TEST DRIVE MEME ( 019 )

[lifeaftr_mods]

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.

---

LOGS ● OOC ● STORIES ● MAIN NAVIGATION

( CODED BY BOOTYCALL )

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Damien Lavey | Monster Prom

[promfight]

A. No Heroes Here

[BEST. DAY. EVER.

He has no goddamn clue what's going on - Damien was just getting ready to head into the Gym for class, finding himself in the dark with a shortsword in one hand (RAD), and a torch in the other. He half expected this to be some sort of stupid obstacle coarse Coach thought up to test them all, but it's so much better than that. ACTION! DRAMA!! BLOODSHED!!!!

These are a few of his favorite things. Mainly the last one, but u no.

So, coated in gore as he is, he's all but skipping down the twists and turns, driving his sword into pretty much everything he sees, grinning from ear to pointy, red ear. Thankfully, his heinous laughter gives him away, so if you see a literal demon coming your way with a sword trained on you...mmmaybe try and get him to stop. He might, it really depends on his mood. And, thankfully!! He's in a good mood!

Unfortunately, his good mood is spurred by the more blood and grime he drenches his sword with, but hey. It's better than a pissed off prince of Hell coming at you with a sword.]

C'MERE, SHITWAGON!!
---

One may call this a Wet Dream

[PUT HIM BACK IN THE MURDER MAZE, THAT WAS ACTUALLY FUN. This? This is Some Bullshit. The heat doesn't bother Damien - he's literally from Hell - but the water sure as heck doesn't agree with him. Of course, his stubborn and violent attitude still made him give fighting the ocean his best, sporting try, but...even he's not a complete idiot. Wading out when it got too much to handle, Damien makes his way up toward the mountain, swiping his forked tail angrily as he goes.]

Fuck! They couldn't have let me keep the sword?! Shit, I don't even have knives or anything! [He kicks a rock hard with his foot, sending it soaring....right into a cluster of lungblosoms. The grizzly-looking plants give a groan like two gears grinding together, and Damien snorts as a gaseous smog fills the air.] Oh, piss off. I've inhaled crazier shit on Polly's clothes after she brushes her teeth.

Try harder, noob.

[He looks around for something, anything to throw. Just rocks, sigh...and they're sadly very flame retardant. This sucks. How the hell can he set things on fire if he doesn't have kerosene, lighter fluid, and a matchbox? I mean, the latter is relative - he can summon fire like no one's business, but a piddly flame is so lame. He wants a motherfucking BLAZE up in this bitch.]

a

[carrotkeeper]

[Shitwagon is the last word she thought would echo through these halls and she's unsure whether or not it's preferable to the eerie silence that she had gotten used to. The daemons that would sometimes lurk into her vision were weird-it was almost impossible to kick those hand things away and the warped dogs seemed to have no end. If there's someone else in here, the odds of survival are better if they team up.

So, despite her better judgement, she heads towards the voice and sees, well, that.

Looks almost like a daemon hunting daemons, but beggars can't be choosers. ]

Hey! Are you trapped here too?

[promfight]

[Damien, meanwhile, has a grimling in a headlock, the poor creature snarling and kicking, trying to free itself as the young man continuously punches it in the snout. There's a sickening crack as his knuckles collide with the creature's jaw in just the right way and it hangs loose as a final, wet gurgle silences the creature's attempts to escape. He gives it one more punch for good measure before letting the body slump in a heap to the floor.

Boo, you whore, it barely last three minutes. What's the fun in killing shit if they don't stay alive long enough for him to enjoy their suffering? I mean, Damien loves quantity, sure, but the quality of his murder is always more rewarding. Sigh, maybe there's like...some sort of crazy dangerous boss they have to find? Man, that'd be super metal.]

Trapped? Shit, this is like paradise, the fuck are you smoking? [He sneakers squeak a bit as he slips in the blood on the floor, but Damien catches himself on the wall and ignites a fire in his free hand as he picks up the sword he dropped in preference of his fists. As the fire actually lights up the person in here with him, he blinks and lifts his head up.] Whoa, hat the hell?! You're a lameass human kid! How the piss did you get in here?!

