Test Drive 033

[voidtreckermods]

Welcome to the Test Drive Meme! Here is the place to see how your character might fit the setting, grab samples and have fun!

1. Post with your character, including their name and series in the subject. We’ve written out some prompts but feel free to make up your own, you have a whole train to play with!

2. Assume they've been around long enough for threads to jump right into the action.

3. Have lots of fun.

Happy testing!

Colour Wheels

The passengers of the Voidtrecker Express have been requesting an art carriage for over a year, and now that one has been provided, it's overflowing with supplies. Not just the paints, minerals, fabric and other materials that came with the carriage itself, but the cases and bags full of arts and crafts materials from a variety of passenger worlds.



Some are mundane - oil pastels, bright skeins of cotton thread, primed canvases and blocks of white clay. Others are enchanted - sparkling squares of soft fabric, wooden beads that hum a note when strung with others. Talismans that animate the mannequins– hm, those shouldn't be here. In any case, there's more than enough here to be getting on with!

Second-Hand Embarrassment

Valentine's Day isn't generally celebrated among Void-capable peoples. The literature is divided as to why this might be, but when the Voidtreckers awaken one day to find the entire train bedecked in pinks and reds, paper hearts littering the aisles, they might be closer to working it out. Someone must have suggested it to the train.



Not only has the train embraced the concept, but throughout the day, the ICPs ring out with announcements - valentines messages between Voidtreckers. Did either Voidtrecker ask for this announcement? Unknown. "Attention, passengers. It has come to my attention that [name] has strong feelings for [name]."

Minor Inconvenience

The Voidtreckers have been landed on Fero Minor, a small, out-of-the-way world, with the sole brief of ensuring that the Fero High School festival is a resounding success. The brief is also entirely up-front about why this is so important - Fero Minor exists as a prison for a being so powerful that their wishes become reality and their dislikes are immediately unmade. Or, rather, an infant form of one. While not quite that powerful yet, the being has developed a fixation on a cultural school festival, and if it doesn't go as they hope, the world will collapse in on itself and all life will end.


The instability of the Fero entity has led many of the hired citizens of the world to leave before their contracts are up, and the festival is chronically short-staffed.

Team One

This team is responsible for manning the haunted house. Or, in fact, the actual pit of ghouls and ghasts that a section of the compound has become under the force of the entity's enthusiasm. The monsters must be kept within their area, kept under control… or perhaps slain, and the Voidtreckers replace them as the terrifying haunts of this attraction.

Team Two

For a festival running out of staff, there sure are a lot of food stalls, and just as many game kiosks. Team two must man both of these - there are ingredients and materials aplenty, at least. Pick something you can cook, or set up a trial or minigame. Or, instead, mill around and try out other stalls. The festival would look weird without customers, after all!

Team Three

Of course, the triumphant finale of any festival - the entity has decided - is the performance. Team three must plan, rehearse and put on a show to be remembered, whether that be a play, a gig, a talent show, or something entirely different. Stage fright need not apply - if this show is a bust, it's bye-bye Fero Minor.

Comments

emet-selch ( final fantasy xiv ) ou / possible endwalker spoilers.

[apokroteo]

COLOUR WHEELS;

[ Emet-Selch is not particularly impressed.

The only thing that even vaguely catches his interest are the sparkling, enchanted items in the carriage, and even they don't seem to be particularly fantastic. Not in comparison with what he is most accostomed to, at least, and it's clear from his features just how unimpressed he remains.

He hovers, at least for a little while, as if to judge the mediocre nature of the carriage itself before he turns to walk away, sour expression on his face for everyone to see. ]

SECOND HAND EMBARASSMENT;

[ Thankfully, Valentones - or Valentines, it seems, if this is what is to believed from the small conversations he's had - has never held much in terms of appeal for the great and magnificent Emet-Selch, so he doesn't consider himself particular at risk of these strange new announcements.

All the names are people he doesn't recognise, strangers in a strange new world, and his nose wrinkles as he hears yet another ring out around him. It's loud, discomfortingly so, and he reaches up to pluck a piece of red paper off the wall between two fingers.

None of it seems to make sense to him; the notion that a set of red paper might be enough to fully explain the weight of feeling someone might hold. Nonsensical, even.

Then, of course, it comes: Attention, passengers. It has come to my attention that Emet-Selch has strong feelings for -

The noise he makes is sharp, and angry, and hopefully enough to drown out the announcement to anyone who might be close enough to overhear it with him. ]

MINOR INCONVENIENCE (TEAM ONE);

[ Emet-Selch has somehow found himself part of the haunted house, which would be painfully too accurate if he actually put himself in a position to care enough to try.

If he were his true self he would be terrifying, but thankfully...

It seems much easier for him to actually take part in the fighting - but his version of 'taking part' is standing, seemingly doing nothing more than raising his hand and snapping his fingers every now and then. Whatever he is doing seems to be working, however, because the numbers appear to be decreasing.

He also looks unbearably smug about it. ]

WILDCARD;

( Feel free to find him elsewhere or DM me for something! )

Embarrassment

[dragoonrouge]

[It is a universal constant that where there is a Hades getting embarrassed then there must be some version of Azem nearby to revel in it, and the train is no exception. Q'uila isn't even trying to hide her laughter and the ways her ears wiggle in amusement.]

Smooth as silk there, Emet Selch.

[apokroteo]

[ There truly is no escape nor respite for him, and the irritation on his features does not fade when he turns his head to look down at Q'uila. He doesn't recognise her, but the fact that she seems like someone from his world is an awkward enough comfort for him.

Especially since she seems to know his name - which, actually, makes him even more on edge. ]

Would I be otherwise?

[dragoonrouge]

[Her laughter does die down into giggles, it wouldn't do to overly bruise the Ascian's ego, even if it is funny that every single version of Emet Selch she has met is jus So Done(tm) with everything. She offers him a hand to shake.]

Nay, but 'tis not quite as subtle as I have come to expect of those who hold your title. Anyroad, my name's Q'uila, I hold the title of Warrior of Light in my version of the Source.

[She pauses for a moment in thought.]

Say, why did you not just [She imitates his signature finger snap.] silence the device?

[apokroteo]

[ Unfortunately, any interaction with a Warrior of Light is well enough to bruise the ego of any Ascian, most notably Emet-Selch himself. He can be sour naturally, of course, but being poked and prodded does little for his arrogance - as she likely well knows. ]

Ah. Not the one I recall, but understandable enough.

[ Is there any reason for him to bow? No, so he does not. He just shrugs his shoulders instead. ]

I have yet to learn the... Mechanics of this place.

[ Meaning: he doesn't know how. Yet. ]

[dragoonrouge]

[She nods.]

Understandable, there is a whole host of those here who have made it their mission to poke about these things so I would suggest the library as a source of information. Though 'tis not as extensive as some you have encountered, it does make up for it by including literature from across multiple universes.

[She isn't going to bother to hide the fact that she's staring at Emet quite intently.]

I must ask, Emet Selch; what was it you last remember before you were dragged here, you seem somewhat different to what I remember when I last saw the Emet Selch of my universe?

[apokroteo]

I doubt that it will be anywhere near as extensive as necessary, but I suppose a proper examination should be in order.

[ It's not as if he has much in terms of "other options" right now, all things considered. He's sour enough about the situation, but not necessarily so sour that he's ready to completely share his ills.

His expression tightens, just a little, before he lifts a shoulder and shrugs it absently, as if entirely unconcerned. ]

The Lifestream itself, of course.

Team One

[healerscorned]

Well at least you're doing something, which is better than Dagas used to be.

[Nia fights the beasts off with a blue scimitar with a flowering vine growing along it's length. What wounds she does take in the heat of combat heal near instantly.]

[apokroteo]

Am I intended to know who Dagas is?

[ Emet looks chronically uninterested, his head tilting as he glances over. ]

[healerscorned]

Not really, just muttering to myself. I'll just say you've got the same feel to you as this one guy I know.

[Nia isn't particularly interested in Emet herself, barely even looking his way as she talks.]

