acatamods: (Default)
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! ♥
valuedstrength: (My church offers no absolution)

steve rogers (captain america) | mcu

[personal profile] valuedstrength 2018-06-30 04:36 am (UTC)(link)
arrival.

[He's supposed to be at a party. He's even dressed the part. All he can think is the others will assume he bailed. That would be in character usually except Tony asked nicely. He nevers asks for anything like that. Steve feels a twinge of guilt for letting him down until he remembers he has bigger problems; Dorothy Gale kind of problems. Steve does what any person who is used to strange, sudden turns in his life would do: explore. His eyes never stop moving, but he's remarkably calm otherwise.]

poppies.

[He doesn't even dare to go any further. Steve knows this song. He saw the movie. Going forward would be incredibly stupid.... which is why someone should talk him into it.] Sure hope the good witch is watching.

[Yeah he's just going to turn back the way he came. He's not going to sleep for another 70 years again.]

network.

J.A.R.V.I.S. if you're around now would be a great time to speak up. Could use a little backup here.

If anyone else is getting this? Let me know if you need help with anything. I can't send you home, but I tend to figure out what needs to be done when people ask for something first. Funny how that works.
[Yes, he will be passive-aggressive about this. Thank you for asking.]
hackedhistory: (60)

network }

[personal profile] hackedhistory 2018-06-30 04:41 am (UTC)(link)
JARVIS an AI?

[It's hard to believe that that would actually be a person's name, but who knows. Other worlds are weird places.]

I don't think they got brought here with us.
valuedstrength: (Default)

[personal profile] valuedstrength 2018-06-30 04:46 am (UTC)(link)
He is. I thought it was worth a shot even if it was a long one. He's a pretty resourceful guy.
thancredible: (HW missed you)

uses my other cute icon b/c I can

[personal profile] thancredible 2018-06-30 05:45 am (UTC)(link)
[It is difficult indeed, but Thancred does at last move to offer her his arm instead. (His right arm, mind, so he can still look at her.) Where are his manners?]

Indeed! Well, two others, at any rate.

[He starts to lead her towards the baths but at a leisurely pace.]

Alphinaud and Alisaie have apparently been here for a moon or so, and I believe they shall be able to better explain our situation here than I, though Alphinaud might be a little overly thorough.
bleps: (93)

[personal profile] bleps 2018-06-30 05:47 am (UTC)(link)
[Connor blinks, the realization that the other had noticed the stare sinking in quite quickly with the verbal retort. But embarrassment isn't exactly something that lives very prominently in whatever it is that makes up this particular android's core; he assumes that he's not the first, simply by gauging the stark physical appearances of others here.

It's the rest of what Cayde goes on about -- a string of words that make sense individually, but form puzzling statements when strung together the way they are -- that confuses him. Another moment of assessment, Connor making some laughable attempt at processing what he's just heard.

And he ends up finding this aforementioned attempt lacking. Not enough context, though he supposes that answers the question easily enough.]


I'm not sure I completely understood most of what you just told me. So I feel equally safe in assuming that no, we aren't actually from the same place.

[He takes the initiative, volleying back a question before the other can derail him.]

Though I could have told you that simply by looking at you. What kind of machine are you?
thancredible: (HW bullshitting)

[personal profile] thancredible 2018-06-30 05:49 am (UTC)(link)
It never hurts to be certain.

[Especially with a sassy fellow like this! His dripping problem. Like it's a medical condition or something. Good grief. Still, Thancred can't complain too much about help, so he nods and gestures with a half bow.]

Lead on, then, good sir!
bleps: (64)

[personal profile] bleps 2018-06-30 05:53 am (UTC)(link)
[Slotting into his periphery is what appears to be a young girl, and Connor turns his head to examine her profile. From this angle, he can note the eyepatch, the sword on her back. Her proclivity for the color black, too, apparently. But it is her enthusiasm that stands out the most -- particularly in a place like this, where appearances are so varied between the lot of them -- and he removes his grip from the flower. Its stem lazily sways upwards again, no longer brought down by Connor's touch.]

Based on my own experiences, which likely means little given how grand of a scope everything has suddenly become... [A beat.] No. They don't.

[But it begs a question, and Connor is almost never hesitant to ask when given the chance-]

What are the circumstances of the life you're accustomed to, that you've never seen a flower before?
thancredible: (HW :<)

so i'm a moron who thought I'd replied to this. i'm so sorry /o\

[personal profile] thancredible 2018-06-30 05:59 am (UTC)(link)
[Thancred watches Alphinaud's countenance as the boy talks for the things unsaid and between the lines. He nods here and there, and in the end, he crosses his arms and frowns, troubled and yet fascinated and full of questions, like any good Sharlayan. Well, he can't say Alphinaud didn't warn him, at least.]

That is... a lot to take in, but I suppose that explains the voice I heard ere arriving here.

