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test drive meme
Hello, and welcome to Vella's TDM! As a reminder, this game is invite-only and open to anyone on the mods' timelines: Cocoamplitude , Avery
- A Mysterious Gift
Good morning! Today’s shaping up to be a bright, sunny day on the island. The weather is balmy but not too hot, and there’s a gentle, cool breeze. It’s as idyllic and perfect as you could want… but there seems to be something being carried by the wind. It won’t take you long to notice because it’s so out of place - it’s bright and colorful and definitely not something normal. It’s a balloon floating towards the island at a leisurely pace, and hanging from the balloon is what looks to be a… wrapped present? It’s a white box with a red ribbon, and it doesn’t seem to be weighing down the balloon at all. How odd...
If you happen to be armed with a slingshot, you can use it to pop the balloon. When the balloon is popped, the present will fall to the ground - but be careful where you’re shooting! There’s a river running through the island, and your gift could easily end up swept away if it falls just above the water… And if you don’t have a slingshot, feel free to get creative! Or you can make one and be ready for the next mysterious package - because there will be one just a few minutes later, drifting along.
Should you choose to unwrap the present, one of two things will happen: Maybe you'll get something small in size but no less valuable: a shiny, pristine crown that looks like it might cost a fortune. Whether or not you take care of it is up to you, but hey, you run this island now! (Not really.) Alternatively, you might get a very large red double sofa; when you unwrap the present, it suddenly springs out and lands with a loud thunk onto the ground. Pray that it doesn't smash your toes! How something so big squeezed inside a box so small is a mystery, but hey...congrats?
Gotta Catch 'em All (cw: Scorpions)
The island has tons of natural resources. There are the apple fruit trees dotted around the island and plenty of flowers that you can see up on the cliffs, but beyond that are the rivers threading through the island and the beaches themselves. They seem to be filled to bursting with fish - you can see their dark shadows in the water clear as day, and the fish seem to come in a variety of sizes. Make yourself a fishing pole and go for it! The fish are not only good for cooking and eating, but you can also sell them off for bells. Or keep them as pets, that’s fine too.
But if you’re not a fan of fishing, there’s still plenty to catch. The island is also completely filled with… Well. Bugs. The island is filled with bugs. Butterflies flutter around, and you can get some bells for selling them off...and don't count out the dragonflies, grasshoppers, and mantises, either! You'll need a bug net to nab these critters, but once they're yours, you're free to do what you'd like with them.
When it gets dark, though, be careful! That’s when scorpions come out, and they’re known for their sting. They're far and few between, but when you find them, try not to panic. If you don't have your net out, they'll leave you alone and stay at the edges of your general vicinity. If you bring your net out, though, they'll raise their legs and shake their tails defensively at you. Get too close too fast, and they'll chase after you. They're fast.
Henry's Quest
Henry the frog has been living on the island with you, and today he has a request! He wants to make some hedges to put around his house (or maybe he just wants to tidy up the island), and for that he needs weeds. Twenty of them, in fact. More is fine, but less is just unacceptable. If you choose to accept the task, he’ll give you a reward for helping him: ten iron nuggets! It’s all he has though, so whether you choose to do this solo or with some friends, you’re only getting ten iron nuggets total. Still, while it’s not exactly a rare resource, it’s certainly a limited one, so you may find the reward enticing. Or perhaps you just want to help him out of sheer kindness. Whatever the reason may be, it’s time to get to work.
The island has plenty of weeds, so it shouldn’t be too hard to pick the ones you need. If someone happens to be plucking in the same spot as you, maybe you can work together! After all, more hands means more weeding, which means you can all make Henry happy even faster.
For those who are less teamwork-oriented, you’re free to do this solo, but where’s the fun in that? … Ah, you’re thinking of hogging all of the nuggets for yourself, aren’t you? Well in that case, maybe you should consider sabotaging the competition...though do you really want to draw the ire of the people you’ll be spending at least the next few weeks with?
(OOC Note: We will not be NPCing Henry on this TDM.)
Winding Down
Another day at the island has come and gone. The night sky is clear and the stars are out -- the perfect way to wind down after a day’s worth of hard work. Someone - maybe you! - has built a campfire on the beach, and it’s as good a time as any to get to know the people you’re living with. You’re stuck here, after all.
