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td005

Test Drive 005

WELCOME TO ATERAT

Here is our Fifth Test Drive Meme! There are a lot of areas of the city to explore, so please have a look around! In case you need a little help getting started, I've included a few prompts below, or feel free to start your own! Exploration and player initiative are the names of the game here!

Helpful Links to Get Started

Arrival & General Information | Setting & Bestiary | Locales & Businesses | Residences & Housing Info | Rules & FAQ (ask questions here!)

I. Crash Into Me

Not exactly, but close enough. You have just arrived and received a strange satchel from a tiny, strange little man and are left more or less to your own devices (more information on what to expect upon arrival can be found here)! Follow directions to the north and check out the housing, or maybe have a look around the Historium and try to get some information from that giant glowing ball, see what you can waste your meager starter coin on in the Market District, or maybe just meet the neighbors.

II. What Goes Bump in the Night

It looks like Aterat proper has a spirit problem. Maybe you're seeing specters, hearing disembodied voices, your windows rattle when there's no breeze outside. Maybe there are cold spots in your place of business (or your apartment, which is so much worse). Either way, you're 100% convinced you're haunted. Hopefully, someone else believes you, or maybe you're used to feeling crazy.

III. A Mean, Green Mother from where now?

There's a pollen problem in the city, and by that we mean it's everywhere. Yellowish green pollen seems to be caked-on everything with the misfortune of being outside, whether it's windows, banisters, carts, you name it. If it's outside for a duration of time, it's a free game to have a layer of dust settled upon it, and it plays havoc on anyone who breathes it in. Allergic to pollen? Your allergies are horrible. Not allergic, well, you might just have the sniffles anyway, and another problem. You seem to be completely unable to tell a lie. Not only that, but you feel the overwhelming need to tell people things you'd usually keep to yourself. Maybe you like to put cream in your coca-cola (you monster) or maybe you've done something terrible and you really need to get it off your chest either in person or over the network.

IV. Try the Network

The Tell-Phone allows for text, video, and audio transmissions to everyone else who has one. Give it a whirl!

V. Wildcard

The above prompts are all options, and there's much more to the setting than what they provide. Do your best (or your worst)!

Navigation

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Really? Nida rolled his eyes, his foot slipping under the table to find the leg of Jacob's chair and nudge it. Don't be like that, man. Don't ever be like that.

"Do not suggest he's better and happy. Yuki is sad, and driven and refusing to let himself be lonely. And I want my student happy. So, what you're going to do is you're going to go to Aerith's flower shop, you're going to find a small evergreen plant, and you're going to give it to him as an opening gift. He's been working with some really tall blue lady to make a greenhouse to help orphans and the like in the city. Clearly the two are interested in plants. You're going to get a table somewhere nice and take him to dinner. And you're not going to pull any of this 'I'm not interested in men' bullshit, right?"

Because his student doesn't deserve that wishy washy approach. Nida cared for Yuki deeply. His student was so good to him, and patient with the fact that Nida wasn't a good person, not fully.

But hell, if he was older, he might have seen Yuki as a younger brother. But he doesn't know how to be a good big brother. Protecting people, though, that was something he was prone to. Nida moved Hibiscus to the floor and the chicobo went to her basket by the heater.

"You both deserve to smile, Jacob. Though my final rule is this: you don't stay out too late. I don't need Yuki getting hurt protecting you when you get jumped in the street. Again. Seriously, man, he will try and protect you, and seeing as I've given him a new sword recently, I'm hoping he doesn't have to blood it so soon."

Jacob grunted as a sharp toe found its way into his shin. "Come on! Was that really called for?" He sat up a little straighter, if only so that Nida would have to work harader to kick him again.

His hazel eyes darkened, tinting a dark blue around his irises. "Number 1." He held up a finger to make sure he captured his old friend's attention. "I've changed since then okay and I had asked Yuki out before I disappeared. I was already over it." His voice was harsher than he meant for it to be. His temper was a more recent addition to his personality and this topic hit too close to home for Jacob. Yuki wasn't the only one who had experienced heartache.

