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Welcome to the Test Drive Meme for

escordvi! Anyone can participate in the test drive, regardless of invite eligibility. Just keep in mind that only those who have received invitations from the mods can actually reserve on June 24th and apply on July 1st. Our EMP/ATP can be found here.

For your toplevel, please include the following: Character Name | Canon | Armada Choice | TDM (IF TDMING). Current players can use the same header, just without the "TDM" label. We do require those who are TDMin'g to include the label so other players can distinguish between others.

For everyone's convenience, TDM threads can be carried over in game if you wish! If you are still unsure which armada to place your character, you can play it a bit loose and vague in the TDM and make retroactive changes if you carry over the threads. The log itself is set to cover starting from June 16th until the end of the month. Characters will appear at random intervals during this time rather than all at once, so players have some more flexibility on how much more adjusted they are for someone else.

If you have any question about the TDM, comment here. If you have questions about the game in general, please comment to the Game Info.

TOPLEVEL DIRECTORY (Updated Month 06/19)

GETTING STARTED

This section can be timed for any time after June 16th until the end of the month, which includes during the current event. These prompts are to benefit those TDMing, but this portion can be handwaved instead and serve as a reference for players to know what their character will have experienced and learned on arrival.

STARTER SHIPS

There are two ships that serve as starting ships for each armada: Stormbringer for the Corsairs, and Royal Fortune for the Paladins. There are various ways new arrivals—or riftfarers as they will be called, among other creative names—will appear on or by these ships. The crews for both ships will also seem a bit odd to some, as it is a mix of humans and various animal folk, non-humans that look more animal than human. Some just look like large versions of their smaller counterparts. From birds, to seals, to even bears, there is no shortage of interesting faces and people on these ships.

🚪 Random room. It could be empty, filled with crates or supplies; down in the hull where the livestock are kept; have the luck to awaken in a bed...or the misfortune of that bed already occupied; somewhere in the kitchens; in the bathroom—any room! Now let's hope the doors can open or someone may have to try and ask for help. Or jump through the porthole if there is one and it's above water.
⛵ On deck. If not in the ship itself, another possible spot to wake up to is somewhere on the maindeck. If they're lucky, they're on the deck itself. More unfortunate souls may find themselves caught in the sails or netting, the crow's nest, or on the top of the masts. Someone should be able to help, right? Or catch.
🌊 In the water. The most unlucky sods will find themselves appearing in mid-air just past the ship and plummeting straight into the water. Good news, there's always someone on the look out for such a thing and calls for help to throw a lifesaver get the rowboat will be made. Are there sharks? Well... ...Are there?

However the new riftfarers arrive, they will be poorly clothed, practically rags or loose uniforms depending on the ship. Fortunately, veteran crewmates will guide them, escorting them to a room with a strange typewriter in it. After typing their name, the typewriter will magically continue and type by itself at a fast pace until it dings and rolls out the paper. This paper will have the following information:

• Name and Shellphone ID (journalname)
• Armada (Corsair or Paladin, will match the starter ship)
• Cabin Number for their personal cabin on the starter ship
• Apartment Address for their personal address at their base armada location
• A basic map of the starting locations in Eltrut, including written directions (continued in the Eltrut section)
• A basic map of where they can find a chest with their original clothes and belongings (this will be different for every person and will be anywhere either on the starter ship or on Eltrut—players can be creative here).

After that, the crewmate will do their best to explain the basics of how they got here, what's going on, and what they'll need to do to live in Escordvi while they are here, giving them a small leather pouch with money. They will be reaching Eltrut soon, so the crewmate will suggest they look around, meet the others who have arrived. Even from their distance, they will be able to see the giant sea turtle that serves as Eltrut's leviathan.

ON ELTRUT

Once in Eltrut, the new riftfarers will be greeted by several birdfolk who will be happy to give tours to those who may need them. Otherwise, anyone is free to roam as they please and will have a map for the following main places they should visit.

🐚 Microshell. The first stop that is encouraged will be Microshell, the main store to acquire their own personal Shellphone. The paper they received on their starter ship will have their ID and the staff at the store will set them up, explaining how the device and the network works.
✒️ Inkwave, Tattoo Parlor. The next stop is Inkwave, a tattoo parlor run by a very burly but friendly octopus, Knistej. Here everyone receives their own unique magic tattoo, allowing anyone to cast specific single element spells and other magic. Note: tattoos are required before anyone will be able to use their original magical abilities.
📜 MANTA office. The final stop is the MANTA office, where all the request, mission, and task notices are posted. Each armada has their own branch office for armada specific notices as well. A great place to find jobs to earn some cash so they don't stay a hobo forever.

