empatheias_ooc | TEST DRIVE: AUGUST

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*test drive

TEST DRIVE: AUGUST

— 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!

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!
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.

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!
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.
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!

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!)
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!
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!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[She realizes she's taken a step too far... But she can't back down now. She's swallowed worse things than burning coal, and if Nero's anger is a fire, her own is ice, cold and sharp, spikes to impale anything that gets too close.]

I don't want to hear that from someone who speaks ill of my love.

[ She lets out a soft snort. If burning coal won't stop Tamamo, few spikes of ice won't stop Nero. ]

You accused me of not understanding anything, but it's you who cannot understand. You would not have met your end and turned into a stone if you could.

[She grinds her teeth. All she wants to do is sink her claws (her fingers) into Nero, to rip her apart with her fangs (her teeth, she's not a monster, but she is, and she wants to be, right now). She hates herself, but right now, her burning fury is enough that she wants nothing more than her other eight tails to wipe Nero from the Earth... To wipe Nero from the Throne of Heroes. To remove this obstacle. To remove this one obstacle that stops her from obtaining Hakuno's love...

(And really, it burns her because it's true.)

Her fury collapses in on itself, and somewhere in the back of the link, so deep even Tamamo isn't consciously aware of it, a sun shines. The sun burns, scorches, untouched and alone in the sky, eternal. And really, what is a human life... human love, compared to the sun?]

It is as you say. I cannot understand. But most of all, I cannot understand you You, who ruled. You, who were loved. You, who had everything! The love of your people, the blessings of your gods, you who never struggled for anything! How could you possibly understand!

[When she thinks about it, she can still feel them. The arrows that pierced her body. The enchanted arrow that struck her thigh, so she couldn't run. And the final one in her neck.]

Yet your greed knows no bounds, and even that isn't enough to satisfy you! You pushed me off! When finally, I had managed some meager happiness, even if I was forced to share it... You tried to take her away from me!

[This isn't even about the barb about her love anymore. This is resentment that has built up for ages, for the month since their war started, for the hundreds of cycles with Twice, for the thousand years since her death, all rushing out at this convenient target. The facade cracked, just a bit, and now everything is rushing out.]

[ As blinding as the sun is, Nero does not avert her eyes. For some reason, its solitary light reminds her of the very last sunset she saw as a human being, The beautiful glow sinking behind her beloved Rome, it was breathtaking, but it was also a lonesome sight to behold.

That, and she feels as though Tamamo no Mae has finally revealed her core. As her rival for Hakuno's affection, she shall witness the vixen's raw passion, resentment or not. Pour out everything you have in your heart and let her see what lies within. ]

So you show your true colors at last, Castor! It is as you as say, I have ruled, and I was loved. The gods blessed me. No matter how my end unfolded, my life was full of splendor!

[ Her uncle's assassination, her mother's manipulation, and her master's suicide - ... Yes, they were painful. They still are painful. But Nero remembers the cheer of her citizens, the grand parades, and flurry of rose petals. ]

And what of it? I shall not forgo my love because your fate was crueler than my own. Doing so not only makes light of Hakuno, but love itself! [ Since Praetor is precious, beautiful girl. She wants to be chosen, Nero wants to be with her forever. But she does not want to make her into an object to hand over. ]

Tamamo no Mae. What is happiness to you? You who can only lament.

[The words pierce her. Her facade, her act, everything she uses to protect herself has been stripped away by this short conversation.

She can practically see Nero's life. Surrounded in gold and crimson, showered in gold petals, cheers and love wherever she showed herself. The only records that remain showed her as a tyrant and a despot... But only because the only remaining records were written by her political enemies.

It's all too easy for her to draw a contrast to her own life. She, who wanted nothing but love and acceptance, found it in Emperor Toba, and then was hunted down at his orders. The 'truth' of her story, the story that was passed down, was the one Abe no Seimei told. (The difference between them was that after her time as Daji, and her fight against the army... Tamamo had actually done more than enough to be condemned as a monster.)

So Caster listens to Nero's words. What is happiness? Of course, beauty and pleasure. Being more beautiful than any other, drowning in pleasures, ignoring the inevitable separation in the future... But those are the thoughts of Daji, not Tamamo. Those are the thoughts of Harlot Mode, which she's sworn off. What is happiness, right down at her core?

To serve another. That is the deepest impulse, her greatest desire, the very essence of her soul, the purpose of her creation by Amaterasu. But is that all?]

... So what if I can only lament and regret? If I am to be an Evil of Man, then I will be one. If I am doomed to be the Beast of Regret, then let me be it. What else do I have?

Happiness, you ask? It is to love... And to be loved. And Hakuno is the only one who has ever given me that love... Hakuno is the only one who has ever seen me for me! Not the monster of legend, not the goddess I once was.

[Her voice cracks, and the sun flares.]

