empatheias_ooc | TEST DRIVE: SEPTEMBER

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!mod,
*test drive

TEST DRIVE: SEPTEMBER

— TEST DRIVE: SEPTEMBER —

Welcome to

empatheias' test drive meme. This test drive is to help interested players test their characters in the game's environment. We've included a few prompts that incorporate specific elements of the game, though you'll find all of them have a lot of leeway for players to get as creative as necessary. Before diving in, here are a few things we'd like to remind everyone about the game in general:

Date reminders. Reserves open Tuesday, August 25th and Applications open Tuesday, September 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! 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!

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? The following emotions will have more effect than usual: fear, bravery, grief, joy, anger, and calm.

• 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.

• 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: (Taken from the Intro Log) Last month a giant tree overtook the clock tower in Merchant's Square, a place that's usually bustling with social activities and businesses. It still is, but this tree is more than just any normal tree.

HELP! Unfortunately for you, you've landed somewhere atop the leafy branches of the tree. If you can't fly or climb down yourself, you might want to call for help, be it shouting at the top of your lungs or accidentally shouting at the top of your mental lungs for all to hear telepathically. Just be careful not to fall—maybe someone will catch you but would you really want to take those chances?
Memory petal. Beautiful petals the size of one's palm continue to scatter about the city, most of them falling around the tower. These petals will start reflecting a memory of the individual closest to it. Memories are ranging from those that display one's greatest achievement to their greatest fears.
In the tower. Did you happen to wake up inside the tower instead? Bet you weren't expecting it to be dark and dreary with rustling vines that move on their own. There are some hostile creatures, ranging from giant insects and snakes, but easy to fend off. It's even easier if you think happy thoughts. However, if you succumb to your fears, then things will worsen.

• Prompt E: The long awaited tournament has finally arrived, and you can be a part of it!

In the Arena. Whether it was voluntarily or forced into it, you are now facing another Otherworlder to battle. Fortunately, it's not to the death. Unfortunately, how skilled either of you are is completely unknown. The biggest question of all is—can you even fight? But fear not, there's another secret weapon in your arsenal: your emotions. Whether it's striking fear into your opponent's heart with a bolt of courage, or making the ground break and crumble from the adrenaline, this battle will be unlike any have ever seen before!
Sparring match. Maybe you're not quite cut out for an actual bout in the ring. But how about a spar instead? Or maybe you accidentally walked in on someone's practice and are now the target.
Spectating. Shout louder! Let the stadium ring with your voice! Just try not to create too much excitement to actually cause the stadium to physically ring. Wouldn't want it to collapse on itself.

• Prompt F: The weather is a little hypersensitive at the moment, what with all the excitement in the air. Emotions are in full affect as people talk about the winners and losers of the matches. The results can be quite...interesting. For this in heated arguments, that is definitely a dangerous storm brewing around the area. Or maybe the air is getting so hot, things are starting to melt. Maybe it's the opposite—the air is ice cold and a blizzard might happen in the middle of summer! For those gossiping and squealing about their favorites, the sun seems to cast hotter and brighter rays upon them. The air just seems to be electrified! For those lamenting over losses, it just never stops wanting to rain.

• Prompt G: Make your own! It could include something that looks a lot like a vuvuzela and/or mirrors.

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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"So I've noticed." Ienzo has to stop himself from looking toward the other petals, curious of what could be seen on them, but not willing to relive any unpleasant memories again so soon. But there were questions, so many, and his curiosity on the matter he knows will lead him back here again. Now, however, he's turning his full attention on the smaller boy.

"I hadn't expected to see you again." Ever, if he's being honest with himself. While he wasn't fully aware of the actions that transpired after his death, the fact that Lea went to assist Sora had been cue enough that Roxas must have rejoined the boy at some point. Still, there's no hositlity in the words. It's an honest statement, simple as that. The air around them begins to loose the icy chill as his mood calms, a fact which is made note of in the back of his mind.

"Me either, honestly," Roxas replies, a bit blunter than he had intended. After all, the last time he had seen Zexion had been before Castle Oblivion, which was a long time ago now.

"But things are kind of weird here. There's people from all over, different times and stuff like that."

It was how Mickey knew about the future. And how he'd met Sora, however briefly.

Now that has his attention. It was odd enough that this world caused emotions to have such strange effects, but pulling people in through other times? "Does anyone know how it's done?"

Because it would make sense then, if Roxas was from the past. However, he knew it pointless to question what point in time the boy was from, since he likely hadn't even been around no matter where it was.

"Not really. It just sort of seems to be random. No one really knows how we got here, or why, really. But people are looking into it."

He's been on the periphery of that. He's still not sure where he stands in wanting to go home.

"I see." Of course people would be looking into it, he'd be disappointed if everyone merely accepted this place at face value without digging a little deeper into the potential it held.

And speaking of potential... The side glance he fixates on the boy is both curious and calculating as a thought occurs to him. Of course there had always been something special about Roxas, he had been the keyblade weilder after all, but even he could tell the difference between the shell of a boy Zexion had assisted on that day and the one standing before him now. "How are you feeling?"

