Test Drive Meme (April + May)

[bravenewmods]

TEST DRIVE MEME: APRIL + MAY EDITION

Welcome to bravenewworld's test drive meme! This post is designed to help players test out their characters within the setting, as well as give them an opportunity to collect samples for their future application. The prompts below are all optional, and can be used to get a feel for the game, but we encourage players to get creative and use this post however best suits their needs. Players are welcome to use either prose or brackets for their threads.

When creating a thread, it is advised that players give their prospective thread partners a bit of information in the subject line, such as the characters name and canon, or a possible typing and Enlightened ability (if this is applicable). These are not required, but will make it easier for any prospective players to thread with you. While not required, we also encourage you to take a look at the most recent AU Planning post.

THIS CYCLE'S PROMPTS
#1 A naughty Castform is following people around and causing rain wherever they walk. Talk about spring showers!

#2 The Flower Grove is well-known for its spring blossoms. Your character has gone to visit, only to discover Gloom have moved in to enjoy the pleasant fragrance! And now the pleasant fragrance...isn't.

#3 This baby Pidgey has fallen out of its nest!!! What do you do? Do you get help? It's squawking and flapping like nobody's business. Might be hard to hang onto without somebody else around to spot you...

#4 Glacier is excited for the Big Spring Thaw! They will tell this to anyone who comes to see them at Citadel, and will even lead expeditions up to the Obsidian Flats to show off the lovely warm weather......while it's still snowing.

#5 Union is still repairing itself after Kyurem's attack. Construction workers are needed at this site. Humans and Pokémon are both welcome, but the supervisor is a Machoke. Communication could get tricky.

#6 Wildcard! Come up with your own prompt!

If you have any setting questions, or want to do some reading before posting a thread, you can find the setting directory here! Happy tagging!

Comments

Shizuru Fujino | Mai-HiME

[bubuzuke]

[ 1 ]

What a naughty boy.

[ Shizuru isn't even looking at the Castform. She just opens this umbrella that she happened to have with her, and looks over, noticing there's someone else here. ] The young are so mischievous.

[ She seems mildly interested, but also isn't sharing her umbrella yet. It's not very large. You'll have to pardon her.

It is, however, extremely colorful. As is her clothing. You may have just encountered

the world's only quiet Calderan. ]

[ 4 ]

[ Shizuru is bringing up the rear of this expedition through the Obsidian Flats, bundled up against the cold. She cradles a steaming, handle-less mug of tea in her hands. A Deino by her side carries a teapot in its only (for now) head. ]

Kiyohime.

[ The Deino refills her cup. Above them, however, there's a rustle....and blocks of snow are shaken loose by something higher up in this valley.

They're in danger of falling on her head! ]

[ 6 ]

Pardon me.

[ Shizuru is going through Ninetales Vale one house at a time. ] I'm looking for lodgings. Would you happen to have recommendations?

[ And she smiles. It's a very pleasant, innocent smile. ]

no.1

[closefriend]

[The Castform's antics are positively delightful to Richard. He doesn't get out of the house much. Walking in the rain of all things is something exciting to him. His long hair is positively soaked, water clinging to his face and his elaborately frilled clothing. The long ruffled sleeves of his shirt are hanging limp at his thin wrists. When he encounters Shizuru he doesn't speak with her to request her umbrella (of course, he would never leave a lady in the rain to keep himself dry, no never) but instead to smile whimsically at the young woman.]

Is there not a saying about spring showers? Only good things can come from this one's behavior, don't you think?

[Richard closes his eyes in delight, before looking up to the sky where the clouds are brewing to unleash another spray of rain down over him. He really should be looking out for his health but he feels wonderful at the moment. Any time out in the city is a wonderful thing to him after all.]

Forgive my rudeness. [He nods his head.] My name is Richard.

[bubuzuke]

Shizuru. [ Whimsical, isn't he. Shizuru falls in step alongside this gentleman, observing his behavior. No, the umbrella is not required, is it? ]

Do you put much stock in traditions?

