TEST DRIVE MEME #5.

[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 #5 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. You fall flat on your face. It's bright, warm, and humid . . . for now. Weirdly, the weather seems to be entirely in flux. One moment, it is warm and humid, and within the next handful of hours, it is starting to snow. Whatever is going on with Astoria seems to be messing with the atmosphere of the Temple, and as a result, you are having something of a wild entrance to Acatalepsy. It takes a few seconds for you to gain composure and catch your breath. 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. Indeed, it seems as if you have fallen down the rabbit hole. A weird, mysterious, snowing-yet-humid rabbit hole. 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. HAPPY UN-BIRTHDAY. The kitchen has become overtaken with a flurry of activity. Vines have woven their way into the area of the Temple typically reserved for food, and there is a massive tea party! What a splendiferous thing -- surely this can't be all that bad. There is such a massive array of food here that it almost seems impossible to know where to start . . . tea and cookies set out with messages that read “EAT/DRINK ME." Well, if you insist. However . . . certain foods and drinks have certain effects upon your person that are wholly unexpected. Well, drat. If you taste the rosehip tea, you are suddenly infatuated with the first individual you lay eyes on. They are everything to you. You think you may even want to propose, immediately, right now. Weddings, I love weddings! Tasting the ladyfingers will cause you to spill your deepest secrets to whoever is nearby. Have a secret crush? Not anymore! The entire room has to know about it, and you somehow can't seem to shut up about whatever you've been trying to keep quiet. A sip of the chamomile tea will cause you to become ridiculously sleepy. That corner looks like a particularly delightful place to take a nap, doesn't it? Maybe someone else wants to nap too. The Madeline cakes cause a ridiculously high spike in happiness. Nothing can get you down, not even the grumpiest of people. Smile, smile, smile! You need to spread this joy to everyone in your reach. A nibble of the scones will prevent you from lying. . . and, in addition, you will be brutally honest on whatever question you're asked. Maybe now is a bad time to give an opinion on your friend's outfit or new haircut, hm? And, finally, the Earl Grey tea will cause an enhancement of your Astoria given powers. Make sure you have that under control, or you may accidentally blow out a window, depending on what it is. YOU'RE LATE, YOU'RE LATE. The Unseen Servants will be a little, well, mad. Not that anyone will be able to see them, but there will seem to be things moving around the Temple at random, whether they be sheets, clothing, food, furniture, etc. with very little if any logical reason to it. It almost appears like the sheets and the like are moving throughout the air without any rhyme or reason to it . . . someone certainly isn't happy that the Temple is all astray. In addition, the Unseen Servants may also be attempting to steal things off of you. After all, you are also new to their world, and they want to make sure everything is put into their proper place, so beware any silent mischievous Unseen Servants dipping hands into pockets. Also . . . some of the rooms in the Temple are shifting around. Certain entryways could lead you to a select location at random. You may have thought you were entering your room, but it appears you’ve wound up in someone else’s. Or the bathhouse. Or the forest. Either way, you may find yourself lost for a bit...until the Temple decides to stop playing tricks on you. Keep track of your location, or you may wind up in the Forest of the Fey by mistake. OFF WITH YOUR HEAD. Should you approach the fighting ring, you’ll find that isn’t quite what you’d expect — there are no training dummies to be found, the rusted gates are colored a lavish gold, and the dirt ground has been replaced with a red and black checkered flooring. More notably, the ring itself seems to have expanded to make way for seating so that it’s become more of an arena than anything. There is an audience of spectators: many of them are typically known as the bestiary of this Temple. They are a bit more, er, refined and chatty today. When you enter, the gates will shut behind you. They will not budge. You have now entered a makeshift Royal Court. Suddenly, a playing card manifests in your hand. It might be… A Heart: A princess-like figure is displayed on this card. She appears to be singing. A Diamond: A gallant knight-like figure is displayed on this card. He appears to be fighting. A Queen: A refined queen-like figure is displayed on this card. She sits atop a throne, her finger pointed right at you. A King: A triumphant-king like figure is displayed on this card. He stands on a podium for all to see. A Joker: A jester-like figure is displayed on this card. He is dancing, laughing, and making a general fool of himself. On the back reads a message that states “This card withholds your role. You’ll be permitted to leave once we are thoroughly entertained. Best of luck!” No further instruction is given. Those who have entered with you are in the same predicament. How will you interpret your card? Who are you stuck with and how will you satisfy the audience? Or are you a member of the audience instead? Either way, good luck getting out — it’s up to you! 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

[noplan]

[ Ah, of course. It would be silly to think only one of them would be here DAMN IT LET HIM BE THE OLDEST FOR ONCE he's so happy to see osomatsu seriously

He arrives shortly after Osomatsu does, the gate closing behind him. The card in his hand... well, of course, it would be a King card, wouldn't it? He truly is the king of his domain, after all. ]

Heh. I see no issue here, Osomatsu.

