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aftr_ooc2018-04-13 08:39 pm
lifeaftr_mods) wrote in aftr_ooc2018-04-13 08:39 pm
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TEST DRIVE MEME ( 010 )
Test Drive Meme #10
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 April 17th, and Applications on April 24th!
Two important notes:
Remember that Reserves will open on April 17th, and Applications on April 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.
Friends on the Other Side
When you open your eyes, it is to a shadow-tinted cityscape. The buildings are clay-built and colorless, plunging seemingly infinitely onward into the sky before disappearing into a dense pool of foglike sky. The silence weighs heavily like a mantle across every inch of this place, and no matter how you squint at them, every structure seems strangely blurred, as though being viewed through distorted telescope lens, or in the reflection of a pool of water.
All told, it's probably obvious from the start that all is not well here.
That wouldn't be a problem, perhaps, if you were alone. Mu does not boast a great deal of flora and fauna, but what it does have is a creature capable of inflicting much in the way of misfortune - clockroach. They occupy this city in swarms of wraith-like wisps, both intangible and curiously amorphous. But when they draw close, they instill a sense of terror like no other, usually igniting one's fight-or-flight response as a result. Sure, they might not be capable of actually hurting you, but why should that matter, when they have a skill for inducing a sense of utter dread in their targets?
Ever try to get some sleep with fresh adrenaline pumping in your veins?
Pretty Fly for a...Fire Guy
With indigo-blue skies, lush fields of green, and miles of rippling grass hills for as far as the eye can see, Mu has cast you into the perfect and picturesque evening. As the imaginary sun lips the very edge of the horizon and the last glow of orange fades to the purple of dusk, the fields come to life with a smattering of bright, wavering lights.
While they glow a contented amber by default, those that fireflies warm to will find themselves bathed in a green-blue glow as those bulbous, organic lanterns tint with a soft, cool turquoise. A few of them might even settle across your arms and in your hair, if they take that much of a shine to you.
Of course, those the fireflies don't warm to will be able to note as such when they light up a blazing crimson, mere seconds before the insects spit a stream of glowing orange, molten-colored acid. It stings and burns in equal measure, just as likely to scald you as it is to set the surrounding fields aflame.
Flower You Doing That?
Adventurers were both wary and relieved to discover that the next island on the horizon, known as Ziziphus, appeared to be a rather vegetation-rich paradise. They were considerably less relieved to learn that this island contained predators just like all the rest of them, despite the rich green backdrop of its meadows and the promise of lush woodland at its heart.
So it is that you, too, will learn that sometimes tufts of ferns are not tufts of ferns at all...but dangerous creatures called spindlanks.
For despite their leafy appearance, spindlanks are very much carnivorous. Their size can vary from anywhere between six and ten feet tall when their appendages unfurl entirely. They burn as easily as any plant matter would, but the size of them can make them quite difficult to topple alone.
And they are almost always hungry.
Naomi Mikano / Original Character
[Naomi Mikano was not one to be afraid of things that went bump in the night. Even if the sixteen-year-old was considered by most to be a scardey cat, choosing to cling to her big brothers' or anyone else's' arm when the lights went out, she was not afraid of what was in the darkness...
At least that's what she was telling herself as she walked through a colorless cityscape, using the flashlight of her iPhone to see a bit better. The steady mantra of 'I'm not scared', while whispered, echoed in the still air.
She didn't like that. She also didn't like that she was sleepy.
She didn't like how similar this felt to the Mirror World.]
If this is some stupid Markel-related thing I'm gonna be so ticked.
[Her muttering is punctuated by her cheeks puffing out in a chipmunk-like fashion. Of course, she knew this place wasn't the Mirror World and couldn't have anything to do with Markel because he was gone.
It was during her musings
and poutingthat her flashlight caught a glimpse of a cloakroach... Or well, several of them.The silence of the city was quickly broken by a scream as Naomi turned tail and began running, nearly dropping her phone in the process. Was the swam following? She wasn't going to look back and find out. She was doing everything in her power not to trip over her own feet as frightened tears began forming in the corner of her eyes.]
Pretty Fly for a... Fire Guy
[Now this was more her speed. Naomi had found her way to the lush fields with wide, gleeful eyes. She'd even let out an excited yell as she began running through the grass, cartwheeling a few times, and spreading her arms to either side. The color changing fireflies was just an added bonus.
After running around excitedly she'd come to take a seat cross-legged in the grass. She had learned the hard way not to startle or upset the fireflies, her left hand now sporting a few burn marks. Now though she sat quietly, her knitted gloves lying on the ground beside her, hands outstretched.
She smiled as a few of the fireflies landed on her hand. The glow the bugs gave off almost made her forget about the teal gems seemingly embedded in the back of her hands. At least for a little while.
Flower You Doing That?
This. Is. So. Stupid!