Sit around, chat, maybe tell some spooky (or not so spooky) stories. Enjoy yourself! You’ve got many more days ahead of you, but for tonight you can just rest and enjoy the peace of the island you now get to call home.
Nyactis Lucis Caelum | FFXV
[You know, for once it would just be nice for something in this place to make sense. Waking up with new appendages is one thing, but Noct is pretty sure that a floating present shouldn't really be possible.
He swears he's entered some sort of video game world.
Still, curiousity is ebbing away at him and yet, he is without a slingshot and access to his armiger and powers has somehow been sealed. So the cat looks for the next best thing, picks up a nearby rock and chucks it at the balloon.
Unfortunately, his aim is off and the rock goes plummeting to the ground right on someone's head.]
...Aw crap.
Gotta Catch 'em All
[Now this is way more his speed. Crafting together a flimsy fishing rod wasn't terribly hard all things considered, and with that Noctis has camped out a little spot on the pier. His cat ears twitching every few minutes, he's focused pretty solely on the water, the bobber and his prey's shadow.]
Come on... almost there...
[CHOMP. The bobber submerges and Noctis's pulls back on the rod. It feels heavy and big and puts up a worthy fight, but to the winner goes the fish...
A very long fish. The Oarfish bursts into the air as Noctis stumbles backward on the pier, completely unprepared and letting out a cat-like yelp as the extremely long fish lands right on top of him.]
Li... little help?
Winding Down
[You'd think he'd be used to camping by now. He does know how to put up a tent, but even back home, Gladio took care of the fire and Ignis handled the cooking. Sure, he's watched them work (sometimes... on occasion and when he paid attention), but that doesn't mean that Noctis know how to start a fire.
So instead, he curls up at someone else's campfire when they're not around or looking. And he's already fast asleep, tail and ears twitching as he snoozes.]
gotta catch 'em all
...except she's walking off with it, now, and she pauses right at the spot where the pier meets the sand. ]
Thank you for the food!
[ and she's...WALKING OFF.... ]
no subject
He sits up with a groan and looks for the person who helped him.
Except their escaping? With his catch??!!]
HEY!! [Oh no no no! You are not getting away with his fish. Scrambling to his feet, he's going to give chase.]
Get back here! That's not your fish!
no subject
You're not gonna cook this?
[ seo...... ]
no subject
[...Fuck.]
I mean-- urgh, I don't know yet. [He is not about to admit that he doesn't know how to cook it in front of her. His tail thrashes about.]
But you don't get to decide what I do with him.
no subject
[ she's at least not running off with it again, but she's still holding onto it. it's a big one, but she doesn't seem fazed by its weight whatsoever. ]
Oh, I get it. [ a dramatic pause. ]
You want to give it to the girl you like.
no subject
[He stammers and instantly goes red, tail flushing out too. Sure, giving it to Lunafreya would be nice, but she deserves better than a fish for a gift.
If anything, she deserves to have Ignis cook it for her but that's not going to happen here.]
N-no way! Just, argh... [And now he's moving to pounce on here.]
Give it back!!
gotta catch 'em all
I'm coming! [she calls, and plucks up a handful of her long skirt to hurry over. The fan of white feathers sprouting from the small of her back bobs as she kneels and helps him sit up.] Are you alright?
no subject
With a undignified grunt, Noct shoves the fish off his body and wipes his face with an already wet sleeve. Ears pinned down, his expression is dowwer even as Luna comes into view.]
Y-yeah... [Its just his pride that's wounded. He sits up as the fish flops along the pier beside him. One ear is trained on it. As much as he may hate it right now but he is not letting that thing escape.]
Just... didn't expect it to be so big.
no subject
It's quite the catch. A fine testament of your fishing skills!
[It's easily twice as tall as either of them. Even if she helps him, it'll be a difficult thing to move it around.]
What will you do with it, Noctis?
[Her heart flutters with light joy at the simple pleasure of being able to call his name.]
no subject
At least Luna was dealt a good hand. Those feathers suit her so well and just make her even more pretty.]
