memepatheias | TEST DRIVE: June

Entry tags:

*test drive

TEST DRIVE: June

— TEST DRIVE: JUNE —

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 May and Applications (Canon | OC) open a week later on June 1st. Reminder: Our application cycle only lasts 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: Empatheias seems to love festivals! Every festival is always filled with so many people - whichever city might be celebrating it. However, the next coming days has Verens filled with people from all over the world. The Nightingale, as most people know her, is a travelling Fortune Teller who has decided to pass through Verens for a few nights. As such, she's set up a booth. She will tell the fortune of whomever wants it for only 10 Sylvs.

Apart from being able to see one's future, The Nightingale also sells various wares that would improve one's luck, one's love life, one's career, and the like. Buying a blue adamantium bracelet is said to triple one's bank account, while buying a red feather hat would give its wearer more opportunities to meet new people. Just about every item for every possible effect can be found in The Nightingale's Shop, and everything is limited edition! Perhaps one may want to try purchasing an item and see what happens.

• Prompt E: Rumours are going around about how The Nightingale’s fortunes and her charms are effective. Verens is abuzz with stories such as that man who stumbled upon some spare Sylvs while wearing one of The Nightingale’s pendants, or a shopkeeper whose profits shot up threefold in a week after she paid the fortune teller a visit. Everyone’s horoscopes as told by The Nightingale, even those as specific as, “You will accidentally run into a wall in the next five minutes” or “You will be unable to control a particularly odious fart while you are walking with a good friend”, are coming true. A strange phenomenon, to be sure, but those who are perceptive and diligent enough may notice that a person’s emotional state might just have something to do with how fortunes come true. Persons dominated by negative emotions receive negative fortunes, and so on.

• Prompt F: Some of these fortunes sound just a little bit too good, don’t they? And the frequency with which they come true is suspicious on its own. How could the Nightingale be so precise and accurate in all things? Well, as it turns out...she’s not so precise. Or, at least, not in actuality. Her fortunes and charms are, in fact, powerful spells that fool those under their influence to believe they are coming true, when they are, in fact, not. Once she begins to pack up to leave town and head to her next destination, charms will begin to break, bank accounts will fall back to their normal numbers, and newly-found sweethearts will find their eyes unclouded. Will you stand for this trickery?

If confronted, the Nightingale will reveal her true form as a powerful demon witch. She will not hesitate to attack those who provoke her, and her offensive spells are powerful enough to turn friends against one another. Avoid her magical blasts and aim for the talisman she carries! Once the talisman is broken, the Nightingale will disappear in a puff of smoke...but at least she seems to leave behind all the sylvs she collected while in town. Maybe your fortunes aren’t so bad after all...

• Prompt G: Make your own! It could include seeds and/or spoons.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Yeah, in the e-mail you sent me right before I got here. You two were together, but you said you'd been here a while. I know you worry about her, so I'm saying that I think she's doing okay.

[he rubs his neck and smiles] Well... Okay. But I get to pick! We can't go working on totally empty stomachs!

[And Gon already has something in mind as he nabs Killua by the wrist, dashing off in the direction of what he was craving... Which turns out to be a fried chicken house a ways down the road. Following them in their wake are some soap bubbles floating to indicate the direction they went.]

Here it is! I really wanted to try this. I was trying to be smart with my money, but it's so hard to fill up... I miss Aunt Mito's cooking. [Because there was so much of it, really.]

Y-you don't even know if that's true... [Killua deflates incredulously, but Gon isn't wrong. honestly, where is this guy getting off reassuring him!?

then Gon nabs his wrist, and Killua makes a strangled, unflattering sound of surprise in the back of his throat, stumbling a little bit. he doesn't notice that for a couple of seconds, petals follow his footsteps along with the bubbles, although more briefly, for about for the duration of the coral stained coloring on his cheeks.

they catch his eye, and Killua boggles behind them. his gut twists, and he feels embarrassed, somehow, seeing physical ramifications of feelings. he wonders who's creating what...

when they arrive at the shop, Killua casually extracts himself from Gon's hold, so that he doesn't die. he leans forward, hands on his hips as he inspects the prices.]

Well, if we do a job together after, it's okay.

[cuz it does sound really good...]

What were you thinking of getting?

[why does this feel so weird??? it's honestly completely pants-on-head bizarre to just be...getting lunch with Gon so casually right now.]

[And Gon... notices. He notices that there are flowers, bubbles, petals... But he figures they're just really happy to see each other. Way happier than he has been in a really long time, for sure.]

Umm... The drumsticks... Yeah. Those sound really good. And fries! We can do rock-paper-scissors for the last piece.

[Somehow, that hadn't yet taken on an entirely insidious tone.]

