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

[yallstupid]

[Oh, this is just embarrassing... Here he thought there'd actually be a fight involved, but this is literally just Baby Fights, and Guzma's not about actually doing bad to kids, fake or not. His previous anger fizzles out at just how pathetic this poor sap is, beating its little fists against his legs, and sighs heavily. Mother of Mew, he's not the right person to babysit unruly brats. Let's try some positive reinforcement, that usually works.

Pushing the false Niko off him very easily with one hand, Guzma scratches the back of his neck and makes a grumbling snort.] Oh, for the love of--...

Yo, calm down there, ankle-biter. If'n your good, I'll, uh...let you ride Ariados around for a few minutes. [She's basically the size of a Rottweiler, and sturdy on her many legs - she can easily take the weight of a small child.]

[worldtamer]

[Niko looks a little wary about that, given what the giant spider just did, but the other Niko perks up immediately, slowing down their kicks and flails until they stop, considering the giant spider with interest.]

Is that... um, safe? They're not gonna be mad about them doing that, are they?

[yallstupid]

Honestly, kiddo, if'n they try anything rowdy with my girl, I wish 'em luck surviving whatever she'll dish out.

[Ariados are extremely venomous, and while his Pokemon is friendly and sociable - the nicest of his team by far - she's also fast and can hold her ground just as well as the heavy hitters. If she's irritated or prodded too much, she will retaliate, and it'll end poorly for anyone on the business end of those sharp fangs.]

Where were y'all headed, anyway? Haven't seen anyone what like yourself 'round these islands before...you a newbie, yeah?

[worldtamer]

[Niko still keeps a wary on their doppelganger, who is going over to investigate the spider carefully, when they answer--]

Y-yeah, I guess so. I've never been here before... it's very different from what I'm used to.

[yallstupid]

[Ariados can handle herself, which is half the reason Guzma isn't even paying the other brat any mind. She's been given her orders: tote the ankle-biter around on her back for a few minutes to calm them down and give them something to occupy themself with while her trainer does other things. When the false Niko approaches, she folds her legs and lowers herself down a bit to make it easier to climb on, keeping a careful eye on them. Heck, she'll even point one leg to the webbing still over their mouth and click her mandibles as she speaks her name. She can get that off for you, if you like.]

Yeah? Never been to the tropics, huh? You're gonna bake in gear like that, Fuzzy, I'll tell y'that right now. [He nods his head to Niko's scarf, long coat, and thick hat. The hat...can probably stay, to keep off the sun, but lord, that other stuff...they're probably sweating like a fiend, the poor kid.] Y'might wanna change, or y'all are gonna dehydrate. I can take you someplace shadier, yeah.

[And possibly get them a nice, new change of clothes. Guzma's pretty sure that huge clothes pile still exists in the Temple. It might be slim pickings, and all garbage designs, but better than nothing.]