expiationmeme | TEST DRIVE MEME #1

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TEST DRIVE MEME #1

TEST DRIVE MEME #1

Welcome to the TDM for Expiation, a pan-fandom adventure game with fantasy, science fiction, and sometimes subtle 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. 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.

You may find the below links helpful in getting to know themes of the world, locations, the people, and so on.

info | world

A WARM WELCOME

The journey here has not been a particularly convenient one. The last thing you can recall is the room of blinding white and the incomprehensible voices that were speaking about you. Then came the dropping of the floor beneath you and suddenly you were falling into black. As you come to and regain a more clear vision of the world about you, you find that you are surrounded by pleasant greenery.

Deciduous trees are sprinkled here and there in some miscellaneous fashion. There are plants and flowers all about, the chirping of birds. Above you rests a fairly clear sky with a dotting or two of clouds. The sun is pleasant. Overall, it’s comfortable. Perhaps too comfortable.

MEADOWLANDS ARRIVAL

Within eyesight, though you can’t possibly know the footing distance, there appear to be fields. A portion of them dedicated to long stalk vegetables and the rest a neatly organised collection of leafy greens. Upon closer inspection, you’ll find that some of these look ready to be picked right away. Not much further past the fields are other buildings. Simple in style and not at all grand in structure or make. There’s people, too. It looks lively. The locals will tell you that you’ve set foot in Aldrip.

Not far from you, in fact relatively close if not in hand already, is a rolled parchment bound by a rather nondescript twine. If you unfurl it, you’ll find a generic welcoming message addressed specifically to you.
Welcome to Expiation. We, who have found you so worthy and deserving, have declared you to be one of the Chosen.
The cryptic written greeting is followed by a collection of recorded statistics—physical and mental attributes, along with other observations about your person that clearly weren’t made by you (but may not necessarily be inaccurate).

Nearing the bottom is a peculiar line—
You have been charged with ▬▬ and in accordance with the doctrine of this world, you have ▬▬ until you will face your sentencing. Prepare your defence adequately or face the repercussions.
In spite of that strange little addition at the bottom, which may or may not make sense to you, you’re not the only one arriving in the meadowlands. You have some options. Maybe check with a nearby fellow otherworlder, scour the fields, meet the locals. First impressions, after all, can sometimes last a lifetime.

WILD COMPANIONS

The collective of newly-arrived aren’t the only ones exploring the meadowlands. Curious about the various sounds created by those not native to the world, there are animals living in and near the surrounding areas drawn to the attention. Different types and sizes of birds and beasts or other creatures that may resemble ones from your home world begin to close in on your location. Do they mean to do you harm or are they only simply wary about who you might be and what you’re doing?

Some of them are incredibly friendly, especially if you’re inclined to provide them with food, or if they’re younger and they simply don’t know better. But be aware, for every young animal, there is likely to be a parent not far behind, and less inclined to be understanding of your strange fate in this new predicament. As such, no matter how cute something may be, reconsider taking it with you, else you may simply stir the ire of their families.

If you find yourself in a position where you’ve inadvertently stepped into a territory not meant for you, you’ll need to find either a strategic escape or resort to force and self-defence. Fortunately, some of these larger, more aggressive beasts, are much the same ones that the locals in Aldrip have been seeking to cull for the safety of the citizens. Maybe you can make some fast friends with the Expiation natives by bringing them something you’ve had to put down.

THOSE WHO WERE THERE

Those Who Were There are what the locals refer to their gods as, considering them responsible for their continued growth in the world, the abundance of their crops and sea life, the greenery that surrounds them, native wildlife, and some of the strangely advanced luxury items that make their livelihoods a touch more convenient.

You’ve arrived at an opportune time. Although the peoples of the continent freely show their appreciation for their higher beings, every once in a while, they celebrate by way of joyful festivals, grand songs, and more expressive means of their devotion.

FESTIVITIES

Aldrip seems to be a bit busier than usual, with a little more foot traffic than what may be considered a normal day in the life. There’s music in the air provided by lutes, panpipes, and the dulcet tones of men and women alike, expressing songs and tall tales of those they have come to revere as celestial beings. They believe that honouring their betters can be done with song and dance as much as it can be with offerings and prayer.

