Test Drive Meme!

[rekindlemods]

Welcome to the Rekindle Test Drive! Trying to see if a character will fit or work in the setting? Need some interaction samples? Well this meme is for you! Make a post, tag around, and most importantly, have fun! Here's the setting page for those who want to learn a little more about the city itself. Then don't forget to go reserve your character in a week when they open. Here's some prompts to help you get started, if you need it: Option 1 [While the days grow longer and warmer and the older, oriental-style of the city would normally make one think that the interiors would not be much in the way of relief from the hot sun, it may surprise the guest to see that the apartments the natives have allocated for them are surprisingly comfortable. In fact, the only modern convenience they may be missing is a television set! At least, outside the media floor on the first floor of Building One - the first of four inter-connected buildings. In fact, each apartment building seems to have at least one different amenity on the first floor. In Building Two they seemed to even spare a library in another that seems to have the basics and some information packets that are otherwise found in the Welcome Center in District 2. There are even a few restaurants and common dining areas in the Building Three that are open until late at night, and meeting areas and a ballroom on the first floor in Building Four, perfect for setting up small parties or big events. With the locals gone save those who work in the restaurants and the one librarian, leaving you to your own devices, what will you do? What mysteries could be left to discover in this place?] Option 2 [With summer coming, the water level in the river is starting to go down, exposing some of the beach. The Riverside Shack is open late, and its restaurant is pulling out all the stops and offering seafood specials (even though a river is a far cry from an ocean). The rental store, meanwhile, is finally bringing out more of its swimming supplies, inner tubes and pool noodles, and a calmer stretch of the river has been roped off with buoys for swimming. They even have lifeguards chairs set up. Clearly this sort of thing used to be an annual event. It's not quite an ocean beach (quite different actually), but there's still plenty of chance to have fun in the water. Or teach someone to swim, perhaps.] Option 3 [If you're more inclined to explore or learn, the City's Learning Center might be more to your tastes. There certainly seems to be a lot going on here - there's laboratories and libraries and workshops, and plenty of communal areas where you can meet and talk with people. The natives seem pretty absorbed with their studies and work, though they're polite in brushing you off, at least. Perhaps you'll have more luck seeing what other Guests such as yourself have discovered?] Option 4 [Whoops. Looks like you haven't taken the cautionary words of the other NPCs to heart, or maybe you just wanted to take your chances. Either way, the withdrawal symptoms have started and you need to find someone to hug quickly before you get even more sick.] Option 5 [If there's something else you wanted to play with, that you didn't see here, then have fun with that. You've just arrived in a strange city, after all. There's got to be plenty to explore out and about, not to mention people to meet.]

Comments

[Option 2] Shinji Ikari | Neon Genesis Evangelion

[forevalone]

<sub>[There's always been something calming about the beach. The way the water slides quietly up against the shoreline and drags back in on itself is mesmerizing to watch. Shinji may not be able to swim, but he's also not above walking along the shore in bare feet, toes digging into the sand. At moments he simply stands quietly, pants rolled up to his knees. The seashore is also where he met that person, Kaworu Nagisa. The memory is still a fresh one and equally as painful.

He doesn't want to think about it, it makes it hard to breathe when he does and yet it's all he can think about.

Someone said once that everything returns to the sea. Did that apply to Angels as well? Did souls return to the sea like everything else was supposed to?

The sigh that slips him can't be helped as he wades in a little deeper, careful with his step. As much as he feels like he's drowning already, there's still part of him that keeps him from doing just that.]</sub>

oops

[paraclete]

That's very adventurous of you, Shinji-kun, [Kaworu says from behind. His shoes are muddy from the bank, which he doesn't think is a bad thing, and he calls to Shinji as though they were never apart at all. Don't hold it against him; he doesn't realize that ghosting around like that might be highly inconsiderate. As far as he's concerned, they're both in the same place right now, so isn't that nice enough?]

[forevalone]

<sub>[The voice snaps him out of his thoughts immediately, like someone pulled the trigger of a gun. There's no resounding bang but there doesn't need to be - the effect is the same - he's practically jumping out of his skin when he whips his body around to stare, blue eyes wide and full of disbelief.

He splashes about when he turns, nearly losing his footing, water making the edges of his rolled up pants damp despite his best efforts to keep them dry.

