expiationlogs | TEST DRIVE MEME #13

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TEST DRIVE MEME #13

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)!

♡

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[And now he shrinks back! He realizes he should have quit while he was ahead...]

Huh? [He laughs nervously.]

Uh, no, I didn't say anything like that. Y-you must have misheard! I was saying that... I could pretend to be scared. Yeah, that's it!

[Except he's not pretending now!]

[ Granted, Ange doesn't like the idea of the entire hand holding thing here in the first place, but it seems like she's at least more or less been talked into this now the compromise has been struck of him pretending to be scared..

Which means that she starts looking like she's about to kill him - that sense of magic about her immediately fading away - and instead Ange looks more resigned as she grabs his hand to hold onto.

Matter settled, apparently. ]

Well, let's hurry in there. As soon as we can be done with this entire thing, the better. And there better be something worth all this in there!

[Yeah, very settled... Kurt himself starts to feel regrets, but still, he grips her hand while smiling awkwardly.]

Right. I sure hope it's something really cool!

[Especially if he has to deal with Ange's wrath.]

Let's go. We'll find that treasure in record time!

[With that, he walks with her through the entrance into the cave area!]

[ Into the cave they go!

.. erm, into.. the apparently very literal cave, that is. Ange gives their surroundings a suspicious glance in there, though she doesn't seem to try to pull her hand away from his now they're out of sight of any attendant. ]

Why is this place looking like an actual cave? Did they teleport us somewhere else? [ Unlike they just recreated a cave, but this seems a little too realistic for it to be that, Ange thinks. ]

[He does look around in wonder at their surroundings.]

I don't know, maybe they're just really good at interior decoration? But I guess in a place like this, your guess is as good as mine. It definitely feels more on the eerie side than anything romantic.

[At least that's the vibe they're trying to avoid. He shrugs as he looks ahead.]

At least a cave is a natural environment for a treasure. If we keep exploring, I'm sure we'll find it before we know it!

[ ...

She just.. stares at him. Off to the side. At least her stare is keeping Ange from speculating on the bad things that could potentially be in this Potential Actual Cave. ]

Are you saying treasure just grows in caves where you come from? Out of nowhere? Naturally? [ That's how you're making it sound, Kurt!! ]

[He laughs at that comment. At least she has jokes!]

No. That would be really cool, but that's taking my words way too literal. What I'm saying is that usually, especially in movies and tv, dark and mysterious caves like this are ripe spots for leaving some big treasure chest! But there's always a chance it's not part of the main cave. Keep your eyes peeled for anything that looks like it could be a switch or something connected to a hidden passage!

[ Okay. So at least it's not Kurt's world being really weird. Ange will accept people who can turn blue, but she's got to draw the line at treasures being some sort of naturally manifesting resource.

Not that it doesn't mean she doesn't still have something to say though. Ange always has something to say. ]

But you said that it's that way in movies. And on TV. [ She pauses, like she's waiting for him to catch up to what she's about to say himself.. ] You know all of that is fictional, right?

[ She isn't sure if anyone has ever told Kurt what a story is.. ]

[Wow he'd like to think being from some treasure world would be even cooler!

Kurt feels like he's really under attack today! He laughs off her question.]

Of course I know. But did you know that a lot of stories like that are based on real life? I'm pretty sure that lots of real treasures were found like this! You'll see. There's secrets here just waiting to be found! [Just none that he can spot just yet.]

...

[ There's a slight pause.

And then, because Ange definitely has that competitive Ushiromiya blood she can never fully shake off: ]

Do you want to make a bet?

[He laughs at that.]

Sure! What're we betting?

[They've never had a bet before, but that just makes this more interesting!]

We're betting on whether there's a treasure in here or not.

[ Considering how weird this place is.. Ange thinks it's a fair bet. There might as well be one in here. There might as well not be.

So it's not even like she's setting him up here. (For once!) ]

You call what the winner's prize is.

If you say so! Why don't we just make the treasure itself our wager? ...On right, because we're betting on whether or not it exists.

[He shrugs.]

Then how about the loser just gets to be the winner's servant for a week?

Oh. [ Ange is immediately making a face like she just smelled a fart or something. ] Absolutely not.

