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seasonsgreetings2025-02-14 02:04 am
seasonshelpers) wrote in seasonsgreetings2025-02-14 02:04 am
Entry tags:
Test Drive Meme #13
Test Drive Meme #13
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 staff nearby tells them that the message has finally been properly updated from the original one that can still be found from the records.
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. We wouldn't have resorted to it if we weren't desperate. Our world has lost the majority of power holders who kept the balance in our world and dealt with the dangers of the Segments. Just having one power holder for each Season isn't enough. That's why we have summoned you to become the new Seasonal Power Holders.
This world is composed of four Seasonal Segments. All of them represent one of the seasons: Winter, Spring, Summer and Autumn. 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 have recently managed to regain some footing in the segments and made them safer, but there is still a lot of work to be done. The Darkness still plagues our world, but we are constantly finding ways to fight back.
Otherworlders like you have already made great differences to the world. They have managed to find and free the dragons who in turn helped us expand the area we live in. They also managed to find the Fairy Queen and even the Mermaids and Sirens of the Great Ocean Lake are at peace due to the efforts of a few otherworlders. All of these things we couldn't have accomplished with just four power holders.
My sincere wish is that you would join us in working towards saving this world. We promise to send you home afterwards, or enable a way to travel to your world and back, as a compensation for your efforts here. You're even free to stay here, if that suits you better. This world can also be yours.
I know we're asking you a lot and that it might be hard to trust someone who just talks as a hologram, but you are always free to approach us at our guilds to talk in person.
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-sized 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 of joining one.
Second type of stand 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.
Third type of a stand has various pamphlets about businesses opened by otherworlders.
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 a room of your own. But maybe having a roommate isn't all that bad?
Part 3
The locals have taken upon themselves to advertise the Welcome Center that is run mostly by otherworlders. Newcomers are encouraged to visit it, but sometimes the people might think someone who has been a while is new.
Inside one finds a modern Japanese style lobby with plenty of sofas, soft seats and cushions to sit on. Anyone is welcome to just sit around and eat some home-made snacks. There are also computers for searching information and practicing technology skills. There's usually someone behind the front desk, but if no one seems to be there they might be in the kitchen behind the front desk area.
Upstairs there are many rooms that can be into familiar places for characters (not exactly the same, but similar) with futuristic technology. It's set up to help fight any homesickness and provide a quiet place to relax.
One bonus the Welcome Center provides is a gift basket with some treats, basic ingredients for making meals and some gift cards for the Underground Mall, to possibly shop for new clothes or other necessary items. All of these have been donated by volunteers to help newcomers settle in.
Of course the people working here are always looking for new volunteers to help around! There are plenty of things to do, all in the name of making otherwolders' arrival to a new world more comfortable.
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 of joining one.
Second type of stand 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.
Third type of a stand has various pamphlets about businesses opened by otherworlders.
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 a room of your own. But maybe having a roommate isn't all that bad?
The locals have taken upon themselves to advertise the Welcome Center that is run mostly by otherworlders. Newcomers are encouraged to visit it, but sometimes the people might think someone who has been a while is new.
Inside one finds a modern Japanese style lobby with plenty of sofas, soft seats and cushions to sit on. Anyone is welcome to just sit around and eat some home-made snacks. There are also computers for searching information and practicing technology skills. There's usually someone behind the front desk, but if no one seems to be there they might be in the kitchen behind the front desk area.
Upstairs there are many rooms that can be into familiar places for characters (not exactly the same, but similar) with futuristic technology. It's set up to help fight any homesickness and provide a quiet place to relax.
One bonus the Welcome Center provides is a gift basket with some treats, basic ingredients for making meals and some gift cards for the Underground Mall, to possibly shop for new clothes or other necessary items. All of these have been donated by volunteers to help newcomers settle in.
Of course the people working here are always looking for new volunteers to help around! There are plenty of things to do, all in the name of making otherwolders' arrival to a new world more comfortable.
Local news stations report that there's been a spike in stray animals found on the street lately needing homes. In the face of hitting capacity, the Nightwake City animal shelter is running some fundraisers in town!
