TEST DRIVE MEME ( 018 )

[lifeaftr_mods]

Test Drive Meme #18

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 December 17th! Due to the holiday season, Applications will be opening on December 26th, with an app period shifted to end on January 2nd instead of the usual timeframe!

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.

Upsy Wars: Revenge of the Lift
Over the past sixteen months, adventurers have adjusted to the sight of a wide variety of odd and fantastical creatures, some friendlier than others. Of the more ferocious, it's wise to consider giving them a wide berth - from the indomitable fustercluck to living black holes to the deadly contagious quartzalcoatls. However, only one predator has gained the dubious title of "that weird flying mouth thing."

Invasive to LifeAftr, Upsy the elevator is not satisfied with haunting the memories of those who encountered it during its arrival in July. Now it's here to haunt your dreams, too! While capable of speech and some style of sentience on its home world, it seems LifeAftr has yet to agree with a machine that is equal parts flesh and metal. Driven to silence by whatever forces this world has exposed it to, Upsy is driven by one, basic instinct, and one alone.

To give you a lift, whether you want it or not. Upsy’s attacks are abrupt and immediate. Swooping down from the sky, it will collect as many living things in its mouth as can fit, before closing its doors and soaring away. Want to leave? Don't worry; Upsy has no intentions of keeping you, or digesting you. Release from that fleshy mouth prison is as immediate as the initial attack. We hope you enjoy flying, because Upsy can spit even the heaviest of creatures a good hundred feet away from itself, at any altitude. Do look out below.

The Emoji Movie
Communication on the islands currently consists of Stones of Far Speech, a relatively adaptable system that is open to requests and suggestions for improvement. One such request has been met with a small bout of confusion, however; as adaptable as the Storyteller attempts to be, you kids with your mobile phones and your texting and emojis get a little beyond them, sometimes.

Beyond Mu as well, it seems. When you asked for emojis, this is what you wanted, right? Exclusive to Mu, Emojees come in a variety of shapes and sizes; from knee-high yellow orbs with rows of sharp teeth that simply cannot stop laughing, to horse-sized poop emojees that - well. One can guess. Numbering in the hundreds and intending to convey their meaning by any means possible, it's a good idea to avoid prolonged contact with these happy little abominations.

The taller, more objective emojees will simply try to absorb those attached to them in an effort to become even larger, but the smaller infect their prey with the emotions they portray, influencing them into the perfect emotional state for consumption.

In hindsight, this is probably not what the children actually wanted...

Close enough.

Let It Go Snow
LifeAftr may be primarily tropical, but that doesn't mean some of its creatures don't appreciate a good white Christmas - and a white rest of the year, at that.

Gelfs are one such species. While they may be visually reminiscent of Santa's Little Helpers, these small creatures aren't about to start handing out presents. Having snuck onto Mu's metaphysical shores at the beginning of the month, these little critters have immediately set about doing what they do best - spreading ice and snow across the island, in increasingly hazardous quantities. As the influence of the gelfs settles across Mu, it's quite possible that the abrupt cold snap will lead to severe consequences for any adventurous guests, unless you enjoy the prospect of an avalanche waiting to happen Now may be the best time to hunt these gelfs down, before such disaster can occur.

For those uninterested in massacring a local creature population (again), you may as well enjoy this winter wonderland while it lasts. Ice skating, snowball fights - and for those in the know, the time-honored competition to create the best dabbing ice sculpture. If you're lucky, you might even find a container of piping hot wassail - spiced apple cider - laying around.

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LOGS ● OOC ● STORIES ● MAIN NAVIGATION

( CODED BY BOOTYCALL )

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Alfor | Voltron: Legendary Defender

[alchemisted]

((note: Alfor's canon point is basically the golden age of the original paladins when they're out defending the galaxy with Voltron, pre-everything-goes-to-hell-thanks-zarkon time))

[ i. what goes up ]

...huh.

