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

2

[theskyaccepts]

[Tsuna has a hard time saying no to things sometimes, which is usually how he gets caught up in things. And so here he is with a list of scavenger hunt items and not much of a clue on where to start. He gives a nervous laugh.]

I...uh....don't suppose you've seen any of these items around? There seem to be a lot on this list.

[fatedforvictory]

[ Oh, no, looks like that makes two of them. Pyrrha turns curious green eyes to the page Tsuna is brandishing, glancing over the short list. ]

I believe I did see a 'dog in a bowtie' out on the beach? [ She gestures towards the volleyball nets - yes, there's a dog over there, sitting patiently with its owner. ] How many of this list do you need to find?

[theskyaccepts]

[It's hard not smile at a dog in a bowtie, and Tsuna will let himself have that before his brow furrows once again.]

I think the guy said at least ten? He was kind of going through the instructions really fast.

But there's a lot on the list, so hopefully it won't take too long.

[fatedforvictory]

I'm sure we can find the others. [ Pyrrha peers curiously at it before glancing around them, hoping for another clue. ] I can certainly aid you in your search. Perhaps we should make a circuit.

Is there a prize for winning? [ Not that she'll demand any recompense for her assistance, she's just curious. ]

[theskyaccepts]

I...I don't actually know. I was kind of dragged into it, so I didn't really get a chance to ask before I started.

It wouldn't be too hard to find out though.

[He probably should have gone back and asked. But he's a little too used to hitting the ground running.]

But I really do appreciate the help. I think I saw the decorated volleyballs earlier.

[fatedforvictory]

Ah, I see. Yes, people do seem very excited about their games here. [ Pyrrha had been pulled into a few herself, just wandering the beach and festival area. It seemed a great time of celebration - she hadn't attended any summer solstice festivals until she went away to school, but they were a lot looser than the winter ones she was accustomed to. ]

Who is a "Wilson"? [ She's squinting at the page, and the description of a Find Wilson! Hint: he's with the volleyballs. They begin their walk, set out to comb through the beach. ]

[theskyaccepts]

I can't say I know...but I guess we should look with the volleyballs?

[Seems as good a place as any to start, and maybe something about that sounds familiar.]

But yeah, it reminds me of some of the festivals back home. With the street food and everything.

[fatedforvictory]

[ They meander in the direction of the volleyball nets, feet hitting warm sand. Other scavenger hunt partners are also combing the area, and Pyrrha turns her attention to the area, looking for clues. One of her friends would probably be far more adept at this than she, but she'll try her best! ]

Do you have many festivals, where you're from? [ She brushes her hair over her shoulder, glancing curiously at Tsuna. ] We were in the middle of one, back home. It's a tournament, the Vytal Festival. It's quite fun, though the games are televised, there.

[theskyaccepts]

Oh, uh...not really. Nothing that would end up on TV I don't think. Ours are kinda like this, with stalls for games and food and stuff like that. Usually there's fireworks to.

[It's pretty low key.]</small. What kind of a tournament? Like, for sports?

[fatedforvictory]

That's lovely. I had never experienced a Summer Solstice festival until I went away to school. [ Pyrrha tilts her head, scanning the assortment of items at the base of operations for the volleyball games. Balls, water, a small table of snacks. ] My kingdom always celebrated the Winter Solstice thoroughly, though.

Hand-to-hand combat. [ Which was, perhaps, a strange choice for a festival that marked the end of the Great War, but hey. ] To find the best fighter across the continents.

[theskyaccepts]

Wow...that sounds pretty intense. I don't know if we have anything like that where I'm from, except for the Olympics. But that's more sports than fighting.

[And any other equivalents he might think of are not the ones he wants to think of.]

But it's kind of nice that you get the chance now? I guess you're from somewhere that doesn't really have summer?

[fatedforvictory]

The Olympics? [ The cant of Pyrrha's head indicates how unfamiliar the term is to her. ] What kind of sports might be included?

It's a fun time for all. My team made it to the semi-finals before I found myself in this place. [ She was slated for the two-on-two match with Nora as her match partner, but then, she'd woken here. ]

My kingdom - Mistral - is too far north to experience the full range of seasons. Our summer is more akin to fall. [ Pyrrha smiles softly, thinking of it, the chilled wind that came in off the water, year round. ] Is your home similar to Aldrip?

[theskyaccepts]

Well, it's a whole bunch actually. Like running and swimming and a bunch of others as well.

[He's not enough of an expert to know all the sports.]

Still, that sounds really exciting. So you must be really strong to get that far?

I guess it kind of is? At least, it is more now than when I first got here. But it's also pretty different.

[fatedforvictory]

Is it like a marathon? [ She makes the mistake of thinking he means combining them into one long competition. ]

I've trained for most of my life to fight. I've built up a decent musculature. [ Pyrrha is, at her core, genuinely modest, but it is the truth. She shrugs slightly, offering a kind smile. ] I believe it is my form that wins my matches, versus pure strength.

How so? [ Pyrrha cants her head, red ponytail brushing over her shoulder. ]

[theskyaccepts]

I think that's one of the events.

[Tsuna stutters for a moment, not entirely sure what to say.]

I...I can see that. It must be really impressive. I...can't say I've done anything like that.

[Constant fighting is more Hibari's thing after all.]

Um, well, when I first got here, things were more...I guess, kinda rural? Not like, the way the city is now. More old fashioned.

[fatedforvictory]

There are multiple? How delightful!

It is not everyone's desire to fight. [ Pyrrha doesn't say this unkindly, a lack of judgement giving her tone more levity. It's true, though; as noble a profession as becoming a Hunter/Huntress was, it wasn't for everyone. ] However, should you ever want to learn, I must say that I find it rewarding.

Rural? [ Her brow furrows slightly as she considers that, taking a surreptitious look around. Perhaps it wasn't quite as advanced as say, Beacon, but it was a city. ] How long have you been here? They must have built up rather quickly.

[theskyaccepts]

[Tsuna smiles, a little ruefully, and scratches the back of his head.]

I've been in a few fights, but nothing like a real tournament. I don't know if its my thing.

[Unless his back's against the wall. But then his eyes get a faraway look as he has to do some math.]

I..I've been here about a year now? Or almost?

Things kind of really changed after a guy blew up city hall.

[fatedforvictory]

I enjoy a rousing match against friends. It's a bit like tag, with more weapons.

[ She imparts this cheerily enough that it's easy to see she totally means it. ]

A year? Oh my. [ Pyrrha's brow furrows with worry; clearly, she wasn't expecting him to say so long a stretch of time. ] And you've not been able to return home, I take it?

Who would do such a thing? [ It reminds her of the White Fang, a group of extremists from her home world that constantly threatened violence; was there a similar group operating here? ]

[theskyaccepts]

[It's unfortunate that no one in the mafia really knows the meaning of the word restraint. Or friendly fire. Maybe if they did, it would be something to enjoy more.

But at her question, Tsuna shakes his head.]

No, I haven't. I mean, I've tried, but there always seems to be something going on.

I don't know which guy did it, but I know he wasn't happy about how things are run here. Something like that hasn't happened since though.