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:

• 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!
  
  
• 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.
  
  
• Enable Me/App This Pls. Talk about your app plans or look for a cast here!
  
  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: The change in seasons is in full swing, and with the crisp autumn air settling over the island, there is much to be done to prepare for fall and many new things to be enjoyed! Grab your scarf and your favorite pumpkin-flavored beverage and join in on the fall fun!
  

  1. Make Like a Tree: Naturally, as the leaves begin to fall, the city needs help cleaning all of them up! They will be offering a fair amount of slyvs for each bag of leaves collected, but wouldn’t there just be something so satisfying about jumping into a giant pile of leaves? Or even creating a leaf-fort? There’s no time limit for taking care of the leaves, so as long as they’re gone eventually, there’s no restrictions on how much fun you can have with them in the meantime!
     
  2. What Does the Fox Say: Animal ear headbands are all the rage among the locals right now! The company responsible for making them has been handing them out for free as a trial to anyone who will take them, and will even compensate those who return with their impressions of the product. They’re fun and cute and come in a variety of styles, but once worn, they do possess some unusual qualities. They bring out the characteristics in the wearer that match those of the animal that the ears belong to. For instance, someone wearing fox ears may be particularly cunning and clever, while someone wearing rabbit ears may be excitable and jumpy! These effects will wear off in time once the headbands are removed, but how long will it take you to realize the headband is the problem?
     
  3. Let’s Go Fly A Kite: Kites are also especially popular in the city this time of year, with kite aficionados crowding the countryside to let their little paper diamonds fly in the wind. Anyone is welcome to pick one up and try flying a kite for themselves, but beware...some of the kites are very...spirited, and are liable to fly off into the air with their owners still attached! Better hold on tight, or look for a rooftop to safely land on. If nothing else, the kite has to come down eventually, right? ...Right?
     

  
  
  
  • Prompt E: Theasthai is hosting it's 11th Art Fair for the year (they really love art), and once again, everybody is invited! Even if art isn't your thing, the city itself is always a sight to behold and the atmosphere is great for making new friends. So come on down and watch, participate, learn!
  

  1. Life Drawing Class: Whether you're drawn (no pun intended) to art and like to show off your skills, or you just want to learn some techniques, then the Life Drawing Class is for you! Anyone is welcome to join this one-day course, but the catch is that they must be willing to pose for their classmate, too. While no nudity is necessary, anybody who is willing to show off some extra skin will be generously compensated by the art committee. As for whoever they're paired with... their partner better draw them in a flattering way!
     
  2. Dance Festival: Dancing, as most would say, is also a form of art, and the natives in particular are focusing on one type for this festival. It's new, it's edgy, and it's no ballroom or salsa... no, it's a massive rave party! If anyone thought these were popular in their own worlds, well, they're a new thing in Theasthai! It's the first one, in fact, which means it's probably poorly organized. For starters, there is no designated dance zone, and the city is quickly overcrowded with more and more wild dancers. Soon enough, everyone is squishing and bumping against each other as they dance their hearts out. If anyone happened to be outside as this was starting to take form, their best bet is to weather it out and hope the dance party ends soon.
     
  3. Battle Poetry: The idea is simple and fun! A participant has to introduce themselves while speaking only in rhymes, but they are encouraged to boast about themselves and their accomplishments. The challenger, who can be either a friend or stranger, must then respond with an insult while also speaking in rhymes. The idea isn't to "win" the battle, however, but to simply give the audience an entertaining show. With that in mind, anyone is free (and encouraged!) to be as villainous as they like, so why not ham it up a little? It's all in good fun!
     

  
  
  
  • Prompt F: It's jury duty! The local government has asked you to show up to the trial courts to help out with some cases… hopefully you'll come with an unbiased and decisive mind! And, you know! Make sure you actually show up on time. Nobody really likes doing jury duty, but if you don't want various summons in your mail and people actually following you until you agree, then it's best to just show up.
  

  1. Winging It: A tycoon recently passed away and now his sons and daughters are fighting over who gets to keep the family property as well as the goods in the vault. Said vault has never been opened by anybody except the tycoon—in fact, nobody even knows what's inside to this day!—but it will be opened by the time the trial finishes. The family's pet parrot seems to have been a witness to the tycoon's last few days, though, and keeps talking about "family inheritance" and how "she's so beautiful, so of course she'll get the money". How mysterious! But can you really trust the words of an avian friend? It's best to deliberate with your fellow jury regarding this as soon as possible.
     
