Test Drive #10.

[powersthatbe]

Welcome to the Synodiporia Test Drive Meme! Below the cuts there are two new prompts, and here are the prompts from previous test-drives, which you’re still welcome to use in this post. When you comment, be sure you specify what prompt you want to play with, and please put up your own threadstarter - it makes for a much more friendly environment that a forest of bare toplevels! OCs are especially welcome! Please take a quick look at our Directory & familiarize yourself with the concept and setting of the game before you jump in.

Our upcoming app round runs July 5th-13th. We are currently voting on one of two Jaunts, one of which is a Space Opera theme and one of which is a Magical Girl theme. Stay tuned for updates!

Prompt #31 takes place during our Cursed Kingdom Jaunt, where a tournament is taking place at the old Throneless Keep in the land of Dolorosa. Rebellious rogues, the Queen's Gryphon Knights, apprentice mages, and Travelers alike will find all sorts of opportunities to win prize money, gather information... and steal things, for the more thieving-inclined.

Prompt #32 is set in a peculiar Liminal Space, a grand forest with several rabbit-holes, natural stone arches, and hollow log bridges, where you might not end up the same size coming out as you did going in...


Prompt #31: The Tournament
With the Queen still missing, the Barons are beginning to grow restless... and perhaps far too interested in seeing the martial capabilities of the other baronies. The call for a kingdom-wide Tournament is met with enthusiasm by most of the kingdom, however, and the turnout is so large at the Throneless Keep that the stands are packed enough that most have to stand at the edges of the arena to get a clear view of the fights - various hastiludes ranging from melee combat to archery contests to the classic joust, or for the magically gifted, magical displays of power to awe and impress the crowd, and perhaps get a few coins thrown your way. (No one dares start a magic battle for they know the Illuminated would win.) One can, of course, join in on the bloodsports to get a better view, though facing off against one of the barony's knights will always be a tough, though exciting, challenge.

For those not interested in the tourney's proceedings, the tourney grounds are set out further down the valley, little market stalls and tents ready for potential customers and guests of the various local and traveling knights. Magical and non-magical wares can be bought or sold here, many attractions can be found for adults and children when there is a break in the tournament schedule, and there is of course the arena reserved solely for the Knights of the Gryphon, the Queen's old personal guard, kept far away from the horses lest the gryphons spook them. This is where shadier tournament visitors will find easy pockets to pick and gullible customers to buy forged goods. And for the Travelers, it might be an excellent source of information, to figure out all the strange goings-on of this land, and what this newest Jaunt might entail...


Prompt #32: Can't See The Forest For The Trees
Liminal Space has changed into a thick, beautiful forest full of paper cut-out moss, finely sculpted cardboard trees with green index-card and sticky-note leaves, shading pretty daffodils and roses of carefully-folded origami paper from the paper-lantern sun above. The babbling brooks and little ponds are instead made of confetti, blue and white pieces traveling downstream all on their own past strong Bristol-board boulders, ponds filled with papercraft koi and goldfish. Things are carefully folded enough that they won't give papercuts - but the grass is still remarkably uncomfortable to sit on unless you flatten out a space first, or find one of the many reams of paper to sit on, set out as paving stones on a suggested path through the forest, though it's sometimes hard to tell it's truly supposed to be a path.

But fish are not the only things to be found in the forest with minds of their own. Dog-sized paper mice skitter through the trees, and origami cranes the size of a fingernail flit around on carefully sculpted wings. Little folded centipedes and millipedes inch through large rabbit-hole mounds lined with shipping paper only to come out the other side three times the size they were before, or crawl the tight fit through a gray Bristol-board stone arch only to shrink to the size of a pin. Travelers, too, can wander through these log bridges, stone archways, rabbit-holes, and metallic foil-paper caves... but you might end up larger than the trees or small enough to fit into someone's hand.

Comments

Lupa | SMT: Digital Devil Saga | Prompt 32

[papacerberus]

[The tall man with bright red braids wanders through the paper forest with almost exaggeratedly careful steps in a clear effort not to disturb the paper. His expression is faintly bemused, but he's still alert to each sound around him. When one of the paper mice scurries closer, he kneels down slowly for a closer look, and speaks in a deep, rich voice.]

You can't be real, but you seem alive...

[howexciting]

They seem to be made of real paper, but they are not alive in any traditional sense.

[A man wearing something out of an old fairytale, a green doublet with leather hose and boots, and a bright red hat and cape, steps out from behind a large cardboard trunk, holding his hand out as a small origami crane flutters down and rests in his hand. He's very fascinated by it, almost like he can't keep his eyes off it.]

Look...!

