JANUARY 2019 TEST DRIVE

[sodder]

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.

Comments

Terra Branford | Final Fantasy 6

[mogglesbestfriend]

YOU BETTER GET THIS PARTY STARTED

[Her steps slow as she makes her way into the grand hall of the hotel. Terra isn't sure what had brought her here, only that this is where the crowd had been going. Her red dress and glittering adornments blend in with the cheerful event while her bright sea green hair stands out among the crowd. A glass of champagne is pushed into her hair and Terra is left wondering.]

I don't understand... [She looks down at her glass.] What are we celebrating?

[Terra looks around for something familiar but everything in this place feels strange or out of place.

Eventually she begins to take little sips of the bubbly drink. Terra isn't used to drinking and perfectly fine without a drink but she can't bring herself to stop taking those innocent little sips.]

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

[The countdown begins and Terra continues to look unsure. Her bright azure blue eyes follow the gaze of those around her and in a chorus she listens to the final count near its end.

3... 2... 1...

The urge that follows is sudden and surprising. She steps towards the person standing next to her and presses a chaste sweet kiss to their lips. Terra's cheeks warm as a blush crawls over the bridge of her nose.] Please excuse me. [She doesn't know what had come over her but it'd felt nice.]

YOU BETTER GET THIS PARTY STARTED

[justbeingknife]

It's New Year's Eve.

[ Majima had a champagne flute in one hand, and for once his formal tux didn't look particularly out of place among the revelers dressed to the nines. ]

Out with the old, in with the new and all that. Didn't think I'd be back in this ballroom anytime soon.

[ He looked reasonably relaxed, but watchful -- kind of like he was waiting for the other shoe to drop. ]

[mogglesbestfriend]

In with the new?

[Terra's voice was soft and uncertain. She had very few memories and the ones she had were nothing like this.] I'm not sure I understand. [Her brow furrows as her eyes sweep the room. She's trying to make sense of it all.]

Is this ballroom bad?

[She takes a sip of her drink and feels the heat of the alcohol warming her cheeks.]

[justbeingknife]

It's not...

[ He searched for a way to put it a little more diplomatically. ]

I don't know if it was the fault of the ballroom, exactly, but durin' the last party I attended out here, we kinda slid into a different version of town.

One with a lot less people, and spookier party decorations. Just apprehensive about it happenin' again, is all.

[mooglesbestfriend]

[It's a little overwhelming but she tries to understand. There is something unsettling about this place. It's as if the energies of the world are wrong, flowing backwards or all over the place.

It's unpleasant and Terra doesn't like it.]

When did this happen?

[Everything looks nice now.]

[justbeingknife]

About six months ago. Haven't particularly been back since.

But if somethin' does happen, I'd rather be here.

[ A laughing gaggle of partygoers fluttered by, scattering little glittery party stars all over the place. ]

I'm Majima, nice to meet ya.

[mooglesbestfriend]

[Terra follows the flecks of glitter as they drift lazily to the polished hotel floor. She stares at them for a moment and then lifts her chin to gaze up at Majima.]

Terra... that's my name.

[Her voice trails off slightly.]

Does this party have something to do with that?

[She takes another sip of her drink and frowns at it. Terra isn't sure if she likes it but she doesn't want to stop drinking it... odd.]

[justbeingknife]

I honestly don't know. Hope not, though.

[ He took a sip from the glass as a man waved his arms about excitedly and ran past. ]

Wonder if New Year's is always like this.

[mooglesbestfriend]

Do you not know?

[Terra's gaze is questioning as she looks up at the tall stranger standing at her side.]

This is my first New Years party.

Party Starters

[onerthes]

[Vira-Lorr smiled at the question that came from the pretty green-haired woman nearby. She twirled the glass in her fingers and took a sip before shrugging, her three eyes amused.] A holiday I can at least understand. It is the dawning of a new year here. The cold of winter passes and slowly gives way towards the spring.

Humans always like milestones like these. [She extended a hand and grinned over at Terra.] You must not be from around here. I am Vira-Lorr. A pleasure.

Party Starters

[mooglesbestfriend]

[Her head tilts to the side sending thick waves of green curls over her slender pale shoulders. Terra is a little confused by this whole holiday.] What is special about the New Year?

[Time continues the flow and everything continues to change. She isn't sure how one day is supposed to suddenly change everything.]

Terra Branford. [Thin fingers slip into Vira's palm as she takes her hand.] I'm sorry. I don't really understand this holiday. [Terra isn't technically human so maybe she isn't supposed to understand.]

[onerthes]

[She laughed softly and shook her head.] I suppose for some it doesn't make as much sense. It is a bit of a novel holiday for longer lived races, for one.

[She shook her hand firmly but without too much force in the grip, giving her a once over. There was curiosity in her gaze while the two talked. If there was one nice thing about all of this, it was the encountering of new souls. It at least kept things interesting.]

For humans, their lives are brief, like a guttering flame. Every year is to them the start of something new, a new opportunity while they have time to live. So they like to celebrate living through one year and having the chance to try again for another.