"Number 2." His voice lightened slightly. "I'll pick a better plant." Only because he wanted to find something that he picked because that made those kinds of gestures more special. "Number 3." Another finger went up. "I'm not as weak as I was before. I'm not going to let anyone hurt me or Yuki." There was definitely a fierceness in Jacob's attitude that wasn't there before but he was betting that Nida would make him put his money where his mouth is.

"Finally. It's up to me and Yuki. I'll talk to him." Yuki had a choice. No matter what he might be feeling, Jacob wanted to respect that.

After a second of silence, Jacob stood up. He hated feeling like he wasn't being given a choice. That had happened too many times in his life.

He paced in a short circle, his palm coming to rest on the back of his neck, his thumb rubbing at a two-inch scar just below his shoulder. "And here, I was hoping you'd train me again." It felt like Nida had a student and it wasn't him anymore. It didn't bother him but he felt like Nida was making a joke out of him. He'd been so stupid the last time he'd been in the city but he hadn't had to think of that version of himself for over a year. He really wished he had a cigarette.

Well now that was some fire, and Nida met it all with a smile, unshaken by it. Something told him that if he delved into whatever magic is in Jacob, he'd fine fire spells, like with his own husband. And that made him glad.

Yuki deserved fire and passion.

"I was suggesting an evergreen because it's coming up on winter and the plant will survive the winter better, but do what you will. Including telling off anyone who would question you. Me especially."

With that he rose, tucking his hands behind his back in a posture that spoke only of military attention. And he was smiling.

"I know it might not mean anything coming from me, Jacob, but I'm proud of who you've become. There's so much strength and confidence in you now that wasn't always there before. I remember a man who questioned himself in relation to his family and the strength and weight of them. And what I see now is a man that is confident in who he is."

Though he smiled and tilted his head to Jacob, clearly taking note of the greater build the man had, not even fitting in Nida's coat.

"Looks like someone's already taken to training you. I'm not sure if my help would hinder you or not. But if you want a sparring partner, or to learn a new weapon, I'd be honored to have you back with me. Though I'll say this: I'll probably discourage you and Yuki from training at the same time. I've taught young people in love before. Sometimes they hurt themselves trying to impress each other, or they get distracted. I can do better by you both if you two are willing to agree to that, at least until Yuki gets to the point of skill where I trust him against someone else while he's holding live steel."

Because his healing magic only went so far, and he didn't want people hurt because he couldn't keep discipline. And it wouldn't be their fault. It was easy to get distracted when you watched someone you card for getting that... intensely physical.

Jacob was taken off guard. He was ready to fight Nida or be annoyed at his presumptions but Nida didn't offer him the resistance that he was used to. It almost sounded like he was agreeing with him.

It was weird.

He relaxed his stance as much as he could but he was too on edge to relax completely. His training was informal compared to Nida's but it allowed him to not die when facing creatures and superhumans more powerful than he was. Running was a very special skill and Jacob had to learn to run before he could learn to fight.

"Sure. We can spar." His eyes dropped briefly to the ground before looking back up at Nida. "I get it. I don't mind. I don't think Yuki's been on a battlefield like that. It's different. It took me a while to get used to it." Jacob exhaled and shook his head. "I hope Yuki doesn't have to see that or know what it's like." It changed people and one of the things that he liked about Yuki was the young man's softness. A softness that disappeared after watching those you care about get hurt or die.

There was another brief pause before he smirked. "I honestly expected you to fight with me about this."

It's still weird.

Better that they didn't fight. Nida wouldn't want Hibiscus hurt by accident. But he definitely knows what Jacob means, and his face fell. Yeah, he understood. Oh god, Jacob got it now about the fighting and the horrors of it. And Nida's heart ached for him.

