expiationmeme | TEST DRIVE MEME #3

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TEST DRIVE MEME #3

TEST DRIVE MEME #3

Welcome to the TDM for Expiation, a pan-fandom adventure game with fantasy, science fiction, and some horror elements. We ask that top-level comments are reserved for new characters and players looking to experience a taste of the world and overarching storyline. Characters already in the game, however, are free to use TDM prompts in their own catch-alls and logs. Feel free to submit any TDM / prompt-related questions to the corresponding comment below.

New players / characters looking to app are free to use TDM threads as samples in their application. Preexisting players / characters may use TDM threads as part of their AC proofs (with the stated limitations).

You may find the below links helpful in getting to know themes of the world, locations, the people, and so on.

info | world

IT'S THAT TIME AGAIN...

BRAVE NEW WORLD (ARRIVALS)

After receiving the paper with your sentence, the whole world quickly becomes dark and you find yourself falling through what seems to be an infinite void. You lose track of time after a while, but as soon as your focus seems to waver, your vision clears and you find yourself resting rather unceremoniously in a pile of seeds used for chicken feed.

Once you make your way out of the grain silo (and we of the moderator team wish you good luck in finding a fun way out of it), you may find that several other people have been dropped into the world just like you have. Some are disoriented, others are panicked, and others yet are simply angry about being brought somewhere against their will. Amidst the chaos of new arrivals to the world of Expiation, the newcomers will find that there are some people in the crowd who seem a little more familiar with what’s going on.

These people will tell you that you find yourself in a strange new world, and that it’s best to make your way to a nearby town called Aldrip to get settled down there. It’s a few hours by foot away from this area, but it’s the only place in the nearby area that can accommodate newcomers like you.

WE LIKE TO PARTY (WE LIKE, WE LIKE TO PARTY)

Recently, many Chosen have emerged victorious from a hard-fought battle, taking out a gargantuan creature that threatened to suck the energy from the whole area surrounding Aldrip if it had not been stopped. Such efforts do not go unrecognised, and in the aftermath, the locals all decided to band together to celebrate their saviours’ heroics. Nothing less than a village-wide party and parade would be fitting for such an occasion.

This is an undertaking that will likely take a significant amount of effort. While the locals wanted to make this into a surprise, many of them lack skills to put the thing together properly. Chosen who want to get involved in the preparation process can put their organisation and culinary skills to the test to create fixtures and food for the event. Better yet, your efforts over the past months have improved supply routes into Aldrip, meaning that the food shortage has passed, and you’ll have just about anything your heart desires for the occasion.

Alternatively, you can choose to enjoy the spoils of your efforts! Once the day of the party arrives, Aldrip will erupt into a full-scale celebration, and all Chosen are encouraged to party as hard as possible. Good food, good drinks and good times will be in no short supply for the occasion. Additionally, those who took to the front lines in the previous event will be revered as heroes and likely spoiled rotten.

THIS IS HOW YOU GET ANTS

PLEASE PARTY RESPONSIBLY

It’s no understatement to say that some of the Chosen like to party hard- and that’s quite alright! A few days ago, the people of Aldrip had already set aside a few rooms in the inn to act as an infirmary for those who had been injured during the battle with the Branded. It took little effort for them to expand this project into a full medical wing for those who would undoubtedly be acting irresponsibly during the festivities.

It’s up to you to decide what circumstances brought you here. Perhaps you were injured in the previous battle, and have been stuck in bed as you recover from your wounds. Maybe you had just a little too much to drink, and you decided to come by while you collect yourself. Regardless of what your reason for being there may be, the people of Aldrip have guaranteed that you will receive the best of care.

With that said, the place is terminally understaffed. Aldrip’s locals will certainly appreciate any assistance they can get- even if your character might not have the best training or bedside manner. Medicine can’t be that hard- what’s the worst that can happen?

MR. MAGNIFI'S MAGNIFICENT MIXTURES

Once word of the upcoming celebration spread, several individuals from outside town came in to offer their services or goods in Aldrip. One such individual came into town riding on a rickety cart with the words “Miraculous Magnifi’s Medicine! Guaranteed to heal what ails ye!” emblazoned in gold on its side. The thing smells a bit off, with a strong chemical scent coming from the back, but the moustachioed man who emerges from the back assures you that all of his “mixes are made with meticulous ministrations!”

