dagung | TDM: April

Entry tags:

* tdm

TDM: April

Test Drive: April

All threads can be considered game canon,

the prompts and test drive itself will be

• Reserves Open Today! If you're interested in securing a spot, put one in! We accept applications without reserves too, of course. Reserves will expire three days before the end of the application period, on the 28th.
• Applications Open The 24th! These will last until the end of the month, the 30th, with the game formally beginning on May 1st. The application page can be found here.
• If you have any questions about the game or the world, please refer to the FAQ page; if you still have questions, feel free to ask them! For questions specific to the test drive, please ask them on the appropriate thread.
• For the purposes of the test drive, your character will have access to all magics taught by the Coven if they're a Witch, and as much of their shifted form as you'd like if they're a Monster. Feel free to play around and experiment with each!
• Test drive threads can be used as samples for your applications!

You feel like you're floating. Around you, colors and sounds and smells swirl as if trapped in a whirlpool, vibrancy and hue ever shifting. The more you watch them, the less solid they are; they only become clear out of the corner of your eye. The area around you begins to feel more solid as well, until your feet are on the ground, the wind brushes playfully against your face -

and you know one thing, and one thing alone: this is a dream, and an incredibly realistic one at that.

The Tea Party

The air turns a sweeter smell, almost like a bakery; the gentle laughter and chatter of living creatures filters in through leaves that brush against you, hanging from winding vines that hang from above. Flowers in shades of orange and red glow faintly among the greenery, their petals curling in shyly once they're paid attention to. As the area comes more into focus, the shadows of insect-winged forms become clearer, flitting about - talking about some kind of party, about a Queen, about the Courts meeting on neutral ground for the first time in a thousand years.

You're not entirely sure what's going on, and it doesn't seem as if anyone's noticed you've arrived - but three different paths unfurl in your mind's eye, vague in shape and meaning.

A Taste of Faeryland...
Following the voices, you find them: smaller-than-average humanoids with thin limbs, a variety of wings (prismatic butterfly, fuzzy moth, delicate bee - all of it), large, glittering compound eyes, antennas fitting their winged insect-type... Those familiar with the tales of the fae might recognize these Monsters as something similar. They greet you as if you were an old friend regardless of your appearance, inviting you to sit down at the table - which seems to go on forever in the large dining hall-esque canopy of nature they have set up, lined with elegant porcelain tableware and shimmering orbs of magic.

The food is similarly endless, ranging from the familiar to the unusual, and careful observation (or just plain digging in) shows the following effects: breakfast foods make you glow and emit colorful sparks, brunch foods get you floating as if filled with bubbles, lunch foods will make you feel as if you've taken part in happy hour, dinner foods will make you insatiably hungry, and dessert will make you feel as if you should simply stay in Faeryland forever... It's possible to mix and match these with effects, but do be careful.

The creatures present speak in high, lilting voices about nothing in particular at all - if asked anything serious, they merely give the character a curious if disproving look and say it's impolite to speak of politics over a meal. Ask something a little more lighthearted though, and they laugh and still... don't quite answer, patting your hand and asking if you'd like an extra slice of buttered bread and jam. The tables aren't exactly the best place for eavesdropping and learning what's going on, it seems - but there are plenty of exits out of the dining hall. Large, beetle-like Fae stand guard at the entrances of various hallways outside of the hall in the castle though, preventing anyone from entering them. When asked, they simply reply these are to private quarters that ordinary guests aren't allowed into and refuse to budge on the matter.

A Coalition of Interests...
The Seelie and the Unseelie Courts of the Fae - whether you know them or not, evidently it's a big deal that they're meeting tonight. Or over several days and nights; the Fae themselves seem to be in a bit of an argument over how long they actually want to stay in the same company as their counterparts, neutral ground of the Dewaint Forest. Regardless, there are no marked differences between the two physically, and they all speak of a singular Queen heading them; behaviorally, though, that's another thing entirely.

