takamagahara | (no subject)

Entry tags:

test drive

(no subject)

TEST DRIVE # 05

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.

Ugly Underthings

Someone or something has been stealing underwear from various women and men. The weirdest thing about it, though, is the fact that every piece of underwear stolen and strewn about the town is absolutely hideous to look at. Maybe it's just someone with a fetish for ugly underpants? Or maybe it's something else entirely.

Validated Villain

There's talk about some masked ayakashi wandering around, led by a young girl wearing a paper crown and covered in tattoos. In fact, if you look for her hard enough, you might just come across the nora, singing to herself as she plays with the masked wolves. Otherwise, you might just encounter the wolves. It's hard to tell which is worse.

Weeaboo Weirdos

A much larger amount of American tourists are crashing down on Japan now that the summer is near, and a significant number of them are what the people back in their home country would term a 'weeaboo' - 13- to 17-year-olds who are desperate to blend in with Japanese culture and fail miserably at their attempts. You can either make fun of them or help them out, your choice.

Xeroxing Xenophobes

Of course, that means that there are a large number of Japanese locals who are very put off and angry about these Americans. A fact that is becoming all the more prevalent because there is an ayakashi cloning itself and attaching to only Japanese people, turning them against the foreigners and causing a massive amount of hate, which is leading to a lot of shoving, nasty words, and a couple of impromptu, awful haircuts...

Yummy Yakitori

With so much going on, isn't it just nice to sit back, relax, and eat some delicious yakitori? This yakitori might possibly be the best you have ever eaten in your entire life! And that's not at all because it was made by a couple of Far Shore residents who have charmed it with varying results, definitely not. Hopefully the charm doesn't backfire and make you hate all other food!

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!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Ekko is definitely better at building things than Sonic is. It was a skill he picked up because it seemed useful, and it turned out that he was talented enough that he didn't have to work too hard at mastering it. And it is useful, but he considers it on par with cooking; it's not awful and he's often proud of the results, it's just not something he wants to spend a lot of time doing. Maybe Ekko will get him to change his mind.

"I suppose that's fair. I didn't see a lot of monsters until I left home, either." Mostly, it was just unusually large forest animals like giant snakes and wolves that stood at shoulder height. "I don't know why it seemed so normal, now that I think about it. I guess I just assumed that's how things were in the city."

He had grown up deep in backwoods of the forest, after all.

Ekko gets another dirty look for his sass, but Sonic had been asking for it. He would have done the exact same thing, if it had been him. He gives Ekko gets points for his cleverness, but they're secret points. Can't let the shinki think he can get away with that sort thing.

He can absolutely get away with it.

Thinking one step ahead is hard. Now, if Ekko were to ask him about thinking ten steps ahead, then Sonic would be all over that, but only one measly step? His mind works way too fast for that. He doesn't know how to do anything but run off impulse when it comes to the moment.

"We'll do it later, then I won't have to decide what flavor I want."

When they reach the yakitori stand, he orders three for himself, then glances at Ekko. "Feel free to get as many as you like."

It's weirdly soothing for Ekko to just sit down and build things out of scraps of metal, maybe he did it a lot when he was living. He doesn't know anything about that for sure though.

"I always though cities were supposed to have less weird monsters running around." Or at least he does in this life. "Deserts and islands should have monsters." He's not sure why he thinks that, but he sounds sure enough for somebody with amnesia.

Ekko just gives a cocky smirk back. He'll get away with it every time, it's not like Sonic's going to get rid of him for being a brat. He's too useful to dump.

"Alright." Ice-cream for later then. Maybe strawberry or chocolate, hmm...

For now he'll order six for himself. Turning back time apparently works up an appetite- he has to burn something for that kind of energy. "Thanks, boss."

"That's absolutely ridiculous, why would they have monsters? There's no people there." Monsters, in his experience, are all about attacking people. "Even the Ayakashi here target people. It seems counter-productive for monsters to congregate someplace remote."

