June (Dianir) Test Drive Meme

[hugtopiamods]

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

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]

[ Oof, while he expected that, one eye can't help but shut itself from the impact of that thunderous screech. Sometimes he wonders where Agatsuma stores all that power to yell it out like that... it's kinda amazing, if you ask him.

But, oh no now he's crying. Slowly, Yuuji approaches him, hands raised without any directions as he's unsure of what to do. ]

O, oi... are you crying... for real? Uh, sorry??? [ It was a joke but did Agatsuma take it seriously? Maybe he's sensitive about these things. ] Yeah, you're not a grandpa, that was my bad! [ Hmm... ] I'm 16 too, so, cheer up?? [ ??? ]

[zapdope]

You should be! Why'd you be so mean to me?! And that'd make us around the same age!?!

[ Sorry for confusing you, Zenitsu's emotions are haywire at the moment. ]

[hansha]

[ Well Yuuji did tease him there, so... he'll give Agatsuma an apologetic (?) pat on the back. There there (??) ]

Haha, sorry, sorry! I won't call you jiichan again, so don't cry?

[ Oh but... ]

Actually, wait. I haven't turned 16 yet. [ Eyebrow raise. ] I counted wrongly! So I'm a year younger than you. [ Sorta. So... ] Agatsuma-san?

[zapdope]

You better not!!

[ He's getting his panic under control and blinks as he listens. ]

U-uhm, you don't have to call me that way? The first name's fine...

[ Only because it's a little awkward to get even a little more formal after all that. ]

[hansha]

[ First name... first name... oh, right! ]

Zenitsu, was it? Come to think of it, that's a pretty unusual name... Don't think I've met anyone with that name before. Pretty cool, if you ask me!

[ No he didn't ask you, Yuuji. ]

So... what're things like in Taisho? How do you guys spend your free time?

[zapdope]

Eehh? Do you really think so?? Complimenting won't get anything out, you know!

[ Zenitsu says that, but the compliments are making him giggle...weirdly. You will hear some うひひっ giggles. It's gross. But he goes on to answer the next question! ]

Our free time? We play little games! Well I ask people if they want to play some sugoroku or some hanafuda!

1/2

[hansha]

Yeah I--

[ ...Okay that giggle kinda weirded Yuuji out. Did he just say uhihi? Is that how Taisho people laugh? (No.) ]

.......

[ He'll just give Zenitsu A Look for a moment there. ]

[hansha]

Sugoroku and hanafuda, huh... I've heard of them! I think I might've played sugoroku when I was a kid, but I wonder if anyone still plays hanafuda lately... it's kinda an old game, isn't it? ...Oh, but it's from Taisho, of course it's old, huh.

[ Accidental burn... or is it. ]

We still play board games nowadays, though! Like jinsei game and Kokkuri-san!

1/2

[zapdope]

[ old................ ]

[zapdope]

[ And then Zenitsu tilts his head, not recognizing the two games. ]

How do you play those?

[ He's more curious of them being games and not technically haunted for the latter one... He's probably going to be in for a surprise. ]

[hansha]

[ If he has a pen and paper it'll be so much easier to explain, but he'll try his best to explain with words! ]

Jinsei game is kiiiinda like sugoroku, but more complex! So like the name, you move through your life by going through the boxes. Every box has stuff like 'landing a big job, you get 500,000 yen!' or like, 'you got tricked, you lost 1,000,000 yen!'. You can get jobs, buy houses, have your own company, get money, stuff like that!

[ He'll pause here first, just to make sure Zenitsu's following! ]

[zapdope]

What...! Jinsei game sounds so much fun?! Can you play that with other people too!?

[ No solo games please, he's done enough of being by himself. But indeed, he's getting at least half of that because what is having your own company? ]

What's kokkuri-san, then? Is that kind of like sugoroku too??

[hansha]

Yeah! The more the merrier!! You can play it with a lot of people, but maybe not more than 6 or 7, because then it'll get confusing!

[ Now that they're discussing this - maybe they can get together and make their own jinsei game board! He'll bring this up later, because right now Zenitsu seems very eager to learn about Kokkuri-san! This sure makes Yuuji excited to explain, too! ]

Kokkuri-san's totally different! [ He thinks for a moment. ] On a second thought, I think it's easier to just play it rather than me explaining it. You have a pen and paper?

[ Did he completely forget about their going-to-delivery-center mission? Yeah. ]

[zapdope]

[ Zenitsu blinks before rummaging through his haori sleeve. Paper and pen... He's got a pen he barely uses now because the communicator is basically the method of...communication. There's also paper! A little crumpled, but not written or dirtied up yet.

