assguardians | ASGARD GENESIS

Entry tags:

!test drive meme

ASGARD GENESIS - TEST DRIVE #1

the test drive meme.

❧ let's do this.

Anyone can post to the test drive meme, including duplicates! Please put your character name and canon in the title of your comment.
All threads are considered open to everyone! Tag around and make some friends (or enemies)!
If you decide to apply to the game, you can use your TDM threads for your app samples! You only need to provide seven comments if you use TDM samples.
You can't be "late" to a TDM! This will be considered open until the next one goes live next month.
You can make up your own scenario, interact with one of the locations in the game, use the welcome process of your character selecting a god house, or use our optional prompt below!
You do not need to pick a god house to play on the TDM! You can have your character still in the process of discussing/deciding/despairing instead.
If you are accepted to the game, you can keep TDM threads as game canon as long as you fudge some of the details depending on your original thread. If you aren't sure exactly how to do this, you can always ask a mod.
Reserves open on May 25 at 12:01AM PST and close on May 31 at 11:59PM PST.
Applications open on June 1 at 12:01AM PST and close on June 7 at 11:59PM PST.
Please always feel free to contact the mods if you have any questions! Have fun, dear (future?) Wanderers. ♥

❧ optional scenario.
As you enter Asgard proper, many of the natives have gathered into curious crowds to greet these mysterious children of the World Tree. Some of them carry baskets of flowers and nervously offer one to any Wanderers that come near. They are vibrant and colorful, picked from the wilds surrounding Asgard, and they might have an odd effect on your character if they sniff the flowers directly.

Purple flowers will make your character very giggly and easily amused by everything they see and hear.
Orange flowers will make your character feel very warm all over, like the sun is beating down on them directly.
Blue flowers will make your character somewhat short and impatient with anything that seems like even a minor inconvenience to them.

Effects of the flowers can wear off anywhere between a few minutes to an hour. And for those new to Asgard, this scenario aligns with some of the general curses we might have in the game!

navigation.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ Jamie can't help but chuckle, looking at Claire under his lashes as he holds onto her now tightly. ]

As ye ask. I'll try no' to make up for all eighteen years in one kiss.

[ He may or may not be a bit eager to be alone with his wife. For the first time, after nearly two decades. The thing keeping him from so much, now, is never wanting to take his eyes off of his daughter. ]

[ It was easier to reconcile the idea of her mother being with the love of her life when Bree wasn't around him at all. It had been hard at first when she'd arrived at Fraser's Ridge. She was happy for them, but that feeling of missing her daddy had been difficult to handle at first. It was only after spending more time with Jamie, getting to know him, that she started to realize she didn't have to think of it as choosing one father over the other. And once she knew Jamie was true to his word, that he had no intention of trying to replace the man she'd grown up with and loved with her whole heart, she could start to view Jamie more fondly.

As she'd mentioned before, there's a lot to tell. But one very big thing that she's hesitant to bring up. They still don't even know back home, and it feels easier to protect them from it, to try and deal with it on her own, in her own time.

They're so happy, she can't bear the thought of ruining that now. ]

I saw Lallybroch, you know. I met Uncle Ian, and I wanted to meet Aunt Jenny, but she was away and I had to leave in kind of a hurry to catch passage on a ship. He was so kind to me, though.

[For a long time, when she thought of home, she thought of Lallybroch. It wasn't until Bree was old enough to go to school that home became Boston. Claire was always eager to go home from medical school, to see her daughter. To go home after a long day at the hospital. Lallybroch will always make her chest tighten with memory of the brief time she and Jamie spent their as lady and laird.]

How did you manage to explain yourself?

[She glances from Bree to Jamie.]

I don't know how you even explained my being gone.

[Dead would be the easiest way to do it. Lost during the battle.]

[ Jamie hasn't told Claire so much of what happened to him while they were separated. ]

When I returned from the battlefield, I was only taken to Lallybroch as a courtesy, ye ken? They took me there to die at home.

[ He'll tell Claire the hows of it later. ]

When ye never came, Sassenach, and I wouldna speak of ye, I allowed Jenny and Ian to believe what they wished. I never corrected them.

[ He looks a little ashamed at that; he couldn't tell them the truth. And it hurt to even speak his wife's name. ]

Honestly, I didn't have to. They knew enough about your absence, or it must have been explained well enough when you first returned. Uncle Ian knew I was yours the moment he saw me. No questions asked. And he gave me money to secure passage to North Carolina, along with a trunk of your clothes, mama.

