Test Drive Meme - January & February edition

[indigo_league]

➞ Post with a character you wish to test drive in this game's setting.
➞ Tag other people's starters and thread out shenanigans!
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➞ Have fun!

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Comments

I CAN'T DENY

[chazz_it_up]

I mean... technically? [Given his recent activity they dang well better consider him the king of games of Duel Academy island. A moment later he thought better of the misleading utterance.] It's not a kingdom, it's a school. It is pretty exclusive, and I am one of the top-tier students. [Just don't ask him what dorm he's crashing in because it's not the one he should be] Guess it's like with everything- people just create what fits their talent-level or their aesthetics. [He just tunes out the threat]

.. Slept against them. Everyone's a comedian. [He repeated tiredly.] It's only the most popular card game in the entire world.

Well Amaterasu better watch it or she's going to get a hefty bill from my lawyers. [Does he actually have any lawyers on retainer? No. Does she need to know that? Of course not. Seeing just how delighted she looks at his consent to pet his monster, it's hard not to get swept up in it. A sense of pride washes over him from the sheer random fortune of acquiring a dragon for his first creature. When her features soften like this she slips more into the cute category- which confusing given how annoying she had been. Then Amaterasu has the audacity to put her hands on him.] I said you could pet the monster, not ME. [He starts to reach up to pry her off, but she adds that kiss and it stuns him into a stupor. In a matter of moments he feels his face starting to burn as his "fever" makes a reappearance. Technically this didn't count as a first kiss, did it?! He was saving that one for... well.. you know. Still he didn't find the sensation all that unpleasant.] I...er ... you're welcome? I .. guess. I mean.. [Stop babbling! Forgive him Alexis but this has never happened before!]

[The Druddigon looks Amaterasu over as she hurries over to him, sizing her up. She's just a slip of a thing and not posing a threat so he waits a moment, then takes a step forward and inclines his head to make it easier for her to reach.]

[the_redhead]

[So.. it's like a soap opera?]

Isn't that part a little obvious? I mean, I don't plan on staying here if I can help it. [Besides, he has a little trouble with authority anyway. People are always telling him to do the opposite of what he'd rather do... looking at you school faculty.]

I'm sorry. Did you say sister? [Isn't Tsukuyomi supposed to be a guy?]

[Remembering her temper from earlier, he quickly added] You know what, I've never met Tsukuyomi either. My mistake.

[chazz_it_up]

[It's hard for someone like Chazz not to feel completely out of his league when talking to someone like her, on two counts. One, she'd carved out enough of a name for herself in the dueling circuit to hit an elevated status. Two, she was all woman and not afraid to flaunt it... and she wasn't playing fair!

He wanted to take exception to the insinuation that he was, indeed, still a child but he didn't get the words passed his lips before she was showering him in compliments.]

When you're aiming for the pros, you can't waste time on all that other nonsense. [Then he started to get flustered and tongue-tied] Me, really? [Not liking how incredulous the question sounded when he managed to get it out, he straightened his posture and tried to like a more impressive specimen.] Thanks, a significant portion of my dueling history is wrapped up in those battle scars. [Did that sound cool enough? Could he get an upgrade from cute?]

Druddigon is going to make minced meat out of anyone foolish enough to stand in his way.

[... and here's where it all goes south]

You don't understand, you misunderstood me. Of course there's nothing wrong with your monster- but isn't it tradition to start with a little trash talking before a match? [Is this the angle he's really going to lead with..?] What I'm saying is.. we both have out monsters summoned so why not hold an introductory duel? [You can take the boy away from the card game... but it's a duel.]

[Why was it always so easy to stick his foot in his mouth?]

[chazz_it_up]

[Getting that little been a validation, even for something so small, had such a bolstering effect on Chazz's ego.]

Huh, that is really telling. I wonder why none of the others pointed this out before.

[Clearly, no one is as useful or smart as Joey Wheeler is right now.]

You know some jerk even tried to convince me that this was the afterlife?

[His gaze followed the direction Joey was pointing in with marked curiosity]

.... Is there a way to get my own theme song and have that play instead?

[Of course this is what he asks]

Guess in a way, that levels the playing field. Keeps other trainers from getting in any cheap shots.

[Not entirely sold on the whole soundtrack thing yet, he could at least accept it's usefulness. Joey seemed really keen on all this, so maybe it wasn't such a bad thing to be abducted here afterall.]

So there's these other battles and all here.. but don't you miss dueling? Or, are you still getting a chance to hone your skills?

