souljammed | TEST DRIVE MEME.

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test drive

TEST DRIVE MEME.

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!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Maybe one day you could visit. If you ever come to my home town, I would like to show you the sights. [Madoka. She would do her best to remember the name and the description. Upon seeing how flustered Sandy was, Rika patted her on the head.]

Its no trouble, after all, it is a good time to have a nice meal. Besides, its feels like a bit of a sleepy day. Perhaps you can find a game you would like to play. [Drink with marble in it-]

Ramune! Its really nice during the summer. [Needless to say, she was sick of drinking it.] Maybe we can go shopping and find out too. [she was making a mental list. Madoka-Japanese girl with pink hair and large eyes, Sandy's other world, the matching homes of magical girls.]

What was it like in New York?

[Rika already started to gather ingredients for the meal. Miso was a given, she one time read foreigners most preferred tempura, salad and rice. Sandy seemed like she would be willing to talk, and perhaps this would also allow her to get more information on the world here.]

And how are you doing here?

I'd like that! I um...don't actually speak Japanese so we might need to draw pictures to communicate though.

[And she really would. She'd explain why soon after but the idea of getting to see the world had been eating at her for years and years. She blushes red when Rika pats her head and looks grateful for the contact. Despite how paranoid she was sometimes physical contact when affectionate was always cherished.

Taking the time to look through Rika's collection Sandy listened and agreed sounding more pleased with each suggestion.]

New York was...wet. It rained a lot so I hardly ever was totally dry. And even when it wasn't raining there were always clouds. I didn't see proper sunshine or snowy winters until I was in another world.

People were as gloomy as the weather too. The city had split itself off from the rest of the United States out of fear and took away peoples rights. Strict curfew, even stricter police.

[Her voice is softer when she talks about her home world, not sad but...nostalgic.]

Dad used to tell me stories of old New York. Before everyone was afraid, there were heroes. People with amazing powers that would fight to protect the weak. Good and evil doing battle in the streets and every day there was hope that things could get better.

But my New York didn't have any of that. And believe it or not? It was still better then the world I got pulled to.

[ She took a deep breath and let it out not realizing how tight she'd been gripping the box she'd been holding. She set it down slowly and hoped Rika wouldn't notice the wrinkles in the cardboard where her fingers had almost torn through.]

Things are better here...there are Nightmares to fight yes but...we have powers to fight them. And we can work together and don't have to hide who we are or who we were. Here I can go to school...work sometimes and I don't have to feel like I'm always being watched or like someone could take everything away from me for no reason.

[But the nightmares...well she couldn't escape those no matter how many worlds she moved to it seemed.]

[Rika peered over her shoulder to look at Sandy. Once the rice was in the cooker the rest was easy going. She nodded before going back to cutting up the vegetables for the tempura and salad. Sandy's New York sounded much different than the New York she had heard about. But wasn't that how it always was? The world is always different when you live in it instead of outside looking in.]

Miiiii Thats a very scary feeling. After feeling that way for a long time, it may feel like it sometimes happens again.

[Sandy's New York was different, she had never heard of heroes defending the weak unless it was in comic books- or prehaps the rare times when she saw someone stand up against fate.]

But, I am happy for you that you're now in a better place, but I am sad that you were in a bad place to begin with. And it is sad about the heroes.

[Salads were put into bowls and then put into the fridge to stay crisp while Rika worked on the rest of the meal.]

It must be hard work hiding who you really are or who you were. But, How was it? Seeing sunshine for the first time? And snow too. [She shut her eyes for a moment, remembering the last time she saw snow. Hinamizawa would have terrible winters, but it made for some fun things.]

Sometimes thinking about the little things can help make it through the bad things. Like school! Are you in any clubs? And do you only do the delivery?

[ Rika moving around the kitchen is a welcome distraction. Sandy tries to learn whenever she can and so seeing little tricks like putting the salads in the refrigerator is something to file away for later.]

Snow was...not so great. It was better the second time closer to christmas. Sunshine was nice once the snow and ice were gone the first time.

The first time I saw them both was scary...I didn't know what to do. I would have died a lot faster but some people were looking out for me.

Later when I was in The Capitol...this huge city I lived in for a few years...it was much nicer. Warm and gentle. And the snow was soft and fluffy when Christmas came.

[Three Christmases wasted in another world. Maybe this year would be better.]

Ah school! Well I haven't really thought about clubs...but that might be fun. Delivery is the only job I have right now though. Just you know...for food money and stuff.

Maybe I should get a job. [That sounded like it would be a lot of fun. She never had a job outside of her work for the shrine before.]

Dying doesn't sound like fun at all. But I am glad people were looking out for you. Did you go to school in the Capitol? And maybe we can make some clubs at school.

You shouldn't have any trouble pulling that off. Seems like they don't ask for much. No IDs or nothing.

Y-yeah, it's not. I've had enough of them to know for sure.

