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The Mods of LifeAftr ([personal profile] lifeaftr_mods) wrote in [community profile] aftr_ooc2019-01-13 08:43 pm
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TEST DRIVE MEME ( 019 )

Test Drive Meme #19
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 17th, and Applications on January 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.

Let's Be Heroes
Back in December on the recent island of Maati, the Trial of the Brave was intended to challenge those who approached life with hesitation; the timid, the uncertain, and those who trend too easily toward inaction. Mu, of course, has a habit of neglecting the finer details. And thus...here you are, whether you need the intended lesson or not.

Armed with nothing more than a torch, a short sword, and the clothes on your back, you're sure to enjoy the scenic view of labyrinthine stone walls, low-hanging ceilings, sharp corners hiding all sorts of secrets, and a thick, foreboding darkness. Your light, and the torches of others making their way through the dark, are the only breaks in the seemingly uniform dark.

Those and the lights of the eyes of the other things down here with you, of course.
Hidden throughout the maze are scattered innumerable creatures, all of them happy to take advantage of those wandering about on their own. Nighthooks are fiendish, shadowy monsters that appear in the shape of a long-fingered hand. While they cannot physically hurt anything, they specialize in slinking out of the darkness to snuff out any light source they can find...like your torch, for example. Also abundand are the grimlings, hulking, dog-like creatures composed of a seaweed-like blackness and glowing coals for eyes. Should you come across one, several more are bound to be nearby, as they travel in packs. And they are always hungry.

For those lucky enough not to stumble across these creatures? Enjoy your stumble through the dark. There's an exit around here somewhere, if you look hard enough. Probably.

The Waiting Game
The second trial Mu has appropriated is the Trial of the Patient. This test was named for those who exhibit the very antithesis of patience, initially intended to draw in the brash, the reckless, those easily incited into action, and so on. Instead of a dark and lengthy maze, Mu has instead concocted a brightly lit room to test your patience, and lack thereof.

So you should have no trouble at all seeing the entirety of the expansive, gaping void that stretches between you and the only way out.

Stranded on a singular ledge, the space in which you wake is white and seemingly infinite. No ceilings or walls are visible, and peering over the edge of the small platform reveals no flooring below to catch you. The only distinct characteristics to this room are the door opposite you, positioned some couple hundred feet away. There's nothing for you to grab or cling to in order to make your way over there faster. In fact, nothing else seems to help, either. Flight, teleportation, gadgets, you name it - each attempt will inevitably fail, and give you just enough time to contemplate all the ways you went wrong as you go plummeting down (or is it up?) into that endless void. What a shame.
Luckily for you, this dream is happy to give you a second chance! And a third, and a fourth...and however many it takes, really. Those who fall will, just as the initial adrenaline shock starts to run out, abruptly find themselves standing right back on the platform where they started. Once again, they'll find themselves staring at that infuriating, impossible-to-reach door. Seems like you may be stuck where you are, for the time being.

We say "for the time being," because the other distinct attribute of this loosely defined room is a second platform, drifting steadily from the doorway to your position. Once it reaches you, you'll be able to climb aboard, and be safely ferried across the room to the exit you so greatly desire. Once it reaches you. Once it...well, it seems to be taking some time. A few minutes. An hour. Something in that ballpark, maybe. Got a good book on you? No? Guess you'll have to find some other way to wile away the time.

You, and whoever else you happen to be stuck with.

Water Rising
The island of Ensō is a relatively flat island, aside from a lone, steep mountain to the north. Mu is less so. It tends to mold itself to whatever shape best suits it, and in this case? It has chosen Ensō. And so that is where you find yourself - positioned at the base of its mountain, no less, only several feet up the beginnings of its slope. Unfortunately, there's not much time to take in the new scenery. Stretched out along the island's coast is a beach of glittering white sand. Further inland, the green sprawl of a jungle blots the horizon. But there's also plenty of ocean. And therein lies the problem.

Creeping through the treelines and rapidly pooling about the mountain's base, said ocean levels are rising quickly. Very quickly. Those who wish to stay and enjoy the view of an island underwater are welcome to it. For everyone else, the only other option is the obvious one: to climb.

