![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
Entry tags:
☆ TDM: SEPTEMBER
- Welcome to
![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
aefenglom's test drive! All threads can be considered game canon, should you choose to do so; regardless of if you pick specific threads to remain canon to the game, the prompts and test drive itself will be. This will be touched on later in-game, so it's fairly important to note! Aside from that, here are some quick reminders:• 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 27th.With that taken care of...
• Applications Open The 24th! These will last until the end of the month, the 30th, with the intro log going on up October 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 Wilde
For once, the forest that comes to view isn’t flecked with autumnal colors, with leaves that fall without the touch of wind. Each branch blossoms with life, flowers of all shades dotting their surfaces as spring rears its head, and you’re tugged from the edge, through a worn path, and deeper than ever before. The gentle laughter and chatter of living creatures filters in through petals that you brush past, hanging from flowering vines winding downward like delicate curtains.
There’s something new to this though, eyes that see and a growing excitement among the forests’ inhabitants: You’re more known to them than you might guess, it would seem.
 Outskirts The meadow where you find yourself is fresh and green, an explosion of color and the sweet scents of flowers and rain. Wildflowers dot the grass, all beginning to open, in sprays of purple and pink and orange. To one end, the stream flows clear over smooth river rocks into a small pond dotted with vibrant blue fish and turtle-shelled ducks floating without a care in the world. To the other, the forest begins with tall, white-barked trees and saplings in various stages of new growth, pushing out tender green leaves. It's pleasant, but strange, because... There is next to no sign of the Cwyld here in this idyllic patch of the Wilde, no blackened foliage or shadows hiding white-eyed Cwyldtid. The wildlife seem similarly unaffected, even thriving - watch out for the mama petalwolves with their brilliantly-colored floral coverings. Most of them camouflaging themselves in the thickets of wildflowers are followed by bushy, green-leafed cubs, and they're widely known to be aggressive when threatened. The most inspiring sight, however, is one not seen in the Wilde of Geardagas for many years, due to the wide spread of the Cwyld. A silvery, equine creature emerges from the treeline, trotting slowly toward the pond on iridescent hooves. A single white horn protrudes from its head, and its mane shimmers pearlescent in the morning sunlight. Following it is a smaller, clumsier unicorn with a gold-tinged coat, happy to be out and about. Unicorns are known to be exceedingly rare - to spot a foal in the Wilde is unheard of. You're all very lucky to see the way the forest is healing. While some may know that the Coven itself has a unicorn in its stables, this wild one is unused to the hands of humans and may hold her ground in protection of her baby, threatening with her horn and performing small feats of magic to that end -- illusion and physical enhancements are its more core offensives, though it can do healing and shields on the other side. The foal, for the most part, doesn’t seem to have a lick of self-preservation (perhaps it’s been living in safety for too long) and won’t mind bounding up to something, or someone, new and interesting, nickering in asking to play. |
 The Path Through Onward and inward, traveler. The healing forest is vast, but a particular route is clearly outlined to lead toward something. As you head past the treeline, more saplings of varying heights and ages shoot forth from the ground between the large-trunked trees that survived. Warm sunlight dapples the ground in an irregular pattern of light and shade, and shines off a series of mirrors, each about the size of a large hardcover book, hanging from the tree trunks to either side to form a path. No two mirrors are alike. Similar to the mirrors within the Looking-Glass House, each is framed in different decorations and different materials, with different engravings or embossings, but unlike the Looking-Glass House, all the mirrors' decorations are visible to passersby. They're well-cared for out here, polished to a shine and picked clean of leaf-litter and outdoor debris; distant, happy voices reveal that the area is far from abandoned. Each of these mirrors is placed in honor of a Mirrorbound, and all contain an enchantment that, when the surface of the glass is touched, causes it to display short, silent 'moving pictures' of that Mirrorbound's heroic deeds, in Aefenglom, in Dorchacht, or maybe even from the character's home, whatever they may have done to earn this high regard. Whether the retellings are true to life, or completely dramatized, it's clear that much care was put into remembering their individual stories and personalizing the frames of their mirrors. The path between the mirrors serves the dual purpose of memorializing, and leading the way deeper into the forest... |
 Within the Wilde ... Where the sound of creatures grow louder and more plentiful, shaping into actual words as characters step into a clearing, more familiar to those who’d dreamed the first dream than most: There may be no long tables set up with food and drink, but the sight of Fae flitting about and gossiping is certainly something all its own. They, along with Dryads, seem to be plentiful in comparison to the waking world, and once they’ve taken notice of the new faces... immediately begin to ask questions. From whence did they come? Were they filled with new magic power, or had they already begun to change? It’s exciting -- they haven’t had new connections to the world in some time, most of the old Bound having returned beyond their glass some time ago, and while it could mean there was trouble on the horizon they don’t seem too bothered by that fact. “Most” returned, it’s said, because there’s plenty of creatures who claim to have been descended from those who helped to restore the balance of the world, proudly claiming so to any who spend half a minute with them. While they can be spoken to in a sense, characters won’t get anything too crazy out of them -- they’re willing to speak on present happenings (or what’d be present for characters in game) and how that played out, such as how Dorchacht was far more free than it had been centuries hence in example. Anything more pressing, such as how it may have come about, is unable to be understood despite everything else being able to. They tease new dreamers that those of old were brought here, as far as the stories go, to help cleanse the world and return it to what it once was, and joke that they’d better prepare for the same trouble -- what a laugh, their Wilde as it is now, desecrated once more. But the Fae in particular are tricksy and prefer pranks to actual conversation, picking on anyone in sight to see how true it was that Mirrorbound -- you, apparently -- had powerful magic and amazing abilities as Monsters: Give it a shot, cast a spell or two, show off your more Monstrous talents, they’ll find it a genuine hoot. |
no subject
[ is it messed up that he's jealous dazai never went on about his suicidal ideations in front of him, but he does atsushi apparently? probably, but akutagawa has more important things to be angry about.
