November & December Test Drive Meme

[thewakemods]

It's that time again!

→ Comment with a new character you'd like to test out in the game's setting. (put character/canon in subject line pls!)
→ You don't have to be in the game to comment! HI NEW PEOPLE LET US ENABLE YOU.
→ Tag around with new and old characters.
→ App all those characters
→ ???
→ PROFIT!

**NOTICE** - For new series and recent updates/occurrences to existing ones, please mark as SPOILERS if you must refer to such, but please use your own discretion in general.

Comments

I know right!? I'm right there.

[noble_sacrifice]

As a reflex, she leaned forward to try and help catch the books, however it was unnecessary. "Oh! I didn't mean to startle you!" As the books took their leave, she straightened her posture, a faint pink shade lit her cheeks highlighting her embarrassment.

Presea?

Her sister?

It- shouldn't have been all that shocking to hear that name, but for some reason it was. Taking on a more solemn expression, she looked toward the ground. "Yes, that's right. Presea." For some reason, without the Magic Knights in earshot, she had thought that maybe Clef wouldn't have referred to her that way. He knew the truth, or........ had he truly mistaken her for her twin? That certainly would have explained his initial response. Would he be disappointed when he realized the truth? Did he care more for Presea than her?

"To Naut?" She questioned," Yes, I suppose that there is." She'd just seen him at the castle not that long ago but he was acting as if they'd been apart for a long time. Maybe he really thought she was Presea? That.. wouldn't make any sense. He could always tell them apart before. "Again, I am sorry for distracting you".

[guru_clef]

He nodded, frowning a bit. "Are you alright, Presea? You're not acting like yourself," he said. If they hadn;'t just finished a storm, he'd wonder if she came in in the middle of one and got hit. But he should have sensed of another was coming, shouldn't he? He needed more training, clearly.

He waved a hand, trying to find his emotional and mental footing. "To see you again, it was well worth being distracted. Come, you can stay with us, of course. We have more than enough space. You can rest while we talk. And I can show you the gifts I made for Link and Zelda if they're around. I wound up getting my hands on some Escudo. Not much, but I am trying to figure out if there is a way to replicate it given the unusual properties of this world."

As well as trying to figure out the language translation magic that was in place, needing to check on Demyx to make sure the heart transplant was working out well, trying to find something other than bombs to entertain his son, and a fun way for Link to actually WANT to learn. And how to make a gift for Shadow...

[noble_sacrifice]

"As well as can be expected under the circumstances- or maybe a little better than that just knowing that you are well," Not acting like herself in what way? What did he mean? Sierra thought that maybe she should question the matter further but how could she question him? "I guess.. I am a little shaken by this. It's not every day that one wakes up in a foreign land with no recollection of how they arrived there." Maybe he was right? Maybe she was acting strange?

What he said next pleased her more than she could openly admit. Unless he really thought she was Presea?. Oh what a tangled web we've woven. "Thank you, both for your kind words and invitation. I'd very much like to meet the people that you've met here and grown close to." Escudo, here? Well, if people could be transported here then perhaps that was also possible. The legendary ore could only be fashioned by the most skilled of artisans. That was something that was beyond her own capabilities, but not her elder sisters. "If anyone can answer that mystery, then it would be you".

There was a little matter of time that was failing her. Just how long had Clef been residing both here and in their own world at concurrent times? Perhaps that was the most normal inconsistency. When the Magic Knights had returned home the first time, they hadn't lost any hours in their own world. A similar concept must be in play.

[guru_clef]

She still was acting a little odd, but he gave her a warm smile. "And it makes me glad to know you are well, too, my friend." "For this world it is every day though perhaps not so much for the individual people. Naut draws heroes and potential heroes from a great many worlds and realities to come here and train so that we can go and aid other worlds as needed."

Sorry, he really thinks you are Presea. "Of course." And the bombshell "My son will be thrilled to meet with you, as will Zelda and Shadow I am certain." Yes. He said son. "And I am certain you would like to meet" A frown as he tried to recall the name. "Adeala, I think her name is? Link would know for certain. He is very impressed with her, though I have yet to make her acquaintance." But from what he knew through Link, he was certain they would enjoy discussing pharle things.

"I am honoured by your faith in me," he said with a brief chuckle. "I think you might prove more adept at it than I, though I do look forward to working on such a project together, if you would care to work with me."

