October Test Drive Meme

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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.

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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?

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code bases by tricklet

Comments

[feale]

[ Once the other's identity is confirmed, she dips into a bow of her own, straightening up with a small smile. ]

Not for long. [ She thinks, anyway. ] At least... not as long as the other senpais. ...Ah! You know they're here, right? Takamaki-senpai, and Amamiya-senpai...

[ But that's not what Shiho asked. Whoops. ]

It's not easy, but they've been really amazing in helping me find my footing here. So we can all help you, too!

[halloflamer]

Oh, yeah? [It's that slight ruffled feathers that catches Blue's attention, and he can't help himself but grin a little. So, just who was this guy, that Blue didn't have to tell him about strategy? Not a trainer, that much was sure...]

[He glances back down as the race nears a new bend- this was where the positions would reshuffle, and he watches as the middle of the pack rearranges itself while the first 2 or 3 go back and forth.] I think that's the only option. 'course, you can't let yourself fall behind completely, but don't you think keeping your ace hidden is a valuable strategy?

[Blue turns back towards him.] Well, where I come from, they are. Apparently not everyone here feels that way. [He gestures to the critter atop his head, who raises a paw.] They can look like anything from Eevee here, to the little dumpy racers down there, to puddles of goo, or ghosts... Pokémon have a lot of variety, so it's a little hard for me to believe they're not.

But Pokémon definitely have one thing in common. And that's that they're competitive- whether it's something like this [He jerks his thumb back towards the race,] or a battle.

[bluecastleace]

[Iwaizumi’s expression flattens at Blue’s mention of a “hidden ace”, and he lets out a snort that sounds somewhere between bitter and amused. While he realizes that the phrase is usually used in relation to some sort of card game, the word “ace” means something a lot different to Iwaizumi. It’s probably not hard to tell that a couple of fresh wounds have just been salted.]

Valuable, yeah. [Don’t I know it, he thinks. But he’d rather focus on their other topic of conversation - these “Pokémon” things.]

I’d say they just sound like animals if you hadn’t mentioned the ghosts and...goo? [He wrinkles his nose a little at that, but remembers around the same time that things like Blobfish exist. Could still just be animals this guy is describing then, but at the same time, Iwaizumi has become well aware as of late that the people in this place - whatever this place is - definitely don’t all come from the same world he’s been plucked from.] You don’t recognize these, though?

[He gestures back toward the race. It’s getting interesting now, and suddenly he’s having a hard time tearing his eyes away again. The two leaders are still going head to head, but the underdog Blue’s cheering for does appear to be gaining on them.]

Come on...[He mutters under his breath.]

[halloflamer]

[Huh? What's this guy's problem? ....Blue figures he must be into something, if not battling, some kind of competitive scene- maybe an athlete himself? But he doesn't seem very bothered about it.]

[Pokémon competitions were very different from people ones, anyway!]

Oh, animals! Yeah, that's what other people here call them, [Blue nods, popping his fist in his palm.] Though, yeah, it seems like Pokémon come in a lot more shapes. Eevee seems to be like what the call an 'animal', I guess. But, animals sound a lot dumber and weaker than Pokémon, if I'm being honest.....

[But, rather than explaining Pokémon for the umpteenth time, Blue is more intent on watching the race. The underdog had fallen to second place again a little after the bend, but now it's a straightaway to the finish. He almost doesn't realize how hard he's gripping his knee watching, hoping for his instinct to be correct- his instinct as a trainer, but these were wild Pokémon. He'd have to hope this one would show off those brilliant tactics that he'd seen it display earlier.]

[simulatio]

Haha... of course. I forget that such things aren't of interest to most high schoolers.

[He smiles, voice almost sheepish as if to turn the implied insult into mere self-deprecation. The smile doesn't waver even as she offers a task for him, and he just shakes his head without giving it any consideration.]

I don't intend to do the bidding of a nameless, faceless entity. Even if it offered a substantial reward instead of, ah... [he puts a hand to his chin as he looks toward the pamphlet,] "Charm +1."

[bluecastleace]

[Luckily for Blue (and the exasperation he must be feeling having to explain Pokémon to yet another clueless sucker), Iwaizumi is focused back on the race too, gripping his own knees and barely muttering an idle:] Uh huh.

[He’s clearly not listening at this point, and can you blame him? The race is coming dangerously close to its end, the two leaders still in place, and running so closely together now that it’s almost impossible to tell which one is taking the real lead. As the finish line nears, Iwaizumi jumps up in anticipation, fists clenched at his sides as he awaits the final result. The one he’s been watching seems to take a leap ahead and then—]

Shit! [It’s not so much a frustrated sound as an exclamation of surprise. Lo and behold, only seconds before they reach the end of the race, Blue’s second place pick gives a wild burst of speed that propels him past the two leaders and across the makeshift finish line, successfully winning his first race of the day. As impassioned as he is spectating any sport, Iwaizumi grabs at his hair and stomps a foot on the ground.] Dammit! [Just like a one-touch going out of bounds at the final match point.

