| 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

[toukai]

[Oooo!

Inhaling the tension brought energy back into Takasugi's body. Everything still ached, but the soreness was giving way to pin-pricks of adrenaline. He kept his sense about him, strategy filtered between the feeling of wet blood on his fingertips and skin cracking as his lips spread into a smirk.

It wasn't the wisest choice, lashing out for the prize fight so soon, but a beast needed to wet their appetite before thrashing for their goal.

Instinct and reflex were soon to be all that guided him.

Kamui rolled back and Takasugi's eye twitched as his ankle was pulled. He was jerked forward, and indeed the tree no longer served to keep him upright. Instead he'd be falling, a knee aimed to dig into his foe's gut with all the momentum given by the fall, the tug and however much he could push himself off of the tree.]

[egaode]

[It had been a while since his last kill, and wet blood on hands and arms and face had long since dried, and now cracked and flaked and left in itchy, tingling sensation on his skin as he moved. Maybe he'd taste Takasugi's, now. Maybe they'd work out the tension, work out any sore stiffness that had settled in their bones and be on their separate paths for another day.

Maybe this would be the prize fight, and they'd both end here, leaving behind a sight of relief for another student and a stockpile of supplies.

Maybe, maybe, maybe.

Maybes that there was no time to so much as think about, as instinct and reflex were met with instinct and reflex. Thought could come later, if it didn't end wholesale in a moment or two.

There's a knee coming for him.

He lets go of Takasugi's ankle to plant his other hand firmly in the dirt, necessary support to kick his foot up. He could end it, with one well-placed blow between his frenemy's legs, but...

He's not completely heartless.

Instead, it'll be defensive, he'll use his knee to guard his middle and hope Takasugi lands himself on his foot in a way where he'll be too winded to slash at him.]

[toukai]

[Maybe they'd both end up panting in the dirt, sleep tugging at their eyes but the danger of unconsciousness keeping them torn between wake and rest. A foreboding sight for any other student who would come upon them. Either they'd be killed or the classmate would be too much of a coward to come near. If they lived, one would crawl away only for the other to slink the opposite direction.

So many maybe's, some more likely than others, but none mattered now.

His blow was quickly blocked, so Takasugi took the slight adjustment necessary to clash his shin into Kamui's shoe and teeter to the side. The angle opened him to a clear trajectory for a punch, so he'd swing his fist, knife gripped within, to collide with Kamui's jaw. If it connected, the knife would nick the other's cheek.]

[egaode]

[Maybe they'd end up flat out asleep in the dirt, deprivation, the sudden absence of adrenaline, and exhaustion from their scrap forcing their bodies to plunge them headlong into rest, willing or not. And maybe, in a less than threatening (snoring, drooling) state, someone would steal all their belongings.

Maybe they'd work together to rain retribution down on them, before going their separate ways.

Maybe nothing mattered but now, Takasugi swinging for a punch which Kamui takes with a wide grin, blood splattering fresh over his face as pain pricks white hot under the tearing of skin. He'd have to wash it later to ward off infection, but that was for later.

This was now, Takasugi had drawn blood (he'd let Takasugi draw blood) and all bets were off.

The momentum of the punch, of Takasugi falling to the side, of his hips shifting with him, because of how firmly his shin planted on the sole of his foot brings him with him, lets him lift a hand from the ground and twist his body to swing his own punch towards Takasugi's open ribcage, fully intending on using the momentum of the shift and the fall to strengthen the blow - and hopefully pin him in the aftermath.]

[toukai]

[Maybe one of them wouldn't wake up - a fight that boiled down to nothing more than a skirmish would end up being their final clash. Someone's injuries were worse than they knew, and breathing stopped in that serene surreal view of nature.

So better make this good - just in case.

Blood welled on Kamui's face and Takasugi was immediately on the defensive. There was almost no time to respond, the other twisting and throwing a punch he couldn't avoid. Air choked in his throat, but it didn't give him pause.

Eyes locked, Takasugi rolled with the hit and was pinned painlessly. The only movement he was able to ensure was to keep his arms at his side rather than splayed above his head.

From there, it was simple to rush his knife up, aiming to embed the blade in Kamui's arm. If the other moved, he'd be adjusting his trajectory to the teen's face. Doing so would open him up, but the trade of a punch with a fist and a punch with a knife wouldn't be difficult to make.

