graveyardsmash | TEST DRIVE MEME: JUNE

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TEST DRIVE MEME: JUNE

TDM: JUNE

Welcome to the Ryslig Test Drive Meme! Below are a few prompts to get you started, but you may make up any prompt you desire! Please take a look at the navigation page for rules, setting information, and links to reserves and apps. Have fun!

SCENARIO ONE

You wake up on the beach thoroughly drenched, with your mouth full of sand. The salt water is making all the cuts and scrapes on your skin sting and the sand isn't helping. The air is slightly humid, ruining any feeling of refreshment you might have gotten from your dip in the ocean.

There are lights in the distance, but the unfriendly scent of gunpowder fills the air. If you're lucky, you're alone. If not - you might find yourself staring up into a pair of monstrous eyes or down the barrel of a local's shotgun.

SCENARIO TWO

So you've just arrived, and already some of the natives are trying to get on your good side with 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 on the more informative end of the scale. 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 readers saying they're lies, or pointing out good "jokes."

Then there are the people who aren't happy to see you at all. Glares and silent, judging stares if you're lucky, torches and pitchforks attempting to drive you out of the town if you're not. You may need a friend to help you.

SCENARIO THREE

"Seek us out," the voice whispers in your head, and before you have time to question it you've found yourself in someplace entirely alien.

Maybe it's the Fog God's ghostly town of Dyster, where exultant followers dance around bonfires and sing their praises to the skies above. Maybe it's the Fourth God's arcade, with small robots wheeling about amidst the lights and colors of old pinball machines.

Only one thing is certain: you are not alone, in this sacred place.

SCENARIO FOUR

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? Feel free to pick any monster type for this prompt, but note that you may not get the same one in game.

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a. | bavan

What are you, blind?

[ There's a very annoyed arachne standing over a local that's been somehow pushed to the ground. Pamphlets are clenched together in her fist, shaking it as she looks down on the person in question. The poor person just looks like they were trying to be helpful and get out the usual literature, but they made the unfortunate choice to approach Alice. Not when she's already annoyed as it is. ]

I understand that I look cute and helpless, but do I look like I need these? [ When the human doesn't reply, she steps forward, one of her legs stepping on their chest, pressing hard. ] Do I?

[ Any longer, and they're not gonna have much of a chest left, probably. ]

b. | dyster

[ It's been awhile since she's been here. She's almost forgotten about the creepy atmosphere that's going on here, it gives her the willies. But game respects game; the Fog God's got an aesthetic going on, and she's committed to it. Alice can't help but respect that, she guesses.

She purses her lips upon seeing the group of followers dancing around the bonfires. ]

We're not expected to join in, right? Because I'll quit right now if I'm expected to do that.

c. | wildcard

[ As always, if you wanna do something different, feel free! Or hit me up if you wanna bounce an idea off me. o7 ]

I hope not. Not exactly my idea of a good time, especially not in heels.

[Heels are always a good excuse, right? Possibly even moreso when they're literal spikes like hers are?]

... Any idea what this is all about? I've been watchin' for a few minutes and I haven't gleaned a thing.

[one]

[It's not hard to find the newbies whenever they wash up on the shores of Vandare. They tend to wander around, run into monster hunters, end up needing help, and asking whoever they can for it. They stand out like a sore thumb!

But not Marnie.
If she ends up found, it's more than an hour after the others have managed to wander into the city proper... she's hunkered herself down, hiding under a ledge of rocks at the edge of the water like she's been scared into running under them.
Whatever monster has the luck of finding her just succeeds in scaring her further, as well - she gets one look at your character and just sidles herself back further into the shadows there.

Of course, with the way her face seems to work, she doesn't look the least bit scared - or sound it, either.]

I'm not wantin' any trouble... you can just move on, yeah? I'm just waitin' for help.

[two]

[After a day of mulling around and figuring out her footing, Marnie's taken to the streets to really just see everything. Of course, she's overloaded with treats from locals to gain her good graces... it's left her struggling a bit, trying to carry everything until she can find a place to dump it all.
Like a person's arms, perhaps!

Monster or human, whoever you are, you're getting an armful of cookies and pieces of bread and - of course - one or two of the useless pamphlets to go with it. She sounds exhausted... even if her face doesn't show it.]

Here - I know it's a bit odd, but take this off my hands, will you? I don't know where they're gettin' the idea I can eat all this rubbish, but just the thought is nauseatin'.

