prismaticrap | ▶ TDM .007

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▶ TDM .007

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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

[ He can't help but give a small laugh. ]

Don't sound so worried; it's usually nothing serious. Lots of people grow animal limbs for a few days at a time. I once drank some tea that made me float in the air. Clothes can sometimes change shapes. Even you and I meeting after being separated like we were is unexpected, isn't it?

[ ... Getting kidnapped by a crazy cult and nearly sacrificed... Nothing to worry about. ]

[Perhaps none of that seems serious, as in terribly threatening, but-- well, he is just going to stop questioning things, because it's already established that this place has its own kind of magic and nothing makes sense.

He just gives an exasperated sigh and a light shake of his head, with all these new things to process. After becoming so used to a simple daily life...]

I would rather not have anything happen to my clothing.

[If he was caught looking indecent in public, he might die of embarrassment on the spot.]

Us meeting again sounds like the only good thing in all this.

[ Possibly... But it's one hell of a thing. ]

It sure was lucky, wasn't it? When we're done with dinner, I'll show you how you can use that thing on your wrist so that we can send messages to each other.

[That idea makes his face brighten up.]

That'll be a great help. I have heard that it can do that, but I really haven't had anyone to even try with.

[As if it'll make the cooking go faster, he gets up to head to the kitchen. Fortunately, with some stirring he notices that it's at a good consistency already. He adds in the last ingredients to let that cook. He manages to also a make a quick plate of cut and seasoned cucumbers as that finishes up, because the man needs some more not-sweets.

Not much longer, he comes back with two bowls and spoons to the table, bringing the scent of ginger, mushrooms, and green onions. Along with that plate.]

Here we are.

[ Xue Yang takes his bowl without saying anything and immediately starts eating.

It's not the best congee he's had since coming to this place. The vegetables, rice, seasoning, everything is just slightly different enough that it doesn't evoke the nostalgic feeling he was expecting. But it's a meal Xiao Xingchen cooked just for the two of them. Now that he's thinking about it, he realizes that this is the first time that's ever happened.

Without thanks, without complaint, without comment, he makes his way through the meal. ]

[The lack of thanks goes unnoticed. Xiao Xingchen never needed or cared for those words from anyone, and this had been routine enough that it would almost be strange to be thanked now. Still, he holds back on asking how he likes it, or what he'd prefer, when it's fine enough just to know the other man is there.

He eats without a word as well.]

Are you finished?

[Finally eating something more familiar puts him more at ease, almost to the point he feels sleepiness come on.]

I'll get that, then we'll see about this messaging you said you'd help me with.

Yeah. I ate it all.

[ It's not even a lie, and he pushes the bowl over towards Xiao Xingchen to make it easier for him to collect it. ]

You should make this again sometime.

Certainly. Whenever you want.

[Heading back over into the kitchen, he uses the highly convenient sink to wash the bowls and set them to the side.]

There are some new things here I can get used to, I suppose. With how fast things happen, it must give people a lot more time to do other things in a day.

Yeah. There's plenty of free time, and you don't even need to split up the chores to get it all done easily. I've been able to explore a large amount of this place already without even really having to try.

Come on; let's see your device.

[ Accordingly, he takes out his own. ]

[He holds it out, words still on the screen, "can you please tell me how to get to the market here" having been dictated in a text box above a map.]

I was told how to use it for directions already, so I could find a place to live in. But I don't know any of the other functions.

It can message other devices if you put in their numbers.

[ Xue Yang takes it from Xiao Xingchen and puts it next to his own on the table. Since he has a vested interest in Xiao Xingchen not adding more numbers, he plans to skim over this part. Except when Xue Yang opens the app (that helpfully announces itself with a "CrysTalk Messaging Application" he sees that there's already a contact listed.

"Lan Sizhui".

Oh.

He doesn't comment on it. ]

Let's see, I'll enter your number into mine first--

[ "Personal contact number is..." and then it reads off a series of numbers that Xue Yang mostly ignores, using the screen instead to copy the number into his contacts list. Of course, he lists it under "Daozhang". ]

And let's enter mine into yours...

[ With a bit more poking, it helpfully reads off as Xue Yang enters his number, but then suddenly it utters a phrase that makes his whole body go cold.

"Enter contact name."

He turns to Xiao Xingchen, color draining from his face. ]

[Hearing the prompt for the name, Xiao Xingchen understands the hesitation. At least, he thinks he does. Names carry a lot of weight, and some people leave them behind and they all have their reasons-- that's why he never asked for the other man's in the first place.]

It's fine. Just something that I can remember you by will do.

[He never gave his own name, either.]

[ Xue Yang turns his gaze back to the phone, mind racing. Something that Xiao Xingchen can remember him by. What does he even think of Xue Yang as? What part of him stands out to Xiao Xingchen?

After several seconds, he starts slowly entering something in the text field. A single character, or rather, a single icon.

🍬

He hits save, and the phone helpfully responds. "Contact: Candy saved."

Xue Yang can't help it. It makes him give a quick laugh. ]

I used the little picture, but it still calls it by the word. How's that, daozhang? You'll remember that's me, right?

