empatheias_ooc | TEST DRIVE: OCTOBER

Entry tags:

!mod,
*test drive

TEST DRIVE: OCTOBER

— TEST DRIVE: OCTOBER —

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 Saturday, September 24 and Applications (Canon | OC) open Saturday, October 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: The increased exposure to Shaarnathian culture has prompted many in Verens to attempt to pick up on the discipline of Dunamis. The interest has become something of a popular trend, resulting in small businesses focusing around teaching the skill to those who are interested. Unfortunately, this doesn’t often go well for those who have lived on Empatheias for most of their life and relied so heavily on technology instead. In the seedier and more dubious schools this sometimes winds up disastrous, or outrageous in weird and interesting ways.

One particularly seedy school seems to take to the hands off approach, leaving their students alone to practice in an outside arena full of gourds of all sorts and sizes. Some also seem like they’ve gone quite rotten, resulting in a strange pungent odor. This goes about as well as expected when a particularly … enthusiastic … and poorly trained student manages to implode every last one into a glorious mess that rockets high into the sky.

Now half the shopping district is covered in various states of rotting gourd, and absolutely no one is happy about it. Nothing is spared, shops, stalls, and worst of all, the shoppers. Perhaps you’re one of the unfortunate victims of this mess, or you’re ready to help start the stinky cleanup.

• Prompt E: Someone is setting up a maze in the cornfield for kids and has run into an infestation that needs to be taken care of, but the bugs must be tackled in pairs because they're tricky bastards. They're a new species that not only releases a type of gas that makes one feel sluggish and apathetic, but they also "feed" off emotions. They're otherwise harmless, but it does make capture difficult. Since the use of pesticide is prohibited, the current tactic is for one person to act as "bait" while the other is armed with a special gun that shoots out a special paralyzing webbing. However, the shooter must stay hidden, and keep their emotions unnoticeable, or the bug will catch wind and will flee. After capture, they're thrown off the island. They're like roaches, no one wants them. In fact they also look like roaches. Still unwanted. Other tactics could be employed, but keep in mind that the farmers would like their crop to come out unharmed. Any damage incurred will come out of your pocket.

• Prompt F: A new acting troupe have established themselves in Verens, with a few new aspiring actors from Shaarnath. Through the use of Dunamis, the plays have become more lively and interactive. Most have welcomed them, but there are some groups who adhere to the "classic" way of acting, which can cause some tension.

The troupe are advertising themselves on various street corners and parks, all dressed in bright, colorful clothing! But instead of a regular play, they are beckoning others to join them in various impromptu acts. Action, comedy, romance, tragedy—anything goes! So what do you say, care to join? You can even pull in or shove the person next to you forward instead. Remember to put some feeling into it! Bonus: The scene may require some dunamis for prop work. Try it out!
Perhaps you're one of the people siding with the classic actors. Or maybe you just don't like plays in general. There's a bucket of tomatoes just waiting to be thrown. Even better, the angrier you are, the more rotten and sour the fruit will be.

Feel free to combine the scenarios and add whatever you'd like.

• Prompt G: Make your own! It could include peanut butter and/or jelly.

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!

Threaded | Flat

Prompt D
[ Ah... so this is how markets not located in the Underworld is like. The ones in the Underworld can be a mess too but at least the people there know that if they cause too much trouble or break any rules, they'll be brought to the Justice to receive some form of punishment or other.

Justice is right here though, unable to do anything about it this time around because this isn't the world where he reinforces the law that is set by the Legislator. Instead he just stands there, dripping in... whatever he's been covered in, and he's slowly blinking in lazy confusion. Then his nose wrinkles because his sense of smell is really very good and his mood drops a bit, causing some cracks in the road underneath his feet to appear like a delicate spiderweb. ]

Prompt C
So... [ comes his tired voice and his tired face. He's lying in the grass, in his humanoid form, this time. ] I've heard humans can make food that taste like meat but isn't...is that true?

Prompt F
[ He's scowling at the people throwing tomatoes at the actors. He knows that the relationship between demons and humans is not exactly great, so could it be translated to the people that use and those that don't use Dunamis? ]

This is so unnecessary...

Prompt G
[ There is a big tiger...leopard...cat thing.. lying in the grass at the side of the path through one of the parks. A group of children have gathered around the weird beast and are talking in hushed voices. One of them is holding a jar of peanut butter, and another is holding a jar of jelly. Another is holding a spoon and has a serious expression on her face. "Don't wake it up." "I won't. Give me the jelly." The child holding the jelly offers the spoon girl the jar, and she scoops up a lot of jelly. "The butter," she then says, and the jelly gets covered in a lot of peanut butter. Then she reaches out, and tips the spoon over the cat creature's open mouth and lolling tongue.

The PB&J mix drops down onto the tongue and she starts adding a third spoonful, when an ear twitches and eyes slowly opens. When the cat creature lifts its head lazily and looks at the children in confusion, the children lets out squeals of laughter and raises off, dropping both jars and spoon in the process.

The Justice's tail twitches, the golden ring on it glinting in the sunlight, and peanut butter and jelly slowly slides from his tongue and mouth like some oddly colored drool towards the grass. ]

((ooc: any tags with the Justice in his feline form will come from

justicecat. ))

Edited 2016-09-18 18:29 (UTC)

[D]

[It wasn't that idea of cleaning up the thin patina of rotted gourd appealed to Alisha more than anyone else in the city. That pervasive stink choked the entire area, and the scarf over her nose and mouth did little to block it out. However, the poor merchants suffered worse than anyone. Who would want to shop in such conditions? And so it was that the young knight found herself in the street early one morning, ready to help with the clean up.]

