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.

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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?

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[Fyodor approaches, and Chuuya works to catch his breath. He's not planning on hurting the man-- if he's here the alliance is probably in play, and Chuuya isn't planning to fuck it up. After all, they'd had no results in regard to figuring this world out, let alone a way home.

He wipes a lingering droplet of water from his lips, staring up at Fyodor in surprise.] You've got some very interesting taste, because when I first woke up with them I nearly had a heart attack. Pretty sure people in town find 'em unnerving, too.

[He's working on closing his canteen when Fyodor reaches over, the press of a fingertips against his bare skin, against his throat drawing Chuuya's breathing to a halt for a moment. When his next inhale comes it's a little unsteady, though not from fear, the ever present skin-warm leather of his collar only making the feel of Fyodor's fingers stand out more.

The marks themselves curl up against Chuuya's cheek, throat and jaw in violent whorls, and at one point they'd even dipped beneath his shirt, though they've begun to recede since then. He watches Fyodor carefully as the man examines them, waiting to see what he'll do.]

[Alien, magic personality insert. It's kind of similar? She's likely equally curious about humans, but Echo has been trying to get better at actually being one.

As his tone changes, Echo glances back in his direction. She's not sure if she ever heard "Tokyo" mentioned in Trench, "Japan" had probably come up but she'd never really pursued information about it.]

You miss being there.

[She's basically just stating the fact she just determined.]

It is very troubling to suddenly find yourself in an unfamiliar world, yes. I believe it becomes easier the more you learn, however.

I am...from Reveil. [If the kingdom had ever been given a name, she'd mention that too. That's not entirely true, but things are just super complicated for her. She doesn't miss the place so much as the people she'd cared about, and returning isn't possible unless going back to being dead counts, so she's never worried about it much.] It's not quite like this either. Different worlds are drastically different places, it seems.

[ooc: I just noticed you on the reserves page, haha, hi! Just noting I'm not done at Deer, just prioritizing things with deadlines while coming out of a bad couple of months for my mental health.]

So Dazai is telling the truth, I was here before and you do know me. [ because the him before and the him now are still the same (and also not, they're so far apart, minutes and moments forgotten causing fyodor, this one, to be: sharper, colder, bitter but also beneath: vulnerable in an entirely different way than he'd been before.

what he knows is that chuuya would not let him do this unless he'd also had the certainty that fyodor would not do anything harmful.

the skin is warm, damp--he seldom touches anything living, his fingers skate upward, settling beneath chuuya's chin as he tilts his face to examine the marks. observing them close up is far more satisfying than on surveillance photos. ] People always find unnerving what they don't understand. They wouldn't recognise something divine even if it turned water into wine for them. [ he seems offended on chuuya's behalf. ]

So you don't remember, huh? Yeah, you were. [And they'd talked a fair bit about what Fyodor wanted, in terms of his 'use' of Chuuya. Enough that Chuuya was fairly sure between that and the alliance that Fyodor wasn't planning to blow him to bits right now. It would have no benefit to the man whatsoever.

But it did raise the question of why he was touching. There could be any number of reasons, really. Maybe it was his strange fascination with Chuuya, with his power. Maybe it was a desire to see how vulnerable he could make Chuuya. Either way-- the intimacy of the touch makes him swallow reflexively.] I don't turn water into wine, though that'd be a pretty damn useful ability.

[Gosh he'd love to meet a guy who could do that.]

I turn people into pulp. That's all the different people need, I think.

[ there's a shuttered expression at those words: no, he does not and that's troubling in itself. fyodor's mind is his strength and if parts are missing? that's--he hasn't given himself the luxury to allow those doubts to pass through until chuuya's blunt words chip at the mask. it's visible, this close.

and yet, he does not withdraw his touch. it's fascinating to be permitted to touch like this, chuuya is warm and so very alive. he laughs softly at those words. the touch right now has nothing to do with power or corruption, it's merely the permission given in such an unspoken manner. ] But are you different? You feel so very human under my fingers, [ he traces the whorl on chuuya's cheek, slips his index finger until it meets the juncture between ear and jawline and stops abruptly. ]

You're rather lovely in this moment. If anyone is unsettled they are idiots.

[Almost as if daring the man, Chuuya tilts his head just slightly, baring a little more of his throat with no fear in his eyes as he meets Fyodor's gaze. He knows there's no danger here, unless Fyodor decides to try just to make a point, but that isn't quite the man's style.

And he knows that the not knowing probably unsettles the man, but there isn't much Chuuya can do about that.] I'm a flesh and blood person, just like you. Just like pretty much anyone else, really.

[And that was the crux of it, wasn't it? The breath Fyodor can feel from his throat, the warmth of his skin. He wasn't something untouchable and 'divine'. He was just... Chuuya.