Those of the Seelie Court are quicker to engage in conversation and prefer it one-on-one, hardly allowing a word in edgewise and getting irritated when interrupted; their pranks are usually mildly malicious, with spells causing uncontrollable laughter, color changes, and charms to make the charmee fall in love at first sight with whomever they see first peppering their repertoire. Returning to their good graces is fairly easy - the gift of something pretty as an apology tends to work, but each Fae has their own very particular gift they like. If it's messed up even a little bit, they won't accept it, and will merely play another trick upon the giftee.

Those of the Unseelie Court, meanwhile, are a little harder to talk to; they prefer to prank and trick first to test those they might be interested in as a group, not unlike children trying to get the attention of someone they like by pulling their hair. Their pranks usually range from genuine hurt (such as pulling hair, stinging nettles, or simply beating them with bound vines) to curses (losing one's voice, the head of an ass, or full-scale animal transformations). Withstanding these, or standing up to these Fae, earns as much of their ire as it does their respect - the truly respectful human will be subjected to headpats and collars, like a pet.

A Treacherous Adventure...
As beautiful as it is outside of the main dining hall and newly-grown castle (just for the momentous occasion itself, going by the rumors!), Faeryland as a whole is mired in danger. The wrong step sends one tumbling down a rabbit hole full of interesting sights, landing in a wide field of drooping flowers that snore softly and scream bloodcurdling loud when awoken. No matter how long one walks, discovering both familiar and unfamiliar sights, never ends in finding the castle again. In fact, it's much easier to find yourself accidentally going deeper into the woods. The exceptionally tall trees of the Dewaint Forest show hints of decay and rot, the smell of the dead barely covered by the flowers desperately growing across the blackened bodies of Fae and other animals that wandered too close to the growing infection in the area.

What look like corpses will tremble and rise when they sense someone is close by - their eyes and mouth are pure white, contrasting with the darkness around them, and throughout the shell are cracks of a similarly pulsing whiteness; it smells magical, it feels incredibly heavy and overpowering, and it might just be too powerful for those most sensitive to the corruption and to magic. The shadowy creatures' wings are larger than normal and monstrous, with their bodies held up by the dew-crying flowers that simultaneously hold them back yet sneak their roots closer to grab those who awakened them and drag them closer. Where the monster begins and ends with the corrupted nature it's made its bed in isn't completely clear, but one thing is: it's very, very hungry.

Thankfully, it's a good thing some of you have new abilities at hand, and some of you have a few neat changes to help. Teaming up makes things go quicker, and once defeated, these creatures bleed white magic and disappear in ashy smoke, shell breaking off in bits to reveal a dried-up corpse of a Fae. Nothing else remains, not even a hint to their identity, and the more of these monstrously-turned Monsters characters meet, the bigger and more terrifying they get.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Sorey has to agree that this isn't the best way to get some fresh air. Being in this forest has him on high alert. His newfound, bestial side makes him feel like his hackles are rising and a warning growl wants to come out of his throat. He keeps it down as much as he can. He doesn't necessarily want anything in this forest to hear him.

The only good thing about this is that it distracts him from how itchy the scales growing on his arms and legs are. At least his clothes cover them up for the time being, too.

He's again distracted when there's a burst of light that shoots up into the sky. The brunet doesn't think. Sorey simply runs towards where it came from. When his eyes land on Mikleo, he acts on pure instinct.

With a snarl that definitely doesn't sound human, the Shepherd draws his ceremonial sword as he dashes passed the seraph and unleashes a flurry of martial artes against it. Sorey backs up, dancing out of the grasp of some vines. The adrenaline rush makes his pupils contract into catlike slits. His hand grips the sword somewhat awkwardly, as his nails are more like talons now.]

Should we make a break for it?!

[Mikleo misses the initial growl as he tries to keep from falling over. But he notices someone diving in front of him regardless, and looks up to find it's none other than Sorey. He's surprised though his sleeping heart seems to have forgotten the reason. Sorey is right here, like he always was. That's how it's always been.]

