TEST DRIVE MEME #7

[expiationmods]

TEST DRIVE MEME #7

Welcome to Expiation, a pan-fandom adventure game with elements of fantasy, science fiction, and some subtle horror. As of December 2023, we’re making a couple of structural changes to the way our bimonthly test drive works.

TDM top-levels are now open to all, whether you are already in-game or not. New characters, please put TDM in your subject header so we’ll know you’re trying things out! There will be a directory of newbie top-levels at the bottom of the post. New folks are welcome and encouraged to use TDM threads as samples in their application. Current players may use TDM threads as part of their AC proofs.

The February TDM is going to be forward-dated to February 19.

Our CALENDAR is here to help to remember dates. That means RESERVES will be opening on February 19 and APPLICATIONS will open on February 22. After this, applications will next open in April 2024.

Full Navigation

You awaken in a room of blinding white light–so bright that you can’t make out any details. You hear voices around you, speaking in muffled tones. It sounds an awful lot like they’re talking about you. You’re on the verge of figuring out what they’re saying, you’re so close...but then the floor drops out from under you. You fall into blackness.

Sure is cold out here. For new arrivals, even moreso: they find themselves waking in this strange new place in the middle of Aldrip, most of them harmlessly sprawled on the ground. Some may have landed in a snowdrift. A few unlucky folks may have appeared in one of the fountains or on a rooftop. Either way, their unfortunate state is on display for all to see. It may be embarrassing, but hey, at least it makes getting help a bit easier.

Locals and Chosen alike will be happy to brief newcomers on where they are and what's going on. Welcome to Aldrip, many will say, though they're clearly very busy. Newcomers will quickly learn that they're preparing for a delegation from a neighboring city, a diplomatic visit that should hopefully ease tensions between Aldrip and neighboring Ketsora, after one of the Chosen attacked the latter city. Apparently Aldrip agreed to host a lavish party for the Ketsorans, but they're a long, long way away from finishing it. Attitudes are tense, but cautiously excited; who doesn't like a party, right?

Oh, and don't mind the toads. They're fine. Everything is fine.

FESTIVE PREPARATIONS

As a show of good faith to the Ketsoran delegation, Aldrip's locals hastily turn the events center into an elegant reception hall. Apparently it's Ketsoran tradition: visitors to your city should be welcomed with a lavish party--the more days and expenses paid, the better. Aldrip is determined to make this party generous and opulent enough to appease their neighbors to the south. There's a long, long list of things to do in preparation–not just setting up for this party, but rebuilding and cleaning up damages left behind from January's events.

i. REBUILDING

     

Aldrip’s run-down state was of little concern right after January’s tense situation, but now that they have guests to impress, the locals are working themselves into a frenzy trying to get the town back to normal. Any Chosen seen with idle hands will be asked, cajoled, guilted, or outright volunteered into helping the clean-up process. This isn’t limited to rebuilding or clearing rubble: some may be put to work cleaning up public spaces, like the inn or the many businesses in town that could use some love. Some will even be asked to tend to green spaces or clear out monsters lurking too close to the town borders. Chosen-run establishments that are necessary to the community, such as the clinic, will also receive extra attention, getting their supplies and maintenance requests handled quickly.

ii. WORK HARD, PLAY HARD

     

Naturally, the other focus is on preparing for the party itself. The entire town is getting decked out for this: fresh paint on buildings, colorful flags, banners, and lanterns strung in public places and gathering spots. Local businesses will be putting their best foot forward, and some may need extra help to make that happen. The Chosen will find themselves pulled into this prep work as well, not just in the events center but around the rest of the town as well. They may be asked to run errands for businesses, work on decorating, prepare a delicious menu of food, or even to practice an act they can perform at the party. Better brush up on those juggling skills.

As always, we leave the type, scope, and placement of any of this work up to players!

---

A MASKED AFFAIR (19-23)

iii. ALL DRESSED UP

     

Aldrip’s tailors and seamstresses have their work cut out for them. All the way up to the first night of the party, and even in the evenings between party days, they’ll be doing their level best to make sure everyone in town, locals and Chosen alike, look their absolute best for the ball. They may even grab some reluctant characters off the street to deck them out in the latest fashions. They do take requests, of course, but those Chosen with no opinion may find themselves at the whim of the tailors’ creativity. There’s no telling what they’ll come up with.

Tailors are available to alter, clean, or completely change characters’ costumes between party nights, but they may come up with something less elaborate after more than one go-around. They may even be less altruistic about giving things for free.

