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!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

(while he's very glad of trucy's capabilities to handle herself against zombies protecting their work, he'd also prefer for her to never have to be in a situation like this, now or ever. neither of them are very good with scary things like this (apollo especially, but he'll deny it), and while he very much would like to go hide somewhere, he can't just let trucy keep saving him like this.

he doesn't care about getting dirty, it's not like he stayed that way long against the zombies anyway. he's far more concerned about any injuries she might have sustained. he gives her a quick once over for anything even remotely out of place, and while he's currently definitely not the bravest one in the room, he's making a promise to himself right here and now to protect her.

he opens his mouth to respond, interrupted rather rudely by a book that... trucy barely reacts to. yeah. that's it. he's dead serious, shoving down any bit of fear that might be trying to bubble up. he grabs her hand, guiding her toward the door. he breaks off a piece of the chair she was using before, giving himself another makeshift weapon. he is so done.) No. We're getting out of here. We didn't sign up to fight this many zombies unarmed. No amount of money is worth your safety.

[ Trucy blinks a few times when he reacts. Her eyes never leave him as he moves about the room to break chair to make a more suitable weapon, and when he takes her hand she grips it tightly, because she's certainly not going to let it go unless they absolutely have to. The last thing they need is to get separated -- these creepy labs are a lot bigger and more detailed than she'd originally thought they'd be.

At the very least, they could have been provided with a map or something, but no.

As they make their way to the door, she leans down and a heavy book in her free hand. It's a heavy book, one that may not be the best combat weapon but it'll do if push comes to shove. Her hand tightens around Apollo's, because really, this is pretty scary. ]

Well, it's not worth your safety either, Polly, not just mine. Do... do you remember the way out? There were so many twists and turns...

[ She peers around his arm and down the hallway of ominously flickering lights. She can hear shuffling, though, and it makes her smile fall for a moment. She's not sure how many of these things are there, but maybe if they're quiet enough, they can just sneak past. ]

...Are you gonna be okay with this, Polly? [ Her gaze moves from the hallway back up to him, curious blue eyes clearly showing her concern for him. ]

(he's definitely still very terrified, for both of their sakes. more trucy's than his, honestly, she's been through enough this experience. she fought through those things all on her own to save him, it's his turn to protect her.

he won't grip her hand tight enough to hurt, but it's definitely not showing signs of weakening anytime soon. lawyers force their biggest smiles and all that, this time is no exception, courtroom or not. he shuffles the wood in his hand around, enough so that he can pull a small notebook out of his pocket. he's suddenly very glad he picked up on a note-taking habit.) I've got the directions right here, just in case something like this happened.

(both of their hands might be too full to handle the book, but he hands it to her regardless, putting his trust in her as he always does.) I need you to guide me out of here, Trucy. I'll keep them away, I promise!

(he may have a confident smile on his face, but his hand is trembling more than he cares to admit to. this is scary. this is scary, and they're both still kids in this very moment, and neither of them should have to deal with this. but he'll be strong for trucy, the way she always is for him. those sounds are nothing to calm their nerves, but apollo swallows nervously, not ready yet still prepared at the same time.) I'm sure! We're gonna get out of this, Trucy! We're gonna be fine!

[ She never dreamed that a zombie situation was going to be a real thing, and yet, here they are, facing off with the undead. She's certainly going to be avoiding creepy labs for the next forever or so.

Her gaze falls on the little notebook that he pulls out, and she shifts her own weapon enough to take it, before dropping the larger book all together. She's got her fists, and these nerdy undead go down pretty easily, after all, and so she nods her head at him. The task he's giving her is simple enough, all she has to do is read the directions in reverse to get them out of here. ] You're so smart, Polly! Okay, no problem, I can do that. I don't think it'll take us that long to get out of here, and if we're quiet enough, we may be able to avoid any confrontation all together.

