TEST DRIVE MEME -- JANUARY

[terminalmegas]

TEST DRIVE MEME Interested in joining Terminal Tokyo? Well, before you apply feel free to testdrive any character you're interested in playing here! This is a good way to see how your character will work in the environment or even the potential CR. For the sake of this meme you are allowed to choose your own partners but it will not count as game canon. Nothing that happens here will, it's just for practice! That said we've decided to give you a bit of what you will see if you join the game. Keep in mind once a month we'll put up sets of missions your characters can join for bit, which is what some of these are! Others are mini-events. So here we go: MINI-EVENTS 1 POWER PROBLEMS A swarm of Kunemon have invaded from the forest! Having electric attributes in their attacks, they're causing all sorts of power problems around the city. Can they be stopped before electrical fires start up? 2) BATTLE MUSIC: One of the shifts causes music to follow your character around for a maximum of two days. Are they upset? Rocking out? Whatever they're doing we hope they're enjoying their new battle theme! 3) CRAZY WEATHER WE'RE HAVING!: Have you ever heard the expression "raining cats and dogs?" Well, now it's raining Gatomon and Doggymon, and they're understandably pretty unhappy! Or maybe you happen to be on one of the more normal weather days, like a sudden heatwave, or a freak blizzard, or a raging sandstorm! Better watch out for that tornado day, too. You're already not in Kansas anymore, after all! MISSIONS 1) THIS TOWN AIN'T BIG ENOUGH: 300 BIT The Terriermon and Lopmon have started a turf war! You've been picked to stop it. Watch out for the Terrier Tornados and Blazing Ice. 2) WE CAN REBUILD IT: 500 BIT The poor, poor city. It's in shambles! You've been drafted to help fix it up, in whatever way you can. Planting trees in the park? Fixing holes in the apartment building? Reconstruction of entire shops? Hope you're good with a hammer. 3) OPERATOR?: 800 BIT The forests of the Digital World are strange places, especially with everything merging together. It looks like an unusual amount of weird telephone booths are showing up all over the place, displaying weird bursts of static and odd messages. Track down the booths and see if there's anything of importance...or listen to how to travel to Mars with a canoe. The second one's more likely. Watch out for Kuwagamon. He's irritable. 4 FIRE! 500 BIT The DemiMeramon's are a mischievous bunch, aren't they? Don't think so? Well, we hope that's not your house they're trying to burn down! A bunch of DemiMeramon are loose and setting fire to the outskirts of the city. Stop them before they destroy the whole city, but be careful! They may turn into Meramon, easy enough. 5) TRAINING WITH CHOSEN: 100 BIT With some of the recent Chosen adjusting to their roles, some of the newer Chosen might be looking to them for help, which includes fighting experience. In the spirit of promoting such camaraderie, an observing or participating NPC will give those actively training a few bits for their effort. And, as always, you're also allowed to do this in a free form! These are just ideas to get your gears rolling and see what to expect. (NOTE: All missions and events are more light-hearted here, but will not always be in game).

Comments

[cepicorpus]

Are you certain?

[It's quiet, and deadly serious. This is vitally important. That she'd been here at all meant he'd have to watch his back no matter what, but if she hadn't popped up recently maybe they'd already moved on to search other worlds.

This matter of multiple hearts is weird, but for the moment not anywhere near as important.]

[heartdive]

I think I would know if she was still around...

Her place was empty.

[cepicorpus]

Unless you got Aqua-radar or something, you could be wrong.

[Wow, he really doesn't want her there.

He was going to have to do his own searching to sure. Keyblade masters were as subtle as a wrecking ball most of the time. Vanitas shrugs - but his digimon isn't even remotely relaxing.]

And the other one only popped up in dreams, huh. Hey, that changes and either one turns up, and you let me know, I'll give you something nice.

[Probably not, but this kid seemed to be the sort who'd believe it anyway.]

[heartdive]

[ wow... seriously. ]

She's not a bad person, you know. All she really wants is everyone to be together again. Wants to be with her family again. I can't say that's a bad thing.

I can't imagine what it would be like to lose Riku or Kairi... Really I don't want to lose anyone.

[cepicorpus]

Yeah, it sounds great. Until you realize exactly what she'll do to be with her family again.

[His tone is neutral still, but it's getting harder to maintain. Vanitas isn't good at self control, not for long.]

I doubt you'd do half the things she'll try to get what she wants. Anyway, take a free piece of advice. Just because someone acts nice doesn't mean they really are. If you're smart you'll watch your back around her and her 'family'.

[He shoves his hands back in his pocket, tone drifting sullen again.]

