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!

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[GAH! Darling would have fallen over if she were the sort, but she keeps her composure, though she does grab onto a chair at the center just to be safe as Apple's joy figuratively slams into her. Still, her true love is here, and Darling lets out a small sigh of relief. Apple is safe, by the sounds of it. Thank goodness...

At Apple suddenly insisting to meet her at the center, she smiles and sends just as much warmth over the amulet.]

Yes, Apple, I am at the Welcome Center, they've been kind enough to provide me with reading material about this place and I've been given a warm meal as well. I'll wait for you.

Good! Don't move a single solitary inch! I'll be there in two shakes of Big Bad's tail!

[How can someone run that fast in pumps? Magic, probably. And as usual, there's a choir of men sighing and birds singing which Apple promptly ignores or shoves out of her way, standing at the Welcome Center doorway, breathing hard, exhausted, but still looking impossibly perfect.]

Darling...!

[Darling looked up from her reading when she heard the sighs and songs and smiled when she saw Apple, setting everything down and standing up. She had had plenty of time to neatly put her armor away in a closet until she was ready to leave. She offered a little wave.]

Apple did you run all the way here?

Of course I did!

[Light brightens up the entire room. Apple jogs over, grabbing Darling's hand, bobbing up and down.]

You're the first person from Ever After High I've seen in months! I missed you all so much!

[She allows Apple to take her hands because Apple has always been the physical sort.]

In... months? [Her brows furrow together.] Apple, I just saw you at school. What do you mean months?

[A deep exhale, this might take a while.]

Okay, so... We're in a magical land fueled by emotions, and it needs our emotions to keep things running smoothly. But in order to keep things balanced, we leave our world and return at the exact same second, so while you think I was never gone at all, I've actually been here for about... Over half a year.

Well, I understood the emotions part, Apple, that was mentioned in the text I read. [She offered gently. Only, her smile faded when Apple mentioned she had been her over half a year.]

Sounds like Wonderland time... [She pressed her lips together.] Apple, I am so sorry you've had to be here for so long. [Apple certainly didn't sound like she was having a nice time...] Have you been alright? You haven't gotten into any distress, have you? [Simply because she knew Apple COULD get herself out of trouble, didn't always mean trouble didn't find Apple or that Apple WOULD get herself out of trouble. She wasn't number one in Damsel in Distressing for nothing.]

That... depends on what you mean by distress, exactly.

[Don't mind her nervous laughter. Let's deal with the first bombsheel.]

Okay, first off? My mom and Alice Liddel here.

... Except they're kids.

[The Alice Liddell and the Snow White... HER MOM?! But as kids?! Even for usually smiling, yet calm Darling, her eyes widened in surprised.]

Um... Apple, perhaps I misheard you, so I will politely repeat what I think I heard you just say... Did you just say, your mother, Queen Snow White, and Alice Liddell the original wanderer of Wonderland, are here... and that they are children?

Edited 2017-12-23 02:26 (UTC)

If you want to be technical, mom is closer to our age.

But. Yes. Way younger than they're supposed to be.

[She laughs nervously, pulling back.]

I mean, it's fine! Really! We get along great! It's just been... mega super awkward sometimes.

You mean, she's in her prime?

[What she wouldn't give to see that! Except, then Apple is laughing nervously, which means Apple is holding back a lot. Darling's brow knitted together.]

Clearly, it isn't fine and is more than just "sometimes" mega super awkward. Apple, what's wrong?

Nothing! Nothing's wrong! I mean, she's kind of, sort of, completely against my destiny and doesn't want Raven to poison me and doesn't want me to follow in her footsteps. Which is the exact opposite of her attitude back home.

... But we're managing! She has her own bakery and everything!

[Look, someone could use a hug.]

Apple, you don't need to lie to me. [She offered as she gave Apple's hand a squeeze. But her brow knitted together when Apple seemed to be on her kick again about Raven poisoning her and the going against destiny...]

Apple... what is the last thing you remember before you were brought here?

Huh?

[She needs a minute, trying to recall the exact point.]

Oh, well... A bunch of us were cursed by the fake Storybook of legends, but Kitty helped get us back to normal after facing off against her mom. A Cheshire tricking a Cheshire... it was pretty amazing.

.... Apple... Apple that was months ago...! [Her eyes widened. How could she be so far back?] You don't... you don't remember traveling to-

Or... [Oh fairy godmother... that meant she didn't...]

[Blink-blink. What's going on here? ... Uh-oh.]

So... I already came back in your timeline? Nothing's changed yet?

No, no, that's fine... I'm here, so, we're good, things can still change!

I'm not entirely sure what you mean by "nothing's changed." There's quite a bit that's changed, Apple. [Ha... So Apple... didn't know about the book, or Wonderland, or that she was a knight and basically said "NOPE" to her "destiny." Or that Raven had, in fact, SIGNED the book, and...

And with Raven's mom...

Or that Daring wasn't her true love...

Darling didn't allow it to show on her face, but her heart had not only sunk down to her heels, but Apple had effectively trampled all over it.]

Don't you worry about a thing, I plan on making sure everything stays right on track! And with you here, it could go even smoother!

[Oblivious to Darling's inner turmoil, she latches on for another hug.]

Yes, you're just the cure I needed to calm down and relax!

Apple, stop, please. [She hugs Apple back, but knowing she's so far back...]

I think there are some things I should tell you about what is going on in Ever After High. Perhaps we should sit, I don't want you swooning on me.

No need to worry, I already know!

It's... kind of hard to explain, but your brother Daring was here for a few months.

[Not that she doesn't trust Daring buuuuut]

Why don't you tell me what you know and I can fill in the blanks.

Okay, well... Raven's mom somehow got out, she was the one to poison me instead, and somehow Daring's kiss didn't wake me up.

Alright, so... there's... a few pieces missing to that, actually. [Hoo boy...]

Apple, I need you to promise not to swoon. [Let's start with that.] Daring didn't have all the pieces because Daring got trapped in the same mirror prison as the Queen, the booking glass. He accidentally got locked into it, and I got him out by... well by accident, but out nonetheless. So there's going to be a lot of gaps in his tale.

But... [To mention the dragon games? No, they weren't AS relevant to the conversation at the moment.] When the Evil Queen got out, she was parading around as a new student named Mira. And... you... sided with her, you even knew who she actually was. When your mother called her out on her disguise, you said we should give her a chance and your mother even pardoned her temporarily.

However, it was just a part of her plan. She started taking over the school, putting the teachers and headmaster into the bodies of animals.

You and Raven had a massive fight and with the queen ruling the school, it wasn't safe for Raven. When Raven and I and a few others escaped to a place protected by pixies, you followed us. While we were planning our next move, you were poisoned with an apple into a forever after sleep.

I don't know what happened, but the curse started to take a turn for the worse and you started to choke... you stopped breathing entirely.

Edited 2017-12-30 20:45 (UTC)

[There's a long silence to absorb this. On the one hand, there's no swooning, so yay.

... Not so yay is that suddenly the ground beneath them SINKS a good couple of inches, and any candles around them are suddenly blown out.]

... I... have questions. So may questions.

[Well... there's no swooning, that's real progress with Apple. Though Raven's revelation would likely always be the biggest.]

Well, I believe I said we should sit. I'll do my best to answer them.

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unfairest_ofthemall - 2018-01-01 21:46 (UTC) - Expand

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doesntdistress - 2018-01-02 09:19 (UTC) - Expand

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