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

[summonere]

[ His voice gets icy with anger, a trick learned from his very own progenitor, ]

You did something unforgivable.

[ And it had to be stopped. ]

[spardablood]

I'm not about to deny that.

[ He knows what he did, what he's done over the years in pursuit of power. In the desperate need to be better than Dante. ]

But I suppose, in a way, if I hadn't done what I did... you wouldn't be here right now, would you?

[summonere]

Do you want my thanks?

[ He couldn't possibly sound more disgusted. ]

You'll be disappointed.

[spardablood]

Just as you'll be disappointed if you're hoping for an apology from me.

[ Is this what it means to argue with yourself? ]

I know the error of my ways because of you.

[ He begins then, twirling the Yamato about gently still as he comes to stop a little off to the side, gaze drifting from tree to tree. ]

But you know as well as I do that nothing can be done to change what's been done. All there is now is to handle things as they come.

[summonere]

You always knew. You chose to push it out. What I've done is refuse to lay down and die for you.

[ You can't fool him. He was there. He knows. He wants to take a step backwards from Vergil, watching the Yamato, but he holds his ground. ]

But you're right. Things are different now. Maybe you're a finally a better man.

[spardablood]

[ Technicalities, V. ]

I'm sure my brother or son will fill you in on their opinions regarding that.

[ And that's perhaps said a touch dryly. ]

Tell me what mark you wear. Is it of the moon or stars?

[summonere]

It's me you'll answer to. Whether it's here where I can see your face, or somewhere else where I'm whispering inside you. I decide if you've earned what I gave.

[ You POS. ]

[spardablood]

[ This may be the moment in which he wonders if he really does come off this dramatic to others. ]

I asked you a question. Answer it.

[summonere]

[ His nose wrinkles, sneering. He's angry and he won't let Griffon out to tell him this isn't worth it. ]

Or else what?

[spardablood]

[ As coldly as he can.. ]

I'll sever your arm and see for myself.

[ But, after a beat, he rolls his eyes. ]

Is it the moon?

[summonere]

[ He holds up the palm of his hand to show the waning moon in the center of it, lip still curled in a sneer. ]

[spardablood]

Moon. I expected as much.

[ Would it be strange for the two of them to fall into different factions? ]

Dante and Nero are the same, as am I. Though that should be of no surprise really.

[ Must be a Sparda thing. ]

The Priestess is the faction leader for the Moon. I don't care how you come to feel about her, but treat her as you would those within our tales we read. This isn't our world, we're not at an advantage here.

[summonere]

[ He inhales through his nose, listening even though he would rather not. But he knows all too well he's not at an advantage. And he never is. ]

What does she want from us?

[ Now that she has this collection of Spardas to move and manipulate. ]

[spardablood]

To win this war which the Moon and the Stars are in the midst of. To save this world that is dying.

[ Of course neither faction leader seems capable of coming to a compromise between them in doing such a thing. But the war itself is of little interest to Vergil. ]

There are Gods here- creatures who are capable of twisting you into the very nightmares which you thought you had forgotten.

[ He grows quiet there, seemingly filled with... guilt, in a way and perhaps even a touch of sorrow. ]

Until whatever strength you possess returns to you, it would be wise to tread carefully with them and this world.

[summonere]

I'm not interested in dying.

[ Agreement, although apparently that dictum fades when he's angry at you and forgets himself. ]

[spardablood]

I'm sure Nero would be upset if you did. He's rather... emotional.

[ To put it lightly. ]

He's also ended up poisoned here. Let that tell you the sort of severity we can come across here, even as devils.

[summonere]

Is he alright?

[ That's the only question of merit, and the question that's stopping him from snarling again that Nero's emotions are what make him so kind, bright, friendly. ]

[spardablood]

He's recovered.

[ Thankfully, it hadn't lasted as long as it might have were he fully human. Hmmmm. ]

It will take some time for your strengths to return to you. [ A beat. ] Dante's haven't fully yet returned to him. I'm not sure Nero's have either.

[ Again, there's a pause before he glances over to V. ]

Your assumption would be correct, if you're making one of my own. I am the only one without hindrance.

[ Go ahead and ask him what the cost was, V. ]

[summonere]

What did you do.

[ And he sounds so very weary in saying it. Is Vergil going to brag about some hideous exchange? ]

[spardablood]

Whatever it takes to see to it that my son and brother aren't killed.

[ A beat, he looks to V straight on. ]

Or would you rather I sit about and do nothing and wait for one of us to end up dead?

[summonere]

I'll decide that when you tell me.

[ Because maybe he would rather. ]

[spardablood]

[ V's words spark something within those icy blue eyes of Vergil's and it's with a slow tilt of his head that he then draws the Yamato and allows for the silver to shine in the gentle catches of light. ]

Words like that should be accompanied with a means to force someone to speak.

[ Such as through the clashing of blades. ]

But where would the fun in that be?

[ Meaning that he knows V would fall easily enough and so he twirls the Yamato back into its sheath. Call it a kneejerk reaction, old habits, #justspardathings, etc. ]

I merely did a task given to me by the Priestess. In return, the blocks on my powers were lifted. Among other things.

[summonere]

I don't have to force you, you want to gloat.

[ Arrogance lives on in V, he'd hardly expect it to be lifted of Vergil now. ]

And that sounds too easy, for what you gained. Is there a reason Nero and Dante don't want to do her tasks?

[spardablood]

[ They're both arrogant, dramatic jerks. ]

They don't trust her.

[ Simple as that, Vergil coming to step away some from V, though lingers close by. ]

But in achieving what we want, there's certain ways one has to play the game.

[ A pause, he regards V with that hint of a smile again. ]

You know all about that.

[ V's manipulation and purposefully leaving certain details out when seeking both Nero and Dante for his... cause. ]

[summonere]

[ Hhh. He deeply deeply dislikes being referred to as we, as though he needs to play along by Vergil's twisted rules. ]

I'll make my own decisions about what game I want to play.