memesinthenight | TEST DRIVE MEME #2

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!tdm

TEST DRIVE MEME #2

Hello and welcome to the In the Night test drive meme for July! Thanks for your interest in our game! Reserves open on July 20, and applications open on July 22.

While you're here...
Take a look at our rules and faq pages to familiarize yourself with the game.
Note that, for this month, we have an application cap of 9 apps for new players, as we are raising the game cap to 60.
Current players may app a second character this round if they wish, which will not count against the app cap of 9.
TDM threads can become game canon if both players wish. If the situation isn't something that could happen in-game, you're free to chalk it up to some strange hallucination, a shared dream, or other mysterious circumstance.
Note that this is not limited to new characters threading with characters already in-game. If current players wish to thread out the TDM prompts as canon events, they are welcome to do so. They are welcome to make posts in the main comms for TDM events as well. Please note, however, that actual plot clues or happenings will not occur in TDM prompts.
TDM threads can count as network threads for AC.
If you plan to apply, please keep in mind that we do require at least one sample thread on the application to be from our TDM (though it doesn't need to be the current TDM).
You're welcome to use the provided prompts or come up with something on your own, but we do ask that all threads take place in our game's setting.

Thank you again, and we hope you'll choose to join us!

log prompts

HERE LIES PEPERONY AND CHEASE

It happens when no one is looking, when most of the town is asleep and the rest are inside. Dozens of shrines, altars, and other memorials appear seemingly out of nowhere, lined up in rows like a haphazard cemetery. Each one is covered in candles, and each bears an image or a name (or in some cases, both,) of a current resident of the town. The air around these monuments is solemn and reverent, and it instills in visitors an urge to pay respects.

Doing so, however, may have surprising results; it causes one to experience the death of the person whose grave they've honored.

Whether you resist the compulsion or give in willingly (or something in between), you'll also have to wrestle with the fact that a grave exists for you. Will you let your death be known, or try your best to keep it secret? Destroying it sure won't work, as it will return (along with a duplicate somewhere else in town). However you choose to deal with this, one thing is hard to ignore—this a tangible reminder of your death, and the fact that it's probably permanent.

This is a mini version of our July event, Graves.

WHAT'S WITH THIS SASSY... LOST CHILD?

There's something in the woods. You can hear it, faintly: the sounds of a living creature. What manner of creature, of course, is unclear. It may be safest not to venture out alone. Whether or not you travel forth with your companion willingly or not, as you tiptoe through the foliage, the sound grows louder. It becomes clear that something...something is crying. Get close enough, and the sobbing softens to fearful whimpering. But what is it that you've found?

The spirit would be easy to overlook of they weren't shivering in their hiding place where they cling to a tree. They're small, with the vague humanoid figure of a child, though their arms and legs taper into tangled roots. The hair on their head is nothing but leaves and moss, and the tears that stick to their cheeks shimmer like sap.

Get too close, and it cries out in fear, causing your head to spin in vertigo. It's clear that it'll be best to err on the side of caution, but decide to leave it to its own devices and you'll find yourself with a weeping tag-along. It looks like one way or another, you're going to have to deal with this.

network prompts

HEY, I JUST MET YOU

It happens when you're sleeping, or trying your best to relax, or simply staring off into space. Your tablet flickers to life of its own accord and begins to display some rather odd messages. They might be in the form of text, though the meaning is a bit muddled, to say the least, seeing as how they're nothing but strings of numbers. Or maybe you're especially unlucky and get the audio version, crackling out of your tablet's speakers.

Where are these messages coming from? Who's sending them, and how? And most importantly: why? Maybe it's a good idea to hop on the network and see if anyone else has any insight.

KHAJIIT HAS WARES IF YOU HAVE COIN

The general store is exactly what it sounds like: A general store. Its products are basic, standard, boring staples. Its stock works well enough for getting by on the day to day, but anything really worth having needs to be ordered from Rastus, and then you're stuck waiting until the next ferry shows up.

Or so you thought.

You're digging through the shelves one day when you find... it. Maybe it's the last bag of coffee beans. Maybe it's a multitool. Maybe it's a particular size of pants you know someone was looking for. Either way, it's useful, it's a great find, but not for you. These pants won't fit you, you've already got a multitool, and you quit the bean juice years ago.

But, hey, there's a good chance someone else in town does have something you could use. Whether you know someone's been asking around for what you've found or you just want to toss up an ad to the whole town, your best bet is taking to the network. Maybe someone's up for tradesies.

