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

It's your obsession with my lack of shoes that sounds just like her! Ah, and those are not pryi--

(as if. but that's rather unimportant, his lungs are absorbing the stress of what they just went through. he won't dwell where fyodor left him to, sitting on the floor in his prisoner's attire, whistling smoke contently, only to watch fyodor return with a pair.

oh, my.)

Eh? Why?

Just take the shoes, Dazai-kun. [ he sets them down next to the other and then stands to wait.

why does fyodor do anything? there is generally a vague sense of plans and intentions behind the gesture but it's opaque at best. he's simply annoyed at seeing the other walking around barefoot like they're still in prison.

and it's not like this has any link to the fact dazai had paid for their meal a while ago. that had been the agreement for fyodor to hear out this inane idea. well, inane but with enough merit to be worth considering.

and what may keep a certain godling from killing him will be the only ability nullifier in this place. ]

Such great fashion taste, they go great with this convict-chic outfit I chose today. Don't I look runway ready? Where is yours? We could be turning heads!

(he just doesn't want to dress differently. his outfit did make him feel different, somehow, and he doesn't have it, won't tailor it, and this is actually not so bad. the bandages are a whole different deal, but regardless, he'll put off his cigarette to put on the shoes.

almost a proof of good faith - since fyodor knows he isn't completely broke.)

You look terrible. [ he just wants to stop feeling so irritated and hyperaware of the other; that's what fyodor would say if pressed as to why he went as far as spending his money on clothes for someone else. ]

I already have shoes. [ boots, very much like the ones he normally wears, even though they're currently still slowly drying after their little dip in the river. ] Now we can continue the walk. I don't think you need my help in this place.

I mean your convict-chic outfit, Fyodor.

(there's not a specific place where his feet lead them, not really. just enjoying space and the possibility of going anywhere is enough - that little bubble is ratherlimiting, and dazai's glad his long limbs can stretch and touch and expand.)

I think it'd be a rather big mistake if I thought so. Ultimately, we don't know anything, do we? There's no reason to think I need or don't need your help, but for the sake of efficiency, I think it's the smartest thing to work together even so. I want to be home, I'm sure you can't just accept this reality where you can't not reach for the Book. So...! I'll do my best to make our stay as comfortable as possible.

I burnt it as soon as I got here. This is preferable. [ the comfortable white pants and shirt which are of a very similar style to his usual outfit back home, except he's not wearing his ushanka or cape.

to walk aimlessly is something fyodor hasn't done in a long time; not because of prison but even before then he always goes where he needs to be and remains there for as long as required before moving on. any casual walks are scouting missions and well, nothing he does is ever aimless.

he casts a long side glance at dazai as he extrapolates. ] Efficiency [ he parrots back, a snicker barely supressed. ] You don't need to sell me on this idea, we are after all two of a kind. There is no doubt to think I would turn down the proposal.

[ well, the housing part still feels too far but that's neither here nor there at this point.

so the conclusion in fyodor's opinion is that there is something else going on here, but he supposes there is no point in rushing dazai. ] I thought you would be glad to not be in close proximity to me anymore.

(it's hidden in their differences - walking around is something to do, and in this new land, it might as well be where he'll pick up bits and pieces of the puzzle that it is living here now. locals talk, behave, listen, work. things he can watch and use in a later date.

when one is lost, any path is forward. so, he does, feet following a trail of pebbles decorating the side walk before only his head tilts towards a more serious man than he is.)

Why would I be glad about that?

[ people are boring. here or there, dimensions newly made or newly crumbled. he will never find the same interest dazai has in people but he does observe to learn. he does it out of habit and because he needs to glean information in his own way. after all, he is someone who deals and seals information back home. ]

You said to me 'this was fun at first but now I'm so bored' before Nikolai broke us out. I guess you don't appreciate your chess partners the way I do.

Ah, you took it way too personally.

(which, perhaps, would make sense, with the way fyodor was looking at dazai from his own little bubble. he knows that, as much as fyodor might act differently, or deny, something about that face can't easily be swatted away or gaslit into something else.

there's a moment in which he whistles. the pebbles should take them somewhere - anywhere.)

We woke up, and talked to only each other. We read, and talked only to each other. I'm pretty sure I might have confessed deep dark secrets in my sleep! While we were in a limbo of waiting! We couldn't walk around like this, I couldn't flirt with you or anyone, and I couldn't even share a drink! Tell me you were satisfied like that.

Should I not give your words due weight? Should I not take your seriously when you speak? [ there is a brief moment in which he seems almost puzzled by the notion, only to frown at what follows. ]

Satisfaction has nothing to do with it. We were playing a game, we are still playing a game.

(as promised, no touching, so his hands go behind his back as he approaches. it's almost in a hop that he makes it in front of the other, a smile with no gentleness, nor malice.)

You should perhaps think about why I am saying them, you don't think? It wasn't about you. A life imprisoned does not satisfy me, even if my brain's needs were met.

[ he draws himself up, trying to eliminate any signs of weakness in his stance despite the fact dazai is holding his hands behind his back. the admission comes after a second or two of staring a little too intensely at dazai. ]

It felt pretty personal. [ then he nods, accepting what dazai is saying without further turning it in his head. ] You can't conduct yourself in those sinful, self-destructive ways if you're entrapped.

