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acatalepsy_ooc2018-10-19 02:32 pm
acatamods) wrote in acatalepsy_ooc2018-10-19 02:32 pm
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test drive meme # 4
 test drive meme #4 It happens in the blink of an eye. One moment, you are home. Perhaps you are with your family, perhaps you are at work. It's a completely normal day . . . and then, suddenly, your stomach drops. You are overcome with a sudden sense of vertigo. You cannot see up, or down, or where you are. All you hear is a voice -- light, bubbly, warm, soothing, in your ear: Don't worry, darling. This won't hurt a bit~ ♥ For those who recognize the voice, it will sound a bit strained. Possibly tired. But the moment happens so quickly it's hard to pin down, and once that moment is over, you fall flat on your face. It's bright, warm, and humid. It takes a few seconds for you to gain composure and catch your breath. You think, for half a moment, that a hand is on your back, rubbing between your shoulder blades in comfort, but when you open your eyes, no one is there. You are surrounded by ancient stone buildings, with carvings you do not recognize etched into the stone. There's a sense of nausea, overwhelming and sudden, when you realize you aren't in Kansas anymore. Even worse, it looks like Astoria has started to feel a bit festive, maybe even a little spooky.  THE TEMPLE OF BEGINNINGS. Welcome to the "Home Base" of Astoria's Circle. What the actual name of the base is called is lost to the ages, and there's no sense of where you could find it, unless you started asking around. At any rate, this is a central hub of the Circle, a place of powerful magic and mysterious energy. It is a scattering of ancient stone buildings and for the most part, it looks abandoned . . . except for what seems to be a few items, some rooms taken, items moved or organized, even a small garden planted. These are just the smallest hints that there are people here that have been here before you arrived. Overall, it's fairly beautiful. However, it is definitely not modern. Upon exploration, you find that the buildings are kept up by some kind of magic. Some of the rooms have items, things from other Circle members already settled, and others appear to be unclaimed. Pick your rooms, explore the grounds, see the beauty and wonder all around you in such a magical place. However, be careful -- there is some additional movement around the Temple that seems specific to the time of year. THE GREAT PUMPKIN.  Fall has certainly arrived in the Circle . . . rich colors adorn the leaves, a crisp breeze is in the air . . . and in the center of the Temple itself appears to be a massive pumpkin. And, really, the word massive doesn't appear to do the gourd justice. It is nearly twelve feet tall and twelve feet wide, round and bulbous in nature. But what is even more bizarre is that the entire structure seems hollow . . . and the front of it, in a Jack-O'-Lantern facade, has a large grinning face.No one says you have to go inside it, but if you're so inclined to scale through the mouth of the massive Jack-O'-Lantern, you will find a couple of things inside! One, the thing seems to be full of bowls of candy. Some candy might look familiar, but most of it looks a little weird. Two, there are floating candles spread throughout the pumpkin, creating odd shadows that cast about as the sun goes down. Three, the pumpkin changes expressions throughout the day. When you aren't looking, it goes from grimacing to smiling -- and it never seems to happen when you look! Have fun celebrating the holiday, Circle. Astoria is just getting started. SPOOKY SCARY SKELETONS.  If the pumpkin wasn't quite enough of a giveaway that Astoria has become spookily inspired to welcome her new guests, then this will have to do. Because right along the outside of the Temple of Beginnings, there seems to be a somewhat constant and fairly thick fog. It's the kind of fog that makes you think there's something there. And with some exploration, you'll find...there is. Right in the distance there is movement, unnatural and sporadic. Any further investigation into the movement will involve you moving further and further into the fog. But be careful, because this fog is thick enough to lose sight of where you've come from. With enough time, you can catch up with the movement, to find that what you've heard and seen just beyond your peripheral, are...skeletons. Animated skeletons. They're humanoid, almost cartoon, and are moving with little to no direction. They just seem to be shambling in whatever direction they can, with no purpose or reason. They are entirely harmless. Except that if you get too curious, and get close enough to touch them, their heads will jerk towards you. They won't do much more, until you try and step away. It seems that by touching the skeletons, you've attracted their attention, and as you try to move away from them they will follow. And as they follow, they will attract the attention of other skeletons, and others, and others. If you're not careful, you'll collect an army. They will not follow you across the boundary around the Temple of Beginnings, but everywhere else you wander, you will have an entourage. Depending on how long you spend with your skeletons friends, you might even find out that they will answer simple commands. Like dance. FALL FEAST.  