[ She honestly wishes she'd had more time to spend with him, that she could have met Aunt Jenny as well. But there's every chance she'll meet them at some point, she hopes. ]

[At mention of Culloden, Claire's fingers squeeze Jamie's tighter, thumb caressing his knuckles. Ian and Jenny must have naturally assumed she died--and then realized it was some sort of mistake when Brianna showed up.

She reaches out with her other hand to touch Bree's cheek with a fond smile.]

You look like a Fraser. With your hair like that, you look like your grandmother--there was a painting of her, upstairs, at Lallybroch. Ian would have passed it every day.

[ Jamie lets out a soft breath and looks at Claire, heart warming to hear her recall his family --their family-- this way. ]

I'm glad ye were able to see Lallybroch, Brianna. 'Tis where I always though--

[ Well. They know what he thought, so he trails off. ]

Tell me lass, what of Fergus? Is he with us in the colonies?

[ As they talk, Bree continues to eat a little, though her stomach is slowly filling at last. ]

He is, he's in Wilmington right now, with his wife and son.

[ She knows they adopted Fergus, and it will no doubt bring them added joy to hear he's with them, and that he has a child.

There's a very slight shift in Bree's demeanor as they continue to talk. It's good, it's so good to have them both here, but there's still so much she's wrestling with internally and it quiets her a little. It's so imperceptible for now, only her mother is likely to notice, if at all. ]

Wife and son? God, I feel ancient.

[But she laughs, glad. Fergus, with his one hand, still got himself a wife and family. It's good. She's been worried ever since Jamie told her he'd been injured so.

She lets go of Jamie's hand now, needing both to hold one of Bree's. If she notices something if off, she might not even be aware of it. There's just a need to have this contact with her daughter for one reason or another.]

You have a big family now.

[Frank himself was an only child, leaving Bree without any aunts, uncles, or cousins. There were distant relatives that sent the occasional Christmas card and birthday gift, but they were all overseas in England. Ironically, in the 18th century, Bree had a wealth of people that would love her like they always knew her.]

[ Jamie just sits back and watches this, watches them. Fergus has a child which makes him and Claire grandparents. The thought makes him smile, but mostly he's overcome with seeing his wife and daughter interact. There's a familiarity between them, an undeniable connection.

It makes his heart shatter and soar at the same time. Christ, he's glad he could give this to Claire. But how it hurts that he doesn't yet have the same close bond with Brianna. So, he's quiet, letting the two of them have their moment.

His eyes may or may not be suspiciously moist. ]

Bigger than I'd ever imagined.

[ There's a flicker of a smile, lingering for the briefest of moments while she squeezes her mother's hand in return, keeping a hold of her for now.

A glance over at Jamie pulls on her heart a little, though. Worried maybe she'd said something wrong. Or maybe the threatening tears are happy ones. She knows it must be hard for him, and she never wants to hurt his feelings.

Reaching out with her other hand, she grabs for his. ]

Only good things now, da.

[Claire follow's Bree's gaze. Each one of them is a little out of place. Jamie doesn't have the years between Claire and Bree, just as Bree doesn't have the time between Claire and Jamie. And Claire looks like she's the oddest addition to them, dressed still in her blouse and skirt and coat from the hospital, hair dark and straight compared to their beautiful red curls, even if Jamie's have faded over the years.

Jamie, of course, has the biggest loss. Nearly two decades of milestones and memories and familiarity.]

She's right. It's the three of us now.

[He won't be alone again.]

[ Jamie lets out a breath, laughing softly with it. ]

Aye. The three of us. As it should be.

[ He clears his throat, reaching for his water and drinking before taking a few bites of food. The longer they're here, eating, the longer he can put off telling Claire everything that happened to him. ]

Brianna, do ye ken of anyone else? Other family in North Carolina? My aunt Jocasta owns a settlement there, I think.

[ Quiet again for a brief pause, Brianna nods before speaking. ]

Uncle Ian told me to ask for her, actually, and that she'd help me find you. Turns out, I found you first.

[ Another flicker of a smile. She'd found her father first then, just like here in Asgard. ]

My cousin, Ian, lives with you both, too. Young Ian, you call him. And there's your godfather, Murtagh. He tells the best stories about you, da. Both of you.

Murtagh's still alive?

[Claire's eyebrows shoot up, looking at Bree, then Jamie. She hadn't asked--only assumed the man died on Culloden moor, and even if he did survive, he would be very old. The English wouldn't be kind to a highlander like him.]

[ Jamie's eyes go wide as well, then soft because yes, that brings the emotions right back. That, and knowing young Ian has taken such a shining to him. Enough to leave Lallybroch, Christ. ]

I lost track of him after the prison closed...