[carrotkeeper]

[This was a mistake. Dreams were a mistake. How did this happen? Honestly? She's done her best on this earth and now she's stuck with some weird guy in the middle of a dark maze filled with Death. This is a nightmare and she knows she's gonna wake up from it, but-

Couldn't Talcott make a loud noise or something?

She instinctively moves forward to keep him from falling, only to pull back the second he opens his mouth. Which is also, coincidentally, around the time he saves himself from splattering on the ground. Looks like this dude can definitely hold his own-especially in a fight.

No question about that.]

Didn't mean to cramp your style or anything. This isn't my idea of a paradise, you know. I didn't come here by choice.

[She holds the torch so it illuminates more of the ceiling, like that's going to show her a secret path out of here.]

Do you know the way out?

[promfight]

Well, shit, obviously you didn't! Pretty sure humans aren't allowed in the monster world. And, I mean...you only get into Hell if you damn your immortal soul, or make a deal with a demon.

Or are just a massive douchebag.

[Damien shrugs. It's really not difficult to get into Hell - or out of it, really, since he hops from there to the monster world where his friends are all the time. Hell is lame as, well...hell, and the less time he spends there, the better. He'll be ruling it one day and ugh. Cross shit creek when he gets there, thanks.]

Oh, uh...right. We're supposed to make it out. Right. [He's been more or less just retracing his steps and trying to find shit to kill. Grimacing, he looks the kid up and down and wrinkles his nose.] Fuck me, I don't have to guide you out to get an A in gym, do I?

[carrotkeeper]

Don't think this is either of our worlds-[Though it seems closer to hell, from her perspective]-Kinda feels like a dream.

[Abrasive and rough as he is, he doesn't seem entirely bad when he shows that more cooperative side.

Even if that side is still moderately insulting. It might be the stress of the situation or the fact he does look like monster-just a different type than the one's he had been slamming to the ground moments prior. She'd prefer snarky one over the ones trying to kill them now.]

And hey, I'm way tougher than I look. You don't have to guide me. We'll keep an eye on each other.

[But his last comment-she has an idea, tries to smile and adds-]

I'll give you an A, when we both make it outta here in one piece.

[promfight]

[Damien gives the weird, little toddler a quizzical look. Excuse you? This is totally on brand for the kind of bizarre-o shit that goes on in the monster world. Really, horrible dogs like this is just a walk in the park most days, and he's just about to say what's on his find before she says something that actually makes Damien laugh. Really and truly laugh.]

You? Please! You're about as tough as last night's shit, ankle-biter, but if you prove you're not just bait I can use to lure out more of those sick dogs for target practice, then maybe I'll consider babysitting you for a while.

[She's got moxie, if anything. Either that or a terrible case of Open Mouth Insert Foot syndrome, but eh. Damien can't blame the girl for trying to stand up to him. It's something, anyway. Brownie points for trying.]

[carrotkeeper]

[Is this Crownsguard basic training?? Did she somehow get transported there? Is this what it's like?? GOD. One step forward, two steps back, Damien. It's not like calling him out is an option either, since it's clear his bark can match his bite.

There's not a shred of doubt in her and she strides ahead, undeterred by the challenge. Working with a group is more her speed, but beggars can't be choosers and so far, they're the only two in here. Despite his foul mouth, she's confident he (might??) have her back if things get hairy. If anything, he seems to enjoy smashing the daemons.]

I'll show you what an Amicitia can do. Just you watch.

[promfight]

[Oh, she is fiery - he likes that. Hopefully the brat's not all talk, because humans are usually very pathetic when it comes to throwing around their weight in a fight. They're so...fleshy and squishy, it almost makes committing mass murder boring. Almost. But, Damien can respect her gumption and nods his head, bowing slightly at the waist and extending an arm forward, lips curled.]

Babies first. [He can guard the rear, and his throwing arm is good, too. The short-sword isn't exactly meant to be used as a ranged weapon, but that never stopped Damien Fucking LaVey. He does whistle a bit though, tapping her on the shoulder with the hilt of his sword.] Here, you lot can't see piss all in the dark.