[lorentzforcego]

How would you have known? They say some can tell when they're about to die but that's not true for everyone...

Oh, I had plenty going on. Trust me. I just believe that in the end we all return to the earth. It's our legacies that we pass on that shape the future generations though, if we happen to be so "lucky."

I served my "purpose." Now it's on to the supposed next life.

Good luck. I won't be surprised if that's the case so enjoy your "independence" while you have it.

[No one should have to deal with Chumley. Terrifying man.]

[infernofireblast]

[Who in the world would think this was the afterlife? There's no harps or white robes or anything, let alone the whole walking-on-clouds business Joey would associate with having died. Dang. Someone must have some wacky ideas of where they go when they die.]

Who in da heck would think dis is heaven? I swear, der's some weird people here.

[That's a good question on the music front. Joey hadn't thought about that but, considering he's shooting at being a Gym Leader, it'd be a damn good idea to know if he could blast his own tunes or not.]

Ya know, I actually hadn't thought'a whethah or not we can get our own themes. Dat'd be pretty badass if we could doe'. I wondah if da world would pick 'em for us, or if dey'd be somethin' we gotta pick off'a Staryutube. Eitha way, I'd be down ta have my own theme music! Den people would know beyond'a shadow 'a doubt dat da Joey Show is about ta begin!

[On the dueling front, boy oh boy, that's definitely something Joey has missed. He's even put some pretty doggone heavy effort into getting the duelists that are here together to form some kind of club, but there's just nothing doing on that front. Joey's been missing it for sure, but he's done his best to switch focus onto the task in front of him.]

A'course I miss it. Der's duelists here too, but it just seems nobody actually wants'ta duel. It's real hard tryin' ta get anything else goin' with it too doe, since we only got da cahds we came in here with and nothin' else. Dey've got a cahd game for all deez friggin' Pokémon, but dat just ain't my speed.

[Joey looks a bit sad at the prospect, but also appears resigned.]

I've just been tryin' ta do what I can with what I got ya know?

[chazz_it_up]

Well I would have... someone would have... I don't know! But I would have known!

[best logic is no logic at all]

I bet you were the life of every party you ever attended. [Meaning: Yikes, that's dark] Trust me, I fully intend to build a legacy of my own.. but I want to be around long enough to enjoy it.

What was your purpose anyway?

Oh I will. At least there won't be any homework, or dormmates trying to steal my space or my food.

[Agreed. Least he goes to work for Pegasus and disappears forever]

[chazz_it_up]

[Just some weirdo that claims he died before he got here. If he actually died then he's doing the whole "being dead" thing all wrong. Although Chazz was used to being haunted by duel spirits, maybe he was also now being haunted by human-cyborgs spirits...? Speaking of which- he hadn't heard any of the Ojama trio ever since he got here.

Huh.

There's a blessing. Even if he actually had grown closer to said monsters. They would probably speak up later to whine about being replaced or something.. whatev. Chazz has no idea that the spirits might not have travelled with him]

I don't know. Some guy that sounded like he had a screw loose anyway. That's why you can't trust anything said over the internet.

[Or network, as it were.

Get on that Joey, every gym leader needs a rocking theme.]

You really haven't? Huh. [Heck, he'd even want a theme song in his own dimension.] They better let us pick them, because whoever "they" are don't exactly have the best ear for music. Are they trying to put us to sleep here?

[What follows next has to be among some of Chazz's greatest disappointments. Imagine, gathering all the elite duelists into one arena and then........ nothing. Maybe this music is actually meant to cool people's passions to a manageable level so whoever is behind it never faces retribution for abducting everyone?]

Nobody.... at all? [It's hard for him to accept that some of his idols would just slip calmly into retirement] No new cards, no booster packs, no tournaments.... [He had just been starting to come around to the idea of making the most of this game while he was here to impress anyone watching, but ... NO DUEL MONSTERS?! Cupping the side of his head with both hands, he leaned slightly forward, looking like he was about to lose it] I got to get out of here! [Sure he'd been riding on a high from his recent duels, but he didn't want to lose all that progress]

[lorentzforcego]

Are you trying to convince me or yourself?

I was, actually. I'm quite happy in my life. Was happy? Hmm. People look to me for advice and wisdom, knowing I'll give the best neutral answer possible. That, along with passing on my memes, was my life's purpose.

There are other trainers who may try to do those things. Do be careful. I am pleased to hear you'll be making a name for yourself though.

[Pegasus doesn't deserve that either, man.]