[That, for a moment, is the totality of Alfor's reaction to seeing... well... Honestly he has no frame of reference to even begin to put a name to what he's seeing. For now his brain settles on face monster. The Altean looks oddly mesmerized, as if he's trying to puzzle out how his subconscious has come up with this particular terror, standing still and staring up at it.

Dreams are strange, but seldom this strange.

It's about now that he realizes the thing is coming closer, rapidly, and that he probably ought to move. So he does, running and barely diving out of the thing's path and into a small measure of concealing underbrush, but not before catching a glimpse of the mouth. His bayard is in his hand. His paladin armor isn't exactly good for camouflage however, so his hiding place offers little cover.

It's good enough cover, however, that he's not the thing's target any longer. That's less than reassuring when he catches sight of someone who is. The Altean king is already in motion, so please don't mind what amounts to being grabbed -- politely, but with little room for argument -- and pulled immediately into a sprint.] You'll have to excuse me, but we need to be running.

[Now.]


[ ii. must come down ]

[It's not a dream. It's a nightmare. And despite a few successful dodges, well, eventually Alfor finds himself caught by the monstrosity and then summarily expelled into the air like a red and black and white missile. He fires the armor's jet pack to stabilize, right himself, and he mostly manages to at least stop tumbling end over end in the moment before he strikes the ground and goes skidding by. Or straight into someone if they're that unlucky.]

That... did not go exactly as planned.

[Help? Please?]


[ iii. cooling off ]

[Is it just Alfor, or did the weather turn rather quickly? His armor is equipped for deep space travel, so he's not exactly worried about the chill. But the snow, now that's interesting. He's been to planets made entirely of ice, but the gentle fall of snowflakes like this (even if the intensity does seem to be picking up) is somewhat new. Novel. He wouldn't know the term snow-globe, but that doesn't make the scene any less fascinating.

Enough that he removes his helmet for a better look, holding up a gloved hand to catch a number of snowflakes in his palm.]

It's really quite beautiful, isn't it?

[It's a quiet remark, really to no one in particular.]


[ iv. wildcard ]

[Something else? Hit me with your best shot. Or poke me at seasided if you want to discuss!]

ii

[thermalwind]

[One moment he's minding his own business, scouting for more people who might need help. The next he's being slammed into and having that sense of deja-vu as he hits the dirt. Keith spits out dirt and pushes himself up throwing a glare over his shoulder.

The sight followed by the voice makes him lock up. The face is less lined, lacking a beard but he knows it. With the red armor matching his own there's only one person it could be.

He's seen Zarkon here from that nebulous time. To see Alfor. He wriggles out from under the Altean and offers him a hand.]

Before you ask why I'm wearing the same armor as you, how much do you know about this realm? You need that information asap.

[alchemisted]

[Oh. Oh dear. His fall is a great deal more cushioned than it ought to have been, isn't it? Alfor is already working up an apology about having bowled this poor stranger over when he finds himself staring. It's hard to miss the identical armor, impossible to.

And then the stranger addresses it before he can form the words to ask. Interesting. There's a tick or two of hesitation, but he reaches to take the offered hand, pulling himself to his feet.]

I know it's a great deal more painful than I'd expect a dream to be. So I'm beginning to believe it's something else.

[And that thought isn't comfortable. If it's not a dream, where is he? And where are the other paladins?] ...I really would like to hear how you came by that armor.

[thermalwind]

We'll talk about that in a minute. [Keith pulls him up to his feet and let's go, stepping back. His black bayard is clipped to his hip. At least he's armed for this journey into Mu. He spreads his hands apart in a wide encompassing gesture.]

This realm is called Mu. It's a dream-like reality that reflects the one I'm in. It's a...nexus, I think. We can come here from all points in space and time.

I'm from ten thousand plus years in our reality's future. Call me Keith. [A sound makes him look up, right at the metal and flesh elevator headed right for them. He swears and grabs Alfor's arm.] Run! We can lose it in the forest.

[He sprints for the tree line, drawing his mother's knife. He can slow it down...a little bit.]

