TEST DRIVE MEME ( 021 )

[lifeaftr_mods]

Test Drive Meme #21

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.

In conjunction with our monthly Test Drive Meme, Reserves are now open! Applications will open on March 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.

Come to Ink Of It
Mu is a strange land, and one that seems to take a conscious interest in the activities conducted upon the waking world. This month, its fixation takes an almost childish delight in emulating the ink-spattered wars and hazing that have occured on Ensō's shores - which is to say, Mu would absolutely enjoy a charming little game of Splatoon.

When you wake, it's in a labyrinth of soft, stonelike material that manages to be the rough consistency of foam. If you take the time to inspect it, you'll discover that it's as good at cushioning blows as it is serving as adequate cover...and it appears to have been shaped into plenty of buildings and barricades, threaded throughout the cavernous room in which you've found yourself. In fact, the whole place looks very much like a battlefield of some kind. In case you didn't get the picture, the paint gun in your hands should give you an inkling. Colors may be up to personal preference, but the rules are simple - solo, in a team, or as a double agent, your goal is to paint the town red, or blue, or purple, until victory is tasted in the form of aesthetic domination.

Do keep in mind, however, that battle cries may be a double-edged sword in this scenario. Unless you wanted green teeth.

I AM THE SHADOW, THE TRUE

-looks at smudged writing on hand-

...SHELF

What's more trouble than the true manifestation of all your darkest fears, desires, and secrets? The manifestation of all of the above that's just - not very well-made. In order for a shadow, a true self, to appear, one really should know themself somewhat consciously. Of course, this also applies true to the world in which they're standing; an effort Mu is willing to make, but not quite hitting the mark.

And by "not quite hitting the mark," we mean egregiously. "Shadows" are an off-brand simulation of what one might expect during a typical shadow event, though their attempts at acting like the character they should be are closer to emulating the opposite. Whether based upon a looser definition of canon, a fanon-style iteration of what your character might have been in worse hands, or simply going in a direction that veers into the territory of edgy Harry Potter OCs, your "Shadow" is here, and ready to be a nuisance.

Unlike ordinary Shadows, a "Shadow" cannot be accepted and dissipate as one would hope. Respite from these garish versions of who you really are will come only upon waking. So until then, enjoy attempting to explain just what, precisely, is dogging your every step, and probably refusing to shut up all the while. Though granted, if they share any of your powers - grossly magnified or otherwise - you might be grappling with them in far more ways than one.

A Bug's Eye View
The lush, verdant shores and the peaceful population of newly-arrived island of Cahypdo have been noticeably present on the minds of the islanders lately. Mu has shifted to reflect those thoughts, but as with many things Mu reflects, things have become a little...skewed. For, you see, the native inhabitants of Cahypdo are the Roaka, and as tree-people, they tower over much of the current inhabitants. They range from six to twelve feet in height, generally, but it seems that their heights have left a....very marked impression. The Roaka certainly tower over you now, even more than before - but so does everything else. Wherever you find yourself in the verdant, fertile valley that houses much of Cahypdo's plantlife - whether it's rich jungles or well-tended farmland - you'll be met with the same undeniable height difference.

Trees are dizzying heights to be scaled the same way a mountain might. Blades of grass and colourful flowers you might once have trodden on without a second thought are like a forest unto themselves. And the fields of crops you might have known from the waking world, like sweetcorn, peas, and tomatoes? Even a single ear of corn or a solitary tomato is now a much, much larger obstacle.

Just pray you don't run into any of the native creatures here, as even ordinary beasts can become potential dangers when they're all the size of giants relative to you, and can stamp you to jelly without so much as a second glance. Snaplings might regard you as a tasty little snack, tigerlilies might think you make for a fun little toy, and worst of all, the native Cahypdo entities known as hydrac, warped hybrids of sharks and dragons, might very well decide that you'd be a fine addition to their hoards.

There's a lot to look out for, when you're this small and the world is this big.

---

LOGS ● OOC ● STORIES ● MAIN NAVIGATION

( CODED BY BOOTYCALL )

Comments

[journalname]

[Asgore's never been any good at lying, or hiding his feelings. Even strangers can usually read him, so Toriel should have no trouble telling that he has absolutely no idea what she's talking about.

A flower? She intervened? That isn't simply a matter of another time - he did fight Frisk, and he died without ever seeing Toriel again. Of course he knows that there are multiple versions of worlds out there. Muffet's from a place where he survived to see the Barrier broken. But to hear so directly about how things might have gone for himself is...odd.

If he'd delayed the fight a little longer, would Toriel have just shown up out of nowhere to stop it? Was she nearby when he...? Or are their worlds just not alike at all in that respect?

No matter what the case, he can't tell her what really happened. He can't.]

I...suppose that must be the case.

[goat_mom]

[She raises a brow. Yes, she can tell Asgore has no idea what she's talking about, but also that he's hiding something from her. It's as plain as day - he's definitely not a good liar.]

Something seems to be on your mind, Asgore. Are you not telling me the whole truth?

[journalname]

[Asgore sighs and rubs at his face with one big hand. Yep, he remembers that.]

It is not important.

[It's not. What good can possibly come of telling her about something that happened in another world a long time ago?]

Only a personal matter.

want to start wrapping up?

[goat_mom]

[Toriel sighs as well. She suspects Asgore is hiding more than a "personal matter" from her - it's not a very believable lie, considering what they were just talking about. And it must be very serious if Asgore is not spilling the beans.

But... there is no point to getting into a fight over it. She will let it go for now.]

Very well. I will not push, if that is the case.

[She looks at Asgore. Her expression is still serious, but a note of gratitude seeps into her voice.]

...You have my thanks for telling me about Chara. And for watching over them, as well as Frisk.

sounds good!

[journalname]

[Asgore's relief is palpable. He doesn't like dwelling on this topic - even if his own thoughts sometimes do.

And any shred of gratitude at all is more than he ever expected to hear from her again.]

...of course.

[goat_mom]

[Toriel nods. That is all she needs to say, for now.]

Then I will take my leave.

[And she turns on her heel and starts walking away, without another word. Her Shadow, though, stops making out with Shadow Asgore and starts following behind her...

But not before draping herself over the real Asgore, and whispering into his ear:] Hey, baby. Hope to see you around the block.

[Toriel stops walking. She tries to ignore the Shadow.]

You know, I wasn't lying earlier...

[Toriel glares at the Shadow. The Shadow rolls her eyes and follows her.]

[journalname]

[Asgore locks up in mute panic, leaning away from the Shadow but not able to bring himself to fully push her away. Does he not want to lay hands on her? Or does he not quite want her to go?

An ugly thought. He pushes it away, shuddering with unease as she and Toriel go. His Shadow comes to stand alongside him, folding his arms.]

You have got to get yourself some of that.

Please be quiet.