graveyardsmash | JANUARY TEST DRIVE MEME

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test drive

JANUARY TEST DRIVE MEME

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.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Scenario One Preamble: Girl from Sumaru City, She Goes to Monsterland

[Alright, who dreamed up a demon city? The creatures lurking in the Torifune were tough, way too tough, they really didn’t need more of them. Maya’s ready to eye someone suspiciously, but her companions are nowhere to be found inside the hospital she wakes up in. Exasperation immediately turns to worry, and she's stepping her way into the streets, keeping an eye out for a familiar face. Though, this place is massive compared to the rooms before! She cups her hands around her mouth and calls as she walks, weaving between people.

Ulala! Suou! Baofu! Tatsuya...!

Her hands tense, drop to her sides, ready to draw her pistols at a moment’s notice, except -- she pats her hips, and they’re not there. She reaches inside her mind, whispering for Artemis, but there’s no answer. What, had someone imagined a moment where they were completely powerless? Could the Torifune really twist things that much?

That’s when she starts getting pamphlets and food shoved into her hands. Food, food is nice! She tries to thank these people, but it’s just too weird. What do they mean “please don’t eat me”? She’s a lot of things, but a demon and/or cannibal isn’t one of them. She even points at her teeth for emphasis! See, not a monster!]

/SC1 Part A:

[Time to get to the bottom of this. Everyone is missing, her means of defense are gone, and nothing makes sense. So, a foundation is needed! Even if this place isn't real, untangling its logic couldn't hurt. The pamphlets do nothing. So, it falls to talking to the people around here. Which...also unhelpful, so maybe she'll make contact with one of the demons here instead. Just as a test, you know?

Meaning, if you're particularly monstrous-looking, she'll approach with a winning smile, holding out a hand as if she's got a microphone in the palm of it. Be dazzled, friend, you're the center of attention.]

Hey there, mind if I ask you a few questions? It's in the name of honest journalism, I promise!

[Surely demons can appreciate that. Or laugh at the idea - whatever makes them happy, keeps them friendly.]

/SC1 Part B:

[However, she hasn't given up on chatting with the humans here. No, it's the wild-eyed, nervous ones that won't do. But you - you look pretty calm! You don't even spare her a passing glance, or you're oblivious to the hubbub your fellow citizens are steeped in for some reason. It's odd because they're acting strange with her, and ignoring the demons right there. What's up with that?

Her expression is more muted, more serious though. Something more genuine than what she can afford with the monsters. There's no time to spare placating them, nor the fearful strangers in this illusion. With you though, she'll step in your way, or tap your shoulder, smile light.]

Could I bother you a for a moment? I'm looking for some people.

----

Scenario 3 (except not)

[Maya is bent, doubled over her empty plate. It's sunset at a tacky diner, and nearby humans have shied away, hovering anxiously.

She makes a noise of pain, and oh, poor thing. It was only a matter of time, except...the sky outside is clear. Apparently no one is paying attention to that though, and when the table Maya is bracing herself on tips, the glass and plates and silverware crashing to the floor with her, it's eerily silent.

The option to ignore her is there, but if you happen to peer around or over the fallen table, she'll smile up at you, back flat against the dirty floor.]

...Just kidding!

--

OR Wildcard Anytime, Anywhere: Options are the Coolest

Edited 2016-01-13 08:48 (UTC)

[That voice. Eikichi could probably have heard it form any part of Ryslig and he would have come running. And so that is exactly what happens. Whoever was being interviewed was violently pushed away by a large, seven feet tall Minotaur. After having Ginko here, he's not sure his heart can take it. Despite his size, the voice, and the low sound, is unmistakably Eikichi.]

B-big sis? Is that really you?

[So far, Ryslig has been pretty peaceful. She can only watch in awe then, when that poor monster she'd spoken to suddenly goes spinning into some unfortunate passersby like a rag doll, replaced by a minotaur that dwarfs her considerably.

And with how fast he moved, she'd stepped back at first, hands at her sides on reflex despite her missing revolvers. For a big scary monster though, he sure doesn't sound like it.]

...Eikichi?

[It's weird. In her life as she knew it, she hadn't met him, but on the Other Side...her memories of him are powerful, and she relaxes. Of course, the Torifune could be behind this. No, it had to be - why would he look like this otherwise? But she doesn't have it in her heart to be completely wary of him. Not Eikichi.

She doesn't get any closer, however.]

Eikichi, what are you doing here?

