avalaughs | TEST DRIVE MEME ⚔️️ 6

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TEST DRIVE MEME ⚔️️ 6

Check out the OOC intro meme for this month to say hi to new players/characters!

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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 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 still chilly, but not enough that you can't manage on your own. The Lady of the Lake is swimming around under the water, 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, many sport blooming flowers or fairy circles of mushrooms.

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 manatees, 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.

*Reminder: Your character's familiar may or may not be with your character in their initial plunge. If the familiar isn't partial to water, it may meet your character on the beach or sit atop their head while they swim. Or if they are, they might splash about and swim alongside your character. Familiars have different personalities and body specs and we leave those up to the players.

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 animal-themed ponchos 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. It was recently enchanted by Merlin to prevent people from having to fish their waterlogged possessions and pets out of the water with them. 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 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. Which given the fact that it's pouring down rain in April? Not ideal. You were only given ponchos, not rain boots.

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.

Unfortunately, due to a bee infestation and massive amounts of rain, the hot springs of the Red Springs are not available this month! Instead, an underground salt cave is offered as a way to relax and unwind. Gather around in the rejuvenating, dimly lit caves and breathe in the relaxing effects of salt crystals. Feel the sand between your toes, or if you don't like sand, try one of the many pools with tiny garra rufa for a fish pedicure. Or, lie down in a recliner and stare up at the "stars"-- magic sparkles in the ceiling that move to spell out single-word concepts you may be experiencing. (Maybe you're relaxed? You might get something like "Chill." Find your relaxation buddy hot? Just be careful to look away before the stars spell "Thirsty" to the whole room.)

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.

As it turns out, a mythical land that's been around for a few centuries has a few things in common with many modern worlds. It's got the internet, and games have evolved a little bit past hoop trundling and draughts. April, being the traditional month of mirth and games and lots of rain making it hard to have fun outdoors, is the time for Camelot City Gaming Convention, affectionately shortened to CameCon. Come into the large convention center located in the south part of town, get dry, and check out some of the awesome things to do.

A ⦿ Couchless Co-Op

Fighting games

NASTAR Racing Game

rhythm dance game

Grand Theft Automation

really

B ⦿ Arthurian RP in your Arthurian RP

LARP as their favorite Knight of the Round Table

rock-paper-scissors-magic

dress-up

props that will magically give you sword skills

picnic on the concrete floor

C ⦿ It Figures...

A convention isn't a convention without a little shopping. Come check out what cool games are upcoming in the exhibit hall, buy figurines of your favorite game characters (or.. new ones you've never heard of since this is a new world, but are still cute and/or kick-ass), and most importantly, check out the cool magic you can apply to them. A spell available for purchase in the convention hall that's popular this year is Recipe: Figure Anima, which makes your figures move in place and say popular lines as if they're an actual, miniature version of the character. It's recommended you practice while you're in the convention hall though so figure experts can help if things go.. awry. People have been known to have their own emotions influence the spell, and sometimes toys have started taking on the attitude of the caster. There's nothing quite as tragic as your favorite angelic game character telling you they're gonna kick your ass because you were in a fighting mood. So OOC. Maybe you can find someone who's a little better at magic to fix the problem?

Of course, when the rain breaks through and floods the exhibition room, there's a lot of mass hysteria as people scream and climb up onto tables, trying to protect their merch above all else. Hurry, help someone else up onto your table before their ent dakimakura they just purchased gets wet! Only you can save the gamers from water! ..Or that's what you thought, until a second later the electricity goes out and you're left in a total electricity blackout in the convention hall. It may be a good idea to use some magic to try to light the way and find a way out of the flooded hall...

A ⦿ Keep Your Vines to Yourselves

overgrowth of prehensile, very friendly vines

destructive magic

without

tickle the person the vines have captured

B ⦿ Selfies with Selkies

very, very large flower

Take a trip up to the Archivist

Cereus de Anima

the Silent Shore

shirtless selkie

take a selfie

eventually

a cottage on the other side of the Pure of Heart Bridge

old man that Morganna tried to kill and save in a quest a couple of months ago

C ⦿ The Answer is No

Back in Camelot City, it seems that anyone who's been touched by the vines has been replaced by a doppelganger in their lives. They're just barely off from the original- they have all the memories, but may be slightly more skilled at things they didn't used to be, or may seem to make less ethical choices than they might otherwise. There's just something slightly off. But when people start using AOL to contact their friends and let them know they've been gone.. well, it may seem like the jig is up, or at least in question.