[He hands her a torch - the one he dropped in favor of beating shit with his bare hands. It's, uh...unlit, but a quick squeeze and twist from the demon's free hand ignites the top part again. Look, he's not entirely terrible. And if this really is an escort type mission in gym today, he's gotta at least pull his weight a little.]

A because I couldn't resist

[ishotyouuu]

[Generally it's a good idea to not announce your presence when you've got your murder-gumption up, but Damien can be forgiven for making such a rookie error. After all, it's not like Wade has any capacity to shut the fuck up when his fighting spirit's on the rise. But right now there's a boisterous-sounding dude approaching his flank with what is most likely an edged weapon. Wade should maybe... do something about that.

As if his moves have been choreographed, Wade pulls a swift turn-pivot out of the way of the shortsword, his beam katana roaring to life with an electrical hum to block the blade.]

Slow your roll there, tiger. Don't just stick it right in there on the first date, come on-- at least buy me dinner first. Nice ensemble, bee-tee-dubs. Did Hot Topic have a sale or are you just lookin' for the rest of Tenacious D?

1/3 I'VE BEEN SCREAMING SINCE 9AM KAIYA

[promfight]

[Damien would argue 'different stroke for different blokes' but he's a bit preoccupied right now. In all honesty, not many people can go toe to toe with him on a good day, and those who can he usually doesn't fight often. Mostly because he becomes friends with them...or they end up in jail or something. Listen, royal immunity is a very real thing and he'll abuse the fuck out of it if it means not getting detention.

But fuck him sideways, this asshole not only managed to disarm him, but he did so with a FUCKING LIGHTSABER?? AND A CHOICE AS HELL ONE-LINER???]

2/3

[promfight]

[Damien is aroused.]

3/3

[promfight]

[It takes him a second to recover, because shit boy he die, the young demon smirks and pushes back against Wade's sword a bit, though it's clear he's lost most of the murderous intent. This is just play now. Listen, even a homicidal, young kid like him can respect someone with more experience here. He's not so stuck up to not know when he's outclassed.]

Fuck, you come onto me like that and expect me to beat around the bush? Skip the shit and let's get to it. [He pushes off Wade's blade and makes a swipe with the sword for his thigh. On your knees, sweetheart. That's where the fun is~ ♥]

[ishotyouuu]

[Ah, a fellow fracas connoisseur! Wade finds himself warming to this upstart immensely, and it's not just because of the intense heat the dude seems to be giving off right now. His eyes lift in a particularly lascivious grin.]

Not a fan of foreplay, huh? Shame. Just so happens that's my third favorite F-word in the English language!

[This asshole's going to lead, huh? Well, Wade has no problem with that. He allows his body to go loose and pliant when he feels Damien push against him, bending backwards in a back walkover that just barely misses the sword that's on a collision course with his femoral artery.

From here you can get an excellent view of his foot, Damien. Better move that righteous chin out of the way.]

[promfight]

Hey, don't put words in my mouth!

[There are more fun things to put in his mouth and vice versa, okay? Though, uh...he's not into the whole foot fetish thing, thanks. The heel of Wade's boot collides squarely with Damien's face, and he wobbles a bit on his own two feet, but takes it with a spreading smile. Damn, dude, that was a great kick.

A trickle of blood, darker red than his skin, trickles from his split lip and the demon flicks his tail excitedly, spitting off to the side. It's about time someone could actually give him a real run for his money. All the prissy jocks and little titty-babies back home couldn't compare when he needed to let off steam. This is great! He's having a damn good time. Chuckling, he points the sword out at Wade again.]

Ooooh, I'm gonna pound your ass so hard, dude, you won't know what hit you!! [It's highly possible he means that both in a sexy and extremely fighty way. More the latter, but it's a small gap in between, really. Anyway, Damien lunges again, this time with an overhead strike, but with a...slight twist. Wanna know his favorite f-word?

Fire.

It's fire.

He set his sword on fire.]

A

[beforeitwascool]

Really?

[Oh, that judging scoff could only be from one person. Yeah, dark spooky maze, he gets it. He's over it. Honestly, the torch is a little insulting - he's a vampire, why would the dark bother him - and the sword...

What, does he look like one of the violent sheeple, capable of naught but mindless destruction to solve all of (un)life's problems? Please. That's what he has a twitter for.

