expiationlogs | TEST DRIVE MEME #12

TEST DRIVE MEME #12

Test Drive Meme #12

Welcome to Expiation, a pan-fandom adventure game with elements of fantasy, science fiction, and some subtle horror.

THE STORY SO FAR (click to expand!)

-Characters have arrived in Expiation, a seemingly idyllic fantasy world where they have been told they will be judged and sentenced for crimes they were charged with upon arrival.

-Every two months, several characters are chosen for sentencing, where they’re brought to the Courthouse (formerly City Hall) and told to perform a task related to their assigned crime. Their only contact at the Courthouse is a mysterious and long-suffering man called Jerry.

-Over time, characters have begun to realize that not all is as it seems in Expiation: as it turns out, the entire world is a simulation that seems to be run by an artificial intelligence. This AI claims that its purpose, and thus the purpose of Expiation, is rehabilitating the Chosen after their crimes.

-In September 2024, that AI needed to be reset as a consequence of some catastrophic systems failures. So far, there has been no downside to this reset–but the AI has also been strangely absent since then.

-In November 2024, a strange event overtook Aldrip and turned it into a week-long eternal night where technology ceased to work. During this time, the simulation that generates Expiation seemed to malfunction, causing a strange crack to appear in the surroundings. Through this crack, characters were able to see some sort of metal enclosure. They could reach a hand in, but little more than that. This crack has disappeared, for now, but what it means for Aldrip's future remains to be seen.

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.

The missile toads can be found throughout the rest of the month of December, and there will be one prompt that is during the Solstice.

You can view our CALENDAR to keep important dates in mind. RESERVES open on December 21 and APPLICATIONS will open on December 24. After this, applications will next open in February 2024.

**REMINDER ON NEW CANONS AND CANON UPDATING**

A note about spoilers. There are a lot of canons coming out right now that players are inevitably interested. This is good! However, we’d like to remind you that we have an app wait time of two months for new canons and one month for new material, ie canon updates.

In addition to the wait times, we request that any players (and potential players!) be sensitive about spoilers. Warning for spoilers is encouraged; you can even put spoiler content behind a details tag or block it out in text. Additionally, please do not use spoiler icons in top-levels or top comments, and ask before including spoiler content (including icons) when tagging out. Thank you!

For those who may not know how to do a details tag, we'll give you a handy-dandy code!

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Arrival

You wake.

Or…you think you do.

The first thing you notice is…well, darkness, even when your eyes are open. Reaching out, you realize that you’re in a very narrowly enclosed space. You feel as if you’re probably standing up. Beyond that…well, it’s impossible to tell…

It’s a strange awakening that greets new Chosen this month: they arrived encased in coffins. Most of these, they’ll be able to open themselves. It’s possible that some of them may get a little stuck, though, meaning they’ll need some help from the outside. These coffins begin to appear in the sidewalks and open spaces of Aldrip overnight, appearing at random, and they’re all standing upright. Huh, it’s almost like they’re a specific reference or something. For an added festive touch, they’re adorned with seasonal bows and may even have wrapping paper prints on them.

Welcome to Aldrip?

JUST HEAR THOSE DRY BONES JINGLING [missile toads]

The holiday season has come to Aldrip, bringing with it all manner of festive cheer! Buildings are adorned with decorations and festive depictions. Skeletal Santa and his eight zombie reindeer, Frosty the Lavaman, Rudolph with menacing red eyes, glowing with a strangely haunting light… What, isn’t that just the normal holiday fare? Don’t your yuletide decorations spontaneously burst into flames, or grow terrifyingly sharp teeth?

Doesn’t your mistletoe come with amphibians?

