TD006

[ateratmods]

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

Comments

[haruine]

"Odd creatures? Oh! I can't wait to see them!" Odd creatures were right up her alley as well. While some may disagree, Haru was firmly in the camp that insisted that quite a lot of the shadows they encountered were rather cute. Now that he'd mentioned odd creatures she found herself rather excited. A number of different thoughts, pulled both from games she'd played and shadows they'd encountered, came to her mind as she tried to imagine what they might look like. Hopefully she'd run into some soon! If not perhaps she could find out where they were located and seek them out...

She shook her head a bit too fervently at his question. "Not you!" She blushed lightly and looked down with a slightly awkward expression. "Ryuji did have a habit of bringing up how formally I spoke though." And, again, she really couldn't blame him. She knew she did text with quite a lot of formality, but she didn't know any other way! "I'm afraid I don't have much experience with it." So, she ended up treating it more like an email or letter than a casual conversation. She eventually looked up with a soft smile at the thought of Futaba trying to find a way to hack them. "I imagine we would not see her until she figured it out." Or until they just decided to barge their way into wherever she was. There was some degree of surprise in how quickly she was already finding herself missing them.

She matched his laugh with a little giggle of her own and nodded her head. "Indeed. And I would hate for us to become stuck on that again." They had done it enough and more than likely would have plenty of other occasions for it coming up. Her smile brightened though at his comments about being sure to show her once she'd settled more. "I can't wait to see!" It definitely gave her something to look forward to coming up.

[bufubulous]

One found shadows cute, the other found them and mementos inspiring for artistic endeavors… It was no wonder they got along, really. “The chocobos are the easiest to come across, but they are many others to be found with a little further looking! Many seem to reside in the sewers, but have been known to come out to the streets in the evenings, when there are fewer people around.” He explained, thinking back on the information and rumors he’d heard passed along. “I’ve been cautioned about exploring after dark, though. It’s been suggested that one would be smart to secure a weapon before doing so, though I think our Persona may provide some assistance in that until we could. There is a weapon-smith down at the docks who takes commissions, though.” He added, not sure what kind of weapon Haru might be experienced with. There was such a wide variety in their group already, after all.

Understanding dawned on Yusuke’s face almost immediately. “Ah, yes, that sounds quite like Ryuji. He is rather prone to such behaviors in my experience, and formalities are something the group drops quite quickly once you’re a member.” He smiled a little before continuing. “I’m sure you’ll improve with more practice! Even while here, the tell-phone does have a texting function even if I haven’t seen it used as much.” He was almost curious what her texting looked like, really. But at least she had the chance to experience texting in a less formal manner, even away from the group!

“She has amazing focus once her mind is set on something. I don’t doubt we wouldn’t see her till she made progress she was satisfied with unless we intervened.” Which, honestly, Yusuke couldn’t talk. He also shared an impressive level of focus when it came to his area of expertise and knew how difficult it was to switch from one mode to another when caught up in what he was doing. They were oddly similar in that respect, even if it was about entirely different things.

Yusuke was eager to show her what he’d worked on. How could he not when she sounded so genuinely excited?? But first thing came first, helping his friend settle into this strange new world. “Ah- here we are. I believe you’re in the building that’s accent colour corresponds with your key. As you can see, they’re actually in rather good shape compared to other parts of the city. I have heard that they’re quite comfortable.”

[haruine]

And both were seen as rather strange for their particular fondness for shadows. Not that Haru ever noticed how strange others found her comments, it went completely over her head and so far nobody had really tried to explain. "Chocobos, hmm? Even the name sounds rather cute..." she tapped a finger on her chin thoughtfully as she found herself daydreaming about what they might look like. Her expression immediately dropped at the mention of a weapon though and she looked rather depressed as the realization hit her that she was missing her scythe now. "Oh...I think I'll rather miss my scythe here. I am certain I could manage in these sewers with only Lucy but it would feel quite strange." And...not...quite as fun. Alright, truthfully, it would be considerably less fun. There was something freeing about the release that came with using her weapon.

"I'm certain he didn't mean any harm by it. It is quite different than the style of texting he employs." She was quick to jump to Ryuji's defense despite the fact that she knew it wasn't necessary. No matter what it was always easier for Haru to blame herself than others. "It's more my fault for being unable to adjust than his." But maybe he was right, perhaps here she'd have a better time adjusting with more experience.

"She truly is amazing, I always find myself impressed with what she's accomplished." Especially when it came down to their ultimate plan that they'd used against Akechi. That had been a ridiculous convoluted plan that somehow miraculously worked out.

She looked up at the building curiously as she pulled her key out with only a slight bit of hesitation. Somehow it was starting to hit her that it really was going to be quite different here. "How strange. I wonder why that is." That was not a question she imagined she'd find an answer to so easily. Finally after another moment she turned to him with a little half smile. "Thank you very much for walking me all this way."

