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aftr_ooc2018-01-13 08:54 pm
lifeaftr_mods) wrote in aftr_ooc2018-01-13 08:54 pm
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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:
Remember that Reserves will open on January 15th, and Applications on January 24th!
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.
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.
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.
![](https://imgur.com/kOUezdw.gif")
( CODED BY BOOTYCALL )
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[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.]
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... 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]no subject
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.]
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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.]
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[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.]
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[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...?
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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?
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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.
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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?
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I am one known as Takane Shijou. [She shifts her position to give a proper sitting bow in his direction.] Though it is less than ideal circumstances, I would like to express my anticipation of our cooperation, Tenshouin-sama.
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[How will they get out of here, though? He pauses, glancing around. It's like the side of a cliff, this place, and he has no idea how he'll climb up, and there's no way he'll go down to the ice again. On top of that, his arms, legs and face all feel numb, and he's worried it wants to spread.]
I hate to be so forward, but would you might sitting close to me for now? If I grow too cold, my heart might stop. That wouldn't be very cool at all, you know?
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[Finally realizing that her excessively polite way of speaking was indeed what he was referring to, she couldn't help but let out a light, amused giggle. Whether it was due to his insistence on her being less formal, the idea of receiving payment for something, or his utterly lame pun was anyone's guess.]
Well, I cannot help that one, I'm afraid. After all, one cannot simply ask for the moon to stop rising each night, nor the waves of the ocean to cease their ebb and flow.
[Understanding that this was not a situation for propriety, however, she does oblige his request of keeping him warm. She carefully gets up to step closer to him, and sets herself down next to him. She even goes slightly above and beyond, removing her coat so she could drape it over them. They'd have to find some sort of adequate shelter at least very soon, if not outright escape, but for now, this should suffice until they regain their bearings and think up a solid survival strategy.]
As for payment, think nothing of it. You may call it even; an apology of sorts for being inconsiderate of your constitution and handling you so roughly.
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Thank you, Shijou-san, but it's not as simple as that. There must be some way I can repay you, so I'll continue to search for it until I'm able to find it.
[He can't live in debt, it's not his thing.] As for my constitution, it's not something you would have known. I may have this weak, fragile body, but I'm still a man, you know? I'd prefer to be thought of as strong and sturdy. [But he's not??? Shhh it's fine.]
I wonder how it is that we're meant to get out of this situation... Do you have any ideas?
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At the very least, it was fairly obvious the Silver Queen didn't outright hate or completely distrust him. She made no indication that the freezing body temperature of her companion bothered her, and allowed him to sit as close to her as he wished. She’d rather the only other sign of human life not die from the cold and leave her alone here.]
I'm afraid that you might be searching for that kind of repayment for a long while. There isn’t much that I cannot obtain easily on my own, and the one thing I wish to seek is something not something many can provide for me. [She looks up at the mist-filled sky, a somewhat wistful smile on her face.] However, I do look forward to seeing your attempts at finding something equivalent, if you must insist on finding it. Fufufu…
[Though her head continues to remain raised, her eyes move to once more acknowledge Eichi via her peripheral vision.]
But I will say you are indeed strong and sturdy, Eichi Tenshouin. It is not only physical capabilities that define such, wouldn't you agree? Though we find ourselves in an unknown land, fighting desperately for our lives, you've managed to keep your wits about you. I don't believe many can do the same.
[As for plans, there was something that came to mind once they weren’t in immediate danger. It only took a moment after Eichi mentioning ways of escaping for her to dig for her phone in her dress pocket. Perhaps she could place an emergency call and have home send a helicopter?
… Those hopes are quickly dashed as she gives a puzzled stare at the garbled mess on its screen, tapping several icons to no avail. Did it break during their escape from the ice shark?]
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If you continue to flatter me like that, Shijou-san, someone may come to our rescue just to scold my ego into place. [That's one method of rescue, he supposes.] Hm? Is there something wrong?
[But with a more careful look at her phone, he understands. Pulling out his own, he taps at it a few times only to find the same problem.] Ah, I see. So we truly are in a situation just like that out of a manga. Stranded, our phones mysteriously unable to function, the night nearing and no sign of shelter... [But scenarios like this in real life don't have a happy ending.
He keeps that to himself, this time.]
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… I must confess, that thought also occurred to me when I first noticed your presence. At the time, it was more akin to that of a fairytale, or those shoujo manga frequently consumed by one hailing from my agency, but I now see that the genre is wholly different.
[She would have continued to ramble, but the instinctual jolt of something being ‘off’ caused her to flinch slightly. She glanced towards the steep incline of the cliff-like formation, only to notice something different. Where there should have been solid rock, was a large opening, which inexplicably seemed to extend a significant way deeper.
