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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.
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he's swimming away, thank you, he's very done with this.)
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He collides with something on the way up, snarling and ripping it away from where it got caught in his jacket.
It's only once he surfaces that he realizes it's a fish. A fairly sizable one, at that. Decent enough to make a meal anyway.]
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(listen, LISTEN. he's had chuuya's cooking before, and you know what, this is forgiven, all is forgiven, thank you, he's forgiven you.)
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[Chuuya's scowling as he hauls himself out of the water, but... that is definitely a fish big enough for two.] I could just enter it into the contest, y'know.
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(his bucket is behind them, see!! he's pointing at it, almost too enthusiastically.)
But I want that one.
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[He smirks up at Dazai, waving his catch in the air like the smug show off he is.]
Bet that's why you want mine, huh?
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(self-burn, those are rare...
but either way, he'll just grab his bucket of fish, dropping all of them - the small, the medium, the big ones, all back into the water.)
Oops. Guess I have nothing to eat anymore.
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[Chuuya isn't sure which he's more pissed about: that he walked right into that one, or that Dazai is wasting so much food.]
You stupid piece of shit, you just tossed a bunch of meals!!! Why the hell should I feed you now?!?!
[No it's definitely that one.]
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(bullshit one - he won't starve. it's dazai. bullshit two, he CAN cook, he just, you know, takes creative liberties sometimes, and it's easier to have the path of least effort if people actually believe that, and three -- he has conned some bets already. of course he has money.)
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[He knows Dazai far too well for any of those excuses to work. Chuuya scowls at him, the fish in his hand slowly ceasing it's flopping. without a bucket to go into.
But also: Chuuya knows this is just one meal. Chuuya also knows this place is clearly trying to drum up more food. And unlike Dazai, Chuuya eats properly.]
I feed you, you reel up more fish however the way managed to get them the first time. Deal?
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(caught, but not surprised at all. that's what growing up together will do to someone, and he theatrically turns around, stepping towards a place where he can start a fire without it being considered an arson attempt.)
Sure, sure, deal, deal! Let's go, Chuuya.
(working as intended. ♥)
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[Chuuya lets out a sigh, rummaging in his wet jacket to pull out his knife. It's a good thing he keeps one with him all the time, because he certainly didn't arrive with his usual work clothes.
He'll have to clean and gut the fish first, but it should make a sizable meal.]
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(honestly, they could just buy food. but dazai wants this time, wants chuuya distracted and with a goal in mind so that he can pipe down a little. making fire is as easy as breathing, and soon, they have something crackling and warm to stare at.
his hands hover at a comfortable distance. it feels comforting.)
Your cooking isn't terrible, anyway. If I make an effort, I might be able to live off of it.
(compliment??????)
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The fire is a welcome source of warmth, after the dip into the water, and once Chuuya has the fish cleaned and set to cook, he squirms out of his unfortunately leather jacket with a grimace and lays it across a stone to dry.
Ugh. Wet leather always sucked. But the fire was nice and warm, and for the first time since seeing Dazai, Chuuya's content to focus on roasting the fish perfectly, his voice only a nominal deadpan in response.]
Yeah yeah. I don't particularly trust your cooking anyway, so this is better for my sanity and stomach both.
[And in response to that compliment is... Chuuya almost seeming to agree to Dazai's unspoken suggestion.]
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(his hair is already drying, the curls and waves forming on top of his head, and his clothes being damp are contrasting with the wool of his bandages, still soaked and leaving marks on the white of his prison uniform.
he'll excuse himself just to grab some spices for chuuya to use, borrowed or bought, and once he's back, he sits with an oof.)
Here, do your magic, or whatever it is that you do.
CW: Mentioned drug use in... creative ways
It's called seasoning. You know, with normal, regular things and not Adderall.
[He sets about seasoning the fish instead, glad it hadn't had long in the fire and inwardly grateful that Dazai knew who to ask for them. This is something Chuuya is good at: Not out of any real talent, but practice.
