forgottentales_ooc | Test Drive: April 2020

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Test Drive: April 2020

Test Drive: April 2020—

§ instructions.

Welcome to the Test Drive for Forgotten Tales! This is to help interested players test out their characters in the game's setting and see if the essence they have chosen will actually work in game play. There are a number of prompts that try to touch on the kinds of settings and scenarios the characters may encounter. So here are a few things to keep in mind while on the test drive:

Feel free to use the current Workshop for help if you need it! Both the Workshop and the Test Drive are required for Registration.
Participating on the Test Drive does not guarantee a spot on either Claims or Registration.
Check the Character Roster and Essence List to see if your choices are not already taken.
Include Character Name and Canon in the subject line, and note somewhere within the toplevel your character's essence. It can be in the subject line if you already know what it is (so ex; Character | Canon | Essence). Side note: You are free to try more than one essence if you're on the fence. Just make sure to note which one you're using for that particular prompt.
Players are free to assume their characters have been informed of the very basics so you can skip all that if you'd like.
Only the "In the Index" prompts of the Test Drive can be carried over in its entirety, but you can alter the story based ones as "stage play" settings within the Index if you wish to carry over that interaction as well, or alter components to a slightly different scenario (ex, instead of fighting Erasers in a story setting, it could in the Index or different monsters within the Index)..
Don't forget to refer to the Game Info for how the mechanics work.
Public Registration will open May 3rd, but anyone with an invite and current players can register at any time. Claims will open April 26th.

Most of all, have fun! Feel free to invite those you may think would be interested to participate in the test drive.

§ prompts.

¶ I. In the Index. When not out adventuring or playing character roles in stories, the Aspects will have some downtime within the Index, the central hub of the Realm of Stories. Here they can explore the city, read up on other stories, socialize with fellow would-be heroes, learn more about the essence, or even just do nothing at all. Any threads and CR made with "Index" prompts can be carried over into the game.

A. Out in the City. Life in the Index can range from the mundane to the extraordinary depending on which area one travels to. Because it is a hodgepodge of many different stories from numerous cultures, one can never be sure what they may encounter even on an average run for groceries.
1. Spring Has Sprung! It's spring in the Index, which means the city is decked out for more holidays! Sakura and other flowering trees scatter petals into the gentle breeze, streamers and banners in bright pastels hang from the lampposts and in shop windows, and best of all, specials on candy! However, some of this decoration magic is spreading all over. Some may suddenly find themselves with flower petals raining down upon them as if to give them a more "refreshing, romantic" effect, though sometimes instead of a gentle shower it's more like a raging storm (hopefully none of them are thorny roses). Buildings are suddenly made of chocolate or dyed random colors that glitter and sparkle in the sun, blinding those who walk past. Hopefully that chocolate doesn't melt. And some will find themselves sporting rabbit ears. They're "real" for about an hour before they turn into fake headbands, but fake or real, the ears can twitch and move.
2. Rabbits Can Multiply. Some people might stumble across a chocolate egg. It might be in your winnings if you participated in the egg hunt, on your kitchen counter, placed really obviously on the bench next to you after feeling someone tap your shoulder. In any case, the egg soon hatches into an adorable little chocolate bunny—that quickly starts to eat everything in sight and multiplies like, well, a proverbial rabbit. One rabbit chowing down someone's garden or restaurant inventory is easy to handle, but not five or more. The little menaces seem to distinctly avoid carrots, though. Maybe whacking them on the head with one or spraying them with carrot juice will get rid of them. You can use heat to melt them, but would you really want to scar the children like that?
3. Magic Jumping Jelly Beans. Special jelly beans are being handed out to everyone, children in particular. They come in all different flavors and colors and are quite tasty. The only problem is catching them all. When not contained in special, magical plastic eggs, the jelly beans will jump out and bounce around here and there and everywhere without any care. A handful is amusing, but when an entire box or cart full of them is accidentally knocked over and entire rooms or streets are filled with them...it's a problem. Traffic is blocked, eyes are at risk, and those little things can hurt when flying at high speeds. Whether it's grabbing and shoving them back into the eggs, smashing or burning them, or simply eating them, find a way to beat back the beans before they cause serious bodily harm or property damage.
B. Essence Practice. Suddenly inheriting the abilities of another person while losing most of your own at the same time can be quite jarring. Picking a place to test out these newfound powers or even going to the Library to read up on the essence's story may help glean some clues as to what they can do.
C. Try Out the Journal. The journals are unique to this world and the sole source of communication for everyone. Feel free to give it a try, either by sending a random message out or even a doodle.

