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[prismods]

SHOOTING SHARK

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"Blue Oyster Cult - Shooting Shark" (Watch on YouTube)

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.

▶ Keep all Hands and Feet inside the Burning Vehicle at all Times
Iris Moon, Government Center (Arrival) and Outer Space | top

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 mix tequila with xanax 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. Eventually you’re called back from exploring, escorted to the docks, and led onto a large transport vessel that makes frequent trips back and forth between the moons and the planet. Faces onboard vary from both old and new Moonblessed as well as Prismal locals. The next destination: Prismatica.

A. After settling into the ship and selecting the current in-flight movie, Back Door Slugs 9, you and those around you may eventually feel a bit of turbulence during the movie’s highly anticipated climax. Did anyone notice it, or is everyone too focused on the hot characters?

At first, it’s a small jitter that’s easy to miss or brush off. But as the transport vessel travels on, the shaking progressively escalates to erratic tremors strong enough to cause severe nausea. A minute later, a voice over the speaker announces the ship will have to make an emergency landing, citing technical difficulties.

Sparks can be seen overhead as more ship parts malfunction. This is a good time to hold your neighbor’s hand, say your last goodbyes, and apologize for that horrible thing you did in the sixth grade. Grip your seat with the might of every god you can think of.

B. Another minute later, a follow-up announcement states that external entities have breached the transport vessel. Everyone is warned to be careful and watch out for each other. Small fires will have to be put out before they worsen with either magic or emergency equipment onboard such as extinguishers. In-flight robotic attendants will be scuttling around to perform immediate repairs.

Eventually, an entire power panel bursts, and prismatic jellyfish unnaturally spill out. The jellyfish will try to latch and suction onto any technological devices close by such as the television screens on the seats or communicators and will show preference to Iris Moonblessed over the rest. Be ready to help and pull numerous jellyfish off both the faces of Moonblessed and Prismals!

▶ Jaws IV: Jaws Harder
Planet Prismatica, Outer Lunatia | top

The emergency landing successfully completes and the transport vessel will safely land on top of a gorgeous lake filled with tiny glaciers floating by. When reached out and touched, you’ll find out that the “glaciers” are surprisingly cool crystals and not ice.

The ship will be left hovering idly on the water surface while passengers are ferried to solid ground using portable emergency boats. However, civilization is still a distance away.

A. You’ve probably heard of flying sharks from a veteran Moonblessed. But how about sea lions? These aquatic lions are born with scaly skin and gills outside of their crystallized manes. Unfortunately, they haven’t tasted fresh meat in quite some time. If there are any injured onboard or near your boat, the chances of the sea lions detecting people will be higher as they are drawn to the scent of blood. Growling hungrily, they will be quick to latch onto the boats, biting the edges, and trying to knock everyone overboard for dinner.

After surviving through so far, the Prismals guide everyone to a nearby encampment run by humanoid rabbits. They are tall, built, and have a habit of mentioning their virility an awkward amount of times. They are also generous and will share their game meat and fresh crops while allowing everyone to rest for the night at the only inn in their village.

B. There is no running water all the way out here, so if anyone wants a bath, they’ll have to do it traditionally. The village protects a natural spring, which is a good place to bathe away the sea water. Around the spring, the rabbit folk’s friends — little scintilla chinchillas — will shock away any predators that dare to approach their sanctuary! Be at ease and feel free to offer your friends shampoo massages.

The next day, the rabbits can be seen hacking away at some of the wilder-looking plants for an easier pathway. If you wake up early enough, you can ask some of them for a tour of the beautiful greenery. They mention that it’s thanks to the Moonblessed that their crops have been doing so well lately — the result of all the chroma influx. The rest of the journey to the city will be smooth sailing.





▶ It’s Free Real-Estate
Level 2, City of Lunatia | 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. After a quick tour of the city, new arrivals can find themselves getting cozy in their new homes.

A. Find new roommates and say hello to your neighbors! City officials will give you directions to the designated districts across Level 2 and instruct you to pick out a unit. Each apartment complex has a different aesthetic, some may look cozy, some stylish, and some bizarre. The free accommodations have a basic living space that can only fit two or three people at most in one unit.

Starter Chromaspace furnishings are provided which can be controlled with the touch of a built-in panel. Examples are color-changing curtains, transforming sofa beds, cabinets turning into tables, etc. Customizing your apartment or moving out will have to wait until you earn more chroma. Until then, why don’t you check out your new neighborhood or explore the city levels? Maybe your new roommates or neighbors can give you a “hand” with allowance for dinner.

B. A new high-end boutique, Prissy Polyp, has opened in Level 2. As compensation for what happened, both Moonblessed and Prismals that were affected in yesterday’s flight will receive 50% off their total purchase. Those unaffected will receive 30% discount coupons as a promotional gift. All are encouraged to visit with their friends or special someone, try on some things together, enjoy each other in the fitting rooms, and deal with the loud, ear-blistering background pop music.

Their clothing collections are characterized by bright iridescent designs, some features such as design patterns may glow ethereally in the dark. One of their signature dresses features a one piece (also available on their trench coats) that can amplify the appearance of one’s decolletage, gluteal muscles, and/or bulge with the press of a neon button. Another item among their collection is the maiden sweater: a sleek, backless sweater that shocks those who attempt unwanted touches. Others include skin-tight leggings (also available on their shorts or pants) which produce pleasant and relaxing vibrations on all lower extremities and fashionable polyp-shaped hats for all kinds of people. It’s a huge shop, you never know what else to find in there.

▶ Questions
If you have any questions regarding this test drive meme, please ask them in the Questions thread below.

