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The Mods of LifeAftr ([personal profile] lifeaftr_mods) wrote in [community profile] aftr_ooc2018-07-13 08:54 pm
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TEST DRIVE MEME ( 013 )

Test Drive Meme #13
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 July 17th, and Applications on July 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.

Sit Down, You're Rocking the Boat
When you wake, it's to the bucking of tumultuous ocean waves and the heavy sluice of rain. The boat you've found yourself on was probably seaworthy at some point, but it's been wind-battered and weatherbeaten to the point where it's begun, quite steadily, to sink into the choppy waves. Looks like you're all in the same, sinking vessel.
To make matters worse, it seems that the storm itself has a nasty sense of humor. It seems almost intuitive in its attempts to toss you from your footing on the deck and into the frothing waters below. Gusts of powerful wind try to tear you from the mast if you climb it, and the boat rocks perilously to try and tip you into the churning waves. Oh, and did we mention the lightning? Because there's lightning, and it seems to have a personal interest in incinerating your pitifully wooden little boat on the spot.

That doesn't mean you're completely helpless. There is an island in sight, one that resembles the waking land of Ensō, albeit somewhat far off, its silhouette fuzzy and indistinct from the curtains of rain. But if you can make it...

Well, anywhere's got to be better than here, right?

Gibbon No Quarter
It's been a year since the first adventurers were initially drawn to Mu's shores, and then, later, to Ensō's. And so, in celebration, the dream-island has cribbed only the best bits of the previous year for prospective explorers to sample on their way in.

Take now, for instance. You'll find yourself in a cage of all things, with the pound of drums and excited hoots of hungry simians to greet you upon waking. This particular breed of monkeys was once unique to Ensō, before travelers were forced to more or less thoroughly exterminate them. Devilishly smart and naturally inventive, gun monkeys are so named for their trademark weaponry - coconut guns, naturally - and their generally cunning capacity to craft tools out of very rudimentary resources.
And oh, right - they're also very carnivorous. They've set up a smoking bonfire in the center of the jungle clearing that makes up their temporary home, and if you don't figure out a way to come out of your cage (have you been doing just fine, perhaps?), then you're going to be next on the menu.

Think fast, or work with whoever's nearby, and you might have a chance. Or you could always call for help. That always works out, right?

To Be Continued
Stories, stories, stories. Anyone who's hung around the block for any length of time can tell you, dear newcomers, that those little things are of the utmost importance in this neck of the woods. There's no mistaking the purpose behind this inviting scene - log seats set up around a roaring campfire, and even a packet or two of marshmallows if you're feeling hungry.

It almost might be enough to distract you from the fact that there's no fuel for said fire. And what's more, the darkness surrounding the woodland backdrop is so impenetrable that you may as well be an isolated blot of warmth in an otherwise unforgiving void. And within that void, if you listen close, you might hear something - a snarling, an indistinct rumble of massive jaws parting, hungrily, in search of something alive.
If that flame burns out...well, something out there isn't fond of fire, and that's the only thing keeping it from claiming everyone seated here for its own enjoyment. But the good news is that there's a very easy way to keep this fire blazing well through the danger. Can you tell where this is going?

It's stories, of course. Regale us with tales of your past exploits, or with fairytales or nursery rhymes you remember from your childhood. Relay your tales of triumph and of grief, of laughter and of agony, of anything you can possibly imagine. As long as a story of some sort is being told, the fire will burn merrily onward, and the blanket of all-consuming darkness will be kept at bay.

Just try not to embellish too much. If your story is too vague, if it is more lies than it is something genuine, the fire might start to gutter dangerously low as a consequence. And that beast, whatever it is - oh, it's hungry.


LOGSOOCSTORIESMAIN NAVIGATION
venomahab: Venom Snake neutral face looking at the viewer (Default)

Venom Snake | Metal Gear Solid V: A Phantom Pain | Will Match Format

[personal profile] venomahab 2018-07-14 04:52 am (UTC)(link)
B: Ape Escape

[Snake wearily opened his eyes, his hand immediately went to block a killing strike to the throat, assuming he was immediately captured for killing. As his vision clearned he look around at his predicament, locked in a cage and not doing great. And worst of all...]

Hnnh, armed primates huh? What sort of monkey business is this.

[As the spots cleared from his vision he got into a defensive crouch and gathered the situation. He was blessed with his prosthetic arm, though not working it would be helpful to use as a hard object if nothing else. It may even help break the flimsy cage. Though with these armed apes about he would need some sort of distraction. He peered around the area, looking for other cages. If he was lucky these monkeys wouldn't understand spoken human languages.]
Edited 2018-07-14 04:53 (UTC)

Yusuke Kitagawa | Persona 5

[personal profile] icethetic 2018-07-14 06:15 am (UTC)(link)
[A]

[It's the applause of thunder that tugs at his conscious. It is the icy bullets of rain that rouse him awake.

