takamagahara | Test Drive Meme #36

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Test Drive Meme #36

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!

Threaded | Top-Level Comments Only

[ In a swirl of orange and white light, Kairi becomes a very special sort of umbrella, which can be pulled together in its resting position and used like a sword, or swiped across an ayakashi when it's fully opened, or possibly even just smacked on their tiny heads with the tip of the closed umbrella. Whichever way ends up being most comfortable for Ryuu, a Rend spell will take out the ayakashi. ]

'Like I said, easy enough to conceal in public. It's just the transformation that's kind of weird to Near Shore people. Now you can try to get those ayakashi.'

Edited 2019-01-06 02:22 (UTC)

「When you're a bird it's a little hard to make expressions, they are rendered into little jumps, wings flapping and tail fluttering, it's his tail which spreads, pleased to listen that he can be heard.」

Of course I can. I'm a shinki, and you?

Heh, I'm not sure I have enough money to get one in a restaurant.

「He'd rather save his allowance to get booster packs, obviously He finally stands from the table and waits for the other.」

Got any preference? 「Please don't say McDonald's.」

I didn't know shinki could become animals! I'm a god, although I don't really feel like one.

[Sometimes, it was hard to believe she was a cardcaptor as well. She adjusted herself, sitting down properly so her feet hung over gate. She returned the card, pocketing it and sealed her staff, tucking the necklace back under her kimono.

He was free to hop on her lap if he liked!]

How are you taking being a shinki?

[And the fact that it meant this person had died. It was something she was familiar with but nonetheless felt sadness over it.]

「It takes Atem a moment to speak again, taking in what she's doing. Was that a card? He seems to have taken interest in that, but would it be too rude to ask? He's supposed to behave in front of other gods, after all, they are all mysterious in their own way and asking would be rude. Maybe.」

I didn't know either.

「He's not exactly sure if it'd be nice to perch on anyone that's not his god, though, but it surely feels awkward to hold a conversation from such different heights. 」

I... don't really know how to answer that. I don't have anything to compare it to.

「More like, he doesn't remember. There is no sadness in his tone, however, he doesn't remember his death being painful or sad, just that he died.」

I wouldn't call it a second chance at life but, it sure feels nice to be able to be useful and help people despite it all.

「He gives a little jump.」

... What kind of goddess are you?

[ He chuckles. ]

I'll take that as a compliment.

[ Then he rubs at his neck. ]

I've had... 6 shinki in the time I've been here.

[ Since he's not trying to distinguish between the Soulless and the ones like Shinji. ]

Had to learn a lot about what I could do for them.

[ 'Since I'm never going back,' he thinks as he watches her move the chicks out of the way. ]

Edited 2019-01-06 03:38 (UTC)

[She does notice his intent look and she gives him a sheepish look, flushing. She was not entirely sure how to explain it herself, not many knew of her gifts at home and those that did had already been familiar with the magic from the get go, Tomoyo aside.

Although, it made her miss her family and friends back home. She sighed softly, resting her hands on her lap and looking up at the sky.]

I suppose it would be difficult without memories. But, as long as you're happy and you have friends by your side, then I'm certain that everything will surely be alright.

[She smiled at him, tilting her head. She could always depend on her invincible spell.]

I'm Sakura, by the way. Sakura Kinomoto. And, hm... well, I'm a goddess but I represent a powerful magician from legend instead. So, I don't know what kind I am. But I'm going to do my best to be a good goddess!

「Being a god meant they knew everything about themselves, right? Or that they at least had memories of their past, it was said that they even were able to see the past of their shiki as well. There is but a slight pang of envy, he shouldn't be thinking of that, but it's sometimes hard to, especially when he didn't really talk about it to anyone. Quickly, he shakes himself, preening his feathers instead, something that'd be merely a shake of his head and a hand running through his wild hair were he in his human form. Better not give it any thought, things are better this way.」

I'm Atem, nice to meet you. Heh, sounds like you're on the right path already.

「He hesitates, how does a bird look like when hesitating though, maybe it's not really noticeable.」

Do you have more cards? Do you channel your magic that way?

「She doesn't seem to be the type of goddess that would get offended from being asked things.」

Edited 2019-01-06 06:03 (UTC)

Right, right. New plan. Come on....

[He glances around at the nearby supplies. Brooms, chairs, buckets...hm. He picks up a bucket and turns it over in his hand.]

Wait. What if the line was here?

[He trailed a finger over the rim of the bucket.]

Uh...advantages. Let's see.

If you go in guns blazing, you're gonna scare people. And panicky people are prime targets for ayakashi. And that makes more danger, which then makes more angry spirits if it gets really bad.

So you see how it could get out of control.

Really? Because I kinda...

[Oh dear. He scrambles over and offers his hand.]

You okay?

「Ah, now he's talking! Atem smirks at the plan, it doesn't sound too bad!」

It could work. 「It could, right?」 I'll help you either way, better than trying to do it all by yourself. Would you rather eat first or celebrate later? You might need the energy, though.

[There's a woman all in black sitting next to Tidus in the stands, and to be honest, she looks as lost as he is. Not to mention, she's wearing an all black ensemble including a coat in the middle of spring. How is she not sweating up a storm?! But no, she looks comfortable and immaculate, more or less.]

I can't really tell if the rulings are wrong, but everyone sure does seem unhappy. You think this might be an ayakashi's doing?

[Tohru might have noticed the tall, stately looking woman who gave the company an earful about potato peel chips and what a travesty they were. At the sight of the stockings, she can't help but let out an uneasy laugh.]

Well, at the very least, I'm impressed at how well made they are. But I can't see them being well received, no.

[What an awful tragedy! Cynthia lets out an exclamation of disappointment as she watches the noodles go flying. Such a horrible waste of good food.]

We need to let them know about such an outstanding flaw! After everything they put us through, you deserved the reward of a good meal!

[Coincidentally enough, this woman has had passionate things to say about every eating-related product up until now.]

[The shinki Yaone ends up addressing is an unusual one, in that she's actually a foot-taller-than-an-adult, shark-like dragon. Her god had been suspicious of this event, and thus, she'd been dispatched in her vessel form, enjoying the lack of attention received by denizens of the Far Shore in order to move freely.

The fact that Yaone was talking to her at all was more than enough for her to realize she was talking to someone else who lived in mortals' blindspots. The so-called dragon nodded.]

It looks like we weren't the only one with this sort of thought. Sure, I'll work together with you.

Edited 2019-01-06 10:29 (UTC)

[Testy Testers]

[Cynthia was always happy to contribute to being a responsible consumer... or at least, she was as far back as she could remember, which given she was a shinki, wasn't really all that long.

Nevertheless, she was bold in her assessments. The potato peel chips hadn't earned much more than utter scorn for her, the pocket ice cream maker seemed impractical and messy, and she didn't even have to try to tell them that the pair of speaker earphones would do nothing but damage their customers' eardrums.

By the time the focus group was on break, she seemed a bit weary, but otherwise, she didn't slouch, and more or less maintained her composure and unflappable demeanor. After a moment, she decided to strike up conversation with someone, and turned to one of the people sitting beside her.]

They've certainly demoed a lot of... interesting products today. Personally, I haven't been impressed with most.

[Violence vs. Violin]

[Ah, culture. Something about it makes it feel like something Cynthia missed... perhaps she's half-remembering some kind of magnificent performance from her past life? Either way, she's standing there, in the back of the auditorium, absorbing the sound and looking fondly at the spirits that have gathered in response to the feelings these artful melody has created.]

Exquisite. A splendid melody, born from the aftermath of a tragedy... I can feel the history in this song.

[... But then, something catches her eye. Something slithering out of the shadows, under people's feet and their seats, preying upon the bird-like spirits. It takes the sound of one being taken for Cynthia to fully realize what's happening, and she frowns as the spirit's ill fate causes two people nearby to begin an argument that, ultimately, gets them escorted out of the auditorium.]

It seems that the laws of nature even apply to spirits. Nevertheless, we can't let this ruin the concert.

[Wandering Whippoorwills]

Fascinating.

[Cynthia was supposed to be helping out, with crowd control, garbage pick up, or whatever. But her interest was clearly elsewhere, what with the species of bird she'd never seen before and the location, which seemed to be rich in folklore and cultural history. All things the blonde felt an innate pull towards.]

This is so fascinating! Amenohiwashi-no-kami is said to have planted paper mullberry trees and then introduced their bark as a ceremonial offering! It's said that he was associated with eagles, since one took roost upon the end of his musical instrument... I wonder what associations drew these whippoorwills to his shrines!

[By now, a number of whippoorwills have taken roost in Cynthia's hair, upon her shoulders, and even nestled in the fuzzy collar of her coat.]