A cavern? Takane would have considered themselves somewhat fortunate, if it weren’t for the fact she clearly remembered there being nothing but a solid wall of rock at that spot… She frowned slightly with disbelief.]
How mysterious… Tenshouin-sama, my eyes do not deceive me, do they?
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[Like a fairytale, huh? His ego is going to get even bigger, with reactions like that. ♪ He likes it. Ah, but then her words draw his attention, and he peers the same way, keeping that blanket of a coat close over the both of them.]
If you're asking if I can also see that cavern, it's true that it's there when it wasn't there previously. Ah, but this whole world seems to be something like an illusion, doesn't it? If it were a dream, though, I think it wouldn't be so difficult to breathe.
[His dreams are never so painful.] Should we head inside something dark like that? I suppose it is better than staying out in the elements. It's like an adventure, isn't it? How exciting. ♪
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Eichi's mentions of a uniform and something called fine does spark a bit of interest in her, and with that some questions, but Takane keeps the thoughts to herself. She was not one to pry just to satisfy personal curiosity. Instead, she focuses on the more pressing question he puts forward: Should they venture forth through this newly opened path?]
... Fufufu, that would depend. Have you been sufficiently warmed up from this arrangement that could cause a "scandal" if it were any other circumstance?
[She turns her attention back to her coat partner, her polite smile having a slight air of playfulness this time around.]
Though I am one to approach decisions with a quiet heart... I believe we sat here long enough to see that it may be more beneficial to brave the oppressive darkness of the unknown which threatens to consume us and embrace possibility, rather than sit here and submit to the bindings of the Fates' threads of certainty. I do hope I am not being presumptous with this assessment.
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[Casually mentioning that, he pushes himself to stand up with shaky hands, holding his head high and pretending he can do it just fine. He'll leave the coat to her, since it is hers, after all.] With that said, I believe it's more important to keep moving.
It's rather dark, and if our phones are broken, we'll have to stay close to one another. Here, you can hold my hand. ♪
[What was that about scandals.]
1/2
However, at his suggestion of holding hands, it does make her pause for a bit, looking up at him with eyes slightly wide with surprise.
Of course, Takane knew it would be dark in there, and that it was best to figure out of a method of not losing each other. It's true that she had been providing and accepting more physical contact than she usually did ever since she found herself here, but only because it proved to be necessary for survival??? To be honest, she was about to propose something like playing "Marco Polo" or singing children's songs in a round the whole way through before he cut in with his suggestion...
She puts her hands to her cheeks, glancing away from his outstretched hand.]
Dear me...
2/2 i never expected it to become like thissdihgdl
That's top secret.✩]
... Fufu. Eichi Tenshouin, you've been quite forward for a while. Though you have the gentle face of an angel, in truth, you are actually quite the mean-spirited one, aren't you?
[Takane lets out this remark playfully as she gracefully takes his hand, lifting herself off the ground. Contrary to her initial reaction, she doesn't let go once she's on her feet, continuing her poker face of a smile.]
Let us be off, then. Our destinies lie not within the stars, but ourselves.
LGFMLDMF how did fate allow this
Though he's holding her hand, it's icy and he doesn't have much of a grip.]
Is it mean to want to make sure that we're not separated? [Feigning innocence, he follows along like this, his own distant smile on his face never moving.] Ah, that being said, please step carefully. I'll do my best to catch you if you might slip on unsteady ground, Shijou-san, since it's not like my upper body strength is lacking, but I am still a little tired, you know.
[Please don't fall, he'll feel bad if he can't catch her like a gentleman. The last thing he needs wounded is his pride on top of everything else.]
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Interestingly, she also noted how she hadn't been recognized
how dare you not know of her glorious weekly ramen documentary series, assuming that he was also from Japan, but there were many ways for her to rationalize that away, the most primary one being that she still had a long way to go in terms of her career.]You need not worry about me. I've developed quite a good sense of balance thanks to a bit of Spartan-esque training, you see.
[And so they advance, hand in hand, towards the mouth of the cave. However, Takane stops in her tracks suddenly mere centimeters before the darkness, raising her free hand towards the sky...
Then brings it down forward dramatically and sharply, as if commanding some imaginary army to charge onward.]
FORGIVE OUR INTRUSION...!
[ECHOOOO!!! Echooooo.... Echoooo... Once the reverberation of her voice dies within the cave's depths, she turns to look at Eichi, a Deadly Serious(TM) look on her face.]
... It seems that it is not occupied, Tenshouin-sama.
[In contrast to their coquettish banter only seconds earlier, she was not joking around this time. She wanted to be courteous. Just in case something was in there. It would be rude to just walk into someone's home unannounced, wouldn't it?! Good thing it wasn't someone's home. My word, that would be so embarrassing.]