Those who buy and consume the potion might find themselves feeling strange over the next few days as symptoms emerge. Some people wake up to find that their hair has taken on a rainbow of colours during the night, that rats cuddle up to them for no reason, or that their irises have been replaced with strange spiral shapes. Feel free to come up with inventive but harmless side effects for the miracle elixir- it’s meant for some good fun.

They’re strange symptoms for sure, and certainly not the advertised cure-all. However, Magnifi is already gone by the next dawn, meaning that no one can get a refund. Thankfully, the symptoms will go away after a few days, but the chaos that ensues in the meanwhile will certainly make for some fun stories.

IT'S NOT OVER

♪♫ LET IT GROW ♫♪ ► (FUTURE EVENT TIE-IN)

The party celebrating the dread beast’s defeat can be heard from miles outside of Aldrip, but the situation is not quite yet resolved. Much of the once-lush forest outside of Aldrip had its life force absorbed from it, leaving little more than profaned ground and an overwhelming scent of rot. Worse yet, there are reports that some of the beast’s severed golden tendrils have taken on a life of their own, creating snake-monsters that threaten the local wildlife.

However, the monsters are not the only new arrivals in Pessiria Forest. Those who go to investigate the area will find that fairy-like creatures have gathered in the profaned land and are trying their best to help bring the area back to its former glory. At first, they seem to keep their distance or ignore you entirely, but after determining that you mean well, they inform you that they can temporarily bless the Chosen with the power to make full-sized plants burst forth from the seeds they plant into the ground.

It’s still going to be hard work. Even with the power to bring plants to life, planting seeds in the miles of dead forest will likely take a very long time. Still, these strange fairies could use the help, and tough jobs can be better if you bring a little help from your own friends. (Or enemies. No one’s going to judge you for who you bring.)

WHAT'S THAT MYSTERIOUS LAUGHING SOUND?

The process of regrowing the devastated part of Pessiria forest is well underway, but the process does not go entirely smoothly. Partway through the process, locals start to report that they can hear a strange girl laughing in the forest in the middle of the night, but no one seems able to track down its source. Curious Chosen can patrol around the forest at night to try and figure out the mystery.

Those who are particularly sharp-eyed might see a faint spectre of a little girl wearing a straw hat dancing about, but she never seems to stay in sight for more than a few seconds. One blink is all it takes for her to vanish.

You probably won’t be able to catch this strange spectre, but it’s become something of a game among the villagers to go looking for her anyways. Some say that seeing her is a sign of good luck, and wave to her before she disappears. Others say that if you see her while holding hands, it will bless you with a lifetime of good love. Almost all of these assertions are probably nonsense- but what will you do about it?

Threaded | Top-Level Comments Only

No, I would imagine that longing wouldn't simply cease even knowing that the star and all that have threatened in the past have been laid to rest.

[ G'raha could fill Elidibus in, if he so wishes. However, it isn't really needed. Perhaps it is beyond the concern of someone who no longer exists on the physical plane. It seems to be enough for the ancient man that they succeeded at all.

In a way, he does understand the position. Going back and doing it all over again, even knowing how things turn out. ]

I can relate on some level. Would I have walked the same path? Absolutely and I do not feel the slightest bit of guilt for it.

[ Though there is guilt for surviving again. For the future that will no longer be, the one that the Exarch circumvented by traveling through time.

He could dwell on that more, but the fact remains... Those with strong convictions will not waver, despite the results. Instead he focuses on what is said next - that the role of Elidibus has served its purpose. There is no obligation to be other than Themis.

G'raha tilts his head in thought. ]

Themis it is then. If that is the case, and there is no further reason to hold onto that which had divided us previously... I believe instead of "Crystal Exarch," it should be "G'raha Tia."

( Shinichi's hovering close by after he hands the other boy the soap, attentive, but careful to avoid actually getting his hands in the water. Migi... doesn't like the water, and the last thing he needs is his own hand getting all agitated when he's trying to help someone else out. )

Cooking seems pretty hazardous.... I don't do it a lot, either. Not unless you count making ramen as cooking. ( He offers a little smile; lately back home, he's taken to eating such quick meals.... There's an odd pinprick ache at the thought; he misses home. But he's snapping out of it, reaching for the hand-towel on his shoulder when the boy's done washing his cut. )

Here, I can wrap it for you with this. Hopefully that stops the bleeding until I can find an actual bandage to put on it.

