avalaughs | TEST DRIVE MEME ⚔️️ 2

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TEST DRIVE MEME ⚔️️ 2

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A ⦿ Soaking in Your Arrival

KERPLUNK, SPLASH!

Regardless of what you were in the middle of, you and your familiar have been magically pulled into the world of Avalon just above the Bay's chilly waters. After a brief plunge into the Bay, the rush of water filling your ears and soaking up into every creak and crevice of your body, you may need to cough to clear your airways when you rise above the surface. It's paralyzingly cold for a few seconds before you're approached by the Lady of the Lake beneath the water's surface. She puts a vial of a vibrant, glowing red Everwarm* potion to your character's lips. The icy water doesn't feel so icy once consumed and you'll be able to move your limbs enough to swim to shore on your own. She can't stick around to explain, she's got to get this to all the new arrivals! Many of which you'll see plopping in around you.

If you can't swim, a handful of helpful ice turtles will scoop you up from beneath and drop you off at the shore. When not helping people, the turtles are going around and hitting the ice that keeps forming on the surface with their shells to keep the surface open for the falling arrivals or pushing personal items to the beach near the new arrivals they smell like (belong to). If anyone tries to ask the Lady of the Lake for directions, she will direct you to Archimedes at the Rent-a-Ride. If anyone with Animal Magic asks the turtles, they will give the full spiel, but very slowly, and they like to get off topic and gossip about other turtles you've never heard of. The shores themselves are littered with new arrivals complaining their way up a staircase carved into the walls of the White Cliffs. There is no railing, so be careful, but if you do fall, be prepared for a mysterious sand hand to reach out of the side of the cliffs to catch you. The hand will pat you atop the head twice before retreating back into the wall. This is the Cliff Beast; despite the name, he is quite friendly.

B ⦿ The Caravan to Camelot

Once everyone is wrangled up to the top of the White Cliffs, the handsome owner of the Rent-a-Ride, Archimedes, will distribute smart phones, a pair of earbuds, and a winter cloak** to everyone before getting them settled in groups into modernized carriages pulled by horses and give them a basic explanation of why and how they've been brought to Avalon: The universe is frozen in time and your character has been brought here by a familiar that was able to bond with them. They'll have to learn magic to help save their own world from destruction, but first they've got to get them to Camelot. It is here that you have the first opportunity to decide who they will be in their new home. You'll have about an hour to wander around here, meet and greet, and pet the horses before it's time to go.

These carriages use fae technology that combats weight, so your character will be able to get in regardless of whether they're light as a feather or weigh two tons. The carts have air conditioning when it's hot, heating when it's cold, and a mystical shield to protect from bugs. There is also a mini-bar that pops out of the console with nip bottles. Characters can use their smartphones to connect to Camelot's internet service,

avalononline (AOL), to chat with other characters, watch dumb videos, learn about the world, contact Camelot Support (they'll answer any questions they can for you, from how to use a smart phone to where to find quests and resources to learn more about your magic). Be careful if you decide to use your phones while in the caravan-- if you don't use those earbuds and start forcing everyone to listen to your nonsense, Archimedes may make you walk.

C ⦿ The Red Spring

The journey from the White Cliffs to the City of Camelot is a long one, and the first evening you arrive you'll end up spending at the Red Spring, a booming resort town. Because of the volume of new arrivals and vacationers, inn rooms are assigned two-to-a-room. The rooms have two twin beds, a bathroom, a mini-fridge and microwave, and a TV equipped with a couple of entertaining video games and a few free movies.

If you don't want to relax in the room, try taking a dip in the spring for another chance to meet your fellow travelers. The waters have restorative properties that help horses and travelers recover quickly when drunk. It is known to relieve stress, improve energy levels, and mildly accelerate healing. It may be a little chilly when you get out though, so make sure you don't slip rushing back indoors when you get out!

The springs are also home to a large training grounds just outside town limits, where there are teachers who will teach basic magic safety and help you discover what kind of magic you have together with other new arrivals. Try target practice, obstacle courses, meditation circles, and other ways to try to figure out just what you can do... if you didn't already have an accidental discovery on the ride there.

