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

♥ 𝕔𝕒𝕣𝕒𝕧𝕒𝕟 𝕔𝕙𝕖𝕖𝕣𝕤
[ You may find yourself in a caravan with a petite, clearly enthusiastic, teenage girl, her pretty, fresh face all but pressed against the window of the carriage, wide brown eyes eagerly scanning the scene outside. For someone who'd not so long ago found herself flailing in an icy sea, she's looking rather bright-eyed and bushy-tailed. She looked warm within the grey fur coat they'd provided her, which hid another acid-washed grey jean jacket beneath it; it also concealed a small, subtly shimmering white rabbit with pale, jade-like eyes, tucked nearly unseen against her chest. Clearly she's warm enough for its liking. She'd found a couple friendly strangers with elemental powers to help her dry off, found a mirror to re-do her soft pink hair into a rose-like bun, and regained some sense of aesthetic dignity, even in crisis.

That dignity was only so well-protected, though, because once the carriage begins moving, she's too wound up to keep staring out the window, and instead decides to wind down by helping herself to the mini-bar. She finds there's a few fruit-flavored vodka nips amongst the selection, and grabs one — two, no, three little bottles, plopping them into her lap. They disappear within the folds of the poofy petticoats of a ruffled black skirt and maroon tunic, her long skinny legs sticking out in cream-colored leggings speckled with black pompoms, a matching muffler around her neck still, crossing her ankles rather ladylike in contrast to the over-sized black combat boots she wore. Whether she's spirited away on an alien planet in the dead of winter or not, she is presenting herself the best she can; she can't be stomping all up in this magical world looking like a schlub, distressed and cold or not. But really, she's about to be neither, cuz a little sip of something does quite a bit to warm a girl up inside and out. She goes to open one of the vodka nips, but catches herself suddenly. Shouldn't be rude. She turns to whoever's sitting next to her, reaching once more to the mini-bar in the console between them to pull out a fourth bottle — that one's for you. The other three are hers. ]

Ah— Do you want one, too?

♥ 𝕤𝕥𝕒𝕪𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕚𝕟𝕟
[ Maybe you're the lucky ducky who's found themselves sharing the room in the inn together. She's already claimed her bed, where there's a small white rabbit curled up asleep on her pillow at the head; but as for Miwako herself, she's clung to the video games pretty fast. She's found a simple rhythm game, some groovy dance music filling the room as she hits all the marks mostly on time with the notes. A natural. If you walk in while she's in the zone, you'll still be greeted with a bright smile — but then she scrambles her focus back to the game seconds later, not wanting the distraction to make her fail the current song. She does anyway, though, and huffs childishly at the controller as she sets it back down and stands to introduce herself proper, bowing a bit. ]

Boo, I lost... Sorry, sorry. Hi, hello! We're roommates, right? It's nice to meet you, my name is Sakurada Miwako. And yours~?

♥ 𝕞𝕒𝕘𝕚𝕔𝕒𝕝 𝕞𝕠𝕣𝕟𝕚𝕟𝕘
[ The next morning after a restful night at the inn, much needed, she's in even more need of help with magic... She comes from a completely normal world. No magic. No powers. No spooky creatures. No heroes. No aliens. Well, not counting the famous hair stylist/makeup artist/professional genius Seiji-sama, but it's really just her theory that he's from the Glitter Planet, which in any case is obviously not... this planet. It would be better if so, she thinks. Glitter magic, what a thought~ She's kind of put out watching others practicing their magic in the training grounds, though, feeling still exceedingly normal. Nothing feels very different; in fact she quietly feels rather unexceptional — just like at home, if not even more so... She's pouting by herself off on the sidelines, huffing occasionally, resigned to observing the others after many failed attempts at what she's seen going on around her. Screaming "FIRE POWER, GO~!" didn't work the way she'd hoped it would. Her familiar has been no help, either; free from the crowds, a small white rabbit has been bounding about all morning, its fur softly glowing silver, crystal-like jade-colored eyes always seeking Miwako from across the training field, but it doesn't come to her. Just watches from afar. Is her rabbit even magic? Something doesn't seem fair... After too much ruminating on this, she turns frustrated to whoever's nearest. ]

Do you know what your special power is yet? I can't tell mine yet... What if I don't have one?

[ A sudden shocking realization hits, though, which she clearly takes very seriously as she lopes this poor stranger into her thought process. ]

...Oh, no! Do you think I could be cursed?!

