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Test Drive Meme #14

Test Drive Meme #14
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.
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 otherworlders' arrival to a new world more comfortable.
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 earned it the title of 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.
Traditionally, the Frostreign district has been too cold for rain, and so serves as a refuge from the Rain of Affection. For the beginnings of this year's rainy season, this rings true, but a few days in, TV and network broadcasts are hijacked with static leading into a video feed of a dimly lit storage room packed with boxes and random garbage. Three shadowed figures stand in front of a yellow banner with a teacup painted on it in cheap acrylic.
The Broadcast [ Click to Expand ]
"Attention, citizens!" One of the figures, the one in the centre, speaks up. "This is a message from the famous Cups Gang!"
The one on the left raises their hand. "Uh, are we really famous? Ain't no one heard of us, 'cept that time we tried scammin' people by openin' a zoo and painted a dog up as a Chimera Bear."
The one on the right pipes up. "And the time we stole city hall! ...Well, we stuck our name on it, that's kinda like stealing it."
"Hey," the first one snaps. "Are you givin' the speech or am I? I say we're famous, we become famous. It's one'a them manifesting things."
"If you say so." The one on the left shifts.
"Anyway." Centre speaks again. "Youse guys in the city think you're so great, hidin' in the snow so you don't gotta get all smoochy-faced in public, eh? Well, you didn't count on us!"
"Yeah!" The gangster on the right pumps their fist. "You're gonna get soaked too! And no one's ever gonna laugh at us again!"
Centre points at the screen. "You got that? Anyone hidin' out in Frostreign, from today on, you're gonna remember the Cups!"
The video cuts off.
True to form, people outside will start spotting hot-air balloons flying from Coldreach and Stormreach into Frostreign with rain barrels, dumping buckets of rainwater onto unsuspecting pedestrians.
What the Cups Gang didn't seem to take into account is that... water freezes. Most of the time, the falling bucketfuls of rainwater will start freezing over, so the unlucky souls underneath will be soaked in Slush of Affection -- just as cuddly as if they'd been rained on in the other districts, but also cold. The slush also quickly freezes with the weather outside, suspending the effect, but if characters go inside or use seasonal powers to warm up, the affection effect reactivates with the melting slush until they either freeze again or dry off.
It's not constantly raining, though, and whenever there's a break in the Rain of Affection, rainbows appear. The citizens claim that the rainbows left by the Rain of Affection can grant wishes; those who have been in Ellipsa long enough may remember the year that the rainbows gave them anything from good luck to a gift card to a free regain from home. What could the rainbows have in store this year?
Anyone who holds hands looking at a rainbow will find that their truest, deepest wish is now clear in their mind. Even if they were in denial over it, worried as to what it would mean, or couldn't name what they wanted most before. Maybe the rainbows wanted to help people make their own dreams come true this year.
Of course, holding hands for longer will increase the magic, and characters might feel compelled to say what they want the most. For some, the sudden emotional honesty might be exactly what they need. For others, being honest, or honest with the specific person they're with at the time, might cause a problem. Might want to be careful out there... but then, do you really know what the people around you want the most?
A new portal has opened up near the Pokémon Vending Machine in the Underground Mall - and it's going to be hard to miss. Right outside of it, there's an archway that's made to look like a very recognizable mascot Pokémon. Early exploration of the new dimension has led them to realize that this place houses a massive array of Pokémon, and as expansive as it is - it’s going to need a lot of people willing to explore it to get the full scope of landmarks and Pokémon that can be found throughout it.
There’s a sign outside of the portal with a list of a few of the things that they’re interested in having information on:
There’s a lot left to be explored, and though there’s no big announcement about the portal, word travels back and everyone is bound to hear about the portal in a short time!
Stepping into the domain is like stepping into another world. Right inside of it, there’s an array of things for getting started on exploration.
There’s a vending machine with simple food and drink items that are going to be easy to store and travel with when venturing further into the domain. There’s also a small machine with camping items - just in case anyone forgot to grab their own before setting out into the domain. Any items bought are yours to keep - and it seems these vending machines were set up just after the domain was opened up.