Yusuke's eyes shoot open, and the startled gasp that bubbles in his throat is wrenched away by the heavy wind. His clothes are soaked, he's laying on the deck (why here, and not a bed?) of a sinking ship, and there are endless rolls of waves lit by the rays of lightning.

A breathtaking sight indeed even for a dreadful situation.

He brings himself fully to his feet albeit unsteady as another wave rocks against the crumbling vessel. There's someone scrambling up the mast behind him, and there are others to his left and right.

He's not sure what to do, but inaction is useless. So he hurries to the closest person.]

What can I do to assist? [his voice is choked out by the storm, but he hopes it's loud enough for them to hear.]

[C]

[The warmth of the fire provides a sense of comfort in the night. Yet if he listened closely, he could hear something. It was undoubtedly monstrous and too dark to see. This was their only beacon, their light, but they seemed more interested in throwing in stories than eluding the noise that trembled with their surroundings.

Someone's voice breaks his train of thought, and he blinks to clear his head.

A story? They wanted to hear a story?]

Although I wouldn't mind indulging you with one...[he resists the urge to glance back into the darkness - lest it stare back.] Shouldn't we be focusing more on what's out there?
vah_rutah: (to be with you once again.)

mipha ; legend of zelda, BOTW

[personal profile] vah_rutah 2018-07-14 11:51 am (UTC)(link)
i. rocking the boat
[ a storm at sea is unusual, but...acceptable. To wake away from Rutah has been disorienting enough, at least wherever she is now had the decency to try her close to water. Stormy seas are difficult to maneuver through, however, and while a proficient swimmer, Princess Mipha cannot dodge the debris of the ships carnage indefinitely. Scaled fingers close around the royal blue sash adorning her shoulder while she swims, careful not to lose it.

After some work, she steps from the ocean to the beach, turning back toward a storm that was dodged. She hadn't seen others on the boats as she made her escape, but...the temptation to go back is certainly real, and Goddess, what she wouldn't give to know what's happening.

But then...what else could she give? Her life, forfeit to an eternity inside a dark machine, would mean nothing sworn to another now. Her heart, s-sworn elsewhere. Off the table.

She just needs a moment to collect herself before she turns around and goes back to help those off the boats. Perhaps her trident is there as well? Feel free to catch her on the beach, or even back at the boats. Mipha would surely, surely want to ensure your safety. ]

iii. to be continued
[ Mipha is just listening to all of these stories being shared, leaning against her trident as she sits. ] This reminds me of when we would share stories with the children, back where I am from. Do you know the tales of the Lynel of Ploymus Mountain?

[ A knowing smile to whoever happens to be listening. Her head rests against her trident while she awaits an answer. ]
Edited 2018-07-14 12:12 (UTC)
dupelicate: (LET ME SING YOU THE SONG OF MY PEOPLE)

Luke fon Fabre | Tales of the Abyss

[personal profile] dupelicate 2018-07-16 03:38 am (UTC)(link)
1. (DON'T) ROCK THE BOAT
[Everything hits at once.

Luke's eyes open, and his senses, still rousing from whatever dropped them into the sleep, are roundly assaulted. Sea, salt, storm, wet—as if to punctuate the point, a spray of ocean chooses just that moment to belt him across the face with the head of a wave. Gasping, wet, and shivering, he casts his eyes around the deck, attempting to make out the other figures around him.

Everything was wrong. This was wrong. Even if something had happened—if everything had failed—this wasn't even a possible scenario.

Was it?

Stubbornly, he struggles to his feet as much as he can, calling out against the wind:]


Tear? Guy?

Jade?

Anyone!

[It was all wrong.]


2. MONKEY SEE (MONKEY DON'T)
[It's been practically one ridiculous thing after another—but trapped in a cage by grinning, meat-eating monkeys? There was limits to what Luke's (in)dignity could tolerate.

Swordless (and weaponless in general), his frustration vacillates between kicking the wooden bars, and hurling insults at his captors.]


Hey, bananabrain! Yeah, I'm talking to you! Why don't you let me out, and I'll tell you what I think of your accommadation!

[Each sentence is punctuated by a spirited attack on the cage—making some slow progress with each blow.]


3. I (DON'T) WANT TO HEAR ANOTHER
[Stories are swapped back and forth, and for the most part, Luke just listens, strangely silent, zoning out on his own seat. He's got a couple of marshmallows between his fingers, but not doing much else.

