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

[insubordination]

[ you couldn't see. it's a conflict of emotion, for roy -- on one hand, he hates that Edward had to see him that way at all, and it's a fierce reminder of what the homunculi -- what king bradley -- had done to him. but on the other, it also means roy doesn't need to explain it here, and that alone is a massive lift of weight off of his chest. explaining that he had performed human transmutation (voluntarily or no) to edward was not something he ever wanted to experience again. the first time had been enough.

still, he allows the (inevitable) argument, and roy sighs to himself before resigning himself to the fact that this, like most things in life, will not be easy. ]

You know better than most why I am in the position I am in.

[ finally, as he, too, leans against the wall of their shelter, watching edward with an impassive expression, but his eyes hold absolutely no shred of hiding anything. but then again, it's hard to tell when roy is lying, which is probably why he's still alive. ]

I lied when I swore fealty to King Bradley's army. I lied when I said I supported the coup in Ishval. I lied when they asked me whether or not I had discovered alchemists capable of performing human transmutation in Resembool, when they sent me to collect the adults stupid enough to willingly perform the taboo, and I lied whenever the brass asked me what I was having the Fullmetal Alchemist do. I also lied about every single mission I had Hawkeye, Falman, Breda, Havoc, and Fuery complete in order to further the resistance against King Bradley. And, for the most part, it has worked; I have made a fairly profitable career out of lying in order to avoid being decapitated in the town square outside of Central Command. But I don't lie unless there is a reason for it.

[ he pauses, there, before he sighs, allowing his shoulders to deflate, his tone softening. being harsh with him isn't going to solve anything except create a fight, and if the last ed saw of roy was that, then he's already upset. so he gestures with a hand -- a frustrated motion, but one meant to get his attention. ]

You know that I would not be here unless I was stuck here, but you also know what you saw. It's true, that you saw me a few minutes ago, and it's also true that I've been here for nearly a year. I won't pretend that it makes any sense, and there is no scientific explanation for it -- but both stories are true.

[ he pauses again. ]

. . . and my vision is fine. You don't need to worry about that.

[forfeits]

[ A few years ago, Edward might have had more trouble believing that a place beyond science and reason existed. He might have had trouble accepting that it could happen at all, and that he could be tied to it somehow, without any hard, fast proof that it should exist at all. But the Gate of Truth proved him wrong then, and the bottomless pits of Father's creations, and now this.

Nothing can be easy. There is so much left to do, and just when Edward had the chance to hope and maybe even believe he could bring Father to his feet, he's brought here. But Mustang, despite all the absurdity around him, seems very real, and for a small, miracle of a moment, Edward listens.

The sound that claws its way out of his throat cracks at the edges, a dark and exhausted sort of laugh. Ed almost sounds like he's in pain. ]

Of course you lied, you bastard.

[ He sucks in a breath and meets Roy's eyes, and as much as he wants to believe this is some strange, twisted mind game, he believes Mustang. He wouldn't lie for the sake of lying, after all. That's effort needlessly wasted. Sure, Edward knows by now that Mustang was hardly on Bradley's side, but hearing him say it outright is one for the books. ]

So don't go around giving me orders now. The effects of Human Transmutation aren't easily reversed. Seems to me like that's something I should worry about. [ Though his words bear some heat, his shoulders relax, his body slumping a little into the doorway. He's losing steam here. ]

[insubordination]

[ there's a slight roll of his eyes, at Edward's response, before he seems to grow a little more somber. it is a lot to digest, and while roy would never assume that ed couldn't digest it, he is cognizant of the fact that it's a lot for an adult to handle, let alone a teenager-who-thinks-he-is-an-adult-but-is-not. delivering the news in bits and pieces is likely best, but it's a luxury that neither of them can afford.

after all, hughes is here, and ed should hear that from roy, rather than find out on his own. again. ]

No, they are not, and they are something I intend never to experience again. [ finally, and a bit wearily, but his tone quickly becomes quickly sardonic. ] But luckily for me, I have a group of individuals who refuse to let me quit. Something about the future of the country.

[ stubborn idiots. he pauses, there, before he glances around the room, sighing before he pushes himself up off the wall he's leaning on, inclining his head further into the building. ]

The kitchen is warmer, and you can dry off, there. I can pick up the rest of story from home if you're ready to hear it, but there are some things you need to know about this place, first.

[ ugh. he dreads this portion of the conversation, every single time, and roy begins to walk down a hall, through a stone building that seems to connect to one adjacent -- and indeed, you can see shadows on the wall, dancing along, as if there's a flame somewhere. ]

We aren't alone here, from Amestris -- follow me, and I'll keep talking, keep up.

[ is this how riza lives her entire life, why does she put up with him ]

[forfeits]

[ It's easy to settle into the routine with Mustang, despite the absurdity of the situation. There's a rhythm to the sharp, biting way they exchange information, and Edward's hackles ease down, not quite as suspicious as before. He follows all the same, knowing too well he doesn't have a choice as folding his arms over his chest, wincing at the way his body aches from the cold.

That's something else he'll have to think about here, too, isn't it? His automail. His stomach drops. ]

Yeah, I got a lot to learn. [ He does his best to step into stride with Mustang (hilarious, considering he's so much shorter than the man) but an attempt is made all the same. ] So it's you, me and Hawkeye here, right? How many of us ended up here?

[insubordination]

Your brother isn't here.

