Test Drive #4

[felldenmods]

Welcome to the January 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 February 1st, and continue to be until 11:59 PM UTC on February 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.
✦ We have added a Suitability section to the application. Check it out! We will be requiring this going forward as it not only helps players see if their character is a good fit for the game but it lets the mod team gather some ideas about direction for your character!
✦ 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 Death or its Attendants if you risk placing a coin in their offering bowl.
✦ As in December, a secondary blessing will be available in February to those that tag others on the TDM!

All set? Perfect! Welcome to Fellden.

AS THE MOON RISES. You’ll find yourself just outside the Temple gates, which will be locked if you try to open them. A little rude, keeping you out after bringing you all this way, and the more you try to look up at the Temple structure the more insistent guards become in pushing you down the pathway to somewhere else. 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, 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! Chrysanthemums will be offered as brooches or corsages, food and drink placed into your hands, while live musicians play loud enough for the dead to hear — for this is a celebration dedicated to them. Several were lost in the battle held the previous weeks, and the Priestess has decreed a time of mourning through revelry. Spirits must be kept up, even in these dark times. 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 despite the pall that may hang over the town. 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 prepare the interior for a solemn remembrance of those lost. Guards at the door will instead direct you to the center of the city where most of Starfolk have gathered to say their goodbyes and reminisce of memories past. Venturing there, you'll be greeted either by those who are serving food and drink from nearby taverns, or those with drawn faces tired from battle. Or perhaps you're a late arrival and the worst of the exhaustion has left the city, now imbued with laughter and happier memories! Those loyal to the Court of Stars greet the newcomers with guarded gratitude in their eyes and wary hesitance. How many more of these Otherworlders will betray them, they wonder out loud. If you try and take a seat with a party or three, chances are the conversation will halt as soon as you grow near, and the longer you stay the more uncomfortable the gathered people become. Trust is not easily gained in the Court of Stars; broken now as it is, the natives of this world fear the worst for their Emperor. Will you help us, or will you hurt us, they ask, wanting to believe they still have a chance at surviving this exhaustive war. Whether you choose to remain for the remembrance or wander off, one thing is certain: things must turn around for the Stars soon. If you do manage to sneak off, a hopeful 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 with an extra amount of people who sought refuge here during the attack on the Moon Temple. Some calm had finally started to settle but now the foundation has once more been shaken. Newcomers will be welcomed with smiling faces from merchants as they look to try to sell their wares. Tavern owners and barkeeps will beckon with the promise of warm food and delightful drinks, a place by the fire, and information to help you find your bearings. The air is rife with the scent of the coastline, fishermen bringing in their haul from the day. Perhaps if you pay enough attention, 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 for something more exciting will find closer to the northern border of Kyst a rather curious bi-pedal cat bouncing on its back legs. It flags you down with a wave of its paw, asking excitedly if you'd like to flex your claws into a juicy quest. You're just the hunter for the job! Purr-fect in every way! Out in the wild lands there's a great beast in a deep river, and it's bothering all the people who live in the nearby town! They can't get fresh water or fish for their meals; it's furr-ightening! If you agree to help, the cat will explain that the creature is a Nokken that has been luring many a brave fisher to their untimely death. It must be removed either by force or by convincing it to leave! Help them, Hero-wan Kenobi, you're their meownly hope!

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, and leaving offerings for their passed. If you catch their eye, they will beg of you to pay respects as well, and press a gold coin into your palm. Offer a wish or a happy memory to who you miss and place the coin into Death's offering bowl and there's a chance someone will be there to speak with you. Be mindful of your actions though; those that show disrespect will be forcibly removed from the Gods Wood by the trees. If the forest is too intimidating, Terebellum is open for semester registration, and the grounds are even more regal with a light dusting of snow all around. Students of all branches of magic can be found exploring the campus and practicing their craft. If you're lucky, perhaps you can find a teacher who will explain what is offered here at the University. But ah, there's a catch! Tuition is extremely expensive, so you must impress your faction leaders if you wish to widen your breadth of knowledge within these walls!

Comments

sounds good!!

[blindrun]

[ kanan has the same moment of recognition as he walks down a crowded path. it clicks in like second nature, and there's a different feeling to it but still he knows.

he grinds to a stop in the street, forgetting himself. of course a woman walking behind bumps right into him and they both stagger together. she curses him out as she shoves past and he lets out a quick "sorry" as she goes, which is right when he hears the all too familiar voice that matches the feeling he got. ]

Ezra.