[infernofireblast]

Dat's what I'm talkin' about man! Useful or not, so mucha da music here is just... I dunno... If I get a theme for my Gym or whatnot, I hope it's more of a badass kinda tune den da hunky-dory walk-in-da-pahk kinda crap dey play in most'a da places I been to.

[Joey's got no idea how the world goes about picking out what songs to bust-out at what times or for what reasons, but he full-well knows that he would lose his shit if he went to all the work of putting together a team of not-Duel Monsters just for it to play some early 2000s slow jam crap. That is, without a doubt, not the kind of atmosphere the Red-Eyes Duelist is trying to cultivate.]

For duelin'... it sucks. Der's duelists from all kinds'a places in here. Some places I ain't even heard of, and yet we ain't got da stuff needed ta make it work. Some of us got mats like we used'ta duel on, but der's like one duel disk in da whole place and all we got for cahds is what everyone came in with. I hate ta say it, but without dat creepy Pegasus ta crank out new cahds it's real tough makin it work.

[Joey looks disappointed, but not deflated. Between all the duelists present in the world there's a decent catalog of cards, but it's still a drop in the bucket. Having something to pull from would be the perfect touch, but he just doesn't know how he could make it work. Still, hope springs eternal, and Joey's not one to give up on a dream.]

Joey Wheeler never went down without a fight doe', so you can betcha butt I'm still workin' on ways ta make it all work!

[chazz_it_up]

[They both knew the answer to that one without further clarity needed. Chazz was 100% trying to convince himself]

I'm finding that hard to believe. [Then again maybe death changes a person. It shouldn't... since it's DEATH, and a person shouldn't be able to react to their own demise... but maybe.] So if I asked you for advice right now, would you give me your legit opinion on it so I could see what a vast wealth of knowledge you are? [There's definitely sarcasm in there.]

Not here, nimrod! At home! [As for his whole legacy thing, but that was likely to change when he accepted he couldn't leave. Chazz wouldn't want to be a nobody trainer anymore than he wanted to be a nobody duelist]

[Too true. Should have let Chumley go home to work in the "hot sauce" industry with his dad]

[chazz_it_up]

[What do you know. Chazz shares some of the same musical taste as a dueling legend. That has to count for something, right?!]

Someone here really needs to invent the mute button. Sheesh! ... You're opening a gym? [Hello, he's a new trainer that doesn't get the reference. Joey's in shape, he could totally open his own gym if he wanted...] Gotta fill the time with something. I guess.

No holograms?! [There was something Chazz hadn't even considered. Sure, you could just play the game on a tabletop or a mat, that was primarily what they had done in prep school but duel disks heightened the whole game. You could actually feel as if you were part of the action.] Did I say this was the most incredible thing that's every happened to me? I take it back. [Even if he found someone willing to duel him, there were only so many strategies to work with without being able to refresh your deck with new cards. He wondered briefly, which of his decks was with him- or if he had more than one on his person at the time..]

That's uh.... reassuring. [Though not sounding all that reassured. Chazz was deep into panic mode, so give him a minute. Besides, Joey might be a great duelist but he was not a mover and an innovator like Pegasus or Kaiba. KAIBA! Right! All Chazz would need to do is find Kaiba and convince him to take a more active role in growing Duel Monsters here... Chazz, pls]

[lorentzforcego]

Have I really said anything so unpleasant to paint myself in that sort of light?

And yes, go right ahead and ask.

[Try as you might, Chazz, not much dissuades him.]

Here, home. They say home is where the heart is, right?

Why not use this as a practice run?

[Yes, that sounds a better fate for everyone.]

[chazz_it_up]

Technically... no.

[Stop calling him out when he's frustrated with his situation and taking it out on you.]

Alright, so try this one hot shot. Say you have a pile of wrapped sandwiches all collected in a bin. None of them are labeled. What's the best way to draw out the one sandwich you actually want to eat?

[What the heck kind of question is this and why would people need advice on this?]

Now you're starting to sound like a fortune cookie.

[Except Chumley, but who cares. The Hot Sauce will mellow him in time.]

[lorentzforcego]

That's what I thought.

[That is how the Monsoon doooo. /zefrank1]

An interesting conundrum. That all depends on how the sandwiches were wrapped. Is it see through plastic or paper? If it's see through, you could simply see which has the ingredients you prefer. Either one you should be able to at least smell what is on the sandwich.

If that's somehow not the case then you'll just need to go in blind and hope for the best.

