ateratooc | TD006

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test drive

TD006

Test Drive 006

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. When the Carnival Came to Town?

Take a look at the prompts from our latest event and go to town (or the carnival).

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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"A truck ride." And that's when it occurred to him to look.

"Did you forget your sword again Soldier?" Like that one time, but Angeal isn't sure he really wants the answer to this question.

Oh come on, Angeal, give him a break. Zack sighed, arms crossing over his chest like he's about to complain to his mentor while the guy tells him something he needs to improve upon for an upcoming mission.

"Didn't forget it. Just didn't exactly get a chance to pack up coming here. But it's okay. Guy I left it with, I know he's going to carry it well.

"So you gave it away." Angeal replied carefully. And he wondered, but it didn't really matter. Zack was here now and he'd look after him just as he always had.

His head shook. "Well I'm sure you've been assigned a place, by the looks of the satchel you've got. I can show you to it and we can grab a bite to eat if you're hungry. And there's someone I want you to meet."

"No," Zack said, his voice firm. He's had years to mature, and perhaps it's that more than anything that can let him meet Angeal's gaze without shame. He's grown, Angeal. He's not a pup anymore. Hell, as they stand here in this moment they're practically of an age.

Fuck, that hurt more than Zack knew how to deal with to face. If what he'd calculated after escaping Nibelheim was right...

Maybe it was the fate of the First Class to die young?

"You know me, I'm always down for a meal. Blame the mako infusions." Granted because of their infusions they could also go longer than most without a meal, but damn he got hungry. "Alright, show me around then. Not like there's much harm to it."

"I see." Angeal replied softly. Well at least Zack was here with him even if he should be home. "But alright. Let's get going and I'll show you around so you know where to go and how to get there."

He still had some of the coins from when he arrived and he knew it would be more than enough to get their meals out of the way.

"There's a tavern in town not too far from here, so we'll start there."

Weren't they both going to be shocked to find Cloud here and with their blade. That was going to be a whole thing. But for now, well, he's just glad to see his mentor again. Even if it makes him less certain about the whole 'not the Lifestream' thing.

He had theories, they seemed fair, and he hated them. But if the two people he cared about were safe, then he supposed he could deal with it.

"You buying? I'm fresh enough off the train that I don't have any work lined up yet."

Open your bag, Zack, geez.

"I offered right? That means I'm buying, so don't worry about it. Save what you have for a sword because if the rumours are true about the Tonberries you're going to need one. I have it on good authority there's a damn good weapon smith in town. But food first, and we can catch up while we eat."

He was so used to taking care of Zack it was almost second nature. Even if he was unsure as to how his pup had made it here.

Well he won't say no to a meal. It would be nice actually. And the added benefit of not being the big gun in town would be pleasant too. Well, not hun. He's be happy to never have to snipe again in his life.

"And I'm guessing they aren't the sort of Tonberries you can befriend."

Angeal shook his head. "I haven't run into any myself but I'm sure that's a bad idea Zack. And truth be told, I really only got here a week or two ago myself. But I was told that this place wants you to exist and go about your life. That's kind of a tall order when you've only been Soldier pretty much all of it."

He really had no idea what to do with it.

"It's quite deplorable, is it not? Though, the true villain in it all was Shido. Akechi certainly did unforgiveable things, but Shido was Akechi's father. He left Akechi's mother and she died not long after." She shook her head and put her hands to her chest as a frown took her expression. If Shido hadn't left, or if he had at least acknowledged his own son, would things have been different for him? "He was used. Though...he still made his own choices." And those choices had resulted in the murder of her own father, which had thrown her own world into a storm that she had not been certain she could weather. After all of that it was probably quite strange that she still felt conflicted about how she should feel towards Akechi. There was no love for him, there wasn't even forgiveness precisely, but there was...sympathy. Finally, she looked up at him and forced a smile that still had sadness in it. "I am glad I could at least give you some comfort then! I doubt any of us expected to find ourselves saving Japan, but I am proud we were able to do so." It was probably more accurate to say they saved the world, but that was an even more complicated story to explain. Who would guess things could get more complicated?

"It can be quite difficult to bring yourself out of a mindset like that. I found, after my fathers death, that it was rather difficult to stop my thoughts from wandering to all the mystery surrounding it. I can only imagine how hard it must have been for you here alone." At least back home she had the others contacting her to check in. Even when she had not responded she had greatly appreciated how much they had shown their concern for her. Had she been completely alone she had no idea what she would have done. She certainly would have never found the strength to pull herself out of the sinking feeling that had overtaken her. She followed behind him with quick but short delicate steps and then gave him a more enthusiastic smile. "I know I am probably not quite the friend you would want here, but you're certainly not alone now!"

