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acatamods. ([personal profile] acatamods) wrote in [community profile] acatalepsy_ooc2018-06-19 11:13 pm
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test drive # 2







test drive meme #2
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 dim, damp, with the trickling of what feels like rain. It takes a few moments for you to gain composure, to 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.

And, of course, because this is just your luck.

It's raining.



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.

For some, this place is home. For others, this strange land is new and dark, like a haze has settled in the air. The creatures in the forest seem to be stirring, and every now and then the sky will open up, and a storm will pass through, in varying degrees of intensity. Some will be easy spring showers, others will be angry, thunderous storms.

Not exactly the most welcoming place, but it's a start.

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. The rain makes everything feel a bit softer, but also eerie, like there is a secret being kept just on the outside of your vision.

Of course, this means you have free reign. This place seems easy enough to figure out on your own, with enough time to take a walk around! However- members who recognize this place may notice the lack of a certain figure, the grounds feeling a bit more empty, more abandoned, than they did before.



IT'S A FIELD OF . . . POPPIES?
The buildings of the Temple of Beginnings span out across a fair-sized field, intermixed with trees, open grassy planes, outside sitting areas, fire rings, and other oddly ancient but somehow structures. With the mist and the rain, everything feels a bit more ethereal, like there is life to every inch of what you see before you. Or like you've stumbled into some kind of alternate world. Around the temple is a ring of stones that do not seem to move no matter what characters may attempt, and beyond that is the forest.

The forest itself is more than just impressive - it is near-overwhelming. An impossibly ancient stretch of woods that crackle with magical energy. Within, there is all matter of fauna and flora, darting from tree trunk to tree trunk. The canopy is thick enough to shield from the worst of the rain, but still the water gets through, dripping down through the leaves and dampening the ground under your feet. While there is always a sense of wonder - and possible danger - in every stretch of this forest, nothing will come any closer than a brief glimpse out of the corner of your eyes.

No matter how you try, you can't quite seem to catch a full glimpse of what is moving about. Some of the creatures seem small, flittering through the air, while others dart through the trees, larger, more imposing. Everything here seems to be looking for some kind of shelter, so be wary of stumbling across something already taken.

There is a particular clearing not too far into the woods that opens up, a field encircled by trees. In the middle of the field there is an odd glow - luminescent even in the darkened sky. Upon investigation, you will find a bush - about the size of a small car - filled with glowing flowers, white, blue, gold, and purple. They all smell faintly sweet, but it's hard to tell with the scent of earth and rain all around you.

if you decide to pick one of these flowers, there will be no immediate recourse. However, the longer you decide to keep the flower on your person - or if, for whatever reason, you decide to eat said flower - the following will start to set in.
White: For whatever reason, you will have more energy than you know what to do with, and will be filled with the urge to shine. Ever needed a confidence booster? To a point that you need to get up on buildings and belt your favorite song at the top of your lungs? Well, now you do.
Blue: After some time of carrying around this flower, you will start to feel at peace. Which isn't necessarily a bad thing, is it? Until that feeling of peace continues to grow, and continues, and continues. Soon you will feel so peaceful, it's almost as if nothing matters at all. I mean...it'll work out in the end, won't it? You're no longer missing home, missing people, worried about what happened and what you might fine. Everything is chill. Beyond chill. The most chill. But maybe out in the middle of the forest isn't the best place for a nap?
Gold: Congrats, you've officially become a hoarder! No, seriously, you will have this uncontrollable urge to grab things and collect them. It doesn't matter what they are, or where they are. You need to have them and you will find a way to make it happen. Hats? Rings? People with green hair? The world is your oyster, and that's the key word here - yours.
Purple: Suddenly, and without warning, you find yourself unable to...well. Go on alone, really. The first person you see, or that you come in contact with, will feel much like the savior of your world, and for the next five hours or so, you will be unable to be far from them. Even if you know the fear is irrational, you can't really help it, following friend or stranger alike, always needing to be just in arms reach.
Regarding further exploration of the wood, it will seem to go on forever. Getting lost seems almost imperative to existence within this forest, going on forever in all directions with no edge in sight. You could walk for days, weeks, possibly even more. However, the second that you find yourself thinking about wanting to return to the buildings from before, you find yourself cresting through the edge of the trees, back to your home.



