TEST DRIVE MEME - AUGUST

[thewatchers]

AUGUST TEST DRIVE MEME
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August is the last month of break before the return of school, all over Europe offices are empty as it was peak time for employees to take their well-earned vacation. The weather is still scorching, and brains are melting, but it won’t be long before autumn comes - so enjoy it while you can.


A. Voluntelling

While the Academy pays for all expenses trips to exotic locales for vacation, there is a quiet expectation that when problems arise that students will jump up and take care of the problem wherever it arises, even if it means interrupting a well-earned vacation for a brief time.

This time, a nightclub in the Azores is suffering from the influx of spirits of early portuguese settlers partying in the club and becoming quite rowdy; how do you plan to get them to move along? It's most certainly not a job for a single person, and you don't want to wrack up the long-distance charges for a certain business to get rid of them, so it's all up to you.

B. Lay over

The flights back to Daybreak, while done on privately owned jets are still beholden to mother nature, and a large bank of thunderclouds have grounded the planes for the next several hours, leaving awaiting students and staff to try to find ways to entertain themselves while stranded in the airport. Charge ports are limited, food and airport fantasy books are overpriced and you can’t leave the terminal - how do you even survive?

C. Come Dance all Night
In Soliel, the Azores, Miami - and other parts unknown, fliers for a free concert appear advertising bands one has never heard of, and it soon becomes apparent the fliers are invisible to those not aware of the supernatural.

Going to the listed locations will prove that the adverts were legit, as bands of witches, elves, and more playing strange but extremely enjoyable hybrid music as people mosh in front of the stage, or floating above it. And overpriced vendor food was hawked from popcorn to more exotic fare such as dewdrops (with humans cautioned against partaking it without a handy friend nearby). All in all it's a fun night of music.

D. IRIS NETWORK
This month’s network prompt is a very simple one.

UN: shinyhappyppl

hey every1!!
hows vacation treating u?? did u get some good photos?? u should totally share them!!

Comments

Therion | Octopath Traveler

[bolderfell]

C. Concert (Soleil): Time to Steal the Show

i. You're too kind.

[Now this is Therion's scene.

Not because he appreciates the music, though he does. It's not the overflowing refreshments that do it, either, though they certainly don't hurt.

No, it's the people. People singing (or screaming lyrics along with the bands), people dancing, people laughing and eating and shouting and, overall, not paying much attention to his hands or their wallets. People talking in corners, straining their voices to be heard over the music such that he can gather the local color, too. He picks up a tidbit of gossip here, a dangling bracelet there, and, new as he is to Soleil, fettered as his career's become, both are invaluable tonight.

And it's just nice. Surrounded by people unaware of him in the dark, this is just the kind of atmosphere to put a thief at ease.

Comforted by the weight of a new smartwatch in his pocket, he takes up a comfortable position by the wall and notices someone else taking a breather from the action. Here's an opportunity to tighten his personal recon.]

Hey. [He nods, letting his face fall into shy, but friendly lines.] You don't happen to go to the school around here, do you?

ii. Try this.

Hah, all right. Fine, you got me.

[Buoyed by the night's successes and the general atmosphere of the venue, Therion's relaxed past business mode into something even mellower. Something... almost pleasant. Something fun. A hint of amusement plays around the corners of his eyes as he gestures to a food vendor with his drink.]

What's a dewdrop, and why should I try one?

i;

[transfusionem]

[The girl he asks turns to look at him - she's tall and almost deathly pale and the expression on her face is open and friendly.]

You mean Daybreak? [For all she knows, there could be other, local schools in the area!] Yeah, I go there.

[She brushes her hair out of her face, tilting her head.]

Are you coming in for the new quarter?

[bolderfell]

Yeah. Starting university.

[He waits a beat, then releases a soft laugh and looks away, running fingers through the hair at the back of his neck.]

Is it weird that I'm nervous? I know it's just school, but... I guess I'm not sure what to expect.

[That much is true. He lets his gaze wander over the dance floor--the markedly not-totally-human crowd, with the elves, the witches, the what else have you--then smiles wryly at his new friend.]

Kind of a new crowd for me.

[transfusionem]

Oh, cool! And I don't think it's weird at all - I was pretty nervous, too.

[She follows his gaze, looking out over the crowd. Months ago, it would've been strange to her, but she was thrown into the deep end of the supernatural and she's found her place in it.]

