October Test Drive Meme

[tabularasa_mods]

Test Drive Meme #5 Welcome to Tabula Rasa's Test Drive Meme! As of this moment, apps for both secondary characters and new players are open. New player apps will be accepted until we’re able to fill our player cap as well as our app queue. For more information on this, please see the Applications page.

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.

▲▼▲▼▲▼▲▼▲

Full Navigation
Premise ▲ FAQ ▼ State of The World ▲ Locations ▼ Bestiary
Reserves ▼ Applications
Skip to Comments
▲▼▲▼▲▼▲▼▲
Scenario A: Off to the Races
The herds of round, bipedal avian creatures that have been popping up in greater numbers can certainly be heard before they’re seen, thanks to the heavy stomping sounds they make as they run across their territory. When they get together like this, it’s often for means of competition - despite the roundness of their bodies, speed is among the most respected traits among their ranks. What better way to measure that capability than a tournament-style race bracket?

As long as you keep your distance you can safely observe them in their natural habitat, letting out deep, warbled cries as they cheer on their compatriots and try to disorient their rivals. The event is intense enough that if you’re watching closely, you may be able to parse some of the herd’s social dynamics. Interfering is also an option, but don’t think they’ll take to it too kindly; competitive races are very important. If you want to avoid getting bodied, it may be safest to remain a spectator.

Unfortunately, remaining a spectator isn’t always an option when the race ends up coming to you. The well-trodden paths around the world make for great race tracks, and these creatures don’t seem to care about sharing the road. Outrunning the racers is a hopeless endeavor, so your best option may be to throw yourself onto one of them instead if you can’t get out of the way. And if you’re going along for the ride anyway, why not have a bit of fun with it?

Scenario B: Unidentified Falling Objects
The sky above the world was once blank and featureless, but is now filled with shapes, colors and strange objects of all sizes. Normally these objects float high up above even the peak of Mount Silver, but lately some have been spotted drifting lower and lower... or dropping out of the sky entirely. Perhaps someone asked one too many questions about how they were staying up there when everything else was mostly obeying the laws of gravity.

Some of these objects are small and light, though they can still leave a bump if one lands on your head. Others are a much more serious hazard and can reach up to the size of a truck. Getting crushed by something unexpectedly is a very real possibility, so you'd best watch your head out there!

Once they've fallen, the sky-objects won't stay on the ground forever. After awhile they'll start to slowly float back into the air... so maybe don't climb onto one, either, if you're not prepared to make the journey back down again.

Scenario C: Help Wanted
Somewhere in the confusing underground pathways of Messiah Station is a stand of free-to-take job flyer advertisements. Odd, considering that this world doesn't have a form of currency or any way to stop people from taking anything they want for free… but never mind that! There’s work to be done, and you’re the one holding the flyer.

Many of the postings are incomprehensible gibberish, but there are a few that almost sound doable.

GARDENER - THE UNFORESEEN SIMULATION JOINT
Gardeners needed to water the conflagration zone and tend to flowers. Must be comfortable working while on fire.

GREETER - SHIBUMENOSAKI UA
Greeter needed to speak to everyone who enters the Academy. Payment will be based on conversational and singing skills.

CUSTODIAN - MESSIAH STATION SQUARE
Custodians needed to mop the platform and tunnels in Messiah Station and rearrange floor stickers. You will try your best.

RECRUITER - JOB POSTING BOARD
Recruiter needed to recruit recruiters for the job posting board. Payment will be ready in 5-10 business hours.

Each flyer also lists the payment promised, but most of them don't make any sense and include answers such as "a job well done", "payment?" and "+1 Charm". There are a few that promise free baked goods from the Lemon Cello, though. It could be a waste of time, but maybe something will happen if you give it a go?

back to top
back to navigation

code bases by tricklet

Comments

[blue_eyed_obsession]

[For once, because usually he led with that. There likely weren't many people here that didn't know that Seto Kaiba was a president of a major corporation and the most accomplished duelist ever shoves Yugi aside mentally. Somehow he didn't feel like bragging right now.]

