TEST DRIVE MEME #13

[expiationmods]

Test Drive Meme #13

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. Current players may use TDM threads as part of their AC proofs. Applications for February are closed to current players only, as we're at player cap. But we are still allowing for new players to hop on the TDM!

You can view our CALENDAR to keep important dates in mind. RESERVES open for current players on February 18th and APPLICATIONS will open on February 21st.. After this, applications will next open in April.

Full Navigation

THERE’S SOMETHING IN THE AIR TONIGHT

Aldrip's Day of Devotion celebration has become tradition among the locals. This year, to celebrate the occasion, the events center will open its doors to both locals and chosen for a special party. Strangely, not a lot of the locals seem to be attending...well, at least it's not crowded. The party takes place in-game on February 17.

The party is a little lackluster, if we're being honest. Corny cut-paper decorations, low-budget food, sappy music. The staff seem to be dedicated to making this event a roaring success, though! They'll be obsessively pairing up any single folks they see, even if that just means grabbing the closest random stranger. Altogether, the event coordinators are doing their very best to make sure every Chosen in attendance gets in on the fun, even going so far as to pull people off the street if they look like they might be trying not to attend! They’ll try to insist on characters playing their games, but they’re only human, after all–they might miss a few people.

Within the events center, Chosen will find a bar with some specialty themed cocktails, as well as a dance floor and a lounge area. They’ll also find some games and activities. Some of these are normal: cards, dice, even charades. Some…well, some seem to be taking the theme of devotion rather seriously.

A (SPEED) DATE WITH DESTINY

You find yourself seated at a table. On the table is a five-minute timer and a list of increasingly personal questions. Seated across from you: another Chosen. Maybe you signed up willingly. Maybe the event coordinator shoved you over here. Maybe some well-meaning friend has bullied you into it. Whatever the case, here you are, on a series of speed dates that the event coordinators are hoping will end in amour!

(But we all know it’s not that easy.)

The idea is simple: you each read a question for the other to answer until the five-minute timer is up. Then, either you and your new beloved leave the table together, or you change tables for a different match. Simple! Thing is, sometimes the timers don’t really work the way they should; you may find yourself feeling like this five minutes is a very long five minutes. And the questions are sometimes romantic in nature (what quality do you look for in a partner?), but sometimes they get a little…conceptual. (is humankind inherently good or evil? as an example.) Some of these questions may also assume a level of familiarity that some Chosen don’t have. Better just to roll with it.

We’ve included some sample questions here, but please do feel free to come up with your own!

CLICK HERE FOR QUESTIONS

Romantic:
-What do you admire most about me?
-What’s the hardest thing about being in love?
-Would you ever be the first to confess your feelings?
-What's really working for you in this relationship?
-What's the best kiss you've ever had?
-What makes a kiss enjoyable?
-What color underwear do you want me to wear?
-Do you prefer sexy or smart?
-When did you know you were in love with me?
-Which part of my body do you find attractive?
-If your body was a plant, how many times a day would I have to water it?

Less…romantic:
-How do we know we're doing the right thing?
-Why do you think we're here?
-Do you have a right to be happy or should you earn it?
-What is a person? Is it the mind or body?
-Is it more important to love or be loved?
-If you died today, would you be satisfied with the life you've lived?
-How do you know you're not dreaming right now?
-Do you feel happier in summer or winter?
-What color do you feel like best describes yourself?
-If you could be an animal, what would you be?
-What is your most secret wish?
-Describe your perfect day.
-What is a “soul?”

SECRET DELIVERY

It’s not an errand, it’s a scavenger hunt! …or so it’s billed by the event staff. They promise they’re not pawning their work off on you. Each Chosen is given a small box–about the size of their tablets, actually–at the door, and they’re tasked with finding the person this small box belongs to. There’s one for every event attendee, but none of them have names on them. That would be too easy! Instead, the tags have simple directions: Give this box to someone with brown hair or give this box to someone who looks sad. The descriptions vary from box to box, and can even include activities (for example, give this box to someone who was dancing!). As per the rules, if someone already has a box, they’re not allowed to accept another.

So. What’s inside?

Opening the box, Chosen will find a small trinket nestled delicately within layers of tissue paper. It’s a pin, or a hair clip, or a pendant on a chain–something Chosen will be inclined to wear. Strangely, even though the box wasn’t addressed to them by name, each Chosen will notice that the subject of the trinket somehow speaks to their experience or their past. Perhaps a butterfly means something personal to them, or a dagger, or a dog. All are asked to put on these trinkets in the spirit of the event; the event coordinators won’t punish anyone who refuses, but they will offer to help put them on, and they’ll gush over how beautiful they look.

These trinkets have a strange effect, though: they compel the wearer to speak their true feelings. These feelings can be romantic in nature, but need not be; they simply feel compelled to tell the truth about how they feel on any particular subject.

SECRET TUNNEL! SECRET TUNNEL!

The banner over this tunnel, inexplicably located on what you really thought was an exterior wall of the building, reads “Tunnel of Love and Treasure.” Doesn’t that sound nice! But entering this tunnel isn’t without complication: as the attendant will tell you, everyone who enters must be paired with another person–and it’s that attendant’s job to do the pairing! You might get paired with someone you know, with a partner or a friend…or you may be paired with a total stranger. It’s subject to the whims of this attendant, who is enthusiastic but seemingly a little clueless about whatever bonds might currently exist between people.

