pluviooc | TEST DRIVE 02

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TEST DRIVE 02

TEST DRIVE

Hello, and welcome to the second Pluviosa Test Drive!

This Test Drive corresponds to Days 4-12 in the ship calendar, and will run until around the game's next major event. You can get a better idea what's going on in the most recent Game Update which covers Days 5-8. Currently, character IC housing is not in operation yet; it is expected to open on Day 9 (part of the way through the Test Drive period). Otherwise, the ship is largely in the state described on the Setting page and in other game information.

Test Drive threads involving characters who are accepted are considered canon to the events of the game unless otherwise agreed by players/mods. Pluviosa does not do welcome mingle logs nor does it have any kind of in-character welcome information, making your test drive threads your character's arrival to the game setting. That said, mod-run interactions such as formal exploration and/or interactions with the Ship as an NPC are not available on the Test Drive.

It is advised that potential players familiarize themselves with the Premise page, the Rules/Session Zero page, and at least the first few paragraphs of the Setting page. As Pluviosa is a horror game, we especially encourage players to be aware of the content warnings that will be major themes of the game. If you have any further questions, you can ask them on the QUESTIONS header in the comments!

If you're test driving a character, you're welcome to join the game Discord and hang out and meet your fellow players!

ARRIVAL - LIKE THE RAIN

You wake up. You remember waking up, right? In another place, another time...

There's blood running down your fingers. Outside, the rain isn't pounding, yet, just a gentle patter...

Or is it?

As characters gain fuller awareness of their surroundings, they will realize that there is, in fact, no blood on their hands (save any that might have already been there). It feels as though they lost focus for a moment and hallucinated, but the hallucination ended with them somewhere else entirely.

There is not actually the sound of rain. If characters are near enough to a window, balcony, or even a hole in the ceiling, they will find that it is cloudless, beaming sunlight outside. The emptiness in the distance rolls on and on, completely absent any signs of life.

That being, of course, because the signs of life are all in here. Characters might wake up on any of the decks on the upper side of the ship - anywhere that isn't the cafeteria or lounge where previous arrivals spend most of their time is free game. This also means, of course, that they have the jungle of plants to contend with...

LIGHTS ON, SHOW START

Most areas in the ship are dark when characters arrive. That doesn't mean that they stay dark. Occasionally, lights overhead flicker on and off for a few minutes at a time.

The problem with this isn't the lights themselves (cool white and kind of industrial). It's the reaction that the addition of the extra light causes the plants in the dark areas of the ship that's cause for alarm. To describe the growth as explosive isn't an understatement - vines, saplings, and even thicker branches surge with growth, pushing outwards towards the distant sunlight and upwards towards the flickering bulbs.

The growth is sudden enough to take all but the most aware characters by surprise, and if they're in the wrong corner of the room, it's very easy to get tangled up, wedged in by a tree trunk, or otherwise trapped against some corner or wall. If you're lucky and skilled, you might be able to cut yourself out from there (or break down the wall you're shoved up against), but otherwise, there's only one solution left.

Yell like your life depends on it, and hope somebody out there can hear you. And that whoever hears is someone who is inclined to help, rather than leaving you there. Or worse.

Oh, and the lights flicker back off after a few minutes, of course. Hopefully you're not waiting for rescue in the dark (with the smell of mold and the general faint dampness of the forest) for too long.

TILT-A-WORLD

Occasionally, the whole ship tilts.

This is not simply the side to side motion of a ship on the water (or the equivalent motion brought on by the way this particular ship moves); it's an extremely forward or backward tilt that sends things sliding across the floor if they aren't secured by roots or something else. Unlike storm-tossed ships, the tilt is somewhat prolonged - rather than everything sliding back and forth a couple times a minute, the tilt lasts for five, ten, maybe as much as twenty minutes.

