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tabularasa_memes2020-05-30 04:11 pm
tabularasa_mods) wrote in tabularasa_memes2020-05-30 04:11 pm
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May Test Drive Meme
Test Drive Meme #1
New Locations ▲ New Species ▼ Scenarios ▲ CommentsPlease note that none of the locations and changes described below will be included in the game when it opens. To help create an accurate impression of the game, we have included several imprints suggested by prospective players from the TDM Imprints Submissions. These prompts and locations are only for the TDM. A new arrangement of imprints will be picked when the game opens, which will likely look completely different from the TDM. Please keep this in mind when applying to the game in the future.
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. Responding to other players on the TDM will also be part of an AC bonus, so we encourage anyone who plans to app to tag out to other players as well.
Full Navigation
Premise ▲ FAQ ▼ State of The World ▲ Locations
Pre-Launch Feedback
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New Location: The Lakeside
Currently the largest defined area within the world, the lakeside is characterized by gray stone cliffs, bright purple trees, and the large body of water situated next to it. Scattered in the clearings between the foliage are the ruins of industrial buildings, though most of them are completely empty on the inside. Fresh graffiti decorates the walls both inside and out, as well as some of the larger cliff faces near to the buildings. Empty dumpsters, metal barrels and broken scaffolding can be found laying around. Barbed fences in various states of disrepair surround most of the buildings, though the gates are all unlocked and open freely to intruders.
On a small island in the middle of the lake is a lighthouse. The lighthouse looks to be in much better shape than the rest of the lakeside's buildings. There's a small dock on the island, but no boats, so you'll need to swim if you want to reach it.
The inside of the lighthouse is packed with Japanese arcade machines. Some of them are stacked on top of each other against the walls, but many more have simply been left in the middle of the entrance and even on the stairs, making it a bit difficult to navigate the building. Colorful banners for popular games and game companies hang from the stairs and ceiling. At the center of the spiral staircase is a giant metal crane, not unlike the kind you'd seen in an arcade crane game. The lamp at the very top of the lighthouse has been replaced by two large TV screens.
Unfortunately, none of the machines in the building seem to have power, so for now they don't do anything.
New Location: The Heart Of Paris
At the edge of the cliffs surrounding the lakeside is a large red tower. From a distance, some newcomers may immediately recognize its shape as the Eiffel Tower, but upon closer inspection it's not like the iron structure one would be familiar with. Instead of iron, the whole tower is made of lengths of solid bone held together with lumps of warm, squishy flesh. The entire structure pulses as if it were alive. The stairs are still in place, allowing visitors to climb the structure, though the sticky fluid coating every surface and the slight swaying of the tower's pulse might make it more difficult.
Hanging from the very center of the tower is a massive blue heart, strung up by a large number of connected veins that weave into the various muscles of the tower. If any of the flesh is cut, it bleeds, and the entire area seems to sway slightly in response.
New Location: The Unforeseen Simulation Joint
On the opposite end of the lakeside area is a large dome-shaped building. The inside of the dome is mostly barren, and a realistic image of a beautiful starry sky filled with constellations decorates the ceiling. There's a small plaza area at the very center, featuring a decorative fountain and some more of the purple trees and plants from the outside. There are dirt pathways that seem like they should be leading to somewhere, but most of them lead to completely empty areas. Two of the paths lead to smaller domes within the main dome, though at this time only one of them contains anything.
The first area of the USJ contains a mountainous environment, featuring gray stone cliffs and luscious green plants. Stairs have been carved into part of the mountainside, leading down to a small spring area at the very bottom. The entire mountain area is set slightly below ground level, however, and what may have once been a small spring is now a large flooded pool with the mountain's peak barely poking up to the surface. A large spiraling water slide has been constructed above the peak, and a second spout of the slide pours a waterfall down to where the base of the spring should be. The water is ice-cold, but calming.
The second area is contained in the smaller red dome, housing the grounds and three-story mansion of a New England estate. The mansion is caught in a massive fiery blaze... although, nothing inside seems to be damaged, and anyone who enters will find that the flames are only uncomfortably warm at worst. Antique furniture, oil paintings and strange figurines can be found in abundance. A large library takes up the center of the building, though the books only seem to contain random nonsense words right now.
New Location: The Heavenly Blanc Bar & Cafe
Near the USJ is a slightly run-down building that's easily recognizable as a bar or restaurant. The large wooden sign over the entrance reads "The Heavenly Blanc Bar & Cafe" in mismatched letters, as if half the words were copied from a completely different source. There are some wooden tables and seating on the outside, as well as several thick pipes jutting in and out of the side of the building.
