expiationlogs | TEST DRIVE MEME #15

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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 (

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!

♡

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[~~don't call him out like that in your brain, scott, that's just rude.~~

He nods to the initial remarks. Altius is absolutely here to be mushy whenever appropriate. It is, after all, one of the easiest ways to fluster people.]

Do you think so? [Between the reaction to being called handsome and how they responded to his feelings, he can't entirely be sure, but it does feel like a possibility.] I'm glad you agree with the idea, I suppose.

[He doesn't know how relevant Scott's approval is to his feelings about it, but enthusiasm is better than the alternative...? He's not going to back down from the thought now, either way.]

I'll have to look around and see what looks best. Perhaps I can help you find the proper setting for yours in the process, hm?

[Between his greater experience with jewelers and Scott's familiarity with Kotone's preferences, they'll certainly be able to get something worthwhile.]

It's one of the few good ideas you've had.

[Wow??? But Scott keeps grinning at Altius, his approval clear. It sounds like this is will be the first time Altius is gifting Dante something and first impressions are everything! Clearly, he needs Scott's support in all this, so he doesn't buy something dumb. ...Granted, fashion and stuff never seemed to be his weakness, but he's going to give his support anyway.

He's nice like that.]

And I already know what I'm going to get Kotone, earrings. Which. You can't use that idea.

[Because Dante can't wear earrings?? They don't have ears!!] A necklace?

Excuse me? [Altius isn't sure if the offense he puts into his expression is completely or only partly fake, and he puts a hand on his hip. What do you mean few!!!] I wouldn't be a millionaire if most of my ideas were poor, Mr. Summers.

[But fine. Loser. And yes, obviously he wasn't interested in getting Dante something they couldn't even wear—how embarrassing that would be, if not outright insulting. He shrugs with his opposite hand and gives a mild shake of his head.]

A necklace seems like a better option. [He is NOT getting them a watch, no matter how useful that might be.] Something that won't necessarily get in the way of whatever errands they get up to...

[Blah blah, whatever. Also look, Altius is already warming up to his idea. This is why he's here.]

Uh, exactly? Glad that you're following along. [He motions Altius towards the door to the shop, the mutant already ahead of him and grinning.] Come on, let's see what they have and maybe you'll be able to pick something out.

[...] Are you gonna go with a customization? As your first present? Pretty bold.

Hm, probably not, [he answers as he steps alongside Scott.] I don't feel like I know enough about them yet to be confident in whatever my poor creativity might come up with.

[How can one lad be so smug. Incredulous:]

Do you already know exactly what you're asking for? Metal and shape and style all of that?

Probably a good idea.

[THIS BRAT... at least he'll hold open the door for Altius before walking inside himself, the teen taking a good quick glance around the store before looking up at the older man.]

Well, I know what 'gem' I want to be in there. Probably something small? I don't think Kotone wants to start with huge dangling earrings since she hasn't worn them before. [In other words... he has a general idea, but nothing super concrete yet.]

[Scott is really earning the stink eye from Altius today, that's for sure. Is this what he gets for encouraging him to gush about his sweetheart??? His hands are in his pockets as he examines the displays with more scrutiny.

... a gem, hm. That gives him a thought.]

So you're one step ahead of me, is it. [Come back down here off your pedestal, boy.] Well. Hearts are a classic cut, if you don't care about the cliché.

[Scott has the advantage of not only the time with Kotone, but also the girl already wearing earrings. Dante might not even know what they like in terms of jewelry, if anything. He hasn't exactly seen them decorate themselves...]

[Sometimes, it really is fun to earn that stink eye from people. Especially from grumpy old adults. A reminder of his old self-- that the super cool rebellious Scott Summers is still around. He's having a lot of fun and that's what matters the most.]

Heart may be a little too cliché. Want to go for something... elegant, I guess. But nothing too fancy.

[Still cute, for her. Does that make sense? Scott will know what he wants when he sees it-- know what Kotone may like the most.] Ruby quartz cut in a sphere...

That would be less flashy. [The one singular facet of a sphere as opposed to the more common cuts—letting the material speak for itself.] Better paired with a more complex setting, I'd think.

[He strides towards a few of the earrings on display, eyes scanning over them. No, these sets are too long... these are too ostentatious...]

You might consider a teardrop as another option.

[If Altius starts getting a blank look from Scott... ignore it. What. He doesn't really know all the terminology when it comes to jewelry and everything! He just figured that he'd find something that looks nice and ask the jeweler to make a custom piece with the ruby quartz he's providing. Sounded like a good plan to him!]

A teardrop? [He repeats, arms folding across his chest as he squints and thinks about this option. Well...] I don't want her to seem like she's crying though. I mean, I know it would go on her ears and it would be red, but...

[Scott is lucky he misses that blank look entirely in his investigation. He would make it particularly embarrassing as he explained—though something like that could still be in the cards, given the exasperated look he turns to the young man, shrugging with one hand.]

It's just the name of a shape, Scott. No one wears them because they feel like crying.

I mean, they could. Some people just cry a lot.

[Of course he has to defend his very stupid remark!! Just also ignore the fact that Kotone definitely doesn't cry a lot... even when she probably needs to. But that's something he doesn't want to bring out in the open.]

Anyway, what I'm trying to say is that I'm going to pick something else for her. She hasn't worn earrings before.

[Look, just because some goths and emos might lean into the bloody tears look...

