TEST DRIVE MEME ( 006 )

[lifeaftr_mods]

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.

---

LOGS ● OOC ● STORIES ● MAIN NAVIGATION

( CODED BY BOOTYCALL )

Comments

Yuuri Wakasa | School-Live! | Airlocked R2

[serrata]

united we stand

[ Things you should probably not be wearing in the desert: black thighhighs and a cardigan.
Things Yuuri Wakasa is wearing in the desert: take a guess!

In her defense, it was winter where she came from and she was very much dressed for it. Really, she's thankful that she wasn't wearing a sweater. At least it offers her a little protection from how harsh the sun is and it means her feet aren't going to be burned by the sand. So. Silver linings, and all.

The other silver lining is that, apparently, she's not alone. Her face lights up with relief when she spots someone else traipsing through the sands just like her and comes hurrying right on over. ]

Oh! Excuse me! It looks like we've both just been dumped here without any explanation. Are you alright?

Don't Fear the Succ

[ So! Sea monsters! That's what we're doing now, apparently. Just lovely.

Yuuri's obviously not happy about this. She's got the tense posture of a cat that's ready to lash out but she's backed as far away from the edge as she can without making her way too far to the other side of the boat, just in case. She's holding a... knife, that was evidently in that knapsack of hers and while she's handling it with some apparently level of proficiency, she doesn't look all too happy to have it in her hand.

(Really, something a little heavier with a little more range would be perfect...)

But beggars can't be choosers, especially at sea. ]

What do you have with you we can use against it?!

[ She barks it out like an order, sounding surprisingly fierce for what would likely usually be such a gentle voice. In fact, she kind of looks like she's normally be a gentle sort of girl but with that knife in her hand, the only appropriate response is fear. ]

wildcard

[ JUST COME AT ME AND DO WHAT YOU LIKE ]

[ just as a note, literally zero knowledge of her CRAU is required for any of these shenanigans! However, she does have a quick impressions post here that might be worth a skim as there's a few little details of her appearance that differ from her icons. ]

DESERT DESERT DESERT???

[bloodyashes]

[By now Asch is somewhat familiar with the fuzzy, dreamlike feeling. The combination of that and the desert's effects means that he isn't going to question where the girl came from or why she's dressed like that -

Though, honestly, given that he's wearing almost entirely black and dark grey, Yuuri probably has more questions about his attire than he does about hers. Hair nearly as long, too, and even with the desert's dust it's a vivid shade of red.]

I should probably be asking you that. Here.

['Here' is a small water canteen pressed into her hands. It feels about half full.]

[serrata]

Oh--

[ Water, thank god and she takes the canteen without even thinking that it could be a trick or something else to be concerned about. What matters is that she's thirsty and overheated and just for now, justified paranoia can take a backseat. She takes a long drink from the canteen (not enough to drain it -- she's already scolding herself for being greedy two mouthfuls in, conserving water isn't a habit you just unlearn) and then takes in a hard breath before handing it back. ]

Thank you... You'd think anyone who put me here would think to give me water too, but apparently not.

[ She manages a smile, but it's tired and little forced. ]

[bloodyashes]

[It's natural-tasting water, from the river flowing swift and clean beside the camp - and it says something about her that she doesn't actually drain it. She might be poorly dressed for the place, but it's not that surprising. She's still some kind of survivor, though, and Asch can respect that.]

It's kind of come as you are at first.

[He's kind of. Trying. to joke around? Kind of terribly.]

This should be the buffer zone, but we can probably find the river if not the camp.

[serrata]

The camp? So, there's more people here who've settled...?

[ Her mind makes a few very quick leaps in succession and she finds herself hoping against hope that she's not going to be disappointed by the answer she gets to her next question. ]

Are there any other newcomers there? I was hoping if I'd arrived here then some of my family from home might have too -- we were all together the last I remember, so...

[bloodyashes]

Not here, really. This island is sort of... Almost like a dream, between the 'real' islands and wherever you came from.

[It's not not real, because he's met people who came all the way through and remembered him, but it's not entirely real real, either.]

