Test Drive Meme #19

[seasonshelpers]

Test Drive Meme #19
LOGS | NETWORK | OOC | MEMES | NAVIGATION

Arrival

✦ | ✦ skip to part 2 | ✦ skip to part 3

SUMMARY

 • 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
• Alternatively they can also get teleported via fairy circle into the Fairy Kingdom and miss the orientation.

Part 1

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.


Part 2

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. After December 2025, there was also a new addition at the end of the hologram.

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.

Also, as an important note that I have neglected to add to the speech previously, but is possibly the most important information for you. To keep yourself anchored to this world you have to generate touch energy. If you don't touch another otherworlder regularly, you will start feeling sick and eventually turn into a stone statue, in a week or so. This, however, isn't the end - you can be saved even from that. However, we highly recommend shaking someone's hand at least once a day to keep your touch energy at a good level.

My sincerest apologies for neglecting to add this here before, despite mentioning it on the old hologram.

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 here 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 changed 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.

Rest and Redetermination

✦ | ✦ skip to part 1 | ✦ skip to part 3

SUMMARY

• The famous ryoukan inn in Sunwaning is encouraging visitors to the hot spring to talk with each other about their worries
• The nearby Weapon Training HQ is holding a workshop for characters to teach each other
• In the same workshop, basic item enhancement spells are being taught
• Mr. Sparklekins, the pampered and embarrassed Gravity Goat, escaped after being dyed pink and is eating things around town

Part 1

The calm and traditional Sunwaning district is a popular place to relax and unwind, and since a recent mission took otherworlders into the Darkness itself, relaxation has been in demand! A number of businesses in the area have stepped up to try and engage people looking for that peace of mind.

A famous inn in Sunwaning has a hot spring where visitors are permitted to come in and soak. Anyone can come in and swimsuits and towels are able to be borrowed if someone doesn't have one. They've also posted an activity, or rather, a discussion question: visitors are encouraged to talk about their worries with each other, in hopes that the commiseration and bonding will melt their worries away.

The water is very relaxing in and of itself, and that's helped along even more by the Zen Capybaras that sometimes wander into the spring. Zen Capybaras have an extremely calm aura that spurs anyone around them to just rest... Of course, sometimes that goes a little overboard if too many wander into the same area. Careful not to fall asleep in the bath!

Part 2
The inn isn't the only place in Sunwaning offering help and advice. The Weapon Training HQ has a workshop going on through February and March. Visitors are teamed up together to teach their fighting styles to each other. It doesn't matter whether they both use the same type of sword and can teach each other techniques or if one uses a sword and the other a hammer so they end up teaching the basics. Even noncombatants can enter, though they may have less to work with. The idea is that everyone can teach something, no matter what, and you'll feel more confident if you're stronger!

Don't worry, that's not all! For the third anniversary of the otherworlders' summoning to save Ellipsa, the HQ is also teaching item enhancement spells. These spells are some of the first the guilds used to teach, and the very first arrivals may find them familiar. Just focus and put words and feelings into the items to enhance them. For instance, a violent, determined declaration could enhance a weapon, but making a shield stronger would take kind encouragement. Other enhancements exist too, such as sapping the health from an opponent or inducing status effects. It's all in the power of words.

The spell is strong enough that it can even make a plastic toy sword and shield work to fight monsters in a pinch, but the enchantment only lasts about a month before it needs to be reapplied. Representatives from Amberfall's Magical Manor and Coldreach's Tower of Potions are there to assist, and also eagerly promote their schools, where aspiring mages can learn things like making these kinds of enchantments permanent.

Part 3
The Zen Capybaras aren't the only creatures wandering around Sunwaning. In fact, people coming to see the sights might hear rumours of a strange and exasperating goat before they spot it running or flying through the streets and buildings.

Some people in town seem all too used to this when asked. Apparently Mr. Sparklekins, the pet Gravity Goat of eccentric society lady Mrs. Bucksworth, regularly escapes his owner when she dresses him up in stupid outfits. This time around, she dyed the poor goat pink for Valentine's Day and put heart glasses on him before he flew the coop, and now he's running loose and eating random things.

