TEST DRIVE MEME: JULY

[simpathis]

— TEST DRIVE: JULY —

Welcome to empatheias' first ever 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 Friday, July 18th and Applications open Friday, July 25th. Game will begin Friday, August 1st.
  
  
• 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!

Now with that out of the way, here are some prompts you guys can work from!


PROMPTS

• Prompt A: Create any scenario that could cause your character to display some kind of emotion, be it big or small, and write out how it changes the immediate area. Are there literal sparkles everywhere because they're so happy? Or is the ground starting to twist and warp due to their anger or frustration? Things exploding? Rain clouds? Since this is a test drive, don't worry about any limitations on effects—just write whatever comes to mind!

• Prompt B: The following are generic task board prompts that characters could have taken up as a job.

1. You have to collect X number of materials. Find a partner to make it easier!
   
2. There's a hostile creature attacking some of the neighboring farms. If you got a weapon, they could definitely use your help!
   
3. How about helping around the town? Delivering something, helping patch up a sign, cleaning out some of those rusted gears—the locals would definitely warm up to everyone.
   
4. Make up your own task/quest!

• 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: With the influx of people suddenly appearing, the locals are a bit on edge. So rather than having your character’s emotions affecting the environment, someone else's is affecting them! Maybe they were just passing by and someone had an emotional outbreak of sorts. Now they have to figure out how to deal with the aftermath—or will their own emotions make it worse? Needless to say, NPC godmodding granted 100%.

• Prompt E: Make your own! It can even involve booze and/or cats.

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

Naoto Shirogane ( Persona 4 )

[detects]

[ D ]

[Naoto had quickly come to discover that simply walking down a sidewalk was going to be challenge here. She wasn't sure what had set someone off but the sudden presences of a rain cloud that seemed to follow her was new. And once that seemed to dissipate she was followed by flowers that seemed to grow around her at rapid speed where ever she stepped. She now had a literal garden several feet long from where she had started to where she was now. Now it appeared to be snowing.

She wasn't sure what she was doing to have these things happen to her and she was certain it wasn't her emotions doing it. Hopefully.]

T-This is ridiculous.

[leteverythingstainher]

I think it's cute!

[ Says the girl emitting flowers with red paint on them all over in joy, of course... ]

It's a nice way to sort of introduce magic to some people, too, don't you think?

Belial | Rengoku no Karutagura

[ensnares_and_devours]

Scenario A:

[Well isn't this lovely. He has to admit that there's a beautiful complexity to this whole situation. There are not many that would be bold enough to try and play with him and yet here he was.

Crimson eyes lazily take in his surroundings. This place is definitely different. The fallen angel can easily feel the limitations that are in place and this only piques his curiosity. He had always enjoys breaking whatever chains were put on him.

Shatter and destroy...

He can't help but smile as he notices the subtle darkness that slithers around his form. There's a very taunting feeling to how the shadow moves, almost like a snake looking for prey.

Oh, he knows exactly how to play.

This could be fun indeed...]


Scenario C:

[A velvety voice brushes against your mind, warm and amused.]

How much more will you all give? It's quite interesting to watch such lively displays.

C

[miraculo]

[ The response is immediate and chipper. ] Anything and everything to help others if they need it!

Mikono Suzushiro | Aquarion EVOL

[mourningdress]

[OOC: Same mun as the Amata, giving this one a go too. <3]

A)
[Honestly Verens wasn't that different from Neo-Kowloon. It was busier and more bustling of course, given that half the population hadn't left the city in fear. In the few days she had been here though, Mikono had found herself rather enthralled with the city itself - particularly the Observatory. The spinning crystal above reflecting the moods of the populace - or so she had been told by others.

She had stopped by again today to glance up to the Crystal a moment before she headed to the open-air marketplace, a smile on her lips. The crystal itself was a brilliant gold and some sense thrummed through her speaking of it's truth. She might just be sparkling a gold that near matches the prism atop, the sensation lightly calm and pleasant.

The tails of her hair tie twitch once, twice and then something half pops out of the confines of her hair bun.]

Shu?

B)
Ah, here! Let me help with that.

[One way or another, you now have a purple-haired girl aiding you in your current task. She offers up a bright smile.]

You looked a little busy there. You don't mind the help, right?

D)
Wait... please, calm down.

[Mikono is doing her best here. She can't quite lay hold of the local who just sort of began having this breakdown on her. Tensions are beginning to run high and it's showing even in the area surrounding Mikono herself.

After a few more moments of berating being dished up, she finally seems to snap. Her expression turns stern and before she can think it heavily through, she reaches out for the person's hands.]

Just stop!

[The exclamation hits the air and dies off in stony silence. And then Mikono gives a soft, almost sad smile.]

It's alright. Please don't worry so much.

E)
[OOC: I'm open to ideas! I'd love to try out the communicators more but I didn't want to make this too long. c:]

C (Hi there! 8D)

[icameforscience]

Oh! Thanks.

[ He's a little surprised to see someone actually lifting up the other side of the box he was carrying into his apartment, unaware that it was about to topple over. ]

Looks like you came just in time.

Shirley Fennes | Tales of Legendia

[prayingone]

Prompt A



[This is the first time that Shirley has been apart from Senel and all of the friends she's made on the Legacy. Even surrounded by people throughout the city... she can't help but feel a little lonely and homesick. She sits by herself in a park, near a large fountain, listlessly feeding stale breadcrumbs to some pigeons... or at least, she's trying to. A dreary purple breeze, which smells like the sea, colors the air around her a dull purple and scatters the crumbs before they even hit the ground. The pigeons are very confused.]

