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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

Au contraire, your interest in books interests me so! [Indeed, the Miqo'te's entire stance changes, from lazily casual to completely alert, pushing himself off of the railing and tucking his hands behind his back, tail rising and taking a slight crook at the end in his curiosity.

And he leans in a little more, Cain now having X'rhun's undivided attention.]

Mayhap you'll be pleased to know there is an extensive library in this town. I could show you about some day.

As for the other two... perhaps sadly for you, I do not dance. Not my forte, you see, even if many people do think I should take a turn with them on the floor.

Edited 2019-01-14 06:06 (UTC)

Reading books aren't exactly an activity that most would consider while at a party. [And they don't exactly have books here.] Though, I am not opposed to just leaving either. Though, I get the feeling the books we've read are much different in content and title.

[He's still immensely curious by those ears, but polite enough not to touch.]

Is that a promise? I'll hold you to it, you know.

Not your forte from personal experience or just hadn't had enough interest to try?

[Well. He's been caught out. Many times he's made the typical excuse of "I don't dance" to one and all who has invited him along, even long before this party, but no one has ever asked him why, or if it's a lack of enjoyment or experience.

To which the answer is: the latter.]

Well... [X'rhun's ears twitch once, before swiveling aroundenough that the soft orange-brown insides are facing backwards, as if those large, furry ears are ready to simply lay back against his head. He's embarrassed, now, and his ears show it even if he tries hard not to look it.] It's more a lack of experience, you understand. Dancing was not on the cards when I was younger.

[Meaning, he doesn't even know how.]

[He doesn't need to be a psychic or anything to tell the other was obviously embarrassed. The rather animated ears atop of X'rhun's ears makes the man a rather easy read by eye. An honest fellow.

He tries not to laugh too much though. Well, he laughs a little. He's always been very fond of teasing people. Never malicious, but still teasing.] The way you dress and speak honestly had me assume you had some knowledge. You would blend well if not for your lack of dance.

That isn't to say that it's anything to be ashamed about though. It's far less common for many to know how to where I'm from. It's, unfortunately, a thing that has been slightly lost with time. I just grew up where I had to learn as a formality, and I do detest formality. I'm not one for waltzing, even if I know how.

But now I'm curious. Do you have interest in it?

[X'rhun palms the back of his neck in sheer sheepishness.]

I do have some interest, aye. Impossible not to when people are always asking me for a dance or two... [Though he still doesn't know how his choice of clothing factors into things-- this is simply how he prefers to dress after all, and his current outfit is his war uniform... Which is honestly the most formal garb in his wardrobe.]

I still have never learned, however.

[Cain grins at the other and holds out his hand to the other.]

Will you dance with me then? I can teach you, of course. As much as I enjoy flustering a man so much; I'm not trying to make a fool of you. I'm fond of dancing and I'm happy to have more people who I can dance with in the future. [Not everyone is dressed so formally as those from Eorzea. Casual clothes are t-shirts and jeans, which Cain owns 0 of.]

Never too late to learn.

Oh? Truly? I... Well! That's indeed rather generous on you, though I do dislike the thought of imposing...

[X'rhun is unused to this level of casual offer from other people, even if he himself has no issue about giving at the drop of a hat.

After several seconds of internal debate, X'rhun takes Cain's hand within his own. Without his gloves on, the Hyur will undoubtedly feel how rough his hands are, years upon years of swordsmanship and spellcasting giving him a multitude of scars and callouses. At least his claws are trimmed to what other people would consider an acceptable, short length, and should pose no concern.]

Is this right?

We aren't doing anything else and I don't really see why not? Consider it a resolution for the New Year. Learning to dance proper.

[He laughs a little as he pulls the other closer to the dance floor. Cain's hands aren't much smoother. He's played and touched every possible instrument and his hands reflect that. That, and he has plenty of burns on his fingers from burning himself on cigarettes. He has a bad tendency to fidget with them in his hands and that leads to some rather dumb and unnecessary injuries. He technically had the magic to heal them, but just never bothered.

In a way, their hands fit well. Both rough from age and experience in their own professions.]

