TEST DRIVE 001

[phantasmods]

Hello, and welcome to the first test drive for Phantasmal Rift!

Test drive threads are assumed to be game canon for accepted characters unless otherwise noted, so don't feel like you'll have to introduce yourself a second time to everyone you meet! As an added bonus, participation in the test drive comes with the chance to earn up to two items of loot for your trouble! Characters who are accepted can earn one item for having a top level, and one for tagging out to someone else's top level! Your SWEET LOOT will be included with your acceptance notice.

(In the future, characters who are in-game can also earn themselves an extra item of loot for tagging in to top levels on the test drive, to be distributed with the rest of their loot upon dungeon completion.)

This first test drive is based in the Fissure nearest to the Station, and comes with three potential options, all with a distinctly watery bent -

OPTION 1: MAROONED

Hey, uh... What's that maroon film distorting your vision? And how did you get on this beach, anyway?
So long as the sun is shining, there doesn't seem to be a problem out here on the beach, aside from the strange maroon tint to everything. But when clouds pass over, the tint grows darker, and darker, and the water grows redder, and redder...

That... can't be blood, can it?

Characters who remain beneath the patchy cloud cover will find themselves filled with increasing anxiety that the ocean is made of blood, until either the cloud passes or they check the water for themselves. The bad news is, that while it isn't actually an ocean of blood, contact with the red water will drain characters of energy very rapidly, causing sudden fits of exhaustion as though they were suffering from anemia. By itself, this isn't particularly dangerous...

...Except that the return of the sun doesn't mean the return of that lost energy, and if you've waded out too far, the shifting sand and pull of the waves underfoot can easily pull you down and under.

OPTION 2: LANDSHARK

You really hope that isn't a shark fin moving through the sand. That's just not possible, right?

(Yes, yes it is.)

Landsharks are amphibious, predatory creatures just as at home in the sand as below the waves, and always hungry. They track their prey via disturbances in the sand or water, but fortunately, you can track them the same way - they're large enough to be easily visible in the relatively clear waters near the beach, and their bulk causes a patch of shifting sand above them as they roam for more terrestrial prey.

As a result, they're most dangerous near the waterline, where the shifting sand is hard to see due to the motion of the waves (though they can, of course, pop up further up the beach). Fortunately, they're not large enough to swallow a person whole. Unfortunately, they're still between nine and twelve feet long depending on the individual and easily large enough to take a good chunk out of you.

Like any other shark, they're vulnerable to being sliced open with something sharp, kicked in the gills, or punched in the snout to establish dominance. On the magical end, they have a particular weakness to electricity.

On the bright side, if you're hungry enough, the landsharks are very edible once cooked (or, you know, if you like sushi). For some reason, the meat tastes faintly of chocolate...?

Drops: Meat, shark teeth, candygrams.

OPTION 3: JUST IN TIDE

A bit further down from the beach, the water comes up to the base of the rocky cliffs, leaving numerous nooks and crannies to climb over and explore. In fact, they're practically begging for it.

What might you find? Well, there's the usual beach refuse, for a start - sand, seaweed, shells and fragments of shells, and big barnacles and mussels tucked into the cracks. However, other debris finds its way into the cracks, ocean-going refuse from a thousand worlds... There's also a number of pointy blue-green crystals that tingle to the touch and remain wet no matter how characters attempt to dry them.

And finally, there's a bunch of bottle crabs - overlarge hermit crabs that look more at home in half-broken beer bottles or soda cans at their size than they do in shells (though they'll live in anything that seems protective enough - the largest seem prone to making their homes in rusty helmets). The crabs are not aggressive unless you harass them first, but they can give a nasty pinch if provoked.

...Did you lose track of time out there among the rocks, or did time lose track of you?

Either way, you're now stuck out as the tide comes in. If you can swim, good for you! You probably won't have too much of a problem, at least once you're far enough from the rocks that you aren't at risk of getting thrown against them and having some important swimming limb broken...

On second thought, maybe it's better to stay here and wait it out, whether you can swim or not. Hope you're ready for a couple hours stuck on a rock with some weird-looking, too-big hermit crabs and...

Who is this other person, anyway?

Comments

akira kurusu | persona 5 (15 strangers crau)

[beguiledcard]

marooned

[ He's been spending a lot of time deep in thought, since his arrival.