While all of this is still new and taking some getting used to for Ienzo, Roxas, technically, is still a Nobody.

"Right now, or just in general?" Roxas has to ask. He's not experiencing any emotional spikes so the environment is mostly intact. Although it is still weird to actually think of emotions that way. They aren't shadows or memories anymore, they're real (and have been from the start).

"'Cause I'm good, but a little surprised. To see you, I mean."

"In general, I suppose. Though overall it doesn't matter too much. I was simply curious is all. Nobodies aren't supposed to feel, after all. However, I've recently been subject to doubt on that matter." Because no, after reliving that memory, he could most certainly say it was accute fear he felt the moment of his death. Being held up off the ground, knowing he had no strength to fight off the replica or Axel, had been so much more than a fleeting memory of fear. The air around him grows a bit colder as he recalls it, but this time he notices and takes the time to breath and calm himself.

"I'm still not quite used to them myself. When I awoke, the whys and hows were more of a concern than attempting to work around my reformed heart. Unlike Lea, who was much more insistent on finding those of us who were missing."

"That...sounds like him," Roxas admits. I'll bring you back Roxas can remember him shouting that. Although, he's not really sure if he's the one Lea would go looking for, considering the way they parted. And Mickey had said he'd gone looking for Sora or something like that.

"But yeah, that's something to doubt. King Mickey, he said that Nobodies actually have hearts. That we actually can feel."

Ienzo has to pause at those words, because it goes against everything they had assumed. Or rather, had been told. The more he thinks about it, the more unease he gets. Xehenort had always had alterior motives, but none of them paid much mind due to their own desires to see the research through. Xemnas, well, of course he wouldn't be much better. Perhaps they were fools not to have noticed. Or maybe there was more to their last assignment than they realized.

"What did you hear about Castle Oblivion?" The only place he can honestly claim to have felt real emotion, no matter how negative. And even if he wouldn't be quick to admit it, he has a feeling if he questioned Even regarding the matter he wouldn't be the only one.

"I was just told that everyone who'd been there was wiped out, except for Axel," Roxas replied, rather bluntly. "I tried to go there once, but I passed out after getting in the door. That's about all I know."

He just remembered a lot of white, really. After that things got fuzzy again.

Of course that's all that he was told. Probably all that all the others were told as well. And for a moment, Ienzo debates allowing him to believe that that's all there was too it. But no, there had been enough deceite. "Marluxia and Larxene were attempting to overthrow the organization. In order to 'gain their trust', Axel personally murdered Vexen. Unfortunately, myself, Lexaeus and Vexen had been suspicious from the start. Vexen only went to the surface to try and infiltrate them and see what could be done. In the process, he created a replica doll of Riku to use to our advantage. However, things didn't quite go as planned. Once Vexen was gone, we believed our only chance was to somehow use Riku to our own ends to protect us against Sora. He killed Lexaeus, and I was forced into action. Due to Axel releasing Namine, she released Riku from my grasp and I lost, but I had managed to escape. Axel, however, had other plans. He led the replica straight to where I was injured, and convinced it that by absorbing my essence, it could become something more than just a fake, and could be better than the real Riku."

The air around them shifts once more, the cold settling in against his will. It's frustrating, being unable to control these emotions. That stupid, lingering fear as Ienzo remembers how Zexion died. But still, he continues.

"None of us knew Axel's motives, and I didn't bother questioning Lea about it when we had awoken because there was no need to bring up the incident."

And then the smallest of smiles quirks on his lips as he still has the strangest association of both fear and comfort in the cold. "However, I will say that I believe Lea was extremely lucky that Even was barely conscious when he was wandering around before he left for his personal mission. I doubt my former caretaker would have been as pleasant as I was regarding the matter."

It's hard for Roxas to hear all that, and it takes him a minute to reconcile it all. It was a lot of information at once, and none of it good as far as he is concerned.

"Axel...really did all that."

It explains why Axel had been cagey about the details of Castle Oblivion. It didn't sit right with Roxas at all.

Ienzo gives the boy time to process it all, both mentally an emotionally, as he's sure to some degree Axel had never wished a friend to see him in such a light. After a few moments of silence between them, he gives the only sort of comfort he knows. A logical hypothesis.

"Lea and Isa were best friends before they lost their hearts. I'm unsure how much of that carried over to Axel and Saix, but as the latter was one to give out our assignments, perhaps there could have been some reasoning there. However, I can't say for certain. There were many deceptions, and I'm ashamed I didnt notice in time, from more of us than I thought possible. Who knows if we'll ever discover the truth behind all the lies."

"I don't think anyone knew how deep things went," Roxas replied, after a while. He's going to need to find somewhere to think after this, and work everything out. It's hard to say if he's comforted by all this information. "Mickey said that they really only found out things recently. About Xehanort's plot and everything."

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TEST DRIVE: SEPTEMBER

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