TDM I

[thetonmods]

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!

Comments

[forkuina]

( just as impassive as ever. even if something was wrong, she'd insist that she could handle it herself as not to worry anyone... as if zoro isn't the exact same way. right now, she seems to be true to her word. nothing about her would suggest that she's had a rough go at things. it doesn't seem to be that kind of world, anyway. he's been here for as long as he has and not one crystal monster has crossed his path. it might be too early to say, but this might be a world where they're safe.

that's boring, though.

he needs action!

were he still wearing his mask, it'd reflect his stupid desire for combat and challenge, but that's easy enough to forget with tsukuyo right here, looking like a princess. the dress covers more of her body than her usual attire does, so it's practically conservative by tsukuyo standards. zoro looks down and squints at the fact that her legs are totally hidden for once. )

'Course.

Once I defeat Lady Pheme, I'll get us out of here. So put your faith in me to get us home.

[tsukky]

[ Tsukuyo gives him a very definite look at that. A challenging one. Maybe the faintest hint of a smile on that usually serious, stubborn expression of hers. Because when has she ever willingly let herself be the damsel in distress in any scenario whatsoever? ]

Who says I won’t defeat her first?

[ Also she’s noticed where his gaze has drifted to a couple of times by now and while she knows that by nature Zoro is normally the furthest thing from a lech, anyone else observing them both by now might take a slightly different view. Not that she usually cares what other people think.

But maybe this is really partly because Zoro is someone who can actually make her flustered. ]

… ‘N quit lookin’ at the dress. It’s weird enough havin’ to wear this as it is.

[forkuina]

Me. I say.

( that's the spirit! zoro wouldn't even want a victory handed to him without some kind of challenge to get there. if it means beating tsu to take down pheme first, that's what he's going to do.

somehow, tsukuyo being more covered that usual is what draws people's attention to her. could it be because the dress is nice? is that why people are looking at them and whispering? zoro doesn't know enough about fashion to know a good dress from a bad one, but what else could it be? clearly tsukuyo's modest-albeit-busty attire has somehow brought them into the center of controversy. ordinarily, zoro wouldn't care much what people think, but he's also not one to start problems unnecessarily. if they can get this fixed quickly, it's better for everyone.

so he shrugs off the top coat of his suit and hands it to her. )

Here.

[tsukky]

[ Newsflash, Zoro: modest-albeit-busty attire is what pretty much every woman in the room is wearing, unless they've deviated completely from the dress code.

Taking off his top coat at a formal event though, that is something to cause a stir. The whispering might be intensifying, while Tsukuyo blinks at him in confusion. ]

What's this for? I ain't cold.

[ Clearly he's the one causing the staring and whispers here - or maybe collectively they are. Anything seems liable to set tongues wagging here for some reason.

Anyway, she takes the coat and drapes it over her shoulders. Just because it seems like it would be even more awkward for him to have done this and her not take it, whether she actually needs it or not. Upon reflection, maybe standing in the middle of the ballroom like this perhaps isn't the best idea either. ]

We should go somewhere else.

[forkuina]

( weird that people seem to grow more attentive after tsukuyo lays the jacket over her shoulders. he figured it would have the opposite effect, but it seems as if the whispers have grown stronger. he doesn't get it. it's not as if they have anything to talk about. tsukuyo is modest now, so they should move on.

it's starting to piss him off, if he's being honest. maybe they're gearing up for a fight? is that what this is about? he'll take them all on if he has to. )

Yeah. These people are giving me the creeps.

( because they're all in masks, and they're all staring. zoro will give them something to stare at. )

Balcony?

( he suggests it, and then proceeds to head in the direct opposite direction of the balcony. maybe he meant the bathrooms? because that's where he appears to be going. )

[tsukky]

[ And just in case Tsukuyo needed any more of a confirmation that this is definitely Zoro, heading towards the powder rooms- as the locals seem to call them out of some unwillingness to actually use the word bathroom- instead of the balcony sets it in stone that it's definitely him. He's gotten a head start on her and has a longer stride but when she catches up to him, she reaches for his arm with an exasperated sigh to try and stop him heading any further- just outside of the door incidentally. ]

You've gone completely the wrong way. Balcony's on the other side.

