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seasonsgreetings2024-04-19 01:03 am
seasonsmods) wrote in seasonsgreetings2024-04-19 01:03 am
Entry tags:
Test Drive Meme #8
Test Drive Meme #8
LOGS | NETWORK | OOC | MEMES | NAVIGATION
You arrive in an unknown space, dressed in white clothes (player choice what kind of clothes, as long as they cover everything). Whatever was happening to you before no longer happens. It's like everything was put on a pause and you were transferred away from the situation without you realizing it happened.
The space that you find yourself in is one of these four options:
An empty landscape filled with snow and ice, almost like a blank canvas.
A field with cherry blossom trees and spring flowers.
A sunny beach near an ocean that seems never ending.
A quiet forest with falling autumn leaves.
All of the spaces seem to continue endlessly. No matter where or how far you walk it almost seems like you're not moving at all. There are no animals here - just those who happened to wake up there at the same time, in the same place. Everyone is wearing the same kind of plain, white clothes.
Despite the possible rollercoaster of emotions you might be feeling, the place somehow feels familiar. Like somehow you belong there.
And it looks like you're not alone.
After half an hour has passed the surroundings change as everyone is teleported into a room with all the other new arrivals, no matter what space they woke up in. It's a large place with plenty of seats to sit in and beverages to enjoy. Medical attention is offered to those who need it and the doctors here are very prepared for any challenging situations.
Here, in this room, everyone gets an answer to where they are and why. A hologram of a man appears at the center of the room, waiting to be heard. He brings a message on behalf of the leaders of Ellipsa.
The Message [ Click to Expand ]
Hello, my name is Olwen. I'm one of the leaders of Ellipsa as it currently is. I'm also one of the four who summoned you here.
Our world is in trouble and we need your help. I apologize for tearing you away from your world and forcing you to come here but I hope you understand. The magic we used doesn't let us ask in advance, nor does it let us choose who we bring here.
This world is composed of four Seasonal Segments. All of them represent one of the seasons. They were the places we used to get our resources from, but now they're dangerous places no one should go into unless they have the power to fight back. All of them have their own sets of powerful monsters and natural catastrophes.
We used to have plenty of people here who could control the powers of the four Seasons. We called them Seasonal Power Holders. Unfortunately, due to a tragedy you can read about later, we lost almost all of them. Now only four of us remain and the world is in chaos. We have done our best to protect the world, but we need more power holders to do that.
That's where you come in.
All of you have been assigned to one of the seasons. Whatever space you were in just now is what season you represent. You will learn different skills based on the season and those skills are going to help you save this world.
These powers don't interfere with your own natural powers. They use a new energy that has formed inside of you. It's harmless to your health, but it's vital to your seasonal powers. Your own powers should still work, even if the dark energy outside the city might interfere with them.
Unfortunately bringing you here wasn't as simple as it sounds. We couldn't do anything about how to keep you anchored to this world other than making a simple spell that helps with it. That is, you need to touch someone else who is not from this world ideally at least once a day. It will help you stay in control of your powers and boost your magical energy. If you don't, the consequences aren't very good. But as long as you hold someone's hand or give someone a handshake, you should be fine.
That's all I have to say about the situation. The staff of the Research Center will give you more information about housing and other necessary things. I will, however, promise that you will be sent home once the situation becomes better. That's the least we can do.
The hologram can be viewed in private in a separate room later, should someone wish to look at it again. For now, the staff of the Research Center hands everyone their new smartphones with their small flower lucky charms (the flower is anything the player decides). They're also told that the building next door is where everyone can find a room assigned to them with some of their belongings there and possibly even any animal companions. Those concerned about their mount-sizes companions are welcomed to the stables downstairs to see if their friends are there. The mounts are allowed to stay there until you find a place more suitable for them.
In the Arrival's hall there are also several stands with information pamphlets.
First type of stand is for the local Guilds and about the benefits or joining one.
Second type of stands is for the Welcome Center that aim to show otherworlders what the world is like and help guide people in the beginning of the journey and helps in getting settled into the new world. They even have people to help if you're unfamiliar with the new phones.
Once you get your smartphone and necessary information, you're urged to go out and find your apartment. After that whatever you want to do is up to you.
Part 3
The building next door is where everyone can find their new apartments. As you enter, you're told by a friendly native that for the first two months you can live anywhere rent-free and five meals a day are paid for you. After that they get a monthly payment that helps with some of their living expenses, but otherwise they have to have a job to support themselves.
