test drive meme #16

[hadrielmods]

Welcome to Hadriel's test drive, and thank you again for your interest in the game! As always, our reserves page is here, and our applications page is here! Reserves open January 24th, and apps are open February 1st. Please remember that there is an app cap of 20 apps.

Two quick points here as well:

1. Any thread made in Hadriel's test drive will be accepted as the sole Action Log sample in the application.
2. All threads made in the test drive can be considered game canon, either through handwaving or through a shared mental experience while coming through the Door!

Test drives will be broken up into specific god mini-events, during which your characters can see how well they fare under the watchful eye of one of the gods. Choose wisely or just simply pick 'em all, and have fun!

F E A R

SCENARIO ONE: THE CREEPY CRAWLIES
[The Door brings in all that is chaotic and evil in the world. This may include you, may include the person next to you... and may include the monster behind you.

Watch out as you explore the streets of Hadriel, because you're not alone, and there's always something lurking in the shadows, waiting to impale you on its giant claws and crunch your bones between its mandibles. That's right, this time the Door is bringing you bugs from Starship Troopers, in all their giant and disgusting glory!

Bugs are, well, giant insects that come in all shapes and sizes, depending on the rank, and are way too tall or too heavy than they have any right to be. They can move quickly, most of them have the ability to fly, and their exo-skeletons means that it's difficult to really hurt them unless you've got some muscles on you. Or a really big boot, I guess.]

C O N F U S I O N

SCENARIO TWO: WHO'S THAT IN THE MIRROR?
[Something's lurking in the dark. Something that really wants to ruin your day by any means necessary- that includes preying on your darkest fears, or just, you know, simply killing you. But that's not a problem, right? You're big and tough! Except, so is this creature out to get you. And it knows all of your weaknesses and insecurities too because, well... it is you.

Doubles of characters will be flooding the city and attempting to ruin the originals lives by whatever means necessary. This generally involves killing the original and then impersonating them, but it can also mean killing people you love or just bringing up your awkward teenage years to traumatize you in front of all your new cool friends.

What can you do to stop it? Well, you could kill them first, that certainly won't require a few trips to therapy later! There's always locking them away, or maybe trying to befriend them because hey, who's better at ruining your life than you?

This is a mini version of our Dead Ringers event this month!]

T R A N Q U I L I T Y

SCENARIO THREE: CAN YOU JUST LIKE, CHILL FOR A SEC?
[Embrace tranquility! Or rather, get pulled, kicking and screaming into an event during which you magically have to find some chill, or else Tranquility will force chill upon you.

For this prompt, characters will find themselves in a state of sudden peace and calm, without much anger or meanness to go around. That guy you hate? Maybe you should give him a peace offering. The chick who stole your girlfriend? Maybe you should congratulate her! Everything is peaceful and everything is... sorta gray.

Don't get me wrong, it's nice to be able to relax, but we have an emotional spectrum for a reason. Pretty soon, the tranquility of this might turn into something a little creepy, even Stepfordish... but it's hard to really care when everything is so damn pleasant, right?]

Comments

Ignis Scientia | Final Fantasy XV

[joyofcooking]

scenario one;

That's it!

[ignis calls this out to absolutely no one as he pulls a lance out of a giant dead bug and then pulls a notebook from his pocket. he can absolutely hear the approaching footsteps of more of them but give him a second while he scribbles down something into the notebook, furiously writing away until the very last second possible --

and then he turns, jumps, and sticks his lance right between the eyes of another one. the lance phases out of existence and daggers appear in his hands, and he delivers a flurry of blows to this next creature looking to be killed.]

Is that all you've got?

scenario three

[ignis is holding a coffee cup that is very much empty, the contents of it spilled all over the floor and indeed on his clothes as well. but he looks...surprisingly not upset about this experience. instead, he sets the coffee mug down on the counter and proceeds to refill it with tea.]

Ah, well, it was just coffee.

[this is some outrageous behavior, honestly]

3

[manspreading]

[ You know they say there's no use crying over spilled milk but spilled coffee and Ignis together should at the very least end in a curse to the Six. Gladio doesn't know whether he should be impressed or supremely terrified.

Actually, it's a little hard to be terrified right now, but there's just enough surprise in Gladiolus for it to get through. ]

Iggy, you feeling okay?

[joyofcooking]

[whatever gladio it's not even ebony so like honestly?? who cares.]

Absolutely fine. Why do you ask?

[he asks, with coffee still dripping off his gloved hand.]

[manspreading]

[ I mean that's totally true, but also... Gladio tilts his head, still confused. ]

You... got some on your shirt. And your gloves. I don't think I've ever seen you wear so much as an ink stain before.