[ You'll excuse her for wondering that when, well. Most people don't quote old sayings while choosing to get drenched. ]

[closefriend]

Oh, I don't suppose I do. It's just something I've heard before.

[He lifts a hand to stroke his drenched fringe back from his face. Without his hair in the way, it becomes much more obvious his eyes are not the same color. Despite his effort, it falls right back down and with a flick he gives up on it, letting out a hmph~ though he doesn't sound a bit frustrated.]

I hope we are well met, Shizuru, on a strange day like this.

[bubuzuke]

I imagine that's up to you.

[ The Castform gambols in front of them now. Got you wet! Got you wet! She nods to the Pokémon. ] He's making the most of it.

[ Castform zooms up to Richard to rub in how wet he's getting. This is hilarious! What if he does circles around this guy's head?? ]

[closefriend]

[Richard doesn't seem to mind, charmed by the Pokemon if anything. Even when more water splashes against his face, Richard just seems refreshed and exuberant about it. How... silly. It's like he might not have a care in the world. Reaching up, he offers Castform his outstretched hand, blinking water from his eyelashes.]

I think he's quite friendly, don't you? An adventurous type, to get so close to us humans.

[He's only given another spray of water in response and this time he does turn his head to shake off the excess. Wiping his face with his hands, he shooed at the Pokemon when he circled around him.]

[bubuzuke]

Or perhaps very young.

[ Castform, shooed by Richard, decides to perform his swooping dance around Shizuru next. He tries to zip up into her umbrella but a sudden chomping noise makes him dart away.

Shizuru lowers a hand to place it, placatingly, on the Deino who's just drawn up alongside her. ] Excuse us. She's possessive.

It's a bad habit.

[ Deino takes the hint and quiets down. Castform, ruffled, decides to graduate the rain to a downpour.

But only atop Shizuru and Deino. Richard, as long as he stands far enough away, will just get a drizzle.

Weather magic. ]

[closefriend]

Ah. [Richard takes a moment to give Deino a nod of acknowledgement. He's not one to take a Pokemon's presence for granted, after all. After being all locked up, Secret Garden style, he's just out here to enjoy himself.]

My goodness, someone's being fussy now. You should not bother this lady and her Pokemon if they would rather stay dry.

[It's not like Richard can... talk to Pokemon. He doesn't have that gift. He's just doing it to be amicable, he doesn't expect a response.]

Come away from there.

[bubuzuke]

Bpbpbpbpbpbpblll!

[ Those are not noises a Castform normally makes. But Castform don't usually stick out their tongue and wiggle it at humans, either. This one has apparently spent time among humans.

Very young humans.

Still, away it zooms to bother somebody else. The rain hasn't completely let up yet - more's the pity for Richard's clothes - but it's lightening. Shizuru laughs to herself. But subtly. ] My hero.

[closefriend]

[Richard smiles, so charming, and presses his hand to his breast as he leans, bowing gently at the waist.]

Anything for a lady, Miss Shizuru.

What brings you out in such... turbulent weather as this? It is a fine day for a walk, but with this mischief...

[bubuzuke]

[ Shizuru's umbrella rotates behind her as she gives the question due thought. ] I was thinking seeing more of the city would be nice. It's not putting out its best foot for me, though...

[closefriend]

Perhaps some company would help to chance your mind?

[He would offer his arm, but he's still sopping wet. He didn't want to ruin her clothes as well.]

Though I'm afraid I'm a bit new here myself. An expedition could be in order.

[bubuzuke]

That sounds adventurous.

[ She's game, though. What looks like sunlight might be poking out from the clouds in places. ] I know a good first stop.

4

[sexyhitchhiker]

[Natsuki got "volunteered" to go bring the tourists up to the Obsidian Flats. The more personable tour guide is up front, chatting and pointing out the sights (snow, more snow, almost thawing snow!) and Natsuki's bringing up the rear to keep an eye on the stragglers. Apparently, it's a bad thing when tourists get lost in the wilderness.

She's wearing clothes more suited to a brisk fall day than anything, though the Lillipup trotting at her side has a scarf longer than he is.

