Round 2: Test Drive

[cordibus]

Welcome to the second test drive!

Please don't worry too much about using your Personas correctly or following the prompts exactly. They're meant to give you starting ideas, but by all means, go wild and add more options!

The objective here is to try out characters and see who you could have the most fun with in the game's setting. However, feel free to follow this link to request a Persona be generated for you as if you were part of the game. (Please try to limit this to only one of your test drive characters if you can as to not overwhelm us! Never mind generating Personas is a pretty fast process! Request for as many characters away as you like!)

If you have questions about the test drive itself, you can ask them here! If you want to play an AU don't forget this entire post can be used for you to get AU scenarios set up and see who your character might have been related too or know before Awakening.

Now then, let's begin...

Prompt 1 - Flower Festival

The Festival of Flowers is in full bloom in the city! As an inhabitant of Eddan, you're excited to go and attend some of the activities! But unknown to you, something else might be starting to beat in the deepest, darkest depths of your heart.

The festival log prompts can be found here. Please note that you can use these to post in the test drive, but not on the player log itself!

Additionally, if both test drive player and game players agree, the festival test drive threads can also become game canon! As long as the test drive character is played as being completely unaware of what has happened in the game up to this point. Keep in mind that they would NOT have had a message on their phones. Two Test drive players can also make these game canon if they get accepted (and they keep the same requirements as above).

Prompt 2 - From Dawn to Dusk

The city has been abuzz for the past few weeks. A new string of murders is making front page news and serving as a grim reminder why the nightly curfew is so important. As families, perhaps even someone close to you, mourn, pressure continues to rise at the many police stations and at city hall. The people are afraid and they’re demanding answers.

There's not much time for you to dwell on this.. Like everyone else in the city, you have a lot to do, and a tight schedule to do it in. You don't even notice the application that has appeared on your phone's screen. The headache that follows, however, is strange and disorienting, and it brings with it an odd sensation that something is wrong today. You’re just not sure why.

The day passes by and soon, it's close to midnight. Your body, if you're not in bed by now, is completely exhausted. Despite your best efforts, you'll find yourself closing your eyes. Too bad it's quickly interrupted by a strange noise, and movement like something pulsating softly.

It's your phone, or at least you think it's your phone, but it's never glowed this orange before. There’s mist rising above it almost like fire...something's definitely bizarre about this. Despite your fears, you forces yourself to open it, and click on that strange snake-like icon.


It opens revealing a single statement and blank box;

To begin, please write your name.

Your fingers move on their own. Before you have time to really think about it, and as the pain inside your head becomes so terrible you start breathing rapidly and sweating, you've entered a series of letters and pressed enter. Now you're in a large chatroom with many others...but your 'name' you've never even heard of it...have you? It almost feels like you have...

Prompt 3 - Awakening

The last rays of the sun disappeared over the horizon almost an hour ago, yet here you are, walking through the apple orchards located behind one of the campus wings. The strange app that's been sending you strange clues the past seven days now says you're ready to face the truth. It told you to come here tonight, but never to travel alone. Repeatedly, it warns you to make sure to have someone close by if you're to survive…but besides some friends, what else did you bring with you? Did you pack for this, or did you figure you'd make it up as you go? Are you in a position to be able to bring weapons with you that no one would suspect?

Something is out there, and it's getting closer.

Before you can think, you see it: a large, blackish mass, almost like slime, slithering along the ground resembling a vaguely humanoid shape with glowing yellow eyes. When it roars again, it reveals rows and rows of teeth. This was a mistake your brain warns. The strange name from the chatroom, the days leading up to this...you're fairly certain even if you are prepared that you're going to die.

And yet, something inside you stirs. Even as they move closer, you find yourself charging instead of running, as your heartbeat increases. A voice inside is guiding you, each movement bringing forth a surge of memories of a past that you had lost. You’re angry and confused, but your pain, your fears, your rage for all of this… all of that needs to be taken out on those creatures.

All you need to do now is to tear out your heart.

Prompt 4 - A new, old life

Now that you have your memories back, the strange veil of this world has been somewhat lifted. Things that seemed simple now seem strange. You have so many questions, but not enough answers. Then there's the new weapons you wield and the strange creature inside of you...your Heart Persona.

During the day, you are encouraged to continue to live as you did before, but with old and new memories together, sometimes it is difficult to keep acting like you did. Will it cause issues in your job or school life? Will it change your reactions to whatever life you had here? Do you notice others like you who have awakened?

Maybe it would be a good time to send a chatroom message, just to ask others what they are planning to do. Maybe you should set up a meeting to fight shadows at night. Maybe you’ll organize a plan of attack or set up a club to escape the strange looks others have been giving you. Maybe you just want someone's opinion on the best place to have pizza. Hey, no one said you had to use the AppleNET just for serious things, after all.

Comments

[kouteipenguin]

[Minutes pass. The tension builds. There's no way to listen to any ambient sound over the dull roar of the food truck's inner machinery pressed into his ear. People laugh and yell and talk. Distant music drifts in and out, depending on the rest of the noise. He starts trying to think about what he'd do were he Kouyuki. He'd check everywhere near where he vanished, then double around to see if he ended up behind something. So Michi might have a few more minutes before he can slip around through that crack and check-

Were this recorded, the scare chord would sound just as the tension starts to leave Michi's shoulders, and he takes a step away from the edge of the food truck, moving somewhere that isn't radiating heat. Something fast and white comes flying out from that gap, earns a startled yelp as it slams into Michi, and carries them both straight into the back of the stand in a tangle of upset flowers and limbs. Michi ends up with half his body stuck in a wooden crate, cushioned and perfumed by thousands of flowers.

"What the- NO!" And one very upset flower vendor, who had started to walk away from the stand to get food.

Still riding the panic, Michi flails, trying to get his assailant off him. He, too, starts yelling 'no', putting one arm up over his head to try to make it harder to put a flower necklace over his head. The rest of his limbs are caught between trying to get Kouyuki off of him and trying to get out of the crate. The result is that nothing happens much except he might end up hitting Kouyuki a few times while looking like an idiot.]

[touketsu]

[The vendor and Michi both can protest, but the wind can't be stopped, and neither can Kouyuki.

As he tackles Michi into the stand, sending explosions of flowers like fireworks up into the air, he lets out a surprised gasp that quickly becomes ringing laughter. And he's not the only one who seems amused. Several people who are standing nearby are breaking into giggles and chortles over the sight, for it's a welcome distraction from the height of the sun in the sky and the clocks counting down to curfew. This awakens the joy in their hearts and quiets the fear...for a little while, at least.

But for Kouyuki, the battle isn't won yet, and it won't be until Michi is wearing—

—the necklace?

In all their flailing he finally gets a good look at it. A mostly barren length of limp string with but a few blooms left attached, as determined as he's been this whole time to hold on. It's not much of a necklace now, is it? And neither is the one he's wearing himself, or the crown in his hair. Thanks to Michi's swatting hands, just about every flower has been knocked loose. He no longer looks like a fresh garden, but a trampled one. Indignity belongs to both of them.]

That didn't go quite as planned...

[No shit, the vendor's expression reads. At this rate, if they get any redder they'll be blowing steam out their ears.]

[kouteipenguin]

[When Kouyuki starts to grow still, Michi does too. He's immediately curious what could possibly have made his sworn enemy in the Flower Wars stop his relentless assault. Are they in trouble? (In real trouble, that is). Is there something that he can't see-

Then Michi catches sight of the sad string, a few frayed blossoms still hanging on, and starts laughing. He gives himself entirely up to it, head falling limply back into a bed of crushed flowers, shaking with mirth. His legs dangle loosely over the edge of the bin, one arm pumping up to claim victory.]

That went exactly as planned!

[That's a brazen lie. Literally no planning went into any part of this. He owes this dubious victory to sheer luck and determination.]

Yes!

[touketsu]

[As Kouyuki untangles himself from Michi's mess of limbs, a collapsed display table, and the overturned and scattered flower crates, he shrugs helplessly.]

I guess that means I lost this time.

