expiationmeme | TEST DRIVE MEME #2

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TEST DRIVE MEME #2

TEST DRIVE MEME #2

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. 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

BE OUR GUEST

You may possess any number of questioning thoughts as you traverse the blindingly white room and are dropped into a darkness beneath your feet, but perhaps those same thoughts will be replaced with an awe and curiosity as you come to. Expiation has you now and you have joined the ranks of the Chosen, a seemingly select number of individuals who have arrived with parchment either in-hand or near them, detailing physical and mental statistics in addition to a particular crime to which you have been accused.

How you choose to spend your time here is largely up to you...

IT'S A WINDMILL, NOT A GIANT

As you begin to acquaint yourself with the lay of the land about you, you'll find that not too far from where you've woken there's a rather grandiose tower windmill. Its blades rotate at a casual pace as it faces the ocean and its accompanying shoreline. It appears to be in relatively pristine condition, implying that it is cared for well and often, likely by the locals of the town of Aldrip, which can be easily spied from the elevated level of land upon which the windmill sits.

Outside of the main structure is a collection of wooden crates in various display. Some of these are closed. Some are open. If you observe for long enough, you'll eventually find that a few relatively muscular sorts arrive on the scene to retrieve some of these crates and take them back the distance toward the town that lingers at the base of the mountains. If you choose to inspect the crates, you'll find some of them filled with heavy canvas sacks that contain flour. If you choose to ask the town locals retrieving them about this, they will explain that the windmill companion you have woken near is just one of the many implements that the locals use to provide sustenance to dining tables, festivities, and more.

You have the option to help the locals carry crates back, potentially to curry some favour with them, or simply take some sacks of flour yourself. Crates require more than one person to carry due to the weight, but two able-bodied adults should be able to handle the job quite well. A sack of flour can generally be carried by one, but perhaps you'll find yourself needing some assistance anyway. Maybe ask one of the others who've woken up near you. It certainly seems you're not alone in this new endeavour.

WHERE ONLY THE BRAVE MAY GO

If windmills and manual labour aren't your thing, you may find yourself drawn to the seemingly mysterious cave at the foot of the mountains, not far from the windmill in question.

The locals refer to this cave as Lorentia. Jagged rocks poke out around the entrance and have been sculpted and shaped to resemble what appears to be the massive sharp-toothed mouth of a dragon. It is possible you may be momentarily stopped by one of said locals who will explain that the Lorentia Cave is a passage system that leads through the interior of the mountains, though due to some collapse of the inside, the passageway does not go in far and is currently blocked off for the safety of local citizenry. In other words, proceed with caution.

If you're still feeling brave and care to take a peek inside, by all means. No one's going to stop you.

The interior of Lorentia Cave consists of both narrow passageways and some larger, more cavernous like rooms. There are assorted mining implements scattered along the ground, propped up against the walls, and carts that are filled with various ores, rocks, crystals, and more. The locals of Aldrip use Lorentia Cave for largely mining purposes and many of the things that are retrieved can be used for the smithing forges, the crafting of weaponry, or fashioning into jewellery and other accessories that are sold locally and taken to other towns on the continent.

There are some crudely designed signs that note to take care and depict simple skull drawings, indicating that certain paths may be a little more dangerous to traverse than others. If you are especially lucky (or unlucky, as the case may be), you may even spot some skeletal remains from some less-than-fortunate souls who got caught in a dead-end path and simply never made it out again.

If you listen closely, sometimes you hear the flutter of wings and a distant roar. Maybe it's best not to linger...

NO SOMETHING FOR NOTHING

MAXWELL'S SILVER ROCK-HAMMER

The townsfolk are welcoming to newly-arrived, something that has largely been met with a fair amount of scepticism and wariness from prior arrivals. That said, they continue to be hospitable, eager to share stories and songs about their land, their people, and their traditions.

A jewelcrafter is displaying their work today, putting their various wares out for locals and members of the Chosen to admire, or perhaps to purchase. Part of their demonstration is opening geodes with rock-hammers and showing off the impressive inside of colour and masterful natural works of art gifted to them by the land's bounty. They may choose to speak a little on how they revere the land, the resources they've been given, and how all of this has been bestowed upon them by the very gracious Those Who Were There, a mysterious and seemingly celestial higher power.

For those who are interested, they have the opportunity to offer some assistance to the jewelcrafter by opening some geodes as well. There's plenty of rock-hammers to go around and the most recent retrieval from Lorentia Cave's mining appears to have been very successful. The jewelcrafter is so moved by the offer of help that he's more than happy to let those who aid him keep one opened geode for themselves at no cost.