Although it's not enough to knock a well-balanced character off their feet, it's quite likely that new arrivals will not be particularly on-balance. And attempting to traverse the ship with the tilt is a tall order... especially when the ship's angle does unexpectedly change... to the exact opposite direction. All that goes up the mountain must go back down, and a glance out the windows reveals that that's exactly what's going on, as the ship progresses across a mountainous landscape without real regard for the concept of mountain passes.

And for characters who have managed to make their way to the "civilized" parts of the ship, namely the cafeteria and the lounge above it... None of the furniture in these areas is secured. The cafeteria carts under the direct control of the Ship don't seem as inclined to go anywhere, but the tables and chairs in the cafeteria and the couches and armchairs upstairs... Well, it's a good thing both spaces are surrounded by railings. Large chunks of tree trunk also still littler the lounge, sliding back and forth and occasionally rolling with great force across the floor.

Better hold on tight.

SOMETHING WHISTLING

While wandering around the ship's interior, characters might occasionally hear a person whistling.

The sound always seems to be coming from just around the corner, but it sounds alive in a way that other sounds don't. Maybe more alive, even, than the rustle of leaves, the occasional drip of water, and the sounds of things sliding back and forth across the grimy, leaf-covered floors. The whistler, whoever they are, doesn't actively respond if called out to - but the whistling does pause, as though indicating that the call was heard, before starting up again.

If characters choose to follow the whistling, they're inevitably led to the same place - somewhere overlooking the great gap down the middle of the ship, whether an internal suite's balcony, one of the bridges crossing between the two halves, or one of the hallways that runs alongside it. Once they're there, there's no whistler in sight; however, characters will be filled with the overwhelming urge to look over the edge of the railing and down into the lower parts of the ship.

Exactly what they experience after looking down varies. Some will hallucinate that they've fallen over the side, feeling their balance go haywire and seeing the floor rushing up to them right up until the moment of "impact," at which everything returns to normal. Some will feel a stranger's hands on their shoulders, threatening to push them over with a great shove that goes through them with incorporeal fingers. Some will just hear unidentifiable laughter right up close to their ears, and experience the distinct sensation that there's someone laughing at them, in a haha-made-you-look kind of way.

But whatever happens, when they look up, there's no one there - or at least not anyone that physically close to them. The one good thing about being drawn to the middle section of the ship by whatever prankster this is is that it makes it a lot easier to run into people if you're all drawn to the same, highly visible place.

And at least the other person is flesh and blood, right? Probably.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Sparkle has been following the whistling, skipping along with it, and she's delighted to reach the end and find that Avgin sprawled on the ground with fear written on his face.

Her giggle blends into the whistling thing's, and she fades away, reappearing behind him in a puff of smoke.

"Boo! Were you scared just now?"

There are probably strangers here whose buttons she doesn't know how to find to push. But this one is oh so familiar, and his buttons glow as brightly as his pretty, pretty eyes.

Aventurine lurches at the surprise visit over his shoulder, redirecting his movement at the last minute away from the edge of the broken walkway.

"Sparkle, what a pleasant surprise!" he says, smiling with his teeth gritted in such a way to indicate this was anything but. With some effort and some extra pounding in his head, he forces his shields down, standing to meet the Masked Fool. He would not give her the further satisfaction of keeping extra defense measures up. This was all some awful prank, nothing worth fighting or fearing.

Still, his heart races, and he wants to be as far away from this ledge as possible.

"I imagine you had something to do with all that just now?" he asks, eyebrow raised, pointedly ignoring her question. One can never win without a good poker face. Better to keep his cards close to his chest and find out what the Fool knows. Maybe she's why he's here, somehow...

“Silly boy, not everything is my grand conspiracy. I was following the whistling too, and doesn’t it have a lovely sense of humor? I’d love to make its acquaintance.”

She keeps grinning at him, head cocked to one side. “Aww, you’re trying so hard to look unaffected—you might hurt its feelings! Are you afraid of letting little old me know you were terrified to die?”

"Great, so there are possibly two of you," He bites out, his smile tight. He's again grateful he didn't take the offered Mask back then. If all Fools were like Sparkle, well. IPC officials could be irritating in their own ways but at least they weren't this grating.

