Entry tags:

tdms

JANUARY 2019 TEST DRIVE

JANUARY 2019 TEST DRIVE MEME

Welcome to January’s Test Drive Meme! This month's Test Drive's theme is: NEW YEAR'S.

All Test Drive Memes contain at least one clue to the Deerington's upcoming in-game events for the month! Keep your eyes peeled! But...not literally.

Characters may die during TDMs, but you do not need to count it towards a game-canonical death unless you want to. Consider it a freebie. All TDMs can be considered game canon as TDMs introduce minor aspects about the world of Deerington that can be revisited by characters later on in the game. You may also use TDMs for your application writing sample as well as AC.

CW: Mind alteration, alcohol, options for self-harm, knife violence.

Don't forget to tag content whenever necessary. Have fun!

Prompt One
Prompt Two
Character Arrival
Master Navigation

YOU BETTER GET THIS PARTY STARTED

It's party night at the Grady Hotel and the hosts are pulling out all the stops. Champagne, funny hats, pictures, great music, and a wonderful countdown clock that let's everyone know just how much closer they're getting to the end of what has probably been a pretty crazy year for everyone. The glasses never seem to empty themselves and the citizens serving them out to people seem to be making extra sure that everyone has one for themselves. Regardless of whether or not you usually like champagne, anyone with a glass in their hands will eventually be tempted to take a sip, especially the closer it gets to midnight - the bubbles make you giggly, friendly, talkative in a way that you may never have been before. It lifts up just about anyone's spirits, no matter how rough of a time they've had before (or during their time in) Deerington. It doesn't seem to get you drunk, no matter how much you drink, but it definitely makes you more euphoric. Enough so that you might start to think you can do anything; tell someone how you really feel about them, compliment whoever you've had your eye on all night and see if they want to spend more time together, make up with someone you've been fighting with lately, do a magic trick you never were able to master, or even something as drastic as fly when you know you can't. Hopefully you start off trying to jump from a chair, but there is definitely roof access for those who are a little more daring - maybe someone a little more sober will have the wherewithal to stop you before it's too late.

There is also plenty of entertainment happening in various parts of the room. A table with beer pong for the adults who never outgrew their college days, a dart board, card games in the back, and a game called Guess the Candy for those who want to test their sweet tooth. Anyone who wins a round of any game will get rewarded with a small gift from home (no bigger than a toaster). Unfortunately will disappear once you leave the party, so make sure to enjoy it while you can.

The dance floor is also lively, the music upbeat and easy to move to no matter what your personal tastes might be. If you want a random dancing partner, take a dance card! Each one has a random, glowing number on it and it's your goal to find the person who matches. Once you do, no matter who it is, you'll find yourself literally stuck together (hopefully just by your hands, but it can be any body part) and will have to go through an entire dance (or maybe even two) with them before you come unstuck.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Everyone starts to gather around the countdown clock as it nears midnight, and when it's down to ten seconds, obviously you've got to start counting too! Everyone seems to be having such a good time as they shout out each number (10! 9! 8!) and you might not even notice the way some of the people around you have started to get a little... twitchy? (7! 6! 5!) Or the way some are starting to get more handsy, pushing themselves up close to whomever is beside them. (4! 3! 2!) And it isn't until they all shout 1! in unison that the room seems to shift in two very different moods.

If you're lucky, the person next to you will just have the urge to kiss you - and you might even have the urge to kiss them back! After all, sharing a kiss at midnight is supposed to bring you good luck for the rest of the year. And with the way everyone else is starting to act, you might need it. For some, the urge to kiss might be stronger than just a chaste peck. For those who find themselves wanting to get a little more intense, it might be best to try to sneak out the back and head back to your place. The moment you step outside into the cold air, though, the urges seem to disappear - unless, of course, you were in the mood all on your own.

If you're unlucky, there's a murderous rage that runs through you, and there seems to be a table of weapons near by to help encourage a messy time. Various knives, swords, machetes, and other blades are laid out, enough for almost everyone. You might find yourself driven to plunge your weapon into the closest person, or maybe someone you've hated for a long time, and even more - maybe someone you've loved. Whoever it is, the image of their face will be burned into your mind and you'll do everything you can to try and make them bleed. Hopefully they can fight for their life - or at least evade your attacks until they can trick you into going outside. Like the desire for love, the desire for murder will also disappear the moment that someone steps outside, regardless of whether or not they did so on purpose or just to try and hurt whoever they're after.

Character Arrival

You can read how all characters arrive in Deerington here.

There is not a collective "all these characters showed up at the exact same moment" occurrence in Deerington. Since characters fall asleep, die, or pass out at various times throughout all their worlds, it wouldn't make too much sense if they arrived in game all at the exact same time. There should be some discrepancy between character arrival, whether by a couple minutes, hours, or even days up to a week.

The players are entirely in control of how/when they want to play their characters arriving in Deerington. For TDMs, you can play it like your character has just arrived and that can be maintained as your game canon, or you can wait until game events for that moment. Or you don't need to acknowledge it at all. The flexibility for character allows a bit more of an organic feel to the character arrival situation, so please play it to whatever feels right for you.

