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

[cartridgerefill]

I have a daughter, in fact. My adorable spirited Prushka.

[There's a distinct warmth and fondness in his voice. None of it is an act, or playing to gain trust. It is simply the truth; he completely loves Prushka, and in fact feels nothing but pride. Truly, he could not be more proud of her.]

Perhaps not. And for that, I will accept my mistake. However, thus far I've seen that they all seem to function much the same.

[There's a tilt of his helmet, indicating curiosity.] Authority? Ah, well, my title allows me certain benefits, but to adhere to written law is frivolous. So I can respect that.

[The tail flicks.] An adorable nickname. [so hey, he doesn't seem to mind] Do I get to know who you are in return, or shall I also give you a moniker?

[bonobos]

[ interesting. the way he speaks of her — the way he doesn’t acknowledge the insult at all. sha-ming scoffs. ]

Bet you’re dad of the year. [ … ] You should tell her your research matters more than her while you’re still ahead. It’ll be useful, make her better prepared for the future, you feel?

[ for a moment, he’s a little stunned by how effortlessly he responds; not a shred of guilt or frustration there, huh? it’s impressive. ]

Can’t say I don’t dig the self awareness. [ another grin. but then he notes the flick of his tail and… ah. that’s cute. really cute. ]

Think so, Boney? Handpicked it myself. [ he shoves his hands into his pockets, gets a good gander at his helmet. ] Already wanna know more about me, huh? I’m Sha-Ming. Let’s get comfortable with each other, ok?

[ a cant of the head. ]

What’re you studying? [ a beat. ] And what makes it worth killing for?

[cartridgerefill]

I'm afraid such a thing is impossible. Prushka is on a journey she will likely never return from along with her friends, even when comes the day I return to my world. So to tell her that... it simply cannot be done. Still, I am fortunate that she knows I think of her always, though.

[One of the true negative aspects of being here and not back in is own universe is really that he cannot study their journey any longer. Through the eyes of that Blessed child, he could at least see them. Know how their adventure is going. As it is now... he does wish it could be different.]

Of course, of course. It's a pleasure, Sha-Ming. I look forward to knowing more about you. [And he does mean that, truly.]

I am continuously studying the effects of a place we call the Abyss. The environment, how each layer affects people, how to circumvent those effects, and so on. Though my research does expand outside of that as well if I come across something I never have before.

I do prefer if I don't have to kill for such things -- but as I said before, to find oneself in the circumstances of a battle... thrilling. Battle doesn't suit all, but to explore the Abyss, one must be ready to accept that it is unavoidable in most cases.

[bonobos]

[ he stares very hard, as if attempting to parse what in the universe was just said. did this man just sentence his daughter to death. ]

Well, uh— good on you for taking puberty well. Hope she’s out there partying with her friends.

[ what can he even say. his parents had him living with monkeys. but the man is courteous — nice. those are the most dangerous types. shockingly, he listens intently; there’s a flicker of interest, even in his own eyes.

he can pretend like he doesn’t understand the thirst for knowledge, like he’s removed from it — but really, it’s what he knows best. his own ilk. ]

You’re a researcher, then. An ecologist. [ a beat. ] I could tell.

That Abyss of yours. Tell me more about it.

[cartridgerefill]

[That actually earns an amused sound from Bondrewd, so close to a laugh.] It is an adventure they are all determined to see through. I can only respect their resolve.

[It is a warm tone he takes. Genuinely, he hopes their journey goes well. To be full of Curses and Blessings alike.]

You're an observant one, that much is clear to see. [And one who weaves around to learn without making it seem like a big deal. It's clever!]

Ah, there would be so much to explain. How to begin? [Bondrewd raises a hand to the chin of his helmet, thinking.] A very long time ago, explorers found an island. There was what seemed to be a chasm... except that it was thousands of meters deep, its very bottom theoretically left unexplored. Inside are unique relics, flora, and fauna -- deadly and beautiful.

And at each layer of the Abyss, it is a unique landscape. With each layer having a unique side-effect if you attempt to ascend from it. People call it the Curse. The deeper one travels, the harder it is to return topside.

[bonobos]

That’s one way to teach your kid independence.

[ and it isn’t his business! let dad of the year be dad of the year. hopefully those kids don’t die. ]

Eh… not really. [ he shrugs the compliment off, although it sits in his chest a bit — maybe a little more than it should. ] I’m used to this kind of stuff. That’s all.

[ but then that explanation tumbles in, and he rocks back and forth on his heels. ]

Like discoverin’ a new planet. [ somehow, he understands. ] Yer risking it all for that. All of you. Why?