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expiationmeme2023-02-27 01:04 am
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.
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.
no subject
I could have. But you have to allow me to defend myself somehow. My honour's on the line here, you know. [This, too, is a joke; any principles he may have are very much a moveable feast.
So school is a big deal for Helpful Guy; well, that much isn't surprising. It confirms the tentative picture Akechi's building in his head: not quite a delinquent by nature? But not quite not one—he likes to cook, gets annoyed when things aren't done right, and doesn't make a secret of it. It seems Akechi's cursed to be surrounded by—
He shuts that one down. What doesn't quite fit the picture is that this guy is uncomfortable; Akechi is making him uncomfortable, rather than angry like a true delinquent, and it's not as if he even has his teeth showing. His hand pauses, with the blade against the backbone of the unfortunate fish, and he closes his eyes; he takes another breath before gliding the knife as close to the bone as he can.]
Do you know, I don't think I've ever knowingly watched a cooking show? [Like, why would he? He had a real life—though he was once asked to appear on one.] What's your name, by the way? I'm Goro Akechi.
[...and you've heard of me, he automatically supplements in his head. It makes him feel like a goddamned idiot now, especially since nobody here has looked at him twice.]
no subject
Shinjiro slices off another fin, lifting the plate to look more closely for errant bones. They're actually conversing now? Wow, he's done it— and also oh god, he's done it. Sure, sure. He can continue this.]
You think you might've unknowingly watched one? What, do you stay up too late and sleep-watch? You look like too much of an honor student for that.
[He does, and maybe Honor Student Anxiety could explain away some of the attitude radiating off of Akechi in waves; Shinjiro is willing to believe it. It doesn't feel totally correct, but then again, it doesn't feel like it's any of his business. Getting involved with people has ended poorly for him every time now, so maybe cooking should be the limit.
And so maybe this guy is just a fussy honor student. Goro Akechi. There's zero recognition there for that name, of course. He's got infinitely more recognition for this fish and its growing pile of discarded skin.
......And, right,] Shinjiro Aragaki.
....What do you watch, then?
no subject
[It sounds as sincere as it's going to. Just as he expected, the guy—Aragaki, which at least beats Helpful Guy, or Inferior Delinquent—didn't recognise his name at all. And Akechi refuses to feel adrift because of it. Aragaki's heard him mention honour and put it together with Akechi's manner to get honour student, which is brighter of him than Akechi expected. Just attuned to education because of a grudge, maybe..? It's all part of the picture, which is adding up to Akechi not having to try and knife him today.]
It doesn't matter what I watched, any more. [He doesn't want to give his rote Akechi-kuuun interview response about that fucking fox show, and he doesn't want to talk about Good Morning Japan.] Though it might matter to you. Imagine it—you've missed your chance to drop in front of the TV—[he takes his right hand off the fish, to mime falling with a splat]—and have no idea what you're looking at. Flying fish, aliens, boiling squid in a bucket. A lifelong regret.
[Because there are no TVs here—at least, none that Akechi has seen. And, though he's seen some computers that wouldn't be out of place in the depths of the SIU, there seems to be no internet at all. Just the messages, almost all inane, that come across the suspiciously-advanced-looking charm on his belt. He peels the last fillet off the fish carcass and lays it down next to the first; it looks almost respectable.
What does he watch, though. Talk about questions he could have answered until the end of time. But that was two weeks ago.]
no subject
It's still not really any of Shinjiro's business. It isn't. It's not. But the part of him that always winds up sticking his neck out anyway is going to remember more than just a cordial and somewhat bumbling conversation with a stranger, intentions be damned. He'll have to remember Goro Akechi, after this cooking episode is through.
For now: boiling squid... Deadpan:] I'm not really into nature documentaries.
[Zing, that's his joke limit reached for the next month, good god. Fair enough point that TV preferences definitely don't matter here - even if he'd seen a TV around, which he has not, who knows what would be on it. He shrugs.]
Anyway, I've had worse lifelong regrets. [Which he'll skate over completely, to drop his gaze down to Akechi's fish there, hm!] For a novice, that's pretty good.
no subject
He reaches out and snatches up another fish from the heap; a jolt shoots through his hip, and he grits his teeth, swallowing a hiss of pain.] ... yeah? The next one is going to be better.
[He slaps it down on the board, starting to work. And he does, indeed, begin to do far better, taking on what he's seen and been taught. That feeling of being watched by nobodies, dissected by idiots, like this fucking fish; Aragaki brings it right back, with the whole I'm saying nothing but I'm watching you air.
He takes off all the fins, even the weird one that looks more like a whisker. What sort of lifelong regrets would someone like this know how to have?]
no subject
Wouldn't that be nice. Shinjiro blinks, surprised-but-only-just by the swerve away from simply taking the (honestly not very good) compliment into fishy determination. Only just barely surprised because, well, he's already got "fussy honor student" pinned in his mental notes for Akechi, but surprised that he's not finding some polite way to tell Shinjiro to fuck off and let him do this on his own.
...Maybe only Shinjiro would do that, and not politely. Ahem. He nods.]
