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avalaughs2020-12-31 11:53 pm
avalonmods) wrote in avalaughs2020-12-31 11:53 pm
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TEST DRIVE MEME ⚔️️ 3
 Premise ⚔️️ Rules ⚔️️ FAQ ⚔️️ Taken ⚔️️ Reserves ⚔️️ Apply ⚔️️ Locations ⚔️️ Bestiary ⚔️️ Top-Levels Only ⚔️️  A ⦿ Soaking in Your Arrival
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
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
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
Along the route, racers can expect to run into minor obstacles such as snow bunnies, puddles that can’t be jumped, a flock of snowbirds giving hassle, trees that upend their own roots and move to confuse the pathway. Whatever the interruption, it will come in the form of either a small creature made of magical snow or some minor hindrance to the path. Competitors will have to use magic to overcome these obstacles. Whatever your magic class, find a way. B ⦿ Sled Races
On the path, obstacles will come in the form of wholly washed out portions of the track that need to be reformed using magic to pass. Use elemental magic to flatten rocky areas or wash away debris. Larger creatures such as snow deer and moose congregate in large groups blocking the path, so an animal magic user could be useful for asking them to move... someone with cognitive magic could try their hand at a little hypnotizing a fellow newcomer with big muscles to move fallen logs for them. Healing mages could easily use buffers to support their fellow magicians with temporarily increased speed or strength. Use light magic to sneak past living obstacles, or dark users can cast a love enchantment and make a love match between two moose even though it's far from spring. There are tons more creative uses of magic to help you get through the obstacles on the sled's pathway. Find a creative way to use magic and get through the obstacle; make sure you are faster than the other guy. C ⦿ Snow Chicken
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
B ⦿ Pure of Heart
"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
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. |
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Are you telling me you've got even bigger muscles under your pants than you do on your arms!? Do you do like ten thousand squats a day?! How did you do that?!
[ How is this even possible!!?? His brain is reeling. He knew he was weak but-- but--! No one has powers here outside of magic, that means it's just pure raw Zuko!! ]
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Uh— no...? Just like 100 lately, not that much, I mean— I haven't really been focusing on doing fire squats, just practicing the magic, but I have started training seriously again since being here. I slacked in Lunatia. But... Um...
[ He doesn't get the joke. He's a very literal type. You asked about squats, you got an answer. Well, let's stop talking about Zuko's body, shall we, uh, yeah, yeah. Mission, right. ]
Yeah. So, uh— the crystals...
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[ Is that code for.. something...? Like when you squat fire comes out the back, or...
No, that's too ridiculous, even if it were real, Taichi doesn't think he could ask about it. ]
N-Nevermind, that seems private.
[ He grins and takes one ad holds it up to the SUN. To see if it glistens! Of course it does, it's a crystal. ]
These are cool! Do you think it's okay if we take one home to keep??
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[ He's kneeling down as he speaks, examining the scattered shards, trying to find the biggest piece. Bigger is better, right? It's a crystal. ]
...I bet they don't want us to take it home. We're supposed to be pure of heart, remember? What if it curses us like we're stealing or something?
[ He's not out of line to think this way. But he is a stick-in-the-mud when it comes to missions. He's not here to have fun; it just so happens he sort of is with Taichi but that's completely coincidental. He's got eyes on the goal and nothing else. He doesn't need a keepsake, and doesn't see why Taichi would, either. As a momento, he could see wanting to save a bit if it were an adventure with someone dear to him — dearer to him than Zuko, by far — then maybe, but if Taichi just likes it cuz it's sparkly... Zuko'll just find him a different crystal someday, a likely legal one. As a gift of good will in the spirit of Taichi and Hikaru's whatever it is, to show his approval. A blessing on your house, mazel tov, mazel tov. ]
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[ Because otherwise like.. he doesn't get it. ]
Oh, I don't want to steal! I just thought it was cool and like, we could collect stuff from our adventures to remind us of them. Oh- I know! [ Taichi grins and takes out his phone, holding it up proudly. ]
Let's take a selfie! Our first adventure!
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[ Wait a minute, who's confusing who, here?!
Somehow Zuko never learned the word for emoji. He just calls them "the little pictures" and never uses them himself. Azula taught him :) and :( and >:( and unfortunately ;) as well, but he doesn't even know what emotes or emoticons are, he just calls those "the little faces..." Straightforward guy. Taichi is too advanced for him.
Zuko's about to argue that he doesn't really think it's stealing and that he doesn't even think stealing is that bad, but he's just being cautious with this mysterious magic... but more mysterious than that is Taichi's request to take a picture together. How did he learn "selfie" but not "emoji?" This boy's knowledge of the modern world is like swiss cheese! Hikaru had taken pictures of Zuko, had even taken a picture of Zuko and Azula together, but he'd never had a selfie proper with Hikaru himself or even with his own sister. So far he'd taken exactly two selfies in his life: one with Gokudera when they first met so Gokudera could show him what a camera is in the first place, and one months and months later with... Gokudera again... when they were dressing up in each other's clothes for fun at their own private lil gaylien slumber party, which was possibly the funnest night of Zuko's life. Photos seem like a very special occasion sort of thing in his mind still, coming from a prince who's had to pose for royal portraits with the palace painters and that's it... and even then, not all that many... His dad didn't keep too many of Zuko's baby pictures around the house, after all, putting it lightly.
