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

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.

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[ Part of him wants to cry. He decides to neither confirm nor deny that. Takao hadn't asked, so Midorima isn't going to provide that answer. He pries Takao off of him finally and starts heading upstairs. ]

Let's set up your futon.

[ He will tell him, but it'll be easier if he's got something to do with his hands and Takao isn't latched onto him. ]

His name was Eichi Tenshouin. The piano in the living room was given to me the second time he met, and I told him off for attempting to buy me off and invading my space without permission.

[ If that tells Takao anything about the kind of person Eichi was. ]

[He goes without complaint, scooping up Merlin once his arms are free he gives the pup a nuzzle and follows behind Midorima. If he cries he does, Takao will not tease him about that. Not this time, it's different from the first loss, different than the second time too.

He'll do what he can to cheer him up once he's gotten it off his chest as best he can. There's a faint flicker of a fond smile to Takao's lips, that sounds just like the kind of person needed to get through to Midorima and handle his quirks. Takao would know, he thinks he would have liked this guy, at least from what he is hearing so far.]

A piano, that's not a bad idea, I may have to try that after I get an application approved.

[He will let Midorima continue, he 's just filling the space of time while they walk.]

[ Midorima gets the spare futon out of his closet and starts preparing it on the floor beneath his own bed, moving Merlin's dog bed and a bunch of stuffed animals that Merlin likes to cuddle with (and Midorima sometimes uses as lucky items). ]

You can't afford to throw money away on a grand piano, Takao. He was likely the richest moonblessed in Prismatica. He owned an apartment building and an entertainment agency. [ A brief pause and then Midorima adds: ] As well as being a.. prolific moonlacer.

[ Midorima is well aware that he was not the only one that Eichi was with. By far. But he likes to think that there was something between them more than with other people. As complicated as it was, he was fairly certain that Eichi returned the feeling. ]

He was the type who lived every day like it was his last. He put more effort than he was physically capable of handling into everything he did.

[ He's not dead yet, Midorima.. genuinely hopes, but talking about him in past tense is helping Midorima process that he's gone. He's not looking at Takao as he sets up the futon, not asking Takao to do it himself because he wants to focus on it while he talks. But that's OK, Merlin is licking Takao's chin while they talk so at least someone is looking at Takao. ]

[Takao settles on the floor, back against the wall as he loves on Merlin, giving the pup what seems to be all his attention with how focused he stays. Of course, his hawk-eye works, and he has an eye on his friend. Knowing that he needs to do this versus Takao, so he listens instead.

Please leave it to Midorima to find a guy like that, he is impressive, though there is an inner wince at the prolific moonlacer, that had to be hard on someone like his friend. No wonder he mentioned a boyfriend and girlfriend, this place must not give many options. Because by the sounds of it, Midorima would have been happy to have Eichi to himself and given the same in return. Some day he hopes his friend can have that. Someone who is just his. Though even if these places make you have more than one doesn't mean one can't mean something special he figures, this must have been that person for Midorima.]

Yeah, I'll never have time to get that rich, all I want to do is play basketball with you, keep watching those shots.

[He's just being Takao is speaking his mind as he leans his head back holding Merlin up making a face at the puppy playfully before he gives him a snuggle. He is not pointing out the use of past tense, because he can see it for what it is, a way of accepting and grieving what Midorima lost.]

Smart guy, what's the point of having a life, if you don't live it, it's like losing at the biggest game.

[Yeah, this guy was definitely someone special and Takao knows Midorima wouldn't wish it but he homes maybe someday they can find each other again, even if it's not here, perhaps there is another world, not that he says any of that out loud.]

[ Midorima lets out a puff of air. It's not a mirthful laugh by any means, and there's a pained and bitter tone to it that's probably deeper than any hurt that he's let Takao see before. When Takao says that, it's.. difficult. ]

He was terminal, so it was that sort of attitude to an extreme that landed him in the hospital often. There's a good chance the last time I spoke with him was really..

[ He has to stop talking for a moment. This is harder than losing someone else would be, because it's very possible that Eichi could die back home at any point and Midorima would not get to say goodbye in a much more permanent way. There's no promise that he's out there somewhere, and it hurts so much more than he wants it to. Midorima falls quiet after that. His throat feels like it's closing up. This is the first time he's tried to say it out loud. He stops making up the futon and pushes up his glasses, holding his hand there as he takes a deep breath, trying to calm himself down. ]

[That's a side of Midorima he has never seen, it's not that it's bad. It's honestly good, it means that even without Takao pushing and prodding him Midorima was able to really bond with someone, give part of himself, and open up.

Except, that means too now his friend has to know loss and that's the part of caring about other people that sucks. He wants to cry himself, not that he will but his own chest is tight he can only imagine what his friend is going through. If it were anyone else Takao would go to them and hug them. But it's Midorima, it has to be handled differently.

