royaldecreemods: (Default)
Royal Decree Mod Account ([personal profile] royaldecreemods) wrote in [community profile] royalooc2026-02-05 11:48 am
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Test Drive Meme #3: Season of Budding

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!


Not long after Budwake ends, the shift into Budding becomes impossible to miss. The last of Fallow's frost finally retreats, though early mornings remain chilly and the first weeks still bring occasional overnight dustings of snow. From there, Rosavelle wakes quickly. Fresh shoots push through newly turned soil, vines reclaim walls and bridges and colour steadily returns as gardens, trees and canal paths grow greener by the day.

The thaw also brings with it plenty of rain, usually just in passing showers that are chilly but surprisingly refreshing. According to locals this is a prelude to the rainy season that won't be too far behind. And as the Azurite Sea warms, new fish return to Rosavelle's waters, filling Marelys' markets and drawing seabirds back to the coast - another sure sign that the cold season has finally passed. Rosavelle is finally awake again!

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










Budwake Work
    The first thaw has finally broken and that can only mean one thing: Budwake has officially arrived! Across Rosavelle, everyone’s pitching in to help the island wake up in time for the warmer weather. Volunteers are needed everywhere, whether they're tilling fields or tidying the streets - hauling soil, pruning stubborn vines, reorganizing tools, or just providing moral support while someone else does the heavy lifting. Once the work is done, the After-Till Feast begins! Castle kitchens and community halls alike declare it time to eat everything that won’t last another day: soups, stews, pies, fritters and casseroles made from odds and ends and whatever happened to be left in the pantry. Enjoy the fruits of your hard labor and tuck in!

A Stormy Situation
    Storm clouds are rolling in earlier than expected and the docks at Marelys are suddenly alive with urgency. Boats need to be secured, sails tied down, loose cargo hauled out of reach of rising water and ropes checked twice before the wind picks up. The fishermen are grateful for any extra hands willing to help even if you’re mostly just holding a rope and trying not to get blown sideways by the gusts. Between the rain rolling in and occasional wave splashing a little too far inland, it's a pretty soggy affair - bit once everything’s secured, there’s something oddly cozy about ducking under an awning or crowding into a dockside shelter with your fellow volunteers, watching the storm roll in together while the sea churns safely beyond the harbor.

Secondhand Spring
    Budwake has everyone in Menthward in a tidying mood and the market district has transformed almost overnight. What started as a few people clearing out cupboards has turned into a full-on swap meet, with rows of temporary stalls and plain old blankets rolled out on the street, all piled high with old trinkets, forgotten keepsakes, mismatched dishes, spare tools and plenty of things nobody quite remembers buying in the first place. Everyone's browsing with enthusiasm, bartering cheerfully and swapping stories about where each item came from - and if you're in the mood to be busy there’s plenty of opportunity to get involved. Help vendors sort through clutter, hunt for hidden treasures or even set up a stall of your own if you’ve got belongings ready for a new home. Just be careful what you pick up - while most of these items are perfectly safe and ordinary, there might be some magical trinkets with with surprising effects mixed in with all the clutter...

Freshwater Overflow
    A rain-heavy week has caused the freshwater channels near Primavain to overflow, flooding nearby vegetable plots and washing nutrient-rich water straight into the fields. The result, somehow, is explosive growth well and beyond anyone's expectations... or, really, their imaginations. Greens the size of shields, root vegetables pushing themselves halfway out of the soil and herbs so fragrant they're making people dizzy - it's a blessing, truly, but also a logistical nightmare as the sheer volume of produce is at risk of going to rot before it can be properly harvested and preserved. Calls for helping hands have gone out across the island, with promises of warm meals, a share of the harvest and enough pickled and preserved produce to last you through to next Budwake. You can either help with getting the greens out of the fields or, if you're still sore from Budwake work, assist in the processing of already-harvested goods.

