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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[ Here I sit, in my own puddle of sorrow, my friend to the rescue and all I can think of is the depth of the sea which nearly took my life. He brought a hand up to his head and softly massages at his temple. What was with this mood? Even Axel knew he was off balanced, why? No idea. It just was so powerful, this––

This damn sadness. Axel grunted and his hand flopped down to his thigh. ] Yeah, I'm .. fine. [ He attempts the few steps forward and once his feet touch dry sand he feels a weight fall from his chest and shoulders. He lifts his head, higher than he had been able to since coming out of the water and he looks to Roxas with a new tint to his gaze. ]

Roxas, ... no, I am okay. I mean, really.. [ He says as the last bit of dread drips from his body. ] Just, got a little carried away there...?

Edited 2018-07-02 11:01 (UTC)

[Roxas gives Axel a rather long stare, as if trying to detect a lie just from that. But as Axel stands up straighter he seems to relent and looks almost relived.]

If you say so. But if anything changes, let me know. Emotions can be really dangerous here and it can get bad.

You still have your amulet, right?

[ Axel nods softly, he pulls out the charm he kept on a black string. ] Yeah, although.. [ He kept it in a pocket inside his coat, the amulet is beaded with water. ] Hm.

Yeah, here it is. Why?

[ He looks to his friend, what a short little friend he has. Axel suddenly thinks with a snort; signs that he was actually feeling better already. ]

[In Roxas's defence, he's maybe grown a bit in his time here. Not a lot, but some. Still on the short side though.

He looks relieved to see the amulet.]

Good. It's just really important to keep on you. it protects you from getting your emotions drained.

[ He quickly stuffs the amulet back in the pocket inside his jacket. His hands then rub down his stomach. ]

Right, emotions.. You've been here a lot longer than I have. You have any pointers on how to deal with them? Kind of feel like rampaging around. [ Like a child. ] It's really cramping my style.

They're...difficult.

[He sighs. It's something he still has trouble dealing with.]

Mostly you just have to learn how to keep them in check. You can learn dunamis, which affords a little more control but it's tricky to get the hang of. Or at least, I found it tricky. But you shouldn't bottle them up because that's...not good.

[He shrugs.]

We can always go outside the city if you need to really let it all out.

What did you say? [ Did he just say I can learn dumbass?. No. Surely not. ] Uh.

Right, what does that look like? Letting all your emotions out? [ JK. He knows what that looks like, after all he been watching you, Roxas. Your a prime example of a rampaging teenager who has a few outlets for his emotions. Should he recall them? Yes: throwing keyblades around, beating up poor Vivi (how could you hurt that poor boy), yelling at Axel a lot (how could you yell at this face, lets be real), starting a witch hunt (oh––the play on words), beating up old people, rampaging around with and without skateboard.. ]

Hn.

[It's all of that plus effects on the environment. He's caused tornados, explosions, and heating the ground up, though thankfully, never quite reaching the point of volcanic.

Roxas can't say he's proud of that. Instead, it just makes him worried about how dangerous he can be.]

Du-na-mis.

[The dumbass is probably implied]

It's like, being able to channel your emotions so that they don't go out of control. I...I think I was doing it in the lake. It was like I could see better.

[The dumbass is probably implied]

[ Oh, right.... right. ] Dunamis. Got it. [ Memorized? Well, we'll see. ] You're pretty good then, the only thing––

[ Axel stops and his eyes narrow before he looks behind his shoulder at the water behind them. He felt all right, he felt a lot. It wasn't pleasant either. It felt like waves of despair kept hitting him over and over. Made him feel like drowning his own damned self. ] Hn, can others.. change how we feel?

[ His eyes moved to Roxas and his head cocks. ] For instance. Say I was feeling a bit ... blue. Would that impact people in the environment?

Mostly in the effects that you might cause. Like...it could get really cloudy, or even rain. So, it would effect people like that.

And I know the environment can sometimes cause you to feel things or change your emotional state. I don't think I've seen it be person to person though.

[He'd have to think on that more though, 'cause he has missed a few events.]

Well, I'll do my best not to rain on anyone's parade. [ He's trademarking that phrase. Dammit. ] Honestly, I'm just not prepared for all of this. Having to be accountable for feelings we're not even accustomed to.

