seasonsgreetings | Test Drive Meme #5

Entry tags:

Test Drive Meme #5

Test Drive Meme #5
LOGS | NETWORK | OOC | MEMES | NAVIGATION

Arrival

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 Message [ Click to Expand ]

Hello, my name is Olwen. I'm one of the leaders of Ellipsa as it currently is. I'm also one of the four who summoned you here.

Our world is in trouble and we need your help. I apologize for tearing you away from your world and forcing you to come here but I hope you understand. The magic we used doesn't let us ask in advance, nor does it let us choose who we bring here.

This world is composed of four Seasonal Segments. All of them represent one of the seasons. They were the places we used to get our resources from, but now they're dangerous places no one should go into unless they have the power to fight back. All of them have their own sets of powerful monsters and natural catastrophes.

We used to have plenty of people here who could control the powers of the four Seasons. We called them Seasonal Power Holders. Unfortunately, due to a tragedy you can read about later, we lost almost all of them. Now only four of us remain and the world is in chaos. We have done our best to protect the world, but we need more power holders to do that.

That's where you come in.

All of you have been assigned to one of the seasons. Whatever space you were in just now is what season you represent. You will learn different skills based on the season and those skills are going to help you save this world.

These powers don't interfere with your own natural powers. They use a new energy that has formed inside of you. It's harmless to your health, but it's vital to your seasonal powers. Your own powers should still work, even if the dark energy outside the city might interfere with them.

Unfortunately bringing you here wasn't as simple as it sounds. We couldn't do anything about how to keep you anchored to this world other than making a simple spell that helps with it. That is, you need to touch someone else who is not from this world ideally at least once a day. It will help you stay in control of your powers and boost your magical energy. If you don't, the consequences aren't very good. But as long as you hold someone's hand or give someone a handshake, you should be fine.

That's all I have to say about the situation. The staff of the Research Center will give you more information about housing and other necessary things. I will, however, promise that you will be sent home once the situation becomes better. That's the least we can do.

The hologram can be viewed in private in a separate room later, should someone wish to look at it again. For now, the staff of the Research Center hands everyone their new smartphones with their small flower lucky charms (the flower is anything the player decides). They're also told that the building next door is where everyone can find a room assigned to them with some of their belongings there and possibly even any animal companions. Those concerned about their mount-sizes companions are welcomed to the stables downstairs to see if their friends are there. The mounts are allowed to stay there until you find a place more suitable for them.

In the Arrival's hall there are also several stands with information pamphlets.

First type of stand is for the local Guilds and about the benefits or joining one.

Second type of stands is for the Welcome Center that aim to show otherworlders what the world is like and help guide people in the beginning of the journey and helps in getting settled into the new world. They even have people to help if you're unfamiliar with the new phones.

Third type of the stands is for The In Touch Support Group that is led by the Otherwordly Ambassador, Kamisato Ayato. The pamphlets have contact information for businesses looking to help Otherworlders. They also focus more on the lore of the World and what they have discovered so far, as well as a guide on what to think about when preparing to venture out to the Segments.

Once you get your smartphone and necessary information, you're urged to go out and find your apartment. After that whatever you want to do is up to you.

Part 3

The building next door is where everyone can find their new apartments. As you enter, you're told by a friendly native that for the first two months you can live anywhere rent-free and five meals a day are paid for you. After that they get a monthly payment that helps with some of their living expenses, but otherwise they have to have a job to support themselves.

All of the apartments are comfortable, two bedroom apartments with all necessary utilities. They are also completely soundproof. Sometimes the magic system, however, does glitch and you might find yourself rooming with a stranger. This is not the intention and the staff will immediately prepare you your own room if you ask them. But maybe having a roommate isn't all that bad?

Light a Candle For You

Part 1

All throughout the city, a festival is taking place. It's the festival to honor the dead. The areas are decorated with aesthetically appropriate lights and different flowers. Upon a closer look it becomes clear that all the flowers are bundles of flowers, based on the otherworlders' flower charms. Where a characters' flower is depends on their Season, but all of the appear in the Nightwake Center district.

The main part of the festivities is to light candles in various places. There are even floating lanterns, that can be either launched to the skies or put on surfaces of water. Those who have lost (= to death) someone at any point in their life will receive a message from them in their dreams and otherwise pleasant dreams about them if they light up a candle during the festivities.

Those who have died before (back in their world or on Ellipsa) will receive a protective light around them if they light up a candle. This light will also let the natives know to treat them with kindness and respect during the festivities. They will even receive special bonuses at some of the shops and restaurants, like discounts or extra items. The light itself will decrease any damage done to them for the rest of the month. The light will dim "when needed", but even as it's not easily noticeable, it will continue to protect.

Characters may receive both of these effects.