[heartdive]

[ Sora shakes his head. he doesn't believe she could be all that bad. but then again... ]

Sometimes people make mistakes or bad calls, sure. That doesn't make them a bad person. And maybe they walk down the path of darkness, but they can always find their way back.

[ that's just his experience though. and Sora's eyes are bright with confidence. his smile, though, is soft. fond. ]

But I can't really take that advice anyway. I'm connected to them as much as they are to me. I might not know them, but I wouldn't be who I am without them. And maybe... Maybe this is all just one sad story, but I still think that everyone can be saved - even the ones that are gone or shouldn't exist.

[cepicorpus]

[Sora is given a long, unreadable stare as he speaks. It's like listening to every sappy spiel about why life wasn't the trainwreck of pain and suffering it really was. But he doesn't interrupt. Doesn't say a word, or move, or even blink.

It takes a minute to come to terms with the fact that there's more than one idiot that thinks this way.]

I can see why they mistook you for Ven. You might look like me, but I'll be damned if you don't cough up the same mindless delusion of feel-good bullshit he did. Didn't think there'd be more than one moron with that line out there. So much for optimism.

[There's something very like disgust in his voice, but it seems Vanitas is content to leave it with that disgust. It's pathetic. And people like that, with no sense of reality or what danger really is, that somehow get everything handed to them on a golden platter.

It made him sick.]

I'm out of here.

1/2

[heartdive]

[ Sora blinks. owlishly... that's not... ]

I... look like...

[heartdive]

[ what is this guy even talking about!? ]

You and me don't look anything alike! At least you and Roxas have the same face, so it would be easy to mess that up. But you and me? Me and Roxas? There's no way!

[cepicorpus]

Not anymore, sure. But when I didn't have my body back, if you made your hair black and fixed your eye color and maybe put on twenty pounds of muscle, you'd have looked just like me. Looking at you is like looking at some kind of scrawny underfed caricature and they couldn't even get the colors right.

[Vanitas oddly enough doesn't sound terribly disgusted about that. Someone looking like him didn't bother him terribly much, he knew he was in no way connected to Sora. It was odd, that's it.]

Universe sure has one hell of a sense of humor, huh.

[heartdive]

Yeah. Funny..

[ Scowling? oh yes there is some definite scowling - but not because of what is said about his person. Sora knows he is a scrawny guy... and that doesn't really bother him overmuch. it's the memory that comes with Vanitas' description. ]

What's really funny is the other person I saw when taking my test - when dreaming. This kid, when Xehanort showed up, looked right at me over the guy's shoulder. Black hair like mine and gold eyes...

Sounds like you, huh?

[cepicorpus]

[The armadillomon perks up visibly, the only time it hasn't kept a very wary eye on their surroundings since Aqua and Terra were first mentioned.]

That's really neat! Are you an oracle?? They dream about people too! Hey, did you dream about me? What did I do in your dream??

[Vanitas shifts his weight just enough to plant a good swift kick on that hard shell. It barely rocks the sturdy digimon, but seems to take some of the wind out of its sails.]

Normally I'd say yeah, it sounds like me, but you won't catch me anywhere near the old man if I can help it. I'd tell you to stay the hell away from him too, but oh! [He clasps his hands at his chest and actually flutters his eyes.] You believe everyone is really a nice person and can be saved!

[He sobers up fast.]

Even baby chicks know a snake when they see one. You should start paying attention.

[heartdive]

[ Vixie frowns, nearly growling... but picks up the smaller digimon instead. she is clueless about all of this. Ryudamon though? he's not. he's heard some of this conversation before. he's SEEN possession by one of the Xehanorts through Sora's memories. it's still... a sensitive subject. ]

There are exceptions. And he wasn't old. The one I met was still young. [ though Sora's hands ball up into fists. ]

Maybe you're the one that should pay attention. We all have been played by that guy! He's not gonna stop until he gets what he wants so avoiding him isn't going to solve anything!

[cepicorpus]

[The armadillomon does not get its question answered. It seems a bit put out by this, but being picked up seems to help many ills. Among them, being suddenly out of kicking range. It didn't mind the occasional kick, or being tied to a post and abandoned or getting its mouth taped shut, it knew the whole situation was worth it!]

Aw, I guess not.

[Vanitas looks intensely skeptical when Sora claims Xehanort wasn't old. The rest he could come to terms with but that?]

I don't think he was ever young, if I needed proof it was just a dream I guess that'd do it right there. That bastard was old and wrinkled before Olympus was even a mountain, I swear.