Primavain Food Tour
    The Season of Budding always brings with it new fruit, fresh herbs and seasonal flora and tradition calls for these tasty treats to be spun up into experimental desserts. Many cafes and kitchens up and down the district are offering free samples of brand-new seasonal treats in exchange for honest feedback. Which is all well and good, but depending on where you go, you might have to be very honest. Some of these recipes look gorgeous and taste delicious but they might be a little too experimental - enchanted pastries that change flavor mid-bite, cakes that temporarily change your hair color, jelly-filled pastries that have a surprising amount of bounce, or candies that make you talk in rhymes for a minute... or an hour. It's up to you whether the free food is worth the risk, but maybe you can take a friend along - or interrogate those who have already done their dues to find out which desserts are safest.

Rainy Day Reading
    With the weather turning unpredictable, the Amourian Library has become the refuge of choice for those in and around the castle - all that rain pitter-pattering against the windows makes for the perfect atmosphere to catch up on your to-read list. Claude, the librarian, is delighted (if just a little overwhelmed) by the sudden uptick in activity and as such, extra hands have been drafted in to assist with the day-to-day upkeep of the place. Depending on where your expertise lies, you might be found at the front desk checking books in and out, or maybe you've been tasked with reshelving returned tomes. If you've spent a lot of time in the library, you might be able to step in for Claude and point people to where they need to go. Or you could just go around aggressively shush-ing the people who are getting a bit too rowdy. Your call!

Pollen Problems
    Budding has arrived a little too enthusiastically around the Castle Grounds. A burst of early blooms has coated everything in a thick layer of glittering golden pollen - statues, windows, unsuspecting passersby… nothing has been spared. It's harmless in the long term, according to the gardeners, but that hasn't stopped the sneezing fits, watery eyes and wounded pride of anyone caught walking through the worst of it. The castle attendants have organized a cleanup effort, armed with masks, brooms and enchanted cloths designed to gather the pollen without spreading it further. Unfortunately, the stuff seems determined to drift right back where it came from, reforming into lazy clouds the moment anyone turns their back. Volunteers are needed to help clear paths, keep the worst of it out of the halls and maybe figure out why the blooms are producing quite this much in the first place.
qualisartifex: (huhuhuhu)

Nero | Fate/Extra

[personal profile] qualisartifex 2026-02-11 03:38 am (UTC)(link)
Secondhand Spring

[ One might be forgiven for thinking an emperor would be above the common stalls of the everyday folk. What could the peasantry possibly have to suit the palate of a living god?

With Nero, such a question is laughable. Every antique is a work of art! It holds such value beyond the monetary for how tenderly it was created, the circumstances within which it joined a family, and the pride it instilled within following generations.

So, it stands to reason that the miniscule monarch has a whole collection of heirlooms stashed under her arm as she peruses the stalls. ]


Mmmm, I see! So your great Nano fought against a voracious sea cucumber and took for their glory this fantastic coral crown. Then I shall be honored to take the crown for Rome's glory! Your family's triumph will be all of Rome's!


[ wildcard ]

[ please reach out to me via [plurk.com profile] tsukiwo for special starters! ]
siliconroots: Leviticus Default Icon (Default)

Levi | Spookzones/Original

[personal profile] siliconroots 2026-02-11 07:57 am (UTC)(link)
So this was Rosavelle, eh? Maybe it had been a good idea to take the invitation after all; the winter had begun to chafe as Levi navigated the forests around his home day by day. Preparing for spring would suit him quite well, he felt. This was truly work for a witch if he'd ever seen it.

1: Essential Herbs and Spices
After the initial groundbreaking, Levi had wandered off slightly from the bulk of the fields. He had a feeling there would be some that needed him a little more. And so he'd found his way to the places he knew would be there. The gardens for herbs and spices, the little tucked away places. If the Everbloom was as powerful as it felt to him, these little gardens and their deceptively vital products were surely the sort that showed love.

Levi smiled, even as he worked to till the soil of the little garden plot just off the main path. He liked this place, he had to admit. It suited a witch such as he quite well. His forest already gave him strength, and the knowing made the Everbloom shine all the brighter in his senses. He stood with a grunt, leaning on the hoe for a moment. The overalls had been quite the boon, but his own work shirts had seen far worse and come out perfectly well. A little more work and this one would be quite ready.

