TEST DRIVE - Part 3

[stigematize]

Maybe you've been here for a while, or maybe you just got here. Either way, you're all in the same situation - you've been turned into a magical gemstone and stranded in a foreign world! And all you've been left with is the clothes on your back, stripped of all powers except one.

Clearly, you’ll just have to make the best of it.

How this works:

☆ This is a test drive for cosmographia, which means you should get a little familiar with the setting and premise.

☆ Otherwise, this is just meant to help you feel out how you may play and serves mainly as a chill interest gathering and get together kind of post! No app necessary, and you don't need to play in this post to apply - or vice versa.

☆ Everybody is welcome! There are no character limitations; pg au oc canon pigeon whatever. Just toss up a topcomment and/or jump any threads that pique your interest.

☆ This post will remain open until it begins to approach 5000 comments! Then a new test-drive post will be made.

☆ Rules-wise: Be cool to yourself and others, and keep in mind the other game rules too.

☆ If you do apply to the game and are accepted, and you want to keep the CR, you may so long as what you did isn't setting breaking and everyone involved agrees.


YOUR OPTIONS:

☆ You find yourself in the Heart of a ruined temple. There is a large glowing gem that thrums with some kind of rhythm, and jewels scattered all over the room, kept in strange bubbles. At the very least, touching the large gem will give you a standard info-dump, but some of you might be a little cautious about touching weird luminescent gems. Good thing that there are other people there too!

☆ Or perhaps you already know everything there is to know, and are there in the Heart of the Ruined Temple to greet new arrivals. Or perhaps you simply had business there already, like storing away a corrupted gem from a monster, when someone new seemingly dropped in from no where.

☆ It's Farmer's Market day in the plaza of Waverly Bay! Perhaps you're there perusing the goods and strike up conversation, or accidentally bump into someone and get to know them that way. It's a fairly standard day.

☆ There's an event! You don't really know what else to call them - missions, perhaps? But something in the temple was triggered, and the glowy Heart gem has something new to "tell" you: If you want a new power, you should try telling other people two truths and a lie. Those who you interact with must try and divine the lie from your statements.

You have no idea how something this simple will get you a power, but hey.

Comments

Dave Strider | Homestuck | Fire Opal

[shenunigans]

a. Market.
Now that the shock of being here has mostly ebbed away, Dave is allowing himself to indulge. Let's be real, some weird things never stop being weird as hell, but there's an element of normalcy in all of this that Dave finds offputting. His life got so strange that, at an undetermined point in time, it became commonplace for his ass to be u-hauled into a place he's never seen before.

It's more like anything he's seen before than space ever had been, at least. It's hard not to forget why he's here and pretend he's lived here his whole life. Regular old Dave, Waverly Bay resident, the kind of hipster trash who makes his way to a farmer's market for the taste of fresh apple juice.

Once his prize is acquired, he's left with little choice but to meander around and see the sights. Tacky, homey decorations are abound, but so is food. God, he's missed food. He didn't think he'd miss the outdoors or a sun that isn't green but by the good lord, he's enjoying being out of the house in the early hours of the day? This truly is the afterlife, he's died and reincarnated as a rube.

For once, he's kept muttering to a minimum and so he hasn't garnered the attention of many people. Just. Bugs. A wasp, to be specific. "You want my sweet, sweet juice, don't you? I know all about your kind, bro. Back it up." He mutters at the wasp, tarnishing any possible reputation he had for sanity. He passes a hand through the air to swat at it, but the bee persists. He doesn't have the heart to kill it, even if it's hell spawn, but maybe a warning wouldn't be so bad.

"Hey wasp, say cheese. Or. Honey. Do wasps eat honey or is it just whatever the caterer brings to the Country Cl- Look, whatever. You asked for this." He murmurs again, to a bug. Very discreetly tipping his shades down just slightly so he can focus all of his mental energy on the World's Most Pointed Look. Of course, pointed looks aren't so simple when you can fire lasers out your eyes. It's just that his lasers are piddly and useless. He fires, but all he shoots is a weak dart of energy, just singeing the yellow ass of this bastard.

Now he's pissed it off. The wasp has no compunctions about fighting fire with fire, so it's making a point of diving at him with intent to sting. Dave, seasoned knight and survivor of many, many horrible things has... no idea how to deal with this. "Holy shit are you dive bombing me? Shit- you are. Look- Truce. Truce! Jesus, go home." Now he's doing less muttering and more active rambling, swatting and stepping backward while trying to protect his juice.

b. Heart Temple.
It's not Dave's first time here, he hasn't just arrived. It probably won't be his last time here either. He doesn't care what explanation they provide him with, he just can't logically understand being brought here with no possible way to re-access the place he left behind. He knows he's dead there, he doesn't want to go back. Trust and believe. It's just difficult to stomach the idea of leaving so many people back in that mess. If there were a way to pull more people in, specific people in, he'd have to look into it.