Nearby, there’s a vending machine featuring things that are needed for any Pokémon Trainer - Poké Balls! All Poké Balls (except Master) are able to be obtained in this vending machine. And, if someone gets lucky it will drop a shiny charm or other useful items in your adventure (think things like Potions, Repels, Lures).
Throughout the domain, there’s several different biomes - mountains, fields, forests, water, ice, caves, etc. They are typically found in biomes appropriate to them (Zubats in Caves, Rattatas in tall grass, Magikarp in bodies of water - for example). Most Pokémon can be found if you search the right spots. There are no Legendary or Mythical Pokémon, and the Pseudo-Legendary are extremely rare.
Other locations that can be found throughout domain are:
They can’t wait to hear what you find on your travels! Stay safe, catch Pokémon, and be sure to share your findings!
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
Blame It On the Weatherman
• Rain of Affection, a yearly weather pattern that makes people want to kiss, is happening throughout the city except the Nightwake and Frostreign districts
• Umbrellas are for sale that may have harmless magical effects
• The Cups, a very stupid gang, hijack the airwaves to announce their plan and start dumping Rain of Affection on people who went to Frostreign to escape the rain effect
• During a break in the rain, holding hands looking at a rainbow will make characters realize what they want most, and may make them say it out loud
2.B.A. Master
• A new dimension has opened up near the Pokemon Vending Machine in the Underground Mall.
• Everyone is invited to explore, catch Pokemon, and check out the new landscapes.
• There are a variety of biomes and the full array of Pokemon. Pokemon are found in biomes appropriate to them - except Legendary or Mythical Pokemon, and the Pseudo-Legendary are extremely rare.
• There's several landmarks to visit throughout the Domain.
• There's bicycle and scooter stations to make travel easier.
• Unmanned Pokemon centers and Pokemon Staffed Pokemon centers are scatters.
• Vending Machines with necessary items, Observation Towers, and Campgrounds.
- Ask your questions related to the TDM here.
- List of Pokémon can be found from here or here. Remember to check that a Pokémon that catches your eyes is not legendary or a mythical Pokémon.
- Pokémon guidelines for the game can be found 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.
no subject
Now, her gaze drifts down to the pamphlets, heaving a sigh. "I should probably give these a look over, and get some clothes. We stick out like sore thumbs right out," she points out, waving her hand between both of them.
Then she looks up at Maine, amused. "Hope they have something in your size."
no subject
He cocks an eyebrow. Sounds promising, right?
Sometime later, they're in the mall, having reunited after splitting to tackle more ground. Maine is clad in clothing much like he woke up in, except it's now in shades of black and green.
In his hands, he holds a Squirtle thrust out for Carolina's inspection. His eyes are sparkling above it, clearly believing he's found something fantastic.
no subject
Now in jeans, boots, a blue t-shirt and a leather jacket, she raises an eyebrow at the ... blue turtle thing in Maine's hands. It's cute, but -
"Maine, why are you adopting a pet?"
The already is implied.
no subject
Not a pet! Something else entirely!
But Maine can see that Carolina needs some convincing. No wonder; Maine needed some, too. He turns the Squirtle so that it's not facing Carolina directly, then sternly speaks.
"Blue-chan. Water gun."
no subject
The name makes a bemused expression cross Carolina's face, but it doesn't last long. Instead, the Squirtle opens its mouth and delightedly shoots a high pressure jet of water over Carolina's shoulder, making her startle a little bit to the side.
Someone else might have gotten nailed, but it wasn't her at least. It also makes her glance over the turtle-thing in a new light. A 'Pokémon', he says - clearly not just a pet.
"Where'd you get it?" she asks, immediately curious.
no subject
Completely ignoring the soaked passerby, Maine begins leading the way. Soon enough, they're in front of the vending machine with its strangely familiar-looking balls.
Maine taps it proudly with his free hand. "Come outta these."
no subject
Quickly, she reaches out and turns the dial, the machine rumbling a little before it spits out a ball that she leans down and catches, lifting it up to examine it.