[Skepticism, he has it. A lot of it. The very idea of a young Xehanort was strange. What would he even look like? Less bent, but still bald? The thought is shaken off; he doesn't want to imagine it. And then he smiles.

It's not a nice smile, a little too wide, with too much tooth. It might give the impression he's about to bite.]

Actually, funny thing about that. If I avoid him, he'll never get what he wants. Ever.

1/2

[heartdive]

He was, I swear! I never met the old guy, but I heard about him from Riku, Mickey, and Lea.

[ at least he remembered Axel's real name right this time. but yes, Sora is getting a little worked up... if only because this is so gosh darn confusing. ]

He's been using time travel!

[heartdive]

[ but then that expression... it makes Sora back up a step and Vixie hold onto Armadillomon a little more. she and Ryudamon both don't like what they are picking up from Sora... ]

Are... Are you the last one? The last guy with his heart?

[cepicorpus]

[Those names mean nothing to him, and it shows. There's not even a flicker of recognition. Whatever Vanitas' part in this is, it doesn't involve them, for better or worse. Given how unpleasant he could be, that's probably for the better.]

Time travel. Huh. If he can use that, then I dunno why he's bothered--

[There's a pause, and then Vanitas doesn't finish the thought. Not aloud. His partner squirms a bit though not quite enough to convey a desire to be put down. It rather liked friendly contact!]

... Nah, nothing like that. He's not stupid enough to try it. Then he'd really never get anywhere with his war. Somewhere out there is the lock to all his twisted little fantasies, and I'm the key.

[Literally.]

So I'm just gonna keep doing what I'm doing, because it's worked pretty well so far. Funny thing about winning. Sometimes it just means denying the other guy victory.

[He knew all about that. It's how he got into this situation to begin with. To be able to use it on someone else was a bittersweet and vicious joy.]

[heartdive]

[ a key... this guy? but... ]

The key can only be made when thirteen darknesses and seven lights fight...

[ Sora is so confused, but he shakes his head. so it really IS like that. a different reality, perhaps? too early to tell or to make that sort of leap. ]

'Cause Xehanort didn't finish what he started ten years. That's why he's trying again in my time...

[cepicorpus]

Nah, you got that a bit mixed up.

[He gestures a little, skyward, as if something was actually there besides the usual sky.]

The thirteen and seven just decide who wins that yummy little unlocked prize. But he's gotta unlock it first.

[Vanitas looks bemused for a moment. It might be the only moment since this conversation started that his expression doesn't seem threatening. The smile that follows isn't quite as bloodthirsty either.]

Ten years, huh? Guess I succeed after all. Or get killed on the way, but that's practically the same thing.

[He's okay with that.]

...If he's picked you as my replacement, just upset the balance of light and dark in your own heart. Make sure they're never equal, never in balance. And never stop running. You want to save your friends, that's the only way you've got that'll work.

[He points at the armadillomon after a moment, frowning.]

Get down.

[heartdive]

I'm telling you... He never made the Keyblade.

[ pretty insistent on that part, at least. forget the rest of it. Sora is no replacement for anything. not now, anyway. or maybe he still is a target... he doesn't know and isn't going to dwell on it. Riku and the others will be there to pick him up if need be. ]

[cepicorpus]

Of course not, stupid. If he did I wouldn't be standing here right now. Weren't you paying attention?

[The armadillomon finally works on wriggling loose of Sora's digimon's grasp, perhaps unwilling to deal with Vanitas' ire unnecessarily. It's nice to be carried around, but it can walk just fine too!]

[heartdive]

[ oh she'll let go. but sit down because what is this conversation even... ]

But how? I thought that it was a weapon, not a person.

[cepicorpus]

[Vanitas scrubs his face with one hand. Why was he even bothering?]

You're familiar enough with what's going on to know who Master Xehanort is and more or less what he's up to, and it's the fact that the Keyblade is alive that throws you?

[heartdive]

Riku and I didn't have a master to teach us these things, thanks. So, no. I don't know.

There was no guide to all this stuff and we had no idea what he was really up to until... Well until recently. I don't even think anyone thought he was still alive.

[cepicorpus]

You don't need to have a Master to apply a little common sense and thinking to things, y'know. Entire worlds have hearts and thus are alive. What made you think keyblades of ANY kind don't have their own heart, and thus, aren't alive? What do you think they connect to their wielders with, spit and a prayer?

[It might be useful to know but Vanitas really needs to work on his method of delivering that information.]

A Master doesn't do all your thinking for you. He's just there to beat you into shape and make you pay for it if you screw up, the rest is up to you. You're supposed to figure it out on your own. Anything else you need me to spell out for you while I'm being generous?