prismaticrap | ▶ TDM .014

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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. After an hour or two of wandering through the crystal wilderness, a group of people find you worse for wear. They are the gallant Moon Knights from the planet of Prismatica. Because of the strange phenomena 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? — 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. You will then be escorted to the docks, and led onto a large transport vessel that makes frequent trips back and forth between the Iris moon and the planet. Faces onboard vary from both old and new Moonblessed as well as the local Prismals.

The next destination: Prismatica.

▶ Welcome to the Jungle
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.

▶ Rock Your Body Right
Lunatia | top

Oh my god, they're back again. After taking more than a year-long hiatus, *BTSB (Backstay Sailor Boys) takes the planet by storm once more with their latest single, Anybody (Yeah). With an album out and a concert on the way, the five-man fox Prismal group from Amegahara has been busy with promotions. Their appearances on billboard ads, magazines, TV shows, et cetera make their worldwide handsome faces pretty hard to miss! Everyone and their pet robot in Lunatia can be found jamming to their songs, and every teenager on the street can tell you who their bias is and why.

B Be a part of *BTSB's Prismagram campaign and get a chance to win a physical copy of their album and backstage passes to their upcoming concert! Simply take a picture of you and your friends with official merchandise and post it on Prismagram with the hashtag #WeAreBTSB. Be careful, though: touching *BTSB merchandise tends to make people crush on the first face they see. The posts with the best pictures and stories will get their prizes in the mail on the 24th.

Why would a Moonblessed want to meet them, you ask? Community spirit! A sizable portion of the locals will start singing or dancing with you and your friends! “I want it another way. Tell me why? I never want to hear you say, I wish it wasn't that way. Don't be that way!” Play along and they’ll be willing to pardon your unpaid meal tab for one time or offer an incredible discount for one item you really wanted at the mall. The boys are also considered talented magic users in their own right. They might have some spells and magic tools to add to a Moonblessed's arsenal!

▶ What’s the Deal With This Pop Life?
Lunatia | top

Before you meet these foxy boys, you'll want to do your research on them. Thankfully, their ridiculously huge fanbase (who refer to themselves as NAVY) has already done the work for you.

Suzaku is the leader and the brains of the group. Both his witty, rapid-fire raps and lightning-fast spinning breakdances are known throughout the planet. He is also a newscaster and likes making informative but interesting Prismagram posts. His brother is also an idol, albeit a washed up one-hit wonder.

Kaya is the group's down-to-earth mom friend and soulful vocals. He is the most responsible of the boys and handles their meals and laundry. A former delinquent in his youth, he now spends his free time cooking for schoolchildren and advocating fox rights. He does not support fox pelt products and owns an animal shelter for strays.

Lecter is a dancer who oozes with sex appeal. If not in the studio, he is always hitting up the gym. Once a member of the Little Moonblessings Club in his childhood, he has grown out of his boy-next-door image. Currently, he is #2 on Prismal Magazine's Top 100 Sexiest Men Alive for his well-built frame and photogenic looks. Contrary to his cool appearance and reserved demeanor, he is surprisingly personable. He is also a prolific actor. He likes cats.

Tarn is the baby of the group who maintains a gaming channel. He often does spontaneous livestreams where he does Let’s Play sessions, live Q&As, and encourages people to make memes of his face. He jokes about playing more LmaO than going to practice but he’s got clear and strong vocals.

Rasha is a narcissistic man who can’t get enough of his fans and himself. When hanging around his fans, he tends to ask if they have a mirror to look at himself with. Don’t let his vanity fool you! He’s funny, incredibly easy to be with, and willing to treat people to drinks. He writes most of the lyrics for the group’s songs.

C Every hour, you will receive a text from the official *BTSB fanclub with a link to a poll. The texts will not stop unless you answer the poll. Please answer it ICly, as the answers will affect the event later this month!

