//TESTDRIVE5.0.EXE

[reparator]

//TESTDRIVE5.0.EXE Let it Go, Let it Fucking Go Already Let's keep pretending it's not technically October in the game while Yuletide thoughts continue to spread through CERES. Inspired by recent tragic events, your friendly neighborhood programmer, Elias (serritor) has constructed a wonderful new ice world to be accessed through ViViD, the popular virtual simulator. As expected, this is a world covered in ice all over with a chill that bores into one's bones as players wander through. In the midst of it all lies a beautiful reconstruction of a mall, complete with various stores to suit your online shopping needs. However, before you can indulge in any spending, you're tasked with a mission should you choose to accept. You will have to enter the frost-covered mall which hosts a large, elaborate labyrinth and complete all the objectives as they're given to you and your party. It seems that some horrible foe has arisen from the great beyond to kidnap Santa Bot (no relation to the futurama one). Unable to deliver toys and goods to the poor, needy adults of Cerealia, it's up to YOU to save him from a variety of enemies which include: a.) Nasty, foul-mouthed elves b.) A rabid flock of reindeer c.) An ice queen who will not stop singing d.) And a fucking minotaur. Why? Why not? "Ho ho ho! And seasons greetings, players! I am Julius Vincere, the CEO of CERES, and I must apologize for a few recent temperature modifications as of late. But we were able to fix that small glitch quickly. We were only hoping to cool things down by a few degrees after we received a few complaints about overheating equipment. It seems our robots went a bit overboard with our dome, which is a safety precaution we put in place in the event of an outside threat or invasion. There's no need to fear, and we hope you enjoyed warming up with one another in the meantime. Now, that that's behind us, let's have a little fun, shall we? I think some of you are familiar with the concept back in your home worlds. I observed enough to know that it's a pretty ostentatious holiday. That's why I asked my dear programmer, Elias, to build a simulation so we can experience a little bit of Christmas together. You can say it's a dress rehearsal for the real thing. Anyway, if you all would be so kind as to sample this world and tell me how it goes. I want to see what you all think and get you all in the festive mood. Consider this my deep apology for one mistake too many. We won't allow it to happen again."

//SCENARIOS.EXE PHASE I [ 0000 ] Let the games begin! You're dropped before a giant forest with snow-covered trees, and in your path to reach the mall, there appears your first threat. They look cute and sweet -innocent little elves that smile and blush in your direction. They barely reach up to your chest and look up at you with big, glassy eyes as they promise to help you along your way. Little hands will grab yours, tugging you along. That is, until you're far enough along that you're deep in the midst of the forest where they decide to chip at a lake of frozen ice and chuck you inside. They will then criticize your clothes, call you a piece of reindeer shit, tell you your ass is too fat then call your mother a whore. Because that's just how they roll. Here's your chance to fight back, get vengeance, and force the elves to tell you where Santa is. Those who manage to beat them into submission will be pointed in the right direction to the mall. Those who don't, have fun drowning in icy water! PHASE II [ 0000 ] Once you've escaped the elves, another trial appears. This time, it's in the form of twelve savage reindeer with blood dribbling from their lips. Their eyes are all an eerie shade of red, and they're staring at you deeply as though they can see into your soul. If you hope to get into that mall, you'll have to fight them down and avoid being caught in their antlers. There will be lots of bucking. Copious buckings. Kill the reindeer and remove their antlers for a special gift! (it's a coupon for a free McCERES burger.) PHASE III [ 0000 ] Once you reach the entrance of the mall, you'll be confronted with the icy labyrinth, guarded by a minotaur. He is large and in charge and will probably try to mow you down once he sees you. None of your weapons or magic will work, though. To pacify this beast, you will have to hug him. He requires a hug with feeling. He will tell you as much when you confront him. Give him a good squeeze then let him be. Love can cure many things! PHASE IV [ 0000 ] Are you done running around this maze of a mall? Tired of seeing the same Vidia's Secret store a dozen times? Alas, there is one last trial. It comes in the form of obnoxious carols being crooned in your direction by a beautiful ice queen. She's beckoning you to her with a siren song in the form of merry Christmas music, luring you in little by little and making you walk towards her while she tries to enchant you. She'll lean in close and whisper the rest of the song in your ear, and once you're in her trance, you'll turn on your own friends and party members to try and kill them. To avoid being drawn into her trance, you'll have to be knocked around a few times to regain your bearings. Then, it's either destroy her or be subjected to her ice magic. However, before she dies, she'll look deep into your eyes and beg you to save her and not to forget her. She needs you. Once you defeat her, Santa Bot will appear to dance a merry jig in your honor and shower you with credits. Hooray! BONUS [ whyo'clock ] You can't escape Christmas without a random sprig of mistletoe floating around your head and following you around. For those who try to escape, the mistletoe bot will only move all the quicker. Those caught under its insistent floating will be compelled to kiss a neighbor or two or ten. Or even kiss the minotaur. What we're saying is you should probably run. [ Remember to apply proper warnings on threads with trigger-y or inappropriate material and do let a mod know if your thread careens off into maiming or canoodling so we can lock the meme. ]