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[ A - Graves ]

[ Death has never been anything that Lunafreya has been afraid of. Which is a good thing, considering that she's always known that her fate was to die at a young age. That's already come and gone, thanks to performing rites and of course, a certain Chancellor who had taken it upon himself to make sure her end was inevitable.

That happens to be one of the last things she can clearly recall from home, as a matter of fact. When Luna stumbles upon her own grave, a small but somewhat elaborate little tomb made of marble, and her brow furrows.

Here lies Lunafreya Nox Fleuret.
Beloved sister, friend, and Oracle.
May the Gods bless her soul evermore.

She does not touch the tombstone, of course. She doesn't need to relive what happened to her, but it's still a strange thing to see. Knowing she was going to pass was one thing, but thinking about having a grave? That's something that she never really put much thought towards, honestly. ]

What a sweet epitaph... how undeserving I am for such kindness. Even still, what a peculiar thing to stumble upon.

[ Because you know. It's totally normal to bump into rows upon rows of graves in cities and all, obviously. ]

[ B - Lost Child ]

[ If she thought seeing her own grave was going to be the strangest thing to happen to her, she thought wrong. She'd heard crying; it's what caught her attention. Ever the helpful soul, Lunafreya had taken it upon herself to go and find whomever it was that clearly needed to be consoled. Color her surprised to find... she's not even sure what it is, honestly. She's not seen anything like it, but she wants to help regardless. ]

You need not be afraid, little one. [ Crouching down, Luna extends a hand, to which the little spirit draws away on itself with another whimper. It's only then that she takes notice that she is not alone, and she looks up and away from the whimpering creature. ]

Do you know anything that could possibly help this little one calm down? [ Oddly enough, the spirit in question turns it's head up to look as well, glancing back and forth between the two. ]

[ C - Wildcard. If you have anything you want to do, hit me with it! ]

[ Elden had been carrying his offerings in case the urge to leave them struck him. He's been careful though to avoid the graves as best he can. People's deaths...were private in their own way and he had already stumbled on a few. He wasn't too keen on stepping into more private memories of others.

But, what really draws him to this grave is the woman shrouded in white. Her form is only silouhetted by the small lantern she has on her. He approaches slowly, holding up his lantern to give off more light to finally get a better look. She...definitely looked like she had harrowing death. Covered in bruises, blood staining where her abdomen was, dress in ruins. He purses his lips as he approaches, about to speak when he notices the epitaph on the grave.

Lunafreya....oracle. Luna...Oracle.

His head cants slowly in confusion because...didn't that older boy mention a girl with that name and title? Well...it's a long shot but...might as well. He brings a fist to his mouth to let out a cough to grab her attention as if not to startle her off and then goes; ]

Um...'scuse me? Luna? Sorry, this might sound really random but do you now a boy about yay big [ As he gestures about Noctis rough height; ] wears a lot of black...kind of broody looking? And uh...Has duck hair?

[ This is all very strange, and she's still not entirely sure what to make of it all, honestly. She looks up from the grave in front of her, turning to look over at the young man who approaches. As far back as she searches through her memory banks, she can't remember ever meeting anyone who looked like him before. ]

Good afternoon. [ Despite the obviously... odd way she looks, she turns fully towards the young man and offers him a small, polite bow. ] Yes, that is my name —— mm? I may... it almost sounds as if you are describing a very close friend I had at home. But how do you know about him?

[ Right, well, he at least tries to look the least intimidating that he can. It's not hard since his arms were carrying offerings and well, his frame did not look like the kind to throw a very hard punch. Still when she bows to him he gives a hasty one back. Is he nailing not looking like a complete stalker or crazy person? He thinks so.]

Oh. Well...he told me about you. Or at least of an Oracle named Luna. Sheee...was a healer? Did a lot of speeches? Or am I grasping at straws here and totally confusing you with someone else? [ Gosh now he just feels awkward and like a complete weirdo. So he coughs into his hand again. ]

Right, uh, I'm not selling myself well here. Hiii. I'm Elden, it's nice to meet you.

[ Look, man. She's used to talking to people, and this really isn't a whole lot different, honestly. But she does tip her head slightly to the side when he continues. ]

...He is here? [ That's news to her. Then again, most... of this is. ] No, you have the right person. It is a pleasure to meet you, Elden. My name is Lunafreya... though you seem to already know that.

[ Does she sound a little bit amused? Yes. Yes, she does. ]

He said his name is Noctis, so, if that's him he's definitely here.

