Unknown Seas Mods / NPCs (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
bathymetric) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
unknown_oosea2020-11-21 09:56 pm
bathymetric) wrote in unknown_oosea2020-11-21 09:56 pm
R2 TDM - boys in the band order boat memes
UNKNOWN SEAS R2
TEST DRIVE MEME
Glad to have you aboard! Gone are the musty old dark tones and anxieties of that creepy underwater facility from the first round - welcome to the lap of luxury on your very own Atlantic Cruise. And we mean your very own, too - there's nobody else aboard! Well, except for the Captain, who broke the news to you when you got up about what you have to do here.
The facilities are all top of the line, even if for some reason you just can't seem to get to the other floors of the ship just yet - there's a gym, a pool, a buffet- wait, scratch that, looks like you're on one of our liners lucky enough to have a tie-in deal with Jimmy Buffett himself, which means you get access to all you can eat at the on-board Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville's Jimmy Buffet!
So make the most of your time! Maybe even get a spooky souvenir from somewhere in the B̴͖̈́e̷̟̊̀ṛ̴̩̑̉m̴̺̪̈̈́u̵̧͛̇d̶̗̱̀̔a̸̧̙͗͝ ̶͖̖͑̚T̴̤͝r̷̩͘i̶̟͎͗̈́a̴͍͗̐n̵̥̆͝g̵̮̳͘l̷͔͑ḛ̸̹͒͗ while you're here.
1. Arise from the depths (of sleep)
Hey, you! You're finally awake! Welcome to your modest accommodations aboard... some kind of cruise ship? Look, there aren't exactly a lot of great accommodations offered aboard cruise ships, you get what you get. There's a bed, there's a little desk, there's a vase of flowers... and a beautiful view of the ocean outside your window!
Hope this isn't, like, wildly different and strange compared to where you just were! Oh, also the whole boat is all decked out for New Year's.
2. Room for all kinds of activities!
If you head out to the decks, or just walk around the ship, there's all kinds of things to see here while you wait for the bodies to start dropping! Feel free to make up whatever facilities you like, gyms or shuffleboard courts or even libraries - the Margaritaville buffet is canon, though. That's your canon food option. Hope you like shrimp!
3. Son of a son of a motive
Another Tuesday, another sealed envelope full of fun! Is this finally something worth killing for to get off this boat? Or is it just something stupid and/or embarrassing? Better ask around!
4. A good friend returns
On one of the decks, next to some regular beverage and food vending machines, is... an unmarked one? It only takes these weird coins that sometimes show up in your rooms at night. Sometimes it gives you things from back home! Sometimes it gives you? Little creepy wooden puppets??
5. Wasting away again in... well, a murder
Oh no! Someone is dead! Did you kill them? Are you trying to get the word out? Did you find the body and really need to calm down? Live your dreams, kill who you wanna kill offscreen!
6. Anything else!
There's all kinds of things you might be doing on a boat like this! Don't feel constrained by the options here - live your murderboat dreams!
no subject
Well that's good. I can't have you potentially stealing my thunder, mmm? [Wink!] Joking aside, I want to have a dance with you. We have a such a lovely ballroom- it's a shame to see it so underused.
[He extends a hand.]
Even in the darkest, most hopeless times, everyone deserves to smile. Let me try to bring one to your face?
no subject
But maybe that was for the best. On a place like Cocoon, he didn't think such a ray of light could be well-kept easily. He's regained some memories that had him face that kind of stark reality; less a distant reminder than even the brand that still lingered.
...There he went again. He'll take the hand and rise to his feet. ]
...Alright, I suppose I could give you a chance to try. Besides, I don't think sitting here with a sullen expression would suit someone like myself well.
Though, I won't make any promises about being in top form where dancing is concerned. So hopefully you're up to the challenge.
[ And he'll let go, prepared to follow Sylvando to the ballroom. ]
no subject
Don't you worry, darling. I love a good challenge. I'll have you back up to par in no time.
[And off they go! The ballroom isn't terribly far away from the dining hall, so they get there after a brisk walk through the outdoor hall.
