TEST DRIVE MEME ⚔️️ 17

[avalonmods]

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⚔️️ View Top-Levels Only ⚔️ IMPORTANT NOTE 1: For the month of March, magic is acting unstable! Magic fuck-ups are at least twice as likely to happen, so new characters may find it harder to do basic magic.  IMPORTANT NOTE 2:The sky is not normal anymore! The calamity is visible in the sky as of February's event.

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. The water is cold, but not enough that you can't handle it on your own. The Lady of the Lake is nearby, but seems to be focusing on coordinating a band of mossatees to help rescue any wayward new arrivals. Mossatees are a special Avalonian manatee that is green in color and has what appears to be a patches of grass or other short plant life growing on its back. While some are fully green, others sport small flower blossoms that haven't yet grown in or various types of mushrooms. Green mages will be able to note that the plants growing on its back seem to give off "surfer dude" personalities.
If anyone tries to ask the Lady of the Lake for directions, she will direct you to Archimedes at the Rent-a-Ride. Those with animal magic may get their info from the mossatees, though may notice that they're really overly friendly and have zero concept of personal boundaries. Everyone may notice they have no concept of personal space, as they will happily run right into someone's belly for a snoot squishing. 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 and a pair of ear buds and tell them to "Check the Shit Box." The "Shit Box" refers to wardrobe more formally known as the Wardrobe of Finding, a hammerspace-like wardrobe that opens to each person's items and pets when the person touches the handle. From there, Archimedes directs everyone to settle in groups into modernized carriages pulled by horses and gives 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 a special feature for warm winter drinks like hot apple toddy and butter beer. 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. Newcomers get free inn rooms for their one night stay on the way to Camelot, containing two twin beds, a bathroom, a mini-fridge and microwave, and a TV equipped with a couple of entertaining video games and movies. Don't want to relax in the room? Take a dip in the communal hot spring. The waters have restorative properties that help horses and travelers recover quickly. 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, but... Hm....

---

When everyone arrives it seems like during the siege on Camelot the training grounds were absolutely trashed!

A ⦿ gArBo HuNgErS
	With everyone focusing on recovering Camelot main and the bulk of the resort facilities at the Red Springs, the training grounds at the Red Springs have gone a little neglected.. at least enough to be taken over by a band of local decay sprites. Now, these fairies aren't what they sound- they're not dead, they're little garbage sprites. Perfectly harmless, they often go around picking up trash from natural habitats. They look like garbage bags and bins with googly eyes.  However, the Red Springs's magical attributes combined with magic going a little haywire have caused them to go a little off. Right now, their googly eyes are flashing angry colors that should come with a seizure warning straight out of an old Disney cartoon. They're not just picking up trash, they're eating everything!
What's more, they grow in size each time they eat something new, so some of them are already big enough to swallow an orc! Don't worry, the trash goes into a hammerspace to decay over a long period of time, so if you get swallowed, there's still a chance for someone to get you out... which they can do by fighting the decay sprite. Decay sprites can suck things up similarly to Kirby, though they do not gain your powers, so finding a way to keep your feet on the ground with magic should be your first step. Beware though, defeated sprites will spin in a circle and fall over, and everything they've eaten will spill out onto the ground... so you're going to have to clean it up yourself.

---

B ⦿ Slightly Shabby
The state of Camelot isn't exactly great when everyone arrives. It's been ravaged by siege. Things are broken, scattered, and though many of the buildings are still standing, most people are focused on things like taking care of kids, rebuilding, or rerouting the new arrivals since the inn is not available right now. The castle rooms are already pretty full of people whose homes got trampled during the siege, so new arrivals are going to have to find their own place to live. Thankfully, some tag-alongs who came down from Nicnevin with the Elphame traders have got the solution! It's the Wink-Wonk Dream-Donk: a ball you can press the button on and it will suck you inside for a state of stasis! Good dreams guaranteed! Side effects that the mystery helper doesn't mention are that you can't get out on your own, someone else has to press the button, and you'll have warm, vaguely submissive, fuzzy,
kinda clingy feelings toward anyone who lets you out. Though acting on it can be fought with strong enough willpower, it's certainly going to get you and a stranger much closer than you planned a lot faster. It looks like you may have gotten caught up in some kind of dark web experimental product... oops.

---

The start of the month begins with the usual March rituals like the Lesser Banishing of Frost Fairies before flowers start to bloom throughout Avalon. Once things start to get cleaned up, some Camelot citizens think of ways to get Camelot back to its normal glory.