Upon voting on the poll, you will be redirected to a video and text chatroom where you will be connected to a random stranger who has also answered the poll. Both you and the stranger will then need to answer the following questions:

Do you think the other person in this chatroom can be your fire? One of your many desires? Tell me why. Be honest.
Among the Moonblessed, who do you think is tasty? The tastiest?

Until both questions are answered truthfully, it will be impossible to switch apps, close the app, or delete it entirely.

▶ Questions

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

WHO CAN POST? ▶ Test drive memes are for new characters only. Existing players may not post starter threads in the test drime meme. 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.!

IS THIS CANON? ▶ 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.

PRISMAGRAM CAMPAIGN - The mods will not will not be picking any winners for this contest OOCly. Feel free to assume your character/s won (or lost terribly).

PLAY ALONG - The gifts you can earn from playing along with the locals, as mentioned, includes free meals or drinks, a good discount for a high-end shirt, and so on. Feel free to come up with your own prizes OOCly this as long as it’s reasonable. You may not have won the lottery, but you could get a small token of appreciation!

NEW SPELLS AND MAGIC TOOLS - Details of these will be released in the next event!

POLL - Please answer the poll ICly, as the answers will affect the event later this month!

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[Wow, that's a lot to unpack right there. The trailed off reason for a secluded lifestyle does grab Zed's interest since he also lived one awhile back. But then again, they ARE strangers, and he's not one to pry. The most troubling part is Andrew's seeming ignorance of Chroma generation. Were the scientists on the moon slacking off? Great.]

It wouldn't count as frivolous if it's accommodating a physical need. [And experiencing pain while looking at lights sounds like a need. Nevertheless, he's not going force them upon the man. Zed points to Andrew's gloved hands for his next point:]

We could always hold hands for generating Chroma. Then the both of us would gain funds.

[Simplest explanation he can come up with, and holding hands with a stranger is something he's accustomed to nowadays.]

[ Perhaps not frivolous to him, but glasses were...expensive, where he comes from. Far beyond anything he'd ever be able to ever hope of receiving, regardless of his failing vision. The idea of something similar, but with another function? It seemed...very pricey.

He's absolutely way off the mark, but hey, what can you do. ]

E-Even so, it's still.... [ It doesn't really sit right with him, mainly because he isn't used to genuine kindness from strangers. Is there a catch to this? An outstanding debt? They sound like things that would come attached to this, and yet he also feels like this is someone he'd rather not inconvenience.

That being said, he visibly tenses at the suggestion, gloved hands tightly clenching. ]

Y-You mean to tell they were serious about this ridiculous...moonlacing garbage!? [ Hm. He had found it far-fetched, or perhaps with a different meaning than what it implied, but it seems they were being completely honest. Not the greatest thing for the man with social ineptitude to learn. ] I thought it was an awful joke. W-Who would want to actually...

[ ...Hold hands with him, is what he's saying. Now he's even more nervous. Are you sure he can't go back to burying the dead for a living? That would be so much more ideal-- ]

Yes, unfortunately. [He also hadn't been excited about moonlacing when he first arrived. Unless he was hauling his friend Leo out of dangerous situations, he wasn't exactly used to physical contact. Nor had he grown up with it, living most of his life in a tank before his Master found him. So Zed can understand Andrew's annoyance. Too bad moonlacing is the easiest way to sustain a livelihood, physically and financially.

Which is why Zed holds out a webbed hand to the grave keeper. A pragmatic offer; B=best for the man to have an easy jump into the system rather than being caught off-guard by the moons first.]

But there are other benefits besides financial ones. Moonlacing has the ability to energize and heal another person. [He hesitates for a second, debating between dealing out all the cards or holding back to not overwhelm the man:] And...some of the magic here can only be dispelled by moonlacing. Please keep that in mind, at the very least.

[Probably the most important bit of information he can give, especially after all the chaos he's experienced while in Lunatia.]

