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wildestlogs2021-10-01 09:11 pm
wildestmods) wrote in wildestlogs2021-10-01 09:11 pm
TEST DRIVE ※ 1
TEST DRIVE #1
These woods are lovely, dark, and deep, but being lost in them is pretty alarming to most people. Perhaps it's lucky you're hearing what sounds like... a party?
If you follow the sounds through thinning trees, a brick-paved road rises from the ground ahead. Keep going, and you'll find yourself approaching a bustling festival. Small, jaunty, colorful buildings line a way bedecked with flags, banners, and (of course) ever-present vendors.
Good morrow! Dost thou carest for a turkey leg? Some funnel cake? Modestly priced costume jewelry? Come right this way, dear visitor! The faire is here!
First, however, the faeries would like a moment of your time. At one of the entry gates, a spritely, brightly-dressed faerie tells you, "Tickets are long-since sold out, but joy is one currency we accept. So as long as you plan to enjoy yourselves, you may enter with a day pass. However, please read the sign. By entering, it means you agree to the terms."
The faerie points to a large wooden sign with words painted on it. The sign says something to the effect that the summer faeries are not responsible for anything that happens at the faire, and by entering you're agreeing to exempt them from indemnifying you for not offering the same magical protections they offer proper ticket holders in the unlikely event of surprise and disaster, etc etc.
Fortunately, it's actually not that different from a standard legal agreement for some kind of dangerous activity like go-cart racing. Of course faeries would be careful about any legal disclaimers for events.
USEFUL LINKS
A FAIRE SHAKE
A renaissance faire is in full swing in the woods today, or so it would seem. But no one here is just playing a part: these outsize personalities, bright costumes, and pseudo-Elizabethan voices are perfectly real.
It's the only place you can go for food and appropriate clothing. Also there's magic at your feet, drawing you towards others bound by the Quest magic, making it so all paths seem to lead to the Faire. Even if you don't want to enter, it feels like you have to, like there's something important to find.
a) The Faerie Toll
Some of the faeries are lighthearted and cheerful, with round and heart shaped faces and brightly colored clothes. These summer faeries are willing to part with some faerie coin in exchange for certain actions. Anyone that watches others take them up on their deals can see that the actions are indeed harmless, and there is no catch. Apparently happiness and frivolity really can be exchanged with the faeries here. Ways to earn a small bit of coin: physical comedy, agreeing to a round in the dunk tank (yes they have one), telling the faeries a good joke (but it really has to be a good one, by faerie standards), letting oneself getting pied in the face, and pieing someone you're with in the face, among other things. Silly dances are also in high demand, especially ones with actual rules vs. ones that are made up on the spot, with a clear preference for moves like tiktok dances, the macarena, or the Hustle.
Some of the faeries are lighthearted and cheerful, with round and heart shaped faces and brightly colored clothes. These summer faeries are willing to part with some faerie coin in exchange for certain actions. Anyone that watches others take them up on their deals can see that the actions are indeed harmless, and there is no catch. Apparently happiness and frivolity really can be exchanged with the faeries here. Ways to earn a small bit of coin: physical comedy, agreeing to a round in the dunk tank (yes they have one), telling the faeries a good joke (but it really has to be a good one, by faerie standards), letting oneself getting pied in the face, and pieing someone you're with in the face, among other things. Silly dances are also in high demand, especially ones with actual rules vs. ones that are made up on the spot, with a clear preference for moves like tiktok dances, the macarena, or the Hustle.
b) New and In Stock
You tried to steal from the faeries instead of paying their toll, or have otherwise misbehaved. The faeries like your moxie, though. They'll let you keep what you took (if you took something), but first you're gonna have to do some time in the stocks.
Will anyone take mercy on you and bust you loose? Does anyone have a tomato? Perhaps you meet someone else while they're suffering a similar punishment in the other stocks across from you. If you didn't actually steal, maybe you got framed. Or you're in the stocks with your "partner in crime" who you were falsely accused of being affiliated.
Fortunately, you won't be in there overly long. Even if you can't escape and no one busts you out, the faeries aren't particularly cruel and the absolute worst you'll get thrown your way by the crowd is a fruit.
If you push, the faeries might also let you out if someone else agrees to be responsible for your good behavior. This could, naturally, lead to both of you doing more time together.