[She's such a small girl - no taller than four-foot-ten, and scrawny to boot - so since she hasn't heard much about the changes, well... she honestly can't imagine why they're pawning all these treats off on her.]

[three]

[The scene in Dyster is... a strange one. Fog swirls around the ground, a bonfire's lit in the middle of a plaza, and the cult-like followers dance around the flames for what seems like far too long.
And that's about where Marnie's found herself, though she's keeping herself tucked away from the festivities - instead, she's hidden a bit between a couple of buildings, watching it all from a distance with just the most minute amount of uncertainty in her unwaveringly empty expression.

It's when she sees a monster wander by - someone who isn't one of the strangely brainwashed masses dancing by the fire - that she waves for them to come over to her hiding place, her face as stern and blank as ever.]

I can't make heads or tails of all this... d'you live here? Can you tell me what all this is about?
I just wandered here by accident, through some sort of door; I've been stuck here for a little while now...

[ooc: As always, wildcarding the above prompts or throwing me one of your own are both fair game!]

[Honestly?

It's a little bold of Bede to assume he's not going to end up with a face full of pastry for trying to lunge at her like that.
He may have grown up on the streets, but she grew up in Spikemuth - the very definition of rough.

But at least she has the decency to stumble back a bit after that, looking about as shocked as she can manage.

And after a moment, she even fumbles for her pocket to pull out a napkin for him.]

Sorry... you startled me. Can't believe you'd go at me instead of just bitin' the bullet and sayin' please, of all things...

[ooc: continuing from here]

[Cynthia blinks as she's handed the goods, but nods nonetheless.]

Very well, young miss. I'll be happy to take them off your hands, if you don't think you need them. But are you sure you won't miss them? It's hard getting established in this world without some supplies.

[ooc - omigod a Marnie! You're officially awesome.]

Well, I think I'll be okay... most of this stuff's just junk food, isn't it?
Not sure I'll be needin' a lot of that, I don't think.

[Sure, some of it is "legitimate" food - like bread, for example - but she can't imagine the cookies and little pastries count as supplies...
Same with the pamphlets, really. Those felt like a waste of paper, though Marnie's smart enough not to say that.]

... Have you been here a while? What kind of supplies d'you suppose I should look into?
I've been thinkin' about gettin' a sleepin' bag, maybe... in case I might need it. But I can't think of much else I'll really need.

Food is food, young miss. You basically start with nothing, so I'd personally hope to hold onto everything you can get.

[At her question, Cynthia had to think for a moment.]

I've only been here a short time, but... I think your first priority would be to get one of those early care packages from a monster owned business. There's some essential supplies and a voucher for meals and temporary lodging.

But a sleeping bag? Tell me, are you used to living outdoors?

Somethin' a bit like that. I'd started campin' a lot not too long ago, back home; it was a bit easier to pop open a tent on a route than try and hustle to the next city before the sun went down.
Really I'd wanna get a tent first, but I feel like a sleepin' bag would be cheaper to start with, right?

[And of course, now that her arms are free, she's gonna go ahead and put them behind her in a surprisingly demure sort of stance.
Mostly just to look cute, but also to make it clear she's got no plans to take any of that back. Sorry, Cynthia.]

What kind of temporary lodgin' are those vouchers for, anyway? I've spoken to the locals, a lot of'em seem pretty keen on keepin' me out of their hotels and the like... were there some I'd missed?

Huh. That's not so different from the young Pokémon trainers back in my world.

[Cynthia can take a hint. She knows she's stuck with this stuff. She'll just have to share it with Fran and anyone else who wants it.]

The vouchers are for places that are friendly to monsters, or run by monsters, I believe. There's enough that a decent sized community has formed, at the very least.

[- And just like that, Marnie's rendered quiet. ... Er. Quieter.
While her expression doesn't do much to match it, either, her voice definitely has a bit of shock and relief to it.]

Sorry, but - are you a trainer, too?

I mean, I guess 's not right to go around callin' myself just a trainer anymore, if I wanna be taken seriously as a gym leader, but... I haven't met a single person around here that understood a word I said.

It's been fairly frustratin', you know?

[She must know, right? Why else would she mention it being that way in her world if she didn't...?]

[Cynthia's face lit up, before curling into a smile.]

That's exactly right! How wonderful! I didn't know if I'd ever meet someone from my world here. And a gym leader, I see? I truly am privileged. I'm Cynthia, and I'm a trainer from the Sinnoh region.

