Test Drive: May

[empevents]

— TEST DRIVE: MAY —

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 24th of April and Applications (Canon | OC) open a week later on May 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!
  
  
• For any concerns or questions, head over to this top level.
  
  
  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: Perhaps one may have heard that Verens used to be a floating island, and it was! When the island then ended up on the surface, creatures which explorers have called "Dinosaurs" (quotation marks included) were discovered inhabiting the plains and the mountains in a far off area. It's time to go back to the jurassic world for a very important mission: gather as many Amaranthus Rubus, red pearl-shaped fruits that heal any and all wounds on one's skin. The hospital needs it! As such, one needs to prepare.

Explorers do not wish to harm the "Dinosaurs", as they are afraid the "Dinosaurs" would go extinct should any danger be placed unto them. This means that one's option when encountering volatile and aggressive "Dinosaurs" is to run away. A fun run is now being held in Verens a few days prior to the trip to the "Dinosaur" plains, where 50 sylvs and a t-shirt that says "I successfully ran away from a 'Dinosaur'!". The colour of the shirt is random, though, but there are as many as the colours of the rainbow. Maybe trade with somebody else who's finished the run if you don't like yellow so much.


• PROMPT E: Once the preparations have been made, it's time to set forth into the land of the “Dinosaurs”. As you enter their domain, it may be difficult to resist the temptation to interact with these rare and unusual creatures, and some of the “dinosaurs” are indeed tranquil and herbivorous. Go ahead and feed the long-necks leafy branches and if you're feeling daring, climb up on their backs for a ride! However, many of the “dinosaurs” are quite a bit more dangerous, and they are very territorial. If you cross paths with the a pack of raptors, prepare to run, fight, or distract. All explorers have been supplied with strips of alluring jerky to placate the beasts. Who knows, you might even make a friend! Be careful not to lose and hand, though.

The Amaranthus Rubus is thickest near the home of the most terrifying “dinosaur” of all, the "Tyrannosaur", and if you are daring enough to approach the lair of this creature to reap the fruits, you may not even have the chance to run away before the creature corners you, roars, and...wiggles his sad, little arms. It seems poor old "Tyrannosaur" just wants some kind of tool to extend his reach! Help him out and he will let you go. Or refuse, and he'll eat you. Sounds reasonable, right?


• PROMPT F: It seems like the land of the "Dinosaurs" isn't so bad after all! Perhaps "Dinosaurs" and man can co-exist, but for that to happen, much research will have to be made regarding a "Dinosaur"'s way of life. Now aboard the ship to head back to the city, researchers are talking about another excursion in the future that's solely for researching on "Dinosaurs" - various species, what they eat, their excrement, and the like.

The trip back to Verens is a little long. Perhaps you're just resting in one of the rooms when there's an explosive sound that can be heard. Oh no! It looks like the engine's running out of steam! Luckily, there's a steam generator in the ship, but steam can only be made through cooperation, anger, and sadness. The entire ship needs your help to get back to the city safely, and if you have to hold someone's hand, slap them, and yell at them to get them to manifest their emotions tangibly, then do so!


• Prompt G: Make your own! It could include swords and/or stones.

Comments

Berserker (Cú Chulainn Alter) | Fate/Grand Order | OTA

[curruid_coinchenn]

[ A. Dreaming of a Greener Day ]

[ Strong emotions are not something you'd get out of Berserker ever. His emotions are dulled out of necessity -- they had no place when strength was all that mattered. But something had gotten on his nerves enough to get a rise out of him. Teeth bared, he bristles. The windows of a nearby building shatter. ]

Leave me now before you make a mistake.

[ It sounds more like a command than a request. Tread carefully. ]

[ D. Pushing This Sound To The Underground ]

[ Berserker gathers fruits, not because he particularly cares, but because it's easier than doing anything else. With his looks, however, he could be mistaken for a dinosaur at a quick glance...Right up until he speaks, that is. ]

I don't need your help. Go find another source.

[ E. Stand Firm And Kill To Live ]

[ It seems as though Berserker has made friends. His spiny armor fits right in with the dinosaurs on the island, much to his chagrin. Well, it's better than being chased. The path of least resistance is always the better one. They...almost seem to accept him as a pack leader, following along behind him.

The raptors following him set their sights on a person nearby, surrounding them, but seem to defer to Berserker for a command. How strange. ]

Hm, do you want a challenge? Should I let them chase you? Give me a good reason to call them off.

[ What an asshole. ]

[ G. Wildcard ]

[ Got an idea? PM me or hit me up on discord at glitzkrieg#0673! ]

E

[lightofchaldea]

Suddenly finding herself surrounded by carnivorous "dinosaurs" had very quickly put Ritsuka on edge. Seeing the Servant apparently in charge of the pack changes her mood again just as quickly.