You tried to steal from the faeries instead of paying their toll, or have otherwise misbehaved. The faeries like your moxie, though. They'll let you keep what you took (if you took something), but first you're gonna have to do some time in the stocks.
Will anyone take mercy on you and bust you loose? Does anyone have a tomato? Perhaps you meet someone else while they're suffering a similar punishment in the other stocks across from you. If you didn't actually steal, maybe you got framed. Or you're in the stocks with your "partner in crime" who you were falsely accused of being affiliated.
Fortunately, you won't be in there overly long. Even if you can't escape and no one busts you out, the faeries aren't particularly cruel and the absolute worst you'll get thrown your way by the crowd is a fruit.
If you push, the faeries might also let you out if someone else agrees to be responsible for your good behavior. This could, naturally, lead to both of you doing more time together.
c) I'm Just Here For the Turkey Leg
Wandering lost in the woods is hungry work. Maybe you know better than to eat food offered by faeries, but the humans of the faire should be safe enough, right? Where else are you going to find a whole turkey leg, a funnel cake, or a cold beer around here? The lines can get pretty long though, and sometimes orders get mixed up, or someone swipes what was yours! Maybe they bump into you and spill food down your front. Or perhaps you see someone with no money and decide to offer to share.
Some of the food seems out of this world or is clearly made for a more alien palate (not always in an appetizing way). Most of the food has big enough portions if you're not the only one eating
Wandering lost in the woods is hungry work. Maybe you know better than to eat food offered by faeries, but the humans of the faire should be safe enough, right? Where else are you going to find a whole turkey leg, a funnel cake, or a cold beer around here? The lines can get pretty long though, and sometimes orders get mixed up, or someone swipes what was yours! Maybe they bump into you and spill food down your front. Or perhaps you see someone with no money and decide to offer to share.
Some of the food seems out of this world or is clearly made for a more alien palate (not always in an appetizing way). Most of the food has big enough portions if you're not the only one eating
d) Surely, You Joust
Whether you're just watching, betting on the outcome, or have convinced someone to armor you up and put you on a horse, the jousting tournament is a major event! Will anyone be able to unseat the intimidating Black Knight? Have you started a rivalry with a competitor you just met in a line twenty minutes ago? Are you helping another member of the squad by pumping them up for their match? Or are you just over here to see how many horses you can pet without anyone noticing?
Even those not interested in the competition might want to give it a whirl. There are different rewards for unseating certain levels of competitors like food supplies, flasks of boozeahol, small bags of silver or gold, and weapons of moderate quality, like swords, knives, or bows.
For those that don't own their own armor and lances, some light armor and lances are on loan but the armor is all dinged up and the lances are easily broken, putting someone using them at a disadvantage.
Whether you're just watching, betting on the outcome, or have convinced someone to armor you up and put you on a horse, the jousting tournament is a major event! Will anyone be able to unseat the intimidating Black Knight? Have you started a rivalry with a competitor you just met in a line twenty minutes ago? Are you helping another member of the squad by pumping them up for their match? Or are you just over here to see how many horses you can pet without anyone noticing?
Even those not interested in the competition might want to give it a whirl. There are different rewards for unseating certain levels of competitors like food supplies, flasks of boozeahol, small bags of silver or gold, and weapons of moderate quality, like swords, knives, or bows.
For those that don't own their own armor and lances, some light armor and lances are on loan but the armor is all dinged up and the lances are easily broken, putting someone using them at a disadvantage.
e) Everyone's a Comedian
You (and maybe your threadmate) are being teased by a pair of funnymen doing a bit, be they jesters, Punch and Judy style puppets, or a pair of washing well wenches. The audience is delighted, but are you? What are you both going to do?
You (and maybe your threadmate) are being teased by a pair of funnymen doing a bit, be they jesters, Punch and Judy style puppets, or a pair of washing well wenches. The audience is delighted, but are you? What are you both going to do?
f) Wares, If You Have Coin
You're here! You have some gold! Time to get yourself some "period appropriate" (for varying values of both words) gear. Have you found a shopping buddy? What if you resell some goods you just picked up at a slight markup? Are you suspicious of the quality of a vendor's goods? Maybe this item over here is the last of its kind, and you and this stranger want it!
You're here! You have some gold! Time to get yourself some "period appropriate" (for varying values of both words) gear. Have you found a shopping buddy? What if you resell some goods you just picked up at a slight markup? Are you suspicious of the quality of a vendor's goods? Maybe this item over here is the last of its kind, and you and this stranger want it!
g) Stop! Thief!
