TEST DRIVE: JUNE

[empevents]

— TEST DRIVE: JUNE —

IMPORTANT! Applications will be CLOSED during JULY! They will reopen in AUGUST.

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, May 25 and Applications (Canon | OC) open a week later on June 1st. IMPORTANT! We are skipping the July application cycle. June applications will run through the 7th, apps are completely closed in July, and then reopen at normal schedule in August. There will be no July Test Drive, thus the next test drive is scheduled for the August cycle.
  
  
• 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. These threads do not count toward AC.

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: It's a clash of emotions, and it's all based on love. A special perfume is in the air and it's had a greater effect than intended. One whiff of the aroma will send you in a frenzy.

1. The sweltering heat and sparks of flame aren't from the usual culprits of anger or hatred. No, it's from the burning passion of love and desire, the intense need to prove one's worth to those whom they care about. Whether the flames of passion are coming from you or someone smitten by you, the fires need to be put out. Delicately or harshly, whatever works.
   
   
2. The other side of this is rather than the heart set on fire, there's a creepy chill in the air from an ever present cold shadow lurking nearby. But it's not just a shadow. It's a stalker. For whatever reason, there is something interesting about the target. Could be superficial or deep. Whatever it is, the stalker will want to keep that person all to themselves and the emotions will do the dirty work. Creating walls to block paths, shadowy ropes to keep them in place, even freezing or some sticky substance. A good dose of hatred (or punch to the face) will help escape. So are you the stalker or the target of their affections?

• Prompt E: There's been an uptick in crime and something fishy is definitely going on.

1. Crystal stores have been prime targets for thefts. It varies from sneaky break-ins at night to armed robberies during the day. Will greed cloud your judgement to ride on their tails and take some of the plunder, like the cash and other valuables left behind? Or are you one of the brave and righteous that happens to catch them in the act?
   
   
2. Airships are another prime target, and whether you are on one for basic travel or security, prepare to be boarded! Just beware, they have emotion bombs on hand. Physically they only do minor burn damage, but the smoke will cause you to feel various debilitating emotions such as fear, irrational anger toward allies, futility, and even charmed by the enemies to let them go. Otherwise it's a swashbuckling airship fight.
   
   
3. Your crystal amulet has been stolen and replaced with one that looks exactly like it. The problem? These amulets are either going to amplify all of your emotions or drain you to apathy. Feeling a little annoyed? Well now you're flame crazy mad and want everything to burn to the ground. Sad? Here comes a torrential downpour as you sink into full on despair. What about happy? Everyone is suddenly in technicolor and you're oblivious to anything wrong. Got a crush? Time to kick up lust and try to drag them to the bedroom. It's going from 0 to 100 fast, so hopefully those around you can help out.

• Prompt F: Plush slippers are all the rage right now, but the most popular product out in the market are those styled after the Arehtei. There are even matching pajamas and robes to go with them! Coordinated or mix and match, you can't go wrong with these adorable sleepwear. But of course, there is a catch…

1. Lucky (?) you, you get to help model one of three top selling styles: Peromei, Aiada, and Thras! Aren't you adorable with those fuzzy dragon slippers, unicorn pj's, and fluffy sprite hat. Despite how ridiculous you feel, you may also become appreciative of the hard work, brave the gawking crowds, andhope your hell ends soon. OR perhaps you'll become jealous of those who escaped this fate, fear showing your face anywhere ever again, and despair at your misfortune and suffering. Maybe it's a crazy mishmash. Anything goes when it comes to emotions.
   
   
2. However it happened, perhaps through a special promotion involving a lot of cash, you managed to procure a set of the Arehtei pajamas and spent the night in them. Or maybe you're lounging at home, chilling with roommates or friends. Maybe they want to try it on. Regardless, after a long period of time, your emotions are becoming more focused toward the Arehtei the pj's are based off—or more if they are mixed. Maybe...you're actually behaving more like the Arehtei's personality. Hope it's not Sosyne or you'll be one constantly pissed off not!whale.

• Prompt G: Make your own! It could include giant shrimp and/or angry flock of crows.

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

PERCY JACKSON | halfblood chronicles

[waterbreathing]

[ A ]

[ See, this is the thing, when you're a halfblood demigod son of Poseidon you get used to water being a wacky thing with you. So it isn't as if Percy is too perturbed by how the puddle in front of him waxes and wanes like a rapid cycling moon, nor is it surprising that it's happening. He knows why it's happening and what's causing it. But what does get him is that he's used to actually thinking it to make it happen, not feeling it. Well, actually he's used to that-- but not like this. ]

I feel like someone gave me a credit card and then told me I had no restrictions or liabilities in whatever I choose to buy. Is this considered emotional fraud? Am I a criminal in the eyes of emotional warfare?

