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

Bedivere | Fate/Grand Order

[airgetlarm]

[ A: Composed and Shining, a Crown for a Knight ]

... Oh!

[Bedivere blinks at the crown that plops unceremoniously on his head. Feeling rather out of his depth after not quite recovering from his arrival in the Temple, he reaches up with his left hand to brush the petals of the flower crown. It's an arrangement of white, red and pink blossoms and while it's not entirely unpleasant, the knight has an odd feeling as the giggling sprites hover around him as if trying to gauge his reaction. The pale haired man gives a polite nod to the creatures.]

I... I appreciate the gift. I humbly accept your welcome.

[He's no stranger to magical beasts and phantasms, but nor would Bedivere, a proud Knight of the Round Table accept a gift, no matter how innocuous, without some gut feeling to follow. The sprites leave him be, some cackling as they flit away.]

Now what was that about?

[He tugs at his flower crown —it's unusually snug— before he sees someone else passing by and he calls out.]

Excuse me! Do those... The ones with the flowers... Are their intentions pure?

[And just as he asks that Bedivere is more or less unaware of the rose-red that begins to flush the skin of his face. Of course, he wouldn't be aware, he's covered mostly in armor so enjoy that.]

[ B: Beasts of Whimsy ]

[ There is a horse-sized balloon... Horse. Now how about that! It seems to have taken a liking to the young man with a metallic arm who is stroking the side of its face, huffing and snorting like any horse would. ]

Indeed, if you were of actual flesh, you would make a fine steed. If you were to permit me, I would have had your assistance in exploring this realm instead of doing so by foot...

[ god this guy is sincere

The balloon horse gives him a small whinny in response, nudging its head impatiently against Bedivere's hand. Green eyes blink. ]

Can... Can you even eat?

[ C: What a World, Just Another Decay ]

[ Bedivere has seen many worlds in his wandering. Some were beautiful, others ugly. This world, its nature, and purpose, yet unknown to him, could very well prove to be either or a combination of both. Either way, he will continue as he always had. With caution and the constant reminder of his purpose even on this detour.

The wilting flora has not escaped his notice. Frowning, the knight kneels down near a tree, noting the creaking noise as he nears its roots. At its base a small, but lovely bunch of wildflowers begin to brown and wither. He murmurs to himself, trying to parse the cause. ]

This world... Is it dying? It's lively in other places, but... Perhaps it is a fault of mine.

[His left hand clutches his right arm and he closes his eyes in concentration. Bedivere has also noticed that he does not feel like quite himself. Less so than usual, but it is not the result of the accumulation of his travels. He tries to focus on the Airgetlám, risky as it was. The searing sensation is not the same. The heat from his weapon does not burn with a holy light, but the glow is still silver and shining.

And it does cause some stray strands of grass and parts of bark to start to burn.

Weird.]

[ GACHA OPTION/WILDCARD ]

[ Got something else in mind? Have at it! ]

C

[hisa]

[Hisami looks up from where she had been examining a bush whose leaves were rapidly changing color from a healthy green to a dry brown. Before she can control herself, she blurts out in a soft voice:]

It's not your fault, sir -

[Maybe it was hers, but her wide eyes are riveted instead on the thin wisps of smoke rising from the grass and the bark of the tree as they slowly begin to burn.]

Oh no, they're burning now?

[airgetlarm]

[Bedivere turns to look at Hisami, eyes softening slightly when he sees that it's just a young girl speaking to him. He draws his hand away and hides it underneath his cloak. He faces her properly and bows his head politely.]

My lady. Please do not let what you have seen trouble your heart. The peculiar circumstances we have found ourselves in is enough as it is.

fandom dictates i have to tag you, also c

[killful]

They say some people just want to watch the world burn, but I didn't think you'd be one of 'em.

[ The voice speaks from behind the knight, observing how the plants wither in his presence. Hm? What do you mean Assassin wasn't there before? Just because a guy doesn't have his Presence Concealment anymore doesn't mean he can't sneak up on him. ]

Yo, Bedivere! Need a hand? [ pls laugh ]

[airgetlarm]

[Bedivere narrows his eyes when Assassin makes his presence known; just a little. Calm and collected, as usual, he stands up from his kneeling position, flexing the fingers of his Airgetlám as the glow of his arm dies down before setting it down and turning to look at the dark haired man.]

