hugme_mes | June (Dianir) Test Drive Meme

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June (Dianir) Test Drive Meme

baby dinosaur laughing while driving in a toy car

June (Dianir) Test Drive Meme
Premise ♥ Setting ♥ Rules ♥ FAQ ♥ Mod Contact

Dianir, the month when Diacht's power begins to take hold, has begun and the effects of the previous month's rejuvenation have finally worn off. The city is fresh and new with flora and fauna, and the weather begins to turn ever hotter with each passing day as summer begins encroaching upon spring. The natives and new residents alike are adjusting to the first major changes to Havenwell's layout in centuries relatively well, all things considered, with natives slowly and cautiously beginning to expand businesses and homes into the newly opened areas. The temples are abuzz with activity as adherents flock to them, offering praise and words of thanks for the gods and the offworlders, without whom this major step forward would not have been possible.

❥ PROMPT I: Basic Instincts

a man's face in black and white, half-human, half-lion

Randomly and without warning, characters will find that, depending upon the strength of their deity, they may begin exhibiting some...odd qualities associated with their god. Those whose gods are the weakest will find the desire to give in to these qualities are the strongest, bordering on nigh impossible to ignore. Like an itch in the middle of your back that you can't reach, but you're going crazy trying to get it. The longer your character ignores the desire, the stronger it gets. Those whose gods are the strongest will find the urge there and definitely annoyingly loud, but not impossible to ignore for longer periods of time. And what qualities are we talking about? Well, from strongest to weakest, those qualities are...

♥ Ohma (strongest urge): While normally standoffish and languid, this feline god can also cling to things and people at times with an almost obsessive fervor. They need everyone to know that what is theirs belongs to them, and what better way to do that than to mark what is most important to them? People and things adherents of Ohma deem essential or necessary to their lives will find that their Ohma-driven friends are unusually clingy, wanting to hold hands or press up as close as possible to them. It might be hard to go about your day when an Ohma adherent has their arms around your waist, face pressed to your back or chest, unwilling to let go! Another unusual trait to pop up is their hunting instinct. This seems to come out most strongly around the followers of Ainea and Diacht, where Ohma's predatory instincts cause them to play-stalk and play-hunt their fellow offworlders. It's all in good fun though! Give them a tackle or a tag and the urge to 'chase' seems to go away.

♥ Ainea: The little mouse deity is renowned for her compassion and family devotion, but a little known trait of hers is the need to gather. Whether it be people or things, Aineans will find an overwhelming need to pack-rat and hoard as much stuff as possible. Oddly, things that aren't owned by other people already (such as items from stores or museums) hold very little value to them. But that scarf someone else is wearing? Yoink. That person who catches your eye as they walk down the street? Yup. You're going to be gathering everything you can and everything that catches your eye into a central location - be it your home or some other meaningful place to you - in an attempt to bring together a cozy, happy home. Once you've created your perfect little cozy pile, wouldn't it be nice to just dig in and snooze with all of your favoritest things and people? Of course it would! It just might be hard because people tend to want to go about your lives and you? You'd rather they stay right where they are with you.

♥ Diacht: This is the beginning of the avian god's cycle and when their power is beginning to grow incrementally, but that doesn't seem to be excluding them from the chaos. While known for their honesty and honor, Diacht isn't above their more basic instincts. One of which is an almost comical obsession with anything shiny. What's shiny to a Diacht adherent? Well, that depends on each person. It could literally be a bit of tinsel or metal that glints in the bright early summer sun, or it could be a person with whom you've begun to feel a special connection. Diachtians will feel an urge to rush in and snatch up what catches their eye the most, which could put them at odds with both Aineans and Rawnas trying to hold onto their belongings. Beware of the Ohmans who might be stalking you from the shadows, too. If you manage to successfully make off with your latest prize, where better to stash it (or them) than high up, right? You'll be wanting to take over a high perch in town, which might put you into direct confrontation with the Rawnans as you bicker over who really has the right to claim the town fountain, the research towers, or the newly discovered colosseum as their own.

♥ Rawna (weakest urge): Currently the strongest of the deities, adherents of the draconic god will find these urges the easiest to ignore for the longest possible time. The desire is still there, however, and seeing everyone else go buckwild around you might just trigger something deep within: a sense of territorialism. That's your stuff they're taking! And your people! And hey! That's your house! That's your garden and no one else is allowed inside! The urge to protect and keep what's yours for you and you alone is extremely high this month. Sharing is not caring, thank you very much. In fact, it might be easiest to keep an eye on all that you own if you're also the owner of the highest points in town - the town fountain, the research towers, and the newly discovered colosseum. Rawna adherents will find themselves fighting and bickering among themselves and with the Diacht followers to claim ownership of the highest points of land that they can find. Don't be too violent though! No one likes a sore loser. They'll also want to watch out for the Aineans who might just steal that which you hold dearest.

