TEST DRIVE: FEBRUARY

[empevents]

— TEST DRIVE: FEBRUARY—

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 Wednesday, January 25 and Applications (Canon | OC) open Wednesday, January 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: Over two years ago, the ill fated Red String of Fate toy made its debut. At the time it seemed like a solid idea, but as it turned out… it didn’t exactly work as advertised. People found themselves tied together with entirely incompatible people instead of the proclaimed “emotionally compatible” and to top it off, personal, influential and private telepathic communication came out drenched in sap and overly lovey-dovey overtones. It was, without a doubt, one of the company’s least successful product launches ever. And you would think that they would have learned. However, they decided to try again, and… well. It wasn’t exactly all that well thought out the second time around. But third time’s the charm, right? Wrong. Even if this time, it’s in the form of rings that will draw two people together in a “matched pair” rather than a string.

1. There’s not really anything wrong with believing in true love, but trying to formulate a product that can detect someone’s ideal mate is innately flawed. Which only means that no matter how many times the product is adjusted, it’s just not going to work. Those who wind up with the product shoved onto their fingers (by a sales rep or through actually purchasing the product) will find themselves, once again, pulled by an unseen force to the nearest person they are “compatible with”. Same height, same hair color, whatever. It’s not exactly discriminatory. …Unfortunately as poor a match as they may be, the two cannot be separated until they share a meaningful embrace. So settle in, you might be together for a while.


2. In certain pairs, normal conversation is often unintentionally made amorous, simply from inflection in voice, or perhaps a heightened affectionate emotion. Or, on the flip side, anger and aggression is increased ten fold, but it’s kind of 50-50 as to what effect will take place, all dependant on which hand they wear the ring. Left, romance, Right? Anger.

• Prompt E: The inexplicably cavernous sewers of Verens are no place for a sane individual, but here you are anyway—dropped there by some horrible emotional shift that made an entire section of street vanish and then reappear above your heads as if nothing had happened. You and the poor fool you’ve been dumped down here with need to find your way to the access tunnels and climb out, or perhaps go the other way and swim out through the Lake Niras outflow. Or just smash your way out, if you’re feeling destructive. But your own emotions will work against you, as you struggle against the terrible scent, the darkness, and the entirely-justified questioning of why your life has taken this horrible turn.

1. There’s something odd about the way the water and sewage is sloshing around your ankles, almost as if it’s rising. But wait, that can’t possibly be a pair of eyes you see under the oil slick surface… could it? You’ve heard rumors about all sorts of beasties down here but surely your mind is just playing tricks on you.


2. Remember that part about emotions turning against you? Maybe you’ve been trapped down here way too long with someone who’s just not living up to your expectations, or you’ve got something else on your minds—but the smell around you certainly seems to be growing thicker, the scent growing harder and harder to ignore. The water and grossness at your feet also seems to be growing thicker almost as though it’s curing like cement. The cause? Negative emotions. But are they yours or the person you’re stuck here with? Perhaps you should work through those post haste…


3. Escape! You’ve made it out, but not without a great amount of effort on both you and your partner’s parts. Did you manage to find a way out through the access tunnels? Or perhaps you really did travel through all that much to the Lake Niras outflow… whatever it is, You’re certainly stinky, and possibly tired and cranky too.

• Prompt F: Some bandits went and stole another airship, only this time the Enforcers are prepared with a few of their own. Join in for some intense air battles. Just don't make the ship explode—they'd like it back in one piece please. Unless you're actually on the bandit team, in which case you probably want to blow up the Enforcer ship.

1. What's an airship fight without some on deck action? Either the bandits are swinging over to the ship you're on, or maybe you're swinging over there. Whatever the case, it's a full on brawl. Just watch out—those bandits are well-armed with some interesting firearms and weapons. If hit, one of the following emotions will start to take over your senses: unquestionable rage, debilitating fear and panic, and sleepiness. Needless to say, these effects will hinder one's ability to fight.


2. Can you fly or are you okay with climbing up the full height of your airship? Then grab a few sleep and apathy grenades and throw them at the bandits. Just be careful not to accidentally hit your allies. Otherwise they will be the ones feeling sleepy and want to give up. Also watch out for flying nets and bullets. Those bandits will definitely try to bring you down.


3. While the enforcers are trying to maintain the integrity of the stolen ship, the bandits feel no such need to hold back and are freely unloading their weapons onto the Enforcer's ships, forcing them to defend themselves. Other than decapacitating the bandit behind the weapon, it's also possible to overload it with intense emotions. Explode it with rage or clog it with happy, loving flowers.

• Prompt G: Make your own! It could include bubblegum and/or toadstools.