A ⦿ Running of the Moon Rabbits
Doing the Lesser Banishing of Frost Fairies often attracts Moon Rabbit kits. These friendly small rabbits do eat a lot though, and it's important right now that the youngin's are nourished without depleting Camelot's food stores.  Thankfully, the Moon Rabbit Kits love to play tag. So throughout Camelot, people have started playing a massive game of tag. The rabbits will chase you around, so the goal is to chase people and head out toward the Broceliande to get the Moon Rabbit kits out to nature where they're intended to be. Per Camelot rules, if you're touched by someone's magic it is considered as being tagged-- so hands or spells will count as a tag.. just be careful, magic is a little unbalanced right now! Be careful not to step on any of the little rabbits while you run!

---

B ⦿ Eggxacting
	With the streets clearer and Camelot finally starting to look more like its former self (albeit a little sparser) a culinary wizard has taken to trying his hand at a kind of magic that should help to quickly decorate the city and encourage floral growth. Using a wild combination of animal magic and green magic, the wizard created a special brand of eggs he's calling Oeufs de fleurs. He's selling them for a low price (hey, he does need to bring in some income to afford his expenses) for everyone and new arrivals get half a dozen OdF eggs for free! Just make sure that you follow the directions and there won't be a problem! The directions included with each pack of eggs states: 1. Blue eggs should only be thrown at night. 2. White eggs should only be thrown at day. 3. Do not eat them. More information is available on the chef's Instagram page, of course, but that's all that's included. The further information lets you know that blue eggs are
photosensitive and will turn into bear firs if thrown during the day, but if used correctly will blossom into moonflowers at night. The white eggs react to the moon and will grow into 60 foot tall trees if you throw them at night... but if you're throwing them during the day, they will become beautiful morning glories that only blossom during the light. Lastly, foolishly eating a flower egg is known to result in latent hanahaki disease. If you don't love someone now, this may appear at any point in the future when it does happen. It can only be cured by a skilled green mage. These eggs do expire, so make sure you use them by the end of the month!

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• All test drive prompts are open to anyone in the game at any time to create your own logs with, as the events within are considered game canon. • This post should have top-levels by potential new characters only. Current characters may reply to any threads and may start their own logs off-post, but should not top-level comment on this post. • If your application is accepted, you may accept TDM threads as game canon as long as both players consent. Characters may begin threading as soon as their journal is accepted to the communities. •If nothing here tickles your fancy, try one of this month's Quests for your TDM prompt. • The first "Arrival" prompts are usually present on every TDM, but 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.

Comments

Ereshkigal || Fate/Grand Order || Light/Death Magics || Gallû Spirit

[queenofkur]

I/ Caravan & Arrival
[ There are so many people and they're all so... so... alive! She couldn't remember having ever been surrounded by so many living people. Even during the battle against Tiamat, there hadn't been that many people. It was overwhelming, so much so that she didn't even have the time to appreciate being on the surface world once again.

How was one supposed to behave in the midst of a crowd? Would anyone buy into the evil and terrifying goddess act? That was if she could pull it off on such a short notice. Maybe she should be more genuine, it had worked with the Chaldeans, right? But what if it didn't work this time? What if people started staring at her weirdly? No no, she needed to stop worrying. If she was too anxious she'd get all sweaty and there was nothing worse.

Okay. First off, avoid looking at people unless they engage in conversation with you. Then, keep a strict face that gives the aura of a powerful and intimidating goddess that is super confident and won't hesitate to smite anyone. Nobody has to know she no longer has any powers, right? Of course, try to be relaxed and act natural so as to not draw attention. And above all, no sweating.

Needless to say, trying to pull off all of those at once? Meant she did none of it right. And that was the best way to look like the most socially inept mess ever. If anything, she gave more reasons for people to stare at her weirdly. And the more people stared at her weirdly? The worse her act got.

Help her? ]


II/ Slightly Shabby
[ Who was naive enough to believe someone had recognized her splendor and offered a miniature housing as a gesture of respect? This goddess! Except the Wink-Wonk Dream-Donk she'd been offered was malfunctioning... Rather than put her in stasis, she was wide awake while trapped inside of the ball. If she caught the vile mortal who had dared play such a prank on her, he would get a taste of divine retribution!

... Easier said than done when you're essentially a hamster trapped in a hamster ball. Thus you may pass by a weird black ball rolling on the ground erratically, with weak flashes of light emanating from it as she tried using her newfound powers. ]

Heeeelp! [There's a faint voice coming from the weird device. She'd been calling desperately for a while now. God only know for how long she's been in there.] Can anyone hear me?

