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

[courtmagic]

You mean how appearing in this place seems to run along and uphold the Second Magic, but then diverts entirely into a brand new direction? Teleportation is one thing, but this is grander, truly miraculous - of course, this is all me speculating on what's going on, from what you and others have said.

[and what he experienced, and how he feels...there's so much left to chance. it's exciting, really.]

Ah, I'd like to meet this witch, and see what she knows...

[teratias]

Exactly. The ability to assign magic abilities, stuff that's probably closer to how things functioned during the Age of Gods, is something none of the True Magics account for either, which means that there's underlying principles that are absolutely unknown.

[Waver huffs.]

She'll probably just wave it away with the declaration that it's magic, don't think about it.

[courtmagic]

But that makes me all the more curious. It's not as though I don't understand doing such things - with the right magic, anything is possible, especially if you're in a place with enough magical density to ease the transition.

[he wants to see, wants to know. even if he can't do it himself right now, it intrigues him greatly.]

And if she's anything like the magicians we know, flattery will get you far. Who doesn't like showing off what they can do?

[teratias]

If you're able to read density that easily, can you actually get anything off of this place, or would it be easier to get face to face with Astoria instead?

[There is a genuine curiosity to the question, the patina of annoyance and grumpiness slowly starting to wear off. For all of Waver's...Waverness, being treated as an actual colleague in magecraft is the fastest way to get him to behave like a mature adult.]

Well, I'd probably have a back up plan if flattery doesn't work. She could be immune, or skilled enough to say things without saying anything at all.

[courtmagic]

Either way, being near her is the best option. I would have been able to answer you confidently about the density, but something here...it interferes with my abilities, as embarrassing as that is to admit. Forced to rely on my wits, for now.

[a Caster who couldn't cast. what a life.]

[teratias]

So's everyone else.

[Waver's blunt about that much. He also knows that is magic here is far, far stronger than his skills back home, and that is something he hasn't taken for granted since he began dealing with the Circle.]

Magic users from any world have their powers removed and replaced to just one ability. So if you're accustomed to a certain array...

[courtmagic]

[some part of it should be comforting, if everyone's going through it, but he exhales a little harder, irritated but keeping it under control. one had to adapt, after all.]

I'm accustomed to quite a bit.

[to put it very mildly.]

A challenge to overcome, that's what it is.

[because if he lets himself panic, then what good is that going to do? a mage without magic still has all the knowledge of the wise man at his disposal. and he was the best - it had to be possible. else he couldn't be the person he knew himself to be.]

[teratias]

Ooookay.

[The verbal side-eye means a few things, but among them is the fact that this fluffy mage knows far, far more than he's willing to reveal. That rankles Waver as much as being treated like a fellow, skilled, competent mage is something he's always wanted.

But this guy is still a mage, and it's something Waver tries to remind himself. That means that there can't be any real trust, because a mage is a mage is a mage, and they're all pretty selfish dicks, in his experience.]

You've got a name in addition to this new challenge?

[courtmagic]

Yes.

[he smiles when he says it, knowing that inevitably it would have come to this point. and his name is nothing to hide.]

Merlin.

[teratias]

...Great, Mordred's gonna be thrilled.

[It's a raw reaction, flippant and one that hasn't actually processed what was said. That comes on the heels of the utterance about Mordred, and it sends Waver into silence.

For once.

Sure, he's summoned Alexander the Great and gotten hauled around like a scruffed kitten by the man, but Merlin just treated him like a fellow real deal mage and not just some worthless third generation brat. That's...


...wait this is just complicated. He's still a mage, but is he a Caster or...

Nope. Too many questions. And they're all flashing across Waver's face, causing it to twist and contort in all kinds of iterations of what the fuck.

He needs a minute.]

[courtmagic]

[the smile's gone from his face at the mention of Mordred, an odd contemplation instead. certainly, other spirits could have gotten summoned here, but why that one, as opposed to the others?

he's stopped walking, glancing over at Waver's face which is saying sure enough how the young man is taking all of this. that said, Merlin needs one thing from him.]

...Please don't tell Mordred I'm here. Let her find out on her own. I'd appreciate that.

[teratias]

[That request? That's enough to pull Waver out of the cycle going off in his head. Well, perhaps not cycle. It's more a fireworks show of questions exploding, only to be followed up by new ones, all in an insane display of confusion and mixed emotions.

Waver's stopped walking anyway.]

Yeah, I'm not. Not after how she reacted to me just mentioning that her dad was the Saber in my Grail War.

[Waver's tone makes it clear that it was a bad experience. He's personally amazed he didn't get punched in the face.]

[courtmagic]

Yes...Arturia's about the worst subject you can get on when it comes to Mordred.

[too much bad blood. too many memories. too much to unravel that no one had ever dealt with in a healthy and good manner.]

