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memesinthenight2019-09-15 12:44 pm
inthenightmods) wrote in memesinthenight2019-09-15 12:44 pm
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TEST DRIVE MEME #4
TEST DRIVE MEME #4
Hello and welcome to the In the Night test drive meme for September! Thanks for your interest in our game! Reserves open on September 20, and applications open on September 22.
While you're here...
- Take a look at our rules and faq pages to familiarize yourself with the game.
- Note that we have a reserve cap of 20, and a (current) application cap of 13 apps this month for new players, as the game has a player cap of 60. An accurate count of current players will always be available on the taken page.
- 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.
- 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
GATHER YE ROSEBUDS WHILE YE MAY
With a cloud of mourning having weighed heavy on Beacon over the last month, the Lighthouse Keeper has decided to try and rally the community with a game: a selfie scavenger hunt! With the promise of (secret) prizes for those who play along, she's provided a list of 25 different items to track down and take a picture with. And, of course, all submissions will be public for others to view and comment upon. A town forum, Instagram-style. How fun! Feel like teaming up? Finding a companion to go searching with could make the task go by faster, as there's nothing saying that you can't both submit the same pictures so long as you take them together. And what's a proper game without company?
This prompt is a mini version of this month's Gather Up event.
IT'S RAININ' SIDEWAYS
Overall, the weather has been mild lately. Since Autumn hit, the standard has been overcast darkness blotting the stars and little wind. The rumble of thunder sounds just before the downpour begins, as if a switch has been flipped up in the clouds. If you're in the Invincible, the houses in the village, or any of the other solid establishments, it isn't anything to worry about, really. Mostly, it just means hunkering down until the storm passes. However...it seems that someone opted to build themselves a structure in the square that's proven not to be able to withstand these harsher elements. Whether you're the unfortunate sap in the tent or you're merely a bystander, one way or another, you notice its roof cave in, the beams placed to support it buckling inward and trapping the inhabitant inside. It's not enough to crush someone, but it'll surely be difficult to gather oneself as the wind and the rain bears down without mercy. Call for help and maybe someone will hear you, or be the good Samaritan that runs to their aid.
network prompts
I CAN'T *PBBT* UNDERSTAND *PBBT* YOUR ACCENT
Something's wrong. The things that you type and the things that you speak are transforming themselves upon being posted to the network. Or maybe that's not quite accurate, because everything in your posts are certainly your own words...it's just that indiscernible static has descended upon the page and crept into your audio, blocking out pieces of your statements--just enough to change the overall meaning of what you were originally saying. Efforts to clarify don't seem to be improving the situation, and it's hard to say if there's any way of fixing this. Maybe it's a comfort that the problem isn't isolated on your end; after all, that effectively takes the issue out of your hands to solve. Or maybe it's just the opposite. Maybe knowing that the network is experiencing widespread failures, however mild, fills you with a sense of dread and unease. One thing's clear, at least: you'll need a bit of luck to get your point across for the time being.
THE TITLE EQUIVALENT FOR WHEN YOUR GRANDMA COMMENTS ON YOUR UNRELATED FB STATUS AS IF SHE'S WRITING YOU A PERSONAL LETTER
Sometime in the recent past you had a problem. Maybe it was a dire emergency advertised to the community at large, maybe you became overwhelmed with stress and needed the ear of a close friend, or maybe it was just something embarrassing you were sharing in confidence. Unfortunately, regardless of what the message was, it looks like it disappeared the moment you hit send, as if it had been eaten by the network itself. It's been long enough now that you've brushed it off; you've been able to solve your problem one way or another and moved on. That's when it appears, unprompted, on the network for all to see, regardless of how private it was meant to be. Well, now you might have a bit of explaining to do.
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no subject
Rule well, young King.
Final words he can still recall while watching the sun rise for the last time... only to end up here. Without the sunrise. Go figure.
But Noctis was to rule in his father's place and while he hadn't known the true fate, or the destiny of the young Prince at the time, he knew his survival extended beyond that of a selfish desire from a father to see his son safe while others fell. It was imperative that he survive, Luna had shown him that with how far she was willing to go.
So he stares over to Noctis and he feels... a mix of emotions, ones he's not even so sure he can properly convey. So he doesn't. Rather, he stares back to the flames and sighs, shaking his head. ]
Well, shit. I'm sure as hell supposed to be here. But you? That's not how it's supposed to go.
no subject
He didn't want to live if it meant that everyone around him would fall down one by one. Another sacrifice made entirely so he could go on. His father. Luna. Ignis. Even Nyx himself.
