lifeaftr_mods: (Default)
The Mods of LifeAftr ([personal profile] lifeaftr_mods) wrote in [community profile] aftr_ooc2018-01-13 08:54 pm
Entry tags:

TEST DRIVE MEME ( 007 )

Test Drive Meme #7
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 January 15th, and Applications on January 24th!

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.

Ice of You to Drop By
The winter has well and truly settled in, both on LifeAftr and here in Mu; when you wake, you may discover that it isn't on dry land at all, but on a thick crust of ice. In fact, there doesn't seem to be any land in sight, in any direction - just ice, stretching on and on for as far as the eye can see.

Assuming the chill doesn't get to you first, you'll find that there are much more pressing matters than frostbite. One of those things will start cutting to the chase rather quickly in the form of a wickedly pointed fin, glinting beneath the weak winter sun, shearing through the mantle of ice like a hot knife through butter.
Ice sharks sound like something out of a sci-fi B-movie and probably are something out of a sci-fi B-movie, but rest assured: they are still quite dangerous. Fragments of undersea ice animated to suit a particularly sadistic shape and size, ice sharks almost look like delicately worked sculptures of glass or diamond, right up until the point where one of them gets their jaws around you. Their preternatural strength and tenacity allows them to "swim" through ice as easily as water. In fact, that happens to be one of their hunting tactics, as they tend to circle a target and break at the ice around them until they're surrounded by icy water, with no means of escape.

Much like real sharks, they can smell blood, and will set upon it eagerly. Unlike real sharks, they are also innately hostile. Anyone who looks like they might be an easy target will be quickly zeroed in upon by several ravenous, but nonetheless quite pretty, of these glittering creatures.

With Our Wassailing Bowl
The rest of Mu might be more forgiving in terms of setting, but that does not mean you're safe. Waking on dry land is generally considered preferable to waking on nothing more than a layer of ice, even if said dry land is nothing more than a jagged spurt of dark, coastal cliff. It's obvious from the start that nothing truly lives here. The island itself is simply some fragment of rock, eroded away from its mainland until it is all that remains.

The island itself isn't special, no. What is special is what is at its center.
A massive clay pot of piping-hot wassail steams temptingly at the island's heart, nestled between the crags of rock. Just looking at it, you can know that drinking that heated, blissful drink of cider and cinnamon will surely chase away the unforgiving winter chill, and warm you from your bones to your toes.

Really, the only problem here is that everyone else wants it too.

The second you lay eyes on that treasure, you'll be seized with an instinctive, inescapable need to have it. No one else can be allowed to partake; it is yours by right. You saw it first, after all, didn't you? You'll have to race with your peers to seize it before anyone else does, and you might even have to start fighting dirty to claim your prize. Sure, you could fight that initial instinct, but where's the fun in that?

Dig a Little Deeper
It's not as though actual, real dry land is out of the question for Mu this go around. It's just that there aren't very many desirable options, evidently, when it comes to the manner of islands that resemble those in the proper archipelago. This island in question might be a bit cold, brisk as the winter air is, but it is otherwise quite ordinary. In fact, one would not be remiss in thinking it bears more than a passing resemblance to the island of Chol.

Unfortunately, it's also chosen to emulate a rather unpleasant, if rare, aspect of Chol's landscape: quicksand. No getting out of this one, we're afraid - Mu has dropped you right smack in the middle of a patch of it.

The myth that one can "drown" in quicksand is largely without much scientific bearing. Indeed, the most prominent danger is that one will start to sink and quickly become mired in the stuff, but eventually they'll cease to properly sink at all. No; the real peril lies in the fact that, once stuck, it is nearly impossible to get out of it. Most victims of quicksand risk death by dehydration or starvation, though we wouldn't fault you for fearing death by, er, sand. Who doesn't hate sand? It's coarse, it's rough, it's irritating, and it gets everywhere.
There doesn't seem to be much in the way of ropes or branches one might grab onto for purchase, once stuck. You'll have to ask passersby for a helping hand, and hope they're feeling charitable...or just drag them in with you, if you're that sort of person.