[apokroteo]

Dare I take that as a compliment?

[ Because he does not want to. ]

[healerscorned]

Ehh-eh. Guy was bloody useless at first, but once he started actually trying he was crazy strong. Right now I'd say you're at the mid-point of "actually helping, but still clearly half-assing it."

[apokroteo]

I do not think you truly wish me to stop half-arsing it.

[healerscorned]

Nah, what you're doing now works for me just fine. I'd rather not end up as collateral damage if your A-game is the more indiscriminate type. 'Sides, I'm not exactly pulling out all the stops right now myself.

Hello not!dad <3 (Minor Inconvenience)

[dyingpro]

[Zagreus is much more keen on keeping the fighting to a minimum, though he is used to destroying whatever Shades and Wretches his Father sends after him back home. Subduing these ones is becoming much easier, as he skirts these monsters away from the actual haunted house attendees, so they might make their way through safely.

But then someone on his team starts making these monsters disappear with a simple snap of his fingers. Normally Zagreus would not worry too much about it, moving on with his task... but there's something off about this person. Something familiar and unsettling, and Zagreus can't quite put his finger on it. Maybe this energy just reminds him too much of Elidibus? Surely that's it.]

... just where are you sending them, mate? [Zagreus stops brandishing Stygius, resting the overly-large flat of the blade across his shoulder for a moment now that the fighting has ceased.]

hello not!son C: maybe he'll like you more than the real one

[apokroteo]

[ The problem is, of course, that Emet-Selch is not much of a fighter himself - not unless he actually has to try, which is rare enough these days that he ought not to even bother. The fact that it isn't taking that much out of him to dispose of these irritating creatures makes the matter more frustrating than exciting - and he already misses being home.

More than he usually does, at least.

The voice makes him turn and while Emet-Selch has no idea why he is being referred to as mate he has no reason not to respond, at least not just yet. It might ease some of his boredom, which is more than can be said for a lot of the others he has spoken with this far. ]

Death, of course. [ It's an easy enough thing, considering the power he wields. ] Are you concerned?

Any modicum of interest in him is a definite improvement

[dyingpro]

[Thankfully it is rarely boring around Zagreus, for better or for worse.]

Well, no. [His godly boyfriend can do much the same thing with just a touch of concentration.] It's just, these things aren't alive, exactly, so I can't tell their end destination. No Life threads to follow.

[He shrugs as if this would make perfect sense. Which it obviously does.]

knowing hades that's fair

[apokroteo]

[ Interesting. It's something that feels almost familiar to Emet-Selch, given his position and natural inclinations, and he tilts his head just a little as he looks at Zagreus. It makes him think that, perhaps, this one is the kind he ought to keep an eye on.

Novel enough, to be sure. ]

Perhaps they simply do not have one, or their Underworld is entirely different to the ilk you are familiar with.

[ It seems to make sense to Emet. ]

Secondhand! (5.3 End, EW compliant)

[wewillwewill]

The announcement plays in every carriage simultaneously.

[Elidibus is present to comment on the outburst of noise Emet-Selch makes. Because of course he is. Quite possibly because deep down he finds some comfort in the presence of another Unsundered whatever other matters may lie between them.]

Thus I would suggest appealing to the train directly so it understands this is unacceptable.

[Naturally this is sound advice. Even the statement in the beginning was framed as a fact rather than with particular judgement about the other Ascian's reaction. Yet it still stands that Elidibus witnessed the moment's outburst. Mayhap he even heard the end of the announcement. Who knows how effective the angry bark truly was?]

[apokroteo]

Marvellous.

[ He says it before he turns to look at the person responding to him, his expression only twisting for a moment before he schools himself. It ought not to come as a surprise that another of his kind might be brought here, but if he were to select someone that he would like to have met... Well, he doubts that he would have placed Elidibus top of his lists.

It's concern more than anything else, but he tempers that reaction: there is no need for it.

Keeping himself contained, Emet-Selch pushes himself to height, to look at Elidibus and nod his head. There's no reason to dig too deeply into things at this moment, not until he's learned more of what this version knows and how much he might remember or recognise.

