dankmemes | test drive meme #16

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!test drive

test drive meme #16

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?]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

SCENARIO ONE: FEAR

Why bugs?!

[is the disgusted, hilariously high-pitched whine coming from one blond who is keeping a fine distance between himself and humongous bugs by shooting at them. he's come to the miserable realisation that he's not really doing as much damage as he wishes he were.]

--wha?! They're not the mushy type?

[if there's one thing prompto absolutely dislikes, it has to be bugs. all sizes, all shapes, all colours. this is like a nightmare come true for him. a gross nightmare.]

[in the entirety of his up and down pirouetting about, jumping out of the way or simply ducking by rolling out of the way, he ends up slamming his back way too hard on the ground, causing him to yelp and be left to writhe in pain on the ground.]

[until he catches sight of one nasty, big bug looming over him, ready to strike]

Ah!? It's man down! Man-- [BANG!, the creature retreats as aftershock from the shot] --down!

[BANG!, again, but the bug seems unphased this time, taking a moment to place itself after the second shot (a scratch, on its exoskeleton), and stomping four of its terrifyingly gross legs around prompto, effectively trapping him]

Ughkk!

[he knows awaiting for help is a silly hope at this point, and although he would really love it, he's doing the logical thing and taking a picture of the underside of the bug that is imprisoning him and likely about to force its stingers onto him.]

[click-vrrrr, and prompto's moving out of the way right as the stingers plunge onto the ground he had been occupying, taking another shot at the beast, even if he trips and falls back on his behind, again--shows you you can't shoot a picture and shoot your gun at the same time.]

[he's an idiot, help him.]

SCENARIO TWO: CONFUSION

Tu-tu-tu-ru~♪

[prompto is minding his own business, whistling to a tune, nearly damn skipping through the streets--taking pictures and delighting himself in the sights of a city so different from the one he grew up in.]

[there's is always something new and exciting to explore.]

[little does he know, there's his middle school self walking around behind him, quietly, following his every move.]

SCENARIO THREE: TRANQUILITY (slight game spoilers??)

[the last thing he remembers is being shoved off the train--by noctis. the pain that followed coursed through his body and rippled through his joints and bones and had managed to knock him out unconscious. returning to the imperial city brought him more than just pain--but a torment of memories flooding into his self-awareness.]

[but all that prompto feels now--despite finding himself on the ground, turning onto his back; bruised and cut up, blood drying on his skin--is an unnerving sense of calm. his eyes open and he glances up]

Huh? Where am I...?

[clearly, this and being all bruised up and in pain is no issue for him.]

Where's--my camera?

[priorities]

SCENARIO FOUR: WILDCARD

[prompto is here for anything else you might need him for!]

Edited 2017-01-21 20:40 (UTC)

Out of the way!

[In just a matter of seconds, the king's glaive careens into beastly insect with such brutal force that rivals Noctis' strength. Regis' sword slices through the enormous bug's thorax cleanly like a chopped log. The insect flutters lifelessly towards the ground in a severed heap sputtering ever so violently. It's then that the King of Light stabs his blade right through the bugs head with sickening precision. The monster twitches some before eventually dying in a shallow pool of its own mustard hue fluids.

Regis flicks the offending liquid off his glaive with subtle elegance.]

What a disgusting fiend. [The elderly king mutters darkly before turning his gaze towards the troubled youth. A hint of recognition shines within his eyes once he sees the young man's face.]

...I know you. [The king says quietly in muted surprise.] Prompto...? Prompto Argentum?

[Regis blinks his eyes rapidly in obvious confusion.]

My gods, what are you doing here?!

Edited 2017-01-21 21:15 (UTC)

[prompto makes a rather comical expression as the insect basically explodes so dramatically. but his attention spans immediately to the how, because that blue light around the weapon and the crystals as it moves so elegantly through the air is extremely familiar. noctis level of familiar]

[except that as prompto hurries to get up, while on his hands and knees, he notices that it isn't noctis who took on the monster with such calculated ease and power. it's the king, regis lucis caelum.]

[he quickly gets up on his feet and is shocked at--a number of things. 1) having his name remembered by the kind king, and 2) the king being alive.]

Your majesty...!?

[well, at least he's using the right honourifics. he isn't sure if he should bow or stand straight or keep his guard up or take a picture. everything is suddenly too much.]

