memesoftheton

TDM I

The Ton Test Drive Meme I

Welcome to the The Ton's first ever Test Drive Meme!

The game will officially open on the 1st of April (lol) and we will announce this via the game's Plurk account. Applications will open on this date - please do not submit an application before then as it will be ignored until the opening date.

Please note that the Test Drive Meme does not require an invite.

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Arrival

I. WELCOME

You don't remember when or where you fell asleep exactly.

Perhaps it's the tickling sensation of a low hanging tree branch brushing against your nose or the feel of the slightly damp grass underneath you that causes you to awaken but when you do you'll find yourself lying amongst a glade of wisteria trees. You're not alone - nymphs of the trees laugh and dance about you, clearly amused at the new arrival. Along with them, your new loyal servant is here on Pheme's bidding. How this servant looks is different to each arrival. Some are saddled with short, stout butlers, others are welcomed by towering, busty maids. Regardless of their appearance, they introduce themselves with a kindness and warmth that is simultaneously reassuring and strangely impossible to resist when they beckon you to follow them from the grove and out into the city of Andovale.

The closest structure within sight is the Palace and its grounds. It is here that the Lady Pheme resides and from here that she rules over the city, your servant explains to you. You have been selected and brought here personally by her. It is she who assigned the servant to guide you through the regency-inspired city that is your new home.

Eventually, they will bring you to your new residence within the outskirts of somewhere called the "Trade Quarter". You are now the resident of a room within one of the many imposing town houses which make up the Grand Crescent. Throughout your stay here the servant will be your own personal butler or maid. This is where all new arrivals will be living for the time being you are told. Your servant will also give you a crash course on life here and the concept of Thumos - the energy or life force that keeps Andovale and all life within it going - including you now that you are here. It's generated through acts of intimacy, whether that be physical or emotional.

Once you have been shown to your room, you are given two things: a network communication device and a letter. The letter reads as follows:

My dearest reader,

Welcome to Andovale.

The delights of our fair city are yours to explore.

I do hope that you make your stay here a most interesting one. I shall be frightfully disappointed if you do not - and we do not want that, do we?

You will hear from me again very soon.

Yours Truly,

Lady Pheme

You are free to wander about and explore the house and its surroundings as you please. It's certainly spacious enough. As well as your own quarters, each of the townhouses of the Grand Crescent have large communal areas, which includes the kitchens (although why you'd like to go there when your servant can fetch any delicacies you'd like for you!), a dining room, a parlour with its own small library, two drawing rooms (somewhere you can go to chill out basically - harp music anyone?) and a generously sized garden. Strangely, unlike most accurate regency townhouses, there do not appear to be any servant's quarters - perhaps these servants don't need to rest? Or they go somewhere else entirely for that.

Why not introduce yourself to your new housemates? Or enjoy some tea and cakes that have been prepared for you personally by your retainer, which they seem to keep insisting on bringing to you?

II. AN INVITATION

Your arrival coincides with the beginning of spring and with it the height of the ton's social season. What kind of social event can signify the start of this better than a grand ball?

Coincidentally you won't have long to enjoy your new home in peace and quiet. Wherever you are within the Grand Crescent your house's assigned butler or maid will track you down sometime during the day. They are not empty-handed and they carry a silver tray, upon which is an envelope with a wax seal bearing the letter "P". Inside the envelope is an invitation. An invitation from your benevolent ruler, Lady Pheme herself.

Each character will receive an invitation identical in wording to the one below:

MASKED BALL

YOUR CHARACTER'S NAME HERE

Is requested to attend the ball at THE PALACE, on 25th of March current, at 9 o'clock p. m.

Do not trouble yourself - masks will be provided upon your arrival.

Lady Pheme

You have already been told that an invitation to the Palace from the lady herself is the only way in. So if you want to find out anything about the ~~tyrant~~ lady then you better get yourself gussied up. Your servant can help you find something appropriate to wear - or not appropriate, the choice is entirely yours after all. The ball awaits.

Masked Ball

For the first time tonight, the gates of the Palace are open. Whether you're arriving on horseback, by carriage or on foot, you must travel through those gates and down a wide sweeping roadway, lined with immaculately trimmed hedges and roses bushes.

Stone steps and huge double doors greet you at the other end. Once you go through these doors, you will enter a grand entrance hall. You will see this room and the ballroom only. All other rooms are out of bounds and no amount of physical force or magic powers will get you to them.

In the short time that Andovale has been in existence, Lady Pheme has already built herself a bit of a reputation for being rather erratic when it comes to the Palace's interior. She seems to change it on a whim whenever she feels like it. She does so hate being bored after all. The colour scheme she fancies on this particular evening is black, white and silver. The many servants and attendants milling around are dressed all in white and are of course, wearing masks themselves. Every free surface is covered in grand flower arrangements, also in white.

