prismaticrap | ▶ TDM .009

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You awaken amidst the darkness with only a faint light to greet you. Your body is hemmed in by shards of crystals, gently sparkling and possibly pricking your skin. The surrounding landscape is dyed in the pinks and purples of the dusk filled with crystals protruding from the ground, some as large as a skyscraper. Even the few shy moon creatures you find in the wild have strange crystal growths on their hides. This is far from home— perhaps a dream? You pinch your skin and slap your cheeks, yet nothing seems to do the trick. Searching for answers yields nothing but an endless expanse of purple dust as far as the eye can see. You have four options: one, panic; two, soil yourself; three, admire it all then soil yourself; or four, go into survival mode. Eventually, you’ll realize that you’re not alone.

After a day or two of living off the crystal wilderness, a group of people find you worse for wear. They are the gallant Moon Knights from the planet of Prismatica. After the strange phenomenon during the past months when scientists observed the sudden appearance of rainbow crystals in the sky, the government has been feverishly combing through the moon for more Moonblessed to be rescued. You’ll eventually be brought into Iris’s moon government center.

You all may have your usual inquiries — Where are we? Who are you? What's going on? Why did I inhale all those permanent markers in the third grade? — and the Prismals are almost too eager to answer. They tell you about their world and about the first appearance of the Moonblessed as the medical staff give you an examination to make sure you’re not carrying any viruses or biological hazards. If you react violently, you may be restrained and nerfed with a specialized neurotransmitting gun that releases a numbing agent through the top of your spine. Once the examinations are over, you’re informed that you will be provided accommodations on their planet during your stay.

While waiting for transport to be prepared, you may freely roam around the government center. Eventually you’re called back from exploring, escorted to the docks, and led onto a large transport vessel that makes frequent trips back and forth between the moons and the planet. Faces onboard vary from both old and new Moonblessed as well as the local Prismals. The next destination: Prismatica.

▶ Whip It Good
Iris Moon, Government Center (Arrival) and Planet Prismatica, City of Lunatia | top

Welcome to Prismatica’s hub, Lunatia, the city of your dreams! A bustling metropolis lush with bright lights, vibrant colors, luxuriant plant life, and all the conveniences of technology absent from your own world… It seems like paradise to all the uninitiated. After a quick tour of the city, new arrivals can find themselves getting cozy in their new homes.

A Settle in your new home at Level 2 to find new roommates and say hello to your neighbors! City officials will give you directions to the designated districts across Level 2 and instruct you to pick out a unit. Each apartment complex has a different aesthetic, some may look cozy, some stylish, and some bizarre. The free accommodations have a basic living space that can only fit two or three people at most in one unit.

Starter Chromaspace furnishings are provided which can be controlled with the touch of a built-in panel. Examples are color-changing curtains, transforming sofa beds, cabinets turning into tables, etc. Customizing your apartment or moving out will have to wait until you earn more chroma. Until then, why don’t you check out your new neighborhood or explore the city levels? Maybe your new roommates or neighbors can give you a “hand” with allowance for dinner.

B At the Crystarium Moonports is a new family restaurant called Grapplebears, here to serve your favorite dishes from all around the galaxy at affordable prices! The menu ranges from the atomically hot and spicy Chamakshalan curry rice, delectable dragonsaur steak served with mashed space-tatoes, to the sweet and creamy Lunatian milkshakes that bring all the boys to the yard, all prepared by their handsome and huggable bear crew.

As you might have noticed, the restaurant staff is a ragtag group with members from planets unknown to both Prismals and Moonblessed. The waiters and waitresses in particular are tall, muscular, leather-clad bears who take your order by whipping you with a special riding crop that compels you to bark out your order — but only if you ask to be, of course! They might induce you to reveal other unrelated interests so make sure you’re not thinking about anything embarrassing!

If you chat up the staff or customers, you learn more about the restaurant’s origins. The bears say their planets* were also wiped by the Calamity hundreds of years ago, and life for them has been difficult for them since then…

*Further information about these planets is unavailable at this time.

▶ Night of the Living Dummy
City of Lunatia | top

The last vestiges of Geistnacht have officially passed and the first chilly autumn breeze ushers in the new season. The city is awash in giant piles of browning leaves that decorate every walkway.

