TEST DRIVE MEME.

[soulmods]

Test Drive Meme

Prompts Arrival: So you've just arrived in Nyoi-Cho. Congratulations! You must be so excited about having your wish granted. Or maybe you're upset that the result wasn't quite what you expected? If that's the case, then that's too bad! There are no take backs and no redoes, so you're stuck with what you have! Maybe you should have been more careful about how you worded that wish... Oh well. There's no use in dwelling on it. You're a magi now, and that means adjusting to a whole new lifestyle! Maybe one of the townspeople can help you out. Only... they're acting a bit strangely, aren't they? They're all too happy to show you around, but there's something unsettling about the way they're behaving. Almost cheerfully dissonant. Any questions about the history of the town are met with blank stares and brief silence, before they plaster a smile onto their faces and change the subject. Any attempts to tell them about your duties as a magi or anything else that relates to the magical will get similar reactions. Isn't there anyone normal here that you can talk to at all? Home Improvement: The houses that the magi are given access to really are something, aren't they? There's almost no limit to what they can do! Why don't you create the house of your dreams, or maybe recreate and relive your favorite childhood scenes? Invite some spectators over to marvel! A Corrupted Soul Gem: You neglected to take care of your soul gem, and now you don't feel quite yourself anymore. You feel like you're losing your sense of self - all you seem to be able to focus on is your old regrets and past failures. What's happening to you? A Day in the Life: Everyday hero by day, magician by night! You've got a busy day ahead of you and no time to waste! Maybe it's school, or maybe it's work, maybe it's both! Being magical doesn't make you exempt from paying those shopping bills! May Day: Uh-oh. This magical girl stuff looked easier on TV. You're in some serious trouble! Or maybe you see someone else who is! It's time to pull up your socks and show them what you have. Be the hero you've always wanted to be, or give in and be that damsel in distress. There's no shame in needing a little help now and then. A Successful Mission: Congratulations! You met up with your first Nightmare, and you fought valiantly. You even mastered that tricky power of yours! What sort of power did you get? Is it a useful one, or is it not so useful? Maybe you've mastered it beautifully, and now you're showing off to all of your friends. Maybe you're having a hard time keeping it under wraps, and now you're wreaking havoc across the town without meaning to! A Dreadful Nightmare: You had an absolutely horrid day. As you drift off to sleep, your mind dwells on all the injustices you've had to endure. In response, your bed swallows you up, and your room shifts into a horrific Nightmarescape. What sort of Nightmare are you? What kind of Nightmarescape do you create? Hopefully your fellow magi can stop you before you cause too much damage! Wildcard: Feel free to use any information from the FAQ or the World Info page to make your own prompt!

Comments

[salutations]

[Yuuya turns. After all, it was easier to follow the momentum of his "attacker" than to fight against it. It might also have something to do with the fact that voice seemed very familiar. There was a slight difference due to being formed by lips and tongue instead of beak, but that voice was-]

Ah, pardon? [Yuuya's voice is light, almost absent-minded. He responded while his mind was still processing it. It couldn't be. This place had a dangerous edge to it, after all. Hadn't he wished to keep his brother safe? So this couldn't be his brother in front of him, rudely demanding his help. He runs a hand through his own hair, trying to look nonchalant. Even if it was his brother- maybe this human form would be enough of a disguise?]

You'll hardly be popular with the ladies if you introduce yourself like that. [It was his predictable persona but it was the easiest to fall back on in a panic.]

[nonametogivetofools]

[It took him a moment to process the person now in front of him. Oh, no. It couldn't be him. The abrasive personality was all too familiar to Sakuya, though the person in front of him was undeniably human. Then again... So was he. Instead of presuming that this incredibly nonchalant man was his brother, he chose to ignore what evidence there was and treated him like he would any lower class being: with disdain.]

Do you think I care about something as vapid and inane as that?

[Consecutive failure was making Sakuya testier than usual. His next words were frustrated and clearly enunciated, reflecting his current mood.]

You've yet to answer my question. Did you now hear what I said, or are you just daft? I want to know what you know about magi.

[salutations]

Mm, I heard you just fine. [The initial reaction relaxes Yuuya a bit. Even if there was a hint of recognition, the confrontation could be pushed back. He can entirely devote himself to looking as casual as possible.]

Anyways, judging by the fact you're here, alert, and asking questions, you are a magi now. No one but another magi will respond to you like I am now, see? And I could talk about magic, or Nightmares, or anything mystical as loudly as I want and these civilians [he waves his hand to the side, to the people going about their daily lives] won't bat an eye.

Ah, yes, which bring me to the point of- you should have some form of magic now and you'll be expected to use it in fighting the Nightmares. [He says it pretty calmly for something so unbelievable.] This is your sworn duty in exchange for whatever wish you were granted.