LOGSOOCSTORIESMAIN NAVIGATION

( CODED BY BOOTYCALL )
finethanks: (☆ 12)

Eichi Tenshouin ♪ Ensemble Stars!

[personal profile] finethanks 2018-01-14 08:07 pm (UTC)(link)
Ice Sharks
    [Immediately, he's confused as to whether this is a dream or not. Standing in the middle of ice in only his normal school uniform, he's not equipped for the weather at all. By all means, he should be suffering a lot more than just some shivering, if he got out here— but if this was a dream, he wouldn't feel that chill at all, would he? His dreams are always pain free.

    There's not enough time to consider any of this. Just as he takes a hesitant step forward, something catches the light and sparkles from above the ice some distance away. It's like glass, pointed and beautiful and coming straight his way. He stumbles back, watching the fin trace around him and fracture the ice, his arms stuck hugging himself and unable to do much more.

    It looks like he's not the only one on this chunk of ice, though. He spots them now, after a turn of his head, following how the shark is beginning to trace around them. Stumbling a little with the jostling of the ice around them, he moves towards this stranger, forcing one of his ice cold hands out to reach for them as a means of support.]


    It seems as though it wants to trap us. [This is his idea of a greeting, way too calm and stuck between pretending and hoping this is all just a dream, and keeping his composure up for pride's sake. Maybe this person is more capable at escaping ice sharks. Or maybe they'll both be stuck on ice, stumbling about to find a way free.]


Quicksand
    [When it's Eichi's turn to lend a helping hand, he's just as calm about it, oddly enough. His feet take him cautiously closer, until he's sure that another step forward would bring him to sinking as well, and he bends forward, peering at the person before him.]

    Is this what they call "quicksand?" I've never seen it in person before. Of course, I wasn't so ignorant as to think that this only existed in things like stories, but to see someone trapped in it just like out of a book... Fufu, it's a little funny, isn't it?

    [Don't worry, though, his weird chuckling at their misfortune is followed by him extending his hand, stretching to try and reach them.]

    I don't have much of a grip, you know, so please hold on tight.


Wildcard
    [AND ANYWHERE ELSE or taking this scenarios and making them different!!]
hurt_comforting: (flat what)

Quicksand

[personal profile] hurt_comforting 2018-01-14 11:25 pm (UTC)(link)
"Yes," Meredith says, voice flat. "Hilarious. Just like in a two-fisted pulp adventure."

Rather than taking his hand, she takes off her scarf and ties a knot at either end. "This should be a bit easier on both of us, I think," she says, handing him one end.
finethanks: (☆ 75)

[personal profile] finethanks 2018-01-14 11:59 pm (UTC)(link)
"A scarf?"

Not even acknowledging her response to his amusement at this, he takes his knotted end and considers it for a brief moment. "Something like this won't tear, will it?" He sure hopes not. He doesn't want to be responsible for ruined items.

But it was her decision, and so he takes a firm hold, stepping back to get a better stance before he begins to pull. He's tall but scrawny looking, and while his upper body strength is actually fairly decent, he also looks like he might fall over at any minute. This is the only help that came Meredith's way, however, so it will have to do, won't it?
hurt_comforting: (:neutral:)

[personal profile] hurt_comforting 2018-01-15 02:28 am (UTC)(link)
“It better,” Merry says, not harshly. Likewise, his strength will have to do.

But they don’t have to be strong, just patient. She takes one step, loops the scarf around to pick up the slack, and takes another. It seems to be working.

“Thank you for your timely assistance,” she says. “No problem at all.” She seems to have convinced herself anyway.
finethanks: (☆ 21)

[personal profile] finethanks 2018-01-15 03:20 am (UTC)(link)
"Of course. Though, I feel as though I'm fading quickly..."

