▶ TDM .001

[prismods]

Cybernetic dream, something like you've never seen

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▶ Lisa Frank's LSD Fun House
anytime, anywhere on the moon Iris | top

Everything is darkness except for dim lights sparkling in the distance, a faint gleam that greets you as you start to unfurl from your dormant state. 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. Throat parched and skin dry and aching, you grope your body in alarm to make sure your possessions are still in place. 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 only rewards you with 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.

A ⬤ As you traverse the near-barren landscape, you feel something sting your skin. It's small and subtle at first, then you finally catch sight of it: an elegant, crystalline mosquito buzzing around from the corner of your eye. However, a pest is still a pest. After a while, marks near your welts begin to form strange patterns on your skin, mimicking ancient runes. Each rune has with it a particular side-effect that may hinder you on your journey:

✾ The Mark of the Enchanter: Hallucinations, hallucinations galore. Your character will see everything and anything their imagination can conjure and will have difficulty separating reality from fiction.
₪ The Mark of the Destroyer: Limbs start to cease their function, causing you to stumble or try and get around one-handed. Other certain body parts may be affected as well. Look at the bright side: you can stop worrying about jiggle physics and hiding your fear boner.
⍢ The Mark of the Sinner: Your hunger, your thirst, your fatigue and your desire are at an all-time high. Your impulses are rabid and uncontrollable. Maybe you experience only one of those symptoms. Maybe you experience them all. All you know is that you want relief now.

These effects will eventually clear up with a bit of accidental or purposeful physical contact with another person, making you wonder if there was anything wrong with you at all.

B ⬤ Hunger starts to gnaw at you vigorously. Perhaps you consider hunting the moon's creatures to sate your hunger. That's when you see it: a thick, meaty, juicy meal on legs. No, we're not talking about Alex Louis Armstrong. A wild silver-white pegasus runs across the purple landscape, its hair billowing in the wind as its hooves smack loudly against the ground. Try and shoot it, and you may find your efforts curtailed by its legendary rage. Eyes aglow and wings beating up a storm, this pegasus is no dainty horse. Two thousand pounds of pure muscle swoop down and charge at you, all blades and ammunition deflecting off its impenetrable skin. Taming appears impossible; it will buck anyone away and leave a sizable horn- or hoof-shaped hole in them for their efforts. Hunting it, however, should be easier. Relatively.

C ⬤ Or you may decide that you'd like to take a drink in the prismatic waters. A small pond can be found just a few miles away from where you first awoke, but gazing into it reflects what appears to be a window into your own world. You see the faces of loved ones or at least someone very close and familiar to you gathered around your prone body, shaking it frantically as though to try and rouse you, yet your image lies frozen and unresponsive, not even a whisper of life running through you. Did you die in your world? Is this your afterlife? The questions start to pile up along with the gnawing dread that you may never return home again.

▶ Camp Nowhere
anytime, anywhere on the moon iris | top

Time moves strangely when you're trapped on a moon with no sun to guide you. Hours feel like days, and days feel like weeks. Travelling has rendered you weak and tired. Luckily, a few crystal formations in the shape of a cavern may offer you a small place refuge as you decide to nap. You notice a few artifacts left over from previous explorers.

D ⬤ A comm unit abandoned within the cavern will display the former owner's idol obsession. As you tap the buttons indiscriminately, a holographic screen will appear, and you will see a fabulous recorded concert featuring three bubbly young ladies in animal print, singing to you about something called Cordis, a cat, and a bag of gems. Does this make any sense to you? Probably not, but the beat is catchy. You may even find yourself tapping a foot along to it. Don’t worry. We know it’s plastic love.

E ⬤ There's a small cooler-like container of preserved powdered food bags labeled with only the word “Edible” that can be safely consumed. Although the powder tastes as bland as you’d expect, it’s oddly filling, sating either hunger or thirst. But who will be the first — and the bravest — to try eating them?

F ⬤ A strange, pointed instrument is among the effects found in the cavern. It's silver, long, and thin with a curved end and a light. When you grip it with warm hands, it seems to vibrate enthusiastically and comes in three settings indicated by a frowny face, a neutral face, and a happy face. What could it mean exactly? No one knows, but you can fiddle with it to your heart's desire. Just don't ask yourself where it's been before. You don't want to know.

▶ Interstellar Action Force Assemble
prisma, iris | top

Over a day has passed when a group of people find you worse for wear. Some are full of uncertainty and fear while some are full of curiosity and excitement. They claim that they are scientists from the planet Prismatica here to investigate the sudden appearances of rainbow crystals in the skies. That means you and the others they’ve located within the area. You are all a surprising find to them, and they are quick to load everyone in their transport vehicles for examination and questioning.