Congratulations on your new piece of decor!

FORGING BONDS IN THE FIRES OF PASSION

If you were a brave soul who made visit to the Lorentia Cave and came back with some weapon or armour crafting materials (including skeletal remains), you'll find that the smithies of Aldrip are eager to do business and many of them enjoy their craft for the sake of being passionate about what they do.

They'll waste no time in starting the forge and should you have a specific piece in mind you are requesting, as long as they have the materials on hand, they'll even be willing to show you the general process from start to finish on a rough draft of the piece in question. If you're feeling especially keen to help, they may offer to let you work directly on your project, though they will express apprehension and a wary eye for those who fail to have prior experience with such gruelling tasks.

Once your piece is finished, you can either wear it immediately, learn the best way to maintain and keep your equipment, or put it out on public display to show the rest of Aldrip and its residents, new and old alike. If you choose to let the smithies keep your piece, they'll pay you the cost of the materials you've brought them, plus a small percentage markup depending on how much personal effort you put into the craftsmanship personally.

Better yet, you may have just come out of the situation with a permanent bond. The smithies have an appreciation for those who share similar interests and may be willing to provide future discounts to those who purchase their wares.

FEEDING THE MASSES

YOU'RE A REEL CATCH

Aldrip locals always have a need for food and with many Chosen having recently arrived, that need has increased exponentially, for now they have a larger number of mouths to keep fed and stomachs to keep happy. To help inspire this retrieval of food, Aldrip is hosting a fishing competition and anyone who's interested in participating may do so, provided that they follow the guidelines set in place.

All participants must use local fishing equipment and this will be provided by the various merchants in town free of charge, save for those who wish to keep their fishing tackle. All fish caught within the local rivers, ponds, and the nearby ocean are acceptable for submission. Citizens (local or Chosen) are forbidden from using magic or technology as a means to catch their quarry. Anyone found breaking these rules will be disqualified and will be fish'd (that is, they will have raw flopping fish thrown at them).

The winner of the competition is chosen by having caught the largest fish (determined by size and weight) and will be announced at the end of the competition. The applicable winner may keep their fishing tackle free of charge and have their winning fish cooked in the style of their choice by the locals, which can then be shared amongst the people if they so choose (a fantastic way to make friends). The winner will also have a mediocre fish sculpture awarded to them with their name chiselled into the details in honour of their glorious victory.

OOC Notes:
Both TDM participants and characters already in the game may participate in the fishing competition. Please use the designated comment if you wish to partake. On the 13th of March (after applications have closed for the cycle), the winner will be announced and drawn by RNG. We will announce who the winner is on this TDM post (in these notes), the moderator plurk, and the OOC community.

I'M A [X], NOT A FISHER

If you're not a fishing kind of individual yourself, there's still plenty for you to get involved with.

Aldrip has need of people who are capable of preparing meals, especially seafood. It is probable that many participants of the fishing competition will end up fishing up things that are not fish or eligible for submission, but still edible. These include crabs, lobsters, jellyfish, octopuses, clams, and other related sea life. If you have experience with cooking or simply want to help out, the Aldrip locals will welcome you with open arms and may even pay you for your assistance.

If cooking isn't your forte, you'll find that some of the Aldrip citizens enjoy a betting pool from time to time. If you have some coins or something else you don't mind putting up for gamble, you might just come out with the whole pot if you put your currency on the winning fisher. Anyone found to be attempting to rig the betting pool and competition, however, will be returned their bet. We don't take kindly to cheaters here.

At least not openly.

Fishing can be a sometimes dangerous pastime. You may find a fisher who has gotten themselves accidentally hooked on their line or perhaps when they were freeing a fish, the hook got lodged into their thumb. Aldrip welcomes those who have healing abilities to help assist those more unfortunate situations, so fishers can go back to casting out their lines to make the most of the competition. That said, there's nothing in it for potential healers, just the notion that you've done a good deed.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ The idea of him, Blackbeard, being a gentle anything has Ed puffing out an embarrassed huff. Less to do with the compliment and everything to do with Stede being the incredible gentle-everything he is though, is the way Ed's cheeks go warm and his eyes go whirlpool-wide and dark. Feels almost like Stede's touch goes right through the soft old leather to the red silk pocketed beneath, out of sight. Maybe even deeper than that. And if Ed weren't so afraid of fucking up this unexpectedly nice thing with Stede, he might pursue it.

