Test Drive: January

[empevents]

— TEST DRIVE: JANUARY —

Welcome to empatheias' test drive meme. This test drive is to help interested players test their characters in the game's environment. We've included a few prompts that incorporate specific elements of the game, though you'll find all of them have a lot of leeway for players to get as creative as necessary. Before diving in, here are a few things we'd like to remind everyone about the game in general:

• Date reminders. Reserves open 25 December and Applications (Canon | OC) open a week later on January 1st. Apps will only be open for four days!
  
  
• OC Reminder! Just a quick reminder that original characters are allowed. Those interested can also use the test drive. OCs do not need to be reserved.
  
  
• Emotions are key! Empatheias' premise focuses on how anyone's emotions can affect their environment, be it big or small. While not every emotion will cause a reaction, significant ones definitely will. How much effect a character will have will ultimately be up to you, the player. Also, while we're giving a lot of leeway for the test drive, keep in mind that there will be some limits in the actual game.
  
  
• Everyone has an amulet. All characters have a unique amulet that is specialized for them. It will contain all of their emotion drops and it serves as the network device. Remember, communication is telepathic. Otherwise, it works basically the same.
  
  
• Assume the character is already in the game. Because "OMG WHERE AM I IS THIS REAL LIFE" threads aren't going to be very helpful in this test drive! Plus, those are going to happen in-game, anyway. So to make things easier, just assume that they've been around at least a week or so. Still learning the ropes, but not a complete "first day" experience.
  
  
• First or third person allowed. Your threads can be in either first or third, but we'd advise being flexible about it. Remember, these threads can also be used in your application for samples! Reminder: We only require one sample and it can be done in either format. We have also made a change to our sample requirements, so look over the Applications page!
  
  
• Transfer to in-game. If accepted, you can assume threads made on the Test Drive happen in-game if the scenario can reasonably fit. For new characters, these threads do not count for activity check. However, these can be supplementary threads for players already in-game.
  
  
• Enable Me/App This Pls. Talk about your app plans or look for a cast here!
  
  Now with that out of the way, here are some prompts you guys can work from!
  
  
  PROMPTS
  
  
  • Prompt A: How about giving the emotions a try?
  
  • Prompt B: Refer to the Task Board and choose a task your character may be interested in taking up. For this prompt, you could have your character ask for help, already be in the middle of the job, or react to it in some way. Perhaps they were an unfortunate victim or want to create a job countering an existing one. You could even have a prompt making a job request. Creating jobs for the purpose of the test drive is absolutely doable.
  
  • Prompt C: How about giving the amulets a go? Start a telepathic conversation and see how it works. Remember, the amulets are sending out the owner's thoughts so might want to be careful about how the stream of consciousness goes...
  
  • Prompt D: Toymakers in Briarlan have been taking on more and more ambitious projects, and their newest work centers on a line of action figures that can battle each other based off of commands given by their owners. These figures, dubbed the Great Clobberin’ Siblings, are promising, but not quite ready to hit the shelves, and so technicians are recruiting volunteer (or not-so-volunteer) focus groups to help them work out the kinks with the toy line. Participants will be rewarded for their time with money and a figure of their choice! Be quick if you want to grab the rare “Verens Yoga Instructor” figure...
  

  1. All Fox, No Items, Final Destination: The technicians will have participants start with a simple task: merely give your chosen figure certain commands and have them face off against an opponent! Though you will quickly find that these figures’ movesets are not quite as simple as kick and punch. Some may defeat opponents by reading to them until they fall asleep, and then knocking them over the head with their book. Others may yodel loudly until their opponent loses their sanity! There’s all sorts of strange and usual moves, but the figures do not take kindly to being told to use the wrong moves too often. If they hear too many wrong inputs, they’re liable to turn around and attack you instead!
     
  2. Super Smunch Bros: About halfway through the focus group session, the technicians will return to offer you lunch! They really want their participants to be happy and well-fed, so they’ve pulled out all the stops with the food. Enjoy everything from mashed potatoes to hotdogs to milkshakes all on the house! However, the action figures seem intrigued by the lunch as well, and they are programmed to do only one thing: fight. Don’t be too surprised if a slice of pie is unapologetically launched into your face. But the question is, will you retaliate, or take the high road?
     
  3. World of Fight: After several more hours of play-testing, participants are at last set free and given their sylvs and free action figure of choice. Yes, you got that Queen N. Asty figure you’ve had your eye on! When powered down, the figures seem harmless enough...except that they keep reactivating themselves. Strange! And while aren’t aggressive to their owners — they have their loyalties to keep! — they will pick fights with just about anyone else they see. Is that a complete stranger whose hair they’re pulling or shins they’re kicking? Yikes. Good thing that all it takes to complete disarm the figures is feelings of complete and utter peace. Make love, not war!
     

  
  
  
  • Prompt E: Goblins & Golems, a roleplaying boardgame set in the fictional world of Metiaphase, continues rising in popularity in Verens. Once, a seemingly innocent game, is now being played off the board, with people essentially LARPing all over the town. It's still mostly harmless and more of a nuisance to have around, but people are encouraged to play along anyway! Perhaps assisting these players in their quests will bring this campaign to its conclusion and everyone can just move on with their lives. Still, there are rumours of an anonymous game master taking advantage of this extreme game, using its players to cause chaos around the city. This particular master, if they're real, seems to foster delusion, paranoia and violence. It might be another good reason to play along for now, and find out if these rumours are true!
  

  1. Outbreak: Whether you are at home, the welcome centre or just a small convenience store, you'll receive a telepathic message through your amulet. It appears to be a wide broadcast, not particularly aimed at you, unless you're an active player of G&G. The message? "A virus has broken out. We must quarantine the sick immediately." ... That's odd. At first, nobody else around the area seems to be concerned. Then suddenly, all the windows and doors get boarded shut from the outside. It all happens so quickly, suggesting there is a large group of these "players", and they seem to be both highly organized and efficient. In some cases, they will even use Dunamis to freeze the doors and windows shut, or melt it with heat if anything is made of metal. Do you find a way out, or just chill and wait to be rescued from the outside? At least nobody is locked inside alone.
     
  2. Declaration of War: The Goblin and Golem factions (again, just people in costumes), seem to be on the verge of a war with one another. The players are taking this game extremely seriously, and there's a real threat of actual violence breaking out in the middle of the street. Both sides are accusing the other of decapitating the Minotaur King statue's head, who is a god-like being in Metiaphase. However, they've agreed on a three-hour ceasefire, on the account of you finding the missing head of the statue. Whoever took the head must have wanted a street war to break out, but the two factions are too blind to see it. Find the head before it's too late!
     
  3. Endgame: The game master occasionally sends gamewide bounty targets to all its players. Up until now it's been mostly generic names and faces, and anybody who isn't playing the game would wonder if any of this is even real. Surely these players aren't being sent out to attack and hogtie actual people, right? This is just part of their silly game! Until one day, your face and name comes up in the telepathic broadcast, with a completely fabricated crime and a very tempting reward. Whoever this game master is, they seem to want you off their board for good. Run, hide, defend yourself! It looks like this is no longer a game!
     

  
  
  
  • Prompt F: During the winter months, a new trend is taking Verens' performance artist community by storm. Getting a bunch of people to meet at the same location and do some sort of wacky stunt before dispersing. In this case, the wacky stunt is dressing up like snowmen. So yes, Verens is being besieged by snowmen flash mobs.
  

  1. Abominable Historians: This means that characters exiting anywhere could possibly find themselves surrounded by snowpeople that weren't there before. Which can definitely be a little jarring to exit Steambucks or the Welcome Center and suddenly there's snowmen as far as the eye can see. Sometimes it's something inconvenient like blocking your path. Other times,you've exited into a giant, if brief, snowman production, perhaps reenacting a past event in Verens history. It's like walking into a historical reenactment, but everyone dressed up as Frosty.
     
  2. Ice to Meet You: If you're not encountering the snowmen, there's a good chance you could be drafted into their ranks. After all, they need lots of people for their stunts, so characters may find themselves handed a costume and directions to the next area. But there's still time to talk with your fellow snowmen and plot out the next stunt. Or to just discuss how ridiculous this entire thing is before abandoning the snow troupe.
     
  3. Snow Problem: It wouldn't be a new trend in Verens without something going wrong, and this proves to be no exception. Several snow creatures somehow have made their way down from the colder parts of the Ferril Mountains, only to get caught up in these shenanigans and they're definitely giving this craze the cold shoulder, opting to rampage through town apparently offended by the frosty facsimiles. Being giant snow/ice creatures, they're definitely weak to fire, but for those less inclined to run around melting them, it is possible to calm them down and lead them back out of the city.
     

