acatalepsy_ooc | test drive meme # 4

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test drive meme # 4

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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! ♥

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[It's not every night one sees a woman walk by with skeletons shuffling after her like she's their leader. A massive beast moves through the fog to see what is going on. Once he'd seen the skeletons up close he'd huffed and let them be.

No threat to any of them. Metal scrapes on dirt as he follows their progress. He could fly but the fog is so thick he wouldn't trust himself to find his way back. Shiro growls, loud enough to be heard.

A voice calls out from within.]

Lost your way?

[She had recalled which direction she'd come from. She recalled how many steps she's taken and marked on the ground with her boot at any deviation she'd made. It would be difficult to see in such thick fog, 'tis true, yet it is not her first time wandering the wilderness. Being followed by some very persistent and growing army of necromantic madness.

That being said, it is also hard to hear anything over the shambling of the bags of bones that seem so adamant on following her. So when she hears a leonine growl to the side, Morrigan nigh jumps, twirling around like someone who is far too used to sudden growls being followed by imminent danger and reaching for something that should be behind her yet is not.]

Blast it- [Yellow irises briefly roll with hints of amber and gold as pupils narrow into slits.] You [A finger points at the now horde-size group of skeletons.] Stop following me.

[Well, at least they stop. But that's the extent of the command that they follow.] And you, [The gaze turns directly to Shiro. Time to gauge whether friend or foe.] I am more than capable of finding my way, and I'd appreciate it if you wouldn't do that again.

[Terrified and potentially defenseless? Nope, not at all!]

[He sits. Her eyes had changed, and that urges him to be cautious. No sense in scaring an ally. He had and he dips his head in silent acknowledgment.]

Sorry. I should have made more noise and announced myself. I saw the entourage you'd gained and came to investigate.

[He holds up his front paws and spreads them apart as a human would.]

Unless you mean talking in your head. I can stop that too if you give me a minute to change back.

[A little late for that, metal lion. Though she recognizes the posture from most other felines - large and small - and relaxes her stance. Slightly.]

I saw one and grew curious myself. They started following and attracted this crowd. Satisfied?

[Hopefully he is, because she might be fascinated by him. He hadn't needed to spell it out to her for it to click in her head.]

You are a shapeshifter, yes? [How extraordinary.] That is a rare power, even amongst the mages of my world. Though why metal of all things?

[The lion turns to purple light and Shiro rolls his left shoulder back to ease the dysphoria of having a flesh and blood body anyway. He'd come outside in a grey t-shirt, jeans, and his tan flight jacket. There haven't been any dangers so, it seemed reasonable. He'd just strapped his sword to his sword belt because he's still really damn paranoid.]

Because in my time, we've build metal beasts and crafts to take us into the stars. The Black Lion is a beast I know very well. It's possible Astoria decided I'm better as a pilot than anything else.

You're the second person I've met from a reality with shapeshifters.

[Note to self: If Shale appears at any point, do not let the two meet. The golem would likely shock him.

A quaint, almost melodic chuckle escapes her.] How different our worlds must be. Most either walk or rely upon a pack animal to travel.

Oh? [My, that is interesting.] I certainly hope that they fare far better in society than those who have in Thedas.

You'll have to ask Barabas himself about that. Most people back home travel by vehicle. It's been a long time since horses and pack animals. Our cities are too spread out these days.

[And too large.] Anyway, my name is Shiro. I imagine you have more than a few questions about this place and what we know about it.

[Barabas. A name to look into later.] Our own towns and cities are not so close to one another as it would suggest. Many are days of travel apart.

[Also too large, but good luck with anything beyond candlelight not being mistaken for magic. ~~Be glad you did not see her reaction to the communication device, Shiro.~~]

You may call me Morrigan, if you wish. And certainly, though perhaps elsewhere without all these admirers?

[She isn't even unnerved; just annoyed. It probably says a lot about her, really.]

