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!

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2

Chochin. Stay outta the way.

[The tiny Litwick who had been busy ~~getting underfoot~~ trying to help was promptly scooped up and set atop it's trainer's head as he sidestepped his way around the rowdy kitchen to get everything in order.

The limits of Caldera's resources and the flux of tourists was obvious even to the travellers themselves, and it was easy for Kon Shinonome to find temporary work bussing the various kitchens in the taverns and eateries as he worked his way across the land to find answers of his own. Although Union was his intended destination, the weather had turned too foul to travel. Caldera's warmth was a better place to stay a while-- but just sitting or causing a mess would get boring too quickly.

Besides, money was a necessary evil, and Kon Shinonome wasn't above using it to his advantage.

When he wasn't busy in the kitchen, he could easily be found outside taking in the local sights. He stood out some with his gangly height, vibrantly patterened clothes, and the sloppy knot that his hair had been tied up in to keep it out of his face. Perhaps he's smoking as he walked. Or sucking on a piece of candy. Or chewing on whatever stick his food had been served on.

Approach? Shy away? Play with the Litwick? The choice is your's.]

[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? ]

[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.

#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?]

Edited 2016-01-25 04:06 (UTC)

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....

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TEST DRIVE MEME: DECEMBER + JANUARY EDITION

Kon Shinonome | Amatsuki | Normal/Ghost Engineer

Vivi Ornitier | Dark/Psychic Enhanced/Egg Mastery

Zidane Tribal | Mankey Shifter

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

Neo Politan | RWBY | Ditto Shifter