RUN BY THE RIVER
While inside the buildings and in the main open spaces, the water doesn't seem to be building up all too terribly, un an unfortunate turn of events, it all seems to be rolling down a very slight hill, pulling just on the outside of the ring of stones.

The ground here is unstable, wet and muddy from the amount of moisture falling from the skies. So much that in some areas (the fighting area being one), it will start to collect into a dangerous combination of mud and moving water. It's possible to get stuck in it, possible to get lost in the flooding, but it's also possible to...you know. Have some fun?

Mud slides, mud wrestling, mud...castles? Whatever you want it to be, it's at your disposal! While the arena was originally a place to practice your powers, or any of the various weapons that are usually kept here, now you can do the same with a little added obstacle in your path. That, or it's possible you simply got stuck trying to make it back to your room. Hopefully someone will be by to help you!


CONNECTIONS AND COMMENTARY
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! ♥
statecrafter: (085. 🏵️ rerum cognoscere causas.)

[personal profile] statecrafter 2018-07-06 04:03 pm (UTC)(link)
Painfully so.

[ there are conveniences and there are conveniences. judging by her tone, it isn't difficult to tell what lorem believes on this matter. ] So- Do you happen to believe in such powers? Such an ability like the one Lady Astoria claims to have is not available in my world, so I am intrigued by this development.

[ the politest way for her to say, 'i do not believe a single word of this. at all.' ]
apocryphas: (m (46))

[personal profile] apocryphas 2018-07-06 04:09 pm (UTC)(link)
Well, look at that, we've been graced by a real smarty-pants.

[ Satisfied with his response this time, she smirks and gets right to the point. Speaking of points, she's pointing her fork at him as she speaks. ]

I have a new deal for you - I'll hunt things, and you will serve it up for us. Everybody wins, yeah?
apocryphas: (m (82))

[personal profile] apocryphas 2018-07-06 04:09 pm (UTC)(link)
Me? A Warrior of Light? That can't be right. I destroyed my father, whose perfect light shone brighter than anyone's.

[ ??? nani the fuck ]

That would make me the opposite...
apocryphas: (m (66))

[personal profile] apocryphas 2018-07-06 04:12 pm (UTC)(link)
[ He seems very earnest, and she likes to see that trait in others, so she's extremely cheerful! ... Up until that last bit. Now, she's resisting the urge to kill him on the spot, but there's probably a reason for her sudden shift in attitude. ]

Don't call me miss! Or a woman! Only Saber, are we clear?
paladorable: (019)

[personal profile] paladorable 2018-07-06 05:33 pm (UTC)(link)
[ He has to laugh at that. The twins’ names can definitely be a mouthful. ]

You’ll get used to it.

[ He is very unfamiliar with this… hybrid-whatever-it-is, so after a moment of hesitation, he sticks his own hand out, trying his best to mirror Prompto. How do? ]
paladorable: (052)

[personal profile] paladorable 2018-07-06 05:34 pm (UTC)(link)
I’ve noticed.

[ The least they could do was have some kind of pamphlet, geez. ]

I don’t envy you having to put the pieces together yourselves when you arrived.
paladorable: (014)

[personal profile] paladorable 2018-07-06 05:34 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Connor pls.

But he is glad that Connor is understanding, more or less. Arenvald will just have to do his best not to jump to conclusions. ]


This may seem like it comes out of nowhere, but do you have magic where you’re from?
bleps: (57)

[personal profile] bleps 2018-07-06 06:58 pm (UTC)(link)
[In this case, perhaps the simplest explanation is the best explanation. Easy for Connor to understand, at a base level, that she's trying to 'help plant and animal life co-exist'. The details are lacking, of course, but that can always come later.

If she would even be willing to share it, of course. He has an inkling that she's perhaps not the most open individual, based on body language and the path their conversation has taken so far.]


Then I take it I'm not really under your purview, am I?

[That is to say, he hardly qualifies as plant or animal life. Or life at all, really, if one really wanted to press the matter with him.]
bleps: (76)

[personal profile] bleps 2018-07-06 07:03 pm (UTC)(link)
[He remains relatively unmoving, feet planted where they are, as Cayde closes the gap between them. The questions may continue, but not here; that is the gist of what Connor has gleaned from the many words spoken to him, brought concisely down to a singular point. He sees nothing wrong with that. Maybe it would be more advantageous to have this kind of conversation not out in the wild, surrounded by unknowns.

