Test Drive #3

[felldenmods]

Welcome to the November test drive! We're so excited to have you with us.

A few things of note:

✦ Test drive threads can be considered game-canon if you choose. They're essentially in a shared dreamscape and take place between your character leaving their world and arriving in the audience hall with their faction leader.
✦ Reserves will open at 12:01 AM UTC on December 1st, and continue to be until 11:59 PM UTC on December 7th. This is to reserve a character, not an application slot.
✦ Applications will open at 12:01 AM UTC on the 8th, and remain open until 11:59 PM UTC on the 15th, or until all application slots have been filled. Once Activity Check ends, we will have an application slot number available on the application page. The IC & OOC intro logs will be posted two days later.
✦ Questions? We have a FAQ that's chock full of good information! If they are test drive specific, we have a top level thread below that allows for OOC questions to be posted.
✦ The network is available to use! No matter where your character is, their compass arrived on their person. Please feel free to include a network post in your top-levels! Once opened, the compass will display instructions on use, such as using voice-commands to activate it. Usernames are your characters first name or their most common nickname.
✦ Below will be a header for OOC questions as well as a request for Fortuna if you risk having your fortune read in Kyst.
✦ Current players who participate in the test drive by tagging new players will be eligible for a secondary blessing in December.

All set? Perfect! Welcome to Fellden.

AS THE MOON RISES.♪ You’ll find yourself just outside the Temple doors, which will be locked if you try to open them. A little rude, keeping you out after bringing you all this way. The thing is, you can hear a lot of commotion in the distance, and smoke rising from the center of a district; you may want to check that out. Where there’s smoke, there’s fire! Except the smoke is not at all something to be concerned over. Instead, people are gathered near a large bonfire in the decorated city square, drinking and carousing, singing songs of celebration; Moon saviors have arrived! War winners! The residents of the city laugh and sing and dance in pairs throughout the square that's dusted with snow, grateful for those who have come to aid them. Their merriment doesn’t dwindle as the sun begins to set on the horizon, twin moons rising in its place. When you (and other new arrivals) are finally noticed by the revelers, do not expect to be left alone! Crowns and laurels of fir and juniper will be deposited upon your heads, seasonal fare of food and drink placed into your hands, while live musicians play loud enough for the dead to hear. You’ll be invited to dance, to drinking games, and offered food and flowers and other items of value. Some may cry when they look into your face, thanking you for becoming their champions during this long and exhaustive war. Hopefully you’re here to enjoy the festivities. Sneaking off is just fine, too, but don’t expect to be let go of quietly; the people of the Moon Temple are so happy to see you! Enjoy the celebration while it lasts long into the night. If you do manage to leave, a helpful citizen of the Temple will inform you of the nearby transport mirrors that will take you anywhere on the map, one of which they will provide to you.

THE SETTING STARS.♪ You'll find upon your arrival that the castle is not accepting visitors as they decorate the interior in preparation of the festive season that quickly approaches. Guards at the door will instead direct you to the center of the city where further preparations are being made. Venturing there, you'll be greeted either by those who are decorating for the evening's party that will enlist you to help, or perhaps you're a late arrival and the celebration has already begun! Festivities are in full swing in the Court of Stars. Starfolk have begun their celebrations of the new arrivals and the ushering in the season of the Winter Festival. Once hesitant, guarded, the Stars citizens now welcome new arrivals with open arms, celebrating their appearance with a deep gratitude. Large circles of dancers will pull you into the fray or pull you to dance one-on-one. Others will place bundles of cedar and juniper in your arms for decorating or perhaps learning to weave your own wreath to wear: some will even take pity, create it for you, and set the laurel upon the top of your head. You'll be invited to dance, drink, eat, and participate in the festivities through a snow dusted square. Even the soldiers will join, knocking shoulders and welcoming you to the Court of Stars. Whether you choose to remain for the festivities or wander off, one thing is certain: you are more than welcome in your new home. If you do manage to leave, a helpful citizen of the Court will inform you of the nearby transport mirrors that will take you anywhere on the map, one of which they will provide to you.