A huff of laugh escapes his lips at Fyodor's flowery words, though it's pretty easy to tell he's a tiny bit flustered by the unexpectedly bold-faced compliment, this close in proximity. He inhales deeply as Fyodor's index finger slides up closer to his jawline, his skin just a little more sensitive along that path, tendons and veins closer to the surface, too.] 'Lovely' probably isn't what people thought a week and a half ago when I was zeroing in on the village in a corruption fueled haze.

[ no sign of fear or hesitation from the other, that's interesting. maybe foolish? no, not that-chuuya must know something else is staying fyodor's hand. after all, the agreement had nothing to do with touching and proximity. chuuya could break his hand with ease. gentleness. softness. things that are gentle have not been given to him; he can give gentleness himself if he chooses to but to be permitted to give it is new.

had he been a different sort of person it would be easy to lean in and press even closer, run the tip of his tongue along the sweat and skin—]

Pity the village stands then.

[ he slides his hand until it settles on the nape, red strands between fingers, the damp warmth and he nudges a little to urge chuuya to draw closer. ] Why are you allowing this?

[No fear, no hesitation-- part of it is Chuuya being his usual stubborn self, the kind of man who walks into a gunfight with the full confidence he'll walk back out, but the larger part was certainly a matter of knowledge, as Fyodor has probably guessed by now.

And if permitting Fyodor to touch sets them on a level playing field? That's perfectly fine. Chuuya could even admit he enjoyed it, always a tactile person by nature, in every manner.]

Multiple reasons: You don't want to kill me. You told me as much once before, and while I'm sure it's possible that might change at some point, I don't think that's your intention, at least not right now. I'm useful, you said it yourself.

[it's said with ease as he allows Fyodor to urge him closer, his expression calm self-assurance.] Second of all, it wouldn't really do you any good here. It'd be pointless at best and petty at worst, and it'd just make your life harder here. That's counter-productive, and you're smarter than that. An alliance is our best chance of figuring out how to get home, and that's a goal we can all agree on.

[Hey Sigma, remember this face? Chuuya hadn't really gotten a focused look at Sigma while he was... indisposed, but there is something familiar about the man. Enough to draw him over to the booth and investigate, at the very least, curiosity in his eyes.]

Sure, I'll play a round or two. What're the house rules?

( It's certainly no trouble, but Shinichi gives a smile and a nod; he'll make sure to keep an eye on the wound for a little.

Namimori.... He can't remember a town by that name, but it's possible it's just one he was never familiar with. What really stands out is Japan, and something in his features is immediately brightening up. )

I'm from Japan, too...! Tokyo. Ah, it's such a relief to bump into others from the same place. This world is so.... different.

I see. [ She nods slowly. It sounds like a prison of sorts, though they also appear to be free to do whatever within that prison. Surely there's more to it, but that's a matter for later. ]

The inn, right. [ A room would probably be a good thing to secure now, despite her desires to explore. ]

( Shinichi blinks down at the other man's hands when they come forwards to take the towels, anxiety prickling up under his skin for a moment. But refusing the offer would seem really weird, right.... )

Oh— sure. Thank you. ( He says politely, tipping his head forwards slightly as he reaches to slowly hand the towels over. Everything's fine. Everything's fine. He's successfully transferring these towels. It's cool.

And then he's watching in silent horror as his right hand takes this opportunity to grab one of Fyodor's hands. Not harshly, but definitely with intention — fingers wrapped around the other's, and a couple of them give the other's skin a soft tap. Examining.

Shinichi balks and flinches, but doesn't immediately jerk away because that would probably make him look crazy!! Instead he stands there staring down at his own right hand, the left one coming up to gently wrap around his wrist to pry it off. )

Sorry about that— accidentally grabbing onto people, so stupid!

All the more reason. [ She'd much rather have more energy than she does right now if something dangerous were to show itself. ]

Let us find a place to rest and perhaps a meal. [ Water, at the very least would be wonderful. Not just to toss over her head to cool down a little. ]

Ethlyn ducked from the pieces of plant flesh that flew over her head as they tore it apart. Shaking the remnants off her sword, she returned the knight's smile and dismounted from her horse so she could speak to him face-to-face.

"Not at all," she said, returning his little salute with her sword before taking out a clothe to wipe it down. "You were dealing with it quite well--I just wanted to lend a hand. Are you a knight?"

I really do. [It was a sarcastic question, but Ethlyn gives an earnest answer anyway as she leads the way towards the kitchens.] You'll find that your fellow travelers are from all sorts of times and places. Mine hadn't yet discovered that the true cause of most diseases are the smallest of living things.

[An implication of this occurs to her...]

Ah, but I assure you that I've been studying diligently since then. Here--[When they reach the kitchens, she begins opening up the cabinets with the tea things.] If you can fill that big kettle, I'll get the brewing set up.

Wait a second, you make bombs??

( Shinichi ogles the girl for a moment. She has to be around his age, right? Is she some kind of delinquent??