While it would be nice to have some accompanying live music for a traditional sort of dance, Sylvando has found that the stereo system has a pretty decent alternative. (...good thing he learned how to use it recently!) What he ends up on is light and graceful- perfect for a ballroom event.
He's back at Cid's side soon enough, and it's now that they're in the middle of an empty, elegant ballroom and preparing to dance that he really takes in just how tall Cid is. It's rare that he actually feels small in comparison to a dance partner.]
So! To begin with, why don't you show me what you remember?
no subject
Cid never imagined that he would find himself looking forward to a dance of all things—back on Cocoon the few times he had to put his formal dancing to use, he hadn't the heart in it. The politics behind it and the fact that their system was all engineered by the fal'Cie so that they could remain their pawns sucked the joy out of it. But even beyond that, the polite smiles sent his way during it all could never move his heart.
But this was different. This didn't involve any machinations. It was simply a dance, no politics or fal'Cie involved; and the man beside him wanted to draw forth a smile. That was the goal...simple and honest. ]
Of course. It shouldn't be too hard for you to follow along.
Or show me a better way...or I suppose, 'spice it up'. With your own style, of course.
[ He'll turn to Sylvando, away from the room proper after taking a look around, and arranged himself so that he would take the lead. One hand moving to situated at a higher part of Sylvando's back and the other holding the other's hand carefully, assuming he would be allowed to do that in the first place. But seeing as they agreed, it shouldn't pose any trouble...and admittedly though it was also his first time dancing with a man, he had no reservations whatsoever regarding that.
His movements were, of course, a bit stilted; he wasn't lying about not being in top form. He was unfortunately out of practice. ]
no subject
[He allows Cid to take his hand easily, resting his other on top of the other man's shoulder. Despite being rusty, Cid chose to take the lead, huh? That's great!
As Cid predicted, Sylvando perfectly follows his steps. Of course, he has the advantage of being a seasoned dancer. But this arrangement actually works great in that regard. He softly hums with each well-performed step, watching the concentrated look on Cid's face.]
You're doing great, darling, but I can definitely tell it's been a while. Take a deep breath and loosen up a little! I promise it'll make your steps feel so much more natural.
no subject
But, him just going for it was a force of habit. He's always taking the lead back home, and he considered dancing to be no different; that's probably also why Cid didn't even so much as think twice about it. Though, most people who were out of practice in things likely wouldn't have done what he did...
That said, the would-be Primarch allowed himself to do as the other instructed so he could let some of that tension escape him; it's a bit difficult because he's always been the type to be so focused. Of course, it's no surprise that the advice would prove to help and mostly improve his movements once he's able to follow through. ]
How's this? A little better?
[ ...He's not quite feeling bold enough to try to have the other twirl, but we're getting there. ]
no subject
Much better, actually! The more confident you get, the less thought you have to put into your steps. Soon, you'll be more focused on little old me, hehe!
[Almost as if he expects Cid to sneak a glance after that, he gives a playful wink of encouragement.]
Ballroom dancing's all about having a good time with your partner, after all.
no subject
But, without thinking about it too much and with Sylvando's light-hearted banter tinged with teasing, Cid found a slight smile making its way onto his lips. ]
Oh, naturally. Then again, it is already a little difficult for me to not be so focused on you in the first place.
[ The words came out as they are before he could think too hard about them, and he almost can't believe it himself. But, maybe that's fine. He's enjoying this and the man's presence after all. ]
Since, as you said, it's about having a good time. Though I can't remember the last time I enjoyed something like this. Truthfully, and not just for appearances' sake.
no subject
Careful now, Ciddy darling! You're going to make my heart flutter. [Still, he doesn't miss a beat.] I'm glad, though. The spotlight is my home, after all.
[Being a performer, he's used to having the attention of huge crowds. Of course...he's a lot less used to having an audience of one. While it doesn't trip him up any, it just means that, well...maybe his lighthearted banter has a little more weight to it than it seems at first glance.]
