Test-Drive Meme - February

[thewatchers]

TEST DRIVE MEME
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With Winter Quarter in full swing, students can often be found dashing madly about the halls, with part-time jobs, classes, and other events and interests occupying much of their time.

Of course, that doesn't mean it's all work. Daybreak Academy tries to offer its students an abundance of leisure time to relax and unwind. With Valentine's Day fast approaching, romance is in the air as news of the Feast of St. Valentine and the Valentine's Ball begin to spread around campus. Already, talks of fashion and finding the right date are buzzing among the student body. With the winter months winding down, the oppressive chill of Winter is starting to loosen its grip, but there's still plenty of snow left for those who want to take one last run at Daybreak's slopes. As midterms approach, the school is as vibrant and busy as ever.

[All threads in this meme may be treated as canon should all involved characters are currently played or accepted into the game. You may use threads within the Test Drive Meme for Activity, even if the person you are threading with does not ultimately app. Current characters are welcome and encouraged to top-level on these prompts, as well as tag around normally.]


A. SECOND-HAND MARKET

Daybreak Academy has existed for several centuries. Throughout all that time, its ethos has been that of honing the abilities of deserving students, no matter what their birthright or social standing. Even still, the lavish galas befitting the riches of the school continued to have an impact, as poorer students unable to acquire proper attire were often locked out. To remedy this, Daybreak Academy began a tradition that it has upheld ever since - the Second-Hand Market. Hosted in an ever-expanding number of classrooms, the Second-Hand Market brings out all of the clothing, weapons, and other items that have been acquired, resold, or otherwise donated to the academy throughout its lifespan.

Here, any students and faculty can acquire any number of items, such as formal wear, weaponry, and other items for a fraction of the price. Most items are in decent condition, although there are some old items in disrepair that are even cheaper. They can come from just about anywhere in the world and just about any era, and you are able to exchange equivalent items, weapons and armor in both magical and mundane varieties, and formal clothing. Especially among richer students, the tradition is to donate any new clothing or items you commission for social events once the event is complete, to keep the stock current and available for the students who might need it.

With the upcoming ball, the Second-Hand Market is once again open for the first half of February. Staffed completely by students, it is frequently bustling with customers, many of whom not only buy outfits or weapons for the upcoming dance, but also spares they can use for their own projects.

B. LAST CHANCE ON THE SLOPES

With the Winter season winding down, the Arctic Slopes are entering their final months of operation for the season. For those hoping to get some skiing or snowboarding in, now will be the last chance for quite some time. As such, the lodge is full of students trying to take advantage of the last chance on the slopes. Winter has lingered this year, and the snow pack is still dense, making it perfect for one last hurrah. With the rush of students and faculty alike, the lodge is stocked with warm meals and hot chocolate to fill people's bellies after a long day on the slopes.

C. ALCHEMY MISHAP

Accidents happen, especially when you’re playing with the very essence of matter - and one just happened in the Alchemy student lab, causing a cloud of pale smoke to float all over campus. Thankfully it won’t turn anyone into a toad or kill someone.

But it does strange things to one’s vocal chords when inhaled, and unlike Helium it isn’t a one-trick pony, voices raise and lower in pitch, foreign accents, even completely different languages may start coming out of person’s mouth while they’re within in the cloud. Though that bit of an echo effect does sound pretty cool.

D. IRIS NETWORK


[Great Beast Voting]

Greetings, staff and students of Daybreak Academy!

Today, we are gathering data for a survey about the most popular great beasts. Please pick from the options below to help us gather results for our work.

What is your favourite Great Beast? Please pick from the list below.
1. Gryphon
2. Dragon
3. Chimera
4. Kirin
5. Barghest
6. Pegasus
7. Sphinx
8. Kraken


Thank you for your participation and assistance. We eagerly await your response!

[ Naturally, the results are public, with the aims of encouraging further discussion. ]

code bases by tricklet

Comments

Chikage Nonomiya | Totsugami | OTA

[nonomiya]

Her AU planning outline is here.


