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The Mods of LifeAftr ([personal profile] lifeaftr_mods) wrote in [community profile] aftr_ooc2017-12-14 08:45 pm
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TEST DRIVE MEME ( 006 )

Test Drive Meme #6
Hello, and welcome to LifeAftr! We’re pleased that you’re expressing an interest in the game. Here, you can test the waters, gauge how your character may fare in the world of LifeAftr, and even gain some in-game incentives, if you so choose.

Remember that Reserves will open on December 17th! Due to the holiday season, Applications will be opening on December 26th, with an app period shifted to end on January 2nd instead of the usual timeframe!

Two important notes:
1. LifeAftr's test drives take place on the island of Mu, which exists apart from the real world and possesses a dream-like quality that characters are innately aware of from the moment they appear on its shores. No need to panic or fret. Dreams are odd things, after all - and anything can happen in them. Why would anyone question where their mind chooses to wander in its sleep?

2. Due to the nature of Mu, threads in our test drive can not only be accepted as thread samples in your application, but can be accepted as game canon as well. In fact, certain choices your character makes in Mu have the potential to bear in-game consequences, largely in the form of test drive reward items.

United We Stand
This particular month, Mu has seen fit to recreate the strange, dichotomous island of Monsun. Most of the information regarding this peculiar land can be found in the informational post linked, but as a quick rundown: Monsun's western side is a hot wasteland of a desert prone of disasters and mishaps, but will affect your character's emotional and psychological state in a positive sense, while its eastern side is a verdant forest filled with endless resources...as well as a tendency to bring out the absolute worst of your character.

The western region blazes with a vengeance, the imaginary sun roasting overhead. The psychological effects of this area of island will shine far more kindly upon you than the sun does; your character's best qualities have been brought to light, and the longer they remain here, the more profound those qualities will become.

This is probably a good thing, too. Because those cactus plants on the horizon seem to be moving closer...and closer...

In fact, they aren't really plants at all.
Those who squint may find themselves thinking of another, cuter version of sentient cacti found on other worlds, but the mutual relation to a certain desert plant is where the similarities come to an end. Walking cacti are silent predators who prefer to slowly approach their prey, avoiding being noticed by their targets until it is too late.

Luckily, these creatures do not rely on projectiles to attack. Rather, their needle thin spikes can extend up to one foot out of their bodies in a fast, powerful motion - more than enough to puncture flesh and muscle. If you've ever wanted to try death by acupuncture, these are your kind of monster... but if not, a sharp weapon or fire will certainly help whittle down their numbers.

Regardless, all of your best qualities will come to light quickly in a fight, whether it be courage, diplomacy, compassion, earnest hope, or whatever other positive traits you might bear. Such is Monsun's boon to you.

Divided We Fall
The east, on the other hand, is the polar opposite to that desert wasteland. The sun shines evenly through the thick spread of deciduous canopies, which shade you from the worst of that unforgiving heat. The verdant greenery is perfectly temperate and even tranquil.

A pity that you'll soon find your worst qualities manifesting at a rather rapid rate. The proper Monsun generally gives you a twenty-four hour window before your most despicable traits start to flourish, but Mu, it seems, has sped up the clock significantly.

Scattered across the rich landscape, a herd of deer can be found prancing eagerly about, seemingly oblivious to their potentiality as a food source. In fact, they hardly seem to react to the approach of foreign entities at all. They're quite placid, and content to sit idly back until attacked - at which point they'll do little more than flee at a brisk pace.
What an ideal set of circumstances, truly. But should anyone else impose upon your peace, you'd better hope they don't mind encountering you at your absolute worst.

Don't Fear the Succ
You wake on a boat. It's a very nice boat, make no mistake, weatherbeaten and worn as it may seem, but it's still a boat, and you're still surrounded with lapping waves, as far as the eye can see. Or as far as the eye can sea.

Still, no reason not to make the best of this, right? Just sit back, relax, and let the wind take you wherever it may. You hardly need to eat or sleep in the regular sense in dreams, and this might be a good deal more picturesque than many of the dreams you're probably used to. All told, this is really quite a nice diversion -

Hold on. Did something just bump up against the hull?

Yes, in fact. Something did. Something with long, long, reaching tentacles that will soon snake over the deck to try and grasp your vessel in a death grip much like that of a boa constrictor: designed to crush and destroy.

It seems you've run afoul of that legendary creature of the depths; the one that every sailor most fears.

A kraken.
Hope you're not averse to a little hentai.

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( CODED BY BOOTYCALL )

[personal profile] scissorhood 2017-12-26 10:31 am (UTC)(link)
[She'd rather explain the Jail than anything else. It was just the city, after all. She eyed his hand. It was touching her hood...but he wasn't hurting it, so.]

