TEST DRIVE: AUGUST

[empevents]

— TEST DRIVE: AUGUST —

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, July 25 and Applications (Canon | OC) open a week later on August 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!
  
  
• Transfer to in-game. If accepted, you can assume threads made on the Test Drive happen in-game if the scenario can reasonably fit. These threads do not count toward AC.

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 citizens of Verens are nothing if not opportunistic, and the new solid rock pillars jutting down to the surface have already had a few people wondering how to make a profit out of them. Luckily most of these entrepreneurs are having to go through copious amounts of red tape in order to ensure their use of the pillars does not endanger the island or the participants. That doesn’t mean these new businesses aren’t EXCITING, though!

1. Rock Climbing. Are you a thrill seeker? An all star athlete? Just looking for a good way to get yourself in shape? Well we’ve got something for you: EXXXXTREME ROCK CLIMBING XXVIV!!!!!!! Now open at the western Pillar nearest the city of Verens! Come one, come all to the most exciting and EXTREME climbing adventure. Dodge fiery and watery hazards while clinging to the cliffs of the pillars! The trip down to the surface is provided, and for those who can’t make it all the way up on their own a rescue trip up will only be 150 sylvs a trip! Take up the partner challenge and tie yourself together at the waist in order to gain extra challenge for your climbs up!
   
2. Tiered Romance. On the pillar nearest the Airship Docks, something much more calm has stakes it’s claim for business. Romantic Getaways, a company dedicated to dates and private moments for all has set up several decks built off the pillars in order to take advantage of the lovey dovey atmosphere the pillars provide. For a low fee you too could have a blind dinner date overlooking the planet’s healing surface. Also hiring waiters and waitresses to deliver food and other services to those who have rented out the decks!

• Prompt E: It’s not an old tradition by any means, but this summer the city of verens is looking for some lighthearted fun in order to help soothe everyone’s nerves after recent events. It seems like it’s working too, considering the turnout! All activities for these games are Arehtei themed, too! It’s all in good fun, and generating some nice peaceful emotions might just be what the doctor ordered for most of the Arehtei.

1. Wisp Capture. Arehtei themed artificial wisps have been set free across the island! Each one glows in the color of their respective Arehtei and the goal is to collect a certain amount in order to win the competition. Specially crafted nets and mesh bags are given to each pair participating before sending them out after the last bit of light in the sky has darkened. Depending on how many of what aligned Arehtei wisp gathered, the items you can win will change! But be careful, you have to catch at LEAST 100 wisps to qualify for a prize, and you only get one. Aiada, Piphron and Sosyne will give out small pouches of gems, while Elios, Peromei, Daimonia and Thras will give out sylvs. A single special silver wisp can be found, which will award both prizes on top of whatever color wisp has the majority!
   
2. Food Competition. Are you really, really, REALLY hungry? Come compete in an Arehtei themed team food eating competition in the name of your chosen Arehtei!!! But there’s one catch: this competition is ONLY done in pairs. One partner eats, the other must contribute by feeding them. Hopefully you’re not partnered up with someone you don’t get along with or you might get more food on your face than in your mouth. Participants are given small rings with gems themed around their chosen arehtei as a prize.
   
3. Ruin Race. In an attempt to boost everyone’s competitive side, the local Parks and Recreation department of Verens is holding a Test of Courage. Drop by the ruins in the outskirts of town to participate. Just remember - the prize of completing this task is coming out of this ~alive~. (So spooky!)
   
   
   1. Partner up. All participants are requested to find a partner to complete a task together. Partners can either be of the same alignment, or have different alignments. The task is to go into the ruins and look for coloured talismans that pertain to each member’s Arehtei. It might be best to screen your partner, because you wouldn’t want them running off on you as soon as you hear some thumping noises inside, right?
      
   2. Secret Ruins. These ruins are dark and like a maze - if you exit and enter again, the paths will be different compared to the last time. There doesn’t seem to be any threats, but there are croaking, flapping, and thumping noises that can be heard every now and then. The only source of light is the lamp that is given to you upon signing up, too. At some point, you might encounter dead end upon dead end. Remember what the organiser told you before entering: Compliments complement the forgotten past. Spread some positivity between you and your partner, and the walls will light up and show you the path to the talismans.
      