[Is this what the Warrior or Louisoix or Minfilia or - any of the others like them felt like upon first hearing Hydaelyn? This whole situation sounds uncomfortably familiar in that regard - being brought to another world by a goddess who would save all worlds within her power...

Thancred takes a breath and lets it out and focuses on the present.]


What is the nature of this darkness we are called to fight?

[Is it that with which they are familiar or something different?]
thancredible: (HW did you hear about the sun minion)

[personal profile] thancredible 2018-06-30 06:02 am (UTC)(link)
[There is a lot to unpack in all that. He has questions.]

You're a time traveler?
Why do they pursue panties?
I haven't seen aught fitting that description here so far thankfully but more information never hurts
bleps: (85)

[personal profile] bleps 2018-06-30 06:02 am (UTC)(link)
[He is not so much ignoring the elephant in the room so much as he doing his best to politely peer around it, if only so he can eventually rein the conversation back to his real curiosity -- just what sort of machine this particular unit is, what its purpose must be, why is its design so rudimentary; surely a sight that would scare most humans, if they came across those glowing eyes without warning. Even Connor had been momentarily caught off-guard.

He opens his mouth to reply, but is met with a question before he can hope to ask his own. His brow furrows in a slight pinch, the LED flickers once more, and Connor realigns his thoughts on the spot to answer.]


My LED. It reflects the state of my mental processes, and overall status. Nearly all androids of my world have one.

[Nearly, he says, because to say that all of them do would technically be incorrect. Deviants had a penchant for removing them.]

You don't seem to have anything similar that I can see. [A statement that acts as a secondary implied question. Two birds with one stone, as the saying goes.]
bleps: (48)

[personal profile] bleps 2018-06-30 06:09 am (UTC)(link)
[Connor only has to track the other's eyes, which he notes lower by vaguely perceptible degrees. The lettering is hard to miss, so very clearly labeling him as something inhuman back home. That was, of course, the point. 'ANDROID', large and visible across the back of his jacket, even more so.]

No. This is my model. I'm a prototype.

[The last statement wasn't necessary, maybe, but he added it for good measure. If this was to act as an introduction between them, why not share a bit more information?

Speaking of introductions, he senses one creeping up, asking to be brought to the forefront of their conversation. Connor takes advantage of the opportunity.]


If you want to know my name, it's Connor.
paladorable: (084)

[personal profile] paladorable 2018-06-30 06:14 am (UTC)(link)
[ There's that flash of confusion again. The word "prototype" flies right over Arenvald's head. Mayhap if he spent more time with the members of Garlond Ironworks, a small corps of engineers back home seeking to wrest magitek from the grip of the Garleans and share it with the world, he might know what it means. As it stands, it's just another in an increasingly long line of things he doesn't understand since he got here.

But an introduction -- that he understands quite well. ]


Connor, then. That's much less of a mouthful. My name's Arenvald.
bleps: (57)

[personal profile] bleps 2018-06-30 06:18 am (UTC)(link)
[And again, the confusion is noted. More specifically, he associates it this time with the word 'prototype' specifically. A little factoid of information stored away in that mind of his, for later, should he interact with this man again.

But, yes. Introductions.]


Arenvald. It's nice to meet you, but that's an unusual name. Is it common where you're from?
paladorable: (076)

[personal profile] paladorable 2018-06-30 06:24 am (UTC)(link)
Is it?

[ Surely his name is low on the list of unusual things in this place. ]

I suppose it's not all that strange where I come from. Eorzea's got all sorts of people with all sorts of names, even yours.
fashionabot: (08)

yayyyy screw the rules

[personal profile] fashionabot 2018-06-30 06:33 am (UTC)(link)
[ If anything, the long sword sheathed on her back is telling enough that she's likely a combat unit. One hand rests upon the handle, though she has no intention of fighting. It's more out of habit.

Her surprise seemingly subsides as she grins, but the curiosity is still there. Male models existed, but they weren't many. ]


You were the one rudely going through my room. Tell me who you are first!

[ There's a singsong-kind of tone in her voice, indicating that she's not entirely angry with him. No.4's cheerful nature is what allows her to mingle easily with others. Either that, she comes off as annoying. Admittedly, her initial meeting with the Resistance was rocky. Even she's capable of riling up her own comrades, though it's all in good-nature.

She approaches in a confident saunter, sticking out her free hand for her goggles. ]


And give that here. You're getting it all dirty.
bestaround: (Default)

[personal profile] bestaround 2018-06-30 06:33 am (UTC)(link)
[ Uh— ]

Wow, that's... a mouthful. [ And he only understands like one word of that, too, but 9S doesn't quite have it in him to go renaming a weapon that was forged(?) and owned by someone else. So, he carefully picks it back up, inspecting it over once again—except as the owner of this thing now. ... Perhaps it's a lot more useful than it looks. ] So, what's it do besides cut everything up?
bestaround: (Default)

[personal profile] bestaround 2018-06-30 07:05 am (UTC)(link)
[ That's... something, even if it's questionable at best. But it's beginning to sound like 9S has less and less a say in the matter—basically, none at all, if even the likes of Akira has seemingly resigned to it.