So... think of it as a celebration of endings and beginnings?

[mooglesbestfriend]

Oh. I see.

[Terra's thoughts of life are wildly different than most. She's been used as a weapon of war and has watched life, short and long, be snuffed out.] Does it really mean less? If you are of a longer lived race? [She looks over at her companion with uncertainty in her gaze.]

I-

[She exhales a tired breath.]

New Beginnings sound nice.

[onerthes]

Less? No... but think of it this way? I will live for centuries where a human might live but one. Each individual year is but one of many that I will enjoy. I have more of them to appreciate in the end.

[She took a sip from her drink and smiled over at her, shrugging.]

I suppose the goal is to have hope for a new future, so it is nice, is it not?

[mooglesbestfriend]

That sounds a little sad.

[Terra looks down at her drink before taking another sip. It's gone and she almost feels relieved that she doesn't have to drink it anymore.]

Living that long, I mean...

Hope for a new future, that sounds nice.

[It's something that she can understand.]

[onerthes]

[She sipped before finding her glass empty and gesturing for a refill. Unlike Terra, she was clearly not shy about having more. This wasn't even her first... or second. It might have been her third. She couldn't remember.]

I do not think of it as sad. There are several races that are so long lived, so I am not alone in my dotage. But... I do envy the heat of humanity's passion. There is something to living for the moment I never truly can embrace as they do.

What do you hope for?

[mooglesbestfriend]

I do not know.

[Terra stares into her empty glass before carefully placing it on a passing tray. She watches it leave as the waiter disappears into the crowd.] There is a lot that I do not remember.

[She's trying to piece things together but nothing makes sense here.]

I am sorry. It is all... odd. I cannot explain it.

party started

[vermillon]

Heavensturn! Or the eve of a new year, for others from other worlds. [X'rhun has had a bit of champagne already, but the Miqo'te is always... bubbly and cheerful despite his age.

His tail has taken a pronounced curl at the end of his tail as it waves to and fro in his amusement.]

Here in Deerington, it's called New Year's Eve, and we are celebrating the coming of the new year.

party started

[mooglesbestfriend]

[Terra blinks, crystal blue eyes watching the Miqo'te. She's see many creatures of the world but this is the first time she's seen something so... cute. Is he related to moogles somehow?

Her cheeks flush when she thinks of her fluffy white friends and she glances down at her feet.]

Oh. Is something supposed to happen in the new year?

[vermillon]

Eh? [X'rhun's ears twitch, as if he cant believe what he's hearing. Do they not have calendars where she's from.]

My friend-- it's the new year. [As if... that answers everything. Luckily, he's just going to go on.] The thought of it alone heralds new beginnings! Moving on from past hurts and burdens! It opens up infinite possibilities to all, to try something new. [He's almost waving his hands in the air, but the presence of a champagne flute in one of his hands stalls that motion.

Which is a good thing, otherwise both of them would be wearing champagne rather than drinking it.]

[mooglesbestfriend]

[Terra watches him, her cheeks tinted pink from either the cute Miqo'te or the champagne in her hand. She takes a small sip and considers his words.] A new beginning... [She smiles.] That sounds nice.

I'd like that.

[She stares up at him and pauses before blurting out the question that has yet to flee from her thoughts.]

Are you related to moogles?

[vermillon]

[That question is so entirely unexpected, X'rhun's brow has to furrow and his ears have to pull back just a little bit. He's... confused. Surprised. But mostly confused.]

Moogles-- the funny little creatures who deliver mail and otherwise never show themselves? [Another person who comes from a world with moogles as well?]

No, they're an entirely different species... I am a Miqo'te, a race of human.

[mooglesbestfriend]

Oh... [Terra's eyes drop.] I'm sorry. I hadn't meant many other races.

[It isn't true. Terra has met more than a few races and was half esper herself but she doesn't have a name for them all. Bit by bit, she's learning about the strange world and what her place in it might be]

A little while ago, moogles saved me. I had lost my memory then.

I don't know everything yet...

[vermillon]

Ah. [He sees now. Now her question makes so much more sense, and X'rhun has to bite his tongue to keep himself from cursing, even swearing on the Twelve and instead leans over, placing his free hand on his knee to look at her properly. Make himself less tall and imposing like the large Miqo'te he is.

How cruel Deerington is, to have brought someone like her here and fill her head with only horror.]

Don't worry-- there are many people here willing to help and guide you through Deerington. Many of us were taken from home as well... though we have our memories intact. [Mostly.]

[mooglesbestfriend]

[She hesitantly meets his gaze, looking as if she was a little mouse backed into a corner.] It was before that. [She confesses in a shy voice.] I lost my memories and we went to find out more...

[Terra frowns.]

I do not know how I got here. I remember... [She closes her eyes and for a brief moment energy flicks and jolts across her skin like lightning. It lasts for less than a second before Terra is meeting the gaze of the tall man standing beside her.]

I do not remember more.

I am sorry but thank you, for being willing to help.