[She shouldn't be here was his first thought. But like with Lisa, or perhaps even worse than before, there's a longing of something that he was supposed to be ever have again, a sacrifice he was gladly about to pay, standing before him in perfect health. From what time is she from? Right before the spear? Or right after?

At the sound of his name, he stumbles and falls.]

Y-yeah...it's me....

[He is just a crying puddle very quickly.]

[Eikichi wasn't one to ever hold back his tears, but this is something else entirely. He almost seems broken somehow, and Maya is worried by it.

It doesn't matter that he didn't answer her question, not when he's so distraught.

With no hesitation, Maya kneels beside him, reaching out to rub his back, feeling the fur and muscle. His weird changes...they're real? Her lips thin into a taut line, but she keeps her voice soft.]

Eikichi, it's okay...I'm right here.

[Is he scared? He must be, being changed into a monster himself. It's happened to enough people already, but Eikichi too?

At least, once they escape this room, the illusion will be shattered.]

[It's around that time. The city's on edge; changes are starting. Baroona's been watching the streets, catching glimpses of the transformations and the violence some create. His own haven't started yet, he can still blend in, his appearance nondescript enough that he has to struggle to attract attention rather than deter it. Which is good. In a place like this, the art of a low profile is the key to staying safe.

A fact which is lost on some of the other people here.

He's at the counter when glass shatters behind him. At first, like everyone else, he assumes it's the changes and prepares himself for the rampage that will follow. None does. The rest of the customers still cower behind him, fearful of the chance of some delayed change. One of the cooks—the owner—comes up behind the counter, glaring down at the woman. Ready to kick her out, no doubt. Baroona holds up a hand to stop him and rights the fallen table.]

I know the food's bad, [table upright, he offers her his hand,] but you're being kind of dramatic. [A faint grin before he mutters a brief warning to mind the shattered glass at her feet.]

[Okay, it's not one of her better jokes. And hey, her jokes are usually great! This one was just a bit messy.

Really, though, as far as anyone knows, she's merely a fellow citizen with very poor taste in humor. Completely tasteless, actually. At least that's why she assumes the owner isn't hesitating to give her a piece of his mind when a boy appears in her line of sight.

She glances from the fuming cook to the hand offered to her, before accepting it. Wrinkling her nose for good measure as she stands. At least this guy agreed with her taste buds.]

Ugh, says the guy who was probably smart enough to not try the cheeseburger. [Said in an almost conspiratorial whisper. The glass is also successfully avoided! She presses a hand to her forehead then, speaking more loudly.]

Thanks, I don't know what came over me. [A bad idea is what.] Dizzy spells are rough, huh? I think I need some fresh air.

[Is she throwing you a cue, Baroona? You bet she is. Or you can let her face the consequences and her bill, that's good too.]

I figured.

[The cheeseburger joke is a good sign. He's still grinning at it as he turns and motions for the owner to chill out. He'll settle their bills later. Yeah, yeah, he'll work if he has to. The owner still doesn't look pleased by that answer but in the end, free labor wins out. With everything settled, Baroona nods back towards the door.]

Come on. I'll make sure you don't faint or whatever.

[What a thoughtful way of putting it.]

[Once again, this delicate flower of a teen magazine editor is in debt to the chivalrous graces of a teenage boy.

She nods helpfully along as he takes the fall for her, yes, yes, off the hook is good! Great, in fact. What's a few broken plates between friends?

And oh, he's escorting her too! What a gentleman.]

Oh, thank you so much! What would I do without you?

[The action's thoughtful enough by itself, okay.

Of course, the moment they're outside, she turns and nope, she didn't expect a stranger to do that for her. Time to make amends!]

That was really sweet of you. Teach me not to bring my wallet. Anyways, look, I'll pay you back.

[She crosses her arms.] Orrr we could both just never come to this diner again! Bavan has a million of them, no skin off either of our noses.

[at the cornerstone of every pity party, there's a cheeseburger. it's not Stine's usual fare, but money's tight and he has a feeling that the longer he's here the chances of him ever seeing a plate of filet mignon again dwindle further and further away. it's an inescapable notion that he finds himself fixating on for no other reason than it's easier to swallow than his other losses, little pinpricks of light dwelling at the front of his mind that turn into painfully blinding rays — despair where there should be hope and a lump in his throat that he can't stop himself from choking on whenever he so much as breathes Hannah's name. it passes in its own time, though, and he knows that the pain can — and will — be used as a weapon of determination in time, but for now, all he wants to do is focus on the here and now which more or less boils down to the very overcooked burger sitting in front of him.

eating this thing is like shoving a piece of shoe leather into your mouth, and the fries aren't much better. too dry. and, oh, wouldn't you know it — he doesn't have any salt at his table. huffing a sigh, Stine cranes his head in the direction of the table closest to him where a young woman sits alone, but his eyes fall on the unused salt shaker near her wrist. frowning as he stands up, Stine slowly walks over to her and clears his throat.]

