acatalepsy_ooc | test drive meme # 3

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test drive meme # 3

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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! ♥

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ Option 1 - Kings and Queens ]

[Barabas knows full well that certain magical creatures ought not be trusted. And while he doesn't have any first hand experience with fairies or pixies, or whatever particular brand of small and annoying fey critter these may be, he is aware that they ought not be fucked with. Or trusted.]

No... No thank you. None of that.

[He's batting and swatting at the persistent little things.

But eventually they win, and the crown of vivid bluebells lands on his head and. Honestly the color that floods through his skin clashes terribly with the flame-bright orange hair.

Barabas notices at once that he's not the color he ought to be.] ...charming. This magic wave can end any time now. [He's never hoped for Tech to show up more in his life. But if he catches sight of someone, he'll be quick to call out,] Why can't I get this thing off my head? Actually. Better question. What the potentially-literal hell is going on here?

[ Option 2 - Decayed Decadence ]

[By now he's ditched the flower crown, returned to his own startlingly pale self, shock of red hair still as bright as ever. He's well-dressed, but he looks out of place. And out of sorts. By now he's realized that this is not Atlanta. Clearly. And it's not something that he can explain or put together on his own. Infuriating.

And now as he leans back against a tree and hears it groaning, sees the leaves above his head wilt and start to fall in sad, shriveled brown, he sighs. Clearly this place hates him.]

The feeling is mutual.

[ Option 3 - Video ]

[Barabas has chosen videos because he's hardly a recognizable face. He's not the Beast Lord. He's not some big wig in Pack politics, so he's unlikely to have a target on his back. But it may be the quickest way to find anyone who knows him.]

All right. I'm ready to admit that I don't have the first beginning of a clue what is going on here. And I don't particularly like it. At all.

[His tone is controlled enough, even.] So I'd appreciate anyone who could shed some light on any or all of... this.

Thank you.

['Potentially-literal hell.' He'll have to remember that one. He pauses in mid-step. He'd been feeling a bit off and went to beat on wooden dummies to see if it's just restlessness. Shiro pivots towards the man and sighs.]

We haven't a found a way to get them off until they wear off themselves. About an hour or so. As for the literal hell...not quite hell but you won't like it anyway. Tell me what you've heard so far and I'll fill in what you're missing.

So a temporary inconvenience. I suppose that's the better option.

[In theory anyway. Still, it's an inconvenience, and Barabas is still not amused. At all.

But he's found someone who seems willing to provide answers, and he certainly won't pass that up. Whatever magic is at work here is messing with his senses, so he can't quite catch any scent, so he can't say for certain if this man is human or shifter or otherwise. He doesn't like that, either.]

I heard a woman's voice and then I was dropped straight on my face. Which seems rude as welcomes go. Other than that... I know this isn't Atlanta. Clearly. And that's it. That's all I've got. [He spreads his hands, the exasperation clear in his voice.] Oh. No wait, I've also got a headache. That seems important to include.

[So next to nothing. Shiro folds his arms over his chest. It's going to be a long talk. He'll just tread with care in case they had a normal life until now. Which...with how unflappable this man seems to be, he's not so sure on that. But caution never hurts. His voice is the measured practiced cadence of a soldier laying out facts.]

First, anything you could do or are that's been cut off or limited. It's happened to all of us. We're outside of our realities and times. Any rules of your reality you're familiar with might not apply.

Astoria's magic pulls us here to assist her mission to balance all universes. Too many have been destroyed for reasons she can't quite determine. Because we're tied to her, she grants us magic...or the magic does that itself.

I can't tell. And she won't send you back because you ask or demand her to.

[Just this side of nothing. Shiro has it right. Barabas is, at least, holding himself together. Despite being blue. And having his senses messed with. He is endeavoring to stay calm.

However some of what this man is saying is worrying, to put it mildly.]

Outside our realities. [Give him a moment to wrap his head around that one.]

