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prismaticrap2019-04-07 08:37 pm
prismods) wrote in prismaticrap2019-04-07 08:37 pm
▶ TDM .002
▶ That’s Not a Space Station, It’s a Moon
You awaken amidst the darkness with only a faint light to greet you as you awaken. 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 third month when scientists observed the sudden appearance of rainbow crystals in the sky, the government has been feverishly combing through the moon for any 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? Am I paying for all those drugs I took back in the '70s? — 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, they recommend that you visit the government archives. The collection features a variety of fiction and non-fiction books, including an eclectic romance and erotica section with titles such as: The Moon Knight's Ravishing, Armed and Amorous: A Forbidden Tale between a Dragon and a Moon Knight, and Silk and Satin, Leather and Moonlace. Also notable are informative textbooks such as Delightful Dragons and Where To Do Them and From Argos to Zhavidar: A History of Alchemy. As you read these books, the photos and illustrations come to life on each page, moving within their borders. It seems this is the norm on Prismatica.
▶ She wants to lead the glamorous life
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.
Before you can enjoy the surrounding shopping centers, they will be dealing with all the standard security checks from some handsy droids that will feel you up, examine your weapons, possibly even cavity search. Nothing like the loving touch of a cool metallic hand.
▶ That Smell is Exactly What You Think It Is
On Level 1, you may encounter construction workers rebuilding damaged properties. When asked they’ll answer, "Oh, it was just a bit of a mishap a while ago. It's all been contained now. Nothing to worry about." A couple of streets are cracked and covered in debris, as if a huge monster had crawled under the pavement. Surrounding walls have gaping holes, and dried up viscous white fluid stains some buildings.
▶ Questions
If you have any questions regarding this test drive meme, please ask them in this thread.
You awaken amidst the darkness with only a faint light to greet you as you awaken. 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 third month when scientists observed the sudden appearance of rainbow crystals in the sky, the government has been feverishly combing through the moon for any 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? Am I paying for all those drugs I took back in the '70s? — 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, they recommend that you visit the government archives. The collection features a variety of fiction and non-fiction books, including an eclectic romance and erotica section with titles such as: The Moon Knight's Ravishing, Armed and Amorous: A Forbidden Tale between a Dragon and a Moon Knight, and Silk and Satin, Leather and Moonlace. Also notable are informative textbooks such as Delightful Dragons and Where To Do Them and From Argos to Zhavidar: A History of Alchemy. As you read these books, the photos and illustrations come to life on each page, moving within their borders. It seems this is the norm on Prismatica.
A ⬤ Several librarian droids like to move in and around the archives, zapping anyone who dares utter a single word above a whisper. Silence is absolutely crucial for study and concentration, thus these droids have zero tolerance for sound. If you are caught making noise, be prepared to be chased and have your eyebrows singed off by a disgruntled droid.
B ⬤ Within the library, you will find an occult section which contains various low-budget spellbooks. This section houses a variety of cantrips and basic charms that don't seem to work for the Moonblessed except the occasional, odd fluke spell which will shrink you to the size of a thumb or cause odd sound effects such as fog horns or pterodactyl screeches to come out of your mouth. Please use with caution! The librarians aren't responsible for any mishaps that occur as a result of reading spells out loud, but if you ask nicely they might direct you to a book that has a way to immediately reverse it if you don’t want to wait it out. All effects are temporary.
Eventually you’re called to the docks and led onto a large transport vessel. Destination: Prismatica.
▶ She wants to lead the glamorous life
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.
Before you can enjoy the surrounding shopping centers, they will be dealing with all the standard security checks from some handsy droids that will feel you up, examine your weapons, possibly even cavity search. Nothing like the loving touch of a cool metallic hand.
A ⬤ There’s a gift shop right outside Crystarium Moonports with a huge, eye-catching poster promoting their 80% clearance sale. A must-have souvenir from Lunatia is a memory stone — special blue stones mined from Cordis that can project a happy memory from your days in the city if you rub them the right way. If you need new clothes, this is the perfect chance to grab a shirt with media sweetheart Maria's lovely bedazzled face on it. You might even hear her hit song playing in the store...