However, even if the suggestion takes him by surprise and thus takes him pause, this sort of is a special occasion, isn't it? They'd just walked on thin air over deadly rapids because they're apparently innately pure of heart, even if they both doubted in themselves. Zuko had held value in his uncle's view of him before his own view of himself and that's what got him through all these challenges today. And if they're making memories... well, Uncle would probably think this is a very good thing, photos with new friends after successful dangerous adventures, right? Maybe he can show Hikaru someday, too. What's more, Taichi said "our first" adventure, and somehow the implication there — just like the "next time I'll teach you secret handshakes" at his failed double-highfive — is a little heartwarming, between the lines. Zuko doesn't smile back right away, but his face is a little brighter, more open, than it's been so far after he gives the idea some thought. ]
...Sure.
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[ No one is literally sending people fires over text. He assumes that because Zuko's a little outdated that's what he has the question about. The idea that emojis is the problem after he's been in both Prismatica and Avalon hasn't occurred to Taichi, since it's something that he takes for granted as a modern mode of communication (despite having previously argued that emoji were, in fact, their own language.)
Even if it takes a second, Zuko agrees, and so Taichi sidles up to him and swings an arm around his shoulders, holding his phone up with the other. ]
Hold up the crystals and say "cheese"!
[ And Taichi will take a picture once he sees Zuko holding them up. ]
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[ He talks about fire far more than the average person. To him, this is not a smarmy point. Still a moot one, though.
He's surprised to find Taichi's arm around him, but he does as he's told. He looks a little confused, not knowing to smile for pictures, nor knowing about "cheese." This just seems like yet another strange Taichi-ism? ]
"Cheese...?"
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[ 🔥🦵 is officially hot squat in his mind. He's sure Zuko will understand.
Taichi snaps the photo mid-cheese to get the semblance of a smile, a brief fake shutter sound from the phone flickering off, then immediately turns it around to show him.
As you do in polite modern society, he asks: ]
That good or do you want to try again?
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[ Okay, Zuko understands even if he doesn't, and it's kind of amusing. He could figure this out. It makes him wonder, though, if hot squats and fire fists might be exercises that'd work with this place's fire magic, in fact, making a mental note to try it out.
But it's a short-lived wonder once the photo is snapped, and his attention is fully focused on this rare gem of a moment, holding their crystals together brightly. He leans in with an open, curious look on his face, that resting scowl finally lifting, and raises his brows. Taichi looks happy and Zuko looks... confused, for sure, yes. But there's something charming in that — something genuine he appreciates. In his only other selfie, his friend did not have him say "cheese" — instead, he had him say "My dad sucks," a sentiment they'd shared, which surprisingly made Zuko crack up laughing; so the end result of his first selfie was actually extremely bright and happy and cute looking, and when Zuko asked why Gokudera'd made him say something so strange seemingly at random, he remembers Gokudera making a comment about how the picture looks more genuine and dynamic that way. Coming from a world where he's only ever posed in austere royal portraits, painted by hand by a palace artist, having an organic, active photo is such an alien novelty. Even if he looks confused, it's not an unflattering picture of Zuko, and he kind of likes the difference in their expressions beside each other, because, well... much like his first selfie captured the spirit of what was maybe the most fun he'd ever had, his second selfie now captures the spirit of what's maybe the most confusing fun he's had. Taichi was clearly... a character. Zuko nods a short nod, smiling only now after the camera's off, jeez. ]
No. That's good.
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Can I get your number? I'll send it to you.
[ Eventually he'll figure out that Zuko would probably like it printed out, the same way Taichi likes printed photos. (Though probably for very different reasons.) But for now, he's happy to just send the digital copy to him. ]
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[ He doesn't know phones have phone numbers. But he's not so stupid, he's getting tech savvy, slowly but surely, and puts two and two together. ]
Oh! My username? It's, uh— fireprince.
[ He really should've changed it but he didn't know what else to make it. And Azula had already made hers fireprincess... He's too easily under her influence. Even if it opened up the dreaded "are you a prince" question all the time; if he says yes, he has to talk about it, and if he says no, he just looks like a big ol' dweeb. So that's the route he takes. Big ol' dweeb. Just embrace it, Zuko.
What's far more important, though, and the sudden earnestness is painted on his face as he looks Taichi dead-on, some urgency behind his question now that their tasks are finished. ]
Is Hikaru here, do you know...? You and me and my sister all came from Lunatia, so— did he...?
[ While it's obviously so important in general, it's not communicated clearly why he asks now, but the sweet truth is, his intention is to show Hikaru the photo. That's it. ]
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Hehe, you a fan of princes? I bet you and Mucchan would get along.
[ He probably should just assume he's a prince given he knows Hikaru, and somehow that wouldn't seem unreasonable, but Taichi tends toward the simplest possible solution from his experiences. ]
Yeah, he remembers! Haha, that's why I wanted to ask before, since I thought you might know... [ Even if it lead to a misunderstanding immediately after where Hikaru thought Taichi was the one who didn't want to talk.. they're both dumb. He holds up his hands. ] Don't worry, still not asking.
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[ The look of relief — nay, gladness — that spreads across Zuko's face is immediate. He's smiling softly, but it's warm, and honest, and instinctive. He'd been by his sister the past couple days, as well as his friends from home... But knowing Hikaru of all people is still here, still remembers, is a silver lining if there ever was one. ]
I'm gonna show him this photograph.
[ There's a certain smitten tone to his voice, as if this were some small triumph. To Zuko, it kind of is. He's new at this teenage friend stuff still, even after so long in Prismatica. He's getting a good feel for this more normal social life, but knowing it makes him feel a bit too smug for his investment, even if ironically it makes him a little more awkward for it, too. Really, he's just excited to show Hikaru "Look who I met~" ]
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[ He won't post it anywhere, anyway.. He'll probably print it out and put it in a notebook, but he's the only one who looks at those. ]
Let's get back to camp, it's time for a celebratory snack.
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[ Zuko, oy vey... Taichi, welcome your new alien friend who knows little and has much to learn. Enjoy your mystery cheese. ]