[Common sense but. You know. He did ask for his advice.]

You're not the first person to say that.

[Everyone wins. XD]

[infernofireblast]

[Having been here for half a year now Joey is more used to the idea that most of the duelists in here just sort of gave up after washing-up in the Pokemon world, so the absence of resources for card battles doesn't hit him as hard as it used to. He's got big plans for Duel Monsters once he becomes a Gym Leader but, excited as he is about them, Joey knows that's a bridge he'll cross when he comes to it.]

Dis place is pretty much da exact opposite of dat Duel Links place I was in before. Dat place had nothing but places ta duel and cahds just waitin' ta be snatched-up. I was even able ta upgrade my deck to a whole new level of butt-kickin' in dat place, so you can bet I wish der was some'a dat goodness here.

[Tapering-down from his excitement about Duel Links, Joey shifts gears and points Chazz to look at the Pokeballs on his belt.]

Dis place has it's own kinda game doe', n' der's a lot ta learn in order to get good at it. It's got a lot in common with Duel Monstahs doe' so it's not all stahtin' from scratch.

[Clearly having thought of the similarities beforehand, Joey starts to list them off at a rapid-fire pace.]

- You can only keep six monstahs on ya at a time, just like da cahds in ya hand.

- Some Pokemon can straight-up evolve, so der's some real close similarities to level monstahs like da Silent Swordsman dat Yuug would use.

- Der's a bunch'a different types of Pokemon and dey're all a lot like da different monstah types we already know. You got Pyros, Warriors, Dragons, Spellcastahs, and all kinds'a stuff all right here as Pokemon so if you're used'ta running a specific thing odds are dat you'll know exactly what'ta look for.

- Pokemon can all have different items dat help ta make dem strongah, so der's even friggin' equip spell cahds in here and dey ain't even tryin' ta make it subtle. Dey're hahd ta get doe', so I was lucky to come in here around Christmas when dey're up for grabs.

[Joey breathes-in again, readying to continue his list, but realizes he's ranting and think better of it.]

Err... yeah. Der's a lot more stuff like dat, but I don't wanna talk ya leg off. I kinda got carried away der for a sec, but let's just say dat der's a lotta cool stuff ta learn about da new system if ya let yerself get into it.

[the_redhead]

[Sometimes just calling Cherry, Cherry is a dicey situation- if it's during the daytime working hours.]

A competitive sport?! No way! Which one? [There were so many sports to choose from, but Reki clung to the hope that he might have found a kindred spirit in this bizarro world.] Not currently, no. A nickname is usually something you just kind of earn.. [As he types that out he has a bitter memory of being called "that redhead that comes here with Snow". Let's just not mention that one..]

Ok, you're losing me again. What's a Duel Monster? [As for the pocket computer, he'd give it a look-see in a minute.]

You weren't kidding! We better not be either! [Dead or in limbo. There were still so many things he needed to do with his life, and what about his mother and his sisters?! What would they be going through right now?!] There has to be a way out of here.. or a way to check. [He gives himself a pinch, and it does sting so... isn't that proof that he's alive if he can still feel things?]

[chazz_it_up]

It's opaque paper. Also, you're not the only one trying to find the best sandwich so going around smelling them all is kind of out of the question.

[Look, part of that was his bad. He neglected to include all the information]

Going in blind is what everyone does already.. I should have included all the details. Let's try something else.

[Chazz has found a new game to occupy his time..]

Say there was this guy crushing on a girl that wouldn't even give him the time of day. They talk sometimes, sure, but she's always abrasive towards him, or rolling her eyes. So.. she's definitely flirting with him. [wut.] So how can this guy convince her that they're ready to go to the next level and start officially dating?

I won't be the last either.

[T-R-U-T-H]

[lorentzforcego]

I can see why you wouldn't want to act like everyone else since from what I've gathered of you, you prefer to do your own thing. Go against the grain.

However, unless there's an option you specifically don't want or you're an incredibly picky eater then any sandwich should do, really. It's just a sandwich, after all.

[Armstrong is probably looking at Monsoon and shaking his head from his spot next to him while the man's grinning to himself and chuckling from time to time.]

Hmm. Is that flirting? I assumed women let you know when they were interested in you even when they're playing hard to get.

If you are certain though, have you spoken to her about how you feel rather than simply dropping hints?

sorry for delay.

[ladyharpist]

I know enough pigheaded people, myself. Although probably not on a level of wanting to name something close to me after them.