Someone picked your pocket or snatched something out of your hands! It might even be your thread partner. Do you give chase? If your threadmate isn't the thief, are they helping you chase the thief down or getting in your way?
Someone picked your pocket or snatched something out of your hands! It might even be your thread partner. Do you give chase? If your threadmate isn't the thief, are they helping you chase the thief down or getting in your way?
h) Archery Range
Are you taking the chance to start learning a new skill on the practice targets? If it's any incentive, several fair maidens and handsome young fellows are hanging about, flirting with the best shots. If you're already good, you might be competing in the archery competition for a prize! The targets are close enough you can make conversation with the person one target over.
Are you taking the chance to start learning a new skill on the practice targets? If it's any incentive, several fair maidens and handsome young fellows are hanging about, flirting with the best shots. If you're already good, you might be competing in the archery competition for a prize! The targets are close enough you can make conversation with the person one target over.
i) Fortune Told
A stubborn young blonde woman in a long purple robe with a pointed hat - one that looks more than a little bit witchy - is determined to read your fortune for you. Loudly. Whether you like it or not. She has to demonstrate her skills to drum up business, you see! Now please hold your hand still, she just needs to get a good look at your fate line...
(Note: Players will have to npc the fortuneteller says in their thread and can go absolutely wildly wrong. However, sometimes the fortuneteller suddenly gets more intense and guesses a few things closer to the truth...)
A stubborn young blonde woman in a long purple robe with a pointed hat - one that looks more than a little bit witchy - is determined to read your fortune for you. Loudly. Whether you like it or not. She has to demonstrate her skills to drum up business, you see! Now please hold your hand still, she just needs to get a good look at your fate line...
(Note: Players will have to npc the fortuneteller says in their thread and can go absolutely wildly wrong. However, sometimes the fortuneteller suddenly gets more intense and guesses a few things closer to the truth...)
j) Out of Water
You draw attention to yourself with your behavior, or by how strange your manner of dress is (according to the faire folk, anyway.) Perhaps you have a still-functioning small electronic like a smartphone that's unlike anything they've ever seen. People are starting to give you the stink eye or ask you invasive questions. Will your threadmate help you out?
You draw attention to yourself with your behavior, or by how strange your manner of dress is (according to the faire folk, anyway.) Perhaps you have a still-functioning small electronic like a smartphone that's unlike anything they've ever seen. People are starting to give you the stink eye or ask you invasive questions. Will your threadmate help you out?
k) Bargaining With the Fae
There are some faeries here that are different from the sunny, cheerful summer faeries running the fair. These are the winter faeries, more ethereal and elegant, more immaculately dressed in finery that's a little too fancy for the event. Despite their beauty - or maybe because of it - these faeries are...colder. Many of them are busying themselves with maintaining magical lanterns around the edges of the faire. If asked, they tell your character they're handling security and to bug off.
But some of them maintain stands in shadier-looking areas of the faire. They're willing to offer more in exchange for greater payment. Warm, durable clothing to cut through the slight chill that comes at evening and night time. Swords made of much stronger metals than can be found elsewhere, of better make, with edges that take forever to dull. Bows with strings that rarely ever break.
Their deals are definitely backhanded though. For payment, they might say something like "we could really use your view on something, just a half hour of your time" and instead of having you participate in conversation where your insight is welcome, you lose your ability to see for a half hour.
These effects are unpleasant but usually temporary, lasting no longer than a half hour or so - but it's not like they'll tell you that. And if you try to go back to the stall afterwards to confront them, they'll have mysteriously disappeared. You'll at least get to keep whatever your bought and it will be of good quality, but the joke is definitely on you.
There are some faeries here that are different from the sunny, cheerful summer faeries running the fair. These are the winter faeries, more ethereal and elegant, more immaculately dressed in finery that's a little too fancy for the event. Despite their beauty - or maybe because of it - these faeries are...colder. Many of them are busying themselves with maintaining magical lanterns around the edges of the faire. If asked, they tell your character they're handling security and to bug off.
But some of them maintain stands in shadier-looking areas of the faire. They're willing to offer more in exchange for greater payment. Warm, durable clothing to cut through the slight chill that comes at evening and night time. Swords made of much stronger metals than can be found elsewhere, of better make, with edges that take forever to dull. Bows with strings that rarely ever break.
Their deals are definitely backhanded though. For payment, they might say something like "we could really use your view on something, just a half hour of your time" and instead of having you participate in conversation where your insight is welcome, you lose your ability to see for a half hour.
These effects are unpleasant but usually temporary, lasting no longer than a half hour or so - but it's not like they'll tell you that. And if you try to go back to the stall afterwards to confront them, they'll have mysteriously disappeared. You'll at least get to keep whatever your bought and it will be of good quality, but the joke is definitely on you.
l) Wild Card!
You can make up anything your character might reasonably see at a normal Renaissance Faire, or place an encounter in the woods nearby! Go wild!
You can make up anything your character might reasonably see at a normal Renaissance Faire, or place an encounter in the woods nearby! Go wild!
❧ This counts as a plot and is part of game canon! This means that new players aren't the only ones that can make top-levels. Current characters can be thrown in like it's any other plot or event. The default for threads is that they're game canon if all characters involved are apped in or already in game, but prospective players may opt out and consider a thread non-canon if they're not happy with it.
❧ Feel free to play around with powers. If your character has powers from canon you want to play around with, go for it. If you'd like to test out possibilities for game powers, also go for it. Feel free to change it up from thread to thread if you need to. If you want to keep a thread as canon this can be handwaved as the magic making characters' powers shift a few times before settling.
❧ Potential players may use test drive threads as their log samples. However, at least one post in their thread must fit the requirements for apps, and in quality and length (200 words). If you do plan on using a thread as a sample, please make sure the writing throughout your threads is a good example of your writing skills and has some solid examples of the character's voice.
❧ Players can count TDMs towards AC, with the same AC rules as any other threads.
❧ The game is invite-only. Players without invites are allowed to tdm since some of them may know someone in game to ask for one, and since some people enjoy TDMs just for fun in games they don't plan to app into. But an invite is required during the apping process.
❧ The game is at a starting cap at 30 players. Right now the current number of invitees is likely to not exceed the game's 30 slots, but if we go a few over they will still be allowed to app during this first round. Future apps will be rolling apps and will have a wait queue if the cap has been exceeded.
❧ Invites at game start are limited to current and former players of the mods' previous game Piper90 (
piper90), former players of the first incarnation of Wilderlands (wilderlands, and people friended to the main mod's plurk. If any of those individuals want to invite someone outside those pools in the first app round, they can request it when the mods make a headcount of potential appers. If the game will be under (or only slightly over) 30 players to start, some extra players may also be invited, but the mods want to limit it to exceed the player cap too much. ❧ The first game round will be apps only, no reserves. Apps open: 10/15/21. Game start: 11/01/21
Spencer Hastings | Pretty Little Liars
[Spencer didn't know what she was going to wake up to when she closed her eyes last night in that oversized dollhouse, but it certainly wasn't good, and it certainly wasn't this. As if from a dream, she can't remember waking up, and she can only barely remember bickering with the person at the entrance to the festival over what seemed like overbroad definitions of indemnity, but now, wandering through the bustle of people eating turkey drumsticks and swanning around in corsets and burlap, Spencer is fully alert, glancing over her shoulders and quickly averting eye contact with anyone who meets her gaze. This is a trick. The only thing Spencer knows is real is that this place must be fake.
At least when she's avoiding eye contact and trying to quickly find a way to buy some clothing to blend in, she's getting a chance to look at the outfits people are wearing. This is by far the most period-accurate Ren Fair Spencer's been to, and she's been to more Ren Fairs than is polite to tell people about. She's impressed, and Spencer doesn't think of herself as impressed easily. She's a little covetous as she passes a woman in what seems to be a flawless replica of Queen Elizabeth's Darnley Portrait dress.
She finds herself soon enough at the archery range. Archery, like fencing, is one of those sports that seems like it should fit in with Spencer's skillset, but she's never actually had the opportunity to try it. Regardless, it seems like the quickest way to get herself a weapon that doesn't cost a bunch of gold coins she doesn't have, and since she still expects that this entire scenario is a trick, it seems expedient and wise to arm herself.
It also seems expedient and wise to practice with said weapon and get the handle of it. Spencer listens to the person next to her get tutored, then takes what she learns and applies it to her own bow and arrow, focusing, pulling back straight with her arm, lining up the shot so the string doesn't snap across her forearm-
-and accidentally sends an arrow zipping through the air and thudding into the tree about an inch from someone's head.
For the moment, Spencer's stunned, staring at the person she just nearly murdered, torn between the urge to apologize and the equal urge to pin it on the person next to her.]
Re: Spencer Hastings | Pretty Little Liars
The pain and adrenaline take a minute to set in, long enough for Gary to sit up, stare directly at his be-arrowed leg, and scream louder than anyone would have expected, say, Spencer to scream.]
My leg! Oh my leg! Oh that is unfortunate!
[He screams unfortunate like it's actually a debilitating injury of unparalleled agony, because it is.]
Who is shooting arrows at a faire? Where anyone could just fall in front of them? Oh the pain! The pain is incredible! It's like - it's like - someone shot a pointy - giant - splinter into my leg! And the splinter is on fire!
[He doesn't show signs of shutting up as he devolves into incoherent shrieks again.]
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[Spencer's prudent enough, at least, to not vault right out onto the archery range, a mistake that seems to have cost Gary the use of his calf. Spencer isn't going to say it out loud, especially if the guy dies from blood loss, shock or some kind of subsequent infection, but that seems at least a little bit like his fault.
The instant it's clear everyone's put down their bows - people are remarkably disinterested in the fact that a man just got his leg impaled in front of them - Spencer runs out onto the field and crouches down near Gary, trying to talk to him over his screams of justifiable pain.]
I'm sorry, that was a total accident-- have you seen a medical tent around here anywhere? [Spencer realizes that it's weird that she hasn't seen one; usually any time there's going to be contact reenactment sports, there's at least one medic running around and several more people strictly enforcing safety. The situation at hand right now? A prime demonstration for why those sorts of things are absolutely necessary. No wonder that waiver Spencer signed coming in here was so excessive on its face.
Obviously it would be a bad idea to take the arrow out - Spencer knows enough about medicine for that - but it is sort of bleeding everywhere and Gary's screaming a lot, and Spencer may not be a doctor, but she's very sure blood's supposed to stay on the inside of a man. Unfortunately, Spencer knows a lot more about what not to do than what to do.
She takes off her overshirt.] Here, let me- um, hold on, I'll try and cut off the blood flow.
[Surely tying her sweater around Gary's calf above the wound is satisfactory first aid if it's accompanied by a profuse apology.]
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[Gary is very good at yelling, very good at hyperventilating, but also decent at holding still to receive medical treatment, which he's clearly had to have Some of, judging by him having a whole prosthetic robot arm.
At least he's not going to tell Spencer this is the worst harm that's ever come to him.]
Cut off the blood flow? So my foot can dry up and fall off? Have you seen anyone here handing out robot legs? Because newsflash, I don't think they stock those here in Fairyland! Where'd you get your medical training?
[He immediately demonstrates that he never received any, by leaning over and ripping the arrow out.
Blood wells up in an immediate river and Gary screams louder than ever.] OH GOD IT WAS SO MUCH WORSE COMING OUT!
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[In the fervent haze of trying to do field first aid when Spencer's entire medical training is reading illicitly-obtained autopsy reports and psychiatric files, she doesn't notice Gary reaching to do the exact worst thing he could possibly do until it's too late.]
No, don't pull it out- [Spencer claps a hand over her mouth as Gary yanks it and screams somehow even more loudly than a human body would seem capable of, which, unfortunately, means Spencer now has a handprint of Gary's blood all over her face.]
Why would you do that? Oh my god- [Spencer mashes her sweater into the wound like the world's saddest cashmere bandage.] Look, I'm sorry for shooting you, but if you bleed out that's entirely on you!
[Spencer's already on the hook as an accessory to murder. She doesn't need to add manslaughter to her list of charges.]
hjello
Alarmingly, he does not flinch, instead slowly turning to fix a glare in the direction of the careless archer. He finds some some lady in an over-the-top noble's dress, instantly spiking his irritation with the situation even further.]
Hey.
[That sure is a slight snarl to the lips. It is time for some words.]
WHY HELLO
She raises one hand slightly and gives Guts a tiny wave.]
Hey?
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And walks on over.]
This the first time you've ever shot a bow? It ain't some toy.
[JUDGING THE FOOFY CLOTHES]
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But she also isn't backing down, because backing down has never gotten her anywhere, and so behind her back, mostly hidden by the large skirt of her outfit, she takes another arrow from the quiver and holds it like a dagger.]
Um, yeah. First time. Beginner's luck that I didn't hit you. Sorry.
[She follows his gaze as he eyeballs her gown. As if Spencer was going to just walk past an accurate hand-embroidered replica of an iconic dress from the House of Tudor.]
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Unfazed, he hands the arrow back to her to return it to her quiver. ]
Bows are a pain in the ass to learn. Always found a crossbow to do just as well with less hassle.
There a reason you want to pick one up?
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Re: Spencer Hastings | Pretty Little Liars
[He looks down at it balefully, then up at her. He frowns.]
You made me drop my croissant.
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First time with this thing. Sorry.
[Her eyes trail down from the jock-looking boy to the food on the ground, which, unfortunately, seems to have absorbed the mud like a sponge. A factoid bubbles up in Spencer's brain, like they often do, and rather than admit it's nothing but useless trivia, Spencer decides to read into the paranoia-inducing presence of the pastry.]
Croissants weren't invented until the 20th century.
[Further proof that this isn't a real Ren Fair, and is, instead, some big fabricated trap that Spencer's stuck in.]
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I'm not shocked. This place is a giant anachronism stew.
But on the other hand most Ren Faires don't have actual magic, even though magic definitely exists.
[At least in his world. His baseline understanding of reality is that it's normal for a world to be full of different fundamental forces like magic, and people with metapowers.]
My friend and I, we're thinking it's a weird VR thing or alternate universe. I'm starting to lean towards the latter. I've traveled through hypertime before and this has weird interdimensional stuff written all over it.
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[Now her trust in Kon, which already didn't exist, is completely flattened; this is absolutely just a way to try and get in her head, make her doubt her understanding of reality, explain away the holes in this scenario so she doesn't question them. Spencer knows magic. Spencer's won prizes for pulling a rabbit out of a hat and finding people's cards and making roses appear in her palm. It's always just sleight of hand and trick props and a lot of distraction.
But if Kon is an agent of the mastermind pulling all Spencer's strings for the last two years, Spencer doesn't have anything to gain by acting as suspicious as she is.]
How long have you been here, um... [Whoops, she exchanged arrows before names.] I'm Spencer.
[She wouldn't be shocked if he already knows that.]
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[The emphasis makes it clear it's not "Connal" or "Connell." Kon and El sound like a first name and last name - because they are. El is the family name, it's just Kryptonians always tack that onto their first name.]
I got here today. One second I was chillin' and playing fetch with my dog, the next I was waking up in a field.
Did you get the whole tunnel and creepy voices thing, too? I keep running into people that got here the same way. It's like... you can almost tell who just by looking at them. It's weird.
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Oh honey, that's not very Hastings of you. You know I won an award for archery at summer camp?
[Mona does not know where she is or what's going on, but like Spencer, what she does know is that it's a trap. It's never brought her outside before, but there's a first time for everything, and that means they have to play it safe before they can make a run for it. There are an awful lot of people around to be in on the game, but for all they know this is an actual renaissance faire, with regular people, and "A" was counting on her and Spencer to mingle with the unsuspecting crowds instead of immediately try (and fail) to escape into the woods. Or maybe they're all working for "A," and none of them can be trusted. Assume the latter unless proven otherwise.
Mona's talked herself into a period-appropriate outfit; it was the safest thing to do, and not just because it was an opportunity to get out of that stupid yellow top. If "A" brought them here to play along, that meant getting fully into character. She's examined every seam of her dress and hasn't been able to find a microphone or tracker. Spencer's clothes are an unknown-- of all the girls, Spencer would be the one to think of it, but it might be too early for her to be thinking of it-- but Mona has experience in digital eavesdropping in the woods, and with no visible relay devices and the noise of the crowd, she thinks they can chance it.
She moves closer to Spencer with a rustle of costume-wear and switches hands, coming up behind Spencer to press up against her and guide her arms into her best approximation of what an archery pose is supposed to look like.] Here, let me show you. [Spencer is inconveniently tall, so hopefully she takes the hint as Mona pulls down on her arm steadily and firmly, trying to tug her down while simultaneously using her to keep her balance on her tiptoes until she's as close to Spencer's ear as possible. She murmurs, just louder than a breath] Have you found any cameras yet?