Prompt B: Let's Work!



[Shirley has accepted the job... of cute delivery girl! Today's job is to deliver a strawberry cake, wrapped carefully in a cardboard box, to a young girl's birthday party. She's got to get it to the house before lunchtime! The only problem is, well... she doesn't know her way around very well yet.

Shirley stands on a street corner, balancing the cakebox on her hip, while frowning at the directions the baker gave her.]

Um, should I take a left here... or should I have done that two blocks ago?...

Prompt C:



[This whole psychic amulet thing is kind of weird... but, at the same time, it seems like a good way to get in touch with her fellow adventurers. Getting out of town and fighting monsters is... a lot tougher when you don't have someone reliable to do the punching.]

Um... hello! My name is Shirley and, um... I'd like to group up with someone for one of the monster-hunting jobs. I'm not not much of a fighter, but... I can support you from the back line. Would anyone be interested in teaming up?

Prompt D:



[Today is a very special day... for a couple at the cute cafe Shirley happens to be eating lunch at. One table over, a girl bursts into happy tears, rainbow bubbles surrounding her face, as her partner goes down on bended knee to offer her a ring. "Would you marry me?" "Yes! Yes, a thousand times yes!"]

Oh, congratulations...! [Shirley claps a little, along with the other patrons. The whole scene is honestly very sweet... even as the small cafe is quickly filled with the soap-like bubbles. She can barely see her teacup on the table in front of her...]

Prompt E: the prompt that involves a cat



[Somewhere in a park, there is a cute girl. There is a cute girl playing with a cute cat. That's it. That's the prompt. She's happy petting the cat, so the flowers around her are blossoming beautifully.]

Oh, you're so cute... [She dangles a quill pen in front of the cat, which bats playfully at it.] Hehe! You've almost got it...

D for dreadful

[tactlesstactician]

[ Ordinarily such a display of joy and affection would be at worst merely tolerable. Soren is busy drinking tea and reading a book, and in a different world, he would have blithely ignored the couple and continued reading.

Except this isn't a different world. It's this one, and of course there are suddenly bubbles everywhere and people are clapping and making noise in what had been a quiet cafe and quite suddenly, Soren has had enough. It starts with just an annoyed gust coinciding with his annoyed sigh.

But then as the bubbles only multiply, the room over on Soren's side darkens a bit. The wind picks up, and this all has the unfortunate effect of just blowing the bubbles around - and people's napkins. On the bright side, it blows the bubbles away from Soren for the most part, but... really now. This probably isn't any better for other customers. Possibly even worse - the flower in the vase on his table has wilted.

Still, at least the wind dies down a little as the bubbles are moved away... ]

Alice Yotsuba | Dokidoki Precure

[rosettawall]

Prompt A

[ By and large, most of those in the upper classes of society would be appalled to be dragged into this world, Alice figures. A wealthy girl who would never have to lift a finger in her own world if she so chose, born with a silver spoon in her mouth, able to have any material possession she desires. Indeed, she suspects there are many in high society that would take great issue with coming here to a place where their money is no good. Where they must work with their own two hands to just carry on.

However, Alice is different.

By and large, she has thrown herself into her work, and much as she is at home, she's content to be satisfied by the little things. In this case, tending to a small, personal garden she's set up with a little bit of funds she's set aside. Young though she may be, she's still a businesswoman in training, and knows how to stretch money where necessary to get what she wants.

In this case, that's just flowers.

So, as she sets her water pail down, she observes her handiwork with delight. So much delight in fact that, although it doesn't really show on her expression at first, it shows in the things around her. All the flowers of the tiny garden seem to shimmer with their fresh watering and almost glow, noticeably standing upright as if in reaction to her happiness.

It takes a full second for her to notice and connect that with the nature of this world, and that its her own doing. There's another beat still before she leans back, tapping her chin in curiosity.

Well. That's still taking some getting used to. As innocuous as it is, too... also a sign she should probably be a bit more careful than she already was what she was feeling at any given time. ]

Prompt B -> Task Board Option #2

[ Really, this seemed like the perfect job at the time. Mana Aida's Precure team wasn't just used to dispelling the dangers they were originally tasked with defeating, after all - they had become a team of warriors at the beck and call of world leaders brought in to avert all sorts of disasters, now. All thanks to a slip of the tongue, to be certain, but... That's the way things wound up.

So, it's without much hesitation that the dainty looking teenage girl advances upon the creature handily tearing up some poor farmer's crops. ]

Begging your pardon, but--

[ A fist larger than Alice herself comes sailing for her. Though she stops talking she doesn't react with much surprise, leaping back with a great deal of grace as that fist smashes into the ground where she was. She slides back, looking none the worse for wear, but sighs a little. She'd been hoping this wouldn't escalate so far so quickly.

Atop her head there is a furry, yellow little creature that looks akin to a bear. He is holding onto her hair now for dear life, looking much more shaken than his partner. She smiles and puts her hand to him, and after a beat, he's enveloped in a puff of smoke - and then, in the form of a very fanciful looking cell phone. ]

Alas, we will have to do this the hard way. Precure, Love Link!

