Test Drive: NOVEMBER

[empevents]

— TEST DRIVE: NOVEMBER —

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:

• Threads can carry over into the game. The setting of this TDM will be adapted and continue into the official Intro Log after apps, so players who intend to app into the game can take advantage and use the TDM as a "pre-intro log" to get the "first arrival" scenarios out of the way. This means those participating in the TDM can have both "this the character's first day" scenes as well as scenes assuming the character has been in the game for a little bit; whichever works best. Just keep in mind that TDM threads may need to be tweaked to fit proper continuity once in game, but at least you can keep the CR and most of what happens.
  
  Important: Although not explicit in the prompts, TDM participants can play it as if their character was dropped into the current setting: the deserts of Shaarnath (information on the city can be read here for those interested). Current players can just conveniently have their own character already nearby, or could have been informed of lost new arrivals and went out to help.
  
  
• Date reminders. Reserves open October 25th and Applications (Canon | OC) open a week later on November 1st. Apps will only be open for four days! Because we're on a bi-monthly schedule, the next app cycle after this is January.
  
  
• Emotions are key! Empatheias's 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. 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 to collect their emotions and serves as the network device. Remember, communication is telepathic, but it works basically the same as most other network devices.
  
  
• First or third person allowed. Your threads can be in either first or third, but we'd advise being flexible about it. If you have a preference, be sure to specify. 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.
  
  
• For your threads, put the Character Name and the Canon in the subject line to help readily identify them. You're 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!

PROMPTS

• Prompt A: How about giving the emotions a try? Is your character feeling particularly wound up upon finding themselves in a new place? Or perhaps they're finally getting to live out the fantasy dream and are overjoyed! Or they just stubbed their toe and are in a lot of pain. Whatever it may be, this prompt is your catchall "let's try these emotion effects out" for any miscellaneous situation you may think up.

• 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. (Note: this should be used under the assumption that the character has been in the game for a little while)

• 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: The desert outside of Shaarnath is a harsh, hot wasteland complete with rocks and dry skeletal remains of wyverns. A nearby research group is out working, and however it happens, they will rope anyone who passes through to help them with a little "project" of theirs. Despite its arid appearance, the desert is not all sand and heat. There are small oases with pools of cool water, palm trees and fruit-bearing cacti and shrubs that can withstand the hostile environment scattered throughout - but there’s a catch. While one or two are permanent, many of these oases will only appear and become accessible to those who can muster enough courage to make the trek through the desert. Otherwise, they will disappear and be nothing more than mirages. The researchers want to try "restoring" the area by channeling as much emotions bravery and sympathy to the desert sands to help produce these oases to make them last longer. Either imagining, thinking, or performing acts that elicit these emotions will work. Whether it's around the established oases or while trekking through the desert, if they are successful they should see some kind of growth. As a desert it won't be too much, but even the creation of small pools, plant life, cooler air, or even more cacti will be considered a success. Fear and apathy, however, may cause the area to worsen or even attract hostile creatures, so they should take care.

• Prompt E: Some of the cacti in the area will suddenly sprout arms and legs, and while a good number rush toward the Otherworlders to fight and defend their territory, others instead break down and...cry? That’s right, many of the cactus monsters are just going to bawl their eyes out in front of you and tell you about all their problems. They may be voicing the problems of long-dead Shaarnath travelers, but a good number are sobbing and ranting about your problems or another Otherworlder’s problems as if those were their own! These cactus monsters have to be calmed down so they can let you move forward. Try giving them advice, or calm their emotions down; sympathy may go a long way. Don’t get pricked! (Nothing will happen if you get pricked though, apart from a world of pain.)

• Prompt F: The city of Shaarnath itself is bustling about, and those who have never been to the city before (or literally dropped into it) may want to try and explore. Those looking for a meal can sample the city's cuisine, which consists of various meats, some of which came from creatures like the wyverns and wurms spotted on the way to town. Be careful of the Dragon Kebabs—they are infamous for their fiery spices (consumption may actually induce fire breath). For those who just want to unwind, Arcadia offers what looks an awful lot like classic video games projected on water screens for people to play. Then there is the special technique Shaarnathians use called Dunamis. It's the ability to control one's emotions and harness the energy similar to ki or mana. Perhaps the more daring may want to try it. And watch out for the young wyvern riders! They tend to swoop in a little too low. Maybe some might want to try one for themselves.

