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Expiation Mods ([personal profile] expiationmods) wrote in [community profile] expiationlogs2024-06-10 07:58 am

TEST DRIVE MEME #9

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)!
nullificates: (82)

cw suicidal ideation

[personal profile] nullificates 2024-07-05 11:52 pm (UTC)(link)
By all means, put my life in danger by doing that! I'm truly not opposed!

(and he has no idea how much his suicide tendencies upset scott - but to be fair, there isn't any version of him who doesn't yap or crave for it. either way, it's an act that he is asking to put up for others - they can restart themselves.)

We can start over, but between us, how about that!?

(his hand stretches forward, an invitation for a handshake. if this kid spent enough time with him, he figures there is no need to warn what his touch does. he might go for it, he might not.)

Then let's go drinking and turn that frown upside down. I'm Osamu Dazai, Armed Detective Agency lead detective, and you aaaaaaare?
Edited 2024-07-05 23:52 (UTC)
laserguy: (look i know i'm an ass)

[personal profile] laserguy 2024-07-07 07:11 pm (UTC)(link)
[What the hell is Dazai going on about anyway?? Putting his life in danger? He has a tendency to say a lot of shit, but he really seems adamant about this particular thing. A part of Scott sighs, working through his emotions to focus on that, even though that chasm in his chest is still there and threatening to push him. He's not going to get emotional... he can do this. He cares about Dazai, a lot.

He sees that offered hand, throat swallowing because he knows what it's going to do his powers. Long ago, when they first meet, he yearned to feel the release from his optic blasts, but... he's a little different now. He doesn't need that as much anymore. As such, maybe it's just wanting to hold Dazai's hand once more than anything else that he reaches to grasp his hand, a small shudder coming from the mutant as the constant presence from his head disappears.

He can take off his glasses now, but he doesn't. What matters more is that Dazai is real and in front of him again, and he doesn't want to let go.]


Scott Summers. [He frowns up at Dazai, something concerned fitting across his face.] Are you really in danger?
nullificates: (12)

[personal profile] nullificates 2024-07-07 11:36 pm (UTC)(link)
Uncomfortable?

(it's a little harder to read with the glasses obscuring some of his face, but there are so many emotions that the boy seems to be running through his mind that it may be related to his touch, it may be completely unrelated. he can't particularly tell, but the fact that he doesn't let go even so tells him that whether it is or not is a bit irrelevant - scott is willing to deal with it.

noted.)


In a way, yes, indeed. You see, to not have information is to be vulnerable, and it so happens, someone on the enemy side is here and more might come, I would rather have as much leverage as possible to protect myself! It's simple war tactics to bluff your way into a power position. Since, as far as I am aware, not many know how 'No Longer Human' really works, I can use that as an excuse to be an exception to the rule. Does it make sense, little grasshopper?
laserguy: (still closing them)

[personal profile] laserguy 2024-07-09 12:28 am (UTC)(link)
N-No, just different. I'm okay. Don't worry.

[...Was Dazai worried? Scott would like to believe so, even if the mafioso doesn't remember a single thing about him. He knows some bits of his past, how he just... wanted to die, that he's a murderer, but the most important thing that he's learned from him is giving people second chances, as long as they're trying to be better now. He thinks Dazai is still trying now, even though he just came back to Aldrip, so Scott's grip only tightens further in his, almost like in reassurance.

It might be for him mostly.]


Who is on the enemy side? [No, he never really figured out that Gogol and Dazai are from the same place--] But... yeah, I understand. Faking it until you make it, basically.

[Having more information than not is definitely important. He wants to help Dazai, maybe not in the full way that his mentor was able to help him, but he can do this much. If he can make sure that he's just a little more safe, then yeah. Scott turns his little frown upward as he gazes at Dazai.] Okay, I'll try to act like you never left around others. Although, I think your enemy may already know at this point. You were gone for a while.
nullificates: (118)

[personal profile] nullificates 2024-07-09 12:42 am (UTC)(link)
(he won't let go for the time being, just nodding and letting both hands drop before-- oh, he changed his mind, sorry, scott--)

Sorry, this is too long to be handholding you! You need to be older and female to hold my hand for that long!

(as if. he shows his palms near his hand, as he was giving scott a little double greeting wave before he drops them. he's eccentric, but mostly, he just wanted to gauge reactions to his antics. he read the diary kotone gave him thoroughly, and it's what she knows about him that tells him she's trustworthy. he wouldn't give her her a third of that information if he didn't feel like it was safe to do so.

therefore, scott? he trusts him, too. he saw no reason not to in that diary, after all.)


Oh, the two Russians - Fyodor Dostoevsky and Nikolai Gogol! Seems like Fyodor is no longer here, but you guys have been given quite a shake by Gogol, hm? I enjoy his creativity and way of thinking, but to give him any vulnerable points on me would not be the greatest thing. You musn't act like I never left - it is undeniable I have, but instead, that I remember everything about my time in this place. Due to the fact that it seems that only Kotone and Chuuya know exactly how my ability work, I may have some wiggle room.
laserguy: (yeah cool)

[personal profile] laserguy 2024-07-09 08:07 pm (UTC)(link)
[Okay, it's definitely a good thing he didn't remove his glasses.

