test drive meme # 4

[acatamods]

I ▫ main IV ▫ premise       XI ▫ applications XIV ▫ activity II ▫ logs V ▫ rules VII ▫ bestiary   IX ▫ canon updates XII ▫ taken XV ▫ drop/hiatus III ▫ ooc VI ▫ faq VIII ▫ setting   X ▫ mods XIII ▫ reserves XVI ▫ players 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! ♥

Comments

Billy Kaplan | Marvel 616

[actualwizard]

i. the great pumpkin

[ Exploring his new surroundings seemed like a normal enough first step to getting used to this new world, he was afterall almost a pro at taking the really really weird and just rolling with it. But even after everything he's been through a giant pumpkin was not something he expected. At all.

So of course he's climbing in it.

Who doesn't want to climb in the giant pumpkin? its really just beckoning. Its like telling someone not to push the red button. Billy does like to jump first and deal with the consequences later. So he's inside, looking around when he spots the candy. Four years in Wonderland taught him a few things but the biggest was don't just eat food weird worlds try to give you. Those are consequences he's not prepared to deal with yet. ]

Are we sure those are safe to eat?

ii. skeletons on parade

[ He's not sure what he's doing exploring this fog- especially since he's very aware of his lack of powers should he need to defend himself, but here he is venturing into the unknown. Also he might be a bit lost and trying to back track didn't actually work out so well. So he's soldiering on, he's bound to run into someone eventually, right?

Or he's bound to run into something else. Something like animated skeletons? What the...

he's too close and they are swinging around to look at him and he's jumping at least a foot in the air. His arms automatically go up to blast them but right, lack of powers. They don't seem to do anything else so he gets closer and closer until he touches one and then. Well. The results are obvious.

Billy has at least ten skeletons following him through the fog. ]

I don't suppose you guys could do something useful like get me out of the creep fog, huh?

iii. wildcard

[ Anything your heart desires ]

01.

[geomagnetically]

[ The green haired, green eyed mutant, who appears in her late thirties, just shrugs at the question. ]

If it isn't, is candy a really such a bad way to go?

[ She likes to think she has a point there. ]

[actualwizard]

[ He recognizes her- of course he does its who he is as a person. But he's not sure if she knows who he is. ]

Depends on the candy. I mean, Reeses' pieces I would gladly die for. But if an Almond Joy kills me I'll be really disappointed.

[geomagnetically]

[she'd know his name, but as far as coming face to face with him before, that's a nope.]

Shit, now I want that Reese's pieces cereal. What did an Almond Joy do to offend you?

[actualwizard]

Reese’s Puffs? [ One if the best cereals. He likes her already. ]

They have coconut. They ruin perfectly good chocolate and almonds with entirely too much coconut. [ Look he’s thought long and hard about this. ]

[geomagnetically]

Yes, those. Might as well just pour the box contents directly into my mouth -- which I'm pretty sure is what my brother does with every food, so, gonna rip a page from his book next time I see a box of those. Heh, actually one time when I was drunk I made myself a Nutella and Reese's Puffs sandwich. It was good.

[ #YOLO??? Or something. ]

That's a fair point though, I'll accept this. Extra coconut is hereby banished, by the authority of ... some fancy sounding bullshit.

[ She gently hits her fist against her other hand, an open palm, as if it were a gavel. It Is Decided. ]

ii!

[cakebuffet]

[Billy isn't the only one who's felt the itch to go exploring, but at least in her defense, Ann has been here for quite some time— enough to know that any changes in the landscape around the temple are probably worth investigating, especially given that sometimes Astoria's powers can be a little unpredictable. It's the clatter of bones coming from those skeletons that draws her further into the fog, and once she's close enough, she's greeted with the sight of a young man she doesn't know being followed by what has to be a dozen animated skeletons.

Holy crap.]

Uh—

[She looks him over warily, biting at her lower lip.]

Am I... interrupting something, here?

[Is this a private moment with the skeletons? Seriously, what is happening.]

[actualwizard]

[ Billy glances up and grins, finally a person, an alive person. ]

They won’t stop following me. I’m not sure what they are trying to accomplish but they seem to have adopted me? [ Wait till he figures out he can make them dance. ]

Is this normal? Do we all get a skeleton entourage when we get here?

[cakebuffet]

If we do, this is the first I've seen of it.

[Which is to say... no, not normal. Not really.]

They're just— following? They haven't attacked you or anything? Because if they're hostile, I can definitely help you make short work of them, but they seem... kinda tame.

[For skeletons.]

[actualwizard]

[ He's not sure if that's disappointing or now. Having a skeleton army could be pretty cool. ]

Nope, just following. Also they dance, watch.

