empatheias_ooc | 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

[She's giving him puppy dog eyes. Don't leave please....!! Jun tosses Akashi a crumbled note with a few words written on it.

It won't stop raining and I'm so cold. Can you help me?

Like she gets that it's a product of her emotions but controlling it is another thing altogether. Wow, this is truly the worst. Will Akashi turn a blind eye to her plea?]

Edited 2018-01-04 03:56 (UTC)

[ He unfolds the piece of paper, reads it, then looks back at Jun.

His father told him to never bring any strays home. ]

. . . We'll need to find some shade.

[ Then his eyes fall to his arm which she's holding. He doesn't pull away but he does make a gesture with his free hand that he wants his arm back. . . please free him. And the next words he speaks aren't a request. They're a command. ]

My clothes are sticking to me like this. Let go and follow me.

[Jun nods her head furiously. She backs away from Akashi as told. Okay, he should be at a safe distance now. Sorry about your clothes. One day she'll make it up to you. She hangs her head lowly in regret.

Sitting in the rain for so long causes her to sneeze a bit. Oops. They'll reach some shade momentarily. ]

[ Akashi's disturbingly tranquil state creates a small invisible shield over their heads, although Jun's might be a lot smaller. It does the job for Akashi, though, because as they walk, the rain seems to patter off the shield and not make any more contact with him. He really would rather not get sick today.

They pass by some small shops and buildings with awls, but that isn't where Akashi intends to go. He said shade, and those kinds of places are too low for his standards. Instead of a public place, he takes her to his apartment complex. Not inside his home, but in its lobby where there are wooden chairs and a small pantry. ]

You're unable to speak, aren't you?

Edited 2018-01-04 04:51 (UTC)

[He's right about that. Jun takes half a minute to write a new note. This time she just leaves it on the table for him to see.

"When I talk my stomach hurts.
I'm very sorry for getting you wet. "

This girl is practically bowing to show remorse. ]

[ His gaze falls to her stomach upon reading the note, but it only lasts for two seconds at best. ]

There really isn't anything you can do about it now, [ he says, tugging at the placket of his shirt. That wasn't him forgiving her, either. ]

What do you need help with?

I suppose so. How exactly do you keep your emotions under control? It's so hard to keep yourself from feeling everything.

And feeling sometimes leads to bad things like what happened today.

[Endless rain....!!!

When feeling one thing starts affecting everything else it's not a good sign. ]

[ He sighs, underwhelmed. This wasn't the line of questioning he was expecting to answer. He can't fault her for it, though, when it's a legitimate concern. ]

I'm not sure that's something I can help you with. At the moment, I'm still trying to figure that out, myself. But I'm sure with enough concentration, you should be able to control what happens when you feel certain emotions.

Okay, I understand. Thank you!! I'll try doing that next time.

[A soft smile perks up on her face knowing it's a problem that can be fixed. She's really glad for that.]

I'm Jun Naruse. What do I call you?

Edited 2018-01-04 06:10 (UTC)

Seijuro Akashi.

[ It looks as if he's about to say something else, but he opts not to. People already call him nicknames, anyway. It shouldn't matter to him if this girl ends up calling him by some kind of weird variation of his first name.

And then, he opens his mouth to speak again. ]

Was that all you wanted to ask?

Seijuro Akashi. Nice to meet you.

[ She drops her pen and it rolls on the table for a sec. No, that's not all she wants to say. Before she finishes picking up the pen, her stomach growls loudly.]

I need to eat food. Have you had lunch yet?

[ His apartment is just upstairs but he doesn't eat there because he has no idea how to cook, so he can't exactly offer any food. He does, however, always eat out, and it's about that time for lunch.

He stares at her for a few good moments, studying the possible outcomes of whatever decision he makes in his head. ]

I haven't, and I don't intend to go out again now that my clothes are wet.

[ With that, he turns and starts walking towards the stairs, not even giving her a signal to follow. He isn't the type to be inadequate, though, so he stops once one foot is on a step. ]

I'll need to change. Come follow and I'll give you a towel to use.

[Jun starts to sing out of no where in response. ]

♫I'll follow you!!♫

♫I can't talk, but I can sing just fine!! ♫

[She feels like she's going to die inside. Her face is turning all red and her hands are trembling. ]

♫You are a kind person, did you know that? ♫

[ That makes him stop, and he actually looks back, mouth slightly open and brows furrowed.

What is she doing. . .

He only stares at her momentarily before he proceeds up the stairs, though. What a weirdo. ]

[Jun rushes up the stairs and attempts to follow him. To be honest, she looks a little lost.

Her eyes are wandering all over the place. Does Akashi use this place regularly? She'll ask later. ]

[ The complex is quaint but clean, and so is his apartment. There isn't much furniture—just the typical ones you would find in a barely furnished apartment. Akashi doesn't have enough money to decorate properly. ]

Leave your shoes at the door. I'll get you a towel.

[ He doesn't look back, fully expecting her to close and lock the door once she's inside. He takes off his shoes too, and walks around the small space in his socks. ]

[It'd be quite rude to not listen to his request. Jun takes her shoes off quietly. She places them neatly at the front. After that she'll close the door and lock the entrance. She can barely keep herself from smiling. Akashi's kindness makes her happy! ]

[ It only takes a few seconds for Akashi to fetch a clean and warm towel for Jun, and he tosses it at her, making sure it at least lands on her head if she doesn't catch it. After that, he heads to his closet to undress, taking off his shirt which is soaking wet, so she can dry himself and put on a new one. ]

TEST DRIVE: January

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