"Oh! You can tell them what to do?"

She sounds impressed and fascinated. After all, clearly the Berserker's implied threat was just to show off, or something like that, she's sure he'd never actually hurt her.

E

[treachereye]

I am apparently surrounded, so it seems I'm at your mercy.

[Well, he isn't actually worried about the dinosaurs, which are just tiny dragons, from his perspective. But at the same time, he can definitely appreciate the mindset of someone who would set dragons on a stranger with nothing in particular to gain from it. So—he's interested enough to continue the conversation.]

Now, what is the cause of this antagonism? And what would someone like yourself consider a good reason to spare me?

Lissa | Fire Emblem: Awakning

[iamnotdelicate]

[C]

[Sure, she's been here for a week, but that's hardly long enough to search a place as big as this. A girl has to keep herself going with food and sleep, after all!

But enough was enough - if she was going to find anyone she knew, the best thing was to send a feeler out. That is, this... 'telepathy' people keep telling her about. After all, what's the harm in trying?]

Um, excuse me... [She keeps walking as she's doing this, not entirely looking where she's going.] Anyone here familiar with the name Chrom? Or Robin? Maaaaybe Freder-- OHGODWHATINTHE--

[And that's her as she manages to trip over something on the ground, tumbling down very un-daintily onto it while a stream of panicked shouting is being sent telepathically. Um... whoops?]


[E]

[Needing some help getting that Amaranthus Rubus? Lissa's all too happy to help!

... Well, being there started to change her mind just a little. The dinosaurs were, uh, pretty large. At least the ones she'd run into so far didn't seem to be looking at her hungrily... she'd heard that even small ones could be carnivores, so she tries to keep her wits about her.

Unfortunately for her, she finds herself getting toward the parts more densely populated with the Amaranthus Rubus she and the others had been searching for. Thankfully not where the largest of the dinosaurs were, but before she could think about filling her bag with some of the fruits, she sees a few dinosaurs in her peripheral vision, and turns - just in time to notice that these ones were most definitely looking at her like she was food.

Her first instinct is to run - but that wouldn't be a great idea. They'd easily catch up to her. She needs help, and fast. Or a diversion.

... Or a quick reminder that she still has some of the jerky that could keep them busy long enough for her to escape!]


[F]

What do you mean the engine's running out of steam!?

[At least someone's getting a head start sending out some angry emotions - there's practically already steam coming out of her ears!

She crosses her arms in a huff.]

Well, what do we have to do!? Are we just going to be stuck here forever!? Just tell me what we can do!

[The irony...]


[G]

[Got an idea you wanna do? Go nuts! Feel free to PM this account if you wanna run something by me.]

C

[bondsofsuffering]

[Well.

That's a message, isn't it?

Hizumi's message is light and cheerful in tone, but there's a darker emotion that seems to be running just below the words, like the trickle of a small stream. A gentle feeling of despair.

Easy enough to ignore, probably.]

You okay there, miss?

F

[tenyearswaiting]

[Sorry Lissa but he did hear that anger is one of the things that'll help. And she's already on the way there! So enjoy the dismissive and can't-be-assed tone coming from this muscled shirtless dude next to her.]

Don't be stupid, kid. We don't have to do anything. Everyone else will figure it out.

Mukuro Ikusaba | Danganronpa | OTA

[givemewings]

Prompt A.

[Despair.

Mukuro is on her knees, just outside the city. The city? Is that what that is? The swirl of colors and light that make up this...place? are too much for her take in at once. She presses a hand to her chest and moves it slowly down her body. The spears. They’re still here, aren’t they? Her fingers reach out touch the empty air in front of her. The taste of blood, something wholly unfamiliar to her still lingers on her tongue and in her throat. She wants to retch but she can’t. She can’t do anything right now but try, and fail, to process. The fabric of her clothes is different than it was before. Her tactical vest. She brings her fingers in to her palms and traces around the leather, fingerless gloves that surrounds them. No, this isn’t right. This isn’t what she was wearing just then...Was it all a dream? A nightmare?]

No, it...doesn’t feel right.

[She doesn’t even realize her mouth making her thoughts audible. Did she...die? Is this heaven, is this hell? Did it really happen? Was she really abandoned? The earth feels like it’s moving underneath her, cracking, as if it were attempting to swallow her up. Maybe it is. The Despair. It’s everything her sister would’ve wanted for her, isn’t it? Is this a gift? This hot, miserable feeling washing over her. Mukuro clutches her throat to ensure that she’s still breathing.