[ When you put it like that, it does sound awfully convenient...and yet the idea of bringing himself to do it not only frequently but with people he doesn't really know? A lot of his physical encounters with people have been the...violent sort, mostly with him on the receiving end. Absentmindedly, fingers rub the scar on his cheek. ]

A-As if I don't have enough to worry about. [ Magic? So now does he have to worry about being really cursed? This is starting to give him a godforsaken headache. ] As...questionable as my arrangements were before, I'm almost starting to miss it.

[ At least he had a concrete plan there. Now he's stuck, staring at this man's outstretched hand and fighting the oddly bubbling urge to simply grab it without hesitation. Andrew swallows, tugging the black gloves further down on his hands before slowly reaching out for it. ]

I-If I have no choice... [ Might as well get this over with and find out what he's going to be stuck with for the rest of his stay. Paper-white skin tinting a flustered shade, it's like he has to mentally prepare himself before he finally bites the bullet and grasps the other's hand in a shaky, unsteady grip. ]

[It takes a few seconds for the Chroma to process through the fabric of Andrew's gloves, but sure enough there's a tingling warmth sinking through. Small steps, and even Zed is grateful for those gloves because he doesn't have to overly aware of his claws. He's able to make up for the man's shaky grip; his own remains firm but not tight enough that he can't escape.]

The device you got when you arrived should show how much Chroma you've generated. Since it's converted into a virtual currency, you'll be paying for things through it. [He digs out his phone from his pocket, demonstrating just that with the meter app ticking up slowly but surely. Hopefully Andrew isn't the forgetful kind in terms of keeping the device safe...]

It may be overwhelming at first, but you'll likely get the hang of things eventually. [Learn to survive, right? Zed pockets his phone.] Anyways, let's go to the groves. I can answer any questions there.

[He moves first while forgetting his hold on the other man-- not that he can't slip away. He's just under the impression that maybe getting away from the bright and crowded area will help with digesting all the information.]

[ To say he jolts the moment the sensation hits is an understatement. He practically jumps, the slightest bit grateful that the other has a far firmer grip than he does, because he certainly would have let go otherwise. Truth be told, he doesn't really know how to feel about it.

Well...it wasn't unpleasant...ugh, but even so.... ]

I...virtual? [ Yeah, he doesn't have a fucking clue what that means.

He won't mention that, though. Like he says, he'll probably get the hang of it eventually...right? ] ...Coins are far easier to deal with.

[ Right, the groves. That sounds like a far pleasant environment, one where he can cool his head of this encounter which is flustering him for reasons unknown. It could be the lights, or it could be the hand-holding. The hand holding, he realizes, is still continuing even as he's getting tugged along. Pink eyes rapidly flicker from the back of the other man to their hands, and he opens and closes his mouth for a moment as he flounders for something to say. ]

T-This is... [ Inappropriate? Unnecessary? Give him a minute. ] Er, this place...it isn't far, is it?

[ Actually, you know what, this is fine. It's probably easier this way. ]

[Zed misses his mistake of using modern vocabulary, but his mind drifts to his friend Leo. After being beat up and having his money stolen in an alleyway one too many times, his friend had altered his clothes with secret pockets and compartments in his shoes to hide his stuff. At least Lunatia isn't so bad compared to Hellsalem's Lot, but he hopes that Andrew will eventually see the usefulness of having everything contained within his phone. Zed's not about to argue the convenience of virtual money, however.

He also misses the way the grave keeper glances at him and hesitates, too focused on the path ahead of him. If he knew, he'd at least blame his thoughtlessness on not getting any sleep recently. At the same time, he's grown accustomed to hand-holding that it doesn't quite register as anything that stands out.]

A few minutes walk from here. Not far at all, really.

[If Andrew doesn't speak up or pull away, then Zed will lead him the rest of there while continuing to provide that tingling warmth from the Chroma ~~because what are scene transitions~~. Once the clustering of trees that make up the beginning of the groves appears in the distance, the fishman lets go. It's also (somehow) a reminder that he didn't actually introduce himself to begin with. Oops.]

I probably should have said this sooner, but I'm Zed O'Brien.