MARKETS OF THE COAST.♪ The coastal city of Kyst is abuzz for the holidays, some calm finally beginning to settle in after the rocky past few months. Newcomers will be welcomed with smiling faces from merchants as they look to try to sell their pricy but beautiful wares. Tavern owners and barkeeps will beckon with the promise of warm food and delightful drinks, a place by the fire, and stories of holidays of old. The air is rife with music and the smell of delicious baked goods. Perhaps you'll hear or smell something you recognize from your home; as Fellden is the beginning of all worlds, it wouldn't be an impossible likelihood! Those looking to help out might be coaxed to assist in decorating homes with laurels, garlands, berries, and other bright green, red, silver, and gold colors. Those who seem very eager to help might be recruited by shopkeepers to stand outside and try to get customers in to see their wares, to have a drink, or to rent a room. Anyone willing to do so even for a day will receive free food and drink for the duration of their assistance. And for the auspicious, some may notice a person who has set up a mild little stall in the back of town, sipping eggnog as she offers fortunes. "Fortunes for the new year, my friend," she tells any who approach her. She offers only a small smile. "A laurel for a card. Only one."

BEYOND THE CITIES.♪ In the distance from Kyst, a large forest looms, the Gods Wood imposing even from this distance. Should you travel there, everyone you encounter will urge you to be respectful while within the forest. There, people can be found visiting intricately decorated shrines, prepared for the upcoming holiday, while people leave seasonal offerings in the bowls and plates within the shrines. You're free to leave the crown you were given at your faction celebration, or perhaps something else that you've been granted since your arrival is better suited for your offering. Be mindful of your actions though; those that show disrespect will be forcibly removed from the Gods Wood by the trees. Best foot forward! If the forest is too intimidating, there appears to be a gathering at the nearby Lake Theta where the Festival of Aeons is taking place. You'll be drawn into the fold readily where people will inform you that it is a celebration of souls, both living and passed beyond the veil. You'll be taught how to make paper lanterns to be set into the sky when twilight falls, with further revelry coming after. Be prepared for a long night of celebration ahead of you as the dancing, music, and festivities last long into the night.

Comments

V | DMCV

[summonere]

A. AS THE MOON RISES.

[ Coming to this place strips him of something. It's almost a familiar sensation: being cleaved. As he reorients to the dreamscape, he becomes aware of what's been taken. He feels weak. As things solidify he leans heavily on the cane in has hand for support.

A large vulture-looking bird appears beside him, streaming black smoke like he's not quite real and the dreamscape makes that all the more obvious. ]

Hey V, you look like shit.

[ He gives the bird a withering look and doesn't answer, instead choosing to look around. ]

We need to orient ourselves. Go, take a look and tell me what you find.

Whatever you say, Shakespeare.

[ Another frown before the bird flies off to reconnoiter. Alone now, pale-skinned and white hair, he starts to walk slowly towards the noise and fuss...

Something he regrets quickly as the revelers get hold of him. He's so exhausted he can barely fend them off.

Help. He genuinely does not look like he's doing well. ]

B. MARKETS OF THE COAST.

You gotta eat. [ Griffon is mothering overhead as V moves through the market. ] Look, I'll just snatch something off one of these stalls and meet you up ahead alright?

[ V looks up at him, unimpressed, ]

They can hear you.

Nobody's payin' attention to me. Watch this dive bomb, buddy!

[ The vulture goes right ahead and does it, despite V's warning...

Which is how V ends up helping decorate a shop to earn the stolen chow. He's not amused, and struggling to get the decorations into place. He prods them with his cane, trying to get them to hang straight. ]

You really need to eat.

Shut up already.

[ He sits down abruptly, leaning back against the side of the building tiredly, eyes closed. ]

C. BEYOND THE CITIES.

[ Paper lanterns are more his speed after such a difficult day. He banishes Griffon back to his core for a few minutes of peace and quiet, and just follows the instructions in contemplative silence. The distraction is welcome, and when those lessons are done, he retreats to somewhere with just enough light to read by, and buries himself into the gold embroidered book of poetry. He murmurs it to himself, like a mantra to soothe himself, ]

WHATE’ER is born of mortal birth
Must be consumed with the earth,
To rise from generation free:
Then what have I to do with thee?