Excuse me. [he's already reaching for the shaker.] Are you—

[—using this? but he never finishes because everything goes to hell right after that second syllable when the woman falls and pulls all of her silverware right on top of her, minus the salt shake which Stine is left holding in a dazed, horrified stupor.

he looks at the shaker. then back at her. then back to the shaker, mouth open slightly. then he slowly slides it back across the the table, like he's trying to put a piece of a horribly broken puzzle back in place in a way that he hopes no one will notice.

he never thought he'd find someone who liked salt more than him, but. this is the wacky world he lives in now.]

Edited 2016-01-13 21:54 (UTC)

[Ah, yes, chewing away the bad thoughts on cheap, greasy diner food. Not a bad idea, when drinking is off the table Or, it's there, but who wants to risk getting drunk in a city full of monsters?

That's a bad idea for another day.

Today, the main course is falling prey to an impromptu practical joke by someone who's offended as he is at the terrible food here. Seriously, people pay for this? It's like the unreasonably priced paper dress at Rosa Candida. Paper! She'd rather eat that dress.

Maya doesn't see Stine coming though, otherwise she might've waited - she's not looking to traumatize anyone! It just sort of ends up that way. Fortunately, the table doesn't go down with her, and after a few beats following the initial crash of silverware on the hard floor she realizes it's awfully quiet. She's almost afraid to look, to be honest. But she sits up anyway, peering over the edge of the table, her nose resting on the edge. Hello, sir.

Her gaze jumps from him to the salt shaker. Oh, is that what he was talking about? He was trying to get her attention about something.

She debates a little, before helpfully pushing it towards the stunned man.]

...You wanted that, right? You can have it.

[She'll just be here, on the floor. Suffering silently. You just let her lie there, thanks Stine. If this were serious, she'd be dead. Dead, you hear?!

This salt is her feelings on this whole matter. So salty.]

[this is going in so many directions and it's leaving him with so many regrets. he regrets coming here. he regrets ordering the cheeseburger when he could've had the fried chicken. now that's a good substitute for filet mignon. he wouldn't have needed any salt for that. to think, things could've been different.

Stine's eyes remain locked with hers the entire time, and when she pushes the salt back, all he can do is nod slowly and accept it. righto.

this should be the part where he does the walk of shame back to his table. he considers it very heavily. he also considers with just as much intensity whether or not he should ask her if she needs her pepper shaker, too. both would be very practical responses that wouldn't impact him further, but...

he bites his lip, brow creased. but you can never walk away from a good story, or even a stupid one. and he's not sure if this one fits the bill for the former (yet) but it definitely fits the latter to a tee. with a frown, he lowers himself to the table's edge, propping his arm against it for support as he gives her the most judgmental look ever. he opens his mouth once, then snaps it shut; then he repeats it again as he struggles to come up with a question that has some bite to it, but nope. nothing.]

...Why?

[yeah, that's all he's got.]

Edited 2016-01-15 11:33 (UTC)

[Welcome to Ryslig, friend. It's full of regrets.

And apparently shamelessness too, because Maya lifts her head, and gives the sheer severity of his judgment a dazzling smile in response.

It's like trying to criticize the moon. Which is silly because the moon can't hear you.

She'd watched the full shift of expressions across his face with interest beforehand, too - despite how short his question is, he clearly put a lot of thought into it! It's also amazing how much you can communicate without saying a single word.

In the end, his question comes to no surprise at all.]

Haha, you know, impulse is a funny thing. [Hilarious.] You can't tell me you wouldn't want to drop dead too after eating that, would you?

[She's helpfully pointing at his plate, just a table away, when she says this. It's her turn to question you, sir, because really, her response is reasonable!

That salt will not help you here.]

[He'd given up hope--or maybe gotten too complacent--about the idea of someone else he knows coming here. It's been almost a year since he's seen anyone--he and Eikichi don't have much reason to keep in contact, and as far as he knows that's been it.

Nevertheless, when he hears her voice, he turns automatically--and when he sees her, for a split-second he actually thinks he might be hallucinating. Then his eyes widen and his jaw goes slack and instead of responding he just stares at her, dumbfounded.

It's several seconds before he can find his voice, and even then it comes out unsteady.]

Ms... Ms. Amano?