I wouldn't have made the offer if I was concerned about either point.. but suit yourself. [With that he turned sharply back towards the door, silently hoping that Ann wouldn't be difficult to find] Some of them, others are more docile.

If something pops up just listen to my instructions and follow my lead. I don't really think we'll have any issues.

[unblockable]

( bossy... thinking it better he does act super though. she wonders why, though. maybe she can ask when they get somewhere safer, or ask ann since he seems to be friends with her. but she gives him a nod either way, because, without him, she'd probably be lost. )

Of course. ( she gives the strange church a last look before following him, one day she'll come back with ann and eat some of that cake. or watch her eat it... which was much more interesting to be quite honest. ) It's your brother here with you as well?

[blue_eyed_obsession]

[If she can tolerate his attitude a little longer, he should be able to help her find her friend. At least he knew how to navigate the area]

[The cake was there for the taking, and presumably delicious. Kaiba hadn't partaken, living mostly on coffee and food from the Market Place stands. He strode confidently further up the wooded path towards the apartments, the theory being Ann would have to return to her room.. sometime.] ... [That question was initially met with silence. It was prolonged and likely uncomfortable] No.

[menaretrash]

Yeah, something like that! [ Dude, you have no idea... ] His name's Bowser! He's got this spiky shell and everything!

[ Ah yes, good, this is a relief that Shiho isn't... fixating on this and she doesn't have to pull out her Wonderful, Amazing Acting Skills™. ]

That's sweet of you, Shiho~. Oooh, those are cool powers! I'd love to be able to talk to animals, too! [ Animals that aren't adorable, demanding thief cats-- ] Oooh, what about like, infinite knowledge?

[unblockable]

Wait, a shell? ( hmm.... ) Wouldn't that make him a tortoise? Or... something?

( she giggles a little at the compliment. )

I think I'd go crazy if I knew everything, also maybe a little bored. Though, maybe I would be like a sphinx. How cool would that be?!

( she missed this so much! just talking to her bestie, about the most stupid things. )

[unblockable]

( she can tolerate that and more, he's actually not bad as company, but she's not blind and can see that maybe he doesn't like her much, or he's just... not a people person.

again, something else to talk with ann. )

Oh... I'm really sorry? ( hmm, it shouldn't be a question but, she's not sure if he'd want him to be here, stuck with the crazy stuff. she's probably asking all the wrong questions, either way, it was way too personal, maybe. good girls aren't supposed to make such private questions after all. they aren't supposed to talk at all, just nod and be pretty... ) I only asked because... it doesn't seem to be a good place to be alone.

[blue_eyed_obsession]

[It's the latter in this case. Kaiba only had so much patience for peopling and he'd used up a considerable amount of it. It should bear no reflection on her, but she wouldn't know that without some confirmation.]

[Here it comes, the sympathy. Though he should have been comforted by the idea that someone else could be compassionate towards his plight he was more irritated by it even being a thing. If he'd been able to hear some of the things she was thinking however he might have felt considerably more guilty.] I'm used to it. [No he wasn't. In many ways Mokuba was the one thing that tethered him to the world, that and his insatiable pride. He couldn't go out like this because his brother needed him, and it would give all his enemies an easy out. Simple as that. If he was being truthful he would have admitted just how much he missed the younger Kaiba. Especially now.]

[Still, the simple phrase said a lot about his mentality.

When they neared the apartment complex, he once again opened the door and waited for her to enter first.] She resides on the lower floor.. we're not far from her room now.

[unblockable]

( that sounds even sadder than not having his brother around... very mysterious too. seto kaiba was proving to be a very dark, very interesting man, on top of very good looking.

maybe she and ann can invite him to hang out... so he doesn't have to be alone. )

Thank you. ( she says as she goes inside the building. ) I-I'm probably good now, I don't want to waste more of your time. I'll be fine on my own. ( maybe. )

[blue_eyed_obsession]

[Little did he know how much trouble he created for himself with his cryptic response.