The town is bustling, a plethora of additional street stalls selling all kinds of local cuisine, jewellery, weapons, and accessories branded with insignias that represent the same wave motif as can be found on the charms every newly-arrived will receive. There’s raucous laughter, a plethora of drinks (alcoholic and non) that are passed along merrily to those wandering through if one doesn’t have a drink already. It’s the perfect way to integrate yourself with the people whilst taking in the celebration.

A portion of the town has had the land cleared, set up with a minimalistic coliseum ring for archery competition and one-on-one combat. Winners of these exchanges don’t get anything grand, but are presented with plenty of free food and drink, and some may even be awarded with some modest badge accessories from the local shops for providing the people with some sport.

Out by the fields, closer to the shoreline of the Talion Sea, there’s a grand pillar of fire that’ll burn all through the day and into the dark of the night where more music follows and accompanies spirited dancing.

SENTIMENTAL OFFERINGS

If you’re searching for a momentary reprieve from the bustle of the festival, there’s a modest walkway of cobblestone that will lead you from the main streets of stalls, drinks, and making merry. Following the way it winds and curves will eventually take you to an elaborate display of dried flowers, jewellery, fanciful cloths, and other items. Some of these hang from nearby trees. Some are draped over an altar fashioned of dark wood.

A local who spies you there kindly explains that it’s a place to leave items of offering for Those Who Were There, as gratitude for all they have granted their loyal people. They also explain that the more sentimental attachment you hold for the item you give up, the more pleased the gods will be with you. What does that mean, exactly? It’s difficult to say, but it seems that it might endear you to the locals at the very least.

Those who leave an item will receive a noticeable wave-like mark on the interior of their dominant hand wrist, almost as if it’s a brand of some kind. This is temporary mark and will only last the length of the festival, but if locals see it, they will be more inclined to give information on the land, the people, and perhaps even extra drinks, food, or shop wares.

Even if you don’t leave an item, as you’ve only just arrived and you may not have much on your person, the locals won’t punish you or think ill of you. It’ll give you a chance to gather yourself before you go back to the festival proper. If you choose to go back at all. The relative quiet is so welcoming, after all.

THE GLITCH EFFECT

NO SIGNAL

If you’ve arrived in this world with a mobile device or something akin to (notebook, laptop, and so on), you’ll find that whilst there are no electrical outlets, there are slender and flat platforms available to keep items of this nature with a charge. You cannot connect to a network and there’s no signal for a connection to grapple onto. That said, programmes that don’t require a connection to be of use (note taking applications, calculators, games), are still operable.

You may find, however, in the use of these programmes that perhaps images are not displaying properly. The colouration may be inverted. There may be unexplainable lines drawn across graphics. Text may not accurately be presented, instead a jumble and tangle of letters, forming what looks more like a mass of verbal tendrils across your screen.

Bizarre and strange sounds may emerge from your device, sometimes a low hum that may be indiscernible to others. Sometimes a high frequency that lingers in the air. It may be just a flash of sound. It may be several seconds long.

Furthermore, it is possible that you may find strange imagery imprinted on the screen temporarily, even where there should be no graphic at all. It’s there for a moment or two before it fades away, almost as if it’s subliminal messaging. The strange imagery is difficult to make out—a highly detailed eye, or perhaps what appears to be an angular face. No two images will be the same, though some may hold some eerily similar depictions.

This strange happenstance will occur periodically until the festival reaches its conclusion.

STATIC BUZZING

Don’t think if you didn’t arrive with a mobile device or related that you’re free from some of the strange electronic phenomena. Devices that are native to Expiation will experience similar errors. The difference is that the devices as a collective (personal computers, printers, cameras, the platforms for charging devices, and more) will emit a fluctuating and repeating frequency of sound cycling from high to low. Some will be able to hear it, some will not, but for those who do, it will come accompanied with a static buzzing sound, as if a connection somewhere is on its last proverbial legs.

There isn’t a means to stop the sound from emerging without depowering the device in question and even the locals don’t seem to know what to do. There are several devices strewn about Aldrip, however, so even if you should unplug one, there will be others expressing the same assault on the ears. Aldrip’s people don’t seem particularly alarmed, however, explaining to those who ask that this sort of thing simply happens every so often, and should they but have faith, Those Who Were There will handle all things ‘in good time.’