[ He rubs the back of his head though a bit awkwardly really not sure what to say next. He pauses for a moment when she introduces her full name. ]

Yeah, uh, he told me a lot about you and well, mentioned we had some things in common. How he talks about you...

he definitely thinks the world about you. [ It was hard to deny that fact when he spoke with Noct. This woman was his fiancee from what they said so it had to mean he loved her, right? ]

Edited 2019-07-17 03:34 (UTC)

Yes, that is his name.

[ It's both a thrill and a guilt to think that Noctis is here. Her job was to protect him, to see that his destiny was fulfilled. Yet, despite her best efforts, she's failed.

She wonders how soon the rest of Eos will show up here, now that both the Oracle and Chosen King have perished.

She pushes that thought out of her mind for now. ]

Noctis is a very sweet man. I am so blessed to have had him in my life... [ And now, apparently, she'll have him in death, too. How strange... they'll be closer in death than they were in life, considering there'd been a war and an entire ocean between them. ]

I think the world of him, too. He has been my closest companion since we were children... tell me though, what do you and I have in common?

[ He'll keep to himself that he knew they were engaged, the fact that they were both dead and here...well...definitely not a happily ever after for anyone. He definitely won't push that subject any longer because who wanted to be reminded that the person they loved was dead and in this place?

Instead, he'll focus on her last question; ]

Well, that you're an Oracle. You were chosen by a god too, right? I only know one other but they're back where I came from. [ The alive is pretty much implied. ]

[ She nods her head at Elden, before blinking. ]

Yes, that is true. Rather, a family member was chosen by a God and thus our bloodline began... ah, you, too, are an Oracle, then. Were you able to heal?

[Noctis was hearing things. That was the only reasonable explanation for the voice that he had just heard.

Or he was still asleep and for some unfathomable reason he was dreaming about being here, out in the makeshift graveyard. Probably so his consciousness could mock him with the names of the rest of his friends. Of all of the people who had fallen because of him. Of all the people who were meant to be here, but had apparently been lucky enough to find themselves somewhere else.

But the voice speaks again, soft and calm, and he knows instantly who it belongs to. Knows it like he knows the back of his own hand, because he's listened to it so many times, always dropping everything the instant the broadcast would begin. Had heard it in his dreams, like a guiding light that's trying so hard to bring him through to the other side.

It guides him now, forward, deeper into the darkness, towards the sound of it and the quiet whimpering of a child. Doesn't get too close, only swings his lantern up to try and illuminate the surroundings a little bit more for her.

She looks - he shouldn't be surprised. Because he had looked the same when he arrived. Dirty and torn and bruised, but the outward signs of the battle that took their lives are gone now.]

No idea. But if anyone can help them, it's definitely you.

[ It's his voice that hits her first. She hasn't been able to have a proper conversation with him face to face until Altissia, and that hadn't really been much of a conversation at all. It'd been more of a final farewell, really. The light from his lantern is just enough to light up his features, it catches in his hair and in those pretty blue eyes of his and it hits her right then that Noctis is here. He is literally standing right there, and had she actually paid attention before speaking before, she would have probably noticed that.

Luna pushes herself up straight again so that she can turn to properly face Noctis. ]

As always, you are far too kind. [ Noctis has always been a dream. So close, yet so far away and never obtainable. How often had she dreamed of finally being able to see him again? To finally spend days in the sun with him, talking and reliving their childhood?

She can't stop herself when she takes a step forward, and then a second and then a third. Her feet move on their own accord. Noctis has always been a dream, it's true. But this time around she's not going to let him disappear on her, or vice versa. She knows she must look absolutely awful, but she's not going to let that stop her. She reaches out, placing a gentle hand against his cheek, and she offers him a shaky smile when they aren't forced apart by unseen force. ]

You've no idea how good it is to see you, Noctis.

[There was no sun here. No warmth radiating down from the sky. Only darkness so deep it seemed to seep into everything that tried to exist within it.

Yet there she was, like a beam of light pouring through the inky black that surrounds her. And his heart skips a painful beat within his chest as she turns, as she comes close enough for his mind to catch up and fully realize that she isn't just some illusion. Another dream that was going to haunt him upon waking. She was real.

Her touch is warm, and he leans into it without a second thought. Let's his eyes fall closed as his hand comes up to cover his own, as if he's afraid that she'll still disappear, slip right through his fingers like some ghost sent to taunt him.