The inside is clean and cozy, with several conflicting menus on the wall above the counter. None of the lights work, but there's an odd mix of neon signs, classy lamps and plain hanging bulbs. Unlabelled bottles of what one can only assume is alcohol cover the shelves behind the counter, alongside jars of coffee beans and tea leaves. A jukebox, pinball machine and dartboard can also be found in the corner next to the bar, though only the dartboard is playable right now.
At the back of the building is a unisex washroom, as well as the stairs to the second floor attic. Oddly enough, the attic is decorated with thick metal pipes running out from the walls and a large section of metal grating on the floor. The room is stacked haphazardly with boxes and crates, a large TV in one corner, a punching bag, a single-sized bed, and a bench with a computer on it. Much like everything else, unfortunately, none of the electronics work. A large whiteboard takes up one of the walls, and a square table with wooden chairs rests on the grating at the center of the room.
New Species: Fireys
Fireys are lanky, furry humanoids with long ears and beak-like snouts. Fittingly, their pelts are a firey mix of bright reds and golds. Even more fittingly, they can combust their hands and bodies into actual flames. This fire doesn't seem to harm them, though, and they can often be found tossing it among themselves as a sort of game. They have loud, squawking voices and spend much of their time singing together in large groups.
Playful and hedonistic, the fireys are friendly creatures... however, they can be overly persistent in trying to rope others into their games. For whatever reason, the fireys have unusually weak necks and seem to enjoy tearing off each other's heads. This doesn't hurt them at all, though if another creature hangs around them long enough they might try the same thing on them. All in good, harmless fun, of course.
New Species: Jellyrabbits
Jellyrabbits are a jellyfish-like creature covered entirely in short, soft hairs that glow with a faint light. A pair of long ears rest at the top of the umbrella. They have sharp hearing, and their ears are often swiveling about to listen to everything around them. They float like balloons, undulating their bodies to gently drift through the air at a slow and leisurely pace.
Jellyrabbits are incredibly docile. However, they aren't completely defenseless. Touching the tentacles below the umbrella will deliver a painful sting. The fuzzy top is fine to touch, though, and they seem to enjoy a gentle pat or scratch behind the ears.
New Species: Ghowls
The ghowls' natural forms are monstrous creatures roughly the size and shape of a human. They have sharp avian beaks on their faces, vacant white eyes, sickly grey skin with only a handful of feathers still clinging to their bodies, and talon-like fingers and toes with razor-sharp tips. Known for being incredibly violent and relentless, these creatures will attack anything and anyone that isn't one of their own, clawing and biting their victims until they cease moving. There doesn't seem to be any purpose behind these attacks, and the lack of death means that their victims can't be "killed" anyway, but they cannot be reasoned with and will only stop if countered with force.
They have a unique talent, however, that makes them trickier to deal with. Ghowls have the uncanny ability to perfectly mimic any voice they hear. They cannot speak or form their own sentences, but they can copy words and sentences like a parrot. They can also shapeshift their bodies to a limited degree, allowing them to mimic the appearances of humans. While these disguises may not be able to fool someone up close, from a distance they can be easily mistaken for the person they're imitating - and once they're close enough that the disguise fails, they can launch their assault at dizzying speeds.
Scenario A: The Creation Of The World
At first, there is nothing. The endless white of the void stretches out in all directions. For a moment of time that lasts both a millisecond and an eternity, there is nothing but you and the strangers you've found yourself with in this empty, alien world.
In the next moment, there is something. Entire landscapes lift up out of the ground, plants and trees grow to full size in a fraction of a second, water bubbles up from freshly-formed lakebeds, and even buildings spring up from seemingly nowhere to fill the growing space that has just now been defined. The world is suddenly alive, thriving, and expanding at a rapid pace.
The problem is, you're right in the middle of it.
You may have gotten lucky. Maybe you ended up safe and sound on the lakeside, standing under a tree and no worse for wear. Or perhaps a building decided to form itself around where you were standing, and now you're stuck in the middle of it. You might even find yourself at the very tip of the Heart of Paris, clinging to whatever you can grab a hold of to keep yourself from falling.
Wherever it is you are, you're not alone, and you might just need a hand getting your bearings.
Scenario B: Something In The Water
While there is little to eat, people soon find that there is plenty to drink. Every drop of clear, refreshing liquid, no matter whether it be part of the landscape or something found bottled in the bar or cafe, bears the slightest hint of alcoholic heat.
