dagung | TDM: MARCH

Entry tags:

* tdm

TDM: MARCH

Test Drive: March

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 character, put one in! This time around, reserves will expire after the first 48 hours of applications being opened. Those first 48 hours will be open to those who have reserves only, so we recommend placing one. It will not guarantee you a spot, but it will guarantee you can post your app immediately when they open.
• Applications Open The 24th! There will be a cap of 30 applications accepted this round, and apps will close whenever we've reached that cap. If there are slots left after the reserves-only period, apps will open to those without reserves. 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 Underground

Take a moment. Let your eyes adjust to the dark, your ears to echoing silence, but for the steady drip of condensation down the stone walls that surround you. The tunnels down here are wide, the ceilings high, but they are dim, devoid of sunlight and breeze. The only light, in fact, comes from the shards of softly-glowing shards of quartz lining the ground and the bio-luminescent algae that smears the stone in long, blue veins, pulsing gently, pushing breathable air into the otherwise-stale passageways. The air is damp, but the temperature is moderate - almost comfortable. The tunnels fork off and meander from where you are, some narrowing and some widening, but none seem to lead you to the surface, no matter how long you wander. Is it a trick of the light, that the algae glows a little brighter, pulses a little quicker, when you head in a particular direction? It's hard to sort your senses so deep underground, far from the world above where things make sense. Hopefully you've found a friend by now.

The Crystal Cavern
Many of the tunnels, both wide and narrow, lead to the same place: a massive chamber hewn out of the stone by time, and the drip-drip of water from the ceiling into the central lake. Perhaps you came out toward the bottom, and the ceiling is a thousand feet above you, or maybe you came out toward the top, and the lake is a thousand feet below. There are a hundred or more holes in the sloping stone walls that lead to more tunnels, and something like natural steps down from most of them. In a way, it resembles a beehive, this room acting as a central hub of sorts.

This is also the first place you find signs of life. Short, tough little tufts of grass growing from the thin soil, bone white in color, having long abandoned photosynthesis and chlorophyll. More of the glowing algae. Small, skittering insects - beetles, grubs and worms. The occasional albino rat, much larger and louder than rats have any right to be. Ruffled and capped fungi growing on the wet rock like parasites, some as large as a grown man. Blind, slimy cave fish wriggling around in the still waters of the lake.

And milling around the great stone cavern, slurping up the glowing algae that covers the rocks and grows in lacy sheets across the water, are dozens of great beasts, bigger than horses. Shaped like worms, but with dozens and dozens of stubby, fleshy legs, these creatures are huge, with velvety, multi-colored hides, and though their antennae wave in curiosity when approached, they don't seem aggressive. At least, as long as you avoid the big silk-wrapped bundles stuck to the walls and ground all over the cavern. These are their egg sacs, and if their young are threatened, they'll quickly shoot jets of viscous slime, a quick drying adhesive, that can slow and trap even the strongest adult. If you find yourself in a sticky situation, you better hope someone can wrench you loose - the worms seem content to eat algae, until they've caught prey. Each worm has a long, hooked, chitinous blade concealed within its fleshy jaws to tear and shred, and a nightmarish round mouth full of multiple rows of teeth.

Navigate carefully. There at the bottom of the lake, where it feeds into an underground stream that leads down another wide tunnel, there are a few small rowboats, some missing oars, certainly not enough for everyone. You'll have to share if you want to get out of here. Or you can keep hanging out with the giant wormipedes.

The Procession
As you proceed down the stream by boat, the lighting grows just a little brighter, seeming a little more purposeful in how the glowing algae is planted, how the softly glowing crystals are placed. You start seeing a new type of moss, greyish-green and growing in ragged sheets from the ceiling of the tunnel. Watch your head - it's near impossible to cut through this stuff should you get tangled. For a while, you only hear the soft splashing of the gentle stream, but then... there is a flash of torch light, up ahead.