♥ 𝕤𝕟𝕠𝕨𝕓𝕒𝕝𝕝𝕤 𝕒𝕟𝕕 𝕤𝕡𝕒𝕣𝕜𝕝𝕖𝕤
[ By this time, Miwako's at least figured out she has light magic. There's something. Does she know how to use it? Hell no. Her special powers at home were limited to rather talented sewing skills, some pretty decent playlists on her iPod (courtesy of her boyfriend in a punk band), and an impressive sense of time management in regards to scheduling hot rollers and curling irons into her morning routine. The closest she got to any kind of battle accomplishment was unlocking every one of Ulala's costumes in Space Channel 5 on her Sega Dreamcast. Any familiarity she had with magic powers was through maybe a one-shot magical girl doujinshi her mangaka mother may have published, but that's the sheer limit. A magical snowball fight is far outside her wheelhouse. But the rainbow iridescence of the snow is too alluring to be intimidated. She's in the thick of it with the rest of the travelers, but she's rather obviously struggling. Her snowballs at least seem to be glowing extra sparkly and rainbow-y, as if lit from within, but as for force... there's really none. Just particularly pretty snowballs. Her aim's shit, too. Womp-womp. Expect icy explosions of color hitting everywhere around you, except... you... ]

[Chang Geng had done some practising much earlier in the morning when no one was around. The way he was practising healing magic on himself was, he knew, troubling for some.

So he did it when and where there were fewer people. Right now he was just observing and trying to take in as much information as possible.

He turned to the young lady who spoke and, oh. Her hair is pink. It felt like he should have found it strange but it's not stranger than their current situation. And even if he had found it strange Chang Geng had remarkable control over his reactions.

Even when she worries about being cursed he only continues to smile mildly.]

I'm sure you haven't been cursed.

[He says as someone who had been cursed since a young age. Not that, that helps him tell if anyone has been cursed but since it seems they hadn't been brought here to be cursed the only way she could have been cursed would be if someone else did it after they arrived...and given how short a time that was it seemed unlikely to have happened.]

What have you tried already?

[His voice like his smile is calm and gentle, a match for his looks which were handsome and stately...completely at odds with how he's dressed which could be best described as...shabby! Despite having the features of a young master from a period drama (with the long hair and all) the best thing you can say about his clothes are that they are clean and neat. Otherwise they look exactly like the clothes of someone who has been travelling for four years and only had four sets of clothes at any given time to change between.]

[ Despite her fashionista nature, Miwako doesn’t judge anyone’s style harshly. She can find something she likes about anyone’s looks. And for someone so naturally handsome, with his long dark hair and effortless elegance, plain clothes like that can make an even more striking image. He could rock a minimalist style without trying! She’s glad to have the help of a handsome stranger (which is just a bonus, it’s nice to be around pretty people~) because she has no clue what she’s doing. Someone calm, gentle and rational is exactly the kind of person this pink-haired ditz needs right now. His soft smiles draw out a sheepish one of her own, but it’s quickly washed away by a confused little pout once more. ]

Well... I don’t think I have elemental magic. I tried to move stuff with my mind but it wouldn’t work... I dunno how I’d test for healing magic... And my familiar seems shy this morning, it’s across the field there. I don’t know what to do! What other powers are there? Do you know yours yet?

[ She points to a little white rabbit sitting in the shade a way’s away. It looks at them, twitches its ears as they stand upright to listen for her, but does not move. She turns to her new companion expectantly, searching his face for answers he may or may not have. She’s open to anything by this point. #yolo #outerspacestyle ]

[When an energetic person.

Chang Geng was sure he'd never been this animated even as a child.

He listened patiently, turning to look where she's pointing. He looked thoughtful for a moment.]

I have healing magic. From what I've heard, the other types of magic besides that would be alchemy, light, animal, dark and cognitive magic. [He had asked the teachers for more information as his first order of business. He...did have a way to test for healing magic but the way he did it was...well.

Not exactly how other people would probably prefer to test for it.

But most importantly...]

That's all I know from asking. Magic isn't something I have experience with, so the only advice I can offer on that front is that sometimes when we're trying too hard to do something it becomes more difficult.

[He speaks, patient and unhurried. He reaches into his sleeve to pull out a small leather pouch decorated with gear designs. Inside is a small package wrapped in paper.

He holds this out to her.]

But as far as I know, the best way to gain the favour of an animal is through patience and food. If you'd like to give it a try?

[Wrapped carefully inside the paper are two muffins he had taken from the breakfast room that morning after he'd eaten his own breakfast. Hey, free food is free food.]

[ His suggestion elicits a visible ping, as if a lightbulb went on upstairs. She takes the bag gingerly, opening it to peek inside. ]

That’s a good idea! Thank you...

