avalaughs | TEST DRIVE MEME ⚔️️ 3

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TEST DRIVE MEME ⚔️️ 3

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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 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

[ Not her greatest performance, but she had no idea if she was going to end up plowing face first into the water's surface or not. Comparatively, this was slightly the more ideal outcome. Slightly.

She'll probably be nursing some bruises later, but Tifa manages a small, relieved smile as she brushes the dirt off herself and tries to stand. ]

Parts of me are, though I had a little help nailing the landing.

[ She has one human-sized cushion to thank for that, one she really hopes she didn't crush. ]

How about you? Wait, there's a-

[ Her hands close around a wayward twig, pulling it free from Aerith's hair before tossing it away. ]

There. Do you think you can walk like this?

[The moment she's able to put herself right to her feet, she's following in suit. Dusting herself off, trying to set herself right and not look quite the mess she's sure they did as they toppled right down together.

When Tifa reaches for her hair, she pauses for just a breath as to not disrupt her and then she finds herself smiling.

In the back of her mind, there's a subtle ache. They'll both probably hurt for a day or so after all of that.]

Thanks. [She tests out her feet before she nods.] Nothing broken here. I think you'll have to collide with me much harder if that's what you were going for. [Aerith is teasing, of course.] What's an adventure without a little danger, right? Really, though, no harm done.

That almost sounds like a challenge.

[ A small tease right back followed by a soft chuckle, but she would rather not take her chances right now. They've already been through a lot after their escape from Shinra's headquarters and ending up ...wherever they are now. There are still a lot of blanks to fill, and Tifa is struggling to catch up with all this mess about magic, wizards, knights, and someone who goes by the "Lady of the Lake." ]

But I am grateful you are okay and that I found you here. I thought I ended up completely alone when I first woke up.

[ Which had been quite the shock. One moment, she'd been driving, and the next, she'd been drowning and reaching for a pair of turtles. ]

What about Cloud and the others? Have you seen them?

[ She doubts they would have just let Aerith wander out of their sights, considering all they'd gone through to rescue her, but maybe there's still a chance they might be somewhere nearby. Tifa had been frantically searching for them prior to winding up at this strange bridge but to no avail.

Worry is already gnawing fiercely at the bottom of her stomach, but she hasn't run into anything threatening outside of the general terrain. Maybe they're all okay, and she's stressing out over nothing. ]

[Leave it to Tifa to play right along. Aerith feels a significant amount of relief. She said it best. At least they have one another. She might not be the same girl she was when she was younger, but it's not hard to admit that she prefers the companionship than the thought of loneliness.

No. She's more grateful for Tifa than she's saying in the present. Somehow, she suspects it's known. Words aren't the only way to convey message, after all.]

I thought I was, too. Yet here you are.

[She shakes her head as Tifa continues.] Nope. You're the first one I've seen from Midgar. I was actually bracing myself for braving most of this on my own. But I'm sure you and I can manage, right? If we happen along the others, then great. Otherwise, you and I will just have to rely on each other.

[That's not the worst thing that could happen. Not by a long shot.]

[ Not the answer she'd been hoping for, and it's difficult to hide her growing concern in spite of the present company. Still, having Aerith is here is better than nothing. Far better than nothing even, considering how fond Tifa has grown of her in the short time they've known one another. She feels like she can actually relax a little around her and unclench her fists for the first time since she had arrived. ]

Mm, you're right. If it's the two of us, I'm sure we can find a way out of here.

[ She can't fathom why only the two of them would be taken, trying to convince herself it's impossible. Sure, Aerith being one of the Cetra would put her rather high on the list of interests for other similar mystical beings, but Tifa being here... it makes no sense.

No, there has to be a better explanation, unless it had simply been an act of pure randomness. Or proximity. The two of them had been inside the same vehicle during the escape, but that would mean that undoubtedly the rest of their party had to be scattered somewhere in this land. ]

What do you think they want with us? I tried asking the Rent-A-Ride owner, but he wouldn't say... and there was that strange woman who fed me the potion while I was underwater.