//RUN.EXE Welcome to CEREALIA's fifth Test Drive Meme. For your convenience, we have compiled a post detailing everyone's arrival experience and a FAQ that should explain everything in more detail. Please read them thoroughly before playing. Thank you!

Comments

[allfortheclan]

[ Shirasu is perched on top of a high spot, trying to get a better idea of the area's layout, when he catches a very familiar scent -- or a shadow of one that's telling in and of itself.

He knows she's more than capable of taking care of herself and for a moment, he considers not drawing attention to himself. But he can't help but be... curious. She's part of that life he left, connected to the people he won't ever see again.

His tone is flat when he speaks. ]

Up ahead, turn left.

[recurringly]

[ —she'd grown careless. in her exhaustion over the past two trials and relief over this one, she had allowed her mind to wander and ignore her senses a moment too long.

recognizing the voice instantly, she spins on a heel, finding him several feet up and away, but still too close for comfort. her body tenses reflexively, one hand already drawn up with two fingers rigid, ready to recite any incantation she might need against him. ]

Fuuma Kotarou.

[ she doesn't hesitate to call him by the name she now knows him as, and the expression on her face tells him all he needs to know about where her feelings on the matter lie.

though she does look a little confused for a moment. had he been trying to lead her out? —no no, of course not. another ruse, another trap. ]

I think we've established how little weight your words deserve.

[allfortheclan]

[ He inclines his head minutely at that name, but otherwise keeps his expression blank. It's no surprise she isn't fond of him. Really, he should be doing his best to kill her, given her role in the defeat of his clan.

But her immortality is a barrier, and nothing he could do to her now will bring the dead back. ]

There's no reason to lie right now.

[recurringly]

[ "not fond of him" is quite the understatement, but trust botan to keep a fairly level head despite how much she'd like to see him burn. ]

There's no reason to help me, either.

[allfortheclan]

Maybe I need you alive and in good health.

[ After all, if CERES needs them to help rebuild the world, then even Botan is useful. ]

[recurringly]

[ her expression only flattens, though nothing else about her stance seems to relax. ]

You're deluded if you think I'd let you use me.

[ ... again. ]

[allfortheclan]

[ Heh. ]

Are you the only other person here?

[ He's met strangers from strange lands, of course, but she's the first familiar face. ]

[recurringly]

[ only now does she straighten up, but she takes care to keep her eyes on him, just in case. ]

I am.

[ like she'd really tell him otherwise, though. ]

Disappointed?

[allfortheclan]

[ She's a terrible liar. It's sort of cute. ]

Not especially.

[ Rests his chin on his hand. ] Do shikigami feel extreme temperatures?