test drive meme # 3

[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 #3 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 bright, warm, and humid. It takes a few seconds for you to gain composure and 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. Even worse, it looks like the tinier inhabitants of the Forest of the Fey are acting a little cheeky. 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 -- the sprites that reside within the Forest of the Fey seem to be exceptionally active, today, and tricks abound wherever you look. KINGS AND QUEENS. Typically, the sprites of the Forest of the Fey remain within the protective canopy of the surroundings. However, there seems to be something different in the air, and these little bastards are flitting about and giving out flower crowns to everyone. They are beautifully made, intricate and gloriously decorative, and most people would be happy to adorn one! There's just one problem, though -- they don't come off. No matter how hard you try, those damn flower crowns are stuck on your head, and you cannot remove them no matter how hard you try. Hope you enjoy being a fairy princess for a day. And, if you are alighted with a flower crown, your skin turns the same color as whatever flowers now sit upon your head. A wreath of blue roses? Congratulations, Violet Beauregard -- you're now as blue as a blueberry. The effect wears off in about an hour, and you can remove the flower crown then -- but have fun being every shade of the rainbow as the sprites take their time to torment the new arrivals. BALLOONS FOR EVERYONE. Normally, there are some animals that wander within the ancient stone buildings of the Temple. Tiny little white bats, sheep that grow on the vine . . . that sort of thing. However, the sprites have elected to add a little bit more flair the Temple, and balloon animals have invaded the living space. Where the sprites got the idea for balloon animals, no one can really be sure -- Astoria seems to think the sprites are waltzing through the spirit realm and seem to have garnered an idea there, whatever that's supposed to mean. So, no matter where you go, there are balloon animals. Little dogs, brightly colored fish, dinosaurs, giraffes . . . except they seem to move, and make noise, and act like their real counterparts. Tiny balloon dogs nip at your heels, balloon fish flicker about in the waters that sprinkle themselves throughout the Forest, and balloon birds float through the skies. Bonus? If you pop them, they explode into (biodegradable) glitter. DECAYED DECADENCE. Despite the shenanigans from the sprites, however, there seems to be something happening within the Temple that may be cause of concern. Flower crowns and balloon animals aside, there seem to be odd spots of the Temple that suddenly wilt . . . flowers that bend over and wither at a moment's notice, saplings that seem to creak as if suddenly dried from the inside out . . . and it seems, oddly enough, that it happens whenever you, an Arrival, get closer to the wild life. Astoria seems to think that something is wrong . . . perhaps something the Circle members brought back from their last trip. An illness, or something more? Care to poke about and see how far you're willing to take it? Or does your magical gift enable the protection of plant growth? Try out your green thumb and see if you can help. 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

chiaki morisawa | ensemble stars!

[sundays]

[ A : CROWNED THE KING OF FOOLS ]

Eh? Wait - wait, this is the wrong color...!!

[CLEARLY someone has their priorities in order. Chiaki blinks in astonishment as he watches his fingertips turn orange as the color slowly crawls down the rest of his skin. He shakes his head, then goes to find another sprite - ]

Do you have a red one...?!

[though he might've just shouted that in your face given that he just PULLED A 180 AND YELLED IT]

—oh - apologies!!

[says the oompa loompa man]

[ B : WE LOVE AN UNDERDOG ]

[Chiaki responds to all dogs the same way.]

Ahaha, you're trying to communicate with me? Understood, new friend! Bark bark! Woof!

[ - including balloon animal dogs. And that's to laugh heartily before squatting right down on the floor to offer his hand out to the balloon dog, grinning brightly.

To whoever is nearby, he offers a brilliant smile.]

He looks like a Fireball Jr., doesn't he?!

[he's already trying to name it oh no]

[ C : THE LITTLE DANDELION THAT COULD ]

[Compared to the MEGAWATT BOY that's been running around the temple rather blindly - the one who notices all the flowers wilting is a little bit more subdued. His eyes widen in concern as he reaches out automatically, then seems to think better of it after a stuttering movement. He pulls his hand back and furrows his brow.

It seems like he's been hit with some complicated thoughts as he clenches his hand into a fist and frowns.]

It's... disheartening, isn't it?

[He turns to you - expression twisted into something concerned.]

Do you think there's anything we can do to fix it...? This place is made of magic and dreams, isn't it? There has to be something...!

[foolish little optimist]

[ WILDCARD ME UP ]

[ orrrr anything else!! fingerguns, i'm up for whatever ]

B;

[paranorms]

I quite think he looks like an Edward Warren Miney, personally.

[ELLY...NO........

But she looks completely serious as she inspects the balloon dog from where she stands a short distance away.]

[sundays]

An... Ed.... winey....

[that's not at all what she said but]

Hmm! I think I see it!

[he says, reaching out to pat the balloon dog carefully even as it nudges at his hand and he laughs]

Edwiney Fireball Jr.!

[paranorms]

[Oh my god.

That's not what she said at all, and yet she likes it anyway? This is terrible. She covers her mouth with a hand as she giggles, and:]

What a perfectly horrible and charming name! Yes, that will do quite nicely, I think.

C

[enduringsong]

[ Chang Ge considers the question. Optimism can be pretty valuable even when confronting a hopeless situation, so she doesn't dismiss Chiaki's question at all. ]

From what I've seen so far, I believe the cause somehow lies with us...

[ So there should be something they can do?

She pauses. Magic and dreams........... ]

I don't know about dreams, but perhaps magic could help? Do you know anyone who specializes in flora?

[sundays]

Ryusei Green - but ah... he's not here... and even then, he works more with vegetables than flowers...

