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

Kyouka Izumi | Bungou Stray Dogs

[snowheretogo]

B

[It takes a bit of patience and a lot of concentration, but Kyouka manages to focus her emotions enough to start freezing the water core. It's... difficult, though, because she hasn't really been here long enough to be experienced with her Dunamis yet, but she still wants to do what she can to help. This world has been kind to her so far, and she feels obligated to return the favor in whatever way possible.

Kyouka also knows... if she really wanted to, she could speed up the process. Ice naturally forms around her as an emotional reaction, but that's... only if she becomes sad or grieved.

That's a last resort, though, and she'll continue putting all of her efforts into freezing the water core so ice can flow through it.]

No matter what... I won't fail.

D

[By this point Kyouka must have protested to having the offending object placed on her finger about five times, but the sales rep is not hearing it. At all. And that point gets proven even further when he unceremoniously shoves the ring on her finger with a, "You enjoy yourself, now!"]

Wait, no- Ah-!

[A flurry of icy hail falls around Kyouka, revealing her shock, as a mysterious force begins pulling her towards people. She digs in her heels and grabs at her wrist, tries to fight against it, but whatever strange magic this is seems to be a lot stronger than her own strength.

She doesn't want this, though! People being tied together by a red string of fate... Kyouka doesn't know if she believes in anything like that, and even if she did... There's only one person she's close enough with to even consider as a possibility. Surely she wouldn't be tied to them that way, though-

A gasp rips through her as she's finally dragged across the ground, and Kyouka struggles to force the ring off - but not in time to keep from bumping into someone.]

E

[Kyouka yelps the moment the ground disappears under her feet, not expecting it all - but her reflexes are too good from her time with the Mafia. She twists her body, quick as a cat catching itself, and lands in a shallow part of the water with little to no damage to herself. Her heart is pounding and the moment she sees the ground - ceiling? - reappear over her head as if nothing has happened, ice starts to form on the water's surface, and the smell instantly begins to worsen. Kyouka won't know that the latter is due to her, though she will think that she spots something moving-

But then she sees you, whether you be stranger or a familiar face, and Kyouka will just assume that she's imagining things.]

Are you... alright?

F-1

Hah!

[In one fluid motion, Kyouka dodges the punch aimed at her face and incapacitates the bandit striking out at her with one swift jab to the pressure point on his neck. She could've struck with her sword if she really wanted to. It would've been easy to take his life.

...Too easy.

Because at the end of the day, this is still what she's good at. What she's "born to do", if Kouyou's words are to be believed, but-

But Kyouka doesn't want that. She doesn't want that to be her life anymore. Because he showed her that her life doesn't have to be that way now - and here, in this world, she's going to start over new.]

I don't have to kill... But I will protect everyone's happiness...!

[But-

No, no, she got too distracted. She sees the movement out of the corner of her eye, another bandit- He's got something in his hand, and it looks like he's winding up to throw-

Kyouka yells to the person nearest to her.] Watch out!

Wildcard

[Got something else in mind? Feel free to throw it at me!]

D

[facepalms]

['What a bother...' are thoughts that this certain teenage male keeps to himself, completely unaware at first of the fact that he's about to find himself bumping into someone—]

Ah.

[He's taken aback as his eyes grow a little wide; she seems to be younger than him, although he honestly shouldn't be making that assumption, considering that there's Asahina-san, but... maybe he's not wrong. For once. Who knows.]

S-Sorry, I wasn't paying much attention. I didn't bump into you too hard, did I?

[At least, he hopes not.]

D

[snowheretogo]

No, it's-

[It's this Red String of Fate toy, is what Kyouka means to say, but she can't help the blush that springs to her cheeks. Having to say that out loud is... unspeakably embarrassing. It's a struggle to keep steam from sprouting up with her embarrassment, but she does succeed for the most part - save for the little bit that collects at her feet.]

-it's fine. I'm sorry. [Kyouka moves to pull away and-

...Oh.

She can't.

What the salesperson said, about having to embrace whoever you're stuck with... That can't be true, can it?!]

I... think I might be stuck...

[facepalms]

You don't have to apologize about that--

[Kyon finds himself raising his hands in what seems to be a somewhat apologetic stance, but when the other girl finds herself stuck, he can't help but let out another sigh, a heavy one this time.]

Stuck? Wait, you're kidding, right? ['What that lady said about the product was actually real?!' Not to mention the fact that his thoughts can be heard loud and clear, way to go.]

[snowheretogo]

...You're projecting your thoughts. I can hear everything you're thinking.

[She could've just let him go unaware, but that wouldn't do either of them a service right now.

But he must be as new to this world as she is... It can be embarrassing, but she doesn't have the best control at filtering her thoughts to only herself anymore, or even to just others that need to hear it.]

It looks like they were right, though, about this ring. I can't see any other reason for this happening, unless you have some sort of magic that got out of hand.

[If that were the case, Kyouka would not be amused. But she has a hunch that the young man before her doesn't bear her any ill will.]

[facepalms]

Ah-

[He pauses slightly, half out of surprise before rubbing a the nape of his neck, rather awkwardly.] Sorry about that.

[At least it's a rather genuine apology? He hates, however, just how easy it is for his thoughts to slip from one person to another.]

No, no-- I'm just a normal human being.

[snowheretogo]

...It's fine. [Her face is redder, though, realizing what this means.] It seems that what we were both told is true, though.

[The steam is definitely getting more noticeable. She doesn't let too much show on her face besides the blush, but Kyouka wants to sink into the floor.]

