Hey, Free Test Drive!

[panspermia]

[Interested in Free Magic from Freesia City? Test your character out to see if you like the fit! After all the game application requires a sample of threads for your play style, so let us help you get there!]

Scenarios

1. [You've arrived dazed, dazzled, and disoriented, but unharmed. As much as you search for some understanding of what's going on, no one is willing to help. Passers by give you a breadth of space automatically, and pretend not to hear you when you call out to them. Direct contact and confrontation earns one or two dismissive words at most, and each consecutive effort only brings further disdain from everyone around you. Try not to start a fight, please.]

2. [There's a power inside of you. The only question is how to get it out. If you're new to magic, it will take a lot of practice and perseverance to control, but it'll be worth your while once you master it. Up until that point... well, try not to wear anything too flammable, and do your best not to pull a muscle.]

3. [The shadows are writhing, and you're in a shady part of town. The Nox are restless, and you won't like what they do to liven things up. Stand your ground if you think you can, but there's no shame in running away screaming for help.]

4. [Have you got any of your own ideas? Go to it! It's a big, magical world out there.]

Comments

OKAY NUMBER 1 is obviously perfect tyvm

[explodokills]

[ Katsuki had known power since his youth, so needless to say when he found himself crawling from a wet ditch along the side of the road with a strange sense of absence, it was unpleasant.

It was also needless to say something about the atmosphere no longer screamed Japan but his head was pounding from the sudden sunlight in a new place that he didn't really give a shit. Peeling himself from the ground and giving a bitter glance at his damp clothes, he immediately began to walk around looking for answers. ]

Hey, you -

[ as they walked past. The fuck? He tried someone else. ]

Hey -

[ Dismissed. Okay, strangers or not, WHY WAS EVERYONE BEING AN ASSHOLE? pot, kettle, etc Not wanting to let that last guy go, he yelled after him, hand up and ready to burst into flames to punctuate his tone. ]

Hey, I'm tryin' to fuckin' talk to you - !

[ But nothing rose from his skin. Hell, not even a crackle. ]

???? [ He shook his hand, snapped his fingers, tried the other hand - nothing. No spark, no flame, not even smoke. Nothing. ]

The fuck is goin' on?! [ Well, if he had anyone's attention now, he wasn't paying attention. He was too busy having a very sudden identity crisis, clapping his hands and stomping his feet - anything to get a fire going. ]

somehow i knew that's what you'd go for

[panspermia]

[It's never exactly hard to recognize someone from out of town, just because of how all the locals treat them. How the locals seemed to instinctively know who's who is another matter altogether.

This kid, though, might take the cake in terms of subtlety. At least it finally garnered him some attention.]

Woah--woah, hey! Deep breaths there, kid!

[Tall, sunburned and balding here puffs over, half expecting to have to deal with someone in the throes of a fit. He'd like to imagine locals would at least help in a medical emergency, but he's not about to bet on that.]

Hey, buddy, calm down, I only got first aid training. You all right, man?

you DON'T KNOW ME yes u do

[explodokills]

[ He whipped around ready to go off on whoever was addressing him in this moment of panic, but realizing it was just some older guy looking to help, Bakugou tried to get a grip on himself. The real panic of not having his quirk was settling in more than anything, and though fearless he usually was, he wasn't about to tell some stranger he didn't have any means to protect himself.

A few sharp breaths to relax didn't really go that far, but at least he could speak - even if he didn't know exactly what to start with. And he was still addressing an adult, so... ]

...Yeah. [ yeah TOTALLY FINE. He regained some more of his composure and chose carefully what to ask. ] I took a wrong turn. How do I get to Yuuei from here? [ Just mentioning the academy was making him sweat. His quirk... it was making him sick.

Maybe this guy can erase quirks? Aizawa-sensei had a similar ability. Maybe that's what was happening? ]

[panspermia]

[The kid is clearly not fine, but freaking out is way better than his worst case scenario. Greg gives an anxious smile and thumbs up to the pedestrians giving them funny looks, which earns him a few eye rolls.

His reassuring grin withers as he refocuses on the stranger. Hoo boy, he's not going to have fun explaining this. It wasn't fun learning it himself, anyway.]

Uhh... right. Where to start. Okay, so, take this with a little salt--I'm not the most familiar with this place, so I could be wrong, but. I don't think you're anywhere close to where you're looking for.

[explodokills]

[ Thought so. Malfunctioning hands slipped into his pockets, still trying to pull heat from his fingertips with no success.

Clicking his tongue out of frustration, he continued. ]

Then... [ calm calm calm calm don't start yelling calm calm ] Where the hell am I? [ even without his quirk, Bakugou was damn good at speaking hot coals under people's heels. ]

[panspermia]

Well, this is Freesia City, but where that is, I'm still not clear on.

[He rubs at his neck, uncertain how to continue. The kid's taking it fairly calmly so far, and somehow that worries him even more.]

Look, there's a lot to go over, and none of it any fun on an empty stomach. There's a diner a block or so down. Maybe we even can find you something dry on the way over, what do you say?

