JANUARY TEST DRIVE MEME

[rysligmods]

TEST DRIVE

Welcome to Ryslig's test drive meme! If you're considering apping here, this is where you can try your characters out in the game's setting. A few things to note:

• You can only app ONE character per round so choose wisely.
• We now have a Quick Game Facts that simplifies the basic information about the game. Good if you want to see what the game is at a glance!
• Ryslig's FAQ is located here, so please take a look if you have questions.


• The Reserve date is 01/29.
• Test drive meme threads can be used for your roleplay sample!
• Players with characters already in the game can earn up to a maximum of 6 coins by replying to potential character threads! You cannot use this to go over the bonus 20 coins per month total, but you can use it to reach that coin total. Same rules as normal bonuses apply.

Sample scenarios:

SCENARIO ONE: So you've just arrived, fresh out of the hospital, and already the natives are trying to get on your good side. Offers of food, shelter and other luxuries in return for hoping you don't eat them. They even have some helpful pamphlets to share with you. "How To Deal With Changes", "Alternatives to Human Flesh", "What to Expect When You're Expecting (to turn into a monster)" are all great pamphlets. There's even some detailing certain monsters, and the changes they go through. Some of these seem to have been passed down from one monster to the next.

Among these however, are some... not so helpful ones. "Bunnyipyips And You", "Axe Thief Axehounds," and "So you're becoming a Fur Bearing Trout" among others. Sometimes they have marks on them from previous people who had them saying they are lies, or pointing out good "jokes."

SCENARIO TWO: You've become hopelessly lost in Lager Woods. Paths don't seem to lead where you remember them leading, and you feel as if you're going around in circles. Childlike giggling can be heard from no direction in particular. Suddenly, you stumble upon another character, who seems to be just as lost as you! Perhaps you can find a way out together. Or maybe they want you for lunch...

SCENARIO THREE: The time has come and you've found yourself becoming a monster. Is the change instant, or gradual? Are you familiar enough with monsters to know what's happening, or is it a complete shock? NOTE: Feel free to pick any monster type for this prompt, but note that you may not get the same one in game.

SCENARIO FOUR:The claws, the fangs, the pangs of hunger - horrible as they all are, it's manageable given enough time and perseverance. Local monster hunters, though, not so much.

Maybe it started with a few wayward glances on the outskirts of town, critical stares and disapproving whispers, or just the misfortune of being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Whatever it was, deserved or entirely unprovoked, you're being hunted: a handful of aggressive, well-armed humans doggedly chase your trail throughout city streets and out into the open, and if you're not careful (if you don't find help soon) you might wind up as the next trophy kill claim on one of those hunter's walls.

Comments

Tanyuu Karibusa | Mushishi

[fourthscribe]

One

No, really, I don't--thank you, but I can't really take them...

[A little ways away from the general crowd at the hospital is a young woman all but cornered by a small gaggle of insistently helpful townsfolk, her expression fading very quickly from apologetic to irritated. The source of the problem is almost immediately obvious--for all that the offers of helpful fliers are meant well, it's rather hard to accept them when one is in crutches. If they stopped to think for a few moments they would realize this, but...well.]

[Tanyuu tries to edge around the men, but they keep pressing closer and very earnestly insisting that she find a place to stay very quickly, what with the monsters around and all. And when one of them reaches forward to try and tuck a pamphlet into her kimono she stumbles back a few steps with an incredibly offended look.]

What are--do not touch me!

[Some help might be appreciated.]

Four - Fairy

[If it weren't for that glow around her it would be rather difficult to see Tanyuu's tiny form zipping down the street, flying as fast as she can to try and outpace the small mob chasing her. It had been pure chance that she'd run into the hunters at all, but now she just couldn't get rid of them.]

[And as she turns another corner, she makes the mistake of stealing a glance behind her rather than watching where she's going, and slams right into you with a yelp. Tumbling in the air for a moment before righting herself, she shakes her head and looks between you and the approaching group anxiously.]

Quick, hide! [The last thing she wants is for someone else to get caught up in this mess.]

