SPRING TEST DRIVE

[thespaceopera]

THE SPRING TEST DRIVE MEME
(Or Fall Test Drive for you Southern Hemisphere folks!)

Got someone you want to try out before you app? Well this is the post for it! Feel free to use anything that fits in the setting of Drift Fleet! Want to play bumper shuttles? Want to go wild in a med bay? Play around with the current plot? Have at it!

Threads from the Test-Drive may be made game "canon" but DO NOT count toward AC!

FOR NEW PLAYERS: You DO NOT NEED an invite to participate in the TEST DRIVE! If you decide to APP into the game, ONLY THEN will you need an invite from a current player!

Helpful Info for Ideas!:

March's Star System

Game Details

Test drives are posted SEASONALLY, so the next one will be in June!

Comments

Ignis Scientia | Final Fantasy XV | (Some mid-game spoilers?)

[nonightdriving]

[Option A: Cooking with Protein]

[Usually, Ignis has no trouble with finding new and interesting ways to make his ingredients into masterpieces that rival the kitchens of the best restaurants and the castle of the Crown City. He's made meals out of nothing many times while on the road with his friends. And even if they didn't find them the best thing ever in his three friend's opinions, they were nutritious and still good.

However, this? This is a conundrum. He's been given blocks of... something. And they don't even smell like they should be edible. No matter that the people... or beings responsible for his being somewhere other than Eos, fulfilling his duty had given him enough knowledge to use thes protein blocks to cook with, he still feels like it's an insult to food itself to have to use them at all.]

I cannot actually think of a thing to use these in to make them palatable. It's impossible.

[Option B: Planetside Espionage]

[Intelligence gathering is one of his strong suits. So, when he's given the opportunity to get out and stretch his legs, he jumps on it. The novelty of space has definitely worn off, especially with the constant feeling of being watched and the threat of being a form of entertainment for complete and total strangers.

Walking through the jungle, with its thick foliage and strange fauna is oddly comforting. It reminds him of the many treks through strange woods and ruins in search of arms and gods. And cars.

Had he been alone, it might have been fine. However, he was paired with another and they were trampling along the brush like a pack of garula. With a look that could murder behemoth, he turns to face his "companion" and whispers:]

We're supposed to be moving silently. Are you aware of what that entails?

[Option C: Wildcards Aren't Just for King's Knight]

A!

[luxoraculi]

[ It would be a lie if she were to say she wasn't at least a little bit amused by the poor man's frustration. She doesn't let that show on her face, though, of course. That would be uncalled for. She's been sitting there for a while, simply watching him struggle to come up with a recipeh and so far he's... been completely unable to.

Humming, the former princess merely tilts her head in question, and she offers Ignis a small, reassuring smile. ]

You wouldn't be the only one, then. There are combinations, or so I've heard, that make them more desirable, but I've yet to try them out myself.

[nonightdriving]

[If he found out that his frustration was amusing the Oracle, he might have been annoyed. Less so than if it were Prompto or Gladiolus, but annoyed nonetheless. As it is, he sighs heavily and looks at the completely unappealing items to try and find something to do with them all.

The smile is not helpful.]

Our "overseers" have seen fit to equip me with enough knowledge to use their materials. It doesn't mean that I would make something I would feed to a magitek warrior. Or the Emperor.

[luxoraculi]

[ Fortunately for Ignis, it's rare that she ever lets anyone really know just how she's feeling. Which is a good thing for her, too, because as amusing as this is she really doesn't want him to be annoyed. She peers at the items in question, but then he has to go and say that and he'll never realize just how hard it is to not start giggling.

She's good, though, and keeps it in and to herself. ]

Well, I'm sure that your crew mates will not complain. Noctis tells me that at home you are practically a master chef. I've all the faith in the world that you will be able to put together something that you can be proud of.

[nonightdriving]

[ It is good for the normally taciturn man's ego that she isn't laughing at his misfortune. He doesn't take it very well on a good day. Today is not that day. At all.]

They won't complain if they know what's good for them. I've been apprised that some of my favorite things are extremely rare commodities on this ship.

[Forget not having Ebony. They don't have coffee on a normal basis.]

Although, I suppose if I had some ginger, garlic and tumeric, I could make a passable curry out of this... whatever it is.

[luxoraculi]

[ Luna hums, lightly drumming her fingers against the surface of the counter. ]

At least you can come up with something... that alone is far more than most of the people residing here can do. But you are correct -- I have found thus far that most food things are rare here. I very much plan on purchasing some planters for my own ship so that we can have fresh vegetables and fruits on hand. If I can get anything to grow, I will gladly give some to you, if you'd like.

