prismaticrap | ▶ TDM .017

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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
07/08 - 07/15 | 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.

▶ You’re as Cold as Ice
07/08 - 07/15 | Level 2, Crystal Beach | top

Summer strikes Lunatia with record high temperatures as the city is wracked by an unnatural heatwave. Residents will feel the burn the moment they head outdoors, kissing their skin pink as it drenches them in sweat. For a hot and sticky day like this, it's the perfect time to head to Crystal Beach for a refreshing dip in the water. All sorts of new stands have popped up by the shore, selling icy treats and frozen cocktails.

The morning news recommends befriending those blessed by Cordis, who can keep people cool with their magic touch. They also warn of overheating machinery and electronics! Establishments and residences may end up dealing with broken air-modulating units if they use them too much.

Having cleared their names, Suzaku and Kaya of former *BTSB fame have decided to reform as a rock band duo called The Nine Tails after leaving their boyband roots. They will be performing their most chill new summer jam, “Fox Girl Summer,” while incorporating Cordis magic of their own to keep the listeners feeling cool and refreshed.

B Those listening to Kaya and Suzaku’s summer anthem might find their beats too chill to relax and party to. And by that, we mean literally. Ice may start to form around the limbs of happy local beachgoers, filling them with unfortunate shivers that will send them running into the arms of another Prismal to thaw. Even more troubling is that some portions of the oceanfront may also start to freeze, trapping some unsuspecting swimmers inside and leaving them in need of rescue. If anyone goes unnoticed, a Prismal lifeguard will be quick to rescue them.

In a panic, Kaya winks at Suzaku, who reassures his worried partner and ends their performance by summoning a mighty phoenix above the stage. Of course, it is only an illusion for the audience as Kaya thaws the partygoers and the ocean with his magic. Suzaku might have gotten carried away with their debut...

▶ Boom, Badoom, Boom, You Got that Super Bass
07/08 - 07/15 | top

The heated beach waters have brought a large onslaught of aggressive super bass close to the shore. Needless to say, the boys with the booming system were not ready for the sudden and alarming increase in population of this particular fish. In response, the beach committee is hosting a fishing competition to see who can catch the largest super bass. They will be providing extremely durable fishing gear and sufficient bait to all worthy competitors, so come to the Crystal Pier with your best fishing know-how and try and break a record or two!

Due to the competition, job openings for lifeguards have become available. Their main task is to keep an eye on participants and the audience. They should be ready to pull them out in case they have trouble swimming back to the pier. Lifeguards will be provided official beach committee high-tech swimsuits (in the form of tankinis and speedos of your choice) that enhance their performance by allowing them to swim faster and breathe more easily underwater. In the dark ocean depths, they glow with patterns easily recognizable to the Prismal eye. They also accentuate the Moonblesseds’ assets very nicely.

C Although they are no different from sea bass in appearance, super bass are known for their monstrous strength and penchant for mischief. They like to fly in the air and slap whoever tries to catch them and their fellow fish with their tail fins. You think you like them better when they dolo? Think again. These fish will purposely grab a hold of something eye-catching such as rainbow-colored sea pearl or other treasures from the ocean and pull the unsuspecting fishers into the watery depths.

▶ Put on Your Red Shoes and Dance the Blues
07/08 - 07/23 | City of Amegahara | top

The city of Amegahara is in preparation for the annual Vulpus Astra Celebration which is coming up in a few weeks. This year is special as the foxes of Amegahara have never celebrated this occasion with the dragons of Lyestellus, making it the first time all three cities in the alliance will be celebrating together. This is all thanks to the Moonblessed, who not only healed their lands but also brought the Prismals closer.

And so for this special year, the upcoming event promises to be an even larger and more extravagant affair. In order to address the extremely high demand for traditional dress and other materials needed for the celebration, many job openings become available in Amegahara. Among these are tailors, glassblowers, florists, and dancers.

D The tailors will be sewing traditional clothes, such as lovely-patterned yukata, kimono, haori, and obi. Glassblowers will create pearl glass plates, cups, and trinkets such as hair accessories and festive souvenirs. Florists will be heading to work at Inari Highway’s greenhouses, caring for flowers and putting together flower crowns, colorful bouquets, and floral arrangements to use for street and interior decorations. It is encouraged to make use of pearl glass vases!