Yeah. Yeah, you're right! We should exchange introductions. That's polite, after all.
shinetagonist: (63)

[personal profile] shinetagonist 2017-12-26 10:33 am (UTC)(link)
[he smiles, warm and open. Trying to make her more comfortable with his presence again after upsetting her.]

Kuze Hibiki. But just Hibiki is fine.

[personal profile] scissorhood 2017-12-26 10:40 am (UTC)(link)
[Luckily, the desert is bringing out that countless optimism and hardiness. She'll just save all those doubts for later.]

Hibiki, huh? Alright. [Though, it might seem strange for him that she pronounces it very well. Nor does she find it strange.]
shinetagonist: (64)

[personal profile] shinetagonist 2017-12-26 10:44 am (UTC)(link)
[it is a bit strange, but as far as his ears hear she is speaking Japanese already... and honestly he's pretty sure he can understand all languages as is- and this seems more like a dream then anything else.

Not that he's dreamed since he became... what he is now. But he doesn't feel the need to question it.]


It's not as cute as Red though.
serrata: (yri1)

[personal profile] serrata 2017-12-26 11:16 am (UTC)(link)
Well... it's probably better that way. It's a little mean of me to want them to end up in a place like this, isn't it?

[ a pause and then Yuuri tilts her head, eyes just a little narrowed. She's still got that smile on her face but her gaze suddenly has just a touch of steel to it. ]

What sort of place is this, anyway?
lightlessfuture: (and i returned) (♪ och jag kom tillbaks)

holy shit an otus A+ TASTE

[personal profile] lightlessfuture 2017-12-26 01:08 pm (UTC)(link)
[ The Knight doesn't really know where this place is, or what's happening exactly, and the amount of light isn't really amenable to them. It's too harsh; they like darker places.

They haven't been walking very long across the desert (leaving a few dead cacti in their wake - they know where they stand with anything that attacks them, and after the horrors of Hallownest a few walking plants are hardly a threat) before they come across someone.

They stare blankly for a moment (or appear to; their face is expressionless) as they approach. Here is a little creature even shorter than Otus; the points of their horns barely reach Otus' shoulder, though he's seated.

They reach for one of the thorns in Otus' arm before pausing, tilting their head to look at him. Does he want the help?
]
lightlessfuture: (blooming deep inside of me) (♪ blommar djupt i mig)

The Knight | Hollow Knight

[personal profile] lightlessfuture 2017-12-26 01:17 pm (UTC)(link)
A: this desert is too hot

[ The sun is high in the sky, the way ahead is hazy, and they don't like it at all. Significant heat has never been something they've had to deal with, and they're suffering a little.

They have their cloak over their head to keep off the sun as they walk. This may make them look ridiculous, but they have no concept of shame, so they don't care.
]

B: this boat ride is the worst

[ The Knight has never really been in a boat before. They've experienced water, certainly, but the sea is beyond their scope of experience.

Hostile tentacles, though? Yeah, those are fine. They know how those work. They draw their nail with a motion that even looks sharp, and stab deep into a tentacle without hesitation. Blood spurts from the wound as they pull their weapon out-

then they get flicked back into the ship proper with a splintering of timber. Ouch. They seem a little disoriented by their sudden flight, but they're sitting up with intent to take another run at it, so maybe they're used to this sort of thing?
]
mindread_it_all: (Huh?)

A

[personal profile] mindread_it_all 2017-12-26 01:47 pm (UTC)(link)
[Darja blinks at the sight. Huh. That sure was an adorable little bug with their cloak over their head. A way to cope with the sun? Come to think of it, aren't there factors against a bug this large? But she supposes this one's species's overcome such factors. After all, this one's practically right in front of her. But it'd be rude to just stare while thinking such things.]

Oh, hello there. I know a rock outcrop that gives some shelter.

[She wonders what a bug person'd think of her. Are they used to humans? Or is she gonna look weird and gross to them?]

[OOC: BTW, Darja here is a mindreader. You cool with her reading the Knight's mind?]
lightlessfuture: (embedded in a song, both kind and cruel) (både vänlig och grym)

[personal profile] lightlessfuture 2017-12-26 01:54 pm (UTC)(link)
[ They peek out from under the cloak. There are certainly logistics problems with the amount of oxygen a bug would need to get to the size of a small child, yes, but this doesn't seem to apply. And with that blank, mask-like face, perhaps they're not exactly conventional either.

They don't seem to know what to make of Darja; they're just...staring. Maybe in curiosity, maybe in alarm. It's hard to tell, but they don't seem hostile or scared. Just surprised, if anything.

Then again, it's sort of hard to read someone's mood when their face is completely expressionless.