Though he would balk at the idea, somehow he was already managing to spend an inordinate amount of time with Takamaki]

... [Not letting her out of this that easily, he followed her inside, and moved past her into the hall. Then he walked to Ann's apartment] She might not be in. [There was his excuse for not minding her words, and never you mind how he knows this is her room. He'd never made a social call before but he made it his business to know a lot of things. Then he knocked on the door]

[youngerbrother]

[Mokuba is not sure how long he has been lurking at the edge of the clearing. For some reason Time does not seem to be progressing at all. The strange sky overhead has not changed since he has been here like one would expect. Has he been here minutes, hours, days? Grinding the heel of his hand against his eye he grumbles and drops in an ungraceful lump at the base of a tree. This would be so much easier if he weren't alone. He is by no means a little kid who needs someone to hold his hand - he can take care of himself. At the same time he is still a kid, one who is very far away from anything that is safe and familiar. Pushing himself up again he rests his back against the tree and draws his knees up to his chest, his hand automatically clasping the card locket around his neck. Yes, this would be much easier if he weren't alone.

Minutes-hours-days pass as he continues to watch the birds. Another group of them has arrived, welcomed by a gleeful chorus from their fellows. At least the birds are happy. Sniffling a bit Mokuba lowers his head to rest his brow against his knees, almost missing a brief flash of white that registers at the very last second. He yanks his head up on reflex, promptly bashing the back of it against the tree, uttering an unconscious yelp in response. The dull ache goes mostly unnoticed as he scrambles to his feet, eyes wide and chest near bursting with a painful kind of hope. Never in a million years would he fail to recognize his brother's figure and stride.

SETO!

[Caution is thrown to the wind as he shouts his brother's name, all sense of self preservation being overridden by excitement and a desperate need for this to be real and not some horribly messed up illusion.]

:D!!

[youngerbrother]

[When it comes to weird places Mokuba has seen his fair share. Pegasus's island and castle (what he got to see of it, since most of his visit had either been spent in a dungeon or soulless). The video game world his brother had designed. The virtual world that had been created by their adoptive father to house the mind and soul of his actual dead son. None of these were places that Mokuba ever wanted to return to after escaping or being rescued from them. That said, at least they had made some kind of sense.

Unlike here, wherever 'here' is.

It takes him a second to notice someone waving at him, distracted as he is with guessing whether that soccer-ball sized bit of something is heading his way or not. Thankfully it is a slow moving something that gives him enough time to duck out of the way and move on to safer ground. Given his less than stellar track record when it comes to abductions he hesitates to join Ann after reaching a clear patch where he is not in immediate danger of head trauma. In the end he is the far more trusting half of the Kaiba brothers, always wanting to see the good in others, and decides to take her up on the offer.]

Alright!

[Not the most eloquent of agreements but it gets his point across. A few hops, skips and dodges later he is close enough to Ann for it to count as companionable. He gives her a sheepish sort of grin.]

Thanks! My last hiding spot uh... didn't work out so well.

[youngerbrother]

WHOA!

[First the sky is falling, and now robots too. Mokuba skids to an abrupt halt when Legion lands directly in front of him. At first he mistakes them for another piece of debris - some of the things he has been dodging have been pretty weird - but he quickly realizes the error of that thought when Legion jumps to their feet. He backpedals a bit, as awkward and undignified as his brother is (usually) graceful, uncertain whether the robot is friendly or not. That uncertainty jumps three whole levels when the robot apparently knows his name.]

Uhm. Yes? That's me...?

[blue_eyed_obsession]

[Even though time was in the beginning stages of being able to track, it was still not an exact science, which was something that irritated a certain brunette who usually adhered to a tight schedule. Other concepts he hadn't missed, like hunger and sleep but they hadn't remained absent either. If only there was some way to decide which functions made the cut and which didn't.