She doesn't. Part of him had been expecting her to be here with him. To turn around and have her there. They had died together, hadn't they? There upon that alter. She had tried so hard to keep him alive, to give him the strength to do what he needed to and he had still failed. That rush of guilt is almost overwhelming, overtaking how happy he is to see her with the knowledge that she wouldn't be here if it wasn't for him.

All she had ever tried to do was help him. And he failed her.]

Luna... [They have to be careful with their lanterns. It's a thought that he has at the last moment, where his body twist and he sits his own down upon the ground. Then he's reaching out to her, slowly, hands shaking slightly like he isn't sure he's even allowed to touch her.

But he wants to. Despite how awful she looks, his arms wrap around her and he brings her in. Holds her against him and tightens his hold impossibly more. Protective, like he can somehow save her from everything by the sheer strength of his will alone.] I'm so sorry.

[ She's so happy to see him, and being able to actually touch him, to feel the warmth of his cheek under her fingertips. He's not an elaborate vision of some sort, not a dream that she's going to wake up from. He is warm and wonderful and everything she remembers him being, albeit far taller and stronger than he was during their younger years.

But that happiness also comes with guilt of her own as it suddenly really hits her: if Noctis is here, that means that he, too perished. That her efforts were in vain, her intentions to do what she could for him to help him proceed and to further ensure his safety were for naught.

Lunafreya had wanted so badly for him to live, and yet it seems not even the divine efforts of the Oracle, of a woman so bent on trying to keep him safe were not enough.

She's about to open her mouth and speak but the words don't get the chance to come out. As he lowers his lantern onto the ground she decides to do the same, and then he's pulling her into a hug that makes brings this whole thing home for her. It takes her a split second to respond; she's not been shown any sort of physical affections in years. But just as quickly, common sense kicks in and she wraps him up in an embrace of her own. She buries her face into his shoulder and squeezes her eyes shut, taking in everything that is Noctis. ]

You have no reason to apologize, Noctis. [ He doesn't, either, as far as she's concerned. This sweet, brave young man did everything he could. He did his best, and in the end, isn't that all anyone could ask for? ] If anyone should be sorry, it is I... as happy as I am to see you, I never wanted to see you in death. Not for a long, long time.

[Not the divine efforts of the oracle herself, chosen and ordained by the gods nor those of a loyal adviser hell bent upon saving his king had been to stop death from taking him. This one person who was apparently of such great importance, yet he could not yet see or understand why. Why had so many given their own lives for the very possibility of saving his? The guilt of it was almost more than he could take.

There was nothing about him that was worth this. Luna should have tried to save herself. Should have saved her strength, healed her own wounds instead of channeling it all into him. Instead of giving him such power, instead of trying to protect him against the imperial onslaught.

What would his life have been worth without everyone he ever loved in it? Without Luna? Without Ignis? How was he supposed to have just gone on knowing everything that had been sacrificed for him? It was difficult enough now, being here and knowing that it had all failed. He couldn't bring himself to imagine if they had succeeded.

He half expects her to disappear before he's able to touch her. But she doesn't. She's real and warm beneath his touch and his hold tightens, one arm slipping down about her waist as the other stays at her shoulders. His head bows and his brings it down to bury it within the heat of her neck. Tries to take in everything about her, about this moment in case it is only a dream that he's going to suddenly wake from. How long had he longed to hug her? To touch her? To show her that affection they were both missing.

No reason to apologize, she says, and it's almost enough to break the dam of emotions that he's trying to hold back because he doesn't want it to all come pouring out onto her.]

No. This isn't your fault, Luna. You did... you did everything for me. And I let you down.

[ Lunafreya is torn. She is happy because she is able to touch Noctis, to hold him and feel his warmth and to take in everything that is Noctis. To be able to bask in his presence after twelve long, grueling years separated. An ocean and a war between them couldn't even stop them, not really, considering that this sweet young man continued corresponding with her even though he really didn't have to.

She will never not be grateful for him, for his companionship over the years. If he hadn't bothered writing to her, she thinks she would have lost her mind. Twelve years is a long time to be in captivity, and while a good portion of her life wasn't the best, every single time Umbra came back with the notebook it lifted her spirits and pushed her forward.

Noctis saved her life in that aspect. He gave her something to live for, something that wasn't merely duty and destiny, and for that, she doesn't think she can ever properly repay him. Not that she will get the chance to do that now.