2: Househusband Powers ACTIVATE

Levi was in his element. With the unexpected bumper crop, the call had gone out and he had answered, reporting to the kitchens to aid in the preservation of the bevy of oversized vegetables of all sorts.
“Alright, I'm open for another basket!”

Levi accepted the basket of carrots with both hands, dropping it to the side of his station and setting to work with a knife, peeling each one in a few sharp motions. His expression was focused, his cuts precise.

Oh, these would be wonderful eating in the winter. He'd have to get some soil samples later to see if he could recreate this with some of the native magic when he returned home. With a harvest or two like this, he could stock his bunker completely.

3: Librarian Way

In hindsight, it was far from surprising that he'd been recruited into a role as assistant librarian. His fashion sense had been described as such on many occasions, after all. Which. Seemed like a compliment?

It had been a pleasant enough task, in any case. Keeping basic records, stamping the little cards... It was quite fun, he had to admit. Perhaps one day he could retire and do something similar as a day job.

And on the plus side, he was quite enjoying the few history books he'd been able to select for himself between patrons, his gaze focused intently on the book as things slowed for a time.

“Interesting…”

4: Wildcard?

I’m exuberantOddity on Discord and Plurk! I barely use Plurk but I really need to get better about it!
prickster: (and at times)

chelsea | akame ga kill!

[personal profile] prickster 2026-02-11 12:15 pm (UTC)(link)
I. Our Labor Is Loving

[ There's plenty that needs doing, but Chelsea finds herself hesitating at first. Choices, choices—where would she be the most useful? It's not like she's averse to taking on jobs that require nothing beyond simple labor, but it'd be nice to get involved with work that she can have some fun with, too.

By late morning she's decided to help out in the overgrown fields. "Fun" for Chelsea tends to involve provoking reactions in people, and there are a couple ways she might capture someone's attention:

First would be her harvesting method. The dagger she's using to hack the engorged produce from stalks and vines looks like it was designed more for slitting throats. Chelsea sure is handy with it, though, and she hums to herself innocently while she works. She'll even throw in a trick or two, twirling the blade deftly between her fingers, with its deadly sharpness catching gleams of the sun whenever its light manages to peek through the clouds.

Second? That would be her loose code of dress. Once she's worked up enough of a sweat, Chelsea strips down, leaving herself in a bikini top and a tiny pair of shorts. Stare for longer than a second or two, and it's likely that she'll catch you in the act. Her little smirk indicates that she doesn't really mind the ogling. ]


Hmm? Liking what you see? Well, you better stay focused! Tsk, tsk~


II. Shall I Compare Thee To A Budwake Day

[ Chelsea isn't usually this easy of a mark! It just so happens that she's particularly weak for desserts, and candy in particular. Oh, and if anything else is to blame, it's how unbelievably peaceful this whole kingdom is. Compared to the Empire, her old home, it's like a children's picture book world. No Danger Beasts? No torture or wanton violence? The nobles don't even seem particularly evil or corrupt, which is the strangest thing.

Early on, Chelsea tasked herself with trying to uncover Rosavelle's dark secrets—there had to be some, right? After coming up empty, though, she's put that effort temporarily on hold. Of course, the moment she decides to let her guard down a bit and enjoy herself, she ends up cursed by her favorite type of treat. Betrayal!

Well, whatever. As a silver lining, maybe she can earn some good will by warning others about the, uh, special potency of the sweets on offer. ]


You should be careful before trying those.
Just who knows what threat they might pose?

[ Along with the rhyming, her voice has adopted a sort of singsong delivery. People are going to start thinking that she's some kind of weird bard, but alright, that's fine. It's not like she needs to make a decent first impression... ]

***

(ooc: Chelsea is extremely bisexual, so ota for flirting/shippy stuff! Happy to discuss any potential wildcard starters, too. I'm [plurk.com profile] phindin on Plurk if you'd like to reach out there.)
monsterdaddy: (216)

I.