The loud thunk got his attention first, though he wasn't sure what had caused it. Looking for the source as he neared the treeline, he came to a dead stop when he saw the puffy yellow vest, striped shirt, and jeans that were all too familiar to him. Shock replacing his usual disinterest, he wasn't sure whether to trust his eyes or not. The figure raised itself to it's feet, and that's when he got a good glimpse of those facial features. There could be no mistake, unless this was yet again another trick of the void]

MOKUBA?!

[Mirroring his brother in this fashion, he also decided to risk it, increasing his pace to close the distance between them. He nearly broke into a run when he remembered the featherheads might take it as an invitation to stampede again. The last thing he wanted to do was endanger his younger brother. When he was close enough he halted giving the other visual inspection] Have you been- crying? [An activity he never engaged in, but he tried not to sound too judgmental. The observation immediately led to further concerns.] Did something happen?! Are you hurt?

[youngerbrother]

[Perhaps in another time, another place, Mokuba would have remembered something as important as the presence of giant birds with a propensity to stampede. While he is still aware of them in some vague capacity there is no room in his mind right now for threat assessment. The return cry of his name sparks a fresh wave of desperation. This has to be real, it has to! Where Seto stops Mokuba continues forward, all but flinging himself at his brother with little concern for dignity. The body he collides with is certainly solid enough, and he instantly wraps his arms around him, fingers clenching the fabric of his jacket tightly.]

Seto! It's really you!

[The first question almost falls on deaf ears, such is the strength of the relief rushing through him. He sniffles again, not outright crying so much as near overcome with emotion, and hides his face against his brother for a second in an attempt to compose himself. When he is able to speak again he prefaces it with a slightly watery laugh.]

Maybe a little crying, yeah. [No point in denying it when evidence shows otherwise. He shakes his head and pulls back just enough to look Seto in the face, reluctant to release his hold on him.] I'm not hurt. I just don't know what happened, or how I got here. Or where 'here' even is. I hadn't even seen anyone else until now. I thought I was alone...

poor mokuba LMAO.

[menaretrash]

[ This place is crazy and dangerous, and while she's pretty sure Mokuba is a tough cookie, she's not about to take the chance of letting him go off on his own if she can help it. So, it's a relief that, after a brief and very warranted hesitation, that he agrees and makes his way over. That makes things a lot easier -- she was worried he'd take off, and if that were the case, tracking Seto down and having him flail at her about it is something she'd have to deal with.

No one needs to deal with that, okay.

Ann is more than happy to meet Mokuba half way, reaching up to half punch a baseball sided piece of... god only knows what away from him once he's sidled up close enough. ]

It's cool! No worries -- I'll take you to the cafe my friend runs. [ Half owns? Runs? It doesn't matter, the point is, is that it's a sturdy building with a nice roof, and warm drinks and food and safety. ] My name is Ann, by the way. Ann Takamaki! Are you injured or anything?

[ She can't see anything that's really visible, which is a good thing, but she's also not going to stand around forever, either. It's why she places a friendly arm around his shoulders to gently guide him, quickly, forward and towards where the cafe is. It's closer than the apartments, and honestly, Seto could even be there. She hopes he is, at least. ]

I don't want you to freak out or anything, but... your name is Mokuba, right? Your big brother is here, and he's going to be really glad to see you! Sometimes he hangs out at the cafe, if he's not there, once it's safe to go out again, we can swing by his apartment and wait for him. He's gotta come home sometime, you know?

[blue_eyed_obsession]

[Fortunately, the birds don't seem nearly as concerned with the pair of brothers or their activities as Seto is in the reverse. Eyes darting briefly to the side, he can see them in his periphery still milling about, some squawking and others digging at the grass with their talons. This was acceptable behavior, so he could turn his attention fully to the enthusiastic form racing towards him from the opposite direction. A smile, a rare and genuine one, crossed in a thin arc over his features. Let this be reality. There was a muffled whumping sound from their impact but no damage incurred, as a reflex he places a hand to the top of Mokuba's head feeling the hair thread through his fingers, his free hand cupping the small boy's shoulder]

Mm- it's really me.

