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[godsoffortune]

TEST DRIVE # 03



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.



Keening Karaoke
For some reason, karaoke clubs have suddenly popped up all over the Heavens. Not only that, but they are the big new hotspot for residents of the Far Shore to hang out at and everyone around you has been pressuring you to join them. Do you continue to fight back or give in to the peer pressure weighing you down?

Little Lies
Everyone believes that white lies do no harm, so the people of the Near Shore are happy to use small lies whenever they need to. Tiny ayakashi have been springing from these little lies and are now teaming up to form into a huge ayakashi, and it keeps getting bigger with every passing moment!

Marriage Madness
With spring in the air, the season of weddings is upon the Near Shore, and boy do the people of Japan seem eager to get married this year. In fact, it's so crazy trying to book anything that there are literally hundreds of prayers being sent up asking for monetary deals as well as luck with finding the right place to marry. Help some poor people out.

Necklace Nuisance
A cursed necklace has sprung up in the city and there are a lot of people dying because of it. The weird thing is that no one who has actually worn the necklace has died, just everyone around them. This cursed necklace has fallen into the hands of a depraved young man who is more than happy to use its bad luck in order to start 'taking out the trash' of the world...

Overt Ogling
As the temperature rises, so do the skirts of teenage girls. Unfortunately, there are a lot of pubescent boys who are more than happy to take a gander whenever they can. Catching some peeping toms, how is a resident of the Far Shore supposed to react? Or even warn the poor girl who's being spied on?



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!

Comments

Ky Kiske | Guilty Gear Xrd | Shinki

[holyorder]

( OOC: I'm willing to play out an assumed God/Shinki relationship for any of the prompts, if anyone prefers! )

Karaoke
[ It isn't that Ky hates music or anything — honestly, he can appreciate a lovely tune or two — it's just that he's certain it has nothing to do with his duties and, therefore, very low on his list of priorities. Very very low. So low that he's just about bending backwards trying to dodge any insistent invitations to go singing with others. After laying out excuse after excuse, he's finally just admitting the truth and hoping that will stick this time. ]

I appreciate your invitation, [ he says tiredly to the one trying to convince him, ] I truly do. However, I have duties I must attend to at this time and I cannot leave them to go singing with you.

Necklace
[ Ky stalks down the street like a predator, eyeing corners and checking addresses of buildings nearby as he passes by. He's trying to trace locations and find clues that will lead him to the identity of the disturbed young man who has decided to play executioner. It matters little that the targets are criminals or other unsavory individuals; too many people have died already, including other bystander innocents and investigators to the case. Such losses are unforgivable, and this cannot continue for much longer. Ky is determined to find the culprit and seek justice for the innocents who were slain, even if it means heading out on his own to investigate before his God has a chance to accompany him.

It will be quicker this way, he's certain. He'll give his God a full report once he's discovered something new.

Small sparks of electricity dance between his fingertips as he continues his work. Frowning deeply, he's soon lost in his thoughts and losing track of time as the sun begins to set behind him. ]

Ogling
[ As much as Ky wants to warn the girls, he'd much rather deal with these perverted young boys, first. Sure, youth might be one excuse, but that is all the more reason to make sure they learn their lesson now before they grow up to be depraved men. It's the least anyone would do, right?

Deciding to remain unseen for now, Ky opts for attracting as much attention to the youngsters as he can. He does this by sending little sparks at the boys trying to sneakily lean for a view. The sparks aren't anything deadly — it feels more like the sting from some very strong static electricity — but it's enough to send a couple troublesome kids yelping and drawing attention to themselves in an incredibly noisy way.

Hopefully, this will teach them. But Ky hangs around the commotion for just a moment longer just to make sure, humming to himself as he watches. ] Hmm.

[returnedfromtheline]

[The girls are cute, but Yukine is more interested in something else for the moment- the guy who seems to somehow be using electricity on the boys. When the boys yelp of course the girls notice... Yukine rubs the back of his head absently, remembering when he'd been on the receiving end of a girl's wrath- even if it had been a misunderstanding!

Quietly coming closer to the guy he recognizes him as one of the new shinki, Ky. But, if he's new, how can he use a spell like that? So Yukine asks softly,]

How did you do that?

[holyorder]

[ It takes a moment for him to realize he's being addressed. Ky looks over to the other young man, taking a moment to think about the question before answering honestly. ]

I'm not entirely certain, [ he admits. ] It seems to come somewhat naturally, and the Lord I serve avoided any questions I asked about it.

[ He looks down at his own hand, a concerned expression on his face. ] Those small ones are all I can do.

[returnedfromtheline]

Ehh? [Yukine sighs and leans against the wall that they are keeping out of sight behind.]

It comes naturally? You new shinki are all so weird... [He could see it being some sort of song of spells, but obviously that's not the case here.] I guess your god is the type that doesn't like to admit things he doesn't know then. I can relate though- my god likes to be a know-it-all too.

[Standing up straighter for a moment he introduces himself.] I'm Yukine, a shinki. I've been asked to check up on you.

[holyorder]

[ Ky nods as he introduces himself. ] Ky Kiske, in the service of my God. My Lord does puzzle me at times, but perhaps that is because we have yet to be very familiar with each other.

[ He waves off that subject with a brief shake of his head. ] That aside, is there a reason you were asked to check on me? If there are any existing concerns about my actions, I can address them to the best of my ability.

