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Expiation Mods ([personal profile] expiationmods) wrote in [community profile] expiationlogs2025-06-09 09:13 am

TEST DRIVE MEME #15

Test Drive Meme #15
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.

-A piece of the AI approached Fandaniel in April to bring a piece of itself to the island across from the Rumpitur town. He did it, inserting it and therefore restoring that piece back into itself. After a month and a half of a map update, new people have landed to Aldrip to investigate the Chosen there... coincidence? I think not.


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 are open to all this cycle!

You can view our CALENDAR to keep important dates in mind. RESERVES open on June 20th and APPLICATIONS will open on June 23rd. After this, applications will next open in August.

FOR PLAYERS/APPLICANTS: The modteam has agreed to revise AC as of July, we will be posting the details in the SOTG.

Full Navigation
ARRIVALS
New arrivals will wake up in the middle of an inventors event, in the middle of any prompt below. They may wake up with pieces of materials surrounding them with the expectation to make something, or appear where those NPCs are trying out their experiments! Either way, they'll be dragging the newbies into their nonsense right off the bat, as if people appearing is no big deal at all. More inventors and experiment test subjects for them!

Newbies can also appear while the Red Chocobo that's been brought into Aldrip is running amok, speeding through the streets of the city and just generally causing chaos and riling up the other animals within the city walls.
HAPPY PROGRESS DAY

As announced by the Briorsea visitors earlier into the month, they are holding an innovation fair at the event center! Anyone and everyone's invited, whether it's as a participant or a casual audience member. The guests seem thrilled to be able to share their latest ideas and contraptions with the good people of Aldrip, and they can even come across as a little patronizing with all their bragging about their advanced technology. Well, that's the cue for the Chosen to step in! All you creative types are welcome to enter your own inventions to compete with others, and if you manage to impress the people of Briorsea, you might win exclusive prizes that would change the lives of the people on the continent forever! (Or so they say.) Whether your creation is mechanical or chemical, a fully-working prototype of just a bunch of lunatic notes and scribbles, the judges will hear you out. There's no new innovation without experimentation, and they want to see how the melting pot of various worlds can push Aldrip forward.

If your character would like to participate in the contest, people respond to the mod comment below and we will RNG the winners!


TEST SUBJECTS WANTED

Of course, theory can only get you so far; every inventor knows putting it into practice is the real challenge. With so many brilliant minds back in Briorsea, it can be pretty difficult to find reliable help without risking becoming the target of some industrial espionage, but here in Aldrip they finally don't have to worry about it. In fact, they're quite sure they can find lots of willing test sub─ er, assistants! So don't be surprised if you're just looking around the festival when you suddenly get pulled out of the crowd and in front of the stall ─ or worse yet, onto the stage ─ and ushered to try out one of the amazing new tech developed by the guests.

Springy Boots: it's like normal boots, but with springs attached! Thanks to these, walking will soon become a thing of the past, and those pesky stairs will pose a threat no longer. Just put those bad boys on and leap to wherever you wanna go! Just, uh, try not to end up on the roof. Mastering the correct jump might take some time!

GrubClub Deliveries: sometimes you crave restaurant-style food, prepared by the finest chefs… but you also don't want to leave the coziness of your room. Who you gonna call then? Why, the GrubClub, of course! A new, innovative way of delivering high quality cuisine straight to your home is taking the world by the storm (or will, as soon as they work out the kinks). The system is pretty simple: the freshly prepared meals are loaded into a catapult and launched to the coordinates of the delivery address! Fast and simple. The accuracy still leaves something to be desired, if you happen to be in the vicinity, watch out for flying rations above your head!

Opposite Day: don't think Briorsea innovators are limited to engineer only, oh no! Some of the chemists have been studying the flora around Aldrip, and with juuust the right mix of ingredients, they've managed to crack the formula for a refreshing tonic that recharges a person like a brand-new set of batteries. The only downside is, it also causes some aspect of your personality to switch: if you're usually a grumpy jerk, you might find yourself in an unusually good mood. If you're a goody two-shoes, you might feel the compulsion to act a little naughty. If you're a liar, you might find yourself speaking truth for the first time in your life… you get the idea. Don't worry, the effects are temporary and won't last longer than a couple of hours! So that's not such a bad trade-off, huh?