Instead, it's all Ed can do to lift his chin, force a huffy appreciative laugh and give Stede a rough clap on the arm before dragging him by his shoulder to Ed's side and guiding them both through the tavern's door. ]

C'mon, mate. Let me buy you a drink.

Oops!

[he's pulled to Ed's side and gosh, he likes it. It makes him feel rough. Tough. Capable. They certainly do make a cool pair as they enter the tavern, though the locals don't seem to notice it yet.]

I've even tried my hand at causing a little trouble. I'm still trying to get it off the ground because I'm still a little unpracticed at winning people to my side without proper compensation. [and he's still a little unsure about his oomph]

[ Very cool. Though surprisingly not much of a distraction as they barge in. This place has seen even stranger than the likes of them, apparently. Maybe a few heads turn to look, who knows. Ed's attention is still on Stede, even as he drags him to the bar. He grins, delighted by the idea of Stede's brand of trouble. ]

That so? And what trouble have you been up to this morning?

[ Because it's only been a day for Ed, and surely Stede's only experienced the same.

When Ed takes a seat for himself, it's with an empty one beside, and he automatically leans half off his own stool in that direction where he's anticipating Stede to be. He barely spares a glance at the bartender to order them two glasses of rum before his attention's back on Stede with all the anticipatory glow of a child ready for storytime. ]

Well...not much I'm afraid. [and gosh he hates to see that glow disappear]

It... well I had a lot of ambition at first but...things have been a bit hard on my own. [he absently picks at a bit on the table] I mean as you can see. [as he looks a mess]

I wanted to cause some trouble, you know, vandalism, jaywalking- that sort of thing. Be a nuisance.

Maybe together we can get something off of the ground.

[ A story of Stede's exploits would've been nice, but to hear there's no story yet to tell has Ed looking sympathetic rather than disappointed. He leans further off the chair to knock elbows with Stede. ]

Ah, don't be so hard on yourself, man. We already got caught. Whatever this place is they've brought us, better to lay low for now. Go with the flow, and see what happens. Work our way up to vandalism and jaywalking from there.

[ When the drinks arrive, he slides one in Stede's direction before taking up his own, though he doesn't sip from it, instead leaning on his elbow with the drink in hand, waiting for Stede to pick up his first. ]

Yes I wonder how that happened. Getting caught and all. [he takes the rum and says] Cheers! [before clinking his glass against Ed's]

I'm also surprised Jack didn't come with you. [well he's glad frankly that Jack hadn't but the man is Ed's friend. Unfortunately] Or...did he? [he could be here but not here here after all and Stede will put up with him a little for Ed's sake but only so far]

Mm. Cheers.

[ Yeah, Ed wonders himself what the fuck this place is and how they got there, so he can agree and cheers to that. And takes a long drink after because fuuuuck. What've they gotten themselves into with all these strange, secret devices and people hidden somewhere entirely off the map? Merits a good deep drink, to start.

Luckily, Ed's distracted away from thinking too deeply into it by Stede bringing up Jack, of all people? ]

Hm? Figured you knew. He's dead, mate. Dead-dead. Took a canon ball square to the chest during the fighting. Never seen anybody live through that.

[ Which like, he fucking deserved it, the shitbastard. But also he was Ed's friend, a long time ago. Or maybe they were just pirates who hadn't had the chance to betray each other yet. Ed stares morosely into his rum glass for only a moment before throwing the whole thing back and signaling the bartender for two more. ]

Oh I'm...sorry to hear that. [and he was. He can't help but remember Ed saying that most of the pirates he knew were dead... and to have someone so close to him die...during the fighting...]

Sorry... what fighting? Last I saw- er, what Lucius told me, was you two on the beach? Eating seaweed?

[ Though his eyes stay on the now empty glass, Ed's eyebrows lift and he shrugs, a gesture meant to fall somewhere between "thanks" and "he was a dick, so." Besides... piracy. It was a wonder any of them lived as long as they had.

That morose tide of self pity recedes in favor of confusion quick, though, as he puzzles through Stede's words. On the beach? The last time he and Jack were on a beach together, it was before— ]

You mean before I came back to the ship?

[ Which is just fucking puzzling because Stede was there? Maybe Ed wasn't clear about when it was? He doesn't even acknowledge the two fresh drinks as they're set in front of him. ]

Suppose it was generous to call it a fight. Poor bastard basically got hit by one of the warning shots. Right before all the surrendering to the English, and all that mess.

When did you come back to the ship? [now he's the one who is confused.] What warning shot? Were we being attacked?

[that doesn't sound right! Lucius would have been in absolute pieces]

I think...something's not quite right... [he rubs his head] I haven't... I've been gone for a month... [maybe things had been happening without him somehow.]

