TEST DRIVE MEME 2

[nolandmod]

NOTES:

IF BOTH CHARACTERS APP IN AND AGREE, THREADS USING PROMPT 1 CAN BE COUNTED AS GAME CANON.
PLEASE READ THE FAQ TO DECIDE YOUR ORGANIC FORM BEFORE POSTING!

PROMPT 1: ARRIVAL

You awake laying on your back in an, admittedly comfortable, pod. You can't move anything but your eyes, can't even feel your body yet. How you got here or why is a blank. You may have been in the middle of your day, asleep, or even- for what you remember- should be dead. Then a screen directly in front of your face flickers to life and in crisp, black and white displays: DON'T PANIC. The following video then plays:

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The screen flickers again and reads: CONGRATULATIONS ON PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE! WELCOME TO VAULT LIFE, CITIZEN. WELCOME TO YEAR: [ERROR]. YOUR PERSONAL BELONGINGS ARE LOCATED IN [FILE CORRUPTED. SEE SYSTEM ADMINISTRATOR]. ENJOY YOUR STAY AND THANK YOU FROM YOUR FRIENDS AT VAULT-TEC.

The pod then unseals and you are able to, unstably at first, climb out of the pod. Your body may feel foreign for a moment- perhaps entirely foreign if you suddenly find yourself a human, ghoul, or super mutant for the first time. But whatever your form, you have two items on: a bright blue jumpsuit with the number 66 in yellow on the back, and a mechanical device known as a Pip-boy sealed onto your arm. If you click on the buttons it takes you to an instruction screen.

You look around to find yourself in a room of other pods. Some are just opening, other people looking as confused as you climbing out. Others remain closed with the status of 'STASIS' on the screens attached to the pods. The rest of the room is less than impressive. Computer systems that seem out of place compared to the technology level of the pods are scattered across the room, apparently running the chambers. Trying to access them, even for the most talented hacker, will simply result in SEE OVERSEER being displayed. There is large metal door leading to the rest of the vault, a lever on the wall next to it that will cause it to open.

Welcome, dweller, to vault 66.

PROMPT 2: SETTLING IN

The living quarters of the vault leave something to be desired. While the current occupants of the vault have made some improvements, it's hard to ignore piles of skeletons in corners and the mildew on the beds. It's clear that whatever happened to the last occupants of the vault, whoever they were, it wasn't exactly a peaceful end. The medical wing has some of the worst blood splatter...but that at least you can pretend was from needed medical interventions. Right?

At the moment, the entire vault is run only on emergency generators, creating dull, flickering light throughout the underground base. None of the computers are working yet. Despite this, there's some hope. There's clean, if very mineral tasting, water in the sinks, toilets, and showers. There's a pool table if someone can relax enough for a game and doesn't mind the fact it looks like a pool cue shoved in the eye socket may have caused the death of a couple of the skeletons laying around. Further, the kitchen is stocked with some food! It's all pre-apocalypse, hyper preserved canned goods and sugary cereals that somehow haven't gone bad yet, but it's something.

A small reminder that characters are not the only living things in the vault. In the shadows created by the flickering lights or outside of the range of the light of your pip-boy, there is skittering. The noise isn't noticeable when there are groups of people, but get down to three or two and it's impossible to ignore. If you don't run away, you'll eventually come across groups of foot long radroaches, gigantic cockroaches that are ready for some fresh food for once. And it looks like you're on the menu. Hopefully you've got one of those pool cues or found a wrench or some other weapon, because it's gonna take more than a stomp to take these guys out.

PROMPT 3: CLEANING DAY

Welcome vault dwellers to the dreaded cleaning day. Yes, many characters have been tidying up here and there for, let’s face it, lack of much else to do in their new home. But the resident kitchen Mr. Handy robot has finally snapped, threatening the other Mr. Handy, Nick, with deactivation and some creative repurposing of his parts if something isn’t done about the horrible state of the vault. Too bad Nick would rather feed himself to the roaches than do that much work- meaning he’s conscripted you, the newly awoken and (semi-)veteran vault dwellers alike, to help.

Whether you like it or not.

Nick has helpfully put you into pairs, lured you into rooms throughout the vault, and then locked you in together with enough cleaning supplies to get the job done. Just pile the junk in one corner, he says, and he’ll unlock the door once it looks presentable. How does he know how it looks inside the room through solid metal doors? He’s not telling. Just another piece of info you can try to squeeze out of him once you’ve escaped and, possibly, enact your revenge. But for now, better get cleaning. Or for those of you with some lock-picking or hacking skills, figuring out this weird technology to get the door to open back up again without Nick’s help.


PIP-BOY CHATTER

Post text or audio messages to the pip-boy network to get to know your fellow dwellers!

Comments

[loveyoudarling]

"Well, not nothing exactly," She didn't want to bring up the bodies that they had all found to Saya just yet. The poor girl had only just woken up after all. "There are definitely signs that others had woke up before us. But it looks like it had been quite a long time between them and us."

