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Ryslig Helpers ([personal profile] ryslighelpers) wrote in [community profile] graveyardsmash2022-09-09 09:15 am
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TDM: SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER

TDM: SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER

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

(CW: Human remains)

When you awaken, you are hit with an immediate feeling of motion. A bobbing, if you will, or perhaps more of a rocking. You take a deep breath through your nose and take note of salt, along with the pungent scent of rotting wood. Creaking sounds echo all around you. Sitting up, you find yourself locking eyes with a skull.

An entire human skeleton is positioned across from you, resting limply against a pillar. Surveying the rest of your surroundings, you soon realize that you're below deck on an old, dilapidated ship. A ship that's on the move. The crew must have suffered a terrible fate, strewn as they all are across the floor. With their ripped poofy shirts, sheathed cutlasses and jaunty feathered hats, they seem to scream one word at you. "Pirates". ...Ooh, is that an abandoned bottle of rum? And a treasure chest? Surely they won't mind if you help yourself. They're dead, after all!

Once you've ascended the creaky steps, you find yourself on the deck of this vast, once proud vessel. A tattered Jolly Roger flaps overhead. Thick fog obscures most of the ocean surrounding you, but what's that straight ahead? Land ho! The ship's about to make port, and a crowd of curious onlookers has already gathered on the docks to stare up at this spooky new arrival. They appear apprehensive, perhaps even fearful, as if they haven't seen a ship come in for a long time. Will they hold you accountable for what happened to the skeleton crew? Will they praise you for 'ridding' them of pirates and allow you to keep the booty? There's no way to know just yet. Perhaps you'd best hide and find a way to disembark without being seen. Or perhaps there's someone else to be found here on this ship who suffered the same fate; someone who has a better idea of what to do.


SCENARIO TWO

You've stumbled your way into a city, and you're promptly besieged by the overwhelming sights and sounds. Cars honk at you to get out of the street, and strangers try not to look in your direction for too long. They see your lost expression and your clothes- so different from their own- and pretend to busy themselves with something else. Rarely, a look of pity is cast your way.

But some people try to reach out. Enterprising citizens and those that hope to curry favor with the newcomers pass out new clothes and bundles of food, asking if you have a place to stay the night, wondering about the details of the world you came from. A hefty laptop may be handed to you, with words of a ‘network’ used for communication. Wonder what that’s about? Then there’s the very confusing pamphlet stuffed within: "What To Expect When You're Expecting (To Turn Into A Monster)”. They may direct you to an organisation known as the Lighthouse, their members most prominently found at the 38-8 apartments and the Lighthouse Church. Or perhaps, if you're injured, they'll refer you to the Crowe Clinic instead. Unfortunately, the directions you're given are so very complicated that you lose your way in the streets after two left turns, a right and a left at the soup kitchen.

Take care when asking for more help. 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

Now that you've found a moment of peace, you open up the mysterious device that's been handed to you. Perhaps you'll recognize it as some sort of laptop, albeit an old and clunky one. Or perhaps you'll be astounded by this curious feat of technology, which is unlike anything you've ever seen before. Regardless, the moment the lid is propped open to reveal the screen and the keyboard within, you gain your first glimpse of the network.

Perhaps you'll want to choose a username and write your very first message, posing the pressing question that's on your mind at this very moment. The lettered buttons click and clack awkwardly beneath your fingertips as you type.

However, you may instead want to respond to today's most popular message.

WELCOME TO RSDOS.
PRESS F1 TO COMPOSE POST.

*** TODAY’S TOP POST ***

018.07.154.55 <JUSTSOMEGUY> Let's play Two Truths, One Lie! It's real easy! You just post three statements about yourself, and the rest of us have to guess the lie. It'll be fun! And you get to be a liar liar without your pants catching fire for a bit. 


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? Does it fit you, or does it feel incongruous with your nature? Feel free to pick any monster type for this prompt, but note that you may not get the same one in game.


knifemonopoly: ([event] bodies moving like a sculpture)

cw reference to substance use

[personal profile] knifemonopoly 2022-11-23 02:31 am (UTC)(link)
[He lets out a heh heh heh! as Komaeda brings up being co-owner, flashing his eyes. It's mocking -- wow, look at you, big man co-owning an arcade! -- without being entirely mean-spirited.]

I'm surprised you're worrying about me...I remember distinctly that it was usually the other way around!

I have to admit -- it's nice, for a change.

[Awww, worrying about him.

(That's not an answer.)
]

I'm not drunk, or in any other kind of state, if that's what you mean.
observitude: (charles - bippity boppity)

[personal profile] observitude 2022-11-23 02:31 am (UTC)(link)
Perhaps it's simply not considered to be noteworthy. After all, a monster is monstrous. They are dangerous nightmares that tower over you...yet somehow fit underneath your bed and in your closets.