[returnedfromtheline]

Heh- [Yukine raises his hands in a placating gesture, an awkward grin on his face.] No, not like that. I'm just a bit more experienced than you guys, so more like mentoring, really.

[He slightly mimics Ky's line:] If you have any questions about your role, I'll answer to the best of my ability.

[holyorder]

[ Ky smiles, finding humor in the mimicked words rather than mockery. Seeing this young man offer to be a mentor, to take on a sort of leader-like role, puts him at ease. It's good to know someone willing to help others.

Although his expression seems more relaxed now, his manner of speech is still as formal as ever. ] I thank you for your offer. I must admit this is a rather new role for me, and I would appreciate any advice you can give. As far as I can understand, much of my role relates to performing my duties to the fullest for my Lord, correct?

[returnedfromtheline]

[The formality of the speech throws him off a little, but he gets it well enough.]

Yep, pretty much. I think one of the most important things is for the shinki and god to get along and work well together, so if you're concerned with doing your duty to the fullest, it sounds like you're on the right track.

[holyorder]

That is good to hear. [ Ky looks more confident, feeling assured that he's on the right path. He's all about duty and working. ]

May I ask how long you have been a shinki?

[returnedfromtheline]

[... No you may not ask because Yukine is not so certain himself, actually.
He pauses to think about it.]

Time works differently in Takamagahara, so I kind of lost track for a while. I think it's been almost a year now. But don't make the mistake of judging someone's skill by only time.

[holyorder]

[ Ky is prompt in correcting himself to prevent misunderstanding. ]

I will keep that in mind. It was simply a curiosity, and I didn't mean to seem like I was questioning your seniority amongst us.

What do you believe is the best way to understand your God better?

[returnedfromtheline]

[This guy is so polite, it's refreshing (and a little weird, given who Yukine usually hangs around with).

He shakes his head slightly to indicate 'don't worry about it.'

And as for that question-]

Trust. [Period. ...He supposes he can expand on that though.] For example, my god has a shady past. I didn't trust him at the start. And because he's a moron with bad habits he didn't trust me with things he should have either.

[holyorder]

[ Ky's brows furrow in thought. He doesn't like the sound of "a shady past". But what if that's the case with his own God as well? He's not sure if he can manage serving under someone of a suspicious character. ]

You were still expected to trust and serve someone with such a dubious background? How? By convincing him to change his ways?

Ogling

[reformedsinner]

My my, that should teach them!

[Hakkai laughs merrily as a young woman rounds on the yelping teenager nearest to her and starts delivering a high-volume lecture.]

It's terrible how some young men just never learned their manners, isn't it?

[holyorder]

[ Ky nods in agreement, completely serious, though not unwelcoming to his sudden guest. ]

Indeed, but it isn't too late for them yet. Hopefully, they will learn their lesson from this incident and revise their ways.

[reformedsinner]

Yes, if you can catch them young you might be able to teach them better.

Or perhaps they'll just learn a little more prudence.

[He bows politely.] Cho Hakkai. It's a pleasure to meet you!

[holyorder]

[ Ky also ducks his head in a polite greeting. ] The pleasure is mine, Mister Hakkai. I am Ky Kiske, a shinki in the service of my God.

Have you been keeping an eye on these young men as well?

[reformedsinner]

Ah, you're a shinki too?

[Hakkai glances back at the boys, his gaze going a little distant. He had been watching them, not judgmentally, but in a combination of amusement and ... nostalgia?

Nostalgia for what? He can't imagine himself doing anything like that. Who is he remembering? There's nothing to answer him, nothing but the same blank slate of a past.]

... Yes, I was.

[holyorder]

[ The distance gaze is curious, but Ky doesn't inquire about it. As much as he would like to pry, he's getting the strange feeling that he shouldn't. It's a difficult feeling to fight, but he eventually gives in and abandons his curiosity. ]

I'm not surprised their behavior attracted the attention of other shinki as well. [ He continues. ] I'm afraid they might not be the only ones misbehaving, unfortunately. This weather seems to encourage a number of disorderly conduct.

[reformedsinner]

Spring is in the air!

[Hakkai laughs merrily, abandoning his own train of thought as useless as he looks back at the other man.]

The young ladies seem to have it under control here. So is this a task you're doing for your god, or just a spontaneous good deed?

[holyorder]

[ Ky isn't quite so ready to brush off their behavior so easily, but he'll let it drop for now to address the question. ]

No, I am not currently under orders. But I thought it would be best to intervene when I saw them. I need no reason to do what would be the right thing to do.

[ Like give a couple kids a small shock for bad behavior. ]

[reformedsinner]

Ah, a wandering hero!

[What a nuisance. At least his "right thing to do" seems harmless so far -- a couple of naughty teenagers reprimanded, and the world goes on.]

[holyorder]

[ Ky waves off the comment with a brief gesture. ]

Not at all. Anyone else would do the same. You were here for the similar reasons, weren't you?

[reformedsinner]

No, I was just enjoying the weather. It is nice, isn't it?

[Cherry blossoms on the wind, bright sunlight... what more could anyone want in a spring morning?]

[holyorder]

[ Ky blinks, then looks around as if he's just noticing their surroundings for the first time. It isn't that he's completely oblivious — he had noticed it was a good day, which prompted him to take a walk — but his focus on solving this little 'problem' had distracted him from enjoying the weather. ]

Yes... it is. [ He seems to relax a little. ] It's a wonderful day. Hopefully one of many more to come.