But even I know that's not possible. I've never been chosen... Nor will I ever be chosen. If the only way I can obtain that happiness is to drive off all rivals and to keep her at my side through force, then so be it! Even if she comes to hate me, as long as I can have that love, then nothing else matters. Since... any other option is nothing more than a fantasy...

[Hakuno could never choose her. Not when Nero is an option. If you could have literally anyone else, then who would ever choose someone like her?

no one does marital strife like tamamo
no one is as good a wife as tamamo
no one is as good at ruining her own life as tamamo]

[ Nero's gaze is unwavering. She watches it all. The sun, the flare, and the dark expression on Tamamo's face. How sad to see a woman resign herself to her fate! She loathes to see someone give in, think something is impossible. Living creatures should fight, fight so that their future could be better. And yet, all she can see in Tamamo right now is the lonesome sunset. ]

You contradict yourself. You say your happiness is to love and to be loved. Yet, you wish to confine Hakuno even if she comes to hate you? [ bitingly. ] Ludicrous.

[ Is she lying to herself? Nero cannot tell. But threatening the welfare of her Master (keeping her prisoner!) makes her blood boil. ]

You disappoint me. I have taken you as a woman of tenacity, but now I see that you are a wrench whose despair has broken her.

[ ~~a tale old as time~~ ]

[It is, of course, contradictory. Tamamo knows it. Her feelings are a mess, in disarray, and her despair has crushed her. And now... Not even Hakuno is here. Once again, she's alone.]

... So what if I am? Contradicting yourself is part of being human.

[It's said bitterly. Of course, it's part of being human... But Tamamo isn't human. All her evils were done with the hope of becoming one. As Daji, she led a dynasty to ruin so she could become human, but in the end, she went too far, and had that promise broken. As Tamamo, she only wished to be human, but couldn't hide her true nature, and was killed for it.

If the end will come no matter what, it's easier to make Hakuno hate her. Because, if her love is so overbearing it makes Hakuno hate her... That's fine. Because if she does that, it's better than Hakuno coming to hate her naturally. If she drives Hakuno away, at least that was still some level of control.

Every time, everything she wishes for slips through her fingers and fades away, and for all her abilities as a goddess, she is powerless to stop it. Better to drive Hakuno off herself than to let her slip away, through Hakuno finding someone else, or through the simple fact that Hakuno is mortal.

Her ears twitch, her tail fur bristling angrily. Nero's not wrong, of course. Tamamo has been in total despair for so long, she almost has forgotten how to feel anything else. Hakuno is the only ray of hope she has.

(The memory of a hundred Grail Wars, and a thousand deaths, flickers through her head. And in the end, her weakness makes the Master she devoted herself to abandon her.)]

I don't want to hear that from someone whose despair made her kill herself, you hypocrite. At least when I died, it was facing those who would kill me, rather than by my own hand.

[ When you think the atmosphere between their link couldn't be any more hostile, Nero laughs as if she finds her own suicide funny. But it is funny, isn't it? The tyrant emperor who was crippled by her own despair, commenting on a demon's sunken heart.

But - ... ]

Right you are. I did take my own life, but my despair has long since passed. I am no longer shackled by its heavy chains.

[ She has accepted her life, the bad and the good. Her sins, her accomplishments, her sadness, and her happiness - they were all part of a girl named Nero. Standing side-by-side with Hakuno has solidified this belief. Because she saw how desperately Hakuno wanted to live and how beautiful her struggles were. Life is, so very colorful. ]

However, the same cannot be said about you. Can you be certain the darkness in your heart won't swallow Hakuno whole?

[ Of course, she'll never let such thing happen. But she wants Castor to understand. The wonderfulness of living. ]

[How can she be sure? In another timeline, in another place, the Golden White-Face had once asked the same question. Tamamo didn't remember it, not really. But it still tugged at her anyway.

She is a disaster. An Anti-Hero. An Evil of Man. A calamity who exists to bring suffering to humans. Each title and name a shackle around her, the chains that Nero has escaped dragging Tamamo down. Caster who can never escape her past, whose past is her own greatest hate and worst fear... How can she be sure it won't swallow Hakuno?

Truthfully, she can't be sure. Rather, she believes it will happen eventually. But she desperately wishes it won't happen, and... If there is any way to avoid it, then...]

Because my Husband's heart is stronger than the darkness in mine.

[It's said clearly. Her faith in Hakuno overrides anything else.

(If there's anyone she can't believe in, it's herself.)]

[ There is a moment of silence before Saber speaks. ]

... It seems that your judge of character is sound, at least.

[ As vexing as it is to hear someone else talk about her Master so familiarly, she is proud of Hakuno all the same. She is someone who glitters and shines because of her strong heart. And Tamamo can see that too, it seems. ]

Still, that darkness is something I cannot overlook. [ a pause. ] This place, it deals with matters of the heart if I recall correctly. Why not confront this monster lurking deep inside?