It's not until there's a beat, then another, of silence, eyes drawing in on his own presence, that he jerks up, blinking, an abashed look creeping over his face.]


Uh.

What are these?

[He holds up his hands, giving the marshmallows a squeeze for effect.

The fire sputters.

This might take a little time.]
hyperlit: (potion seller i'm telling you right now)

1!!!!

[personal profile] hyperlit 2018-07-16 03:52 am (UTC)(link)
[The wind tears at their cloak and very nearly wrenches the Drifter off balance several times. Their progress is slow and painful but nonetheless quite deliberate as they plow across the deck of the boat, barely seaworthy as they suspect it is.]

[They do not like the water, the lashing rain. They hear it: a loud voice, calling out into the wind. Largely a fruitless endeavor. The Drifter cannot speak, and cannot very well answer back. Not verbally.]

[The rain drenches the crimson of their cloak a dark and bloody black, but the stripe of bright blue skin peeking out from beneath their helm is unmistakable.]

[A hand catches Luke's shoulder - dark, gloved, the tips slightly pointed, as though possibly clawed beneath the fabric. Their eyes shine out from the cobalt of their skin, beetle-black and wet-dark.]

[Hey there.]
salschef: (Dutch letter)

Hunk | Voltron

[personal profile] salschef 2018-07-16 05:00 am (UTC)(link)
1

[ Oh man, that's- that's a lot of water. Hunk's not sure what happened to his Lion- last he knew he was crashing, with Lance, in space, and now he's here, on the deck of a boat, in the middle of the ocean?

Isn't he the paladin of rocks or something? Why is he in the middle of the ocean?
]

Oh, that's a lot of water. And lighting. Do you know how we got here, because I don't know how we got here.

[ While he's talking, Hunk's looking around, casting about the deck for anything that resembles a life raft, a life jacket- anything that might help out with the whole 'about to drown' situation. ]

Found some rope! Do we need a rope?

2

[ Every time the thing in the dark makes a noise, Hunk twitches, glancing over his shoulder, or the shoulders of those around him. He's trying to keep up with what's going on, even if he kind of wants nothing more than to reach out and poke at the fire, see what's actually keeping it lit, what interesting technology could be uncovered.

Still, it apparently runs on stories? True stories, and even a month ago, Hunk would have called Quiznak on it, but.

Giant yellow lion, who kinda talks in his head?

Still, when the others around the fire die down enough the flames start to flicker in ways he's not a fan of, Hunk speaks up, glancing over his shoulder again.
]

So, uh- you guys ever hear about the Unilu? They're these guys that run this giant space mall. Moon? I'm pretty sure it was an entire moon.
thegoofball: (and voila)

2!!!!!!!

[personal profile] thegoofball 2018-07-16 05:08 am (UTC)(link)
The mall we got kicked out of?

[Out of all the stories that could be told, this is the one Hunk starts with?

This isn't Lance's first rodeo, and he...Okay, yeah, creepy monster being kept away by the magic of stories is a little spooky, it's not. Not that dangerous, comparatively. Probably comparatively.

He spears a marshmallow on a stick, waggling it at Hunk.]


Are you sure that's the story you want to start with?
thermalwind: (dont make me the mt)

2

[personal profile] thermalwind 2018-07-16 05:10 am (UTC)(link)
[He moves into the light so Hunk can see him. He sits down and folds his legs under him, blade across his lap. If he needs to get up and kill the thing in the dark he'll be ready for it.]

I remember them. Coran was talking about them. Remember the Space Mall too. We all separated to try and find the Teladuv lens.

[The fire climbs a little higher at the added contribution. Keith doesn't even so much as twitch when another growl rolls through the air.]

Look at me, Hunk. Keep talking and focus on me.
yourattention: (has been bad)

1

[personal profile] yourattention 2018-07-16 05:11 am (UTC)(link)
I'm a little busy?

[As in "Connor is trying to keep this boat on course" kind of busy. He doesn't specifically know why Mu chose this nightmare to toss him into, but he's sure here and he's sure one of the only people who knows how to sail a boat. So he's trying, but the boat is still sinking.]

Short version: welcome to hell! We're trying to get back to Ensō! Please try not to freak out, this is stressful enough as it is, and start bailing.
salschef: (Dutch letter)

!!!!

[personal profile] salschef 2018-07-16 05:32 am (UTC)(link)
[ Hunk's still not entirely sure how he actually got here, but Lance is here, so he's probably got something of a chance, whatever it is.

Maybe.