To climb very, very quickly.
As luck would have it, the rising waters aren't the only danger present. Those too slow to escape its wrath will surely drown, but the higher up you go, the thinner the air becomes, and the more searing the heat. To the west, a crop of dangerous creatures known as lungblossoms claim the wooded thickets that offer reprieve from the intense and unrelenting rays of dream-sun. A confrontation with these living plants may expose you to hallucinogenic spores fit to fill your senses with horrific, nightmarish visions, so tread lightly...but not slowly.

At the mountain's very peak, an empty temple awaits those who can make it to the end of this terrible and impromptu gauntlet. It will provide shade and a space for the exhausted survivors to congregate. Tend to yourself and others, if you like- or head back out to locate those who haven't had such luck in reaching this haven.

LOGSOOCSTORIESMAIN NAVIGATION

( CODED BY BOOTYCALL )
ninjatortle: (and even though I'm not sure how)

[personal profile] ninjatortle 2019-01-14 07:03 pm (UTC)(link)
[Oh! Someone's here! A very, very tall someone. The giant bipedal tortoise immediately starts up with some enthusiastic waving. If their beak weren't just kind of always shaped like a smile, it's clear they would absolutely be beaming.]

Hello! Don't be scared, I'm not a monster! Well - I'm not dangerous, at least, I promise! My name's Eska.

[They finally stop waving, holding out both their open hands. It's obviously meant to convey they mean no harm, though the effect is sort of lost when both of their hands are huge, alien, and bristling with very big claws.]

Things got kinda hairy back there with all the water, huh? If you're hurt, then I can help you. If you're tired, then I can watch your back. Don't worry about a thing! Everything's gonna be alright now!
wanderingdoctorfaust: Faust narrowing his eyehole in suspicion or doubt. (faust_doubt)

[personal profile] wanderingdoctorfaust 2019-01-14 07:22 pm (UTC)(link)
This makes the fourth anthropomorphic creature he's met here in the past...week? No...fortnight? His memory's being awfully fuzzy at the moment. He'll have to do the thinking parts later, he's just too tired right now. Speaking of which...

"...good day, young Eska! My name is Faust, I'm a doctor. Forgive me, let me just..."

Drawing on what little strength he has left, he makes to straighten himself up. Cue immediate regret as a surge of nausea hits him like a brick, causing the good doctor to stumble for a few seconds as he tries to get his bearings.

At least the company is rather pleasant.
forwearemany: (standing)

B

[personal profile] forwearemany 2019-01-14 07:28 pm (UTC)(link)
(As one of those chosen to undergo the trial of the brave, Legion is familiar with its dark corridors and nasty surprises.

Given the sort of surprises the trial held for them, Grimlings and Nighthooks are almost a relief, actually.

...The turtle person is new though.)


Do you desire assistance?

(Several programs remind them of previous attempts to assist that backfired. In the interest of avoiding harm to themselves or the person they wish to help, they will ask.)
jagarico: (and on such a low budget)

[personal profile] jagarico 2019-01-14 07:56 pm (UTC)(link)
Akira? [Yusuke had his sword raised to him but then he lowered it, smiling pleasantly as he let it hang by his side.] My apologies, I was chasing after the creature that extinguished my torch. I was overcome by the color scheme when...[He sighs.]

Inspiration is truly fleeting.
jagarico: (would you disagree?)

[personal profile] jagarico 2019-01-14 07:59 pm (UTC)(link)
[How does he not become alarmed by this? Well, he isn't so much alarmed as he is surprised.]

What does a turtle symbolize? My wariness of change? My defenses to the world?

[At least he isn't freaking out about this.]
uselessineptus: (pic#11999993)

B - I HAVEN'T MADE ANY ICONS YET BUT I'M DOING THIS ANYWAY!!!

[personal profile] uselessineptus 2019-01-14 08:05 pm (UTC)(link)
[Eustace is relatively new to adventuring, but that doesn't mean he's gotten even close to used to this horse shit. In fact, this is all reminding him way too much of the sewers. Except he has no idea where his violin OR his party is, which leaves him basically...defenseless. He's a walking, talking noodle of a man.

