TEST DRIVE: March

[empevents]

— TEST DRIVE: MARCH —

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 22 February and Applications (Canon | OC) open a week later on March 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.
  
  
• 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!
  
  
  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: Self-proclaimed knight (and actual millionaire) Vermouth Pennybags has heard a local legend about a the infamous Chalice of Wisdom, an ancient relic said to be hidden somewhere within the city and only attainable by the most valiant and quick-witted in all the land. Of course, Vermouth Pennybags is not valiant or quick-witted, but he is very rich, and so he has enlisted the help of the Otherworlders in following the clues to find the Chalice. If you are successful, you will be rewarded handsomely...but only if you find the Chalice.

1. The Knights Who Say...: The first task that Mr. Pennybags sets forth is for you to find a...shrubbery. Yes, a shrubbery, that supposedly, when its leaves are used to make tea, will leave behind dregs with another clue once the tea is drunk. As such, not just any shrubbery will do. You will need to fetch a shrubbery from a certain glade in the Ferril Mountains, where you will find a number of nice-looking and not-too-expensive shrubberies. The question is, which is the one the legend speaks of? One has golden leaves near the base, and that’s the one you’re looking for. However, it may take some time to find it! Did you bring your garden shears?
   
2. A Vicious Streak A Mile Wide: Once the shrubbery is obtained and Mr. Pennybags drinks the magic tea, his next clue will lead him to conclude that you need to capture a...deadly bunny rabbit. What exactly makes a bunny deadly remains to be seen, but fortunately for you, there are plenty of farms nearby that keep bunnies around. There is indeed one very violent one among the bunch, but it won’t be so easy to find it. You will have to focus your own feelings of anger and hate to find the bunny in question, and even then, you will need to be careful. Once it’s been found out, the bunny will attack! Defend yourself against nibbles and wrestle the unruly beast into submission. The Chalice is on the line.
   
3. What is Your Quest: Mr. Pennybags decides that what he must do with the rabbit to determine his next steps are to...set it free, because it keeps biting him, the little bugger. Instead, he conveniently finds a map at the local library that purportedly leads to the Chalice’s location! Following the map will take you deep into the woods on the far side of Lake Niras, where you will find a bridge across a ravine. The bridge is rickety and old, and a fall from this height will surely kill you. If you dare to cross, only bolstering feelings of confidence and courage will see you safely across. And should you make it to the other side...you will find Vermouth Pennybags himself there, snapping a picture of you and informing you that this was all just an elaborate set-up for a story in tomorrow’s newspaper. What a con. Well, enjoy those fifteen minutes of fame!

• Prompt E: An engineering society in Briarlan named The Beta Alpha Engineering Society or B.A.E.S. recently developed a new entertainment system called Crystal Simulation. The Crystal Simulation is a means to create a four-dimensional image or environment that can be interacted with on a seemingly real or physical way by a person using a specific equipment: a pair of bulky transparent rimmed eyeglasses made from the same crystals that can be found in the mines. This is a huge step in forwarding technology in all of Empatheias, and Verens is more than lucky for the B.A.E.S. to have decided to use the city as their testing grounds. Put a pair on and let the B.A.E.S. teleport you into an alternate reality through telepathy.

1. Tutorial: The moment you open your eyes after putting the Simulation Glasses on, you find yourself in a desert. There's sand everywhere, even in your shoes. At least, it definitely feels real. Even the heat of the sun is scorching hot despite it being winter in Empatheias right now. You find that your clothes have changed, and you feel like such a beginner with your light clothes and small dagger. A long rectangular white box floats in front of you, and above it reads: ENTER YOUR NAME. The first word or name that you think of ends up being your name in this reality. You think of your actual skills from your home world, and these thoughts are transmitted to the B.A.E. in charge of your simulation. They sent you a mental image of a row of empty boxes in front of you, and on top of it reads: LVL 1, AMATEUR. At the very least, there seem to be other amateurs around you - in fact, all their names are floating above their heads!
   