[The frustrated shout echoed in the air as Naomi made her way through the high grass of the hillock, using a stick she had picked up earlier to whack away some of the foliage and lean against. Her sandals dangled from her left hand, one of the straps having snapped earlier in her hike. As a result, her poor feet were scratched to hell and back, though she was doing her best to ignore the sting from each step.
She was, of course, incredibly lost.
Blowing her bangs from her face Naomi paused, setting her sandals down so that she could fix her messy bun. She was mid hair fixing when she saw something move, but shrugged it off, assuming it to be an animal. As she bent down to pick up her sandals a spindlank rose.
There was a second where all she could do was stare at the leafy monster stared back down at her. Then she screamed, dropping her sandals and scrambling back with her stick. The spidlank followed and it didn't take the monster long to get itself directly overhead. Naomi could only hold her breath, bracing herself as she flung her hands up as the thing dropped down.
And then there was a 'thud', the monster hitting a teal crystal-like forcefield that encompassed Naomi. She cracked an eye open - having shut them tight - to see this and let out a slow breath. The next few seconds were tense, the spindlank seeming confused.
Then its vines began to wraps around the small forcefield, squeezing it. Naomi, in turn, winced, focusing with all her might as the gems on the back of her hands glowed softly. This wasn't going to last long. She could already see cracks forming.
And so. For the third time in the last ten minutes she screamed.]
HELP!!
Flower You Doing That?
The shots were quick. He took aim at the top of the spindlank trying to crush her and sank one, two, three bullets into it in rapid succession.]
one day I'm going to have all her icons matching. one day.
It was enough to make the spindlank loosen its vines that were trying to crush her magical bubble. Naomi sucked a breath in between her teeth, wiping teary eyes on her arm and smudging dirt across her face.
Right. Time to be brave like Tai.
With the monster still reeling back she acted, ducking down and letting the barrier drop. She felt the vine brush just overhead as she scrambled, crawling out from beneath it. Then she was running as quickly as she could towards Prompto, reaching out without thinking for his free hand.]
I don't like this, I wanna go home!
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His heart did skip a beat when she ran towards him, and especially when she reached out a hand. Perhaps it wasn't the time, but he couldn't help it. A girl wanted to touch his hand.
He at least had enough sense to grab it and start running. Mu was always changing so he wasn't much surer of where to go than she was. Still, he actually knew what the place was. They needed to get far enough away and find a place to hide.
He couldn't do anything to take her home, but...]
It's okay, I'll protect you!
[Her hand was so warm...! How was he supposed to focus?]
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Normally the words may not have caught her off-guard. It was a statement very fitting for this situation.
But they still caught Naomi by surprise, somehow. As they ran she couldn't help but look at the stranger offering to protect her, suddenly feeling like she wanted to cry for a completely different reason than fear.
Tai had always told her that. Kou told her that now.]
O-Okay.
[She would trust him.]
What're we gonna do?
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We're gonna get far enough away and then we'll hide.
[He was fast on his feet. Hopefully she could keep up, but he wouldn't leave her behind either way. Even if that meant stopping and fighting. Five more bullets and a knife - he could do it, right?]
Are you hurt?
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Hiding was a very good idea.]
No! 'm okay!
[Once the adrenaline wore off her feet would be smarting and she knew that already, but that was alright. She could take care of those cuts and scrapes later.]
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Finally pausing as he ducked down behind a large trunk, he did his best to stop her softly after pulling so hard. That was when he noticed her lack of shoes.]
Are you okay? What happened to your shoes?
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My shoes? Oh!
[Despite it all she had to smile sheepishly.]
I wasn't wearing any. Or, well, I was wearing sandals but the strap broke on one of them so I was carryin' them, but I guess I dropped them. [There's a pause and then she pouts.] They were super cute too, shoot.
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[As a matter of fact, he was noticing they seemed kind of battered now. Prompto would have given her his shoes if they were the right size and it wouldn't take a long time. For now he couldn't do anything about her sandals. They didn't really have anything to tie around her feet. He didn't like seeing any girl get hurt.
So, without much thought, he moved to pick her up. He wasn't the strongest guy in the world, but he could handle someone small, and he had the endurance to carry on.]
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[She'd been in the middle of waving off his concern when he had moved to pick her up. He probably would have had no probably picking her up - Naomi's not very heavy - if she hadn't immediately begun to squirm out of surprise. A blush crept across her cheeks as she took a few stumbling steps back, waving her hands quickly.]
I-I-I can walk! You don't have t' carry me or anythin', really!
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Flower You Doing That?
Whatever he expected from there, it wasn't... this. Definitely a young girl, some kind of magic bubble, and a creature that looked about ready for its next meal. He's got no idea what that is, no idea how she's doing that-- but as it strikes at the bubble with one of it's clawed- hands? feet?- now really isn't the time to worry about that.]
Hey, buddy! [That thing is not his buddy.] You're barking up the wrong tree there if you're looking for lunch!