[nonightdriving]

[ Moving onto nicer subjects is good. He's still grumpy about the lack of coffee. Caffeine withdrawal is a bitch. Best not to dwell. Especially when she's speaking about things that make sense. ]

I imagine growing things in space must be difficult, since we are missing the same environments that some plants and animals require.

[The corners of his mouth twitch into what could be a brief smile.]

Noctis is probably happy to hear that vegetables are rare. He still isn't fond of them.

[Not that Ignis lets him get away with avoiding them either. Not if he can help it. Even his prince's meat sandwiches have tomatoes and lettuce on them.]

But that is a good idea. I might join you in that endeavour. There's only so much time I can spend cooking for those around me. They don't eat all the time.

[Translation: They eat when Ignis cooks or they have to fend for themselves. He isn't a slave.]

[luxoraculi]

[ Poor Ignis... space is not treating him kindly at all. ]

It seems like it. Artificial sunlight goes only so far.

[ But it's a challenge she's willing to accept... if other people can do it, so can they. His smile, as brief as it may be, is something she's still very glad to see. ]

Indeed... although I am not sure what is worse. This gelatinous goop or an actual solid vegetable... perhaps we should ask him.

[ Because that's actually something she's been wondering as well -- in the prince's mind, which is worse: gel goop or an actual, healthy vegetable... ]

The next time we are stationed on a planet, we can go looking for planters and things to put in them together. I'm sure that between the two of us, we will be able to figure it out. Ah, I agree with you. You are not obligated to be available for cooking things constantly.

[ No stove slave duties for you, Iggy. ]

[nonightdriving]

[ Not really, but he'll get over it. Eventually. Maybe. ]

Well, we humans need enough Vitamin D from what sunlight we can get, so I imagine it's much the same for organisms that require sunlight for most of their functions.

[Being raised to be Noctis's advisor has given him a pretty good idea of what he can and can't do. And he does like a challenge, even if he's not as noticeably excited about such things as Gladio or Prompto.]

I'm sure it is the vegetable, knowing him, but he will just have to live with them so long as he behaves the way he does about them. They haven't killed him yet.

[Cooking for his friends is one thing. A ship full of miscreants is not his idea of fun, considering the crap he's been given.]

Re: A

[maledictus_semper]

Ignis. A pleasure seeing you once more.

[Ardyn offered the young man a tilt of his hat and a friendly smile. The boy was alone it seemed, without the larger bodyguard Gladio and chocobo hair boy, Prompto. The man was a good cook, yet it seemed he had limited options aboard the space station.]

Trouble with space food, hm?

[nonightdriving]

Chancellor Izunia. That pleasure is something I cannot reciprocate.

[Mainly because he never trusted the man. Even less after discovering his true identity.

And even alone, he is no pushover. He has to be to be a member of the Crownsguard. And Noctis's friend. ]

This is hardly what one could appropriately call food.

[maledictus_semper]

Of course. We barely know one another due to our lack of encounters with one another. Pity, really. We could learn to get on so well with one another. Who knows? Maybe this space environment will allow us to indulge in such a thing.

[He's wanting to get to know Ignis. Why not? Maybe the boy could lead him to Noctis.]

Not quite home cuisine I know. How do people put up with such dull food?

[nonightdriving]

Perhaps.

[He didn't trust him, no matter how "helpful" he'd been on their trip. He had unnatural habit of just showing up where he and his friends were. It was disturbing and something that all of the group had agreed on.

So the "getting to know" Ardyn Izunia basically equated to watching him so that he couldn't get near his prince.]

I suppose they put up with it because it's all that they've known. Or they've grown accustomed to subpar ingredients for lack of anything better. For my own part, I don't believe that I will fall into the second category.

[The trials and tribulations of learning to cook at a young age and being a perfectionist.]

[maledictus_semper]

Subpar? I love how passionate you are when you speak about food. Does his Highness get only the best from you, Ignis? I can imagine so.

[Ardyn smiled, slightly amused at the younger man's detailed analogy of the space food. To be honest it was very dull at the best of times, yet Ignis was a master chef. The best of the Crownsguard, so that Noctis could enjoy a meal fit for a king.]

Will you perhaps cook aboard the ships? Space food can't really be turned into a master piece, hm?

[nonightdriving]

One need not be as into cooking as I am perceived to be to find these ingredients lacking. One merely needs working faculties.

[ He won't deign to answer the question about the dishes he prepares for Noctis and the others. It's obviously a throwaway. At least that's how he's going to take it, since he answered himself. ]

I will continue to do what is needed in whatever capacity that might be. My first priority is that of my first duties. Cooking here may be included in that and I will do such. As for what this...food can be used for, it appears to be my job to find out right now.

