livinglot | TEST DRIVE MEME #7

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test drive meme

TEST DRIVE MEME #7

WELCOME TO THE SHOW!↴

Or, more specifically, Lost Carnival's test drive meme! This is an opportunity to try out your characters in the setting before you apply, or to put together samples for characters you've never played before. There are going to be options for both new arrivals and veteran characters. Before we get started, let's lay down some details:

You can read the full premise here.
Reserves and Applications are both currently OPEN, but will be CLOSING ON MAY 31ST! There is an upcoming game event that is going to make new arrivals during that period impractical.
You can apply as a newcomer or as a "veteran" character who has been in the carnival for up to three years. In the case of veteran characters, you will need to come up with an explanation of why they haven't been around the carnival recently.
TDM threads can be used as game canon after the fact if both characters are accepted, the players agree to it, and it makes any sense contextually.
If you are interested in additional IC and OOC plot responsibilities, consider applying for a Supervisor position. Head Cook, Aquisitioner, and Wardrobe Manager are currently open. Otherwise, we're pretty much down for anything, roles wise.

NEW RECRUITS↴

You gotta start somewhere, right? These prompts are for characters who are arriving in the carnival for the first time, and who are destined to sign a contract. How they go about that is up to you, but in the meantime they can enjoy the sights and sounds of something truly out of this world. Visitors to the carnival comes from many different worlds today, as the ringmaster casts out her recruitment lures. Will you become her most recent hire?

► ADMISSION FEES: After crossing into the carnival's realm and passing through the trees, most visitors will find themselves at the front gate - though not all choose to enter that way. If they enter legitimately, however, they will have to pass by a clerk who will trade admission and tickets for various attractions and rides in exchange for "anything of value." What is of value may seem highly subjective, and so some may struggle to produce payment at first, though in actuality the carnival will take anything from mundane currency to items of purely sentimental value.

► MIRROR MAZE: The mirror maze (pictured above) is a big attraction in the carnival, and stretches much further on the inside than it looks like it will on the outside. It's hard to get through, and what's more, after you've been in there for a while your reflections will start gaining a mind of their own - mostly in order to taunt and distract you with personal information. They don't know everything you know, but they know more than they should, and their mind games can be pretty hit or miss.

► GAMER'S CIRCLE: Almost all of the game booths are organized in a large ring around the Cookhouse, called Gamer's Circle. Your can play just about any carnival game you can imagine here, for a variety of prizes sometimes traditional, exotic, or outright magical. Dart tossing? Got it. That game with the water guns? Got it. Most of these booths are currently manned by humanoid spirits who look like they are made of smoke. If they can trick you into earning debt, they will.

► NOT YOUR WHEELHOUSE: Sometimes, even magical ferris wheels get stuck. The carnival's particular wheel is enchanted to create a particular out of this world experience - as you pass along the top, you feel as if they are so close to the sky that you can interact with the stars like baubles hanging above your head. Of course, the novelty probably wears off when the wheel is broken and you've been stuck enjoying the light show with some stranger for the last half hour. How are you going to pass the time?

► TRYING TO LEAF: No matter where you came from, you seemingly emerged from a forest. Obviously, to get back home you should be able to go back in the same direction, right? It turns out you can't. Worse, trying too hard to get through the wood will result in you getting lost, or turned back to the carnival. The trees here are not normal, and are varying levels of alien, including things like trees with glowing fruit or orange flowers that constantly burn like candles.

► WILD CARD: Anything else you can imagine in this setting! There are a lot of possibilities and you're free to explore them. Check out the rest of the game info or the locations page for additional inspiration. Want to make a starter with your character experiencing their first theoretical change? Go for it!

VETERAN WORKERS↴

These prompts are tailored to the carnival's existing employees, the veterans. Odds are they've been here from somewhere between a few months and three years already, and know their way around the block. For them, this is just business as usual - and depending on their attitude towards their job, they may or may not contribute to a few people accidentally getting themselves a contract. Whatever you do, though, don't warn visitors away from the carnival - the ringmaster hates losing business like that.

► DO YOUR WORK: This one's pretty simple - just have your character doing whatever you'd like to have their job be! There is a big list of ideas over here, and you could use this to try things out with a character you intend to be a new arrival, as well.

► WILL O' WISPS: The ringmaster's will o' wisps have gotten free, and she's asked that everyone keep and eye out and help her reclaim them regardless of their official jobs. Wisps are small creatures that burn both hot and cold and comes in a few different variations of the same basic theme. Handling them physically (or psionically, or magically, for that matter) is difficult due to their near intangible nature. Touching and being around them can result in confusion and a sensation similar to being comfortably drunk.

► BREAK TIME: Whatever you were doing, it's break time! It's time for you to relax however you see fit. Do you enjoy some of the carnival attractions yourself, or is that old by now? Do you hang out in the Cookhouse to get a snack? Do you take a nap? Yolo, baby!

