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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
The stranger tries to explain about the puppets, though it doesn't clarify much. Where had they come from? Were they a normal part of this planet, or had someone been controlling them? All questions that this kid probably can't answer.
At the word muskets, Steve frowns in confusion, but it doesn't take him long to realize what's going on. Oh, and he thought he'd been behind the times. ]
Guns take training to use too. They can't just be handing them out haphazardly. [ He really hopes no one in power has a bright idea like that, anyway. ] This training might be rudimentary, but it still might give them the skills and know-how they need to hold an attacker off until someone can come to their rescue.
[ It could mean the difference between life and death. ]
no subject
Or they'll stick around for a fight they can't win. They'd be better off running. [He gives an impatient shake of his head.] It'll be more work for the rest of us making sure they don't die.
[He hardly expects he's seen the last of strange goings on. Not with the puppet master on the loose.]
Do you use them? The — ah, guns? [Shocking that he gets that one on the first try. It helps that it's one syllable.] Is there armor to stop them? A girl tried to shoot me here during a spar. I think my own worked, but I'm not sure.
no subject
I know how to use one, but usually I prefer to fight up close. [ Steve's a little odd that way, but punches and kicks (and clever use of his shield, though he doesn't have that now) has always served him better. ] Armor would work, but usually people opt for bulletproof vests, or helmets.
[ He's getting the feeling that this kid has a very limited idea of any kind of modern weaponry, though, based on how he's dressed and what he's saying.
At that next comment, Steve frowns. ] No one should have been trying to shoot you during a spar. Might've been a stun gun.
get out of my inbox i am trying to CLEAR IT
Inuyasha scoffs, waving off the advice with a hand.]
Helmets, forget it! I'd be fighting half-deaf. [A "stun" gun though. Well, if he's going by name alone that's a thing that paralyzes you. Less than lethal blows or something that would make you fall asleep at once, so the bullets would have to be enchanted. It was possible that's what Ruby had used, but the shots also came from a metal-and-wire-ridden scythe. The nature of it was still a mystery to him wholesale. He'd have to ask her later.]
So what if she was? I don't care. It'll take more than little metal turds to kill me, no matter how fast they're shot. [No one tell him about the Uzis.
Nevermind all that, though. The man's admitted to being a fighter. Inuyasha peers at him. Yeah, of course he looked like a brawler, being the mountain of a man he was. Not to mention he smelled fucking weird. The question then became: what could he do really?]
And what do you usually fight "up close"? Other men? [He narrows his eyes. Not totally accusatory — just a hint of fishing. Funny thing he was, a mortal who wasn't all mortal. Would he confess to it? He hadn't even flinched at Inuyasha, or done the usual double takes to his inhuman features.] If this is your first time dealing with strange things, you're really in for it.
bursts back in like the kool-aid man
If this kid thinks that he's somehow immune to bullets, though, he's got another thing coming. ] I wouldn't brush it off so quickly. I've seen what a bullet can do to a person. It's not the kind of thing you can shrug off. [ Maybe the stranger has enhancements to go with his ears and fangs and everything else, but Steve isn't going to assume that.
At the question, Steve can see that the kid's sizing him up, trying to figure out the scope of his experience. It's going to be a common thing around here, with people coming from such a wide variety of different places. ]
Not my first time, no. [ He shakes his head. ] We had to deal with an alien invasion, and a robot army. And yeah, I've fought other men, but some of them were also enhanced or powered in some way.
[ He glances back out to the groups of people training and shrugs. ] I'm not the one you need to worry about.
sprays with the extinguisher
[There's no telling until someone sees fit to shoot him. It's not unlikely. If that's how modern men fought then that's what he'd face here, and considering his history he'd come out the other side still standing. If Inuyasha had croaked the first time someone punched a peep hole through his middle, he'd have been dead before he'd grown taller than a pair of kneecaps.
He doesn't know what the word alien means. It get tossed out around here and it seems to refer to both the Prismals and the Moonblessed at once. The second term he'd heard, once again in passing but with slightly better context. Who knew that Sota's stupid bedroom paintings would prove so illuminating?]
Robiss! Those are the machine men! I've heard of those! [And enhanced? He must mean augmented. Something like the jewel shards or the void in Miroku's hand. All in all, not bad. Inuyasha's stare remains on the man for a tense beat more, then he nods and looks back at the sadsacks. What a relief. Nothing so clueless as some of the future folk. Perhaps he'd been "enhanced" as well.
His eyes narrow suddenly.] Ah — if you know those sort of things, can you say if robiss are always made of metal? Could they be made from wood as well?
[The puppets have never strayed far from his mind. He hated that so much time has passed without a bigger lead. There was only so much he could do with his own senses.]
why are you tagging me at 2am kabby!!
