June (Dianir) Test Drive Meme

[hugtopiamods]

June (Dianir) Test Drive Meme
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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

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?

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.

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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 ♥

Comments

[hansha]

Yeah, I really think so!!

[ Beam intensifies ✨ Yuuji's words always come from the deepest of his heart, so he's completely unaware of the rollercoaster emotion Agatsuma's having through a good 2 seconds there. He does notice the change of expressions though!

Oh! That's another one, very expressive! Flexible face muscles? (Yuuji's not one to talk.) ]

!!! Really?! [ And there goes Agatsuma's hand swallowed in Yuuji's, getting shaken vigorously like nobody's business. ] Awesome!! We're partners now!! Let's go for it, then!! It says here on the flyer... the company's at the Business District. You know where it is?

[zapdope]

[ Zenitsu lets out an inelegant "Gweh!" as his hands are shaken. That's a lot of force!!

He might already be regretting agreeing to this job. Thanks, guilt.

There's also a part of him mildly commenting how this guy and Tanjiro are so alike. They're so bright... ]

H-hold on! Stop shaking my hands, will you?? I know where it is but I can't show if you're shaking my hands like this!!

[ Or really move much. ]

[hansha]

[ Haha!! "Gweh!" he said! Yuuji can't help but laugh. ]

You're so funny, Agatsuma! [ The intense handshake finally stops, and he does let go. ] My bad! I'm just so excited, haha! Show us the way!!

[ He will leave the guy on his own device now. No more intense skinship! For now. ]

Have you been long here, Agatsuma? You seem to be used to the things here.

[zapdope]

[ Funny, huh. Zenitsu's more used to being brutally called "weird" or "gross" but not exactly "funny." He's not sure how to respond to that other than a small pause, so he decides to move along with the other topic as he starts leading the way to the Business District. ]

Well... I've been here since January. I dunno if I'd say I'm used to things here... Weird stuff happens from time to time without warning.

[ And he keeps freaking out every time something happens. ]

[hansha]

[ January, huh. It was September before he came here, but does the time work the same in another planet? Well. That probably isn't super important now. What Agatsuma mentions after piques Yuuji's interest more. ]

'Weird stuff'? Like what?

[ He sure hopes there isn't anything like cursed spirits here... ]

[zapdope]

Well... Like people turning into a younger version of themselves? That happened for a while last month. The month before that--...never mind.

[ In April, there were some monsters that swarmed the city for a bit, along with an earthquakes causing the city to mysteriously expand. That was scary and just imagining it made him quiver for a second. ]

[hansha]

Huh. [ That sure is weird. If you think about it, you can say it's sort of like a curse, too. ] The month before that--? [ Yuuji tilts his head to have a better look at Agatsuma's face and he looks... hmm. Worried? Unsettled? ] Something you don't really wanna talk about? Scary stuff?

[zapdope]

Yeah... April had some scarier stuff happen. Monsters came out of nowhere, the city expanded...

[ Never mind that he just said "never mind" about talking about it. But it's probably better that this guy knows what can happen in this strange world. ]

...I hope I didn't scare you?

[hansha]

Monsters?! Whoa...

[ He looks surprised, but definitely not scared. ]

Mm-mm! I guess I'm kinda used to i-- [ Wait. He's not supposed to talk about it, is he... Uh. ] You know! The movies and all! I wonder what it's like seeing them in real life, though.

[ ...By 'monsters', he sure hopes Agatsuma's not referring to the Curses. ]

What happened then? Did you guys manage to beat them up or somethin'?

[zapdope]

[ Zenitsu's keen ears pick up that hesitation from Itadori. There's something that came up on the guy's mind, but he's choosing not to say anything about it.

It puts Zenitsu on the edge just a little bit. If he hadn't spent the last six months in Havenwell, he'd have been more wary, but after speaking and making friends with people from other worlds, Zenitsu had enough mind to figure out that Itadori's world had something strange going on.

Whether he'd want to ask about it was another question, though. He doesn't want to piss his pants getting needlessly scared. ]

Well... people who were able to fight chased them off mostly. It looks like they're from outside this town, and when things moved in April it created an opening for them to try to come in. Otherwise, the walls around the town actually keep them out.

[ There hasn't been any earthquakes after that, so it was probably safe for the time being. ]

[hansha]

[ Yuuji hums in response. It doesn't usually happen, but doesn't mean it won't happen again. He's tried to escape from the walls, to no avail. But if there's an opening for monsters to come in-- ]

I see. ...You think if an earthquake comes again, we'll be able to slip out and go back to where we were?

[ His question is spouted lightly, smile is kept safely on his lips. There's not even the tiniest hint of seriousness in his eyes, and yet Agatsuma might just pick up what he's feeling anyway - the quiet, very quiet friction between the tip of his shoe and the ground. ]

Haha, things are cool and all here, but sometimes I wonder if everything's alright back home, y'know.

[zapdope]

[ Oh, this guy's serious, isn't he. Zenitsu's ears are picking it up and he's going to try so hard to ignore it. Please don't do dangerous things, he's going to dye from freaking out if he ever finds out you tried to get outside without permission. ]

Uhm... I know the robot-people here aren't really fond of us getting out... They used to let certain people head outside for a little bit at a time I think, and they were also saying that the outside isn't in a livable condition.

[ Not that they're able to go out on expeditions at the moment. ]

Uhh... I've heard people disappear from this place and go back home once they fall asleep. I'm not sure how it works other than that...

