empatheias_ooc | TEST DRIVE: NOVEMBER

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!mod,
*test drive

TEST DRIVE: NOVEMBER

— TEST DRIVE: NOVEMBER —

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, October 25 and Applications (Canon | OC) open Tuesday, November 1st.
OC Reminder! Just a quick reminder that original characters are allowed. Those interested can also use the test drive. OCs do not need to be reserved.
Emotions are key! Empatheias' premise focuses on how anyone's emotions can affect their environment, be it big or small. While not every emotion will cause a reaction, significant ones definitely will. How much effect a character will have will ultimately be up to you, the player. Also, while we're giving a lot of leeway for the test drive, keep in mind that there will be some limits in the actual game.
Everyone has an amulet. All characters have a unique amulet that is specialized for them. It will contain all of their emotion drops and it serves as the network device. Remember, communication is telepathic. Otherwise, it works basically the same.
Assume the character is already in the game. Because "OMG WHERE AM I IS THIS REAL LIFE" threads aren't going to be very helpful in this test drive! Plus those are going to happen in-game, anyway. So to make things easier, just assume that they've been around at least a week or so. Still learning the ropes, but not a complete "first day" experience.
First or third person allowed. Your threads can be in either first or third, but we'd advise being flexible about it. Remember, these threads can also be used in your application for samples! Reminder: We only require one sample and it can be done in either format. We have also made a change to our sample requirements, so look over the Applications page!

Now with that out of the way, here are some prompts you guys can work from!

PROMPTS

• Prompt A: How about giving the emotions a try?

• Prompt B: Refer to the Task Board and choose a task your character may be interested in taking up. For this prompt, you could have your character ask for help, already be in the middle of the job, or react to it in some way. Perhaps they were an unfortunate victim or want to create a job countering an existing one. You could even have a prompt making a job request. Creating jobs for the purpose of the test drive is absolutely doable.

• Prompt C: How about giving the amulets a go? Start a telepathic conversation and see how it works. Remember, the amulets are sending out the owner's thoughts so might want to be careful about how the stream of consciousness goes...

• Prompt D: The Boreas Harvest Festival is fast approaching, and the farmers are trying hard to work through the bleak weather conditions to get their crops in before they go bad from all the apathy. All hands on deck—but there may be too many unwanted hands roaming around.

Scarecrows. The scarecrows that have been set up as a festive reminder of the time of year have unfortunately come under the influence of some errant strong emotions from the farm hands that work in the fields. Unfortunately that includes trying to ward off anyone who enters the fields with pitchforks and is one of them carrying a torch? Maybe if they can be convinced that you are trustworthy they will calm down.
Invading rabbits. There are ton of rabbits ravaging the carrot patches. They're easily frightened, but some are more tenacious than others. Beware of the white rabbit with red eyes.
Save the crops! Several batches are already starting to spoil! The only thing that can save them is dumping as much positive emotions into them. Joy of good food, hope for a bountiful meal, love of eating—whatever will work. Just be careful. Too much and those things might grow and explode…

• Prompt E: Aiada, the Arehtei of appreciation and jealousy, has sent a personal request for those who are interested. There is a small island just beneath Empatheias that she has been cultivating over the many centuries. She wishes to contribute to the Harvest Festival with some seeds and spores. However, the recent atmosphere has also reached down there, and now it's all a mess! Giant mushrooms replaced the trees and there's slime and mold everywhere. The cure? Aside from getting a lot of heavy duty cleaners and pushing it off, appreciation will go a long way to help.

Goop brigade. Grab that bucket and shovel and clear the goop out! Just be careful not to have too much get on you—jealousy might take over.
Appreciation balls. To help hasten the effort, Aiada has given several tubs filled with light, green orbs. Once channeled with enough appreciation, they can be used as mini-grenades to help explode and wash the area with more positive energy. Those caught in the blast won't be harmed. If anything, they'll just be very thankful.
Watch the ledges. Careful, it's a fairly small island and the goop and slime has made things slick. If you fall… That's not a good way to go, let's just say that.

• Prompt F: Various parties are interested in the emotion shards scattered all over Thera. But this time around, the focus is on the medical laboratory as the equipment and potential research there is also of interest. For three days those who volunteer are sent back to try and gather as much as possible—but of course this won't be easy.

