| test drive |

[attribution]

Welcome to The Lottery’s test drive meme! Before we get to the prompts, here are a few things to note:

Though you may only have ONE active character per round, you are free to play as many characters you wish on the TDM. Later, you will have the opportunity to bench characters if you want to try another, but only after you’ve been accepted.

Please be sure to thoroughly look through our FAQ so that you have a good understanding of the game’s mechanics. Also be sure to browse the information provided on both The Attribution Study and Shiroiwa for a better idea of the setting.

The date for the next round of Reserves is: February 29th
The number of currently available character slots is: 25

Important Note: A thread of 9 comments in the TDM (with at least 5 comments from your character) will count towards both sample requirements in the application. Consider this a special bonus for getting your feet wet in our community!

If your thread does not reach the required amount of comments, it may still be used as the In-World Sample in your application.

Flashback/Background threads in the TDM may be reposted to Shiroiwa Academy’s Community if both players were accepted into the game.

Provided below are some sample scenarios, but please feel free to plot and play whatever you’d like!

Sample Scenarios:

Sample 1:

You’ve just transferred to one of the three grade levels in Shiroiwa Academy and have yet to make any friends. Sure, people showed you around, but nothing has quite stuck yet. So as the lunch bell goes off, you pull out your bento and prepare to eat alone when another student saddles up beside you. Perhaps they’re being friendly or perhaps they simply want to mooch off of your food. Whatever the reasoning, you’re now stuck in some form of communication whether you like it or not.

Sample 2:

Everyone just loves partner projects, don’t they? Your teacher has randomly assigned you a partner, and now you both must come up with a presentation to show the class. Are you the type who does all the work? Do you push for fair exchange? Or perhaps you have no plans to do any work at all. Whichever it is, your partner is now moving their stuff to sit at the desk next to you. Better gather your might and prepare to weather the oncoming storm…

Sample 3:

It’s March 14, 20XX. You have been kidnapped and taken to the island, given your randomized duffle bag, and are now either desperately seeking shelter or methodically preparing to hunt down your weaker classmates. Whatever it is, you stumble upon another student - whether you know them well or not doesn’t matter. The rules have already been made clear to both of you - only one person gets to win. You need to either escape, kill, or attempt to make a truce with this classmate. What will you do?

Sample 4:

Your weapon broke. Perhaps it snapped as you embedded it into the skull of one of your classmates, or perhaps it was simply a stroke of bad luck. You return to the hideout you created for yourself, seeking a weapon you’d taken from a fallen student. But as you near the space, you realize something is off. There is some telltale sign that another has been here… Are they still around? Will you investigate? What if your stockpile has been pilfered by another student?

Comments

two!

[fivepoints]

[and masanosuke has spent nearly as long watching him curiously]

[he's not sure what drew him here or why this can't-wear-his-uniform-correctly misfit managed to catch his attention, but he's closer to the clubrooms and was about to turn the corner when he just froze where he was, the shorter shadow of a man's movements catching his eye]

[of course, he thinks it's something suspicious at first and plans to slip an anonymous note to their teacher, but the longer he watches the more he realizes what's actually happening]

[and when the clutter around the bin is almost finishes, masa's feet propel him forward to the other boy's back]

...That was very kind of you, Takasugi-Dono. [BUSTED.]

[but he says it so sincerely.]

MYOA -- i had this idea and ran with it

[fivepoints]

[to say masa finds his classmates intimidating is a bit of an understatement]

[to say there's any one of them with a bigger reputation than orihara izaya's would be a blatant lie]

[and only in desperate times in need of desperate measures would a coward seek out someone like this -- and it is (at least, in his opinion)]

Orihara-Dono. [the tall boy gives a deep, deep bow all the way at the waist when he finds him on a sports field after class has let out one afternoon]

I am in need your assistance. [were sweeter words ever said to him?]

one!