[alchemisted]

Ten thousand years?

[Sorry, that's quite a stretch to try to conceptualize all at once. And what's more, if it's truly that long between his time and this man, then who... His eyes fix on the bayard. Black. Zarkon's. For now he doesn't ask about that, instead he begins with,]

Keith. Why do I have the sense I don't need to give you my name?

[The answer to his question will have to wait. Alfor is exceptionally motivated not to be gobbled up by that horror again. Running works for him, and he doesn't need to be told twice, glancing over only as he catches the movement to draw a weapon out the corner of his eye.]

i

[thegoofball]

[Of course the obnoxious, cownapping monstrosity is back and of course it's got its eye on Lance.

He really, truly hates that thing. Upsy is the worst.

But there's not much he can really do about it before someone's grabbing him and dragging him away. Someone who is both incredibly familiar and someone he should definitely not be seeing right now. He remembers the AI replication of Alfor - it'd be hard to forget, after the damn thing tried to kill all of them after being corrupted by Sendak - but that Alfor had been older. More regal. He had certainly not been wearing his Paladin armor like this Alfor is.

So. This is happening.]

Wait, wait, wait- [At least he manages to keep pace with Alfor and doesn't go stumbling to the ground when the Altean grabs him.] What's going on here?!

[alchemisted]

Haven't the first beginnings of a clue, but I am fairly certain that thing wants to eat at least one of us.

[He'll take that question at face value, because he doesn't yet have any reason to consider it otherwise. And he most assuredly will not wait, at least, not until they've made it to the tree cover. It's scant cover, but it will gave to do for now.

But just in case, now is probably a good time to draw his bayard and activate it. Just in case.]

What is that monstrosity?

[thegoofball]

[Why did he think that was actually going to get him an actual answer?]

That's not- ugh!

[He just wants to know what the fuck is happening! For once in his life!]

It's an elevator. It likes to swallow things up and spit them out. [Lance straightens up, eyeing Alfor's bayard as he activates it. It's...weird. It's definitely weird. Weird is the word to be using right now.] But, uh, yooouuuuu-

[Hm. Does he really want to have this conversation? Eventually Alfor will notice the armor Lance is wearing and they'll have to have some sort of conversation.]

Uh. You're here?

[alchemisted]

...this place has a strange concept of how elevators operate then. [Aliens never give actual answers so simply, Lance. Truth of the universe.

But Alfor will quit looking skyward after a moment, when he seems certain enough that the horrible elevator thing has turned its sights elsewhere. And once he lets his gaze drop to Lance, to really take him in.

Well.

No missing the armor, is there? It's far too distinct for that. His eyes widen, visibly.] Yes, I am. Do you know me? Should I know you? You're dressed rather like a dear friend of mine.

iii since sam beat me to it

[diplomacycheck]

[The temperature has indeed dropped rather quickly. She doesn't feel it; her armor is also meant for deep space travel, yet somehow--she didn't quite expect to be back on this island so soon. It has changed since she was first here, snow instead of shade and turtles, and-

Despite not feeling the cold of the snowy weather, she freezes in place as a quiet gasp escapes her. Allura would know that voice anywhere, even over the wind and snow. The last time she'd heard it, it was a quiet whisper of doubt and disappointment.

She clamps down on the emotion forming into a lump in her throat and swallows it down, turning toward and out of the treeline to face the source of the voice.

It's like stepping back in time to when she was still a child. Yet even in this dream between realities, she remains as old as she is when she and the team she belongs to arrived to their home planet. And no matter how heavy her heart is, the smile crossing her lips is genuine.]

It is. [She says at last, lifting her hands to remove her helmet. She rests it under her arm.] You should see in the mountains of a young planet called Earth. The way it clings to its trees and sheer cliff faces is stunning.

[Were it not for the fact saving it had been the priority, she would have been enraptured by the sight as the Blue Lion responded to her. Even war-torn, the Galra could not completely rob the planet of its varied beauty.]

