TESTDRIVE #1

[cobamods]

There's a number of ways it could happen, but regardless you find yourself standing on the outskirts of a city. A beautiful city, as familiar to you as any from your world, with all manner of buildings within sight. A sign on the side of the road greets you, saying WELCOME TO COBA You're already part of the family! It's practically inviting you to step into the city limits. Why don't you? As soon as you do, you'll find a pamphlet in your hand, almost eager to tell you all about what this mysterious Coba has to offer. And eager seems to be the impression you get about almost everything - the sun seems to brighten, the flowers seem to perk up - it's almost as if everything about Coba is welcoming you as an honored guest. And you are. Though hopefully, only temporarily. Coba would love nothing more for you to become an honored member of her precious community. Welcome to Coba, visitor, and we hope you enjoy your stay! PREMISE | RULES | FAQ & QUESTIONS | RESERVES | APPLICATIONS Please read the FAQ before commenting! ♥ Welcome to the City of Coba Testdrive! Your character has found themselves in Coba, and are welcome to do any of the following: ● As you enter the city, you hear some bustle about a homecoming party! Following the signs will find yourself at a plaza with food, drink and live music, of all sorts and types. Why don't you stay awhile and indulge? ● Or, if you're not the party type, maybe you'd like to check out the city's cultural center! There's art, books, and other things to keep your mind occupied. And, maybe you'll meet other like-minded people there. ● Not in the mood for any of the above? There's always the beach! It's a lovely day, the waves are beautiful and the stores along the boardwalk all have signs up that read "TAKE WHAT YOU NEED". Maybe you need a surf board. ● Or maybe you have something else you want to do? Go for it! You're more than welcome to come up with your own prompts. In addition to the above, we would love to encourage anyone taking part in the testdrive to world build with us! Whether it be a street name or an entire neighborhood, whatever you come up with will become part of the game's canon. All we ask is that you pop over here to link us so we can see what you've done! Finally, ENJOY YOURSELVES. Seriously, this is meant to be a laid back, enjoyable game. We welcome any questions, critiques, and ideas, so always feel welcome to approach us about any and everything. We hope you decide to stay here in Coba!

Comments

[counteracting]

Not before today, really. I mean if I did, it was probably only in passing.

[Sorry Stefan.]

[stefanged]

[Ouch. Straight to the heart too!]

Probably for the best. [It DID just get destroyed by aliens, after all.] It wasn't much like Mystic Falls - it was huge, but everyone still knew everyone, or at least knew of everyone.

[Subject change is a-go:] So how much do you wanna bet that this city's got some of the same boardgame games?

[counteracting]

I think it's a pretty good bet?

Can't hurt to go see, anyway.

[stefanged]

[He nods, leading the way almost a little too enthusiastically - it's like he's a little kid again, re-exploring an old haunt as he rushes up towards the boardwalk.

Most of the stores are vacant, but he heeds the "take what you want" sign, setting up the fairground game himself. It's one of those "hit the target, win a prize!" type games, and he's even holding the ball in his hands as if it were routine.]

If I win... [He hums.] You'll have to stick around here with me longer. And if I lose... well, you should decide that for me.

[counteracting]

What if we tie? [Elena's watching him with the ball.]

Because I've seen you play sports, Stefan.

[stefanged]

Right. [It hits him, like the far-off memory that it is. Football? Soccer? Football AND soccer?]

You tell me. I've played sports, but these... I haven't touched them since high school. [Alesci hasn't played them since high school. God knows when Salvatore last hung around fairgrounds.]

[counteracting]

I'm pretty sure that doesn't matter given you're a vampire, and all.

[stefanged]

No, it kind of does. Sure, I've been a vampire for over a century.

[He lobbies a ball at the target - it hits the outer rim, rather than the bullseye he'd been aiming for. Stefan, for the most part, shrugs and grabs another ball.] Doesn't feel like it sometimes, though. Not after my memories got messed with.

[counteracting]

Damon mentioned that. [That was a little weird, actually and Elena's attention shifted to the net.]

What do you remember from Mystic Falls, really?

[stefanged]

I should've figured. [It's not said with malice - or any negative emotions, really. Stefan figures, sometimes Damon gets the older brother gig right.