[fivepoints]

[this small, shocked gasp and open staring can be completely expected, but perhaps less so is the slow, quiet comprehension that comes with registering exactly what is going on before him, those 'calm down, hush down' motions seeming to do exactly that to one of the most passive people in their class]

[really, they're all so rambunctious (you're included, and he knows that)]

[there's no direct inquiry as to what he's doing, why he looks like that, or just how evolved his very unique brand of dementia is]

[all that happens is the raise of two gently parted chopsticks]

[right at katsura's face]




[which pinch down on the corner of that falling mustache and proceed to right it upon his upper lip, face as blank as can be]

[there.]

Hello, Katsura-Dono.

[forcefuse]

[Jasper doesn't answer, putting all her energy into her first punch. When Takasugi sidesteps it, her fist crashes into a tree instead, shaking the trunk and showering the pair with displaced leaves. She pulls her hand away almost as soon as it connects. Her knuckles are rough and calloused from years of fighting bare-handed, so she's not bleeding, but she feels the impact of the blow up her arm and in her shoulder. If anything, the pain only energizes her more.]

C'mere, twerp!

[She turns sharply on her heel, swiping out with one hand in an attempt to grab him -- by the shirt, by the neck, even by the hair, if that's what it comes down to.]

[forcefuse]

[Jasper's strides are lengthy and confident. She steps over their fallen bags and follows Gintoki as he shuffles backward. It's almost too pathetic, which might be why she doesn't just immediately snap his neck beneath her heel.]

Jasper. [From the scowl on her face, it's clear he didn't win any points with her by forgetting her name.] There's nothing to think over, only one of us can win!

[After that, she lifts her leg, intending to slam her foot down against whatever part of his body she can reach. The chest would be easiest, fastest, but taking out an arm or a leg isn't without its benefits, either.]

all y'all boutta get #rekt

[forcefuse]

[Kamui was like a professional extra in a movie, as far as Jasper was concerned. Someone with a familiar face, but she could never quite remember where she'd seen him before. When she fought, it was either to keep her strength up, or to take someone out. She'd been raised to work for a group called the Diamond Authority, and that didn't stop now that she was on another continent.

For all his victories, though, Kamui had never really ticked on her radar. She wasn't one for pleasantries, so it's not like she stuck around to watch his matches or chat afterward, despite being in the same class at school.

But with the way he's talking now, Jasper's beginning to wonder if that might've been a mistake.]

What did you--? No. [She shakes her head, blonde hair billowing out behind her as she takes a step forward.] The only weakling I see here is you, so why don't you put those bags down before you hurt yourself?

[forcefuse]

[Oh, Jasper knows that voice. Her eyes narrow, nose wrinkling as if she's just caught a whiff of something particularly foul.]

You brat... [She squints, searching for any tiny sign of movement.] Why don't you get down here and face me like a real woman?

[Note: "Real woman" being at least 10000x more powerful than any "real man." She doesn't make the rules, sorry.]

Carrot Glace | Sorcerer Hunters

[bigwhenitmatters]

1. You sure you want to know this guy?

Waaah! Man I'm starving!

[Sure it may be his first day in a new school, and sure he has no idea who anyone is or even who the resident hotties are (boy will he be happy to find out that out though), but is he going to let that bother him? No way! No sir! New-school new-shmool right? So what if he was here because he was finally kicked out of his last one? Starting fresh and new is the best way to go! Especially when there's all these cute new faces to look at while your teacher droned away--]

[--What? He didn't' think anything. You have no proof.]

[Anyway, here's this looser delinquent lounging back in his seat, with his feet kicked up on his desk munching away at the bento his brother had packed for him earlier on. Dare you approach?]

2. Unlucky you. Look who you go partnered with.

[Guess who really wasn't much good at partner based projects. Well, he was not very good at projects in general. Actually, lets just say he's not very good at school in general. It wasn't that he wasn't that smart. Although let's admit it, he's really not. It's just that he doesn't care about the work. After all, you do good in school only to compete for a job and twiddle your way through life in disappointment right? What's the point in that when you simply can go about every day enjoying the pleasures that you already have full access too?]

Eyyyy. Are we done here yet?

