avalaughs | TEST DRIVE MEME ⚔️️ 3

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TEST DRIVE MEME ⚔️️ 3

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⚔️️ Top-Levels Only ⚔️️

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 rest of 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.

Everyone needs a little fun from time to time; the locals have put together the annual Snow Games. As with all things Avalonians plan, magic plays a part in the competition. There will be three separate tiers for characters to enter. Each Tier will have its predetermined track or ring, set up and ready to go.

A ⦿ Foot Races

three-legged race

B ⦿ Sled Races

magically driven sleds

C ⦿ Snow Chicken

Snow Chicken, Magic Vs Yeti Style... This competition will differ from the previous two; it is not a race to the finish line but instead a competition to be the last team standing! Participants will pair off and one person will climb on the shoulders of the other and try to wrestle their opponents off without getting knocked off themselves. The field is full of snow, with more coming from the sky. Your opponents will be Yeti. Try to stay on, Yeti are no slouches so teams will have to work together using their magic not only to stay put but to knock your big-footed opponents to the ground.

Just... be wary, these friendly yeti are surprisingly big on hugging as a form of congratulations. It's much more challenging to escape from a yeti's embrace than it is to knock one over.

Trumpets hail an announcement by the town crier in front of the castle. More than a few people pull out their phones to record it and post it to the AOL network for all to see.

"Hear ye, hear ye! Our noblest of lords, King Arthur of Camelot, will host a tournament on this January the 20th on castle grounds. All are welcome to participate in competitions to determine those most skilled in both the physical and magical arts. In preparation for the upcoming tournament, we are sending envoys to Celliwig. In Celliwig lies the Magic Mirror of the South, gifted to Camelot by the Fae, and a means to communicate with their royal court at will. It is a vastly important task in your journey to become magicians and to show your good will toward the fairies. Parts of the mirror's frame have been damaged. We will need those brave of soul and pure of heart to retrieve the crystals needed to repair the mirror. Those interested, the party leaves at dawn."

A ⦿ Brave of Soul

The first stop on the trip to restore Celliwig's Mirror is to a cave just north of Albion's White Cliffs. No longer a part of the cliffs themselves, this outcropping goes underground and to a dank, dark cave. It is the only place which a special prismatic crystal grows. The crystal itself is hidden deep in the cave, which can only be passed by passing into a zone in which magic cannot be used. Characters will enter the cave and must face an illusion of one of their greatest fears. Those frozen in fear will pass out and wake up outside of the cave with no crystal. Those who run will find themselves turned out of the cave as well. Only those who recognize and face that fear deep in their soul will find the path forward. The fear will turn into a small light spirit, which will smile and reveal to them the crystals they seek.

B ⦿ Pure of Heart

The second stop is past a shanty town and at the bridge north of it. The bridge itself is broken, only the ends in existence. The water itself is impassible, white rapids sweeping away anything that steps into it. Silver crystals are on the other side of the bridge, visible in an outcropping from where they are, but it appears there is no way around as magic does not work on the bridge. The only clue as to how to get across is a plaque in the dirt before the bridge.

"The pure of heart will form the bridge with a leap of faith."

Since everyone has gone as a group, it will be possible to see others walking over the water once one person figures it out. Though the clue may seem challenging, it is quite straight-forward. Characters who are pure of heart will find that if they believe in themselves, they will be able to step off the bridge and hardlight will form beneath their feet to allow them to step over the water. Those with ill intentions or those who are willing to harm others to get their way will slip into the rapid waters and may need to be saved by other characters. At least you're off the bridge, so magic will work to that end.

C ⦿ Celliwig, the Splendored Court

As the travelers leave the bridge, they turn toward the shanty town-- wood shacks and failing farms. Not a place anyone would want to visit. Those who try to run ahead will find that it disappears as if an illusion, and they will find nothing. Those who stick with the party will wait a fair distance away until the sun sets. Once the sun begins to fall beyond the horizon, the small town will begin to shimmer brilliant whites and colors-- a glamour hiding its true glory, a city made solely of crystals and glass: Celliwig, the Splendored Court. Though smaller than Camelot, every part of the city is beautiful and glistening. The population is small and it's very quiet and serene for a city. The people of the city don't seem keen on speaking to outsiders, and will typically scatter before anyone can really engage them. They seem humanoid in nature, but not entirely human. Even the animals around the city seem to be ethereal in nature, gliding more than walking.