❥ PROMPT II: What'd You Say To Me?

a stack of pancakes with heart-shaped butter and the Simlish language written around it

With the gods so thoroughly distracted by their baser needs, it seems something fairly important to the off-worlders' lives has also gone on the fritz. Randomly throughout the month, characters may find that they suddenly can't understand each other. The universal translation magic that's been holding everything together will randomly cut in and out, like spotty WiFi at a public bus station. You could be in the midst of a conversation and suddenly everything that comes out of your partner's mouth turns to gibberish, or just into their native language which you, unfortunately, don't seem to understand. Speak every language fluently? Have a spell that makes you telepathic? Chances are, it won't work. Whether it's written, spoken, thought or gestured, the language barrier is nigh insurmountable whenever this malady passes over you. Thankfully, as with most things here, if you and your conversation friend decide to touch for awhile, the effects wane and pass on as if nothing had gone wrong at all. Let go and it might come back though, so you best be prepared!

❥ PROMPT III: Gotta Make Money to Spend Money

Clothes in Havenwell for more than just offworlders are starting to become a thing, although the availability of good clothing and custom clothing can still be quite expensive. With natives and non-natives alike trying to vye for the latest fashions and outdo one another for an upcoming competition, what little was available is pretty quickly gone from the shelves, leaving the few tailors in town charging premiums for any new products that are needed. Luckily, the wheels of capitalism don't stop, even in this faraway land, and paid jobs are currently plentiful. If you aren't looking to join in the festivities, don't despair! The dora you earn through these tasks can just as easily be spent on other goods and services as you like. A job board is posted in front of tailors and other shops, advertising the following things that people are willing to pay to get done:

Research Towers: Attention, Offworlders! We hear your calls for innovative cuisine! Create a recipe using available ingredients in Havenwell (replicated or not) with a friend and describe it in detail for potential use in future replicator recipes. We only require that you and your friend taste test and be able to describe the taste, texture, and feeling this food gives you. Please deliver your completed recipes to Research Tower East. Edible and named recipes, regardless of whether they are utilized or not, will receive dora in exchange!
City Council: Attention, Offworlders! We have heard that "homesickness" is a thing that many people might be experiencing and we have heard you! Please are paying for people to bring us examples of your home cultures - be it stories, plays, history or something else. Dramatic reenactments, video recordings, and physical recreations are preferred.
Entertainment District: Attention, Artists! We are experimenting with new synthetic materials that may be useful for your artistic endeavors. Please visit your local museum to pick up a sample pack. Payment for acceptable artistic creations that utilize these new materials in a new and innovative way is being offered. Materials include: new colors of synthetic paints, a more malleable synthetic clay, and a synthetic marble for carving. Offworlder models preferred.
Business District: Help Wanted! We are looking for delivery drones. Those interested should contact the delivery center. Requirements: be capable of moving quickly, carrying large loads of cargo, efficient, and safe! We need machinery, building supplies, personal packages and more shipped and delivered across all of Havenwell. Most packages currently awaiting delivery will require a minimum of two people to deliver. For those without transport, we are offering a crash course in piloting our newly minted three-wheeled delivery scooters.

Have fun however you like with the setting! Make a network-style toplevel, make up other prompts based on the general setting, go wild. Havenwell is your oyster.

This TDM is for the July application round. If you have any questions, feel free to direct them to the FAQ or to the Mod Question thread below. The reservation round begins on June 29, 2020 at 10:00PM EST and our applications will run from July 2, 2020 to July 9, 2020 from 10:00PM EST to 10:00PM EST.

♥ Taken Characters ♥ Reservations ♥ Applications ♥

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

A - General Arrival

Devon's mind is spinning as he walks away from the building he'd woken up in to discover everything he'd known was gone. It's an incredibly unsettling feeling on its own, but to walk out and find himself in a large city filled with noises he doesn't know or understand nearly tips him over the edge. There aren't a lot of cities where he's from, and those that do exist are usually avoided. Cities are hard to navigate in, and ones he's never been to before are even harder.

Swallowing hard and forcing himself to keep a completely blank expression to ward off any potential attacks, Devon moves slowly forward. While his ears take in the sounds and determine which direction seems quieter, his other senses are on hyper alert for danger. He heads for the quietest area he can find that isn't too far from where he started.