Upon arrival, you are handed two very important items. The first is your dance card, the second is your mask. You will not be able to enter the Palace ballroom without both of these items.

The delight that is the dance card is key to every regency ball experience. Traditionally held by young women, at this ball everyone gets one. The dance card is used to record the names of those with whom you intend to dance each successive dance with at a formal ball such as this.

Got cold feet? Dancing not your thing? You might find that card being magically filled out for you. One second it's completely blank, the next you look down and find yourself with a list of delightful individuals with whom to show off your dance moves. (You have Pheme to thank for that - she's just looking out for you!)

Curiously, there is no sign of your generous hostess herself. Just a throne sitting empty at the top of the ballroom.

As for the masks, well... they're not quite what they seem too. It isn't as though you'll have any choice but to find that our for yourself. As previously mentioned, there's no entering the ballroom without one on. You might be able to persuade someone to swap masks with you or ask a member of the Palace stuff for another one - but they're all about as chaotic as each other.

Hey, at least the drinks are unlimited.

A typical regency ball usually ends around 5 in the morning so you might be here a while.

Note: The images below are just a guide, you can decide exactly what your mask looks like as long as it fits within the colour/animal category described.

Silver Mask

Simple and classic - unless you go for one of the more elaborately patterned ones.

The wearer of this mask will find themselves experiencing only the most pleasant of hallucinations. We'll leave the interpretation of that up to you.

You're also hungry. Really damn hungry.

Blue Mask

Masks of this hue will leave the wearer with an overwhelming sense of sadness. You're just plain bummed out.

Unless that is, you get yourself someone to dance with. In fact the only way to feel remotely normal or cheerful while you're wearing this mask is to dance the night away and you will feel compelled to do just that. Otherwise you're just going to be a giant sad sack all evening and nobody wants that.

Peacock Mask

Wow, so you like to make a statement, huh? Or maybe it was the only one within reach. Either way, nobody's going to fail to notice you in one of these.

Seriously. No, seriously, is it just you or is everyone staring at you? You know the mask is pretty garish in comparison to the others but this seems like an overreaction...

The truth is this mask makes you irresistible to others. So you have the personality of a shovel? Your problems are over, my chum. All of the ton will now be dazzled by your sparkling wit and the positively flawless way in which you conduct yourself. Everyone's laughing at your jokes, even when you didn't make one. Everyone wants to be the first name on your dance card. You might even find yourself with a couple of marriage proposals by the end of the night.

You lucky thing you.

Pink Mask

Two words: MEET CUTE.

Come on, it's everyone's favorite trope! You know that romcom hero or heroine who is delightfully and cutely clumsy? Always bumping into their future love interest? Well, this mask lets you become just that.

You know, after your third spilled drink of the night this could actually get really annoying.

Harlequin Mask

There is no such thing as privacy for those who end up with a harlequin mask. It may take you a while to realise (unless someone else takes pity enough to point it out to you) but this particular mask projects the wearer's innermost private thoughts onto the front of it for anyone else to read.

Let's hope you're not thinking anything too insulting. Otherwise, we might have a fight on our hands.

Cat Mask

This mask causes the wearer to start acting... well, like a cat.

Chasing shiny objects, randomly knocking glasses off the drinks table, rubbing yourself against somebody else's legs... all of that. You weirdo. What will it take to ward you off? A spray from a water bottle? A laser pointer? If only those had been invented...

Golden Mask

This mask will really amp up your Thumos production. When we say really, we mean really.

The slightest touch from another will suddenly feel like ecstasy to you. Even something as simple and bland as someone tapping you on the shoulder is liable to have you feeling weak at the knees.

Naturally this could get a little awkward if you've never even met the other person before. Oh well, at least they can't see your face properly.

Red Mask

Red is the colour of passion. That must be why you're passionately angry at that person. Specifically the first person you lay eyes on once you enter the ballroom. You might even say that they are your nemesis.

Does this person even know that they're your nemesis? Probably not. (Unless they just happen to also put on a red mask and lay their eyes on you at exactly the same moment!) It doesn't matter. Clearly they must be stopped.

Now no decent, upstanding member of the ton would condone actual violence of any kind. Particularly not at a high society soirée such as this. Your fighting must be sneaky, subtle - make them feel like they're simply not welcome here! Throw thinly veiled insults at their attire, literally throw one of the vol-au-vents at them when their back is turned, accidentlly spill your glass of lemonade in their lap... Do whatever it takes. Well, within reason.

How do you like them apples?