[egaode]

[Maybe the tension boiling just barely under the surface between them would finally bubble over, maybe they wouldn't be able to pull back from the final blow... Maybe they would, but exhaustion would claim one of them out from the jaws of the other.

Better make it good.

Takasugi seemed to agree, because he wasn't making it easy for him. He didn't let him pin him, he didn't whine about taking the hit, he didn't do much more than strike back, and Kamui had to make a choice between taking a hit to his arm or to his face.

Or neither, he supposed, but that would be losing his vantage point.

No. No, he'd rather decide on none of the above, because his other hand (his off hand, thankfully) whipped up to block, reflexes kicking in with how he'd trained to react to something flying towards his face.

Takasugi's hand met his palm at the same time he registered that the slick sound of tearing ligament and muscle was a lot more sickening when it was your own.

He wondered if he'd be able to do much with it after this, but if nothing else, he could wrap it into a fist and make do. Maybe even keep a weapon wrapped into his grip.

Maybe this fucking knife, since it was definitely his, now.]

Hey, hey, Shinsuke, what do you have against eyes, huh?

[He jokes, but a half-second later he's whipping his foot around to press the sole of his shoe into Takasugi's neck. Can't choke him with his free hand, that's busy holding his wrist so he doesn't take the knife back and start stabbing again. Can't pin him properly, because, again, stabby tendencies. So. Improvising.]

[toukai]

[That was very possible - Takasugi had been rather confident Kamui would block or dodge, but if he hadn't there was no restraint on the force behind his thrust. The knife had pierced bone before; it would pierce bone and brain just as easily.

But it'd be cutting into muscle and tendon instead. He could feel the blade slide against brittle bone, and with the last of his grip he twisted the metal handle in Kamui's hand, an attempt to break the it's structure into shatters.

Not that he'll be letting go, but the knife is more firmly in Kamui's hand than his own - despite the lack of convention behind the other's hold. It's amusing - he chuckles (at the situation, at the joke, because this is fun) - and rolls his head against the dirt.

With a shoe pressed against his neck, there wasn't much else he could do. He had another hand available, but he wouldn't be able to dislodge Kamui at this angle. So instead he'll reach up with it and hold his arm. Keep it steady, keep any shaking from providing an opening.

And he'll apply pressure, pressing that knife fractions of an inch further into Kamui's hand - if his opponent let up he'd spring forward and sheer flesh from that cheery face, if not something more vital.]

[egaode]

[It's a strange feeling, the sensation of cold steel sliding against bone, it's a stranger feeling when that bone shifts, when the space between them widens, when soft tissue twists and tears to make room for something unyielding.

He feels like he can almost hear it groan under the strain, but of course he can't. He feels like he's going to vomit from the awful, uncanny sensation of it, but of course he doesn't.

He grins. And he shifts. Gets his other foot under him, presses harder into Takasugi's neck, makes to stand slowly, slowly, so he doesn't lose his leverage over him, so he can eliminate any openings Takasugi might be able to desperately grasp at, when stepping forward would crush his windpipe. It's a threat - he's stopped short of the final blow, but he doesn't have to - even with pain spidering up his arm, even with the knife brushing nerves and making his fingers twitch erratically on Takasugi's hand, out of his control.

That doesn't matter. That's why his other hand is gripping his wrist. Just in case.]

Let go, Shinsuke.

[toukai]

[That must be an interesting experience - Takasugi was only getting the remnants, the tremors and the cracks of bone that coursed down his aching arm as the knife ticked away at Kamui's flesh.

Though the only thing he really considered himself to be missing was the bright trail of red that would spring from the mangled hand when the knife was removed. A sight he hoped to be conscious to see.

The black ringing his vision brought that goal into precarious prospects.

Kamui standing up would crush his windpipe and press his final breath from his body on the whim of a chipper hop.

The worst part about this situation? He had to take Kamui's advice.

Takasugi let go of the knife, sliding fist into palm to slam his hands against Kamui's knee - standing with a food on a man's windpipe did no favors for one's balance. Whatever window was given to him Shinsuke would take, immediately rolling out of reach.

He'd meant to stand right away, but a short fit of coughing to regain his breath gave just a moment of delay before he was on his feet.]

[egaode]

[The bright trail of red would come, in time, when it would be for the best to remove the knife. Now wasn't it. Now would be giving Takasugi the knife back, and would be a haphazard removal that was sure to cause more harm.