Skeletal Scientists. The remains of the scientists who once worked in these rooms are still lurking, ready to protect their work. Fortunately they're relatively weak nerds, so not too difficult to dispatch. Just be careful.
Flying equipment. The various medical equipment has also taken life, scalpels and needles flying everywhere and stethoscopes ready to strangle.
Questionable liquid. Most of the easy shards have already been taken, leaving the more difficult to retrieve ones left. In particular they're found in strange, dark pink liquid. It's mostly harmless—except that upon contact intense waves of grief and suffering will course through. The longer the exposure, the worse it is. So hopefully a bucket full of it doesn't fall on you…

• Prompt G: Make your own! It could include feathers and/or confetti.

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!

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[ Galen is once again struck by the similarities. Even if he ignores everything else... that was the same sharp tongue he knew. He swears if he hears anything about going to rescue some Wookies he's just going to pack up and leave right there. ]

A young girl by the name of Leia Organa, the princess of Alderaan. Are you a relative of the royal family maybe?

[ He cocks his head a little, lips purse as he gave her a critical eye. There was no way that there wasn't a connection... But as far as he knew Leia didn't have any older siblings. A cousin maybe? It'd be an awfully big coincidence either way though. ]

[She's not sure what she expected--someone confusing her for Padme, despite Padme not having been a princess, maybe--but that certainly wasn't it. Her eyes widen and she blinks in surprise, but that expression, and the cold wind accompanying it, only lasts momentarily, quickly replaced with her usual neutral expression.

Leia doesn't reply right away, instead looking Galen up and down to see again if there's anything there that might jog her memory, as futile as she knows it to be. Remembering names and faces and all sorts of details connected with both is something Leia has had to do all her life, and if she couldn't remember this person now, it's unlikely she would even if she thought more on it.]

In that case, it's only natural I'd remind you of myself. Unfortunately, I can't seem to recall your name.

...Ah. That would explain it.

[ He feels.. disappointed on top of confused. He seems to recall someone telling him that time could be odd here. If she was Leia, and honestly he didn't have much argue against the fact, that would account for the age discrepancy... But that she didn't know his name? Didn't recognize him? He does a good enough job at not betraying how he felt on his face, but even he can't stop a few small blades of grass wilting at his feet. ]

It's Galen. Galen Marek.

[ He pauses then, just a moment. ]

You don't know me, do you?

[Time differences are something Leia is no stranger to, with the nearly 60-year difference between people from their galaxy here, but this is something different altogether. Two people from the same place but with wildly different memories is something she honestly isn't sure how to handle, and though Galen may do a good job of hiding his emotions, but it's not difficult for Leia to imagine what he must be feeling after that, on top of finding himself in a new galaxy.

Her expression softens, and Leia glances away just briefly before her focus returns to Galen, a hint of something like regret in her expression. She knows she shouldn't feel bad, because it's nothing either of them did, but it's hard to not feel that way when faced with someone who you've never met that claims to recognize you.]

I'm sorry, but I don't. How did we meet?

[which is, you know, really weird to ask, but she can't just not ask about it.]

[ It's really something strange to have to explain to someone how you met them... but Galen sighs a little and straitens up. He supposes there have been odder things. ]

I met you on the Wookie homeworld, Kashyyyk. My... [ His brow crinkles a little. How do you describe the drunk old Jedi who's been giving you guidance? ]... mentor, General Kota [ good enough. ] had a contact with the Senate. That contact wanted something extracted from the planet before Imperial activity there got too heated.

You ended up being the thing that needed extraction. However... [ He crosses his arms and a look of annoyance crosses his face. ] You refused to leave and made it clear in no uncertain terms you wouldn't be going anywhere until I destroyed the Skyhook the Empire was building to transport Wookie slaves off planet. And rescued all the Wookies currently captured. I briefly considered just knocking you in the back of the head.

[ But that would be a very un-Jedi-like thing to do. Especially when one is trying to be one of the good guys. ]

[It's almost funny; though the story he's telling is nothing Leia has any memory of, it's something she can absolutely see happening, knowing how she could be. Especially considering how closely it did tie in with other work she does know she did during her younger years. A trip to Kashyyyk may not have happened, but helping Wookies and other species in similar situations as best she could certainly did.

Leia can't help the smallest of amused smiles at him saying he considered just knocking her out. She knows just how well that would have gone, and spoilers, the answer is not well at all.]

I think it's for the best that you didn't stick with that plan. You did rescue the Wookies, didn't you?

[ To be honest trying to be a good guy or not it didn't take a genius or force visions to realize just how bad an idea it probably would have been.