He sighs, trying to dispel some of the annoyence and nerves. "Everyone is afraid to die, at least a little. And I didn't. Not before, and not just now. So I have no reason to be afraid..." This is what he keeps telling himself, as he subtly puts more distance from the ledge.

He smiles, sharp and curious now that his heartrate is finally slowing. It's just Sparkle. This place is new and strange but he knows the risks with her. "You just surprised me. What are you doing here, oh Masked Fool? If it's the whistler you want, Im afraid they've...departed." He thinks so, anyway.

“Didn’t find the mute, didn’t become a mute— you’re terrible at following instructions, little thief.”

She giggles and bounces in place a little. “I’m looking for interesting things, and you, sole survivor, failed savior, you’re always interesting!”

Something like irritation and frustration flickers across his face for the briefest of moments, perhaps only even visible because of all the recent events fraying his nerves. He swallows it all down, however, knowing that's exactly what she wants.

"Hm, yes, but it looks like I still managed to win after putting on a grand show," he says, smiling and spreading his arms. "Did it meet your expectations? Can't exactly put on a performance as a mute now can I? And I'm still talking now." Still alive...despite everything.

He suppresses a twitch at her "cute" little names for him. This girl..."I don't think an abandoned boat and displaced little old me would be that interesting. Sorry to disappoint, but show's over," he says in a sing song tone, making a little shooing motion with his hand.

She giggles, tilting her head and covering her mouth with a hand, when she watches annoyance flicker over his face. She's winning!

"You're wasted on the Preservation, honey-tongue. It was a beautiful sacrifice, even if you didn't use my button. The drama! Lovely. You do the Elation proud."

She spins in a circle, performatively shading her eyes to look around. "Hmmm, I don't see anything more interesting than you around!"

"Oho~ that's a new one. You're getting really creative with those names there," he drawls, smirking, the corners of his mouth tight. Still, he gives a bow, as is proper after any performance. "My thanks. And as I said before, I didn't need your little button... It's not a proper gamble if you make too many contingency plans, right?" And he did win his final chip. Acheron did indeed finally decide to play...

He huffs at her theatrics, smile stiff but in place. "I'm honored. Still, perhaps your time is better spent with the Whistler. They may be at the bottom of the pit now..."

“Aww, do you dislike my company so much you’re trying to tempt me to jump, gambler? You’d rather be all alone in this mysterious and threatening place than with a Fool?” She pouts exaggeratedly at him.

"Oh, not at all! You said you wanted to find something interesting, and our enigmatic whistler might be just that." He puts a hand to his chest, mock sincerity to her exaggerated pout. "I was merely helping you along~"

Despite himself, her words do strike a chord. He doesn't do well with the quiet for too long. Even in the void he'd often talked to himself or flipped coins to fill the silence. In all other instances he wouldn't mind the company, but Sparkle...was Sparkle.

"When you can see me, honey dear, then at least you know that I'm there! When you can't, well, who's to say?" She disappears as she speaks, sparkling smoke rolling up into her mask, which then disappears itself in a burst of glitter. She reappears on the other side of him and flicks his earring. "Boo!"

"Shit-" He flinches, still rattled from the ghost earlier. He tries to play it off as a motion to fold his arms. "Haha, very funny. Was it fancy tricks like that which got you here, Fool?" he bites out. He does not turn to look at her behind him, even if having a possible threat out of his sight makes his skin crawl.

This girl is a nuisance, but might as well try and get some information from her.

Sparkle giggles. "It's okay, honey-tongue, I'm harmless!" She skips back into his field of view, wanting to be able to watch his face. "I have no idea what got me here! Isn't it fascinating? What could steal a Fool and a Stoneheart? Though you aren't a Stoneheart anymore, are you, really? My button would have been more effective!"

Aventurine just barely stops himself from rolling his eyes. Harmless, sure, but far from trustworthy. He plasters a smile back on.