It soon becomes clear that this isn’t quite the alcoholic beverage that its subtle but distinct flavor suggests. No matter how much one drinks, they cannot become drunk. Their judgement remains unclouded and they never become disoriented in the slightest. However, that does not mean it has no effect on those who drink it.
Even under these circumstances, lost in a strange environment that does not know what to do with itself, a drink of water serves to lighten the mood and brighten the spirit. The full effect varies from person to person and from drink to drink - one might simply be more prone to smiling, while another will be filled with such good cheer they cannot help but share it with all who listen. In company, many people become more inclined to talk to their newfound companions, about any and all subjects that come to mind.
If nothing else, it gives people the chance to relax, and with people more inclined to be social it’s a good time to make new friends.
Scenario C: Playing With Fire
An endless blaze rages on within the inner dome of the USJ, and the fireys seem to have taken a liking to it. The furry creatures can be found frolicking within the dome's burning mansion, dancing in the flames and tossing anything they can get their hands on. Every room they touch ends up a mess - the fire may not be able to damage anything, but the fireys sure are making up for it.
They don't seem bothered by people. In fact, they seem quite friendly, though it may be startling at first to have a fireball hurled at your face. If you can keep up with their games, you might even find yourself learning a thing or two about handling fire, tossing it around and picking it up like a natural-born firey.
There isn't much need for the light or warmth of fire right now, but it makes for a fun party trick if you want to surprise someone.
Scenario D: Body Snatchers
The fireys can be a troublesome bunch, but they really don't mean any harm. The same can't be said for every creature here, however...
It might start with a friendly voice, or with a familiar figure waving in the distance. Is it someone you've run into before? But something seems off - didn't you just see them going somewhere else a moment ago? Or is that your own voice calling back, beckoning you to come closer?
Obeying the voice is a mistake, but they won't just stand around waiting, either. The ghowls are faster than they appear to be, and once the gig is up they'll charge forward on all fours, claws out and ready to tear apart anything they can reach. They're bloodthirsty, horrible creatures, and unfortunately for everyone else, they're stuck here too.
You can try to outrun them, or you can try to fight back. Whatever you decide on, you better hope you don't fail. Recovering from disembowelment will be a slow, agonizing process.
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aerith | ff7 remake | ota
[ The sky is an enormous, intimidating stretch above her head as she stares upward, one hand down at her side and then other curled into the fabric at her chest. It's a beautiful place, no one could deny that, but...the young woman in the pink dress is silent and motionless for a long time, staring up with her heart pounding in her throat.
She swallows hard, lowers her gaze with an extended exhale, making a conscious effort to relax her posture. There is a lot else here to look at, after all. Aerith worries at her lower lip briefly before glancing around, taking in the other sites that surround her. There are ruins not far off, ones that make her think of the familiar dilapidated sprawl of the slums, and-...another place, too. Other ancient structures, long-since abandoned. A place she's only seen in visions...
Focus. The purple trees are a funny little oddity. Her expression seems to settle a bit more and a smile tugs the corners of her lips upward at the sight. ]
There really is so much to see once you get out a little more, huh...? [ Maybe similarly-unique flowers to match the strange trees? She perks up a bit at the thought, now scanning the landscape closer to the ground to check and see. When nothing like that comes across her view, she pauses for a moment before heading off in the direction of the trees and ruins, at least for the distraction of it...
Hopefully, this place isn't as monster-infested as what they're used to below the plate... ]
002. copyright infringement bar
Whoa... [ Aerith steps into "The Heavenly Blanc Bar & Cafe" and doesn't bother to hide her surprise. Green eyes widen, brows lifting as she catches sight of this place that is...so different, and somehow so familiar at the same time. She'd only visited Tifa's bar once, of course, but the occasion had been so crucial that the details of the place stood out. Now, as she glances around, it's clear that this is either a loving copycat...or just an odd coincidence, one that gives her a bit of a prickly feeling on the back of her neck as she enters. ]
Um - excuse me... [ The brunette will approach anyone else in the bar, hands behind her back as she leans forward inquisitively. ] Do you know much about this place? I can't really put my finger on it, but it seems...kinda familiar.