D. NETWORK (VOICE).

[ He has a languid, sonorous way of speaking, ]

Anthropomorphization. It can provide depth to metaphor, without the use of additional explicit descriptors. The Romantics favored it, since they loved to glorify nature. It's a useful device, relating to nature as an organism with which to express human emotions. A classical theme. Humans like to see themselves in things.

Everything they write is about finding themselves, and their place in the world; whatever that means to the individual.

You'll find that poetry retreads many classic philosophical arguments.

So. What do you think. Is there any meaning in the world? A divine plan? Or is all of existence an absurd accident.

[ He's not being serious, but his voice sure sounds like he is, viciously so. Go on. Give him a dissertation on the unanswerable. ]

D

[notimefordreams]

Well. There was once a man who said that all the world was a stage. If that's the case then we're all part of some weird cosmic play in the end.

If not then I can accept this is all absurdity in the end with some vague organization.

[summonere]

I always wonder if there is true organization, or if the minds of the world simply impose their delusions of it strongly enough.

[ He has no firm opinion on any of this, he merely enjoys the act of contemplation. He follows up in a more friendly tone, ]

What roles are in your wheelhouse?

C

[spardablood]

[ Somehow... he should have known such a thing were possible. That his humanity was capable of finding its way to this realm, this world. But, no. His humanity is not an it but a he and Vergil stands there at a gentle distance with the Yamato held in front of him, eyes of icy blue staring to the frail human he has never truly met before.

Ahhh, how to go about this, hm? ]

To Tirzah.

[ That's how he chooses to break the ice, boots softly touching the earth he walk upon, the Yamato gently twirled some as he regards V with a careful sort of curiosity. ]

One of my favorites.

[summonere]

[ His shoulders stiffen, not immediately looking up, but when he does there's a low burning fire in his eyes. Vergil.

Vergil.

He stops Griffon from trying to come out, clamping down hard on the familiars immediate fear and concern, but also can hear him: Run, V, run.

He won't, but he does stand up slowly, brushing off his clothes before answering blandly, ]

Am I the only one who knows that?

B

[sealeted]

...not to take sides, but your bird has a point.

[Hakuno knows more than she likes about your body betraying you and crashing due to fatigue, or soul-deep damage, or accumulated stress, or on one memorable occasion, a feast so terribly cooked it inflicted all three of those states at once. There was something about the taut line of his shoulders that caught her eye as she wandered around the shops, even more so than the outspoken animal companion. She crouches down net to him, and offers a wrapped paper bundle, warm to the touch.]

Here. I'm an alchemist, but offering random people off the street potions is... more than a little sketchy. I bought this sandwich right across the street, though, if you want it.

[summonere]

Hah! [ Griffon caws immediately. ] Look at that, just look at that! Told you, told you I was right, V!

[ Oh my god. Please never agree with Griffon. A pained expression crosses V's face, brows pinched deeply, he points that expression at the familiar before relaxing it a little to look at her. He is reluctant, but... hungry. Weak. ]

...Thank you.

[ He accepts the sandwich, although he still doesn't really seem to want to eat it. ]

B

[royalboar]

[V’s cane pokes and prods at a decoration overhead, but the festive, twinkling piece of decor doesn’t straighten itself. It only goes more lopsided, threatening to land directly on Dimitri’s head as he passes near. If it had been angled at Dimitri’s right — his blind spot, for reasons made obvious by the eyepatch — it might have comedically sprawled across his hair and shoulders when it fell. Thankfully, that’s not the case, and all it takes is a hand reaching up to entangle his fingers in the laurel to stop its descent.

Mostly. The loose part of it, though, still hangs down and smacks him across the forehead.]

