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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
[Satisfied, she releases his hand and inclines her head in a slow, solitary nod. Ah. Yes, she supposes he has a point, and it's easier for her to accept his shirtly martyrdom if it seems like he has something personal to gain.]
Thank you.
[And she politely turns away, as if she's sparing his modesty somehow. Like she won't see the end results...]
Is there anyone in particular, or do you speak in a more general fashion?
no subject
Granted, he is a little curious as to how much experience back on Remnant the likes of Winter Schnee has for comparison. She's even more standoffish than he is, and as far as the Lunatian crowd goes that's saying a lot.
He kinda has to chuckle to himself at that thought, but it's interrupted by her unexpected question. One brow shoots up, not that she'll see it. Really, if he didn't know any better... ]
Uh, no one exclusive, if that's what you mean.
[ How weird of her to ask?? He shakes his head, as if shaking away the very foolish notion that she could possibly care. Soon enough he's pulling his shirt off his shoulders, baring scars and the light tan of his skin to the sun. The shirt isn't the cloaked ensemble he wore on Remnant, but it's similar in color and cut. He sets the garment over her shoulders, strangely personal, but bringing with it another fleeting touch.
Spent too long in this place, and everyone gets a little touchy. ]
no subject
Understood. Forming attachments in such a world would lead to...difficulties...once our inevitable departure has been arranged.
[Her head turns a fraction of an inch as the skin-warmed shirt is draped upon her shoulder.]
Thank you.
[Winter remains facing away from him as she dons the borrowed garment. It fits her poorly, especially given the pronounced difference in the span of his broad shoulders and her slim build, but it's remarkably better than strutting about wearing the tattered remnants of her clothing, or lack thereof. Her fingers fasten the buttons with light, quick movements, and when she's finished she swivels about on her heel to look at Qrow once more.]
[His complexion doesn't surprise her. Neither do his scars. They're both clear indicators of an experienced Huntsman who has done plenty of fieldwork. He's fit for his age, though. She'd thought him to be about forty, but now she's not certain.]
I suggest that we travel to the clothing store while holding hands, to generate the necessary levels of Chroma that I might purchase a suitable replacement. Is this agreeable?
no subject
Her thanks is gracious and sincere enough. ]
You're welcome.
[ It's all so... surprisingly agreeable? When she turns to look at him he's got this grin on his face, like he just can't believe that Winter Schnee is standing here in his borrowed shirt. He could not make this up.
All to predictably, the moment is ruined when grin promptly splits into an outright laugh. ]
Wait, wait, let me make sure I've got this right. You want to hold hands with me. While we walk to the shops.
[ On what planet - oh, right. Prismatica! He has to hold up a hand to signal her to wait while he calms his hysterics. ]
no subject
[She forces herself to breathe rather than giving in to her cruder and more instinctual desire to yank off his shirt and fling it directly into his wretched, intoxicated face. He has no idea how hard it was for her to suggest such a thing at all. It was one of the many things she'd mentally battled against while she paced in the shuttlebay, whether she could truly force herself to touch other people for the sake of money and energy. In the end, she'd convinced herself that it was necessary for a speedy return home, and that others would be in a similar situation so there would be less shyness and discomfort in a place such as this.]
[But it seems she's wrong on that account.]
I see.
[She arches a brow, then turns away from him. Very well, then, she'll seek someone out who's more amenable to her suggestion, since her pride won't suffer another moment of his raucous belly-aching laughter at her expense.]
I will return your shirt at the earliest opportunity. I shall leave you to allow your 'impressing' of the populace.
[Damn him. He could have just said 'no.']
no subject
Qrow is actually one of them.
If she simply assumed he's been here long enough that freely holding hands and... cuddling would come naturally to him, well, she's dead wrong. In that sense, Winter is a much braver soul than he, to be venturing so far out of her comfort zone already when Qrow is still so firmly lodged in his own.
Teasing her mercilessly is obviously a thing that comes more naturally to him than admitting that much out loud, however. Especially to a Schnee. ]
Oh, come on Winter, don't be like that. I'm not laughing at you.
[ He reaches for her arm. Teasing her might have put her off of asking just like he'd been aiming for, but he can tell he must have struck a nerve. He didn't actually intend to embarrass her, and that doesn't sit right with him. ]
no subject
[She scowls, quickening her steps to stay just out of reach, to make him trail after her with an outstretched hand. It's petty of her, absolutely, and he probably won't find the gesture as embarrassing as she thinks it should be.]
