What it says on the tin

[justabignobody]

TEST DRIVE MEME

You want to join the game with a (new) character? Maybe you’re simply curious about the premise? Or maybe you just need a sample. Well that’s the meme for you to try and test your character as if they were already in the tower! The meme is open to anyone!

• Reply to this entry with a character you consider apping! Put your character’s name and fandom- Your usual meme thing.
• Comment around with your pups. You can also post and tag with characters already in-game of course!
• Most importantly, have fun!!
• Then feel free to go and reserve and app your character when those open.

Have a number of prompts to get you started:

[Floor 29]: This floor has seemed pretty peaceful so far, the maze isn't all that hard and the garden that lies beyond it is rather lovely. Still it seems best to head back now that the sun is about to set and nighttime is approaching fast. ...Is that just the leaves rustling in the wind behind you, or is it something more?

[Floor 56]: Oh this looks definitely like an useful floor - the room stretches into a hospital ward, dusty and old, a surgical suite surrounded by a maze of empty beds. The closer you look, the more you'll find that the first impression is quite deceiving - no medical supplies of any sort, unstable lights and what was that noise just now?! Clearly you are the only one on this floor. Or are you?

[Floor 25]: After all you have seen so far, this just might be the first truly innocent floor you see. But is it truly as trustworthy as it seems...? Many other people seem to think so at least! Come and see what they are up to?

[Elevators]: It's quite a long ride between the Dormitories and the Cafeteria - it probably doesn't help that the minutes and seconds seem to stretch out more and more towards eternity, what a hassle. Are well, maybe there is someone stuck with you and up to provide conversation... or entertainment~

[Anywhere]: Do you still have track of just where you are after spending your day exploring the Tower of Animus? If not, you might want to ask someone... or just start climbing the stairs regardless of where you are! Nighttime is approaching fast...

[Event]: Just earlier this day you have been called for (and/or brought in to) an unscheduled collar check-up, in which the color of your collar was changed. It takes a few hours, but soon you feel the effects of it, feel lightheaded and dizzy, feel all your power slip out of your control. Or maybe you heavy to the point of breaking down on the spot, while just none of your powers seem to work. Either way... hopefully you are at a safe place or in friendly company... That is, if either of these things exist in this tower.

Comments

[Event - Stairway]

[relinquishing]

[Waking up to that cold ceiling and endless staircase felt very little like the jarring surprise it should have been. No, after the numbness and general disorientation had died down, Guy was feeling a severe sense of de-ja-vu.

It was crazy, but he knew he'd been here before.

Unlike his last visit, however, he isn't given much time to explore. He's barely down the first flight of stairs before a red-collared worker unit marches up to him, grabbing him roughly be the arm and shoving him into the elevator.

"Nice to know things haven't changed, huh..."

It's a long ride down and a quiet, lonely appointment in the examination room. Guy catches the different color fluid, voicing a remark of concern that was easily ignored by the workers present. Green fluid out, yellow fluid in, and he was set on his way.

It didn't take long for Guy's pace to slow, which is how someone might stumble across him. He's climbing the stairs bit by bit, simply to take a peek in some of the lower floors for people he might recognize. But he's taking his time. His head feels like it's been filled with air, his hands and feet tingling and numb.

Chivalrous as ever, if he hears someone behind him, he'll halt enough to wave them past with a tired grin.]

Hahah... no, hey, go around me. It's alright. I'm just a slowpoke today.

LOUDLY SCREECHING

[bloodyashes]

[Holy doubletakes batman. There's no questioning whether or not this is the Guy from before - ]

Don't be an idiot.

[ - because here's Asch pointedly not going around him and instead giving him a worried look. He's changed a bit, the lack of tabard most obvious, the flowers on his hip next, but the expression is different, too. He's not exactly hiding his concern, for a start.]

When did you get here?

[And wasn't your collar green?]

I'll take that as a hello!

[relinquishing]

[That grating voice sure sounds awfully familiar. Normally the Oracle tabard would be the first tell-tale sign that he was talking to Asch, but when he's met instead with the site of a missing uniform and a garland of poppies and sunflowers around his sword, he can't help but look confused.]

Whoa... Asch? Hello to you, too...

[The blond steadies his footing on the stairs, pressing a hand against his forehead. As long as he doesn't lift his head too much, the spinning isn't too sickening, but it makes eye contact a little difficult as he speaks.]

Not too long ago, actually. Probably a few hours ago. They didn't give me a lot of time to look around or find anyone.

Looked like someone emptied my trunk while I was gone, too.

[The last sentence has a cold, dry tone to it. It could be shrugged off as mere annoyance. But losing the Jewel didn't exactly rub Guy the right way. There was nothing he could do about it right now, and that thought alone is what keeps him steady. But he's fine with letting a little disappointment leak out.]

HI :'D :'D

[bloodyashes]

[...Guy is back. It's not a different one, but the same returned.

He's sending Zo flowers. Shitloads of flowers.]

It's not real anyway.