The boat ahead is longer than the one you use, better kept, and full of people - three Monsters, all whose forms are based on creatures that thrive underground, in pieces of armor, holding spears, and one very elderly Witch woman, seated in the middle, wrinkled hands folded primly in her lap. Her milky gaze stares straight ahead, with something soft and proud in the set of her face. One of the Monsters holds the torch, the other rows the boat, and the third settles down next to her; they speak in hushed voices, with little smiles.

After a while, the rowing Monster slows the boat, before they can bump into a thick, heavy, impenetrable curtain of grayish-green moss that stretches across the whole tunnel, blocking the way, like a gate. The other two help the woman to her feet, and guide her toward the front of the boat - and the curtain of moss. She reaches out for it blindly, and they help her step onto the edge. There is something almost ritual or reverent about the movements, the way they regard the Witch as she touches the curtain of moss... and is wrapped into it quickly, swallowed up, absorbed. After twenty minutes of gentle pulsing, the lump that used to be the Witch is no more, and the whole of the moss pulses with light and magic. The Monsters watch this whole process vigilantly, and once the lights die down, they continue on. The moss parts to allow the boat through, brushing against the Monsters but not swallowing them.

The procession happens a few more times, in separate boats, with separate victims - but all are very, very elderly, and seem proud, even happy to meet their fates. Trying to follow them further after the ritual will have the same thing happen for your boat - the moss will part, and brush over those in the boat without causing harm. If you happen to be infected with the Cwyld, however... you might meet the same fate as the old woman, with the moss reaching and grabbing for you. The procession can be stopped, but drawing attention will draw the ire of the Monster guards, and, strangely, the victims themselves, who will fly into a distressed rage at the interruption.

The Marketplace
Beyond the veil of moss lies... civilization? The cavern is enormous, big enough to contain a city at least as big as Aefenglom, if not larger, though the population at a glance seems to be much smaller. Twenty thousand people, perhaps, give or take. Buildings have been carved out of huge stone spires, or formed by draping cloth around and between the natural stalactites and stalagmites. Monsters tend to be quite tall or bulky, possessing obvious physical strength, while Witches and humans tend to be shorter than in Aefenglom. They all mingle on the streets together, with no immediately obvious class difference. Since there is no weather to dress for, some don't bother to dress at all, though humans at least tend to wear flowy silks or simple clothes made from wormipede hides. The streets are wide and the buildings far-spaced, and many get around on the backs of those worm creatures, having made them saddles and reins.

The stream ends in a lake right next to a marketplace, with many small boats docked on its pebbled shores. The stalls sell all kinds of goods: clothing made from fine silk and worm hide or rat fur, skewered meat (It's bug.), weapons, armor, jewelry made from chunks of beautiful stone. Your arrival is bound to cause a stir though, so keep your head down, and maybe it's time to snatch a disguise from one of the clothing stalls.

Monster guards, occasionally flanked by Witches, patrol the streets and keep the peace, and stopping to talk to anyone will make one thing clear: they are not at all used to outsiders. They won't believe a word you say about being from above ground, and they've never heard of your world or Aefenglom. You're nomads from the tunnels, right? Of course, don't be ridiculous, you can't fool them with tall tales! At least they're usually willing to talk - briefly, of course, everyone is very busy down here, it's morning and many will be heading to tend to the herd soon.

Those who are subtle and pointed in their questions can learn a lot about the vast but also small civilization below the surface of the world. Strength is valued here - the stronger the Monster or more powerful the Witch, the higher their rank in society, and the closer they live to the center, largest spires of stone. Monster-Witch Bonded pairs are the be-all-end-all, and often wear matching wrist-guards or pendants proudly. Pretending to be Bonded to another will put many of the natives at ease, though Monster-Monster pairs get snide comments about how you have to team up to find a good Witch, and Witch-Witch pairs will get odd looks and assume you both have a very strong Monster partner somewhere. It must be quite rare for Witches to go un-bonded here, and any who pass through without an obvious partner may be propositioned by young Monsters showing off their various talents. Unbonded Monsters may be nudged in the direction of any strange, unbonded Witches - usually fellow Mirrorbound - in a poor attempt at matchmaking. Those poor unbonded Witches need protection, right? Or so the locals think.