[She's also making a lot of assumptions, having inferred that his lengthy presence within Lunatia has desensitized him to the inevitability of intimate contact. She assumes he was never uncomfortable with it in the first place given his womanizing mannerisms.]
no subject
He growls under his breath when she outright calls him a liar, but picks up his pace to catch up with her, undeterred as yet. ]
I'm serious, it's not you!
[ His tone has taken on a more sober note, which adds a bit of weight to his words. Perhaps he needs to step up his game to get Winter to stop and actually listen to him, though.
Maybe he'll catch her by surprise when he reaches out from behind her to pull her into a firm bear hug. ]
no subject
[It's not just the hug that forces her to stop dead in her tracks. It's also the moonlacing. The pleasant warm tingles she experienced from just holding his hand are amplified exponentially with a hug. The sensation goes beyond the physical -- it's an emotional journey that dredges up long dead memories of being enveloped in the arms of her mother (when she was still sober), the joy she felt when she first saw the face of her baby sister and felt those tiny fingers wrap around Winter's pinky.]
[Her breath goes still, then hitches violently with a shuddering gasp. She's always been so good about keeping her emotions tightly ruled, to never let her feelings overwhelm her. How is it this man always finds a way to slice through that tightly laced composure time and time again?]
[Winter's eyes close as she grits her teeth, her throat tight as her emotions wage war inside of her trembling form. She's so mad, but the moonlacing tempers that anger, and it makes for a very uncomfortable eddy of swirled confusion.]
That...will suffice for the Chroma...?
[She has no idea how many hugs are required to buy one shirt, but she knows why he did what he just did. A greater concentration of Chroma to save them both the longer humiliation of joining hands.]
no subject
Qrow feels her little tremble, but when Winter neither pulls away nor immediately suplexes him, he knows it's the moonlacing that's doing it. He has no idea what she is experiencing, but he has the idea that Winter is not used to such physical contact to begin with. She is not a person he would describe as tender or warm, or at all well-equipped to handle the sheer flood of feeling that comes with any close contact between the Moonblessed.
Neither is he. Qrow's just had a little more practice, because he's known for a long time what it's like to hold someone like this and feel that bittersweet hit of emotion, the rush of memories that you thought you had long buried. He's been dealing with that feeling since Ruby and Yang were toddlers.
When he answers her, of course his tone is teasing, but there is an odd undercurrent of gentle reassurance to it nonetheless. ]
Shh. Little bit longer, Ice Queen.
[ She's so petite compared to him that she tucks perfectly against his lean form as his hold around her tightens almost protectively, like an anchor to ground her even though it's the hug itself that's causing such unrest in her mind. The strangest urge hits him, a compulsion almost, to lean in just a little bit further and softly murmur - ]
You can keep the shirt, by the way. It looks great on you.
no subject
[Ironically enough, she thinks it would be a lot easier for her if it didn't produce those kinds of pleasant feelings. She stiffens when his embrace tightens, but doesn't jam her elbow into her ribs as she might in any other circumstance.]
[It isn't until she feels his breath tickle her ear that she flinches, her head jerking back slightly as she turns her head. She can't quite see him, but she can slant a narrow-eyed glare in his general direction.]
You're drunk.
[He would never say something like that if he had full control of his mental faculties.]
[
She's so romantic.]no subject
[ The all-too-ready confession comes on the back of an unrepentant chuckle, and if she's leaned back far enough she might catch the corner of that trademark smirk on his stubbled face. Sure, the wine here might happen to have that effect on a person - that is, loosening the tongue until the words seem to tumble forth of their own accord - but it isn't like Qrow's told a lie. It's kinda cute the way the boxy cut of the fabric hangs off her dainty shoulders yet pulls at her chest, and the dark grey and red sets off her pale skin and hair in a way that her own stark white clothing just doesn't.
And besides, what red-blooded guy doesn't like to see a beautiful woman wearing his shirt? Sure, it's Winter of all people, but she's a good-looking woman even if she's completely insufferable.
It occurs to Qrow that he needs to save some evidence of this for posterity, lest no one ever believe him. ]
One last thing.
[ He keeps one arm wrapped around her middle, still holding her close, while the other reaches into his pocket. He doesn't bother to say what he's doing, knowing that in this instance it'll be easier to ask for forgiveness (though he won't) than permission when he lifts up his comm device, on selfie mode: ]
Smile, Ice Queen.