If you are interested in having an "arrival" introduction for one of your TDM prompts, you are more than welcome to explore that option.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

⤖ threads: 1 ( arrival cw: injuries, death mentions ) [The last thing he can remember that was normal... was dying. Not being dead, not quite yet, but there was little else his body could have been doing. He had never felt so weighted down or fatigued in his entire damned life, though with a surprisingly clear head Neji had reasoned that impalement in the front lines of a war would simply do that to a person. What had baffled him was that he'd woken up at all, that he had dreamt, and had then woken with half the pain he remembers first shooting through him but with none of the wounds, the missing pieces of torso and organs. He was bandaged and in the process of healing. And maybe he wasn't so over his death if the first thing he did was play a game of chicken with that note from Sodder, the jar of fruits, and the disappearing act his body pulled on him.

He only gave in to eat the fruits, the entire of the jar's filling, because fighting a war would make anybody starved. Really.

He said his gentjutsu release and found himself with a lovely dizziness for his troubles. In no rush to pass out, Neji decided to try again... later. He groomed his hair. Redressed the bandages and put on a fresh, not-tattered black shirt. Stepped into the city, and just walked.

It's always good to know the surroundings. The people too. Pupil-less, near white eyes lock on whoever he currently deems most interesting.] This is more than a common dream, isn't it? It is more than mine alone, for one.

⤖ threads: ota ( escalation ) [He can't really recall what had first brought him to the party. A lack of better things to do and curiosity, maybe. The alcohol in his hand didn't last nearly as long as his common resolve would have asked; but what was the harm? The drink was clearly not poisoned, or about to make him lose his senses any time soon.

He deserved one drink, for the trouble and headaches he has had since waking up. He isn't Lee- he can control himself. And gods, he misses Lee and shouting at the moron to not disrupt any festivities and that thought alone has Neji lift his glass again. No need for torture, please, not right now.

Everyone was celebrating. Everyone. To whoever shares his corner of the room-- he raises his glass to them, towards them.] To a new year.

⤖ threads: 1 ( countdown ) [It's under his breath (a Hyuuga would be a fool to be so loud, jovial or not) but he still counts. Four. Three.

The person to his left, whose shoulder is already nearly touching his, catches his attention. They're counting too and for some stupid reason it makes Neji smile- soft and low and short lived, and very much not something he wears often. He blames the peace of the moment for it. It's enough to get drunk on. Two.

One.] Let me kiss you. [The boy isn't tall or burly but he's sure and soldier-still. As he ought to be. Happy New Year. ]

⤖ threads: ota ( wildcard )

[She had a drink in one hand and the urge to countdown had been mounting by the second. And with every even numbered call out, she felt the urge to feel her lips press against another's, and with each odd the urge to draw steel. It was a war that went back and forth, but as 'zero' counted down, she was smiling over at the pale-eyed man next to her. A complete stranger.

Her hand went up to cup under his hard chin and draw her close, lips hovering there.]

Such a bold one, are you? Well, go on. Let's see how bold your lips are, mmm?

[She wasn't saying no at all, but she wanted to see if he'd take the next step as the cheers went around, her eyes not turning as a few shocked cries were echoing not far away. The spell of this place had her a little occupied.]

[The woman is no where near his age. His dumb sense of teenage accomplishment shines through as she touches him with her hand, teases him with her lips. They are, however, just about the same height. It's hard not to notice she isn't human, not unless that third eye was a gift or was stolen. That alone should be making his wary. But it's even harder to care, or to think too long or too hard on anything that isn't that smug, self-satisfied smirk Neji is already losing the war to keep hidden.

She smells warm and she's playing a game.

Gods, it's been so long since he enjoyed a game. Of course he'll rise to the bait. (And the faint sounds of steel hitting steel don't shake him at all; he's heard that noise enough times in his life to know when to ignore it. He knows he needs, right now, to ignore it.} He turns his entire body towards her, easy and docile and his eyes shine with- mischief, almost. Something kin to it.] Alright. [Like he's indulging her.

There's a thrumming under his skin.

He mirrors her move, reaches a hard hand to rest below her chin. Tilts her head up so he isn't the one to lower himself for this. It's quick; very chaste; very unceremonious. His lips touch hers, very slightly parted. And he draws back enough to play the game, whispering to her lips.] Was that enough for you?

[If only Neji had any idea just how much older she was than him. Like an elf, she had centuries to her name, even if she only looked to be in her late twenties. Her smile widened when he planted the chaste, light kiss against hers. In that moment, she was tempted to pull back and let him go, to get a breath of fresh air so that she could clear her head. Oh yes, in the depths of her mind she was sure something was going on, and the sounds of fighting should have been doing more to her right now. But then...

He teased her, and her smile rose more widely. One hand slipped behind the back of his neck, easing from his chin to thread through the strands. He had such beautiful, unnatural and milky white eyes didn't he?]

I find actions speak more than words, so... let me answer your question this way.