First up is a petting zoo. Fenced areas have been set up in an open space in Blossomcrown Central Park. For a small donation, characters can come in and pet and feed treats to any animal found in the animal shelter, from ordinary pets to Pegasus Dogs, Trash Pandas, and elemental animals.
Of course, since the animal shelter is running this, all the animals appearing in the petting zoo are up for adoption themselves. If the visitors to the petting zoo get attached, they can always take one home! Taking their time to decide is encouraged to make sure every animal finds the right home.
The event also has a Valentine's confession wall set up outside the petting zoo. Attendees are encouraged to anonymously write seasonal confessions and post them to the wall, whether it's a love confession, a silly gripe about their partner, or a serious worry about romance. Volunteers are watching carefully to remove any inappropriate ones as soon as they go up, so don't try!
The second fundraiser is a Valentine's Day charity ball, for all you romantics out there! Ballroom dancing is the order of the day, and lessons are available if you doubt your skills. The decorations are pink, the string quartet is live, and the atmosphere is fancy. Come in your nicest clothes (or at least the nicest ones you have here) and celebrate!
There's also a dinner provided, and since it's Valentine's Day, emphasis is on the dessert. There's as much chocolate as they could harvest from the Summer Segment, but that's not all. The ongoing Delicious Syrup quest is bringing in barrels of maple syrup, and while this is mainly a Valentine's Day party, the end-of-winter festival and its customary pancake stacks are just as seasonal this time of year! We've got pancakes, maple candies, salad with maple dressing, maple-sugared sweet potatoes, and some snow and ice have been trucked in from Frostreign for frozen maple syrup on a stick.
Later in the night, the atmosphere seems to have relaxed a little, and the MCs come up to announce a change in the program. The organizers have been doing some research and decided to bring in music and dance styles to make the otherworlders feel at home! They begin to demonstrate some different dances, and the musicians start to play the songs... wait, is that Caramelldansen? Wait, they're all meme songs and dances from various times. Seems what Ellipsans catch onto is still unpredictable.
There's a rumor floating around that small wishes are being granted in Amberfall with enchanted locks. Following up on this rumor will lead everyone to a recently set up stall not far from a statue in town. Everyone who approaches the stall will be given one lock for free, though they can purchase additional ones if they'd like. These locks come in various shapes, sizes, and colors; however, they are all a padlock style lock so that they can easily attach to the fence. They're encouraged to make a wish on the lock then put it on the fence surrounding the statue. They're told that simple wishes are best - things like love, money, and luck. These wishes will be filled in the smallest, most random of ways.
Such as, if someone is wishing for love, they may encounter the person on their mind on the street and share a meaningful glance. If they wished for money, they may find some moon coins on the ground, if they wish for luck - they could get a free meal at their favorite restaurant as part of a promotion! It can manifest in so many different ways, but whatever it is - it seems like your wish was granted in such a way that it improves your day. While the wish may not be fulfilled instantly, it is fulfilled within 24 hours of it being made.
And don't worry, the locks can't be removed by anyone other than who made the wish and the one who set up the enchanted locks.
A mage wants to grant the wishes in bigger ways as he doesn't feel the smaller grants are enough. He has decided that he is going to try to layer another spell on top of the one that's already present within the locks to enhance what's been done already. However, these locks are not meant to be used like this and it overloads the capabilities of everything. Rather than one wish for everyone being granted in a little bit of a bigger way, one wish gets applied to everyone in a very big way - whether they initially put a lock on the fence or not.
People will wake up throughout this with a magical red thread attached to one of their fingers. This thread connects them to one other person that they need to find. Don't worry - no one will have any trouble finding that person, as they'll be inexplicably drawn together. Only the people who are attached to the string are going to be able to see it, as well. This string cannot be broken, removed, or cut by any means. The only way that seems to work to remove it is generating touch energy - whether it's from something as simple as holding hands to a kiss.
