October-November Test Drive!

[indigo_league]

TEST DRIVE MEME

➞ Post with a character you wish to test drive in this game's setting.
➞ Tag other people's starters and thread out shenanigans!
➞ Invite your friends! Try out new characters! Come play with us!
➞ Have fun!


NOT SURE WHERE TO BEGIN YOUR TEST-DRIVE JOURNEY?
CHECK OUT ALL THE LOCATIONS WE HAVE AVAILABLE IN:

JOHTO | and | KANTO

ALSO, AS PROMPTS FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION, and in the spirit of Halloween: August's GHOST TRICK event!

O-Bon festival: The streets are lined with NPC-run stalls for food, games, and the assorted tchotchkes of every summer festival you’ve ever seen in your animes! There’s Goldeen Scoop, heaping cones of Swirlix Candy, Test Your STRENGTH (there are two different machines for people and Pokémon; HM04 not required); basically, if you can think of it, it’s there. There will also be a yukata rental stall if you want to go full hog on the cultural side of things. Ecruteak boasts a small stage where the Kimono Girls give a short performance once every two hours; the festivities in Lavender Town are a little quieter, but they also have Haunter-shaped ice cream treats. When you lick them, they Lick you!

On the last evening of the festival in either location, there will be a large bonfire and traditional bon-odori dance in which everyone is welcome to participate. In Lavender Town only, they also set paper lamps afloat in the water past the cliffs.

Who you gonna call?: Remember “The Ghost of Maiden’s Peak”? Well, some of the local Gastly, Duskull, and Yamask seem to have gotten it into their heads that this kind of tomfoolery is somehow good medicine. If your trainer had someone in their life, someone now dead, that they have unresolved business with, these ghosties may take it upon themselves to play a little dress-up and follow your trainer around in the guise of said dead person until the issue is resolved. It’s their way of saying thank you for all the spiritual appeasement of the festival.

These ghosts won’t speak; Pokémon don’t talk, after all. So yes, your trainer is going to be followed around by some silent echo of their past who will not leave them alone.

Or, of course, write your own!

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Comments

[purramedic]

[He frowns again, in truth, more confused than worried.] It... is very odd, yes.

[Though he scoffs and chuckles again soon enough, his suspicions confirmed.] A Qunari turned human... That would be a sight. Your chief sounds like quite the character. Most Qunari I've met were... a bit bland in personality, let's say.

[smoothkreminal]

He's different, I'll give him that. In standing out he blends in though, at least that's what he likes to say. You see him and you think he's this big, dumb idiot, but he's got sharper eyes than any Dalish hunters. Sit in a room with him, and while he's smiling and talking with you, he'll have thought of ten different ways to take you down if you turn on him before the first glass empties.

[It's clear in how he talks he has a very highly regarded respect for the man, and his smile is soft, thinking about him.] Most Qunari you'd think were heartless bastards, but the chief at least has that going for him. Dunno where he learned it from with all that ass backwards Qun shit, but he's got it in there somewhere.

[Though now that Anders has revealed that yes, he knows exactly what he's talking about, he'll gently bounce his Cubone while standing like one might for a baby or small child and turn the question right around.] What about you then? You know Qunari, you didn't ask about Tevinter so I assume you know of it. What did you do in Thedas before?

[purramedic]

Very impressive, indeed. You sure he isn't just a very tall man wearing fake horns? [His tone is mostly teasing; clearly it would be unwise to insult this chief.]

Ah, yes. You'll forgive me for not being very forthcoming. One... never knows how a foreigner might react to a lowborn Fereldan farm boy. [Yeah, sorry, buddy, that's all you're getting -- you seem like a decent guy, but how nice can you really be?]

[smoothkreminal]

[Krem snorts, shaking his head.] With as much bullshit that comes out of his mouth, I'd say he was a genuine oxman.

[That and human men don't come in the same shape and size as The Iron Bull. No human woman could have birthed that and lived most probably.

Still, at his confession, Krem shrugs. He might not completely buy it, the look of the man on the other side of the screen doesn't have the look about him of 'farm boy', but perhaps that's because he's been around so many lately in the quality of some of the volunteers the inquisition gets.] You don't have to worry about me. I might be from Tevinter, but they've got their poor as well. Soporati are the regular non-mage citizens. We either do well enough for ourselves or eventually sell ourselves into slavery. Not everyone in Tevinter drinks blood from goblets and can afford hundreds of slaves to serve them peeled grapes, promise.

[purramedic]

[Some of that is relieving to hear, but it's... interesting, to say the least. Anders' hand may instinctively stroke across a sleepy Floppington's scruff just to busy itself.]

You would willingly submit to slavery when you have a choice?

[smoothkreminal]

[There is a little something further back that is hard to see in Krem's eyes at Ander's question. It isn't something he hasn't heard, but it still bothers him from time to time.] When you get to that point it's not really a choice, but survival. My father sold himself into slavery when he was put out of business by a Magister's initiative to try and clothe the poor.

It kept food on the table for my mother and I. When I was old enough, I enlisted and most of my coin went to her.

[Even if her plan had been to marry him off, but that hadn't been his plan for his own life, and being stubborn helped win out against her at the very least. It's better to live your life as a lie you enjoy than be stuck in one you hated he supposed.]

[purramedic]

[Anders' face is grim, but he tries at least to understand. He may not have much of a worldview outside of the mages' plight, but he needn't knowingly be outright offensive for no reason, and this is clearly a sensitive subject.]

