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.

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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

[blackwaterchild]

Huh. [She makes a noise of understanding, watching him look at the ring. It's got a...bad feeling. All of this has a bad feeling, honestly, and it's the strongest reminder she's had of the cursed mountain she'd been wandering around on shortly before her arrival here. It's kinda comforting in a way that it really shouldn't be.

She examines him for a moment, the faux-pleasant cheerfulness fading into something more thoughtful, more real.] You should get it cleansed.

[copy]

Cleansed?

[ He echoes in confusion and for a brief moment he hastily examines his ring closer, silently fretting he might not have cleaned it well enough after the last battle and there might still be visible blood on it somewhere. There's not though. 'Cleansed' is also a very particular word choice and coupled with the way she'd been glancing around in search of something before, realization is quick to follow.

His surprised gaze snaps back to her, eyes wide and curious now. ]

Could it be... you can sense cursed energy?

[blackwaterchild]

[She shifts her weight, one leg to another, a slightly sullen look on her face]

I think it'd be impossible to miss that. [She nods towards his ring, or maybe just him, in general.] But yeah.

[She sighs deeply, a sort of worn thing of one too used to being questioned or made fun of for such a thing.] I always have, don't be weirded out about it. Yes, I can see ghosts, yes I can speak to them, no I'm not insane.

[copy]

[ The sullenness is kind of a relief after the faux cheery sweetness. It's honest and thus easier for him to understand and navigate. Yuta has the decency to look apologetic about his hard-to-miss presence before her next remark catches him off guard a little, surprise paving the way for the quiet sympathetic understanding that follows swiftly on its heels. ]

I don't think it's weird or that you're insane for it.

[ He may not have grown up being able to see cursed spirits like most Jujutsu sorcerers, but it's all too easy to imagine what it must be like. (Especially with all the bullying he endured, albeit for different reasons.) His heart goes out to her with all the difficulty that the weary sigh and words suggests she must have gone through. It only feels right to explain. ]

It's not the ring, it's me. Sorry, I can't control it very well.

[ Utilize it in incredible ways in battle? Yes, with all the finesse of a true blessed prodigy. Suppress it to conceal his presence? Absolutely not, it's a hopeless cause no matter how much teachers might get on his case about it. ]

[blackwaterchild]

[She glances at him, dubious. People here could do even crazier and weirder things, though, so truly who was she to doubt that he wasn't just being nice about it?

She glances from the ring to him again--or more, his body, outlining him with her eyes, trying to figure out where the energy began or ended. There's too much of it to definitively tell, however, so she just makes a noise of understanding and glances away again. It's taking all of her control to not accidentally violate his mind in search of his most traumatic memories and to ignore any of his emotions, so like, she gets it.]

I don't mind it. It feels familiar. [she shrugs] It got worse once I was near you. I thought it was reacting to my abilities or-- [who i am] Something. Doesn't it get annoying?

[copy]

[ If he minds her scrutinizing, Yuta does not show it. If anything, he's somewhat used to it, especially coming from those who can perceive his cursed energy, and so he endures it with grace. Although he's too polite to pry, he can't help being curious about her circumstances and her abilities. Especially when she says that oppressive cursed energy like his own feels familiar. No matter how one spins that statement, that's... probably not good, is it? But if she says she doesn't mind, who is he to complain. ]

I'm afraid it's just like that.

[ His cursed energy just leaking out all over the place on its own, he means. ]

It can make things difficult, but it's been like this for so long that I got used to it.

[ It doesn't register as annoying or even frustrating anymore. That his presence unsettles those sensitive enough and can't be hidden is just a fact he's learned to live with since he was ten. In some ways, it can even be useful.

Before Yuta can think to say more, he catches movement from the corner of his eye and his instinctive glance over has him catching the attendant staring hard in their direction, probably because they haven't budged yet. Caught, he quickly looks back and offers his hand again. ]

Ah, shall we? Before she starts chasing us...

[blackwaterchild]

It's fine. [She doesn't like holding hands like this, a bit concerned her abilities might go out of control, but it doesn't look like they have much of a choice. Reluctantly she takes his hand again, eyeing the space around him as if expecting his energy to flare up and attack her.]

Sure, sure. [She shoves her free hand in the pocket of her jacket, eyeing the entranceway as they walk into the tunnel. Once past the entrance, and finding that everything has gotten a bit....realistic, Miu pauses to examine the...cave walls?? She reaches out to poke it with her free hand, recoiling a bit at the feel of it.] Either they went way too far with the decorations, or something weird happened. [It should not have felt that realistic.

And since they're out of view of any nosey attendants, Miu lets go of his hand.

Or...tries to. She turns her head quickly to look at their locked hands, going so far as to give it a little shake with the growing horror that she can't actually let go] I think we're stuck.

[copy]

[ Other than his cursed energy becoming a bit more palpable by the virtue of proximity and being in direct contact with the source, nothing really happens; the flow of it remains calm and steady in its enormity, oppressive but not hostile. He grips her hand back lightly — a careful hold mindful of her comfort — and chances a glance back at the attendant, smiling wryly at the thumbs-up he receives. Nothing for it but to continue then.

At least entering the tunnel distracts from the awkwardness of being forced to hold hands like this, the unusual surroundings catching and holding his attention as he looks around. The rocks sure appear... real and Yuta is caught in the uncertainty of not knowing whether to be impressed at all the effort that was put into this or suspicious because the logistics of that are not quite adding up in his head. He doesn't know enough about the entire place to be able to say either way.

So hearing his doubt voiced aloud makes him feel a touch better about being dubious. ]

It does look a little too realistic, doesn't it?

[ He's tempted to poke the walls himself, is in the middle of contemplating it and about to do it when his companion shakes their hands and speaks. Abruptly his gaze snaps back to her, eyes darting from her face down to where she's looking. ]

Huh? [ The dumbfounded noise leaves him as he tries and resoundingly fails to release her hand, his fingers don't budge, his palm doesn't lift. Their hands are stuck together and in the wake of that realization follows flustered incredulity. ] H-How is that possible!?