"How do you -" Her thumb hits the obvious button on the front, and the ball pops out of her hand and opens, shooting a flash of light to the ground. Only the knowledge Maine has already done this keeps Carolina from diving for cover.
When the light resolves, there's an orange, cutesy dinosaur-like creature in front of her with a little wisp of flame on its tail. It looks between them and eagerly exclaims Charmander!
"Oh, wow," Carolina says, getting down on one knee to examine the creature. It immediately waddles over to her, bumping its head into the hand she reaches out. She smiles a little - it's cute.
no subject
Then, the little creature appears. Maine peers down at it, curious to see what Carolina's is like. It's red, for one. Cute, for another.
Are all Pokémon cute? Maine is starting to think so.
"Charmander," Maine repeats in greeting, then gives the little creature a thumbs up. Blue-chan makes an excited sound, obviously wanting to play. But Maine holds back, wanting to give Carolina room to get to know the creature. Wanting to give her more time to smile, too.
And she is smiling, obviously charmed by the little guy. Maine smiles too, pleased.
no subject
She doesn't mind it one bit, though.
"I guess I need to give you a name, huh?" She asks the Charmander, who eagerly exclaims Char! while nodding its head. She stands up - the Charmander is just tall enough that she can keep hold of one of its paws and it seems to be in no hurry to let her go.
She looks at Maine and Blue-chan. "Any suggestions?"
no subject
Maine, meanwhile, doesn't notice Blue-chan's attempts at interference. He's looking down at the Charmander, head tilted thoughtfully. It's sort of … reddish orange, isn't it? Sort of like…
"Carrot?" he suggests.
no subject
Carolina has to hide the smile with her hand, turning it into a faint cough before she looks back to Maine. The Charmander, meanwhile, is shaking its head vigorously.
"I don't think they look too much like a carrot," she allows, looking down at the Charmander. That shade of orange though... It reminds her of hot summer days in the yard of her house, and the rare times she could drag her father outside of his research.
Her gaze is distant, for a moment, before she shakes it off.
"If we're going with food themes, maybe Creamsicle?" she suggests. The Charmander mander's agreeably - it's not Red-chan - and she smiles again at that, looking up at Maine.
"I think that passed muster. Now, what do we feed these guys? And... do with them?"
no subject
Maine holds his tongue, then. Looks down at Blue-chan while he gives her privacy, letting her work through whatever thoughts carrots brought to mind.
Blue-chan looks back at Maine, then shakes its little head at him. Maine raises his eyebrows, wondering what its deal is. Blue-chan just heaves a sigh.
Now even the Pokémon is giving him sass.
He raises his gaze again as Carolina suggests Creamsicle. And he's gotta admit, it's a much better name than Carrot. He nods, memorizing it. Creamsicle and Blue-chan. They'll make a good team.
"Battle," he answers, his eyes brightening. Then he launches into an explanation of what Rinku told him. About how Pokémon can learn special moves and fight. About how it's usually a sport, but at least one cop taught his Pokémon to fight alongside him. About how Pokémon can get big and strong, and even help out in times of crisis.
no subject
"That sounds pretty good," she says. It's something to focus on as well, besides getting stronger themselves. She looks down at Creamsicle.
"What do you think, you want to fight?"
Charmander! Creamsicle says enthusiastically, before tilting their head back and letting loose with a blast of flame in a happy bellow in front of them. That does startle Carolina a bit, making her lean back a little before she laughs disbelievingly, some stray papers on the ground sizzling into ash.
"I'm gonna take that as a yes," she says dryly.
no subject
Then Maine smiles at Carolina. "Fire." Then he points between her and Creamsicle: Both of you.
"Water." And a point to him and his Squirtle, who is happy to be helping.
He tips his head to the side, raising his eyebrows in question. Does she think it's a coincidence? Or did the machine give them these particular Pokémon intentionally?
no subject
She settles on shrugging her one shoulder. "Maybe we're supposed to learn from each other," she suggests with a twinkle in her eye. That seems like a theory that satisfies both possibilities. Small creatures with the same abilities as them will make them think about the basics of their abilities, right?
