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

It doesn't seem like she will; but any support you can grant her is very much appreciated.

[For what it was worth, although Lorenz had thrown his lot in with supporting Edelgard for his time in Geardagas, his endgoal would always be what was for the greater good of the Alliance. He focused best on the smaller details, not the overarching schemes that tanged around the heart of Fodlan.

Any support granted by Byleth would be far greater than what he personally could manage in any iteration of their history.]

...This has been quite the heavy discussion. Are you sure you're feeling all right?

[The more time he spent around her, the more he realized just how similar her body language was in comparison to the iteration he had in his memory. As stoic as she still was, simple stoicism couldn't completely hide her discomfort and exhaustion.]

I'm not. [ that comes easily enough. ] But I think that focusing on something else is making it easier.

[ a pause. ]

And since this is a dream... I doubt acting like a convalescent will do me much good. Tactically, this is a much better use of my time.

Of that there's no doubt.

[Because, of course Byleth thought like that. Although Lorenz worried, he knew that the concerns were unfounded.]

Very well, let's make the most of this. Do you need food or something to drink? While we're getting that, you're welcome to ask any questions you have and I'll answer them to the best of my capabilities.

[ she nods, standing. she'd... probably eat a bug skewer without much complaint, but she has a feeling lorenz might be a bit fussier. best to try to find something slightly more familiar. there's got to be fish, right? ]

Ale or wine seems the safest bet. I wouldn't trust the water in a place like this. [ hm. ] I don't think I've even asked how you've been. How are you finding Aefenglom?

[The bug skewers were way too much. While he would eat whatever was available if there was no choice, as long as he had options he was going to be choosey. Small fortune it was that he didn't feel particularly hungry in that moment. Though it annoyed people like Raphael, there were times when it helped to be a light eater.]

Despite it's problems, the city itself is pleasant enough. [Lorenz said, joining her on his feet and keeping a careful eye out for her footing and balance in case she needed support.]

I have a job, [He said, trying not to be too obvious with his pride over such a simple detail.] And, a small cat.

[ she's doing well enough, so far. ]

Do the merchants in these dreams usually expect coin...? [ byleth wonders that out loud, as she processes what lorenz just said. wait. back up. forget the job, that last thing is the most important part. ]

I need to hear all about this cat, Lorenz.

[He was quite proud of his job! But, he understood the extreme important of cats as well. Chuckling, he elaborated.]

He's a clever black gentleman, about six months old. When he's not eating home made treats, getting into my plants, or causing trouble with my Bonded's pet Pumpkin, I take him out on a leash so he can get some air and explore.

His name... Is Claude.

[ byleth actually... laughs, a little? ]

He sounds like quite the schemer. [ ... wait. ] Your Bonded has a pet pumpkin?

[ she doesn't know what to do with that. ]

Ah-- yes.

[He chuckled, not even knowing where to begin explaining this one.]

Her name is Lapis Lazuli. My Bonded, that is. Pumpkin is a pumpkin named Pumpkin.

Lapis...says that she is from a world wholly unlike anything that resembles our's, and that she is a Gem. A living, speaking stone with talents far beyond what seems ordinary, Profe-- sorry, I mean Byleth.

[Even with the difference in face, this was going to take some getting used to. The resemblence between the person before him and the one he recalled was uncanny.]

[ she breathes out a slight chuckle. ]

Call me Professor if you like. I suggested Byleth as much for your comfort as mine. And I met Lapis earlier, I think. I didn't get the opportunity to ask her how she knew all of you... but that makes some sense. [ wait. ] An... ordinary pumpkin? [ she's struggling to get her head around how a pumpkin is a pet. ]

Yes. A pumpkin.

....I do not understand how it functions, but it makes Lapis happy. For the moment, that is enough.

[There was a certain resignation in his tone, but it was accompanied by a fond-- if sheepish-- smile.]

Please, this is just habit. As Felix and the others have impressed upon me, we are not the versions that we remember of each other.

It may be better for the both of us if I called you Byleth. There would be less confusion... and you've made strides that I'm not even certain that the Professor in my memory will have the opportunity to make.

[ a bland look settles over her face, her old default expression being brought out as a mask. she had been thinking the same thing, but frankly... she hadn't wanted to say it. ]

Your Professor is... likely still a half-person, a corpse-born puppet stumbling through life as though a dream. And if he's opposed to Edelgard, then... I can't imagine he'll wake up.

[ a pause, as she takes a moment to step ahead of lorenz. ]

Forgive me for sounding so dismissive of someone you appear to hold in regard. I don't care to think of worlds other than my own; I've glimpsed too much of timelines gone awry as it is.

Edited 2020-04-01 04:47 (UTC)

[Byleth's dismissal was understandable, as Lorenz did not yet know how the path of the war he was fighting would end. In his heart of hearts, all he knew for certain was that Claude intended to disappear-- likely to Almyra, given the evidence from his own investigations and coroborating evidence from his conversations with Edelgard. If the trajectory of the war held true, Lorenz suspected that the Byleth he knew would likely be left to safeguard the Alliance, if it wasn't Lorenz himself.

But the war was still too young. There were too many variables in play to know anything for certain.

Lorenz paused a step behind Byleth, looking at the strong set of her wearied shoulders with confusion and concern. There was something about those words that felt off to him.]

...What by that do you mean? [He asked quietly, his lack of understanding evident in his voice.] Doubtless Claude would understand that better than I, considering how tightly he winds up his schemes... but this is the first I've heard anyone newly in this world from their own path make reference to 'timelines gone awry.'

[ and here she had so hoped he'd allow that to pass without comment. she stops, tension rising in her shoulders. ]

... If I answer your question, and I'm not sure I can in a way that won't only raise more... you mustn't speak a word of it to anyone. Even Edelgard doesn't know.

[Please. He's observant-- was that not realized long ago?]

You have my word. This isn't the first time I've sworn my silence in this realm.

[After all, none knew of his steadily growing debt to Hubert-- none by his own word. If that was what it took to ensure Hubert's peace of mind, then there were worse fates.]

If you feel it's too difficult... you do not have to explain.

... Another time.

[ she exhales and turns, finally, to look at him. ]

It isn't that I find it a painful topic. [ outside of a few specific things, that is. ] Just a complicated one.

Which is understandable,

[Lorenz said with a firm, accepting nod. His stance was relaxed and comfortable, as if they were standing on private grounds rather in the midst of a bustling marketplace.]

It seems your life has been frought with complications since you became a teacher at Garreg Mach. Fortunately, if you awaken in Aefenglom, you should find you have a reprieve of complex personal matters for a while. Hopefully, it will be long enough for you to sort yourself out.

I'll say that what I was referring to is... no longer an issue, and I'm glad of it.

[ she considers though. a reprieve of complex personal matters... no, that doesn't seem right. ] Less a reprieve and more a culmination, I think, at this rate. But... yes, I think it will be good for me, in the end.

[ she sniffs the air, taking a step back. ]

...I smell grilled fish. Do you?

[Sniffing the air as well, Lorenz smiled and nodded.]

I do, [he confirmed, glad for the simple things at that moment.] Shall we...?

[Because, whatever the reasons, it was a chance to simply be with a person with whom
-- in another reality-- there had always been a certain respectful distance maintained. Even as cavalier as relations within the Alliance could be, the boundary between Teacher and Student was a notable concept worthwhile of respect. It was another binding from Fodlan that had been released from them in this realm, and Lorenz was curious to see how things would continue in the future.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

TDM: MARCH

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