Goodness, I'm sorry to hear that! Really, I can't imagine a dance with no joy in it. Good thing we're fixing that right up! [...] Show me how much you're enjoying it, won't you?
no subject
Cid's also kind of...relatively happy that he's not the only one who seemed to be having a time of things. Not that he expected anything else, but he was always well-aware that he wasn't exactly the kind of person who was good at engaging others outside of business or military-related matters. He, of course, had counted political events in which this sort of 'skill' was needed as both the former and latter.
I can see there's a reason it is. The spotlight suits you well, were more words that nearly fell right out of his mouth, but hadn't. He was glad they didn't; he wouldn't want to embarrass himself because he let it all go to his head. That's always when things seemed to go wrong.
But... ]
I will. I imagine you will keep up all the same, but if it gets too much for you...I suppose I won't begrudge you for it.
[ Then, his movements became as if carried on light wings, but with a tempered control that wasn't like a bow strung too tight. More feeling instead of too much thinking; and so the thoughts of their situation seem too far away to grasp for a fraction of a second. Though afterwards, he did recall of when he was brought back after his defiance.
When all the light had left him; just as it did when he thought the situation they were in seemed steadily more and more hopeless. When it felt like, again, the board had been put into check.
Yet, here they were, dancing. It felt freeing, and like a grand defiance to that hopelessness that hung over them like a specter. Then, on just impulse alone, he moved so that when he brought their connected fingers up, it would lead Slyvando into a turn (or a twirl, rather.) And only now he could feel his heart pounding, his gaze more intent on the man in front of him than before. ]
...I'd say you should be able to tell how much by now. Am I wrong?
no subject
In the grand scheme of things, it's not going to change the horrible situation that they're in. But a smile can go a long way to make it bearable...perhaps even provide the willpower to keep going, even when it seems like all hope is lost. And Sylvando is smiling- brighter than ever before.
It's almost like he's ready for Cid's decision to bring him into a twirl, because he absolutely goes for it with everything that he has, giving it a remarkable flourish that the Great Sylvando is famous for. Trusting Cid to keep hold of him, he finishes it off by leaning back and throwing his free hand forward.]
Ta-daaaah~!
[He gives it a moment of silence like he's listening to a cheering crowd that isn't there before laughing and raising himself back up against Cid. His own heart's racing from those swift dance movements, and...maybe a little more.]
Oh, absolutely. That was incredible, darling! It's like you were never out of practice at all! Were you just being modest with me?
no subject
And so he caught that vibrant smile, which seemed to light up the room, during the midst of it all. Of course, he's there to hold the man in his grasp when it's time for the other to lean back.
...His mind (un)helpfully supplied that it was not all that bad to feel the man rather close to him as he was now. Luckily, he wasn't the type to get distracted, even as he couldn't resist that warm feeling whenever they had shared moments alone. This, in particular, feeling as if it was more monumental than the ones previous. ]
No. Or at least, I thought I wasn't. But, before I realized it, everything felt like it fell into place with you being my dance partner.
[ There's a beat as he considered his words. ]
As in, unsurprisingly, you had seemed like a talented instructor and could follow along with me easily. Maybe...that's all there is to it.
no subject
[He doesn't quite want the dance to be over, though. Just for a little while longer, he'd like to hold onto this little slice of happiness in the gloom.
As the stereo track switches over to something more subdued, he slides his hands up to rest on Cid's shoulders and attempts to sway him into a nice little slow dance.]
I know we can't dance away all of our problems, but I'm glad that you decided to indulge with me.
no subject
I wouldn't call them superb, but...you evidently well-exceeded in your goal.
[ Cid will allow the other to segue him into a slow dance; this too was familiar, and easier to fall into. He's content to allow their moment to continue for a little longer as well; he wished that this was under less dire circumstances, but...it was what it was.
In all honesty, it was like a second chance for him, of sorts. As ironic as it all was. ]
I realized I haven't been in the position to do much indulgence as of late. Or hardly ever. Besides, I doubt I could've refused you regardless.
no subject
[He looks up at Cid with a wink. He's definitely persuasive when he wants to be.]
Obviously our situation here doesn't leave much room for it, but even back home, huh? Your military duties kept you busy?
[Though he's not really one to go into his military background much, it's something that his profile makes plainly obvious. It's a life that he understands well, even if he's not a part of it anymore.]