  2. Lock and Key: Regardless of the jury's decision, the vault is presented to the judge for it to be opened. The judge, as wise and as old as she is, doesn't seem to know how to open it, though. There isn't a knob to turn or any numbers to press—it's just one giant metal box with a handle. So perhaps emotions can be used to open it? She asks the people of the court to help out, even saying that anybody who can open the vault will be given a month's worth of burgers from the trial courts cafeteria. (What sort of prize is that?) It seems the way to get the vault to open is by touching the handle and one's leg while feeling an overwhelming amount of love. What a strange way to lock a vault...
     
  3. Treasure Trove: With everyone's combined efforts, the vault is opened! There must be millions worth of sylvs in there, but. . . nope! What it actually contains are magazines of women and men in swimsuits and other outfits in suggestive poses. The judge can't help but look down upon the family for worrying so much about a vault that only contains something like this and the family decides to just give everybody a copy of a magazine. As they say, another man's treasure is another man's trash?

  
  
  
  
  • Prompt G: Make your own! It could include artichokes and/or roller skates.
  
  
  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

[overcloaked]

[ Kuroko's expression might be innocent, but Mayuzumi's still wary of this guy. ]

It'd be nice if they stuck to playing somewhere other than inside my clothes.

[ Mayuzumi deliberately glosses over Kuroko's question, since he doesn't really want to admit right now that maybe he kind of was having a little fun a moment ago before one of the critters decided to play hide and seek. Even now he doesn't actually hate them or anything like that; they're just being a major hassle to deal with at the moment. ]

[phantom6th]

I wonder if this means they're cold. I don't know much about ferrets.

(Having allowed his fun to continue for a few more seconds, Kuroko finally approaches to help. He doesn't regret a moment.)

I'll have to reach inside of your shirt so please don't move.

[overcloaked]

[ Mayuzumi's getting an inkling Kuroko's been having fun at his expense just now, but he isn't going to make a big deal about it while he does actually need the guy's help, much as he dislikes having to admit it. ]

...I guess I can see that. Can't say I know much about them either.

[ Seeing as how the autumn wind was chilly enough that he decided to wear an extra layer to begin with, it isn't an unreasonable assumption.

The situation feels kind of awkward right now, but Mayuzumi does let Kuroko try to help with the critter that's difficult for him to reach himself; the one that's on his shoulder seems much more placid at least, and he places a light hand over it to keep it from slipping away in case that changes.

The ferret that's underneath his sweater has likewise settled down momentarily, clinging to his shirt's fabric between his shoulder blades. If Kuroko's careful in lifting up Mayuzumi's sweater or reaching underneath he may be able to actually get ahold of the creature without startling it and sending it on the move again... ]

[phantom6th]

(Despite his earlier teases, Kuroko's more serious now. He doesn't know a lot about ferrets, which means he doesn't know how they react when startled. With them so close to Mayuzumi's skin, he doesn't want to find out.

As if time has frozen outside of their small circle, Kuroko moves slowly, confidently, and with patience. For all the skills he may lack elsewhere, his hands are surprisingly steady. Since Mayuzumi is holding one in place, Kuroko retrieves the one beneath his sweater, first.)

Excuse me.

(After the small creature is lifted away, Mayuzumi is saved from one ferret. It doesn't run away after Kuroko sets it onto the floor, but it isn't reattaching itself, either.)

Please wait there.

(Finally for the last. Kuroko places his hands on the ferret, holding it where Mayuzumi isn't.)

Please lift your hands now.

[overcloaked]

It's fine.

[ Mayuzumi waits for Kuroko to finish, glancing over his shoulder to keep an eye on the guy and what he's doing. He supposes that a lack of presence comes in handy for this kind of thing too; being hard to notice probably means giving off a less threatening aura and being less likely to startle a nervous critter.

He doesn't have any problem cooperating and complying for now, pulling his hands back and letting Kuroko get a handle on the ferret on his shoulder. ]

...You're pretty good with animals, huh.

[ Sure the guy may get on Mayuzumi's nerves sometimes, but he can at least give credit where credit is due when he's being helped out. ]

[phantom6th]

(Beyond his lack of presence, Kuroko seems fond of the ferrets he'd only just met. Once they're both no longer attacking Mayuzumi, he bends down to collect them.)

Most of them are very cute. It isn't the same, but Seirin has a dog that makes up our secret member. (It doesn't hurt that Kuroko doesn't know what fear is so he never approaches one with anxiousness.)

Surprisingly, it seems you also like animals, Mayuzumi-san.

[overcloaked]

[ He clears his throat and glances to the side. ]

Well, I never said I hate them or anything. Don't you think it'd be a big mistake to take on a job like this if I did?

