TEST DRIVE MEME #3

[expiationmods]

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?

Comments

[fatalism]

[ an aborted motion to keep from being touched but shinichi's hand is strong and certain; he freezes, eyes wide for a brief moment as he feels not just a touch but a particular type. that tap, that—


—exploration?

fyodor stares at shinichi because this is Something. ] Are you...alright? [ and the question and tone could be interpreted as concerned but really fyodor is just being polite because: ] Do you normally...grab onto strangers so enthusiastically?

[kiseijuu]

( It's a question that Shinichi isn't unfamiliar with, at all. 'Are you alright?'

It's the question he's been unable to answer honestly for the past several months of his life. Whether it's to those who know him the closest, who can tell something's wrong with him, or to those whom are strangers to him and simply reacting to his abnormal behaviours. )

Um— I'm just a little on edge, I think. ( Technically it's not a lie... Shinichi's flustered, embarrassed, and keeps the fingers of his left hand gently but firmly wrapped around his right wrist as he draws both to his chest. What the hell, Migi?! )

No—! Just.... sometimes my hand gets a little jumpy. Maybe something about you caught its interest, ahahaha....

( Maybe if he jokes about it, it will seem nonchalant..... or maybe he just sounds completely unhinged. That. That might be it. )

[fatalism]

Clearly, you're also new here. [ it could be a question but it is stated as fact; there is something new arrivals seem to have, fyodor himself included: a nervous sort of way of moving, unaccustomed to this place and it's ways. he's seem such things absent in his dealings with those he's familiar with from his world who've been here for months.

fyodor steps a little forward as shinichi pulls his right hand off with his left, and it takes a moment to be let go completely. out of instinct he grabs the towels to keep them from falling on the floor and just...stares.

this person sounds utterly weird however fyodor himself is no stranger to such things, and he's feeling forgiving this day. ]

Your hand is very curious indeed. [ and not mistaken, though for a moment fyodor had been rather concerned that murder would've happened, and just when he's agreed to behave. ] Nothing interesting here I'm afraid. I'm simply new and trying to be useful.

[kiseijuu]

( Shinichi nods in confirmation; it probably is pretty obvious that he's new here, huh.... But despite his anxious horror at this entire situation going on right now, there's some little dose of relief that the other man is also new to this world. It's a reminder that others are in this same, strange boat — plucked out of their worlds and placed in a brand-new one.

....It also gives Migi plenty to be curious about, clearly.... Shinichi's gently rubbing his fingertips against his right wrist, coaxing it even closer to his chest with a worried frown. At worst he probably seems absolutely insane, and at "best", he must just seem really rude.... Why is his life such pain..... )

I'm really sorry about that. I think I'm just a little... zonked out by this place. It's weird, right? That we got brought here.

( He stands there awkwardly before the other, not yet daring to relinquish his hold on his right hand, although Migi has gone still and normal again )

Where um, are you from...?

[fatalism]

[ fyodor finds the young man to be strange, certainly but who in this world isn't and that softens his stance a little. just a little. besides, he cannot afford to make enemies for absolutely no reason here, without his network, without his rats, and even without fukuchi to assist him— he's going to have to behave. unwillingly. ] Russia, and yourself?

[ he extends his hand towards shinichi, clearly in offering, palm up. ] May I see your right hand?

[ ...because, of course he wants to see that hand again. ]

[kiseijuu]

Japan. ( Shinichi answers, hoping with a quiet little desperation that maybe they can just skirt past this! Make small talk for a couple moments, get a glass of water, and then move on!!

Of course, that's not what would happen. Of course. And really, he can't blame anyone but himself for this, because he's the one that started it all up. Granted, he had no idea that Migi would get so handsy like that, but.... the parasite hasn't been shy about making his curiosity known in this place, in different shapes and forms depending on the situation. He's even actually spoken to a few people here.... Shinichi should've been more careful. Should... try really really hard to stay away from people.

He stares at that request, mouth tipped open, looking visibly shocked. He very much doesn't want to offer his hand out again, and his mind whirls with a thousand excuses why he can't. Maybe he should even outright ask the guy Why?

