of three areas: the landing zone, where your character get off the shuttle upon arrival; the markets, where your character might run into any of the station's alien population; or in the residential district they'll be staying in.

φ Please give the name and canon of your character in the subject line! OCs and AUs are welcome.
φ You may use threads from this post as a log sample, so long as it has at least 5 of your comments in action tags or prose.
φ You can keep CR from this meme if both players agree to it OOCly, and so long as you keep interactions to these starting areas.
φ Apps open on 1/27; the game opens 2/2.
φ You can find more information on our setting here, and our navigation is here!

Comments

[neverknocks]

[ The guy keeps his wits about him, that's for sure. And York can definitely respect that. It's not like the pistol at her hip is easy to miss, either, and her armor can take a punch, too. But she's hoping there won't be any kind of fight, at least not right now. ]

So I'm crazy, but I'm intriguing? Eh, I'll take what I can get.

[ She laughs, and to be fair, you'd expect someone in her situation to be a little less chill about it. And she probably would be, if this were the first time this had happened. It's a little hard to be fazed when you've spent the last eight months on Sacrosanct. She drums her fingers on the bar, trying to figure out where to start.

Might as well be the beginning. ]

Well, the world I come from...we started colonizing other planets a couple centuries back, gettin' all nice and settled in the galaxy, you know? Things were going all right for humanity. Then the Covenant showed up on our doorstep and started a war. We'd never heard of 'em. We still don't know a whole hell of a lot about them, honestly, and we've been fighting a war with 'em for the last thirty years. And losing.

[ She pauses, just for a second, running a gloved hand over the back of her neck. Talking about it now, the war seems so...far away. ]

I was just a kid when it all started up. Don't really remember what it was like beforehand, honestly. Kinda why I joined up, the war being everywhere. I'm -- well, I was with the United Nations Space Command. Project Freelancer, more specifically.

[calibrating]

[The story, however true or false it may be, is off to an intriguing start, if nothing else]

[Garrus keeps his focus on York, occasionally flitting a scrutinizing eye in the bartender's direction while their drinks were mixed]

[When the two arrived-- York's a sour green, and his a dark amber-- he turned on his omni-tool, paying for both drinks with a quick wave of his hand, before giving her a nod.]

I wanna hear more after you've had a try.

[neverknocks]

Oh, you're trynna get me drunk, now?

[ The comment's more teasing than anything, and York's grinning -- because "noncommittally flirty" is her automatic interaction style, though it's not serious half the time. She gives Garrus a nod, though, picking up the glass and taking a hearty drink. York's in the military, she can hold her liquor, and oh Jesus that's strong.

To her credit, she doesn't sputter -- she lets out a quiet, stuttered cough and her mouth puckers for a moment until the burn subsides. Then she sets the glass down, a little wide-eyed, and sucks down a breath. ]

Shit, you guys really like your booze out here. What is in that?

[calibrating]

[Garrus gives a shrug]

No idea, honestly. I just ordered what my CO usually does.

[His mandibles flare in what can only be described as a sly grin as he downs his own alcohol]

[neverknocks]

[ York actually lets out a snort at that. ]

Your CO must be one hell of a drinker. Don't you know if you're gonna buy a drink for a girl, you should at least know what's in it?

[ Ah, but her heart's not really in the complaint. She takes a smaller sip, this time, and it really isn't so bad -- and it's well-mixed, too, something she can tell once her mouth isn't on fire. ]

Thanks for the drink, by the way. I'll have to get you back one of these days. Got a feeling I'm gonna be here awhile, anyway.

[calibrating]

...And that's what's troubling.

I don't doubt you can hold your own. Hell, anyone who does while you're packing that much firepower would be nuts to think otherwise, but if what you're telling me is true-- and I'm not saying I believe it-- then you're gonna need one hell of a crash course in how things work around here.

[neverknocks]

Yeah, and if what I've been telling you is true, then this isn't the first time I got dropped in an unfamiliar hostile universe.

[ York sets her drink down and rests her elbow on the bar, leaning forward, head cocked to the side. ]

So are you offering to help me, or are you just tellin' me shit I already know?

[calibrating]

[Garrus matches the motion, making it clear that he's taking her very seriously]

I'm offering my help. At least until you're completely on your feet.

[neverknocks]

[ Garrus isn't somebody you want to underestimate, York can tell that already. It wouldn't exactly be a bad thing to have him helping her out. Still, it makes her curious. She studies his face, one eyebrow cocked. ]

So what's your angle, then? I mean, why's a stand-up guy like yourself going out of his way to help a lunatic like me?

[ And she can't help but grin even as she says it, because she's starting to suspect that he's not entirely sure he can write her off as just crazy, yet. ]

[calibrating]

[Garrus returns that grin with a sardonic twitch of his mandibles. He knows what she's thinking, and he knows that she knows that she's right. At least a little. He covers it up with a quick tip of his glass, draining the liquid inside to about halfway]

Let's just say that you remind me a lot about my CO, and not just when it comes to drinks.