[ Yes, that was the smart thing to say. Very Percy. Much Jackson. At the same time, he feels kind of dumb for saying it. Foot in mouth moment? yes. ]


[ C ]

[ It doesn't take much to amuse Percy Jackson. Why would it when being the Son of Poseidon means that he has ADHD because his nerves and being are all attuned to battle and reflexes he never knew he had before he found out he was-- well, half a god. So he broadcasts through a very wide area, thinking this out ]

I think I can, I think I can, I think I can.

[ So he likes the the little train who could. Sue him if you want ]


[ G ]

[ What is the first thing Percy can do in this very moment, right now, when he's so very very VERY bored? Stand on the edge of a cliff over the waters, blast a boombox to its maximum volume and making it play, "I'm on a Boat," by the Lonely Island, while he uses both his emotions and his godly powers to make the waters rise and splash around him dramatically.

Listen, when you're Percy Jackson this kind of thing makes sense, alright? So why not take the time to stop him from being a giant tool and maybe kick the boombox off the cliff for your sanity as well. ]

C

[thewisegirl]

[ She had no idea where he was when he sent out that particular thought but she knew who the voice belonged to as soon as she heard it. And she couldn't help but sigh and roll her eyes. Typical of that guy. To send out this kind of broadcast to everybody. Although there is a very light smile on her face when she responds...not that he can see it. ]

Exactly the thought process of a seaweed brain.

[waterbreathing]

[ There is an internal scream of terror going EEEEEEEEEEEEE inside of him, he is not aware that you can hear it or that he's broadcasting it. Which is why he is straightening his clothes and running fingers through his hai-- wait, you can't even see him. Why is he doing this? ]

This isn't what it looks like!

[ Wait, you can't see him. Duh. Goddamn, he really is a seaweed brain ]

I mean sounds like! I swear I wasn't trying to hit on any other girls or anything! I just wanted to . . . make a connection?

[ if you could see him right now you would see him facepalming at his own self. ]

[thewisegirl]

[ There are only so many times you can eye roll at somebody before you give yourself some kind of facial muscle strain but this is so typically Percy. She wasn't going to give him the benefit of a laugh. Not even a small giggle so she's actually a little relieved he can't see the smile on her face.

But she does give him a slightly drawn out exaggerated sigh. ]

And what would it matter to me if you wanted to act like you belong to the Aphrodite cabin? You can go and keep flirting with the wood nymphs if you want. I have more important things to do.

[waterbreathing]

Excuse me, why would I want to flirt with a wood nymph? They're the ones who never leaf me alone.

[ He pauses for effect for at least six seconds before he starts laughing at his own pun. ]

[thewisegirl]

[ Her mouth is opening and then it's closing because this is exactly the kind of thing he would say. But also this is exactly the kind of thing he would say. If only his father could see him now. Surely, he would also be rolling his eyes. ]

Have you done anything useful? You know, asides from attempting to flirt with the locals?

[ Like...work out how to get home? Work out more effective ways of filling these amulets? Seeing as how they seem to be a big part of this world. ]

g.

[incantory]

[ he went for a walk to take some time to relax and meditate, but this is not what he was expecting??? what kind of music is this???? (please introduce him to rap, percy.) ]

Ugh...! What is this noise?! You there, cease it this instant!

[ nevermind that percy was here first and all. ]

1/2

[waterbreathing]

[ Oh, crap. Someone actually saw him doing this. Someone actually saw him re-enact the scene from Titanic in a singular way. How the hell does he recover from this? ]

[waterbreathing]

[ Balls. That's how. ]

Hell no! Live in the now! YOLO!

[incantory]

[ at least leo knows nothing about titanic. it's just weird, all of this. especially the music??? ]

I have no idea what you just said!

[waterbreathing]

[ Weird? How can it be weird? How do you not know what the hip jams are, the cool cat slang? ]

Dude, chill out and like take an Advil or something.

[incantory]

An Advil, [ he repeats, trying to make sense of it. he still can't imagine that that might be.

for all his knowledge of things, most of what he's seen in this world baffles him. they just don't make any sense. ]

What is that, exactly?

A. The moon and the ocean something something poetic

[lightthedarkness]

Emotional fraud? They're your emotions though?

I'm not sure I understand. Is something wrong?

[waterbreathing]

Yeah, but what if I have too many emotions going all at once and start a waterfall in someone's house?!

[ He thinks about the second question very hard for a second before his shoulders slump and he says in a dejected voice ]

I guess I miss my girlfriend.

[lightthedarkness]

Well, maybe at first but you get better at that stuff, I promise... and I say this as someone who did have a storm in her bedroom. It took me days to dry everything.

Oh... I'm sorry to hear that. What's her name?

[waterbreathing]

Annabeth. Annabeth Chase.

[ he still sounds so dejected ]

I gave up godhood for her, that's how much she means to me.