A ⦿ Trial and Icy Errors

Winter has arrived in Avalon, and with it has come to a change in the weather. Puffs of breath precede sentences when outside, small fires fill braziers to allow people to stop and get warm for a moment between where they come from and where they are going. Snow has begun to fall; at first, it is the same, fluffy, white flakes many adventurers will have seen. However, as the day progresses, the snow begins to shimmer; it’s like a prismatic effect, a magical light catching against every little crystal and illuminating sparkling flakes, so vibrant it’s clear someone has enchanted the snow.

Shortly after the change, there will be a text alert to all devices:

Tired of the same old routine with your magic? Ready for a little something new? Come on out and have an old fashioned snowball fight with a magical twist. Be sure to practice your new powers and have fun! 😉 -Merlin

Those who come outside to find the rainbow snow already being packed into neat balls by Camelot's citizens; go ahead and grab a basket full but remember, don’t just toss them. Let’s get magic with it!

Different types of magic will have different effects on the enchanted snow:

Use kinetic magic to toss three at once. Nevermind if they suddenly balloon inside and burst into a snow shower over your opponent, throw a couple more; some are bound to hit, right?

Throw a little animal magic in there and morph a few into a bear or some other animal of your intent; sorry about his random dance attack, at least your opponent will be laughing too hard to throw a snowball at you.

Try hiding them in a shield or cast an illusion with some light magic; better apologize when that goes sideways and the snow hardens, bursting into rainbow crystals at your opponent's feet.

Team up with someone who has cognitive magic; they can telegraph you the plan without your opponents being any the wiser... except the snow seems to be picking up on it and sending those thoughts right to your opponent! Perhaps use this as an opportunity to learn control!

Maybe you want to try using a little wind magic if you’re of the elemental class; watch out for the rainbow snow squall your perfectly lobbed snowballs will become.

Healing magic is one you might not see coming-- enchanting a snowball with healing magic can result in positive mood enhancements. Give your enemies a blast of zen to lower their guard and make them an easy target!

A dark magic user might think to add a little hex to their snowball; give themselves an edge... too bad, without practice, that hex might be a little too heavy and burst over the maker before it even leaves their hand! Hope you know how to fix it.

Alchemists are welcome to change the shape of those snowballs. Maybe try and craft them into something a little more stealthy or projectile. Too bad that snow seems to want to turn into a batch of butterflies and be free... magic sure is tricky! But hey, they sure are pretty.

In the end, it seems while adventurers will be able to get plenty of practice in, some of that practice is going to come from trying to stop the side effects of mixing their powers with the magic snow; welcome to your first lesson in control. If one is going to use magic in conjunction with already magically imbued things, they ought to know the right amount, seems Merlin wants you all to learn in a trial by snowball error.

Those who practice their magic and participate in the snowball fight will be given hot chocolate, warm soup, fresh baked goods, or other treats to warm them up after their training is done. But don’t slack off! You’re like to find your hot chocolate spiced with pickle flavor, that warm treat suddenly turns to ice cream in your mouth. Avalonians want that practice to happen, and are willing to add some incentive... whether that means the carrot or the icicle.

All throughout the City of Camelot is a buzz of excitement about the oncoming winter solstice on the 21st. Citizens will tell you of the winter solstice's importance in cleansing the flow of Avalon's magic each year and absorbing sunlight to increase its potency. In other words, the winter solstice generates a significant amount of magic if the proper ritual is followed, so the visitors from other worlds really should head on over to Albion's White Cliffs.

A ⦿ The Darkness in the White Cliffs

The first task that you'll experience during the ritual is asking the Cliff Beast's permission to enter the cliffs. Though they look wholly solid on the outside, these cliffs contain a veritable labyrinth of magical caves that weave in and out of the chalky cliffs. As there is danger within these walls, it is recommended no one go alone. The Cliff Beast will only open a door to the caves for parties of two or more who present him with a gift. The gift doesn't need to be something significant, just a show of courtesy-- a lovely rock or a seashell will do, placed at the base of the cliff. The only gifts he will outright reject are precious gems and metals. Honestly, they make him a little nauseous-- and you don't want to see a cliff beast nauseous. In fact, if you try it, the Cliff Beast will suddenly burst into a rockslide right near where the gem was left. Watch out!