Survival instincts kick in. As some divine act of mercy, her handgun is in its holster at her side. She holds it in hands that are shaking restlessly against her will. A weapon. Good. Whatever this is, whoever is here, she’ll destroy it, she’ll kill them. She’s been in worse situations. Scarier ones. This is nothing that can’t be navigated through sheer power. But without a squadron or sister to tell her what to do, it all feels a little too inscrutable. The goal. What is the goal here? Why is she alone? What is she supposed to do now that she’s alone?

The despair is hot and painful. The world continues to shake and splinter underneath her. All she can do is roll her palms over the barrel of her gun, waiting to find her resolution.

She’ll be here for a while. Basking in the feeling bestowed on her by her beloved sister.]

Prompt B.

[Mukuro lines her finger with the task board and runs it slowly down along its length as she reads. As expected, there are no current jobs that involve murder, covert infiltration, or wanton destruction. How is someone so worthless at everything BUT violence supposed to exist in a place like this? It’s not as if she’s bloodthirsty, but...

She holds her hand up to the light. It bounces off of the black ink of her Fenrir tattoo.]

What should I do? [The decision to speak the words aloud is like a band-aid for the greater wound. As if saying those words would stave off the winds swirling around the void inside of her. As if it would make her sister appear in a dramatic fashion fit for a prime-time television show. But that doesn’t happen. Sure, she could sow despair all over this place if she so chose but...

She brings her hand back to her side.

She’s worthless when it comes to the “why”. Junko was the big idea one. Mukuro just did the grunt work.

“soldier for hire“ is scrawled on a piece of paper in front of her before she even realizes that she’s the one that scrawled it. She crumples it up and lets it slip through her fingers into the wind. God, she’s so stupid. What good would that do? Pathetic. She really is just so pathetic.

The wind carries the slip of paper directly into you, and maybe you catch it, or maybe you brush it aside and notice the girl in military dress looking like a ghost in front of the task board. Mukuro clutches the tactical knife at her side. Which is probably another point of contention for any on-lookers.]

Damn it...why... [Mukuro slowly unsheathes the knife, staring into its bladed edge with a desperate sort of fervor.]

Do something...

Wildcard Prompt

[something else entirely!]

B

[hamnation]

[Gundam Tanaka was on his way to the task board, in search of anything that seemed interesting and related to animals, when the wind blew a paper directly towards him. He managed to successfully snatch it out of the air and read it aloud.]

"Soldier for hire"... [He frowns and looks up towards the girl, as there's no one else nearby who the paper could have come from. She also does seem to be decked up like a soldier.]

The Tanaka Empire has no need for human infantry! [He declares dramatically.]

A

[bondsofsuffering]

[There's another new arrival nearby, his green hair almost a match for the grass around them, if a bit mintier in color. His shadow is dark, a near pitch-black - notable mostly because the light's quality is such that nothing else is casting a shadow as dark as his.

It's the result of despair, too, although he hasn't yet noticed that much.

Instead, he sees a girl with a gun, and he approaches with a sort of distant curiosity that is quite frankly utterly reckless. Should he be more cautious? Absolutely. But when one's luck is such that not even a gun can guarantee one's death...

Well, it's easy to get lax about these things.]

-? You okay over there, miss?

B

[sobored]

[To be fair, she considered appearing right then and there like some sort of dramatic reveal in a TV show, but opted to hang back and watch her sister agonize over the task board for a little longer. After all, from her point of view, it's been years since she's gotten to see something like this.

So she'll watch until that despairingly pathetic scrap of paper blows away and Junko, being Junko, catches it. Of course she does. She's not going to let something like this blow away never to be seen again, instead reading it while walking over to the board, avoiding foot traffic because she really doesn't feel like being interrupted by anyone else until she's within speaking distance.]

So this is what it's come to, huh?

[There's a morose tone to Junko's voice when she starts talking. One that doesn't quite match the smile on her face, but she doesn't really care about matching those right now, letting the despairing contradiction of expression and tone exist in the open for now.]

My despairingly dismal sister brought to another world, her dimwitted brain so incapable of adapting all she can do is sell herself in the hopes that someone can find a use for her limited skills.

[Her word choice is definitely not how most people would've put this, but she seems amused by it. For a few seconds anyway before her mood flips and she just sounds annoyed.]

I mean come on, you could've at least gone for some of the hunting quests, that sounds like the kind of lame thing you'd be suited for.

B

[boldsimplicity]

[He's not supposed to remember her.

But right now, as long as he's in this world, he remembers the two years their class had-- remembers Mukuro Ikusaba, the twin sister of Junko Enoshima. It's supposed to be a big reveal right? And apparently something he never does remember, but the situation here is different thanks to Hinata Hajime, restoring his memories before he was sent back home.

Ishimaru barely notices the scrap of paper flying past him, his focus entirely on the soldier stationed in front of the task board.]