[He's slower and heavier- much better lunch, right here.]
!!!!! Mister Bluejeans!!
Of course, Naomi did not know who the man shouting was. All she knew was there was a man shouting. She peered at him, swallowing as another crack in the barrier formed. He'd gotten the monsters attention though. It looked... Or at least she thought it looked from her to him and then back a few times. It was debating.
But it wasn't trying to crush her anymore. That was good. The reprieve would let her catch her breath.
Or at least she thought she could catch her breath, but suddenly the vines returned to tighten their hold and she found her little shield and by extension herself being lifted up as the thing began moving towards Barry, carrying her like a ball.
Looks like it wants lunch AND dessert. Well this is a pickle.]
c: <3
Well it stops attacking, which is a plus. But it doesn't let her go, which is a negative-- a huge negative, when it starts coming after him as well. Swallowing hard, Barry starts to back away, eyes darting about frantically for another option; something he can use as a weapon. Anything.
And then he gets an idea.]
Y-yeah. Yeah! That's it, moss-for-brains! Follow the tasty human!
no subject
[She hollered down to the man as the plant monster continued to approach, closing the distance. It was a bit of a flustered shout, one underlined with an 'I really hope you have a plan' plea. He must have one, he had too.
But what if he didn't? She glanced at the plant monster, a bead of sweat dripping down the side of her face as she tried to take a steadying breath as the vines continued to squeeze at the barrier.
How much longer could she hold this up? What was plan B? Or C? Her mind raced as she tried to think of one.]
Friends on the Other Side (Let me know if this isn't okay, but I haaaaaad to!)
He only gets a few steps, however, before a sobbing mass of teenager bowls him over and sends them both toppling to the ground. Instinctively, Ignis wraps himself around her to make sure she's not injured during the fall, speaking only once they have finally come to a rest.]
Darling, are you all right? What's wrong?
Here lies Cat, killed by Ignis going 'darling'
As she couldn't do that, she settled for hiccuping, the frightened tears falling.]
The-They're gonna get us, w-we gotta [hic] gotta go!
Pet names are yet another about Ignis that should be registered as a deadly weapon.
[As he speaks, Ignis carefully pulls them both into a sitting position, hands resting on her shoulders, kneading them softly to try and calm her.]
You're safe with me. It's all right.
you're not wrong there
I-I donno, they looked li-like shadowy monsters 'nd there were lo-loads of 'em 'nd they were chasin' me 'nd, 'nd, 'nd!
[She gulps down a breath, turning this way and that with her flashlight to try and spot them again.]
Do you know after all this time, I JUST realized they are 'clock'roaches and not 'cock'roaches? X.x
Wait a minute.]
Do you mean the clockroaches?
I honestly keep having to check to make sure it isn't cockroaches lmao
[She couldn't see anything in the shine of her light, at least nothing yet. Naomi sniffs, rubbing the heel of her hand to her eyes before pushing some blonde-and-black hair back.]
What're those?
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[He can't look for them like she is, but Ignis does listen for them, and for the moment at least, he hears nothing.]
The big difference is they have the ability to increase the fear you're feeling. I've felt it myself and I suspect if they increase the fear far enough, they may make you see things that aren't actually there.
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[The words were mostly muttered, but given Ignis' hearing he no doubt heard them. After a few more scans with her flashlight proved to be clockroach-less she felt her speeding heart slowing slightly. Her shoulders relaxed minutely. She nodded at his explanation, even if she wasn't sure she believed him fully. They'd been terrifying.
She turned to look at the stranger now, eyebrows drawing together.]
Where are we? What d'you mean they're the only permanent resident?
no subject
[Why, she and Prompto could talk about hating bugs all day!
Now that she's calmed down some, Ignis releases his hold on her, letting her settle herself as she wishes. As she does, he thinks over how best to answer her question.]
This place is something like a dream world, ever changing. The landscape, the dangers. One can never really know what to expect when Mu pulls them to its shores. Aside from the clockroaches that is.
I believe this is some sort of staging ground, to be honest. Most people who come to the island stop here first, though not everyone who comes here ends up there.
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[She settled down into a bit of a pathetic seat, still holding her phone at the ready in one hand while continuing to wipe her lingering tears away with the other. Soon her attention refocused on the man she'd bumped into, focusing on him rather than the darkness and potential bugs. If she stayed focused on him and this conversation maybe she wouldn't spiral into another panic.
But his explanation only made her frown.
Granted, a dream would make sense, sort of. Plus it wasn't like this was her first adventure into another world. Still, there was something that didn't sit well with her.]
Don't tell me I've been kidnapped. 'Cause Kou's gonna be so ticked off if I went 'nd somehow got myself kidnapped to some other world again. [She paused for a second, before quickly adding on as she realized clarification might be needed.] Not that I really let myself get kidnapped the first time 'nd it was only for, like, a day tops before I figured out how to escape.
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