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.

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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

a

[thats_it]

[nearby, Ignis is watching the racing whatever-they-ares with a touch of confusion. they look a bit like chocobos, from back home, and while he's been told this place likes to take things and mash them together with other things, it's still a little disturbing to see in action]

[what's even more disturbing, however, is the fact that there's a little girl standing in the middle of their racetrack. clearly, she's going to get trampled. clearly, Ignis needs to make sure that doesn't happen, and so he lunges for her, trying to tackle her out of the way -- or at least wrap himself around her, to shield her from the whatever-they-ares. he really doesn't want to see a kid trampled, thanks]

[tinyterminator]

( makina is almost there! or rather, the bird was almost at the best spot for her to target! she was about to release the heavy chain in order to hurtle her cat-shaped mace toward the creature when— ) —gah?! ( she grunted from the collision of the older man's body with her own and once more as she struck the ground. the guy was now on top of her and instead of being eternally grateful for the help, the childlike enforcer burst into tears, balling up her hands into small fists which soon started to hit his broad shoulders. ) Waaaahhhhh, waaahhh!! You made me miss my shoooottttt!!

[thats_it]

[Ignis rolls off of her immediately, though whether that's to avoid the assault or because he's afraid of hurting her more is anyone's guess. either way, though, after a beat and gently, he tells her:]

You most certainly would have been trampled before then.

[he's sorry he interrupted -- whatever it is you were doing, Makina, but the alternative would have been far worse, believe him]

[tinyterminator]

( similarly, she rolled to stand on her feet and yet all she did once upright was stomp one in childlike bitterness. ) No, no, no! I haaate when grown-ups act like I'm not super, super, duper, amazingly strong just because I'm short! ( that was it, wasn't it? it always was... sigh. how dare you, sir? ) Those big stupid birds couldn't hurt me!

[thats_it]

It's not a question of strength.

[he's pretty sure those things would have trampled Gladio, too. probably. maybe. okay, maybe there's an element of strength to it, but it's not the entirety of his reasoning]

Though, if I might ask ... what was the point of all of that? [maybe, if she doesn't look for all intents and purposes like a little kid trying to get mauled, he might help her get another shot]

[tinyterminator]

( ...yeah, she wasn't buying that. all the adults she ran into tended to think she was too small for the things she got involved with. er, that is until she ended up besting them with her brute strength, killer artes or just released enforcers onto them. it didn't matter though, he seemed to be interested in what she had been doing in the first place so the tantrum immediately ceased and her small hands set to her hips instead. )

What do you mean, Mister? The point was to have fun! I wanted to see how many I could hit at once! How's about I try again and you count for me? ( her small fingers soon regripped at the large chain attached to the cat-like puppet that, for now, remained at her side. )

[thats_it]

[ ... ]

I'm not sure that's terribly wise. What's to stop the ones you don't manage to hit from taking vengeance for their fallen friend? [he's seen Garula swarm someone who attacked one of its herd -- he's pretty sure this wouldn't be too far off that. not to mention the fact that, wow, kid, do you need to beat up the wildlife just for funsies? what did they ever do to you?]

[tinyterminator]

( his lack in desire to help her crush the birbs birds has brought a frown to her features and a pout set upon her lips. she rolled her eyes at the idea of the creatures banding together to get revenge. it served only to have her shrug her shoulders, tilting her head with a smile on her features in spite of her pout only moments ago. the smile, however, was anything but friendly. ) Them trying to take vengeance just means that the game goes on longer and longer, and I get to play more and more! That sounds like even more fun~ ( what did they do to her? attempted trampling! in her opinion, that was definitely a "crime." )

[thats_it]

[he wonders, very briefly, if he and Noct were this seemingly unhinged when they were her age. when he decides he can't really remember one way or the other, he gives up on it, and instead, asks:] Would you rather play with me?

[he doesn't have any weapons handy, but he might be able to improvise something, and if not, well, he's very good at dodging. eventually, she'll tire out and at least she's not beating the poor wildlife to death, in the meantime]