  
  
  
  
  • Prompt G: Make your own! It could include a duck and/or hazelnut.
  
  
  For your threads, put the Character Name and the Canon in the subject line to help readily identify them. You're also welcome to use more than one prompt for respondents to choose from. If you have any questions or want to brush up on the game information, refer to the Game Information entry. Otherwise, tag around and have fun!

Comments

Xehanort | Kingdom Hearts

[seekerofdarkness]

[C. Telepathy]

I don’t suppose anyone can clue in an old man on what this place is.

[Simple. To the point.

Sorry for all of those who may be familiar with that voice though.]

[E2: Declaration of War]

[Instead of participating in this silly game, Xehanort has opted to make things…livelier. He already has the head in his hands, tossing it carelessly in his right as he watches the two factions fight against each other.

Insolent creatures.

But, be prepared. To make things more interesting, he has his darkness wrap around the head and let it transform it into a head-shaped creature crawling on eight legs with a Heartless symbol on it. No point in letting it go to waste.]

[Wildcard]

[Toss anything you want here!]

C - 1/2

[rekindled_flame]

[There are few voices that make Lea react visibly. He liked to pride himself on not being the kind to jump simply because someone spoke up. But hearing that voice?? It makes Lea stop mid-step, eyes wide and an icy chill cover him, both literally and figuratively.]

Mipha || The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

[miphasgrace]

Prompt E-1: Outbreak)

Hello? ...Might...might anyone be out there?

[Just her luck; Mipha had been stopping by the local general store for supplies when the older gentleman manning the counter stepped out for a moment. The next thing she knows, the front door loudly slams shut and she feels an icy wind. She runs to see what's happened and finds not only the door, but the front windows have been frozen solid!]

[Confused and worried, she calls first for the shopkeep...and then for the culprit...and now, for anyone. Finding the weakest spot of ice on a window pane and looking through it, she catches sight of someone coming closer and begins to knock in tandem with her calls.]

...Hello? I ask for your assistance! I'm...I'm not sure what has happened...


Prompt F-3: Snow Problem)

[Mipha has not a good goddang clue what a snowman is or why the round-eared Hylians are wearing these bulky costumes to imitate them. The shenanigans cause her to smile, though, watching these strange reenactments with amusement; though she declines the increasingly awkward attempts to shuffle her into the costume rotation. It's not until a real, live snowman comes down from the mountains that she gets involved.]

[Lacking in both the elemental power of fire and her trusty trident, she decides that perhaps she can be much more useful by trying to calm the enraged ice-men.]

It's alright, it's alright! I— I know it must be awfully troubling to see these, these costumes in your...likeness... [Honestly, she has no idea if these creatures can understand her. She keeps her tone soft and comforting and her arms outstretched but non-threatening; though she stands several feet away from the nearest one.] We don't wish to make you angry... I'm sure everyone will stop, now that they know how this makes you feel......

[Unknowingly using the power of her emotions, her calmness spreads forth, the surrounding air growing still and tension seeming to dissipate. She's sure she's imagining the growing warmth she feels, yet it does not stop her from wholeheartedly trying to calm the frozen few.]

[Still, Mipha glances to the nearest person for help.]


Prompt G)

[Being of the amphibious Zora race, Mipha sought out the closest body of water once her initial shock wore off. Despite the season, she was pleased to find the lake only partially frozen and able to be swum in. It's no Zora's Domain, but the blue waters encased in crystal-like ice reminds her of home.]

[She dives into the water, resurfacing a moment later. Refreshed, she sighs wistfully, even though the lake is far colder than she's used to. Mipha takes a few moments just to tread water and eye the lake's surroundings, before diving underneath again—this time for longer.]

[When she comes up again, she accidentally manages to scare the bejeezus out of several ducks on shore.]

Oh! [She giggles, watching them fly off. Ducks, too, were common in the waters of Zora River, fueling the reminiscence.] I'm terribly sorry!

[As she calls out to the fleeing fowl, she notices there's actually a person on shore as well.]

Ah...! Please, excuse me...


Wildcard) [Have something else in mind?]

Prompt G

[kittenlips]

[ Nick is just exploring for the day. He hasn't done a ton of that since arrival, but you never know when you'll need an escape route. He's pretty scrappy and tends to flight rather than fight, but you have to know where you're going for that tactic to be the most effective way out of a bad situation.

He doesn't end up at the lake intentionally, but it's a good play to relax and gather his bearings. Bonus: there's some ducks, which he's having a one-sided little conversation with when something... someone pops up out of the lake. She first apologizes to the ducks (who have flown off) and then catches him looking a little too intensely at her.

Nick raises his hand in greeting. ]

Uh, hey. No problem?

Yagami Hikari ☼ Digimon Adventure

[givesalittlewhistle]

Prompt A

[Glistening tears still sparkled in the corner of her eyes as she worked on the small mound. One of several scattered around her. There was otherwise very little to her expression, even as she finished the last one. A pair of twigs tied together like a cross was placed in the middle--the largest of the mounds--and only when she was certain it was secured did Hikari sit back on her heels.]

Numemon...I'm so sorry...

[Her hands were pressed together, palms facing one another, as she bowed her head to pray.]

[And the moment she closed her eyes...she began to glow. A pure, soft white light.]

[The charm and whistle hanging around her neck jingled slightly against one another with a shift in movement.]

Prompt C

...Hello?

[The voice echoing in your mind sounded...young. Perhaps too young. But, at the same time, mature. Calm, despite her current situation.]

I'm sorry to be a bother, but...is it true that people can hear me if I think really loudly? Or...were the people at the Center just playing a trick on me? No...they wouldn't do that. But...if it is true...Oniichan, can you hear me too? Because I'm okay. I don't...know where I am right now, but I'm safe. I think.

You'll find me soon, Oniichan. I know you will. You always do.

Prompt D

["The Great Clobberin' Siblings"]

[It was a title that drew an amused giggle from the young girl. Particularly once she was done adding her own personal touch to the robot: a certain shaggy, brown rug reminiscent of her very own sibling.]

There. Now he's perfect!

[As if on cue, the robot came to life, shook a bit...then proceeded to turn and punch the wall next to him.]

[Hikari's smile turned a bit sheepish.]

...just like Oniichan, alright.

Prompt F

[The sounds of movement drew her attention at once, and while her eyes widened at the sight of the approaching snowman...she did not seem quite so afraid as one might think.]

...Yukidarumon?!

C

[porte_bonheur]

Hello? Oh, are you new here?

[Wow, the girl talking over the amulets sounded young. And asking for her sibling... Oh dear. It tugs at Marinette's heart strings.]

No, the people at the Welcome Center weren't lying... are you alone right now?

Mercury Black || RWBY

[sarcaskick]

(A)

1.
[Mercury, more often than not, isn't a morning person. His sleep is often disturbed by thoughts of his troubled upbringing, or of worrisome things in the Realm of Darkness (see: Salem). As such, any character who encounters him during the early hours of his day would do best to steer clear - his dunamis tends to flare inadvertently at that time, and his toxic mood will literally make people feel sick. The effects might be as simple as a head or stomach ache, but if the nightmares were particularly vivid that night then unfortunate passersby might feel waves of nausea or severe vertigo.

If he notices it's happenening and he likes you? He'll try to rein it in.

But really, how many people does Mercury like?]

2.
[Even when the day is well underway, Mercury continues to be kind of shitty, as he do. This tends to rear its head moreso when someone tries to speak with him when he would really, really rather not have to deal with them at all. It's possible they're calling him out on picking a fight with someone, or being reckless in handling some task, or (more often than not) just kind of being a dick in general; his attitude is not something he makes any attempt to hide. And if someone tries to talk down to him, or scold him, or speak like they're better than he is?

Well, apathy is a fun emotion to know how to wield - he cares so little for what people like that have to say that they'll find their voice muted mid-sentence as he decides he's literally done listening to them.

And if there's any mystery whatsoever in whether or not he's the culprit, the grin that twists his lips will easily remove all doubt.]

===

(B - GT1204)

[Several feet of popcorn is, scientifically speaking, an absolute shitload of popcorn. Obviously, eating it isn't the most effective way for a human being to go about tackling the problem. There are probably a hundred better methods, to be honest. using fire to incinerate it down to ash would be fast, but dangerous to the surrounding area. Using wind to blow it all somewhere else has some merit, if one were to be creative in where they chose to blow all of it.