Mr. Sparklekins may wander into the inn and bath, the weapons workshop, or just a random street, business, or house. It's a little hard to get a handle on him since he can levitate out of the way, but otherworlders are urged to try and peacefully contain him without any property damage.

Kiss Kiss Fall in Love

✦ | ✦ skip to part 1 | ✦ skip to part 2

SUMMARY

• The city is full of Valentine's Day spirit, and restaurants are offering special menus and couple/polycule discounts
• Some of the food has minor harmless magic effects
• A group of Namazu have set up some activities for money, all gone wrong (like kissing booths they will make random passersby staff for them or Valentine's candy that all tastes weird).

Part 1

Valentine's Day is one of the most popular holidays in Ellipsa. Every district is decked out with flowers from the Spring Segment, pink and red hearts, and pastel ribbons and things that will linger around even past the 14th. Naturally, there are often activities and business promotions tying into the holiday.

Restaurants around the city have discounts for couples and groups this time of year, and some of them have special menu items. Heart-shaped pizzas, milkshakes with enough straws for everyone, heart cakes, anything to get people into that romantic spirit! Everywhere seems to be competing to be the perfect place for date night.

Some of the food may have minor magical effects as well. Nothing dangerous, but a Valentine's menu item may have helpful effects (such as increasing touch energy yield) or neutral ones (like giving those who eat it heart pupils) for 24 hours after eating. None of them will actually cause people to fall in love -- there's enough of that going on in the Fairy Garden right now -- but all effects are seasonally appropriate.

Part 2
After being discovered in the Autumn Segment, a group of Namazu have come to town, excited to see what this holiday is all about. As soon as they see there might be Moon Coins to be earned, they happily start setting up shop, building stalls in open spaces such as town squares, parks, or even just the side of the road.

The Namazu's different offerings vary from place to place, but include:
• Kissing booths. The Namazu don't really want to kiss anyone, though, so they will instead grab the nearest person and get them to staff the kissing booth. They promise a cut of the profit. (Percentage is not likely to be high.)
• Snack stands. Like the local restaurants, the Namazu are also selling Valentine's food! Unlike those, the food... may taste weird, due to a combination of fish having different taste buds and taking descriptions way too literally. (What kind of chocolate has sweet potato in it? Well, it does have "sweet" in the name...)
• Adventuring supplies for sale. Except... they're all bootleg quality. Potions that are stale and don't heal that much of your health, protective charms that break after one use, weapons made out of rocks and sticks.
• Some Namazu have gotten confused between Valentine's Day and the local End-of-Winter Festival taking place around March. They've set up bonfires by their stations for people to dance and talk around. At these stalls, they're also offering something for sale: Valentine's cards to write your ex's name and throw it in the bonfire out of spite.

Well, they're trying.

OOC TIPS

- Ask your questions related to the TDM here.

- The TDM is only available to the friends of the mods and those invited by any of our players. 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 is open.

- Similarly, Locations: Segments is useful for outdoor 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.

code bases by tricklet

Comments

Questions

[seasonshelpers]

New Character Toplevel Links

[seasonshelpers]

Mukuro Rokudo | Katekyo Hitman Reborn! | Spring (Returnee)

[illusionistico]

Kufufu no Fu.

ilya rozanov | heated rivalry | winter

[rivalmancing]

right here

Crystallis Ra-Lyn | Final Fantasy XIV (WoL OC) | Winter | Current Player, Returning Character

[the_wandering_scion]

Right here

Elise | Fire Emblem Fates | Winter | New Character, Current Player

[pureheartedprincess]

here

Current Character Toplevel Links

[seasonshelpers]

Aimoto Rinku | D4DJ (Dig Delight Direct Drive DJ)

[roundandaround]

here

Zoey | Kpop Demon Hunters

[colorsinmyhead]

Here!

