TEST DRIVE: DECEMBER

[empevents]

— TEST DRIVE: DECEMBER—

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 Thursday, November 24 and Applications (Canon | OC) open Thursday, December 1st.
  
  
• 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!

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 Boreas Harvest Festival is in full swing, but like its previous iterations, things aren’t exactly going as smoothly as they should.

1. Bouncing bounties. It seems the locals’ anticipation is affecting their products and grange displays—watch out for any excitable fruits and vegetables that might be jumping around! Or maybe you could help catch them and return them to their displays.
   
   
2. Giant pumpkin vines. Some children wanted a really big pumpkin and hoped and danced with all their might, but that led to not only making a huge pumpkin that's now rolling all over the field, but huge vines as well. But they're mischievous things, aiming not to hurt but just pull pranks, like drag people down or hold them up upside-down.
   
   
3. Smells like feet. It seems some people are rushing to ripen their products to their peak—which seems to be pushing them into overripe and even plain-out rotten territory. Not to mention the fact that if the larger vegetables are moved even slightly, they’ll explode and get slimy, gross veggie guts on everyone who’s around…

• Prompt E: A few intrepid jewelers are interested in the jaded water that can be found in the jungle below, so take a trip to the surface with your fellow Otherworlders while the excursion still has funds and check it out! Just be careful; the area’s rife with negativity and bad mojo, among other things…

1. Plants vs. Everything Else. The vines hanging around are ready to catch on people’s arms and legs, stopping them from continuing ahead… or from going home. This land seems to be mighty possessive after so long of being abandoned and doesn’t want anyone to leave, not again. There’s flowers and giant pitcher plants that’ll do the same thing too, with the latter definitely being more dangerous, seeing as they’re big enough to catch a whole human.
   
   
2. Pools of jade. After a few right turns, there’ll be a wide area of pools waterfalling into each other… or they would be, if they were moving. There’s shards from them scattered near the banks; picking them up will trigger a thought of something you’re jealous of, and if you turn around, chances are the jaded pools are going to be showing glimpses of that, too. If you’re pulled into them, the jade’ll start creeping up on you, so watch out and find something (or someone) to appreciate!

• Prompt F: Stuffed animals have always been popular around the island, especially since they usually respond and move to emotions. The dunamis users of Shaarnath and the perfomancy artists of Theastai would like to combine all three elements to put on a special "puppet" show. But they need volunteers and those willing to learn.

1. Make those furry butts wiggle! One of the greatest challenges is making the stuffed animals dance in a way that doesn't make them look like creepy possessed dolls. Perfomancy artists will suggest channeling fun, positive emotions and perhaps even try dancing yourself. It's more likely the stuff animal will mimic the movement.
   
   
2. Test of flight. There are a few bird plushies that are to fly around the stage. This can be more difficult to achieve and requires great concentration and a free spirit type personality to succeed. The loftier the hopes and dreamy thoughts one has, the higher they will go. But heavy thoughts will just keep the birds grounded.
   
   
3. Not the stuffing! On a less emotionally driven side, these little plushies will get worn from use. They may even limp and seem as if in pain. A bit of new stuffing, needlework, and perhaps a little kiss on the nose will make it feel better! ...And maybe make you look a little weird, but tender loving care, right?

• Prompt G: Make your own! It could include thumbtacks and/or bowling balls.

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

Elle Mel Marta | Tales of Xillia 2

[travelles]

[Prompt D-1 - Why did it have to be tomatoes]

[There's undisguised wonder in Elle's eyes as she walks around the festival, taking the time to experience the various sights around her. It isn't the harvest as much as it's the emotional magic around, which is both foreign and fascinating to her, given how there isn't much of magic in Elympios to begin with. Anyone looking at Elle then would be seeing some sparkles around her, and perhaps some literal twinkles in her eyes as the atmosphere of excitement gets to her.

But, as good things were wont to do, this emotion is to come to a sad and bitter end. In, of course, the most brutal way possible.]

Aaaaaaaaaaaugh!!

[A scream escapes her as nearby vegetables begin to jump around without warning.

She ends up crouching, shuddering and covering her head as they began to surround her in a frenzy as they bounced about.

The worst part? They had to be tomatoes, of all things.]

Get away! Get away from me, stupid tomatoes!!

[For some reason or the other, her fear and hate only serve to further excite the vegetables around her, which continue to hop about even as they bruise themselves in the act. Elle clearly needs help, and maybe so do the tomatoes.]