Apparently he's supposed to "help" these people? Was people the right word? He isn't really sure. They don't sound like people, but he doesn't have a better way to describe them. Why him? He already has a job he's supposed to be doing. A job meant to help his own people, and that job is big enough! The absolute last thing he needs is another one.

He tips his head up and stares blindly at the sky above him, at a total loss.

"Now what?"

His world is gone, and the few friends he had in it are gone too. Once again he's alone. A familiar tightening starts around his chest. Why did it always seem to turn out this way?

B - Prompt II - What did you say to me?

As if coming to a new place hadn't been bad enough, now Devon is picking up on an unexplained oddity that's making him even more confused. There were times when he could understand what the people nearby were saying and other times when it sounded like complete gibberish. At first he hadn't thought much of it. There were a lot of people here - more than he was comfortable with in total honesty - and he could easily be hearing different people.

When he stood still for a while to try and get his bearings - and not panic! Panicking wouldn't do him any good! - he soon determined that his original thought that the different languages were coming from different people was squashed. Devon knows voices. It's how he differentiates one person from another. Even a new voice could be identified individually from the ones around it. So he's sure, absolutely 100% sure, that the same voice that's speaking keeps shifting from understandable to completely unintelligible at no logical moment.

"Maybe I'm going crazy?"

He certainly hopes not...

((ooc note: bailey is an empath, so let me know if you're not okay with them being able to feel devon's emotions!))

This new place is... Well, strange and overwhelming. Bailey is used to the world being overwhelming, but it was an overwhelming they were able to adapt to, that was familiar, that they lived with for twenty-three years. And it's all just been entirely upended and replaced with a world where gods are claiming that they need help.

What do they expect Bailey to do? Bailey is only one person, they can only do so much... But, still, they want to help, they want to make things better. They're not quite sure they believe in what's going on, but now's not the time to be cynical. They've never liked that feeling.

Devon's question gets their attention, cutting through everything around them even though it's not directed at them. They can't ignore it, though, and they press their lips together before replying. Their voice is soft and androgynous, and they speak like someone trying to soothe. "I don't know that there's much we can do for now besides get our bearings... Though that's easier said than done."

Unfortunately.

((All good by me! If Devon realizes it he will actually be super excited. He's a kid in a candy store with any kind of magic, and that's close enough to count.))

Devon glances over, quickly locking away any deep emotions so they aren't externally visible. It's a skill he's had a lot of practice at, and he does it very well. Considering what his role at home his, his life could depend on the skill.

"Much easier said than done. A guide would have been nice."

For anyone and not just him, which is the reason he'd phrased it that way.

"You were just brought here too?"

There were only so many otherworlders, so usually it was possible to spot when someone was new. Fortunately, Verstael saw fit to wear a suit instead of his armor for once, so he was simply dressed in white. On the other hand, when he spoke his voice was deep and strong - quite unlike how his body looked - and he didn't seem to try to quietly introduce himself despite addressed Devon from behind.

"Now you learn to survive."

While it might have sounded threatening he approached... to the side, walking slightly passed him with a confident stride.

"It is fabulous, is it not? An opportunity to learn many things that would otherwise be inaccessible to us."

His gaze drifted back, looking him in the eye. "You are a new otherworlder?"

The question came firmly, more like he was simply confirming a fact he already new rather than really asking.

Devon's hand tightens slightly around his staff as his body braces for the potential need to defend himself quickly. Thankfully there isn't much of an outward reaction, though those used to fighting might pick up on it.

He makes no comment about needing to survive, as that is relatively obvious, thank you very much. It's something he's been figuring out since he was really young.

"Fabulous is not the word I would choose, I'm afraid. I already have a very long list of things I need to learn and later accomplish in my own world."

Unsure what to make of this man, Devon defaults to his more formal, "chosen one" behavior. It earns him so level of respect despite his age at home. Most of the time at least.

"If that is the wording your use to describe someone who has been dragged from their home and transported here to "help," then yes, I am."

"It is apt, is it not?" He might pick up on such things - after all, he was a researcher for the army, and even if he spent his time in the lab he was still part of the army - but he didn't particularly react. He stayed unarmed, knowing well that at this time there was little point in arming himself. He made weapons, but that didn't mean he was going to win in combat with someone who spent their time using weapons, and he didn't bother pretending otherwise.

"I, too, have a myriad of missions to accomplish. More now than ever before. But I find that this city has exposed me to both opportunities and information I would not have had otherwise. Mayhaps when I return home the Empire will have a more glorious future than ever."