Not everyone is lucky enough to get these ornate getups free of charge, unfortunately; some of the clothing shops in town got hit pretty hard by recent events! Chosen who pick certain shops may find that they’re asked to work to earn it in a variety of different ways. Some characters may be asked to model new fashions outside of shops, or to run errands for the shopkeepers. They could find themselves distributing flyers to advertise for the store, cleaning up, cooking meals, or any number of different tasks. We leave the options in your capable hands.

Please note that this event is a masquerade, meaning that masks aren’t just encouraged, they’re required. Tailors will often offer to provide a mask, but if there’s another way a character would like to obtain a mask, please feel free to utilize it.

iv. FOR LUCK

     

Aldrip’s locals certainly are a superstitious bunch, which might explain why they decorate the elaborate formalwear with certain motifs, designs, or colors. Some of the Chosen wearing embellished clothing may find that it enhances certain aspects of their personality or appearance. For example, Yellow can encourage a sunny disposition, or a heart could make them seem more desirable. Perhaps a flower brooch makes them smell like roses, or a peacock design has them preening and strutting. Maybe matching patterns could even inspire feelings of friendliness or affection. On the other hand, raindrops or dark colors may make them feel a little gloomy. Please note that this is optional, and that the range of effects is entirely up to you.

---

NIGHTS AT THE BALL (19-23)

Thanks in no small part to the help of the Chosen, the events center has been transformed into a lavish dance hall. Thick velvety curtains drape from ceiling to floor, adding an air of luxury to the whole event. Servers carry trays of delicious, exotic foods and drinks, offering them to attendees. Various performers and acts will rotate through the space as the week progresses, featuring different types of music, dramatic numbers, joke telling, acrobatics, and any number of other things.

Some may see familiar faces working in various capacities throughout the week. That’s right! Some Chosen may choose to–or be volunteered to–work during the event as bartenders, servers, cooks, entertainers, game runners, etc. Maybe they need the cash? Or…maybe they’re just bored.

Partygoers may find, oddly, that their masks make it suspiciously difficult to recognize their friends–they may even have trouble recognizing their voices. Some may even mistake a total stranger for someone they know, or vice versa. Either way, it’s strange, isn’t it? Almost as if the masks are obscuring peoples’ identities.

v. SAVE ME A DANCE

     

A local at the door is offering dance cards to those who will. Those who choose to participate in this fun game will find that they’re missing something–or several somethings, around 4-8. These could be any number of things, including but not limited to: physical items, appearance traits, memories, powers, attributes, or anything else you can think of. How do characters get them back? By dancing with other Chosen, and writing their names in the dance card. Who knows? Maybe you’ll make a new friend!

vi. ALL FUN AND GAMES

     

Some of the gaming tables from the casino make a return, as well: there are small rooms in the back for blackjack, darts, pool, and other games. There are other games, too, for people who will. A flower vendor encourages people to buy single roses in different colors, each with their own meaning in the language of flowers. Various scavenger hunts ask people to find people wearing certain colors, patterns, or shapes in their elaborate clothing. Some even play games like charades.

At the stroke of midnight on each night of the party, the band stops playing their music, just for a moment. They count down to the last chime of the clock, and then everyone removes their masks. Surprise!

---

WILDCARD

You know the drill–this is the wildcard one. Just because it’s not listed in the prompts above does not mean it’s unavailable as an option. We encourage you to do whatever you’d like to utilize the setting to its full potential. To help with this, the SOTG for February is here. If you have any questions about what is and is not possible, please don’t hesitate to ask!

TOP LEVEL DIRECTORY

Click to view:

CANON	CHARACTER/TOP LEVEL
The Case Study of Vanitas	Vanitas
Circle of Magic	Sandrilene fa Toren
The Dresden Files	The Archive
Dungeon Meshi	Mithrun
Final Fantasy VII R	Aerith Gainsborough
Final Fantasy VII R	Cloud Strife
Gnosia	Sha-ming
House M.D.	Dr. Gregory House
The Locked Tomb	Gideon Nav
Metro Exodus	Colonel Miller
Naruto	Kakashi Hatake
Onmyoji (Netflix)	Abe no Seimei
Original	Astralin Turnont
Persona 3	Aigis
Persona 3	Minato Arisato
Persona 4	Naoto Shirogane
The Tarot Sequence	Addam St. Nicholas

Comments

minato arisato | persona 3 | tdm

[memori3s]

i. arrival

[ Slowly, his faculties return to him.