Sonic sees that smirk and sticks his tongue out in response. Ekko is too useful, and the likelihood of Sonic finding another shinki that can stand him is slim. A little sass is a reasonable thing to endure for his one healthy relationship.

"Hmph, you're my shinki. It's my duty to make sure you're taken care of, that's all." He turns up his nose like he doesn't actually care. He even glances at Ekko to make sure he knows just how much he doesn't care. This totally because it's his job as a god, and not because he wants Ekko to like him.

Edited 2016-06-02 00:38 (UTC)

"Weird shit happens there." That seems reasonable enough to him. Besides if the monster's good enough at their job they should just be able to draw people there.

Sonic's both ridiculous and completely childish and Ekko can work with that well enough. At the very least he's not going to be bored while he's under Sonic's employment, and that counts for quite a bit.

"You're right, it is part of your job." Ekko looks more amused than anything else when Sonic tried to act indifferent. Sonic's not doing a great job of that when he looks over at him.

"Weird shit happens in the city too. I mean, have you seen anime conventions?" He grins like that was the cleverest thing he could have come up with. "Not to mention the Hero Association. There's a guy who paints his face like a pineapple. It's ridiculous, heroes will do anything for attention."

As if he's any better with his skin-tight bodysuit and constant boasting.

He can be an adult when he needs to be, he just doesn't see the point of it most of the time. Being an adult is boring, and making faces at his shinki when he's not looking is turned is far more entertaining. What? They're only getting lunch, it's not like being serious is necessary.

"Yes, it is my job, so what do you think you're doing, smirking at me like that? You should be grateful, I've heard there was one god who slept for three days while he left his shinki blighted."

That's a completely different kind of weird than he was thinking of, but more importantly "Hero Association?"

It's a little hard to believe Sonic's a ninja when he's so loud about it, but he supposes if people are already dead then nobody's going to discover him.

"You're trying to look uninterested, but it doesn't work when you glance over at me," blunt just like the edges of his weapon form. "I can take care of myself better than that guy. I can't believe you'd lump me in with somebody who didn't know how to get rid of that stuff."

Unlike some people, Ekko actually reads the posts people put up on that thing.

"It's a quasi-government agency that exists in my home world for dealing with the monster attacks," he explains with a roll of his eyes. "At one point they were marginally effective, but at this point, it's primarily populated by attention-starved incompetents who only joined for the fame and glory. They've been losing heroes at an accelerated rate lately too - two days before I came here, they held a conference in an attempt to bribe criminals into joining their little pretend play-time fun and games."

"It went about as well as you'd expect. I left early, since I was only there looking for Saitama, but I heard the crowd rioting as I walked out the door."

And hey, he's only been caught once, and that was only because of Saitama! He's good what he does, even if he's not good at being subtle about it.

"I have no idea what you're talking about." He takes a bite of his yakitori, straightening himself up and looking away from Ekko. "I am uninterested. You're not that interesting, after all. You're just some cocky teenager I'm stuck with until something better comes along."

Heaving a great, dramatic sigh, Sonic rolls his eyes again, throwing one hand up in defeat. "Fine, fine, it was a poor analogy. You are vastly more intelligent and independent than the majority of the shinki I have encountered. My point was, you could have it worse. I could be a callous god who doesn't bother with proper care and concern for those he's responsible."

Sonic's so hung up on this Saitama person and Ekko doesn't get it. As far as he can tell all Saitama did was beat him. It's not like Saitama went and murdered his family or something equally awful. But he also listens to the agency bit and he's also not inclined to think highly of them. What kind of protection agency goes to criminals to try and deal with threats. That's just stupid.

"Real believable." He doesn't buy Sonic's disinterest for a moment. Rewinding time is a useful power and he doubts Sonic could find something like it.

He takes a bite of his own food as he watches Sonic praise him. "Lucky me, you actually do your job." It might be slightly sarcastic, but he does mean it- in the way that teenagers tend to do.

