expiationmeme | TEST DRIVE MEME #3

Entry tags:

!tdm

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?

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

(dazai's last memory before entering this place was simply having dinner, a domestic occurrence as much as it can be when you're locked in a glass cell. all he knows from sigma are simply results of his work, never seen, never spent the time in the games that gogol had set for them.

therefore, he's surprised when he sees the man, clean slate as he moves towards him and the booth. with a smile, he sets his chin on the back of his hand, elbow firm on the counter.)

Ah, isn't the lack of altitude a problem for you, though? Being used to being so high up in the sky, Casino Man!

Edited 2023-05-30 00:59 (UTC)

[ Then the array of emotions on Sigma's face when he locks eyes with Dazai may be just a little confusing for the other man. First his eyes widen in clear, shocked recognition, softening into a relieved smile as if he's just received some sort of miraculous news.

That one doesn't get to stay for too long, however, soon replaced by righteous frustration with a hand suddenly lashing out to grasp onto a fistful of Dazai's shirt collar and try to hoist him even further onto the counter. ]

Where have you been!? Have you just been lollygagging around the past few days without a care in the world--like this is just another leisurely stroll for you, huh!?

(the emotions are easy to read, but not as easy is to pick apart the reason beneath them. they've never met, they've never breathed the same air. with all that has been happening in this place, he has no strength to really defend himself, nor does he feel like either.

the obliviousness, at least, is clear on his face.)

... Past few days? I've been here for months. Would you be so kind as to tell me why are you screaming at me at this time? I actually have no idea, mister Casino Man!

Months!?

[ His eyes are intent, searching for any kind of clue that this might be just one more of Dazai's little goofs, a cheeky side-eye, a grin threatening to spread all 'got you! you should've seen your face!' some sort of something that said Dazai recognizes the man in front of him and the life or death situation they were both in only a few days prior.

Nothing. Absolutely nothing. ]

...You're serious.

[ And all that coiled up tension just...fades, going limp rather than releasing. The hand uncurls around Dazai's collar and Sigma sinks onto the counter, elbows propping him up what little way is needed to not be a dissatisfied lump in public. ]

Of course you're serious. [ Because nothing can be easy for once, can it? ]

(... poor sigma, for whatever reason he can't even begin to muster. he knows a little, something about attempting to drown fyodor, something about attempting to escape, a twisted game, but the details aren't there - simply because it had been told rather than experienced.

the disheartened expression doesn't do much for dazai, most likely it's something to be ignored - and he taps the other's back a few times, annoyingly cheery as ever.)

Ah, well, can you please! Stop moping! And tell me why are you mad at me?

[ Should he? Letting Dazai be blissfully unaware of his fate until he actually has to face it--if he does, Sigma belatedly reminds himself--may be a small kindness he could offer.

Buuuut he blew the idea of it not bothering Dazai out of the water when he went and made a scene, huh. He wouldn't be able to let something like that go either, so... ]

Because last I saw you, you may very well have been barreling towards your death.

Oh? Finally! Someone pretty with me, I suppose? Ah, no, wait, let me guess-- ah, I'm out of guesses, fufu! Tell me, tell me.

(so painfully unaware, but there's the certainty that this is not what happened after all. he does seem chipper about, though, much like a child moving into the booth so he can be closer, sitting with his legs crossed, more than willing to hear the story that will come.)

[ Sigma shoots an apologetic look at his local boothmate, who waves him off with a smile to take his place at the front and let him deal with whatever this whole business is. Thank goodness they're a patient folk. ]

First things first, I suppose, what's the last thing you remember before coming here?

A pleasant dinner with Fyfy is the last thing, although I am fully aware that there were a little bit of the Murder Games right after, thanks to your friend! Some drowning attempts were made, and that's about it.

(enlighten him, beautiful man!)

[ He makes A Face at 'pleasant dinner with Fyfy', but they don't have to dwell on that. ]

"Murder Games" would be accurate, yes. Both you and Dostoevsky were given the option of taking something with you to help in your respective escape attempts.

You took me.

Ah, so that's why you're angry at me? Because I took you?

(a pleasant murder game with sigma???)

Not quite. You were confusing at first, still are. Infuriating even, but...

[ Giving an aggravated noise, he runs a hand through his hair while trying to find the right words for what he wants to say. When next he speaks, his voice is much quieter. ]

You saved my life. Multiple times. When I was more of a handicap than a help to you.