[Which is why he's here now, the night before the assignment is due lounging back in his chair and staring up at the ceiling while you're stuck figuring out what to do.]

The new episode of Pretty Monoka Sparkle Blast is on in a half an hour. Been meaning to catch up on it.

[Partner projects suck.]

3. Harsh survival.

[Shit! Shit shit shit shit shit. This was not what he was expecting to wake up to upon another nap through class. What the hell was that? Where the hell is he!? He's still kind of freaking out over everything he found himself caught up in.

Who the hell just throws a bunch of kids in the middle of no where and expects them to what-- Kill people!? How fucked up is that!?

And so as the first opportunity became available, not sure whether anyone else would actually do it or not, he just ran. He grabbed his bag and he ran and he ran as far as he could until before he knew it he was sitting at the base of a cave, stark out of breath and shivering like crazy. Damn, did he really leave his coat back in the school building?]

[And then there was the rustling. He became alert at one. His head shooting up in surprise as he let out a large shout in reaction. Not like he was ever really one for stealth.]

Hey! Who's there!? Show your face before I go over there and force ya to myself!

[Like he actually had the balls to though. His hands were obviously shaking. After all, what if this person was going to attack him? Or worse, what if he was going to be forced to kill someone himself?]

4. You choose!

[Throw your ideas at me!]

2!

[bigwhenitmatters]

ooooo?

akitsu what?

[It seems someone isn't putting the face to the name. Sorry man, he really has horrible memory when it comes to remembering guys.]

U aint that guy from earlier are you? Oi! I said I'd get you your money as soon as I made some winnings!

[He obviously seems to think you're someone else too.]

[typhonic]

Hmm? Do what?

[And, wearing a completely innocent expression, he takes a bite out of "his" lunch.]

[typhonic]

[Though his attention seems to be on his newly expanded bento, he is absolutely watching Gintoki out of the corner of his eye. This was the kid that was always eyeing other people's lunches anyway, so catching him off guard wasn't too difficult. It's time to re-examine your life choices, Gintoki! If you keep up this mooching lifestyle you're opening yourself up to be mooched in return!!

Not that Fuu particularly cares about Gintoki's karma. He just thought it would be funny. Also because that pudding looked delicious. His grandpa never packs him any good desserts, it's practically child abuse. Once you take out all the stolen goods, all that's left of his bento would be gross healthy stuff, ugh.

In fact—he is just going to skip straight to dessert! He takes out the pudding cup and, very slowly and deliberately, starts to peel off the top...]

[typhonic]

[...The longer the silence drags on, the harder it is to stay put. Did they already leave? Or are they still waiting on the other side? It's impossible for him to tell from his vantage point. Either way, he can't hold his breath forever.

Should he stay where he is, or try to sneak away? He doesn't want to invite a chase, but he might get caught anyway if they decide to snoop around. It could be a life or death decision.

Eventually, the waiting becomes unbearable. He decides to go for a totally different approach.

Trying his best to be careful, he quietly picks up a small pebble on the ground... and tosses it into another bush a few meters away from him. Hopefully that will be enough to distract them so he can make his next move.]

[fivepoints]

Masanosuke.

[AGAIN. he seems to be accustomed to it.]

I am your partner for... wait, are you in some kind of trouble?

[promptly forgets about his own problems completely]

1

[typhonic]

[Fuu is absolutely taking that cool kid act seriously. When the other kid sits down, he just stares for a good long while. Smoking on school property is truly the epitome of being a nonchalant cool guy rebel. He probably doesn't take orders from anyone. So cool...!

Fuu ends up being too shy to say anything to him, though. He spends his lunch in silence, occasionally stealing a glance at the mysterious cool kid across the roof. Eventually, lunch period ends and he stands up to leave.

... but the other guy doesn't move an inch.

Did he not notice the bell? Or... or is he so cool, he doesn't care?? Fuu stops halfway to the door, timidly glancing between the exit and Takasugi before finally working up the nerve to say something.]

... Hey. You're, uh, Takasugi-san, right? In 1-G?

