memesinthenight | TEST DRIVE MEME #9

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!tdm

TEST DRIVE MEME #9

Hello and welcome to the In the Night test drive meme for March! Thanks for your interest in our game! In an effort to streamline our application process and avoid future confusion between incoming and existing players, we will no longer have a reservation period. Applications open on March 22, and will be judged on a first-come, first-served basis.

While you're here...
Take a look at our rules and faq pages to familiarize yourself with the game.
Note that we have a (current) application cap of 15 apps this month for new players, as the game has a player cap of 70. 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 top-leveling is not limited to new characters! If current players wish to post a starter, 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).
If you haven't already, please take a moment to look at our announcement regarding changes to the application cycle, which involves information concerning the 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

DANCING QUEEN (cw corpses)

When the ferry chugs up to the dock, its speakers are crackling with a happy song. What a fun way to bring in all the newcomers! Except... goodness, what's that terrible stench? The ferry docks and lowers its gangway as per usual, but the ship is quiet. No newcomers flock to the deck to disembark, and instead, the faint sound of buzzing flies can be heard over the breeze.

Boarding the ferry quickly reveals the source of the flies: decaying bodies, dozens of them, are littered throughout the ship. Some lie in bunks and could be asleep if it weren't for the rot, and others are strewn throughout the cargo hold and the deck. There are no lanterns among them, and there aren't any signs of fighting or struggle around the ship. Inspecting the bodies (if anyone seriously wants to do that) won't yield any definitive answers in terms of cause of death, but, oh. Though it's difficult to tell at first glance due to the decay, these bodies... They're residents of Beacon.

Maybe you find your friend or yourself or, oh, there's Rastus! And Robin! The gang's all here, albeit disgustingly—and Dancing Queen crackles over the speakers. Welcome, welcome!

—but before the ferry departs again, the corpses start to move. Moving about the ship, someone might first hear a sigh, or a sputter, or a little laugh, and maybe it could be brushed off as a trick of the mind until the bodies stand, hoisting themselves up with whatever limbs they have left, and drag themselves toward the deck. One by one, they slip clumsily over the railing and back into the lake, but not before they drop their disguises and slowly contort back into their usual forest spirit bodies (source).

Ugh. Frickin' spirits.

WELCOME TO OUR GAME: INTO THE DARK

In spite of the strange occurrences starting off the month, there's still work to be done in Beacon. Or perhaps it's precisely due to this that Rastus calls for the attention of anyone who will listen as they pass by his station at the bonfire. All but shoving a torch in your hand, he requests that you place it around one of the many locations that could use a source of light! A lot of new places have been discovered recently, after all.

In the event that you choose to choose to play with this prompt as game canon, please remember to report where you choose to place a torch on the item request page so the setting can be updated accordingly! For incoming players, this can be reported retroactively!

These efforts would be a great service to the community at large; Rastus reminds everyone that while the bonfire is a finite resource, it's still a resource that's meant to be utilized.

network prompts

IF YOU DIE IN THE GAME YOU DIE FOR REAL

Not long after the ferry shows up with, uh, no people and a whole lotta corpses (that turn out to be forest spirits playing a very uncool prank), Robin makes a post to the network!

Oh holy god uhhhh OK so no idea what's going on with the ferry this month, wow. Data from the portal is saying nobody new came through, so... nothing to worry about!!! Probably!! I really don't know anything more than you guys right now but I'm gonna get in touch with Dr. Solis. She'll have a better idea of what's going on than me. I'll get back to you all as soon as we figure out what's up.

In the meantime..........!!! I thought it might be fun to play some games to get our minds off stuff? How about hangman! Here's how to play if you don't know!

She attaches a little set of instructions for any characters not in the know. Fun stuff!

But, uh oh. If you get a letter wrong, you'll notice it's getting just a bit more difficult to breathe... Is the air particularly heavy today? Allergies, maybe? No, the feeling only gets worse as the game continues, each incorrect guess tightening an invisible noose around your neck.

The only way out is through, it seems, as nothing provides any relief save for winning a game. But what happens if you lose...?

(If asked, Robin also has no idea what's up with that. Heck! Maybe it's the lanterns acting up again? In any case, the weird hangman curse will resolve itself within a day or two.)