Or a gun.]

The blood-soaked look is awfully pedestrian, isn't it?

AAAAAAAAAA

[promfight]

[Lol, there's the Loser Committee, here to spoil Damien's fun. Blood-soaked as he is presently, Damien's flicks some blood off the blade with a twitch of his wrist and wipes his knuckles off on his gym shorts. There's a very deliberate reason they're an, uh...off-red/pink color. A-Ahem.

But at least this does sort of confirm Damien's thought that this is one of Coach's bizarre obstacle courses. I mean, it beats daily dodge ball...and anything where Damien gets to slaughter things is high on his list of Prime Activities, so. He isn't complaining one bit.]

Couldn't tell you, I usually run pedestrians over.

owo

[beforeitwascool]

[Liam would roll his eyes at this, but that would be a far too common way of making his disapproval clear. When one is truly authentic, it's possible to express these feelings through a classic Cold Stare™ alone.

It's really not as effective as he thinks it is. Liam is no Vera. His looks do not kill (by petrification). He just kind of looks as annoyed as he always does.]

Do you have any idea how bad that is for the environment? [Obviously the only ethical problem here.] Not to mention downright wasteful. Haven't you read my article about street pollution?

[Liam who do you think you're asking here.]

u3u ♥

[promfight]

[Liam is definitely not Vera - she'd never set foot onto an obstacle course like this unless paid a hefty sum - but he most certainly is a vampire of epic proportions. Never before has Damien encountered a vampire who could literally suck the wind from his sails so vehemently. He makes a face all his own, bored by the second and half hoping something climb out of the darkness and drags Liam around a corner to his....deader death??

Whatever happens. Hell, just watching him wrestle with one of those weird not-werewolves would be a popcorn worthy event. Damien even whistles offhandedly, tapping his sword on the ground to try and attract attention. Here pup-pups...]

I don't usually read the paper I wipe my ass with.

💖

[beforeitwascool]

[Liam huffs in an offended manner and tries to think of a good rebuttal, before finally landing on:] Shows what you know, it wasn't in the paper.

...It was on my blog.

[He's bad at this.]

[promfight]

[Oh, honey. You know, if it were anyone else--

...Nothing would happen, who are we kidding? Morals don't exist in their fucking canon and everyone is terrible. Damien's grin curls wider, lifting his chin up a bit higher at the clear victory he earned against the Great Succ here. Alas, no hungry horrorterrors come calling, which would only make this so much better, but there's still time yet to find one and push Liam into the dangerpit.

God, he hopes there are actual spiked pits in this maze.]

Are you done? [HE HAS SHIT TO KILL. If you don't move, he's stabbing you next, buddy.]

[beforeitwascool]

[Oh, is he done? Just you wait, LaVey, he has such a comeback in the works for you! You won't even know what hit you! It might take years before you comprehend the full force of the blow about to come your way, that's how devastating it will be.

Is he done?

IS HE DONE?]

...

Yes, fine.

[Yeah, he's done.]

1/2

[promfight]

[And as Liam thinks, so too does Damien. He took a few minutes to think of a comeback all his own, preparing for yet another argument with the local Fun Sucker. Because, well...that's what they do, clearly.]

Yeah well, your mom is so stupid when an intruder broke into her house, she ran downstairs, dialed 9-1-1 on the microwave, and--

2/2

[promfight]

Wait, what?

[FUCK YOU, LIAM, HE WAS READY FOR THAT ONE AND EVERYTHING.]

a!

[abyssalonslaught]

[How long has Artorias been wandering this infernal blackness? He's kept close to the wall, lumbering forward slowly with his sword raised in a practiced, graceful hold. Short swords aren't his specialty, but at a certain point a blade is a blade is a blade.

His wandering has not been peaceful. His sword is just about as bloody as Damien's, though it seems the grimlings have begun to actively avoid him. He has, perhaps, thinned the herd a bit too much for their liking. Damien doesn't seem to have got the message yet, however.

The red blur moving through the shadows sword-first means Artorias isn't stopping to assess the situation. It means he's sweeping up diagonally in a brutal slash meant to disarm (emphasis on the arm) whatever it is approaching him.]