And yet there sits Mercury on a rooftop, a literal bucket of popcorn on the roof at his side as he pops piece after piece in his mouth.

It's almost like he's here for the free food, and not to be of any help whatsoever.

Fancy that.]

Great hustle, everyone! You're doing great.

[It might be hard to decide what's more infuriating - that his tone is dripping with sarcasm, or that he's talking with his mouth way too full of popcorn.]

===

(D-2)

[Screwing around with toys seems like something kids would do, but there's a part of him that secretly likes that kind of thing. He never had the chance to have an action figure of his own growing up, after all, so he "begrudgingly" allows himself to take part in testing process. There were, admittedly, some pretty cool looking characters.

But he got stuck with Wobbltyblob, some little round thing with absurdly large eyes, and it's kind of soured the experience for him as he's watched it sort of float around and accomplish nothing with its stubby little hands while other toys, armed with swords and guns and vehicles and literally anything, dominated matches again and again.

The food, at least, is a small comfort, and he's masking his frustration behind a hamburger when someone else's toy, left unattended, flings a spoonful of some manner of soup right into his chest. He looks down for a second at the stain, lifting his head to shift his gaze to the figure that had attacked him, then to its owner sitting nearby minding their own business, blisfully unaware of the transgression.

They would probably become distinctly more aware in the next moment, as Mercury grabs a handful of mashed potatoes and chucks it at their face.

Unsurprisingly, Mercury does not often travel the high road.]

===

(E-3)

[The right thing to do, when a public hit is put out on you, would be to find any sort of authority figure to protect you, or find a suitable place to hunker down and wait it out until the proverbial storm passes. But Mercury's been pretty fed up with the players of this "game", and...

Well, if they attack him, he's allowed to defend himself, right?

So rather than do anything that would be conducive to a peaceful solution he walks about in broad daylight, all but begging to be jumped by anyone who's wrapped up in this game. It doesn't take long before he's confronted by a small group of "players" who seek to claim the reward and split it amongst as few of themselves as possible. It's very, very clear that this is about to get violent, if the way that Mercury is lifting his hands in a very "come at me, bro" sort of gesture means anything.

Defuse the situation? Save him from the players? Save the players from him?

Or just watch the beatdown?]

===

(F-3)

[Finally. An honest-to-god excuse to let loose and just tear into some monsters. Is there a better solution to this problem than beating the hell out of them? Maybe. Oh well. Mercury's never been the diplomatic sort, and seems to be genuinely enjoying the process of darting about, firing shots from his boots at the monstrous snowmen, occasionally blasting himself up to their height to deliver some blows up close and personal.

One of these blows, a decisively vicious kick at the end of a series of attacks to soften it up, actually sends the snowman's head rolling right off its body and towards someone else on the street below.]

Heads up!

[... Pun perhaps intended.]

E-3

[unhappy]

[ As much as Emerald's been playing nice girl in Empatheias and (gag her with a spoon) actually getting along with others and keeping to her promise to stay out of trouble, the second she saw Mercury's face with a hefty reward attached to it, all bets were off. Whether or not he committed the crime he was accused of was irrelevant.

What were the options again? Defuse, save him, save the players, watch? Emerald picks option E, which means from behind Mercury a chain shoots out and the back side of one of her sickles immediately nails one of the guys in the head. She promised not to kill anyone, she didn't promise not to absolutely fuck up anyone who messes with her partner. ]

I hope you're not trying to have fun without me.

Link | Legend of Zelda Breath of the Wild

[knightinthemountain]

D-1, 2

1 - [Commandable action figures sounded like a fun thing to try, so Link here has one. And is getting increasingly frustrated with it, because he wasn't actually given instructions and the technician has (in)conveniently disappeared. So he's alternately trying various commands and giving pleading looks to anyone nearby.

2 - [After some unsuccessful attempts at getting the action figure to attack Things That Aren't Him, Link's gotten some food. A lot of food, because it's free and he has to try absolutely everything that's being offered. Of course, having everything means he can't protect it all, so his fighter has taken up the slack.

Maybe you've come to admire said feat of engineering...or maybe you've just had a glob of mashed potato launched in your direction via fork catapult and are coming over to have A Word with Link.]

E-3

[He hadn't even been playing the game. He was paying enough attention to know it was going on and the gist of it, but he wasn't familiar enough with the idea to try to join in.

That apparently hasn't stopped him from being targeted for a bounty for whatever reason. Not something unfamiliar to him, but unfortunately for the players, he's pretty good at hiding and squashing his emotions. Though not completely, as the area around the alcove he's tucked himself into has become slightly washed out due to anxiety.

Maybe you've noticed this and come to see why? Or maybe he's not as well hidden as he thought and you've noticed him.

G

[So apparently coffeshops are a thing. A very overwhelming thing. Hyrule did not have shops entirely dedicated to flavored caffeinated drinks--the various pastries weren't as strange, though--and he was entirely lost. He'd honestly just ducked inside because it smelled good when someone opened the door and was probably a lot warmer.]

Um...

[There isn't a line behind him yet, but this menu is daunting and may take a while to decipher.]

Wildcard

[Choose your own adventure!]

G

[sidoff]

[ fortunate for Link, it's hopefully someone familiar who opens the door to escape the chilly air and also catch the hint of something sweet just inside the coffee shop. it takes Sidon a moment to realize who this short, blonde Hylian is before raising his arms straight up in the air and barely avoiding a ceiling fan. ]

Is that you, Link? I cannot believe it!

[ screw the menu, he's going for his friend, regardless of whether they've already ran into each other. it's probably like this every time. ]

What are you doing in here? Has something caught your attention? Please, let me help you with whatever has you stumped!

Astolfo ♱ Fate/ Apocrypha

[worst_paladin]

A: Emotional Extravaganza

[Being summoned into the world was never quite the same, especially with the fact that it could be hundreds of years in the future or as little as a few years since the previous summoning for a servant. Generally, it offered an updated knowledge of the world as well, but this time that familiarity was absent. This wasn't a different period in the world known, it was a different world and time all together! Something entirely undiscovered and full of endless potential.

The fascination and wonder, for Astolfo, created a shower of light and sparkles that the paladin chased around. In the early hours as the sun was just beginning to rise, the scene was reminiscent of a child chasing after fireflies. Each twirl sent out a wave luminescent sparkles, and though still covered with morning dew, the grass seemed greener on all sides. Most apparent though was that despite the confused and disapproving glares from the natives, Astolfo showed no signs of changing behaviors any time soon.]

B: Stargazing on a Moonless Night
[Looking for constellations in the night sky, it was something that was right up Astolfo's ally. After all the adventures of this particular paladin involved a trip to the moon, so the night sky was all too familiar territory.]

You know, this is actually really good. By finding new constellations that means that maps will improve, and it will be easier to navigate and find different parts of the world. Though I'm pretty familiar to traveling all kinds of places even without knowing the constellations.

Maybe since we're helping we can even help to name a few of them.

[Hopefully, whoever else was coming along wasn't expecting peace and quiet during their observation because Astolfo certainly didn't plan on it being a quiet night.]

C: Shopping buddies
[A very bright and cheerful voice echoes through the amulets. A smiling and youthful face seems a little too close even in thought.]

Alright, so I just got here and unlike usual I have no idea about anything this place has to offer. Where are the best places to eat, the ones with really yummy food? And what places have the cutest clothes, is there an awesome place to relax, and what about training? On second thought maybe ignore that last part, it's not like some big war is going to break out here or anything, right?

Anyways, I'm Astolfo, one of Charlemagne's Paladins. A Rider class servant. A pleasure to meet you all.

Now come on tell me everything I need to know.

G: Quackers for Cocoa
[Astolfo was attempting to shake off the chill from the snowmen encounter earlier in the day, which meant making a trip to one of the shops for cocoa.]

Man, it was so cold out there. I thought I was really going to turn into ice and die.

[There was no telling who exactly the comment was meant for, at least until Astolfo seemed to sneak right up next to whoever happened to be in line.]

Hey is the Hazelnut Hot Chocolate any good? I've never had it before. And is the place that had the really cute cups of a duck with a scarf and boots?

[Sadly, sad cup didn't seem to be on display anywhere thought there were plenty of others.]

Wildcard: [Go wild!]

A

[lightofchaldea]

What's Ritsuka doing up this early? Who even knows. Maybe she had a nightmare again. Whatever the reason, she's up, and therefore about, and thus sooner or later notices the small commotion. Apparently someone putting on a bit of an unintentional light show with their emotions...?