Edited 2020-05-05 23:42 (UTC)

[ Well, he likely will. In time, that is, as no matter how much he despises working with machines, his interest in money will eventually win out. It's just a matter of actually getting there that's the problem. Nobody said he was particularly patient.

Surprising, then, that he hasn't said anything. His jaw clams up as he's dragged along like some sort of child on a school trip, and Andrew tries to keep his gaze anywhere but their hands. As much as he surprisingly doesn't mind it, he does mind the idea that people might be watching and judging, which causes his eyes to slide this way and that every few anxious seconds. The idea of people staring at him for whatever reason is...unpleasant.

Luckily, that doesn't seem to be the case. Not too much, anyway. The crowds thin out only somewhat as the trees get closer, but it still seems to be a popular place...but beggars can't be choosers at this point. He definitely isn't going to complain when the other man lets go, even if he finds his fingers lightly twitching in surprise. ]

Ah... [ Uh, right. There are more important things to be worrying about here. He clenches his hand and hastily returns it to his side, lurking behind to hide the strange mild disappointment he feels. ] I see. Zed, then?

[ The names here are...something. At this one is somewhat easier to pronounce. ]

Andrew. Andrew Kress.

[ Now, more importantly. He should focus on what they came here for in the first place. He lets his eyes roam over the treeline and whatever's in view as they approach, a bit of tension easing from his shoulders. ]

I-Is there...a garden here?

It's nice to meet you, Andrew. [Zed's face may not be designed to portray emotions as well as humans, but he does give a smile in return. Now he can put a name to a face, and Andrew doesn't seem like that bad of a person. Certainly out of place and a bit overwhelmed by the city, but that's nothing to hold against him.]

Yes, actually. They're not as curated as the Level One gardens, but there's a large one close to one of the nearby greenmarkets. Supposedly there's a petting zoo around too, if that's something you'd be interested in. [He begins walking again until a more obvious trail appears with a notice board not far off. Behind the glass, there's a labelled map tacked up along with posters for upcoming events at the groves' farms. Zed finds and taps their place with the marked "You're Here" star and follows the trail with his finger up to the nearest farm and garden label beside it.]

There-- that should be the one I'm thinking of. I typically come here to train in the forested areas, but I've been to this one a few times. [He moves farther up the map to a different farm to the north.] This one has a large greenhouse you can walk through as well, although it'd take longer to get there from this side.

[Zed takes a step back, pulling out his device, and then pointing to the screen:] Do you have yours? I can show you how to pull up the map of this place, if you want.

...I would prefer to stay away from Level One. [ This is far more preferable. Not as busy, and god knows Level One seemed to be far too busy, crowded, bright. Painful in more ways than one. No, he can keep his distance unless absolutely necessary. ] And I...haven't dealt with animals much.

[ Most animals were outside. Him? He tended to be inside. It might not be a bad idea, though...if he had spare time. Just a little.

He already feels a bit more relaxed in an environment like this, green and vibrant and full of life. It's calming. He mostly keeps an eye on the greenery they walk past, but sneaks a couple unintended glances at his 'guide' along the way. The other man seems very accustomed to all this, and it begs the question exactly how often he comes here--

Ah, but, that'd be a bit personal to ask. No, he'll keep it to himself. His odd curiosity aside, he doesn't like prying. ]

This...? [ Andrew steps up behind him as they come to a stop, tilting his gaze towards the glass panel in front of them. He has to follow the other's finger as it moves, squinting at the map itself as he struggles to read the small text without stepping way too close to it. ] I-I see. The time doesn't really matter to me, it's not as if I plan on really going anywhere else.

[ The...device. Right. He stares blankly at the object as Zed pulls it out, taking a second as he pats his pockets before finally pulling out his own. His fingers hover over the screen, hesitant, nervous. ] I didn't realize there was also maps... [ Is there anything this thing can't do, besides be simple to use? ]

[Despite Andrew's effort to not lean in, the squinting is enough to tell Zed that the gravekeeper could really use some glasses. Transition lenses would probably do him wonders. But his offer with the sunglasses was already rejected, so he won't push the idea. (Maybe another time though, if they were to bump into each other again.)