• Prompt G: Make your own! It could include tumbleweeds and/or popcorn balls.

Comments

Tidus ✧ Final Fantasy X

[blitzcheer]

prompt E - (1)

[ He wakes, chasing Sin's tail deeper into the sea—and finds himself head dunked in a paddling pool for puppies.

Or an oasis, which Tidus will get around to recognise after he's done choking, coughing out water from his lungs and thrashing arms until he finds which way to lean. He's drenched completely, hair sticking to his face, and his heart rate high. Water spits and pops from the surface of the pool in response to the shock, lessening as Tidus gets his breath.

And when he does is when he looks over each shoulder, realising the stark difference in scenery to what he should be seeing.

—that, or the actual fact he isn't alone, which is more startling. ]

Woah, where did you come from!

[ Asks the young man who smells like sea salt water and is soaking in the stuff, despite their location. ]

(2)

[ But maybe he's not so lucky for it to be a person nearby, but actually it's trouble. Prickly trouble. A whole collection of prickly trouble who do not like badly surprised humans disrupting their pretty little oasis! ]

Hey now, hey! [ Calls similar to that might be enough to attract attention to the guy's location, where he stands in a battle stance, a blue, translucent sword in hand, and needles along the back of his wielding arm. The one that's actually unprotected. Don't ask.

Or he spots you first, and there's the loudest of shouts to bring attention to one human circled by cute (yet prickly, don't forget prickly!) cacti. ] Hey! A little help here?!

(3)

[ And then there's the more... emotional of the little green guys. Despite their rude brethren, Tidus isn't really sure about cutting through these while they're wailing and gesturing, shaking their heads? bodies?— at whatever grievance is ailing them.

It's exasperating. Confusing. ]

Look— this isn't really the best time. [ That, too. ] If you just let me go, I'll be out of your hair... uh, needles. Alright? Come on, gimme a break!

[ please help, the desert is hot and these cactus have depression or something. ]

prompt D

[ So he's been saved, or at least found, and that's great—but even as he understands what these guys are saying better than he did when the Al Bhed found him, they elicit close to the same response to him.

Utter bewilderment. Not here for this. Restore life to the land? By feeling things? What were you going to restore in a desert anyway?

The restoration folks never stay in one place, but Tidus hasn't been left completely alone. Spotting someone else who doesn't look the same as the research group are dressed, he tips his head in their direction, arms folded. ]

Do you believe any of this? [ The disbelief in his voice speaks for itself, turning to humour. ] I've heard some strange things lately, but this is up there.

[ Yeah, how about we don't do what those guys asked?? ]

prompt F

[ He's nowhere near Mushroom Rock or Luca: that much is clear by the time Tidus reaches Shaarnath. The city is a bizarre sight, bustling just as much as Luca had been—no, maybe even more. It's cramped and its dusty, sandy everywhere; but it's cooler somehow, the air refreshing. Might have something to do with the fountains of water and the laughter brightening the city.

But Tidus isn't just checking out the sights. People keep saying something about Otherworlders, peering oddly at him—not just him, but others not so well-dressed for the climate either. Cooler as the city is, Tidus feels his skin itching with the heat on his salted skin. Ugh.

He gets this placed is called Shaarnath, which is only so helpful. So, other than worrying about his stomach, he's going to figure this out—figure out just how far Sin sent him this time.

So hello, person he picks at random just...around the city, seemingly not too busy. ]

Uhh, hi there. I was just passing through... and I got kind of lost. You know how far this place is to the next city?

[ Is he getting better at this sounding normal thing while being totally lost? Let's hope. ]

( ooc notes! Tidus is from Operation Mi'hen canonpoint, is 17, sounds like this, and for prompt E 3, i can make up the complaints for the cacti or you can! )

E-1

[dollfury]

[The desert. The exact opposite of where she'd like to be. Lulu brings up a sleeve to try and block out the harsh rays of sun as she sighs under her breath.]

