(no subject)

[herotypical]

the luceti test drive meme

Reserves have just opened and apps are right around the corner. But are you still on the fence about any of your would-be characters? Well -- here is your chance to take them out for a spin!

▣ TAG IN or reply to others with characters you would like to test drive for Luceti.
▣ ONLY add top-level comments for characters who are not yet in the game. You're free to reply to others with Luceti characters (because that's half the fun) but remember that the whole point of this meme is for potential characters.
▣ PLEASE do not post duplicates of characters already in Luceti.
▣ GO AHEAD and give us a brief description of your character in the top-level comment, along with one or two possible ways to run into your test-driven character around town.
▣ YOU MAY use these threads for your first person samples on your app -- just make sure that you link threads of a goodly length (i.e., threads with at least ten comments from your character).

Need a little help getting started? Remember, you needn't post here as though your character is still brand-spankin' new. It'll probably be more fun for all involved if this isn't a simple dress rehearsal for showing up. Here are a few scenario ideas:

o1. The grocery store is out of food. What do you do?
o2. Wing injury! Call for help or stagger your way to one of our fine clinics.
o3. It's a busy evening at Good Spirits, one of Luceti's local bars. Do you dare try the drink specials?
o4. Have a talent for playing music? Try Cloud Nine's open mic night!
o5. Beach party? Snow party? Leaf-raking party? Gardening party? YOU DECIDE.

Okay. So my examples are pretty non-exciting. But they're really just suggestions. I'm POSITIVE you kids can come up with more creative things.

Above all? HAVE FUN.

Comments

Susanne fon Fabre | Tales of the Abyss

[tenerezza]

[ What is a noblewoman to do upon waking in an unfamiliar land but wander the streets in a bemused daze? Susanne is relieved to find there's more than forest, though while taking a brief rest at the fountain she notes the buildings' architecture is far cry from Baticul's familiar styles.

From there she makes her way to the apparent commercial district's edge and pauses. Where should she go from here? She needs to return home; surely everyone will be worried to discover her missing. And her medicine... The tea house looks like a promising place to get a drink and ask for directions, so it's there Susanne heads first. By the time she takes seat in a vacant corner, her face is competing with the new feather dress for paleness. A polite inquiry later and she's more lost than ever. Luceti isn't a name she recognizes at all. Oh dear...

Feel free to interrupt Madam Fabre anywhere along her trip or, alternately, as she's about to collapse near one of the bridges after her break. ]

/SCREAM

[fabrecation]

[It's not the first time Luke's been to the teashop. In fact, he's been here many times to get a specific kind of tea, one that helps him relax at night and help him sleep. He's certainly been needing it lately.

He's not sure what made him stop and look at his surroundings. Maybe it's that need to see who's here, maybe to see if someone he knows is around. And once he looks at that corner of the shop...

Well, that is certainly someone he knows, though the last person he had expected. He has to blink hard - he had a friend who'd let him see illusions of his mother, ones that were extremely realistic, so he isn't sure if she's back or if it's... really...

But that doesn't matter. Luke's completely forgotten about the tea, and instead, he's rushing over with wide eyes.]

M... Mother?

/SCREAMS WITH?

[tenerezza]

[ Susanne was trying to piece together what could have possibly happened for her to end up so far away from home that none of the residents were familiar with Baticul in the slightest. How troubling... Not even a village small as this one should be ignorant of the Capital of Light.

She questions the waitress delivering her tea and it's as she fear - no, the young lady had not heard of any capital, nor the Kingdom of Kimlasca-Lanvaldear itself. The very idea is unthinkable to Susanne. But there it is. Lost and alone without her medicine in a land that feels so very unreal. Still, her thoughts quickly turn to her family. His Grace would be beside himself with worry and her sons... A smile plays on her lips; how ironic that she would end up in a situation like Luke had many months ago. How frightened he must have been! She should have told him how brave he was. If only Luke--

...was here?

Susanne doesn't stand fast, illness sees to that, but once on her feet she hurries forward to catch Luke in a gentle embrace. It's as though her prayers have been answered. ]

Luke...!

/SCREAMS EVERYWHERE

[fabrecation]

[Though those illusions he had were realistic, there was one thing about his mother that was off - She'd been healthy. Glowing, radiant, moving to Luke with strength. It was how he wanted her to be someday, to be free of whatever ailed her and to move the way she was supposed to.