[crosscurrent]

No! [Lapis' voice is defiant, projecting clear over the rocks down to Jasper.] You never cared how fair it was before. You knew I couldn't stop you!

[Now that she has an advantage over Jasper, even a small one, Lapis won't even consider giving it up. So what if it's not a fair fight? Lapis' whole life has been an unfair fight. For once, she wants someone else to know how it feels.]

[keepscalm]

[Arthur is just a teenager, he can't help but glance away from her face when she moves to emphasise her breasts. His gaze doesn't linger there for long, as he catches himself in the process of being distracted, but he definitely puffs up in a bit of a flustered way to compensate for his momentary lapse in judgment.

Glaring down at her, he tries to sound as stern and commanding as possible with his response.] If you put the food down and leave the cave without any tricks, I won't kill you.

[bigwhenitmatters]

trouble...?

U mean u ain't the guy from the casino?

[Well. Thank god for that.]

hehehehhe nah nah! It's cool dude! No trouble here! Not at all!

[Liar.]

But Masanosuke huh? Don't ring no bells. You sue you don't got the wrong number?

[reapstrust]

[Of course Arthur looks. They all look. She's heard rumors that the prim-and-proper foreigner was a huge pervert, but she's never seen fit to use that to her advantage. Until now.]

Right... Kirkland! You're Kirkland-san, right?

[Slowly, she lowers the cans of food to the cave floor. The movement strains her blouse. She's smiling now, but her eyes are locked on Arthur's weapon. When she has a free hand, she wipes away her tears.]

You always seemed nice... I'm Mitsuko. [She makes no move to get up. With one hand, she toys with the collar of her uniform sweatervest, and with the other, she pulls her skirt down into a more modest position.] I'm-- I'm glad it was you in here, and not one of the others. You're not like them, though, are you? You're not... p-playing to win?

[Stall, she tells herself. Look as scared as you can. Don't lay it on too thick... Now that Arthur knows his hideout has been breached, there's no way he'll leave it so unguarded in the future. Not if he has any smarts in him at all, and Mitsuko knows he does. She wants those weapons of his, at least one, and he's got quite a nice stockpile of food. If she can buy herself enough time in here with him, she can take what she wants.]

[forcefuse]

[Jasper's picked on a lot of kids at Shiroiwa. They're all so small and pathetic, like little, stupid animals chattering on about little, stupid problems. It's so easy for her to throw one against a locker with a powerful shove of her arm. Lapis, of course, was never any exception. The look in her eyes always made Jasper's gut twist up in knots.

Now, her mouth twists up into a cruel grin, and she spreads out her hands, palms-up, at her sides.]

What, you still mad about all that? Come on... Can't handle a little roughhousing? It's not like I was actually trying to kill you.

["Not like now" is her unspoken promise.]

[fivepoints]

No, I am not. I am your classmate from Shiroiwa Academy. We were assigned a project together.

[DETECTS THAT LIE... he's trusting but not that ignorant. maybe he should offer to help him...? but how does he explain his intentions over a text message...?]

Um. I am contacting you because I lost the reference sheet for the works cited...

Sorry.

[boogerflinger]

[The kick caused a smile to begin twitching onto his features. Gintoki couldn't help it - he always responded well to antagonism in any sort of communication he had. One could even venture to say he flourished in it.

And so he leans back, his chair groaning as he balances on the back two legs. His feet come up to rest on his desk and his attention is on Genis.

Though for a moment he does have to remind himself just what day it was. He blinks and blinks again before mentally confirming that it was, indeed, Wednesday. With that sorted out, he can finally address the oth--

Sakana-kun? His nose upturns a bit and now he's giving the other a suspicious look. Sure, sure he can mess up Genis' name, but where did this brat get off making fun of his name huh?! Tsk...! He lets out an irritated little huff before letting it slide.]

English? Oh, oh. My English is amazing! Super Good!, even. [... His little display of English. Oh no, his English... wasn't very good at all, was it?!] Okay, okay. Then. Then we will present on strawberry milk if it's up to me, Sake-kun. Are you ready for that?