She heads over to get a closer look, and... Wait a minute. She recognizes that long pink braid, cheerful disposition, and cute sense of style.

"... Astolfo?"

The Luminary | Dragon Quest XI: Echoes of an Elusive Age

[luminatus]

E-3

[Eleven has been following the game somewhat but never felt too compelled to take part. All this talk of goblins, golems, dark kings, swords and sorcery feels tedious to him. He's played this game before...no he's lived it before. The costumes just aren't entertaining when one has already been trapped in goblin filled caverns more than once.

So he's minding his own business, sitting on a park bench with an old book when he suddenly sees himself in his mind's eye.

Accompanying it is a message:

The Luminary
Wanted for grand larceny, thoughtcrime, trespassing, grave robbing, use of witchcraft on a tree, stealing memories for use in said witchcraft, releasing a dragon in a public area, unauthorised exiting from a penal institution, disturbing the peace, and other crimes too numerous to list.

Successful capture will reward +2 mastercraft steel swords.

Good luck!

His brow furrows. Someone made up this list of crimes but some of it is eerily accurate.

When he hears a crash from nearby he's off like a shot. He can be seen catapulting around town, parkouring up walls and over fences. While not terribly good at hiding, he is quick. If someone is determined to make him part of a game he's going to have his own fun being a moving target.]


F-1

[Eleven walks out of Steambucks with a mug of cocoa, takes a sip and blinks.

He blinks again.

He blinks a third time.

Yes, there is certainly a crowd of snowmen around him. They're standing still.

Very slowly he backs into the coffee shop and closes the door.]

Oi, there's a crowd of snowfolk out there suddenly, should we be worried?


Wildcard

[Or you can find Eleven wandering around Verens, usually staring at things silently, always with a sword somewhere on his person. ]

F-1

[soughttruth]

[The question is enough to rouse Romelle's attention from her own thoughts along with her drink. So there she is after a moment standing not so far off from Eleven, cocking a brow upward as she peers out the doors.]

I shouldn't think so. How harmful can they be if they're made from snow?

[She steps closer to the door and watches the grouping silently for a moment. They all shuffle forward in unison and she jolts a step backwards.]

They are rather frightening looking though.

Jesse McCree | Overwatch

[gunslingersloaded]

Prompt B/C

[Look, Jesse can sing, kind of. He's not the best, not the worst. So he's going to see if anyone wants to help with those Tsutika]

Anyone want to help me with some rodent control? I promise I'm decent at singing and won't make y'alls eardrums bleed.

Prompt D2

[Somehow, Jesse got roped into these test trials of some toys that were being created. He didn't realize it was going to be an entire day, then again, he may not have been told. But, at least they were providing the testers lunch. He can be found enjoying lunch on the break with his figure... but the figure is having it's own fun, throwing handfuls of milkshake at him.]

Woah now, that's for eatin' not for throwin'. They really did a job programming you to just fight everything, didn't they?

Prompt F2

[Ha. Drafted? Jesse joined the snowman army willingly, and can be found in a snowman costume with his hat perched on top of the snowman head.

And he's having a ball. And singing an edited Christmas carol.]

Jesse the snowman~

Prompt G

[Because I'm a sucker, have Jesse sitting on a bench somewhere, staring at a duck holding a hazelnut in his beak.]

Look, sweetheart, I don't know why you think that's mine.

Wildcard

[Pick a card, any card, throw him a flash grenade.]

C

[gr1m]

[There's not a lot of thinking on this part, or else there wouldn't be a voice straight from the grave floating over the crystals. This is why he hardly ever used the crystals, or stuck to text.]

Don't make promises you can't keep.

[Dryly.]

Tapion | Dragon Ball Z

[monsterlullaby]

Prompt A:

[ From the tallest building in verens, one can hear a beautiful melody ringing out throughout the town. If you look high enough you might even see the figure standing there playing his sad song. It wasn't just the song though. As if like magic, sparkly music notes started falling from the tall building, slowly dancing around the building in a swirl until the sparkly notes hit the ground.

If anyone walking by happened to touch one of the bouncing notes they might feel a moment of sadness. ]


Prompt C: This must be a mistake... Can anyone tell me where I might find the way back home? I can't..

It's not safe for me to be here.


Prompt F2:

[ How did this happen to him? He's made his mistakes?? He's got no one to blame, now he's a chilly snowman???

Tapion wasn't sure why he was dragged into this, or what these snowmen creatures are supposed to be, but it seemed like they enjoyed his ocarina playing. So as he started wandering around Veren's there was a trail of Snowmen following him, all dancing a bit to the tune of his playing.

WHO IS HE THE PIED PIPER??? ]

WildCard!!:

[ Throw anything my way I got this! ]

C

[fighting4afuture]

There's not a way back, but it's really not that bad here, usually.

[He doesn't know that you're not concerned for yourself...]

Whatever it is, you'll be alright.

Neliris | Warcraft OC

[drfeargood]

[E-2]

[So what may have started as a quarrel in the streets had been somewhat derailed into a verbal smackdown as the old elf felt compelled to nitpick at the ridiculous costumes. If these children were going to make an attempt to impersonate his world (at least that's what this little game seemed like to him) he might as well make sure the bar was set high.]

Really, a Goblin? That's what you're trying to impersonate? Well I hate to tell you you're far too tall to pull that off, I would say try an Orc but you're far too scrawny, and I wouldn't insult a Troll by comparing them with someone as unobservant as you.

[And with the "goblin" red-faced and nearly reduced to tears, he turned his attention to one of the opposite team that had started snickering.]

And what are you supposed to be? A... golem? A golem of what? Leftover mud and rubbish? Have you ever even seen a golem?

[And this would continue until someone pulled him away from bullying the bickering children.]

[E-3]

[Well, it wasn't as though this was the first time a picture of him had gone around with "get him" as the tagline, and he doubted it would be the last. Neliris figured he might as well make the best of it, and found a nice little building out of the way to wait. It took his pursuers long enough that he got bored and went about setting up some preparations- a nice bottle of wine, some healthstones, and a nice obedient fifteen foot demon to deal with the problems for him. Needless to say there was quite a surprise waiting for anyone that sought him out, whether for the prize on his head or to figure out why that group of teenagers ran out of that building... while on fire.

When someone new entered Neliris was taking a breather, pouring the last of his bottle of wine into his glass, while his demon gave a half-hearted swat at someone trying to run to safety knocking them off their feet. At least most injuries didn't appear to be serious. The elf heaved a sigh when the door opened and gestured the newcomer in as he lounged on his chair, the demon had this under control after all.]

Another one? Well, come on then, let's make this quick I'm nearly out of wine.

[F-3]

[Oversized snowmen rampaging was something rather new to him, however he had stories of Winterveil. Someone had mentioned something about something odd running rampant through wherever. Though maybe that was more of an "Azeroth" thing rather than the holiday itself. Regardless he was fairly certain this was something related to Winterveil.

Anyway the snowbeast was quickly melted, and he gave the lump of much left behind a few prods with his staff.]

Is it that time of year already?

E-2 whoops

[bubblyoutlook]

( Celdori, however, thinks the game they're playing is hilarious and has done her fair share of handing out quests. Perhaps she's becoming over involved, considering how many player she's scared off by excitedly proclaiming that it was finally her turn to give everyone pointless errands. And, well, when they say that someone needs to find the head, well, sounds like the usual.

She's in the middle of hunting for it when she hears the voice -- a very familiar, grouchy voice currently making small children cry -- and practically launches herself at the Nightborne, wrapping her arms around his neck in order to give him a hug he will not appreciate in the slightest. )

Neliris! You're here!

Hanzo Shimada | Overwatch

[dragonsmark]

PROMPT B - ST1203 - Behemanths With Thorns

---

["Open to a group of two or more" his ass. Hanzo wasn't going to team up with someone he didn't know and couldn't trust just because some task board thought it was best for him to not go alone. He would be fine. It didn't even phase him that this task was in the middle of the desert outside of Shaarnath. Having anyone with him would just be a hindrance, another chance for something to happen that wasn't according to plan.

So, he'd set off alone. Hanzo had even managed to track one of the Behemanths to the oasis in a stroke of luck. It would be easier to hunt the beast down here, if Hanzo was lucky enough to stay out of sight and get a height advantage on it. He's in the middle of pulling an arrow back in his bow, grip steady and sure -- when all of a sudden he swings around to point it at the undergrowth behind him.

He'd heard something, or someone. When he speaks next it comes out a low, growled hiss.]

Come out now, you've already been found.