Lastly, dancers will be auditioning for a group of strict Amegaharan foxes who will not shy away from hurling insults if you underperform. The traditional Amegaharan dance features many layers of intricate fan work that is difficult to master, or dancers can choose to take part in the more uproarious Amegaharan drum dance. Be prepared for long and grueling rehearsals after passing auditions, where you will be forced to partner up with one another to bend each other’s bodies as flexibly as it could then dance until every single person in the room has the movements and timings memorized perfectly. Moonlacing will keep one another from collapsing in exhaustion, but your bruised ego may require more tender care.

▶ Questions

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[This is a lot. His mind was already reeling from being brought to this strange world where apparently, anything seemed possible. Magic was possible here, he'd found out, and it was a lot. Hikaru felt so average compared to everybody else and that...didn't sit well.

He doesn't have his brother and an identity removed from his brother was something he was only beginning to learn about.

So to be asked about why he mattered...? Well, he did matter. Back in his world. But here? He thinks about it. Why would they want him? It wasn't like he was anymore useful than his twin. They were far more useful together, he thought.

All these thoughts whirl in his mind, coming quickly one after the other.]

Why do you matter? You know, you're asking a lot of questions when you're exactly in the same place as me, weirdo cosplayer.

[Ah, a beacon of maturity.]

[ The weirdo cosplayer line got a surprising laugh out of Shishi. He shouldn't be toying with this kid. He didn't think he was helping, necessarily, even if theoretically he could — but he's also not one to kick a guy when he's down. ]

You're right, I am! But I know my own answers, I don't really care about yours. You asked me for battle tips. If you're talking about leading a revolt, planning infiltrations, whatever else you were on about, but you can't admit even to yourself what your own capabilities are, what kind of revolution are you planning? Either admit we're all here at random, or admit what your value is. That's my advice. Figure it out.

[ Shishi skips a beat — and an unusually soft look flits over his face for just a second as he looks at the distraught boy. He probably is inadequate, isn't he — he's a human child. Shishi's like... 50x his age and a cool ass samurai demon celebrity ~~in his own eyes~~. There's no parity. And the fact is, they are in the same place (even if Shishi's not a cosplayer and is just a weirdo). Such a strange situation brings out a strange side in oneself... The samurai's tone a little airier when he adds on: ]

You can do both, you know. If you figure it out, but it ends up it is all random, you still figured it out. You follow me?

No?

[Hikaru isn't one to sit there and think too deeply about anything. That's his brother's job. Of course, Hikaru can go ahead and do it if he must. But right now, there is far too much going on for him to even try to think all that much about his place in this world and his worth. He doesn't suffer from low self-confidence or anything. Really, that has never been a problem for him.

But he's alone and he definitely does not want to think about this now.]

I think that's too much to think about when I don't even know why I'm here. I definitely don't even plan on going into a coup or infiltration. I just know that's what you do in movies...?

[ The samurai snorted. Okay. He's lost his amusement, this kid's feelings aren't so fun now. ]

Well, in that case — I don't have any tips for panicked, misguided human boys. You asked for tips about a revolt. That's what people do in real life if they care enough, but hey. That's not everyone. Maybe you're not the rebel type. That's fine. Just don't front.

[ The lightest shrug of his shoulders. Shishi was no better off, really — but weird things had happened to him plenty before, being a youkai, and frankly... life here was probably better than Shishi's home. And he had only one friend he cared about in the world at home, and even he got on his nerves. Shishi can't imagine the feelings of someone like Hikaru — an average human teenager with a safe and reasonable life, and lots of other people who love him, whom he misses and wants to get back to. Hikaru's got a pretty good life he's being forced to give up. Shishi can feign apathy quite well, but deep down — the front must come from somewhere earnest... ]

You said what I planned on doing, I said you're supposed to do an infiltration, and you judged me and I told you to put in some input if you were going to judge me! [Maybe he's a little defensive. Just a little.

But this person is...]