[alchemisted]

[The sound of her voice is likewise familiar, and Alfor is turning towards it with a startled smile,]

Mel-- [He stops though, mid-word because no, that's not right at all. This place is still strange and misty, bleary, like the first few moments of waking each morning. But bleary or not, as his eyes roam over the woman's face, she's not his wife -- though the resemblance is stark and startling.]

No. That's not right, is it? [And the real answer is on his lips before he entirely understands how it can actually be true, despite what he's learned in speaking with others here.]

Allura..? [He'd know those eyes anywhere, even if he last remembers them staring up at him from a tinier face, arms wrapped around his leg in order to stall him from leaving a few moments more before his next off-planet mission called.]

[diplomacycheck]

[He remembers her, yet it surprised by her appearance. Allura can't blame him. She's just as surprised as he is. And, yes- she supposes she does look so much like Mother now.]

Father. [That's it. That's all it takes. Her pace quickens, snow crunching lightly under her feet and only audible to them in this storm. The moment he's within reach, she wraps her arms around him tight - pink Paladin helmet still in her right hand and she's careful it doesn't strike him.

He's solid. He's here.] It's so good to see you, Father.

[After a moment, she pulls away enough to look him in the eye.] Have any of the others told you much of this place?

[alchemisted]

[Alfor cannot imagine the circumstances where he would not return his daughter's embrace. There's no hesitation, save for a sliver of a tick where he lets his helmet fall from his hands to the snow at his feet so he can wrap his arms around her in turn, holding her close.

His little girl, the small self-contained hurricane of mischief and sweetness in equal parts that he remembers now standing in front of him, grown, a young woman. The smile that stretches over his face is genuine, soft. It's a glimpse into the future, isn't it? His Allura.]

It's good to see you too.

[As she draws back -- after that initial moment his arms tighten just a moment as if he's not quite ready to let her go, but relax as he realizes she's not stepping away entirely -- Alfor takes a moment to look her over, like he still can't entirely believe it.]

Enough to understand that the rules of time do not seem to apply, and that we are very far from home.

[Then, quieter.] You're in armor. [Paladin armor. It's not a detail he can miss.]

[galrarm]

[ Alfor's face is one he certainly hadn't been expecting to see. Especially so young. Shiro knows enough about how weird time can get here; he's far behind his friends, after all. And now, someone is even further back.

He wonders if Allura has been here yet to see him. He hopes Alfor wakes on Enso like the rest of them had.

Shiro's got his armor on, naturally, just like the other paladins of his time. As he stops next to him, he offers Alfor a light smile. ]

Yeah. It's a nice break from everything this place can be.

[alchemisted]

[Quite a bit further back, as times go. Alfor has heard, by now, about how time works in this strange dream-that-is-not-a-dream. He glances towards the owner of the voice, a quick lift of an eyebrow. Paladin armor.

Black this time.

The Altean offers a smile in return, glancing up at the falling snow, blinking against it.]

And what is it that this place can be?

[galrarm]

Dangerous. It's not all bad, but when it's bad, it's really bad.

[ He figures he should know. Shiro thinks about his time here. The shades. Shadow creatures. Mu or otherwise, it's connected to the actual islands. ]

Doesn't make for the greatest dreams, unless you find someone you care about.

[ He says it with a knowing look in his eyes. ]

i

[promiselisting]

[ She isn't able to suppress a yelp when she's grabbed. Nor is she able to entirely avoid stumbling for a good few yards before she's able to get her feet properly under her. And no amount of time is going to exactly leave her happy about either thing happening. But uh. That's a concern for later, especially after she glances behind her and. Huh. ]

Wh- why are we running from bouncing emojis again?

[ ... she's already starting to breathe hard. Futaba you've barely been running ten seconds. ]

[alchemisted]

Those... seem relatively strange but no, I think they're running with us from... that... [He gestures up at the sky, in the distance -- and quickly growing less distant, it's the elevator creature, all mouth and strange limbs and not something that Alfor wants to meet up close.

