skippedabeat | Round 3: Test Drive

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test drive

Round 3: Test Drive

Welcome to the third 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!)

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 - The National Leviathan Habitat

Eddan's shimmering sapphire of an aquarium, the National Leviathan Habitat, is holding a series of special events at its location in Royal Mount. Students and family groups get half off, with certain events being completely free. This include a full night's stay at the aquarium sometime during the week for any person who checks in with their card. While spots are limited, it's such a large aquarium, and nights can be booked in advance, so it shouldn't be too much of a problem. So come, everyone! Enjoy whale spotting, aquarium strolling, educational shows, and a night surrounded by water. However, unknown to you, something else might be starting to beat in the deepest, darkest depths of your heart.

Similar to the flower festival that was used in the prior TDM, Unawakened characters can get a flash of memory sometime during this prompt and Awakened characters will be able to occasionally pick them out. For more information on the National Leviathan Habitat, which is a player introduced location, please check here.

Additionally, if both test drive player and game players agree, the aquarium 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, even on summer vacation. (Or maybe because of summer vacation for the local schools.) 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.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

1

[Aquariums might not be Christina’s entertainment of choice, not compared to a good play. However, the special events offered a welcome change of pace in the summer months. Plus with the student offers, there was a good chance she might see some familiar faces. How lovely that would be. She hoped the students were doing well.]

[Once there, she strolls through the dimly lit rooms until an exhibit catches her eye. Slowing to a standstill, she watches the fish with a pensive expression. She almost looks sad in this light.]

2

[Oh. This is unexpected.]

[Christina scrolls down the screen, curious yet confused. What she is reading makes little sense.]

Vermouth: An app?
Vermouth: I don’t remember this one.
Vermouth: Did my darling niece sign me up?

WILDCARD??

[Want to try something else? Toss a prompt in here, and we'll work it out!]

[He'd only come here for the day to see the shark exhibit.

The last thing he'd expected was to spot a familiar face. Vermouth. What was she doing here? And did she remember?

He couldn't just leave without finding out. Seeing her pause in front of one of the exhibits, he approaches.]

What are you looking at?

[The sudden voice catches Christina off guard. She glances around until her gaze falls upon the tiny source. A child.

She doesn't recognize him off hand. The voice seems slightly familiar, but only just. Perhaps the youthful tone is similar to other children, or maybe she's heard him in passing at the school. Either way, Christina certainly couldn't put a name to his face.

However, that will hardly stop her from treating Conan any different from her regular students. She smiles gently.]

The fishes' swimming patterns. Look how they move in harmony with each other.

Isn't it fascinating?

[Fish swimming patterns? Conan knew Vermouth well enough to know that nothing she said was ever straightforward. That had to be some kind of code or metaphor for something.

But what did it mean? Was it a warning? Was another one of them here? Or was this a warning not to leave Ran alone? ]

Isn't that normal for schools of fish?

[You'll hurt your head trying to overthink her words right now, Conan. While "Vermouth" still cares for Ran, she can't recall the worst threat in their lives anymore. After all, Christina has lived here for so long as far as she knew.]

It is, but that doesn't make them any less graceful. Their movements seem so relaxed.

[Christina exhales slowly as her eyes follow a particularly brightly colored school.]

Watching them feels so soothing.

[ Graceful? Relaxed? Soothing? Was she trying to hint at something? ]

Why are they soothing?

[Nope. She strokes her chin in thought.]

Many reasons. The repetitive motion. Their slow pace. The light reflecting through the water.

[Christina remembers that she's talking to a kid. A very young one. She leans forward with a friendly smile.]

I'm sorry if this is boring you.

He shakes his head, making a point to keep his body language childish, just in case anyone else was watching.

"I don't mind. I think fish are interesting. Although I like sharks the best."

[His acting sadly has just as strong an impact on Christina, who still has no idea that he is anything more than a curious child.]

Is that so?

[How adorable.]

Did you know they have a shark exhibit here? The main tank is said to be rather impressive.

"Mmm, I was going to go there next."

What was going on here?

How exciting!

[Christina beams until a thought crosses her mind.]

Do your parents know?

[He looks awfully young to be here on his own. Where could they be?]

My brother is here somewhere.

[It still felt strange to refer to Hattori like that. ]

[Well that was something, but she's still a bit worried.]

Did you tell him you were going to the shark exhibit?

[Conan had no idea what was going on any more. If he didn't know better he would have thought that was actual concern.]

He knows I'm in the aquarium. This place isn't so large that he won' be able to find me.

[It is, and that answer's not exactly helping.]

[She tries not to fret too much, in case it makes the boy nervous. Instead she smiles gently.]

My, you have a lot of confidence in your brother!

The aquarium isn't that large of a building.

Perhaps, but it gets awfully crowded.

Do you at least have a way to contact him?

[Ran rounds a corner in search of Conan and finds someone completely unexpected.]

[It's a duality of recognition. In one aspect, she recognizes her aunt -- her father's sister, her false memories whisper, and it they spread "remembered" images in front of her like a fan.]

[The other part of her -- true memory -- remembers huddling over Ai on the pavement, this woman aiming a gun them and screaming for Ran to get away. Had she obeyed, had she moved . . . this woman would have shot Ai without compunction.]

[Oh, god.]

[Ran freezes, not sure what to do. It's probably too long of a hesitation.]

[Ran waited a bit too long, because if there's one thing that will get Christina's mind away from musing, it is her beloved family.]

[The fashionable lady turns toward her niece, beaming from ear to ear.]

Ran!

[She hurries across the exhibit floor in hopes to give Ran a big hug as usual, when she notices her niece's expression. Joy quickly turns to worry.

What is wrong, my dear? Has something happened?

[She doesn't remember. Does she? Ran's eyes scatter over the woman -- her aunt's? -- face. How could she not realize that she'd known this woman all along -- that she'd known where she was?]

[What kind of a place is this, that re-shapes and twists without seemingly any regard?]

[But the woman -- Aunt Christina -- is in front of her now. She needs an answer. Ran gropes for one, unused to having to lie.]

A-Ah, I'm so sorry! It's just . . . I've lost Conan-k. [Hold it together, Ran.] Conan. And I'm a little worried. It's such a big place . . .

[She does her very best to pull up a smile.] It's good to see you.

[You should be delighted, her mind, the false part, whispers. You've loved and admired her since you were a little girl, this aunt.]

[Internally, she shudders, biting down on the inside of her cheek.]

[She does not remember, not like Ran does. Christina could tell all sorts of stories about their family here in Eddan. Nothing about Beika City though.]

[She frowns slightly, thinking for a moment.]

Conan?

[Wasn't that the name of the child who talked to her earlier?]

Is he a young boy? Who wears glasses and about this height?

[The older lady has to lean down a little to hold her hand low enough.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Round 3: Test Drive

"Christina Ivybrook" Vermouth | Detective Conan

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I need more icons for this friendly act DX

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