PARTICIPATION FOR CLOWNS

All at once, a notice arrives in everyone's inboxes. It appears to be some sort of strange attempt at a bingo card! It would, potentially, be a mystery as to who crafted this and, well, exactly what it's supposed to mean, were it not for the underlying message that accompanies it.

HELLO! HELLO? HELLO HELLO. ALL BRING CARD TO GET GIFT FOR ALL! YES! ONTO BODY LIBRARY GIFT IT GOES! THANK A MUCH!

The real problem here being, of course, that the librarian's apparent game is a bit, well, difficult to understand. Well, it's possible that it won't require any stringent rules. Ultimately, those who bring in a bingo card that has a row of marks in any particular fashion will receive a free gift compliment of the spirit as a way to promote the library. There might be some fabric missing where the shirt has been bitten into, but, hey, nobody's perfect.

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Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ He squeezes his eyes shut before opening them, blinking. It's nice to wake up and know there's someone else waiting for him to be up. Been a while. ]

Water would be nice. [ He gets an arm under him and pushes away from the bed, about to thank her, before he hears her stomach rumble. Quick mental math of the hours. Ah. It's about that time, huh? ] But lunch would be nicer. We should go downstairs and cook something.

[She blinks, as if only then realizing the time she'd been sitting at Sora's side. Her legs uncurl and stretch out, falling off the side of the bed. She winches as a slight tingle pulse through her limbs and blood flow is returned.]

I hadn't realized so much time had past.

[She isn't used to worrying about things like eating and sitting in one place for too long.] We can cook something. I am not very good at cooking. [She looks over at him and smiles.] Can you teach me?

We gotta start setting up alarms for you. [ For meals, at least! And for bed. Goodness knows he uses the alarm function to an extreme. It helps keep his mind off things if he's always running off to do something else.

Ah, pins and needles. He swings his own legs out of bed, making sure she doesn't try to stand up too soon. He'll catch her if necessary! ]

Me? Sure. [ If two years in another life and two months of intense food-prep therapy have taught him anything, it's how to cook. ] Let's have you... help me make pancakes? Those are pretty easy.

It's alright. I'll remember. [She might not remember right away but her body eventually clues her in on what she needs.] I really don't want to be a bother.

[When she tries to put weight on her feet she falls but luckily Sora is there to catch her.] Ah, thank you. My legs feel funny. [Next time she might not sit on them.]

Alright! What are pancakes?

[ Girl, love yourself. Sora will get into that later. ] It's not a bother. We'll do it in the kitchen. Just a time to get up and a time to go to sleep to start.

[ Sora will put his hands on her shoulders after he pushes himself out of bed. He's a little wobbly himself, but Naminé needs him. He'll hold her steady as he walks them both out of the room. He'll hold her up if she falls, no worries. ] It's better to walk it off if your legs feel like that.

Pancakes are good! They're flat cakes and you can put syrup and butter on them. They're sweet. [ They're usually a breakfast thing, but it's a pretty simple recipe and he's got it memorized by now. Plenty of wiggle room for mistakes, and even mistakes taste pretty good. ]

[Naminé is very bad when it comes to thinking about herself first. She's always been drawn to one extreme or the other and is still working on finding a balance in her un-life.]

Alright. Will the alarm wake up Hana? [Though she might also need the wake up.] I wouldn't want to bother her with it.

[She pushes herself back onto her feet and begins to slowly walk towards the door. It isn't a long walk but by the time she gets there the blood is flowing normally again.] You're right. [Bodies are so weird.]

So... we're having desert for lunch?

[ Sora ruffles Naminé's hair a bit before lifting his hand away. It should be okay to let her walk! He trusts her. Maybe, uh, not to take care of her, quite, but walking is a pretty safe baseline. ]

We'll choose something soft. Just loud enough to wake you up. Are you a deep sleeper?

[ Sora shakes his head! ] Nah. In America, it's a breakfast thing. We'll make some protein too. [ Hmm... ] Have you had bacon yet?

[Naminé gently runs her fingers through her hair, straightening the strands that have been tangled from Sora's touch. She doesn't tell him not to because she likes it when he's friendly with her but she will always make sure her hair isn't about to tickle her nose.

It is one of the most uncomfortable feelings ever.]

I'm not a deep sleeper. [Mostly because she has a lot of darkness related nightmares.] But Hana is. So i think that will work. Can it be a Piano sound? I like the way that sounds.