All of the apartments are comfortable, two bedroom apartments with all necessary utilities. They are also completely soundproof. Sometimes the magic system, however, does glitch and you might find yourself rooming with a stranger. This is not the intention and the staff will immediately prepare you your own room if you ask them. But maybe having a roommate isn't all that bad?
In the Arrival's hall there are also several stands with information pamphlets.
First type of stand is for the local Guilds and about the benefits or joining one.
Second type of stands is for the Welcome Center that aim to show otherworlders what the world is like and help guide people in the beginning of the journey and helps in getting settled into the new world. They even have people to help if you're unfamiliar with the new phones.
Once you get your smartphone and necessary information, you're urged to go out and find your apartment. After that whatever you want to do is up to you.
The building next door is where everyone can find their new apartments. As you enter, you're told by a friendly native that for the first two months you can live anywhere rent-free and five meals a day are paid for you. After that they get a monthly payment that helps with some of their living expenses, but otherwise they have to have a job to support themselves.
All of the apartments are comfortable, two bedroom apartments with all necessary utilities. They are also completely soundproof. Sometimes the magic system, however, does glitch and you might find yourself rooming with a stranger. This is not the intention and the staff will immediately prepare you your own room if you ask them. But maybe having a roommate isn't all that bad?
The months of April and May are the time for a strange weather effect that affects all of the districts, except the one in the middle and Frostreign. It's not weird that it rains, but it's what the rain does that has been dubbed as the Rain of Affection. It's raining very often until the end of May at different times in the affected districts.
Anyone who stands in the rain will feel the need to get close to someone. It starts with a need to gently touch someone, but can escalate into needing a hug. The ultimate craving is kissing in the rain, but that's the most it can make happen. It's a very Safe For Work Rain Effect.
After a successful kiss in the rain, the cravings slowly become less urgent, but the effect can start all over again at any given time. Once someone is completely dry, they will be safe from effects restarting again.
Of course, there are individuals who don't get too affected by the rain (at all or not as badly) and it only works if it directly hits someone. So staying in a shelter or being in the unaffected districts is definitely a way to avoid this whole phenomenon. Even purchasing and using an umbrella helps. The shops around every district are very aware of the need for umbrellas, so there's definitely a variety of them being sold. Some of the umbrellas have a variety of harmless magical effects, like changing the color depending on the users' mood.
An unexpected secondary effect has been discovered with this year's rain. Anyone who tries to ignore the urges to be close to someone for too long (two hours) may find that some of their other feelings get amplified. Especially feelings someone might have been suppressing will suddenly feel impossible to ignore.
Hugging someone will make the feelings return to 'normal' easiest, as it's almost instant. Getting out of the rain and changing into dry clothes also helps, but the effects will go away slower.
Most of the shops around the districts have prepared private rooms for anyone who needs a place to calm down, in case they're far away from home. The various invisible shop fairies will also help someone contact their friends if they're unable to do it themselves - as long as they manage to say someone's name.
Just like with the regular effects, some people might be less affected by the amplified feelings. It really depends on the individual (= player's choice) how the rain affects them.
Tents have been built into various places around the city, to give shelter from the rain. These tents are also workshops for crystal and gemstone crafts. A group of crystal miners have decided to share the rest of their gemstones and crystals so that people can make themselves magical weapons, protective armors and accessories or just normal decorations.
Crystal Mine is one of the places that was lost to "The Darkness" and it existed in the Autumn Segment. All crystals and gemstones from the mines have a natural magical aptitude, meaning they can be easily enchanted into various purposes. They were used for armors, weapons, accessories and such to help fight the monsters of the world.
All of the crystals and gemstones are in alphabetical order and the miners happily answer any questions about them, such meanings and symbolisms they might hold. They can also make suggestions for which ones to use in the same craft.
One of the miners is especially keen on telling about Birthstones and suggests using them as an accessory that you carry around everywhere. He's a firm believer that keeping a birthstone on your person will bring someone luck and protection from evil forces.
Crystal and gemstone enchanting is managed by the teachers from the Magical Manor. They will hold lessons where they demonstrate how to get the results you want the most. The key is to be positive. The more positive feelings and words you feed the crystals and gemstones, the stronger the enchantment will be.
The enchantment can be anything from more strength into a weapon to just a nice, warmly glowing flower that helps someone sleep. Imagination is the limit, though even the enchantment can't make someone's armor permanently invincible or make their weapons kill things in one shot.
Enchanting your friend's, family member's or loved one's crystal or gemstone will make the magic twice stronger.
Those who have difficulties in being polite can either get fairy dust sprinkled on them to make them happy or they can ask someone else to help them. Needing to fake happy feelings will lessen the strength of the spells, but it works nonetheless.
