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

umpire usurp

[Very little rattles him more than injustice on the field of play. While he might have jumped into the argument head-first once, he's been pulled back often enough by his god to have the sense to stand back and observe first.]

Whoa, seriously? That guy was clearly nowhere near the line. Either he seriously needs to get his eyes checked, he's being bribed, or there's some kind of foul spirit play going on. But I don't see anything. Do you?

[He's a new shinki and still learning. Please help.]

Xièxie
'Scuse me, coming through!

[Why do they cram so many tables in? He silently curses the lack of space as he squeezes past servers to cast a line spell, hoping to slow at least a few until his god, another god, or a more powerful shinki shows up. It's not going well.]

Man. Shame I can't ask 'em for a meal after this.

[He pushes a serving cart out of the way, muttering apologies that will likely fall on deaf ears.]

wildcard
[Something else? Feel free to catch him trying, failing, or inexplicably running at 5 AM all around town. Or anything else you might desire.]

A. Testy Testers

[Honest and unfiltered opinions don't slip easily past Yaone's lips, not when she's been raised to be polite, formal, and respectful of others at all times and it's a sentiment she tends to agree with far more often than not. Many of the testers have been incredibly, um, forthcoming with their opinions of the rather creative items before them. In fact, all of this forthrightness is starting to give Yaone a slight headache so she calmly stands up, bowing to the group.]

I am sorry. Excuse me. I must take a break and get some fresh air. Please carry on without me.

[And with that, Yaone starts scurrying, mouselike, toward the exit.]

B. Violence vs. Violin

[It's a beautiful concert and the story behind the instrument remarkably touched Yaone. After a period of just listening and slightly swaying in time to the music while watching the little chick spirits gather, the youkai woman catches a glimpse of something dark and serpentine moving toward their newfound prey. She inclines her head toward the nearest Far Shore resident, softly murmuring.]

There are ayakashi present here.

[That gentle tone masks the steel of determination as Yaone's eyes narrow at the gathering enemy. To disrupt a special event meant to heal the hearts and minds of those who've lost loved ones in the recent disasters is despicable and unforgivable. She will not let this stand.

Without another word, Yaone bends down to reach for one of the snakes, intent on gripping it behind its head so it can't easily bite her. If she's unaware it'll blight her if she touches it, if she's not thinking through the action, or if she simply isn't concerned about her own safety at the moment is anyone's guess.]

Would you please help me dispose of these?

[Stop her, help, or intervene?]

C. Wandering Whippoorwills

[It's busy. Very busy. Too busy. Softspoken, gentle Yaone probably isn't the best choice for crowd control but she'd been free to receive the prayer so here she was regardless. There's just so many people! A very flustered and flushed, seemingly human woman is running interference at the temple entrance. Her voice barely rises above the din of the crowd as she speaks in a frantic, almost desperate tone.]

Please wait your turn. There will be an opportunity for all of you to see the birds. I ask that you are patient and stay back behind the line.

[To punctuate her statement, Yaone picks up a nearby broom and draws a thick line in the dirt with the tip of the handle.]

Please do not come any further.

[Yaone may need some reinforcements.]

D. Wildcard

Edited 2019-01-04 05:12 (UTC)

Testy Testers

Um...

[Helping test new products is exciting! They get to help make a difference and allow others to have an honest review of how products work. In fact, some of the inventions are great! Some of the others, though, are a little...]

Anti-pervert stockings?

[She...holds up the hairy fabric dubiously. She's all for helping everyone test the products, but this is a little...]

I'm not sure that a lot of people would like to wear them though...

[And her next product to test is the hug me pillow. There's... some really unique inventions.]

Violence vs. Violin

Line--!

[The advancing snake is cut off, just seconds before lunging down to scoop up one of the tiny chicks in its mouth. In relief, Tohru sinks to her knees. T-That was close...! She almost witnessed something terrible! And yet there's no time to relax. Quickly getting back to her feet she rushes over to the small chick and carefully picks it up before placing it in one of her coat pockets. It joins a second one there. Meanwhile, her other pocket has three.

. . . She really needs to find something to put them all in, because she's running out of room!

And with so many chicks and an increasing number of snakes, they're all going to have to work fast.]

Oh no--!

