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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
But Tony sometimes doesn't pay attention to other people, when he's only thinking about himself. Maybe he missed something. He must have. Sims wouldn't lie to him.
Tony sits down. He sets his hands in his lap, slow and calm. He turns and looks at Sims, at his reassuring smile and watchful eyes.]
...Regarding the battle with Thanos on Titan, and resulting genocide of half the universe.
no subject
Statement taken direct from subject. Recording by Jonathan Sims, the Archivist. Statement begins.
[He gives Tony a small nod, and waits.]
no subject
He opens his mouth.]
It started in a park, like this one. I was walking with Pepper -- my fianceé, I love her more than anything. I was telling her about a dream I had. About us having a kid.
[He pauses.]
It was so real.
[He tells Sims about Bruce stepping out of the ring of fire. About Doctor Strange, and his order of guardians, and the six stones that control the universe. He tells him about the ship that descended on Greenwich Village, about the fight with the big brute and the spindly psychic.
He tells him about Peter Parker.
He tells Sims about his aunt and his neighborhood in Queens, which he protects like it's the world. He tells him how Peter is smart, and funny, and impresses Tony more than he thinks. He tells him how Peter reminds him of himself, at that age. How he doesn't have a dad.
He tells Sims that all of this is important, later.
He describes the ship they snuck onto to save the wizard and his Time Stone. He tells him how Peter didn't listen to him, but then saved them all with old pop culture, and how Tony and Strange argued their way to Titan as they made their master plan.
Tony tells him how he was scared. How the name Thanos lit a cold fuse up his spine, how he'd been waiting for this day for months, years, maybe his entire life. Thinking, preparing, late nights spent waiting, and wondering, and working. It was all for this, this moment, this chance to stop it all, to protect the people he cared about. To save the world.
He glosses over the plucky spacemen, except for the two -- Nebula the friend, and Quill the idiot. Doctor Strange said they had one chance in fourteen million and Quill blew it all on selfish grief. They almost had the gauntlet off, he tells Sims. They almost had it off, him and Peter, but then...
This is where it starts to get hard, when he starts to pause a little more. Still, he continues, methodical, professional. Thanos beat them into Titan's dust. Thanos broke Tony's armor to pieces. Thanos stabbed him. Thanos killed him, until Strange offered up his stone to save him.
Tony's life for half the universe.
Thanos disappeared. And then, after a while, so did everyone else.]
Peter held on to me when it happened. [Tony looks forward, at the families. At a smiling alien father and his smiling alien son.] He told me he didn't want to die. This kid, sixteen years old -- he knew he was dying, a thousand lightyears from home. He begged me to save him, like I hadn't already failed. All I could do was hold him. And watch.
[The park gets blurry. Tony raises his hand to wipe away the tears on his cheeks.]
Then it was just me and Nebula. We were stranded in space, which isn't important to the story, except for the thoughts I had. Because Thanos killed 50%, but there were other logistics to consider. I kept thinking -- what about people in cars, or pilots in planes, or parents out buying milk with a baby at home? What about emergency responders -- also halved, and what about... everyone, everything I've ever loved. Gone.
[He inhales.]
While I'm here, in a bubble, everyone's fine. On Earth, they won't be. The idea of going home... it terrifies me.
[The breath comes back up his throat, a huge, shuddering gasp. He presses a hand to the wound on his stomach and breathes. And breathes. And breathes.
He feels... better.]
no subject
He recognises the touch of the Web on the boy that is mentioned, the drifting colours of other powers which twist their way into each strand of the story. Alien but familiar. After all, what are they if not the fears of humanity?
He Sees the alien world, the empty, Lonely planet, the anger and the fear that coats everything like the dust that the subject describes.
He Sees the shattering of the universe at the hand of The End's avatar, the slow crumbling of care and affection into so much dust. The End gets everything eventually.
He Sees the ship, the Lonely ship, abandoned and lost in the Vast. The hurt and despair and exhaustion.
It hangs in the air and the Archivist savours the feel of it. It is new. It is knowledge and experience and the Archivist drinks it in, and beyond him, the great Eye watches and watches and watches.
And slowly it ends and Jonathan Sims shudders and feels the humanity seep back through him.]
Statement ends.
[He takes a breath, seeming almost as shaken as Tony is. He reaches up to scrub a hand across his face.]
Well. That- that is quite the story.
[He's not even sure how to categorise that. Or if he should. Is it a ritual? It definitely seems to be related to The End, but-]
A lot to take in. And I am sorry, for what happened. It- it's not easy to face something like that. And to lose someone.
no subject
[Tony sits up. Scratches the back of his neck. He realizes his eyes have been watering and wipes them off with the back of his hand. Pollen from the alien trees, probably.]
Anyway -- what were we talking about? [Pause.] Oh. Right. Alternate dimensions. At least that I can wrap my head around, unlike all this--
[He makes air quotes with his fingers as he stands from the bench.]
"Moon" stuff. Like... did someone decide they wanted "lunar" to be the prefix for literally every word in the dictionary?
no subject
He can give his thoughts later.]
At least they're dedicated to a theme. And I have to say, if the cycles of the moon were this impactful on Earth, we'd probably have more references to them ourselves.
gonna start wrapping this up if that's cool with you!
[Tony glances out at the park to see quite a few less picnickers than when he last looked. Time must've gotten away from him. Unsurprising when he considers how long the days dragged on in the Benatar, with no day, no night -- just the same unfamiliar stars twinkling in the same unfamiliar places.
His memory of it is so clear. Like it happened a minute ago.
He shakes his head and looks back to Sims.]
Anyway. Guess I should probably check out other parts of this.... neon, cyberpunk-but-slightly-less-gritty-than-Blade-Runner city. That starts with a "lunar" prefix.
[He raises a hand.] Guess I'll see you around, Film Major. Hope you find your... what was it that robot took, again?
Fine with me!
[He gives the man a small smile. Hopes he isn't too badly shaken by that. He's certainly feeling more energised from having taken a statement and that will keep him going for a while without having to break into his precious stash of written statements.]
Not a film major. I'm the Archivist. And, oh no worries. Just the tape recorder.
no subject
[Tony turns and waves over his shoulder. As he strides away, he feels calm -- at peace, even, with the unfamiliar world around him. All things considered, it's weird as hell, though what's even stranger is that he can't shake the feeling of Sims' eyes on his back, following him.
Watching him.]