[ Ugh, don't make Mayuzumi have to admit to something like that, Kuroko. It's annoying that the ferrets' antics caused an awkward situation for him just now, but they're still pretty cute and even if he looks dead inside he actually isn't, okay?

What's even more irritating is that he's aware he's borderline pulling a straight-from-the-light-novel-pages tsundere maneuver right now, so he better get them both refocused on the task at hand before he suffers yet another embarrassment. ]

Anyway. This is probably easier as a two person job instead of one, so how about you hold onto them while I put their harnesses on?

[phantom6th]

No, you never said you hated them, but we haven't spoken with each other much which means you also didn't say you like them. I'm glad. They shouldn't be handled by someone who dislikes them.

(Kuroko holds the ferrets against his chest as he steadies them and allow the two to try and burrow into his chest.)

I don't mind helping. If these are the tasks, it's easy to make money. It's very complicated having regular bills, Mayuzumi-san.

[overcloaked]

Guess today we're getting to know each other, then.

[ Something Mayuzumi didn't have any interest whatsoever in doing before since Kuroko seems like a natural at getting on his nerves, but they're stuck working together for now and Mayuzumi's too practical to refuse cooperating just because of how he feels about the guy.

Kuroko keeping a hold on the ferrets is a big help, too; this time Mayuzumi's able to get the harness buckled around one of them without anywhere near the trouble he was having a moment ago.

And Kuroko's lamentation about expenses is relatable enough to kind of actually amuse him. ]

...Heh. Look at it this way, you're getting an early taste of university life before you even graduate.

[ He wasn't a university student for very long before he ended up here, but sure long enough to have felt the financial pinch. ]

[phantom6th]

(The two of them are destined for an odd relationship. In many ways, they're similar, but in many others, they're different. It's a bit like looking into a warped reflection and seeing an image that should be your own but knowing something is off.

Kuroko is the shorter reflection, sadly.)

I imagine it's easier than university since we don't have jobs and school, but I do miss the convenience of reaching my friends. Akashi-kun and Midorima-kun are here, but I haven't see the others is nearly half a year.

(Bending his knees, he releases the ferrets but just as quickly continues to pet them.)

I suppose we'll likely to go to different universities as well.

[overcloaked]

Yeah, not having to deal with classes does make it less of a hassle.

[ Being cut off from the people he used to know isn't as big of a deal for Mayuzumi, though; he already went through that just by virtue of going off to university, and except for his parents most of those guys get on his nerves anyway.

Of course, Akashi's here though, so he's not entirely out of the woods on that latter category.

He crouches down too after a moment, more because it feels a little awkward talking to Kuroko when he's that far below eye level...but maybe it's also because of the ferret that chirps and scurries over to inspect his shoes and play with the shoelaces. ]

I guess more of your friends could end up here too though, who knows. The four of us do know each other in one way or another, so it could be a pattern.

[ Even if it's only by being on opposing teams once and through being friends with knowing Akashi, that's still a connection of sorts. His only experience with this kind of situation is from reading light novels, and in those it really does seem to work that way sometimes. ]

[phantom6th]

(Kuroko is used to speaking to people who are way above eye level so it doesn't even bother him anymore. Speaking to Murasakibara is like speaking to a tree.)

It is true that others may show up. Akashi-kun was here alone for a bit, and you're just now joining us after another stretch of time.

I'm thankful to have another basketball player joining us as well. Though we have enthusiastic players, only those from our world have had practice. I can teach the rules and basic techniques, but beyond that, I'm not very good. Midorima-kun prefers to practice on his own, and though he will help, there are several reasons he'll stop. (Several, but most relate to horoscopes.) Having another experienced player to help will enhance their learning.

[overcloaked]

Hm. I guess it's true that I'd be better at it than you.

[ Since I'm better than you. Petty, but also true, and not just in that rival pissing contest kind of way. Rakuzan always pushed mastering basketball fundamentals hard even before Akashi took over as captain in Mayuzumi's third year. He probably could do all right teaching someone else how to play based on that alone.

Not that he's necessarily interested in that, but he's sure Akashi will find some way to rope him into it anyway. And it's not like he dislikes playing or anything...

He pets the ferret that's at his feet despite the frustrating experience they gave him earlier. It also has the added benefit of distracting the critter from trying to chew through his shoelaces, but it's..also just because he still thinks it's kind of cute, okay? Don't judge him! ]

Having enough people around to play a real game wouldn't be so bad though, so I suppose I'll end up helping out sometimes.