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

[purrtagonist]

[PRESSES HIS KNUCKLES AGAINST HIS MOUTH]

[AND SWALLOWS A LAUGH]

[he has to clear his throat and school his expression before he speaks again, tone completely bland and neutral]

What will you give me in exchange for my help?

[oh snap]

[DEALMAKER]

[finethanks]

[Hey, that's rude?? Eichi doesn't even blink, though.]

It's an exchange that you want? That's fine. I have all matters of money, so if you'll accept a check, I'm certain I could write you whatever you'd like.

[purrtagonist]

[okay well, at least this guy gets straight to the point]

Nope. No checks or credit. This is a cash only establishment.

[finethanks]

That's not very modern, is it? Shouldn't a kid like you keep up with the times?

[This lion is still just chomping his rubber mouth on Eichi's head.]

Very well. If it can't be helped, then I can pull out some cash... but you'll have to wait for us to find an ATM. ♪ Until then, how about an IOU?

[purrtagonist]

We're aiming for a "primitive chic" aesthetic here at the Temple.

[balloon lion must be hungry]

I guess an IOU will do. Desperate times call for desperate solutions.

[finethanks]

[Balloon lion is more like a big kitty cat having a good time.]

Well then, get to it. I'll lessen your pay for every minute you slack.

[purrtagonist]

[THIS MAKES HIM NOT WANT TO HELP]

Bold words for the guy who can only offer me an IOU.

[finethanks]

An IOU from the Tenshouin family is a limitless blank check, you know? I'm not often someone who leaves myself in debt for long, so you'll be repaid at once, and that would be that.

Unless, of course, you'd like to be my servant for life?

[purrtagonist]

. . . you know, suddenly it seems waaaaay more appealing to watch that balloon lion chew on your head.

[finethanks]

Fufu... that's a shame, isn't it?

[Eichi moves a hand to pat gently against the side of the balloon lion's face.] The act is over now, King of Balloons. You did well.

[And... the lion opens its mouth and lets him go! In response, Eichi stands up straight again, fixes his hair and then pets the lion before smiling back at Akira.]

Well, what did you think of the performance? Did it have you on your toes? I thought I might get a replacement for a butler or a bodyguard, but it seems you're uninterested, after all.

[purrtagonist]

[oh my god]

[JUST]

[HUFFS OUT A LAUGH, looking impressed despite himself]

I'm not in the market for a new job, no. All full up on my part-time job quota.

[finethanks]

[Eichi chuckles, though it's more like a giggle. His hair is extra fluffy thanks to the balloon mouth chewing on him, but somehow he manages to look as flawless with it as ever as he steps away from the lion and forward.

He holds out his hand for a shake.]

That's quite alright. It's a little freeing to be without any supervision, after all. So, why don't we simply become friends?

[purrtagonist]

[eyes that hand for one thoughtful moment, before taking it]

[don't shock him with static electricity, Tenshouin!!]

That I can do.

I'm Akira.

[finethanks]

Nice to meet you, Akira-kun. My name is Eichi Tenshouin.

[Shake, shake! Thankfully, there's no static electricity, but his hands are very cold.]

Fufu, it's quite a strange place that I've fallen into, but if I can make friends, then it's not so bad, is it? Have you been here for some time?

[purrtagonist]

[cold hands. . . if Akira notices, he doesn't comment]

Three months, give or take a few weeks. That makes me your senpai.

[oh]

[finethanks]

Hmm. Perhaps in that area...

[He brings his hand to his head, and down the few centimeters to Akira's. Hmm!!!]

But aren't I older than you? At the very least, you appear younger...

[purrtagonist]

[DON'T TAKE THIS FROM HIM, EICHI]

Age is just a number.

[finethanks]

Says the boy who chose to reference numbers just a moment ago.

[Time is just a number!! He's saying "boy" on purpose just to be a punk, he's aware they can't be that far apart in age. Still, he chuckles, and it's more like a giggle.]

Or is it that you're just trying to get me to call you Akira-senpai?

[purrtagonist]

[SQUINTS AT HIM. . .]

Just "Akira" is fine. Not "boy."

[sure does bring back bad memories of adults trying to undermine him by calling him "boy"]

[finethanks]

Fufu... I didn't mean to offend you, Akira-kun.

[But he continues with -kun... He's always smiling like he's scheming something more, too. Horrible.] It's just that I'm a senior, and on top of that, I'm sometimes called Yumenosaki Academy's "Emperor"... So it makes sense that I'd default to speaking like that, you know? I have so many children to care for.

But I see that you're a comrade along the same lines as me, Akira-kun. In whatever time I may spend kidnapped along with you, I hope to discover your true self.

[purrtagonist]

[meanwhile, he's Shujin Academy's "delinquent" but that ain't something he's about to say aloud]

That's. . . one way of putting it, sure.

[Eichi is a weird guy, but that scheming smile is what strikes Akira the most]

But you've got to give some to get some. Quid pro quo.

[finethanks]

Naturally. If my reputation hasn't spread already, thanks to those who are already here, then I'll happily allow you to see who I really am.

[Hahaha, he really isn't sure if Izumi or Leo have been shit talking him? Guess he'll find out!]

This will be what they call bonding between men. ♪

[purrtagonist]

I haven't heard anything, but I don't pay attention to reputations or rumors anyway.

[for Reasons]

I'd rather get to know the person face-to-face.

[finethanks]

That's a relief to hear.

[He'll make his own impressions! Quickly, probably.]

Ah, but this little exchange of ours has left me more tired than I'd usually prefer to admit. Considering my arrival here was less than pleasant, I need to be careful, so... is there somewhere that I'd be able to sit? Would you be able to point me that way?

[purrtagonist]

[he already has :)]

Mmm. Have you picked out a room yet? There are a lot of empty ones.

[though now he's eyeing Eichi with a bit of concern]