Once you gain entrance, you will find there is no light within the caves and the door seems to close behind you. Non-magical lights won't illuminate anything within these caves, so you will need to either navigate through the darkness or find a magical means to light your path. Be wary-- traveling in the dark will be a much safer journey if you can find your way through the caves and keep track of your companions. The reason there is no light are the bat-like creatures that eat energy like fire and electricity. With the magical light attracting them and nothing to consume, they'll be very aggressive and swarm anything emitting heat.. like an unsuspecting traveler. Make too much noise, and the Cliff Beast will spit you out back onto the sand and you'll have to start over.

B ⦿ "For a greedy man, even his tomb is too small."

Those who persist within the caves will eventually come upon a room whose ceiling glistens with bioluminiscent microbes that are too small for the bats to eat. These little glowing creatures create reflections in the room that show just what it contains-- glimmerings of precious gems, gold, and other treasure cover the walls and floor, save for a large flat stone altar in the center. There are many hand-crafted clay cups filled with what appears to be water. The side of the alter has a very simple message: "TAKE ONE CUP TO THE SPRING, LEAVE THE REST. SPILL NO DROP." Sure enough, this matches with the instructions you were given about the ritual: Take a cup of waters harvested by the Asrai, a fairy that lives within the walls of the cliffs that cultivates it every year to bring to the Red Springs for the Winter Solstice.

There is no clear warning about what will happen if you take anything besides your one cup. However, characters who disobey this instruction and take any of the riches within the cave will initially experience severe symptoms such as magical blockage, an endless common cold, and food turning to ash in their mouth. They will experience dreams in which they are urged to return the treasure and a day later, advanced symptoms if it goes on for too long have been known to result in vomiting frogs and snakes, insomnia, speaking in tongues despite the translation spell, bleeding from the ears, and eventually death.

C ⦿ Drink Up

Those who listen and take the Asrai's cups to the Red Springs will notice while carrying the cups, all creatures and threats will leave you in peace. Neither rain nor snow will touch you, parting from your path in both the sky and on the ground. The effects will only last as long as you don't spill a single drop. The ritual can still be completed, but the protections only work if you don't spill-- otherwise you'll be fighting off weather, creatures, other people, and whatever else you encounter as the effects of a spilled cup will cause those around you to try to steal your cup without thought for your safety, even if they might not even think to do normally.

Upon arriving at the Red Springs, a party of people there to guide those who have made the ritual's journey to a particular pool within the vicinity of the springs. Characters will be directed to take a sip, then pour the rest into the Spring alongside your peers, finally throwing the clay cup itself into the spring. Throughout the day, you will begin to feel strangely giddy, but it will pass. Nothing much will seem like it happens otherwise, but the guides assure you that you will understand on the night of the winter solstice when the ritual is complete and your body becomes a conduit to purify and rejuvenate Avalon's magic.

For now, as thanks, the guides offer you one of the celebratory gifts they have to offer-- free drinks (this time of the age-appropriate alcoholic or sugary variety), a free night's stay at the Red Springs, a yule log, an escort, a Recipe: Snow Dance. (Effect: Snow Dance will cause small flurries to pick up where the spell is cast, resulting in decreased visibility. Only works if snow is already present, as it cannot generate elements.) The choice is yours. Pick one.

MOD NOTES:
• All test drive prompts are open to anyone in the game at any time to create your own logs with, but this post should have top-levels by potential new characters only. Current characters may reply to any threads, but should not top-level comment on this post.
• If your application is accepted, you may accept TDM threads as game canon as long as both players consent. Characters may begin threading as soon as their journal is accepted to the communities.
• If nothing here tickles your fancy, try one of this month's Quests for your TDM prompt.
• The first "Arrival" prompts are present on every TDM, but may contain seasonal tweaks for flavor. All other prompts will change monthly.
• Questions about this TDM's content? Comment here! If you have a question about the game at-large, please head over to the FAQ.