As much as he wants to hold it back, he has to admit it. His grip is growing weaker with each pull, his face looks a little pale, he's still freezing. His body isn't reacting well to this place at all. "That is to say, manual labor like this is especially exhausting for someone like me. Are you nearly out?"
hurt_comforting: (Default)

[personal profile] hurt_comforting 2018-01-15 03:58 am (UTC)(link)
“Just a bit more,” she says, and indeed she’s gaining ground - and pulls herself out of the worst, flopping onto solid ground, taking a deep breath.

She hauls herself up and leans on him. “Keep the scarf for now,” she says. “I can see about warming us up. Thank you.”
Edited (Thanks siri) 2018-01-15 04:06 (UTC)
finethanks: (☆ 121)

[personal profile] finethanks 2018-01-15 04:15 am (UTC)(link)
"We should leave this area, shouldn't we?"

Eichi is breathing heavier than her, it sounds like, even if he wasn't the one lifting himself out of anything. He's stable, at least, able to hold her weight when she leans against him, and still grasping at that scarf. With the permission to keep it for now, he wraps it around his neck, then takes a look around. "I don't believe any of this ground can be trusted."
hurt_comforting: (Default)

[personal profile] hurt_comforting 2018-01-15 07:13 am (UTC)(link)
She breaks off contact, nods agreement. "Yes. Yes, we should," she says. "Find sticks, tap the ground in front of us. Might help."

She frowns. "I'm Meredith, by the way. Meredith Baker. Pleased to meet you," she says. "Let's find someplace warmer? And, hmn." She pats her sides. "And let's find an explanation, if one's forthcoming."
finethanks: (☆ 138)

[personal profile] finethanks 2018-01-15 09:21 pm (UTC)(link)
"There doesn't seem to be much in the way of sticks, does there, Baker-san?"

He says it with a sheepish laugh, staring out at all of this sand. No branches or anything. Maybe further along...? "But I have to agree with your goals. My name is Eichi Tenshouin. It's nice to meet you."
hurt_comforting: (Default)

[personal profile] hurt_comforting 2018-01-16 10:51 am (UTC)(link)
"Less similar to those pulps, now," she sighs. "It's just been ice and sinkholes. No swamp, no cover..."

She steps very lightly and carefully. "If we're slow and steady I think we can manage," she says.
finethanks: (☆ 161)

[personal profile] finethanks 2018-01-21 04:26 am (UTC)(link)
"I wouldn't be able to move quickly even if I'd like to, so it's a relief that this is a solution of sorts."

He doesn't wait to start moving, whether or not she steps along with him. He assumes she will, after that, but he's not too sure. He keeps his arms crossed. "Did you also appear here out of nowhere, Baker-san?"
sorewatopsecret: (puzzled)

ice sharks

[personal profile] sorewatopsecret 2018-01-14 11:28 pm (UTC)(link)
[What an oddly vivid dream she was having. First, she was on her way to another photo shoot, only to suddenly be in an arctic field, with some strange ice-spike thing beginning to circle around her. And on top of that, someone she didn't know was also unfortunate to be trapped on the patch of ice with her--A young man with an ethereal appearance akin to that of a prince, or maybe an angel. It was something out of some sort of fairy tale.

Ah, but this prince-like (angel-like?) person was wearing a high school uniform... Then perhaps a scene out of some fantastical shoujo manga, like the ones Kikuchi reads? All of the above? Must this moment only be categorized through modern media known by society? She had so many questions, none of which she felt was necessary to express outwardly.

Perhaps she should have listened when her butler cautioned against eating bullion cubes before going to bed.

Not quite grasping the reality of the entire situation yet and still considering this to be some sort of dream, she also reaches out towards the stranger to maintain each other's balance out of survivalist camaraderie, though her gazes stays focused down on the twinkling fin circling around them.]


... It is truly strange that beautiful things turn out to be quite harmful. Roses, jellyfish, laundry detergent capsules... and seemingly this unknown creature we find ourselves with.