I don't get what you're on about at all. What kind of role are you trying to put on? [He looks Shishiwakamaru up and down.] The cosplay really isn't the worst, I guess. What you're wearing is obviously authentic so you must have put a lot of money into this. [But from his tone of voice, that isn't impressive to him.]

[ Shishi arches a brow. Serves him right for trying to get on with human kids like this — went off the rails pretty quick. Hard for him to empathize as a demon and as a narcissist... But he was starting to feel a bit on the defensive now, himself, but ever so slightly. Role? Cosplay? He recognized that judgmental tone of voice all too well, though, cuz he... used it a lot himself. ]

Now I'm the one who's lost. You mean my clothing? Of course it's expensive — I'm not some commoner. Why? What of it?

[Oh so they're from similar backgrounds then. Or so Hikaru thinks. He has no idea how wrong he is but this knowledge doesn't help his judgment any.]

There's literally any other hobby you can pick up but this is what you chose? Ah, is this what they mean by being scared for the future...? Oh well. Who knows. Either way, I'm not into roleplay.

[ Shishi narrows his eyes at the brat... What is he on about? ]

Who's roleplaying?

[ Suddenly, it occurs to Shishi perhaps Hikaru is referring to the katana hanging on his side. He smirks, shifting it forward some, and thumbing the hilt so just an inch or two of blade is exposed. ]

Do you mean this? It's very real, I assure you. And no hobby. The Great Benkei also underestimated it... Perhaps you've heard that story. Heh.

[ He flips his hair arrogantly. It's likely Hikaru had heard the traditional fairytales about Ushiwakamaru/Yoshitsune, a popular boy's hero in Japanese folklore, famously the first "bishounen" — and Shishiwakamaru always had a lot of fun playing around with humans' minds about that allusion. His own fame was his own, of course, but he had a schtick, and it was easy bragging rights, regardless of how accurate it may or may not be. Not helping his roleplaying case, but hey. Who's to say he's not an ancient legendary samurai from a fairytale, given this crazy place? It'd be like meeting the real Cinderella... ...except he's an asshole instead of a princess. ]

[The problem is that everything in this world is so strange compared to his world. Everything is very normal and that's what he's used to. Magic? Demons? This weird sci-fi situation, too. Is it happening to him now? Yes. But he's having a hard time assimilating to this.

And it's easier to just continue to do what he's doing now.

Hikaru didn't think it was possible but now he's even more unimpressed. There's something even more sad about the idea of somebody having a real sword and buying it to go with this story. And what an unoriginal story to choose, too. Hikaru blinks and then sighs.]

Come on. You have to give me more than that.

[ Wait, what, what wasn't impressive, how

Shishi furrows his brow at the boy, smirking. One hand still rests on his katana hilt, while the other reaches inside his kimono sleeve, producing a large bit of cloth folded up. As the samurai shook it out fully, in fact it was a large veil, still not straying from this legendary image. ]

Would you like a demonstration, then?

[ It wasn't a threat to Hikaru at all, so much as Shishi just wanted to show off now to prove a point. Spite is a powerful motivator. But he's literally got a couple neat tricks up his sleeve, so this may be more compelling... ]

Boo. Pull your whole sword out. [Not that would be impressive. Pulling cloth out of your sleeve is such a basic magic trick! That's practically nothing. Even if it's a similar veil (to Hikaru's eyes) and decent quality, this guy has already shown that he's willing to put a lot of money into this.

Which is still very sad in his book.]

Heh. You couldn't handle it.

[ He smirks — his sword is way too much for Hikaru to handle... It vomits ghostly skulls that eat people indiscriminately. Impressive, but not fun. Shishi's not in the mood to deal with the repercussions of that right now. So Hikaru will just have to settle for another "trick." The veil billows out between them, Shishi's hands lightly holding it, but it somehow seemed to be floating on its own breeze... Upon closer inspection, as it fully opens up, Hikaru would see vague swirls of soft, muted colors, pastels warping just enough to confuse the eye. He may feel a strange sort of sensation in the air — just a heebie-jeebie kind of feeling. He may also hear a strange, airy, distant sound, faint as a whisper, barely audible, but some vague, ethereal note, like wine glasses singing. It's definitely not a normal veil, that much is clear... ]

How brave are you? Care to step in, or are you really all talk? I promise you won't be hurt.