The bustling market of Andovale's Trade Quarter is known for having only the finest produce. This week there is a new stall that has never appeared before and it does not specialise in your run of the mill fruit and vegetables.

This particular stall is selling golden apples. In appearance they appear to be literally made of solid gold yet the beautiful woman minding the stall demonstrates that they are perfectly edible. In fact, they're downright delicious - you just can't stop yourself taking a bite. We would venture to say that they are probably the most delicious apples you have ever tasted.

They also come with side effects.

The legendary Golden Apples of the Garden of Hesperides were a wedding present to the goddess Hera from Gaia, the ancestral mother of all life. The apples promised immortality and anyone who ate them would never again experience hunger, thirst, suffering or illness... well, these apples are but a pale imitation of that. No, you won't become immortal but for exactly twenty-four hours after you've taken your first bite you will find that you don't need to eat, drink or rest. Your strength and stamina will increase tenfold and things that would normally cause harm to you cannot. Optionally, you may also be feeling extremely concupiscent, as the locals would put it - aka horny to you and me.

Somehow there's always a bad apple in the bunch though, right? Or several.

Unfortunately some of these apples are Apples of Discord. If you happen to pick one of these, one bite will still give you all of the traits mentioned above but for the next twenty-four hours you will find that unluckiness and chaos seems to shadow your every step...

So maybe you're passing beneath an open window and a maid accidentally empties a vase of water and some dead flowers on your head. Maybe you're in your local inn just trying to have a quiet drink but find that others are constantly trying to start a fight with you. Trying to get lucky with that special someone? Maybe certain parts of your anatomy just will not get with the program. And we advise you to maybe avoid carrying anything delicate and breakable for the next short while.

Wildcard

To assist you with inspiration our full list of Andovale's locations can be found here.

Want to play something that isn't listed here? Go ahead!

Please note that TDMs are considered game canon.

Both prospective and current characters who are already in game will be permitted to top-level on TDMs.

As your first port of call, we would recommend having a read of the premise page, as well as our rules. For any general game questions you may have which are not answered by the FAQ then please leave a comment on the FAQ page - for any questions specific to this TDM then please respond to the questions comment below.

Most importantly - have fun!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

– welcome

[ She’s been tailed, she’s been guarded, she’s been locked in a lab, but Aerith can’t say that she’s ever been buttled by someone before. After waking with a start beneath the wisteria, it’s Lorcan - as the short, grim-faced man calls himself - that navigates a slew of questions and kindly phrased objections that only come all the faster once he presents her with her letter from Lady Pheme.

The whole way to the townhouse he politely brushes off every point Aerith tries to make. She’s got something important to do at home, not to mention, people waiting for her to come through and do it, he knows, he hears her, but she is here at the pleasure of this city’s ruler, and even though (as she’s pointed out numerous times) she is just a florist and nobody special, there’s really no arguing with the reality of the situation as surreal as it may be.

It’s not until Lorcan looks at her in confusion when she asks him how far away Kalm is from here that the situation sinks in for her. This isn’t a dream, and it’s not some weird magic pocket of her world that she somehow fell into, it’s somewhere else entirely.

He stops hovering long enough for her to explore the townhouse he brings her to, informing her that others like her may be around and settling in as well. That she isn't alone is galvanizing, and as she bounds up the stairs to start knocking on doors and peeking inside, her hopes are high that she’ll come across a familiar face. She wasn’t the only one on the road to Kalm, after all, and though she isn’t the kind of person who would wish a weird mess like this on anyone, a friend would be a wonderful thing to find in all this weirdness. ]

Oh, I’m sorry! [ Aerith stops with a start when the first door she opens has someone waiting behind it. ] I was hoping you were somebody I knew. Do you know if any of the other rooms up here are taken?

– masquerade

[ The blue of the dress she and Lorcan negotiated her into matches the blue diamonds of her harlequin mask, and as she enters the sprawling fete, Aerith is glad she has it to hide behind, even though as means of concealment go the mask is a terrible one. Aerith looks around the ball, the words ‘hoo boy’ surfacing across the front of it, remaining there during the hasty path she beats towards the back of the room, aiming to occupy an inconspicuous spot of wall

My feet hurt, replaces the last message as she lingers by a large decorative urn, watching the dancers on the floor. I wonder where they learned to do that. This city is so fancy, maybe they give lessons at the schools here. The thought makes her look down at the card she was given along with the mask on her face, turning it over and studying it as her disguise continues to reveal more than she’s aware of.

Is this supposed to be a kind of game? Then, after the row of lines printed on the card begins to fill with tidily scripted names. Who are these people? I wish just one name looked familiar, I wish I knew how everybody was doing back home.