[ Except it's Apollo and Trucy, and they're never quiet enough for anything, honestly. She flashes him a genuine smile this time, because as frightening as this all is, she's feeling a little more confident about the situation now, and she gives his hand a light squeeze of reassurance. ]

Okay, then. We're definitely goin to be fine! Here we go! [ With that statement, she lightly pushes the door the rest of the way open, and out into the hallway they go. She peers down at the notebook, squinting, before looking up and down the dark corridor. ] Down this hallway and to the left, Polly. From there it looks like we'll be taking a right and backtracking through that examination room we looked through earlier again.

(he's not sure how he feels about her dropping her own makeshift weapon, but her confidence and reassurance in him is all he needs. if trucy trusts him, he'll protect her with everything he's got. he is, however, doubting the "you're so smart!" comment and just thinking isn't that just common sense.) We haven't been wandering around too long, so I think we'll be able to get out quick.

(he's doubting on if they'll manage to avoid any run ins with the zombies, but he'll remain hopeful trucy's sake. and maybe if he manages that, it'll rub onto himself, too. he takes in a big breath before stepping back out into the hallway, moving as swiftly but silently as he can. he might be the lawyer of the famed chords of steel, but he's determined to keep his mouth shut to keep them safe.) Was that examination room empty when we went through it before? We might get lucky going back.

[ She's more than confident in Apollo. She's seen him punch people with no issues, and so punching zombies with a chair leg should be easy enough for him. Besides, even without a weapon directly in her hands she's not completely unarmed, either. As he leads her down the hallway, her eyes continue taking in his directions. ]

It was, but remember that these things seemed to just come to life when we started actually touching things and finding pieces of those research notes. That seemed to trigger them, so they're probably on the lookout for us now... if zombies are even smart enough to do that.

[ It's the only thing she can think of, really. She's seen a ton of zombie movies in her lifetime, but really, those zombies weren't smart. These ones were actual scientists in life... not to mention she's pretty sure that this entire world has something to do with the damned things coming alive again. ]

...How do you think they died? The scientists, that is. Do you think they were murdered? [ These are probably not questions she should be focusing on right now, but she can't help it. As they reach the examination room, they'll find that there are, in fact, a few zombies now shuffling around in there, and Trucy frowns slightly because she can both see and hear them from the doorway. A throwing knife is casually shaken from the inside of the glove of her free hand, and she glances up at Apollo again. ]

Ready?

(he would argue the fact that he only punched phoenix because he deserved it, and that even took him by surprise. anyone else, and he is a complete weenie in the face of a fight. he is glad trucy's paying attention to the monsters' behavior, at least, giving a nod in response.) So they'll only pay attention to us if we're examining things. It makes sense, we're probably seen as a threat to their territory.

(he personally doubts their abilities to do much else outside the realm of groan, have a desire for brains, and walk slowly yet terrifyingly toward their victims. maybe they'll be okay if they just power walk away from the creepies. but, in a weird way, talking about how they died makes him think of it like a case. something to focus on aside from dreading doom.) I don't know. Their bodies are too decomposed to be able to pinpoint if they'd been attacked or not. Something might have gone wrong in the lab that ultimately lead to their deaths.

(normally, he'd be quite concerned at trucy's ability to just keep weapons hidden like that, but right now, it's a welcome thing. he gives her a firm nod, and while still worried about the fight ahead of them, it's only a few. a deep calming breath before they burst in guns blazing.) I'm ready. We'll be fine.

Exactly! Of course, I don't really want to test that theory, because for all I know we could walk in there and they'd go after us. But it makes sense, if they were that secretive in life, why not in death? Ah, you're probably right, though. Let's... hope we don't run into whatever killed them and made them like this! You know, I think I've seen a movie that kind of mirrors this situation...

[ This is all a little morbid, but really, they've dealt with worse things on their investigations. Of course, none of the corpses of the deceased tried to eat them, but those are just small details that can be ignored. Probably. Either way, Trucy smiles at him, before turning her attention back at the zombies in question. One of them is wearing a polka-dotted bow tie and she almost feels a little guilty for what she's about to do. ]

You're right, we're going to be more than fine. Let's put these guys to rest! After this room, we've got about four more to get through... I don't know how long we've been in here, but we went further than I realized! Maybe we'll still come across some of that information we're supposed to be looking for, too! Okay, Polly, here we go!