I think monsters probably vary as much as humans and animals do.
panpiping: (grem37)

[personal profile] panpiping 2022-11-23 02:35 am (UTC)(link)
you silly humans like the star ones too, right?
surely that will make them happy!

but if I'm wrong then
I'm out of suggestions
luckless: (pic#14857846)

[personal profile] luckless 2022-11-23 02:39 am (UTC)(link)
[Komaeda hums, thoughtful.]

No, it's just... you're a bit meaner than usual?

[He's used to Atem's teasing, the sort of way a playground bully will pull their crush's hair, but usually Atem lets up at a certain point. His soft side hasn't really shown up at all, except for when he agreed about them being in love (on a technicality).]

Hey... are you still mad at me from before? Is that it? [It's slowly coming back to him, hazy bits of conversation lost to a drunken night half a year ago, and bits of online conversation had over the network after.] You'd be much cuter if you were honest. Playing dumb... I know you're not drunk or anything, Atem-kun. We did just kiss, after all.
seacub: ('boy i sure hope nothin bad happens')

[personal profile] seacub 2022-11-23 02:40 am (UTC)(link)
Unless they're short, right?

A lot of them seem to be related to animals, so being a combination I guess there's even more room for variety then.
seacub: (: ' D)

[personal profile] seacub 2022-11-23 02:41 am (UTC)(link)
They're probably a pretty good bet.

You can get stickers like that that shine in different ways, too. I don't know if I've seen them here though.
knifemonopoly: ([event] so i'll take my time)

[personal profile] knifemonopoly 2022-11-23 02:52 am (UTC)(link)
....

No, Nagito.

[His gaze leaves Komaeda's face, strays to the arcade-game cabinets, with their bright lights.]

I'm not mad about it. I was wrong, then....I thought you were hurting yourself, when really, you were taking care of yourself. That's not a problem.

[He doesn't know how much he wants to say. No, that's not true -- Atem doesn't want to say any of it, and he's not sure how little he can get away with. He quits lounging, sitting up instead, letting his hooves dangle, resting his forearms on his knees as he slouches forward.]

A lot's happened, since you've been gone. The kinds of things that aren't easy to talk about...! This isn't the right atmosphere for that kind of talk at all. And, besides, hearing about painful things in the past, that you can't change...it'd probably only upset you, for no reason.
luckless: (pic#14766173)

[personal profile] luckless 2022-11-23 03:03 am (UTC)(link)
[Komaeda is silent for a moment.

Was he protecting himself? He isn't so sure, honestly. It was more of a half-and-half situation. He was protecting himself in some ways, but running away in others. It's true that he wanted to be selfish, that he wanted to have Atem to himself despite his relationship with Ryou; and that if he couldn't have Atem, it would be too painful to be around him until he was able to overcome those feelings.

In a way, pushing Atem away was some small attempt at having the other dig his heels in. It had worked, in some ways, with Hinata—but he's never been very good at this game, from the beginning. Because it didn't seem to work this time.

But what's especially hard now, is the realization that nothing goes away that conveniently. Time apart hasn't dimmed either of their feelings in the slightest.]


If you want to go somewhere else, we can. Though I'm not sure where we'd go... [And he'd likely have to let Nanami know that they were leaving the front unattended,] but it seems important to you, Atem-kun. So it's important to me, too.

...Isn't this how friends help each other?
knifemonopoly: (beyond its ghostly light)

[personal profile] knifemonopoly 2022-11-23 04:05 am (UTC)(link)
...ah, it's a shame -- it's almost cruel, that it didn't happen until now...

[What's he talking about, what's he going on about? Atem's back straightens, and his hand comes down on the counter behind his tail so he can lean back and look at Komaeda. He's really, genuinely sad about this -- how long was it, that he wanted this? what would he have given, for this kind of honest conversation last year? -- but that sadness is hidden under a wry smile, an opaque layer of armor.]

You're so much easier to talk to, when I'm not trying not to kiss you, or worrying about how to be your friend without making it hard for you. Where was this soft side all last year, Nagito...? You've gotten nice...

[Was this really all it took, to clear things up between them?]

...unfortunately, I've only gotten worse!

[A breath in, then a breath out. He gazes up at the ceiling for a moment, his smile glazed and distant.]

Ah, won't you just be my boyfriend? You'll despise me by the end of the story, you know!

[Eyes back on Komaeda, over his shoulder.]