While browsing, you overhear a crisp zap! followed by a group of children jumping for joy. They got just the toy they wanted from the high-tech gacha machines lined up in front of the store. Since you have some chroma to spare, why don’t you give them a go? The Mallow Bunnies is all the rage among all Lunatians. Adults are particularly fond of their sleepy series. On the other end of the spectrum, there are also these... uh... what are these? If you can’twhaleget the one you want, don’t worry! You can always trade with your fellow Moonblessed. It might pay off to get some extras, too. You never know when you’ll need to sweeten your deals...
B ⬤ The ads are all over the billboards with their neon colors, energetic beats and seductive billion-polygon assets: you too can be a goddess with a blade in League Match Action Online, Prismatica’s number one VR MOBA game! The next LmaO world championship is later in the year, and the grand prize is rumored to be 15 million demichroma. If you want to get a team together, now’s the perfect time to start. In the meantime, try your luck at the smaller tournaments in the lower Levels. You might meet your future teammates and rivals there.
Or you know, just have fun with it. Relax, it’s just a game!
▶ That Smell is Exactly What You Think It Is
On Level 1, you may encounter construction workers rebuilding damaged properties. When asked they’ll answer, "Oh, it was just a bit of a mishap a while ago. It's all been contained now. Nothing to worry about." A couple of streets are cracked and covered in debris, as if a huge monster had crawled under the pavement. Surrounding walls have gaping holes, and dried up viscous white fluid stains some buildings.
A ⬤ While most of the streets are back to normal, there are several areas that local Swiffy bots have yet to thoroughly clean such as the sewers and the backstreets. If you’re interested in helping, necessary tools and materials will be provided. You may team up with your fellow cohorts to scrub, scrape and sweep the vines’ remains. It is very likely that you will find some decaying roots with a rotting, corpse-like smell that makes your stomach turn. Though these plants have already dried and wilted, there are still a few stubborn vines and dried sap that won’t come off no matter how many times you try. Good thing they let you borrow nifty liquefying rayguns! These guns can turn natural waste into clear, thin and biodegradable slime that rolls off surfaces and into the sewers if not sucked into the vacuums of Lunatia’s trusty Swiffy bots. Careful: the raygun also works on fabrics!
H ⬤ Getting around is another adventure. When you head to the subways, you will be met with the misfortune of train carts stopping abruptly at intervals, making you careen into other passengers. Maybe you’ll accidentally land on someone’s seat or get someone pinned against the wall. The trains aren’t fully functional at the moment due to recent events, so doors might not open and stops might be missed as you circle through the endless track.
Might as well strike up some conversation. The news is seen overhead, detailing the attack of the Vinea vehementi from a few days ago. The reporter warns of increased robbery incidents since the attack. Due to the grief, trauma, and debts accumulated from the damages, some Prismals have resorted to pickpocketing in an attempt to recover their losses. Of much less importance is the uptick in stolen underwear cases in the city after the planet-wide release of the B movie Stalking Panty, in which the main character Knickers gains newfound confidence after discovering his talents as an Iris Moonheld and an undercover panty thief.
Moon Knights and kind neighbors warn you of the dangers, but will that stop you from going out at night? You can start hiding your Midlife Sanguis Ninja Turtle boxers, or you can take justice into your own hands.
▶ Questions
If you have any questions regarding this test drive meme, please ask them in this thread.
It's A Moon
Estinien! [The words are out of her mouth before she can stop herself and think of something better to say. At least her astonishment is quickly giving way to happiness. Strange as it was, it was good to see him! Even if only a bit of delight is shading into her tone.] Of all the places to find you...
[She's the very picture of an Adventurer, dressed in robes of fine quality that have plainly seen some wear. There's a leaf-topped staff on her back, and a sword of Doman make sheathed at her hip. The steps that she's already taking towards him are confident and sure, even if she's still somewhat astonished and confused. This all may be odd, but Estinien is something familiar. Someone familiar.]
no subject
He reacts as thought she had.