[Food helps everything, right?]

[explodokills]

[ oh Greg if only you knew how easy he could be set off.

Either way, he did feel hungry and this guy didn't seem like a villain-type. On top of that, every one ignored him in a strange place where his quirk had abandoned him. Had he still had his quirk, he'd peace right out, but...

I can't fuckin' believe I gotta do this shit... But I need information at this point. ]

Fine. [ because obviously he doesn't have a choice ]

[panspermia]

[Begrudging or not, it's still a yes. It's not like Greg's expecting anyone thrown in here to be too happy about it, especially not out the gate. He'll take whatever baby steps necessary.

He leads the way along the street. With less yelling and spectacle going on, the number of dirty looks from passersby slows, so things are absolutely looking up.]

My name's Greg, by the way. What should I call you?

Time to spend my days off PUMPING UP THE RESUME

[explodokills]

[ baby steps for a big baby.

It feels surreal when the attention has drifted away from him again. In one sense, it wasn't too bad not being recognized as that kid from the "Hedero incident". On the other hand, he had made a new name and face for himself at the sports festival, using his skills to defeat everyone that stood in his way at the tournament (though the end result wasn't exactly earned the way he wanted it to be).

Occasionally looking at his palm, he answered. ]

... Name's Bakugou Katsuki.

You made it sound like shit like this is normal.

the time for app is near

[panspermia]

I dunno if normal's the right word for it. But weirder and weirder stuff has been happening around here. There's sort of a war going on between, uh, magic? So in that setting, almost anything starts getting normal.

[Even that comes out a lot more casually than most people would say it. It's hard to know how much info to drop at once.]

I got popped in here, just like you. Only been here a month or so myself, so I can at least get some of what you're going through.

HEAVY BREATHING

[explodokills]

Haa? Magic?

[ Was he talking about quirks? Maybe they used a stupid word like that where he came from. ]

So, what? You talkin' 'bout some asshole villains stirring shit up? [ It might be clear agitation was rising in his voice. Why was this guy making it so complicated? ]

2

[wisehero]

[Those of you who go to the park today might notice how unusually ill-kept it's become. Inexplicable patches of long grass, overgrown flowerbeds, bushes that are a great deal branchier than they should be, dandelions and other miscellaneous plants sprouting up between the cracks in the paths.]

[It quickly becomes apparent that the plants all along this one particular route have become overgrown somehow, and if your character continues to follow it they will soon spot the source of the problem...]

[...which turns out to be a small child in green wellies, kneeling by the edge of the path and stretching her arms up as far as they can go, squinting hard at a patch of grass. As she stretches, the grass grows ever so slightly longer.]

[panspermia]

[The park's become one of Greg's usual hangouts, of late; with his own power, it's often the most comfortable place to be. As such, it doesn't take him a huge amount of guesswork to imagine what's caused the disorder.

The tangle of overgrown branches obligingly bend out of the way to let him make a path through, and he gives a low whistle at the sight of the girl.]

Wow. You've got a real knack for that, huh kid?

[wisehero]

[At the voice, Hero jerks around and stares at Greg.]

You talk!

[Her surprise fades after a moment, enough for her to nod a little, and "explain."]

They wanted to grow.

[panspermia]

Oh yeah. It's getting me to stop that's the tough part.

They get a little demanding, don't they? [He scratches at his neck, shaking off a weedy tendril trying to curl around his sandal.] Still, they're friendlier than a lot of people around here. You been around long?

3

[defactodefector]

[Off in the city, the sounds of a scuffle can be heard. Nox, most likely up to no good again. Fortunately, someone's there to put up a fight against them- a giant woman, with a flowing dress, and long, curly pink locks.

Despite obviously being new here- it's unlikely someone could forget seeing a girl like this around, after all- she seems to have some natural talent for magic, using her powers to rip up the occasional rock and toss them at the shadows. It's still obviously taking her some concentration to do, though, having to beat the shadows back with a big, pink sword when they get close enough, so that she can focus and smash them with a boulder.

Notably, she also keeps holding her hand over a pink gem she seems to have on her stomach, trying to do... something. But judging by the annoyed sound she keeps making, it doesn't seem to be working.]

[panspermia]

[ Greg still isn't a fighter by any means, but he's never been the sort of guy to hear the sounds of a fight and not go to see if someone needs help.

From a distance, all he can see is a lot of dirt and debris flying, writhing shadows of Nox, and a lot of pink. It's enough for him to act; vines curl up out of the ground, grabbing a couple Nox and pinning them to the ground. ]

Eurgh... hey, are you all r...

[ The final word dies as he gets closer, and his running halts a second after.

That's.

No.

Greg's jaw hangs loose. Oh. He... he really pushed himself with summoning those vines, he's hallucinating now.]

[defactodefector]

[Her eyebrows raise a bit as some of the creatures are suddenly held down by plants, taking the opportunity to drop a few more rocks on the other ones before turning to see who's...