I'll take you through the steps a few times as lead and then we'll switch rolls and I'll have you try. Does that sound fine to you? We'll do a waltz, just don't tell anyone I willingly decided to. I have a reputation to uphold over my complete distaste for it.

Edited 2019-01-14 09:09 (UTC)

A waltz-- is that not the slow roundabout step? [He's at least trying to understand?

Given X'rhun has no clue what sort of tradition having a "New Year's resolutions" is... Well, he'll simply keep mum about his lack of knowledge and follow along. Though his ears pull back just a little more to show his embarrassment at being so near the dance floor where everyone else is still mingling amongst themselves.

If the faint pink appearing on his pale skin doesn't reveal that, in any case.

Anyone can just turn their heads and look, and watch, and that's embarrassing, especially if they're someone he rebuffed earlier.]

I suppose that's one way to explain it. It's fairly simple in step, so I assume it would be a good way to start. The stuff I like to dance is a bit more wild and I imagine you're not interested in jumping into the deep end when you haven't learn to swim. So to speak.

[Cain stops in an area where they have plenty of room to move, but not quite on the dance floor. Just far away from the walls and tables.]

Relax a smidge. I'm sure they'll just think we're two drunk fools. Or you can certainly blame me. Whichever works better for you.

Now you're going to raise your right hand and grasp my left hand. It'll be reversed if you're leading. I'm going to place my right hand underneath your left arm and onto your shoulder blade and your left arm will basically rest on my right arm. [He grasps X'rhun's right hand gently and raises it while placing his other arm around them.]

[X'rhun's ears spring up at the thought of allowing people to think the worst of Cain, or indeed blaming him for everything. Honestly, that makes him indignant-- after all, he's the one who initiated conversation.]

My friend! I shan't be throwing you to the wolves! My tendency to drink isn't a secret amongst the others, it's entirely likely they could assume I've gone and gotten myself intoxicated if-- [No, he's cut himself off when Cain tucks one arm around his body, and his brow wrinkles further. Oh, but he's used to people throwing their arms around him, it's not that difficult when he's merely Miqo'te and they don't grow that tall compared to the other races.

Though he does as the man says and lays his arm on top of Cain's, hand naturally finding the man's shoulder. The position brings their bodies much closer than the Miqo'te expected.]

This is rather intimate, isn't it? I think I can see the appeal.

[Fortunate that Miqo'te are built solidly, and that X'rhun himself is more solid than most others of his kind, so he might not be too embarrassed if they actually press together.]

[Cain laughs a little. The other is certainly an honest fellow and it's a bit refreshing.]

Well, yes. Dancing between two people can be considered a rather intimate activity. There's many different dances and you can say that some are more intimate than others.

[He gives the other a wink before being a bit more serious.] A basic waltz is pretty much three steps. This shouldn't be too hard. You will basically follow my steps and I, as the lead, will steer us. I will start with my left and step forward, step to the side with my right, then bring my left foot together with my right. You will do the same with the opposite feet stepping backwards. Doesn't sound too hard, right?

[X'rhun resists the urge to look down at his feet and imagine to himself the steps, keeping his eyes trained right on Cain's face.]

Not too difficult, no. I'm sure I could manage something like that easily! [Because already he's running through scenarios in his mind, how it could be done... And he remembers Verholy, his strikes with his blade, how he would run about the battlefield with nimble steps, on the balls of his feet. How he told his adventurer student that red magery is a dance.

But combat is entirely different from ball dance, a field more familiar than the dance floor. And X'rhun was a Miqo'te commoner growing up under the reign of the Mad King-- no fun was to be had anywhere.]

I believe I'm ready-- shall we begin?

[Cain just grins a little.]

Wonderful.

[Cain starts off slow with the steps and giving the other ample time to fall in line with him. He'll slowly speed up their steps when it feels like the other seems to have a good grasp of the steps and seems to be keeping within step with him with no trouble.]

[Ah, this is... definitely simple. And X'rhun is light on his feet, he can keep up all-too easily. Not much of a challenge, is it, he thinks with a confidence he did not have earlier.]

Definitely an interesting start, isn't it? If but incredibly simple... [He can see the appeal, indeed, but it's still not enough to truly pique his interest, to stimulate and encourage him to truly move the way the dance would demand.

Because it's too easy.