I mean, ... also! Also. How does the damn weather know just who to follow? What if someone is all sunshine and gum drops and someone else is all terror and hurricane? Sounds maladaptive.

It does take some getting used to, yeah.

[Even with all the time he's been here, Roxas still doesn't feel like he quite has a handle on it. A better handle than he did, but he's still scared of what his emotions can do.]

Usually when that happens, it's a mess. But everyone just kind of has to move through it.

[ Well, it's anyone's guess on what the weather is going to be like. ] Hm. You know, if we're really happy and also like rain and thunderstorms.. does it mean we get rain and thunderstorms or does happiness equate to sunshine and gumdrops?

[ He's starting down that obsessive pattern of thought, one he will need to get out of. ~~Roxas, halp.~~ Axel narrows his eyes and his brow furrows as he tries to work out what the rules are to this feel-show. ]

It really depends on the person...so I guess that could happen. I haven't seen it though, and I mostly know what I cause.

[Sparkles when he's happy, grass tying itself into knots when he's nervous, heating up the ground when he's mad or frustrated.]

Oh.

[ There some things here to consider that Axel's never had to consider, personally, for himself before. What does it look like when he's happy? What's it going to look like when he's mad? (Fire, fire, baby, fire..) Axel had an idea, through past experiences, how explosive he can be when he's pushed into action. Reflecting on those times now, while here, he could put a name to that experience: feeling pissed. Really, it didn't take much for him to fire up, it was a natural ability he was born with. All it took was a little effort, some class, and reason.

Now, it didn't take a lot of reason at all to act. If one thing he's got memorized it was the fact that feelings were completely illogical. Which, perhaps, attributes to his answer: the world mirrors that chaos inside, sunshine, rain, shakes, gumdrops falling the from the sky, it all was nonsense. There was no logic in emotions, they just happened. ]

Did you say something about ... getting dry and grabbing tacos? [ A distraction was what he needed to get out of his head. ] Roxas, why don't you tell me all about it? [ He gestures to his short friend as he takes a step. He was ready to proceed and leave this dense water behind him. ]

I don't remember mentioning tacos, but yeah, we can go dry off at my house. It's a bit of a walk though.

[Thankfully it's a nice day out at least. He'll start leading the way, with an ever so slight spring in his step because it's sinking in now that Axel is here. That his best friend is here.]

We can add tacos to the list if you want. What else do you want to know?

[ A few steps and Axel's feet began to squeak in his wet boots. It made for an uncomfortable experience as the water swished and swashed inside the boot. He took a moment to slip off each of his boots and peeled off his socks. ] Sure..

Sure.. I can definitely go for something spicy. [ Axel's yet reserved a spot for himself, he mostly crashed at Roxas' house. Of course it was incredible to be welcomed by his friend. For a while there - and perhaps even still now - Axel was a bit unsure how Roxas would welcome him. After all he's done to get him back. They haven't necessarily talked about it, Axel did mention an apology to Sora––

so in a way he sort of cleared it with Roxas? But it was a conversation he knew was coming. How it would flow was yet to be determined. This world made for an awkward situation; coexisting with yourself and your other self. A bit difficult to reason at times. ]

Roxas, I got a question for you. [ His free hand reached out to flay his fingers forward before they curled into a soft grip. The other hand held fast the boots to his side. ] How did it feel.. seeing Sora here? For you..?

Honestly? Weird. Really weird, and kinda scary. It still is.

[Because it's Sora. He's a big friendly ball of light that Roxas doesn't know what to do with half the time because he moves through the world at a pace that Roxas struggles to keep up with. But somehow through the years they've managed to become friends. Even if Roxas is pretty sure that Sora doesn't get it half the time.]

But I've kinda gotten used to him. Sorta.

He's kind of...a dork.

[Not cool at all.]

Mind picking up the pace? I really want to get these wet shoes off.

[ooc: gonna wrap things here. Thanks for the thread :)]

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TEST DRIVE: July

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..... THAT ICON THO. lmfo!!

Now's the time when I get to pull all my Axel icons out.

;^; yas

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