How quaint his is with his tech. Andrew makes it look as if his device may explode any second, and Zed forces away the chuckle that threatens to bubble up. There will definitely be a learning curve, it seems. Not that it makes him want to help less.]

Yes, once you get used to it, you'll find it has many useful functions. Taking photos, for instance, and being able to send messages to other people. [The fishman moves closer to his side to get a better angle as he points to the camera and mail icons. Unknowingly invading Andrew's personal space with good intentions.] See the button that looks like an upside-down water drop? That's the map. It'll show your location as a blue dot, and you can zoom in and out by moving your fingers on the screen like a pinching motion. Think of it like a magnifying glass or a telescope.

[It's hard to know if the jargon would be picked up easily, but at least Zed demonstrates on Andrew's screen with the motion. And who knows if he'll remember his advice later...although that brings up an idea--]

It may seem confusing now, but I can at least give you my number and show you how to contact me. I wouldn't mind helping out again, if you want.

[ Machines were...never really his forte. Bad eyesight and an, er, embarrasing lack of proper education means he's never really had the best of luck with even the more less-advanced things he's used to. Jumping from cipher machines to phones was not the most exciting thing he's experienced.

He's busy examining the screen and doesn't really notice the man saddling up until the other's finger is already hovering his own. He visibly tenses up for a moment, face tinting pink again as he slides a glance to the side and realizes just how close the other is.

Ah, technology and physical closeness. Two things he can't say he's had the best luck with. His hands are a little shaky.]

Photos, is it. [ Terms he's more familiar with. That, and messages. Ok, this is getting simpler. He tries to burn the knowledge into his memory, nodding every so often and squinting to make up for the fact he doesn't want to move the screen while Zed's busy helping. ] Ah, so, like this--? [ After he's shown, he gives it a try himself. It takes a bit of clumsy handwork, but he manages! Somehow! Progress is wonderful.

He seems pretty pleased with himself, actually. He gives it another couple tries just to make sure, and barely registers what the other says until a few moments later. ]

...Message? You? [ Like, keep in contact? He's...not entirely used to people wanting to keep talking to him, so he struggles for a minute before answering. ] Only if it's not any trouble. I'm certain I can get a hold of it myself, but.... [ He won't say it, but it's probably obvious. ]

[...Oddly enough, Andrew's reluctance reminds him of when he had first joined Libra. He was used to a reclusive lifestyle before that. And with his few relationships being limited to his creator and Master Raju, he wasn't the one to actively reach out towards the other members. That is, until Leo came along and dragged him out to lunch with Zapp following to fail at hazing him. (Not that Zed would ever admit to being friends.)]

It's no trouble at all. Besides, it doesn't have to be just about technological help.

[But hey, they can turn this acquaintanceship into another lesson-- Zed pokes at the screen's contacts app, types in his information quickly, and points at the icons below it:]

There you go. That one is to make a call, and that one's to type a message. [And with that, the fishman takes a step out of the Andrew's personal space.] Well, do what you will with it. I don't want you to feel forced into contacting me.

[ Not just technological, then....he won't deny having someone more knowledgeable within reach would likely do wonders for the moments things are a little too beyond his own comprehension. His lips purse for a moment, focusing on the screen, and wonders absentmindedly if it's possible to make it a little dimmer. ]

If you're offering, then I have no complaints.

[ Really, he is grateful, even if he's bad at showing it. He watches the other type, slowly and carefully registering the offered information, and finally nods.

And perhaps, feels a bit disappointed the man has moved away. But it's fine. ]

I...see. [ He takes a breath, and then offers a small smile. A bit awkward looking, but it's the least he can give. ] N-No, I appreciate the help you've given me. If I need your help in the future, I'll be sure to use it.

[ Or he'll attempt to. It might take some trial and error, but he'll probably get it. ]

...Thank you.

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▶ TDM .014

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