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November 2018 Test Drive Meme

NOVEMBER 2018 TEST DRIVE MEME

Welcome to November's Test Drive Meme! This month's Test Drive's theme is: WONDERLAND.

All Test Drive Memes contain at least one clue to the Deerington's upcoming in-game events for the month! Keep your eyes peeled! But...not literally.

Characters may die during TDMs, but you do not need to count it towards a game-canonical death unless you want to. Consider it a freebie. All TDMs can be considered game canon as TDMs introduce minor aspects about the world of Deerington that can be revisited by characters later on in the game. You may also use TDMs for your application writing sample as well as AC.

PLEASE NOTE: Due to the nature of November's plot, character arrival prompts are unavailable in this month's Test Drive. Throughout each prompt, all characters will very clearly feel as though they are still stuck in a dream, and are working on a way to get out.

CW: Body horror (growth/shrinking), implied drugging, violence via swords and bludgeoning

Don't forget to tag content whenever necessary. Have fun!

Prompt One
Prompt Two
Prompt Three
Prompt Four
Master Navigation

BEGIN AT THE BEGINNING

The hallway you've ended up in is long and narrow, almost seeming to twirl in on itself as it spirals a long way out of sight. There's no means to go back the way you came - it's walled off now, somehow, though you're not sure when or how it happened - and so you realize if you want to leave, the best thing to do is just move forward. You walk along the checkered marble floor, the click and the clack of your shoes echoing off the twisted walls, the only sound in the whole place as you move.

You're almost convinced you're never going to find the end of this hallway, until you start to see a pinprick of light in the distance. Maybe you even pick up your pace when you start to see it. Regardless of whether you keep at an even walk or you sprint towards the light, you eventually get to the end of the hall. The ceiling has stretched up way out of sight at some point, but there's still a light shining down from somewhere, casting a large spotlight on the only two objects in the room: a fairly large dollhouse on the floor and a table with a cup filled with what looks like punch and a plate with a piece of cake on it. There's a sign, neatly handwritten in black ink: EAT ME! DRINK ME! At least it's to the point.

You can choose to ignore that sign, but as you observe the dollhouse, or the hall you're trapped in, there are two things that might persuade you into realizing it's your only option: 1) There's no door at the end of this hall in order to let you out of it, which means you're still as trapped as you were at the start. And 2) There is a door on the front of the dollhouse and if you squint, you can see a tiiiiiiny key stuck in the lock.

This all might be looking familiar to a fortunate few.

Eventually, you'll have to cave, or end up sitting there forever. Whether you choose the cake or the cup, the moment you swallow, you'll start to feel an uncomfortable ache through your whole body. Soon you can start to feel your bones caving in on themselves, your muscles tightening and shrinking, and your whole body might even start to feel like it's about to implode. It's agonizing - worthy of a scream or two as the magic works through your body, and you see the world starting to become bigger and bigger...

And all at once, it stops. The dollhouse now looks as big as a real house and that key? Is just the right size for your hand. You turn the key, push open the door, and enter into a grand foyer, brightly lit and covered in flowers and ribbons. On top of that? You're no longer alone - someone is in the room with you and they seem to have been stuck waiting for someone to help them explore the house.

TAKE SOME MORE TEA

Sometimes dreams just don't make sense. And this room seems to be the one that sticks out the most. You can see the ceiling, decorated with whimsical paintings and colorful chandeliers, and you can see the four walls, but the ground is definitely grass and dirt, and somehow there seems to be a fresh breeze blowing through, bringing in the crisp air of fall and the scent of burning leaves. Strange, since the grass is so green, strikingly so when compared to the white linen of the table cloth covering the expansive table in the center of the room, and there's not a fallen leaf to be seen anywhere.

There is, however, several place settings, several tea cups, and several tea pots. Your favorite treats are stacked high on the plates in front of you, smelling so fresh your mouth is watering already. It seems like a feast just for the two of you and your stomachs are starting to growl. Maybe sitting for a little while to rest and eat wouldn't be so bad, right? You notice name cards in front of each place setting and eventually, you find your own names, neatly printed in bold lettering. It's best to take a seat if you're going to dig in.

As you start to pile food onto your plate, you notice there's a card between the two of you, with a fun riddle printed out for you to solve:

I'm as small as an ant,
as big as a whale.
I'll approach like a breeze,
but can come like a gale.
By some I get hit,
but all have shown fear.
I'll dance to the music,
though I can't hear.
Of names I have many,
Of names I have one.
I'm as slow as a snail,
but from me you can't run.
What am I?

It might seem like fun and games, but you'll find that as you eat, your mind is getting a little foggier, and the words are blurry and harder to understand. You think it's time to go and you get up from your seat to do just that, but the door you came through - the only door in the room - is locked.

