prismaticrap | ▶ TDM .018

Entry tags:

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.

▶ I Didn’t Choose the Hug Life, the Hug Life Chose Me
08/09 | Outside Lunatia, Kingdom of Calanthe | top

With the return of Lyestella and Vulpus to the land, the Lyestellans and Amegaharans have pledged to cooperate with the Lunatians in their effort to continue to restore Prismatica to its former glory and recover the planet’s lost history. The Prismals now turn their attention to the decrystallization of the land and the detoxification of the air, both remnants of the great cataclysm of ages past. The planet’s surface has already been changing, revealing new sites of archaeological interest. Aside from Neuhr Ellysti, another one was recently found to the far south of Lunatia in an old city that the Prismals call Calanthe.

The Moonblessed-produced Chroma has dissipated the toxic mist surrounding the city, revealing a sprawling, majestic kingdom encased in crystal as if it was frozen in time. The kingdom is partially submerged in water, requiring some sophisticated techniques to reach its innermost recesses. Lunar Scientia has requested for Chroma to be funneled into the ancient city to allow them to study it further.

As an apology for his antics last month, Vulpus has volunteered to lead the Calanthe decrystallization efforts with the power... of dance! His Azure Passion Blossom dance will help the Moonblessed generate more Chroma by amplifying it considerably.

B As Vulpus dances, the Moonblessed are asked to participate in a large-scale hug-a-thon at the Calanthe research camp. The goal is to partner up with one another and try to remain awake for 3 hours, simply standing and hugging, in order to take home the following rewards: a generous amount of groceries, two luxurious dessert cakes (comes in two flavors!), and the choice to take home one of the latest Chromawear releases from Prissy Polyp.

Now that he’s being good, do you think Vulpus’s hips don’t lie? Nope. He is definitely back on his bullshit. For those unwilling to participate, they will find their bodies inexplicably “magnetized” to one another, spontaneously sending you through the air and sticking you to someone else. Escape is nigh impossible for at least an hour when the effects wear off. Better be prepared to make friends fast.

▶ Ride It, My Pony
08/10 | top

The mass amounts of hug-induced Chroma successfully banish the crystal and toxic mist away and open up the kingdom of Calanthe. While many may be eager to venture into the unknown, Lunar Scientia warns everyone of the dangers ahead. Prepare yourselves, and don’t travel alone.

Calanthe is covered in runes and symbols that may be familiar to veteran Moonblessed, including the Mark of the Destroyer which had been present in the Glory. Meanwhile, the shimmering waters surrounding the city are remarkably beautiful, but with no ocean floor in sight — only an endless abyss.

C Calanthe’s waters are enchanted to drown all those unwelcome, even those who can breathe underwater. It’s not a good idea to touch or stand close to the water for too long in any way, either. That will summon innumerous kelpie horses that will lunge out and ram against you, your friend, and/or the nearest Prismal researcher, instantly knocking them into the nearest wall. These creatures best described as finned horses made of water; they mysteriously evaporate after each attack, only reappearing to ram any threat to their territory again.

Once provoked, the kelpies will start conjuring bubble cages around its opponents, which will send them floating upwards before quickly sinking into the endless abyss. Damaging the bubble cages from within is completely ineffective, as they can only be broken by those outside of it. Rescuers, hurry and break the bubbles before it’s too late!

Alarmed by these developments, Lunar Scientia will order a temporary retreat as they try to figure out how to deal with all the furious kelpies before any more people are taken into the abyss.

▶ Natural De-Selection
08/10 - 08/24 | top

Day and night, all begin to hear haunted whispers echo throughout Lunatia in the next coming days, among them the voices of those who were recently taken into the abyss, begging for help or mercy.

Ghost sightings of slain jellyfish and Korokiels from past battles flicker into view at random hours of the evening. Some people feel painful, spontaneous electric shocks. Others feel tentacles coil around and strangle them for a few seconds before the sensation disappears completely.

Just what did they unearth in Calanthe? News programs, articles, and social media are filled with rumors and conspiracy theories, but all seem to agree that the research team has awakened an ancient curse.

