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

['He who doesn't work shall not eat'. A rather harsh mindset but a fair enough in this situation. Especially considering the food shortage that's going on in Aldrip. And honestly, it's not like Akechi has ever had anything against working to earn his keep.

But physical labor isn't really where he excels at the best. Instead he tries to opt in to do more investigating-lenient work, something where he gets to put his logical thinking into use. So, he figures out that exploring the Lorentia Cave is good place as any to start with. After all, they are shrouded in mysteries and are supposed to be source for crystals and other minerals that surely are valuable to the town's people. (and he's somewhat interested in the dragons! but without his powers there's no way he'll be actually challenging any of them).

But what he didn't expect was to see a faint trail of flour leading to the mouth of the cave. Almost like in the story of Hansel and Gretel leaving the breadcrumbs --- just shittier version of that. It doesn't take long from him to spot the actual source of the flour and that---

He shouldn't really be as surprised to see Akira here. From what he's understood this place prefers those who walk morally grey path. And who'd be better candidate for that than Akira Kurusu, the youth who bears the flames of rebellion within him. And yet.. he is still taken aback seeing the familiar frizzy hair in front of him, body crouched down to investigate the contents of a lonely mine cart.

Well, he's not given much time think just what he feels about having his rival here (glad? shocked? annoyed? all of them??). Akechi sees Akira digging out shiny gems. He lets out a heavy, unimpressed sigh.]

I see you haven't wasted any time to get back to your usual antics, Joker.

[Please take on a dragon with him, Akechi. It's been a latent childhood dream Akira has never quite realized he's had until this very moment. He won't kill it, though!! He wants to befriend it. Keep the dragon. Justice dragon. How To Steal Your Dragon--]

[--anyway.]

[He's still covered in flour, not even remotely concerned about the trail leading to his position in the cave. Hearing Akechi's approach, he rolls onto the balls of his feet and stands, a small array of various rocks and ores in his palms and balanced up the insides of his forearms, and he goes to turn around to display them with intent to ask if whoever is approaching him would expect them to be missed, but... That voice. A few of the rocks tumble off his forearms as his balance falters, and it's not just the flour that has him looking white-faced when he turns to look at him fully.]

[Six months wasn't really a long time. With Sumire, it had just been a summer away, even if he'd returned to Tokyo briefly. He'd left Sumire on the same train platform he'd come back in on, alive and well, whereas Akechi... His posture is pulled taut like the string of a bow, and his fingers curl loosely around the rocks in his palms. Clearing his throat, he manages a wobbly grin, not quite to the sharpness of Joker but maybe it's just the light.] Couldn't very well call myself that moniker if I wasn't, could I?

[Oh worry not. He'll gladly shove you into dragon's den as a bait while sneaking around to grab the whatever treasure the beast is guarding. He's sure you'll be able to handle it! It'll be fiiiine.]

No, I suppose you couldn't. Although I can see you're losing your touch. [He hums and watches Akira to try gather his bearings. It seems like this unexpected reunion is just as big of a shock to him as it was to Akechi. It hasn't even been that long since the last time he saw the Phantom Thief, not really. But there's no telling just how long time it has been for Akira. What all has happened after Maruki's defeat? Did the reality return back to normal as they had planned? What had became of that megalomaniac therapist? There's so many questions that needs to be asked but he supposes those can wait for a bit now.

They need to deal with this situation first.]

What's wrong? You look like you've seen a ghost. [Hah. It's a joke. Get it?]

[Okay but he would so be down for that. He's not scared!! You better get some damn good loot out of it, though, because he's getting the better end of the deal by befriending a dragon, absolutely.]

[He swallows at the bluntness of the question, the set of his shoulders sagging slightly, and slips the rocks in his hands into his pockets to move toward him, his gait somewhere between a brisk walk and a jog. He stops roughly an arm's length from him, moving fluidly and reaching out to grasp Akechi's shoulder, exhaling when he lands on solid mass.]

Pretty solid for a ghost.

[Upgrading your cat to dragon? That's so harsh.]

[The gesture doesn't really come to him as surprise. He supposes if their roles were reversed he'd too would want to make sure he wasn't talking to some weird hallucination. Though, he'd probably try throwing one of those rocks at him rather than go for physical contact like this. Akechi's never been one who likes to be touched in general and the small puff of flour cloud really doesn't make it any more pleasant.

(Dude. They have only limited amount clothing here. Don't get him dirty!)]

I take it you're not awfully disappointed? [Because he did saw that reaction, the long exhale escaping between his lips. Almost as if he was relieved.

With his own lips drawn back in irritation he pushes the hand off him and tries to dust his shoulder clean.] Why are you covered in flour?

