♥ 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

Aera Mirus Fleuret | Final Fantasy XV | ota

[indelebilis]

[ V: Buddy system! ]

[ It's confusing, to say the least, to arrive in a new world. Especially because for a brief few seconds, she'd almost thought that this was, in fact, the afterlife. Eternal rest, peace, whatever one really wants to call it. But apparently, she is very, very wrong.

Before she can actually ask any sort of questions, someone else is being pushed at her. Some other poor soul is being shoved into this situation, and she can do nothing but blink. ]

...Oh. Hello.

[ That's it. That's the confused, eloquent greeting you get, good sir or ma'am. ]

[ I - Pied Piper go! ]

[ Aera is fond of animals, yes. Bunnies are cute, she adores dogs and cats, but rats? These things are known to bring plagues far and wide. And yet, she does not have the heart to get violent with them. Despite the disturbance that they've brought among the people here, despite the fact that they've been driving her mad, too... she can't do it.

Besides, despite their varying sizes, they come in fun, cute colors! It's why the Oracle has a bag of bread crumbs and a few very hungry, very curious rodents trailing after her as she walks. The aforementioned rodents start as one... then two. Then five, ten, and suddenly she's got an entire little army following after her, begging for crumbs.

She heaves a sigh. ]

This was not what I had in mind this afternoon, but I suppose it is better than doing nothing, yes?

[ II - Heck no we didn't start these fires ]

[ Aera is a helpful person by nature. At home, she was the Oracle and that meant that helping people, assuaging their fears, and all of that fun stuff was part of her daily norm. So she's eager, when a native asks for help in cleaning up and repairing some of the damage, and she jumps right in. She can be found in various spots, cleaning up here and there, or helping someone move something out of the way.

Eventually, though, she can be found at one of the temples sitting among a few robotic bodies. She's sitting on her knees, hands folded in her lap. She's very quiet for a few moments, deep in thought, before she finally looks up and speaks to whomever is closest to her or whomever has entered recently. ]

Rebirth... what a strange concept, don't you think?

[ Wildcard - ]

[ Got something better in mind? Go for it! ]

wildcard | lmk if this doesn't work yo

[carbungle]

[Okay, so... he's been trying not to stare like a creeper since he spotted her in the area. He'd just wanted to swing by a cafe for some snacks, not to stalk some poor woman just trying to adapt to the place. But something about her was niggling at the back of his mind every time he let his gaze drift in her direction. She just looks so familiar.

He tries to resist the urge for a while, but he knows, he just knows it's going to drive him crazy if he doesn't find out why. So at last he wanders over to her, brows furrowed in confusion, and lifts a hand to get her attention.]

Hey, sorry to cut in- do I know you from somewhere?

this is a thing of beauty

[indelebilis]

[ It's sort of hard not to notice when someone is staring at you, really. Aera can be called many things; ditzy, a bit of an airhead at times, a baby even... but she isn't stupid and she's seen this poor young soul from the corner of her eye. She's kept a careful eye on him from a distance, mostly because he seems extremely familiar to her as well.

He looks like a very young Somnus, but the clothes don't fit, nor does the hair. Not to mention this young man bears a kindness in his features that Somnus severely lacked. Even with the differences, there's a striking resemblance between the two that simply cannot be denied.

She's busy right now, or trying to be rather, looking up at the fountain and their portrayal of this particular world's gods, but movement from her peripheral catches her attention and she looks over, blinking a few times. ]

Good afternoon... I don't believe so, no, though I feel that I should be asking you the same question. What is your name, dear?

[carbungle]

[And here he thought he was being subtle. Poor guy.

It's a little disconcerting to hear that she shares that feeling, but it's something of a relief at the same time, so he doesn't hesitate in his answer. Maybe he's not just being crazy.]

I'm Noctis. How about you?

[indelebilis]

[ The voice doesn't match up, either. Not to mention that her previous thoughts about his kinder features seem to match up with this young man's sweet personality, too.

When he introduces himself, she offers him a small smile and a little, polite bow of proper greeting. ]

Well, regardless of knowing one another or not, it is a pleasure to meet you, Noctis. My name is Aera.

[carbungle]

[Oh.

Oh, no. Now he understands.

His reaction is immediate, of course; it hits him too quickly to catch and conceal it. Is this what Ardyn feels when looking at him and seeing Somnus instead? As the connection slides into place it's hard to look at her and not see traces of Luna. Subtle, not immediately recognizable, but hinted nonetheless.

It could be a coincidence, sure, but... no, he seriously doubts that. Only one way to be sure, though.]

Are you... the Oracle?

[indelebilis]

[ Her head tips to the side, and she's left blinking again because this is the first time someone has honestly recognized her. Has called her by her title; or rather, what her title was before Somnus decided to foolishly make an attempt at his own brother's life.