I could be asking you the same thing, Tidus.

[She gives him a look, the little cactuar doll in her arms seemingly looking at him too. They both scowl.]

Get up, we have to find our bearings and look for the others.

F is for Freaking Out His Son

[tenyearswaiting]

[Jecht has managed to avoid the excitement outside Shaanarth. He's here on some business after all - he's even brought his blitzball with him! Serious business. As much as he stands out in a crowd, there's enough people bustling about that the first thing Tidus might hear... is a very familiar boisterous laugh.]

e-2

[freezetheheavens]

[It was the sound of shouting that caught his attention.

On any other day, Hitsugaya would be super grumpy about being in a desert of all places. It's a desert. With heat. And sun. His prime enemy given his main element. He's sure he can feel himself literally melting, but if there's one good thing about this is that he's good at using his own reiatsu in keeping himself cool.

His annoyance at the whole thing only helps with the bits of ice that forms at his feet.

Still, the moment he sees Tidus and ready to fight a cactus, there's a moment of debate.]

....

[Give him a moment. He's trying to decide whether or not to help. He can easily turn around and pretend he didn't see anything...]

E-2

[protects_no_one]

[ Making no effort to hide his presence, Sesshoumaru watches the confrontation unfold before him. When addressed, he merely looks at the young human with distaste. ]

Are you so weak a human that you cannot defeat mere plants?

E3

[nofarplaneyet]

[Auron had been prompted by Jecht to take a bit of a trip to Sharnaath. He's fairly certain Jecht is working on a scheme involving blitzball and since it was their rare day off (and because who knew what trouble Jecht could get up to unsupervised) Auron allowed himself to be dragged along.

He's heard about the deal with the cacti and thought he might be able to do something useful.

Until he heard the voice. He hadn't heard it in several years, but just the sound is enough for him to turn his head sharply. Toward a young Tidus being harassed by the wildlife.

He pauses for a moment, just trying to make his brain work that someone else from Spira has made their way here after so long.]

Need a hand?

E-2 She is not the Summoner you are looking for...

[ninjainviolet]

[ Now why is Sheena in the desert instead of at home with the family? Because even Summon Spirits of Fire need a place to unwind once in a while, and this place is a lot like Triet.

So, she and Efreet are on a field trip. In fact, she had just summoned the spirit when she hears the call for help, and she jogs over, the Spirit right behind her.

Taking in the situation, she calls out to Tidus. ]

Put your sword down!

E-3 I SPOTTED A NERD AND WANTED TO SAY HI

[beyondfalsehope]

[ Depression probably doesn't begin to spell out the absolute unbridled anxiety these cacti seem to be experiencing. The only thing that helps her keep some cool is how often she's dealt with other worried citizens of Spira. But even then- ]

Ex-cuse me, would you please give me a little room? I know you're upset about something, and I'd like to hear it out. I just need a little...

[ But her soft voice trails off. Hard not to when despite the squawking and wails from her new succulent friends, she's oddly sure and her eyes scan the horizon line almost desperately.. But it can't be and she frowns and the cacti seem to frown with. Some of them suddenly burst into tears and Yuna's jolted out of that thought, waving her arms in surprise with one last flick of her gaze running its course and that's about when her breath catches and when the cacti go strangely silent around her for a second as she stares. ]

e-2

[innermonologues]

[ Squall jumps when he hears someone calling out to him. His head whips around to see some blond being "attacked" by a bunch of.... oddly adorable looking cacti creatures.

Yep. Only in this weird place did that make any sense what so ever. With a hand on his hip, he didn't actually look that concerned, sorry Tidus. ]

Needle little hand?

[ Yep. He just went there... ]

Entrapta: She-Ra & The Princess of Power

[onestech]

[ Well, this definitely isn't the Fright Zone. ]

prompt C: voice

[ New arrivals always means a boost in amulet activity, right? Here's one to join in that fun, on the calmer side. ]

Hmm, those excited researchers have instructed me that directing feelings of bravery and sympathy into the land will somehow cause life to grow. I can't say to know much about restoration ecology, but this is the first I've heard of one's feelings causing positive responses to the land.