[The little crane flaps, stilling for a long moment there, before it lifts itself into a hover over Leonardo's hand, carefully flitting away into the forest.]

[papacerberus]

But they are not real animals.

[He considers the mouse for a moment more, then turns to watch the little crane. If he thinks the clothing odd, he doesn't comment.]

That represents... a rat? And that, a butterfly?

[His brow furrows, and he shakes his head slightly as he gets up. The brand on his stomach is very much on display, three stylized mouths of rending teeth stark black against his skin.]

No, I don't think a butterfly is correct. But it is... beautiful. Where are we?

[howexciting]

No, they are not animals made of flesh, fur, feathers - merely likenesses. But I have seen many animals made of many different materials. Balloons, chalk, porcelain... animals are common here in Liminal Space.

I believe it is meant to be a crane. But it is very small for a crane, isn't it...?

[And then he spots the pitch-dark brand on his stomach. An Atma mark, he's sure of it. Eyes wide, he glances back up at Lupa.]

... are you from the same world as Sera Angel?

[papacerberus]

Why does this Liminal Space contain likenesses, but not the real creatures? And what is Liminal Space?

[He has to puzzle out what a crane is before he can try to answer the question, but Lupa nods, braids falling forward over his shoulder.]

Yes, it is small for a bird.

[He stiffens, ever so slightly at the question, but nods again, expression grave.]

If the Junkyard truly counts as a "world" I am aware of the Cyber Shaman, and the voice going by Angel that commanded us.

[It's puzzling. Did this stranger forget the 'and'?]

Translation in hovertext if needed c:

[howexciting]

That, I am not sure... perhaps it has to do with it being something easily recognizable for most of us. Liminal Space is what you see around you, here, though it changes from instance to instance. It is a nexus between worlds, which you have now been brought to, as was I brought here, about a year ago.

The... Cyber Shaman? [Well Sera never gave him that title.] I am aware of the Junkyard, sì. Sera has told me a little, about the Tribes, the... war you were forced to go through. Your Demon forms.

[He draws up his sleeve, and out comes a bright orange ribbon, tied neatly around his wrist. If anyone knew what it meant, someone from the Junkyard would know.]

[papacerberus]

Who has brought us, and do you know the reason?

[The questions suddenly become less important when the stranger reveals that ribbon. That color is something he recognizes, and he subtly relaxes, hand falling away from where it had been hovering close to his hip.]

It is what Varin called her; it feels 'correct' to say. But if she has come here, that means the Embryon must have succeeded.

[It is encouraging to think about, not that he had doubted they could, but things so rarely go according to plan. Lupa smiles, little more than a faint twitch of his mouth.]

How many of you are here?

[howexciting]

We call them the Trumps. There are eighteen of them in all, I think. They intend to mark each one of us, though the reason why is as yet unknown. I have my own theories on the matter.

[That name he had not heard yet - Varin. He would ask Sera later... but it might bring up bad memories. He might ask later, in a quieter moment.]

Only her, as... as far as I know. Though she has spoken to me about the Embryon's leader, Serph. I have never been from the Junkyard. She... made me an honorary member of the Tribe, some months ago. I would not survive there, anyway.

.. forgive me, messere, I did not introduce myself. I am Leonardo da Vinci. And you are...?

[papacerberus]

[He takes in the information about the Trumps, one hand making a quick, aborted movement towards his Atma at hearing 'mark' but otherwise filing it away until later. For now, the state of the Tribes is more important.]

Was Sera the only one that left the Junkyard?

[If so... the very idea makes his chest hurt, and Lupa has to take a breath to steady himself. It's not fact, and he will await confirmation before dwelling on it more. Introductions will be an adequate thing to focus on in the meantime.]

If one of the Embryon claims you, then you are Embryon. I am Lupa. I [there's a split second of hesitation] was leader of the Wolves.

[howexciting]

She said there were others, but... I am sad to say that the specifics must be found from her. I only know what she has told me, and she has told me very little.

Lupa, leader of the Wolves? [So another Tribe, then. There's a small quirk of the lips at the connection between Lupa and Wolf.] A fitting name. But you are no longer of the Wolves?

[papacerberus]

[It's a relief to hear, and the uncomfortable feeling evaporates. So they got out and went to Nirvana. And then she somehow came here? Odd, but if she remembers, he will not doubt it. He will have to ask her when he meets with her. That aside, his voice is almost gentle when he explains. This man doesn't know the Junkyard, so it might seem strange to him.]

In order to win freedom from the Junkyard and ascend to Nirvana, one Tribe must defeat the other Tribes and kill their leaders. I am content knowing that the Embryon will--or have been-- treat my men fairly.

