July Test Drive Meme

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Test Drive Meme #3 Welcome to Tabula Rasa's Test Drive Meme! Our upcoming August app cycle will be for current players only. However, anyone is welcome to use this meme as a way to try out the setting, test out a character for future app cycles, or just for fun. You may also borrow ideas from this meme’s prompts for use in the main game.

Threads from the TDM may be used as samples on your application. TDM samples must be 2 threads with different characters, each with at least 5 comments from your character. You may include your top-level comment if it is a thread you started.

Current players in the game may also claim an AC bonus by tagging other characters on the TDM. Please see the Activity Check page for details.

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Scenario A: This One Blows
With so many winged creatures starting to fill up the world, it was only a matter of time before someone asked: how does flight work? Aerodynamics is a complicated subject, but one cannot hope to fly at all in a world with no air or wind. What, then, would be the point of having wings at all if they can't be used?

All at once the sky becomes filled with air, and the winds begin to move. However, there doesn't seem to be much logic to where and how hard they blow - all the wind knows is that it does blow, and that winged creatures may use it to fly up and away. Unfortunately, the result is something of a chaotic windstorm, and with an infinite supply of snow falling from the mountaintop the world is suddenly whited out in a raging blizzard.

If you're outside when the wind strikes, you'd best grab onto something before you get blown away yourself. If you're indoors at the time you'd think that would be lucky, but the wind hasn't quite figured out where it's coming from, either... so maybe stay away from anything sharp or heavy, in case a sudden indoor tornado starts whipping things around.

Scenario B: Let There Be...?
Light is another tricky subject. Where does it come from? The sky seems like a reasonable answer, but not all places are exposed to it. What of caves and buildings? How does light get there, and what happens when it can't?

The change may come slowly or suddenly as the world itself seems to experiment with the idea. Anything with a roof over it is left in total darkness, while everything outside remains brightly lit. It's as if a bright spotlight were pointing down at the world from above - even windows won't do much to let the light in, as it can only illuminate what it touches. Reflecting light may still be too difficult of a concept for this world.

The idea of there being other light sources is also, unfortunately, a difficult subject. Nothing seems to be able to penetrate this new darkness. Navigating indoors may be difficult for awhile, especially if you're also battling a hurricane.

Scenario C: How To Train Your Dragon
Dragons are dangerous and powerful creatures, but the fluffier, feathery breed has quickly grown in popularity among the people of the new world. Many find the small dragons cute, and some have even adopted them as pets. They're only as big as a house-cat, so what's the harm?

Well, the winged dragons have noticed that people are much more forgiving around them if they play up their cuteness. They've grown more fearless around strangers, and with that they can be quite a nuisance. It's more common now to see them swooping down on people, stealing shiny things, or just getting in the way to beg for food scraps and attention. Though not actively malicious, their claws and beaks are also quite sharp if you're unfortunate enough to be on the receiving end.

Persistence is another strong trait among dragons, as evident from their fishier dragon brethren, so these bad habits might be tough to break.

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code bases by tricklet

Comments

[blue_eyed_obsession]

[What she says next, has him nearly hopping off his stool, his eyes widening in surprise] Did you say, your phone still works?! [That's probably the most surprised he's ever been since his arrival here. The desire to go and whip that thing right out of her possession is strong because none of his devices have been working. Not his duel disk, his collar communicator, or his phone.] If it's got even a little charge left... [Ok, he's off the stool now] You have to let me try making a call- it could be imperative for ending this nonsense and getting on with our lives. [If he could get in contact with someone on the outside, they might be able to triangulate on the signal and break this up]

[Yeah- yeah marketing. Appealing to duelists of all genders.. blah blah.. give him the damn phone]

[So much for the pleasantries. He did finally get her name, so there was that. .. and oddly enough, he was planning on remembering it]

[menaretrash]

[ Wow, that's a quick reaction. Ann blinks a few times, before nodding and digging into her pocket. She pulls the phone out and unlocks it, standing up so she can properly hand it to him. ]

Yeah, here, you can try. There's no signal, though. [ And not much charge, either, despite the fact that Ann's been careful about... you know. Not trying to use it. By work, she means... it just turns on. No internet, no calls... nada. ]

Hey, just be careful not to hit the red eye looking app. [ The occult looking one. Not that it'd work. She doesn't think. Ren says his doesn't, so, she's pretty sure hers won't either. Better safe than sorry, though. ]

[blue_eyed_obsession]

[Look- he's fully capable of being impulsive when a need arose. This seemed like one of those times. Thankfully she didn't offer any resistance so he could at least make the attempt.