Thank you, then.

[he can avoid being on the end of Mordred's wrath for a while longer. he won't evade her forever, that's a fool's thought, but delaying it wasn't bad.]

[teratias]

I've figured that out, thanks.

[Ah, sarcasm. It isn't an old comfort exactly, but that's familiar, and it's easiest to fall back on the familiar after Merlin's introduction bombshell.]

I'm gonna assume you can devise a plan to brace yourself for whatever impact this stirs up eventually. Whatever happens, I don't want to be involved.

[Between Iskandar's banquet with Saber and Archer, Mordred's everything, and Merlin's reaction? Waver wants nothing to do with the Bullshit of the Round Table.]

If you want to delay stuff further, then pick a spare room in this part of the temple. I think where she is is further away, maybe down the next corridor or two.

[courtmagic]

[he's going to be involved the minute Mordred finds out that Waver met him first, but he can dream of being separate.]

That's good to know, I think that'll be best.

[and safest for the neighbors.]

Wouldn't want to inflame things before it was necessary.

[teratias]

[This is going to be a disaster on every level.]

Yeah, you...probably have a better idea of how things'll go.

[Waver shifts his weight uncomfortably from foot to foot. The weird part is that he likes Mordred in spite of himself. She's similar to Rider in a lot of ways, and that level of familiarity is a comfort. It almost felt like settling back into a familiar pattern.

It's clearly not going to last. A new balance will need to be maintained, whatever that will look like in the coming weeks.

Speaking of.]

Is there anything else potentially explosive that I need to know about, Merlin?

[courtmagic]

Define "explosive."

[there's a lot to be said. a lot to be unpacked, if Mordred isn't Mordred from Chaldea. and things about his future that he might not be pleased with.]

[teratias]

[Waver just squints back in return.

Yeah, okay, Mordred and Rider are way, way easier to deal with. There's none of this crap.]

Seriously, I have to defi...ugh!

[Waver throws his hands up.]

Important crap that if someone else from the Round Table or any Grail War participant appears in, it's gonna cause a problem like you and Mordred being in the same place!

[courtmagic]

If any other of the Round Table members show up, then I'll have to deal with the results of that.

[really, he only thinks that Arturia would present a problem, and even then...

but as for other Grail War participants?]

Let me ask you something. Is the name "Chaldea" familiar to you?

[teratias]

I see.

[More things to avoid like the plague. Waver's hopeful that there won't be any more of them.

As for Merlin's question, he shakes his head no.]

Not at all. If you need a timestamp, it's the 1990s for me.

[courtmagic]

[he gives a thoughtful hm, glancing away.]

What I will say is that your future holds a fate greater and stranger than you can imagine at this time. That there are those who may appear who know you, and call you by another name. If they call themselves your allies, they are. If they say you look younger than they recall, you do. Hold that much as truth, and know that your work doesn't go unnoticed.

[telling someone the future was always risky - it came with the chance of them going and changing it. but prophesying like this was different - it came with certainty.]

[teratias]

[Waver listens, but part of him wonders exactly how smart it is to take a prophecy from Merlin. Seeing the end result of Arturia in the Grail War makes it seem like a rather bad plan, all things considered.

But damnit if that validation he craves isn't threaded throughout, and while Waver has grown wiser to the fact that that part of him exists, it isn't something he has come to master yet.

He nods once to show that he's heard Merlin and that this is going to be something to keep him up at night, and the rest of him just wants some kind of smartass reply to show that of course this is a totally normal thing to hear, no biggie.

He brilliantly settles on:]

Got it.

[Stunning, Waver Velvet. Absolutely cracking in terms of intelligent responses.]

[courtmagic]

Good.

[and with that duty dealt with, he reaches forward to clap Waver on the shoulder, the seriousness in his eyes blown away like a cloud. his future was safe, for now. another day, they might speak of Chaldea, and its history. but not today.]

So, what would be your back up plan for conversing with Astoria? Trying to reason with her, mage to mage? Appealing to her better nature?

[teratias]

[Is it a thing that Heroic Spirits have to clap Waver on the back and shoulder? Rider's done it, Mordred's done it, and now Merlin. And while Merlin's seriousness may be gone, it lingers with Waver still.

To Merlin's question, Waver pauses before responding with a question of his own:]


...How would you deal with yourself?

[courtmagic]

[ah, trying to get hints, wasn't he? Merlin leans back against the wall, idly turning the staff in his other hand.]

Acknowledging my respect and fascination with her magic and her work. Asking to observe out of a pure curiosity, not to sabotage or to harm her but genuinely trying to understand. As a student, one is constantly learning, and though our abilities are limited, the value of information gained by just witnessing everything...it's a new experience, things beyond what you can learn cooped up with the Mage's Association. Why not dive in headfirst?

[and there it is, that reckless abandon that mages could have.]