I was about to suggest that myself. [He agrees and glances at the skeletons. It probably says a lot about him he doesn't even blink. Shiro turns and starts heading back toward the temple. It's pretty easy, just back the way he came from.

The foliage is still growing wild as he steps out of the fog and into the border surrounding the temple. He takes a second to check his device and moves on towards the side entrance.]

Inside or outside? It's up to you.

[That it does. However, on this, she has little room to judge beyond acknowledging the skeletal crowd. She does not so much follow as she does walk beside, likely giving off an arrogant and self-assured pride. There is only one she'd trust to let lead, and he is not here.

Yellow eyes study him from the periphery. He still carries himself with the pride of his other form, too. Fascinating.]

Outside, if you please.

[You can take the girl out of the wilds...]

[He goes on past the side entrance and heads for the main entrance. A massive orange shape makes itself more and more apparent as he continues. Candles hang suspended in the air the farther they go and finally he comes to a stop before the pumpkin that's so large it could swallow both them whole in its fanged smile.]

Start where ever you feel comfortable, I'll bring you up to speed on what we know and what we suspect.

[She's seen the jack-o'-lantern before, yet her eyes still narrow slightly at the large pumpkin. She will never understand the need for such an item. Not when its flesh could probably feed those gathered here for a week.

She crosses her arms and gets straight to the point.] I imagine I will have to ask her myself, but why grant magic of all things? Would it not be more pertinent to choose those brought here by their own merit than newfound mages with untested talents?

According to Astoria, she is a spirit born of this realm. She doesn't remember who or what chained her here. Why we're here is because she can't do her duty to the balance while she's pinned down.

[He glances at the jack-o-lantern and shakes his head. Spirits.]

Whether you believe that or not is up to you. We're seeking to uncover how much of it is the truth. In that vein, we're all connected to her. She has ties to our realities through us. She'll know more about you than you'll want her to know.

[Shiro crosses his arms over his chest. It makes how mismatched they are stand out.] There is also the device you found on your arm. I can show you how to use it. There will be times the instant communication it provides will be vital for information and survival.

But of course she will. Spirits often know far more than mortals would like them to. T'is a part of their nature though it is usually tied to what they embody be it Faith, Despair, Valor, Rage or otherwise.

[And yet as dismissive as her words are, she is livid. It's a miracle that she has kept her voice from carrying, honestly.] And if she is bound, then shouldn't the focus be more on unbinding her rather than being sent to do her dirty work?

[Shiro waits until she's finished while his thoughts turn to the spirits he's met. He's been a spirit before. Not that he is going to tell that many people that.]

My reality's spirits don't operate like that. Can you explain to me how exactly they work based on what you know? I think I can explain this better if we form that basis first.

And mine has many different views on what they are, though the truth of their nature is not so easily defined. While it is not my area of expertise, I can certainly try.

[After all, she learned to defend herself from their perverted forms long ago. She had to by definition of her very nature.]

The fools who blindly follow the teachings of the Chantry believe them the first children of their god and he'd turned his back to them because they do not have a soul. Some simply believe them to be demons, and every mage knows never to make deals with them. It never ends well. Both for the spirit, or the mage. Though this does them little justice.

The spirits I know of are an embodiment of an ideal or a feeling. Faith, Valor, Wisdom. Yet if challenged or confronted by another, their purpose can be forced to change and their nature turned to the demonic. Wisdom, for example, is far too easily twisted into Pride.

Spirits as I know them, are...forces. We all contain our souls and lifeforce a sort of spirit within the physical body, but the biggest spirits have minds and consciousnesses of their own. The only one I've ever been in constant contact with talked not in words but in impressions.

[His hand comes up and he rubs just above his collarbone on the left side. It's too easy to imagine the signet embedded in him again and unable to be removed. He forces his hand back down to his side.]

Out here between realities, I've met two greater spirits. Of the two, Astoria seems to be more...like us. Whether that's true or not, she wants unchained as much as we want to go home. But the tasks she sets us to are ones she can't do at present. We're essentially temporarily doing her job of balancing worlds.

I'm not going to tell you to like or even to do it. That's your choice. But if you need help at any point I'm someone you can call on. There are others who will do the same. As for your earlier question, that's what we do when we're here in this realm. I can give you a summary of what we've found.

The full detailed reports are in an office I can show you whenever you want to read them.

[For perhaps the first time since they met, Morrigan quiets and listens. She can't help but be curious and latches onto every word. Knowledge is something she will always crave; it is power, and of course, to preserve something, one must have knowledge of it.

She does not miss the way the other rubs at a spot above his collarbone. A weak spot to prod at later, perhaps? She notes to ask about the unchaining comment later, but for now...]

Souls and spirits are different in Thedas. Some speak. Others do not, and some speak in languages that have been lost to the ages. [There is something... sad in her voice to that. Her world has lost far too much to the fear mankind holds for the unknown.]

Mayhap I am hasty in my judgment, but this is not the first time I have been in the domain of a spirit. The first- [She hesitates for the first time since she asked another to kill her mother. Wow. Congratulations.] ...Was not kind to those it had contained, and I would kill it again should it reform. I am not about to be a tool for another, and before you worry, I have no plans on attacking her. My decisions will be my own. So yes, I would very much like to see those reports.

I won't let any of you become tools. The office is this way. [He turns and walks away before he can say anything else. His answer had been too immediate. No one will be a tool so long as he lives and breathes. His talk with Honerva had rattled the cage bars on his fractured memories.

He breathes in as he slips from the outside into the stone hallway.]

The temple is big enough it can house all manner of races. We once had a dragon here, he couldn't fit everywhere but he could fit in the larger areas.

[It's a mild warning. There will be those strange and wonderous of the like one might see as a threat or shocking. He takes a left past the kitchen and intones quietly the way to the office in terms of directions. He takes her to a shut door on the corner of a hall. He opens it and sets inside. He plucks the papers he'd been working on from the desk and slides them into a folder.]

Babaras Gillium is the main organizer here. This is a recent project so not everything is written. Once my own reports are done, I'll share a copy of them with you.

[He slips around the side of the desk to give her room to review Barabas's writings.]

Edited 2018-10-25 08:05 (UTC)

[The answer came far too quickly for her not to be slightly surprised by it. While she isn't entirely convinced that this man could achieve it, he meant it. That is when she realizes where she has seen the gait like that before. A knight or a soldier, who has seen much and carries far more.

Well, at the very least he has a head on his shoulders. Unlike another she could mention.]

A dragon? My, will wonders never cease. [Excuse her surprise; not at the fact that dragons exist, but that they seemingly didn't attack him on sight.

She follows, and takes the file from him when it's offered. She sets about reading the pages, and a mixture of a scoff and a laugh escapes her not far in. '-it's more than a little fucked up.' An interesting turn of phrase, but not an incorrect one. Not much of it is a surprise, and yet she reads on.

Oh, she knows she should be afraid at the description of Astoria, yet had she not asked another to kill the one who was very similar in power yet Astoria's complete opposite? An odd light shines in her eyes, muttering something about a "leash" as she continues.]

At the very least, all save the robots are at least familiar concepts... [Is she talking to him or muttering to herself? Who knows. She pauses though, at the very end.] Were...what?

[Okay, now she truly wishes that she had access to whatever the hell Oghren passed for alcohol. Or some of Wynne's wine. The old woman did not need that much. He pinches her nose as she closes the folder and holds it back out to him.]

I have met werewolves, but that is one combination I did not expect to see.

Edited 2018-10-25 08:43 (UTC)

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

test drive meme # 4

ii

why are you like this

you said go lion

i did indeed and i'm laughing so hard (like u can't hear it)

I totally can hear it, yes

rude

only truth

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