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]

[ Griffon would deny that ever happens, vigorously. He would never lose to a loser like Dante. Even though he already did. Who cares, he's back now baby with a brand new crew. One of whom is currently slumped forward, leaning on his cane. ]

They're not here. And Griffon is weak.

Hey! Do I look weak to you? I'm fighting fit, just point me at a demon, I'll scorch the fuck out of them. How about we use Dante as target practice?

[ But when he tries to get riled and give their friend a zap, nothing really happens. V clears his throat with a cough. ]

It's not ideal.

[redload]

You might want to take it easy, little chicken.

[his voice is softer as he talks to griffon but doesn't look at him.]

This place has its own magic, but you'll get your powers back soon enough, I'm sure.

[for now, his attention is on v. it ought to answer whatever question v may have about where his other two familiars have gone to. at this point, for the other, it isn't so much to have power — but to not be as weak as they come.]

Blessings are granted to those who cooperate. In the meantime, seems like you'll be stuck like this for a while.

[summonere]

Just give me a minute! I gotta get my juices together!

[ They're both ignoring him. It doesn't matter whether he gets his charge up or not. ]

And what is it I'm cooperating with?

[redload]

A war.

[he, too, makes a face. he'll wait for griffon's "minute" and see if he can get zapped. dante is not particularly a fan of belonging to any side and doing anyone's bidding.]

[but—]

What's the last you remember?

[summonere]

I woke you up, you took the Sparda.

[ So in the middle of their own little war, unresolved for V but then if it were resolved, there would be no V to sit here trying to catch his breath. ]

[redload]

[well, that was a while back. he motions at the sword to his back, the hilt looking nothing like the sparda.]

Yeah, that's old news.

[summonere]

[ He tilts his head to look at it more closely. Why would he have assumed it was anything other than Rebellion on his back? Although that's right it was broken... So what in hell is that blade? ]

Well. [ A dull, self-effacing tone. ] I was always falling behind.

[redload]

Sounds right.

[he sighs and shakes his head, a slight smile on his face. figures that things would stop making sense at some point — or that v of all people would arrive.]

That cat's pretty much out of the bag at this point. Vergil's humanity, huh. I guess you always wanted to be one step ahead however way you could.

[summonere]

What I wanted was to keep my options open. If I could stop him and not fade away into dust...

[ A shrug. Why wouldn't he. He's not sure how apologetic he is. ]

[redload]

[dante cannot imagine what any of that must have been like. he looks v over — and then shrugs.]

And this just throws a wrench into your plans.

[that being said—] Vergil's here. Whole. And where does that leave you.

[summonere]

Unneeded.

[ Which is not an unfamiliar position to find himself in, in regards to Vergil. ]

[redload]

[a pinch of his brows]

[what is v to him? he isn't vergil, but he's part of vergil. his likeness to eva can't be dismissed, now that he knows, and it makes him wonder just how much they really don't know about the humanity both twins harbor inside — something left unexplored, but this cynicism, this self-defragmentation into something that is lesser and unneeded, it resonates somewhere deep, deep inside of him. it is humanity, then, which absorbs the brunt of loneliness.]

[but this? dante knew of this.]

Well, who wants to be Vergil, anyway. He's as lame as they come.

[maybe v doesn't have to be vergil at all.]

[summonere]

That's fuckin' right! We're the ones always cleaning up that asshole's messes! This crew! Right here!

[ V starts to laugh, it's crackling and a bit unpleasant, and when he looks up at Dante his smile is limp and weary. ]

His need has dominated my every waking moment. He is my worst nightmare, that which only takes and consumes. And I have to fight him anyway.

[ Something Dante would know all about. ]

Would it have been easier? If I'd said that from the start?

[redload]

[dante, too, grins up at griffon. the familiar perches itself on a nearby ledge, ruffling its feathers excitedly as it exclaims just how glorious the crew of discarded thoughts and trauma is. at least he's got positivity for days.]

Maybe. Maybe not.

[it's as easy as that. v must know better than anyone just how much dante would have given up to find vergil again.]

You convinced me pretty easily once you paid for the water and electric.

[humorlessly, crossing his arms.]

—it's never easy with this family.

[summonere]

I can tell you now, we beat up some robbers for that money. [ He also pulls on the edge of the leather collar of his FUCKING UGLY jacket. ] We took this off of someone's back, so we could come meet you.

[ He puts his hands on the head of his cane, then lowers his chin there, looking contemplative. ]

There was no one I believed in, more than you.

[ What does that say about the family? ]

[redload]

Why do you sound like you hate it? I think it suits you.

[he kicks at v's feet.]

The sandals especially. I hear open toes is all the rave.

[the outfit isn't exactly great, and he can tell why v would hate it. it looks even less functional without all the tattoos on his chest and arms. it's the statement that v believed in him that makes him feel somewhat — uncomfortable about the whole thing, and so dante makes a face.]

Family obligations, that's how it is.

But it all worked out in the end. You did the right thing, turns out.

[summonere]

[ Griffon is laughing at these comments about the wardrobe, and V knows what he said was uncomfortable. But he also never had the chance to say it before. He'd been so frightened and so focused on fixing what had been done. He doesn't even know what he got the chance to tell Nero. ]

We're not family. [ His tone is soft, not a rebuke of the statement. His eyes flicker up sideways at Dante. ] You don't have any obligations to me now.

[redload]

[that makes dante pause. no obligations? then what does that make them?]

A free pass, just like that.

[he sounds skeptical.]

Can't say I'm fond of how that sounds.

[summonere]

It's all been played out, hasn't it? If Vergil is whole again.

[ What is supposed to bind them together now? ]

[redload]

[well, dante may as well speak up about something that's been bothering him — v's concept of being unneeded put aside.]

He had things taken from him by Mundus. [a beat] You both did, or do you have those memories that he lost in you?

[summonere]

[ That makes him wince much more than being asked And where does that leave you? He doesn't answer at first. ]

I wasn't there. There was nothing to take from me.

[redload]

[how does this work? it's making dante's brain hurt a little.]

So, no memories? No childhood, no Redgrave City. Nothing.

[summonere]

[ V flashes him a scowl. ]

Anything he didn't want to remember, he left with me. Is that what you want to hear?

[redload]

[he lifts his hands up, away from his chest and just shrugs his shoulders.]

I'm just trying to understand.

However I look at it, you don't belong anywhere else.

[dante, who basically took on a demon doppelganger of his mother as partner because where else was she to belong? how different is v from trish, in that regard?]

[summonere]

[ And much like Trish's reaction all those years ago, V is surprised, and confused. ]

What?

[ Finally, V is speechless with uncertainty. ]