And, at first (when darkness begins to approach, that is), it isn't quite so bad. The water looks a little disturbing, sure, but it's not anything nearly as creepy as what he's seen in the Metaverse... or in the game.

Then it gets even darker, and the appearance of that water changes to a much more disturbing degree. Akira's actually about to walk away, to just... leave it the hell alone, when he realizes he can't stop staring at this damn water. A chill runs down his spine. It really does look like blood...

... Of course he's not going to touch it, but he's also not moving away for now. ]

landshark

[ This place is already confusing as hell... but now there are sharks in the sand. They remind him a little of something out of a video game he played y years ago, and some part of him just wants to get a closer look. But... apparently this one wants to chase him down. Fortunately, he's already learned that Personas work here, so he's going to be calling on Thor.

It doesn't take him too long to decide that a good maziodyne does the trick...

The mask vanishes from his face as he walks closer to the creature. And, that's... candy. The things drop candy. A tiny smile of exasperated amusement surfaces for just a moment as he holds it up for whoever just walked up (or was already here). ]

Hungry?

tide

[ Okay, but... the crabs and stones-that-shall-not-be-dried are, in fact, enough to keep his attention. While he is visibly exasperated with the fact that he's going to have to make a swim for it, that seems to go away as he gets to a different rock -- one that someone else is on. Maybe this person is taking a break? Maybe they can't swim?

... Whatever the case, they now have Akira for company! And, fortunately, he has... some snacks, soda, and bottled water. Yay more water. He'll hold the... now incredibly wet... bag out for the person beside him. Thirsty? ]

Guess this could tide us over if we decide to wait it out.

[ Akira... ]

tide; hello ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

[plugout]

[ Soooooo. This is one of the less weird things he's been through? It's actually pretty similar to the simulation he was in after dying in the mansion, and Rhys isn't sure how he feels about that. And... as far as he can tell, there's no sight of his girlfriend anywhere.

Oh, god, where the hell is he? Ohhhhh god.

And then..... ]

I hope you know that was, uh... that was pretty bad.

quiet gasp...

[beguiledcard]

[ A thoughtful look appears, as though he's actually considering the quality of the joke he just told... ]

Yeah. [ hint of an unreadable smile ] ... I know.

[ With that, he's sliding the bag over his shoulder, and then leaning back on both hands. He's staring straight ahead for a few seconds before finally speaking. ]

Akira Kurusu, by the way.

[ He tilts his head just a bit to look at the stranger. Well... he might be studying him a bit closely, but it's fine. ]

It's nice to meet you.

[plugout]

Rhys.

[ For, like, a second he just. Stares at Akira.

And then realization dawns over his face. It's not like he ever spoke to the guy, but he'd definitely seen him around. ]

Man, am I glad I'm not the only one here! [ what ] I, uh, know we never talked, but maybe that means some of the others are here, too...

[beguiledcard]

... ???

[ And then it's his turn to stare, only it's for more than even just a few seconds. It's not until he's moved back into a position where he's leaning forward. His forearms rest on his knees as he gives a soft, contemplative sound.

...

Oh...

Is it possible, he was there...? Maybe in the UG? ]

Sorry... I wonder if this place is messing with my memories, too.

[ A soft sigh. ]

Were you... one of the people who were killed?

[plugout]

[ Wow, this is a little awkward. Not that Rhys expected him to recognize him; usually, Rhys just hangs around Angel and does his best to avoid Lightning and another... "trip." ]

Huh... I mean, my memories are just fine. I... I think.

[ Oh, now he's doubting himself. ]

Yeah. Uh... back in the third season? Though, I... [ ... ] Nnnnnevermind.

Shaaaaaark!

[foolishjustice]

[Whoever just walked up happens to be Crow, with a lollipop stick already poking out of his mouth. A quick Scanning attempt establishes that this is the Akira from the mall, and he pulls the heart shaped lollipop out of his mouth to smile in return. Akira...doesn't need to know about the headache this place is giving him.]

Always. These aren't very impressive monsters, are they?

[beguiledcard]

[ There's no hiding how relieved he is to see Goro, and there's a definitely smile as he holds the heart-shaped candy out for his boyfriend to take. ]

Sweet heart for my sweetheart?