He's eyeing the marshmallow, suspiciously. It's not even green, so what, is the flavor off?

...the noise has him doubting marshmallows, now.
]

What? It's a good story!

[ He picks up a marshmallow, eyeing it warily. ]

I saved that restaurant, man. Sal owes me, it's good advertising!
salschef: (Oat crisps)

[personal profile] salschef 2018-07-16 05:36 am (UTC)(link)
[ Oh, good! Keith is here, and he has his sword.

That's great, because Hunk's gun doesn't want to work with him tonight, and the noises are right behind him oh quiznak.
]

Yeah!

[ it comes out as a squeak, and he winces, trying again ]

Yeah, we split up. I don't know where Pidge and Lance went, but I went to check out the food court, see if anyone knew where it'd be.

[ And to check out the food, because ideas are the soul of cooking, and he always needed new ones ]
salschef: (Krumkake)

[personal profile] salschef 2018-07-16 05:42 am (UTC)(link)
So- not the rope, got it.

[ Hunk drops the rope, looking around for something that can scoop water. Bucket, bowl, tub- ]

A-HA!

[ Hunk dives for a bucket he sees, rolling around dangerously close to the side of the boat. He gets it in time, springing back up to his feet. ]

Got the bucket!

[ Nothing else the guy said made any kind of sense, but he has the bucket, so- time to start bailing. ]

Where's you say we were?

[ He can talk and bail! ]
thermalwind: (rlly tho I'll tank and save you)

[personal profile] thermalwind 2018-07-16 06:00 am (UTC)(link)
[He checks his side. The lantern is missing. He produces a glass-like knife from a side sheath. Okay good. One more blade. He tosses and catches it.]

I went looking and found this Unilu advertising sharp knives. Thought it would be a good time to ask about my knife without having to answer questions and ask about the lens after.

[The fire rises into a merry blaze. He lifts his sword up and turns the edge towards the flames. Heating the edge is a mean thing to do but he isn't about to take chances if they need to fight.]

He told me my knife was made of luxite. The planet that the metal was mined from hadn't existed in decaphebs.

[He gestures to Hunk. Your turn.]
hotshot_momma: (Default)

Anna Lin | Bliss Stage | practically, a tabletop OC

[personal profile] hotshot_momma 2018-07-16 06:02 am (UTC)(link)
1 - But now the current's slowly pulling me down
[Major Lin has no idea how she's gotten here or what she's doing - she suspects dream BS, but that intel's not as useful as she'd like. And all of her rank and experience with her weapons of choice, symbolic and literal, don't make her a sailor. She grits her teeth, hugs the mast, and shouts -]

- How do we get this piece of crap to that island?

[There's a fear in her - and it's showing. Feeling useless isn't great for her mood.]

2 - It's not my time, I'm not going
[This, sadly, is more her element - even if Lin is in a cage, the mission and it's objectives couldn't be clearer. 1, get herself and others free; 2, beat a strategic retreat; 3, arm herself and her new allies; 4, repeat steps 1-3; 5, kill every ape she sees.

[Five is technically optional - but, Lin would argue, immensely satisfying.

[For now, she catches eyes with who she can in the same predicament, and starts to count on her fingers where they and only they can see. Trying to get across to gesture, trying to count assets, trying to plan escape.]


3 - Do you remember the beginning of this, and how life was?
[Absolutely dream bullshit, but whatever, she'll feed this fire the fuel it hungers for. Anna feels she needs to get this off her chest anyway.]

Who's a fan of giant robot yarns? Huh? Apocalyptica? YA sci fi bullshit? Cause I got a story about the end of my world, and the start of a new one... with any luck.
Edited (edited to match format) 2018-07-16 06:26 (UTC)
hotshot_momma: (Intimacy Building)

woops, C

[personal profile] hotshot_momma 2018-07-16 06:12 am (UTC)(link)
I get the feeling that telling the story is fighting what's out there,

[Says the woman - no, girl - sitting roughly opposite, looking into the flames with practiced dispassion. She pulls her bomber-pilot jacket closer, crosses her legs under her. Thoughtful.]

I know better than to say this place isn't real, but it's not yet been literal. It's been a succession of nightmares. Small-n, I think - I hope.

[She takes an offered marshmallow with muttered thanks. Draws a knife, flicks it open, and starts peeling a stick into a skewer.]
Edited 2018-07-16 06:13 (UTC)
thegoofball: (watch your step)

!!!!!!!

[personal profile] thegoofball 2018-07-16 06:17 am (UTC)(link)
[He waggles his marshmallow-stick even more emphatically, before holding it over the flames.]

Yeah, sure, but food service is preeeetty boring, man.