[ You can't just ignore a plea for help coming from a weird dark ball, can you? ]


III/ Eggxacting
a) [ After her misadventure with the ball, Ereshkigal was wary upon receiving a batch of six blue Oeufs de fleur. As such, she'd chosen a spot where people passed by often to see how they worked at night. She didn't want to deal with people so much, but in case of another problem she didn't want to wait hours to be rescued.

Lo and behold! The eggs gave birth to beautiful flowers: in spite of having been thrown on the road! ]

Aah... They bloom without any sunlight and regardless of the soil! [To say she looked happy and excited was an understatement.] If I could bring them back, I'd be able to fill the underworld with them...

[ She practically sparkled as she considered what could be done with this invention! ]


b) [ On the day after, Ereshkigal returned to the chef with two large empty bags, intent on buying his entire stock of blue eggs. But as she told him just that, the harsh reality came in: ]

M-Money? [That thing humans used...? Who did the man think she was, Ishtar?] But I thought they were for free?

[ The man explained only the first batch was for free. She looked sad, but then shook her head as he apologized. ]

No-No, I understand...

[ She turned away. She'd have to work, but what was she good at? She'd only ever handled the underworld... There were no comparatively similar jobs here, were there? She looked absolutely dejected and depressed at this turn of event. ]

III-B

[resistetmords]

...I'll by some of them for her. Oh, and a batch of white eggs for myself.

[Belgium couldn't help it. Not with the girl's rather dejected look. It darn near broke her heart! It was fine anyway, given how much she was making by now the cost overall was negligible. Besides, she was rather interested in figuring out how they worked herself.

Perhaps she could do something similar in the future with a cake?]

[queenofkur]

[ Ereshkigal immediately looked up as she heard the woman speak. What? She was going to buy some for her...? But why? There was no reason for it, it wasn't Christmas any more. Maybe this was an offering? But she'd been naive enough to assume that twice already, she wouldn't be caught assuming it a third time. ]

H-Huh? [Blink blink.] Why are you buying those for me...?

[ Someone isn't really accustomed to gift and kindness here. ]

[resistetmords]

Hm? Because you looked like you really wanted some?

[She goes ahead and fishes out her coin pouch, counting out how much she owed. For such a cute trick they certainly weren't all that pricey. Perhaps it was an easy thing to do?

Hm....]

Unless you changed your mind and don't want any, of course.

[She gives the girl a bemused smile. Eresh certainly sounds like someone unaccustomed to getting goodwill from others.]

[queenofkur]

Ah, no— Thank you...

[ Wait, she shouldn't be thanking a human for gifting her something. That was expected from them, right? But humans never gave her any offerings because they assumed she was an evil goddess... So wasn't it normal to thank her? Goodness, being on the surface world was so much more complicated than she'd expected! So much so, she wasn't even thinking about putting on the powerful and evil goddess act. ]

I mean— Wait... [Wait... A thought crossed her mind and suddenly she looked horrified.] You-you're not feeling guilted into doing that because of the way I behave, are you?

[ She hadn't accidentally pulled an Ishtar, had she? She did that all the time. Throw tantrums and guilt the other gods out till she got what she wants. The mere thought of being the slightest bit like that goddess was horrifying! ]

III B omg helloooooooooo <3

[greedyvixen]

[Rin has met Ishtar. Once. That meeting was short, she didn't like her but it gave her some idea of how she even exists and what she is... And then someone told her about Ishtar having a sister during her first year here. And she's used to people thinking, that she's Ishtar and she saw at least one Sakura look-alike in Lunatia.

So while Rin's a little surprised at first as soon as she sees a blonde version of herself in Avalon? It's honestly not that surprising to Rin after all of that. But something in her face seems to seriously catch Rin's attention because she frowns and she really doesn't look impressed at all.]

Hey.

[Hello! Either Ishtar's started wearing red and black or this young woman in front of Eresh isn't even Ishtar??]

If you're going to walk around here looking like me, then stop that right now.

[Stop what exactly? Excellent question, it could be anything.]

1/3 (hellooo, and sorry, very very sorry)

[queenofkur]

[ Ereshkigal looked up only to see the woman who had just called her out— What in the underworld? Ishtar was in this world too?! No, that couldn't be Ishtar. The complaining and immediate attempt at antagonizing her could have fooled her— But there was a detail that gave it away. That girl was was wearing too much clothes! That frivolous goddess would never be caught wearing more clothes than is necessary to maintain a PG-13 rating.