Rumi | KPop Demon Hunters

[denyingit]

here

Aimoto Rinku | D4DJ (Dig Delight Direct Drive DJ) | Summer | in game

[roundandaround]

[a) Rest and Redetermination - 1]

[Rinku came to talk about her worries, but the Zen Capybaras are just so relaxing... and soon enough, Rinku has fallen asleep, slowly sliding into the bath.]

Zzz...

[Maybe come wake her up.]

[b) Rest and Redetermination - 3]

Hey, come back!

[Rinku runs by in a towel, trying to chase Mr. Sparklekins (with a towel in his mouth) through the hot springs.]

That's not food, you're gonna get sick!

[c) Kiss Kiss Fall in Love - 1]

[Rinku's glowing even more than usual as she sparkles at the menu standing outside a restaurant.]

Wow, date discounts and special food! Hey, hey, do you wanna come in with me?

[d) Kiss Kiss Fall in Love - 2]

[Rinku's found herself looking at a staffed kissing booth, blinking in confusion.]

I was gonna set up my own kissing booth... Hey, are you doing okay? Do you need help with yours?

[e) Kiss Kiss Fall in Love - 2]

[Standing in front of a bonfire, Rinku holds a paper slip in her hand.]

I bought one, but I dunno what to put... I don't have any exes. Or anyone I hate. I guess unless the hell demons count, those guys were awful...

Mukuro Rokudo | Katekyo Hitman Reborn! | Spring (Returnee)

[illusionistico]

Arrival

[This wasn't Mukuro's first time in this world, but it had been years since he was around. It seems some things had changed - for better or worse. The gaudy white clothes hadn't, nor had his season.

The hologram seemed to provide more information this time. It seemed people had actually made progress. Not that surprising, he supposed. It would seem most people here were on the side of "good" - quite possibly "neutral".

Ho. He'd have to observe this world again, with all new developments.

For now he'll take the offered items an start going towards the apartments.]

Kiss Kiss Fall in Love

1
[cw/tw: anatomically accurate hearts]

[This was the worst timing to return to this world. So much fluff and happiness. It's... nauseating. Good on them, he supposes, but it's not just for him.

In fact, he may be a little mean about it, turning happy decorations into creepy ones, like actually anatomical hearts. Of course they seem like very real illusions, that's how he operates, but they haven't actually been changed.

All the while drinking some tea at a cafe that's less decorated (probably meant for singles who don't celebrate), watching people react to these changes.]


2

[With the Namazu he isn't quite as lucky and ends up being physically dragged into one of the kissing booths. Ugh, they're surprisingly strong for whatever fish they were. And annoyingly squeaky.

He doesn't plan on sticking around, though.]

If you're looking for a kiss, we're not open.

[Because he's going to leave.]

[ooc: header codes]

kiss kiss fall in love 2

[roundandaround]

Eh?

[Rinku tilts her head and blinks.]

I was actually gonna set up my own booth. You're doing the same kind of fundraiser?

1. Arrival (I'm thinking of having Tsuna in Autumn but he'll be closer to TYL aged...!!)+Zodion CRAU

[twentyseven]

[ Tsuna had just gotten done hearing the welcome message not long before Mukuro and was ... not completely happy. ]


... This isn't funny. I know I was in that other ""world"" once before but...
That was over ten years ago by now...!!

... And even that adult Reborn probably isn't in this place ...

{ No one should be around to hear that part but...?? }

( Regardless, Tsuna gathered up what Tsuna arrived with, including that strange new smartphone-like device, and walked out,
Trying to not immediately drop everything after--
All while wearing a much more streamlined pair of gloves-- )


... Still, I might actually still have my Dying Will in this PLACE ...


... But now I need to find everyone else...!! If they're even also here this... time....

{ Much softer, mumbled } ... I hope Kyouko-chan is all right... Please don't let her be dragged into this ....

.. Even if I didn't see her in that other place either ...

[ in between, Tsuna had gone back up the hallway to the private room from there, now walking back down,
as Tsuna had been checking to make sure no one was still in the opposite direction-- ]

( ... And ... might be wearing an actually decent-looking black suit complete with black dress shoes. )

{ ... Did Tsuna look just slightly taller but honestly not by too much yet?? }

[ ... and probably doesn't notice that Tsuna's about to walk right near/into Mukuro Rokudo of all people from Tsuna's world. ]

ilya rozanov | heated rivalry | winter | new character

[rivalmancing]

arrival.