These are examples of what you might find at the fair, but we encourage the players to come up with their own inventions as well, whether created by the characters or NPCs! Go wild!



WILD CHOCOBO CHASE


As stated on the quest board, some of the visiting scientists wish to study the local population of chocobos. Well, thanks to the goodwill and support from one of the Chosen ([personal profile] endcaller), they received not just a feather or two, but a whole living specimen! A red one, to be specific. Sadly, Fandaniel didn't leave them any manual or tips for handling the hellish bird, and it did not take kindly to its new owners. In fact, it didn't take long for it to break free and start rampaging around the event area! If this keeps up, the fair will turn into a disaster, with all the amazing inventions on display getting trampled by the enraged fowl.

This might be a good chance to show the visitors what the Chosen of Aldrip are capable of, and maybe even get them indebted to you! Or you can just sit back and enjoy the mayhem. It's up to you.


A MEMORIAL

As per Scott’s and Kotone’s announcement over the network, they are hosting a Remembrance Event over at Richard’s Inn, the man graciously letting the place be used. It’s big and the place where a lot of Chosen started off at, so it’s fitting in a lot of ways. Walking in, the inn isn’t overly decorated with banners or anything too colorful, given the nature of the occasion, but there’s more liveliness to it, if only because people have started to gather around here.

Looking around… (and please, newbies are more than welcome to come)

Please bring actual food

Letting two teenagers that share one single brain cell bring over food? Unfortunately, Scott and Kotone (mostly Kotone), only made baked goods for the remembrance. There’s cookies, cupcakes, and chocolate truffles lining the kitchen table, and while they all look rather tasty, there’s a notable lack of actual food. Hopefully you brought something that isn’t just sweets to share with everyone. You might be the savior of the day.

Otherwise, well, at least the pastries are good.

Remembrance Book

Off to the side of the main lobby of the inn, there’s a hefty book resting on a table titled ‘Memories.’ Thumbing through it, you’ll notice that most of the pages are blank, but there might be a couple of names, along with brief descriptions, written there that might be familiar to some Chosen. Just of people that have long ‘disappeared’ from this place, or even just recently. Next to the book is a pen, along with a set of instructions that should make everything clear:

‘Write down names of Chosen that went home. A description too. Or a good memory. Just don’t make it too stupid.’

Instant camera

On another table are a couple of instant cameras, the kind where you take a picture and a polaroid comes out after a few seconds. Cute, right? A chance to take a picture with friends, or maybe you even just want to pull a random stranger over so that you can take a picture with them. As if to encourage the photo taking, there’s also some random objects on the table there too, like silly glasses and a few random hats to put on.

Like the other station, there’s a note there:

‘Don’t forget to make new memories too.’

Gift Exchange

Writing things is good, but you know what everyone likes? Presents. Whether it's something full of meaning or just something bought on a whim, a tangible reminder of those who may be missing one day in the future might be nice to have. While of course there are things to be purchased around town, Kotone's utilized her Sewing Club to put together a small area of the inn with most of the fabric, yarn, and other assorted craft materials she's been hoarding over the past two years, in case someone wants to make something with a more personal touch. Surely someone will be willing to teach you how to use the sewing machine?

Another helpful note suggests:

'Make something for someone you like! Or make a new friend by giving them something!'

Toast

Near the end of the celebration, everyone will be given a glass of alcohol (or water if the person is a little too young or just doesn’t want it), because now is the time for the toast. It’s encouraged that anyone speaks up now, whether it be talking about past Chosen or looking towards the future with new friends and goals. Maybe both! If one really wants to, they can even talk about what they plan to do to solve what’s going on.



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)! The quests linked in the Chocobo prompt are available for the TDM for newbies as well as current players outside of this event. Have fun!
orphne: (Kotone 36)

[personal profile] orphne 2025-06-24 11:04 am (UTC)(link)
[She folds easily into his arms, tucking her chin against his shoulder and letting herself just bask in his genuine emotion. It had taken a lot of work to make a jacket like this, considering she'd never made one before, but being held like this makes all the trouble worth it. She's a little reluctant to pull out of the hug, but the excitement of seeing him wear her creation more than makes up for it!