LATROMMI

Latrommi, a beautiful, lush heart-shaped island renowned for its beautiful beaches and perfect weather, making it the perfect paradise for romantic getaways. When docking on Latrommi travelers are greeted with a small beachside town that has been built into the side of the beach and tropical mountainscape. Boardwalks, wooden bridges and ladders connect the shops and buildings for a nice walking experience. There are shops, taverns, rooms for rent, bard performances and more. The town also boasts of their special coffee or wine bath spa that is said to put some pep back into your step too. Although there is a discount promotion currently in place, those who wish to stay at the beachfront resort can also opt to help locals as a way to "pay" for their stay.

Exploring any of the beaches on the island is encouraged! But there are some warnings to be wary about while exploring the sandy beaches. Some of the beaches are rumored to make people feel like they are ten years younger while some of the beaches make them feel as if they are ten years older. No one knows how these time lapses affect the body and mind. But other than that, enjoy some of the simpler beaches that are just fun in the sun and seashell collecting all day long, no strings attached. Don’t forget the swimsuit!

🐤 Bird watching. Like many tropical islands, Latrommi is home to hundreds of exotic bird species. They are colorful as they are magnificent and range from common sights to rarer species like the Golden Seagull. Anyone savvy to bird watching can pick up a sticker book and try to mark off and collect each one. Some say if one is able to spot the Rainbow Huma Bird, one of the legendary guardians of the island, they will be granted a month’s worth of luck and love.
🐗 Some beasties. The island is home to several land and water creatures that aren’t found on other islands or leviathans as well. People are welcome to try their hand at capturing a cute blanket octopus that will snuggly wrap around their body, fish up a blood-sucking vampire squid that is apparently a tasty delicacy, or fight off some aggressive goblin sharks. Or take a crack at hunting down one of the many wild boars in the area that have massive tusks as sharp as swords.
⛲ Beauty pools. Various pools of water are scattered all over the island that seem to have a healing property to them. Many of them will rejuvenate skin or energize the body after a nice long soak. Anyone who takes a dip will feel smooth and hydrated after a swim in one of the many mineral pools or exfoliated and fresh after a soak in one of the mud baths too. Soak it up!
🐚 Hidden cove. Scattered around the island are small, hidden coves just waiting to be uncovered. They haven’t been explored in years so they could be rich in old treasures to find. Go digging and find ancient coins, rare shiny seashells or a hidden cache of special pirate’s rum. Some might even have buried gemstones that can be found. Or maybe a fancy relic or two?
🐴 Male seahorses. In this world, seahorses are horses that can be ridden like mounts in the sea. Around this time of the year, the male seahorses that have given birth to their babies have now migrated to Latrommi to grow and thrive. The waters are littered with hundreds of baby seahorses that can be played with in the ocean water. Play with them or teach them to become rideable mounts themselves. Or just give them snacks of shrimp and fish.

For those who wish to have a bit more privacy, be it for a romantic tryst or just somewhere peaceful to relax, there are a number of places one can find. Beaches, coves, grottos, groves, even caves in the mountain side. While there are wild animals, there are not too many aggressive beasts, so just take the usual care when venturing through. There are also a number of private cabins and cabanas that one can find. Some are for rent, some free to use, and some already occupied so be sure to knock!

Strangely enough, small and rare flower patches of Ethereal Emberblooms also appear on the island. Odd because the flowers themselves should only be able to survive on Elah. So, how did they get here? Sadly, they will wither and die by the end of the month.

FYRE FESTIVAL

Ever since the first sighting, Latrommi hosts the Fyre Festival every June, an event in tribute to their patron and mythical bird, the quetzal, Eternia. It is said that he will bless any marriage on this island, and anyone who sees the end of the Festival with a feather in their hand will be gifted by Eternia with eternal love and a happy family. That is what makes June the most popular month for weddings, and couples—both human and even inter-species!— from far and wide visit Latrommi not only to celebrate, but to wed with the hopes that Eternia will smile down upon their union.

The festival boasts all kinds of activities to try out with a friend or even a loved one, with different food stalls available to try out the local delicacies. Be careful, the Latrommians love their food spicy! There is also beer and grog available along the beaches and in many of the seaside taverns.

To kick off the festivities this year, the people of Latrommi are putting on a stage play about a recent tale of love and betrayal that has been going around, based on the newest hit that all the bards are singing across the land: Tempest Hearts. It is a story of two lovers, Karura, the Queen of Harpies and Indra, the Lord of Lightning who have recently had a bit of a spat, and their fight has taken them out to sea where they create violent storms.

Tempest Hearts, a Tale of Two Gods:

In the world where the sky meets the sea,
A love once prospered, fiery and free.
Karura, Queen of Wind and Flight,
And Indra, Lord of Lightning's might.

So in love, she would grow wings,
With every kiss, the winds would sing.
But whispers of betrayal spread,
Karura’s heart was filled with dread.

Indra, with a heart so true,
His love like thunder, a spark that grew.
He sought to shield her from the fray,
But fate’s cruel hand pushed her away.

Over the ocean, a fight so fierce,
The skies do roar, the seas do pierce.
Karura’s tears in stormy squalls,
Indra’s fury, thunder calls.