Four!

[songoftimeandtimeagain]

[As usual, his anntenae sense something approaching before he's fully aware of what it is. He turns just as the little glowing ball reaches him, bumping softly against his shoulder. He lets out a gasp, and immediately turns to face her, cupping his hands under where she wavers awkwardly in mid air, giving her a place to land safely if she needs it. He leans his head close, eyes wide and a little awe struck. The surprise on his face isn't because he's never seen anything like her, it's the opposite. A sudden pang of familiarity hits him deep, and although he knows she's not a Fairy like the ones back home, (her glow is too dull, her wings too broad and too solid) he's far from unfamiliar with faeries either.

He doesn't move at first, just looking up and past her to see what the problem is. Hunters, not monsters. He lets out a little breath, then taps his foot on the ground. A circle of mushrooms sprouts around the two of them, and by the time the hunters reach it the two are halfway across the peninsula.

When he speaks to her he keeps his voice soft and small to match the person he's talking to.]

It's okay, you're safe now. Are you alright?

[fourthscribe]

[Tanyuu holds onto Link's thumb with all four hands while she regains her stability, gold and purple wings fluttering as she catches her breath. She doesn't even have time to realize what Link is going before they both are suddenly somewhere else, and she bites down on another yelp. Her antennae, fine and long, twitch and flick nervously.]

Wh...what did you do?

[songoftimeandtimeagain]

[His own antennae probe forward and down, slowly and curiously sniffing and feeling the air around her. He's careful not to actually jab or prod at her with them, but even just hovering and tapping the edge of her glow is informative. She smells like ripe fruit, a sort of heavy sweetness. Squinting down at her in the darkness, it's easier to see the edges of her form. Butterfly wings, slender oddly jointed legs, and slim antennae of her own. She's like him alright, but must be fairly new to have discovered her shrinking before her rings. He can help her. He smiles and takes a seat on the grass, moving slowly and smoothly so he doesn't jostle her on his hand. They're in a small park in a town. If she's observant enough the buildings look oddly uniform. Different shapes and sizes but all the same age, all the same materials.]

I warped us to Concordia. It's hours away from where we were before. I can take us back in in a while after the hunters have gone.

[fourthscribe]

Warped...? I didn't know that was possible here.

[Almost like the uro cocoons, but not quite. Her antennae calm down somewhat, probing in Link's direction now, and her wings slowly fold behind her as she looks around. She doesn't recognize anything...which at least means that the hunters definitely are gone now. One set of arms folds around her middle, and she steps back to be in the middle of his palm.]

Ah, thank you, by the way.

[songoftimeandtimeagain]

It's probably different from how you used to, it is for me.

[No more songs, no more warp pads, no more owl statues. He misses the old system a lot, having only three warp points was so limiting but never the less it was still the most practical way to get around on the peninsula.

At her thanks he just shrugs, smile almost taking a bashful tinge. He slowly lowers his hand until it's flat against the grass, she's free to step down onto the more stable ground now if she wishes. He stays silent for a few moments, trying to figure out where to start. She needed to learn how to warp too, but she might just not have that power yet. Besides, for now there was a more immediate issue.]

Are you stuck tiny?

[fourthscribe]

[She chuckles softly and smiles, but doesn't bother correcting Link. After all, what does it matter what he assumes she could do back home? It doesn't change what she can do here.]

[Tanyuu steps off carefully, still not completely used to the strange twisted zig-zag her legs are now. At least she can walk, though--it's one of the few good things out of this whole mess. She flutters over and perches on the edge of one of the mushrooms of the ring, feeling a little safer there than sitting in the grass.]

No, but it's easier for me when I'm small. My legs are a lot more...troublesome, when I'm at full size. [Her antennae flick again, and she extends one leg out as an example--rather than going forward as one might expect, it juts out to the side.]