[Going to casually loop an arm under Guy's shoulders to support him - look, being shorter than the blond is useful for something, at least.]

Come on - I'll catch you up somewhere else.

[relinquishing]

Wh--- wait, what? What do you mean, not real???

[That was not the kind of thing to just drop on him and then abandon, Asch. But the assistance is needed and begrudgingly taken, albeit with the suspicious raise of an eyebrow. He knew be on this staircase forever if he went at it by himself. Not necessarily a bad thing... unless he got to a nastier floor. But Asch hadn't exactly been the "help the dreck's team" sort unless it somehow benefited him. Even in Guy's time at the Tower, that hadn't changed much.

So why this, all of the sudden...

Guy awkwardly shifts his weight, hooking his arm against the redhead's neck and, when he senses Asch won't drop him, starts heading up the stairs. It's a steady pace, but the tight grip against Asch's shoulder should be enough of a tell to how much the world is spinning as they move.]

So... alright, then, where... exactly are we heading...

[forhislegacy]

[Anise hasn't yet been brought in for a checkup - so she isn't feeling any of the strange effects he is. She's just merrily making her way through the Tower (okay, not really merrily, but she was as cheerful as one could be around here) when she sees Guy up ahead.

Does she know him? She does. How does she find this out? By peering at him curiously as she approaches, and then slipping off to the side to see him from another angle... and then stopping right in front of him.]

Guy! It's you! You, uh... you don't look too good.

[relinquishing]

G-Gaaah!

[Recognition of the voice takes a backseat to the fact that there is a girl in his immediate personal space. Face instantly going pale, Guy hastily backsteps and nearly falls down the stairs in the process, stumbling down nearly half a flight before finally coming to a stop.

He groans and rolls onto his hands and knees, forehead resting against the stair to calm his dizzy head. Still, he lifts a hand and gives a curt wave in her general direction further up the stairwell.]

A-a-ah... hey, Anise. Please don't sneak up on me like that...

[forhislegacy]

I wasn't sneaking, though!

[To be fair, she wasn't; she'd made no secret of her approach and hadn't even bothered to try and be quiet as she got closer and closer. But then, he wasn't feeling well - not that she'd been around long enough when he had been before to know that his collar was supposed to be green... all she can think is maybe he's caught a cold.

It seems a little unfair that everything is fake and yet the administrators still let them get sick.]

So, what happened? You should probably be resting if you're sick, not wandering around out here. [Listen to her she deals with sick people all the time, she knows.]

woop woop don't mind the horrid backtags darling

[relinquishing]

W-what are you talking about, you jumped right in front of me--!

[Or that's the way it appeared to him, at least. All his focus had been on not passing out, after all, so the first glimpse of the raven-haired girl had been when she'd stepped up to get a closer look.

He sighs raggedly as he lifts himself back up to his feet, his eyes snapping shut with the rolling sensation in his head, taking a deep breath in through the nose before attempting to talk again.]

A-ah... anyways...

To be honest, I don't know for sure. One of the worker units brought me down to the infirmary right after I woke up. All they really did was mess with my collar-- [He groans a bit, pressing his palm against his forehead.] --really, I think that's the only thing it could be.

[attheclocktower]

[She ignores the wave and comment, focusing instead on his face]

You're back.

[She seems surprised, just a bit. She'd found his gravestone when he'd vanished, after all. Though... maybe this was a different him? It was hard to say - she thinks his collar color might be different (though it's hard to tell, especially considering the most memorable point where she'd see him, his collar color had been ultraviolet).

Maybe she'd spoken too soon. Oh well. He does seem to be a little off. She hangs back a little bit, warily.]

Are you okay?

[relinquishing]

[The voice gets him to yelp in awkward surprise, involuntarily taking a couple hurried steps in the opposite before turning back to see who it was.

Oh. Oh, he knows that face.]

...Xion?

[His expression relaxes with an apologetic smirk, although his posture still remains a little too rigid. He can already feel his head pounding from the speed he had fled...]

I'm really not sure. I... I think I'm fine. A drone pulled me down here so they could do some sort of adjustments with my collar.

Not gonna lie, though, I'm not sure what the purpose was. My head feels like an overfilled balloon.

[attheclocktower]

[Xion starts a little as he says her name. So this was him. He was the one who'd been here a few months ago. Just as interesting and much more concerning was the news he had regarding what had happened to him.]

They're messing with the collars again?

[Was this because of what had happened with the boycott? She'd heard about that network post that had been made, with Jason and Zo arguing]

What kind of adjustments did they do?

[Was that why his color seemed different?]

[relinquishing]

[Again?

A question for later, then. He tucks that information away, gingerly making up the awkward distance between them. The flinching that occurs at his movements are subtle, but still present.]

A few things that I couldn't exactly see, although I'm pretty sure they changed the color of whatever's flowing through the pipes. Last time I was here, I think it was green. Guess they changed their minds.

Why do you ask?

I can't not tag this

[ambassadorasshat]

[Hope you're prepared for loud noises in your current state, Guy, because this redhead has just spotted you and bolted up the stairs like an excited puppy.]