[noble_sacrifice]

Friend. Of course. That's probably all their relationship would ever be, since it seemed impossible to ever put her feelings into words. "Heroes and potential heroes?" That didn't quite line up with something else she'd been told in another conversation. She was admittedly intrigued. "I thought that all of this was purely by chance. You mean.. it's possible that we might be able to make a real difference?"

I'm sure she will find out, soon enough. "Your-" The word caught in her throat. "son?". Did that mean there was already someone else in his life? I mean, it's not like she ever really thought that she had a chance with... oh what was she even thinking. She needed to be supportive, no matter what. This was just hitting her all a little too hard for something so suddenly revealed. "I- I suppose my congratulations are long overdue." Bowing her head. "Will I also get to meet the lucky woman who managed to take your fancy?" Sorry Clef, it went there. She's misinterpreted this situation entirely. Also, apparently she would serve the same fate as Alcyione. Cursed to forever love a man who did not feel the same way towards her, yet always feeling that obligation to remain by his side. It was kind of difficult to focus on the other names being thrown at her. clutching her hands tightly together she tried her best to keep up with the conversation.

More-adept-than-him? But- he had to know that she was unable to forge anything with Escudo, only repair it. That is what synched it for her... but what could she do? Would, he be more upset to learn that she was not her sister or that her sister had passed on? Clearly the latter but then maybe she should continue the ruse? Or not? Oh, what was the best course of action? Taking a moment to mull it over, she decided she had no choice. She had to tell him the truth. Maybe not that her sister was dead. She could carry that burden for both of them if need be, but when he saw how she could not properly mold the Escudo she would be outed. "Master mage Clef..... I-" She paused for a pointed second," Correct me if I am in error, but I don't believe you're truly aware of who I am."

"While it would give me no greater pleasure than to work beside you, I am not my sister." She scanned the vicinity to make sure they would not be overheard. "I should have said something sooner but.." I thought you were continuing the lie that was started in Cephiro. No, she couldn't say that. Then he would learn all about why she was posing as her sister. "I'm Sierra, Presea's younger twin sister." Surely, he would remember her now.

Oh dear. Kaboom. So much earth shattering kaboom.

[guru_clef]

"Of course we can make a difference!" He said with a smile. "This city is filled with people learning all the time, improving. And Ascending. My training since Ascension is still beginning," and to his mind taking a few hundred years for something so important made sense. "But when it is complete, I will be able to go to other worlds and help as the Knights have come to help in ours."

He gave a smaller, warmer smile. "My son, Link. Yes, he.. you will meet him, and then you will understand." And then she asked about the lucky woman and he went bright red and sputtered. "You too? Really?" He expected it, or would have had he thought about it, but so soon? "It's not like that Nita is just a frie.... oh!" Right. "Link is adopted. If Shadow and Zelda will allow it, I shall officially adopt them both as well." He chuckled a bit. "I have been here a little over a year. Link is, at the moment, 12." Please have missed the thing about Nita. Please have missed the thing about Nita... She was too sharp to have missed the thing about Nita, blast it.

When she said he wasn't sure she was who he thought she was, he waited, listened, then just... stared. "Presea's.... sister?" he asked, a bit stunned. "I...I appologize." That explained so much of how she was acting, and how different it was from what he expected Presea to do when it was just the two of them... "Please, accept my apologies Sierra," he said. And then broke everything with the innocent sentence: "Presea never mentioned she had a younger twin sister..."

YUP. Clef you Heartbreaker!

[noble_sacrifice]

His enthusiasm was infectious as a smile also graced her features. "Ascending? What does that entail?" While Sierra wasn't quite sure what it meant to "ascend" it at least sounded like something one would wish to aspire to. Especially when he continued his explanation. "Are you able to choose which worlds, or is it decided in some other fashion?"