He's taken to sticking to the shadows as much as possible, trying to take a leaf out of Cash and Eska's book. Insofar, he thinks he's been relatively quiet since he rolled, like...a 22. He hopes he has been. When his foot touches the top of the incline, he can hear the sounds of struggle at the bottom: scraping and a clattering and he freezes up, pressing himself hard against the wall. He can feel some of the moss on the walls sinking through his clothing and it's honestly disgusting but he barely even notices.

Eustace squints into the darkness, pushing his glasses up a bit on his nose to try and see down the ramp, tensed to bolt in the other direction. It's hard to see in this dim light, what with his complete lack of dark vision. He doesn't recognize the squirming figure flipped on their back at first, but a small inkling of familiarity is enough to keep him from bolting right away. Instead, he manages one step down the ramp. Two.

It's about then that recognition strikes. Between their distinctive (charming!) stripes, the wolf-tooth bracelet and the red scarf, Eska is just recognizable enough for Eustace to suck in a gasp of surprise--and relief. Before he can even think of doing otherwise, he's calling out to them, running-half-stumbling down the ramp]


Eska! Eska, oh, thank the gods-- [he's coming to a halt next to them, bending over and hovering a bit uncertainly] --darling, are you alright? Can I help in any way?
Edited 2019-01-14 20:22 (UTC)
ninjatortle: (and be daring)

[personal profile] ninjatortle 2019-01-14 08:06 pm (UTC)(link)
[The clunking and scrabbling stops as Eska cranes their neck, trying for a peek at whoever's discovered them. Oh! Some type of Warforged, maybe? Even in their ridiculous position, they lift a hand and wave cheerfully.]

I would absolutely adore assistance! Just a little push should be all I need! I'm just having a a bit of trouble with - uh, you know. The hall's a bit narrow, is all. Not a lot of wiggle room!
ninjatortle: (in the real world)

[personal profile] ninjatortle 2019-01-14 08:12 pm (UTC)(link)
[Eska's there in a flash, those giant mitts ready and poised to help steady this giant of a dude. Reflexes die hard, and the "do a help" reflexes are the most deeply-ingrained of them all.]

Wonderful to meet you, Faust! I'm a tortle, myself. Forgive my ignorance, but what's a doctor? Is it like a kind of giant-kin?

[They've clearly mistaken his occupation for his species. Eska, as you can see, is very good at this.]
ninjatortle: (and be daring)

[personal profile] ninjatortle 2019-01-14 08:15 pm (UTC)(link)
I think I would like to symbolize acceptance and resilience! Oh, but defenses are nice too. Everyone loves a good, sturdy shell, right?

[Not freaking out is a definite plus. Eska sits themself down next to this human, positively beaming with delight.]

Let's do you next. What does a human symbolize?
hyperlit: (good)

[personal profile] hyperlit 2019-01-14 08:20 pm (UTC)(link)
[It takes about ten seconds for the Drifter to register the first hurdle in this endeavor. Namely: that this other blue-skinned traveler is obviously not the same species. Or at least, if it is, there's something wrong with them. They don't have a head.]

[But they're running and jumping and climbing just the same, so...]

[The Drifter raises a hand, and tries for a wave. Is this person...they seem sentient. Are they?]
phantomtrick: (✦jiiii)

[personal profile] phantomtrick 2019-01-14 08:20 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Only Yusuke would say something like that. Akira sighs and drops his guard momentarily. ]

Is that so? I'm just glad you're okay.

[ He pokes around for any traces of the monster Yusuke mentioned. Looks like it's gone somewhere. ]

It's not here anymore.
ninjatortle: (everything is going perfectly)

WHO NEEDS ICONS WHEN YOU HAVE FRIENDSHIP

[personal profile] ninjatortle 2019-01-14 08:27 pm (UTC)(link)
[Now there's a voice that's music to their ears! Neither darkness nor cramped underground spaces can extinguish their enthusiasm as their face absolutely lights up. Awkward as their predicament is, they reach a hand out; it's long since become second nature to hold onto him, after all. The calming sky-blue that they've bonded with so many times, the calluses from fingers pressing violin strings and clutching a quill for hours on end, the warmth and softness of his hand cradled in theirs - they couldn't ask for anything better to be by their side when they're in a pinch.]