No matter how Astoria's thoughts on holiday cheer, she seems to have at least gotten one fall related item down- because on one of the days, you will wake up and find that in the middle of the Temple of Beginnings, where there is usually some green space and open grass, is now a very large table, extravagantly decorated. It seems to go on forever in each direction, which feels...a little impossible (but what isn't impossible here?) with plenty of chairs. The table has been decorated with fall ornaments (anyone familiar with the American 'Thanksgiving' will find quite a few similarities) with the only difference instead being the wide variety of food available. Astoria is not limited to Turkey and Stuffing on this day - but rather, almost any kind of food or drink (minus any kind of magical abilities it may contain) is here on this table. Food and snacks from every reach of every world and galaxy is on display. Maybe you're going to spend some time searching out your favorite from home, or maybe you're feeling adventurous and want to try a piece of whatever is in front of you - you think it might be some kind of potatoes? If potatoes were slightly bioluminescent? Also, did that side dish move just now? COMMUNICATIONS.  Upon arriving, you will notice on whichever is your non-dominant hand, you will have a fairly simply screen. A smart watch, if you will. Upon exploration, you will find that it has a directory of all those here with you at the Temple of Beginnings- names, and access to a direct message to them. The watch also has video, audio, and text capabilities, as well as what looks like a collection of messages sent to everyone who wishes to open them. This is your 'network', and also how Astoria can reach out and communicate with you. There is nothing keeping you from removing and/or losing your watch! But remember that you will not have access to this network without it. OOC: Also feel free to join us and other possible players on our discord server! enjoy! ♥ |
ii
His yellow eyes flare brighter and the pick-up truck sized metal lion turns to purple light, collapsing in on itself and reshaping into a man. Shiro rolls back of his shoulders back. He rubs at his left arm with the white fingers of his right hand exposing the Voltron V on the back of it.]
Probably nothing but you never know with Astoria. She seems a little inspired so it could be some kind of prank occurs.
no subject
Her eyes widen when the Lion turns to light and reforms, not into Voltron, but...a man. A peculiar one, with rounded ears, and a metal arm.
She swallows and feels...disappointed, but she can't place why.]
Is it...here to be a prank?
[She bites her lip, hesitating for all of a second before she turns to more fully to face the alien man and takes him in. Not Altean nor Galra, though more close to her species. A prosthetic arm, with the symbol of Voltron on it. Taller and broader than her, but smaller than Zarkon and most Galra.
White hair, a scar. The look of a man who has seen war - and how has she gotten to know so many of them? - but most curious is that transformation.]
How did you do that? Is it the magic of this place? Why the Black Lion as the form you take, then?
[A pause, as she clears her throat.]
Forgive me if that's all a bit...much.
no subject
It's fine. This place can be a bit confusing at first. Astoria doesn't exactly explain much of anything and leaves it to us. We're working on compiling all we know so everyone is the same page.
[She knows the Black Lion. Maybe a future survivor of the colony? He turns his head to study her and continues.] My Astoria granted gift is to become a lesser powered form of the Black Lion. Everyone has a power granted to them but lately, our own abilities work half the time.
The pumpkin isn't a prank. It's...Astoria is a spirit that was born in this realm, according to her anyway. You can believe what she says or not. We're all tied to her and thus she's seeing into our realities. She's trying to be welcoming and probably picked this up from numerous sources.
[And got it weirdly wrong. Again, he knows he's stalling.] ...but to answer your question I likely take the form of the Black Lion because I was his Paladin in my time.
no subject
She manages to say quiet while he talks, up until the part he mentions being the Black Paladin. She can't help but make a noise of shock, or help the way she steps back.