At least at "home base" they'd be surrounded by less unknowns.

But introductions. Connor thinks himself relatively good at those, and he reaches out to give Cayde a succinct handshake.]


My name is Connor. It's good to meet you, Cayde-6. [If a little... strange.] And I think you're right, it'd be better to proceed with this kind of conversation elsewhere.
bleps: (04)

[personal profile] bleps 2018-07-06 07:09 pm (UTC)(link)
[Connor is designed to observe, to take in small changes in body language, in facial expression. The tension knitting at her brow does not go unnoticed, and he wonders briefly if he has mislabeled her. Something that many would take offense to, he's certain, but it doesn't seem to resonate too loudly between them, whatever it was. She takes the flower from him, speaking nothing on the matter.

Another question to be filed away. He holds onto them as if they were a small collection to be shown off at a later time.]


Nothing happening is still technically a result. It further defines what to expect, even if said result ends up being prosaic.

[But he clasps his hands behind his back, and tilts his head ever so slightly.]

Do you feel a change?
valuedstrength: *beard, *iw (what flowers should I decorate it with)

[personal profile] valuedstrength 2018-07-06 07:33 pm (UTC)(link)
Close. He's an artificial intelligence. We call him Jarvis in person though to keep things simple.
valuedstrength: (Default)

[personal profile] valuedstrength 2018-07-06 07:33 pm (UTC)(link)
So freak accident with science. Got it. We actually have one of those too.
sendinthecavalry: (When they finally try to stand)

[personal profile] sendinthecavalry 2018-07-06 08:43 pm (UTC)(link)
[With a firm shake of Connor's hand, Cayde nods once before letting go and wandering back a few steps towards the treeline. Both browplates raise before he makes a grand gesture with arm, inviting his new acquaintance to follow.]

Back at you, Connor.

[He stretches for a moment, as if trying to work out any kinks in his system. It's doesn't really do anything, he doesn't have joints to crack persay, but it's more of a ingrained behaviour than anything else.]

C'mon then. You think they have food and stuff at that place? Think I could really go for a drink.

[And with that he's off, seemingly without a care in the world.]
bleps: (09)

[personal profile] bleps 2018-07-06 11:16 pm (UTC)(link)
No.

[The reply is swift, revealing a certainty on his part. No, there was no magic, and certainly no witches who could pull one from their worlds without warning to another.]

As a concept, of course, magic existed. In stage performances and the adherence to the so-called metaphysical. But in measurable, observable ways, there was no such thing. Only the progression of science, to achieve what people once could only label as ‘magic’.

[A beat.]

I understand that I must... reconsider the notion here, though. That much is obvious to me.
paladorable: (025)

[personal profile] paladorable 2018-07-07 12:43 am (UTC)(link)
[ Arenvald can't fathom a world without magic, but he is learning that the rules of his world are not the rules of others. ]

It's pretty common where I come from. I'm not really much of a hand with magic myself, but I'm quite used to it. If you've got any questions, I can do my best to help out.
hyperverbose: (ʙᴀᴄᴋ ᴀᴛ ʜᴏᴍᴇ)

[personal profile] hyperverbose 2018-07-07 12:50 am (UTC)(link)
Stopping time, extradimensional kidnapping, that sort of claim?

Might have been a time when I'd have said no, but at this point, that sounds like Sunday brunch.
tranquilforest: (pic#12238910)

[personal profile] tranquilforest 2018-07-07 02:18 am (UTC)(link)
[She dips her head slightly, still holding on to Nihuang for the moment. She had always been far more quick on the update and easygoing than Jingyan, and more inclined to listen to reason even when it disagreed with her first instinct. Even in the wake of what was surely a sharp shock...]

There are things we can discuss later, I promise. [They had far more freedom here, after all.]

But... [She pulls slightly away, her expression smiling and almost teasingly scolding.] You should get out of your wet things. I think I might have something you can wear while we care for your armor and let it dry properly so it doesn't rust.
foundafamily: (Kick!)