A. MARKET

[The market is one of Chikage's favorite academy traditions. Once again, she has brought a small box of formal clothing and elaborate jewelry to donate. She has trouble selecting the right dress for formal balls every year and usually procures several entire outfits to choose from. Chikage has of course grown a bit since last year and her dresses no longer exactly fit. Not one to alter her things when she can easily buy others, she prefers they go to someone with less means who will enjoy them for at least one night. She sets her box on one of the tables and pulls her wares out delicately to hand over for display. Her clothing offerings to the market today include: a peacock blue ballgown with sequins and a high mandarin collar, a pale beige slinkier dress with mesh sleeves, and a dark green sleeveless dress with high slits and layers of lace. Her jewelry choices are set to match each dress: sapphire teardrop earrings, a double-stranded pearl necklace, and wide copper bracelets.]


B. LODGE

[After a last exhilarating turn down the mountain, Chikage opens the door to the lodge. She props her snowboard against the wall and heads for the concessions area. There's somewhat of a line, but she doesn't mind waiting. She removes her gloves and stuffs them in her jacket pocket. It's hot inside after physical activity, so she yanks off her pompom hat and shakes out her hair, slightly damp with snow and sweat. She unzips her jacket, reaches for her money in the inside pockets and comes up empty handed. She gently taps the arm of the person in front of her in line and addresses them quietly in French.]

Excuse me, can I ask you a favor?


D. IRIS

un: chichi
3. Chimera. A chimera could theoretically be a combination akin to any of the others on the list. A vote for a chimera is a vote for a krakirin or perhaps a pegasphinx.

B

[upwardspiral]

[So, many students who've been in this school for a while? They at least know of the highly eccentric fae teacher who teaches art, a class on dealing with fae, and her highly infamous Breaking Barriers class which is described by those who've taken it as rather hellish but effective.

It's this very fae who is ahead of Chikage. Primrose turns around, a smile on her face.]

Why, I would be most delighted to help one of our students! After all, it is the task of us faculty to help nurse you young saplings. Ah, it brings tears to my eyes thinking of the promise you all hold.

[She sounds completely sincere. And she is.]

[nonomiya]

[Chikage knows Primrose mostly in name only. She isn't interested in art, and has not yet made the time for a specific fae-related class or Breaking Barriers. She holds back a smile at the teacher's flowery way of speaking. She likes it, and appreciates people who can put themselves out there. It's harder than most think.]

Um, I...

[It is, however, rude to ask for money from a teacher. Though she wil most definitely pay it back.]

I'm sorry, but I seem to have left my money in my room. If you wouldn't mind, could I borrow some? I will reimburse your as soon as possible.

[It was tentative, and she turns a bit pink.]

[upwardspiral]

Of course! Naturally, I will do such a small thing. After all, isn't money such a cruel invention? And yet it facilitates so many things. But I'm getting distracted again.

[She digs into her purse made of faux leather strips of many colors. After a minute, she pulls out some cash.]

I'm afraid I still have some trouble wrapping my head around this money thing. Just take as much as you need.

[It's not like she really spends a lot of money.]

[nonomiya]

Thank you very much.

[Chikage hesitates a bit, but ultimately takes the money. Only enough for food.]

How should I get this back to you? Leave an envelope in your faculty box, or stop by your office?

[upwardspiral]

Why, whatever would be convenient to you. All you have to do is utter my name three times and either I or a representative of mine will be there. Or you could simply come to me during my office hours. I am told I am quite too careless with money, so I'm trying to be more careful with it and handle it in a less easily lost or stolen manner.

[nonomiya]

Then I will bring it directly to you during office hours.

[The line is moving slowly, so she takes the opportunity to ask about one of Primrose's classes.]

Could you tell me more about Breaking Barriers? I know it's only February, but I need to be thinking ahead for next term.

[upwardspiral]

Oh, I can definitely tell you about that class! It isn't the usual class that happens at clockwork every term. No, only when do I have enough candidates do I offer it. Fortunately... I'll be offering it soon!

