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expiationlogs2024-02-11 08:51 pm
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!
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!
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 |
no subject
Yeah sure, we can do that. I can't have all the fun, gotta give the newbie a chance.
[Scott suddenly pauses after that, as if considering and backtracking about what he just said. Head tilting at the other teen, he tries to place him anywhere familiar but nope, nothing's still reaching him. Okay time to just be blunt and ask--]
Uh, you are new, right? Because I haven't seen you before now. And like, I know a lot of people. [Totally Mr. Popular!! Yeah, right.]
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Fortunately, his company's already answered Minato's follow-up question. ]
Yeah. I haven't been here very long.
[ He doesn't lower the axe. Instead, Minato holds onto it with both hands. He doesn't struggle at all with its weight. Whether or not he lifts will remain a mystery to the other boy for now. ]
...I don't understand why I'm here yet, but everyone's been nice.
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Oh, cool. Well, welcome and everything. Sorry you got put to work like immediately. Some... crazy stuff happened last month.
[Some of that exaggerated confidence reels back at that admittance, a grimace passing Scott's features before he's fully able to push it down. Even though he's only really responsible for one destroyed building, it's still bad. It should've been none at all, with him helping the others in getting rid of that stupid octopus instead of fighting some stupid corruption. His more negative thoughts pushes Scott and he hits a rock with his sledgehammer with not an inconsiderable amount of force.
You know, that actually felt nice, especially as he sees it crack.]
But as for why you're here? Don't know, none of us do, and don't believe whatever stupid crime your parchment has. I-it's bullshit, okay?
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It's all right. I don't really mind. ...it's kind of nice.
[ The work has helped him find a regular rhythm in this new world. Fielding other people's requests has made Minato feel right at home, and no errand thus far was too strange for him.
His gaze shifts back to the other teen, and he definitely notices him land the sledgehammer with more force than someone feeling more coolheaded. Despite his observations, Minato doesn't tread lightly.
Minato wanders over to the log he'd spotted and stands over it. One clean cleave should do the trick, splitting it into more manageable halves. ]
...I think mine seemed fair.
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[...He's happy about being put to work immediately? Well, okay, sure man. Scott knows that he would've been extremely annoyed about it, to the point where he probably would've refused before storming off somewhere. He definitely didn't handle things all too well when he first got here. Well, guess it's good he's taking it all in okay-- even considering it 'nice.'
Better than feeling like crap and extremely lost. Maybe he's just used to working and stuff?
He doesn't think too much about it, however, swinging the hammer down again to smash the rock into bits. Hah, success! It's nice when things go your way.]
Really? [This kid really takes thing as they come, huh?] So you're okay being potentially sentenced over it?
waiting for scott to find out they're the same age...
It helps, he supposes, that he's already fairly used to taking strange requests and having weird jobs thrown on his plate.
Minato lowers the axe, carefully lining it up with the center of the log. Once he's satisfied with its position, he lifts it up and strikes it with his tool, cleaving it cleanly down its middle. It leaves a neat cut. Not a single splinter in sight. ]
If that's what happens -- yeah.
[ Minato sets the axe on the floor to crouch and inspect the split log. Satisfied, he nudges the two halves a little to the side before taking the axe back in hand. It doesn't seem like he intends to elaborate, but then he glances over his shoulder at his company and speaks: ]
Accepting responsibility for your actions... That's what people should do, isn't it?
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Look man, even if you're guilty of your crime doesn't mean they should be judge, jury, and executioner. It's stupid, okay?
[Although, it's impossible to avoid sentencing once you're hit with it. He's heard how Jerry's able to pull anyone to the council without problem, it's why he went along with his sentencing without fuss. ...Granted, he also wanted to repent for what he did, which makes everything he just said kind of moot, but not the point.] Like, where do they get off anyway, bringing us all here without warning just to slap a crime on us?
[He didn't even fucking do his crime-- not the new one. He didn't-- he won't. Right? Fuck. Time to smash another rock to get those feelings out, yay!]
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In any event, it seems as though his company may be agitated by this line of conversation. It's why Minato nods, not necessarily because he agrees, but because it seems to be the right response. There's no need to upset the other teen.
He still hasn't gone back to chopping wood. Instead, Minato's gaze remains on Scott. Softly, he asks: ]
...did something happen to you recently?
[ He... probably shouldn't pry. But he will, because he's a Persona protagonist. ]
You seem pretty upset about something, that's all.
[ It makes sense to be unhappy about the situations they've all landed in, but... this guy seems like there's an additional underlying cause to his current mood.
Or maybe Minato's the strange one for taking everything in stride, but. This isn't about him right now. ]
no subject
...It's nothing.
[Raise your social link a little more, Minato. Scott shakes his head and while it's clear that he's still grumpy and still bothered by the situation, he doesn't look like he's going to delve further into it. Instead, he leans against the sledgehammer, taking some time to catch his breath before smashing another rock into little bits. At least he's not being entirely reckless?]
Worry about your own crime. What is it anyway? [Scott just throws out that last question, not fully expecting him to answer.]