He stops and watches Scott for a moment. Narrows his eyes slightly.]

... you are aware of whether her ears are pierced at all?

Her ears aren't pierced no.

[A LITTLE DEFENSIVE. He knows!! He's looked at Kotone enough, every day and all the time--]

But we talked about it before. That she would be interested in having them done someday. So, figured to get something like this for her.

[Makes sense to him!]

Hm. [... alright, he'll give you a pass, then, though the dubious look on his face says he's not getting off entirely scott (heh) free.

But then there's a sly sparkle in his eye as he thinks of what to actually say in response. ... Okay, no, that would be inappropriate, even if it is fun to embarrass the young man. Instead, he looks back to the displays:]

Better to get them set into something with a flat backing, rather than hoops or the like. Otherwise she won't be able to wear them for some time.

Edited (forgor a phrase.) 2025-09-03 23:44 (UTC)

[Just because he's so charitable, he's going to ignore that dubious look. It helps that Altius is actually giving him decent advice now.]

Really? Well, okay. [...] Heh, you really know a lot about earrings, huh? I guess that makes sense.

[Since he's seen Altius in his younger years. Granted, it was just in a dream, but apparently it was pretty accurate to what he actually looked like. He still finds it a little funny that the rebellious teenager became a stuffy old businessman. Couldn't be him. He smiles at the thought.]

Mostly I remember how I tried to hide the irritation from my father. But I had mine pierced behind the school by someone who barely even came to class, so I'm sure Miss Shiomi won't have quite the same experience.

[Learn from his mistakes...

It was the trauma. :) So good luck with that one, Scott. Altius narrows his eyes slightly, though he's not serious when he says,]

What are you smirking about now?

Dude, seriously? Wow. Did they just pierce your ear with a needle?

[He's half-surprised that it actually worked. Or that his ear didn't become infected from it.]

And nothing. [Uh-huh. But what is Altius going to do about it? He's not a telepath!!] So. Something with a flat backing. Alright, I can work with that. If I want to go super fancy, I guess I can ask her later after she feels with this.

Sterilized with a lighter, [he confirms, folding his arms. It was ill-advised, to say the least. He scrutinizes Scott for a moment, like he's deciding if he wants to let it go or not. He supposes he can be magnanimous, just this time.]

Further gifts down the line, hm... [He sounds like he's not quite letting it go, though his words imply he's moving on... for now.] Where did you get that material, by the way?

[Dude. Wow, okay, Altius was pretty hardcore in his youth, huh? Getting an ear piercing and having it sterilized with a lighter... he couldn't. Wouldn't. Honestly, he really hasn't thought about getting his ears pierced before. He'd probably look stupid with earrings.]

The ruby quartz? I found some in the manor that Morph and Rogue live in. Apparently it's the mansion from their universe and luckily, the Scott from that universe had some extra ruby quartz lying around. I figured he wouldn't mind if I borrowed some.

[And if he is annoyed, well, maybe he should be here to complain about it!! Also something something do the thing and then ask for forgiveness.]

[Somehow it's not the answer he expected.]

An alternate version of yourself...

[It's not like the idea is a new one, but it hasn't necessarily come up so directly in conversation before. Before he lets himself get too carried away thinking about that in his own personal sense, he thinks to address the idea of a different Scott first.]

Hm, likely not, if he's anything like you. [As for those two questionable heroes...] I suppose they must have told you something or other about him?

[Oh, does Altius really not know? ...Guess he's sort of forgotten that not everyone knows the whole multiple timeline thing with him and the other mutants. Well, he can explain, it's fine. The issue isn't as touchy as it used to be, mostly because he's found his own footing and leader as the X-Men here. Everyone's just accepted him like that. It's nice.

Some of that shitty teen act drops as Scott nods at him.]

Yeah, mostly that he's older. And has a giant stick up his ass. [...] Kurt is also from a different timeline and he also said that his Scott is pretty serious. He was surprised when I made a joke.

[Okay this is all pretty unflattering huh? He's not going to mention the Scott from Quentin's timeline, the one that killed Xavier. Nope. Not getting into that.] But I think they all respect him as a leader. I think he's really good at that.

[The initial description may seem unflattering to Scott, but Altius can't say it would surprise him, and really, it's the sort of personality that's closer to his own natural, hidden self...

And the idea is only reinforced when the young man describes him as a leader. In a world where his kind is potentially hunted, if what he saw of Kurt's fears were anything real? That certainly would encourage a person to be serious.]

We can't all be winners in the humor department, [he replies.] Though I'm sure you'll say you intend to hold onto yours for as long as possible, hm?

[Scott barely manages to hold back his comment about Altius not winning much in the humor department either, because he's actually trying to have a semi-serious conversation with him now. It's X-Men related, at least enough, so he's treating it as such, even if they're just talking about the fact that his other self apparently had no sense of humor.

Oh wait, but if he's going to be serious about it, would that make him just as bad as said other self? His face scrunches for a moment, before he shakes his head and just tries to nonchalantly answer him.]

Uh, yeah? I don't want to be known as the guy with a stick up his ass. I'm going to be known as the cool leader of the X-Men.

[He lets out a considering hum, seeming to take this claim somewhat seriously as a hand moves to his chin. But:]

Just like you're the "cool leader" of the "TWAT Club"?

[Somehow, he says this with a straight face.]

TEST DRIVE MEME #15

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