That’s right: they’re back. Mistletoe has appeared throughout the city, and with it comes a seasonal infestation of missile toads. These nefarious creatures will do anything they can to get Chosen stuck under their namesake foliage, even shooting sticky substances at their feet to trap them! This substance only seems to disappear when the missile toads’ demands are met. They’ll pelt you with a little scrap of paper to tell you what those demands are, one of the following three:

”Now kiss!” Need we say more? The type of kiss required is up to you. Pucker up!
”Now fight!” Feisty little fellas, aren’t they? These toads want a show, and they won’t be satisfied until someone walks away sporting bruises.
”Now talk!” Maybe the physical stuff is too easy. This toady audience wants to hear secrets–the juicier the better! Whether one participant or both needs to confess something is up to you, as is the severity of the secret.

These creatures plague Aldrip through the end of December, but given the questions we’ve gotten about how to use them (you know who you are), this might not be the last we’ve seen of them…

[img courtesy of titsay @ twitter]

The Winter Solstice

Aldrip’s traditional Solstice feast is set to happen just after the longest night of the year, and what a feast it’s shaping up to be! Even before the Solstice itself, the town is decked out with twinkling lights and snowy decorations. In the daytime, there will be snowy fun and games: snowball fights, ice sculpting, snow fortress building, and wintery sports like ice skating. Even the locals seem to be put in a better mood!

However, Aldrip’s tradition comes with an attached superstition. The locals say that all must be indoors the night of the Solstice itself, beginning at sundown on December 21st. Tricks and misfortune await anyone outside when the dark and the cold sets in, so they say!

But then again, nothing really happened last year, so it should be fine. Right?

Well…

Any Chosen who wish to test their luck will find misfortune awaiting them in the form of snowmen patrolling the streets. These snowmen are on the lookout for any creatures out of bed, and beware–if they see you, you’ll be pelted with snowballs until you’re out of sight. Can they be snuck past? Sure, probably. They’re just snowmen, after all. You’d be right to try sneaking, too: anyone hit by one of their snowballs will find their body slowly turning to ice. Brr! Oh, and, because we’re sure someone is going to ask: the snowmen can be melted, destroyed, fought, or otherwise messed with. They melt down just to ordinary water.

Anyway, the icy affliction can only be melted by a show of affection (platonic, friendly, romantic, etc), either by the affected Chosen or toward them. It can be as simple as a funny joke or sweet story, or as complicated as you wish, but it must be genuine. The longer the afflicted Chosen goes without, the more their body turns to ice–eventually, they may become one of the ice sculptures on display around town! They can still be turned back if it comes to this point, but obviously they’ll be at the mercy of someone else’s gesture of affection, as they will be unable to move. Oh, and they’ll probably need some time to warm up.

The snowmen disappear at first light after the Solstice, and the feast begins as soon as people are able to leave their homes once more. All will be able to enjoy the festivities in peace at this point…well, except for the missile toads. They’ll still be around for the rest of the month.

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)!

♡

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[A2 keeps her gaze stubbornly turned away, her hard stare pointed at a nearby wall. His remark, given without presumptuousness, makes her sigh in one short, tight breath. It's clear she doesn't want to have a discussion surrounding her obvious damage.

... Eventually, though, her shoulders slump. Some of the ramrod tightness of her posture relaxes. She closes in on herself in subtle ways, keeping her eyes focused on anything but Ekko. Her fingers tap in a tuneless pattern against the arm of the couch.

In a human, it would suggest discomfort.

She answers anyway.]

I know.

[It sounds resigned.]

A2.

[When his offered hand is met with nothing but motionless silence as A2 looks off wearily in the distance, Ekko slowly pulls it back with a somber expression. It seemed as though despite his insistence to aid her in this endeavor she was left indifferent, negligent of the fact that she would find herself in trouble down the line if her damaged exterior was not properly repaired.

Shaking his head a bit to himself frustratedly the boy sighs before standing back on his feet to move in front of her, forcing the others gaze as he tries to make her see to reason.]

So are you willing to let me help you if I am able, A2? It might take some further explanation on your part to figure out what material I could use to rectify the damage but I am willing to assist in the process.

[A worried frown creeping over his lips.]

