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seasonsgreetings2023-10-13 12:35 am
seasonsmods) wrote in seasonsgreetings2023-10-13 12:35 am
Entry tags:
Test Drive Meme #5
Test Drive Meme #5
LOGS | NETWORK | OOC | MEMES | NAVIGATION
You arrive in an unknown space, dressed in white clothes (player choice what kind of clothes, as long as they cover everything). Whatever was happening to you before no longer happens. It's like everything was put on a pause and you were transferred away from the situation without you realizing it happened.
The space that you find yourself in is one of these four options:
An empty landscape filled with snow and ice, almost like a blank canvas.
A field with cherry blossom trees and spring flowers.
A sunny beach near an ocean that seems never ending.
A quiet forest with falling autumn leaves.
All of the spaces seem to continue endlessly. No matter where or how far you walk it almost seems like you're not moving at all. There are no animals here - just those who happened to wake up there at the same time, in the same place. Everyone is wearing the same kind of plain, white clothes.
Despite the possible rollercoaster of emotions you might be feeling, the place somehow feels familiar. Like somehow you belong there.
And it looks like you're not alone.
After half an hour has passed the surroundings change as everyone is teleported into a room with all the other new arrivals, no matter what space they woke up in. It's a large place with plenty of seats to sit in and beverages to enjoy. Medical attention is offered to those who need it and the doctors here are very prepared for any challenging situations.
Here, in this room, everyone gets an answer to where they are and why. A hologram of a man appears at the center of the room, waiting to be heard. He brings a message on behalf of the leaders of Ellipsa.
The 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?
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.
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?
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.
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.
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".
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.
- 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.
B1;
Which isn't even a pun on their death-based costume! Parties are just very overwhelming and exhausting when you're used to an entire universe consisting of only thirty people for a few centuries.]
Hmm. Is that how you view it, sleepless? I have come to think of it as nocturnal.
There is hustle and bustle during the day, but no more so than what you would find under any rock or twig.
The nighttime is much more lively and awake.
...
Then again, I have found myself spending the daytime asleep more often than not, lately...
[Daytime crowds and lunch rushes are also overwhelming and exhausting when you're used to a universe consisting of only thirty people. :(]
no subject
It depends on where you go! The city centre's nocturnal alright, at least the entertainment area. People are all over the place during the daytime, but they're all going somewhere. At night, that's where they linger and mingle. But the business areas are quiet at night, and it's the same for the outer districts. Take Solarpeak and Dayrise! People there live for the sun. At night, they either go to sleep or the city centre.
[Unless there's a beach party, at least. He takes another drag and exhales a waft of smoke.]
I don't know what it's like in the coldest districts, honestly. I rarely go there.
no subject
My master preferred the heat of the desert and the flames held within the nightclub.
[Literally. Literal flames. That's where the incinerator was, in the VIP room of the nightclub.
Yes, this means Purple's a VIP at a nightclub. In fact -]
... Truth be known, I actually find myself missing such an atmosphere, despite how suffocating I find crowds to be. And how incredibly little I participated in its festivities.
Is that odd?
[They feel like it's odd. They don't even like clubs, after all - they just miss what they remember of their life back in Everhood.]
no subject
I don't know if it's odd. I'm not a fan of loud crowds myself, but if it's too quiet, it gets lonely... a mix is best, I guess. Still, I also prefer the summer districts. Are you a Heroic Spirit by any chance?
[Once again the mention of a master makes him wonder! Perhaps the repetitive question will tip Purple off to Hijikata someone not being able to recognise the only Everhood Mage he knows...]
no subject
They recognized him the moment they stepped out onto the airship's deck... is he truly so susceptible to such easy magic?
(... Though, to be fair to him, it's partly because he's the only otherworlder they've met who smokes.)]
I am not Heroic enough for such a title, but I am glad you still believe I may be, Hijikata.
no subject
Purple Mage? Is it you? I didn't recognise you in this get-up!
[Seriously, how is he supposed to recognise Purple without the usual big witch hat?! (Of all things to fixate on as a stand-out feature...)]
You look really nice.
[Even if those ghosts adorning the bottom half of Purple's dress(?) are a little spooky... but this month, he's been able to be brave!]
no subject
[... But despite what they're saying, they still use their magic to pluck the mask from their face - and yes, there they are! No magic hiding their identity, now!