Assassin.

[He acknowledges the Servant with a nod of his head.

No, he will not laugh.]

It appears that the cause of plant decay is not as straightforward as we may think.

B

[mincingminuet]

[Penelo had been watching from off to one side, amused by the faux animal's antics. It reminded her a little of something she'd seen in Archades, one of the few positive things about that trip, and she thought she knew what it was. A balloon, something made of stretched rubber...but she'd never seen them animated before.]

Perhaps it can. Maybe you should give it a try.

[Not that it has a mouth.]

Just be careful about giving it anything sharp.

[airgetlarm]

It does seem to be demanding some sort of treat.

[Bedivere shakes his head and chuckles, resting a hand on the balloon horse's head; its tail sways back and forth as it shifts its hooves.]

Something tells me that the enchantment that bestows movement to these creatures does not necessarily give them a digestive system.

a

[lumberlady]

[Konoha is getting over a case of flower crown color madness herself, the effects still staining her dark skin and brown coat with a slightly blue shimmer, more evident on the white socks on her legs and on her paler hooves. If she hadn't already gotten an explanation from another Circle member she'd be panicking, but... as it was, she's trying to ignore it.

Until someone new, (she thinks they're new, she's never seen them before), calls out, and the centaur pauses en route back to the Temple, looking about to make sure it was actually her they were talking to before she turns back with a face that spells "bad news".]

... Not really. It's going to dye you flower colors.

[But at least it didn't hurt???]

Sorry.

[airgetlarm]

Er. Dye me...?

[Bedivere blinks not completely understanding until he looks at Konoha carefully and noting that her skin is colored similarly to some flowers that the sprites held and her...

Wait, hooves?]

Oh. Oh! I understand your explanation. Many thanks, my lady. I apologize because I must look rather unseemly at the moment.

[Looking a little more sheepish, he tugs at the flower crown at his head... Yeah, not coming off. Sighing, he looks at Konoha again.]

Pardon my blunt inquiry, but are you a creature of this world or are you of similar circumstances such as I and some of the others?

A

[teratias]

[Waver himself has not exactly been a fan of this flower crown nonsense (it's silly!), and has taken to walking around with at least one arm resting on his forehead so the things can be brushed away. The faeries of the forest haven't done anything like this before, and that has him rather alarmed.

When he's called out to, Waver's head snaps in the direction of...oh. A new person. They're getting more new people, then.]

I have no id...[He stops, taking in the color that Bedivere has turned.]

...Unless your face is naturally red like a flower, no.

[airgetlarm]

[...! The surprise is visible on Bedivere's face, but instead of stumbling, he reaches up with his left hand to touch his face. And then he decides to use his right arm to see if he can catch a glimpse of his reflection. Yes, that is a very red face which is slowly transitioning into a pink shade.

He takes it quite calmly all things considered, but there is a ghost of a grimace that dances on his lips.]

... I see. Fortunately, I do not feel any different. There are no other symptoms other than a change of hue in the skin then.

I thank you kindly, for your answer. Have you also just arrived?

c

[ateaist]

Oh, is that it? And there I thought it was me all along.

[It'd make sense for the presence of a demon king to like, kill flowers or something.

Though if he's gonna be so sincere about it--]

To think you were hiding this side of yourself all along, though. I'm impressed!

[airgetlarm]

[Well, here's a king, but not the one Bedivere would have liked to see. Still, Archer is a fellow Servant and ally in Chaldea's mission to save human history so Bedivere treats her accordingly even if she was one of the more unique Heroic Spirits.

His arm is still glowing silver as he shakes his head at Nobunaga.]

I'm afraid I do not understand your implications entirely, Archer. I don't think we're the exact cause of the plant decay.

Hopefully.

b

[bleps]

[The balloon animals were certainly a... change to the Temple that hadn't been here before. But they're novel, in a way. Connor doesn't particularly mind them, and a few have taken a liking to him without any real effort on his part.

Case in point: there's a balloon owl that's landed on his shoulder and refuses to fly away. It's harmless, despite Connor's half-hearted attempts at placing it elsewhere, and it's with this animal companion does he step forward to speak to Bedivere.]