[ Light and power erupts around Alice, enveloping her in a bright, yellow glow. Her hair changes, growing longer before falling into pigtails while it also changes color. Her clothes change, almost seeming to explode into the form of a frilly, yellow and white dress. Boots from, and ribbons pop into place all across her outfit. The entire transformation takes only a second or two, and when it's done, it's no longer Alice standing there: ]

A warm and sunny spot! Cure Rosetta!

A

[abundantlove]

[cue the appearance of one Aida Mana, smiling as she walks, a crystal shaped like a heart jingling around her neck. When she sees Alice and her garden, she lights up and begins to run over, calling out]

Aliiiice~! Hey Alice! Wow, everything looks so great...!

Madotsuki | Yume Nikki | E

[castofthought]

[ She's watching butterflies appear and dance around her head, representing thoughts that flutter in and out of her mind. Neon, monochrome, some designed with tribal or plentiful patterns of eyes upon their wings... they're not normal in the least.

She doesn't like them. They're a nuisance. They're invasive, these thoughts and emotions. Reminders that she does not want.

So she takes out a knife and stabs them. Gossamer wings fall to the ground before vanishing. ]

oh my this can only end..... well

[leteverythingstainher]

[ ... A certain witch notices this, and can't help chuckling. ]

Oh, dear... so unhappy! ♪ Don't you like butterflies?

[ What she won't say is this act amuses her, because frankly, far too many she's met here don't seem to GET what a great tool pain and violence can be for their own happiness... ]

Naomi Kimishima | Trauma Center

[healinguilt]

[ A. obligatory doctor prompt. Anyone can come and see her at a clinic she's managed to convince others she can work at for any type of injury. ]

[ B. The airship building facilities. Surprised to know she's not 24/7 around a hospital or busying herself with patients? Yes, well, she's surprised herself to be on a floating island, so for the early part of her stay here Naomi will explore. Explore the more touristy points, that is. She's no combatant, so she'll be sticking to more developed areas. At this moment as she looks at the air docks, she has a simple enough question for anyone who is happening to stand by: ] What do you suppose it takes to build one of those and set it aloft?

[ With only steam technology, no less! ]

A: Obligatory response to obligatory doctor prompt

[unghosting]

[Naomi's day is about to get much more exciting, in the most unfortunate of ways. A few kind samaritans bring her a young man who, they claim, seems to have been unceremoniously dumped in the street not far from the clinic -- and he's covered in blood. It's smeared down the left side of his face, splattered over his hair and clothing. Barely conscious, he's breathing heavily, and it's obvious that he's going into shock.

It's also obvious that the way his system is failing, leaving him weak and confused, is all that's keeping him from trying to flee the scene entirely. He can barely move and he's about to faint, but that isn't stopping him from shoving hands away, expression twisted into a pained snarl.]

Carlos the Scientist | Welcome to Night Vale

[icameforscience]

[ A. ]
[ Cafes were a common sight around the city, as were the people enjoying a light lunch or a bit of tea and cake in the outside veranda. Carlos was never one to sit down for a meal. Too much work to do, too little time after all but today, he's actually there, clipboard and pad in hand with a sandwich and the oddest companion.

A small barrel cactus in a pot. Oddly enough, it seems to be growing a flower right on the spot. ]

Now that. That's an interesting reaction!

[ Again, more flowers. ]

You're just full of surprises, aren't you?

[ Oddly, he seems to be having a good time. ]

--

[ C. ]
I'm bringing this to you all as a personal request.

[ A beat. ]

I'm sure many of you have seen the task board, specifically those tasks that involve eliminating some of the more hostile creatures that sometimes show up around here.

Now I'll admit, I'm not the most combat capable person around but I do have a request for anyone accepting these tasks: I'd like to accompany you on your next one. I've taken to trying to study the creatures of this world in hopes that we might get a better understanding of where we are, or at least explain what makes them so hostile.

If you'd rather I didn't come along, I'd at least like to ask you to bring back some samples. Horns, fangs, teeth, fur, skin, anything. You'll be compensated, of course. Think of it as a task within a task.

It'll be greatly appreciated.

C

[healthepot]

I wouldn't be opposed to bringing you along, so long as I'm sure I could keep you safe. Either way, bringing you samples wouldn't be a problem.

Metallia | The Witch and the Hundred Knight

[witchdomination]

[A]

[This place was, quite simply, amazing. While it was obvious that Metallia was still dead set on going home, that didn't necessarily mean that there was any particular rush. After all, she'd never experienced anything like this! To think that a world where your very emotions could change your surroundings actually existed. Even now she could scarcely believe it. Yet here it was! Her arrival had given her quite a scare, since without a swamp nearby her health would start to decline, but...who would have guessed that she could conjure one up just by expressing positive emotions?!

Currently, the swamp witch had taken up a temporary residence inside a small forest, a short distance away from the city. What had once been dry land with a bountiful amount of plants was now a large indentation in the ground filled with an ominous green liquid. Trees still lingered in groves around the make-shift swamp, effectively hiding it. Sadly, they just couldn't hide the strong stench. Nor could they hide the mocking laughter of one supposed "Great Witch".]

Ah, nothing can compare with the sweet stench of a glorious swamp! Keheheheh! I think I'm really gonna like this place~

[Hovering over the pool of swamp mud was the swamp witch herself, sitting pretty on top of her favorite broom. Meanwhile, her loyal familiar was...floating in the pool on an inner tube. Certainly a curious sight to behold, if nothing else. Will you approach her? Or will you turn around and go the other way? Better make a choice quickly, before she catches you.]

[B]

[Being the lazy sort Metallia was, doing work was so not her thing. Especially if that work helped others. But food and supplies costed money, and her swamp wasn't nearly big enough to provide her with the kind of magic that would make stealing worthwhile. So taking up jobs was all she could do. On the bright side? She had a familiar to do a great deal of the heavy lifting.

The job she took consisted of taking on a group of hostile creatures that had been harassing a farmer's livestock. It was a two person job, and while the other person hadn't shown up yet, Metallia was more than happy to get started. When her partner arrives, they will find one pretty tough, although surprisingly small familiar taking on a much bigger monster. Meanwhile the swamp witch herself will be...sitting off to the sidelines casually chomping away at what appears to be candy. There's even a bag in her hand.

Nevermind the fact that she's close enough to help out and is just choosing not to. Or the fact that it looks like the little guy fighting the monster could use some help.]

[abundantlove]

Abundant love! Cure Heart!

[the shout heralds the arrival of the second individual... a magical girl, who touches down on the battlefield with a particular flourish. She then blinks, staring at the battlefield...

... okay, someone is fighting already, but why is that other lady just standing there? Especially when it looks like their associate is struggling]

Um, hello! I'm Cure Heart... I also took the job... are you both alright?!

[her instinct is to leap into battle and assist, but in general, she wants to know what's going on first...]

Katakura Kojuurou, Sengoku Basara

[ryuunomigime]

I. Prompt B

[Fighting is what he knows, what he's dedicated his life to. Katakura Kojuurou is a samurai, and this is the furthest place from where he expected to be. He should be at Masamune's side... Though he's managed to keep it from his expression, his frustration is impossible to hide, since it's been manifested into a storm that seems to follow him about, rumbling ominously. The first fat drops fall on his head as he strides towards the meeting point outside of town. There's supposed to be a few people gathering for this little monster-slaying escapade.

Kojuurou can only hope that they bring better weather...]

II. Prompt C

[The amulet feels odd in his hand, and heavy around his neck. Kojuurou scowls severely down at it in his hand, but takes a deep breath and focuses.]

Is this working at all?

[There's a beat, and he lets out a frustrated sigh, opening his eyes and staring upwards towards the gathering clouds that have been his companion since his arrival. He needs to get home.]

I can't believe I ended up here of all places. Just when Masamune-sama needed me most, and I was spirited away to some strange locale... It certainly is not Japan. Perhaps... not even our world. Most likely not our world.

III. Prompt E: choose your own adventure!

[Anything you choose. Come at me.]

a

[fliesatmidnight]

[If it's slaying monsters, Marian Hawke is the girl that you want. She's slain at least a hundred dragons - if you believe the word on the street in Kirkwall. She's certainly the type who can get things done, for the right price.

She leans against a wagon, twirling her knife absently. Her skill with a blade is readily apparent. The knife is wickedly sharp, and yet she spins it with blinding speed. Hawke stops showing off. A drop smacks her hand, then her forehead. She squints up at the slate colored clouds.]

Just what this venture needed. And here I thought I wouldn't get my bath.

[She glances at the newcomer. Grins.]

I hope you like tracking in the mud.

Asami Sato (Legend of Korra)

[chittybang]

[Today was one of those days where Asami just woke up feeling bold. That didn't necessarily mean her adjustment period was over—far from it, in fact—however, her capacity for dread was running out. She'd sat up in bed, rubbed her eyes, brushed her fingers through her hair and decided with a sigh, today is your day, Asami. (Being an owner of a business had trained her well in motivational verses, it seemed.)

Apparently her confidence manifested itself in a constant stream of wind. Asami's hair drifted behind her wherever she walked outside, and the gust blew stronger when she made the ballsy decision to go take a look-see at the Airship Facility she'd been hearing about. Perhaps she wasn't the only foreigner who'd be interested in the trip, so she gave the amulet a whirl to summon a telepathic invitation:]

Does anyone know anything about the Airship Facility? I was thinking I'd like to go check it out.

[This was noted right beside the task board. Sorry if her awesome wind blew away the page you were looking at.]

[moimin_papa]

[Finland is peering at the tasks stuck on the board thoughtfully when she arrives, looking for something to do today. He likes the variety of choosing new things every day, much better than the endless slog of paperwork that the modern day seems to have brought to his door.

When the wind of her arrival makes the papers flutter, he only chuckles and reaches out to hold the one that he's currently reading flat, glancing at her to give her a friendly smile before he turns his attention back to the paper in front of him. A moment later his attention is divided again by the message, and impulsive as ever he opens it up, 'reading' it, and then sending a response in voice.]

I don't know anything, except for where it is, but I'd like to see it too!

Princess Tosatsu || Wadanohara and the Great Blue Sea || Prompt B-ish

[lesbun]

[If there's one thing Tosatsu dislikes, it's not being in control. She had just managed to make peace with Umi and now she's here. Granted, she's not drowning, either, and she'd been thankful for that at first, but upon realizing that she isn't able to get back to her dad or Hofuru or even Umi, well...

She has boning knives and she's looking to use them on something. Hopefully, not anyone else, but she's a pissed off rabbit princess with a hair trigger. So she'd decided to try and take up one of the jobs of exterminating some pests. But getting there when you don't have the best sense of direction nor any kind of guide who's been here before.

So Tosatsu is utterly lost while trying to rid them of this pest.]

Argh... This is SO stupid...!

Time to ruin her day

[leteverythingstainher]

[ Maybe it had been the stream of angry rabbits floating into the air from Tosatsu's rage, or coincidence (or both), but... Wadanohara eventually found herself drawn to their source.

She tended to enjoy eliminating things here (it was just so amusingly satisfying, helping people while killing things by slowly making their blood leave their body, or something else), so she's not a stranger to the place by any means.

She doesn't always use her broom, though. She's still getting used to doing it more; being out of water is odd, even after all this time. But use it she does, and she may happen to be a little bit above Tosatsu right now. ]

... P-Princess Tosatsu...? Did you get lost...?

[ ... How had she not run into her before now, is the question--but then she'd been so busy... well, anyway. ]

Princess Celestia | My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic

[letteropener]

B.

[Princess Celestia, ruler of Equestria, Princess of the Day and the mare who raises the sun... is fixing a sign, and looking quite happy to be doing it. Of course, in this case, 'fixing' means standing beneath it with a radiant glow around her horn. A light of the same color surrounds the sign as magical force neatly hangs it back up, then sweeps it free of dust and dirt.]

[Around the pony, light plays quite strangely. Colors seem more saturated and vibrant, but shadows deeper and gloomier. The effect is subtle, maybe not even noticeable, but it's definitely real and bears no correspondence at all to her magic.]

[leteverythingstainher]

[ ...Oh... her magic is quite extraordinary. As a witch and student of magic herself, Wadanohara can't help but watch in awe. She might be quietly having stars in her eyes... and around her, due to this place's strange ways. ]

U-um, excuse me...! The way you fixed that sign was really amazing...!

Aida Mana | Doki Doki! Pretty Cure

[abundantlove]

B

[if there's anything Mana likes to do, it's to be helpful. So, naturally, she's taken on a task where she readily do so, making deliveries all around town. And it's quite clear she has a lot of them.

Have you been tasked with helping her? Maybe you're one of the people she's delivering to? Or perhaps you've just caught this busy-body zooming all around town and think it's worth addressing her about what's going on.

In any case, you'll have a rather energetic and friendly girl to deal with]

Hello there! Aida Mana, reporting as promised!

D (with a little bit of E)

[the way things were, someone was definitely going to crack under the pressure. So many new people, so many new experiences, so much that was unfamiliar. In any case, a newcomer had finally lost it, and their uneasiness was causing a small disturbance in the middle of Merchant's Square, with the ground shaking.

Mana wasn't about to let this stand. With a determined expression on her face, she strode forward, even as others ran and gave the upset individual plenty of distance]

Excuse me...! I know things are very difficult right now... but I'd like to help!

((OOC - feel free to respond however you like here; you can be nearby when Mana is approaching the person, or you can be the person she's trying to get through to.))

D? E? That one IDK

[leteverythingstainher]

[ Wadanohara isn't the one responsible (how could she be? She's eternally happy), so she's trying to help play damage control too--she's already kind of on the scene, trying to use her magic to stabilize the ground more, or it'd probably be worse...

Jeez, talk about a fit. Apparently they'd gotten dumped or something? She has no idea how to deal with this; just containing the emotions' effect is bad enough.

Her voice will filter in to Mana's head from the amulet-- ]

Please, don't be shy. I have no idea what else to do... I tried to talk to her, but she just totally got worse...

Son Gohan | Dragon Ball Z

[returnmyrice]

[Prompt B3]

[When you looked at the message board this morning, there were a ton of delivery requests. At least a dozen or so.

But now, it's lunchtime, and they're all done. There's a boy standing near the board, holding several slips of paper in his hand. Perhaps those are the notes?]

Oh! Did you want to do some of these jobs? Sorry, I...got kind of overexcited and did them all by myself.

[...But he's just a kid. How could he have done every delivery by himself in a single morning?]

[Prompt C]


[Gohan has never had any psychic powers, though he has had them used against them. So he doesn't know what kind of experience this amulet is going to give him.

But there's only one way to find out. He focuses.]

Hello? Hello, can anyone hear me? My name's Gohan! I'm new to the psychic powers thing, so I don't know if this works... If you can hear me, let me know, okay? I want to talk to people while I'm here.

B3

[thesacredheart]

[ Vivio stares over at the boy for a few seconds. Then at the papers that are in his hand. And then at the empty task board. Then back at his pile of papers. ]

How... how? It's only been a couple of hours! And I saw those before and they had people going all over the place. Even with flying there should still be some of them left.

Fujieda Yoshino | Digimon Savers

[isnottheworst]

A

[Yoshino sighed as she walked the streets of this new world. She had, of course, found herself alone... which she really should have expected. She and her former comrades had gone their separate ways, and Lalamon...

Lalamon had gone home.

So, whatever new fate had been chosen for her, it was likely presumptuous to assume that Lalamon would come with it. Especially when this strange world didn't seem to have anything to do with the Digital World. And so, she sat at a small table in Merchant's Square, holding up her amulet and staring at it.]

Yoshino?

[Yoshino's eyes widened and she straightened up suddenly. That voice... she stood up out of her chair and turned, eyes wide, in the direction it had come from.

Lalamon. Lalamon was floating there plain as day, as if she'd never left her life at all.

Yoshino didn't even say anything. She threw herself forward, wrapping her arms around the planet Digimon as she gently began to sob. Lalamon didn't say anything else either, she just gently wrapped her tiny arms around her friend.

The swell of relief, amazement, and sheer joy they were both facing didn't lose its affect on their surroundings. A pink glow surrounded them both, and flower displays on the nearby tables suddenly burst with health and vitality. If one approached, there was a good chance that you could feel the strong bond around both of them.

That didn't go away or fade even as they pulled away from each other, and excitedly began to catch up on what had happened since they'd been separated]

C

So... we're really stuck in another world. This is the worst.

[you can practically feel Yoshino's mental sigh, along with the strong sense of annoyance she's experiencing right now]

I guess there's nothing to that can be done with complaining about it, though. I have this amulet, same as everyone else, and while I don't really like the idea of having my emotions be clear to everyone, I guess I'm just going to have to deal with it.

... Oh yeah. My name's Yoshino. Fujieda Yoshino. Let's do what we can to get along, hm?

C

[coolrunning]

[Well, there's a voice he's very glad to hear.]

At least some of us have more experience than most with being in another world. [Despite that seemingly calm observation, Touma is mostly just immensely relieved.] It's good to hear from you, Yoshino.

Korra | The Legend of Korra

[alphatar]

[Prompt B]
Four airship brakes, two golden seashells, two life savers, and one order of the 'special' from Grannie's Diner.

[Giving the list of paper in her hands a dubious glance, Korra takes a breath through her nose before folding it up and begins to walk through the lawn of the person she just agreed to help out. The grass nearby her feet point in her direction, as did flowers when she passes by and as soon as her feet hit the pavement Korra looked to the nearest person.]

Hey, you know where the Airship Facilities are? I’m still kind of new.

[Prompt C]
Okay, I can do this. [Sitting in her bedroom, Naga resting next to her, Korra closes her eyes and assumes the lotus position.] Just like meditation, right, Naga?

[An audible yawn is all she gets from the polar bear dog, and Korra cracks open an eye at the animal.] Yeah, me too. [Meditation isn’t her thing, but this is how they talk to each other instead of phones; so it’s worth a shot.]

Can you hear me? My name is Korra, have you heard of me?

[Prompt E]
[Wild card!]

B

[anahatha]

[Before whoever Korra's asking can answer, she'll hear a voice coming from behind her.]

Korra! I asked around the Merchant's Square and one of the locals gave me a map.

[Jinora zooms up to her on her air scooter, landing neatly just in front of the Avatar.]

Did you find a job already?

Saenoki Naho | Corpse Party

[misinforms]

prompt a

[ For Naho, this situation is no stranger than any other she's found herself in and it's actually quite a step up from the mess she'd gotten herself in back home - if she could still call it that, considering the place that she had come from. No, she was actually rather okay with this situation, and took it well, all things considered. But she was no more okay with the idea of staying. Even though she knew finding a way out meant going back there -- she had to work hard to get back there.

The girl worked hard to keep up her strong image. She was Saenoki Naho - she could get out of this. She would find a way back and rescue both Sayaka and Kibiki-sensei.

But every so often - when it felt like she wasn't making any progress - that strong image would start to crumble and what followed were a lot of dark, irrepressible emotions. Her head was lowered, eyes covered by her hair as the ground around her started to crack. Strange black tendrils of smoke rose from the cracks and she - she looked like she hardly noticed any of it, that's how deep she was sucked in. ]

prompt b; various

[Naho tries to get as involved as she can when she's not doing her own research. Today you can probably catch her doing a little of both. In the morning she does some deliveries for some people she's gotten to know in her time there. In the afternoon she meditates out in the open. Just try and sneak up on her - it's impossible. Even if she doesn't know who you are, if you have a spirit, she can sense it.

In the evening she helps clean; sweeping, cleaning out gears and other small tasks. At night, she likes to sit out and write about everything she's learned. She might not be able to keep up with her blog, but she still has to write everything down in case it might come in handy.]

A

[boysnight]

[Fionna was taking the situation similarly, herself. at home she was always getting into wacky adventures, being pulled into zany places. however, this was the first time she'd been without her sister, Cake, and it was really messing her up. she, too, bravely attempted to face this new world, keep herself busy, worked on whatever it was she needed to do to get home.

eventually, that weighed down heavily on a young girl. or anyone. why, just a few days ago, Fionna had discovered that her sour mood wilted plants! ever since then, she was trying hard to get back to her chipper self. and when she saw other people who were feeling the same way... well, she wanted to help them out, too, because she knew what it felt like...]

Hey.

[out of nowhere, a cup of hot chocolate is in front of Naho's face. and Fionna is the one holding out that mug for her]

sata kyouya ▼ ookami shoujo to kuro ouji

[sata]

PROMPT B: IT'S SO CUTE, IT GIVES ME CHILLS!

[ there were a lot of questionable and (evidently) less than savory jobs out there. temporary and fleeting, sure, but all of which sata had absolutely no desire to become personally involved in. except, he wasn’t offered much of a choice. or rather, there was only real route to choose if he wanted a comfortable lifestyle here. being keen, it wasn't hard to develop the logical inference that— he had little to no choice in the matter. but, if that were the case, the least he could do was place his cards in the least troublesome of the tasks. only between collecting useless berries and trekking into unknown territory, the options proffered to him in the form of the job board was limited. pathetically so.

so— he stuck with something within his element. dog care, it stated. there were two positions open, and him acquiring one of those meant that he was likely to be stuck with a stranger. an unknown party which he was fairly certain would cause him nothing but grief and agitation. one he’s sure he was bound to slip up in front of. which he likely has considering the context of this place. however, if that itself wasn’t enough to reveal of his inner character, the addition of his current speech was sure to soil the immaculate prince image he tended to excude. ] Dogs…

They really are great. Those bleary eyes… [ he reaches over, gently placing a hand on the approaching animal; its ears down as it submissively sprawls across his feet. ] Always willing to serve their masters, no matter how ridiculous or unreasonable. Their blind loyalty—

It's so cute, it gives me chills. [ could his expression be anymore dark and sadistic? probably not. ]

PROMPT D: DON'T YOU THINK YOU SHOULD CONSULT AN ACTUAL LOVE EXPERT?

[ from the minute he stepped out of his temporary dwelling, it was sata's full intention to evade contact with everyone and anyone. to avoid igniting any futile arguments or (unintentionally) generating any emotional spats that individuals of this estranged land had the natural inclination for. this wasn’t to say he couldn’t masterly avoid conflict by initiating his common shoujo-esque sparkling smile, but that he, simply, didn’t have the confidence that it would always work. especially, when the physical manifestation of his inner feelings would often get in the way of his standard false disposition. he couldn’t completely hide his horrid inner character and that made things slightly more inconvenient, to say in the least.

it also meant he was the most sorely unqualified person to offer advice or comfort to anyone. at least in theory.

but, it seemed like he was the only one who thought so. somehow, he found himself being roped into a woman’s arduous tales of love and romantic conquest. heart patterns with wispy veils of lace, mixed with glittering roses, and every other ridiculous pattern to ever grace this world surrounded him completely. appeared to even be suffocating him, especially with the addition of each word of affirmation she dramatically spewed from her lips. even his usual words of— ] Who cares? He’s bound to break up with you once he's bored.

[ amongst a dozen— ] You’re annoying. [ seemed to yield no affect. though to most it probably just looked like he was bullying her??? either way, it left him in an extremely undesirable position. one he wanted to change immediately. which is when he gets the perfect idea! changing gears, he offers the lovestruck woman with a pat on the shoulder. ] Rather than me, don’t you think you should consult an actual love expert?

Like that person over there. [ he’s pointing at the nearest person. no remorse. ]

D

[shoubro]

[Shougo had seen the crazy love spew ahead of him and had intended to just walk on past and ignore it like he did with everything else—





when he hears the words "Like that person over there" and catches the point.]

...Huh?

[uh. what.]

Roxas | Kingdom Hearts

[seasaltkeys]

[Prompt A]

[It's still only moments of Roxas arriving and already he's caused a small disaster area. He hadn't been in the greatest of moods upon arriving, scared and angry and sad, and arriving in a brand new world has added confusion. There's winds blowing and rains falling and could that be a small earthquake?]

What is going on?

[Prompt B]

[Roxas is staring at the job board, trying to pick a task. This is familiar. He knows how to do odd jobs at least. Those memories are real at least. He remembers doing them (...So they could get money to go to the beach and he lost it, no it was stolen...).

Maybe he'll do the monster hunter one. He feels the need to whack something.]

/sands off rust Oh god. I haven't had her out much since February. Prompt B

[seasaltblues]

[ Not far from the job board, she stands around a corner, watching him. The coat is just about as discreet as a neon sign, but she's sure footed and quiet. And that's all she's really needed to follow him this long. She should stop. She knows this. If he catches her, there will be so many questions and although not all of them will be ones she doesn't want to answer, there are more than enough that are, a story that perhaps he's better off not knowing. And at the very highest point, a knowing that now that they are both existing on the same plane again, perhaps this means they're in the same boat, that push and pull of powers in effect once more.

But this place is new and strange. And while she can usually trust him to take care of himself, there's been something off about him since she first saw him and it's not the clothes he wears. And with no Naminé or Riku in sight, she unabashedly appoints herself to watch over him-- at least for now. So, she continues to peer at him from around the corner, eyes trailing along from the familiar blonde hair to the thoughtful curve of pursed lips. That typical expression of high concentration on his part. She smiles if only slightly at it. ]

Itaku | Nurarihyon no Mago

[reramakiri]

[ Prompt b2 ]

[ He isn't in particular interested in helping out. Not when the locals are as hostile as they are. But he's interested in this "monster" that has appeared, and that's why he went to its location.

Crouched on top of a random tall vantage point, the youkai watched the actions of the monster, gaging its power.

Luckily, it's past the time the sun has gone down, and he appears human, for the time being. At the moment, no one would think that he was anything but a teenager. Although not a normal teenager, considering the weapons strapped to his back. ]

Bucky Barnes | Marvel Cinematic Universe

[cryogenics]

[B.2]

[Fighting is what he had been made for, and, with how little he knows of himself otherwise, it's all that he's really good at. Fighting, killing, and destroying lives. Technically, in this case, he's doing someone a favor, but when it comes right down to it, it's still fighting and killing.

While he's more used to hostile people than creatures, this really isn't so different. Maybe, after all is said and done, he'll even feel less guilty about it than if it was a person. As it is, he's not worried, as he stalks quietly through the field. He was never trained to value his own well-being and safety very much, and now, well, old habits die hard.

There's a low growl from off to the side, the sound of something moving through the tall plants, and he pauses, moving one hand back to wrap around the handle of a knife.]

[E. Because cats]

[He doesn't understand why this cat has chosen to focus on him of all people. He's tried to shoo it off, nudged it aside with a foot, verbally attempted to shoo it, and it hasn't shooed. In fact, all it's done is jump up onto the bench next to him and is now meowing insistently at him.