[She sees another, outside of her reach. And this time, she doesn't think she can get to it in time.]

Birdie-san, look out!!

[Hands lifting as the snake dives forward, she covers her eyes. She can't watch it get killed!]

Wildcard

[If you have a different option, feel free to hit me up with it!]

Edited 2019-01-04 05:13 (UTC)

[Blake is polite and fair in his criticism and compliments, a people-person through and through, a callback to his forgotten life as the face and manager of a non-profit organization. Charm comes easy as does laughter and even the most absurd and impractical item gets a compliment (even if he has dig real deep for it).

As Yaone excuses herself, Blake smiles and claps his hands together, rising and bowing.]

Pardon me, as she says, carry on without us. Explore and critique away.

[They'll be forgotten as soon as they leave the table anyway. Blake follows after Yaone, easily catching up to his god. His smile fades into worry.]

Everything okay, ma'am? Want me to get you water or anything?

Yaone, wait--

[ Dokugakuji reaches forward to pull her back by her shoulder, so that hopefully it doesn't wrench her arm, just stops her before she can hurt self. ]

Never touch an ayakashi with your bare hands. This is where the shinki come in.

[ He's holding a lantern in his other hand and lifts it by way of explanation. ]

Wait--! You mustn't...!

[Tohru hasn't been here long, but she's learned how dangerous it is to touch the ayakashi. She doesn't want to hurt the woman or push her aside, and there's little time to think. Which is why Tohru makes a grab for the snake first, to stop the beautiful older girl from harming her own hands.

At once the blight burns and the snake twists in her hands. Its head moves up and abruptly its fangs bury into her arm. With a welp, Tohru releases it.

O-ouch...

She grits her teeth, but after a second her head lifts to look at the other woman worriedly.]

You didn't touch it, right? It didn't blight you?

Edited 2019-01-04 05:37 (UTC)

[Yaone stops, midreach, turning to give Dokugakuji a questioning look.]

Is it? Are they the ones that handle matters like this?

[She'd listened very diligently to the shinki's lecture about the roles of gods and shinki and how they all fit into Heaven but hasn't had time to completely absorb the information just yet. The thought of risking personal injury doesn't seem to enter her mind at all but she trusts Dokugakuji's word more than anyone's in this place. If he says she should never touch an ayakashi barehanded then she won't.]

How do you propose we handle it then? If there are no shinki...

[The snakes are continuing to slither in as they speak. They haven't reached the chicks yet but it's evident they'll be devoured quickly if they fail to act soon. It's also clear from the underlying steel in Yaone's tone that not handling it is not going to be an option.]

Edited 2019-01-04 05:45 (UTC)

[Even during Yaone's time at Houten Castle, she never was able to get used to being addressed with a title. After spending so many years being an attendant herself, Yaone is still getting used to having one of her own. At Blake's inquiry, she smiles gently, shaking her head slightly.]

I am fine. Thank you.

[After a quick glance back toward the group of testers to make certain they're no longer being noticed, she adds quietly:]

I felt a little overwhelmed. I am not fond of arguments.

[Her dislike of it it isn't enough to hinder her from defending others who need it but the natural aversion is still there under the surface.]

But you seemed at ease among them.

[Yaone sounds faintly impressed by his people skills, honestly.]

I wouldn't trust anyone who likes arguments.

[Blake smiles and winks. Already the table is starting on the next presentation. Some kind of new candy flavor? Hmm, the food ones are interesting, though what is with the obsession with savory sweets? Fish and cream do not belong in jelly beans.]

I guess. Talking is easy, so's trying to help people out and make others feel good.

[That is what they're trying ultimately, right? Sure, some of the ideas are bad, but that only means there's space to improve. Blake crosses his arms and huffs, voice dropping to a stage whisper.]

Though between you and me, ma'am? I'm ready for a nap.

I'll explain in a bit, but first-

[ He appreciates Yaone so much, especially now that she's here, but if her primary concern is the ayakashi NOT getting to its victims, then he'll "explain" to her by way of demonstration. ]

Kanki - Rend!

[ And he slams the lantern hard, down on top of the head of an ayakashi snake. The white light explodes for a few seconds, but Dokugakuji is very familiar at this point. He realizes she didn't know that one of his two Soulless shinki was the lantern.