¶ II. Jack and the Beanstalk. The classic tale of a young boy who climbs up the magic beanstalk to discover the giant's castle. Aspects are requested to help restore this story and are given a few tasks to fulfill. First they must scale up the current, contaminated beanstalk to help clear out the Erasers and other monsters lurking. Then a few select souls must reenact key scenes so that the Storyteller can rewrite the story. Finally they must help chop down the beanstalk so that a newer one can be grown.

A. Up the Beanstalk. The beanstalk is a twisting rotting mess that leads up to dark, stormy clouds. But it is up this beanstalk they must climb and try to not only create a safer passage for those involved, but to keep it from falling down prematurely as it is the only way up to the giant's castle in the sky. There are several large leaves that look as if they could be safe platforms, but be wary—some are actually venus flytraps in disguise and will snap close if triggered. There are also numerous Erasers and hostile creatures in the form of varying insects. A few beans and pea pods hang off its sides and they can be used as 1) nourishment and remedies, 2) thrown to create safe platforms, 3) sticky explosives against hostile creatures.
B. Dealing with Giants. There are two many scenes to pick from. For each, characters will take on one of the two roles, but it's only in name and appearance only. How they act is all up to them. There is no script, just a basic guideline on the setup and potential goal, but how it happens and how they get there doesn't matter. They can be serious in their role or just go completely off script. Each one has a costume: Jack, (Princess) Harp, and the Giant. (Note: characters do retain their Aspect abilities as well as temporarily gain some from their scene roles.):
1. Jack and (Princess) Harp: Sneaking Past the Giant. It's a stealth co-op mission to get through an extreme obstacle course without waking the Blot giant. Think Ninja Warrior obstacles and traps. (Princess) Harp is transformed into an actual harp with their head and arms the only movable original part of the person. Fortunately they are small enough to be carried, but be careful to not let any of the string snap! Don't wake the giant or they will get Fee Fi Fo Stomped.
2. Jack and the Giant: Confrontation. Despite their best efforts, the giant is able to catch up to Jack and impede his escape. Jack must now find a way to get past the giant, and it's up to the one who plays the giant to determine the method. Will the giant be talked into letting Jack go peacefully? Perhaps if Jack traded the harp? Solve a few riddles? Jack uses his wiles to somehow distract and sneak past? Will it come to a fight? Or perhaps another method? (Note: Jack will have a toy harp as a prop.)
C. Chop the Beanstalk. Once everyone is down safely, it's time to chop this giant beanstalk before more threats come down. It's very thick, not to mention riddled with obstacles like peashooter-pods, pome-grenades filled with alarmingly red sticky juice, spiky, stinky durian bombs, and worst of all, the SQUASH! Some chainsaws are provided, but there are other ways to help weaken it via Essence abilities. Those who have affinity with plants can perhaps coax it to soften itself. Others could try cursing it to wilt, and there are of course the elements to use against it (fire is most effective). Watch out for the various critters that will drop down in attempt to defend it, as well as the beanstalk's other defenses.