He gives her a look that says 'Really? REALLY?' because from his point of view this is a conversation he's had before. Some of it over the radio as he was in the process of doing so while being chased by ridiculous amounts of storm troopers. Some in AT-STs. There had been nothing covert about that little excursion. ]

Of course I did! I wasn't about ready to leave you somewhere hostile and I don't abandon missions halfway through.

[His reaction only makes her smile wider, and she bites it back to try and hide it. She can't help but find it amusing; something about how emphatic he is about having done as she "requested" (demanded, really, it sounds like), as well as his assertion that he doesn't abandon missions are both things Leia looks favorably on. Because as curious as she was about the safety of the Wookies, she was half-teasing in asking him that.]

I'm sure I could have managed. But, I'm glad they're safe, and for your help in ensuring their safety.

After meeting you I've no doubt you would have, but the point still stands.

[ He sighs a little, sounding just a touch defeated. For a former Sith apprentice he's surprisingly loyal. A trait that was one of the things that began to lead him away from that dark path to begin with. ]

It was... nice actually. Saving lives.

[ He colors a little, feeling vaguely embarrassed for admitting that. It was the truth though. A mission that he honestly felt... GOOD about. He very rarely saved people, most of his assignments when he was under Vader were simply assassinating his enemies. ]

Not something you were used to?

[it's the way he phrased his statement that caught her attention, and there's no judgment in her tone as she asks. She's more curious than anything. She knows full well there's plenty of people--in the rebellion and otherwise--that didn't or don't have much opportunity to directly save lives. For all she knows, his situation was the same.]

[ She really didn't know. The Leia he knoew... there was no way she wasn't aware, though he hadn't had a chance to speak with her since it all came out.

It'd be easy to lie, to come up with some tale. Maybe he was going soft but the thought didn't sit right with him. ]

...Can you keep a secret?

[ For just a moment he looks very young. He's barely seventeen though his maturity causes most to think him older. But for just that blink and you'll miss it moment he looks like the lost and confused teenager that he is. ]

[In some way, the question surprises her, her eyebrows raising as he asks her that. At the same time, though, she appreciates it. She may not be the Leia he knows, and that might be enough to give some people pause if they were in a similar situation, but it seems like Galen is willing to trust her, at least somewhat, and she can understand and appreciate how he must be feeling.]

I'd be very bad at my job if I couldn't.

[ He's still silent for a moment, and he bites his lip. But her answer seems to satisfy him and he speaks. ]

I... was his apprentice. Lord Vader that is. For very long time.

[ She should at least know that name. Of that he's certain. He's of little consequence, the number of people that know he even exists could probably be counted on one hand. His Master however? There wasn't a soul in the galaxy who didn't know that name.

The grass at his feet wilts more and he still can't help but wonder if he's making a mistake. Too late to go back now. ]

Doing 'nice' things was not exactly on my agenda.

[Her gaze hardens and Leia draws herself up straighter at his confession, a cold air creeping in around them. She would want to leave, to find some way to avoid him as much possible, since she knows getting rid of him, or any other imperials, would mean little here.

But, he said "was." He had explained how he was on her side in a mission against the empire. It's that past tense that has her still standing in front of him, and not fighting or running, though she does look much more wary, more closed off than before, and when she speaks again, it's less of a question and more of a demand.]

You were his apprentice. What happened?

[ He feels that chill in the air. And panic seizes his heart before he reminds himself that sort of reaction was warranted. To be expected. ]

My Master's final mission to me was disguise myself as a Jedi and go out and help stir up sentiments of rebellion, so that he could find those who would oppose the Empire and arrest them.

[ ...This all sounds so bad. ]

However... I found people. People who actually cared about me. Who saw me as more then a tool. They looked at me like I was actually a person who mattered. I had no idea people could feel that way...

[ He shakes his head. He hadn't intended on saying so much, but sometimes when the floodgates broke... ]

I didn't want to betray them.

[It does sound bad, there's no denying it. But he had changed, it seemed. She's not sure how much she can trust his words, but he's admitting he now knows he was wrong before. And not accepting him when she has no issue accepting Finn would make her a hypocrite, she knows full well. And it's not as if he's the first, or the last, imperial defector to the rebellion's side.

Leia is silent for a few moments after Galen's explanation, studying him closely and looking incredibly guarded as she does so. Finally, when she speaks up, there's no smile accompanying her words--it's difficult to bring back the pleasantry of earlier now that Darth Vader has been brought up--and her tone is more formal than before, but Leia sounds very much as if her mind has been made up, willing to give him a chance knowing what she does now.]

