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

[finethanks]

That's precisely it. How strange... It's as if we've been sucked into some sort of fairy tale. Is this a joint hallucination? Have we been practicing together for too long?

[He doesn't understand how this is possible, let alone something that he can deal with right now. Ah, but he has to stay tall, proud, to keep himself pulled together. Even if Yuzuru is always on top of things, and Eichi can rely on him to help with so much, he doesn't want to appear too weak in front of him, either.

He doesn't want to be too much of a burden.]

Nevermind that. As much as I appreciate your help, Yuzuru, I'd rather not help you back. If you'd like to move around and gather information, I won't stop you. [Though, with how he looks, it's probably better to stick around and give him company until he's less white and less likely to pass out.]

[soumettre]

[ There's a breathy sigh at the suggestion. Of Course this is absurd and hard to believe they're in someplace completely unknown, but he must focus or else he'll lose his composure. That's unacceptable, especially in front of Eichi. ]

I would hope I was aware of my own limits were it to come to that level of delusion from fatigue. I can look into it later.

[ He would say that it would be be very unlikely for both for both them to reach that state at the same time, but a certain someone's health is a touchy subject to call out, especially right now where it's burdening him and Yuzuru. ]

Are you trying to send me away, President-sama? I can gather information on my own schedule, there are things I should watch over now, so the feeling is more peaceful. [ It's more impressive when it's least expected. ] However, if you wish for me to step back, I can tidy up this room as we talk.

[finethanks]

It's just like you to offer to clean a room that isn't your own, or even a place we recognize.

[Honestly, that's weird? But Eichi has accepted it as an endearing trait. So alright.] However, if the choices are between that and you sitting beside me, I'll have to choose the latter, for now. As much as I hate to rely on others for help like this, your presence is sturdy, and I can lean against you so I don't slump.

[And so... he does that now! Thanks.] If either Wataru or cute Tori have arrived, they'll most certainly be loud in some fashion and we can find them in that way. I believe that means that I can rest safely, at least for a moment.

[soumettre]

[ Were he a more casual teenager, he'd shrug his shoulders. Instead he offers that familiar polite smile to shake off such commentary like it's flattering, almost. Speaking of almost, he was about to leave Eichi on the bed after sitting down with him... but. ]

I simply need to pass the time while--

[ Well. He didn't quite exactly offer that second option in a sense, meaning more that he would tend to his sickly leader in a way that would aim to be professional and not too overbearing (like a nurse toward a patient in an infirmary). Vice President Keito Hasumi, he is not. Eichi may say Yuzuru can help him by providing literal support so that he can breathe more easily, it's a sound line of logic if he wants to to think of it that way...

But, Yuzuru can't actually do anything like this. How awful, is it on purpose? He keeps his posture straight though, setting his hands on his lap with a small sigh. ]

...Of course. To be honest, I could look out for them and it would not not be difficult. However, the Young Master would be most displeased were I to leave you behind. As much I do worry about him on his own... I must try and set that aside.

[ This will pay off. Certainly. ]

[finethanks]

[Of course it's on purpose. This is rare and precious time with Yuzuru alone, so he has to make the most of it, doesn't he? Like a trap, he's already leaned against him like this, putting him in a position where it would be difficult for him to pull away.]

That's right. You should forget Tori for now, since you're all mine at the moment. Wherever they are, Wataru and Tori do balance one another quite well, and I have faith that they'll both be fine. On top of that, Tori is growing older, and shouldn't be coddled so much.

Like a mother bird, push him from the nest and let him fly. ♪

[soumettre]

[ Indeed, it is difficult to escape. Unable to shed a veneer of courtesy and reasoning with himself that this is fine, sitting on what might be someone's bed with the student council president leaning on him is not the slightest bit unsettling... Yuzuru is stuck. ]

I believe President-sama is asking for something rather difficult.

[ He would rather not have his integrity as a servant picked apart, so he won't specify what that something is. One like this knows better than to be that sincere around an emperor. ]

Have you become a cuckoo, hoping to steal the young bird's place by pushing them out? Your perspective of them differs from mine, but I suppose that's expected... Do you feel your condition starting to improve, by chance?

[ There's little choice in this position but to go with whatever Eichi believes, but it's to check as a dutiful person anyway. He could reach over to touch him, but there's no need— Yuzuru can tell already he's the warmer of the two. ]

[finethanks]

I'm afraid not.

[Conveniently... But also, truthfully. He'd very much like to run around and explore this place, but he's feeling ill beyond belief. The room is spinning, his chest hurts just from breathing, he's cold, his hands feel weak, along with the rest of him... He's not sure he'd be able to stand if he tried to, right now.

He doesn't want to admit most of that. The extent of it is too much. It's enough just that he's admitting it at all— it means he's in bad shape, indeed.]

Are you trying to rid yourself of me already? I thought you were the one who insisted on staying. Ah, but it's to be expected, when I'm monopolizing your space and time like this.

I'm playing around quite a bit, but the truth is that I'm troubling you with this. I hope you'll forgive me, Yuzuru. Perhaps... I should lie down, if only for a little.

[soumettre]

[ There's a soft exhale. ]

No, I should apologize. That's far from a courteous comment towards someone who simply wishes for my humble company. I will not leave you.

[ It could have been a ploy for attention if Yuzuru wants to really be cynical and tired of Eichi's antics, but maybe for now, he'd rather believe otherwise. He's a servant and fairly competent one— Eichi isn't well, there's a reluctant truth in that. ]

If one has trouble breathing but must lay down, elevating the head is supposed to help.

[ The pillows here aren't supportive enough for that though, one flattens with a press of Yuzuru's hand. Still, he takes his leader by the shoulders so that he can be moved to lie down. Don't mind him as he checks his pulse and brushes his dumb fringe away from his forehead to touch it, leaning over...

Oh. Against better judgment and as a half-minded display of that commitment he assured the other, Eichi's head now rests on his lap. I-it could be worse! Sometimes King rests on Yuzuru's legs to his horror, the lazy spoiled dog that he is. ]

...

[finethanks]

Hmm, what's this?

[The movement is so funny that Eichi can't help but chuckle. It's a nice spot, because even if it's a little embarrassing, he's sure it's more embarrassing for Yuzuru. In that way, he's given some strength.]

I'm laying my head in Yuzuru's lap. ♪ A sight like this could cause scandalous headlines in the news, you know? Fufu, but I think we're quite alone right now, so you shouldn't be too concerned. You were concerned about the pillows here, weren't you?

You really do think of everything.

[soumettre]

[ For a moment, he'll bury his face in his hands, kthxbai. But really, there's no use in hiding from either Eichi or the lack of dignity in his actions. But whatever it takes to make the situation feel a little more lighthearted, he supposes. Dare he say despite the warning bells, it's better to see Eichi look a little less pale in amusement. ]

Of course... I'm grateful for your appreciation, President-sama. You needn't worry of such scandals either, please consider it a rare matter of happenstance to forget when you have recovered.

[ That ain't happening, and Yuzuru sadly knows it. He'll probably cherish this moment while the poor servant wilts a little on the inside. Curse his need to feel useful while being a little spacey without real direction. ]

Lending myself to your aid is meaningless if your condition does not improve, however. I do not wish to nag incessantly like this, so please rest.

[finethanks]

You say you don't wish to nag, but you're nagging all the same, you know?

[He sighs at it, shifting a little more in how he's resting his head to get comfortable. It's barely movement at all, thankfully, and his fingers curl near his chest. A nap doesn't sound too bad, after all.]

Very well, then. For now, I'll rest... but if anything seems to be happening, I'd like to know of it, so please wake me up if that time comes.