"I'm sure that I will," Clef spoke with such reverence for his new family, it was hard not to feel happy for him, despite her own loss because of it. "Me too?" She blinked a few times in rapid succession, what was he talking about now? It's like he thought that she was ribbing him. Like she could ever do something like that to him! Maybe, given time and surrounding circumstances. "Nita?" Who is Nita? The other woman for sure. Other woman. That wasn't quite right. That term implied that there had ever been a relationship between Clef and herself besides their own friendship there was not. "Oh.. Ohhhh! Link is adopted!" Sounding a little more enthusiastic about that point than she should have. She sheepishly covered her mouth and hoped that he hadn't picked up on that slip. "How strange, for you have not been missing a day in Cephiro". She did not miss the thing about Nita. She couldn't have. "Does this Nita know of your affections for her?" Why did she ask that? Why? It's like she was a masochist. The answer would bring her no solace to hear it, one way or the other.. so why not just move past the subject entirely?

Thankfully, Clef was not angered by her admission. She had essentially been lying to him for the course of their conversation. "Yes. Sierra." Poor Clef, had he lost his memories in the process of coming here? Was that possible? She was so busy feeling sorry for herself initially that she hadn't considered the possibility before. "Of course, it has been a year for you as you said. I.. suppose it's just been too long." Then he drops that bombshell and confirmed that he didn't even remember her. Yes, she'd tried to focus more on what this meant for Clef, but hearing that was like taking a lightning strike right to the heart. Absentmindedly, she did press a hand to her chest as if her heart might really stop beating. "Never... never .. mentioned me?.. But......." We've met before. "Clef," Forgetting formality for a moment. "Can it be.. that you're truly forgotten all about me?"

So much angst. I love it.

[guru_clef]

"The Pillar of this world, Naut, chooses some of us every so often to Ascend. We are granted additional powers and abilities, and are trained to use them for the good of all worlds. I will have some choice in which worlds I go to, but if a world needs our help, all of the ascended are expected to rise to the occasion once their training has been completed.

He sighed and rubbed at the back of his head. "Nita is a friend in this world, and a close one. Link has taken it in his head to imagine I am in love with her." A cough, a sweat drop. "quite possibly because he is 12." and quite possibly because of how much Clef ribs him about his own love life. Engaged at 12, and in serious crush with someone else... how could he resist?

Okay.... wow. Um.... "It isn;t that it has been that long, Sierra. I am... I am far too old for one year to affect my memory that badly." another cough. As I see it, there are two possibilities, one I give more credence to than the other. The first is a reality storm. This place is subjected to them frequently. I am trying to find a way to shield oneself from the effects, but have thus far failed. These storms can be small things, like the time we all had our armor changed and masks put on our face and were trapped in some sort of party venue." Which... was when he first started crushing on Nita, but never mind that now.

"However, more recently was one of the more complete ones. People forgot each other, or remembered them differently. We remembered our own lives differently. This was the second storm of that magnitude I have suffered here. Both led me to believe I was from the Magic Knights' world. This last one made Link think he was 17, and not just think it, he looked the part. He woke up taller, and injured. So there is the possibility of a storm, making you remember me when we have not met, or making me forget you. If it is a storm, then the effects should fade within two weeks. But I doubt it is a storm, as we have just had one and they rarely come so swiftly. Of course I may even be remembering a storm that never happened."

His grip on his staff tightened for a moment. Someone was having identity issues in this place and hated it.

There is... another possibility. Not everyone arrives from the same time, or even the same world. Sometimes they may seem like they are from the same world, however..." How to explain this...? He gestured with the wand, and floating before them were several apples, all but one red, the last one was green. Three oranges. One green pear. Someone might still be thinking like he was from earth. But to be fair, the storm JUST ended.

"If these were a representation of the worlds, we are used to thinking of different worlds like this..." the pear, one orange and one red apple floated up. "Each obviously and markedly different. But apparently, some are like this. He let all but the apple sink down and brought up one green apple to float beside it. "Both the same kind of fruit, but a different colour, and a different taste. But even here" the green apple dropped and another red apple rose, and he rotated them both to show each was slightly different at the base. "They might seem identical, but they're not. More, even if they were from the outside, one could have a worm. But both would seem fine until you open it."

He sighed and absorbed the fruit into a gem. Apparently they'd be having fruit salad or fruit stew for dinner. "It is possible you and I are both from Ceipho, but versions that are different in subtle ways, as well as the more obvious way. In my world, Presea is an only child who spends an inordinate amount of time tormenting Mokona. I... I always felt that it seemed as though she was missing something in her life. Perhaps on some level... she was missing you. Aware that she was supposed to have a sister that our world never gave her."

