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

[thenicerone]

In response, Yukina just stared at him. She wasn't expecting anyone to take this seriously. In her mind, this was simply a fun little thing that humans do to get to know someone. She knew in her mind that people had to spend more time if they want to start dating.

"I know, I doubt that you'll date anyone here." She said before giving a small nod or two. "I know I'm not, I just want to get to know people."

With that, she gave a small smile before looking down at his hand. "To be honest, I'm not sure what dating is supposed to be like."

[machizumo]

Well, see? They're on the same page! Never mind whether they're in the same paragraph or not... Not that Kuwabara's one to register or dwell on any difference in understandings in most cases.

The energy's best used elsewhere, right? He gives her hands a little squeeze and shrugs. They've gone out on errands and stuff, or down to Urameshi's stand, but he'll concede that none of it's, like, date-y. Not specifically. And it can't really be no matter what if she doesn't register it, right? He semi-bashfully takes his hand back, crossing his arms and leaning on his elbows.

"I guess I don't have a lotta practical experience, but girls at my school always wanna go to cute cafes or window shopping or whatever. Y'know... You pick something you like and you go do it, talk and stuff."

Which makes this speed dated concept all the weirder.

[thenicerone]

Human were always strange to her but that's what made them all the more interesting. With a smile or two, she gave a giggle before squeezing his hand back. She wasn't sure if that was what she was supposed to do but it seemed rude to not offer it to him!

"Then perhaps we can talk about what you like to do? I'm afraid my lie is rather boring compared to yours!" At least, in her mind anyway. She had been spending most of her time in Genkai's place so there wasn't much to talk about in her opinion. Compared to Kuwabara, his life was much more interesting!

Looking downward, she gave a small sigh. "Especially when you get to learn so much in high school. It must be nice to learn more about the human world!"

[machizumo]

"Eh?" Kuwabara isn't sure he'd classify his life as much more than boring, either, especially these days, high school included. "I guess it seems more exciting from the outside. I feel like I just read and then have to prove I read."

Back and forth, over and over, even if it's not as bad as all that. There's stuff he likes alright and stuff that he can at least work out solid answers on so long as he remembers the methods. It doesn't feel too much like a breadth of experience towards the whole of the world, though.

"We could probably get something going for you, you know. If you wanted. Classes or... Shizuru could probably find you something at her job. And my buddy Okubo works at a restaurant."

But, then again, what good's any of this right now? He sucks his teeth and sighs dramatically himself. "Well, all that's-- We're stuck here, so it's useless, huh?"

[thenicerone]

"But isn't that a good thing? To know others that you are smart and that you can get a good job in the human world?" That was how it was supposed to go, right? Humans had to go to school, do some tests to show that they know what they're supposed to be learning, and then get a job in order to have a good life. It was unlike what Yukina had heard growing up. To her, it seemed like a might better life compared to all that fighting.

And yet, she had to take a pause or two. Indeed, it seemed rather fruitless when they were stuck here and not doing much. Regardless, she leaned back against her seat as she pondered to herself.

"I don't want to think it is. Even if this isn't real or not, I like to think that it's still worth thinking about." Regardless if they don't remember, she didn't want all of this to go to waste. "...But I think maybe that I'm being optimistic..."

[machizumo]

"Well, there's nothing wrong with optimism, right?"

Not usually, at least. And Yukina probably is one of the most optimistic people he knows, particularly considering the completely reasonable grounds she has to be exactly the opposite. She's seen despicable right up close, but she's still kind and encouraging and curious.

"Anyway, you're right. If you decide what you wanna do, we'll just have to remember to take care of it when we get home. Anything you want, I'll try to take care of it, hm?"

Classes or jobs or whatever!

"I can write it down. Maybe that'll help."

[thenicerone]

"Oh, that would be a wonderful idea!"

Even if they forget all of this, at the very least, they could know what they wanted to do! Pondering to herself, there were so many things she wanted to try. Eventually, she gave a smile.