Eustace! Where did you go? Have you seen everyone else? You're okay, right? When I couldn't find any of you, I thought maybe...

[A sharp shake of their head. Some thoughts aren't worth entertaining. Only good things are happening now. They've got Eustace with them!]

I'm really glad you found me! Um, I could use a little push, if you don't mind. I was going a little too fast and didn't see where I was going, and next thing I know, I'm doing my best bobsled imitation! Go figure, huh?
hellawrath: (rude af)

/smashes B for tortles

[personal profile] hellawrath 2019-01-14 08:31 pm (UTC)(link)
[Listen, we're pretty much all in agreement here that underground caves are the worst. Especially ones that nerf you even more all to shit than you already were. What's Lup, Enso's most popular and powerful wizard, supposed to do with a fucking sword? Make shadow shish kebab? This is a dumb nightmare she really didn't fucking need on her plate and she trudges down a corridor with her hackles raised and her long ears tense like radar dishes.

So it's the faint scraping sounds, combined with the occasional huff or grunting, that she notices first. Aw hell. What kind of monstrosity is shambling her way now? If it's a crystal golem she is fucking out, she will stab herself with the shitty sword, hand to god. Hey, she just figured out a use for it!

But Lup didn't end up in the Trial of the Patient for nothing and will absolutely shout down the steep incline rather than waiting for whatever to come for her ass.]


I'm warning you! I've dunked on way bigger things than you and I am not in the fucking mood!
ninjatortle: (not really sure how this pans out)

please allow 6-8 weeks for tortle delivery

[personal profile] ninjatortle 2019-01-14 08:40 pm (UTC)(link)
Um. Please don't dunk on me?

[Tortles can't see in the dark, so try as Eska might, they can't get a good sense of who the person calling out is. Hopefully, it's not another one of those hostile things! They weren't that talkative, right?]

Unless dunking on someone entails becoming their friend and loving and supporting them emotionally and also maybe physically, because I think I'm kind of wedged between the walls a bit. Then, please, I would love to be extremely dunked on!

[All of this is accompanied by more of the awkward clonks of shell hitting stone. They've actually managed to back themself up against the wall a bit, but if anything, it's even worse: their nose is smooshed against the floor and their feet are just sort of sticking up in the air uselessly. Clearly the monastic tradition they truly belong to is Clown College. This is working out for nobody.]
wanderingdoctorfaust: A mugshot of Faust, showing his 'head' and his suit. (faust_mug)

[personal profile] wanderingdoctorfaust 2019-01-14 08:47 pm (UTC)(link)
What a kind, gentle soul. Though he can't help the small chuckle that escapes him - this isn't the first time he's had to explain his profession to a foreign creature, and it likely won't be the last. 'Doctor' as a race, though...that's definitely a first.

"Thank you; It's been a very long climb...and I'm actually just human, young Eska.'Doctor' is my occupation of choice. I'm formally educated in the ways and functions of body and mind, and it is my job to heal those who are injured in either."

He'll withhold the fact he's also an occult healer, for now. He doesn't want to confuse the tortoise, especially as they've just met. Wait, would they even know what a human is? The last few anthropomorphic creatures did...
jagarico: (it's a little concerning)

[personal profile] jagarico 2019-01-14 09:18 pm (UTC)(link)
[That's a good question.]

Hm, I've never considered this before. Many cultures might take into effect the color of hair but humanity in general? This is quite a conundrum. [He frowns and after thinking about it for a while, he speaks.]

I'd like to think I represent the human ability to create art and meaning but would someone from the outside looking in assume this as well? Or would they see me as other humans? The pitfalls of human nature? That's...rather depressing. [It isn't this deep, Yusuke.]
jagarico: (the art world is bloodthirsty)

[personal profile] jagarico 2019-01-14 09:20 pm (UTC)(link)
I assume it slipped past me when you momentarily distracted me. [He doesn't mean it nearly as rude as it sounded.]