[ But then his brow tenses after a couple of seconds as he glances around. ]

Considering how they like to ambush random people, that's probably a good thing... We don't know how many people around here can even fight.

[foolishjustice]

Why thank you, dear.

[He pushes his mask up to give Akira a peck on the cheek as he takes the candy.]

Do you think we should play a little pest control?

[beguiledcard]

[ There's a small smile as he receives the kiss, which is happily returned. It's after hearing that question, his eyebrows lift just the tiniest bit. ]

The fearsome Akechi-Kurusu team... [ feigning all-serious ] Fighting to rid this mysterious world of their piñata land sharks...

[ Gently curling his hand into a fist, he presses one knuckle to his chin. ]

It is time... [ HE SURE IS SWITCHING PERSONAS JUST TO MAKE THE MASK APPEAR IN THIS MOMENT... ] ... We will be the protectors of the innocents. And cavities.

[ Annnnd just going to flash Goro a tiny grin after that. Just remember that YOU chose HIM... ]

[foolishjustice]

[That gets a snicker out of him as he moves the mask back down onto his face.]

Saviors of sweets, and victors of Valentines. Even if I'm not entirely sure why their drops have that theme.

[Yes, he did just outright use a video game term for this.]

tide

[poorlycopingstrategist]

[What's unfortunate about the universal translator thing at work here is that it also translated that godawful pun. Jamie doesn't remark on it, but he does stare for a couple of long seconds because why would you.]

...I'm okay, thanks. Waiting might be smarter than trying to swim back, at this point.

[Doubly so because Jamie can't swim, but Random Stranger here doesn't need to know that.]

[beguiledcard]

[ And zero shame was had, this day. Whatever "this" amounts to, Akira doesn't know, but the point still stands.

Waiting is just fine with him! Sorta. He has his universal phone... that might work for communicating with the two he arrived here with; he trusts them to be able to find him, worse comes to worst. ]

Offer still stands if you change your mind.

[ Annnd since the guy's wanting to wait this out? Akira's actually going to just... move to lie back, arms folded behind his head, now. Yep. ]

At least we get a nice view while we wait. [ ... Ah! ] I'm Akira Kurusu, by the way.

[ He cranes his neck just a bit to properly look at the other person as he introduces himself. ]

Sorry I didn't introduce myself sooner.

Landshark

[diamondize]

[Diamond's never seen creatures like this before--neither the shark nor the boy, really, though at least Akira looked similar enough to themselves and the other gems that it's not too shocking.

Unlike his attack. Ayy.

Anyway.

They let Akira take care of things, because honestly they're not sure what to do against an organic creature like this. Akira seems to have the right idea, and the persona summoning is Another baffling thing-- Diamond can feel their head starting to hurt already.

They wander over curiously, looking from the dropped items and dead boy of the shark to Akira as they remove their sheathed sword and just. Poke at the shark.]

Hungry? [They echo, confused. Oh. Right. Hunger. Fleshy things get hungry, right? And they eat. Diamond looks a tad sheepish and then shakes their head] No, it's alright. My kind don't eat. You should save it for yourself... You need to eat, right?

['Eat' is said a little strangely, like it's a completely unfamiliar word for them to use casually-- Which, you know, is precisely because it is.]

[beguiledcard]

[ Immediately, there's an air of curiosity as he looks at the... hm. Gender is a big question mark right this second, so he lets that matter drop for now.

The "my kind" and the tone behind the word "eat" have his focus right away, anyhow. He can't even begin to stop the soft blink of something between surprise and wonder.

Ah -- right... There's a question to answer. It's his turn to give a sheepish look. ]

Yeah. [ a nod ] Food and water are as necessary for humans as sleep...

[ And caffeine. Caffeine is very important.

Anyway, he's tilting his head to the side, the movement gentle and matching quite well with his expression. He might be curious as hell, but he does still remember manners. So he'll focus on introductions now before risking some of the questions he wants to ask. ]

I'm Akira Kurusu, by the way. It's nice to meet you.

landshark

[rhododendronhoney]

[Cori huffs, a little playfully.] What, is that commerical-grade? Plus it's been inside a shark. [She's been leaving all the candy that the landsharks she beats up drop. Her grandmother would be disappointed if she tried to eat that kind of shit.]