[joyofcooking]

Oh.

[ignis looks down at his shirt. guess gladio is right]

I hadn't noticed. It'll wash out.

[later...]

[manspreading]

[ Man, he'd be totally worried if things weren't so damn chill right now. Instead he just shrugs. Ok, sure..... ]

You don't have like, a spare shirt or something? You're usually Mr. Prepared for Everything.

[ Next you'll forget to style your hair or something WHERE DOES THE WEIRDNESS END ]

[joyofcooking]

I suppose I must.

[and as you can see he is in such a hurry to go get it]

[manspreading]

[ Iggy "No Chill" Scientia, everybody. Gladio shrugs. Apparently it's not that big a deal so sure, whatever. Maybe spilling hot coffee isn't as big a deal when you wear a shirt. (Gladdy no.) ]

Are you drinking tea?

3

[kittycaterer]

[ Nevermind the creepy-crawlies that have just run amok. Somehow, all of that and the entire situation of being stuck in this cave doesn't quite bother him much anymore. Or anything else, really. For the first time in weeks, Noctis feels pretty at ease. Something to be suspicious about, but he figures he'll dwell on that later. ]

[ He doesn't quite hear the sound of coffee being spilled, but he certainly hears a very, very familiar voice that could never be mistaken. ]

Ignis?

[ Just a turn, and... how the hell did he almost pass that ridiculous pompadour? He would be shocked, hit with a wave of various other emotions, were if not for this strange calm that has him. He'd been long separated from his attendant, worried sick considering his condition. But none of that worry is here. Only relief. ]

When...

Where the hell did you come from?

[ just a touch too distracted to point out the mess. He'll get there. ]

[joyofcooking]

[man noct so good to see you



is what he would say if he were from the same canon point and/or not under tranquility's spell. but as it is, ignis just nods a acknowledgement of his king's presence.]

Hello, Noct. I would offer you some coffee, but. [a shrug] It appears to be all over the floor. Would you like some tea, instead?

[kittycaterer]

[ This is ridiculously surreal. Noctis looks around as if doing so would confirm whether or not this is all real. So far? It is. Noctis can't fight that relief that he feels, the calm working in tandem despite the actual look of confusion on his face to his inner turmoil here. It's been far too long since he's seen Ignis, and they didn't exactly separate at a good time. ]

Ah,

S...ure.

[ He slowly sits down in an adjacent chair. Noctis looks Ignis up and down before reaching for as many napkins as he can grab in front of him. ]

Here.

[ He passes them over to Ignis, for the purpose of cleaning himself up. His brow is raised. ]

When did you get here?

[joyofcooking]

[oh. well. since noct offers them, ignis does manage to clean of his hands so he's not got burning hot coffee on them. this was a success. good for you, noct! taking care of ignis!]

Not long ago.

[he's so chill and not at all confused or upset about this which is troubling no matter who it's coming from, definitely, but probably infinitely more so when it's coming from ignis.]

[kittycaterer]

[ Hey, he's capable of being a responsible friend every once in a while. Plus, he's sort of gotten into the habit of... taking care of people. Lately, that is. ]

No kidding.

[ At least he came here in one piece. Noctis was starting to worry that the rest of his friends, should they ever show up, would come here with a myriad of injuries on the brink of death. He should be concerned or uncomfortable-- Something other than completely and totally chill in the face of this. Now Eos is sans its Chosen King and one of his attendants. But Noctis finds himself selfishly relieved and content in Ignis being here. ]

[ Yeah, it's really freaking weird. ]

So...

[ Elephant in the room. Why are you all in one piece, Ignis? ]

What... Happened?

[ Really dumb question, Noct. That could allude to anything. ]

[joyofcooking]

[this would probably be a more troubling question if he weren't so chill right now. ignis is pretty good on picking up on hits, and noct isn't exactly subtle but as it is.]

Hm. We were chasing down an ingredient for Takka, if I remember correctly.

FFXV Spoilers past chapter 9 warning

[kittycaterer]

[ At least Noctis can count on Ignis reading his tone. They've known each other long enough, so there's really no getting around that. He never thought he would see the day that he could be happy for that. He's been separated from him long enough, including the time in Zagnautus Keep. ]

[ This still confuses him, and Noctis mainly can't get over the fact that Ignis' condition is seemingly nonexistent. No scars, eyes opened and healthy. It becomes perfectly clear why that is the case when Ignis so eloquently advises him what he last remembers. ]

[ And he's visibly confused. ]

What?