The party is led to a hall at the center of the city-- the hall of mirrors. Those who have succeeded in obtaining crystals need to bring them and set them on a table placed before a mirror at the end of the hall, which appears to have a number of empty settings. It's unclear what happened to the mirror previously, but now it's necessary to restore it to garner the favor of the fae.

Once crystals have been delivered, people will be free to explore the quiet city, but it seems most of the city is closing shop while the visitors are around. There is a restaurant that will serve visitors food, though all of the dishes are of the molecular gastronomy variety. Alcoholic drinks seem to come in vapor form and flashes of light if ordered, but seem effective nonetheless. The local general store seems to be willing to sell supplies to weary travelers as well, but that's about it.

...That said the inn doesn't seem particularly keen on allowing visitors in strangely, so you're either going to be sleeping on the iridescent streets or camping just outside the city if you prefer the soft grass and the darkness of night. Just be aware, if you leave, you won't be able to get back into this mysterious city so easily.

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.
• Note that the third prompt in this TDM will have consequences on the game's progression. After the application round, a poll will be put up to see how many characters who are in the game, both new and old, are able to obtain the crystals from the Brave of Soul and Pure of Heart prompts.
• 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

W E T;;

[so it turns out that heaven sucks.

it's the first - and for a few moments, only - thought that runs through Reimi's head when she's rewarded for departing the mortal plane with bitingly cold water surrounding her on all sides. her lips part in a surprised gasp and, as icy water rushes down her throat, she finds that breathing is suddenly a very real concern of hers. what had happened?

she's so shocked by this unexpected turn of events that a small bob beneath the surface threatens to transform into a second tragedy; thankfully before that can happen a familiar snout noses at her back, steadfastly pushing her up to the surface where she can cough and hack in safety. Arnold. her arms wrap around the yellow lab's neck gratefully, sharing in his warmth even before the Lady of the Lake arrives with her gift of welcome.

once on the shore the strange reality of her situation finally sets in. death had held very few alterations from life in her own world, but Reimi can tell in an instant - there's no way she's a ghost any longer. it's both a nostalgic and overwhelming feeling, finding herself tethered to the present in a natural way, and despite her soaking clothes she can't help pausing to simply...be. there's no real duty now, is there? no monsters lurking in the shadows or reason to watch the sky in fear. she was just Reimi again.

it's in this moment of hazy attention that a certain someone takes the opportunity to dash away.]

Arnold, no-!

[Arnold is a good boy, but he's also been 'living' as a ghost for as long as his mistress. with the young lady safe and sound on firm ground he can no longer resist the urge to dash across the edge of the lake in what is probably his first case of zoomies in over fifteen years. harassing the ice turtles, bounding up to other arrivals and demanding that they play with him, even splashing in the shallow water - he wants to do it all.

but he can't, because that is definitely getting in the way of everyone else's equally disruptive day. calling out plaintively for her companion, Reimi goes dashing off in short order to try and corral the pup.]

she's all out to get you;;

[this world isn't her beloved Morioh, but its plight connects the two places - and even if it hadn't there would have been no way for Reimi to refuse giving her assistance. in a way these people were just as she had been, filled with a desire to protect what mattered most but with no ability to achieve that on their own. it's compassion even more than gratitude which moves her to act.

...it may also be pigheaded idiocy moving her, at least in this particular instance. she'd known from the moment that the cave's danger had been explained to her what would be waiting deep in its cavernous belly. what else could it be? even banished as he was now, there was only one person who had ever preyed upon her young heart.

despite his unhappy whining, she'd made absolutely certain to leave Arnold behind on this mission. part of her wants to take this a step further and forgo any human companions as well, unwilling to expose more people to that monster, but she knows it's unwise. he'd only been purged the first time because of everyone's combined efforts.

the closer they get, however, the more she can feel her heart racing. oh, this part of life wasn't something she'd missed.]

Hey, listen...I don't know how powerful these things are, but just in case be sure not to touch anything for a little while, ok? It might -

'Reimi Sugimoto.'

[there he is. there he is. for a split second Reimi isn't really certain she hasn't died again with the way her entire soul freezes up upon spotting that man. to the unfamiliar he seems an odd thing to frighten a young girl, barely remarkable no matter what aspect one looks at. his lip is curled in faint disgust, yes, but even so...]