the scowl he gives atsushi is positively murderous... but it's also unseeable because of that hideous mask, so it almost doesn't matter. ]
That's right... He would, wouldn't he? You say that with such pride, as if there is merit in being so weak and pathetic that you would need him of all people to babysit you.
[ "Wow, this sure is getting serious!"
"Right? Right?"
sorry little fae... the bag in akutagawa's hand opens by itself ominously. there is a malevolent energy emanating from it. ]
Well, Dazai-san isn't here, is he? And you just so happen to be in the way of my targets...
[ here in this forest, where no one can hear a single soul scream......glitter will spill. vengeance will be carried out.
no one will leave unscathed.
akutagawa will see to it. ]
no subject
Which is why while in this precarious situation of being stuck on this tree, all Atsushi can really do is roll his eyes in a way that can only be described as expaseration.
Because really? That's the pot shot you're going to make? ]
I didn't know that becoming a clown made you suddenly deaf now, Akutagawa, but I guess I shouldn't have expected any better. Because I don't need Dazai-san's help. But I trust in him enough that he'd be willing to give it to me when I need it the most.
[ There's an underlying biting implication there of unlike you there, but he's already made his point. He doesn't need to repeat it. ]
But I should have expected you to go straight to violence. That's just like you, isn't it? It hasn't even been six months. Guess you really are proving just how truly weak you are, that you can only do one simple thing like the pitiful hound dog you are.
no subject
"Elsie! We were supposed to hang out with Elsie!"
"We were, weren't we?!"
their words fall on deaf ears. akutagawa couldn't care less about this job anymore. he'll offer the client an apology later. he has a new objective now, one that's making his stomach twist and burn with a raw fury that's insatiable-- he knows there's only one way to quell this painful urge. ]
"You don't need Dazai-san's help," you say? Do keep up that attitude in the next few minutes. There is no pleasure to be gained from rending prey who submits to its doom. Although... For you, helpless Weretiger, I am willing to make an exception. No, in fact, I would advise you hang there quietly.
[ the nosy little fae are hiding behind the tree, a little too excited to witness a potential murder. meanwhile, akutagawa takes a few steps back, calculating trajectory and recalling all his other targets. perhaps every hit until now has lead up to this? maybe this really is some sort of fated showdown.
it doesn't matter. it'll all be over soon. ]
Your fate was sealed the moment our paths crossed. Even if you struggle against what's to come, it won't mean a thing! You are the one who is weak! I will have you begging for death and violence before I am through with you!
[ and with that really dramatic speech, akutagawa reaches into the demonic bag, clenches his fist tight, aND *✧･ﾟ:* LOBS A SHITLOAD OF ✧･ﾟ *✧GLITTER✧･ﾟ *✧ AS HARD AS HE CAN RIGHT INTO ATSUSHI'S FUCKING FACE *:･ﾟ✧ HOLY FUCK MOM IT'S SO BRIGHT AND EXTRA STICKY AND IT'S GETTING EVERYWHERE!!!!! akutagawa even throws another fistful for good measure, hellbent on making sure atsushi's day is sufficiently ruined. eat shit and die! ]
no subject
Just because he finally realized that-- one, he's a Witch, and two he has access to a lot of spells in this dream. . .
. . . unfortunately does nothing to save him from his doom.
He's absolutely fucked and he knows it. He's honestly expecting a punch in the face at this point--
But it doesn't come. Instead, what he's attacked with is glitter. A lot of it. Enough to ruin his day and he's even coughing out glitter as he manages to yell, brows knit as he practically flails from his branch: ]
What the hell, Akutagawa!? You really are a fucking clown, aren't you-- you even had the audacity to throw glitter! What were you thinking, that this was some sort of shitty birthday party?