A

[hasadoctorsnote]

[Nico is taking Cerberus for a walk, like he usual does. He doesn't expect anything to happen to make this day any different from any other since he's been here. Sure, sometimes things go down, but it always passes. He's gotten Cerberus trained enough that he doesn't keep him on a leash anymore when they're out walking, but that doesn't mean the dog always listens to him. When Cerberus smells someone familiar, he lets out a few happy barks and takes off, running up to Percy excitedly.]

Cerberus, wait, what are you - [He calls out to try and stop the dog but freezes when he sees who Cerberus is running at, eyes going wide.

There's no way. There's absolutely no way.]

[waterbreathing]

[ What do you do when you have a three headed dog running at you? Well, if you're a normal person you scream and run away. But if you're Percy Jackson you get down on both knees, open your arms wide and embrace the fella with a big whoop. The big whoop is also accentuated with puddles of water bursting with a sort of happy spray all around him ]

Holy Poseidon, I didn't know you guys were here!

[ Is all he can say before he's being licked by all three heads-- well one at a time, but they all want a taste of delicious watery halfblood. He probably tastes a bit salty to them though. But once he pulls his face away enough so he can look at you, he gives you that good old Percy Jackson grin; the one that lights his face up ]

How long have you been here?! Does this mean Mrs. O'Leary is here too? I mean I can't imagine this dude without her. And I bet they've all eaten enough red rubber balls to last a lifetime, right?

[ Percy keeps talking because he's so excited to see you. In fact, he's going to get up off the ground, wrap his arm around your neck and noogie you on the head like a big bro would do ]

Annabeth's going to be ecstatic too! We thought we were the only ones here! Well actually, at first I thought I got jammed here because I might have like accidentally pissed Zeus off by putting a small Percy Jackson figure in a remote controlled airplane, flying it around so I could live vicariously through Tiny Percy, but Annabeth told me that was dumb and that my brains were made of seaweed. Of course I let that go because, you know, girlfriend cred. Can't fight against it, right? But how're you doing?

[hasadoctorsnote]

[Cerberus is definitely happy to see someone he recognizes and he pulls away to bound back and forth between Percy and Nico, as if to say 'Look what I found, Nico, look, look!'

Nico doesn't even protest when Percy gets him in a headlock and gives him a noogie. He's too busy trying to stop his eyes from watering. Finally, after months, he's not alone anymore. He pries his way out of Percy's arms though so he can get a good look at him, using his sleeve to quickly wipe at his eyes. I... Annabeth is here too? Cerberus came in with me, Mrs. O'Leary didn't so I don't think she's here... [He's trying not to let his voice crack as he talks, mouth quirking up into a shaky smile.] He's definitely destroyed a lot of rubber balls, yeah.

1/2

[waterbreathing]

[ He finally lets you go so you can get a breather, but he's obviously concerned by your reaction ]

Hey, you alright? I mean, if you think about it this way, now that Annabeth and I are here we can help you keep Cerberus happy. And go on cool quests where no one dies and as a prize for completing it we get like. Free blue ice-cream.

[ He even throws you a reassuring smile ]

And, man, I guess we should be glad Mrs. O' Leary isn't here, just think of all the trouble she'd get in with Cerberus over there . . .

[waterbreathing]

[ He trails off and then a worried look appears on his face. No, he's done this before. He's said things and things have happened. It can't be true, though. There's no way-- but in the distance you can hear a sort of sound. An ominous sound of four feet. Running their way ]

. . . Please tell me I'm wrong and that's not Mrs. O' Leary behind me.

[ She's also been miniaturized but there she is. THERE SHE IS. HEADING THEIR WAY AND AIMING FOR PERCY'S BACK ]

[soulacebandage]

[ Will is trying to enjoy a nice walk when it is interrupted when that song - if you can call it a song - drops the beat across the land. Curiosity makes him follow the racket. There's probably a 1-in-4 chance that the person of ... questionable tastes is actually his dad, so he feels like he should locate the source.

By the time he gets close enough to see that it's not one of his father's forms, Will has his bow in his hand and a contingency plan: shoot the boombox. It's medicinal. Think of the ear drums that will be saved.

Then again, he doesn't mind Percy. Will taps the bow on his leg and hums at himself in thought. ]

That's not on repeat, is it?

[waterbreathing]

[ He turns to the sound of your voice and he can't help but give you a that good ol' Percy grin ]

You should know the answer to that by now. You really should.

[soulacebandage]

[ He really should. Will can't decide if he should grin or grimace in response, and so his face settles into a half smile with slightly raised eyebrows. ]

Couldn't find a copy of "Fish Fight" in the store?

[ Shooting the boombox stopped being an option when Will got Percy's attention, leaving him with two options: be huffy or be amused. Will chooses to have fun with this. ]

Or go oldschool with a little Bobby Darin?

[waterbreathing]

[ Percy's going to press stop on the boombox actually and then take the tape out and flip it before he puts it back in and presses play. Yeah, that's right. Fish Fight starts playing ]

That was backup plan number 1.