Test Drive Reloaded! #1

[magicademymods]

Test Drive #1



Welcome to Diatu (I Like Swords)

The Arrival Hall is all aflurry with activity! No one had expected so many Sundered to suddenly pop up, the staff find themselves desperately scrambling to keep up with the influx, and a bunch of new arrivals find themselves hanging out in the Hall lobby, waiting to be seen, sent home if possible, or counseled and prepared for student life if not. Rumors run like wildfire: some people believe they've been kidnapped by aliens, a worryingly persistent suggestion that this is a setup for a murder-tournament keeps circulating, and one or two nutcases insist that a dragon tinkered with the rules of magic and now they have to study at a magic school to survive. Pie stocks are grievously low, and thought Headmaster Birony herself appeared and began violating the rules of space and time to summon pies from the future, a second Headmaster Birony with an eyepatch, several war scars, and a wild hairdo appeared and promptly yelled at the first Headmaster for stealing her pies. A pie fight erupted. Pie stocks are even more grievously low now.

Still, here's your chance to talk to your fellow arrivals. Or aggressively attack the nearest target in an outrage (they set up a target dummy and labeled it VENT AGGRESSION HERE, and are trusting you guys on the honor system). Staff don't have time to talk, but they promise they'll get to you soon!

A Day In The Life

The sun is bright, the air is warm, a cool breeze blows across Anastara, clouds keep drifting directly through the island and engulfing people... it's summer on Ascelion, and the day is ripe for learning. Or as ripe as Diatu Magicademy ever can be -- though no one would trade the character and charm of the lively campus for some stodgy, regimented school more interested in forcing students into the mold than encouraging them to be their best, sometimes conditions in the Magicademy are a little inconvenient.

A toilet in Kedrigan Hall keeps clamping onto the butts of those who attempt to use it. Thus far, half a dozen students have been freed from its clutches by their friends, while reports of singed buttocks have increased twofold. (Yes, only twofold. Think about that for a minute.) Staff are on the lookout for a prankster rather than a commode, so as of yet the treacherous toilet has gone unpunished...

Not far away, a group of cleaning golems has occupied the promenade as part of an ongoing strike. As they possess only rudimentary intelligence, they believe this involves seizing objects from anyone who passes nearby and hurling them at a set of bowling pins. Meliandre Tomekin, Head of Groundskeeping, has set up shop across the Promenade; any student who wanders too close gets a big block of ice shoved into their hands, along with instructions to hold it still while she shows those reprobates what-for...

In the Great Hall proper, school clubs and activities have, as was inevitable, escalated competition for new students to yet another level which only isn't a war crime because it isn't part of a treaty yet: they've conscripted geese. Horrible geese, to be precise, who dispense flyers for various clubs with less subtlety than a nuclear holocaust. Some of them fight for dominance, others have teamed up to pin down innocent students and stuff leaflets down their throat, and one has a wand and is somehow casting Discovery spells?!

A Forgery!

"I tried a mass-Forging technique," the older student says, showing off the briefcase full of identical wands and a sign that says 'FOR $ALE CHEAP'. "Some of them are exactly what I intended, they self-correct runes, but the rest, well.. . I don't know, I can't tell, and I'm not really interested in finding out one by one, so... you buying?"

All sales final. No refunds. Caveat emptor. As for what the wands do, well... there's a reason he answered with an ellipsis when asked. On the other hand, maybe the effect isn't too terrible? Maybe it's even beneficial! Maybe the wand shoots out rainbows and muffins! Or maybe it just animates and strikes you vigorously about the head and shoulders...

Three Dragon War

Someone, we're not naming names, canons, or the color of eyes and the dragon to which they belong that forms said person's obsession, may or may not be indirectly responsible for the latest game craze sweeping Anastara: Three Dragon War, a collectible card game that features players as dragons, deploying spells, creatures, and Sundered against each other to destroy each and avoid the machinations of the Third Dragon. The awesome thing about the game is that the Third Dragon comes in all different forms: classic bundled-with-the-starter-pack Ire, super-rare Anastara Diatu, suspiciously-rare Cam Birony, ultra-common Large Eagull, and more. The concept of an outside force adding randomness to the battle and being manipulated in turn by cards means Three Dragon War is the hottest card game that's come along since the last card game that was the hottest that had come along came along.