[ He promises that with a smirk, though, which is totally trustworthy. He really means no harm — just to shake the boy up a bit by transporting him just down the hall a ways, basically as simple as teleporting. But he figures it's funner to goad him in blindly. ]

[This is more impressive and Hikaru can't think of an immediate explanation for the trick. Or how it works. If this was a planned show then perhaps but this was impromptu.

Hikaru looks into the passageway made by the veil and frowns. This is a strange new place and a logical person would not be going into the veil. A logical person would look and see that this is dangerous. Possibly.

But it feels like a dare and Hikaru cannot turn down a dare. That goes against what he stands for. So without any questions, he goes inside.]

[ Hikaru will likely feel a strange sensation, physically, ethereally, emotionally — a little wobbly, woozy, warbly, warpy, but he'll feel nothing worse than "odd". The void is perhaps a bit cold, with a strange echo surrounding him while being transported, floating through air inexplicably. There's nothing inside around him. Only a blank space filled with the same swirling colors he'd seen before, yet now an indescribable darkness, too.

The shift doesn't take long at all, no more than a moment or two, until Hikaru is not-so-gracefully deposited from thin air at the other end of the hall. Even from where he stands now, he'll be able to make out a big grin on Shishiwakamaru's face where they'd stood before, who makes no move to close the distance between them. Yeah, you gotta come crawling back from that, Hikaru, harhar... ]

Welcome back! Did you have a nice trip~?

[ He calls from the end of the hall, waving the boy back. Even his body language is snarky somehow, ugh! ]

[That was something. Hikaru isn't entirely sure what happened but that was something and when he arrives back, he's blinking and obviously shaken up. A lot has happened. He was abducted to this weird world, told to question his worth by this person, and now this.

He wants a break.]

What the hell was that?!

[He isn't so cool now, is he? Not as he stomps his way to Shishiwakamaru.]

[ Okay, playing with the human boy has become fun again, he's into it. He grins even wider at the question. ]

Shide no Hagoromo. The Veil of Deathly Emergence — the Cape of No Return.

[ He holds his hand up above his head, the veil billowing out around him even more at his touch. ]

What? Don't you like it~?

[He's absolutely terrified but all he can say is:] If part of its title is 'no return' then how come I did?

[Maybe this isn't the big take-away here but he also is very obviousy not feeling the same kind of confidence he was before as he had made fun of him. It's obvious in his tone how terrifying it all was for somebody not used to anything supernatural in the least bit.]

[ And Shishi unfortunately found that human terror rather hilarious. He wasn't laughing out loud, but he was clearly at ease, amused, chuffed even. ]

Because I let you. Don't tell me you would have preferred the "deathly" part?

[It's very hard to act like this isn't completely disturbing for him.] Then why is this sci-fi crap so weird to you? You have a gateway to whatever the hell that thing was?

[So it's better to keep avoiding what he's feeling. That's how you do this, right?]

[ Shishi shrugs with a light hmph. Eh, Hikaru's got him there. ]

The hagoromo isn't going to get me home — it could drop you off clear across the city, probably even further, but I don't think it can connect alternate realities or whatever the hell all this "sci-fi crap" is, as you put it. That I'm not familiar with. Youkai, spirits, "magic" powers? No problem. This shit? No clue.

Youkai...

[He stares for a moment and then groans loudly, fingers combing through his hair.]

What kind of place is this where I'm hearing things like that and going through whatever portal I just went through. This is so stupid!

[In the end, Hikaru is only 15 and this is a lot for somebody sheltered in many ways.]

[ The reaction to youkai in particular gets another smirk from Shishi. ]

Where are you from, boy? Japan, I take it? "Youkai" seems to have struck a nerve... I hate to tell you, but youkai are most likely real in your home too, just unbeknownst to you. You and I may even be from the same place, honestly, but I seldom go over into the human realm. Other youkai do, though... Ah — I guess that's a bit disconcerting to think of, too, though, isn't it? Sorry.

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▶ TDM .017

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