aftr_ooc | TEST DRIVE MEME ( 014 )

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TEST DRIVE MEME ( 014 )

Test Drive Meme #14

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 August 17th, and Applications on August 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.

One Magic Night
The waves are aglow. That might not be the first thing you notice when you wake, but it will probably draw your attention at some point: the way the sea foam glistens with an effervescent light as it rinses the beach in a crystalline, deep blue shimmer. Further out, lurid explosions of color ripple soundlessly beneath the waves - an underwater fireworks show. The atmosphere is peaceful, a blissed-out calm to suit the lazy lap of the surf-spray against the sand.

Maybe turning around will shed a little more light on the situation. What this is, in fact, is the echo of a celebration that was held on Ensō back in June. Torches and campfires crackle with a merry, companionable blaze, and there is food and drink in abundance - including some of the alcoholic persuasion, for those of you who are over the age of twenty-one.

There is, naturally, all sorts to do in a celebration like this. Friendly sparring matches have sprung up along the shoreline; beach cushions and blankets decorate the party site; coconut shells laden with bioluminscent body paint can be dipped into at will, if you fancy shining like a glowstick throughout the artificial night.

Just because you've got no idea how you got here doesn't mean you can't enjoy a good party while it lasts, right?

Growing Pains
The island you've ended up on today is very, very beautiful, particularly if you're a botanist: it's covered in flowers of all sorts. They grow in rich clumps, seemingly at odds with any sense of convention. Here, you can find common dandelions flowering alongside tropical strelitzias, snowdrops spangled beside water lilies. No matter the impossibility of it, despite the discrepancies of seasons and temperatures in which these specimens should be blooming, you'll find that nearly every species can be found represented, flowering in tandem. It's gorgeous. Breathtaking, even.

There's only one problem.

That problem being that the flowers are growing out of you as well.

As might be obvious, this is not exactly a pleasant sensation. There is, in fact, a full list of rather painful symptoms that has been very well-documented of late. All you have to worry about in particular, however, is what has caused these flowers to take root in you in the first place:

Lies.

Is there something you need to get off your chest? Some confession that's aching to be made? Some guilt or regret that you've repressed, that's been dragging you down for years?

Then you'd better get to it. Those flowers aren't leaving unless you spill. And if you'd rather not, well...they're more than happy to fertilize the earth with what's left of you.

Hoo Ha Ha
Stop us if you've heard this one: you and some stranger wake up on a boat. There are no landmasses in sight, and nothing as far as the eye can see but lapping waves and a peaceful, periwinkle, cloudless sky. It's good weather for sailing. Perfect, in fact. There's even a tight breeze that might helpfully guide you along.

The punchline, of course, is the fact that you're surrounded by sharks.

Sorry, did we say sharks? We meant tigersharks, of the most literal sort possible. Part fish and part feline, these dual-headed beasts are summarily more naturally carnivorous and more aggressive than your bog standard tigers or sharks. They're wickedly fast in the water, and just as lethal on land.

And they're currently trying to climb aboard; armed with four sharp-clawed legs, they're more than capable of doing exactly that unless you can fend them off.

LOGS ● OOC ● STORIES ● MAIN NAVIGATION

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[She doesn't know if it would've been worse to never have known him. She doesn't think she's far enough away from the problem to have really said either way yet. Maybe if, by some miracle, her life turns out grand thanks to being a little turd as a child, she'll track him down and tell him to go fuck himself to his face. But that still doesn't feel right. Thanking him for what she's endured, the person she became...

Well, she doesn't want to thank him for anything.

All of this is cut off as Molly wrenches a piece out of her and she hisses, but... it's working. Something's working, at least.

Beau settles back, rolling a shoulder with more mobility than she had before.]

Uhh... I dunno. It's usually easier to ask when people are being cagey about shit.

[She tilts her head up as she thinks, eventually speaking towards the sky.]

You said you found your voice at the carnival. Did you like, not speak because you didn't remember? Or you were just... stuck? Like, you woke up but did you have to re-learn how to read and stuff, or did it just all click back one day?

It is, isn't it?

[Molly absently brushes a hand over the buds on his shoulder, not trying to yank, but trying to disrupt them somehow. They feel as soft as real buds, and that disturbs him. They should be ugly and gnarled and disgusting, not turning people into pretty topiary.

He stops, sucking in a breath, and it's clear she hit on something dark and worthwhile to speak about.] No... Everything I already knew how to do came back within a month after the shock wore off. Not the talking. That came back after a few months, and I just started speaking again like I was never mute at all.

You've gotta understand, I wasn't all there. I could go through the motions to survive- I'd eat if food was put in front of me and all that. But there was no one home. I don't remember those days very well, but I do know that I was probably way more trouble than I was worth. The circus had no reason to keep me on. I was another mouth to feed who wasn't contributing and might not ever contribute. They could have left me on the side of the road a week or two in, and I wouldn't be aware enough to know what happened.

[Slowly the buds on his shoulder begin to wither.]

