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

C - Voice

[thememorywitch]

[A soft laugh would jingle into his mind.]

Don't worry. You've already got it.

[She knew this voice. Not personally, but she had seen enough memories with him in it to know this boy. It seemed more and more, people connected to Sora were arriving on the island.]

How are you managing?

[brokenlight]

[That voice.

He thinks he can vaguely recall it, but he's not sure who it is.]

Not bad so far. It's a lot different from other worlds I've been to in the past.

[thememorywitch]

[Naminé is glad to hear he's getting along okay. He definitely should've been well equipped to deal with new settings. But something struck her suddenly, and it worried her.]

...Y-You know you won't be able to leave here, yes? This island has no escape until it decides it's time for you to leave. I've been here for over two months now.

[brokenlight]

Don't worry, I've heard about that. I'm not trying to leave.

[Even if he's still not sure how this could have happened...]

Sounds like you've been here for a while. What's your name?

[thememorywitch]

Well...sort of I guess.

[Nobodies were supposed to be able to make portals but even those didn't work here. She was no good at them anyway.]

I'm Naminé. And you are?

[She knows the answer, but she doesn't want to scare him off.]

[brokenlight]

I'm Ventus. You can just call me 'Ven'.

[Naminé. There's something about her name that makes him curious.]

Have we...met somewhere before?

[thememorywitch]

[Her smile fades. Of course. It was foolish to think she could hide the truth.]

Not exactly...but Ven, we are connected. In some small way in any case.

[brokenlight]

Connected?

[The confusion is evident.]

Do you mind if we talk about this in person?

[thememorywitch]

[She gulps outloud. Oh dear...]

Y-Yes of course. Come and meet me at the clock tower settled into the tree. You can't miss it.

[The girl cuts off the connection as she already heads on her way. She prayed things would go as smoothly as they could...]

[brokenlight]

[The clock tower? He sees it and quickly makes his way over to it.

It might take a bit - Ven's easily sidetracked - but he does make it there eventually. Upon arriving, he looks around, looking for her.]

[thememorywitch]

[Naminé doesn't mind that wait. She had no other plans for the day anyway. Besides, this is important. Though she wonders what will be okay to tell him...

She looks up and spots him, trying to wave him down.]

Ven!

[brokenlight]

[He jogs over to Naminé the moment he sees her wave.]

Naminé!

[He comes to a stop in front of her, hands on his knees as he catches his breath before he straightens to look at her.]

[thememorywitch]

[She's taken back a bit by how tired his is. She wishes she had some water to give him.]

A-are you okay? You didn't have to rush.

[brokenlight]

Yeah, I'm fine.

[Ven gives her a reassuring grin.]

I might've gotten a bit lost on my way here. [He sounds a bit sheepish.]

[thememorywitch]

Ah I'm sorry...I should've given you better directions. You are new after all.

[Naminé gestures to a park bench for them to sit. She isn't sure how long this would take, so she figures they should at least get comfy.]

Before I start explaining things, I need to know something from you Ven. What is the last thing you remember?

[brokenlight]

It's fine. I don't mind doing a bit of exploring.

[He sits down beside her.

At the question, his face scrunches up as he tries to remember.]

...I remember the Darkness around me.

[thememorywitch]

[The darkness. That was pretty vague, but what she knew of Ven, that wasn't unusual unfortunately.]

Were you...tired? As in so tired you couldn't open your eyes?

[brokenlight]

[He's quiet for a moment. He's honestly not sure how much he can tell her.]

Yes. [A pause.] I remember Sora falling into that Darkness.

[And he sent his Armour to protect him.] Naminé, how much do you actually know?

[thememorywitch]

[Naminé can't look him in the eyes.]

More than I should. I'm sorry, Ventus. I didn't find out on purpose. But just like you, I am connected to Sora as well.

[brokenlight]

[The answer surprises him briefly before he lets out a soft laugh.

Ventus tilts his head as he peers at her, a gentle smile on his face.]

It's alright. Someone was bound to know, so in a way, I'm a bit glad it was you. How are you connected to Sora, though?

[thememorywitch]

[Oh boy where to start. Naminé still can't look at him.]

I'm...well you were gone for awhile. A lot has happened since you went to sleep Ven. The Unversed are gone, but in their place, creatures called heartless appeared. They were those who lost their hearts, and act on instinct to take more. On top of that, the bodies of strong-willed people came back to. Those are called Nobodies. They are shells of their former selves, remembering what it's like to have emotions but not really feel.

[She pauses to try to let him take it in. It's a lot of information after all.]

Sora...when he fell into darkness...it's because he lost his heart trying to save a friend. I'm...I am that friend's Nobody. Because their hearts were connected however, I came with all of his memories. But also a few that weren't his..

[Naminé finally looks up at him.]

Because you were in his heart too, Ven.

[brokenlight]

[Throughout the explanation, Ventus is quiet.

So, Heartless has taken the place of Unversed, but along with Heartless came along the Nobodies. In a way, it explains now why he's felt others in Sora's heart that weren't there before. He's felt the loss of Sora's heart, feeling a strange tear that shouldn't have been there, but he couldn't be sure what it was.

Now, hearing Naminé explain it all to him, he understands.

A lot really has happened while he was asleep.

Ventus' eyes lower to the ground briefly. He knew his heart was in Sora's; one of his last memories was of the young boy accepting to shelter him in his heart. But then he looks back up at her.

His smile is softer now, not quite pained, but in a way that it can be taken as a painful understanding.]

So that's what happened. You don't feel bad for seeing my memories, do you?

[thememorywitch]

[She takes in a small, sharp breath when he looks up. This was so much to take in; she feels bad for overwhelming him. At his question, she can't help but weakly nod.]

Yes... I'm sorry Ventus. I-I wish I didn't have anyone's memories. But they're a part of me unfortunately. It's an invasion of privacy though.

[brokenlight]

Hey, you don't have to apologize for that.

[His smile is wider now, hoping to assure her.]

If it's a part of you, then that's not really something you can help with. [He ignores the back of his mind, sounding eerily like Vanitas, calling him a hypocrite.]

In a way, I'm a bit relieved.

[thememorywitch]

[Naminé sighs with a nod, looking at him again. If he said it was okay, then she would just have to accept that. Why would he lie anyway?]

Relieved? How come?