[ Also, he has no idea what card Osomatsu has, because he hasn't asked. ]

[relieable]

[slowly, Osomatsu's head turns to see Karamatsu approaching. ah, here they are, in a new world together. Osomatsu has been in this place for less than a day, but he isn't really that fazed. alternate universes are all part of his job.

he flicks his eyes down to his own card, then back up to Karamatsu. he squints. he'd ask Karamatsu why he gets to be king, but he doesn't really care. it's not like either of them are suited for the role.

heh. suited... hey, wait a minute]

...Hark! [he suddenly bursts out, bringing his fist to his chest. he has an idea. he turns to the crowd] The King approach-eth! Why, this King has the same face as yours truly! You see, that is part of the plot! Because we have the same face, we are able to trade places, to protect-eth the identity of the true King.

...Which is myself... eth.

[the crowd gasps]

[noplan]

[ oh ho. So, this is how the knight wants to play?

Time to use all of his dramatic skills to handle this. Karamatsu removes his sunglasses, showing off the face Osomatsu was speaking of. With a flourish, he provides a sweeping arch of his arm, eyes closed and dramatically opening. ]

Lo, how my brother speaks! One destined for knighthood, one for Kingship! Yes, we have the same face-eth, however I am truly the one who deserves the throne!

[ He turns to point directly at his brother. ]

Do you intend to throweth away your knighthood to claim the crown, brother?!

[relieable]

[Osomatsu turns to grin smugly at Karamatsu. he doesn't want to play along, huh? well, that's fine. as long as they are entertaining the crowd somehow. then they can get out of here.

and the crowd does seem enraptured by this Prince and Pauper-like tale, mostly because Osomatsu and Karamatsu do have identical faces. how novel!]

My knighthood? Ha! [he looks around, then finds a wooden sword lying nearby, probably from when this place was a training ground] You're the one who is throwing it away, by lying to the people and yourself! Come, it's time to return the crown to its rightful owner!

[noplan]

Then, we are at an impasse. I prayed it not come to this, but alas.

[ A second sword appears, and he holds it as if it's a rapier. It's extremely uncomfortable and unwieldy, but this is how a king holds a sword! ]

Do you even know how to use a sword? Heh. Do you truly think you can best me?

[relieable]

You dare speak to your king that way? Someone should washeth your mouth out with soap! En garde!

[and here he comes. at least it looks like the crowd is enjoying the show. Osomatsu is an entertainer at heart, even though he wasn't in drama like some idiots. he's too cool for that.

he's acting, though, and having fun teasing Karamatsu]

[noplan]

[ How dare?!

This has to be enrapturing the crowd, however. So, he goes to clash with Osomatsu! This is truly the showdown everyone has wanted.

Under his breath, he speaks. ]

We swing a few times, parry, thrust, and then I will deliver the final blow and curse that I've slain my brother.

[ Stage directions! ]

[relieable]

[oh, this chucklehead thinks he can give Osomatsu orders. how cute. Osomatsu's grin is decidedly mean as he whispers back, pushing against Karamatsu's sword]

Who says you get to make the final blow?

[noplan]

The card picked me, so naturally I should fulfill my role.

[ He pushes back, because come on seriously bud, you're harshing his role!! ]

[relieable]

[the swords slip and Osomatsu finally moves back with a clang of wood. he's the oldest! he should be king! even though a Joker is more fitting, but now that Karamatsu's got the King role, Osomatsu can't just hand it over to him.

he charges again, grunting as their swords clatter. the crowd is on the edge of their seats]

Prepare to meet your maker!

[noplan]

[ Karamatsu steps back, swinging his sword to match Osomatsu's movements, parrying and attempting to get a jab in. How dare?!

The crowd's getting into it! That's enough of a boon to him to make him want to put more into this...!

Which is why he winds up getting bopped at some point with the sword, going right the hell down as a result. ]

[relieable]

[oh. that's. dumb. come on, man. you gotta be kidding. this fight was supposed to go on for a while! it was going to be Osomatsu's crowning achievement when he won! what a let down.

but when Karamatsu falls, Osomatsu decides to milk it for all it's worth]

Aha! I have won!

[though. he's not finished yet. he glances towards his fallen king, eyes glistening, and tosses away the sword]

Ooooh. What have I done? Killed not only my king, but my own brother! [he rushes to Karamatsu's body and cradles his head in his arms, bringing on the crocodile tears] Was it worth it? Was any of this worth it?

[noplan]

[ Karamatsu would prefer a longer fight as well, but sometimes an audible is just a good idea! Coughing and looking weak, he dramatically holds a hand to his chest. ]

Brother... [ bro... ]

I always knew... you were strong. I am so proud of how much you've grown... [ cough cough. He weakly turns, holding up a shaking hand. ]

When... you take... my kingdom... please...... do me one.... favor...

[ Milking this for all he's goddamn worth. ]

[relieable]

[record scratch. Karamatsu is proud of how much Osomatsu's grown? who's the older brother here? no fair!

Osomatsu looks like he might say something to break up Karamatsu's little speech, but when he's glancing around, he notices that the crowd is watching them very closely. geez, they're really buying this shit?]

Y-yes, my brother! Anything!

[he shouldn't have said that]

[noplan]

Please...

[ Wait for it. Wait for it. ]

Create... a statue in my honor... please, make sure it's painted gold. Also, be sure that it can be seen in space. It should sparkle as well.

Please, complete... this simple request...

[relieable]

[hm.

for some reason, Osomatsu expected that.

he drops Karamatsu’s head roughly]