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

Rouge the Bat | Sonic the Hedgehog

[sexyspybat]

C

[Rouge was getting a bit antsy--she still hadn't found a way away from this weirdo place and its weirdo emotion crap. Truth of the matter was, she didn't like having her life path out of her control.

If you know Rouge, you'd note her tone seems a bit alarmed, which is pretty out of character for her.]

Okay, I'm not sure why I haven't looked into this sooner, but here I am. I need a drink. Is there a legal drinking age here?

D-2

[At the desk just inside the door stands a sultry anthropomorphic bat, who seems to have mysteriously squeezed into work attire too small for her. One would find hers to be the first grinning face they'd see upon entering the company building.]

F-3

[Speaking of being stuffed into clothing, Rouge is clearly enjoying handing out inner tubes to park goers in a very tight, very revealing two-piece. You'd think she was hot up for money if you saw her at her receptionist job, but anyone familiar with Rouge would know she's solely in this job for the money. In fact, she looks a little too gleeful taking her customers' hard-earned cash. If you didn't know better, you'd think she was intending to keep it all instead of handing it over to her employer or something. If you didn't know better. Right?]

F-3 because why not.

[isthatashortjoke]

[Veigar didn't care for any of this but he wanted to at least check out what all this blasted commotion was about. Once he was there and greeted by the barely covered receptionist he narrowed his eyes.

Whether he was blushing or not was yet to be determined considering his illusons masked much of his face under the oversized hat and only the fiery glows of his eyes and mouth were usually seen.]

What in the blazes is this supposed to be? [He squinted to try and see just how much fabric she was wearing. Maybe oogling a bit too.]

Are you sure those things aren't just going to pop out?

[sexyspybat]

[His first question led Rouge to think he wasn't sure he wanted an innertube, but her smirk returned upon hearing his follow-up question.]

Charming. Don't you know it's rude to comment on a woman's bust size? Tsk tsk!

[She turned away from him to hand another customer an innertube, noticeably averting eye contact with him as if to ignore him, as if to imply he needed to fight for her attention.]

[isthatashortjoke]

Since when is it rude to That's how incompetent and naive fools are created!

[Because that is CLEARLY what is the big subject of the matter at the moment.

And besides, any seeming attempt to ignore Veigar didn't seem to faze him... Maybe he was ignored on the daily and he didn't care,or just didn't notice? Who knows with him...]

In any case, at the very least it's a magical garment to keep things in check no? Not that it really matters, it's generally stupid human's modesty that calls for regulations on so called dress codes and appropriate attire.

It's ridiculously stupid.

[sexyspybat]

Humans are weird, yes. First they tell girls to bundle up, then they coin the phrase "if you've got it, flaunt it." Well, I'm sticking with the latter. It's not hurting anyone, is it now, sweetie? If it wasn't obvious, I don't suffer from issues with modesty.

[She continued to hand out the innertubes. Her focus strayed once again away from him and onto the handful of cash she held in her hand, counting it one bill at a time with amazement.]

[isthatashortjoke]

[Veigar's grin widened. Now this was someone he could like. Not for the looks, which frankly he wasn't all too fazed by considering the people he used to be in the League with, but for her definite confidence.]

Good, good! Why hold back your strengths when you can show them off!

And, no, not hurting at all. If anything, more power is always the answer. You flaunt it out as much as you want-- err.

[He looked her over, even to the point of getting what would normally be unsettlingly close to her chest if it had been someone normal and then pulled back to look at her once again.]

I never saw a name tag, so you do your thing Bat.

[sexyspybat]

Don't call me "Bat," good sir. You can call me Rouge, seeing as how that's my actual name.

[This guy is pretty cheeky. He, too, is notably confident. Maybe a little too much. She hopes she wouldn't have to kick his creepy little ass.

Well, maybe she doesn't hope too much. It's been a good while since she last kicked some ass.

Her retail smile returns as she hands out another innertube. If he gets too uppity, at least there will be witnesses. ...For better or for worse.]

[isthatashortjoke]

You looked like one, there was no spot for a badge so I could only go with the look. But Rouge seems much more fitting.

[Veigar nods and raises his fist, which oddly enough has a large gauntlet with a swirling amulet embedded in it.]

I'm the all powerful and mighty Veigar! Wielder and master of raw time and space magic.

[Because he totally had to stagelight himself... though a few of the locals already knew his reputation and while some awed, some obviously moved away in caution.]

[sexyspybat]

I see.

[Rouge did her best to seem impressed, but she couldn't quite pull it off. She raised her eyebrows and bit her lip to try to ward off a smile.]

Hello there, Veigar. 'Time and space magic,' you say? I knew someone with similar power similar, but I have a feeling you're about to tell me why your power is greater than his.

F-3 for Blaze's personal hell

[vela_nova]

[Blaze went to work too, finding a bit of part time work to augment the farm's sales to be good for her bottom line. This was NOT what she had in mind when she signed on, wearing a red one-piece as she tended to the queue at the park. There was an anthropomorphic bat there, and she looked enough like she came from Blaze's world that she contemplated saying hello because Blaze doesn't know her in her canon yet.]

[sexyspybat]

[Oh whoops, I thought they might be familiar with each other from Sonic's birthday, but we can make them just be like "you kinda look like me" and stuff

Rouge noticed a familiar looking cat across the path staring at her. Yes, familiar somehow. Like a very thin, very gorgeous Big the Cat. Had they met? She wasn't sure. Oh well.]

Hello, sweetie! Having fun?

[Her attention dropped to the cat's bustline. Oh my. She stifled a chuckle by biting her lip.]

Liking the mandatory swimsuit uniforms?

[vela_nova]

It's work... Not much fun to be had.

[It's true, but Blaze is from earlier in canon than that. So Rouge would know Blaze, but Blaze wouldn't know Rouge.]

I feel very... exposed. I wish I could be dressed a little more decently...

[sexyspybat]

Oh Blaze, you just need to look at it from a different angle! You're getting paid to absorb some vitamin D!

[Money and flaunting! Isn't it great?]

[vela_nova]

I'm just not as comfortable as you are with... showing off. That's all.

[sexyspybat]

Rouge couldn't help but find Blaze's irritation a bit amusing, and from her amusement came a spray of cool pool water off the warm cobblestone and into their faces. Rouge, caught off guard, burst into laughter and adjusted her suit dripping suit

She had made it out of the sudden up-pouring without getting too soaked, but she turned to study her friend who may or may not have been so lucky.

"Whoop, didn't expect hat, did we, hoh?"

[vela_nova]

"HISSSS!"

Blaze took more of it than Rouge did, and her fur was now sopping wet, suit clinging to her, ponytail drooping. She flicked her hands to get rid of some of the water drops. "No! No I didn't!" she retorted.

I must've written that when I was high look at all those typos

[sexyspybat]

Blaze's reaction was even more hilarious than she'd expected. Rouge couldn't help but cause her to double over and let out a guffaw. Her laugh, unfortunately for both of them, sent up another spray, this time straight into Rouge's face this time. The chlorine-scented water went straight to the back of her nose and throat. Coughing resulted.

"GWAHH!!!" Rouge shrieked between hacks as she struggled to breathe properly again.

Even more flattering was how she had to hold her breasts close to her chest to prevent them from flying out from her skimpy suit.

D-2

[princesswhatshername]

[Minnie had been planning to have a 'tour' of the romantic grounds, so she could prepared whenever her one true love arrives. When she arrives, she's surprised to see another animal like her, and it's a happy surprise.]

My goodness! What a delight!

[...And then a very woeful feeling of sheer inadequacy. when your company won't allow you to be anything but flat.]

[sexyspybat]

[don't worry, it's not as great as it sounds. To guys, you are only a life support system for boobs.

Rouge looks around then points at herself.]

Who, me? What?

[What? Whut, what? Huh? What? What's delightful? What?]

[princesswhatshername]

[Minnie manages to shake off her worries, being all smiles and sunshine again.]

It's always so wonderful to see people like ourselves around! It gets a little lonely when you only see humans all day... so seeing you makes me super happy! Heehee!

[sexyspybat]

[Well, isn't this dear the most precious thing on two feet! So polite, so dainty, so adorned in princess-y attire. She'd give Cream a run for her money!]

Like ourselves? Humans...? Oh. Oh, I see what you mean now, honey. Yeah, those of us of the more furry variety aren't the most populous back home, and it's apparent it's even worse here in Verens.

[Ugh. So sweet. Can't. Catch. The. Diabetes.]

You don't look like anyone I've ever come across. Are you from Mobius or somewhere else?

[princesswhatshername]

[Take her under your wing! *rimshot*]

Oh no, I'm from the Disney Kingdom! We don't have any humans at all, so coming here was a very big surprise.

[sexyspybat]

[No humans? Iiiiinteresting.]

Never heard of it. That means you don't have any diabolical mustachioed technophiles trying to turn you all into slaves, doesn't it? If only we were all so lucky.

[Her memories of Dr. Robotnik were causing brown, spiny weeds to slowly grow out of the ground. Rouge shook them off her boot with irritation as they began wrapping up her leg. Ugh, this place and its creepy emotion effects.]

[princesswhatshername]

... Huh?

[She pretty much has no idea what Rouge said.]

... Um. We do have bad guys? Does that help?

[sexyspybat]

[Close enough.]

It does, actually. It doesn't seem like yours are the helpless animal-enslaving technophiles, though, right? What are yours like, then?