It doesn't destroy more than one of them, it makes the rest retreat several feet, but that gives Doku enough time to give Yaone some more details. ]

It's a joint effort. Gods use their power to start the Rend spell, but need a shinki to receive that power and finish the spell when their vessel hits the ayakashi target.

No... No, it didn't... Thank you.

[The swift appearance of the girl takes her off-guard. At the sight of the the girl's hand, ugly purple blotches already mottling the fair skin, Yaone's eyes soften with sympathy, even as her expression hardens with determination. She quickly kicks the dropped snake away from the girl, its blight eating into the leather but not through it given the brief contact.

Yaone hastily fumbles through a fanny pack at her waist for a bottle of holy water.]

Here. Pour this on your hand. It will heal the blight. I will open it for you.

[Yaone twists open the bottle, holding it out to her.]

Don’t touch it!

[Joscelin pushes the god out of the way of the snakelike ayakashi, wincing when he brushes against it. Blight immediately travels up his forearm to the elbow and he wheels on the strange goddess, waving the blackened limb accusingly.]

Are you thick?! This is what happens when you touch them. Line.

[His spell casting continues to be weak and mostly inefficient, but at least there’s some sort of barrier between them and the snakes.]

Christ, what an idiot you are. I really don’t care if you want to kill yourself, but I’d sooner not be collateral damage while you do so.

Edited 2019-01-04 06:25 (UTC)

I see... So that is how it is done.

[Yaone's not sure how she feels about depending on someone that isn't Dokugakuji in a combat situation but if neither of them are shinki, she's going to have to, isn't she? If neither of them can kill an ayakashi without a shinki, then they'll need to rely on outside assistance.

However, since Yaone is without a shinki at present, her mind races quickly to figure out what she can do in this situation. After a second or two, Yaone reaches down again only this time she's reaching down to scoop up the chicks instead. They're not ayakashi so this should be safe enough, right?]

You seem experienced at this, Dokugaku.

1a. testy testers (i)

Banana mayonnaise!?

[ There's an apparent curiosity and disgust shown on Kaburagi's face when the first testing product is offered his way. It looks like a plate of pale-colored custard and it smells strongly like bananas, with a hint of salt and egg yolk. It's served with a piece of bread beside it, and the person handing him the tray tells him that it tastes just like banana custard, but in a savory flavor.

He pauses for a second, eyebrows furrowed, then nods. ]

Banana custard is good!

[ Happy, he takes the bread, puts some of the banana mayonnaise on top of the bread, and— ]

What is this!!! You're being rude to bananas!!!! Apologize to bananas!!!!!!

[ Well, what exactly did you expect from banana mayonnaise. ]

1b. testy testers (ii)

[ Thankfully for Kaburagi, weird food stuff isn't all this event has. His eyes widen enthusiastically when he sees the next product: a ping pong table door. ]

This is genius!! Every house should have this!!!

[ He blinks in excitement, a ping pong racket in each hand, looking around him like searching for something— ]

Hey, you!! [ He waves one of the racket in his hand. ] You can play, right?! Play with me!!

[ Did you forget the actual purpose of this event. ]

2. wandering whippoorwills

[ Kaburagi has never seen the shrine this crowded except on new year's day — no, even on new year's it's never been this crowded! Getting out of his bed, he runs excitedly to the corridor, seeing all these new followers to his god. Finally! People's eyes have been opened!! People finally see how cool his god is!!!

Grinning excitedly, he slides down the stair railings, then jumps into the pool of people in the shrine's ground. Now that he looks at them more properly, it seems like everyone is holding a pair of binoculars. Oooh, they want to see his god's shrine so much that they're looking at it closely with binoculars!! That's awesome!!! As expected from—

His thoughts are put into an immediate halt when he feels something dropped on top of his head. He blinks, confused, and just as he reaches for his head and looks up above him— ]

What the—

[ —immediately two other birds decide that this particular location at this particular time is good to take a dump, right on his face. Whoops. ]

3. wildcard!

Edited 2019-01-04 09:11 (UTC)

[Yaone topples sideways as the small figure barrels into her side, mildly taken aback by such a venomous outburst at first. For a moment, she just stares at the boy, brow slowly furrowing, head slightly tilting to the side inquisitively as if being presented with a puzzle. Then she finally smiles, just a bit, then starts speaking as if he hadn't just screamed at her.]