Do you think it can support your weight? It's still only a balloon.

[Hello, he's just here because he was observing.]

[airgetlarm]

Hm.

[Bedivere gives Connor a once over when he is spoken to and notes that everything about his form seems human there's something... Oh, there's a little ring of blue light on his head. Neat.]

Then perhaps it is an ill thought notion. Even if I were to shed my armor, my weight would crush it. [His right arm makes him extra heavy too...] I will be a burden on this horse for however long it exists for its duration.

[It's the balloon owl perched on Connor's shoulder that gives Bedivere a reason to smile.]

It seems you have made a friend of your own. It has not left you?

a

[intoningly]

[ Cue a very pointed eyebrow raise, she says nothing about him being red in the face or her own inherent dislike for sprites, faeries, and everything in between. ]

General rule of thumb in life is to be suspicious when anyone gives you a free gift. Especially when it comes from weird little magical freaks.

[airgetlarm]

[Bedivere nods in agreement, seeing as how he's now aware of the state of his face thanks to some other people who answered his question. His complexion is now a milky-petal white which causes his green eyes to stand out even more.]

I know that all too well. I figured it was better to ask the others who may have been here longer and thus would have a better understanding of the creatures of this land. Treading carefully is always better than not.

B

[paladorable]

[ It is a little weird being on the other side of the new arrivals train. He was new here himself only a few months ago, and now here are more people wearing familiar looks of confusion. This guy in particular catches Arenvald’s eye, if only because he’d arrived wearing plate mail, himself. (Though he’s dressed casually now, thanks to a friend taking him shopping in the last world they’d visited.) ]

I don’t think trying to ride it with all that armor on would be a good idea.

[airgetlarm]

Definitely not.

[The balloon horse has taken an interest in Arenvald and it trots over to him, nudging the other man with its snout. Bedivere follows in tow, hand on its back. It's not a real horse, but maybe the idea of it felt sturdy enough as if it's some kind of foundation to stick to when he's so out of his depth otherwise, away from Chaldea, his fellow Knights, and his Master.]

I doubt you have anything of sustenance that might satisfy our friend here?

a

[purrtagonist]

[oh no. yet another victim to the Great Flower Crown Epidemic of the Temple. Akira bites his tongue and swiftly swallows the huffed laugh that threatens to escape before he can answer]

On a scale of one to ten, with one being "not pure at all" and ten being "just like freshly driven snow?"

[a pause]

I'd give them a .23.

[airgetlarm]

I... I suppose that's helpful?

[His face is now a lovely mixture of pink, white, and red. Bedivere looks like a living Valentine and underneath that there is an actual flush. He really does feel silly and he's mostly thankful neither his Master or fellow knights can see him in such a state.]

The crown of flowers is proving hard to remove as well. I pray this is only a temporary conundrum.

b

[flyingsolos]

... I don't think you're going to get too far trying to feed it.

[ Just. For the record. ]

[airgetlarm]

[Bedivere brushes some strands of hair behind his ear chuckling sheepishly as the balloon horse tries to nip at it.]

I did get some dried corn from someone and it did eat it. But it just fell through the rest of its body.

[The horse tried okay!!]

c

[apocryphas]

[ Well, there's a blast from the past! Quite a distant past from Mordred's perspective, but there's no mistaking that this is her former brother-in-arms. Technically speaking, anyway. No way would she ever consider this third-rate knight her friend. The Round Table is just full of losers, unworthy of the king's attention!! Hmph!!

Still, when she speaks to him, it's with complete familiarity. Even if she doesn't expect the Sir Bedivere from her history to recognize her without the full-body armor. ]

Hey, look at that, even the nature can't stand you. You're so pitiful.

[ 'Sup! ]

[airgetlarm]

...

[The pause in the air between the knights is palpable. Bedivere is regarding the young woman in front of him with piercing green eyes.

And then he gives a curt nod.]

Sir Mordred.

[Strange. Hardly a reaction??

(He and the other Knights were shocked, yes, when summoned to Chaldea and the realization of what Mordred was all along. But there were more important things than trying to deliberate the what and the whys and with Bedivere's memories of the singularity...)]

You are well. I should have expected as much.