*This Everwarm does not count toward your potion collection for those who wish to take up potion brewing. You must obtain Everwarm from the Elphame Trader's to count.
**Jackets come in a variety of neutral colors, enchanted with a fit-adjustment spell that will adjust to your character's size.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Go ahead and explain, then.

[ She's all ears! ]

...

[ ]

There's a lotta different ones.

[ Cloud. ]

Can we find our room first?

[ He just. Needs to think about what to tell. ~~That he remembers.~~ ]

You just don't know what to say.

[ She'd like to think she has a read on him by now... Which is why she can say something like that so openly! ]

Yeah, we probably should. You'll need some rest.

[ Weiss is up on her feet as soon as she says that. The place where they're all staying isn't that far from here, so it shouldn't be that long of a walk. Still, it's cold out and she knows how tired Cloud must be from today—both physically and emotionally—so she just offers him a small and encouraging smile before taking his hand. ]

We'll be okay.

Gimme a bit and I will.

[ He huffs, smiling up at Weiss as she's back to her feet. She gets up before he can, their eyes meeting just in time for her to disarm him with that encouraging smile. Her words resonate with him. She's the one who was tearing up against him earlier, yet here she is, taking charge. ]

I know.

[ He's not alone. But more importantly, as he squeezes her hand and gets to his feet, side by side with his promised one... ]

I've got you.

That's my line.

[ There he goes again...

Still, they're in a new world, now. At least they don't have to go through the process of getting to know each other again. As for Weiss, while she may know some people here already—Ren and Midorima, for example—she's more than happy that Cloud is here, too. No, not even happy. . . just absolutely lucky.

Cloud doesn't want to wait for Weiss to come back. Weiss doesn't ever want to leave, regardless of her priorities. If only she had things her way... ]

Have you eaten? I got some bread from a bakery nearby. It's not much, but it's better than canned food.

Earlier. [ A beat. ] Didn't have much, so I can try some with you.

[ Squeezing her hand, they'll start walking. The weight on his back still feels strange, but even without the mako in his system, Cloud as a human was still plenty strong. So...he'll get used to it. He hopes. ]

Can't believe I'm gonna hafta start from scratch again...

[ With work that is. He'll elaborate if she doesn't catch what he means. ]

All of us are.

[ At least, the ones who just arrived, anyway! ]

Some people have been here for about a month already. Apparently, that's when it all started.

That's what Rin told me.

[ Despite the fact they're still walking (he'll follow wherever Weiss' room is,) he does slow down a little as he decides to take chancing glances to their hands. ]

No more money off handholding or hugs...

[ ~~Not even gonna bring up sex. That was never the reason they did it anyways.~~ Cloud doesn't sound disappointed. Just...admittedly weirded out? Spending nearly two years in a world that encouraged physical touch to literally live and spend, only to go back to basics? He hopes that he's not the only one out of sorts on that one. ]

If we're not too busy saving the world again- [ he says so nonchalantly. But it's literally what they're used to doing. kdfajsh ] -maybe I'll do deliveries again.

I prefer it this way.

[ It just makes more sense like this, that's all! And it's not like she Moonlaced a lot in Lunatia, anyway. Well, she did with Cloud, but not because she wanted to Chroma. In the end, it doesn't really matter to her. ]

Hm... I'm not really sure what I'll do yet. But I guess I need to figure it out soon... I don't want to live off hand-outs.

And if we gotta, we just pay it back.

[ It's called "debt". ...okay. He's not about to go into finances. Cloud was usually frugal with his spendings anyways, but. Tifa was better at managing money back home. And Weiss was the one who tended to organize everything between the two of them. ]

Maybe you could work for me.

What?

[ ... Cloud, that sounds way too outrageous!! And it's not even because of the whole idea of Cloud having his own business here! Just— as they walk down the street and pass by some other people, she looks around as her grip on his hand tightens. He might notice that she's inching closer to him too until she's practically attached to his side. Then, ]

I'd be dating my boss...

[ And sleeping with him but that's implied!!!!!! She totally thinks this is very unprofessional behaviour! ]

[ Listen. Listen. ... He may be 25 in body and relatively caught up to his age by now. But business protocol still ain't his strongest suit. Beyond being a huntress, back on Prismatica she was an actress and singer too! That wasn't even considering her standing among the Moon Knights. In his mind, besides the fact this is all preliminary thinking, Weiss was a hard worker! Why wouldn't he consider her, if it meant they both could make a living? ]

There a...problem with that?