Moving closer, he held out his hand until she had deposited the device into his possession making no comment about the signal. A quick glance at the screen told him she was right about that, so he found a closer table, and set to work. Placing her phone down, he drew out his own, swiftly popping the back off of it.

Fiddling with it, he drew out an object then placed the rest of his phone aside before turning hers over. Knowing how attached people could be to these things he issued some reassurance]

This won't cause any damage to the phone, it just slots right in to the preexisting port, and essentially gives the signal a boost.

[Then wrinkling his nose a little]

I think I can manage not to accidentally open an app. [Once the modifications were in place, he looked expectantly at the screen, seeing the creepy eyeball symbol for the first time. It almost reminded him of the Millennium eye though it differed in design. Looking to the bars, a smirk crossed his lips.. for one brief moment it looked like it had worked, but the moment he dialed in a number it was gone.

With a growl, he drew back the phone as if he was going to smash it into the table but he stopped himself. To come so close, and still be denied.]

[menaretrash]

[ She's glad her phone has at least a littl charge left. Even if his idea doesn't work, it's an attempt, and that's what counts. So, she's quiet as she watches him work, shaking her head. ]

It's okay. Even if it were to break, it wouldn't be for a good cause. [ Not to mention as of right now, it's virtually useless, anyway.

She doesn't comment on his app navigating skills, at least. Ah... that's a bummer. ]

Don't be upset. It's still something, right? I'm sure we can figure something else out.

[blue_eyed_obsession]

[She's not half as protective of her phone as he expected her to be. As he would be of his own technology, let's be real. To Ann's words he merely nodded, as he fixed his gaze on what could be their one way ticket out of here.

Of course, it doesn't work.

Why would it work? That would have been the first real progress he's had since coming to this dump in the first place. Rotating the phone one more time, he pops out the additional hardware, and the battery replacing the former into his own phone and sealing them both up.

Kaiba paused a moment, still glaring down at the phones, before grabbing up Ann's and the battery and thrusting them back towards her.]

I doubt it will matter- but if you leave the battery out and not touching the contact points you might be able to conserve what's left.

[menaretrash]

[ No point in crying over spilled milk. The only important things on the phone are some photos, some chats, and of course, the navigator. Everything else is just... kind of there.

She accepts both phone and batter back, nodding in agreement. ] I'll do that, then. You never know, maybe it will come in handy.

[ With his experiment done and over, she pockets her phone and battery. ] Try not to be too down about it. I know it's frustrating... but that was still a really good attempt.

[blue_eyed_obsession]

[A lot of those items are likely backed up on external memory anyway, so she wasn't likely to lose much either way- you know unless she was one of those people that didn't have a micro sd card.]

[Kaiba was feeling a good deal more pessimistic about the whole thing, and with it came being less talkative]

Not good enough, and I don't tolerate mediocrity. [Sure, he might be tough on his employees but that also extended to himself.]

[menaretrash]

[ Ann can only sigh. Of course he's upset, but he's making a bigger deal out of this than need be. Or maybe she's just not making a big enough deal out of it. Either way, they're back at zero. ]

I think it's fine, and hardly a mediocre attempt. At least you tried. We'll figure something out.

[ Just not... right now. ]

...does this place have any sort of library?

[blue_eyed_obsession]

[In truth, Ann was handling more rationally which was the preferable method. There would be nothing to gain through fixating]

...

[We. There's that word. He'll ignore it this time since she did lend him her phone]

Not at this point, unless there's one inside the caves [unlikely] or in that structure in the sea.

[menaretrash]

[ Ann hums, closing her eyes for a moment. ]

I'm gonna assume no one's tried to get to that structure.

