prismaticrap | ▶ TDM .003

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▶ TDM .003

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▶ Tales from the Crypt
Moon Iris | top

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. 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 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? Why did I eat those fifty cent street truck tacos last night? — 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, you may freely roam around the government center. Alternatively, you can ask the staff about the moon base. They suggest that you visit one of their excavation sites nearby: an enormous hole known as the Glory. The scientists have been excavating this site carefully for years, searching for a legendary ancient tomb sleeping within. They’re accepting volunteers if anyone is inclined to aid in their efforts. Perhaps the Moonblessed have the knowledge they need to make it a success!

A ⬤ A chroma-powered lift made of magically fortified crystal is used to access the lower grounds. Be careful not to fall off! On the way down, some translucent caterpillars and crystals light your way. Be quiet and keep an eye out for Queen Bowie beetles: these glowing neon bugs are attracted to music, and a single note will send them flying into your clothes and hair. Putting the beetles under pressure is not advised, as they will explode and send their sticky insides flying throughout the airspace, potentially stinging your eyes. This will make moving around in dark, cramped spaces all the more difficult! Thankfully, they get bored if no one tries to sing for one whole minute.

B ⬤ Scientists, engineers, miners, and archeologists are at the unearthed antechambers, hard at work. They will assign you to different tasks: recording observations and taking down notes, digging with advanced excavation tools, or collecting fragile relics with metal and crystal detectors. The Moonblessed may also assist with solving riddles the ancients left in the tomb’s doors, chests and walls. Solving them may lead to either treasure rooms or trap walls that close in on unsuspecting grave robbers. Others, well...

Golden jellyfish statues line the walls, encrusted with glistening jewels all over, some worse for wear. Tall pillars have numerous ancient runes which the Prismals are struggling to decipher. Soon, an eerie whisper reaches your mind: “Wander no further. A curse awaits all who enter our kingdom. Disturb not those who slumber in the deep.” True enough, the floor from this point onward appears to be blue sand combed in the pattern of ocean waves... Are you brave enough to continue drilling through?

C ⬤ If that is not enough to send you scrambling out with moist underwear, perhaps the seismic jolt to the ground will. A slimy substance begins to ooze out the tomb’s cracks, glowing lilac like the Iris moon... The Prismals are quick to usher everyone out before the shaking gets worse. As the lift may be too dangerous, climbing equipment will be provided. Watch out for falling debris or collapsing rocks while assisting each other out of cramped passages and up the walls to safety. Try not to get stuck in the slime!

This little adventure might leaving you wondering what or who exactly lies deeper inside, but the Prismals are just as clueless as you are. Cave-ins happen from time to time, but this might have been the strongest one recorded on this site.

Eventually you’re called to the docks and led onto a large transport vessel. Destination: Prismatica.

▶ Those Kicks were Fast as Lightning
Higher Lunatia, Level 1 | 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.

With the end of Harvest Boon, the city is calm once more. The streets of Level 1 and 2 are now sparkling clean as always, but Level 3 is still in the process of cleaning up. There are confetti and deflated balloons strewn all over the streets, but Swiffy bots are on the scene, sweeping up whatever waste they can get their hands on. Sometimes, they might even play tug-of-war with you for it. At one of the train stations, a Prismal doomsayer screams about the apocalypse returning. Passersby shrug at the conspiracy theory and move on.

A ⬤ In response to the unexpected rough events during Harvest Boon, the Moon Knights decided to hold free-for-all self-defense seminars at a large park near Lunatia Square. The live demonstrations include proper monster-wrangling procedures and how to efficiently keep a rogue moonheld (read: transformed under the moon) Prismal away. Participants are encouraged to learn and interact with each other to learn various safety practices and techniques. The training visors provided enhance the seminar experience, changing whoever your eyes focus on into a cerberus or other rogue moonheld Prismal on the visor’s display. Don’t use the visors for too long, or you’ll be seeing everyone as a cerberus well after you take the visors off! Fortunately, the effects only last for an hour. Energy drinks and free snacks are available to any worn-out Prismal or Moonblessed.