Part 2

The second part of the festivities involves making small ghosts made out of paper or cloth. These crafts are for the local ghosts to possess so they can be seen by everyone. Once the ghosts have possessed the crafts they will hover around the place, experiencing the festivities better than in their ethereal form. Only ghosts that wish to move on to the afterlife will possess the crafts.

Some of the ghosts gather at the Blossomcrown Park where magical crests have been set on various tables there. These ghosts are those who have been waiting for this moment to pass onto afterlife. Everyone visiting the bonfire will be given a special flower wreath. The goal is to wait for one of the ghosts to move and take hold of the wreath (literally holding onto it with their craft ghost forms) before placing it on the crests together with another person. This will help the ghosts to cross the border into afterlife. The wreath disappears after the ghost has passed on. This ritual can only be done at this time of the year, as the air is filled with a mysterious essence that helps with passing on. The scientists have yet to properly determine what the essence truly is, but it seems to concentrate on the park and at least it's not dangerous for the living.

The park also has some places to just sit down and enjoy the atmosphere at the park. There are also some food and drink stalls.

We All Become What We Pretend To Be

Part 1

The final part of the festivities is the multi-day Costume Party Masquerade happening in the largest airship of the city. The ship circles around the whole city of Nightwake, occasionally stopping at the dock and taking new passengers (or letting old ones out) before continuing on again. The airship is special, as it has a giant ballroom in the middle. There are also cabins, some more private and some more communal for those who just want a quick place to crash rather than a proper room.

Everyone who boards the airship must wear some sort of a mask, but they also have to be in a costume of some sort. Those who don't have either or both will be guided to a dressing room where the magic will pick them whatever they are missing at random (= of player's choosing) and dress them (their current clothes will be waiting for them at the airship station later). No one escapes the rule of a costume and a mask around here!

A magic is also applied to everyone's mask, making it harder for anyone to recognize the person wearing it (possibly even those who know them very well). This is said to add some level of mystery to the evening. Of course the spell will pause whenever someone takes off their mask and that may reveal a secret to someone. No one will just automatically forget if they saw someone take off their mask.

The music encourages people to dance and be brave in asking a stranger to dance with them. Thanks to the atmosphere of the masquerade, touch energy will feel even better than usual, even if you'd be "fully loaded".

Part 2

Another sort of magic sneaks into the party, as people's costumes start to take over their personalities. Someone dressed up as a king might start acting all regal, while a vampire look-a-like might try to bite someone in their neck. Some might even lose the sight of who they really are and completely take on their new roles for the time they're in the airship and in the costume.

Fairies will start trying to bomb people gone weird with water balloons, as a splash of water on their faces will wake them up from the trance (even if the said person is wearing a mask). They're even teleporting water balloons for others to toss - especially if it looks like someone is acting a bit too dangerously.

Another way is to strip them out of their clothes, but that might be something reserved for the privacy of a cabin, rather than the ballroom.

Even once someone has been freed from the spell they can unfortunately be spellbound again later on - but it's just less likely.

OOC TIPS

- Ask your questions related to the TDM here.

- The TDM is available only to friends of the mods and their friends. If you want to play in the TDM, please leave a note here to inform us who invited you over. We will get to you as soon as possible.

- Test Drive is open for current characters to make a top level as well. New characters can add TDM on their subject line to indicate they're new!

- Current characters cannot access the starting area again to meet new arrivals. They can, however, be at the Research Center when the newbies are teleported in.

- The TDM is game canon so anything in the TDM can happen for your character(s) in the game as well.

- Smut is not allowed on the TDM. You can play situations leading to it, but if the thread is turning into smut, please move it to a private space such a post in your character's journal, or a locked post in the game's log community if you decide to app!

- Check Locations: City to find more areas to explore inside the city. Every place in the districts are open.

- Similarly, Locations: Segments is useful for outdoors adventures.

- You can find monsters to encounter on Beastiary.

- FAQ has information on characters' smartphones as well as general things about the world that might be handy.

code bases by tricklet

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[He grins back at Goku, putting the finishing touches on it. He wonders if this kid knows what's up or if he's just stuffing his face here at the festival (which is valid, he's not judging,) so he laughs as he seems to eye something unseen to those without Winter powers, before he holds the little stuffed ghost he's made out in his palm.]

I'm going to make it float off into the night, as free as a bird. Would you like to watch it happen?

[As if it's some kind of magic trick. But Childe doesn't really get to choose when a little spirit decides to fly into it- it's almost as soon as he says it that he watches a spirit find its way inside and possesses it, lifting it into the air and floating off. Guess he'll find out if Goku is a Winter holder as well based off his reaction.]

[He's absolutely just stuffing his face. Any excuse to eat is one that Goku will happily take. And he's definitely too busy munching on his tasty things to notice the way the other's eyes seem to flick to the side.