[Time to charcoalize this baby. That poor marshmallow had a good life, and now it's on fire.]

Tell something more exciting first! Get the people pumped up.
hotshot_momma: (scowl intensifies)

1

[personal profile] hotshot_momma 2018-07-16 06:17 am (UTC)(link)
CAN'T HURT!

[A girl carrying herself like an officer - or trying to, on the heaving deck - holds onto the mast with one arm for dear life, but leans out to take the rope. She shouts to be heard.

Least she's dressed for it; some kind of armored, sexless wetsuit, with geometric heraldry.]


Don't know, some theories. You a sailor at all?
lightlessfuture: (it stirred deep within my heart) (♪ den rörde djupt i mitt hjärta)

iii

[personal profile] lightlessfuture 2018-07-16 06:18 am (UTC)(link)
[ The Knight is scrawling in the sand; they are not certain how much written stories will do, or conveyed through their new, clumsy language, but they're trying their best.

At Mipha's voice, they look up and shake their head, indicating a clear 'no'. They scoot a little closer, an attentive audience, attempting to convey as much as possible that they'd certainly like to hear it.
]
salschef: (Nanaimo bar)

[personal profile] salschef 2018-07-16 06:23 am (UTC)(link)
[ Hunk should have known that Keith, no matter where they were, would always have the most knives.

But honestly, how many knives does Keith have in- whatever it is that he's wearing?
]

Right, uh- there was this guy, Sal? He was holding out a platter, for samples, but I guess it wasn't.

[ Hunk makes a face at that, remembering the look on Sal's face.

And the way Sal'd been able to get the drop on him, which, seriously?
]

Guy had me handcuffed to the sink faster'n I knew what was going on.
hotshot_momma: (:|)

3

[personal profile] hotshot_momma 2018-07-16 06:24 am (UTC)(link)
A kind of candy. Better toasted than raw. Pass me a stick, I'll peel it, then you've got a skewer to toast it.

[This woman... no, probably a girl... flicks open a knife, looking up at Luke, deliberately expressionless. The knife is no threat. Not to Luke.]

Never run into a marshmallow before?
salschef: (Krumkake)

[personal profile] salschef 2018-07-16 06:31 am (UTC)(link)
[ That's fine, Hunk can scurry for the both of them, for all that he is an officer.

Kind of.
]

No? [ Well- ] Kind of? I'm a pilot! And an engineer!

[ The rope looks useful, so it's getting flung over his shoulder and he continues his scrambling search of the deck. ]

Found a bucket!

[ He has to dive to grab it before it rolls off the side of the boat- but he does, in fact, have a bucket.

He's also now lying on his stomach, on the deck, peering over the side and into the roiling sea
]

...oh quiznak.
hotshot_momma: (Off Balance)

[personal profile] hotshot_momma 2018-07-16 06:35 am (UTC)(link)
Need a hand? Or, hey, enough rope!

[It was less funny out loud. Whatever. She ties the rope to the mast, and then...

[No, the angle's wrong to throw him the rope. Quiznak indeed. Instead she ties it to her wrist and sort of... slides down after him.]


Grabbing you, reeling you in! Sit tight!
thermalwind: (here for the raid)

[personal profile] thermalwind 2018-07-16 07:07 am (UTC)(link)
Well, that's...rude.

[Maybe they can visit sometime in the future. He turns his sword so the other side of it is towards the fire. His Marmora armor keeps him pretty insulated against any cold or heat.]

The guy asked me where it was from and offered to buy my blade from me. I told him I'd always had it and it wasn't for sale. He moved up to threats.

'Beat it or I'll call security.'

[Then he'd gotten annoyed.]
dupelicate: (cheagle is driving the albiore???)

HELLO

[personal profile] dupelicate 2018-07-16 08:15 am (UTC)(link)
[At the touch, Luke jumps involuntarily, whipping around to see who found him--

--only to discover it's no one he knows. Stranger still, unless the color is a trick of the light, they may not even be human. It's a long moment before he realises he's been holding his breath, the storm whipping between the two of them.

He manages to find his voice, to ask the only question he can muster:]


Where am I?
yourattention: (who keep waiting to be seen)

[personal profile] yourattention 2018-07-16 08:20 am (UTC)(link)
Right now? Trouble. [When he's stressed out, he unfortunately gets even more snarky than usual.] If we're lucky, we'll get to Ensō.

[It is not particularly looking like they'll be lucky. God, he wishes he had a shell to call the Jormun on right now. At the very least, they're better swimmers and could probably get them back to Ensō easily.]

On the off chance we don't, how good are you at swimming?

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