[When her pitch is met with stunned silence, well - it's not what she expected! But demons could be shy, so that smile stays on her face and Maya waits patiently.

Orrrr maybe he didn't hear her? She opens her mouth, ready to repeat herself, when the dragon man finally speaks. And then, it's her turn to be surprised.]

Suou...?

[Wait, hold up. He looks like a dragon man...to her. Just like she apparently comes off as monstrous to these people, when her own reflection is normal. Ah, so this room must be rooted in perception!

Or illusion. There's a word for it. Whatever, what's important is that she's found someone. Her expression shifts to a pleasant smile.]

Wow, I almost didn't recognize you without your sunglasses!

[Yes, the signature shades.]

[Right. Yes, his sunglasses. Those are...definitely something he's not wearing anymore.

Is that all she noticed? Katsuya stares at her, nonplussed.]

Er, no, I stopped wearing those a while ago. [Months ago. She can't really not...notice, can she?] I--Ms. Amano, are you all right?

Really?

[Maya steps closer to peer at him. Bye, personal space. Well, until she steps back again. She could have sworn Katsuya was wearing them five minutes ago...did that count as awhile? He's always wearing them, so yeah, probably.

That said, she waves off his concern - literally - with a wave of her hand, crossing her arms to think.]

I'm fine! I'm just glad I found you. Have you seen anyone else around?

[Of all people, she thought she'd find Ulala first. You know, yelling and punching a demon. But Katsuya works too.]

[At her question her presence here hits him all at one, like it was on a time-delay, and he's at a loss for words all over again. He hangs for a moment as he tries to process everything that's going through his head right now--

There's despair that she has to be in his hellhole, but there's a selfish happiness that she's here, too, that he can see her again. He's a little hurt that she doesn't seem to care about what he's turned into, but on the other hand it's not like he ever entertained the delusion that she'd ever care about him in that way--

Shut up, Suou, and actually respond to her question.]

No. You're the only one from--from our group. [He glances around, trying to find a way out of the crowd, toward someplace more private.] Ms. Amano, we have...a lot to talk about.

[The first awkward pause, she could explain away easily. Katsuya is usually really easy to catch off guard, but the way he's looking at her this time, it's...like they're on two different pages here.

Reluctantly, her previous assumptions are set aside.

Especially because they couldn't have been separated that long, for him to speak with the gravity he is. Unless...something awful had happened, in the time between when she lost consciousness and woke up in that hospital.

Maya's brow furrows, and she steps forward to look Katsuya right in the eye.]

What do you mean the only one? Did something happen to everyone else? Suou, what's going on?

[She doesn't seem interested in waiting for privacy. Explain now, Katsuya.]

It's-- We're not--

[He takes a deep breath, rubbing his hands over his face as he tries to get his thoughts in order. He never thought he'd be having to give this spiel to anyone from home, let alone Maya Amano.

He did not wake up this morning emotionally prepared for this.]

This place--everything in the pamphlets--it's all true. We're not in Sumaru anymore, Ms. Amano, or Japan. I don't think we're even on Earth.

[He smiles slightly, a little ruefully, and gestures toward--well, all of himself.]

Why else do you think I look like this? I arrived here several months ago. We seem to come from various points in time as well as space.

[Maya's no stranger to, well, the strange things the universe has to offer. Two Sumarus, the Crawling Chaos, rumors brought to life.

It's still disorienting to be transported to somewhere else entirely however, and honestly, it just leaves her with more questions than answers. Where does she even begin?

No, that's easy. She's looking him up and down again too, and watching the twitch of those wings and inhuman limbs, those claws...he's not joking. Somehow, he'd been changed into a demon. Why, she can't imagine, but they'll probably get to that topic soon.

Maya's expression softens, but there's still a hard edge to her eyes.]

You weren't kidding...this is a lot to take in. Do you know what this place is called?

[And then it strikes her. He said months, didn't he?]

Suou, don't tell me you've been here by yourself this whole time. [It's so hard to imagine, when he was not too far behind her just a few hours ago, in the maze of the Torifune.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

JANUARY TEST DRIVE MEME

Maya Amano | Persona 2: EP

SC1 Part A for A lot of crying

weeps

yeah you better

wow!!

i tried to think up a funny subject line for picking 3 and failed

lettin me down greer

i dropped the ball just for you

you fumbled and now its foobaw time

3 GOSH

she's dead

rest in fucking pieces

that icon laughs

sc1a vibrates gently

1/2 ARE U READY SEAN

2/2

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laughs Kats omg. get it together son