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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

GOING TO NEED A BIGGER BOAT, A. (Arrival at Fisherman's Horizon, give or take for her.)

[tutorials]

[ It's the very reason one took a vehicle instead of going by foot. While speed could be integral, especially for a situation that SeeD is called upon, it was often chosen so members might rest on the way to and from a battle and save their energy for fisticuffs (magicuffs?).

She approaches from nearby, not entirely comfortable in the casualness of this but perhaps he's come to his senses? It's not worth addressing unless he brings it up considering how they often find themselves at each others throats. At the very least it would keep both of them on their toes and hopefully avoid an injury. One hip jutted out while her whip still remains circled over a loose fist, she hums. ]

I'm afraid I'm not as knowledgeable as you might like to think regarding all things. [ A humorous tone, at least. Not quite teasing, but in that way she can't seem to help but let slip in even though she doesn't mean to. Always looking for a connection, even when she shouldn't. An eyebrow is raised higher above the thin golden rims of her glasses. ] Though I suppose in that, it's no different than home. We should be cautious.

[ She's stating the obvious, especially since he already has his weapon out just as she does. ]

Oh my god !!

[gotdreams]

[Of all people, Quistis was not a particularly bad option to get stuck on a boat fighting off monsters with (or at least, what he perceived as monsters, applying his own knowledge and experience from home to this foreign place). While he might have given her grief for any perceived shortcomings as an instructor even he couldn't deny her early rise through the ranks, the spot in SeeD she had earned in her own right.

Not that he'd ever admit any of it, but she was far more useful than Zell swatting flies around him and Seifer would take what he could get.]

Ain't that a shame, the one time I could actually use one of your lessons.

[There wasn't as much bite to his words as she might expect, though he wasn't making much effort to get into her good graces either- for all the connections she might have sought between herself and the others, however unknowingly, Seifer often preferred the opposite, keeping his distance.

It was impossible to know what she remembered of home, of him, but if she saw fit to keep her whip aimed at marine life instead of him then the catching up heart to heart could wait.]

I LIED LET'S JUST GO WITH TIMBER, they'll be borderline hostile to each other anyway tbh

[tutorials]

[ All that time chasing him to Timber so she could hopefully stop him from doing something absolutely impossible to return from (and save at least part-face after being so humiliatingly "let go" from her position) and here she was. Still babysitting. At least it seemed that the boat ride would be short if they could cut through the problem at hand quickly enough.

Although she preferred to be more well-rounded and thus less specialized, it made her versatile -- especially when junctioned. That was one thing she did admire about Seifer, though. The sheer strength without the need for junctioning, that he powered through it all without magic. If only he could focus a little more he'd have made SeeD the same time she did.

Of course, that would be a compliment and the past year in particular he'd done little to earn one even in passing. Perhaps the lack of restraint from her now-former position might come in handy here. That had been her biggest problem with being an instructor: the desire to be closer to her peers. Essentially friendless and struggling, it was hard to broach the distance when you were an instructor at her age.

She shows no acknowledgement of any of this, of course. You leave an opening and that's where the sword will find its way to piercing. ]

You would still do things your own way. [ Almost harsh, though there's a hint of concern. Of Timber, of the mess they'd created while she followed at his heels. It seemed that was still ongoing. ] The sooner we handle this, the sooner we can be on our way. Shall we?

[ It was rarer these days to stand beside him in a fight, but he was a powerful ally to have in one. She stretches her whip taut before her then gives it a sharp crack against the air. ]

I can lure them in.

Excellent

[gotdreams]

[I never would have guessed he was serious about it. All that time in the same missions as him, the same classes, cramped into the same living spaces and the kiddos still heard his words louder than his actions. Why had he been so intent on reaching Timber that he'd injured comrades that tried to stand in his way? The Galbadian army had been on the move and three rookies were sent to help Rinoa, Cid must have been joking.]

'Cause my way works, dear Instructor.

[But it was impossible to deny that because he was good and he knew it he ended up further isolated from his peers, that his decision to specialize with a gunblade placed him in an even more special position when there was only Squall to offer competition. That for as frustrated as the others became over his purposeful defiance they couldn't deny his skill, couldn't say that his instincts weren't correct despite going against orders.

Seifer would never be another cog in the Garden machine, instead demanding a place at the front, to carve a path for the others to follow.

That had worked out so well for him, thus far. (Detention Quistis, really, he's a grown-ass man.)

The crack of her whip brought an almost excited smirk to his face though, the promise of battle (even against shimmery blubbery opponents) after months of more worship than training sending a familiar rush through his veins, hot and sharp. No other acknowledgment of her words or offer was given before the small group of sea lions she'd manage to gain the interest of found themselves uncomfortably acquainted with the business end of Hyperion, the loud bang of a well-timed gunshot echoing out across the water.

She was just as well trained, she could keep up without a step by step list of instructions.]

[tutorials]

[ There was a reason rookies were sent. She only knew so much, but it was a mess all-around and not something they were capable of doing. Not something they should be involved in. Had Cid taken pity on her? Had there been something else between them in that conversation? Information exchanged? Something she could offer that would benefit Garden? It's hard to say, but she knows what her responsibilities are... were. And she wasn't going to just let him take off and put himself in danger, too.