The fact that it takes her some time to get to her feet seems to seal it for Luke - that and the glimpse of the wings he sees on her back. He isn't sure what this feeling was that just washed over him, something like relief and fear and worry and love. Despite how different they may be, though, all of them make him move his steps to something like a light jog, and so it takes him no time at all to reach her and return her embrace.]

Mother!

[Luke's as gentle as he can be in his excited-dismayed state. He knows his mother probably wouldn't appreciate as tight a hug as he'd like to give, but this is enough. He shuts his eyes and lowers his head a little - She's here.

And she needs an explanation of this place and what's going on. But right now, in this moment, that's far from his mind.]

/ALL THE ISCREAMS

[tenerezza]

[ Luke's firm hug is welcome reassurance, if a touch painful through no fault of his own, and Susanne returns the gesture with all her strength. That they didn't often embrace made no difference. It would always be wonderful to hold either son in her arms, to know they were alive and well. But how tall he's gotten!

Keeping one arm securely around him as though she feared he might vanish before her eyes, Susanne brushes the unruly bangs from his face with her other hand. Her darling wild child. ]

I didn't think I would find you here, Luke. Yet I must admit I'm not certain where this is.

/SCREAMS ALL AROUND THE WORLD

[fabrecation]

[As if he's feeling the very same way, Luke keeps one arm around her as well, though it's also to act as support in case she isn't feeling too well. The other just touches her arm lightly, as if he isn't quite sure what he's supposed to do with that other hand.

Regardless, though, he still grins for her, as if there aren't any worries in the world. He's so happy; he almost thought he'd never see her again. Or, at least, not for a very long while.

That grin fades to a softer smile at the mention of their location, and he glances about before he looks down at her again. When he speaks, his voice is soft; the voice he'd reserve just for her even before he cut his hair.]

Do you think we could sit down first? It's kind of a long story... [And for her to stand for that long might be a little tiring for her.]

/SCREAMS ALONGSIDE /RUNS OUT OF AIR /PULLS AN AKZERIUTH

[tenerezza]

You're always so considerate.

[ One thing Susanne can't help but regret during these rare moments is her own weakness and lack of stamina; she'd like nothing better than to shield both of her children from the world, the Score - any who might wish to harm them. A typical mother's wish made no less genuine by her inability to offer Luke and Asch more than words and place to call home.

Well, that was not quite accurate. She would always be willing and able to offer him advice or support on any endeavor he might so choose. She gives Luke a final hug before leading him back to the table, where she offers the seat alongside hers. Hopefully he wouldn't be to embarrassed to have his mother resting a hand on his in public, though she would understand. ]

Take all the time you need. There's no rush.

/OH GOD NO AKZERIUTH

[fabrecation]

[In the past, maybe, he might've been embarrassed about it and complained, even if he kept his hand there. Right now, though, the fact that he hasn't seen her in close to a year in Auldrant's time... Well, he doesn't mind at all. In fact, he'll rest his free hand on hers, both as acceptance and some kind of support for what he has to say next.]

All right. This place is called Luceti... It's really far away from Baticul.

[A pause, and a slight frown... before he keeps going.] It's actually far from Auldrant, too. I know it sounds hard to believe, but this isn't our world at all.

MWAHAHAHACKcoughwheeze

[tenerezza]

[ Not only does the notion of being somewhere other than Auldrant strike her as far-fetched, it sounds impossible. But she wouldn't dare treat it as a joke without any clear indication that Luke intends it as such. Trying to grasp the hows and whys may be asking too much from her just yet, so she focuses instead on accepting the truth that it simply is, fingers running idly over his hand. ]

This entire village and the surrounding areas are really part of another planet?

AND THEN I SHOWED UP LATE

[fabrecation]

Yeah... sounds pretty crazy, huh?

[He can't help smiling. It did sound crazy, every single time he had to explain it to someone. His mother is no exception.]

It's kind of a long story. We got pulled here to... help a bunch of scientists get out of here, pretty much. [His smile softens - he doesn't want to bombard her with horrible information and all.] But we're all in this together to fight back and get ourselves out of here, too.

the strangled scream I just uttered, I can't even

[dissonates]

[Asch is just out and about for a walk- nothing unusual here.

