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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
You came all the way across the universe just to do that to me?
[It seems a bit excessive, Chuuya. Also, you're definitely not punching him. This is not what punching looks like.]
no subject
And shifts closer, still up on his toes, to compensate for the continued pull from Dazai. Their bodies are almost pressed together now.]
I won't stop at just one.
[No, this isn't what punching looks like. But he can't seem to make himself pull away, either.]
no subject
It only makes sense to wrap his other arm around Chuuya's waist. After all, he's feeling almost unsteady.
Some part of his brain reminds him that this is Chuuya, some part slightly more sober, some part not affected by wine with clearly magical properties or the pheromones of a Cordis Moonblessed. But honestly, he's not sure if that makes him more likely to be cautious, or more likely to give in.
He wraps that arm around Chuuya's waist, hand on the small of his back, and gives in to that pull just enough to brush his lips against Chuuya's ear, to whisper again.]
Ne, Chuuya...
[A pause, a breath against the shell of his ear, another deep inhale. And then:]
...I wouldn't stop you. You can, if you want. Do whatever you want.
no subject
Dazai's breath against his ear is making him shiver again.
This isn't real. The part of him that isn't affected by the wine, that isn't being pulled into self-indulgence by the Cordis moon, knows that this isn't real. But Dazai's offer is so tempting. Reality is overrated. He could take advantage of this, do something that he'd normally never be able to get away with, get bak at Dazai for all those years of taunting. He could press himself even closer and see what would happen then.
This is Dazai. This is his partner. His ex-partner. He exhales, a small and frustrated sound forming at the back of his throat, because that offer is just making him feel stuck. Stuck and unbalanced. Dazai wants Chuuya to hurt him. To punch him. Or he's challenging him so he can taunt him when he doesn't do it.
He shoves Dazai off, stumbles back, glares, but it's aimed at the ground. His face is bright red now.]
What was that?
[He feels like he's forgotten how to raise his voice above a murmur.]
no subject
This is something else.
Something new and terrifiying and satisfying and he's definitely, definitely going to blame it on the wine, and his heart is racing so fast in his chest he's sure Chuuya can feel it through his clenched fist, and then--
Chuuya shoves him back, and he lets go, and the spell is broken, though his heart is still racing and it still feels much hotter than it should, even with the sleeves of his jacket rolled up, bandaged arms bared to the breeze. It's too warm, and the smell of Chuuya lingers in his nostrils and on his tongue. Chuuya's looking at the ground, but Dazai can't stop looking at him. Is he...blushing? He might not be the only one at least a little flushed, either. Shame that by the time he looks up at Dazai, the color high on his cheeks will probably be gone.
What was that? That is a very, very good question. One he doesn't have an answer for. Except--]
--I think there might be something in the wine.
[Perfectly serious. He's definitely clinging to that as his reasoning, anyway.]
no subject
Somehow, it's easier to focus on what just happened between them, than the rest of the situation they're stuck in. He lets out an annoyed huff of air.]
Why would they put something in the wine?
[To trick them into making Chroma for them, he's guessing. He did listen to their explanations, he's just annoyed.]
As if alcohol doesn't already do that. And anyone would need a drink after ending up here!
[But he'll absolutely accept Dazai's explanation, because that's much better than considering any alternative.]
no subject
(He doesn't miss it. That isn't what he misses. This is just another weird thing, another effect of this place. Pheromones, hormones, a moon, a wish--)
Dazai swallows, and the pink tip of a tongue makes a brief appearance, wetting his lips before he answers, hands sliding back into his pockets, willing his pulse to settle once more. Something in the wine. Because this place wants them a certain way. That's all. And Chuuya's still new enough to not know, right? Because he'd have known, if Chuuya was here. His words confirm as much, and Dazai sounds so much steadier than he feels.]
They want us to moonlace. Not us specifically, but any of the Moonblessed. The people who woke up on the moons. They think we're chosen by their gods to restore this place, and the way you do that is through moonlacing. I suppose the wine is supposed to be an incentive, lowering peoples' inhibitions and all.
