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Phantasmal Rift Mods ([personal profile] phantasmods) wrote in [community profile] phantasmemes2018-10-18 11:48 pm
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TEST DRIVE MEME - OCTOBER 2018

Hello and welcome to Phantasmal Rift's Test Drive Meme!

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 Silvereagle Manor. Once upon a time, this castlelike home was the refuge of a family of magical nobility straddling the line between church and liege. Then, some centuries after the family itself died out or dispersed to the winds, the building was restored and preserved as a historical heritage site, complete with lots of little museum plaques and a ticket counter in the huge entrance hall. Then after that, an apocalypse of sorts happened, and now the building's stood empty for a century, surrounded by magical distortions with quite interesting effects.

SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT

One of these effects will be immediately apparent to those who find themselves in the manor or upon the grounds, as it affects near all who enter within, whether they arrive through the shifting of dimensions or more mundane means. It is, after all, quite a sudden change to not be in the body you instinctively recognize as your own.

Though the changes will be significantly greater for some than others, and nearly everyone will be basically recognizable as themselves, they will find that the type of being they are as has shifted. They might be an alien, or a robot, or a fantasy creature - or, if they're not normally human, they might suddenly find themselves to be such. With luck, the experience isn't too disorienting, but...

Well, any new arrivals are likely to be glad of the veterans hanging around to explain that this is surely only temporary, aren't they?

GARDEN OF TRUTH

The forward grounds of the manor, once a well-cared for path up to the building complete with a fountain and carriage loop, are now almost entirely coated in creeping ivy. It climbs the remains of ornamental trees and the scattered lamp posts around the grounds - some of which still attempt to flicker weakly in response to the passage of travellers, magical lights lighting no more than a few feet in a circle around them against the rain.

Did I mention that it's raining? Whether it's a steady drizzle or something more intense, the gardens are constantly under cloud and experiencing the wet weather of autumn more often than not. You may end up wanting to run for the cover of the front stairs of the manor house itself, which provides more than enough cover for those not willing to venture into the ruined building itself.

But whether you're on the stairs or out in the wet, you'll feel a tickle in the back of your throat... All characters in the entry garden will find themselves compelled to tell the truth to whoever they're talking to. Lying is nearly impossible, and even if you manage it, it won't reach the ears of the listener as anything more than mumbling - and attempts to simply omit the truth will cause the itch in your throat to increase to the point that it becomes unbearable. Better get ready to spill your guts.

PUT ON YOUR DANCING SHOES


Inside those doors, beyond the entrance hall and its abandoned ticket counters, you'll be able to follow a thread of music to another set of grand doors, and opening those reveals a beautiful, pristine ballroom. This room is obviously affected by the magic of the building in some kind of way - even if it were not for the music, the unnatural cleanliness of the room compared to the disrepair of the rest of the building, there's the translucent shadows of dancers spinning around the floor. Engaged in waltzes and pavanes to the music, they are largely indistinct to those who are flesh and blood.

If you choose to enter in among the sweeping ballgowns and robes - possibly with your clothes having suddenly manifested into appropriately matching attire themselves by the magic of this place - you're likely to find that one of the specters takes your hands to lead or by led in the dance. No good comes from dancing without a partner, after all! The images, for all their wispiness, are surprisingly forceful in this matter, with unnaturally strong grips and a penchant for steering through the middle of the group, and it might be a while until you can lead your new partner back to the edge of the dance floor in order to beg off. However, those who enter the dancefloor with a partner already in hand will find themselves ignored by the dancers, as are those who enter with the intention of sweeping someone already inside off their feet.

SPOOKY SCARY...

The dancers aren't the only haunted things having fun around the first floor. While there's any number of magically animated brooms and dusters fighting a doomed battle against cobwebs and mildew, they're not the only thing moving about. With the music from the ballroom filtering across the whole floor, you might occasionally hear the clack-clack of something hard hitting the floor.

Where the skeletons come from is a question for another day. Because they're certainly... here... and they've come to dance themselves right into the dust, since they have, apparently, already danced their hearts out.