Are you doing well? It's rather dark in here without a torch of my own. It would be practical to share with you.
phantomtrick: (✦ big thinks)

[personal profile] phantomtrick 2019-01-14 09:25 pm (UTC)(link)
Sort of. I'm lost too so don't expect me to know the way.

[ He'll share the torch with Yusuke and they can be lost together. ]

It's just the two of us in this dark room...

[ Sounds ominous. ]
ladytakamaki: (4EYZHM8)

herooooooes

[personal profile] ladytakamaki 2019-01-14 09:28 pm (UTC)(link)
[ ann is wandering around with her torch when she hears someone calling out to her. someone who sounds angry.

but more importantly, someone who sounds familiar. it's a voice she hasn't heard in so long. just like her tearful reunion with akira, ann starts to feel emotion swell within her heart. she turns to her left and sees him--yusuke kitagawa. oh my god.
]

Yusuke?!

[ oh my god. ann starts to feel tears sting at her eyes again. without hesitation, she carefully runs up to him and hugs him with one arm, careful to keep the torch away from him so he doesn't. you know. get lit on fire. ]

Oh my god... Yusuke!
ladytakamaki: (know what i'm doing)

[personal profile] ladytakamaki 2019-01-14 09:30 pm (UTC)(link)
Yeah. It's a long story--time basically works different here than back at home, but I can explain to you later. I'm just glad you aren't hurt.

[ something shifts behind them. ann narrows her eyes and grips her sword again, holding her torch out again. ]

Hang on. I think we've got company.
hellawrath: (ya dingus)

/pays for ~premium shipping

[personal profile] hellawrath 2019-01-14 09:31 pm (UTC)(link)
[Well. Probably not a crystal golem then, like, pretty sure. But consider: what the hell? Lup cautiously steps forward and raises her torch, significantly bewildered by not only getting a reply, but one that's almost Ren-esque in its chipperness. Also, wedged?

Thankfully elves do have pretty baller darkvision and once Lup peeks down the corridor, the whole thing-- doesn't actually become that much clearer. It's. It's just a giant turtle, stuck on their back. That's like, really happening right now. Holy shit. There's feet wiggling comically, a slow peaceful rocking like an upturned potato bowl, this turtle's got it all. Lup can't help but burst into a brief bout of laughter, which is definitely an asshole move? Blame the tense atmosphere down here.]


Yeah, that's definitely what that means for sure. [She chuckles, but does make her way down the incline carefully, coming to a halt by the turtle's head and surveying the problem.] Boy, you really did a number on yourself here, huh? Got yourself wedged but good! [She turns her head to the side at an angle, as if that's the polite thing to do when talking down to a giant upturned turtle.] You okay?
jagarico: (would you disagree?)

[personal profile] jagarico 2019-01-14 09:42 pm (UTC)(link)
[Okay, so he's not good at this kind of thing. Like he can name the amount of hugs he's received on one hand. After he gets over the shock of a sudden hug and realizing it's Ann, he is happy!

So he'll try to awkwardly hug back. It comes off very mechanical, though. Nothing personal but he just doesn't know how to do this well.]


Ah, I see you are here as well and unhurt, I am hoping?
phantomtrick: (✦ its that confident look again)

[personal profile] phantomtrick 2019-01-14 09:44 pm (UTC)(link)
The only thing hurt is my dignity...

[ Akira's just joking around as usual. He can't help it. Ann is a friend and he feels comfortable laughing like this. All the jokes stop when she pulls out a torch. His eyes are stern as he peers into the distance with caution. ]

I'm guessing that they aren't here to shower us with flowers. Okay, let's watch ourselves.
jagarico: (but remember to hold on)

[personal profile] jagarico 2019-01-14 09:48 pm (UTC)(link)
It would seem so. We are definitely at a disadvantage.

[He sounds pretty chill about this fact!] If you would like, you can hold the light up and I will be on offense. Teamwork would be valuable for this.
phantomtrick: (✦ lower your expecations)

[personal profile] phantomtrick 2019-01-14 09:57 pm (UTC)(link)
Works for me, I'll watch your back.

[ Akira nods and pushes his glasses back a bit. He can trust Yusuke with his life. It's a good thing that they can work well even under this pressure.]

If you start to think that we're heading into more danger say something.

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