[songoftimeandtimeagain]

[Once she's settled on a mushroom, Link shrinks down and joins her. He doesn't really mean to, but the size he settles at is roughly proportional to hers. He's just under two inches, so for once in his life he almost appears tall for his age, ironic as that is. He casts a glow too, much brighter than hers, with a bright green coloring. It doesn't totally obscure his features, but in the dark night it might take a moment for her eyes to adjust.

He tilts his head as he watches her leg move. She's got buggy-ness all the way up to her hips, and the angle of her legs is very strange. He kicks his feet next to her, stretching out his buggy toes in a silent show of something like solidarity.]

You'll get used to it. I keep myself a little shorter than I can be most of the time, cause I don't like being as tall as these things make me.

[Another wiggle of his toes accompanies his statement.]

[fourthscribe]

[It is a bit dazzling, and she blinks a few times before her eyes adjust. This close, Link will be able to tell that the lilac color isn't just limited to her iris, but covers her entire eyeball--she doesn't have true compound eyes, but if there is a pupil in there somewhere it's hard to tell.]

[One pair of hands folded in her lap, one of the others raises to Tanyuu's mouth as she chuckles.]

It is strange! I started keeping myself about the height of someone your age once I found out I can, it's easier to move around like that if flying isn't an option. [A pause, then:] Or the age you look, at least.

one

[tinytactician]

[Now now, locals, having a new person around isn't an excuse to be rude. Hopefully this young woman isn't terribly offended by a very short, but extremely determined young man barging in and shooing the group of men away with his sternest look.]

She said to stop, so I must insist you stop.

[fourthscribe]

[Tanyuu freezes up for a moment, and the locals make a few protests.]

"We're only trying to help, she's obviously very confused!"

[She recovers somewhat and draws herself up straight, glaring at the group of men around her and Armin.]

And aren't helping at all! I have heard plenty from you, I can find information and lodgings just fine on my own!

[tinytactician]

[The men get a pointed "see, I told you so" expression, then Armin takes a risk and turns his back to them, looking up at Tanyuu with his most polite smile.]

As a matter of fact, I was wondering if you had any ideas regarding lodgings, ma'am. Would you like to find a less...crowded place to discuss?

[fourthscribe]

[The locals linger for a few more moments, but with Tanyuu very pointedly focusing her attention on Armin, they grumble and disperse without much more fuss. Fine, let them all get eaten up by their fellows, see if they care!]

[Tanyuu turns to Armin with a grateful smile, a merry twinkle catching in her eye.]

I would very much appreciate that, thank you.

[tinytactician]

[Armin lets out a relieved sigh, because honestly if it had gotten to the point of a physical altercation, he'd be a smear on the ground by now. But all's well that ends well, and so he'll smile back at Tanyuu.]

They don't seem to be very keen on manners around here, do they?

[fourthscribe]

[She lets out a relieved sigh as well, shaking her head.]

No, they certainly don't seem to. Would you mind if we found a place to sit to continue our conversation? I'm not used to being on my feet for so long.

[tinytactician]

I wouldn't mind at all. [Ever the gentleman, he'll lead the way to the bench he'd been perched on when he saw her trouble -- and will even shove the numerous pamphlets to one side.] Ah, sorry. I seem to have amassed more than I anticipated I had.

[fourthscribe]

[Tanyuu follows behind, and chuckles softly when he makes space for her. She settles herself carefully on the bench and sets her crutches to the side.] That's alright. It certainly is a lot of material they seem to think we need. How much of it have you read so far?

one

[onegreeneye]

[The locals can be a little... pushy about the flyers; it's something that's hard not to notice, even for those who aren't having them shoved in their faces. Sometimes Ginko is very glad he arrived before that became a thing, but he kind of feels sorry for the new arrivals.

Speaking of which. At first, the voice's familiarity doesn't quite register; it definitely pings something in the back of his mind, seems like he's heard it before, but between a year and a half of never seeing her and the moment's distraction, he can't quite place where. Either way, though, the fact remains that he figures he should probably intervene.]

Alright, hey, that's enough. [He speaks up a few moments before actually reaching the group, and once he does it doesn't take a whole lot for the townsfolk to scatter at the sudden arrival of a large and somewhat irritated-looking troll.