He reached up, and if Sierra would allow, he'd take her hand gently. "I may be from a world where I never had the honour of meeting you, but that simply means that we get to have the pleasure of getting to know each other now, does it not?" He was trying to make her feel better, was trying to make a friendly gesture. Because any sister of Presea's from any world was welcome in his life, in his home. He had no idea how she saw him, however, and how such an innocent gesture might seem like more....

More angst to come!

[noble_sacrifice]

The idea that another world had it’s own pillar system did not surprise her, and Clef sufficiently detailed what it mean to ascend to her satisfaction so she didn’t inquire upon it further. “I see. It’s a very unique system they have in place here.”

“A friend?” Sierra wasn’t sure whether or not to believe that contradiction. He had reacted so swiftly and fervently to dismiss the notion before that there must have been something to it. Still, there would be little to gain from pressing him. If he did not wish to discuss the matter, then she would just be left with her sliver of doubt as to what sort of relationship he truly had with Nita. “Children.. can be quite imaginative at that age”. That she could allow.

“Oh.. no.. I didn’t mean to imply that it had anything to do with your age,” Also feeling a little embarrassed on that misunderstanding. When he started going into possible explanations it was like she was hearing it while being submerged in water. This was the final step from essentially losing her identity to becoming nothing. Even the man she loved didn’t know she existed. There was something about storms, and masks.. and it just wasn’t registering. Towards the end of his speech about “how storms could make you forget”.. it’s almost like something switched back on in her mind.

“It couldn’t have forged these memories of you for me...” Pressing a hand firmly to her chest. “Those memories I hold...” In my heart, but she stopped abruptly. That was as close to a confession as she was likely to get. Either way, it was difficult to believe that any sort of storm could really strip something out of your memories if you were truly attached to it. Maybe... she just had never meant that much to him. He had no trouble remembering her sister Presea.

Then he followed with another explanation. She went back to maintaining her silence as the foreign fruits acted as visual aides for what he was saying. Whether any of these were the true reasoning for why Clef had no idea who she was, it didn’t matter. It still meant that she had essentially lost everything in coming here, including just the subdued relationship she had shared with him before. It was a crippling realization.

When he sighed, Sierra realized that he’d stayed silent for too long once more. She didn’t want to seem ungrateful for his taking the time to detail all of this for her, but it’s like she just wasn’t ready to hear it. “An only child..” So even her own sister didn’t need her in one reality, or so she thought until he gave her some reason to doubt it. “I... I don’t know what to say to all this. I really do not.” It sounded like he was trying to ease the blow by suggesting that Presea might have unconsciously missed her, but was it too much of a stretch? “But.. I guess no one would now that for sure. Whether Presea felt some strange void or not.”

When he reached out for her hand, she allowed it and forgetting about the crushing news for a moment color started to light her cheeks. “Master Mage Clef.” She exclaimed in a hushed voice. “I... I suppose it does.” Sierra readily agreed if only to cover up her reaction to his touch. If her sister could have subconsciously missed her in their world, could Clef subconsciously have missed her presence as well? Could that explain why he felt compelled to take her hand? No. Nope. She tried to convince herself not to get her hopes up to high. “This is all, very confusing”

This is beautiful and wonderful and so painful and I love it.

[guru_clef]

He took a breath, considering. The storms had been something he had underestimated and ill understood at first. He had not yet found a way to explain them to satisfaction. "There is a magic on many other worlds called Science. For quite some time Jane tried to explain this science to me, and I could not understand it, no matter how I studied. The storm that made me believe that I was from the world of the Magic Knights the first time... I not only understood science, I taught it. Jane was not my teacher then, but my best student. We both firmly believed we were living those roles. I had memories of an entire life at that time. While some of it is gone now, lost in a haze that I cannot penetrate, I now understand many of the fundaments of their world, and the odd things they say and have as expectations. Further, I understand science where I did not before. In the most recent storm, my memories were of...." Yeah... he was still having issues with memories of having been crippled... because of his height. He hated how no other world seemed to see his appearance as the mark of power it truly was.

