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Test Drive Meme #15

Test Drive Meme #15
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 otherwolders' arrival to a new world more comfortable.
The City of Nightwake has seen better days. Windows and fixtures are broken, plants are damaged, roads are charred, rubble and garbage litter the streets with some bloodstains in the alleys and sometimes even in the open. Anyone asked will explain that in late May, a number of crises all happened at once, and while things are calm again, parts of the city are still rebuilding.
Magical and mundane repair help of all kinds is requested by various civilian homes and businesses. Anyone who answers the calls for help can be put to work repairing and restoring any items and buildings, replacing windows, repairing doors, building things, and/or cleaning up messes. Any help is appreciated... especially since people are reporting random garbage falling on them from nowhere, thanks to an ongoing quest!
Anyone who volunteers will also be able to learn a new spell that allows them to repair their clothing or armour on the go. Handy when you're out in the Segments and can't just go to the blacksmith!
City council has coordinated the cleanup effort, and snack stations have cropped up near big repair sites so volunteers can get water and food. The snacks vary from place to place, but are always something popular in the district they're in; for example, a stand in Sunwaning might provide curry pan or taiyaki, Dayrise might have fried fish or cream-filled buns, or Coldreach might let you come in for chips or deep-fried pickles.
June and July is also the time of the Solstice, a traditional Ellipsan holiday, and just because everything is in shambles doesn't mean people aren't celebrating. While volunteers take breaks at the snack stations, they're encouraged to weave flower crowns with provided cut flowers that are already enchanted to last longer. Plenty of civilians are already out on the street wearing theirs!
While it's common to make your own flower crown, people are also encouraged to exchange flower crowns with others. Some natives might urge anyone who tries to pay attention to flower language when doing so. After all, while not everyone knows flower language, a crown that says "nice to meet you, can we be friends" is very different from one that says "I hope you lose your fortune" or, for that matter, "elope with me"!
With summer just around the corner, word gets around that there's going to be a giant beach party in Solarpeak. The natives see this as another way to thank the otherworlders for their continual efforts to help across Ellipsa. So, just a couple days before it starts, everyone will receive a message inviting them to come to Solarpeak and join in on the festivities and enjoy the decor and events that they'll be hosting.
Upon entering Solarpeak, visitors will see everything looks ike it's part of the party. There's stalls with a variety of savory foods, drinks, desserts, and frozen treats. Otherworlders can totally find their favorite summer treats in the assortment - the natives did their research!
There's also several events scattered in the sandy landscape and in the pool itself. In the pool - there's floaties, pool noodles, and a variety of fun pool games. On land there's an inflated obstacle course, slip-n-slides, a water gun fight arena, and beach volleyball set up. Party goers are also encouraged to start up their own activities Don't worry - there's plenty of shady spots to relax, too!
Oh - and don't miss the giant bonfire everyday at dark! The bonfire will also include sparklers and smores.
As part of the summer event, Sage Blaze is hosting a cooking competition. Sage is the most recent winner of one of Ellipsa's televised cooking competition shows – Culinary Quest. This competition isn't just about being the best chef, either, it's about learning how to cook with love. Sage will be showing anyone who wants to participate how to make sure that the chefs are cooking with feeling – literally!
People who are tasting the food of the participants will be able to taste the feelings of that participants in the food. That means a dish made with love have a boost in flavor, and if the same dish is made with hate it'll be noticeably less tasty.
While there's no real winner in the competition, participants will walk away with a handy new trick. Sage may also call out when they feel a dish is especially tasty or creative – as long as they can taste the love!
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
Fix-It Crew
• The city is recovering from a disaster, so buildings and fixtures all over need repairs and cleanup
• Garbage and debris may randomly fall on characters due to someone else using a defective magic item for cleanup
• Characters who take part in repair efforts are taught a spell to repair clothing and armour
• Snack stands offer food and a place to rest to volunteers
• During rest breaks, they can also make enchanted flower crowns for the Solstice holiday
OBLIGATORY BEACH EPISODE
• Solarpeak is hosting a beach/pool party!