Saitama beating him was a big deal. He wasn't just boasting before when he said he was undefeated before Saitama; it was true. He had run out of challenges, and he was bored. Not just a little bored, he was down to his very bones bored and without purpose. Days, contracts, employers, they all blended together and he couldn't find it in him to care.

Losing to Saitama had changed all that.

And Sonic's probably not the best person ask about the Hero Association. He's always been extremely cynical about it. Another person might offer a more positive opinion. Then again, another person probably didn't know about the Association offering jobs to criminals.

"Why would you doubt me? What reason would I have to lie to you?" Sonic only said until something better comes along, he never said he thought he'd find it. Although he really wouldn't mind having a proper sword again.

"You're very lucky," he says, nodding his head to reinforce the statement. The sarcasm doesn't phase him; Ekko has already proven himself to be a Mr. Sassy-pants, and besides, Sonic completely understands using sarcasm as a misdirection tactic. "Not only do I do my job, but I'm a perfectionist about it as well. If you ever find yourself in need, don't hesitate to come to me for assistance. I won't judge you harshly for it, and I will do everything in my power to make sure you are accommodated."

Look at him adulting. He's adulting so well right now. He is the most responsible adult he knows.

"You can, however, expect to be mercilessly teased."

Responsible. Adult.

If he had any memories of his life before being a shinki he might attempt to relate, but he was a teenager whatever fighting skills he had weren't nearly as polished. Being beaten was normal- which meant plenty to learn from every fight. At least his current self still thinks the same for most fights- even if he thinks Sonic's desire to throw his body at Saitama is weird.

"Really think you're gonna find something better?" Maybe his vessel form can evolve- he's heard some rumors. Though he's not so sure what he would 'upgrade' into.

Look at him adulting. He's adulting all over the place. If Ekko wasn't Ekko he might actually be impressed. As he is though, he's waiting for the catch- or for Sonic to be as childish as he's grown to expect.

"Ah-ha, there it is."

It's probably easier to just accept it and let it go rather try to get to the bottom of Sonic's weird obsession. He's not even willing to admit that it's a problem, getting to the bottom of it would be like trying to traverse a dungeon with layers and layers of locked and trapped doors.

"Who knows," he shrugs, flashing a smirk at Ekko. "I've got eternity to look, don't I? You might as well start packing your bags now."

"If I can handle your sass, you can handle a little bit of teasing," he sticks his tongue out at Ekko.

Oh yeah, his non-existent bags. All he's got is his clothes and the clock-hand that's a perfect replica of his vessel form. He guesses he used to use it as his own weapon (why). "Can't get rid of me that easy." He's sure of that, at least.

"I never said I couldn't handle it." But he's going to make it a point to not get into situations where he needs his god's help. He likes the one-sided sass thing they've got going for them.

"Especially since a god can take on multiple shinkis," he snorts, giving Ekko a shove. "Even if something better comes along, you just get a promotion."

"Uh-huh." With skeptical arch of his eyebrow, Sonic smirks at Ekko, putting one hand on his hip. "You are clearly intimidated by my teasing abilities. It's okay, I don't blame you. You're obviously young and easily flustered. Don't worry, I won't do it where anyone else will see."

Ekko wobbles a bit after the shove- look, not everybody spent their whole childhood training to be a ninja. Some people are science nerds- were science nerds? The fact remains he's best suited to magic over attack damage. "I'm not gonna turn down a promotion."

He takes another bite out of his yakitori. "I don't know what gave you that idea. You haven't even made me nervous." He doesn't feel that easily flustered.

Jeez, is Sonic going to have to drag Ekko into some strength training? That wasn't even that hard of a shove. Magic's all well and good, but it doesn't hurt to be able to defend yourself physically, either. "Not even if I make you babysit?"

"You should be nervous." He doesn't need to feel nervous, Sonic's just talking out of his ass, which he thinks the sun shines out of. "You might think you're the Sass King, but I've had several years head start on you in terms of practice. I'll get you when you least expect it, and your mind will be blown."