For your threads, put the Character Name and the Canon in the subject line to help readily identify them. You're also welcome to use more than one prompt for respondents to choose from. If you have any questions or want to brush up on the game information, refer to the Game Information entry. Otherwise, tag around and have fun!

Comments

Kenjirou Minami | Yuri!!! On Ice

[kenjirou]

B.)

[ "Don't take candy from strangers" is quickly disregarded when Kenjirou is offered a piece of shiny, red candy? It matches his hair color, so it must be delicious? Except... when he does put it in his mouth and suck on it for a while, he finds himself on the verge of tears? In fact, he's busy wiping them away from his eyes as he continues to possibly enjoy the candy, even if his pitiful sobs start to grow louder.

Maybe he just needs a hug? ]


G.)

[ Someone must have also invented some kind of incredibly sticky gum, because Kenjirou is getting absolutely frustrated by the fact he can't move. Every time he pulls away and the gum looks like it's about to give, he's immediately flung right back into the same spot, standing up straight. Whatever kind of candy this is, it's keeping him grounded. Grumbling, he keeps yanking at it over and over and over. No doubt he's been working on escaping for a while, because he doesn't hide his panting or exertion of energy.

He could use some help. ]

B

[rarimatiger]

[Kisa wasn't someone that did good with stranger usually but when she sees the boy...who looks close to her age, she approaches him. He was crying so loudly, was he okay?

With a meek voice she taps his shoulder.]

U-Um...are you okay?

[kenjirou]

N-no! [ Turning around he's suddenly hit with a ton of shame--- ugh, he's so embarrassed! Too bad it's being overwritten by this strange, overwhelming feeling of sadness. ] I can't s-stop crying. It t-tastes so good, and I w-w-want to tell the person who made it that, b-b-but I can't s-stop myself!

[ It's getting to the point where he's gasping for air, and he sticks out his tongue. There, resting on it, is the sweet treat that's causing him to fuss. ]

I s-swear! I'm not lying.

[ And his face is growing red and hot. A stranger, seeing him act like this! It's only adding to his confusion. ]

[rarimatiger]

[The quick answer has Kisa blinking in surprise from how...happy? He is about this treat. Was it really that good? She can't really tell...if this was real or not.]

R-Really? I'm...sure you will find them? Where did you get it from?

[kenjirou]

[ AND THIS IS WHAT FRUSTRATES HIM SO MUCH, what's he supposed to do? It's probably the best thing he's ever had in his life and all he can do is cry about it.

The confusion is so irritating. ]

A person t-trying to sell it! Apparently this was j-j-just a test.

[ The ground around him starts to tremble. Just a little, like the tiniest localized earthquake ever? Or maybe it's just vibrations from his crying... either way, it's minor. Nothing to be too worried about yet. ]

[rarimatiger]

[Kisa raises her hands to try to wave at him and calm him down. She feels the little shakes of the ground but doesn't know what it's from yet...she is so new to this all.]

A-Ah! I'm sure it will be okay! Um...Why not save it for later?

[If he saves it then it won't all be gone, right?]

[kenjirou]

[ He wipes his eyes again. Ugh, his sleeve is a tear-stained mess. Definitely not the first impression he wants to give to anyone! ]

Do you have anything I can keep it in? I'm not going to carry this around with me!

[ Eaten candy also doesn't belong in pockets. Or in his hand. ]

[rarimatiger]

[Poor guy...Kisa smiles at him in hopes it might help.]

Oh...Um...let me see?

[Kisa has a small bad and looks inside, there's a small bag pulling it out she hands it to him.]

Would this help?

g!

[giniro]

[ Well, here's someone who would be willing to help!

However, Yuuri is a bit in his own little world, a bit too focused on the errand he was out running, as he doesn't pay too much attention to the grumbling or the panting as he first passes by Kenjirou. It isn't until Makkachin, who had decided to come with him on the errand, stops in front of Kenjirou and barks at him does he stop to see what's up.

Yuuri does a double take when he realizes that it's Kenjirou that he sees. ]

Minami..? [ And then a triple take when he notices the gum. ] Wha—what happened?

1/2

[kenjirou]

[ Oh, what a cute dog? What a great interruption to his sad and feeble attempts of escaping some sort of Evil, Sticky Trap, and he immediately ceases them in order to stare at the oddly familiar poodle and reaches out to give pets. The barks are certainly recognizable too. It's almost like Kenjirou should be making another connection but he's getting really tired of acting like some improvisational yo-yo. ]

Hey! You look like a dog I know.

[ That voice though... ]

2/2

[kenjirou]

NO WAY! [ Suddenly, he's terribly self-conscious. So much so that he tries to escape with renewed vigor, hoping to not look like a huge dingus in front of the skater he looks up to so much? Frantically, he tugs at the negatively-charged gum with still no avail, and internally screaming like a lunatic the entire time doing so. ]

YUURI-KUN! [ Don't look at him, he's a salty and ashamed chicken nugget... ] I don't know. I stepped in gum and now I'm stuck. Please help me?!