It's too bad trying to go any farther than the Marketplace will get you stopped by guards and turned back, however. They don't allow nomads into the inner city.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

arrival

[ of all the strange sights dorothea saw during the war, these caves are pretty high up on the "what the hell is this" meter. this is a feverish post-victory dream--isn't it? however, the water dripping onto her head from the tall ceiling and creatures she spies out of the corner of her eye feel all too real. not to mention how utterly dark it is down here. hey, not everyone gets those fancy glowing relic weapons/flashlights.

regardless, she sticks close to the glowing algae as she makes her way through the cavern with a hand on the sword sheathed on her hip. on someone's approach, dorothea flashes them a smile (that winning diva smile that puts people at ease) and tilts her head to the side. ]

You wouldn't mind helping a girl out of here, would you?

marketplace

[ free of her cavern prison, dorothea is in her element among the people in town. she wanders from stall to stall, chatting up the vendors while she tries on jewelry. sure, she's thrown a boring brown cloak over her shoulders in an attempt to blend in, but....c'mon. look at her earrings. look at her dress. she still sticks out like a sore thumb.

and a witch who's all alone needs a monster companion! two of the vendors corral her into an intense discussion about how unsafe it is, how she could use a special someone, and on and on.....

whether she knows the person passing her, dorothea grabs them by the elbow and gives them a very meaningful look. ]

Oh, there you are! I've been waiting for over an hour! [ dorothea laces her arm through her rescuer's and turns toward the locals with a polite smile. ] Chatting with you has been lovely, but we must be going. Isn't that right? [ have a slight elbow to the side. get her out of here.

wildcard bitches!

[ dorothea is coming from the end of crimson flower! if you wanna do something special or mix up one of the prompts, feel free to do so. any questions, hit me up on plurk

hermyish or DM this journal. ]

[ byleth looks up with a start as dorothea grabs her arm, turning to look at her now and dropping the hood of her cloak. ]

Yes, sorry I'm late. [ a slight smile, happy to see dorothea and knowing what the deal is. this isn't the first time it's happened today. ]

We really must be off, sorry to make you both worry— [ yeah, come on, dorothea. talking can wait. she's leaning on a cane in one hand, but seems to be keeping herself upright just fine otherwise. ]

[ dorothea is a good enough actress that she can mask her surprise and delight at seeing a familiar face, but byleth should see right through that. ]

Apologies accepted. Thank you for your time, you two! [ she waves her fingers at the vendors, ignoring their sidelong looks to one another as she and byleth walk off. ]

Your timing is perfect, as always. You really should consider a life on the stage. [ her smile turns a touch more genuine. ] It's so good to see you, Professor.

[ byleth smiles at that, faintly. still professor, then. the way dorothea is reacting to her sets some of this at ease. maybe. ]

I've never even been to a theatre, Dorothea. [ her life experiences are... odd. ] You too. Are you fresh from Fhirdiad as well?

[Ah. Yes. This is an unsettling sight, watching the very brief exchange of the vendors and a familiar witch as she enters the market. Without missing a beat, she marches over, and pivots perfectly to accommodate Dorothea.]

Yes, of course.

[She tilts her head back where the actress can't see, flashing a pair of vampires fangs to the vendors. They immediately back off...]

Thank you for taking care of my partner, gentlemen. [And then, walking away, she pitches her voice low.]

You're unharmed, yes?

[ dorothea notes how quickly the vendors step away without much thought. she's seen edelgard spook plenty of would-be harassers away innumerable times throughout their years of friendship. having an actual, literal emperor as a part of your squad has its perks.

she answers, her voice just as low, ]

Not a single hair is out of place. If there were, you would know. [ the sword at dorothea's side lightly thumps against edelgard's thigh. there's also this weird super-powered feeling to her magic that she can't fully explain, but eh. details!

in a cheerier tone, she continues, ] Edelgard von Hresvelg: Emperor of Adrestia, co-commander of the Black Eagle Strike Force, and...savior of damsels in mild distress. [ she laughs brightly while tightening her hold on edelgard's arm. you know you love her, edie. ]

The list of titles I'll have to list in your opera is getting longer by the day.