You all may have your usual inquiries — Where are we? Who are you? What's going on? Why are the pegasi so ill-tempered? — and the Prismals are almost too eager to answer. They do have questions on their own, so it’s only fair to trade. They tell you about their world as they poke and prod you, trying to understand what you are and how you came into their land. If they’re not trembling in fear, some of them may ask you odd and invasive questions in return, such as what the rate at which your body achieves thermoregulation is, how long your refractory period is, and if you would be willing to submit various kinds of body fluids to them. It's up to whether you wish to comply or protest.

G ⬤ If you react violently, you will be restrained and nerfed with a specialized neurotransmitting gun that releases a numbing agent through the top of your spine. They came prepared, so have fun with that! In any case, conscious or not, you’ll be brought into one of the transport vehicles. If you choose to peacefully cooperate, you’ll be provided any necessary first aid and a refreshing drink to help you recuperate after the rough time you had for the past few days. Each transport vehicle has a few small rooms to rest in, but due to the limited space, you’ll have to snuggle up with someone else on that bunk bed. Unfortunately, the moonshine fruit the ship is also carrying in its cargo has an extremely sweet smell that’s been permeating through certain areas of the ventilation system… Taking a whiff of it may inebriate you for the rest of the trip.

H ⬤ It’s a bumpy ride as terrain vehicles draw over various crystal formations until you see a large dome-like structure up ahead. Within its confines lies the seat of the Prismatica's government, Prisma. It’s a bureaucratic wet dream: skyscrapers practically touch the upper surface of the dome, windows glimmer with a prismatic sheen as daylight hits them, and small ships can be seen flying to and from its spaceport. The scientists, members of the Lunar Scientia, usher you into their facilities for tests. Arrivals are likely to twitch, tremble, and panic as Lunar Scientia fellows take and broadcast every embarrassing, unfiltered detail about you — height, weight, age, strange odors, estimated frequency of sexual activity —- to one another. These scientists will ask you politely to undress, too, but understand if you don't want to. They're especially fascinated by the readings of pure Chroma inside you, whispering among one another excitedly about the possibility of the new arrivals being a new moon species. What should they call them? Moonborne? Moonblessed?

I ⬤ At long last, the questions and physical examinations are done. They’ve decided to call the arrivals as the Moonblessed. They’ll take you under their care until they understand more about you. You're allowed a very refreshing hot shower and a warm meal for your efforts. Don’t worry, the meal was imported from their planet. “Planet?” you might ask, but you won’t need to wonder for too long. The ships are preparing for their next destination: the nearby planet Prismatica, where you will be dwelling for the time being. You're free to explore the government center until then.

▶ Wildcard
Lunatia, Prismatica | top

It only takes a couple hours for the ships to reach their home planet. The ships drop the characters off at the city of Lunatia, where they will be given their communication devices and a plastic card they can present to certain landlords at any residential district for their subsidized (read: absolutely free) lodging. Officials at Prisma instructed the newcomers to await further instructions from the government, but you have a lot of time to kill before then. Why not explore in the meantime? Learn the ins and outs of the world, get a job, transform under the full moon, and discover the many mysteries of planet Prismatica!

TDM OVERFLOW can be found here!

Comments

[kiritin]

[ A... ... ... ... sword?

The explanation does cover some questions, for all they're worth. As a Heroic Spirit, the concept is rather similar: during Holy Grail Wars, Masters call forth upon legendary and historic figures of the past in order to bring them victory. Many of them, warriors. He understands and relates to some of it, but can only imagine what kind of magical power one must have to give flesh to a sword.

His eyes shift to the sword next to Mikazuki's side. Would that be him, or a copy of him, who he used to be? With the stark resemblance and the way they look perfect together, it's easy to assume such a thing. ]

I... see. Forgive me, I'm familiar with magic, but it is my first time hearing about turning inanimate objects into humans.

[ For just a small moment, he wonders if whoever was responsible for this man's manifestation could work out the same spell for his bow, Gandiva. ]

It makes sense, now. That you once required neither food nor sleep. It must have been hard to adapt.

[jiyuujin]

Yes, this body is quite the inconvenience indeed.

[Yet something about his words ring hollow. What could possible be useful about a body that needs constant maintenence to survive. That can hardly take a single blow without the need for repairs. That is plagued by the unrelenting assault and wonder of all five of the senses. That can be brought to its knees through the crushing weight of languishment and defeat or exhilarating bouts of pure joy and boundless love. Mikazuki has known all these things and can honestly say this body is riddled with faults. And yet, he prefers it immensely.

Having dwelled enough on that matter however, he sighs.] Such things possessing spirits of their own is not so uncommon where I come from. The ability to manifest them however, rests solely with our master, the saniwa. I can't claim to know anything about that.

[It's only now that he notices exactly where Arjuna's attention has strayed. He lifts that image of his true body now, cradling it in both hands and considering it for only a moment before offering it to the other. He doesn't necessarily think it will help make sense of any of this but it can't hurt.]