Face-to-face, you find yourself in a duel over these cards and the magical images they summon. Can this untested deck come through if you believe in it? Or are statistics and probability actual things that actually happen? Dragon Battle! Jiao Long Fu!

There's One in Every Test Drive

Not every magical disaster is caused by some wayward student you don't know. Many of them are caused by you instead. To wit: you're on the spot in one of the magical labs, being called on to demonstrate a technique more advanced than others you've mastered so far. Failure is expected, and the wards should prevent any injury to others from a miscast spell. But will the sparks of your magic just sputter out and die? Or will you inadvertently mispronounce, misform, misshape, or miscalculate in a way that brings chaos to you and your lab partner?

(You could also manage to succeed in casting the spell, but that isn't very fun.)

Comments

Aziraphale/Mr. Fell - Good Omens

[temptationaccomplished]

Arrival

After all the world hopping, Aziraphale was surprised to find himself back in the magic school Diatu. As far as world hopping went, this had been his first, and he was hopeful that there might be at least a few familiar faces. Crowley, too, if he is lucky. So far, every world, he has been so lucky eventually.

He lingered around the training dummy with his uniform in hand, Creme Brulee coiled somewhere in the folds, and waited and hoped to catch sight of someone he might know. Or help new people, though he wasn't sure how much use he would be--it seemed the world had changed a bit while he was out.

Dreadful to hear about those pie stocks, though. He remembered the pies here to be quite good.

There's One in Every Test Drive

Mr. Fell looked distraught. The bowtie was a disaster, some splotchy combination of colors, as if caught in a paintball fight.

"I was trying to embue it with stars," he explained, gesturing at the accessory around his neck. "A dear friend had made me one when I was here last, and I wanted to recreate the effect." A sad little pout. "And now it's just ruined."

He turned hopeful, sad eyes at his lab partner for help fixing the problem.

Arrival

[serpentinthegarden]

He had literally just turned and walked one step away after having said... what had he said, have a nice doomsday? Aziraphale's words still stung, hanging like this heavy shroud around him and making it all the more difficult to process the reality warping that had occurred around him. He actually blinked as he stared up at the massive school.

"Doomsday happened fast..."

[temptationaccomplished]

Crowley! Oh, he knew his demon wouldn't leave him alone for long, not after everything they'd been through. Aziraphale's expression lit up as it always did upon seeing Crowley, even if he really had only just seen him not long ago, really, and then the glow was contained as he gently tutted at him.

"Oh, don't be so dramatic. Back-to-school is hardly Doomsday, no matter what you may think." He proudly took up a spot next to Crowley and watched the goings on. "I hear in some parenting circles, it's even called 'the most wonderful time of the year.'"

[serpentinthegarden]

"Yeah, ask the kids about that."

He responded as naturally as breathing as he couldn't remember a time when it had ever felt awkward to talk to Aziraphale. Even after their break up, it was like nothing had happened at all. Well, except the angel seemed really happy instead of being upset and quite near to tears, he was carrying an unusual 'unbecoming of a bookshop owner' set of garments there, and... was that a snake? Crowley paced around this strange Aziraphale-like-being as if sizing him up for the first time before coming to a rest on the angel's left side as was his tradition.

"What happened to you? You seem... different."

[temptationaccomplished]

He had a feeling he knew Adam and Warlock's thoughts on the matter without asking them, but he made a note of it to inquire should they ever return home.

Aziraphale watched the circling, at first with enthusiasm and then with growing concern. He glanced down at himself as if assessing any changes. Sure, he had changed a bit over time, but he thought he was still relatively the same.

"Different? I'm not sure what you mean. How so?"

[bazooka_girl]

It's not that bad, maybe it'll come off in the wash.

Or it could be like, artistic expression or something. You could make a fashion statement. [she grinned helpfully] If it helps, I think it's more interesting that way.

[temptationaccomplished]

That's very kind of you, my dear. I appreciate the encouragement.

But I fear there's just no saving it. You don't think it clashes awfully with my robes?

[bazooka_girl]

A bit yeah... but we can decorate the robes to match! It'll be great!