[ Her practically clinging at his side hasn't gone unnoticed either. He slows down with her as they continue walking. There's a genuine look of curiosity in his eyes. ]

Of course there is!

[ WEISS IS CLEARLY VERY BOTHERED BY THIS!! Her voice only grows a tad bit louder, but she's still whispering so no one they pass by can hear them. At least the place where the newcomers are staying is nearby... They'll have some privacy soon enough. ]

It's not very professional, Cloud.

[ At least he doesn't flinch when she raises her voice a teensy bit. Cloud spares a glance around to make sure nobody was intruding on their conversation. Save for chancing looks from others at the two looking very much like a couple (to be fair, they are. adfskjh,) he's back to looking down to the younger huntress when she says plainly that it's unprofessional. ]

Not very...? [ Well. He's new to a lot of things. But at least he's not all that slow on the uptake when it comes to common sense. So he may as well ask upfront. ] You worried our relationship'd get in the way?

Don't be silly, of course not.

[ Like that'd be a problem! And if they ever do end up working together, or Weiss working for Cloud, she doubts that work arguments would be brought home, too. They're pretty good at working through things together, she thinks. At least, Cloud always tries to be understanding when it comes to her. And she gets carried away at times, but always comes back around. ]

I mean, what would other people think? I only got the job because of you!

I see...

To be honest, I only didn't ask before because you already had a career.

[ He'd shrug if he wasn't attached to her so closely. But he continues. ]

How 'bout if I land work first you just help me out?

[ Y'know. Volunteering with benefits. ]

[ Does he really want to work with her? That's what she's thinking now, and after how emotional they were just then... maybe she should stay with him. It's not like she knows much about actual work to begin with. ]

Okay.

[ She has some hesitations, but if this is what Cloud wants, then it should be okay. But that shouldn't stop her from finding a job for herself. If they're going to live here and make money, she's gonna have to earn it on her own! ]

[ He smiles to her again, deciding to shift the subject a tiny bit. They're a far ways off from making work happen for themselves. Or at least, in Cloud's case, owning and running his own gig again. This time, he decides to fall quiet as they walk, which is nice in of itself because he can focus more on how...well. "Different" isn't the right way of putting it. But it is what's happening. Chroma hasn't been flowing for them since they arrived here. The concepts that kept Prismatica going all this time were an enigma now.

Everything's just normal. ...no. Not just that... ]

...

[ It's right. It feels right. ]

It's just in here.

[ She's only just a tad bit oblivious that he's gone into deep thinking again. More focused on getting to her room so they can rest and continue to figure things out together, she tugs on his arm so they can enter the small building where her room is. It's right next to a bakery, the very same one she got bread from.

Up the stairs they go, and Weiss unlocks the room with a key. ]

At least the beds are big, [ She says, letting go of him before taking off her boots and her coat. ] We can share.

[ One didn't need a wolf's nose to tell they're by a bakery. It smells incredible, even when closed. She wasn't kidding... Up they go! ]

There's a plus.

[ When she gives Cloud some space to take off her boots and coat, he gets to work on shrugging his own coat off in kind. He's not going to bother with putting it away in the closet, settling for the hook that's beside the entranceway. Instead of unsheathing and hanging the Fusion Sword up however, he decides to just unbuckle the straps that keep his sheath attached to his back.

He's more than fit enough to hold the partially concealed blade in his hands at least. But it's still far heavier than what it used to be. For now, he'll just lay it down on the ground. They weren't expecting company for the rest of the night...

Right? ]

[ "We can share." ]

Kinda feels like we're on vacation again...

[ As he glances over his shoulder to Weiss, he cracks a smirk with a softened 'hmph'. ]

'Cept with way bigger stakes.

[ Avalon was covered in snow and ice. A gorgeous landscape that's removed from the same wonders of Lunatia. If anything, it's kind of like their 6-month anniversary to Lystellus... ]

So... [ Now that Cloud's not having to carry that sword at his back anymore and they're alone... ] Where's that bread?