[Look at Kouyuki. Look at what a good sport he's being! All cheer and smiles and even holding out his hand to...wait a second.

Oh no...no, no, that's not Michi he's reaching out to help up, he's reaching for a fistful of those crushed blossoms! And promptly dumping them right atop Michi's head like a dilapidated crown! Victory is sweet, but revenge is sweeter.]

[kouteipenguin]

[Michi grins in response. Kouyuki lost in the best possible way - there's no way for him to wait for later to get that on him. He doesn't crow over his hard-earned victory though, instead reaching up for the offered outstretched hand.

But Kouyuki isn't reaching for his hand. Michi's grin turns into a look of confusion before he's showered with flowers, causing him to flail a bit more all over again.]

Agh!

[He spits out hastily as he almost inhales one of them. Flowers drift from his head to his face, getting closer to his eye than he'd like. It's hard to breathe with a flower covering one nostril, but a sharp exhale sends it fluttering down onto his shirt.]

Kouyuki!

[He'd sound way more annoyed if he wasn't still halfway grinning.

Now he's determined to get back up out of that box as soon as possible. He's got vengeance of his own to pursue - which is most likely either throwing flowers at him or trying to get a handful down his shirt. But where he is isn't the easiest to get out of; the crate is deep enough that his knees hook over the sides, and his body sinks right into the bed of flowers there. Kouyuki's got a head start if he's not going to help Michi in his efforts to to pull his way out of this thing (or try to knock it to one side).]

[touketsu]

[Perhaps Michi is right. Maybe this has gone according to plan, after all. Sure, Kouyuki hadn't gotten the lei over Michi's head before it went to pieces, but if he's being honest with himself, the only thing he'd really set out to accomplish was to have some fun and, if their laughter or the fact that Michi's gotten himself stuck in a wooden crate is any indication, he's done just that. It's a small triumph, but a triumph just the same.

Speaking of which...if he's going to enjoy having pulled one over on Michi, he might want to book it before the other boy finally rocks his way out of that box. He won't remain an unchallenged conqueror if he hangs around here like an easy target, so a swift exit is—

—apparently impossible. As he turns around to make a run for it, he nearly runs headlong into the vendor instead. What's worse, in order to keep from barreling into them, he steps backwards and...

...the heel of his sneaker catches that box, sending him collapsing back on top of Michi in a squawking heap of limbs!]

[kouteipenguin]

[Michi has made some progress trying to get out of this box. He's got his hands hooked over the edge, straining to pull himself up from the worst possible starting position to get any leverage. Still, he's getting somewhere, with pure effort-

-that is smashed completely when Kouyuki is sent right down on top of him hard enough to scrape his wrists against the top of his box. He yelps in tandem with Kouyuki's surprised cry, then starts thrashing around in earnest.]

Get off!

[The vendor looms over them both, though Michi can't see it. He does, however, hear it.

"YOU TWO. Do you have any idea how much money you've probably cost me?! Your parents had better have a way to pay for all this!"]

[touketsu]

[Trying to find leverage using the side of the crate to hoist himself up, Kouyuki barks back at the other boy...]

S-stop flailing and I will...!

[Michi's lucky. From where Kouyuki sits (uncomfortably crumpled atop him) the view of the vendor's face, contorted with displeasure, is quite clear, much like the ringing anger in their voice. He cringes a little when their parents are mentioned, already able to hear his mother in the back of his mind...

Not again, Kouyuki...

He doesn't usually get in trouble for carrying on, but when he does, the incidents are unseemly enough that his parents both suffer secondhand embarrassment from them. And this particular episode is up there on the list of those he really doesn't want to have to explain.]

We're really sorry, sir...!

[The vendor's voice raises in disgruntled alarm, "What do you mean SIR?!"

And Kouyuki stalls, chin tilting back, head up, to get a better look at a face he thought he'd gotten a proper look at before. Only to discover that he is sorely mistaken.

Oh...oh boy...]

[kouteipenguin]

[It isn't Kouyuki's barked comeback that gets Michi to fall still, but the prelude to even more fury from the vendor he can't see. He instantly jumps right in, sensing an opportunity to possibly not be dragged down into an even worse situation than he already is in.]