Those who were not freed in time and kidnapped into Calanthe’s watery abyss will remain in an unusual stasis, floating about in the bubble with those they are trapped with. The longer they stay there, the smaller the bubble gets, making it harder for them to breathe. Their most painful thoughts may end up echoing throughout Lunatia. The captured can stave off death a bit longer by constantly moonlacing until rescue comes for them.

D Time is of the essence. As soon as Lunar Scientia quickly announces their findings, everyone dives straight back into the bottomless depths. All rescuers will be given a newly developed Carcharian potion that will allow Moonblessed to temporarily grow shark properties, including the special ability to breathe in Calanthe’s waters, enhanced flexibility and agility in the water, and possession of sharp jagged teeth. These teeth are magically effective against kelpies who seem to fear the shark kind. The potion’s effects will naturally wear off after an hour, so be sure to complete your rescue by then.

With the kidnapped Prismals and Moonblessed back home safely, the Prismals will continue to carefully study how to safely navigate the area and explore Calanthe.

▶ 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.

DO I HAVE TO PARTICIPATE? ▶ As always, all content is optional. You do not have to be affected by any of the prompts if you wish to opt out.

KELPIES ▶ These horses cannot be tamed or reasoned with. If you kill one, more aggressive kelpies will come for you out of vengeance and start to swarm you and others.

CALANTHE’S WATERS ▶ As stated on the log, these waters are enchanted to drown intruders. Even those who can breathe underwater will NOT be able to. Attempting to bypass this through any means will not work.

BUBBLE CAGES ▶ Each bubble should contain at least two people. A Moonblessed may be trapped with an NPC Prismal if desired. You may freely communicate with other bubbles in the abyss. Attempting to use the network will fail as the signal is jammed.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Okay, that gets him to stop. But he still looks a little pissy about it.]

I was just answering your question. It would hurt ten times more than that did.

[He shouldn't be talking so much to this human. Maybe telling him this will make him afraid of him? Then they can just part ways like nothing happened.]

[After all, he's really not sure how he should be acting around them right now. This world wasn't home. But what if someone from home showed up? At least in public, he needed to keep appearances.]

[ Nooo don't be upset! That makes Mike upset too. Because he obviously caused it. ]

I'm sorry. I shouldn't have asked about it like that. I'll make it up to you!

[ Unfortunately for Shell it doesn't look like Mike has the same idea about parting ways. Not after leaving a less than positive impression. ]

How about I show you around after this lets us go! You probably still have a lot of questions too.

[...]

You don't have to force yourself to do that.

[It's a lot harder to hide his truth feelings behind his expressions when someone is this physically close to him.]

[ The irony here is that Mike puts on a lot of masks too. Performer that he is. Perhaps too good at hiding. ]

But I want to! Really really! I wouldn't make the offer otherwise.

[ Now he's pouting. ]

...why? I'm a vampire. Shouldn't you... be afraid of me? Most humans are.

[Logically, he can understand why he wouldn't be. Mike isn't from a world subjugated by vampires, nor is Shell using his pheromones right now. But even so, it feels hard to believe.]

[Could it have always been this easy?]

Scared of you? Ha! Why should I be? I've faced off with things ten times scarier than you- no offense.

[ Of course he doesn't know this guy well but Mike still gives a comforting squeeze when he sees the sad face. ]

Plus you seem nice!

...ten times scarier, huh. I guess I shouldn't be making assumptions about humans from different worlds.

[The comforting squeeze is... nice? When was the last time someone hugged him just because he looked sad? He's not even sure he can remember such a time, really.]

[For the first time since getting stuck together -- Shell smiles.]

Then I'd appreciate it. This place is pretty from what I'm used to, so it's... been a little overwhelming.

[ Mike smiles broadly in return. He lives for that kind of reaction. ]

Oh, I wouldn't beat yourself up over it. I was in a bit of a unique situation at the Manor after all.

[ Not meant to be a cryptic comment before they move on. But with all things Manor it is anyways. ]

It's a very exciting city! You'll see. I had never seen anything quite so lit up before myself, you know.