This is a dream, Ilya is sure. It's a very strange, vivid dream, but it's certainly a dream. Because the alternative—that this is actually happening to him—is so unthinkable, he refuses to contemplate it.

So, it's a dream. In his dream, he has Winter powers. Some handsome man in a hologram (!) tells him he's here to save the world (hah!), and that he must touch others to stay anchored. This last detail seems bizarre to him; is he really so touch-hungry that his dream would make it necessary for survival? But that's what the man says, so Ilya goes along with it.

He spaces out for a solid five minutes or so, trying to wrap his head around everything in this dream. Then he pulls himself back to the present, stand up, and approaches whoever is nearby.

"We should shake hands, yes?" he asks in a thick Russian accent.

Later, he heads down to the Welcome Center, where he can be found just … staring around wearing a rather bewildered expression. He's never had such a detailed dream!

rest and redetermination.

The idea that this is a dream starts to wear thin after Ilya has been here for a few days. However, it's easier to continue not thinking about it … so off to the hot springs he goes!

Hot soaks are nothing new to Ilya. He's a professional athlete: he soaks plenty. But he's never been in a hot spring like this before. He sinks down until the water reaches his chin, then closes his eyes, trying to relax muscles that have been tensed for days.

Tensed in a dream, of course. Because it has to be a dream.

(He couldn't had been taken away from Shane, could he?)

The water moves as someone joins him in the springs. Ilya opens his eyes … only to find a capybara staring at him.

A moment passes. Then Ilya lets his head fall back, speaking to the sky:

"I am ready to wake up now."

kiss kiss fall in love.

Precisely how Ilya was convinced to man the kissing booth is a mystery. But here he is: tall, muscular, and strikingly handsome, wearing a gently amused expression as he watches a gaggle of girls try to prod one another toward him.

It looks like the girls will have to wait their turn, however. He locks eyes with another Otherworlder, a charming smile settling on his face.

"You are wanting kiss?" he asks teasingly.

ooc.

( feel free to come at me with something else! will match prose or brackets. ilya's canon point is episode 5 )

rest and redetermination

[oftheazure]

It doesn't take too long until a very tall and rather handsome person with pointy ears and plenty of muscles appears in the baths as well. He doesn't seem to mind that there's a capybara in already - or that there's someone else in either. He just gets in and sits down like it's natural.

The baths make him think of Ishgard, despite the weather here not being as cold. It's a nice, comfortable feeling.

Aymeric looks at the other person curiously. "I assure you, you seem very much awake."

no one believes me if I say I'm sorry...

[denyingit]

Why is she here?!! She shouldn't be anywhere near any kissing booths -- well, except they happen everywhere around the city and its districts, so it's not easy to avoid them anywhere. That's just great! Surprisingly they haven't caught her into one. At least not yet.

Right now Rumi's following a cub-sized Derpy who is exictedly walking all around and playing with whatever catches his attention.

Oh, another kissing booth and accidentally looking at whoever happens to be in that one as she is about to dodge it. Wait, people actually do these--?

"Wha-? Excuse me? No, no, no, no, I only want them from one person and you're not him, so absolutely not. I literally just happened to be passing by here..." A beat, another. "But hey... Are you allergic to felines?"

Welcome to dream world with this weirdo, Ilya. Is that enough no? Maybe. Either way, after all of that denial, she sounds kind of curious and even a bit teasing towards the end, during her actual question. Rumi may have an idea and maybe she'll test that.

rest and redermination

[happydreamed]

The other person in the hot springs - whose horns and wings are probably not helpful to Ilya's ongoing crisis - flinches visibly at his words.

Of course, that's silly. Any reasonable person would think that they were dreaming about being taken to a strange world with capybaras in the hot springs. It has absolutely nothing to do with him - it's hardly like you can look at Kantera and see 'realness issues based on originating from a dream world' plastered on his forehead.

