Test Drive Meme 3.

[awashmods]

Mary, Mary, quite contrary How does your garden grow? With silver bells, And cockle shells, And pretty maids all in a row.

Prompt 1: t's probably been at least a little while since you managed to climb out of the well, so hopefully you've dried off by now and are enjoying poking around the Town. But who cares about all of that? More importantly, the Town has a new feature this time, for reasons entirely unknown to everyone. The flowers...seem to be talking. They have no faces, but they will definitely turn to talk to you, and if they have had their color restored, they will very brightly and contentedly compliment you, or your clothing, or wish you well. If they haven't? Prepare yourself for all sorts of horrible, horrible insults, because that's all that's coming your way. Prompt 2: ow are you settling in? Is the Town treating you well? It's not as bad as it used to be; some of the houses have color, some of the food has color and taste as well. It's been polished up a bit since everyone first got here. Granted, when you wake up that morning to find yourself in full fancy wear of many different types (all colorless, and gender has nothing to do with which you might end up in), you'll find that the Town might not be as well put together as it seems. You can't get out of the formal wear. It just won't come off, no matter what you do. Which wouldn't be so bad, but... it seems like these clothes will snag on just about everything in the Town, which is far from smooth. Try not to trip over those loose cobblestones, or your dress snagging on a nail sticking out from a door frame. This is really not the place for this sort of clothing. Prompt 3: e loves me, he loves me not... that's a pretty familiar game, right? For some reason, the urge to pick one of those flowers and casually pluck the petals from it while playing that game is going to grow stronger and stronger the more flowers you see. Eventually? You're just going to have to cave to it. (Certainly it doesn't help that the flowers scream a bit when you pull their petals; they still can talk right now, after all!) She loves you, she loves you not...and by the time you've picked the last petal, you've forgotten who you were even thinking of originally -- instead, the very next person you see is going to be the victim of a very impassioned declaration of love. Don't worry, you'll come back to yourself...after you declare your undying love for everyone to hear. Prompt 4: ut no matter how many people tell you not to go into the forest, however, it's still rather enticing, isn't it? It's sitting right there, waiting for you to explore it, waiting for you to just step a little bit out of the Town... And soon, you're surrounded by the dark boughs of the trees, the twisty, turny paths of the woods, where it feels like you're wandering in circles for hours upon hours -- And then, after ages of tree branches yanking at your hair and roots tripping you up, you find a clearing. And in that clearing? There's a field of flowers. They're colorless -- strangely eerie because of it, but still distinctly recognizable to the flower familiar as Asphodel. And touching any single one of those flowers will suddenly give you vivid memories of one of your precious friends -- so long as they're dead. Anyone around you is going to experience that flash of memory too, so be careful! Extra: Got something in mind? Want to play with the setting more? The sky's the limit, so feel free and make up your own prompts to play with! Welcome to Awash's third Test Drive Meme! Please check out the FAQ and rules as you test your characters out. The setting is yours to play with, so be creative and have a good time with it! An important date to remember is September 1st, 9 PM EST, when Applications will open. There will be no reserves for this app round or any future app rounds, so it will be first come, first served applications. As a side note, TDM threads are not canon, so please feel free to assume established CR for the sake of the TDM if it will make threading or showing off your character's voice easier. If you have any questions about the TDM, feel free to ask us here. If there are any other questions, you can catch us via PM, the FAQ or the contact page. You are of course welcome to use prompts from the previous two test drives. Thank you for your interest in Awash!

Comments

[tenthousandmiles]

[Ginko's expression is mostly somber, but he does nod in reassurance.]

I only knew him for a day.

[So it's not a personal loss he's been shown, in the way it might be for someone else who might wander into this field. Indeed, that was what he'd meant, when he'd told Mujika that he'd envied him somewhat, as well--Mujika had had a place he belonged, people for whom his existence was precious.

Ginko, meanwhile, cannot belong anywhere. His particular constitution necessitates that he always remain moving. He'd told Mujika that he didn't mind it, and that wasn't a lie--but in the end, he is only a man. He may have made his peace with his place in the world long ago, but that doesn't mean he's above the desire for human connections.]

The villagers, on the other hand, don't even know what it is they lost.

[And therein lies the true tragedy, in his opinion. The villagers who had loved Mujika so much, only for the man to be erased out of existence entirely, his memory struck out from their very souls.]