¶ III. Request Board: Creature Handling. People aren't the only ones displaced due to the Story Eater's destruction. A variety of creatures from various fairy tales and stories have sought shelter within the Index, and have for the most part been contained away from the main city. However, not all creatures are friendly, and some do escape, whether on their own or by those with ill intentions. While it is preferred to keep every creature safe and alive, the safety of not only the people but also other creatures and the Index itself is paramount. Lethal force should only be used when absolutely necessary. Although some requests specify certain types of individuals best suited for the task, anyone with comparable skills or alternative methods can participate. With everyone needing to learn how to use their new Essence abilities, these offer a perfect opportunity to test them out.

REQUEST: TRACKERS, HUNTERS, ANYONE WHO CAN COMMUNE OR UNDERSTAND THE FORESTS. A herd of unicorns is missing and must be found immediately! Poachers are known to trap and cut their horns to be sold on the black market as well as smuggling them to other stories to be sold. This is highly illegal and harmful for the creature. Please find and return them before they are harmed! If you spot a poacher, you have permission to capture them and take them to law enforcement.
REQUEST: WARRIORS, MAGES, BEAST TAMERS, TRACKERS. A large cerberus was spotted roaming near some ranches set by the mountains. Normally they keep to themselves, but this one is a young male likely looking for new territory to claim and drawn to the livestock. No humans have been harmed, but we want to keep it that way. Partners and groups must have at least one person capable of tracking it down. We wish to drive away the cerberus rather than outright kill it, but it can be unpredictable. If it cannot be driven off or knocked unconscious, then permission is granted for its destruction. Be wary of its three heads—it is capable of harnessing the three main elements: fire, water, and wind.
REQUEST: BARDS, MUSICIANS, CHARMERS. Because of the recent incidents, many of the more timid creatures and farm animals are nervous and won't settle down. Many have wedged themselves in odd hiding places and just won't come out, while others ceaselessly stampede through the spring fields and trample the crops! Music will help calm them down, especially duets, and they are also fans of musical numbers. However if music isn't enough, perhaps a sleeping spell of some kind will do.

¶ IV. Mix it up. This is the "wildcard" prompt. Feel free to take any of these prompts and make them more of your own, or pull from an entirely different story. As mentioned you're free to use any of our previous stories or other events. Just have fun with it!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Maybe he wasn't being serious, but the idea of her making an elevator with her hair sounds fun enough to try, and crazy enough to work. Minako makes a mental note about it before trotting over to direction he indicates.

She pauses in the doorway, glancing over her shoulder back at him.]

They don't stay here with you?

No.

[ He shook his head, opening the door wider for her and minding her hair. ]

They arrived before I did and I didn't want to intrude. It's alright.

[Her face says "no, it's not alright". She's not budging from her spot, folding her arms and furrowing her brows, because the way he said it doesn't sit right with her.]

"Didn't want to intrude"? Were you not friends with them in your...timeline?

[It's entirely possibly his team was composed of completely different SEES members. Hidetoshi could've taken Akihiko-senpai's spot. Maiko could've taken Ken's. And so on. Even some people that she doesn't know or can't think of right now could've been on his team.]

[ He wasn't going to lie, he felt a little bit like he was being scolded. His wings ruffled a bit as he looked to the side. ]

They were. They are. They're just not... [ It had only been a few weeks at best since he got here, right in the middle of fixing a story no less. So it was still... sinking in. That.. ] They didn't know me.

It was worse than the day after the Fall.

[ Junpei still knew who he was. They all at least remembered him, even if none of them remembered all the events that they went through. They still knew him. But now... that wasn't the case. And it never would be. ]

They're trying but I don't want to force it either.

[ They were friends with him once before, it'll happen again. ]

[She had, in fact, completely geared up to scold him. Junpei and Fuuka would never be the types to turn a friendly face away, even in bizarre circumstances like these. But his quiet admission to the reality of the situation has her expression softening.

Minako reaches out to hold his face between her palms, keeping her eyes locked with his. There's the unwarranted forwardness again, and yet she's so earnest that she can't help it.]

Hey...you wouldn't be forcing anything if you lived with them. It'd be like the first month of staying at the dorm again, that's all. Awkward at first, but then besties forever in no time.

