acatamods: (Default)
acatamods. ([personal profile] acatamods) wrote in [community profile] acatalepsy_ooc2019-01-19 05:03 pm
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TEST DRIVE MEME #5.







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! ♥
weremongoose: (Image117)

[personal profile] weremongoose 2019-02-05 02:16 am (UTC)(link)
Barabas recognizes a reach for a weapon where he sees one. There's a moment where his eyes flicker from their usual green to an eerie luminous red before settling back -- there and then gone really. But aside from the defensive reflex he can't control, he holds his hands up in what he hopes is a universal gesture of 'I come in peace.'

"Believe me, I wish I could," he answers with a genuinely exhausted sigh. "I'd take myself home right after, but all of us are in the same boat here. Trapped at the whim of our abductor. You're at the Temple, which is a bullshit answer, but in a way the best I have to give. I can try to explain more, but fair warning -- none of the answers are pleasant."
lechiennoir: (t: ohhh my god y'all are dumb)

[personal profile] lechiennoir 2019-02-05 02:29 am (UTC)(link)
It is, and Sirius relaxes minutely. Not enough to put his wand away just yet, but surely he's allowed the excuse of stress. It's not every day one sees their basically brother dead.

"I'm not having a very pleasant day, it would seem," he replies, with a hollow laugh. "Go on then, let me have it. Can't be worse than home."
weremongoose: (b47)

[personal profile] weremongoose 2019-02-05 02:37 am (UTC)(link)
Can't be worse than home, is it? And yet a home he's quite in a rush to get back to. But the redhead can understand that, if he's being honest. And since he can't help with a way home, he'll do the best he can to at least give some information.

"This place seems to be some sort of in-between place. The being whose realm this is -- she calls herself a witch, but I have never known a witch at all like her -- calls herself Astoria. She pulls all of us from different worlds. ...how I explain the next part will depend on whether 'magic is real' is a fact of life or something that gets you checked into a mental health facility where you're from."
lechiennoir: (t: almost serious (siriusly))

[personal profile] lechiennoir 2019-02-05 02:50 am (UTC)(link)
Well, home is where one Peter Pettigrew is. And important business that needs to be done with said rat.

Sirius looks amused, brief though it is, and waves his wand a bit. "Of course it's real, what do you think this is?" He's certainly not holding a cool-looking stick for the fun of it. "I'd like to know where I can find this Astoria, too," he continues, switching back to seriousness. "Have a few words with her."
weremongoose: (Image147)

[personal profile] weremongoose 2019-02-05 03:06 am (UTC)(link)
"Here? You'll likely find it's a well-designed stick. Where you're from, if it's not a stage prop... do people use wands for magic in your world? That's interesting. But great, so yes. We can skip the yes magic is a thing part." That's helpful, it cuts out a lot of explanation and sometimes show and tell.

"The magic here will likely interfere with yours. Everyone is either granted a magical ability, or the ones we may have already had are messed with -- or sometimes both. It's a grab-bag of screwed up."

Barabas has opinions on a few things around here, but he says all this cordially enough, voice level . "She'll answer sometimes if you reach out using the communicator," he taps the watch on his own wrist. "But she can be difficult to pin down. Even in a conversation. But according to her, we're brought here so she can dispatch us to other worlds on the brink of losing themselves to some overarching threat. And she has no intention of returning us home until that's seen to. How much you believe of it is up to you. I'm still settling on where I am on that scale myself."
Edited 2019-02-05 03:06 (UTC)
lechiennoir: (Default)

[personal profile] lechiennoir 2019-02-05 03:21 am (UTC)(link)
"Bloody wonderful," he replies sourly. "I don't have time to be stuck here, there's a damn war on." And he's got revenge to be seeing to, but he's hardly about to mention that. He squints a little and the watch, and then at his own, frowning.

"Must be some different type of magic, if it doesn't mess with electrics. Ours does." Not that he knows a whole lot about electricity, other than how motorcycles and lights work. Being raised pureblood comes with many drawbacks.
weremongoose: (Image140)

[personal profile] weremongoose 2019-02-05 03:26 am (UTC)(link)
"You'd be surprised how common a sentiment that is here." War waiting back home. Hell, until a few days ago, that was true of his world too. Hell, knowing his world, another magical catastrophe is waiting to be battled right around the corner. With any luck he'll fit his wedding in first. If he ever gets home for keeps that is.

Then Sirius says that and Barabas nods, vehement. "Yes! Thank you. Magic and tech do not play nice with one another at all, in my world. Point of fact, they can't function at all at the same time. But here, it's seamless. It's strange as hell."

He seems to remember himself then and extends a hand towards him. "Barabas Gilliam, by the way. You?"
lechiennoir: (t: almost serious (siriusly))

[personal profile] lechiennoir 2019-02-05 03:42 am (UTC)(link)
"They can't at home, either." Well, he might as well distract himself. Maybe if he pretends like nothing's happened, it'll be true. Other than the war, which he already mentioned. He can't seem too anxious, people would ask questions. He is entirely unprepared to answer those, so -- pretending it is.