2. Level Up!: After finding out that this 4D reality is something similar to a "game", you find that in this reality, there are missions to accomplish. Unfortunately, you cannot accomplish anything while you're still an Amateur. Thanks to your trusty dagger (which needs to be re-sharpened every time you kill a monster), you can chop up the many cacti all around, kill Fluffy Bunnies, or head to the nearby oasis and make a fishing rod and catch fish. Doing these tasks add to your EXP, and once you reach level 5, you'll be prompted to change your class. You've been promoted, and it comes with new skills and a neat costume change! Although… if your B.A.E. thinks you're amusing in a bunny costume, then they won't hesitate to put you in one, instead. Nobody said this simulation was perfect!
   
3. The Desert Dragon: Once enough players have reached level 5 and have changed classes, the desert will suddenly get dark. Winds will blow and howl until the sandstorm blinds everyone temporarily. Then, a roar. Once everyone's regained their sight, they'll find a white dragon with eyes glowing. It reeks of hatred and anger, and each claw is gripping a large gold ball with a giant star emblem on it. The dragon flies around the desert wreaking havoc and destroying the settlements in the oasis. Your job is to defeat this creature. Use your skills, your emotions (perhaps love and happiness will counter the dragon?), and try to pop those balls. They seem to be giving him power! Once the dragon has been defeated, the simulation is over and everyone who participated will be given 100 sylvs for their trouble. Thank you!
   

• Prompt F: Every year at Lake Niras, a group of fishing enthusiasts host the annual Iron Fish Tournament, in which everyone can compete as individuals or as a team in order to catch the rarest fish. A winner is determined by the size and rarity of the fish, but most of the veterans are here for only one prize: to catch the legendary Demon of the Lake. What is the Demon of the Lake? Well, nobody has really seen it with their own eyes, but there is definitely something in the water, but those who managed to get it to nibble have never been able to reel it out. Maybe this is the year that the demon is conquered?

1. Fishing 101: The nice thing about this competition is that everyone can borrow their own gear and boats, which is welcoming even for those who just want to have a relaxing day fishing. There is an instructor teaching a class the basics of fishing just near the water, but if someone already knows their way with a fishing pole is encouraged to take a novice on board and teach them the ways. Who knows, whether you're both beginners or one teaching the other, you might just make a great team!
   
2. The Game is On: Once people are out on their boats, they'll quickly learn that Empatheias isn't your typical world and conventional fishing wisdom may not apply here. For example, aside from using the correct lure and bait, one must be in a right emotional state in order to attract the fish they want. This is all explained to any of the newcomers, of course. Talking about happy things will attract small exotic flying fish, while experiencing negative emotions will attract the heavier fish, although they're not as rare as the former. Remember, winning results are based on both size and rarity! There is also a third type of fish, although they're not attracted to any strong emotions nor are they part of the competition. Why is that? Well... that's because these ones explode if they're not thrown back into the lake quick enough. They can be identified by a small unicorn-like horn on their foreheads, so watch out!
   
3. Catch Me If You Can: Those who are persistent enough will eventually feel a strong bite, although most attempts at trying to reel their prize will end in their rods being yanked out of their hand. Those who are less fortunate will probably fall into the water, too! Perhaps this is a two-person job. Those who are strong enough to actually hold on to their rod will only have it be broken, too. Surely this is the legendary Demon of the Lake! Unfortunately, there is no way to catch it... but hey, the fish is the friends we made along the way, right? As for those who are frustrated enough to dive into the water, it'll be too hard to see the figure of the demon, but a giant tentacle will catch them and their partner and throw them out of the lake!
   

• Prompt G: Make your own! It could include goldfish and/or carrots.

Comments

Kanda Yuu | D.Gray-man

[secondlotus]

A

[ This is really quite an unfortunate time to be around in Verens, isn’t it? Even after a couple of days here, a certain swordsman hasn’t been able to get back home and it’s just left him in even more of a foul mood. Which means at this particular time, he’s walking down one of the streets toward the lake with the very earth beginning to melt beneath his feet. Waves of heat radiating off of him and an almost visible aura of anger radiating off of him.

