♥ August Test Drive Meme

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August Test Drive Meme
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As Achtom and Ohnir flow into each other, the skies are still gorgeously blue and dotted with high fluffy clouds that never seem to threaten rain - so long as the weather stays controlled. Businesses are picking back up, the natives starting to cater once again to flesh-bodied people with varied amounts of success. The VR cafes are featuring more helmets so even more people can play along with the ever expanding selection of games. Overall, it seems like Havenwell is quite the peaceful city.

But there are still some issues to be had...

---

❥ PROMPT I: Where's the Pied Piper?

All Achtom, the residents have been dealing with things in characters' houses seemingly moving of their own volition to other parts of the house and going temporarily missing, returning chewed upon by the mice that have overtaken Havenwell. By the time the new wave of arrivals come, the worst of it is over, but there are still some pesky little temple familiars running about the city!

The noises at night aren't as terrible as they once had been, but the squeaking and chattering in the walls and ceiling is still noticeable. It's still difficult to sleep at night for all the noise throughout the long night hours. Trying to find the source is a surefire way to drive yourself mad, but it seems that sleeping in the same bed with another person makes it a little easier to bear, especially if you hold hands or touch throughout the night.

Pink and purple rodents of various sizes from panda mouse tiny to chihuahua-sized rats are still popping up all over the city. It seems the only place they aren't is where they're supposed to be - Ainea's temple - and that's a big problem. While many have been returned thanks to the offworlders' efforts, Ainea's temple priests are still out in the city, begging residents both robotic and flesh to peacefully and carefully capture the creatures and return them home to the temple. They pass out soft woven reed baskets to any who agree and thank all participants heartily for their help.

❥ PROMPT II: We Didn't Start This Fire

Throughout the month, pockets of the city experience magnificent dry lightning storms. Before each onset of the storm, an immense clap of thunder booms across the entire city like a siren and the natives hold their figurative breaths until the first strike rains down. A peal of lightning, searing hot, strikes the ground or hits the spires of nearby buildings, cracking stone and leaving nasty burn marks behind. Each storm is only 4 to 5 minutes in length before they suddenly disappear again, but in those few minutes chaos reigns. For anyone unlucky enough to get caught amid one of these storms, take cover! Residents throw open doors and push people inside, even shielding the offworlders with their own bodies if necessary to keep them from getting harmed.

When the lightning and its sonorous booms pass, residents scurry out to repair the damage. They'll be asking nearby offworlders to help as well with patching the stonework or removing broken debris. Most importantly, they put out a call for help in putting out fires that spring up after each storm. Their metal bodies can't withstand the heat for long without melting and the water is dangerous to their circuitry. After the fires are put out and the damage repaired, on occasion, residents will ask for the somber help of pulling a native robot unlucky enough to take a direct hit from the lightning to a local repair shop. Strangely, the natives don't seem sad when their friends and family can't be repaired, and instead start gathering up objects from home to take with them to the temples along with the bodies. When asked, they say it's to pray for a rebirth and go on their way.

❥ PROMPT III: Let's Play the Friend Connection

With all the craziness going on, some people might just want a distraction. A lot of Havenwell's natives certainly seem to think so. Despite everything, the Entertainment District is as bustling as ever and this month the offering is to participate with a friend or group of friends to play a game called: Friend Connection. Rather than the usual plug in and sit configuration, this time the VR cafes have been reorganized into 3 meter by 3 meter square pads with no chairs or furniture available. Players plug in or put their helmets on and they're instantly transported to a garish neon-lighted stage with multicolored spotlights that show a floating, legless robot with a rainbow bowtie and a magnificent mustache. The robot's LED face lights up into the approximation of the :D emote and then a disembodied voice comes from speakers overhead:

"Hail, well met, and welcome to the hottest game show around: Friend Connection! As the studio audience already knows, this game is simple! You and your new friends compete to complete more challenges than the other hidden team. The more fabulously you and your team completes each task, the more points you'll be awarded. At the end of the game, the team with the most tasks cleared and the highest point value will be declared the winners and take home some fabulous prizes. On today's team is..."

And the robotic host waves an arm to a scoreboard behind it, showing your names. The heading "Other Team" has ???? underneath it and a list of challenges is revealed along with a burst of applause. The list reads:

1. Play Twister until someone falls! The longer you go, the more points you win!
   
2. Help each other do a handstand! The Wheelbarrow is acceptable too.
   
3. Recreate your favorite scene from a romantic movie. Take, for example, That Scene from the hit movie, Skytanic! Or hum along to this song as you and your friend make some pottery together.
   
4. Create a complicated Best Friend Handshake consisting of more than 5 moves and do it together 3 times without messing up!
   
5. Answer trivia questions about each other and your worlds while holding hands and staring into each other's eyes. The more questions you can answer, the higher your points!
   