[ Is she at least willing to have a little bit of fun with him at this point? At least enough to make dumb bets. Sure. She can do that.

But the idea of this whole servant business-- Nope. Nuh-huh. That's too much. Even if she made him pick the terms, she'd like to veto this one, thanks! ]

That's so humiliating. And dumb. Neither of us is going to enjoy that, you know.

[He can't help but laugh at that instant veto.]

But they do it all the time on tv! And I'm sure that I'd enjoy it if I win. ...Until you start planning my death!

[That's one downside at least.]

I can't really think if anything interesting. I guess we could just bet money on it!

We could bet the content of the treasure then, I guess.

[ There usually is money in those, right. If Kurt's stories are to be believed.

Ange doesn't think they are to be believed. Not when it comes to some treasure in this place, anyway. It's why she can't help but add: ]

Though there probably is going to be something bad in there. Something much worse than money.

What's the worst it can be? [He says with a shrug and a hint of a laugh.] Bees?

[But it's a possibility that doesn't elude him. In fact, it seems quite likely in this place, as much as Kurt wants to go into swashbuckling dreams of treasure.]

Okay, how about this. We bet the treasure, but if it does turn out to be something bad, then the loser has to get the winner something they treasure. How's that sound? It's not humiliating like the whole servant thing, and it's more personal than just giving the winner money!

[ Don't you dare jinx it, Kurt! If there are bees in some dumb treasure chest they find, Ange is so going to blame you for that for the rest of their lives! He will never live down the bee remarks!! ]

Sure. [ At least she seems amendable to his terms, though. ] But does that mean we have to indicate to the other what we'd like to get? Because I'm not sure if I want you to guess what sort of present I'd like.

[Hey that would be none of his beeswax!]

Yeah, yeah, no guessing games. The winner can just name their treasure, simple as that. Does that sound good? I'm ready to focus on the hunt!

That sounds fine with me.

[ So, yes, the hunt can definitely be on..!

.. though the girl is realizing something. ]

But we can't get away from each other to look right now, right? The whole dumb mandatory holding hands thing and all. [ Trust her, she'd let go if she could! She would love to, actually! ]

Right, there's that. [He nods along, still conscious of holding onto her hands.]

I guess that means we'll just have to look together! I think we should check along the wall to our left first. I got a good feeling about it!

[ What does it mean when you have a good feeling about a wall, Kurt!! Does she want to know? Ange feels like she probably doesn't want to know.

It's likely why the girl doesn't speak up about it. Even though she'd like to point out this means that no one can actually win this..

But-- you know what, she'll just go along with this. It sounds like the scenario least likely to give her a headache. ]

Sure. [ It makes her answer relatively simple, moving right along with him over towards the wall he was talking about. ]

[It means his treaure hunting instincts are pointing him that way! ...At least, he hopes that's what that is, and not just a gut feeling.

He smiles as they approach the wall.]

It's easy. We just have to find a switch that opens a hidden path, and voila! The treasure should be there. ...Or a trap maybe, but I'm really hoping for the treasure!

[He sees one bit of jagged stone jutting out from the wall, grasps it and tries pulling it down like a lever! But it doesn't budge.]

Okay, maybe not that one!

[ Look, Kurt, she's giving you all the glory! Though Ange did walk over with him, she isn't touching anything on the wall - though she might be studying it just with her eyes. Like she does kind of want to be the first one to find it, despite putting on her whole act of not caring at all. ]

And what if you pull one and it ends up being a trap? We'd have to run away from one of those big rolling balls.

[ Dude!! It could've happened with that one you just pulled! Maybe be glad it's not a lever!! ]

Edited 2025-05-17 19:34 (UTC)

[He laughs off her concern with a wave of his free hand.]

It's totally cool! Whatever happens, we can handle it. Do you forget who you're working with here? Mr. Teleporter? I can get us out of the way of any trap before it, well, traps!

[He lightly shrugs his shoulders and moves his hand along the wall some more, looking for anything else that looks like it could be a lever or switch of any kind.]

But I wouldn't mind running away from it the old-fashioned way either. Then I'd be just like Indy! Ooh, it'd be so cool!!

TEST DRIVE MEME #13

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