   3. Talis-MAAAAAAN! In the off-chance that you pick up the wrong talisman, you’ll start to feel different. Pessimism will seep through your veins, and so will anger and fear. It will deter you from making the right choices, following the right path, and working with your partner. Fortunately, the effects wear off in twenty minutes. You won’t be acting crazy all night!

• Prompt F: With all the trial and tribulation around Elios, the summer job boom was almost missed. But somehow, there just seems to be an overabundance of summer jobs this time around! From waterpark jobs to babysitting and dog walking to monster culling, there’s an abundance of jobs looking for anyone to take them. It’s created a worker’s market where pay is going through the roof!

1. MANY MONSTERS. The Yekar Wobbler population is OUT OF CONTROL! The strangely cooler air during the last couple of months has prompted a more active than usual breeding season. The small cotton ball looking creatures look quite similar to Aiada’s sprites, but they prey on farmer’s crops! You can either rush in and help bag them up immediately, or you could be one of the lucky group to go down to Elios’ Domain to gather the Lalri Flower. This flower has strong attracting properties that the Yekar Wobblers are especially weak to. It’ll make bagging them up a lot easier! And it’ll keep them from swarming you—or your partner and chomping down into your arms and legs! (Don’t worry, their mouths are too small to do too much damage, but boy does it smart like a bee sting!)
   
2. Babysitting Blues. There’s a definite shortage of babysitters, though for some reason the families that need sitters need at least two for their troublesome tots. No two sitters will have only ONE child to look after but at least 3 troublesome, toddling, terrifying children to look after. Keep them out of danger, and do your best with feedings, and good luck if you decide to go out to the park!
   
3. Waterpark Angels. A waterpark has opened up outside of the city to take advantage of the warming temperatures and it needs many hands on deck. Check for swimsuit appropriateness, lost items,and make sure people are queueing properly. Bonus? On your time off you get admission to the park and rides FOR FREE! Bust out some suntan lotion cause you’re going to need it.

• Prompt G: Make your own! It could include talking frogs and/or bubblegum flavoured pizza.

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

[orangeyaglad]

... Yeah, that's true, but what does it have to do with this situation, Kaito?

[it is still not connecting. and also once an overlord still an overlord, maybe? just like. also a god. it's hard to say. Drive movie said his god form was Overlord Kouta so]

I know I have company! But I did miss you, so I said it. There's nothing wrong with that. I'll look after Mai, and we'll be alright, but there's no reason to close yourself off just because the two of us are both here. She's missed you too.

[friendship]

[ididntsaybanana]

How the hell did you become a god when you're this stupid and dense?

[ He uncrosses his arms and gives am exasperated sigh, which is enhanced by a small tendril of Helheim forest breaking forth from the ground due to the amulet's effects ]

Kazuraba, you have your priorities mixed up. In case you haven't forgotten? I'm dead. Just because I'm alive here doesn't mean I didn't die. And it doesn't mean I can leave this place and go back home. Especially when I burned every last bridge I had back there. So focus on the people who you won't have to say goodbye to if you ever manage to get back home.

[ He purses his lips a bit, still aggravated because you're being a douchewad; you need to spend time with Mai because you two are an item, okay? She had a crush on you even before she became a goddess ]

Just do what you can with Mai and don't bother me. I have enough things I'm juggling and I don't feel like adding you to the list. So find something to occupy your time; there's a taskboard with quests you can do to earn money. I've been doing some of them and I've also been indulging in other things.

[orangeyaglad]

I'm not going to answer that.

[because you already know, he doesn't say, though he has his own Helheim tendrils pushing up underfoot. of course Kaito would be irritating that fast. of course]

They're not mixed up. And I haven't forgotten, either. How do you think I'd forget something like that? It might be temporary, but as long as you're here, I won't ignore you. Never.

[and why should he?]

"Other things", huh? I know how to get a job, Kaito. I've done that a lot. It used to be something really, really common to me, so I don't think I'd forget that too easily. I'll be just fine. You, too.

[ididntsaybanana]

I'm not talking about jobs, you idiot.