[ He turned to his entourage and nodded, letting them know they should show off their can-can moves. ]

skeletons on parade

[extrinsic]

[ she has been walking around for the better part of an hour. looking for her friends idiots. gamora has attracted some attention from the skeletons, who are following her enthusiastically. her black mood seems to attract more of them. ]

They dance.

[ she joins him, looking at their combined entourage. ]

We have to find the way out ourselves.

[ billy doesn't look like he knows what's he's doing than she does. misery loves company. ]

[actualwizard]

[ There are a lot of things he could say here but she said one very important thing. ]

They dance?

[ He swings his head around to look at his skeletal friends. ]

You can dance? And you didn’t tell me? [ As if answering the skeleton army breaks out in something resembling a can-can. ]

Ok, this might make up for how useless they are in getting back to the temple.

[extrinsic]

[ billy is currently on the receiving end of the most judgemental expression in the galaxy. ]

That is your main concern?

[ choose your answer wisely young wizard. ]

i

[billionaires]

[ uhhhh so this is weird. not like he isn't used to weird, generally, and starting to get used to this place's brand of weird. but being inside a giant pumpkin with a kid asking if they're being fed poisoned halloween candy. yeah, he needs like 12 vacations. ]

I wouldn't if I were you. But it's a... mostly free fairyland. Once you get past the compulsory military service and the fact that we can't leave. Okay, so it's more like 50-50. 30-70? The odds aren't in our favor, Katniss. That's all I'm trying to say.

[actualwizard]

[ Tony Stark, who doesn’t recognize him. So definitely not from Wonderland like he is. He’s starting to suspect he might be the only one who remembers Wonderland. ]

I just came from a mostly free fairyland- you learn really fast that just because food is out that doesn’t mean it won’t have...adverse effects.

[ Like turning into your costume, or being dragged into a five year old, or suddenly only being able to tell the truth. This isn’t Billy’s first rodeo. ]

Can’t say we ever had giant pumpkins there, though. Shockingly enough.

[billionaires]

Uhh... yeah. That's totally not ominous or anything.

[ tony frowns, more or less used to people dropping comments like that on him by now. but goddamn he just wants to have like, one normal day. you know, "normal" for him anyway. ]

This isn't usually here. I guess we're supposed to be getting in the spirit.

[actualwizard]

I once ate cookies that turned me into a five year old.

[ He says it nonchalantly but he’s very much telling the truth. Billy turns to inspect their surroundings? ]

So, I’m assuming it’s October here?

[whatchoice]

[ wanda jumps, not realizing immediately that someone actually ventured inside the pumpkin. it's jack-o-lantern expression looks at her dolefully and her mouth slants in a reflexive frown. why does it look so lost? ]

I would not eat anything in there.

[ mostly because the smell of pumpkin innards must linger on the candy. ]

Especially if it is like the story. James and the Great Pumpkin.

[actualwizard]

[ Billy turns at the familiar voice- it’s been two years since he had heard her, since he had seen her and he can’t stop the words that come out of his mouth. Or rather. Word. ]

Wanda?

[ Sorry Wanda, your alternate universe son has missed you. ]

[whatchoice]

[ instead of ducking to peer through the nose, wanda stands on her tiptoes to peek through one of the jack-o-lantern eyes. she'd been normal longer than she'd had her abilities and yet being without them makes her feel perpetually off balance. she is used to simply knowing.

the boy (man? young man? guy? dude?? she can't decide.) doesn't look familiar to her. ]

Yes. Have we met?

Sorry this is forever late <3

[actualwizard]

[ Well that answers a lot, including the question of having her powers. If she did then he wouldn’t have to explain how he knew her. And she’d believe him when he did. This was going to be awkward. ]

Uh. You did- or you will. I’m not really sure how time works with these strange universes. [ Maybe try actually explaining Billy. ]

Before coming here I was kidnapped into another world called Wonderland, usually after you leave Wonderland and go back home you lose all your memories of it. We met there.

[ And no, he’s not sure why he remembers it now. ]

ii }

[hackedhistory]

In my experience, nothing around here is ever that helpful.

[She had gone out to investigate the skeletons after a bunch of them had followed Nate home, but she's not choosing to touch them - at least not for the moment.]

Right now? I think I'd just take the fact that they don't currently seem to be dangerous.

Re: ii }

[actualwizard]

Well that’s good to know. I’m used to that at least.

[ Wonderland was never that helpful why should this place be any different? ]

Yeah, I’m not really into being attacked by skeletons on my first day in a new world, not really the welcome I enjoy.

[hackedhistory]

And I think you'd find that most people would feel the same way. Most people also probably wouldn't like dancing skeletons either, but ... sometimes you have to compromise.

[actualwizard]

I would much rather they dance. Besides look at them- they are really good at it. [ He’s oddly proud of his dancing army of skeletons. ]

Do you think we get to keep them?