[howexciting]

[He nods, weakly. Sera had not told him much about the Junkyard, but... that had been a truth that had come out relatively early. The Junkyard was a place of eternal war. Casualties were expected. It is sad to know that this man is dead, back home, as are many of the other Travelers.]

You are an ally. That is all I need to know. I will happily lend you any support I can, Lupa, while I can.

[papacerberus]

[Lupa nods, grave but with a hint of contentedness smoothing the lines of his face. Alliances are very important, and also comforting, Lupa’s coming to realize.]

Thank you. Know that I will do the same for you and Sera, Leonardo.

[There are so many things he wants to know, needs to ask, but Lupa suspects Sera will need to answer most of them. So Lupa goes quiet, trying to figure out what Leonardo can answer.]

[urbanwhizkid]

[He's still confused by this place. If it weren't for the lack of fog (believe him he's taken off the glasses to check) he might think this was some strange form of Naoto-kun's world in the TV World. But no fog and no one else he knew either as far as Yosuke could see. Heck he hasn't seen anyone at all since he opened his eyes.

He's just starting think that something truly awful has happened when he hears the voice. It isn't familiar but he moves closer anyway. Maybe the ... okay he's way tall and dressed funny. Like a million times stranger than anyone he's seen in Inaba or the city.]

I'm not sure you can call a paper mouse alive. [Sorry he's a little cranky since there's important things to be doing when he isn't here, and he's still not entirely convinced that a shadow knocked him a good one and he's unconscious and dreaming either.]

[papacerberus]

It moves as if it is alive.

[Lupa says that before he gets a good look and--

Stops. For a moment he stares, visibly startled, but then his expression softens. Is this a child? Perhaps not quite--adolescent flickers through his thoughts as a better word. Still, this ...boy? is young. Not the child from his dreams, but still confirmation that wherever he is, it's nowhere near the Junkyard.]

Everything here is made of paper. It is unusual?

[There's a faint confusion in his tone. He's sure it is, and yet, there's something playing in the back of his head that says it might not always be out of place.]

[urbanwhizkid]

Alot of things can do that without being alive. Like robots.

[He shrugs, a little uncomfortable with the scrutiny of the man's gaze. Maybe there was something on his face? Whatever the reason it stops quickly enough.]

Usually paper is used to write on. This is a first even for me.

[papacerberus]

Robots. Like the Temple Guards.

[He can understand that easily enough, though how paper can be made to move, he's less sure.]

We don't--didn't have need of paper. I have never seen it before.

[He reaches out to touch the index card leaves on one of the trees.]

[urbanwhizkid]

Temple guards? Uh sure, I guess so.

[...]

Never? Dude where were you that you didn't need paper? Paper is used in like everything.

[he looks perplexed now. Even Teddie seed to get the concept of paper. And he's lived in the TV for as long he can remember.]

[papacerberus]

The Junkyard.

[It's said almost casually, and Lupa recognizes the confusion so he attempts to explain.]

If text was required, it was sent via device, or painted on walls or floors. Most communication was through radio.

[urbanwhizkid]

[The what now? Was that some strange section of the TV?]

Uh right. Not that we don't have our own many ways of sharing text, but not having paper at all is weird. Even with radios.

[Old man you're weird.]

[papacerberus]

There were no children either. The Junkyard was unnatural, though we were unaware until recently.

[Lupa wonders if this child is from the Nirvana they were all trying to reach. It must be better than the Junkyard, to have children?]

Where are you from?

[urbanwhizkid]

No children, none at all? Man that is weird.

[Still he stares a moment when asked where he's from. It almost ses laughable that it needs to be asked at all.]

Earth. It's kinda like this in some places only not made of paper.

[papacerberus]

New rookies would be sent out from the Temple as fully formed adults. Children as soldiers... It does not feel right.

[It makes him feel sick, almost like an ache, and Lupa pushes the thoughts aside to focus on the new information.]

What more can you tell me about Earth? Is it peaceful?

[urbanwhizkid]

[For a moment Yosuke says nothing. He's never really thought about it before, the concept never really getting in past his own worries when it appeared on the news. It isn't something he really likes the sound of either.]

It happens though in some places. Or that's what I've heard.

[ He's quieter now as he leans more firmly against the trunk of the tree, his shoulder sinking in a little as he does.]

Mostly. Depends alot on where you are. It's usually peaceful in my small corner almost peaceful to the point of death, y'know?

[papacerberus]

It is good to know that there is peace, even if it is not complete.

[as familiar as "Earth" sounds, it's not Nirvana, he thinks, and some people are more eager to fight than others.]