Three things are all but certain: firstly, given the chilly breeze against his cheek, he's definitely sprawled someplace outdoors. Secondly, it seems he'd fallen asleep -- which, in truth, wasn't that unusual. And finally, there's the sharp smell of... manure?

Minato pushes himself up, blinking blearily as his body tries to decide whether to adjust to the sunlight or the odor permeating the air. His gaze sweeps left, then right, and --

Not too far off is a quaint cabin with pens of pigs and cows. That's one mystery solved. He rises to his feet and draws near, calling out to a figure milling near the cows.

He's not particularly keen on relying on a stranger in who-knows-where, but he's well aware of how desperately he needs information. ]

...hello, your farm animals -- they seem pretty healthy. Are they happy too?

[ Not to mention, they smell pretty healthy as well. ]

ii. rebuilding

[ The locals have realized their latest victim is someone who won't decline a request, no matter how absurd or banal it may be. This task isn't too bad though. If anything, it's mainly tedious.

His latest "client" simply asked that he tidy up their establishment's lawn. It sounded simple enough when explained. But when the man led him to the site, Minato quickly realized why he'd searched for someone else to do it. Branches and logs were strewn all over the grass, and it was peppered with oversized weeds. Stray rocks that would require two hands to lift were left about too.

At least the man had been kind enough to leave some tools: an axe, a sickle, and a sledgehammer. Minato studies each tool before lifting the axe into his hands.

Oh well. Time to get to work. ]

iii. all fun and games

[ There's a stray deck of cards left untouched. It sits quietly out of sight despite being placed on one of the game tables. Perhaps that's why Minato finds himself drawn to it. He takes them for himself and slides the deck into his hand, shuffling them rather comfortably.

Though he feels a pair of eyes on him, he does not look up. Instead, he continues to shuffle the cards a little longer. It's not clear why he's finally satisfied with how thoroughly they've been shuffled, but he eventually sets face-down in front of him. ]

...do you want to play?

[ He glances up now and points at the stool across from him. ]

I only know Go Fish.

[ He may or may not be lying. It's unclear. ]

iv. wildcard

[ please feel free to hmu if you'd like a more tailored starter! a message is fine, or you can reach out to me at alaudarum! big thanks in advance to anyone who tags me this late into the tdm..... ]

i

[bonobos]

[ well, would you look at that. some snot nosed teen has ambled into the fields, striding along the grass. sha-ming is crouched, hand feeding a cow with a shocking amount of care. ]

I'm no local. I got thrown in here ass up a few hours ago.

[ but then his expression softens, if only for a moment. ]

But yeah, they're happy. Look at the sheen on that coat. Real quiet and bright-eyed too. Don't trust these people, but at least they aren't treating their livestock like shit.

[memori3s]

[ Minato sets to untangling all his observations of the other man. The stranger speaks a little brusquely, but there's a tenderness in the way he holds the cow's feed to its mouth.

In his own experience, those who are kind to animals are trustworthy. Minato shuffles a bit closer to get a better look at the cow. He's right -- its wide-eyed gaze is clear, and its brown coat is smooth. In fact, it even looks freshly-brushed.

Minato glances back at the stranger. If he's to be believed, the man also woke up in the middle of nowhere. There are several questions he could ask. Had he ended up nearby and wandered to the farm too? Did he also recall voices before falling into nothingness?

Instead, Minato asks: ]

Oh. ...isn't the cow full then?

[ Implying that, if the man ended up here a few hours ago, perhaps he's spent all those hours standing here feeding the cow and doing literally nothing else. ]

[bonobos]

Eh?

[ teenagers -- you could never gauge what they'd do next. what kind of question... sha-ming cants his head, a brow furrowed as he attempts to parse what in the world this boy is talking about.

and then it clicks. ]

Haven't been feedin' her the whole time, kid. I only started like, 30 minutes ago. Maybe an hour if we're pushing it.

[ he gestures a fistful of oats towards the boy in question. ]

Wanna give it a go?

ii

[izanagis]

[Yu has fallen into a decent pattern of this: fill wheelbarrow with rubble, push it to where people are discarding it, then bring the wheelbarrow back with more building supplies. This time, he was given some bags of soil and mulch, and told to find a lawn that needed tending. Okay? That's...helpful??

