royalooc | Test Drive Meme #2: Fallow

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Test Drive Meme #2: Fallow

TEST DRIVE MEME

Welcome to the Royal Decree Test Drive Meme!

If you're new here – hi, hello, welcome! This is your chance to give your potential character a little test run and see how they might fit into the world of Rosavelle. You can find all the relevant info over on our Navigation Page, so take a peek if you need to get caught up on the setting, rules, or just want to gnaw on the worldbuilding a bit.

This TDM is non-canon to the game overall, but feel free to treat individual threads or CR as canon between characters if everyone involved agrees. We've included some prompts and locations below to help spark ideas, but as always, feel free to go off-script and go ham!

When Fallow fully arrives, the blustery winds and swirling snow of Wilting seem to hush all at once and what remains is a serene, crystalline stillness. Every non-evergreen plant has tucked itself into a deep slumber, conserving strength for the next season and waiting patiently for their time to bloom again. This deep into the cold season, snow rarely falls but frost paints everything it can touch, freezing the grounds and making the canals slow with thick ice. The wind coming in from the Azurite Sea is sharp enough to sting and on some mornings even the bravest islanders hesitate at their doorways before stepping out.

As the weeks move on though, Fallow begins to soften. The cold eases bit by bit, the ice loosens its grip, the first hints of green begin to peek through the frost. Budding isn't far behind, and you can feel it stirring.

By now you've likely found your footing in the ebb and flow of island life, and you know how things go around here: when someone needs a little warmth, a little effort, or a little magic, the people of Rosavelle come together - and that includes you!

PROMPTS

Frost Crab Caper

The fishermen of Maerlys bring troubling news: frost crabs - normally dormant until the heart of Fallow - have started scuttling unexpectedly across the wharf a good few weeks earlier than expected. They're harmless (except for when they get mad enough to pinch you) but extremely mischievous and have begun stealing shiny objects: rings, hairpins, lanterns, and occasionally whole baskets of fruit. A daytime crew have assembled to return all the stolen objects back to their owners while a late-night round-up party has formed, complete with lanterns, nets, and bribery snacks - you're welcome to join either one! Try to lure the crabs back toward their proper nesting grounds, retrieve pilfered trinkets or just end up leading a parade of clicking claws down the dock. At least you'll be able to break the ice with one of your fellow volunteers… hopefully?
A Steamy Situation

The Marelys springs have undergone an odd change - the steam has begun shifting hues when the light hits it and there are iridescent petals floating on the surface that definitely weren't there yesterday. According to locals, this is their usual seasonal shift that happens around Fallow and despite the effects, it's nothing to be worried about. What are the effects, you ask? Well, it seems like anyone bathing in the spring (or just hanging out close enough) when the steam changes colours gets hit with a little mood-misting enchantments. These impulses range from "suddenly giggly" to "existentially contemplative." Between the poor people are trying to enjoy a nice soak and ending up emotionally compromised, alchemists who want to bottle the steam and trying not to inhale anything weird yourself, there goes your relaxing day at the springs…
Silent Garden

One of Bellvine Hill's fancier nobles is in a bit of a panic: their Fallow garden, normally full of cold weather blooms that chime musically during the frosty season, has gone totally silent. Thankfully, it seems like the flowers themselves are fine (even if the noble is very much not) and the flowers simply need to be stirred to life. According to the noble, the best push is a show of "strong emotion" but nobody can figure out which one. So now volunteers are stopping by to experiment: singing, storytelling, reciting poetry, bringing friends or trying to provoke the blooms into chiming with sheer stubbornness. The noble seems happy to pay anyone who gets their garden singing again, so why not bring a friend along and try? Or maybe see if you can compete to get the reward first?
Free Samples (At What Cost)

An apothecary in Bellvine Hile has decided that now is the perfect time to begin experimenting with their brand-new line of "cold-weather comfort potions." Volunteers are needed to try out these little bottled "warmers," but the side effects are proving to be… interesting. Some samplers have started radiating enough heat to fog every window in a ten-foot radius, others won't stop emitting gentle sparkles whenever they speak, some poor souls find themselves blurting out an unfiltered truth every time a cold breeze passes through… in any case, even if you're not brave enough to try one of the bottles yourself, the increasingly frazzled apothecary will need help (or at least, a stiff drink) while troubleshooting these magical mishaps. It's better than freezing your butt off, isn't it?
Meteor Mayhem