...Ikusaba-kun...?

[Ishimaru says in a stunned voice, his volume far lower than it normally is. Of all the classmates he thought he'd be seeing here, she's definitely not one he was expecting. A mix of emotions travel across his face, all of them easily readable, going from that shock to anger, before it slowly devolves into grief.]

Y-you're really here...!

b!

[spiritoso]

[ Kaede just barely manages to catch the piece of paper before it blows right into her face, and she unfolds it, surprised to find "soldier for hire" written down. She looks around, spotting Mukuro by the taskboard, a knife in hand. It's concerning for sure but... maybe it has to do with the paper she just caught. ]

Hey. Is this yours? [ She holds up the paper, tilting her head to the side curiously. ]

Vanellope von Schweetz | Wreck-It Ralph

[sugarcar]

[A]

[A week has come and went, and as much fun as it is exploring a new place, Vanellope finds herself missing the old days. Sure, she misses a few particular people too, but what she misses the most is freedom. Anyone near the tiny sprite might start to feel like the air is whipping past them, but not in a violent way - like they're running, and it feels good. The rush of emotions came one after the other - the thrill of competing against others, the danger of avoiding obstacles and others' weapons... even the excitement of a hard-won victory. The breeze heats up, and then it feels like the sun is warming the air around the area.

Well, it wouldn't be hard to notice a the girl standing on a bench, making steering-wheel motions, almost like she was lost in thought.]


[C]

[Far be it from Vanellope to give something new a try - and this whole 'amulet telepathy' thing was the perfect thing! Sure, she could just use it like any normal person would...

Or she could see how much fun she might have with it.

Moving over to a crowded area, and making sure she's at least hidden from sight, she looks down at the mass of people walking around, and suddenly--]

HEY BUDDY! Yer shoe's untied! [A small pause.] And ya have a sticky note on yer back!

[Every few seconds or so, she'd shout out something else over the amulets, like 'Watch where yer goin'!'. (Feel free to assume she's said something else if it helps!!)]


[E]

[It might look like a scary situation, a tiny child standing in front of a towering Tyrannosaur, but it almost seemed like she was... talking to him?]

That really sucks, huh? Yer so big, but yer arms are so tiny! That's hilarious!

[The dinosaur roars a bit in anger, and she waves a small hand in response.]

Relax, relax, I'm gonna help ya. S'not fair to be so menacin' an' not have th' ability to reach stuff.

[It might look like she's about to be the Tyrannosaur's new snack - or maybe someone else has an idea to help out the Tyrannosaur? She's certainly thinking as hard as she can...]

E

[tenyearswaiting]

[The Tyrannosaur is the first thing he see when he heads over, partly to see how much of a threat it poses an partly because he heard there are more fruits near the scary ones.

Imagine his surprise when he spots the tiny child with zero sense of self preservation.

Startled, the shirtless man with the big sword runs over, picking up Vanellope by the back of her shirt and holding her behind him while he aims his oversized black sword forward.]

The hell do you think you're doing, kid?!

[The dinosaur just seems aggravated.]

A.

[onebadapple]

[Oh! She's adorable!]

Why hello there! Did you win your race? [She asked, figuring the little child was pretending to be racing.] You know, you can race for real here, though it's on the backs of wyverns.

Ardyn Izunia | Final Fantasy XV

[spitefire]

[E]

[Certainly, some of the dinosaurs are carnivorous, and might be interested in making a snack out of a man and yet, this tall stranger just tilts his fedora at them.]

Hello there!

[He sounds perfectly cheerful. Are the dinosaurs interested in attacking? It doesn't really look like it, actually. Some dinosaur minions might be incredibly useful in a strange land.]

[C]

What a peculiar amulet...

[He's going to be very careful about his thoughts as he doesn't want all the sundry to hear them.]

I should say this magic truly is something of interest, don't you think? I wonder how it works.

[G - Wildcard]

[Something else you're looking for? Give it to me. Go for it.]

C for 'sup, gruncle, ig?

[regisrex]

[ ... ah.

Still, appropriate warnings are in order. ]

Good morrow.

Peculiar or not, I would recommend that you do not remove it for any extended period of time, the effects are quite unpleasant.

Sansa Stark | Game of Thrones

[stonebird]

Prompt A -

(Gone are the hallowed halls of Winterfell, the chill of Winter and the tension that haunts all of their steps. But Sansa isn't feeling relief; she had readied herself for defending her home at almost any cost only to suddenly, cruelly be ripped from it. This is a magic she doesn't understand and she is left shaking, the ground following suit under her feet. She is a poised young woman - her posture is impeccable - but the tremors have her fighting to stay standing.