[Rather than her trusty spear, Alisha wielded a makeshift squeegee. Perhaps if they loaded the mess onto wagons and took it to the local farmers, they would be able to use it as fertilizer? Surely there would be some way to take this accident and turn it into something positive!]

[E]

[How had she let herself get talked into this?]

[The plan sounded perfectly reasonable at the time. Granted, she didn't like the idea of serving as bait, but she understood the logic. Keeping emotions under control would be easier for those who'd been in Verens longer, and she couldn't back out from volunteering to help because she didn't like her role. She only hoped at the time she could fulfill the role adequately.]

[As it turned out, giving off emotions for the bugs to hone in on proved easier than expected. Perhaps that had something to do with standing a cornfield maze at dusk(why couldn't they have done this earlier in the day?), hearing creepy noises and watching as the stalks swayed from side to side as something skittered through them. Bugs. Thinking back to the ruins, she wondered why she hadn't backed out the second they mentioned the word bugs.]

[She could only hope her partner's aim was true, and wonder just how many of these things there needed to be to qualify as an infestation.]

option c

[while Lenalee might not be broadcasting herself, hearing all of these voices in her head is not only an annoyance, but a frustration; something that she cannot stop, she can't help but yell, aloud:]

Whoever's doing that, just shut up already!

[there's boiling frustration that pours out near her feet as magma, puffing out cheeks. because wow, that's so rude?? of course, she hasn't noticed that the magma is her own reaction. at all.]

prompt f

[so... apparently Lenalee has been forced to be a part of a play, but she isn't going to go at it alone as she decides to grab the nearest person by the arm - whoever it is - with a wicked smile.]

Well, a princess needs a prince, right? [you know what they say: misery likes company. besides, there is no way she's going at this alone.

rest in pieces, random person...of course, it doesn't matter if you're male or female. hell, maybe Lenalee might be a prince instead of the princess.]

A

No way... it can't be...

[For some reason, there's a young girl who is standing in the middle of the road here, and at first, you'd think it was probably the usual reaction of someone who has just arrived in this strange place. This isn't home, how did we get here, this doesn't make sense, that sort of thing.

... Except, she then suddenly pumps both arms straight into the air and yells loud enough to cause lights nearby to flicker brightly, erratically.]

I've died and gone to a heaven full of beautiful girls!!

[... Hello Empatheias, meet Eruna Ichinomiya, who is currently very happy right now from having seen some of the female population passing by her here.]

F

[Acting? We can do that! It will be just like the things we've done with the Drama club.

Except, for the role she has taken upon here, she lies on the ground as if she's struggling to get up, the weight of the world crushing down upon her. The air is a sad, blue-ish purple hue as she calls out dramatically.]

Oh no, I've been taken down by this horrible fiend's curse! [sad sigh~] If only there was a fair lady who could provide a maiden's kiss to restore me back to full strength so that I may defeat this wretched foe...

[... The effect is sort of ruined however by how she allows one eye to open curiously to see if there's actually anyone nearby that would allow themselves to get roped into this.]

Edited 2016-09-18 19:31 (UTC)

[D]

[Natalia had gone down to the market to help almost as soon as the stench had reached her apartment. If dealing with that unbearable smell wasn't bad enough, she couldn't imagine how it was affecting the people who lived and worked there. She was determined to help in any way she could.]

[The operative part of that statement was 'any way she could.' She'd started to help with the mopping, but it wasn't long before she settled into a role she felt more comfortable in; delegating tasks.]

[From volunteers who came to clean up to unfortunate shoppers caught in the goo, she's doing her best to organize the effort. Hopefully, everybody nearby is willing to lend a helping hand. Not that it's going to stop her ordering around those who aren't.]

You there! Don't waste time standing around, pick up a mop and start helping!

[F]

[Natalia considered herself to be a fan of the arts, and she had often attended plays when she lived in the castle. When the troupe on the street had offered her a starring role, she'd been elated.]

[That was, of course, until she found out just how 'out there' the role would be. Involving the audience? That was much more than she was used to. She quickly confided with the troupe to make sure that they were on the same page and that, yes, this was necessary.]

[If she was going to do this, at least, she was going to go all-out.]

It is I, the noble thief, Robin Hood! Surrender your money peacefully and you will not be harmed.

[...Was her bow supposed to be pointing to a random audience member? According to the director, yes.]

[G]

[Determined to improve her culinary skills, Natalia was using her day off to practice a few simple recipes.]

[It's not exactly clear how it happened, but somehow the peanut butter, jelly, and bread turned into something beyond recognition. Whether it's the smoke, the smell, or the sheer amount of noise coming out of the kitchen, or the moping girl outside it's clear that something went down in that kitchen. Lend a hand?]

[A/C]

[He's just gotta fill this amulet up with feelings and then... something big'll happen, right? Maybe when all of them are? He's not sure how this whole thing works, that seems like something a Boss would figure out. Maybe even hand down some orders about. But he doesn't have one here, he checked. Twice, just to make sure. No Boss. No quotas. No missions. No chores. Nada. Zip.]

So what can I do now? [Answer's pretty obvious, but it takes Demyx a little to think of it:] Anything I want. [Maybe one day he'll work himself up to robbing the bank or finding a nice beach to take a vacation to.] Oh! Is this my vacation right now? [He'd better make the most of it, then, he doesn't know when somebody's gonna come around and kick him back into shape.]

[The shape he's making is currently slouching under a tree, strumming on his sitar. He feels the way he always does when he's playing. And that's... he doesn't know, exactly, because he doesn't remember the words for half of these things. But it's. Something. He feels something. And that something-- maybe it's what makes the breeze blow or the tune carry or the little watery music notes to start hovering overhead.]

