Test-Drive Meme - January Pre-Game

[thewatchers]

TESTDRIVE MEME
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Gently falling snow and a biting chill welcome students and faculty alike as they return to campus for the beginning of the Winter term. The constant buzz of helicopters delivering students back from their holiday fills the air, and charter busses can be seen coming in and out for hours. Slowly but surely, Daybreak Academy is coming alive once again with the sound of conversation and laughter.

It’ll be a few days before classes resume, but there are a number of fun events on campus to help students re-adjust to campus life, or learn the ins and outs if they are recent arrivals. Faculty, of course, will need to get to work immediately. Lesson plans and mission assignments wait for no-one, after all.

[All threads in this meme may be treated as canon should all involved characters be accepted into the game. Normally, the Faculty meeting will be held at the end of every month ICly, as this is the start of the game we’re incorporating it into the Test Drive. Faculty who accept missions will retain those mission assignments for the month, should they be accepted into the game. If not, we will distribute the remaining missions as needed to the Faculty who are accepted in.]


A. FACULTY IN-SERVICE
As is customary, the school faculty meet before the start of the next month to review the mission portfolios and determine who will be leading what, as well as discuss plans and concerns they might have regarding students. As it’s not uncommon for some students to attempt to listen in and get more details on the upcoming missions, the meeting place changes every month and some faculty serve as wardens to make sure students are kept away.

This month, the meeting is in Robespierre 401. The table is laid out with a number of pastries, snacks, and coffee for the assembled teachers and the projector is revved up and ready to go, with readily available laser pointers for any faculty giving presentations. The day’s Agenda will be discussing incoming students, discussing the start of the term and any expected issues, discussing the mission dossier and assigning faculty, and a few presentations from faculty on ongoing projects and educational advances they feel are worth sharing.

[The following missions are on the docket, they will all require a Faculty volunteer to lead a group of 4-6 students. Running these logs will fulfill the Faculty member’s log requirement for the month of January. Full details will be provided to the Faculty member via Private Message after their application has been processed]

I Wonder What This Button Does
January 14th

At the start of the year, the vaults of the academy is opened and volunteers are allowed inside to help organize the growing collection of artifacts and treasures that is kept securely inside. Due to how old the collection is, many labels have faded and many items have undergone changes, so it has become imperative to keep an accurate record. For students, cataloguing the collection is considered extra credit, though any attempts to smuggle any artifacts out will be met with severe disciplinary action.

28 Bleach Vats Later
January 18th

Cassandra indicates a horde of zombies will materialize from the outland in North Dakota within the United States. As is customary, the horde has been auctioned on the Runic Markets. The winner this time is the American Defense Contractor Coldsteel. As part of the auction package, Daybreak Academy will provide Coldsteel with support and recovery.

This mission requires 2 Faculty members, each leading a group of 4-6 students for two portions of the mission.

Ocean’s Six
January 21st

Cassandra has provided a readout of all roulette results within the Casino strip in Las Vegas, Nevada, within the United States. As is customary, a group of students and an instructor is to be dispatched to garner as much winnings as possible without arousing suspicion. Participants who successfully earn money without their sources being discovered will be entitled to a commission based on their earnings. Students will be provided with $10,000 in seed money and false identifications if necessary.

With the power of foresight, enter Casinos with the winning numbers, make as much money as you can, and try not to get thrown out

Hunt - Several Bones to Pick
January 23rd

Cassandra has noted thick mists inside the Parisian catacombs have given birth to an undead monstrosity. Dubbed the Bone Horror, this monster is collecting parts from corpses to grow in size and strength. Prognostication indicates it will emerge from the Catacombs within a month’s time. It is to be destroyed.

Hunt - Dullahan Texas Ranger
January 28th

Cassandra has been tracking a Dullahan’s emergence in the US state of Texas for some time, and we predict he will begin to move soon. Prognostication indicates that the Dullahan has been absorbing the culture of the local area and styles itself to be something of a cowboy, with aims to slay any local humans that tread upon the area it deems its ranch. It is to be destroyed.


B. WINTER BANQUET
It is customary for Daybreak Academy to hold a grand banquet at the start of every term, and today is no exception. Part celebration, part ice-breaker, the Grand Banquet is a chance for students and faculty to mingle, meet new people, and share a delicious meal.

Today, the tables are arrayed with thick roasts, massive turkeys, and whole pigs as the main course, as well as giant tofu and mushroom platters for the vegetarian and vegan students. Massive dishes heaped with breads and pastries line the tables, as well as broad bowls filled with any number of salad and side ingredients. The table centerpieces elevated ice sculptures of (allegedly) mythological creatures such as pegasi, griffins and dragons standing atop a giant pillar of ice that is surrounded with cold desserts on tiered platters.