He shouldn't be here, and he can't find 2B nor anyone else from Ophelia or the other guilds, but if he can't do anything about that, then... Is this what he has to do now, too?

9S' gaze falls. ]


Oh, well. Alright. [ It's hardly a willing 'alright', but he shows enough restraint to put himself into place. This may be Akira, one of his first advocates for going against the purposes he was created for, but he's still human, and 9S still finds it difficult to do anything but defer to him. 9S can't really argue this if Akira won't. So the options ahead are limited. ] Then what do you do?

[ He thinks he knows the answer, but it never hurts to know for sure. ]
purrtagonist: (no offense but when can I kill something)

[personal profile] purrtagonist 2018-06-30 07:24 am (UTC)(link)
[poor Mikleo. he has been thwarted. Akira flicks some mud from his hands, brows raised]

Probably? She's the witch who runs this place. I haven't seen her since we all got back, though.
purrtagonist: (Can I take a rain-check on Valhalla?)

[personal profile] purrtagonist 2018-06-30 07:26 am (UTC)(link)
Nope. Something something doesn't have the power something?

[he digs through his memory for snippets of that conversation, and shrugs]

The short of it is that her magic makes this a one-way trip for us. But she did promise she'd find a way to send us home as soon as possible.

[so. there's that]
purrtagonist: is to first eat an entire instrument (the way to becoming a bard)

[personal profile] purrtagonist 2018-06-30 07:28 am (UTC)(link)
[wow. 9S sure gave into his explanation quickly. Akira arches a brow at that, but for now, the reasons why his new thieving buddy resigned himself so fast escape him. maybe later. . .]

[he answers the question]


I help.

[that must've been what 9S was expecting]

Voluntary or not, there's no excuse for me to turn my head when other people are hurting.
Edited 2018-06-30 07:28 (UTC)
bestaround: (pic#12175900)

[personal profile] bestaround 2018-06-30 07:43 am (UTC)(link)
[ Hah. That sounds about right. 9S simply nods once. ]

Then— [ He falters momentarily, uncertainty seeping into his posture. Takes a moment to rethink the words that nearly come out of his mouth, and: ] I don't know what the right answer to all this is, but at least—I want you to know you can rely on me if you ever need it.
purrtagonist: and you send me a FROG (I ask for a dire beast)

[personal profile] purrtagonist 2018-06-30 07:47 am (UTC)(link)
[there's a pause on Akira's end. less him faltering or hesitating, and more him carefully constructing his own response]

[and in the end? he grins]


I think the "right" answer is what you make of it. [he extends a hand] I don't know what kind of relationship we supposedly had before, but it'll be nice working with you, 9S.
bestaround: (Default)

[personal profile] bestaround 2018-06-30 07:59 am (UTC)(link)
[ 9S misses a beat or two before he likewise raises a (still slightly damp) gloved hand, gripping Akira's into his own. He... really doesn't remember him in the least, but 9S nonetheless feels happy to see him again when he thought he wouldn't. ]

—Oh, uh. Do you find it weird that I know you? I don't really want to make this weird.
fashionabot: (07)

[personal profile] fashionabot 2018-06-30 08:42 am (UTC)(link)
[ The upbeat attitude comes from No.4's programming, implanted memories to keep her going even under difficult circumstances. She's very well aware it's fake, yet she also gladly accepts that's how she is.

Plucking such a lovely plant is almost tempting, but she refrains. Instead, she gives the petals a gentle prod of her finger. With a thoughtful hum, she considers how to answer. Her time on Earth was unfortunately short for a number of reasons. ]


...There's a war that's been going for years. Either there's nothing or everything is heavily damaged by combat. Where I've been to anyway and that's not a lot of places. I was only deployed recently.

[ She shrugs her shoulders. ]

I've been to a beach and the mountains. I can't really speak for the other places on Earth. But hey— once my mission's over, maybe I'll have time to find some nice flower field just like this one.
bestaround: (pic#12396447)

[personal profile] bestaround 2018-06-30 09:28 am (UTC)(link)
O- oh, er—right. Here.

[ Obediently—absentmindedly, even—9S sets the blindfold into the palm of her hand. Obviously, he knows how important an item these goggles are to YoRHa units, but he's definitely distracted by the obvious fact that another YoRHa unit is standing right there. Alive and well and, uh, really perky, apparently.

... He's glad for it, of course; he doesn't think he'll ever truly recover from the total annihilation of the Bunker and everyone associated with it, so it's a relief to see another survivor. But—away from Earth, of all places? ]


Sorry, I wasn't trying to intrude. I was just... well, this place is unfamiliar, you know? I needed to find all the information I could, and—uh, anyway, I'm 9S.