[Cynthia is known as a Champion outside of her home region, but isn't quite sure she's a household name where Marnie comes from. So she's just going to see if the girl realizes anything.]

I know what you mean, though. No one here has any idea what Pokémon even are—though I've met people who are willing to learn.

[You know, there's a very strong chance she would! ... If she weren't from a town so walled in, it doesn't even get sunlight. Ah, Spikemuth.
But at least she recognizes --]

Sinnoh? That's a ways away from Galar, isn't it? I don't think I've met someone from around there before...
I guess I should be glad I met anyone at all, though. Can't imagine what it's been like on your own.

[That's said with some semblance of a smile, insomuch as Marnie's face is capable of without outright lifting the corners of her mouth.
So it's not a whole lot.]

But, uh... you don't need to feel too honored or anythin', yeah? I haven't been a gym leader very long.

Galar, hmm? My, that is a ways away from Sinnoh. I'm not surprised you haven't met anyone from there before.

And I've been getting by just fine. There are people here who are kind and helpful, after all.

[She waves her next comment off.]

Please, don't sell yourself short. Becoming a gym leader is no small feat. I faced a number of them on my own journey; enough to know their skill is nothing to sneeze at.

one

[ madoka kaname has sand in her mouth. she has salt water in her scrapes. she feels nervous and unsteady for the first time in literal years. and she is furious.

well. she wants to be, at least. the truth of the matter is, she's scared beyond belief: scared of what's changed, scared of how long she might have vanished, scared that sarah- that the fog herself has abandoned her. but being scared doesn't get things done, and even if it's been four years she still can't bring herself to grind out that last little speck of hope. maybe this time, things will be different. maybe some familiar faces are still here. maybe...

she sees someone - a newcomer, a monster arriving to help, anyone - and frantically waves. ]

Hello? Hello, it's- um, it's Madoka! Do you remember me...?

two - audio; un: whitepetals

[ the audio file is janky and garbled, her voice crackling with static. blame that on the laptop she found - an old laptop left behind on the second floor of hyacinth house, once the tomoe-kaname bakery. the place she lived. the place she worked.

yeah, it's going to take some time to adjust. ]

Hello? This is... Madoka. Madoka Kaname. [ a breath, slow and audible. ] I don't know... where everyone is. I can't tell how long it's been. The bakery isn't here anymore. Or, it is, but it's not- it's not the one Mami made. I can't... I can't find Dyster. I don't think She wants me anymore.

[ she's barely holding herself together, from the sounds of it. ]

I know there are a lot of new faces. I know that. And I don't want to take away from what resources we have to help them. But- [ -almost pleading- ] If you've been here a while, can you please just... talk to me? Let me know I'm not-

[ her voice wavers, and she falls silent before ending the feed. ]

three - arcade

[ this is wrong.

she knows she shouldn't be in here. she can't be in here. she's a priestess of the fog, right? the few people fighting to keep this place contained. a monster, through and through. and yet the door opens for her; when she walks in, no robots throw her out, no alarms are set. aside from the static, the hum of fluorescent lighting and cathode ray tubes, she is alone and safe.

footsteps. she darts back, falling onto all fours in an almost feral stance, and cries- ]

Stay back!

[It's a little unusual. He can't say for certain that everyone who walks in here knows what they're walking into, but terror is not a common response. How does that happen? Marco is already preparing his polite smile, his best explanation, the most measured, neutral speech he can muster--

But of course, those are all thoughts that run through his mind in the fraction of a second that it takes him to recognise who he's seeing. Not only a ghost, but one that's in the wrong place entirely.]

... Madoka?

[He still looks much the same; he wears his hair longer now (it's in a ponytail today), and there are two rings dangling from the necklace he's wearing. Perhaps there is a new wrinkle or two, as well, but it's not the most obvious change in his face.

Which is strange to say, because the most obvious change is strangely hard to put a finger on. It's something in his eyes - less frightened, more tired? Something close to that.]

...Marco?

[ well. this is embarrassing. fiddleford, she might have stayed where she was. but marco's... not harmless, exactly, he's killed just as many as the rest of them. but he's certainly attacked her less often. slowly, she straightens up, dusting herself off and straightening her skirt with a deep blush. ]

Right. You're His priest, and, um, of course you'd be here. It only makes sense...