"I would love to take a class on the human body! It'll let me find a way to heal humans too! Isn't that what doctors do anyway?"

Or would that be too obvious given her abilities? Taking another moment to think about it, she should probably go for some more risky.

"Or maybe bungie jumping? Humans like to do that too right?"

[machizumo]

Anatomy and bungee jumping are two wildly different things. So much so that it catches him off-guard as he's gearing up to start in on biology and anatomy classes being a thing, not exclusive to medical students or whatever

"I guess some people do," he says after a pause. Nobody would do it if they didn't like it, right? He's just not sure he's ever considered it. Or if he ever would.

"I didn't know you were the thrill-seeking type. Going straight to bungee jumping's a pretty big leap!"

........Get it?

[thenicerone]

It was a good thing that Yukina found that pun rather funny. For a moment, she giggled before nodding to herself.

"I'm not! I thought that going to class to learn about the human body was a little boring. That's why I said it since I thought humans would like that kind of activity."

After all, it does sound like something Shizuru would say. To take a leap of faith and have some balls, right? She wasn't quite sure what that means but it might have something to do with having some courage!

"To be honest, I'm not sure if I'm that adventurous. Maybe Hiei or Yusuke might do it."

[machizumo]

"Yeah, well, you're probably right," he responds, though he's half-sure you'd have to trade Hiei something to see him do it, not out of fear but out of probable inability to see the point. Though they'd both do it under the threat of 'bet-you-can't,' and, hell, he might fall for the same trick.

"We can start you out smaller. We can do a theme park over summer break or something, get you on a roller coaster. That's not a total freefall, at least."

[thenicerone]

"Or perhaps even one of those baseball tournaments too! I heard that they are very popular in Japan!" Especially when she has seen so many people cheer for him over the television too. Thinking about it, she still wasn't too sure why it was all the rage. In her mind, it was simply hitting a ball and being able to catch it. But then again, who was she to judge?

"Although, I'm happy with a lot of things. I just want to be able to see what kind of things humans do."

[machizumo]

Baseball's a pretty easy wish to fulfill, too! Finding and affording a local league game can't be too hard, and there's always school team games. Stuff like that. Hell, an intro to stuff probably isn't impossible while they're still here and it might give folks something else to use their time on. If they need it.

The rest... Of course she's not a fussy person! Just genuinely curious. Beyond his deeper affections for Yukina, it seems a genuinely worthy pursuit to help her see and do as many things she wants to see and do as possible. There's something really warming about someone excited about normal stuff; maybe it makes all that stuff feel more vibrant.

"Well, hey, I'm at your disposal for the next however long, right? We'll do everything we can!"

[thenicerone]

Was it just her imagination or was he a little more enthusiastic than usual? Was baseball really enough to make him that excited? Demons usually were happy to see fighting. Perhaps it is the same with humans and sports. Of course, there were a lot of things she still wanted to know about him. She only got a chance to know him just recently...

"If only we had some paper and a pen to write all of this down! I don't think I'll be able to remember all of this!"

She said with a giggle or two.

"First we need to go find a baseball tournament, then some classes on the human body! What else would you think we should do?"

[machizumo]

What else should they do? Kuwabara's not very picky; he just finds the thought of filling up days with new discoveries for Yukina pretty incredible. He might be a little pink in the face, reaching up to scratch idly at his cheek while he thinks.

"Easy things first, huh? I haven't thought much past finishing school, but there's still a ton we can do in that time. There's a bunch of ordinary stuff you haven't gotten to do, right?

"Cherry blossom viewing?"

[thenicerone]

A human's life was always so short. From her limited experience, she knew that most of them were lucky if they could live up to 100. Although, as much as she wanted to go and explore as much as she could with Kuwabara, she knew her options were limited here. Thinking to herself, she gave a small hum to herself.

"Oh, that would be wonderful! It would be better if there are some here?"

And on that note?

"Do you think we can plant some here if there isn't?"