A To deal with the mass collection of fallen leaves, many buildings across the city have been retrofitted with a new disposal system to help clean up. A sprawling network of automated vacuum tubes around the city will efficiently suck all those pesky leaves right up. While children love playing inside and using them to “teleport” around Lunatia, they have also been known to spontaneously suck up anyone who’s not too careful. You may find yourself falling on some hapless bystander on their afternoon walk, or crammed in a tube with your new neighbors. Lunar Scientia officials warn everyone to be careful of where you walk, else you might need to crawl your way to sweet freedom.

B A pop-up shop in Level 1 is attracting much of the locals' attention, run by a peddler who speaks in a low, elongated hiss and wears a hood over his face. He assures you that his face is of no consequence. What is more important is his selection of wares! In contrast to his cloaked, enigmatic appearance, his travel cart is a Barbie pink explosion of frills, hearts, glitter. He will tell all visitors he comes from the Valley of the Crimson Serpents, which Prismals and older Moonblessed arrivals find odd. Wasn’t the Sanguis moon uninhabitable?

Among the peddler’s wares are adorable, wide-eyed and heavily perfumed dolls in all sorts of clothes a child dreaming of rainbows and tea parties could ever ask for. Hug and squeeze a doll, and you will be greeted by a pre-recorded voice telling you how they’re your bestest friend ever. It’s like they were made for lovin’ you! But if you look away for one moment, you can almost swear you hear a snake’s hiss, its long tongue licking the shell of your ear… The next time you see the doll, its body will be in a slightly different position or location. Is it… following you? Fortunately, a minimal amount of moonlacing will make it leave you alone. You can wait it out too, but why would you?

Destroy a doll and it will later reappear wherever you are when you least expect it, good as new, but leaking from their porcelain heads is a strange pink, glitter-covered liquid. The peddler calls it the “love juice” giving the doll an extra dose of affection for you.

▶ Bird is the Word
Level 2, Greatmoon Groves | top

As autumn paints Lunatia with its golden hues, pumpkin decorations and desserts are now in vogue. This is thanks to Chroma-infused pumpkin seeds, which allow them to rapidly grow in all sorts of sizes, shapes, and colors. The Moonblessed are invited to visit one of the largest pumpkin patches in the city housed within the Greatmoon Groves, where they can enjoy the sight of oversized, colorful neon and sparkling semi-phallic pumpkins, expertly carved to greet you with their buck-toothed smiles.

A The pumpkin patch is full of toddler-sized creatures called hugbugs. When they are not tending to the pumpkins, they follow the Moonblessed around, requesting hugs and treats in exchange for their obedience.

Reward them and they will do simple errands for you and give you compliments. They will also be your personal hype men, talking up your strengths, talents, and physical assets to all those special someones you’re trying to impress. Once you earn their trust, they will be your friends for life!

Ignore them, hurt them, or bully them, and they will cry and place a curse upon you, reducing your self-esteem to nothing and magically forcing you to cry along with them. The effects of the curse may last for up to a week if you’re not careful! But how could you do such a thing? The hugbugs are sensitive and want somebody to love.

B If you manage to survive your encounter with the hugbugs, you are welcome to join in on the Prismal knitting group and enjoy creating your own fanciful scarf made of Galadrian thread, which is known for its bright, golden sheen and aromatic properties. Give it to a friend or wear it yourself, and you will notice a strange ability to attract animals and insects of all kinds. Live out your Disney Princess fantasy! Or a Hitchcockian nightmare. It’s all a matter of perspective as a whole flock of honking birds comes bounding towards you.

▶ Questions
If you have any questions regarding this test drive meme, please ask them in the Questions thread below.

▶ As a reminder, test drive memes are for new characters only. However, current players are more than welcome to use these prompts for their own posts in the IC communities, personal inboxes, catch-all posts, etc.!
▶ As our test drive memes are game canon, feel free to keep any threads that happen here as canon for your character should they be accepted.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[The barest widening of eyes is the only hint of surprise that flickers across his face before it's gone just as quickly, covered by that usual smile.]

Oh, it's Aoba-san. What a surprise.

[A surprise for more reason than one, even though the way he says it doesn't actually sound shocked at all. After all this happens to lean heavily in his favor, even without Trip here. How convenient.