Edited (subject/verb agreement is important) 2020-03-19 03:47 (UTC)

[The grip on her arm is a pleasant thing, as is the warm weight of Dorothea's presence and proximity. Remaining silent for a few moments as they walk away, not wanting to draw undo attention to the pair of them, Edelgard marches her towards less crowded sections of the market.]

...As if I'd ever leave you to even mild distress if I could help it, Dorothea.

[She tilts her head to the side, finally studying the lines of her commander's face. The cheerful tone and use of the Black Eagle Strike Force is enough to tell her that this isn't a Felix situation, and for that she thanks the whole universe.]

It is good to see you. Have you had any other difficulties that I need to address, thus far?

[ This reminds her of the dream she had just before she arrived in Aefenglom. It feels a little strange, to be walking in an underground space that she has no memory of. But even if this is a dream, she has no choice but to dream it. She hears someone ahead of her - and spies a young woman. Taller than her, of course, but Saber is rather small compared to almost everyone. ]

Of course.

[ She gives her a brusque nod, hand falling to the sword on her own hip. Behind her, the tip of a lion's tail flicks as she pushes forward. ]

Although I am afraid I may be as lost as you are.

[ dorothea knows saber's type as soon as she soon as they lock eyes. it's in her posture, her tone, the way she holds her sword: a noble. a high-ranking one, at that. she gives off serious edelgard vibes, and it's not just the height. ]

I'd much rather be lost with a companion than lost alone. [ dorothea bobs her head in a show of thanks. ] Good company can make up for a lot in a bad situation, after all.

[ is that--? dorothea quirks an eyebrow at the tail. there's no way, right? it's just a trick of light. obviously. ]

I tend to agree.

[ She glances down one of the passageways with a little frown of concentration. ]

This place feels like a labyrinth. Perhaps we will simply have to pick a direction.

[ That tail flicks again, coming back into sight. ]

What is your name?

(no subject)

doublearia - 2020-03-22 18:44 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

arturiarex - 2020-03-22 20:05 (UTC) - Expand

[ Ferdinand has finally gotten the art of blending in down to a... well, if not a science, then at least some sort of working theory that approximates one. The hooded cloak lined with furs that he is wearing does an admirable job of hiding his true identity from behind, but less so from the front.

Therefore, it's no wonder that Dorothea doesn't recognize him from the back. He had been so completely focused on the wares in front of him that he hadn't even noticed her familiar presence, perhaps because she was hardly even given a chance to speak until she loops her arm beneath his and nudges him in an elbow. ]

Doroth— [ He turns around in bewilderment, his hood falling backward without prompting. Then, his eyes take note of the vendors staring intently at the two of them.

Oh, rats. ]

I mean... yes, we really must be going. We have very important matters to attend to. Matters of the utmost urgency, in fact!

[ Oh, Dorothea. You just picked not just the worst liar in this marketplace, but the worst liar in all of Fódlan. ]

[Not everyone needs fancy glowing relic weapons. He's silhouetted by the patches of glowing quartz, walking through the shadows of their scattered light. It seemed fitting—and more comfortable.]

Help you out of a dream? That would be quite a task. Come now, I know you can feel the nature of this place—your insights are too keen to miss it.

[She hasn't seen Dorothea yet. Honestly, she's too busy walking along looking at the algae. Dorothea will notice that Bernie is a good deal shorter than she last saw and there seem to be antennae sticking up from her hair. She jumps when she realizes someone is talking to her before gasping.]

Dor...Dorothea?

[She's hoping this is real. Well, dream real. Because Dorothea is a friend and she's missed her!]