Fists clenching, she finds herself sheltered against a wall, her Tully blue eyes darting around this unknown place fearfully. But she knows better than to let her fear conquer her.)

Breathe. (She commands herself and the tremors quiet. Sansa knows where to tuck those chaotic emotions away. She is the Lady of Winterfell; she is strong.

The first person she sees on the street, she will approach, expression composed.)

Do you have a moment to assist me? (Being polite has been drilled into her - courtesy is a woman's armor.)

Prompt G -

(In a new land, without the protection of her men, Sansa is searching for a weapon. She is, of course, most accustomed to swords, but she isn't sure she is strong enough to handle one. After much debate, she contacts those who are on the network:)

I am Sansa Stark, Lady of Winterfell, and I am seeking a sword. It will need to be smaller than the sort a knight or a soldier would wield - and perhaps more slender. I am not practiced with a blade of any sort - except for a small knife - so I am not against lessons on defense either.

(Being truthful is a risk and she knows it. However Sansa feels wrong lying to strangers and she needs them to be on her side.)

G.

[heshande]

Would a rapier work?

[Lonnie unsheathes her sword for the other girl to see.]

It's lightweight and focuses on agility. The hilt also protects your hand while wielding it in combat.

Mami Tomoe | PMMM

[finaletea]

((OOC: Note this is a returning character!))

A: Emotions

[The emotional magic of this world is something Mami thinks she'll never adjust to. As if it's hard enough to keep up her cool facade; she doesn't need everything around her reacting to it! But at least today she's in a good mood as she has tea outside. The only problem is that when she takes the first sip, the warm tea makes her too happy, and her cup starts to fill with flowers!

With a sigh, she puts down the cup.]

Well, that's not helpful. Do you mind? [The flower sadly wilt.] Th-that's not what I meant! Oh don't look so sad!

B: ST0103

[Changed into her magical form, Mami does her best to stay focused while adjusting the musket in her hands. This is supposed to be an easy mission, but she can't seem to shake the feeling that something is off. A bad feeling in her gut. She does her best to shake it off though and walks across the airship to lean up against the wall.

She turns her head to smile at her campion. At least she can trust them...]

You don't get motion sick, do you?

G: Emotions

[Somehow, Mami has won a lottery in the market today! Normally that'd be very exciting, but the prize is... a sword? And not something light weight like a rapier. No it's a huge broadsword! The magical girl is far from weak, but she can barely even lift the thing. She tries to drag it across the ground but is quick to give up.]

This... isn't really my style. What am I supposed to do with this?

[Not even Sayaka could use this thing...]

B

[birdstheword]

Nope! Not even a little bitty tiny itsy bit!

[Hajime is her partner along for the ride after a brief exchange of names and such. She might of already gasped and squealed when she first saw Mami in her magical form. How could she not, she looked so cute! Amazing! Like right out of a magical girl show or something!! Of course she can't help taking a quick snap shot of Mami with her phone.]

Say cheeeeeese! Gatcha!

[And there's a quick snap shot. She might not be connected to a network in this world but she can at least still take pictures!

She smiles brightly at Mami, little fire works popping around her head to show her excitement as she pockets her phone, practically bouncing from heel to toe.]

Hey, hey, Mami-chan! You think the pirates are gonna come out soon?

Grimsley | Pokemon US&UM

[cardshark]

D.

[To Grimsley, there is nothing fun about running, especially not in these shoes. But you can catch him riding on an enormous hell hound.]

[Is this cheating? Certainly, but no one has disqualified him yet, and he really wants those 50 sylvs. No one told him this was against the rules anyway. But now he's coming up behind you, but he's not without some manners. He calls out, hopefully in time for you to not be totally bowled over.]

On your left!

E.

[Grimsley is out watching the leaf eating "Dinosaurs" eat, the wheels in his mind clearly beginning to turn as he flips a coin. He turns to you abruptly.]

Hey, do you want to make a wager?

[This coming from a man who looks like he hasn't slept in a week and eaten in two dressed in a kimono with dress shoes. He doesn't seem like he's drunk, but definitely a little weird. He holds the coin up to his eye as he says this to you for panache.]

E

[golisolation]

[Somehow Guzma didn't even notice Grimsley while he was collecting these fruits. Golisopod is set up with some bags, and Guzma's been diligently filling them with what he can get. Perhaps there was a plant or something that blocked the dark trainer from view, but like a shadow Grimsley's behind him, and when he speaks Guzma stands bolt upright from his squatted position picking up what fruits remained of the patch he was working on.]

Shit! Where the hell did you—

[Wait, hasn't he seen this guy before? On Ula'ula? Guzma squints at him as he tries to place him. There's certainly a Pokèmon trainer look to him, to say the least. He lets that initial question trail off and die, before letting indignation settle in.]