X'rhun is a man who prefers running before walking.]

Edited 2019-01-15 09:16 (UTC)

There's a few different steps for the waltz, but this one is the most basic. If you know the basics then you can do things like- [He seamlessly turns them before dipping the other.] dips. You can also do lifts and spins. Dancing is rather organic in that way as long as you can follow the music.

[He brings the other back upright with him.]

Mrrr! [X'rhun freezes when he's dipped, tail flailing out underneath him in stark contrast.

Unlike before, when they were simply making steps around each other, he's definitely stiff, with wide eyes that stretch the faint wrinkles around the corners of them, and clutching Cain's shoulder and hand as if afraid to fall. And he almost goes limp with relief when they're standing back up again.]

Warn me when you'll do that!

[Cain can't help but laugh a little. Maybe he could learn to enjoy waltzing a bit more.]

I do apologize. I couldn't help but tease you a little. You seemed to had gotten so comfortable and you did say things were so simple. [He gives a wicked grin.] The steps are the easy part, but there's a lot of improvisation with dancing to match the music. That's really where the fun is.

That was rude of me. Did you want to try leading or was the dip enough for the night?

[Now Cain is just teasing him mercilessly, and X'rhun wrinkles his nose at the Hyur. But he knows he brought that on himself for getting too cocky-- which is why he doesn't say a word to the contrary even if he wants to. He just tamps that childish desire down and relaxes his hold on Cain's body, even if he doesn't pull away just yet.]

... Mayhap we could pick up lessons another day. [He wants to recover from this blow to his ego.]

I find myself in need of something to slow my racing heart.

[Cain's wicked grin seems to dissolve more to a smile than anything else. He releases X'rhun's hand but lets his other arm settle around the other's waist.]

I suppose that's enough excitement for one night as far as dancing goes. [He had enjoyed himself at the very least. The quiet muttering slowly comes back to fill his mind. It was nice not noticing it while it lasted.]

Perhaps that is enough partying for one night. A walk could do one good. [Even if it's cold outside. Cain was fond of the winter weather, but was absolutely awful at handling it. A strange conundrum.]

[The arm still around his waist is noted, indeed. But X'rhun finds he doesn't mind it-- surely if you've danced with someone, you must be comfortable with them, yes?]

Oh, you are interested in walking about the town? [X'rhun sounds dubious... but then again he's a man who cannot see so well in the dark. He would rather leave than stay, however. The party has become little more than dancing, and still, he does not dance.] If you would have me, I shall accompany you-- I don't mind leaving the party, indeed. It's not needed to take my enjoyment of the night and what could happen on the morrow.

Well, I'd like to get out of here at the very least. I'm all for fun and parties, but the noise is tiresome. [That was an honest comment from him.] I get chronic headaches, and there's only so much noise I can take before it really is all too much.

As for walks, I do find walks enjoyable. As much as I'm absolute shite with handling the cold, I think snow is delightful. [He isn't really at the age where he'd go frolicking in it, but there was something enchanting about the purity of snowfall.] I am, however, not opposed to other activities. I just think that I would like to be somewhere else that isn't here.

Mmrrrm. [X'rhun places an arm around Cain's waist in turn, tucking himself bodily against the man.] The exit is this way, and once we arrive outside, we may just keep on walking.

Close by is Koji Pond and the ice cream shop, but it's closed for the winter. Should we continue on west of south, we would arrive at Central Deerington, where the cafe, bar and library are located... and mine own house.

[And X'rhun looks up at him, tilting his head and twitching his ears.]

I cannot promise my house is quiet, but I can have the dog stay somewhere she would not bother you.

Well, lead the way. I barely know anything about this town so I'll defer to someone who does.

[He gives the other a rather coy smile and a bit of a laugh.] We danced once and you're already inviting me to your place? You work quick, my friend. Not that I'm complaining.

As for the dog, that would hardly be a problem.

Well then. [The innuendo is not lost on him-- he's slowly beginning to remember how those sound like, how to pick them out from truly innocent words. Seems the end of his long drought was more fruitful than he originally thought.

And it doesn't help that Cain was rather blatant about that one.]

I could work much quicker than that, if you prefer.

[Because... hells, why not?]