"If they're able to fight, there must be somewhere to train them," she says, giving Maine a raised eyebrow to silently ask Did your friend mention anything about where that was?
no subject
So he nods, accepting that idea. Mirroring the twinkle in Carolina's eye with a smile of his own. Quietly marveling at the idea of Carolina being willing to learn from such a creature, too. At her knowing she has new things to learn.
Training is a familiar tune, the only difference being that it's for Pokémon rather than them. Maine smirks and beckons, leading the way around a corner to a big gateway he passed earlier.
He gestures to it: Ta-dah.
All they have to do is step through.
no subject
But, well, something about the little creatures doesn't seem to indicate that they'd be all that dangerous. Plus, there's supplies nearby and as long as they stay near the portal, that should let the Pokémon do some exploring.
"Hmm," she says, examining it for a moment and then looking at Maine. "A little training? Since we're still getting familiar with everything, and we don't want to get too sidetracked."
no subject
And besides, the day has been weird enough as it is. Why not step through a magic portal?
When Carolina gives her approval, Maine nods in agreement. Then he moves forward, ready to go through half a step behind her. Watching her back.
sir you stop it right now with that icon
Creamsicle seems excited enough that he lets go of Carolina's hand, tottering ahead of her through the portal. She follows him in, expecting some kind of dizzying sensation like with the teleportation grenades, and feeling none of it.
The area inside is lush, best described as a verdant field in the middle of a forest. There are vending machines set up nearby, their lights easy to spot immediately. Camping supplies, food... Pokeballs?
Creamsicle is running in a circle, yelling his species name rapidly. This area has bugs and grass types! He's great against those!
HEHEHEHE
The sudden assault of nature after being in a literal Underground Mall is nearly overwhelming. Maine blinks rapidly to adjust to the sunlight. Tries to take it all in, the impossible vastness of this place stretched out before them.
Blue-chan totters ahead a little, chirping excitedly as he points at various items, apparently trying to give them a little tour. He's not so good against grass types, but he's great against ground! This place has got some of those!
Maine, meanwhile, checks their six again before stepping forward to investigate the vending machines. Were these put here by the same people who run the mall?
no subject
Carolina watches the two Pokemon chatter enthusiastically at each other before she turns to see what Maine is doing. She clicks her tongue to ask the Pokemon to follow her as she walks over - and strangely enough, Creamsicle does (or is just following her because she's walking away).
The food appears to be the kind of food you can reheat over a fire or eat cold, easily packaged for carrying along a hike; the same goes for the drinks. The camping supplies are self-explanatory, at least. The pokeballs don't advertise Pokemon to go along with them - and as she reads the writing on the vending machine, it proclaims they've got 'the best catch rates around'.
"Huh," she says out loud. "So you use the balls to catch them, too."
no subject
The food itself looks decent. But mixed in with the normal stuff is some that looks … rather abnormal. It takes Maine a few moments to realize it must be food for Pokémon.
He turns when Carolina speaks, taking in what she's been investigating. Stepping closer, he cocks his head to the side.
"Wonder how."
Do you hit the button and zap them into it? Roll it at them? Throw it like a grenade?
no subject
There's absolutely a PokeDex app on their phone that neither of them know exists...
"That sound good to you two?" Carolina turns, checking on the Pokemon. Creamsicle is cooing over some kind of small bug Pokemon that's scurrying away from him.
no subject
Maine nods, going to the vending machine to purchase food—both the weird stuff for Pokémon and some ration-looking things for him and Carolina. He gets drinks as well, then turns to show off his haul to Carolina.
Only to discover that Blue-chan has indeed picked a fight!
no subject
There's the faintest sound of music beginning to play, and she turns around to see the same thing that Maine does: that Blue is indeed picking a fight, and Creamsicle is right there with him.
"Hey," she calls out, stepping closer. She's surprised when the bug sprays out what looks like web at both Pokemon, who move a little slower covered in it. It's hard to misinterpret that.
"Set that thing on fire!" And so Creamsicle uses Ember!
(no subject)