Unlike the personal devices brought in by newly-arrived, the electronic devices of Expiation will not display incorrect / jumbled graphics, text, or bizarre flashing images, which may be considered a blessing in disguise, despite having to experience the potentially annoying hum. This strange occurrence, too, will mysteriously end once the festivities have drawn to a close.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Hm... I'm pretty tough. I think I can handle a little misfortune.

[Or quite a lot, if what she thinks will happen has actually come to pass. But as it seems to be the usual for her, Aerith tends to downplay who and what she is. What really matters in the moment, is trying to turn current company's thoughts elsewhere. No more of this 'misfortune' talk.

She takes Marianne's hand into her own and her smile grows. That's promise. She's not thinking about the hold. The strength behind it. If anything, perhaps it's because she's just as delicate.]

I'd like the company. Seems like there's more than a few of us, so it's a good idea to make sure if there's anyone who needs help, we can guide them somewhere that they can get that.

[If she had materia on her, she could probably do something herself. Maybe. Aerith hasn't gotten that far ahead in the thought process just yet.]

You can tell me a little more about yourself too while we go.

[ That gentle touch... It's unfamiliar, but not unwelcome. Met with such a kind smile, Marianne feels a blush color her cheeks. She manages a nod, and without further hesitation, she uproots herself to walk beside Aerith. ]

Have you been here long? You seem like you know what you're doing.

[ Strong and positive, someone who can push forward despite the circumstances. Marianne admired that. ]

Oh... [ The dreaded 'tell me about yourself' question. ] I'm not great at talking about myself.

[ It's silly, but she finds herself tongue-tied. While Garreg Mach had been open, she was used to fading into the background while her classmates chatted. ]

About as long as the rest of you. [Aerith admits it easily as Marianne falls into step at her side.] I think it's just because I know that it's like to be on your own. Everything is better when you have someone with you, and even the bad things don't seem as bad.

[And in a way, the companionship is as much for her as it is for Marianne.

She finds herself tempted to laugh, but she gets it. It seems current company has some difficulty sharing pieces of herself. Time, patience, and circumstance, Aerith thinks. She must not be overbearing.]

Hm... Well. I'll make sure to share things about myself in return. So let's start with something very small and easy. For instance...

[Aerith presses a thoughtful touch along her chin before she continues.] I really like flowers and think not enough people give them the attention they deserve.

[There. Easy!]

[ Had Aerith once been alone? The thought of it saddens Marianne. No one should have to be alone, she thinks.

She just seems to have trouble showing that compassion towards herself. ]

I think I understand. It's difficult being by yourself.

[ Even when she was isolating herself from people, she still had the company of animals. And her classmates, while she struggled to connect with them, had become her staunch allies in the war they're fighting. If not for them, Marianne doesn't know if she would be standing here today.

The topic turns to the subject of flowers, and this one, she finds herself easily relating to. ]

I like flowers, too. There's a meadow with beautiful blooms I used to take Dorte to. [ Until the army had marched through it. ] Unfortunately, it's all trampled now...

[That it is. There are probably things that are worse than being on one's own, but Aerith is inclined to think it's one of the most difficult things out there. Without support, the only person someone alone can depend on is themselves and there is nothing easy about that, especially if it's something one has gotten accustomed to. A life like that can turn someone. She wouldn't wish it on anyone.

She brightens.

Flowers, then, is it? It's something they can connect over. Of course what radiance there is in Marianne's assessment is somehow pushed right back down by its current state of being.

With a thoughtful hum and a rather lackadaisical pace, Aerith finds her voice.]

Hm... Flowers can be replanted, though it's sad to think of them being trampled on. [She was always the one telling others not to step on them.] Who's Dorte?

I hope so. If the war ever ends, I'd like to return there with Dorte.

[ She'd like that. Replanting the meadow and seeing the flowers bloom anew. Nature is hardy. That's also part of their beauty.

She doesn't know when the fighting will come to an end. These days it feels as if she spends every day on the march, or in the infirmary tending to the wounded. She can only pray to the Goddess for it to be over. ]

Dorte's my friend. My horse, I mean.

