aftr_ooc | TEST DRIVE MEME ( 005 )

Test Drive Meme #5

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 November 17th and that Applications will open on November 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.

All That Glitters
The caves deep beneath the island's surface are not dimly lit; in fact, they practically sparkle with a strange, unearthly greenish light. Blame it on the crystalline growths that protrude plentifully from every nook and cranny, stalactites and stalagmites alike.

Their glow might be soothing to some, and viscerally terrifying to others, but one thing remains absolutely certain: based on the creaking, groaning noises of shifting rock and the high-pitched tinkle of breaking shards of crystal...

You aren't alone down here.

The deeper in you venture, the more the thicker clusters of the things begin to move. And eventually, it will become plain to you that it isn't the crystal at all that's moving, but rather the thing inside of it - something vaguely humanoid shaped, bipedal, with arms and legs and the dull, pale glimmers in the region of what might almost pass for a face.

Formed entirely from crystal.

Upon spotting a living creature, each of them will begin to lurch closer and closer, arms outstretched. Every one is slow and cumbersome and even fragile enough to be smashed, if you dare venture close enough. But once they've trapped you, there is no escaping whatever fate they have in store for you.

And rest assured, it is not a pleasant one.

[The above prompt is a version of our Crystal Clear event from October! Feel free to give the event write-up a read for more information.]

It's High Tide
When you initially wake on the beaches of this strange island with its bleeding, dreamlike edges, you might notice that something seems deeply amiss...something like the fact that you're lying in a whole mess of seawater. Assuming you're not thoroughly soaked already, you'd better figure out a way to get to high ground, because the water level is rising very rapidly. Pretty soon, there might not be anywhere safe to go besides the trees, and even those might not be safe the longer this goes on.

Fortunately for you, if you can find them quickly enough, the island of Mu has helpfully provided some assistance for those who don't feel like doggy-paddling for the duration of the dream.

Better hurry and hang onto them before you drown! Unless you'd rather doggy-paddle the whole way out, that is. In which case, we're sure the water feels great.

A Crappy Endeavor
In your travels on this strange new land, you might start to notice something following you. Something...oddly shaped, like a lot of dirt and clay that's consolidated into one great awkward moving lump of a creature. What lies beneath is far more like the common beetle...just much, much larger. And unfortunately for everyone involved, they have a very specific appetite:

Your poop.

Mu has produced a very close approximation of the creatures known as f'rshaymes, animals that go beyond merely being useful for disposing of all that nasty waste. Doiing so comes with significant benefits, as the combined process of mud and excrement as it goes through a F'rshayme's digestive system leaves behind pure clay for the...brave.

Often found in small herds of six to eight individuals, f'rshaymes are extremely docile and would be very easy to turn into a herd of your very own. How nice!

LOGS ● OOC ● STORIES ● MAIN NAVIGATION

( CODED BY BOOTYCALL )

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Is that so? Then I am glad you are here so you can experience this, even if you can't explain. [If he's enjoying life then the hows and the whys are fine being left to the side for now.

Provided he has no objections, Setsuna gathers her cloak and sits down nearby on the cold cave floor.]

If it helps, this is all very new to me as well. If I had any advice or information I would be happy to share. [It probably doesn't help. But the willingness to help might mean a little something at the very least.]

Thank you for your courtesy! I would have to draw up a map, tell an extraordinary long tale, have you pity me and my friends, and then ultimately be confused by some of the terms I use. It would be a disaster, amiga! So a spirit tasting and seeing and smelling and feeling things for the first time is the best thing to say.

[ She can sit next to him! He promises, he's not a master of Purification. He doesn't bat to death anything that moves. ]

It's okay! Very simply: we will learn together. There's nothing wrong with being new at anything, no matter what it is. Including a kidnapping.

[Okay she has to laugh a little there.] I feel you might have already lost me! But the bottom line is you're getting to do all these things for the first time. So I'm very happy for you, sir.

[Thank goodness, she would rather not be bat to death. She's saving the dying for when she's home thank you. Getting comfortable, Setsuna removes the large circular weapon from her hair ornament and sets it down. It's not fun having that weighing you down constantly okay.]

Learning together certainly makes this all seem a little easier to handle. Though if us being here is truly a result of a kidnapping... Then I believe our friends might arrive shortly. [Kidnappings happen, she's been there before. She gives a knowing nod and a smile at that.]

[ She is very beautiful. In all honesty, she's the most beautiful woman Zacharie has ever seen, but he'd only ever met two. Still, her garments, her weapon, all of her-- is keenly beautiful because she's the first he's seen in high definition.

