TEST DRIVE MEME ( 004 )

[lifeaftr_mods]

Test Drive Meme #4

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 October 17th and that Applications will open on October 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.

Gone Apeshit
The peaceful island upon which you've found yourself is pleasant enough, isn't it? Clear turquoise waters, white sand, verdant copses of trees...it might be a little on the humid side, sure, but what's not to love?

The answer will come in the form of some decidedly simian ululations and howls that will inevitably start echoing through the trees, paired with the occasional loud, firework-like bang of some weapon being fired. The beach itself is safe, or as safe as beaches can possibly be, but setting foot into the jungle proper will prompt immediate, firepower-based retaliation from the group of monkeys that have elected to live there.
That's right: monkeys. Monkeys wielding rudimentary technology, no less, the most prominent example of such being the cannon-like, primitive firearms that shoot coconuts at interlopers. While their precision is not excellent, a direct or indirect hit can cause incredibly serious injury. Sure, you could opt to stay on the sidelines...but without any resources on hand, your only remaining solution is to either risk starvation or exposure, or to confront the gun-toting monkeys directly.

A pity Jumpman isn't here, huh?

Motherclucker
Congratulations! After who knows however long you might have spent exploring this strange new land - be it hours or eons or days or mere minutes - you've finally stumbled across some resources that may be viable! You've encountered a flock of bludroc, their nests brimming with speckled eggs that would surely taste delicious sucked raw or fried on a stone.

Unfortunately, this is a rather vast flock of the creatures, and they do not part with their offspring easily. While they lend themselves easily to domestication, these bludroc are quite wild, and quite unwilling to be beset upon by complete strangers. So if you encroach upon their territory, beware...for you may find yourself set upon by an abundance of pecking, flapping, screeching, colorful creatures.

Tick Tock
Mu's world is a curious one, no doubt. Its creatures often bear a strange resemblance to those in the world of LifeAftr proper, but some fauna can be found on no other landscape, in no other context, besides the dreamlike dips and peaks that only Mu can emulate.

One of those creatures is the clockroach.

Today, they seem strangely intent on flocking around those who have crossed into the lands of Mu for the first time; the uninitiated of LifeAftr. Their shapes are indistinct, to start with, but the click-whisper of rustling, mothlike wings almost sounds like your name, being uttered over and over...and over...and over...

They have a curious look to start with, make no mistake. But the longer you look, the more those forms start to solidify into a shadow to mirror your own, devoid of color or feature, but unmistakably resembling your general shape. While their edges are softly blurred and out of focus, their forms rapidly begin to solidify the more you interact with them. Speaking to them, touching them, even acknowledging them by looking their way, failing to ignore them utterly, will gradually start to bring them into greater clarity and focus. They do not speak. They merely follow - a shadow of your very own, unattached and allowed sentience.
Once they're solid enough to touch, you'll begin to hear a sound. A low, repetitive tick-tick of a timepiece, moving ever closer to some unseen deadline with terrifying regularity. It starts quietly, at first, but begins to grow louder, louder, until it drowns out all else.

The apparition may soothe and speak all it likes, but the artificial dread worming in your heart refuses to be shucked away. Everything else is a shadow hostile, a creature mistrusted. The fog is a tripwire that will surely trap you; that person approaching from over that hill? Doubtless here to kill you, and see that your invisible clock winds to an end.

But that dark storm boiling in the shadow behind you? Surely that has nothing to do with it...

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LOGS ● OOC ● STORIES ● MAIN NAVIGATION

( CODED BY BOOTYCALL )

Comments

[kaiserin]

I don't mind. It's not my bird to control. [It's an independent bludroc who doesn't need no. uh. Handler?? Sure.

She carefully shifts an arm under the bird to cradle it a bit more like one would a small child. The bludroc ruffles its feathers a little before sighing deeply and settling down once more, making Empress giggle a little.]

Go on. I'm sure he won't mind so long as you're gentle.

[achievementhunter]

It's in your lap. [So for the time being, she would be it's...selected caregiver? Sentient bedding? For all she appears human, she's just a child- her acceptance is more than enough for them to scoot just a little closer, close enough that they can stretch out their hand without overbalancing.

Holding their breath, Chara rests their hand on the bludroc's plumage. And it-

Doesn't really do much. It's warm; breathing so much faster than that of a larger being. Small observations that instill a little more confidence into them, fingers combing through soft feathers.

Still not as cool as dogs, but still.

Kind of cool.]

[kaiserin]

[She looks very pleased with the entire proceeding. The life in her lap and under their hand is full and bright to her mind's eye.

Empress smiles and soon her hand is joining Chara's in petting the feathers.] I haven't seen a bird quite like this where I'm from, though there are plenty of other amazing animals. Racing snails, giant bats people fly with... Luckdragons.

The creatures here are just as precious and interesting.

[achievementhunter]

[They continue petting the bird- it ruffles it's feathers after a moment, and their hand freezes up-- but it's simply settling down further, emitting a few, soft coos as it's eyes remain closed.

Their voice remains quiet, but...they don't mind this train of conversation.]

There were racing snails where I came from, as well. Though maybe different from the ones you know.

...Some of the creatures here aren't nearly this placid.

[kaiserin]

Are there? [She looks interested at least] Where I'm from, they're big enough to ride.

[She looks don at the bird with an unreadable expression] Such is the way of things. Pacifist animals, violent ones... People, too, are much the same, aren't they?

However, I've never had anything try to harm me before. I don't think I'd know what to do...

[achievementhunter]

Ours are a little smaller. More garden-esque, if you will.

[Ready to munch on leaves and set themselves on fire, if too much pressure is applied. An easy way to lose 10G in one, useless activity.

...Though her words are of concern.]

This place- it is a dream now, however, some who dream here are brought to another place entirely.

If you are; I would be happy to assist in both arming you, and teaching you how to defend yourself.

[kaiserin]

[She looks surprised at the offer, and then tilts her head curiously.]

...May I ask why? [She's just curious, but she's not dismissing the idea. She's never had to really fight, herself, for as long as she's existed, but she can acknowledge it's something she might need to know if she does come here.]

[achievementhunter]

Because there is enough death to be found here without adding more helpless children to the mix.

[Blunt? A little. If she'd like to dispute them about this, however, they'd be happy to hear it.]

Learning to defend oneself is never inappropriate- here? It is a practical necessity.