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

[daikonrose]

Yes... you've grasped the concept well.

[ At last. You got there. Good job.

But there's something else she needs to make sure of, now. ]

Um, I'm just checking, but have you used the replicator at all yet? --The machine in the kitchen, I mean, that's what it's properly called.

[hansha]

Ehehe... [ Shiiiinee ✨ Was that a praise? It was a praise!!! He looks so pleased with himself... if he had a tail he would be wagging them hard now. ] Hmm? Not yet! Why?

[daikonrose]

[ Oh no... please have higher standards for praise than that, young man.... ]

... Do you think... you can use it properly on your own?

[ Should she let him, even if he says yes? She doesn't know what happens if you break a replicator... hm. ]

[hansha]

Huh? You just need to press the buttons, right?

[ The way she said it made it seem harder than just that, though. ]

...Are you gonna show me how?!

[ His eyes sparkle again, but this time in excitement. ]

[daikonrose]

Well... yes, more or less. But...

[ She watches the way those eyes sparkle, and quietly resigns herself. ]

I'll show you, if you want. Since it'll be your first time.

[hansha]

Awesome! I'm counting on you, Sensei!!

[ He salutes at her! And realises something significant: ]

Oh!! I forgot, I'm Yuuji Itadori!! What's your name?

[daikonrose]

[ Immediately, a hand flies up, palm forward. Stop. ]

Kyoko Mogami! Please do not use "sensei" for something like this.

[hansha]

[ Haha! That reaction sorta reminds him of his mentor Nanamin... He's very strict, but also very kind. Mogami-san seems like a nice person, too! ] Mogami-san! I'll be in your care! [ He does a little bow with his head. ] So, your place? Mine?

[daikonrose]

[ It's kinda weird to have this random teenager (? how old is he, anyway?) she met on the street be so deferential to her, but maybe it means he's manageable? Even so, she's not sure about letting him know where she lives.... ]

... Your place. Since that's the machine you'll need to use every day, it's better to teach you with that one.

[ They all function in the same way, but shh. ]

You know how to cook at least a little, right?

[hansha]

[ It's her aura! He can tell that they're probably about the same age, and if anything there's probably only 1-2 years difference between them. But she's just. Cool! ]

Oh, that makes sense! Let's go then! I'll show you the way~

[ He happily trots towards the residential area, making sure to pace himself well not to leave Mogami behind. ]

Yeah! Nothing really fancy, though! Just simple ones. Stir fries, fried rice, egg dishes... you know, all the standard stuff! Do you cook a lot?

[daikonrose]

[ What's it like to be so deeply wrong, Itadori? ]

Ah, I just had to make sure. That's a relief, if you can do that much. It's possible to get your replicator upgraded to make a complete dish, but that kinda takes a while... and restaurants are pretty rare around here, too. So knowing how to feed yourself is an absolute must! [ She brandishes a finger to emphasize that! Please don't try to just live on bread, young man. ] But there's plenty of time to cook, since we don't need jobs, so I don't mind making all my meals from scratch.

[hansha]

[ Uh. Ignorance is bliss? :D? (Also excuse you Kyoko is badass.) ]

I see! Restaurants around here must be expensive too, huh? [ He looks around him. After all, this place looks like somewhere abroad! With all the robot technology implemented, the prices must have gone way higher than it was in Tokyo! What kind of currency do they even use here? ] !!! [ The sudden finger pointing surprises him, but he quickly responds with a salute. ] Aye aye, Ma'am!!

[ ...Hm? ]

'We don't need jobs'? How do you guys get money, then?

[ Or do they... not need it because they can get ingredients from the replicator? Surely they'll need it for something else other than food, right? ]

[daikonrose]

Huh... I wonder if they are.

[ Kyoko uh. has become even thriftier than she was back home, so she has yet to actually patronize any of the restaurants in Havenwell. It's just very easy to avoid them, when they're so few! And she's only heard of one that reliably has good food, and that one isn't even open every day!

But before she can ponder the economics of restaurants in a majority-robot society, Itadori drops a bomb on her. Oh no. Oh no! He doesn't even know that, yet? What else does he not know?! ]

... Um, I understand it comes from the gods... or something. It's very mysterious....

[hansha]

[ Hou! His face becomes stern too, following the mood. ] Mysterious...! [ He leans in with a lot of interest. ] They give it to us for free? Or is there... a secret behind it?

[daikonrose]

[ She. She's not gonna get around this, is she? There's no way to let it go without being totally irresponsible to him. Oldtimers should look after newcomers.......

Kyoko meets his gaze, but only sidelong. ]

... This might sound like I'm changing the topic, but I just want to confirm... you know why you're here, right? It was explained to you when you woke up here... right?

[hansha]

Well... To be honest with you, I don't really remember what they told me when I woke up here, but...