[personal profile] monsterdaddy 2026-02-11 01:08 pm (UTC)(link)
[Chelsea catches his attention first with the fancy knifework, but Yoojin simply flags the choice of weapon tool as interesting and returns to his own heavy-laden row. It's when she strips to the skimpy clothing that he ends up freezing to stare.

When she catches him, he jumps and flushes. Instead of acting embarrassed, though, he blurts out--]


Aren't you cold?!

[Sweetie, no, you'll catch something, etc.]
believesit: (pic#18287982)

[personal profile] believesit 2026-02-11 01:14 pm (UTC)(link)
[ kyoshika knows why she's here. as expected, her quest for anything even resembling manga continues, but to no avail. still, there's quite a lot of interesting antiques that she's finding! little baubles and small ceramic figurines, which feel close enough to the merchandise she's looking for.

she's still scanning around as she ends up next to this boisterous woman, and overhears a couple words.

"Take the crown for Rome?" ]


Pardon. [ she's dead serious when she says this-- ] No one shall attempt a coup while I draw breath. Reconsider your intentions.

[ the teller's trying to get her attention to tell her she's misunderstanding completely, but kyoshika's fixated on nero. all these goods, are they really from the swap meet? ]
prickster: (doorway to sidewalk)

[personal profile] prickster 2026-02-11 01:54 pm (UTC)(link)
Nope!

[ She smiles, betraying zero sense of discomfort. ]

I mean, come on, obviously. Doing good, honest work like this is enough to keep a girl warm right down to her soul.

[ Not that Chelsea is actually expecting him to buy that. The plan now is to see how much bullshit this fella is willing to accept and go from there—you know, since he seems like he could be fun to mess with? He's cute, too, which never hurts. ]
retethered: (14.05 | assailable)

II

[personal profile] retethered 2026-02-11 02:26 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Simran has a simple, straightforward rule for getting along with strangers: match the energy you are shown.

Simran also tends to forget how free people are with magic in Rosavelle.
]

–huh? O—oh, um, fuck. Uhhhhhhh, I'll, I'll try to be careful about what I eat, I'd hate to. Get owned. Right here in the street?
nightwild: (pic#15746497)

i

[personal profile] nightwild 2026-02-11 02:43 pm (UTC)(link)
Uh- Huh?!

[Yayoi is... well, she's used to being on the receiving end of stares herself, given her... busty nature. But she's not used to people just, stripping, in public.

She's carrying a large basket, to help move the produce. And she's, well... A little nervous about that dagger. It looks a lot like Stinger's... but a murderer wouldn't be here, right?

Mostly, she just seems a bit flustered and confused.]


I'm just jealous you can find something cute that fits like that... Why are you showing off like that in the fields, it's gonna get dirty.
prickster: (in a thick fog)

[personal profile] prickster 2026-02-11 03:18 pm (UTC)(link)
[ "i'm not owned!" chelsea continues to insist as she slowly shrinks and transforms into a rhyming clown

In all seriousness, it is quite kind of Simran to join in instead of ostracizing. Although, Chelsea's first assumption is that this girl must have tried the same cursed candy as she did. ]


Oh no. Was my warning too late?
This day isn't turning out so great.
Two cuties have met an unfortunate fate...
retethered: (15.09 | ni gaadi murr chaliye)

[personal profile] retethered 2026-02-11 03:44 pm (UTC)(link)
N-no, I haven't eaten anything yet. But, uh, whatever you ate really...got you...I bet.

[ ...hang on. ]

—wait is that why you're rhyming? It's not just like, a cultural thing where you're from or something? [ Simran leans forward in surprise, shifting her weight from her legs to her cane. ] Sorry, people here can be from all over, so I don't know if this is like. Normal or not.
prickster: (they try to tell us)

[personal profile] prickster 2026-02-11 03:48 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Yeah, wow. That bust size is...