Those who find out they've been replaced may want to return to Camelot quickly to try to reclaim their lives. Doppelgangers will attempt to kill their original if they come into contact with them when they aren't around other people, so you may need to flee for your life if you haven't gotten good enough at magic to defend yourself yet. Around other people, the doppelgangers will do their best to try to prove themselves the real person and since they were made from the original, will have the same memories as the original character so asking questions that "only ___ would know" may not work. Eventually it will come out that the doppelgangers have occasionally wriggling vines instead of spines underneath their clothing, if you're willing to check that to see who's real, but that won't be common knowledge.

What can be found out from the old man at the Pure of Heart bridge if you choose to leave your doppelganger alone is that Cereus de anima doppelgangers can only live for a month without killing their original and absorbing the rest of their essence. However, if the original plant isn't taken care of with a special venom you can only obtain from certain creatures in the Forest of the Fisher King, the problem will just keep happening over and over until the city is overrun and becomes nothing but a breeding ground for the flower and its replicas.

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.
• You can have any animal-style poncho you want! They are themed, not made from actual animals. No animals have been harmed in the making of these ponchos!!
• TIMELINE: The resolution to the third prompt will be in April's event! The first two prompt sets will be during the first week of the month. The doppelganger problem and obnoxious traveling and research will be occurring for the second and third weeks of the month.
• People with green magic may be able to fill something off about the doppelgangers, but may not be able to identify what it is right away. Blood mages will be able to feel that their blood feels the same as the original as they are essentially copies. Cognitive people will be able to use their magic normally except for hypnotic suggestion- the doppelgangers are immune to it, so while you may be able to find other ways to out them, hypnotizing people to tell the truth won't work this time. Doppelgangers are made from the essence of the person, so they will be able to access their phones and accounts. Note that the Cereus de Anima and doppelgangers are not fairies and cannot be contracted with. If a Death Mage attempts to possess a doppelganger, it will technically come in contact with the doppelganger's vine and may end up with more than one doppelganger depending on how many times they try it. Siphon magic can be used to destroy a doppelganger easily, however, the essence that was stolen from the original's soul may be destroyed in the process so it is not recommended as the original may start to feel as though they are no longer a whole person.
• If nothing here tickles your fancy, try one of this month's Quests for your TDM prompt.
• The first "Arrival" prompts are present on every TDM, but contain seasonal tweaks for flavor. All other prompts will change monthly. Make sure to read the Red Spring section on this month's even if you're normally familiar-- the springs are closed this month, check out the alternate prompts!
• Questions about this TDM's content? Comment here! If you have a question about the game at-large, please head over to the FAQ.

Threaded | Top-Level Comments Only

I'm sure Professor Sage would want me to keep up with classes. Even if things might be a little different here.

[After all. Raine tried to make lessons for them even during the Journey when possible in still trying to teach them as they traveled and all. Here would clearly be no exception if there's a school available.]

What did you study?

Well, we learned to read and write. I went to the Church and learned the Angelic Language as well. But there was also things like history and numbers and stuff as well.

[Art. That sort of thing. It wasn't the biggest most expensive school but they made do, given their small town of Iselia and all. Colette hasn't had reason to regret the way she grew up, being as sheltered as she was.]

Never has Wei Wuxian felt less like he understands how he has solved a problem, and that includes problems that necessitated entirely new cultivational techniques to solve, but he doesn't really need to understand in order to be glad. Truthfully it's a little terrifying, to be clung to by Lan Zhan for his own sake rather than an attempt to calm or subdue Wei Wuxian. How could it not be? Terrifying, and heart-breaking as well, and he's no better equipped to deal with this than if it were the Xuanwu cave all over again. But though it's always especially wrong for Lan Zhan to encounter misfortune, Wei Wuxian is still grateful to be trusted with these cracks in the façade. They've come a long way from Lan Zhan stubbornly carrying on with a broken leg and protesting a stranger's touch. Though it seems obvious enough, with a little thought, that he can't count on knowing things like that anymore. Anyone would have changed, except the dead, who remain stagnant. He certainly feels like a too-still pond at the moment.