B ⬤ Virtual lunar conditions are also available via multiplayer VR pods in Lunar Scientia headquarters, simulating the Moonblessed/moonheld experience under full moons. Mental exercises and magic practice sessions are accessible in the virtual spaces, allowing people to test out their magical abilities and transformations. Simulation participants can either train by themselves, with a partner, or through a tutorial of instruction-based movements. However, the program is still in beta. You may experience errors or bugs like lagging, NPCs phasing into things they shouldn’t, weird physics, or body glitches.

▶ Meas Trees are the Bee’s Knees
Middle Lunatia, Level 2 | top

The rows of Meas trees planted this Harvest Boon are blossoming beautifully into view, painting the fields in Level 2 with colors of spring. Meas tree saplings each have a small sign next to them, displaying their owners’ written wish if they chose to disclose it. Interestingly, the color and aroma of each flower depends on the owners; fiery personalities might have red or orange flowers, those born in a coastal town might have flowers that smell like the sea near their hometown, and so on. Maybe you’ll encounter a familiar aroma if you’re lucky enough.

The Moonblessed who were most active with moonlacing the past few weeks have the largest trees, nearly rivaling the oldest Meas trees around. The older trees planted by Prismals over time can be seen in the next field, standing majestically with their swaying branches and flying petals.

A ⬤ Picnic grounds for flower viewings can be found near the fields. There are plenty of stalls selling homemade bruschettas, crostinis, sandwiches, wines, cheeses, and other enjoyable finger food. Notably, some wines may give you an insatiable desire to whisper things in someone’s ear. Sweet nothings, death threats, your secret kinks—no matter the words, you’ll want to kill someone softly with them.

B ⬤ The Swiffy bots that are assigned to the parks and gardens in Level 2 help keep things spick and span, but they’re due for maintenance and may attempt to sweep off any unfortunate picnics with their high-powered vacuums or leaf blowers. As they zoom across the paths, they chirrup about not treading on the grass and take off with picnic blankets, table cloths, and people’s clothes. Any nearby maintenance staff (who are all desperately trying to chase the bots) yell that a conk on the head will immobilize them. Once the malfunctioning bots are stopped, the staff approach to wheel them away while apologising profusely for the mayhem.

▶ Questions

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

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Atsushi had managed to find a stall that was loaded with toasted breads and sandwiches, and he'd happily bought one for himself to eat as he walked through the stalls. It tastes delicious... enough so that he doesn't even notice the redhead reaching for him before it's too late, and he lets out a yelp as he's yanked over and down by someone, bicolored eyes going wide.]

What?!

[Snap his neck?!]

[Chuuya isn't sure why, but he can't resist twisting that collar in his grip, tightening it around Atsushi's neck. He hasn't even recognized him yet. To be fair, though, it's hard to recognize someone from this angle. His lips are just a fraction of an inch from Atsushi's hair,close enough that his warm breath gusts over it as he speaks.]

You wouldn't even feel it.

[Is it meant to be a temptation, or a threat? With his tone of voice it's hard to tell.]

[Atsushi can barely breath, not just because of the hand at his collar but the proximity, fingers tightening their grip around his half eaten sandwich. He shudders a little at the warm breath so close to his neck, mind racing.

Were they serious? It was hard to say. They could just be kidding--who would murder someone in broad daylight?--but he'd seen weirder.

...But he couldn't let anyone get involved in this, either. He reaches up with his one free hand, letting claws form at the tips of his fingers as he goes to grasp the wrist attached to that hand around his collar.]

I'd rather you didn't.

[Being grabbed by something that's definitely not a hand is what finally snaps Chuuya out of it. He doesn't let go of Atsushi, but he pulls back to have a look, eyes going first to the claw - oh, hey, looks like he grabbed someone interesting - and then to his face.

And then his eyes go wide as he actually recognizes him.]

You're that were-tiger.

[He does know his name. Of course he does. But it seems all members of the mafia are incapable of actually using it, or they've all been ordered not to for some reason, or they're all just dicks.

But Dazai's new ~~protege~~ victim is definitely the last person Chuuya expected to find.]

[Atsushi isn't letting go of Chuuya's wrist until he lets go of him, because he likes his head where it is thank you. His eyebrows raise in surprise though, at the familiar word. How...?]

...I have a name, you know.

[He hisses the words in petty annoyance, but that's probably not what he should be saying right now!! Now that the man's stepped back, he can get a better look at him. Red hair, black clothes--

...Black. Oh. A shock runs down his spine, his grip on Chuuya's wrist getting tighter.]