Ah—

[He blinks in surprise, before turning his attentions to a stranger who appears… less than enthused. Wan and in need of energy, he would venture, if the rambling of his bird(???) meant anything at all.]

Do you need… help?

[DO YOU NEED HELP V]

[summonere]

He needs all the help he can fuckin' get!

[ GRIIIIIFFFOOOON PLLLLLZZZZZZZ. V scowls at him!!!!!! ]

I'm... almost through with this.

[ Is that a yes? Is that a no? ]

D

[metempsychic]

...I would have to say there's meaning in the world and a divine plan laid out by the Gods.

What that plan may be? Er...

...That might not be something most mortals will ever know.

[summonere]

What makes a god, then?

[ Oh boy someone answered him so earnestly, now he gets to play devil's advocate. ]

A

[pauldron]

[The city is alive again, people new and old scattered through the streets. Old habit drives Lightning to patrol, looking for someone who may or may not appear here this time, but when she passes the knot of revelers around V and manages to catch a glimpse of his wan face, she sighs quietly.

Why do they keep doing this? You'd think after the first two times they've have gotten their fill of barreling over people. Her stride shifts, turning her back around towards him.]

Give him some space. He can't save anyone if he keels over.

[That gets their attention, at least, and those joyous expressions turn to sincere worry as they realize just how unwell he looks.

"Oh! Apologies, Moon-savior!" They say, hands helping him to a nearby bench. Someone calls for drink, another for food, another for a blanket because it's cold and he's so pale and. Yeah, they're going to go like that for a while. Oh dear.]

[summonere]

[ The sudden attention to his frailty is almost as overwhelming. He's never, ever been cosseted like that before and it's dizzying. It honestly takes him a few moments to look at the woman who had barked out the orders to back off. ]

Thank you... I...

[ I what? I'm missing most of my energy, I'm in some strange dream world, I don't know what's happening in the world I left behind? He sighs. ]

Thank you.

a

[darkined]

( in the midst of a chaos, a young woman's hand snakes around V's wrist as she pulls him along. a crescent moon sits over her left eye, dipping down onto her cheek. she gives a sweet, apologetic look to the revelers. )

Please, excuse us. I could use a moment with our new guest. ( she offers smiles as she leads him away.

once they're enough distance, she lets go of his hand and her smile fades. ) Sorry. You looked in need of saving. ( she wasn't actually looking to be that helpful, though. instead, materializing in her shadows are two creatures: a not-cat and a not-wolf. The wolf stands behind her, gaze fixed on V. the cat is perched on Mia's shoulders, half it's form still disappeared into the shadows under Mia's hair. neither creature has eyes, but the cat opens it's mouth to speak in a soft, male voice. )

...you keep interesting company...

[summonere]

[ Oh. While he is grateful to be saved, he is also... both intrigued and wary of this woman. Magic user. Another summoner? Where did those familiars come from? One of the Hells? Is she a demon? Questions flit through his mind anxiously.

His anxiety draws his own familiar back to him protectively. ]

Hey! What the fuck is going on here? Having a party without me?

[ He doesn't bother telling the bird to be more polite, in a way his challenge is exactly what's on V's mind. A wary admission, ]

I was... overwhelmed by the crowd.

b

[puppetgirl]

[ Nearby, Orchid listens in on the bird and V as she goes about her shopping. She does eventually pause a moment, to watch him as he struggles decorating the building.

It's when V stops to sit, the young girl finally decides to approach him. A plush cat tucked underneath one arm and in the opposite, a bag of all sorts of edible goodies purchased from the nearby stalls. Her outward expression probably seems... impassive and cold at a glance. But then she pulls out a loaf of sweet bread, offering it to him. ]

...

Good work.

[summonere]

[ His eyebrows go up in surprise. It is strange to be approached but at least the message is clear, that he did the work and now he can eat. There's something simple in that and he appreciates it, when everything else about existing in this busy place is confusing and new.

He accepts it, although he doesn't immediately start to eat it. ]

Time to fatten up, V!

[ Thanks birb. ]

You don't have to give me something you paid for.

