seasonsgreetings | Test Drive Meme #5

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Test Drive Meme #5

Test Drive Meme #5
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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

[ Erwin is curious to experience all aspects of life here, so a masquerade on an airship is, quite frankly, irresistible. While galas and balls happened on occasion, and often were still very much about duty and representing the Survey Corps, there had been things about it he'd genuinely enjoyed, including dancing.

The magic has seen fit to don him, perhaps ironically, in some rather royal attire and a starburst mask.

He's asked a number of people to dance already, but feels drawn to the figure dressed as a representation of death - perhaps it is the irony, perhaps because death is something he'll never escape. But finally he approaches, giving a perfect bow, and holding out a hand. ]

Might I be so bold as to ask for a dance with death?

[ As though he hasn't done it so many times, until he finally lost. ]

[ The mask and the magic are working overtime to obscure Erwin's identity, and yet still, Levi's quite sure he knows that voice, and that build, and that posture. Certainly that missing arm, unless it's obscured from him by a spell as well. ]

[ He's probably not as mysterious as their hosts would like either, what with his height usually standing out in a crowd of mostly tall people, but for now, the magic barrier holds. ]

[ What doesn't is his insistence to avoid dancing at any costs. He had already felt his resolve cracking earlier, and something about this person's -- tone, the words, the everything, compels him to finally agree. ]

[ But first, there's just a feeling he gets-- ]

Wouldn't be the first time for you, huh?

[ Something about the man just screams risk-taker for some mysterious reason. Appropriate, then. Levi rolls his eyes behind the mask and puts his hand into the one offered to him, his movements confident but unpolished. ]

[ If he insists. ]

Sure. As long as you're fine with death stepping on your feet.

[ Likewise, Erwin wouldn't say he recognized Levi immediately just by looking at this figure on its own, but the stature, the cadence of his words, the feeling of his hand - how could it be anyone else? Ironic, if he is correct (and how could he not be?)

Erwin smiles beneath the mask, the only part of his face that is really visible, and gives that hand a gentle squeeze of reassurance. ]

No, it wouldn't be. Either for a dance, or for death stepping on my feet.

[ It's stomped pretty hard on his whole existence once already, after all.

So he leads them both out to the dance floor. Erwin is a decent dancer, and he's had a few rounds already to get the feel for doing it one-handed. It's easier to put his arm at his partner's waist and guide them both gently around the room. The exact steps don't matter quite so much, but they more or less find an agreeable movement after a little while. ]

I hope you are enjoying yourself thus far.

[ It's... odd. The smile is odd, the way the stranger's hand seems to be trying to comfort him is odd. He'd never trust a smile without seeing the person's ~~eyebrows~~ eyes, and yet something tells him it's genuine. ]

And here you are, back for more. You must enjoy pain.

[ Is he judging? Maybe a teensy bit. There might be something fondly exasperated in it too, though. ]

[ Levi is not a dancer at all, but he's nimble on his feet from years of fighting. His movements are somewhere between a bit too rigid and a bit too sharp, looking more like he's trying to avoid punches or trip wires than to be elegant, and it's clearly taking him quite a bit of effort even so, but with some guidance from his companion it ends up mostly workable. So while his steps look like anything but a dance, he does not, in fact, step on the other man at any point (so far). ]

It's as enjoyable as trying to suck a shit back in.

[ So, you know, uncomfortable and straining but preferable to the alternatives! He's also making no motion to stop or get away, so there's that. He's probably just stressed from trying not to look stupid in something he's never done before and exaggerating a little bit. (Probably.) ]

[ That definitely earns a light laugh. Is that fondness he hears? ]

I admit, perhaps I am.

[ He is, definitely.

Over the next several minutes, Erwin is impressed by his partner's lightness of foot, despite their earlier warning. The steps don't match, but they still manage to move together quite evenly, anticipating each other's movements like they've been doing so for years-- which they have, apparently, because that last comment could only really be made by one person. Erwin smiles, the hand on his partner's (Levi's) lender waist tightening just a bit, briefly. He wishes he had both hands again, to do this properly - but even this much contact feels good...and just being close to another person. ]

Well, I'm glad it's not the worst thing you've had to endure, at least.

[ Another couple paying less attention drifts dangerously close to collision -- Erwin grips Levi a little more tightly putting pressure in the direction of his next step and swings them both elegantly out of the way ]

[ It sure is, and it might be increasing further when the smug bastard simply confirms it. And then there's that laugh -- so familiar yet so rare that it hurts. ]

[ The magic, while splitting at the seams, is still trying to hold, so perhaps Erwin doesn't notice the slight limp, or maybe he does at some point, though it doesn't seem to impact Levi's ability to move precisely, just make it another little notch less graceful. ]

[ There's at best a handful of people Levi can think of that would just take his shit metaphors in stride like this, and only one of them matches both the size and the manner of speaking of the man in front of him. And yet, despite him knowing very well who exactly it must be, uncertainty still clings to the edges of his mind, attempting to make him doubt it. ]

[ He tenses a little when that grip on him tightens, nearly veering him off-balance, but he's being supported by it just enough that it doesn't even make him stumble. For a moment, he almost feels weightless, as if he actually is dancing like he knows what he's doing. ]

Doesn't even crack the top ten.