Misunderstood, his noble quest,
To guard his love, his very best.
But wounds of doubt and sorrow deep,
Turned love to storms that do not sleep.

Yet truth was found within the stars,
Their hearts began to heal the scars,
Karura saw his love so pure,
And Indra’s heart, she did secure.

Oh, tempest hearts, once torn apart,
Now healed by love, a brand new start.
Across the ocean’s endless blue,
Their journey ends in love renewed.

Their hands entwined, the storm did cease,
A love reborn, their souls at peace.
Begone the wind and lightning's feud,
Their love now calm, forever true.

So sail the seas, oh mariners brave,
For now the winds and waves behave.
In skies once stormy, clear and bright,
Rest Karura and Indra, in love's flight.

Throughout the festival, those with acting chops may be asked to take to the stage and act out their rendition of this story, and improvisation is more than encouraged! Take on the role of Karura or Indra and help spin this tale of betrayal and love renewed with a partner.

🦚 Feather exchange. When the festival begins, all festival goers are given a single blue feather. This feather is meant to signify a bond between two people when given to someone else. By the end of the festival, give this feather to another person to express that they mean something special, either platonically or romantically. Just remember, each participant is only given one blue feather to give to someone else.
💍 Wedding/Couples rings. Whether looking for something nice or needing them for a wedding, there is a current special on matching rings for couples! However, little do people know, they have been enchanted to fuse together, forcing people to hold hands. The only way to get them off? Exchange heartfelt vows to one another.
💥 Coal walking. One of the many challenges during the festival is barefooted coal walking! Resist the heat and walk across a bed of hot coals, and even try partnering up with someone to see how fast the challenge can be completed together. Alternatively, races are encouraged! No cheating with special abilities allowed!
👗 Corset competition. Any pirate worth their salt knows how to fashion and wear a corset. This year, there is a little competition to see who can tie a corset the tightest and wear it the longest without passing out. They can be tied solo or around a partner. Get those strings pulled and cinch in those ribs. Just don’t forget to breathe. Alternatively, those who have survived the corset tying competition could try the corset untying competition too. People are now challenged to get them off as fast as possible. No tools or tricks are allowed to be used. Only hands, toes and mouth. Animal folk are more than welcome to use their claws too.
🍰 Cake eating. There is a cake-eating contest to see who can eat the most cake, but with a twist! Partners must feed each other cake at the same time, so pair up and see who can eat more to win! Or just enjoy eating the free cake with someone.
🐦Hot ones. Sit down with a partner for this test on the stomach. The challenge is to eat a massive plate of spicy hot wings! The catch is that each time their partner is to eat an increasingly spicier hot wing, they must answer a question about themselves first. Ask a question, eat more spicy hot wings, and see who can last the longest without crying or dying for a mug of milk.

Like many festivals, there is a plethora of music and dance to participate in. Grab a partner and dance the night away, or participate in a dance partner swap where everyone is swapped with a random dance partner they might have never met before. There is also ribbon dancing where partners are tied together using a long red ribbon. Once they are all tangled up the ribbon will only completely loosen and untie once the pair manages to share a kiss on the mouth or the cheek, or if they confess a special thought to one another. Finally, for those who want something a little more exciting, fire dancing is a traditional dance where dancers take up long staves that are lit on both ends with torch-fire. Use these staves to dance and move to the music, creating an intricate glow of firelight in the night.

WEDDING WRECKERS

ALL PROMPTS IN THIS SECTION ARE WORTH 4 PTS.

While Latrommi wishes everyone their beautiful "happily ever after," there are those who wish the opposite, either jealous of those who manage to find their happiness or just revel in the chaos and thrill of ruining the lives of others. Thus wedding crashers have always been a problem, leading to increased security over the years.

However, this year there is a group called Captain Salt's Lonely Hearts Crew that has gone beyond simple disruption to outright bride and groom kidnapping. Some are done for ransom, others have a personal vendetta towards the couples. So far all victims have been rescued unharmed, but there is a fear that things could turn for the worst. Already there have been reported murders and attacks on those suspected of having affairs or adultery on their loved ones, and Captain Salt's crew is high on the list of suspects.

Various operations are underway to try and undermine the group as well as find the ringleaders and put a stop to it once and for all. This will require as much help from both Paladins and Corsairs as possible. However, there is tension between the two groups as Paladins suspect the Corsairs for the more heinous crimes while Corsairs counter this smells like something an overzealous justice loving Paladin would do.

IMPORTANT NOTE: while the prompts are written in the perspective of people helping save the victims, it is possible for characters to deliberately cause chaos. Whether they are for the Lonely Hearts Crew's cause or just want to mess with people, they can serve as antagonists for the prompts instead instead.

OPERATION: FAKE WEDDING. To try and capture those involved, volunteers are asked to either switch with real, targeted couples or host elaborate fake weddings. Some may have both individuals or only have one replaced with a fake. All replacements will try to look as close to the original as possible, but to help with the brides, they will have long, thick veils to help obscure their faces. For fake grooms, they will have hats or temporary magical glamor. Those who wish to act as security will also be disguised as attending guests or staff.