He remembers where the hole he walked through was, but there's no trace of it around here. He doesn't feel anything particularly weird about it either, which is a funny thing to say about a room that looks like it's straight out of the mansion of an eccentric celebrity with more money that taste. He doesn't hate it.

He does hate this, though. Feeling guilty with no outlet is a little exhausting, but there's something peaceful about being here even if it's the source of his problems. Maybe he'll just chill here for a bit. Lean on the wall. Stare at the ceiling. Good plan.

gently godmods dwi 38)

[fintastic]

[ Although it's a pale second to being on the beach, warming herself in the sand, Feferi actually enjoys being at the Heart of the Temple. It feels... weird. But comfortable, especially surrounded by all of the bubbles, and knowing what floats within them gives her at least some semblance of purpose now. She's not the future empress anymore, but if she can do something worthwhile with her second life, saving the monsters contained within the bubbles seems like a pretty good use of her time.

She's used to finding other people there, so it doesn't surprise her to see a human sitting against the wall. With little hesitation, she sidles up, coming to lean into his field of vision as he looks up at the ceiling. Her hair falls in waves around her face, almost curtain-like. ]

Hello there.

[shenunigans]

[Dave hasn't been here long enough to know everyone here, but at least some people are easily identifiable as denizens of the universe he came from. The grey, he's found, is a bit of a giveaway. He's only partially living in the moment while his mind is wandering, but that doesn't mean a face suddenly appearing in his vision is going to startle him. Nope. Not at all. He doesn't shoot bolt upright while still sitting or anything.

He's cool as a cucumber, which is clear in the way he sinks back down and attempts to save face by lowering his eyebrows.]

Sup. [Though technically it's a question, it's voiced like a statement. Sup. It's up. He doesn't really need to ask, she's probably stuck here too.] Are you the Disney Princess Troll? [He assumes she knows what that means.]

[fintastic]

I was a princess, but I'm not anymore. I don't know what a Disney is...

[ Feferi giggles, and pulls back, so that at least her impending hair curtain is a little less impressive. Instead she couches down in front of him, balancing on the balls of her feet. ]

But you know what trolls are! Do I know you? You do look kind of familiar...

[ A distant memory, but how distant is always questionable. Such is the life of a ghost-slash-former-sprite. Was he someone she'd talked to? Someone she'd had only a passing conversation with in the dream bubbles? Or maybe she'd seen him briefly on some computer screen and never paid much attention. Some weird, shared memory that she'd leeched off Nepeta? The best way to find out, she'd found so far, was really just to ask. ]

[shenunigans]

It's a kind of princess. [He says, matter of factly.] They all sing and talk to animals and have hair, all of which I assume you do on a daily basis. [He's basing this on nothing, apart from the fact that she does have a lot of hair. Nice hair, even.]

Yeah, I'm a big hitter where we come from. Dave Strider. Knight of Time. Lord of the Humans. You've probably heard of me, or seen of me. With your John Hinckley Jr computer observation screens. [He shrugs.] I think I've seen your goggles. Fieri, right? Ferrari?

[fintastic]

I've never tried singing, and... okay, whale I guess sometimes I talk to animals, but they never talk back! Who doesn't do that sometimes, though?

[ She likes this human already though. He's kind of funny. That, and not being hung up on the troll thing is an instant win in her book. ]

It Feferi. I think I have heard your name before, were you... Terezi's friend? [ She has to sound it out slowly, trying to hear Terezi's voice in her head to remember her saying the name Dave. ] If it was not Terezi, then maybe Sollux? Or Karkat?

I guess it does not matter much! Are you new here?

[shenunigans]

Me, mostly. I think the closest I've gotten to talking with an animal is trying to have a conversation with a rampaging Karkat.

Right. That's it. [He doesn't seem ashamed to have gotten the name wrong not once but twice.] Yeah, Terezi was my close encounter of the first kind. She's probably boasted about how she allegedly handheld me through most of the nitty gritty. Karkat I didn't really get to talking to until later, but there was some debacle about filthy humans infringing on the precious lady troll harem.

[Despite taking the time to babble, he's happy to move along with the conversation.] Yeah, got here a few days ago. You been here long?

[fintastic]

Lady troll harem...

[ She parrots it back, questioningly, but then decides that she really, really does not want or need to know. ]

I've only been here a week or two. If you didn't just show up, what are you doing here? You know you can have your own room, right...?

[shenunigans]

[Her questioning tone almost lands her an explanation, but the simple fact that there are more important things to discuss is enough to distract him.

For now.]

