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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.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ If this conversation had happened days, even weeks after the events at the Guanyin temple, these words would have destroyed Xichen.

But it has been months and months, with only memories and regrets to keep him company. And Lan Xichen is a social person. Unlike his brother, he fares well when he is close to people, when he can shape himself to the expectations of others and excel at them, become the best version of himself... according to others.

Being left alone for so long, with the guilt of what his actions led to happening to Nie Mingjue, with Jin Guangyao's final words which cut deeper than anything Xichen had known, and they kept on repeating, over and over, in his waking hours and his dreams, scant as his sleeping time has grown...

It's not that he's grown stronger. But his pain threshold has been brought up, on sheer strength of enduring pain with no relief for so long.

Instead of crumbling, Xichen tilts his head slightly. ]

Your body is whole, here. It means that you have a chance for finding different choices.

[ This... is the closest Xichen will get to pushing him down the stairs of the tower. Not close at all, really. But still...

He doesn't believe A-Yao's words, about him not blaming Xichen. He doesn't bring it up, because he doesn't think it matters. He doesn't think he matters. It's there in his absence of response, or even reaction, however. ]

[ Jin Guangyao watches, he watches and he waits to see just what kind of reaction comes from Lan Xichen at hearing such things. Surprisingly enough there doesn't seem to be much of one, only a head tilt that his younger brother would be proud of.

Just how long has it been?

It's hard to tell and that alone is a frustration, one of many in such a strange world. The meaning of words such as "different choices" aren't lost on the (ex)sect-leader. He understands just what it is his Second Brother is trying to say. In a way he isn't wrong; by default in this place there are no sects, no stairs to climb or parents to try and please.

But there is one thing; Lan Xichen.

Jin Guangyao steps forwards, expression legitimately hopeful as he tries his best not to reach out to snag a handful of Xichen's sleeve.]

Do you really mean that? Does this mean....we can be brothers again?

[ Xichen's expression turns perplexed, but he doesn't step away, at least? ]

But... why would you want a brother such as me? Someone who was close to you for so many years and did not even know who you are? Someone who close his eyes and only paid attention to the illusion you created, never by your side in the ways you needed? A brother who only took, and took, and took, and never understood how to give?

[ Perhaps Jin Guangyao did not mean to hurt Lan Xichen. Perhaps he never physically did, even if he did come close.

But...

He hurt him, anyway. Deep, where nobody can reach to heal him, not with both his sworn brothers gone. And here he can see it, in the honest way he's asking this. It's not a snide suggestion that A-Yao only wants such a brother to manipulate him - because he's never needed that to manipulate anyone. Just honest, bleeding lack of understanding. ]

[ Jin Guangyao's gaze flits across his sworn brother's face as he waits for an answer. He needs to know if they can move past the Temple Incident. It isn't as if there will be any other chance; back home he's dead, there is nothing for him. Here is a second chance at being alive, but who in their right mind wouldn't try to fix one of the few good things within their previous life?

The answer is unexpected and he lets out a breath he hadn't been away he was holding. Now he's just tormented, finally reaching out with both hands to tug at Lan Xichen's sleeve. ]

How can you think that? Zewu-Jun... Lan Xichen. You were close to me, you would talk to me, there was never an illusion....I could never have asked for a better brother in all those years!

[ Still, the conversation is slipping out of his control and Jin Guangyao knows it. All he wants is to fix this one thing, to have his er-ge back on his side for when he finally explores this new place. It just doesn't seem like it's going to happen and in a moment of desperation Jin Guangyao sets the bar lower and goes for a good old fashioned guilt trip, digging his fingers into that sleeve momentarily before letting his hands drop to his sides. ]

I see. It is understandable that you would not wish to associate with someone like myself anymore. Do not worry yourself anymore, Zewu-Jun, I understand completely. The things I did.... Please, try not to concern yourself any more, I shall not burden you.

[ The sleeve tug, the immediate reassurance. Even though Xichen has arguments about that, they help, they matter to him. His face softens, he half reaches back for one of the hands holding his sleeve...

Then the moment is over, and Xichen's face falls. For a moment, he thought they can actually talk, maybe. That there is something salvageable in what he once thought they had. That they can yet become friends. That he can prove worthy to be a brother.

Clearly... he's wrong.

And he stands there, tall figure seeming impossibly small. He breathes out, and tries to find words to reach out, but in the end, all he can do is say, hollowly, ]

I did not say that.

[ It's clear as day when the change of mood kicks in, Jin Guangyao making a quick mental note of what exactly is happening. He can't understand well enough what is happening just yet; back home this sort of thing would have been fine. Here? Things seem hit and miss and the ex sect-leader wonders again just how long has it been.

Long enough for Lan Xichen to steel himself?