But he has no idea how to handle this. If he questions it, won't it just make him seem more suspicious....? Shinichi hesitates, drawing in a soft breath, before he just obeys — very slowly holding his hand out again. He lets his fingertips fall to the other's palm, giving a nervous little laugh. )

Sometimes I swear it has a life of its own, but... it's just a hand!

[fatalism]

Oh? A life of its own? That's quite interesting. [ fyodor takes the hand, drops the towels on the side to then place his left hand over, effectively sandwiching migi. the touch is light and gentle, however. no intended harm. ]

Your skin is warm but no unusual texture or anything that is apparent.

[ don't mind him fyodor is playing doctor now and part of the fun is watching shinichi squirm. ] Yes, just a hand but not just any hand, right? [ he smiles sweetly. ]

[kiseijuu]

( Oh, this is really happening! The other guy's just covering Migi up inbetween his own hands, cupping him like that..... This has literally never happened to him before and Shinichi's heart is pounding away in his chest in response, anxiously staring down at the display, fully expecting the alien that resides inside of his right hand to react.

But Migi's calm.... unmoving, just letting this happen. The process of being examined is, in some way, also a way for him to make some observations of his own about this mysterious new stranger they've bumped into. He's listening to what Fyodor says, very carefully. Oh, that's very interesting indeed.... )

U-um... ( The alien may be calm, but Shinichi's sweating bullets. ) What do you mean, not just any hand....? Can you... sense something?

( It wouldn't be the first time that someone he met seemed to have that capability. ...But then again, his hand did just freaking grab the guy. It's probably not a far stretch to assume your hand is not average, Shinichi. )

im sorry about this man

[fatalism]

Is there something to sense? [ fyodor asks softly, hand neatly held between his own. the touch is gentle, and easy to break— ] I do come from a place where individuals have special skills. Your hand being so...enthusiastic is not that unusual to me.

I love it so much, RIP Shinichi....

[kiseijuu]

( The boy hesitates at that question; he wears his heart far too openly on his sleeve to be very good at lying to someone's face. Maybe he should be better at that by now, should be used to it, he's been keeping this secret for months, but....

He swallows, eyes widening a bit, mentally cursing Migi for starting all this in the first place. But.... a place where people have special skills? That's certainly piqued Migi's interest all over again, especially when the parasite yearns to know more about its own kind.

Which is why it's inevitable when the alien decides to take advantage of this situation, and speak up for itself. To Shinichi's horror, a muffled voice sounds from within Fyodor's cupped hands, robotic and emotionless, soft, slightly feminine. If the other opens his hands, he'll see that a golden eyeball has opened up from Shinichi's palm, and a moving mouth. )

Do they have anything specifically like me where you come from?

[fatalism]

[ the sheer delight that crosses fyodor face when he hears a voice coming from the hand trapped between his own is palpable. oh my, what a pleasant surprise indeed. instinctively, he uncovers the top part and stares at that golden eyeball. a mouth. oh this is fascinating, how positively gruesome and uncanny and unholy.

fyodor is adopting this child right now ]

Yes, perhaps something like you but not quite like you. It is lovely to meet you, I'm Fyodor.

[kiseijuu]

( The boy's giving a very undignified yelp, staring down in absolute horror as the alien in his hand openly greets this intimidating stranger. It's not even the first time that Migi's exposed himself to someone in this place, seeming to gauge a situation and then decide whether he wants to or not, but it's still so new to Shinichi, who has spent the last several months of his life desperately keeping this secret under wraps.

Every instinct is telling him to shut down this situation before it can escalate into something bad. It could, right...? This stranger may not be reacting with fear or aversion, even greeting Migi quite politely and calmly, but the alien is so unpredictable and can turn deadly fast.... What if he decides there's some danger here? And there's a good deal of other people around....sick people, too; someone could seriously get hurt. )

I'm really sorry but I have to go— ( Shinichi sputters, jerking his hand back quickly and taking a few steps backwards, fingers closing up over his palm to conceal the eye peering out within. Weirdly, Migi allows this to happen even though the alien has every capability to force him to keep talking to this guy.... but maybe even Migi knows they shouldn't make a scene.

(He'll find this mysterious man again, he's certain of that fact. And next time he'll speak to him more, find out more about him; Fyodor is certainly someone that Migi wants to make proper acquaintance with.) )