[ That's a way of putting it, at least. When she's not chatting with other patrons, Aerith will take a seat at the bar, boot heels bouncing lightly against her chair. ]
Helloooooo? Anybody here? [ Help a girl out with a thirst problem?? ]
003. "the city of love" dialed up to 11
[ She doesn't sight, famous in other worlds. Doesn't know the city that surrounds it. If she were glancing around to take it all in, she might be made to think of some of the sectors up on the plate, of their metropolitan lifestyle and high-end shops. Aerith is fully distracted, though, by the massive structure that towers over the city. It's a little bit like a shining monument of Shinra's, like Midgar's own towering building, but this is...more monstrous. Maybe literally. ]
What...? [ A chill runs up and down her body as she stands with a face of mingled fear and confusion. This structure is-...is it alive? Her breath catches at the possibility, and she knows there's no denying the fact that it's bone, flesh, and sinew that, strung together, created this tower. It's made of something organic, and that horrifying concept is enough to make her blood run cold. ]
Who would build something like this? [ Comes the repulsed question, asked aloud of no one, perhaps. Aerith steels herself and swallows the dread for a moment as she steps a little closer, gripped by a terrible curiosity, a need to understand...
Is that...? A heart, hanging aloft in the midst of the tangled mass. It seems alive, pulsing with some kind of life, but this does nothing to assuage her fears. This is...wrong. So wrong. It's all she can do to stand in place and stare back at it, as if willing herself to wake from what must be a nightmare.
Any minute now...right? ]
003
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The question of stabbing makes her frown, and she glances sideways at Nobunaga. ]
I don't think I'd try and attack it. Something tells me that'd be bad...
[ Something like this...thing...will try and defend itself, won't it? Her heart is still thudding, hard and defiant, in her chest as the pair of them stare up and out at the tower. ]
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002
No, not a thing. Well other than it seems pretty deserted.
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Aerith considers this, tilting her head slightly. ]
Did you just get here, too? [ She asks finally, turning back to Sarah curiously. ]
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[There's some humor laced in that last sentence, particularly the 'getting here' bit. She can't say she's old hat at just showing up in weird places but it sure isn't a new experience for her either.]
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002
His eyes are the first to open, panicked for a second, although his body appears to be still relaxed. He did just wake up, after all. ]
Aerith...
[ He rubs his eyes with one hand, making sure that it's really her. His mind has played tricks on him before. ]
We gotta stop meeting like this.
[ Her being the first thing he sees after waking up, except this time he didn't come crashing through a roof... ]
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Can you feel it, too? This isn't...where we're supposed to be. ]
I happen to think I'm pretty good company, actually. You could do worse.
[ She spins around on her seat, hands over her knees. Yup, there he is: sitting, apparently in a kind of daze, previously unnoticed. Had he been there all along, and she'd just missed him?
There's a pause before she gets to her feet and strolls over, claiming the opposite seat. ]
So, seen anybody else in this place? It looks a lot like...you know.
[ Seventh Heaven, before the sky came crashing down on it. ]
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[ He leans forward on his seat, now more awake and offering her all of his attention. In the short time they've known each other, she had become a trusted friend, meaning he can't exactly complain about the company. He'll probably complain anyway because he has the maturity of a surly teenager.
For now, he looks at her with concern, both for her well-being but also about the state of things. He heard her question, and he'll get to it in a moment, but first-- ]
Did we... cause this?
[ Aerith had warned them that things would not be the same if they crossed that portal, and he has to wonder if this is what she meant. ]
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001
No hope here, though, just cracked concrete walls with graffiti decorations.
Rinoa sighs, standing and dusting off her shorts, and it's then that she catches sight of approaching young woman. Straightening, she offers her a smile. It's not a great smile, but it's the best she can do, under the circumstances. ]
Hey. I'm guessing you're new here too?
[ Honestly, Rinoa's pretty sure they're all new here, what with the way the world literally grew from nothing underneath them. ]
I searched through here but I couldn't find anything useful... maybe you'll have more luck?
[ It's an attempt at her usual positivity, anyway. She dusts off her hand before she holds it out, as if to shake. ]
I'm Rinoa. Nice to meet you.
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Aerith smiles politely, nodding at the question. ]
Yup. Weird place, isn't it? [ For. So many reasons. She reaches out to shake the other woman's hand, smile growing a bit warmer. ] I'm Aerith. Glad to see I'm not alone here.
[ At Rinoa's mention of the ruins, she turns to glance around, herself, tapping a finger against her chin in thought. ]
Hmm...maybe we just haven't taken the right steps. Know what I mean? There could be some kind of switch, or secret password that we haven't said. [ There's a pause, and then she turns quickly to beam back at Rinoa, hands behind her back. ] Wanna try and find it?
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So she nods, and pumps her fist, a small, excited motion towards the other woman. ] Let's look for a switch! Or maybe a clue about a word... [ Because if there is a password of some sorts, well... there are an awful lot of words out there!