And what handsome, distinctive birds! Their cry is so nostalgic... I wonder why. [Yes, why would an animal that sort of speaks its own name feel familiar to you, Cynthia?] Ah, it feels like there's an opportunity to learn so much, here!

[She reaches up and absentmindedly pets one of the whippoorwills on her shoulder. Does she even know they're there, or is she just not concerned.]

Edited 2019-01-06 10:56 (UTC)

[Transporting the chicks would be much easier with a box but Yaone's doing what she can. Before long, her arms are full of the little spirits, one of them fluttering up to perch on her shoulder while she works.]

Six? That is so many!

[At least, it seems that way to a fledgeling goddess who has never really had servants of her own. It's still a very strange prospect, having a title and attendants. The idea alone just seems very wrong to her.]

You must have a very busy temple, Dokugaku.

[At the moment, she's picturing Dokugakuji trying to manage that many shinki all at once. The realization that her best friend is dead and that the Far Shore is his final stop hasn't set in yet either. Why would it? After all, when Yaone had seen him last, he'd been standing right next to her, just as alive as she had been.]

「There is nothing left to do for the noodles, Atem doesn't make much of a fuzz either way, apologizing quietly to whoever can hear him. But he wasn't ready for the enthusiastic speech. He actually looks around, is she really talking to him? Yeah, she is.」

Ah, sure, I was going to write a review since they would likely forget if I told them. It's alright though, don't worry about it. I'll get something else once I get out of here.

「He walks away from the booth and meets her halfway.」

Have you tried anything good?

[The network and social media interest Yaone. In her own world, she'd been in the practice of idle chatting with those who did not mind her company or quietly listening in on others conversations as a means of gathering intelligence. The advanced technology has made it much easier for Yaone to stay up to date on current events and socialize others from a physical distance. It's been nice.]

Dinner, you say? I am not a picky eater but I do hope you have something healthy and nutritious in mind for us to eat.

[Yaone has a strong preference for fresh, organic ingredients and avoids anything that is processed as much as possible. If there is one thing that Yaone has come to dislike a little about this new world, it's the abundance of chemical additives and preservatives in everything.]

[Yaone remembers the incantation well enough though this is the first time she's used it. She speaks quietly, the formal words rolling easily off her tongue. She tries to get through it as quickly as possible.]

My name is He Xiangu. Grasping thy true name, I bind thee here. With borrowed name, I dub thee my servant. The name answers, the vessel to sound. I call thee as my divine instrument. The name, Taka. The vessel, You. Come, Youki!

She gives him a wry look. "Are you implying that I myself am an ill omen?"

Technically, yes. Whip-poor-wills are her signifier, distinguished from other reapers such as herself.

...

Except she isn't a reaper anymore. Not here, at any rate. It's easy to forget that sometimes.

At his question, Ravine just raises a brow.

"What about them?" She glances over at the foreign birds surrounding the nearby temple and frowns, as curious spectators swarm the area as a result. It would be one thing if the crowds came here for the gods, but... Suppose that makes them more of a nuisance than a welcome development. "You could always distract them with majestic presentation. Pygmy falcons are no more common in this country than the whip-poor-will."

It's not an entirely serious suggestion, but at the same time... maybe?

[The response just earns a laugh-- it's very honest! And Tohru tends to agree. Whoever came up with the idea, maybe didn't consider the fact that people usually try to dress... nicely. At least practically.]

I think I'm too embarrassed to even try them on.

Their work means a great deal to them. It is clear that they put a lot of heart and passion into it.

[Being an earnest, young woman who tries very hard at a task that others prefer that she stop, Yaone can relate to those trying to get their products to market. However, those who refuse to listen or consider any advice at all are simply making matters harder for themselves.]

But I fear their dreams will be crushed by the marketplace if they do not heed the warnings they have been given.

Edited 2019-01-06 19:22 (UTC)

[ Oh! That's a very positive thing at least! They really do look real. Maybe too real... rather than make whoever the inventor is feel bad, they could look at it from a different perspective.]

Maybe... there's a guy who would like to wear them! For the ultimate burly effect!

Threaded | Top-Level Comments Only

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Test Drive Meme #36

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･▽･ glad you approve!

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<3

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Xièxie

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umpire usurp

testy testers

testy testers

Violence vs. Violin

Cynthia | Pokemon Diamond/Pearl/Platinum | shinki

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