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[ Minato responds without hesitation. No social link rank-ups required here! His eyes are still trained on Scott as the teen smashes up yet another rock. Scott's really good at this...
But eventually, Minato takes the axe back in hand. He carries it over to the next log, placing one foot against the piece of wood. His attention's been redirected from Scott back to his task. He measures it in his head, trying to estimate about how many swings and how much force it'll take to split this one apart. Maybe a few good swings should do the trick. ]
I think mine was fair.
[ And also a terrible trait for a leader to have. But... hadn't it been negligence to allow those two out of his sight on that full moon? And though he'd eventually decided he didn't want to wander through life aimlessly, he'd spent his entire life doing so until that year at Gekkoukan High.
Well. What's done is done. Minato lifts his axe, bringing its blade down the center of the log. He works with precision even though he's never really chopped wood before. He leaves the blade there embedded within the surface, keeping one hand on the handle so it stays steady. ]
I... don't think I was really alive until about a year ago.
no subject
It just furthers Scott's idea that the counsel is high off their own farts. ...Even if they aren't wrong about him-- a version of him. God, why do parallel universes really suck sometimes??
He hits another rock, but this time, it doesn't break, probably needing a couple more swings to smash through. He's honestly about to try right now, but as Minato continues, he diverts his attention back to him, hammer pressed to the ground.]
...Huh? What do you mean by that? [His eyebrows furrow and there's a hint of worry in his expression now.] Were you sick?
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He shakes his head. ]
No.
[ His gaze drops to the beaten-up log. ]
Eating, sleeping, breathing -- that's enough to get by. But if you do that, you're gone forever once you die.
[ ...maybe things would have turned out differently if he'd come to that realization sooner, that shutting oneself away from others and isolating was stunting one's quality of life.
Minato places a foot against the log, securing it in place before carefully prying the axe free from its surface. Eventually, the blade is freed, permitting him to hold the axe in both hands. ]
If no one remembers you, maybe you were never alive at all.
[ Conversely, if you fight against the desire to isolate and touch someone's life, it leaves them with a memory and you can live forever. ]
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Besides, who the hell wants to discuss stuff like this? Except Kotone--]
So, last year, you had a mid-life crisis despite being a teenager, got it.
[Maybe he should take his comments more seriously, add in his own thoughts, but maybe later. Just. What the hell man. He leans a little more on the hammer, a small frown tugging his mouth downward.]
no subject
Yeah. Sort of.
[ Minato lifts his axe before letting it fall, sharpened edge hitting the log with another thwack. The wood finally splits with that last blow. Minato sets the axe aside to inspect both halves. It's a clean cut without any stray splinters. Good, probably. He tucks them under an arm and carries them over, starting a small pile of wood near Scott. ]
I guess a little late for a mid-life crisis though.
[ Near end-of-life crisis, really. He speaks of it so easily, almost borderline frivolously before looking to his company again. He stares at him curiously. ]
...why are you frowning?
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Should he even ask? Fuck. This is the last thing he really wants to deal with after last month, but... why avoid it. It'll just come up later anyway. Isn't he used to this anyway?]
...What do you mean by 'a little late?' Shouldn't it be 'a little early?'
[Unless life expectancy in the Japan he's from is like 25 years old or something. That doesn't feel right, so the other blatant explanation is. He's dead. A tight knot forms in his throat at the possible realization and he struggles to push it down. Look, he doesn't know him at all, but geez, what the hell is he supposed to do with the possible fact that Minato may actually be dead at home?
At least wait until they have a lunch together before throwing something like that at him!!]
no subject
Minato crouches and carefully arranges the pieces of wood, stacking them side by side. If he keeps this up, maybe he'll end up with a modest pile of firewood. Surely, someone out there could use some?
Once satisfied with his handiwork, Minato finally rises. His gaze shifts back to Scott. He has the audacity to look baffled by the other teen's question.
He'd meant exactly what he'd said. ]
No.
[ He cants his head and blinks. ]
Aren't you --
[ He stops. Had his assumption been incorrect? Isn't this where you end up after taking your final breath? Fortunately, there's a pretty straightforward method of clearing that confusion up. ]
...you're not dead?
no subject
...No, I'm not dead. Not saying you're the only dead one but--
[His teeth closes in on his bottom lip, cutting his sentence short as he tries to say what he wants without being fucking emotional about it all. It's gotten easier in some ways, but that hurt, that grief, will never fully go away when he thinks about his friends-- about Kotone. Knowing that she's... well, mostly dead back home. Ken told him that there's a chance to save her and he's clung to that as well, but it's still Hard.
He wants so much to save her. He wants to be there in some way, but even he knows that realistically, all of that is extremely slim.]
This isn't purgatory or hell or whatever.
no subject
He does recognize the sympathy in Scott's expression. Why all the sorrow? There's no reason to feel sad for a person who lived a fulfilling life, even if it was short compared to those around them.
There's a quiet, contemplative look on his face. ]
Then it's not heaven or paradise either.
[ The dead and the living all mixed together, how odd. ]
You're sad.
[ These are probably the wrong social link dialogue options for Scott, but his curiosity demands to be sated. ]
...why? I did everything I needed to do, and it was time to go.
