Test Drive Meme (December + January)

[bravenewmods]

TEST DRIVE MEME: DECEMBER + JANUARY 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 The end of the year means Salvation holiday is in full swing in Union. This month long celebration means that houses, businesses and other establishments are decorated to the nines in garlands, ornaments and other fineries, and that retail establishments are sure to be swamped. There is an outcry for helpers around these various shops, and while jobs here do not necessarily pay well, the discounts on goods cannot be beat. Just beware of difficult customers...

#2 With the biting cold settling in most places, Caldera has seen a sudden influx of visitors. Something about being in extremely close proximity to a volcano seems to have some kind of appeal, and places are packed. But what does that matter to tourists? It’s warm, the food is good, and the crowds in the business district aren’t nearly as cut-throat. Residents of the city, however, might get a bit fed up with the sudden surge in (temporary) population. Caldera wasn’t meant to take so many people.

#3 Whereas most of the countryside is barren during this time of year, Citadel stays green despite the cold temperatures. With snow-like blooms speckling its branches, the tree that houses this settlement is a go-to place for people looking for a bit of spring in the middle of winter. Unfortunately, however, with flowers come allergies, and those not used to the blooms (and even some who are) may find themselves a bit more congested than usual.

#4 Glacier is a frozen wonderland this time of year. Literally and figuratively. The place is about 70% ice normally, and the winter bite has opened up a number of “interesting” (see: suicidal for anyone with any remote cold intolerance) activities. These include ice fishing (both with a pole and, for the brave at heart, ice noodling), speed skating, luge and the annual Beartic Swim. We hope you brought your swimsuit and a thirst for adventure!

#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

[wishingalone]

Perfect. I like the idea. We should mention to others, as it grows closer.

Vivi Ornitier | Dark/Psychic Enhanced/Egg Mastery

[timedmage]

[1]

[ The city looked so pretty all done up like this! Marveling at one of the store displays, somehow the shopkeeper translated this to Vivi taking rapt interest in the HELP WANTED sign hanging on the window. Before the young black mage could so much as protest, he was given an assignment: help incoming customers.

Um what? ]

I-I don't...

[ Apparently he didn't speak up loud enough, and after a few moments of confusion, his shoulders slumped, and the Dark-type, his face strangely obscured by some kind of magic, began hesitantly helping customers. ]

...Excuse me?

[ And was likely either 1. Gets ignored, 2. Told off, or 3. Has a laundry list of directions/questions thrown his way. Yikes. Um. Okay. Regardless of the situation, the youth nods emphatically, trying to take everything in (especially if the request is particularly difficult--spoilers, it almost always is--), before trying to either help someone else, or do as he's told.

Unfortunately, the shop is a bit past capacity. Careful there, kid, you're going to run into someone at this rate. ]

[2]

[ Hearing about how warm Caldera was during this time of year, the Dark-type couldn't help but be at least a little curious. They lived by a volcano??? Was that even safe? He had to see for himself.

Toddling along through the crowds, the tip of his hat bobbed as he moved. It was really hard to see from here, especially since there seemed to be something going on. Was that guy juggling fire? Craning up to see, that didn't seem to help either. Someone give this kid a hand? ]

Zidane Tribal | Mankey Shifter

[getsometail]

[2]

[ Man, all of his usual haunts were packed. Ruby was up to her eyes in customers--good for her, probably, until she started complaining at him or Blank--and the rest of the boss were hustling around town doing... whatever it was that they did in their free time. Where were all these people coming from, anyway? Union? Sanctuary? It was kind of a pain to be sure, but at the same time, it kept things interesting.

Plus, more potential suckers. Well. Not that he'd actually admit that. He's changed his ways, after all. Kind of. Not really.

Spotting a potential sucker new person, his tail twitching a bit, the young shifter pushed off from the wall he was leaning against. ]

Whoa, I think you dropped something.

[ Depending on whether or not this newcomer was a man or a woman (or appear like either), they might get a different response. ]


[5]

[ Tartarus. Their name was at least somewhat well-known around Caldera. Theater troupe by day, they picked up a number of odd jobs, particularly making Gigan troops' lives a living nightmare. But here in Union, it looked like they weren't the only theatrical number in town.

That just wouldn't do.

While the rest of the boys probably had their own methods of getting word around about their newest performance, The Honedge in the Stone, Zidane had a more direct approach. You Unionites didn't know what was about to hit you.

A leaflet suddenly descending in front of your face, an upside-down smiling face sat above it. Hanging from something--be it a branch, an awning, something--by his tail, Zidane grinned easily before dropping down and offering the flyer to you. ]

You look like you could appreciate a good show. I've got just the thing for you.

2

[ideologic]

[Only a sucker would take the man in the brightly patterened overcoat who was almost idly chewing on the stick that his kebob had been served on for a sucker. Kon knew far too much of mischief to fall for cheap tricks like this and, shifting the stick so it was clenched between his teeth, he glanced down at the stranger who had approached.]