"-I assure you, I have been in dreams before, and this is not one."

Crystallis Ra-Lyn | Final Fantasy XIV (WoL OC) | Winter | Current Player, Returning Character

[the_wandering_scion]

Arrival

Crystallis blinked as she wandered the Welcome Center. She was back in Ellipsa again. Not that bad, honestly - after her adventures in Tural, she could certainly use another vacation, especially since things were getting back to normal.

As the Miqo'te wandered around, she spotted someone and waved them down. She was sure that she recognized the person she did, but she knows she was probably greatly behind.

"Hello! I have a few questions if you could answer them?"

Rest and Relaxation

After everything she's been through back home, Crystallis is more than happy to find a place to sit down and relax and the hot springs is certainly that. She didn't mind stepping in naked, but since there were others who didn't want to be seen, she would take the towel and wrap herself in it before stepping into one of the baths.

She wasn't too tired, but being around the capybaras were making it hard to stay awake.

"Hey, wanna talk?" she uttered. "I don't wanna fall asleep, but, it's getting hard not to."

Kiss Kiss Fall In Love

"Oi! Get your shite-eating grins back here or I'm telling Lyse!"

Crystallis found out too late that she was being shanghai'd into participating in a kissing booth by the Namazu. Oh, sure, a part of her wanted to say "Cirina" rather than "Lyse", but that would be too cruel.

And it's not the kissing part that she's upset about - she would love to kiss people! It's just that she's realizing she's been conned by Namazu again.

She let out a small sigh before she looked at her first customer.

"I might not be the only Warrior of Light here, but I'm sure you'd want to kiss one, yes? Heh, I might give you good luck~"

Zoey | Kpop Demon Hunters | Spring (In game)

[colorsinmyhead]

Sunwaning Hot Springs

Zoey stands at the edge of the spring for a second longer than necessary, adjusting the strap of the borrowed swimsuit.

"…Okay. I know they said swimsuits are allowed, but this still feels illegal."

Finally though she eases down into the hot spring with a slow exhale. Towel wrapped around her hair as she just melts into the warmth of the water.

"Okay… yeah. That’s actually perfect."

Daylight makes everything feel a little more grounded. Less dreamlike than lantern light—more honest. The steam rises in gentle curls around her shoulders as she gathers her hair into a loose bun, securing it with a band she’d had around her wrist. A few strands escape almost immediately, catching sunlight at the edges.

She sinks a little deeper.

"I didn’t realize how much I needed this. After everything with winter and all the stuff going on, normal sunlight feels… kind of sacred."

Sunwaning Weapon Training HQ

Sunwaning’s Weapon Training HQ courtyard hums with focused energy—wooden practice dummies lined up in rows, chalk circles marking sparring zones, instructors moving between pairs offering pointers.

Zoey rolls her shoulders once, grounding herself. The borrowed bathing suit from earlier is long gone; now she’s back in training clothes—fitted athletic wear, hair pulled high and tight. The shift from relaxation to readiness feels familiar. Comfortable. Bouncing a little on her feet, Zoey flips one of her Shin-kal between her fingers.

And then in a series of smooth motions sends a half dozen of them down the range and itno the targets. Given the nature of the blades and the fact that they didn't really stay around long there wasn't much she could do to enhance her Shin-kal, but at the very least she needed to stay in practice and train so she didn't get rusty.

Kiss Kiss

Zoey had originally planned on a low-key stroll. Maybe some candied fruit. Maybe some photos under the lantern archways. Definitely not anything intense. She'd even dressed up a bit and was feeling kind of cute.

Instead—

She finds herself suddenly a bit off balance, feeling herself being tugged by a fish wearing a merchant sash. Before Zoey can really figure out what's going on she's suddenly behind a colorful stall with a sign reading 💋 KISSING BOOTH — 3 1 5 MOON COINS 💋

"Wait- what's going on? I didn’t apply for this."

When they insisted that she had volunteered with her eyes, and that they needed her and many would be upset if she refused. She kind of laughed nervously.

