August Test Drive Meme

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Test Drive Meme #4 Welcome to Tabula Rasa's Test Drive Meme! Starting in September, secondary character apps will be open for current players and will remain open until further notice. New player apps will be opening in early September under a new queue system. We'll have more specific details for everyone on this soon!

Whether you plan to app or not, 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: Bite Here, Bite Now
"Food" is still a loose concept, as anything one can take fit in their mouth and swallow is considered close enough to count. While people can differentiate between things that should and shouldn't be eaten, the wildlife does not hold such views. Though at first they seemed to prefer whatever objects people deemed edible, they’ve now begun to experiment with some interesting alternatives.

Rocks, dirt, glass, tree trunks, corners of buildings, beach trash, chair legs, books, clothing, jewellery, prized possessions, the kitchen sink - there doesn't seem to be anything an animal won't try to eat at least once, and bite marks are quickly becoming a common sight in the most bizarre of places. You may even head home and find one of the red toothless dragons hanging off of a doorknob, trying its best. If an animal can get to it and fit its mouth around it, chances are it will try to eat it.

While the creatures can be coaxed and trained off of these behaviors, it's no small feat. And along the way, they might even find something else more appetizing than what you're trying to offer them. If you lose something important, hopefully it’ll still be intact when you finally fish it back out of them.

Scenario B: Blowing Hot and Cold
Random snowstorms are still a common sight, carried by powerful winds from the peak of Mount Silver to the furthest reaches of the known world. The snow never seems to stay on the ground for long, but it brings with it a frigid chill that could drive anyone back to the relative safety of indoors. A storm can last seconds or hours - not that it's easy to tell the difference - so it can be quite troublesome if you're not prepared for it.

Recently, a new type of "weather" has emerged. Fire has many uses, and it can be made quite easily by anyone... perhaps a little too easily. Most of the time, a strong breeze will blow out a growing flame, but occasionally something different will happen: the wind itself will catch on fire, carrying those flames far and wide in the blink of an eye. Within moments any place can be turned into a raging wildfire, blindingly bright and hellishly warm.

The flames will burn themselves out eventually, leaving everything coated in soot, but unharmed. It’s a good thing that fire doesn’t actually hurt yet or everyone might be in trouble! That may not be a comfort for everyone, though, especially if you're stuck cleaning up the mess. Sometimes it might take a little too long for the fire to die down on its own, too. If the wind won't do it, water is the way to go.

Scenario C: Long Distance
Distance and sound are not mutually exclusive just yet, and they both seem to be a bit out of whack at the moment. No matter how much you walk toward another person, you can't seem to close the distance between the two of you, as if you're on some sort of invisible treadmill. When you speak, however, it sounds like whoever you're speaking to is standing right beside you. Distance doesn't seem to be an issue if you're looking to converse.

However, this means you can hear others who are even farther away just as clearly. Someone on the beach might be able to hear another muttering to him or herself as they scale Mount Silver. Like dialing a random phone number, you now have to speak to a mysterious voice to figure out who it belongs to. Hopefully you weren't just muttering a deep, dark secret.

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code bases by tricklet

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Sephiroth | FFVII: Advent Children

[sefirot]

(A) Bite Here, Bite Now

[The creatures here are vastly different than what he's used to -- not that he paid much attention to the local wildlife before he lost ... well, for lack of better word, his sanity. But even now they gave no clue as to where exactly here is. Other than not the lifestream. Which isn't exactly helping much.

Interestingly enough he can be seen holding some sort of winged creature by the back of it's neck just sort of curiously looking at it as the thing tries to shove a rock in its mouth. ... Which is also not normal animal behavior. Not that he cares too much but --]

Just what are you?

[Luckily for the small animal it hadn't tried to eat him. That probably would have ended poorly for someone though it's hard to say who right now.]