► RIDDLE GAME: For a bit of fun, the ringmaster has left a variety of locked chests around the worker areas of the carnival, each with instructions and a riddle written on their lids. The chest will accept three guesses from each worker before refusing to respond to them any further. If you guess the right answer, the chest will open and you will be rewarded with some manner of fun magical knick knack. If you've run out of guesses, maybe you can conspire with someone else and promise to split the prize?

► CAPTURE THE... EGG?: The Ringmaster likes to keep things exciting for her employees, and this time she's devices a game that mixes an Easter egg hunt with capture the flag. She's hidden various metallic "eggs" around the carnival that chime like bells when people get near, and divided participants into three teams (red, blue, yellow of course.) The carnival has been divided into three zones, and the objective is to gather as many eggs as possible for your team (three points for gold, two for silver, one for copper.) However, when you are in a zone that doesn't belong to your team, if they can snatch off your team flag they can take you to "jail" and confiscate any eggs you may be holding for their team. When in doubt, bullshit the rules! This is a prompt, after all.

► WILD CARD: Anything else you can imagine in this setting! There are a lot of possibilities and you're free to explore them. Check out the rest of the game info or the locations page for additional inspiration. Want to do a performance? Hang out in the Backyard? Choose whatever appeals!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

gamer's circle
A carnival wasn't exactly what Adrien had thought he'd find while wandering the streets of Paris on Christmas Eve, but it was just the sort of distraction he needed before going home. He'd never really been to a carnival before either, and so after finding somewhere to get a quick snack (for Plagg, mostly, although he got something for himself too), he was ready to check it out.

The gamer's circle seemed as good a place as any to have some fun, and it doesn't take long for him to try his hand at some of the games. Winning is another story though, with how carnival games are, but it doesn't mean he isn't enjoying himself. With all these people around and things to do, with no one telling him what to do, it's actually some of the most fun he's had in a while, even if he hasn't ended up with an armful of carnival prizes.

When he does see someone win a big prize, though, it catches his attention.

"Wow, you're really good! I can't seem to win anything." Or at least nothing like that.

not your wheelhouse
The rides are next on the list of things to do, and the ferris wheel seems like as good a place as any to start.

It would have been better if they hadn't gotten stuck at the top for so long though. Or at least if there was a way down (not that he was afraid of heights, but he wasn't fond of being stuck either). If he was alone he could do it, but...

At least not being alone means there's someone to talk to, right? So maybe it's a bit of an awkward situation but that doesn't mean they can't try to make the most of it.

"It... looks like we're gonna be stuck up here for a while, huh?" Okay just because he wants to break the silence doesn't really mean he has an idea of what to say, but still. At least he's trying.

not your wheelhouse pt. 2
After the light show from his last ride on the ferris wheel, Adrien wanted to take another look... But rather than ride it again (and risk being stuck there again), why not go up another way? The carnival was big enough that finding a place to transform was a piece of cake, and as Cat Noir he could easily scale the wheel and take in the view like that.

The only thing that would make this better was having company... If only Ladybug were here to watch the stars with him.

mirror maze
The mirror maze is next on the list of things to see, and anyone else in the maze can soon see Cat Noir still near the entrance, not even exploring yet. It seems he's gotten distracted making ridiculous faces and striking poses in the mirrors instead of actually trying to get through the maze. It's fun, okay?

"Oh, thanks!" she turns to face the stranger only to realize this individual isn't much of a stranger at all. Her expression shifts to one of shock, her words dying in her throat as she realizes just who it is she's suddenly found herself with. Adrien complimented her. ADRIEN JUST COMPLIMENTED HER. And he was here? Of all the places for her to see him. She shifts the giant ladybug plushie she's holding in her arms, or at least she tries to. The size of the toy makes it nearly impossible to manage.

"Uh, I mean, that is I'm sure you'll be doing great too!"

From behind he hadn't recognized her, either, but when she turns around he smiles when he sees who it is. They might not be super close, but Marinette is still pretty cool.

"No way, I was trying for that prize too and I couldn't even get close. You're amazing."

Her face is hot and she knows she likely just turned a truly outstanding shade of red. She looks away trying hard not to get tongue-tied.

"I'm just ducky- I mean- Lucky! I'm... Just lucky. That's all." She winces at the stumble, berating herself internally. A subject change was absolutely necessary, but what was there to talk about besides the obviously bizarre carnival they'd both found themselves in?

"...You're the first familiar face I've seen here. I was starting to think I was dreaming."

He raises an eyebrow at her rambling, but the subject change is fast enough to not linger on it too long (and besides, that's just how Marinette was).

"I haven't seen anyone either... I just figured everyone would be at home." With their families.

Well yeah, most people would be home at this time of night, but that didn't explain how totally strange this place was. They couldn't be too far from Paris, and yet nowhere did she see that familiar skyline. She glances at their surroundings again, noticing the odd assortment of characters. Simply costumes, she's sure, but still strange.

