avalaughs | 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

[Her smiling leaves him stunned, but it's nonetheless a comfort.]

Oh. Uh- [Fumbling around for words, here...] Right.

[Despite her being sweet, he's the smallest touch suspicious. Not un-convinced she's hiding wings.

So likely, then, she'll notice—how he'll float between naïve and sharp. But lonely child himself, loneliest souls aren't missed as often. The times he'd been sequestered, hammered down and hardened quickly, there hadn't been time for fairytales much. And here, as if he's dreaming, having stumbled on first and largest, feels lost in every aimless sense.

At least, he'll make some effort. There's still some ways to go, and fairies knew where fairies lived, right?

A chance to repay one's kindness?]

Ah, [Seeming much more present, now,] If you're going, I'll go with you. [If she wants!]

[His reaction is not wholly unexpected. Aerith has likely been eyed many a time with many a suspicious eye simply based on her behaviour and how calm and composed she always seems to be. As if there's very little that catches her unawares. The truth is actually quite a bit more complicated than that, but for one reason or another, she feels at her best when she can put on a brave face.

The bridge was no different either. She could have let her nerves hold her back, but if she did that, she never would have been able to move forward. Adversity is not necessarily something to run from, but something to confront.]

I'd like that. [She agrees, the features in her face softening in slight.] Adventure and misadventure are both better with company. You can tell me a little more about your world. Is it similar to here or different?

Well...

[Where to even start? Given storybook's-surroundings, it likely won't compare to fairy's quests and frozen turtles. Though even without embellishment, his world was a strange one.]

You've heard of "super powers", right? Most have them, where I'm from—"Quirks", I mean—and almost everyone's good for something. Say, limited bursts of speed, or strength, depending on what's developed. [And more to be discovered.] Some have more. [Or more than most.]

So maybe a Quirk's to grow things. [His next's a little cautious.] Or destroy them.

[A curse to be Quirkless, right? Since his birth, he's felt its weight. With his own a question of ethics, (and pride, and man behind it) he's always known its costs.]

But mine's a hybrid. [This, entirely by design.] Half my mother's, half the old man's. [Was, now, with all that's happened.] Ah. Anyway. Not everyone keeps in line there, so... you can imagine it's room for trouble.

[Despite rising, clear distaste, he's felt safe to keep speaking. Open air and opened hearts do good.]

You could say it's different here.

[Peering out and through his fringe, he's quiet again, solemn.]

What about you?

[She nods slowly. 'Super powers.' She's not sure she'd call them that, but others probably have, even in Midgar. SOLDIER, after all, has 'super' practically attached to them.

And in some ways, perhaps some might think she has super powers, also. Not everyone can communicate with the lifestream or those in it. Aerith definitely stands out.]

So it sounds like you have... complicated abilities?

[Not as straight forward as being military (though Aerith doubts there's anything straight forward about that) or a Cetra.]

There might be something here that is similar, so maybe it'll be more familiar to you in the end.

[She follows his gaze and after some long moments, she simply thinks.]

I'm not sure yet. From the first moment I arrived, it was different. It felt different. [She couldn't hear or feel the way she could back home. It's an adjustment period.] I can't put my finger on it just yet. But maybe I'll find similarities, too.

Something like that. [It's been others who complicate things.]

I think, it's just knowing when to use them.

[And, who to use them for. On that note, and just in case, he's glancing back at crystals.]

But, unfamiliar's fine, sometimes. [Not all bad, all things considered. Back home, a lot worse. So while he's listening with intent, having fallen in step beside her, thinks: "this fairy's from the outside, too." Not that it's mattered what he's thought... but he's happy to act as shield, should their circumstances call for that. Even now, without his Quirks, all that "capable" throttled into him, he's oddly feeling needed.

"A hero that reassures others". That's his focus.

Just with that, he's reassuring.] You could earn your wings back, here. If it's that. [Not uncommon where he's from. Hawks had wings as long as boards. He couldn't even hide them!] There's a guy back home with big ones. Like a bird's...

[She shakes her head at him, unable to help laughing again.]

I thought I told you already, silly. I'm not a faerie. I'm just a girl. Nothing special here! [Well. Probably nothing special by this world's standards.]

This guy back where you're from, though, with the wings, is he a faerie, too? Or is he just a guy with wings? I guess angels have wings, so he could be an angel.

["Just a girl" feels misleading. Uraraka seemed so average... but her touch could lift a tree, and this one hadn't touched him at all.

So what's brought him across that bridge?

The obvious doesn't surface. Why would it? Human hearts were full of junk, and his own's no place for miracles yet. Though it doesn't erode his wonder. His faith's in someone else, for now. Talk of faeries brings the brightness in, so it's possible just to pause, to find release from buried hurt and sort the things his mind can't process yet.

Whether faeries existed or not, no words could disappoint him, here.] If you say so...

[He's not sure about the "angel" bit, but if his father trusts him at all, Hawks was all the sun he'd seemed to be.]

Hawks? It's his Quirk.

[Slowing steps to take in flora, now. Back home, there hadn't been time—though the average can't compare to opened fields and sprouts of crystal.] Animal types can manifest too. So, you could be a frog, a little. [Or a whale.] You don't have any magic?

[He doesn't believe her. She doesn't press the issue. If anything, she can only be amused by it. It's a story she'll have to share with the others back home, knowing they'd likely never believe her.

Maybe. They've seen some strange things so far together, after all.]

These 'quirks' of yours sound a little complicated. [And broad. Sounds like just about anything can be a Quirk and it would be difficult to determine what's personal talent and what's a Quirk.

At his question, her head tips and she nods.] I did in my homeworld. Seems like I do here, too, but it's not exactly the same. At home, we were able to use magic with these small spheres. [She tries to show him with her own hands, but it's a little difficult. So after a moment's consideration, she lifts her hands into her hair for the white materia hiding in her ribbon and she holds it in the palm of her hand.]

Like these.

["Complicated", true enough. Though he's barely breached the surface—sorted all their different types, like emitters and transformations—some, he doesn't understand at all. His own's confusing enough, with newer Quirks discovered yearly. And, while it's made the outlandish common, some could make his own seem average.

But, while he's sharing his thoughts on others, "introducing" her to his friends this way, the tiniest smile develops. Midoriya springs to mind, first, and he feels a bit lighter.

Still. Just to explain it feels exhausting. Likely harder to ingest, he's sure.] I'd show you, if I could.

[At the mention of using magic, where she's flashed a palm-sized something, curiosity peaks like foam.]

What's that?

[A cue ball?] Can you use it?

TEST DRIVE MEME ⚔️️ 3

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