[ Nero is not sure what kind of consequence it will bring. It could potentially pile heavier burdens on Caster. But to Nero, simply cowering is disgrace. ]

[Why doesn't she? Why doesn't she confront her own darkness? Well, for a moment, it actually sounds appealing... But then she thinks it through.

If a shard touches the whole... Of course, the shard will be completely eclipsed. And all she is is a shard of Amaterasu.]

Unlike you, Miss Saber, I'm no fool. I don't pick fights I have no chance of victory in.

[ Frowning. ] Throw me whatever insults you have, but I am no defeatist.

[ Tamamo speaks as though she has already lost. She knew that Caster would not be easily swayed, but she had hoped that her words would sow a seed of desire. A want to face whatever beast clawed at her. She thought she saw it, just for a short moment. Was it just her imagination? ]

They say doing nothing is sweet, but I fear in your case it is doing more harm than good.

... That's true, isn't it? You can do the impossible, simply by being too foolish to know it's impossible.

[That's what Saber Venus really was, in the end, wasn't it? A miracle born of Nero simply being too stupid and ignorant and stubborn to know when victory was impossible, and so attaining victory anyway.

Tamamo could never be like that.]

Even if I were to somehow triumph over her, it doesn't matter. My legend is already set in stone. An Anti-Hero, a monster who can never be anything else.

[ She will consider this a compliment. After all, not many can boast that they can do the impossible! So what if she is too stubborn for her own good? Accepting sad endings as they are leaves bad taste in her mouth. ]

I beg to differ! As you've said, our legends shall never change, but our time as Servants will be recorded. Our other "selves" might not remember every petty detail, perhaps, but the feelings we've felt, they shall remember them, however faintly.

[ Wouldn't future Tamamo be relieved that she can be free from her despair? ]

Do you think I will ever be summoned again? That I was summoned once was a miracle, and twice a mistake.

[She knows her own legend better than anyone, after all. And her previous Masters before Hakuno...]

A third time will never happen. Recording it won't matter.

Hmph! What utter nonsense. Of course, you will be summoned again!

[ Nero crosses her arms and looks indignantly at her. Why is her rival selling herself so short?! ]

There are many people in this world, and even more will come and go. Surely, one of them will wish for someone like you, though I cannot imagine why.

[ If she is lucky enough, they might even turn out to be good, kind people, who wish to save the world. ]

Edited 2017-08-06 02:54 (UTC)

... Have you forgotten what my husband did?

[She sighs, overdramatically.]

There will never be another Holy Grail War. And with the current state of the Earth, there's no Grail Wars on the Earth to summon me.

It's not just me, of course. We're all on our last chance. Even if the SE.RA.PH summons us again, after what we did in the War, are you sure it will keep the records of our current existence?

[ a long pause. ]

O-Of course I remember! I would never get carried away by the conversation and forget such important fact! Preposterous! [ And then there is a clearly flustered laugh.

O-Onore Caster .... ]

[ After seemingly unnecessary clearing of her throat, Nero continues. ]

... Umu, while waiting for a suitable Master, I heard an interesting story. It was about a Heroic Spirit who tried to kill himself. No, to be more precise, he tried to kill his past self. [ She lets out a sigh, as if to say "how pitiful." ] By some miraculous chance, he was summoned to the same place and time he had lived as a young man. The Heroic Spirit loathed what he had become and tried to erase himself. From what I understand, his attempt was not successful, but they say the encounter changed him.

[ She doesn't personally know this man, but it was an inspirational story. ]

[She listens to that. She gets what Nero's trying to say, of course, but...]

Do you really believe such a tale? In the first place, if a Servant wanted to die, why would they respond to the summoning in the first place?

How can I possibly know his motives! But ... I assume he wanted salvation, despite his desire for death.

[ She knows, how that feels. ]

... Hmph. Even if that is true, I would hardly call our circumstances the same.

Perhaps so, but you wish for it too, do you not?

[She does. She wishes for salvation. She wishes to wipe away the slate, to wipe away her past, she would do anything to simply be a human and live a human life and die like a human in the end. But...]

There's no point in wishing for the impossible. Some wishes are beyond even the Holy Grail.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

TEST DRIVE: AUGUST

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this is so intense??? i'm sorry

IT IS INTENSE BUT I AM LOVING THIS A LOT i am also sorry

tamamon ... ;w;

i hope you are okay with this level of drama sob

I'M FINE. I love drama

oh good. i am basically constantly chinhandsing at this thread ngl

same this made me think a lot of about these two

same, god. i admit without shame i ship them because they're such interesting contrasts... (and ot3)

ot3 forever ....

JUST DATE THEM BOTH, HAKUNO, god!!!

then they can be one big gay family

with their tiny gay daughter

perfect love story

perfect disney romance. maybe.

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