...Now, if only I could think of anything like that. Think, Entrapta, think! The best way to inspire an emotion is to experience it! But what's the fastest way to produce them? Bravery would indicate some courageous act... is that fighting? No, that'll probably inspire death. Trying to fix Bot 998's loose crystal back in place like I've been meaning to despite the high possibility of it exploding in my face? Buuut unfortunately, Bot 998 isn't here...

Hm. Oh, right. I should have asked where here is.

[ Sorry Otherworlders, you have an amulet rambler. ]

prompt D: 1

[ But thinking of ways to spark emotions, surely there's another person around to ask! And Entrapta, a very short woman walking with her hair is not against asking anyone, no matter their looks or what they're doing, this very important question: ]

Hello there, do you have any inspiring stories of bravery or sympathy to share for the experiment?

[ She sounds bright and curious behind the wielding mask covering her face, her hands sitting under her chin. ]

2:

[ Or does your character have something attractive about themselves? A cool weapon? Non-humanoid form? Are they doing magic?! Because that will have this goblin woman shuffling over on her hair even faster than the emotion business, same hair also poking up her wielding mask to better observe everything. ]

Ohhh, hello, can you tell me about that?

[ That being your cool thing. Also, hope you don't mind her getting into your personal space, because she will definitely lean in to inspect. ]

prompt F

[ It's not the wyverns or wurms that excite her. The city is unlike any she's seen, but cities are cities, filled with people and bodies of interesting data to be collected, yes, but. But!

But it's the flowing streams of water and the imagery on their surface that has Entrapta squealing, and sorry—were you playing an intense game? Too bad, short woman with prehensile hair is here and loud and demanding: ] TELL ME HOW THIS WORKS!

[ The game itself brightens in its colours, bold in her excitement—but it's also like a screen flare. Watch out! ]

( ooc: Despite appearances, Entrapta is a woman in her later 20s, is pretty short, and if you are a robot and go for prompt D 2, please give me the chance to have Entrapta properly gush on you. )

D-2

[jamminshield]

[There is indeed something off about this apparent child! Specifically, the pink gem that he has in place of a belly button. He had just tripped, causing the gem to peek out from under his shirt, and now no time had passed before a lady was suddenly looking him over. While no stranger to invasions of personal face or short gremliny researchers, he chuckles sheepishly as she inspects him.]

Ohhh, about my gem? Hi there! Wheeere do I even begin?

F

[sobored]

[RIP her attempt at a high score as the shout and flares causes Junko to break her concentration and her poor adventurer falls to their death, ending her game of offbrand Pitfall.]

All right, sure, I can explain.

[She's in total despair over losing, but it's fine. She was also getting bored with it anyways. So she doesn't seem too broken up with Entrapta's curiosity ruining her playthrough.]

Those guys over there?

[She points over at the ones generating the images on the water screens.]

They're super creative and channel their emotions into projections on the water that the rest of us can actually play through. Like a video game if your world has those. Or if not well, that's a whole other explanation.

[Which she isn't entirely willing to give since she's not the Ultimate Gamer or anything like that. It's not her job to go over that.]

And if you want an explanation on how they do that, it's that whole Dunamis thing that's super popular down here. Like channeling your emotions instead of whatever magical energy or whatever they have in your world.

[She's just assuming something like that applies because most people that show up here are from weird places where things like that are actually possible. Years of experience tell her that the Entrapta's more likely to be from somewhere weird than not. Well, that and her hair. That's kind of a giveaway.]

D-1

[tailsneverfails]

[ Eizen was walking around with his hands in his pockets when he was stopped by this strange blur of bright purple hair.... Why is it he feels more alarmed that this girl had THIS MUCH HAIR, more so than the mask? Obviously he has his priorities straight... ]

Why do you wanna know?

Valmont ♦ Jackie Chan Adventures

[thedarkhand]

C: Valmont

I say, it does get a trifle boring around here doesn't it? Except, of course, for when it is far too exciting.

This world always seems to have an excess of one or the other...How do you people keep your heads on straight?

[There is a sense of alien emotion simmering beneath the feed.]