Wait, is that voice...?]

...Mr. Universe?

[He looks a little different from how she remembers, but that's definitely him... running straight into a magical fight. That's not like him at all, and it distracts her so much she almost doesn't notice one of the shadows leaping onto her, quickly forcing it off and slicing it with her sword. And then a few more, when the first one doesn't cut all the way.]

What are you doing here?? I've told you to stay out of things like this!

[That little close call reminds her that Greg is just in way too much danger here... He's just a human, and not cut out for this. She immediately leaps over, dress billowing as she lands gracefully in front of Greg, with her back turned, standing between him and the Nox.]

[panspermia]

[That's her voice. That's the way she moves. That's her nickname for him. Everything about her, perfectly identical to the day he first met her. Greg feels cold all over, numb but for the wrenching in his chest.

He staggers back as she leaps before him, all grace and ease, as if she did this every day. She does, he reminds himself.]

I... Rose...

[She's admonishing him. He's not supposed to be here. He's not, he knows it, she's right, he tried to listen. He promised to keep away from this, and he couldn't manage that much. Past her, the Nox are closing in, and she doesn't want him here, all these years and nothing's changed, he's still getting in her way.

All these years--but something has changed. Something huge.]

Let me help. [He says it quietly, almost timid, before taking a breath and raising his voice.] I can help you now, Rose!

[defactodefector]

[She didn't mean to sound quite so harsh, but she can't help it. This is dangerous. He's too fragile, too impermanent to be risking his life here. Especially now, with none of her normal powers working. She's concerned, and she wants to keep him safe- but without her shield, she's not sure how well she can do that.]

Please, you-

[She stops herself, noticing that little change. She wants to tell him to run, and... normally, she wouldn't even have to tell him. He'd have left this to her and the other Crystal Gems, no questions asked, but for some reason he thinks he can help this time... She's not sure what he can do, but. She trusts him.]

...Alright. Just so long as you stay behind me, Greg.

[panspermia]

Right...

[She doesn't need to worry there; he doesn't ever want to leave her side again. Rather than saying as much, he takes a deep breath. It's so hard to focus and bring his mind to the present, but the shadowy monsters lunging for them helps a bit.

Greg gives a grunt as more vines pull out of the earth, roping another one down.]

H, ha.. see, h-honey! I'll slow them down for you! [He's beading sweat from the effort, though it looks like the Nox have started catching wise to his tricks.]

[defactodefector]

[He can't see her face right now, but she's... stunned. Somehow, she hadn't put together that the vines entangling the monsters had come from Greg.]

Mr. Universe... that's incredible! Thank you!

[She chuckles, likely sounding all too familiar to Greg as she focuses, smashing a few more of the still mobile Nox, prioritizing any that are approaching them. With Greg's help, she's able to more easily pick them off, dwindling their numbers away. It's a far cry from the desperate struggle she'd been having alone.]

[panspermia]

Pretty neat, right...?

[Suddenly, the powers that had mortified him before did seem kind of amazing. He never could have imagined getting to fight next to her... for pretty understandable reasons. Even if he's unskilled and unpracticed, this is more than he could have dreamed of.]

That rock trick's wild, you're killing it!

[With all the powers Gems have, Greg can't assume it's a newly granted magic rather than one he simply didn't know about before.

The Nox are less enthusiastic about this new show of teamwork, and have started hanging back in a large, black mass.]

[defactodefector]

Very, very neat! Nothing at all like what I can do with plants... As for me, well, it's a pretty new trick, but...

[She focuses a bit more, and lifts up the plot of ground that some of the Nox are being held down on, making sure to include the vines in the chunk of earth, and flipping it upside down, dropping it and leaving a gooey black smear on the ground.]

Hah! I think I'm getting the hang of it!

[She chuckles, finishing off a few more of them so Greg won't have to focus on holding them down, assuming the vines aren't doing their own thing now... She's not sure how his powers work, but either way, letting them have time to free themselves is a bad idea, while the unbound ones all back off.]

A little... tougher, moving the ground that's further away, but I'm managing.

[Rose does actually look a bit tired out. These new powers are really taking it out of her, letting her posture slump for a moment before quickly straightening up. Greg's probably never actually seen her like that before, and she doesn't want to worry him- even if she is a bit worried herself about the amassing shadows.]

[panspermia]

Managing, please. You're the boss!

[Even if it's just a moment, Greg's glad for the breather, leaning on his knees. That's a lot more vine slinging than he's ever done at once so far, and it's somehow made him feel sore even as he stands on once place.

Rose... well, she looks as radiant as she ever did, positively stunning. Still, he catches that winded moment. To say he stares is redundant, as he can hardly take his eyes off her in the first place, but it's still a bewildering sight. Everything's so jumbled up and confused, he can't make sense of anything going on in front of him right now.]

Hey... do you need to--

[His question is cut off by a sharp, whooshing noise cutting through the air. Bird-shaped Nox have taken to the skies, hoping attacking from above will give them an advantage against the couple and their grounded magic.]