(naturally so. a promise, after all, moves his feet and hands. sigma required saving, and thus, that's what dazai would most likely do if it was on him to do such a thing.

on the side, that ability? as important as air these days.)

Ah. Well. You're... Welcome! Come on, let me take you around town! Ah, leave him there, he'll be fine, come on, come on! You know me, but I don't know you! Let's drink! Fufufufu!

Huh?

[ This is? Not where he expected this to go? Honestly he isn't sure where he expected this to go at all, but being dragged away from his booth for drinks definitely wasn't anywhere on the hypothetical list. ]

Hey, wait a minute, just like that?

Why not? What are they going to do? Charge you with... Work neglect? Ah, you already seem like a worrier... Did Nikol's charming personality bother you a lot, too?

(it's called clown-to-clown communication, his friendship? relationship? somethingship? with nikolai. he can imagine if sigma thought dazai was infuriating, how else would he regard his fellow terrorist? his hand is wrapped around sigma's wrist, and goodbye, booth, they're walking away!)

"Nikol?" Gogol isn't what I would ca--aaaaaaaah?? [ And they're off! With a good luck wave from the supportive local when Sigma does indeed look back with worry. ]

I--I could have been lying about all that, you know!

You definitely could! You're not, though.

(not a single sign of deception was scanned by that keen detective eye of his, so, not a single concern should bloom. instead, goodbye locals, he'll drag sigma far far far away from there.

to door. on top of it, the sign says 'lupin' - the interior also tells the same to anyone who ever been to the place back in Yokohama. dazai's keys spin, and the entrance to the basement opens. with a little bow, he gestures for sigma to go ahead.)

Rules say that the ones with the longest hair go first!

[ The further away they get from the celebrations, the more curiosity mixes with his concern. With all the fuss of arriving, explanations, preparations, and the exhaustion that came with everything he hasn't had much chance to explore the town so he has no idea where Dazai could be taking him. Nowhere dangerous, he thinks, or would like to think, and the door at least seems nonthreatening enough.

The fact it's either Dazai's place or he has special access to it is something worth noting as well. By this point he can't keep his curious glances every which way to himself even after he takes the offer with a polite nod. ]

Seems an odd rule to have, but alright.

It's the rule of the world! Didn't you know at all?

(stop making fun of the grown man with toddler age, dazai... but alas, it's easy for him to just go behind the counter, pick the first drink he finds, two clean glasses, and back to where the one customer is sitting.

with the bottle opened, he pours, pushing one of the drinks towards sigma with his index finger.)

You don't have to look around like I'm about to bite you, or the place is going to swallow you? You said I saved you, not that I kicked you or anything! Ah, but I suppose, since you're from the other side as me, you should hear what we have been up to, mhm?

I'm just curious!

[ Very curious indeed, but too polite to inspect the offered drink too much before having a sip. Best case scenario everything's normal and he gets a little help with all that tension still stewing in him. ]

I'd appreciate that, yes. From everything the locals have been saying I've missed quite a bit in only the past week.

Ah, that? That can totally wait! You'll hear it from everyone else! I just thought to tell you that us, people from our universe, have an agreement, very important to your survival! Ah, but if you want to hear about the huge monster that took everyone to fight on its behalf, ah, I totally can not tell you about the first thing!

(a sip, a little mischievous giggle as he put the glass down on the wooden counter, tapping his finger against it a few times.)

[ Now hang on a minute, you little-- ]

Fine, I'm listening. What's the agreement?

Peace! Momentaneous, at least. Helping me means we can figure something out faster, so Nikol can go back to his love-murder thing. Chuuya and myself will put our own abilities on the table should there be a consensus need, I keep an eye on everyone, and ah, I suppose everyone gets to keep an eye on me, which seems... A little voyeuristic! It's been going well, however, no voluntary murder attempts!

( :) YOUR LITTLE WHAT!!!!!)

[ His eyebrows raise at Chuuya's name--he's here too? In his right mind and everything?? Gracious, a good time for a peace agreement indeed. ]

So it's just a ceasefire? That doesn't seem unreasonable.

[ A. Thought. ]

Would I also need to offer my ability to everyone involved?

Mhm, no? If it helps me, probably? Ah, we would need a meeting to discuss specifics like that? It's been a while! Ah, Nikol lives right next to me, too. You'd please would too, so I could keep an eye and provide protection!

(isn't that simple?)

we like to party

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

cw suicidal ideation

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject