empatheias_ooc | TEST DRIVE: January

Entry tags:

*test drive

TEST DRIVE: January

— TEST DRIVE: JANUARY —

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 Monday, December 25 and Applications (Canon | OC) open a week later on January 1st. Apps will only be open for four days!
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: As the holiday festivities end, the expectation of charity and giving back will be rearing its ambivalent head. Namely, Verens' very own Community and Otherworlder Assistance Centre will be recruiting for its many charitable projects and drives! Like all non-profit organisations of that nature, the expectation is for people to contribute and give without expecting anything in return - so roll up those sleeves and pull out that wallet, because this is going to cost in both time, money, and dignity!

Mr. Top Hat J. Roomba: Looks like you're one-half of the lucky pair who got recruited to go door to door, selling chocolate bars and magazine subscriptions. The money earned doesn't go to you, of course. At the end of the salesmanship, it all goes right back to the charity foundation! Sounds easy, right? Well, not so much. You see, the foundation has had an undue number of thefts lately from its volunteers - and while they're no accusing you, of course! - they are no longer financially comfortable leaving the volunteers unsupervised. Each pair will be followed by a watchful roomba-like device that will belt out situation-sensitive commands deduced by careful monitoring of the situation. It also wears a snazzy top hat.
100% Organic: The Community and Otherworlder Assistance Centre also spearheads an innovation of its very own making: the emotion-sharing program! There are two ways to participate. The first is assisting in imbuing donated cosmetic products with the very essence of happiness and cheer. Having trouble summoning that up on the spot? Not to worry, because you'll be doing it inside The Puppy Room! (Puppies 100% organic. Please, try to keep animal hair out of the bottles.) The second way involves randomly assigning two individuals together for a more traditional approach to emotion-sharing. In this, there's only one rule: don't make the other person cry. And yes, you may also have unrestricted access to The Puppy Room.
It’s The Furry Hour: Lastly, there is the culmination of giving back to the community by putting a smile on each and every child’s face. The best way to do that? Put on a costume, say, this one or this one or even this one, and wander through the streets! Be careful, though -- the costumes are sensitive to Dunamis and any symptoms of emotional distress, regardless of whether or not they’re highs or lows. There are strict fines levied to anyone who dares damage a costume, or you might just end up mopping floors for a month to pay it off.

• Prompt E: Dunamis magic, emotional effects, crystals... one can live in Empatheias without ever really understanding the basics of it. However, it's encouraged to take at least a few courses as it will make adjusting to this new world a lot easier. At the Welcome Center, an eccentric new instructor is offering advanced classes (with a twist!) to new and old attendants. Interested natives can also join the classes as well, and the ones that are available are:

Think Positive! One of the most common types of emotional effects comes in the form of flowers. The most simple example being if one feels overwhelmingly happy, then flowers will start to bloom around them. In this class, Otherworlders will be learning exactly that! To be precise, the class takes place inside a botanical garden, and the exercise is to think positively so that more flowers can bloom. Think negatively, and the flowers will die, or they'll entangle you, or grow poisonous. Easy, right? No! This is an advanced class and controlling one's own feelings is KEY. Because there's also a tiger on the loose. Wait, what? Don’t worry - it only preys on fear and anger, so remember your lessons!
Think Negative! It's also important to know how to harness one's negative emotions, because such feelings are just as valid and useful as the opposite. In this exercise, two students are locked in a meat freezer, and the way to pass the test is to make each other seethe with rage until their fiery emotions bring the place down to room temperature. Make sure to insult each other a lot, and don't hold back! Maybe talking about a painful past can help? Alternatively, what the instructor did not account for, is that passion can be fiery, too. Maybe a kiss will do the trick? Otherwise, somebody will get the students out of there in 40 minutes and give them a nice cup of hot chocolate along with an F.
Think… Neither! Lastly, apathy! It's just as important to know how to harness. This class is a little more traditional, in the sense that everyone is sitting at their desk and watching a slide show. Students can talk amongst themselves in class, but they must not show any emotion! It's a little difficult, however, as the slide show gets more and more outrageous the longer the class goes on. At first it's a series of tasty food, then it's cute animals, and then some scary monsters. After that it moves on to more provocative imagery, such as poverty, graveyards, and... male and female models posing naked. Close your eyes! Or leave the class with the person sitting next to you? Otherwise, just try not to react to anything that comes up on the screen. Knowing when to be apathetic can save your life in Empatheias, too!

• Prompt F: It's out with the old and in with the new! Winter— no— it's not winter that is coming, but rather, the Notus season. Which is winter, technically, but the lovely citizens of Verens and natives of Empatheias call it differently. The season brings about snowfall and occasional storms, which means activities outdoors are limited due to the weather. The various sports teams in Verens have become even more serious with their training. The coaches refuse to let their team members gain weight due to the cold, which is why they're opening their training sessions to the public. Challenge them and win a prize! Make sure these players are given hell, because they won't shape up otherwise.

Hit 'Em High. One of the less formidable teams who play Verens Hoop Ball (patent pending) are the Champsters. Nobody truly knows how the Champsters are in the league when their plays are so awful. The sport itself, the Empatheias equivalent of what Earthlings would call basketball, had only been founded close to ten years ago. There aren't any "legends" yet, but the Champsters are players who will likely never be found in the hall of fame. In any case, they've opened their gym to any contenders who wish to take them on; 1-on-1, 2-on-2, 3-on-3, or even a full-on game. The sad excuse of Hoop Ball players are a sad excuse, needless to say. They play and cry like newborn fawn, and their coach will give anybody who makes them cry a heavy slap on the back and a 500 sylvs gift cheque at Steambucks. Thanks for showing the Champsters how much they suck - maybe they'll get motivated to do better because of this!
There's No Crying in... The managers of the Verens Football (soccer) team are inviting everyone to enter their gym and join their training for the day. All participants receive a 500 sylvs gift cheque to be used at Steambucks! And as soon as one enters the indoor pitch, they will hear the coach of the team screaming his lungs out. "THERE'S NO CRYING IN FOOTBALL!" - and the phrase might strike you as odd. Isn't it supposed to be baseball? And then you hear the muffled sobs of some people at the end of the goal line. . . wait, what? Anybody nearby is going to get yelled at, as well. "Fall in line and add some emotion to each kick!" the coach shouts. And with the intensity of each kick and the added emotions to it, it's no wonder the goalkeepers are getting beaten up. The coach doesn't seem to care, though…
You're on Ice. Apart from the indoor sports being promoted even though it's winter, some Verens officials have frozen the lake just by the outskirts of town for ice hockey and ice skating purposes. There are even cones and other obstacles lined on the ice for people to pass, and the officials are giving out a 500 sylvs gift cheque at Steambucks (AGAIN?!) to anybody who can clear the obstacles. Just watch out for the pucks that are flying every so often. If it hits your head, don't worry! Be comforted by the knowledge that the ice hockey team is doing their best and are making sure they're strong enough for the next tournament.

• Prompt G: Make your own! It could include crayons and/or pompoms.

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

Oh, really? [ She seems pretty excited about that! One would probably assume she'd be a fan of Fairy type or something like that in terms of her appearance. ] I've heard this is a floating island, so I'm not surprised. I do have a certain fondness for Dark types, personally.

[ If she had to buckle down to something specific, she'd probably lean toward Fighting or Dark. ]

Are you afraid I might challenge you to a battle? Don't worry, I'm not one to subscribe to the "trainers eyes meeting" sensibility -- I am Anabel, by the way. [ She gently twirls the ball in her hand, gently shifting toward the side to let Entei out. It stretches wide and yawns wider before it seeks out her company, nudging against her leg. ] I suppose if you prefer Water types, I might be at a tactical disadvantage right about now, anyway.

Huh? Oh, no. It's fine. I'm not interested in a battle right now anyway.

[probably for the first time in his life?]

I, uh, meant the pokéball. I've never seen a blue one like that... is it some kinda new great ball--

[oh, hey, that's entei. that's a legendary pokémon. part of him is horrified at the idea of seeing another legendary pokémon, let alone one caught by a trainer. is that even possible?]

WHATTHEFUCKWHEREDIDYOUGETENTEIWHYDOYOUHAVEIT

I do hope you'll keep me in mind in the future.

[ She's about to comment on keeping his eyes on hers instead of in her pockets (and then declassify information on the Beast Balls since it's not as if they're not beneficial or a secret at this point), but his reaction leaves her more than a little embarrassed.

Her hand slips to her mouth, eyes a little wider. She probably should've expected this sort of reaction. ]

That's, ah, well... [ She actually doesn't have an answer. Entei had been with her when she'd washed ashore on Poni Island; she doesn't know how it was captured, but she knows why it remains at her side. Trust. It sides beside her, peering at Archie then back at her, like its unsure why its been called out. She keeps her hand to his head, dragging her fingers against its scalp. ] He's on my team because he wants to be, right?

[ He doesn't really answer beyond a bit of a nudge and content look. ]

[he scrabbles backwards on his ass, hastily recalling crobat. entei is absolutely amazing to see in person, but archie doesn't want to see another legendary ever again, after what he did. not even jirachi. he bites down on his lower lip, hard, and shakes his head rapidly while looking away. suddenly all he can think about is the rain pelting his face and kyogre's roar as it broke through the cavern. he's terrified, but not of entei.]

C...can you return it?

[he is trying SO HARD to keep his shit together.]

[ Entei is just chilling there, not at all threatening except in the majesty of its (adorable) appearance. She's ready to recall before he speaks, carefully getting to her knees and speaking to it in a soft voice. She apologizes for waking it and promises he'll get out in the sun soon, her forehead to its as she returns it.

She hoists herself back up with a gentle dusting off of her knees. ]

My apologies. I hadn't thought of how you might react, but I assure you he's not a threat to you or your pokemon. [ Her frown is deep, nearly upset that she's caused such a ruckus. ] ...are you alright?

[ She offers her hand to him with caution. ]

[it's true, entei IS REALLY REALLY CUTE and if this was like a month prior, archie would really super want to pet it and cry over how perfect and amazing it is. how times change.

he doesn't take the hand, just staying back on his ass. being rained on. sad trombone.]

I... it's fine. I wouldn't expect him to be. [that's not how legendaries work, as far as he's aware. except for when they're forced to wake up and mega evolve hahAHAHA] I just... don't have great luck. With mythical beasts.

[ Well, you know how it goes. You live and you hopefully learn. She's quick to her feet before moving nearer, settling in front of him in a crouch, certain her eyes are on his. ]

They can be difficult, but that's no different than any other wild pokemon. [ Again, she gestures above his head to what is apparently a very literal rain cloud at this point. ] I don't mean to pry considering how personal it can be, I chose to be tactful and not ask directly, but... you seem quite morose. Would you care to talk about it?

No.

[to both of those.]

No, they're nothing like any other Pokémon. No, I don't want to talk about it.

[ She frowns visibly, deeply. She's not sure what might have happened to him but it doesn't seem to stem from just being in Empatheias. ]

They're more powerful at times, but some do not wish to be bothered. [ Anabel reaches to cup his elbow with intent to lift him up. ] Well, we can talk about other things. Come with me, I'll treat you to something to eat.

[ She can't exactly leave him out here like this. Even if he's raining all over.. ]

Tell me about it...

[he grunts, then pulls himself up at her prompting. it not hard, or anything. he's not hurt. just a stupid babyman.]

Alright. Ain't gonna say no to free food.

[ She gets the feeling that she'll have to work him like she does Looker, but it's not terribly difficult. Whatever it is this guy isn't talking about, he's been fairly obvious that it was rough on him. ]

What do you prefer to be addressed as?

[ Softer, rather than a demand for introduction. At least he managed to get to his feet himself. She follows the lead and again, dusts her suit off. ]

Archie.

[if we learned anything from zinnia, it's that archie is kinda easy to work when you tell him what he wants to hear.]

Uh... yeah, the one you're thinking of. Team Aqua.

Hm.

[ She simply leaves it at that, putting her weight more on one leg as she examines him. She straightens into a light shrug. ]

I should mention in full disclosure that I am Chief of the International Police. [ The same pleasant and even tone. ] To my knowledge Team Aqua has been disbanded. However misguided your efforts may have been, assuming that you can behave yourself -- [ Somehow, she seems like the sort where having her feel disappointed in you would be worse than anything else she may be capable of doing. ] -- I hold no grudge or ill-intent toward you.

[ She offers him a gloved hand, a nonverbal truce. ]

It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Archie.

Edited (when two ideas become one and a sentence is a mess...) 2017-12-19 20:24 (UTC)

We didn't disband. I retooled the entire team, and made it very public I was doing so.

[that's what he's focusing on right now, because he doesn't know she's from a decade in the future and he can only imagine it as incorrect information, not that something went wrong down the line.]

But I got no intentions of doin' anything here. Or again.

My sincere apologies for being unaware of that specificity, then.

[ It's not an insult to suggest that. It means he's doing the "right" thing, whatever it is that he's doing. It's reassuring in some ways, but that doesn't mean she won't keep an eye on him.

She returns her hand to her side, but doesn't take the lack of taking it as an aggressive move. ]

I am glad to hear that. I hold no jurisdiction here, regardless.

[he's being surly, sure, but none of it is out of aggression. archie's just a Sad Water Boy 'cause he did a big fuck up and regrets it.]

Don't worry about it. I still don't know why you guys didn't arrest me on the spot, anyway.

[ She's figured out as much. Or, at least that it seems to have to do with an encounter with a mythical pokemon -- it's not like he's being subtle about it. ]

We have rules we abide to. As for why I didn't, I was not personally involved in that particular event. [ He seems repentant enough, at least. ] Personally, I would rather allow someone freedom, if possible.

I don't know who was. It went right to the champions of the region, because they were directly involved.

...Do you know Steven Stone? Or May?

I see.

[ She knows some details, but she's not the most well-versed in it considering every other week something crazy is happening. She tends to be more focused directly on pokemon -- and sticks to the office. That's the problem with rank and title, you aren't as hands-on. ]

Mr. Stone is the son of the Devon Corporation's president, correct? As I recall he's quite a fearsome opponent, as well. I'm afraid I'm not familiar with someone called May, but I do not mind keeping an eye out for one.

Yeah.

[fearsome, ha.]

May was the one that stopped Kyogre. Steven did fuck all. Put that in your notes.

Are you... insulting him for not putting an end to plans that you had control over?

[ She's actually surprised over this. To insult someone for not fighting him when he was the one causing the problem, not Steven Stone... Then again, she most definitely doesn't see things the way any of these Team leaders seem to.

What a skewed view. ]

Perhaps the blame should not be laid with the inactive...

I did what I could.

[he frowns, looking away from her - down at the grass.]

Champions don't let eleven-year-old kids face a raging legendary alone, while they do fuck all. I don't want people to skate over that.

I wonder what you were like at eleven? I cannot say all the details of the situation, but one of the important things to remember is that training pokemon has nothing to do with age. Experience can come with age and time, but some children may surpass the adults surrounding them simply because of their age. [ It takes her a moment to gather her thoughts, uncertain of how to express them articulately. ] As adults it is not just our job to protect them, but to ensure their safety when they choose to do things such as that.

[ It's a difficult subject to broach, especially with her own memories so fogged over and lost that she doesn't have too much of her own personal experience to back it up with. ]

Legendary and Mythical pokemon have a habit of showing themselves, working alongside, and even allowing themselves to be captured by children for a reason. Isn't that how it ended up? [ She doesn't want to make him feel any more shame than he likely does -- especially considering that rain cloud above him. ] Things didn't work out for you even though to my knowledge, your intent was not ill. I've no doubt that you are a skilled and powerful trainer, but there are some situations that are out of our hands and is decided by the pokemon that we surround ourselves with.

I did what I could to protect her. Even when shit was falling apart around me.

[he shakes his head.]

No, maybe she was the right person to do it, but that doesn't mean it wasn't fucked up she and her team had no backup. A lot of mistakes were made that day, but I wasn't the only one makin' them.

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