👗 Dress your best. Of course, no one will be getting through this without dressing their absolute best. While the tailors would prefer if the outfits are not destroyed, they see this as an advertisement opportunity and will dress volunteers into their dream dress or suit. No one will leave until they say "yes" to that dress!
🍰 Surprise cake. One "hiding" spot a guard may try to use is a fake wedding cake. Hidden in a large box disguised as an elaborate six-tiered wedding cake, it's the perfect place to spring out the moment trouble arrives. Just be careful because some may be fooled and try to take a stab for a slice.
💐 Flower toss. The flowers are enchanted to burst into different colored paint to help mark disruptors should they be jostled or knocked over. …And anyone else for that matter. No one said this was the best idea.
⚔️ Vicious engagements. Once the would-be wedding crashers and kidnappers appear, the silk gloves are off and weapons are out! Try and capture as many as possible to be taken in for interrogation.

OPERATION: RESCUE. While it's ideal to stop anyone from getting kidnapped at all, there are some who are assigned to be deliberately taken. In this situation, the kidnapped will have a small, special feather attached to their outfit in some way that can be released to discreetly fly off and release an "SOS" flare of sorts. Just be careful as they will be taken deep into the surrounding forest, sometimes even as far as the mountains or out to sea…

🔍 Follow the signal. Upon seeing the flare, volunteers of the rescue group must now venture through the island and find the target location. Upon reaching the location, it's time to clear out the villains and capture them to return for proper punishments. However…
⁉️ Rescued affair!? Some of these acts of bride- or groomnapping is actually a twisted gesture of "romance" from the kidnapper, wishing to steal them away either to save them from an undesired marriage or a one last desperate attempt to win them over. Some are genuine with pure feelings and revelations of marriage, the victim wishing to flee with their secret lover. Others are clearly mad and the victim wants nothing to do with them. Perhaps there's an even bigger story. Will the rescuers help? Or stick with the job?
🏃 Escape. Forget waiting to be rescued, if it's possible to break out and deal with the kidnappers and escape, there's no one to stop them. Maybe there are other victims from previous kidnappings there that need help or could assist.

OPERATION: INFILTRATION. For those who want to try their hand and infiltrate Captain Salt's Lonely Crew, then they must somehow convince the members they want in. Or just volunteer like a mercenary and be paid for it. All they have to do is express disgust or anger towards weddings and they're pretty much in. A sob story filled with heartbreak will do, too. Note: these prompts can tie in to the other sections.

🗡️ Affair most foul. Rather than crash weddings, some are assigned to attack, even kill certain individuals who are said to be committing affairs or adultery. The problem is there is little evidence to prove it and the descriptions of the targets are vague at best. This results in mistaken identities. (Player options are 1) commit to the assignment and attack the target; 2) try and save the target; 3) be mistaken as the target.)
🎻 Bad Boy/Girl Band. One group uses enchanted instruments to either freeze or put everyone to sleep. Destroy the instruments without giving away their true identity.
🥷 "Kidnapping." Knowing the intended target, those who have infiltrated the group can try and reach the target first and prevent them from being taken.
🛑 Words of persuasion. Perhaps the salty crew members can be persuaded away from crashing a wedding. Is the one leading the crash someone whose heart was broken by one of the couples? Do they have a personal vendetta? Or is there another story here?

Those looking into the murders will also be tasked in finding and recovering missing bodies, though this will not be for the faint of heart. Some clearly were personal and quite gruesome. As for any bases or hideouts used for the kidnappings, once found permission is granted to destroy whatever is there and bring in all members. There are many of them, with clues to where Captain Salt's location is… However, Captain Salt will remain elusive for a time. For now, any clues to who and where Captain Salt could possibly go will be collected (player submission).

QUESTS

The current MANTA Board is available, but we have a couple of additional quests that are specific for the event! Teaming up is of course encouraged, no matter what the affiliation. You can assume they acquired some kind of ship for the quests out at sea, either the starter ship or some other ship heading out there. All quests will be worth 4 points.

The Shiny Exchange

Eltrut

The Crow's Nest, a group of local corsairs working out of Eltrut, is planning a unique get-together where everyone dresses up as crows by wearing all black and bringing their best shiny trinkets to the mini event. Inspired by a local folklore hero—a crow version of Robin Hood—the event will honor the person with the best shiny trinket with the title of Crow Hero. Gather together with other crows and trade shiny trinkets to your heart's desire. While there can be multiple winners of who has the best shiny trinkets, only the person with the shiniest items of all can be the Crow Hero. Feel free to play puzzle games and card games with other local crows as well, it's all about meeting with the locals.