[ Since people don't usually hear friends and think of someone animal-shaped. ]

[A horse. A... horse? Aerith turns the thought over in her head. Has she heard that word before? She doesn't think she has. What a cute idea. A horse for a friend, but it's very likely she thinks like this as someone who would call a plant a friend.]

I don't think I've ever seen a horse before. Is Dorte like... a pet? Like a cat or a dog? The slums back home have so many cats.

[Literally. There are so many cats. Just a plethora of them. The way Marianne makes it sound, Dorte might as well just be an oversized cat.]

Oh, they're...

[ Aerith must not be from Fodlan. How should she explain these lovely animals to someone who has never seen one? ]

They're bigger than cats and dogs, closer to the size of a cow. They're strong and fleet-footed and majestic when they gallop. [ In this she sounds more confident than in anything she's said in their conversation thus far. ] Much of our travel is done on horseback.

[...Cow. Cow. Maybe she's seen them in a book? Aerith makes a note to look into this further, but she suspects that for more than a few moments, the pensive expression that crosses her face probably gives her away.

Either way, Marianne puts it in a fashion that is a little difficult to picture, but she gets the general idea. It's also the first seem she's getting the chance to witness something that feels almost like confidence.]

It sounds like you know an awful lot about them. You must like them a lot. I guess that makes sense if you ride them often and they're so common. They sound a little like these birds that people ride back home. Probably a little more elegant, though.

[Aerith hesitates to say she can recall ever seeing an elegant chocobo.]

Um, it comes with looking after Dorte.

[ She doesn't think her knowledge is anything exceptional. It's what anyone who spends a lot of time with horses would know. The stables were her usual haunt back when the monastery was still open. She finds it calming spending time with animals. They're easier to talk to than people. ]

You travel on birds? [ Like wyverns? Though wyverns are closer to lizards...and judging from Aerith's expression, it seems the creatures they're used to are quite different. ] What kind of birds?

Well, sometimes. Not usually in the city, but I know the birds pull carts and things like that. And I've heard of people racing them, so that's probably in there somewhere, too, even though I've never seen it.

[The streets of the slums are often too packed for a chocobo to safely go through, she thinks. It would be hard to navigate and probably worse for the bird in question. Stressful, at the very least.]

I don't really know how to describe them. Big. Well. Bigger than you and me, anyway. And they're kind of fluffy? And they make kind of a... 'wark?'

[Aerith does her best chocobo noise. It's probably not great, but maybe it'll get the point across.]

I've heard they can be very loyal! I think they're pretty cute, myself.

Hehe...

[ Congrats, Aerith's chocobo imitation gets a small chuckle out of Marianne. ]

They sound cute. I'd like to meet one someday.

[ Fluffy big birds that pull carts and wark, what's not to love? She tries to picture them in her head, and while she doesn't know if it's accurate, it's a funny mental image that makes her smile. ]

What's your home like, Aerith? It seems quite different from mine.

[ Marianne's getting better at carrying the conversation. She's genuinely curious, and Aerith is easy to talk to. She usually doesn't feel this at ease unless she's talking to Dorte or a stray animal. ]

Maybe you'll get to!

[She certainly hasn't seen any chocobos out here just yet. Doesn't mean they aren't there, but if they are, she doesn't know what to make of this world. Nothing else really looks familiar, after all. She's pretty sure it's not even anywhere in relation to the world Midgar is located in.

Her attention turns and she wonders, yet again, how to put it. How much she's allowed to say. How much she should say.]

Hm... It's a big city. There's a top layer and a bottom one. The people who are well off live up top and the people who aren't live underneath. So it's... I guess someone not from it would have a hard time with it, but it's where I'm from.

[Kind of. Since she doesn't really know where's from, she just can't tell for sure. Midgar is as good as home. For now.]

[ She hopes so. Stranger things have already happened; meeting these animals may not be out of the question. ]

I see... I've never heard of a city built that way.

[ Was it situated on a hill? It's difficult to picture. What isn't so difficult to grasp is the separation between the rich and the poor. There existed wealthy and destitute streets in every Fodlan city, after all. ]

Edmund territory doesn't have particularly large cities. Before my adoptive father took me in, I lived in the countryside.

Honestly, Midgar's the only one that I know of that does it that way.

