TEST DRIVE MEME

[behind_the_box]

Starting now, we'll put up a new one of these very month! Feel free to use the current setting of Pandora (Christmas in July) or make up your own! You can also use the following scenarios if you'd prefer:

1. Mushroom Kingdom

Have you ever wanted to be a fairy? Well now you are, even if the answer was no! The City is a big, big place, all of a sudden. Houses are roomy affairs inside giant mushrooms, there are colorful flowers everywhere you look, and the animals are always friendly! Unfortunately, the only food items being sold in the market this month are fruit, fruit, and.... more fruit.

2. School Town

You may be too old to attend the academy, but that doesn't seem to matter; your attendance is mandatory anyway. Or perhaps you're there to teach, because you're the only resident of Pandora that possesses a certain skill. It doesn't matter if it can't be learned; you have to come up with a lesson plan anyway. At least the uniforms aren't some god awful color, right?

3. Zombie Apocalypse.

There's no coming back from death in Pandora, so you'd better do all you can to survive. Three quarters of the city are already infected, and this is the last stand. Are you going to pool your resources and try to make it together, or is it time to stop trusting others and go it alone until the month is over?

Comments

[shortafewcircuits]

Grandmother insisted I learn to sing, Kayn-- er, my father saw to it that I learnt to play the piano and violin as well as dance so that I wouldn't embarrass the family during social events. I've taken an interest in baking since coming here, and I like to garden.

[Waver starts to blush a little, fidgeting with her sleeve.]

I like to experiment with spellwork and alchemy, but I've been scolded repeatedly for using magecraft frivolously... not that they have any room to talk, considering the sort of horrible things they get up to with it! And I suppose I doodle compulsively, but that hardly counts as art, I'd think.

[Ah, but a change of subject! She will leap on that.]

You could host a contest. It would be a convenient way to gauge talent levels without obligation.

[tenured]

Ah, music. That's acceptable. Not a poor outlet at all.

[Kayneth isn't musical himself, but he does have a fondness for the other arts (even if he might think them inferior in some ways). He doesn't mention baking or gardening because he's not particularly interested in them. They're certainly not art forms!

He makes a dismissive noise at the idea of Waver being scolded for her work.]

I experiment with magecraft myself. I fail to see how that's frivolous. It's my ability, and I will use it as I see fit. I've come up with some interesting developments. And as it so happens, I'm very interested in the artistic applications of magecraft. It's unfortunate that such things must be kept private, or it could add a whole new element to my public work.

As if a cabal of murderers has the right to lecture anyone on the applications of power.

A contest... [Anything that involves Kayneth judging others is something he can get behind.] Yes, that might work. I won't be able to select a victor if no one shows any talent, however.

[shortafewcircuits]

Exposing the existence of magecraft to the public isn't against the law here. In fact, most residents have some ability or other themselves.

[Waver examines her nails innocently as she mentions that little tidbit, pleased as pie that he feels the same way she does.]

Being unable to select a victor would be problematic, though.

[tenured]

Yes, I suppose it isn't, is it? I despise this place, but that is one benefit. We're rid of those meddlesome mages. I could consider a public display of my more esoteric creations... I highly doubt anyone has devoted themselves to the aesthetics of magecraft with anything approaching my talent or drive.

[He is a prodigy, you know.]

I refuse to honor the best of the worst. Only excellence should be rewarded.

[Kayneth will not be moved on this point.]