With a perplexed sigh, Aerith tucks the card into the sleeve of her dress and looks back out over the ball. Just gotta keep going, I guess. She spots another person lingering on the sidelines, squares her shoulders, and approaches. ]

Hello.

[ It's as good a place to start as any, right? She even lifts her hand in a little wave, smiling from behind her mask as she spends a split second debating before holding out the dance card in her hand. ]

This might sound strange but, is your name on here?

[ Maybe they know more about what’s going on than I do. My card has these names for a reason, right? Adds the mask on her face, helpfully. ]

– wildcard

[ something else? hit me with a start or shoot me a pm to plot. ]

[After a rather inadvertently erotic dance with Caleb, Essek wasn't too keen on a repeat. Having tried to discard his golden mask in some corner of the room, he tried to be creative by using lace from his gown, but was promptly stopped by some magic here. After trying to get another mask, he did convince another person to trade with him, a game he had called it -- he could feel bad making them take his golden mask, but he doesn't. So, now adorned with a black cat mask and a dress of black velvet and golden silks that pop against his lavender skin. He keeps his arms crossed over his chest casually, making himself smaller to avoid contact with others.. just in case.

Despite his concerns, Essek holds himself regally, looking at home in the environment, his expression calm and enigmatic -- the glass of wine in hand helps. So, when approached, he casts his eyes at the rather pretty woman that addresses him.]

Hello. Ah, let's see, [His thick accent is still easy to understand as he tilts his head to get a better look at the writing, easily spotting his own elegant script. Again..]

Seems so, yes-- [His brow furrows when he hears her continue but her mouth is not moving. Curious.. though the room is full, perhaps it was another nearby.] I am Essek Thelyss, whom do I have the pleasure of, Miss--?

Edited (sorry for another edit, changed with new mod info) 2023-03-26 16:14 (UTC)

[ I've never heard a name like that before! How pretty, replaces the last words writ across the front of Aerith's mask while she looks on, oblivious to the fact that every tiny thought that crosses her mind is being broadcast for anyone to see. The smile on her face grows to something more sincerely cheerful, nodding her head in greeting while she tucks the dance card back into her sleeve. ]

I'm Aerith, Aerith Gainsborough.

[ Is giving my whole name safe? I guess it doesn't matter if we're all already here, does it? She glances around before her gaze returns to him, confused but still hopeful. ]

Do you know what we're supposed to do now? I hoped if I found someone on my list maybe they'd have something to tell me about this place, or how to get home, but maybe that was a lot to wish for.

[Essek watches her with keen eyes, though his smile curls towards pleased when he hears the unspoken "how pretty." Initially he thought that the unspoken words were others nearby, but it sounds like her and it feels too on topic.

Something uncommonly predatory in him sees her glancing around like a lost mouse, and well.. he felt like a cat watching his prey. Which was not unlike him were the situation something more advantageous back home, but this is not one of those situations, nor does he feel... playful at those times.]

From my understanding-- [He shows her his dancecard that says "Aerith Gainsborough" in her own handwriting not too far under "Caleb Widogast." An unspoken reassurance that her full name is already known.] We are to produce a unique energy source of sorts for a powerful being's amusement.

But I only arrived today, so I'm still collecting information. [Essek sips his wine while still watching her unblinking.]

[ My handwriting... supplies her mask as Aerith looks at Essek's dance card, confused before his mention of their task of providing energy changes the mask's message to not this again, hoo boy. Lorcan mentioned that part quite a few times since he found her under the wisteria, and each time Aerith had done her best to ignore it. As expectations go, it's a very weighty one - intimidating even, though she does her best not to show how in over her head she feels.

Instead, she gives Essek a decisive nod, her eyebrows raising behind her mask ]

Well, I don't know if I can dance that fast, how about you?

[ Her bright eyes dart to the glass he takes a sip from, a longing do I wish I had one of those, replacing her mask's most recent message. ]

Have you learned anything else about this place?

[He cannot help but wonder if she is aware that she projecting her thoughts. Was it the mask or was she unaware of her telepathy? It could be a number of things and he cannot help but feel a growing concern for who else might be listening in to her. Essek was rather certain that his mask didn't come with mind reading abilities.

If he had a tail, it would be swaying slowly behind him.]

The dances of my homeland are mostly fast, but an.. ah, acquaintance [his tongue feels heavy on the word,] taught me one that is slower. And some about the ball, but the general location? Nothing more than the retainers have already offered.

[He follows her gaze, well more her line of thought.]

Wine before or after?

I. WELCOME

II. AN INVITATION

aerith gainsborough (ffvii remake)

masquerade

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Welcome - because why not toss everyone I have at her, really. :P

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