"But…Okay, I'll help."

hot springs

[roundandaround]

I guess a lot of people get embarrassed about it.

[Rinku's wearing one herself, and rubbing some kind of lotion on the deep scars on her shoulders as she kicks her feet lightly in the bath.]

It's so nice, though, right? Have you not been out in the sun a lot lately, Zoey-chan?

Toshirou Hijikata | Gintama (Prismatica & Isle of Avalon CRAU) | Summer | In-Game

[mayoninofukucho]

A) Rest and Redetermination

Part I

[While Hijikata is a little pissy about the influx of visitors to his chosen home district and consequent crowding, the zen capybaras' presence in the onsen mellows him out right away. Sitting in the hot water, he looks serene enough to actually listen to other people's worries!]

This is nice... the only thing missing is a sake float. Ah, but I do have to work later on.

[The SPOON (Spectral Patrol for the Observation of Order in Nightwake) is always on night shift, after all.]

Part II

[Perhaps being mentor and guardian to 3 teenage boys and trainer to as many pokémon has gotten to Hijikata's head, because he feels like he can teach just about anything, boldly advertising his support to fellow otherworlders.]

What do you need help with? Enhancements? Or swordfighting? Or magic? I've got all the basic elements covered and then some!

B) Kiss Kiss Fall in Love

Part I

[Without changing seasons, the passing of time can be hard to track, but the red, pink, and heart-shaped decorations everywhere speak for themselves. Hijikata derisively exhales cigarette smoke]

Valentine's Day again, huh? What a sham. The whole point is just to drive up the price of pralinés and rose boutquets!

[Granted, the many special offers kind of cancel that out... but even so, who needs all this kitsch? (He definitely isn't butthurt over only having about 1.5 partners anymore - and having to share them with others, at that!)]

Part II

[Hijikata crouches by the bonfire, trying to understand what the little catfish person is trying to tell him.]

I write my ex' name on the paper and burn it? And then what? Will anything bad happen to them?

[Why is he asking ominous things like that when he doesn't even have any exes unless we're applying the 'spiritually divorced' meme?!]

Frieda Reiss | Attack on Titan | Spring | In-Game

[urtitan]

A) Rest and Redetermination

Part I

[While Frieda has started the treatment to cure her vampirism, for now she hasn't dared go out during the daytime without protection yet. As such, she can be encountered at the onsen at night, looking to ease the pain and fatigue she isn't used to feeling anymore... and while she's naturally peaceful and even more calm than usual thanks to the zen capybaras' presense, at some point, her intense gaze at her fellow bath visitor's neck may become a little uncomfortable. When she meets the other person's eyes, she apologetically looks down.]

I was staring, wasn't I? I'm sorry!

Part II

[Not being much of a fighter besides the self-defence techniques Evangeline taught her and whatever she haphazardly doled out in terms of seasonal- and titan powers in emergency situations, Frieda offers support to anyone who appears like they're looking for guidance.]

If you'd like help with your enhancements, or if you want to practise your healing, I could lend a hand.

[Healing especially isn't all that easy to practise since it requires something to heal - and what better test subject could there be than someone who can heal herself in a pinch?]

B) Kiss Kiss Fall in Love

Part I

[Frieda enjoys Valentine's Day. While she's romantically accounted for, it's just nice to see the many colourful decorations and the innovative ideas businesses came up with to entice couples! Admiring a café's Valentine's menu from under her sunhat, she sighs.]

I hope I'll be able to eat food again soon... but right now, I still don't want anything but blood.

Part II

[Somewhat gullible despite her wealth of inherited memories, Frieda was roped into manning the Namazus' kissing booth - though she's trying to argue her way out of it with the little guys.]

Why am I in here? This is your booth! What? Humans attract more customers? But... I didn't even sign up for this!

kiss kiss fall in love 1

[roundandaround]

Aww... I wonder if Another Star's Trash has any holiday deals. They have all those blood drinks and blood snacks.

[Hina squeaks excitedly. It's her favourite place now!]

