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

[Kaoru's familiar normally sticks by him - pressing right up to his left side, like she knows the absence he feels there, even cuddling into bed with him as if to alleviate the emptiness he feels, like the bed won't fit him.

Kicchi - Kaoru has had to call her something for the past month. He hasn't been bitten for it yet, so it must be acceptable - has barely even left his side since his arrival. That makes it all the more surprising when she pricks up her ears, and then dashes off in the complete opposite direction.]

Hey- wait--!

[For a brief moment Kaoru feels almost lost, wheeling around and realising quickly Kicchi hasn't just rushed to his other side, but she's gone pelting through the snow in the complete opposite direction - faster than Kaoru can go without slipping, abandoning him to follow her pawprints.

She reaches Hikaru first instead - blocking off his path if he's moving, nudging his hand or his leg for attention if he's still, her tails fanning out in curiosity]

[Hikaru had been trying to give a look around, to see if he could find his twin or at least somebody he knew. Part of him has been growing steadily terrified that this may be another Prismatica situation where he was going to be alone except no Tamaki this time.

But Hikaru hasn't been here long enough to grow used to seeing a literal ninetails in front of him. It had been enough that his own familiar, a bright red kitsune, was a thing but seeing a ninetails...? Except there's something about this one that doesn't worry him. A similar sort of feeling he had felt when he had met his own familiar, who had been following him around ever since he did arrive. His kitsune prances up to the other fox and only stares, blinking once. Hikaru looks between them.] You two know each other...?

[This place was so weird but what was even weirder was when the new fox went behind Hikaru and started nudging him along as his own kitsune seemed happy about this development, running ahead and yipping as if calling out to somebody.]

What the hell? Hey, hey, I can walk. [But she's not listening to him and his own familiar is now out of his sight as Hikaru calls out after her.] Hey! Aren't you supposed to be my familiar or something? Why are you leaving me with this—[There's another nudge and Hikaru almost falls forward.] I can walk!

[doesn't matter if Hikaru can walk - Kicchi will keep pushing him. What she wants must should be perfectl clear, but if that doesn't work? She'll catch a trouser leg or a sleeve or something to "encourage" Hikaru along with.

Meanwhile Kaoru was doing his best to follow after his familiar's footsteps - but it's kind of hard, being a mere mortal following behind a supernatural creature. Kicchi can traverse patches of ice much easier than Kaoru can, but at least there are still footprints on the other side to show where she has gone. He just has to pick his way over. That's fine - and she's even yipping somewhere to guide him?]

Kicchi!

[and it's about then that he takes the tackling kitsune to the chest, falling back into the snow with a winded sound-]

Oof!

((If there was ever a time for this... but I've still not dug out where it is yet...))

[Everybody knows what tricksters foxes can be. It's a common legend. But he is also a trickster and Hikaru is sure this isn't some trick. Especially if his own kitsune had seemingly known this ninetails. So he follows where she wants him to go, as Hikaru carefully treads on the ice. There's some grumbling happening because this is harder than it has any right being but Kicchi seems to just keep nudging him along when he stops.

However, when he sees that familiar orange hair, Hikaru's grievance with being pushed around by the fox leaves him as he runs forward.]

Kaoru!

[Kaoru had a kitsune jump on him but now he has Hikaru tackling him back into the snow. With his arms tight around Kaoru, he cries out:] I thought we got separated again! [To Hikaru, it's only been a couple of days since he saw his twin.]

Hikaru--!

[barely able to get his brother's name out before he gets flung back to the ground, winded all over again, but it doesn't matter - it doesn't matter, and he holds on tight as Kicchi jumps over and about them, kicking up snow in her excitement.]

I thought-- Hikaru...

[Maybe he shouldn't stay in the snow or make Kaoru stay in the snow but that's the least of his concerns as he holds on tight to his twin, his own kitsune jumping along with Kicchi.]

I know I know. You weren't there. [He only pulls back so he can look him in the eyes, his own watering.] But you are here.

Yeah.

[oh, his daft, daft brother's eyes are watering, that must mean Kaoru's aren't far behind. He nods and scrubs the back of a hand across them before crashing into Hikaru all over again]

You are here.