[ Filled with a sense of renewed confidence, the magician twirls the knife within her hand for a moment, before hurling it as hard as she can. Trucy's a strong girl, and that means the power behind that knife isn't anything to laugh about -- that poor bow-tied zombie is hit so hard in the head that he actually gets pinned to the wall nearest to him. This, of course, gains the attention of the others in the room, and they all begin groaning and shuffling around, occasionally bumping into one another and whining weakly. ]

Trucy, there are a dozen movies out there like this. Luckily, you're the cute leading girl, so you should be fine, but I'm the comic relief, so I might not be so lucky... (trying to make light of the situation is at least a lame attempt at cheering up their moods. trucy's usually the one to do it, but maybe this time, apollo will help her out, even if he sucks at it.

he has absolutely no reservations about her knife throwing skills, however, he knows she's very careful and won't stab herself and always hits the mark. like she did just now. he's keeping her close, ready to defend her at even a moment's notice, scream their heads off if it comes down to that.) I'd rather not take any chances looking for it, even if we can just... walk past these guys, more of them might come out.

(because seriously, bumping into each other? whining? they were really only scared because they got ambushed. take that away and these guys aren't that terrifying. he'll be trying to move them through the room, careful not to invade their space, touch anything, or even get their attention. they've got to play it safe, come back later with a better plan.)

[ Trucy can't stop herself from laughing, but she's quick to shut herself up, not wanting to capture the attention of the undead, who are currently bumbling around almost nervously now. ]

Usually the 'cute leading girls' are the ones to die first! Remember that one movie we watched last Halloween? I mean, the scenario was a crazed masked killer and not zombies, but same difference really! Besides, I'm pretty sure the comic relief here are those doofy guys in the lab coats. Really, Polly, the handsome heroic lead with the wooden chair leg will definitely survive!

[ She grins at him, giving him a gentle, playful nudge. She appreciates his humor, after all. Still, he's probably right -- setting them off right now would be a bad idea, especially when they're too busy whimpering and tripping over one another. ]

Right, right -- [ She's about to say something else, when one of the zombies trips over a large examination table in the middle of the room, tumbling onto the ground and loosing his head. Part of her wants to burst out into laughter, and the other part wants to flail and shriek because it's gross and they just saw a dead guy decapitate himself and no. ]

--Holy cow, he didn't need to lose his head over his research! [ Sorry, Apollo, but these stupid remarks aren't going to end just because of the precarious situation they're in at the moment. She does quiet down, however, once they actually enter the room, and she sticks close to him. While his eyes are forward, hers are watching their backs, making damned sure these things don't turn on them suddenly.

At the moment, they seem more preoccupied with bumping into walls, and... is one of them actually looking into a mug of what was probably once coffee? ]

(he'll just. pull her a little closer after her little outburst is done, be a bit more of a protective shield if absolutely necessary.) No, there's always a girl and a guy alive at the end, and they usually wind up dating for some stupid reason. I'd be more concerned with therapy than getting a girlfriend.

(the joke doesn't go unappreciated, however, with him giving her a rather grateful smile in return. he at least feels less like they're going to die now, and more on if they don't keep quiet, they might get whiny zombies going after them.

until a head literally rolls right in front of them and he swears this is going to be even worse bad luck than a cat crossing his path. holy mother give him strength to not scream like a little girl as he claps a hand over trucy's mouth.) Trucy, shhhh!

(he has to quickly check around the room to make sure none of the undead are paying any particular attention to them, before he carefully returns to tiptoeing out of the room. hopefully they'll just... keep bumping into walls like idiots.)

You know, I don't know why anyone would want to date after such a hideous experience. Like, I understand it'd make people closer, but wouldn't it stay in the friend zone? [ She hums, genuinely curious even as he acts as the protective mother hen that he is. ] I mean, I really love you, Polly, but not in the romantic way. So when this eventually becomes a movie, we'll have to remind the beautiful people portraying us not to get too lovey-dovey.