His gaze drops a little lower, drawn rather quickly to that very interesting corset. An eyebrow raises just slightly and his smile turns a hint teasing as he takes a step closer and squats in front of Aoba, elbow resting on one knee with his chin propped in-hand.]

That's a very interesting outfit you're wearing. Do you have other things to match?

[Aoba glances down to figure out what Virus is talking about.]

Oh, I bought some new things when I first got here, though I haven't had a shopping spree that good in a while... Wait - is that really what you want to ask about, when running into me on a different planet?

[That's meant as general banter more than a serious question, though, and he breathes a soft laugh accordingly. Virus has always been a little... unique, Aoba guesses, and that's not a bad thing. Everyone has their own idiosyncrasies that way, right? Those are what makes people them.

He should really get up, so he finally stands, dusting himself off a little. If this unfortunate sucking incident and/or the resulting fall has ruined his clothes, he's going to be annoyed.]

[There's a head-tilt.]

Should I not have asked? I just thought it was very eye-catching, so I feel like it's only natural to comment. Especially since it suits you.

[Virus flashes another smile before straightening back to his feet as well, glancing over Aoba again as if also ensuring that he's unscathed. The last thing he wants is for him to be hurt, after all.]

But more to the point... It seems as though you've settled in well. I take it you've been here for a little while, then? You haven't had any troubles, have you?

Well, thanks for that.

[Aoba's smile is sincere. It's not like it was wrong to ask. The timing was maybe a bit weird, but it's whatever. There's probably no right thing to say when you see a friend fall out of the sky in front of you on an alien planet, anyway!

Thankfully there's no real damage done - or nothing that Aoba can see, at least. There'll be a bruise or two, probably, but nothing too serious. And so he manages to relax again... at least until Virus asks a rather pertinent question.]

That... depends on what you'd call "troubles"... [He gives a little shake of his head at himself. He made it sound so dramatic!] It's honestly pretty nice! Some things just take a little getting used to. It's different.

[Mostly the sex. There is a lot of sex going around, and even Aoba hasn't been entirely immune.]

But what about you? Did you just get here? And how are things on Midorijima?

[Time works weird, he knows, so it's probably pointless to ask, but he can't not ask. It's rough, being away from (almost) everyone, especially when he left at a pretty critical time.]

[A brow raises slightly at the vague response. It really does sound dramatic, especially considering Aoba's knack for getting into trouble. While Virus isn't fond of violence he wouldn't hesitate to use it in this situation in order to keep others away from Aoba, which was his main motive in asking. But perhaps he can get more specifics later.

Of course there are some things that he can assume based on what he was told during the introduction...]

Ah, do you mean the "moonlacing"? That really was quite surprising to hear about. Do you really generate currency through physical contact?

[Not that he actually cares too much, especially now that he knows Aoba is here. Interacting with anyone else means absolutely nothing to him beyond convenience if he feels like it.

But in the meantime he just nods with a pleasant smile.]

Yes, I just arrived earlier today. And things are relatively well, we've simply been taking care of business as usual.

[A lie. In reality him and Trip haven't been back in Midorijima in weeks. After the fall of Toue it was difficult for them to stay and maintain Morphine without risking their own positions and lives. While it had been disappointing to have to leave Aoba it was the most convenient option, especially when there hadn't been a good opportunity to take matters into their own hands and take him with them like they had wanted.]

Yeah. And... the more intimate, the more money you get.

[It paid for that one legendary shopping spree, for sure! Not that Aoba has been avoiding moonlacing or shopping since, but for a good long while, he was doing too much thinking about it to really sort out his opinion, let alone be carefree about it all. He's sort of come to a tentative conclusion recently, though. He even has a sex date!]

The money isn't the only thing, though! It just... feels really good.

[That shouldn't be so embarrassing to admit, but it really is. Even holding hands feels good due to the moonlacing, and a simple kiss is mind-blowing. It's not hard to imagine how amazing it feels to go even further.]

That's good. ["As usual" is not bad at all. The worst case scenario that seemed to stand a fair chance of becoming reality had definitely been anything but "as usual"! The mention of Trip finally makes Aoba realize what's missing in this picture, though.] ... Is Trip here, too?

[If not, it really is just random, who ends up here - but that's fine. It's easier to know some people are still at home, taking care of business! It just seems really lonely for Virus, to be missing his buddy.]