While there is an abundance of food, with as many ravenous students as there are it is depleting quickly. Fortunately, an array of servants, both living and golem, are on hand to replace empty platters and assist as needed.

C. DORM ROOM ICEBREAKERS
With the chill of winter setting in, what better way to warm hearts and spirits than dorm icebreakers? Whether you agree with this or not, chances are - especially if you’re new - your RA has dragged you to the common area to participate in a number of (arguably) fun Icebreaker activities that were likely found by checking the first Google result.

Fortunately for those with lower tolerances to people and/or cheesiness, with the whole dorm turned out for these activities, escape may be possible! Unfortunately, many among the student body have heightened senses and supernatural combat abilities. Either way, it’s gonna be a rough evening.

D. IRIS NETWORK
It’s that time again. With the start of Winter Term, returning students and faculty need to update their Iris Network profiles with their current dorm residence and any new credits, class statuses, or accolades they may have earned. New students and faculties will have their profiles pushed to the top in an effort to help them integrate into the broader network, and it’s customary to post responses to people’s updated profiles “Liking” their content and making plans to meet up.

The code below will allow you to update your Iris Network Profile for the new term. Better get it up and see who all responds.

[The below code will ultimately be used for the profile for your character upon acceptance to Daybreak Academy. Please replace or fill in all text in the areas that are capitalized and do not delete any code lines]

<lj-raw><center><div style="max-width:250px;margin:0 auto;font-family:helvetica,arial,sans-serif;font-size:12px;color:#777;-webkit-column-count:auto;-moz-column-count:auto;column-count:auto;-webkit-column-gap:15px;-moz-column-gap:15px;column-gap:15px;-webkit-column-width:250px;-moz-column-width:250px;column-width:250px;"> <div style="margin-bottom:15px;-webkit-column-break-inside:avoid;page-break-inside:avoid;break-inside:avoid;"> <div style="max-width:250px;background:#222 url(TOPBANNERIMAGEHERE)center;background-size:cover;text-align:center;padding:20px 0;"> <img src="USERICON" style="width:70px;padding:5px;border:5px solid rgba(255,255,255,0.4);border-radius:110px;box-shadow:1px 1px 2px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.1);"> </div> <div style="max-width:226px;background:rgba(0,0,0,0.1);padding:12px;line-height:115%;"> <div style="background:#fff;box-shadow:1px 1px 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.08);"> <div style="font-family:helvetica,arial,sans-serif;font-size:12px;color:#777;padding:7px 8px;border-bottom:1px solid rgba(0,0,0,0.1);font-size:10px;text-transform:uppercase;"> <img src="https://i.imgur.com/rzEAtpc.png" style="float:left;margin:1px 0px 0 0;padding-right:8px;"> <b style="color:#222;letter-spacing:1px;">CHARACTERNAME</b><br> UN: USERNAMEHERE </div> <div style="font-family:helvetica,arial,sans-serif;font-size:12px;color:#777;padding:7px 8px;border-bottom:1px solid rgba(0,0,0,0.1);text-align:justify;line-height:1.4;"> <b>STATUS:</b> (Faculty or student w/ either subject/occupation for faculty or grade for student) <p> <b>ACCOLADES:</b> (Noteworthy academic or professional achievements) <p> <b>BIO:</b> (IC character bio) </div> </div> </div> </div> </div><a href="http://tessisamess.insanejournal.com/" style="display:block;max-width:250px;margin:10px auto 0 auto;font-family:helvetica,arial,sans-serif;color:#aaa;text-decoration:none;letter-spacing:2px;font-size:7px;text-align:center;">© TESSISAMESS</a></center></lj-raw>

code bases by tricklet

Comments

Nana Daiba | Revue Starlight | ota!

[playitagain]

B. PLYING THE POPULACE WITH BAKED GOODS

[Nana can be found where she can often be found, at the start of every term: somehow, she has wormed her way behind the scenes of the Winter Banquet's many and varied tables. She has taken over a small one for herself, and though she hasn't changed the decor...

She has added things of her own devising.

There is a smorgasboard of baked goods there: muffins stacked high on a platter, which are visibly banana muffins (each is garnished with a banana slice); banana bread, which is proudly labeled as such in English, French, and her native Japanese; banana cream pie, already cut into slices with paper slips between them for ease; and more!]

