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

[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. ]

[sexyhitchhiker]

[gah, she can't even hide by not looking at you. Her hand shoots out, grabbing the wrist of your free hand.]

Oi, you can't do that here!

[there's plenty of logic behind that statement - no buildings around to warm up afterwards, for example. Still, Natsuki's now completely crimson face doesn't really lend any credence to the fact that she's only thinking about the logistics of the act.]

[bubuzuke]

[ For a moment Shizuru is actually caught off-guard. But then she smiles again, not moving to free herself. Instead, she places her empty teacup atop Kiyohime's head. (The Deino stays perfectly still to permit its use as a table.) ] So there's a better spot?

I'd like to see places you like to go.

[ Her expression isn't giving away whether she means for swimming or something else. ]

[sexyhitchhiker]

[Natsuki isn't sure she wants to respond to the second part.]

Back at Glacier. Just find a place that does saunas. [the icy water shouldn't be too far off.

And as if just realizing she's still holding the other girl's wrist, she quickly lets go and stuffs her hands into her pockets for good measure.] You'll have to finish up this trail first.

[bubuzuke]

Very well. [ Shizuru retrieves her teacup and sets off down the trail again, making sure not to stray too far from Natsuki.

She peeks over her shoulder, smiling more broadly now. ] Why did you volunteer to help today?

[sexyhitchhiker]

[that immediately gets her to grumble]

That idiot got sick, so I got roped into this. He was probably doing something dumb too, like meditating in the snow all night or whatever.

[grouch grouch]

[bubuzuke]

People who hold grudges go grey faster.

[ Should she examine your hair for you? ]

[sexyhitchhiker]

[that just gets a huff from Natsuki]

It's not a grudge. [despite her scowl at the thought of him] He's just a pain in the ass.

[bubuzuke]

[ If Shizuru has just stolen a look at that portion of Natsuki's anatomy, she keeps this knowledge to herself. ] Then, how about I take care of that for you?

[ She puts the cup down again to clap her hands together. ] I've always wanted to play the clueless tourist!

[sexyhitchhiker]

[take care of...what?]

Play? [here's a slight smirk at your expense] How is that supposed to help me?

[bubuzuke]

It's unfair to leave you fending with our ignorance all by yourself. I might have to bottle some of that inexperience up and pour it over his head.

[ She's quite pleased with this plan. Even more pleased than when they were talking about the rivers. ] No?

[sexyhitchhiker]

[that...actually surprises a quiet laugh out of her. Duran looks up at Natsuki in surprise, and then resumes wagging his tail even harder.]

I wouldn't. You might catch whatever he's got.

[bubuzuke]

Thanks for your consideration.

[ Another smile, and then she must figure that this is enough to count as a formal introduction. ] I'm Shizuru Fujino. Of Caldera.

[ So that's the accent. It's.....heavy. ]

[sexyhitchhiker]

[a glance, looking you over. And then a nod.] Natsuki Kuga. [a bark!] And this is Duran.

Why'd you come all the way up here?

[bubuzuke]

Curiosity. [ A smile for Duran. ] And diplomacy. I'm thinking of changing careers, you see.

[ A head nudges Shizuru's hand to remind her about the teacup. ] Ah, this is Kiyohime.

[sexyhitchhiker]

You're going into diplomatic stuff? [count her out. Though she can see why you'd be good at it.

...which reminds her. Having such a long conversation about nothing in particular is not exactly common. Maybe it's the tourist thing. Or maybe she's not feeling well. One or the other.]

[bubuzuke]

There won't be much call for tea ceremonies if we're all scrounging for food, will there?

[ Desperate times, desperate times. No wonder Glacier was on her to-see list.

She's certainly glad to have made the trip! She has discovered all sorts of things she never knew the world contained. ]

[sexyhitchhiker]

I guess. [her tone is pretty dry] I'm still more worried about crazy people with dragon gods than about food.

[now THOSE people are hard to negotiate with.

Sidelong glance. Here's a grumbly sort of concession:] I can see why it's important, though.

[bubuzuke]

Of course, we want to minimize those attacks, as well.

[ Shizuru's voice has gone softer, more understanding. ] It must have been difficult.