Chelsea doesn't exactly envy her! But that's neither here nor there. Sharp as she is, Chelsea can pick up on Yayoi's nervousness regarding the dagger. She slips it into a sheath at her belt, then folds her hands behind her back. ]


I'm showing off? Things were just getting sweaty, that's all. And a little dirt never killed anyone.

If you appreciate my taste that much, then you should come shopping with me. There are still a bunch of places I haven't checked out yet.
nightwild: (pic#18286174)

[personal profile] nightwild 2026-02-11 03:57 pm (UTC)(link)
No thanks.

[IMMEDIATE shutdown.]

I think I'd die if I tried to wear something like that.
prickster: (on this one)

[personal profile] prickster 2026-02-11 04:40 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Chelsea gives her an encouraging nod. Maybe she should just stick to body language, actually?

But no, the magic seems to have an effect that compels her to speak, too. Pretty annoying! ]


I'd say avoid hard candy at the very least.
After working so hard I just wanted to feast!
prickster: (in a thick fog)

[personal profile] prickster 2026-02-11 04:57 pm (UTC)(link)
Eh...?

[ Oof. Chelsea's mouth hangs open a little before she attempts to recover from that. ]

Seriously? Ugh, whatever. You should take the hint when someone is just trying to be nice.
nightwild: (pic#18286186)

[personal profile] nightwild 2026-02-11 04:59 pm (UTC)(link)
Wait, that was trying to be nice?

[You can almost see the gears turning in her head as she's trying to readjust.]

Uh... Sorry? I'm not really good at 'taking hints'.
badatmyjob: (Default)

Lukas | OC | new player

[personal profile] badatmyjob 2026-02-11 05:20 pm (UTC)(link)
🞂01. Arrival/Budwake
[Lukas had held on to his invitation for about a week. He had a lot to think about, working the little hamster running on a wheel that his his mind, into overtime. He opts in, and arrives like an excited tourist ready to see a whole new world, and to get away from his own for awhile.

Since he had time to prepare, he arrives with a little backpack of supplies - mostly snacks, and a toothbrush for good measure - and can be found wandering around Primavain taking photos of things with a disposable camera.

He's really hard to miss. Six and a half feet tall, Lukas is a demon with small orange horns - one broken - a long, smooth forked tailed nearly as long as he is, a big scar on the left side of his mouth held together by some gnarly-looking sutures. It's an old wound, though. He's dressed in a black suit, black sneakers, and a bright magenta shirt.

The locals aren't going to let a big guy like him go by without helping. He might appear intimidating at first, but Lukas has been stopping to excitedly chat with the locals, asking a lot of questions. In exchange, one of them asks if he'd help prune some tree branches they can't quite reach. Armed now with a large pair of pruning shears, maybe you're a little afraid to approach at first, but that isn't going to stop Lukas from questioning you as you pass by. Since the local he promised to help wandered off, he needs help. He might have pruned a little too much.]

Hey! So, uh, how do I know when I'm done...?


🞂02. Primavain Food Tour
[Getting to futz around in the kitchen is something Lukas has begun to enjoy the last few years, so getting new ideas and try new cuisines sounds like a lot of fun to him. He picks up an unfamiliar-looking pastry from the table and takes a bite. You'd think it'd be difficult to eat with that scar on his mouth, but he's had a long time to adapt. Small bites.

He seems pleased with whatever it is, but a few seconds later, the magical effect takes over. Suddenly, Lukas is lighter than air, slowly rising off the floor and headed towards the sky. He makes some distressed noises that ramp up the higher he gets, and loses his grip on the table. He rapidly swats his arms towards the person nearest to him, desperate to grab on.]

Heyheyhey help! What's-- C'mon, I don't like heights--!

---
[[OOC: Please excuse me while I get this 15 year old account and its art back up to date! Player can be contacted at [plurk.com profile] hellglass, thanks!]]
retethered: (14.05 | kaise karun izhaar)

[personal profile] retethered 2026-02-11 05:33 pm (UTC)(link)
Oh noooo, oh, that sucks. Being forced onto this Doctor Seuss-type beat... [ Simran shudders. ] Do you want to try and get something that's probably less enchanted? I know which places around here keep things a little more under control.
prickster: (could be something new)

[personal profile] prickster 2026-02-11 05:34 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Chelsea is at a bit of a loss here herself. ]

It doesn't matter. Let's just say I'm not really good at trying to be nice.