Chances are that riddle is your only means to get that door open. When you finally do solve it, a bright light will appear, and you'll need to stand in front of it, lining your shadow up with the handle, and miming turning it in order to get the door to open itself.

OFF WITH THEIR HEADS

The strategists might enjoy this next room when they open it; in front of you is a giant chessboard, one half of the board all set up and ready to go, and the other half of the board just missing a few pieces in order to get started. The Knight seems to have gone off to do his own thing and, much to the dismay of those around them, the Queen seems to have made herself scarce as well. But luckily for you both, there's two of you! And you seem to be just in time to take the place of these missing players.

Once you each settle into your chosen square, the game begins. It seems pretty tame at first - pawns moving to various pawns, and maybe one of you is taking charge and shouting for where each piece should go next. Best left to the Knight, likely, considering the strategy needed for that particular piece. And all is well and good and fun - until the first piece gets taken. Or, rather, not so much taken, as suddenly smashed to pieces by their opposition.

It doesn't take long to realize the same will happen to you if either of you are captured by your enemies. You have to rethink now, figure out the best strategy to not only win the game, but to make sure that neither of you ends up dead on the way there. You see the other Knight has a giant sword, one that seems to slice through the marble pieces around you like they're made of butter.

If you fail, you can try and dodge the blast, and you could also choose to run from the start; but there's a high chance the pieces will begin to revolt and come after you. You can either play the game or try and fight your way to the door. An interesting dilemma, considering that you're unarmed.

I AM NOT MYSELF, YOU SEE

This dollhouse is filled with tons of rooms, all of which seem to have their own unique flair, and sometimes they seem to be very much filled with the uniqueness of you. As you and your companion explore each door, you eventually start to open ones that seem to contain pieces of them or pieces of you put onto display. How is that possible? Well, you're not quite sure, but it certainly seems like they've managed.

Some of these rooms may hold memories playing out like strangely made stop-animation films; clay versions of yourself and anyone who was in the memory with you, mocked up to put your deepest secrets or your happiest moments into a visual reality. Other rooms may hold objects that relate to your very being - either physical items from home that were exceptionally important to you or metaphorical symbols of who you are as a person. A heart for loving, a stuffed lion (or a real lion, though you'd better hope it's friendly) for courage... All those stereotypical links people have created to show who they are over time.

There's no choice but to keep searching these rooms, though, learning more about yourself and your companion than either of you probably ever wanted to know - because eventually, one of those rooms? Is your ticket out. You'll know when you see it. A giant mirror will be leaning against the wall, the image fuzzy and rippled and not at all the reflection of the room around it. If you put your hand to it, it will sink right through. So long as you don't shy away in fear, you've finally found the end to this dream - or nightmare, as the case may be for some.

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[X'rhun jolts, his shoulders hiking up to his chin in his shock. His companion seemed like a rather calm and easy-going man, so this burst of energy surprised him a lot-- though not enough to make his tail fluff out into a bottle brush. Just enough to make his ears twitch.]

Well... [X'rhun wants to make a joke about how he is the one with the bigger ears.] I think I shall partake in some tea, thank you.

[The caffeine would benefit him, in any case. He looks like a stray someone dug out of the dumpster, except wrapped in elegant red clothing. There are dark shadows under his eyes, a stark contrast to his pale, pale skin.]

But what was it that agitated you so?

How can you trust anything in here after that?

[ he points to the foyer. hello they're tiny now and it's really disturbing!!! why aren't you with him here. he sits down next to the... man. thing. if that hadn't been so excruciating and his life weren't so full of unbelievable shit, he would swear this was a dream. luke forces himself to blow out a breath instead of smashing the table to bits, which is what he really wants to do. ]

I changed my name, okay? I didn't like the reminder.

[ of his old life. the man he used to be. ]

So far I don't smell any poisons. [He'll just let... the comment about the name go. Clearly it's something private, and X'rhun knows he shouldn't pry despite his curiosity.]

And, being honest with you, my friend, I'm bloody tired and need of a stiff drink or two, but shall settle for some tea to wake up and get ready for what else may lay ahead.

[And go home and have those stiff drinks.]

[ wow, brodude asked. luke shrugs, but you couldn't pay him to touch that stuff even if he did like tea. ]

What if it does the opposite? Or does some other screwed up thing to us? Or maybe it's just a good ol' roofie.

[ look he's all about throwing caution to the wind sometimes, but drinking weird shit left out is how they both got into this mess!!!!! ]

No need for both of us to test the waters, aye? [His ears wiggle, and he smiles. He might just be a little... insane.