E: Shendu

[People doing research in the deserts outside Shaarnath may run into the curious sight of a swarm of cacti rushing a tall, long-haired man with hawkish features and glowing, fiery red eyes. The man doesn't flee but turns to face them and shouts in a shrill, hissing voice.]

You dare threaten me, you insssignificant creatures of mortal magic!? You ssstand before a sssorcerer!

[When this threat fails to stop the cacti he bellows forth a jet of flames from his mouth which burns up some of the creatures. A few other cacti start crying.]

What issss thisss? Ssssome sssort of trick? SSSSTOP CRYING! I COMMAND YOU!

Wildcard:

[In Shaarnath one can find Valmont in various places visibly moping and feeling sorry for himself. When Shendu is piloting, he's usually stalking around, checking out people using Dunamis and eating Dragon Kebabs to spite his host body.]

E

[beefaroni]

[A large, lumbering hulk of muscle and scars loooooooms over Shendu...

... but then goes right past him. The mammoth man heads right for the crying cacti, and then gets down on one knee, taking out a pouch of water. It was meant to be drunk by the owner, but this beef of a man is a gentle soul, and begins offering it to the cacti, hoping to calm it down.]

It's okay. It's okay. Good boy. Drink up.

Eugene || Tangled

[adanel]

[prompt C]

( Sitting on the floor with arms crossed in front of his chest, and crossed legs practically curved in a small ball, Eugene looks at the amulet carefully placed in front of him on the ground. Doesn’t matter how much he looks at it, can’t understand why is so important or what is it exactly. He takes it between his hands, maybe, just maybe, there’s a small hint hidden. A very small one. )

Nope! That’s just a stone. A pretty one, I must say. I’m sure it matches my eyes, so I don’t really mind keep this thing close to me. At least it doesn’t look dangerous and I have other things to worry about. Wait- What was that sound? Is this place dangerous?!

[prompt F]

( There is always time for some tourism, even when you don't know where you are. Or how far from your home you are. Well, maybe not really but Eugene got distracted with the smell of food. He hasn't eaten all day, he's been too distracted trying to understand his surroundings. Tries to find the source of the smell and, with it, a place to get some food. However, he ends up finding something else. )

Woah- What kind of magic is this?! What's this?! That looks hella fun!

( Instead of food, he gets distracted with one of the water screens. )

C.

[lightthedarkness]

Well, I suppose that depends on where you are? But most of Verens is pretty safe!

C

[soligenous]

[It doesn't exactly take long. Of course she recognizes that voice anywhere! Rapunzel almost fumbles with the amulet of her own in her haste to answer, as Pascal chirps in also trying to get her attention. As if Eugene didn't have it the moment he spoke.

Hi, Eugene. Wondering where that Sunshine went? Well, wonder no more. He's getting a close up of Rapunzel's ecstatic expression with a reluctantly relieved Pascal at her shoulder.]

Eugene? Eugene! You're here?! Finally! Oh, I've missed you so much!

[...yeah, most of what he said probably went over her head in her excitement. But at least Verens is....mostly safe? He's probably fine.]

Kuranosuke Shiraishi | The Prince of Tennis

[backtobasics]

E-1

[Shiraishi is definitely not dressed well for the desert. He has white and red sports jacket and long white sports trousers. It doesn't help that he has shorts and a t-shirt under either. Not to mention his left arm is wrapped in a bandage over something hidden around his arm. Though he doesn't want to get burned either so he takes his chances and keeps his jacket on for now.

He also does have a tennis racket with him, but that's not very helpful when you're attacked by a cactus.

It's hard to comprehend a cactus even moving, let alone attacking him. This was not something that happened in his world.

At least when he's about to get hit he moves his left arm in between himself and the cactus. The attack bounces off the arm and Shiraishi has a chance to take some distance between them - and start running.

Of course his emotions aren't doing very good for the environment as any of the other plant life is withering as he goes.]


E-2

[After getting away from the cactus, or rescued from it, Shiraishi is exhausted. He jumps as another cactus approaches him and points his racket at it.]

You've got to be joking.

[But instead of attacking the cactus starts crying. What...? Shiraishi keeps his distance and the racket there, looking extremely confused.

It's not long before it starts wailing about problems that definitely don't sound like cactus problems... nor Shiraishi's.