She nodded as he spoke. Well, at least it was not completely different to his dorms back home. "Ah, so privacy is a bit of a problem?" That was a shame. "I hope you were not held responsible for that!" It seemed like that was more their fault than his, but then again they were children....

"It's not that bad of an idea," Zack insisted. "I definitely made friends with one once. So it'd come sometimes when I was in trouble and stab things for me."

Let it never be said that Zack's limit break was in any form sane. Being able to copy other people's techniques when in high stress situations was a very odd thing indeed.

"A week or two is more time than I've had I guess. And it's not like you've got that much on me. I did leave home a decade ago, Angeal."

Though he had spent some years in a test tube.

Angeal just rolled his eyes sideways at Zack and sighed. "I really don't think they're to be trusted here." He was just as cautious as ever but it made him smile because Zack hadn't changed.

The former First looked over at his pup and had to laugh a little even as he mentally did the math presented to him. "Let's just focus on getting food. When was the last time you even ate?"

Well… Now that left Yusuke with a rather complicated feeling concerning Akechi, if his expression were anything to go by as he took that detail in. It was hard to not draw parallels all things considered… It was wrong, what the self-proclaimed detective had done, of course. Truly horrible, and not something to be forgiven, since the decision to go down that path had been his. But… It was hard to not wonder at the similarities to their history. Had he not found the support and friendship in the phantom thieves when he found out the truth of his own mother’s death, would he have potentially traversed a similar path? He couldn’t say, of course. Hypothetical musings were only that… But still, it was a terribly sad thing to realize. “All the better that he was stopped, then. To allow such terrible deeds to continue to be done would be a tragedy.” And it was that which he kept in mind, at least. A small comfort to know that whatever specifics he was going back to, they at least put an end to such a horrible plot.

He nodded slightly, his tone sympathetic at the thought of how her thoughts had wandered on the subject of her father’s death. It would be terrible to be trapped in such things. He only hoped that they had at least offered some comfort and help after everything was said or done. That the group had pulled together for her in support as they had for other members, himself included, before. “The mind has a terrible way of forcing itself down roads and remaining on them.“ He shook his head slightly, before he quickly realized she was feeling a bit bad about her not being a recognizable friend. While it was true, it was sad to have met someone he didn’t know compared to those he’d already met… It wasn’t the worst! No friend could have shown up here at all, after all. And she was right. Neither of them were alone here, thanks to the other, at least. “Oh! Please don’t say such a thing. While it may be true, I don’t know you well yet… You are still a member of the Phantom Thieves and a future friend. That truly means something, after all!” She still knew him and clearly was familiar enough with him to consider him a friend. That meant that they would at least be in good company, and perhaps they would not be the only ones either, over time.

“A small one, yes… But I suppose that is to be expected, all things considered. Though there are one or two who are a little more polite and mannerly. Even a young girl who has an interest in painting! I’ve allowed her to use my canvases on occasion.” He responded with a light gesture, sounding pleased. Sure it meant he needed to buy… more supplies and canvases… But who was Yusuke to discourage a budding artist? “I suppose I was scolded lightly for not being mindful of the fact that little feet would be running around, something about being an example for the young… But that was the extent of it, after I promised to try to be careful.” Main word there? Try. It did not mean he would succeed, and it wasn’t as though he chose that place to stay. They had eventually had to make peace with the idea that the teen was a bit of a mess in general. “But I believe you’ll like the gray building’s lodgings. I’ve heard they’re quite nice, and have everything one needs to start out. Even some oddly powered small kitchen appliances!”

"Maybe you just don't know how to befriend them," Zack countered. "Maybe they have their own sense of honor."

Still, he wanted to roll his eyes at not being taken seriously. Oh well. Angeal would never get it.

"Uh... days ago probably. Was saving the supplies for Spike."

She nodded firmly but with a weight of sadness that would be impossible for Haru to hide even had she tried. "Indeed." They may not have been able to change the terrible events that had unfolded, but at the very least they had been able to prevent anything further from transpiring. That was quite an accomplishment in her own mind.