He's not going to do anything about it beyond mentioning it, mind you. He's just noticing it like you would a four leaf clover, he's not exactly equipped for flirting. And although this is mostly a caricature, he's not handsome. ]

Given my existence was very minimal before I came here, you're the most beautiful woman I've ever seen. I don't mean it in a skeeving way or any kind of come hither way, though, how rude-- it's just so new to me that I feel like i have to say it.

How do I explain... oh! We are three dimensional now? I used to be less.

Edited 2017-11-14 22:47 (UTC)

[Zacharie is plenty handsome! In an "all life is beautiful and precious" kind of way. And honestly any person with a heart on their shirt must have plenty of inner beauty. Or at least that's what she thinks from looking at him. What a kind and loving person you are Zacharie.

That said, Setsuna is not at all used to this kind of talk and visibly seems a little surprised as she fumbles with her words.]

Is... Is that right? That's very flattering, thank you... I-I'm sure you will come across many other beautiful people that you can admire? [It's not as certain sounding as she wanted- But oh, lets move on!] Ah, what do you mean by three dimensional?

We're in the third dimension. As in, we're physical and can perceive the world in three dimensions.

You've probably always felt that way! I uh, haven't.

[ He laughs gently at her response, but not mockingly. He takes up a stick and scratches a very small stick figure into the sand, then smooths it out. ]

See this? I used to be about that flat.

I see...? [The curious tilt of her head makes it fairly clear she's not exactly following.] I'm afraid that you're right, I've always felt the way I do now. I can't even begin to imagine what it might be like otherwise.

[But she wants to understand! So she leans forward, eagerly looking over the stick figure drawn on the ground before its rubbed away.]

I'm sure there are many positive things behind being so flat. [Ever the positive one.] ... Though looking at you and your drawing, I can't see it being very comfortable.

Mmm... it was a little bit, but it was fine, mostly. I was very used to it.

It's nice to have some level of detail, though! [ He grabs his arm, pleased that-- well, he's strong! Or has simply has muscles, he hasn't actually used them yet. ] I like it. This is a nice place-- nicer than home, anyway. But I feel out of my element. I feel like I should be...

...

Selling something.

Selling something...?

[So he's a merchant... From another dimension? Sounds rough buddy. But ever the optimist and wanting to help where she can, Setsuna's eyes light up as an idea crosses her mind.]

Here, just a second.

[First she takes the weapon she laid out before, her chakrams, and sets them out in front of Zacherie. Next come her bows. A potion, blue liquid in a bottle she arrived from home with. A small hammer, one of the items she woke up with here. There. Welcome to your shop Zacherie.]

Ahem... Hello! [This is a silly idea, and she seems a little embarrassed now that she's going through with it. But here we are.] You've got quite the selection here. How's business?

[ Zacharie immediately lights up with a smile-- or rather, perks up and lets the cat mask do the smiling for him. A real human person... could be quite the considerate being! He's nothing but charmed. ]

Oh, you know, people hate the trek to these crystal caverns, but no one else sells the kind of goods I do! I assume that's why you're here, right?

[ So tempting to ask for credits, but that doesn't mean anything here-- which is both fun and disheartening. It's just a number, anyhow. ]

What can I get you?

[Even with the mask she picks up on him lighting up. Good, this makes it all worthwhile.]

Yes, you're right! The journey here is a difficult one, but I've heard stories that the supplies found here are ones you can only dream of finding elsewhere.

[If she had any money from home then she would absolutely offer it up, regardless of its worth here. If it would help make the whole scenario more realistic then it's worth it.

She briefly considers asking for an item that she didn't supply him with... But no. That's a bit too mean to start off with she feels.]

I'm looking for a potion, one that can heal all wounds. My curative magic can only get me so far, so anything you can offer me that can help someone in a pinch would be perfect.

[ Oh my god, she's adorable. Humans outside of the game could be so sweet and non-disturbing as if they were built that way! He's thoroughly entertained, and will pull out the whole showmanship act. ]

Well, this, my lady-- [ He gestures to the one he laid out before her. ] Is a cure all to end all. Sickness, that is! Pain, injury, internal bleeding, external bleeding, all you need is to drink it and your pain will go away as your body patches itself up. It's truly amazing! Though the bottle is a single dosage, it's worth it for that time when you're in a nick of trouble and need to be at full health to get away!

And today--

[ false drumroll ]

It's free!

TEST DRIVE MEME ( 005 )

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ignore that subscription i cant click good oh god

no worries! it happens to all of us

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