takamagahara | (no subject)

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test drive

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TEST DRIVE # 12

Whether you're trying to figure out how your character would fare in this setting, trying to get some samples together, or just dipping your toes in the water, you've come to the right place! The Test Drive is here to make your life easy by letting you see what the game is like without actually joining it first. So here is how it works:

1: Post a starter with your character, including whether they are a god or shinki in the subject line.
2: Act like your character is established enough in the setting to allow your thread to go places.
3: Take on any god/shinki of your choosing, as long as they're not already in the game!
4: Comment around to the other people on the meme.
5: Have lots of fun!

To get you started, here are some ideas for thread-starters! Feel free to come up with your own ideas if these don't strike your fancy, though.

Daring Drinks

A couple of local bars are going out of their way to make new and interesting drinks for their customers to try, in a long-standing war between the two bars. Of course, they're going a little off the rails, so there are some very interesting - and somewhat scary - combinations popping out of the woodworks. And they want everyone passing by to try them.

Electric Eels

An odd ayakashi is causing some of the eels at the local aquarium to become literally electric, causing the eels to shock the other inhabitants in their tanks. This is causing a pretty big uproar and if it isn't fixed soon, someone could die or the aquarium might even just shut down entirely.

Frog Friend

Large frogs are popping up all over the place and following people around. They don't seem malicious in any way, but they are kind of creepy to look at, brightly colored, and leave trails of slippery goo wherever they stand. Oh, and they like to jump at people and knock them over, just for fun.

Gaseous Grandpas

A local home for older men is having a problem with a number of their inhabitants where they literally cannot stop farting and belching. It turns out this is the work of an ayakashi that just thinks farts and burps are funny and knows it's easier to get those sorts of things out of old people. Help the poor old guys out, would you?

Horrifying Hentai

Many known otaku in the area are dealing with a rather terrifying problem - every hentai they watch lately comes into reality very suddenly. Sometimes this means cute, begging girls, sure, but it also means tentacles and aliens and a whole rash of other things too. You'll have to stop the ayakashi that is bringing these 'fantasies' to life in order to save these guys.

If you're uncertain about anything, feel free to check out the Premise, Rules, and FAQ posts. And don't hesitate to ask any questions you might have on the FAQ!
When and if you're ready to join the game, check out the Taken Characters before throwing in a Reserve and starting on your Application
Have fun!

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['Tipsy.' 'Mildly intoxicated.'

Yeah, both of those words described Felicia's feelings in that moment fairly well, but there were no regrets to be had with the sweetness of this candy-like drink that masked any hint of it's alcoholic nature by force of it's sheer sugar content. Perhaps later there would be some regrets...

But the night was young, and that was quite a discount on these drinks.]

You guessed in one try, [Felicia said, seeming somewhat embarrassed at being caught so easily. With her fluffy skirt and cute shirt, she thought she had done more than enough to appear like she knew what she was doing. Still blushing, she continued.]

I'm Felicia. [She smiled.] It's good sitting with you, Miss Lara. Can we sit together for a while longer?

[Hopeful? Yes, she was. She really just wanted the company of a nice, kind person.]

[Goodness, what must be in that drink, if one cup's got her like this already. Lara smiles kindly, bobbing her head in an easygoing nod of assent. It would be hard for her to turn down a few drinks with a cute woman like this. Maybe it was because she could relate? It hadn't been but a few years ago she'd been that sheltered, country girl fresh in London after seventeen years in Surrey, mostly on the Croft Manor grounds. Sure she'd taken some expeditions elsewhere, but a flight from Heathrow wasn't quite the same as spending time in the city.

She'd had Sam with her, back then. Her dorm-mate, bright eyed and experienced. And this girl had nobody. A part of her knew, deep down, that she was a alone. That she was dead, cold in the ground and that meant she could use all the friends she could get. Lara nodded again, huffing a laugh and slipping an arm around Felicia's shoulder.]

Of course, love. And never you mind this...Miss business. Call me Lara. And your next drink's on me.