—Tch! If you know what's good for ya, you'd not sneak up on your boy Guzma like that! [But now that he's had the chance to collect himself:] Wait, you said somethin' about a wager? What kinda wager?

killua zoldyck | hunter x hunter | OTA

[trypanophobic]

a x 𝓮𝓶𝓸𝓽𝓲𝓸𝓷𝓼
[Killua has been nothing short of completely frustrated since his arrival. he'd felt like he'd finally found purpose outside of his unhealthy devotion to his best friend, finally encountering a brush with a peaceful life, and then he'd woken up...wherever this place was. generally, Killua's good at rolling with punches, but when he first realized he'd been plucked from his own reality (though not with such explicit clarity), the bed he'd awoken on had mysteriously collapsed violently beneath his body. deciding at the time that he probably didn't have the currency to compensate for that damage, Killua did what any reasonable bastard would do and escaped out the window.

he'd inquired with locals endlessly for what information he could, in addition to what he'd learned from the help center—and has come to the conclusion that there's nothing he can do. he wishes his sister is okay, and has a faint impression that time works differently "back home."

but still, as he's walking the streets of Verens (after having spent some of the small, precious coin he'd arrived with), thinking deep on the fretting loneliness and guilt in his chest for the lost love his best friend and his little sister, hand shoved deep in his pockets—

Killua suddenly gasps and shouts as the cobble floor gives in beneath him, breaking twice as it plunges him deep, cracking a good meter or so of the sidewalk and road around him. it's hard to predict. this place feels like a metaphysical call-out for his inability to express himself.]

b x 𝓽𝓪𝓼𝓴 𝓫𝓸𝓪𝓻𝓭 (st0102)
[Killua, with a bandage on his cheek and knee from... nonsense, is now standing in front of the task boards. he looks incredulous, eyebrow twitching as he holds a sardonic, dry smile.]

Cheating...?

Tch, this pays better than murder. That's just stupid.

[he's mostly talking mumbling to himself, voice somewhat stifled—but his irritation is palpable.]

e x 𝓳𝓾𝓻𝓻𝓪𝓼𝓲𝓬 𝓯𝓪𝓻𝓬𝓮
[the whole time Killua is embarked on this nonsense, jerky supplied and all, he has no interest in engaging with the wild life. or collecting the stupid, rare item. the whole time, it's hard to ignore how much more tolerable this would be in the company of people he gave a shit about. Gon would be thrilled which such a wildly stupid premise, and his sheltered younger sister would similarly have stars in her eyes.

without them, it's just a pain in his ass. can anything reasonably be interesting to him, taken from home with no warning, against his will? it's almost like he's willfully disengaged out of spite.

in fact, perhaps foolishly, he grabs his bag full of dino-treats—

and with an angry shout, hurls it a good few yards into the air, way out of sight by the time it lands. he huffs angrily, unaware of how the grass at the base of his feet coils, ashes and embers, releasing tiny plumes of smoke.]

Stupid—!!!

[did his voice just crack a little?? yes]

E, because apparently that's just the prompt for me on this TDM

[golisolation]

[That bag may have gone sailing out of sight for Killua, but it certainly does not land without consequence. Guzma has been working on collecting as many fruits as he could, what with it being the best equivalent to a Pokèmon center this place has had to offer, so he's thoroughly distracted when the bag comes a hurling through the air. Hitting him. In the back of the head.

Had he been standing, maybe it wouldn't have knocked him so off balance, or so he's telling himself, but he was squatting down by one of the plants, collecting the fruit there when suddenly he's face first into the vegetation, with the back of his head pounding from the impact. Golisopod, who had been doing his own collecting, heard the impact, and turned to only uselessly watch as his trainer was taken down by a flying backpack.

Concern and worry may be Golisopod's go to reaction, but Guzma's is anger. Shooting up bolt right, he grabs the bag and glares at it with an intensity that surprisingly doesn't yet burst the thing into flames. Instead, he looks around to see where it might have come from—behind him, obviously, but where—]

There you are you shit.

[All he truly sees is some smoke, but it's enough. He knows how this place works, and even if this isn't the culprit he doesn't care. He's pissed, and someone's gonna pay! With the bag in hand, Guzma storms off towards Killua's location, Golisopod following behind with his six arms full of fruits he wasn't able to put in his own bags strapped to him.

Once Guzma's no longer obscured by the overgrown foliage, Killua will see a man with horrible posture and even worse fashion taste heading his way, with what looks to be a giant semi-anthropomorphic isopod. The bag he threw held by the strap in one hand, while the other is by his side clenched in a fist. He looks pissed, and there's even a bit of distortion to how he looks, like waves of heat rising around him making him seem almost mirage-like.

