Test Drive Meme #36

[godsoffortune]

TEST DRIVE # 36



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.



Testy Testers
Welcome to being part of the test market! Here, in this small room filled with other volunteers, you will be asked your honest and unfiltered opinion on any number of products. Potato chips made only from the peel (clearly the best part), candy themed after the latest fashion trend (zippers), gloves made from 100% recycled paper (just because we can)... the list of odd and fabulous items goes on.
Conversation brings out more opinions, so you’re free to discuss your thoughts with other testers, but just don’t get in a fight over it, okay?

(Real-world inspiration for items can be found here!)


Umpire Usurp
Recently, one baseball umpire has been making headlines for an unfortunate reason. His calls at the plate have been getting progressively worse, calling obvious balls strikes and vice versa, to the point where the fans are livid and ready to riot.
Protect this umpire and get to the root of his problem? Join the side of the raging fans? Or maybe dig a little deeper and find out that someone stands to benefit from this umpire’s fall from grace.


Violence vs. Violin
After the disastrous earthquake and tsunami in East Japan, a violin maker made a violin from the driftwood. The sound of that violin is incredibly beautiful and soothing, touching the hearts of all who hear it.
Turns out, the power of the “tsunami violin” extends to the Far Shore as well.
At this concert, a grouping of small chick-like spirits that resonate with positive wishes have gathered. Unfortunately, that group attracts a pack of snake-like ayakashi that would love to devour those positive spirits.
It’s an unseen battle that will hopefully go unnoticed by the concert-goers and performers, if you do your job of dispatching the ayakashi well!


Wandering Whippoorwills
Traditionally, the Whippoorwill bird isn’t found outside of the Southeastern United States, but now astute birdwatchers are reporting seeing them in the vicinity of temples and shrines to Amenohiwashi-no-kami. Nature professors, veterinarians, auguries, and many others curious about the event have flocked (!) to the area to see for themselves if this is true.
The congestion around such a minor god’s temples and shrines is a little much for the caretakers to handle, though - from birds and people both - if you’d care to help out. For starters, there’s garbage collection, crowd control, rinsing off the sidewalks, or restocking some of the temple and shrine supplies that visitors want to take with them.


Xièxie
There are plenty of Chinese restaurants all over the globe, and they draw in crowds for many reasons. A less common one growing in popularity is young students trying to practice their language skills by reading the menu and ordering in their clipped Mandarin.
At the threshold of some Chinese restaurants, small pig-faced ayakashi are loitering, waiting to catch a ride in on a student’s shoulder. Then, no matter the student’s natural personality, they become progressively more brash and insulting as the ayakashi affects them.
The ayakashi are nimble despite their pig-like look, and if threatened will run around between people’s feet, making them difficult to catch.




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

[zanarkandian]

Okay. I like that plan. Did you see them in any nearby stores?

[He's...not always the most attentive.]

[blancslate]

[It's a shinki's job to take care of their god, right? Blake's also sensitive to the needs of others while keeping calm, weathering crowds well. But even his mood is slightly frayed on the edges.

Blake pulls out his phone and looks at a map app to study the area.]

Some restaurants around, looks like there's a riverwalk and park nearby.

[He gives a playful bow and offers his arm to her.]

Shall I escort you, ma'am?

1b

[puzzlingly]

「This guy isn't the only one giving an approving eye to the pong door, it saves space and it seems fun. The only fault it he can see is... You need to live with someone else who wants to play! Eh, it's totally fine, they are testing it at the moment. Maybe he can convince his god to get one!

Atem doesn't seem surprised in the slightest when this other guy asks him to play, he in fact seems rather pleased by the offer.」

All right. 「He takes the offered racket.」 What are the stakes?

[medicinemaster]

[Yaone had noticed. Her own opinions had been phrased far more diplomatically, every word chosen carefully to be as inoffensive as possible, when she'd given them at all. For the most part, she had been more intent on bringing the focus back to the task at hand or requesting another product if fights became too heated and unproductive. She'd been doing fairly well at it but her nerves are a little worn down after working at it all day.]

I am afraid not. Some parties do not seem interested in improving the quality of their work.

[medicinemaster]

[The cellphones they'd been given are very useful, fascinating devices, indeed. While the technology level in her own world is advanced in some ways, Yaone had never seen one before coming here. Since then, she's become rather attached to it, keeping it on her person at all times. Sometimes she uses it for communicating but she also uses it to read articles and e-books and to play charming little games to pass the time on slow days.