[When his burst of frustration ends though, he doesn’t look angry - in fact, he looks nothing less than awestruck, still staring at the group of birds ahead of them as the two leaders squawk and stamp the ground in irritation.] Shit, man...

That bastard really did come up from behind. [He still doesn’t look at Blue when he says it, but he lets out a breathless laugh.] Amazing...

[Maybe he’s underestimated a bit just how much he misses the thrill of competition, even when he doesn’t get the result he wants from it (at least when he’s not personally involved, anyway).]

[youngerbrother]

[Mokuba takes a few moments to sort himself out. The anxiety that had lodged itself in his chest at the start of this confusing mess is ebbing now that some sense of normality has been restored. Finding Seto means that he has found his grounding and reference points again. Whatever happens going forward he trusts that his brother will guide him through it. Squaring his shoulders he nods and regards his older sibling with a look of determination. Now that the Kaiba brothers are back together there is nothing they can't handle.]

Right? Nobody messes with us and gets away with it! [His expressions softens at the sight of Seto's locket. Though he does not believe for a second that his brother would ever (willingly) remove it seeing the matching pendant never fails to stir up a tangle of emotions. The need to hug his brother strikes him again with a near thought erasing intensity but he reins in the impulse with difficulty. There will be time for more hugs later, when they aren't in the middle of some random wilderness. Assuming that there is something besides the random wilderness to be found.]

The void, huh? Not a very inventive name... [That's about all he can say in response to the explanation of the space around them. It is not that he can't say more, but he is having a little trouble parsing the idea of an ever changing environment.] Who is 'they'? There are other people here?

[halloflamer]

[A tiny guffaw escapes Blue as Iwaizumi jumps up, although he's sure it's unnoticed with how intently the boy is watching the race. Not that Blue isn't focused on it either- just as he expected, his pick to win, with what Blue reads as a squawking look of determination, pushes itself past the rest of the pack to throw itself across the finish line just meters from the end. He grins wildly to himself, somehow feeling a burst of pride, despite no personal connection to them- he doubts they even know that the two boys are watching.]

[But he can't contain himself with Iwai's outburst of amazement, head sinking between his shoulders to let a laugh erupt, hand to his stomach. Eevee is too busy hopping down and cheering loudly at the result of the race to pay attention to the silly humans and their reactions, watching as the winner loudly brays and flaps around the rest of the pack tumbling in, head held high.]

How's that for the power of smarts, huh!? [He reaches over and gives Iwaizumi a jolly, over-familiar swat to the back, the kind of congratulatory roughhousing any two boys might exchange in the face of celebration.] I shoulda bet you on it! Oh well, next time.

[bluecastleace]

[Well, Iwaizumi hadn’t quite been irritated at the loss - that is, until Blue started laughing about it. He jerks roughly away when he’s slapped on the back, turning to glare at the man with a look that just barely avoids the label of “murderous” in his eyes.]

Hey, you don’t know me like that, punk. And just what the hell would you have bet, anyway?

[He shakes his shoulders out a little, straightens his jacket. The grumpy look on his face endures, but at least he doesn’t look like he’s about to smack him anymore.]

It’s not like they use money around here. [He’s muttering to himself now, tone no doubt bitter. Blue’s probably encountered this emotion plenty of times by now, considering how long he’s been here (in comparison, anyway). This isn’t home, it isn’t right, it isn’t where he wants to be. The back of his jacket still proudly sports his team name - Aoba Johsai - but they’ve never been farther away. He’s still that brand of “new guy” that gets a lump in his throat every time he thinks about it.]

[youngerbrother]

[Agreed; no one wants or needs to deal with Seto Kaiba should they fail to keep his brother out of harm's way. Honestly, even if they do keep Mokuba safe, there is still a 25% chance that they won't want to deal with him. Not that Mokuba is much better on the over protective front himself. He might not throw hands but he will still make it a personal mission to ruin anyone who messes with his brother.

It's kind of cute until you are on the receiving end of it.

Mokuba ducks on reflex when Ann swats away another piece of debris, sparing a moment to give the offending object a very Setoesque glare. He is quickly growing tired of this game of Dodge Garbage.]

I got hit by one the smaller pieces earlier but it didn't really hurt. [The fact that he absently raises his hand to rub the back of his head says that that is a lie but a goose egg doesn't warrant concern. He hopes.