So, who was she...? The obvious answer was this had to be the girl they had used to summon Ishtar, but how could she exist at the same time than her? Or perhaps she was a pseudo-Servant using that girl's body, too? But that would be too coincidental...

No matter who it was, she couldn't let just anyone speak to her like that. That was exactly for occasions such as this that she had learnt and rehearsed lines before her mirror. ]

2/3

[queenofkur]

Know you who you are addressing, human? [A dramatic pause.] I am the keeper of death, the one who tramples the sacred mountain, queen of the realm where the dead rest... I am Ereshkigal, Goddess of the Underworld.

[ Wow, that came out really good! So much so, she felt emboldened to keep going and improvise on the spot. ]

You are the mortal they summoned to give Ishtar a vessel, are you not? [A beat.] I-If you are going to be a goddess's vessel, the least you could do is exercise more! Those muscles are all flabby!

3/3

[queenofkur]

[ That was good, right? Okay, maybe the bit about the muscles hadn't been necessary... Especially since that was not really a problem, she wouldn't want to be all muscly like a Greek god or something. Goodness, in fact if anything she should be thanking the girl for having helped her become a better person...

But she couldn't allow anyone to speak to her like that...! As a goddess, it was unacceptable even if she'd much rather ask her what she meant by "stop that right now" than argue. ]

never be sorry!!

[greedyvixen]

[... Oh great, this is starting about as well as the last time, when she met one of them. Rin just listens and she looks even less and less impressed if that's even possible. Also she's letting that comment about her muscles fly by, it's not even true???]

I know who you are. [Well, she knew her name at least, not much else...] But I really couldn't care less about which goddess you think you are, you don't even have any of your powers here if you even have any powers anywhere. And even if you still had them here, my answer would still be the same, that I don't care.

[What's that? She wants Tohsaka Rin to treat her like a goddess, that she is?? Rin looks way too proud and arrogant with her head held high and all emotions in total control (so far) to be doing anything like that to anyone.]

Yes, I'm that girl and Ishtar and you - or however more there happen to be around looking like me - wouldn't even exist without me. [So that puts Rin above them??? According to Rin Tohsaka's logic, yes, she's even looking at this blonde goddess like she sure thinks so!] And really, they could have chosen anyone to be your vessel, so do you really think they'd have chosen me if that would be true?

[No, honey, they chose a perfect vessel for a goddess, so there's absolutely nothing wrong with Rin's body. But she'll let her keep on talking about how she's a goddess, not that she really NEEDS that divine ego boost again.]

[queenofkur]

...

[ What had just happened? Had a train rolled over her? Ereshkigal was stunned and said nothing for a couple seconds. Who did that girl think she was? The sad thing was that she'd imagined meeting with the girl serving as her vessel before. In her mind, the girl would have been super happy at being a goddess's vessel— And in that scenario, Ereshkigal had imagined herself thanking the girl for everything. She'd become a better person with Rin as her vessel. Her self-esteem and confidence issues had gotten a bit better, her negative traits had become far less bad— There was a lot she was thankful for! And then they could have become friends! Have a nice cup of tea and discuss all kind of things, like how to make cute DIY necklaces with bones.

But no, that girl turned out to be a disaster of Ishtar-esque proportions. That sucked so much...! She understood now why she'd been chosen as a vessel for Ishtar. It was a match made in heaven. Barely a minute into meeting her, and she was already insufferable! Still, she couldn't let someone speak to her like that! Why couldn't all mages be like Ritsuka? ]

I-I should smite you where you stand for daring to speak to me that way...! And I will should you continue to slight me.

[ She brought a hand to the cage dangling off her hips— There was a light swirling inside, the form her familiar took while resting. She didn't want to fight but she had to display some assertiveness to be respected! ]

I have existed for tens of thousands of years before you were even born. The-the ritual simply gave me a summonable form as a side-effect due to my connection to Ishtar...! [That was said very defensively. How could she say she existed only thanks to a human?] They needed a vessel possessed of a nature close to Ishtar's. Someone arrogant, haughty, loud, selfish and lacking in manners— [She pointed a finger at her.] Your only accomplishment was in sharing all of those dirty traits with her...!

[ There! She couldn't wait to see the destroyed look on Rin's face after hearing that. Maybe after Rin has apologized and acknowledged this is no way to treat a goddess, they'd be able to start off on a better foot.

