memepatheias | TEST DRIVE: July

Entry tags:

*test drive

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!

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[ Maki rolls her eyes. It is unfair, but she doesn't care so much. ]

I'm not going to kiss it better.

[ Anyway, whatever. She taps her chin, considering what Miu said about the bear. ]

… If he doesn't have any power, then why would he bother? Wouldn't everyone treat him like a joke?

[Miu just grumbles to herself- something along the effect of "not wanting a flat-chested bitch to smooch her cute cheeks".]

Fuck would I know?! Maybe he just wants to mess with people's head because he's bored he's not running a Killing Game here! And I've been treating him like a joke-- he still hasn't tried to murder me for that yet!

[Nevermind the fact that she was scared shitless when she first saw Monokuma here.]

[ Maki knows well enough to take anything Miu says with an entire shaker of salt; but there isn't much point for her to lie about Monokuma, is there? Other than the typical Miu thing where she projects to seem braver and cooler than she is.

So yeah, Maki is going to stick to yes or no question for the moment. ]

Do you remember if anybody else recognized him?

[Anybody else who recognized him? Hmmm. She scratches her chin as she tries to remember that someone.]

Ah- I know there was this short stack I met that knows Monokuma- Hell, he even told me that my frie- my fuckin' fan was a mastermind of one of the other Killing Game. [Oh yeah, there were more Killing Games other than the one they were in. Not that Miu knows that Maki might already knew that fact.] His name was Na-eggy or something. Or was it Na-ougi? I don't remember.

[ Shouldn't the Ultimate Inventor have a better memory? Whatever. ]

Naegi. Tell me if you remember anybody else.

Actually, have you learned anything useful on your own?

[ She can't completely hide the doubt in her voice. ]

[She couldn't be assed to properly remember the names of nobodies she met once-- even if that meeting was somewhat important.]

You met the shorty?

[Unfortunately, that's the only person she knew who knows Monokuma. Well, there's Junko... but, uh, she IS Monokuma. As for what she learned on her own... well, Maki could've guessed the answer to that herself.]

... I've been busy with my inventions. I'd rather not think about that shitty situation I was in or about Monokuma, okay? [...] I know that stupid murder game is over. Poo-ichi told me that.

[Does she know who survived? Well, she rather not.]

[ She hasn't met Naegi in person, so she doesn't know how tall he is. But whatever, because the second thing Miu says captures her attention completely. ]

What? He's here?

[ Stupid nickname aside, that can't be right. Then again, everything started getting fuzzy and surreal when Kiibo was fighting the Monokubs. She can't get her mind around what's true and what's not. ]

Was here. I haven't seen the fucker for a while.

[Actually, she did visit the Wall of Names to confirm his sudden departure herself once she'd noticed his odd absence. So, she knows for sure that Shuichi's not here anymore. And so does the others.]

Actually-- Everyone else that was here left, too, I think. Kaediot, Cock-ichi, and that annoying, loud-mouthed astronaut.

[Might as well let Maki know that they were here.]

[ None of this makes any sense to her. Gross. ]

That sounds like bullshit. You'd better not be lying.

[ She doesn't want to think about Kaito still being alive, too. And not being able to see him again regardless.]

[Welcome to Empatheias where the dead is alive and nothing makes sense. Maki's tone took her completely off-guard, and she lets out a fearful squeak, shoulders jerking. Her own tone even changes into a whimper. Scary~]

E-eh? W-why the fuck would I be b-bullshitting you?! I saw them with my own two eyes-- I know t-there's a place here that proves they were here before!

[ Maki can't help herself. She knows her emotions are getting the better of her, but she allows her temper to flare. As a result, a gust of hot air – like thick steam – blows hard into Miu's face, almost as if it's expelling from Maki's body. ]

Show me where it is, then. I don't care if you had other plans.

[The gust of hot air almost made her fell, and the colors on her greyed out a little and so do the environment around her. She's never seen Maki this scary before...]

