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avalaughs2022-02-28 08:54 pm
TEST DRIVE MEME ⚔️️ 17
| QUICK NAV: |
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A ⦿ Soaking in Your Arrival
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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
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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! |
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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. |
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. |
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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. | |
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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.
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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. |
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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! 1. Blue eggs should only be thrown at night. 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. | |
• 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. |
no subject
His was the rarer variety of new kid wonder though, so a sort of what can you do? smirk was the only real reply to her own amusement at the abrupt offering of information. Talking shop about weapons was more interesting anyway- admiring gunblades was a sure ticket right to his heart.]
You should, not a lot of people use 'em. Anyone can pick up a sword and swing it around but a lot don't have the discipline for more.
[He does though, clearly. Overflowing with amazingness really.]
no subject
[ She's been considering it. It's by far the flashiest of the tanks back home, and she doesn't have QUITE the same capacity for chaos as what's required for becoming a Marauder. Gladiator was also straight out of the running, too formal. Dark Knight? Too aangsty. Gunbreaker, though, that one had the potential for leading from the front lines more effectively than she could as a damage dealer OR a healer.
She frees one hand long enough to wave, almost as if dismissing the first notion. ]
Or perhaps I'll try crafting one of my own here. If my last visit was anything to go by it may come in useful, in which case, are you offering instruction?
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What good was being one expert among a few, instead of the only?
The passing offer of instruction breaks him out of any remaining grumpiness over still being damp and stuffed in a carriage like luggage though, Seifer barking out a surprised laugh- even leaning his head back in his amusement, most likely annoying any other passenger who'd had the misfortune to end up in this particular vehicle for travel.
Man, if only Quistis were here to hear that. She probably would have had an aneurysm at the very thought of anyone wanting help from Seifer.]
I ain't a teacher.
[Even if he'd taught Squall several lessons over the years. Leonhart probably would find that statement the only thing they'd ever agree on.]
But hell, listen. If you ever find yourself with a gunblade I'll gladly help ya test it out. Just don't expect any special treatment.
no subject
They were certainly getting some looks, but Ziva didn't pay it any mind, well accustomed to being at the center of scrutiny. She simply focused on warmer thoughts while she waited for his reply, and was silently thanking herself for the foresight to add gloves to her attire. Hells, she was considering using her half-cloak as a scarf.
But eventually Seifer's laughter calmed and she had her answer- or she thought at first until that addendum. Ziva's ears perked up then, pleased. ]
I mean to hold you to that deal, I hope you realize. It just so happens I do know a few crafting recipes, so count on my taking advantage of that once I have the materials and the equipment!
[ She grinned, and while it wasn't exactly smug it was definitely cheeky. ]
The best way to learn is by doing. I'm pretty certain I can handle it.
[ He should've seen the woman that taught her leatherworking... by far more terrifying than any of her martial or arcane instructors.
... But not as terrifying as Y'shtola in mom mode. ]
I'm I'ziva, by the way. Ziva to my friends.
no subject
[Implying he was not a friend- but it's offered with a tinge of amusement instead of harshness. They had only just met after all, and no matter how friendly the locals and other refugees tended to be in those first few days of shared confusion and exploration it was rarely a smart move to consider every stranger that offered conversation a trustworthy companion.
Show him your stats he'll show you his, then they can talk parties.]
So, what, are you like a blacksmith or something? I had a say in Hyperion's design but we weren't exactly given any classes on metal working back home.
no subject
Congrats Seifer, you get to the be the first. Let's try doing a few quests or instances together before we party up, take this nice and slow.
Ziva gives a satisfied nod at that, then looks amused at his guess. Was it a for real guess, or was he simply shooting in the dark? Either way. ]
Just so. I'm an adventurer by trade, but I learned early on that it would be better to pick up a few others along the way. Making coin stretch between ventures is a lot easier when you can craft and mend your own supplies. If you've the interest, I wouldn't mind helping you "test out" your potential, too.
[ Though as her eyes adjust a bit more in the dark of the carriage she takes notice of a feature on his face, and she's not sure how she missed it before.
Without thinking much about it one of her hands comes up to touch at the same spot on her own face but stops short, brow furrowing as she realizes something, and then her eyes going a little bit wide. ]
... Huh.
no subject
She'd understood him though, and it wasn't difficult to follow her simplified explanation either- a similar life might have been led in his home world years ago, but they'd moved on from adventuring and quests to hiring mercenaries and investing further into technology. Still, easy enough to assume she could be likened to a jack of all trades sort of thing and it wasn't entirely unheard of to craft a few supplies back in Garden either.]
...Huh?
[Mirrored, a bit dumbly, as the movement of her hand interrupted any consideration to furthering his meager crafting skills (hell, why not, there was probably plenty of time to piss away while waiting to be shipped back home).
Her scar doesn't catch his immediate notice though, the markings adorning her face a little distracting despite the time he'd spent around other animal like people with similar features.
Everyone already knew about his after Quistis had so helpfully reminded the whole class not to slice up training partners and after that... no one had ever really cared much about another guy with another scar that wasn't even all that interesting outside of being right there in the middle of his face.]
no subject
Black gloved fingers hastily brush back her bangs then, which, even styled differently than the deceptive icon indicates coincidentally covers her scar from view, revealing a nearly IDENTICAL scar. ]
... Huh!