She clasps her hand behind her back, bouncing a little again. If it doesn't fit, it's not the end of the world; she can probably adjust it. It would kind of feel a little silly, though, having to take a gift back to fix it. Luckily, it seems she doesn't have to worry about that. It's a little funny seeing him wear something else when she'd gotten used to that familiar leather jacket of his, but this one...]


You look cute! [Her eyes sparkle with a familiar mischief as she calls him cute instead of handsome, as usual. She reaches up with both hands to somewhat unnecessarily tug his jacket closed, just to check that it does fit, and smiles up at him. One hand drifts down to cover the XXII over his heart, her smile softening a touch as her eyes flick down, almost embarrassed.] We match...
laserguy: (bright normal days)

[personal profile] laserguy 2025-06-24 11:32 pm (UTC)(link)
[He doesn't even try to look offended when she compliments him in her usual way. The indignity of being called 'cute' instead of handsome or hot or anything that a boy would normally want to hear is so far from his mind right now, not to mention that he was never too annoyed about it to begin with. Kind of impossible to feel that way when it's coming from Kotone, a girl that he ironically met over two years ago in this very inn. He never imagined that they would become this close, this intertwined, but... guess some things just happen that way.

Even if it means potential hurt in the future, Scott plans to never look back or wonder what would have happened if they never became close. That would be worse, a betrayal of everything they talked about. What they've shared together is too important, too precious, and he will carry them forever no matter what.

He smiles back down at her, so certain in his feelings. There's a firm resolve of everything they've experienced together, learned together, in his movements as his hand covers hers over the XXII, pressing them together against it.]


We match. [...] A reminder that you're always with me, Kotone.

[No matter what.]
orphne: (Kotone 36)

[personal profile] orphne 2025-06-25 11:03 am (UTC)(link)
[She's gotten better at expressing her feelings genuinely in the years she's spent here, not in a small part thanks to Scott. Still, a moment like this, she can only laugh, cheeks flushing pink with an pleased affection that he really does like it. And, as selfish as it feels to give him something that so obviously is meant to be a reminder of her, it... feels good. To know he'll have something he can take with him, wherever he goes.]

You don't have to wear it when it's hot out! [she reassures him, even though she knows full well that he knows that already.] As long as you have it, that's enough.

[If it gets ripped, she can repair it, or turn it into something else. If she's not here to fix it, well.... Scott can figure something out. It's not like she'll know if he gets rid of it at that point!

But she smiles even still, gazing down at their hands joined together over his heart.]
...I'm glad you like it.
laserguy: (smug)

[personal profile] laserguy 2025-06-25 02:28 pm (UTC)(link)
Okay, maybe when it's not roasting outside.

[Not when it's 90 degrees out with 80% humidity-- but Scott truly plans to wear it as much as possible. It's a nice jacket, for one, but it really is the most important item to him now. Something Kotone personally made, just for him, and with an embroidery that's wordlessly significant. It's basically irreplaceable. Not because of the materials, but because it came from her and all the intent behind it.

He looks at the XXII hairpins styled at the side of her head, and smiles.]


It's the best gift I've ever gotten. [He briefly squeezes her hand.] Thank you.

[Scott says, words soft, before he leans forward to press a kiss right on top of her head. And he lingers in his position, wanting to show her how much this really means to him.]
orphne: (Kotone 119-1)

[personal profile] orphne 2025-06-26 11:00 am (UTC)(link)
[She could make a joke here, about how people need to give him more gifts if a leather jacket is the best one! But she knows it's not just a jacket to him, a thought that warms her to the core. She closes her eyes when he kisses the top of her head, just enjoying the moment of being completely wrapped up by him. Are there other people in the inn still? Maybe, but they should be used to Scott being a total sap all the time when she's around!

Speaking of him being a total sap, though‐‐]


You said you had something for me, too, right? [she reminds him, wiggling a hand free to poke him in the stomach. It's not that she's trying to ruin the moment or anything! But she's really curious...]
laserguy: (watch me become co-dependent with jean)

[personal profile] laserguy 2025-07-03 10:23 pm (UTC)(link)
[Everyone else can just deal with it!! Learn to cope!!