C. FILL IN THE BLANK

[Someone has to make sure these dorm icebreakers actually get people talking. Being in Grade 11, and being a bit of a den mother in the first place, Nana has decided she is that someone. Her coat has been left behind, leaving her walking about in skirt and white blouse, with her hair up in those suspiciously banana-shaped pigtails. She has a set of cards in hand.]

Okay, everyone! I'm going to pass these around. As you can see, this card has part of a sentence on it!

[The card says, "If I wasn't here, I would be _________."]

And you fill in the blank!

[Which is when Nana passes it over to the next person, along with a marker, and begins scribbling out her response.]

D. BANANAPHONE:

NANA DAIBA
UN: BANANICE

STATUS: Student (Grade 11)

ACCOLADES: Member of the Theater Club, baker, and Certified Banana Enthusiast by the Society for Plantain and Banana Appreciation. ♥

BIO: Hi! I'm Nana Daiba, and I'm in the Theater Club. I love acting, singing, dancing, and working on scripts. And also a certain tropical fruit if you couldn't guess. Please ask me if you need any help!

© TESSISAMESS

B

[hippocarnival]

[Yuya's hovered impatiently during Nana's set up, weaving away and back again through the crowd. Her set up isn't part of the school banquet, which means limited availability, which means he has to be first so he gets his full pick.

She might be a little blindsided as Yuya runs back just as she's got her placards set up, eyeing the assortment.]

You really went all out, didn't you... [He muses in Japanese, as he tends to do with anyone he knows that speaks it. It's just easier.]

[playitagain]

[Nana blinks, a couple of times, at how quickly Yuya rushes up. She didn't expect that! Oh, she saw him waiting, but she didn't think he'd be that eager. She makes a final adjustment to the last of the placards -- propping it up just so -- before she claps her hands together.

Then, she nods.]

It's important to make everyone feel welcome!

[Nana's English and French is quite good, but she doesn't mind using her native language in the slightest. She smiles at him, head tilted to the side.]

It looks like you'll be the first to have them, this year, Sakaki-san. Which one do you want?

[hippocarnival]

[Yuya laughs sheepishly, rubbing the back of his head. He knows he's thinking with his stomach, but in his defense he hardly ate in anticipation for the banquet.] Well, you know, they all smell good... can I have a banana bread?

[playitagain]

Never change. [Nana beams, then prepares him one of those pre-prepared slices. It already has paper around it. She puts it on a plastic plate, then slides it over.]

Here you are!

C

[shockingblue]

[When GV is handed the marker and the card, he at first looked a little confused. Was he really supposed to do this? ...What would he even be doing right now?

...But he decided to answer honestly.

He wrote "on a mission assignment or maintaining equipment."

...That's a totally normal answer for a 14 year old, isn't it? Yeah, sure is. Nothing totally out of the ordinary there.]

...What next?

[playitagain]

[Nana's answer is a little more tongue-in-cheek: "Probably baking something else!" There is a heart dotting the i, because she saw one of the American students do that and liked it.

She reads GV's card, and blinks. Her head tilts to the side, before she looks back up at his face.]

Did you attend a school like this one, before you came here, GV?

[shockingblue]

[If nothing else, Nana's answer amused him, and the little heart on the "I" was kinda cute. But he didn't say much about it, instead looking back up to answer her question.]

I've been getting lessons and tutoring, so I'm up on my studies, but... no, I didn't come to a school quite like this. When I was a lot younger, I went to a school, but... since I joined a rune guild, I haven't been to one.

[playitagain]

[Nana nods, looking thoughtful. She knows about this, but mostly what she read; until she became a Candle, she didn't have any idea about what things were really out in the world.]

Oh, so you trained with the members of the Rune Guard? That's who your guild worked with?

C

[tiredcharmer]

Unfortunately, Tyzias couldn't see an easy way out of this. At least not yet, and not without a severe reprimand from the faculty. So, sighing, she takes the paper slip... then bites back the urge to give a bitter, mirthless laugh.

When Nana gets the paper slip back from Tyzias, it read: "If I wasn't here, I would be dead."

[playitagain]

Nana takes the slip that Tyzias hands her, unfolding it. She looks down at it and blinks a few times -- her expression is serious, for a moment, before she looks up at Tyzias. Without any hesitation, she smiles.

"A little morbid," she says. "But... that sounds like it's better to be hear than otherwise, if that's the case."

[tiredcharmer]

"This place's better than being dead, yeah," Tyzias says, shrugging. She then scowls in the general direction of the rest of the group. The daggers she glares seem to have physical force behind them. (They do, actually, people who care to look will see tiny rune tattoos all around Tyzias's baggy eyes). "Marginally. There, I shared. Can I leave now?"

