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

[solitarysoul]

Oh! T-thanks.

[He takes the tablet back and pockets it. He barely even noticed that it dropped since he was busy being flustered talking to someone.]

Yeah. We can use them to communicate with each other. Sort of like a phone but its also, uh, a computer? Or something like that.

[Shinjiro had called it a computer, at least.]

This is a city called Aldrip. Its, um, another world or something.

[And it may not be real, but no need to mention that right away.]

We all--well, there are locals but they're...different. A-anyway, we all kinda just got pulled here with no warning.

[howyouseit]

Don't mention it.

[Ekko pulls his own tablet out of his pocket to inspect it more closely after the other explained the nature of its design nodding in understanding.]

A phone? Never heard of it...But if this thing can aid me in communicating with others over great distances that is one hell of an invention.

[Being a genius inventor himself the boy could appreciate something so innovative and wished to know about more of the technological marvels in this world.]

Aldrip, huh? So that's the name of this place.

[Noting the others rather timid demeanor, Ekko gives him a reassuring smile as he extends out a hand in formal greeting to try and ease whatever tension they might have.]

Don't worry I'm not going to hurt you man so you can relax a bit. Name's Ekko.

[solitarysoul]

Yeah, it let's you talk to people instantly no matter how far away you are. Or put things on the network for people see and respond to whenever.

[He shakes. His grip is pretty weak.]

I'm Levi.

[Just going to ignore the 'I'm not going to hurt you're comment. He's nervous about everyone but he doesn't need to bring up the fact that he's not good with people.]

[howyouseit]

[Something about the kid seemed a bit off putting but maybe he wasn't the most social of people or didn't trust them easily. Ekko could certainly relate to that given how wary he’d been in the past towards anyone besides the Firelights save for Vi after coming back into his life none too recently. Too many dealings with Zaunite’s and Piltie’s both either double crossing or just straight up pinning stuff on him when all he wanted to do was give his people a better life.

Noting the others name he simply nods in understanding, intrigued by these tablets a bit more now that he knew what they were truly capable. Being an inventor himself new technology always fascinated him.]

This network allows you to converse with people at any given moment as well? Seems pretty useful.

[A beat before he asks another question curiously.]

So how long exactly have you been here, Levi?

[solitarysoul]

[He's just like that. Too many bad things and people in his past to be at ease much.]

Or sent them something when they're busy that they can see later.

Um...over half a year now, I think.

[howyouseit]

[Ekko could say the same dealing with his own fair share of delinquents both young and old back home in Runeterra, every day a constant struggle for survival as he looks to establish a new era of peace between Zaun and Piltover. It was a noble task but the boy savior was making little headway, often taking one step forward and three steps back as of late due to complications arising.

Given this newfound knowledge of the tablet's functions he wished to learn more about their capabilities first hand, pulling it out of his pocket to examine it more closely in hopes the other would assist in his questions.]

Would you mind showing me how it works exactly?

[Surely he could have figured it out on his own given his affinity for technology but it would be far easier learning from one with firsthand experience. A shocked look crosses his features as Levi mentions the fact they had been here for over half a year now, a sinking feeling beginning to develop in the pit of his stomach.]

Half a year, damn. And no one has found a way to get back to their own world yet I take it?

[solitarysoul]

No problem. We might want to move to somewhere out of the way, though.

[He sighs and shakes his head.]

Not really...well, people disappear sometimes. They might go back to their own worlds. I think a few people say they did and then came back here. I don't really get it

[Or try to. It seemed like one of those things that would just make his head hurt.]

[howyouseit]

Yeah that probably is a good idea don't want to smack into anyone else and piss them off.

[Speaking from experience since Ekko was just a little bit unimpressed at first when he ran into the other even if it was technically his fault. Shifting out from their place in the middle of the walkway he motions for Levi to follow him as they make their way over to an unoccupied bench just off the beaten path.]

Wait...People have been here previously then come back? Well that's just brutal.

[For Ekko would be quite upset if he was brought here previously only to return after an extended period of time. Little did he know that was exactly what happened to him though he had no prior knowledge of his last iterations stay. Sitting down on the bench with a satisfied sigh he looks to the free spot beside him, extending a hand for his counterpart to join him.]

[solitarysoul]

[Levi follows over and sits on the bench next to Ekko. Not too close, but close enough to show him things on the tablet.]