Unfortunately, Takasugi was right, he was off balance just enough that the well-placed strike sent him tumbling. Normally, this wouldn't be a problem. Normally, he'd tumble to the side and push off the ground and end up back on his feet in a moment.

The problem with that was normally there wasn't a knife in his hand.

the hilt in his palm embedded itself in the soft dirt and twisted as his body did, scraped nerves and sent numb vibrations all the way up his arm sapped strength, landing him on his knees and curled over instead of back on his feet, a sound of pain and surprise just barely choked back.

Moving to pull it out of the ground made it worse, and he couldn't dig it out quickly enough to face Takasugi down so he switches tactics, again. Offers him a smile, a laugh that he hopes doesn't sound as nervous as it could.]

Ah- haha... My luck's run out, it looks like.

[toukai]

[Nervous, huh? Between strangled vocal chords calling out alarm and nerves whispering their last breaths in his words, Kamui certainly resonated the concept beautifully.

Takasugi stood still, the lack of immediate attack a very likely indicator that one would never come. His vision was still blurred, ebbing back into focus, so his surveillance of Kamui's situation took longer than it should have - but he didn't begrudge appearing to take his time.

So much so, that he would begin to do just that.

The teen let Kamui's jovial implicit plea for mercy settle in the stale forest air as he crossed their battleground. He bent, lifting Kamui's bag with indifference and slinging it over his shoulder. The bat was next, dragged up from the dirt to it's new owner.

Only after adjusting his new effects would Takasugi approach Kamui, keeping enough distance to be out of arm and leg's reach.] Wouldn't do for it to run completely dry. [A water bottle, dug out during his adjustments, tossed to Kamui.]

[egaode]

[Takasugi's hesitance gave Kamui the chance to assess his situation. Nerves were dulled, but not deadened - he could flex and press fingers into the dirt, could feel the seeping would through his hand, but it felt odd. He suspected the adrenaline rush from finding someone would alleviate that.

Or from a snarky asshole stealing his things and rubbing it in, to boot.

But Takasugi had stayed just out of reach, probably figuring he'd be angry, but wouldn't come after him right away. After all, he had a pretty serious injury to tend to, right?

With no supplies.

So he had nothing to lose, really, but also didn't have a good opening, so he's left to seethe, and wait, with blood rushing in his ears telling him to just go for it, just lash out at him, he deserves it...

It doesn't simmer down, the longer he waits, and he can't even really keep up his (forced, for now) lopsided grin.]

No, it wouldn't.

[Just walk away, asshole, jeez.]

[toukai]

[The purpose was to allow Kamui to discover how hopeless his situation was. Though it had done it's job a bit too well.

Forcing the other into a corner had been his intention, but not something that would elicit an immediate reaction. The idea was to trap the animal and let it pace and writhe, let it wet it's lips with drool for the next time it could eat-

But push it too far - make survival not a matter of nourishment but of simply being the first to sink one's fangs in - and they'd be rolling in the dirt until one of them was put there permanently.

Takasugi gave Kamui another lagging glance of consideration. Was there a spark in his eyes? Or were they dulled by pain?

One way to find out.

The boy turned, fingers drumming on the baseball bat and shoulders rolling to support the supplies on his back. He'd walk away, just like you wanted, but the way the balls of his feet rolled against the leaves betrayed his poise to react.]

[egaode]

[Was there a spark? Yes. Were they dulled by pain? Also, yes, but as Takasugi turns, the spark builds back to a proper flame. As he walks away, Kamui brings his other hand to the flat of the blade.

As he observes how ready Takasugi is to react, he shifts, getting his feet under him properly, because he'll have only seconds to strike, so it had better be a good one.

An animal, cornered and starving, but not caged, that was the mistake, because he can still fight. He was ready to stop it, save it, but... well, to do that, he'd have to make it to the end, and there was no guarantee he would be able to, now, with his supplies taken, so it's disappointing, but he supposes their fight can be now, unless something else sees fit to end it prematurely.

He'll steady his breathing, wait until Takasugi is four long paces away, and then strike, pull the knife and his hand up from the ground in one movement, keeping it lodged, but wrapping his fingers around the hilt to keep it secure. He'll use forward momentum to run, three quick steps, and then a jump up and forward just before he enters striking distance with the bat, aiming to come down knife-first and...

Well, if Takasugi's taking everything, then he needs to take his weapon back, doesn't he?]