[goldenwords]

In that case, let's head back together. Safety in numbers, isn't that so?

[She grins.]

If we run into any more of those horrid flowers, I can blow them up before they cause a problem.

[trepidate]

Sorry, sorry! I won't do it again.

[ This is the face of INNOCENCE. ]

But you probably know a lot about it! Pleeeeeease!

[withwisdom]

[ the incredibly thick layer of ego aside, the request to return home sends a small pang into zelda's heart. guess she has to be the one to break this... ]

Goddess, I apologize for being the bearer of bad news to you, but there is no way for you to return to your realm at the present moment. Everyone here has been taken from their homes and we have no secure means of leaving.

[unghost]

[ They take one long look at that weird smile, the expression as familiar as it is unnerving. Confronting how they feel about their attachment to Lapis is opening an entirely different can of worms, so they turn away their head petulantly, sighing more out of sulkiness than anything else. ]

I already told you, I gave it to you, so do whatever. [ It would be vastly preferable if Phos would try just a little bit harder to not get so broken up, but— what can they do. It wasn't like they were on the moon to prevent whatever led to Phos allowing this to happen, so maybe it's their fault.

Holding the left side of their face, they continue to walk away from the nice colorful flowers, not seemingly having any intention of diverting their path from the colorless ones to get where they're going. It also seems they have no intention of answering Phos' question directly, choosing instead to divert the conversation. ]

Just know that you'll be out of luck if you lose anything else while we're stuck here. I doubt even your inclusions can accept the materials in this place.

[allweather]

[Reim only shrugs, incidentally, as he is actually familiar with a place having some kind of malevolent "soul," as it were... This place is very different, but the concept is similar enough.]

Apparently, the people who've been here a while consider themselves a makeshift family, [or at least that's what one person told him, which is surely enough!!] so it seems they're looking out for each other.

tysm!

[overlayed]

Currently, yes. I was separated from Phosphophyllite and their partner. [ It's a pointed dodge at their name, but at least "their partner" is better than "the little crystal inside me".

They kneel down next to them and try to coax their skirt. ] And yourself? Are the other Diamonds here? [ With one hand, they aren't much help, but hopefully with their combined three hands it's enough.]

1/2

[overlayed]

[ Confusion mixes into their expression, though it's soft. Less of a "what are you talking about?", and more of "why are you apologizing?" Even so, they take it in stride. ]

There's no need.

2/2 it's been so long hello!!

[overlayed]

It shouldn't be a problem. [ Might be difficult with one hand, but they're sure they can manage. They don't need to burden Tsumugi with this, too. ]

[ninjanature]

[For a moment, he watches Bolin with an appraising, dark eye. Earth transformations... It's not something he would--now--scoff at.]

What ways can you manipulate the earth? Transforming chakra allows ninjas to walk on water, walls, and ceilings. Are you able to do the same with this "bending"?

[servileness]

[ Zero should've just ripped Four's throat out before she confessed because honestly, that's not something Four ever expected to hear from Zero, but she's delighted?

Four is delighted. Or at the very least, she looks delighted. Her face lights up, and she ignores that last part because what good is denial if you don't ignore what you want? ]

Oh, Zero! I knew some part of you still did!

[ Guess what, Zero? Guess who's coming in for a hug? Four is. She sidesteps all that vomit because ew that's disgusting.

There's no staying away here. Because that cursed love confession somehow wasn't disgusting. ]

once again i am being attacked for presenting new ideas

[overlayed]

Ah... [ They didn't know that.

They take the pot back, their eyes are planted firmly at Phos' feet and their shoulders tense despite drooping like a wilted flower. Ghost goes to kneel down and pick at the earth. ] I'm troubling you again. [ They sound disappointed- the same tone one of the Gems took when they failed Sensei. They soon change their tune, however. ] I'm sure your "reliable Cairngormie" wouldn't have. [ Lapis' Phos' perfect, capable bestie! A hint of bitterness, a pinch of envy. ]

[fivefingerdeathpunch]

[The recognition on Jonathan's face is suspicious, but not enough to confirm Jotaro's belief that he's some kind of face-snatching weirdo. He needs more to go on, and he needs it quickly in case the old man is in danger somewhere.]

They're my grandparents, Joseph and Suzie Joestar. The old man is one of the last living ripple masters.

[React to that, you bastard.]

[theshowsover]

Yeah. I set it up.