But while he's exceptionally glad to have Lan Zhan a little more even keeled once more, he doesn't really know...how to take this quiet intensity. Lan Zhan has neither died nor made any major mistakes to atone for, to his knowledge. Inasmuch as he can see this as a second chance at all, rather than just an unexpected 'more,' it's his alone, ultimately. Even if Lan Zhan means to be supportive...well, he can't really engage with that just yet. There's just too much in his mind right now, there's no way to turn all these things over and have them fit together just right into something indisputable. There's no way to dig (kindly, like a medical necessity) into this vulnerability without risking his own, and he's not sure if he can. The issue of his death, and the idea that it was something anyone else had to live with, and that there might be something in that whole morass that Lan Zhan takes some blame for-- just because he's alive again and in a strange new world doesn't mean he can just handle that. All he can do is nod encouragingly, lips closed in a small smile. Not the first time he's made it from one end of a problem to the other without knowing what was in the middle precisely, but hopefully one of the less disastrous.

"I don't think you need to worry about that," he tries, wry and tentative, jostling their hands with directionless energy. Maybe being at a loss for words, for the right words anyway, is contagious. How to say he believes with utmost certainty that Lan Zhan has always tried more than enough, and will undoubtedly continue to do so, the same way the sun continues to rise? The past is the past, and there's no way to explain it could only be the way it was. "I know I haven't always been the most trustworthy, but you can believe me now, on these things, and not worry so much. Alright?"

Angelic Language?

[He looks at her curiously. Angels...exist in his world but he highly suspects they are not the same.]

Though he can't quite tell if Wei Ying understood the promise he just made to him, Lan Wangji finds himself content - even if he hasn't, he will show him its meaning every day until he does. Even if he had the words for it right now, what good would they be without the actions to prove them true. With every passing second, the idea of tomorrow as something that they have now to share becomes more real.

What he can tell is that Wei Ying is more concerned with reassuring him than any promises made. He's never known what to do with it, with sympathy or reassurance, never known how to fit it into his view of himself and the world. Like being handed an odd foreign object, its purpose and origin uncomfortably inscrutable, his answer used to be to ignore it or to toss it back. As long ago as he can remember, whenever someone - mostly his brother - had tried to tell him not to worry, or that it would be fine, or to slow down, it was because he'd made a mistake somewhere. Although he understands now that isn't always the case, and a little boy's simple and honest compassion had assured that he won't close himself off to it completely, his first instinct is still to think Wei Ying is being too generous.

Wei Ying's generosity is an extraordinary and paradoxical thing, never diminishing or diluting for how much of it he gives to the world. But it doesn't matter that he doesn't see where Lan Wangji had failed, so long as he himself sees it clearly. What matters far more in all that is something else, and it matters so much that he leans forward by a hair's breadth to speak with the same quiet conviction as before. "I believe you," he says and this time he doesn't have to avert his eyes. Again, he lacks the words to express his thoughts on trustworthiness and faithfulness, on who was right and who was wrong, but they have tomorrow to do it differently.

And that idea stirs in him a feeling much simpler, much clearer than all torrential thoughts on second chances and regrets and strange new worlds... It's so small and precious that he lowers his gaze a little, his features softening as though it's too fragile for all the intensity that had just been burning within him.

"I'm glad you came back." And came back like this, the most impossible of all the ways in which he could have transcended death - entirely himself, whole in mind and body.

Yes! There's a particular language the Angels use. I had to learn it to be able to succeed in my Journey back home. So those at the Church taught me to help prepare me.

[She's never had someone really ask about it before. Everyone back home knew of the Journey and her role in undertaking it. Or at least, they knew what the Church told them. She isn't sure if perhaps there aren't Angels back home where Eustace is from or something.]

...What do you mean by "Angels"? Are they a different race...?

Hm. They are in the sense of being physically different from humans. So I guess you could say that. Angels have wings and live much longer. They're much stronger and have heightened senses -- hearing, sight. They have a different language to humans too, which is why I had to learn it for my Journey.