PROMPT E-3 - Hunted

---

[Somehow, he hadn't been surprised that there was suddenly a very pricey bounty on his head. It wasn't as if he wasn't used to drawing unwanted attention, after all. But it WAS inconvenient. Hanzo was currently in a small store, buying some clothes that would make it easier for him to hide his face, and even a canvas bag to hide his rather signature weapon in. He thanked the clerk, but Hanzo already knew he couldn't trust the kid from the way he was looking at him. As he walked out he tossed the hoodie he'd bought back onto the table and subtly grabbed up one in a different color instead when the kid wasn't looking.

Once he was outside, he pulled the hoodie on and ducked into an alleyway to avoid drawing attention. This was all for some stupid game, but Hanzo wasn't going to make himself an easy target. Behind him, he hears something fall from one of the overstuffed trash cans and his posture stiffens. Quickly, he's using the piping and window ledges to leap up and over the wall of a building, landing heavily on the flat roof. His next move is to roll and duck behind the wall and door that lead down into the building.

He is so intent on watching the wall he'd just climbed up he doesn't notice the person sneaking up behind him—perhaps with the intent of "Catching" him for the bounty.]


PROMPT G - A Duck and A Hazelnut

---

This is ridiculous. [Hanzo is currently standing outside of a rather wealthy looking house, arms outstretched, a duck held between them. A duck who currently had a very... interesting problem. Apparently it was fond of hazelnuts, and had actually accidentally ingested a hazelnut that was, in fact, a small container for a very expensive engagement ring.

Hanzo had been recruited with the task of getting the ring back...but without killing the duck. Luckily, he's not the only one assigned to this task. He looks flatly over at his partner in crime.]

If you have any smart ideas, now would be the time to share them.

WILDCARD
[Hit me with whatever else you want!]

sort of A sort of wildcard fite me

[tekhartha]

[Zenyatta rarely hunts. Necessary though it may be, as evils go, he cannot quite bring himself to bring down the various creatures that haunt the wilds of Empatheias. Pragmatism is simply no match for a gentle heart, and so he leaves the work of culling to more experienced men and women, those who turn the chase into an art and thrill to draw their bows.

There are other ways, after all, for him to offer his assistance. Even the most experienced of hunters are injured on their expeditions, though they are loathe to admit it, and when they return to the Hunter's Society proper to turn in their trophies it is often Zenyatta who greets them- and then coaxes them into sitting by his side while he sets his orbs to work on mending their flesh easing their pain. Rookie hunters are his most common patients, overeager to prove themselves and liable to bite off far more than they can hope to chew.

Though the man who enters the guild now is not as young as they tend to run, Zenyatta decides immediately that he must be new. For one thing he is, unwisely, alone. For another, along with the requisite array of cuts and bruises, he bears a well-worn look of disapproval like old, familiar boots, as if he suspects to be challenged at any moment.

But a sour expression has never put Zenyatta off. He floats across with fingers bridged and head cocked, gently enquiring.]

Are you still fresh from your hunt, my friend? Please, allow me to ease your discomfort.

[There is something familiar about him, Zenyatta decides. Now that he is closer he can see it in the man's eyes, something about the curve of his mouth, his nose...]

Donald Duck | DuckTales (2017), pre-series

[solo_act]

C

...Hello? Is this thing on?

[After fiddling around with his crystal a bit, Donald can feel it doing something, so he might as well give it a shot.]

Okay, I think I got it figured out. Anyway, uh...if anyone's met someone by the name of Della, can you tell her that Donald is looking for her?

...Thanks.

[Maybe he doesn't have it completely figured out, because his next thought is definitely supposed to be private.]

Where are you, sis?

D1

[Donald was a bit too old to be playing with toys anyway, but he'd been dragged in to helping, so he figures why not? He has nothing better to do, and the figures looked kind of cool.

Just his luck though that he gets a figure that doesn't have the standard punch and kick...not that he knew that at the time, and these things didn't come with instructions. Though he probably wouldn't have read those anyway.

But after while, the figure seems to have gotten tired of Donald telling it the wrong things, and the duckling soon finds himself being pelted with vegetables.]

Hey, cut it out!

F3

[Even in another universe, he could never quite get away from monsters, huh?]

...Of course.

[When some of the snow creatures start attacking, he picks up a rock and throws it at the closest one, hitting it and knocking the carrot off its face. Then he rushes over, scooping it up first before the creature can get to it.]

Got your nose!

[With a roar, the creature swats at him, but Donald ducks and rolls out of the way.]

G

[You know how people tend to feed ducks? Well, have you ever seen ducks feeding another duck?

Particularly one much larger than they normally are? And wearing clothes?]

...You've gotta be kidding me.

[As the smaller ducks place bits of food down next to where Donald is sitting, he picks up one and frowns.]

I don't even like hazelnut.

G

[princesswhatshername]

[Lena, Webby, and now this little boy, whoever he is? Minnie could just die from all these cute widdle ducklings! She giggles as she approaches.]

I think they like you!

Shota Aizawa/Eraserhead | My Hero Academia

[sleepingbagsensei]

[Prompt B - GT1206 Evangelina Evernever]

[Finally something more sensible than most of the tasks listed. Tearing down the posters is easy, most people from the cult can't deal with his reserve self. If anyone tries to approach him, he gives them the cold intimidating stare, not today.]

See any more of those posters?

[He asks as he tears down another.]

[Prompt C]

[Don't mind him if he's trying to keep himself reserve, while trying not to feel so agitating.]

Anyone got a clue how to leave this place yet? Coming close to?

[Straight to the point.]

[Prompt E-1]

[Of all the days, Aizawa happens to go out to pick up minor things in a convenient store. He hears the message in his head clear, taking the situation a little seriously for a moment, looking around. Next thing he knows it, the doors and windows shuts him inside the store.

Yet, no one is panicking?

Deadpan skeptical.

He sighs.]

This happens often?

[He asks anyone nearby. This world is filling him with migraines it's hard to miss.]

[Prompt-G]

[Wild card!]

E-1

[willing_sheath]

*a stone's throw away a woman who looks like she was plucked right out of a traditional sumi-e painting looks over, expression equally dead pan.*

So it would seem.

*She sighs herself, looking at the package of pork in her hands before placing it back. No point taking it out of the refrigerated section if she want going to be leaving anytime soon.*

Pino | Ergo Proxy

[dollfie]

[C]

Hellloo! Hello! Testing, testing! Can anyone hear me? Vincent? Re-l Re-l? Are you there? [Hmm. Oh well, regardless, Pino continues on]

My name is Pino! I like drawing, and playing music, and traveling with my friends, Vincent and Re-l! Has anyone seen them? Vincent has dark hair and bright eyes and he's really nice! Re-L wears loootttss of make-up and she's really, really mean!

Oh, are there AutoReivs out there too? I guess everyone can hear this, right? Um, hmm... I wouldn't mind meeting other AutoReivs either! Though I think I'm not supposed to really talk about that, oops! But it's okay, since we're not in our world anymore, right? It's a brand new world! With so much green and so many people! It's like a Dome, but it's not in a dome at all!

[She'll just...keep rambling until someone stops her. Please stop her.]

[B.2]

[Pino can't eat, so the food is ultimately useless to her. But humans do eat--She knows this one pretty well. And they need to eat a lot to be big and strong and healthy! Or something like that.

She looks at her little doll figure--not entirely comfortable with having one, but it's cute and A Friend and looks like a big pink piece of bubblegum --and smiles] Let's give 'em to people!

[The figure jumps up and down happily and Pino moves quickly with a little plate of french fries in ketchup and some kind of really unhealthy looking burger. When she sees someone who looks like they probably can eat, she quickly points them out to her doll friend]

There! There's one! Let's go! [But the figure seems to take this the wrong way as it grabs the burger from Pino's tray and...launches it at your character, looking very triumphant and proud of itself for doing so.

Pino just stands there, eyes wide in horor. WHOOPS]

[E.3]

[Wanted for Crimes Against Humanity--very vague, but concerning enough. Concerning even more that she at least appears to be a very little girl, and there's some grown ass adult grabbing at her arm. They seem to be having a lot of difficulty moving her around though, and Pino digs her heels into the ground]

Leave me alone! Let go! Help! Vincent! Re-L!

[Pino continues to yell for help, pulling back hard enough to nearly knock the adult off their feet as well.]

[F.2]

[Pino hasn't quite grasped what she's supposed to be doing with this costume or why, but it's fun so who cares. She waddles around in the costume that seems a bit too big for her, flailing her arms and trying to roar at people and scare them--she's supposed to be a scary snowman, you see--but it's ruined by her laughter immediately after.