[ if his eyes are less frightened, hers are a million times more. her pupils are dilated where once they were relaxed; she is restless on her feet, biting her lip and shifting from foot to foot like she doesn't want to stand still for more than a second. ]

Um. [ even her voice is nervous - high and breathless, like she's going to sprint off at any moment. ] You're... you're looking well!

Madoka?

[It's a slightly shrill sound of disbelief, and it's not Xion's fault, because she'd just ended up here, again, or maybe she was here all along and dug herself up out of a grave and just couldn't remember doing it.

Time is funny like that.]

Are you alright? You don't- I just got back too! If that helps! [She says, suddenly, and there's concerned panic lacing her tone.]

Life's a Beach
Pain, now that is something Lapis is somewhat used to feeling but this pain? Was different, as she finds herself awake on a strange beach and for the moment it seems that she's alone too. The first thing she does is look herself over, and she frowns at the cuts and scrapes on her form.

"That's not right," she mutters to herself. It's not like Gems can be hurt in that way, and the thought gnaws at her as she starts to get up but is greeted by well... Nothing, or perhaps a monster at the moment she's on guard as she tries to get her bearings. Because this certainly isn't Beach City.

Pamphlets
The dead-eyed look she's giving the people who are being overly nice to her, a complete stranger, wouldn't be missed by anyone who spots Lapis amid the tiny crowd of people that had decided to swarm her. One thing she's at least holding is one of many pamphlets that had been handed to her, which she would be trying to read but another local was pestering her and just.

"No, I'm fine, thank you," her voice is tense, she doesn't want to be bothered she wants to know what the heck is going on right now.

Wildcard
((Want a different prompt, or have an idea of your own? This prompt is for you!))

"Excuse me, the young lady has received more than enough of your attention."

The voice comes from a tall, blonde woman making her presence known, getting between Lapis and the people accosting her. A firm glare causes them to get the message, and they begin to back off.

Cynthia turns to Lapis, and nods. "There. I trust they'll leave you alone now, miss."

Young lady, Lapis can't help but snort at that but she is grateful for the small group dispersing at the blonde woman showing up. Even though her body language is still defensive and doesn't show that gratitude.

"Thanks, and it's Lapis," because for some reason being called 'miss' just seemed weird to her.

Xion?!

[ shrill, meet shriller. the mic overloads on the sound as madoka squeaks out her name, a mixture of her earlier panic and a sudden, overwhelming need to see her girlfriend (former girlfriend???) again. ]

I'm okay! I'm okay, I promise. Are you- where are you, Xion? I didn't see you anywhere!

[Oof. Ow. Oof her ears.

But also, her tail is wagging so excitedly on the other end of the DOS, and she can't help it.]

I'm... Uh? Somewhere? Everything looks so different now, uh. Jeeze, um. Tell me where you are? And I'll come get you? Maybe? I think that's possible.

I'm by the bakery! N-not the same one, of course, but it's- it's right where it's always been. You remember how to get here, right? Most of the other stores haven't changed!

[ she's so relieved. she's so relieved. xion is the first person she's found in this place that she can remember, and she's one of the people she'd been hoping to find most. ]

Are you... oh, no, are you even in Bavan?

Oh! I'm here! You're- Alright, I'll be there soon! I'm in Bavan too! Just- give me a few?

[Her legs feel as shaky as the day she transformed... Oof. She feels as stiff as a corpse, honestly. It's fine though, because Madoka is here, and they can figure out what just happened, right? Why they seem to be missing so much time?

It takes about fifteen minutes or so for Xion to skid around the corner, near tripping over herself when she sees Madoka, and actually tripping over herself and falling flat on the concrete once she's in front of her.

You know, like the graceful deerbird she is.]

Ow.... I made it, though?

[Of course she's terrified. Of course. What's the last she remembers of him? If she's a demon, then... could it be that she remembers him as an angel, at the peak of his delusions? He can't remember when she disappeared, exactly, but even if it was after that, he is well aware that the worst of what he's done would have left the most lasting impression.

He laughs dryly, something weighing down on the sound.]

Better than the last time you saw me, I hope.

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TEST DRIVE MEME: JUNE

alice | tales of symphonia: dawn of the new world

b; what if i tagged you again... but it's your OTHER prompt this time

Marnie | Pokemon

@ beetch since we started this thread literally last night

[two]

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madoka kaname | puella magi madoka magica | reapp

THREEEEEEEEEE

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two, audio; un: XIV

Lapis Lazuli - Steven Universe

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