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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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[ rats thrive underground; that is why the moment when he'd touched down after being tossed into a pile of bird seeds like trash, he'd procured clothing and then a nice quiet basement belonging to one of the locals to rest. it's not ideal, as far as places go: too many access points, flimsy construction, too close to being in plain sight for someone who had made his career, life, and goals linked to the underworld he manipulated.
as soon as word of the party reached his ears, fyodor's resolute resolve was to avoid it at all costs, but even he cannot help but be intrigued by the different merchants who have come to aldrip to sell things like—this.
he's holding two vials, one in each hand and examining the liquid. they seem exactly the same but there is a slight difference in smell-is the left one more pungent? and if so what would be the effect? no matter either way because fyodor for some reason unknown to man is making a point of buying several bottles despite the stares from other customers. ]
ii. WHAT'S THAT MYSTERIOUS LAUGHING SOUND?
[ amassing information about this world is fyodor's current mission; without his informants he has to do the legwork himself, at least until he finds a way to get locals to help him. but his last outing into the forest had been rather profitable, what with a chance encounter of another newly arrived chosen and the fairies.
so he really does not worry too much when he sets out after dark in search of the mysterious laughing girl spirit.
unfortunately, after walking for hours he's been less than successful; he's certainly heard laughter—but the rest? fyodor has yet to catch a glimpse. ]
iii.WILDCARD
[ hmu! ]
wildcard this is my house dammnit ALSO CW SUICIDE IDEATION
a few days on uppers also depleted him from chemicals, all he feels is numbness, that he hides as easily as he would any other day. empty smiles, loud voice and high intonation, the mask he puts on daily works miracles for moments as these, where even moving feels awfully like incredible effort. he's a bar owner, but here he is, barefeet, bandaged and sore, touching the waves that crash on the shore of the ocean. it's so easy to drown. he's done it so many times. water fills his lungs, he loses consciousness, and once he nearly does it, his lungs fill with air.
being good is tiring. he knew this from the start, but alongside the detective agency, it always felt easier. like the wave that comes back into the ocean when it falters.
maybe he should just jump.)
alksjdajkl tw; suicide ideation, threats of violence
to find his chess rival in this place is not surprising; but then, the truth is always this: if fyodor can predict with accuracy where dazai is, there is no true place fyodor can hide that dazai won't eventually work out. such is the immutable law of their shared intellect. ]
A jump won't even knock you unconscious, your body will cushion the impact and then the instinct to survive will kick in. You won't drown properly here.
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there's genuine surprise when that isn't the case, his eyebrows frowning the slightest bit, as to ask 'how', and further, to ask 'why'.
non-verbal communication that is left for fyodor to solve, while his words attack the answer to his own thoughts.)
Why must you be such a party pooper, Fy?
(a tap next to him; come sit.)
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Force of habit. If you're going to do this, you must do it properly. All these failed attempts make me think you're not very committed to the act.
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so, he'll ignore the jab at his incompetence, he's far too aware with all the marks that are hidden under bandages.)
... You're not the Fy who had been here.
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cw suicide talk
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i.
[ But the thing is that's only for so long. ]
[ The sound of The Overcoat will give him away; he cares not. The point is to shorten the distance faster than something can be done. A hand much largely than Fyodor's own appear from behind to pluck the right vial away. It's owner inclines his head to the side to speak at a normal level by his ear over his shoulder. ]
So! Dos, shall I give you the bad news? ...It's a bit too late for you to hide now!
[ The first genuine expression on Nikolai's face when he saw him is not for the man to see; it's why he'd approached him from behind. The moment Fyodor might think about turning around is the moment Gogol will be already smiling quite sharply at him with a lightless gaze. ]
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sure, gogol has never seen fyodor actually play quiz host. or what not but that doesn't diminish the influence the other has had: slow and steady, inescapable. fyodor can't entirely avoid the mundane things in life.
his now free hand shifts to pat the side of gogol's head that is over his shoulder. ]
Then I admit defeat in our game of hide and seek.