[ roy zeroes in on the concern immediately, and once the enter the kitchen area, he pauses, eyes scanning the room . . . and finding it empty, he gestures to a chair closer to the fire, so edward can dry off, while he gets something to drink. he's almost tempted to give edward milk, just to see the reaction, but he settles for water for them both, as he keeps talking. ]

The first thing you need to understand is that time works differently here. The Promised Day, for me, was nearly two years ago. Lieutenant Hawkeye [ he'll use her former title, just so edward is a little more comfortable ] is on the same page as I am. Where you are is the past, to me.

[ he pauses, there, as he pours the water. ]

So . . . in that same vein, people can come from different points -- your past, your future. That means the people that come here are people you may not necessarily expect. People that shouldn't be here, or anywhere, in the first place.

[ it's . . . a delicate way to get to it, as roy takes a seat across from edward, setting the glass of water in front of him. and, after another pause, he sighs. ]

Maes Hughes is also here.

[forfeits]

[ The fire provides warmth he hadn't realized he needed. The chill from the rain begins to ebb, but Ed keeps his arms folded at his chest. There's so much to digest here, so much information to unpack later when he's had time to rest.

Disappointment and confusion wash onto his face. ] So Al's back home...

[ Back in the fray, fighting Father and trying to win the Promised Day. He reaches for the glass of water, but doesn't drink from it, curling metal and flesh fingers around it. Giving him something to do.

And as he catches up to everything Roy is saying, the color slowly drains from his face, his fingers tightening, both confusion and something akin to terror lighting up behind amber eyes. He'll get to the whole future thing soon, the 2 year time gap between him and the man sitting across from him. All the warmth rushes out of him.

Maes Hughes is also here. ]

That's... that's impossible. [ Choked, like a child who has cried one two many tears after a tantrum. ] He's— he's dead.

[insubordination]

[ roy was much the same, when hughes first arrived. and it's a painful reminder, to hear it out loud, that the man is dead. he nearly says so (obviously, i know he's dead), but he holds his tongue, watching edward's expression before his own melts into something akin to sympathy.

it's hard. it's always hard. and, usually, roy can protect edward and alphonse from the worst of reality, but there's no protecting him from this. not when hughes is up and wandering around. and it's better that roy tells him, and deals with the brunt of ed's inevitable refusal to accept the reality, than maes.

riza would probably be better at it, but this is his job, not hers. ]

He is.

[ finally, his tone carefully neutral. ]

But that doesn't change the fact that he's here.

[forfeits]

[ So much has happened since Hughes died, and Ed isn't sure where to begin. How does he reconcile that he's alive in this world, but gone in another? Dead in a world where he matters so much to so many people? ]

How long?

[ He clears his throat, trying to regain control of his composure, but he falters. He still remembers the day they left the train and heard news of his murder. His chest aches. He'd like to think he doesn't understand how something like this could happen, but he does. After all, he's a boy who saw Al's living, breathing body beyond the gate, only to come to and talk to him again, tied to the suit of armor. ]

Does he... know? About what's happened?

[insubordination]

He's been here for a number of months. Time is difficult to place, here. But he's been here for quite some time.

[ he keeps his voice neutral and calm, answering Edward's questions in turn. but at his last question, roy pauses before he sighs, shifting to rest his elbows on the table, allowing himself to look truly tired. there's quite a lot to digest, here, and a lot to properly explain, but roy seems to best summarize it with: ]

I told him the truth.

[ which doesn't really say much, but. after a pause, roy drums his fingers against the table once before continuing to speak, deciding to continue being honest. ]

He knows what's to come. He knows about King Bradley, the Homunculi. I told him what killed him, and that the thing that killed him is dead. [ in as neutral a tone as he can manage, but roy does have something an undercurrent of an edge, to the words.

still, he falls silent before pursing his lips. ]

And some more things, some of which I also have to tell you, when you're ready to hear it. You've had a lot put on your shoulders. You should digest it, before you hear more.

[forfeits]

[ If there was any doubt that the Roy Mustang sitting across from him now was an imposter, it's gone. Ed visibly relaxes, slumping forward a little, leaning his weight into his elbows on the table top. He leans toward the fire, toward the warmth, and sighs. ]

Good.

[ Hughes deserves the truth, even if it might be gruesome. It's bad enough Edward is here, knowing what he's left behind. He can only imagine what it might be like for someone who's died. He shivers. ]

I can handle a lot, you know. [ He puffs back up, but there's little bite in it. There are dark circles under his eyes, scars and marks where there should be none. A boy turned old man, he feels like every time he comes within reach of finishing everything, of solving all of his and Al's problems, he's wrenched back hundreds of feet. ]

I have to. I have no choice if I want to get Al's body back. You know that better than anyone, Colonel. [ A one shoulder shrug. ] Guess this place doesn't care about that.

[insubordination]

This place doesn't care about much.

[ with a slight huff of annoyance, as he shifts his gaze to watch Edward carefully, his eyes scanning the teenager quickly, probing, absorbing. obtaining all of the information needed in a split second.

and, finally, he sighs. ]

And I know you can handle a lot. More than most. [ more than roy, at times, if roy is honest with himself, but he doesn't go that far, in his compliments. ] But you need to digest what you already have, before you hear more.

[ until then, roy leans back in his chair. ]

You can determine when you're ready. You'll know when you are.

[ when he's actually ready, not a lie, or a show of false bravado. ]

Until then, you should find a room, and rest. I can show you where Riza and I are, and where Hughes is staying, if you need time to yourself before you see him. I can understand if you do.