[ Ed looks just as baffled. Stede doesn't remember any of what happened? Ed's thinking maybe Stede got hit in the head and lost a memory or twenty until he says he's been gone a month, and that... doesn't sound right. ]

Uh, no, you haven't been gone a month, because you were standing right next to me last night.

[ It doesn't make sense either way you split it. Either Stede is missing memories of a day on The Revenge, or Ed is missing memories of a month between then and now. Maybe both. Ed's voice is hushed and half to himself. ]

The fuck is going on with this place?

[ Oh, and speaking of the fucking weirdness going on— He turns his head, brushing back his hair a bit to show off the gold-looking earring that apparently is some kind of magic device. ]

Hey, did some freaky character gift you one of these?

I wasn't. I- you'd left the ship. You'd followed Jack. [which had hurt. but he tries not to show it]

And I talked with Lucius and got dressed and then... woke up here. [which..is rather strange to think about. He has no idea what's going on with this place, other than the parchment that he doesn't want to address.

At least the earring is something he knows about]

Oh...yes! [he presents his which is actually a ring] Basically, gosh I don't even know how to explain it. Here. I'll show you...

[and he taps the ring.]

I want to talk to Ed... [and a little image of Ed appears like a picture above the ring while an image of himself appears like a picture by Ed's earring]

We can talk this way even if we're not nearby. [though there's a slight delay so it's a little bit strange to the ear]

[ Okay. Lots to address there. Lots that feels weird to explain, because Ed's not entirely sure he can explain it himself, or if he even should. He just blinks for a moment, throat tight until he clears it and, yeah, the little gold jewelry. There's something easier to talk about.

Or watch, really, as Stede talks about it and Ed goes wide-eyed to see what he's been told really happen. ]

That's fucking incredible.

[ Wild. Completely mental. But also so potentially useful? Think of all the shenanigans. Ed's so excited his eyes are practically glowing as he looks from the little picture of himself back up to Stede. ]

And they work anywhere?

No idea. But it would be fun to find out, wouldn't it? [he can imagine them exploring, looting, general shenaniganering, and plenty of other things. He does want to go home, sure, but so long as he's with Ed- as long as they could work together- then it isn't so bad]

Maybe we can find a way to really make a name for ourselves. [as a unit, he means, a pair. Not just Blackbeard.]

Yeah. Yep. Drink to that.

[ Ed can only agree to it all with a huffing laugh, and raises the newest glass of rum to clink with Stede's. This place is upside-down and backwards in all directions— except this one: here, him, with Stede. Ed couldn't care less about making a name for himself. He already has, hasn't he? Not all it's cracked up to be. But if that's what Stede wants, Ed's happy to keep showing him the ropes for as long as Stede feels like.

After a sip, he hums thoughtfully. ]

Though we'll need to be cautious. There's bound to be more than just these little magical knickknacks lurking about. Who knows what else they have in store for us in this place.

Cautious? Really? [he swirls his rum as he thinks about it.]

I say why bother? After all, caution is just what they'd expect. Oh, they wouldn't do that! They'd say. But we would and we'd have the element of surprise!

I mean...right? [since Ed is the more experienced of the two of them]

[ To anyone else? Ed would say that's a stupid fucking idea. But Stede? Stede's a madman. He has fucking crazy ideas and somehow, they always work out.

But that doesn't mean Ed's just going to nod and agree, because where's the fun in that? He hums, playing at thoughtful, before returning. ]

Mm, could be. But they might be expecting us to be expecting them to expect us to be cautious. What then?

Then we'll pretend to be cautious while not being cautious, cautiously. Angels on the outside devils on the inside.

[at least he thinks he's following that]

[ Honestly Ed's lost the thread himself, but Stede seems to work it out in the end, and Ed's eyes glitter with the stirrings of this plan and that. He readjusts on his perch so his knee knocks against Stede's as he gives him a congratulatory swat on the arm. ]

Ohhh, yeaaah. Like that idea, mate. Play at reformation, or rehabilitation, or whatever. Engage in expiation for our crimes. Really soften 'em all up before we strike.

[ He makes a stabbing motion in emphasis before, still smiling, he takes a sip of his rum then sighs after.

As Ed's mind trails back towards their earlier conversation, though, Ed sobers a bit. There's a hundred things left still to say to Stede, and not all he'd like to say in public this, so after a moment, he prompts gently. ]

Hey, Stede... Those rooms you were talking about. Mind if I crash with you tonight? Hadn't figured out where I'd be sleeping just yet.