(B) Blowing Hot and Cold

[The storms having so very quickly and dramatically shifting is also rather new. And it's been a long time since he's really felt the cold though he is not foolish enough to stay out in the elements for too long. The fire though? That brings him out. He actually watches everything burn with what appears to be fascination, but that's not exactly.

It's more that the fires bring about so many memories. That moment served as a catalyst for many things and partially an anchor to keep him going. He may have lost much within the lifestream but the memories surrounding what happened at Nibelheim burn very bright.

Which is why he stands dangerously close to the flames with seemingly no fear as he mentally relives a few moments in his head. Not that the fire severs to bring him any answers, it's actually more of a distraction caused as a result of his one major flaw: tunnel vision.]

(C) Wildcard

[Want anything else? Hit me up, or I can roll with whatever.]

A

[pinwheels]

[ It's Felix who draws Rinoa's attention to the silver-haired man, a high-pitched, worried kind of sound in his voice that she doesn't think she's ever heard before. It's enough to pull her away from the mushroom she's digging at, standing and turning, and...

She's never seen the man before, but there's something about the way he's holding one of Felix's little friends by the scruff of its neck that makes Rinoa's eyes narrow. Several fast strides across the ground lead her to where he's standing, Felix right behind her and offering him a warning chirp as they draw near. ]

Hey!

[ It's not her usual, friendly tone that greets him; instead, there's something harder in her voice, narrowed eyes waiting to meet his. Her right hand moves to rest on the trigger of her blaster edge, ready to fire if she needs to. She doesn't know if he intends to hurt the creature, but there's something unfriendly about him, and if he tries... ]

You should put him down. He's not hurting anyone.

adsffsfg

[sefirot]

[He honestly hadn't intended to hurt the small creature, mostly because there's be little point in doing so. It was mostly mild curiosity that made him pick it up. Besides the major source of his disdain is humanity not wildlife.

His gazes snaps towards the voice as soon as he heard it, though it is not one he recognizes. Despite her request he makes no move to do anything.

Instead he simply stares at her as though he's completely unimpressed with her presence. Which is completely true. He does not hold his eyes on her for long, because clearly she isn't any sort of threat. Nor does he care about her general existence.

He considers outright ignoring her, but that might not get him anywhere in this strange place either. Instead when he speaks he ignores her demand instead.]

What is this?

[pinwheels]

[ Any other person would probably back away right now. There's something about the man that is truly unsettling, whether it be the way he looks at her, or the way he completely ignores what she says and continues his line of questioning, albeit now directed at her rather than the creature. But Rinoa is not easily perturbed herself, and Felix's worried nudge at her side is enough to push her into action; with a frown, she walks up to the man, and gentle but firm in her motion, takes the creature right out of his arms. ]

What he is is not for you to hold like that. I know he's probably not like anything from where you're from— [ they're not like anything from where anyone is from, as far as she knows ] —but you can still treat him with respect!

[ She puts him down next to Felix, smiling as her friend proceeds to inspect his fellow whatever-they-are for injuries. Then, she looks back up at the newcomer, a frown on her face. ]

Who are you?

[sefirot]

[Isn't she a bold one. He makes little reaction at her grabbing the creature from him. It did not matter to him anyway, but unfortunately that means his attention is now solely on her.

He turns to face her fully as if to size her up. She doesn't appear to be a threat (not that he'd consider anyone to be really). More of an annoyance. Kind of like that flower girl.]

You care about these creatures. Are you willing to die for them?

[Again he pretty much just ignores her question. She doesn't need to know who he is and he doesn't really care to ask her name.]

[pinwheels]

[ Under any other circumstance, Rinoa would probably be a lot more afraid than she is right now. She doesn't know who this man is, but there's something about him that makes her feel uncomfortable, perhaps something wrong even. But as far as she can see, he's unarmed. She's not; perhaps it's silly, but the bladed weapon on her arm offers an easy confidence.

Her arms fold across her chest. ]

Are you threatening me?