Scott nearly gasps when Dazai releases his hand so suddenly, letting that constant presence in his head return full force with little warning. It's not often that he gets a break like that, so the sudden unexpected shift causes the mutant to raise a hand to his head with a light grimace, while doing his best not to look hurt or anything else that might be stupid in front of him. He should've expected as much anyway. It's fine. He's fine. They're basically strangers-- it's what Scott asked for anyway in a roundabout way.

...

He buries his hands inside his pockets, trying his best not to be moody, because trying and everything.]


Gogol? Well, luckily for you, a lot of people hates that guy anyway. He brutalized Dara not long ago, so yeah, unpopular with everyone. [Figures that they're from the same world. Guess if he's sticking it to Gogol by helping Dazai, then it's more reason to go along with it.] And just so we're clear, I know about your ability too.
nullificates: (124)

[personal profile] nullificates 2024-07-09 08:28 pm (UTC)(link)
Considering the look of relief when I touched you and the gasp when I released, I suppose so! I don't try to hide it, but do you know how it works? Can another ability possibly heal me? Can I be mind-controlled? Do objects count? So many things to consider! Too many opportunities, too many questions, works great for me!

(that's what he means, mostly - but whether scott can answer those, he'll find soon. part of what makes him is the air of mystery while being too upfront at the same time, so this is just how he operates, after all.)

So I heard, about Gogol and the organs thing. Admittedly, I do not hate him! He's fascinating, if you ask me! His death attempt on me was innovative, original and thrilling! A plus-plus for jailbreak! I assume you know that, too, the jail part, so I'm unquestionably skipping past it, but alas, in view of the fact that I don't know what he knows and what he doesn't, I'd rather keep him muddled and ineffective around me, if that's alright with everyone, which it seems like it is!
Edited 2024-07-10 13:20 (UTC)
laserguy: (i'm sorry)

[personal profile] laserguy 2024-07-10 03:21 pm (UTC)(link)
[Dazai really talks forever, huh? Scott can only blink and slowly stare at him as thoughts of 'No Longer Human' leave his mind. He was honestly trying to think of the full extent of Dazai's ability, but the other man is talking about Gogol in more detail now and he's just trying to stay on the same page as him. Yeah, this is the man that he's been missing for months now... for sure.

...

He really is glad he's back, despite the exasperation he feels. And the hurt from earlier. He's getting over it. Look at him doing so. Everything still stings in different ways, from Dazai's lack of memories (not his fault) to how quickly he pulled his hand away (his fault but whatever right), but he can't just start crying. That'd be the worst.

He's not the fully angry and lonely teen Dazai met over a year ago. He's better at controlling himself. He doesn't have to rely on him as much anymore... probably isn't fair to Dazai anyway. He's already dealing with Gogol and that crap, he doesn't need Scott being emotional around him too.]


Are you going to keep an eye on him? [Scott eventually settles on, hands still buried in his pockets.] That will be helpful.
nullificates: (s6)

[personal profile] nullificates 2024-07-10 06:37 pm (UTC)(link)
Mmmmmm...! In a way, yes.

(for little things, dazai would not bother, unless it's a life or death situation. big things, such as the organs thing? sure, most likely, but the truth is that he has no other choice but to be around gogol. he has to keep an eye on him in general, regardless of what might come of it, there are too many factors that dance around gogol for dazai to simply leave him alone.

he might be the key to dealing with the end of the world, he might be a willing participant, he might not know a thing at all. to be decided, to be seen, to be confirmed.)


Luckily and horribly, this place brought both me and Chuuya. Makes it much easier to deal with these sorts of things, although it takes a chunk of my soul and throws it in the garbage, fufufufu!
laserguy: (high school cool guy)

[personal profile] laserguy 2024-07-11 08:28 pm (UTC)(link)
[He doesn't bother to ask what he means by 'in a way,' because more Dazai being Dazai. It really is so easy to get familiar with his antics once more, how vague and avoidant he can be when he wants to. Sometimes Scott wants to push and prod him, but if he's at least keeping some watch over Gogol, then that's already better than what was going on before. Because like hell Scott's going to try and find a crazy ass clown and watch him.

Things aren't back to normal, because they never will be, but they're still better right? He can still trust Dazai and so he's another person that he can go to... eventually. Probably. Once he fully sorts out his feelings. Well, he's been okay these past months without him, but it's not like he can fully deny the thought of talking him about some stuff. Maybe just little things, that's probably best, especially if Dazai ever decides that he has enough going on without Scott's shit.

Scott takes another deep breath, before releasing it as he regards the older man.]


You'll just have to rebuild that too. [Part of his soul or whatever.] By the way, one thing you should know about me, I have powers too.
Edited 2024-07-11 20:29 (UTC)