"Sirius Black," he replies, shaking the offered hand briefly. "Thanks for the -- welcome, I guess, though I really don't plan on staying too long if I can help it."
weremongoose: (Image29)

[personal profile] weremongoose 2019-02-08 02:47 am (UTC)(link)
"None of us do, yet here we are. But believe me, I sincerely hope you find the exit. Share the directions if you can."

Because there is stuff to do back home. He adds, "But yes, good to meet you, Sirius. Like the star?" A name like that would fit in way too well with the flair for the dramatic and meaningful that his clan has.
lechiennoir: (Default)

[personal profile] lechiennoir 2019-02-08 03:17 am (UTC)(link)
"I'll be sure to." Or Remus will, once he's realized that Remus is here as well. But they both have jobs to do back home, and someone has to take care of Harry now, since Sirius will be damned if he lets the Muggles take care of him.

"Yeah," he replies with a thin smile. "Bit of a family thing, naming people after stars."
weremongoose: (Default)

[personal profile] weremongoose 2019-02-09 04:08 am (UTC)(link)
"Well, that much I understand." His own name is tame in comparison to some of his family, though his relatives tend to go more biblical than astronomy. The redhead considers a moment before inclining his head.

"While you're here, you may want to find out what power our hostess has stuck you with. Before it surprises you."
lechiennoir: (t: dat hair)

[personal profile] lechiennoir 2019-02-09 02:52 pm (UTC)(link)
“And how am I meant t’do that, if my wand doesn’t work?” It’s honest curiosity, but he’s in a mood where it sounds a bit more like frustration. It’s been a long day. “Or is wandless magic a thing here?” Not that it isn’t back home, but it’s difficult unless you’re fairly skilled.
weremongoose: (Image117)

[personal profile] weremongoose 2019-02-10 02:52 am (UTC)(link)
"Most magic I've ever seen is wandless. I'd demonstrate my own ability as an example, but my clothes seldom survive the change -- and I like this outfit." He gestures down at his current clothes. Nothing fancy, but still, he can't shred shirts and pants for fun. They're not always easy to replace here.

"It's possible whatever power Astoria has in store for you might be linked to your wand, but it's equally possible not."
lechiennoir: (t: almost serious (siriusly))

[personal profile] lechiennoir 2019-02-11 02:16 am (UTC)(link)
"Change?" He quirks an eyebrow. "You're a shapeshifter? We might have something in common, then."

Granted, his animagus form won't be the exact one he's used to, but -- still fluffy. Luckily, the animagus change doesn't require a wand, so -- he concentrates a moment, and then he turns into a large, fluffy black cat. The cat looks -- mildly confused, turning around in circles to try to catch a glimpse of itself. He's much shorter than he should properly be.
weremongoose: (Image140)

[personal profile] weremongoose 2019-02-12 03:39 am (UTC)(link)
"Yes, I am. Since I was born, but here my shape has been affected."

So when he watches Sirius change and sees the confusion, that's his first guess. "Did you mean to be a cat? You're quite fluffy."

Impressively fluffy.
lechiennoir: (p: moony and padfoot)

[personal profile] lechiennoir 2019-02-19 12:47 am (UTC)(link)
Sirius-cat wrinkles his nose and in a matter of seconds is himself again, looking a bit put out. “No. I’m meant to be a dog. Been able to do it since I was fifteen.”
weremongoose: (Default)

[personal profile] weremongoose 2019-02-19 02:35 am (UTC)(link)
Barabas manages to bite back a laugh at the expression -- because it's cute. It's not his fault. Still, he hides the reaction and then finds himself looking at the now human again Sirius.

He nods in commiseration. "She pulled the same bullshit on my shifting. My beast form has been a mongoose since I was born. Here, when I shift, it's into a hyena."
lechiennoir: (p: moony and padfoot)

[personal profile] lechiennoir 2019-02-20 01:15 pm (UTC)(link)
“That’s a hell of a size difference. Must be odd.” Granted, there’s one in his case too, though at least his cat form is still reasonably large. But probably not large enough to do any good against Moony, should it be necessary. He frowns a little, considering something. “So if we’ve not got proper magic here, then....would any curses or other such things from home still apply?” He’s asking purely out of professional curiosity, of course. No ulterior motives at all.
weremongoose: (Image123)

[personal profile] weremongoose 2019-02-21 01:43 am (UTC)(link)
"Generally, most magic is limited by Astoria or our being here, so I'd assume that would apply to a curse. But, for example, I haven't exactly tested if silver is still as toxic as it would be back home, so I can't say for certain."

Though now he thinks he probably ought to look into that.
lechiennoir: (t: almost serious (siriusly))

[personal profile] lechiennoir 2019-02-28 11:13 pm (UTC)(link)
"Mmm. It'd be something to look into, anyhow." Not that he's going to mention anything to Remus until he knows for sure, after all.