[She took another sip of her own brew, feeling it go straight to her head. Boy, tonight was going to be interesting.]

D'you like pretzels, Felicia? Or would you prefer some rice crackers?

[The vibrant drink in question was a daiquiri-- a frilly, girly drink that was so full of liquor in its frosted depths that anyone who dared to insult its strength would be knocked flat on their back. For a petite woman such as Felicia it certainly was quite strong! But the feelings it left her with were warm and bubbly, which were a much needed distraction from the reality of the matter that she didn't entirely wish to face: that she truly was alone, a country girl in this bustling wonderland of a city.]

Lara, then. That's a good, happy name... [Unknown to her on a conscious level, 'Lara' did have an association with happiness at some of it's deeper roots.] And I'm very happy to take you on that offer. This place is neat, but it's much better with someone to talk to.

I think I'd like the pretzels, [she added.] Those hard, crunchy ones-- but the warm, soft ones would be great, too!

[Chuckling, she gives Felicia one last squeeze before letting go, waving the barkeep over and ordering some of the ubiquitous bar snacks known as pretzels. Nothing special, just the hard, crispy mini-pretzels, but enough to have a good crunch to them. Picking one up, Lara turned it over in her fingers, dithering at it casually as she let the warm feel of alcohol and compliments settle into her stomach. She'd finish the drink soon, but like any good English girl, she knew her limits.]

You're a funny one, aren't you? [She gives the light haired girl a teasing smile.]

What do you do for a living, Felicia? [Or do you even know? She knew the answer was probably not but it seemed worth asking. Just to confirm.]

Well, I'm not trying to be funny, but thank you?

[Still flushed, whether from the alcohol or from the attentions of a woman who seemed to make the bar stop around them, Felicia tried to hide her embarrassment over her awkward reply by gratefully helping herself to the salted, crispy pretzels. The savory flavor and the bite from the salt were good counters to the almost overwhelming sweetness of the drink that she couldn't help guzzling.

It, truly, was like something she couldn't even begin to imagine.]

Hm.... [She started thoughtfully, twisting one of the mini pretzels between her fingers while she dreamily mulled over that question.] What do I do for a living...? I don't--

[Felicia bit down on that pretzel now, as if to distract herself from that line of thought. Admitting that she didn't really know wasn't proper, was it?

...What was proper in this city, anyway?

Giggling nervously, Felicia shook her head.]

Nevermind me. What do you do for a living?

Edited 2017-01-05 02:57 (UTC)

[As she'd expected. Sad, but Lara brushes on past that with a soft smile and another sip of her drink. She takes a nibble of the pretzel, letting Felicia sit in silence for a moment.

Maybe she wanted the girl to really think about that. About why things were so blank for her. But at the same time, she wasn't willing to just let it sit there for very long. She shifts on her stool, trying to think of a good way to word this.

Because how do you tell a cute girl you're the reincarnation of a god, anyway? Is that even proper? Hell, she's not even sure how to word that, so...]

Me? Nothing all that interesting. [Her fingertips drum on the cup, and she answers truthfully enough.]

I'm an archaeologist by training, so, you know. Lots of time in libraries, musty old archives, the occasional expedition that's a little more bracing. [A lot more bracing.]

Nowadays? Well, I do a little of everything. Just try and help people where I can.

[Felicia listened with rapt attention idly fussing with a pretzel between her fingers as she watched Lara with fascination. Studying in libraries and archives, taking an expedition on occasion, all painted a picture of a well travelled academic who surely understood quite a bit about the world she lived in.]

That's a really neat line of work. You've probably read all of those history tomes they keep on the shelves-- and, maybe even looked at a few spellbooks, right?

[Magic, naturally, was associated with books in her unconscious mind. It just made sense.]

[She's not getting the wrong image, really. Lara's even been studying what she can about magic and the occult since she arrived here and was confronted with the reality of it, but for now she just takes a bite of a pretzel and mulls over the statement thoughtfully.]

Maybe not all the books out there, but I've read a few.