[giniro]

Alright, I'll see what I can do.

[ Makkachin is casually wagging his tail as he sits not too far away from Yuuri as he approaches Kenjirou with a bit of a smile. It was good to see that he was as loud as ever and the gum aside, that he was well. Yuuri tries to get an assessment of the situation and honestly he's a bit mystified by the whole scenario.

Was gum really that powerful? How did people typically get gum off of something...? Scissors? That might be a little hard with how Kenjirou's situated— ]

Why don't you try taking off your shoe first?

[ Unless it was covered in gum too then well, time to reconsider options once again. ]

[kenjirou]

[ He's about to do some more screaming, mostly about the fact that he should be able to defeat the mysterious gum enemy that has a vice-like grip on his shoe, but immediately clams up at Yuuri's suggestion.

That would make a lot of sense, to take his shoe off.

He mouths 'oh', looks down at his feet, looks back up at Yuuri, then back down. ]

Right.

[ Wow, thank goodness Yuuri's here to suggest something that makes 100% sense! He slips his shoe straight off, and stands on one foot, keeping it at knee level. ]

... I still need this shoe though. It's special.

[giniro]

[ Yuuri muses quietly to himself as he watches Kenjirou realize the ease of his solution but says nothing else. ]

Special?

[ He'll look down at the gum covered shoe and then back to the one that wasn't covered. They...didn't seem particularly special to him, but Yuuri was also someone who didn't put too much stock into what he wore and just kind of wore whatever he liked. ]

Well, if that's the case then maybe we can ask someone for some scissors to cut it out of the gum...or some ice.

[ Ice worked right? ]

[kenjirou]

[ The shoes are indeed important to him. Maybe it's for a silly reason, but it'd be hard for Kenjirou to find a bad reason to not want to salvage something that belonged to him.

Ice or scissors, ice or scissors... those are two really good ideas. Then again, Kenjirou's thoughts are basically a mile a minute, so they're quickly glossed over. ]

If only we were near a rink, huh. [ Hands on his hips, he hops on one foot a few times. ]

Hey. [ Toothy grin! ] Would anything cold work? [ He thinks about the kinds of vendors he passed by. Something cold, something that would get the gum to harden enough so that it'd be easy to unstick it... ]

... like ice cream?

[ It's a stretch (haha gum pun) but...? ]

B

[zoloto]

[ The fact that he's bad around people crying still hasn't changed. Maybe he's a little bit better than before with Yuuri, but the general public? Nope. But wait a moment. This kid is familiar. He remembers him from the competition he went to with Yuuri. The one that found Yuuri to be such an inspiration. In that case, he felt he should do something to see if he could help any. ]

You... What's wrong?

[kenjirou]

[ Oh WOW. It's Yuuri's coach! The one who applied the lip balm so carefully with that finger in front of him that one time. He's unmistakable, he's famous? For many things, really. And it's that sudden shock of being in front of someone of such reputation that causes him to gasp in surprise, and he starts to cough.

Then, he points at his throat.

He can't catch his breath, because it's much more than just shock that's taking it away!

He's choking. ]

[zoloto]

[ This. This isn't something he's equipped to handling. But luckily he does know the Heimlich Maneuver. It good this is a very common knowledge type of thing and even if he doesn't do it perfect, saving the kid is what's important.

So, while he's in a minor panic, he has to do what he has to do. ]

Stay still.

[ And he'll be rounding the kid and wrapping his arms around him. While he's experienced with putting his arms around Yuuri like this, this is very different. He positions his hands where they should be, hopefully, and does the motion he should ... please work.

He almost lost his dog from this, he doesn't need to lose this kid like this. ]

B

[jacquesoff]

Hey, champ! Cheer up!

[JJ doesn't actually recognize Kenjirou, but he sees someone trying (without success) to contain their tears, and it's enough to draw his attention. Obviously, this is a job for JJ. He comes to a halt before him, his hands settling on his hips.]

Someone giving you a hard time?

[kenjirou]

No! I'm... it's not that at all!

[ Yeah, exactly how is he going to explain to this guy that despite him looking like he's had the worst day ever, he's actually been doing okay? The candy is sweet and flavorful, like a combination of peaches and apples, but despite his best efforts... everything feels miserable, too?

How does one feelings??? ]

[jacquesoff]

Are you sure about that? You should tell me, I don't stand for stuff like that.

[There will be no bullying on JJ's watch! He might tease people, but bullying's another matter.]

You don't have to be embarrassed. It doesn't make you look bad, only them!

[JJ, that's not even what's going on here...]