There is only so much pressure from an animal that even a man who used to be the Winter Soldier-still is?-can take. He gives in, holding out his flesh hand towards the cat. The cat sniffs him delicately, then seems to deem him good enough and bumps its head against his fingers. Awkwardly, uncertainly, he begins to pet the cat, gently scratching behind its ears.]

B | I... I'M SO SORRY IN ADVANCE BUT I HAD TO, SHE'S.... YEAH

[leteverythingstainher]

[ And then... out of nowhere, the field is doused in red water, all over, with the sound of a gigantic metal clang, followed by an explosion.

... Wait. Is that water... or blood? ... Er... hard to tell... watery blood? Water WITH blood? And the creatures he'd been so skillfully hunting appear to be floating merrilly away, dead as doornails. On top of one is a very small girl in all red, her hair in pigtails. She can't be much taller than four-foot-something, hat included, and she's just giggling away merrily, little musical notes floating with her--and of course she floats right by him, and spots him, what with his cover now soaked and slightly underwater.

She's singing a rousing rendition of "row your boat" until she spots him, and stops, looking a bit perturbed. ]

... What're you doing standing here...? It's dangerous, y'know!

Etihw || The Gray Garden || Prompt E

[candidae]

[When you're a God who has been through a war that destroyed the world you built once, it means that very little is going to faze you. As such, being here? Not that bad. Indeed, this is almost a vacation. She adjusted quickly enough, and although she misses Kcalb, it's certainly a nice change of pace. So the God is already relaxed and is enjoying relaxing near the lake. It's not the beach near Gray Village, but it'll do.

She is... Content.]

[cryogenics]

[He seems to have acquired a cat. This is, possibly, probably, the only reason why there is an orange tabby cat tucked against his chest. He doesn't know why the animal took a particular interest in him, just that it has, and carrying it is better than having it trying to wind around his ankles and getting kicked or tripping him up. Besides, it't sort of nice to have a small, warm, purring bundle against his chest.

The view by the lake is also nice, though he's not the only one there, he sees, he's just not sure what to do about it. After a moment, he clears his throat.]

The quiet is...soothing.

Ryudo | Grandia II

[grana]

B

[Ryudo spent the last few hours collecting some wood. He doesn't want to exhaust himself so he stops by a tree to rest.]

Only two more to go. Not bad for a job.

[He did way too much on his own. This is no job for one person. Will you stop by and lend a hand? ]

[storywriter]

[This is Estellise "heals people for free in a world where this is unheard of" Sidos Heaurassein of course she's going to help.]

Excuse me, but do you need any help with that? It looks like a lot.

Finland | Hetalia

[moimin_papa]

A

[Normally, Finland is a little bundle of joy and smiles, honestly in love with life and those around him. However, even the happiest person can have off days, and this is one of them. It started badly: he woke much later than planned and everything since then has just snowballed, until an hour ago when he wrote off the day and headed in search of a bar. But the vodka has only brought on melancholy homesickness, an ache in his heart that he's become very good at ignoring. For one who is made from the land, from the hopes and wishes of it's people, to be taken away where he can no longer feel the whispers of their dreams or the throbbing of his land under his feet, homesickness is a very real pain, a phantom limb in his mind where his people should be.

Besides, it's not just his people that he's missing.] And then, then, do you know what he did! He said we should retreat! Can you believe it! We could have taken them! He never told me why. But then again, Sve always has his reasons, but he never tells me and I can never work it out. D'you know he marched across the sea once. When it was frozen over. Although I know why that was - that was to hit Denmark. I think he enjoys that more than he lets on.

[Well, at least reminiscing about the past to anyone who will listen to him seems to be staving off the dark cloud that has been slowly growing inside the bar. Still, someone might want to try and peel him away from his bottle before the dam bursts.]

B1

[Finland rocks on the heels of his feet and frowns to himself as he reads over the checklist again. It's for a wedding, the family are requesting a carrier or two to help get everything from their home to the venue so they can focus on preparing it all. Finland's pretty strong and he took it on confident that he could carry it all, but there are tables and other unwieldy things that'll mean he's going to be running back and forth if he wants to get it all done in time. And it's for a wedding! He wouldn't want to overestimate himself and not manage it in time and then ruin their day!

Decision made, he looks around at the others looking at the board.]

Does anyone want to help me with this carrier job? It's a bit too big to handle on my own!

B2

[Even with his sniper riffle carried confidently over one shoulder, the cute blonde doesn't look dangerous enough to be included in this party. He has a warm smile and introduced himself as Finland before settling down to let the farmer describe what he knows about this pack of - well, they're not wolves, but they seem to be similar. They seem to have come out of the forest, but they're taking his livestock and he wants them chased off or killed. It's too big a task for one hunter alone, though, which is why there's a few people here, sitting on rough benches and listening to what he knows about how many there are and where they seem to be coming from.

With that done, though, Finland thanks the farmer and leads the way back outside, where he pauses, looking at the others who answered the message on the task board.] If they really do hunt in a pack, it will be safer for us to do the same. I think we should try to work together on this one!

B2! hello you look lonely moimoi!

[boysnight]

[the poor farmer must have not felt very confident to see not only a cute-looking cheerful blond, but also what appears to be a young girl. she can't be older than 15, and she's wearing mary-janes. she gets to her feet immediately, reaching around to grab the green backpack at her side]

Fine by me. I'm just ready to get started. It's been forever since I've killed something!

[yes, she just said that]