[She takes another look at Felicia, kind of appraising, puzzling out what kind of person she must've been.]

Are you a reader, Felicia? Or think you might want to be?

I...think I might want to be?

[She took a bite from that pretzel and let the question hang in the air, brows furrowed as if she were trying to catch a thought that was somewhere just beyond her reach. The only concepts she could grasp were nuances like how to properly carry a tray of tea across a hall without tripping, how to properly fold fine linens, and the appropriate arrangement of silverware on a table in a fine dining hall.

Scattered amongst these were subjects that seemed to make no sense, like how it's impolite to knock on one of those rice paper doors and how chocolate was an inappropriate ingredient to mix with rice on certain occasions.]

...I don't know, [she admitted, resting her chin in a hand.] I don't feel like there's ever much time to sit down with a book by a warm fire between doing dishes and cleaning rooms.]

[Lara's forehead furrowed a little, and she took another sip of her drink, trying to process that statement. What a strange thing to say, really. But at the same time, in a weird way, she thinks it's Felicia's head sorting itself out, spewing safe information. It almost reminds her, in a way, of Winston. The old family butler, a dear friend.

Setting a hand on Felicia's shoulder, she gave her a gentle shake and a little squeeze.]

You know, there's plenty of time to read if you make time for it. [Taking a breath, she half smiles and drops her eyes to the bar top. God, was this even right? This woman had no idea, or at least didn't seem to. But something about her just called out to Lara, and she couldn't just leave it at that.]

And if you like cleaning, I could always use someone to dust and reshelve my personal collection...

...Really?

[Uncertainty and hope flickered through her eyes as she looked up at Lara, obviously perking up at the offer. Though she didn't quite know how, cleaning felt like it was well travelled and familiar territory for her-- so much so that a smile was spreading across her face before she realized it.]

If it's not a problem and I don't get in your way, that's something I'd really like to do. The people here are hard to talk to-- it's like they forget about me as soon as they walk away-- but you're the first person all night who's even stayed around for this long!

Although...I do wonder why they keep walking away...?

[Somewhere, buried deep underneath the many layers of nonsensical thoughts, Felicia knew the truth of the matter. It was just difficult to acknowledge the fact that she wouldn't be able to play in the snow like everyone else anymore.]

Of course, love. You're more than welcome to come home with me.

[It's that little spark of hope in Felicia's eyes that really tugs at Lara's heartstrings. This poor girl, she didn't really know what was going on, did she? Or if she did, she was too confused to really process it. Figuring it was probably best not to break it all down for her right here in the bar, the last scion of the Crofts throws back her drink in one long gulp. Feeling the burn of the alcohol, she nods to the bartender to order her second, a golden yellow concoction.]

I don't know why they're leaving you alone, though.

[A lie, but a good one, she thinks. Emboldened slightly by the drink, she leans closer, pulling Felicia into a friendly, one armed hug. She's nowhere near drunk but there's no way she can do this with a straight face sober. It'd been ages since she'd even tried to be flirtatious, but it was probably the one way she figured she could build up Felicia in a way that wouldn't ultimately be explaining the nature of shinki and godhood.]

A pretty little thing like you? Who'd want to let you sit here all alone? Those people must be blind.

[She winks, trying to be pretty obvious about her "interest" and intent. Even if it wasn't really her intent.]

Edited 2017-01-08 05:46 (UTC)

[Felicia leaned into that embrace, her cheeks still flushed with the buzz of alcohol and her heart fluttering in her chest-- from the sugar content of the drink, surely-- and rested her head against Lara's shoulder in a show of how comfortable she felt with the woman.]

You think so? [She asked uncertainly, with a shy smile. Lara's intents were understood, at least somewhat, and Felicia wasn't entirely sure what to do...]

You must be someone really special then. You're smart and talented...it's really pretty amazing.

[...Amazing that a woman like her would pay attention to someone as clumsy and inexperienced as Felicia.]