He is soon distracted by the way Ann pauses and tells him not to freak out. Nothing good ever happens when people tell him to freak out. The boy regards her with a look that is half suspicion when she says his name, a plan already beginning to form in the back of his mind of how he can slip away, until mention of his brother grinds everything to a halt.]

Seto... Seto is here?

[halloflamer]

Woah, easy! [Blue chuckles, still grinning despite the sour lashing out of the other boy. He raises an easy, unconcerned hand as if to pacify him- it reminds Blue of when he was an angry, easily annoyed teen, so he can't be all that mad.]

Hmmmm... A drink, maybe, [He chuckles, and then waves a hand,] Joking, joking! Well, those are free, too, so I guess you've got a good point. And anyway, you must be another highschool kid.

Tsk, I mean, it's not my business, I don't mind if you want a beer or something.... Long as Tifa-chan doesn't beat me up about it.

[Blue dusts himself up as he stands, stilling a moment to let Eevee jump back up.] I don't know, what would you want?

[youngerbrother]

[He retreats another half step when Legion kneels. The gesture might have been meant to put him more at ease, but there is no erasing the fact that Legion is pretty intimidating to behold. They look more advanced that any of his brother's robots - then again most of his brother's robots are meant to test products and dueling strategies. Call him crazy but somehow he gets the impression that Legion has nothing to do with card games.

Except that they know his brother. His expression visibly brightens at the mention of Seto's name, even though he is still clearly wary when he speaks.]

You know my brother?

[Further questioning will have to wait. He stumbles, gritting his teeth at the reminder of the very real potential danger overhead.]

Don't have to tell me twice! Is there anywhere safe we can go?

[bluecastleace]

[Iwaizumi’s glare intensifies again at the way Blue says “high school kid”. This asshole can’t be that much older than him, and he’s definitely more of a wimp just judging by his size alone. Iwaizumi is young, it’s true, but he’s definitely not small, and (as with all high schools kid) he definitely doesn’t consider himself a kid anymore. He may as well be out of high school at this point anyway - just one more reason he’s got that bitter look on his face.]

I don’t know who this “Tifa-chan” is, but I don’t need your permission to have a beer, pal. [So defensive, Iwa-chan~! It’s weird how he can almost hear Oikawa’s voice in his ear. What does he want, Blue asks?

[Shouldn’t that be obvious? He want to go home. But he doesn’t say that.]

I want to play. My sport. My game. [He stares at Blue, seems to study him. He’s quiet for a long moment then, looking away, back toward the avians as they ready themselves for another race.

[And then he sighs.] That’s not an option. [Not the way he wants it to be. He glances back at Blue.] Wouldn’t say no to a drink, though.

[Truthfully, he didn’t really realize that that was an option, what with how bizarre this place is. Getting drunk does tend to soften the occasional blow.]

[forwearemany]

(He'd be right. Geth are mostly built for their own purpose and Legion's purpose was to take on missions in organic space relating to the Reaper threat--they're a killbot.)

Yes.

(It's probably better he doesn't ask more about that--they're not friends anymore. That doesn't mean Legion has any intention of letting Mokuba get hurt though.

Since crouching isn't helping and is a bad idea anyway they get back up to their entire six and a half feet of height. They look around.)

Suggest Cafe/Bar: Heavenly Blanc. There is also the forest, which has the benefit of bringing us closer to Kaiba-Seto's apartment but contains additional dangers.

(Whatever he'd prefer, better make the decision fast!)

[halloflamer]

She'll kick your ass if she catches you stealing from her bar, that's who, [Blue laughs; he's seen Tifa in action enough to not ever want to make her mad, and as much bravado as he may put on, all that swagger is in the strength of his team, not his own. He's hardly delusional about that.... And likewise, he can't help admire (and be a little terrified of) Tifa's martial discipline. She'd make a heck of a sparring partner for Machamp.] I just help tend it!

Ahh, well anyway, don't take my jokes so seriously, [Blue chuckles, and immediately ignores Iwai's previous annoyance to give him a light pat on the arm.] What are you, 18, 19? Well, you're just a little younger than me, so don't sweat it, you can have a beer on me whenever. No bets necessary. The name's Blue, by the way.

[Blue sticks his hands back in his pockets as Eevee leaps back up onto his shoulder, and listens to his frustrations. As he thought....] Had a feeling you were some kinda athlete. Me? ...I'm more of a coach or a manager. This guy's the star athlete, [Blue indicates to Eevee, who perches over his shoulder and trills with his own confident puff, ruffling up the fur around his neck.] Eevee and the rest of my team- I'm a pro Pokémon trainer. I was the reigning Kanto Champ once, but now I co-run an independent battle facility abroad.