Anyway, he stops at the large expanse of yard where the other boy has just picked up an axe and seems to have no idea what he's about to do with it.

Yu might just leave him be, except there's something about him that makes him pause. He can't quite put a finger on it, but...he'd like to give it a few minutes. Maybe it'll come to him. So, head tilted almost quizzically, he points at the roughest part of the lawn.]

They have you doing this by yourself?

[memori3s]

[ Minato's found an unwieldy log, one that's a little too large for him to tote away alone. But before he can set to chopping it into smaller pieces, a voice calls out to him. He glances up and simply nods in response. ]

Yeah. It's okay.

[ He's not particularly fussed about it, not when he's used to tackling tasks alone. A little teamwork here and there is nice to make the work go faster, but he doesn't mind working on his own either.

Minato eyes the bags of soil and mulch clutched in the other's arms. If those are intended for use at this particular lawn... the newcomer's going to have to wait a bit before he can start on his own assignment. He'd better keep going then, Minato thinks to himself. ]

Maybe you should come back later.

[ And based on how much labor the lawn requires, "later" probably means give or take a few hours... ]

[izanagis]

[It's hard to tell whether he says "it's okay" because he's used to working on his own, or because he prefers it... Yu pauses a moment, quickly thinking over the options, before he decides to chance an offer anyway,]

Can I help?

[The mulch having found a destiny, he's looking at several hours of free time before he moves on to another of his absurdly many part-time jobs. Not that he's terribly eager to be around axes again --long story-- but this seems like a huge job for one person, and he really does want to help.]

2! (Also don't mind my awkward phone tags skbxhs)

[drugsnotclubs]

[It honestly Tracks that Minato has shown up and immediately been given some Task that he's going to perform without any fuss. Which is why it doesn't feel too weird for Shinjiro to see him, even if the guys's hefting up a woodaxe and looking over a yard with the same silent acceptance of responsibility that the guy just constantly resonates when leading the team into battle.

By now, you'd think Shinjiro would have found a more delicate way to tell people 'surprise I'm not dead right now, apparently' than just walking up and letting them figure it out.... but he hasn't. And so he turns slightly from where he'd been heading just enough to approach the edge of the yard, hands stuffed in his pockets to ward out the cold air.]

You even know how to use that thing?

[It's a good enough greeting. Simple, with the slightest hint of amusement to it. Why bother dumping all the heavy shit on someone first thing? Especially if he's like Kotone and met his own end somewhere along the way too.

He steps over one of the strewn logs to clear some of the distance between them, glancing down at the tools but not volunteering to take one up.]

How long've you been here?

it's ok that's my secret...... im always tagging by phone...

[memori3s]

[ That voice --

His fingers go lax for a split second. Minato nearly drops the axe on his foot. He blinks, looking like he's heard a ghost. The impassive expression is gone, but only for a moment. It returns in time for him to lift his gaze as he glances in Shinjiro's direction. ]

Kind of.

[ Lift and then swing, allowing gravity to do most of the work, right? And in any event, he's seen someone use an axe before once or twice. Shinjiro would know.

Minato lowers the axe, keeping his grip on its handle as it rests on the earth. "How long," asks Shinjiro. It's an odd inquiry; it implies others must have spent quite some time here for "how long" to be a relevant question. ]

Not too long. ...maybe a week or so.

[ He doesn't comment on how Shinjiro's an undead man walking because, well. So is he. ]

Bless.... one day I might master phone typing...

[drugsnotclubs]

[Hey don't him stop you. As long as you don't take anyone's leg off, it's all good. Besides, this axe is basically a hatchet compared to what Shinjiro's used to. He stops a comfortable distance away, perhaps arms length just in case Minato changes his mind and starts swinging.]

Oh yeah? You're getting into things here faster than I did.

[.... knowing Shinjiro and his tendency for inaction, this likely isn't too much a surprise. But another thing he's always been bad at is conversation, and so it pulls between them for a moment. Not uncomfortably so, at least.]

I think it's been... I dunno. Four-ish months, for me? I don't really keep track too closely.

[Though he finally takes a hand from his pocket, gesturing at the ground ahead of them.]

So you gonna use that, or what?

i!!! pretend i am being so normal and not on all fours barking and howling

[orphne]

Huh? Yeah!

[Normally Kotone might protest that they're not her farm animals -- sure, she lives on the farm, and has lived on the farm for months, it's still Astralin's farm. And like, yeah, she's been here for months, long enough to easily claim that it is her farm and they are her animals, and yet -- well, that feels presumptuous, doesn't it? Even if she's been taking care of the animals after their owner had disappeared a few months ago, they're not hers.