[Using coffee he stole from home, but that's difficult to explain.]

It doesn't have a lot in it, and we don't have a very sustainable source of coffee. But I just wanted people to have a nice place to go.

[usedlick]

Yes, that is correct.

[He keeps forgetting, somehow, which is really implausible since that information should be stored in his ram. But it seems so natural that everyone should already know...

Either way. He moves so she can better see the LED on his temple. it's currently flashing blue.]

I'm an RK8000 model android developed by CyberLife. My primary function is to assist detectives in investigations.

[He glances over Aigis. A quick scan verifies the implications in her own words.]

You're also an android, is that correct?

[Though not one developed by CyberLife, or he would have been able to analyze her model number.]

[oldschoolghostbuster]

[Nikkari's not anywhere near picky, but eating is also less of a mandatory thing for him than it is for most human and human-adjacent beings, so why swallow if it's no good?]

True. It would be weird to expect flowers to be clever, wouldn't it?

[finalize]

[ "Obviously not helping," says the flowers.

and aigis, on the other hand: ]

And vegetables? I understand a balanced diet is required to ensure you acquire every inch available to you.

[finalize]

[ You are friends with Aigis! Aigis will now die for you. ]

I do not quite understand either. I believe the standard response in moments like these is: if your words do not contain an appropriate message, that message should be destroyed.

[ ... not quite the phrase, but like bolin, she deserves points for effort.

she seems to guess that her way of saying that was wrong and awkward somehow, so she moves on quickly with only a minimal fluster. ]

Um, but my shoes are the simple, standard school shoes... They are brown. The technical term for them are "loafers".

[satanslash]

Uh, lessie... I'unno what their codes are on the forum off the top of my head but I'm preeeetty sure they're both red so they'd be in Ruga?

[Doesn't narrow it down a whole lot, but it's the best start Rin can give him without being at a laptop right that second.]

I'unno how familiar you are with everythin' yet, so if you need a map I've got one you can borrow.

[onichan]

[Iroha handled clients with big names and bigger egos with respect and discretion. Almost exclusively women, and none as big and blond as this masterpiece. His demon half struggled to come out. Iroha swallowed and clamped down on the hot-blooded yearnings, his eyes searching for a point to land on that wasn't All Might's tempting, skin-tight-]

Permanent...?

[What was that written on the side of the writing instrument?]

Forgive me, All Might-san, I must refuse [putting a hand up to block the Sharpie's nib] unless you are willing to perform this ritual of devotion to me in return.

[That's unlikely. His clothes are saved, right?]

[havearaft]

I'd think it was important for a flower to be clever. Especially if it isn't pretty.

[Not that she thought looks were more important than brains, at least not as much as she might have before. Leo, after all, wasn't exactly the most blindingly attractive of heroes (with the scrawny body and unkempt ... well, everything) but to her, he'd become rather breathtaking due to his personality and kindness.]

[swordfucker]

Begging like that makes me want to help you even less. Shut up, or I'll hit you.

[GUREN]

[oldschoolghostbuster]

Is that so? I would have imagined tenacity would be more important for any sort of plant than beauty or brains. Better for survival when you're rooted down, you know?

[...Unless they've somehow wandered into using flowers as metaphors for people when he wasn't looking. Then being at least clever enough to know when to retreat is generally necessary if one doesn't have a minder. But if not-]

But I'm no expert on flowers, so you may be right.

[lifespanned]

[ Fan base? Is this girl famous or something...? That is clearly what is more important here than the fact that they're both missing from their homes. ]

I've had a few stalker fans before, but never like this!! [ Misa clenches both her fists and holds them close to her chest, curling up as if in fear. ] Maybe whoever it is is targeting female celebrities specifically?

[ That would definitely, definitely make sense. There's motive there (who wouldn't want to be around cute girls), and it explains the pair being here. ]

Four; hello! I'm a simple person, I see Tales and I tag

[tendershepherd]

[Sorey had followed Jude when he saw the other entering the forest. It was dangerous here, after all, so it was best to at least have someone with you.

He hadn't expected the sudden vision at all and when it starts he stops in his tracks. When it's done he blinks, as if to clear his eyes, and then he can move again. The first thing he sees after the vision is Jude squatting next to a flower.

He has his own hunches, but decides it's best to check on the other first before asking questions.]

Hey.

[He calls softly as he approaches where Jude is.]

Are you okay?