TEST DRIVE MEME #9

[expiationmods]

Test Drive Meme #9

Welcome to Expiation, a pan-fandom adventure game with elements of fantasy, science fiction, and some subtle horror.

TDM top-levels are 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! You can also put your top-level in the TDM DIRECTORY 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.

June's's TDM is forward-dated to June 20th.

You can view our CALENDAR to keep important dates in mind. RESERVES open on June 20 and APPLICATIONS will open on June 23 After this, applications will next open in August 2024.

NEW FOR APRIL 2024: there is now a top level for everyone to post their TDM top levels into! This is for new characters only. Thank you!

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Arrival

You remember a room of blinding white light—so bright that you couldn't make out any details. You heard voices, speaking in muffled tones. It sounded an awful lot like they were talking about you. You were just on the verge of figuring out what they’re saying, you were so close...but what happened after that?

Ah–that's right. You fell into blackness.

However you awaken, the next time you’re able to stand still and take in your surroundings, you’re approached by a small mechanical creature, which reveals a handheld tablet with a rolled-up parchment within it. Booting up the tablet for the first time brings you the following message:

WELCOME, CHOSEN.
WE ARE SO GLAD YOU ARE HERE.

So…now what?

Summer Solstice (June 20th)

The summer solstice, also known as the longest day of the year. Aldrip may have received a big upgrade in size recently, but this special day still calls for celebration amongst the locals, who have a long tradition of celebrating various celestial phenomena. For this occasion, the entire city will be throwing a Midsummer celebration! The festival itself takes place from June 20-24, with the solstice happening the evening of June 20. There will be celebrations before, during, and after the festival as well!

On the shortest day of the year in December, the Chosen were told to stay indoors until sunrise. The opposite holds true for the summer solstice: all are encouraged to remain outside from dusk until dawn, and locals throw a festival to keep everyone entertained through the wee hours of the morning!

The streets of the commercial district are lined with sun-painted lanterns, lit as dusk starts to fall and kept glowing until sunrise the next day. Those lanterns illuminate a lively street bazaar featuring exotic food and drink, curious wares, and lawn/party games of all kinds. The Chosen are encouraged to either participate, or occasionally wager bets on other people who may be competing against one another. May the odds be ever in your favor?

As the sun begins to set, locals light large bonfires. There will be music and dancing—Chosen are encouraged to participate in whatever way they’d like, whether they want to perform or lead a line dance. If they’re not inclined to join in, the fires and music still provide a perfect backdrop for a little relaxing conversation and meeting new friends.

After dark, a large fireworks show begins. All in attendance are encouraged to bring (or find!) blankets to lay out so they can watch the show. Clinking glasses with good friends at the height of the show is considered good luck, so it’s not uncommon to see some folks having a drink during this time. As Aldrip is so close to the ocean, some locals even offer discounted boat rides to get a different view of these fireworks.

At dawn, the locals finally tuck in for a few hours of rest. But don’t worry—the Midsummer festival continues even after the solstice is done!

Midsummer Festival (june 20-june 24)

Locals begin prepping for the festival days in advance, and while they won’t drag others in to help the same way they have in the past, they still won’t turn down an extra set of hands. You’ll even get paid for your troubles, either in money or in favors (free meal vouchers, rent at the inn, etc). There’s no shortage of work to be done, from dragging tables around to stringing lanterns or even collecting sticks for bonfires. Just be careful, locals tell of strange whispers coming from Pessiria Forest at odd times of day and night…

The festival itself has different activities and happenings depending on what area you visit. Most of these activities can be done on any day of the festival. Most of the games and contests outlined here are examples—you’re free to make up others if you feel so inclined!

BEACH EPISODE!!
The beach is a prime location in the month of June, and locals really go all out for this particular occasion, setting up a large beach party with food, drink, and brightly-colored umbrellas to provide some shade.

There are various sporting activities such as beach volleyball, windboarding, surfing, and a large, built-up dune for sand surfing. Most of these are just for fun, but if locals see some really good contenders, they might urge a competition between them.

For those less sporting, there are all sorts of activities and challenges. Kite flying, sandcastle building, and scavenger hunts are particularly popular with the locals. Maybe they’ll ask you to bring back a certain number of round seashells, or to make friends with someone sitting under a pink umbrella…the possibilities are endless, really. There will also be official competitions for kite flying and sandcastle building, so put your best foot (or shovel) forward!

Some enterprising locals have also set up boat tours to take locals and Chosen through the nearby waves. In some places, the light makes it seem almost like you can see something in the distance…but it’s not on the map, right? Maybe it’s just your imagination. Hmm.

HAVE A FIELD DAY
The rolling hills outside of the city make a perfect place for various races and games. Bring your competitive spirit, because there will be medals awarded for winning races! Some common games include: bag races, “wife” carrying (gender, spousehood, and pre-existing relationship not required, of course!), three-legged races, relays, baton passes, and foot races.

It’s not all sporty competitions, though! Some older locals will lead more relaxing activities, such as stretching, meditation, and recreational group dances. These are volunteer-led groups, of course, so if those volunteers have to sit down or step away for a bit…well, they’ll have to ask someone to take over for them.

