empatheias_ooc | TEST DRIVE: AUGUST

— TEST DRIVE: 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 Monday, July 25 and Applications (Canon | OC) open Sunday, August 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: EVENT SPECIAL. Feel free to check out Light of Helisium beach party and use the prompts from there! It ranges from standard fare beach fun to the major highlight of the year: Verenthian Warrior. It's like the extreme Ninja Warrior obstacle course but with a twist. There are also giant crabs that may or may not be set loose. Alternatively, maybe you'd prefer the masquerade side of things. A chance to pretend to be someone you're not and perhaps find romance.

• Prompt E: IT'S A BUNNY INVASION! Driven out by the gophers that have swarmed the fields, the bunnies have turned toward the city for food. And as luck would have it, many of the farmers are also transporting their crop to the city storehouses for safekeeping due to aforementioned gopher problem. One of the wagons carrying large crates full of carrots and lettuce has turned over, and those bunnies are just swarming all over the place. Oh, but you can't kill them. The Wildlife Society is encouraging more humane methods. They are: crates made out of cushions, pillow traps, carrot costumes to act as bait, and a special ocarina that is said to help attract the rabbits. The ocarina may or may not help depending on the tune played and may actually make them angrier.

• Prompt F: There's a new popular game in town where two people work together to get through a specially designed maze. One person goes through the maze while the other is standing on a platform above, using telepathy to give directions. The catch? The maze is completely dark and the one going through it only has floating ball of light to help illuminate their path. The one giving directions has a clear view at least, so it's up to them to get their partner out. What makes the maze "fun" is that there are various "traps" and obstacles in the maze. Nice partners will help their friend avoid them. The trolls, however... Well if they'd like to see their partner get splashed with paint, hit with pillows, or have random costumed "creatures" pop out to scare the crap out of them, that's an option, too.

• Prompt G: Make your own! It could include fake explosives and/or jars of hot wax.

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!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Winston chuffs a deep, basso laugh. More a rumble than anything, but it gets the point across. A big hand slides up and ruffles Tracer’s hair just a little bit before he lets go. It was kinda nice, having her around. She was like this ridiculous, excitable teleporting puppy that was always happy to see him and the rest of the world around them both. This whole place had been one experience after another, but it was comforting in away, knowing he wasn’t alone. Even with the teasing. That was part of the fun.]

Hard to say, but I’ll wager I’m not unique in that. Food’s a comfort, you know. Reminds you of things you like, and even if you humans can’t quite smell things the way I do, you do react to smells. [Grinning, he nods his head in the general direction of a scented candle shop.] Why else would everything in there smell like someone’s favorite food, huh?

[The hair ruffle gets a laugh from her, but she's quick to duck down and take the chance to turn on her heel to get away. Her hair is a big enough mess without a big scientist hand ruffling it! She takes a second to blow her hair out of her face before going on.]

Think you're the first one for me who reacts like that, love! But yeah, sounds like you're on the right track. [Of course he is. It's Winston. When is he not.] There's gotta be smells in there that aren't all food, lavender or something like... Hah, a chippie scented candle! That'd be wicked.

[Or gross. But hey, if they're talking favourite foods you can't beat some battered cod and chips.]

[Rumbling another laugh, Winston takes a step towards the candle shop, feet padding along the cobblestones. So excitable, this one, but it makes him feel happy knowing that someone else is so excited for something like this. A new adventure was always welcome, and this whole world was just one big, exciting discovery. The air around him brightens a little bit, like he's walking in a sunbeam. Emotion get, Lena.]

That'd be a good one. Fried potato and salt? Definitely a comfort food.

[Though perhaps only for you, Lena.]

What's got you out and about today, anyway? Shopping, or just can't sit still?

[When could she ever, frankly?]

Edited 2016-07-20 01:20 (UTC)

[There we go, emotion well and truly get. While she had intended to get a shocked or surprised reaction to see how those emotions might manifest themselves, seeing her BFF happy? That's a way better result.]

Vinegar too! Can't go forgetting that part.

[Salt and vinegar is the staple okay. She follows Winston over towards the shop, skipping past him to get the first peak in the window.]

You really think I'd be able to keep myself in one place when there's all this to explore? Not a chance. I've barely even seen half this place!

Ah yes, vinegar. How could I. [Shaking his head, Winston moved along to keep up at his usual slow, steady pace. Humans and their palates never ceased to amaze. To think that they put that much salt in their bodies as part of a snack. And all that sour, sour vinegar. Bleh.]

I guess not, no. No more than I, anyway. This place barely seems plausible. A whole other world, fueled by emotion, it’s absolutely fascinating. [Adjusting his glasses as he reached the shop, he peered through the window and snorted.]

Seems we’ll have plenty of time to explore though. I’ve heard rumblings that some people have been here for two years or more.

[Listen. It's not proper fish and chips unless you douse it in vinegar, salt it to high heaven and then pretend your blood pressure isn't a thing. Don't worry about it Winston... She's getting him fish and chips sometime.]

Two years? Bit long for a holiday that. But when you've been all over one world, might as well start work on exploring a second!

[Oh, hello there. Having spotted something very important in the shop window, Tracer blinks to the door, slips inside and waves at Winston through the glass.]

Get a move on Winstooon, you're gonna love what I've found in here! [Totally adding a sing-song tone to his name there.]

[He's going to respond...but then she starts that teasing tone and he hurries to catch up. He'll never be considered fast, but at least he's not plodding along, right?]

What'd you find, Tracer? [Is it...]

[Take a wild guess Winston. Whatever could she possibly have found.]

Oh nothing much, just your absolute favourite! [YE ITS A BANANA SCENTED CANDLE bet you didn't see that coming.] Took one look at it and instantly thought of you, love.

[She's buying him this banana candle. He has no say on this matter it is already going to happen. Curiously though, she has a hand held tightly behind her back and a cheeky grin on her face.]

[Winston cocks his head to one side and frowns.]

A banana. [Pushing his glasses up his nose with a pudgy gorilla finger, he huffs.]

How predictable...

[Why must he be cursed to a lifetime of Dr. Zaius and banana gags. It's the fur, isn't it?]

A banana candle! [Oh the giggling. So much giggling. She's so sorry but not too sorry Winston.] Got something else for you as well. Think you'll be a bit more happy about this one too.

[Don't worry, she knows he's more than a prime target for banana jokes and monkey cliches. That's why she pulls her other hand out from behind her back and reveals... A peanut butter scented candle!]

Can't have one without the other, right?

[Okay so still teasing a little. But she knows Winston can't resist his peanut butter!]

[He'll accept the one candle, giving it a cursory sniff. It wasn't that he disliked bananas, you know, just that it kind of got a little old.]

Well it does smell nice.

[He pauses when she pulls out the second one, eyes going wider.]

And that...is the most wonderful thing I've ever smelled.

[He grins, plucking that out of her hands.]

You know how to get to a scientist's heart...

Well I've had plenty of time to learn how to get there, love.

[She steps close to give him a quick hug. After everything they've been through it would be criminal if she didn't remember stuff like this.]

Right, now I've got you covered I've gotta find something for little old me. Let's have a look...

[There's plenty of choice here. Another food scented candle? Something flowery or perfume like? Choices, choices.]

TEST DRIVE: AUGUST

Really? Where?!

Right there how are you not seeing this??

I don't know, man. I think you're just monkeying around.

And I think you're wrong. It's "scientisting" around. Come on now.

Perhaps...

Are you doubting me on this

Maybe a little.

Oh. Well then. Cheers love.

Cheers indeed.

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