She continued to lead Saya through the dark halls, turning and winding rather expertly amongst what seriously felt like a maze before finally entering a much larger room. It seemed to be a gaming hall of sorts with a kitchen attached. Although most of the supplies within the room were just as decrepit as everything else within the vault. And was that blood on the floor? Oh right, Chocolat had been meaning to deep clean those stains.

"And here we are! Welcome to our humble little rec room! Though most of us have really only been spending most of out time here to get some food. Are you hungry?"

[pride_outbreak]

"That's concerning," Saya replied in thought as she looked down while following Chocolat. "I wonder if they made it out of here then. And if so, what's the world outside like after the fallout..." Many questions were zooming around in her mind and no real answers at the moment. Thankfully, that also helped her not notice most of the decrepit decor in the rec room.

"Oh, at that sounds," finally catching a glimpse of the surroundings, Saya stopped and sighed. "On second thought, I think I'll wait to eat..."

[loveyoudarling]

"Nonsense, you just woke up from a god-knows-how-long slumber. You really should get some food in you," Walking into the kitchen area she started to rummage through the shelving. Most of the cans were so worn and aged that the labels that mentioned what they were had no longer existed. "I know none of what's here looks particularly appetizing, but despite how they look they're still pretty edible."

Well, most of them were at least.

"And at the moment it's also all we have. Unless you don't mind cockroach meat that is," Or the concept of fighting Jiro, one of their less sane vault-mates who had developed a bit of an emotional connection with said cockroaches.

[pride_outbreak]

"Wait, that's what's left?" They wouldn't last, and definitely not if more people awoke from those pods...

Saya sighed and looked down and as if on queue her stomach grumbled. "Ugh... I guess I should eat something but... is anyone making sure the food is rationed?"

[loveyoudarling]

"So far we hadn't needed to worry about it too much, just because the robot who runs this part of the vault has been doing most of that for us," Pulling one more can down she looked it over before shrugging and deciding that whatever was in here would do well enough. Gabbing the can-opener and finagling around with it a bit before finally managing to pop it open. "Here, come sit down, I'll get everything together."

[pride_outbreak]

Saya rubbed her arms, looked around a bit longer and finally moved over and sat down to wait for the meal.

"So the robot does the gathering? The cooking? Or both?" she wondered just how much did the robots do in this place.

[loveyoudarling]

"A little of both. It seems to have been working around these parts for ages and, I guess, it's been a while since any of us have been awake. So it was practically giddy to start feeding us," Gathering two plates and a pan from the cabinets, she started to shake the can vigorously until, with a little effort, a green chunky jello-like substance began to plop out. "Not that any of us has really thought about it too much. I'm pretty sure the majority of people who are awake are simply trying to look for a way out of here."

All right, now time to just heat up whatever this was in hopes that cooking it would destroy any bacteria.

[pride_outbreak]

Hold it in Saya... that looks... She instinctively looks away for a moment to not completely lose her appetite.

"Oh great... Well, actually, the fact that it wants to help is good." Unless it was going to use us for experiments at a later date and needed us in good health...

Saya mentally kicked herself and rolled her eyes. She had been hanging out with Takashi and Hirano too long, starting to believe in their collection of manga and games.

"I mean, I can't really blame them really. I don't think anyone would want to stay in a place like this. What about you?"

[loveyoudarling]

"Me? Hmmm, I don't know. I think I might just stay actually," Where else did she have to go really? Besides, it looked like this place needed all the help it could get. She had other reasons too of course, but she wasn't going to quite go into all that without prompting. "I take it that means you're definitely going to head on off into the world once we figure a way out of here? What if it's really all dead wasteland like the Pip-Boy advertised?"

[pride_outbreak]

"Many prefer the safety of what's known to the alternative..." So she didn't really blame Chocolat.

"Honestly? I'm still on the fence. All I know is that I wasn't too happy ending up here without a clue as to what happened... Not that things were looking bright last my eyes were open before here, but I need to know... I need to know what really happened."

[loveyoudarling]

"I can get that," She seemed to pause, taking a moment to think as she removed the plates from the microwave and came over to the counter. She placed Saya's food and utensils in front of her first before taking her own seat across for her. Stirring around at the green-gloop before finally speaking up once more. "Things were looking, well, better, last I remember. Not so much a few months before that, but our country and the world as a whole was finally on the upend after so much chaos. I'd hate to think that all we fought to do to reach that level of security for everyone was all for nothing."

[pride_outbreak]

Saya tried not to think too hard about the appearance of the food. She needed sustenance, that much was true. And if she needed to imagine she was eating a lobster bisque with spinach glaze in order to get whatever this was down her throat, she would.

"That's a horrid thought to think about... We all knew that the world's governments would eventually use these kinds of weapons much to the misfortune of the wider populace... but everyone thought they'd see reason before things go to this," she motioned to their surroundings.

