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]

I've been turning the tough work over to the demon hunters, but I may need to make some new contacts. Now that I can.

I'm sure Dante'll be thrilled to not have to pick up after you again.

[ Wowowow! Why did Vergil also jab him about running to Dante with his problems? ]

[sealeted]

There's places for researchers, if that's more your speed. But there are plenty of strong people here too, if team-ups are more comfortable.

[Hakuno likes those better, herself. There's a certain sense of safety in numbers.]

[summonere]

I can manage better on my own, if I can get back my other familiars.

[ He motions at Griffon and... makes his own dig for once, ]

He's not enough on his own.

Hey! You don't need them! I totally have this under control!

[ He tries to fizzle with electricity and. Fails. ]

[sealeted]

The first few weeks are rough on everyone, yeah.

[Aw, Griffon...]

I think the important part is that you shouldn't have to do it on your own.

[summonere]

It almost feels like its... just to make you feel helpless.

[ He's not a fan, really, especially because he's already done this before. He's been vulnerable and helpless, staring down an impossible mission with no way to know how to even begin. Now he's here again. ]

[sealeted]

I couldn't tell you one way or the other, though I've been looking into the magic loss a bit in my spare time.

[Mere logic doesn't do much against feelings like that, though.]

But—and this is just a thought—we could start chipping away at that feeling by getting you off the cold ground.

[summonere]

Oh.

[ She's probably right, and he's had a chance to rest now, he doesn't feel quite so awful anymore. He pushes himself up, a little help from his cane, and then turns to offer his hand to her next. ]

[sealeted]

Take it from somebody who spent a majority of her life sleeping on a floor: your level of impact and rest can really impact your whole day.

[She takes his hand and stands, patting the back of her skirt clean and then turning to peer up.]

Okay, let's get this finished. And you two out of the cold, for that matter.

[summonere]

[ His tired smile says... that this is also not something he's put much time or thought into. But he leaves it unsaid, instead nudging Griffon with his cane, ]

Help me finish this.

Yeah, yeah, yeah. Can't you two nerds just grow a few more feet and do it yourselves?

Can't you?

[ This makes the demon huff because no he cannot. He shakes out his wings, taking into the air and extending his claws for the next set of decorations that need to go up. ]

[sealeted]

[Her own small, unwavering smile tells him he's got the time to put in now, so he might as well.]

How could we possibly stride as high as you, Griffon?

[Is she laying it on thick? Yes, absolutely. But she's also got another bun out and waiting for him as thanks for doing the lifting.]

[summonere]

[ V adjusts the scarf around his neck, tucking it inside the leather collar of his ugly as hell jacket. He instructs Griffon calmly. Now that they're actually focused and performing a task, their ability for teamwork is a little more obvious compared to when they're just bickering.

The work gets done, and V does actually say, ]

Thank you. Eat your bun and then I'll put you in your core to rest.

[ While it is obvious the demon enjoys being out and making a ruckus... he's tired too. ]

Alright, alright, don't rush me or I'll get indigestion.

[sealeted]

Have a nice break, Griffon. I'll see if I can find something your friend won't mind eating while you're out. Ah—I'm Hakuno, by the way.

[She almost forgot to say, she's been enjoying the conversation so much.]

It was a genuine pleasure to meet you today.

[summonere]

I'm gonna see you again, nerd!

She said her name was Hakuno.

[ They bicker a little more. They must enjoy it on some level. When they're done, however, she gets to see the way Griffon can be tucked away. He becomes little more than figurine sized in the palm of V's hand, and then he unforms entirely, turning into a ball of energy with orbiting rings of black. When V closes his palm, it's gone. ]

[sealeted]

I'll be looking forward to it, chevalier!

[Hakuno waits politely for them to banter away, aware that it can't be easy, splitting up. Even if they do need to take care with their self-maintenance, as she brought up just a little while ago. She doesn't bat a lash at the dematerialization, though the token aspect of it is certainly new.]

Do you need anything, off the top of your head? ...besides a thicker coat, I mean.

[summonere]

Let's... just take care of the clothes for now. We... [ Ahahah... ] Stole these. I don't have any others, even in my world.

[sealeted]

Like I said before: no shame in that. If the alternative was roaming around, naked and unprotected, well... I don't see what other choices you had, if you were on a time crunch.

[She peers at him.]

I'm going to take a wild stab in the dark and guess you don't have a color or fabric preference, right?

[summonere]

[ Wow what a good girl. V feels... weirdly lucky that he found someone who knows where he's coming from. He wasn't expecting to. He was expecting to feel like an outsider... probably forever. It hadn't mattered before. But there's also now a great gaping divide between before and after. Before: the quest that would end him. After: time and space to do as he pleases, so long as he doesn't ruffle the Priestess. ]

Black hides the bloodstains best.

[ He tends to get covered in demon blood a lot. ]

[sealeted]

[It takes a special type of person to get to the end of the Holy Grail War, and one of Hakuno's foremost talents is her determined resilience.

She's also definitely been in his shoes, though unfortunately she was rudely shaken out of her vacation mode when Temperance's cult first started kicking up trouble.]

That's true. But, so do brown and maroon, if you find dark enough shades. You still have options, if that's all that you're worried about. And there are some alchemical solutions for laundry usage that work absolute wonders, too, if you don't mind a little extra work.

[She eyes his arms, thoughtful.]

Do you need your arms bare, or was that just the first thing you had the opportunity to get?

[summonere]

[ Maroon causes a look of worry to pass over his face. He does not want to look like either of the twins in an eye-catching coat... ]

I don't want to stand out.

[ He looks down at what he is wearing and how much it makes him stand out. How much it shows the swirls of tattoos on his upper arms and chest. Normally he's fully covered in them, even more striking. ]

[sealeted]

We should look into something reversible, then. Give you an extra option if black is too eye-catching in a given crowd. Maybe a hood, too...

[She nods to herself.]

Do those boots actually fit you, while we're on this?

[summonere]

[ He looks down at his sandals. SHOCKINGLY HIS FEET ARE COLD. ]

They're too big but they cinch.

[ So he was able to make them work well enough. ]

[sealeted]

Okay, so we're adding new boots and extra socks to the list, too.

['Well enough' is no longer good enough, buddy.]

Gloves, a less eye-catching scarf... actually, if the scarf's reversible, then a plain black jacket is easy to disguise... Is a backpack or a messenger-style bag going to be more useful to you?

[summonere]

The satchel bag will get in the way, when I need my cane.

[ There was the casual stride when it didn't really matter, and then there was his struggling stride when he needed to bring the cane in closer to his hip for support. ]

How am I paying for all of this?

[ The list just keeps getting longer, of course it does though. If he expects to actual live here indefinitely. ]

[sealeted]

Unless I misjudged what I glimpsed on your hand earlier, you're part of the Moon Temple, right?

[She pulls the glove off her left hand. There's a set of red sigils on the back of it that he can likely guess the significance of, but when she splays her fingers open there's a full moon clearly etched out on her palm.]

We've got our own tailor to kit us out with the basic necessities, there. I'll spot you on the bag and scarf from around here, though. It's always good to have a stock of supplies you can grab if you have to go somewhere on short notice. Consider it a 'welcome' gift.

[summonere]

[ Oh right, maybe he should get used to looking for those marks before he makes a mistake with the other side. He extends his hand back in kind, also his left palm. His moon is waning. Maybe he feels a spark of envy that hers shows all of her potential and his feels like he's still fading away. ]

Armies really march on their boots, you know.

[ Is that a joke, V?! Making it helps him not focus on how strange he feels about being gifted anything other than tragedy. ]