Even from what little I've seen, I agree-- I've never imagined a city could be so... bright, even after dark.

[...]

But... really, how much longer are we supposed to be stuck together? [They can't go see the city like this, it'd be weird?? That said, he's somewhat giving in here and resting an arm loosely around Mike's shoulders.]

About that! Didn't you know that there are lotsa prizes if you stick around for three hours?

[ But that's a long time and his neck is starting to ache from looking up at such close quarters. So Mike thumps his head against the torso in front of his face to rest it for a bit. ]

But if you really want to be free I bet if you gave me a proper hug that would do it. Maybe it might trick that crafty Vulpus fellow into thinking we're actually participating now!

[ OPTIMISM! ]

--prizes?

[Consider his interest immediately piqued.]

Just what kind of prizes are we talking about?

A shiny kind of clothing I've never seen before-... and groceries! All for a good cause, so they say.

[ It's way funnier if Mike doesn't tell Shell about the dick cake. He sooo wants to see that reaction. ]

So, what do you say? Do you want to give it a go? I'm great company so that time would pass like it's nothing!

Hmm... what if you give me your share of the clothing, and I give you my share of the groceries? It's not really fair otherwise, since I wouldn't be able to eat any of them.

[Unless it's just a big ol slab of raw meat.]

Hmmmm!!

[ The clothing looked like fun though. So Mike deliberates by tapping his finger against his chin. ]

...Okay! Deal. That sounds fair enough to me. So are you in?

[ It's totally because he made Shell upset earlier. ]

I'm already here, aren't I?

[Thus begins a proper cuddle-a-thon. But... should they sit down?]

[If they sit down, it's totally going to end with Mike sitting in his lap, because there's just No Other Way with how they're pressed up against each other.]

That you are! It sounds like we've got ourselves a deal. Ehehe, good to know that you aren't a quitter. Now scooch over!

[ If they sit down and Mike ends up sitting in Shell's lap... Well? It's not the first he's ended up like this. In fact, he snickers while he urges Shell down into that exact set up so he can curl up in the vampire's lap all content.

Hope Shell isn't touch shy. Because Mike will wiggle around to wrap his arms around his neck and rest his head on Shell's chest like it's nothing. ]

Are you comfortable?

[OH YEAH TOTALLY COMFORTABLE]

...y-yeah. This is fine!

[He's gonna snap his own neck with how hard he's trying not to look at Mike when he's all cuddled up to him like this.]

[ He loves it when someone turns out to be easy to tease. ]

[ Mike tilts his head to look up at Shell. Good luck looking away when they're this close. ]

Oh, are you quite sure? Don't be shy now. Tell me if I'm too heavy.

[ His grin goes sharp as he restlessly readjusts in his lap. It's all intentional although it may not seem it at first. A little mischief won't hurt anyone and they've got some time to kill. ]

Y-You're not too... ah...

[Is he doing this on purpose? Shell thinks the teasing is, but not the fidgeting. Surely he wouldn't be trying something with a stranger? In public??]

[But with Mike this close, there's no way he isn't going to notice a certain scent. It smells distinctly like roses -- was it there before? But as nice as the smell is, it might just have his hairs standing on end for reasons he won't be able to explain.]

[ It was only going to be a bit of teasing in the first place. But now he has to stop and smell the roses... The ones that were definitely not there before. Mike freezes in place once because he registers that presence. That instinctual response has always meant danger is near in his experience. ]

[ Very effective. Although it has Mike looking up at the noble with a inquisitive expression. ]

What is that? There is the smell of roses all of a sudden. Do you smell it too?

Huh? Roses-- oh! Those are, uh... my pheromones. I'm surprised you haven't smelled them until now.

[--because they only got stronger when the lewd thoughts began, and his lack of chroma kept the potency down. But he's not going to just say that.]

[ Wow ok, that danger? Fake news. ]

Oh! So that's what it feels like to be on the receiving end! You know, since all this Cordis business began it's usually been mine going all haywire! [ A giggle. ] It seems like we've got matching moonblessings, you and I.

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

1/2

no subject

1/3

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject