TEST DRIVE: JANUARY

[empevents]

— 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 Friday, December 25th and Applications (Canon | OC) open Friday, January 1st.
  
  
• OC Reminder! Just a quick reminder that original characters are currently 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!

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: A new card game is sweeping through the streets of Verens: "Magica Ex Arehtei." Players take on the role of an Otherworlder and form battle decks out of minions, monsters, dunamis, and even the Arehtei themselves. It’s insanely complicated in its details, but this hasn’t stopped a seller from handing you a starter deck and all but pushing you into a chair to face an opponent… who may have just been conscripted themselves.

• Prompt E: After a long period of quiet (something about ‘emotional and physical harm to Empatheias’ and ‘manufacturing plush weapons without a Class E(X) license’), toy manufacturers have flooded merchant stalls and storefronts with a new offering, the hyper-cute stuffed Thras. No negative emotions, they promise! Plush Thras is so full of bravery, he’ll inspire anyone who holds him to new heights of courage and valor!

Naturally, magiscience has gone too far, and picking up the doll instills you with vigor, energy, and fearlessness past the point of recklessness.

• Prompt F: Thundersnow! A phenomenon in which a snowstorm is accompanied by lightning and thunder, and not a terribly uncommon one in Empatheias. But today’s thundersnow is more like an apocablizzard -- lighting lashes through the sky and lances down to catch buildings and trees with its fury, all hidden behind whirling sheets of billowing snowflakes that have blanketed the city in a foot of snow with no sign of stopping.

The outside is cold, windy, miserable, and potentially dangerous. Are you trapped in a building you didn’t expect to be in? Or perhaps you’ve joined up with an emergency emotion squad, trying to impose calm or cheer on the raging storm?

• Prompt G: Make your own! It could include lumps of coal or moose.

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

[eyeswideopen]

[He pauses at the change in eyes, his face registering alarm. It's a give away how much he actually knows. Komaeda waits until Hinata finishes speaking before breathing out in relief. No. It's not that god born of the other's supposed death.]

I assure you, I will cut it if things like that are stirred up. ...you won't like what you see but I'm sure you already guessed that much.

[With one slow breath, he locks onto the specific memory he desires to show and the world inverts.



He hates the noise, but it's secondary to all of the hope being fed into him. Like a focusing lens he takes it all and pours it into Peromei. Wrath and Fear hammer at his senses trying to disorient him. But the more people join their group moving through the city the harder it is to feel that.

Komaeda breathes in and tastes copper. Ah. He's nearly at his limit. It's a wonder he lasted even as long as he has. He's dying by degrees every day after all. Would he fade this time when the light goes out? It would be nice to escape at last, but he knows he'd just be back.

He's so exhausted. But Peromei and himself had pulled each other out of the deep chasm of despair. He can't. Won't. Fail her. The memory of her at her best, how good she'd once felt lingers even now.

He vaguely hears talking. His world is one of hope and the pain as his body starts to betray him. All he needs to do is hold on a little longer.

"Relax, sir. We're here." The burden is pulled from him slowly as if by many hands but he barely notices it as his knees slam into the hard ground and he tumbles too tired to even worry into blackness.]

adds dr:ae spoilers into this thread i guess

[hopedout]

[ Just as I thought, she did tell him... Thoughts that he thinks that he keeps to himself, but are more aloud than he wants it to be. Does he know that his irises have changed color? It's not for certain.

The assurance isn't much, but he soon closes his eyes to keep his mind focused, trying not to allow any more white noise into his head. The problem with the memory is that he can feel the pain, the emotions of a memory -- written in an intensity that he knows that he wouldn't normally be able to take. But he asked for this. He knew what he was walking into when he agreed to this.

There's talking, but the words don't come. And while Hinata tries to open his mouth, he can't; after all, this memory is one that doesn't belong to him. It's not like walking down memory road, and that single thought brings back flashes of his time as Kamukura, images of the Komaeda he saw back when he was someone different, someone who was and wasn't him at the same time.

Along with it brings the memories of him crushing the heads of two distinct bear heads; one white, one black. Not Monokuma, but something else different.

And that's when his eyes snap open, trying to hide the conversation that he's recalling in his head because he definitely does not want Komaeda to hear about this. Especially since there's a short sliver of him actually in it. But he doesn't say anything. Instead, he just... stares, not at Komaeda, but at the bookshelf because he is literally wanting to nope out of this situation right now. That sure backfired on him. ]

Hahaha welp

[eyeswideopen]

[The connection slams shut so fast Komaeda stumbles backward. He wraps a hand around his own throat and searches subconsciously for the weight of a collar and a chain that isn't present. This is his own fault. He'd offered to Hinata knowing the other would leak like this. He stares down at the floor as his breathing comes out quick like a rabbit's and tries to calm down.

His fingers start to dig into his throat in a harsh punishing way when he remembers to breath slowly and hold each inhale to the count of three. His hand relaxes and falls away to hang limply at his side. Without realizing he's doing it, he flexes the fingers of his left hand.

He walks to the middle of the small lounge area.] Hinata-kun, come over here. I want to teach you something.

[Because he can't take that again. If every time they talk and he's realizing he's prepared to have many talks, it happens like that he won't do well with it.]

Do you understand...now that Arehtei and aligned are linked?

[hopedout]

S-Sorry-! I didn't think that...

[ For once, he goes ahead an apologizes in a rather awkward voice; it's strange how he's managed to somehow relax around Komaeda, but at the same time there's a frisson of disconnect between his thoughts and the memory that just played in his mind but at the same time, doesn't seem to fit properly. It's like he's trying to piece a puzzle together but the piece belongs to an entirely different puzzle.

It's probably because the memory belongs to Kamukura instead of Hinata Hajime, and he knows that all too well. He definitely needs to make sure those memories stay locked shut. If Enoshima of all people finds out about it, she might have ideas. He doesn't want that.

The color in his eyes are back to its normal green shade and they flicker towards Komaeda, even as the memory still fills his mind. He can still feel his hands crushing those bears as if it were nothing, and he subconsciously tightens his fists as if yearning for that feeling to stay. As... if he does it, he won't lose his emotions. He doesn't want to become Kamukura Izuru again. If this place really is what it is, if he becomes like that again, then... what will happen?

Kamukura Izuru doesn't feel anything.

He swallows hard, licking dry lips as he takes a sharp breath, trying to cool himself off. Fear is settling in, but he tries to brush that off, too. Nevertheless, slow feet follow Komaeda, knowing that it's best to comply than to argue. ]

I understand, at least. [ He can come to terms with that. He doesn't like it, but he understands it. ]

[eyeswideopen]

Sit down. [Who would have a chance in hell against the corrupted Hinata? He can't think of many people who would. Except...in his mind's eye he sees his teacher and then dismisses the thought. This is a problem between them.

He'd just have to deal with it and teach a few things to him to keep the shadows of despair at bay.]

Anyway, it's fine. I knew something would surface. [As rattled as he is the breathing is helping. His face is still too pale as he glances down at his thighs expecting bandages to be there.] Are you familiar with meditation?

[hopedout]

...

[ He's quiet and then pulls out a chair and sits down. While Hinata is a little rattled, he takes a breath. It really takes a toll on him. ]

I am, but I've never done it. [ At least, not as Hinata Hajime. ]

[eyeswideopen]

It's very simple once you try it. Mastery takes years, or so my teacher has said. But a rudimentary lesson can help with handling telepathic connections. I should have explained it first.

[Komaeda sinks to the floor, breathing deeply before he adds,] Sorry.

[It's hard to say why he said it. He doesn't know himself but, it's there and he's moving on.] You'll have to shut your eyes, mm but the idea is to breathe out to the count of three and hold it for the same amount. When you exhale, haha I'm sure you get the idea by now.

[hopedout]

Wha—

[ He's completely off guard at the apology, if only because for some reason, it sounds more genuine than it used to be. It makes Hinata feel strange in the pit of his stomach and he honestly isn't sure how he's supposed to feel and the mix of emotions shows as the swirl of darkness covers him. ]

A-Anyway, [ Hinata's prepared to move on from those train of thoughts and push them out of his head. ] I think I get it. It'll probably be helpful, thanks.

[ And now his voice is low and somewhat awkward; if only because he's... not exactly sure what to say now. He still can't forgive him for what he's done. He can still remember it now. It was only two days ago, after all, to him. The trial that dealt with his death.

Everything that followed. Just remembering it hurts, deep in his heart. ]

[eyeswideopen]

[He isn't sure he heard that last word and he jerks his head up.