His sword is strapped to his hip and there’s a tense line to his jaw that says he’s really in a talkative mood or really put up with much at the present time. Liable to probably just burn anything that comes close to him at the rate it’s going.

Granted, he’s headed to a place he can meditate as he wasn’t about to take it out on innocent civilians. ]


C -- Network -- Image

Tch. I’m going to kill that shitty beansprout whenever I find his dumb ass again.

[ The thought slips out just as his image appears rather clearly, a frown set into his features and arms crossed over his chest. Communicating with others through golems came second nature so this wasn’t much different. ]

I want answers on the damn situation here and why they decided to bring me here at the worst freaking time possible. I don’t have time to waste and seeing as i’ve been here a couple of days already… it’s been too long as it is.

[ Kanda’s anger causes a bit of heat to simmer around his image a little but he exhales a breath, expression schooling itself into something a bit calmer but still irritated all the same. ]



D-1

[ So perhaps it’s a bit of a boon and a misfortune for anyone who possibly might come across Kanda in this particular instance. He was bored enough to hear the old man out in his search for some stupid chalice, which lead to him doing it but not because he was interested in money like some selfish bastard would be.

So he was out on the mountains and had been going about things reasonably calmly at first. At least at the start, but it had been almost two hours and no luck finding this particular shrubbery which meant Kanda’s patience was down on it’s last limb to which he finally just straightened up, eye twitching a little as he placed a hand on the hilt of his sword. ]

If I cut them all down, that solves the damn problem quicker.

[ Mostly spoken to himself but uh… yeah. Please stop him because he WILL cut everything down until he finds the thing that he’s supposed to be looking for. ]


G -- Wildcard

[ Don’t see anything that piques your interest? Hit me up with something and i’ll go with it. ]

a

[weliveinasociety]

[ Ah, an angsty teen whose emotions are out of control and destroying everything around him. How nostalgic. Reigen sees him approach and simply waves a hand at him, completely casual and unaffected by the kids obviously foul mood. ]

Hey, kid. You hungry or something? Bet I could find a ramen place around here somewhere.

[secondlotus]

[ With his mood so afoul as it was, he very nearly brandished his sword at the man but instead opted to stop short in his tracks entirely. The earth still bubbling like molten lava at his feet, the glare he leveled with the other was positively venomous. ]

This has absolutely nothing to do with my damn hunger. Now get out of my way.

[ It's taking every shred of his willpower to not lash out with his weapon. This man had not caused his anger to get to this point so he had no reason to... yet. Maybe.]

[weliveinasociety]

[ Oh, Kanda. Puberty is hard, huh. Reigen gets it. He totally continues to be unaffected by Kanda's mood. It's almost like he's used to dealing with outbursts like this.

Yes, he can tell he's not making it better. But consider... he's an adult and Kanda is a child. ]

Well, even if it isn't, [ he gestures in the air, hand raised in mock-surrender, then swooping down. ] Food always helps.

[secondlotus]

[ There's a second in which he is sorely tempted to snap at him again but - thankfully - he's getting a little better at restraining himself with that. Slightly. If he focused on the fact the guy was referring to him as a 'kid', that would have went out the door, though. ]

Depends on the type of food.

[ Spoken gruffly with a touch of reluctance as some of the bubbling earth seemed to still and become a bit less prominent. Along with the heat that seemed to radiate off of him. ]

Even then, it's not as if it fixes any situation.

[weliveinasociety]

Obviously. Food isn't going to cure much besides an empty stomach.

[ He nods, is he agreeing with his own advice? Dude. Either way, he's pretty undeterred. ]

It's hard to stay mad when you're having good food though, isn't it? Even as a distraction, food helps clear the mind and ready you for adversity.

[secondlotus]

[ There's a bit of a skeptical look there that you're being shot there, Reigen. Is this guy for real? However there is one point he supposes he agrees with, if he had to pick something, but it isn't as if he's going to directly voice it. ]

You seem to place a lot of faith in what food can do for people.

[ Going to cross his arms over his chest at this point. ]

I know of an idiot who would fully agree with you. [ Looking at you, Allen. ] Meditation works best for me.