Well now it's Meng Yao's turn. He knows he's cajoled, almost begged, for a friend. It doesn't seem to be happening and he can't deny the sinking feeling of having lost something important. ]

You didn't need to. [ If everything is out then that includes the killing, the plotting, the marriage. No-one needs to say anything these days and Jin Guangyao knows that right now this talking is doing neither of them any favours. They'll need something different since staring at each other with only home to talk about is doing more harm than good.

Lucky for them they're in a new world! ] Zewu-Jun. Shall we go and get some tea?

[ The thing is, Xichen is the opposite if steeled himself. He's completely bereft of walls, of any will to push back against the world. This is Xichen with his defenses down all the way. No smile to distract people from what he is feeling, or how he is thinking; no authority or people depending on him to give him reason to pretend to be more than he is. The first part only gets a soft, sad, ] I did not mean it that way, either, [ it needs to be said, but he - holds no hope that it will matter.

Honestly, he holds no hope.

The question helps, a little. The prospect of something familiar ~~he expects~~ steadies him, gives him a tiny bit of structure to hold on to. After a moment, he pulls himself together and nods. ]

I would like that. Thank you.

The things I have done are unforgivable. No-one needs to say anything.

[ And just like that he leaves the topic, instead focusing on the new task at hand; standing on the sidewalk and gossiping really doesn't get anyone anywhere. It's just that...well... tea sounds great and all but right now Jin Guangyao is realising another problem.

He has no idea where the nearest place is that does tea. He's still in his investigating phase, looking around and finding what he can. So far no sign of a tea house and for his sins, Jin Guangyao manages to look ashamed.]

Do you know where the nearest place is that serves tea?

[ Xichen does know enough to not keep bringing it up, at this point.

But as they seek out someone who knows such a place, just for a moment, the long, pale fingers wrap around A-Yao's sleeved arm and squeeze reassuringly, just a little. ~~And because they both mean it, it does mean moonlacing, just a bit.~~

Then he stands, beautiful and pale, behind him as he asks for directions, and follows quietly until they find a ~~Starbucks~~ a place that is. Somewhat strange. But it does claim to have tea? ]

[ The hand at his arm almost takes Jin Guangyao back to Cloud Recesses, to a time when things were simpler and not for the first time today he curses inwardly, bitterly calling the letter writer all the names he can think of. Why say anything? Things were fine, they had settled, what was the point in toppling everything?

He's still vaguely wondering that as he follows directions given, finally coming across a coffee place. Coffee is a mystery but apparently they serve tea and he wanders in, nose wrinkling slightly at the strong smell in the air as he sits at a table. It's loud and busy, but crowds of people are nothing new and surely someone will be over to serve them soon, right?]

[ Xichen, on the other hand, shrinks in on himself in the crowd. Just a little. He's never been a person who's shown his emotions much, after all. Not most of them, and not very obviously, at least.

They settle at a table, one very different from ones they are used to, strange to sit with feet dangling down but everyone seems to, and they wait.

It takes... a long moment before Xichen braves looking around himself, to see if there is any problem with the service.

The way the place moves is... very different. Fast-paced, but it is not only that. There are people who only go in, talk with someone at the counter, take a large, strange-looking cup, and go out, without even sitting down. Others talk, then wait, then take a cup, and then go out, or go sit. Some even bring their own cups to be filled.

All the staff he can see for a little while are those behind the little counter, which is made of ... something transparent, behind which there are pastries of various kinds.

He may have gotten fascinated observing and forgotten what he was trying to see. ]

[ Even after a few moments Jin Guangyao is noticing how strange this place truly is. It's popular, that much is a given. People are practically streaming on in to form a queue, getting their drinks only to leave with them. It was fascinating but considering the fact that Jin Guangyao had expected something a bit slow paced it's also a little confusing.

Where did they even go with their drinks?

Only a few people seemed intent on sitting and even then they still had to go speak with what Jin Guangyao assumes to be the servers. ]

Forgive me, I did not realise it would be such a hectic place.... [ It seems sitting at a table and waiting isn't going to get them anything. Someone is going to have to be brave and do some talking and the ex-Sect Leader knows it most likely will need to be him. He even manages to inadvertently ask the age old question everyone asks in this place at some point. ]

Can you see anything you would like me to get you to drink?

[ On the downside, yes, Xichen's self has been so badly damaged that he even gets distracted like this.

On the upside, for all the loud crowd spooked him out, at first, Xichen is very much a people person, and he has... he has missed people. Not only the individual people, the ones he thought - present company demonstrating - that he can never see again, but simply... people. People not being hurt or unhappy or suffering or grieving.

So these few moments of distraction have brought a softness and even focus to Xichen's face that hasn't been there since the beginning of their conversation - and, indeed, a much longer time. It's not anywhere near a smile, still, only nearer how Xichen's face possibly should look.