[ His only careful qualification. Money is a slightly strange concept to him, he knows people value it but he finds it a bit difficult to estimate the costs of things, how much of the worthless coins or paper make up any given item. ]

c, not sry

[demonichalf]

[ Can you feel him, V? Can you feel his presence deep within your bones? Like a moth drawn to the flame, he feels you, captivated in a way which disgusts him. ]

What you have, is a weakness that should be purged in the most excruciating of ways.

[ Trees bend and splinter at the root as the demon pushes his way through the forest, tendrils of blue dipped in red dragging along behind as he comes through the forest and meets with his other half. ]

Allow me to rid you of that.

aaaaaaaaah

[summonere]

[ The demon in the woods is coming for him, bleeding with the red juice of its own gluttony. How big it had gotten sitting on its screaming throne. How big it had gotten feeding on the graveyard where their mother had died searching for them. Like it always does, it makes V break into a cold, terrified sweat.

Is this a nightmare? The same nightmare he's had since he first laid eyes upon how terrible Urizen had grown in the short amount of time it had taken to bring the others.

He swallows, mouth dry. There's nowhere to run from it now. ]

Demon. [ It has no name. He knows. It shed its name. ] I may be weak, but you will always be the coward between us.

a even tho you have a million people

[sassery]

[On the opposite end of the group is a certain white-haired part-devil, sort-of partaking in the festivities, but more choosing to watch and see what goes on instead. He's pretty much stopped trusting the Priestess entirely since last month, and also? It never hurts to go look for familiar faces.

So when a group gets close to V and expresses concern for his weak state, Nero obviously has to see what's going on. And really, it's probably a new face, someone he won't mind getting to know and also hopefully shoot the shit with.

Except when he gets to the front-]

...V?? Holy shit. [A beat, and he's immediately trying to grab onto the other man so he can stabilize.

Doesn't mean Griffon goes unnoticed, either. Nero whistles to grab his familiar's attention.]

You even brought the chicken?

D ( audio | un: ren )

[warfares]

I think it safe to assume that if ever there was a divine plan it has been well and truly derailed.

( there's a dryness to the answer that suggests he could very well be serious. given recent events, even he is not entirely sure that he is not. )

D (text)

[thinline]

Whether or not life is an accident, you still have to live it, don't you? What other reason than to find or create that purpose? Serving yourself or serving others—that's a choice you alone make.

[ if anything, this conversation should be interesting. the only gods she knows are fictional, and the idea of fate? well… if such a thing exists, then it's ever-changing. ]

A

[redload]

[reconnoiter, says v, and griffon goes — wide wings soaring over the span of people in the city who seems to be celebrating something. nothing really piques the familiar's interest until it locks eyes with a very familiar form: white hair, red coat, and a penchant for being annoying as fuck. and so griffon goes; lands on dante as the man attempts to pour down another pint of ale down his throat. it spills all over him; the crowd around him disperses some as the bird starts to talk; dante grabs it by the neck, ready to wrung it tight—]

Griffon?

[needless to say, griffon lives and leads dante towards where v is — getting swooped around by the revelers as a moon savior. really, though? he barely looks like he can stay standing. no tattoos on his skin, white hair, leaning into his cane like that.]

[dante being the way he is moves forward, elbowing people out of the way, and catching hold of v's arm — a shield between him and the overexcited citizens of the moon temple.]

Long time no see, V.

D

[comburst]

[ That was a whole lot of words about philosophy. ]

I'm not sure it matters. Life's what you make of it, and I'd rather not think it's someone else's plan for me, but even if it was, so what? Thinking about it's just bound to waste time.

d, network.

[erythristic]

[the voice in return is something where phrases almost seem deliberate, words stressed to give that just-so edge of meaning.]

Finding yourself is never an easy task. We look for symbols, signs, that the greatest mysteries offer hints to their existence! From nature we come, and to nature we return at the end of it all, hiding under the polite veneer of society.

Oh, but to answer your question, there is more meaning than one person can possibly grasp.