Except-

That hair, that posture... he can't help but stare. For a long moment, he's frozen in place.

Mother. Mother.

And then he's running, swiftly catching up to her. Nothing can keep him from helping her when she needs it. But since he's not sure of what her time period is, he's... wary of being obvious once he arrives. Maybe he should be more aloof? He's not sure of anything yet.]

...Are you alright? I can- let me help you...

like a cute little rappig squeal, I bet!

[tenerezza]

[ There isn't much need for hurry, as Susanne's pace slows to a stop while she takes in her surroundings. What was she to do now? These people, though kind, didn't have any answers for how she might get back home. A couple had laughed pityingly and told her to try asking someone living in those houses across the way. But she couldn't see why they would know.

She's so lost in thought that Asch's approach goes unnoticed until he speaks, startling her into stepping back with a hand clutched to her aching chest. Susanne did not even need a glimpse of his face to know who it is. A mother would know her precious son's voice from a dozen similar ones and Asch's is no exception. There was a certainty in it that came with the heavy burdens he'd taken on for years, an edge of masked pain that her other son did not have. But he would always be Luke to her. ]

Oh..! Luke! You're here as well!

...actually that's fairly accurate

[dissonates]

[Asch has to restrain himself from wincing at that response, since it tells him everything and nothing all at once. He doesn't stop, though, coming closer and winding an arm gently around her waist to offer her some extra support. She's obviously suffering, and he can't stand that.]

It's... I'm not Luke anymore. [He pauses, taking a deep breathe, and quickly moves on. He doesn't like to dwell on that fact, especially not here, when it's been so long.] Come on, I'll get you to a place where you can rest.

Haha;; I debated on sticking a fork in Asch-piggy's heart via early canon point, but

[tenerezza]

[ Surprise flickers briefly across Susanne's face before she inclines her head in quiet acquiescence; if that was what Luke- no, Asch wishes, then she will not argue. The name he chose was not so important. Not when his actions make it clear he's still the same child she had believed lost, and that brings a smile to her lips as she leans against him. ]

Of course, dear. ...and thank you. I'm afraid this place has left me a bit lost. Do you know where we are?

ruuuuuude sob

[dissonates]

[Once she's resting against him, he starts moving again, this time guiding her in the general direction of the village clinic. There's plenty of doctors around, so someone should be able to stabilize her condition.]

This... it's called Luceti. It's- [He doesn't want to aggravate her condition with a sudden shock, so maybe the otherworldly explanation can wait.] ...It's far from Baticul.

trollolol beats taking her post-Eldrant and having her pitch over at the sight of him!

[tenerezza]

[ Asch's pause is enough for her to suspect something is missing or not entirely truthful about that answer, yet she won't call him out on it. He has his reasons. And somewhere to sit sounds agreeable, though Susanne isn't too tired to peer around at the town while they walk, her grip tightening when she misses a step. ]

It's a curious place, isn't it? No one seems to recognize where I wished to go.

[ The rest of her many questions are left unsaid for now - how she went from being in the manor to here, why these people had wings, how Asch knew this village's name, and if it was indeed a village like she felt it to be. ]

jhgsdf okay yeah that is pointedly more evil

[dissonates]

It's... complicated. [He feels badly for lying to her right from the start, so after a moment he adds,] I'll explain it once you've had a chance to sit. For the most part, it's safe, though, so you don't have to worry about any monsters attacking in the woods.

[One small favour when it came to this place- the last thing they need is random monster encounters harming disoriented newcomers who have only just woken up.]

so many ways to break the redheads, so little time

[tenerezza]

[ Perhaps it's fortunate that monsters or wild animals had not sprung to mind before Asch found her, as the mere mention of them causes a tremble to reverberate through body. If she'd been on her own near Baticul, surely she would have- No. She shouldn't dwell on such matters. ] Yes, that may best for us both. Why don't you tell me how you've fared in the meantime?

[ That aside, there is one thing bothering her. A strange discrepancy from how she remembered him. Pinning down exactly what is the hard part. ]

we're just too busy spazzing that this is a thing to care

[dissonates]

[Ha... ha ha... how he's fared. He can't even answer that honestly without a full explanation of this place. He tries being vague at first, since they're really not that far from the clinic anyway.]