[he's also a normal high school student but let chiaki live out his fantasy a little bit. he tilts his head, a little concerned]

Within us... [he raises his hand - and then brings it up to the flower crown....s on his head. he's wearing an orange one, but also a red one, and neither of them seem to wilt at his touch, which makes him all the more confused]

Maybe it's... a special flower?

( prompt a. )

[statecrafter]

[ she seems to take it in stride.

the (very red, figuratively so) woman gestures to her own crown of flowers - a crown of blazing red rested on now silver-white curls. ]

I'd be happy to trade with you if you can figure a way to get this off me. [ please. ]

[sundays]

You're not a fan of it?

[He seems surprised at this, even as he offers up a well-meaning smile.]

I think it suits you... Oh I know! Do you have a different favorite color?

[because that's like

super the issue here]

[statecrafter]

[ she blinks.

then she chuckles - breathless and a little bit of humour in the huff of air. ]

Gold. I happen to be very fond of gold thanks to my- [ hmmm. better to just use the equivalent words for the time being. ] -husband. I don't think that'll do my any favours either.

[ lorem, to be frank, looks like a disaster and will possibly will always look like a disaster no matter what colour she got. thanks to how the vivid red clashed with her silver-white hair and big blue eyes, it was almost painful to look at her.

almost fitting, in a way. ]

I wish they had given us a bit of a heads up before these got plunked on. Not everyone can rock the solid colours as well as you can.

c!!

[fineprinted]

[ huh..... sure are a lot of 3As around here. morisawa-kun, was it? we'll make do with that until happyele inevitably delivers on switch/ryuseitai and finally killing us both.

tsumugi returns chiaki's look with one of contemplation as he takes a flower as well, the poor little thing withering at his touch. ]

Unless someone here has plant- or life-based abilities, I'm not sure either, Morisawa-kun. Maybe watering them would help prolong their lifespan a little?

[sundays]

Oh, it's you - Ao... bo?!

[he tried

he really tried]

You have good ideas - you're right, you're right, maybe we can find a river to pull water from. I wilt a lot like this when I forget to drink water too, after all...!

also b

[annoyings]

Morisawa, what the hell are you doing.

[ chiaki you've been here for literally five minutes and you're talking to a dog. a fake dog. izumi's not sure if he's embarrassed for him or tired of him. or both. definitely both.

(it's been literally five minutes be nice to your friend.) ]

[sundays]

Oh, what's this?! It's you, Sena!

[chiaki says from where he's now just going to sit on the ground, gathering the balloon dog up into his arms - and he's probably attracting the attention of more animals who are more curious than nervous]

Well you see - I found this small, vocal friend and I was so entirely distracted that I forgot what I was looking for!

[he's so confident about it too]

[annoyings]

Only you could make friends with a balloon... that part of you's so obnoxious. [ the balloon animals are actually flocking to chiaki now and completely ignoring izumi, which is just fine with him. he picks his foot up off of the ground when one scampers across his foot and looks like he just swallowed a bug. ]

Magic or not, there's no way it can understand you. Where did you even come from? You weren't in Struxta.

b

[purrtagonist]

Nah.

[wow, shot down so quickly. . .!]

I'd name him Maestro Hurricane III.

[sundays]

Oh! A good, strong name...!

[is it really]

You must have a very grand view of the world... that's impressive!!

[purrtagonist]

I wouldn't say that.

[Akira says as he rocks back on one heel and kicks at the ground with his other foot]

It's just funny to give a tiny balloon dog such a powerful name.

[it's like naming a GIANT ROTTWEILER, "Fluffy"]

B!

[wrenchtoss]

[ Oh. He's talking to one of the inflatable dogs, that's kind of cute. Winry hasn't quite gotten that far yet, but Chiaki's enthusiasm is contagious.

Crouching down next to him, Winry matches his radiant smile with her own, although it's a bit stretched. ]

Junior? Then which one is Senior?

[ Are you prepared for that answer, Winry? ]

[sundays]

[Chiaki matches her smile without hesitation - ]

Mm, we'll have to go looking for him! Do you suppose this one has a family...? I hadn't even considered it - but you're right, it's a mystery worth solving!

[it's like he's not even worried about anything else happening,,]

[wrenchtoss]

[ This is unexpected, but sure, she can play along. It's a fun distraction, and he seems to be having a good time of it. She stifles a laugh. ]

What do you think they would look like, if it does? It's a little hard to tell all of them apart.

b.

[pyonpyon]

[ ............... ]

Do you really understand what it's saying or are you just pretending?

[sundays]

I'm certain that with enough care and sincerity, our hearts will be connected!

[someone stop this please]

c

[flyingsolos]

"Magic and dreams"... huh.

I think there's a little more to it than that. But there's probably someone with some kind of plant magic around.

[ it sure isn't Rion, though. ]

[sundays]

There's more than magic and dreams? What could be left?

[he sincerely hasn't thought further than this]

Mm, but maybe we should look for them...! They'll surely know what to do to help all of our leafy friends.

a

[wagahaiwakyuketsukidearu]

As always, it would seem that the sun of Ryuseitai is shining bright enough to make even the youngest of my kind shrivel up and pass on... Have a little kindness to an old man, won't you, Chiaki-kun? Yelling so loudly might just stop my ancient heart from ever beating again.

[he's been (un)lucky enough to be picked by a fae with a red crown, or he's otherwise feeling the bright weather, because he's the color chiaki wants. it's unfortunate, truly unfortunate, that they can't be taken off.]

If you desire one alike to mine, then why not make one yourself..♪ I think that may do the trick just as well, unless these fanciful fae are the reason for the coloration.