I am... sorry your family was forced into such a position.

[smoothkreminal]

[Where he is now, Krem wasn't really sure what became of his mother. He sent coin now and again, but being a fugitive from home meant that he couldn't easily keep in contact, not that she was all that happy with him in the first place. Part of him wondered if his letters and gold were ever received or if she herself had gone into servitude to keep afloat after the what had happened.

In any case, there was no use dwelling on things that couldn't be changed. He wasn't angry, and as much as he's sure that Anders means well, he doesn't feel he needs it. If Anders wanted to give him sympathy, that was his perogative if he himself needed it.] It's different from what you're used to down south, though I'm sure you all have your struggles, even if they go by different names and faces.

If you asked an Altus or a Magister, it wouldn't sound so desperate. They're fed and clothed. They'll survive. Everyone has struggles, you've obviously faced your own as well. It isn't anything to be sorry for. I'm no slave, I'm no magister, I'm living my life as I want to and that's good enough for me. If I can afford wine at the end of the day, that's a bonus.

[purramedic]

[He gives a solemn nod.] Yes, I suppose you're right.

[Brighter notes, then.]

Well, if it's wine you're looking for, you'll be glad to know it's inexpensive here. Everything is, really. Though the tavern nearest you is ten days' walk at a reasonable pace.

[smoothkreminal]

[For both their sakes, it's best they probably change the subject anyways, and he's always willing to talk about Wine. Better than water, almost better than sitting on the back of a chair.]

Now, I was just about to thank you for the good news, but a ten days march is nothing to sneeze at... [Though it would be a good stamina training regiment for his little Cubone. Not that the Chargers marched like any sort of soldiers, but most of them were pretty good at what they did and Krem was always ready for a good long march if needed.] I guess if it's that far away, it'll just taste sweeter when I get there.

You try anything particularly good? Any recommendations?

[purramedic]

It goes by rather quickly with company. And you might make new friends along the way, as I did.

I've only had the house wine, really, but there's this splendid little drink they have -- made with spirits, not wine, mind you -- called a "Cosmos." It's fruity, sweet. Makes being brought here worth it, really. [Well, all the alcohol does. But this man doesn't need to know all the circumstances surrounding his prior issues with that.]

[smoothkreminal]

The company of one. And even if my Cubone is talkative if it's just me, he's not as snarky as the Chief or any of the other chargers. Makes walking go faster when you want to get away from a mess of whining soldiers, I tell you. That and the hope of not having to stare at the company's ass for days when you're done. That gets old quick.

[Not that there is much else to stare at when you're mindlessly marching on.] I'll have to remember that one though. Cosmos. Not sure i've had many extremely sweet wines...I'm more into cheap and easy going down, but. I'll try it.

[purramedic]

[He chuckles, almost politely.] I can imagine. [Not that he's complaining about the ass he's always having to follow.] At any rate, he may prove more entertaining than you think.

I'll admit to having tastes well above my birthright, that's for certain. Though when it comes down to it, I take what I can get.

[smoothkreminal]

[If he could have the pleasure of walking in front of Bull and behind the rest of the Inquisitors companions, including the man himself, he doesn't think he could complain all that much either. Maybe put Varric and Blackwall behind behind as well.

The rest could stay.

Though he's sure if Vivienne caught him he'd be dead, but icy as that woman was, she did have a nice ass. Along with a choice other few. Like he'd ever tell. Perhaps in closed company.]

The cheaper it is the most you can get. What difference does it make in the end anyways?

[purramedic]

Well, nothing in the end, I suppose. It all will knock you onto your ass if you drink enough of it, after all. It just boils down to treating yourself every now and again, really. [The smile on his face widens almost into a mischievous grin, as if he were a child sneaking dessert before dinner.] It's nice to indulge in worldly pleasures.

[smoothkreminal]

[Anders, you're giving yourself away. Farm boys don't talk like that.]

If you're weak, sure. You drink with the chargers and we'll definitely knock you flat on your ass. The expensive stuff usually doesn't have the same affect. Even if it does taste good. Nothing like drinking straight from a barrel after a fight.

That's the best way, get good and pissed before the long walk home.

[purramedic]

[Another laugh bubbles from him, less restrained. He certainly won't admit out loud that he's always been a lightweight, to this man or anyone.] I'll have to take your word for it, Ser Mercenary.

[smoothkreminal]

I'll teach you how it's done if we're ever in town together.

[He smiles at the camera with as much dashing lad as he can manage. He's been practicing.] Though, first to drop usually pays the bill.

[purramedic]

[Oh, Krem, please don't say that. Don't challenge him, he can never resist.] I hope it gives you peace of mind that I've been making quite a bit of coin at my job. You won't have enough to cover it by yourself, after all.

[He can never resist.]

[smoothkreminal]

If you're paying either way, leaves more coin for me to get pissed drunk the next day.

[He knows he won't lose. He drinks with a Qunari and a dwarf. You'll be done before he's even halfway.] We'll have to shake on it so you can't get out of it when the time comes.

[purramedic]

I won't need to, but that's fine if it would make you feel better.

[Rest in shit, Anders.]

[smoothkreminal]

Of course. And I promise to try not to drop you when I carry you home.

[You will regret the evening you challenged Cremisius Aclassi to a drinking contest.]