That's not possible. Why would Black choose somebody else?
Does this mean that Zarkon--]
Pardon me asking, but...
[Her heart aches, in that same unknown way.]
What happened to Zarkon? Why would Black choose someone else?
no subject
It's been ten thousand years since Zarkon was the Black Paladin. Most groups that come here from the same reality are never from the same time. [The colonists saw Lotor as their savior. But this Altean knows Zarkon and knows he used to be the Black Paladin. It could be anyone.
But if they were anyone the voice wouldn't sound familiar in a way that stirs a nameless emotion inside his head. Like something long asleep waking up.]
My name is Shiro.
no subject
Her heart thunders in her chest. Ten thousand years would mean Zarkon is dead. So is she, long since turned to dust.]
I see.
[She swallows, eyes blinking rapidly before she straightens up. Death is inevitable. Time is inevitable. She gains nothing by being upset by what's to come; gains nothing by focusing on inevitability.]
I...am Honerva.
[Ten thousand years mean Alfor will be gone, too. Alfor and his young daughter...]
no subject
'The Red Paladin's connection to you runs deep. Deeper than the others.'
The commands. It seems like minutes but it's really just seconds before he looks back at her. Neutral again. Calm because he has to be. Honerva. The marks on her face are smaller, her face healthy instead of narrow and marred by the future.
Just like Lotor she hasn't committed the crimes she will be known for. He keeps his voice level and calm, a commander giving bad news. It's easy to do it. He'd done it a lot during the war Zarkon and his wife started.]
I'm sorry. I know this is a difficult thing to take in. Take your time with it. As far as I know we will be put back where we belong when this is over. We're outside of our reality and timestream.
[He has absolute command of himself or the fact he wants to be anywhere but in this conversation would show on his face. He has to warn Allura. More importantly, he needs to get in contact with Lotor.]
no subject
She already knows bad news is coming. Her friends are all dead, and she is, too. That will be a burden to bear, but it's one she can handle. It was, after all, something that was doomed to happen. Nobody can live forever.
And, in a way, she's glad. Voltron will exist beyond them. Voltron's legacy will continue, the Universe will still be safe, and how could she possibly be upset about that? It's important. More important than her, or her love.]
Thank you for telling me.
[Her voice sounds distant, even to herself, and she feels so foolish. She will regain control of herself, she must, and she swallows again, rubs at her eye with the palm of her hand.]
Forgive me, I'm...This is a lot. I wasn't anticipating running into this today.
[Or ever. She can look at this objectively, though, see the bigger picture. She will allow herself time to grieve for what's to come later, in private, not in front of this alien man.]
no subject
That makes two of us.
[He won't explain it. He has a lot of running around behind the scenes to get to soon enough. Then he's going to grab Keith and go find a spot to deal with this. Whether he does it conscious or not, he doesn't even care right now.
This.
This is a lot.
It's like a massive joke or a dream. Shiro scrubs his face with his hand.]
Okay. Let's focus on what we can deal with. Ask questions about this situation, Astoria, and whatever else involved with her and I'll answer what I can.
no subject
But it feels like there's something she's missing. Something she hasn't been told, and it frustrates her. She has to know. She needs to know. That's what she does. She's a researcher, a scientist, and that burning, consuming need to understand eats at her.
But she will allow this man his peace.]
Is there a way to get back? [It's the first question she can think of. It's the most important one to ask.] I'm certain other people have tried, but if our worlds are connected to this place in any capacity...
[It has to go both ways.]
How long have you been here? How far does Astoria's magic go? Is there a limit on what can be done with it? Are there other Circles?
[He did say she could ask questions, and questions she has. There's more, tumbling around, but she will satisfy herself with those for now.]
no subject
[Treat this like his usual explanations and it should be...fine. Right. He rakes his hair back and drags the facts up.]