[ He trails off, swallowing heavily. ]

He was ill, before. I tried to treat him as I thought ye would, Sassenach. It was Murtagh who--

[ Jamie pauses, for a moment ashamed to say this and in front of his daughter especially. But he continues. ]

When it grieved me so badly to think of ye that I couldna breathe, those days, Murtagh said my prayer for the safety of ye both instead.

Edited 2019-05-18 21:59 (UTC)

[ Her mother was in more pain than Bree had ever realized, through the years. She'd hidden it well; or rather, she'd pulled away enough to protect herself that it had seemed to Bree for so long that she was just...lost to her. Somewhere she might never reach. It's only now, of course, that she understands where she'd existed for so long, where she had to, to even stay sane.

Hearing Jamie speak of his pain now brings it all back to the surface. The two of them endured all of this for her. For her mother's sake, too, but...she wonders if her mother hadn't been pregnant then, would they have ever parted? But then what would have become of daddy, never having his wife back, never even having a child. Her mind is going a mile a minute, and she stops her thoughts quickly, taking a deep breath. ]

How did you...both of you - keep going?

[ She looks between them, notably subdued. ]

[For Claire, it's easy. Her thumbs move over the back of Bree's hand as she smiles warmly at her.]

I had you.

[Jamie wasn't nearly as lucky. Claire had been lonely, so often, but never truly alone with Bree. Jamie often was, from what Claire can tell.]

Whenever I felt like... the grief was too much, or that I just wanted to give up, I thought of you. Thought of the love Jamie had for you, and what strength he had to possesses to send us away to safety. I had to make the most of it.

[She wants to believe she did. Bree grew up loved, wanting for nothing. She went to good schools. Had all the opportunities a young girl could have. And Claire put herself through medical school and became a surgeon despite the uphill battle. There's no way Jamie could truly understand it all, but she at least knows he understands he made the right choice that day.]

[ The problem is, Jamie once begged a man to kill him, because he didn't want to keep going. Not without Claire.

He can't exactly say that, though. So, he tries to think of a better answer than I couldn't find a way to die, his face set neutrally. ]

Was no' easy. But once the prison was shut down and life became a seven-year debt to work off, I could finally see an end to it all. Before that...I dinna ken that I was doing much more than waking up each day and making a choice.

[ It's not pretty. But it is the truth. ]

[ Maybe some part of him - without ever really admitting it to himself - knew he had to hold on for a purpose. It's the only reason she can think to explain how he could have possibly kept going all those years. Both of them. Their minds told them one thing, that a reunion was impossible, but maybe their hearts knew better.

No matter what, she's grateful he held on, and that she could be the anchor her mother needed as well. They're here now, where they belong.

For the first time since arriving here in Asgard, she spares a thought for Roger. The man she thought she loved. Does love. It's all so complicated now, because he'd left. Just left her alone, and then-

She can't think on it too long, or she'll lose her composure. But it makes her question what she knows about love as it applies to her own life, and how often a love so strong - like what her parents have - ever really happens. ]

That took so much strength. I'd like to think I got that from you.

[ Both of them. And daddy. ]

[A mother's instinct, or perhaps something stronger, has Claire tugging Bree close enough for her to wrap her arms around her.]

Frasers are very stubborn. Maybe that's how Ian knew you were one.

[Teasing--mostly. Claire kisses her temple and sends a small smile Jamie's way.

Thank Christ they're all so stubborn.]

[ Jamie makes a grunting sound in the back of his throat. ]

Dinna let yer mother place all of your stubbornness rest on my shoulders.

[ She smirks, eying Claire, but then he looks around a bit. ]

I'm no' sure what these streets are like after dark. Or when dark is.

[ If his family gets the hint. ]

She can't fool me, I already know she's plenty stubborn.

[ A light tease back at her mother; for a moment, she leans in a little closer, appreciating the arm around her shoulders, the comfort she offers.

But Jamie makes a valid point, and she's personally eaten her fill. ]

We should settle in, probably. Explore more tomorrow.

Oh, so is this how it's to be? Ganging up on your poor mother.

[Woe is her. The smile is audible in her voice--if it means Jamie and Bree bonding, she'll gladly take their teasing. She rubs Bree's arm as she nods, listening to them both.]

You're right. It's been quite the day.

[ Jamie stands, then ushers them out, back onto the road as he walks on one side of Claire with Bree on the other side of her. ]

I'm no' sure yet what to make of all this. Everything wi' no cost? Loyalty to a God? Doesna settle right wi' me.

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