[hansha]

Oh...

[ Well. Of course it won't be that easy, huh... ]

So that's probably the, uh, Gods' doing, I guess? They're the ones who decide who goes home and who doesn't, right? Can we even communicate with them?

[zapdope]

[ Gods deciding who gets to go home... Zenitsu didn't consider thinking of that possibility. Would prayers be a form of communication? He lowers his gaze, feeling unsure about his own thoughts. ]

I guess you can say that... But I'm not sure if we can talk to the Gods? People said there were voices they could hear in your head during the earthquakes, but I haven't experienced it myself. I'm not sure if people heard any after that. Aside from that, I've never heard of people being able to communicate with the Gods.

[ In a way, he's glad that he's never got to experience that as well, because he definitely would have died from being so scared. Or so he thinks. He's going to put that thought aside for now. ]

...Then again, there are priests at the temples? I'm not so sure what they really do at the temples though.

[hansha]

[ Seems like there are a lot of mysteries about this place even for people who've been here for quite some time. Yuuji scratches his head. ]

I see! Haha, too bad I'm not religious! Maybe I can try going to the temples and ask the priests for pointers.

[ Not that he feels like it's gonna change anything. ]

Kinda strange to think about, though. Here, even if you can't actually see the Gods, you can sorta tell that they exist, unlike back home. [ Oh but, maybe where Agatsuma's from is different? ] What it's like for you back home?

[zapdope]

[ Gods exist in Yuuji's home? That sounds scary, and he sure hopes this world doesn't start bringing weird and scary things from other people's worlds. Zenitsu gives a frown at his own thoughts.

But that frown also turns to what Yuuji asks next, his entire body tensing up. ]

M-my home? ...It's scary. We got demons that eat people, and I'm part of an organization that hunts them down so people don't get hurt...

[hansha]

[ What??? ]

Whoa... Seriously?! [ If that's the case, it's okay to talk about curses to him, right...?! Sounds like Agatsuma's used to it anyway!! ] We're kinda in the same boat, then!! Do you have some kinda powers too?

[zapdope]

[ Wait a moment... Why does he sound more excited than scared? Is this guy okay? ]

Wait, what? [ Same boat, what's that supposed to mean? Either way, the question following that distracts him for a moment. ]

Uhm... I wouldn't say powers, but I can use a sword. We got this thing called Breath Styles where you prepare your body to become a lot stronger, and you perform certain kind of moves.

[ And then there's another one... ] ...I've also got super keen ears that pick out who are the demons.

[ It's actually been a while since he had to talk about it out loud. It's started to become a norm that having these ears aren't such a bad thing, but after years of having negative experiences with it, it's still hard to view it as a positive trait. ]

[hansha]

[ :D? He smiles, unaware of what Agatsuma could be confused about. He was pretty clear, he thinks! ]

Whoa...

[ For a moment he looks like he's lost, mouth hanging open-- ]

THAT'S SO COOL?!

[ But he immediately leans forward, excitedly clenching both his fists as he steps closer towards Agatsuma in both excitement and curiosity. His eyes are full of sparkles. ]

So Breath Styles is like, power charging? And then after your gauge is full you unleash it?? What kinda sounds you hear when someone's a demon???

[ Just bombarding him with questions, nbd. ]

[zapdope]

[ Zenitsu's quickly overwhelmed by the positive energy Itadori's unleashing. He reacts a tad too late because by the time he takes a step back the other is a step closer with those sparkling eyes. ]

Uh-uhm? Wait, what? [ power charging? gauge? What? ] Hold on a sec! I don't understand half of the things you're saying? What do you mean, gauge??

[hansha]

[ Huh, was he going too fast? ]

Eh? You never watch TV on Sunday mornings? Tiger Ball, Tiger Ball!

[ Yuuji takes a few steps behind, and draws his cupped hands on his side. It almost looks convincing, like he's really charging some power there, except there's nothing to be seen between his hands. He does looks pretty serious when he actually does it though. ]

虎...目...捕...梅...
(Ko...me...ho...me...)

[ And whoosh he thrusts his hands forward. ]

放―――！！
(Hou!!)

[ Yes. ]

[zapdope]

[ TV? Zenitsu hasn't gotten a chance to see high tech stuff ever since he became a Demon Slayer.

Uneasy settles in Zenitsu's mind very quickly as Yuuji takes a stance. And when he shouts, Zenitsu almost immediately screams and cowers into a ball on the ground, as if he thought he was going to get blasted away. ]

Wh-wh.... WHAT THE HECK WAS THAT!!! You almost made my heart jump out from my mouth!! I could've died!!

[hansha]

Eh?

[ Yuuji blinks when he sees no one before him, flickering his sight to the blob on the ground. He squats beside the curled up Agatsuma, ready to poke him when he suddenly yells at him. ]

Uoh, what the... Haha! You scared me! [ No Yuuji, you scared him. ] That's so over the top~ You won't die, ahaha! I don't have powers like Goden's, see?

[ He lifts both his hands, showing off that there's nothing there to Agatsuma. ]

Don't tell me... you really don't know Tiger Ball?

[zapdope]

Who? I don't know any Goden?? What's Tiger Ball???

[ Zenitsu's still trying to get his fast-beating heart to calm down. Cries. ]

[hansha]

...Are you one of those kids whose parents won't allow them to watch TV?

[ He just sits beside Agatsuma, watching him with eyes full of pity. A childhood without Tiger Ball? How sad... ]