[ he doesn't shout, only saying his name, and moves out of the flow of foot traffic so he can reach ezra. at least the his mask means people naturally move out of his way, supposing the obvious as they make their way. it takes him a couple moments as he walks with purpose, maneuvering past people even as they try to step out of his way naturally, and makes it to him. ]

So you made it out here too. [ his relief is evident in his voice. he hasn't felt the presence of anyone else on their crew and it was bothering him. ] Are you alright?

[merging]

[That's not necessarily the reaction he was expecting, but it makes some sense. Wait, out here too? Is this a ghost thing. Is he a ghost. Is that why Kanan's asking if he's alright?

... probably not, but it is possible.]

I... yeah, I'm fine. What about you?

[Because. Dead.]

[blindrun]

Good.

[ about as good as being pulled into an entirely different galaxy away from the everything going on in theirs can be. so good, but also worried. ezra being here helps so he can at least channel his worries productively. ]

I didn't see you at the Temple gathering last night. Guess that means you were claimed by the Court?

[ yep straight to business, don't mind him, he just saw ezra two days ago after they had to retreat from thrawn. ]

[merging]

Yeah.

[He nods, still confused because while he would very much like to get straight to business, it's not this business? Truthfully, he hasn't thought too much about the Court or the Temple other than that they exist.]

Have you- I mean, I've been looking for a way out of here and I thought maybe the Loth-wolves could- Have you, uh... talked to them?

[blindrun]

No. I haven't been able to sense them. [ more than likely they aren't present on this continent at all. as for a way out of here... ] I don't think there is any way out. I followed what I thought was one of the Loth-wolves, but it must have just taken a similar form.

[ turns out spiritual giant wolves are very popular, who would have thought. not kanan and he feels like an idiot for even following it, but his questions about going back were not addressed. ]

[merging]

Okay, but wolves! And a door, a portal! It has to be connected.

[There cannot be that many spiritual giant wolves, at least in his mind. He followed it because the wolves have never led him wrong.]

Plus, you're here so... so...

[blindrun]

[ so...?

ezra won't see kanan's eyebrows thanks to his mask, but they are very sharply raised as he trails off. kid is acting weird... or maybe he's just taking everything that's happening way too much in stride? it doesn't sit right with him, but he needs to be the collected one between them. this isn't the best spot for a nuanced discussion though. ]

I was on my way to check out a local tavern one of the natives recommended to me. Discreet, but a neighborhood favorite. Let's catch up there.

[ if ezra is in the court and he's in the temple, they should exchange whatever information they got on arriving. might lead to answers, or better questions. ]

[merging]

Sounds good.

[And maybe more relaxing than standing on the street and yelling about wolves. He follows Kanan's lead, trusting his master's senses. After all, he was able to give himself a haircut and wait, why is his hair long and why is he wearing his mask. Ezra had been so excited to see him that it hadn't entirely clicked. Well, that's the way he remembers him so maybe that's how force ghosts work?]

Um, by the way, what happened with your hair?

[blindrun]

My hair?

[ he repeats as they walk with the flow of the crowd down the lane, and reaches back to touch the back of his head. nothing is missing, obviously, but he frowns all the same. ]

Nothing? Not that I can tell anyway. [ he isn't exactly keeping up with his looks that much anymore, all things considered. ] Why, does something look weird about it?

[merging]

[Ezra frowns back. True, nothing's missing, but that's not the problem here.]

No, it's just... You cut it before- before our last mission.

[That's an easier way of phrasing that than what he was going to say at first.]

[blindrun]

I didn't.

[ obviously, he didn't. it was total chaos, no one had time to do anything but hold thrawn off. they barely even made it out of there until he royally pissed bendu off into being useful. but now he's getting concerned about ezra. he continues to lead them and as they get further from the central area the crowd thins out. kanan can feel a strong presence from one of the smaller buildings and he guides them both toward it. ]

Oh and if anyone asks, just say you're old enough to be here.

[ he didn't actually check if kids are allowed, but also who's gonna stop them?

[merging]

[You did, he wants to argue back, but Ezra holds back for now. Something isn't right.]

Obviously.

[When have rules ever stopped them? Besides, he's nearly 19 and could use a mind trick if he had to.

Once they're inside, he's reminded of hanging out at Old Jho's before the Empire had gotten to him. He notices a quieter table near the back and guides Kanan there.]

Okay, this is gonna sound weird, but stick with me. What was our last mission?

[blindrun]

[ he takes ezra's lead on grabbing a table and settles in across from him. once seated he takes off his mask, the lack of lighting in the tavern easy on his eyes, and sets it to the side while pondering ezra's question. ]

There was no mission. Thrawn discovered our base, and we suffered loses but managed to escape. [ he sighs. ] Wish Bendu was on our side of that instead of his own, but we made it out.