Admittedly demanding to be put back had been my first plan. So I suppose that will have to be back-burnered for the moment.

[But okay.] So. Brought here to play SWAT team for a Witch across realities. Our own... magics... beings... whatever you'd like to call it has been tampered with, and we're stuck with gratuitous magic as a consolation prize? Well. That sounds awful. I will be missed back home, if not for my sparkling personality, then at least for the function I am expected to perform.

[Look. Someone needs to keep an eye on Kate and gently remind her that sometimes the solution isn't found on the edge of a sword.]

I'm sorry. If I knew a way back I'd send you there. But then if there was a way back that we all could take...you wouldn't be here. [He offers his left hand to him,]

I'm Takashi Shirogane, [He pauses, considering which way to introduce himself. After all, Keith is now the Black Paladin in full. In a split second he decides.]

The Black Lion. One of the few shape changers here. I can bring you up to speed on what's been going on here. So far we've been to two worlds. Both missions were successful but...the terms of 'restore balance' are wider than initially thought. It isn't just about averting wars. They want us to turn aside or defuse natural disasters as well.

Edited 2018-08-30 06:54 (UTC)

I expect that's true, isn't it? I'm sure most people would be happier to return where they belong.

[So stuck here, for the moment. Barabas is turning it over in his mind, trying to piece it together, what his next move is, if he's truly cut off from his home -- his world -- that does complicate things.

But. What Shiro says next catches his attention completely.]

Well. There's always a lion, isn't there? Why not a black one. [He reaches out to shake that hand, briefly thrown off by it being the left hand. But a glance shows that the right is certainly quite metal, and the only evidence of being thrown off is a half a second of hesitation before he recovers fully as he shakes Shiro's hand.]

Barabas Gilliam. [He purses his lips.] I do have experience wrangling a natural disaster, albeit a human one.

[Which is honestly why he needs to get back where he belongs.] I'm grateful for the information, Mr. Shirogane. And a little relieved that there are at least some other shapeshifters here.

I might not be the same kind of shifter you’re used to. I become a machine lion. [From the set of his brows he’s more than used to confusing people. He smiles a bit sheepishly.]

Anyway, I’m glad to help. The more people know the better off we all are and the more solidly we can work together as a team. [The nearby trees groan and he glances that direction his light demeanor going to something more serious as his eyebrows furrow.]

Especially because of that. We have no idea what’s causing the plants to wither around us. We think it might have to do with what struck the last world we went to.

It was predominantly technological because a sickness forced people to become machines.

Edited 2018-09-01 15:19 (UTC)

I'm sorry, you turn into a machine?

[Hold please. Barabas has to wrap his mind around that.] Magic and technology are diametrically opposed. Magic devours most tech. How does that--

[No you know what. This is definitely something new, something different. He holds up a hand.] Let's table that, because that's worrying.

A sickness. Is it only affecting the plants? Or are the people here sick as well?

So far no one has gotten sick. But Astoria said we felt different when we came back. I originally thought it was because of something that happened to me. I was apparently thrust back into my own time stream and pulled back out later. Myself, my boyfriend, and one of our teammates.

Anyway, it wasn’t that. Since everyone is causing plants around them to react. The plague in Struxta forced people to upload themselves into android bodies to escape it. They converted their entire city into inorganic.

We can’t afford to do that here. [He puts force into his voice, more than he intended to. He shakes his head with a grimace.] Sorry.

It’s something we’re looking into. Until then I’ve suggested limited movement. As for your question, [He smiles again, something almost wry.] Yes, I become a mechanical Lion. It’s a tiny reflection of the ancient machine I used to pilot. And magic and tech aren’t that separated where I’m from.

Sometimes they’re far, far too close together. [He stares at the grass with grey eyes gone dark with old memories. He shakes it off and meets his eyes.] I can show you.

[That's okay, Shiro. Barabas agrees fully with that sentiment, and the force behind it.]

