TEST DRIVE 004

[phantasmods]

Hello and welcome to the fourth 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.

Additionally, characters currently in game can earn themselves a piece of bonus loot for the dungeon by tagging people's top-levels on the test drive! Existing characters get their bonus loot along with the rest of their loot at the conclusion of the dungeon.

This test drive takes place in Keystone Reef, a water-influenced Fissure to the northeast of the station. It is home to numerous fish and coral species, as well as a very interesting magical effect...

OPTION ONE: FINNY FUN

Under the water is where you woke up, and under the water is where you might be stuck for a while. The magic is lodged in you and has changed your form -- maybe a little, maybe a lot. Perhaps you only have gills, but you may also have a full set of changes, fins and no feet to speak of. Don't panic, you'll surely be fine if you just keep swimming...

Aside from the strange changes, it's a pretty cool place to be. If you've ever dreamed about scuba diving on a coral reef, the place that you've found yourself is perfect for that (minus the needing to scuba part). Curious fish swim up and then dart away into rock crevices, coral growths, and even down to bury themselves in the layer of sand at the bottom. The water is also fairly shallow, allowing you to surface if you so desire.

Even the sharks are friendly and just want to have as much a look at you as you want to look at them. Don't harass the glowing eels tucked into cracks between the rocks, though, they bite and don't particularly let go.

OPTION TWO: WORLD'S SMALLEST JUNGLE

This must certainly be an oceanside jungle - in spite of the humidity, the smell of salt on the air is strong. Brilliant greens and the occasional bright flowers, accompanied by island birdsong... It could be a nice place to spend an afternoon. There's not even that many bugs that want to drink your blood (though bugs in general are, well, quite plentiful).

Eventually, though, however far you go, you'll reach the beach and be met with the expanse of the ocean - blue, uncaring, and real big. While one side of the little island thankfully has land visible in the distance, the outer side just overlooks a near-endless expanse of blue. If you're a very good swimmer, you could probably make your way to land past the rocks of the reef itself... Otherwise, though, you might be just a bit stuck on your jungle island paradise.

At least until someone brings a boat.

OPTION THREE: SHIPWRECK

Both above and below the waterline are the remains of ships crashed upon the rocks, just waiting to be explored. Even though it has clearly been an incredibly long time, the chunks of wood and metal are still in fairly good condition, and the chance of finding something nice tucked in with them among the rocks is surely tempting to anyone with an adventurous spirit.

The wrecks beneath the waves also grow coral and seaweed, and provide havens for larger fish, dragon eels, and sharks. Those along the rocks above the waterline, on the other hand, provide a home for seabirds of all varieties. Most notable is the hulking shell of a shipping craft in the distance, looking very much modern if ruined by some centuries of exposure...

For right now, though, you'd best contend with the flotsam a bit closer to you, and the wildlife that might not take too kindly to your exploring. Below the waterline, the dragon eels found in a few places don't take kindly to being disturbed; above, you might run afoul of some overprotective seabirds protecting their nests. Maybe even an invisible seagull (normal sized) - how ridiculous would that be?

Comments

[foolishjustice]

[He nods. As his head moves, small fins poking out from his hair adjust to keep it away from his face.]

We aren't going to find many places to set these up out here.

[hairpincurves]

[She grins, which also does a wonderful job of showing off the very sharp teeth that came with her new form.]

Let's go, then!

[foolishjustice]

[Well, that's...a little intimidating. Not that that's necessarily a bad thing.

He turns to swim back the way they came, various fins flaring out as he moves.]

By the way, let me know if you get hungry. I have a decent amount of food with me.

[Along with...one Mystery Food X, but let's not talk about that.]

[hairpincurves]

I'll do that.

[She might not be hungry at the moment, but she feels like it won't be long until it happens...

She decides to swim at his side on the way back... though she's mindful to not get too close to the fins...]

What a day...

[foolishjustice]

[Then he'll just keep his eyes forward...]

It could be worse. You were able to get a fairly quick explanation, and assurance that you'd have somewhere to stay. When the first group arrived on the beach, it took nearly a full day before we were discovered.

[hairpincurves]

Sheesh... I'm definitely glad I ran into you, then.

[foolishjustice]

You probably would've found someone eventually. There's a fair number of us on this trip.

[hairpincurves]

I guess, but... mm. I suppose I should've said I'm glad I ran into a sort-of-familiar face first.

[foolishjustice]

And I'm guessing it was better running into me than having to wrap your head around an alternate version of yourself right off the bat, huh? Although, it might have been easiest if you'd found Niijima-san first...I'm sure he'd have seemed more familiar than me.

[hairpincurves]

I'd have been most familiar with him, yes, but... Mmn. Things have been a touch awkward between him and me lately.

[She sighs a bit.]

But, yes, better you than an alternate of myself.

[foolishjustice]

That makes two of us...

Takamaki-san, Morgana, and Futaba-chan are also here, but they're from a timeline more similar to mine. As well as...well, there's one person here you'll be much less enthused about.

[hairpincurves]

[Part of her wants to ask about that first bit, but she decides she's probably better off not knowing.

There's still a bit before she responds, but that's because she's trying to imagine what Andy and Futaro must look like as girls.]

... Ah? And who'd that be?

[foolishjustice]

My father.

[The tone of disgust shouldn't come at all as a surprise...though hopefully she doesn't mind the way his spines bristle a bit.]

[hairpincurves]

[And her response is an immediate--]

Oh no.

[... Ah, that slipped out without her even meaning to... still. That is bad news especially given what Akechi-san back home told Futaro...]

[foolishjustice]

He's been through a change of heart, so he's not an active threat anymore...but I can't think of anyone who would be happy to see him.

[hairpincurves]

... A change of heart, huh...

[Part of her can't help but imagine what the man might be like... especially since it's clear that he's a future target...]

[foolishjustice]

He's from a little later than me, I was just from the planning stages of infiltrating his Palace.

...He's also the bald, drunk man with a habit of accosting women and suing teenagers who try to stop him.

[hairpincurves]

... He's what.

[foolishjustice]

The one who got at least the version of you I know here put on probation. As well as being the mastermind behind the mental shutdown and rampage incident cases.

[hairpincurves]

... Fantastic.

[foolishjustice]

We're lucky he's here from after the change of heart. Or, maybe I should make that he's lucky he is...

[hairpincurves]

... Both, perhaps.

[She's uncomfortable, but she's trying her hardest to keep that under wraps. As it is, the worst here is that it's slipped into her tone just a bit with those words... and the next ones.]

We'd certainly have a lot more to worry about otherwise...

[foolishjustice]

Personally, I still have a hard time trusting him, but...

[He's been making a genuine effort...really trying to make up for who he used to be.]

It does seem like the change of heart has rendered him harmless.

[hairpincurves]

... At least there's that.

[She's not exactly comfortable with the thought of staying in the same vicinity as the guy who was responsible for her probation, but... whatever, she'll take his word for it if Goro says the man's been rendered harmless.]

[foolishjustice]

[He's quiet for a moment as he sets a stabilizer up on a reef.

...The sooner he gets this out of the way, the less angry she's likely to be, right?]

So. Have you made the connection yet?