Which, ah... [It's nowhere near his business, but maybe, just maybe if he could get the information out, it would be a clue. A clue if his hunch was right. A clue to how things were back "home" if he was right. It was worth a short to ask:] You did make a wish, right? Something important, I wager?

[nonametogivetofools]

Of course it was, do you think that I'd waste my wish on something trivial? Furthermore, why do you care? [Sakuya folded his arms. Would he share his wish with any stranger? No. There was no one that he knew that he'd feel comfortable disclosing that information. Besides, he wasn't sure himself if his wish came true. For all he knows, the creature had lied to him. For all he knew, his brother was still dead. It didn't matter. He didn't get what he wanted to hear out of him anyways. Maybe it was best to change the subject.]

Magic...? Nightmares? All of this sounds ridiculous and unbelievable. I'm assuming when you say nightmares, you don't mean what you experience at night. [His mother had told him stories of evil spirits as a fledgeling. Would he be fighting horse riding demons? Maybe he'd believe it when he sees it, but even then... Perhaps not.]

At least what you said explains their lack of cooperation. [But that didn't help his mood. The people were still as lethargic as they were before.]

[salutations]

[Of course there wouldn't be an easy answer. He's not surprised, but he does wish it could be simpler. When Sakuya asks why he cares, Yuuya simply smiles and moves on to the next question.]

Very astute. They are active at night, and they do prey on our darker thoughts... but the main difference is that a Nightmare can actually hurt you. Quite badly, I might add. [Yuuya had avoided the worst of it, but seeing some magi in the aftermath of the Valentine's Nightmare was quite a reminder.] You'll want to be cautious on your first few missions until you get a feel for your abilities.

[nonametogivetofools]

[Oh, of course he won't reply to that question. At least he can pretend that it was a rhetorical question. And yet, that infuriating smile... Maybe he'll interrogate him later.]

[... Wait. He can get hurt? He had had too many brushes with death due to The Scarecrow and Doctor Iwamine to not be slightly on edge by that statement. And yet... This man was so easygoing about it. Was he confident and experienced, or just foolhardy? Sakuya put his money on the latter. He wasn't about to admit his apprehension about the situation so after a slight twinge of uneasiness, his face returned, once more, to the scowl.

I can handle myself, I'm certain that I'll figure things out quickly enough on my own time.

[... Not likely, considering he doesn't know heads from tails about this magi business still. Maybe if he stuck around long enough, Yuuya would tell him what he wants to know.]

[salutations]

[Both of them were holding their cards close. Yuuya hid behind his smile, Sakuya behind his scowl. Maybe if he dangled a lure, a hint, some little line? Just for a confirmation, to see if he could get this stranger(?) to puff up and declare his name proudly like a certain fantail. A normal person might just ask for a name, but Yuuya always has to do things in an infuriatingly obscure way (and he didn't want to give his own name first).]

Of course, of course, you wouldn't need some mongrel's help, now would you?

1/2

[nonametogivetofools]

[His expression quickly turned from that of contempt to the upturned lips of pride. Had Sakuya been more observant, he would have noticed the man's use of the term 'mongrel', a term he uses frequently, but wouldn't be known by any old stranger. Unfortunately, he was a little bit busy flaunting his family name to notice.]

Of course not! A Le bel doesn't need help from someone like you.

2/2

[nonametogivetofools]

[Except... He wasn't truly a Le Bel, was he? It was a force of 17 years of habit, and the realization was like a sucker punch in the gut. His lips thinned in response, and he squeezed his sleeves.]

[salutations]

[Well, that was all the confirmation Yuuya needed. It certainly was his little brother, wasn't it? He tries to look over all the features of his human face- how similar did they look, really? He would have been excited, before, to see their similarities and be silently proud.]

[... but he can't miss that reaction. It was an open wound. An open wound that was probably entirely his fault. His smile is a bit weaker when he replies,]

Ah, well, that's a good attitude to have. [Not the disdain but the confidence. It was all he had wanted for Sakuya.] If you're able to hold your head up high like that, you can certainly tackle anything thrown in your way.

[nonametogivetofools]

[He can recover. Sakuya recomposes himself in a flash, turning his eyes once more to Yuuya. Had Sakuya had any idea what he looked like, It'd be undeniable that the two of them were related. Something about their eyes, perhaps...?]

Of course I can. It's... [He pauses.] What's been expected of me.

[So maybe he can't call himself a Le Bel anymore. That doesn't mean that the lessons taught and the standards held didn't shape him as a person.]