'Did you really think your little tricks had completely suppressed me?'

[Kira Yoshikage is dead and punished. she has to keep repeating this to herself, clinging fast to the words, because good fucking god did this illusion cast that certainty into doubt. she was here, after all, wasn't she? would it really be such a stretch to think that whatever hands had reached out and scooped her up had also caught-]

No! I won't let you burrow into another world!

[her fists clench, but her voice wobbles. what can she do? the power of the alley didn't exist here and cognitive magic was almost totally useless in combat. Kira must still be able to wield Killer Queen without limits. what can she do? what can she do?]

network;;

Hi!! So I was wondering if there were any horoscope applications people could recommend for this phone?

[the last time she had a pulse was the 80s and they hadn't even hit 2000 back in Morioh. give her a break, she's working on all this unfamiliar slang the best she can.]

I guess with magic being real here people might just do that kind of thing on their own...but sometimes it's fun to hear someone else's spin on it, you know?

Speaking of which! Do you guys know what time you were born at? I can tell you what kind of romantic partner you're most compatible with...if that doesn't scare you, haha.

wildcard;;

[I'm super open to any of the other prompts, or anything else you think would be fun! come at meeee. Reimi's a cognitive magic user for those interested in the snow games stuff. c:]

[Dolce is doing her best to dry out several layers of petticoats before even attempting the stairs when she sees the dog taking off like... well Pico. So she does what she would want anyone to do the ghost loli ~~no, not strangle her~~ and attempts to help wrangle the pup!]

Here, boy.

[Fortunately strings are usually pretty good at this, although untangling the ball of yarn later will be quite the undertaking!]

[there isn't as much to untangle as there might potentially have been - Arnold is a very good boy, even in the midst of his doggy joy, and upon hearing the telltale command he's already beginning to trot over to this new person. the yarn is just like a pleasant boost, leaving him looking as if he'd just been hit with a can of silly string by the time he gets up to Dolce. even so, his tail is wagging up a storm.

Reimi lags behind a bit, but not by much. she pauses to catch her breath when she finally catches up, hands pressed firmly against her knees. it really wasn't that much of a spring thanks to this stranger's help, but when you haven't needed to breathe for fifteen years any kind of physical exertion is a bit of a shock to the system. when she's finally gotten herself collected she straightens up, a sheepish smile playing on her lips.]

Thank you! I really didn't think he'd just take off like that...I guess he's just as surprised by everything as the rest of us.

[All the headpats for such a good dog!]

That's quite understandable, I think anyone would be excited by all the new energy.

[Which is why Dolce assumes Pico, her ghost ~~stalker friend~~ partner has also taken off on the run to somewhere.]

[yes, this is the life. Arnold whines with pleasure, gently headbutting Dolce's hand to let her know that those pets are very appreciated.]

It's been a while since we've gotten to stretch our legs, too - not that I thought we'd be doing it somewhere like this!

[with the immediate crisis out of the way Reimi can't keep her gaze from sweeping across the lakes and up the cliffside. they really were in another world, weren't they? this was nothing like Morioh.]

I wonder what's happened...

Where were you before this? [A slight head tilt, and then Dolce glances sideways, and takes in all that she can without moving her head, only her eyes. Wet hat still drying-ish.]

Unfortunately, this is not the first time I have woken up in unfamiliar settings, though I haven't decided if I'm grateful to have my clothes or not.

Departing for the afterlife.

[there's no reason to hide what she'd been doing - or rather, what she'd been. people died young for all sorts of reasons, not just murders. Reimi doesn't want to trouble anyone with her past, but she also doesn't see the need to be dishonest about it to do so.]

This isn't my first time either, although it is nice to have some other people with me this time.

[figuring out that she'd passed on by herself...that had been painful.]

Do you really believe in horoscopes? I’m not sure if those things are real or not.

Magic or not, I don’t think they hold any truth to them.

[Just saying]

I'm not going to rearrange my life over it or anything, but I do think there's a little truth to them! The things they use to tell your fortune are a part of you, right?

Besides, there's nothing wrong with having an extra lucky item around just in case.

[as much good as that's ever done her, really.]