Yeah, sometimes they remember but sometimes they don't. And sometimes they're, uh, different versions of themselves? I-I don't know. This multiple worlds thing makes my head hurt.

[howyouseit]

Different versions...So they don't remember their prior stay here?

[He's curious to know more about these alternate versions of themselves that were possible in past iterations of their stay here in Aldrip but he wouldn't continue to press Levi on that at the moment. Opting to focus on the newfound device in his hands Ekko simply nods in understanding as he extends the tablet outwards to his counterpart in hopes of learning the basics.]

So how does this thing work, Levi? I'm pretty tech savvy but this is something completely new to me. Back home we send messages through a tube system there's no such devices capable of sending them across such great distances from the palm of your hand. It's quite astonishing really.

[Ekko loves a great invention and can appreciate the genius of such a device that would make communicating with others a lot easier around here.]

[solitarysoul]

Yeah, they don't. Sometimes something small was different in their world.

[Well, the hero being female and not male in Shijiro's case probably wasn't small, but it was only one change. As far as he knows.]

We didn't have anything like these where I come from. I guess they're little computers? We didn't really have computers either.

[Except in the last bunker and he never really interacted with them.]

You make it do things by touching the screen.

[He demonstrates by bringing up the network on his and scrolling a bit.]

If you want to reply to something or send a message you can do it in just voice, with pictures or in text. If you want to use text a, um, keyboard shows up on the screen.

[Was that a lot? He was pretty overwhelmed by all of this when he started, so he pauses for questions.]

[howyouseit]

[There was so much for Ekko to learn about this place, intimately curious to the inner workings of the ones who brought them here and where to find them no less. For he had more than a few questions for their captors at large. That was neither here nor there at the moment, currently preoccupied about the modern technology in the palm of his hand as Levi began to explain its mechanics.

Mirroring his counterpart's example the boy genius quickly get the hang of things as he brings up the various interfaces at their disposal. Nodding in understanding with a bit of a smirk as he catches on rather quickly.]

Think I've got the hang of it. This is quite the invention I'll give it that much, I've never seen such a device capable of so many properties. Technology here far surpasses that of my own world in some aspects but we are not without our fair share of unique creations.

[Such as his own hoverboard which was quite the marvel of machinery, Ekko's most prized creation that was completely different to any other type of transportation methods in Zaun or Piltover for that matter.]

[solitarysoul]

[He's got the hang of it already? He must be really smart.]

Yeah, its really different from where I come from too. It used to be more, um, rural but these tablet things still existed. I'm not entirely sure what all they have now that its a city.

[howyouseit]

[He's a bit of a prodigal inventor himself so its no wonder it only takes Ekko a few minutes of tinkering about with the newfound device to get the hang of things. It wasn't overly complicated after got the lowdown thanks to Levi, whizzing through the various posts on the network now before shifting his attention back towards the other.]

This must be the system where everyone converses with one another through the various means I take it?

[Nodding in understanding Ekko looks about the general vicinity, gaze drawn to the massive sky scrappers which surrounded them on all sides before cocking a brow curiously. How could the world simply change at the drop of a hat were strange magics at work here?]

You mean to tell me this place wasn't always so technologically advanced? Then...What happened some sort of industrial revolution overnight?

[solitarysoul]

Yeah, its pretty popular.

Um.

[Levi rubs the back of his head.]

Y-yes, actually. It was a village, like a really old timey village, then, um, someone blew up city hall and it was somewhere between that and this for...a couple weeks? Something like that.

[That was hard enough to believe on its own, so not gonna mention the fucked up memories.]

Then it like, uh, reset? Or something, and it was this city.

W-well, we always--or at least as long as I've been here--had the tablets and electricity but most of the technology is new.

[howyouseit]

[Ekko simply blinks wide in astonishment with the proclamation of someone blowing up this apparent city hall and with it bringing about the dawn of a new era here in Aldrip. He's never heard of such an outlandish thing but clearly the powers that brought him here were beyond his comprehension and not to be underestimated. Which leads him to the next line of questioning.]

Guess that means whoever brought us to this place is far more powerful than I anticipated...Has anyone ever found out exactly who is in charge around here?

[solitarysoul]

The council, supposedly. But no one knows who that is or even how many of them there are. If they call you in y-you just don't remember the meeting. Just what they decided.

Jerry's their enforcer or mouthpiece or whatever, but he doesn't give any information.