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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( A host's forehead....? Shinichi blanches a bit more at the thought, while Migi's curiosity simply continues to blossom, mind whirling with this information. It seems that whatever parasites this man is familiar with definitely differ from his own kind.... but the similarities are just as striking.

Could it be that there are different "types" of his species beyond simply the "intellectual" and "combative" types he's encountered so far? Perhaps more variations of his kind exist... )

So these hosts typically retain their own brains, such as my host.... In our world, such a case is considered an abnormality.

Do the hosts of your world know they are housing these entities? Do they co-exist, or are they at odds with one another?

( Shinichi shifts again, not too eager to pipe up to this guy any more than he has to, but... )

....Sorry about all the questions. He's um... really curious about his own kind.

It's no problem at all! If you like, I can finish up what you were doing here in the kitchen, and you can direct me. I'll be your hands?

( Shinichi turns back to the station Tsuna was at before, reaching for the knife there on the counter. He's... really not good with this on his own, but Migi won't let anything happen. The alien that functions as his right hand is inhumanly capable with things like this. )

What were you cutting up before?

Oh, no, it was my first year of high school, Juban High School, it was great because I was attending with so many of my friends! I um... well, I suppose I'm not in high school NOW though unless this place insists on it? But Hero Academy! That's amazing, so you're a superhero? Do you have any special abilities?

Ooh, stargazing, that's wonderful. I love looking at them but I don't know the first thing about them, if that makes sense. I think it's amazing you're going to be a superhero!

Awww I bet you were a cute baby, you're super cute NOW after all!

( This all sounds........ like some kind of cult??? Houses and flesh and bones and whatnot.... and what's with that wire.....

Shinichi's trying to listen to what the scary guy is saying, but there are a lot of big, strange words, and he's simultaneously, horrifically aware of a tiny alien eyestalk nudging against the back of his neck, and so most of those words are going straight over his head. ...Not Migi's, though. The alien is whispering feverishly to him (Shinichi. Unless I am mistaken, I believe that man just used what is called a "pun.") and the boy is trying very hard to pay attention to both sets of voices.....

Sorry Palamedes, he doesn't react enough to the very witty play on words..... he's just kind of sitting there wincing. Migi's excited beyond belief though, and after whispering more things for Shinichi to voice, the teen pipes up again, awkwardly. Copying Migi's words feels very weird, and he's forcing himself through them. )

Um... pardon me for saying this, but.... the concept of magic is beyond what would be considered... logical.. for my kind.

( Yeah it's totally not weird that he's wording things like a robot would, all of a sudden. )

You said you're.... born to do it? Does that mean it's your... "purpose?"

Exactly! Thinking more about the sweet reward might work well enough instead of eating right now.

[ One way to find out! Thankfully the spot he'd been working on isn't too far away, so he can keep an eye out for her needing any additional help when he settles back down. ]

[You're going to have to get used to it, Galaxia. You more than anyone should know how much Usagi hates being alone without friends beside her.]

Haaa yes right, YOU lead. Eheh. [She rubbed the back of her head with her free hand, more seeds falling out of her hair.] At least we'll see if I've been here before, that would help narrow down if this place is where we go after we die.

Coming coming! [She quickly moved next to Galaxia, not sure what to make of this whole thing. If this was death, where were the others? If this wasn't death, did she succeed? Did she manage to save everyone? Or was this place... unique, for her and Galaxia for some reason?]

[It is basically a cult, but luckily(?) Palamedes has been sent to cottagecore prison for treason, so he has that going for him.

He blinks.]

No, it means I'm a wizard.

[Who will finally be putting his wire away, after he looks down to pinch some, hm, blood off the end he had stuck in his hand and start to roll it up. Don't mind this, simple supply care...]

I won't bore you with the storied history of necromantic-vs-non- social strata in the various Houses, because honestly, I was never all that interested in it myself. But no, when I say some of us are born to do it, I mean the rest of our people can't. I was born a necromancer the same way I was born with crap eyesight; it's innate, unlearnable. Not a developable skill from nothing.