We did go to school yeah. A lot of it was like, them trying to make us think the way they thought usually not good.. But some of it was actually worthwhile like math and science and stuff. And we got to go on field trips that were a lot of fun.

I'm sorry that happened to you.

And I liked school mostly for my friends.

Thanks...I still feel weird talking about it you know?

[But somehow Rika made it easier. She was just so...understanding.]

Well there's plenty of good friends here. I mean...probably. I only know a few so far but they seem like good people. And if you like games I bet we can find lots of people to play with you know?

Of course [she bobbed her head up and down as she went on to finally start the tempura.] After all, who could you talk to about your death? It is supposed to be something we all fear right?

You've got that right.

[ She wandered over to watch how Rika was making the tempura, keeping her distance so she wasn't in the way.]

It freaks people out...someone my age going through so much messed up stuff. And like they try to be supportive but it's like...what can anyone do? It happened and I can't forget any of them.

They are a part of you. [Rika's tone seems to drop to a more serious one as she moves a little so Sandy could watch easier] They are valid parts of your memory. But sometimes you have to understand, people are so used to their own worlds. I would wish to call them selfish, but they are not that. It is hard to move from innocent ignorance to acceptance and empathy.

[ The change in pitch did not go unnoticed and Sandy took in the words quietly, mulling them over and sorting out what Rika might mean.]

It's not that they can't or...don't want to understand it's just harder for some people then others?

[She took a stab at seeing if she'd gotten the right message, lacking complete confidence but at least guessing.]

[Rika nodded] Correct, but that also doesn't change the fact that there is a burden for you to carry, and it would take time to find the strength not to use it to weigh you down. [Like she had done so many times and for so long.]

[ Watching the girl move around while she spoke with wisdom behind her words, the hairs on the back of Sandy's neck started to rise. She didn't need to be a detective to figure there was more to Rika then board games and that cute smile.]

I'm starting to think it was easier in the last world because everyone was going through the same thing. Even if they still acted like it was worse happening to me because of my age.

Here, a lot of the Magi are fighters, they've seen some stuff but I don't know how it stacks up you know?

Have you seen...stuff? Like bad stuff like that?

People seem to underestimate the strength of children. Perhaps because they simply cherish the idea of innocence. [Rika looked at Sandy now. Her eyes were dark.]

It simply stacks up to hurt, and how you deal with that hurt is important.

[Then her tone lightens, back to that tone one would expect of a 10 year old]

'Bad' is a weird term. To make a wish maybe everyone has seen something bad! But my wish will help that.

[ OK...that was unsettling. But also intriguing. Of all the mysterious people here Rika has now taken Sandy's top interest right next to Madoka and her weird golden eye memory loss thing. The confusion is visible on her face but then she relaxes and nods with a soft smile. Even as weird as that was...this girl gets her.]

Oh yeah? What'd you wish for?

To save some cats from something bad, Meow! They were stuck in a bad situation, but I got them out. [She lifted her hand up as if to mimic the good luck cat]

[ The look of confusion only gets deeper as Sandy bursts out with a laugh at that and then smiles brighter.]

Well that's adorable. I mean...you've come a long way to help some cats, but that's really sweet. I used to have a pet duck actually.

Quack, quack, quack~ [She sing-songs a little] What about you? [What did you wish for?]

[ Well at least this sudden mood shift made it easier for her to talk about things that were otherwise really uncomfortable for her.]

I...well I wished to escape. The bad place I was in. Some people were gonna hurt me, maybe in a way I couldn't come back from.

[She sighed leaning against the wall still somewhat fascinated with Rika's skill despite her size and apparent age. No kids she knew could make tampura.]

I should have thought bigger...wished to save everyone. But I was selfish I guess. Scared.

Its okay to be scared! Its not selfish, its survival! [she finished making the tempura and turned off the heat, now carefully taking all the items she prepared to the table.]

Do you know how to use chopsticks? [she realized that she may not have had the cutlery Sandy was used to.]

[ Sandy nodded and followed Rika back to the table.]

Sometimes when my mom got paid she'd buy us Chinese food. She had me practice with popcorn till I got it.

[ And oh gosh it looks good. Maybe it's because of her obsession with food, or maybe it's because she's growing so fond of Rika so fast but it looks really great to Sandy.]

You're kind of amazing, I hope you know that. If not I'll just have to keep telling you.

Miiii [She smiled up at Sandy with that]

I never tried to eat popcorn with chopsticks before. [she went and got the spoons for the miso and chopsticks for everything else and set it on the table sitting down.]

[ Taking her seat Sandy began to think back to the words. It had been an act of desperation, of survival. Once again she'd followed her instincts to outrun everyone else and let deal with the "Bear" that was threatening them. Thankfully the food kept her from looking too somber.]

You gotta let me at least do the dishes to make up for this. At least till I can bake for you.

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