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

[thenicerone]

Uh...yes? But they are stronger than they look since I have experienced it myself.

[However, the more that she looked at him, the more curious she got. From what she could gather, he didn't look like a demon. If anything, he seemed like a normal human being. Taking a good up and down, she tilted her head to the side.]

And I'm safe to assume you aren't a human as well?

[ogd]

[ that earns a raise of an eyebrow. adam realizes that he needs to step up his game in discerning who might be human or not here, oops. that might be a useful skill to pick up for later. ]

[ for now, he bursts out laughing at the question. ]

Ooooh, what gave me away? The halo? [ he flicks the glowing ring. the resulting noise from it is a sweet, melodic chime. ] The big ol', golden wings?

[thenicerone]

[The more she looked at said halo and then said wings, she blinked at him for a moment or two.]

Well, I suppose I can see you aren't. But you look human though...

LMAO i sure did

[ogd]

I'm an angel.

[ the mask's mouth settles into a smirk. after a second of letting that sink in, he goes back to sipping on his drink. ... well, he's just about out of it, judging by empty slurping noises of sucking at air. ]

But if you're asking if I got a human soul, then fuck yeah, I do. Been a while since I mingled with other living humans, y'dig?

GLAD YOU DID!

[thenicerone]

[Now that made her raise more than few eyebrows. She had heard of demons being able to live in the human world. They would even go so far to transfer their soul into a human body if they were injured. But as for the reverse...?]

But how? I don't think I have ever seen an angel in person before! I have heard of how human believe angels can save them from destruction but...how can you have a human soul and yet not be human? That's...

[How should she put it. As she placed her hand under her chin, she wasn't sure what to say.]

...impressive.

[ogd]

Nah, not many living humans have. Not a clue 'bout how they managed to drag me alllll the way down here.

[ adam makes a show of looking at his nails. which are covered by cloth and look more like claws, but that's beside the point of the gesture. ]

But yeah — isn't it? [ impressive, that is. ] Guess my life was remarkably good enough that I'd been blessed with divine ordainment for the afterlife. You're looking at one of the leaders of the angelic armies, babyyyy.

[thenicerone]

Oh, I wasn't aware that there was some sort of afterlife in your world! It must be pretty amazing to live like that!

[And here, poor Yukina doesn't know any better. If anything, she just seemed to be impressed that there was this angelic being that was known to save humans in front of her!]

Although, I wonder what kind of beings you have to fight for you to have armies. I wonder if the demons in your world are just that dangerous....

[ogd]

Bliss for eternity, girly.

[ he forms a 🤘 symbol with his hand just to emphasize how the heavenly afterlife is that fantastic. as for addressing that second comment, ]

Oh, yeah, they totally fuckin' suck. Real, real dangerous pieces of shit, those demons. Not to mention rebellious. Sons of bitches looking for any and every opportunity to try to overthrow heaven the second they start to they're legit hot shit!

[ ... punctuated by a little scoff of laughter. #truestory, yes. ]

[thenicerone]

[Well. He's certain a very interesting angel, that's for sure. He seemed so different compared to the angels she had read or heard about in the human world. Weren't angels supposed to be holy? Who knows but demon world had their fair share of demons who weren't as bloodthirsty as they appeared.

Which was why she was slowly backing away just a bit as he said that.]

Um...if I told you I am a demon, does that mean you're going to hurt me?

[ogd]

Uh.

[ adam practically hears the record scratch in his head. so his grin fades as he watches her begin to recoil, pausing in the energy of his rant. he doesn't look as if he's close to considering giving chase yet, but. ]

Well. Are.. you?

[thenicerone]

Yes.

[Oh dear, she hoped that didn't upset him. The last thing she wanted was to make a new friend(?) anymore angry than she might have made him.]

...I hope that doesn't bother you.

[ogd]

[ adam grimaces, then he groans. ]

Ugh, damnit. That's a bummer.

[ after a moment of studying her (demons looked all sorts, he supposes she could be using some sort of disguise), he sigs. he flips onto his back, sitting up on his elbows to peer at her with vague discontentment. ]

You a sinner, or a hellborn?

[thenicerone]

[In which Yukina had to blink to herself for a few moments as she tried to understand what Adam said. She wasn't a sinner; she hadn't done anything wrong. But then again, her crime did label her as a criminal despite her saying otherwise.]

I was born in the demon world so...I guess I'm a Hellborn?

omg hahahah

[ogd]

Oh. That's okay then!

[ his expression brightens. ]

Well, no. This still sucks, don't get me wrong, but it could be worse. You're not a part of the rebellious sinning masses. I'm not on demon-killing duty. See, after all's said 'n done, we could still get along just fine.

[ he nods to himself. yeah, that sounds all right for now. ]

So long as you don't try any funny shit.

[thenicerone]

I don't think I plan to...?

[No, really, she has no idea what he was talking about. What kind of funny shit was he trying to say? She doubts she'll do anything that would be considered 'sinful' here as all she could do was heal.]

Besides, I don't think I can fight unless I train for it.

[All the while she was leaning just a tinnnnyyy bit away from him.]

[ogd]

What? So you don't wanna try to get the one-up on an angel? Or fuck with any humans here?

[ huh. he asks, though he does know better than to take the words of a demon for straight truth. he lifts an eyebrow. ]

[thenicerone]

[W-Well!! That was enough to make Yukina blush as she found her face slowly turning red!]

O-Of course not! Why would I want to do that?

[See that? She's covering her face now!]

[ogd]

Why woul—

[ why would a demon want to fuck with a human? just a second. his frown deepens with bafflement at her like confusion before he makes the connection to what he just said. ]

[ he has to work to get out words in between a huff of laughter. ]

No, no. Fuck with them, not fuck them. 'Less you're a succubus, there's a big difference, girly,

[thenicerone]

It's almost the same thing, why would I want to make it more frustrating for humans here? Isn't being in prison and in a new world difficult enough?

[Although, it still doesn't erase the red on her face as she stumbles over words!]

[ogd]

... You told me yourself that you're a demon. Remember?

[ adam picks at something in his teeth. the more he speaks with this girl, the more he thinks he might be the one missing something. oh, well. ]

That's what hellborn do. They heckle humans, cause chaos, spread STDs, whatever the fuck. It's never the nice shit with 'em.

[thenicerone]

Uh...

[Well, she can't deny that there was some truth to it. A typical demon would spread chaos, make things difficult for humans, and do who knows what. However....]

I don't think I have? I'm afraid I never left my village to do such things...

[Said the cinnamon roll.]

[ogd]

[ adam stares at her. ]

Are you... [ he bites his tongue a moment, holding back from saying something obviously rude about demons, before changing course. charlie seems just this sort, after all. it's not completely out of the realm of possibility from what he's seen. still, ] Did someone drop you on your head as a kid? The fuck? Can't tell if you're lying or if you're for real.

[thenicerone]

[That wasn't what she was expecting to hear. She was aware that there are some demon who were a little meaner than she hoped. However, to know that there was an angel who could be just as harsh made her blink at him.]

No, not at all! I highly doubt that there was someone who would do that! Although...why do you ask?

[ogd]

You're kinda...

[ adam tries to search for an apt word. ]



[ he mostly fails. ]

Weird. [ for a hellborn, he neglects to add, but thinks it's implied. ] If you're not getting up to nefarious no-good shit, what do you do for fun?

[thenicerone]

Oh, I like to cook sometimes! I know Kazuma's family let me in so the least I can do is cook and help them out! And I've picked up sewing and listening to music too! Humans have such variety!

[And all with a huge smile on her face without any hint of irony whatsoever!]