[ There's no sense of shock. Confusion, yes, but it's a feeling that he's all too comfortable with for some reason. That was so far back from his perspective, but he doesn't have enough energy it seems like to fully question it. ]

So, that means you can...

[ He starts to hold up his hand, about to wave it in front of Ignis as if to ask "You can see this? You can see me?", but he realizes the implications of that given that he's made it clear he's from the past. ]

[ So he stops, clearing his throat as he sets his hand down. ]

Nevermind.

1 (YELLS A LOT)

[mercurio]

[prompto is there, to take a picture of ignis writing down on his notebook, possibly a recipe. prompto is pretty proud of himself for accomplishing these snapshots while in the middle of battle (too bad he didn't get the cool dagger shot though!), when he realises...]

[the recipe, must include...]

[blanches]

Iggy!

[he shoots at the bug behind the one ignis just stabbed to hell and back]

Don't tell me you came up with a bug recipe?!

[THE DISTRESS IN HIS VOICE]

\o/

[joyofcooking]

Are you doubting my ability to cook it?

[ignis raises an eyebrow, sending a very pointed look back at promto.]

I'm not sure why you think this is any different than all the rest of what we've eaten.

[mercurio]

But, it's bugs! Bugs are disgusting! Even Noct says so-- wuoh!

[ducks just in time to avoid a bug to his face; prompto is quick to shoot at it as it flies away and around]

Please don't feed us bugs!

[joyofcooking]

[ignis chains the attack, following through with a lance jump of his own. we got this, buddy.]

Consider it a delicacy.

[mercurio]

A delicacy?!

[he's really--really distressed, ignis! you're going to feed them bugs, this betrayal??]

Iggyyyy... I don't want to eat bugs...!

[keeps making a face, still shooting at bugs]

[joyofcooking]

I'll tell you what- you kill more of these than me and we'll never speak of it again.

[excuse him while he goes to maim one]

three!

[devotional]

[ Lunafreya has heard tell of Ignis Scientia from the notes exchanged between herself and Noctis; while the princes opinion of the man had gradually begun to improve as he grew older, one thing remained stagnant: mentions of the man's love for Ebony. Upon arriving in Hadriel, Luna has had a decent amount of time to catch up with Noctis, and many of their conversations had revolved, naturally, around his friends. While she knows that she likely will never be able to meet them properly barring some divine act from Hadriel's gods, she's content simply to hear of their exploits from her dearest friend...

Until, of course, divine intervention decrees that the Oracle does get the chance to meet Ignis, through some bizarre twist of fate. Imagine Luna's surprise when she comes upon him, surrounded by and covered in the coffee that he seems to adore, looking less than perturbed. ]

Ah...

[ She begins. Lunafreya is happy for another familiar face, knowing how important he is to Noctis, but the state of his being strikes her as less than ideal. From Noctis' letters, she's gathered that Ignis had been a bit of a perfectionist when it came to almost all aspects of life, and having coffee anywhere outside of a cup or a pot (or a stomach) seems about as imperfect as coffee gets. ]

Sir Scientia... Noctis will be so pleased to see you. [ She smiles at him, genuine. It falters only slightly when she speaks next, crossing the kitchen in order to open a drawer. ] Forgive me, I don't mean to be rude, but please... allow me to fetch you a towel.

[joyofcooking]

[there's something...underneath the chill the sparks when he sees lunafreya. of course he knows logically that she's important for their mission, but it doesn't register emotionally. except for the tiny spark where it does.

still, it's not enough to break tranquility's spell although his brow furrows for a moment before what she says catches up to him.]

Oh. Yes, I suppose that will do just fine. Thank you, Lady Lunafreya.

[devotional]

[ If Ignis makes any outward motions indicating that spark's existence, Lunafreya certainly doesn't notice. She knows that Hadriel has a way with mucking about in people's emotions and memories, and while she isn't certain that Ignis originates from the same timeline as she, she decides to leave nothing to chance. She smiles at him, as benign as ever even in the face of his furrowed brow, and she gently withdraws a small dishtowel from the drawer, seemingly unaware of the effect Tranquility has on him. ]

Of course. Noctis has a spare set of trousers in the bedroom, also, if you would like to get changed; I fear that we are not currently in possession of a washer and dryer here, but I was going to wash our clothes by hand later in the day, if you would like me to take care of yours...

[ She trails off. Funny. Luna feels that she should be a bit more surprised at the sight of Ignis being here. ]

I pray that you were not assaulted by giant vegetable monsters upon your arrival? I was not half as fortunate in that regard.

[joyofcooking]

I couldn't ask you to take care of them, but I will accept the spare trousers.

[he'll look like noct save him...]

No giant vegetables, luckily. Only giant bugs.