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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.
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[His dance partner wouldn't be off the mark though. Jing Yuan's teasing is usually good natured— when meant to antagonize, there really wasn't mistaking it. It seems like he's bothering him unwittingly though, noting every bit of irritation and exasperation that crosses the other's face.
The shorter man leans in, but he's been acting strangely for a few minutes now, staring at him like a focused toddler. As Dan Heng opens his mouth, Jing Yuan is prepared.
He turns the shorter man in his arms, then pushes a palm against the bottom of his face.]
We save necking for the second date.
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It clatters to the ground at the same time that Dan Heng pulls back, his expression a twist of annoyance and alarm, the tips of his ears a little red from mortification and embarrassment both. Had he really just tried to...?]
I wasn't-- It's not... Something is wrong.
[Recognize this familiar face, Jing Yuan? He looks a little flustered in comparison to last time he saw him, but--]
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D-Dan Heng?
[He lifts the veil masking his own face with one hand, folding it over the top of his hat. The Nameless should likely recognize the pale face looking back at him, though the general probably looks more sorry than he's seen him.]
I apologize... I didn't recognize you. [He hated to admit being taken by surprise, taking a moment to draw his other hand away from Dan Heng's side.] I... well, what a coincidence! I hadn't thought I would find you here.
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The veil is lifted, and the familiar shade of those golden eyes is one he'd recognize anywhere. The realization that floods him--Jing Yuan is here, Jing Yuan was dancing with him--is enormous, topped off quiet horrifically with the knowledge that he nearly sank his teeth into the neck of the arbiter-general of the Xianzhou.
The view of Dan Heng's face is comedic: First the redness tinting his ears, but then the paleness of horror shading his skin ashen moments later, his own hand rising to his face to cover his mouth and his offending fangs.]
Jing Yuan... General-- I--
[And Jing Yuan is apologizing to him, like he hadn't just tried to take a bite out of the man like a crazed cannibal.]
I am the one who should be apologizing. My actions just now were.... inexcusable.
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I have had the unfortunate experience of witnessing hapless victims have their minds or bodies influenced by things outside their control. Your actions weren't your own, were they?
[Meanwhile, Jing Yuan was in control of his faculties at the moment, and had a choice of wording. Had he known it was Dan Heng, he wouldn't have teased him that way.]
Think nothing of it. I promise it will hardly pass my thoughts.
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He refuses to give into it, however. He'd rather sink his teeth into his own hand if it came to that than into someone else, especially not Jing Yuan, with his entirely too forgiving attitude and sheepish smile.]
I do not know what is influencing me... but I believe you are right. Even now I feel... urges.
[Ugh.] But I will not act on them, now that I know. I do not wish to do you harm.
[The question is, how to solve this?]
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[Dan Heng wasn't unpredictable. In the moment the general had felt no fear, only some concern and intrigue over what was going on with his dancing partner. He realizes in this moment he had been compelled a bit as well; walking up and asking strangers into a dance wasn't something he found himself commonly entertaining.
His brows knit and his gaze tilts down for a moment as he finds himself concerned about it, but he smiles soon after as he turns his eyes back to Dan Heng's face.]
Your concern is appreciated, but not necessary. Do you think some fresh air would help clear you thoughts?
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[That's... at least a tiny bit reassuring, perhaps. Jing Yuan has already been injured far too much, recently.
...Perhaps not the time and place to inquire about such a thing, however. His focus should be on what to do now. He watches Jing Yuan's expression for a moment before letting out a sigh.] Some fresh air might help. Getting away from the crowd seems wise, at the very least.
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[As the answer to that is no, Jing Yuan practices his art of dodging. He turns, leading Dan Heng away from the other dancers towards the wall of the ballroom where it would lead out to hallways.
He keeps in step with Dan Heng, as if well practiced at it.]
When do you think you first started feeling strangely?
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[He frowns slightly as he walks with Jing Yuan, eying the man's gait as if he can divine his health from it. Of course, Jing Yuan would not have such obvious tells, but...