[ If he thinks he's going to scare her that easily, he's got another thing coming...! ]

hot and cold

[memorate]

[ It seems like they're both reliving a certain incident from the past, except that Cloud has found himself in this situation before. That is to say, he has already experienced this hallucination before, and it's been some time since he suffered from the last one.

Seeing Sephiroth now with that all familiar backdrop... it can only mean one thing. ]

You're not real.

[ Of course, it's himself that he's trying to convince here, even though he doesn't know if he wants it to be true or not. After all, the man he's been searching for all this time is right here before him. This is what he wanted, isn't it? ]

[sefirot]

[That voice. One he knows so very well. It almost brings a -- well, not a smile, more of a smug sort of curl of his lips which lasts up until he sets his eyes on the source. His expression narrows. He'd normally make some sort of remark, but for the moment he seems lost in uncertainty if not outright confusion.

This place itself already is full of uncertainty, but Cloud as he sees him now is not right. He's not as he last saw -- he's younger, more -- its hard to say exactly. But this certainly does not look like the person he last fought even if everything about him says that it is still Cloud. Which Sephiroth supposes is the important part.

His features even out and he takes a small step forward towards him not making any sudden or aggressive movements. He doesn't have thr masamune so outright picking a fight with Cloud would not be the best idea. And he knows this.]

No? Am I not as real as the heat burning off the ash of these flames? As your heart beating with every second that passes in this moment? Oh Cloud, I assure you I am quite real.

[Of course he also can't help himself with the taunting sometimes]

[memorate]

[ Armed or not, Cloud won't underestimate Sephiroth for a second, which means he's already got one hand on the hilt of the Buster Sword that's attached to his back. If he's the real deal, then they might as well settle things now.

Of course, there's no way this encounter won't end without a fight. They both know this. ]

Then tell me, how the hell are you still alive?!

[sefirot]

[Were this any other time, Sephiroth would go looking for that fight. He'd engage in it holding nothing back. But without his weapon, he holds a slight disadvantage -- not that he doesn't believe he couldn't fight off and overpower Cloud regardless.

He simply would simply rather do it with the masamune.]

Am I though? I wouldn't call it alive though here ... it is different.

[And strange from being in the lifestream.]

But it was never really death either. You mistakenly believe that I will ever be truly gone. I cannot. I will not. Ever disappear.

[memorate]

Even memories fade, which is all you are.

[ Neither dead nor alive... what else could he be other than some freak of nature or an apparition? Not that any of these things could stop Cloud either. He's fought against ghosts and fate itself, and he'll absolutely make sure that Sephiroth disappears one day, too. ]

What is it you want?

b, screams

[anciently]

...You just keep turning up places you shouldn't be, don't you?

[ Aerith knows the flames won't hurt her - or him - and considering who it is, she doesn't feel particularly compelled to warn him about any possible danger. Instead, she's eyeing him from a distance, expression quite inscrutable.

She doesn't need to ask how he got here, because it's either the same way everyone else did (that is: they don't know how), or he found another way through his (unfortunate) connection with the Lifestream. The latter...still seems unlikely, though, considering that this place is seemingly and completely cut off from the planet. ]

hello there flowergirl~

[sefirot]

As do you.

[He speaks before he moves to set his eyes on Aerith -- seeing her is most surprising all things considered. No matter what she manages to remain a mild thorn in his side. One that he's never really managed to fully get rid of.

Though oddly enough he wonders if she might have an idea of what is going on. He may not particularly like her, but he won't deny her abilities or connection to the planet and lifestream.

He starts moving towards her -- don't worry there's no weapon to be seen. He might still be a threat, but at least he's unarmed ]

Neither of us belong in this place, yet ...

[He geastures all around.]

Here we are. I take it this is not your doing.