The second rule: explorers must hold hands the entire time they’re in the tunnel! There’s no better way to grow the feelings between you than touch, as everyone knows. Once Chosen enter the tunnel, they’ll find they actually can’t let go–their hands are stuck fast. Welp. This is fine. Right?

The tunnel is strangely…realistic inside, looking like a cave rather than the inside of an event hall. How odd. There are all sorts of nooks and crannies in which a treasure might be hidden, but examining them leaves no trace of anything that might be considered a treasure. But not to worry! There’s a light at the end of the tunnel, eventually–in quite a literal sense. It opens into a large cavern, where another event attendant sits, strumming a small guitar. Go ahead, ask him where the treasure is. He’ll tell you, “the treasure was the bond you made along the way!” Or maybe he’ll sing it to you, if you’re lucky. (Unlucky?) And…well, that may sound like a crock, but you’ll find your hands unstuck and your way back out of the tunnel clear and easy.

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

[skelters]

[ you're right, it won't do anything ... his hair seems to be in a perpetual disarray as though he is always standing halfway in a wind. for now, neither of them acknowledging the scarf wrapped securely around his neck, vash cranes his head to peer down at mitsuru as she takes the box from him to check the description. ]

Haha ... of course I did! That's the first one you showed me to read, after all! I really like it too!!

[icequeenly]

[ She'd noticed the scarf of course - hard not to zone in on it when she'd spent far too long debating whether or not to actually give it to him. She might have even walked past it more than once in that particular store before finally deciding to purchase it for him. So yeah, she definitely spots it and makes a valiant effort to suppress all kinds of confusing feelings about the fact that he'd apparently opted to wear it almost right away. ]

I'm glad you liked it so much. [ The book, not the scarf. Although it isn't lost on her that she could be talking about either here, secretly.

Anyway, attention back on the gift box now that she's certain it was definitely meant for her, she lifts the small lid and peels back a few layers of tissue paper to find a fancy looking hair pin inside. The end of it is decorated with a very delicate looking snowflake charm. Almost like it's actually made of ice... That makes Mitsuru smile a little. ]

Not something I'd normally wear but I suppose the detail is quite appropriate... [ And just in the spirit of the event, as corny as it might be, she'll reach up to start carefully fastening it in her hair as she continues, ] Did, um, someone find your box yet?

[skelters]

[ oh, it's pretty!!!!

it's always amazing to him how people in this world could have the leisure of mind to make things purely for the decorative nature and not just only for functionality of it ... the abundance of all the different food aside, that's what strikes him the most. same with the gift he's received from her, of course. speaking of ... ]

Thank you again, by the way. [ not that he's particularly bothered by the turn of the weather, but the added warmth and softness is ... nice. yet another thing he's having to consciously get used to. ]

Um - I don't think so? Why, did you find one?

[ though he can't imagine just what kind of clue they'd decide to come up for someone like him ... ]

[icequeenly]

You're welcome - and no, not yet I'm afraid.

[ It is pretty!! And unknown to the person who is now wearing it in her long red hair, it is completely and utterly messing with her. The moment the pin is nestled in her locks she feels... odd, uncomfortable, as though she's dying to speak and if she doesn't the consequences will be dire. Which makes absolutely no sense, evident in her sudden pensive expression. ]

The scarf - it means something. That is, I gave it to you for a reason...

[ On that particular day. Even if she'd never planned to say a thing about it ever in a thousand years - not that she'd live that long but who knows, he might if his current age is anything to go by. It's a lonely thought, one that actually gives her a strange, uncomfortable constricting tightness in her chest. She simply can't let the thought go for some reason, can't stop herself saying what she's about to say. ]

I need to say something and I need you to just... be quiet for once. Don't say anything at all please, understood?

[ In fact, you know what, she's going to abruptly close the space between them and reach up to clamp one hand over his mouth and- ]

...I like you. As in, I like you. Please do not act like you don't understand what that means. I like you as more than a friend and in a moment I'm going to uncover your mouth, you aren't going to say anything at all and I'm going to walk away and try more of that dreadful drink they call punch for some reason.

dear lord

[skelters]

[ and of course, vash does the exact opposite of what is being asked all the while completely agreeing with her; he probably doesn't even think of it as interrupting at all, this is encouragement? judging from the consternated expression on her face, it must be something serious, right? if there's anything he could do to help, he'd be more than happy to!!!! ]

Yes? Of course I'll be quiet? Why, what's so importa--

[ honestly mitsuru? mood.

the flow of words cut off abruptly mid-word by a hand clamping over his mouth, vash freezes in place with a wide-eyed, deer in headlights look; even the usual gesturing with his hands stop too, hovering awkwardly in the air as he just ... listens. as he is told to. ]

... Uh.

[ that doesn't count as saying anything, technically? right? ]

The shortest thread in history

[icequeenly]

[ We’ll at least it’s nothing coherent. If he’d said anything else she might have died on the spot. More than she’s already dying already that is. She still has sense enough remaining to look completely mortified as she finally removes her hand from his mouth. ]

This is… so embarrassing…

I don’t need to go now, but I’m pretending that I do.

[ What on Earth is going on?! This hair pin is being hurled into the stratosphere if she ever figures it out, she probably will. Because she’s smart… just not when it comes to this it turns out.

Which is exactly why she’s going to make an incredibly speedy retreat and disappear amongst the other party guests. ]

tbc.....

[skelters]

[ basically this?????? ]