[merging]

Kanan...

[Compared to his joking and carefree tone from before, his demeanor's completely changed. It was easier when he thought he was speaking to a Force ghost. This is way different.]

That was over a year ago, from my point of view.

[blindrun]

A year...

[ a hand comes up to his face, scratching his chin as he absorbs the weight of what that means. that would explain why ezra is acting strange. or rather, explains why he wasn't responding the way ezra anticipated he would. it doesn't make a lick of sense, but he doesn't need the force to tell him ezra is being honest. ]

Well. [ well, indeed. he taps his fingers on the table and breathes in to let out a sigh. ] Alright. That's fine. I don't get how or why, but if that's how it is then all it means is we're from different points in time and space.

[ what matters more is that they're here together. and a year is -- it's a lot of time, but not so much in the grand scheme of things. they have each other is what counts. ]

[merging]

Yep. I think I know how, but the why's... yeah, don't know about that one.

[There's so much he wants to say to Kanan. So much he wants to ask. Let go, he reminds himself. But it's hard to let go when he's sitting right in front of him.

Still, it should be fine so long as he doesn't talk about the whole death thing.]

I asked about the Loth-wolves before because something like this has happened before. Or not this exactly, but time and space stuff, you get the idea. Back then, they guided me to what I needed to do. I thought maybe they'd be here too.

[blindrun]

Interesting. Legend was they were force sensitive beings of old, but never knew how true that was.

[ he hasn't seen any real ones though, or not yet it seems. looks like ezra knows a lot about them. which does bring up an important point: ]

I trust you understand you can't tell me about anything that happens. The future is not for any living being to know. It must unfold day by day, guided by our will and actions.

[merging]

The future is always in motion. But what happened in my past can't be changed. We might not even be on the same path.

[There were so many, after all. Paths, choices, worlds. Kanan had been pulled from his time, but he'd eventually have to return. Just as Ahsoka had.]

I've already told you about you cutting your hair... but I won't tell you anything else unless you ask me to. How does that sound?

[blindrun]

Sounds good.

[ it's tempting to ask, he has a lot of questions, but he knows better than to give into that temptation. he wants to live his life, not have it narrated to him. ...although-- ]

Does my hair... look ok short?

[ his great fear. ]

[merging]

Uhhhhhh. Well, you're the one who cut it, so it looks pretty good considering that. And you shaved off your beard too. Next time I'd ask Sabine, though?

[Or not, considering how short she'd cut Ezra's hair. He was still mad about that, but she claimed it was necessary. Apparently she messed up one part and then tried to salvage the cut, but he thinks she did it on purpose!]

But you looked different. Younger, in a way. More like Caleb, I guess.

[blindrun]

[ he... doesn't remember telling ezra his real name. it must have happened in this year he's missing in time. just what could have prompted that reveal? it troubles him, but he can't will himself to hold back the small smile that ezra's description conjures up. he doesn't know what caleb dume looks like anymore. ]

I bet Hera hated it. [ she would. though she also hated his beard game so maybe she appreciated a clean shave. ] Alright, enough spoilers. If you're in the Court and I'm in the Temple, it means we can exchange information. Last night the locals told me the Court murdered a peace envoy and lead an assault on Temple grounds a week ago.

[merging]

Yeah... [is all he can say at the mention of Hera. While he's not sure of her feelings on Kanan's hair, it instantly reminds him of what actually happened that night. How lost they all had been.]

I've been asking around for ways out of here mostly, but from what I can tell... something bad happened with the Court and the offworlders? I guess someone betrayed the Emperor? The welcome party was not all that welcoming.

[blindrun]

Mine was... awkward. [ or, awkward for him. being welcomed as saviors brings up some bad feelings for him. ] They hailed us all as heroes. Happy we came. I think they've been desperate for good news after everything.

[ he wants to protect them too, even with the uncertainty that goes through him when he thinks about this war. he told himself for years to never get involved in another war and it took a long time to realize he had to fight for the galaxy. but that was his galaxy. ]

[merging]

I'd take that over all the weird stares. No one wanted to talk to me either. Plus, at least you're not on the side of the Empire.

[Different empire, but still. And it might be nice to be treated like a hero, considering he missed all the aftermath on Lothal.]

[blindrun]

Emperor, Priestess, Lord, doesn't matter what the title is, it's all the same. [ but he gets it. ] We're going to need to be cautious. Play along and do what we do best discreetly.

[ i.e. be little rebel shits ]