[Not that Aerith can really say she knows about anything outside of it. It's not as though she has a list of cities and towns to compare it to, after all. As Marianne continues, Aerith is more interested in listening to her, it seems, than actually looking deliberately for anyone else, though she is keeping her eye out for anyone else who might need some immediate assistance.]

The countryside, hm? It sounds peaceful, honestly. Do you like cities more, do you think?

[Countryside seems to suit her more. Maybe something to make Marianne a little less... wary.]

Yes, it was very peaceful.

[ That could just be because her father had told her to keep away from people, but living in the countryside meant that Marianne grew up around nature and had animals to keep her company. ]

I think I prefer the countryside. The outdoors are nice and quiet and...um, it's probably why I'm not good at talking to people.

[ She grimaces a little, but keeps in step with Aerith. She's probably not much help in the assisting people front as her eyes spend more time looking at the ground. ]

Wellll...

[Aerith tips her head thoughtfully, considering that there are probably many people who don't think they're very good at talking with people. If she hadn't spent so much of her life around people, or the slums in general, maybe she might be like that, too. It's hard to picture herself in any other way than how she is at the present, though.]

Did you ever want to become better at that kind of thing? You almost sound as if you want to.

[ The question Aerith poses gives Marianne pauses. Her first reaction is to think that she's fine keeping to herself, she always has, but...was that really true? Ever since joining the Golden Deer and the army, she's had to confront social interactions daily. She's been frustrated at herself for being useless at conversation. ]

... yes, I do. I think. My adoptive father is a great orator and always tells me I need to improve. [ But it's not just that. ] I'd like to speak more with my classmates as well.

[ They're all so friendly and social. It'd be...nice to know them better. At the very least, she doesn't want to be a drag. ]

[Aerith almost considers stating that it may be a worthy thing to pursue if it's what Marianne wants, as opposed to doing so out of a feeling of expectation to be met. What stops her, however, is how Marianne continues. It's possible for both of those things to be true. That one may have expectations to meet, but also have a personal desire to improve something.

In the end, her smile is soft and patient.]

I think that's a pretty good first step, then. It's hardest to look at something and admit to ourselves that we want it. And you're talking with me right now and you barely know me, so I'm going to say you're doing a great job.

Do you think so?

[ Can she really change? Some days her adoptive father's expectations feel insurmountable, but if she could gain even a fraction of his confidence and eloquence, or even a little of Aerith's positive demeanor... maybe she could cease to be a burden on her classmates, and eventually, lead the territory of Edmund. ]

I'm not really sure where to begin, but I...I'll try.

Yup. I sure do. You don't have a reason to believe me, and I know that, but I'm not really in the habit of saying something I don't mean.

[And sure, maybe sometimes Aerith can be a little too nice, but she most of all, she wants to say the things that she thinks others need or deserve to hear. Maybe if Marianne gets encouragement, she'll find the confidence to pursue the things she wants.]

Baby steps are just fine and those kinds of things are different for everyone. If you're the one testing your own comfort, it's easier, so... I don't want to push you either. But I do want to support you. So even if just walking and talking like this helps, then I wanna do it. That's what friends do, after all.

[As far as she's concerned, she and Marianne are now officially friends.]

No, I- I believe you.

[ She says, partially to be polite, but also because when Aerith says it, she feels like she can really change. Somehow, it's easier to believe in others than to believe in herself.

Baby steps. She can manage that. For a long time, Marianne never had friends, not human ones, and it makes her blush to hear it. Even if there's still a nagging little thought in the back of her mind that wonders if it's alright for someone like her to grow close to others, at least Marianne looks calmer than before. ]

Thank you, Aerith. It does help, I think. If it's not a bother, maybe we can keep talking just like this while we look for others.

[Aerith can imagine that this is going to be quite the proverbial trek. It doesn't bother her, though. It seems like in this place, they have time. What better way to spend it than helping someone who needs it? Patience is a difficult thing to come by and if Aerith is anything, it's certainly patient.]

I think that sounds perfect. You can tell me more about your horse friend. I don't have any friends quite like that, so I'd like to hear more about it. Sometimes animals are a lot easier to talk to than people, after all.

[Animals don't assess, after all. And if they do, they certainly don't say so. Animals are good judges of people, too. Maybe animals wouldn't be afraid of her.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

TEST DRIVE MEME #1

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