memepatheias | TEST DRIVE: July

— TEST DRIVE: JULY —

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 June 24th and Applications (Canon | OC) open a week later on July 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.

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: With Eurus (summer) in full swing, some citizens have decided to combat the heat by staging a citywide water balloon war. Participants are given colored wristbands identifying them as part of the game, and everyone also gets a satchel full of water balloons to throw at each other. There are a number of stations set up throughout the city to get more balloons and some additional events set up in one of the parks in the city.
1. U Mad?: Those wristbands are meant to show who's playing the game and to keep uninvolved people from getting hit with a balloon, but of course it happens. Maybe your aim was off or you just happened to be in the area when it happened, but now there's an angry drenched person yelling at everyone. Work together with your fellow participants to calm them down, but be careful not to get too worked up. Anger might heat the water, and since they're already angry, you don't want to push things further and make them steaming mad.
2. All Ballooned Up: Or maybe you've decided not to go around throwing balloons at people and would prefer to help with one of the many resupplying stations set up throughout the game area. Which basically means handing out badges and filling lots of water balloons. Lots and lots of water balloons. Seriously, by the time today ends, you'll probably never want to see another balloon for the rest of your life. But while you're doing that, there's plenty of chances to converse with people playing the game. Or if you've decided to start a mini water war with the other people at your station, it's not like anyone's going to care about some of the balloons being used. Just leave some for everyone else, okay?
3. Bomb's Away!: For those who want something a bit more challenging, in one of the city's parks, they've set up what appear to be mini catapults loaded with water balloons. Participants are paired off and given a really quick spiel about channeling their emotions and using them to deflect the balloons, but it's not in depth enough to really make sense, nor are the people running the catapults really expecting anyone to actually do it and are really just here for throwing tons of water balloons at people all at once. Do your best to try and figure out how to work with your partner to emotionally shield yourself before you end up bombarded by the water catapult.
• Prompt E: The Verens Research and Technology Centre has published a well-meaning but condescending new initiative: educate the pirates of Briarlan in the ways of science, namely, research and development… despite the fact that they're almost more advanced than Verens. Helpfully, the pirates have decided to play along anyway, since they don't have any plundering to do for now. Any Otherworlder who would like to be a volunteer in the resulting studies will be well-compensated for their time and any trauma they may be on the receiving end of.
1. Walk The Plank: The pirates are very eager to test the buoyancy of people of all shapes and sizes, especially when acted upon by the stress of societal upheaval and banishment from the collective. To put it simply, they want to know how fast it takes a person to walk the plank. The deep end of a pool will serve nicely for this. All anyone needs to do is walk to the end of the diving board—sorry, the plank—and step off the end into the water. The kicker? The water is infused with negative emotions and is likely to dredge up some painful memories. At least the pirates are amused.
2. Medicinal Mayhem: The scientists are desperate for some order after their last adventure with pirates and are conducting something a little more restrained… is what would be the case were they not also desperately in need of a new patent before the end of the fiscal year. With some encouragement from the pirates, they are testing a new medicine to help combat the common cold and are generously compensating any and all guinea pigs. Side effects include temporary synesthesia, unstable hair and eye colours, the inability to speak in anything but rhyme, and believing that no one can see or hear you. Fortunately, these side effects only last an hour.
3. Whodunnit: Thank you, helpful participants! To show their gratitude to all their volunteers, the Verens Research and Technology Centre’s pirate outreach division is hosting a fancy dinner party. Black tie only in theory, but no one is monitoring the door and no matter how many people attend, there always seems to be enough food and chairs to compensate. Turns out, it is actually a murder mystery party, so better pair up! A helpful character card will be included, and will feature something like: “Your names are Rune and Roz Redmond and you are in the import-export business.” Hopefully the next time the lights go out, no one else will have fake-died.
• Prompt F: Duke Barry, one of the wealthiest heirs in Verens, has met the love of his life on a trip to Theasthai. The woman who has agreed to marry him is a popular stage actress, Speghan Sparkle, and thus the wedding has become the talk of the city. In fact, every single person in Verens is invited to Mr. Duke's large estate, and the wedding has a royal theme to go with it, too. Make sure to dress nice, for the whole world may be watching!
1. Joyous Entry: Anybody who enters the large estate will immediately be heralded by a fanfare, and the announcer will give them a made-up title (Lord, Duchess, Lady, etc) followed by their real name. Then, they'll either announce something that they actually accomplished in life, or they will make it up if the visitor didn't provide anything about themselves in their RVSP card (example: "famous for wrestling with alligators!"). Though, in some cases, perhaps the truth will be less embarrassing than the lie... either way, whatever they are announced as, it's what they will be known as for the rest of the evening.
2. Meat and Greet: Before our fake royalty ties the knot, why not take advantage of this ceremony and grab some free food? It's a perfect time to meet all the other guests as everyone enjoys various collections of wine, meat and desserts. Just remember to be polite! Anyone who starts a food fight or even so much as insults a fellow guest will spend a night in the dungeon. Yes, they can put you in there. Not a bad place to make friends either, however...
3. Try Another Castle: A group of less-than-intelligent lizard men have crashed the party in an attempt to steal "Princess Sparkle" for themselves. For some reason they think that this is an actual royal wedding and that Miss Sparkle is an actual princess. They're not very smart creatures, but they come in large numbers and they must be stopped immediately! Did anybody bring weapons to this party? If not, try jumping on their heads... assuming one can jump that high! Save the princess, save the wedding!!
• Prompt G: Make your own! It could include red hot chili peppers and/or peanut butter.
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!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Well, I was thinking some milkshakes and maybe a burger?