[More emotion encapsulated in that phrase than was characteristic of the more stoic sibling. This time when he is close enough to hear the sniffling he says nothing and allows his brother time to get it all out. The laughter, especially was something he'd sorely missed, there was just an endearing quality that couldn't be replicated by anyone else.]

It doesn't matter, so long as you're here. [Genuinely meaning that. When Mokuba drew back, Seto reached for his own locket in a gesture to show that he had never taken it off.] Good, because if you were I was going to have to track down whoever or whatever did this to you, and make them pay. Dearly.

[Seto paused a moment to decide how best to describe this] They just call this place 'the void'. Originally there was nothing here, and all of this sprung up later in an instant. It keeps contorting and adapting over time.

[forwearemany]

(It occurs to them that while they know of him, he is unlikely to possess similar knowledge of themselves. After a moment, despite the fact that this area is dangerous and they should probably be running, or trying to find shelter, or basically literally anything else, they crouch down in an attempt to be less overall intimidating.)

Our designation is Legion. We are familiar with Kaiba Seto.

(Something large and heavy slams into the ground nearby, shaking the ground and nearly upsetting their balance. Their headflaps flare as they look in that direction.)

Recommend relocation!

Iwaizumi Hajime | Haikyuu!!

[bluecastleace]

A.
Would you look at that...

[Iwaizumi’s voice sounds far away and a little breathless. It’s clear that he’s focusing, his eyes glued steadfastly on the display before him. A competition, but not facilitated by human jockeys or trainers like a horse race would be - the animals (none like he’s ever seen before) are doing it on their own. Although he’s still speaking, Iwaizumi is entirely transfixed - just like he would be with any kind of sports game, but this is unlike anything he’s ever seen.]

It’s almost like they’ve got their own rules, see? [He’s pointing now, but still not looking at anyone but the strange congregation of birds(?) in front of him.] That one’s getting punished for taking a head start - like a penalty! This is nuts!

B.
[There are plenty of things in this world that Iwaizumi is still getting used to, and understandably so. Random objects floating in the sky, for example, is not something one would typically see in his world. He’s standing there, head to the sky with a slightly irritated (if not a bit exasperated) look on his face, watching as various items hover only meters above his head. There’s a mason jar here, a couple of books there, what looks like maybe a bowling ball off in the distance - that would sure suck if it landed on your, huh? Scarcely does Iwaizumi have time to consider the possibility before he notices a much larger hazard drifting across the sky toward him.

[Is that a fucking Toyota? Before he has time to process what exactly is going on, the object is casting a dark shadow over him, and then, all at once, he realizes that it’s falling.

[A quick glance around, and he realizes it’s falling toward you. Instincts kick in before his brain can, and in one swift motion he’s lunging for you, attempting to shove you out of the way, and quite possibly knocking you to the ground in the process. This would be no big deal if he’d just saved your life, of course, but just as the object is about to reach the ground (and perhaps just as Iwaizumi is attempting to wrap himself around you, shield you with his own body), the car-like object slows in momentum and stops just inches above you, then calmly floats away.]

What the hell?

A

[halloflamer]

It's pretty amazing, huh!?

[Iwaizumi isn't the only one cheerfully watching the races; there's a boy that looks just a little older than him, somewhere on the out-of-highschool cusp, perched atop one of the rocky outcrops that dot the grassy, forested paths around Mt. Silver. There's a small dog-like creature perched atop his head, peering just as eagerly out at the races and wagging its bushy tail as it keeps track of the pace.] I'm cheering for that one,

[Blue points down to ...one of them, following the front couple leaders of the pack.] It seems real determined, even though it's fallen back to second place a bunch of times, now. But grit matters! I think it'll tough it out.

[menaretrash]

Maybe! He looks kinda like a dragon turtle.... he was cool to talk to.