And the surprise shows on her face, at least for a few seconds. Unfortunately, as Noctis puts two and two together, Aera is still a little bit... in the dark, so to speak. The only thing she can think of is that yes, this young man is from their star. And perhaps she'd spoken to him or to his family during her travels. ]

I am, yes.

[carbungle]

So that's why... okay. I get it.

[Once he has confirmation, it feels unfair to keep her in the dark, so after a moment's hesitation he ducks his head in a slight bow - something he's not especially used to, given his own position, but feels weird not to return in kind - and looks apologetic.]

It's Noctis... Lucis Caelum. That's my real name.

Face Twin Rat Collectors Let's Go

[wifeacle]

[They would have been cute, Luna supposed, had there not been so very many of them. One or two adorable little brightly colored rats would have been alright. A novelty that she could have gotten behind. But this was an infestation and honestly she was tired of the sound of them within the walls keeping her awake.

Which was why she was standing a few feet away from Aera, another bag of bread crumbs held tightly within her hands, sprinkling little bits as they went. They probably looked ridiculous, but considering just how well it was working, she really didn't care.]

It will certainly make a good story.

AW YIS LET'S DO THIS

[indelebilis]

[ It's hilarious, honestly. Two women of the same family, the first oracle and the last, working hand in hand to get this more than ridiculous job done. She hasn't had a whole lot of time to get to know Lunafreya, other than people somehow keep getting the two of them mixed up [which Aera will take as a compliment because Luna is a gorgeous woman, thanks] and that they share a family.

Family has always meant the world to Aera, and thus, Lunafreya is automatically perfection in her book. ]

It will, indeed... goodness, dearest niece. Why does it always take a woman to pull off a man's job?

[ A bright purple mouse skitters up onto her shoulder, and she sighs, offering the rodent a piece of bread. ]

...Do you think that they will come back after we lead them out?

[wifeacle]

[Because have you seen the men these poor women have aligned themselves with? Far too busy napping the day away to worry about doing anything about their colorful rodent problem. But apparently it is just their lot in life to take care of these Lucis Caelum's.]

Because the men are busy sleeping.

[Probably curled up somewhere with Pryna. Who she hasn't seen in actual days. She's honestly really ready to adopt the adorable little blue mouse who's taken to riding on her head.]

I should hope not. Although perhaps we should make sure to lead them to a food source. I think they were simply hungry and looking for a meal.

[indelebilis]

[ That. That makes her burst out into laughter, because it's probably not true. She can almost see Ardyn stretched out in the sun somewhere, lazing about like a feline and poor Noctis passed out somewhere else, preferably in the sun. ]

True enough. Well, they should be very appreciative of us, then. They owe us much gratitude for doing this.

[ Aera's decided that much, at least. They are owed. And they shall reap their rewards... when the time is right. ]

Ah... yes, that might be wise. You know... admittedly, I think I am growing just a little fond of them. If only they did not keep everyone awake during the evening. Many people see them as pests, but I feel that these poor little creatures are simply... misunderstood.

[wifeacle]

[There is a hundred perfect chance that Noctis is passed out somewhere. Probably using Pryna as a pillow. It would be rather cute. If it didn't leave her to do things like this.]

I am certain they will find a way to repay us. Although, we should probably make sure it has nothing to do with food.

[Please teach her your ways, Auntie Aera. Teach her how to properly deal with these Lucis Caelum's.]

They are rather cute. It is too bad we can't keep a few. But I fear they might attract their friends.

[indelebilis]

[ She... yeah. She can see that. Honestly, those two are alike, and if Somnus were here she could see him curled up and conked out in some random location, too. You know, when he wasn't busy trying to lop Ardyn's head off. ]

Oh, they will. They have no choice if they wish to ever sleep properly at night again. As for food... can you really see either one of them cooking anything, dear?

[ Can you? Because she's already picturing Ardyn setting the damned kitchen on fire. But she will gladly teach you, dearest niece. Lessons to pass on to future generations! ]

...We may be able to keep a few, though I know not if they would truly be happy in captivity.

[ She stops walking, an extremely bad idea coming unto her. ]

People keep mice as pets, do they not? Surely... surely we could keep two or three, yes?

[wifeacle]

[Thank the gods Somnus wasn't there with them. She wasn't entirely sure even the two of them could handle three Lucis Caelum's all cut from the same cloth. Nothing else would ever get done.]

I believe that Noctis is no longer allowed near a kitchen.

[Which was for the best. They couldn't afford to keep buying new pans. Let's not get ahead of ourselves now. She's still trying to make sure everyone in theirs survives.]