You really just got here, huh..? At least you've been instructed about the most important things already. Got any questions that I can answer? I've been here over a month now, so...
... Actually, it may already be two months?

[Who keeps track of these interplanetary kidnappings, though? Honestly.]

Oh?

[Virus acts a little surprised by the revelation, but he had more or less assumed as much might be the case. The locals had alluded to something similar, and it made sense that if their society is more or less based around the currency of physical contact that there would have to be a way to generate a lot.

And the fact that Aoba seems more open to such things only makes it better so he can't help but tease. Taking a small step closer he lift a single finger to touch under the other's chin just briefly, the sensation light as for just a moment his smile turns a little sharper. Almost snakelike.]

Since you're so enthusiastic you'll have to show me sometime, Aoba-san~

[Then just as quickly he backs off, shaking his head with a sigh.] If that guy is around then I haven't come across him. My Coil hasn't been working since I arrived, but if he's here then I'm sure he'll show up sooner or later.

[After all, Trip has followed him for a very long time through all sorts of situations. He doubts that another planet or unfamiliar city would stop him if he were to be abducted as well. He's like a dog that always trails after its master, so Virus isn't that concerned.]

I guess I do have a question... Where are you staying, Aoba-san?

[... Listen. He has priorities.]

[Ohno, that touch... Maybe it's just the moonlacing, even from that barely-there contact, but Aoba can only stare wide-eyed up at Virus, transfixed. That it's a tease barely even registers; the suggestion of what Virus is asking for sinks in even less. It's only when the topic changes that Aoba wonders, briefly, if Virus could really be talking about something like that - and by then, the conversation has thankfully(?) moved on, and Aoba decides to drop the topic for now, instead of trying to find out Virus' intentions. Really, it's probably just Aoba and his weird obsession with sex lately. (He hasn't even been doing it a lot, but he's sure been thinking about it way too often!)

So Trip may not be here... Well, that's probably for the best. Even if this place isn't that bad, it's weird enough that Aoba wouldn't wish it on just anyone. Still, for Virus' sake -...]

I hope he will. This place is weird enough without all the extra complications, like suddenly doing without people you've known for ages.

[That's honestly been the hardest thing for Aoba. And especially doing without Ren... He's been so lonely, it's probably no surprise that he's projecting that loneliness onto Virus instead of dealing with his own. At least Noiz is here - though Noiz is Noiz - and Aoba has made some new friends, too.]

Hmm? Oh - I have an apartment. It's small, but it's pretty convenient... I'm pretty sure it was meant for two people, but I've been managing there by myself, so.

[Ah, that expression is very nice. Virus definitely is making a mental note to ensure that Aoba makes that sort of face much more in the future, especially if such a brief touch is all it takes. The other man really does make it all too tempting, but the blonde has no problem with being patient. He thrives in playing the long game in fact, and all the time he spends in drawing the other in and getting him to submit will only make the end result sweeter.]

Well now that I'm here you don't need to hold back if you need anything. After all, I'm your biggest fan.

[Of course even if Aoba doesn't directly come to him he doubts that it would be difficult to keep track of him like they did in Midorijima. The technology here is just advanced as back home- moreso in fact- so monitoring would be fairly easy if he really feels like it.

He raises his eyebrows in slight surprise at that, head tilting.]

That must be lonely... Wouldn't having a roommate be more convenient?

A fan isn't what a person needs the most here. It's a friend.

[He smiles, though, because he definitely considers Virus a friend, and fully assumes that the same goes the other way around. He never did figure out why Virus and Trip insisted on calling themselves his fans, anyway - not that he minds at all. It's just a quirk, he figures; it's an inside joke, by this point.]

I guess it might be more convenient..? [It would definitely make the place less messy, because damn does Aoba ever neglect chores...] It's just that everyone seemed to have a roommate from the start, but no one else ever showed up at my place, so...

[~~Or it could be the mun being a lazy ass and failing to plot a single time in the history of ever, but, yanno...~~]

It's not that lonely, though! [The last thing he wants is to worry Virus.] I don't spend much time there unless I'm sleeping, anyway.

[... He does sleep a whole lot, though. There is no one and nothing to stop him, here.]