Thank you for saving me. If it is not too much to ask, won't you hold on a little longer? These spirits are in danger. I wish to move them to safety.

[Those chicks are awfully cute and fluffy. A certain other goddess he'd once known might have tried to rescue them, too.]

Edited 2019-01-04 07:29 (UTC)

[Blake's certainly managing to make her feel better. Yaone's not exactly shy but she does tend to be quiet and cautious around most people. She is rather sensitive to the moods of others in some ways; it is easy for her quickly become uncomfortable in the midst of large groups of loud, disorderly people. The atmosphere among the testers had become progressively uncivil. Yaone never knows what to say or do in situations like that. All too often she freezes up until a shock snaps her back to her senses.]

Perhaps we should both rest then. I am certain there is something relaxing and enjoyable for us to do.

[A calm, peaceful interlude might be just what they both need before taking on the rest of the tasks for today.]

[ One of the other taste testers is quietly continuing to eat his bread and banana mayonnaise without protest, and he's looking slightly annoyed with how loud the kid is being. ]

Can't you at least finish your food before you start complaining? Without being such a disruption.

[ A boot goes down on a section of the snake ayakashi's body, abruptly stopping it in its path. The little chick that almost got eaten lets out a startled squawk as the snake let out a startled hiss. The blight can't take hold through the leather but the snake is certainly not happy with the god stepping on it. ]

You know just shouting "look out" isn't very useful to anyone even if they are capable of understanding the words, don't you?

[ He's completely unimpressed. ]

I thi~~~~nk it would be cheaper to just not shave for a whi~~~le, don't you~~?

[ It's a weird thing to sell. It looks so, so bad. He can't imagine anyone would want to wear them. ]

[ She may have heard Gralat be quite brutal on occasion. He left for air a while ago, but it's not out of being tired of honesty. Gralat is generally honest, unless he's forced not to be for diplomatic reasons. They did manage to make him angry, though.

He glances over at her with an almost impassive expression when he notes someone stepping outside. His irritation with what's going on inside has not entirely settled. ]

I assume the madness is showing no inclination to abate.

May~~~be he needs to try glasses first~~~~~ if there's nothing else obviously wrong than his sigh~~~t.

[ Just a suggestion. If it is just glasses that the umpire needs, then they won't have to dig further for ayakashi that might not even be there. ]

What?! There's no way I— anyone can finish this!!

[ He huffs as he waves his arms exaggeratedly. Hey, it's them who are weird for being able to eat this without protesting! ]

Can you?!

[ Sure enough, from the look of their faces, a few people seem to share the sentiment. But they just look at each other and continue to quietly eating their bread with the banana mayo thing, not wanting to be reeled into the argument. ]

[ Gralat finishes the last of his mayo-bread and even licks the crumbs off his fingers. ]

I'll finish anything as long as it's not poisoned, even if it taste like horse shit smells. Wasting any food is idiotic.

[ Which is a chilly tone and withering look aimed at anyone not about to eat up. If people were picky eaters in Ellvaldez, they would drop dead in even larger numbers than they already were. ]

[ On the contrary, Kaburagi used to live a pretty spoiled life, pretty much making a fuss whenever something doesn't go his way. And being spoiled also comes with another thing: a sense of fearlessness, one that makes him not feel the chill in the air as the other participants quickly eat their mayo bread. ]

Making this kind of food is wasting food in the first place!! You can't even call this food!!

[ Hey do you realize the one making this is probably nearby (but then again they did ask for 'honest opinions'...) ]

[ Spoiled children of rich countries. He loathes them. ]

But it has been made. Then you eat it.

[ He won't deny that it was a waste to make it, it's foul. But that does not change facts that once it's been made it should be eaten no matter flavor. ]

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Test Drive Meme #36

Tidus | Final Fantasy X | Shinki

Yaone | Saiyuki | God

Tohru Honda | Fruits Basket | Shinki

Testy Testers

Violence vs. Violin

Violence vs. Violin

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kaburagi issa・yowamushi pedal・shinki

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1a

violence vs violin

testy testers

testy testers

umpire usurp

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