Yes exactly- Or! Make mischief incognito! With disguises! [it sounds even better] Gosh it'll be just like theater club.

[consisting of only a few yearling boys all younger than him until they grew up and then it was just him but school days were long behind. He bumps Ed's knee back]

Ah, you're welcome to, but it's... a bit of a disaster right now...and only one bed, unfortunately. Still, the more the merrier I always say! And what kind of co-captains would we be if we didn't also co-habitate!

[ At the idea of disguises Ed exhales like he's just had a shot of something worlds stronger than the cheap rum in his glass, then giggles after, already thinking up new possible names and occupations to play out for himself, with Stede's supervising.

He still feels that kind of giddy-warm when Stede agrees to share the room, despite its limitations, including one bed. Now, obviously, the gentlemanly thing to do is offer to take the floor, probably what Ed'll do later, but in the moment, his brain can't help going off in its own direction of very sordid what ifs.

Ed clears his throat as he dismisses the idea before smiling, genuine and sincere. ]

Always know I can count on you, mate.

[ He claps Stede on the shoulder, finishes his drink in one long gulp and pushes aside the glass, then sweeps up the next, full one as he stands. He's about to down that whole thing as well before a thought strikes him, and he offers it out for Stede, instead. ]

[Stede flushes to the roots of his hair, both at the touch and the compliment. He knows Ed doesn't mean it, at least not as deeply as Stede feels it, but the fact that he can even say it, that Stede is...reliable. It makes him feel more than adequate.]

Well wait until you see the room... [which is... well not great to put it mildly.]

Shall we? [he's not had enough to drink for this, but then suspects there's not enough booze in the world. Still, he knocks back the proffered drink while he waits for Ed to settle up and then as they go, keeps bumping into him almost on accident]

God, though, makes me miss the ship. My ship. Our ship. [is that too far to say? Probably. He'll just pretend he didn't say it. When he reaches the door he fumbles a few times for his keys before swinging it open]

Tadaa...

[said a bit sarcastically because it's...an absolute mess. Completely overrun with dishes and stains and ratty clothes and other such rubbish] I um.. haven't managed to find a maid or anything...

[ Despite Stede's insistance that the room is a mess or whatever, Ed doesn't believe it. Then again, Ed's slept in alleyways, on balmy beaches, and tavern floors, so like, whatever Stede's got, it'll be more than enough by Ed's standards. For the company, if nothing else, though Ed doesn't say as much. Maybe he does without meaning to though, in the joking smiles and laughs and the casual bumping into one another along the way. In that sort of friendly pace, warmed with rum and familiar company in a strange land, it's impossible not to read too much into that little correction. "Our ship." Just... Stede being generous, is all. Polite. But it's nice to hear, isn't it? That he could trust somebody enough to call a thing that's his, or their's, ours instead. Like that bed on the horizon, maybe...

Although Ed's startled out of those warm thoughts by the room that's... Well, fuck him, it's an actual mess. Not even by a gentlemen's standards, but like by human standards. Ed just kind of stares at the sorry state of it, a mix of surprised disappointment that's gone quick enough that he hopes Stede doesn't see before he snaps back to attention, clapping Stede on the back and dragging him in with as Ed enters before letting Stede go and stepping around tossed clothing and dishes. ]

Nah, no need for all that. I'll lend you a hand cleaning her up in the morning. Happy enough just to have some place to kick back and have a rest.

[ To that point— there's the bed, obviously, though presumptuous, so Ed looks around for a couch, or... an extra blanket on a chair or whatever to throw himself into— ]

[no he caught it, sorry to say, and feels even worse.]

I'm just... not...used to this sort of thing and it got a bit out of hand. But I insist on taking care of it myself. [somehow] I'll just ...throw everything out and start again. [that's it]

You won't have to lift a finger.

[but there is something chair shaped under a mass of blankets that might have been a part of a sorry for self nest at some point]

[ Welp, not quickly hidden enough, and Ed feels like a heel for his face. His steps gain confidence as he looks around, mindfully stepping over and between this bit of trash and the other thing as he looks at all the strange contraptions and unusual bits and pieces here and there, mixed in with all the rest.

There's definitely something chair-shaped under that suspiciously cocoon-shaped pile of blankets, so Ed heads in that direction and helps himself to lifting up one throw and then the next, examining them critically. ]

Mm... Seems a bit of a waste to chuck it all. You've got some nice stuff in here. Pretty fine collection for a day. All I managed was a meal and a rock, and the drinks we shared.

[ That's not all he managed, but you know. A man needs his secrets. ]

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