Sorey! [He renews his grip on his staff. With backup he feels a little more confident, though he's barely standing.] I don't stand a chance like this. We need to-- [He clutches at his chest.] -- we need to get some distance before it gets you too!

[He lets out a frustrated noise and chants a command under his breath. A thick wall of ice shoots up from the ground between Sorey and the rotting beast. Just that much effort has Mikleo swaying on his feet.]

[The creature snarls at them and Sorey instinctively snarls back at it. That more primal side of him is very angry at this monster threatening his best friend. It's hard to keep himself under control.

Thank everything that Mikleo manages to make him focus, even if the water seraph doesn't know what's going on with the brunet at the moment. His voice is enough to get through to Sorey and keep him grounded, as always. This, at least, hasn't changed, dream or no dream.

As the wall of ice springs up between him and the creature, Sorey wheels around to his best friend's side. Carefully, he puts an arm around Mikleo to help steady him and not accidentally scratch him with his new talons. Heck, if he has to, he'll pick the seraph up and start running.

Either way, he tries to not stop until he's sure that the monster is far behind them and they're relatively safe in a clearing. Slowly along the way, his pupils start to go back to normal, though there's still something about them that's off. Sorey gives his friend a look of great concern.]

Are you okay, Mikleo?

[Sorey will definitely have to carry Mikleo. As the brunet comes closer and helps steady him, Mikleo crumples a bit and almost goes down right there. He looks paler than usual, breathing heavily as he simply tries to exist; he can barely keep his eyes open. At the very least he doesn't protest as he's swept up into Sorey's arms.

He keeps a tight grasp on Muse's staff but he's otherwise quiet, conserving his strength, trusting that Sorey knows which direction to run. The lack of pact is infuriating but not a surprise. Magic like that just isn't active for him anymore. Lailah is a world away, and Mikleo hasn't been Lailah's sub lord in decades. Things are back to the way they used to be, when Sorey and Mikleo had to know each other's feelings by faith rather than the strangely intimate bond of seraph and Shepherd. Still... he misses it, in a way.

Mikleo seems to stir the further they run. Though there's no real end to the forest, the corruption eventually falters and the forest is back to the way it should be. They might not be far from the fields.]

I'm okay, [he croaks, and he knows that's not convincing. He opens his eyes and takes inventory of his current condition. Both of them appear to be unharmed, and Mikleo can breathe easier, though that feeling of heaviness hasn't faded completely. It gets better the longer he's with Sorey, the longer he's here.] It's lifting. I'm not sure I can become a hellion here, but it's still painful... whatever that is.

[He loops an arm about Sorey's neck so he doesn't fall.]

You can put me down anytime.

[Sorey frowns a little as Mikleo croaks out that response. It's definitely having the opposite affect of easing the brunet's concerns.]

We probably shouldn't push it, just in case. Even if it doesn't make you a hellion, it still does something pretty bad to you.

[He manages a smile at that and puts his friend down. However, he stays close, just in case Mikleo isn't as steady on his feet as he says he is.]

As the Lord Seraph commands.

[Mikleo manages to stand on his own, but since Sorey's so close, he'll lean on him a little, less for support and more to just remind himself that Sorey's here. He's nice and warm, too, when the rest of Mikleo feels terribly cold. At least he's slowly getting his breathing back to normal.]

It's not fun, I can tell you that much.

[He tiptoes the fingers of his free hand down to Sorey's, gently sliding down his wrist as if asking permission to hold his hand. Just being close to someone definitely has an effect on how he feels, but he's not sure if it's because of their personal bond or because of the way this strange world works.]

Since when have I commanded you to do anything? Or rather, since when have you ever listened?

[He sounds half-exasperated, but he's really just glad to have Sorey around.]

We should look for the fields. That's the last thing I remember before I ended up in that forest.

[Sorey's more than happy to let Mikleo lean against him. The encounter had been rough on the seraph.]

I wouldn't think it was.