Sacabuffbaspis

Everywhere

The sacabambaspis fish is very popular in and around all the islands and leviathans. Lately, it appears someone has been making a mass amount of sacabambaspis merchandise including mugs, keychains, stuffed plush toys and painted posters of the strange-looking fish. But someone has also put up several paper posters of a very muscular and beefy looking sacabambaspis man all over the place which has deterred the fish's popularity (or in some cases made it more "popular" with certain groups of people with certain tastes...). Help the shopkeepers by taking down the buff-looking posters of the sacabambaspis man so that the sacabambaspis fish can retain its wholesome image. Unfortunately, the more posters you take down, the more get put up but... Do your best anyway.

That Much Hoppier

Naughtilust

Hasn't anyone ever told you not to lick toads and frogs? There's a strange trend going around Naughtilust where brothel goers have started to lick special frogs for the delightful little buzz it gives the licker. Licking these special frogs tastes like candy but the happy and hallucinogenic effects that come from licking the frogs is what everyone is after. If you lick a frog you might feel like rocks are popping in your mouth or you'll be able to see colors start to change or swap. Most importantly, it makes the licker feel so, so happy. So happy that you could kiss anyone! Dance with anyone! Strip off your clothes and jump in the ocean! Anyone on Naughtilust is more than welcome to try licking frogs to see what will happen to them. It'll only cost you a small amount of coins to do it.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ There's a certain luxury to being able to pick and choose what she records for her research. During her adolescence, with the threat of Calamity Ganon's resurrection looming ever closer by the day, Zelda wonders if she still would have been so considerate of his privacy. The answer sits ill in her stomach.

But she quickly pushes the thought from her mind. The Calamity is past, just another scar marking the kingdom of Hyrule. She hates to let her thoughts linger on it too long; that wound, the regret and guilt Zelda has carried for a century now, is a very fresh scar, one that still hurts should she press on it.

Again, Zelda is slow to respond, thinking over everything Darin said. To her, the courtesy she gave him in respecting his privacy is an easy thing, one that required little thought for her to extend. That it affects him this much tells her not only that it was unexpected, but that it is never expected, and her deviation from his usual experiences (or, perhaps, from his fears) is a stark and unsettling one.

It still sounds like he feels compelled to share his abilities with her, even though it's coming from a place of gratitude. Zelda is tempted to point this out, but she suspects Darin's answer would remain the same anyway.

Eventually, she nods. ] All right. If you feel that strongly, I will not try to deter you.

[ And she offers him a smile. He didn't need to share all that, even out of some misguided sense of fairness (in her opinion, at least). But he did, and she is grateful. Perhaps he doesn't find her company completely objectionable. ]

[Darin's somber look seems to transform into a genuine, confident grin in an instant.]

Alright! Let's do this thing up right then!

[Being useful. Accepted. Even if it's for the sake of some research or some purpose greater than him...it's clear that the scar on Darin's back is not the only one he bears. He's a man who wants so desperately to be something other than what he is that he's willing to do whatever it takes to avoid the truth. His truth.]

[He holds the two toads up triumphantly.]

Let's give Zelda some good data, froggies!

[Without hesitation he licks one and then the other, then promptly deposits the toads back into the bucket.]

[The effect is immediate as he starts to wobble a bit.]

Whoa. Heh...whoa okay. Everything's...okay, so everything's kinda melting? But not like in a bad way? It's like...the walls are made of melting wax?

And also everything's purple.

Except for you.

You're kinda...

...Is 'Sunshine' a color?

[ Oh wait hang on she's not ready yet! Zelda jumps off the bed and yanks the Purah Pad from her belt. ]

S-Subject G, session two!

[ She just barely manages to get the recording started in time and she's still moving into place and adjusting the focus when Darin decides to knock back his two frogs.

She's silent for several anxious seconds as she watches him wobble. Oh Goddess, did she overestimate his ability to safely metabolize hallucinogenic mucus? His description of the walls melting is awfully alarming! Zelda's brow furrows with concern, but she remains where she is. She has to trust that he knows his own limits better than she does (even though he just admitted that he doesn't).

Still, he doesn't immediately keel over. At least there's that.

Just like last time, he barely needs any prompting to describe what he's experiencing. And just like last time, it's very weird. ]

Not traditionally. [ She wants to ask if he means yellow, but that'd be a leading question and she's trying to be as objective as possible. ]

It should be.

[He staggers around the room, laughing at every little thing and touching every surface he can. That same heightened tactile senses seem to be in place because he's marveling at everything.]

[Finally, he finds himself flopped face down on the bed and just...pantomiming swimming?]

Z...Zelda. Hey. Hey, Zelda. Hey.

Zelda. If you could research anything in the world, what would it be?

[All this said while face down in the mattress so it's muffled as hell.]

[ Zelda follows slowly as Darin moves around the room, trying not to jostle the camera but also trying to keep him in frame. Is it that he's easily distracted or hyperactive?

Ah, and now he's... swimming on the bed. (Yes, Zelda feels like she's swimming in it every time she sits down on it, but not literally.)

He calls her name over and over again and she is once more reminded strongly of the children at Hateno school. ]

Yes, Darin. [ There's a hint of exasperation in her tone, but a smile on her lips.