Really? I figured with you being M.I.A in everything back home they'd have dragged you in a lot faster. I thought that might be how it worked, y'know, once you become useless it's like you're being taken out to the farm? [He explains and promptly regrets it, deciding not to delve any deeper into that nugget.]

I decided I'd really prefer to just sit here in this big, stony whatsit than live in something as pedestrian as a room. The smooth, reflective surfaces are just more me- and who needs a bed when you have rocks?

[fintastic]

Uhm... nope! I don't think that's how it works at all! I know it has at least been three years since I died, because Jade told me that's how long it's been since I saw her after my death!

[ The way she says years makes it sound like the word is still very unfamiliar to her, and she doesn't really know what it means, just that it's a significant measure of Earth time. It must mean something to him. She thinks about prodding him on what he really means by that useless comment though; something pings her that he's not really trying to tell her that she's useless.

But she decides against it, because she'd rather hassle him about things that are actually funny. ]

You could always put a rock pile in your room, if that's what you're into. Maybe... a mirror? Then you don't have to worry about anyone walking in on you!

[ Even by human standards, this is sounding weird to her. ]

[shenunigans]

Interesting. [And that's all there really is to say about that, for now anyway. If you don't have to be dead or ultimately useless back home, then that opens the window for more of the people he's concerned about to be potential arrivals.

Maybe they take requests.]

I could. [He says thoughtfully, with a stroke of his chin.] But it's these rocks in particular that I'm after. [He rubs a hand on the wall behind him before he moves to stand up.] That's definitely the only reason anyone would have for wandering around here anyway, right? So why are you here? You here to mooch my turf? I think you're here to mooch my turf.

[fintastic]

Yes, you caught me. I am here to mooch your not-actually-yours turf!

[ Despite her sarcasm, she still helps herself to a seat next to him, pulling her knees up and hugging them. She peers up at some of the bubbles floating around in the room. ]

I guess I just came here to think. There's a lot of that to do, when you're done being dead, you know? Or, maybe you don't know but there is! Suddenly you are alive again and you can actually do something meaningful. I want to do that! I just don't know how yet, and maybe I hoped there would be an answer in here.

[ She looks back down at him, still wearing a big smile, perking her fins up curiously. ]

What about you, why are you reely here? And don't play koi with me, I know you are not here just to take a nap! I was not hatched yesterday, you know.

B) ...Okay either I'm seeing things or we played in a game together at some point

[cyan_maid]

[Every once in a while, it's necessary for Jane to fight some of the gem monsters that pop up in town, or on the beach. She doesn't go hunting for them, per say, and they don't hunt for her, but if she happens to cross paths with a creature terrorizing some innocent park bench? Oh your ass is grass, buster. She comes into the temple, carefully cradling a bubbled gem in her hands, and on a spur of a whim, she decides to take it a little deeper than just the entrance.]

Geez, what did that bench ever do to you? It just sits there, it doesn't bother folks. Did a bench kill your family before you became a monster?

...Ugh, that's stupid of me to even think.

[Is she talking to the gem? She's talking to the gem. Must've been an aggravating fight, but the important thing is that Dave can clearly hear her - and see her, partially obscured by bubbles but there nonetheless. It...might be a good thing she hasn't noticed Dave, but obviously that isn't going to last.]

We did! Paradisa aaaand. Gargleblasted? I think??

[shenunigans]

[Dave reminded himself at some point that he should be aware of people wandering around and entering the temple. He didn't want to be caught looking stupid or spaced out, after all.

Then he forgot. Then someone was coming.

The voice isn't immediately familiar, it takes seeing who it belongs to for Dave to tie two and two together. It's John's hot mom. Or nanna? It's hard to keep up. He really should make sure not to refer to her by any of those, but if it happens, it happens.

He's actually not sure what to refer to her as, or what to say. He's one part sheepish about sitting here alone and one part desperate for human interaction. Especially from someone from his world. She hasn't noticed him, so at least he has the chance to say something innocuous and start casual conversation.]

Hey, bench related incidents are more common than plane crashes. It's fact. I read it in a book once. Granted, it might be outdated by now, but I'm pretty sure that statistics support bench oppression. [Casual conversation = nailed.]

YES oh gosh nice to see you again! Also fyi we used to have a Dave here, she's gonna be shocked

[cyan_maid]

[If it happens, it would be a first for Jane. But as it is now? She freezes at the sound of Dave's voice, eyes widening. It was entirely possible...that he could've come back. The others did. Why not him?

She turns to look at him, gaze piercing through the haze of the bubbles.]

...Dave...?

Ditto! That's fine, I'm totally up for these feelings.

[shenunigans]

[Well. It's not quite the reaction Dave expected. Exasperation and eye-rolling is something he's a little more accustomed to. He might have spooked her, but she honestly looks like she's seen a ghost.