Maybe they're yours?]


F/C

[Shiraishi is even more exhausted once he finds his way to Shaarnath and nothing can surprise him at the moment. He just wants a nice, quiet place to sit down and drink something. By now he's taken off his jacket and the long trousers covering his shorts and they're next to him on a bench he found. There's also his racket that's seen better days, after battling off cacti.

Without thinking, his thoughts reach over to the network. Tired, a bit desperate and lonely.]

What am I supposed to do now? I don't know anyone and I've never really lived alone- and this world is full of crazy things.

[There's a small cloud hovering over him - but it's not raining quite yet. Yay for shade, at least.]


Wildcard

[Or come up with something else during desert journey or Shaarnath! You can contact me via sasageyo!]

E-1

[lightofchaldea]

Admittedly, Ritsuka probably doesn't look like she's dressed for the heat, herself, but look. It's magic, okay? In fact, she arguably came prepared, having wandered out here upon hearing that some new arrivals were turning up in the desert and wanting to lend a hand.

So, when she spots someone running from a cactus and clearly quite distressed, she knows she's found a newbie.

"This way!" she calls, pointing in the direction of Shaarnath as she jogs towards the newcomer. "I can hold it off... But you need to try to calm down, too!"

E-2

[hairpinings]

'W-waaaaah! I tried my best! I always try my best, but was I ever any use to Okita-san? It's not fair! I loved him so much but I... but I...'

[ A young looking boy comes rushing up toward Shiraishi, sword in hand. While he still didn't really understand this world at all, he still felt this strong need to protect those he finds and sorry, Shiraishi, but he was pretty sure a sword would be more useful than a racket! ]

Hey stand back, I got th--!

[ It wasn't until then that he even realized that the cactus was crying. Not just crying, but crying out for 'Okita-san'. He felt his heart sank. ]

F/C

[bellagatta]

[Oh. Hello thoughts... Sometimes so much easier to deal with than actually speaking any words.

Blake doesn't really even stop to think that she heard the same voice while they were fighting against cacti.]

Many worlds may be full of wildly crazy things...

[Let's not even talk about Remnant.]

You can do... Whatever you feel like doing here or in another city of this world. Living alone isn't so bad either if you get used to it or maybe you can find a roommate.

[She is hiding somewhere like a cat, who loves her time alone after social life.... but she is not far away.]

Perne Archevauliere | FFXIV Non-WoL OC

[porcelainandblood]

D - This is not Ul'dah
[Drawing dainty hand across her forehead, Perne finally found herself coming to a pause to catch her breath. Above her, the sun unkind in its affection and as she shot a look up to it, displeasure tightened in her features. How long had she been wandering? How had she even gotten here?

Ishgard was a home of ice and snow and an ever infinite winter. Suddenly being plopped in a desert was so much the opposite and considering she'd gotten the luxury of no wardrobe change, Perne was practically roasting in fancy brocades and intricate flourishes in thick, protective fabrics. The only way it could have been worse was for her to have been in furs. Fortunately, those had never really been her style. Not that... any kind of style was going to be saving her.

Splaying her other hand against the boning of the corset in her dress, she leaned over in an effort to begin to piece herself together.

Fury save mine soul, she thought to herself. This could very well be worse than the flames of perdition.

A terrible comparison, really, considering persecution, much less the sort her people had endured for cycles on end, was not the sort of thing one ought to be making comparisons to or of.

Righting herself, Perne stepped over sand in softer slippers, grimacing. By the end of all of this, she doubted she'd be interested in much more aimless wandering. If it had been any other situation, she might have been thrilled by the different kinds of plants. None were immediately familiar to her and that was, in essence, a botanist's dream come true.

Not now. That can come later. Inward scoldings aside, Perne squinted beneath the sun's embrace toward the distance. Was it someone? Some...thing? She had never really been a woman of much in the way of hope and optimism, but anything was going to be better than turning into a sunburned elezen.

So to test her vision, her other hand lifted from her chest and she waved it back and forth. Maybe it would be worth all of the effort in the end.]

---

F - This is not the Jewelled Crozier
[People... everywhere. Ambiance everywhere. Conversation everywhere.