"If you could research anything in the world, what would it be?"

Oh.

Zelda isn't prepared for him to put her on the spot like this.

Because she knows the answer to his question easily enough, but the subject isn't one she wants to bring up at the moment. The last thing she wants to do is immediately kill his good mood. ]

I'm sorry, I thought I was the one conducting this interview. [ She plays at a stern rebuff, but her tone is sardonic. ] But I promise I shall tell you after.

[ And she means it. ]

Now, can you tell me if what you're experiencing feels different from last time?

It's...a lot more intense? It's definitely more intense...

[He rolls onto his back and looks up at the ceiling mirror.]

But it feels good. Like...everything just feels nice.

The colors are beautiful. You really gotta try this.

[He holds a large, calloused hand up towards her.]

It's hot as hell but it feels like...like a sauna? You ever been in a sauna?

[He is sweating quite a bit. Perhaps his system is trying to purge the toxins?]

[ He does seem like he is experiencing the effects of the drug more strongly than he did before. She can see that he's starting to sweat as well. An abrupt onset of fever to burn off the frog's toxin?

Now that she's entertaining a possible connection betweeen the chemical compounds in the toxin and the human body's metabolism, that could explain why so many other people she interviewed have mentioned feeling overheated. ]

I am familiar with them, but I have not sat in one. I prefer a hot springs pool myself.

[ A momentary pause as she considers her next question. ]

Are you experiencing any pain or discomfort? Physical or emotional.

[He sits bolt upright.]

A hot spring?? We should totally go! Oh man it would probably feel like ten times better after a toad!

[He stands again and starts to pace excitedly.]

No, nothing. A little dizzy? I think I'm dizzy. But I just feel really good.

I'm glad we did this. I'm glad we could hang out!

[A thought occurs and he rushes over to Zelda, getting right into her face.]

We should go fishing!

[ Okay yes hello, Darin. Zelda leans back from him as much as she can because wow you're really close right now. But given that he is significantly taller than her, it's not all that much. And unfortunately for her research, he is completely obscuring the camera with his body. So much for the visual component of the recording. ]

Perhaps we should wait a bit. [ And because she suspects he's going to ask 'why not,' she frantically scrambles for an excuse. ] You promised you would record me trying a frog myself, remember?

[ Really praying that excuse works, because if he decides to just ignore her and run off to go fishing, she'll never be able to catch him.

And given the heights he's reaching with this high, Zelda is concerned about how hard he might crash when he starts coming down. ]

...Oh right! You're right!

But I can't do that like this so I guess we just gotta wait till things go back to normal.

[He flops on the floor at her feet then.]

...Anything else you wanna ask?

I don't mind.

[ And now he's on the floor. Zelda angles the camera downward. That's... that's rather pathetic. ]

You mentioned that a hot springs would feel particularly enjoyable right now. Can you elaborate on that? Are you feeling more sensitive to things like tactile feedback or temperature fluctuations?

Oh gods yes. Like...everything feels like it's been dialed up to maximum? Like a massive...sensory...thing.

Soft things feel softer, cold things feel colder...everything just feels really good.

But like...I bet that goes both ways, you know? Like I bet a punch would really hurt.

[He sits up with urgency and Zelda might be forgiven if she thought he was going to ask her to punch him.]

A back scratch would probably be the best right now...!

[ Yeah, there's definitely a moment there when Zelda is convinced that Darin is about to ask her to punch him--

--So when he doesn't, she actually lets out a sigh of relief--

--which then dissolves when she realizes what he actually says. ]

A back scratch?

[ Is... is that a hint she's supposed to be picking up on? Is he asking her to scratch his back?

Literally not a soul in existence has ever asked the Princess of Hyrule to scratch their back. ]

Yeah! A back scratch! You've never had your back scratched? That spot between your shoulder blades that's impossible to reach? Like...

[Darin turns and hikes his tanktop up, revealing that enormous, jagged scar.]

Like...right...here???

[He twists and turns and stretches his muscular arms, but no matter how much he tries, he can't reach that spot right in the center of his back.]

[ Several thoughts pop into Zelda's head at once. First is the intrusive reminder that Darin is actually really attractive underneath all that attitude of his (something she would be able to forget if he wasn't always undressing around her!). The second is that yes, she has had her back scratched before-- Link has been kind enough to reach that particular spot for her when the princess has been unable to reach it herself. And the third is that Link never asked Zelda to return that favor, something she didn't realize until right this moment. ]

I-- I have, yes!

[ Oh Goddess, should she stop recording? She should stop recording. This is probably more private than he wants to show anyone. Isn't it? After all, even setting aside the fact that he's just about pulled of his shirt on camera, this huge scar has to be something incredibly personal. Just because Zelda has seen it before (Darin really has no shame about removing his shirt around her, for some reason) doesn't mean she ought to be recording it.

She hesitates for a minute, mind racing with all of these questions. But then she just... shoves them all down. It's fine. And if it isn't fine, she can erase it later.