[Virus just smiles as if he understands. But the concept of "friendship" has never been something he comprehended or had any interest in. Aoba is something he values because he covets him, like someone might want an interesting book or trinket. But friendship? Virus has always lacked the capacity for that and he doesn't care to change the fact. Even his association with Trip is something born of convenience and happenstance... At least on his part.

He hums innocently.]

That's a shame.

[That smile grows ever so slightly, a brow raising.]

Not "that" lonely? That last thing I'd want is for Aoba-san to be even a little lonely. We should live together.

I'm really not -... Wait, what?

[Live together? Even with their conversation just now, the phrasing throws him off for a moment. But actually, isn't that a great idea? It'll save on chroma and everything! Plus, with a roommate, maybe it will be easier for Aoba to motivate himself to actually do chores. (At least for the first five minutes. After that, clearly he should be forced into a French maid outfit and made to clean.)]

Living together... Us? [He lets out a sharp breath that's not quite a laugh.] That's a great idea! The apartment is pretty small, like I said, but if nothing else, it'll be an easy place to get started until you can afford something bigger.

[He's just assuming that Virus will want something fancy at some point, but he's very willing to live together until and unless Virus decides to move out.]

[Virus grins a little broader, clearly pleased at how easy that was. not that he exactly expected to encounter much resistance, but given the odd circumstances... Well, it doesn't matter. He got what he wanted so he's plenty satisfied with that for now.]

Don't worry Aoba-san, I'll make sure to get the both of us somewhere nice.

[While he's not too picky, he is rather used to a certain standard of living. And if he's going to live with Aoba then he's going to spoil him in all the ways he hasn't been able to as easily in the past. Without Toue in the way he doesn't have to worry about any prior obligations, and he doesn't doubt for a moment that this place will have some shadier work opportunities that he'll be perfectly suited for.]

[Virus is a new arrival, and Aoba had meant to take care of him as such, trying to make the crazy transition to an altogether different planet a little easier for him... and yet somehow Virus already seems to be as settled in as Aoba is, casually plotting for better housing on the very day of his arrival. The urge to move up in the world is not surprising - Virus has always seemed to be pretty serious about these things! - but to have it happen so quickly is still kind of a surprise. Thinking back to his first day here, Aoba wasn't remotely that quick to settle in...

But it's a good thing, no doubt, that Virus is doing better.]

You really don't have to -... Just living together will be more than nice enough!

[It's almost too easy to adjust to new surroundings when you already put very little emotional value in the world around you. And this place seems interesting- much more than searching for new work now that his time with Toue was through. If anything Virus is a little excited since so many new opportunities and possibilities are suddenly springing to fruition... Especially because Aoba is here as well, and seemingly conveniently without the memories of his true motives back in Midorijima.

He couldn't really ask for a better scenario, in fact.]

Mm, but it's already decided~ I'm going to spoil you, Aoba-san, so don't hesitate to come to me if you have any troubles. That includes anyone unpleasant who bothers you.

[Virus might not like violence but he'll still break kneecaps for Aoba if it will get him what he wants in the long run.]

That hasn't happened yet. Everyone has been really nice!

[He says it more to poke fun of the very idea of anyone bothering him than anything else. Even if someone bothered him - and they really hadn't, yet! ... barring some mild teasing on the network that he'd honestly been asking for - he's pretty sure he could take care of it, himself.

Being spoiled, though? He doesn't want to think of it in such terms, not wanting to feel like a burden, but he will still enjoy it a great deal. As long as he can make it feel less than entirely one-sided!]

But... thanks.

You're the new arrival, though! [Is he reminding himself or Virus, at this point? It's a toss-up.] I could tell you the same thing.

That's good. [Not that it will stop him from still watching out for Aoba regardless, but still. There's no need for the other to know that.

His smile widens just a little, looking just a bit catlike before he adds:]

You don't need to worry about me, Aoba-san. I'm not worried about taking care of myself, I'll manage just fine.

... You really will, won't you?

[Aoba sighs softly, though it's more at himself than at Virus. He thought he did a pretty good job at settling in, himself, but compared to Virus? He feels very much below par.]

It's honestly a little impressive, being so quick to settle in. I don't know how you do it.

Edited 2019-11-13 15:55 (UTC)

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

▶ TDM .009

it's okay, he still thinks you're cute

(^_^)

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▶ TDM .009

it's okay, he still thinks you're cute

(*^_^*)

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(^_^)