Because Takao wants him to let it out, if he holds it in it's only going to hurt him more in the long run. Quietly the point guard moves over, shifting so he is sitting in such a way that he and the shooter are back to back without actually touching. He can not see Midorima's face and Midorima can not see his. He is close enough to lean back if his friend decides he wants to but far enough to not push into his space in his usual manner. It also gives Midorima privacy should that tightness in his chest become too much. When he speaks it's unusually soft for Takao and just one word. He is just there waiting for Midorima, not much different than when he stood outside the locker room door.]

Sorry.

[He wishes he could make it magically better but the world does not work that way. All he can do is try to be a good friend now that he is here to help.]

[ It's a genuine help when Takao turns his back to him. Just about anyone else in the world might think this was the oddest, most useless way to comfort someone, but it's perfect for Midorima. It allows him to feel close to Takao without overstepping boundaries, it means he can hide the fact that he obviously wants to cry (may be crying, not that he will ever admit it), and maintain his dignity. It allows him to have contact without pushing past his personal bubble, and makes him feel safe.

And so he does scoot just that small amount back to touch his back against Takao's. He doesn't try to wipe his eyes or anything. Takao's already given him his space, and they've both been together when they've been heartbroken before, for entirely different reasons. He tilts his head back just enough that he's not risking his long lashes leaving little dewdrops on his lenses, his hair brushing against Takao's as he does.

He stays quiet for some time, the warmth of Takao's presence worth far more than the chroma being generated between them right now. If Takao doesn't interrupt him for sometime, at least until he feels like he's had enough time to let these emotions as out as someone like Midorima feels comfortable expressing them, he will eventually let out a slightly ragged sigh and straighten up. ]

Finish making your futon, I'm going to get ready for bed.

[He knew what he was doing, he may be loud, annoying, like to pick on people for their habits. But he is also caring, loyal, observant, and he knows Midorima. So when the shooter leans back, all he'll find is an immobile Takao, a steady, strong back to lean against and quiet.

It's not often the point guard stays this way, but he does through his friend's grief. Eyes closing when he feels Midorima's hair brush against his own, he knows it means the other is crying. He also knows as his heart breaks for his friend that Takao is doing the best thing he can for him; it's small, maybe seems odd to other people. Then again, most of their interactions probably seem that way; they have their ways, and it works for them, so who cares.

He also knows he is one of the few people that Midorima could have done this with, so in some strange way, he's glad he's here now. if they were home he'd assume he was the only, but he knows his friend has made bonds here so he doesn't assume.

When he hears that breath he knows it's coming to an end, but he holds the line until Midorima speaks and is moving.]

Got it.

[He sees his friend from the corner of his eye but says nothing, letting him leave to fix himself for bed, Takao does not even consider changing just finishes what Midorima started then grabs his toothbrush, so he can do the same when Midorima is done.]

[ He doesn't feel a need to tell Takao not to tell anyone about this. He knows he won't. He trusts Takao. Even after a year, Takao is still the person he knows that he can rely on and who knows the difference between when it's annoying to push his buttons and when he needs support and understanding. Even after all this time, he still hasn't found anyone who quite understands him on that level even if there are those who have made strides toward it.

In the end, he doesn't know what he would've done if Takao didn't show up when he did. He had wanted to just bury it, to never talk about Eichi again and to put up walls so losing someone wouldn't hurt as much again. He doesn't know what kind of fate this is that they've fallen into, but if there's some divine force watching out for him, it sure picked the right time.

Midorima stays largely quiet through his process. He cleans up, brushes his teeth and hair, checks his nails and retapes his fingers, then returns to do his bedtime stretches before realizing the futon is in the way of where he normally does them. So he goes into the hallway to do them, which Merlin seems to find particularly hilarious and hops up on his back while he does seated toe-touches. Which is what is occurring when Takao returns from brushing his teeth. ]

[There are many things that can go without saying, his silence and discretion on this subject among them. That any time Midorima needs him as long as he is here, he'll be here. It's a natural thing for Takao by now, sure at first it was a lot of him shoving himself in but while he was pestering he was also learning. Clearly, it's paid off because they've come a long way since his declaration in the gym.

That is the thing with Takao, he knows without Midorima saying it, he needs him, he appreciates him being here. Maybe the guy is on to something with this whole fate thing Takao thinks to himself as he brushes his teeth. What are the odds that right at moment he was probably most needed this place decided to bring him along after a year? Well, he's definitely hanging with Midorima enough to start to buy into those things on some level, not nearly as much as the shooter but enough to give the universe a small nod.