Of course, the news only continues to become more shocking... the boy freezes, eyes snapping back down to his hand when she says that it's been chatting with her. )

What the— why're you talking to her?! ( He demands, then gives a startled gasp when his hand lifts and extends out to Jinx in a handshake position of its own accord. Yes, yes you should give it a handshake! )

Cut it out! ( Shinichi hisses, but his hand won't budge. )

[ Ragna groans, but doesn't protest otherwise and resigns himself to the fate of being (what he assumes is) the girl's entertainment for the evening rather than a "friend". She seems like the type who marches to the beat of her own drum, so it's unlikely he can just convince her to stop, but he figures she might get bored eventually. ]

Dunno about that other one, but "unique" sure sounds right.

[ He doesn't think it's a compliment, of course. But whether he likes to admit it or not (spoilers: he doesn't), the way Jinx carries herself does pique his interest, if ever so slightly. Annoying as it might be, having both the guts and freedom to do whatever the heck one wants is kind of admirable. ]

... So, what are you in for?

[ Considering the whole "crime" thing, this might as well be a form of prison if you ask him. ]

( her attention perks up to him at the question, a soft "hm?" with a few blinks. oh right, that parchment she had on her when she woke up. jinx tossed it out in the wilderness but then decided to retrieve it again after a while. because being in a different realm like this, who knows if they will use her list for something damning. letting go of her braid, the girl wiggles in her seat as she fishes out the scroll from her back pocket. jinx unravels it and reads out: )

"Murder on all counts, terrorism, arson, vandalism, involve with illegal trading, breaking and entering, kidnapping, robbery, home invasion, armed burglary, possession of assault weapons, aaaaannnnd criminal use of a firearm."

( she reels the paper back up, then looks up to him with a grin on her face. )

Gotta admit: whoever wrote this gets full stars and a round of applause across the board...! All checks out.

Edited 2023-06-08 16:26 (UTC)

The people around here seem to have big hearts. [He shrugs. There has been surprisingly few blaming fingers pointing at them. Some might take it as a relief but to Akechi it's just suspicious.]

But tell me, why are you interested in this garbage? [He makes gestures at the vials.] Like I said, there are healers if you sick.

[It's always symbolic, duh. The castle is not real. But unfortunately Juri is still very much trapped in the coffin of her own adolescence and blinded by the illusions to realize that she and her little cult are being scammed big time. BUT OH WELL, that's not here nor there.

She halts on his mark, her grip tightening around sword's handle. She listens carefully, slowly turning her head to left where the faint sound of rustling leaves seems to be coming from. Now, it could as well be your regular wild animal -- they are in the woods after all. But it had been far too quiet for that for some time now, so..

Silently, she raises her hand up as a sign for her companion to stay still. After that she takes a few practiced slow steps, absent of any sound towards the direction she had been staring.]

[ Most people would (understandably) find that list abhorrent, but for better or worse, Ragna isn't what one would call "most people". As such, he's not exactly appalled by that list; on the contrary, he doesn't seem to feel very strongly about it, whistling once she finishes reading all that. ]

You sure like to keep yourself busy, huh.

[ He figures he doesn't really have room to judge, since he's not any better himself. And hey, for all he knows, she might have some reason for all that.

That or she's just a fucking psycho. Doesn't really affect him much either way. ]

[ How gracious. Oh how he'd missed this presence while it was absent because he'd known it still existed out there somewhere still. He allows his hand to be gently guided and aided with a muted satisfaction. ]

Hmm... Why, I can think of nothing more appropriate for this occasion than a toast to a dear friend's well-being.

[ It's such a blessing to have another chance to exert influence over that dear friend's end. Nothing makes Gogol happier. Nothing concerns him more. With that blessing spoken out loud he consciously tilts the vial of unknown substance as steady as he is able. Moved enough to wet the other's bottom lip. ]

There is. Not so far from here in fact.

[ and it almost sounds like encouragement to keep going just a little further. Would be if his mania didn't wax and wane so often. From the first, fuelled by sympathy for the exhausted, into the second comment where it returns. Gogol reaches out as if he's planning on scruffing Sigma for something dubious. ]

Awww are your feetsies hurting? You should've said so! I can get you there faster.

Edited 2023-06-08 18:14 (UTC)

[G'raha may just mean in the makeshift clinic, but as far as Alphen's concerned, that's a pretty accurate statement for the town as a whole. For now, though, he's content to nod in agreement, smile brightening a bit at the request.]

I'll do what I can. I've heard I can be persuasive from time to time. [That may be an understatement. Anyway--] By the way, what should I call you? My name's Alphen.

A meal... [Drifting into thought, Erichthonios poised a hand before his mouth, head bowed and brow gently furrowed.]

There is not much out here, that I have noticed. There do not appear to be any eating establishments this far into the wilds. However... there are waters nearby. I have not yet investigated the variety of life within them, but fish do appear to be a staple of the local diet...

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TEST DRIVE MEME #3

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