It's all fun and games until she trips and falls on her face... And the costume is too big and round for her to get herself back up. She teeters back and forth, flailing her arms and legs a little.]

Help...!

[people who try to pick her up, however, will find that despite looking for all intents and purposes like a little girl, she's considerably heavier than a child and might prove much more difficult to put upright than first thought.]

E3

[mountaindaughter]

Hey! Let her go!

[One thing that Aloy isn't around a lot: small children. But still, small children screaming for help and getting grabbed by strange people? Not okay.

She grabs the person's wrist--her grip is strong as machine steel, rough from bare-handed mountain climbing and using her weapons, and they really aren't going to like it if she puts more pressure on.]

Dantalion Shadowline | D&D oc

[seesthroughme]

[ C ]

So is anyone else concerned about their mind being regularly probed, or am I the only one?

Hm. I suppose that's a ridiculous question.

Regardless, I was wondering if anyone had done actual research into the working of whatever spell it is that these amulets use. Or if someone would be willing to let me borrow theirs for a little testing. [He chuckles.]

[ E3: Endgame ]

[Danny is no stranger to being hunted, so while this little "game" was fun for a while, when he's suddenly targeted he loses taste for the whole thing very quickly.

In general he's been trying to lie low for the day, but it seems that a member of the Golem faction has tracked him down to the store he was hiding out in. Unfortunately the poor player wasn't prepared to run into a now extremely irritated warlock who attempted to set him on fire. Presently the quite singed LARPer bursts out of the building with the tiefling hot on his heels, a glowing book floating above one of his hands while the fingers of the other hand snap and a black flame coalesces before firing just short of the player.]

Now what have we learned? If you want to keep your skin I'd suggest you run along and be ugly somewhere else. Give your friends the same warning, understand?!

[As the Golem is making his escape the warlock notices that a passerby is giving him a look and he raises an eyebrow innocently.]

Can I help you?

[ Wildcard ]

[Down for whatever else. Dantalion is nosy and also would likely be frequenting bookshops or anywhere he could nab magical items.]

E3

[karabor]

[The stranger gives Dantalion more than a look. The hostility in her eyes is sharp enough to pierce truesteel. The gemstone hammer in her hands is heavy enough to crush it. When she speaks, she speaks with undisguised enmity. To a draenei, any red-skinned being resembling her people is an enemy worth destroying. They are, according to history, agents of the Burning Legion. The idea that this person belongs to a race entirely separate from her people does yet not cross her mind. The resemblance is too strong to ignore.]

Why have you come to this place?

Re-L Mayer | Ergo Proxy

[realimperfect]

(C)

Allowing people in to each other’s minds seem to be a good way to have a new and improved Security Structure my grandfather would approve of. [ The female voice speaking is steady and cool, a hint amused if you really listen to the inflection of it. Of course what she’s saying sounds very paranoid, if not the product of someone who’s experienced some things, but..

Listen, Re-L Mayer is from a dystopic place where she was pretty much watched every minute of every day by her own autoreiv. If there’s anyone who knows about invasive security structures, it’s probably her, and if there’s anyone who’s immediately paranoid about amulets that allow you to speak telepathically, it’s her. ]

All I’m saying is, if Donov Mayer arrives here you may want to hide this from him. If there are any other Fellow Citizens here, they’ll understand.

Now, can someone tell me where there’s ginger ale and preferably a meal that doesn’t include beans?

[ #priorities ]

(E1)

[ In Romdeau Dome AKA ‘no fun allowed ever’ – there’s no such thing as Goblins and Golems, much less roleplaying of any kind. Fellow citizens are made as cogs to the wheel to fulfill certain duties within the dome, and they perform those duties in their day to day without diversions like this. So the concept of LARPing, or this entire thing being some kind of big game, seems to fly right over Re-L’s head. At least for the moment when that concerning message comes across.

Those severe brows crease together for a moment, eyes narrowing and canvasing the area nearby in an instant to check for anyone acting oddly nearby.

That done and no immediate danger found she takes a moment to slump her shoulders and lowly lament to herself: ]

First Cogito, and now this? Where’s Vincent when you need him?

(E3)

[ This certain almost twenty-something’s least favorite thing in the world? Being touched. An unfortunate set of roleplayers doesn’t take long to zero in on a tall woman with such distinctive flared blue make-up and make a rather obvious b-line for a very unamused looking Re-L Mayer. It isn’t the first time she’d had a bounty on her head, and will probably not be her last, but she doesn’t seem fussed.

The last time someone tried to kill her, at least she’d actually broken quite a few laws and conventions. This time?

She simply reaches calmly for the large rifle strapped to her thigh, leveling it at her would-be captors with a cool confidence setting her shoulders. ]

Touch me and it will be the last thing you ever do.

(WILDCARD)

[ If there’s a situation you’d like to play with Re-L that I haven’t laid out here, feel free to throw it my way! Send me a message to discuss if you’d like 😊 ]

Cloud Strife | Final Fantasy VII

[actuallyadork]

C
[Amulet is a go. Even if Cloud isn't totally sold on the idea of telepathy, it's something handy to have if it meant communication over a distance. It might in the long run be more useful than his PHS. The only thing being is that he's not too careful about sending his thoughts out at the moment as it turns to a certain subject.]

Are there any chocobo around here?

D-1
[The action figure that Cloud was given looks a lot like someone he knows. Too much like someone he knows as it starts doing squats and tries to get the opposing figurine to join in on it. So far it's the only move that Cloud has been able to get it to do. There's some frustration clear on his expression that he'd rather have any figure but this one.

After another minute of this Cloud looks at whoever he's "fighting" against.]

Do you mind if I switch out? This one's broken.

[Even if he does get to switch out, he might just keep this one.]

F-1
[Just what is going on?! It's like a madhouse with all the snowmen suddenly surrounding Cloud. All he wants to do is walk around. There's so many snowmen blocking him in that he's about ready to draw a weapon on them. Help him escape before he does these snowbaminations any serious harm.]

F-2
[Escaping has been done. Only to be trapped in another way. Cloud is far from impressed when he's handed the costume, glad it covered his face so no one could see just what he's doing with his facial expressions. He just has to think of this as the time he infiltrated Junon dressed as a Shinra infantryman. He could get through this and move on with his life. Following orders is simple enough.

Though there is always the option to just walk away and ditch the costume...]

G
[Feel free to hit me up with anything you'd like you don't see above. PM this journal if you want something more specific.]

C

[innermonologues]

[ While the voice doesn't sound familiar to him at all, he's yet another person who at least knows of something from his own world. ]

Chocobo's aren't animals that were naturally here, but because of two people who were pulled here having chocobos, we had a little influx of chicabos this year.

Pandora Drake | OC

[ailuruslucidity]

A

[The majority of passersby likely never even noticed the little fountain. At best, a few people who lived and worked in the area might have found it a pleasant setting for a rest stop or break from their daily routine. Water overflowed a top basin into a larger pool below, where a handful of coins sparkled from the bottom. It boasted neither exotic materials nor ornate deocration. Its design, neither a marvel nor an eyesore, settles into the dreaded middle of “unobtrusive.”]

[And Pandora Drake was entranced by it.]

[She'd been standing there a while, and though she'd move from one side to another, stand or her tiptoes or crouch down to change her vantage point, she never took her eyes off it. Her long striped tail whipped from one side to the other as she watched. Strangely, though the noon sun cast harsh shadows on everything else, the area in front of Pandora looked like it was bathed in the perfect light of the golden hour, She hummed happily off key as she watched, and if one lingered long enough, they might detect the very slight smell of something sweet in the air. Almost like cotton candy...?]

[Either way, it's quite possible Pandora wouldn't even notice anyone walking over to her until they spoke.]

B – GT1203

[For a good few minutes, Pandora just stared into the skies with a wide eyed expression typically reserved for young children on Christmas morning. The change started slowly, with one ear flicking backward. The smile began to fade at her head tilted to the side.. Then she turned back to the map, lips finally curving into a slight frown. Her attention fluttered between the two. Map. Sky. Map. Sky. Her brow furrowed, scrunching the white dots on her forehead.

[Thank Bede there was a kind stranger nearby to ask questions!]

Um. This might sound strange, but... are wolves something different in Verens? Because the creature which Mr. Pang sketched out looks closer to a sea lion. Or perhaps a... um... a particularly cute slug? [She tugs on a strand of hair from her bangs, curling it around one finger.] I don't want to insult him, since he was so kind and seemed very enthusiastic, but... the names should be accurate, shouldn't they?