Di-di-ding! So, therefore, not personal! Ah, ah. If I took things personally as much as you do, I'd have a sniper ready for you right now!

(because remember, fyodor, SOMEONE has done that. someone. he'll offer an arm, it's up to fyodor to take it or not. if he doesn't, all dazai will do is return to his humming and pebble-skipping, no hard feelings - but if he does, he'll smile, possibly a docile hint of genuine concealed in the corners of his mouth.)

[ which he had, over a hat. mind you, it was a very nice hat.

he looks at the offered arm then up at dazai pointedly, not quite understanding why dazai would want to touch him. there is no logic to it unless he's trying to make sure fyodor doesn't use crime and punishment? but why would he use his ability here?

no, this is something else and fyodor wants to know what it is.

he tentatively slips their arms together. ] Dazai-kun are you checking that I will comply if you need to touch me to keep me from killing someone in future?

Oooooo, is that where your mind is going? Nope, this is not that at all!

(it's a bad idea for fyodor to think dazai wouldn't break his promise and touch him if he so found it necessary. besides, it's a bad idea altogether - dazai would not be happy about it, this alliance would dissolve and crumble should a drop drip without good reasoning.

nothing they'd like at this point, so, well, he's not concerned. instead, he hums, a hand sitting on the other's forearm as they walk.)

Not being able to call upon 'Crime and Punishment' aside, is it uncomfortable to you?

Should my mind be going anywhere else? [ an earnest question but he doesn't pull or push dazai away, ignores how the chill of no longer human sits over crime and punishment's desperate, eager fire. ]

It's just a touch. [ not being able to call upon his ability is uncomfortable but that's not the actual problem. fyodor feels irrationally annoyed with the question, with the touch with the confidence with which dazai touches him, knowing fyodor can't do anything physically or ability wise to remove him. not that this the case, he is sure dazai won't force his touch again. not as long as he wants fyodor to cooperate.

just a touch- that is a lie. ] People don't touch me. It's unusual.

(if fyodor wanted his arm back, there's nothing dazai would have done to stop him from retrieving it from his canceling touch. not after he has already done it - there's no need, and this is rather nice. the breeze, the walk, the company, he's even smiling a little wider.

well, naturally, touching fyodor can be a gamble for most people.)

Well, I'm unusual, appa-ren-tly! ♪

No, I would say you have weighed the pros and cons of touching me and ultimately decided that it is fine as long as we're keeping our agreements in place. I do not like being cornered. [ which really, is obvious given his prior reaction.

fyodor catches the smile, wonders what it is that dazai is planning but does not bring it up. ]

At least you're wearing shoes now.

I've already apologized for flirting!!!!

(except he did not. not with those words, at least.

dazai'll shift his weight on his feet, gaining a few inches before he's back to walking normally.)

You're still really hung up on the shoes thing, too. Maybe it is you who won't be able to be in close proximity to me like this!

That was terrible flirting then. [ as if fyodor would know; he'd do it without realising it, he'd be participant on it without knowing. it's... yeah, glass houses and stones and all that. ]

Well, I am against being in close proximity to you in all circumstances. [ but the comment lacks bite ] So far, the results of our proximity have not been stellar. [ in fact, he'd say they were rather disastrous. ]

I guess now I will also be a first-account eyewitness to all the sins you want to partake in now that you're free.

You didn't let me finish!!!

(did fyodor miss the whining? enjoy.

it's just the last words that catch him by surprise, a cough much like he had at the restaurant.)

... Vouyer...

I didn't let you finish...? [ what else follows? there is a whole gap there between flirting and sleeping with someone, even fyodor knows that but he's momentarily, horribly, terribly, irrevocably tempted by the thought of that 'what next'. it's tempting, dazai is such dangerous foe.

he looks at dazai, is he cold? that is perhaps the origin of that cough. the other should've drank more soup...]

Yes, although voyeur implies I will obtain pleasure from watching you sin-[ he trails off, thoughtful. well, seeing people being foolish and their consequences is entertaining so. ] Fine. I'll allow the term. It's only fair.

No, you did not. It was very inconsiderate of you, I even kissed your hand.

(as if trapping fyodor's 'crime and punishment' wasn't such. in a way, there's something to be said over the fact that they are walking arm in arm, skin to skin, voluntarily. he's not like fyodor, a ticking timebomb when touch is involved, but for ability users, touching dazai requires trust, being vulnerable.

and it's what fyodor is telling him by walking side-by-side.)

Ah, see. That's very kinky of you. I'll lock my room real good!

[ the mention of the kiss makes the back of his hand itch uncomfortably. he shakes his head, presses the back of his hand against his thigh as if to smoother the sensation. ]

Maybe you're just not very good at flirting. [ which, untrue probably, fyodor is just actually not great at picking up flirting as anything but a potential threat, apparently. ]

Do you think locked doors have stopped me from getting secrets? I'll have all of yours if we live under the same roof.

Preposterous! I'm absolutely great at flirting, you just weren't feeling the experience, is all. I'll try again another time.

(as if he isn't right now, with the way they're walking.)

Secrets, okay, but you can't be watching me sin. I'll tell you all about it in detail, but privacy, ok, Fy?

TEST DRIVE MEME #2

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cw suicide talk

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