A spectacular meteor shower is passing over Primavain tonight and the central square is overflowing with bundled-up locals who've gathered to watch it streak across the sky. Every stoop and balcony is crowded, half with spectators and half with vendors who are happily plying everyone with spiced cocoa, roasted nuts, honey pastries and the like. According to the locals, if you and a friend work together to hold a jar or a cup or something similar at just the right angle as the meteors pass overhead, you can "catch" a falling star fragment before it fades - a tiny fragment of magic said to bring good luck. Whether or not that's remotely true… well, you're absolutely going to try anyway, right?
Make & Mend Festival

In honor of Fallow's turning season, Marigold Hall is hosting its annual Make & Mend Festival, where citizens bring in their worn out belongings for a little TLC. Local craftspeople are set up at long tables offering guidance, tools, and expertise - but don't expect to just drop your item off and wander away! Tradition says you've got to help repair it yourself, since the act of mending something dear is supposed to bring good fortune into the coming season. There's a spot for everyone, even if you're not the crafty type - someone's got to keep the cider warm and the pastry trays full!
Sprite Scramble

not

Crownkeeper Trot-Along

The Crownkeepers' horses have gotten a little too energetic for their own good. Something about the shifting weather has left the steeds restless and bored and the stablehands are doing everything they can to keep them from inventing their own problems. To help burn off some of that energy, the stablehands are organizing a short afternoon trot through the castle gardens and they're inviting anyone willing to lend a hand. You can lead a horse, ride one if you've got the skill, or just walk alongside handing out sugar cubes and gentle pats. There are scenic paths to wander and at least one mare who insists on stopping to inspect every statue along the way so really, it's a calm, cozy way to spend the afternoon… assuming none of the steeds get any bright ideas.

(CODE)

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Any questions about anything on the TDM? Drop them here!

Frost Crab Caper

Belle? [The young man is dressed in several layers, apparently trying to cover up as much of his skin as possible. There's a giant fly trap floating behind him as he makes his way across the dock, his walking stick occasionally catching, the floating plant moving to support him whenever he stumbles.] Where are you-oh no.

[There's a much larger crablike creature with a round, stony shell, who has somehow managed to gather a squad of frost crabs around her. It seems she's trying to organize them somehow, and has traced out what looks like a rough diagram of paths.]

Belle? Belle, what are you planning? [At least the crabs seem mostly focused on her, so there's a lot of shiny objects just lying abandoned by the side?]

Make and Mend

[Nathaniel's brought a jacket that has a tear in it, that looks fairly well-kept, although it also has signs of being mended several times previously. He picks up some threads and cloth, looking through them as Macy, his flytrap companion, continues to hover over his shoulder.]

What do you think? Just sew it up, or do a patch? [He seems to be talking to her, but anyone else can feel free to chime in.]

Crownkeeper Trot-Along

[Nathaniel might not have experience with horses, or even horse-like Pokemon, but he hasn't lost his shepherd's instincts. So he's managing to lead a horse, talking to it soothingly while occasionally reaching up to scratch it between the ears or under the chin, quietly noting which spots seem best. His other hand has his walking stick, while for once Macy seems to be hovering more of a distance away, not wanting to spook the horse. Unfortunately, that means when Nathaniel's walking stick gets caught on a hole in the dirt and he stumbles, she's not able to catch him fast enough, sending him tumbling to the ground, while also dropping the horse's lead.]

Fuck!

I’ve got it.

[The woman in the blue and gold tabard and the white and gold battledress - perhaps a phrase the local tailors took too literally, not that Alesha’s complaining - gallantly rides to the rescue. She trots up with her own horse, takes the reins with one hand and offers a strong arm up with the other. How is she steering her horse? Well, she doesn’t ride sidesaddle, and let’s just say her hips don’t lie.]

Are you alright, milord?

[Nathaniel grasps his walking stick first, using both it and Alesha's hand to lever himself to his feet. He winces a little, letting go of her hand and rubbing both his legs.]

Nothing too bad, I guess. [He pauses, looking uncertain.] ...still getting used to that whole "milord" thing, though. [Sure, he's kind of a big deal back home as Zapdos' "Chosen," but that's more of a formality and requires far less memorizing etiquette.]

Oh, I hear you. I’m a modern urban gal, originally. If I seem composed and poised about all this it’s because I have practice with the protocol from since before I took up the banner of House D’Amore.

[He pauses for a moment, looking a bit contemplative.] Hm. I'd say I'm a modern urban guy too, I suppose. Lived in the city more than half my life by now... [He sounds a bit wistful about it.] So, how did you end up practicing this sort of thing?

[By now, he's mostly recovered enough to take back his horse's reins, although he spends some time soothing it first, also making sure his fall didn't tug too harshly on the bit in its mouth.]

Let us say that when it comes to other worlds than these that Rosavelle isn’t my first rodeo.