"You always have such an impressive way of describing things." And saying that the mind had a terrible way of forcing itself down roads was perfect for how she had felt in regards to her father's death and the situation surrounding it. "No matter how hard you try to avoid thinking about something painful the mind seems to find a way to create..." mmmm, what word would best describe that...? "...roadblocks that push you back to it." Yes, that did seem to work! She looked down though, seemingly not entirely comforted by his attempt to reassure her that he wasn't too disappointed. Unfortunately, Haru had quite the habit of being well...very hard on herself to put it lightly. "Thank you, that is very kind of you. I'm sure we can over come the challenges here."

She looked up and smiled. "Ah, that's lovely that you've found yourself a little apprentice!" That is what she took from that. "I see, well, I am sure it will be more than adequate for me. Though....I must admit I will be a bit worried about you."

Yuffie wasn't expecting to run into yet another person she recognized but that was exactly what happened when her head collided with Zack's shoulder, sending her tumbling to the ground.

"Whaaaa?!" She fell hard on the stone walkway with a loud thump. "What kind of person just stands in the middle of the road?!"

Yuffie looked up and froze. Was this some weird dream?

"Z-zack?!"

Youch, someone running into him? Seriously rude. Zack stumbles ahead just a step, not much, it took a lot more than being caught off guard to overwhelm the mako infusions and the like. But damn, when he turned he wasn't expecting that face.

It looked... familiar. Sorta? Huh, how weird was that? She kinda looked like this kid he once knew. At Fort Tamblin. And then... Fuck, the spam emails from Treasure Princes, then claiming to be anonymous repeatedly.

"Yuffie? Damn, you got taller. I think. Maybe? Or maybe you just look bigger when you're not in a huge city."

"Hey!" She sprung to her feet, standing at the daunting height of 5 feet even. "I'm not short! If anything you're freakishly tall! I bet I'm even older than you now!" It wasn't a competition except that Yuffie couldn't help but fall back into old habits when confronted by old friends.

Was he a friend?

He was the closest thing she had to a friend until meeting Cloud and everyone.

"What are you doing here anyway? Is there a spiky hair convention I don't know about?"

Yeah, very daunting to the guy that has more than a foot on her. Geez, still had that energy too, didn't she?

"Oh, do you now? You look, what, fifteen?"

Of course he's got a teasing grin on his face, the same he'd use for Cissnei.

"What am I doing here? Damn, that's a question I wanna know too. Was on my way back to Midgar with a friend of mine and then... well, I'm here now. No convention I know of though."

"I'm nineteen!" How dare he call her a child! She was short but she didn't think she looked that young. At least it wasn't like when she was a child... meeting Zack was a time in her life that she tried not to think about. It was SO embarrassing.

"It's literally been years since I saw you." It's been almost a decade.

"Oh." Shit. "Right. Yeah that's the thing, isn't it? I showed up here like that. It's sorta all over the timeline or some sort of nonsense." Yuffie wanted to pout but she was truly happy to see Zack.

"Still so young," he said, trying to keep smiling. Nineteen. She'd been, what, maybe nine or ten when they met? She's grown more than he has. He wasn't expecting that.

He doesn't know what to do with that.

"I mean, in my defense, I was sorta lying low for a while there," he said, rubbing the back of his head. Because, you know, uh, he wasn't going to admit just how that was? Because she was Wutaian, and would LIKELY point out that yeah, her people had been right, ShinRa evil and all that.

Yuffie hated being treated like a child. A part of her knew that Zack was teasing her but that didn't matter, it continued to bother her. No matter how hard she tried she wasn't taken seriously... then again... running into him as she had certainly didn't help either.

"I noticed." She was almost a stalker though in most cases she got her target to come to her. "Do you want to ask me how Wutai is now? Because we kicked ShinRa out and it finally doesn't suck anymore." She hasn't been home in a while but she checked in from time to time to make sure that they weren't having any trouble in the re-development.

Noticed huh? Zack had to grin. Was she part of the fanclub? He hoped not. Especially after that sad email about them disbanding.

"You did, huh? Good for you guys. Bet you did a lot of the work for that, Yuffie. Pretty proud of you," he said with a smile. It's easier to talk about that. "I'm sorry, you know, for all we did. Soldier and all of that."

"That's right. I did. So you deserve all the shin kicks back then!" She thought about it and then flashed him a mischievous grin. "And you know what, you owe me now. So take me to get something to eat. They gave you money when you arrived right? You should have enough."

She had no shame.

"Yeah, and I totally deserved you using me as a gopher too. And stealing my stuff," he argues. Before he pauses, thinks, and points a finger at her. "I may owe you, but you can't have any of my stuff. I need that money to get established. I don't even have a weapon."

Of course he hadn't come with his sword. It wasn't his anymore.

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