Many people here know Emet-Selch, many from other words; it may well be the same here. ]

Are there people who would listen to such demands?

[wewillwewill]

People?

[This is given a moment's thought before Elidibus shakes his head.]

Passengers will imply the Voidtrecker Express may be a living being. But there is no reason to consider it naught more than a programmed intelligence. Nonetheless, the terminals may be used to convey your wishes to the system. It, at least, is likely to cease its announcements.

[And since there are people around, it's not surprising that Elidibus's attention briefly glances at those who might be passing.]

The same can't be said for the passengers depending, on who it is. But that's to be expected.

[Elidibus seems calm. There's no tension in the air or the suggestion of turmoil. But he was often so good at hiding those things and it's clear he's been here long enough to adjust to this new experience beyond their star. And he's certainly not going to show weakness or personal issues in a public venue. Not intentionally.]

[apokroteo]

[ 'People' is a specifically chosen term; given how he feels about the people in their own realm it is not too far to suggest anyone here might lack the very thing that could give them the title of people. Thankfully, it does not seem to matter too terribly here. ]

Technology not dissimilar to Magitek, then. I believe I understand.

[ His own attention does not waver from his fellow, but he is aware of the world around him; impossible not to be, when he has lived as long as he has, survived as much as he has. Emet-Selch is constantly prepared for whatever might happen, for ill or good.

All is calm, settled, easy. It's enough to raise his hackles, to make him tense, but also feel an edge of thankfulness; it is good, to not be entirely alone once again. ]

It is expected. Have you encountered anyone of note?

[wewillwewill]

At least on par with Allag, I think. Though much far exceeds even their accomplishments.

[Well a lot of magitek is derived from Allag. And much was fostered by the same individual standing next to Elidibus so this might be splitting hairs. The point is to expect a lot and more. The question asked next definitely has a few distinct answers and ones the Ascian pauses to consider.]

There are several interesting individuals from a multitude of stars beyond our own. Voidspace seems to transcend the celestial and universal laws. Thus you will find many who come here may have memories of distinct realities, no matter how similar.

[Not the reflections, but actual other stars, worlds and realities. As well as time.]

Two variations of the Warrior of Light who appeared after the seventh rejoining are passengers. [A small pause.] Your great-grandson Zenos is present, though he is... different than the one I'm familiar with. More restrained, for one.

[apokroteo]

That is clear to see.

[ The technology here far outstrips the Empire that he had created - not that it is much of a concern to him any longer, given his rather lacking enthusiasm for what he had once created. Once he might have imagined taking these things back with him, to use for his own benefit, but now?

Now he is just tired.

At least Elidibus is willing and able to give him the information he needs, which is good enough for Emet, even if he does look particularly discomforted at the notion of any descendent of his own existing in some form or another. ]

More restrained does not speak much for him, considering. But you have my thanks for letting me know.

[ Another person to avoid, perhaps, no matter how changed he might be by this... 'Voidspace'. ]

How long have you been trapped here?

[wewillwewill]

He seems more the crown prince than just in name. It is more...

[There is a pause and a brief frown. Elidibus shakes his head.]

I ask you see for yourself. You may be able to glean the answer to the mystery better than I.

[Why it was different. Why it tried to jar some memory of something being out of place. Emet-Selch might recognize familiar signs of searching for a lost memory. What might be surprising is that he doesn't give up once it's clear that it isn't present. Not if his next comment is anything to go by.]

If you would let me know, should you find it I would be grateful.

[But aside from that minor break, Elidibus continues on.]

Nearly four moons by the train's time-keeping. Time seems meaningless otherwise in voidspace. There are generally thirty days within a given moon here and twenty-one bells we are active, with an additional six bells lost as the train enforces a period of rest.

[Yes, even ones such as they. Even ones greater than they fall to this cycle, one could argue.]

Of course you may sleep longer, if such is your wish.

[...Since that came from Elidibus, it probably wasn't a jibe.]

But the six lost will always fall at the end of the twenty-one hours.