[ she may be tiny and have antennae, but there's no mistaking that voice. dorothea's smile turns brighter and she quickly rushes over to greet her friend (while giving bernie her personal space, of course). ]

Bernie! Did you just arrive as well? You're not hurt, are you? [ yes, she's fussing, leave her be. ]

[It really is Dorothea. Bernie is so happy to see her that she feels tears in her eyes. It's been hard because neither Edelgard nor Hubert are very...empathetic. To put it nicely. Not like Dorothea!

Some of her Fae instincts kick in before she can stop them and she jumps forward to wrap her arms around her friend, hugging her tight. Probably so unexpected for the other woman but Bernie's been having to deal with suddenly acting on her desires before thinking them through.]

Dorotheaaaaa!

[She'll answer in a moment. She's so happy right now.]

[The din of the crowd was overwhelming to his newly sensitized ears, and Lorenz Hellman Gloucester-- a good bit taller, antler-ier, and deer-ier-- was taken by surprise when his arm was grabbed as he was exploring the marketplace. He started at first, surprised by the sudden intrusion, and all but froze as that familiar voice met his longer, fuzzier ears.]

Dorothea.

[He said, surprise evident in his voice, but a glance at the vendors made the situation plain enough. Quickly catching on, he nodded in agreement and offered the songstress an amused smile.]

Yes, we really should be. The people we're meeting with are going to complain that we're late!

[Hooking his arm around her, he bobbed his head at the two vendors in a silent show of thanks for finding his friend-- his Bond, just for that moment.]

You know how they are, [He added, guiding her away and into the crowd.] Such sticklers for punctuality...

...Are you okay?

[He asked quietly once they were deep in the crowd, confusion and concern in equal parts showing in his eyes. The vining ivy clinging to his antlers did little to detract from the horizontal pupils of his eyes and the other changes that Geardagas had brought upon him, but as a whole he seemed well enough.

Irony of Ironies, Lorenz Hellman Gloucester had truly become a deer.]

Edited 2020-03-19 02:06 (UTC)

[ goddess. lorenz is now the mascot for the golden deer.

dorothea stares in wide-eyed wonder at lorenz's physical changes before remembering that yes, she had grabbed onto him for a reason. she blinks away her shock and gives him a genial smile. ]

We'll never hear the end of it. [ she waves over her shoulder as they walk away, shouting airily to the vendors, ] Thank you for your time, gentlemen!

[ once they're surrounded by the hustle and bustle of the crowd, she pats his arm in a placating manner. ]I'm perfectly fine, Lorenz, don't worry. [ a beat. ] You...are Lorenz, right? You look--. [ what's a nice way to say this ] Different.

I am indeed Lorenz Hellman Gloucester. You're as astute as ever, Dorothea.

[There was jest in his voice-- partially to make light of a confusing situation, but to also curtail Dorothea's habitually acidic tongue. The circumstances were complex and the dream itself only finite.

No one could say how long they had.]

But the circumstances beyond this dream have made me a Faun as well. It's nothing to concern yourself with.

[He was just 4 inches taller, with hooves that clacked on the ground beneath him as they walked and antlers that tended to catch on anything that hung a hair too low.]

...Have you been told anything about this place yet?

[ As an outsider to this place, Felix has been subjected to enough stinkeye at this point he's walking the market with hackles perpetually raised, ready to snap at the first person who lays a hand on him. Dorothea almost becomes that person when he feels someone grab him—canine ears flick back, and there's the beginnings of a growl in his throat, until he actually looks and has to do a double-take. ]

Doroth—

[ His eyes dart around finally taking in the situation, the vendors hovering near looking at him questioningly.

He narrows his eyes. The growl comes back, a little louder this time, baring canines just beginning to sharpen into fangs.

That seems to make the vendors throw their hands up and back away, giving the both of them an opportunity to put some distance between them. Only once they've rounded a corner does Felix begin trying to pry her off his arm, whuffing quietly. ]

Stop touching me. You can consider that a favor, but we're not allies here.