[ Her voice grows softer as she continues to turn over the events in her mind, trying to search for some hidden meaning lost between the lines. ]

[She can see it. That slight tint of disappointment. Or maybe it's less seeing and more simply a sense. She has every right to feel that way, too. As much as Aerith wants to have the answers, this isn't their homeworld. She hasn't seen any Whispers here. She doesn't seem to have the same otherworldly sense she had back in Midgar.

At Tifa's question, she shakes her head, disappointed that she doesn't have anything new to share, but optimistic. Of all things, they must remain optimistic, and Aerith can be that enough for them both.]

I had the same experience, actually. The only people who've been open with their information are others like us who were taken from their worlds. And the familiars who explained how we came to be here.

[She fishes for Tifa's nearest hand, however, to hold it delicately between her own. Tifa isn't made out of glass. She isn't delicate. At least, not in Aerith's opinion. Sometimes soft, but most people are rarely one thing and one thing alone.]

It's all right. [It always has a way of being so.] I know that we'll find the answers even if we don't immediately. We'll just have to search around some. There are bound to be people here who've been around longer than us. They might know something we don't.

[ The warmth of Aerith's palm brings her out of whatever stupor she almost went into. It's comforting in a way that she's started to associate with the other woman -the kind of comfort she may have derived from her family long ago. One that reassures her that no matter what, they'll survive together.

It's going to be okay.

Even as she struggles to believe it, she knows she can't surrender to anything else. They've certainly been through worse than this, though some of those scars are still fresh. But for the sake of those they'd lost in Midgar, they can't give up. ]

...We have to. We have to find our way back.

[ Her hand clenches around Aerith's in return, looking as resolute as she can while burying the fear that they might be trapped here forever. Hadn't she thought the same when they'd been wandering around the winding floors of that lab? Or even while trapped in the train station? ]

I think he said New Camelot was up the road. Just a few miles- [ She pauses to point forwards from their present direction. ] -that way. Maybe if we start asking around there, we can find if the others passed through. Knowing them, they'd probably stick out in any crowd.

[ What with Barret's arm-gun and Cloud's absurdly large sword... ]

I wonder if we can find another carriage going that way.

You got it. We have to find our way back.

[Aerith admittedly doesn't feel as confident on her insides. Sometimes, however, that uncertainty has to be put aside for the sake of others. It wouldn't be the first time she's done this. It won't be the last. For Tifa, she is willing to weather just about anything.

She shifts after just a moment to curl her arm loosely about Tifa's.]

I think that's a good start. We'd know them anywhere and I doubt anyone would forget if they saw them, too.

[She follows Tifa's gaze in thought. There's no shortage of carriages and it seems like from the cliffs to the actual city, they come with some kind of 'normal' frequency.]

We don't know until we try. If it gets too late, we at least have a place to stay. Let's stick together, okay?

[ Alright, now that that's settled, how does she flag down a carriage? Maybe walking down the road in that general direction will help, though she's worried they might end up simply getting there entirely on foot at this rate. There's also the other town nearby (although nowhere near as glorious) she had spotted... or thought she had spotted. Where did it disappear off to now?

Wait- the phone they left her with! Why didn't she think of that earlier? She tries looking for a map somewhere on it to make sure she's not losing her mind. ]

Hmm...I thought I saw something across the bridge earlier before we crossed. Where did it go?

[ Unfortunately, she can't seem to find anything that isn't pet videos on this 'Avalon Online' service. She holds it up and sideways for Aerith to look at alongside her, her own expression pulled into a perplexed frown. ]

Not really what I was expecting. That one's cute, though.

[ If only her actual cell phone worked here, but naturally, the service towers in Midgar can only reach so far. The GPS on it is basically useless. ]

Maybe we should investigate. Why build a bridge if there's not something on the other side?