[Prompt F-3 - Do Life Bottles work on stuffed animals]

[Elle doesn't quite have the proper mental state to handle dunamis, but she does have enough love to go around for the stuffed animals being used in the play, which is why she's happy to attend to backstage duty, which is basically hugging the creatures back to life.

But when hugging and love is no longer enough and the stuffing starts to come out, she falls back to doing what she does best...

...Which is looking for someone else to do the work for her.]

Hey, can you sew back Mr. Bear's side? His stuffing is coming out.

[She pushes the stuffed animal and a small box of sewing tools towards her unwitting companion with an expectant look on her face. You don't want to disappoint her now, do you?]

[Prompt G]

[Feel free to hit me up with something else! Like maybe Elle and Rollo wandering around Merchant's Square, that kind of thing.]

F-3

[unyieldingdragon]

[And Elle has caught the attention of a man who look like he could have been a villain. Rather than turn her away though, he accepts the request with a smile.]

Sure thing. [Good thing there's a seat nearby so he could sit down and properly examine the damage. The poor plush sags a little in his lap as he looks over the sewing tools. It's noticeable that he's using only one hand. His left arm was kept into a makeshift sling by his jacket and the most it was doing was hold everything for him while he looked for a sewing needle and thread.] So what happened to Mr. Bear to get him to this state?

[As he talks, he's working to get the thread in the needle. You would think he'd have some difficulty doing this with a barely functioning arm, but he's had years of experience living on his own and tending to his own clothes. He could still at least move his left hand and sure enough, he'll get the thread in the needle like it was no big deal.]

[travelles]

[She happily follows him, clearly pleased with Dhurke's assent and encouraged by his laughter. While others would, indeed, shy away from Dhurke given his appearance, there's something about the other that reminds her of King Gaius, who's also intimidating and looks like he'd be difficult to approach, but happens to be one of the nicest people she knows.

At his question, she folds her arms, deep in thought.]

I guess he's been working too hard. But oh--!

[She notices Dhurke attempting to thread the needle one-handed and is about to offer help when the other easily completes the task, much to her awe.]

You're pretty good! [She gives an impressed grin.] But if you need help with getting the string through the needle, I can do that!

[A fact which causes her to puff up with pride, despite still needing her father to guide her through the actual stitches.]

Or maybe hold Mr. Bear while you operate on him! Whatdya say?

[unyieldingdragon]

Heh, thanks! Sometimes you can't wait around for someone else to fix a pair of pants, so you end up picking up a few tricks.

[...He'll leave it at that for her to imagine what he's implying.] And that sounds like a good idea actually. He'll need someone to comfort him through this. [He picks up Mr. Bear and offers him to Elle to hold.]

[travelles]

A few... tricks?

[Elle takes back the stuffed bear from Dhurke, though not without an ounce of confusion as she attempts to process Dhurke's statement, the idiom escaping her somehow.]

...Like magic?

[unyieldingdragon]

Sure, the magic of knowing the essentials! [That doesn't sound very impressive. Mr. Bear quivers in Elle's hands as Dhurke prepares to put the needle through him.]

Truthfully, it's not really magic I'm talking about. When you're living on your own, you end up having to learn a few skills you would normally take for granted just to get by.

[travelles]

Oh... Just like Daddy, then!

[She grins widely and emits a soft glow as she sparkles at the thought. Clearly, someone here loves their father a lot.

Though speaking of love, it would seem that Mr. Bear isn't taking very well to the TLC he's about to receive, as evidenced by how he's literally shaking and quaking down to his paws at Dhurke's completed preparations, moreso than earlier.]

Stay still, Mr. Bear!

[Elle clings to the stuffed animal, wrapping her arms tightly around its chest as she attempts to secure it in place. When it continues squirming, she looks to Dhurke with a slightly pained expression, as if to ask for help.]

D-1

[spyrited]

[a sudden scream is definitely going to draw a do-gooder's attention - even more so when it's a familiar voice. But after his initial panic as he appears on the scene, Jude quickly realizes there's no emergency here and crouches down beside her.]

It's all right, Elle. They're just reacting to the mood of the festival.

[travelles]

Jude?!

[Surprise momentarily takes over her features at the familiar voice, and later face as she turns to look at him.

Her shock seems to have caused the tomatoes to tune down their bouncing a notch and a few to actually stop, but not enough for Elle to notice a difference as she still ducks and covers her head again when they jump around a little too close for comfort.]

But... I want them to stop...

[spyrited]

[Jude reaches out to catch the tomato that's getting dangerously close to splattering into her hat. It keeps vibrating a little once he has a grip on it, but it's much more subdued.]

