TEST DRIVE: MARCH

[empevents]

— TEST DRIVE: MARCH —

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 Tuesday, February 23nd and Applications (Canon | OC) open Tuesday, March 1st.
  
  
• OC Reminder! Just a quick reminder that original characters are currently 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: Fireworks are a common source of entertainment for the island, and each year the equipment and technology used get more advaanced—and more dangerous. This year they're trying to contain the explosive emotional power from the easily angered by using a new device based off the Tree of Memories petals. Except the "device" includes the explosive powder for the fireworks. You can only imagine how disasterous that could be. YOUR OPTIONS:

1. Someone is deliberately provoking you to try and make you mad.
   
2. Someone else has blown their top and the device (and nearby fireworks) are exploding.
   
3. General firework and explosives mayhem.

Note: Calm emotions will help diffuse the situation, but you might want some water or something else to help douse both the literal and metaphorical flames.

• Prompt E: The spring season of Zephyras is on its way, so there's a lot less snow these days. To make the most of it, a lot of the local children have built as many snowmen and snow creatures as they can. Some adults have also taken to it, some actually treating it like some kind of competition. The resulting creations range from the standard to the incredible. Behemoth, monstrous creatures with gaping jaws and horns, majestic unicorns with ice sculpted wings and horns, lifelike human sculptures in various poses. Normally all of these would be considered works of it, but when you're in a world where emotions can sometimes give things a mind of their own...well. Creativity isn't the only way to "breathe life" into them.

1. Emotions can affect these snow sculptures in various way. Those that trend on the happier side will cause the snow creations to move and frolic around in place, perhaps even try to "play" with those around them. Those that trend on the negative, however, will give the opposite, especially anything that could make them more angry and violent.
   
   
2. A few people have caught onto this and have actually created a snowmen army! Using "stock" made snowmen, at least ten from each side slide and wobble around, chucking snowballs and rocks at one another for pure snow destruction. Hopefully you don't get caught in the middle of it.

• Prompt F: Have you ever ridden on a hover board? Or a flying motorcycle? Well if you haven't, you get to be one of many to try out a new design set to come out by the summer months of Eurus. Of course, they are still in development, so expect some hiccups and stalls. Even more, to help with fuel and power efficiency issues, the engineers have created a system that would help absorb and channel the user's emotions into the machine. Now, it's supposed to only take the energy from emotions and not actually be affected by what kind is given. In theory, even a sad person could power their new flying vehicle! However, that's a kink that still needs to be hammered out, so the test vehicles are still prone to emotional effects just like everything else. Angry emotions will have fire bursting from the exhaust, giving it a super huge boost in speed and power, but lack of control. Joy and excitement are also good boosters, but prepare to have a trail of stardust that could blow back in your face. Some other side effects are: rust, engine stall, decreased acceleration, suddenly flying upside down. Oh yeah, these don't have seat belts. But you get a helmet and a parachute! Good luck.

• Prompt G: Make your own! It could include empty barrel and/or chickens.

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

Swoons.

[onerous]

[Yuri shakes her head, dislodging some snowflakes from it as she does.] It's fine. [She's more concerned about the books. She grabs the nearest one (the other two are somewhere but she can't see them in the snow right now), then gives his offered arm a mildly apprehensive look. But there's no apparent reason not to, so the moment comes and goes and she takes his arm to help herself up.

She brushes snow from her clothes and stomps her boots a moment before looking to him. Despite a faint bruise on her forehead above her left eye that seems old, she's relatively unharmed. Just, you know, freezing.] I'm alright. Sorry for getting in the middle of your... [Yuri trails off and glances to the snow army, her expression growing faintly amused] battle?

as anyone should when Lafayette rescues them

[fightingfrenchman]

[Once he's assured she's safely up and not going to slip or anything, he's shrugging off his coat and offering it to her, with a bit of a grin.] You have to be cold. Put this on, I will look for your -- whatever-it-is that you are looking for.

[He glances back at the currently immobile snowmen, gives a brief shrug, and grins.] Do not worry yourself, it was only a bit of fun. [Which he rarely takes the time to indulge in, these days, but he couldn't help it just this once.]

[onerous]

Oh, you don't need to... [She trials off, looking s little embarrassed and conflicted. On one hand she doesn't want to be rude and take it-- on the other hand, she is freezing. Even she can't suppress the shivering. Finally she seems to wilt a little with resignation and accepts, slipping the cost on] I suppose it'd be ruder to keep refusing after you've offered. [Yuri pauses and then hastily continues with:] Not that I'm not grateful. I am. Thank you.

[She faces him and gives a polite bow] I'm Yuri Kozukata. Pleased to meet you. [She straightens and tilts her head, taking note of his accent for the first time] You're... French? That's new. Most people I e met here have been American. [Or weird aliens or plant people. And a scattering of other Japanese people which is refreshing.]

[fightingfrenchman]

[It's not rude at all, as far as he's concerned. He's faced much colder weather than this, and on a near-starvation diet, too. At least his coat is probably nice and big and warm? ...Alright, it may smell a little of gunpowder, but that's what happens when you've been through battles.]

[He returns the bow, a little bemused, and smiles.] I am French by birth, American at heart, I suppose. ['American'. Damn, that's so great to say, and it's actually a thing now. Or it will be, once the treaties are all signed and everything.] I am Lafayette, a pleasure to meet you as well, mademoiselle.

also i'm sorry for typos and weird sentence things during the day, i phone tag on my breaks....

[onerous]

[Look, at least it doesn't smell heavily like blood or decay or whatever else Yuri was probably used to smelling at this point. It is big on her though-- her fingers barely poke out of the sleeves.]

Lafayette...? That sounds familiar. [But she can't place the reason why. It's not like she knows a whole lot about American history or anything, but even a drop out like her knows a few things. Still, the name itches at her with familiarity, but since she can't place it right away she brushes it aside for now. She shakes her head a little.]

Well. It doesn't matter much in a place like this, I suppose. [She holds her book close to her and turns, frowning down at the snow] There should be another book... [That's the more important thing here-- It's a library book!! If she loses it, she'll have to pay a fine!] Sorry, could I bother you again to help me look? I'll be in trouble if I lose it.

no worries! <3

[fightingfrenchman]

[Well, no, it doesn't, but it probably has in the past. Luckily, it's been a while since he's been wounded.]

Does it? [He can't imagine why, he is not, to his knowledge, acquainted with anyone from the far East, though he has met quite a few people in his life. However, he nods and immediately dives back into the snow to hunt for that book.] I am at your service, mademoiselle, it shouldn't be too hard to find.

[After a few moments of rummaging, he does! And it's --a little wet, yeah, but not destroyed, which is good.] I am afraid you will have to put it by a fire, but it doesn't look so bad.

[onerous]

[She crouches down, digging through the snow carefully, her fingers starting to go numb quickly. She's never been a big fan of the cold--living at the base of a mountain kind of ruins the splendor of snow during the winter months--and she's starting to remember why.

If she invested in real pants and gloves this probably wouldn't be a problem, though. At least Lafayette's coat is warm.

She looks up in surprise when he finds it, drawing her hands back from the snow pile and flexing them to get feeling back.] Thank you. [She stands again and takes the book, a hint of a smile curving her mouth] It should be fine. If I explain what happened, I'm sure the library would understand...

[Yuri tucks the book under her arm along with the other and resumes trying to get feeling back in her fingers, then actually takes a moment to look at his coat. She pauses and fixes him with a curious, interested look] What year are you from?

[fightingfrenchman]

[He has gotten very accustomed to finding things quickly in snow, over the last few years. He nods, though, pleased she seems to be happy, though her question gives him a bit of pause.]

It is 1781, mademoiselle.

[onerous]

Ah... Do you know Laurens-san and them then? Eh-- That is, John Laurens? [Breaking the habit of using honorifics isn't going to be easy, and honestly Yuri doesn't try very hard anyhow.]

It was 2006 when I left. [she pushes her hair behind her ear, thinking of that staggering time difference.]

[fightingfrenchman]

[That's okay, Lafayette can tell you tales of learning English on the crossing to America. It's good times. He brightens at the mention of Laurens, however, nodding.]

I do, yes, 'Amilton and Laurens and Burr all served under General Washington with me.

[A beat.] That is ...very strange. There are many strange things here, though. [The future must be really weird if it has ladies gallivanting about half-clothed.]