[The Shepherd doesn't hesitate to hold his friend's hand when silently asked for it. He's sure that the water seraph needs a bit of comfort after what happened. That it helps to keep Sorey calm, too, is just a bonus.

He grins at Mikleo.]

I listen! It's just sometimes worth a little bit of risk.

[Sorey nods at that and glances around with a slight frown.]

It feels like the more we try to look for a way out, the more lost we get. Maybe we can try indirectly looking? Or...something?

[Hey, maybe fairytale logic works??? He doesn't know.]

[Mikleo seems to perk up as they hold hands. It's so intimate and the truth is that he's blushing even now, but it makes him so happy-- he's like a flower in the sun, growing stronger with the warmth his best friend sheds.]

Your thrill-seeking tendencies give me palpitations at times. Please.

[He glances to the side, his lips pursed pensively.]

I can feel when we're close to it. So, why don't we just go wherever that feeling isn't?

[Aw, it's cute that Mikleo perks up like that. It's also a relief since that means the seraph might start to feel better soon.]

And your habit of falling down holes gives me palpitations sometimes. I think we're even.

[Sorey's just saying.]

That's a good idea. I can't sense it like you can anymore.

[He'll start to lead the way at a casual walk. The brunet doesn't want to have his friend struggle to keep up, and he trusts the seraph to let him know which direction to go in.]

[Mikleo gives him a sharp look at that. How dare you, Sorey. How dare!]

Keep that up and I'll be pushing you next time.

[And just like that, it's like they never said goodbye. Five Lords, they are definitely two halves of the same snarky whole. He's happy for the company though. Of course he is. And he gives Sorey an affirmative squeeze of their joined hands as they walk. He isn't letting go yet, of course not.]

Right...

It doesn't feel like malevolence, but it's still painful. It's hot and sharp, like it's trying to fill me up and crush me at the same time. Malevolence feels colder, and there's usually a trace of negative emotion, even if it's anger and despair all at once.

I think the cause is different but the end result is similar. The forest was rotting right before my eyes. It wasn't just turning things into monsters.

[Sorey just gives him a toothy grin in response. It's Mikleo's fault he's this snarky, honestly. He has to defend himself somehow.

The brunet is quiet as he listens to the seraph explain how it feels. At the part where the forest seems to rot in the same area as the creature, he's very quiet. Finally, like he's trying hard to not make it seem like a big deal, he says:]

I...don't think I noticed the rot. I just saw you in big trouble and it's...I dunno, I just don't remember many details about the environment other than that monster.

[That's not normal for Sorey, but he hopes that this doesn't alarm Mikleo or anything. Granted, he's already alarmed himself already, and he's wondering if perhaps this...primal awakening or whatever is part of it. Whatever is making him grow scales under his clothes and talons for his nails.]

[Mikleo notices he's gone a bit quiet. Sorey's words surprise him because Sorey is usually so observant. He has an incredible eidetic memory that even Mikleo struggles to keep up with. A hundred years after he went to sleep, Mikleo still wishes for him to be there, keeping an eye out in the ruins. He is there in a sense-- watching over the whole continent, in fact-- but it's not the same as having a solid partner at his back.

He pushes those thoughts aside and grounds himself solidly in the present, with Sorey's hand in his and Muse's staff in his hand.]

You were focused on the fight. I get it, but...

[He isn't sure how to phrase this.]

You should be careful not to let your emotions take over. Something about this place changes people, Sorey. It took away my seraphic artes and gave me different magic, and sometimes that magic feels like it's burning from the inside out.

[Sorey feels his stomach twist as Mikleo says that. He tries not to let a pained expression show on his face. Still...this...isn't something he should keep from his friend, at least in part.]

Y-yeah, it...definitely changes people.

[He's quiet again as he thinks before stopping in his tracks. Sorey looks up at the moonlight for a bit and then turns back to Mikleo. His pupils are a bit more catlike after looking at the light directly.]