[
Lord help there are two blond dumbasses in two separate Final Fantasy universes who somehow got the same fucking scar I CAN'T-Cold forgotten, Ziva points with her free hand, surprise and mirth evident. ]
We match!? What are the odds?
no subject
At least it doesn't take much longer for him to clue in to what she was talking about, an ungloved (wet... the gloves had gotten wet, were tucked away) hand reaching up to trace over the still dark scar that ran down along his face.
A lesson Squall had taught him. A stupid one, the reminder causing an annoyed scowl to appear before he can really think to maybe not make such a face at her apparent delight over the coincidence. Not her fault, an automatic response, but damn Leonhart anyway.
Even if Seifer had started it.
...whatever.]You should see the other guy, gave him one first.
[As if... that's something to brag about, breaking the rules and fighting dirty, injuring someone in a spar instead of actual battle. But he was (probably) alone here and could spin whatever narrative he wanted so why not?
It helped to ease his annoyance into something more resembling smug anyway, memory brushed aside as he moved to vaguely gesture at her scar in return.]
I'd say the odds are pretty good when you hang out with a buncha people that like to fight though. Or maybe we're supposed to team up over gunblades after all.
[Hyne might not have been a wild influence back home but hell, maybe the gods elsewhere enjoyed messing with people.]
no subject
[ She hadn't missed the way his expression twisted for a moment there, but neither did she call attention directly to it, having just met and all.
Would that she had a change of clothes waiting in the shitbox, but alas, just what she arrived in again, if updated. It felt strange to be back here after all that had happened, so much time had gone by and she was just beginning to settle her final plans when she felt that familiar pull, and it all came rushing back like the air whipping against her face.
Could've done without belly crashing into ice cold water, of course. The rest wasn't too bad, except for the fact that she was missing her friends back home already, terribly.
Damn, and she wouldn't even remember this when she returned, to tell G'raha and the twins about. ]
Maybe it's a bit of both.
[ She chuckles, getting comfortable again. ]
I grew up in a tribe of huntresses. I was too slow during training. Thought this would make a nice keepsake for when I set out on my first "real adventure".
no subject
Carefully planned spars would have never prepared them for actual combat, no one was going to stop and call foul in war.]
A reminder that you're still alive. And being alive just means you're one step closer to fulfilling your dreams.
[Maybe she didn't exactly see it in those terms but Seifer did, content with the knowledge that he could hold his own against an
almostequal- and that said equal wouldn't slow him down were they to be tossed into a real fight.Eventually. Eventually he'd found a way to not be completely annoyed by the mutual face slicing.]
no subject
Damn straight.
[ Seifer doesn't offer a story in return and Ziva's not inclined to pry, curiosity or no. That's alright. Maybe in the future, or maybe even later on this ride. ]
I'd toast to that if we had any grog. Maybe when we get to town.
[ Speaking of which... ]
So, if I had to guess, not your first-time rift hopping, but yes to this being your first visit to Camelot?
no subject
He could be quite verbose when talking about himself, but there wasn't much point in trying to intimidate a wet cat he'd have to share a space with for the unforeseeable future.
Hyperion's case wasn't a scratching post.]
Something like that.
[The term rift hopping didn't mean anything to him but fair enough, he didn't have another word for whatever the hell had drawn him to each world before this one and it was probably what she meant.]
Probably the most miserable welcoming I've had so far.
no subject
[ She admitted, checking her pockets to see if she'd been lucky this go around now that she thinks about it, and had perhaps come with a flask, but no. No such luck.
With a shrug she settled back again, the heat of the carriage finally getting through her clothes, which were going to be as crunchy as his ere long.
Her tail gave a few bored flops before she decided to get more comfortable, moving to lie on her back with her arms behind her head, not caring about the fact she was wearing a skirt (she was covered and no one was telling anyone to look anyway). ]
So, Seifer, mind if I ask about the last place you wound up? Maybe we were ships passin' in the night. You never know.
no subject
There's not a hell of a whole lot to look at here in their lovely accommodations so when she starts moving around, swishing her tail, he can't really help but to watch. Idle curiosity, mostly, a few years of military training whispering in the back of his mind to take note of his surroundings.
He's not being weird about it, at least, feigning lost interest and tilting his head side to side, stretching out the kinks being stuck sitting were starting to build.]
You wanna hear about the one where the gods made us fuck or the one where we got fuzzy ears like yours once a month and still had to fuck?
[Intentionally crass, Seifer curious too how she'd react to his choice in phrasing. If she had ended up in either place she couldn't be that shy about the topic.]
no subject
Ziva's ears don't even so much as twitch at the mention of fucking, but they do perk at the mention of fuzzy ears. For a moment she turns her head, lazily, to look at him with curiosity, squinting a bit, but then she casts her gaze back upwards. ]
The first one. I think I already know about the second. Though that wasn't mandatory fucking, [ Said with a finger pointing in his direction. ] that was mandatory CUDDLING. The fucking was just a bonus.
[ So that probably answers that question. ]
no subject
The squint is returned, mimicked, but any attempt at lighthearted taunting is interrupted by laughter thanks to her dry correction. Fair enough.]
Alright, alright.
[Hands up, he surrenders.]
Lunatia wasn't that bad. All the cuddling got us a pretty nice house there for awhile. Easiest money I ever made.
[Exalted roommates who just had to sing in the shower none withstanding.]
First one was fighting some kinda war, plenty of action to be found either way.
[His least favorite of the two, though.]