aurorastation | Test Drive Meme (12)

test drive meme

Your character wakes up in a neat bedroom in their team carriage, in nondescript underwear. They might be missing their memories, or their special abilities, or they may just feel a little queasy. Next to them is what seems to be a smartphone, which they know how to use even if they never had before, even if they don't know if they have before. On the screen is a simple message:

Welcome aboard the Aurora!

You have been selected by the Star Prince as a potential hero, tasked with saving the universe from Malice. As a passenger I, your Construct and Conductor, will attempt to provide you with quality lodgings and safety. In return, we ask that you join your fellows in making bonds and doing your utmost to bring joy back to the Stars.

Due to the process of restoring your body, you may find some things are missing. We apologise for the inconvenience and hope to return them to you as soon as possible. Thank you for your cooperation.

★ One

Upon investigation, you'll find some basic clothes matching your team's theme in the storage provided in your room. Or, perhaps, you're wandering out of the room still undressed. Either way, downstairs you'll find someone has left a tray of cups of hot tea on the living room table. Drinking it may be simply pleasant, or it may cause you to feel a sudden need to warm up to the others in your carriage -- emotionally or physically. Welcome to the team, newbie!

☆ Two

Shortly after your arrival, you find yourself wrapped up in some monster NPC's Game. You're inside what appears to be a stone temple, with a massive golden scale on one wall. Suddenly, on one side, a heavy metal weight is dropped. As the scales tip out of balance, the floor begins to slowly disappear, brick by brick, ready to drop you -- and whoever is with you -- into an abyss. Your only hope comes in the form of an inscription on the altar:

How much do your secrets weigh?

Every secret you tell causes a weight to fall onto the other side of the scale. The bigger the secret, the bigger the weight. If you can collectively tip the scales, the floor will quit dropping bricks and a door will appear to allow you back to the train. If you can't, you'll fall, seemingly forever, til you pass out. When you wake up you'll find yourself unable to lie.

★ Three

You've been on the Aurora for awhile, but this is new. One morning, you awaken to find yourself in the lounge, rather than your own bed. On your Chain is a screen showing a key, with three unmarked check boxes and a note: you've been locked out of your carriage, and must make a meaningful pact of some sort with three people, on or off your team, to enter. Pinky promises are always encouraged!

☆ Four

Wildcard. Make up your own prompt! Check out the setting and team pages for info on the train. If you have any questions, ask on the q&a page. Otherwise, apps open on January 8! In the meantime you're free to join us on Discord.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Loki gives a small smile of acknowledgement. This woman seems to be acting as a servant, tending to the decorations of the room, and while she seems not entirely outgoing, she also does not seem to be frightened. A good sign.]

What gave me away? [Said with a hint of a chuckle.]

And you have been here some time, then, to consider me a new arrival?

The fact that I have not seen you before and it is New Arrival Day.

[She could be wrong--she avoids people when she can--but she does not think she is, in this case. As for the rest...she pauses for a breath.]

I have been here since the beginning.

[He chuckles again.]

A fair answer. The population is small enough, then, that you know everyone by sight? And new arrivals come on a predictable day?

[She was here since the beginning? Might she be more important than a mere servant who tends to the decor? Perhaps even a leader?]

How long has it been since "the beginning"?

It is not a predictable day, but we are notified on our Chains when it happens. And yes, we are relatively very small for the task we are meant to undertake.

[The universe be big, man.]

Over fifty days, now.

[Not long in the scheme of things and yet so much has happened, too.]

Chains? [He holds up his smartphone.] This device? Why do you call them Chains? [He objects to the very idea of chains being used on him.]

[And his frown deepens.]

Only fifty days? Is your mission only beginning, or have you accomplished much in so short a time?

I did not think of the name, you could ask the prince when he next graces us with his presence. Whenever that will be. I would like it to links in a chain and something trite about how we are all connected or somesuch, but, again, it was not my idea.

As for progress, this star is nearly purified, so there is that, though it is hard to say if the rate at which we have done so is typical or not. It is not as though there are other heroes elsewhere to compare to and I was under the impression this was a last-ditch effort, so data is not available. Or rather, it is being created as we go.

Hmmm... [He drums his fingers on the arm of the chair. Links in a chain are nice words, but he still suspects the chains could be used to bind and force. And he's not sure how many more connections he wants.]

How do you purify stars? [He knows how easily that word can be used to mean to harm others.]

With bonds.

[Her least favourite thing to discuss, but it's whatever, she must be useful to others.]

General bonds, team bonds, friendship and what not.

[He scoffs a little. At the idea that that could help anything, at the idea that he would be suited for doing that.]

And what happens if we refuse?

[Her voice is calm, even, polite.]

Nothing of real consequence that I have observed, personally. Oh, certainly some people are liable to be quite cross with you, or they could encourage you otherwise, but there is nothing they can really do about it, ultimately. If anything else is to come of it, I do not know.

[A bit of his smile returns.]

I may have to test that I will not be coerced into assisting. I do hope you are telling the truth that we may choose; the last who tried to force my help... well, things did not turn out as he had hoped.

Tell me, has your prince ever made a mistake in who he chooses to help in his mission?

I have nothing to gain by lying. But once more: it is not that they encourage choice, but rather, they lack the means to force our participation. I would imagine that would be rather counterintuitive to generating positive feelings.

[she's here, so yeah. he fucked up there.]

He does not get to choose. I would imagine things would be far more ideal if he did.

Test Drive Meme (12)

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