[Xiao Xingchen raises his sleeve to his lips, because he can't help but laugh-- by what feels like a little longer than he should, but it's simply too funny that he can't help himself. To enjoy candy so much, that he'd give it as his name!]

How could I not? There might not be anyone who loves candy more than you do.

[Briefly, he wonders what the man's contact name is in other people's phones, before dismissing it as none of his business.

After that fit of amusement starts to cool off, he clears his throat.]

So after that, how do I send a message to you now?

You can probably just tell it to message Candy, and it'll work. Once it starts the message you can write whatever you want. You have to actually tell it to send it, though. That was my mistake the first time.

Here, try it.

[ He takes Xiao Xingchen's phone and places it in his hand. ]

Message... Candy.

[Now a different, more self-conscious laugh at actually having to say it aloud. He feels like he's sending a message to an actual piece of candy, and that is among one of the more absurd thoughts he has had lately.]

Hello. Um, send message.

[It would be strange to go on too long in a message with the man still here in front of him, after all.

It gives him a confirmation of the message being sent.]

Is that all there is to it?

[ A second later, Xue Yang's phone chimes, and he glances at it for long enough to confirm it's the expected message. ]

That's all to messages. It's really simple once you get started.

You can also use it to talk to people too, like if they were right next to you.

By hearing their voice?

[The spoken directions he was instructed in how to use come to mind.]

That sounds like it'd be a lot less trouble for a longer talk with someone, but it'd be easier for us to just speak face-to-face.

[Hearing disembodied voices is still a bit unsettling, even if helpful in some cases. Plus, it's not like he expects that he's going to have too long of a chat on the device with anybody else too soon.

Perhaps only if he gets really lonely.]

[ The disembodied voices very much feels like something involving ghosts, so Xue Yang understands that sort of feeling even if it doesn't bother him nearly so much. ]

That's right. Since we live so close, it's not like it will be hard to meet up with each other. I can come over at any time. But just so you know, it can do that.

[ He tucks his own device back into his sleeve. ]

Daozhang, didn't you say you had something for me after dinner?

Well, perhaps it was out of habit. I didn't even know you were here when I picked it up.

[And it's not like he eats that many sweets himself.

He reaches for a bag he hid in his own sleeve, before holding out his fist.]

Here you are. Some candy for Candy. I know you have plenty of it here already, but...

[Part of him considered sticking it somewhere on the other man, it being a little embarrassing to give something like this directly. But going too far in trying to give this without being direct will just come off as silly. Plus, he might lose it before noticing it!

Unfurling his hand reveals a wrapped hard honey sweet.]

[ Xue Yang laughs at being called "Candy" as if it's his name. It's not the worst nickname to have. ]

It's a convenient habit, daozhang. Besides, it worked out, didn't it?

[ He takes the sweet from Xiao Xingchen's hand and unwraps it. At the sight of the candy, a sharp pain suddenly springs up in his chest, cutting right through his tolerance and stealing his breath for a second.

For a moment, he doesn't even see the candy in front of him. He sees a different piece of candy, tinted black from the years that it's been in his possession, even brought with him to this place. The piece of candy that he never ate, the last piece of candy he received before Xiao Xingchen--

Xue Yang quickly puts the honey candy in his mouth, and the sweetness immediately hits his tongue. This is stupid. It's so stupid, and he doesn't need to be thinking about it right now. It's just a piece of candy.

It's not like there's anything special about it. ]

[It indeed worked out, he thinks with a smile.]

I thought of giving you more to make up for our time apart, but it'll be simpler to pick up where I left off.

[Besides, the man has too many sweets as it is. Better that he just keep it to a piece every time they meet!]

And... thank you again. For all your help.

[He may not need thanks from others, but he feels the need to say it when the occasion calls. His heart tightens at the idea that they might've walked past each other, not knowing they both now lived in this giant city. So he's grateful on many levels.]

[ If Xiao Xingchen were to try to give him enough sweets to make up for things, not even Xue Yang would be able to have so many at once. It's probably better to just resume things as if they'd never changed. ]

There's some things I know that are useful. If you need them, I might as well share, right?

[ As he speaks, he casually strolls over to the couch and sits down, then starts removing his boots. He's slept on these things enough times to know that usually they're no less comfortable than the beds, so even if Xiao Xingchen will let him intrude on his space for the night (he will, of course he will) Xue Yang feels no need to kick him from his bed. ]

[Xiao Xingchen smiles, but doesn't answer that.

Despite wanting to care for the other two in his company, he feels as though he was cared for at least just as much. Xiao Xingchen's great strength in cultivation - his only focus while living on the mountain - must come at the cost of knowledge in other areas. Never did he have to concern himself with many matters that most people handled in their daily lives. There were many simple things he learned from A-Qing and the other man, and even if it's only by virtue of the other man arriving here first, it feels like not much has changed.

He hears something that sounds like sitting down and taking off shoes. For a moment, he considers joining the other man in sitting, but he remembers the groceries and how they could be put away in that refrigerator thing. So he turns to go take care of that real quickly...]

▶ TDM .007

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