[ He knows what sympathy looks like, because he's seen it in others' eyes before. It's a look he'd grown acquainted with ever since that accident on Moonlight Bridge. But the world was saved, and he was content with the bonds he'd forged while he still walked the earth. There's nothing to be sad about, is there? ]
no subject
How could he?? It's always hanging in the back of his mind when he sees her, no matter how many times they smile and have fun together.
Besides, every time he lets his anger control his feelings, it blows up in his face. Kotone, Jinx... he's told himself before that he's going to be better at that. Dazai said that it's okay for him to feel shit, but control reactions. Right. Even though he's not around either--
He glances to the side for a moment, jaw clenching a little, before turning back to face Minato as he finally speaks. He still sounds a little upset, but at least Scott isn't shouting.]
'Time to go.' You shouldn't have to say crap like that at... 17 years old or whatever.
no subject
Although -- he remembers now. He remembers that full moon and those uttered words:
"This is how it should be."
And despite the person's acceptance of their fate, everyone had felt that loss so deeply, agonizingly, a life cut short even if they didn't have much time left.
Ah.
Minato's gaze drops to the floor. So that's what it is. Still, it's strange having someone level that distress at him. That's never happened before. After all, he'd been explicitly advised he had one year to make the most of things, and he'd signed on that dotted line that he'd accept whatever consequences came his way. ]
...okay. I won't.
[ Or at least, he'll stop because it's clearly upsetting the other person. It probably shows that he doesn't truly understand, given his flat tone. But in truth, he's not quite sure how to handle someone upset on his own behalf.
What should he say? What's the right choice of words in this situation? ]
...sorry.
[ Nailed it. ]
no subject
There's a difference between accepting your death and wanting to die, for sure.]
No, that's not what I meant-- [He sort of releases his hold on the sledgehammer, suddenly finding little interest in doing chores right now. Instead, he runs a hand through his head, obviously trying to say what he wants, head looking off to the side for the moment.]
Don't apologize for dying. Just... look, don't be surprised if other people are upset by it.
no subject
For what it's worth though, he can internalize Scott's final words. After all, it aligns with the way everyone had handled Shinjiro's death.
...back then, he hadn't quite understood why everyone reacted that way. But now, seeing this other teen's response and the way it overlaps -- yeah. Everyone had been pretty upset, hadn't they?
Unlike Scott, Minato's wandering back to his axe and lugging it to a log that's not too far from the other teen. He nudges it with his toe, trying to figure out the best spot to start hacking away. And though it looks like he's just going to go back to his task, Minato speaks: ]
...did you know? No one's ever said anything like that to me before.
[ No one's ever taken the time to pull him aside and tell him anything like that. Maybe there hadn't been any time. Time's a precious resource when you're trying to avert the apocalypse.
Scott seems like a good person though. He's lowkey got those future leader empathy vibes. It's something Minato knows he's missing. ]
...so, thanks.
[ Scott's words might not touch his heart or anything like that, but he can appreciate someone taking the time to at least try. ]
no subject
As the other teen's words settle in his mind, Scott looks back at Minato with a small frown, concern mixed with some distress appearing visibly across his face. A part of him honestly wants to smack the axe out of his hand so that the only thing Minato's focusing on is this conversation, but he holds himself back.]
Do you seriously think that your friends wouldn't be upset that you died?
[Unless he's talking to some friendless loser here, but Scott thinks he's being charitable by not jumping to that conclusion right away. Besides, it's a little hard and depressing to think that the other teen in front of him didn't have a single person that cared if he died or not. Like, fuck man?? Hopefully it's not that and he just. Never considered this before.
He can't fully relate to that, even when he was at his angriest; he knows that at least his brother would care if he died. His parents.]
no subject
He wouldn't want his friends to be upset, not when it was a decision that he had no qualms in making. But maybe Scott's right, that it's only natural, only normal, to be upset when someone you cared about passed away. ]
...I don't know.
[ How would he know? He hadn't been there in the aftermath to bear witness to everyone else's reactions. ]
Maybe you're right though.
[ Minato stops nudging the log with his toe, seemingly discovering a good spot to start hacking away. He doesn't though, and instead, leaves his foot leaning against the wood before glancing back at Scott. ]
...I wouldn't want them to be upset.
[ Life's too short to spend it living with grief. A melancholy smile settles on his features. ]
That's not up to me though, I guess.
no subject
Scott clearly doesn't seem to understand or follow Minato's train of thought, one hand folding against his hip as he continues to just Frown. Guess it helps that the other teen is considering it now at least, saying that 'maybe' he's right, even though it should be 'no, Scott, you're definitely right, because friends care about friends dying.'
He's also really tempted to just blast that log with his powers, because come on man. He gets distractions, but they're talking here!! Only silver lining is that he hasn't resumed chopping it, just leaving it alone for the most part.]
No, it's really not. [He's at first blunt, almost curt, when he says that, but Scott seems to control his temper once more, his next words a little softer.] It sucks losing a friend. Even if you're okay with dying or whatever, others are still going to be sad.
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tfw I think we can wind this down but idk how HFSKHK