A-ahh, I just somehow found myself here! Are you alright? --sir?

[now may not be the time for idle chitchat]

[Regis couldn't help but smirk somewhat once the blond used the right honorifics this time around. Prompto always seemed the most nervous around his presence and understandably so. The king is quite aware of how imposing he could seem despite his legendary kindness. He is royalty after all and twice as old as Prompto. So, it doesn't come as any surprise that Prompto is so nervous around him but now isn't the time for questions.]

You just arrived--Look out!

[The king hurriedly shoves Prompto aside roughly once one of the overgrown insects tried to strike the youth from the left. Regis summons forth his glaive once more and cuts down the second bug just as quickly as he slashed through the first. The ethereal gleam of his magical sword leaves a trail of blue embers in its wake that nearly resmebles ash.

Once the twitching insect goes still, Regis pivots on his heel quickly to swipe at the third incoming fiend. The last bug looked more reminiscent of a winged spider of some sort but dies in the same gruesome manner as all the others. Again, Regis flicks the yellowish slime off his glaive. It's then that the bitter scent of the insect's fluids reaches his nose. The king's face scrunches up in disgust.]

Ah, this is not the time for questions. [Regis commemts with an apologetic smile. He didn't mean to shove the youth so hard but he rather that Prompto doesn't get impaled.]

Come! Let us find safety first, I'm certain Noctis will be grateful to see you again.

--wuoh!

[the rather harsh shove was unexpected, but king regis must not worry himself about how someone like prompto lands. since prompto is--clumsy, as a default. the younger man loses his balance momentarily, ducking involuntarily, and awarding himself to be out of the way of more insect massacre gunk]

[he decides it might be best to just... stay on his haunches for a bit longer, until the third threat is eliminated]

[(ignore how he's taken a couple of pictures in the meantime)]

Noctis too?!

[it's at these words that he gets back up again, an expression of relief on his face]

He-- He knows you're here?

[he'll follow, just lead him to safety]

[Regis gives a quick nod before gesturing for the youth to follow. If they survive the long journey back to the apartment, then the king will properly answer Prompto's many questions. For now, he's eager to get Noctis' friend to safety while he still able. That bad knee of his is already giving him hell once more.]

Lady Lunafreya and Noctis both are quite aware of my presence. [And both of them are undoubtedly worried sick about the king during this onslaught of beastly insects. Maybe venturing so far from the apartment was a terrible idea.]

You're lucky I happened upon you when I did! The streets of this city are likened to a labyrinth--

[The thunderous sound of something quite large prompts Regis to come to slow halt. He glances over towards Prompto worriedly for a moment before ushering the blond towards one of the adjacent alleyways. It's then that thunderous boom gains more fervor and speed.]

This must be the gods at play here. [A deep sigh escapes him as he turns his green gaze towards Prompto.] Do you have enough ammunition on you---

[A sudden pause.

...Why are you holding a camera?

Lady Lunafreya?!

[he immediately looks apologetic for his rather loud outburst. all this sounds unbelievable to him, but this sure is noctis' father--dead quite a while ago--having a conversation with him about what is and what isn't, and having actually saved his sorry ass from danger]

[prompto being prompto, he has a hard time focusing on other details, such as what this city is like as described or where they're going; his thoughts are focused on lunafreya being alive, and of noctis being able to meet both his father and childhood friend--]

[he stops cold. this sounds like an accusation]

Uh... To take pictures, for posterity and things! [what a rude answer to give to the king!! he knows that was a garbage response!] I got sufficient ammunition, though! I got a Bioblaster, too, and other guns, as well...

[Congratulations, Prompto! You're the first to get Regis to roll his eyes. He stares at the young photographer for a moment and slowly shakes his head. Poor lamb, how in the world did you become entangled with such violent affairs? Regis let's out a quiet sigh.

His urge to protect this youngster surges almost ten forth.]

Very well. I may need you to assist me in the battles to come. [The king glances down at his right knee, the one in the golden brace. A deep sigh leaves him as he gazes at it worriedly.] Only a fool would wander out here alone but I allowed my curiosity to best me.

[His green gaze rests on Prompto again.]

We'll follow the alleyway towards the residential district. Stay sharp.

Edited 2017-01-22 07:30 (UTC)

Ye-yes, sir.