D.1

[looseleafbook]

[So busy contemplating the opportunity to murder something undeserving that he probably doesn't notice the redhead until Lavi puts his elbow on Kanda's shoulder.]

Or you could end up destroying the one shrubbery you need in order to go on, yeah Yuu?

[Going back through his memory real quick about what the guy said about the shrubbery that they're looking for.]

Golden leaves, yeah? Sure we can find it without costing ourselves some sylvs in the meantime.

[secondlotus]

[ In all actuality he had been 00000.1% away from actually going through with cutting down the things in his path, only sidetracked via the elbow being placed on his shoulder. His instinct screams at him to lash out but when Lavi makes a viable point it's enough to still his hand.

Not that it stops the vicious glare and crackling electricity from sparking in the air immediately around him briefly. ]

I told you not to call me that, you damn rabbit. This is possibly the stupidest thing anyone would want and I'm sick of looking for it.

[ Maybe a small part of him is relieved to see Lavi is okay after his being missing but hell if he is ever gonna outright voice that. ]

Tch. Fine. Where do you think it would be?

[ Kanda is willing to play nice for a short while but that depends on how much longer it takes to find this stupid shrubbery. ]

[looseleafbook]

[Lavi's gonna be a bit more of his annoying self since what he last recalls is them saying Kanda went through one of the Ark doors with someone from his past. So he's listed as missing.

Giving him a grin, his own emotions somehow making a negative void of the crackling where he's touching the swordsman.] There are worse things to be looking for, Yuu. Like a special key in a pile of keys.

[He says this as if Kanda should remember it but then again, Kanda was fighting Skin.]

Probably either in the last place you're going to look, so where would that be, Yuu? [Either that or systematically go through the field like he would. Since they're trying not to destroy things...they kind of don't need to use either of their Innocence against this.]

[secondlotus]

[ Always a lovely thing when each of them thinks the other's missing due to different timelines. He isn't inherently aware of this, and as such won't bring it up yet.

Kanda's gaze falls to the odd void that Lavi managed to create on his own, though comes off more as someone who is contemplating the idea of just cutting that hand off at the wrist. Why? Because solving problems with Mugen is just how he's generally done things before and he hates people touching him when it's uncalled for.

Bristling at the redhead's continuous use of his first name, he then gave a scoff and dislodged Lavi's hand. The idiot is referencing something and he doesn't quite know what so for now he'll leave it. ]

If it were something like that, I wouldn't have accepted the damn request.

[ He states it so coldly that there's an additional chill in the air for a brief second before it dissipates and he closes his eyes in an attempt to gather his thoughts and consider the situation.

Glancing around, Kanda initially didn't dignify Lavi with an answer and instead walked forwards until he reached a patch of shrubberies and knelt down to start looking for the special one. ]

Just don't stand there like an idiot and make yourself useful, got it?

[looseleafbook]

[Nope. Lavi's not gonna mention his situation at all. Just that he's been captured. That much Chaoji brought back, right? Right.

He just...refuses to do anything emotions let out. Just like he refuses to use the network. It's not the Bookman way to do things. Be prepared for a lot of pigeons when Lavi needs you.

Dislodged and he starts wandering about the field with his hands tucked behind his head.]

I wasn't the one who signed up for the task~ [But he'll help~ By toeing some leaves up from the bottom of one plant, moving on to another. And so on~]

a

[umbraportation]

[ Doing the whole "social" thing could be a huge pain and as much as Nico is trying to not cut himself off from interacting with others, sometimes he just needs a break from people. Despite the fact that he spent a ton of time on the most horrible boat adventure in existence, the fifteen year old boy finds being around them somewhat soothing. He'd definitely prefer water travel over air anyday.

Most of the fisherman are too busy to pay him any attention unless he's in the way but today he's taking up space away from the hustle and bustle of the docks. Sitting on the beach with a fire going and just staring out at the tiny waves crashing on the shore.

When someone stalks upon his temporary campsite with air of a pissed off swordsman, Nico doesn't say anything. He doesn't seem frightened by the emotional effects the other is putting off and it's actually unexpectedly chilly in the space around him despite the burning fire.