"Of course they'd be home, but where is home from here?"

That... Was a good question. He looks around again too, still only seeing carnival games and weird people.

"It's gotta be back the way we came, right?"

She shakes her head, holding her new stuffed Ladybug close.

"Unless you got here by coming through a forest."

He shakes his head, too, starting to get a little worried himself.

"I didn't see any forests, but if that's not the way back, then there has to be another exit." Right? He wasn't in any rush before, but maybe this is actually a serious problem. Some kind of akuma or something?

She nods, but still looks unsure. She doesn't know he's wrong, but she's worried all the same.

"I've been keeping my eyes open, but I haven't seen anything yet."

"Well... Two sets of eyes are better than one, right? We can look together." Especially since now that he thinks about it, it does mean this place could be dangerous... Why didn't he notice sooner?

Look together. Together, her and Adrien. She turns red again smiling faintly. If this really was a dream alarm don't wake her up! Spending her time together with Adrien, not matter what they were doing, was cause for celebration. Of course, this was a very serious matter, if in fact it wasn't a dream, because it meant the both of them had ended up somewhere strange. Was it possible an akuma was behind this, stealing the citizens of Paris away into some weird fantasy from which they couldn't escape? She wished she had Tikki with her to help figure this out, but she doesn't.

And seriously, if this was an akuma attack it was probably one of the most pleasant ones yet! Yes, it was definitely a dream. Probably, definitely a dream. A dream with Adrien. She sighs wistfully, for the moment basically forgetting Adrien is there even though he's definitely become the focus of her thoughts. Of course, she realizes this quickly enough a look of embarrassed fright showing on her face once again.

"Oh... Um. O-okay!" she says, hoping maybe that response was less delayed than it felt. "Two eyes. Well, two pairs of eyes. Four eyes, two on you and two on me. I mean. Yes. Sounds like a plan!"

She closes her eyes, grimacing.

Her response definitely wasn't less delayed than she felt, but Adrien was trying to think of what was going on. If it wasn't a normal carnival, an akuma was the only possibility he could think of that made sense - but he didn't know yet, and so he couldn't just leave Marinette here to go transform. If they look around together then he can keep her safe that way, until he figures out what's going on.

When she finally answers, he nods after she finishes her stumbling. "Where have you looked so far? I've only been here and to the food." He had to get cheese, after all.

Truthfully, she hadn't been here that long.

"I've mostly been playing games. I looked around by the ferris wheel before, but all I saw were a bunch of rides."

"So we've checked the rides, the games, and the concessions... What does that leave?" Too bad he didn't see a map of the place anywhere. There's the tents of course, but those couldn't be exits, not with them being in the middle of everything.

She pauses looking thoughtful, "The big top and... Well there has to be an employee only area, right?"

"Oh, yeah! Great idea Marinette." He smiles at her before starting to look around again, to see if there's maybe an obvious location for something like an employee area. All he can think of though is 'not here', which isn't too helpful... If only he could get a better look around.

Great idea Marinette. A dreamy dazed expression crosses her face as she smiles.

"Thanks..." Suddenly inspiration strikes.

"Maybe we can see something from the ferris wheel!"

The ferris wheel? He glances to it where it stands looking over everything, and nods slowly. That should work, it's pretty high up and he's pretty good at looking for trouble from up high. And besides...

He gives a small laugh. "I've never been on a ferris wheel before. Let's try it."

She's surprised to hear he's never been on a ferris wheel before. Maybe she shouldn't be since she knows this year is his first at a public school, but still it's hard to believe someone rich and famous like Adrien was excepted about a ferris wheel of all things. Still, he was excited, and that made her excited.

"Alright then, what are we waiting for?"

He's smiling as they walk towards the wheel, looking around as they go - he's still looking for an exit, after all, although there's definitely a bit of sightseeing in there too. With all the booths and people around, it's hard not to be a bit interested in seeing everything!

She's sort of watching him instead of their surroundings as they walk, though she's trying not to be obvious about it. She can't help it, she got stuck here with the guy of her dreams, and now they were going on a ride together? This might possibly be the greatest day of her life!

"You've really never been to a fair before?" she asks, innocently, trying to make a conversation.

Luckily Adrien is oblivious enough that he doesn't notice her watching him as they make their way there, although when she asks that he does turn his attention back to her and away from the booths surrounding them (Funnel cake? Cotton candy? He should definitely try and come back this way if he can.)

"I really haven't, I'm usually pretty busy." And his father probably wouldn't let him, even if there was time to do it, but he didn't really want to get into all of that right now. It wasn't important, anyway.

"Have you gone to a lot of fairs?"

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

TEST DRIVE MEME #7

Adrien Agreste // Miraculous Ladybug // Newbie

gamers circle

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