[ She seems a little surprised by the generosity, clearly thankful indeed. But a small grin grows across her face as she breaks off a piece of one of the muffins, and crouches down to reach out to the rabbit, her hand outstretched and fingers wiggling, as if she were calling a cat. ]

Rabbit... Little Rabbit... Pspsps...

[ Wholly unnecessary. Chang Geng was right to say trying too hard may make things difficult. Much of this is much easier than Miwako suspects; so it’s less her pspsps-ing and more her mental, spiritual bond that calls the familiar to her. In a swift moment, the little rabbit bounds across the field, lacing itself through other trainers’ legs like a wisp. Its silvery white fur seems to emit a luminescent mist, almost like it shimmers, and its eyes were pale and cloudy, as if made from jade. Once before them, indeed it’s happy to have a snack, and comes right to Miwako’s hand to nibble on it, no coaxing needed. She’s clearly stunned and thrilled, turning to Chang Geng with wide eyes and a wide grin. ]

Ah! Look, it came! Isn’t it so pretty? It likes the muffin, too!

[ As the rabbit nibbles from her hand, Miwako herself starts to emit her own glow, starting from her fingertips and spreading down her palm. Her rabbit’s iridescence seems to be contagious, though Miwako’s emanating not a silvery, white light, but the palest of pinks. She’s too excited to even feel it or notice, face toward Chang Geng distracted by the rabbit’s muffin instead of its magic... ]

Don't mention it.

[He sits quietly and lets her try to get her familiar to come closer. He didn't think it would be difficult. The familiar seemed naturally inclined to like the person they've chosen. But it's also important that she does this on her own.

So he doesn't say anything, just waits patiently with her. When she grinned at him, he returned with a soft smile.]

It's very lovely.

[He looks down at the rabbit but, in truth was looking at the light in her hand. He considers the situation for a second before looking back up at her.]

Congratulations. It would seem you have light magic.

Eh?

...Ehhh—?!

[ The girl looks confused at Chang Geng’s words, and it draws her attention back to the rabbit eating out of her hand. But when she notices the pale pink light flowing from her fingertips, her mild confusion turns to palpable shock. She drops the piece of muffin in her hand, and indeed the bag too, and shoots upright. Her sudden movements startle the rabbit, which jumps back a couple paces, but after a moment, it sidles back up and continues eating the crumbs off the ground... and once it’s made good use of those, sneakily starts sniffing around the bag, sticking its little quivering pink nose inside curiously — greedily. Meantime, Miwako’s just staring at her hands, shimmering palms both outstretched in front of her, stunned and amazing. ]

Mi-Miwako is glowing! Wow! What do I do?! What does this mean?! ...Waaah, wow, wow, wow! Miwako is glowing pink! Pink glitter magic! Ah~!

[He doesn't laugh out loud (though privately, he thought it was a little amusing).]

You'll have to ask someone more familiar with the subject to explain what it means, I'm afraid.

[He doesn't worry too much about the muffins being dropped. He hadn't planned to take it back after. What he did want back is the bag. So he reaches out unhurriedly and gently tried to retrieve the leather pouch. The paper and any muffin left, the rabbit can keep.]

Why don't you see if you can make the glow brighter or dimmer?

Ah—

[ Even for someone who has little information to provide about it, just Chang Geng’s suggestions seem to hit the mark each time. If it’s that he’s quite naturally smooth and astute, or if it’s that Miwako is not, he offers ideas she wouldn’t think of herself so far, and that’s a sort of blessing amidst this whole ordeal. She’d still be screaming “Lightning Power, ZAP!” or something by this point if she’d been left to her own devices, more than likely.

Her eyes drift from her hands, to Chang Geng’s calm face, then back to the pink glow she’s found from within. How can she brighten it...? Just by thinking “Brighten?” At least, that’s her tactic for now. “Brighten. Brighten. Brighten, brighten, brighten!” The look of serious concentration on her face is pretty amusing in itself... One can’t say she’s not a good student. Well. They could say that. One can’t say she’s not enthusiastic...

It must pay off, though, because indeed, the glow grows brighter, pinker, sparklier. Miwako’s face lights up in amazement, and quite literally so, as the glow creeps up her arms all the way down to the tips of her long, shimmering hair. Her eyes are wide, her dazzlement leaving her a little slack-jawed, pink lips pouting mindlessly, a blush crawling across her already rosy cheeks. This was all too much to process at once. But process it, she is, as she wills it brighter, pinker, sparklier with mounting awe and control. She even comes up with her own trick next, without quite so much mental effort with an inner mantra, and it works... With only more amazement painted across her face to match, she slowly changes the glow from pink, to purple, to blue. Once the glow is very clearly blue and not pink, she looks back up to Chang Geng with a purely dazzled spark in her eye, but has no words. Just pretty colors and sparkles within and without herself. ]

[He has no experience with magic but he has had much experience learning things and there's a sort of pattern to it.