Natsuki looks up at the sound of the rustling and then sidesteps, avoiding the shadow of the pines completely.]

You should move. [3....2....

...Do tourists complain about the snow too?]

[bubuzuke]

My.

[ Shizuru steps to the side, perfectly calm, as the snow thuds right where she'd been standing previously. Deino growls but soon masters itself. ]

What a close call. Thanks.

[ You're probably the first person whose eyes she's met this whole tour. You're certainly the first person to get a fully-bloomed smile. ]

[sexyhitchhiker]

[Natsuki blinks, mouth suddenly dry. She's uncomfortably aware of the flush making itself known on her cheeks and. What is with this girl??

After an eternity (or two seconds of stupid blinking), Natsuki suddenly turns around and starts purposefully marching along the trail.]

Let's go. We don't want to be left behind.

[that flush isn't going away for some reason]

[bubuzuke]

[ Indeed we wouldn't. Perhaps that's why Shizuru, after a pause for consideration, is taking a few brisk strides forward so she can walk alongside Natsuki. (Somehow this doesn't even cause a ripple on the surface of her tea.) ] Do you get many visitors this far north?

[ Still pleasant, still calm. As if she hadn't narrowly avoided catastrophe. In fact, the tour guide seems to interest her more than the surroundings. ]

[sexyhitchhiker]

[Shizuru gets a sidelong glance, and then Natsuki's determinedly focusing her gaze on the backs of the people ahead of them.

Grunt. That's either assent or dissent.]

Only recently. It used to be Citadel people mostly, but [here's a slight smirk at you, despite the previous display of willpower] their birds don't like the ice.

[for trade, etc. Probably.]

[bubuzuke]

I see. [ Sip. She watches the guide for a few long moments more, content to keep her thoughts to herself before voicing one. ]

But you don't mind it.

[ She's noticed the way you're dressed. And is looking at it, pointedly, now.

Particularly the torso area. ]

[sexyhitchhiker]

[what is this odd prickling sensation going down her spine? A warning??]

It's the Thaw. It's not that cold. [that was probably a bit more defensive than necessary.

Geez, why is she still here, talking to this girl? It's not like she's getting paid to converse - just to make sure they're not eaten by a Beartic.

At a bark from Duran, Natsuki glances over at the Lillipup trotting happily next her. A tail wag and a doggy smile gets her to smile too, just a bit.

Right. Well. She's still doing her job and making sure the Beartics don't get fed. Talking is...secondary. Polite. Or something like that. Whatever. (When has she ever cared about manners?)]

[bubuzuke]

[ Shizuru notes that change of expression, then smiles down at the puppy. How rude of them to ignore such a handsome fellow, hm? ] I imagine natives like yourselves know lots of tips and tricks for making the most of life up here.

[ The dog is bundled more warmly than the human....? You're an interesting young lady.

Deino makes a grumbly noise when it notices Shizuru paying attention to the Lillipup, then decides to just simmer instead. ] Would you show me? The authentic....Glacier experience....would be interesting.

[sexyhitchhiker]

[Shizuru gets a doggy smile too! Heck, the dog is better socialized than the human.]

We get by. [except when a dragon god attacks. That sucked.]

Eh? Authentic? [what's with that weird pause?

Uhhh.] I guess you could always dunk yourself into the river. It's not as cold as it was a few months ago, but there's still some ice in it.

[bubuzuke]

That sounds bracing.

[ Deino's head rears up as it notices Shizuru actually considering this. ] Would you lend me clothes?

[ Even Kiyohime can't tell whether she's serious. ]

[sexyhitchhiker]

[are you serious? Has anybody from outside ever done this? If a tourist gets hypothermia, would it be her fault?

At least the first thing that pops out of her mouth is the truth.]

You're supposed to wear as little as possible.

[immediately followed by a flush. And an redirection of her attention on the group in front of them.]

[bubuzuke]

Nude, then.

[ And Shizuru looks around, as if this stream will be in easy walking distance. Resting her teacup flat in one palm, her free hand goes to the collar of the top layer of her clothing. ]