[ it certainly is. ]

Well, considering I just met "mom," I'd say I'm newer. For the record, does that not freak people out? A random lady calling herself your mother? Awkward.

[chazz_it_up]

[Well, Joey will have at least one duelist that is on board for some card game shenanigans]

Where do I sign up for Duel Links instead?

[There was only a hint of bitterness in his tone. It wasn't directed at his current companion, just the Pokémon world in general]

I guess it's not like I really have a choice.

[The last thing he wants to become is the local chump, so lay the details on him sensei Joey.]

Only six? That's not a lot for variety.. [That must be part of the strategy. By limiting the number, a trainer has to be more selective with their monsters] ... Or like my Armed Dragon! [Which also levels up, tyvm. Chazz brightens up a little when he can connect something to his own monsters. Somewhat ironically his Druddigon does not evolve.]

Sounds like I have a lot to learn about this place and how it functions..

[It's going to be like starting school all over again- but not entirely]

Hey, whatever- it's cool.. and at least I'm not sitting in a lecture hall while you're telling me all this.

sorry for delay.

[ladyharpist]

[ mai definitely knows what it's like to be the underdog just as he does. she's always felt beneath other people and has constantly had to fight to make her way to the top just to have it stripped away from herself. joey and mai are more similar than they think, really. so she's quick to reassure him because honestly, he has made something of himself from what he's telling her.

as he talks himself up, instead, mai isn't able to help but smile at it. it's better to see him feeling confident than beat down. ]

There you go, don't sweat the small stuff, as they say.

[ she shrugs lightly as she uses the idiom. ]

We've been put through the wringer, you and I. If anyone has the guts and the strength to become something special here, then, it's you.

[ alright. that's more than enough being nice. mai is more often sassy and aloof, so, it might be time to return to that in order to maintain her own defensive walls being on alert. she watches as he retrieves a map from his bag and moves slightly closer to the young man to peer over his shoulder at it. ]

Travel time, huh? Without a swanky car, at that. Talk about a drag... Well, you know this place better than I do but keep in mind that a beautiful lady such as myself definitely needs somewhere as equally stunning to lay my pretty head. Hm?

sorry for delay.

[incredibulukami]

( see, she knew he was some royal guy since it's "technically" his kingdom. of course, that doesn't mean she's going to show him more respect or anything. a deity is definitely higher on the hierarchy ladder than a measly prince. ) "School," mm. Amaterasu knows what you are saying. ( but do you, ama? she assumes he's just trying to hide his royalty or something because who's kingdom is a school? ) Perhaps, but! They should try harder anyway.

Indeed! ( she shakes her head, though. the fuck is he talking about? ) Amaterasu has never heard of it, so, it must not be that popular after all!

What is a lawyer? ( even if she was aware of what a lawyer is, she isn't the sort of deity to care about it, so, you seem to be shit outta luck, kiddo. but also excuse you, amaterasu is always within the "cute" category. still, she is indeed acting more that way since he gave her the okay to make friends with his druddigon and all. she smooches his cheek and then heads over to the pokemon without realizing that she's short-circuited the young man's brain. it's not a first kiss, per se, since it's only on the cheek but perhaps it's his first kiss on the cheek?

the kami is happily scritching and petting at both pokemon so she certainly doesn't notice his face going redder than red and how much he's flustered. it isn't until she finally turns to see him that she spots it and blinks. )

Uwah? Do you have a fever again? Maybe Amaterasu should bring you to a theater?

[incredibulukami]

( pretty much, yes. )

Neither do I! "Mom" is too creepy to stick around! ( again, not her mother. she sets her hands on her hips though. ) Where should we start again?... ( if only amaterasu pays attention... spoiler: she doesn't. )

Eh? Yes, Tsukuyomi is my sister! We're twins! ( tsukuyomi is, technically, male but in her world there are a lot of kamis who aren't the "right" gender. it is what it is. )

[chazz_it_up]

You catch on quick. I don't see any reason why I should just blend into the crowd, not if I want to make a name for myself.

Just a sandwich? It's more than "just a sandwich". The whole school is all trying to find one specific sandwich in a pile of bland, ordinary sandwiches. Finding it in one draw is like.. a point of honor.

[I thought you didn't want to do the same thing everyone else does, Chazz? He prefers to be different... to an extent.]

Of course it is. It's called playing hard to get and it's a more difficult game than Duel Monsters.

pseudirfhio[e WHO SAID ANYTHING ABOUT IT BEING ABOUT ME?! I'm asking for a .... friend.