But I checked the board! There's some really good ones if we can get there first. Someone needs a house-sitter, and we get to take care of their dogs! Also they have a mansion, but I bet it's not as big as yours. But they have a swimming pool!

Hm. [Killua does definitely cut Gon a discerning glance, but his anxiety doesn't well to see that Gon's fine. maybe that's not so strange.

maybe it's felt so weird because ever since everything that happened, Gon seems his normal self. but Killua knows that can't be true.]

Sure!

[choosing also not to be burdened, Killua beams. he shifts into a wide legged stance, looking excited. he doesn't really care about dogs, and house-sitting sounds boring, but—]

A pool! Yeah, let's do that one.

Me and a friend are supposed to hunt monsters sometime soon, too. We could do something like that, but I definitely wanna hang out at a pool first.

[Killua opens the door to the shop, waiting for Gon to enter. he's paying, so he intends to order.]

[Oh yeah there's something there but it's under there pretty good. ]

[Gon goes ahead, a little bounce in his step as he thinks about chicken.]

...I hope she picks us even though she might just think we're kids. [Which irritated him more and more now, since he was really getting into being a teen now. He felt and, just a bit more, looked like the adult he generally saw himself as. Even if he had helped save the world and all that junk, back in little ol' Whale Island he was just regular Gon. Capable, sure, but... It was sometimes hard to see someone from diapers convince every other adult in the place that he wasn't younger than he was.]

What are we gonna do if we have to prove ourselves... I was talking to Leorio and he said it's good to build a resume. Maybe that'll help since our names don't.

[And that resume won't just totally look fake and insane, but. Y'know.]

Gon, we are kids, [Killua says with some gentle exasperation. he gets what Gon means, though. it's frustrating when people won't give them earnest work because of their age, and while he doesn't personally think so, it definitely makes sense not wanting a couple of 14 year old boys to be in charge of taking care of anything at all. but Killua assumes they have should have staff anyway, right? kind of weird, in retrospect...

Killua places their order, and then glances at Gon when he brings up a resume. that made sense back home, but even then, Killua thinks, they'd be totally reliant on their names to sell their accomplishments.]

I don't know. I feel like Otherworlders probably have some clout to native employers. There's a lot of powerful people here, I think.

[Killua hasn't met any in person, yet. but Webby sounds like him, and while the Pokemon trainers themselves would be easy to kill, their proficient taming of crazy strong animals is pretty remarkable.]

By the same token, a lot of the stuff on a resume would be so lacking in context to a layman. Even if they believe us, they might not know what we're talking about.

I feel like all we can do is demonstrate whatever skills are relevant to a job... but how do we manage that for something like house-sitting?

[Killua's never done such a normal job...]

Yeah, but like! Different! [he throws his hands up exasperatedly]

I hope so! I mean.... This doesn't really.... require strength. It's mostly looking after some dogs. But how hard can that be? You have dogs. [Well your family does but whatever]

Hmm... Maybe we just need to find and train some dogs and bring them to her?

[And they were now in the chicken line]

Yeah, but our butlers took care of them... You're better with animals than I am.

[Killua crosses his arms, giving Gon a flat expression.]

But training them won't be our job! We'd have to demonstrate that we can be responsible, or whatever. Or...

[Killua glances sideways, getting an impish smile as he taps his jaw.] Maybe they'll let us take the job because we're just kids. After all, who's gonna put two kids under the legal age on formal pay roll? But it's not like we have family, since we were taken from our worlds!

What would they rather us do, take on dangerous work?? Cuz we're hungry?

[Killua.....]

We can work the cute kid angle, and you can show them that you're good with animals! If their dogs like you, they should show some mercy.

I mean... That should work. [He didn't like it, but it would.] Jobs like this... people just kind of take your word for it, right?

But there's no way someone with a mansion wants a couple kids to get her floors all dirty...

[The eternal struggle, between adult and child here.]

And what if she just tries to adopt us then? I wouldn't be okay with that.

Wha—would she??

You're assuming a lot about what a nice person she may or may not be... Maybe she doesn't like kids that much... but enough to hire them?

I mean, we have agency as people, we don't have to consent if she does something weird like that!! And if she's pushy, then we can beat her up and run.

[they're getting some weird looks.]

I think it should be fine...

I don't think we should beat up an old woman, Killua.... Just cause your mom can take it...

[He kinda trails off there. ]

We can just leave. Oh yeah, it didn't say if payment was up front or at the end.... It's probably at the end, huh?

[Gon's attention is pulled by the smell of chicken frying. Aw yeah baby.]

Edited 2019-05-22 00:23 (UTC)

Probably...

But even in a worst case scenario, we get to stay in a big house with a pool, and you get to play with some dogs.

[plus, there's probably food and stuff there. Killua's stomach growls.]