We could try. I think it would make Pryna quite happy to have some little play mates. [If she could stop trying to carry them around in her mouth, anyway.]

wildcard

[scourgingstars]

[Ardyn was often found wandering in the early evening, when the sun was lower in the sky and its light a bit less oppressive. He'd changed a fair bit in the two thousand years that had passed, and yet very little; hair blighted bright violet and messily tied back, blue eyes turned gold and a wary look about him akin to a stray coeurl more than anything. He'd started wearing more modern clothes, and all told he felt less and less like 'himself' with every day that passed.]

[But one thing hadn't changed in the slightest, and that was how he felt about the woman he'd nearly passes by in his own distracted thoughts.]

Aer--?!

[He stumbled in his hurried attempt at turning to face her, tripping less than elegantly over his own feet and landing on the ground in a tangle of limbs.]

chokes

[indelebilis]

[ To be fair, it's his height that catches her eye at first, because... well, she's not used to seeing Ardyn in such a get up, with his hair tied back like that, with eyes as gold as the sun and a tired look on his handsome features. So it actually takes her that split second to recognize him.

She doesn't get a chance to even open her mouth, because he blurts out half of her name and down he goes. That is how she knows that this is, indeed, her dearly beloved.

Aera is quick to move to his side, crouching down so that she can be more at level with the poor man. She reaches out, gently placing a hand on his cheek; she's still not entirely convinced this place isn't some sort of strange afterlife, and if that's the case? She really didn't want to see Ardyn here. Not yet, at least.

No one deserved to live more than Ardyn. ]

Ardyn, it's you... it's really you! What are you doing here?

[ Yes, because this was entirely in his control and he definitely had some sort of say in being dragged to a strange new world! ]

[scourgingstars]

I-I--

[He quickly pulled back, upright and a few feet away in a flash of red light. Gods, how could he face her like this? After failing her like he did, after turning into this undying thing, he didn't have the right to be anywhere near her.]

You can't-...how are you here? That's-... [Impossible, no. Improbable.]

[indelebilis]

[ He's certainly jumpy... there's something different about Ardyn that runs deeper than those golden eyes and perpetually exhausted expression. He's changed, and she's not entirely sure how that's possible.

She frowns, remaining on her knees on the ground. ]

Ah... [ Well. He knows that she's dead, at least, she can tell that much. It makes her shoulders slump just a little bit, because she always thought that if they were to reunite, it would be a far happier reunion than this is turning out to be. ]

I've no idea. I was hoping to ask you the same question, my love... those I have questioned claim that this is not the afterlife, but I'm afraid I am not too keen on believing those claims. If this is the afterlife, then I am sorry to see you here.

[scourgingstars]

It...that isn't the case, I know that much.

[Because if it was the afterlife, Ardyn would never have been here. He backed off a little more, as if afraid she might reach out her hand again. She'd know, she was the Oracle, she'd know what he was and if no one else would be horrified at a daemon wearing human form, surely she would have the sense to be.]

[indelebilis]

Then I have no idea why I am here, darling. Because if this is not the afterlife, I am certain that I should not be.

[ Because the last she can recall, she'd died in Ardyn's arms in the throne room. She makes no move to come towards him, as much as she wants to, because he is akin to a frightened animal right now. And this is only furthering the confusion she feels at the moment. ]

...Does my presence disturb you, Ardyn? Not that I could ever blame you if it did.

[ She's dead, and he knows it, after all. She shouldn't be here, and yet, here she is. ]

I

[this_loser]

[This isn't the first time someone has been shoved his direction, or vice versa. It's also not the first time he's wondering if they shouldn't just create a greeting committee to avoid this very thing from happening.

Still, he doesn't mind. He straightens up to properly greet whoever just arrived, but stops short. The face is just similar enough that he's momentarily caught off guard.]

Oh, uh... [He almost calls her Luna. But this isn't Luna.] Oh. S-sorry. Thought you were someone else for a sec.

[indelebilis]

[ Poor Prompto. Aera offers him a small, albeit sympathetic smile, and she even goes so far as to offer him the slightest of bows. Even if they aren't familiar, it's only polite, and she prides herself on being a lady even if that is not the case half of the time. ]

Good afternoon... ah, please, you need never ask for forgiveness for something so trivial. It is I who must ask your forgiveness, dear. I'm afraid I am a little... confused.

[this_loser]

Aw, man. You really don't have to do that.

[The bowing, it feels weird. He's not at all important enough for that.]

I'm guessing you just arrived. You at least got the run-down from the robots? I can help you out with the rest!

[indelebilis]

It is polite, especially to someone so kind as to help out a stranger.

[ She smiles again. ]

I did, yes! Ah... for the most part. I suppose I am just trying to take it all in really. Are we certain that we aren't... dead? Because I know for a fact that I am, in fact, very much dead.