[ But!! There's still hope! ]

Kamado-- uh, not sure you know him, but a friend of mine said that if we touch each other, it will give the Gods here power? Like, [ He taps himself. ] oh! And then, [ He brings both his hands higher and higher. ] it goes up up up up, and it'll be like, uwoooohhh for the gods!!

[ Right? :D? At least, that's how Kamado explained it to him! ]

[daikonrose]

--! Yes! I know him!

[ And she sends a beam of thanks to him, from her heart. Tanjiro!! You're doing good work! What a great help! What a force for good in this chaotic world! ]

He explained it well, as expected! That really helps me out, then, since you already get it. Money is what the gods give us as compensation for being their batteries! It's weird, but it really happens!

[hansha]

[ She's totally right. Getting money as a compensation for touching other people is a weird concept. But it's pretty straightforward, he guesses. Give and take, right? ]

I see, well that's kinda convenient... Does fighting count too?

[ As they go, he'll point out, "Ah, this way~" leading them to take a turn at the corner, towards a small townhouse ー he hasn't forgotten to show her the way to his home! It was kind of hard to figure out which house is which at first, but after walking around here a few times he's gotten it down! He thinks. ]

[daikonrose]

[ That's... not a question she anticipated at all. Why does he want to know? Isn't this guy brand new here? Does he already have people he wants to fight?? Kyoko sends him a wary look as he leads her to his house. ]

... I haven't tried it, but I think the robots mentioned that we shouldn't. Why? Are you... some kind of competitive prizefighter, or something?

[hansha]

[ When they're inside, he'll briefly show her where the bathroom is, unaware that other houses might have similar layout to this place. ]

Oh, nah! Nothing like that! It's just, y'know... [ He makes some incomprehensible gestures with his hands. ] A friend told me there were monsters here before? So I was just wondering if fighting them would give us some money... like in video games!

[ Oh. Speaking of which-- ]

...Were you okay then?

[daikonrose]

[ ... You know, she actually can kinda see the logic in that one. Though it's a little amazing that this guy can just jump right into this scenario, thinking like it's a game. ]

No... there's no system like that in place. I had to squash some of the giant spiders, and I was still pretty broke when the next paycheck came around. [ A beat. ] I was fine, though.

[ With that, she's gonna stroll right into his kitchen, since it's pretty much in the same place as her own. ]

Anyway! What did you want to eat?

[hansha]

[ He hums in response. Giant spiders, huh... He wonders if she meant tarantula-sized or actual monster-sized. Either way, there's no way it was a pleasant experience for anyone. Agatsuma seemed pretty uncomfortable talking about the monsters, too. ]

Well, you sure did a great job!

[ Thumbs up!! She got through it and she's safe, that's a good thing to hear.

He lets her waltz in to his kitchen, following right behind so he can see how she's operating the machine. ]

Hm... I guess whatever's easy to achieve with this thing? Like, fried eggs, maybe?

[ He stares at the machine, mind still mulling over what they discussed earlier. ]

...So they only give us money for, uh, what do you call it? 'Affectionate'? Kind of touches, huh.

[ If that's the case, it's definitely not as simple as what he initially thought. Even for someone like Yuuji, being open and friendly doesn't mean he can go outright touchy-feely. It's probably kinda weird to suddenly give someone a hug or something to that effect... ]

[daikonrose]

[ FRIED EGGS ARE NOT AN ADEQUATE MEAL, but Kyoko will let that go for now. All she's here to do is show him how to work the replicator, he'll surely get more food later! Simple is good, it means she can leave soon!

So she stands aside and just points out the appropriate buttons, let's get this over with. ]

You just press this one, and this one, and this one. You have to remember to even ask for basic things like oil and salt, or you're gonna be at a loss.

[ But oh, more questions. She thought he already understood? Maybe it just didn't sink in for him until now. ]

... Mm, well. As I understand it, it's not necessary to actually feel any affection. [ Does that make it better, or worse? Kyoko still hasn't totally decided. ] As long as you're not hurting anyone, you should get paid for it. So, everything that falls under that umbrella.

[hansha]

[ He keeps his eyes close on the buttons that Mogami presses, it seems pretty straight forward, but if he's not careful, he might just ask for something completely different by accident. ]

Oh, that's a good point. I'll keep that in mind! [ A beam and a salute! ] Thanks, Mogami-san! I'll play around with it more later.

[ Huh. So even if you're touching someone you don't like it will count? And here he thought the Gods were getting power from the positive energy that it exudes... maybe he watched too much television. ]

Haha! That's surprisingly pretty loose. But that makes it easier, I guess... [ Maybe? ] Or not really? [ Hm. If you think of it like a labour, not bringing affection to it makes sense... he guesses? ]

[daikonrose]

[ It sure is weird and impersonal when you really think about it, isn't it? But hey, you get to make money. ]

I guess it is pretty easy, if it's something you want to do. [ Kyoko's just arranging ingredients on the counter for him, not particularly wanting to look his way. ] But since we can live in these houses rent free and get ingredients for free, I guess we're expected to be motivated entirely by spending money and world salvation.