Round 3: Test Drive

[kokuyoyo]

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.

Comments

[blacktemper]

[his expression remains exactly the same way it was a moment before, but at that comment Vincent's eyes bug out to the point that it's a wonder one of them doesn't burst and spray his unwilling victim with frothing blood.

his hand clenches instinctively over the offending one, as if by squeezing it out of existence with his death grip he can also eradicate the reality in which those words escaped from Kit's demented mouth. teeth audibly grinding against one another in pure rage, he manages to hiss out a response eventually:]

As if you were my type.

[why hasn't he taken a swing at him yet? the simple answer is that Vincent is simply too stunned to react in any way that isn't purely instinctual. it's going to take him another few moments before his brain sorts itself out to the point he can attempt some serious violence.]

[whitefox]

[Vincent wasn't swinging, but the same could not be said for Kit.

Really, he should have expected that reaction and prepared for it, but the sudden clenching of his injured hand in a death grip had still taken him by complete surprise. Unfortunately for his companion, it also prompted such an instinctual response that he couldn't stop himself in time from clobbering him across the top of the head with his free fist.]

If that's true, then let go!

[blacktemper]

[honestly, this was the best possible thing that he could have done. even if Vincent's entire vision quite possibly went black for several moments.

by breaking first, Kit had given his companion carte blanche to violate their unspoken agreement and vent some of that outrage where it was most deserved. the fact that he was now determined to do it while still clenching onto the other boy's hand only heightened the excitement. he loved a challenge.]

And ruin the moment?

[his sardonic reply was followed up almost immediately by a vicious kick in the kneecap, delivered with a spiteful vengeance. given all the rolling and jumping Kit had been doing tonight, it was bound to hurt.]

[whitefox]

[Kit's wince of pain would be impossible to miss, but...he'd asked for it, and even he knew as much. That was literally the only thing preventing him from driving his elbow into Vincent's nose in retaliation.

But not enough to keep him from retaliating at all.

He still had one hand free, and with the other boy choosing not to relinquish his hold in that moment, Kit was able to utilize their close proximity by grabbing a fistful of hair and slamming Vincent's head back against the door.

It was still kinder than breaking his nose, right?]

[blacktemper]

[that was definitely several seconds of blackout. god damn, as if his head hadn't gone through enough abuse already.

Vincent releases a low growl, clearly unappreciative of the preventative measures taken to spare his nose from any further hardship. his nails dig in even harder to Kit's hand while the other reaches up to grab hold of that shitty ponytail of his. if all goes according to plan he'll be able to use that leverage to yank his skull down for a resounding headbutt.

he wanted to keep abusing his skull? fine. but it was only fair that he paid him back in spades.]

[whitefox]

[Even through the biting pain of the other boy's nails digging into his hand, Kit had to admire that fierce determination and refusal to quit.

What he didn't have to do was let Vincent think he could turn the tables by employing the same tactic he'd just used to make his head spin. He was granted a grip on that ponytail. Kit couldn't have prevented that if he'd wanted to. But when Vincent gave a sharp yank, he would find Kit deliberately launching forward with it, driving their foreheads together and using his superior height to his advantage...all his weight thrown behind the gesture in attempt to knock the other teen down.

Probably not the brightest move for someone who'd been concussed not all that long ago, but then again...he hadn't been given much of a choice.]

[blacktemper]

[that bastard. there was no guarantee that he'd get away with such a brazen stunt, but Vincent still feels as if he's been robbed of something deserved as Kit's face hurtles towards him at frightening speed. there's no way for him to escape, no possible course of action except to take the blow head on.

god, it hurt. no matter how much bravado he threw out there was no getting around the reality of their weigh difference or the impact it caused during moments like these. it's almost as if he's cascading down the stairs again, everything is so intensely aflame for a brief time.

his hand falls from its grip around the other boy's ponytail as he's knocked from his feet; only that dogged grip on the doorknob hand remains unshaken, something which quickly proves to be his savior. the bizarre angle at which he drops prevents Vincent from completely hitting the ground, staggering into some strange half-crouch thing. it gives him enough leeway to spring upwards suddenly and with great force once he's given himself a moment to regain his senses, aiming to headbutt his opponent square in the gut.

if he's lucky maybe he'll puke.]

[whitefox]

[What is leeway? What is anything, even.

Kit's vision explodes, white hot and then in fireworks as black as pitch, pain shooting through his head like a jackhammer. He feels split open, and it's a wonder he's still conscious at all, though a lot of good it does him.

He tries to will his limbs to respond. Thinks, even as he teeters forward, that with his ponytail released he can right himself and prepare to dodge left. He could corner Vincent that way, giving himself the most room to maneuver. And yet his legs don't move except to give way, his free hand gripping the other boy's forearm as he feels the trappings of gravity bringing him down.