Astoria's magic does have limits. Usually, any power has set limits and drawbacks. Powers are varied, you can have shapeshifters like me or go all the way to the other side of the spectrum with something like healing by touch.
There is only this circle as far as we know. Before you ask, we've been sent to two worlds that needed help. Then the plague in the second came back with us and nearly killed all of us. [His voice stays steady. Score for him. It should go easily from here.]
Astoria flooded this world with her magic and kept that from happening.
no subject
[That seems like such a long time...Too long. But if the two of them can occupy the same space, it must mean her research back home goes uninterrupted.]
And all of us have these powers? This new magic?
[To change that many people - there are powerful forces at work here. Something even more powerful than quintessence, possibly. She would love to study it, to break it apart and figure out how it works, though who knows if she'll be allowed to.]
"Nearly killed" - how many people died? I'm sorry, I'm sure you don't wish to speak of it, but...
It all seems so impossible. So improbable. In all my years of research, I've come across nothing like this. The trans-reality meteor Alfor found was nothing like this; quintessence is nothing like this.
[She shakes her head.]
It's a lot to wrap your head around.
no subject
Focusing on Circle business and history grounds him. They're his people and while he hasn't gotten to know all of them, he would fight at their side. He pauses with a slight guilty expression flashing across his face.]
...I've been here too long. Earth months can be loosely translated into Altean Phoebs. A year is a Deca-phoeb. Sorry, I've gotten out of practice translating the time differences. And in case anyone brings up seconds, they're half a tick. [This is so surreal he has to keep internally checking to make sure it's not a dream. If it is he's declaring it stay in bed day or at least sleep in.]
Anyway, none of us died. Many of us came close but she intervened before the worst could happen. Yes, we all have new powers. Whatever yours is...you'll find out. Whether from asking her or testing it. That's up to you.
no subject
That would lead to more questions, and those would be ones Shiro doesn't want to answer.
The explanation of time is appreciated, though, and she gives him a soft smile.]
Thank you for clarifying. Earth is the planet you hail from? You're an...Earthling?
[That seems like a reasonable name for a species.
She's more relaxed, now that the conversation has moved on to things that are...more removed from her. Things she won't be dwelling on in the days to come.]
I see. [She looks down at her hands, wondering what it could be. Something familiar? Or...something that's more of an unknown?]
...I really can't thank you enough for this. [She laughs, shaking her head.] I appreciate all your help, Shiro.
no subject
[This is almost too much for him. He breathes in and holds it for a few seconds before letting it out. He can make it through this. She needs to know all she can about Circle life.]
Yes, I’m an Earthling. Almost all the Paladins of the present are. I’m just the only one who changes into a powered down form of their lion. Shape changing here is a rare power. There used to be more of us. Flight and healing is more numerous.
People from worlds and times where space flight is possible is uncommon too. [Good thing he is steadily getting practice with explaining things for that crowd.]
no subject
Your job still warrants some thanks, Shiro. I would be much more lost without someone like you around.
[She listens to him intently, wanting to know more. As much as she can. If she can figure this out, she'll be in a better position. She'll be able to help others, with what she knows.]
Is there a reason for things to be so heavily weighted? I imagine it wouldn't be so obvious, but... there must be a reason some powers are more prevalent than others...
[She rubs her chin, thoughtful.]
no subject
But the Black Lion is stronger and larger, with all weapons systems online save for the Ephemeral Wings. ...not that I have tried the last one too hard.
[But the others. He's sure the jawblade is there waiting for him to release it and use it.]
I imagine it has to do with how much power she presently has. But I can't tell you for certain what it is.
[He gestures to the world around them.] All I know is not everyone has side effects or time duration limits. But most shapeshifters do.
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She wants to know, even though it's not her place to know.]
So there's a downside to all of this magic? Why use the magic at all, then?
[There are other ways to fight. Other things that can be done that have less downsides than whatever the cost of magic may be.]
It seems...foolish. More danger than it would really be worth.
[She's not yet at the point where she'll push, and push, and push - until she can push no more and everything is falling apart around her.]