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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?
no subject
How he could take away Shinichi's hearing, sight, speech, in an instant... leave him still alive but unable to say the wrong thing. Make him completely helpless.
The boy swallows hard, willing himself to continue. He's not exposing Migi here, so maybe this is okay.... If the alien makes any motion that it wants him to stop talking, he will. )
Well, it's... it's like this weird medical condition. I think it's considered a scientific phenomenon.... It's where a person's hand acts like it has a mind of its own....! It does things they can't control.
( Slowly, he wraps the fingers of his left hand around his right wrist, and keeps them there, like he's holding some animal. )
I guess it got... interested by you for some reason. It didn't take anything from you, did it?
( ....He has no idea it was Jinx trying to steal something from him... )
no subject
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?
no subject
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...." )
no subject
she observes the anxious stranger, but the sudden spring of his hand catches her eye. an eyebrow quirks over at its pointing, now pondering over if it has a mind of its own, did it notice what she was doing before? probably not entirely. so the girl smirks over at the hand, wicked and full of trickery with a wink to match. and when looks over at the person again, her expression is back to its somewhat natural nature. )
Not into loud noises?
no subject
That's when Shinichi's head is turning back around and Migi also resumes his previous position, no longer pointing. )
No, I uh... I guess they kind of freak me out a little bit. Like thunder and stuff, you know? Sounds like explosions or something.
( Shinichi gives a little laugh, and when his eyes dart back to the fireworks, Migi's quick to send the girl another little signal. This time, some kind of imitation of her gesture: pinching a finger to his thumb and holding up the three remaining fingers, before those fingers then quickly come back down, almost like eyelashes blinking.... This is him trying to "wink" back, though he doesn't know that's what it's even called. )
no subject
( and yes, she notice the "okay" signal from the hand? jinx is going to assume that's his hand being alright with her and they are in good terms. because why else would it be doing that? )
By the by, your hand has been chattin' with me. I think it likes me. It did this:
( whenever shinichi's eyes are back on her, she mimics the hand gesture -- finger pinch to thumb and three fingers. )
Should I give it a handshake or whatever?
no subject
( 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. )
the fuck happened with that spacing.
( and so, she gives that hand a firm grasp -- a little snap to it (sorry, alien guy!) before she grips. )
Didya give it a name or should I come up with one? I'm thiiiiiinking... Pokey-Point.
( what a horrible name! but since it did a lot of pointing and what not, it seems suitable to her and fitting. )
no subject
Wha— Pokey-Point...! I-I mean, if that's what you want to call it....
( He absolutely does not want to reveal that Migi has a name already, he's trying to keep as much under wraps as he possibly still can, but... unfortunately, the alien is simply emboldened by everything now. He'll refrain from exposing that he can actually talk and whatnot, but he can still move around pretty freely now that Shinichi's told people he has a medical condition....
So his fingers start tapping against Jinx's hand like they're exploring it, curiously fiddling with her index finger and then moving to inspect her thumb, before then turning her hand over flat so that his fingertips can start tapping against her palm. It's all incredibly creepy and Shinichi's blanching. )
S-sorry, I guess it's...... really curious about you......
no subject
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?
no subject
No one's ever done this before. Ever since the alien invaded his body, he's never.... let anyone hold or touch his hand like this, for this long. Of course, he's aware that she doesn't know yet that she's touching a fucking alien or else she'd probably be freaking out..... Please don't do anything creepy, Migi. No eyes or mouths. No talking. )
Um— I'm sure your hands are perfectly fine...! I mean, they seem great to me! Really nice and smooth!
( He's flushing miserably. Please stop talking, Shinichi "disaster around girls" Izumi.
His hand is continuing to inspect, now checking for specific things. It presses two fingers to Jinx's wrist, checking her pulse.... as Shinichi stands there so awkwardly trying to make small talk because what the hell else can he do?? )
So, um, where're you from? I'm from Japan....
no subject
( it's a mixture of sarcasm and teasing as she lets the hand... check her pulse? odd. but maybe it needs to know her beat rhythm. maybe every pulse differs from person to person. )
Japan? Never heard of it. I'm from Runeterra. Betcha never heard of that place, either.
no subject
Um—! Uh— N-no, I've never heard of it..... b-but it sounds like a nice place...!
( His left hand reaches up to tug lightly at his shirt collar, like he's trying to cool down a little. Migi, please let go of her now..... what are you going to do next, try to take a blood sample? (god please don't) )
What's your name, anyway? Since I guess we're uh... getting acquainted, ahaha.....
( Really, someone put him out of his misery. )
no subject
( she introduces herself with an amusing twitch of her lips. how fun this individual is. something is telling her that he will be a blast when it comes to poking fun at in the future. the teen will have to keep this stranger in her memory bank for later times but how will she be able to forget a man with a crazy hand? )
What about you, Specs? — I hope your name is just as entertainin' as your friend here.
( friend being his hand, of course. )
no subject
But finally, the alien seems to have observed everything it can from here (taking some vitals, assessing the girl's skin and nails, toying with her fingers and tapping against her palm....) and slowly lets go. As soon as Shinichi feels the slack against her hand, he's pulling his own back again, breathing a sigh of relief as he adjusts his glasses. )
It's uh, not as interesting as yours. I'm just Shinichi.... ( He gives a hapless, shaky little smile, shaken up by what just happened. )
I'm really sorry about this.... usually it doesn't just uh. Grab people. I guess the party's making it get too bold... ( He shoots a little scowl down at his hand. We're going to have a talk later, Mister. )
no subject
( she repeats the name slowly to get a feel of his name. the girl shakes her head at his yet again apology with a pep in her smile and voice. )
Hey, c'mon! You oughta let it grab people sometimes. Maybe it's just tryin' to learn what kind of hands are out here. I bet I'm the first chick it's ever touched.
no subject
But it's the second part of those words that throw the poor boy for a loop all over again and he's (once again) turning bright red. )
Um— Well, it's uh, gotten curious about girls before—
( Kill him kill him kill him kill him )
But it's never touched anyone's hand like... like yours. For that long. Maybe that'll..... satisfy its.... curiosity for awhile...
cw: this is sounding like.... you know what. i'm not meaning to, honest.
jinx giggles while wiggling her digits again at the other's. )
Sure, sure. 'Till I start workin', I bet. My hands gettin' all mixed up with oil or gunk.
RIP Shinichi Izumi... new worry: ur hand has a gf now
....Right????
The boy balks and grabs his hand again, urging it closer to his chest. Don't talk to her anymore! )
U-um— ( Oh he's as red as a tomato at these words, rambling a little. ) Oil and.... gunk.... is okay! It just means you're working hard on things, right....?
But don't worry, it's....! It's just scientific interest.... It likes to understand how things work, that's all.....
no subject
Well if it ever wants to see how my hands are when they're at work, let me know! I don't mind an audience.
no subject
I um, I guess I'll see you around, then....? I'm staying at the inn until I can find a way out of this place...
( Shinichi gives an awkward, nervous smile, taking a step back. He really just wants to go back to his room and lie down... but Migi'll probably want to continue scoping things out (and stealing items) for awhile, unfortunately... )
🎀 @ your last tag if you want to?
( because who knows, it might be her that will do it. but jinx finds him a very interesting guy -- especially with that weird hand of his. so she will definitely keep him in her collection. and here she figured this place wasn't going to give her any excitement. )