[She pads after Sora and shakes her head.]

No. Is it good?

[ !! Girl, we really gotta get you on that good "establishing boundaries" juice. ]

Bacon's real good. You'll like it, I think. [ Unless she ends up having vegetarian tastes, which is equally fine because there are good soy options for literally everything. ]

You like the piano? Were there pianos in the castle?

[Naminé will accept all and any affection. She isn't used to those light friendly touches and she likes them. It's a nice change from the physical confrontations she'd had in the castle.]

No but I was listening to music during the Market and I spoke to someone about the piano. He said he would teach me to play. [Her lips tilt into a frown.] But... I don't think he is in Beacon anymore.

[She isn't sure where they go when they leave...]

I found a piano in one of the buildings but I don't know how to play it. Do you like the piano?

[ Well... okay. But only as long as she says something if it really bothers her! He's not risking this relationship for anything.

Ah... gonna stay quiet about that one as they bump down the steps to the lobby. He's not actually entirely sure how to answer that one himself. He's written to Dr. Solis about it. He'll find a way to explain this later.

A piano in one of the buildings, huh. Is she talking about the one in the rec center? ]

I don't know much about the piano, to be honest. Or music. [ He's not even a particularly good singer! ] I just know how to dance to it. Do you still want to learn how to play the piano?

[Naminé pads along besides Sora to the Landmark Inn's kitchen. Her fingers lace in front of her abdomen as she talks, her expression soft and thoughtful.]

I do but I don't know if anyone here can teach me. I also want to learn how to dance more and fight and protect people. It's okay if it takes some time to do everything. I know... it's a lot. [She's also learning how to cook.]

Do you like music Sora? Like, if I learned to play. Could I... play for you?

[ Dancing, piano playing, yeah! Protecting people? Only if she has to. And... that might come down to fighting. Sora chews the inside of his mouth... he's honestly not sure if he's okay with that? Then again, it's not like he remembers much about Naminé. Maybe there's some fight in her? (What she'd done to the Replica... not even a joke, okay.) ]

Yeah, I like music a lot! If you'd play, I'd be there to listen. It'll come down to making time for learning and practice. [ It's not like there's any school! It'll just be finding people who can teach her things and scheduling it. ] What kinds of things would you want to play?

Really! Good. We'll all play and have lots of fun! [It isn't exactly like Sora's life on the island but she wants to create memories with him and everyone else she's met in Beacon. Even if this is the end, she'll treasure her time here forever and be happy to have been given this much.]

I think happy songs. Are there songs about water? Like the ocean?

[She's thinking about Destiny Island but she doesn't know a lot of types of songs.] Soldier let me listen to some instrumental songs I really liked.

[Naminé follows him to the kitchen with a bright excited grin on her face. She is very easily excited by these things.]

[ Oh! ] That's right, maybe you wouldn't know - you know the memories I just got? From Atlantica? There were a whole bunch of memories about songs from it! And they're all about the ocean. [ Maybe she could hop back in and check them out if she needs them! He wouldn't mind that. ]

Oh yeah? Which songs did you like? [ And would they be on Songbird? He pulls out his tablet and puts in on the counter, then hustles away to find a bowl. ] Naminé, wanna help me find some things?

Really! I remember your time in Atlantica but I don't remember any songs. [She doesn't realize that Sora had returned to that world after she'd already been reunited with Kairi.] I would love to hear them.

[Would he sing them for her while they cook?]

Oh? I don't know what they're called but I might be able to find them again. [It will take some time and before she can find one, Sora is moving across the kitchen to start making pancakes.] Yeah. What do we need to find? I know where a pan is and a spatula. [The things required to make grilled cheese.]

[ Sora will! Just poorly! ]

Yeah, a pan about this big - [ And he'll make a circle with his hands that is a little bigger than the average pancake ] - and spatula for right now! Leave them next to the stove and head to the fridge after that.

[ He grins, already humming. ] We can find some songs that are pretty close to what I remember on Songbird for right now, and then after we can go back upstairs and you can look for them before we go for the next memories.

Alright. [She walks over to one of the counters and crouches down to pull a medium sized frying pan out that looks to be about the size that Sora had indicated with his hands. Naminé places it on the stove and then walks a short distance to a drawer that has the spatula's in it. She places the spatula next to the stove and walks over to the fridge.]