[ Because this is going to be made into a major motion picture! At least, in her mind. She grins at him and squeezes his hand gently, pleased that he doesn't seem quite as nervous now. She's about to start laughing when he covers her mouth, and she can't stop herself from snickering against his hand for a moment, because she knows he's right. The other zombies are pretty busy tripping over one another and wheezing, and for a moment she thinks they've made it safely.

But as soon as they cross the threshold, a glasses wearing zombie literally runs right into them. He whines loudly and actually reaches up instinctively to try and adjust his glasses, before making a weak grab at the two. Trucy's about to whack it, when she realizes that she... doesn't have the book she'd been carrying before, having dropped it in lieu of being able to easily access the notepad he'd given her. ]

It's not like Hollywood has a realistic idea of how love works. Half of the problems in their movies would be fixed if people just talked or didn't immediately think to do the stupidest thought in their heads. (at her comment, however... well, apollo never has been the best at accepting affection and the like. he's rather awkward about it, really.) A-Ah... I love you, too, Trucy.

(he's not sure about the cinematic quality of their misadventures, that's for sure. but whatever keeps trucy in a better mood as they get through this isn't something he's going to try to stop her. her pep is more encouraging than anything, really, giving him a bit more assurance that things will be okay.

that is, until a rather pathetic looking zombie, complete with nerdy actions, wanders over to them and attempts to... who knows what. probably just annoy them at this point. apollo lets out a surprised yelp, only a tad terrified for his life, before swinging his chair leg as hard as he can.

which sends the upper half of the zombie across the room. leaving the legs to wander around aimlessly. yep, apollo is grabbing trucy and dragging her out of here as quickly as possible.) Yep, we're leaving, we're done here.

I like the parts where they get cornered, and instead of ducking under the zombies or attempting to fight, they just scream and get eaten like losers. [ She nods, because it's true. At his returned affections, though, she absolutely beams. She already knows that Apollo loves her, too, but hearing it? It's completely made her day. ] Aww! You're like my big brother from another mother, Polly!

[ She'd go on about it, really, except now isn't the time. She can bombard him with hugs and love when they're out of this crappy situation. When Apollo yelps, so does she, although it's a bit muted compared to his. It's only a few seconds later that Apollo actually whacks the zombie in half, and she can do nothing but stare blankly at first, before bursting out into laughter.

Is it nervous laughter? Maybe, who knows? What SHE knows is that the sight of legs staggering around, and the torso dragging itself to try and find it's glasses that have been knocked off is absolutely hilarious to her for some reason. She willingly moves alongside him, trying to stifle her laughter until it turns into giggles and eventually subsides. ]

You're really strong, Polly! That was totally cool! Ah, right -- directions. From that room, we're going to continue on down this hallway and take a left. There's going to be an x-ray room on the right, but it looks like you marked that down as a landmark. We'll keep going down the hallway, cut through the cafeteria, and we should be home free after that!

I like how they pretty much run to danger, I mean I would've called the cops or something by that point. (apollo's survival instincts are too good for fall for that bullshit, thank god. he's just unlucky enough to have trouble always find him. he joy flusters him, not quite expecting just... honesty in the midst of all this near death experience.) Ah... r-really?

(affection given so readily and with such force, though he expects it from trucy, it's surprising, at the least. he'd prefer to focus on this conversation, just not... when zombies are after them, nerd ones or not. it's unsettling him, and her nervous laughter doesn't help. while he normally would've loved to stay and mock the two different halves of the zombie, right now he's far too concerned with getting them out and alive and preferably unbitten.

he keeps a firm grip on her hand to make sure they don't get separated, and while he'd love nothing more than to hide in a corner until someone can save them, he's got trucy to worry about, too, and he'll stand in the way of those undead jerks if he has to for her.) Okay. Okay, we can get through this, we'll be okay. We'll be fine! We're almost out, I just hope none of them are gonna catch up to us.