[Wire tucked into a pocket, he turns to look at the nearest tray of spare medical odds and ends someone has left over here to use as needed, moving a few things around. He does still think Shinichi is Clearly Unwell, so maybe if he can find a thermometer... like some kind of non-necromancer, because the guy is weirded out, for sure.

So it's only polite.]

Looping back: "my kind"? What kind is that for you?

Ah, I woke up there too, getting the seeds out of my hair was a major pain.

Um, no no, you don't have to blow it up, I mean, seeds are usually for growing and eating, right? So, you'll need the food from that place too, Jinx-chan.

Maybe... hmm... maybe... well, I dunno, don't think you can like, x-ray that thing. But we'll look. Four sets of eyes!

[She took a deep breath, alright, relax, just think about the sweet dessert, you can do this!

She closed her eyes and then let out a breath and held out her hands, several little sprouts budding up from the soil, bright green and healthy.]

I DID IT! I DID IT I DID IT! [She ran over to Sigma and grabbed his hand, showing him the sprouts.] Look look look! It worked!

Thank you! That's a really big help.

[There's a voice in his head that sounds suspiciously like Reborn telling him he should be doing it himself, but Tsuna will opt to ignore it for now. He's injured, after all.]

Uh, just carrots. I think they were for a stew or something? Cutting's probably I'm really good at in the kitchen, and even then...

[He holds up his injured hand.]

( Oh, he absolutely isn't taking that threat lightly. It's good to know that this intriguing stranger with the colourful vocabulary is capable of something that may involve heat. Combined with the way he moves, so fluid and quiet... and the strangeness of his general composition that Migi's able to perceive on some level.. this one could be a formidable threat indeed. Until he knows exactly what he's capable of, Migi's going to be extremely careful, here. )

A crush.... Wait— no, he— ( First it was french-kissing, now the guy's talking about crushes?? Shinichi's shaking his head fervently, lip curled a bit in disgust. Thinking about Migi like that really curls his stomach....

Meanwhile, the parasite's looking faintly amused (as much as an eyeball and mouth situated in the palm of a hand can, anyway). )

Do you mean to insinuate that I would attempt to relocate to your body? Fortunately for you, it is not possible for me.

( ....He would like to examine your body though. Can he touch it. Just a little. It's fine! )

I only want to learn as much as I can about the residents of this place. Perhaps there is a link as to why all of us were transported here.

( Shinichi gives an awkward little laugh, eyes flitting from his hand back to Rex, and then back to his hand again. Hopefully what he says next won't offend the guy... (the guy potentially with Murder Threat level superpowers....) )

Uh... He probably doesn't want to be alone with you, Migi. You're kind of scary, probably even to superheroes... ( He looks up to Rex once again, brows lifted. As much as this dude unnerves him, Shinichi'll still try to Be Helpful and spare him from Migi's Curiosity.

Of course, then a thought pops up, and he can't help voicing it. )

....Are superheroes supposed to threaten to murder people.....?

[ Ah, she did it! She--WOAH HELLO still not used to all that energy, but her joy is nothing if not contagious. The confusion on his face quickly spreads into a grin and a laugh, following along to admire the healthy little sprouts. ]

You did! And so quickly too, you're a natural at this.

You... [It's strange, the way Fyodor says all of that. Like Chuuya's view of his singularity angers him, like he takes it as a personal offense. It takes him aback, and makes Chuuya fall silent as Fyodor continues.

It's pure? How is it pure? He wants to ask, but Chuuya's looking as off balance as Fyodor does now. And he suddenly feels like he's lost a great deal of ground, in this conversation.

He dusts off his gloves, fingers clenching in a creak of leather, focusing on that task rather than Fyodor's face.]

...Stop underestimating me, then. While we're here I'm willin' to work with you, that's the deal we made. But I'm not an unthinking attack dog or robot.