Just the magic of not wearing their Mage's hat, because honestly. That's why they say that hat is so important, how is anyone supposed to know they're a Mage without it??
At Hijikata's compliment, though, they lift their arms to brush the cape away from their dress so he can see it properly - it's long-sleeved, the kind that trumpet at the end only to cinch around the wrists.
Though, that isn't their favorite part about it.]
Thank you! The magic of the dressing room truly sought to adorn me properly for the evening -
I am quite a fan of its pockets. [Said as their hands go, as one would guess, into the skirt's pockets.] And how well it has captured the spirits of myself and my friends, of course.
But I have yet to find clothing such as this with pockets as deep as these... I wonder if they will allow us to keep our costumes?
[Their priorities are definitely in order, here. At least that means there's nothing to be scared of in those ghosts, though! Purple's own spirit is smiling up at him from among them all!! Totally not spooky, right?]
no subject
Pockets are always good to have.
[Honestly, the trouser pockets of his Shinsengumi uniform are pretty small and tight, but at least the jacket has some more generous inner pockets he can stow his cigarettes and mayonnaise in! Very important.]
They're usually pretty generous with special occasion outfits around here, so I wouldn't be surprised if they let us keep these! I'm not sure if I'd even wear mine again, though. I may be a civil servant, but butlers usually exclusively serve the fancypants people who hired them!
[The spell hasn't fully kicked in yet, clearly. Before long he'll be attentively making the rounds to check on all the party guests' needs being met!]
no subject
[That's got their curiosity very piqued, apparently! They're even going to hover around Hijikata in a little half circle, as if they're looking him over...
Before teleporting in front of him outright, beyond the deck's railing, in order to see the costume in full.
It's fine - their magic's got them held in the air without any issue, and they've got their hands on the railing to boot!]
I was unaware servants had a mode of dress so common as to make good costumes... is this something common among mortals?
My own master cared little for how I looked, so long as I did not make them look bad as I stood by their side.
[Purple's job was a little of everything that "servant" could cover, really. It wasn't all being scary and intimidating and murderous - they've had plenty of more boring, butler-esque duties, as well.
Sending and receiving messages, taking care of busywork that Gold Pig wasn't interested in, even just cleaning and sorting the treasury... what a charmed life.]
no subject
[Butlers are all stuffy and formal; he could never be like that! He gets startled for a moment when Purple teleports outside the airship, but clearly there's no need for him to worry, so he makes sure his friend can get a good view of his outfit.]
Servants like this are pretty much status symbols. "I'm so rich and posh, even my servant looks this fancy!", that kind of thing.
[Purple clearly had a shitload of work to do back home even without a fancy outfit, something Hijikata can relate to. Co-leading the Shinsengumi means not only fighting terrorists and other criminals, but also writing reports and handling other shogunate correpondences, not to mention keeping the barracks clean and handling other domestic chores (granted, he does try to delegate those things as much as he can, but sometimes even the Vice-Commander has to lend a hand!).]
no subject
I suppose dressing up their servants is certainly a way to get that across.
[And while they're here... yeah, how about they actually get a better look at that costume?
Beyond just wondering what it is, really. They're actually looking it over, now, as they hold onto the deck's railing.]
... The idea behind the costume may not suit you, but regardless, you wear it well.
Perhaps if you were to remove the bowtie around your neck, and supplement it all with a diadem...?
[Translation: they think something princely suits him better. Which is half truth and half because they just think any outfit looks better with gemstones.
Say what you will about Gold Pig, at least they made sure their servants spent ample time around all the treasure in the world... Purple misses it terribly.]
no subject
A diadem? That's even less suitable for me. I'm a simple man, you know?
[He was born as a farmer's son (an an illegitimate one at that). His father did own a lot of land, but it's not like Hijikata stuck around for long, and the people in Edo would probably have turned their nose up at any countryside samurai no matter what. It amuses him that Purple can't tell that he's uncouth and unrefined!]
no subject
[Here, they fade away into darkness once more - only to reappear back on the deck properly, mask replacing itself on their face as they cross their arms on the ship's railing.]
... And, at any rate, I believe it certainly wouldn't hurt.
Even Brown Mage looked nice when adorned properly, and they were a fool who would eat a twig if it looked tasty enough to them.