If someone does manage to pour negative feelings and words into their enchantments, they may cause the crystals and gemstones to form negative monsters. These monsters are ethereal and usually look like small goblins that eat positive energy from anyone within one-mile radius.
Attacking them with magic and weapons doesn't work, as they have no actual bodies, but trapping one between two people holding hands will make them feel overwhelmed by the sheer energy the handholding provides and disappear. They will do their best to suck as much positive energy into them before they do, though!
Someone who has their positivity stolen will slowly recover it over time (it takes at max. a day), but holding foreheads together with someone will speed to process.
Starting from April 19th onwards, characters may find a peculiar basket on their table. This basket comes with any kind of pokeball (except Master Ball), some Pokémon Food and Treats, and a Pokémon Egg of any species that can have an egg (except the rare mythical/legendary/special ones that are able to). This Pokémon also has a chance to be shiny.
The note attached to the basket says "Sounds can be heard coming from inside! This Egg will hatch soon!" The egg will hatch anywhere between a few minutes to few days.
Anyone asking about how this came to be, the research center staff explains that it was a "metaverse miracle" and they asked the fairies to help them contribute the eggs to otherworlders, seeing as they already had Pokémon experience.
(NOTE: Pokémon Guidelines apply to these new hatching Pokémon as well)
- Ask your questions related to the TDM here.
- The TDM is available only to friends of the mods and their friends. If you want to play in the TDM, please leave a note here to inform us who invited you over. We will get to you as soon as possible.
- Test Drive is open for current characters to make a top level as well. New characters can add TDM on their subject line to indicate they're new!
- Current characters cannot access the starting area again to meet new arrivals. They can, however, be at the Research Center when the newbies are teleported in.
- The TDM is game canon so anything in the TDM can happen for your character(s) in the game as well.
- Smut is not allowed on the TDM. You can play situations leading to it, but if the thread is turning into smut, please move it to a private space such a post in your character's journal, or a locked post in the game's log community if you decide to app!
- Check Locations: City to find more areas to explore inside the city. Every place in the districts are open.
- Similarly, Locations: Segments is useful for outdoors adventures.
- You can find monsters to encounter on Beastiary.
- FAQ has information on characters' smartphones as well as general things about the world that might be handy.
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[ It's true. Even beyond the effects of the rain, being able to touch someone is thrilling beyond measure. They're just holding hands. It's such a simple thing, something she imagines most people take for granted, and yet she feels her stomach flutter as his other hand moves closer, so close she thinks she can feel the fabric of her clothes move ever so slightly. She doesn't say it, but she wants him to close that distance, to feel the warmth of his hand against her waist.
And how he's looking at her...! There's no devotion or reverence in his eyes, no fear or awe. It's so strange and delightful. There aren't any expectations immediately placed upon her shoulders. For once, she feels normal. She feels like any of the other women she used to watch from her window or read about in stories she snuck from the library.
She knows she'll have to let go eventually, but she wishes she didn't have to. Knowing how people saw her and the life she was expected to live, physical contact was something she had never let herself dream of before. She doesn't know how she'll keep herself from doing so now. If only...she could hold someone's hand whenever she wanted. How nice would that be?
She stands slightly on the tips of her toes, which brings them even closer, until she's almost but not quite pressed against him. If he's already willing to do this much, then a little more contact won't hurt...right? Just a little more. ]
Thank you for indulging me...
[ The ghost of a smile pulls at the corner of her lips. The expression is subtle but warm, with the slightest hint of sadness. Eventually, they'll need to pull away and go their separate ways. Addi's not looking forward to it, and she doesn't know if its the rain, her own hidden desires finally given shape, or some combination of the two that's making her feel that way. ]
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There was something else that came along with all this hand holding. He hadn't exactly been SKIMPING on it, not when his survival was on the line, but he'd tested his limits a bit to see what it would feel like to go without for a while, and it's not like he's going out to hold hands with people every day. Once a week. That's it. Compared to how he felt earlier in the week there's a definite improvement. That's something to note, but it's secondary. Not important.
"Thank you for indulging me..." There's no innuendo to be found here, but he's hyper aware of her right now, and the way she leans into him and rises up to meet him (his hand finally makes a decision, instinctively, clasping her waist with his arm to offer her some support). He's locked into her gaze now and can't look away for the life of him. She said this was alright, right?
And then there's no more space between them. Her lips are soft, and a little bit cold from the rain. That's his first thought as his eyes slip closed, only once he's sure that he doesn't see any sudden regret or a last second change of heart.]
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A profound feeling of relief fills her when his hand finally grasps her waist, and she can't help but sigh into the kiss as the new points of contact sends a pleasurable jolt through her system.