[It sucks, that something so deadly can be so beautiful. It's one of those paradoxes that happens all over nature, but doesn't stop it from being annoying and uncomfortable. Then again, that's where she seems to thrive, so maybe she should get used to it.

But for once, Beau shuts her mouth and listens, leaning forward and quiet while he speaks. It's... a lot. She knew it was going to be a lot, but wow, it's a lot. Her personhood and self is one of the few things she ever had- going through life without it seems like it would be a lot.

But she's watching the new growths die. They're getting somewhere. She can't stop.]

That's kinda crazy. I mean, I guess dying or like, getting born? Made? Not dying? Is pretty fucked up. It's uh, kind of something most people don't ever have to do, so...

[Wow, she's bad at this at a truly unseen level. Maybe she shouldn't think so hard about what she's saying.]

Look, what I mean is, it kinda makes sense you were so messed. And you made it, even if you weren't like, useful. That's worth something. I'd say it got you here but we're almost dying again, so maybe here kind of sucks right now. But it's somewhere.

I don't think this has to come with mutual understanding, but... Thank you. It's still very weird that you're trying to be gentle, and might be scaring me more than the imminent death.

[Well, less imminent now. They're starting to die and the vines shrivel and pierce the skin so they can be removed, leaving little welts of blood but little else. There's a lot to go.]

We're going to be at this all day until we're crying into each others' shoulders and wishing we were dead. There's torture to this no matter where you look.

[This touchy feely nonsense with Beau was getting suffocating. He had to pause for a brief bitching intermission.]

[She rolls her eyes at him with a grumble.]

Hey, you think I'm enjoying this? This is a literal fucking nightmare. I know it is because I have to be nice to you.

[See, here we go, a pause in the emotions to yell at the sky and tell it to fuck off. This is what they're good at.]

Also, why couldn't it have been like, fun stuff growing out of us, y'know? What am I gonna do with flowers? What if we could, uh, provide our own drugs? That would be great.

Edited (i cant proofread for fuck) 2018-09-19 18:40 (UTC)

I'm trying to think of whether or not I have personal issues with smoking anything that's growing out of my pores, and I can't come up with a damn thing.

[Well, it would take the edge off. And then reality sinks back in and he swats at Beau.] No, no. Enough of that. We're not going to become somebody's fucking garden decorations today. It's your turn. What about your mum? Was she a persnickety rich socialite? Wanted you to wear dresses and keep your hair long? I promise I'm not going to give enough of a fuck to remember any of this when it's all over.

[She goes to laugh, but he swats at her and she slaps back like a five year old.]

Augh, fuck, you can't let me have one thing-- fine, fine. I dunno, she was like... fine, I guess? Just kind of absent. Dad ran the whole household. She just did her thing.

[Honestly, Beau hasn't thought about her in some time. When she gets fixated, she gets... fixated.]

I mean, guess she didn't step in when I got fucking kidnapped, so. Some mom, right? She must've been tired of me too.

Edited 2018-09-24 05:59 (UTC)

[He whistles, a low sound that says everything his words count. She's right. Parents suck ass.]

You have officially turned me off the idea of parents. I hope you're proud of yourself. Eh, it's probably for the best. I don't think anything would've compared to Gustav and the rest of them. Family steps in for you and they don't get tired of you, so what's blood compared to those that'll actually be decent to you, anyway?

[She snorts.]

See, now you can't miss 'em. But jeez, that guy was like your dad? And you left him in prison?

[Great place to just GO for there, Beau. Jeez.]

Look, family's not all that it's cracked up to be. Nobody has to care about you. Not one. What does it matter that they don't.

[But she grits her teeth as she feels something seize, something tight in her throat. Goddamnit, don't make her talk about that. She doesn't even know how she would.]

It's just-- it's bullshit, let's go with that.

[Molly's blood boils for a hot moment, but he's very good at reserving his temper for pettiness and not outbursts. Seeing another tendril working its way out of her shoulder, he reaches over and yanks again.] I didn't have the fucking gold to get him out, for one thing. I planned on making my way and coming back for him, which is what people do for each other when they give a shit.

[He tosses the tendril away. Beau doesn't have to elaborate. He knows what she's trying to say- it isn't a feeling he can truly commiserate with, but having been around assholes, he knows that the people who are lured to carnivals are the people who have alienated themselves everywhere else.] You find people who do care about you and that you care about and you take care of each other, warts and all. You're not the worst thing ever, but you're close, and I still like you.

[He deserves his entire left side shriveling up and wilting at that admission. He gets a few petals falling to the ground, instead. Picky plant diseases.]

[She hisses as he just goes ripping shit out of there, the sound immediately becoming words.]

Sssshit! Can you SAY something when you do that, fuck.

[But it's just to fill the air, and he words make her fall silent. He doesn't have to say that. He doesn't have to fucking lie. If she's going to be bad she's going to be the worst damnit, what right does he have saying shit like that?

Instead she reaches over and pulls a whole bloom out from the back of his neck, crushing it in her hand when it comes loose.]