Oh, man...

[Michi's groan is muffled underneath his Sworn Flower War Enemy (aka friend). He's getting all of this via the radio play from hell; aside from some light off to the side, he still can't see. It's bad enough his parents are going to probably be called in, yet another thing that makes him look bad... but they do not need more reason to make the nice flower lady vengeful.

Nevermind that Michi honestly didn't see enough to be able to tell to begin with, and nevermind that the flower seller has one of those voices that could belong to just about anyone. He wasn't the one who said it. He's in the clear.

For added measure, Michi thumps the back of Kouyuki's shoulder. Why'd he have to go and make things worse?? He's careful to cut the volume of his voice, though. He's not about to give the really angry woman his partner in crime's name.]

Kouyuki!

[touketsu]

[While Kouyuki appreciates Michi's discretion, the same cannot be said for that thump. He responds in kind by twisting around so he can squish the heel of his palm against Michi's face, using that to finally help push him up and off the other boy and back to his feet!

He knows that he could bolt then, if he really wanted to, but he's not about to abandon a friend, especially when they were good enough not to give up his name. So, even as he awkwardly tries to apologize again to the woman for the mess they both made and the misunderstanding, he holds out one hand for Michi to take for real this time. To help him out of the box, too. If he'd like.

Because he's got a plan. There's only one vendor and two of them. If they split up and converge again someplace safe and well away from this disaster state...they might just get away with their mischief.]

[kouteipenguin]

[Michi's squawk of protest muffles further when Kouyuki's palm smushes his face deeper into the flowers. He has to hastily close his mouth again or risk inhaling the stupid things. If he gets out - no, what kind of thinking is that? When he gets out, he's done looking at flowers for a while. Say... maybe next year, he'll be not flowered out by then.

But as Kouyuki finally does manage to get himself out of the box, Michi's hit with a wave of sudden panic. He can't get out easily, unlike someone else, and there's a chance he'll be left to deal with the consequences alone.

Immediately after he realizes this, Kouyuki reaches a hand out for him. With widening eyes, and more than a little guilt that he'd even wondered, Michi reaches out to take that hand. He'll even give him a grateful smile as he's helped up, soon replaced by a far more worried one to the furious vendor, who's getting louder and louder as she insists that an apology is not good enough.

He'll just... back away a little... get a little bit of safe distance...]

[touketsu]

[This is bad, Kouyuki thinks as he looks up at the bellowing vendor. If she inflates any more with hot air, she'll float away.

His gaze trails up toward the sky with the thought, the hint of a smile playing at the corners of his mouth, but as the woman expels a particularly heavy sigh, he finds himself quickly grounded again. He's back in hot water with Michi, who looks about as comfortable as him being reprimanded for having a little bit of fun...but not as willing to do anything about it.

It's all up to him, is it? Well, that's fine.]

We're really sorry! Honest. And to make it up to you, we'll just...get out of your hair! Bye!

[Giving Michi the cue to split up by giving him a push in the opposite direction, Kouyuki breaks into a run past the woman, no regret, only flower petals and laughter trailing in his wake.]

[kouteipenguin]

[Michi starts running by instinct. He didn't even plan on doing it - there's a shove to his shoulder and he takes off like a shot. At first, he just wants to get away from a very angry vendor who's going to ruin his life even more than it's already been. He worries about what his parents will say if he's caught like this. How worse could things get?

But then he continues thinking, each footfall on the ground starting to slow down as his initial rush fades. How worse did he make that person's life? Those flowers he was in were there to sell. Did she grow those? It just didn't feel right, leaving like this. He did part of that. It's his fault, right? Michi makes the mistake of looking over his shoulder, catching sight of her face as he gets more distance between them.

Michi's footsteps falter, then slow. Then he's turning around as the guilt gnaws holes in his stomach and trudging slowly back towards certain doom. The flower seller looks visibly surprised that at least one of the miscreants seems to be coming back, looking for all the world like a kicked dog. He hates that he has to go back. He's going to suffer for it.

But he has to. He just... has to.]