Elise | Fire Emblem Fates |Winter | New Character, Current Player

[pureheartedprincess]

I. Arrival

[Elise opens her eyes to find a vast expanse of white. It takes her a few moments to realize that she's in snow, and the sky above her, while near white, is just a light grey cloud cover that comes with winter. She looks dazed as she takes a couple steps forward, looking around. There's a feeling she's forgetting something important, but she can't quite remember. She kneels down to test the snow out. It would be good for making snowmen. How'd she get out here, alone in the snow, anyhow? Where's Effie? Arthur? Her siblings?

Oh.

That's right. She died.

Tears well up in her eyes, and her breathing quickens as she remembers. She had died. She had died and was dead and died! But if she had died, how is she alive now? She feels her she had been struck down to find no blood, just a white dress. Was it a dream then? Is this a dream now? She looks around for any clue to what's going on.]

II. Welcome Center

[Elise couldn't really pay attention to the welcome message, her mind was still reeling. She files out with everyone else, and somehow finds herself on a chair, gift basket in her lap, and playing with the lily charm on her...they said it was called a phone? The charm was cute at least.]

What should I be doing now?

III. Hot Spring

[A few days after arriving Elise has started wandering around, and made her way to the hot spring. Relaxing in the warm water is turning out to be a good choice. The towel she's wearing doesn't completely cover the scar going down her center, but she can't see it, so its not important. What's more important is figuring out what's going on, since she missed the message.]

Hey. I heard something big happened here recently. Do you know anything about it?

IV. Fake Dating for Food

[Elise is enjoying this Valentine's Day holiday. It's a fun way to take her mind off of dealing with her problems. And she wants to experience as much of this holiday as possible! Which is why, she's trying to find someone to go to a restaurant with her.]

Hey! I'm getting lunch, want to join me? I think it'd be fun to try some of those special menu items I've heard about.

V. Kissing Booth

[Elise is one of the unfortunate souls that got roped into the Namazu's kissing booth schemes. She's looking around, trying to decide whether she should just go, or if she should help out for a bit.]

I'm not sure kissing strangers is actually in the spirit of this holiday?

5

[roundandaround]

Eh? But I do it all the time.

[Rinku tilts her head and blinks.]

I usually run one myself, and I was gonna, but I keep noticing other people running theirs. These Namazu guys are getting really festive, huh?

Rumi | KPop Demon Hunters | Summer | current player/character

[denyingit]

🫧 HOT SPRINGS

[It would be wild if this would be her first time ever near any hot springs, beaches or any other places like that here because she's been here for 7 months now. So, generally speaking it's definitely not her first time anywhere near them, she's just more used to-- going to these in company, that she already knows and this seems like she could be there with anyone. Which is okay, no, it's more like fine even, but it's also still weird and new to her after avoiding bathhouses back home for all of her life.]

So, what's the catch? Or what are the weird side effects?

[ . . . That's also from having been here for months, sometimes or most of the time there's always something. Someone please drag this girl in there with you, or just walk away with her, or watch her walk away, whichever happens here.

Oooor maybe one way or another Rumi's already in the hot spring, with or without company right now, feel free to join her. Thank goodness they at least wear swimsuit here, hers still reveal a lot of her patterns but it's--- it is what it is, she's not even trying to hide them.

She may sing the beginning of What It Sounds Like if she's there all alone, for now.]

Nothing but the truth now
Nothing but the proof of what I am
The worst of what I came from, patterns I'm ashamed of
Things that even I don't understand

I tried to fix it, I tried to fight it
My head was twisted, my heart divided
My lies all collided
I don't know why I didn't trust you to be on my side

[Or she could also be singing something from FREE or anything else from Huntrix or other bands. There may be a female Pikachu somewhere near her. She doesn't even mind the capybaras after being like "Excuse me??!" at any of them at first -- please, she loves animals, she lives with a tiger, who can teleport into spaces whenever he wants to teleport anywhere. It's really not that weird. Said giant blue tiger may also teleport here sooner or later or he could already be somewhere nearby, who knows.

Either way, if she already has company, she may not be singing, but then she's just--- really not sure where to start with talking either. Definitely not from any worries, that she may or may not have.]

