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expiationmeme2023-05-29 10:59 am
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.
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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Also she's kind of pinned them to his sides at the moment, and making her break the hug to get them loose to hug her back feels wrong.
He settles for bringing one hand up around the underside of her arm and resting it on her shoulder. Something to ground both of them a bit more, and to reciprocate in some small way. A way to let her know this is just as important a reunion for him, too - though the familiar strained sniffles he's almost immediately failing to hold back are probably doing a much better job of that. Healthy, rested, clean, and absolutely back to being an openly emotional crybaby. (As for safe...hoo boy, don't ask him about the last month.)]
A few hours ago...
[It makes sense, of course. It's not like there's enough Chosen around for her to have been here much longer without them running into each other, or hearing about the other's presence from someone. If nothing else surely someone would have noticed two people with abilities they insisted on calling "Quirks" and brought it up. Even the method of arrival feels familiar. But it feels almost...unreal. Months of being the only one from their world, not even a stranger with only that shared touchpoint, and all of a sudden one of his best friends in his whole life shows up? One who can't have possibly done anything worth putting on those stupid parchments?
The last time he saw her...she was being such an amazing hero, such an amazing friend, and he never even got a chance to thank her. What did he ever do to deserve her kindness?
He's blinking rapidly now, desperately trying to keep the tears from escaping. His hand squeezes her shoulder and he curls in around her, just a little; not enough to end up with his head on her other shoulder, but close.]
Uraraka... [And there's the wobbly voice, too, like clockwork.] I missed you so much, you have no idea...!
[If this isn't real, then at least it's a really, really good dream.]
no subject
Gosh, she's just so happy to see him, wiping at her face and not really wanting to let go, despite the need to keep working, oops. It's fine, someone will surely take her spot if she told them she needed a bit of a break...though they may need a new ladle - the previous one is reaching a decent height already.]
Ehehe, I feel the same, even if it's only been a few hours. I'm so, so relieved to see you!! Are you doing okay? You're not hurt at all? Here, come eat something, I just made hot soup, I'll pour you a bowl.
[Somehow. >__> Ochako sniffles, her smile finally brightening up as she goes to grab a bowl for her friend. He should eat something - did he eat after he took a bath back at UA? She doesn't know, she passed out after cleaning herself up, so... Either way, she just wants to take care of him, and this is the easiest way to do it.]
Eh, where...where'd I put that ladle?
no subject
That's for when they actually realize the discrepancy, though. Right now "it's only been a few hours" just sounds like the few hours Uraraka's been here, and...yeah. He remembers how hard it was realizing that he was alone, that the classmates who had just gone so far to bring him back to the campus and take care of him were suddenly even further out of his reach against his will. So while he's not going to return the hug (the moment has passed, and his hands are too busy trying to wipe the tears trying to fall away before they get the chance) he's certainly not going to stop his friend from doing whatever she feels she needs right now. It's much easier to let himself be taken care of when it obviously helps the person doing it even more.
Not that that's going to stop him from doing what he does best...like immediately start meddling in his friend's utensil-based confusion.]
Ladle?
[Did it fall into the pot? He could have sworn she was holding it when-- ah. Uraraka does not get to be mad about him almost immediately looking up. She's the one who decided to befriend the near-obsessively observant nerd, after all. It's not his fault he knows his friend well!
It's not quite out of One For All range yet, but it's moving at a pretty good clip and he doesn't have much time. At least Blackwhip and Float mean he can do a vertical jump without having to use too much power, so hopefully it won't attract too much attention...]
I've got it!
no subject
Still wiping at her own cheeks, she's scouring the area around where the pot and various dishware was set up, not remembering she tossed the darn thing away in her haste to reach her best friend. Izuku has the right idea when instead of looking down and around, he looks up instead...because there the little tool is, making its way progressively heavensward under the effects of the brunette's quirk. She looks up, following his gaze, and utters a very soft little curse, as if this sort of thing is sadly...very normal (and it is, s-sob). She's just about to go up there and get it herself when Izuku takes matters into his own hands instead.]
Ah!! [And there he goes!! Ochako's mouth falls open, eyes following, and she can't help the bubble of laughter that escapes at the display. Others hoot and cheer, thinking it's some kind of fanciful party stunt, and she claps her hands as well. Nicely done, friendo!] Heeeh, your control over your quirk is getting better and better, Deku-kun!! N, pretty soon you'll be better than I am at floating...