• Stalls with food, drink, desserts, and frozen treats.
• There's several pool games, floaties, etc.
• Options to play beach volleyball, water gun fight, slip-n-slide, etc.
• When it gets dark, there's a big bonfire with smores and sparklers.
• Cooking competition where participants learn to "cook with love".
- 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 toplevel 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 is open.
- Similarly, Locations: Segments is useful for outdoors adventures.
- You can find monsters to encounter in the Bestiary.
- The FAQ has information on characters' smartphones as well as general things about the world that might be handy.
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[Bakugo isn't even...human anymore? How could that be alright? How could Bakugo be so accepting of this? Izuku can't help hating that he wasn't there. He couldn't do anything to help the other. To support him with any of this. He's not sure of the details exactly, when this happened. Evidently, at least long enough that the other was apparently okay about it.]
Kacchan...
[There it was again. Trying to reassure Izuku. He swallows, lips pursed as he frowns.]</small
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Don't feel bad for me, Deku. It was my fault it happened in the first place.
[He grumbles, and has to look away as he admits how he was turned.]
The whole place went completely dark. The sun and moon weren't in the sky anymore and none of the electricity worked. And even though my arm was healing, I thought I could still go out and do some Hero work. I thought I could use my Quirk to be a light and help people walk home.
Something simple as that should've been easy-peasy.
[It's just like Katsuki to want to help even when he's injured... but it's also so STUPID of him to do something like that. Something that got him out and about where vampires were lurking and looking for prey.]
I was a dumbass. And if I had stayed home I wouldn't have been attacked.
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But it had definitely made him a target. Izuku can't really blame him. He'd probably have done the same. If not been more reckless, given the way Izuku had zero sense of self-preservation and was too damned stubborn about doing what he could to help, no matter what state he was in. No matter how injured he was.]
That's not.....dammit, Kacchan, you idiot!
[Cue him instinctively reaching to hit the other in the chest. It's not hard, not meant to hurt him. More just out of instinct. In upset frustration. His head lowers briefly, fist still at Bakugo's chest as he takes a breath. His green eyes glance back to Bakugo through his mess of bangs and he reaches to pull the other into a hug.]
I'm sorry. I'm sorry I wasn't here. But I am now. So, I'll do my best.
[As if anything he could do in the aftermath of all this would make much difference. But still. It's all he can do. Focus on supporting Bakugo from here on. Help him adjust to the prosthetic. He's less sure about what he vaguely recalls hearing about vampires might be true or not, but. The main thing that comes to mind is the blood.]
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He's patient with Izuku as the other boy lowers his head and steadies his breath. Quiet as Izuku looks up at him through those green curls of his, and quiet still as he's tugged into another hug and Izuku apologizes. Telling him that he'll "do his best" in protecting him. God, he feels like a total heel.
After a couple of seconds where he debates how to respond, Katsuki leans into that hug. And lets out a sigh.]
I'm the one that should be apologizing. For worrying you so damn much.
[But he has to admit. It does feel good hearing Izuku reassure him like this. Shoto has been doing a good job at helping Katsuki with the aftermath of everything, but he's also been busy enough that Katsuki was able to do something stupid when he wasn't around to stop him... maybe having the both of them will finally wrangle him enough to keep him safe--]
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[It isn't like Izuku had been here that Bakugo had to consider worrying him. Not at the time. And it isn't like he went out looking for the vampires. Izuku knows that. But at the same time, he can't help wishing he had been there. Feels guilty that he's only gotten here in the aftermath. He clings a little tighter to Bakugo's shirt for a moment.]
I'll do whatever I can. I can learn about prosthetics. I can....Whatever you need. Just be more careful from now on, you idiot.
[As if he could talk. But still. He means it. Bakugo was important to him. And the blonde had been through enough without adding to all this.]
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[Is Katsuki still bitter about leaving him in the dust during that time? Absolutely. And since he knows this Izuku is right after coming back from that period alone, he's going to use that in retaliation! He needs to be shamed for leaving everyone behind!!!
He also won't pull away from the hug, either. Letting Izuku cling to his shirt for as long as he needs to.]