[ And that's being generous. This is a mild inconvenience at worst. ]

[ Even one-handed, Erwin wouldn't have let him fall. He has noticed the lilt in his gait, a trait that still feels wrong for Levi, although in this instance it helps confirm his suspicions more than makes him doubt (and it is him, it has to be). Even so, he still moves with confidence and intention, lock-step with one another.

Once clear of other dancers, Erwin relaxes his grip again, and smiles. ]

That's reassuring. I appreciate you indulging me in a dance even so, Lord Death.

[ He'll be glad to know that it's practically unnoticeable compared to the way Levi was dragging himself around with a crutch when he just got here -- and that it doesn't seem to make him any less dangerous in the air nowadays, at least while he wears his orthotic. He still has the speed and the precision to instantly dispatch targets; he just might be aching a little more afterwards. ]

[ There's a glint of gray in the deep eyeholes of the mask -- irritation, or perhaps mirth. ]

I'm no stinking lord.

[ He's not denying the Death part, because, well, he's aware he's in a costume. And it does feel... oddly fitting, perhaps. After all, everyone who got too close ended up dead. ]

[ Erwin chuckles lowly, presses his fingertips against his partner's waist briefly. That piercing look brings a smile more fully to his lips, then it evens out into something softer, fonder. ]

No. [ He speaks mildly, moving them even farther away from others, towards the edge of the room. The song is perhaps about to end, soon. ]

You're so much more than that, Levi.

[ And if it isn't him well - the next few moments are about to be quite awkward. ]

[ The fact that they're moving further from the crowd should probably register as suspicious, but instead, Levi finds himself a little more at ease instead, as if his levels of comfort are inversely proportional to the amount of people in his near vicinity. ]

[ And then the man says his name, and he knows that voice and exactly how it sounds when saying those two syllables, and he stares at him speechless for a moment before reaching out to try and peel Erwin's mask off. ]

[ Show him. ]

[ Erwin knows that Levi feels more comfortable in less crowded spaces, and it is easier to converse (and avoid wild flailing of others, with only one arm to lead) away from the noise.

As Levi reaches for his mask, Erwin slowly brings them to a stop. He leans in just slightly to make it easier, holding still so it can slip free. His hand lingers at Levi's waist, not even thinking about it.

And when it comes free he just...

Smiles. ]

[ Levi almost takes a step back, staring for a moment, letting go of the mask. He knew, of course, but now that the mask is off, that knowledge is hitting him like a thousand bricks. ]

[ And even the fact that Erwin is here is so completely new that despite already knowing he's here it still takes a moment for his brain to really comprehend it (when and how did they even get separated tbh? Maybe Erwin had to go sleep at some point like a normal person). ]

[ His gaze softens and he reaches for his own mask next, shoving it to the side so it still sort of hangs off his head like an ornamental hat, but his face is uncovered. ]

I fucking knew it. Who the hell else would start a conversation with "Might I be so bold"? What are you, sixty and rich?

[ Despite his rough choice of words, he sounds... happy about this revelation. ]

[ Erwin lets his hand slide away as Levi shifts back. He adjusts the mask to rest off to one side, and his gaze brightens when he can finally see Levi's full face again, lingering momentarily on the clouded eye.

But he laughs again, lightly, especially because Levi seems glad to see him all over again. It's...heartening. ]

I suppose I am getting up there, aren't I?

Seeing as you agreed to dance with me, it had the desired effect.

[ Levi feels the urge to swat him for that, exacerbated by the magical atmosphere compelling people to crave and enjoy the touch energy more than usual. He hesitates for a bit, if only because their relationship had never been particularly heavy on actual contact, but, well. One of them died and the other might as well have, this place is a whole new life and that might as well come with other news. ]

[ He settles for huffing and lightly punching Erwin in the ~~tits~~ chest, not aiming to hurt, just express a sentiment of you're being insufferable. ]

Oi, you just got here, you're not allowed to die of old age for at least another month.

[ A year. Ten. Twenty. However long they're allowed to stay here. ]

And don't pat yourself on the back too much, that was just lucky timing.

[ THE MAGIC MADE HIM DO IT!! Though honestly if he was aware it was Erwin from the start he probably would have gone along with it without any magical influence at all, if maybe with some more grumbling about how he has no use for picking this skill up. ]

[ Erwin bites down on another laugh, putting his hand over the spot where Levi struck - warmth blossoming there instead of pain. Perhaps it's just the magic of this place, apparently fueled by touch, perhaps it would have happened anyway, because they're reunited again. He fakes a wince, but it turns immediately into a smile once more. ]

Understood, Captain.

[ His grin widens a little before settling into something more knowing, fond. ]

Oh? Are you saying someone else could have gotten to you instead of me?