He's anything but, proven quite unarguably when he calls out once he's within earsshot—well, yelling earshot. Holding the backpack up for emphasis:]

YO! You better hope this shit ain't yours, kid!

Train Heartnet | Black Cat | OTA

[everydaysweeper]

st0103 fighting pirates.
[Finally, a task that has some fun. Train has been a bit bored lately as most of the task boards requires something that literally has no malice, which makes it a bit boring for him. Although protecting cargo is not as fun as catching a big fish, fighting ominous pirates can be entertaining. After securing the cargo in a safe place within the airship, Train starts to roam around. As he encounters different crew within the airship, he starts to feel uneasy.

There's definitely a dark aura that these people are emitting. The way the walk, smirks, and even avoiding contact with him makes it even more suspicious. As his mind starts to wonder he forgets to watch his surroundings and bumps into you.]

Ouch! Sorry! My mind was wonderin' around and wasn't paying attention! You okay?

[He offers his hand to lift you up. Well, let see how it goes.]

prompt e.
UWAA~~ [Train gasps in admiration as he stumbles upon the different dinosaurs within the island. It is his first time encountering such creature and he can't help but being childish.]

This creature is so interesting~[Train starts to touch the friendly dinosaurs around, patting the different areas of their body before actually leaping through the trees in order to get on their back.]

Damn, everything looks so small from here. HEY! ANYBODY CAN HEAR ME?! [He suddenly just screams out loud towards the bottom, expecting someone to get on an adventure with him.]

wildcard.
[You can spot Train everywhere! Whether it is on a city where there is robbery going on, or when you chill on the hot spa while terrorists decide to attack, or even just a chill walk in the park. Feel free to hit ANYTHING to him, he won't bite! ;)]

John Marston | Red Dead Redemption 2

[wolfbitten]

[A]

[John Marston may be a damn fool, but he’s reasonably observant, at least. He knows people can do crazy things just with emotions, and he knows that one of those things is creating fire out of thin air, like magic. That honestly sounds like a mighty useful thing to be able to do, so John’s trying it out.

He’s set up a small makeshift camp on the outskirts of the city, out of the bustle of civilization but not quite into the wilderness. And since he assumes lighting a fire with one’s brain ain’t so easy at first, he’s made a neat little pile of tinder and kindling. Give himself the best possible chance for success.

And then he—a bit sheepishly—crouches down next to the stack and just… stares at it. Well, glares, more accurately. He doesn’t mean to, though. That’s just how his face looks when he’s concentrating. He’s never heard what one specific emotion sets things on fire, which is probably for the best. Feeling stuff is always easier than expressing it or even sometimes knowing what it is, and dredging up some kind of emotion is relatively easy. He just has to think about Jack and Abigail, or Charles, Sadie, or Uncle. Or—]

Damn it. [The tinder pile crumbled somehow when he was caught in his thoughts, the bits scattered in a way that is more likely to start a wildfire than make a decent camp. He must not have set it up right.] Idiot…

[John sets up the stack again, making doubly sure this time that the structure is stable, and then huffs and tries again. This time he thinks about Dutch, Arthur, Hosea, the whole gang and that old life and… and watches the kindling pile collapse once again in front of his eyes, the pieces falling away as though smashed apart by an unseen force.]

Shit! [Making a few more hoarse growly noises under his breath, John remakes his hopeful fire.

Someone should explain to the poor man what’s happening, because this… this could go on for a while.]

[B/C]

Hey! Uh… [John’s hoarse voice is more rough and loud than he meant it over the crystals, so he tries to tone it down a bit for the rest. Still sounds awkward as hell, but there’s nothing to be done about that. This whole thing with talking to people with his mind is hard to get used to, despite John’s efforts ]

The folks at the Task Board say I can’t do none of those beast huntin’ jobs without a partner. So that’s what I’m doing. Findin’ a partner.

My name’s John Marston. I ain’t much good at talkin’, and I ain’t too nice, but I can shoot, and I’m honest. I don’t cheat folks I’m working with. We split the pay even, and then you go your way and I go mine.

Anybody who’s interested, meet me at the memory tree by sundown. I don’t like talkin’ in my head.

[F]

[John is not a fan of the airship. He hates it, in fact. It feels so unnatural to know there’s nothing but air and a long fall beneath his feet, and he completely understands why Arthur said he’d never fly again.

Loud booms do absolutely nothing to calm his nerves. The opposite, in fact. Loud booms are very, very bad.

He heard folks saying earlier that the ship ran on anger somehow, among other things. The steam or something. Well, if it’s anger they want, John Marston can certainly oblige.]

