Test Drive Meme (June + July)

[bravenewmods]

TEST DRIVE MEME: JUNE + JULY 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 encouraged to use either first person or third person 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.

THIS CYCLE'S PROMPTS
#1 Refuge has opened its gates to the people of Union, Caldera and Citadel, in the most hospitable way they feel possible: A party. Some have come to explore the expansive underground city, but mostly, word has spread about how Refuge's brews are on point. They don't seem to discriminate on age, either.

#2 The city of Caldera is starting a major production project and they need workers. The forges are constantly going day and night and the pay's good, but it's hot, hard work that'll leave you tired and achy to say the least.

#3 The Summer Solstice festival has begun in Citadel. The tree is in full bloom, with flowers of every color dot its branches. This week-long celebration brings together the various tribes that call Citadel its home through music, dancing and, of course, fighting. There is a tournament set to begin, boasting some of the strongest Valkyries that Citadel has ever known among the combatants.

#4 The heat has really gotten to the people of Union, and as a result many have moved south for a weekend get-away in the Archipelago and the larger Island. The sand is warm and the water is too, but doesn't the beach seem a bit crowded for a once seemingly deserted area?

#5 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

[summerorange]

[That catches her off-guard.] O-Of course not! No Pokemon deserves that kind of treatment...

[Natsumi does, however, bend down to pick up her own Pokemon companion. And while she tries not to show it, there is a smile tugging on her lips.] Thank you, Chiaki; very good. [She pats him on the head before accepting the rings from him.]

[chaoticdrifting]

At least she didn't decide to hide them or put them in a place that would be an inconvenient for anyone to reach them. Deca's learning, it just takes time.

[He doesn't want to entirely get rid of her stealing skills. It has kept them in food, even if it was not something that was acceptable by a lot of people. But having no job, no real support outside of her, Tsukasa needed anything that would get them through another day.]

Besides, you go them back. You should be thankful of that.

[summerorange]

W-Well...just don't let that happen again...

[She pauses mid-sentence for a few moments, only moving to carefully put her rings back on.] ...who exactly are you anyway?

[chaoticdrifting]

Don't let it happen again? I can't watch her and make money at the same time.

[A huff and the Purrloin jumps off his shoulder to start stalking the violin case, which is rather bright in color, almost matching the camera he has.]

Kadoya Tsukasa, a wanderer.

[summerorange]

[Her mind flashes back to the dream she's been having for the past few weeks...

A dark figure glowing pink, descending from storm clouds hovering over the region. Her grandfather, who was in his Malamar form, called the clouds "brewing storms of war". She couldn't see the dark figure's face, but she could see the camera he bore around his neck. And yet, a single name falls from her lips...]

Tsukasa...?

[chaoticdrifting]

[He eyes her for a moment, not exactly sure what she was seeing and not really sure if he wanted to know either. Everyone had secrets, although he was sure his was just petty little things compared to everyone else. It did make her interesting, especially the way she whispered his name, like something hidden and dangerous. It felt... familiar and that was something he liked amid the blankness of his memories.]

That is my name... I suppose you're going to wear it out?

[summerorange]

[And with that, the scowl returns to her face.] Only if you or your Pokemon cause any trouble around me again. And why would you have both a violin and a camera? Are you a musician or a photographer?

[chaoticdrifting]

[She was really moody, wasn't she? Tsukasa found it a little funny and a lot more interesting than some of the people he had talked to - at least those not trying to punish him for ridiculous things like stealing or breathing wrong or something. He wondered just how much poking he could do to her before she would hit him, and was almost curious to try it out and see.]

Then I suppose I should try not to cause any trouble while you're watching.

[He looked down at both and then shrugged as if he saw nothing wrong with both.] Camera supplies do cost some money and isn't as profitable as playing the violin when I don't plan on staying in the area for a long time.

[summerorange]

[Natsumi huffs in disbelief. He sounds like some guys she knew during her last year of schooling - overconfident jerks. She barely acknowledges her Happiny trying to soothe her, absently petting the cute little thing in her arms.]

And what about back at your home? Any reason why you can't support yourself there? [...where is he from, anyway? While Purrloins are normally found in the Old City, that doesn't mean that he's from Union.]

[chaoticdrifting]

[As much as he looked like he was living off of whatever he could find, he did have that privileged attitude about him. That faded slightly at her words, his smile fading as he thought about it.]

My home..?

[A soft snort and a shake of his head, Tsukasa's lips curled slightly as he looked ay where but at her and her Pokemon, his fingers toying with the lens cap of his camera.]

You know... I don't remember.

[summerorange]

You don't? Nothing at all? [Her tone of voice grows concerned, spotting the healing scars as he turns away from her.]

[chaoticdrifting]

[His eyes darted from shadow to shadow, his lips curling back a little as he tried to shake something loose from the gray nothingness that surrounded his memories. He was Kadoya Tsukasa and he was special. He was better and he was able to do things no one else could. He had a purpose and skills to forfill it.

Yet.

Yet he doesn't remember what it was, or where he was suppose to go or even how he could do half of the things that his instincts told him he could do. He could barely touch his abilities without feeling like someone had tried to gut him. And she was asking him to tell her something?