[Her lips pressed in again. The second kiss was far less chaste than the first had been. Her head tilted and she rested up against him, drawing him in close and this time pulling a little on his lower lips, her free hand moving down his back to his waist, just so he couldn't pull away too quick. It had been far too long since she'd felt the warmth of another's kiss.]

[How did this happen.

Again, he finds himself unable to guess, to retrace his every step tonight. Except- he knows he's had, by this point, more than one glass of champagne to drink. All he can wonder, as he lets the woman do with him as she will, is if he tastes drunk. If she did or not, he couldn't tell. Didn't want to know. Because she was beyond interesting and entertaining, and (if he's honest) the smile getting brighter made his heart jump, his chest feel hollow of anything but want. Want for--?

He'd let no one play with his hair. It was a trophy of sorts. But if the bridge of his nose begins to feel hot and he sighs against the strokes, he's sure no one will belittle him for it. Her lips were too soft, too enticingly warm. He met them with relish (it's such an odd feeling, to want more of something). And then her hands are on his body and he knows he's being caged in. He can't care. There's color tinting his ears now, and... a jerk of his body toward her when her hands roam his back. He'd forgotten he was still sore, still wounded, still wearing bandages under his clothing.

All things must be in balance. He presses the kiss deeper, he takes his turn, in retaliation, to hold a bite of her lower lip between his. And he sucks it for a second and returns his attention to her mouth. He wants it open. It'll keep his mind off the flash and panic of injury and not knowing.]

[Her hand moved down from the back of his head to rest more or less at the neck. When he bit, her response was to curl a leg around his and to part her lips just as he seemed to wish. Her tongue slipped out, running first along the edge of his teeth and then almost beckoning for his to test the waters. Her own slightly pointed ears felt hot, the distant recollection of these sensations both familiar and unfamiliar. She teased so often, but she didn't really do much with others, least of all coplete strangers.

But at the same time, the compulsion she felt was so overwhelming that it had her completely under its sway. Her hand gripped a little tighter and with how close she was pressed, she was leaning very sightly against him, the soft swell of her breasts pressed through her top against his chest. She didn't bother to speak, only murmuring softly into the kiss, her eyes closed and enjoying the moment.

It was rather relaxing, to let go once in a while.

[There's another sigh, breathier and longer than the first. It's enough to be overwhelmed by, this intimacy, and it's of the kind he'd prefer to be having in a private room. Because his tongue is chasing hers, curling underneath hers, and drawing back into his mouth like it's experimenting or getting used to the taste of another person. Gods, but it's not shy.

And then two things happen at the same time-- no, three. Her hold was firmer and Neji again twitched under the feeling of her hand on his lower back, and in that same second she had her chest on his and gods did that feel good. It lured forward a low and droning buzz to his ears; it lured forward some, ah, creative imagination. And when Neji moved to grip her hips on either side and have the rest of their bodies touch, he had to abruptly end the kiss, that spellbinding, passionate kiss. Her leg was on his, meaning their hips were flush together. And if he hadn't been blushing before (the horror), he knows for certain he is now.

Hesitancy is his cousin's thing, not his. Never his.

The woman insisted and he must oblige. Hungrier, with more resolve, he bows his head to taste her mouth, her tongue again. He pulls her in, pulls her hips so there's-- movement. Small movement. Right where it should be. And he takes an experimental step back. Towards a wall. Any wall. Away from the crowds. He wanted her, not any other body passing by or pressing into his.]

[All so easy, all so intimate. Their bodies were pressing against each other in an embrace that felt almost playfully juvenile, like it was her first time this close all over again. She was drawn towards the wall one step at a time before she paused, one hand slipping between them to press fingers up against his collarbone. It was only a little pressure, but just enough to part their lips. Hers were tingling, burning with the urge for more, but there were people here, and no matter how shameless she was, she wasn't that shameless.

Her third eye glanced towards a door and she smiled with an almost giddy expression.]

You are a bold one aren't you? But I don't like to share... so perhaps. [She jerked her head and the hand at his hips was starting to guide a little more firmly.] A moment alone, from the crowds to ... get to know each other better?

You're right, it is.

[ Majima was in the middle of a cigarette, a bag of pastries under one arm. They smelled heavenly, and he figured they should considering what they were charging for them. Hi, new neighbor. ]

Although dependin' on where you're from, ya might find some parts of the dream are straight out of the cinemas.

[ Chloe knew full well that whatever dragged her to this party, it hadn't been her own free will. It never was in Deerington. Even for someone who loved a good time as much as she did, these places never ended happily. She knew it. But here she was anyway, untouched champagne glass in hand, and trying her best to have a good time despite her nerves on how it would all end.

She'd mostly been keeping to herself, so when a stranger actually says something and she's the only one standing close enough for him to really be talking to, she can't help the small surprise. She looks over her shoulder, just in case he spotted a friend who was approaching, so as not to embarrass herself, but nope. Just her.

So she nods, raising her own glass so it clinks against the edge of his. ]

I'd say here's to hopin' it's a good one, but that's not likely in this place.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only