And it's not so bad. You get used to all of it, eventually.

[bolderfell]

Heh. Well, I can only hope, or it's gonna be a long, confusing school year.

[After a moment, he holds his left hand out to shake--probably because his right is holding a drink.]

Therion, by the way. ...Hah, I guess I don't known what else goes into introductions here. Do we even have to declare majors?

[transfusionem]

You’ll be fine.

[She says, having just met the guy. She takes his hand to shake, grinning brightly. Her hand is cold - not supernaturally so, but enough to be noticeable. Maybe it’s just poor circulation...?]

Adelaide. I don’t know if we have to declare majors, but I’m undecided anyways right now.

[bolderfell]

[Huh.

Well, she doesn't have the oddest hand he's had the honor of brushing against of late, but he does take silent note of it. His own hand is warm and lean.]

Learning just enough about everything to be dangerous, huh? I respect that.

[He doesn't wink, but his tone is faintly joking.]

[transfusionem]

[It’s fine, it’s nothing.]

You could say that.

[She smirks, before giving him a once over.]

What about you? Anything in particular you want to study?

[bolderfell]

Me? Well... I guess I haven't really thought about it.

[He returns her look with a moment of steady regard, then dips his head. Beyond the white hair, there's really nothing about him that speaks of anything out of the ordinary. No telling what he's already good at or not.]

I'll admit, this--the idea that this is something someone teaches you in class all day--it's all pretty new to me. Maybe... breaking enchantments, things like that? [He chuckles and fingers his hair awkwardly.] It sounds like fairy tale stuff when you say it out loud.

[transfusionem]

[She nods thoughtfully, taking a moment to think it over. She can’t blame him for not knowing when she doesn’t even have the slightest idea of what to do after six months.]

Yeah, it’s pretty weird, isn’t it? [A laugh.] But that sounds like it could be fun! After all, aren’t things made to be broken?

[bolderfell]

[Caught off guard, Therion snickers behind his hand.]

I don't think that's how the saying goes. Usually it's just rules that're made to be broken.

i

[stavros]

[Kokoro looks up and gives a serious nod.]

As do many of us. It seemed like an interesting excursion. [the words seem a little forced? She's not great at covering up.] And yourself?

[bolderfell]

[Does she mean that school or this concert seemed like the "interesting excursion"? Therion tilts his head very slightly, but doesn't ask.]

Yeah, just starting this term. I was just hoping to get the lay of the land before I turned up out of the blue. You're in... high school?

[stavros]

Grade 10 this semester. [She smiles.] I haven't often gone for trips and concerts and things like that, but it seemed like fun. There's been a lot of it lately, and it's a good idea to get along with one's fellows.

[bolderfell]

[Hm.]

That's normal for this time of year, right? Summer vacation? You'd think you'd get to get out a little more.

[stavros]

We do! I just... usually only study or train or take summer classes or... But I'm getting out plenty! I went to a bonfire! With truth or dare! And got laughed at. But that's a normal thing!

[bolderfell]

[He hides a smirk behind his hand.]

Yeah, that does sound pretty normal. Isn't that the whole point of truth or dare? Embarrassing your friends?

[stavros]

I just thought it was bonding.

[bolderfell]

Same thing.

[stavros]

How is it the same?

[bolderfell]

Isn't that how it works? Having friends?

[He glances away, tugging up at the collar of his hoodie.]

If you can't be embarrassed in front of them, who can you be?

i

[buddinghopes]

Huh? Oh!

[Lia looks up from her phone when the question's asked, then nods, pocketing the device.]

Daybreak? Yes, I do. Are you a new student?

[bolderfell]

[He puts his own hands in his hoodie's front pocket and shrugs with a self-conscious smile.]

Yeah, guess so. Name's Therion. And you're...?

[buddinghopes]

Call me Lia. Nice to meet you, Therion.

[She beams.]

If you've got questions I... might not be a great person to ask said questions since I haven't been around long but I can at least do my best to answer.

[bolderfell]

Hey, it's got to be longer than me. I'm sure you have a thing or two to teach the fresh meat.

[Therion takes her in for a moment, then cocks his head just a bit to the side.]

For example, what's the best place on campus for a new guy to hang out and mingle? [Jokingly:] Asking for a friend.