( He'll gently reach for the boy's hand — he can try to wrap the towel up nice and secure for him. )

Really...? I'm from Tokyo, too! ( Despite his mild, shy mannerism, something in the boy definitely brightens up to hear that they're from the same city. It makes everything feel a lot less lonesome, makes him feel less lost. )

I'm Shinichi — Izumi Shinichi. ( He returns the polite little bow, eyes cast downwards for a moment, then blinking as he witnesses more seeds slipping from the girl's long hair. Shinichi's unable to give a quiet laugh as he stands upright again, gesturing to her hair. )

That stuff gets everywhere, doesn't it...? It's probably all in my pockets.... and it's so dusty, too.

Would you like a hand getting it out?

( The sentient hand turns itself to follow the man's gaze, thoughtful for a moment. )

I hope to make observations and plan an exit without too much of an uproar, but if needed, carving them into pieces would be my strategy, as well.

( Shinichi balks at how nonchalantly both of these guys talk about carving things to pieces... looking highly uncomfortable as he just stands there. He doesn't even really want to be a part of this conversation... and still needs to have a "What the hell?!" moment at Migi in privacy, but he finds himself piping up after an awkward pause, nervously looking over at the man like he's afraid to make eye contact. )

You really don't think it's a trap?

[The embrace comes as a surprise, but a welcome one. Comforting arms envelop Erichthonios, and all thoughts he once had about there being cruelty or ill-mannered jests in being deposited in this place are gone and vanished. Themis is here. Themis is here, and suddenly... everything feels alright.

Warmth suffuses him, and he wraps his arms around his friend, holding him tight and secure.

He can no longer hear the party around them.]

Themis...

[His name breathed as a sigh. For a rare moment in his life, Erichthonios feels utterly at peace.]

'Tis my turn to appear before you, it would seem.

[Much as Themis and Yuja had appeared before him, that first day they entered Pandæmonium.]

( Migi, at least, doesn't seem to realise that half of this is technically insults. This stranger says many new words and phrases that he's never heard before, and the parasite's mentally storing them all in the archives of his memory. "Cocky little shit." "Fugly." "Whoppin." He'll definitely want to ask about these later on. )

Correct. I require his body in order to survive.

It is true that my situation is flawed. My kind are not meant to co-exist with our hosts, but to overtake them fully. However, there is no other alternative. We are stuck together.

( He does keep a few things concealed — namely that he and Shinichi have made quite the formidable pair because of their "flawed" existence together. It's given them an advantage in fights against the others of his kind who want to kill them. But perhaps better not to reveal too much about what they're capable of; he's still making observations about the residents of this place and their fellow "Chosen," and what they're capable of.

....Including this young man. There's something about him that the parasite is attentive to — something.... atypical of a human. (Is he fully human at all...?) Given the way he moves, quick and fluid despite his build, Migi also has the inclination to believe that he would be capable of quite a bit of prowess in a combative situation. It's reminiscent of his kind in ways, but he doesn't sense any of their brainwaves here.... Best to keep an eye on him and learn as much as he can; his curiosity's certainly piqued by the colourful stranger and his equally colourful vocabulary.

Speaking of— )

What does "get off" mean?

Okay, let's not—! ( Shinichi finally interjects, sweeping his free hand through the air. Enough of... of that! He's looking warily up at the other, not at all sure what to expect from this guy, but very much wanting Migi to stop talking to him now, thanks. )

We were told to go to some town called.... Aldrop or something. ( Aldrip ) Is that what you heard...? Are you new here, too?

Edited 2023-06-04 04:16 (UTC)

[ >:| ]

I fought with a man who wielded some form of Light magic.

[ This said through gritted teeth. There, happy now? ]

( a hand that has a mind of its own. if it weren't for the fact it's possibly for magic to be created by science, jinx would call bullshit or come to the conclusion this guy is way off his rocker than her.

but after witnessing all the things she had seen (and being teleported here), anything is possible. and besides in order to be an engineer (and an amateur scientist), you need to have an open mind on things. or else how can anything be created? her eyes lock to his hand -- the one that's desperately trying to tuck the other away. )

No, no it didn't. ... I never heard a condition like that. Is it contagious?

