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

[demonicbookworm]

[Ruca doesn't really mind. He understands that pleasantries are not everyone's thing.]

Miss Ange... [He smiles.] One of my good friends shares name with you. Sadly, she's not here.

[Or maybe it's for the best? Ruca misses his friends already, but he doubts any of them would want to be here.

His eyes widen a little when he hears that Ange has been here for so long.]

I-I see... You must be very knowledgeable about this place.

[His brows furrow ever so slightly. Was Ange okay whole this time? Is she missing her own home? He's not going to ask any of these questions, since they've only met, but concern still shows on his face.

He's also not sure what he would do if he had to stay here for that long.]

[entreats]

Yeah, I know a lot. So if you have any reasonable questions, I don't mind answering them.

[ Emphasis on reasonable, given that she's heard so many dumb questions at this point that she's kind of tired of them.. But so far Ruca doesn't seem like some of the more ridiculous people in this place, so she's willing to give him a shot.

Just a small shot.

But though she could stay silent and wait for his questions, something bothers her. It's in the way he looks at her. It almost looks a little.. sad? Ange isn't sure why or how, but then she guesses-- ]

Are you worried about your friend or something? [ Clearly that has to be it.

Especially since Ange can hardly imagine anyone worrying about her, about this Ange, especially a stranger. ] That other Ange?

[demonicbookworm]

[Reasonable... But what can be considered a reasonable question? Ruca falls silent for a moment, before very shyly asking:]

...What exactly is supposed to happen to us here? I mean... We are told we committed a "crime", but have anyone, um... atoned for it?

[He's really not sure what to think of those crimes, especially when he knows he's done worse things in his life than run away from home.

As for the other part... Ruca looks surprised, then shakes his head.]

No. I know my friends will be fine no matter where they end up. Ange is actually a really resourceful priestess! [He smiles, but it lasts only for a moment, before he shyly looks at the girl in front of him.]

I... was wondering how you're holding up here. You've been here for a pretty long time.

[entreats]

[ Wait.

Hold on.

That question is definitely reasonable, and she doesn't mind answering it-- but there's no way Ange can focus on it when Ruca then moves on to say that. Ange's poker face fades a little bit, instead replaced with something more openly surprised.

It's hard to not let surprise show when it comes to this, after all. No matter in how many other situations she's capable of hiding it. ]

Wait, are you saying you're worried about me?

[ Ange is definitely sounding like she thinks that sort of thing is impossible. It's surprise, mixed with confusion, mixed with disbelief. ]

[demonicbookworm]

[Ruca didn't see this kind of reaction coming, especially from someone who seemed so calm before. He gives the girl a nervous look, hands held close to his chest making him appear almost like a puppy that has done something wrong and is now cowering.]

Huh? Um... yes. T-that's correct.

[What is happening. Is he overstepping boundaries? They just met, but it's okay to worry about someone you just met, right??

Somebody help him, he really is bad at this!]

[entreats]

[ Oh no, why is he giving her the kicked puppy look now? D-Doesn't he know how weak she is to the kicked puppy look?!

It makes it extra hard to know how to react here. It's not like she wants to make him feel worse, but.. on the other hand, she also still definitely does not know how to deal with him showing concern so obviously.. Combined with the current look on his face makes poor Ruca seem just so innocent.. ]

.. You need to let me know where you're staying here in town.

[ Ange definitely still seems flustered, but she's trying to turn it into a more put together sort of flustered now, rather than anything too over the top..

It's hard, but she's managing to make herself seem a little less shocked, even though there's a blush lingering on her cheeks now. ]

You need someone to look after you, or bad stuff will happen to you for sure in this place. [ Because he's too nice! This place can be rough enough when you aren't too nice for daily life situations already, let alone how gullible Ruca must be if he's this nice.. ]

[demonicbookworm]

[In turn, now Ruca is very much surprised about the concern. It's touching and only proves to him that Ange has a good heart, despite the way she acted before.]

Ah, thank you. I'll let you know.

[The surprise on his face finally melts away, replaced with a gentle smile.]

You're very kind, Miss Ange. But I'll be fine, I promise. And if you ever need any help, please let me know.

[He isn't exactly lying - he's faced many dangers in his life, but at the same time he's rarely been alone like this before. He wants to believe he'll be fine, especially since he wants to be relied on instead of constantly hoping for someone's aid.]

[entreats]

I'm not that kind. [ It's not any kind of intense denial or anything, but apparently Ange does think it's important enough to shoot down that thought before it can fully take hold inside of Ruca's mind.. ] Don't make your standards that low.

[ .. says the girl who was completely gobsmacked by him showing even the faintest bit of concern about her.

Pot, kettle. Not that Ange is going to admit to it. ]

But as long as you'll let me know-- that's good. It's not always all sunshine and Chocobo races in this place. [ In fact, she thinks it more often isn't like that at all. ]

[demonicbookworm]

[In Ruca's case: the moment you show him kindness once, you're a good person in his books.]

It's true though.

[He really means it and he doesn't think his standards are low (they are).]

I would imagine considering the reason we were brought here... [He still doesn't understand why would anyone bring them here to "sentence" them for their crimes. And his crime was pretty... mild comparing to some other things he's done in his life.]

Is there anything I should watch out for here?

[entreats]

[ She shakes her head - but it doesn't mean 'no' in regards to his question. It's just Ange's general disapproval of this whole place. ]

Pretty much everything.

[ See? Total disapproval. ]

The monsters are the most basic danger. I mean, they usually don't get into town, and the moment you go out of town it's pretty easy to spot them from a distance and tell they're dangerous. The much more insidious thing is how this place tries to get into your head. It messes with you. With your memories, with your abilities-- everything. And it's practically impossible to stop it, since we're just at their mercy at all times. [ Not like they can do anything about some entity or force they know hardly anything about. That's the annoying part.

This would be way easier if she at least knew which entity to harass. It'd at least give her some stress relief. ]

[demonicbookworm]

I can deal with monsters. Back home, there are monsters running outside the cities, too.

[His face falls at the other part.]

But... if someone messed with my memories I'm not sure what I would do.

[He sighs, suddenly feeling very powerless. If his crime said something like "murder" or "throwing the world into discord" he would at least understand that he's being judged for something unforgivable and he should expect nothing but harsh treatment.

But it's not the case here.]

I'll be very careful. Though, I'm not sure if it'll help. [He looks to Ange with worried eyes again.]

[entreats]

[ Oh no.. Don't give her that kicked puppy look, she doesn't know how to deal with it.. Especially since it's not like Ange can really promise to make sure it doesn't happen. She knows that she's powerless in the face of what this place can do - as they all are.

It does make her bite her lower lip for a moment, thinking, and then she says-- ]

Well, if you ever seem weird, I'll tell you.

[ It doesn't prevent anything, but it at least means he won't walk around with the effects and never even realize something is wrong with him.

That's something, at least. ]

That's pretty much all people can do here. [ Ange suddenly looks more reluctant, weirdly seeming like she has to force out the words as she says: ] You know.. Looking out for each other. That sort of thing.

[ It's way too sappy of a thing for her to say, but she's forcing it out in the face of those puppy eyes..!! ]