There's more people settled on the small islands, but I know most of the people who have been in and out of the camp. What kind of people are you looking for?

[serrata]

[ She hesitates for a second. Everyone from back home is fairly distinctive in their own way so she doesn't think a description would go amiss. But she's suddenly thinking of Takumi and Xander. The same men from such different worlds and she finds herself worried that the same might happen to her.

So she plays it safe first. Just in case. ]

Well, there's a few girls who might be here... Takeya Yuki-chan, maybe? Or Ebisuzawa Kurumi? Maybe Naoki Miki? If any of them are here, they would've stuck together and um...

[ She gives a little laugh. ]

Well, if Yuki-chan was here, you'd definitely know about it.

succsucc

[aretaic]

[the young man with her looks over, gaze cold and pondering. Younger then her by a few years, but his tone suggests someone who has commanded others before.

He eyes her, and normally for one his age you'd think he was gawking at her figure. But there's no heat there- he might as well be pondering a car engine. And in a way he is... she certainly looks like she can use that knife. He hates having to put any trust in someone untested but without his phone he is left with few choices.]

Keep it busy.

[he doesn't even wait for her responce, instead moving towards a clearer area of the deck, assuming she will protect him]

[serrata]

Right.

[ She doesn't even question him. It's not like they've really got the time for it, and more importantly besides that, he has the sharp-eyed, well-trained look of someone who knows what they're doing. So she just nods -- lifts her foot, stamps on a tentacle that was threatening to creep back, drawing a shriek from the thing in the water -- and calls back over her shoulder. ]

How long do you need?

[aretaic]

Five minutes.

[He finds an open area, and spots a severed tentacle near by- good, he would hate to use his own stores for this. He pulls it over, and then yanks off his gloves, stuffing them in his pocket.

Then, with no hesitation, shoves his hand in the severed end of the meat, up to the wrist, yanking back gore and blue-ish black blood]

[serrata]

[ She nods -- no point in yelling over all this commotion -- and turns her attention back to the mass of tentacles still wriggling its way over the side of the boat. None of them are close enough to warrant a swipe with the blade and she can keep most of them back with stomps and kicks. But it's getting to the point where the... thing's irritation it starting to outstep its desire to avoid getting hurt and she's not sure how long she can keep all this up. ]

Please tell me you're almost done!

united but also suffering

[devastation]

[No Yuuri, you are not alone.

However, the other person with you does not appear to have heard you approaching them yet. In fact they seem to have been through a heck of a time recently, given the state of their dress. They seem to be shocked that they're even alive right now, let alone suddenly in a desert as they attempt to get their bearings upon waking here.

Then again, considering that this is Megumi Sakura that we're talking about, she's probably not the only one who is just as confused about being here as you are.]

thanks i FUCKING HATE IT

[serrata]

[ She doesn't think twice as she approaches, about the similarities. Because even though she knows how easy it is for places like this to pull people in from anywhere and anywhen (and even though she's seen Megu-nee in her dreams too many times to count), Megumi is dead. She occupies a place of Yuuri's heart and mind that never expects to see the light of day again.

So when she draws close and realizes who this woman really is, it's enough to make her stop in her tracks and just stare, open mouthed, until she can speak. ]

... I... I don't...

[ That's impossible. It has to be impossible. ]

M... Megu-nee...?

YOU'RE WELCOME

[devastation]

[Well, that certainly got Megumi's attention now, as she turns to look at the other girl when she hears the familiar nickname. She can't even think to correct it when she sees who it is.]

Wh... Yuuri-san...?

[That can't be right. She should be with Yuki and Kurumi right now, not...]

What are you doing here?

[serrata]

I'm-- I should be asking you the same question, shouldn't I?!

[ She feels blindsided, completely unable to settle her train of thought into something coherent. And how can she, when Megu-nee is right here, alive and well like that rainy night in the school had never happened?

This is impossible. Absolutely impossible. ]

Did you come from... from school? Or maybe--?

UNITED WE STAND!!

[plugout]

[ He is absolutely not here for this. Well. At least it isn't Florida, thank god. On the downside, where the hell is his girlfriend?