Yaone chuckles lightly at the bow, slipping her arm through his while maintaining proper platonic distance from.]

If you do not mind. I would like to stroll along the riverwalk unless there is somewhere else you would prefer to go instead.

[Yaone is slowly getting better at taking the lead and making decisions with increased practice. In this case, she does not have a strong preference for where they go as long as it's not back inside with the testers.]

[dredefulchilde]

[A certain fondness for small, adorable creatures seems to be a constant in almost all of the goddesses Joscelin comes across. He’s used to it by now and just rolls his eyes at this new one. The borderline isn’t going to last much longer.]

Name me. It’s a more permanent solution. We’ll take out the ayakashi and then you can unname me.

[blancslate]

[Blake took to his phone like a fish in water. It did not take long for him to download some sets to the texting program, begin sending cute animal videos, and find some games to play, all while setting up a few social media accounts and keeping an eye on the network.]

The riverwalk sounds great to me. No plans for the day, save for helping you out.

[The weather is nice, cloudy but warm enough for a nice walk. It's a little noisy from traffic, but still better than constant chatter in a closed room. Blake relaxes as they walk, hand tucked into his pant pocket.]

I was thinking I'd cook dinner tonight. Any preference?

[medicinemaster]

[Yaone's mind becomes calm and clear, her thought processes cooling as all traces of emotional reasoning slowly wash away. The boy is right. Destroying the ayakashi completely is a more permanent solution than simply rescuing the spirits. After all, the snakes would linger on to prey on the concert attendants and that would also be an unacceptable outcome.

Finally, Yaone gives a slight nod of acquiescence and uprights herself.]

Very well. I shall name you - but only for this battle. Do you understand?

[Her proper place is by Lord Kougaiji's side but if she must find new allies during this interlude of being away, she will.]

Umpire

[icameinlikea]

YOUR ANALYSIS IS CORRECT. THE CALL WAS NOT ACCURATE. POOR OFFICIATING DETECTED.]

[The metal ball promptly sprouts four legs as an extremely large hamster pops out of the hatch, angrily shaking one tiny little paw at the officiant and squeaking.]

[A moment later, two double-barreled assault cannons pop out in turn, clattering noisily and dramatically as they feed ammunition into their chambers.]

COMMENCING EXTERMINATION.

[dredefulchilde]

[Joscelin gives her a curt nod.]

Understood. My name is Joscelin Fitzthomas. Your servant, madam.

Atem ☆ Yu-Gi-Oh! DM ☆ shinki

[puzzlingly]

( Testy Testers )

「It seemed like a good idea at the time. He may not be able to remember being this hungry before in his life but he now constantly seems to be, more than once his own impatience had driven him to burn his tongue whenever he got a hearty plate of udon or ramen. Which is why this chopstick fan seemed perfect! Strange, yes, but who knows, it might be what the future might be like.

It is how he's now sitting down in front of a rather large ramen plate, chopsticks in hand, ready to devour it without having to wait an eternity for it to cool down—he turns on the fan and

the noodles fly right from his chopsticks to the person sitting right next to him.」

Ah—

( Wandering Whippoorwills )

The Whippoorwill aren't the only unusual birds that can be seen gathering at the temple. Anyone observant enough might notice the rather small falcon eyeing the birds from the top of the gate's torii, bobbing its little head without taking its sight from them.

If it is hunting, it hasn't really moved from there for a long time. And, why aren't those from the Near Shore noticing it?

Xièxie

[puzzlingly]

「There is one that actually listens to the racket, one who observes the other man trying to keep at bay the small ayakashi, though, he doesn't do much as he finishes his plate of Kung Pao Chicken. It doesn't take him too long.」

Hey.

「Yes, yes, this strange haired guy is actually addressing him! Without further ado, Atem simply offers the guy a plastic bag containing an oyster pail and a pair of chopsticks.」

You deserve a break, I'll take over.

[pockydeka]

I thiii~~nk that there's at least one down a street not far awayyy?

[ Kuga doesn't really know yet either. He is unfamiliar with the area, and opticians are not particularly high on his list of priorities. ]

[snowywolf]

[ Nobody said Gralat had to be a diplomat. He's not in this world or time or whatever willingly, it does not benefit Ellvaldez, and he may be a capable diplomat when he wants to be but- he doesn't want to be.

He lets out a huff at the confirmation. ]

Which is moronic. As is keeping up things that simply ought to be abandoned. The waste is baffling.