As long as you promise you won't overwork yourself or do something stupid in order to help me, I'll promise to not be so reckless and keep myself safe.
[At least until he's got his new arm in perfect working order.]
Deal?
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[He's still so fresh from that. Still hears the people protesting. Saying that taking him in would put them in danger. How scared they were. He's still not sure if this was the right call, but. His classmates seemed determined. Ochako was determined to bring him back. That it was alright. That he could get some proper meals in. A decent rest. A bath.
He sighs, withdrawing just enough to press his forehead to Bakugo's and raise one hand, holding up his pinky finger.]
Promise.
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It's why he's working so hard now to show Izuku that he's changed, for real. That he likes having Izuku around. That he wants to be a team and wants to communicate more with the other boy. That he's tired of arguing and acting like Izuku was just a stepping stone to him.
And he lets Izuku press their foreheads together, in order to show that he won't push him away again.]
Good.
[Katsuki wraps his pinky tight around Izuku's, in order to seal that promise. A promise that was admittedly going to be really hard for both boys to keep. They were exactly alike, and have a hard time not being stupid... especially when the other was in any kind of danger.
So. It'll be interesting to see who breaks this promise first.]
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He smiles as their pinkies hold together. There's an almost nostalgic feeling about it. And maybe it was childish. To want to make a promise. It would be hard to keep. But both of them knew they had to try. For each other. For the moment, he's oblivious to everyone else. That it's not just the two of them. That others could see them and were probably wondering what these two dorks were doing, promising like toddlers.
It takes a moment before he withdraws a little, straightening more and releasing Bakugo's pinky, a little sheepish even as he chuckles.]
S-so, um...anything else I should know?
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When Izuku pulls back, Katsuki does as well and he doesn't look shy at all about their little moment. What does make him shy is Izuku asking about what else he should know. The only things that are left are all the good stuff but... ugh. Talking about friends and happy things like that was so hard for Katsuki, and way more embarrassing than even pinky promising like a child.]
I keep making friends and I don't know how or why.
[Katsuki makes a face when he says that, sticking his tongue out between his little fangs in disgust.]
There's one guy in particular. This guy called Mike. He looks a lot like my old man, but he actually has a spine and teaches me a lot of stuff. And I guess I seemed extra pathetic to him with the whole arm thing, 'cuz he "adopted" me REAL quick. Started calling me his son and everything.
[No Katsuki will not tell Izuku that it was Katsuki's idea that they call each other "son" and "dad" because he was homesick and missing his parents--]
He begged me to call him "dad" in return, and as a Hero it felt wrong to say no. So... I guess that's what I call him, now.
[ugh ugh so embarrassing UGH]
And if you make fun of me for it, I'll kill you.
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[If it means that others were also somehow able to see past his temper and bluster. Izuku holds up his hands as if in surrender, trying not to laugh as he does so. Bakugo was not someone who let people in easily. Not really. Most were probably put off by their first impression of him, with how loud and angry he could be. So it was good that others were able to see past that. That others had befriended him.]
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Even if I didn't make any friends, I wasn't gonna be alone. Todoroki's been a huge help, honestly.
[Katsuki was so grateful for Shoto. He was more experienced when it came to first aid, and so he was able to help with Katsuki's bandages and making sure his amputation wasn't infected.]
He let me move in with him after my surgery, and helped with all that dumb stuff you gotta do to get it to heal right.
[Ever patient, was the icy-hot boy.]
That's why it looks so good, now.
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[He is relieved to hear that. That Bakugo had such support. Especially given his arm and all. Izuku wants to help, too, now that he is here. He'd just need to research, to look into how to support Bakugo with the prosthetic and all. But he guesses he has time to. If there's probably supposed to be a healing period before getting to that.]
I'm glad he's been able to help. I'm sure there's probably some books here on prosthetics or something that I could look into too.....
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You could ask Winry. She's the person making my new arm.
[Katsuki can tell that Izuku feels impatient to help. He probably feels like, because he wasn't here to prevent these things from happening, that he needs to catch up in the aftercare. And Katsuki can't blame him.]