Honestly, Scott would be fully content to keep their current positions, his lips pressed atop her head and just staying close to her, wrapped in each other like this. Not exactly counting down the remaining days they may have left, but cherishing their current time together still. It's what they promised each other. Sometimes easier to do than other days, but he feels it now, especially as his mouth twitches into a small grin as he feels her poke him right in the middle of his stomach.

Oh right, he did promise her a gift too, huh?]


I did... but now you have to close your eyes.

[Why? Because he said so!! Teasing her just a little longer because he knows how much Kotone likes to get presents... and she knows how much he likes giving them to her.]
orphne: (Kotone 209)

[personal profile] orphne 2025-07-06 01:43 am (UTC)(link)
[She lets out a little noise of discontent, because really? Why does she have to close her eyes if he's just going to give it to her anyway?! But even if she puffs out her cheeks a bit in faux displeasure, she closes her eyes immediately. It's Scott asking her to do it, after all, and it'll make him happy if she plays along. And when he's happy, she's happy; it's as simple as that.]

Did you forget to wrap it or something? [she teases even still, because that seems like the most obvious explanation as to why he wants her to close her eyes!]
laserguy: (yeah hang out with the cool kids)

[personal profile] laserguy 2025-07-08 09:53 pm (UTC)(link)
You of little faith in me.

[But as soon as she closes her eyes, she'll find him slowly shift-- never really leaving her presence, but turning to grab the small bag that he's been carrying about with him since he got here. Partly so that he doesn't lose the small box that's inside and partly so that he can fully hide it from Kotone until now. It definitely worked out, he can say that with certainty.

And now, to give it to her. No more waiting. He wants to see her reaction... give her something that's been just as meaningful as this jacket.

So, it's with a small grin that he takes out a small wrapped box from the bag, almost carelessly leaving that behind before placing the box gently in her her hands, his own covering hers for a moment before pulling away.]


Okay, open them.
orphne: (Kotone 209)

[personal profile] orphne 2025-07-14 11:40 pm (UTC)(link)
[She snorts a little laugh, because if there's anyone who has faith in him, it has to be her, right? She'd trust him with everything she has. A little bit of an excited wiggle as she hears him pull something out of the bag and tries to guess what it could be; it sounds pretty small, and then-- oh, in her hands, it feels pretty small. A box?

That moment with her hands in his is a little treasure of its own, softening her smile as he holds her. It doesn't last long, though; as soon as he's given her permission, her eyes snap open to look at what's in her hands.]


A box! Yay! [No, she knows that's not the present, but she can't help teasing him. Is it another hair pin...? She has so many, both from Scott and from those who've left them both behind. Opening it carefully like the precious thing it is, her breath catches, and she stares down at it with a mix of surprise and joy.]

Oh... they match your glasses! [She looks up quickly, almost not daring to believe it. Never mind that her ears aren't pierced; the earrings in the box are so beautiful! And they're a gift from Scott, which makes them even more meaningful.]
laserguy: (ruby quartz)

[personal profile] laserguy 2025-07-15 01:22 pm (UTC)(link)
[An exasperated smile flickers across his face for a moment, but he otherwise keeps quiet, overcome by his own eagerness and anticipation as he watches Kotone handle the box in her hands. This really feels like the moment of truth. Not that he thinks she'd hate it, but her reaction, her feelings about it, truly means the world to him-- because she means the world to him. He's only glad, lucky, that he's had this much time with her and this opportunity still to give her something.

Plus, he really did put a lot of time and thought into this.

And it's all worth it, seeing the brightening look on her face-- eyes shining with a certain emotion that he's come to understand. It's really that understated reaction that gets his heart to beat a little faster, a certain weight lifting off his shoulders and replaced by an easy and familiar warmth that he has for her. It makes it all to easy to smile when she mentions them matching his glasses, a warm chuckle leaving him.]