6. Do a trust fall into your friend's arms. The higher or further you fall, the more points you'll earn.
   
7. Play two truths and a lie with your friend. If you can guess correctly, you'll earn points for your team!

Are you ready, contestants? You have 20 minutes. Good luck!

At the end of the game, the characters are declared the winners by a slim and, naturally, exciting margin of just one point! And their fabulous prize......? The friendship they earned along the way! Congratulations, players! And don't worry, when the game ends, you'll be in the exact weird position you were last in as the helmets turn off. Hopefully you aren't still in those weird Twister positions because everyone can and has been able to see you. Yup, the entire time.

❥ PROMPT IV: Comic Logic

Although Achtom is waning and Ohnir beginning, Diacht's influence is still going strong. Throughout their day as they go about their daily routines, helping people out or trying to find their missing items, the natives stop looking at them and start looking above their heads. In fact, as characters meet one another, their attention may also be drawn vertically above their companion because floating above every offworlder's head is a faint white cloud. Whenever they move, the cloud moves too. Attempts to dispel it by magic or physical means does nothing and it seems like you can't touch it at all.

It's annoying isn't it? Or maybe you're feeling quite curious about this phenomenon? Or maybe it scares you? Whatever you're feeling or thinking, it shows up in that cloud clear as day. It's not every thought or feeling that shows and attempts to control what appears fails, but you're now broadcasting your innermost self to the world.

For a time at least. Smart characters might notice that after prolonged physical contact with another character, the cloud fades away and stays away for an undetermined amount of time. Sometimes it's an hour, sometimes it's a day, sometimes it's only 5 minutes, and then it begins to reform again. Whatever it is, it's here to stay, so good luck keeping your secret inner workings, well, secret.

❥ PROMPT V: Buddy System

With all the changes going on, it might be hard to be a new arrival to Havenwell. The natives understand! Sort of. When new arrivals begin to appear at the temples, receive the welcome speech, get their communicators and the simple map of the city, they get taken to the front of the temple by a helpful robotic priest. Rather than turn the newcomers loose right away, they pull someone seemingly at random off the street and push the two people together with a cheerful, "Here's your guide to Havenwell! It's dangerous to go alone, so be buddies!" before going back inside. They try to place a new arrival with one of those who previously arrived, but who can keep track of all that, right? Characters may find themselves thrown together with an actual veteran or with another new arrival who only came here a day or even just an hour before them! Good luck helping each other out, offworlders, and don't lose your buddy!

---

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

This TDM is for the September 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 August 30, 2019 at 10:00PM EST and our applications will run from September 2, 2019 to September 9, 2019 from 10:00PM EST to 10:00PM EST.

♥ Taken Characters ♥ Reservations ♥ Applications ♥

Comments

V

[astralera]

[ Era had only just recently managed to escape the temple herself, eager to explore a new place. True to form, however, she gets 'buddied' with another newcomer, any attempt at protestation falling on deaf ears and so she quickly decides not to bother. Standard fare for the Warrior of Light. It is almost comforting in how familiar it is to have one's autonomy disregarded.

She sighs, weary, as she is quickly shepherded to her newest 'buddy', though does her best to be polite. There is a wry smile on her lips when she lifts her head to greet the stranger, however it drops briefly when she catches sight of the man's face.

He is a stranger, which is no surprise. But at a glance his eyes seemed too familiar and it catches Era off-guard. She scrutinizes him for a breath, then shakes her head faintly, as though trying to rid herself of the thought. ]

Hello. [ A small incline of her head and shoulders; a bow, informal yet polite. When she straightens her spine once more that wry, tired smile returns and Era glances pointedly toward the temple's priest. ] Shall I escort you to your freedom?

[scourgingstars]

Oh--truly, there should be no need for that.

[He definitely wasn't much to look at--pale, exhausted, disheveled, and in clothes that made MMO starting gear look fashionable by comparison. Ardyn shifted a bit uncomfortably, gold eyes drifting off to the side like he wanted nothing more than an escape route as quickly as possible.]

I'd not wish to trouble you.

[astralera]

You are not the one to trouble me, sir. [ She emphasizes this with a dismissive wave of her hand. ] And if these priests continue to insist upon 'buddies' your presence would be a boon, as they would likely leave me be.

[scourgingstars]

...A fair enough point. [After a moment to consider the situation, he seemed to relax just enough to stop looking like a feral cat ready to bolt.] I would, perhaps, welcome company enough to spare me such insistence as well.

Forgive me, I am...perhaps a bit disoriented. I had forgotten to ask your name.

[astralera]

[ Era notes the shift in his body language, glad to see the man relax, even if it's only slightly. His demeanor and overall appearance brings to mind those just freed from slavery, which simply serves to make her more inclined to offer aid.

She gives him more formal bow this time as she introduces herself. ]

My name is Era. Might I ask yours in return?

