acatamods: (Default)
acatamods. ([personal profile] acatamods) wrote in [community profile] acatalepsy_ooc2019-05-20 07:20 pm
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TDM # 7







test drive meme #7
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 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.

To top it off, something seems to be...wrong with the weather. The seasons seem to be off. And yes, we do mean seasons - all of them.



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.




SPRING.
➜ Spring is in the air! Or a solid quarter of it, more specifically. Flowers are in full bloom, and there is a massive field that stretches from the Temple to the lake that has been reformed into a garden. It offers everything from roses to daisies to hydrangeas to even specimen specific to your home, each and every one terribly vibrant. Before passing through the field, an Unseen servant will provide you with a seed. A sign marks the beginnings of the field.

“This is your seed to plant. I recommend that you do it as soon as you can; the flowers grow especially fast today!”

You are welcome to choose any vacant spot, and there are watering cans to be found in every corner. But should you do as the sign says, well...the flowers of this field are livelier than you’d expect. It seems as though the flower you’ve planted has a life of its own. It practically resembles an infant, crying and babbling of its own accord as it stretches its leaves out in a plea for comfort. Looks like you’re a parent now…?


➜ Spring is the season of bloom. And with flowers comes pollen. Be careful, for this pollen is more magical than the norm — it might make you blurt out something you don’t mean to say with every sneeze or cough. This can range from secrets, observations, the things you always think but don't actually say, little facts about yourself, embarrassing moments you wish people would forget - there doesn't seem to be a limit to what spews forth with each sneeze or cough. Only that it was definitely something you didn't want to say. These aren't just normal allergies, so good luck!

SUMMER.
➜ Venture father off towards the lake and you’ll find that the sun is fiercer than ever. The heat is sweltering, and the glint of the lake is bound to catch your attention. The water is clear and colored a deep, inviting blue; the mermaids are out to play, merrily singing their songs. They’re in a particularly mischievous mood however and invite you to join them in the lake — fortunately, the Unseen servants seem to have laid out a fair share of swimwear for you to wear if you so choose to. Keep your eyes open, as the mermaids may or may not submerge you in the water for a laugh. They aren’t opposed to making new friends, that’s certain.

Nessie isn’t exempt from the summer fun, of course. The monster is prone to choosing particularly random times to emerge and send a tidal wave rippling across...and even over the lake. She may also be a bit more friendly, to those of you who are interested in a bit of swimming, and she may even let you ride her. As long as you can hold on, of course.



FALL.
➜ Fall, otherwise known as the season of harvest. Togetherness and new beginnings are abound. There are crops sprouting left and right! The pumpkin patch near the kitchen seems to be thriving, its pumpkins now larger and glowing a bright orange. However, should you turn around...one of these pumpkin’s vines will grow thrice their size and wind around your feet. Maybe it’ll go as far as to lift you up and thrash you around, or it’ll simply let you go and leave you be. It doesn't seem that the pumpkins are too keen on letting you or your friends leave the patch, but there doesn't seem to be any rhyme or reason to it. They are aggressive, but range in intensity - are you coming to the rescue? Or needing a hand?


➜ Past the garden, the warm scent of bread and home hangs heavy in the air. They eventually lead you to the kitchen. Spread across the tables are...pies galore! There is a pie of every variety imaginable laid out in the kitchen for your taking. They come with a bit of a twist...each flavor causes a different kind of memory to be triggered.
Blueberry: You’ve remembered something terribly sad — practically sad enough to bring you to tears.
Apple: A burst of comfort...one of your most heartwarming memories, heartwarming enough to long for home.
Cherry: A memory that fills you with glee, perhaps the more mischievous sort. Be careful to not suddenly burst out laughing, now.
Strawberry: Ah, are you blushing? This memory is one of a more...embarrassing sort, perhaps in relation to romance or your dirty laundry.



WINTER.
➜ And at last, winter is the season of...snow. Surely, it’s more than that, yes, but the snow is more likely to garner your attention first — because there is plenty of it to be found beyond the Temple and in the Forest. Hills upon hills of white expand across the land, but fortunately for you, winterwear can be found back at the Temple. Unfortunately they are...very distinct.

➜ Snowmen are integral to the spirit of Winter. You may need a bit of help (or simply go at it alone), but the materials necessary to make one surround you. If and when your definition of a snowman stands before you, however...well, it may not be what you expect— it turns out he has quite a bit to say. And feel. And think. The snowmen of this land appear to have fully formed personalities of their own, and can even move around of their own accord...depending on how well you’ve built them.

➜ Approximately every 6 hours, the ground beneath you rumbles. And promptly afterwards, mounds of snow come tumbling through the woods. It turns out you are witness the start of an avalanche. You can opt to run, use your newfound magic to your advantage, or simply get...pulverized?




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! ♥
freesandwiches: (pic#13174576)

owen l anthem l ota

[personal profile] freesandwiches 2019-05-23 01:53 pm (UTC)(link)
SAVE A HORSE

[That ruckus coming from down near the lake? It’s absolutely Owen riding on Nessie’s back, having the absolute time of his life. With his arms thrown around her slippery neck and legs locked around her shoulders, he’s doing his best to stay astride as he whoops and hollers, but alas it’s only temporary. His grip falters and moments later there’s a tremendous splash as he’s thrown from his perch and lands in the shallows.]

Okay, but did you see that??

[He turns his unseeing eyes towards the nearest person he can sense, grinning like a kid on Christmas morning.]

C’mon, you can’t say that wasn’t awesome!