The next question does provide some degree of distraction at least, so Jing Yuan's efforts aren't exactly a failure.]
...Looking back, likely since before you asked me to dance. It might have intensified with time.
[He isn't a social butterfly-- he's more content to mingle and keep to himself. Yes, he came with the intention of further making connections here, but to choose to dance with a stranger...
Hm.] Have you felt strange at all since arriving here?
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[The studious glances aren't unnoticed, but Jing Yuan doesn't make it too obvious. He just tucks his arms behind his back instead, keeping his eyes ahead while they chitchat in their walk.]
I teased you quite a deal. I don't blame you— who wouldn't want to bite my throat after that?
[He's taking it in good spirits at least, but Jing Yuan does not enjoy the thought of compulsion. Dan Heng's question makes him consider when his own thoughts went errant.]
I was being honest. I'm not much of a dancer, and you wouldn't often find me craving it unless I've had too much wine to drink and a pleasant mood.
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[hmmmm.
His eyes narrow in quiet annoyance as Jing Yuan continues, back to teasing-- and he is incredibly grateful this had not happened on the Luofu, honestly.] And? I teased you as well. That doesn't justify me following the impulse to know what your throat might taste like.
[A pause follows his words, as a theory begins to form in his mind.] ... You wished to dance, and I was trying to sink my teeth into your neck.
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[Ah... The smile doesn't really leave Jing Yuan's lips, but Dan Heng's choice of wording gets a glance from him. He feels a bit scandalized, but he's excellent at keeping his expression and demeanor mostly unreadable.
He does clear his throat.
Dan Heng is young and sheltered and certainly hasn't read as much 250+ rating immersia fanfiction as he has to know how easy it is with phrasing to make something sound inappropriate.]
Delicious, if I am to make a guess, haha.
[He laughs at his own joke.]
These aren't similar compulsions, though. Were we not bantering about the vampire abomination's desire for blood?
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[...That's a relief, at least. He'd followed through on that strike because he trusted Jing Yuan to know what he was doing, but the plan had been far too risky for his liking, and the man's injuries had been no joke.
The idea of causing Jing Yuan lasting harm was not one Dan Heng could have rested easy with.
'Young and sheltered' is not a term Dan Heng would apply to himself, personally, but it's true enough that he hasn't experience with... that sort of literature, unfortunately for Jing Yuan. Perhaps he merely meant it to be bluntly irreverent, But maybe the strange influence is also still having an effect on him, who's to say?] 'Delicious' perhaps, especially to a vampire. And with your impulse to dance.... Is it not possible it has something to do with the costumes we've been made to wear?
no subject
Some things don't change.
The general pauses in his step at the suggestion. He had thought about the influence coming from their costumes, but his thoughts had bee more along the lines of putting distance between the ballroom where it felt more intense rather than the clothing itself.
He regards Dan Heng quietly, looking down at him, and it's clear from the look in his golden eye that he is thinking similarly as him, but instead of voicing it he moves onto the next point:]
Whether you came prepared or not, there is nothing else to wear.
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Jing Yuan does have a solid point, it's true. They'd taken his clothing upon arrival, saying it would be returned when they returned to the station. Dan Heng's expression flattens slightly, a look of consideration entering his eyes.]
So do you wish to remain wearing a costume that is exerting it's influence on you? For all we know, the longer we wear these the worse it might become.
[He reaches up, resting fingers against his chin.] These airships are built for longer journeys throughout the segments, so they have cabins set up for sleeping. It's possible they'll have pajamas or bathrobes for overnight passengers as well, if we look.
[He lets out a sigh, opening his eyes to meet Jing Yuan's gaze with his own, firm jade meeting questioning gold.] At the very least I know I do not wish to remain in these clothes and risk it, regardless.
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[They'll be effectively retiring for the night. It was fine with him— since Dan Heng was here, despite the embarrassing way of meeting up, he isn't too inclined to find other company. The Nameless has his own life though, and he doesn't expect him to keep him company.