Unless I've already become too mean for you.
luckless: Official game/manga unless specified otherwise (Everyone to soar)

[personal profile] luckless 2022-11-23 04:32 am (UTC)(link)
[Komaeda's brow furrows slightly as he watches and listens to what being said, and the longer Atem goes on, the more obvious is becomes.

All at once, he seems to go from concerned to deflated.]


Ah... I see... These are your true feelings, after all.

[That Atem of all people would succumb to despair seems impossible. No matter what happened, he had taken everything in stride. He had used each event to its fullest, building his strength off of the back of every trial in a way he had once idolized.

It feels like a challenge, to see Atem crumbling like this now. Was this a test of his own resolve? If Atem thinks he'll be despised by the end of it, then he must not think much about all the trials Komaeda himself has endured. No, being with Atem when he's like this... would be his easiest trial yet.]


I'll be your boyfriend, if that's what you want. [He says easily, without any hesitation in his expression or voice.] If you think this is too much, then you must really be looking down on me.

[And then, with newfound determination, he raises himself up to his full height and points an accusatory finger at the other.]

There's nothing you could throw my way that I can't handle, Atem-kun! So... what would you like to do, hmm? If we're boyfriends, then you should have no problem telling me your date ideas!
creamsouda: (104)

[personal profile] creamsouda 2022-11-23 04:57 am (UTC)(link)
[Another day, another fog, and Souda has slid in to the arcade to bring in another fixed part of a game cabinet someone went too hard on. He lumber in past Komaeda as though he's another part of the brightly-colored scenery at first, mumbling&Mdash;]

I ain't lookin' for you, I'm lookin for—

[And then stops short, snout swinging around to face his yellow friend, little licks of flame puffing up from his nostrils.]

Hey, hey, hey!

It's— you again?!
knifemonopoly: ([event] and truth be told i never was yo)

[personal profile] knifemonopoly 2022-11-23 05:26 am (UTC)(link)
[He was fully prepared for rejection.

Atem was absolutely positive that Komaeda would hear a hint that Atem wasn't the person Komaeda imagined he was, the person he'd developed feelings for two years ago, and might even have become someone unrecognizable, Komaeda's Atem from his first year here might be lost--

--and would decide, no, he's going to look after himself, and not get involved in the dangerous, despairing mess that is Atem right now. It would be the smart decision. The healthy one.

But, once again...he can't predict Komaeda. So, when instead of being over before it begins, Komaeda seems to get strangely serious and energized, Atem sits up straight, head turning to look in surprise.

Really? Even though Komaeda understands, he'll still stand by him...? Be his boyfriend after all...? Atem's mouth opens, surprised.
]

Nagito...

[...

He doesn't deserve this.

He is an absolute scumbag of a person, a monster in every sense of the word, and he does not deserve someone deciding that his story, what they missed, what he did and why, is worth this sort of energy, this kind of determination to dig it out, and to not leave him, no matter what it was.
]

My date ideas....

....

Do you want the normal ones? Or, is this a sneaky way to ask me something else! You shouldn't ask someone, "what would you like to do" when you aren't wearing any clothes, Nagito. Not in public, anyway!

[He's being obscene to deflect and buy time to process his feelings and decide what he wants to do. He can't fall in feelings, he can't get swept up, he's going to open a hole in the dimension!!

It's just hard to stay completely distant when you've been crushing on someone for two years plus false memories.
]
standless: (who put that door there)

<JOJO>

[personal profile] standless 2022-11-23 05:26 am (UTC)(link)
Good graicious, March?

Where do I even begin? If things seem different, I can at least say quite safely it more likely relates to the prior month rather than prior plural months however.
luckless: (pic#14654449)

[personal profile] luckless 2022-11-23 06:20 am (UTC)(link)
Huh?!

[Komaeda is... shocked. Though his fish-face can't show it well, his jaw hangs open to reveal all of those horribly sharp looking needle-teeth and his brows go high up onto his forehead.]

How is that even possible...? Someone staying human for that long, the only way would have to be through Mana.
luckless: (pic#14627822)

[personal profile] luckless 2022-11-23 06:20 am (UTC)(link)
[Komaeda turns away from the shelves of colorful prizes he had been dusting.]

Oh! Hello, Souda-kun.

[In the face of all those hot-pink flames, he smiles bright and cheerful as he sets the duster down on counter between them.]

Yes, it seems that I'm back! I'm sorry if you're disappointed to see my face here again...
luckless: (pic#14766481)

<MrBrightside>

[personal profile] luckless 2022-11-23 06:20 am (UTC)(link)
[Well, that's not ominous at all.]