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[ How's this for something exhausting? Gogol whips out that whiny pitch just for him. From Gogol's perspective it's more complicated than simply showing up and scurrying in the dark. It's a lot more distressing to know someone was here only to disappear right under your nose without explanation.
At any rate it would be devastating to dwell on the way that simple pat to the side of his head is a comfort. His eyelashes flutter briefly as focus comes back to him... and he uses it to reach out to flick the bottom of the vial still in Fyodor's hand to produce a low toned plonk! sound. ]
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What do you want to drink these and see what happens? [ he turns his head slightly, the light touch leaving as fyodor retracts his hand. ]
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That is a interesting idea.
[ His broken and shot hand remains folded behind him. At the time he might be successful in yoinking both vials his good hand will join it with them. ]
Fedya! I've hidden them but I'll still let you choose first. Left or right?
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1/you knew this was coming
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I'm quitting on the formatting but please believe the tiny voice still exists in all our hearts
forever in our hearts
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I - today I offer you a child
Besides... He was suffering from people overload, all thanks to Akira and others deciding to visit his room just a few days ago to celebrate his birthday. An occasion that he didn't care for at all. Just as pointless as the current celebration, in his mind.
So, that's reason why he's out in the late evening, to get some peace of mind from all the noise and ruckus that had taken over the inn. He really doesn't have a goal, just idle wandering while also paying attention to the state of the town. Aldrip sure had seen a better days. It's by then he comes across the.. strangely dressed man (heavy coat and hat in this climate? wow), bent over the booth of an obvious charlatan, hauling up the brightly colored vials. Looking like a boogieman from children's story. ]
I wouldn't trust those if I were you. [He calls over, voice showing only mild interest.]
i gotta catch'em all
Oh? Do you think they're a fraud? Or something else?
tbf, my muselist is like a candyshop to fyo
it is true and i should feel bad but
But I have found that the most effective medication usually does too. [ he doesn't doubt they're useless as medication but perhaps they can be useful for something. ]
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Akechi raises the vial against the streetlight to inspect the liquid. Then he opens the cork and takes a quick sniff at it. A strong smell hits his nostrils. Is that anise? Maybe.
Then after that he offers the vial back to the man.]
Could as well be colored water, one that was used to boil herbs. We do have healers here, you know. None of them have mentioned of such 'cure-all medicine'. And don't you find this whole set up shady? A miraculous cure just happens to appear when people are feeling the most vulnerable?
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II
His muscles still ache, but he knows the only way through that is working them, which is why if Fyodor follows the thunk, crack of something bluntly hitting wood, he'll find Chuuya hitting and kicking some dead trees sans ability, gloves on to protect his hands, chips of wood flying with each hit. He's already knocked a few over, which he'll probably drag back to town later to hand off as firewood, but for now he's mostly focused on the workout.
Something that will certainly stand out to Fyodor's eyes is the marks curled against Chuuya's cheek and neck. They're slowly fading away now, but the shape of them is still distinct enough for Fyodor to recognize the marks that take over his skin when he uses corruption.
He slams a harsh kick into yet another tree, the wood cracking and breaking. Fyodor might be able to sneak up on him, if he likes. He's certainly welcome to enjoy the show until Chuuya notices him.]
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he's not too particularly worried about chuuya attacking him given the agreement in place but fyodor has a healthy attachment to not being punched by something that would break his every bone, and so he stays on the sidelines.
he even found a nice, very solid and comfortable log that chuuya had kicked down earlier to sit on and watch. he's not hiding exactly but neither is he going to interrupt. best let chuuya-san tire himself out.
...if that is even possible. his eyes trace the marks still visible, he's curious as to why--corruption hasn't been used since he arrived, nor is it being used now and yet the brand is there.
at some point, when he feels like he's gotten his fill of staring, fyodor claps. ]
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Chuuya's slowing down by the time Fyodor starts clapping, so when he looks up he's breathing a little heavily, sweat beading his brow and eyes going wide in surprise.