[Angels and their wings, everyone back home knew of them through the Chosen system and all. But here, perhaps, or back home for Eustace, things were different. Colette needs to remember that.]

Do they live among humans?

I told you so.

[She's not too mature to say that.

She tilted her head a little as if trying to hear something, then she sighed and patted the manatee.]

No, I don't think so? I'd be able to tell if they were. Besides, they say they're not.

Among humans? No. I mean. Not usually. I guess if I count, I'd be an exception but that's because it was only on my sixteenth birthday I went on my Journey and started the transformation.

[So she wasn't exactly born into this. More, it's a process she has had to go through. A painful, gradual one. But she did it, for Sylvarant. For the people of Iselia. For Lloyd.]

[Doing a sort of double take here.]

Transformation? [What.] You mean you turning into an angel?

Yes, that's it! It's.....painful. But only for a few days! That day I get to each of the five Seals and am granted more of the Angels gifts.

[Read as: as she slowly, gradually gives up more and more of her humanity to make her the perfect vessel for Martel. Colette tries to reassure him, to look on the more bright side of things.]

I can't show you them or use them now, here, but. I got wings! And I could see and hear really well too, for example.

[As if that makes up for the pain she went through to get through the Journey.]

And yet, Lan Zhan seems determined to kill him again already. Seriously, what is he meant to do with all this sincerity and softness? Paired with simple, unmistakable declarations, even ones he'd all but asked for? Making inarticulate strangled sounds and rolling on the floor is a tempting option and the foremost one to spring to mind, but he'd have to let go first and he can't risk letting Lan Zhan unbalance again if these are the kinds of things that happen as a consequence. So this is, effectively, inescapable. Maybe Lan Zhan's internal clock will tell him it's hao shi and he'll pass out. Wouldn't be ideal but at least Wei Wuxian would stand a chance.

As it stands he can only curl up like a shrimp and press his forehead to their hands in a purely inscrutable observance, possibly apology? Possibly just a reaction to sincerity and Lan Zhan's essential goodness? As a member of the recently dead, perhaps he is allergic. And much like the recently dead, he groans abjectly but cannot argue more eloquently against anything Lan Zhan has said, as much as he feels a directionless requirement to try. Or again, possibly just to escape. Lan Zhan really is too good and too much, both. How good to be allowed to experience that again.

"Lan Zhan, you can't say these things. I can't take it, and I can't," he swallows, "Live up to it. But I guess it's not a mistake at all then, anyway. If you're glad." He rallies, gains a spine, tries again. He's been part of literal battles that were less harrowing. "I'm glad too. This world won't know how fortunate it is."

[He can only stare at her as his gaze hardens the more she tells him. Painful...he has a feeling she's not telling the whole story and that makes sense—no one just dumps everything out to some stranger they just met. And normally he wouldn't—shouldn't—care, either, but... She just reminds him so much of Lyria that he can't help but be bothered. So he knows he can't really pry much, nor would it really do much anyway since different worlds and all.

But. Still bothered.]

...What is the purpose of this journey? And is it something that many people embark on?

Only the Chosen does. And it's...it's to restore the Mana Supply. So that the people of Sylvarant can prosper again, so the crops won't be wilting and dying. So our technology can advance. Once the Chosen succeeds at the Journey of Regeneration, then everyone will live happily.

[Well. With one obvious exception. But Colette isn't going to go into that. She just met him and all. There's a lot more to this even than she herself is aware on too, that she's still learning from Kratos. So it's all a work in progress in her processing it all herself too.]

[The question of "What happens to the Chosen?" is on the tip of his tongue...but he ends up refraining from asking. He's dubious especially hearing such prophetic language, however it's also not his place to pry anymore than he has. So there's just a low hum.]

...I see. Then I hope it goes well for you.

[There's really a lot more he could ask, like what does it take to restore the Mana Supply or what she'll have to do at the end, but that could be for another time. Since he's still lying down he can see how much time has passed from where the sun hangs in the gray skies and with the weather being as rainy as it has, he can also see the incoming clouds, feel the cooling air and the moisture gathering.

Slowly he sits up.]

Rain will be coming soon, so we should head back.