[salutations]

Still... [At this point, his heart starts to ache a little. He was used to being dishonest, but something about dancing around the topic felt so wrong. Not wrong enough to stop him, though. With as long as he'd been dishonest he'd become very good at burying his guilt. Sakuya would definitely find him out, eventually. He knew that but the fear of rejection keeps him from saying it just yet.]

Still, should you need any assistance, I'd be glad to oblige. [He slips a hand into his pocket and pulls out a small compact.] We have a way of calling other magi here- any mirror will do the trick. You're free to have this one, if you'd like. [He expects it to be refused but he can at least offer.]

[nonametogivetofools]

No. [Sakuya shot him down at the speed of light, looking down at him once more.] Even if I wanted help from a mongrel like you, I'm certain that I could acquire a mirror of my own. I don't need your help.

[And yet, wasn't this the very reason he started this conversation? Sakuya had intended to get answers and be on his way, yet he had been pushed into a much longer discussion- and was little the wiser. Playing on his pride had that effect on him. He had information on the nightmares, but little on actual magic. Perhaps he could breach that topic next.]

[salutations]

Right, right, of course. [He tucks the mirror away again. He can't help but smile at Sakuya "not needing" help, when he was the one that reached out first. It was so like him. (And, to be honest, Yuuya was happy just to talk like this, contradictions and secrets and all.)]

I'm sure you'll take as naturally to this as a bird to flight. [drop the bird reference, then quickly,] Did you need anything else? Not that I mean help, of course.

{I'm so sorry about being slow and if there was any dip in quality, I was sick the past two days :c}

[nonametogivetofools]

What's so funny? [Sakuya shot Yuuya a glare once more.] Why are you smiling?

[Maybe he should just drop the subject for now. No use dwelling on it when there are more important matters at hand.] Either way, I want you to show me how to activate my magic. It'll be important to know when I do fight these nightmares.

[Sakuya subconsciously fiddles with the ring on his finger. When did that get there? He certainly wasn't wearing it before he came to Nyoi-cho. The gem on it was beautiful, an icy, almost clear blue a little lighter than his hair.]

[no worries! hope you're feeling better :>]

[salutations]

I can manage that. [Although he'll do his best to teach without an example. The second he takes on his true form, his goose would be cooked. ... Figuratively.]

Now, when you made your contract you should have gotten a gem. [Yuuya pulls his out from his breast pocket- it's pearly white and oval-shaped.] That's what you'll need to trigger it.

{I am, thank you!}

[nonametogivetofools]

[Right, It's probably best that Yuuya doesn't reveal himself for as long as he can. Both parties will probably be very hurt with the revelation that the person in front of him is Yuuya Sakazaki. It's best to delay the inevitable for now. Sakuya checks his pockets for around a minute before finally coming across his soul gem, a pale blue egg.]

Is it this one? [A rhetorical question- they look alike, aside from the color.] What next?

[salutations]

Well... [he adjusts his glasses] Have you ever seen Pretty Coore? [Anime may be for peasants and delusionals, but it would be a good starting point.]

[nonametogivetofools]

Of course not, Anime is for the lower class! What do you take me for? [Interesting, because within the next few minutes, Sakuya will be an anime. ]

[salutations]

Ah, well, [Hiyoko or Ryouta- no, he can't mention them,] It's so popular, I wouldn't be surprised if your noble eyes had perhaps been forced to see it.

As a newly appointed hero of justice, you'll need some sort of catchphrase, you know? To activate it. [a total lie, but he sort of wants to see if he can get Sakuya to do it]

[nonametogivetofools]

Are you certain? [This is demeaning, ridiculous, embarrassing. There has to be some way around it, no? Regardless, Sakuya began searching his mind for something adequate. While rattling his brain, Sakuya did recall his mother discussing how Japanese Heroes of Justice had catchphrases they said before delivering righteousness. Perhaps Yuuya was telling the truth.] Is there not something else I could do instead?

[salutations]

[He narrows his eyes, pretending like this takes serious consideration.] Perhaps... an appropriately stylish pose would work as substitute.

[nonametogivetofools]

Hmph. For the sake of justice... [Sakuya strikes a pose that puts all others to shame. And by that, I mean it's incredibly over the top and ridiculous.] There. Is this fine?

[salutations]

[... little brother, you're absolutely precious. Yuuya's covers his mouth to stifle the laugh.]

Y- yes. Like that, just with feeling, while channeling your magic.

[nonametogivetofools]

[Sakuya's face turns a bright red while leaving the pose, shooting Yuuya a scathing look.] How dare you laugh! I'm sure that your pose or catchphrase is no better than mine. [Probably because Yuuya has none. He strikes the pose once more, brilliant light surrounding him. After a moment, It dissolves, revealing a beautiful... White bird. Sakuya is clad in A capelet and cat hood, and the bird stretches his wings. Finally, a body he's used to.]/ There!