Ravine | Original | God

[whip_poor_will]

I. Wandering Whippoorwills

Where the whippoorwill is, a lanky giant woman is not far behind. Looming at over six-foot-eight, the tiny bird appears even smaller in her gloved hands. More seem to gather around her, perched on her shoulder or fluttering nearby before visiting the temples and other places. While to others it would sound like nothing more than the birdsong of a foreign species, Ravine has tilted her head towards the melodies tweets as if understanding some underlying message beneath the mystery presented here.

"You are a long way from home, my small friend," she speaks to the bird. A pause, as if she's just heard a muted reply. "Ah, yes, I understand..." She smiles down at the small bird huddled inside her cupped hands, feathers ruffled and black beady eyes bearing up at her. With another melodious chirp, the whippoorwill flaps its little wings and vanishes into some trees, a silent wind carrying threads of her long black hair over her collared neck. She brushes a strand behind her ear with a faint smile. "There are some who see them as omens of death. Perhaps they simply wanted to flee from that, if only for a while."

It is just conjecture, of course, but she tends to have such opinions on good authority.

II. Wildcard

[ooc: Want to catch a freakishly tall death god wandering around at night? Think it's time to meet your maker or something? Don't worry, she just likes to listen. That's not creepy at all.]

[oobaka]

[ Kaburagi frowns, pushing the tray away from him then folding his arms. ]

I can't eat this!! Next product!!!

[ CHILD... ]

[oobaka]

Nice spirit!!!

[ He grins, perking up as the guy (with AWESOME HAIR) takes one of the rackets. The question makes him pause for a bit, eyebrows furrowing before he comes up with an answer: ]

Loser has to listen to what the winner says for one whole day!! How's that?!

[ A personal butler for a day!! How awesome would that be!? (You do realize that you might lose, right...) ]

[puzzlingly]

「There is but the slight tilt of Atem's head, the stakes aren't as high as he would have imagined for some reason, they are actually a little funny. One that in all honesty wouldn't want to lose! A bet is a bet, however. He gives small nod that goes together with a smirk and goes to one side of the pong door.」

I don't think I have much to say to fill in a whole day, but, sure. Bring it on!

「There is not need to say what he's already implying.」

[notafruit]

[THANK GOODNESS. She's so grateful... she's so glad someone was able to save the little chick. There are still a number more out there but this is at least one chick for sure that has been saved from the mouth of an ayakashi.

. . . B-But now she's being lecture...!]

I-I'm sorry! [Everything had happened so fast and she wasn't sure what to do!] I knew I couldn't reach it in time, so I wasn't sure what else to do...

[notafruit]

I suppose there's that option!

[It would be an incredibly unusual look at the very least, that's for sure!]

Maybe a couple of heavy books in a bag would be the more practical method than hairy stockings. Although maybe they sell well on Halloween?

[zanarkandian]

Whoa, whoa!

[Tidus jumps to his feet, waving a hand in front of the weapon because he has little self preservation instinct.]

I don't think that's really necessary. I'm sure we could figure it out if we just talk to him. Or complain to the field manager and get a replacement.

...Maybe it's the ayakashi? And we don't usually need heavy artillery for that!

[zanarkandian]

Okay. Think I've got some pocket change. I'll be right back, lemme know if anything changes, okay?

[It's maybe five minutes before he returns, noticing that the crowd has become even more riled up in that time.]

...I'm guessing it got worse. We've gotta get these to him.

[zanarkandian]

[Wow, that looks good. Just as the earth spins, just as gravity keeps its hold, Tidus's loyalty can always be won with food. He's surprised, but clearly grateful.]

You sure? I'm not too good at all this yet, but I'll be right here if you want a backup.

[He's rather curious to see how it's really done.]

[puzzlingly]

If only not to scare the birds (he wouldn't, not really) Atem waits patiently from somewhere way above them. When the small bird finally leaves Ravine's hands, he plunges towards her. The small falcon perches gracefully on her head, letting out an almost cheerful chirp.

"Do they really care about that? They just seem to like you." In reality any animal would feel at ease around a god, where they a god of death or not. Right?

[puzzlingly]

I'm just a rookie myself, doesn't mean I shouldn't help you. You seem to have your hands full as it is.

「That said, he turns his head towards the line the other had traced. Was this truly all they could do for now? There is but a slight pang of frustration that he can feel. If only they could do something without the need for their gods to be around...」

As soon as those from the Near Shore cross the line our efforts will be useless. We should capture them before they become a real problem.

「Bossy much?」