[No dragon could ever compare to Morgana, but he's got to have the experience of something insane that no one should keep as a pet.]

[He recoils his hand when brushed off, breathing a faint laugh that shakes his shoulders, dusting the ground around him in a faint coating of flour. He lets his hand trail to Akechi's wrist where he dusts at him but doesn't quite touch him again, leaving his fingers outstretched toward him.] ...guys by the windmill. Shenanigans. You're real, [The last part leaves him before he thinks better of it, his tone horribly quiet but doing nothing to hide the bubble of emotion he can't quite name compressing his lungs.]

[At least this time he wouldn't have to carry it around in his school bag. Akechi might consider coparenting if they train it so that they can ride it. Because who wouldn't want that.]

[But yes. That both explains everything and nothing at the same time. Though it figures that Akira would somehow get involved in something inane as that on his first day. And not even bother cleaning himself up.

Akechi stares at the hand stretched out to him and pauses, almost as if he's considering to grabbing it (no, he's not. he's not a sap!!). Then, after a few awkward beats he speaks again.]

Yes. It seems like I am. This place seems to be fond of people who've been in contact with criminal life of sorts. Tell me, Kurusu. What did your paper accuse you of?

[Give it time, and in the meantime he can be the cool uncle, maybe.]

[He's... dazed, watching Akechi act like nothing's changed, like he wasn't fabricated by a madman playing God and then forced to demand his death instead of the life he deserved, like Akira didn't have to wake up the day after with the weight of knowing he'd killed the most difficult person in his life twice over simply because he couldn't find a way out of it. He hums, letting his hand drop away and to his side to avoid touching him again, chuckling humorlessly.]

"Theft". Of all the things it could have given me, it went for the absolute most boring option. [Key note; I'm letting the mods decide his crime so this is not necessarily accurate.]

[Before he can think better of it, Akira takes a fraction of a step closer, right into Akechi's personal bubble (standing straight, the height he gained over the summer might just make him taller--) but keeps just enough space between them to not touch him.] What happened to you, after Maruki?

[That might be the best option tbh. No responsibility, only the perks!]

Tch. I'd have to agree with you. I've heard that 'they' [whoever they might be] can get quite imaginative. Even I could come up with something better than that.

[Well. This is Akechi. How else is he supposed to act? He's never really been one for sentimentality or softness, always preferring to face the situation head on with the calculated calmness. Same is with here, letting emotions to get better of him wouldn't do any good. So, he stands still and firm. Unyielding in front of Akira as he invades his space.]

Exactly what we thought would. [Or at least.. That is what he hopes.] I woke up here after his defeat.

[Akira, meanwhile, bleeds the "brainless sentimentality" Akechi so spurns him for, even now. There's a faint dusting of flour on the lenses of his glasses, but it does nothing at this proximity to hide the way he searches Akechi's face.]

...tolerate me, for a minute, [In a graceless motion, he reaches out and loops his arms around Akechi's shoulders, hugging him in a way that would allow him to break away easily while still leaving no doubt that he would stay still like this for much longer than Akechi would be comfortable with if permitted.] I'm glad you're here. [He doesn't say "alive", because that's a loaded statement, and who's to say they are, really? Maybe they're both dead.]

[He pulls back, out of a pure habit than anything else. But strangely enough... he doesn't reject Akira and accepts the embrace. The warmth radiating from the other body as it presses against his own, feeling the breath against his skin and the flour tickling his nose. It's all very alien and he's not entirely sure how to reciprocate.

So.. He just allows it to happen.

His lips are pressed together into a thin line and frown deepens upon hearing such 'confession.' Ah, here we go again with his bleeding heart, Akechi thinks to himself. He doesn't want to talk about it, doesn't want to address these complicated feelings so he doesn't say anything for a while, letting a heavy silence fall between them. But still, he allows this happen.

Then, after a few moments he speaks again: ] Are you satisfied now?

[He didn't expect anything different, and his posture is significantly more relaxed when he steps back and regards him with a lazy half-grin. A bleeding heart though he may be, he's glad Akechi is as difficult as always. Reaching out, he carefully dusts off his shoulders from transferred flour from the contact.]

Yeah. Thanks. [Slouching again, he rolls his shoulders and gives the cave around them a once-over.] ...can't imagine you're in here to steal rocks since you were giving me crap for it, but I've been wrong before.

[Akira is just going to get the Goro Akechi's Resting Bitch Face⟨™⟩ treatment when he pulls away. Thank you so much getting him all dirty. At least he doesn't got flour on his hair like Akira does, so there's at least that. Akechi wipes his cheek clean on the back of his hand and finally steps away from from Akira's reach.]