They do perk up at the word 'shelter', though. Some reprieve from the sun would be nice.
]

[ OOC: absolutely, go right ahead! ]
mindread_it_all: (Figuring this out)

[personal profile] mindread_it_all 2017-12-26 02:16 pm (UTC)(link)
[Alright, it seems like they aren't used to humans either. She wonders what their world's like. Is it full of bug people? That'd be a very interesting world. Oh, but right. Time to get to business. She shades her eyes to shield against the sun's glare, figuring out which direction she should head in.]

It's over there. I'll lead you to it. I've been looking for a good source of water. I found one, but it's surrounded by those weird cactus monsters and I'm really not a fighter.
greatcleavage: (typical really)

[personal profile] greatcleavage 2017-12-26 02:22 pm (UTC)(link)
[Arguably, Roy is not insane, or at the very least, his mental state is not compromised from its initial status.]

It is intellectually fascinating and would be much more enjoyable were it both voluntary and incredibly hazardous. I find those two qualities make it difficult to recommend as a vacation.
sacrament_of_blood: (Just what do you speak of?)

[personal profile] sacrament_of_blood 2017-12-26 02:25 pm (UTC)(link)
I was thinking more on the order of swords, though surely the Goddess would instruct me on the usage of whatever weapon I pick up.

You may very well be correct about the wisdom of looking for another source of water. I did faintly remember hearing that cactuses had water in them, but it might not be entirely safe water. I do not know either way.

[She wishes she knew more about deserts like this than vague stories passed down by the elders.]
lightlessfuture: (spoke of the song of life) (♪ talade om livets sång)

[personal profile] lightlessfuture 2017-12-26 02:26 pm (UTC)(link)
[ The little bug nods, drawing their nail at the mention of monsters. It's fine if Darja's not a fighter; they're capable of defending both her and themselves. They've faced worse odds, and bigger opponents than some strange plants.

But they're relying on Darja to lead the way, for the moment, so they look at her expectantly.
]
mindread_it_all: (Hmmm)

[personal profile] mindread_it_all 2017-12-26 02:50 pm (UTC)(link)
[Huh. Apparently they have fighting experience, and against some really formidable stuff too. Which is far better than what Darja has, her default is just "telepathically stun it and run away".]

You know what, I'll lead you to the water, it'll do us more good. I've been feeling parched myself.

[She alters her planned course, leading the two of them until they reach the aforementioned pool. As she mentioned, there're several walking cactuses lounging around them. She notes that they seem to have returned to their previous positions or close to it, after they chased her when she ran away after noticing them advancing on her.]
greatcleavage: (confused)

[personal profile] greatcleavage 2017-12-26 02:57 pm (UTC)(link)
...I feel obligated to point out that I am in armor, armed, have a significantly higher hit point pool than you do, and have a moral and ethical obligation to minimize harm to others wherever possible, so if an injury is coming your way and I have the chance to prevent it, that is the only sane option.

[Makes him wonder what she'd been through before...]

I've never seen you before and I have no idea what I'm doing out here, so the chances are not terrible that this is all a dream.
lightlessfuture: (blooming deep inside of me) (♪ blommar djupt i mig)

[personal profile] lightlessfuture 2017-12-26 04:24 pm (UTC)(link)
[ The Knight follows obediently. Darja seems to know what she's doing, so they'll trust her.

They back up a little when they see the monsters, but this seems to be because they're trying to get a better look at all of them at once. Thoughts jumble in their head and then converge, quite suddenly, in keen-edged clarity.

They dart forward, cloak fluttering. One of the cactuses is too slow to stop the sudden advance, and meets the business end of the little bug's nail. It thrashes a little as it's punctured repeatedly, and then stills. The others approach slowly, since slowly seems to be their general method of approaching potential prey, and are dealt with one at a time.

Soon enough, there are no monsters left. The Knight shakes off their weapon, and raises a little hand (nub? there don't seem to be fingers); it seems that they're telling Darja it's safe to approach.
]
mindread_it_all: (Huh?)

[personal profile] mindread_it_all 2017-12-26 04:32 pm (UTC)(link)
[Darja watches, her face lighting up with disbelief and amazement as she sees how efficiently the Knight disposes of the cactus monsters. She'd been prepared to try and send a stunning mental lash at them to help the Knight out, but it proves completely unnecessary. Wow. She definitely doesn't want to get on this little bug's bad side. At least they seem to be a decent sort?

She approaches, eyeing the water. It'd be ideal if she had some way to boil it, but she doesn't, and she's fairly certain she'll suffer from dehydration soon enough. So she kneels down and cups her hands to bring some water to her mouth, which she drinks slowly. She then looks up at the Knight.]