Oh. No, no we cannot afford to do that here. Definitely not. No offense to the more... mechanically inclined. But I'm quite fond of being flesh and blood. I imagine many people are.

[But then again, in theory, he shouldn't have to worry much about personally, given that Lyc-V is fairly defensive as viruses go, and tends to oust most competition. But. That helps no one else, and Barabas isn't the type to sit back and shrug just because he's not affected by a danger that others are facing.

And anyway. In this place all bets are off.

But all right. He'll face this other impossible piece.]

If you're willing to demonstrate, by all means.

[Show him, Shiro. Ruin one of the few constants he's come to accept as absolute in the world.]

[He steps back enough to safely change shape and reaches deep inside his soul for the storm swirling in the depths waiting for his hand. He lets it sweep through him and roll through his veins. His body turns to purple light and bursts, reshaping into a massive shape.

He shakes himself once to be sure everything settled into place. His systems report green across the board and he straightens, his glowing yellow eyes fixed on Barabas. His mental voice rolls in, almost a perfect match for his voice as a human being.]

I can't talk normally like this. The upside to it is I can contact anyone I see. It's good for combat situations.

...you turn into a machine lion.

[Barabas concedes because. Well. Here is truth in advertising, right? At least, aside from the fact that he can't stop staring, he certainly doesn't seem frightened or wary. Just. Vaguely confused and mystified because nothing like this should even be possible.

Then Shiro talks in his head and Barabas visibly startles, stiffening, eyes goin saucer-wide.] Oh. Fuck. Okay.

[Pardon him. He's okay. Hang on.] You turn into a machine lion with telepathy. Well, congratulations. That is definitely something I haven't seen before.

...do you have wings?

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weremongoose - 2018-09-04 19:05 (UTC) - Expand

[Atticus does not like this place for several reasons.

Number 1, the being who brought him here, Astoria, does not match up with any of the powerful beings he is familiar with. He's been around for thousands of years and he's met most of them. Mostly though he doesn't like that she refers to herself as Witch. After recent experience he'd really just...rather not.

Number 2, he can't seem to connect with the Earth here. He wants to chalk it up to this being an alternate reality, but that doesn't exactly track with any prior experience. Especially since even his charms seem to not be working and he ALWAYS keeps those charged.

Number 3, his dog is missing and that really irritates him. You don't go separating a man from his dog!

Number 4, related to number 2, his iron aura doesn't seem to be working and the fairies are very interested in him.

This all goes to explain why there is an irritated looking young adult (though he only LOOKS like he's in his twenties) storming through the forest and doing his best to stay ahead of the fairies. Unfortunately for him, it looks like they might have circumvented his path and gotten to someone else.]

Ah...so that's their game. I wish I could tell you, but since these are a brand of fairy I'm not familiar with, I'm not sure I can be of much help. Not to mention everything I know about magic like this seems to not be working.

At all.

That's their game. It's colorful. I'm so happy to be included.

[Given the tone of his voice, Barabas is extremely not so happy to be included, but here he is, blue as blue can be. And with no way of addressing this immediately, and honestly, far more pressing problems than being a bit off-color, he'll have to deal with it.

Besides, he's more interested in what else this stranger has to say, eyebrows lifting just slightly.]

The magic here does seem strange, that's true. It's affecting me too.

[Vague. But he can't admit that he's a shapeshifter who can't even even catch the scent of the man he's speaking to enough to know if he's human or shapeshifter or what.]

I've only just barely been managing to dodge them.

[If his powers were working, the fae would evaporate just touching him, but that doesn't seem to be the case. He is doing his best to stay ahead of them though.]

It is? That's reassuring in a sense...maybe it's the nature of this place. Would it be too presumptuous to ask what that effect is?

[It's asked in the tone of 'I'll tell you my problems if you share yours.']

A bit, yes. But... if you show me yours, I'll show you mine. So to speak.

[He agrees with a hint of a smile.

