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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

[goldenchilde]

[What a nerd. What a complete and utter nerd.

... Still, Ling can't actually disagree. He rolls his eyes a bit as he looks at Sizhui being all moony, but when he looks up and gives the scenery a chance, himself, he's rather impressed by it, too.]

... I guess...

[sizhui]

Yeah. I wonder... I wonder if our world looks anything like it, from our moon.

Anyway!

[ Sizhui shakes himself, and smiles at Jin Ling. ]

Everything here is very, very different. There are a lot of questions that I don't know the answers to, myself, either, even after having been here for two months.

But let me show you around. At least it's a little less crowded here than down in Lunatia.

[goldenchilde]

[If their world looks anything like it, from their moon? Who even thinks about such things?! These Lans... and Sizhui in particular - they really do some pointless thinking.

Yet Ling finds it hard to judge, somehow. The criticism is right there on his tongue, leaving a bitter aftertaste, but he chooses to keep it to himself. Somehow, the hand-holding makes him feel a little guilty for even thinking anything "bad" about Sizhui - even though it's reasonable! Those are definitely some pointless thoughts Sizhui is spouting!!

Two months... Ling's barely been here two days, and he's well and truly tired of it already. Imagine being here two months...]

Talk to me in the meantime. What sects are here? What's the political situation like?

[sizhui]

It's... very different on Prismatica. The land that is known, that is available, is a lot less, because there was a calamity about two hundred years ago and most of the planet... you can't even travel over it normally, let alone live there.

We will be brought down the city of Lunatia, which is the biggest city in the area where we have access. Last month, people could use technology to visit another place, but it was complicated and rather dangerous. And it required two people's minds to ... work together.

The city itself is not run by sects, or by a dynasty. There is a government that people are employed in and rise in, but the title of the leader is not - it's not inherited, as far as I know.

Aside from us, there are a few other cultivators who come from places that I have not exactly heard about, nor do I recognize their robes. Maybe they are from a different world, I don't know.

And everything is... you can talk to people over a bracelet. You can go to a building and by anything in it. Like a shop, except a lot, a lot bigger. There is running water inside the houses and bathrooms. It's... it's very different.

[ He trails off, a little lost for words. Two months in, and it still overwhelms him. But he wants to learn everything. Everything. ]

[goldenchilde]

How do they avoid constant warfare, if it's not inherited?

[Really - there's enough conflict when leadership is inherited! Without even that much to go on, Ling can't imagine how even a single city would manage peace. He doesn't truly need or expect an explanation; he's stating his doubts more than posing a real question. It's probably for the best: Sizhui has so much to explain as it is.

"Running water inside the houses" makes it sound like there's a gentle little river to drink from and bathe running through every house. It's actually a rather nice mental image, and Ling looks forward to seeing that and many other things that Sizhui is describing. Maybe he'll like this new planet and maybe he won't, but now that he knows his sect is probably fine, and not being taken from him while he's here... he can deal with it. If anything, he's kind of curious.]

What about night hunts? What kind of creatures are here?

[sizhui]

... I don't honestly know. There doesn't seem to be any indication of people wanting the authority in a way in which they can't get it, I guess? So at least that right, that doesn't seem an issue.

And... there doesn't seem to be night hunts to be called for. At least there have not been any so far? Perhaps because the Calamity changed life and everything had to be begun from the very start, so there was less resentment and more hope. That I have seen, at least!

Also - a lot of the people here have animal features. You've seen that already, but it's more of that in Lunatia. It doesn't mean they're anything wrong. Or if you start having some animal traits, there is anything wrong with you.

[ He thinks that the scientists would have explained that part to Jin Ling, but. Better mention it. ]

[goldenchilde]

[Less resentment and more hope... That certainly sounds wonderful. It's something Ling wants to believe, too - but at the same time: if it seems too good to be true, it usually is.]

Even if that's true, the beginning must have known a great deal of resentment. Starting from scratch leads to as much frustration as hope, when one knows what one's missing.

[Probably. Maybe. Or maybe he's just arguing against his own hope, here, trying to stay realistic.