[ dorothea's eyebrows lift to her hairline in surprise. he certainly barks orders like felix, but she doesn't quite remember him growling, much less having canine ears or teeth. everything happens so quickly that she doesn't have a chance to collect her thoughts until felix is kindly requesting she let go of his arm. ]

I'll be sure to remember that we're keeping track of acts of kindness. Which I do appreciate, by the way, but.... [ her brow creases in confused concern while she lets him go, that hand going to her hip. ] How are we not allies? I would think fighting together to stop the Immaculate One put us a step above "passing acquaintances".

[Hazuki has not been relying on the sketchy light-up moss. The moment she realized there was some force inside of her which she refuses to describe as magic, she mentally runs through the way she'd code something to light up according to a day/night cycle, the best approximation of a nightlight she can manage without photosensitive hardware attached to it.

And with it she's made an orb of warm light to hold in her hand, which she's using to navigate when she comes across Dorothea in the strange beehive of tunnels.] If I knew the way out, I wouldn't be wandering around down here.

[It's a rude response, but it's not derisive in intonation. It's just matter-of-fact. Same as the way Hazuki's eyes find the sword at Dorothea's hip and she raises an eyebrow.] You need my help when you're carrying that thing?

[ rude response, yes, but hazuki's "all-business and straight to the point" bedside manner is familiar enough that it doesn't bother her all that much. thanks, hubert and lysithea.

she glances down at her weapon and huffs a laugh at the question. fair point. ]

I'm only a passing swordswoman at best. [ is dorothea gonna mention that she's actually pretty decent at her weapon of choice or that the powerful magic she knows from home feels supercharged ever since she's arrived in this strange dream? nope. just gonna keep her capabilities under her hat for now. ] Besides, you're the one who's managed to make a light spell. You seem pretty capable yourself.

[She regards the orb of light impassively.] It wasn't that difficult. Pretty basic code.

[That makes no goddamn sense in this context, and she doesn't explain further. Thanks Lotus.]

I don't know the first thing about swinging a sword around. Maybe between the two of us we can find our way out, hm? [Two very differently capable, but nonetheless still capable women! Unstoppable, frankly.]

[The caves are disorienting. A2's gotten turned around no more than three times, and upon Pod's suggestion, has begun marking her progress by leaving nicks in the walls she's passed. It's working well enough, it seems, because she sees someone she's never seen before.

A2 does not return the smile. Instead she regards this person — this human, she had to be — with wide-eyed surprise. Eventually, she thinks to avert her gaze some, almost in deference, and nods in assent. Wordlessly, she steps forward, walks a few paces ahead of Dorothea.

Was it a trick, she wonders? The machines had done this before, deceived them. But then, she thinks, what did it matter? This was better than waiting here in the dark.]

Follow me. I've been marking the way.

[ A2's reaction reminds her of new performers at the opera reacting to meeting nobility for the first time. dorothea doesn't figure she's worth all the commotion--they're strangers, after all, and she's a commoner. or rather, an ex-commoner, now that the war is over and titles such as "count" and "baron" won't have much meaning soon.

she steps aside when A2 passes her by, silently assessing her white hair (an all too familiar sign of past cruelty) and odd...floating box? maybe the box is a local thing. ]

Oh, how resourceful! [ she adjusts her pace so they can walk side-by-side. dorothea hopes that will put her new companion at ease. ] If there was ever a desperate time that called for a desperate measure, getting trapped in a cave should count, shouldn't it?

(no subject)

abandonware - 2020-03-24 01:59 (UTC) - Expand

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

TDM: MARCH

dorothea arnault | fire emblem: three houses | witch

marketplace

no subject

no subject

Marketplace

no subject

no subject

Arrival

no subject

no subject

(no subject)

(no subject)

marketplace

arrival

arrival

no subject

no subject

Marketplace

no subject

no subject

Marketplace

no subject

arrival

no subject

no subject

arrival

no subject

(no subject)