[Food...

Cloud is too easy.]

A good thought. I'm in.

Eeee yay! [She glomped onto his arm.] You can buy my first milkshake as an apology!

[Aw man. Damn it, Usagi. But he only sighs with that small smile of his and reaches over to get Fenrir's head out of the water bucket again (poor pup is thirsty in this heat) and get them all going to get some food.]

I suppose I do owe you one. What flavor are you looking to get?

In this kinda heat? Mint chocolate chip, of course. Besides, Fenrir will probably love being inside for a bit. Orion doesn't even want to leave the house in this heat.

Fenrir has been glued to me since I came back. I tried to brush more of his winter coat out, but that only goes so far.

[They'll get some ice water for the big guy.]

Hm, mint chocolate chip does sound nice. I think I'll get sea salt myself.

You and Roxas, there are other flavors than sea salt, Cloud. [She poked him in the cheek.] Lemme go put on my shorts and shirt and we can go.

I actually haven't had the flavor in awhile.

[Thank you very much. He frowned at the poking, but didn't really protest more than that. He stood up with a nod, stretching a bit as he waited for Usagi to return.]

Aaaah fine fine. [Her shirt was clinging to her body, getting a little wet since her bikini was wet and she was putting on her sandal, hopping slightly and using him as a support.]

Alright, all ready!

[His own shirt was now partly wet because of her but hey, it'll dry. They made their way to the restaurant, a favorite since the crossdressing fiasco, and he let Usagi pick the table while went to order their food and drinks.

He came back with a bowl of water and ice, setting it down for Fenrir who was already under the table and laying on his belly to soak in the cool floor.]

I know it's been a few months, anything I need to know that I missed?

I'm 20 now? I've been here for two years... [She inhaled sharply.] I... missed you.

[She closed her eyes. This wasn't really the place to talk about how she felt like the moon, always stuck observing and unable to help, though he would certainly understand.] I'm so happy you're back, Cloud.

Oh. I'm sorry I missed it. Happy birthday, then.

[Lunch was on him now. He looked down at her words.]

I'm sorry I left. I... guess I grew complacent and... didn't think I'd ever leave by now.

[He likely made Sora cry. Something the boy was doing a lot with his friends coming and going and now Cloud added to that list.]

I didn't celebrate it. You didn't miss anything, but thank you.

[She reached out and squeezed his hand.] You deserve to be where you want to be, Cloud, whether it's here or back home for you. Wherever you're happy, yeah? It's not your fault whether you left and it isn't your fault if you didn't want to return either.

Well, I'll pay for lunch.

[A minor celebration with milkshakes and burgers.]

I know. I just... I...

I... love everyone here and at home.

That's sorta the worst part of it, huh? It would be one thing if we did this on our own or something, but you meet a lotta amazing people, people you make into your families, cherished people... and knowing that going home means you may... you probably never will see them again no matter how much you want to promise otherwise...

It breaks your heart.

Yeah, it does.

[And he's not sure how he could handle it more than once. Usagi and Sora... they were much stronger than he ever could be.]

[She reached across the table and held his hand, swallowing.]

There is no... no solution to that kinda pain, we haven't found a way to go to other worlds, to send people home, to let people who want to stay here stay.

But I like to think... our hearts remember. Even if you couldn't remember me properly, I think your heart knew I had once been a part of it.

[Cloud looked at her hand in his and slowly returned the gesture. She was a very strong woman, despite how delicate and tiny her hand was in his. He held it tight. He nodded.]

I think it did. I was on my way back to Radiant Garden and I'd felt like... Something was missing. I didn't know what it was. It wasn't my injuries or anything like that.

I think it was simply missing the people I couldn't remember.

[He had come a long way since being in Verens. He just wished he remembered it all. He felt like he was back at square one down. His scars were back, his dunamis wasn't exactly easy to control again... But he could learn again. He had to.]

Thank you, Usagi.

For what? [She smiled though she had an idea she wasn't quite sure.]

For reminding me that I'm not alone.

I'd never let you forget that. I love you too much. You're one of my dearest friends.

Good. Then, I'm treating you to lunch.

[He gave her hand another squeeze before letting go. The waitress came by with their shakes, the burgers would be on the way shortly.]

I won't take nonfor an answer.

Alright alright, I won't fight. Lunch is on you.

[She took a sip of her milkshake.] Ah! This is good! Try some! [She held out a spoonful for him to taste.]

[He stood up and leaned over to get a taste, very much used to this from Usagi now. He ignored the giggling waitresses.

He looked surprised, however, the air around them looking a little brighter.]

That is good. Hm, maybe I'll get that next.

Seeeee? [She sing-songed.] You need to trust me more on these kinds of things.

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