You can tell a lot from the way people react to their fortunes, too.

I suppose so but they’re usually pretty vague so it can be applied to almost anything.

But I can’t argue with having a little extra luck. I just don’t know if it will work or not.

There's good and bad horoscopes just like everything else, you know? That's why I'm looking for recommendations! If I wanted something vague I'd just crack open a fortune cookie.

You know, sometimes it's all about your attitude! Even just feeling lucky might bring good things to you, whether it's the charm doing it or not.

I don’t even know if I can give you any good horoscope applications. Those kind things are usually reserved for girls right? I’m not even sure what a boy like me can do with it!

[Because Ken really had no idea how these things work!]

But you’re pretty optimistic about this. I can’t argue how you’re feeling can really change how you see things either! I wonder if I should test my luck.

Yeah, come on! There's no such thing as 'boys' or 'girls' only stuff, especially not when it's about your happiness!

[besides, boys were usually the easiest to tease with this sort of thing - I mean!]

Even if you don't believe it, it's a fun way to pass the time, right?

But with horoscopes?

[As he still wasn’t too sure about this.]

It wouldn’t hurt to try. I was born in 1998. Do you need to be more specific?

Oooh, that's a good year! Can I get the month too? I'd ask for the time but I don't think anyone really keeps track of that anymore, haha.

It's June.

I don't even know what time I was born but I'm hoping my horoscope will tell me good things.

[Should he be worried??]

You'll have to give me a minute since I don't have my book with me here, but I'm pretty sure it'll be something nice! You've got the same sign as one of my friends.

[and if there was anyone you'd want to bear similarities to, it was Josuke. but let's see...Gemini, huh. Reimi doesn't have the magazine article she usually peruses for this kind of thing so she has to tilt her head back and think here. what does she remember about Geminis, and what she's kind of picked up on just from talking to this person...

Ken receives another message from her after ten minutes or so of a pause.]

Ok, I'm back! Thanks for waiting.

You need to relax a little bit! If you don't you're going to end up in a really embarrassing situation soon.

[At the same time, Ken didn't know what to expect from this. All he knew was how one of his teammates would read it in a magazine or the internet. However, he wasn't expecting much of anything as it seemed to be a waste of time.

Or maybe he was too mature (or childish?) to really understand it at the time.]

What if I got myself into one already? I don't want another snowball to hit me and get hurt.

[oh no...cute. that he's worried about surprise snowball fights of all things makes Reimi think this person is very young - or at least a bit more innocent than they'd probably like others to think. she can't help giggling to herself a little.]

That was your warning shot! It means you need to act fast before a whole bunch of them come raining down on you, mostly likely. Have you been taking care of yourself lately?

[That and he didn't have the heart to tell the person who threw the snowball at him that it hurt]

I have since the person who threw it did heal me. I just hope that horoscope was just being vague enough that it could happen to anyone.

Where did you get it from anyway?

Oh, no! It's good that you're not hurt anymore, but I meant more like treating yourself nicely. You know, doing things for yourself and not pushing too hard?

I divined it myself! Pretty good, huh?

[..........About that.]

Don't worry, I am! I'm currently trying to figure out not to work myself too hard. There's only so much a thirteen year old can do.

[For better and for worse sometimes]

Wait, you did? How did you do that? That isn't a magical ability you picked up here, is it?

[oh no, thirteen? baby. the fact that Reimi is technically only three years older than him doesn't matter. he's baby.]

Good! Middle school's a real tough time if you're not careful, even without all of the...everything happening here too, haha. You've got to pace yourself or you'll burn out.

Well -

I'm not really sure, actually. I used to do horoscopes and fortunes like that all the time at home, but I think I'm supposed to be able to use cognitive magic here? And that's a little like fortunetelling, isn't it?

I'm trying but it's not that bad once you get used to it. It's like you said, it's all about how you see things, right?

[That and he rather not dump all of his troubles to a stranger just yet]

I think so? I'm not familiar with cognitive magic but isn't that like mindreading too?

Right! Attitude is more than half the battle...although that's easier said than done sometimes.

I think so? I only just arrived here, so I'm still trying to figure things out. Back home I wasn't someone who could do anything like this.

TEST DRIVE MEME ⚔️️ 3

Reimi Sugimoto | Jojo's Bizarre Adventure

WET!

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