He wanted to grab at his skull and scream at it failing him. He wanted to push her aside and demand that she left him alone, but he remained frozen, eyes slitting against the pounding that he head was doing because he tries to get it to cough up something more than a vague feeling.]

Just my name.

[summerorange]

Ohhh...I see... [Came the quiet reply from Natsumi. Her mind's putting the clues together: this guy is clearly recovering from an injury, possibly have amnesia, and is homeless. Yes, he does act like a jerk, like many men that she's know.

But...he needs help. More importantly, he needs a place to rest and finish his recovery. Granted, this would mean having a little furry thief around, but maybe if they're given a place to rest, there'd be no need for the Purrlion to steal, right?

She thinks. She hopes so.]

...Do you have a place to stay?

[chaoticdrifting]

Do you really think that anyone's going to give me a place to stay?

[His answer is sharper then normal as he looked at the ceiling. He knew what he looked like and he knew that there were not that many people who would give him a second or third glance only seeing the scruffy and shifty person he obviously was instead of the injured person she was seeing.

Besides, the last time someone gave him a place to stay, he felt like he was suffocating.]

I'll probably find a place to stay some where before moving on.

[summerorange]

...well, I would.

[And then she quickly corrects herself.] N-Not that you'll be staying for free, though! You'll have to earn your keep, of course, but you can stay until you're able to support yourselves without resorting to thievery. Again.

[chaoticdrifting]

You mean get a job.

[His voice flat even though there was almost a teasing lift to his mouth. Him? A job? He had very few skills like the violin playing he had no idea he could do until he gotten a hold of one, or the ability to majorly mess up any picture he took. (He had a feeling that the whatever it was he could do also created a kind of pulse around him making such a delicate instrument malfunction under his hands.) He was Kadoya Tsukasa. He didn't get a job.]

Careful. You almost sound like you're trying to save me.

[It was a nice feeling to meet someone that cared enough to offer, but he doubt it would work for long. He never could stay in once place after all. He had something to do and if his mind would actually cooperate and tell him what that was, he was going to leave.]

[summerorange]

[...Is he implying that she cares about him? That there's feel--

She refuses to finish that last thought, mainly because feelings for anyone beyond family and casual friendship tend to fluster her like nothing else. It shows as she looks to the side, shifting a little where she stood.] It-It's not like I like you or anything like that! I'm just doing what any decent person would do in your case.

And there's work to be done around our home. It's a photo studio, actually - the Hikari Photo Studio, in Union. My grandfather runs the studio, and I'm sure he would welcome the help.

...I'm Hikari Natsumi, by the way.

[chaoticdrifting]

[Did he actually hit a nerve? Tsukasa couldn't help but feel some accomplishment at that. He had been around a few other women who would either shrug off his words or got into his face to tell him where he needed to go, so having someone react differently was amusing.

And Tsukasa was very much of a brat to press at that amusing factor.]

So, there wasn't a love-at-first sight moment when you first saw me?

[A sigh and sad shake of his head while he thought a moment about what else she was saying there.] I suppose that doesn't sound too hard. My photographs can be unique.

[summerorange]

Absolutely not! Th-There's nothing like that going on here! [That faint coloring of her cheeks, though, could be interpreted as otherwise, even from beneath that harsh glare.

The glare does ease up a bit, though, when he mentions his photos.] W-We'll see about that, though Grandpa isn't the type to turn away anyone for no good reason.

[chaoticdrifting]

I admit that I am good-looking despite the lack of proper care.

[Yes, he is a bit of an arrogant so-and-so and he is in no way going to apologize for that. He was definitely teasing her now, though he was going to be easy with her. After all, the idea of having a place to stay for a few days does look appealing despite the whole 'work' thing.]

We'll see.

[summerorange]

No more good-looking than half of Union, I'm sure. [There's a bit of bite to that statement. Nothing irritates her more than men who appear to be full of themselves.]

At any rate, if you do decided to stay, you can always find the photo studio around the Residential District. [And she proceeds to give instructions on how to locate it from one of the main gates.]

[chaoticdrifting]

Really? You could have surprised me. [He let's that pass right over his head. Yup, he struck a nerve even if she didn't like his attitude. He wasn't about to fake being humble this late in life.]

I might take a look while I'm in town. It might even be interesting.

[summerorange]

You're welcome to take up the offer at any time.

But remember - I don't tolerate any slack or attitude. If you do plan to stay, I expect you to be pulling your own weight - even if it's just taking photos.

[Poor Chiaki, though, is looking between Natsumi and Tsukasa, the little Happily slowly looking more and more worried. Mama Natsumi's getting angry. It's always scary when she gets angry with someone...]

[chaoticdrifting]

You really don't tolerate a lot of things, do you Natsumikan?

[Even more interesting, she was becoming madder. It would have to be his tendency to step on all the nerves that had Tsukasa make up a new name for her and lean in close.]

Are you sure you want me around?

[summerorange]

N-Natsumikan?! Now just a moment! You don't get to call me by a nickname when we've just met! You're being too informal here! [...it probably doesn't help that it's still so cold here in Refuge that she's wearing her orange knit cap...]

[Chiaki starts to panic and patting on her arm. Mama, please don't get really mad! You're trying to be nice to him, remember?!]