You sure 'bout that? It's too hot to be carrying all that much-- you might wanna hit up one of those ladies from the West if you wanna return anything.

2

[expertonshutters]

[He's dressed a bit like a Unionite so it probably looks like he's an easy target. He sure is carrying a nice looking back with him.]

[An easy target, perhaps?]

Eh? Did I?

[It seems like he's taken the bait.]

1 I'LL TAG BOTH HOW ABOUT THAT.

[expertonshutters]

[He barely even felt that. There's a short surprised noise from the guy you collided with. He blinks down in confusion.]

You okay kid?

2

[guitar_case_vagabond]

[Ugh, this is getting STUPID already! Ryuko isn't exactly a girl who could be generally considered to be in a good mood but having to shove her way through the crowds filling up the streets of her home turf was only serving to make that even worse. Seriously, if she had to deal with one more freaking tourist today--

Maybe Zidane might have picked his sucker a little more carefully, or maybe he picked the perfect one, because when she turns around to face him there's already practically steam shooting from her nostrils.]

What?

Ryuko Matoi | Kill la Kill | Enhanced God of War | Fighting/Steel/Dragon

[guitar_case_vagabond]

#1

[Man, what a time to roll into town. The decorations and flashy lights is bad enough but, man, these crowds are something else. So in the middle of all this holiday cheer is one certain teenage girl who's clearly not feeling the festive mood if the perpetual scowl on her face is any indication.

For the moment, she's pretty well given up trying to navigate anywhere and has picked out a relatively-quiet looking place to get a bite to eat. ... At least the tiny Cubone sitting across from her at the table looks happy enough, munching away on its snacks, but the girl... less so as she frowns unhappily at the plate in front of her. Finally, she sighs and just leans her head on her hand.]

Man, I heard Union food was boring but they weren't kidding.


#2
[Speaking of crowds, Union's got nothing on Caldera these days it seems. Made even worse by the fact that Ryuko's usual stomping grounds are now completely swamped by a bunch of goddamned tourists! But there's more important things to worry about than that as she muscles and shoves her way through the crowd of people.]

Watch it-- hey-- comin' through-- AAGH! Get outta my way! [She shoves her way past a few visitors from other cities, ignoring their rightful indignation as she comes to a stop and looks around.] Damnit, where the hell--? I told her not to wander off.

[And not far away is the source of her worry. A small, very young Cubone dodging around feet and looking frantically for the partner it had been separated from in the hustle and confusion of the crowded streets.

Which one do you run into first?]

1

[ideologic]

You ain't joking on that one.

[Kon leaned back in his seat and poked at the dish of spiced, sauteed vegetables and fish with his chopsticks, a dissatisfied frown settling in on his face. He had heard that Union was starting to become a more metropolitan city with the foreign influences it has allowed within it's walls since it opened itself up to the world...but this?]

Sheesh. I was hoping for some actual meat in this weather!

[The little Litwick sitting on his shoulder chittered in disapproval at Kon's apparent rudeness-- to which Kon snorted under his breath in reply.]

Quiet, Chochin. Some of us have refined tastes!

[guitar_case_vagabond]

[Look, Ryuko's no food expert but she knows what she hates. Oh, boy, does she ever know what she hates and she kind of hates this. It wouldn't be so bad if the menu hadn't outright lied to her by promising a spicy stir fry.]

Keh. [She glances over at Kon's direction with a characteristically sour look before grabbing a quick chug from her glass of water and banging it back down on the table.] Think it'd kill them to put some taste into this stuff.

Hey! [She raises her head, looking around for a member of the staff.] Can I get some hot pepper over here or something?

[Yes. She is that kind of customer.]

[Meanwhile her Cubone blinks a few times and starts examining its own food as if trying to figure out what has her so upset about it.]

1.

[platinumlucifer]

[ In-between guard duty shifts, Excellen liked to try the various restaurants in the area, in the vague hope that Union had discovered something resembling flavor. So far this week, she had struck out, but after hearing a few good things about this place, the blond was doing her best to keep optimistic. There had to be something about this place that would tickle her fancy.

Seated at a nearby table, she pulled off the various pieces of cold weather clothing off (seriously, it was way too cold, Union you need a volcano or something), she noticed something familiar. Hey, she could have sworn she'd seen that Cubone before...

Then that voice. ]

Ryuki?

[ She knew that bitching anywhere. Turning around and leaning over the top of her booth, she looked down, her whole face lighting up once she saw the younger girl. Target acquired. RIP. ]

Ryuki, that is you!

My notifs on this post are seriously effed forgive

[timedmage]

[ Feeling the impact, the young boy nearly jumped out of his skin, gripping his hat instinctively. Ohhhhh gosh. ]

I-I'm sorry! I didn't--!

[ You didn't actually do anything yet ]

2

[getsometail]

[ Hey, he's always up for a challenge. Even a crotchety guy who takes things too seriously kind of challenge. Not gonna judge here. ]

Man, saw right through that one, huh? I guess I have to change up my game a little bit.

