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

[irondad]

( You know how telling someone not to laugh makes them laugh? A snort escapes, threatening to bubble up into a full-on guffaw, but Tony marshals it as he goes to take the crystal from her, still smirking.



Then he breaks, with a huff and a shrug, Welcome to Fellden, Pepper. )

What, look, 100% was not expecting this at all. Charging them so far has been very, just. Ohm-y and meditative, or placing them in range of some other magic source.

( Tony suddenly looks very, very shrewdly at her, something lewd in the curve of his mouth as he leans toward her, as if for a kiss, )

You know, I've got another box that needs charging, if you wanna...

[efficacy]

[ You know, it's not even the least romantic proposal he's ever come up with. She has to give him that much. She arches a slim brow pointedly, standing her ground as Tony leans closer with that inscrutable Mona Lisa countenance of hers; though the corners of her lips twitch just a tiny bit, wry amusement gleaming in her blue eyes. ]

Is it going to last longer than four minutes, this time?

[ Ooh, snap. Not like she had complaints, they were great 4 minutes! But a burn is a burn. She shakes her head before he can respond one way or another, though. They're getting sidetracked. ]

Thanks, but I'll have to pass. [ She glances around a bit indicatively. As fascinating as the shop is... ] I expect you have actual living spaces here, and you haven't been bunking in the workshop...?

[ Please say you haven't. ]

[irondad]

( The lewdness to his expression vanishes, replaced by a second of outrage, and then something wry, amused. Savage. But fair, and he misses Pepper all over again even though she's standing right here beside him, an ache that feels inescapable.

Just so he doesn't do something ridiculous, like fold right into her again, Tony starts packing the gem away as she continues, though he spares a moment to check the rest of the crystal cargo, also charged, and vibrantly glowing. )

I mean- ( with the roll of one shoulder, ) -after a while you just get used to the cot, and the mice are all mostly dead...

( But he can't keep the charade going, and so moves to take her by the hand, pulling her with him over a small, enigmatic smile. )

Come here.

( He draws her with him as they crunch over the mess of shattered crystal, taking her across the workshop to a flight of stairs, up those and past two heavy, oak doors, on through the entryway of the penthouse Tony has called home for a little over a month. )

Et voilà, Miss Potts. Not as big as back home, but it's. Home. For now.

[efficacy]

Tony,

[ she admonishes lightly at his tease, lacking her usual heat; further evidenced by the slightest hitch to the corner of her mouth. But then he's pulling her along and she's happy to follow, up the stairs, through the pair of heavy, wooden doors and beyond to a beautiful penthouse that takes Pepper aback visibly with both its size and... well, elegance, really. ]

It's... still pretty big, [ she manages to stammer, her gaze climbing up the lightly colored walls and darker beams of wood, to the skylights letting in all that natural light.

Seriously, it's a lot of space for one person. But then, so was the California mansion. This may not be that ultra modern style Tony's houses back home favor, rather leaning more toward rustic chic, but it has a nice, homey feel to it. Some kind of French cottage style with a hint of fantasy land luxury. Back home, a place like this would be an ideal weekend getaway sort of dwelling. ]

It's lovely, though.