He shook his head. "I created in that storm, things that were not life, but were beyond the magic of Ceiphro. I know how to create them now that I am again myself. These storms are invasive and chan give false memories back to one's own youth. But you are here now, in time you will come to experience a storm. Simply going to Helix can remove from one the effects of a storm, and...." And he should have just brought Link there! Shadow would have helped him drag the kid. DANG IT! HE shook his head. "The problem is that when you're affected by a storm, you do not realize you are affected by a storm, generally. Someone has to know to bring you to Helix and convince you to go. A good friend who is no longer here did that once for me." And saved him from becoming the worst threat Ceiphro had ever known.

Dark memories. Painful. He shook his head, trying to banish them. "I agree, this is all very confusing," he finally said, softly, his hand squeezing hers lightly. "Come, you can stay with us. There are people in this world who will be more than happy to help you figure out this place, and I assure you, I am one of them."

It certainly is all those things <3. Our poor muses!

[noble_sacrifice]

Was he still trying to convince her that she had some how 'made up' the life she had shared with him in the castle? It was difficult not to interpret that way, and for once in her life she really didn't want to listen to that gentle voice of his. He was trying to help, he had to be trying to help but this just wasn't. "So this place.. has that kind of power..". To an extent it granted Clef the opportunity to learn about things he never could have back home, but on the same score it could rob a person of who they were at the core. It was a blessing and a curse. "I'm sorry, that it has tampered with your memories.. I'm not sure what that is like but it must be very difficult making sense of it all when things return to some semblance of normalcy." But.. I have not had my memories tampered with. She felt sure of it. Nothing was hazy, nothing except the dream that conveyed her here.

He could create something that was like life? What was this place doing to him? What did it want with him specifically? Sierra's concerns for his wellbeing started to override her bewilderment at her own position. "From the sounds of it.... I wish there was someway not to experience one of these storms..." Said somewhat softly. It wasn't like she had enough troubles of her own without these bizarre storms contributing to it. "What is this Helix?" Maybe they should visit it now, and make doubly sure that neither of them were under any outside influence.

"Indeed it is," The pressure on her hand was at least helping her stay a little grounded, if not utterly distracted from some of her darker thoughts of her own. If they could just stay like this holding hands for a while............ cough. "Oh yes.. you did mention that I could stay with you before." Then she had some instant regret in her choice of words. "Stay with you.. as in all of you, not you specifically.." She became more flustered and reddr in the face as she tried to correct herself. "Not that I would refuse if it was just you..." Not making this any better. "Why don't you lead the way!"

AYEP. They have to suffer US

[guru_clef]

"This place does," he said softly. "I used to think the storms were ways that the Pillar here entertained himself, and that playing along was our duty to him. Now I feel they are more like his nightmares and dreams. He has no more control than we do, but with all the logic of a dream, it seems to make sense at the time." He believed fully that she felt her memories were unaffected. That was how the storms work, and he just had a week of arguing with Link about it, he was not looking to begin that again now.

"Helix is a place where magic utterly ceases to work. The effects of a storm can take upto an hour to fade, while there. But after... you are wholly yourself. It is one of the few safe places in a storm." Maybe they should.

He was so confused, not seeing in her what he barely recognized in himself. But he nodded. "Alright. But.. are you unwell? You are fairly red, perhaps we should head over to the medical building first? There are those there with healing magic that surpasses my own."

They do indeed!

[noble_sacrifice]

Either option was an interesting theory, Sierra wondered what was closer to the truth. "If he has no control... then we're all subject to his whims." Certainly not an appealing prospect.

Giving a light nod she debated making the suggestion. It took a few extra moments to summon up the nerve to voice it. "I should like to go to Helix." Then you will have to believe me. ".. You say that it's too soon for there to have been another storm, but before a new one can arrive I should become familiar with this safe retreat." That way, it didn't seem quite so much like she was questioning either one of their memories directly.

Oh, she was grateful that he wasn't picking up on the signs. "Unwell?" Her voice a pitch higher than it should have been. "That won't be necessary." Forcing an awkward smile to her lips. "I'm sure it will pass in a moment or two, please don't concern yourself."

[guru_clef]

"I have been working with some others on a way to try to shield ourselves from the storms, but I have so far been unsuccessful." He nodded. "That makes sense, then we shall know which of us has had our memories affected," he agreed with her unspoken words along with the spoken ones.

"Of course I am concerned, but you know yourself best. I trust you to inform me if aid is needed. This way, please," he said, turning and leading towards the Helix gate.