Let's see, how did that happen in the first place... what did we do wrong... or right...

[temptationaccomplished]

They're a uniform. I can't just go changing a uniform.

I think it may have been the wand. I bought a spare off a lovely fellow in my Glyphics class and I'm afraid it may be somewhat finicky.

One in every test drive

[king_of_egypt]

Although he was trying not to let his expression betray him, Atem found the other's predicament mildly amusing. It was only a bowtie and nothing to fret over but Aziraphale seemed so horribly troubled by it. The angel was trying to make something that would remind him of a friend, which was a touching sentiment. Didn't Atem keep a cartouche in his possession for that very reason? Sure, Téa had given it to him so that when he learned his name he could inscribe it on the necklace and never forget it again but the necklace meant more than just that.

When the woeful eyes turned on him however all enjoyment of the comical aspect came to an abrupt halt. Somewhat sheepishly, Atem looked over his shoulder hoping against hope that Aziraphale was looking past him, but no such luck.

"I'm... a little rusty with this world's magic.." He cautioned, when he realized he was going to have to face this head on.

[temptationaccomplished]

Oh, he knew he was probably a bit silly about this, but he'd had such high hopes for replicating the bow Yotsuyu had made for him, and had so vastly overestimated his own capabilities that it was all rather distressing.

But he appreciated that Atem didn't outright laugh at him and was kind enough to assist. He was always such a pleasant young man.

"Dear boy," he tried to reassure, offering a little pat on the hand, "clearly so am I. I have faith you can't do worse." Now, granted, there was always the possibility of much worse, when magic was involved, but Aziraphale thought himself a sturdy enough angel that he could weather a few mishaps. Witchfinder interference in Heavenly calls aside.

[king_of_egypt]

"That makes one of us, but I appreciate your confidence in me," Atem replied casually back, eyes flitting briefly to their hands then returning to the suffering bowtie. Bits and pieces of his prior magic lessons had slowly been returning to him so perhaps if he just took a moment to think he would settle on the proper incantation. "I remember that in order to cast a spell it requires both the appropriate wand gestures and it can be further focused with words.."

Running over the rules in his mind since the magic he had been more accustomed to in his dimension relied more on the consciousness. Bending the shadows to his whims had been more of a second nature even if he had been using the Millennium Item to channel that energy. It was different at the academy, it required concentration and deliberate action, relying less on the imagination.

Drawing out his wand he held out his hand for the tie. "Just to be safe.. you might want to push your chair a little further back, and then I'll see what I can do."

one in every test drive (it's a ringer)

[hyperdrivemonalisa]

"Well, I'm not sure where you went wrong, but I can...I think..."

Isabel scrunches her face up--it won't take much. It goes from much the muddy mess--to how it looked before Aziraphale tried to alter it.

"I don't remember how the tie your friend made you looked, or I'd've tried to do that. So far I just made it remember how it was before you started," she admitted with a shrug. "Modification isn't my strong point, still."

[temptationaccomplished]

"No, this is wonderful." He touched the mended bowtie with relief. At least it was back to where it should be, not some gaudy disaster. Isabel had always been such a clever girl and good with magic. Young people picked things up so quickly.

"I don't know how you undid it, but you worked a miracle. Not your strong suit, really. I think you're too modest. Are you sure you haven't been practicing in the time we've been away?"

[hyperdrivemonalisa]

"I don't know if I'd call it a miracle!" Isabel laughed. Just a little bit of home-style magick, really. If he hadn't failed in his attempt, she wasn't sure she'd have been able to work on it. "But you are right, I've been working on my studies as diligently as I could."

Which wasn't to say she didn't play hooky from time to time. All work and no play made Homer something something, after all.

"Maybe you could try doing it in stages? Like put the stars on first, and then change color? Doing it all at once might have been too intense. I don't know for sure, but it's worked for me so far," she said.

Re: Aziraphale/Mr. Fell - Good Omens

[aquawayfinder]

Aqua, a fellow adult though one not nearly as old as he - even with all the multiple lives weirdness factored in - was always happy to help. She nodded. "Perhaps if you take the bow tie off, then it will be easier for us to see what we are doing, and not risk discoloring your skin and other clothes if we miss?" she suggested gently, "Or if you have another with you that we could work with?"