He seems to be interested in drawing a connection between robots in general and those puppets he'd encountered. He's stuck on that subject, but Steve can't really blame him. It sounds like it had been a pretty bizarre experience, and trying to make sense of it rather than just letting it go is understandable.
Steve's definitely not the best person to ask questions having to do with robotics, but he's better at handling the subject than he would have been a few years ago.
His expression becomes thoughtful, his fingers drumming idly over the railing in front of him as he replies. ]
Usually they're made of metal, but it could technically be another material. What makes a robot a robot is that it's manufactured. You would have had to open one of the puppets up to see if there was any kind of mechanism inside.
[ A pause, and he glances back to the kid. ]
I'm guessing there's not just one lying around, though.
i can't stop.....i don't know how to stop....bursts into tears
I had to destroy them completely. They'd pull back together otherwise. But, maybe...
[He jerks a look behind them. The mouth of the alley wasn't in sight. About five roads down, curved around a corner. The city was busy cleaning up, but no one had gotten to that rubble-laden alley yet.]
If there's some clue there, do you think you'd recognize it? There's still the remains of the stage.
i guess it's ok because i love your tags
Possibly. I wouldn't mind taking a look either way.
[ He pushes away from the railing and turns his back on the training lessons they'd been watching. Strategic as Steve can be, he's always been better at taking action than sitting around and waiting for things to sort themselves out. There's always work to be done, right? ]
Lead the way. And -- I didn't get your name yet. I'm Steve Rogers.
uwah!!!! <3 <3 <3
Steverojas. [He halts. The play of the alien language falling from both their tongues can mess with his head a little. When he hears names or words he's unused to he still has to stop and think. Recite it back.] Or — Steve?
[Ordinarily he might mistake the second half for his given name, but there are inklings given in the language spell. Nudges to push him in the right direction, though if he stops to think about it he can't suss out the whys. A lot of people gave their names backwards here, and he's starting to get the hang of it.]
I'm Inuyasha.
[He is mindful of his company, opting to take the long route and wait for the walking-man lantern to shine rather than leaping over the speeding traffic. It's not much of a journey or else he'd be complaining about the pace, the churlish cars and thick crowds. More than once he'll weave with an impatient snort around slow moving packs.
In no time, they're at a cordoned off section of alley. The city's clean up efforts have yet to extend this way. Fortunate for them. Inuyasha makes a tidy and effortless jump over the plastic ribbon.
What used to be an alley has been razed. There are gouges in the cement that run parallel some three to four feet apart, and scrape along for some twelve yards before halting short. There's severed bricks, blasted apart from the enclosing walls. Sawdust litters the ground.
Beyond the scene of the attack lies the jumbled wood of the stage. Inuyasha had kicked it down to see if any creature or witch would scramble free in the wake of their fallen puppets, but no such being had emerged. Unlike the rest of the alley, the planks, curtains, and lamps are all otherwise untouched. Just in a jumble of a trash pile.
He looks expectantly to Steve, wordless. Work your magic, future-man.]
no subject
Just Steve is fine. [ He breaks out a small smile, the first one he's managed since this conversation started. He appreciates the kid's effort. ] Nice to meet you, Inuyasha.
[ While Inuyasha might not be that used to navigating around a crowded metropolis, Steve grew up in New York City and so this is the one way in which he can carry himself confidently here. Weaving around the crowds and vehicles is almost second nature, and so he remains on Inuyasha's heels as they make the short trip.
He follows him into the alley, taking in the scene silently before he moves forward to give everything a closer look. The ruined stage is what grabs most of his attention, and Steve crouches down to search through the wooden planks and other rubble for any sign of something useful or noteworthy.
Unfortunately, there don't seem to be any remnants of the puppets themselves that he can find, and certainly no mechanical parts. Once he's finished his search, he stands and turns toward Inuyasha with an apologetic look. ]
Sorry, but it doesn't look like they left anything behind.
no subject
Nothing but himself, wood, and Steve Rojas.]
Must be witches then. Figures.
[He gives a long suffering sigh and pinches at his nose.]
Nevermind then. I won't waste your time any longer. If you do hear of something or catch strange folk about, you let me know right away. If they're dangerous I'll kill them.
[Simple as that. He nods once, and makes no bones about goodbyes. He simply leaps high, bounding once off the side of the building opposite to reach the roof of the other. Away he goes.]
no subject
The conclusion of this being the fault of witches also seems premature, but Steve can't comment too confidently on any of it when he hadn't been here to witness the puppets for himself. Maybe magic really was to blame.
The sudden offer to murder any threats is offered so casually that Steve's barely done processing it by the time that Inuyasha has leapt up the side of the building toward the rooftop. Steve's left to stare up at the edge of the roof, though Inuyasha quickly disappears in a flash of red.
What a weird kid. ]