[bufubulous]

“The smaller ones are certainly quite adorable, though the older they get, the larger they are. They become oddly… majestic?” At least Yusuke would describe them as such, having seen them running around and wandered closer to those hitched to posts or carts while stationary to get a better look at them. He had sketched a few now, admiring the bright yellow of their feathers or the other slightly odd colours that they seemed to have. He was sure she’d be quite delighted by the sight of them, by the sounds of it.

A scythe? Then Yusuke nodded quickly, adding a mental note for later. “Then I would be happy to show you where the forges can be found. They seem keen to try to make most kinds of weaponry, even styles they haven’t heard of like my katana. They’re located in the harbor district, so not terribly difficult to find.” He hummed lightly as she continued. “So your persona is named Lucy?” What did Lucy look like, he wondered? How elegant and unique might it be? Yes, Yusuke rather hoped to have the chance to see it one day. Undoubtedly, it could be an excellent source of inspiration.

“No, he doesn’t tend to think before he speaks in my experience…? So if he were to say something without meaning harm… That does sound like the Ryuji I know.” Whether he meant what he said or not, Ryuji tended to be the sort of person to speak first and think second… Usually… Which tended to make him seem more uncouth upon first impressions. But… Well, Yusuke had come to realize firsthand that the teen had a good heart and had been quite generous and thoughtful at times. And Yusuke would be a liar to say he didn’t also tend to say things without considering how they sounded. It was just in a slightly different way. Thus, they tended to get at each other. Though it was generally not something that lasted, more of a general squabble or poking at one another without being entirely serious. Then it was done and forgotten. “And I would say it takes time to adjust, after all, if it’s something you are unused to. Practice and experience are imperative to improvement.”

Yusuke found himself in agreement. Even in the short time he knew Futaba she had accomplished such impressive things. Even concerning her own attempts at getting out and spending time with them compared to her solitary life before joining the phantom thieves. He could only imagine what she might have continued to accomplish as time passed.

Nodding lightly, he looked up at the building again. “I often wonder that myself, other than perhaps that they were created specifically with new arrivals in mind when this world was starting over…?” As for the colours, he was sure there had to be some reason for how people were divided into specific buildings. The teen just wasn’t sure of what that reason was. “You are quite welcome, though, Haru. I’m glad that I could help a friend with finding their way around this strange world. Should you need further assistance, please don’t hesitate to contact me on the tellphone!” He gestured slightly across the court yard to where the House of Solace could be found. “I’m also probably just over there, should you not be able to reach my phone.” Yusuke added, adjusting the strap on his shoulder bag.

[haruine]

"I think I may make those at the top of my list of things to try to find!" She really wanted to see them with that description. Luckily for her they were pretty common, so it probably wouldn't take long for her to stumble upon one. This place certainly was sounding more and more interesting.

"Thank you! Even if I did not end up requesting anything from them it might be quite interesting to see a forge." How strange it was to think of a place making everything by hand like that. It would certainly be interesting to see how it all might work. She nodded at his question. "Yes, Lucy was my third awakening. Before her I had Milady and then Astarte." Ah, it was so...odd to think he didn't know that alright. There was still a pang of sadness to that, but it passed quickly enough.

"In a strange way, I often admire his ease with words." It really wasn't something to be admired, but Haru couldn't help it. "He always speaks his mind without any hesitation." Unlike her. It really was rather impressive, though she could see how it might often come off rather poorly. After all he also rarely thought about how he phrased things which did lead to the occasional squabble with others. "Perhaps I'll give it more practice here!" Then she'll show Ryuji by being an expert texter just like the other kids.

"Hmm," she looked thoughtfully at the buildings as she considered what he was saying. "But why would they want to organize us? And what criteria does it use?" Was there any? Perhaps it was just random based on arrival or something. "I will certainly keep your offer in mind. I suppose I should go in and try and get myself settled. Thank you again, Yusuke. I'm quite glad you're here."

[bufubulous]

Yusuke offered a smile. It was nice to hear that she was glad he was there… Even with their rather awkward circumstances aside. He couldn’t deny he was glad to have found a friend had arrived, whether he knew her or not… It was going to be a nice change of pace after the last couple months. “Yes, I would be glad to help anytime. I know how odd it is to get used to this place and to adjust.” He responded, hoping she would keep the offer in mind. It was important for them to stick together as fellow phantom thieves, after all!

“But you’re right, I should let you get settled.” He added, not wanting to keep her from familiarizing herself with her new… home… if it could be called that. This world wasn’t home, but they certainly were here for however long this world kept them. “And… I am very glad that you’re here too, all things considered. I look forward to getting to know you better, Haru.” He nodded slightly in parting, hoping she’d be in touch again if she needed anything. “Do take care!”