He glances down the hall they were walking down. A number of these must be cabins to find some privacy in. Jing Yuan wonders if any of them are any similar to the Express.
The General yawns maybe a bit too dramatically, patting his palm over his mouth.]
I suppose I wouldn't mind finding somewhere quieter. I'm getting rather sleepy. Let's go, Dan Heng.
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[He'd rather stay in a room and wait out the party for the night than risk staying in his costume and doing harm to anyone, personally.]
I know where the passenger cabins are since I've traveled with these airships before. Allow me to lead the way.
[He offers Jing Yuan a look that is hopefully good humored and reassuring, nodding towards the hallway ahead before leading the way.
The rather effected yawning even gets a tiny quirk of the lips from Dan Heng, almost a smile.] The beds should be comfortable enough I think, if you are feeling the need for rest.
[And once they reach the passenger cabins, Dan Heng's reassurances prove true: It's fairly simple, but it's certainly a decent enough room for a single overnight flight. There's even an attached bathroom in the cabin.] The route from Nightwake City to the stations of the seasonal segments takes roughly two days one way, so general use of the airship necessitates accommodations like this.
[He hasn't been here nearly as long as some, but in his usual fashion he had made a point to explore what he could in that time. Learning about the world around them was the way of the Trailblaze, after all.]
no subject
Closing a closet, he smiles at Dan Heng.]
Slower than a starskiff.
[Then he opens the closet again, his head disappearing from view behind the door for a moment before the general reappears with a white satin robe, holding it up for Dan Heng.]
You will probably want this.
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The Xianzhou has different needs than a place as isolated than this one, as well.
[It wasn't like the airships could go beyond the darkness outside, after all. He looks surprised but pleased when Jing Yuan offers him the robe, accepting it gratefully.] Is there one in there for you to use as well? I can go change in the restroom, if so.
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[The older man settles on the edge of the bed after Dan Heng takes the offered robe. The question is reasonable, but for a moment Jing Yuan just offers him one of his cattish smiles, warm and unbothered.]
One per room, I'm afraid. This room doesn't appear to be occupancy of two.
[He reaches up after a moment, taking the jiangshi hat from his head. It gets placed on the bed next to him. This is probably the most tamed that Dan Heng has seen his hair, coiled in a tight braid.]
You need it more than me.
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The examining look he graces Jing Yuan with is long and pointed, though after a moment he lets out a sigh as he removes some of his outfit's accessories.] If you are sure... but are you truly sure you will be fine in your costume? I will agree I pose more of a present danger in this outfit, but if any strange urges overcome you, you must let me know.
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I would never endanger you unnecessarily, Dan Heng.
[He's asked him to participate in a life or death mission, though he hardly had a choice. Dan Heng was obligated to assist in the Stellaron crisis as a Nameless, but the stability and lives of the citizens of the Luofu had also hinged on the general forcing Imbibitor Lunae into facing his past.
No more.
Jing Yuan's smile is gentle and welcoming, but still conceiling.]
Fortunately, I doubt I could actually drain the qi from your body, so at most I think all I would do is embrace you very tightly.
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[Dan Heng understands more than Jing Yuan probably realizes-- That what was done, was done for the sake of the Luofu. At the time it had grated, but seeing how much the man has been willing to personally risk for the sake of the Luofu's people, he could not resent him for it.
But it also means he knows to look deeper at Jing Yuan's words and how he says them.
Even if the suggestion of an embrace draws a faint flush of color to the tips of his ears and neck.] I was not asking about my wellbeing, general. I was asking about yours.
[A pause. A moment of consideration. An idea.
He walks over to the bed, digging under the blanket to find the sheets.] If you are amenable, you could wrap yourself up in this to avoid going without clothing.
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Seeing as he's running out of ways to wiggle out of the situation, short of just leaving to another room, Jing Yuan finally surrenders a little. He gives a little shrug, a helpless tilt of his head, still so very casual.]
I can't deny it's a creative idea for the issue at hand. I don't see why not.
[He'll admit defeat to himself here, taking the sheet from the shorter man.]
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