He keeps a hold of the young woman, glancing to her with an apologetic smile, even mid motion. If she falls, he'll lift her without question, but for now, running.]

III

[flightmaster]

[Coran was a little less fascinated with the gentle snow, coming from the opposite direction where the storm was already in full force. It was enough to have his hair crusted in ice in places, mustache horribly mussed despite his best attempts. Alfor might have had the safety of his suit but Coran had nothing more than the garrison uniform.

Seeing the blue glow and red markings, though, He quickened his pace, calling out to Keith. At least he wasn't separated from the others for long.

But as the winds stilled and the figure ahead of him, clearly unable to hear him over the whip of the wind, removed his helmet Coran staggered to a stop, not daring to believe his eyes for a moment. But his swift halt had him skidding across the frozen ground and, unless Alfor was quick on his feet, they were both going down.]

[alchemisted]

[It's only the very last moment that Alfor catches sight of movement at the very edge of his vision, turning a startled look in that direction just in time to realize he's about to be bowled over. Instinct and reflex kick in before conscious thought, and he turns to try to catch the person skidding towards him.

But the ground is slick, and even if he does manage to catch an arm around the other man, the cost of it is his own footing, and then gravity wins. Alfor hits the ground hard, with a startled oof of sound. He's still lying flat and slightly squished when he starts speaking.]

Are you all right? Things are a bit slip-- [It's only now that he actually manages to see just who it is that's careened into him. An almost relieved smile lights across his face.] Coran! You're in this strange place as well!

iii

[sideswitch]

[ the weather has certainly taken a drastic turn--for the better or worse, she can't say, but she too has armor that's prepared her for extreme weather conditions. and it's certainly strange, being given the chance to see snow like this when it's not during a blizzard. but it isn't in her nature to stop and smell the flowers.

so when she hears the man's voice, acxa doesn't know if she can relate. nature, to her, isn't something to be admired. it is simply a facet of life. but she copies what he does and extends a hand outward, watching as snowflakes fall into it. ]

I haven't seen it fall like this before. Snow isn't normally so kind towards the inhabitants of its planets. [ but...strangely, she does find that it brings a sense of calm.

she turns to face him and get a better look at his features. that's when her eyes widen considerably. ]

An Altean...?

[alchemisted]

[Well, she certainly has a point. Alfor nods his agreement with the assessment.] That's true, isn't it? The cold can be unforgiving, and the ice along with it.

[And he realizes that even this weather may turn more hostile soon.

The next observation catches his attention -- at least how surprised she sounds -- and he turns to face her fully. There's a smile starting on his face at that.]

Yes, last time I checked, at least. [His expression turns almost playful as he adds,] And a Galra. [At least in part, he thinks.] I don't believe we've met before. I'm Alfor.

[sideswitch]

[ she starts lining the pieces up. he talks about being an altean so casually and doesn't seem perturbed by her being a galra at all. and then... alfor. ]

You were the King of Altea, and the original Red Paladin of Voltron.

[ she knows the story of voltron's downfall at the hands of zarkon. she knows it all too well. and when she thinks of what lotor did to the alteans...

her blood runs cold. she can't look at alfor in the eyes anymore. she's ashamed. ]

You are also from over ten thousand decaphoebs ago. Much...has changed since then.

3

[stealstolestolen]

[ Izumo is not fond of snow. He was a teen the first time he ever witnessed it, and having grown up in a desert where the temperature going below freezing was extremely rare, he's never really gotten used to these cold temperatures.

She shivers in his way too light clothing. ]

Uh, yeah, sure, beautiful, yeah, still kinda hate it.

[alchemisted]

[Well. That is fair, he supposes. Alfor doesn't bother holding back a laugh.]

I see. Is it the cold?

[He certainly doesn't appear dressed for it.] Perhaps we could light a fire. There doesn't seem to be much melting, so any tinder may yet be useful.