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

[guitar_case_vagabond]

Huh? You say something?

[Yeah, she kinda missed that mumbling because the waiter had managed to dredge up a shaker of that hot pepper she'd demanded. A shaker she currently had upended over her plate, vigorously patting the bottom of it as she dumped out what could only be called a heap of the stuff onto her plate.

The poor waiter's starting to look a little green.]

[guitar_case_vagabond]

[She snorts again at the offer, rolling her eyes. Yeah, she's pretty sure this sounds like a racket, buuuut. Well, money's kinda tight and the job opportunities aren't exactly opening up for an orphan kid... or at least not one who has a history of biting boss's heads off. Figuratively, despite what her reputation might imply. So... after a moment's hesitation, she turns back to Zidane, eyes narrowed skeptically.]

What kinda job?

[ideologic]

[That poor waiter...]

Uh, stranger. You're scaring the staff.

[He wasn't without complaints, but he didn't want to be run out of the establishment either!]

[guitar_case_vagabond]

So?

[She sets the shaker down beside her plate and mixes the fiery red powder in with the dreary rice and veggies and then takes a big bite of the resulting mix. The waiter blinks, leans in a little bit as if expecting some disastrous reaction... and then recoils in amazement when she just grabs another bite.]

They don't gotta watch.

[ideologic]

You're right. They don't.

[And he's just gonna keep chewing on his chopsticks while he watches this mess with the same fascination that one pays to a fire burning through a building at the end of the street.]

But I think I feel sorry for the food, now. Nothing really can stop you, huh?

[guitar_case_vagabond]

Hmmrrf.

[She grunts in agreement as she chews and swallows. By the now the waiter's retreated to a safe distance to join a co-worker or two in watching the girl scarf her meal down with a kind of fierce determination.

Hey, there's not much money in being a vagrant so if she's going to buy a meal, she is going to enjoy it.]

You got that right. [She punctuates that point with another chug of water before pointing to the pepper shaker.] You want some of this? S'not bad when you add a little bite to it.

[ideologic]

Pass, [he said bluntly, finding himself unable to tear his eyes away from this travesty he was witnessing.] While I like a little kick? I like being able to actually taste my food, too.

2

[heartandsoul]

[Maka, being a Kindred Soul, has the tendency to stop everything that she's doing and check on how a Pokemon is doing.

Ryuko's Cubone is one of those Pokemon. She sees the poor thing trying not to get stepped on and picks her up so the worst of it can be avoided.]

Hi there, little guy. Did you lose someone?

[Only a Unionite would have no issue with just picking up a stray Pokemon and talking to it in the middle of creation.]

[guitar_case_vagabond]

Whatever. [She shrugs and dives back into her disaster zone of a meal, mumbling around a full mouth.] You're the one missin' out.

[guitar_case_vagabond]

[The Cubone gives a little squawk of surprise when she's suddenly picked up off the ground, though the flash of panic fades away when she turns her head to look at the human that had saved her from the terrible, stomping feet.

She's a little thing, even by the standards of her species, and clearly very young and by the impression she's giving off it looks like Maka's hunch is right on the money. Lost. Lost and scared.

Aaaand not far away there's some kind of scuffle going on. It seems like some girl has decided to hop up onto one of the many vendor stalls lining the streets and is hollering at the top of her lungs.]

HEY! I'M OVER HERE! WHERE'D YOU GO?! -- Ack, hey, get the hell offa me! [And that sure is the owner of the stall reaching up to yank the girl getting footprints all over his stuff back to the ground. He gets a palm to the face as Ryuko makes an impressive show of standing her ground... so to speak.] Lemme go! I'm tryin' to find my friend! HEY, CUBONE!

[Cubone's reaction is immediate. Lifting her head toward the source of that voice as a rush of recognition rises from her. That's her! That's her friend!]

[heartandsoul]

...Oh.

[Someone causing a scene while calling out for a Cubone--that sounds about right. Maka doesn't put down Cubone, not yet, it's more practical to continue carrying her over to the source of all the trouble.]

She seems really worried about you, if it's enough to climb on top of a stall like that. [Maka comments idly as she breaks into a jog.]

Excuse me! [Now she's addresses the vendor when she reaches them, holding Cubone in the air.] I'm sorry! We were just looking for a friend, but I found them now so don't give her a hard time, please.