Those with good animal handling stats are not forgotten either, of course! There will be animal races, as well, on horses or even chocobos. There may or may not even be a petting zoo, pony rides, or other fun, relaxing activities with animals. Sometimes you just need to sit in a pen full of bunnies, okay.

Please do be careful, though: increased activity could make some of the monsters roaming outside the city a little bit curious about what’s going on this close to town…

WHEN YOU’RE DOWNTOWN
The green spaces of Aldrip have been decked out in their very finest, and floral season is in full bloom. Some enterprising gardeners will be unveiling new garden designs in honor of the festival: hedge mazes, giant sculpted topiaries, and elaborate fountains.

While it doesn’t hold a candle to the Ketsoran diplomatic masquerade, the event center will also be hosting several nights of dining and dancing during the festival. It may be a little less lavish, but it’ll nonetheless be quite glamorous—and the food will probably be good, too.

The bazaar from the day of the solstice continues throughout the festival. Additionally, various shops and businesses may choose to provide specials, discounts, and other offers to entice new and current Chosen alike.

THE SPIRE
One of the taller buildings in town has installed a large spire near one of the garden squares. They claim that, as the sun rises to its midday point, light passing through the spire will create an incredible light show. They’re right, as a matter of fact: the light reflects and refracts, scattering rainbows across the square. It’s a dazzling display. When the sun passes its midday point, however, the beautiful color show suddenly turns into white light. Anyone looking at this light will find that they are no longer able to keep track of how long they’re watching it. Your mind may begin to go blank, almost as if it refuses to accept something, some deep truth that the world is trying to tell you…

…

No, that must be your imagination. The light vanishes shortly thereafter—or was it ever there to begin with? The unsettling feeling may remain, but it’ll be harder and harder to be certain of what caused it.

This is fine and also normal.

Wildcard

Make your own fun! Just because it’s not in the prompts doesn’t mean it’s not possible. Have at it! Go crazy! Try not to break anything (too much)!

♡

Comments

[howyouseit]

[Ekko knows how hard Vi can be on herself and how much pressure was on her shoulders to lead by example but that didn't mean she had to go it alone anymore. He'd learnt a lot through his time alone after the whole ordeal and despite the pang of loss he felt knew there was nothing he could ultimately do now. They couldn't keep dwelling on the past and had to move forward, that was why he formed the Firelights to rise up against the scourge of the Undercity that plagued their home.]

We have to strive for what's ahead of us now and can't be burdened by our past, Vi.

[Usually it was her giving console to those who needed it most but here and now the boy savior could tell she was emotionally vulnerable with the threat of tears cascading down her cheeks. Stepping in closer to wrap his arms about her person, Ekko embraces his big sister in a tight hug, a hand resting at the back of her head to thread through her short pink locks in a comforting fashion.]

Listen...I don't hold you responsible for any of their deaths I could never do that. What we need to do now is not squander their sacrifice and put an end to the oppression back home so no one else has to suffer like we did. Together. Just like old times.

[grappler]

[she wasn't expecting the embrace.

she's usually the one who has to be strong. she can't just break down, especially in front of Ekko. but the tears blur her vision anyway, and a few fall when she knows he can't see it. she hugs him back tightly for a moment, and then composes herself and rubs her face with the back of her hand.]

Man, you're not supposed to be the one consoling me.

[she pulls away though, a bit of her trademark smirk back on her face. but it just... helps, somehow, knowing that someone sane was here and actually understands. she still hasn't completely told Caitlyn about everything that's happened... and would it really even be the same? she wasn't a part of it, even if Ekko wasn't at that warehouse specifically.]

Don't worry about me. I'll be fine, I always am. I just... wanted to say that. Because we didn't have enough time at home.

[howyouseit]

[A lot of things had changed over the coming years after the events which unfolded at the warehouse, Silco ripping everything the pair had ever known from their hands with the snap of his fingers. They both suffered in their own ways but Ekko and Vi both hardened their resolve, hatred stoking the fires which raged on inside them as they looked to get back at the self appointed tyrant who'd destroyed their lives. Unlike Jinx it made them each stronger in their own way, the pair growing up to despise the man for what he'd done to them and fighting against the corruption that was brought in his wake in their own way. Of course it would have been great if they were able to combine their efforts this whole time but at the very least they were reunited after such a long time apart, the boy savior giving her up for dead until the fateful day she re-emerged in the Lanes.

Although he was usually far more reserved nowadays he could at least show some compassion for his beloved older sister whom was the more supportive one in her time of crisis. When she pulls away from the embrace to wipe away a few stray tears which stained her face, Ekko simply nods solemnly followed in short by a hushed bit of breathy laughter.]

You always were the stronger one between us, I was the brains and you the brawn, remember?

[The master planner known as 'Little Man' who meticulously laid out their devious schemes enacted against the top siders while she carried them out to the letter. Well most of the time anyways.]

Guess we'll just have to make up for lost time then, huh?

[A bit of hopeful optimism ushered forth as a sincere smile slowly breaks over his lips.]

[grappler]

[there's a bit of a smile of Vi's face.]

I'm the stubborn bitch. Either word works.

[she wipes at her face again and turns away, motioning for him to follow again as she starts to walk off.]

Sure will. Did I tell you Cait's here too?