You know, I think I'm gonna like it here.

[B]

[Demyx thought this job would be easy, okay. He'd just show up, strum a tune or two on the couch, throw on some plaid for a couple days, and he'd be rolling in the dough. Or, uh, whatever passes for dough around here, anyway. He really oughta pay more attention to stuff like that, but, well. Oughta. Ugh. Not his kind of word. So that's how he's ended up here, trying to get out of sorting books for the library. There's so many of them, where do they even come from? Why are they here? Why don't they just sort themselves?

The, uh, plaid might be making some water spill on the pages (and it also looks a little bluer than it used to be, huh. Weird.). He thinks so, anyway, because he's not sure where else it's coming from. Maybe if he brings it up to someone who looks like they're in charge, they'll send him home for the day! Yeah! That's gotta work, right?]

Hey! Do you know where I can find some napkins? Like. A lot of them. [And then while they do that, he can sneak out the back door...]

[F]

[Oh, hey, free entertainment. He can't pass that kind of thing up. And, unfortunately, it looks like the actors can't pass up on him. Unless he thinks of something fast.]

Oh, hey, look over there! It's something distracting. No, really. Just turn around, and you'll see-- Uh! I dunno. A big lizard with wings?

[Yeah, maybe try thinking again. That, or pulling a lizard out from nowhere. Which... doesn't seem like it's going to happen in the next five minutes.]

Edited 2016-09-18 21:16 (UTC)

⚜ PROMPT A ⚜
[There was a time in not so distant history in which Yuu would be taking this a lot less well than he seems to be right this moment. To his credit, the small steam vents that temporarily open up to spew steam and sizzling hot droplets of water under his feet as he plods through the streets seemingly aimlessly. He doesn't seem to notice, nor does he seem to notice when a couple of locals try to talk to get his attention to do something about the little mini geysers left in his wake.

If anyone is paying particular attention, however, Yuu is definitely looking for something, or someone. Eventually it seems like he's found it, as he stops at the overhang of a small abandoned house and crouches down. As he does this, the geysers from before slowly dissipate into nothing. When someone walks close enough by he looks over his shoulder with a grin]

Hey, do you have a box or something I could use? It could really help me out.

⚜ PROMPT D ⚜
[At first, Yuu is one of the lucky few that didn't get covered in some amount of gross, nearly liquefied rotten vegetable. For that, he finds himself equipped with a shovel and a frilly lemon yellow apron lent to him by an old lady shop keep. He grimaces as he lifts the apron up skeptically as she ties it around his waist, keeping a hold of what looks like a shovel meant for snow. Once the ribbon is on, he turns to her with a frown.]

Don't you have anything a little less... lacy? [It's embarrassing. The old lady shakes her head with a chuckle, before shooing him towards the globs of gourd that have been deposited all over her property. There's SO much of it...Yuu just sighs.]

I can't believe I'm doing this... [Clad in that awful apron, Yuu shovels his first heap of rotten gourd and gracelessly hefts it over his shoulder—tossing the contents right into the path/face/chest of whoever happens to be walking by behind him.]

⚜ PROMPT E ⚜
[This all seems so tedious. Yuu listened to the explanation of how things were SUPPOSED to go, but not without having to yawn into the palm of his hand once or twice. This was simple pest removal, what was with all the rules? If they get rid of the bugs fast, all the better right? Which is why despite some of the farmer's initial protesting Yuu is going about this his own way...

with a sword. Someone should try and stop him before he gets in over his head.]

....

[If he's NOT stopped... It's gone fairly well, honestly, with minimal crop loss and with Yuu bagging several of the large roach like creatures. Unfortunately he's not the only one working in the maze, and Yuu's forgotten the golden rule of "work together" for the time being. After stalking a bug for an extended length of time he positions himself to strike, his sword already out and ready. By the time he launches, someone else, perhaps your character, perhaps not... has shot one of the webbing guns at the same roachlike creature. Unfortunately for Yuu the timing is just right for a perfect disaster. Mid slash, Yuu gets a face full of the webbing, resulting in HIM being the target captured, while the creature buzzes away in a way that sounds like laughter. This only serves to aggrivate Yuu's temper, and he tries to struggle free of the webbing...somewhat. It IS paralyzing after all.]

HEY GET THIS OFF OF ME! [Even if he's already starting to feel the effects of the webbing, he sure can shout loud. ...Which probably isn't helping matters either.]

B. Task GT0908! the angry librarian job!
[ Let no one suffer any delusions to the contary: Y'shtola is first and foremost a ~~nerd~~ scholar. Indeed, not only is she a scholar, but she is a scholar from a country where everyone is a ~~huge nerd~~ scholar and takes being scholars to shining heights of enthusiasm ~~and at times academic snobbery~~ for any and every subject imaginable! As such, there are several unshakable tenants of her very being -- one of which is that answers may be found if only one does the appropriate research! Another of which is that libraries are among the best places to being that research.

And what better way to familiarize herself with this place's local fountain of knowledge than to accept a job there as a librarian? Besides, she does not do well idle, and in addition to an income, a job certainly keeps her busy.

Thus it is that she has taken to spending a great deal of time in the library, gathering scattered books and reshelving them or helping patrons locate the area where a given subject is housed (to the best of her ability, of course, as she is still learning it all herself) -- and scolding any of you who get up and simply leave your books on the table or the floor or a chair! Yes you. She is giving you a very stern glare as you try to walk out and leave books scattered in your wake.]