With that in mind, Rinoa resumes her search, fingers skimming over the concrete walls for any sign of something that feels different. As she looks, she asks: ] Did you just arrive here too, Aerith?
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003
There is a way down, over there. Focus on getting out, for now.
[One step before the other. Compartmentalize everything else until the moment you can deal with it. …Or never. It's interchangeable, really.]
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... Okay. [ If that's the way out, or away from this scene, then... ] Are you sure that's the way?
[ And not just a descent toward something worse? ]
You're...taking this pretty well. [ She offers quietly, eyes drifting back up toward the heart. ]
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I'm sure enough.
[There is ground down there at least, and having sure footing can only ever be an advantage. If there is something worse down there than what they are seeing here… he'll cross that bridge if they end up there.
He knows what she is really saying when she makes that last note, the hidden question asking after the horror that he has experienced already seems obvious enough.]
…Breaking down on the battlefield is certain death. So I don't break.
[Not while there is breath in his lungs and his heart beats strong at least. Not while he still has iron will and strength of steel to draw on. And well… it helps that he is keeping his eyes off the creepy giant heart. It's bad enough that he can feel its pulse.]
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3 / slides up to u, hi bb u come here often
[ The horror is evident in her voice, face pale as she takes in the sight before them both. Hilda doesn't know this woman, and maybe if they were in any other situation, she'd be making conversation, trying to make a new friend, but—
This.
This has all her attention, and eventually, that horror slides into determination and her hand curls into a fist, decision made. ]
Come on, we're going to find out!
smooch!!
Let's see what we can learn from down there. [ She suggests, pointing down toward the ground. ] We'll be able to get a full view of...whatever this is, and we can do it without any chance we'll fall. Sound good?
[ She wants to understand, but more than that, she wants to make sure they'll be safe. As such, Aerith takes a few steps toward the descending stairs, glancing back expectantly to Hilda. ]
Want to lead the way?
2.
Hold your horses, I'm coming.
[No, he's not the bartender, but there doesn't seem to be a bartender and so he's playing at it for a bit while he gets his bearings. Molly comes out of the kitchen holding a steaming kettle, which he sets down carefully on the bartop before resting his chin on one hand to regard Aerith. His tail lashes behind him with the slightly manic energy of a cat on the hunt, betraying his agitation.]
If you're looking to get drunk and forget about the weird day you've been having, I'm afraid I have some disappointing news.
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So, it is a dream. Nice to know! ]
Not looking for that exactly... [ More for answers, so...maybe that front will be a little less disappointing? She studies the figure as he busies himself with a kettle. ] Do you work here?
[ The first of many questions. And rightfully so, she feels. ]
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Well, if Aerith isn't going to have any tea, Molly is still going to pour himself another mug.]
I absolutely do not.
But I couldn't find whoever does. If anyone does. So. Didn't see the harm in hanging around to serve up some drinks and maybe get my bearings in exchange.
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3
[The voice didn't add 'way higher than me' to the equation. Its speaker felt that it really wasn't necessary to make that sort of distinction. She wasn't worth being remembered in her own mind, wasn't especially important, so of course she wasn't the one making macabre effigies to their own glory.
It just looked like a gorey, glorious waste of effort, a giant middle finger to creation to prove how big someone's ego was. Maybe Remilia would make something like that, though it'd be draped in more fine satins probably.]
You're not seriously going over there are you?
[If Aerith looked behind her, she'd find the person speaking. Bedraggled, dirty blonde hair framed brilliant green eyes, the girl watching from the corner of a building, looking around and into the square with the ossuary turned edifice. She didn't look like she was planning on leaving, not yet anyway.]
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Not if I can help it. [ Weird. She'd felt drawn to it, though, if only out of morbid curiosity. Hopefully not because of some kind of dark magic. ] Do you know anything about it?
[ She peers at the blonde-haired girl, crossing her arms as she waits. This person seems...strangely unfazed, as if she saw this sort of thing all the time. It was enough to make Aerith feel uneasy, and a tiny part of her wonders if this girl had something to do with...well, any of it. ]
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Sensible. I wouldn't suggest it. Anything like that... bound to be trouble. [Like that wasn't somehow obvious.]
Nah... this is way above my pay grade. I'm just a small fish. No way I could do something like this.
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2
She's not expecting to see this particular familiar face. The shock shows as the small girl pops up from behind the bar. The smile that was on her face is quickly replaced with a dropped jaw.]
Flower lady?
[She sounds so young when she says it like that, and Marlene quickly corrects herself.]
Aerith. You're here too?