I'd rather not see you or anyone else suffer needlessly. I've witnessed enough unnecessary pain to last a lifetime.

[This insistence on lending her aid despite her refusal confuses and embarrasses her, which in A2, is quick to shift to anger. The silver-blue of her eyes goes steely and she barks out, harried and frustrated:]

I just need to work, alright? Do what you need to do - I don't give a shit!

[Her outburst seems to startle even her. She looks away again, holding her limp arm close to her. Her head drops.]

Look - I... I can't move like this. I need to be able to move.

[Ekko cannot help but take a small step back when his counterpart raises her voice in protest with a bewildered look stricken over his face. He never expected someone to so readily dismiss aid when faced with adversity so this was certainly a first. Surely she had her own reasons and wouldn't press her any further, subtly nodding with a solemn sigh before sitting on the couch next to her.]

Alright; I won't pester you about it any further if that is how you truly feel, A2. Don't say I didn't warn you though if the worst should happen.

[Pulling his jacket from off his arms Ekko thrusts it forward to offer it up to the android to hopefully rectify the cold which inhibits her movements.]

Here take this maybe it will help to stop you from shivering.

[Immediately, she feels equal parts embarrassed and guilty. She stiffens at Ekko's offer of his jacket, then, as if afraid he might change his mind, scrambles to grab at it, wrapping it around her trembling shoulders. The ice spreads regardless, by now coating her right shoulder down to her fingertips in a fine and glittering sheet of blue ice. It moves in a slow wave down the right side of her body, and the cold follows. A2 doesn't need to breathe, but breathes in panicked, short bursts of air anyway. Her shivering grows more violent, and she curls in on herself in an attempt to quell it.

She isn't supposed to be cold, so why —]

Alert: Unit A2's core temperature dangerously low. Maintenance mode is recommended before risk of permanent damage.

No-!

[A2's voice is weak, choked. Desperate.

Eventually, her shoulders slump.]

I...

I don't need help with my skin. But I-I need help to get get moving again. So, if you could...

[Instantaneously Ekko's pensive expression changes to one of genuine concern again as her accomplice mentions the threat of her impending doom, visibly gritting his teeth scrambling to figure out what else he could possibly do at this point. A2 had outright rejected his offer to assist in her repairs but now the desperate pleas for aid countered the initial rejection leading him to believe she understood the severity of the situation at large.]

Tell me what you need, A2! Name it and I'll do whatever I possibly can, alright!? Just hold in there and try to remain calm.

[He didn't want to over step his boundaries again but was eager to help the other given the serious circumstances. If A2 wouldn't lower her guard soon and submit herself to assistance this was soon to be beyond his control.]

I don't know! [A2's shout in response is tinged with panic.] I don't... this has never happened before-! D-don't you know tech stuff, or something? Just - run some kind of maintenance...!

Observation: [By contrast, Pod's tone is as cool and detached as always.] Physical contact temporarily reduced onset and severity of Unit A2's symptoms. Proposal: hug.

A-are you serious...

[Even dying of cold, A2's tone is baleful.] This isn't funny-

This Pod's responses are truthful, and gleaned through observation and monitoring of Unit A2's vitals.

[A2 makes an incoherent, strangled noise, of either rage, embarrassment, or both.]

[When Pod pipes up to explain the anomaly of the situation and how it can be solved with a simple display of physical contact that seemed easy enough. Unfortunately Ekko didn't expect A2 to comply with this so easily given her guarded disposition but if that is what it ultimately took to rectify this serious problem then he would of course be happy to abide.]

If Pod's assessment is correct it would be easy enough to fix this complication but...That all depends if you will warrant such contact, A2.

[Shifting a bit closer as he bites the inside of his lip a bit nervously, Ekko extends his arms out wide with a shy smile.]

So...What do you say?

[This is so embarrassing. Being defeated in combat and near shutdown because of a magical fucking snowman is a new low in an existence that was primarily comprised of lows. But she can't continue on like this either. For some reason, someone had decided she deserved to be here, and so...