[prompto may not be an expert in combat, but he did receive training from one of the best: the marshall, cor leonis. he's taken his role to help protect the prince (although he's been told it was unnecessary, that being able to defend himself would be enough for the prince), and has always aimed to improve himself in the combat aspect--be it by looking at gladiolus or asking ignis for advice.]

[regis might be pleased to see prompto put away the camera and unholster not one, but two guns.]

Your highness, [the knee brace doesn't escape his attention; he noticed it before they had left insomnia] I really, really appreciate your wandering out here to help me... Especially with your... leg and all. [trying to be Tactful here] I'll be serious now! And stay sharp!

[he wants to offer himself to help the king with walking, but would that be rude??]

[Two pistols, huh? Regis gives the lad an approving glance. Even though Prompto certainly lacks the years of experience, something tells him that the gunner is a worthy combatant. The young man reminds him vaguely of Weskham if only for the firearms. His good friend was a quick shot much like Prompto in his heydays. Quick on the draw, Weskham could kill a man dead in just a blink of an eye. Regis remembers watching in awe as his companion would out snipe even the best MT snipers. It's really absurd how the man could ricochet his bullets to strike just about anyone. The king remembers those days fondly.]

There's no need for gratitude. [He says with a chuckle before rushing forward along the path. The king signals for Prompto to follow.] I'm grateful to assist however I may.

[Regis follows along the shadowed path using the adjacent buildings to hide their movements as they try to avoid the massive bugs along the perimeter. The king halts every once and while cause of his bad knee but eventually he manages to sprint towards the end of this path.

Those massive insects haven't spotted them yet but all of that changes when one of the fiends hops onto the roof of a nearby structure. The monster let's out a horrific screech as it flutters its wings wildly alerting the others near. Eventually the disgusting insect goes on the attack. It's trying to rain an acid-like liquid upon them that looks ironically like golden ichor.]

[ It's a good thing he's used to dealing with nasties on the daily, or else he would otherwise become extremely exhausted. Well, he is exhausted, actually. But Noctis is pretending his not for the sake of those he's taking care of. It's because of those people that he's even out here to begin with, to make sure that all of these disgusting creatures are taken out before they get someone who can't ]

[ He approaches the grouping of disgusting insects, large and threatening. Without a word, his blade pierces the ground in the center of the gather. With a flash of blue light, Noctis appears. ]

Piss off!

[ With a graceful shift, Noctis grabs the handle of his blade, slashing through the masses as quickly as he can. He phases through a few quickly, but a following sound of shots fired and a shriek, he's distracted. Noctis grits his teeth as his feet skid the ground upon landing, turning his head quickly to notice a shock of blonde hair sliding underneath a creature with a camera?! ]

[ The prince's eyes widen, and there's a sinking feeling in his gut extremely similar to what he'd felt when running into Regis and Lunafreya. Because the last he'd seen his friend? Noctis had unintentionally shoved him off of a moving train. He refuses to count that phony MT Ardyn had planted for the sake of taunting him. ]

Prompto!

[ Noctis' voice is hoarse as he calls for him, and he rushes quick to his aid in hopes of taking out these things as quickly as possible. ]

Edited 2017-01-21 21:25 (UTC)

[prompto stops, stills, and turns his head to his name being called. he answers before he even sees his friend,]

Noct!

[there's something distressing about the way his name is called, the way noctis shows up to his aid, looking more tired than prompto ever remembers seeing him.]

[he picks himself up, revitalised at a friendly face amidst all the disgusting bugs, and he fires a couple more shots to keep the large insect away from them. it's almost frustrating how all he wants to do is stop and be with his best friend, ask a hundred questions, but they've got to deal with clearing out the area first.]

[despite being tired himself, bruised and dirty, he manages a bright smile]

Giant bugs. Just our luck, right?

[it might convince noctis further that this is the real prompto, because of the laughter that comes from the other, tapping at his own shoulder with the butt of his pistol.]

Wanna go at them together?

[he's ready to attack as a team]

Edited 2017-01-21 23:05 (UTC)

[ No... No, he's past believing that this all is some elaborate trick. There are times he backpedals a touch, but they've started to become few and far between. The blood that came out of Lunafreya and Regis was far to real for him to doubt. This is going to be just the same. ]

[ It's clear as day that there's inner turmoil here, concern, but Noctis has to push that back for the sake of what's going on right now. He can tell Prompto has been through something, but the matter of what will have to wait until a later date. Despite the hesitation there, Noctis nods. ]

Yeah.