[maledictus_semper]

That is true. Yet, I do not know what sort of working faculties you will find aboard this ship. It seems we are marooned here at the work of some very selfish people indeed. Almost cruel in their ways to place us here like rats in a trap.

[He felt trapped and he didn't like it.]

Of course you will. I doubt you were chosen to be his Highness' cook if you lacked the certain culinary flair.

[Was he patronising? Perhaps. Yet, the man could cook. Ardyn was slightly in awe of that.]

[nonightdriving]

I will find my way around. There is no other option. For any of us.

[Because Ignis doesn't give up. At all.]

I. Am. Not. His. Cook.

A.

[runawayprince]

[If there was one thing to make Noctis glad to be here, it was seeing Ignis was safe.]

Hey- don't worry about it, I'm sure if anyone can come up with something it's you. If you want, I can taste test.

[Smiling a bit, Noctis claps Ignis on the shoulder.]

What is it anyway?

[He looks at the blocks of... whatever the hell they are... and frowns a bit. It didn't look like food, so maybe he was overestimating Ignis a little bit in this case.]

I need more icons or keywords...

[nonightdriving]

[Of course Ignis was safe. And if a time ever arose that the opposite was true, it would be in service of Noctis, his oldest friend. He would be fulfilling his duty. Nonetheless, the presence of his friend is welcome.]


I've made meals out of gashyl greens that you and even Prompto enjoyed.

[He glares at the offending blocks once more.]

Supposedly, blocks of protein, but they smell worse than the greens. In fact, having some might actually make them worth experimenting with. Or spices.

[Something semi-familiar would help a great deal.]

[runawayprince]

[Noctis pulls a face at the mention of the Gysahl greens. Regardless of enjoyment - they were still a vegetable type... thing. And he hated them even if he enjoyed Ignis' cooking.]

So, maybe if you drown it in enough flavor it won't taste half bad? I'm willing to try it.

[He could do with some of Ignis' cooking, really. It was a welcome thing. The only thing he won't talk to Ignis about is events of the future. For now, at least. It seems they're from different points in time, that he can tell. The physical difference is welcome. An uninjured Ignis is welcome.]

[nonightdriving]

[ And because Ignis is a good friend and used to his prince's moods, he still gives him vegetables in between all the fish, garula steaks and bread. And Gladio's Cup Noodle obsession. ]

Well, it's always good to have such a ready taste tester no matter where I go. It will definitely make things easier for me. But I can't guarantee that the recipes I have in mind for this will be as appetizing as what you're used to, Noct.

[Translation: Get ready for some extreme experimentation. Extreme.]

At least I don't have to worry about being dragged up a volcano for an egg again. For now.

[runawayprince]

Hey - that was one time! And we made it out okay.

[And he inevitably complained how hot it was the whole trek up and the entire way down. Of course it was hot, Noctis, it was a volcano.]

So what are you thinking of making?

[nonightdriving]

Yes, it was "okay", if you can avoid the wasps, Prompto being on fire and the wyvern.

[And he'd rather take Noctis's complaining about the heat over Prompto's nearly constant whining during their trip behind the waterfall. Both were annoying, but he was used to the prince's lowkey comments about the situation. It was only when both he and Prompto were complaining at the same time that it became unbearable.]

Perhaps I can substitute this for tofu in one of the recipes I already know and try to make something like the Schnitzel sandwich I already know you enjoy.

[runawayprince]

Sure.

[He's just going to cringe at the mention of the wasps and Prompto being on fire and the wyvern, okay. So they had a bad time of it! They still totally made it and Prompto probably got some cool shots too.]

Does it have to be tofu? [He hates weird wiggly looking foods almost as much as vegetables. They remind him of the Flans! Those things were nasty to fight.]

Why does everything around here have to be so jiggly...

[Totally kind of pouting. Someone misses his meat, alright.]

[nonightdriving]

[ Even if Ignis sounds irritated by the trip up the volcano, he really wasn't. The scenery was nice, even if the temperature was a little more than he liked. And he enjoyed the company of his friends, regardless of the situation they were in.

Besides, both Noctis and Gladiolus had enjoyed the meal he'd made with the zu egg and the package of cup noodles. Even he had to admit that it was a good meal at the time. ]

Because that is the closest thing I can think of that this reminds me. Otherwise, I could just stand here and we'd all go hungry. [He's aware of Noctis's eating habits after being friends for so long. He's had a lifetime to learn them.]

As for why things are the way they are now, I can't answer that. Only those in the main ship know the true answer, despite what we're told.

[ Not exactly the answer he was hoping to give, but he hasn't been around long enough to scrape up the skinny. ]