You're from the Port Mafia, aren't you?

[It was weird. Dazai arriving was already such a strange chance of fate, but some stranger from the Mafia too....? But who else would call him that?]

[If you tighten your grip, Atsushi, Chuuya is definitely not letting go. Instead he twists his grip a little more, because he can, casually adjusting his hat with his other hand so he can look at him better.

He grins as the kid realizes where he's from, if not who he is.]

Got it in one. And the reports say you're an idiot.

[Wow, Chuuya, be nice.]

But since you're an enemy, you should have gathered a little more intel than that.

I'm not an idiot, your reports are just biased!

[What's with this guy! Just threatening him out of nowhere like this and insulting him!

Atsushi's expression changed from surprised to straight up annoyed, a scowl settling on his face as he keeps tight grip on the smaller man's wrist, trying to lean back away from that grip on his collar to test Chuuya's grip.]

....But if you're asking if I know who you are, I don't.

[Rather: He's the second newest rookie, he's not that well informed, ok. Also Dazai wasn't exactly the most reliable when it came to detailing appearances of would be enemies.]

You know who delivered those reports. Complain to him.

[Can you imagine Akutagawa having to deliver reports on his encounters with Atsushi? Because that has happened. More than once. And they're always interesting to listen to, that's for sure.

Chuuya pulls back to stop Atsushi from leaning away.]

I'm Chuuya. An Executive of the Port Mafia.

And you know exactly how well that would go if you know him.

['Interesting' is certainly a word for it. Atsushi complaining about it would lead to more 'interesting' reports too.

Part of him wonders what Akutagawa is doing right now, if he's keeping the deal they'd made--he hopes so--but that thought is far away with introduction Chuuya gives him.

Chuuya... Chuuya...?]

Oh! Dazai-san talked about you. You manipulate gravity, don't you?

[His eyes go wide again with recognition. He tries to hold his ground, digging his heels in in a vain attempt to steal back some leverage.]

... He did say you were short.

[Now it's Chuuya's turn to look annoyed, his smug grin fading quickly at being called short. Or maybe it's the mention of Dazai's name that does it.]

So you're not completely clueless.

[And a demonstration of his ability is in order. Atsushi can dig his heels in as much as he likes, it won't do any good when Chuuya just lifts him straight up, before flicking him aside like he weighs nothing.

(Because he weighs nothing.)]

Here's some advice for you: Don't rely on that asshole's reports, either. He always leaves something out.

[Atsushi doesn't even know about Chuuya being sensitive about his height. It's one of the few descriptors Dazai gave that made any sense, that's all. Height was a good way to identify people on sight if they fell into high or low ranges for a newbie detective.

Unfortunately, Dazai's habit of leaving things out means Atsushi's on the receiving end of someone's sour mood, as usual. He lets out a yelp as he's lifted up and thrown far too easily, hitting the ground back first with gritted teeth, though he does brace himself for the impact... and drop his sandwich on Chuuya's shoes in the process of being thrown.

At least he didn't have him by the neck anymore.]

I already knew that much... you're really going to pick a fight here?!

Edited 2019-05-08 10:49 (UTC)

[Chuuya frowns down at the sandwich. And then kicks it after Atsushi.]

If I wanted to pick a fight, I'd actually hurt you.

[This doesn't count, apparently. Though he does walk over so he can look down at Atsushi, finally taller, and looking like he's enjoying this new angle a lot.]

I thought cats always landed on their feet.

[Atsushi takes a brief moment to mourn his delicious lunch, now covered in dirt and landing in front of him with a sad sounding plop. He knew thee fondly, sandwich...]

[But then he's scowling up at Chuuya anew, irritated. He'd transform If Chuuya tried anything more, but they were still in proximity to places where a lot of people were gathered, and he didn't want anyone to get dragged into this.]

I'm not a cat!

[Even if his hands were awfully furry for a moment there, until Chuuya confirmed he wasn't picking a fight.

Just being a jerk, then.]

You're obviously not.

[Because cats are more graceful. But having lorded over Atsushi for long enough, he's going to crouch down and try to save his shoe. He doesn't really have anything to wipe it clean with, though, so he'll grab some leaves.

Ew, this is way too much cheese for a sandwich.]