You are possessed of a working set of limbs, are you not? [Her tail lashes impatiently, the fur fluffed a little by a bit of annoyed static like to spark against the next piece of metal it brushes] Or is there some unknown ailment afflicting you that prevents you from carrying your tomes a few extra fulms to the Rerturn cart?

[But though she is not one to suffer fools gladly, she is not all bristling ire. Ask for help in locating a subject, and she will give it. ... unless of course you happen to catch her in a quiet hour, distracted from her tasks by leafing through a particularly interesting book she was meant to be reshelving. Just - give her a moment -- !]

F. Putting out fires...
[ Y'shtola is quite content to simply observe and enjoy the lively and improvised nature of the troupe's performance, thank you very much. As interesting as it is, she has no intention of joining in the festive display herself - but of course a lack of voluntary participation does not mean she will refrain from comment nor shy from responding if she finds herself dragged into it!

Truly, however, the noise and vibrant emotion are almost overwhelming to her, so recently arrived, and her tail lashes and ears twitch then flatten against a loud BANG and burst of crackling pops and sparks from one of the performers going a little too far with a demonstration of a villanous plot to - do... something. She isn't quite sure as this particular story has gotten a little bit muddled at this point...

That hardly seems to matter to either the audiance or those joining in, for now the action continues with an epic mock battle between the heroes and the cackling villains, brandishing wooden weapons, tumbling through the crowd that parts as they watch and --

Oh dear, someone seems to have accidentally set fire to someone else's hair and clothes in their enthusiasm. Is it you? If you're standing just beside Y'shtola, then yes and well... hopefully you don't mind getting a trifle wet as Y'shtola take matters into her own hands and douses you in conjured water before this nonsense spreads!]

Edited 2016-09-18 22:21 (UTC)

Prompt C;

People are blowing up fruit in the marketplace. Rotten ones. So avoiding that would probably be a good idea.

[Even Mai's mental voice manages to sound apathetic and a touch tired. She huffs and adds.]

I mean sure, you can come down if you really want to help clean things up but the smell if pretty horrible so...

Prompt D;
[Speaking of those exploding gourds, Mai's experience in them comes first hand. She's just getting the swing of this place and it's whole emotions spiel when she just happens to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.

The sounds it like the pop of a breaking watermelon amplified a few times. And by the time Mai stops to glance over at what the noise could be is when the sky seems to open up with a rain of gourd goodness. Or badness thanks to the mix of new and old.

One of the biggest rotten chunks lands with a solid and gloppy splat right atop the sullen looking woman's head. And though she may remain standing almost frozen in place, it's interesting to note how dark it seems to be growing just around her. There's no grey cloud just yet but it's like the sunlight is being snuffed out in a nice patch around the woman.]

Prompt E;
[Mai stands poised with said special gun as she explains once again to the person she's paired up against.]

I'm not being egotistical here. You want me to be the one with the gun lacking emotions back here. I'm pretty good at this.

[Her tone of voice is blunt and a little exasperated. Just go along with this, okay?]

✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* Prompt A *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧

[Now Hotaru was lost. It was hard enough having to deal with this new world by herself, but getting lost on her way to the inn was the straw that broke the camel's back. She was scared and lonely and didn't have the willpower to ask anyone for help. Tears welled in her eyes and she dropped to the ground in defeat.]

I don't know where I am. I need help... but I have no one to ask...

[As Hotaru sobbed quietly, she took no note of the rain cloud that appeared over her head, showering rain down her back.]

✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* Prompt E *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧

[Before Hotaru knew what was happening, she had been rounded up in a group of people assigned with cleaning up pests in a cornfield. They had been told to partner up, but that was where she got stuck. Everyone else had a friend to pair up with or at least had the courage to ask a total stranger. She had neither, and her nervousness was beginning to make her self-conscious again.]

[With a fearful look on her face, she stood in place as the groups broke off to do their own hunting. It looks like she's in need of a partner but is too shy to ask anyone. Maybe someone should help her out.]

Edited 2016-09-19 00:13 (UTC)

[B]

[It's only her second day on the job but she can see why the workers decided to seek outside help. They little children were most definitely unhappy before naptime. Makoto had spent a good portion of her time today getting one three year old to calm down. That was after she'd helped get a majority of the other ones to nap. Having to deal with that on a daily basis was certainly stressful and she thought the workers might need a little boost too.

Once she's left the nursery, Makoto looks over her shoulder at the building - knowing the caretakers were probably breathing a sigh of relief now that all the kids were successfully sleeping.]

I'll bake them a cake for next time. Maybe some warm milk for the kids will help them calm down too.

[C]

[Makoto is rather cheerful when she addresses the population.]

Ever since I arrived here I've been thinking about running a bakery and was wondering just what sort of things people would like to see being sold there. I can make everything from cookies and bread to larger items such as cakes, pies or tarts. Even donuts or custard desserts. Of course I'll have special things depending on the time of the year such as pumpkin pie in the fall and a variety of fruit desserts in the spring.

You'd even be able to order custom desserts but I would like to know what you all would like to see on a more regular basis. So think of this as a little survey about your favorite baked goods! Thanks for your time.

[E]

[The special bug-hunting gun is held in one hand as she listens to the explanation of how to handle the bugs. It's a humane way of dealing with the bugs but Makoto doesn't know how well simply "throwing them off the island" is going to work. Obviously they'd gotten here somehow and could find their way back but she'll follow the instructions given to her this time.

Once left to get started, she turns to her partner for this endeavor. While she may have taken the gun in the first place she doesn't want them to feel pressured to be the bait.]

Do you want to handle the gun or draw the bugs to you? We can always switch after a few rounds if you'd like.

C:

So... I'm just... supposed to concentrate really hard and others can here me? That's how this works right? This kind of feels like something from a scifi anime or something haha..haa [ There was an awkward silence as he tried to come up with something interesting to well... think about, but well it was all kind of jumbled. ] Sorry, I'm just... a little whelmed I guess. If anyone can actually hear me well... er hi?

E:

Haha, so I guess we're in this together! Can't really say I've ever attacked bugs before, but you know, it's for everyone's safety right?

[ Whoever is partnered with Atsushi gets a bow and a sheepish smile. ]

I am in your capable hands, so just tell me what you need me to do.

F:

[ If you can't beat them, join them right? Atsushi figured this was kind of a goofy way to get everyones spirits up and seeing all sorts of costumes and people joining in would definitely do just that, right?

So while no one was looking he transformed into his Battle Lover outfit and awkwardly posed in the middle of the street. ]

Edited 2016-09-19 00:40 (UTC)

Prompt D

[It's not surprising that a robot of all people would have no issues with the stench emanating from the exploded rotten gourd bits strewn about the whole shopping district. With only internal text notifs alerting him to the rise of new chemicals in the air, Axl doesn't so much as flinch at the foul odour wafting through the air.

What's more surprising is finding the combat robot holding a shovel and bag, clearly partaking in the clean up effort. It's clear he's not happy about this though, grumbling under his breath, and a slight rise in temperature around him that's really not helping with the smell.]

Why do I hafta help out with the clean up? It's not my job...!

[With all the care of an irritated, unwilling participant to the clean up, he jabs his shovel into a pile of rotten gourd bits and messily scoops it into the bag, making even more of a mess than was there originally. Anyone nearby might get splashed with rotten gourd juice by his half-hearted efforts.]

Prompt C/E

[They were just little creatures, right? So what if they fed off emotions and had some sort of apathy gas? Axl was confident he could handle the task alone, and despite the protests of the locals, he decided to try tackling the problem alone.

About two hours later, at least a half a dozen destroyed corn stalks, a close call with the cornfield almost catching on fire and none of the roaches caught for disposal, a voice comes through the amulet, mixed with hints of shame and embarrassment.]

Okay... so I might've underestimated these things. I'm gonna need someone to help me bait these bugs out.

[Before he decided to blow up the whole field with the bugs.]

A.

[ Oh what a beautiful day today was. Even if she was millions or trillions of miles away from home, she wouldn't let that stop her. As her mother always said, she must make the best out of any situation!

Apple was skipping down the street singing a song to herself, and everywhere she went there was rainbows that seemed to follow her. And anytime she passes someone she greets them:]

Isn't today such a splenderous day~!

C:

[ It was bright and early in the morning when all light sleepers might have been awaken. She apparently took it upon herself to be a wake up call to anyone focusing on the amulets.]

La la la laaaa~ Good morning all you beautiful people~ The sun is out and the birds are chirping so it's time to get out of beeeed~ Good morning good morning it's time to get out of beeeed~

C

[Getting used to the constant chatter over the network was surprisingly easy for Hagakure, but there's still something about it that's been throwing him for a loop. He decides to chat about it in the most appropriate place, of course.]

Y'know, I've been doing this telepathy thing for a little while, but it's crazy to me that it's all living people I'm talking to and not spirits! It's really bizarre...

[But apparently speaking with the dead is totally in the realm of possibility for him? Okay then.]

Like, don't you think it's a little unnerving for everyone to have access to our thoughts?! If you're not paying attention, you could accidentally send your deepest, darkest thoughts out into the void and they could totally hear all of it! You could easily get blackmailed!! And man, don't even get me started on how it works. That has gotta be some seriously forbidden technology for it to give us mass mind-reading powers!

[Someone stop him before he keeps ranting about his conspiracy theories, good god.]

D

[Hagakure is definitely in the wrong spot at the wrong time when the smelly gourds hit the proverbial fan. Taking a stroll through the shopping district for some potentially cool new tools to use, he doesn't even have time to react to the rapidly descending rocket of squishy gourd pieces- he only manages to catch a whiff of something awful before they crash all around him and on him.

Getting rotten, squishy, stinky gourd pieces all over you is horrific enough, but one thing about Hagakure is that his hair is massive, easily standing a foot out from his scalp. And now it's caked with gourd. It's not a pretty sight, and Hagakure is not a happy camper.]

Freakin' seriously, dude?! My fortune was squeaky-clean this morning...!

[He's going to be pulling chunks out for a while. Yikes.]

E

[A bug-capturing operation, you say? Well, Hagakure has no idea that any of that is going on. He just happened to wander into the corn maze because often times, lines of flattened corn stalks tend to signal something otherworldly (as if the whole place isn't otherworldly enough), so he's here to investigate that!

...and all his excitement about the potential of this maze is drawing those bugs right toward him. At least he's making himself good bait for people actually trying to do their jobs? But maybe someone should let him know he's being followed, um.]

[It doesn't take Zagi long to decide to try telepathic communication. It's the sort of thing that should probably sound creepy in theory, but it's the quickest way to send a very important question out to as many people as possible, so why the hell not.

His voice comes in clear and loud (very loud) over the crystal and his message is brief.]

I'm looking for a guy named Yuri Lowell. I was in the middle of fighting him and I'm not done yet! Point me in his direction and you can have some money or whatever, I don't care.

[How... useful...]

[Zagi has no interest in helping anyone, but money is unfortunately a necessity and sometimes you get stuck with the worst jobs just trying to make ends meet. This does involve killing bugs though, and if they're the sort that you usually need a partner to try to fight then maybe it'll be worth his time! Probably not though.

Anyway, Zagi manages to convince the guy that he doesn't need a partner and that he's totally got this on his own, so now he's carrying a gun he doesn't know how to use into a cornfield maze like this is absolutely not going to end poorly. Once he's a good ways into the maze he drops the gun and pulls out his knives. Someone should probably tell him that this is going to end in him owing a lot of money, but he looks pretty thrilled.]

[...he is never going to catch any bugs at this rate.]

[The task board looks super boring, but there might actually be something worthwhile on it, so Zagi's combing through the requests for something good.]

[He frowns, leaning forward to double check the listing.]

[Complaining about it loudly in front of the task board will surely help.]

[ooc note: I'm be assuming a post-DD canon point for him here, but I will still welcome characters from SoJ canon points! I'm still playing but spoiled most of the major stuff for myself anyway. Of course be sure to mark your threads for spoilers, don't encourage others to be like me!!]

C.

[As unbelievable as they were, Phoenix kinda liked these telepathic amulets as he got used to them. It was like all the convenience of a cell phone, without the woes of dealing with technology!

...Of course, he hadn't quite gotten the hang of it yet. Like now, when he tries sending a telepathic message to one specific person, and it ends up in the minds of half the town instead.]

Hey Trucy, can you pick up some milk on your way home? We're running low.

D.

[Of course this lawyer is covered in gourd chunks, and sighing about it as he slowly tries to peel some of it off of him.]

Anyone get the number of that... exploding fruit?

F-1.

[Phoenix has ended up being roped into something unusual while trying to find law work around the town. He may have been an art major, but the Shaarnathian actors are putting him to work in drama now. Look in the background of the play and you'll see Phoenix! ...Without any speaking role. In fact, he only seems to have one purpose: following the dunami instructions given by the actors, he's maintaining the a gloomy cloud floating over the main actors.

He doesn't seem to be very thrilled with his role, and every now and then you might be able to catch some deadpan remark from him.]

I wonder if good cloud work can win a guy an Emmy... [Or would they call it an Emp-y?]

F-2

[Eventually, Phoenix is kidnapped by the classical actors and taking part in another production held right across the street. They've given him an odd costume to wear too for this role. As he practices his part, he starts off with an attempt at an evil laugh.]

Ah-ha-ha-haaaa! [...But then, after a pause, he deflates sheepishly.] S-sorry, it's just... what's my motivation supposed to be, exactly? [I feel like that's a question I should ask myself every day.]

Wildcard?!

[Hit me up with whatever, or with something based on the other prompts!]

Edited 2016-09-19 03:00 (UTC)

A
[Well isn't that just the grimmest tall figure stalking down the sidewalk this fine day in Verens? Stylistic skull mask, hooded coat and all, and growling just under his breath as heavy metal boots thud-

The ground cracking under every step and wafting up the scent of brimstone probably wasn't a great sign, though. Or the black smoke curling in wisps from the tail of that coat of his. A few storefront windows blacking over as he passes, practically snarling at anyone that tried to complain and continuing his march somewhere.

What is this, Reaper's no good very bad day in progress?]

C
[Calmly, something almost absent about the voice over the crystals despite the roughness of it—]

Reason will not reach a solution
I will end up lost in confusion
I don’t care if you really care
As long as you don’t go-

[... Also singing. To himself, or not so much just to himself anymore. Easy to slip, really.]

G
[It's hard to tell who may be more surprised by the sudden explosion of what looked to be a stand selling jars of jelly.

The owner of said stand, a few people caught in the dying anger of their argument, or the tall man covered in said jelly and shards of glass who had just been walking by. Sharp metal talons digging into gloved palms and said jelly hissing at the very sudden heat issuing from tall and fruit covered.

... Well maybe Reaper is steadily moving away from surprised to down right angry very quickly.]

your prompt here
[hit me with your best shot- I mean, uh. come up with your own prompt from above or whatever have fun.]

[A]

[Soo-Won thought it... best to not stick around Verens or Shaarnath much considering who all was there. The emotions between them were too volatile and they could end up causing so much damage to the surrounding area. That wasn't including the damage they did to each other mostly emotional but with the man in question, Soo-Won could very much end up dead. Something he couldn't allow to happen so he made the choice to leave - to travel the world and collect whatever information he possibly could.

In order to accomplish that he must be prepared. He didn't have much in the way of items when he came through, a tea cup with liquid long since thrown out along with the clothes on his back were his only worldly possessions. Soo-Won didn't even have a sword. What he did have was a falcon and what little money he's managed to make in the last week since his arrival.

Which is what drew him to the market on this particular day. Today he was buying a few supplies he would need in orer to go on this journey around the world. It's something he does with a smile, the space around him was bright and sunny but there was a cool wind that came with him as he moved. Flowers seem to wilt as he drew closer to them but didn't completely die off - it was the only sign that there was anything wrong.

After purchasing a few items, the shopkeeper asks him if there's anything else she can do for him.]

Can you tell me where your best tea is grown? I would like to visit there for myself.

[That is not how traveling is done, Soo-Won.]

[E]

[Somehow he'd been roped into this task before leaving. While he was curious about the bugs, Soo-Won had absolutely no experience with the odd weapons. He had come merely intending to watch but was now handed the gun. Being skilled in schooling his emotions wasn't really the problem and he was certain that if he could figure out how the gun worked then he wouldn't miss his intended target.

What he does take issue with is the disposal method. It's one thing to want to rid themselves of the emotion-eating creatures and another to toss them to the world below.]

If we simply throw them off, won't they cause problems for the people living down below? How is this fixing the problem? It might work for the people up here but it causes one for others. Getting rid of them entirely would be for the best.