As his head finds its way into her neck, she lifts a hand to the back of his head, stroking her fingers through his hair in a gesture she certainly hopes he will find comforting. But it is his words that has her eyes widening slightly. ]

Never. [ Her voice is quiet and gentle, and she tips her head to press a single kiss against his temple. ] You have never let me down, Noctis. Not now, and not ever. Please, never think such things. You have only ever lifted me up... I am sorry that you are here, but it is no fault of your own. So please, never think that you let me, or anyone else down.

[ he'd seen the grave.

of course he'd seen it, but believing it was something else when he hadn't noticed anyone like her in the (still) relatively small town. it's not like there was a lot of area to cover since they could only explore in patches, and besides, if she was here, surely noct would have said something. or ignis? why would they have kept something like that from him? it's something he overthinks leaving the area where the small graves are placed, and on his way back to the bonfire, lantern in tow, he doesn't actually pay attention to where he's walking. losing someone like lunafreya had been... it had been hard. he'd seen what it had done to noct, and prompto hadn't been able to do anything to comfort him. he couldn't even process his own feelings and —

the soft bump against someone's shoulder jerks him out of his thoughts, and he fumbles to apologize. it comes out a bit rushed, clearly in a hurry to get back to the apartment he shares with the guys. except it doesn't leave him completely when the light from his lantern illuminates the soft features of her face. prompto stares, unable to help the slight drop in his jaw. ]

L–Lady Lunafreya?! [ it's a sharp whisper, full of disbelief and tinged with sadness. ]

[ The grave is an odd sight to behold, she thinks. She never thought about something like this; a grave of all things. It hadn't exactly been on her top list of priorities and even if it had been, Ravus wouldn't have heard her out on it. He was too distressed, too busy trying anything he could to stop her from proceeding forward until it was too late and he realized that there was no going back.

But the grave is suddenly not very important. There's someone familiar headed in her general direction. She's a bit stunned to see him —— they were never able to meet in person at home, but she knows who he is. She knows him from photos and stories from Noctis. She knows him from Pryna.

When he gently bumps into her, it snaps her out of her thoughts, and she reaches up to gently place her hands against his shoulders to steady him, and he seems to realize just who she is now, too. It has her smiling, small but true, as she very lightly squeezes his shoulders to affirm to him that yes, she is here, and yes, she is real. ]

Prompto. [ She'd looked forward to meeting him in Altissia. To finally hug him and thank him in person for everything he did for Pryna, for everything he did and is still doing for Noctis. That was never meant to be, but the Gods have gifted her this much, and she is going to run with it. ] Are you alright?

[ everything about this feels so surreal, and he isn't sure how to explain it. her voice and the way she looks lit up in the lantern light... it's even better than he'd ever imagined it being all those years ago. and the memories he has war with the idea of just throwing his arms around her to hug her close, like they're old friends. but he also has to remember that she died in altissia, that altissia has been behind him for over two years, and he struggles with putting on a good face for her, the weight of her hands on his shoulders a punch straight to his heart.

once upon a time, there had been so much he'd wanted to say to her. how he'd wanted to thank her for giving him the courage to pursue a friendship with noct, for all the kindness she'd given him despite having never met each other. for taking a chance on someone like him. prompto opens his mouth to say something, the words on the tip of his tongue, and then, he just drops his head and squeezes his eyes shut. ]

Yeah. [ there's a soft catch in his breath. don't cry, don't cry, don't cry. ] Yeah, I'm great. I — [ it's suddenly a lot harder to breathe. ] I'm sorry you're here. [ because how could beacon mean a second chance if someone as wonderful as luna had wound up there? it's a conflicting thought, hands curling at his sides in an effort to keep himself as composed as possible. ]

[ If he is here, that's no good. She has a reason to be here, after all; she's dead. To think that Prompto has also suffered a similar fate is disheartening in more ways than one. They'd never been able to meet in person, and yet here they are. This isn't the meeting she'd wanted, of course; she'd hoped for a more joyful one in Altissia. That they could embrace and talk about their experiences, that Pryna would be there to join them and man and canine could have a chance to reunite as well.

Unfortunately, those dreams are completely dashed now, and it makes her stomach sink to even think of it in such a way. She doesn't let that show on her face or in her tone, though, instead moving her hands from his shoulders to his cheeks so that she can gently tilt his head back up, that she may look at his face properly and offer him a small, sad smile. ]

I am more sorry that you are here. How long have you been here? Were you lost in Altissia as well...?

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TEST DRIVE MEME #2

Lunafreya Nox Fleuret | Final Fantasy XV

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