TEST DRIVE: July

[empevents]

— 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!

Comments

[lionroll]

[Hearing that they're working on their communication isn't all that surprising. After all, it looks months for Hunk to break through some Keith's of walls, and he didn't have any where near the amount of emotional baggage attached to him.

Seeing the way she looks at him now has him tensing up a bit, and his originally thought of simple question becomes... Well... This mess...]

Yes, we uhm, we've been together for a while now. A few more months and it'll be a year. Which is partly why I'm here. You, you see... I... Oh boy, what's the best way to phrase this... [Hunk makes a soft, unsure humming noise, before his eyes light up with an answer.] Okay, so, I really, really love your son. Keith means the world to me, and I love all of him. Human him and Galra him. But, uhm, I am only human and so I don't know if there are, like, any Galra things I should be doing? I mean, I asked Kolivan about Galra romance, but that got me no where, cause he's mister super serious frowny face all the time and probably hasn't had a date, like, ever thanks to being in charge of his super secret ninja order...

[His voice trails off a bit as realizes he's been rambling a bit, and he gives her a sheepish smile.]

What I mean to say is... I would like to have your blessing. If, uhm, if that's a thing Galra mom's give to their kid's significant others?

[bladings]

[Step one of getting into Krolia's good graces could basically be summed up quite neatly in what Hunk says about Keith. It manages to soften some of her sharper edges, mellow her expression, a faint hint of the smile from earlier almost surfacing.

And she just plain can't stop the short exhale of sound, almost a laugh, at the idea about asking Kolivan about romance. Sorry, Hunk. That's perfect; she wishes she'd been there to see.

She's quiet as Hunk continues on, waiting for him to finish before finally speaking, voice quiet, thoughtful.]

I'm not really sure... it's my place to offer that. I think I gave up any right to having much say when I left Earth, left him. He's made himself into the man he is today... with whoever was there for him, when I couldn't be.

[There's a creeping sadness, in her features, in her tone, as she tries again to reconcile the infant she'd seen so short a time ago with the young man she's met here, in this place. Her son, undeniably. But it's still a lot to process.]

For what it's worth, it sounds like you're one of those people.... who has been... who is there for him. Knowing that there's someone who cares about him and loves him so completely... There's nothing more I could wish for my son than that, to be happy, to be loved.

[Another ghost of a smile, there and then gone, even as she adds,] But if you hurt him, no one will ever find your body.

[lionroll]

[Hunk swallows almost audibly when Krolia threatens his life. Even though he knows he would rather die than ever hurt Keith, there's something about the way she said it. The way she looks.

There's is no doubt whatsoever that this woman is Keith's mother.]

You know... you two are so alike, it's actually kinda scary, but I swear to you I would never do anything to harm Keith. He, he means so much to me. I would do anything for him. [A pause, and then-] As long as it's not something horribly, and terribly illegal. Or doesn't involve him drinking five cups of coffee. Of course, the illegal thing doesn't matter if someone else hurt him. Then everything gets thrown out the window.

Including whoever harmed him.

[Hunk gives Krolia a warm smile as a faint light begins to outline his frame. When he continues there's a feeling to his voice. A belief that fills the words he says next that make them seem a real, physical thing.]

And I know you two didn't get to have the relationship you wanted in the past, but... I think you'll be able to have some of what you missed here, in this world. You'll get the chance to build the relationship you've been wanting to have. I'm glad you're here Krolia, and I know Keith is too. You're gonna be a super cool, awesome mom!

[bladings]

[It is a very friendly threat, Hunk. Almost affectionate really. And that is likely clear by the fact that the vaguely nebula-like configuration that she still has not learned to control or reign in, is radiating a pleasant warmth rather than a skin-blistering death ray of heat.]

Is that so? I like hearing that...

[To think that somehow there's some connection between her son and her, despite how small he was when she left.

...and Hunk is adorable.] Hmm. I like you.

[So Hunk has that going for him. And then as he continues, and Krolia has to fight against actually choking up. She's not the type to let herself appear vulnerable; that's the sort of thing that gets you killed in the Galra ranks. But the truth of the matter is, she's a young mother who'd given up her child to try to give him the best chance that she could, but that loss is still fresh for her. Even meeting the man that Keith grows up to be, some part of her is still grieving, mourning the chance to be his mother, to see him grow. So Hunk is going to find himself face to face with a Galra woman trying to hide the fact that tears are rising in her eyes.]

I hope you're right. Thank you.

[lionroll]

[Seeing the emotion filled space show only serves to drive home the feeling that he's right.

Right about how alike Keith and his mother are, despite their many, many years apart. And even more right about how they'll work past their initial, intense emotional feelings and form that missing bond they've been missing in their lives.]

I'll let you in on a little secret Keith has learned the hard way. Whenever my gut tells me something is true it's always right. It has never failed me. So, believe me when I tell you that you don't need to hope that I'm right.

Because I'm totally right about what I just said.

[bladings]

Is that so? That does sound like an impressive talent...

{She may even be teasing. A little bit. There is something disarming about this human, in a good way. She can understand how her son would be drawn to him. And she's grateful. Krolia wants nothing more than for there to be people like this in Keith's life.

It's the sort of thing she'll one day hope for, in the darkest and quietest of her nights, galaxies away from the family she'll never see again.]

Is there anything else your... gut... has to say that I should know?