That's not what I'm here for [...only, at least??], the locals have been worried about this area for a quite bit and there are rumors of dragons and other beasts. I came to see if there was any truth to that.

But I don't think it's wise for either of us continue like this.

[He wouldn't have it any other way, babygirl. At least flour is easy to dust off, you fussy little princess of a man. He doesn't step forward again or move to stop Akechi moving out of range, but he does perk up at the mention of dragons.]

Waitwaitwait, you can't just tell me there might be dragons in this cave and expect me to leave. You know me better than that.

[Excuse you. He prefers to stay as clean as possible. It's already horrible enough that he can't perform his usual bathroom routines here. Good looks take work!!

Again, he shouldn't be surprised but.. yeah]

You do realize that you're not exactly epitome of stealth in your current state? I could see your footprints outside of the cave. [But more importantly:] Do you have access to your Personas?

Edited 2023-04-17 01:36 (UTC)

[You're pretty enough without the beauty routine, Akechi, don't make him tell you that to your face.]

[His eyebrows raise toward his hairline and he tilts his head.] Oh ye of little faith, maybe the flour is all part of my great stealthy plan. [It most certainly is not, but he can't not be a shitpost. The question sobers his silliness, because he's never really considered not having access to them, but they aren't in the Metaverse, so-- he just sort of reaches into the back of his own head for a minute, closing his eyes, and his eyebrows knit together in a frown.] ...not like I normally do.

[You know he's a vain bitch like that. Though, say that and he'll leave you here alone and stranded.]

If that is so then I'm dying to hear all about your master plan, oh the great Phantom Thief. [Said with flat voice. Sorry but he looks just so unimpressed by your antics.

Akechi crosses his arm around his chest and brings his flour-free hand to rub his chin thoughtfully. So, it's the same as with him. He can feel Hereward's presence but it's far and faint. Like a weak echo.] I thought so. I can't use any of my powers either. There are other people here with magical skills but none of them are quite the same.

[He's not stranded!! He can walk out of this cave perfectly find on his own, buddy!!!]

[He rolls his eyes, but there's still a grin on his face, bringing one finger to his lips in a 'shh' motion.] A true thief never shares his secrets.

[A hum, then, and he nods.] I can kind of always feel them? But this is kinda like the divide of knowing they're there without having access to them when not in the Metaverse. Maybe without their masks to summon them, they're just... stuck, [He taps his temple, to indicate by "stuck" he means in their heads, more or less.]

[You know what, that's fair enough. He even left a trail to follow!]

[He's not entirely convinced whether that's the case here but it's as good explanation as any. And then again, he can't think anyone else who is as connected to his Persona as Akira.]

That could be it. But you understand why challenging a dragon as we are now is not the smartest move. I came here only to look for signs and other evidence about them.

I dunno, challenging a dragon at any point kind of sounds like a bad idea. Y'gotta appeal to it... Figure out what it hoards, present it with Gifts.

[He moves back over to the mining cart of rocks.] Like these, for instance.

Really? And here I thought your daredevil side would have loved to take one down. [But then again, dragon does sound much more dangerous than the shadows they fought against in metaverse.]

First we'll have to find out if it's even hoarding anything to begin with. It could be that the cave system just provides an ideal living environment to its' species.

Not unless it's an evil dragon. If it just lives here I'm not gonna be rude, I'm a gentleman thief.

[He tosses one of the rocks in the air and catches it in his palm a few times.] Hmm, a good starting point. But, perhaps we should arm ourselves first, since you're so sure we'll need to fight it?

It's a wild beast, Kurusu. I doubt you'd go to lion's den without proper preparation. [Yes, he's entirely certain that the dragons can't be sentient.

He looks at the rocks in Akira's hand and smirks a little, rolling his shoulders back.]

But I suppose you're right on the money with that statement. In order to do that we might have to indulge in good-old fashioned 'looting'.

[Five minutes in your company and your bad habits have already started to rub on him. God.]

Dragon's den, [He corrects mildly.] I wouldn't fight a lion because it would absolutely maul me. Dragons have a lot of variables since I've never..., [He trails off.] Okay, but what are the existing rumors of this dragon? Please tell me it isn't wearing pants. [Natsume was more than enough for dragons wearing pants.]

[He grins anyway, tossing a rock toward Akechi.] See? I'm always thinking ahead. Catch.

Bold of you to assume that a dragon wouldn't do the same.

[Akechi catches the rock easily with his right hand but then just... stares at him and sighs. What even.]

Why would a dragon be wearing a pants? Have you been watching too much Featherman?

FINALLY slides in here (where only the brave may go!)

and then babygirl.

OPENS ARMS!!!

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