![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
JANUARY TEST DRIVE MEME
You awaken to godawful static overlaying a female voice that's too monotone to be anything but a recording. The static makes it difficult to understand the warning, but it's clearly a warning if your surroundings tell you anything...
You're buckled into a sturdy seat bolted to the wall behind you. Around you, there are dozens of others like you, some awake and others still unconscious, but it seems most of the seats lining the walls are occupied. The lights are dim, likely auxiliary lighting, leaving you mostly in the dark. You smell smoke and hear the sizzling crackle of electrical systems popping and shorting out. Some of the seats were jarred off the wall, leaving the occupants either wounded or dead. Count yourself lucky all you have is a headache and various aches accounted to whiplash.
You appear to be in a drop ship or an escape vessel of some form but the pilot is dead and the hull bears a massive gash where it buckled under the impact and sheered off. Through the door-sized opening, you can see vegetation. The air that wafts in is heavy with a humid heat, but it's obviously breathable.
Once you make your way outside, you'll see greenery: Trees, grass, and shrubs tangled with vines that grow wildly and suffocate the trees they climb. In the distance, behind the ship, you can make out a sandy desert that seems to stretch on endlessly. Forward through the trees, however, you may see a crumbling wall, but more importantly, you'll see signs of civilisation. Buildings and other structures seem contained within those decrepit walls. Maybe the natives can fill you in on what's going on, because the last thing you remember isn't being in an escape shuttle. As a matter of fact, you don't remember much about your arrival or where you are. But it's going to be a bit of a hike, better get moving. Though you might want to grab the backpack of supplies under your seat before you go.
With that, the power dies, leaving the drop ship in the dark, crackling and groaning as the hull cools from its catastrophic re-entry.
no subject
She gives Athena a long, thoughtful look before saying anything else. On one hand, yes, it wouldn't do for the child to be defenseless, but-- ]
No. You won't have anything I would need to trade for. [ That said, Gamora pulls the knife free of the ground. ] Have you ever defended yourself with a knife before?
[ A serious question. While she does see her as a little girl, she isn't going to condescend down to her. ]
no subject
[Her answer is simple and curt. She doesn't need to elaborate or make up excuses. She knows it's likely not that far fetched a response for someone that looks as young as she is.]
I understand the basics of using one though. At least -
[There's a hesitation as she looks at the knife in Gamora's hand.]
I think I understand the basics. I know that I look young, but I need to be able to keep myself safe just the same as anyone else here.
no subject
[ Because whatever it is, whoever she is, Gamora is going to at least try and help. She certainly doesn't disagree with the need to keep oneself safe. Anyway, even as she waits for the name, she'll move straight on into demonstrating how she's holding the knife. She had already been holding it blade pointing towards the ground and that is how it stays.
She moves it so the blade comes up, now held outward, away from her body, though also so she isn't aiming it towards Athena. ]
See this? This is how you'll want to hold it. Away from yourself, always, so the chances of self-injury is much less in a fight.
no subject
My name's Athena.
[It's said with some level of disinterest. She doesn't ever mind polite introductions but she's far more interested in learning something new here. She's eager as she steps forward to take the offered blade, holding it exactly as she's been shown. She turns her arm to try out holding it properly and looks at the blade. ]
How do you store it properly when it isn't being used?
[She's wearing a dress that isn't really proper for trying to hide away and pull out a weapon if it's needed, so finding better clothes at the first chance is a priority. Stepping back and away, she moves her arm in a motion that one might do to quickly stab someone. She's seen the motions before, but never has had to do them herself.]
no subject
[ She turns back to the pack, this time grabbing the sheath meant to go with the knife, pulling it out and offering it to Athena. ]
You keep it in this when you aren't using it. [ Which is pretty obvious, but it's the answer to her question. ] You should find something to use a belt, keep it on that. Now, when you do have to fight someone, where do you think you should aim?