He starts to turn toward the newbie they had apparently been hounding.] Sorry about that, they're kind of--

[And then he stops talking. And stares.

Shit.]

[fourthscribe]

[Ginko might be distracted, but the familiarity isn't lost on Tanyuu. She can't quite believe her luck, that one of her few friends happens to be in this strange place as well, but she's not about to look the gift horse in the mouth.]

[When the men scatter she sighs with relief, closing her eyes for a moment before looking back up.] Thank you, Ginko. I wasn't sure any of them knew how to...

[Oh.]

[Tanyuu doesn't quite freeze, but she does stare in confusion at her old friend's changes. White fur, horns, the bright green crystals poking out of his flesh...it's a lot to take in. After a few moments she takes a few steps forward, concern and worry clear in her expression.]

What in the world happened to you?

[onegreeneye]

[He almost steps back when she moves forward. Almost. But he doesn't look all that happy to see her here.

His ears droop slightly, his fingers curling anxiously by his sides.]

...This place happened. I'd... kind of hoped you wouldn't show up.

[Which would sound bad out of context, but... well. He's standing here covered in rocks and fur and it's all because of where they are.]

[fourthscribe]

[Tanyuu isn't completely ignorant--she's heard about the monsters, how the newcomers supposedly transformed the longer they stayed here. She had assumed there was some form of mushi infestation, or possibly a case of old legends and misunderstandings...but now those warnings have a lot more weight to them.]

[Still, she won't let that discourage her. There is a solution, they just have to find it. She offers Ginko a small smile, sympathetic but encouraging.]

Well, I'm here now. How about we find a place to sit, and you can tell me more about what's going on here? [If Ginko hasn't been conducting an investigation on all this, she'll eat her cane.]

[onegreeneye]

[Ginko gives a hesitant nod, looking around for a moment before pointing out the nearest bench.] C'mon. Over here.

[Once they're seated, he laces his fingers together and stares down at his hands for a moment, then sighs and reaches into his pocket. Yeah, he'd rather be smoking during this if it's going to have to happen.]

So, how much have you heard so far?

[fourthscribe]

[Tanyuu follows and settles herself beside Ginko, one hand resting on her right knee absently. She waits until Ginko has lit his cigarette before replying, taking the time to gather her thoughts.]

Hm...I had been told that anyone who washes ashore here will change into a monster, and a few people insinuated I would lose my mind if I was not careful. It sounded like a lot of hysteria to me.

[onegreeneye]

[He gives a quiet snort, accompanied by a puff of smoke. It smells similar to his usual cigarettes, but it's slightly off, like the ingredients are just a little bit different from usual.]

Yeah, I can see how it would all sound pretty ridiculous at first. Unfortunately, there's some truth to it.

There's a being here called the "Fog God"; it's apparently in an ongoing conflict with another god, and has seen fit to drag us into it. And... well, despite the names, the gods here are nothing like those in our world. They're capable of quite a lot more, and some seem to be significantly more malicious.

The Fog God is the one responsible for bringing us here and changing us. Unfortunately, as you've been told, the effects are not purely physical. [There's a tenseness to his voice now, his ears twitching back.] There are a number of... instincts that tend to kick in over time, depending on what, exactly, one is turned into. Some are easier to manage than others, and a few are... effectively unavoidable.

[fourthscribe]

[She catches the scent, and raises an eyebrow but doesn't otherwise comment. Has Ginko been here so long that he ran out of his usual supply? It hadn't been that long since he had last come by to visit...]

[She listens carefully and attentively, falling easily into the mindset of the Scribe to remember every piece of information. And the news certainly is troubling, not just for the information itself but the way Ginko delivers it, tense and full of dread under that serene mask he so often wears. And it's not just a worry for her--he's suffered too, been changed in ways he can't become comfortable with.]

Involuntary compulsions are always the most troubling part of any infection. [Tanyuu pauses for a moment, and her tone turns softer with her question. She hadn't wanted to mention it before, but...] Then...the diet as well?