[ Not unthinkable, but it's fun to tease him a little anyway. ]

Good--

[ He might look a little flustered for the whole moment it takes for him to shove his mask back on; steel gray stares at Erwin from the left eyehole of the skull while the right remains empty, tone undecipherable. ]

Are you saying you're special, then? [ Because he'd be right in a lot of ways, even if maybe not this one, but there's no need to let him flaunt it right now. This whole teasing thing works both ways. ] Better get a bigger mask, your head's starting to peek out around the edges.

[ Erwin leaves his mask where it is for now, and is already somewhat disappointed Levi's replaced his, though his expression doesn't change. ]

Then it's a good thing you're here with me, otherwise I might get delusions of grandeur.

[ Because that is how it has always been - Levi grounding him back to the earth, his reminder and guardian of what really matters. ]

[ It's fine. Now he knows it's really him, and Levi has a convenient way to hide when he's feeling called out. ]

[ Levi makes a small, vaguely amused huff and lightly prods Erwin's jacket. ]

Well, you're already dressed the part.

[ He's clearly not too bothered by that thought, either. There's worse things to do than being a smug asshole. The touch lingers perhaps a moment too long; it just feels too damn nice, like warmth and magical energy is just flooding into him through his fingertips. ]

Indeed.

[ The touch lingers, and Erwin still hasn't decided if he can determine (or care) if it feels good because of magic or just the newness yet of it all, but Levi stays long enough for him to catch his hand again. Because if one dance was supposed to be enough, it doesn't seem so now. ]

May I have this dance, Levi?

[ Levi doesn't pull away, doesn't quite step closer either, apparently contemplating. Then he gives a light shrug. ]

Suppose I should encourage you for asking like a normal person this time.

[ That seems to be a "yes", since he's stepping closer again, his other hand drawing a few awkward figures in the air before settling at Erwin's waist -- that's how he thinks it went last time, right? ]

[ Erwin waits patiently for Levi to make up his mind; he's always had plenty of it, and plenty of practice with his Captain.

His smile widens, and while perhaps he should pull the mask back down, he doesn't find it important enough to break contact with Levi to do it. ]

Perhaps I was trying to impress a new acquaintance before?

[ Does that mean he doesn't feel the need to impress Levi?

Hands on the waist seem to work well enough. Erwin keeps them on the periphery of the dance floor - there's no need to rejoin the crowd and risk knocking into people again, or making Levi potentially agitated at the throng. Besides which, it's easier to just talk at a distance away.

It really is a shame, though, missing an arm at a time like this. They manage, but it isn't the same when he could be guiding Levi much more elegantly with both hands instead of one. ]

[ It seems patience gets rewarded! ]

[ Levi huffs softly, his arm relaxing a little because ribbing at each other is just what they do but he can't muster any genuine annoyance just yet, not after being apart for so long and finally managing to find each other again in a different fucking world. ]

Uh-huh, and what am I, yesterday's soup?

[ Wait, no, that makes it sound like he wants to be impressed-- ]

Spare yourself the trouble next time. It does the opposite. Unless you're talking to some fancy fuck that uses twelve different forks at the same dinner.

[ And yet, here Levi is. Dancing with him. Don't overthink it. ]

[ It does feel good. After the trauma of death and the effervescent existence of being a spirit, it's wonderful to find their old rhythm again. ]

Sometimes soup is better the next day.

[ Is that a compliment? Yes, because Erwin Smith can be a suave motherfucker when he choses.]

[ He chuckles. ] Well how was I to know when you're wearing a mask like that?

Perhaps next time I will simply sweep you off your feet.

Are you seriously comparing me to soup right now?

[ His tone is flat, maybe with a hint of both incredulity and mirth. ]

[ Erwin. Erwin please, that is not "suave" at all. At the same time, it's so painstakingly Erwin that Levi can't help breathing out a little soundless laugh, exasperated and fond at the same time. He can't imagine him ever singing praises to some noble lady's presence by comparing her to an unit of potentially expired food, but he was usually putting up a front pretty hard in those situations. And this isn't it; this is just... them. With all their flaws and quirks and weirdness they've grown familiar with over the years. ]

[ He huffs. Clearly, he should have known. Or maybe just defaulted to not using all of his big words on allegedly new people! It's not hard! ]

Maybe you should've dropped yours.

[ He may or may not be talking about the actual masks they've been decorated with here. ]

Yeah? Better give me a heads-up then, I'd hate to see you losing any more arms.

[ It's an empty threat and they both know it. ]

I'm rather partial to soup, in fact.

[ It's absolutely suave. It got Levi to laugh, didn't it? A resounding success, as far as he's concerned. Erwin smiles, because he can't remember the last time he'd made Levi laugh over something so inconsequential. Perhaps at some point in those last two months prior to their ride to Shiganshina, the last space of time when things had been almost normal. Yet their moments of levity had still felt farther apart after everything.

It feels good, now, to not have to worry about it anymore. His fingertips press a little more firmly against Levi's waist, just for a brief moment. ]

...I suppose I could have.

[ Erwin returns, softer. Perhaps Levi is right. ]

Mm, I'll do my best. Going without both would be terribly inconvenient.

Test Drive Meme #5

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who said romance is dead

definitely not levi

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/fin