empatheias_ooc | TEST DRIVE MEME: OCTOBER

Entry tags:

*test drive

TEST DRIVE MEME: OCTOBER

— TEST DRIVE: OCTOBER —

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 Wednesday, September 24th and Applications open Wednesday, October 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! OR write a prompt where they're the ones being affected by someone else's emotion.

• 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: How good is your character using an elemental core? They're magic-like rocks that have one of the three following elements: fire, air, and water. On their own they're not too bad, but they are quite sensitive to emotions. Be careful or that little handwarmer could suddenly create a small blazing inferno!

• Prompt E: Steampunk technology is a lot more advanced than basic medieval technology, but still inferior to modern day devices. No electricity, no cars—just this strange magitech, steam, and clockwork gear systems. How "tech savvy" is your character now?

• Prompt F: BONUS EVENT BASED PROMPT! You were just minding your own business when suddenly you and another person swap emotions. Were they upset and you were calm? Well now you are upset and they're the one trying to calm you down! For this prompt, you can either just have your character a target for someone else to swap with, or you can already have them experiencing some kind of emotion to be swapped with.

• Prompt G: Make your own! It can even involve bulls and a bucket.

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 dealing with it remarkably well, all things considered, but he'll keep a close eye on her just in case.]

Hmph. We'll see about that.

[Splitting headaches aren't fun. Too bad she doesn't have that headset anymore. Ironic...]

You lost too much time in prison, so I'll do what I can.

--Because of me....

[And then even with covering Widget, her expression dampers ever so slightly. If it wasn't for the emotions showing here and the small gloomy cloud above her, it wouldn't have been as noticable.]

No -- I chose that fate of my own volition. You have no need to blame yourself.

[He tries to suppress the ferocity of his response for her sake, but that doesn't stop the pavement beneath his feet from cracking. He can't bear the idea of Athena feeling guilt for what he brought upon himself...]

You did but... If I hadn't... been there...

I'm sorry. I never wanted any of that to happen. For my sake, you took the blame and spent that time in prison even though you were innocent.

[And then remembering how he'd almost died and she was never informed about it made her feel even worse.]

I'm so sorry, Simon.

...

Enough, Athena. The past is gone, you were saved, and now through a strange twist of fate, I walk free. That is all that matters.

[Whether things could have been different if she wasn't there was besides the point. The simple fact of her being Metis's daughter means he would do anything to safeguard her, whatever the circumstances.]

[She's silent for a moment, but the gloom is still hanging around her.]

You're right... I'm just... happy to see you free again.

[Simon, did you want a hug? No? Well, too bad. You're getting one now because she's just.. so relieved. Even if they were stuck here... at least he was free.

And because that time she'd spent with him when they were younger -- despite not liking him at first for taking her mother's time from her -- she felt he and Aura were like a brother and sister to her. She'd do whatever was needed for them too.]

[He freezes at the unexpected contact -- when was the last time he'd been hugged by someone? -- but slowly relaxes into it, tentatively putting his arms around her in return.]

...Thank you... for trying so hard. I never once anticipated I would face little Athena in court, but there you were. [Wouldn't it have been so much easier for her to start a new life and forget about all the horrors of seven years past? But she didn't. She persevered, even when it terrified her to do so.]

[She needs the hug right now and she's certain he's needed one for a long time now.]

I couldn't stop. I knew you were innocent from the beginning, but who'd listen to a little girl talking about emotions in a court that takes solid evidence? I couldn't let you stay there like that. I'm just... I'm just glad that I could save you in time.

[It would have been easier, but there's no way she could do that. There's no way that she could forget something like that even if she wanted to.]

[He holds onto her tightly for a moment longer.] I'm sorry. I've caused you and Aura a great deal of trouble, over the years.

[Even as he says it, some of that gloomy weather overhead seems to be dissipating. He accomplished what he set out to do, and now he feels like a crushing weight is being lifted from his shoulders.]

Well... what matters now is that you're free. I'm so happy you're okay.

[And with that the rest of the gloom dissappears.]

Thank you. For everything you've done for me and my mom.

[And that's another sore subject. She never got to apologize to her mom.]

After everything Dr. Cykes did for me, I could do no less than to return the favour. She was a remarkable woman.

[Gently, he releases her from the hug. That's much better; gloom doesn't suit Athena.]

Well, I promise to make things right. I wish I could have apologized to my mom.

I wish I could have told her everything was going to be okay. More than that, I wish I could have told her that I loved her. But I'm certain she's watching over me now. I'm certain she's watching over both of us and even Aura. And whenever I'm studying psychology, I feel like she's right there with me.

And I love you. You're the only family I have left; You and Aura.

[Simon can only nod, to that. He understands all too well; he's mourned Metis for so many years, and he's not sure he could find a way to articulate that kind of protracted, lonely grief, even if he wanted to.]

I don't yet know how or why we've been brought to this city... But if it truly is what you wish, I will not leave you alone again. I will watch over you where Dr. Cykes cannot.

Of course I'd love to stay by your side again, but I've also grown up. I don't particularly need to be watched over. Still the gesture is nice all the same.

...You might need it, as long as there is a hair-shaving maniac on the loose.

[More seriously though, no matter how much she protests, it will be hard not to see her as the little girl in need of protecting that she once was.]

[Full circle here, but it's not really unwelcomed either. She'll just give you a look.]

You wouldn't let somebody shave off my beautiful hair, would you?

[Being a dick is just easier than sticking to such a difficult topic.]

Didn't I already say I thought it was a good idea?

[That's okay. She's used to it by now.]

Don't tell me you're the one that put that up there...

[She doesn't think he did, but she's gotta tease... or just ask..]

Tsk. And if I did, what would you do about it?

[Grabbing her hair now]

You cut mine, I'll cut yours. You're in major need of a haircut.

Don't threaten me with a blade when you cannot hope to win the battle.

[HAIR FIGHT HAIR FIGHT]

At least my hair isn't frizzy and full of split ends.

[Sorry, Simon. You started this.]

[To say nothing of the grey hairs.]

What of it? I knew a barber in the clink who would always say... "Only an idiot is willing to let others put sharp objects so close to their skull."

[OF course there's that too, but that's too obvious. More "in the clink" stuff...]

Well, you're not in the clink anymore and... Most people wouldn't think to do anything like that.

He would. He used to be a hitman, before he turned to his new trade.

[Old habits die hard. Telling inappropriate prison anecdotes is one of them.]

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These two are really going to need to talk when they get in. Let's hope the world can manage it

as long as nothing explodes from feelings that might count as a win

Well, no promises there.

that icon oh no ;o;

I have more too >_> xD

my heart

The feels...

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I almost just typed wright woops.

good job you wrote... the wright spelling!!

Wright on!

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