D-2

[One of the minor achievements of Strauss-Porteau Integrated Anthroponics was their creation of a food product perfectly balanced to cater to the extensive nutritional needs of the Emejre they created. They gave it the creative name of Nutritgenic Polymer Gelatin. The Emejre, forced to live on a steady diet of the colorless and tasteless packets, came to call them the Nope Gels. When most Emejre left the labs and entered the Grotto around age ten, they ate themselves sick on food that had actual flavor. Pandora, by contrast, had lived on them most of her life. When the sights and, more importantly, the smells of the catering table reached her, her jaw dropped.]

Oh. My. Goodness.

[Within minutes, her plate started to bow in the middle from the bevy of things she crammed atop it. She hadn't grabbed a a sample of everything from the buffet, but not for lack of trying. She settled into a free chair with the mountain of food and closed her eyes to take in the kaleidoscope of aromas.]

[And it was at that moment that the Spade Knight figure she'd been testing marched across the table and slipped its weapon under a block of chocolate cake topped with a lovely ganache frosting. With one swift move, it flung the innocent dessert across the table, where it smacked against Pandora's forehead with a dull slap. Getting ganache out of that fur would be a nightmare. What's worse, cake shrapnel sprays out across the rest of her food.]

[Spade Knight conveniently fell idle, leaving Pandora to peer over at her table mate, a slight quiver in her lower lip.]

W-why would you do something so rude? And why would you waste perfectly good cake?

F-3

[A pair of costumed snowmen lay on their back in the middle of the street, trying to scoot away from the massive creature in front of them. A few minutes earlier they'd been doing a painfully dated dance move, and while they felt a little bad about it, it certainly didn't deserve this reaction! The tall snow monster slid forward, hissing. It wriggled the sharpened fingers of its branch hands, mouth open wide to reveal rows of teeth that looked like candy corn.]

[Before it could inch any closer, however, a russet and brown blur zoomed in from the alleyway nearby. Pandora stood in front of them, arms wide and long tail fluffing out to make her look bigger than usual. While she gave the creature the most fierce expression she could manage, her hands trembled as the snow beast's eyes looked at her.]

You cannot hurt these people! There is no reason to hurt innocent people, and I won't let you go any further!

[She'd made a bold and impetuous move, one that might well end badly for her. Perhaps the strangers behind her might lend a hand? Or is it possible this was part of a larger plan, and Pandora's only offering a distraction>]

D-2

[alehouse]

[ trevor, likewise, has a mound of food on his plate. he's even got some of the less gooey options stashed up his sleeves and stuffed into pockets for a snack later. this is less because he's been fed nope gels all his life and more because he's, well, himself.

also, alas, the fifteenth century didn't have quite the... readily-available selection. he's busy sucking at a milkshake when his tablemate (another animal-like person? hm) is assaulted by a cake. and then he's being addressed. ]



[ holy shit. please give him a moment. ]

Ha!

[ a snort. yeah, he's laughing. ]

You should see yourself...

Adeleine | Kirby

[theloneartisan]

C
[Artist tend to travel to their own little worlds when at work, often without even realizing their doing anything.

Adeleine is no different has she sits in the center of town painting the various scenery and people around her.

No one has really bothered her or told her no, so she's made herself pretty comfortable taking in the sights.

This feels like the right time for a song, not aloud of course, but in her head it should be nice and safe to sing to herself...right...r-right?]

Hmmm hmmmm
Colors weave into a spire of flame
Distant sparks call to a past still unnamed
Bear this torch against the cold of the night
Search your soul and reawaken the undying light~

D-2

[Something about this whole thing seem...strangely familiar to her but she doesn't quite know why. But that's not gonna bother her for right now, now it's time have some lunch. And they happen to carry her favorite pasta, which is always good news. Adeleine has always been kinda shy about eating around other people, so quietly she takes her lunch and sits outside, while one of the toys she was working on sits next to her. A small strange living marshmallow that seems strangely intrigued by this new worker]

Hey there little guy. Did you follow me out here?

F-3

Ever hear the saying "fight fire with fire"?, this is sorta like that except the "fire" this case is a bunch of snow monsters terrorizing the town and the other fire is a giant ice breathing dragon.

It's icy breath ironically proves to be too cold for the snowmen as their frozen bodies get even more frozen and shatter by the thunderous stomps of the creature. However a few interesting things one might notice is the creature itself doesn't look like it's made of either flesh and blood or frozen water, but like a drawing come to life. Another thing to notice is what looks to be a little girl riding it's back and pointing where the creature should move next.

Keaton | Fire Emblem Fates

[onemanstrash]

[C]

I am lost. Sooo lost. Yup, totally and completely lost-- Wait, I recognise that corner, and that smell! Oh yeah everything is going Keaton's way at last. All I have to do is turn this way and...

Nope. Lost. Really lost. So many smells, so many stress, where the heck am I even going anymore? Maybe if I just keep turning left I'll find my way around better... Yeah, that sounds good to me!

... Hey, I remember that corner from before! Man I must be getting somewhere by now.

[Someone please help the poor wolf person with zero sense of direction from wandering aimlessly forever.]

[D-2]

[There is something strangely familiar about this GCS figure he's been given. Too bad the pink colour isn't really him. And the figure is in way too good condition for him to want to keep it... Still, the weird familiarity he feels towards the thing makes Keaton decide to keep it and give it a try.]

So little fighting buddy can you... Kick? Punch? Rip enemies to shreds with your claws? [The figure stares at him.] Okay that's no. What about... Waving that sword around? C'mon, give it a go.

[The figure does indeed wave its sword around, the oddly chainsaw like blade slicing through the air as the figure shows off.]

Alright, now we're getting somewhere! Okay, magic, got any tomes or stuff you can use? [The figure shrugs.] ... You are seriously hard to work with.

[E3]

[That sure is Keaton's face and name coming up over the telepathic broadcast. There's a whole list of crimes listed to his name, including:

Murdering innocents through asphyxiation
Slaughtering farm animals and drinking their blood
Usurping the rightful king
Hassling shopkeepers incessantly
Amassing a treasure horde of stolen items

... And of course he's just going to reply right to the broadcast.]

Okay like maybe one of those is only true? Maybe. Look if this is about the rusty spoons I took from the garbage can outside a restaurant I'll trade you some new shiny ones! Deal? ... Hello?

[Iiit's only a matter of time before he's jumped by people who actually expect to get a reward out of capturing Keaton as he wanders around the Merchant's Square. He sticks out pretty hard thanks to the whole ears and tail thing he's got going on.]

E3

[likescaves]

[ Oh my god, this guy just up and admitted to being a thief? On an open network? For everyone to hear about what he's done?

Wow...what an amateur. ]

If you're going to steal from someone, you can do better than digging through their garbage.

[ She couldn't sound more unimpressed if she tried. Be a normal thief and swipe some apples from a fruit stand or something. Geez.

Although for his sake, maybe she should keep an eye out for him while she goes about her business in town. Not like he'll be hard to find. ]

Lie Ren | RWBY

[renyatta]

( A )

[Walking down the street on his way back from picking up groceries, the slightest of frowns on his face is the only sign that something might be bothering Ren. Well, that and the dark cloud above his head following his every step. Not that he’s taken any note of it himself.

Lost in thoughts about the current state of Remnant as he wanders (Is this plan actually going to work? What do we do if we get caught? Should I have picked up more syrup for Nora?), he’s walking on autopilot, aware enough of his surroundings to step out of the way of other people, but not enough to recognize anyone he passes. Anyone who has the luck of crossing paths with him might find their forehead creasing at the dull pain suddenly forming behind it.]

( B - GT1205 )

[Anyone who knows Ren for more than a minute knows that he’s not someone prone to rage. He’d sooner take a deep, soothing breath before reigning himself in. Calm, on the other hand, he’s a whiz at. And making others calm? That’s definitely something he can handle. So he watches, kneeled with his hand placed gently upon the ground as those around him melt to snow with their fury, and sends a burst of calm at anyone he sees beginning to get out of hand.

Unless they happen to take note of him there and connect the dots, most people don’t even recognize that the tranquil state they’ve been hit with originates from him, and he makes no mention of it to anyone, choosing instead to keep an eye out for the next person getting overwhelmed by their own emotions.]

( C )

[Well this is just all a bit much to take in. He’d gone for a stroll in this new world and meditated for a spell, and while it had helped to calm him a bit, he was still a little overwhelmed. Perhaps a nice soothing hot cup of tea would do the trick to ease the stress.]