[She continues staring blankly at it for another moment, her eyes narrowing slightly to get a better view of the creature tormenting them. Through the clear parts of the ice underneath them, she could make out the vague but familiar shape of a shark. This sight prompted her to also add:]

I do wonder, if made into sashimi, would it taste more of ice or fish...?

[Clearly, her priorities were in the right place.]
finethanks: (☆ 38)

[personal profile] finethanks 2018-01-15 12:10 am (UTC)(link)
It looks more like a sculpture you might find in a garden than anything you'd expect to find on a dinner plate.

[Ah, it's a cute girl that he's trapped with, so he wonders if he should consider himself lucky, but it's difficult to do anything like that when the ice around them continues to shift and crack. Icy water is becoming more and more visible around the edges, with the shark ramming up into hardened ice and splitting it.]

As beautiful as it might be, I'm afraid we'll have to distance ourselves. This feels almost like a dream, but I can't fly or do anything exciting like that, so I suppose we'll have to rely on our legs.

[He can barely feel his own, and he knows that even if he could run, he wouldn't be able to on ice. Still, with their grips on each other, he squeezes lightly at her arm and tries to encourage her to move with him.

This movement only makes the shark more aggressive, jerking left in the water to open its jaws wide and snap down on their land— their ice— just inches from their feet.]
sorewatopsecret: (question)

[personal profile] sorewatopsecret 2018-01-15 02:54 am (UTC)(link)
[Takane didn't have time to even make a facial expression of disappointment when the concept of possibly eating the Ice Shark was unceremoniously shot down. Even she had a bit of trouble maintaining a poker face when the shark started being more expressive in wanting to eat them. She reflexively steps back a bit from the creature's snout, still using her companion as support to prevent slipping.]

... Then I suppose that eliminates the possibility of you being an angel, Figment of my Imagination-sama. Sadly, it seems that I am also incapable of such feats, despite this being a dream, so it is best to follow your advice.

[With that, she takes initiative and grabs him by the hand, breaking into a run to get to anywhere but here don't die]
finethanks: (☆ 51)

[personal profile] finethanks 2018-01-15 03:24 am (UTC)(link)
[Ah— he doesn't even have time to react happily to her assumption that he's an angel, or comment on that or the name she just called him. Isn't she the figment of his imagination, if anything? It doesn't matter, because now they're running, and his heart immediately begins pounding in his chest.

This isn't good. That same sharp, suffocating feeling takes over and he knows that he won't make it long like this at all. His feet want to slip on the ice, but he's managing to keep his balance, glancing back at the shark that's quickly swimming after them.]


W-wait, I can't— [Words are even more difficult like this, and he sounds out of breath after only a few steps. His free hand grips at his chest desperately, and his legs are forcing himself to keep up, but his world is spinning. Can he... can he at least say something cool, like a main character might...?

He yanks back at his hand suddenly, trying to break himself free so he'll no longer hold her back.]
Go on... without me. [Immediately, he falls into a coughing fit. This is how Eichi dies, good job Takane.]
sorewatopsecret: (I WON'T HESITATE BITCH)

[personal profile] sorewatopsecret 2018-01-15 04:02 am (UTC)(link)
[And then an angry overworked glasses man descends from the sky to unleash the wrath of Buddha upon this world---No, that doesn't actually happen. However, what does happen is that Takane stumbles a bit as Eichi lets go of her hand, and stared at him questioningly, puzzled at this sudden turn of events. He seemed very bent on escaping minutes ago, and at first she only assumed he was a bad runner... but she quickly understood once he started coughing. Could it be that---

Takane couldn't finish her thoughts as her instincts snap to attention, and looks up to see the glittering jaws of the shark mere moments away from engulfing them both. Though not exactly cut out of survival situations, she throws herself at Eichi, taking him into her arms. Her gamble that the force of the impact would roll them to the side and away from danger ends up being successful. What a peculiar dream, though there was a prince-like stranger with her, it seems like it would be her being the white knight.

Recovering from their barrel roll of survival, she takes the window of opportunity to grab him by the shoulders, and pulls him up to look him squarely in the eyes, a stern expression on her face.]