Unlike the ballroom dancers, the skeletons are performers - many of them have questionable hats, capes made of drapes, or other accessories to dance with, and once they realize they have an audience, they'll do their best to insert themselves into the line of a character's vision as much as possible. They're actually rather friendly and nonviolent, as much as skeletons can be, and rather than fighting over the spotlight, most of them will coordinate their dancing if they wind up sharing someone's attention. If you ever wanted to see how many synchronized cha-cha-ing skeletons you can collect into a single room... Well, now you have a chance to live out that extremely specific fantasy, I guess.
blackcatintheruemorgue: (Thinking Time)

[personal profile] blackcatintheruemorgue 2018-10-21 02:22 am (UTC)(link)
[This is much better indeed. Poe appreciates being able to look Gogol in the eyes again. It brings a slight sense of normalcy back to this whole situation.]

An us without theatrics... dear, that sounds impossible.
sendintheclown: (​What has 2 legs and 4 arms?)

[personal profile] sendintheclown 2018-10-21 03:23 pm (UTC)(link)
[Gogol chuckles, and he leans his head in a little closer. He's started to pick it up; manipulating the body part wasn't unlike a big, clumsy puppet.]

Haha! Could you imagine?

[He can't, really.]

You know, I'd already known you were here. I was just waiting for the right moment to find you.

[Had he been staking out the dancefloor in the hope Poe would arrive eventually? Perhaps.]
blackcatintheruemorgue: (Showboating Laughter)

[personal profile] blackcatintheruemorgue 2018-10-21 04:13 pm (UTC)(link)
Not at all.

[Theatrics are both rather large parts of each of them after all. Poe chuckles at the revelation Gogol was waiting.]

I can't say I'm surprised at that, my love. Of course you would wait for a suitably dramatic moment to sweep in.
sendintheclown: (​What has 2 legs and 4 arms?)

[personal profile] sendintheclown 2018-10-23 10:40 pm (UTC)(link)
[He soaks in that laughter, happy to see that smile.]

Did I pull it off well?
blackcatintheruemorgue: (Excited Raccoon Man)

[personal profile] blackcatintheruemorgue 2018-10-23 10:58 pm (UTC)(link)
You did! Like a knight in shining armor. Or... perhaps a phantom thief whisking in to whisk me away from my problems would be more apt.

[There's a strong fondness in Poe's voice as he talks. Although the purring going on throughout him talking and position of his tail and ears make his mood rather obvious even without that.]

I couldn't have plotted it better myself.

[It was like a scene you'd see in a romance story. Not something Poe would usually apply to his life... but that's likely to change now that they're together again. He's honestly eager to see what kind of story theirs will be, as trite as it would sound if he were to say that out loud.]
Edited 2018-10-23 22:58 (UTC)
sendintheclown: (what did the colour orenge say to the fr)

[personal profile] sendintheclown 2018-10-27 12:23 am (UTC)(link)
[Gogol breaks whatever attempt he was making at a cool, charming exterior with a delighted squeal as he pulls Poe closer.]

Haha! Then I know it was good!
blackcatintheruemorgue: (Smile Neutral)

[personal profile] blackcatintheruemorgue 2018-10-27 12:31 am (UTC)(link)
[There's a short delighted laugh at Gogol's reaction. Poe gladly lets him get pulled closer.]

It was the best.

[He feels so light and just... happy right now. His face is almost starting to hurt from smiling. It's a strange but welcome feeling. He... could cry right now from just how content and happy he feels right now in this moment.]

... I missed you Nikolai.
sendintheclown: (you lol)

[personal profile] sendintheclown 2018-10-27 12:54 am (UTC)(link)
[Gogol can't deny the feeling that's flooding through him, the sincerity of the smile on his lips, and his sheer giddiness from all of this. It's a wonderful sensation, and a completely new one.]

I missed you too. I admit, I didn't think I'd be seeing you again so soon.
Edited 2018-10-27 01:00 (UTC)
blackcatintheruemorgue: (Excited Raccoon Man)

[personal profile] blackcatintheruemorgue 2018-10-27 01:05 am (UTC)(link)
[A strong warmth floods through Poe at those words and god he could kiss the other man right now. Instead he just leans in closer. If they weren't dancing, he'd be hugging him right now. He just... wants to be as close as possible right now.]

I thought the same... and I've never been so happy to be wrong before.

[His purring is loud and he can feel the vibrations in his chest and throat right now. He's just... so happy.]

Talking to you over text is one thing... but this is so much better.