O-okay, okay! I'll s-show you! [With a whimper, she turns to quietly lead her directly to the temple ruins, where the Wall of Names is. It'll take a long while of walking for them to get there, but eventually, they'll both arrive at the Wall of Names.]

H-here we are. [Surely enough, there are a lot of names on the wall. It may take a while for Maki to find the names she's looking for, but their names are certainly there.]

[ It's understandable. Miu only knows her from when she was still concealing her ~~still actually fake~~ real Ultimate Talent. The lengthy walk gives her some time to cool off, which isn't a bad thing.

And once they arrive, she does indeed spend several minutes looking over the wall. Just because this thing exists and has the matching names listed doesn't necessarily prove anything, but… ]

I'm assuming that this is real and accurate, as far as anyone knows.

[ Maki looks away from her. ]

… I appreciate you showing me.

[She had to wonder how a child caregiver- and an Ultimate at that, too -can be so frightening. She would've expected Maki to be sweet and caring type, despite how standoff-ish she is from what little she interacted with her back at the murder game. Fortunately, the long walk didn't just help to cool off Maki, it helped Miu to gain some of her confidence back... Which might be a bad thing.

Though Maki's appreciation is a bit surprising and unexpected. She's not sure how to respond to that at first, and her cheeks blush pink lightly.]

Ah- Um... W-whatever! Y-You'd better do something to make up for wastin' my fuckin' time! [She lets out a short sigh. Never mind that for now- this is probably more important.]

... It should be real and accurate. There are researchers here that keep track of anyone who arrived and then left this place. I remember where all their names are. [...] And if your stupid lizard brain is still not convinced, use your stupid amulet and ask the network instead.

[At least the otherworlders could contest to that, too. One of them must've had left some sort of impressions on some otherworlders here.]

[ Well, let's see: Maki did get Miu soaked, then pinched her, then swore at her and gave her a death glare, so the mean streak had to end eventually. A confident Miu is the more annoying version, but Maki has had some time to adjust to the specific eccentricities of her "classmates."

She didn't actually Miu to blush, but whatever. ]

It'll be easy enough to confirm.

[ So they agree! Yay. The insult does get Maki's eyes to narrow a sliver, though. ]

If you want me to pay you back with a favor, then ask nicely first. Give me proof that you can actually control what comes out of your mouth.

[She's flustered by the appreciation more than anything, really. She's still not used to getting any form of kindness or gratefulness, especially from someone who was mean to her moments ago. Not that it would matter much now since she's back to being her irritated, loud-mouthed side.]

What?! You can't demand another thing from me, bitch! Besides, I already asked you nicely!

["Nicely".]

[ Miu doesn't often receive appreciation, does she. Go figure. Maki files that little detail in her memory bank. Also, strangely, there's something kind of reminiscently comforting about Miu calling her a bitch. ]

You should realize by now that life isn't fair.

I'll keep the offer on the table if you change your mind. There has to be at least one "please."

Bitch please. [Does that count?] I ain't changing my tone just because you told me to. You owe me a favor now, and I expect you to do it whether you like it or not!

[She huffs and crosses her arms together, pouting.]

[ Maki rolls her eyes. ]

You're whining like a kindergartner. It's gross.

I have a feeling you're not going to shut up about it, though, so let me guess: you need somebody to test one of your pointless inventions.

Fuck you!

[Such maturity. Maki hit right at the mark with her guess there, if the reaction Miu is giving her is any indication.]

Sh-shut up! My inventions are not pointless!

[ Tempting for Maki to respond with a "fuck you, too" but she tends to save her f-bombs for the right moment. ]

They don't have to be.

[ She exhales and unconsciously twirls a finger in her hair. Miu is Miu, but she's preferable to a complete stranger. In a way, this conversation has eased the extra tension that's been building since she arrived here. ]

Fine, though. I'll do it.

Expect some feedback.

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TEST DRIVE: July

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