Do not say such things, good sir! Though you are but an element of my dream, I simply cannot abandon someone to die like that. I will ask forgiveness for my presumptuousness at a later time, but first I will try to my best ability that we survive this nightmare together!

[And with that she takes him by the arm, as if to help him to his feet... but that would not be the case.

Reminiscent of a Judo throw, she hoisted the taller boy over her shoulders like a sack of rice... A fireman's carry, to put it simply. And then, she continues her best to sprint down the icy wasteland, in heeled boots, tying not to drop a roughly 60kg boy in poor health as she does so. While also trying to outrun a shark made of ice. A very surreal scene.

She scans her surroundings as she runs, hoping that something in this vast void of whiteness would appear that could help two very normal teenagers out of this predicament.]
finethanks: (☆ 91)

[personal profile] finethanks 2018-01-15 04:21 am (UTC)(link)
W-what are you doing?!

[It's the most emotion he's shared openly since they've met, but it's very shocking to be thrown over someone's shoulders. Everyone is normally so gentle with him, and he's just been rolled around, pulled up and tossed, just like that?! This girl... Ah, well, really, he'd be impressed if he wasn't dying of generic anime disease and being chased by a beautiful ice shark.

The rest of his complaints die in his throat, anyway, since he has to cover even more coughs with a closed fist. As for what could possibly help these poor normal teenagers... it's a shame that Buddha's wrath can't be unleashed, after all.

The most promising site are the rocks ahead, rugged and dangerous-looking, but most certainly dry. An escape from the shark that's hot on her heels, for certain. Helpfully, Eichi points it out, though he still doesn't have time for words.]
sorewatopsecret: (morning)

[personal profile] sorewatopsecret 2018-01-15 05:01 am (UTC)(link)
Surviving!

[Takane replies to his protest with slight breathlessness as she tries to maintain a fast pace. Though she was one of the better runners among the idols at 765 Productions, it wasn't to the absurdly superhuman degree like that of Makoto and Hibiki. She was pushing herself to her very limits. Thankfully, Eichi pointing out a place of solace allows her to hold on a bit longer. The rocks were a bit sketchy, but with their predicament they couldn't be too picky about safety.

With a nod, she ran like she never ran before. Once she was close enough, she helps Eichi onto the formation before attempting to climb up herself. The shark manages to barely nip at the hem of her skirt before she successfully gets herself onto dry "land".

She doesn't even attempt to stand once she manages to confirm their safety (for now); she was too tired to maintain her usual composed and dignified self. After a few moments of catching her breath, she turns her attention to her companion.]


May I ask how are you doing...?
finethanks: (☆ 93)

[personal profile] finethanks 2018-01-15 05:07 am (UTC)(link)
[The shark continues aggressively smashing against the base of the land, but once it realizes it's not getting anywhere near its meal, it gives up and swims away through ice and nearly frozen water.

Eichi didn't even have the energy to reach and help his savior up, so he's glad to hear her voice when he does. He's on his back, propped up against some more jagged rocks as best as he can, breathing heavily but cough stabilized... mostly.]


Hahh... Thanks to you, I'm fine. [He says that, as pale and cold as he is, because he'd rather not focus on his coughing attack just now.] What a close call that was... I thought I'd become part of an ice sculpture myself. You weren't hurt, were you?
sorewatopsecret: (sing)

[personal profile] sorewatopsecret 2018-01-15 05:31 am (UTC)(link)
[Finally catching her breath and composure, Takane eventually pushes herself up to a tidy sitting position on her knees. Well, tidy as she can possibly be, what with her hair and clothes in disarray after that narrow escapade. At his question, she gives a small, but satisfied smile.]