▶ IMPORTANT! By request, we've uploaded image samples for the Prissy Polyp clothing collections! Note these are merely samples for a visual guide and we will leave more selections to players.

▶ As a reminder, test drive memes are for new characters only. However, current players are more than welcome to use these prompts for their own posts in the IC communities, personal inboxes, catch-all posts, etc.!
▶ As our test drive memes are game canon, feel free to keep any threads that happen here as canon for your character should they be accepted.

Comments

[graftage]

[A laugh.]

Why doesn't it make sense? Think about it. It's to wear around a special someone you really like...

[escardos]

Someone I really like...

[ flat's expression becomes serious, and john may be able to witness his one brain cell working overtime to think about it, followed by a grimace. ]

You know, I think that would just get me expelled.

[graftage]

...Excuse me?

[He just stares for a moment, dumbfounded.]

What, are you talking about wearing this in front of a teacher???

[escardos]

Well, yeah, my Professor! I think that if I had to choose, he'd probably be the person that I like the most! [ he scratches the back of his head, looking a bit troubled. ] But I'd never want to wear something like that around him. I think that'd just be disrespectful. The next option would be to wear it for Ja-- I mean, Berserker...oh but then that would make me a hypocrite, no? Since I didn't like it when they changed into the girl with the swimsuit thing...

[graftage]

...

[This has just...gone in a direction that he has ABSOLUTELY NO CLUE as to what this young man is talking about. Berserker?? Girl with swimsuit???]

Uh. By "someone you like" I mean...someone you're attracted to. Like in a romantic way.

[escardos]

Oh, then there's no one like that.

[ shrug! flat has no idea of how fucking confused the other person is because of all the bullshit he said. it's fine. ]

But if you have someone like that, you should buy one! You'd look good in it!

[graftage]

[His cheeks flush, slightly.]

Why would I buy it? You're the one trying it on!

[escardos]

Because you're the one that gave the suggestion, so you must know more about it! Out of experience, right?

[ he's even taking the sweater off in order to hand it to steinbeck?! ]

[graftage]

I've seen it before, it doesn't mean I want to wear it!

[BACKING. AWAY FROM THE OFFERED SWEATER]

[escardos]

Oh, could it be that you're self-conscious about your body? It's alright, if they don't like you for who you are, then leave them!

[graftage]

[FLAT, NO]

Well, I mean, I have scars - [wait, shit, no-] - but wait a second, no, it's not that! It has nothing to do with that at all!

[escardos]

But scars are nice, too! You could make any kind of story up with them, like you got into a sword fight or you had to wrestle a crocodile for dominance.

[ what the FUCK. whatever, flat doesn't care. he raises an eyebrow, tilting his head with a curious expression. ]

So could it be that you're embarrassed then?

[ is he teasing? is he serious? yes. ]

[graftage]

[what about "i mutilate my body on a regular basis and become a grapevine abomination" huh?????]

What?! [god, he thinks he can feel his ears burning] No!! I'm not!!!

[he is]

[escardos]

You are! [ flat look so excited, on the other hand? he's having fun. ] There's nothing wrong with it, you know? Unless...unless you do have someone you like, but you don't know if they like you back? Man, it would definitely be awkward if you showed up like that and they weren't interested in you.

[graftage]

[briefly imagines lovecraft who would literally not even care if he was wearing a thing like that]

I-I don't have anyone I like, okay? Which makes it all the more silly to even wear a thing like this. [He huffs.] What are you even talking about, anyways? You don't know me at all.

[escardos]

You're right, I don't! But you're acting all tsun, so there must be someone out there that makes your dere side appear!

[ this is the conclusion that he has come to. even if it doesn't make sense to john or anyone else in this world, it makes sense to flat--therefore, that's what he sees as the truth. ]

But we should get to know each other. So why don't we be friends!?

[graftage]

What the actual hell does that even mean?

[WHO IS THIS WEIRDO??????]

Why would I be friends with someone like you?!

[escardos]

Because you don't have anything to lose, you know? I think we'd get along!

[ he'll even extend his hand! ]

I'm Flat! Flat Escardos!

[graftage]

[Does he have anything to win here, either...???]

[Also not shaking his hand. Nope.]

...Isn't "flat" an adjective? Is that really your name?

[escardos]

It isn't. You're really good at this, huh? But this is the name that I've been using for a long time, now! My real name is long and complicated, so this is way easier to say.

[ shrug. if john doesn't want to shake his hand, then he's missing out! ]

So-- how 'bout you?

[graftage]

[...Wait, he was actually right?]

That's... [Weird? Odd? He doesn't know what to say.] Whatever. You can call me Steinbeck. That's it.

[escardos]

Oh, that's like that one author, John Steinbeck! Have you ever heard of him?

[graftage]

...

[ALL AROUND ME ARE FAMILIAR FACES. WORN OUT FACES. WORN OUT PLACES. BRIGHT AND EARLY ARE THE DAILY RACES. GOING NOWHERE. GOING NOWHERE. I FIND IT KIND OF FUNNY. I FIND IT KIND OF SAD. THE DREAMS IN WHICH I'M DYING ARE THE BEST I EVER HAD-]

Uh. No.

[escardos]

[ oh. part of him registers that maybe he said something wrong, so he's going to try and fix it. it's fine! it's fine!!! ] U-um...well, he wrote cool things! Of Mice and Men is pretty cool and...um....Grapes of Wrath was a really good movie for its time and still is now. I don't think we can find it in space but if I find it! We could watch it?

[graftage]

[He feels his soul slipping away like. Right at this very moment.]

I...don't think I want to, thanks.

[HE'S ALREADY TOO WEIRDED OUT BY THE RANDOM AUTHOR WITH HIS NAME]