Alesha. Herezhade, according to my Free Company license card.

Crab Thief

[ A loud, piercing shriek breaks the peace of the air, and a girl with auburn twin tails chases after a frost crab that has a tiara in its big, meaty claws. ]

Give that back right now!!

[ Normally, she likes to keep herself absolutely calm and composed. The picture of perfection. Yet now, she's on the verge of furious tears, with salt burning the corners of her eyes and a growl in the back of her throat. ]

Trot-Along Lil' Daiwa

[ What's this? What's this? There are weird creatures over there! What's this? They're hooved and covered in hair! What's this? She can't believe her eyes, she must be dreaming! Wake up Scarlet, it's a mare!!

In the stables, Daiwa Scarlet stares at a mare with her half-eaten carrot dangling precariously in her shock-loosened fingers. ]

M-My, this is... [ Why does this creature have ears like hers? And a tail like hers?! ] What are you?

[ Her visible confusion doesn't stop her from petting the mare along the nose as the creature tries to huff and snuffle her way to getting the carrot. ]

Wildcard!

[ Let me know if you have any other thoughts for a prompt! ]

[well, doesn’t this reaction seem familiar to “Her Lady Mannerism, The Marchessa Furinkan,” Nabiki Tendo. She may take a moment to sip her boba milk tea and observe the horse’s confusion over horses.]

…you wouldn’t happen to know a force of nature named Gold Ship, would you?

Edited 2025-12-05 17:48 (UTC)

[ Force of nature? Gold Ship?? Gold Ship is already here?!

The mare takes advantage of Scarlet's newest shock to snatch the rest of that carrot and retreat back into her stall where it can't be snatched back. ]

Huh? You know Senpai?

I’m her business partner and photographer in Rosavelle. She also helped me relocate my headquarters away from my hindquarters, if you know what I mean, just in time for me to meet someone I otherwise wouldn’t have.

[She curtseys - Nabiki wasn’t much of a skirt person at home, but her skirt and hose ensemble under a rich brown warm fur-lined jacket is growing on her.]

I am Nabiki Tendo, the Marchessa of Furinkan, and it is my very great pleasure to make your acquaintance.

Really? How did you end up in that other world? By force, or by invitation like here?

[He nods in acknowledgement when she gives her name.] Nathaniel. Berger, if a last name's needed.

As far as we can tell, as a last-ditch rescue attempt from getting flatlined when we got dirty disconnected from a full sensory immersion VR game.

If you’re not familiar with the tech, try “to save us from getting our brains fried by a VR helmet” on for size.

We - my Free Company, and also everyone else on the server - woke up in a tutorial area nerfed to hell as our avatars.

[Nathaniel's not that much of a gamer, but he can kind of guess at what she means. And it gets him to wince again.] Arceus' cross, that sounds like it was close. How does it feel, being...inside the game? I've heard of some scientists developing virtual reality, but it's apparently still pretty rough and their development's been put to the side for the last decade.

Remarkably realistic. Our resident Blue Ranger Hikaru Aozora, when he’s not off miming a Kikaiser Kick instead, would say suspiciously realistic. If it’s still a simulation it is a sun-blasted perfect one. We need to eat, we need to sleep, and if you don’t have access to healing potions or magic you need to recover from injury and disease the long way, too.

But it’s beautiful - I’ve mostly been in an area directly inspired by Toledo, Seville, and the rolling hills of La Mancha, and the locals have grown on me almost as much as they’ve grown. One joined our party in secret as our pathfinder and archer and we didn’t find out until she admitted she was the only person in this mmo who didn’t know what “hacking into a computer” meant.

Decent girl, our Siobhan.

[ Woah, Gold Ship is a helper for someone like this? Someone so well-mannered?! And a Marchessa?! She has no idea what that title is, but it sounds important!

Scarlet is almost skeptical, but her desire to reciprocate good manners supercedes her disbelief. She's torn between bowing her head or curtseying and winds up doing both. ]

L-Likewise, Tendo-san, I'm pleased to meet you! I'm happy to hear my senpai has been of help to you.

…okay, as amusing as seeing how low you can bow was, relax. You were so flustered you forgot to give me your name, so I’ll raise the curtain on a little bit of kayfabe.

We offworlders technically aren’t supposed to be here, so Their Highness The Most Exquisitely Blooming Princess Calanthe d’Amore [and she FINALLY takes a deep breath after rattling off the entire title,] is offering us “visiting foreign dignitaries” the fig leaf of a noble title.

The Furinkan Marches are just my old high school. Still full of rogues, rakes and rapscallions my sister needed to physically toss in a dumpster where they belonged, but if I’m a real Marchessa, you’re Prime Minister Kaifu.