Wei Ying folds like an umbrella, curls around their joined hands in a gesture that is both unbearably vulnerable and entirely incomprehensible, and it leaves Lan Wangji stunned once again. He has just enough time for a few alarmed doubts; is Wei Ying hurting? Is he crying? Had he said something wrong? And to realize this is once again the opposite of the reaction he'd come to expect from him - to pull away, to put a barrier or distance between them - before Wei Ying groans, which does not clear up much of anything.

It's while Wei Ying does his best to explain with halting words that it finally occurs to Lan Wangji that he may not be the only one overwhelmed with thoughts and feelings and no means good enough to express them with. And so, although his unshakable faith in Wei Ying's ability to live up to who he knows him to be trembles on his lips, he stays silent, and just listens.

As in a familiar dream, he sees himself run a comforting hand through Wei Ying's hair, entangle his fingers with a few askew strands and that red ribbon. But his hands are pinned and he could not bear to disturb him by moving. He sees himself bend down to press a kiss to the crown of Wei Ying's head, bow his own head in observance of all the love and grief he'd had nowhere to place for sixteen years. But he was asked to have mercy.

And so, although his eyes are brimming with all this affection and gratitude, all his forgiveness and apology and his wish to have this embrace never end, there's a smile in his voice when he says mildly, "No sitting improperly."

Ah, you're right.

[She glances up in following his gaze to the sky, noting the drop in temperature with her returned ability to feel the heat or chill again. She doesn't want to keep him so tells him he should get back to shelter quick before it starts to pour down. As she makes to stand and do the same herself.]

[He'll look at her for a moment before he nods his head and gives her a parting farewell before walking off.

...Really what a strange girl, and even stranger how much she reminds him of Lyria... Maybe he can keep an eye out for her should they ever cross paths again.]

[ The audible sounds of his paws digging into the ground reaches his ears as he looks to the wolf pup drawing an arrow, along with squiggly lines. Blinking curiously, he kneels down beside Eustace, brow furrowing as he muses over what it means. ]

...

[ Thankfully, the blond has a tendency for overthinking things- something that comes in handy for once as he drifts his gaze to the pup, then towards the forest in the distance. ]

Follow the roots, huh. [ Without getting up from his kneeling spot yet, he takes a relaxing breath to calm himself. ] Well, whether I'm goin' back in or not, I can't just leave you out here.

[—Close enough so he'll just nod. But then Eustace... ...Well he probably shouldn't just quickly dismiss Cloud, huh. As much as he hates to admit it, he is in quite the weakened state and although he knows his familiar would protect him he can't put her at too much risk either.

...

Shoving away his pride, he'll walk up to Cloud and. Place a paw on Cloud's knee.

...He can carry him back............]

[She has the strongest urge to just sit down on the beach and not move. Can't make her jog if she makes a hole in the sand and lives here, instead. But she doubts Azar will give her that chance--and she doesn't want to be picked up and carried up the cliffside.]

[So instead, she's going to just make groaning and grumbling noises as they go. Some of the muttering is audible, but it's mostly going to be the same thing:]

...Gonna make you do so much magic... So much...

[ He doesn't look all too surprised when Eustace eventually winds up placing a paw on his knee. Mainly because he doesn't know enough about the Erune in the first place. In all truths, if he decided they should go back to town and recuperate, he would have obliged that too. It wasn't giving up if they were retreating to strategize. But if they didn't nip this in the bud now... ]

That settles that.

[ As if he's done this before, Cloud gently picks up the fatigued pup, cradling him closer to his chest. ~~While also fighting the urge to start petting him like this. jakfdls~~ Looking to the familiar and his own Chocobo Chick that drops down on his shoulder with a peep, Cloud eventually sets his sights back on the foreboding forest. ]

Good thing Weiss ain't seeing me like this... [ Mainly because she'd probably start fawning over Eustace as a puppy and how cute Cloud looked holding him. ... would he have the power to say "no" if she asked for a dog? ]

Best we find another way in... Don't know if those vines are still pissed.

[ They'll need to be on their guard if they want to find any further clues. Even if they were revisiting to investigate... ]

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TEST DRIVE MEME ⚔️️ 6

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It's never too old!

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