Learning magic...it was a lot like picking up a new weapon. First, is learning how to hold it properly. Then it was getting a sense for its balance, its reach--how far can it be pushed, how to pull it back.

Everything else comes later.

The light display is quite pretty. Watching the light spread over her body he wondered, distantly, if it were only this type of magic that could do that? He'd mostly tried healing magic by putting his hand directly onto the area being healed but could he heal an injury on a shoulder by holding only a person's hand?

It was something to experiment with later, he supposed.

When she looks at him again, he claps. It's not particularly enthusiastic applause but he also gives the impression that he wasn't the sort of person who acted overtly excited about anything. Still, his smile offers enough kindness to make up for it.]

See? There was no need to be so worried. Now all you need is to find a proper teacher.

[ The mention of finding a proper teacher slowly draws a grin across her face, still dazzled and enchanted by her own beautiful power. ]

Mmn! Oh, if only Seiji-sama were here... He’s a teacher at my school, sort of. He’s a famous hairstylist and makeup artist, even overseas! But I think he’s from the Glitter Planet... I bet he’d know how to help.

[ Her soft grin stays in place, but in her brow and eyes, there’s a vague pout, and she looks a little wistfully put out bringing up this... “Glitter Planet” native of hers. ]

[The thing was, he's from Steampunk Ancient China. Which means glitter hasn't really been invented. The best whatever means of translation is used in this place can do is a word similar to 'glittering' and he thinks, don't all planets in the night sky shine? Wouldn't that be the same as calling a type of stone a rocky rock?

Also how could someone be from another planet--well, that one is actually less confusing given that they're from different worlds.

Still, he recognizes that wistful look as she talks about this person she knows.]

What is this teacher of yours like? If he's from....Glitter Planet, how did he end up where you lived?

[Which he can only assume is a different planet??? He guesses.]

[ The logical question snaps her out of the budding reverie. She sounds more serious than before, but really, just earnest. It's clearly absolute bull shit told by concerned adults to prevent a child from falling in love with a man old enough to be her father; but then again, they're in another realm, so maybe it's not. ]

Oh... I think that's top-secret information or else it'd blow his whole cover, you know. I don't know why Seiji-sama left the Glitter Planet, or how he came to Earth. You see, Seiji-sama was my first love when I was in middle school... He used to be my mama's assistant when my sister was in high school years ago. But they told me the reason we can't be together is because he's from the Glitter Planet and he never ages. He's a teacher at the same high school my sister went to now, where I go, too — but even almost two decades later, it's true that he hasn't aged... It'd be too sad to grow old beside him, nee?

[...

He doesn't know where she's from, he reminded himself. He couldn't know for sure if this is true and it could just be his own bias and experience that makes it sound vaguely like her parents were just making up a story to get her to get over her feelings.

And, regardless, she believes it so it's not his place to make any accusations or voice any unsolicited opinions..

Of course, his expression barely changes, remaining serene and calm.]

I see. That would be sad, indeed. [He pauses a little and he knows it's a question he shouldn't ask but in the end he couldn't help himself.] You said he was your first love. Are you still in love with him?

[ His question clearly strikes a more serious, down-to-earth, reality-based chord. She glances away awkwardly briefly, but returns her gaze quickly with a nervous smile. ]

N-No... Not with Seiji-sama. Not anymore. Miwako has a boyfriend now. His name is Arashi...

[A boyfriend? Is that the word for someone she's courting?

He watches her reactions and he wondered, idly if he'd ever looked like this when he was younger and talking about Gu Yun.

...probably not, given how often that person made everyone around him angry with his nonsense.

He smiled warmly at her.]

It's good that you've found someone. I hope you two will have a happy future together.

[ The tenderness of the comment surprises her. Not usually met with such sincerity. The surprised look quickly shifts to a warm smile back, though. ]

...Thank you very much. We will. Ara and Miwako have been best friends our whole lives. His mother is my sister's high school best friend. We grew up together in the same apartment complex. But we've been together as a couple for three years now. We go to school together, too, and study the same major.