Edited 2023-06-14 05:01 (UTC)

Yeah, Mog too. [It's said with a chuckle as Mog flails his arms a little at Noel, but it's more affectionate than anything.]

I'm glad you're all right. I was worried about you after... [She pauses but smiles anyway.] everything.

[More side-stepping, but she's not bothered by it much; whatever it is she saw in her final visions had her worried for her loved ones— Noel included.]

Oh... I heard noises, and I kept hearing the talk about how the forest is haunted, or if you meet the girl out here it's good luck... you know. So I wanted to see for myself. What about you? Was it the same? Maybe it was fate we met out here like this!

( she crinkles her nose for a moment, the smile on her losing its playful edge and twists into a forced one. )

Mm, sorry, Buckaroo. But I'm allergic to cupcakes. — Irritates the skin.

( and she will leave it at that. but luckily for the two of them, that bitterness in her voice doesn't stick around. her attention immediately focuses on his neato ability just now. so he is a magic user, who would thunk? although with a name like "bloodedge", jinx should had pieced together there's something intriguing about this stranger. )

Oooo!! — A portable... portal! That's a killer magic trick. ( hopefully the little praise she gave him just now is enough for him to stick around a bit! even not, she'll continue to bug him in the future. catching the paper, she unrolls to read his crime. it's definitely a lot shorter than hers, but seems to be way bigger all the same. )

Woah, get outta here! You destroyed a world?! — Now that's just psycho.

( while this is very embarrassing and nerve-wrecking for shinichi, jinx, on the other hand (ha), takes this whole situation in an entirely different prospective. the teen giggles as she lets the hand do whatever it pleases with her own. )

Aww, that's so cute of it. I hope my hands feel smooth enough. I try to keep 'em that way with me doin' all the tinkering and junk. A girl shouldn't have gross crackled work hands. Don'tcha think so?

But isn't this place prison or something? — The guards should be providin' us meals and not expecting us to do all the horticulture or fetching it.

( since it's decided the two of them will go on a seeking journey, jinx takes her best foot forward and leads them on to the direction of the can. )

— But y'know, that would be a great punishment. Think of all the people who will suffer.

Edited 2023-06-14 06:10 (UTC)

Ah... I suppose we would, huh? We do look kinda different than others that I've seen here that are native. It just makes it easier for us to find each other!

[Gonna stay positive here on that; it'd be easier to find people she knows if they look different than the regular people here... not that she wants to find her loved ones here, but if they're here... well, they can stick together.]

I'm Serah! It's nice to meet you, Ethlyn. I only really got here not long ago, so I think I saw the clinic. If I'm here for a while, I might join you there. It'd feel weird to not be helping out in a way I'm good at.

Exactly! It's not bad either, so it could be worse.

[It could be gruel or... roadkill... but this is pretty nice!]

I've been trying to grab whatever looks good, if you wanna join me. That is, if you're extra hungry! I wouldn't mind some company, better than wandering alone— unless you'd prefer that.

[She won't judge; she understands. Her sister is very much that kind of person!]

I'm not scared of him.

[Migi and a long list of others. At least in Migi's case, it's clinical, and his interest is purely scientific.

Rex watches the duo carefully, haughty irritation returning to his face when the alien states that he supposedly can't jump ship. Much like the quickness with which the young Guardian can create and launch weapons of mass destruction, his mood shifts from goofy to threatening in a matter of seconds.

Yeah, right! Considering the questions that Anime Thing is asking, he may have been born yesterday, but Rex hasn't. The hero's got no reason to trust either of their words, and although the probability is highly unlikely, there's even a chance that Shinichi is a cleverly controlled puppet. Appearing as though he still has his own sentience intact, when that may not be true at all. The tactic might seem a little long-winded, but it'd be a great way to earn some trust before revealing an even more sinister truth.]

The way I see it, me being alive means that hundreds and thousands of other people get to stay alive!

Also, normies and small-time vigilant-dorks don't get to tell me what to do!

[Migi brings up a really good point- If there are any striking similarities between the individuals who were pulled here, it'd be good to take note of them.