You just piss me off sometimes, you know that? Coming in and saying all that wise bullshit like you know everything about the world better than I do even though you're like two fucking years old. You've just got it all figured out, huh? Be nice to people and it just works out?

[Her voice is rougher now, as she drops the crushed flower to the ground.]

I know stuff, alright? I've seen enough of the world to know how it works. But you just... keep winning over me anyway.

[Molly hisses in response, despite knowing that he had that coming. and swats at her hand ineffectively.] Oh fuck you, it doesn't take more than two years to figure out how people work. Ow. [He gives his neck a good crack and scratches loose another bit of a tendril and tosses it away.]

When did figuring out which of us is less of a shit person become a bloody competition, anyway?

[She squints at him with a face that says it's obvious, but she also hates to admit it.]

When you started winning.

[It's said through gritted teeth, her jaw tight.]

Look I know it's stupid, alright? It feels stupid when I just have to like, say it like this. I just think it should be effort to be better than me, alright? Not just have you waltz in on it with your dumb face and cards looking like a rainbow threw up on your coat.

[It takes a second for him to react, and when he does... Well, of course he laughs, though not for the reason she might think. The flowers are wilting slowly, and there's a bit more hope they're not gonna die as ornamental plants, so it's not the fearlessness of impending death that causes him to reach over, throw an arm around her neck and pull her into a sideways hug.]

You are such an idiot. It used to be so much fun disliking you and now you're taking all the joy out of it by being a jealous little shit, envious of the one thing that isn't special or unique to me. I don't even know how to react to this. It's adorable.

Edited 2018-10-11 04:05 (UTC)

[She immediately emits a gurgling sound like she's being melted by acid or something when he pulls her in, that ends up melting into an uuuuuuugh sort of noise fairly quickly.]

I mean, yeah, I think we've established I don't give a shit about you.

[She's kind of laughing about that sentence, though, like it's all meant to be a joke.

She won't push him off, either. Don't read into it, Molly, she'll knock out a tooth.]

I almost already regret saying that, even if I'm being held on a death threat.

[Molly pats her on the cheek. Nope. This is happening. This is now. No more talking... At least until they realize there's more secrets to be told.]

Beau? Shut up. You're spoiling the moment.

Real good at it.

[But fine, she'll just rest her head on his shoulder and lay there. There's bits of flowers falling from her, and she feels lighter. Maybe she's finally done enough for this stupid, made up disease.]

Your horns make it hard to get anywhere near your face.

[She says, tilting her head to knock against one slightly.]

[at least tiefling horns are kinda velvet-y. thanks for that headcanon, Taliesin Jaffe. Molly leans in a bit, which brings some of his dangling jewelry into her eyeline- likely on purpose. ]

I don't know whether that means they're in the way of you trying to punch me or kiss me, and at this point, I'm afraid to ask.

[Now who's ruining the moment, Molly. Maybe this is equilibrium, really. Not a ruined moment, but a mutual understanding that they're not gonna die and they can go back to bullshitting each other when the last petal falls like some kind of snipe-y fairy tale. He can relax... somewhat.] Honesty still feels like shit. I prefer it to horrible death, but if there's a lesson here, I don't think I've learned it.

[Oh I see, special edition flocked variant Mollymauk. Exclusive.]

No, I'm trying to put my head down you dumbass. And if those things get near my mouth I'm gonna eat 'em.

[She's tired, just let her be tired for once!! God!!!!]

Yeah, like, if this was a permanent thing maybe I'd have some worse problems. But for now it's like, okay, I did some horrible humiliating thing to live. Wouldn't be the first time.

[She's just kind of let her forehead rest on his shoulder now, so he can feel her shrug at that.]

[Available now at your local Hot Topic.]

Well, I wouldn't want you to have to move your foot out of your mouth to try. [He flicks a few of the errant baubles out of the way and adjusts so she can rest against his shoulder with no resistance and no further commentary about it. His arm stays loosely around her back.]

Also, this is me, and I'm gonna forget literally everything you said in a few hours.

[Special signed edition only at NYCC.

She shifts with a sigh, just letting her head rest there. Fuck it. She's tired and he's a dumbass but this is her dumbass, so fine. We'll just go with that.]

It's fine, if you remember I'll hit you until you don't.

[Friendship. Truly.]

You can put yourself to use back there if you see any more flowers, too. They better all be gone after that shit, now I really don't know what else I would say.

Yeah, me either. I'm lying because there's nothing to tell the truth about. This is extremely pointed and unfair and I'd like to be excluded from this kind of shite in the future.

[He does brush off a few buds that seem to be sloughing off her shoulders, because sometimes he listens. It seems to be the nicest thing to do right now on top of promising her he's not going to remember her dysfunction.]

[It's a kindness she won't draw attention to because if she does it'll be way more trouble than it's worth. She doesn't enjoy his company or anything, shut up.]

Damn right. This was the world's weirdest torture dream or something and all of it was stupid. Fucking flowers. If I see any more when I wake up I'm gonna get Caleb to set 'em on fire.

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TEST DRIVE MEME ( 014 )

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