He's really not meant for taking many blows (usually). If he was, his vessel form would probably be some kind of shield. Mostly he relies on avoiding getting hit rather than surviving it. "Where are you going to get kids to make me babysit?" Who'd give Sonic children to look after?

"Ah-huh. I'll believe that when I see it." But until then he's going to assume Sonic's just talking big- he definitely seems like that type.

Speed training then. Gymnastics, too. It's not like Speed of Sound Sonic doesn't know a thing or two about dodging.

"The other shinki, I mean," he rolls his eyes. Really, children. Who would be stupid enough to give him children to look after? He wouldn't know what to do with them. "I'll amass an extensive weapons collection, and make you wrangle them."

Actually, he wouldn't mind that in the least. Maybe some throwing weapons, some explosives. Oh, and some traps, that would be fantastic.

"You won't. You won't even know what hit you."

He's not gonna dodge away while he's eating. Besides Ekko has a perfectly functioning dash into flash step- he's just not leaving his food.

"I could just make you a weapons collection." Ekko's a highly skilled shinki and Sonic should be grateful to have him. Explosives might be difficult, but he's sure he could make something workable. Projectile weapons don't sound too difficult.

"You sure talk the talk, I haven't seen you walk the walk."

Well, he's going to be short one skewer of Yakitori then.

With another roll of his eyes, he scoffs and flicks his wrist dismissively. "I could make myself a weapons collection, but that doesn't mean they're going to be useful against the Ayakashi. Don't get jealous of hypothetical future shinki. No matter how many I collect, you will always be my exemplar."

You'd think Ekko was actually worried about being replaced, gosh.

"A good assassin doesn't give away all his tricks on the first try. It'll happen when it's at the most strategic opportunity."

He glares and munches down on another skewer.

He's not worried, he just wants to make stuff. Being a vessel is all well and good but he has hobbies, dammit. And if he can make something useful to his god, all the better- or else he's going to open up shop to the entire Far Shore.

"Of course they don't." That's seems incredibly reasonable to him. He might not have been an actual assassin, but quick kills were his thing-- in Summoner's Rift.

Sonic won't turn down a mundane weapons collection. THAT he could use against Saitama. Dealing with the Ayakashi is just much harder to do, since it requires such specialized weaponry.

And shinki are all people too, oh god, maybe he should rethink this idea, he hates people, what would he do if he was actually responsible for a whole bunch of them?

Leave it to Ekko to deal with, probably.

"It's like you with your building, yes? You use the right tool for the task, and nothing more. I have no need to be sassing a cocky teenager." He reaches over to flick Ekko's nose.

That's part of being an exemplar, but they'd still be Sonic's and he's way too young to be a dad. If anything he's willing to be a part-time babysitter. Hopefully they don't end up with anybody under twelve- that sounds like a pain.

This time he expects the harassment and manages to lean away from the flick. "Got it, boss."

Sonic is very obviously the dad of this situation, being the mature, responsible adult that he is. And hey, if they manage to pick up another shinki that's older than Ekko, the time-twisting teen may just end up being the annoying kid brother!

He may expect the flick, but does he manage to catch the lightning fast poke aimed just beneath his rib cage? If you can't win with words, win with violence, that's what Sonic always says.

"What do you want for dinner when we get back? If we're going to get desserts, we might as well pick up some groceries on the way too."

That's a joke, right? That's gotta be a joke. Also he is not annoying, rude. Rude!

Nope, not when he's sitting and eating his lunch. But he takes it, looking slightly disgruntled as he finishes his last skewer.

"Steak sounds good."

He's going to cut off Sonic's accelerated training, that's extremely annoying.

Last skewer? No, Ekko is mistaken. He definitely has one more skewer left, even if, like, half the meat is gone.

"Hmmm, it is nice enough we could start a fire." He chews contemplatively on a skewer, then turns around to find a trashbin to throw it in. "Roast some vegetables wrapped in tinfoil in the embers. That sounds like a plan."

"Okay, I say we hunt down another 33 Ayakashi if we can, make it an even 50, then do our shopping and head home. We'll stop after we go one hour without finding anymore."