Right down into a headbutt that is meant for his gut but strikes his chest instead. There's no vomit, a fact for which Vincent should be glad as Kit collapses on his shoulder. But there is a breathless cough and a few wheezed words.]

I overdid it...

[blacktemper]

[he supposes that he's glad for the lack of bodily fluids, although no one would ever know it from the dissatisfied grunt he lets out. the real problem is that Vincent's body, having now just taken several additional blows to the head, is just as battered - and now being forced to support a weight several times its own. in many ways this is worse than any attack his companion had intentionally thrown his way.

his knees wobble valiantly for a moment, attempting to stay upright on sheer stubbornness alone, but it's a losing battle. prying Kit's mutilated hand off the doorknob, he slowly slides down the door and onto the ground with his additional baggage.

after all that he really ought to roll Kit right onto the ground. instead he allows him to remain where he is, responding only with a very disgruntled:]

What the hell did you think would happen?

[whitefox]

[Vincent's question aroused an airy laugh from his companion.

They had fought hard from start to finish, and in the end they were both brought to their knees. It was appropriate, Kit thought. Even in his condition, the only thing holding him upright at the moment being the other boy's smaller frame, his skull feeling like a stick of dynamite had just gone off inside, he had to appreciate that much.]

I suppose...that's exactly what I thought would happen.

[Awkwardly shifting his weight, Kit pushed himself off Vincent's shoulder and toward the nearest wall. Back pressed clumsily up against it, he closed his eyes immediately to stop his world from spinning, but the darkness did nothing to stop every part of him from feeling like it was trying to turn itself inside out.]

I thought that...if I couldn't win, I could at least take you down with me. That would be enough.

[blacktemper]

[thank god. as soon as Kit's moved far enough away that he can shift without hitting him Vincent presses the soles of his shoes together and leans forward until he's gingerly resting his forehead on the makeshift platform. he leaves himself like that, silent for several moments as he waits for the internal carousel ride to end.

when he does speak, by some miracle his voice sounds just as amused as Kit's had. it's a true wonder, given how painful even speaking is right now.]

You're going to have to give it a lot more than that.

[whitefox]

[Kit was silent as his companion doubled over in attempt to ride out whatever wave of pain or nausea had overcome him, instead focusing on the gouges Vincent had left upon the back of his hand. He hadn't thought his nails had dug in that deeply, but upon closer inspection, they had done more than broken the top layer of skin; they had drawn blood.

He ought to be concerned, but instead his only thought was to tug his jacket sleeve down a little further to conceal the marks lest the other teen feel the need to aggressively not worry about him again. He could tend to the bleeding later, whatever pain was caused by it lost in the wave already consuming every inch of his body. It was impossible now to differentiate one ache from another...thus, easier to ignore them all.

The only thing that wasn't so easy to do was to blink the black spots out of his eyes...tempting him again to shut them once he'd covered his hand. But that was a problem, too. He was so tired. But was it fatigue or something else? He couldn't tell those two apart anymore, either.]

I feel like you're the sort of person who wouldn't be satisfied unless both of us were rendered completely incapacitated...

[But his tone wasn't discriminatory. If anything, Kit sounded vaguely approving. That would, after all, be the only way to keep his promise short of either one forfeiting his life.]

[blacktemper]

[dignity dictates that he rise as soon as possible after this little rest, but Vincent's head is screaming otherwise. at least from this position he can keep the illusion of the world remaining relatively stable. if it bothers his companion he can simply write it off as not having any reason to address him properly.]

It's not much of a fight if you can walk away from it in the end.

[perhaps that was why he seemed to engage so belligerently at every opportunity. if he couldn't chase one enormous cataclysm, at least he could try and overwhelm himself with smaller ones.]

[whitefox]

Mm...

[His assent is barely audible, a soft sound as he finds himself drifting in and out of consciousness. Somewhere, in some deep recess of his mind or perhaps even his soul, that feeling of having given his all, to hell with the odds, is familiar to Kit. Even finding himself in a pitiful state seems bizarrely appropriate.

And, if he's being honest with himself, it is equally satisfying.

He had no regrets.]

That speaks well...

[...of this encounter is what he'd meant to say, but the words trail off with the dim understanding that Vincent's head is a lot harder than the concrete floor.]

[blacktemper]

[the stretch of silence finally prompts Vincent to make the daring attempt to raise up his head and look over at his companion. he regrets it slightly, feeling the rush of dizziness almost immediately, but at least he manages to succeed in the endeavor.

what he sees prompts a quiet laugh, also filled with regret as it causes his chest to tremble painfully. it really was fitting for this moment, wasn't it.]

Guess I ended up with dead weight after all.

[he'll probably have to pull Kit's unconscious body into the dorms sooner rather than later - hopefully before his own stubbornness ran out and he himself succumbed to the multitude of head injuries he'd suffered.

there was something familiar about all this that he couldn't put his finger on. sitting here, racked with pain, next to Kit...it felt right. more likely than not just another symptom of his cracked head.]