Those words draw his attention away from the flames, and it's the dark, tattered uniform marking a glaive that catches it first. Followed by the tell-tale webbing of scars that spread out over the skin and he instantly knows exactly what left them there.
What in the hell was it with people using the ring? Ravus had been stupid enough to try, and was found lacking. Ignis had been granted the power of kings, and had given his life in the process. And Nyx? He really, really did not want to think about what had driven Nyx to actually put that accursed thing on and try to win the favor of his ancestors.
It's without even thinking that he moves, shifts until he's close enough to reach out, and it's with a gentle touch that he presses his fingers against the exposed skin of Nyx's arm. That he forces his healing to seep into the wounds. It's not much, but it should ease some of the ache. Help them to mend themselves.]
Hate to tell you this, but that's how it went.
[As it turns out, not all of the gods were friendly and on their side. Who would have guessed?]
Nyx, right? You're one of my dad's glaives.
no subject
But, shit. What does it mean if the prince is here? Had they failed? Had Luna been unable to meet with him as had been the plan for him to escort her to Altissia, to Noctis? She was carrying the ring with her when they last saw one another, he had given it to her himself. What of her fate? Of Libertus? Had it all been for nothing?
Noctis draws him out of those thoughts when he suddenly touches his arm and Nyx stares in confusion for a moment, until he comes to see and feel what it is the young King is doing. Yeah that... sure comes in handy. Could have used it more in a few battles, really. Which, speaking of- ]
Was. Yeah.
[ Could he still be considered that in death now? ]
And you'll have to forgive me, your Highness, but you ending up here wasn't exactly the game plan.
no subject
Sometimes, all the they wanted was to destroy.]
Are.
[Death changed a lot of things. There wasn't anything left for him to be the king of. And yet, he still viewed Lunafreya as the (his) Oracle. Still saw Ignis as his adviser. Nyx was a glaive. And just because he had passed on from that life didn't mean he suddenly stopped being what he always had been.]
Yeah? Well it looks like Leviathan didn't get that memo. [Chosen King, smacked down by a giant sea serpent. Even he couldn't believe it half the time.] And... it's just Noctis. I'm not exactly the king of anything here.
no subject
[ They were for King Regis and tied to his power. No King, no Glaives. Right? Though it's said in jest and not out of annoyance. Sure Nyx can be a little rough around the edges at times but hey, you'd be too if you just found out you died and ended up with the people who weren't supposed to. At least not so soon. Live your life, marry Luna, rule as the new King. That's what Noctis was supposed to do.
Which, speaking of things supposed to be done.. ]
I was supposed to take the princess to see you. [ A beat. ] Luna. [ Though he figures Noctis knows who he meant. ] But things don't always go according to plan.
no subject
Guess not. Maybe I'll have to give you a new title.
[This is good. Noctis can do this. Joke around and act like nothing is wrong. Like they aren't dead and currently sitting around one of the only sources of light. Like they didn't know that everyone who wasn't supposed to be there was.]
I'm taking applications for a new shield. Seems like you'd be a good fit.
[But Nyx brings you Luna and something flashes within his eyes, steel blue flickering before falling back onto the flames.]
So why didn't you? [He can guess. It's pretty obvious. But he doesn't know the entire story. And part of him really, really wants to.]
no subject
[ Again, it's said in jest but he also feels honored to have even been considered for such a thing, even if that itself is also in jest. But then he goes and asks about why he hadn't escorted Luna to him and, in turn, why their own paths hadn't crossed after the fall of Insomnia. He has to know, there's no way he couldn't what with him being here and looking like the ashen mess that he is. But, still a prince- still a King asking a question, so. ]
Someone had to be the big damn hero.
[ He smiles, though it's mostly to himself as he bows his head, looking down to his arm. ]
I bought her some time to get away. Gave her the ring, told her to give you my regards. I made sure another Glaive was with her to see her out.
[ He comes to pause, teeth dragging over his lower lips before he sniffles, giving a fleeting glance to Noctis as he hunches over some, fingers lacing together across his legs. ]
I uh... made a deal with those Kings. [ And quickly wanting to add- ] I think they're assholes by the way. [ Hopefully no offense was taken there. ] In exchange for their power... [ There's no easy way to say it so he just says it. ] ...my life for the future's.
[ At that, he looks up and nods some, gaze lingering on the crackling flames before them. He doesn't regret it, knows his life pales in comparison to the countless ones who deserved to see a brighter future. If he could give that to them, give them what he couldn't give his sister... then to hell with the consequences for himself. ]
no subject
And what was it all for? To protect him? To march him forward towards some destiny that he didn't even fully realize? It was like leading a lamb to slaughter, without ever making them aware of their fate. Just expecting them to keep going, on and on. To just accept it all when the time came.