Ahaha! They sure do! Except if it's a zombie apocalypse, there wouldn't be cops, right? Everyone would be... dead, so to speak. So you'd have to take matters into your own manly hands! And by that, I mean get a weapon and go to town! [ Much like he's doing right now! She blinks at his little question, because for her, affection and things related to it just sort of come naturally. At least towards the people she's closest to. ] Well, yeah. Of course!

[ Duh, Apollo. She listens to his nervous rambling, using her free hand to pat his shoulder, because she's pretty sure nothing is going to catch up to them at this point. As a matter of fact, she gently stops him for a moment and turns to look over her shoulder, pointing down the hallway. They're being followed, alright, except it's not very threatening at all.

These things are literally wheezing and trying to push one another out of the way and have actually gotten themselves stuck in the hall. ]

Polly, I... think we're safe. [ She stares at the nerds for a moment, and the one that he knocked and half suddenly crawls out from the crowd. ] Hey, look, he's back!

[ It's at this point, the half-nerd reaches for their ankles, and she just sort of reaches down and takes his glasses off. And tosses them off to the side.

....That was probably super mean, and if zombie looks could kill, she'd be dead herself right now. He whines and just kind of flops over, and now she finds herself casually tugging Apollo back down the hall. ]

Anyways! Yes, we're going to be just fine! No worries, Polly. Two more rooms, and we're done!

This is bad enough as it is, don't make me think about a possible zombie apocalypse, Trucy. (it's not a monday or thursday, he thinks. and really, those are the only days an apocalypse would most like happen on. it sure as fuck wouldn't be a friday or the weekend.

he will also handle the "i love you"s later, but he is... just a tad pink in the cheeks. there are certain things he's not used to hearing, and having so many people ripped from his life, "i love you" is near the top of the list.

at her request to stop, and even turn around trucy what are you doing they need to get the fuck out--

he could almost laugh at how pathetic the zombies are being. truly, it's a sight and even apollo knows he has his shit together more than these dead losers. which doesn't say much, but he takes whatever win he can get. it's when the top half of the zombie from before starts dragging his dead self towards them, reaching out, and apollo swears he heard something about brains.

he pales considerably again, as trucy tries to tug him away, and he obliges, almost scuffing his way around.) We're never coming back here again. Ever.

Well, I mean, it could happen! Hey... uh, are we murdering these guys by knocking their heads off? Like, can we be prosecuted for this?

[ Literally, this is something she hadn't thought about before until right now. If that's the case, she's got a LOT of evidence to forge to make damn sure they aren't caught and prosecuted to the highest extend of Verens law... which she's not even sure how high that goes. They won't be held accountable, though. She'll make sure of it...

She chuckles at his words, looping her free arm around his even as their hands remain tightly held together, as though they're making their way through the mall or a carnival or something fun other than this lab of horrors. ]

Aw, but it's not that bad, is it? Then again, if we've just committed murder, it's probably best not to come back. Well, I mean, I'll have to come back later tonight to make sure we don't get caught...

[ ...She's thinking about this seriously, Apollo. Better stop this train of thought right now. ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

TEST DRIVE: NOVEMBER

u can't steal his lines too oh my god

i can and i did his lines are dorky as fuck but HE'S JUST FINE

um his lines are beautiful works of art excuse you

no apollo in general is a beautiful work of art end of story ok

inhales he's such a good SUCH A GOOD

yes he is he just needs to be hugged and loved forever he's BEEN THROUGH ENOUGH in his short life

he needs people to not die, like that is his only standard at this point

this is so true that it hurts

stares at the cast like who's next

i have someone in mind who could potentially be next tbh and it bothers me

if it's thalassa, capcom is dead to me

TBH i think it's thalassa because they've been building up to this and ugh ugh ugh

stg this boy has lost enough, let him keep his shitty mom

the mom who is busy momming Machi and not her own kids

well he was forgotten too thanks capcom

pmuch everyone from aa4 is gone forever now

loud sighs i could go on for years about how capcom fucked over aj

agreed ugh