[As soon as Shinichi interjects, every sign of impish joy is lost from Rex’s chiseled features which contort back into their unfriendly default state.]

And I’ll Aldrip-you a new one if you don’t get the hell away from me…!!!

[He mutters, signaling for Shinichi to back off. So the little guy is most definitely a parasite, something like the creepy crawlies on Mars, which Rex knows full-well that he isn’t at all resistant to. In fact, it’s the one thing that keeps him from shoving the other boy away entirely, since avoiding physical contact is now a necessary precaution. As far as a choice for a host, Rex haughtily considers himself to be a great candidate, being at such a peak physical fitness. It also helps that in spite of his downright awful personality, his looks help him get away with a lot, especially when he isn’t wearing his supersuit.]

It’s slang for “masturbate.”

[EVIL?????]

Yeah I’m new! I was just on the job. A job that nearly killed two of my teammates and some other guy!

[He means in Invincible. Rex may not like the guy, and he’s not showing it now, but wow. Watching him go down like that was harrowing.

Hopefully he’ll survive.]

If that giant hairball from space also made it on it’s way over?

We are. So. FUCKED!

Edited 2023-06-04 04:54 (UTC)

[She's actually a bit taken aback by that comment. Usually she hears about her lack of emotion, not having too much of one. Has she really changed that much?]

That seems very unlikely, yes. It obviously required great power, however locating the source may not be possible until it unleashes it again. The eye can be very deceiving in these cases...

[She's pretty obviously talking from experience.]

[Echo gives a quick, polite bow of her head.]

Thank you. To start, where exactly am I? There's not a town called Trench nearby, is there?

[She's not exactly chatty either. While Echo has been working on her social skills in the last year, she's still grossly inexperienced. But she keeps meaning to try that "making friends" thing she's heard so much about, so she's willing to chat and watch.]

Correct. I am not yet accustomed to it, but this is familiar at least.

I see. Did you not memorize a path on your way in?

[There's only a hint of judgment in what she has of a tone, otherwise Echo just seems curious about his circumstances. And from the way she speaks, it doesn't seem likely that you'd catch her laughing any time soon.]

I truly have no idea why you are making this more difficult than needs be.

[ Stop behaving like a child. Then he might be "content." Never happy. Not with the man that shot him in the back. Nope. Not letting that one go. Never. ]

Had we the tools available, I suppose I could extract the residual aether. For now, show me where you were obviously hit.

Well, we 'Chosen' tend to stand out, and I haven't seen your face before. [She grins and takes a careful bite off of the kebab. This would have made good foot for her family's cavalry, now she comes to think of it.] I'm Ethlyn--I'm one of the healers here. What's your name?

The young man's quick action proved him to be as skillful as he'd seemed in Ethlyn's estimation as she'd ridden up. But the tentacle wasn't a regular beast--not the kind that had the sense to give up and collapse when impaled by two feet of steel.

She lifted her arm to shield her face from the splatter of the fluid--blood or sap or ichor, whatever it was it was sticky and unpleasant. Still, she reminded herself, not the worst thing she'd gotten on her as a healer. "Not to worry!" she called back, wheeling Venture around. This time he was less reluctant to ride closer. "Hold it still and I'll stick it with mine!"

[Yuber glances toward Shinichi with the disdainful glare people usually reserve for those who intrude upon private conversations.

Right...this intriguing being has a human attached to it. What a pity.

He sighs, reaches up to adjust the brim of his hat, and replies.]

I don't.

The humans here don't seem cunning enough to set a trap. But, if you're afraid I suppose there is no harm in waiting for everyone else to enter the city before us. If there is a trap, they'll spring it. Then you'll know for sure.

( Someone has been (highly reluctantly) following this man.

It was at the festivities that the guy first earned the attention of aliens.... initially piqued by Talks of Anatomy and held by nearly everything else about Palamedes from then on. (Clearly an intellectual, perhaps a scholar of some kind?? Curious aliens want to know.) The entity housed in an unfortunate teenager's right hand made sure to coax Shinichi to get closer to the man throughout the evening, never actually directly approaching him, just.... observing from a distance. At one point, they saw him with a notebook, which really excited Migi. Notes? Observations? The alien hand is itching to get his fingers on whatever the scientific-minded man may have ended up jotting down.