Shinji Ikari is staring at a ghost. Shinji Ikari is staring at a fallen Angel, one who's head he saw pop clean off in his own hand (it was his own hand, even if Eva 01's hand had been holding Kaworu, it was still his grip that crushed him in the end) and drop with a hearty splash from his pale, slender neck. It'd be interesting to see who exactly is paler at that very moment; Shinji's face could potentially give Kaworu's skin a run for its money. He's stunned, frozen in place. His fight or flight response seems to be damaged - there's no way he'd run away (he mustn't do that, never do that) and he's not one for fighting, despite being forced to so many times against his will.

No, Shinji Ikari merely stands, knee deep in the water, hands at his sides, eyes and mouth agape like a fish gasping for air. He's still as ever, the only movement coming from his trembling fingers and then, after a moment of holding his breath, a pair of dry lips.]</sub>

...Kaworu-kun?

[paraclete]

Hey. [He lifts one hand in greeting, and then slips it back into his pocket.] We meet again, Shinji-kun. [After all, he promised that much.]

Will you come out, or should I come in? Here; I'll come to you. You don't look well. [But when Kaworu steps forward, his shoes don't meet the water: he hangs just above the rippling surface, and moves fluidly towards Shinji. Now, his arms are outstretched, palms flat, waiting to take Shinji's hands and help him. Perhaps he's a little too relaxed— something like this might be gentle enough to be rough.] Here.

[forevalone]

<sub>[This isn't happening, this isn't happening - he mustn't run away he mustn't run away - and yet here he is, stumbling backwards, deeper into the water to get away from what is surely a ghost from his ever too painful and recent past. The observation made by the Angel is right - he doesn't look well at all. In fact, he looks like he's going to be sick. Considering the circumstances however, it's to be expected.

Hands are avoided and aren't taken. His shorts are more than just damp by now. He's shaking his head, hands up at his own chest.]</sub>

Y-You're not...You can't be Kaworu-kun...I killed him.

[paraclete]

[Kaworu keeps his hands presented; he'd be willing to hold them out forever. He isn't smiling anymore, though.] That wasn't your fault, Shinji-kun. And I'm here, right now, and I am Kaworu. I'm being honest with you.

[forevalone]

It wasn't my fault?! _{[The outburst is sudden, body trembling. If the water was truly still, there would be ripples with how much he's shaking.]} Of course it was my fault! I killed you with my own hands!

<sub>[It's hard to hold back tears. It's nearly impossible when staring down the only person who ever told him he loved him and that very same person was murdered outright by his own doing. Maybe he hadn't much of a choice then, maybe he felt betrayed, but the scene had played itself over in his mind countless times. Surely, there must have been some other way?

Regardless, his hands were still the ones left stained at the end of the day, whether he was truly at fault or not. Tears begin to spill over, despite his best efforts.]</sub>

[paraclete]

[With his hands...

Splash. It isn't the sound of a head, this time: Kaworu has let himself drop into the water. He stands before Shinji now with soaked trousers and knit eyebrows. Yes - if he looks closely - something is off. Shinji elicits a different sort of déjà vu than he should— that is, it's not that he's familiar, but that he's already occurred. Kaworu as he is now is dead, yes, but this is due to a collar and a burst. 'Hands' were a long time ago. Something wrong is taking place.]

It had to be someone, [he answers.]

[forevalone]

<sub>[It had to be someone. Sure, of course it had to be "someone" but why did it have to be him? Why did it have to be Kaworu? The splash does little to stop tears but he does find himself pulling fingers away from his wet face ever so slightly. He looks, understandably, utterly miserable.

It feels like that argument has always been used against him ever since he first climbed into Eva 01. Someone had to do it and it was just his luck that it had to be him. Furiously he shook his head.]</sub>

But why did it have to be me? Why did it have to be you?

_{[That's the key question here - why. If there's an answer, however, Shinji's not sure he'll be graced with it.]}

[paraclete]

Because it's as I said: I was a child chosen by fate. And you were the fate I wanted.

[He wades closer to Shinji. The sensation is strange.]

I'm sorry. I never wanted such unhappiness for you.

[goldenaura]

[ Due to his fire pokemon having a dislike of water, Ethan was the only one approaching Shinji, not caring that his own pants are soaked at the bottom from wading in after the brunette.

Ethan couldn't help but be curious. They passed through this place and passed by/seen Shinji several times now; this time that boy was slightly closer into the water. Ethan gently lets a hand sit on the boy's shoulder as he approaches, using a softer tone to his voice. ]

Hey... You know. You've been here for a while. Are you all right?