[Those who don't know Dazai well might consider it a surprisingly perceptive and honest answer. But Chuuya's always known he's equally as capable of those, even when one doesn't expect it.]
'Sharing is caring'--isn't that how that phrase goes? I suppose they thought it might help people open up. I'd be careful what you eat and drink around here.
no subject
[They hadn't told him they'd be spiking his food and drink. He looks up at Dazai again, a little wary, like he's not trusting himself not to pounce on him again. There's definitely a part of him that wants to. Only so he can hurt him, of course.
He rubs at the back of his neck, looking more than a little bit lost.]
So I'll make sure you're not around when I eat. Easy solution. [It's not like he wants to be forced into weird behavior with other people, either.] Feel free to disappear again.
[Except he has so many questions. This place obviously isn't safe, and he could use his partner, or at least an ally. But that doesn't matter. His conversation with that were-tiger reminded him that they're enemies, and that's for the best. He shoves his hands in his pockets, and falls quiet, glancing away again after a few moments.]
no subject
[Whoops. Maybe that whole whispering truths thing hasn't worn off just yet. When Chuuya looks up, turns out Dazai's not even looking at him just yet, gaze somewhere off to the side, eyes half-closed and long lashes casting shadows on his cheeks. He'd felt fine just moments ago, and now...well, maybe the alcohol is wearing off. He's sobering up, that's all.]
It's not like I chose to come here, you know. I've never left Yokohama before, why would I start now?
[Now it's his turn to look at Chuuya, now that he's not looking at Dazai anymore. He still looks more or less the same, but then Chuuya's looked the same for a long time. So when is he from? Dazai already knows this place doesn't seem to have any particular limit, when it comes to times and places and universes. It doesn't take much to figure that out. Chuuya...he's from after he'd left the mafia, at least. That line makes that clear enough. But that still leaves four years in between. Maybe the last year or so, considering how he's not reacting to Dazai being here or alive?
The silence drags on, and eventually Dazai sighs, shaking his head, pushing his hair out of his face for one brief moment before it falls forward again.]
Ne--Chuuya...
[What's he going to say? Even he's not really sure.]
no subject
[It definitely hasn’t worn off yet, because that’s not what he’d meant to say. He immediately looks annoyed with himself after he says it. But he would believe him. Whatever their partnership was, there are some aspects to it that have survived, some level of trust still remaining between the two of them. Dazai has never lied to Chuuya when giving him a report, when sharing intel. He’s held back vital information more than once, but the facts he does decide to share have always been true.
He knows he shouldn’t rely on that now. They’re enemies. Spreading false intel would only help Dazai’s side get the upper hand next time they go against each other. But he doesn’t think so.
And he’s angry with himself for that.
He glares off to the side, a slight pout to the way his lips curl downwards. He hates this, the not knowing, the uncertainty. A fight is so much easier, but the entire situation feels too dangerous and it’s not because of Dazai at all.]
What?
[He at least glances at him again. ]
no subject
And what does that even matter anyway, here? There's no Port Mafia. There's no ADA, even if Atsushi is here. There's no Special Division, no Yokohama, this isn't his city and the rules...the old rules don't matter. He and Chuuya don't have to be what they were.
But if they aren't that, what are they? He doesn't have that answer. It's better to treat this just like another job. Right? And he's never lied to Chuuya about intel. Dazai meets his gaze for a long minute, lips slightly parted, then seems to change his mind about what he was going to say, shrugging his shoulders lightly.]
This place isn't what it seems, but they also aren't lying about everything. Moonlacing is important, and not just for them and their society. You could die if you don't. So try not to scare too many people off.
[Don't die, basically. Even if it's phrased in a very Dazai-like way.]
no subject
The old rules are the only thing that matter.]
I'm not the one who pushes people away, asshole.
[He'll moonlace. Fine. He can get laid. He's good at that. He glares at Dazai now, because the insult cancels out any awkwardness he might have felt earlier.]
Give yourself that advice before saying that to me.
no subject