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prismaticrap2019-05-08 05:12 am
prismods) wrote in prismaticrap2019-05-08 05:12 am
▶ TDM .003
▶ 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!
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.
▶ 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.
▶ Questions
If you have any questions regarding this test drive meme, please ask them in the Questions thread below.
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.
no subject
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.
1/2
2/2
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.]
no subject
[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.]
no subject
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...]
no subject
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.
no subject
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.]
no subject
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.]
no subject
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?
no subject
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.
no subject
[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.
no subject
[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?
no subject
[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'?
no subject
[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.
no subject
[He knows Dazai is always causing trouble, but...
Atsushi still felt a need to defend him, just a bit. He raises his hands in a placating gesture, which is probably not helping at all.]
Dazai-san's been good to me. He's helped me a lot since he brought me to the agency, even if he can be a little... Lazy? Outrageous?
[Ok, maybe not defend him that much.]
no subject
[Chuuya raises his eyebrows slightly at that. It still seems strange to him, the idea of Dazai helping someone, at least if it's not part of some bigger plan of his. Which means Dazai is planning something.
Which means Atsushi is being tricked by him.]
How has he helped you?
no subject
[He says, after having watched Dazai push Kunikida into untold stress levels and get his ass kicked for it almost every time.
He says, also a gigantic hypocrite because he and Akutagawa always want to pick a fight on first sight of each other.
Atsushi trails off for a moment, considering his words. It was hard to put into words precisely how much he felt he owed Dazai, how much the opportunity he'd been given meant to him, when he'd had nothing before.]
...He saved me. I don't know if I'd be alive right now if Dazai-san hadn't-- He gave me a place to belong... a job, a place to live.
[A chance to be happier for the first time in his life, he doesn't say.]
no subject
[It makes perfect sense and it's not backwards at all.
But at least he does wait to let Atsushi figure out how to answer, and listens while he speaks. He looks a bit uncomfortable, though, because that doesn't sound like Dazai. Or it does, it won't even be the first time, but-- There should be a catch, right?
If there's not, Chuuya doesn't know how to feel about that.
But he does understand, too. That need to belong. Being saved by someone. Feeling indebted. Which is why he just shrugs.]
I'm just saying you should be careful.
no subject
[The Dazai that Atsushi knows is a troublemaker, a flirt, and certainly a pain at times for the Agency members. But he'd always come through when it counted and Atsushi knew he could trust Dazai... even if some might question such a choice.]
About some things, maybe... he is always teasing Kunikida-san with fake advice... and he makes me do his paperwork and work with Akutagawa....
[Said with a slightly sour look, because really Dazai.]
But I've never seen him do anything so bad as you're implying while at the Agency. He's always come through for me and everyone else when it counted.
no subject
[He's not actually going to do that, but it's so satisfying to say, isn't it? Just imagine the peace and quiet until he woke up...
He raises his eyebrows as Atsushi goes on, though.]
Why would you do his paperwork?
[So the reports about this were-tiger were right. He is a pushover. And really naive, as well, if he doesn't actually think Dazai has done anything that bad. Or is he just that willing to forgive?]
Yeah? Then I'll let you go back to your happy new life. I'm getting some more wine instead.
no subject
Well if someone doesn't do it, Kunikida-san will get stressed, so... but he also scolds Dazai-san if he catches him doing it, so it works out either way...?
[He smiles sheepishly for a moment, though at Chuuya's dismissal, it fades slightly. He feels like... No, he needs to say one last thing, he thinks.]
Ah...Um! Chuuya-san? Before you go... can I say something, first?
no subject
[This is definitely personal, and a very sore topic. This conversation was unfortunately never going to go well when that became the topic. But he does pause at Atsushi's word, rubbing at his neck for a moment before shrugging.]
Go ahead.
no subject
...I have an idea that... No, I know Dazai-san did many terrible things in the Mafia even if I might not know what exactly. And from what I've heard from Akutagawa, he probably never left on good terms.
[Atsushi didn't know much, but he could see it... if he looked carefully, sometimes... that look in his eyes that reminded him of Kyouka.]
...But as he is now, I think he really is trying his best to help people in his own way at the Agency. I think... you should at least know that.
[He's not saying Chuuya should feel one way or another about him, or even change his opinion. That's not his place, and the relationship between him and Dazai was between them only. But... he did think he should know.]
no subject
If this is how forgiving he is, this is the worst kind of kid to be around Dazai.]
Why should I care?
[It's an honest question, and not meant to be cruel. He adjusts his hat a little.]
Did you already forget that I'm in the mafia, too? I'm not here to help people, and I don't care if Dazai has you all fooled into thinking he is. He's a traitor, and eventually he'll betray you, too.
no subject
[An honest question and an honest response.]
But I thought you deserved to know.
[He hasn't forgiven the Mafia. He hasn't forgiven Akutagawa, either. The things he'd done to Kyouka could never be undone, and Akutagawa had yet to prove he was capable of working in any other way besides violence.]
I can't say anything for certain about you or Dazai-san, or what will happen in the future. But I'm choosing to believe in him because he's never given me any reason to doubt him when it really counts.
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