[ Oh...well, now she's feeling foolish. She'd be mad about being teased like this, but instead her fury is delegated to burning in her cheeks.

Must stay calm, must stay calm. She's around strangers, after all! ]

I...see. We've got to play nobles to keep up appearances...

[ She bites the inside of her lip as she considers the idea. Should she be coming up with an identity already? She hadn't thought about it at all! ]

W-Well, even if it was a prank, thank you for letting me know, Tendo-san! [ clearing her throat ] I'm Daiwa Scarlet.

Waugh-

[Yayoi sees a few things all happening at once- Namely, a crab carrying something weird, running away from a... girl? A horse? Bearing down on her.

Oh, god, it's another Gold Ship.

Yayoi acts on reflex, and without thinking, kicks the crab. Directly at Daiwa.]

Less a prank, more thinking you were in on the gag. Which is why I told you as soon as I knew you weren’t.

Sorry about that… no hard feelings, I hope?

[ Man, as fun as Rosavelle is Gold Ship's starting to miss her friends and team. Why, sometimes she can still hear their voices.

Sigh... Scarlet's voice in particular is loud this time. Makes sense, her and Vodka were her first teammates to stick it out with their trainer. Plus she's making a lot of noise chasing that crab. ]

Hey... wait a sec.

[ THAT'S REAL! A grin settles in place as Gold Ship sprints on over from the sidelines, sweeping the crab up by a claw in one hand and skidding to a stop in front of Scarlet.]

Yo, Scarlet! [ Her tail. It wags. ] When we're you gonna tell me you were here! You ain't trying to hide from me, are ya?

Edited 2025-12-05 20:18 (UTC)

[I - Sprite Scramble]

[With a disarming smile, Retsu stepped through the way, heels clicking on icy pools and pavement trailed by a array of gold, glowing chains leading to a number of sprites tethered at their ends. The little things chirped and munched away at the flaky pieces of a croissant she'd offered them.

Occasionally, her hand would snap out and another chain would snatch a mischievous little one out of the air, pulling it close so she could break off another piece of her breakfast to offer it before she continued her way to the greenhouse. Not a single complaint or battle followed her that entire time.]

[II - Crownkeeper Trot-Along]

[What Retsu had done to make the horse she'd been leading upset was anyone's guess but a handler or two had come beside in an effort to get between her and the horse only for her to raise a gloved hand with a curt and stern dismissal. Even as it raised its hooves and snorted at her initially, it settled and lowered its head as she'd spoken rather softly to it with a smile and hand held out:]

Be still.

[Only then did it let her pet it, leaving its handlers a little wild-eyed for how easily it had de-escalated.]

[III - A Steamy Situation]

Fufu...

[It had been a long time since she'd attended a public spring, considering that her function as a Captain afforded her luxuries and privileges easily forgotten. It was when that giggle slipped from her so unceremoniously that she'd reflexively brought her hand up to cover her mouth, shutting her eyes and sighing in an effort to disguise her irritation.

She'd turn to anyone beside her and offer a friendly smile while they were soaking.]

My apologies for the noise--I haven't the slightest clue what came over me.

[IV - Wildcard]

[Hit me! She's wandering around and enjoying her day, so you'll catch her most anywhere, though she won't be participating in anything that'll ruin her clothes.]

[ In the proper sequence of thought and reaction, the crab coming to a stop, being kicked, and flying back toward her would cause Scarlet to immediately stop and duck out of the way. However, she's running just a bit too fast to properly process the scene before her, and so the crab comes flying at her face at just the right velocity to have one of its horrendously pointy legs jab her in the eye.

She falls to the ground in a heap of voluminous red hair and tail, a shriek erupting from her throat. ]

GIIYAAAHHHH!!!! MY EYE!!

Edited 2025-12-05 21:18 (UTC)

[Oh fuck. Oh fuck oh fuck oh fuck. Yayoi rushes forward to kneel by her- Did she just permanently maim some poor passerby?!]

Oh, shit- Are you okay? Do I need to call an ambulance?! Wait, they don't have those here-

[ Scarlet skids to a stop seeing Gold Ship just appear, and for a moment, all seems normal. It's like they're back at the academy!

Until she sees the crab and glares at it. She stamps her foot and snatches her tiara back from the kleptomaniac crustacean. ]

Hide? I only just got here, senpai!

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Test Drive Meme #2: Fallow

QUESTIONS

Nathaniel Berger | Pokemon OC

Trot-Along

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Daiwa Scarlet | Umamusume | Hydrangea

Trot Along

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crab

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Crab Theft

Unohana Retsu | Bleach

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