Metaphorically, Barabas will lay his cards on the table. It's not like he normally makes any attempt to hide what he is. He's been the Pack's lead legal counsel, after all. True, he doesn't always advertise it in human company he doesn't know, but clearly things were strange here.]

I can't smell you. [He starts, blunt though it may be.] In fact, all my senses seem... dulled. And I feel slower, sluggish. Weak. Comparatively anyway. And you?

Deal.

[Atticus was familiar with a range of beings, some friends and some very much not. Normally being told he couldn't be smelled would be a weird thing to say, but immediately Atticus is putting together some ideas of what this guy might be.]

I can't seem to draw any power from the Earth and none of the Elementals, that should be all around us, are responding. Any other magic I've tried has failed.

[He decided not to add that his charms weren't working either. It could be implied, but Atticus had not lived 2000 years by being that trusting. He raised an eyebrow.]

By the way, are you some kind of shapeshifter?

From the Earth? Are you a mage? Or a druid? Or some... other flavor of human magic user?

[He can't even keep them straight. Shamans, volhvs. Who even knows at this point.

Ah. But then he finds himself called out. Well, no sense putting up any sort of cagey denial at this point. He has no shame in what he is, after all.]

I am, yes. I belong to the Pack in Atlanta, though I wonder if that will mean anything to anyone in this place.

Druid. Second guess. Impressive.

[Considering he's one of the last druids out there. Though he supposes not a lot of magic users have that association with using the Earth.]

Atlanta, huh? I'm living in Tempe, Arizona myself. Or...I guess I was before this place. I know the Pack there actually...though now that I think of it I don't know how much packs interact, so I'm not sure if there's a chance you would know them.

We're all... very aware of each other. The Pack is closer to certain other groups and clans for various reasons, but the Beast Lord does make it his business to know the general landscape of our kind, so to speak. ...which does make it strange that I'm not familiar with any particular Pack in that part of Arizona. Interesting.

[And druid is a much better answer than one of the People, because dealing with a necromancers means so many potential political landmines.

He holds out a hand towards him.]

I'm Barabas.

[Manners and all.] So, none of your magic is working as it should?

[Atticus had been keeping to himself the past few years, so he can't say he knows every player on the crazy chess board that is dealing with magical beings, pantheons, shape shifters, etc. But he's fairly certain he's never heard of any reference to the Beast Lord.]

Curiouser and curiouser.

[He has to wonder about what that might mean, but to shift gears.]

Name's Atticus and no, not a drop of it. Not even some of the items I had stored up for a rainy day.

[They weren't visible, but he wore an amulet with several charms that he kept charged for use when he was in a fight. It had other uses as well, but right now it was just cold jewelry hanging from his neck and concealed by his shirt. Even if he couldn't interact with the Earth, he should have been able to tap into those. But there was no such luck.]

I'm thinking we might need to scope this place out a bit more.

That's right. We are straight through the looking glass.

[Barabas mutters softly, glancing around before fixing his gaze back on Atticus. The redhead nods, frowning.] So something is either blocking or draining magic. But apparently only selectively, given that our faerie friends here seem to have no trouble with theirs.

[And Barabas is still an impressive shade of blue.]

I think you're right about that. Whatever is going on, I'd feel better knowing what it is.

[Atticus always appreciated another literary fan. Lewis Carroll wasn't necessarily his favorite person, but it was a pretty good read all the same. Despite the situation, he does smile slightly.]

The faeries may be our clue to that then. Though I'm not sure how we're going to get them to cooperate.

Maybe if we tell them you're interested in one of their lovely crowns, they'll feel chatty.

[There's a grin on his face, because misery loves company? But sadly, Barabas is only half kidding. He doubts the faeries will simply spill what they know -- if they know anything -- without some sort of reason, be it flattery, bribery, threat, trickery.

So many options.]

test drive meme # 3

Barabas Gilliam | Kate Daniels Series (circa Magic Breaks)

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