'Course it will. [He can literally see the evidence already, so this is not an empty platitude. Congrats, honor student.] Damn, you're fast.
[Better get moving on his own fish to catch up--! Something to think about besides TV and regrets.]
You cart any of that flour down here from the windmill? We might as well bread these when they're ready, instead of grilling 'em.
lbr shinji is way too good for this asshole
Well, Akechi still doesn't think that's for him. No way in hell. But he doesn't have a vast criminal conspiracy watching his back any more, either. Just, for this afternoon, a guy his own age more observant than many, who's chosen to throw himself into kitchen work with an intensity Akechi struggles to match, who's seemingly really into making sure Akechi doesn't poison anyone, or choke them with a fishbone, or cut off his thumb. Though if he did, someone would probably eat it, the way things are going.
The little compliment doesn't quite bounce off his self-centred little sulk. Instead, it brings it to a halt, and he glances up, defensive.] You really don't have to flatter me.
[He doesn't admit he couldn't have got a sack of flour here on a bet.] There is flour—ah, I think one of the others brought it. Yes, over there. [He nods at a distressed-looking sack that someone's... left standing on the floor, because that's good for flour.] But it must take more than that? Isn't breaded fish fried?
[He can't cook, and he certainly has no food prep skills. But he used to eat out a lot; he's pretty sure breading isn't just flour, the same way he was pretty sure he could somehow fillet a fish if he really set his mind to it.]
it's too late for them both, they're fishbonding
Don't be flattered, then, [he says, leaning to look for the sack of flour... god, why is it just sitting there. He hates this place.] There's so much wrong with this kitchen, they should be embarrassed...
[Well, honestly, it's probably the deluge of volunteers coming through with sacks of flour and questionable cooking abilities that are making most of the mistakes in here, but still. Shinjiro looks back at his nearly-finished fish with new vigor, moving quicker to get the cutlets out with added haste and reach for something to wipe his hands on. There's a brisker, more businesslike air to him, now that he's a) seen that poor flour, and b) absolutely confirmed that Akechi has no idea how to bread a fish, meaning this is Up To Him.
Finally, something he can do. He nods at Akechi's second fish.]
You keep doing that. I'll be right back. I know how to fry a fish, but yeah, we'll need more than just this.
[It's not like it's a very big kitchen, and so he doesn't go far; Akechi can honestly just watch him putter around collecting ingredients like a totally different person and not a towering glare-with-legs who's bad at smalltalk.
Which is to say: he's having fun now, somehow. He brings ingredients back to their area in a few trips: eggs, bowls, and a whisk first; then some seasonings, which he deeply scrutinizes for a while first; a jug of water; and finally the sack of flour, which he also needs to lift and put somewhere more appropriate, wincing through that brief ordeal. Yeesh.
But soon he is returned, already cracking the eggs into one of the bowls, still in the zone.]
Hey. ...You like spicy foods? I grabbed a bunch of stuff.
no subject
... look at him go, though, finding exactly what he needs and bringing it to their bench; the careful eye he gives to all those little jars and boxes. Like there's a wholly different person under that sullen mask—well, that's no surprise; everyone has something they can bore you about for hours, and if you play interested in just the right way, they'll shower you with attention, they'll think you're just the cutest mirror of themself they ever saw. And someone who's going to make it their business to keep the rest of them fed—Akechi doesn't have to be too smart to see the value there. Except, except—
He glances back down at his fish. The last fillet comes cleanly away beneath his knife, less ragged than the first two; he sets the carcass aside, reaching for another cold, slippery dead fish. He finds himself wondering what Aragaki's secret is—what he hides beneath that mask, rather than in his darkest, unadmitted heart. Idle curiosity, no more. He doesn't pose any kind of thr—
Akechi almost smiles.] Spicy food doesn't bother me. [he lies flawlessly here, flawlessly, you understand; this is in no way an evasion a six-year-old could see through.] But since this is for everyone, it might not be a good idea to make it too hot. This might be the only meal some people get all day.
[Seriously, though, look at him crack those eggs into the bowl. Why would he have got so good at this?] I think you've been less than honest with me, you know. You didn't learn all of this from cooking shows.
no subject
I'll make two mixtures. We've definitely got enough flour.
[But first: whisking the eggs, which he picks up the bowl to begin, watching his own progress for a long beat before he looks at Akechi again. This accusation of food-based dishonesty strikes him as... a little odd, mostly. And it feels like an accusation, and not just a little humorous dig, because Akechi is so potently fussy and such an honor student.
He almost wants to tell him to just chill out and cut some more fish, but okay... Let him defend his cooking honor. Somehow.]
Big talk from the guy who can't remember seeing any. [zing— he shrugs one shoulder, still whisking away at the eggs.] Believe what you want. I grew up in an orphanage... Nobody had time for me back then.
[Which is objectively bleak, like it sounds, but he says it merely factually: the explanation for why someone so young would simply sit in front of a TV and absorb cooking knowledge.
....And, like, it's just eggs. He spares Akechi the "it's just eggs, big deal" of this moment. The Cooking Fun has tempered his judgy remarks, for now.]
....I took a lot of notes.