Test Drive Meme #1

[fernwehmods]

Welcome to Fernweh's Test Drive Meme! Do you have an interest in joining the game? Need to make sure the setting works for you and your character first? Or have you made the decision to join the game and need fresh samples for your application? Whatever the reason, feel free to use the scenarios however you wish.

You know what to do! If you don’t, just follow the instructions.

How To Play:

→ Comment with the character you would like to test drive (duplicates are allowed)
→ Choose a scenario or start your own
→ Tag around
→ Have fun!

SCENARIOS

01. Arrival

You have been sitting and staring at the sign above you for some time now, lost in a blur of swirling questions that seems to start with how you ended up there; in a place (and time, maybe) that you know you weren't an hour earlier. Or maybe you're an old hand at this by now and you've figured out that this is simply another stop that the multiverse bus has made. So why not get off and look around a little?

At any rate, the sign points you towards the direction of a place called "Gazin", which looks like a decent-sized town from where you stand. There has to be someone who can explain.

02. Around Town

So, you've settled in. Well, mostly. At least you know where things are without taking too many wrong turns and ending up in the less desirable areas of town. But now you can go about your day. Visit the market, check out the local shops or have a drink with a new friend at one of several inns.

03. Exploring

You've heard people talk about some pretty interesting places and now you're itching to get out and find them. Be careful though, there are creatures and monsters out there that will be pretty interested in meeting you and may wish to have you for its next meal. Better take someone along. And maybe some weapons, too. Make sure one is made of silver.

04. Monsters

So, you managed to find that location you were looking for. Good for you! Only.. it seems you've also found one of the native creatures to the area and you now face to face with it. Um. Good luck! We'll see you when you get back!

Hopefully.

05. Celebration

It won't take long for you to figure out that people of Gazin are, all in all, pretty happy people. It shows, too, when a seemingly quiet evening suddenly bursts into a random, impromptu party to celebrate whatever good fortune has touched a person. Name Days, good harvests, betrothals, weddings, or just life in general.

Sing, dance, drink and be happy, too!

06. Wild Card!

Want something else? Feel free to choose your own adventure or mix and match to create something completely different!

NAVIGATION

Comments

Arrival

[jiangzaid]

Xue Yang shakes his head when the sign registers, tipping his head after a moment to cast a bemused look at it before hearing a familiar sweet voice ask someone a question.

A voice that he's only heard in rare dreams, in memories. His chest tightens and ever so slowly, he turns, eyes wide and lips parted in disbelief. A barrage of emotion flash over his face before settling on pure joy.

He all-but skips over to Xiao Xingchen's side as he all but leaps on this dream.

"Aaah, Daozhang! There you are!" He all but shoves the other person away as he latches onto Xingchen's arm. "Let's go to town, it's not far!"

[inwhite]

Xiao Xingchen is blissfully unaware of the yeeting that just happened in front of him. But he does still hear something that sounds like a stumble.

"Did someone fall? Shouldn't we help them first?"

Maybe he should focus on his own problems first, but. Xiao Xingchen. And that isn't to say that he's not relieved to hear the familiar voice beside him, paying no mind to the hold on his arm either. All of that is a little telling.

"Is this not a different town? How did we get here?"

The thought that he had, it was so quick and abstract that Xiao Xingchen barely remembers it.

[jiangzaid]

He frowns at the concerned question, then turns an angry and dangerous stare at the person he'd flung away even as he reaches out to help the man up. He even brushes dust off them!

"He's fine, Daozhang! Aren't you, Sir?" No hint of threat in his voice, but if looks could kill...And the hapless man immediately claims to be perfectly fine as he backs away, earning the approving (sharp) smile from Xue Yang.

But his attention is already right back to Xingchen, and the threat vanishes as if it was never there in the first place. Go with the dream, he decides. Reality doesn't matter.

"We decided to go to another town, don't you remember?" He pitches his tone to utter bewilderment and concern, right hand moving to rest on Xingchen's arm.

[inwhite]

"I don't remember that at all."

He waits for a laugh to follow, because his companion has always had a sense of humor. He finds it funny too, even if it's at his expense most of the time. It makes things interesting, and he wouldn't have much of that without him.

Instead, the man continues to insist that what he says actually happened, and that's more troubling.

"I don't." Xiao Xingchen repeats the words softly, almost to himself before raising his head again. "What about A-Qing. Did she come with us?"

[jiangzaid]

The laugh is delayed a beat too long, he realizes too late. Out of practice.

Xue Yang mercilessly shoves aside the old jealousy that appears when Xingchen asks after the little blind girl. This is just how this righteous, naive man is.

"I'm teasing you, Daozhang!"