Some people may find, after one is removed and resolved, they could end up with another string attached to someone else, whether it's after a few hours or the following day.
At least until they find the culprit of the spell and have it undone - sending out their apologies and dismantling the stall and fence.
Summary of the prompts [ Click to Expand ]
Arrival• Characters appear in one of the four seasonal spaces, depending on what season they are
• After half an hour they are teleported to the Research Center lobby and given information
• Hologram of Olwen (Winter Guild Leader) plays, explaining the situation
• They're given their smartphone-like device and told about the Starter Apartments next door
• Possibility of finding a roommate!
• Welcome Center welcomes newcomers and those who have been here for a while alike
SECTION 2
• After an influx of animals, the animal shelter holds Valentine's Day fundraisers
• Petting zoo event where you can pet or adopt any domestic animal or companion creature
• There's also a Valentine's Day-themed anonymous confession wall
• A fancy-dress fundraising gala is also held to celebrate both Valentine's Day and the End-of-Winter Festival
• Dinner and dessert are served, with many items including chocolate and/or maple, as well as pancakes
• Later on, the atmosphere relaxes and the hosts teach meme dances
SECTION 3
• Characters are given the chance to put an enchanted wishing lock on a fence.
• Their wishes will be granted in small ways to help improve their day.
• Magic goes awry; they will wake up with a red thread connecting them to someone else, where they must use touch energy to rid themselves of the thread.
• Only the people connected to the string can see it, it can't be cut, broken, or taken off.
• It can happen as many times as you want - with different people, the same people, or any combination of that.
• The spell is finally undone and everything is dismantled in a hurry.
- 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 the Bestiary.
- FAQ has information on characters' smartphones as well as general things about the world that might be handy.
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[ a little pause, as she considers how much to say ]
And— well. I need... recognition? Acknowledgement? Something along those lines, anyway— though, ah, not in the same way you would, as a performer. Little formalized trades helps that.
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someday I will redo her old icons and have one cohesive set lol
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You have AI capable of feeling?
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Good. That's good. It can be easy for AI to get bored, depending on what they have to work with, so... I was maybe a little worried when you mentioned her going without.
...my little sister is actually— well. She prefers "robot," since she's always had a body? But she's sentient.
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[ pulling out her phone to fiddle with it. after a moment, she holds it up so Rinku can see.
it's opened to the photo album, and displaying a picture taken of what looks like a Polaroid photograph. in it, Kaiko and a younger looking blond girl are playing video games, going by the controllers in their hands. ...whatever they're playing, the blond girl is winning, going by her wicked grin and the expression of sheer offense on Kaiko's face.
(in the background, behind the couch, an older woman watches with a complicated expression— mostly fond, but more than a little sad. ...notably, there's not a lot of family resemblance between either the girl or the woman and Kaiko.) ]
It's a little more obvious close up or when she's in motion— her skin and eyes are synthetic, so they don't look quite the same as a human's. She can't eat or drink, either. ...She likes singing, and playing video games.
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[Rinku sparkles earnestly, leaning into the phone and bouncing on her heels a little. She nods a few times.]
It sounds like you must both be really happy. Is that your guys's mom in the back of the picture there?
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I don't live with them, but I do always enjoy visiting. We usually have fun.
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It sounds like a lot of fun. I don't live with my parents either, even when I'm back in my world. It's hard missing people all the time, but at least there are lots of nice people here.
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[ lightly slapping her own cheeks ]
So I shouldn't get too homesick. ...Except for all the books I left behind, perhaps. Ugh, I'm going to need to re-buy so many things...
nsfw i'm sorry
[How does she explain "the other one makes you unbearably horny."]
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...has its own catch, I'm assuming? ...My luck tends to be... rather extreme, so it's probably for the best if I give anything where there's a chance of failure a pass.
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[Slight tea kettle noise as her face gets progressively redder.]
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Okay! But uh. The ones at Riki-san's have a limit of one a month for each, and there's one for magic stuff and one for not-magic stuff. And you can't wish for people. You can wish for pets, though, that's how I got my chameleon back.
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