He did sound rather positive, in more ways than one, including being rather animated when he spoke. Despairing didn't suit him. He always had to take what was afforded to him and run with it.

He paused just slightly ahead of Devon, turning towards him. "Research Chief Verstael Besithia of the Imperial Army. State your name and current goal."

Edited 2020-06-20 16:07 (UTC)

Whether he meant it or not, Verstael came across as incredibly superior. It's the first thing that feels normal to Devon. Something that he knows and understands quite well. The older magicians at home often act superior to him and give orders that he's simply expected to follow. They didn't have any more right to give him orders than this guy did. While he doesn't have any issue providing his name, he has some principles. He also has no experience with the military, so he wouldn't have any reason to assume that type of statement was considered relatively normal in a military setting.

Devon leans easily onto his staff, totally at ease and calm. He smiles warmly, friendly and unconcerned.

"Mmm. You know, I don't think I will, thanks."

It's said in such a way that a giggle following the words wouldn't have been out of place. He'd learned that the best way to deal with orders he didn't want to follow was to treat the order like it was a joke or just an amusing conversation. The big shot magicians he knew had no idea how to deal with someone who either didn't follow their orders or didn't refuse in a hostile manner. In his experience being almost overly sweet and polite was the key.

He absolutely felt superior, but that tended to simply be his average demeanor.

He didn't see what the joke was, but neither did he having any grand plans that he needed the information for. As far as he was concerned, it would benefit Devon more than himself, so if he didn't wish to supply it then so be it.

"You wish to navigate the city on your own?" He quirked a brow slightly, turning his foot to continue forward again. "If that is what you wish. I own the Information Center, publicly accessible to otherworlders, as well as the largest non-native lab in the city. Should you change your mind, I am easy to find."

He didn't make any movement like he planned on entertaining as he continued forward.

No, no he didn't. The fact of the matter is he'd get pretty much nowhere in this city alone.

"And knowing my name is what would have convinced you to show me around? What kind of logic is that?"

Not that Devon is really sure he wants this guy showing him around. It would feel too much like he was in Verstael's debt then, and Devon gets the sense that that's not something he would want. Beyond the fact that he doesn't like to be in anyone's debt at all, of course.

"I do run an Information Center. You would be surprised what information might lead to answers. I have discovered that many otherworlds have named both gods and places quite similarly to my own, and have also discovered a wide variety of places that are called 'Earth'. I suspect dimensional travel is at play, with worlds that are more similar to each being something akin to 'neighbors', so to speak. Besides, being unwilling to give ones name gives the impression that said person might be a criminal hiding his identity."

He said it all fairly matter-of-factly. What happens with Devon is of small consequence to him personally, but neither was he particularly wishing for any harm. It was all just a neutral stance - all about business.

"I've never heard of Earth."

Inter-dimensional travel at least he understands to some extent, though probably not to the level that is being discussed here.

"It would make more sense to make up a name in that instance. There's no guarantee any name you're given is actually true. Or even the person's birth name."

Unless you were talking to a truth sayer, but Devon seriously doubts Verstael's one of those.

"Nor had I, before my arrival here."

And now he saw the name repeatedly when talking to new arrivals. "Perhaps. Either way you may find people reluctant to work with a nameless entity. Some might prefer a fake name over none. Others might invent their own, and you could end up with a rather unfortunate title."

"It wouldn't be the first time I was given some other name."

He hadn't even known his birth name until he was nearly eleven years old. Even now many of the older magicians he met didn't bother with his name and just went with something more degrading. "Child" was the most common and least offensive.

"Then when you have a designation, whether created by yourself or someone else, you are free to visit my center."

He didn't particularly play around. He might not be offended, nor particularly care much, but he also wanted to get things done. He started walking again, and if Devon wanted to follow, or not, was up to him.

Regis finds it strange feeling both like he's an old hat at this, but still being surprised at every turn by what happens here. Still, one thing that hasn't changed is the need new arrivals have for assistance understanding how everything works. Of course, that is just a little harder now with languages shifting in and out, but Regis isn't one to walk away from a challenge, so when he hears Devon's words, he tries in some way to comfort the man. He might not be able to recognize what Devon just said, but there is something unmistakable in the tone of his voice.

"If you are crazy, then we all are, friend."

If Latin exists on the world Devon is from, the words he hears will sound surprisingly like it. If not, hopefully the understanding tone will help get the meaning across.