Sorry to bother, but would anyone happen to know of a good tea shop?

( D-2 )

[Ren sighs as a whole salad whizzes past his head. Here he had been planning on a nice peaceful lunch. But if you can’t beat them… He puts his book away and picks up a couple of celery stalks with a slight smile on his face.

It had been a lot of fun last time.

He begins by deflecting hurtling objects with his improv weapons, paying no mind to where (or who) they actually land before he jumps into it himself, flipping expertly onto the table, kicking a hamburger coming at him away, and launching his stalks at one of his opponents.]

( E-2 )

[Ren’s not sure how he got here. One minute he had been sitting on a bench in the park reading a book, and the next he had been stuffed in a snowman suit across town. Taking off the head, he looks around very confused.]

Excuse me, I think there’s been a mistake. I didn’t sign up for any kind of production.

[He’s pretty sure he’d remember that.]

C

[herolytical]

[ That's not a voice he's heard before but it doesn't stop him from trying to at least respond and maybe be a bit useful. ]

Down by the Canal Market, there's a bunch of small cafés that have pretty good tea served at them, actually!

Balthier | Final Fantasy XII

[misadventuring]

[E-3]

[ Having a bounty placed on his head is absolutely nothing new for Balthier. Really, he’s been starting to miss the company of bounty hunters of late. Everyone likes to feel wanted, after all, even if only in the criminal sense, though he really would have liked a chance to earn it. After all, a sky pirate can commit his own crimes without anyone needing to embellish the record.

A more reasonable person might utilize their ability to broadcast some sort of proper rebuttal about their innocence, but he’s actually having a bit of fun with this. For now, at least, though it might grow tiresome if he can’t soon lose his tail and go to ground while this nonsense all blows over. Optimism is holding out for the moment— he’s rather well-practiced at playing the fugitive on the run.

A bystander might catch him casually trespassing somewhere he shouldn’t be to dodge some pursuers. Maybe someone really ought to have locked a door or a gate, and yet there Balthier is. (Oh, they did? Well, fancy that.) Attention fixed on what’s going on just out of sight rather than whoever he might have come across, he brings his index finger to his lips to shush as footsteps approach and pass. Even as they do, his smug satisfaction is palpable, a warmth in the air that hadn’t been there before. In a rather theatrical sotto voce, he murmurs, ] Beg pardon. I shall be on my way in just a moment.

[Wildcard]
[OOC: If there’s something else you’d like, hit me up. ]

E3

[larsas]

[ Oh...

Oh!

Larsa blinks once up at the pirate, but then he cants his head to the side and dips his chin slightly. ]

Must you be on your way so soon?

Good eve, Balthier.

Kiara | The Lion King II: Simba's Pride

[halfaprincess]

[D-2]

[Any food that isn't raw and bloody is considered weird to Kiara, and the table spread of unique-looking food items is no exception. She sniffs around, standing on her hind legs to getting a better look at everything until...

SPLAT! Kiara makes a startled noise, mashed potatoes dripping off of her face. The culprit? One of those weird little creatures from earlier. She scrubs her face with her paw, looking annoyed. And then she grins, jumps back up, trying to swat something just as messy back at the little toy figure.

Hopefully she doesn't splatter anyone with food in the process. That'd just be unfortunate, wouldn't it?]

[F-1]

[Kiara finds herself surrounded by... well, she has no idea what they are, but they're blocking her way and they're kind of creepy.]

Hello? [She prods at one, but they're not responding to her.] I'm trying to go somewhere, so can you please... uh...

[Yeah uh. She's just gonna try to squeeze her way between them.]

F-1

[lightofchaldea]

The sudden appearance of people dressed up like snowmen is... odd, but then again, Ritsuka's gotten kind of used to the strange ideas the natives here get into their heads. Which means she's mostly just ignoring it and making her way through the immobile mass as best she can, with plenty of muttered apologies and quick head bows out of sheer habit. Until, that is, she hears the voice of someone else also trying to make their way through.

Which isn't terribly odd or even surprising in and of itself, it's the fact that the voice comes from somewhere down that gives her pause. It takes her a second or two to spot the speaker, or what she presumes is the speaker and... is that a lion?

"Um. Do you need help?"

Satou Kuroneko | Original Character

[priceofmagic]

Prompt C.

[Sending her thoughts to other people is incredibly unnerving. There's a lot about her that Satou doesn't want for anyone to know and she doesn't trust herself to keep her thoughts from wandering... But... Welp.

Gotta try this eventually.]

Does anyone else find this unsettling? What if I think something awful, like how ugly I think that woman's dress is--.

[Cue an embarrassed whimper.]

Prompt E.1

[When the cafe Satou is in is boarded up, she lifts her head in attention. She rushes to the door and tries to open it, increasing her panic when she finds the frame melted shut. Not that it shows on her face or in her voice. Her emotions boil inside her, under a calm facade.]

Ah, haha... This isn't good. [Though speaking in a voice that is calm and level, but Satou can't mask her emotions here. Her fear is causing little tremors around her, as if the earth is trembling in the place of her false steadiness.
Despite her emotions having a physical effect, Satou keeps a light smile on her face as she begins pacing around the cafe.]

Is this a joke? I feel bad for not laughing, but I don't quite get it.

Prompt G. Wildcard!

[let's plot something else! I'm excited to get to know you all~!]

C is for C4

[hot_handed]

[Unfortunately (?) her thoughts have entered an already irritated blonde who spins around, glaring.]

Shut the fuck up, whoever you are! Your headvoice is noisy!

catra | she-ra and the princesses of power

[frightzoned]

( A )

[ Since discovering the power emotions have in this new, strange land, Catra has been practicing with them feverishly – well, "practicing". She prefers to be completely self-reliant, so asking someone to teach her dunamis is out of the question. As such, pretty much no matter how much she tries to control the magic, the result ends up manifesting as a random (almost always violent) effect on her surroundings.

Catra isn't stupid, so she's not practicing in the middle of Verens anymore; shockingly, some people get mad when she destroys their things. Instead, she's situated not far from the outskirts and at the edge of a forest where there are plenty of innocent trees and other planets that she can destroy.

It's obvious that her growing frustration isn't helping at all, and she won't notice anyone approaching until they're pretty close while she maintains her focus by force of will. ]

Cut the branch. Cut the branch.

[ She makes an unnecessary slashing motion with her paw hand, but the tree just gives a violent shake. When Catra turns away with a growl, several of the leaves on the branch in question explode. At this point she notices she has company, which causes her to fold her arms and try not to look like she's pouting. ]

I meant to do that.

( D-1 )

[ Catra is not too impressed with these toys, and it's unclear how she got roped into testing them. Maybe because a few of them look like they could function as useful weapons? The figure she picked looks like it's dual-wielding futuristic rifles. Her commands aren't working, though, and Catra is already looking bored. ]

Woooow. I bet I know a princess who would love to tinker with these stupid things…

[ She glares at her Clobberin' Sibling. ]

Punch. Kick. Move. Fire a laser or something, give me a break.

[ That's one wrong command too many, and the figure turns to attack. Narrow little streams of flame shoot from its weapons. Catra crouches and springs out of the way, but not before the tip of her tail catches on fire. She waves it out before any harm is done, but she proceeds to take her anger out on the toy. ]

What in the– that is not okay! Some kid is going to burn their face off!

( E-1 )

[ Do they have proper libraries in the Fright Zone? Unlikely. Catra can spend maybe thirty minutes tops sitting in one place, so reading isn't exactly her favorite hobby – though she still knows she ought to learn more about this world she's ended up in.

But, yeah, she's plenty ready to leave the Grand Central Library when she hears the telepathic message. ]

Get out of my head.

[ Grumbling to herself, Catra makes her way to the door… which doesn't budge. Even after she hits and slams into it a few times. ]

This is great. Just where I wanted to be stuck! I am definitely going to make those nerds pay for trapping me in this giant… book building. Make them really pay.

[ Shhhh. Don't loudly threaten people in a library, Catra. ]

A.

[sarcaskick]

[Getting away from people is usually the reason Mercury wanders out this way - he's never been terribly social, and that's not likely to change any time soon. So when he sees someone doing... something over here, he's tempted to just turn on his heel and go somewhere else.

But she sounds frustrated.

Which means fun for him.

So he'll stick his hands in his pockets to watch until she turns around, his grin widening just a bit as the branches literally explode. He raises an eyebrow at the remark.]

Oh, sure. You're the poster child for self-control, right now.