Thinking about doing his own stretches as soon as he steps into the hallway the point guard stops, he stares for a second, and then he loses it. It's that slow sputter, that immediately builds up into the full-blown laugh. That is an unbelievably cute and hilarious sight, he may fall on his backside at this rate.]

Are you helping Merlin? [Still snickering, no help what so ever at the moment.]

[ Midorima can't deny that Merlin is somewhat cute, but his brow still twitches as he looks up at Takao. He reaches behind him to pick up Merlin and bring him around to the front. ]

Merlin likes stretching.

[ Now Midorima is going to do something on purpose though. He pats the floor in front of him and changes to this position, which Merlin copies with him in his own dog stretch way. ]

[Annnd it gets cuter and funnier for sure. Takao loves this, snickering till he is more sputtering than laughing, he tries to contain himself he swears he does.]

Fantastic, you trained him to stretch.

[Sorry Midorima right now Merlin is not the only cute one, the shooters tail and ears make this moment incredibly hilarious for Takao. Though, his usual mode of being impressed at the things Midorima can accomplish like teaching Merlin to stretch with him. He is winding down now but not without one or two more sputters.]

That's the best thing I've seen all day.

[Takao drops giving enough distance for Midorima and Merlin and shifts into his stretching routine. Eyes still lit up with amusement.]

[ Midorima continues doing his stretches, and Merlin does.. some version of most of them along with him, and whenever he can't figure it out he just climbs on Midorima in some way to help him. If Midorima was going to have a dog he was going to have fun teaching it to behave so his routines aren't interfered with, and that often results in Merlin ending up participating in certain activities. The first time he stretched with Merlin in the home was much messier and just involved Merlin attempting to climb on his face and being annoying. He's got it pretty intensively down now. ]

You need to stretch before bed too, Takao.

Okay, okay, Shin-chan, on it.

[Which he is, not even thinking as he begins much like Merlin minus the climbing on Midorima, he matches his stretches to the shooter. That there is an occasional snicker at Merlin's antics, he can not help it.

Takao will be more than amused to watch Midorima training Merlin to participate. Though, who else except Midorima would be impressive enough to train his dog to follow through his stretching routine. He will deny it, but he can't help the quick fond glance and smile at Midorima while he is stretching. One day maybe he won't be so impressed by him, but honestly, Takao kind of hopes not.

He does not even notice he does it. ]

[ Laugh it up, Takao. Merlin recognizes that he now has two humans to jump on during this, so he mixes it up about halfway through the routine once he realizes that Takao is doing it. Right around the fond glance, he jumps up on Takao's neck to try to sit on the back of his head during a stretch. Merlin is a terrorist.

Midorima smirks at him. ]

[Takao sees Merlin coming for sure, what he does not expect his the neck landing and the point guard huffs out a breath as it shifts him forward so his head touches the ground, he laughs, giving Merlin time to get to his head before lifting it and catching that smirk.

He pokes his tongue out at Midorima and his smirk, then stretching again, he is careful with the pup just in case. Looks like the point guard is just as amused with the pup on his head and he was with him on Midorima's.]

Don't help him, his ego will only get bigger.

Merlin's ego is already bigger than mine.

[ Merlin's ego is a threat to society, to be honest. ]

How can you slander such a cute puppy Shin-chan?

[Takao slides down, plucks Merlin from his head and rolls over, looking up at the little guy where he holds him.]

Look at him, no way he's got an ego as big as Shutoku's ace.

[Of course, Midorima has earned his ego, there is no one who can do what he does exactly. Even Kise is just a copy cat, after all, not the original. Not that he is telling Midorima this.]

I live with him. I know.

[ Midorima pushes up his own glasses dramatically. ]

You'll see.

[ The first time Takao has company over and Merlin comes barreling through one of the screen doors because Attention for Merlin is the top priority. The pup in question lets out a happy yap. ]

I'll prove you wrong.

[That happy yap gets merlin another snuggle before Takao sets him down, he can't hold the little floof all the time as much as he may want to, instead he stretches from his position and into an upright one in a fluid motion.]

Except for his shoelace trick, that's low.

Hmph.

[ Either way, they're done with stretches now, so Midorima gets up and goes to climb into his bed. ]

Rest up, Takao. You'll have a full day of dealing with his ego tomorrow.

[Takao snickers, climbing onto the futon below Midorima's bed. He should know by now, Takao's version of ego and what he doesn't find amusing is different than others, it's the very reason he's here right now instead of in a starter apartment.

He befriends egos apparently. There is not even a complaint when Merlin joins him, in fact, Takao is happy to snuggle the pup.]

Night Shin-chan, see you in the morning. You too Merlin, you're a good boy.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

▶ TDM .017

I only noticed bc I was like "wait we had one bracket, one prose, what happened.."

I end up prosing half the time in brackets anyway so it works yeah lol <3

same

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