As her own eyes close, the fluttering feeling in her chest intensifies, and...gods does it feel good. She can't help but marvel at how alive she feels in this moment. It's as if his touch has jump-started something long dormant within her. It's electrifying and intoxicating in equal measure. Were she back home, this might have felt taboo or sinful as well, but those feelings don't take root, at least not in the moment. Perhaps they'll surface later, but for now it feels too good for anything negative to rise to the surface.
His breath is warm. His body is comfortably solid and his grip on her hand and her waist secure. She can hear and feel someone's heart racing, but she doesn't know whether it's his or hers.
Addi's grip on his clothes loosens so she can slip her arm around his neck and bury her fingers in the hair at the nape of his neck. She pulls him closer, deepening the kiss. ]
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Well, it's enough to push that drive he already felt from the rain that much more intense. It surges up like a wave that he's not prepared for. Her fingertips against his scalp and the slick and somewhat chilly slide of her arm against his shoulder send a small shiver down his spine. He's drawing her closer, tighter before he realizes it. He's letting go of her hand so that he can pull her in with both arms now even as that contact deepens. He's surprised, but he's good at rolling with the punches- or in this case -kisses??
There really is plenty of time to be flustered later. All that he knows right now is that this feels like exactly what they both want and need, and he's not willing to push this aside in favor of letting reality reassert itself just yet.]
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Her now freed hand joins the other one in his hair. She's practically clinging to him, fingers carding through his hair, twining through the strands as she, too, pulls him as tight as she possibly can. Its comfortable, how solid and safe he feels. She can feel his warmth through the thin fabric of her robes, dispelling any of the chill she feels from the rain.
Even as the effects of the weather start to ebb, Addi is reluctant to pull away. She wants this moment to last just a little longer. ]
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When her fingertips pull against his scalp and tangle in his hair it draws out a low sound from him too, not quite a moan, not quite a rumble in his chest either, something in between. It feels good, and he expresses that much on instinct.
All too soon it feels like his head is slowly beginning to clear, bit by bit. Even so, he's in a bit of a daze when it does. He keeps his hold on her, even as he slowly lets up, slowly breaks contact between them, slowly opens his eyes again to stare past his lashes at her.]
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It's a shame. It would have been nice if he played with her hair a little longer. Maybe she'll ask if she sees him again after this. And if not that, them maybe he would be willing to hold hands again.
Arms still around his shoulders, Addi meets his eyes as she lowers her heels back to the ground. Even though her expression has returned to bordering on apathy, her cheeks are dusted red and she seems...satisfied somehow. ]
That was nice. I finally know what it means to have butterflies in your stomach...
[ ???? ]
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What did he just-
He doesn't look regretful thankfully, but his own face suddenly flushes red as he realizes the full scope of what just happened. He'd just made out- even if just lightly!! -with a stranger!! What in the hell had gotten into him, exactly???
When Addi clearly has her balance back Jinwoo's arms loosen from around her waist, drawing his hand back from her hair. As nice as the contact felt, it would be completely indecent to keep going now that the overwhelming impulse is gone.
His hand had gone to the back of his neck with a universal gesture of embarrassment, but then she said-
And now his hand is going to cover his mouth instead, as if that can hide the red burning up his face!!!
Oh, Addi NO, not HIM! He's not the one you should be getting butterflies over! What is he supposed to do here?? Take responsibility? ASK HER OUT? Pretend nothing happened???]
I- ah... Ah. That's... You're... welcome...?
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Hm...oh well.
Once he draws away, Addi takes a small step back to give him some space. She doesn't look nearly as embarrassed as he does, because she's glad for the experience this strange series of events allowed, but her cheeks are definitely still flushed. And she finds meeting his gaze to be a little more difficult than it might be otherwise.
Hm....What's the normal response to a you're welcome? Aloof indifference doesn't seem like it would be appropriate here. ]
It's...there's no need for that. I'm just glad for the experience.
[ ... ]
I'm Addilee.
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Also, she definitely doesn't seem to be struggling with it like he is, so maybe he's making this more awkward than it needs to be. He's resisting the urge to cover his eyes with his hand and lean his head back, but the impulse is strong, especially swapping introductions after a heated "greeting" like that! How he refrains is a mystery for the ages.
Seriously though, what even IS this place?]
Sung Jinwoo, it's-
["a pleasure to meet you" sounds SO WRONG in this situation! Maybe it's stupid to be formal after all this, but!! Manners!! He has them!! HONEST HE DOES!!!
Instead of finishing that sentence Jinwoo simply brings a fist up to cover his mouth and cough once, as if to clear his throat.]
... Should we maybe go someplace where we can buy a change of clothes? I'd hate for you to get sick.
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She tilts her head slightly, considering his suggestion. Hm...yeah, getting sick wouldn't be any fun for either of them. ]
There are places for that...?
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[Is that what she's asking? He doesn't seem uncomfortable now, just confused, though it's subtle. Has she never been shopping before? But even if that's the case shouldn't she know where her clothes came from? Or...
He'd not encountered anyone HERE up until now who came from a world without clothing stores, but maybe that was the case. It could be a situation where her world only did bartering, or maybe she was a priestess or princess of some kind? He'd seen all sorts of worlds thanks to the gates, with the most human like civilizations being the snow elves and the demon castles (and the Radish clan, specifically). Maybe it was something similar here, which might explain why her vibe felt so familiar.]
Ah, there are. I can show you if you'd like. You'll- [He tries to remain calm, but there's a slight hitch in his speaking, not because the idea of being close to someone is embarrassing but because of what happened just moments ago when they'd gotten close LAST time.] -need to stand close to me though. I have to touch you for this to work.
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[ She nods and then glances away. She doesn't look uncomfortable or embarrassed, but meeting his gaze seems...strange at the moment, because she's not sure what expression she should make. Not that she's very expressive to begin with.
Once again, she's reminded of how different her upbringing must have been compared to most people. It's something she's always been aware of. How could she not, when all she could do was watch the people of Deathfalls live their lives from the window of her room? When the most she was able to talk were the few times she saw her brother and the fewer times she saw her parents?
She snaps out of her thoughts when he mentions standing close, her gaze shifting to his hand. She doesn't hesitate to take it, once again stepping close. Though she's no longer affected by the rain, she's glad to hold his hand again. It's warm. ]
Thank you. I...would appreciate that.
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He knows enough to understand that awkward plus awkward just equals more awkwardness, so one of them needs to step up to move them past this.]
Then excuse me.
[He has enough clarity of mind to say it this time! And with that, Jinwoo uses the hold on her hand to draw her in, putting his arm around her shoulders.
To anyone else it would almost look as if he was hugging her, and technically that was true, but it was for the sake of transporting them.
Darkness pools beneath their feet, seeping from his own shadow and reaching up in tendrils, wrapping around them. The feeling is neither warm nor particularly cold, and doesn't feel like anything at all physically, but the darkness he's wielding is undeniably different from the Darkness haunting Ellipsa. Jinwoo is paying close attention to her reactions, just in case she shows signs of distress or alarm as he's quickly wrapped up in it and it swirls and rises, while the two of them begin to sink down.]
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Why do you feel like...someone I should know?
[ It's muttered mostly to herself, but is just loud enough for him to hear as they begin to sink down into the dark. ]
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But for now he concentrates on getting them where they need to go.
He makes sure to teleport them somewhere out of sight nearby just to avoid kicking up a fuss right now, and once they've arrived at their destination he considers her question again as his hands find his pockets now. It feels a bit strange for them to be empty now, but there's no reason to maintain contact...]
I had the same feeling when I saw you.
[He finally offers, after some consideration.]
... You have an aura that reminds me some of my own. What sort of powers do you have?
[He normally wouldn't ask flat out like this, and instead would usually just say what the commonality is in this situation, but for once he's pretty sure telling someone they have an aura of death might not be the wise move.]
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The question doesn't surprise her, but it does cause a noticeable shift in her demeanor. What little emotion had been coming through her expressions and gestures all but disappears as her shoulders straighten and her posture gains a almost ethereal grace and elegance. Her features become still, expressionless--a mask of nothing.
Aside from the breeze rustling her thin skirts, Addi doesn't move or sway...it's hard to tell if she's even breathing. And yet she's nether rigid nor relaxed. She's somewhere in-between, perfectly poised, perfectly still, like a ghost standing in the distance. ]
I have many powers, but my most important are related to life's end. I am...the embodiment of death in my world, you see.
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... Somehow I wasn't expecting that. But does talking about it make you uncomfortable?
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She hasn't, of course. She's just acting in the way she's always been expected to. ]
It doesn't. As long as it doesn't make you uncomfortable...?
[ Addi was revered by her people...but feared in equal measure. Not to the point that they shunned or avoided her (not that she was around them enough for that to happen), but just enough that she could see it in their eyes, hidden beneath the awe. ]
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He does feel a bit easier around her with that. Part of him remains wary, a healthy wariness has kept him alive for this long, after all, but unless she's working for the Darkness or the Monarchs she'd have no particular reason to try to get close to him just to stab him in the back or use him.]