"So you don't know either...great. What would steal two people like us..." he muses. The dig at his former status honestly affects him less than all the irritating "honey" nicknames she seems taken with. "I've got pieces of it with me, but I'm happy to have outlived my use," he says, eyes narrowing slightly, "on my own terms. The button just...wasn't my style. I'm sure you understand."

Sparkle sighs happily. "It was a beautiful sacrifice, honey-tongue. Gorgeous. And it disrupted the theme park terribly, and the Family had to scramble to explain the rain of poker chips! I helped with that one, as Robin, of course. Gave out a few other buttons, too." She cocks her head at him and grins. "But if you've outlived your use, little broken stone, what else do you have?"

"Why thank you!" He takes a bow at her praise, pleased to also have some information over what happened after. Hopefully it's enough for the IPC to work with. Not like it matters to him now. He raises an eyebrow at the 'as Robin'. "How many of those buttons do you have? What do they even do?" He huffs. "Guess that's not my problem now..."

There's a small twitch at the corner of his mouth at her dig at his worth. He spreads his hands in a grandiose gesture. "Well, whatever I want! I'm free as a bird, you see." He laughs, a bit strained, tired. "I'm free from the IPC's leash, so now I get to do things like...explore a haunted ship, I suppose." Which wouldn't be his first choice, but it's a start.

Sparkle applauds for a moment as he bows.

"Silly boy, that would spoil the surprise! The fireworks will be worth it."

She covers her mouth with a hand, giggling. "Some birds are freer than others, honey-tongue. That chicken wing boy has himself in cage upon cage, and anyone else he can get hold of too. Though of course, a bird has no home to go back to, just like you! Free to try to find somewhere safe to land--what do you think of this little perch?"

[in the grand tradition of mhy asserting things about birds]

"I suppose so. Can't blame a guy for being curious," he chuckles. It's...also unlikely he will be there at Penacony to witness those "fireworks", depending on how long his. Surprise cruise is.

He finds himself quietly hoping that the Nameless and...certain other parties remain unharmed. He shakes his head a little.

"You mean Sunday? What's he up to now that I've made my exit?" he asks, raising an eyebrow. He smiles at the further bird analogies. "Right you are, dear fool. This bird's nest was lost long ago." The usual bitterness of it curls in his stomach, but not as badly since having to sort things out at the park. He at least maintained composure.

"Hmmm well...it's a bit old, isn't it? And haunted, apparently," he muses, tapping his chin as his eyes flick around. "Bit of a fixer-upper if you ask me. Wouldn't call it "safe" but...I've been worse, I suppose." It's no black sea with the void of Nihility blotting out the horizon. "It'll do, for now." It's not like either of them knew how to get out...supposedly.

"Curiosity killed the cat, didn't you know? But you didn't even take my button, so you lost the chance to find out!" She pouts at him exaggeratedly. "Not curious enough when it counted."

"Chicken wing boy believes cages keep people safe, and he wants to keep everyone soooo safe, forever and ever and ever, never waking up to reality where things can go wrong! What do you think, honey-tongue, do you want to live in a beautiful dream with no exit?" Sparkle spins in a circle, goldfish flashing around them in a whirling imitation of a cage for a moment.

"It'll have to do, won't it? Nowhere else to go. You'll have to find your own luck here, and I'll have to find my own fun. And you're always good for fun, honey-tongue." Sparkle cocks her head and winks.

He laughs then at her disgruntled countenance. "True, it's usually something I would take you up on. A very risky bet, which tend to be the most fun. However," he adds, eyeing her, "I don't take bets I know I'll lose. So I suppose you can keep your secrets on that one, little Fool."

He listens with rapt interest about Sunday. Huh. So he was on the right track but also...not. He thinks of the Doctor's letter, and its words about dormancy. Was that a hint? Did he know...?