[She chews on her lip, debating on whether to continue, and then sighs out.]

And we already did the isolation thing once. With them, even if they're not the ones you know, you don't have to do it again. Ever. You know that, right? You don't have to keep your distance.

[With no other choice but to return her look, he listened. His cheeks turned a bit pink, feeling her palms on his face like this. It wasn't uncomfortable, in fact it was comforting. And warm. His ears burned a little.

And, she was right. They had done the isolation thing once before. Sure, it made things easy at times. Not having to think about anyone else, just get through the days. Although that was a little harder without his music, without ISO, without... his friends. His eyes burned with tears threatening to spill. Minato knew he should have known better, but it was all to easy to fall back on old habits sometimes. But he should have also known it wouldn't work.

Junpei already wanted to go get lunch together all the time, Fuuka immediately asked to be his friend during the story they were fixing, and now Minako, his other(?) self was telling him what he already knew.

Minato shook his head with a small scoff, but he smiled and he nodded.]

You guys aren't very fair, you know that?

[Can't let a guy properly mope, can you?]

[Minako laughs brightly, squishing his cheeks a little and thumbing away at the tears in the corners of his eyes.]

You'll find that I do that a lot!

[Well! It's a good thing that she was able to pick up on that and strike at the heart of his problem so quickly, but in the end it's his own decision to act on her suggestions.]

Seriously, though. I still don't know a lot about you, so I don't want to force you into anything you don't want to do, either. But think about it, okay? We can be one big happy Persona family.

[ She had a very nice laugh and he liked to hear it. He made a sound when his cheeks were squished, but he didn't move away. ]

I will. Not sure about Persona family though, we don't get to use them here.

[ But he was serious. He would think about it. Maybe bring it up with Junpei next time they went out to lunch. He had been meaning to ask if how they were able to eat, Fuuka wasn't exactly the best at cooking and Junpei was no better. But Minato had learned from Shinjiro a bit. ]

Speaking of. So, you're Rapunzel. I'm Thanatos.

[ Talk about awkward. ]But it explained his dark outfit and wings. ]

[Satisfied with his answer, and determined to follow up later, she lets her hands fall away from his face, finally moving into the bathroom. It's completely rustic compared to what she's used to, but at least there's a mirror and a working sink. Minako starts to drag her hair over to start washing out the chocolate.]

...oh. That's why you're in a Greek house.

[She watches him through the mirror, a smile still on her face, but now a lot more wistful. He'd mentioned the day after the Fall, and so she isn't hesitant to bring it or anything--anyone-- else up any longer.]

At least it means you always get to keep a part of Ryoji with you.

[Her small token of him is gone, somehow, her right pointer finger bare. She assumes she wasn't allowed to bring it to this world when she got spirited away from the Gates.]

What's it like, being Thanatos?

Yeah. At least some things are updated though.

[He nodded to the sink. There was a bathtub behind him too. No shower head or anything but it was better than nothing. Indoor plumbing was a blessing and he thanked whomever invented it. That being said, he reached out to stop her. ]

We should figure out how much we’re cutting off first. No sense in wasting the water.

[He had scissors in a drawer, but she had a lot of hair so probably using a knife to slice through the chunk she wanted off first would have to do. His thoughts were a bit derailed at the mention of Ryoji and slouched a little. He wasn’t so sure being Thanatos was like having Ryoji. He couldn’t feel him. But he supposed it was better than nothing at all. Maybe he’ll get a yellow scarf later.]

I don’t think it’s anything like being Ryoji. Unless he could talk to butterflies and didn’t tell us. I get to help ease people’s pain though. And shadows... er, actual shadows not like the ones in Tartarus. I can control them? I haven’t fully figured it out if it’s shadows or darkness but...

[As an example, he gestured to Minako’s shadow which began go morph and change until it was helpfully holding up her hair off the ground.]

Like that.