Better reassure her.]

Egbert's hot mom. [He says that cordially, then feels compelled to kick himself. She didn't know him that well, did she? Was she even awake when he was there? There wasn't a look of knowing, he didn't think. Maybe she's from another time point, maybe Shenanigans are afoot. Only one way to find out.]

Do I have something on my face? Other than the shades. Don't say shades. We're better than that.

Cool beans! Just wanted to send a head's up your way~

[cyan_maid]

W-what?

[Well he's never called her that before. A...a hot mom, what? She's never been a mom! Well, unless you count apparent ectobiology shenanigans, but still!! And why would he call her such a weird, silly, untrue thing? It's her, Jane! Jane!]

[shenunigans]

[Oh, god. Yeah. He said that out loud, didn't he? Way to make things weirder, Dave. As if things could get weirder.]

It's a long story. Point is, I don't know your name so apparently I've mentally assigned you an unrelated nickname that you probably shouldn't read into? I don't think it's a big deal. But.. You know my name? So I guess I'm being rude.

[cyan_maid]

[Yeah he did.

Also no, that's not how Jane's mind works. That weird nickname is now in her steel trap of a brain, forever affixed to the idea of one Dave Strider, and she has Questions.

Well, other than the most important question:]

What do you mean, you don't know my name?

[shenunigans]

[And so, Dave's worst fears come to life. Worst fears and.. deep, deep confusion. What the fuck?]

Uhhh, I mean. I don't want to sound rude, but you weren't really a big factor in my life as far as I know? I think I saw you once, maybe twice. Both times you were in your pajamas and kind of off. Unless time shenanigans are afoot, in which case, God help us all.

[cyan_maid]

[There's a terrible sinking feeling in her chest. "Time shenanigans". Fucking...goddamn "time shenanigans". Just when she thought the bullshit of Sburb couldn't touch her here, no matter who the Heart brought in, there had to be the almighty, ever-present, ridiculous "time shenanigans". Suddenly she understands how that troll Karkat felt, with her appearing and not knowing him after she'd apparently stabbed him back home (a matter that she still has not inquired about further, it makes her sick to her stomach).

Fuck.

Jane seems to visibly wilt, her mouth drooping to a frown. She suddenly wishes she hadn't asked.]

I...but, you've been here, before. You were here before, and...you really don't remember any of it?

[shenunigans]

[Dave should probably be so used to this kind of crap, but honestly it gets him every damn time. It shouldn't personally impact him, but her disappointment is... Well. Disappointing.

He's insecure over himself, awesome.]

Well, I'm not going to call you crazy, but in my eyes you're kind of bananas. I've never been here before, we've never had a real conversation, but that isn't to say some other Dave didn't beat me to the punch. [He shrugs.] I dunno if I should say sorry?

[cyan_maid]

[She really hates to be the one to break it to him.]

No...no, you're right to think it's bananas. And you don't have to apologize, it's...definitely not anybody's fault.

[Just a misunderstanding. And a load of bullshit. Fuck you, Heart Gem.]

bbbb

[miasmajesty]

[ He didn't just arrive, but Dirk sure as fuck just woke up. It turns out that having insomnia and needing to sleep didn't go well, because when you finally crashed you slept for like three days straight. There's the barest of budges every now and again, mostly a text to the girls to assure them he's still alive and kicking and sometimes to snack up, but really it's mostly sleep.

He's sleep-mussed and exhausted looking as he stumbles out the door, hair unstyled and damp around his face from a long shower. He just kind of... sees someone hunting around the usual arrival area and doesn't really look, just shoves his glasses up his nose and rakes a hand through his hair, stifling a yawn into his hand.

Seriously, fuck sleep. ]

Lose something?

heart eyes motherfucker

[shenunigans]

[It's shameful enough to be lurking around like he's lost a contact lense, as if he were some sort of nerd who wore contact lenses and also the kind of nerd who lost them. What makes it even more shameful, somehow, is that he's caught in the precise middle of looking like a god damn moron by the last person he wants to look like a god damn moron in front of him.

Not that this particular guy looks like he's in any state to judge, but that's never stopped Dave from projecting a feeling or two onto someone else.

He stares for a long moment, like he's the deer and Dirk is the blinding set of headlights stopped in front of him. Mercifully sparing him the pain of ramming into him like a redneck pick-up. It's that kind of graciousness that makes him so intimidating. Again. He's projecting.]

My mind. [He answers finally, not without hesitation before he considers how many slinks it would take to leave and avoid this conversation.] But I think. I know where it is. Not here but like.. another place? Yeah. Somewhere else. Look, I should. Go. Go get it. Good talk.