She calls 'em "automail". The prosthetics. And mine's gonna have a gun.
[There's an evil little grin that spreads across Katsuki's face when he mentions the installation of a gun in his arm. Excited at the mere idea of shooting Villains with it.]
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Winry? Ah! So she's helping with it. I'll definitely figure out how to ask her!
[She could help teach him. At least some basics? Hopefully.
But wait, what.....?!]
It's going to what?!
[Winry plz why this???]
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I'm gettin' a gun, Deku!
[He repeats himself, grinning from ear to ear.]
It ain't the same as my Quirk, but I can still blow people's faces off with it!
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Like, attached to the arm? Is that safe?
[He has no idea if there are restrictions on guns here. But generally, Japan is really strict on stuff like that, so he's just automatically surprised that Bakugo was getting one with his prosthetic. Wasn't it supposed to be really hard to get a license and stuff? Maybe this place was different. He has to remind himself that this is not home.]
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Does it matter?
[Katsuki would argue that his Quirk is even more unsafe than a gun. Though he also understands Izuku's worries, since they're not legal and a very rare sight in Japan. Here in Ellipsa, the rules with weapons seem to be a lot more loose.]
It's gonna be installed into the underside of the arm, and work like a shotgun. Better for close range, so I'll save it for a last resort and make sure to use my Quirk and other powers first.
[He'll be smart with it, he promises. Even if it's much more fun to go Rambo--]
I was told that our seasonal abilities work with automail 'cuz it's magic and not biological. So, theoretically, I should be strong enough with those powers combined with my Quirk that I won't need to use the gun.
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[Izuku may be going into his bubble again. Where he strategizes and considers possibilities. The potential. How it might work. He's got no real reference in how this automail works exactly, but the idea of a prosthetic with a gun likely would complement Bakugo's existing abilities and all.]
Ah! That's right. The powers from the different seasons, isn't it? There was stuff about that in those pamphlets we were given.
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What's yours? Todoroki and I both got Winter.
[Katsuki was, and still is, SO MAD that he didn't get Summer. He feels like he deserves fire powers, goddamn it!! But he got stuck with the COLD and DARK ones instead!!!!]
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Mm? Oh, uh. Spring? Which was....wind? Healing? If I remember right. It was all kind of a lot to take in.
[But he does want to learn. To do his best to figure out these abilities. If he could learn to manage One For All, surely he could handle this. And it wouldn't be as likely, hopefully, to get him hurt in the process.]
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Katsuki's thoughtful for a second, as he tries to remember anything he can about Spring. Most of his friends were Summers and Winters, though...]
Spring, huh? Of course you had to be something so bright and happy. That's just like you.
[Izuku reminds him so much of a bunny, sometimes. It really does feel fitting.]
And it's also just like you to be the healer!
Here comes Deku the Cleric! Following the Party around with all his dinky, little healing buffs!
[and of course katsukis talking about video games like a nerd]
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[Both of them owed a lot to the infirmary staff. The doctors and nurses, and their work. He's sure that won't change, even here, that they would need that support. He knows Bakugo said even this place's magic couldn't completely help with his arm, but. Maybe he could use it to support the blonde, at least a little. Somehow.]
You tanks would be dead without the healers!
[Nerds. Both of them.]
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Yeah, but what happens when everyone but the healer gets their shit kicked in by the boss? Huh? You're awful when it comes to combat!
[As if the point of a healer is to be strong at fighting??]
Tanks are awesome! We're so strong and can hold our own even when there's only one of us left! Plus, I'd absolutely DESTROY your dumb Cleric in PvP!
[someone stop them--]
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[Yeah. Just. Ignore the however many hospital/infirmary visits and however many times Izuku had broken something as a result of pushing himself too hard while figuring out his limits. Ignoring said limits because he has zero sense of self-preservation whatsoever.
They aren't even actually playing anything right now, but. The bickering and banter are familiar. He's used to it. It's almost a sort of reassurance in its way, weirdly? Somehow. Izuku still can't help the pout as he protests.]
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