It lets him sidestep from the bitterness of remembering word that A-Yao said and holding them against the younger man, even if only inside his own head. ]

If there is any fruit... I would like some. If no, don't worry, tea alone will do.

Would you like me to come with you?

[ Even with everything, to Xichen A-Yao is not a servant. He's wary of going to the counter, himself, but he truly does not wish to send A-Yao there as an attendant. ]

No no, it's okay, please allow me.

[ Jin Guangyao gets to his feet and gives a small bow, wholly intent on ordering them both some tea. It can't be that difficult and if it puts him in a decent standing then so be it. As long as swords aren't being drawn and no arguments are being thrown around, he'll take it.

It's just easier said than done. Joining the queue was simple enough and every so often he looks over from the items on offer to give Lan Xichen a victorious look, making sure the other hasn't run away but also to show how impressed he is. With himself. They'll have tea in no time.

A few minutes feels like a few lifetimes though and the novelty is somewhat wearing off by the time Jin Guangyao gets to the front of the queue. How could they make people do this? Why don't the servers come to the tables instead? It's all very chaotic and yet he gives his best smile when asked what he wants.

Tea, please.
What kind?

It takes a while. Jin Guangyao can sense the frustration of other customers waiting behind him as the server goes through the options with him. How can they blame him? There's so much on offer, how is he meant to know how it works? If anyone even says anything he'll just have to tell them to fuck off, nothing is going to stop him from getting this tea. Thankfully the cashier is amazing at their job and after another five minutes Jin Guangyao is carefully walking back to the table, placing the tray down on it before taking his seat.

A metal tea pot. A few paper bags of something. Two cups. Jin Guangyao couldn't be more thrilled, even if what he's been given looks dubious.]

They said it was free for us, a gift.

[ Xichen has actually been paying attention to every single moment of the interaction. A little late, perhaps, but he's finally realized that A-Yao is there, and real. That he's not a dream, a figment of his imagination.

And that means that he should drink every moment he has with him. Because such a thing can't last, won't last. And he doesn't deserve it, anyway.

When the tea is brought back, he sits up, and helps him unload it, fingers only slightly less nimble than they would usually be.

As he shifts one of the bags, he frowns slightly, feeling the filling. Then he raises it up to look at it more properly. Smell it. And he looks up at A-Yao. ]

This is the tea... I think.

That's the tea?

[ Even Jin Guangyao can't help but stare at the teabag, mind racing to try and figure out what is going on. It's small, there's not a lot of tea, and it was being served like that?

The look Jin Guangyao gives the server may be a wan smile, but the reality is he's simply resisting the urge to throw something at them.]

They said it was fruit, but I asked them to choose which one as they seemed to have many. [ With that he picks up one of the other teabags, pausing only a moment before he puts it in the teapot without ceremony. He may have been born at night but it certainly wasn't last night. Though the cups won't escape scrutiny either and he picks one up, dangling it by the handle from his index finger before just laughing at the sight of it all.

This whole thing is a mess! He died in such a brutal way and now he's sitting here in this random place, with random things, trying his best to get a cup of tea and being foiled by the most simple things!]

[ Xichen flinches a tiny bit at the tea, but his eyes do not turn away, nor does his face close up. Instead, he moves his eyes from the (far too large) cup to the teapot, to the paper bag in his hand. ]

Do you think one will suffice?

[ Whenever thinking of the afterlife, Meng Yao had always wondered how awful his would be. He had, after all, done bad things so naturally the next life would not be so smooth. That's just how it worked.

But never in his wildest dreams had he envisioned a place like this and it takes a good few minutes for the laughter to die down only to flare up again at the question posed. It's not quite hysterical, but there's still an almost desperate edge to the sound.]

It will have to, it's all they gave. [ The tea issue is starting to feel personal now; he died for this, it had better be good.]

[ Xichen considers the situation, though none of his various accomplishments and knowledge gives him any idea how to deal with... this.

In the end, he suggests, helplessly, ] perhaps if we keep it in the water longer...?

[ It's a good suggestion, even if Jin Guangyao believes that no amount of time will save this tea. Only throwing it out the window would possibly help things.]

Of course. [ The laughter soon dies down properly this time and Jin Guangyao takes a moment to study the other sitting across from him. He's quieter than normal, more withdrawn and Jin Guangyao idly wonders if that's all on him.

Whatever the cause, he's already making a note to fix it and after a few minutes of silence he reaches over pour the other man's tea, still a good host no matter what.]

They have a lot of flavours here but the main one people seem to be purchasing is a coffee flavour.

Hm. [ Xichen tilts his head, nostrils flaring, but there are just too many scents to be able to tell much.

After a moment, his eyes land on A-Yao once more. ]

Perhaps, if this one isn't to our liking, we could try that flavor, next.

[ ooc: overflow link]

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