[ Drumming her fingers against the table, she opens her eyes again, glancing back in his direction. ]

Guess it's time to make an attempt, then.

[blue_eyed_obsession]

If they have, they haven't shared their findings with me.

[That span of ocean and garbage was a fair deterrent though]

[She didn't really look like the type that wanted to get their hands dirty, so her eagerness surprised him]

.... Did anyone mention the piles of refuse between the beach and the structure? You might ruin your shoes. [A little snide remark for the road]

[menaretrash]

Well, that's not nice.

[ Oh, she's heard from Ren. Sort of. She smiles at him, twirling the ends of one twintail around her index finger. ]

Yeah, they did. It's cool, I've ruined a lot worse than a pair of shoes doing much messier things. [ ...Best not to ask, probably. ] You wouldn't be interested in joining me, would you?

[blue_eyed_obsession]

[To that he gave a non-committal shrug. It's not like he'd gone out of his way to ask people about it either.]

... [No worries about a follow up question there, because he knew better than to open that potentially loaded topic]

I'm not really into the whole- [Waving a hand flippantly in the air] teamwork thing. I'm only looking out for myself. Don't get the wrong impression.

[menaretrash]

[ Of course he is. Ann shakes her head again. ]

Yeah, but aren't two heads better than one? You could see what was in there with your own two eyes. Wouldn't this benefit you?

[ Come on, Seto. You know you want to... ]

[blue_eyed_obsession]

Not always.

[That depends entirely on the minds in question. Someone like oh... say.. Joey Wheeler would not be an asset to invite along. Ann seemed more clever, and much less irritating]

I could see what was in there anyway, I would just go alone. [Leaving that in the air for a few moments, he gave a groan and aimed for the door while muttering the following:] ... I don't know what's come over me...

Alright, fine. If we go now before I have a chance to change my mind. [So much for waiting for Ren]

[menaretrash]

There's also safety in numbers. Besides, worst case scenario, you could use me as a meat shield.

[ Which... okay, that's a hilarious image, even though she knows she'd hardly be a meat shield of any sort. It doesn't really matter, because he's suddenly agreeing, and she pumps a fist into the air.

Ann: 1. Kaiba: 0! ]

Sounds good to me. [ It's fine, Ren... p...robably won't mind. Or notice. Either way, she's quick to trot after him, a little pep in her step because this feels almost like she's won something. Except she hasn't. But that's okay. ]

Anyways, even if we can't get there right away, we can scope it out and make a plan of attack.

[blue_eyed_obsession]

Any more idioms you need to get out of your system?

[This was his way of trying to dissuade her from relying so heavily on such phrases, and to encourage a little less talking, and a little more walking. He didn't entertain the notion of actually shielding himself behind her- not only was it cowardly but... no. Just no. Even he had some limits on human decency]

[The congratulatory action already has him regretting this, but whatever.]

Mm.

[He affirmed as he left the darkened space of the cafe for the brighter area outside. Taking long strides, Ann had better be able to keep up... he wasn't going to set his pace based on her.]

[menaretrash]

Dunno, guess we're gonna find out later.

[ This is going to be fun. For her, at least, I'd she really feels like pushing his buttons. Fortunately, she's not quite that mean.

Not to mention that she's serious, she does want to get to that structure or at least make a proper plan.

Ann has to squint at the light, wishing that she had her sunglasses on her. Alas, that is not the case. She does leg Kaiba pace a few steps ahead, though, mostly to give him his space and also to really take in the splendor and glory of... all of this.

Well. At least there are baby dragons to watch fly around... ]

[blue_eyed_obsession]

[The path that winds around to the beach is a moderately sized one, so there is plenty of time to take in all the presumed awe and wonder of nature. There is just one problem with those little dragons she observed flittering about...

All it takes is for one object to glint in the provided light and some of the little creatures begin to descend.

Kaiba emits an uncharacteristic and undignified yelp as he's startled by one of the dragons plunking down on his shoulder. With it's little claws extended it leans over and starts digging at one of the studs on that jacket.]

Not this again.... get lost! [Less patient this time, he gives the lil dragon a shove]

[menaretrash]

[ This place is so strange. No hustle and bustle like in Shibuya, no trains, no cars... just a whole lot of nothing for the most part, and... dragons, of all things.