[She reaches out for the ladel, grinning brightly and scooping him a bowl of soup. Lots of veggies in this one, and the broth is rich and fragrant. No meat, for the vegetarians among the crowd, but packed full of heart nutrients and a touch of spice to spark the tastebuds.]
no subject
Ah...I wouldn't go that far. [It's weird being told things like that, and more than a little uncomfortable when it's really One For All that's responsible for everything actually impressive.] I've had a lot of practice, and I don't think I'd be nearly this far along without all that training with you before I unlocked it--
[--which she didn't know she was doing at the time oh crap quick eat the soup you can't be interrogated if you're busy eating the soup and oh man, this soup came out fantastic! After the first spoonful, it's not even a panic reaction anymore, he genuinely doesn't want to stop eating. It's been way too long since he's had anything approaching a class meal, and Uraraka's really good at throwing things together out of whatever's in the pantry!]
no subject
Ochako blinks, then narrows her eyes a bit at the vigorous way her friend is stuffing his face. Deku, if she didn't know any better, she'd think you were trying to distract her from questioning you. ...lol, fat chance, though.]
So that's what it was. ...You know, I'm still upset you never told me about anything. I understand your reasoning now, but...at the time that really hurt. [She lightly bonks him on the head with the clean end of the ladle, toward the handle.] No more secrets, ne? You can trust me - trust us - with anything.
Now eat up, there's plenty of good stuff in that bowl, and I can get you some rice in a second, it should be done soon.
no subject
He curls into himself a bit at what she says; it transitions fairly smoothly into the reflexive step back he does in response to getting bonked on the head, but definitely happens a bit too early. I'm still upset. Well, yeah, he expected that. Who wouldn't be upset to find out someone they thought was their friend was lying about who they are? That really hurt. He knows, he knows, but it wasn't ever supposed to come up, it wasn't supposed to be so important. You can trust me. It wasn't about trust...not like that. He just wanted to protect All Might's secret. He wanted to protect himself.
(He wanted to be treated like he was the same as everyone else for once in his life.)
No. Stop that. There's more important things to deal with right now than feeling sorry for himself. He takes a breath, straightens up, and gives Uraraka the best smile he can manage. Just...be normal, for her. She probably needs some normalcy just as much as he did when he first showed up.]
Yeah...I know. [A beat, and his smile becomes a lot more natural.] You know, you should help Satou cook for class parties. You're really good!
no subject
She calls over another volunteer to take her spot for a minute, saying she needs a bit of a break, but does grab a bowl for herself, and a large plate to dumb some rice onto after checking the steamer basket. Hm...yup, that should be good. nice and fluffy. Spooning on a generous portion she and Izuku can share, she sits beside him, looking carefully at his face for a moment.]
Eh, I'm really not all that great... I just know a few family recipes - Satou-kun is the real cook. And Bakugou-kun too, but he rarely ever helps out unless someone makes him. I actually sort of threw things in a pot with a bunch of herbs and aromatics...but I wanted it to be something everyone can enjoy, so no meat or animal products.
[Everything is plant based!! So it's vegan, but packed with an umami burst.]
no subject
Sorry, he panicked. At least he's gotten good at coordinating an OFA cover story with multiple people?]
But that's still really impressive! I can kind of throw together stir fries and simpler soups, but I don't think I could get results this tasty without having some idea of what to pick.
[You've got some well-honed random pantry cooking skills! He thinks that cool! Also, don't mind him just...carefully splitting the rice into two half-piles on the plate. He does not have the fortitude to do anything even remotely adjacent to indirect kissing with An Girl. Aaaaand now he's blushing a bit just from thinking about the possibility IGNORE HIM.]
It's really cool that you can figure out how to make something like this without a plan or a recipe, you know?
no subject
Eeh, you think? My mama did teach me a bunch of family recipes I could probably make in my sleep, and I do know my way around a kitchen, too. I wouldn't call myself a master or anything, but I am glad people like what I make.
[She's really good at improvising a meal, too. Using what she had and getting the most of it on a tight budget. The Urarakas never had much during Ochako's life, but they made up for it with bargain dishes that tasted great, or lasted a decent amount of time with what was left over. Ochako flushes, rubbing her neck sheepishly. Gosh, it's really nothing special...]
W-Well...I just thought to make something hearty and full of nutrients, since people've been sort of appearing left and right...had to walk a long way, and then this party, too. But then I got to thinking that not everyone likes meat, or can't eat it...so I decided on a veggie soup instead, with only plant-based stuff, so everyone could enjoy.
...I actually think I thinked too much.