Edited 2016-09-19 05:28 (UTC)

c; network

Is this really going to work? [Even after being told about the amulets and the telepathic connection they give to everyone who wears them, Hakkai can't help but be wary. The idea that any of his thoughts could be picked up by others whether he wishes to share them or not is not a pleasant idea. Which is why he's been avoiding using his amulet. Until now. There are some discussions that are simply much easier to have through a wider means of communication.]

Ah, good afternoon Verens. I suppose I should start by introducing myself. My name is Cho Hakkai and I have some questions that I'm hoping some of you would be kind enough to answer. You see, I wish to know about dunamis. I have heard a little about it already, enough to know what it is. What I wish to know is what sort of purposes do people use it for? Is it really as valuable a technique to learn as it seems? And how would one go about learning it? Are there teachers of dunamis here in Verens? [And perhaps that's enough questions to begin with.]

e;

[This isn't the type of work that Hakkai would have preferred, but when you have the tendency to live hand-to-mouth, supporting yourself on random odd jobs, you really can't complain with the type of work you find available. Plus the money is enough to get over any slight discomfort.

Which is how Hakkai finds himself crouched down behind a row of corn, web shooting gun in hand, as he waits for his partner to lure out the bugs. Being calm in the face of danger comes naturally to him, and he would hardly think of emotion sucking bugs to be anything to get into a tizzy over.

...Until he feels something creeping up his leg, causing him to start and look down, faced with the sight of one of the said bugs moving up his pants leg. A sudden sense of drowsiness comes over him.]

...Shit.

[Now would really be a bad time for his partner to need him to fire the gun.]

wildcard;

[Do your thing!]

Prompt A: Emotions:

[Manifesting emotions? He's still not sure what to make of it. Even with his first few unintentional outbursts. Still, he figures if he wants to attempt some semblance of control, the same as with his empathy, it has to be purposeful. Right? It seems to make some sense in theory if he thinks of it like that. Not that anyone can really control their emotions, but he has to try at least.

So he does. Purposely trying to make himself feel various emotions and seeing what happens, as he sits outside on the grass somewhere. Out in the open just seems safer somehow in comparison to trying this inside at least. Of course, in certain instances this goes better than others. Like when he wants to make himself upset and thinks of the cruise with Tsubaki-hime and spots the camilla flowers he created, or the start of a small fire at the grass when that leads to remembering the bomb, and the events in Kyoto. But there are other quieter moments too, when things literally just seem a bit brighter when he thinks of his partner, daisies surrounding him in a ring as his thoughts turn to Tsuzuki. Or how any flowers quickly wilt and a dark cloud hangs overhead as he thinks of a certain doctor.]

Prompt c: Networking, or. Some attempt to.

I.....think I've figured these things out? Mostly, anyway. I'm Hisoka, since I'm pretty new and all. [And it is only polite to introduce oneself, right?] I'm guessing after being here a few days already that we can't just....turn this off.

[By 'this' he means. Well, the whole 'emotions being real and manifesting' thing. Not that he isn't used to reading certain people like a book, or picking up on things even unintentionally at times with his empathy but. This seems almost a whole new level of invasive in some ways? He's really not sure he likes it.]

So how does everyone deal with it? How do you...do you ever actually 'get used' to it? This whole emotions mess?

[His empathy is one thing. He has over the years learned how to control that, more or less. But this? Not so much. Hopefully he will get the gist over time the same way as with his empathy. Maybe.

Or not. Because of course being stuck forever as a teenager means there is a lot of bottled up emotion and impulse there regardless of how mature he seems to be most of the time. Yeah. This can't go well at all.]

Because I can see this getting pretty old pretty quickly, on top of my empathy. Now how did this thing turn.....off? Wait, did it just sen--no--ack!

[And that's when he's all but fumbling to try stop the thing from broadcasting any more of his thoughts.]

Prompt D: Gourds

[Hisoka is usually one that is, if not fashionable necessarily, then at least someone who somewhat takes some pride in his appearance, if not to quite the same extent as the likes of Tatsumi and his suits. Which is why he doesn't look the most pleased when he's suddenly covered in that stuff.]

....S-seriously?!

Prompt G: Wildcard

[ooc: Basically, if you want Hisoka for another prompt or want to make one completely different, go for it!]

[D]
[Kantera had defaulted to medicine shop as his choice of employment. It was what he was knowledgeable in, it was what he enjoyed, and for the most part, it was a fairly peaceful job. He learned about infusing medicines with positive emotions to amplify their effects on the user, and about what could be done with local herbs. All in all, a good fit for him.

...Except when someone makes squash explode all over their roof.

As the newest employee, the task defaults to Kantera to clean the mess up. He understands, really, it's just... there's so much of it.]

I don't suppose you possess a ladder I could borrow? [This is asked of mostly neighboring shopkeepers, but also passerby.] Our roof has seen far better days.

[Feel free to comment that this request is coming from someone with wings.]

[A]
[Emotion magic. Even the Draken of Dragons' Peak would be amazed at such a thing, a magic anyone can learn to use. Like any other kind of magic, it requires some practice.

Kantera sits on a large towel outside, with a cup of cold tea. It's intentionally cold for the purposes of this experiment.

He focuses on that cup, and calls to mind happy thoughts. Thoughts of naps on warm days and pleasant time spent with the other residents of Nameless Town.

The tea starts to heat up, just a little, so Kantera continues, thinking that he's lucky to be here-

Do I truly deserve this after all I've done?

The teacup crumbles into dust at once, and Kantera sighs as the tea makes a stain on the stain on the towel.]

I'm beginning to run out of teacups.