He huffs, bitter amusement clear in his face. "Well it seems I was not included in his "everyone", now was I? Sunday tied a noose around my neck and gave me mere system hours to escape, so I really had no choice." Hurt like hell, too. He has a suspicion his headaches might be lingering after effects from that "blessing"...at least exacerbated by it. Acheron did get rid of the bulk of it, thank Gaiathra. He watches Sparkle's little display. "Pretty! Still, again, not my style. I've had enough of cages and chains for one lifetime, thank you."

He sighs, clearly put upon. "Nothing too different about that." And all those honey names...you'd think her words would be sweeter for it, but no. "Good for fun, huh? You know fun can be better when it's shared." He flicks out a card from his vest pocket. "How about some games? It'll pass the time, and at least I can get some fun out of this, too."

Sparkle is not at all who he'd pick for company in this setting, but beggars can't be choosers. And annoying company is better than none at all, he supposes.

"You wouldn't have lost! It would just have kept boring from winning. But the Stellaron managed in the end." She rolls her eyes, tossing her head exaggeratedly.

"But you stepped right into your next chain, didn't you, honey-tongue? The IPC owns you, body and soul, on a leash like a dog. Chicken wing boy left his chains inside your head, and the corporation, the Preservation, dressed you up in them, all gold and glitter."

She grins at the cards. "Sure!" she chirps. "What are the stakes, honey-tongue?"

"I suppose that's one way to keep things interesting, yes," he muses. Thing is, servants of the Elation are hardly reliable...he raises an eyebrow. "Now do you mean the trailblazers' stellaron heart, or Penacony's local stellaron...?"

He bites the inside of his cheek to keep from more visibly flinching at her goading about chains. Right. Okay, he walked into that one. He's tired, but should still watch his words better..."I don't see the IPC around here, do you? I believe I slipped that leash..." And the rest will sort itself out. Hopefully. Probably. He smiles wide and bright to cover his uncertainty. She digs at the cracks in armor, it's her thing he knows this...

"Well this is hardly an appropriate venue. I think we can find a place a little less overgrown to play," he says, walking by her and waving a hand to indicate she can follow if she wants. "But as for stakes...Hm...well. Money isn't really that interesting to you I'm sure..." He eyes her mask, her carefully constructed barbs and games. He grins. "How about betting on some honesty? Loser has to answer one question honsetly per game. How does that sound?"

"Oh, the Trailblaze, of course. The other stellaron... but where's the fun in telling you that?"

Sparkle giggles, a bright and infectious sound. "We'll have to find out what leash tugged you here, hadn't we?"

She makes an exaggerated moue of distaste and toes at a plant, then skips along in his wake. "Not really either of our scene around here, is it, Preservation? Smells more of Yaoshi, or even Tayzzyronth."

When he offers stakes, she grins, too wide, too sharp. "What a delightful stake! I'll play, honey-tongue, and we'll see what kind of answers we can find!"

“Of course, silly me for asking,” Aventurine replies, smiling but his tone flat with sarcasm.

“I suppose so. It’s likely the same ‘leash’ that brought me here got you too, Fool, so I’ll let you know if I figure something out,” he drawls, not intending to make too much effort to follow through with that.

He looks over all the plants. Too many, in places they shouldn’t be, scrambling for light in deep darkness…”You have a point there. Let’s hope we don’t get a swarm disaster here of the plant variation, hm?” He hums, pulling out a deck of cards.

“Right then, I think we’re almost to the lounge. But why not start now? A simple game for now; pick a card, and whoever has the highest value wins the round. Sound good?” He does some cursory shuffling before fanning out the deck out for her, all while they walk. “Ladies first,” he invites, grinning.

"I hope there isn't an Aeon of Propagation or... Growth or suchlike lurking in the depths here, but it's anyone's guess!" A goldfish made of dim red light flickers into being to swim through the air over to a vine and make a show of slapping it dismissively with its tail.

Sparkle laughs. "And your luck is what you're known for, isn't it? All right, little peacock." She reaches out and pulls a card.

[I have an actual deck of cards within arm's reach, so: ...Queen of Diamonds. Oh. Okay.]

TEST DRIVE 02

Something Whistling

Re: Something Whistling

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