Did you just arrive here, too?

[Yep, going from being a dick to just asking for information.]

[He's occasionally a cat here, but only occasionally. And tigers aren't housecats.

Atsushi's going to push himself up so he's sitting, eying Chuuya warily for a moment before letting out a heavy sigh as he watches him crouch down to pick at his shoes. His poor sandwich... All that cheese had been delicious. He looks like Chuuya is personally insulting him as he tries to wipe it off of his shoes.]

I've been here for about two months, now.

[It's not really information he needs to withhold, though he wonders if he should mention Dazai-san. He was pretty sure it wouldn't be unsafe or anything, but...]

[A cat is a cat, Atsushi. Embrace it.

Forget the sandwich, his poor shoe. He's going to have to go buy shoe polish now, and he has no idea where to even get that here. He has no idea where to get anything here.]

It's a really weird place, isn't it?

[He probably shouldn't talk to an enemy he just threatened but -- he knows no one here, and even if he doesn't show it he's definitely freaked out about it all. And he does need information.]

Definitely not how kidnappings usually go.

[Atsushi could probably tell him, if he asked. He worked at a convenience store these days.

Then again, Atsushi has never used shoe polish.]

I don't know if it's a kidnapping or not. They really aren't going out of their way to keep control of any of us. They give us housing and a stipend, but we don't have to use any of it.

[And with so many people, it seemed odd that they'd let them do whatever they liked. Atsushi's still wary of Chuuya given the threatening, but he isn't leaping to attack him, at least. Points for Chuuya compared to some people.]

[Atsushi, pls. Take care of your clothes, even if they're not worth taking care of.]

We can't leave, right?

[That's the important part. He doesn't care if he freedom to do what he wants, what he wants is to get back to the mafia.]

Are you sure it's not some sort of Ability?

[...Wouldn't be the first time for him.]

[He shredded his shoes on the regular in emergencies though. What would be the point if they didn't last a month?]

Not as far as I know. And I don't think so, since--

[He hesitates for a long moment, but there'd never be any indication back in Yokohama that the Mafia wanted Dazai hurt or worse. They cooperated just recently, too.

Chuuya didn't have to know Dazai lived with him and not in his assigned apartment, though.]

...Dazai-san is here. It wouldn't work on him, right?

[Chuuya’s eyes go wide again. He looks surprised, and then - is that relief - before he forces his face into complete annoyance.

Dazai is here. Ex-partner or not, Chuuya trusts him, and Dazai is good at figuring these things out. On the other hand, he should know better than to rely on an enemy, even in a situation like this. Dazai has his own priorities.

Thinking that, now he’s really annoyed, but it’s mostly with himself.]

If it’s really him. But I’ll know when I see him.

[He stands up again, pauses to see if Atsushi will follow. It doesn’t matter to him.]

That bastard can only make the situation worse, though.

Wait-- You're going to look for him?!

[Oh... well.

That was unexpected. Atsushi's eyes are wide for a moment before he's scrambling to his feet, seemingly ready to follow Chuuya. He wasn't sure what that mix of emotions in Chuuya's eyes even meant, so he wasn't sure how to react.]

Why would he make things worse? He hasn't even done much of anything...

[...Besides couchsurf, eat his food and give Atsushi a hickey he'd blushed about for days. And might be trying not to blush about remembering now.

He amends himself.]

...So maybe he's made a bit of trouble, but not the kind that'd make being here worse for everyone.

Of course I am. He probably deserves a punch in the face.

[By which he means he’s seeking out some bit of familiarity, something to reassure himself with. Enemy or not, at least he knows Dazai.

Not that punching him isn’t satisfying, but it’s not actually what he’s planning to do right now. ]

It’s only a matter of time. Do you even know him?

You just got here and you want to preemptively punch him in the face?

[He's seen Kunikida try to strangle him more than enough times, he knows Dazai can often be... like that...

But...! Chuuya hasn't even seen Dazai yet, so why would a punching be necessary already?]

What do you mean 'Do I even know him'?

I always want to punch him in the face. I owe him several.

[Though he’s realizing he has no idea where to go. He doesn’t know this place at all. He looks around the picnic area like he's hoping Dazai will just appear, but of course, that asshole is never there when you want him. ]

People who know him don’t defend him.

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