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

[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.]

[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?

[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.]

[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.]