"I think I see part of why you've grown, and I grieve that you had to see that. I was raised for war. You fell into it. And we both agree Yuki should never have to deal with that. But I'll do whatever is needed to teach him to protect himself, and whatever you want to keep you capable of it as well. Have you learned any weapons?"

Fighting, no, it wasn't happening. Nida relaxed his stance and moved to the fire to lift up the pot pie and set it aside.

"If there's one thing I've learned over my years, it's the value of conviction. The strength of the heart, and fire."

His fingers moved lightly to his wrist, stroking it. He no longer wore all the bracelets. He'd tried to become more than that man, and he can see the way one reached to be more and be more alive.

"Convictions matter. Passion matters. Being alive rather than being a soldier matters. Why would I judge you for that?"

He shrugged and shoved his hands into his pockets. There was a lot that he didn't want to talk about, not because he couldn't but because they were painful topics and they didn't really need to be said.

"I learned swords but like rapiers and daggers. Not anything too big." It was easier for him to wield lighter weapons. "Guns too but they probably aren't as readily available." He didn't have any of his stuff since he'd dropped it before his arrival at the city. If he'd known he would have kept it on him. "I'm still horrible with staff's if you're up to help me with that." He'd probably have an easier time learning now.

Jacob almost laughed. "Yeah. I get it. Alright." It made sense to him and the conversation was now getting too mushy for him.

"Being alive is hard." But it didn't look like Jacob was as ready to blend into the background as he had been before.

"If you want daggers, you should butter up my husband. My sword work is with a long sword, it's what I'm teaching Yuki. So from me it's back to the tanbo or to the polearm. Maybe some hand to hand."

That said, he could spar against daggers. The advantages to hanging out with his husband after all.

Nida reached for some plates and cut into the pie to take slices out for himself and Jacob. Yes, he's being fed with warm food. Period. Take it because his husband had taught him a lot about hospitality.

"Being alive is one of the hardest things I choose every single day."

"Same." He commiserated the thought before taking the slice of pie. Jacob was many things but he wasn't rude and he never turned down free food.

"I might ask Ignis about daggers and maybe cooking lessons." He was a horrible cook and an old fashion part of him wanted to be able to make a homemade meal for Yuki. Not that he thought that things would go that well but his mind wasn't under his control and that's what it choose to think about.

"I know some hand to hand. Usually when I lose my weapon's I've been told to run. You know, werewolves aren't as easy to fight when it's claws against fists." Jacob was very realistic about his limitations.

"Good," Nida said. "He'd like more people to help with cooking. ANd he's been willing to help with your training before."

The whole sparring with Ignis in front of Jacob had been a thing. And Nida had enjoyed it. But the guy should learn from someone who understood.

"I'm not Zell, I can't teach you to punch hard enough to make even a dragon flinch. And I don't know what a werewolf is. But I'll do all I can. This place hasn't gotten fully better. Ignis helped hunt down a giant killer plant recently."

"Killer plant?" Jacob scrunched up his face in an attempt to imagine what that might look like. In the end, he could only picture a cartoon dandelion with a large mouth with pointy teeth. It was more comical than scary. "Not sure I want to know about that one."

Though he'd likely look into it later. He didn't have to know everything right away.

"I'll ask Ignis. Though I have a feeling he doesn't live in the same place if you guys are married. Maybe you could point it out to me?" He'd rather ask Ignis himself and also say hello. It's been a long time since he'd had a chance to talk to Ignis.

"You really don't want to. I was just glad my love came back to me whole," Nida answered with a shrug. Especially as their wedding occurred after that.

But he was definitely grinning at the other observation.

"We got a house, so you're right. We're not staying in each other's apartments now. I'll have to make a map. The lodge is a good place to find him too. And I'll let him know you're back."

Because Nida was happy when people he cared about were hanging out.

"Thanks. I'll make sure to find him." He paused and looked down at the jacket he was wearing. "After I get winter clothes." It'd be silly to continue going around shirtless or in Nida's jacket, which obviously didn't fit.

He also had to find Yuki.