Devon barely manages not to jump. Apparently he's been found. While that does make him slightly uncomfortable, the tone of voice is enough to tell him this guy doesn't intend to cause him harm. Not yet at least.

"I have no idea what you're saying."

He keep his own voice light and friendly just in case Regis doesn't understand him either. The last thing he wants to do is come off as threatening and start a confrontation by accident.

"Oh dear," Regis' voice sounds a little troubled, but it's not anything directed at Devon. Instead, it's because he's quickly realizing just how difficult this is going to be. It's a good thing he's had so many years of practice reading tones of voice and body posture. He's going to need every bit of that experience here.

"My name is Regis," he rests a hand over his heart, then continues. "What is your name?"

Introductions are common enough when people first meet. Hopefully, hearing his name and the repeated words will make his inquiry clear.

Thankfully at least some of the words are in a language Devon understands, otherwise even with a name it wouldn't have mattered. He catches "My name" before everything jumbles again. That's good enough for the most part.

"Regis?" He just wants to make sure that was the name since there were other words in there he hadn't understood. "I'm Devon."

Can Regis understand him? Devon honestly has no idea, but he certainly hopes he can. At least if one of them understands they might be able to communicate better. Although, that does make this whole thing even stranger...

Regis' eyes blink in surprise because for just a moment, he does completely understand what the man says. It's a shame that bit of understand is just confirmation of their names, but it at least gives him a little hope this might not end up being a colossal disaster.

"Yes, that's right," he smiles and nods in confirmation, the gesture more of a force of habit than anything. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Devon. I apologize that this place has made the meeting such an awkward one."

Perhaps not as awkward as when he and Peter literally got stuck together when they went to shake hands, but...

Devon is able to pick out a few scattered words like "meet," "apologize," "such," and "awkward." Unfortunately those few don't add up to anything when he tries to put them together. It's incredibly irritating.

"This isn't normal, is it?"

Gods he hopes not. Being dragged to somewhere he doesn't know and given another near impossible mission is bad enough. He doesn't want to have to deal with communication problems too. Making other people understand when they speak the same language is hard enough in his experience.

Regis frowns when the only word he catches is 'normal.' Thankfully, that plus the questioning tone does make it easy to guess at what has just been said.

"No, thank the Astrals. It is nowhere near normal." Regis, or course, has no idea how much, if any, of his words will make it through to Devon, so he telegraphs his movements when he steps closer, then lays his fingers on the man's sleeve, and if allowed, will simply trace the letters "N" and "O" on it.

Devon's face washes over with relief at the feeling of those letters, and he absolutely lights up. It's enough to make him at least appear more his age again.

"Thanks goodness! That's at least one thing I don't have to worry about then!"

Sadly, Regis doesn't understand a word of that, but he doesn't need to. Not with the way Devon's expression absolutely lights up. One weight has been lifted from his shoulders. That still leaves all the other trials of settling into a strange new place, but at least he won't have to do most of it while not being able to understand anyone.

Since tracing that word on his sleeve worked, Regis defaults back to it, speaking what he is writing aloud just in case the writing starts to mess up as well.

Oh, he sure hopes it doesn't!

"Do you need anything?"

Detailed discussion will likely have to wait until later, but if the man is hungry or anything like that, Regis can certainly do his best to accommodate until this passes.

It had worked for a simple two letter word, but it's too much for Devon to try and figure out what letter is being written by feel and then attempt to put those letters together into multiple words. He loses track too easily.

"Wait!"

He has an idea! The ground beneath his feet feels soft enough that it could be dirt. He manages to find a small handful when he couches down, which is just perfect. With a quick wave of his other hand he draws water into existence and directs it's form into a small tray before solidifying it into ice. After dumping the small scoop of dirt into the tray, he magically adds more water so it's a nice muddy mess - more water than dirt really. That's what will allow him to read what Regis writes though.

"You can write in it! It'll be much easier!"

Regis pauses when Devon calls out. Once more he cannot understand what the man is saying, but he can guess easily enough and it confirms something he had been worried about. Even if no issue with with language arose, a full sentence, even a short one, might be too much to follow. He's about to give up on the writing idea all together, when Devon appears to have an idea all his own.

The magic use is actually quite impressive, though Regis isn't sure how it will work even with catching the words "You can write in it!" Still, he doesn't exactly know how Devon's magic works. He only knows how his works.

He takes a moment longer to look at what Devon has drawn into being and then repeats in it what he said before, "Do you need anything?"

After a moment's pause, he then adds two more words, "Very impressive."

June (Dianir) Test Drive Meme

Devon Darconin | OC

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