So Zelda sinks down onto her knees behind him, shifting the Purah Pad into her left hand and making an effort to keep the camera more or less pointed in Darin's direction. Her right hand, she extends cautiously, as if she were about to grab a boiling pot from a cook range with her bare hand. Calm down, Zelda. You let yourself get flustered over the silliest things.

But still she takes in a steadying breath, then aligns her fingernails in the indicated location and scratches lightly against his skin. ]

[To be fair, Darin just isn't shy. And while that scar is, indeed, personal if there's one thing that Darin's actually proud of, it's his physique. He's worked at it for most of his life and it represents time spent with the only two people who knew about his strength and sought to uplift him rather than keep him down. His back bares the scars that cause his chest to puff up with pride.]

[Darin jolts. He was not expecting to get his back scratched, he was merely demonstrating the area that tends to get itchy! He stammers briefly, eyes going wide...but when Zelda starts to scratch...]

O-Oh. Oh wow.

[He wiggles like a child being told to sit still but only because the sensation is so powerful. He leans into her hand like a dog who's getting his ears scratched.]

Oh man. Ooooh man. Go harder right down the center!

[She can practically hear the grin in his voice; his instructions indicating to scratch over the terrible scar. It's very worn; he's had it since he was a child. The skin is darker and weirdly smooth compared to the rest of his skin. Whatever did this to him probably should have killed him.]

A-Almost...yeah! Yeah right there! Gods above, Zelda this is the best...!

[He wiggles in place, muscles tensing and flexing as he tries to steer her hand.]

[ Initially, Zelda avoids Darin's scar on purpose. It's obviously pretty old, but she assumes it would be more sensitive than the unscarred skin. Isn't that usually the case with scars? The princess doesn't have any of her own, so all she has to go off of is what Link has told her-- which is nothing. An unhelpful shrug, the insistence that they don't bother him. Zelda tends not to pry. Most of these scars were ones he received in service to Hyrule. To her. It's not her place to ask more than he has already given.

So Darin's reaction takes her completely by surprise. Scratching the surface of the scar doesn't hurt? It actually feels nice? (His reactions do kind of remind her of a big dog.) She adjusts the position of her hand and pressure of her nails at his direction, feeling how he squirms under her touch. He's... really enjoying this.

Zelda finds herself caught somewhere between intrigued by his reactions and self-conscious that she's the one provoking them. This isn't really a position she often finds herself in with other people. As a princess, she's used to being at arm's length with people, both physically and respectfully. It's not something she really thinks about that much; it's just the way things are. Not being at arm's length with someone, it's... different. Not being Princess Zelda is... well, she's kind of enjoying it.

She moves her hand as directed, pressing more firmly with her nails, just watching and listening to how he reacts. Without even realizing it, a little smile forms on her lips. Normally the princess has plenty of things to say, but right now she just... doesn't. Her thoughts have drifted away from research, wrapped up now in marveling over this strangely mundane-yet-remarkable moment. ]

Y...Yeah that's it...right there...!

[He makes a happy groan and if he were a dog, his leg would be involuntarily kicking up a storm. The truth is, the scar is sensitive, but not just to pain or temperature. Sensations like back scratches are felt far more keenly; the same way an itch would. Which makes the relief brought on by a good scratch all the more enjoyable.]

[Finally, he slumps forward, his muscles relaxing; tense cords easing into more solid yet pliable forms.]

You have no idea how good that felt. Hell, I can't even remember the last time I had a good back scratch...I usually use a tree or something.

[You know. Like a bear.]

[He casually falls to the side until he's once again on his back looking up at her beside him on the floor, an enormous, almost child-like grin plastered on his face.]

Thanks, Zelda. Did you learn anything interesting from that??

[He laughs as he begins to come down from the drug-induced high. But the fact that he's now completely relaxed means he's not nearly as cagey.]

Edited 2024-06-25 05:33 (UTC)

[ Down he goes again, back onto the floor. It's strange to watch a grown man behave in such a childlike manner, but there's something so endearing about it that Zelda just lets out a little snort of amusement at the sight. ]

I would say so, yes.

[ And she will not elaborate any further.

Now that her hand is free, she can hold the Purah Pad properly again. (She's curious to go back through the footage later and find out what she did or did not capture of that moment.) She angles it downward so that Darin is properly in frame again. ]

Do you have anything else you would like to add? You've sampled these frog secretions twice now. I imagine you must have thoughts.

[Darin considers the question as the effects of the hallucinogen start to wear off. Everything has this wonderful lucid, dream-like aura and quality. It just feels so nice to relax. To not be perpetually on guard.]

[He tilts his head to look at Zelda, watching him behind the Purah Pad. Was she...smiling?]

[She's been incredibly kind ever since they met...but it still feels like there's some awkwardness there. Not awkwardness on his part, no, though he knows he's not helping by being as closely guarded as he is. She seems...out of her element? In a way? But maybe that's just because of him. He's spent a lifetime around people who don't seem to know how to act around him so maybe he's just strange to her.]