Once he gets them out to hand them over to Yuuji, curious. ]

What are you doing to do with them?

[ Zenitsu...probably still remembers, but games are more important right now! ]

[hansha]

[ !!! He stares at Zenitsu's haori sleeve in both admiration and surprise. ]

What the heck!! Is that Monzaemon's pocket?!

[ What else is there?! He'd take a peek if he's not so pumped up to play Kokkuri-san right now... Ah, but they can't do it here in the streets. ]

Let's find somewhere we can sit. We need a stable thing to put the paper on! Something like a table? You know where we can go?

[zapdope]

Who...?

[ It's more like, what are backpacks/purses... Then again, he'd only carry the communicator with him in the sleeves aside from writing utensils.

But he'll also turn his focus to the question and he takes a moment to think. ]

Uhm... There are a bunch of shops that the robot people run nearby, we can probably borrow their table? We'd have to go a bit to the entertainment area, though.

[hansha]

Oh! The fancy area, yeah? Hmm... But Kokkuri-san might feel shy with so many people around...

[ He mulls it over. ]

Is there any other place where we can get some privacy? Just the two of us, preferably.

[zapdope]

[ Oh, it needs to be somewhere quiet? For a second, Zenitsu thinks that's a little strange, but he quickly shrugs it off because he assumes that's how the game needed to be played. ]

Uhm... I dunno if there are any places that are quieter other than Vianca-chan's book store, but I don't think they got a table...

[ He trails off when he realizes that Yuuji said something weird. 'Kokkuri-san might feel shy'? ]

What do you mean when you said Kokkuri-san might feel shy?

[hansha]

[ Bookstore... could be an option, but if they don't have a table that's a bit hard. ]

Hehe! That's for you to find out later!

[ Trust this friendly grin, Zenitsu! There's nothing but rays of sunshine here! ]

Oh! I know! We can go to my place! It's all the way back to the housing area, though... you okay with that?

[zapdope]

[ Totally nothing but rays of sunshine indeed, so Zenitsu believes there's nothing scary (probably) and complies. ]

Okay, that's fine! So where's your house? Let's go!

[hansha]

[ And off they go, back to the residential area! It takes a couple of minutes with them just walking normally - but who cares, right? They have all the time in the world! ]

Here we are! [ He opens the door to his house, gesturing for Zenitsu to come in. ] Come on in! Are you hungry? What do you wanna drink? Hehe, I've just figured out how to use this re... uh. Repli-something!

[zapdope]

Thanks for having me!

[ お邪魔しまーす...

Zenitsu is super touched by Yuuji's hospitality when they enter the house. WHY CAN'T ALL HIS FRIENDS BE LIKE THIS BACK AT HOME?? Then again it's been just Tanjiro and Inosuke that he could call friends, so that's probably too little to go off of.

He gives a small, appreciative smile in response. ] Uhm... Just water is okay. Thanks. And replicator, right.

[ He still remembers getting used to the technology here when he first got here in January...It's been seven months, wow.

There are bits of Tanjiro's sun-like personality showing from time to time in Yuuji's personality, it makes Zenitsu oddly at ease...somewhat The sounds are close as well, but Yuuji's sounds are definitely louder than Tanjiro's on a regular day, so that's something he needs to get used to. ]

[hansha]

Gotcha!!

[ Water it is! Andddd have a plate of fried rice... Yuuji's probably just gonna make everyone eat this for a while until he levels up in cooking lmfao (also because fried rice is a snack to him). He'll set them on the table at the living room, and beckons for Zenitsu to sit down on the sofa while he occupies the other half of the table. ]

Eat up, eat up! I'll make the Kokkuri-san game while you eat!!

[zapdope]

[ I had to go google if fried rice existed in Taisho era, and apparently it did. Even with that, though, Zenitsu gets confused when he suddenly finds himself holding onto a plate of fried rice and a glass of water. ]

Huh? Yuuji-kun, what's this?

[ More like, why does he have food all of the sudden? So much confusion that he almost misses that his new friend is going to set the game up. Oh okay... He absentmindedly takes a spoonful of the rice. ]

[hansha]

Huh?

[ He lets out a dumb sound as he looks up from the game he's making to Zenitsu, then towards the plate the friend's referring to. ]

Afternoon snack. Fried rice. They don't have it back where you are?

[ And that's just what Yuuji assumes Zenitsu's asking about. Also of course fried rice is a snack. ]

I taste-tested it, so don't worry!! No poison!! It's pretty good! I made it myself! [ He smacks his own chest with confidence. Watching Zenitsu scooping the rice he leans forward slightly with anticipation. ] How's it? How's it?