We'll have to embrace each other to get out of this.

[facepalms]

[Is it really? he thinks to himself, but forces himself not to say aloud. But she's right that what they both heard being... true. But still, there's just something that makes him feel uncomfortable about the situation.]

Are you... okay with that? I know it's to get out of this, but I don't want to force you to do something you don't want, especially with a stranger like me.

[snowheretogo]

This isn't the worst thing I've been made to do.

[Not exactly a resounding "yes", but it's still the truth.]

And it... isn't really a bad thing. Just embarrassing. [Kyouka's eyes dart to the side before she looks back up at him again.] It's just embracing each other... And if it's to get free, I don't really mind.

E

[chosemyownfate]

I'm fine. How about you?

[The city is still so strange and new to him he doesn't know just what to think about this world. Kouga glances around. In the fall he'd gotten separated from his cloth box. It rests not that far away from them partly covered in ice with an inky black darkness enveloping the box. It looks like a crate in some ways, with no seams and a pegagus on the front, and a pull chain in its mouth. Yet like some distant ray of hope, the pull chain still remains free.]

[snowheretogo]

[She takes another moment to catch her breath and settle her nerves, but then Kyouka nods at the young man nearby.]

I think so... [Her eyes dart upwards for just a second to check, but it's still there - what has become their ceiling still lies between where they had been and where they are now.] I don't know how we got down here, but we should try to find a way out.

[She makes to move, but then freezes, eyes locking into the box that's only a short distance away. Seeing the darkness puts her on edge; even if it's not as much as it could be, the feeling is still enough to cause more ice to form near her feet. With her eyes trained on the box, she has yet to notice still.]

That box over there... [Her fingers itch to grab her sword, so she grabs at the front of her obi instead.] Have you seen it before?

[chosemyownfate]

That's my saint cloth. ...I don't know why it's covered in darkness like that. [He squints at the box, unease starting to grow inside his chest. He has always trusted his cloth. It protected him even when he turned against its purpose. To see it like this makes him feel sick.]

...what happened to the street before? I've never seen anything like that. [He casts his gaze up at the ceiling just as something passes just out of the corner of his eye. His blood runs cold. Koga whips around to see whatever it had been. Hoping what he thought he'd glimpsed was wrong.] H-hey did you see anything?

[snowheretogo]

[Kyouka narrows her eyes at the box, uncertainty settling somewhere down in her stomach. She hasn't been in this world for a long time, and she has no idea what a saint cloth is, but... That box belongs to him, and it's clearly not in the state it should be in. Uncertainty grows into foreboding the longer she looks at it, but she elects not to say anything else about it yet.]

I've heard there were strange things happening in the city, but... [Nothing like this, is what she intends to say, but then- did something just move? Kyouka narrows her eyes, hand going to her blade.] Something's down here with us. [Because she's been what she is for too long to not recognize a predator sneaking in for the kill. No one in the Port Mafia, not even a less "experienced" former member like her, would be caught unaware by something so obviously hunting them.] You should stay on your guard.

[Her eyes are sharp, glinting dangerously.] But if someone or something attacks, I'll eliminate them.

[She won't let anyone get hurt if she can stop it. Not anymore.]

[chosemyownfate]

[If something is down here with them. Then it would be better to not give away how strong he is. He nods and lowers his voice.] We don't know what it is yet. Until we do, it's a bad idea to commit to a fight.

I got here only a little bit ago. It might be our worries manifesting together.

[He looks to the cloth box and reaches for it. The darkness stings but as he lifts the ancient box by the strap and puts it on his back the darkness vanishes.] If we need to fight, I'll help you defeat them.

...think we should go forward or back? [After a pause he adds.] I'm Pegasus Koga.

[snowheretogo]

[A small intake of breath leaves more ice on the water's surface, hopefully not enough that the young man will notice.

How could you do such a thing?!

...Even if she's fairly sure he doesn't still hold that against her, the sting still sits in her chest.

But no fighting. She has to try not to do that as a first reaction anymore, even if it's hard to unlearn what's been drilled into her head.]

...My name is Kyouka. I- [killed 35 people,, the old mantra that's always been stuck in her head, but now-] am a member of the Armed Detective Agency. I also came here recently. If... it comes down to it, then I'll appreciate it if you're able to fight by my side. I'll keep you safe, though. [Her eyes are bright, glinting in the dark with her conviction.]

[With a small sigh, she takes in the area around them.] ...We should go with the current. We can't go back the way we came, unfortunately, but the current should lead us to an exit eventually.

[She starts walking forward a few steps, stopping to look over her shoulder. They'll be stuck down here a while, so she should try to not be... well, silent.] It's good that the darkness is gone from your cloth, though. [Kyouka nods as she takes in the sight of his box on his shoulders.]

[chosemyownfate]

[He only smiles in answer. Kouga trudges along at her side but when they reach an intersection he pauses. He can feel air coming through but he isn't Yuma. Maybe...]

Hang on. It's so dark, let me cut through it.

[He breathes in deep and reaches down into the well of energy inside his body. His cosmos answers his call and burns as it rises up to flow around him. Silver blue cleaves the darkness open like a sword. The two paths leading away from them are marked by unfamiliar symbols but he recognizes an arrow leading away from their location. Kouga grins as he turns to her.]

I think it's this way! [A thunderous roar crashes against their senses at the same moment as something large comes charging at them from the way they came. Rapid splashes hint that more than one foe is on the way. He turns sharply towards it, dropping the box before him and narrows his eyes.]

Run or fight?