They're made of ruby quartz. [He confirms. Yeah, borrowing some of the quartz from the mansion that so happened to be lying around. Not enough to make another set of glasses, but enough for this. It started circulating in his mind after he asked Kotone if she ever wanted to wear earrings.]

orphne: (Kotone 95)

[personal profile] orphne 2025-07-16 11:02 am (UTC)(link)
[Her eyes widen when he says they're not just red gemstones or even rubies, but ruby quartz. The same material as his visor and glasses, the only thing that can contain his powers. She has no idea which material would be the most valuable, but she knows which one would mean the most to her.

Her fingertips glide gently over the small stones in a way she'd never wanted to do to the lenses of his glasses, then she looks up to Scott with those same wide eyes.]


Is something like this really okay for me to have...? You won't need it?

[If his glasses or his visor break, surely it would be better to keep as much ruby quartz aside possible, just in case?]
laserguy: (still closing them)

[personal profile] laserguy 2025-07-16 06:10 pm (UTC)(link)
[The amount of reverence she's showing for these earrings... it really is touching. Of course it's important to him, but seeing Kotone treat the jewelry with such care as well, because it represents him, means so much. It's with the same amount of care that he raises a hand over to her face, brushing some of her hair to the back of one ear, before warmly holding her cheek in the warmth of his palm.]

I promise that I'll be okay.

[He says with complete certainty. Trust. He's aware of the dangers of this place, how it might be important to have spare ruby quartz lying around, but. He doesn't feel scared; he's completely sure of his decision.]

After all, I have you. [And their other friends, if need be. He's not alone.]
orphne: (Kotone 209)

[personal profile] orphne 2025-07-20 02:35 am (UTC)(link)
Yeah...

[Her eyes are still shining with emotion as she picks one up and holds it up to her ear, tilting her head against his hand and smiling a little. They both know her ears aren't pierced, but guess this means she'll have to, huh? There's something almost thrilling about that; it's not that big of a deal, but the idea that if she actually has something pierced through her skin, it'll come with her if and when they leave.]

How do I look?

[Not cool at all right now, but that's okay. Only Scott is paying attention right now, and really it's his opinion that matters most. She turns her head to kiss the inside of his palm with a little bit of a laugh.] I really love it, Scott.
laserguy: (summers scott)

[personal profile] laserguy 2025-07-21 11:35 pm (UTC)(link)
[Is it silly to be so choked up with emotion just from watching his girlfriend hold the earring up to her ear? Well, too bad, because that's how he feels, smile spreading broadly with something heavy both lifting and settling in his chest. It's just the thought of feeling so happy and knowing how it can't be forever. However, he'd never take this back.

She loves the gift... and seeing something so important to him, so crucial to his powers, but made specially for her, it really feels like a part of him is now with her. Just like the XXII that's on his jacket. It helps with that earlier feeling that still winds around his heart.]


Beautiful.

[His voice nearly cracks on that singular word. If she's not cool, then he's the least cool person in this entire room. Whoever is watching can make fun of him, he doesn't care, because his focus is only on her.] Maybe even as much as I love you?

[Impossible though. Nothing can reach that!!]
orphne: (Kotone 209)

[personal profile] orphne 2025-08-02 08:30 pm (UTC)(link)
Dork...

[But there's unmistakable affection that drains any insult from the word, her voice as warm as ever when she talks to him. For now, she puts the earrings safely back into their box, holding it to her chest and leaning up to kiss his nose briefly.]

You'll come with me to get my ears pierced, right?

[She really doesn't even have to ask, but knowing he'll be there beside her is a reassurance she doesn't want to take for granted. While she knows they can't be together forever, they can at least have this time together now; every precious moment is one they can cherish.]
laserguy: (what do you think)

[personal profile] laserguy 2025-08-04 11:57 pm (UTC)(link)
Because of you.

[Blaming Kotone for his behavior once more, even if no one believes it. It's a familiar tease though, with Scott's smile increasing as she kisses his nose. Hey, who's the dork now?? See this is where he got it from--

But wanting to spend a little more of their time in a more sincere way, Scott leans forward, just enough so that he can settle his lips against her forehead in a manner that's chaste but still very intimate. Sometimes, when it's just just the two of them like this, it really feels like they're in their own little world. Maybe it's selfish, but he cherish these moments the most.]


Of course. [...] And I'll wear the jacket you got me.