Noctis was tired of people sacrificing themselves for him. Having to choose between the future and themselves. The lives of innocents or their own. Each one an impossible choice that no one should have to make.
Most of all he hated that stupid ring. Hated his ancestors and the gods they had followed so blindly. Hated the empire. Hated all of it. And now he couldn't even do anything to fix it.]
Thank you. For what you did for Luna. For Lucis. And... I'm sorry. I should have been there. To help all of you. If I had known, I...
[Wouldn't have gone. But his father had made it seem like everything was under control. Like he could handle it. Like there was no danger. Like it would all be alright.]
Do you... do you know what happened to my dad? All the papers said was that he died in the fall.
no subject
Don't apologize.
[ He's quick to throw that at the young King, a shake of his head given. ]
I don't regret it.
[ Because if he had to do it all over again, prevent Luna from placing the ring on her finger and plead to the old Kings... he would. Over and over again. As many times as it took to give the future a chance.
But what he asks of him next catches him a little off guard and he finds himself staring off ahead as he lets that question, that request of being told, sink in. He knows what happened. He was there and witnessed King Regis' death alongside Luna. But should he... is this his place to answer? Who else would? Luna? She could yet he gets the feeling she might try to spare him the truth as a means to lessen his grief. So it falls on his shoulders then, right? Seems like it.
His jaw becomes tight, teeth dragging over his lower lip again and he looks to speak, to answer the young King but... he falls silent then, a sigh leaving his lips as he stares ahead to the crackling flames. ]
Drautos killed him.
[ He just starts with that first, still not looking to the young King. ]
He was working for the Empire the entire time. There was corruption within the Kingsglaive. I didn't know. [ And he hates that he didn't. ] I couldn't... [ Pausing, he sighs. ] ...he wouldn't let me help. Asked me to take the princess to Altissia to meet you.
[ He recalls the way in which the barrier came up between them. How Luna had pleaded for him to not leave them. But he had and they had witnessed his slaughter, Nyx feeling powerless yet again. ]
I'm sorry. [ Bowing his head, he looks to Noctis then. ] He made it so I could get her out of there.
no subject
It doesn't work that way. And now that knowledge is locked forever within his mind.
Drautos, he's in your hands.
Those words echo along side it. Words spoken to a man who he had thought could be trusted. Who he believed would help to keep his father safe.]
What about - [But his voice shakes. Trembles so much that he has to cut it off. To stop speaking before some other emotion comes along with it.] What about Clarus? Why wasn't he with him?
[Shield of the king. Meant to protect and serve. To stop anything that tried to reach the king. Why wasn't he there? Was he -
No. No. Clarus was the father of his own shield. Someone who had fallen trying to protect their home. He refused to think that man would have betrayed them. Would have ever been anything but loyal.
All his father had been was another sacrifice made in his name. Another means to an end. A life forfeited to ensure the ring was received by the chosen king. Passed into Luna's hand and kept safe at the cost of three lives.
It was too steep.]
Don't answer that. [Because he knows why. There was only one singular thing that would ever make a shield leave their kings side. Which meant that Clarus had fallen before his father. Bought him a little more time. Made it so he could get to Luna. Could keep her safe. Help Nyx get her away.
Both hands lift, palms pressing against his eyes, as if he can somehow stop the flow of tears that threaten to start with the pressure along. There had never been anyone in his entire life that he missed more than he did his father.]
You know, when I was young, I never felt as safe as I did with my dad. It was like he could defeat anything. I always thought the ring would take him from me. Nothing else could touch him. [Why is he even saying all of this? Sitting here, trapped in this sham of an after life, in front of one of the few, scare sources of light. Spilling his soul to a man he barely even knew.
Maybe it was because everyone else was too close to him. Only saw that he needed to be strong and not the strength his father held.]
Thank you. For being there with him. I'm glad. That he had one of his glaives with him in the end.
no subject
He can't even begin to imagine the despair Noctis must carry with him at the burden of those surrounding him constantly falling in order to protect him. To have so much riding on his young shoulders. To save the world as Luna had been so adamant in telling him when he felt doubt. Those expectations, that pressure would eventually get to anyone and he has to wonder if the young King is ever really honest to others with what he feels.