[and if they sit much longer the snow will probably melt into them and they'll freeze, but it's like arriving in Lunatia all over again - he doesn't want to let go. He can't.]

It was ages, Hikaru...

[It was like Lunatia all over again except in Lunatia, they weren't sitting in the cold in the snow. They'd at least had the comfort of a room and a bed. Warmth.

But Hikaru can't separate himself from Kaoru, afraid of letting go for a moment.

Except how Kaoru talks, Hikaru doesn't understand.] Ages? [The Hitachiin family is known for their dramatics but he knows when Kaoru is being dramatic and when he means that. To some, they'd argue a month and calling it "ages" was dramatic but then they don't know Hikaru and Kaoru.]

I dunno. [muffled against his brothers shoulder] Like, a month? Ages. Kicchi was--

[Kicchi is presently worming her way into their hold - the advantages of having a fox face, it helps her find her way in anywhere she likes. Right now she's aiming for their shared lap even as Kaoru scolds]

Kicchi--!

A month? What? But—[He is interrupted by Kicchi and it hits him then that she had been leading him to Kaoru. So had his own familiar, who is running around them excitedly. Stepping onto Kaoru with her front paws and then onto Hikaru, too happy to really stay still.

Okay, no, stay focused!]

I just saw you like two days ago! Don't you remember? It was after the party and Zuko did something with the microwave? And we had to go to the hotel? [This is concerning! He is concerned and kind of upset that maybe it hasn't been that long.]

She's been like... kind of a support animal.

[it's the best way he can describe it - though sometimes it feels like things she does are far below her status as a mythical creature. Quite resolutely she is worming her way into the middle of them - like an arctic fox attacking a snowdrift. It's not like Kaoru can hold off laughing for long]

I know, I - I know. I mean, I remember all of that...

[Is that why she had been trying to make him come follow her? To find Kaoru and be there for him? But his own familiar had gone ahead and done that, too. This familiar thing was weird because how did they know? But then again, they were mythological creatures. That didn't require much explanation.

He'd be happy to love on her if his mind wasn't so caught up on the fact that there was somehow a big time discrepancy with them.] But then how? How—a month? [It was almost an exact repeat of what had happened with them except opposite and he grumbles:] Universe is laying it on kind of thick with the twin thing. [But he feels this pit in his stomach because he never would leave Kaoru by himself for that long. Ever. The idea of Kaoru being alone.] I'm sorry. I never...a month? [Hikaru had been without Kaoru for a month too but he had had...wait.] Is Tono here? [If it was the same thing then maybe Kaoru had had somebody. Maybe somebody else from back home.]

No, I'm sorry - if I ever gave you are hard time for it before, Hikaru...

[he knows better now, but the parallel is kind of freaky. Hikaru a month in Lunatia, and Kaoru a month here. But whatever the Universe was doing, at least it decided to fit them back together again?]

Mm-mm. It's-- just been me - me and Kicchi.

[So Kaoru hadn't had anybody...

That makes him pull Kaoru back into a hug. Well, try as best as he can with a fox in the way. Either way, he feels awful.]

I'm sorry. [Even if he couldn't have controlled this, it still feels terrible.] I'm not leaving you again. Ever.

[Which might sound like just some talk but it's a very possible thing for them. Not like Hikaru ever had plans about leaving Kaoru any time soon but if he speaks it into existence then the universe has to listen.]

It's not your fault - it's okay.

[muffled once more against his brother's shoulder - just... holding on and leaning into him. It's okay. But he's so sorry this has happened again. Whether or not there was even any chance of spotting it - they should have been wise to it by now, should have suspected this time...

A heavy sigh, slightly shivery]

...we should move.

Ugh, yeah. It's so damn cold out here.

[He stands up and reaches out to help Kaoru up. Of course he doesn't let go and squeezes once.]

Where do we live?

[Since obviously, they're going to live together and if Kaoru's chosen a place then Hikaru's sure it's fine.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

TEST DRIVE MEME ⚔️️ 2

E - have a curious fox spirit~!

fox friends!!

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