Ah... t-thanks. [He relaxes a little, his more awkward and uncertain side coming out as Noctis dips his head. His cheeks heat up a little bit, not really used to receiving praise from her specifically.]
Dunno yet... [A frown as he turns to the fish again. Its flopping is making it inch closer to the edge but the cat is quick to wrap and arm around it and pull it closer to him.]
Iggy handled all the cooking before. And I don't think it'll fit in my tent. [Not to mention he'll need a tank and water and who knows if that weird carbuncle-like guy would let him have anything like that.]
...What do you think I should do with him?
no subject
As much as she'd like to try, though, she also has to admit that much of this magnificent fish would be wasted with their haphazard attempts. Better to start small.
It's a pity she never got to meet Ignis or try his famous culinary skills, but she thinks he would agree with her thinking.]
Perhaps you could sell it? You may be able to afford a better fishing rod that way.
[Seeing as the one he has is looking a little sorry, after fighting the oarfish. Clearly the quality of his equipment has no bearing on the quality of his catches, but he might appreciate something that won't break after a few uses.
She smiles, small but bright, as she stands up, hauling part of the fish into her arms.]
At any rate, we should move it away from here, so it stops trying to escape you.
no subject
But he doesn't want Luna of all people to get sick from his inexperience. And if he gets sick, she'd have to take care of him and he can't help her.
His ears immediately perk up at her suggestion. He hadn't thought about selling it before, but he could use the bells since his gil is useless here. Thanks, Nook.]
Yeah... I could. [A quick glance at his tools and geez, he could use a stronger rod. It would mean he could catch more fish and maybe with some more bells, he can at least buy food for them.] That's not a bad idea.
[Noctis is quick to get to his feet as she does, panicking just a bit at the flailing fish in her arms. He scoops up the other end of the oarfish, but not before it gives him a love tap with its tail.]
Yeah, we can take to my tent for now. Are you okay carrying it?
no subject
[A soft, gently teasing laugh escapes her as she tightens her arms around the front of the fish. It's slippery, but manageable.]
I'm not as dainty as I know I look, Noctis.
no subject
I-I know that! Just... [He looks downward, trying to find his words.] ...Unless you know how to handle them, fish can be trouble.
...Even if you do know how to handle them, they can still be trouble. And annoying.
mysterious gift;
[Why does she keep getting hit in the head? Does she just have incredibly poor luck? She rubs at where the rock hit, hissing a bit.]
Be more careful!
[She just...yells that in the direction that rock came from.]
no subject
My bad. Didn't know you were there. [But his attention is half on the balloon as it starts to float away.] Just trying to bring that down.
Mysterious Gift
Augh! Ow ow ow...
[What the heck? Who's throwing rocks around here? Tressa looks around, both hands on her head where a lump is surely forming under her cap.]
What'd you do that for?
no subject
Sorry. Wasn't aiming at you. Just trying to get that down.
[If only he had his powers. Warpstriking would make it easy-peasy but he's completely sol in that regard.]
no subject
Ah...it's fine, then...accidents happen, but, there's gotta be a better way to get those down...
[She tried shooting "arrows" at them from the trees earlier, that...failed.]
no subject
I could probably get it, normally. It wouldn't be a problem. [Yes it would, Noct. Only you'd be falling to the ground instead of a rock.] If we had a dagger or a gun or something to shoot it down...
[Sadly, his mind is nowhere near slingshot territory. He never went through that phase as a child.]
...Or were tall enough. Maybe if you stood on my shoulders or something?
no subject
We could try that! Maybe if I'm on your shoulders, and I take out my net, we can knock it down?
[Look the idea is to gain more Height]
no subject
[At least some innocent bystanders won't have rocks raining on them.
He visually follows the balloon's path before moving, only stopping to kneel where he thinks it's going to.]
Just watch the ears, kay?
no subject
[Time to clamber onto Noct's shoulders...and yes, she does mind those ears, caaaaauutiously taking out her net...]
I don't know if I can break the balloon, but if we catch onto it, we've got to be able to bring it down...
no subject
[As good a plan as any right now. Noctis slowly gets up, hands on her legs to support her with his tail slowly swaying behind him.
This better work and the wind better not change its course.]
(no subject)