Yeah, let's get this over with.

[ Noctis gives the signal. Same as always in wake of a duo-attack. ]

Go, now!

[prompto sticks his tongue out after noctis' hesitant agreement, stuck between a growing smile. he bumps their elbows together, because while he can't really work on reassuring his friend right now from whatever it is, the physical contact--albeit brief--will have to do.]

[he gets closer to the beast at hand and sinks to one knee, gun raised]

Hi there, opening! Haha~

[the underbelly; he aims, and fires, making the bug raise itself at the impact on its hind legs--the perfect opportunity for noctis to stab it with one of his many swords and make some serious damage]

[ As Prompto passes him with an encouraging shoulder-bump, it's pretty clear to him that this isn't fake. And Noctis is sure Prompto can tell something is up with him. They've been friends for far too long, but there's no time to comment on that or get into it. It's difficult to push away the memory of shoving the guy off a moving train, and he can't help but feel like he's stuck in Zagnautus Keep again. But he shakes out of it, quick. ]

Got it!

[ Noctis only briefly skids out of the way to make for Prompto's shot, eyes on the prize as he jumps feet above the incapacitated creature. He grabs his blade again, pointed downward as he shoots down and stabs it right in the center. The large bug screeches in agony; it's last cry before meeting its timely demise. ]

Just two more, Prompto! Get moving!

[ The other two seem smaller in comparison, easy to take out with just a few hits. Properly focused, he gets to it, slashing his blade with fury and precision with full intentions on getting this over with as soon as possible. ]

[he nods at the command, and quickly sets to work too. a shot here, a shot there, a selfie for the sake of memories, and it's with no little amount of effort that in the end they manage to get rid of the last two beasts in the vicinity.]

[prompto ignores the horrible smell and mess because of the bugs, holsters his gun and camera both, and tilts his head upwards, exhaling a purposeful sigh]

A~aahh~

[hands at his back and helping him stretch out, he's visibly torn and tired from this minuscule battle. it's fair to say that the both of them are exhausted past this battle, even if by different circumstances.]

That took everything out of me... and bugs no less, yuck.

[hey, it is prompto!]

Edited 2017-01-21 23:47 (UTC)

[ Just as the last disgusting nasty falls, Noctis flings his arm to the side, allowing his blade to disappear in a flash of blue light. His hands press to his knees, where he crouches forward to catch his breath. He hasn't gotten beyond three or four hours of sleep a night for the last week or two. It's catching up to him, making him slow and out of shape. ]

[ With a heavy exhale, he stands, looking straight to Prompto who seems perfectly fine. Save for bruises and cuts, it's as if nothing is wrong. But that doesn't stop him from the wash of relief that comes over him. Silence befalls him, if only for a moment as the prince storms forward. ]

[ Along with that relief comes guilt. He shoved Prompto off the train, subjected him to a capture by the Empire. Whatever terrors this guy has gone through are entirely Noctis' fault, and he refuses to ignore that. It's been on his mind since it happened, and being pried away from the Keep has made him anxious and riddled with worry. Maybe that's why he sees it completely appropriate to practically crash into his best friend with arms wide in a tight hug. ]

[ Noctis pat's Prompto's back with an open palm, just before gripping a fistful of his vest. ]

I'm sorry.

[ He starts, voice hoarse and thick with worry. ]

Prompto, I'm so sorry.

[prompto is caught by surprise, and it's a wonder that he hasn't fallen back at the additional weight of noctis on him. although he takes a couple of steps back, he manages to hold his balance for the two of them.]

[a wince and a sharp inhale later, he's--wondering what this is about]

Noct...?

[and then there's the rather uncharacteristic display of emotion, for all they mess with each other on a regular basis.]

[it's the train thing, isn't it?]

[prompto returns his hands to being useful, instead of just keep his arms away from him, and returns the embrace. pat, pat, pat. noctis isn't okay, and prompto knows that. hears it. feels it.]

Hey, it's okay, Noct. I know you didn't mean it.