Guy! You're back!

[relinquishing]

Luke...?

[To hear the voice of his best friend is like music to Guy's ears. While he was still uncomfortable of Luke being present, knowing that he hadn't been lost to whatever was killing off the planets was its own sort of comfort. The fact that there used to be multiple Lukes here doesn't even cross his mind.

He straightens up immediately, wincing as he does so, but still managing a brilliant smile.]

Luke! Hey, I finally found you...!

[Please don't jump on him PLEASE don't jump on him...]

[ambassadorasshat]

Hey, you're the one who's been gone, not me!

[Not jumping on, but one of Guy's hands is getting grabbed, as if he's going to disappear if Luke lets go.]

When did you get back?

[relinquishing]

Not that long ago, actually. Can't say I enjoyed the welcome party this time, but...

[Instead of finishing his thought, he grips Luke's hands firmly between his own, giving him a reassuring smile to try and ease the boy's excitement.]

Sorry for the vanishing act. I'm here now, though, right? We've got some catching up to do.

[fragileprophet]

[It's a bad sign when a normally able-bodied young man is slower than Ion is on the stairs. The very instant that the Fon Master recognizes him, his brow furrows and he slows even further from his already (naturally) sluggish pace.]

Guy...?

[So he'd returned. On one hand, this was good, knowing what they now knew about the souls of those departed from the Tower. On the other...the Tower was still far from a safe haven.]

I'm not going to leave you. Is there anything I can do to help?

[He knew that coming from him...well, it wasn't a very reassuring offer. But Ion couldn't just pass the blonde by. Especially not when he looked so terrible. He was more than happy to lend a supporting shoulder, regardless of how small he was in comparison.]

WOW I'M SO LATE HI DANIELLE

[relinquishing]

Ion?

[The gentle voice of the Fon Master is instantly recognizable. Guy blinks a bit as he looks up before letting his expression relax, chuckling weakly. Aaaaa geez, there was no need to get Ion worried about his condition - the kid himself was already having so much trouble, and there was no guarantee he could help. It would be the blind leading the blind.

Not to mention the last time the two of them tried to help one another, they ended up very, very dead in a field of poppies. But Guy doesn't like to dwell on that.]

Not sure what I could tell you, really. My head's really spinning... But I'm sure I'll be alright for now. So please, don't worry about it too much.

[He offers an easy smile, oh so similar to the one he'd used when they had a similar conversation about a certain curse slot.]

It's good to see you, though. It's pretty slow going, hahah, but I could use some company if you're up for it.

[kindeyes]

[Conrad doesn't keep walking, however. He reaches out to help steady Guy, a calming smile on his face, his grip warm and firm. They are terribly similar in a fashion.]

Relax, I'm not in any hurry. Where are you headed?

I'm very late, feel free to continue or drop to your preference!

[relinquishing]

[The helping hand is greatly appreciated, and the unsteady blonde flashes the stranger a thankful grin as he adjusts his position on the staircase. He'd never say it out loud, but he hates being sick. Any way to get through it that doesn't involve being unnecessarily doted upon is a good way indeed.]

Heh, thanks. That helps.

There's a lounge a few floors up from here. It's not that far. My head's just got the better of me right now - it's not impossible, just a little easier said than done.

Are you headed anywhere?

BUT NIK TAGS

[kindeyes]

[Conrad hates having to depend on people for simple things like walking, but at some point he has to acknowledge his limits. And when he doesn't, people can just call on Jozak to smack some sense into him.]

A lounge? I hope you don't mind if I accompany you, then. I'm still getting used to this place.

[His smile stays.]

I was just wandering. [Or searching.]

[technologic]

Wha- G-Guy...?

[April had just been absently focusing on the floor as she walked up the stairwell, and it's the sound of his voice that gets her to look up and stare at him in surprise. Which quickly turns to concern when she spots how... tired, he seems. Luckily she stays a good few steps behind him and doesn't even try to move closer.]

... Are... Are you all right?

[relinquishing]

Gggghhh--!

[The voice from behind gets him to jump reflexively with a ridiculously strangled sound, shoulders drawn up and face a bit pale as he jerks his head around to see where the sound had come from. His eyes are wide, but once he sees the familiar redhead, the flare of recognition comes quickly.]

A-ah... April?

[The name comes to him slowly and hesitantly, as though he's having to recall a stranger's name that he's only heard once or twice.]

Hey, yeah, I'm, uh... I'm fine. Great. Just a little dizzy, that's all.

Why do you ask?

[...Wow, that was a stupid question. Ignore that, swallow the wince, move on - it'll be fine.]

[technologic]

[April takes another step back at the strangled sound, raising her hands up in a sign of 'I come in peace'. She notes the hesitation, but she isn't surpsied, since it has been a while since they last saw each other and all.]

Y-yeah, it's April...

[And yeah, it was a stupid question, judging by how April just frowns even more at him.]

Because you look like hell. Did something happen?