[ Augh, he should've known better than to try and knock sense into your head. He's kicking himself mentally in the head while trying to think of ways to get rid of you or away from the general vicinity of his area ]

I never got to do normal stuff when I was a kid, not even when I got older because I was so fixated on obtaining strength that would make it so I would never have to back down again. So I'm taking this chance to indulge in everything I missed out on.

[ He crosses his arms again with an exasperated sigh ]

Why can't you just leave well enough alone? What makes you think I want you do anything for me? I never said I wanted you to pay attention to me and I never said I needed anything from you. And the fact that this is temporary just makes the decision to hold back and avoid each other even smarter. Because, honestly, I just want to do what I want here without any baggage holding me back. And you're part of that baggage because we're not even close.

[orangeyaglad]

... That's not a bad thing, Kaito. You don't have to start shoving people away anymore.

[he is trying to be kind and explanatory, because he is actually happy that Kaito can see that]

We're friends, though. We were.

[ididntsaybanana]

I never said what I was doing was a bad thing! You already know I'm not the social type, asshole. So why would I give a fuck if I push you and a thousand other strangers away? Because I don't.

[ You don't even understand where he's coming from. It's isn't like the days when you and Mai and him were out doing something together. Or combining their skills together to figure out just what Yggdrasil was up to. But it's different now. You're on a different playing field and so is Mai. He's not a part of that anymore because that time was in the past when things had been such a mess but at least . . . at least they'd been equals then, but not anymore. ]

We weren't friends, Kazuraba. I said I acknowledged your strength but that doesn't mean I accepted you as a friend. You're merely someone who was able to overcome the odds and make the necessary choices for humanity's survival.

And me? Well, I'm the monster who tried to end it all. I wouldn't do it again, no, but I still tried. I left everyone behind and went after my own agenda because that's all that mattered to me.

But now . . . now I have other things I can do, things that I want to do. I'm indulging in the things I've missed out on when I was human and doing all of that doesn't include you in the picture.

[orangeyaglad]

I'm not a stranger, either.

[It's not like you will share, either. he knows things shifted, but last he knew, you were pretty zen with the way things turned out. it seemed alright during Maja. and Megahex. it sucked, sure, saying goodbye over and over, but things were better than this harsh, biting retort]

I know better than that, Kaito. You were wrong once, but you understood. You stood up when we needed you.

[ididntsaybanana]

Why the fuck do you look so upset? Like I kicked your puppy or something?

[ Share what? He hates that he's never really been able to read you. He doesn't know why you're upset. He doesn't understand what you're thinking but it has nothing to do with the last two times they'd been able to fight back to back. Because in a fight, he'd trust Kouta with his back. ]

You don't understand a thing. I don't care how it all settled out. I'm fine with the fact that humanity is still in existence. I know where I went wrong in this. And I don't blame anyone for me misjudging my own set of values.

But the fact of that matter is that you don't need to have me around you. And because I'm fine figuring things out on my own, doing things on my own, indulging in the things I'd stopped indulging in years before Team Baron got as popular as they did.

So my advice to you is to just focus and keep an eye out for Mai. Who knows what trouble she can get into in a place like this.

[orangeyaglad]

You're ignoring everything we've gone through, that's why.

[he shakes his head, his jaw tightening]

Kaito. I know what I have to do, and what I need to do, and what I want to do. Sometimes those things are different. I'll look out for Mai, but I won't underestimate her, and you shouldn't either.

I don't want to abandon you.

[ididntsaybanana]

Does it matter that much? We hardly ever really spoke to each other. And the rest of the time we spent fighting. So what makes you think that's enough?

And do you not remember what happened with Megahex and Mai?

[ He purses his lips, annoyed. ]

It's not abandoning if the person is telling you to stay away. I'm not a goddamn puppy either, so don't treat me like one. Because you make absolutely no sense to me at all, and maybe that's why we were on opposite sides of a drawn line. Who knows? But what do you think is going to happen if I indulge in this stupid fantasy of yours where everyone is friends with each other and no one fights?

Do you think we'll just magically start hanging out and doing things together, while ignoring the fact that I probably have a limited time here? Because honestly if you wanted to play this friendship game with someone, you chose the wrong person to play it with.