Who the hell’s running this goddamn thing!! [An angry, hoarse-voiced, scar-faced cowboy bursts onto the deck to yell at anyone who’s around to be yelled at, and no, that’s not the set up for a joke.] Where are you, you son of a bitch?!

A

[lightningbolt]

[Raiden is not far from Marston's camp. He's been sitting against a rock, looking up at the sky and taking the time to wallow in his own despair and loneliness.

Unfortunately, the sound of the other man cursing his luck over and over again is intruding upon the young cyborg's quiet.

Eventually, Raiden stands up, folds his visor and Solid Eye lenses into place, and walks towards the camp.

He brings himself to a stop some distance way, the lights in his lenses spinning as he takes in the scene before him.]

Shut up.

Kanata Igarashi | Shinigami x Doctor

[wagashiplz]

GT0502: Popopo Fruits
[ This is an exciting adventure. Kanata might not be a sailor and he might not be experienced with row boats, but he is enthusiastic about the task (most of all because he has no idea what popopo fruits are and he's very curious) and as such he is intending to set out.

Now, there is the question about equipment.. This net is supposedly used for fishing, but it should work to fish up fruits just as much as it should work on fishes... Hopefully. He doesn't know the size of the things. Kanata flattens out the map he's been given, and... The net was wet, and as a result, so are his hands, and now, so is the map. ]

Aw crap.

[ The water putters, just a little, like the pot has just started heating up on the stove. ]

Did I ruin it..?

GT0503: Radio Hosts
[ Kanata might not listen too much to the radio. He doesn't, really. He listens to music, yes, but it's on vinyl, most of the time. Or CD. But he likes vinyl.

So he doesn't know what radio hosts talk about. And he has a little bit of an old-fashioned taste in music, perhaps (it's definitely old-fashioned- some hundred years- coming from his time, at least). Like Donna Summer, David Bowie, and Rainbow, just to mention a few of the artists that he is familiar with.

But he's a doctor, and this is outside his comfort zone. He knows about medical stuff and gaming, not radio. ]

So uh, how does this work...at all?

Kris | Pokemon Crystal

[crystalversion]

d.

[big mysterious creatures roaming the environment? even if there wasn't an excellent reason for people to be venturing into their territory, Kris would have been chomping at the bit to see them. how could she not? they sounded way too much like pokemon to just ignore.

in the meantime...well, it'd be a shame not to put those running shoes of hers to good use. she's pleased enough with being able to exert herself a little - the prizes at the end of the run are simply a fun little bonus.

that's what she thinks until she's reunited with her Feraligatr who, despite its bulky appearance to the contrary, had also participated in the fun run. unfortunately it seems to be far less pleased with its own winnings than its trainer, resulting in a rather comical and one-sided conversation for anyone who might be passing by.]

Why does it even matter? You don't wear clothes. ["insistent rumbling"] Oh my god, you're such a baby.

[despite her grumblings, it's all said with a tone of extreme affection, albeit a bit weary at the present moment. turning around, Kris approaches the nearest person who looks like they don't have much going on after completing the race.]

Excuse me, you wouldn't happen to want to trade shirts, would you? I'm looking for an extra large.

[glancing back at her pokemon, who makes encouraging groaning sounds, she bites her lower lip.]

...actually, make that a triple extra large.

e.

[oh my god, they may not be pokemon but they're pretty damn close. only the reminder that getting distracted from her task means fewer people being healed is keeping Kris from abandoning everything and getting up close and personal with these cool new creatures.

but still...still.........

she pauses in her gathering to pass a full basket to Feraligatr (who is quite happily wearing its appropriately-sized fun run shirt) to watch some of the more docile "dinosaurs" munching along the treetops. maybe there was a way to have the best of both worlds?]

Do you think they'd let us ride on their heads to pick the fruit up at the top?

[unaware of anyone else who might be nearby, the only response Kris receives is an indignant grumble from her partner. excuse you, girl, he's nearly eight feet tall. maybe ask the giant next to you first before running after strangers?]

wildcard.

[if you've got something else you want to do just hit me with it, I've honestly got no clue what I'm doing here ghfjkgfd]

e!! finally, another pokelady!!

[latiosite]

[ Anabel's got Lucario out right now. He's the most well-behaved of her group -- at least in terms of being less sizable than the others like Raikou or Latios -- and he seems a little prickly. Not angry or annoyed so much as nervous for Anabel's safety. He's used to fighting in an encounter like this, so he's tentatively on guard even though his trainer reassures him with an affectionate pat and loose, generous smile.

She approaches more at recognition of the Feraligatr than anything, humming softly while sidling up beside rather than just speaking from behind and surprising the young woman. ]

I do not see why not. I would be cautious, of course.

[ To which Lucario makes a sound of agreement. ]