Estinien had cooperated with the Moon Knights and abided by all laws. He had given them no reason to relieve him of his armor or his weapon, his only remaining personal effects. That is why he is in a position to half-spin to face her, his lance moving from back to hand in the next breath. The gleaming tip is zeroed upon her face, less of an attack stance and more of a warning.
No one should know his name. No one.
Especially not someone whose face immediately means nothing, for all that his eyes scan her from behind his visor. ]
Who. Dares.
[ The black sea outside the window may have unsettled him more than he original assumed. A normally hair temper now walks on a razor's edge. ]
no subject
I...
[Does he not know her?]
Me? It's me?
[Oh hells, he doesn't know her, does he? Is this a Dragoon thing? A leftover Nidhogg thing? Some other thing? As the possibilities run through her mind, her brow furrows. Well, whatever the problem actually is, she knows that she shouldn't continue to make him angry. Estinien Wyrmblood's anger is no safe thing to be on the receiving end of.]
I... I'm Dakki. Dakki Sigal?
[That upturned lilt of a question is accompanied by upturned hands, rising slowly and placatingly. Maybe he just needs a... reminder?]
no subject
He does not lunge at her, more out of acknowledgment of his recklessness and the soft gasps of the other passengers. This is no open battlefield, but an airship adrift in the most dangerous environment imaginable. Doing this is foolish. He is being an emotional fool.
He takes a deep, lasting breath, holding it in his lungs a moment before releasing it slowly. The lance lowers to the point that the deadly end is aimed at the floor, rather than her face. ]
No.
I don't know you.
[ Maybe if he had, it would not have felt like such an unwelcome surprise to hear his name at the end of this long, strange, deeply difficult day. ]
How do you know me?
no subject
Ishgard. From Ishgard, and... and traveling with Ysayle and Alphinaud, and... and fighting Nidhogg. And all of that.
You... you remember that, right?
[If he had forgotten that much, there were much bigger problems than him simply not remembering her. Aah, that's a much more wounding thought... she absently brings her hands together before herself, wringing them as she frets.]
no subject
And yet as he casts his memory back, a shadow falls across them.
His grip goes slightly slack.
A deep, disturbing reality begins to settle on his shoulders. ] ...I remember the journey.
I don't remember you.
[ He does not remember anyone.
As though a blade has sliced through his mind, his very soul, there is but a shadow alongside himself, Alphinaud, and Ysayle. ]
no subject
[The word hangs in the air for several long moments as she considers what his answer means. He knows what was done. He's only forgotten her?]
...then that's not so bad!
[Dakki smiles suddenly, relieved that it's not so large a lack of recollection as she had feared. She can look on the positive side of this. She can sort this out. There is no time to be disturbed and unsettled by the implications of such a lapse of memory if she just keeps her gaze forward and her eyes on the prize. Her fingers unlace from their wringing, and her palms press together with a sort of resolve.]
I mean... aah, that's an important journey to remember! It lead to so much. Though... is there anything else that you don't remember?
[There is a moment of hesitation, and she frowns, fingers curling a little and some of that resolve leaving her.]
W-wait, no, that's not a very useful question....
no subject
[ The weapon is returned to his back. The observers, those that have not yet departed this particular wing of the main transport cabin, can breathe a little easier. Perhaps the Knights will not have to be called after all...? He turns fully to face the woman. His head moves slightly, looking her up and down, examining her dress, her staff, her sword - a somewhat rare thing, utilizing two weapons in that way - and finally her fretting, because she is not terribly subtle. ]
How do you know those names?
How do you know mine?
[ She has his full attention now and even through his visor it is possible to feel the heavy weight of a judgemental gaze.
Her reasons could be innocent. Perhaps she heard a tale.
But Estinien Wyrmblood has never cared for a situation that felt as though it was out of his control. ]
no subject
How? They're... they're my friends. You're my friend.