He pulls his arm back as he readies himself for another toss.] Not sure. I didn't really have anyone to compare notes with, so... [The second ball's a little closer to the target, but not by much.]

I remember the big things. My summer underwater. Meeting Silas. Knowing people like Klaus and Rebekah - but the little details might be a mystery.

[counteracting]

Well that's a start. I can try to help fill in the blanks if you want me to.

[Her gaze shifts back to the net.]

Well you're improving.

[stefanged]

You sure? [He remembers vaguely being amnesiac before. What was the old saying? Fool me once, shame on me, but fool me twice...

Ball three hits the target. Thank god, because after a point, there was so much vampiric reflexes could do for a guy.] I'd be up for it, but it could get kinda weird.

[counteracting]

Because I've never experienced anything out of the ordinary in my life?

[Raised eyebrow, Stefan, so much with the eyebrow. ]

Yes, I'm sure.

[stefanged]

Fair enough.

[Ball number four, on the other hand, misses - and instead knocks a poor teddy bear from the ceiling. Stefan sighs at himself.] Okay, so... I remember you, and Damon, and sadly, the Mikaelsons. But I think there were more people? Like you had a brother?

[counteracting]

Jeremy, yeah. There was also Alaric, who was kind of our guardian, my aunt Jenna, who was killed a while back, John Gilbert, who died around the same time as Jenna, Bonnie and Caroline, my best friends. [There's a long moment of silence before Elena rubs a hand over her eyes. ]

Katherine Pierce.

[stefanged]

The soulmate. [Stefan turns slightly, to avoid showing Elena the frown on his face. For close to half a year, he was positively, absolutely convinced that Katherine - not Elena - had been his destined love. To learn the truth was a relief.

A relief, but one that still made him question his memories.] Er, what she told me, anyways. I know her, just like I know Silas and Amara.

[Beat] Weren't there two guys always hanging around your brother too? Matt and Ty... ler...?

[counteracting]

Katherine wasn't your soulmate, not really. I don't think she was fit to be anyone's. [Bitter, maybe, but Katherine had been a thorn in her side for too long.]

Matt and Tyler, yeah.

[stefanged]

[Thank god. Stefan's guard relaxes a little - he had always suspected that he wasn't tied to Katherine, like Silas was to Amara, but confirmation makes it official.

He's tempted to ask more, but with that bitter tone, now wouldn't be a good time. So he manages a thin smile as he grabs another ball.] Probably not, but that's what I get for remembering things out of order.

Alesci's life, on the other hand... I remember all of that crystal-clear.

[counteracting]

I couldn't imagine trying to reconcile two lives, especially with how long you've lived.

Do you remember Lexi?

[stefanged]

She was Salvatore's - my best friend. [His fifth and final ball, instead of hitting target, hits the giant stuffed tiger. It promptly falls right on top of that teddy bear.] We used to do everything together, I think. Don't remember how she died, just that she did.

[He presses his lips together.] Alesci hadn't lived as long - well, technically. The idiot made it to 22 years before he got turned.

[It kind of shows, too - Stefan's slightly taller, and if his sleeves were rolled up, the visible lack of a rose tattoo would be noticeable.]

[counteracting]

...She was killed not long after you moved back to Mystic Falls. Damon was the one who staked her, to give the town a scapegoat for what he'd been doing.

That wasn't the last time you saw her though. I mean, when Bonnie dropped the veil, it kind of gave her access and visibility over here. You got to spend time with her and the rest of the time, she was probably checking up on you regularly.

[stefanged]

[Why is he not surprised to hear this? Dangit, Damon, friends are hard to come by.] Oh.

At least I was able to see her after that. [The thinnest of smiles, though it's a bit forced.] I mean, my housemate was a ghost. It's... [inhales] it's weird to think Lexi couldn't visit me like he could.

[counteracting]

She was good for you. She always knew exactly how to put you back together when you lost your way.

[stefanged]

Yeah? [He laughs] Sounds like I could use some of that putting back together. Sorting out my memories from this other guy? Not exactly my idea of fun.

[The bigger question, too: who is he, really? He's both of them, right? He has to be, because he can't imagine separating one of them from the other.]