Daily things like cooking became something enjoyable when you grew up eating cheap combini meals at best, scraps at worst. There's a quiet smile on Chuuya's face as he works, something small and content, even with his own hair slowly drying into a curly mess and shirt sticking awkwardly to his skin.]
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(listen, leave him alone.
he's next to chuuya now, watching the fish color change with the pecks of seasoning, knowing it will turn out something enjoyable, memorable. sometimes, just a rare sometimes, they can act their age and not like they're twelve, so dazai gently nudges the other with his shoulder when he sees that smile forming.)
Where did your mind go?
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[A quiet barb, not nearly as sharp as it could be. Not that Dazai had ever slept like a normal person, but still. Chuuya's slowly drying off by the fire, and he's comfortable... so on this rare occasion, he gives in.]
Hah. If you really wanna know.... I was thinking about how crazy I went when I got my first apartment.
[He hadn't been particularly fascinated by material things back then, but one thing that had held some interest was hot meals anytime he wanted, food that hadn't been heated up in a combini microwave.]
Keeping shit clean enough to cook off of in Suribachi was next to impossible, so being able to cook shit whenever I wanted was new. This is basic stuff, but it's a little nostalgic.
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(for once, dazai's not going to jab on this. he'll listen, happily, hands back to hovering and drying the bandages wrapped around his arm. while chuuya had an apartment, dazai found comfort in that shipping container he called home. it was nothing special, but it felt his.)
You did well for yourself, Chuuya. It's a nice thought.
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Chuuya quirks a brow at that strangely genuine compliment, especially about this.]
It's kind of strange hearing that from you, of all people.
[Since Dazai was the one who brought him into the Mafia in the first place. Chuuya embraced the life of his own free will, but it was Dazai's machinations that made it happen.
He flips the fish over, adding a little more seasoning while watching the skin flake and curl.]
And what about you?
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but there's a gentle smile, a lie to cover up those thoughts coming right up, as his eyes fall into their dinner, just enjoying the crackling of the fire before he can answer.)
Ah, hehehe! Nothing really that deep, Chuuya! Just thinking about how I really miss my clothes! Wondering how the lady I was trying to woo is doing! Wondering if I really was going to have crab for dinner in prison! Ah, too many thoughts. My brain has become mush, see?
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And after so many years, he can see that response to his question for what it really is: evasion. And the mood is far too peaceful for Chuuya to want to press.
He lets out a sigh, rolling his eyes with a wry smile on his lips as he checks the fish once more.]
Ha! I'm surprised it took this long for it to turn to mush.
[He picks up one of the sticks, offering it over to Dazai. Half of the fish, perfectly cooked and seasoned, the smell tantalizing. As always, Chuuya's a bit of a perfectionist in this regard.]
Eat up. Maybe it'll help that brain of yours.
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(it's just an insult, how could it really bear any real bit when, well, at this point, do any? it's a contest, rather than an intention to hurt at this point.
once the fish is nicely cooked, the stick comfortably held in his hand, a smile appears ever so slightly in the corner of his mouth. it's a thank you, chuuya can tell, so he won't say it, but he'll eat with more disposition than that.)
Woah, so there is something you're actually good at...
(plenty, really. to say he doesn't miss chuuya's cooking to some degree is a lie, but he's great at those, is he not?)
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[It's said so casually, because this is casual for them. All these little barbs and bites, this was just how they were. It was normal. Comfortable, even.
As is Chuuya being able to tell Dazai is thankful for the meal even without an admission of thanks. He lets out a snort, shaking his head.] And I know my cooking blows yours out of the water, don't be jealous.
[Because Chuuya has a habit of applying himself to skills he finds fascinating and learning them with that single-minded determination he applies to everything. He settles in with his own fish, taking a bite and making a quiet noise of approval. Yep, still got it even with this bare bones set up.]
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(of course, a little song, to hide the humming that he does over the taste. it's not that he can't cook, obviously so, there are just so many nicer things he can make - and the worse he cooks, that means the more people will cook on his behalf, therefore, the less work for him. isn't that just the best?)
You'll probably be cooking for all of us, if I can pull this off. I assume you don't like my cooking that much?
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cw drugs
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Re: CW drugs
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