After a moment of contemplation, he holds up part of an apple - sliced, not eaten. ]

Want half?

[ The teen has a sword of his own resting by his side but the entire blade is black and pretty ominous-looking. ]

[secondlotus]

[ In a way that was something they had in common. Socializing with people was not something Kanda extensively enjoyed and was more of a pain over anything else. He kept it to a minimum and that was partly why he was coming out to the lake where there wasn't as many people all crowded together.

He hadn't quite intended to breach someone's little set-up when he came here, but it was hard to miss - even with the heat he was giving off - the icy chill that was around the other boy. Most people would ask about it and probably pry into why but seeing as he wasn't that type of person, there was only a soft noise of acknowledgment and his gaze trailed toward the apple half that was being offered to him.

Sure, he wasn't Allen Walker who could be tempted and swayed by food but nor was he ignorant to having manners in situations either. The heat seemed to dissipate and fade away now as well. ]

Mm. You're oddly accommodating for being intruded upon.

[ That's his way of saying yes in his weird way, nodding his head a bit in turn and carefully taking the pre-offered sliced apple. Moving to sit down just a little bit from the other boy before a nagging at his mind kept on him about a certain thing. ]

...Thanks.

[ Briefly, Kanda's gaze shifted to the sword quietly while surveying it but he wouldn't pry into it unless it was brought up. Mostly content with looking back forwards and out towards the lake with a soft exhale as some of the tension soon melted from his shoulders. ]

[umbraportation]

[ When people hear that he's the son of the god of the Underworld, they tend to shy away from him. Nico can't tell if it's because they're afraid of what he can do with even a portion of his powers or if he just subconsiously pushed them all away. It might even be a little of both. He knows some are wary of him and Nico doesn't make it better by pushing them away before they get a chance to know him.

Even if the person who encouraged him to not do that isn't here, Nico can't let himself fall back on old habits. So while he'd come out here for a small amount of time alone, he isn't upset that someone is invading the space. Had this been a whole group then yeah, chances were that he'd leave but it looks like it's just this one guy.

And Nico understands better than most what kind of damage uncontrolled emotions can do. On more than one occasion, he's done some terrifying things with his feelings lashing about -- and none of it here.

The statement causes a single shrug of his shoulders. ] It's a good reminder that I shouldn't be isolating myself all of the time. Apparently I'm great at pushing people away before they get the chance to know me.

[ Rather than sound upset by that fact, he's actually slightly amused and the air goes from being cold to a comfortable warmth. Since Will wasn't here, that meant Nico had to take the reminders where he could get them - even if that means accepting people stumbling into his makeshift camp. ]

You're welcome.

[ He lifts the other half of the apple and takes a bite of it - not pushing more conversation onto the guy who obviously came here in a bad mood. The guy deserves a moment of peace to work out his issues and certainly doesn't need Nico prying into them. ]

[secondlotus]

[ At the very least, Kanda isn't someone who would be bothered if he found out who Nico was related to. It takes a bit to phase him considering the world he comes from, though there's something nice about this boy's attitude and that makes it easier for him to actually stay here.

He even cracks something of a small smile for a brief moment, looking sidelong at the boy for a couple of seconds. ]

Hm. I've been told the same thing.

[ There's a small shrug of his shoulders, gaze back on the lake before them. Kanda really hasn't been bothered by people saying that as he's never been one of those friendly, outgoing types who made friends easily and so on. Especially considering he liked his privacy and the quiet that came with it.

He could have ended up around someone super conversational and chatty, and yet it was still quiet which was a small relief all on it's own. Which means he was able to sit there and eat his half of the apple, his anger and annoyance completely dissipating away as he stopped to consider everything on his mind.

Emotions had some kind of physical manifestation here and on top of that, there was no way back home that he could tell. After all the trouble of tracking down Allen and following him through the Ark, now he was here without him and that was the most irritating thing overall. Something Kanda had to not muse on too much or his anger would start to come back to the surface. ]

There isn't a way home. Is that really true?