Regardless, it's something he'll investigate for himself soon enough. Not because he doesn't trust Sizhui, because he does. But nothing can be all hope and no resentment worth mentioning.]

If I start having animal traits? [He's surprisingly okay with the animal people, but that's mostly because he assumes that's just the way they are. It is not, nor will it ever be, what he wants to be.] Why would that happen?

[sizhui]

Yeah, I think we're all keeping our eyes open, just in case.

And... about that. When the moons are full, those who are associated to them get... affected. Not everyone is, but I think a lot of people feel some sort of influence. And partial to full transformation.

The scientists back in there can explain more, I think.

[ Is Sizhui's face turning a little red? Maybe... ]

[goldenchilde]

[If the information is concerning, Sizhui's blush is far more so. Ling knits his brow, trying to understand how animal transformations can be cause for blushing in the first place.]

What influence? What kind of transformations?

Are you saying people turn into an actual animal!?

[Still no good reason to blush, he thinks, but more than enough reason to worry. He likes animals well enough, but he sure doesn't want to be one.]

[sizhui]

It's... Some people turn into an animal and some only get some parts. It goes away after the moon's days are over! But people can get, like. A fox's tail. Or wings, I think? Or antlers!

[ No, not quite reason to blush, but at the same time... And that's not even mentioning the effects of the foxes' wine. ]

The moons affect moods and... sometimes wants, too. I think those are usually possible to deal with without embarrassing oneself.

[goldenchilde]

[Antlers?! This is starting to sound absolutely ridiculous. It takes a fair amount of self-control for Ling not to feel all over his body for extraneous parts, but he manages on sheer determination.]

I can't imagine the animal parts are the same.

[He absolutely believes that any moods and wants will be just fine. Such things are easy to overcome, so they shouldn't get embarrassing. (He's going to regret thinking that...) Animal parts, however...]

With a tail or wings, one can't even get dressed properly.

[sizhui]

People with antlers keep announcing they have trouble going through doors, too.

[ There is a hint of amusement to Sizhui's expression, but it's basically drowned out by the compassion. He's not mocking, merely letting Jin Ling know what to expect.

His expression clears quickly, though. ]

But again, not everyone gets affected! You might be fine. And I think there are clothes that accommodate different changes. Only... not robes.

[goldenchilde]

[Ling huffs a breath, perhaps mocking the antler-wearing people a little, but also in anger at whoever or whatever is responsible for these changes. The moons, he knows. The moons are responsible - but it feels weird to blame a celestial body for something so extreme. Apart from anything else: it's not like celestial bodies have a will, so they're hard to blame for that reason alone.]

If I grow antlers, wings, and a tail, I'm still not wearing anything other than my sect robes.

[Seriously, how dare you even (not actually) suggest such a thing? Ling is a sect leader! He'll eat his own arms before he considers not wearing his sect robes.

Well... he'll have to eventually. He'll get used to the idea. But for now? There's just no way he'll even give it any thought.]

[sizhui]

Well, um. I turn into a bunny, [ and there it is, the reason for the brushing, at least some of it, ] so robes might not always be at option...?

[goldenchilde]

...

[He hears what Sizhui is saying, just like he heard what Sizhui said before, and it's not like he doubts the truth of it. But imagining that kind of thing actually happening - and to someone he knows, at that - is still taking some work.]

You turn into an actual rabbit?

[sizhui]

Ah... Yeah, basically. Except for that one time, but that was complicated. Other than that, Iris moon and three moons...

[goldenchilde]

What "one time"!?

[The question is mostly rhetorical, but he can't not ask it, when Sizhui brings it up that way. Ling's mind is a whirlwind, and none of what's spinning around in there is actually good.]

What if someone tries to eat you?!

[sizhui]

[ There is a beat of silence after that second question. Sizhui's entire face and his ears are now blushing, but at the same time, his smile is sweet and so, so bright-eyed. ]

I try to keep safe. [ Softly. ] And I can technically still command my sword. Just not hold it it physically. It's - probably more dangerous during the three moons, when more dangerous transformations, including wolves and foxes, are happening at the same time.