Would you like to see?


ooc: =~= sorry for assaulting you with mega edits the formatting got super messed up somehow

[kiritin]

[ It's interesting, that there are things even a being made of magic knows not. Magecraft constantly evolves, grows like humanity does. Though his own Master is a rather ordinary individual, with no magic power of their own, if they were to obtain such kind of power... They are already terrifying in their own way, with countless of spirits of old to aid them in their quest. If they were to add the spirits of weapons, they could conquer the world within a day.

Some embarrassment surfaces to the prince's face at the question - his intentions so easily read. ]

Ah...-- Yes, if you'd excuse me.

[ Gently. Carefully. It is weird, knowing this sword is... likely this man's real body. Appreciating a weapon for its craft and beauty is something any warrior learns to do throughout their lives. Manhandling weapons isn't exquisite. That extra, single knowledge changes Arjuna's entire point of view.

Needless to say, the sword is absolutely gorgeous, so well crafted. It explains Mikazuki's own beauty. Arjuna's hold is delicate, and it takes a few minutes to truly inspect the weapon. Though he stands as an archer, he knows how to appreciate swords. ]

It's gorgeous. I would easily believe it if you said it has been crafted by the Gods. [ It matches not Gandiva's beauty, but it's close. He hands it back to its owner. ] I suppose there is no one who knows how to wield your own body better than... yourself. But I must ask, what would happen with your body if your sword suffered any damage? I cannot help but imagine you'd be harmed as well.

[jiyuujin]

[While Aruja's attention was on the sword, Mikazuki had leaned in, with his arm propped on his knee and his head in his hand and taken the time to observe the one that held him. The first thing he notices comes as a bit of a surprise; he can almost feel the moment the blade passes from his person to the stranger's hand though not in the physical sense, more like the care with which it was held, the honest admiration, all of it playing out as flashes of color, barely saturated, splashing across his heart.

It's a strange, albeit fleeting sensation but Mikazuki is no stranger to the novelty of new things every day in his life as a human. Rather, it confirms something else he had supposed. The young man before him is slight but not frail, lithe but not overly endowed with brawn. That he is blessed with beauty as well only adds to the effect. And he holds the sword with such a gentle regard that there can be no mistaking it.]

You flatter me. Though I suppose I should expect no less from a warrior such as yourself?

[Mikazuki smiles, and he leaves the question hanging open for Arjuna to say something of himself. He can't say he's not interested at this point, about his area of expertise, his weapon of choice and perhaps even if it was worthy of being possessed of a spirit as well. Curiosity was one of his best and worst traits. And if he was sharing himself, it was only fair.

Though, perhaps it was best not to share precisely everything.]

While I can't say it's a pleasant experience, it is a somewhat simple matter of repairing the sword again, another bit of magic our magic our master is capable of. Although without him here, I suppose I must accept healing and repairing the normal way.

[kiritin]

[ Certainly, it comes as no surprise. Though Arjuna portrays himself proper as royalty should, he is a warrior first and foremost. He wonders for a moment if it had been the care in which he had put into admiring the craft that gave it away, but shelves that question for another day, another time, or perhaps never at all. ]

Indeed. We who fight in the battlefield are taught to appreciate the craftsmanship of a weapon like no other.

[ It's all he says about himself, for now - barely anything at all, nothing Mikazuki hadn't guessed already. ]

I see. It's not the most conventional way, I suppose, but it's certainly better than to be left without any option at all.

[ There's a feeling in him that relates far too well to this man's experience. Mikazuki Munechika is a being made of magic, and so is Arjuna. They are not quite the same - Mikazuki a weapon, Arjuna a shadow of the past -, but the way they must rely on another can't help but allow the prince's thoughts to wander and question about his own Master's whereabouts and safety. ]

I am the same, however.

[ Equivalent exchange. ]

I am a warrior, as you've surmised, but I am also a spirit, much akin to yourself. This body of mine is sustained by the magical energy my Master provides. I am able to fend by myself in the case we are separated, but... [ Not only his prowess overall are weakened, but the conditions to restore his mana can be quite a bother. Arjuna smiles, his sentence never completed. ] It seems we're at quite a predicament without our masters.

[jiyuujin]

[If he's looking carefully, he'll notice Mikazuki's eyes—with their ridiculous, seemingly impossible silhouette of the moon within—light up at the end. The scope of his world is very long, but still very small. He understands his kind, somewhat, and humans, somewhat, but this is something quite new and now Arjuna has his interest fully piqued]

That is quite the coincidence that we've come across one another like this.

[Of course it's too early to draw any definitive conclusions, but in the absence of any of his allies, perhaps they have found some kind of camaraderie in one another. Shared experiences, mutual sympathies and now a common fate demands such alliances.