(ง'̀-'́)ง

[anciently]

[ Aerith knows (from experience) that, if Sephiroth means her harm, there's not a lot she can do about it. So, when he approaches, she stands her ground, heart pounding instinctively, but expression one of stubborn defiance. ]

Nope. Whatever brought us here has...an incredible power. [ The ability to bring in people from multiple worlds, and to keep them here. So far, she hasn't learned much more beyond that, but she's still looking for answers.

Not that she feels particularly inclined to share them with Sephiroth. ]

...Where did you come from? [ He'll probably take her meaning: when did he come from? Though they're both disconnected from the planet at the moment, she knows his essence well enough to know that...this isn't exactly the same Sephiroth they'd fought so recently outside of Midgar, in the in-between space. Considering that that Sephiroth hadn't been 'right,' either...she can only hazard a guess as to what's going on.

This one has been to Nibelheim, at the very least. ]

>(

[sefirot]

[She is right about that. Whatever brought them there did have to hold some sort of vast power. Especially to yank him away with no recollection at all of how it happened. It's an odd, strange, and yet somehow curious thing. Perhaps simply because Sephiroth enjoys challenges.]

The lifestream.

[If she thought he'd give an answer so easily she is mistaken. He caught her intention though. He's just not about to give her anymore information than she's incline to share with him. They might be at a little bit of an impasse in that regard.]

But that is something you should already know.

[anciently]

So... Huh. [ Then, maybe, this is the Sephiroth who will find a way to slip through the Lifestream, to travel from his version of things to a new reality where he can try again. Everything is still so uncertain, but she knows enough to be sure that (almost) any Sephiroth means trouble. ]

Maybe I do, maybe I don't. [ They can stand around and be vague at each other all day, if he wants. ] I wish I could tell you to go back to where you came from, but I don't think you can.

[ Since...nobody can. ]

But let me know if you solve the big mystery. We've all got places to be.

B 😱

[starshower]

[This can't be happening. First, Rude walks into Heavenly Blanc—a piece of her bar that he had a hand in destroying—and now this!?

The flames that the winds bring about have never bothered Tifa. She knew that they couldn't burn her, but for some reason, she flinches when she feels it graze the skin on her arm. This is all too familiar to her: the flames, and Sephiroth standing in them.

Is he even real? Is this a consequence of their actions? Fighting destiny, or whatever they want to call it.

None of that matters.

The only thing she sees is rage. Red, fiery, uncontainable rage that balls up in her shaking fists as she stands across from the man who took her home and her family from her.]

You. [It's said quietly, though her voice is unsteady before it begins to rise.] You show up here after everything!? This has to be some kind of stupid trick.

[There's no other explanation for it besides what she initially thought the Void was: a game he's playing on them, to throw them off their path.]

[sefirot]

[Unfortunately for the both of him, he really is here. Though in this instant he does not wish to be. Mostly because he doesn't know where here and he is not someone who enjoys being in dark when it comes to knowledge of what is happening to him.

That happened once before and what lead him to being the way he is now. Never again.

The voice calls his attention. Though she never was one of high importance to him personally, he knows exactly who she is. She's important to Cloud and in a strange way makes her important to him.

But not important enough for him to really tell that she's younger than she should be to him. In fact, her words relate to almost anything he's done over the years.]

No trick. No illusion. I am here though I am uncertain how.

[He's not really one to play those sort of games. Sure he'll manipulate and harass the ever living shit out of Cloud, but that's different.]

[starshower]

Don't play dumb with me. You think that after all that... changing destiny or whatever... that I'm gonna buy that?

[His fault, their fault... In the end, it doesn't matter that much to her. Maybe, if they hadn't tried, they wouldn't be here, but he'd given them a reason to.

For her, it's only been a matter of minutes since they last faced each other. Before leaving Midgar, before making the promise to stick by Cloud, they'd held off the Whispers so he could finish their fight with Sephiroth. It's hard for her to believe that he had nothing to do with it, and even harder when she's so blinded by her own anger that she hardly notices that he's completely unarmed before she rushes at him.