[ Hand on his arm, she's struck by an odd warmth, sort of like whenever they touched in that other place they were stuck in before, only different somehow. It takes her aback for a moment and she realises people are giving them funny glances again and quickly withdraws her hand again. ]

[forkuina]

( as if he needs you telling him where the balcony is! he knew exactly where he was going! this door marked 'powder room' is clearly just a shortcut! he doesn't yell about it because he has the decency to keep his temper in polite company, but he does grunt in annoyance when he's caught in her guiding grip.

it's like old times again, like nothing's ever changed. he's getting himself lost, wandering in circles, and she makes him feel all weird and warm and soupy inside whenever they touch. )

Don't act like I was on the way to getting us lost.

( it's exactly what he was doing, but you can't tell him that. more than anything, he's found himself feeling cold when she lets go. it's whatever. it's fine. he's not even thinking about how he misses the warmth. )

Who made you the expert, anyway?

[tsukky]

[ She raises an eyebrow and sighs. ]

Right. Ya were just plannin’ on circlin’ around and back that way. A diversion.

[ Clearly he wasn’t. He’s just getting as lost as ever. Right now she’s more annoyed at wanting that warmth back then his ridiculous lack of sense of direction.

Holding his hand can’t be that scandalous, can it? There’s plenty of people taking one another by the arm out of some kind of politeness whenever they head for the dance floor. She won’t say anything about it or acknowledge it, just places her hand near to his and lets her fingers brush against his in silent request. ]

…Just follow me, will ya?

[forkuina]

( zoro doesn't think any of this is scandalous; he barely knows the meaning of the word. so long as a woman is responsible, respectable, and modest, who cares about what she wants to do? he still hasn't put it together that the reason they're being looked at has something to do with their proximity, and the way their masks are off, and now the way their hands are touching.

it's not like she really had to ask. zoro holds her hands without question and feels better for it. that gets plenty of dirty looks shot towards her. who does tsukuyo think she is, being so forward as to lead a man by the arm? and where is zoro's dignity, letting himself be dragged around by a woman? )

Yeah. Just don't get us all mixed up.

[tsukky]

I wasn’t plannin’ to, funnily enough.

[ That’s your job, Zoro. She actually knows where she’s going.

They might be grumbling at each other as usual but like him, she instantly feels better once their hands touch. Once again, she’s ended up somewhere god knows where and again, there’s no one from her home here but once more, there is Zoro. He’s there for her and she’s there for him in a way that she knows she doesn’t need to try and put into words by now.

She’d likely get too flustered if she did try.

Anyway, because she’s not Zoro and therefore doesn’t have the worst sense of direction known to mankind they do make it to the large, grand double doors that lead out onto the balcony. Needless to say, the pair of them heading outdoors without a chaperone gets quite a few more glances but she’s choosing to ignore that. Because what don’t these people stare at? Honestly…

At least they can speak more easily now. ]

Is it just ya this time? None of yer crew?

[forkuina]

No. I haven't found the others yet, but if you're here, that means they have to be here, too.

( from one strange place to another, that's what this is. zoro feels like he should try to get used to it. they might even end up being transported again before the week is over. )

Once I figure out how this new transponder snail works, I'll a send out a message. Until then, I'll just have to place my faith in their ability to not cause trouble while we're separated.

( which, in reality, means he's expecting to hear an explosion from the ballroom at any moment...

speaking of being separated, it's not as if zoro and tsukuyo need to hold hands now that they've found their way outside, but zoro isn't in any rush to pull away. out here, the air is fresh and scented with flowers. part of him wants to sneeze, but he wills it away. )

The hell is their problem? Back inside. They won't stop staring at us, even now.

( this gossiping gits won't stop craning their necks to get a look at them, and for what? zoro and tsu aren't even doing anything! )

[tsukky]

It's not a sn-

[ She cuts herself off. Because really, how many times did Tsukuyo try and explain to him that the communication devices in the last place weren't snails? She pretty much lost count. She could say it until she's blue in the face and it won't make much difference. ]

I know what most of 'em look like. [ Because she's seen Shonen Jump ] So I'll keep a look out.

[ Tsukuyo for her part doesn't seem in any hurry to let go of his hand either. It's been some time, for her at least. But it's not as though she missed him and wants to hold onto him for a little while or anything. No way.

She turns to glance back towards the door, where sure enough the odd guest is still looking through at them now and again. ]

I think it's just the way things are here. Doin' certain, even minor things in public is probably breakin' unwritten rules, it used to be like that in places where I'm from. Still is to an extent, depends where ya are.

[ Steering them both further away from the door and off to the side is both a bad and good idea. Bad because it looks suspicious and seems liable to set yet more tongues wagging, but good in that it means they won't be subjected to their gawking anymore. Which, in the end, she would rather get away from. So she does. ]

I think it's riskier if people kiss in public. Or other things.