He wants to reject the thanks given to him for being there as it hadn't been anything he had wished to see and, now that he's here in this sort of afterlife, he wonders if the King's face from that moment will haunt his dreams. But he says nothing, doesn't ask Noctis to not say such a thing. Instead, he sits there alongside him in silence, the crackling of the bonfire filling the quiet between them. ]
I lost my sister when the wall fell at Galahd.
[ He finally speaks, though allows his gaze to linger on the flames. ]
Seemed like no matter how hard you fought, it didn't matter against the Empire. [ He'd fought to the point where he had believed he would die and maybe a part of him didn't care. ] King Regis saved me. He didn't have to. You never have to but it was a choice he made. I owed him my life for that and it's why I stood by his side as a Glaive. To the very end.
[ For despite attempts made by Drautos to have him doubt King Regis and even come to sway him, Nyx had remained loyal to the Lucian royal family. ]
And now I stand by you here.
[ Hunched over some, he comes to look to Noctis then. ]
Not just because you're King. Not just because of who King Regis was or what I felt I owed to him. But because we both know what it's like to lose someone you love and feel completely powerless about it.
no subject
His father had tried to end a war in which there was only ever going to be one outcome. And it wasn't in their favor. Even if they somehow managed to find the crystal, to bring it back. Even if they retook their home, opened the walls and tried to unite Lucis. The Empire would always be a threat. Crawling around like roaches who they would never quite be entirely rid of.
Noctis had never wanted to be king. Perhaps that made him selfish, never looking past his own failings and weaknesses to realize that there was a bigger picture. Those who had given and sacrificed everything just for a chance to see him upon that throne. He hadn't wanted that either.
There's no need for a shield here in this place. Protecting him is no longer worth anything, a task he can complete on his own. Doesn't need a glaive to stand by him. Honestly, the words sick and tired come to mind when he thinks about just how many people are in his life because they were paid to be there and not because they chose to be. Because that decision had been made for them long ago.
But Nyx speaks again and it catches his attention. Has him glancing up, taking in the pitiful sight of the uniform he wears. Torn and tattered and covered in ash, like the battered and singed skin that lays beneath. It's a choice that's being made. One powered by free will.]
I wasn't given a choice. [His father had just sent him on his merry way. On some road trip with his friends. Off to set sail for his wedding. No one had ever asked him if that was what he wanted. To leave his father and his home behind. To marry Luna.
To not be there when his father needed him most.
Was there even anything he could have done? Or would he have died along side everyone else? It was a choice that he hadn't been allowed to make. All because he apparently had some higher purpose.]
I never wanted this. For anyone to die for me. My dad. Ignis and Luna. Even you. King of kings, and I still couldn't protect anyone.
[No. No he never, ever tells anyone these things. Because even if he tried, he knows the exact thing that would happen. Gladio would tell him to get over it. That he was king now and this wasn't what kings did. Ignis would tell him that he should share his burdens with them, that he didn't have to carry them alone. But wasn't that exactly what he was trying to do? Prompto would try and make him feel better. Make him smile. And he would, just because he couldn't stand to see the look on his friends face when he didn't.]
Guess you took my offer seriously. [To be his new shield. Not that he entirely minds. Nyx had already earned his respect.
But he shifts, just a little bit closer. Like he's going to attempt healing those wounds again but hesitates.] I don't have a lot of magic here. But my armiger still works. If you want it.
no subject
Bahamut is that you??if you ask him.But he can imagine the guilt Noctis must feel- have felt. The pain that settles within his chest of not being good enough, not being able to save the people he cares about most. He can feel and taste that pain so strongly... because it's the very same pain which he's carried himself. Why he always wants to play the role of Big Damn Hero. So he gets it. He does. And it's why he can't really even say anything to that. Not because he doesn't know what to say. But because he knows that sometimes there's just nothing to say.
Though when he catches Noctis coming a little closer out of the corner of his eye, he turns his attention onto the young King and comes to smile a bit then. ]
Not gonna give me a hard time for it?
[ He jokes softly, but he'd do it again if he had to. Honestly. ]
I don't really know a lot of what this place has around here. But if it's anything like the Empire had, wouldn't say no to having a bit of a magic on me.
no subject
[And it wasn't even here, so he couldn't very well tell either of them not to do such a stupid thing again. Especially when neither of them seemed to regret it.
His father had over extended himself. Had tried to maintain the wall and share his magic with the entirety of the Kingsglaive. Something that Noctis was trying to avoid. But he had told Luna that he was used to having all four of them connected to it. Five honestly shouldn't be anymore of a strain.
So he reached out. Placed his hand upon Nyx's shoulder and concentrated. Forced his magic to flow out through his fingertips and for the connection to take hold.]
Go ahead and try it out.