And that one time... there was something affecting some of us so things were a little different. I kind of prefer the rabbit option.

[goldenchilde]

[Wolves and foxes, when rabbits are around at the same time? What kind of idiocy is that?! Ling normally has a enough confidence in Sizhui's skills, but even if he can still manipulate his sword when transformed, a rabbit is still a rabbit. Maybe Hanguang-jun should be able to help his disciple - it's not like this is Ling's business, technically - but that doesn't make him feel much better.

He'll have to find a way to keep Sizhui safe, if that kind of thing happens again. Rabbits are so useless...]

What "something"? "Different" how?

[He keeps asking all the questions, sounding stupid to his own ears, but he wants to get all the information straight. Not only is this the world he'll be living in for a while, apparently, but it's important if he's to help keep Sizhui safe, as well.]

[sizhui]

[ Questions are fine! Sizhui doesn't think Jin Ling is stupid to ask them at all! He's just ... uncomfortable about the whole thing.

His free hand goes up to rub the back of his head. ]

So, ah, not long after I showed up here, there were... cultists? That is what they were called, I think. Who went to collect sacrifices for a fox spirit. They kidnapped a number of us, kept us where our powers were suppressed, and fed us a certain wine. The aftereffects of it, after we were rescued, made the next moon transformation different. I stayed mostly human, but with fox traits.

Not being like myself...

I do prefer turning into a rabbit.

[goldenchilde]

[That's a lot of information, but it still doesn't feel like a complete answer... or maybe that's just Ling. Somehow, none of what Sizhui says feels quite enough, and while that makes sense in part - and it's not like Sizhui doesn't have the right to keep silent about some things! even Ling can admit that! - it doesn't feel right.

What exactly does Ling even want, here? To make sure Sizhui is safe, sure; to know what happened so he can keep it from happening again, maybe. But he still has no reason for making any of it his business, and logic even tells him that's kind of disrespectful. Sizhui can take care of himself, after all. Objectively, he's at least as good at that as Ling; possibly even more.

But it still doesn't feel right, all the things Ling's missed while other people were already here; all the things that are out of his control.]

Turning into a rabbit is not being like yourself either, is it?

[sizhui]

Well...

[ It's the gist of the answer. The details don't matter unless there's a chance of it happening again, or happening to Jin Ling, he'll give those, too. Just, he doesn't want to remember details, that's all. ]

Turning into a rabbit is not being me-shaped. Thinking and acting like a fox is not being like me. Does that... make any sense?

[goldenchilde]

[It does make sense, sort of. It's still strange to think of Sizhui in a bunny's body, though. Maybe that is where Ling had jumped to conclusions, before, but it's weird to picture Sizhui still being Sizhui in that shape.

It's kind of like a paperman, maybe. Thinking of it like that, it's easier to picture - and for the first time since this conversation started, Ling is getting a little curious to see bunny!Sizhui.

Not nearly enough to mention it, however.]

I guess even a rabbit's diet is like your usual.

[Maybe he's poking fun a bit, but he's also trying to find out more about the changes, in which ways they can affect people and in which ways they don't. a.k.a. please tell him how to take care of his bun!zhui]

[sizhui]

Yes, basically. I mind the calendar, make sure I have some books to read and some food prepared, and wait it out. Meditate, mostly.

[ Uhh.

Not that he'd mind the company but also don't let him try to hump your hand, that will be awkward later.

But pets are 100% okay. ]

I hope you don't get to turn into anything strange. Not everyone does.

[goldenchilde]

[OMG don't hump his hand he will die!! Just deal with aggressive pets. A lot of pets... and maybe carrots...]

Then I'm not doing it, either.

[Because clearly he has a choice in this...
He does understand that it's not something he gets to decide; of course he knows that. But what does he have to gain from admitting it? It will happen, or it won't. If it's out of his hands regardless, he may as well practice his own stubborn kind of would-be optimism.]

... And if I do, I'll deal with it. It's not like I can't even handle that much.