She offered him a gentle smile. They'd make this work out.

[temptationaccomplished]

"Sadly this is my only bow tie at the moment. So we'll have to work with what we have. But," he agreed, beginning to unknot the bow from around his neck, "You make an excellent point. Don't know what I was thinking attempting this with it on." He was thinking he would do the spell just fine and there would be no worries. The angel had been spoiled on miracles for too long.

He gave a little laugh. "I would hate to have to explain to Crowley why my hair is suddenly all the shades of the rainbow. Though your hair is a lovely color, I'm afraid I just couldn't pull it off with the same panache."

[aquawayfinder]

She chuckled lightly. "I suspect you could, if the situation presented. But that sort of thing is certainly better to experiment with on one's own terms."

She considered the bow tie once it was off. "What method have you already attempted? We can use that as a place to start from, either to figure out what went wrong, or better yet, to figure out how to make it go right." She gave him a warm and patient smile. She enjoyed both teaching and learning, and nearly anything was more enjoyable with a friend or potential new friend nearby.

Arrival

[ronstadt]

"You look a little lost, man," Ronstadt said idly, looking down as the uniform in the other man's hands shifted.

"Whoa. ... Hey, is that a snake? Can I see?"

[temptationaccomplished]

Taken by surprise, Aziraphale gave a little "Oh!" and turned to give his full attention to the equally blond young man.

"Yes, quite." He shifted the robes upwards and the snake in question, vain little familiar that he was, snuffled his way further out to reveal more of his tiny form and scent the air around the stranger. If it was possible to look curious as a snake, it certainly appeared curious. "Obviously, he's more than happy to be seen, the little show off. Crème Brûlée. He's named after the dessert, which I suppose is apt--dessert is always the attention-getter."

[ronstadt]

"I dunno, man, I always turn my head for a decent chalupa, too." He smiled, holding out a hand so that Creme could sniff-lick it if he wanted to. "Always wanted some kinda critter, but I've either been on the move or renting, so I kinda just hang at dog parks and stuff. ... You just get here, too? I'm Ronstadt. From Los Angeles."

One in Every Test Drive

[dukespookem]

Solid red eyes widen slightly, and Caleb lets out a low whistle, rubbing at his chin as he looks over the bowtie. "Yeah, screwed it real good," he answers in a gravelly, but amused tone. There's a chuckle as he shakes his head. "Looks like a rainbow threw up on it." Very helpful, Caleb.

After a pause, it sets in that Mr. Fell seems to be looking for help fixing it, and Caleb's amusement gives way into uncertainty and annoyance. "...wait, you ain't wanting me to help, are you?" C'mon, dude, don't put him on the spot like that.

Except, do it.

[temptationaccomplished]

Aziraphale had known angels, demons and trolls in his long and well-traveled existence, but whatever this fellow with the red eyes was, he was unique in that feature. He was also a bit blunt, apparently which, though the angel made a face at the reminder he screwed up, he nonetheless appreciated.

"I am indeed," he replied, adding a hopeful sweetness to: "if you're amenable. After all, I can't very well go around looking like...well, as you so crassly put it, 'rainbow throw up.'" It's just a bowtie, but it is a statement piece, and no matter how gay an angel is, he has standards that don't include making the statement of rainbow throw up. "Please?"

[dukespookem]

Caleb might ring closer to demons, if Aziraphale is the sort to go metaphysically sniffing around. It's a rather complicated, thing, however...

That sweetness was absolutely repugnant, and makes him raise a blocking hand as he looks away, acting like he's pushing the idea away. "'Amenable', 'crass', you're killin' me with the fancy talk on top of this, ugh." He grumbles, adjusting his coat before reaching into it and producing a rather sturdy-looking straight pin. "I don't make any promises about stars happening, so don't blame me if it gets even worse."

There's one in every test drive

[whose_son_am_i]

Loki blinked at him, hints of exasperation showing in his expression. A splotchy bow tie wasn't all that bad, in his eyes. He also could honestly say this one wasn't his fault.

"Why don't you try again? It can't get any worse." Lies--it could always get worse. But if the other was so upset, he should just try to fix it.