[playitagain]

Nana glances at the rest of the group; she smiles apologetically, before she looks back at Tyzias, and shakes her head once. "Well, you could stay and learn a little about the others you'll be spending time with..."

The eye tattoos are noticed, of course. She doesn't bring those up.

C

[topologic]

[ He would be happy... because he wouldn't have to do an icebreaker. But he feels like that one is not going to fly, for obvious reasons. ]

If I may ask a question first... do you mean "here" as in at this physical location at the moment, or "here" as in Daybreak Academy in general? Or is this up for interpretation.

[playitagain]

[Nana doesn't miss a beat.]

I think it's up for interpretation. I've seen both before.

[topologic]

I see.

[ The latter seems more interesting, so he'll go with that, and very carefully pen in his extremely neat handwriting: ]

If I wasn't here, I would be by myself at my childhood home.

[ If this seems a somewhat sad thing to answer with, he doesn't seem to think so, judging by the fact that his neutral expression doesn't change at all. ]

[playitagain]

[She blinks at that, then tilts her head. She smiles, finally.]

Not many people back home?

Well... it's good you're here, then! There's a lot of friends to make, right?

B. PLYING THE POPULACE WITH BAKED GOODS

[yokeye]

[The table of baked goods is very eye-catching, as is the girl overseeing it. So, Toki's made his way over there, despite not having any room for baked goods after eating third helpings of the main offerings. He notices the Japanese on the labels, which makes things a lot easier for his pursuits.]

Hello~!

[He leans against the table nonchalantly and smiles at Nana.]

I would just like to say your wares are arranged exquisitely. However, this luxurious spread merely pales beneath the soft glow of your radiant beauty.

[playitagain]

[Nana looks up, midway through adjusting a label; she looks at him and blinks. For a second, Toki's compliment doesn't quite register.

Then she opens her mouth, laughs, and covers her mouth quickly with her hand.]

O-Oh, my! Are you flirting with me?

[yokeye]

Oh, no. That wouldn't be proper~. [He gives her a sly wink.]

It's only right that a woman should be complimented on her alluring qualities.

[He gestures to her array of baked goods.]

Which would you recommend for the most satisfying indulgence?

[playitagain]

Mm-hm.

[Internally: AAAAH WHAT DO]

We~e~ell... anything with bananas is delicious and nutritious! I think I would suggest a slice of banana cream pie or a banana muffin.

I'm not sure if I would call any indulgent, though...

B for Baked Bananas

[leekspins]

[There are plenty of ways to quickly win Orihime over. Baked sweets is definitely one of them. If there were banana donuts, she would have been a friend for life right off the bat.]

[Her eyes are alight with wonder as she studies the variety of goods laid out, appreciating both the smell and the aesthetic cuteness that was put into each item. She's secretly wanted to open up her own French bakery and dessert shop ever since she moved to France. Could this be a dream they share?]

They all look so good...!

[How is she supposed to decide where to start? She can't just take one of everything, there might not be enough for everyone if she gets greedy. It's awfully tempting, though. She finally settles on banana bread since she's never tried that before, and because it's nice to see something written in Japanese again. She keeps one hand cupped beneath the bread while guiding it into her mouth with the other and takes a hearty chomp. While she might catch the crumbs that drop, there's nothing she can do about the ones on her face as she thoroughly enjoys the sweet flavors and mild spices of the bread.]

Mmmmmm! It's moist and sweet! You're an amazing cook!

[Bread: gone. It wouldn't hurt to try one of the muffins too, would it? She's already reaching for one.]

[playitagain]

[Nana hasn't ever made banana donuts before. But, perhaps, the inspiration for such finery has arrived.

Her eyes light up when she sees Orihime approach and look so excited. She does this to put a smile on people's faces, after all. She claps her hands together, while Orihime looks it over; Nana's eyes are still lit up, but she nods.]

Thank you!

[She doesn't even move to stop her from seconds.]

I always loved to bake. And I love bananas, so... this combines together nicely! I make them for the Theater Club and my friends during the year.

[leekspins]

I like bananas too!

[They're inexpensive and make a great stir-fry ingredient. It's a shame she can't get her hands on sweet bean paste here, since that was one of her favorite things to pair with the yellow fruit.]

[Half of the muffin is gone now.]

Theater Club? Do you go to movies together?

[playitagain]

They taste fantastic and they're a source of potassium!

[Nana nods, cheerfully -- then pauses. Do they go to movies together? Sort of.]

Plays! We go to plays.

But we put on performances, too!