She winds up a punch, but it's easily telegraphed; she doesn't care enough to do a fake out, all she cares about is hitting him square in the jaw. Anywhere she can reach.]

[sefirot]

[Her punch connects -- at least partially -- for one very important reason, the remake about changing destiny. That bit is a something that struck him from out of the blue much like her punch that hits him in the face causing him to recoil. If she tries it again, he'll move to try and catch her fist.

The pain of being hit doesn't bother him as much as her words. He's dealt with pain before, much worse pain. But --]

Destiny?

[What is she talking about?]

You are looking for someone to blame, but you are mistaken. I have never denied anything I've done to any of you, why would I lie about this?

[When he does something he wants everyone to know that he is the cause. Not hide it.]

[starshower]

[She swings her fist for another hit, but his questioning makes her hesitate, halting her movements just as her knuckles are about to reach him.

He's given her no reason to believe him, nor has she been given a reason not to, but even he seems genuinely confused by what she said. Sephiroth could be playing her, but... he's right. If he had done it, he'd want them to know, given what she's seen of him thus far.

She doesn't lower her fist, and her posture and expression remain guarded. Her lip quivers, hands shake, but the rest of her is still.]

... You really don't know?

[Tifa swallows past the lump in her throat.]

The Whispers? Trying to steer everything in one direction...?

[He was there.]

b

[ruinedempire]

[Of all the people that Rufus wanted to see again, Sephiroth is definitely at the bottom, next to his dad. How many lives does this man have anyway?? There can only be one villain with nine lives and that's him thank you very much.

Honestly, the smart thing to do is just leave right now. Escape before Sephiroth turns his focus to him. However, Rufus has a feeling that if he tried to run now, he'll only grab his attention. If he's going to get caught facing the former war hero, he wants it to be on his terms. Be a shame to be caught running away for his life.

So, might as well start this.]

Reminiscing, Sephiroth?

[The question is more of a statement. And while Rufus hasn't run away just yet, he's still keeping a distance away from him. There's something, fear that creeps up his spine, but he manages to push it back down with a cool stare.]

[sefirot]

[That is totally fair because Rufus is near the bottom of the "people he cares to know still exist" list. In all reality it mattered little if he were around or got thrown off a building to fall to his untimely death. He doesn't see the younger Shinra as a threat (though to be honest neither was the elder one.)

He turns at the mention of his name otherwise he might have ignored the voice all together. The look he gives Rufus is something along the lines a person might give an insect while they debate on squashing it or if it's even worth the effort.]

You could say that this reminds me of where everything began.

[He gestures slowly, mildly at the burning flames.]

I am surprised to see you venture close to the flame, Rufus. I'd think you'd fear scorching that coat of yours more than anything.

[ruinedempire]

[Well, the nightmare of the planet hasn't immediately tried to kill him yet, so that's a plus. Thoughts of Kadaj float to the top of his mind and it doesn't seem like that particular remnant has influenced Sephiroth's behavior right now. Still, that doesn't mean he can let his guard down, even if a part of him feels heckled at the look of complete disregard the other man is tossing at him.

A solid reminder of why he's always disliked him, even before his slip into insanity.

While tempting to take another look at the fire burning brightly around them, Rufus just keeps his expressionless face on Sephiroth. He knows very well what he's referencing anyway.]

Now, where would I be if I tried to avoid every potential danger? To make any sort of progress, a risk must be made.

[sefirot]

[Sephiroth knows quite well what happened between Kadaj and Rufus and as insulting as that may be, he's still no fool and won't just immediately jump into anything.

Besides he hardly thinks Rufus is worth it. Most of his anger still points in another direction.

So they'll just continue to have this stare off much like a couple of alley cats who've stumbled upon each other.]

Yet I don't see your protectors anywhere close. Are you alone? Have they finally seen reason and finally abandoned you for your lack of worth?