[personal profile] foundafamily 2018-07-07 02:32 am (UTC)(link)
I won't--

[Oh. So this is why she asked. Firo's not slackening his grip either, so into the mud they go.

All his issues getting close to women don't count, apparently, in a good old-fashioned scrap. So he twists his wrist and jerks back, trying to break free of her hold so he can follow up with an attack. In the meantime, though, her pin will succeed.]
foundafamily: (14.1)

[personal profile] foundafamily 2018-07-07 02:41 am (UTC)(link)
A soldier?

[He does look the part. Firo can't hide the slight wariness in his voice and posture--the wariness he feels towards anyone who sounds sort of official and who just might be on the right side of the law.]

Who do you usually work for, when you're not helping out witches?
lonered: (95)

[personal profile] lonered 2018-07-07 02:48 am (UTC)(link)
I... yeah. Maybe. I don't know.

[Keith doesn't know how Shiro will react, and why worry him about something that hasn't happened yet and doesn't really happen in the end anyway? But. It's Allura, so he is going to think about this now.]

Thanks, Allura.

[For listening.

He shakes his head.]
Anyway. More importantly... let's make sure you get settled in okay, yeah? I don't know how long we'll have around the temple before the Witch drops us into another world.
gamboler: (10)

[personal profile] gamboler 2018-07-07 03:27 am (UTC)(link)
[ It does have an effect on her, but Blake is normally moody as hell, so it doesn't manifest itself quickly, or as dramatically as it might for some. Rather, she finds herself quite confident that this flower is having no effect on her at all, and as such, is not worth observing any longer. They've spent enough time on this, and so with a huff, Blake sets the flower back down on the leaves of the blush, like it can somehow graft itself back on. ]

Not that I can tell. This was just a big waste of time. [ But oddly, she doesn't sound very annoyed about it. What else would she be doing right now? Settling in at the temple that's supposed to be their home now? No, thanks, hard pass.

Without hesitation, she extends her hand for a handshake. ]


But I'm glad we tried it, anyway. [ Wow, even a smile! She must be in quite a good mood. ] I'm Blake, by the way.
punshots: (✘ overlap.)

[personal profile] punshots 2018-07-07 03:51 am (UTC)(link)
[ Aaand Prompto will take that for as much of an invitation as any and takes Arenvald's hand in his own with a smack, then giving it a hearty shake. ]

Anyway—I probably interrupted you, didn't I? You wanna get back to your...flower gazing?
purrtagonist: and suplex a deer (Can’t you just outrun)

[personal profile] purrtagonist 2018-07-07 04:13 am (UTC)(link)
. . . I wouldn't phrase it like that.

[she was apparently created for the purpose of maintaining balance in the universe, so. . .?]

More like she doesn't always think her actions through completely. She has a purpose, and she's trying to fulfill it. She just might need a bit of guidance along the way.
theseuschip: (/4subjWAUr/)

[personal profile] theseuschip 2018-07-07 08:54 am (UTC)(link)
[ there is no escape

death only makes his existentialism stronger ]


I guess so. Not like we would’ve gone home.

[ Not willingly, at least. ]

You have black boxes? Can all androids sense each other like that?

[ He sounds ambivalent about it because he is. It sounds useful, and perfectly benign from that one statement, but, of course, Simon’s only experience with these concepts was in PATHOS-II. Neither the one-way mirror relationship the WAU had to its creators’ and creations’ memories nor his taste of the Authentic Hivemind Experience in Theta’s basement primed him for optimism toward even a vaguely similar framework.

Not that any of the things he already knows about 9S’s world help, either. ]
lumberlady: (何?)

[personal profile] lumberlady 2018-07-07 10:00 am (UTC)(link)
Not at all, I feel fine...

[As if just to make sure, Konoha reaches to press the back of her hand to her forehead to check for fever, looks down to make sure she hasn't injured herself. Nope, everything looks fine.]

Isn't it more comfortable here?

["Ruins" don't sound much better than this nice old tree... it's branches were wide, pretty good coverage...]

I can make room for you...

[As if planning to do just that, she half sits up and begins to lazily try and move herself around to make room in the bed of tree roots. ... Okay, so maybe there wasn't as much space as she'd thought there was...]