[Usagi arrives into the room and she's holding her own small, white rabbit close to her heart. She makes an excited sound at the music and kind of starts almost dancing to it right after smiling at her -- though she keeps on smiling all the time after that too. She closes the door behind her too while her new roommate is still busy with her game. And what a cute roommate with that pink hair and all and apparently they're both into playing video games! How luckyyy! The pink haired girl really reminds Usagi of herself and Chibiusa whenever they lose a game too... Could this girl be her perfect match for a roommate???]

Ah, sorry for distracting your game but maybe we can play it together? [Usagi bows a bit too.] Hello, hello! My name is Tsukino Usagi, you can call me Usagi, that's what everyone calls me. It's really nice to meet you too, Miwako-chan!

[ Miwako’s losing pout is short-lived before she and her new roommate introduce themselves. She’s equally taken with Usagi from first sight, in love with her long blonde hair, even longer than Miwako’s if it were let down. She’s so pretty and striking, wearing rather cute clothes, and clearly has a bubbly charm about her that attracts this bubbly charmer even more; they’re even the same height! That they both have little white rabbits is a mysteriously magical bonus point. The girl’s series of bright smiles is met with a matching set of flashing grins right back. The enthusiasm is contagious already. ]

Ahh~ What a cute name! Usagi-chan has a bunny, how suiting~ Miwako has a white bunny, too, see, see~?!

[ She gestures excitedly to the rabbit asleep on her pillow; well, it had been, and it pokes its head up curiously from its loaf of shimmering white fur, pale jade-like eyes searching both girls, finally landing on Usagi’s own moon rabbit. Has it found a perfect roommate, too? Miwako bustles to the console to unwrap the cord from around the second controller, readying it for her cute new competitor. ]

Here. I don’t know this game, but it seems simple enough... You just match the beats to the controls, it’s a rhythm game. Kinda like Dance Dance Revolution but without the dancing, I guess — DDR for lazy people, haha! Wanna pick the next song?

[Too bad for anyone living near them, this room's not going to be a quiet one with two bubbly girls living there! They can just keep on exciting each other with all of their enthusiasm until they'll possibly fall asleep sooner or later... Usagi giggles at hearing her name being cute.]

Thank you, your name is really cute too. I guess this world loved the moon rabbit joke a little too much in my case, not that I mind at all.

[And actually, no, Usagi doesn't notice the other moon rabbit earlier since Miwako has all of her attention. But now when she mentions it, Usagi looks there with an excited gasp! Her lop-eared one is looking at it too with her blue eyes, while Usagi's still holding her. ]

Oh, yours is just as adorable as mine! [Glancing at hers.] Do you want to go there too?

[She'll let the bunny go meet her new friend and she'll hop there to ~~join the napping~~ say hello, while Usagi herself sits down next to Miwako.]

Heeh, I don't know it either but it sounds like fun. Ahahah, maybe I'll feel like dancing to these songs but it really sounds like a game for me then. Sure, I can pick the next song.

[She takes that other controller and she'll pick a cheerful, upbeat song, but let's try on something like normal difficulty at first... Because easy sounds too easy, let's see if she'll regret not going there.]

[ It takes Miwako a blank-faced moment at Usagi’s comment about her name, until a lightbulb goes off and a funny, slightly sheepish grin spreads over her face again. ]

Ah! Tsukino Usagi! Moon rabbit! I get it! That’s funny, it’s even cuter now, haha, wow~

[ She may be slow on the uptake, but she’s sweet, it makes up for it. She’s happy for such obvious good company. She’s happy with the song Usagi picks, too, as they settle in, but Miwako’s playing a level above normal and doesn’t take it easy on her new friend. She’s not quite the competitive type, thankfully, neither a sore loser or a sore winner. She ends up with a B grade on the song, in the end, having missed a fair few notes in the high-energy song Usagi chose. She’s satisfied enough with their whole round though, and smiles brightly at the girl, whatever her score ends up as. ]

Hey, not bad for not even knowing any rhythm games! Hmm... How’s— this!

[ She selects a a dreamy, upbeat trance song, but as the song begins and they start up for round 2, Miwako likewise starts up round 2 of their conversation before the vocals of the song even kick in, without breaking focus. ]

Nee, nee... So Usagi-chan is Japanese, too, then, right? Where are you from? Miwako lives in Tokyo.

Edited 2020-12-17 00:21 (UTC)

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TEST DRIVE MEME ⚔️️ 2

Sakurada Miwako ✿ Paradise Kiss ✿ light magic + moon rabbit

Magical Morning

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so it's a room full of moon rabbits + miwako lol

they can start a club lmao 💕🐇🌙✨

people with bunny familiars .... or Miwako & The Moon Rabbits which sounds more like a band or brand

They’re an idol group now, done. lololol.