She's quiet, until one of the dragons decides to swing down and land on Kaiba and... take a chance at trying to get one of those shinies off of his coat. ]

Hey-- [ She watches as the little dragon whines, and before it can digs its claws into that nice coat and totally destroy it, Ann plucks it up and pulls it off carefully. ]

It's just a little guy, relax. [ The small dragon purrs, giving Seto a look as if to say, 'yes, that's right. Just a little guy.' Or maybe Seto's just imagining that... ]

[blue_eyed_obsession]

[Replace strange with maddeningly dull and Seto would agree with her. The dragons are all of the ... squishier variety too, lacking the ferocity of oh say.. Blue-Eyes]

[Feeling a bit.... like an idiot for his outburst he is nonetheless grateful for the assist]

He's the first, of many if we're not careful. [Oh, the smugness that dragon exudes....] If you've got anything reflective on, you'd better conceal it now.

[menaretrash]

[ Well, she's going to count her blessings that these guys are squishy and not big and mean and fire breathing. Especially the one she's just plucked from Seto.

The dragon purrs and suddenly shifts, pausing so that he can crawl up and around Ann's back to just sort of. Perch on her shoulder. ]

Really? I guess I'm not surprised, all of the fairytales say that they like to hoard things. [ And shinies WOULD be one of the things they'd go for, huh? ] Oh, yeah. Thanks. You're okay though, right? His claws didn't get your skin?

[ She glances at Seto's arm -- she doesn't see blood, but you never know. The little dragon remains perched on Ann's shoulder, still looking at poor Kaiba as if to say, 'look at me, I win!' which is good because it gives Ann time to take her necklace off and pocket it. ]

...Do you think these dragons can be trained?

[blue_eyed_obsession]

[..................... Look. There is some logic there, he'd have to grant her that- but they just aren't as magnificent as dragons should be. But, yes. It's nice not getting instantly mauled.]

[That was a common theme in works of fiction so he didn't offer anymore audible confirmation] I'm fine. [This was the answer he would always deliver whether or not it was true. He should have known better than to push the dragon- that had been another's folly and it had sunk it's talons in. Kaiba was fortunate enough to be wearing layers, but he would be lying if he said it didn't hurt at all. Aka. he was gonna lie. It wasn't anything he couldn't handle.]

Let's keep moving.

[He debated taking his jacket off to hide the silver accents, but that would just draw attention to the many, many belt buckles. That could be infinitely worse- depending]

Perhaps... [Glancing toward the side to look at her] Not this one. [At least it was making it clear that it wouldn't listen to him, it might to her]

[menaretrash]

[ Hey, small and cute doesn't mean they're down and out, okay! Look at those talons. They could do some damage if they wanted...

She's still eyeing his arm, but he says he's okay so she has to concede for now. ]

Sure. [ Off they go again, albeit carting a little stowaway that Ann can't quite bring herself to shoo off. He's made himself very comfortable.

This must be how Ren feels, carting Morgana around all day. Huh. ]

He might be able to... [ He's not even paying attention honestly, too busy hitching a free ride and tilting his head back and forth at things. ] I guess what I'm trying to get at, is that if we can't get through all the stuff in the water, they can.

[ Wings and all. Ann hums, petting her little friend under the chin. ]

They could be pretty useful.

[blue_eyed_obsession]

[I guess........ they're still better than that brown fuzzball that Yugi insists on using in his deck.

As if he can sense her looking, he makes sure to get a few paces ahead of her again.]

Sounds time consuming. [Nor did he bring any treats along in order to reward the opportunist little beast.] ... And how to you expect them to report their findings after they get there? [Doubting that she can speak dragon] One way or the other- I'll find a way in. [He'd only trust his own observations anyway.]

[When they made it under more trees, he mistakenly thought that would solve their problems with more dragons taking an interest but he was wrong. By the time they made it to the clearing that led to the beach he was coated in hangers on. Again

Which he just tried to ignore as existing, and it looked terribly comical with that scowl firmly on his features and the curious critters enthusiasm to offset it.]

There might be something in the rubbish of use....