[Yes, Mages definitely do come in other colors. There were probably tons of them, thousands of years ago...
And hey, whether Hijikata's uncouth or not doesn't even cross Purple's mind - they were the right-hand servant of a literal giant pig for ages.
Anyone would rank higher than that in their eyes, but especially someone who treats them as kindly and politely as Hijikata does.]
no subject
I think I got polished enough already. You saw my uniform, right?
[He wore just his casual kimono at the feast they first met at, but when they ventured into the Autumn Segment, he wore his warmer and sturdier Shinsengumi uniform from home. He likes to think that it looks very official and respectable!]
no subject
Not that there is anything particularly wrong with it... I am simply a fan of that which glimmers.
[... Which probably explains the amount of jewelry the dressing room gave them with this costume of theirs, frankly.
Even the mask is adorned with some kind of little stones.]
RIP I thought I replied here..!! ðŸ˜
[Purple could almost fit in with the beautiful glamour monsters with their featureless shadowy shapes that still exude elegance and grace, but to Hijikata's biased mind the mage is prettier yet. This party outfit, while a little spooky, really is a fine way of accentuating that.]
How about you shine for the two of us? If I did, too, it'd be overkill.
dw, you're all good! i've been working on anchor anyway 👀✨
He's definitely hit their very small list of close friends just with that compliment, though, and it's clear that if they had a mouth? They'd be beaming with it.]
I suppose... but please, do not hesitate to take the chance yourself, should the opportunity arrise.
You would be surprised what sort of difference it would make, even with something small and simple.
Outside of costume, my accessories are strictly practical - magical or enhanced somehow. And yet, even then... the compliments often take me by surprise.
♡
He shakes his head, slowly starting to get a little embarrassed. He's never worn any jewelry in his life, after all, and the closest association with it is the scare he gave himself when his imagination ran wild with what it would mean to join Ozymandias' harem (a temporary reparation measure for the mayhem he caused him and the wider Master- and Servant community). Luckily, the pharaoh just let him wear his regular clothes in the end.]
You don't serve Gold Pig anymore, so you can wear whatever you want now, right?
no subject
[It's something they've definitely thought about, honestly - adding more to their usual get up beyond just what's useful.
But they've also been a little nervous to... not because they feel it's too much or anything, but more because they feel a little plain in comparison to what few accessories they own.
Like putting jewels on a stone.
But if Hijikata thinks they should... hmmmm.]
no subject
[Granted, he'd understand the sentiment, feeling more or less the same - he's a soldier, a warrior, someone who gets dirty and grimy and all messed up; he wasn't meant to be adorned with anything. Purple, if nothing else, isn't a melee fighter (at least not to Hijikata's understanding) and would hopefully remain unruffled at a distance from the enemy!]
no subject
But something about this has Purple picking up the edge of their cape, playing with its hem for a moment as they think.]
... Do you believe I would look good with such?
I consider myself rather plain, benefitting most from dark colors that match my complexion, but if you think otherwise...
[Somehow, they almost seem a little bashful, asking as much.]
no subject
Yeah, I tell you! You can start small, with a brooch or something; it doesn't immediately have to be a massive crown or whatnot. It'd stand out more on you than on others, right? Like stars stand out in the night sky.
no subject
[That's parroted quietly, as if they can't believe it's being used to describe them...
But after a moment, they look away again - eyes shut as they're prone to do, almost as if it's their own way of "blushing".]
... I suppose it would be a shame, then, if I didn't consider this. I'll certainly keep this in mind, when I next have the chance...
I do already own quite a few pieces, though they had been gathered with the intent of enchanting them. Or working them into other enchanted pieces, perhaps...
[Hijikata has no idea, but he's making a monster, here. They really do own so much junk already, just out of being homesick and missing Gold Pig's huge treasuries.]
no subject
See? If you already have so many things, it'd be a shame to not put them to use. Do enchant them!
[He has already enhanced his swords to be far sharper and more durable than before, so he can vouch for the effort being worth it!
While he and Purple were talking, the secondary effect of his mask has started to slowly set in... before long he may just go into butler mode, contrary to his earlier claims. Already his eyes start scanning the surroundings for any party guests in need of assistance, but at the same time it would be terribly rude to cut short this pleasant conversation!]