They'll calm down if you do. Here, try concentrating on a really relaxing memory instead.

[travelles]

Mmh... I'll try...

[She squeezes her eyes shut tightly, recalling a cold night where she slept on her father's bed, the other's arm wrapped around her in a warm embrace. Her shoulders relax and she lets go of her head as the thought consumes her, and once her breathing feels a bit more even, she slowly opens her eyes...

...and finds all tomatoes lying on the ground.]

I did it, Jude! [She positively glows with delight as she pumps a fist in the air.] I beat the tomatoes!

[spyrited]

Great job, Elle!

[careful, though, all the excitement is starting to make them quiver again. ...Jude quickly scoops all the tomatoes up before she notices that. Back into the grocer's bin they go.]

Pretty soon you'll be an emotion magic expert.

D-1

[jamminshield]

[Steven to the rescue! The boy runs up bearing a pink shield, and he uses it to bounce the incoming tomatoes back the way they came.]

You say tomato... I say tomat-no! [He calls out as he pushes more of them back.

He does manage to spare some concerned words for the girl's insult, though.]

What did tomatoes ever do to you? ...Before this, I mean!

[travelles]

I--

[Elle manages to quit cowering long enough to see Steven zip along with his makeshift shield, which causes her eyes to bug out in surprise and wonder. It is more than enough for her to get on her feet, Steven's question forgotten as she blurts out the first thing that comes to her mind.]

How did you do that?!

[jamminshield]

Oh! It's just one of my gem's powers. [He says casually, with his expression melting into a light smile.]

Pretty neat, right?

[travelles]

Totally!

[Her smile is bright, fear momentarily forgotten as well. Which is all good as the tomatoes slow their bouncing in response to that.]

Think I'll be able to do that too?

[jamminshield]

Um... unless you're half-gem, IIiiii don't think sooo? [He raises an eyebrow sheepishly.]

Or maybe you could make something like it happen with your emotions!

F-3

[descendend]

[ Elle's getting an expectant look back, because isn't this your job but, well...

...she's never been good at denying kids and especially Elle, so she'll take both things and sigh. ]

You're lucky you picked someone who actually knows how to do this. [ She'll find somewhere nearby to sit and set up shop at, keeping the bear in her lap. It gets a little headpat for behaving itself so nicely. ] I was already mending my own clothes and my sister's at your age, you know. You should learn how to do it yourself.

[ okay that's just a little bit exaggerated but anyway who cares!! ]

[travelles]

Alright! I know I can count on you, Milla!

[She says it all proudly and with a small laugh, bouncing lightly on the balls of her feet as Milla accepts the stuffed animal and tools from her. And doesn't seem the least bit perturbed about Milla's exaggeration, since she still grins at Milla as a certain memory comes to mind.]

I have Daddy to do it for me, so I don't need to learn how to do it!

SORRY FOR THE ICONS IN COMMENTS her paid's run out and i haven't gotten around to renewing it ;;

[descendend]

[ Daddy.......... Spirits, she knows who Elle's dad is (they had a Talk about it), and that's just. that's just making her pull a face for a quick second before she gets started on fixing the bear. ] You're gonna grow up and not have your daddy around to help you with this at some point though. [ ...wait that's the wrong route to take with this, uh— ] And—and you know, it'll help him out a lot if you can do it on your own. Don't you wanna help your daddy out?

F-3

[shanghaiworld]

[This unwitting companion... instantly takes the role of sewing master and begins work repairing the bear. The talent displayed in the work she does here bypasses outstanding and into unreal. Fast, yet accurate. The seam itself can barely be seen from just how well done of a job she is doing.

What may take some people some time, she does in no time at all. Alice hands the bear back.]

I trust that should suffice?

[travelles]

[And Elle is nothing short of amazed at the other's handiwork, mouth turning into a large "O" of wonder and surprise as Alice does her thing and finishes in no time.]

You're really good at this!

[She takes the offered bear, hugging it tightly against her chest.]

Are you... the sewing fairy or something?

[shanghaiworld]

Please don't call me a fairy, that's actually fairly insulting where I come from.

[Apparently fairies in other places AREN'T horrible.]

I'm just someone who is really good with my hands.

[travelles]

Sorry...

[Despite her words, she frowns at the implications of what Alice just said.]

So there's bad fairies? I thought they were all good!

[shanghaiworld]

Trouble makers with an inflated ego. Not bright enough to realize that what they're doing might annoy people.

Or they do and just don't care.