Besides, the promise of a magic trick? That's way more interesting!]

Really?? How?!

[He barely gets those words out before the doll (?) starts to float off into the air. It makes his eyes go huge with wonder, jaw dropping as he watches it wander away.]

Whoooaaaaaaa... That's awesome!! How'd you do that?!

[It's amusing the way Goku reacts, as if he's managed to retain that child-like wonder despite seeming older than all his siblings. Yoimiya's like that too, and honestly it's very endearing to him. So it makes him laugh, a short quiet chuckle as he picks up some more fabric that he's got in front of him.]

It's a lot easier than you think.

[He pats the seat next to him, inviting Goku to sit next to him.]

If you think you can part with you food for a moment, I bet you'd be able to get it to float too.

[He tilts his head curiously to the side. On the one hand, he's really enjoying his food. On the other, he wants to know how to make the little dollies float!

Curiosity wins out (somehow) in the end. So Goku puts his bags of food down nearby before taking the offered seat, eyes bright.]

Show me how! Is the cloth magic? Didja put some kinda spell on it?

Haha, hold on, now.

[Childe appreciates this kid's enthusiasm, taking out a few pieces of precut fabric for him and a little stuffing along with a needle and thread.]

There's no spell, it's just a little bit of luck that's needed. You'll see in a moment. Why don't you stitch this together? Make sure you put that stuffing in before sealing it up, though. I think it's best you experience it for yourself before I explain it to you.

[Goku takes all the materials, arranging them carefully in his lap. Then he holds up the needle and thread---

And immediately blanks.]

...Uhh. How do I stitch it??

O-Oh, ahaha...

[Things he hadn't expected- someone doesn't know how to stitch. It's okay, he smiles back at Goku and picks up his own needle and thread.]

It's pretty easy, just mimic what I do, alright?

[He shows Goku how he threads the needle, ties a knot at the end of the thread, and pushes it through the fabric from the back.]

See? Be careful not to poke your finger though...

[Goku would feel more ashamed about not knowing how this works... But he also doesn't know how a lot of things work. And fixing up all the group's torn clothes was usually Hakkai's thing, because if anyone else did it they would probably just make it worse.

Especially Goku.

But he is trying really hard to focus on what his new friend is doing so he can mimic it properly!!]

'Kay! That don't look too hard--

[Famous last words. Because that's when Goku snaps the thread while trying to tie it into a knot. And then drops the needle to the floor. And in trying to make sure it didn't fall point-first into his lap, he flailed his arms a little and somehow tore into the fabric with one hand.]

[Chlide watches carefully as Goku begins his own attempt, but he can already see where this is going and opens his mouth to say something-]

Wait, don't-

[It's like it all unfolds in slow-mo for the Harbinger. The thread, the needle, then the rip in the fabric...it's astounding. He saw it all, and yet there was nothing he could do to stop it. The mess Goku's project has become is now not worth repairing, not for such a small little thing like this.]

I'm...guessing you haven't had to really deal with something so delicate before.

[His face flushes a little in shame, looking down at the ripped up fabric in his hand.]

Yeah... Gojyo always tells me I gotta learn ta control my strength.

[Because he's way too strong. Usually that suits him just fine, but when it comes to stuff like this? Not so much.]

But!! Can I try again??? I'll be way more careful this time!!

Sure, there's plenty of more fabric and materials to try again. Here.

[He grabs some more thread and fabric for Goku, and picks up that needle, just in case.]

So...is this Gojyo your teacher of sorts?

[Goku takes everything with a bright grin, and then laughs loudly at the question.]

Gojyo?! Gojyo'd be a real shitty teacher if he was one! Naaahhh, he's just one o' my travelin' buddies. Hakkai's th' one who's been teachin' me stuff!

Hahahaha! You're really a riot, you know that?

[He's going to go ahead and guess that Gojyo is the one that yells at Goku all the time, and Hakkai is the one who's got the more level-headed, patient constitution between the two. He doesn't know why, but he's got a feeling that Goku has some wild adventures. He wouldn't mind that for himself, honestly.]

Teaching you combat skills, I trust.

[JUST PROBING TO SEE IF GOKU IS FUTURE FIGHTO FRIEND]

[He's made his new friend laugh! That's a win in Goku's book, and it makes his grin grow even bigger.]

Hakkai's suuuper strong, but I can't do qi blasts like him. 'Sides, I've always known how to fight! Nobody had ta teach me how.

[Goku seems pretty proud of that, too. It's one of his few actual talents, after all.

It's also why he can't... stick the thread through the eye of the needle.]

[G-Goku

Watching this is mildly painful, so Tartaglia will thread his own needle and hands it over to Goku. Here buddy, don't torture yourself or him anymore on this...]

Oh, so you too, enjoy the rush of battle?