Merely a few scrapes from getting up here, nothing that we must be concerned about. It pleases me to see that you are unharmed as well, Figment of my Imagination-sama. Though perhaps I should cease to call you that; as strange as it may seem, I am beginning to highly doubt this is a dream.
Edited 2018-01-15 05:32 (UTC)
finethanks: (☆ 137)

[personal profile] finethanks 2018-01-15 05:42 am (UTC)(link)
[Sitting up a little more, he offers her a warm smile. He's really not doing well with the weather here, but somehow, he's alive, and he has this girl to thank. Placing a hand gently over his own chest, he bows his head.]

I apologize for this strange way of meeting, but I'm glad we were able to cross paths. My name is Eichi Tenshouin. [He lifts his head again, dropping his hand to his lap.] Who might you be?

(no subject)

[personal profile] sorewatopsecret - 2018-01-15 05:57 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] finethanks - 2018-01-15 06:16 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] sorewatopsecret - 2018-01-15 06:41 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] finethanks - 2018-01-15 21:19 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] sorewatopsecret - 2018-01-16 02:16 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] finethanks - 2018-01-16 06:29 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] sorewatopsecret - 2018-01-16 19:59 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] finethanks - 2018-01-21 04:30 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] sorewatopsecret - 2018-01-21 08:11 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] finethanks - 2018-01-22 01:27 (UTC) - Expand

1/2

[personal profile] sorewatopsecret - 2018-01-22 03:03 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] sorewatopsecret - 2018-01-23 03:43 (UTC) - Expand
catpiper: (velma voice you stop that)

quicksand

[personal profile] catpiper 2018-01-15 01:48 am (UTC)(link)
[Look, this is her second time caught in a pile of quicksand and gosh it's just Not Great. She hates it. It's terrifying-not funny, no matter how much this guy tries to make light of it. It's 200% scary and that clearly shows on her face. Horrible. Why dreamworld?? Why you gotta hit betray like this?? Where's the bunny?

The moment he reaches out, she latches on as tight as she can with both her hands. This dying child wants to live, thanks.
]

I'll hold on-I won't let go.
finethanks: (☆ 103)

[personal profile] finethanks 2018-01-15 02:01 am (UTC)(link)
Good girl. [That's meant as soft spoken praise and nothing else. She seems terrified, he can see that, and he won't keep making jokes while she's so panicked. But if he stays calm, then the situation will seem under control, even when it's absolutely not. It's his plan!

His hand is ice cold, and his grip feels a little weak, but with Ren grasping onto him with both of her hands, he feels it might just work. He pulls, and his strength is pretty good, despite his scrawny appearance. But the more effort he exerts, the more it looks as though he might fall over himself.]


This sand... is stubborn, isn't it? Fufu, it reminds me of a friend I know. Do you happen to know anyone the same?

[Conversation, even when breathing is so hard, but he's making progress. If he can just get her out enough where she can help them both more, then he won't have to struggle so much.] Someone who clings and won't let go, refusing to budge even an inch despite your own desires? ♪
catpiper: (blowing coffee into eyes like a maniac)

[personal profile] catpiper 2018-01-19 09:03 pm (UTC)(link)
[As this is her second rodeo in quicksand, she knows not to struggle without support. It's only with his help that the sand shifts around her and she begins her feeble attempt to get out.]

That's Seto.

[Ren notes the difficulty this boy's having keeping himself up and rests one hand against the ground by his feet, hoping she can free herself. But it's nice-the conversation. Talking about an old friend that has yet to make an appearance like he's beside her, sharing that with someone with the memory of the same kind of friend.]

People with kind hearts are like that-that's how it is.
finethanks: (☆ 19)

[personal profile] finethanks 2018-01-21 04:35 am (UTC)(link)
So you do know. Fufu, that's good... I'm glad that you've also been able to receive such kind attention.

[He agrees, in other words. He pauses again with speaking to focus on helping pull her, but her efforts will probably have to match him. Occasionally, his own feet sink a bit and he has to reposition himself to prevent slipping down into the sand himself.

Slowly but steadily, they'll get her out. It's working, at least.]


If only I could be a little more like that, then perhaps I wouldn't be so slow at getting you out... Ah, or rather, it's my health that's holding me back, isn't it? Please don't give up.