[ideologic]

Whatever you say, stranger.

[She's more than allowed to ruin her tastebuds if that's what she wants to do-- Kon's just going to make a grab for the soy sauce and garlic and shake some of that on before digging in again. The fix wasn't perfect, but it would more than suffice for the moment.

Later, he was going to go to the kitchen and tear this recipe apart.]

[guitar_case_vagabond]

[No, she's always doing stuff like that. That, at least, is the impression coming from the Pokemon, mingled with relief and eagerness to rejoin her friend.

By the time Maka gets there with Cubone, the situation seems to have... escalated. The owner is up on top of his stall and grappling with the crazy girl who very much appears to have the upper hand, what with the headlock she's got the man in and all. But the scuffle comes to an abrupt stop, both of them looking up when Maka intrudes.]

Ah, Cubone! [A quick shove and the poor owner goes tumbling over amid a crash of leafy green products. Ignoring the plaintive wail ("MY CABBAGES!") Ryuko jumps down, reaching out to take the little Pokemon into her arms, Cubone reaching out just as eagerly.] Jeez. Where'd you get off to, huh?

[With her Pokemon safely back where she belongs, Ryuko finally turns to Maka, smiling a bit in relief.] Thanks for finding her, I was really starting to get worried. How'd you know she was with me though?

Neo Politan | RWBY | Ditto Shifter

[youscream]

Any Location Really
Union, Caldera, anyplace she visits around this time of year is jampacked with crowds of people mobbed shoulder to shoulder and far too focused on enjoying the festivities to pay much mind to the tiny, odd girl with multicolored hair and eyes weaving between them with an open parasol resting across her shoulder.

Of course, that's just the way she likes it and big crowds like this are perfect for honing her particular skillset and many citizens and tourists alike in either city will soon find themselves with their pockets lightened. A girl's gotta have some spending money in the big city after all!

Oh, but then she spies an interesting looking character indeed. With a smirk she suddenly steps out of the crowd right into their path with a smile on her face. Closing the parasol she twirls it around her wrist before doing a little spin and bowing to the target. Care to stop and see what this is all about?

5
Unbeknownst to many who aren't involved in law enforcement of some kind, or crime, Neo here is quite a prominent member in Union's underworld being a lieutenant of a powerful crime boss. She's quite the mysterious figure too and nobody seems to be able to recall her ever saying a word, though her uncanny knack at simply walking in and out of "secure" locations is rather infamous. It might have something to do with the Duskull occasionally seen in her company but nobody can say for sure.

... One strange thing is the bizarre resemblance she bears to a certain Union Enlightened who was found murdered some time ago. The hair and eyes are all wrong but the face is undeniably similar. The case is unsolved to this day and the strangest part of it all is the disappearance of the lone Ditto the trainer traveled with....

[heartandsoul]

[Ah. The rash and passionate type. Must be from Caldera.] Um...

[A hesitant smile comes in return, Maka knows very well that saying "because you were squalling atop a cabbage cart for Cubone" is incredibly rude even if it's the truth. RIP in peace, cabbage merchant.]

Well, she told me she was looking for her friend, and then we saw you and she pointed you out. [..."She told me" sounds odd out of context, and this girl certainly doesn't look like a Union native.] ...My Enlightened ability is communicating with Pokemon--uh, with a clearer understanding than usual.

[Anyway, enough about her. Even if it's a "normal" thing Maka still hesitates to talk about it at any particular length, it sounds like she's bragging or something.] --I'm just glad she found you before she got hurt, these crowds can get really out of hand. Were you trying to get anywhere in particular? I can show the way if you want.

[guitar_case_vagabond]

[The cabbage merchant is just a casualty of Ryuko. And one that's already forgotten it seems, even as he mourns his goods. Whatever. Life's tough, pal, and she's got her Cubone safely back in her arms where she belongs so that's her priorities taken care of.]

Whoah, seriously?

[She blinks at Maka's claim. She'd never really heard of anything like that. But it seems sudden subject changes are effective against her and she looks to Cubone again, nodding.]

Huh? No, not really... [she glances around, rubbing the back of her neck.] I'm just kinda looking around. Unless you know somewhere good to eat around here.