[He's almost embarrassed at how much he's talking and saying right now... but he doesn't care. Nikolai is here in front of him and he's not letting that change anytime soon.]
sendintheclown: (im calling the cops cose you stole my na)

[personal profile] sendintheclown 2018-10-28 12:32 am (UTC)(link)
[If Gogol could stop dancing, he'd be more than welcome to the suggestion. Whilst he can't, there's still a unique intimacy in following a rhythm together, so he feels no disappointment about it.]

We did get to speak before, you know.

[It's said with a chuckle. He's well aware how different it is now.]
blackcatintheruemorgue: (Neutral Sad)

[personal profile] blackcatintheruemorgue 2018-10-28 01:41 am (UTC)(link)
I know... but it's different now.

[In the best way possible of course. Poe glances toward their feet as they dance.]

.... I wouldn't be opposed to doing this more. I've... never been one for dancing.... but this is... nice.
sendintheclown: (what did the colour orenge say to the fr)

[personal profile] sendintheclown 2018-10-30 10:15 pm (UTC)(link)
I'm so glad you can appreciate it now!

[Another twirl? Another twirl.]

I'll make sure to dance with you plenty in the future!

[As weird as it is to consider them actually having one.]
blackcatintheruemorgue: (Smile Neutral)

[personal profile] blackcatintheruemorgue 2018-10-30 10:43 pm (UTC)(link)
The future...

[A light laugh as they do the twirl.]

It's strange, to think I have so much to look forward to now.
sendintheclown: (why dont dinosaurs eat a clown?)

[personal profile] sendintheclown 2018-10-31 08:45 am (UTC)(link)
[At those words, Gogol swallows back anxiety, burying apprehension below the surface. He still didn’t know where he was going to go from this point, he didn’t know whether a future was really something he was expecting on having, outside of superficial “maybe”s and imaginary plans. He had someone that was relying on him being there now, someone he cared about enough to not want to hurt, and it’s almost too much to consider.

Still, none of that shows.]


Haha, isn’t it? There are so many types of dance out there for you to try!
blackcatintheruemorgue: (Neutral Sad)

[personal profile] blackcatintheruemorgue 2018-10-31 04:47 pm (UTC)(link)
[Poe hums in thought at that idea. He was surprised Gogol was the one to bring up making plans for the future in the first place. It seems a bit odd to make plans for a future when one party hasn't decided if they want one yet. Poe doesn't want to get his hopes up and probably should cut off this line of thought until a solid decision has been made... but it feels nice making plans like this. So... he'll go along with it.]

I ah.... can't guarantee I'll be any good at most of them...

[Poe squeezes Gogol's hands lightly in an affectionate gesture.]

... but I'll try my best. Just for you.

sendintheclown: (im calling the cops cose you stole my na)

[personal profile] sendintheclown 2018-11-02 10:51 pm (UTC)(link)
[The gesture is, surprisingly, considering their current situation, unexpected - but it's not unpleasant. After a moment's hesitation, Gogol lightly grips Poe's hand back, in a way like a child getting a feel for the world around it.]

I don't expect you to be.

[A grin splits his face, though once it could've been mocking, this time it's warm.]

That's the fun of it.
blackcatintheruemorgue: (Excited Raccoon Man)

[personal profile] blackcatintheruemorgue 2018-11-03 12:58 am (UTC)(link)
[Poe beams at the gesture being returned. It's anxiety inducing being the one to initiate gestures like that, but... having them returned? It's worth it.]

I'm glad you find such amusement at my future struggles in dancing.

[A warm teasing grin forms on his face.]

I'll ah... be sure to find something for you to try too.

[It's only fair he gets to see Gogol be bad at something too. Although a large part of him thinks that trying something that will result in seeing that warm grin more would be worth it too.]
sendintheclown: (lets go catch some food my littlecoolblo)

[personal profile] sendintheclown 2018-11-05 08:50 am (UTC)(link)
[Seeing that kind of look on Poe is its own kind of reward, more so than any other reaction, he’s finding. It looks good on him. Suits him.

And so, Gogol can’t stop the smile on his own face, positively glowing.]


I’ll try my best to entertain.

[In whatever way.]

I greatly look forwards to it!
blackcatintheruemorgue: (Smile Neutral)

[personal profile] blackcatintheruemorgue 2018-11-05 09:49 am (UTC)(link)
[Poe likes this look on Gogol. Seeing him glowing like this... it's a pleasant change. One he hopes stays. He looks radiant like this.]

You always do.

[A thoughtful hum.]

I'll be sure not to disappoint then.