Now, none of that was particularly foreign to her. Maybe the lack of her people threw her off minutely, but it wasn't anything too terribly surprising. In her travels, she had seen a wide variety of sorts and thus had more or less believed that there weren't many things that would take her by surprise.

Except that maybe she wasn't exactly certain how she had ended up in the market to begin with.

As she brushed up against someone, or perhaps a couple of people, she lifted a hand defensively as she tried to shuffle out of the way.]

Mine apologies. Excuse me.

[Not particularly an individual of irrational behaviour, she decided the best way to approach the situation was to assess it logically and designate ultimate goal. Right now, she didn't know what that goal was. Figure out where she was, she supposed. That seemed evident. And see if anyone else she knew had suffered the same fate, though she suspected that was unlikely.

Pausing at a street-side market of various food, it dawned on her that she was more or less a bit hungry. Although when she made note that it was wyrms being served, she couldn't help but cringe a mite. She wasn't certain after all the Holy See had been through that she could suffer eating something that might as well have been a dragon.

But survival was survival, right...?]

I... Apologies for interrupting, but I do not suppose you would be willing to take... [Perne trailed off as she felt around for the satchel of gil she kept on her for market adventures. And even as she found it and reached in for a handful, she found herself pausing.

...What if they didn't take gil? They probably didn't even accept it.]

...Coin?

[Thin, dark eyebrows knit together as she offered over her palm. Please just let her eat something.]

---

[Wildcard options are also okay. I will make them work!]

F

[hairpinings]

[ He hadn't meant to follow her around as much as he had. In fact while he was exploring this place, he hadn't even noticed her at first, but then she bumped into him while wandering around and he couldn't help but stare.

She was so tall.... way taller than him anyway, and she had those pointy ears too! She was the strangest looking human he's ever seen! Strange in a good way of course, but still strange!

So he followed her around quietly. Slipping past the crowds with his tiny size, until she finally stopped at one of the nearby food stalls. From beside her his stomach started growling loudly as well... oops. ]

Nino Lahiffe | Miraculous Ladybug

[djbubbles]

Prompt E

[Carapace woke up to find himself not only he's not where he was before, but seemingly not in Paris anymore. Last he remembered, it was Heroes Day and he had been fighting with the other heroes against Scarlet Moth's army of akumas.

Oh right, Rena Rouge had gotten akumaized. He failed to save her. What kind of superhero and boyfriend is he? Not a very good one clearly.

But before he could get depressed on it, a cactus monster suddenly tries to attack him. He gets up and gets his shield out to block the attack.

Anyone want to give him a hand?]


Prompt F (Carapace)

[After managing to get away from the cactus monster, he wandered and eventually ended up in Shaamath. It looks pretty amazing even though he still has no idea where he is and how he got here. For that matter, what happened to Ladybug, Chat Noir, and Queen Bee? For that matter, what happened to Rena?

The thought of Rena Rouge-- no Rena Rage causes the colors of his body to start to dim, as if it was being slowly sucked away. He feels huge guilt for failing to snap her out of Dark Cupid's spell and save her from akumaization.

Still he needs to find a place to de-transform. He can't just wander around as Carapace forever.]


Prompt F (Nino)

[Thankfully he found a safe spot to de-transform and now he's just exploring the city as himself. Wayzz is hiding under Nino's hat. He has no idea where they are going, but hopefully he'll be able to find either any of the superheroes, or at least someone to tell him where he is and what's going on. And how he could get back to Paris. He needed to get back there to help save Paris.

Let's hope Nino runs into a friendly face at some point.]

E

[beexceptional]

[Queen Bee makes it a habit to patrol any area where she's hearing about random attacks. And apparently, it's the Cactus. Because of course it's the plants. It's times like these where she appreciates the full body suit, a lot less getting pricks by needles.]

[So when she sees the Cactus attacking something, she's moving in and Carapace will probably hear the familiar whirr of a magical wire first as the top zips around the cactus and then it's getting pulled back.]

Hey! Get out of here if you can't first! [She hasn't quite seen him yet, a bit too much green in the confrontation to tell, especially when she's focused on pulling it back.]