[loveyoudarling]

"Well, it wouldn't be the first time they tried," Chocolat wasn't sure how much of their memories they had in common, if any, but it was nice to have some sort of vague conversation in which they could mutually reminisce. After all, she still had a hard time discerning what about her memories could even be real.

And with that she took a bite, not seeming to hesitate with the gloop. After going a few weeks now with nothing but this to eat she had pretty much gotten used to it.

"Huh, not bad. Spinach? At least I think it is."

[pride_outbreak]

"Ugh... I don't know about not bad... But it definitely could be worse." Saya made a face but her appetite definitely kicked in as her stomach grumbled in protest, more for the need of sustenance than the unrefined taste of the gloop.

Taking a few more spoonfuls, Saya gave up trying to imagine a good meal because this certainly wasn't it. "At the very least, we have food. Though I feel we should find more ways to get nourishment..."

[loveyoudarling]

"There are other ways, but I promise you that once you find out what they are that you'll appreciate this spinach a lot more," It was a blunt statement but purposefully non-descript. None the less she continued to eat until just about most of what she divvied to herself had vanished from the plate. "And even if you don't mind eating it, killing it may prove to be a bit of trouble."

And not exactly for the reason you would think.

[pride_outbreak]

Saya continues to eat as she listens and grimaces some at Chocolat's words.

"Ugh... I had a feeling it might come to something like that and honestly... If what was said in the video was true, then the fauna that survived is probably not the kindest... both outwardly and in regards to sustenance."

[loveyoudarling]

"... Had to clean up this room first when I first got here. Was way too much dried blood all around the couch and on the floors," She brought it up with a sullen tone. Shrugging her shoulders before taking her final bite. "The stuff here isn't enough to overpower a person I think, but you can't let your guard down around them. Especially if they start to swarm."

[pride_outbreak]

"I didn't really learn to hunt from father... All things considered, everything was pretty much handed to me growing up so I had to make my own mark on the world by being the smartest instead..." she paused and sighed.

"Guess I should have learned at least a little something more in that regard..."

[loveyoudarling]

"Ah, a spoiled girl, hmn?" Despite the statement there was an endearing tone to her voice. "I suppose all things considered it must have been quite the wake-up call, getting thrown from chaotic situation to chaotic situation."

Or at least she assumes Saya's situation before winding up in the vault was chaotic, given the implications of their conversation earlier.

[pride_outbreak]

"I mean, I won't deny that one bit. I really did live a priviledged life." she stared down at her empty plate and pushed it away.

"You know? I think I thought the same thing. That was until I was in the middle of it all and I had to make a choice; Either wake up and live, or just let myself die like the ones who gave up."

[loveyoudarling]

"It's a tough wake up call," One Chocolat had to confront and endure though most of her life. She could only imagine what it must have been like to live her days filled with rich luxury on a constant basis, not that she didn't try. But with the career she chose, those vacations she took were merely little distractions from the chaos she constantly had to strive through. "But it proves that despite everything you're a pretty strong person. And if anything it was only further preparation for waking up here. Tell me, you know anything about defending yourself?"

[pride_outbreak]

"That's... really kind of you." Saya smiled and bowed her head in gratitude before answering her inquiry.

"In a sense. I'm not particularly trained... It wasn't until the bit outbreak where some companions began to teach me how to use firearms and basic self defense. But that's pretty much the gist of it. I was more of the brains of the operation whithin our small team."

[loveyoudarling]

"That's still better than some of the others here," And meant Chocolat had one last thing to worry about. Standing, she began to gather the plates between the two of them. Walking over to the kitchen sink clean them off just before she remembered something. "Ah, now that I think about it, we spent all this time catching you up with what's going on and showing you around that we didn't properly introduce."

Dishes still in hand, she kicked her heals a little before turning back to face Saya with a smile. "My name's Chocolat. Chocolat Misu. I know the accommodations around here really hit the bear minimum but I look forward to figuring our way around things together."

[pride_outbreak]

The welcome seemed much less jarring with Chocolat being like this with her and it brought a comfortable smile to Saya's features. "Right, that is pretty bad manners huh? Though, considering how we woke up here, me in particular since you've adjusted well enough, I can't say I blame anyone for forgetting simple introductions." With that out of the way, Saya stood up and offered a polite and sincere bow.

"Takagi, Takagi Saya. And thank you, you helped me get my bearings after a... well... chaotic awakening."

[loveyoudarling]

"Saya, huh?" Crossing her arms, Chocolat couldn't help but smirk in amusement in regards to the formal bow. It reminded her of a friend back home. "Well Ms.Saya, welcome to out not-so-happy vault-sealed family. I'm sure you'll come to realize that we're a bit of an odd bunch all together, but we make due with all we have."

Especially when it came to conspiring together to find an escape.