I mean, it'd be fun to have a shopping buddy, but I can always pick someone else.
nightwild: (pic#17451848)

[personal profile] nightwild 2026-02-11 05:36 pm (UTC)(link)
I've been having to get most of my clothes from the castle tailors. On account of the...

[She. Gestures at herself.]

I wouldn't mind, though? I may not know much for clothes shopping, but I know all the good restaurants around.
gal_paladin: (:awe)

I because she’s an easy mark

[personal profile] gal_paladin 2026-02-11 05:53 pm (UTC)(link)
[This one - who is down to a tanktop and jeans for practical reasons, though her sweater’s now a belt and she’s still wearing a gold and ruby solar cross as a pendant - has been working hard, and the sun seems to shine a little brighter and pleasantly warming and invigorating for those who follow her diligent example in weeding and furrowing.

Even Alesha Herezhade, Lv. 36 Andrax Oathsworn / Enchantress, nee Alesha Jeffords of Oakland CA, is not as daring as Chelsea, and doubletakes at the show she’s putting on while stealing glances.

And then she’s caught dead to rights, and tries to smile and act nonchalant.]


Lord knows I’m trying but ma’am. Ma’am. I’m not blind.
Edited 2026-02-11 17:53 (UTC)
qualisartifex: (praise me!)

Hot springs top-level

[personal profile] qualisartifex 2026-02-11 06:50 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Diploma-steam ]

[ While you're going about your daily activities in Rosavelle, you will receive a sudden letter addressed solely to you from underneath your dorm door. Upon opening it, the letter reads as follows:

Fellow advisors of Princess Calanthe Rosabella Petalia de Amoré, I hope this missive finds you well.

Since my illustrious presence was specifically requested to aid the princess, I seek to perform this advisory role with utmost perfection prior to the date of coronation.

However! Some among you may be better versed than I in certain aspects of the romantic arts and the progress the future monarch has made in this regard. I wish to familiarize myself with this progress! I therefore wish to "compare notes" as it were to ascertain the next steps in this endeavor.

Thus, I cordially invite you to join me in the hot springs that are so famous in this Kingdom. If this strikes you as a strange meeting place for those of intellectual minds, I must assure you that conversation is the lover of the bath. We will lay bare our intents, our goals, our wishes, our plans, as well as our bodies! With no trappings behind which to hide, we may truly converse as people were meant to do!

I await your arrival with much enthusiasm!

- Nero Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus


It doesn't matter which bath you step into either. Nero makes time to go to each without a care in the world. ]


Aha! I see you received my letter. Please make yourself comfortable, as I have requested sole usage of the spring for the entirety of the day.
nightwild: (pic#16538818)

2

[personal profile] nightwild 2026-02-11 07:03 pm (UTC)(link)
[Yayoi hears 'help' and her body is already moving. She doesn't quite understand what's going on, but some guy is starting to float away...

So, Yayoi does the only reasonable thing. Run towards the shout, jump, grab the floating guy, and slam him back down onto a chair with the force of a piledriver. At least he's weightless enough that it shouldn't hurt that much, right?]


Are you okay?
prickster: (in a thick fog)

[personal profile] prickster 2026-02-11 07:14 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Chelsea claps her hands together in a grateful gesture and nods again. She's desperate enough that the "probably" part of it hardly registers. ]

Thanks a lot, you're seriously my savior.
I'm already sick of this absurd behavior.

[ Five minutes of this feels more like five eternities. She makes a little "after you" gesture. ]
soldragon: (Concern)

Re: Hot springs top-level

[personal profile] soldragon 2026-02-11 07:15 pm (UTC)(link)
Uh. Just for yourself?

[Still, Ryu is a little worried as he sits on the edge of the hot springs.]

[He is. Super tense!?]

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