[redrightandblue]

[You know what? You are so right! That's why he's over here, making a new friend. Taking food from a friend is just playful, right?

If Alfred noticed Arthur's display of disgust, he made no indication. In fact, the way in which he almost immediately shoved more chips into his mouth almost seemed like he had absolutely noticed, and was absolutely trying to be contrary. But instead of saying anything, there was just the loud crunching of fried mess in his mouth.]

Oh! Culinary club - I'm in that one!! [A few crumbs of chips came spitting from his mouth with the exclamation. He was excited!]

You're gonna love it- [He finally swallowed the food in his mouth.] Way more than the English club or the Disciplinary Committee. [His turn to skew his face into an overstated frown. Disciplinary Committees were always the lame bumbling bad-guys in movies about plucky teenage heroes, you know? You couldn't seriously want to get in with them-

He's looking at you with a bit of pity now, seems he's decided you're about to ruin your life with such a decision.]

[boogerflinger]

[Dick-measuring? Uh. No. Pissing. It was a pissing contest. Just because your dick is bigger doesn't mean you get the correct trajectory for a good piss. Tsk, tsk. Had they not taught you that over in ROCA or something?]

My afternoon? My afternoon and I--! Have a healthy relationship together and the afternoon is free to do her own thing so long as she remembers to com-- [His tone is strained as he worked to rip his fingers from the scrutinizing grip of the chopsticks. His eyes are narrow and he's looking down his nose at the other when his other free hand makes a connection with-

Plastic. Which has him stopping his little speech too. As he watches his hand grope over the visage of Princess Peach ever so gently. He blinks, trying to decide on his next move.

In one vivid daydream he envisioned himself pushing the entire MegaBento to the floor so that no one could enjoy its contents... He then promptly envisioned the tar getting kicked out of him and his poor mentor having to attend his early funeral.

Which has him quickly discarding that thought. Besides, he's rather sure the tips of his fingers are about to be pinched off. So he moves his hand from Princess Peach's visage to simply snatch at the chopsticks with every intention of snapping them in half to save his own fingers.

He was not some crazy martial arts transfer student - but he did have some weird way of pulling himself out of shitty situations. He'd probably be an actual threat if he were ever driven enough to do anything---

But as luck would have it - he simply wanted out of the death grip of a pair of fancy twigs, and so he'd be sure to free himself if nothing else.]

[redrightandblue]

[Alfred had done his best not to notice the shake in his voice, but with it echoing around the cave like it was, he couldn't help it. But...that was just the echo, he really didn't sound that pathetic, just tired.

With that delusion firmly in place, Alfred finally stepped out of his hiding place.

Seeing Arthur brought more relief to him than panic, though that was in part due to how he refused to look directly at him. Hey, that rock over there was pretty interesting!]

I'm great! Well, you know, as great as anyone can be in a place like this...it's been too long since I've had a good soda! [He's trying his best to keep this normal, to keep everything casual. Especially with how concerned Arthur sounded; it didn't fit him.

Killing people, having your life at risk - Alfred didn't want to talk about any of that. It was heavy enough in the back of his mind without weighing on the front, too.

So here we have two idiots trying to mask their feelings with dubious success.]

[twohares]

[ Wow, super rude. For a second, he frowns, an unimpressed look crossing his face. Genis should really be used to being mistaken for a foreigner by now (it wasn't like he looked very Japanese), but he can't help but be sort of annoyed.

Though not too annoyed. In the end, everything about Masanosuke was pretty awkward; it's hard to take that much offense from a samurai nerd who looked like he was trying to disappear into himself. Genis shook his head. ]

No, the Bakumatsu Era is fine with me. Besides, I grew up here, too. [ JUST TO CLEAR THAT UP.

Though, hm. Genis looks down at the list again. There were a good half-dozen options, but... ] If we're going we do one of the Bakumatsu topics, we should pick one soon. You know everyone's going to want to do something with the Shinsengumi. [ ...like him? ]