That doesn't sound good... could you tell me what happened last month, then?
luckless: (pic#14627855)

[personal profile] luckless 2022-11-23 06:20 am (UTC)(link)
[Atem is quiet for a long moment, probably trying to make sense of why he would agree so easily. But is it really that hard of a thought to process? Hadn't he said just a moment ago that he loved Atem? That they were apart of each others hearts? So of course he wouldn't turn his back on him, especially now, in his despairing time of need.

But, well, he really wasn't expecting a date idea like that!]


If... [He feels color anew flush across his shoulders and neck, and folds his arms over his body as if he were finally feeling the shame of his nudity.] If it's my body you want, I'll give it to you, Atem-kun!

But is that really what you want...? I don't doubt your wants, but... if you're only saying that to avoid me, thinking you'll drive me away so easily, then you really don't get it, do you?

[Komaeda levels his gaze with Atem, unblinking and determined still, before splaying his arms wide in invitation.]

You'll have to try harder than that!
creamsouda: (pic#8602745)

[personal profile] creamsouda 2022-11-23 06:29 am (UTC)(link)
Yeah, yeah... I guess it's not such a bad thing if it's gonna cheer everybody else up.

[He scratches idly at his snout, able to hide his own satisfaction only because there's more important things to focus one—]

But— hey! Shouldn't you be coverin' up your ass?! Why are you so focused on your face?!
standless: (just very disappointed)

< JOJO >

[personal profile] standless 2022-11-23 06:35 am (UTC)(link)
Of course! It wouldn't at all do to leave another uninformed.

Are you familiar with 'Felfri' at all? Had you visited it prior your your disappearance?
knifemonopoly: (of haunting memories)

cw discussion of unhealthy relationship dynamics, transactional sex

[personal profile] knifemonopoly 2022-11-23 01:47 pm (UTC)(link)
Hey, Nagito...

[This change in attitude is very weird. Like Atem's a challenge...like Komaeda thinks that if he stays with Atem, no matter what horrible things Atem does, Komaeda wins.

...

Yeah, he can see where that'd come from. It sounds like Komaeda wants to stick with him, and help him. But, what does Atem want?

First, he wants to address what's sounding like I'll trade my body to keep you around.
]

Don't treat your body like a cheap token that's easily traded away!

[And, he thinks he knows what he wants overall out of this, and it's an experience. The experience of dating Komaeda, what that would have been like, before all this ends. He wants a good time, not in the hit-it-and-quit-it sense but getting to try out the relationship he'd given up.

Which means...which means, he should be nicer. Can be nicer. He's going to break everyone's hearts (along with the rest of them!) but Komaeda should at least enjoy the ride.
]

I've put a much higher value on it than that, considering the amount of time I've wanted to have it...so, treat it with the proper respect!

[Deftly, Atem swings his feet up and around, turning himself 180 degrees, so he's facing the behind-the-counter space, rather than the door. It'll be eaiser to talk this way -- easier to stare Komaeda dead in his unblinking fish eyes. He declares, in the middle of this public arcade, probably around 11am, leaning in from where he sits on an arcade prize counter--]

Only hand it over when it wants to be with me of its own volition, and not a second sooner. If I can't earn that feeling, then I don't deserve to have it!

[...

That said...
]

...so, I had better show you a good time on those dates, right...? I have a few ideas. But, you'll have to tell me if it doesn't sound interesting...
panpiping: (wist94)

[personal profile] panpiping 2022-11-23 03:00 pm (UTC)(link)
in different ways?
how???

oh!
I know about
the ones you put on the skies of your boxes
that glow in the dark
and are so beautiful
I love those stars
they stick, but
they aren't stickers
how strange!!!
observitude: (c - lol)

[personal profile] observitude 2022-11-23 03:11 pm (UTC)(link)
There's also slimes, which...are unique.

Ahh, perhaps that's why I got taller! Dalmatians are quite tall dogs, and that's what I take after when I transform.


[Unseen, a hyena cackles behind his laptop. He's the funniest werewolf ever with the best jokes.]
seacub: (AND NOW A PIPE TOO??)

[personal profile] seacub 2022-11-23 04:15 pm (UTC)(link)
Slimes are pretty malleable...

Just a dalmation?

Not something like a great dane? I know dalmations are 'large', but they're pretty far from 'largest' from what I saw.
seacub: (AND NOW A PIPE TOO??)

[personal profile] seacub 2022-11-23 04:18 pm (UTC)(link)
You mean glow-in-the-dark stickers!

They're still stickers. Just thicker, and sturdier.

They take in light, and then release it when it's dark. They're pretty cool- it would've been nice to have them on my piano lid I think.

You couldn't turn the lights out where it was, so the lid was how things stayed dark.
observitude: (charles - family disappointment)

[personal profile] observitude 2022-11-23 04:24 pm (UTC)(link)
Are you disappointed I'm not even taller?