[neverknocks]

Well, I guess I oughta be flattered.

[ York's grin broadens a little, because even though that's not much of an answer -- he could still have an angle she doesn't know about -- she already knows she's got him halfway convinced that she's not just delusional. ]

All right, Garrus, I'll bite. How is it that you're gonna help me?

[calibrating]

Depends on what you need from me. I'm pretty sure I don't have to offer you protection, but I can give you information, directions, stuff like that.

And yeah, you definitely should be flattered.

[Tooting his girlfriend's horn for her? Don't mind if he does! TOOT TOOOOOOOOOT]

[neverknocks]

You must have one hell of a CO.

[ York's smile gets a little easier, and she sips at her drink, settling a little more easily into her seat. ]

Information would be good. Anything about this world you can tell me, and how things work around here -- I mean, I've got a vague idea, but I'm not really lookin' to get shot in the back so soon after my arrival.

[calibrating]

[Garrus' demeanor sobers up quite a bit, his voice lowering with the faintest hint of a growl]

Hate to break it to you, but that's pretty much how Omega operates. You've got your merc bands, your pretty criminals, and then the people caught between all of 'em who don't know any better other than buying a gun and hoping the guy they meet on the street doesn't have one that's bigger.

[neverknocks]

Hey, give me a little credit here. I think I know a thing or two about surviving a hostile environment.

[ Sacrosanct might've looked pretty on the outside, but Hypatia was always watching. York shrugs, draining the last of her drink. She doesn't seem too worried -- sure, the place is intimidating, but somehow, York thinks she'll get along all right. ]

It's a matter of knowing the players, am I right? Find your place and take it, so nobody else can. Besides, I've got a few skills that I think could come in handy.

[calibrating]

You pretty much have it all in the bag.

[He finishes his glass, turning it over onto the counter to show he's done for tonight. There's no use in getting completely shitfaced, especially when surveying an entirely new situation]

Can I count on you to keep your nose clean? Well, relatively?

[neverknocks]

[ York actually lets out a scoff -- more of a laugh, because Garrus how did you go from insisting she's delusional to making sure she stays on the straight and narrow. ]

What -- you gonna keep an eye on me now?

[ York shrugs, pushing her empty glass across the bar. ]

Look, this place isn't exactly my top vacation spot. Hell of a lot more immediately dangerous than Sacrosanct, too. So if takin' my place here means selling my talents to the highest bidder, what else am I gonna do, huh? I got expertise, I oughta use it.

[calibrating]

There's using your expertise, and then there's not caring who it goes to.

[Garrus taps the bottom of his glass, more of a means to give his hands something to do than anything else]

Acting as a bodyguard and protecting a slaver are two completely different things. The former's a job, the latter's a crime.

But that's just my opinion, of course.

[neverknocks]

Hey, hey, relax. I've got limits too, y'know. It's a pick the lesser evil game, I get it. I just wanna get by, I'm not lookin' to ruin anyone's day around here.

[ Everyone knows there's no such thing as a victimless crime, but York -- well, she doesn't have too much trouble seeing things in a different light. Her morality might have a healthy bend to it, but even she's got principles. ]

I'm just curious as to why you're so keen on making sure I don't. 'Cause I'm crazy anyway, right?

[ And she gives him a total shit-eating grin, sure and knowing, because come now, Garrus. Do you really still believe she's crazy. ]

[calibrating]

Depends-- are you sure I'm not asking because I think you're crazy?

[He accentuates the line with a knowing smirk, although behind his (literal) mask, his eyes narrow ever so slightly. He doesn't know York and, as charming as she is, he wants to be sure she's not trouble with a sugar coating. He didn't do all that work on Omega all those years ago, however good that actually did, just to undo it all with his own hands. Not further than he already has]

[neverknocks]

[ York actually lets out a short laugh at that. You're funny, Garrus. ]

Either way, you're awful concerned about a total stranger. Not sayin' I couldn't do some damage if I wanted to, but...

[ And she shrugs in a way most suggestive of "I don't give a shit" possible. ]

It's not really my thing. Now what I'm really curious about is how crazy do you think I am now?

[calibrating]

That would be telling.

Actually, if you're feeling particularly crazy, go ahead and ask around about Archangel. You'll probably get a good feeling why I'm asking a few questions.

[neverknocks]

Yeah, 'cause givin' me a straight answer would be way too much work.

[ WOULD THAT REALLY BE SO HARD GARRUS. She rolls her eyes a little, mostly to herself, but it's not like she can't still find the whole situation kind of funny. It's just so absurd. ]

[calibrating]

Just think of me as that mysterious sage mentor type.

Hell, I can even throw in a cryptic riddle or two if it'll help. Free of charge.

[neverknocks]

And you think I'm crazy.

[ She lets out a snort, shaking her head. York doesn't know if all turians are this weird or if Garrus is just special, but either way, it's bizarre. ]

You're a funny guy, Garrus. So how can I keep in touch with you? Assuming, y'know, I'm not dead this time tomorrow.