Yeah, she's naive. ]

II

[fujimaru]

[ Something strange is happening, which means it is definitely a day that ends in -y.

Which is to say, Ritsuka isn't in need of the Wink-Wonk Dream-Donk (whoever thought up that name needs to hire a better marketing department, in her opinion), but she's still idly looking them over. Who knows? It might come in handy at a later point, and there's a part of her that feels compelled to check any new item that comes along in whatever marketplace. Just in case.

And it's as she's looking them over that she hears a familiar voice. That can't be right, though--she knows pretty well which Servants are in this alternate Camelot, and that list doesn't include...

She finds the particular item that the voice is coming from, picking it up carefully. ]

Ereshkigal...?

[queenofkur]

[ Oh, had someone picked up the ball? Hopefully that wasn't someone with malevolent intent. But then, that voice...! ]

R-Ritsuka...?

[ The erratic movements and light magic stopped. She was saved! All would be well with her favorite human and first friend having found the accursed ball. And cherry on top, she wouldn't have to suffer the humiliation of some random human laughing at her for having been fooled by that scam.

Most importantly, that meant she didn't have to put up an act. Well, she wanted to try and sound a bit more dignified... She was a goddess, not some damsel-in-distress who needed rescuing all the time! Even though it was the second time she'd needed Ritsuka to save her... Or was it technically the third one? ]

Yes, it's me! [Okay, maybe she sounded too excited (and desperate). Even if she didn't have to pretend around Ritsuka, she should be a tad more dignified...] I mean— [She cleared her throat and took on a more confident tone.] Yes it is I, Ereshkigal, Keeper of Death and Queen of the Underworld.

[ There, that was better. Unfortunately, that confident tone immediately faded as she explained what she was doing in this thing. ]

A vile mortal fooled me into believing this to be a stasis unit made specifically for me till the city is repaired. [Translation: I have no experience on the surface world and I've been scammed.] B-But it's malfunctioning and I can't get out on my own!

[ Ritsuka will let her out, right? ]

[fujimaru]

[ She almost drops the thing when she gets a response. Whoa?! Is that supposed to happen??

...Well, maybe. It doesn't entirely surprise her that the whole thing was a scam; it had sounded a little too good to be true, especially when there'd been nothing like this the last time there'd been a crisis. ]

Yeah, give a moment--I'll get you out.

[ Surely in a normal situation, Ereshkigal would be able to handle this on her own. Ritsuka believes that wholeheartedly. But they're not home, and even if there's definitely some kind of underworld here, she has to assume that Ereshkigal's connection to it is temporary severed. (Yikes. Let's not think about that too deeply.)

For now, she turns the mechanism over in her hands carefully, frowning as she tries to see if there's any kind of seam she could pry open or anything, but it looks like the button is the only thing. Under her breath, she mutters: ]

Here goes nothing.

[ --and pushes it. ]

oh my god hiiiiii | 2

[excalibeam]

...Eh?

[ What Saber hears is a voice that's... all too familiar, yet at the same time, notably different. It lacks that indignant tone that would come from being trapped in a small ball in the first place, and honestly? That throws Artoria off for a moment.

Still, she does pick up the erratically rolling ball... come to think of it, she did hear about these. Something about them seemed fishy, and well... it looks like she was right. ]

...Rin?

[ Said tentatively because this feels off. ]

hiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii

[queenofkur]

[ Rin? Who in the underworld was "Rin?" And why would anyone call her that? Had people forg—

Wait... There was someone talking back to her? Oh thank goodness. Someone had finally found the ball! She had no idea who it was, but that didn't matter at this point. ]

Is-Is someone there? [Oh gosh, had they heard her whine and cry for help? That was an absolutely pathetic and undignified first impression. She forced herself to speak with confidence and dignity. It was easier when her interlocutor couldn't see her.] I know not of any Rin, but I shall be grateful to anyone freeing me of this prison.

[ But the thought crossed her mind— Was that retribution for having retrieved her memories of the seventh singularity? For having helped the humans? That had to be it. Maybe she should stop whining and just accept her fate. So she added: ]

... Should you find me worthy of freedom.

[excalibeam]

[ Saber... doesn't even wait, accidentally cutting Ereshkigal off in the middle of "Should you find me worthy of freedom" by turning the ball around until she finds the button and presses it, releasing her.

...it only gets more confusing from there as Saber blinks at the girl she's just released. ]

A-Ah, my apologies for cutting you off... are you alright...?