I can imagine full well how that monster must have treated anyone he interacted with regularly. I'm glad you've learned your own worth, and decided to fight with us against the Empire. People with your kind of loyalty are always welcome with us.

I'm glad too.

[ Oh he could tell her stories of his relationship with his Master. Stories about his training techniques that would make even the sturdiest of heart cringe in horror. But he's not going to. Not now, maybe not ever. To anyone. There were some stories that were just better left untold.

For now... he looks relieved, at least a little. It could have gone worse. Much worse, and he's grateful that she's still cordial at the very least. It's probably more then he deserves. ]

It really took root then? The rebellion?

[ From his perspective it had only just barely entered the beginning stages. The whispers just barely turning to rallying shouts. But this Leia was at least a little older then the one he knew. ]

[Some of that tension fades at his question, a small, satisfied smirk making its way across Leia's face as she considers her answer. She can't help it, she knows how the rebellion used to be, and how it grew into what it was now and what she knows happens in the future (even if that future is one she still wants to change). As the cause she's devoted her entire life to, there's no way to hide how proud she is of what they've all managed to achieve for the galaxy.]

The emperor is dead, as is your former master. It's not over by a long shot, but we're on our way to restoring the republic.

[Which should be more than enough of an answer to his question. Instead of icy winds, this time, the grass around them brightens to a more vibrant green, matching Leia's better mood.]

[ Her reply stuns him into silence for a moment, eyes widening a bit and his mouth forming an 'o' that might have almost been comical looking under different circumstances. He wonders if maybe he even misheard her. ]

They're truly dead? Both Vader and the evil old ghoul? How?

[ The news is almost too good to be true. Especially considering what he was doing mere moments before finding himself in this other world. ]

I tried but I couldn't. Not by myself at least, not against the both of them.

[She doesn't nod or anything at his question, instead giving him the sort of look that almost asks if he thinks she'd lie about that. Because while she might stretch the truth or jokingly make things up to tease someone, the deaths of Greatest Dad in the Galaxy and Palpatine are something too important and too serious to joke about.]

Unfortunately, I don't know all of the specifics on the "how," as I wasn't there when it happened. [But she would have liked to have been there, don't even worry about that.]

I was told what happened, but many of the details were left out in his explanation.

[ Certainly it's not something to joke about. But sometimes you hear something that sounds so shocking you can't help but wonder if you misheard. ]

Forgive me. I suppose the how isn't important. Just that it happened.

[ He shakes his head. Despite the news there's a hint of sadness to his voice, a damp cool mist hangs about him, a little bit of misery made tangible. ]

Thank you for tell me.

[As is the usual case with Verens, no matter how well someone might want to hide anything, like a hint of sadness, the environment here makes that near impossible. That mist is hard to not notice, and as it appears, Leia frowns, the colors returning more to their natural state around them. She might not know why just yet, but it's clear that something else is involved that's bothering him somehow.]

Is something wrong?

[ He scowls and waves his hand through the air, attempting to disperse the stupid meddling mist. This is definitely going to take some getting used to. ]

It's nothing.

[ Which is a lie. Obviously. And it seems as if this place is good at making it hard to do so. So he sighs, shoulders slumping a touch. ]

Vader. He needed to be killed, for many reasons. But he's still the person who raised me.

[ As shitty a job as he did. ]

Given who he was it might sound horrible to say so but I hope he found a little peace in the end.

[To say Leia finds it difficult to sympathize would be a complete understatement. It's not hard to see some sort of parallel, with Vader raising Galen, and Vader being her birth father, but Leia isn't the type to easily forgive. Or at least not when it comes to Vader and everything he'd done, and not when she had no real chance to process that information before being confronted with Anakin Skywalker here, alive, and with no knowledge of what he does in the future.]

You're allowed to have your own opinions, even if they're something like that. According to Luke, he turned to the light before his death.

[Buuuut she calls bs on that, since she didn't see it and never saw any indication of any light in him at all.]

Personally I don't believe he deserved any peace.

[ Luke? Wasn't that the name of the kinda dorky guy who helped him with the rabbits? ...Probably a coincidence. Totally. ]

I used to think that too. I still do a little.

[ His voice sounds strained, conflicted. He struggles so much now. Life was simpler when he blindly followed his Master. Not that he wished for that again. This was... better. Harder, but better. ]

I'm afraid though. Hating him will just send me tumbling back down a path I don't want to travel anymore.

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TEST DRIVE: NOVEMBER

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