Thanks.

Why does one word confuse him so much? Komaeda ducks his head and doesn't answer. He doesn't know what to say and faint curls of fog roll around his feet and curl over his shoulders. Slipping right now feels a bit like failure. His head is a mess.

It's been eight days since the events Hinata remembers and they linger on pushing down against his chest. He regrets them and doesn't at the same time. It's so complicated.

He scrubs at his face, thinking back to Junko and all she'd done then remembers something. He jerks up again with a low curse.] ...Just a note of warning, the massive tree you will see later...the petals show memories. Even lost ones.

[To make his point more clear he clamps his hand over his wrist.] Enoshima makes left hand jokes now.

[hopedout]

[ Left hand— oh, right. Hinata takes a deep breath and counts up to three before sighing, trying to keep his composure. ]

I already know the gist of what happened in regards to my lost memories, so you won't have to worry about me. [ Doesn't mean that he likes reliving them, but he knows. He does appreciate the warning, however. ]

[eyeswideopen]

Just a warning! [His smile is back and just as slightly self-deprecating as it ever was. Komaeda drops his hands into his lap and gestures to the library itself.]

It appeared some months ago. At present there's very little information on it. Should pods fall from the branches, be careful. If you are aligned to Piphron, you will see his memory from his point of view.

[The cheery look falters, then fades until there's only uncertainty left.] His memory was terrible, Hinata-kun.

Even without his point of view, it was like...being buried alive.

[hopedout]

No, it's... [ There's reticence in his tone as he soon shakes his head, trying to smoothen over the wavering feelings that seem to form as shadows beneath Hinata's feet. ]

I see. Seeing a memory like that would be troublesome. I'll keep it in mind in case I do end up having to see it.

[eyeswideopen]

[Thin fingers of fog curl around Komaeda's shoulders despite his best attempts to control the energies of his emotions. He reasons he's drained more of his strength than he'd realized. Before his thoughts can turn to why he's feeding Hinata this information a dark orange light displaces the air to his left and he sinks his hand down just as the cat-like Syprite physically appears. He scoops the the spirit up and onto his shoulder in a moment.]

The storm should be over by now. I can show you were to get your residence and to Task board. It's full of information and tasks to take up. If you're still feeling off I'll take you to Dr Jude. [A little scratch under the spirit's chin and he slowly climbs to his feet. The creature shifts, clearly used to his movements.]

[hopedout]

[ He really doesn't understand why Komaeda's helping him so much. He probably should ask others about that later, since there's no way that he wants to get the truth from the horse's mouth. ]

I'm definitely better now, but the more information the better. I'll probably need to find a place where I can get more appropriate clothes as well.

[eyeswideopen]

[He is absolutely insane. That's the conclusion Nagito reaches as he turns and walks back to the library entrance. The howling of the storm is gone, replaced with an almost unearthly stillness. He couldn't have given Hinata the truth if he tried. That requires knowing what it is.

The librarian looks his way and he nods to them respectfully before throwing the doors open and letting the cold flow in. Wearing a Cardigan and a shirt under that, he only feels it on his face.]

That won't be an issue. [He says whenever Hinata catches up to him, and strides into the cold afternoon. He should be insulting him, driving him off. Yet after all that, all those answers...he rubs at his throat, the memory of the heavy metal collar making him shiver.] The task board and the main market street are on the way.

[hopedout]

[ If Komaeda is insane, then Hinata must be too, for trusting him enough to allow him to actually lead the way like this. Thankfully, Hinata's warm enough to have a rather decent stride. ]

I really don't mind just as long... [ As nothing bad happens, to be honest. Just. Don't kill anybody Komaeda, and we'll be golden. ]

[eyeswideopen]

[There's no need to gauge Hinata's expression. Komaeda can picture it easily.] There's never been a need to kill anyone here, Hinata.

If anything happens it won't be my doing. You can be assured of that. [The snow crunches under his boots as he trudges down the staircase and onto the street.]

Even if you might not believe it. [There's not many people out. He'd be indoors himself if not for the present circumstances. Hinata is already throwing a wrench in his usual routines. Komaeda follows the road, familiar with the direct route to the task board. He should be, since he visits it so often.]

You can continue to ask questions, I'm sure you have a few more in you.