[ click ]
no subject
[:c]
[Then she recalls that the devices are capable of capturing photographs at the exact moment his thumb presses the button.]
[8c]
Rngh!!
[That's enough for her to shake off the effects of the moonlacing. Her elbow jabs sharply backwards toward his breadbasket as she swings about to face him, an inch of steel bared from her sheath.]
Delete it. Now.
no subject
Wait, gimme a sec -
[ From that self-satisfied chuckle he's definitely up to no good, here. ]
no subject
[A small glyph surfaces just beneath her foot as she propels herself at him, her saber slicing a silver arc through the air aimed directly at the comm device. Winter gave him a very clear order, and he disobeyed. She's going to put a boot to his throat for this, no matter how much good will he previously generated.]
no subject
He's not even trying to be condescending. He is just a very good aura user, and this is more important than the few strands of hair she manages to slice from his head.
By the time he rights himself, the comm device is nowhere to be seen, his hands up in surrender. That smarmy smirk, though. ]
Calm down, I did you a favor. I'm sure your sister would love to take you shopping.
no subject
[She hasn't yet aimed her sword directly at him. There's no honor in stabbing a man who refuses to arm himself, even if she knows he's fast enough to avoid her strikes. However, she has no reservations about spinning to slam the high heel of her boot toward his chest.]
[Winter has no doubt in her mind that his goal in choosing Weiss of all people is abject humiliation. Two Schnees for the price of one! What a bargain. He can choke on his shirt for this!]
no subject
I don't get why you're so mad, you two are gonna have a great time!
[ The faux-bewildered look on his face is completely unconvincing, especially when it breaks into a grin of sheer, childish glee the moment he brings up his forearm to block her kick. The force of her boot deflecting off that burst of defensive aura is enough to send him back a few inches, his heels digging into the dirt to counter the momentum.
From his stance he's more than ready to continue to block her advances, but obviously he didn't bring his giant scythe to a nice flower viewing festival. There are no Grimm here, and peaceful Middle Lunatia just isn't that kind of place... but that doesn't mean he won't make special arrangements just for her, if that's what she's after. ]
C'mon, Winter. Let's not ruin these nice folks' picnic, uh? Go shopping. We'll make a date of this.
no subject
Divorce yourself at once from the affairs of my family!
[There's a feint from her sword that isn't meant to look like a feint. He can try to talk her down all he wants, but until that incriminating photograph ceases to exist? Winter won't stop. Winter won't ever stop.]
[She slashes again as she closes the distance between them, following up with a backflipping dolphin kick. At least the natives have something entertaining to watch.]
no subject
Believe me I would, you crazy b - !
[ Oh, okay, we're still doing the one-man swordfight thing in the middle of the park. The other Moonblessed might find this to be just another Tuesday, but to the Prismals she probably looks like a murderous psychopath. Her feint at least manages to cut him off in mid-slur, as he ducks and jumps to avoid the quick arcs of her slim blade. His teeth grit as her kick grazes his jaw - the slashes were feints, but she means to hit home with those boots of hers.
He huffs a laugh, springing back quickly from the hit. This won't end. Not unless someone else ends it.
Oh - but is that the unmistakable metallic clatter of armored men on the approach that he hears? Just in time, perhaps? ]
Shit, they called the Moon Knights!
[ Qrow gestures urgently behind her. He doesn't necessarily expect that she will look, but at the same time he kicks out one of those long legs to sweep her feet. Whether it's one or the other that diverts her attention, by the time she looks back for him...
he won't be there. ]
no subject
Why would--
[His leg lashes out, forcing her to leap backward. She springs lightly back onto one hand, pushing off, before bringing her sword in a defensive position in case he managed to produce--]
[He's not there.]
[Winter's eyes dart swiftly back and forth, scanning for signs of her shirtless foe, before looking at the sea of faces beyond to see if they managed to follow his path. It's only then that it really registers how different their expressions are from the people of Remnant. They aren't watching with eager curiosity, they seem shocked. Even somewhat frightened.]
[It isn't often that Winter feels shame, especially without a superior officer present to upbraid her behavior. But she can see now that losing her temper did not do her any favors. Quietly her jaw firms, teeth tightly grit together, and she sheaths her sword. She meant to snap off the shirt and fling it into Qrow's face after destroying his phone, but he's nowhere to be seen, and she feels publicly humiliated enough for one day.]
[Silently chiding herself for allowing him to provoke her to such a state, she balls her hands into fists and stalks down the street.]