Is throwing crappy birthdays your idea of revenge now?!
[ ATSUSHI, PLEASE. ]
What next, are you going to make me a tiger balloon and immediately pop it with a pin?
no subject
but still. this is good. something about being in a horrifying clown mask just adds to his satisfaction. he hopes atsushi sees it in his fucking nightmares. ]
Stop talking as if you have even been to a birthday party, you wailing alley cat. I have a hard time believing anyone would like you enough to invite you to one.
[ akutagawa waits until atsushi's mouth is open before chucking some more. ]
Perhaps I should blow you up and impale you with countless pins? Or twist your limbs until you resemble a tiger balloon?
[ he's such a stupid dick, akutagawa even circles around poor atsushi to get glitter on the back of his shirt. ]
Or beat you with a stick like a piñata.
[ "These guys are crazy..."
"They're totally crazy..."
--and hey, akutagawa dunks some on the annoying little fae while he's standing around. there, mission accomplished, now he can use the rest of this glitter on that annoying weretiger... ]
no subject
[ His frustrations bubble in the form of even more yelling and he really honestly hopes that once he gets down here and learns how to cast more spells so he can turn Akutagawa into a puppy or something.
He will get revenge one day for this glitter, he swears on it.
Maybe he should be thankful that this is a dream so he doesn't have to deal with washing it off in real life. ]
I doubt you went to any birthday parties either! And besides, even if I haven't been to one yet -- [ mostly because he was busy dealing with a lot of crap with the Detective Agency, last he recalled ] -- doesn't mean that I won't be at one in the future! At least I'll get invited to Kyouka-chan's birthday party, unlike you, you used lawnmower!
[ And now he can't help but groan at the ideas of torture. While he might be able to take a lot of the pain of that, he really doesn't want to--
He has to think of a way out of here and fast, but if he runs away, he'll definitely be called a coward.
There is an idea that pops to mind, but he honestly doesn't want to choose that route in front of Akutagawa, either, so he just stays here like the lame, flailing fish that he apparently is right now. ]
no subject
[ akutagawa says that as if he'll be at this future party... ]
Birthday parties are a waste of time. Death's embrace comes for us all, making a great affair of coming one year closer to that fateful day is pointless. Of course, I would expect a brat like you to place so much stock in such a thing. I have no need or desire to ever attend one.
[ since atsushi has succumbed to his fate, akutagawa is growing a bit weary of doing all this throwing. nope, it's definitely not because his arm is getting tired... thankfully he stops tossing, albeit for the time being. ]
It seems you have given up. Have you learned your lesson, then? You would do well to hold your tongue in the presence of those stronger than you are.
no subject
[ An immediate response as his eyebrows knit. She wouldn't invite him to a birthday party out of pity. She's better than that. Better than Akutagawa-- ]
And I guess you're just saying that because you've never had a party, either.
[...]
And I haven't given up yet. I'm just waiting for you to leave, asshole.
no subject
You're right. She isn't a weakling who needs to be coddled and knows that birthday parties are meaningless as well. She knows better than to waste her time on such frivolity.
[ A SCOFF. which loses most of its meaning on account of the clown mask, but the sentiment is there. ]
As I said. I have no need for such things. And, I have no intention of leaving until you say you give up.
[ akutagawa really is an immature jackass... he even tosses up a little bit more glitter, not really intending to hit anywhere in particular. it's more like a warning shot. ]
no subject
[ He is very much aware of what she likes as he rolls his eyes at him. ]
And I have no plan on saying that either, so I guess we're at an impasse. I can hang here all dream long.
[ He'll hate it, but he'll spite Akutagawa this way. ]
no subject
[ not that akutagawa knows what girls like, and he definitely doesn't know what kind of things kyouka likes. sure, they're kindred spirits, but it's in the worst of ways.
...not that atsushit needs to know that! ]
Well then, have it your way. I, too, can be quite stubborn when the situation calls for it. Watching you freeze to death will be a well-earned treat for me.
no subject
[ He speaks flatly because she seemed to enjoy the party that the Agency threw her - while not a birthday party, still a rather significant party that was probably a little similar to birthday parties.
But.
Without cake. ]
And I won't freeze to death, but you just might.
no subject
[ atsushi's not wrong, so akutagawa scoffs, not all that keen on saying something completely wrong. for now, he just acts as if speaking with atsushi is some kind of chore. (mostly because it is) ]
What would you know about that? I can handle myself against the elements just fine. I'm not weak like you are.
no subject
He's not even going to grace him with a response; instead just giving him a grimace that practically says it all: 'are you a broken record, Akutgawa, because clearly that's the only word in your dictionary'. ]