I've... been well enough. Time moves a little differently here, though.

[Which might be one of the differences she's noticing, or starting to notice, anyway. He's almost 21 now.]

asdlkf no blowing a gasket now

[tenerezza]

[ Ah, and she had so hoped that Asch had managed to find some semblance of belonging since the kidnapping, but that didn't appear to be the case. While his answer isn't an outright negative it's reason enough for her to clasp a gentle hand on his arm. The rest of his statement helps clear up the last piece of her confusion. Of course. ]

You've matured, haven't you.

[ The changes were obvious now, so it's less a question than observation. And true be told, Asch did look so much like his father. They shared the same regal bearing and handsome charm. Maybe it was the hairstyle. ]

but but but flail aaaa

[dissonates]

...Mm. It's been a few years now since I arrived here.

[The touch on his arm doesn't go unnoticed, though it is for the most part not really acknowledged. It's been a long time since he saw her, and even then his previous meeting hadn't even lasted an hour. It's... awkward, seeing her. He wants to love it, he wants to be happy. And he's doing his best to be the strong, confident young man that he's damn well tried to become, the sort of person worthy of the throne of Kimlasca even if he'll never get the chance to sit on it. The sort of person who the original, proud Luke fon Fabre he'd once been, full of dreams and aspirations and hope for the future.

But.

I'm not Luke.]

if you do that Guy or Dist will have to repair you!

[tenerezza]

[ Given the circumstances, Susanne felt she's been doing a fair job of maintaining her composure, though mild shock might have had something to do with her ability to keep going. Up until Asch mentions the word 'years' that is. Her pace slows as they near the clinic and she pauses at the door to give him a confused look. She must have misheard him. If they had spoken not even a couple months ago, how was it possible that Asch has been here longer? It's just not a concept she can easily grasp without knowing more. ]

I don't understand what you mean... Asch.

[ The name still feels foreign to her and takes a bit of extra effort to say. ]

[turnbacktime]

[As far as Presea could remember, Sheena ran the tea shop in Luceti. So, her wanderings take her there, after she gets back her clothes, weapon, and a few minor supplies - and a snack at the marketplace. She ascends the stairs and looks around, hoping to catch a glimpse of the fluffy black hair of Sheena's ponytail.

Alas, finfing her friend is not to be so, though Presea does come across an odd sight - a woman, seemingly ill if her gaunt complexion is any indication. She can even hear the woman's heart fluttering rapidly in her chest with her hyper senses, as if the woman's heart were exerting itself far more than necessary. This lady wasn't in critical shape, no where near, but she wasn't in good health either. Slowly, Presea wanders near.]

...Are you all right?

[tenerezza]

[ The tea Susanne had ordered was just an everyday white variety, yet she had taken to staring at the liquid as she stirred in a small amount of honey. When was the last time she had been on her own? It must have been years ago, perhaps when they had last made a vacation trip and the maids were looking after Luke... Even then she was never truly alone. Being a member of the royal family had meant there was always maid if not a dedicated nurse seeing to her well-being.

Now that she was without so much as a servant, Susanne found she was quite unsure what to do with herself. Eventually it would come time for her medicine and that had remained back home. While the prospect of her illness worsening wasn't frightening, she feared her husband and children would take it badly.

These thoughts so occupied Susanne's attention that for several moments she fails to realize someone is speaking to her, and her heart flutters when she notices the young girl. ]

-oh! Oh yes, I'm fine, thank you. Would you like to sit down?

[turnbacktime]

[Presea doesn't so much as stir, not even a little, at Susanne's startled reaction. She remains as stoic and straight-faced as ever, though there is a hint of concern and furrowed brows when she hears the woman's heart flutter once more. It's like it's thrumming far more than it should, even with a little bit of shock or strain. That's...not good. And should be addressed as quickly as possible.

Shaking her head, Presea declines the offer politely. She wasn't planning on staying in the tea shop for very long - just to locate Sheena and maybe share a cup or two of tea with her friend. She's better at the whole socializing thing, but it's still a bit...hard, to strike up conversation for more than is necessary.]

No, thank you for the offer. ...I apologize for the intrusion, but are you certain you are well? Your complexion is indicative of having minor to intermediate health issues. Uh...I--...I am only concerned.