Glumly, she nods.] Yeah. It's fine, just — don't make a big deal out of it.

[It wasn't so much embarrassing on Ekko's end as awkward given they had only just become acquainted and normally adverse to such physical contact with strangers. But if this was the only way her small companion could think of to reverse the effects of the frigid cold enrapturing her body before turning completely into a icicle then so be it. Known for his charismatic heroism the boy savior would do anything within his power to make sure that didn't become a reality. With hesitant burst of laughter under his breathe followed in short by a curt nod, Ekko looks towards A2's face smiling sheepishly.]

Speak for yourself, A2. I'm not the one shying away from a life saving hug.

[Playfully teasing his counterpart a bit before slowly moving in to close the gap between them as the Zaunite wraps his arms about A2's midriff. Gently holding the chilled to the bone or in her particular case metallic frame's core, Ekko sighs solemnly hoping this goes according to plan or else they were sorely running out of options.]

[In the interest of maintaining harmony, A2 keeps her no doubt rude comment to an indecipherable mutter under her breath. Her response to the hug is perhaps not surprising: she tenses up at the embrace, all of her going rigid. A little flinch along her shoulders follows this, as if bracing for pain.

Then gradually, she relaxes. Her head dips. Her arms raise as if to return the hug, before she seems to remember herself and pulls back.

When was the last time —

When was the last time someone had touched her without the intention of causing her pain?

She hadn't even been able to hug Anemone. Hadn't known what to do, only told her what she'd had to do to 2B and hadn't known to do with the grief she'd seen flash in her eyes. But it occurs to her now that she should have. She hadn't thought to ask. Only had gone off to die again.

She jerks away from Ekko suddenly, turning away from him quickly. Her back is bowed and trembling, her skin pulled taut along the ridges of her spine. Slowly-

Slowly... she relaxes. She goes very still before straightening up again.]

Thanks. It's fine now.

[Her voice is flat, but then she adds, almost guiltily:] My arm works now. The feeling's coming back in my right leg. Pod can handle the rest.

[The severity of A2's apprehension to such a simple act of kindness was not surprising given her rather cold disposition he's quickly come to realize, Ekko paying no mind to the lack of the returned embrace. It was enough knowing she did not outright protest to the gentle union shared between them shoving him off with a sharp disdain. Despite the uneasy tension filling the air between them as they stave off the effects of the icy affliction with the girl sitting motionlessly he can tell she was not completely adverse to the warming touch.

After the initial trepidation passes A2 seemingly even relaxes until finally pulling away to turn herself away from him in a show of unorthodox shyness of sorts he certainly didn't expect from the likes of her. A cock of his brow curiously is given watching as she silently basks in the return of her maneuverability before regarding him once again. Noting the revelation of her unrestrictive movements, Ekko smiles cordially with a nod of his head in response.]

Glad to hear it.

[Looking towards her floating companion a coy smirk grows wider over his features as he playfully teases his newfound counterpart.]

Make sure she sees to having those repairs done sometime in the near future before it causes a real hindrance no mere hug can remedy. Alright, Pod?

Mm.

[Is A2's noncommittal response. She stands slowly, testing her range of movement, and reaches for her blade, seeming to relax when it neatly clicks its way back into the glowing lock floating behind her. With the immediate threat of her possible shutdown being averted, she seems calmer again. More in control — putting her walls back up again.

Pod bobs beside her as always, and responds to Ekko.] Affirmative. This Pod will continue to encourage Unit A2 to engage in regular maintenance, and to seek repair opportunities.

[With her back still turned, A2 sighs in resignation, knowing she's in for a load of nagging in the future. Notably, she doesn't protest though, or snap at it.] I'm going to take another look at the area to see if it's clear.

Guess I'll see you around.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

TEST DRIVE MEME #12

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I was absorbed with the chaotic raid in FFXIV this weekend but I am out of the mines now

haha it's all good! no rush

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