🐐 MR. SPARKLEKINS

Ooookay...

[This goat again? Rumi doesn't look impressed at all as she looks at it levitating away. But hey, she's quick to get a basketful of apples and Derpy gets some of them to eat because he looks way too excited about them.

She glances at anyone, who happens to be anywhere near her. Did the goat steal something from them? Did it steal something from her? Who knows, it doesn't really matter, they should catch it...]

Do you possibly want to go to a magical tiger ride so we can try to get that goat back to where it belongs?

[ . . . and if the person doesn't happen to be familiar with Derpy, well, she promises those words make sense once you get to know him.]

💋 KISSING BOOTHS

[Great. Last time it was avoiding mistletoes from the bunnies, now it's trying to avoid any of these fishy creatures from making her run a kissing booth. What's next? Nevermind. She actually doesn't want to know. They really shouldn't suddenly just grab her into this but that's what they do...]

Wha-- EXCUSE ME?!!

[What else would anyone expect her reaction to be? Oh wait, it continues...]

Wow wow wow wow, no, no, no, no, no, absolutely not!! I'm not going to do this with anyone else than him. Ever heard of asking for volunteers?! Besides you really can't do anything when I can just do this.

[Rumi rolls her eyes just before she teleports the hell out of there and all that's left is magenta smoke right in front of the Namazu for a moment -- goodbye, get someone else to run that booth -- but then she teleports back there.]

But I have an idea...

[ After a while she has prepared the booth but not for herself! HELLO! Welcome to a kissing booth with text 💖💋 KISSES TO / FROM THE MOST ADORABLE TIGER EVER!!💋💖 and right below that there's also an additional text ✨🐾 VALENTINE'S DAY PHOTOS WITH DERPY 🐾✨ and yes, the tiger is there with Rumi either in his usual giant form aka as himself or he could also be in cub-sized form since he can do that too. Or you may see both forms during your visits, he can easily switch between them, so you could see either of them first!]

Okay, Derpy, I promise you won't have to do this with anyone if you don't want to and we can talk with everyone first, okay?

[Yes, they will unless they already know whoever walks in here, then who knows, but the tiger looks happy and excited about this. Does he even know what's going on? Who knows. He may be busy with all the hugs, cuddles, kisses and affection from Rumi there though, so feel free to interrupt if you happen to walk into that instead of them just chilling there in other ways like Derpy napping and Rumi eating snacks and drinking bubble tea or something else.]

🧡 BONFIRES

[She's going to skip the whole writing someone's name anywhere and throwing it into the fire. She doesn't have any exes. She's the happiest girl anywhere ever with Jinu and she's going to stay with him forever, thank you very much. If it was cards to other than exes, well, then she'd have something to throw in there, maybe, but no, she'll skip that though she's kind of curious to see how many might do that whole card throwing thing.

But she'll be there around any bonfires -- eating snacks and treats like s'mores, and she'll gladly talk with anyone about anything including those cards, that others may throw into the fire.

And she'll gladly dance with anyone or with any groups too, ask her to dance or get her to ask / invite you to dance especially if you seem like a lonely wallflower.

Aaaand she may bring one of her acoustic guitars there too. Maybe she'll play something with it, she may even sing, or then not, but it's an option too. Anyway, if she's playing, it may be Huntrix songs or anything else once again -- including playing and singing something cute and appropriate for the season such as this song]

✨ WILDCARD

[ I'm up for other things too! She'll spend Valentine's Day with Jinu, obviously, but we could do something with those food prompts too, I guess. Maybe. Also SNACK STANDS on the Namazu prompts - maybe her love for food and snacks will finally betray her if she eats anything, that she doesn't like there LOL. Feel free to also meet her at new arrivals room, or welcome center, or we could do weapon training / fighting styles thing too!!

Hit me up at baranohanabira or freyeria at discord to chat, plot, any questions etc o/ Also as always, Derpy (& Sussie) can always be everywhere with her, now she may also have a female Pikachu and a Happy Bunny with her everywhere too! But they can also always be somewhere else too.]