[She acknowledges the sensibility in his reasoning with an affirmative hum, leaning in towards the mirror, running her fingers up and down her hair to guesstimate just exactly how much she wants cut as she listens to him. It's a shame it's in name only, but any reminder of Ryoji is good enough for her. She has her memories, so any little thing can guide her back to him, if they can't be together.

The idea of Ryoji secretly being able to talk to butterflies gets a snicker out of her, though. With his mysterious powers as Avatar, it's not impossible he had a sweet and silly ability like that. Blue butterflies always seem to hang around those related to Personas, after all...]

Oh! That's so helpful!

[She reaches out to pat her shadow, just to see if she can.]

I think Ryoji would be happy that you can heal people with your powers, at the very least. You can be the Thanatos he always wanted to be. Or even a completely new Thanatos.

[Because even in these bizarre circumstances, Ryoji--and everyone else who isn't with them-- would want them to keep living their lives to the fullest. That's what all their sacrifices had been for.]

[Just don't go falling in love with him. That would be weird. But he grinned at her snickering. It was a surprisingly useful ability, they had a lot to say!

The shadow is solidified now, so the patting has its intended effect.]

Would it be weird to wish he was here? Even if he was your Ryoji... it would be nice to see him again. Maybe he could be Hypnos.

[Which would be incredibly ironic given how much Minato liked to sleep. It made him laugh as he lifted some of the hair off her back, waiting to see where she wanted the new length to be.]

[She finally decides that she wants her hair just the same as it was before, and holds out the length to him between two fingers.]

No, I don't think it's weird. I know what you mean.

[It's hard not to want all of their loved ones close by again, no matter how dangerous it may be here or anywhere else-- and if they consider this place their second chance at life, which Minako most certainly does so far, then all the more so.

And now that she's met Minato, she knows she can't let herself get too deep into longing for their presence. In the extremely brief time she's known her other self, she's already grown protective of him, and she doesn't want him to suffer from his own loneliness if she can help it.

Still, remembering doesn't always have to be sad. She hopes their conversation about their friends lifts him up as much as it does for her.]

Ryoji would be a good Hypnos, especially since you two look similar enough to be twins. You could give everyone good dreams, every night.

It's too bad I couldn't join you as a Greek god. I would've kicked ass as-- what was her name? Artemis? And given Yukari-chan a run for her money. Oh, but maybe Aphrodite would suit her more...

[And she muses to herself like that, as she waits for him to cut and/or hack her hair off.]

[Minato had been sort of wishing he could see his friends from his home more than anything, but he wasn't going to get anywhere just wishing it. Taking that step to hang out with Junpei and Fuuka, maybe live with them if they had the room, it would be enough to fill the hole for now.

He took her hand when she indicated where and held it tight as he slid the blade beneath, beginning to shear it off as he listened.]

He said that once. We were at the hot springs and with his hair down, he commented on us looking like twins. Too bad it didn't save us from Mitsuru's wrath. [A sigh.] Yukari is the Lover so Aphrodite might be more fitting. What about Athena? I think you could fit her as well.

[Soon, the hair is cut and he took the curtain of hair to bundle up and settle off to the side for now. He also put the sword away to grab the scissors.]

I only ever learned to trim, so I'll just even this out. Anything else you'll have to go a stylist for, but at least you'll have less hair now.

Athena is definitely more of Aigis' thing. She explained it to me once! Something about Palladion being Athena's shield.

[She'd probably choose Apollo, honestly. The god of the sun sounds pretty fitting for her.

And wow, her head feels so much lighter all of a sudden. Minako reaches back to fluff it up, making a happy, pleased sound and pumping her fists into the air.]

Oh my god, I don't even care about styling, I'm free!

[Until tomorrow when it all grows back but. That'll be for her to discover later.]

Thank you so much, Minato! Once you're done trimming, I'll help with clean up and then treat you to some homemade cooking!

Oh, you're right. I had forgotten about that.