So, whatcha play? Baseball? Soccer?

[bluecastleace]

[Iwaizumi pulls away again when Blue touches his arm, though not as violently this time.] I’m gonna tell you one more time to quit touching me. [It sounds like a threat, but there’s not much power behind it. He does take a step back though, puts a little distance between them.

[So these Pokémon battle, and this guy trains them to - kind of like a horse jockey then (that’s all he can really think to relate it to - at least he doesn’t jump straight to dog fighting?).]

Volleyball. [Now his voice almost sounds like he’s trying to make it sound bitter, but it barely hides the wistfulness.] Fan of baseball though, and soccer ain’t bad. [He’s always kinda thought he wouldn’t mind being on two teams if he could swing it.]

[blue_eyed_obsession]

[It would have been impossible to put emotions into words for Seto- and not just for his usual aversion to displaying overt sentimentality. From his perspective they had been separated for what felt like months or years due to the indeterminate nature of how time was perceived in the void, and not only that but when he had left his own dimension it had been during a critical moment. For all his insistence that none of the fanciful nonsense his enemies foisted upon him was real, the danger was legitimate regardless. Having been knocked into an unconscious state, it was not as if he could have done much to protect the younger Kaiba after his critical tag duel with Dartz. He'd replayed those last few moments through his mind several times mentally torturing himself as he wondered what fate had befallen his brother afterwards. Even if Dartz had claimed he didn't desire the souls of the any of the onlookers, that they were insufficient in some manner for his aims, that didn't mean that he would be on his best behavior should Yugi have lost. The fact that Mokuba is here and now- he's not really sure what it means. What precisely happened after Seto left? Furthermore, this was opening up Mokuba to a variety of dangers and inconsistencies that were ever present in the void. This was not a safe location to reside in..

Either way- his selfish desires were currently winning out. He needed them to remain together. They had faced many trials already, so the void should be no different.]

Mm. [Humming his agreement to the statement] They sure don't. [Once the gesture has the desired effect, Seto released his hold on the locket, allowing gravity to pull it towards his chest. Perhaps they didn't really need a physical reminder of the connection that existed between them but it gave them both something more tangible to hold onto when the need arose]

Heh- you're telling me. [Pleased at the critical nature of Mokuba's assessment.] In time, you're going to wish you hadn't asked that... [Allowing his own biases against their fellow refugees to color his words] .. 'They' is referring to the other inhabitants that were drawn into this mess just like us.

I'll fill you in once we get away from this place. [Not having forgotten their feathered friends.] This way. [With that Seto started moving with purpose fully expecting to be followed as he aimed for the nearest shelter he could think of that might be vacant at this time. They had a lot to discuss and they didn't need anyone butting in or offering unwarranted commentary]

[forethinking]

I have two. I'm sure you can manage.

(Because after all, they have nothing but time down here in the Void. Endless amounts of it.

The real question behind the one she presented was not too difficult to pick up. Some people knew to some extent, but none seemed to really care too much about it, even if he's still suspicious of that part.)

Everything's fine. Thank you for asking.

(Because of course Shiho would. Ren offers her a smile before he gestures for them to walk.)

I'll show you the cafe.

[menaretrash]

[ Ann can't even really hold Seto's attitude against him -- she's unintentionally learned a whole lot about the young man, and by extension, his younger brother. She's learned that in the big scheme of things, they have some similarities in their pasts. They've both got people that they've made sacrifices for, both big and small, and people that they want to protect with every fiber of their beings.

She gets it. ]

...You sure about that? Because usually, getting bumped on the noggin kinda hurts... I think Ren's got some ice at the cafe, so I'll make you an ice pack. [ Yeah, she's not buying your 'it didn't really hurt' story, little man.

Boy, between that earlier glare and that suspicious look, she can definitely see the similarities between the brothers, and she's fairly certain that when Mokuba gets a little older, those similarities are going to only intensify. It's a little amusing to think about. But, he's asked her a question, so, it's only fair to answer. ]

Yeah! He's been here for way longer than me. He told me he's been here since the 'beginning', which basically means when he showed up, there was nothing here. [ She pauses, tugging poor Mokuba out of the way of another object and in turn, side stepping it herself, before she continues. ] He said there were no buildings or 'wildlife' or anything. A friend and an acquaintance from where I'm from are here too, and they told me the same thing.

[ She's quiet for a few moments, because it's surreal to see the younger Kaiba brother in the flesh, and she really, really can't wait to reunite him with Seto. ]

He's going to be really happy to see you... he's told me about you, and showed me your picture in his locket. He's been worried about you, so, I'm glad that you guys are going to be together again.