There was still no telling where they were going from here, if their benevolent hosts could be trusted or was it all a ruse cover their kidnapping. Such a thing isn't outside the realm of possibility as Mikazuki understands it.

He leans in.]

You may require no rest but we aren't going anywhere for a while. [That being said, he inches closer to one side of the bed, making space for the other.] I insist.

[And he waits to continue the conversation. Because he insists.]

[kiritin]

[ Yes - a coincidence. A surprise the prince cannot point whether pleasant or just a tad concerning. That two spirits have come together to be summoned in such a place speaks volumes of the way it has happened, whether by the will of man or something entirely else. He, a Heroic Spirit, can be excused - Arjuna can be summoned wherever there is the presence of a Grail, after all -, but there are questions that surface in regards to Mikazuki's own situation.

At his request, the archer would once again refuse, but... - ]

... Very well. I suppose it would do no harm.

[ For one reason or another, his body does seem... lighter. The bed, above all, almost feels like it's calling for him. How curious, and concerning.

Once he is seated, within a safe distance of Mikazuki - not for any reasons that aren't overly personal, mostly for his own mental health -, he turns a curious face at the sword-man. ]

I hope it's not too intrusive of me to inquire about your 'master'. For someone to give form to the spirit of a sword, they must be excel greatly at magecraft.

[jiyuujin]

[Even that response, the subtle wording of it, is interesting. Mikazuki feels drawn in by it. Certainly he couldn't fault anyone for being less than forthcoming under the circumstances but something about Arjuna almost strikes as like a tapestry to unravel if only the right thread to pull could be found.

Against instincts, and erring on the side of remaining courteous, he leans back and away from him, hands sinking only slightly into the firm bed. But it is comfortable.]

Not at all though I know only the basics as only a product of their craft. I only answer to one but there are a great many others, like him, with houses full of swords, like us, all engaged in the same fight. Admittedly, I can't tell you how it all works but it's a project run by the government of our land. They enlist the saniwa. And oversee their training I imagine.

[He speaks of his world almost impassively, as though there were little to question in all of it, as if his own existence wasn't at stake by the very means which Arjuna was questioning. But even if he did have his concerns, what use would their be in divulging them.

Besides, things weren't precisely equal just yet, by his calculation.]

I do have to wonder, if you would permit my own imposition, about the purpose for which you were summoned as well. [Of course it's easy enough to surmise why anyone would have need of a warrior but he's curious about the exact answer all the same.]

[kiritin]

[ That's where they differ, in a way. Chaldea would work similarly, many spirits of old answering to a single Master, all engaged in the same fight - to take back the future. It isn't quite run by the government either, as a secret organization, but it's close enough. ]

I see. It's rather curious how they are many saniwa, but I suppose the burden eases on everyone's shoulder with others they can rely on. [ He has seen how being the last Master on Earth has affected his own former Master. ] I hope that you succeed in your fight.

[ Unless it's a bad one, but it's hardly the vibe he gets from Mikazuki. ]

My circumstance is similar to yours, however. I believe it would not be of much interest for your person.

[ At least the... current(?) one. Arjuna does straighten his position, hands on his lap like a proper gentleman. It's not often he speaks of his nature and his purpose. ]

I am what you would call a 'Heroic Spirit'; a figment of who I, Arjuna, was in life. Though my original body has long been gone, I exist by the means of magical energy in order to fight for the Holy Grail, an omnipotent device which can grant one any wish they may have.

[ He pauses. When has it been the last time he has been formally in such a war? ] We, who bear a wish, answer the call of a Master who wishes to summon a familiar to aid in their fight. We become 'Servants', then. ... However, before being brought to such a place, the circumstances of my summoning had been rather different. I, together with countless other Heroic Spirits, were summoned under the same Master in order to aid her in her goal - to conquer back the future.

... But it seems our duties have been temporarily interrupted. How troublesome.

[jiyuujin]

[Different and yet so similar. It's carrying out the same fight but at completely opposite ends of the spectrum.

Despite Arjuna's words, oh so contrary to them in fact, Mikazuki maintains a great interest in him. He listens silently, with rapt attention, his gaze never faltering.]

Thank you. And you in yours as well. In a way it seems we fight for the same thing as your master though we work in the past. It is ultimately to protect the future and the life we have now.

[There is one particular difference that stands out to him though. He's awfully curious about the saniwa, which speaks, in its own way, about these other masters. And their somewhat singular goal.]

The way you speak of them, it sounds like these masters aren't so common to you as they are to us. And what of your opposition? Could it be that your fight is amongst each other?

[He asks for personal reasons. There have been rumors after all. Certain anomalies that arise in their interactions with history. He could be wrong but what harm is there in venturing down that rabbit hole to see what might be on the other side.]

[kiritin]

[ why did we never move this to an overflow ]