But this guy definitely doesn't care about all of that, so she doesn't say any of it! But... hm. Taking a closer look, she straightens a little, eyes sharpening and head tilting with more than a little curiosity. That's...]

You're a Gekkoukan student, aren't you?

[She might not be wearing her uniform, eschewing it in favor of work boots and dusty overalls, but she can recognize one easily enough. Even if she doesn't recognize this guy specifically.]

luckily for you i'm a dog person

[memori3s]

[ His eyes widen for a split second, almost imperceptibly. ]

Yeah.

[ Minato hasn't stumbled upon anything that even bore a remote resemblance to Gekkoukan High. And thus, the girl's question catches him a little off guard. He inspects his company a little more closely now. She... looks a little like a local, truth be told, clad in those work boots and overalls.

Given her getup, he's not quite sure what sort of answer he'll receive to his own question: ]

...how did you know?

[ The uniform, obviously, but... perhaps she's heard of the school? Or, perhaps a fellow student that he hadn't bumped into before? ]

🐕🐕🐕

[orphne]

[Spending almost a year in Aldrip generally does make someone look like a local, unfortunately. Maybe it's the fact that there is a year's distance between her last memory of Gekkoukan and her present day that explains why doesn't recognize him at all, because it's not like she'd learned everyone's names back then. For now, she just gives the cow she'd been brushing a pat on the nose -- good job, cow! -- and sets her brush aside to venture over closer.]

I used to be a student there. My name's Kotone Shiomi, a second year.

[She clasps her hands behind her back and offers him a warm, friendly smile.]

Welcome to Aldrip, I guess!

ii;

[laserguy]

[Scott's basically assigned himself rebuilding duty with all the crap that happened last month. He wants to help out; he wants to be useful. As such, it really doesn't take much for anyone to convince the teen to assist wherever possible and that's why he's here. He's only surprised to see another kid already working here and Scott watches for a moment as Minato swings his axe into one of the larger logs that's on the ground.

Well, good thing he didn't fall over doing that--

He's definitely unfamiliar though. A new Chosen? Or maybe they just never crossed paths before. Well, time to change all that-- Scott's not afraid to introduce himself. Kind of neat meeting new people still and everything.]

Hey, I got assigned here too.

[Scott calls out while waving slightly, only taking a few paces closer to him so that they don't have to shout at each other across the yard.]

[memori3s]

[ He'd been so engrossed in his task that he hadn't noticed the other teen's presence. Now that he's been alerted to the other person, Minato lowers the axe and leans it on the floor. It frees one of his hands, allowing him to mirror the other's wave.

He takes a moment to study his new company. The newcomer's wearing a pair of sunglasses, which strikes Minato as a little odd. There's definitely some sun today, but not to the point where one might choose to wear shades. Perhaps his eyes are particularly sensitive to the light?

It doesn't matter either way. Minato glances over at the untouched sickle and sledgehammer. ]

There's only one axe, but... I was given something for the weeds and the rocks too.

[ He glances down at the axe. ]

Unless you really like chopping wood?

[ He wouldn't mind trading wood-cutting responsibilities for something else. It doesn't matter either way. ]

[laserguy]

Nah, you can do that. Seems like you got a rhythm anyway, don't wanna break it.

[Chopping wood seems like a pain... but so does slicing weeds and smashing rocks. Geez, the owner is really putting them to work, huh? Ugh, if he was just able to control his powers, he'd probably be able to obliterate all these dumb rocks quickly, but as of now, he'd probably just destroy part of the ground with the rock. He can't imagine the villager being all too happy with that result.

There's some mild frustration, before Scott shakes his head and a new determined look taking place. Whatever the case, he still wants to do his part right now.]

I'll handle the rocks.

[He bends down to pick up the sledgehammer... only to struggle a little at first. H-he was just not prepared for the weight, okay!! He's totally got this. Gripping the handle with both his hands, he picks it up before sending Minato a slightly assured look.] See? I got it.

iii

[entreats]

[ Apparently Ange isn't really shy about the staring. After all, she does keep staring the entire time he's shuffling the deck - maybe even figuring that he's probably noticed, despite the way Minato doesn't look up from the cards at all. There's no way you can stare at someone for this long and not have them notice at least a little bit, after all.