[ He grinned. No skin off his nose. There were other ways of making this work. ]

2

[getsometail]

[ Too easy. He almost felt bad about this.

Almost. ]

Yeah, you'd better be careful. A pickpocket would have a heyday with you.

2 [1/2]

[getsometail]

[ Oh crap. Her. From the backside, she looked like a completely different person, but Zidane knew just about most of the street-faring orphans around the Calderan circuit. He also knew that this one was loud, and generally a bit of a pain.

Although judging from her reaction, she either 1) was having a bad day, 2) didn't recognize her, or 3) all of the above. Workable. He'd at least be entertained, if nothing else; lord knows he wasn't going to actually get anything from her. ]

[2/2]

[getsometail]

[ Whelp, Zidane, you made this bed. Time to lie in it. He gives her a bit of a concerned look, tilting his head slightly, tail swishing silently behind him. ]

You look a little out of sorts. Everything okay?

[guitar_case_vagabond]

[If Ryuko could have brought herself to take another bite of this, by her standards, depressingly bland and droopy food she would've spat it all out all over the table. As it is, she just sits upright, back going stiff when she hears that voice. That godawful nickname!]

Wha-? Uwah! [She whips around and immediately shoots right back to the other end of the booth when she comes right up against Excellen's wide grinning face.] What're you doin' here?!

[And, hey, wait a sec--]

And quit callin' me that!

[guitar_case_vagabond]

[Oh, great, it's... uh... it's that monkey guy. From that group of... guys that did stuff. Plays or whatever. Who cares, the point is if one more person jostles her something bad's gonna happen--]

Fine, awesome. Everything is frickin' great. [She snorts, folding her arms.] You want somethin'? I swear if you're tryin' to set me up to get pickpocketed you're gonna regret it.

[She only had a little money in her pocket anyway, but that was her money goddamnit and it had taken a lot to earn it.]

[platinumlucifer]

[ So it was her. Excellen's grin grows as she rests her arms and chin on the top of the booth. She could live off that rattled look. ]

What do you mean what am I doing here? Hey, waiter!

[ Slinking back to her booth side, she grabs her things, raising her other hand in the air. ]

I'm moving over here now!

[ And promptly plopping down in the seat across from Ryuko. They had a lot of catching up to do. ]

Kyosuke and I got stationed here after all that stuff with Union a while back. But I didn't expect to see you here, Ryuki!

[ Sorry friend, the nickname stays. She gives the little Cubone a wave before diving into her menu. ]

Hmm, I wonder what's good here~

[getsometail]

Nah, nothing like that.

[ Now, at least. He knows you don't have anything anyway, outside of a bad attitude. ]

I thought you might be interested in a job, actually.

SO ARE MINE APPARENTLY WTF

[expertonshutters]

[Oh no, he is smol and distressed. He puts his hands out.]

Whoa, it's okay. It's crowded as can be in here. I didn't see you.

2

[expertonshutters]

[If you get anywhere near his bag he is going to snatch your hand, child.]

Is that so.

[He's taken his fair share of wallets growing up you aren't fooling him monkey-boy.]

[ideologic]

[While Kon hadn't expected Caldera's level of spicy in Union's food, he had expected some kind of kick in the mix of seasoned vegetables and rice.]

You're gonna need more than just some hot pepper, [he murmured, taking another bite of the veggies.] We're gonna need more garlic, maybe some soy sauce...

[Another bite, and he bit down on the chopsticks while he mulled over the flavor. This was going to need more than a quick fix-- he needed to redo the entire recipe.]

2

[ideologic]

[A sly, mischievous grin slowly spread across the man's face at the stranger's good nature in dealing with this flub.]

Who says change it? You just need to find a better mark.

[guitar_case_vagabond]

Wha-? Hey, who the hell invited y--

[Too late, Excellen's already sitting down in the seat right across from her, leaving Ryuko grinding her teeth. What the hell? Who just sits at somebody else's table without even asking, why she oughta-- no wait. They'd been down this road before and Ryuko knows the game by now! Yeah, she's not gonna rise to the bait this time! Ha! Take that! Ryuko: 1, Excellen: ... Shut up, that's how many!]

Hrmf. [The Cubone at least seems happy to see a familiar face and makes a little noise in greeting around the food stuffed in its mouth before diving back into its meal. Ryuko meanwhile just... sits there, looking sullen. Seriously, if you could look up "Grumpy Teenage Bullshit Face" in the dictionary, this would be the picture beside it.]

Nothin'. Nothin's good here. [She glances down, picking up her chopsticks and jabbing them at the food on her plate. Is she talking about the food or Union in general? Who knows? All she knows is it took her the whole trip here to realize she didn't even know where to start looking for the answers she wanted. And it was too damn cold, and she'd already spent one night on a bench, and she'd just used the last of the cash she'd left home with on a crappy meal.

Yeah. Everything sucks.]