Thank you... what's your name again? You don't seem to speak, but I, um, can read your mind. I've been doing that all along. Sorry about that. I can't exactly turn it off, it's like a sense to me.
lightlessfuture: (it stirred deep within my heart) (♪ den rörde djupt i mitt hjärta)

[personal profile] lightlessfuture 2017-12-26 04:39 pm (UTC)(link)
[ They sit at the water's edge, content to...drink? They seem to be drinking, of a sort. Cupping the water in their hands and bringing it to somewhere near their mouth.

You can read my mind? The little bug seems more curious than shocked. I can do that too. If I want.

They sound...young, or at least younger than their combat prowess suggests. They shake their head at the mention of a name, though.

No name. We weren't named. You can call me anything.
]
mindread_it_all: (Philosphizing)

[personal profile] mindread_it_all 2017-12-26 04:57 pm (UTC)(link)
[A fellow mindreader and one that can do it at will instead of having no off switch, huh. It's not the first time she's met another mindreader (she went to a whole school full of psychics after all), but this is still a mild surprise to see that this child is one.

She switches to telepathically projecting her thought. It's more comfortable for her than speaking. Don't mind this, I'm sending my words to your mind instead of using spoken words. If you'd rather, I can go back to speaking. And, hmm, I'll have to think up a good nickname for you.

She rejects out of hand names like Bug, Kid, and the like. It'll take a while to think up a suitable name. But, really, this kid's apparently younger than her and that good at fighting? What kind of life must've they led?]
lightlessfuture: (but many-colored memories) (♪ men mångfärgade minnen)

[personal profile] lightlessfuture 2017-12-26 05:00 pm (UTC)(link)
[ They can mind-read with the right tool in hand, to be more accurate, but they don't really think to clarify that at this point in time. It's enough for the moment to explain that they can do it, if they need to.

Not that they really want to. It seems rude??

I don't mind.
I have no voice. I write or listen instead. So this is new.
They sound happy enough, at least. It's apparently a novel method of communication for them.
]
mindread_it_all: (Winking)

[personal profile] mindread_it_all 2017-12-26 05:13 pm (UTC)(link)
[Well, at least that's nice that they have a good way to communicate now. Mute, huh? And they seem happy enough to communicate in this way. Guess her mindreading has a positive side right now.

I communicate like this with my friends at the school I go with. It's full of people with similar abilities. It's a pretty convenient way to have conversations.

As for the name thing, how about Taylor as a nickname?


A nice and gender-neutral name, since they feel neutralish to her.]
quietknight: (Sorry...)

Like a year later, I respond

[personal profile] quietknight 2017-12-26 10:06 pm (UTC)(link)
"Oh thank the stars."

If Roy was eating it, Sonje didn't see why she shouldn't either, so she took a big bite and immediately felt a bit better as juice ran down her chin. Pity about the flavor, but at least she wasn't going to die of thirst just yet.

As the adrenaline of combat faded, Sonje suddenly felt self conscious, and wished she had a napkin so she could wipe her chin off with anything but her sleeve. Would he think her a slob? Would he demand payment for his advice? Sonje fell silent, glancing around awkwardly.
greatcleavage: (i disagree with your viewpoint)

[personal profile] greatcleavage 2017-12-27 01:06 am (UTC)(link)
"Although I should warn you," Roy said, doing none of the things she was worrying about and instead frowning off in the direction she could reasonably guess was 'the other side', "that this place has a mental effect, and the 'nice' side brings out your nasty side. Because of course it does."
pallidscops: (( truths ))

;w;/

[personal profile] pallidscops 2017-12-27 01:32 am (UTC)(link)
[ Otus' eyes widen at the little hand, reaching out to help him. A white mask? With horns? And they're so small. It's hard to tell what they're thinking, but...

It's a hesitant hand that reaches up. That looks like it wants to help. His shoulders sag a bit-- the help would be so nice...and there's nothing alarming about the little being in from of him, other than not knowing who he is.

A soft little 'hoo' and a hesitant nod reveals his arm to the little creature. Yep. There's needles. Otus the cacti. That'd what Geddy'd call him, if he were here. ]
lightlessfuture: (spoke of the song of life) (♪ talade om livets sång)

[personal profile] lightlessfuture 2017-12-27 01:51 am (UTC)(link)
[ They inspect the arm carefully, determining the best course of action.

Then they pat Otus' shoulder in something like reassurance before yanking out a needle in one swift motion. It will cause some pain to Otus, but it's more of a pinprick than anything. They repeat this treatment as quickly as possible, tossing needles away onto the sand, until they've removed them all.

They don't have any bandages, but they have their cloak, at least. They can't really tear it up, but for the moment they extend a flap of it to cover Otus' arm and staunch the bleeding that's happening there, pressing it down gently. It feels cold, and has a strange, smooth texture to it.

They look at him, and raise their free hand to their face, tapping the side of their mask. Does Otus want them to remove that one, too?
]

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