[An anomaly. Something to be studied and be wary of.]

[But...would it be so bad to have such kind eyes scrutinize him? Maybe he could learn a thing or two about himself. After all, he's already learning that his body seems to process hallucinogenic drugs differently. There's a lot he doesn't know about himself.]

[Honestly, he really only seems to know the bad things...]

[He blinks when he realizes he's been staring at Zelda for a likely inappropriate amount of time and snaps his attention to the mirrored ceiling.]

Anything else...?

I guess...don't mess with them unless you're in the company of someone you trust?

[And then, when he realizes what he said, his face flushes a bit.]

I mean, a friend! Er...s-someone who you can trust to be objective!

[He groans and puts one large, calloused hand over his face.]

[ Zelda doesn't think much of it as Darin stares up at her. He seems to be coming down from the high; he's probably just staring off into space while that happens. She's perfectly content to wait and keep recording while he collects himself.

Ah! Zelda's eyebrows go up at the same time that Darin starts to turn red, both of them realizing at the same time what just came out of his mouth.

"Someone you trust," huh? She smiles behind the screen, just a hint of smugness tugging at one corner of her mouth. ]

That is sound advice.

[ If her tone sounds a little cheeky, it's because it is. She's not going to forget this anytime soon-- especially since those words have now been immortalized on the Purah Pad. ]

Well, I thank you for your assistance. You have provided me with ample data.

[ With that little outro, Zelda ends the recording and lowers the Purah Pad from her face. ]

[Darin's face is still flushed. He knows that damn tone when he hears it! It's smug. She's got him right where she wants him and it's because of his own stupid, honest self. He can't even walk it back because Zelda is far too smart to fall for something so paper-thin! She'd likely nod along and smile, blatantly patronizing his excuses in that "I know how you really feel" tone of voice!]

[No, he's gotta mitigate this somehow.]

[Without another word, he sits up and stands, moving over to retrieve her bucket of toads. He returns and sets it down, then sits so the bucket is positioned between them. With a grin, he leans in with a clear, mischievous intent.]

You're right. I did give you a lot to work with, didn't I?

Now, it's your turn. Unless, of course, you're content to just let me experiment all by lonesome~

[That last sentence a clear challenge, said in the tone of "Unless you're chicken~"]

[ There's a question in her eyes when he abruptly stands up without a word, but it's answered as soon as he picks up the bucket of toads. Her self-satisfied smile comes right back as he sits down again. Ah, so that's his angle.

As Darin issues his challenge, Zelda simply smiles back at him in a manner that invokes the image of a cat with cream. If he is trying to guilt trip her, he is going to have to try a lot harder. Yes, she would be content to simply let him sample frogs all by himself while she records the results. That was her whole reason for coming to Naughtilust in the first place! And trying to provoke her into a challenge won't serve him any better. The princess is very simply not the competitive sort.

But she is curious, adventurous, and reckless, and even though she knows what Darin is trying to do, she is quite inclined to play along. ]

Well, I could hardly be so callous as that.

Besides, I agreed to try one as well, and I am a woman of my word.

[ Zelda lifts the Purah Pad and extends it towards Darin. ]

And you agreed to record my reactions.

[Yes! All according to plan. Darin has a very self-satisfied smirk on his face, believing wholeheartedly that Zelda fell for his little gambit hook, line, and sinker.]

I did indeed~ and I'll be more than happy to do so~

[He holds a hand out to take the pad, that smug grin shifting slightly to one of eagerness. Perfect. If these toads are as effective as they were on me, she'll do something completely mortifying, I'll get it recorded, and then she'll obviously leave me alone! He practically laughs in his own head about how easy this all seems. It's not like something this ill-conceived could ever backfire on him, right?]

[The smile fades a bit as he takes the Purah Pad in hand and examines the interface. This was an amazing bit of technology...one that's leagues ahead of anything Darin's world has. He looks back up at Zelda sheepishly.]

Um...How...do I...?

['How do I work this thing?']

[ Well if he thinks he's pulled a fast one on her, then who is Zelda to burst his bubble?

She gets up on her knees so she can lean in towards him. ]

Forgive me. [ She laughs a little. It might feel like she handed him the Purah Pad without explanation to make him feel foolish, but it's nothing of the sort. Zelda is so at home with this technology that she doesn't even think about its novelty anymore. ]

Think of it a bit like a large shellphone, but the functions are laid out differently. [ And they're written in Hylian. ]

This is the Camera rune over here. It controls the photographic and moving image recordings. Kind of like the [ what's the word for it? ] video feature on the shellphone.

[ Despite looking at it upside down, Zelda easily navigates through the interface and points out everything Darin needs to know about how to start and stop a recording. ]

Simple enough, isn't it?

GETTING STARTED

LATROMMI

FYRE FESTIVAL

WEDDING WRECKERS

QUESTS

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