FALL(ing)

Woah woah woah, lemme go!

[This isn’t exactly what he’d had in mind when it’d become obvious that he was somewhere foreign and entirely unknown. For all the bad that had come of the Javelin of Dawn, his work with the Dominion, and subsequent defection, Owen would like to think that he’d matured past such petty things like this. He was someone worthy of respect, a pilot, and commander of the most powerful Javelin in existence!

The vines don’t care about stunning personal development, the vines only care that he’s managed to wander near the pumpkin patch and that’s a giant No No in their opinion. Which of course, has led to Owen’s current predicament: he’s caught by one ankle and being held up over the ground as he struggles to free himself. It’s harder than he’d expect, and he’s feeling incredibly foolish for allowing himself to get so tripped up, so when the sound of footsteps alert him to someone in the area he tries to twist himself towards the noise.]


Hey, hey you! You want to help me down, I know you do, you’re a good person like that. Well, I haven’t met you yet, but I’m sure that you are, right?



[VIDEO]

[A video flickers on, revealing a young man with a heavily scarred face and unnervingly milky eyes, though the sheepish grin that crosses his face seems to belay any sort of discomfort that his visage could bring. He looks…almost embarrassed?]

Hey, so I get that there’s a lot of really weird stuff going on, that’s an understatement if I’m being honest, but, asking for a friend, has anyone seen a giant uh. Robot? Like, yeigh high [He reaches up off camera, frowning a little bit.] kind of thick, big guns? It’s kind of really important, at least that’s
what my friend says.

…the friend is me. Just so we’re clear.
Edited 2019-05-23 13:55 (UTC)
wraithes: (019.)

falling.

[personal profile] wraithes 2019-05-23 11:52 pm (UTC)(link)
[ . . . hello, owen. inej is actually in the tree above, one foot in front of another on the branch, eyebrows arched. ]

How did this happen?

[ curiously, as she crouches, resting her elbows on her knees. she hasn't drawn a knife yet, making sure owen is truly a safe person, but. you know. ]

And welcome, to the Temple.
freesandwiches: (pic#13167413)

[personal profile] freesandwiches 2019-05-29 01:40 pm (UTC)(link)
[Doing his best to twist in the grip of his constricting captors, Owen cranes his neck until he’s able to gaze sightlessly up at the source of the words. There’s a flash of teeth as he does his best to grin and pretend like he isn’t currently as frantic as he feels, and he makes a motion towards the vines with one free hand.]

Oh you know, the details aren’t really important. The important part is getting me down, right? That’s totally it. C’mon, be a dear?

[He’ll parse out what ‘the Temple’ means in a little bit. When he’s not currently being held captive by angry vegetation.]
wraithes: (013.)

[personal profile] wraithes 2019-06-02 03:36 pm (UTC)(link)
[ the grin prompts a slight smile in return. and the attitude is a bit familiar. he almost reminds her of jesper.

at any rate, she flips the blade up, catches it with the handle, and slices down easily, cutting through the vines.

he can land on his own two feet. ]
freesandwiches: (pic#13206675)

[personal profile] freesandwiches 2019-06-03 02:16 pm (UTC)(link)
[Bold of you to assume he’s competent enough to not immediately fall on his face. Which of course, he’s doing, much to his chagrin. It’s a double-edged sword: he’s free now, but the blow to his pride is going to take a not-insignificant amount of time to heal.

There’s a wince and an indignant noise as he picks himself up off the ground, rubbing at a soon-to-be bruised shoulder as he blinks up at what he hopes is his rescuer.]


Okay, I know I said help a guy out, but a little warning next time, maybe? Just a little bit?
wraithes: (052.)

[personal profile] wraithes 2019-06-03 11:28 pm (UTC)(link)
You seemed as if you had it under control.

[ easily enough, with half a smile, before she drops to sit on the bench properly, her legs hanging over the edge, hands finding balance on the wood. ]

What is your name?
moneytwin: Art by <user name="thebutt">; commisioned by me, do not take! (Hmm?)

Video;

[personal profile] moneytwin 2019-06-01 03:04 pm (UTC)(link)
[...Wow. Them's some damaged eyes, "friend". ]

Well, it's obvious why you wouldn't have seen it. [V e x] Astoria has a habit of "misplacing" things people had before arriving at the Temple. Are you completely sure it was with you when you first got here?
freesandwiches: (pic#13206675)

[personal profile] freesandwiches 2019-06-03 02:21 pm (UTC)(link)
[Okay, first off: how dare???

Hey hey- [Should he be insulted? Probably. Mostly Owen's just impressed that someone went that far, and honestly? It's a little funny, even if the situation isn't.]

I'll be honest, I'm so not even sure exactly how I got here or what it was like. I got caught up in these vines, and well, the rest is history as they say? But it's gotta be here, giant robots don't just go missing.
moneytwin: Official Art by Kit Buss (<user name="AnemoneTea" site="twitter">) (Baroness of Whitestone)

[personal profile] moneytwin 2019-06-03 07:51 pm (UTC)(link)
[ I mean, it's RIGHT THERE to be commented on! ...Still. Not the best sort of comment to introduce yourself with there, Vex. ]

That sounds like Astoria. [the bright tone is exasperated] I'm afraid the resident witch doesn't knock first to ask if you'd like to join her worlds-saving party, and you don't always get to bring helpful belongings with you.

I suppose that's true. I can't recall seeing any robots, and the few I've met have been [sentient] not so tall, so, any particular "this is mine" markings to look out for?