[forevalone]

<sub>[Despite having lived with Misato and Asuka, along with being friends with Toji and Kensuke, years of being averse to touch has left him still unused to it, regardless of what little progress made being acclimatized to it. It rings true when he's snapped out of his thoughts, more so by the hand suddenly on his shoulder. The words register secondary to the contact as he tenses up, already starting to curl in on himself.

He's a bit unsteady on his feet but manages to stay upright as he turns to look at the individual who went out of their way to approach him (another surprise). His lips part for a brief moment only for them to shut again as he digests the question.

Was he all right? It's been awhile since someone asked him that. At the moment, he can't even recall who exactly was the last person to ask after him like that.

But, back to the question - was he all right? Of course not. Shinji Ikari was destined to live a life of misery and he'd just recently killed the first person who had ever told him that they loved him. The boy isn't even remotely close to being okay and yet somehow, he's still functioning and standing.]</sub>

...Have I?

_{[A sense of time is lost on him, it seems, as he stares at the boy before him. It's the only answer he gives. If he said he was fine, it'd just be a lie.]}

[goldenaura]

[ Ethan couldn't help but frown at the pilot tensing up and curling into himself at the pokemon trainer's touch. He was quick to pull his hand away, hoping that'll relax Shinji any bit.

Growing up, Ethan's mother always taught the boy to be nice to everyone, no matter what, unless they prove to not deserve it. Especially be kind to those who seem like they need it the most.

This boy in front of him clearly seemed like he wanted to be alone. but... Ethan couldn't help but worry. So rather than be put off at Shinji for rejecting his touch and not answering his question, Ethan put on a slight smile. He always was more patient than most people he knew. So he nods.]

I mean, I like my quiet times, too. But it's going to get dark in a few more hours. Won't you get cold and possibly get sick staying longer like this? Especially in the water, like now! It's a little late for swim, don't you think?

HELLO TWIN

[gakishinji]

[This Shinji doesn't so much feel like he's drowning, as he feels like he's already dead. How worthless this life was - how worthless he was - woken up again, after causing so much hardship to everyone. In what way does he deserve to be in this place? It's baffling. So many others... Ayanami, Asuka, Misato-san... so many others should be here, should have the chance to see the peace of this place. But instead, here he is, staring out at the water and its foreign color.

A slosh is to his right. He turns his head, the collar around his neck tightening as he does, only to see him... self, the other him that was here.

He tenses and stares. It's not him. It's different. The other him...]

Hello existential crisis!

[forevalone]

<sub>[Shinji never really enjoyed looking at himself in the mirror. This however beat any full length mirror. Looking at himself as a full other living, breathing entity was downright terrifying. Sure, Shinji talked to himself a lot, but this was going a little too far.

He has to be hallucinating. There's no way this is real.

He's silent, wide eyed and slack jawed. He couldn't speak yet, even if he tried.]</sub>

[gakishinji]

[If Shinji hadn't already seen this doppelganger around here before, he'd be just as speechless. Yes, he had been just as speechless the first time, and quickly decided for himself to ignore this impossibility entirely. But now, he's been spotted, too...

What is there to do? Was this... was this like the situation with Ayanami? Was Dad cloning him, too? No. He didn't remotely care enough to want multiple versions of him around. The idea is laughable. But what other explanation could there be?

Shinji swallows dryly and turns away, not wanting to know what it is, whatever it is. But he only takes a few steps through the water before he steps on a sharp rock buried in the river mud. Yelping awkwardly, he yanks his leg up from where he'd stepped and crashes into the water.

Embarrassing yourself, in... in front of yourself. Of course. Great job, Shinji.]

[forevalone]

_{[The sudden movement and blunder of his other self snaps him out of his trance, body moving forward out of instinct to help the boy with his face up and out of the water. His hand hesitates a moment before reaching down in offering, still unsure whether to actually make contact. If the boy wants to take his hand he can, if he wants to reject it then that's alright too. The uncertainty is still evident on his face as he stares down.]}

...Um, are you...all right?

LET THE CANONS COLLIDE

[agelostdoll]

[So, on a scale of 1-10 how much would you be expecting an apparently fine, hale, healthy and eyepatch'd Asuka to be walking after you]

You do that barefoot you idiot you'll step on broken glass. Trust me, even here.