[OH GOOD]

You know, I wouldn't mind testing my skills against your own. That is, if you're willing.

[OH GOOD. Goku happily accepts this already threaded needle... and then continue his terrible attempts to stitch up the fabric.]

Mmhmm! It's pretty much all I'm good at... At least that's what Sanzo says.

[He doesn't really sound particularly bothered by that either, just shrugging like it's a simple fact. Though at that suggestion, Goku looks back up with big eyes.]

Uweh-- Really??

[Look at that reaction. That's the best reaction Goku could of had, and Tartaglia returns the big eyes with ones of his own.]

Of course! I'm always looking for strong opponents to challenge. Besides, what's so wrong about only being good at fighting?

[He shrugs his shoulders, holding his hands out. For real Sanzo, were you trying to be mean to Goku or something?]

What else is there besides the euphoric rush of battle? Take that away and...well, thankfully we don't live in such a world, haha.

[Goku can't help but look excited at the prospect of having someone new and strong to fight against. But also... he also looks curious, maybe even just the littlest bit nervous, despite the grin on his face.]

So-- So are you suuuuper super strong??

[Even though you're human?]

I think I can hold my own pretty well in a fight.

[He smiles back at Goku, confidence dripping from the guy. What Goku's definition of super suuuuuper strong is, he doesn't know, but that's what he wants to find out.]

Why don't you test me? Perhaps I'll meet your expectations. We can leave all of this- [he gestures towards the crafts-] for someone else.

[Now that's an invitation Goku just can't ignore! He really likes that confidence, after all.]

Really?? Right now?? Is there a good spot for fightin' nearby???

I don't see why not. If there isn't an appropriate place near here, then we'll just have to find our own space, now won't we?

[He's already getting excited. He doesn't know how strong Goku is, but if he's even a little bit strong, this will be fun and worth it.]

Given how delighted you seem to be at the prospect of a fight, let's go. I don't mind helping out here, but I'd much rather be throwing myself into the heat of battle.

[WELL, THEN. Goku quickly hops up onto his feet, the little sewing project forgotten now that there's the promise of a Good Fight. It says something that he doesn't even remember that he'd put down a whole bunch of food before joining his new friend on the bench. He's practically bouncing on his feet, ready and eager and eyes sparkling with excitement.]

Then let's go!! This is gonna be soooo awesome!! D'you wanna use weapons?? I've got my staff-- Or maybe just fists is enough?!

[Goku's excitement certainly is infectious- and it doesn't take much to get Childe all riled up, happy to see that someone else here shares a love of fighting as much as he does...or at least he's getting the impression of that. The Harbinger also stands, looking eager to test himself and gesturing for his new friend to follow. He'll find 'em a good spot to fight.]

Feel free to use whatever you wish- I'll be disappointed if you hold back on me. In turn, I too, will use my full abilities...that is, if you force them out of me.

[LITTLE DOES HE KNOW

As they walk, they'll eventually hit a teleporter that takes him far enough out towards somewhere more empty, a place suited for the two of them to use as much power as they want without hurting anyone else. He's chosen the Autumn Segment for them to walk to, knowing that not many will bother to venture out this far. Plus, the terrain will be perfect for them.]

[He makes an uncertain little noise when the other tells him not to hold back. He's never gone all out against a human before. And it feels like he can hear his friends already telling him to stop before they even start.

But... he's also literally being told to go loose. Wouldn't it be rude to say no?]

'Kay! I'll do my best! I'm Goku, by the way~

[Either way, Goku is obediently following his new friend to this new place with a bright grin. Besides, maybe he's a super human or something. Just because he smells like a human doesn't have to mean there isn't anything special about him. Plus he seems real smart and real nice, kind of like Hakkai, and he doesn't make fun of him when he asks about some of the random stuff they pass as they go.]

Tartaglia. It's a pleasure. Now that we're here, let's begin, shall we?

[He responds, arriving at their designated battlefield. He's so excited, and he hopes this will be a great fight. Childe takes his place across from Goku, his hydro bow forming in his hands and at the ready.]

Amuse me.

[And with that, he begins, taking aim and firing at Goku to begin their fight. Childe laughs like a madman, enjoying himself thoroughly, excited to see what his opponent has in store for him.]

---

[Throughout the entire bout, Childe is so surprised and elated that Goku is indeed incredibly strong, forcing him to use everything he has at his disposal to fight the other, until he's finally laid out on the ground. The Foul Legacy Transformation fades from his body, breathing hard, and yet feeling amazing.]

Goku...I didn't know you could punch me so hard in the stomach like that...hahaha...

[Despite that, he manages to laugh. This man had the time of his life and it shows.]

Test Drive Meme #5

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

just gunna skip this fight nps~

insert epic fight scene there, y'all

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)