Sharks taste pretty good though! [The chirpy voice comes from a strange mushroom creature bouncing along behind her.]

I'll make you candied shark if you want.

[beguiledcard]

[ If not for the way the creature was acting towards the girl, Akira might have attacked without hesitation -- it looks almost like a Shadow he'd encounter in the Metaverse.

That aside, he's giving an amused look to the girl. With a small shrug, he's sliding the candy into a pocket... Though, for anyone with a super observant eye, it might seem the candy just... vanishes? Because there's no outline of it at all.

Gotta love hammerspace storage abilities. ]

Sometimes items dropped by enemies taste pretty great.

[rhododendronhoney]

[Good thing he didn't, because that would be a terrible way to make a first impression. Then again, it is kind of how she met her girlfriend, so who knows? She does raise an eyebrow at his comment, though.]

Wait, you've seen them do stuff like that before? [That's happened for her, technically, but only in some very limited circumstances.]

[beguiledcard]

[ He's made friends under worse circumstances, so he wouldn't be too surprised. And that's a fair question; he doesn't seem remotely surprised by it as he nods. ]

I've taken on a lot of creatures that drop useful things after they're defeated. Sometimes food, sometimes items, and sometimes even money...

[rhododendronhoney]

[That definitely gets her to raise an eyebrow even more.] Sounds kind of like a video game. So have they dropped anything else for you, or just the candy stuff?

marooned

[lepape]

[The reddening of the ocean is unnerving, a sight that, as it darkens, becomes all the worse to look at and yet that much more difficult to ignore. Makoto tries to tear his gaze away from it, and in doing so notices an oddly-familiar looking person nearby...]

Akira...?

[He calls out the name before he's fully certain it's the person he's looking for, walking up to them as he speaks. But as he comes face-to-face with him, Makoto's shoulders sag a little. The face is so painfully similar and yet...this person is a man.]

--oh. Sorry, I thought you might have been someone I know...

[beguiledcard]

[ This isn’t the first time someone he doesn’t recognize seems to know him… but it is the first time there’s something…

… familiar?

For a split second, he's staring, too; there's clear evidence he's been caught off-guard. But, of course he catches himself. And it’s as his hand casually lifts, twisting a strand of hair, he responds in a quiet voice. ]

There's nothing to apologize for. [ a beat ] You're looking for someone else named Akira?

[ All he can offer, right this second, is a single fact: that is, in fact, his name. The hand lowers, almost as though he's intending to adjust a pair of phantom glasses, but he catches himself. It's only been a month, or so, since he destroyed them. A nearly-year-long habit is a little difficult to break. ]

[lepape]

[It's a little too much, seeing this young man with her face and her habits, so much seems right about him that it only makes it worse that he isn't.]

Yes, sh- wait, you're an Akira too?

[He sighs, bringing a hand up to rub at his temple. What kind of trick is being played here, anyway?]

What sort of world is this, anyway? It feels like some sort of dream; you really do look just like the Akira I know.

[He looks away, looking frustrated to understand so little. The next part is murmured, more to himself than to this Akira.]

...I know we call her Joker, but this is seriously too much...

[beguiledcard]

[ There are a few blinks of surprise at his words... and he's dimly reminded even more of someone...

... no, not just someone -- of Makoto. In fact, it's almost as though he's looking at the male twin of his friend. That has his lips parting, as though he's going to say something... and then tightly pressing together as he narrows his eyes in thought.

Wait...

Her...?

Joker...?

Ah-... um...

What. ]

...

[ After very quietly clearing his throat, he twists his bangs one more time, and then simply slides that hand into a pocket as well. ]

So, just going out on a limb, here...

[ Well, why... not? ]

Is this... female Akira... the leader of a group called the Phantom Thieves?

[lepape]

[If he were suddenly struck by lightning he could not appear more shocked than he does now, taking a visible stumble back at the impact of those simple words.]

W-what--

[It doesn't take him too long to start to put the picture together, though. It seems impossible, but then, he's seen his share of impossible things by now, why shouldn't this be possible too? Besides, it's the only thing that makes sense of the evidence so far...]

...wait. Are you...? Are you Joker, too?