That... was a face he hadn't seen in awhile.] Fyodor? When did you get back?
[It's not... sharp, in the way Fyodor might have expected. It's surprise and confusion, but not the rage that would have come if Chuuya had been fresh from everything back home. His brow furrows, taking in the way Fyodor is perched and the clapping--]
Wait... how long have you been watching me?!
[Oh that's embarrassing. He reaches up to wipe sweat from his forehead, the flush on his face entirely from exertion thank you very much.] Y'could warn a guy, geez.
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A while, it is very impressive what you are able to do even without Arahabaki fueling your body. [ a deliberate pause in which he stares openly at the marks. ] They're visible despite not using Corruption right now?
[ he's not ignoring the questions, not quite but it should be obvious by the way he's very comfortably sat on the log. he's been watching A While. ]
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Then again, he's been off kilter since... since all that. He lets out a huff of breath, rummaging around the wreckage for the canteen he'd grabbed before leaving.]
I don't need that to do this shit. 'Sides, these trees are dead. They're not very tough anymore. They work well enough as a punching bag, and the dead ones should removed for replanting to happen anyway.
[He's helping!
Not really, but he'll claim as much if it means he can work some stress off. Fyodor's open staring isn't missed, and Chuuya reaches up one hand to brush the fading marks on his cheek with a grimace.] ...They're leftovers from a mess a while ago. I think it's going away, slowly.
['Leftovers' of a brainwashing incident that had left Chuuya feeling raw, used and less human than he had felt in quite awhile.] Looks weird, I know.
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i with a little wildcard as a treat
Then something catches his eye.
Hard not to, considering it's sparkling as if it's just been dipped in fairy dust and could fly away at any second. Even harder not to when it's a someone he'd been hoping not to not have to deal with here for quite some time.
...A someone who's. Still sparkling, mind. They don't normally do that. Even after Sigma furiously rubs at his eyes to try and make sure the night or atmosphere hasn't gotten to him.
Nope. Still there. ]
Oh. Good.
[ Not good, actually. Not anywhere near good--a door burst wide open for yet more pain and suffering down the line when he's only had a few days of relative peace to enjoy. And yet he can't find it in himself to be as furious as he thought he'd be, as quick to act when Gogol had asked about it, he's just...stuck. Stuck in his spot, arms heavy at his sides, staring dumbfoundedly at a brightly glittering Fyodor fucking Dostoevsky. ]
lmaooooooo ty for this
that said, he makes no move when he hears the familiar voice that last time had been demanding answers fyodor had no intention to give. his ability, what he is, what the plans are—ah—
but that's not what's calling for sigma's attention now is it? no, it's the fact that, again where gogol goes trouble follows and that is how fyodor ended up in the predicament of sparkling like a fae creature from a children's cartoon. even without his ushanka and coat, he must look— well. sparkly. at least his voice was normal and not a high pitch, helium-induced-nightmare.
fyodor straightens himself, and offers his most deadpan expression before tilting his head as if to say: yes, and? ]
You're here.
♥
[ Either mysteriously vanished as had been suggested, or biding his time somewhere for a no doubt layers-upon-layers scheme Sigma wouldn't even be able to begin to put together with his limited knowledge of what's valuable or capable here. Asking him about it up front might not be the best course of action, fond of runarounds as Dostoevsky is, but Sigma does need some idea of where the other man is at in order to feel any kind of comfortable continuing. ]
Listen, before we can do anything, do I get to know what all [ Gesturing at Fyodor's entire...self, ] this, is?
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This?
[ oh is he pretending he's not sparkling like rainbow brite? he absolutely is.
the gears have already begun turning, either sigma is from a different point in time or—is fyodor's appearance really that odd? he thought the sparkles could be quite quietly dignified if he tried hard enough. ] What do you mean by 'this', Sigma?
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