Also, his head hurt, because this idiot tripped and fell really hard. Nice. ]

Yeah, I'm cool, I'm just wondering-- hooooooooooly shit, Yuuri, is that you?!

[ wow rhys u did it ]

[serrata]

[ A pause. She just stares at him for a second, like she's sure she's hallucinating in the desert heat. And then the spluttering starts. ]

I'm-- Rhys-san? [ well it's definitely Yuuri at least ] Did you just end up here as well? N--no, I should probably ask... where were you before here?

[plugout]

[ Ah, that's definitely Yuuri. Man, he even grins. It's familiar, but uh... man, he hopes they weren't brought here to have to kill each other again. ]

What are you talking about? I was in that simulation-- th, the simulation of Florida! With, you know, Angel and Finn and everyone else! The ones who died, I mean, obviously.

[serrata]

[ Maybe it's terrible that she's relieved but -- well, she can't help it. At the very least it means Florida isn't Floridone. Not for sure, anyway. ]

Good... w--well, I mean, it's not good that you're there but I'm--

[ She's so tired but the smile she gives him is certainly bright enough. ]

I'm so glad to see you. Are you alright?

united we stand!!!

[quadjumps]

[ this is the skater boy you never asked for, straight out of airlocked

but he has no idea who yuuri is, at least appearance-wise though yuuri would recognize him from the first season's rerun. and like yuuri, yuri is not dressed for this weather. he's wearing his tiger jacket and what appears to be some kind of black body suit.

thankfully, they're on the western side of the desert, so yuri isn't going to be extra cranky. but...he's still yuri. ]

Huh?

[ he turns towards yuuri's voice. actually, it sounds a little familiar, but he can't pinpoint where he's heard it before... ]

...God! Not this shit again!

[serrata]

[ ... Oh. Oh, of course she recognizes him, how could she not? But she doesn't quite know what to say for a moment and so she just sort of stares until she realizes -- come on, Yuuri, he's shaken up and you're probably not helping. So she swallows hard and tries to come up with something. ]

Yuri-san... [ because like hell can she pronounce his surname!! she's very sorry yuri ] You are Yuri-san, aren't you? From, um. You were with Akira-san and Kaiba-san and all the others, weren't you?

[quadjumps]

[ at that, he pauses.

of course. of course he'd recognize her voice from there. but how is the question--was she dead, too? are they still gone? ]

Yeah, that's me. The Champion Figure Skater. [ his voice is laced with disgust. ] Who're you?

[serrata]

[ She lets out a soft huff that's almost the start of a bitter sounding laugh. Okay then. It's definitely the right Yuri. ]

I'm Yuuri Wakasa. I was the Champion Green Thumb when they put me in there.

[ Was might be a strong word for it, considering the PIP still locked onto her arm. But it feels nice to disown the title like that, as tiny a victory as it is. ]

... I'm Miki-san's friend. And, I suppose, more importantly... as far as I know, I'm still alive.

[ which raises a few questions, doesn't it? ]

[quadjumps]

[ she survived--her round had survivors. that makes yuri envious, bitter to the bone, but the effects of the desert are making him less sour. ]

Congrats.

[ he sounds sincere. nobody deserves to die in that hellhole.

well. maybe manaka. ]

This isn't part of the simulation, right? Tell me we're out of there. I don't care if we're in the middle of nowhere--just as long as we're not in space anymore.

[serrata]

...

[ There's always a possibility, isn't there. Waking up in the middle of nowhere, with no idea how she got here... it certainly seems familiar, sickeningly so. No matter how innocent this all feels, she can't really trust it, not wholeheartedly but... somehow, this doesn't feel like IG7. They have a particular way of doing things and a particular fondness for narrative ironies that's somehow absent here.

It's not out of the question, of course, and the idea makes her a little queasy. But her voice is firm when she says; ]

I don't think it is, no. It doesn't really smell like them, does it? Even with the PIPs. Usually I'd say something about 'the devil you know' but I can't even pretend the simulation would be an improvement.

[ She gives him a stiff smile. ]

Have you been out here long?