I know this is really weird, but just...try not to freak out, okay?

[Fortunately, it's his fully gloved hand that's in Mikleo's hand. Still, he hesitates for a moment before holding up his free one, showing off the talons thanks to the Shepherd's glove being fingerless. Sorey looks a little helpless as he somewhat nervously watches his friend's face.]

I don't know what's going on here. And...this isn't the only change.

[He almost talks about the scales, but immediately switches tack.]

Erm...it's hard to describe, but I feel more...it's like there's a beast in me that's trying to get out.

[Sorey's definitely hiding something, and that's pretty obvious to Mikleo even when he doesn't come right out and say it. He knows his friend like he knows himself, maybe even better sometimes, and Sorey is a terrible liar. He waits patiently to see if Sorey mentions it, though, and he does-- thank goodness.]

I won't freak out.

[He does, however, breathe in sharply when he sees the talons. Sorey's... turning into something? He doesn't know what that is, exactly, and it's hard to tell, but... well... he doesn't feel corrupted either, so he can rule hellionism out.

That means it's definitely this place. Thankfully, Sorey isn't the first person he's seen with animalistic features. Far from it.]

So that's what it is... [He releases Sorey's hand only to fearlessly grab for his other wrist. His touch is gentle but firm if he tries to wriggle away, a healer's touch, as he tries to look over the talons.] I've seen other people turning into-- well, they call them monsters, but I'm not sure that's accurate. You're not a monster, and I wouldn't call that girl with the furry ears a monster either.

[He meets Sorey's eyes.]

Whatever's happening, we'll figure it out together. Got it?

[A subtle reminder not to hide things from him. Still, there's no hard feelings. Mikleo lets go so he can offer his arm in their usual arm clasp.]

[Sorey keeps still. He knows better than to try testing Mikleo's grip. The seraph might look delicate, but he's a lot stronger than he leads people to believe.

He blinks at the furry ears comment, but he does remember seeing other people like her. Some have more drastic changes, of course. He still wouldn't call them monsters, though.

The brunet smiles a little. Sorey raises his arm so that he can cross wrists with his best friend. Just like old times.]

Got it.

[Sorey then grins suddenly.]

Those were some pretty cool spells you cast earlier! At least you haven't lost your affinity to water!

[Just like old times. Something in Mikleo's heart eases with the gesture. It's like nothing changed at all. The two of them are the same as they've always been, walking the same path.

The seraph smiles a bit at the compliment, but it has a teasing edge to it.]

I had to relearn some things, but I think I've got the jist of it. I don't feel as limited-- I think if I wanted, I could cast fire spells like Lailah. I don't know any, of course, but it feels... possible.

What about you? I would be surprised if you didn't gain a few new abilities of your own along with everything else.

You'll have to work hard to make sure you don't fall behind me again.

[Sorey looks curious at that.]

Really? That'd be cool, actually! Enemies better beware of you, then.

[Mikleo flinging fire and earth spells like they're going out of style. That'll be a sight to behold, actually.

The brunet blinks for a moment when it's suddenly turned around onto him. He scratches his cheek...carefully.]

Well, I definitely can't cast spells still. That's probably the biggest letdown I've had.

Other than the talons thing, I don't think I've noticed all that much of a difference.

At some point I hope to be that formidable, but right now, I admit I'm not doing so hot. Maybe you'll get to see me in proper form when we find our way out of here. [Speaking of which, he's going to gently tug Sorey in another direction that isn't the way they came. Navigating by the heaviness of his chest is a weird thing.]

Maybe there's a way to give you a little bit of my magic. I'm not sure, though. I'd have to look into it.

[And while they're walking again, he'll quietly slip his free hand in Sorey's again.]

Maybe that's a small blessing for now. But if you notice anything alarming, let me know, all right?

I hope so. It'd be nice to see what you can do now.

[Sorey follows along, naturally. As they walk, he keeps an eye out for any trouble.]

Well, if not, it's no loss to me. You and the other seraphim were doing all the hard work when I armatized.