We'll definitely try! It can't hurt to try it out!

[Are they gonna eat all of this lady's food? Gon crouches on the ground as his stomach audibly gurgles. He's..... so hungry]

Aunt Mito says I should be getting taller than Ging the way I eat... I guess I hope she's right. What about you? [He probably wouldn't even be thinking of how he eats except it's pointed out to him constantly now. Not that Mito is upset with his diet, no, it's just... A lot of work. Not that she's actually complaining!]

I guess Alluka's pointed out I eat a lot... To be honest, that's where a lot of our money went... But it makes sense—she isn't growing a lot yet, and she doesn't train like I do.

[Killua blinks, watching Gon crouch there. are they gonna abruptly gonna become men before they know it......]

Mm, but girls don't eat as much anyway, right? [At least that's what Mito and his great grandmother have led him to believe.

And yeah, basically, they are.]

Alluka is so little, too!!

[A weird little pause]

I still wish you could have met Ging. He's a little weird, though.

[c'mon fried chickie]

He'd have to be...

[Killua reflects on it... he's aware Ging's popularity has fallen a lot, and because a bunch of strangers got really up in arms about how he treats Gon. he'd heard all about it. and it was weirdly kind of surprising, which made Killua think if maybe both he and Gon have a pretty warped perception of how adult family members should treat kids.

which makes sense for him, but—....

the bell dings, and their number is called—and Killua snatches it up with inappropriate speed, causing the employee to jump a little. he bids them a brief thanks, then shakes the bag in front of Gon.]

Let's eat outside!

[Gon is used to Killua though, even if Killua usually has more sense than to pull out his assassin skills for mundane stuff.]

[he can't help but laugh as people step back and half tiny heart attacks]

Mm! Okay!

[He trotted out after Killua, planning to win that round of rock paper scissors. It's ok. There would be enough for the both of them later... Gon plants himself on the outdoor seat, ready to grab some chicken the second it touches the table. That's only polite after al.]

Ah, wait, what was that? Did you call me weird?

[Killua's already accepted he's going to lose that game, but he doesn't mind. Killua opens up the bag, divying up their food appropriately. Killua's not even thinking about it, but he's gotten so into the habit of it. he's used to it, setting things up, breaking them down...

slowly but surely, without him realizing, Alluka's been turning him into a less selfish person. not that he was ever particularly selfish, but hey. it's still different.

when Gon insinuates that Killua may have called him weird.]

H-huh?

[Killua lifts his head. he laughs nervously.]

No! It's more—I think ordinary people can't be Hunters of his status...

I mean... I guess that's true! [Even though you totally called him weird, didn't you? Gon takes his pieces of chicken and tries... tries to savor them. But it's a bit like a dog promising to savor a sausage.]

This is soooo good, Killua!

[he stamps his feet a little as he tucks into his drumstick.]

So... What are we gonna do if the payment is after? I guess we could go deal with the ghost.

[Killua's smiles happily when Gon emphatically compliments the food.]

That sounds fun, [Killua says around a messy mouthful of chicken, looking excited.] I'd be down to try that.

Yeah we have to take paintball guns and shoot some disembodied limbs to do that one apparently.

[Gon just, devours. The drumsticks are so good, and he's just dipping it in whatever sauce is available. It doesn't need it, to him, but why not try it since it's there? How very hunter of him.]

There might be a ghost, but there might not be? I guess we can go see. I don't think it's very dangerous. [They sorta rate the danger level, after all. And he's not afraid of even their highest. It sounds like no big deal.... next to the chimera ants. That gives him a shiver, but he shakes it off well enough. For Now.]

I've never fired a gun though... I don't know if I could aim it.

Edited 2019-05-22 04:38 (UTC)

...I can teach you how to shoot, [Killua says casually, peeling another drumstick of its skin and meat with his teeth. like Gon, Killua isn't scared of even their highest ratings.

sauce on his cheek, Killua lifts his head to smile at Gon.]

Let's do that one.

Oh, yeah! You should. [Gon had honestly never thought about shooting, but now that he didn't have Nen, maybe he should? He had to be open.]

I didn't know you could shoot, though I guess I should have figured. [He rubs his arm with some nervousness before he lets himself relax and start eating again.]

Is it hard?

It's easier than almost any type of weapon proficiency, [Killua answers, swallowing a mouthful of fried chicken.] Once you get the hang of it, anyway.

[he takes another drum.]

Honestly, I decided to use yo-yo's because after so much training with traditional weapons, everything is boring.

Really! [He supposed that made sense.If other stuff was easier they'd be doing that, huh?] I guess I figured guns were harder.

[He laughs]

Show me that, too! ...I don't really have anything to show you, especially cause I think you already know long division.

Edited 2019-05-22 05:45 (UTC)

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