June Test Drive Meme

[astonishing_xmods]

THE TEST DRIVE MEME

Hello, True Believers!

This is for anyone wanting to test out their characters in the setting before the applications open, see what clicks. Multiples will be allowed for this post, and you can generally assume any threads are a self-contained continuity unless you feel like getting creative.

Just post a thread with your CHARACTER NAME and CANON NAME in the title with a prompt and others will reply. Prompts and threads can be action spam or prose or whatever. These threads can be used on the sample section of your application, as well. Go out and have fun!

AND REMEMBER, RESERVES OPEN JUNE 3RD!


Be sure to read up on all game information and the "!event" tag, as well as the weekly updates to make sure you have all your ducks in a row.

Comments

[truba]

[There is probably no one less likely to recognize this young man than Ivan, not because of Ivan's own nation of birth, but because of his curious upbringing. He knows very little about pop culture, let alone Japanese pop culture.

However, he does enjoy music, and he stops to listen to the stranger singing so beautifully. Then he stays, standing still, rapt. As soon as the music ends, he bursts into sincere, emphatic applause.]

Beautiful! Amazing talent!

[tunedere]

[ Tokiya had been too absorbed in his music to notice Ivan approaching - it is his first time using his abilities without restraint, after all. Though any surprise he might have shown at the Russian's arrival is soon dampened by a slight twinge of displeasure - ]

- talent?

[ It's a lot more than talent. Hard work, even - especially since his 'talent' is what landed him here.

But it really isn't good to just brush off this stranger like this, especially given how attentive he had been... ]

Thanks.

[ His speaking voice is a lot different from the one he had used for singing - calm, almost cold in how controlled it is, but the silky texture of someone trained in vocals is still present. ]

[truba]

[He's not the most perceptive person under ordinary circumstances, but he notes something off in Tokiya's reaction.]

Is that not the correct word? I am sorry! My English... this is my first time in America. It was beautiful.

[He claps again, to emphasize his pleasure, his hands thudding together forcefully.]

You're welcome. I've never heard such wonderful singing! Great feeling!

[tunedere]

It is.

[ But only with regards to what the other wants to convey, he tells himself. He's still not comfortable enough with this 'talent' to actually want it. What good use is his voice if it would always be overshadowed by his other 'talent'? ]

It's not all just plain singing.

[ There's mutant power there, too. ]

... do you listen to idol music?

[ He's still not recognized as his performer persona, but... ]

[truba]

I see. I only meant to say that it is very wonderful—as I said.

[Ivan nods, smiling. He was aware that more than simple singing was involved, but to Ivan, whose own power caused his exile, he nonetheless sees it as a positive attribute.]

You're lucky to have such a beautiful gift.

[He shakes his head, still smiling.]

Idol music? What's that?

[tunedere]

[ A beautiful gift...

He wants to object, maybe throw out some cryptic way to express his frustrations toward his powers caging him in - but this really isn't the time, and he can't afford to let his whims ruin what could be an otherwise uneventful day. Plus, if this was a school for outcasts, then this man might have similar problems.

So he just nods and takes the compliment with chilled grace. ]

I see. It was just a thought. A certain genre for performers in Japan.

[truba]

Was that what you were singing?

[Ivan is genuinely curious. He's genuinely curious about a lot of things, and he's seemingly unaware of any coldness on the part of the other boy.]

In Russia, an idol is something religious. Did you come here from Japan? I don't know popular music so well, and not from other countries at all.

[tunedere]

Yes.

[ No use trying to avoid the topic since he's already brought it up. ]

Idols in Japan are performers, artistes. They are hired as singers or actors. Some of the more skilled ones release their own albums and the like.

[ He tries to keep his tone as impassive as possible, as if it had nothing to do with him. ]

[truba]

Because people worship them like gods, yes?

[He nods, pleased to be getting this cross-cultural reference now, then breaks out into a big smile as it dawns on him.]

I see! You're an idol, then! Do you have any albums?

[tunedere]

Well, some do, but not everyone.

[ His expression sours immediately, once Ivan makes that claim. ]

I am not an idol. My brother is.

[ There's a very clear undertone of 'you've got the wrong person' in his posture. ]

[truba]

Of course not everyone! But for a pop singer, some are like that, I think. It is a colorful expression, idol music.

[Ivan blinks at this reaction, not having expected it.]

Is that so? I thought... since you are so good at singing... You must be a talented family.

[He doesn't know of any idol singers, so he doesn't know any different. It just seemed to make sense that since he was singing idol music so beautifully, he might be an idol.]

Who is your brother?

[tunedere]

Hayato.

[ He almost spits out the word, though it ends up being tempered by his formal speech and ends up merely cold. ]

He was quite famous.

[ It should come off as mere sibling jealousy to Ivan, which was what he intended to project. No one needed to know of the identity he had grown to despise. ]

[truba]

I see, I am very sorry...

[Ivan thinks this past tense and coldness could mean that Hayato may have passed away. But he's not sure. He's not good at reading people at all. Still, he looks suitably serious.]

Fame can also be a burden! It is very heavy.

[He nods, although he doesn't know anything about being famous. Very few people know him, although he is spoken about in certain circles. Predominantly rich, Russian ones.]

What is your family name?

[tunedere]

[ The other seems to take all this in very pleasantly despite how harsh he might have been, so Tokiya decides to drop the subject and let some of the distaste drain away from his body language. ]

It is. But I've never understood him, so.

[ Said once more to ingrain his role as a separated younger twin brother. ]

Ichinose. My name is Tokiya. And you?

[truba]

I have no siblings, so I don't understand at all.

[Ivan says this very cheerfully, though.]

But people can be very hard to understand, even family. That is why it's good to make friends.

It is nice to meet you, Tokiya Ichinose. I am Ivan Olegovich Braginsky of St. Petersburg.

[tunedere]

[ That is why it's good to make friends. Well, isn't that something that feels strangely hollow to him. ]

Pleasure to meet you, Ivan-san.

[ A simple formality, albeit offered in less chilly tones. Even he had to accede to Ivan's friendliness. ]

Did you just come here?