[Lara took another deep breath, holding the obviously confused and definitely perplexing woman against her. Strange how this evening has turned out, but you always wind up befriending the odd ones she thought. There was something about this woman she just liked. Maybe it was a sign, or maybe it was just having someone so obviously comfortable with her, or some long buried protective instinct tugging at her. It hardly mattered in the end, she wanted to make sure she had help and perhaps a little selfishly be the person who helped.

Getting involved with her is probably a mistake, Lara she tells herself, but you always do wind up meddling.

Taking the second drink, she downed a long sip of it, feeling the burn of whiskey on her tongue. Some sort of high ball? Strong enough to grease the wheels for sure, but not too rough.]

Of course, Felicia. I mean, have you seen yourself in a mirror lately?

[Fingers gently stroking the maid's (?) shoulder, Lara leaned against her, the leather of her jacket creaking slightly as she shifted. Part of her had to admit, there was some appeal to taking Felicia home. Even if it was just to rest. And it'd give her a chance to sober up someplace safe, instead of wandering around on her own. ]

I really just have to count myself lucky to be in a bar full of the blind.

[Perhaps a little cheesy, but she's trying to shake off the rust, and picking up anyone without Sam around? That's as new an experience for her as the city is to Felicia. She's hoping for a laugh, though.]

[It was cheesy but sweet-- and Felicia's cheeks turned pink with embarrassment at being on the receiving end of such fine compliments that someone else in the vast bar likely deserved more. Drawing deeply from her frozen drink, Felicia finished it off and cast a warm smile up at the other woman.]

You flatter me, Lara, [She said, almost shyly.] You're a far more intriguing person than I could ever be.

[Lara smiled down into Felicia's eyes, her own cheeks a little warmer at the compliment. Another sip of her highball, and she laughs.]

I somehow doubt that's quite the truth, love. I'm not as interesting as all that. [There was plenty about the other woman to be intrigued by, and not just the frilly outfit and that sweet face. How she processed the world around her, that was sure to be interesting, as was how she responded to flattery. People were always fascinating puzzles, even if she wasn't the most sociable, herself. And there was the matter of the goal here, to help this poor dear however she could while avoiding a scene in the bar.]

So at the risk of sounding too forward...would you like to come home with me and see how intriguing we can find one another? I promise you'll find something you like, even if it's just a book or two and a nice fire.

Edited 2017-01-11 22:25 (UTC)

A book and a nice fire...

[It was such a simple but strong desire to do just that-- all other possible implications of the offer lost in her innocent whimsies. Felicia didn't think much of herself, but she was always eager to learn more about others and to help others to the best of her abilities. Lara's offer definitly contained one of those things, and it was enough to make her brighten up with the offer.]

If it's not an imposition....that actually sounds like it'd be very nice.

It's hardly an imposition.

[After finishing the last of her drink Lara bent down and pressed her lips against Felicia's cheek, if for no other reason than to leave the barkeep with an impression of what was going on. Appearances and all mattered when it came to dealing with 'normal' people even here, in her head at least. Slowly she eased off, standing up and letting her hand drop atop Felicia's.]

Shall we?

[Innocent or not, she knew tonight was going to be a night. Because come what may, she was in deep now. Being a little tipsy, with someone to curl up with after they got back to the temple, and possibly more was nice but knowing she was going to be able to help someone in need was nicer. She had a deeply protective streak, and this woman triggered all of those buttons at once.]

[Flustered and more than a little tipsy, Felicia squeezed Lara's hand in her own and looked up with literal stars in her eyes. With the confusing turn of affairs that her mind was still trying to sort out, she hadn't given much thought to where she would be staying for the time being-- and Lara seemed to almost be like some benevolent angel with her kind offer of shelter and warmth in the haze that had settled over Felicia's mind. Stumbling out of her chair, Felicia giggled in her embarrassment and regarded Lara in a way that suggested that she saw no one else in the room...

This girl was a very inexperienced drunk, and it showed in the unhindered trust she felt for the woman.]

Yes, let's!

[She agreed, grinning from ear to ear.

Whatever was to come that night....it surely would be warm and sweet.]

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