[Even though 'friends' feels too light a word for what he and Alphinaud and Ysayle mean to her. She hesitates a moment more, feeling the continuing weight of Estinien's attention upon her.]
I'm the Warrior of Light.
[And then she tenses slightly, mouth pulling into a line. That's a very bold thing to declare. Somehow, she thinks he might not believe her. He's not one to put up with silly nonsense and foolish claims, and that statement could be easily taken as either or both. But she earned that title... and so the tense look on her face is accompanied by a squaring of her shoulders and straightening of her spine.]
no subject
He doesn't believe her.
But he has just now realized that he cannot even trust his own memories. It seems a cruel and final mockery to match the curtain of stars behind him, to whisper just one last time, your life is no longer in your control. The most bitter irony is that had occurred well before he woke on the crystal-choked soil, long before, in Azys Lla and at the center of its gleaming iron heart.
These thoughts churn in his mind; to the woman, he says this: ]
I am no one's friend.
[ A flat denial. Were they back in Ishgard, he would have said the same. ]
Your presence here, if you are what and who you say you are, is concerning.
[ Surely she should be in Eorzea, rather than riding a ship to some unknown world. ]
no subject
Estinien....
[Any further scolding is quite neatly swatted aside and put away when he says something pointedly true, however. It does nothing to get that sour look off her face.]
It is very concerning! But there's not much that I can do about it right now. It's concerning that you're here, too. I don't know how much you know about what's been going on, the way you've been off traveling, but... but I'd expected to find the other Scions somewhere here! Not you.
no subject
Of all the things he suspected or expected might be done to his person this day, being scolded was not one of them. It requires a moment for him to process. ]
I haven't been traveling.
[ Out of her tirade, that is the fact that sticks in his mind. ]
I have been in Nidhogg's control.
no subject
...oh. Oh, wait, oh.]
...but that was... that was moons ago. We... we beat him. We saved you.
[What does this mean? She does not know what this means. There is usually a Scion somewhere nearby with the necessary knowledge and cleverness to hold forth on what such a thing should mean. Her eyes dart quickly to either side, seeking the expository answer that isn't coming.]
no subject
I see.
[ He doesn't know what it means, either.
He knows what it seems to mean, implying a departure not only in realm and dimension, but time.
How? Why? Useless questions. ]
...the last thing I remember is Alphinaud and...someone. Coming to my aid, like fools.
no subject
It wasn't foolish! At... at least no more foolish than anything else we've done.
[And having gotten that bit of protest off of her chest, she can now go back to the other bit. Which is more important, isn't it? She presses her lips together, exhales sharply through her nose, and tries to think. Tries to understand this all.]
...there are other worlds. Other shards of Hydaelin. So... it might be that we're just from different ones. And... perhaps different things happened.
[Yes, alright, good enough. That'll do for an explanation. Her head lifts subtly, certainty in her expression.]
Wherever we're from and whatever has happened, we're here now. I've been set adrift before... what's one more time? And... well... though I don't imagine you're going to want my help or my company... I'll still offer it.
[If he is at all like the Estinien she knows, he will refuse. But she has to make the offer. It's the right thing to do.]
no subject
Even in his darkest times, he never sought comfort. He feels an aversion to it now, his very nature pushing him toward action instead, even if it is something as simple and straightforward as finding his feet in this alien landscape. To do otherwise feels like wallowing.
However... ]
If I've need of your aid, I'll call for it.
[ Lessons only recently learned pull at him, intruding on his thoughts. It softens his voice to something not utterly dismissive. ]
I'm not usually one for company.
no subject
...no. I suppose you're not.
[She smiles. She almost laughs, even. What is it about all of this that gives her hope, that makes her feel something warm in her chest? She doesn't know, can't quite work it out... and isn't about to discuss it aloud with him. A little more silence follows, as she tries to work out something else to say or some other way to be of use.
In the end, nothing comes to her.]
I'll be around, then.
[She begins to turn to go. She would love to stay and talk his ear off, but that feels like an immediate way of snapping this gossamer-thin thread of connection that they've managed to establish.]