[ Not only does she sound just like her, she looks just like Rin! Except blonde... which is interesting, but that combined with her attire makes things clear that something is going on here. ]

Caravan

[unknowntodeath]

[Archer's around to see what kind of newbies are arriving this round and... here's something you don't see everyday. Rin... as a blonde. Of course Rin told her about her meeting with Ishtar, but she told him she was also dark haired...? And just different.

Archer is definitely staring at her, which probably doesn't help. Mostly he's not sure how to approach.]

[queenofkur]

[ Oh goodness. That was the actual worst. Why was that man staring at her? Had he recognized her and was in awe because she was a super proper and good goddess? That was what she'd like to believe but the odds of this being the case were extremely low. Was he planning an attack? Was he judging her posture and looks? Was he silently making assumptions about what kind of person she was?

He looked familiar... Yet she was pretty sure she'd never seen him before. How much longer was he going to stare? There was nothing for it. ]

W-Why are you silently staring at me like that? [More assertively—] Do you realize how rude and improper it is?

[unknowntodeath]

[Ah. He stared for too long and was caught. He looks a bit awkward at being acknowledged.

But she really seemed like Rin when she got all embarrassed.]

Ah, sorry. You just look like someone I know...

II!!

[scriptwriter]

[Now while Kotarou didn't need the Wink-Wonk Dream-Donk himself, he felt that this little gadget was genius. He couldn't help and imagine all kinds of pranks that he could get away with this thing. Of course the ideas that he had would be harmless, but still... Kotarou's vivid mind couldn't help and imagine how easy it would be to trap someone dangerous inside of this. The selling pitch needed some work, though. He felt that he could've easily done it better.

He was just turning down someone who had offered him that device as he didn't need something so strange to have good dreams, but he couldn't help and overhear a cry for help. He couldn't help and be curious as he runs around the corner to see a black ball rolling around.]

Wait, seriously? I thought no one would be dumb enough to use this thing, but fate has a way of proving me wrong.

[Mouth filter? What's that? He shrugs his shoulders and leans down to the black ball.]

Uh, hi there... Miss Ball Thing! For the record... You aren't some kind of big scary dragon that breathes fire, right?

[queenofkur]

[ Had... Had the person who had picked the ball up called her "dumb?" That was outrageous...! She was a goddess, a hard-working one whose tricks had saved the world! Even though he was her possible savior, she wasn't going to let a mortal slight her! ]

I-I'm not a dragon! Nor am I stupid! [Her voice grew confident and strong.] I'm a powerful and evil goddess who is dreaded by humans and gods alike! I am the keeper of death, the Queen of Kur, goddess of the underworld and mistress of the land where the dead rest: Ereshkigal! [A shame he couldn't see the pose she had taken while saying that.] I should kill you for daring to slight me so!

[ Now that was how you introduced yourself with dignity and confidence! Wait... Wait...! ]

... W-Wait! [All confidence and dignity melted instantly.] I don't actually plan to kill you...! I was just repeating... Ugh, nevermind that. Just let me out please...!

1/3

[scriptwriter]

[Evil goddess!? How many of these are around here?! Dealing with Kagari was already a handful for him and everyone else, but another one?! Kotarou immediately turns blue from hearing this. From personal experiences, he know how terrifying a goddess could be. Some of that... No, most of that... Okay, all of that was his fault.

Also he really likes living. He was absolutely not going to suffer through a thousand (or so) deaths again!]

G-Goddess of the underworld? T-That means you're a GHOST!?

[Why did she have to be a ghost?! She's probably going to be a spooky skeleton freaky looking thing trying to sound cute.]

[scriptwriter]

[He was about to get down on all fours and kneel, but Ereshkigal's next set of words calms him down a bit. He stares at the ball a little curiously before picking it up in his palms.]

... Huh? Wait, seriously? You're not gonna terrorize humanity or anything?

[This would be the part where the kind-hearted and straightlaced hero would put the ball down and let her out.]

3/3

[scriptwriter]

[Unfortunately for her, Kotarou is not that straightforward or straightlaced. He's gonna have some fun with this. Rather playfully, he's shaking the ball around in his hands.]

Ohhh... But how can I trust you on that~? You were acting all high and mighty a few moments ago. How can I say that you won't go around and be sucking out people's souls behind my back, huh?

[He shakes the ball from the right to the left and over his head. He looks like a complete idiot playing around right now, but he didn't care!]

It might be safer to keep you in here, little goddess! I could use a new Christmas ornament whenever the holidays roll around!