His tone sobers just a little then, gaze staying firmly on the other man. "I don't know how we got here." Another beat. "I only see us." True, but he hasn't bothered looking for her yet either.

[inwhite]

It should be a relief to know that he's not losing his mind, that he hasn't forgotten something as important as up and moving to another town without the blind girl. But the alternative to it all isn't exactly reassuring.

He clings to the familiar sounds of that voice and laughter. Of course it would be a little delayed, not as quick to spring from his companion's lips as it would normally be. He's obviously a little upset about it all too.

Xiao Xingchen reaches over to give his arm a squeeze. There's a silent comfort in the gesture.

"Then we should find these things out, and then a place to stay for the night."

[jiangzaid]

Only one thing matters to Xue Yang anymore.

Xiao Xingchen.

And he can see this strange situation disturbs this innocent, sweet man. Then his mind goes blank when a gentle hand settles on his arm to squeeze in reassurance. Attempt at comfort...? Anyone who can see would see the clash of confusion and blinding joy at the simple touch.

Would also, probably, be confused by the almost gentle smile when Xue Yang covers the hand with one of his. "Then come on. The sign says Gazin, and is pointing to a town."

He doesn't feel like letting go, so doesn't. He latches onto the hand and gives it a tug to lead Xingchen along the path, marveling that he hasn't been struck yet. Has Xingchen lost his memory of their last day together?

Asking would only upset him again. And he does not want that.

[inwhite]

Gazin. Xiao Xingchen has wandered to a lot of places, but none by that name. He sighs, hoping that A-Qing's cleverness will keep her safe and well until they're able to return.

Naturally, he's assuming that the man beside him feels the same.

He also lets him hold on to him. Clearly he's just trying to guide him and make sure that he doesn't stumble over any obstacles in their path. (He never does. Xiao Xingchen still walks with the same grace that he did when he could see. He's learned how to adapt.) As for his memory of their last day together, that's still very clear in Xiao Xingchen's head:

His friend had just left to pick up some fresh produce.

"We should look for others from our world as well. If this happened to us, it could've happened to them."

[jiangzaid]

Xue Yang does indeed make sure to keep Xingchen on the path, but it's not why he's holding on. One mistake. He doesn't want to make it ever again, and that clearly means he must pay more attention to Xingchen!

And avoid anyone familiar. Another dream. Borrowed time.

He doesn't hurry them along, or swing their arms between them. Just a rather gentle hold, that would none-the-less be difficult to break before he's willing.

He knows the answer before he asks it, but figures it's expected of him. "If you could choose, who would you bring here, Daozhang?"

[inwhite]

After a moment of thought and a name on his tongue, Xiao Xingchen shakes his head.

"It doesn't matter who I would choose, not unless also chose to come here."

He would very much choose to continue watching over A-Qing, but it wouldn't be right for him to wish her here and away from the world she knows. If she could wish herself, that would be a different story.

He doesn't consider Song Lan at all, but not out of anger or hurt. He's simply honoring his friend's wish to never see him again.

"Are you really okay with being here? You almost sound happy."

[jiangzaid]

Xue Yang watches, expectant, then blinks when the name is left unsaid. It confuses him.

But then...

There's still a fair bit about Xiao Xingchen that surprises him. Reaches him, in ways he'd never thought still exist.

The laugh surprised out of him is short, maybe a little sharper than the usual ones he lets out around Xingchen. He could lie. He could just...not answer.

Instead, his gaze lowers to the path before them.

"...You're here, Daozhang." Quiet. Simple.

Painfully.

Honest.

Baring himself like that, even with Xiao Xingchen, sits uneasily in his chest. But he can't take it back.

[inwhite]

Xiao Xingchen stops walking. He doesn't know that the man by his side is the liar Xue Yang. But then he's been given enough honesty along the way to throw him off the scent.

But never like this. He sounds so impossibly young and innocent in his vulnerability. He can't not have a reaction to that.

"You have stayed with me all this time." He doesn't know why. Xiao Xingchen expected him to heal and be gone, because life with the blind isn't easy. But he never did, and loyalty like that, without blood or clans is everything that Xiao Xingchen embraces. "And I will stay with you until the day you no longer want me."

[jiangzaid]

He stops when Xingchen does, but is wary to watch the other's face. He does anyways, even if he's said too much.

Xue Yang ends up staring at Xiao Xingchen in mute surprise for a long moment. But then he chuckles quietly, shoulders shaking a little. And he squeezes the hand he holds. Tilting his head, he watches the other man for a moment more.

"That day will never come, Daozhang."

He'd tried so hard to bring this man back. And now, here he is. No memory of the last truths he'd learned.