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It doesn't mean that Mona's breath on her neck doesn't make her skin crawl, but Spencer's skin's been crawling for two years at this point. She can deal with it, so long as Mona doesn't notice how unsteady Spencer's hands are on the bow as Spencer anticipates that awful siren that goes off any time they piss off Charles. A. Whomever. Spencer bends her knees so Mona doesn't have to practically climb up her to whisper in her ear.] No. Have you checked your clothes for a wire?
[Spencer didn't think of it until Mona mentioned the possibility of cameras, but she did go over every seam of the dress she's in to look for both quality and whether there were any places to conceal anything Spencer might want to carry with her, which there really aren't. Hence, the bow and arrow, which can at least be held in plain sight in this scenario without making Spencer look like she's arming herself.
Spencer suspects she'll probably just have to defend herself by menacing someone with an arrow if it comes to it.]
Mona, if these people are all on A's payroll, A won't need cameras to surveil us. Even if they aren't, they probably won't think twice about reporting anything we do to A if A looks like an authority figure or festival staff. [Spencer continues loudly to keep up the facade of a conversation.] Thanks, Alison. Field hockey doesn't really translate to a precision sport.
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[Play along with the idea that they're actually in the renaissance era, she assumes, or at the very least like they're regular guests. If the people around them aren't immediately working for A, they have to avoid standing out. Considering that she's spent the past 4 months underground, she should be at a disadvantage, but there's something strange about this place, about some of the other people around them. She can't figure out if that will make it easier or harder.
She raises her voice back to a normal speaking volume, stepping back to gather a handful of arrows out of the quiver. Alison is such a helpful friend, bringing them closer so Spencer can keep firing. And with so many in her hands, it's harder to keep track of just how many they picked up versus how many get fired.] You're telling me. Here, let's see if we can get you to a point where you won't accidentally kill someone. [Maybe purposefully kill them instead. Mona sashays back with a rather pronounced sway of her skirts and stands to Spencer's right. The better to see and correct her posture; the better to block the view of their hands from anyone who happens to be paying too much attention to them.]
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Spencer doesn't even make any sort of meaningful eye contact with Mona as she quietly breaks one of the arrows off in the quiver, about eight inches of really budget shiv. She can tell that Mona's hiding their hands, giving just enough space for her to pass Mona a concealable weapon. She just trusts that Mona's outfit has better hiding places for it than her own does.
Spencer honestly kind of hates to admit, even internally, that she and Mona make a decent team in these circumstances.
To keep up the ruse, Spencer fires off another arrow.] Wow, your feedback is really making all the difference. Maybe in another ten years I'll actually hit a target.
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Years of five-finger discounts means that Mona is very good at acting natural (bitch) when she slips the broken arrow piece into the small hole she tore in the side of her skirt. She's fastened a jerryrigged pouch made of a torn strip of her stupid prom dress underneath-- more of a tied-off sling than anything else, but adrenaline-fueled hyperreality can only get you so far. The point is it's something approaching a pocket, and if she's careful she can hold onto it until she has a chance to secure it once they're further away from their source of the weapons.
She watches Spencer's second shot (or rather, keeps her face turned towards the direction of Spencer's shot, resisting the urge to look around when she knows she won't see a camera anyway) with that idle smile on her face, then tosses her hair over her shoulders.] Maybe more like twenty. Come on, let's see where the others went off to. I bet Hefty Hanna went straight for the food court.
[They fall as naturally from her lips as breathing, Ali's nasty little nicknames. She's had a lot of practice.]
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Re: Spencer Hastings | Pretty Little Liars
[Mio gasps and freezes for just an instant. Something compels her to pull the arrow of the tree, just to examine it and see if it's damaged. Looks like it can be reused. She walks to Spencer with the arrow in hand.]
You could have killed me, with that thing! [She extends the arrow to her.] Leave these to someone who can use them.
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S-sorry. More ambition than talent, I guess. If it makes you feel better, it probably wasn't going fast enough to do any lethal damage.
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[Her expression softens. She looks at Spencer carefully, trying to pinpoint whether she met her or not. There were so many people on the Rig, she didn't get to meet them all.]
You are not from the Rig, are you?
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[Spencer wonders if that's what the giant dollhouse she's been held captive in is called. She wishes she had answered that less curiously. It must be that she's exhausted.]
Yeah, I got to the Rig a few days ago.
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