And yet the girl doesn't look away, instead continuing to stare at what he's doing with her perfect pokerface, only helped by the golden butterfly-shaped mask she's wearing.

.. the same pokerface she keeps up as she gets up and moves over to the empty stool, sitting down there. ]

Isn't Go Fish something only little kids play?

[ Her tone seems to match the expression. It's kind of flat, mostly devoid of any real emotion. It's hard to tell what might be going on in her mind because of it. ]

[memori3s]

[ His gaze lingers for a moment on the girl in the golden butterfly mask. He's wearing one in the shape of a butterfly too, though instead of gold it's painted a velvet blue.

Minato doesn't seem to heed her question. He deals seven cards off the top of the deck to her before plucking seven cards for his own hand. He glances down and studies each card. It doesn't seem like he's keen to respond, but eventually, he shrugs and replies with: ]

It doesn't mean we can't play too.

[ Who said super grown-up teens can't play a little Go Fish too? ]

We can pretend to be little kids if that makes it easier for you to play the game.

[entreats]

Absolutely not.

[ And despite her saying that - and without any sign of hesitance at all, the words flying out of her mouth instantly - the girl does pick up the cards he handed out to her, looking at them. ]

I don't know what kind of weird roleplay you're into, but I'm not here for it. [ A-Ange, please, it's much more likely that he was just making a joke..

And yet the girl is shooting it down so directly anyway. Harsh. ]

If anything, this weird place will probably take it as a good opportunity to do something as ridiculous as actually change us into little kids. I wouldn't put it past this place.

3 https://www.wikihow.com/Play-Go-Fish

[bombdevil]

[ Had her gaze lingered too long? He'd been so thoroughly entranced by his deck she assumed she could watch and go unnoticed. ]

Seriously? You don't know poker? Blackjack? Well, whatever, it's fine!

[ He doesn't get an answer. She's already sitting down and the cards are dealt with giddy anticipation (and a deft hand too). ]

Got any 6s?

[ He seems unphased but there's no way he's from here, she thinks with cold certainty. He doesn't look like he belongs here, but it also doesn't look like he knows that. Perhaps, his comfort is based in some wisdom about their situation that she simply doesn't have. ]

opens the link because i don't actually remember how to play

[memori3s]

[ The thing about poker and blackjack is it requires a second person to play. It's the same with Go Fish, but it's a game Minato learned when he was much, much younger. There'd been others to play with back then.

He glances down at his hand. Indeed, there's a 6 nestled in there. ]

Yeah. Good guess.

[ He hands the card over, holding it out to his new company face-up.

He takes a moment to study her, only to arrive at the conclusion that he doesn't recognize her. On the other hand, Minato hasn't recognized anyone at this party. Masks aside, most people still remain strangers to him.

Well, the only thing that matters right now is he has someone to help pass the time. A game of Go Fish can only last so long, but perhaps she'd be open to playing a second round.

He waits patiently to hear her next card. ]

[bombdevil]

Aw, thanks.

[ She says, playfully.

The thing with games like this is that it was easy to cheat if your memory was good enough. It's a game for kids after all, the rules aren't complicated and therefore easy to skirt around. ]

Y'know.. games like this aren't really fun without stakes. Wanna' make a friendly bet? Why play if there's nothing to win?

[ And in the meantime - she puts down her pair of 6. ]

Any aces?

iii

[weenwoon]

[ Card games are not unknown in Hythlodaeus's world, but none of them have such eccentric names (as far as he is concerned). Also, he would prefer not to go fish; he's seen altogether too many fish in his job.

Nevertheless, he takes a seat; he wouldn't actually be required to go fishing at a party, would he? ]

Is that a game?

how about them sharks tho...

[memori3s]

[ Minato nods at the lavender-haired man. ]

Yeah. It's a card game.

[ Fortunately for Hythlodaeus, there's not a pool of fish or racks of fishing rods in sight. All that's before them is the empty table and single deck of cards. ]

You want to collect four of the same card either from your opponent or from the cards drawn from the deck.

[ He pauses for a moment, pensive, and then shrugs nonchalantly. ]

...I guess it's called "Go Fish" since you're fishing for matches.

wao! sugoi! it's like they're all useless!!

[weenwoon]

Ah, a game of luck, then? I've never heard of it, but it does seem simple to understand.

[ He's reaching for the cards already. ]

... Or mayhap a game of sleight of hand? If one shuffles them correctly, surely it should be easy enough to get the needed cards...