"There's a lot to do." It was a little overwhelming but Jacob was good at taking things one at a time. "First. I'll finish this pie." Which was the next thing he was going to focus on.

Well Nida had to laugh at that observation. Yeah, Jacob needed that, a lot. Nida wished he could help.

"You better finish the pie, or I'm telling on you to Ignis. You don't want that. He has this look when people return a plate untouched. I'll be scared fo ryou."

The pie was finished before he was able to answer. It was really good so he hadn't been able to stop eating after taking his first bite.

"That sounds scarier than the plant monster." Ignis was a good guy but he was also quiet. You never wanted to get a quiet guy angry.

Good. Very good. Nida had a more leisurely pace to his eating. He was more used to his husband's masterful work. A task he hoped his lover took more pride and joy in these days.

"Oh, very much so. He can kick my ass sometimes. It's scary."

"I remember that sparing session." It was scary but it'd been interesting. "I don't think I can win against him either." That didn't mean that Jacob wasn't going to try but Ignis had been fighting much longer than he had.

"Think I can get a map before I try and find a place to buy a jacket? I can return this to you after that." He really didn't want to go out in the cold without a shirt again.

Nida laughed at the memory of the one Jacob would have seen. There had been FAR more intense ones more recently than that, mostly because they could get away with it, having no audience. And Nida came out on top sometimes. It was nice to just know he could hold his own.

"Yeah, I've been fighting since I was younger than Ignis, but that doesn't mean I had the drive he did. I'm more like a fine wine. I get better at all I do with age. A late bloomer. His drive... Damn."

There was nothing that could compare for the drive his husband had, and Nida was awed every time that drive was turned to Nida's own betterment.

"Yeah, hold on, let me sketch this out," he said, rising to go to the desk and pull out some paper. The good news was that, among his other skills, maps was something he'd been trained in, so he soon had a very passable one to hand over. "Here, this place will have shirts and coats. Not winter yet, I think you'll want something else for that. Leather maybe. Oh, but they do scarves sometimes. If you can't afford it tell the guy there, Rhy, that he can put it on the Scientia tab, and you can just repay us when you can afford it. If I'm not in here when you come back, just leave it with the other guy."

"Thanks." He calmly followed Nida, watching as his hands skillfully marked the paper. It was a straightforward map with clear directions to where he needed to go. "I didn't know you were so good at this." It wasn't surprising but another facet of his old friend. It was comforting to know that there were still things they could learn about each other. Even if Jacob has changed, things were the same.

Jacob appeared calm but his thoughts were turbulent. There were a lot of things he wanted to do but it felt as if he had an unknown set time limit. He didn't know when he would be taken away again and he didn't want things to go like they had last time. He had been thinking about what he wanted to do at the fountain but he didn't have an answer. The best he could do now was start tackling things one by one.

He studied the sketch when it was done before sliding it into his pocket. He'd go see the tailor to grab a jacket and maybe see if the guy had a way to fix his shirt. Then he'd go back to thinking.

Well of course he didn't know Nida was good at this. The older man chuckled and let him take the map.

"What good is hiring a spy if they can't report back with accurate intel and scouting information?" He asked with a smile and a shrug. These days he owned what he was a lot more. Much to Yuki's clear displeasure.

"That's true." Jacob assumed that Nida had been good at his job. Otherwise, he wouldn't have lived as long as he had. "It comes in handy."

He looked towards the little chocobo and felt himself smiling before heading towards the door. "Thank's. I'll make sure to come by soon and let Ignis know." It would be obvious to Nida that Jacob's mind was elsewhere.

Oh his mind was clearly elsewhere, and that left him warm inside. Jacob had something he needed to do quite eagerly and that meant people he had cared about here.

"Go, go. When you're more settled in I will find time to collect you for training at the house."

"Sounds good." Jacob lifted his left hand as he opened the door with his right. "Thanks Again."

He grinned and then slipped out of the guardhouse, closing the door gently behind him.

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