Or, she'd tried. It's unlikely there was any turning back and Timber was still occupied by Galbadia.

A break, at least. ]

I'm not your instructor.

[ She leaves it at that, not wanting to discuss what happened, that she has to rethink her position within Garden, and... well, the clear argument-starter he's dropped on her there. If only his way worked, if only.

Quistis shifts to the side, putting space between them. She wasn't sure how drawing magic might be here, so it was best to conserve it while she could. Although she can handle herself without it, something like Slow or Haste might be integral if there are monsters stronger than this out in the wild.

There was only so much flanking one could do with limited space, but if they were drawn in that was all they needed. She's weaker strikes and speed where he's strength but faster than anyone might expect. If they could stand one another for a lengthy period of time they might make a formidable pair, but the comfort is unlikely to last for long. Interest piqued, they focus their attention on them. Quistis side-steps, striking lengthwise and aiming to Blind once they're near enough that they might not retreat.

Their skin seems hard, but she can't be for certain. Scales can shed just as easily as they might protect. There were plenty of sizable fish-monsters near Balamb that were easily fell, but dragons were something entirely different.

Even if these things were sort of cute. ]

Be careful, they apparently are known to eat humans.

[ Despite her words, she's calm. With her strike, she draws one in and shuffles back in her limited space, trying to err on the side of caution and avoid the edges. Who knows what is beneath the surface if this is what was willing to show itself? A hint of urgency to each swift step, no showmanship to her moves. The crystalline mane of one shatters, but that seems to only enrage it. A sign that is equally good and bad. ]

[gotdreams]

[In another life, maybe. In another world, maybe. Maybe maybe maybe.

The irony of their current position actually in another world isn't entirely lost on him, despite attention currently kept focused on the enemies before them. Would she be surprised to learn of the relationships he'd formed before ending up here? The nights he'd spent haunted by the knowledge his future held, the weakness he still didn't dare approach that apparently couldn't be changed given every familiar face that had crossed his path had been uneasy, angry.

Would she care? Did he?

There was an almost reckless undercurrent to his moves in opposition of her own, trigger pulled a little too often, too loudly- but it was entirely calculated, Seifer intentionally attempting to draw attention towards himself. The idea that something nastier could be lurking further down had crossed his mind as well, and it sure as hell would be preferable to face that unknown over whatever conversations they'd inevitably have to indulge.

Also he'd get all the extra exp if he got the killing blows.]

Hell we haven't been here that long, not lookin' to be dinner just yet.

[Gruesome as it might have been to consider, if the sea lions were looking to make a meal out of the injured passengers maybe their desires could be turned on each other, instead. Blood in the water would undoubtedly pique interest, and after a silent prayer that it was towards each other and not an invitation to gather their numbers to better take over the boat Seifer gripped Hyperion's hilt with both hands and thrust forward, aiming for the particularly surly creature that had lost it's hardened mane. (Quistis' doing? Nice.)]

[tutorials]

[ They were already living another life. It's hard to say how much he does or doesn't know about their past and she, herself, rarely gives her past much of a thought. Adopted then returned to Garden. What was there to dwell on other than inadequacies? She did that enough in her own way. It wasn't that she felt superior or even was, but if she pushed forward, fought harder, got where she needed to be then maybe...

Maybe she'd just end up where she started. Too difficult to dwell on. It's easier to push that aside in favor of others, in favor of her now-former students and current colleagues. Faint memories that build up and strike like a hot match before being blown out. Too hot to touch, but never lasting long enough to burn. It's something that she can't recall doing and it would bother her if it was present enough to acknowledge.

She moves with precise calculation, narrowly avoiding a malformed flipper to the ankle. It's something she notes, perhaps done with intent to have her immobile? It floats around so it could feasibly hit anything with luck and timing. It's not often a monster has seemed so cognizant of what it means to do other than win a fight. ]

It seems we're on the same page for once.

[ Her goal in a fight was only to meet the end of it, not particularly concerned with reward or looting -- although reinforcing her whip would be a nice pick-me-up while stuck here. Perhaps if there's anything scattered on deck she'll gather it and see what it's worth or how she might incorporate it, but she tries not to let her mind wander. She treats it like a routine, each hit or miss one of its own and a reminder to not stand still for too long.

Were she a working instructor she'd have time to watch how he fights and critique it, but it took all kinds. Squall was more cautious and ready to use his blade to block but Seifer was... hm. Offense? It made for a good team. She makes sure eyes are on her when he goes in so that there's no bite to the blade and narrowly misses the second attempting to bite onto her whip (another reason to have it barbed).

His attack is enough that she has a moment to react better herself, twisting the whip around her head for momentum before swiping downward with a crack that indicates how sharp it was. It pierces the hide and leaves bone exposed; the sea lion screeches and gurgles while its own blood fills its mouth. ]

--your blade. [ She gestures in an urgent way, like he wouldn't understand her suggestion-bordering-order. ] Quickly!

[ With their luck the bastards might be able to heal themselves. ]