Now Shinichi's been roped into helping out at the little clinic (again, led there by his horrible alien appendage who just wants to poke itself everywhere it can and learn about this new world in which they're being withheld), and as chance would have it, there they spot the man again....

Migi gets right to work prompting his human host to continue the tailing. But here he has to be a little more careful; it isn't so easy to seem inconspicuous in this setting, in comparison to louder, brighter party affairs. It mostly consists of Shinichi slowly and very awkwardly just kind of.... following the man from a distance, ambling into whatever room he might be at, pretending to be looking for something or waiting to help out a patient, or carrying things around — a stack of towels, a crate of medicines.

Migi has also gone Spy Mode and it is horrible but it means that a thin tendril of himself has stretched out from Shinichi's right hand and snaked its way up inside of his clothing, where it now peers out of his collar in the form of a little eyestalk. From there, it watches what's going on (spies on Palamedes) and then can duck back down quickly into Shinichi's collar to conceal itself when needed.

It's completely creepy and Shinichi is cringing hard when, after casually passing by the man again, they get a quick glimpse of the bizarre conversation he's having with someone (Necromancy? Wizards?), which leads Migi to finally give him the order to go talk to the guy so he can listen.

So there's a very nervous and nauseated-looking young man approaching Palamedes now, standing stiff and awkward and looking like someone is holding a gun to his head. He tries to wait until there's kind of a lull in conversation so he's not interrupting, but Migi gives him a hissed whisper to make haste and interject and Shinichi suddenly pipes up. Cringing again immediately afterwards, it probably seems rude... He hates his entire life..... )

I'm sorry, but.... did you say wizards?

[ His mad laughter dies down quickly, replaced by a snarl as he swipes the air between them. ]

Be that as it may, I will not give up. I am not going to roll over and let Hydaelyn keep our star divided. You say the Final Days came again - tell me what you know so that I can use the knowledge when I return. I refuse to let our efforts be in vain.

[ Glowering sullenly at G'raha, he gestures irritably at his torso. ]

I caught the full brunt of it. Where else would it have struck, boy? Certainly not in the back.

[ As if a great and powerful Ascian would flee from his opponent. ]

N-No, I don't think so. I don't think they really know exactly what causes it, but— it's just neurological, I think! ( Shinichi rambles nervously. Meanwhile, he can feel that Migi's gone slack in his grasp again, no longer moving at all. Maybe he's finally going to behave himself..... Slowly, he'll release his rogue hand, though keeps them both close to his body.

There's suddenly a loud crack as a firework is released, and Shinichi, who doesn't handle loud noises very well, jumps a little and whips his head towards the sound.

All it takes is those few seconds and Migi's jumping to attention again. This girl was trying to steal from them (he would know, as he's also been trying to steal from people!) and he needs to let her know that he's onto her.... So when Shinichi's looking briefly away, the alien lifts and aggressively points at Jinx with two fingers, something purposeful to the gesture. Kind of like an "I'm watching you...." )

"...Something of the sort."

He doesn't understand how it can be possible. Then again, being brought here is also impossible. Do the powers-that-be have sway over time itself...?

Then perhaps...?

"Erichthonios..." Why does that name sound familiar?

Put simply, your problem might be that you're thinking about it too much. If we give your thoughts a little space...

[ He looks back down at the spot he'd been tending to, trailing off as if something important has only just occurred to him. ]

...This may have been easier to try if I had brought a lunch.

[ With only a little bit of shame, ] Counterfeiting.

[ Dazai's no doubt already aware of some of the more heinous things the Decay has done, which Sigma may or may not have had a hand in, so a crime that sounds downright tame in comparison isn't too difficult to admit. The specifics of it may not be too tame, but...

...At least he's hoping that's what it's referring to.

Throwing back the rest of his glass at that thought. Moving on. ]

And you? That parchment's only supposed to list one, right?

I...didn't think I would lose track of time long enough to be leaving on my own.

[ He'd expected the work to be hard, yes, but the gifted magic skewed his perception of how much he could get done and how quickly. It was easy enough to go from one seed to the next, planting a few more didn't seem like a big deal, and...

Well. Now here he is. ]

You said you were investigating? What, exactly?

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TEST DRIVE MEME #3

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^-- much spoilers with these two

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makeshift clinic! (cw: some mild body horror, aliens doing stretchy things)

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