[Honestly, if they had a choice in any of this, he probably would have switched to Hypnos. It seemed more fitting for him. Or maybe Orpheus. Although if he remembered right, someone else here was already Orpheus.

He smiled at her enthusiasm, turning on the sink to run a comb underneath so he could wet the strands lightly, brushing out any remaining chocolate in the process. Oh, he should probably get a towel so hair wouldn't get all over her clothes. He draped one over her shoulders before resuming. ]

The length suits you better. You're welcome. What will you make?

[That and Aigis' ascended Persona is literally Athena too! Minako definitely doesn't wanna muscle in on that spot.

Though right now, Minako is more astounded and touched by how much thought and care Minato is putting into cutting her hair. Once he finishes, she turns and gives him the Full Power of her smile. After the Fall, her strength started slipping away from her and everything took extreme effort. She hasn't been able to cook for someone in ages. The prospect of it is getting her all fired up.]

Completely up to you! I don't know what ingredients are available around here, but I'm pretty good at cooking and baking. I'm sure I can manage!

[One of the relatives he stayed with hadn't exactly been good on money, but they made do. One of the things that helped save was trimming each others hair, so he learned. He rarely went to the barber anymore since he know how to cut his own hair.

Her smile is infectious, although his own in return isn't quite as bright. It just wasn't something he did very often unless on special occasions.]

Well, I know I don't have much in baking ingredients. But I have eggs and rice, I've actually been needing to restock so... what about omurice? Simple but effective.

Omurice it is. The classics never get old. And if you want a grocery shopping partner, here she is! But first.

[She pushes up her sleeves as she eyes the huge mound of her cut hair, wondering how to best cleanly and efficiently get rid of it. Is it just her, or does she feel magic coming off of it?]

...I wonder what would happen if we burned it.

Hm...

[That was a good question. He didn't see any reason why they couldn't though.]

Just to safe, maybe we should take it outside to burn?

[Thanks for indulging her inner pyromaniac.]

Of course!

[Don't wanna turn this nice house to ash, no matter what he decides to do about moving in with the others. She gathers what she can without scattering too much, and then parades out with it.]

Hmm, just like I thought. There's a kind of magic...emanating? Is that even the right word? It's emanating from my hair. No, it's more like it's running through it. [She squints down at the bundle in her arms.] How.

[You're welcome.]

Wait, what?

[Then should they really be burning it? What if it explodes or something? Forget the how...]

Why?

[Now he's wondering if they should have cut all that off? Except how is it still generating magic or whatever if it's not on her head?]

I dunno! It's so cool though! The original Rapunzel never had anything like this. Now I kinda regret cutting it all off.

[Too late now, though. But at least they can mess around with her hair for science. She holds up a strand of it, rolling it between her fingers.]

Maybe we could burn a handful first, instead of the whole thing.

Well, hair grows so you'll find out eventually.

[He went into another room to grab a basket that was usually meant for laundry. He set it down for her to put her hair in.]

We should probably be quick though. I doubt the magic is going to stick around without it being attached to anything now.

Fire starter, coming right up!

[She digs into her pockets for a small set of matches she came across while walking around town, and sets it to the hair.

It looks like normal fire for a moment. Pink hues gradually blend in as the fire travels down the length of the strands, and upon reaching the end, the entire pile bursts into a bigger blaze of magic, taking up the entire space of the basket.

Before Minako can even comment on how cool this is, a fox leaps out from the fire with a yip, landing at her feet. Its fur is the same shade as Minako's hair, with peach-pink fire sparking off certain parts of its body. Flicking its ears forward, it locks eyes with her and croons, weaving around her legs much like a cat would.]

Oh my gosh. I have a fox friend! It's so cute!

Test Drive: April 2020

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WHY DO YALL GOTTA MAKE HIM CRY /gross sobbing

oops :3

<3

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it won't be in this thread but minako's gonna have bayonetta hair powers eventually

omg yaaaass

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