[ She grins, pleased to hear Shiho's giggles. It's like music to her ears. ]

A sphinx would be cool! You'd be a really pretty one, too~

[ And a lot friendlier than Futaba's mom! ]

[bluecastleace]

It’s crazy. They’ve gotta be smart - way smarter than they look anyway. [No shade, but for what appear to be a bunch of bizarre ostriches, they really are blowing his mind here.

[He glances at Blue, follows his point to the one that’s lagging behind, makes a face.]

Grit matters, yeah, but so does raw power. [You can’t deny that.] That asshole’s been leading every race - doesn’t appear to be losing any stamina either. [He points to one of the two current leaders - they seem to be running pretty toe-to-toe with each other, which only makes the entire thing more interesting (of course).]

Those two are the ones to watch. They’re gonna be head to head until one of them’s dust, I know it.

[halloflamer]

I'm not surprised. Pokémon are super competitive creatures... [Because obviously, they're Pokémon; what else would they be?] I've heard Rapidash will give chase if they feel like they're being challenged, just like this. And groups of wild Pokémon will get together for their own competitive battles, even without trainers around.

You shouldn't underestimate them, just cuz they're not humans!

[It was a matter of fact that he was simply used to; but Blue had found that this wasn't the case with a lot of the people here... What weird places they must be from.]

[He watches as they run neck and neck, the leader continuously pulling ahead every time the other one finds a surge to pull ahead. Blue frowns a little.]

It's not just grit. It's strategy, too; a race is a lot more about knowing when to expend your energy than just flinging yourself ahead.

[Is he speaking from experience? Maybe.]

[bluecastleace]

[Iwaizumi would guess that he might be, judging from the way he says it, but he won’t press - for now. He’s a little to focused on the irritation that bubbles up when its implied that he doesn’t understand what value strategy brings to a competition.]

You don’t have to tell me about strategy, but it’s like I said. That guy in the front - those two - are hardly losing any stamina. At least, it doesn’t look like they are. [He furrows his brow a little, seems to focus a little harder for a moment, if only to reinforce his claims - they are a little hefty, he realizes, but he’s not about to back down now.

[Even so, a little discussion never hurt anyone, and this guy - whoever he is - doesn’t have a terrible theory himself.]

You think he’s gonna kick it into high gear once they near the finish line there? [He glances at Blue, his expression mild to show that he’s genuinely curious.] Not a bad idea, but that sort of thinking really would be impressive. You said these things are called Pokémon?

[Or was it Rapidash? Maybe that’s a specific breed? He’s not so concerned with that part.] They battle too?

A

[gardenerofavalon]

Merlin is, for the most part, indifferent to most the wildlife here. Even if he does have that one rabbit-bird thing that follows him around... Mostly he just makes note of enough to know when to keep his distance, given that this place has been stubborn about being affected by his usual powers, and leaves it at that.

He does, however, pause when he sees the kid watching the... birds, for lack of a better term. It's not really any of his business, but...

"Make sure you don't end up in their way!" he calls out as a friendly warning.

swings in late and excited! (also, B!)

[pinwheels]

[ Things are dropping out of the sky again. Rinoa's just sent Angelo and Felix on ahead, back to the apartment, when she notices the little boy running through the middle of the whole thing. The shock of black hair is recognizable even from this distance, and while the memory isn't hers anymore, there's still a familiar surge of protectiveness, a worry that clenches like a fist around her heart. ]

Mokuba!!

[ She shouts his name before she stops to remember that he has no way of knowing who she is, and in her panic a hand raises as if to drape a Protect spell over him, the Sorceress remembering only a moment later that she can't do that here. There's a sharp, irritated breath on her lips as she plunges toward him. ]

It's not safe here! Let me help you.

[ There's a few beats as she realizes, rather abruptly, that he has no reason to trust or believe in her, and Rinoa bites her lip as she comes to a halt, hoping and praying with everything she has that nothing drops on them in the meantime. ]

I'm a friend of your brother's.