Please hit him gently Asuka...no collars here

[forevalone]

_{[Probably a 0, considering the last time he heard anything about Asuka, her and her Eva had been flocked and wrecked by a bunch of mass produced Evas. The familiar voice of the pilot girl causes him to freeze as he turns around to look at her, blue eyes wide. There's a mixture of shock and relief that seems to fill his gaze. He doesn't even ask about the eye patch, barely notices it. All that he can register is that she's well and upright and speaking to him.]}

...Asuka?! You're...you're okay!

_{[Comparatively, at least. 'Okay' was one of those broad terms. Physically, she seemed fine more or less. Mentally? Let's not even go there.]}

[agelostdoll]

[oh, he's talking again. Must have dragged his stupid ass out of that fugue state.

...Raincheck on whether that's good or bad. She snorts.]

Do you of all people have any right to ask that? If I wasn't, it would be your fault. Mein Gott did you really have to go nearly pulling off another one?

[forevalone]

<sub>[ooc: That moment when all the canons get mixed in your head late at night. My bad! Pretend I never mentioned the mass produced Evas aaa.../)_(\]

[Asuka has always been callous and sharp; rough around the edges would be an understatement. She could be cruel and overbearing and really, she did get on Shinji's nerves a lot. She was, to put it lightly, a bully.

But that didn't mean that Shinji didn't care about her well being. Her and Rei were in the same sinking boat as he'd been. They were all Chosen Children, and while they might've not gotten along, they still endured the same hardships from piloting the Evas. Asuka herself had seemed to fall into a pit of despair after her defeat which had been quite frankly worrying. If strong and abrasive Asuka couldn't shake her depression then what was left in store for the rest of them?]</sub>

...My fault?

_{[The words sting and he falters at them, digging his toes into the sand. Sure, a lot of things could be his fault and were his fault...but this too? How would it be his fault?]}

What do you mean 'another one'?

[agelostdoll]

((ooc: IT'S ALL GOOD at least he didn't say it out loud. Pre-EoE Shinji, then?))

[Asuka keeps on walking up. If you're paying attention, her plugsuit will look notably different; red and white rather than red all over. Slightly longer hair. Without, of course, mentioning the eyepatch.

If nothing else, you have the air. This isn't some tantrum. This isn't some child beating against the walls of her own psyche. This is a very specific, personal loathing, aimed directly at you.

She stops, quite within punching distance, hands balled into fists by her side.]

Fourth Impact. You wanted to run away that badly? What had it been, two weeks?

[forevalone]

<sub>[ooc: Yup! End of episode 24, more or less ;w;/]

[The subtle differences, the tiny nuances that should be picked up on, are on some level registered. They're mostly ignored however by the shock triggered by her words. Fourth Impact. Not Third. Fourth. He can't help but stare, confusion clearly evident on his face.]</sub>

Fourth impact...? What are you talking about? There hasn't even been a Third! You shouldn't say such things, Asuka...

<sub>[Her demeanor toward him is clearly full of loathing. This isn't childish jealousy or rivalry. This is hatred.

He'd shrink back from it if he wasn't so confused.]</sub>

[agelostdoll]

[The brat's words dig in... never a Third Impact? Never a fourteen-years-ago that saw the world end and stained the Blue Planet red? Never a humanity that fell apart until all that was left was a ragtag fleet that still laughably allied itself the United Nations?

Like all that had never happened?]

...What the hell are you talking about. You caused both of them.

[forevalone]

<sub>[There were a lot of things Shinji Ikari would let himself be blamed for. There were a lot of things that he'd done that were his fault. There were a lot of things that weren't even his fault but he'd blame himself for anyway.

This however...this was ridiculous. He had caused not only Third but Fourth Impact as well? That was insane! Sure, Impact might've started and had happened if Kaworu had followed his instincts and Shinji hadn't the spine to actually crush him but he'd done so. He'd killed the Angel, someone who supposedly loved him, to save a world that hated him.

Instead of trigger it, he'd done the complete opposite.]</sub>

No...No I didn't.

_{[It isn't denial, at least, it isn't completely. This boy, this Shinji is free from that sin for now. It may be tacked onto his list of sins later on, but for now he's free of the guilt.]}

Why would you say something like that? I...I killed the angel. I killed Kaworu-kun. I didn't trigger anything!