[orangeyaglad]

[he shakes his head again, standing firm[

I was there. I remember exactly what happened.

What I don't get is why you're so dead set on this. Because things ended the way they did on Earth? This isn't Earth, Kaito. This isn't Zawame City. We get to do whatever we'd like now. There's no fighting, no war, no Yggdrasil cronies, no Overlords using us.

I don't consider this a game. This is were we are. Our lives. What's wrong with wanting my friend in it?

[ididntsaybanana]

Not because of how things ended up on earth! I said I was fine with that. That I was fine with humanity! I know where I went wrong, you asshole! Don't think I don't. But you make things complicated for me because you're a goddamn dick and dense as fuck.

[ He glares at you this time because you don't understand a goddamn thing ]

I never acknowledged or said we were friends. If you want to enjoy this place then do it without me. And don't tell me about how we can do whatever we want here. I already knew that and I've already done a lot of the things and people I've wanted to do. It's just you who doesn't want to face reality, Kazuraba. And that pisses me off. Because if we had to fight again, yeah I'd fight with you against whoever and whatever, and I'd trust you with my back too.

But that doesn't mean we're friends.

Now I have to head back to my place and get some shit done.

[orangeyaglad]

[no, tat definitely makes them friends...

he just sighs and deflates a little, the grass rustling low]

Fine. I'll see you later.

[ididntsaybanana]

. . . don't give me that look, Kazuraba.

[ This isn't how it was supposed to be. It was supposed to be you and Mai being together. It was supposed to be enjoying the things here. It was supposed to be a relief for you that you wouldn't have the daily reminder of the fact that you'd killed him. If they had just avoided each other, or stayed away from each other . . . things would've been alright, right? ]

Tch, I can't be that important to you, idiot.

[ He looks away with a disgruntled look on his face. ]

[orangeyaglad]

What look, Kaito?

[he has had to deal with Kaito's death. he has had Mai there to hold his hand and help with that. he knows why it happened, and though he still wishes that he could have reached out further and convinced Kaito not to fight for it, he knows there's no changing what happened. so to have him here again, that's a good thing. he can pick up where they finally found equal footing]

Sure you are.

[ididntsaybanana]

Why? Are you insane?

[ Before you can answer he reaches out and grabs your arm, dragging you along back to his place ]

Fine, let's go.

[orangeyaglad]

You know I'm not—

[wait, what. what is happening

what's going on

he's confused, and the plants popping up in his footfalls don't seem to understand what's what either. guess we're going. he won't say anything, just keep walking]

[ididntsaybanana]

[ He has no idea how this happened and why he did this beyond the fact that he kind of owes you big time. I mean like, BIG TIME. So once they're inside, he shoves you to the couch and goes into the kitchen. He fiddles around in there while you wait for like. 5-10 min before he comes out with a tray of tea cups and a tea pot ]

Drink it and don't complain if you don't like it.

[ He says, as he pours them both cups made from Helheim fruits ]

[orangeyaglad]

... Thanks.

[he will gladly take the cup and relax with it, having already taken a seat and waiting around]

[ididntsaybanana]

[ He's doing the same, just savoring the taste ]

[orangeyaglad]

[well isn't this nice]

[ididntsaybanana]

[ For now. He's already expecting to have another argument with you soon over something stupid probably. ]

[orangeyaglad]

[nope just gonna enjoy]

[ididntsaybanana]

You should find a place to stay for both you and Mai.

[ He's going to finish his cup of tea and set it down, waiting for you to finish too. His amulet however, is reacting to his emotions and it cools off the cup right away-- at least he'd finished the tea before that happened, but there are swirls of colors within his amulet, not a confused array of them, but a sort of rode into each different color that shifts like a hologram ]

It's not hard to find a place, though. I got this place and just chose it to be where I stayed.

[orangeyaglad]

I know. But I know she'll want a say in it too.

[he's not paying too much mind to the amulet. everyone's is different, and everyone's emotions have a different mark on the world, so there's no use overthinking that.]

A lot of the places around here are free for awhile, so that'll help us all get more settled.