Rex already doesn't like that the only other implant he's spoken to so far also seems to possess some variety of special abilities. Well, ability? The talking hand is a stand-out indeed.]

I didn't get where I am today by clappin' my cheeks all the way to the White House! I fucking earned that shit.

[They also were sorely in the need of an emergency replacement.]

You got me?

[Are questions considered rude? He decides this is another example of human propriety that he'll never understand.]

I don't mind answering questions.

[Yuber slowly shifts his gaze to Shinichi and smiles slightly.]

You. You control the legs, correct? Let us walk as we talk. I'm getting restless.

[Saying this, he gestures down the path toward Aldrip with the dagger and twirls its point around the buildings on the horizon.

He starts walking without waiting for an answer but moves slowly enough that he can be heard as he continues speaking.]

The hosts of the True Runes retain their minds. Many of them even embed themselves with the Runes, desiring their power. The Runes control the flow of magic and nature in the world. Those who wield them are granted immortality and spells that can shape reality itself.

[Here he pauses and looks back at Shinichi, eyes snapping to his hand.]

I am guessing none of that sounds familiar to you.

[ Mizuki is not going to sit on top of the table......That's uncivilized and sounds like something she'd have to scold Date or Ota for doing. Instead, she does reach a hand out to place it in the spot Jinx indicates, and then sits in the corresponding seat on the bench. It's the cop in her that exudes that "Stop having fun, guys" vibe.

She doesn't really answer the question, but... ]

Does dizzy booze taste like piss? [ 'Cause that's probably what Jinx will get, though may be she won't say as much, allowing Jinx to fill in that blank. ]

Oh. [ She'll lead Cait to a nearby bed where she can sit. It doesn't occur to Mizuki until just then that the woman is new to Aldrip and to Expiation as a whole. She remains hesitant to speak and seemingly thoughtful, allowing Cait to do her thing, but ready to step in if she needs a hand.

Where does she even begin? ]

Well, it's kind of a long story. I guess the short version is that a monster showed up.

[ Despite the brand wearing off, she can still hear the beast's cries when she sleeps at night. She doesn't know whether it haunts her because she failed to protect it, or failed to fight it properly. ]

[There's a look of concern that twists in his expression, and he holds her shoulders in place so that she doesn't move overmuch. After all, she appeared a bit more frazzled, and he can't help but honestly be concerned over her. His usual fatherly attitude quick to take over as he opens his mouth to speak.

However, he stops as she begins to describe someone that he does know. She had helped during the build, and he nods his head quickly.]

Ah... Yes, I do know Vi. She assisted in the construction of my farm last month. But -- she is alright, I mean, the last time we had met. You need not worry yourself, young one. You should sit down and regain your bearings...

[ It's impossible not to notice the sudden drop in her mood, but what of it? It's none of his business anyway.

Or so Ragna tells himself, trying to ignore the sudden pang of guilt in his chest. See, this is why he doesn't like engaging in any sort of social interaction: you never know when you say something that will make things awkward and─ thank fuck for that subject change. ]

"Magic"...?

[ He repeats the word under his breath, raising his eyebrow in confusion. No one in their right mind would mistake Ars Magus for real magic... no one in his world, that is. Or should that be his "former" world? Whatever. Either way, it tells him that other worlds might not have Ars Magus, which... makes a whole lot of sense now that he thinks about it. You learn something new every day.

He's not entirely sure how he feels about the fact the girl doesn't even question the validity of that crime, but... it's not like he could really deny it if asked, so that might actually spare him a headache there. That's not to say he's happy about it, but is he ever? ]

... Guess I can't really argue with that.

[ There's no joy nor pride in that statement; in fact, he sounds kind of... tired? They could've listed tons of other stuff he's done, like murder, manslaughter, terrorism, destruction of property, obstruction of justice, dine-and-dashing (... not his finest moment), but nooo, they had to go straight for that. Just his luck. ]

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TEST DRIVE MEME #3

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