[scourgingstars]

[Funny thing, that. Unfortunately for both of them, homophones existed and Ardyn was nowhere near emotionally prepared to hear an answer he recognized as 'Aera'. The end result was a very startled individual staring directly at her as though he wasn't one hundred percent sure she even existed. Struck speechless, he faltered as he tried to collect himself; no obviously this person wasn't her. (He wasn't fully certain if she had horns or he was seeing things, but that was a problem for later.)]

I...ah...Ardyn. My name. Ardyn Lucis Caelum.

[Nailed it.]

[astralera]

Well met, Ardyn Lucis Caelum.

[ She gestures toward the exit with one arm, shoulder, and an incline of her head. 'Shall we go?' it says. ]

[scourgingstars]

[Deep breath. He needed to focus, calm down, and stop chasing shadows for ten minutes or so. She wasn't here and certainly wasn't this girl either, so there was no reason to lose whatever tenuous grip he held on reality.]

Likewise. Lead the way, if you would.

[astralera]

[ Era doesn't know where to lead to, but she not a stranger to carving out a path for others to follow. So she does just that, maintaining a pace that is easy enough for a man of his height to keep up with, weaving her way through people with great care to keep a distance between them. Touch is... It isn't something that comes easily to her. Touch is too strongly associated with pain. She fears that people may reach out for her unexpectedly, given the way this society seems to be, and that on reflex she may harm them.

But those are things to consider later, when she has a moment to breathe and process. For now she will focus on her current task: guiding this wounded man somewhere he won't be harassed by overeager priests. There are four temples that she is aware of, thus a place between two of them would likely be fairly peaceful.

She had overheard talk of a botanical garden earlier. Perhaps that may work as a safe haven? ]

How fare you?

[scourgingstars]

[Ardyn similarly withdrew as much as he could; he didn't look at anyone directly, and the intial impression she'd had of a recently liberated captive seemed more true than much else. Technically, it was.]

...I can manage well enough. [That much was also the truth; he could function without issue. Whether he was alright past that was possibly so obvious it didn't need to be asked.] What of yourself?

[astralera]

[ That isn't something Era is asked all too often (admittedly it was something she was asked much too frequently whilst in the Crystarium) and it catches her momentarily off-guard. Her tail reacts as well, twitching beneath the hem of her sweater.

It occurs to her that she could likely show off her tail freely in this place, filled with much more diversity than Deerington had been. Perhaps she will tailor herself a hole in this sweater later on so it can exist openly. ]

Well enough, and better still once I locate the gardens.

[scourgingstars]

That sounds...

[When was the last time he'd even seen something as normal as plants? Niflheim was a barren wasteland, and the less said about Angelgard the better. Ardyn found he had no idea what to expect, but wasn't about to object to the idea.]

...that sounds like a good course of action.

[astralera]

Have you any skill with stealth?

[ You probably didn't end up with the best 'buddy' here, bud. ]

[scourgingstars]

...A fair bit, why?

[that's a hell of a question, kid]

[astralera]

Helpful as the priests were, they did not think to give me any currency.

[ a.k.a. 'it costs money to get in and i'm broke, and so are you, probably.' ]

[scourgingstars]

...Hm.

[He almost laughed at the absurdity of the situation, shaking his head.]

Very well. It should scarcely harm anyone, so we may as well find a wall to scale or something of that nature.

[astralera]

[ She pauses to scrutinize him. ]

...Are you hale enough to scale a wall, Ardyn Lucis Caelum?

[scourgingstars]

It-...just 'Ardyn', if you would. And I can handle a matter of a simple wall without effort, despite what you may think.

[astralera]

[ Eyeing him, Era nods. He would be far better suited to know his own limits than she. ]

What I think is that you are in need of rest, if not proper healing. [ It isn't her place to pry, but she can at least ask some simple things — ] Were you fed and watered?

[scourgingstars]

You don't need to worry about that.

[It wasn't a yes or a no, but if nothing else he looked steady enough on his feet. Thin, but not malnourished.]

[astralera]

I would be a poor healer if I didn't.

[ Not that she has truly considered herself a healer since she failed Haurchefant. But Ardyn says not to worry and so she shall do her best to listen.

Tilting her head, Era listens carefully for any further indicators to the whereabouts of the gardens. Hearing nothing of note, she continues in the direction they've been going, though will keep a metaphorical ear out for anything of use. ]

If you find yourself in need of aid you are more than welcome to seek me out, Ardyn.

[scourgingstars]

Truly, it's nothing of consequence. I- [was?] ...am a healer myself. I've every capacity to handle myself.

[astralera]

[ She huffs a small, amused laugh. ]

Then surely you're aware that we make the worst of patients.

[scourgingstars]

I have in the past been called 'obnoxious' on occasion.

[astralera]

I am impulsive and stubborn. A 'special kind of bastard'. [ It's clear that she's quoting someone else's words here — a friend, if the fondness of her tone is any indication. ] I am too stubborn to die, which I suppose is a useful trait.