Of course, X'rhun has always had his own brand of madness that is the norm for him, but hells. He's really just like that.]

Then I shall be laying here like a kitten, working through the effects of the drug whilst you remain safe!

Suit yourself, man. I'm gonna find a way out of here while you snack.

[ and sure enough he's going to creep around and look for the exit, but he keeps looking back at the other man like he might suddenly turn into a frog or something. ]

[The Miqo'te flashes the man a grin as he settles into the seat reserved for himself, a card with "X'rhun Tia" written in cursive. For a few seconds, X'rhun allows the cup of tea to hover under his nose so he can properly sniff it for any sort of additives. Truly finding nothing, he takes a sip...

And hums when he finds the tea to his liking.

Pretty soon he's drained his cup like some sort of heathen-- but finds another card before him on the table that he never noticed before.]

Mrr?

What's this? [He reaches out for it.] I'm as small as an ant... A riddle?

[ god what a weirdo. luke stays back in case there are weird side effects... but when the other man finds the card he finds himself wandering closer to read over his shoulder. ]

They really went all out with the theme here.

Aye... And what a riddle it is, made long to complicate matters. [But X'rhun is stubborn, and he knows wordplay. Riddles may not be his expertise, but he knows how to decode, how to dig for answers and meanings in a tangle of words.]

But oftentimes the true answer can be taken from the beginning and the end, everything else is merely padding. [X'rhun reaches out for another cup of tea as he ponders the phrase "from me you cant run".] This however... Memories? Thoughts? Emotions? The past? Could be anything attached to any living soul, but an intangible construct with how fluid the first line implies it to be.

[He skims the rest of the riddle for more clues, especially the second to the last line. Usually that works. But he's certain it's an intangible construct.]

It sounds like total nonsense, dude. "Of names I have many, of names I have one?" Well, which is it?

[ this is definitely not his strong suit. he's good at facts, investigation, making connections. but riddles? big no. ]

No, that one line is important, the rest can be dismissed...

[What is something that everything has? Breeze and gale would imply breath and it does dance to the music, does hitch in fear, but... No it feels wrong. Breathing makes sound and this riddle implies it's something silent. And slow-- breathing can be quick or slow, cant it?

Maybe X'rhun shouldn't have had that second cup of tea, because there might have been something in it. Instead of waking him further, his mind is becoming clouded. It's getting harder to think, but a moment of clarity when he balls a hand into a fist and feels his untrimmed claws dig into his scarred palm is all he needs.]

A shadow.

[And a bright light winks into existence from up above, casting everything with stark shadows.]

[

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[ <i.woah. luke shifts back when the other man cracks the code, squinting against the sudden harsh light. this reminds him of kilgrave in the worst way imaginable. ]

Now what?

[Now... X'rhun shakes his head in an attempt to clear it of the haze of the tea, and not the sudden light. No, his eyes are perfect for being able to see even through the harshest, brightest days. He just needs a bit of time to recover from being drugged.

~~Again~~.]

Let us see what's in store for us, hm? [X'rhun levers himself up and out of the chair, looking about the room to see what's changed...

Seeing nothing, he makes a circuit around instead, checking the shadows-- until he passes the door by, and his shadow lines up with it. Immediately it seems to take a life of its own, one hand reaching out to touch the doorknob. And stays that way, especially as X'rhun pauses and looks up at his companion in mild alarm.]

I am not imagining that, am I?

[ against his better judgment, he's darting quickly after x'rhun, staying out of the line of his shadow so as not to overcast it with his own. ]

I'm gonna go with... definitely not, unless it's a mutual hallucination.

Mutual hallucinations might as well be true, my friend.

[His tail relaxes slightly, taking on a slight curve near the end to show his interest.

And he does exactly as his shadow is attempting to portray, taking the knob in hand and turning it.]

Once more unto the breach! [Cheerful as you please, and he pulls the door open-- and hopes it's a hallway and not some other terrible room.]

[ okay that's fair, but luke is still annoyed by him pointing it out!!!! and it shows plainly on his expression. he's distracted a second later by the door opening anyway and - wow that doesn't seem like a good omen at all. ]

Tell me that's a chess term. [ bc they're both gonna need to brush up. ]

[More mindgames.

X'rhun sighs. All he wants to do is just return to his house and sleep for days.]

No, no it is not. [He drags his hands through his mane, ruffling up the fur there even more.] Are you adverse to violence? For I don't see like playing games at the moment, especially not one as intensive as this.

[He knows how to play chess, but... He doesn't like their odds when the board and its pieces are large, and there are two open spots on one end, and none on the other. They don't even have an opponent on the other side, so who or what would they be playing against?

Everything about this scenario does not sit right with the Miqo'te.]</small.

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