[ That's probably a dangerous logic to follow, but their options are diminishing by the second. It will be sunset soon and too dark to see where they're going without city lights, and she wants to make sure they find a safe encampment before that. ]

[The moment Tifa breaks out her phone, Aerith is not shy at all about trying to peek over her shoulder to get a look. But it's a fruitless endeavour. Not that Aerith has anything against looking at cute animals.

She makes a note to spend some time doing precisely that.]

I can see that we both might get easily distracted by this. Not the worst thing to happen.

[Aerith tilts her head this way and that, humming a nonsensical bar of music as she gives Tifa's question some thought. Again, she doesn't have the answers she wishes she did. This is not like home at all where she can feel a little more confident about what they're facing and what they will face. Although with how nonchalant she's been handling the whole circumstance, one might never be any the wiser.]

I heard in passing it was because they wanted us to be searching for something. The what, I'm not sure of. But I figured if I came this way, I'd find out eventually. If we stay still, we'll never get anywhere, right? So we just have to keep going forward.

[ It's as best of a vote of confidence as she'll likely get unless someone were to magically pop up and lead them to the nearest and nicest hotel. Given what she's witnessed of this world so far, that wouldn't entirely be far-fetched, but she has a feeling they will get better results simply exploring. ]

Alright, we'll keep walking and keep our eyes peeled for anything out there.

[ Of course, the moment she hears some animal in the distance, her body seizes up, bones locked with tension as her gaze darts around wildly. Surely, just an owl... or a fox or a possum. Nothing to be afraid of. Keep it together.

Just in case, she sidles a bit closer to Aerith while walking. ]

You didn't happen to hear any stories about haunted woods, too, did you? I know it can't be worse than the ghosts in that train station, but-...

[ Maybe it can be worse. The sun rapidly going down is certainly making it hard not to be a little nervous about their surroundings. ]

Edited 2021-01-28 19:34 (UTC)

[There is only the breath of a pause when Tifa hesitates. There's no ignoring the sound either, but one could spend no shortage of hours trying to determine who or what it is. If they do that, they won't be getting anywhere.

Aerith reassuringly moves her free hand to brush over Tifa's forearm.]

Haunted woods, hmmm? Not that I recall. I feel like that's something they would have mentioned. Seems like the people here love stories and since it seems like we're needed, I don't think they'd run the risk of letting something happen to us.

[But Tifa has a point. The ghosts in the train station... Misunderstood, really. Each with a story. And a reminder of a past Aerith has tucked behind herself, solidifying why she has grown to appreciate Tifa to the extent that she has. Surely they can do anything if they're together.]

Don't be scared. You have me. I won't let you be on your own.

Scared...? Who's scared?

[ Certainly not her even if she's closing to holding Aerith's hand with an iron-tight death grip. She tries to remind herself she'd already dealt with the Whispers, sewer monsters, and all kinds of other atrocities in the Shinra lab. There's nothing they can't overcome if push comes to shove.

Yet, another noise makes her stop dead in her tracks, though the more she focuses on it, the more she can hear ...tittering up ahead. Yes, those are human voices! She's almost sure of it. ]

I think those might be the other arrivals.

[ Or a pack of ghosts, but she's still stamping down that irrational idea. Still, she continues to approach with caution, tugging Aerith along to try and get a peek at the shadows up ahead. ]

There were a few people I met by the shoreline earlier. I was wondering where they ended up after the caravan. I remember a young woman... I told her about you and Cloud after we got out of the water.

[ It would be nice if she could introduce the two of them -and hopefully meet her friend, Ryne, while she's at it. That's certainly a more sobering thought to fixate on than all the more dangerous possibilities. ]

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TEST DRIVE MEME ⚔️️ 3

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I AM FOREVER LATE, BUT I WILL ALSO BACKTAG FOREVER.

worry not I too embrace the backtag

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