[He makes no mention of Mikleo's renewed hold on his hand. The brunet simply gives a gentle squeeze of his friend's hand, in case he needs a bit of comfort.]

Shouldn't be a problem!

[Sorey knows that's probably the biggest lie he'll ever tell in his life, which is saying something.]

[Mikleo squeezes his hand right back, just to give him reassurance.]

That's not true. It was both of us, you know that. "I'll do the aiming"-- remember? My own power wouldn't have been enough.

[His lavender eyes are bright in the low light.]

So much work goes into remaining a vessel when the world is full of malevolence, but you never faltered. You never even complained about it. Not really.

[There's a moment, a brief moment of doubt where Mikleo wonders if he should press the issue. But Sorey seems fine. The seraph doesn't want to make it sound like he doesn't trust Sorey, as yelling at him about it won't make him more likely to come clean about a problem. There's just no winning with that.

So he takes Sorey's word for it and hopes that little niggling feeling isn't proven correct later on. It's been a hundred years since they could walk around like this (wow, a hundred years already?) and he doesn't want to ruin this.]

You're always so quick to dismiss your own part in everything. You're the incredible one, Sorey. [He looks ahead and lifts his chin, feigning prickliness.] ... But don't go getting a big head about it either!

Yeah, that's fair to say. It's just that I never really appreciated just how much work it takes for a seraph to work with seraphic artes, you know?

[Okay, now Sorey's starting to get embarrassed. He runs his hand through his hair, blushing faintly. Thank the Lords that it's nighttime so it's very hard to see that. At least Mikleo's 'pretend' prickliness gets a laugh out of him.]

No worries there! I know you'll check me for that.

[The Shepherd makes a thoughtful noise.]

Speaking of checks, you haven't seen anyone we know here, have you?

It's hard work, sure, but it's still a part of us. There's something instinctive about it that's hard to describe. You could feel it when we were armatized. That gives us something of an edge when it comes to casting seraphic artes, even if you were born with the ability.

[He wonders if someone else might be able to cast actual spells rather than combining magic with his artes as Sorey does, but that's a thought for later.]

That's right. The last thing we want is for you to turn into a literal pig or something.

[He'd feel a little justified, though.]

... No, I haven't. As far as I know it's just us.

True enough.

[Sorey makes a face when Mikleo says that.]

I already became a human firework earlier. I'd rather not become a literal pig while I'm at it.

[He can't help looking a little worried at that response. Still....]

In a way, I'm a little disappointed. But I'm glad I at least got to meet up with you again.

[Who knows when he'll go back to that dreamless sleep? For now, he'll enjoy this one for as long as he can.]

[Mikleo smirks a little bit.]

What? Pigs are nice.

[He squeezes Sorey's hand again, and gently tugs him to the northeast, adjusting their bearings as he gets a little more sure of the direction that isn't right back into corrupted forest.]

... I know. I think it'd be nice to see them, too.

[He doesn't tell Sorey that he gave that up when he went to sleep. Sorey knows. The moment he thought up of this plan and made his decision, he had to be prepared to throw away his human life. And now those humans are gone. Rose's funeral is still fresh in his mind.

Mikleo turns to look at him seriously.]

I'll wait as long as it takes. You know that, right? It's not a matter of if, but when.

We got to see each other a little earlier than I expected, but I'm not complaining.

Edited 2019-04-27 05:48 (UTC)

[Sorey gives his friend a look before swiftly poking Mikleo's side with his free hand. Gosh.

He follows along wherever he's tugged. His eyes are back to surveying their surroundings for any trouble. However, the topic then turns a bit more serious, and Sorey looks back at his friend. The brunet smiles with a squeeze of Mikleo's hand.]

I know. You've always waited for me, whether I was sick or hurt...or went unconscious after accepting a pact for the first time.

I'm definitely not complaining about seeing you so soon. Not that I ever would complain about seeing you in the first place.

TDM: April

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