[ He asks, stepping in to close what distance remains between them again. He still can't believe it. After everything they've been through, and the scare of being literal worlds apart all over again...they found each other again. The question about the bread was idle banter to him. He's actually more keen on finally relaxing with her. They can be up all night for all he cares about.

Talking. Figuring out where to go next. Getting up in the middle of the night and absorbing the reality they've worldhopped once more. He wants to absorb it all with her. ]

Oh, one second.

[ Cloud asks just as she's about to remove the hairtie that's keeping her braid together. It's a little cold outside, and with her hair down, it feels a lot warmer. That's a thought she holds onto for a bit though, moving to grab the small box of fresh bread on the bedside table. There's really not much in the room aside from those, but Cloud will be able to spot some familiar things: Myrtenaster's case (sword inside) and the tea set they purchased in Amegahara. While there's no tea, she's settled for hot cocoa... but it's gotten cold now. ]

It should still be warm, [ she says, optimism in her tone. It's a little embarrassing that this is all she can offer... having no money is troubling. ]

The people here are nice, at least. I mean, I think they are... they've been very hospitable.

[ He pauses at the sight of the familiar tea set, his brows lifting with surprise. Thinking about what they were able to bring with them from Prismatica reminds him of the very important brooch still in his pocket. Just when he's about to take it out with a smile, she mentions the people of this world.

That's right...

Even the lady he met upon waking up at the shore was very accommodating. And she wasn't even from this world either. Just their luck, huh. ]

I'd hope so. We're supposed to be savin' the world again.

[ He says the "world", but really. Everything is at stake now. A scary prospect when one thinks about the fact that involves Remnant and Gaia. Everything they know and love hangs in the balance if Avalon truly stands at the edge of reality. All that's left... ]

There's still so much to do in Remnant, and here I am...

[ Not that she minds... She'll help where she's needed, but the situation in Atlas is very, very personal. Weiss doesn't seem bothered by it as much as she should, but she's also not very good at showing much emotion, anyway. At least, when she's happy, she's happy. But the other things? Either she just shrugs them off or pretends she doesn't care. ]

Not that that matters now, considering what's happened to all the worlds out there.

[ Finally, she removes her hairtie, carefully placing it on the desk, before removing the hairpin, and then running her hands through her hair to just get it all nice and loose. Today's been exhausting, and how she really feels is catching up to her. ]

I'm kind of curious about this place, though... it just thrives of magic.

[ Something she's never experienced before! ]

[ She may not seem as bothered on the surface to most. But... Cloud's not "most" anymore. Not after everything he's seen and shared in kind. The signs were there. And besides- he's no stranger to anxiety, and suppressing it to look ahead. While she removes her hairtie, he pulls at the familiar scarf wrapped about his neck, deciding to, for now, unceremoniously throw it onto the edge of the bed. He takes a step towards the window beside the bed, his gaze settling out on a new night sky.

Another world. Far removed from their own. Let alone where they both came from. His hand briefly touches the glass as he takes in what she's saying behind him. ]

Yeah...

[ Then she talks about magic, and he looks back over his shoulder to her at first. The mood in the room shifts a little. Lighter again as he starts turning around. ]

This'll be a first for me too. Wonder if this is what it was like for the Cetra...

[ Staring down at his hands, he flexes them as he thinks of the prospect of casting spells without the need for Materia. It comes at a price- his strength bolstered by Mako. But it's a setback he'll learn from. Just like Weiss will learn to deal without her Semblance for now. ]

Y'know... I've actually heard of this place.

[ The room is warm enough that Weiss can remove her cardigan and just let her dress loose. She sits on the bed and folds it neatly on her lap before setting it aside on the table next to it. With that, she slowly lays down on the bed, rolling on her side so she can look at Cloud. ]

What do you mean?

[ She actually feels a little hungry, but she also just wants to rest. It's been an emotional day, and she feels like she can sleep easy tonight now that Cloud is here. The worry she feels for him shows in her eyes, though, but she's doing her best not to be so bothered by all of this. And hopefully? When she wakes up in the morning, Cloud will be right next to her. ]

How is that possible?

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