[biting at his bottom lip, prompto doesn't dare pull the other away from him. it could be perceived as--as a negative, despite prompto's attempts at encouragement. so from patting noctis' back, he's now rubbing it up and down. there, there.]

[very manly]

I'm okay. I'm glad you're okay, mostly, --even though you look like crap, dude.

[ Honestly, he half-regrets the gesture. It's not something he's normally comfortable with, but it needs to be done. What happened was awful, and the deeper he had gotten into Zagnautus Keep, the worst it had seemed for his friend. It needs to be said, it needs to be done. But just as quickly as it starts, it ends. ]

[ Noctis sighs, faking a sort of scoff to Prompto's remark as he shoves Prompto back. ]

And that's enough of that.

[ He takes a moment though, pausing. ]

Anyway, we don't... Need to get into it. It's done. I'm just glad you're in one piece.

[that's more like it]

[shuffling his feet, prompto scratches the back of his head, trying to fish for the right thing to say. it's not that noctis is expecting him to, he knows, but it's still something he wants to make an effort on.]

[so, he simply smiles, as he does, despite how he also feels worried.]

Thanks, I like being in one piece, too.

[it's always nothing straight forward with them]

Can you tell me what's going on, though? Also, --are you okay?

[ Yep. Straight forward. No screwing around, no bs. Noctis manages to gather himself completely again, save for the grueling exhaustion that has essentially stolen him since getting here. He's on the fence about being straight forward as to why, and wondering if he should just act as if it's not that big of a deal. ]

[ But the evidence is there. Prompto isn't the first one to comment on Noctis' physical state, and he's probably not the last. But when he thinks about what Prompto will inevitably discover on his own, he realizes that denying anything is completely pointless. ]

I'm fine.

[ He starts it with a lie. Well, half-lie. He's been better. But he'd rather not detail his personal feelings. ]

We're nowhere near Eos. Not anymore. The place is called Hadriel, and it's a city stuck in some cave that I haven't really figured out the location of yet.

There are gods here. Guess you can kind of compare them to the ones back home, but they're more active and close-by. Somehow, they found it appropriate to bring us here.

This whole thing with the gods is messed up...

[prompto, a normal citizen of insomnia, blessed by the opportunity for a second chance despite his origins and basking under the benevolence of the 113th king of lucis and his son's friendship. he's never had to deal with learning or understanding this gods business--until recently, with the roadtrip and all--at a personal level.]

[it makes him feel a little uncomfortable, no doubt, to think that he has no control over his fate.]

Perhaps... it's better than what we had?

[he questions, wincing immediately at how stupid that sounded. he had been imprisoned by ardyn in the keep and shit was rolling out of control. a part of prompto is glad to be here, bug infestation or not.]

Though I guess we're not exactly in any position to ask to be sent back home, huh?

[a rather flat smile, turning mostly into a concerned downward tug of his lips.]

...what about Iggy? Gladio?

Yeah.

[ He breathes that out, a half-sigh and half-scoff sort of way. It is messed up. In both worlds, honestly. He's not entirely sure what's worse, and part of him feels guilty for thinking Eos is in a far worse position. Given that he has yet to see what Hadriel is capable of, he's not totally in a place for judgments. ]

[ Noctis crosses his arms, looking to Prompto. It's surreal that he's even here, that he's alive and in one piece. He knew him to be alive back home, but it was arguable given who's custody he was in. Noctis isn't in a position to reassure Prompto that everything will be better off here, especially considering the state Eos has been left in. ]

Can't say. For any of that, honestly.

[ He shakes his head at the next question. ]

No signs of them.

[ A pause. And what comes out next sounds heavy coming from Noctis, odd. ]

We're... Not the only ones from home, though.

--we're not?

[here was prompto, wishing to ask noctis about what's really going on; why he looks so tired and upset for his usual standards, or what's with the extremely somber mood despite everything.]

Who else is there? Iris? Cidney?

[but, looking at noctis' face tells prompto that he's wrong; they're not the ones who are here. someone... else?]

Noct, don't say Ardyn.

[please]

test drive meme #16

prompto argentum / final fantasy xv

Fear

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new phone who dis - oh also fear

It Begins

Be gentle. I'm fragile

TENDERLY CARES FOR

SHATTERS

why are you like this

that takes too long to explain

i hate to love you.......

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