Oh. Yes. [Being able to look into Sora's memories helps a little bit with these things. It still surprises her that he's so comfortable when she's in his head. Most people get very tense when she mentions it.] That's a good idea.

[She opens the fridge and is instantly touched by cold and overwhelmed by the amount of food.]

Um... what am I getting from here? There is a lot of food.

Butter, eggs, milk. Carry the eggs by themselves, okay?

[ He's not going to think to ask if she knows what those look like, but if she asks, he'll fill her in! In the meantime, he's gotten a bowl and put in on the counter and is rooting around for flour, sugar, salt, and baking powder. ]

Put 'em next to the bowl when you find 'em.

[ Okay, step 2: not dropping all of the dry ingredients. They probably need another bowl for the wet ingredients, huh?]

Do you remember what the songs sounded like? The ones Soldat showed you.

Okay.

[She grabs the milk first because that one is obvious and also fairly large.] I'll grab them one at a time. [Naminé places the milk next to the bowl and then goes back for the butter and eggs. Eggs aren't too hard to find either and she grabs the dozen, placing it on the counter as well.

It's about this time the fridge has been open for nearly ten minutes and there is a light blinking to indicate that the door has been left open.] What does butter look like?

Soldat? Oh! They were instrumental songs but they had a lot besides piano. I think he called it Jazz.

It comes in little rectangle bars! Looks kinda white-ish yellow, wrapped in paper. [ Sora looks over and does a double take. ] Ah, Naminé, make sure you close the door when you're done so nothing in there melts or gets warm!

[ Yup! Soldat. ] Oh, you like jazz? [ Sora will grab that bowl for the wet ingredients and scroll down Songbird, hitting this song at random. He decides he likes it. ] Ah, this one has singing. Not a lot of piano either. Still okay? [ He'll let autoplay choose the next song, although if it goes too long without an instrumental, he'll try for something else. ]

Oh. I found it. [She grabs what looks like butter from the refrigerator and closes the door carefully behind her.] I think it's closed. [Naminé checks and pushes against the door once to make sure it's really closed before returning to the counter where she's been collecting everything.

She nods her head and organizes the items before standing off to the side so she's out of the way.]

I do. [She smiles as music fills the kitchen.] Yes. I like it. I don't think I've heard music I don't like yet. The castle didn't have any music, not like this. It's really... beautiful.

Edited 2020-03-24 12:13 (UTC)

Yeah, make sure you do that every time with the fridge. If the food in there goes bad, we have to wait for the next ferry to bring food. [ Sora hums a little, opening up a few drawers for measuring cups. He basically eyeballs everything, but he's got the basic recipe memorized for this. ]

Okay, wash your hands first, then help me with the dry ingredients. [ It's mostly going to be her holding out the measuring cups and him pouring, but he wants her to contribute! Flour, sugar, salt, and baking soda first. ]

No music, huh. [ Wasn't that one guy with the big guitar thing a musician? He wonders if she's ever met him. Things to ask. ] Why do you like the piano, do you think? There are lots of instruments out there.

Oh no. [She looks back at the fridge, staring at it a little too intently.] It should be fine now though, right? [Naminé isn't familiar with food or the concept of daily eating but she's scared that they might run out and has gone through unreasonable lengths to make sure she doesn't waste anything.]

Okay. [Naminé goes to wash her hands and returns to Sora's side. There are occasional glances at the refrigerator, at least until Sora assures her that it's fine.

She is very happy holding measuring cups and it does make her feel like she's helping even though she isn't really doing anything.]

Well, the piano is the only instrument I thought of and there is one here. I think I would like how many instruments are played. What do you think? Is there an instrument you'd like to hear or think I'd be able to learn? Would you want to learn how to play?

Yeah! It's okay, it's okay, just make sure that it doesn't stay open for more than a few minutes or so. [ It's not like there's an electricity bill to keep track of here or anything. ]

Me? [ Sora thinks back. ] I took art lessons in high school, so I don't really know how to play anything. My little sister - [ -- Oh. Uh. He scratches his nose. No amount of memory reorganization can fix that, can it? ] Um, the. The family I had, um, in New Jersey. I. Had a little sister. She sang.

[ He pauses, embarrassed. This is absolutely not what Naminé asked for. ] Um, you could... try the ocarina? They have them for free at the general store.

TEST DRIVE MEME #9

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