As for what it is, it is in short special training. Each student receives a personal training regime to help the seed of potential in them sprout, and I monitor them. Ah, the beauty of them pushing beyond their limits! Alas, not every student appreciates it. But those who put in the effort, why, they'll see results!

[nonomiya]

[Chikage lives for training and specialization. She's instantly excited by the prospect of this class.]

I'm highly interested in this class!

[A rare enthusiastic statement is voiced.]

Are there prerequisites? Is this a magic class, or can we utilize weapons?

[upwardspiral]

[Oh, she has an excited student. How exciting! She always loves it when students are enthusiastic.]

Put simply: I will tailor the training according to what you need. Weapons or magic or whatever you use, I'll take it into account.

[nonomiya]

I see. When are you next offering it? I'd like to prioritize it in my plans.

[She has already opened a scheduling application on her phone and is scrolling through her list of intended classes for the next two years.]

[upwardspiral]

Why, my dear delightfully motivated student, it is in fact next month!

B

[freedom_to_choose]

[While she had a good time, Sieg has a different opinion. It's been nothing but tiring, cold, and wet, as he crashed from one snowbank into the other. Needless to say, he needs a pick me up and maybe some time to reflect. He stood patiently in line and sighed contemplating his shortcomings in snowboarding when someone tapped him.]

How can I help?

[nonomiya]

I'm sorry, but I seem to have left my money in my room. Do you have enough I could borrow for a small snack? I've been on the mountain for a couple of hours and I didn't have breakfast.

[She smiles at him a little hesitantly, loathe to ask people for favors, but it was due to her own negligence she was in this position.]

I'll certainly pay you back, or take you out to lunch next week.

[freedom_to_choose]

I see. Sure. I can lend you some money.

[He goes to reach for his wallet.]

Were you out snowboarding as well?

[nonomiya]

I was. It's a great day for it.

[She extends her hand.]

I'm Chikage. Pleased to meet you, and thank you for your assistance.

[freedom_to_choose]

I'm Sieg. Nice to meet you.

[He takes her hand into a firm shake, just as he was taught.]

What would you like to get?

[nonomiya]

[She reads the menu board, intent on picking something not too expensive and that will just tide her over. It's an odd thing to find in a chateau lodge in France, but with such a multicultural student base, a variety of choices are generally present.]

Nachoes? We can split them.

A

[sailor_v]

WOW!

[Suddenly there's a blonde who's just THERE, drawn like a magnet to steel when elegant fashions started to appear. She stares longingly at the gorgeous clothes, fists pushed against her mouth.]

Those are absolutely beautiful! You're really not planning on wearing anything like that again? Ever?

[It's probably a good thing that Mina isn't rich. She doesn't have the closet space for the wardrobe she's always wanted.]

[nonomiya]

Oh!

[A small exclamation, as the girl just comes out of nowhere.]

Uh, thank you. Unfortunately, they no longer fit and I'd really like to give them to someone who could use and appreciate them. I was going to leave them to be sold, but you're certainly welcome to take any if you like them.

[She steps back to allow Mina closer inspection.]

[sailor_v]

[It's very, very tempting. Almost too much for her to bear! But in the end...]

If the money's going to the school, then I wouldn't want to get in the way of a worthy charity. I'll just have to save up and get something the old-fashioned way!

[She settles her hands on her hips with a smile.]

Besides, if they don't fit someone as trim as you, there's no way I could stuff myself into something like that without embarrassing myself! I'm Mina, by the way.

[nonomiya]

Oh, yes. I try to donate when possible.

[She is very petite and short, and a bit too eager to help that she hadn't taken Mina's body type into consideration.]

I hadn't thought about that either. I'm Chikage. Very pleased to meet you...

[She isn't too keen on flaunting her money around, but her family is very rich and liquid.]

Um... If you haven't gotten a dress for the ball yet, I'd be happy to loan you some money?

[It's a question, because she's not good at friendships and isn't sure if that offer will offend.]