[ That's all he'd say for the moment. He could be super untalkative but it wasn't like he was incapable of it. ]

C

[bloodheels]

Kanda

[She heard that and was clearly unimpressed. Her voice stern in tone at that moment.]

I know this situation is new and strange, but asking like that won't necessarily get you answers.

[secondlotus]

[ The second he heard that voice, he'd known who it was and essentially what was coming. Most people would probably get snapped at for saying that to him, but in this case he just exhaled a soft sigh. ]

It gets to the point so people know what I want. Why bother asking nicely about it?

[ You should know he's impossibly stubborn, Lenalee. ]

[bloodheels]

Because it's polite and people are most likely to respond in kind.

[Lenalee will teach him regardless, even though she is fully aware of how stubborn he is.]

You don't have to say please or thank you. But it's still nice to have some form of politeness when gathering information.

[secondlotus]

[ There's a moment where he's silent before finally relenting, and the harshness in his expression visibly softens a little. Perhaps notably just in how he looks just a little less irritated compared to before. ]

Fine. I can't fix what I already said so it doesn't matter this time.

[ That's his logic and he's sticking with it. However... ]

If I have to ask again, I'll take a different approach.

[bloodheels]

[He was true in what he said at least, so she figured she would let it slide this time at least as there wasn't much she could do about it.]

Good to know. So where are you currently? I figured it probably would be better to meet up.

C

[showmystar]

It's Allen.

[ The response comes instinctively, habitually. So much so that it takes him a moment to tune in to the image in his mind, to realize whose voice he had actually heard in his head. Have a sudden bolt of panic sent across their connection! ]

Wait. KANDA??

[ Shit. At what point in time is Kanda from? He really isn't in the mood to be fighting him. Then again . . . it would be good stress relief. The panic settles into nerves and regret as he groans, the image of his own face sent across the amulets reflecting that. First Lavi, now Kanda... This is what he gets for secluding himself from everyone so often. ]

It wasn't even my fault this time . . .

[secondlotus]

[ Well. At least he doesn't have to go on another stupid search for him now that he's shown himself to actually BE here. After ending up at that stupid place in Britain via Allen's impulsive use of the ark, getting somewhere with him while waiting for the golem to come back and then ending up here?

He'd been less than happy to say the least but he was here and still his usual self by the sounds of it. ]

Who the hell else would call you that, idiot?

[ It's spoken mostly in his usual tone of voice but there's a subtle air of relief there as well, though he had caught sight of the brief glimpse of Allen's face following those words of his. ]

Tch. Good. If I found out this really was your doing in some half-assed attempt to try and get away from me again, I wouldn't be above beating your ass into the damn ground.

[showmystar]

You have such faith in me . . . [ Flat, flat tone. ] Like I could manage any of this.

[ Allen's word choice is as polite as usual, but nearer the end, there's a rougher, ruder edge to it. Mana's mask still slips every now and then, but it's worse when he's communicating with thought. And it's Kanda. So...

An odd sense of familiar camaraderie rises in his heart before he shoves it down. Only seconds into their conversation, and everything suddenly feels normal again. It's almost nice, except everything isn't normal. Everything is terrible.

A spark of mischief zips across the connection as Allen grins devilishly. ]

This is a rather large city, though, Kanda. You may have some difficulty finding me again.

[ Maybe he does want a fight. ]

[secondlotus]

[ Thankfully he's well-versed in dealing with Allen whenever he gets like this - but it still annoys him to some extent - so the flash of anger that reflects on his face briefly can be expected. Along with a very notable scoff as his eyes narrowed. ]

It wouldn't have surprised me if you really had been able to, if that had been the case.

[ His tone is still somewhat biting but tapers off at the end, seeming to consider something briefly but whatever he would have said stops short as he processed what Allen had said to him. Of course that little spark of mischief he'd felt should have been a bit of a tip-off, the anger through their connection almost feeling white-hot for a second. ]

...You're mistaken if you think that's going to stop me from looking for your dumb ass. [ A pause. ] Are you trying to pick a damn fight with me, you shitty beansprout?!