[C]
If you would spare some time to answer a stranger's question... Do you find it difficult to resume your old way of life in Verens, if you choose to resume it at all?

prompt d: a jog interrupted

[ well, she was out for a nice, relaxing morning jog...so much for that! asahina definitely got hit with some of the icky gourd guts, which is still better than, like, blood. but it's also still not nice. this is terrible? it's in her hair? it's everywhere??????

she immediately starts trying to get it all off while scowling. the undoubtedly usual shoujo sparkles of pure pep that might follow her around on a daily basis are nowhere to be found, and in fact there's a distinctly gloomy atmosphere around her instead. ]

If you're going to train, it should be somewhere meant for training! Geeze!! This is like taking a volleyball team to the middle of the mall for a practice session!

[ she'll probably bounce back in a few minutes, emotionally. or...after she gets it all out of her hair, ick. ]

prompt e: bait time

[ "stealth" is not actually a skill asahina possesses, so she quite cheerfully volunteered to be bait. she's fast on her feet, it's fine! she'll run if it gets too close, right?!

...still, she's standing there with her hands on her hips, tapping one foot. so far, nothing has attacked her, and she shoots a curious glance around before frowning and trying to reach out with the telepathic...stuff. to her partner. that would be you, by the way. ]

Hey, are we SURE there are giant bugs around here, 'cause I don't see any. Should I make a commotion so they know I'm here?

prompt g: beachtime fun

[ given any choice at all on how to spend her free time, asahina gravitates to water. and luckily there are places to swim at the beach at port niras! granted, it's not as cool as a pool would be (it's kind of different to do laps in a pool and to swim in the ocean) but it's still pretty damn cool. asahina spends at least an hour a day in the water and doesn't seem to care that the weather is getting cooler.

that said, she also spends time on the shore, either jogging around or attempting to convince people to play volleyball or something with her and the 1 sportsball she has managed to acquire or building sandcastles or whatever. the point is, she's always doing something, never really having been one to sit still for too long.

anyone she meets gets a cheerful grin, regardless of whether or not she recognizes them. ]

Hey!!! Did you come for a swim? It's a great day for it, right?! [ well, it's actually a little cold, but - ] Oooh, hey, if you want to play two-person volleyball, I'm game! Or we can have a sandcastle building competition!

Prompt A/D
[One of the things that Rowen finds himself able to appreciate about his (relatively) new situation is the sheer differences in environment in comparison to both Rieze Maxia and Elympios. Any of his numerous strolls through Verens are bound to reveal splendid elements of the culture that spark the imagination. The technology is like some intriguing halfway point between Rieze Maxia's and Elympios', as is the sense of style; efficient and sturdy, yet lacking in a certain level of refinement.

Needless to say, his interests lead to frequenting the shopping district, observing and learning at a polite distance. Unfortunately, one such trip is quickly derailed by the distinct odor of rotten food. It's all he can do to hold a gloved hand to his face as he looks at the formidable mess in disappointment, punctuated by a cold breeze swirling around him.]

Prompt C
...Just like any new technology, I suppose. [It's as much a broadcasted thought as it is the tail-end of a review of his amulet. Rowen pauses to collect his thoughts, only to sigh anyway.] To think that a geezer would have to learn so many new tricks at this age.

[Though he doesn't project an image to accompany the thoughts, there is a smile in his voice.] I imagine there are a number of entertaining mishaps that have occurred in learning how to use these crystals. Would anyone care to share?

Prompt G ~~(how could I not go for that prompt suggestion?)~~
[For all of his talk of a refined palate and good taste, Rowen still has room in his experiences for simple fare. Peanut butter and jelly were not a normal combination that graced the Sharil household, but Lady Driselle loved to try food that did not require extensive preparation.

Reflective little lights gleam around Rowen as he sits in a cafe, a butter knife used to smartly spread the aforementioned condiments on toast. It's moments like these, without the bustle of work to otherwise focus on, that make him feel most nostalgic.]

Wildcard
[Feeling like these aren't enough prompts...! Toss anything at him. Figuratively. Literally.]

[ c ]

[ this telepathic channel seems to be just a quiet recital of bible verses - well, they sound like bible verses, but from no bible your character has likely heard before. the general phrasing and form sound right, but... ]

And then the Goddess sowed mercy among the people, allowing the vines of grief to disperse and be born anew with petals of black. The people covered their eyes, blinded by Her brilliance, yet respect for Her flowed from their every pore. And so the Tree was restored...

[ d ]

Oh, Lord.

[ unfortunately, "unfortunate victim" is practically synonymous with dogma's name at this point. the gourdsplosion had naturally occurred while he was between stores on what was supposed to be a short shopping trip. now his hair and robes were coated with a web of pumpkin seeds, and a particularly sneaky piece of veggie flesh seems to have wedged itself between his hat-pin and his head.

so you may have the good priest approach, shopping in one hand and robes hiked above the gourd-splattered ground with the other, expression.... somehow even more sour than usual.

still not as sour as the rotten smell around, though. ]

Excuse me, I seem to find myself in need of a place to clean my clothes. I would return home, but I think this infernal stench would to much to bear for the whole journey back.

[ e ]

[ guns are not dogma's specialty, but keeping himself in emotional check was, so. here he is, gun in hand, bugs under target. there was something that felt deeply immoral about using human bait, but considering that the bugs don't seem to be particularly dangerous, maybe it was fine. just this once. ]

Are you ready? My aim may not be spectacular, so I will avoid shooting until I'm certain you are clear of the area.

Edited 2016-09-19 13:34 (UTC)

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the Justice | Fukigen na Mononokean

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