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Lost Carnival Mods ([personal profile] ringleaders) wrote in [community profile] livinglot2017-04-30 02:23 am
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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!
squeedlyspooch: (∇ EAT THE BURRITO! NOW!)

[personal profile] squeedlyspooch 2017-05-15 09:53 pm (UTC)(link)
[This is quickly becoming one of the worst days since he arrived on Earth. Really. The only slightly good thing is that it appears they're pretty much alone in the tent, which means no humans, which means when Zim finally stops flailing he just looks down at Peridot, utterly enraged.]

You want to see advanced?? I'LL SHOW YOU ADVANCED, AND YOU WILL RUE THE DAY YOU MESSED WITH THE MIGHTY IRKEN EMPIRE!!!!!!

[He is getting far too yell-y for his own good here. As soon as he finished four thin, robotic legs shoot out of his PAK, and from the ends of them fire HIDEOUS GREEN LASERS at Peridot's drones, including the one still holding Zim.]
periphrasing: (IMPOSSIBLE!!!!!)

You down for me getting one of the security players in here?

[personal profile] periphrasing 2017-05-16 01:54 am (UTC)(link)
WOAH!!

[ALRIGHT SO SHE WASN'T EXPECTING THAT AT ALL. Peridot springs backwards and stumbles on to all fours, the tuft at the tip of her tail frizzed out like a frightened cat's.

The drone holding Zim is obliterated, along with two others. The remainder all turn on him and start firing off a return volley of lasers, and it is just UTTER CHAOS IN HERE.

Peridot scampers away on all fours, dives behind a ticket booth, and whips out her radio and starts squawking into it.]


SECURITY! This is an emergency, I need backup at the bigtop! NOW!!!
squeedlyspooch: (∇ My legion of sweaty followers!)

Hell yes. 1/2

[personal profile] squeedlyspooch 2017-05-16 02:02 am (UTC)(link)
[Zim, never being great at sticking his landings, hits the ground with a splat face down as his PAK continues firing lasers. But no matter! Two of his spiderlegs stop firing to lift him up, and he goes into full on psychotic Irken Invader mode, cackling madly as the other two legs keep firing.

His main priority now is less the drones and more Peridot, who he skitters after like some gross robotic alien bug. Which he's making abundantly clear that he is, because if he can corner her he's going to get all loomy and reach for his wig.]


NOW, FEEL THE WRATH OF THE GREAT IRKEN ELITE!!!
squeedlyspooch: (∀ ZIM WINS! AND ZIM LOSES!)

2/2

[personal profile] squeedlyspooch 2017-05-16 02:03 am (UTC)(link)
[In a display that is really far too dramatic for such a terrible disguise, he yanks his wig off and with a squishy noise pulls his contacts out.

Yep, that is one super buggy little green alien.]


ZIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIM!!!!
periphrasing: (perifang)

RADICAL

[personal profile] periphrasing 2017-05-16 02:15 am (UTC)(link)
[Peridot dares to peek her head out from around cover for just a split second, squinting critically. Watching Zim skitter around on his spider legs is viscerally horrifying, but it also really makes her wish she still had her own limb enhancers (because that's definitely what she's viewing his PAK as).

It's not that she's entirely defenseless; she has fire breath now, for one thing, but putting herself out in the open in order to use it sounds like a good way to get herself poofed. Ducking back behind the booth, she looks around frantically for something, anything that she can use as a weapon.

Her eyes fall on a big, heavy metal cash box sitting innocently on one of the shelves.]


Wrath THIS, you dirty stinkin' CLOD!

[Yup she definitely just hopped up on the booth counter to scream that, and now she is definitely using her control over metal to fling that heavy box right at Zim's big stupid head.]
drrdrrdrr: (....?)

ITS SECURITY

[personal profile] drrdrrdrr 2017-05-16 03:10 am (UTC)(link)
[Luckily for Peridot, some of the Carnival's security isn't too far off. Amethyst's voice crackles over the radio, sounding like she's broken into a run:] I'm on it – yo, P-pod, where at the big top? It's kinda big...
squeedlyspooch: (∀ Could this be the end?)

YES AWESOME.

[personal profile] squeedlyspooch 2017-05-16 03:26 am (UTC)(link)
[Unfortunately for Zim, using only spiderlegs is kind of a terrible idea, compromising his balance. And having such a large head makes a perfect target on top of things, so bam! goes the box straight into Zim's head, which sends him flying and bouncing squeakily, his two remaining lasers firing wildly.]
periphrasing: ((Points and laughs))

[personal profile] periphrasing 2017-05-16 03:31 am (UTC)(link)
[Amethyst is just going to have to follow the sounds of chaos, because Peridot is too busy pointing and cackling maniacally in her triumph to pick up the damn radio and answer her.]
drrdrrdrr: (Default)

[personal profile] drrdrrdrr 2017-05-16 03:35 am (UTC)(link)
[Ah. Fortunately it's not too hard to find the trouble, and Amethyst rolls onto the scene with her whip at the ready to find... Hm. Well.

She watches Zim bounce past her, ducking a little to avoid having her hair singed by a laser.

Then she lassos him with her whip.]


Hey, short stuff, might wanna chill out with the lasers.
squeedlyspooch: (∀ NOOOOOO!)

[personal profile] squeedlyspooch 2017-05-16 03:41 am (UTC)(link)
[There's some attempted flailing and he abandons the lasers in favour of using all four of his spiderlegs to try and yank himself out of the whip, but let's be real here, he isn't stronger than Amethyst. So his poor spiderlegs are scraping and scrabbling at the ground but not doing a whole lot.

But it's the short comment that really gets to him.]


I AM AN ELITE IRKEN INVADER AND I WILL DESTROY YOU FOR SUCH INSULTS, YOU HORRIBLE GREMLIN!!
periphrasing: (perihuff)

[personal profile] periphrasing 2017-05-16 04:06 am (UTC)(link)
...Amethyst!

[Peridot stops mid cackle to scamper over delightedly to the other Gem's side. Mostly, this is so she can puff up and gloat at Zim, since she's extra confident now that backup is here.

...Except that Zim is being RUDE, so the puffing up she's doing is suddenly more indignant than anything else.]


HEY! You do not get to talk to her like that, you miserable little pebble!
drrdrrdrr: (....?)

[personal profile] drrdrrdrr 2017-05-16 04:08 am (UTC)(link)
[Amethyst kind of grimaces, keeping a firm grip on the handle of her whip.] Hey, I said chill out. [She gives him a little jerk. And to Peridot:] Dude... you said it was an emergency.
squeedlyspooch: (∀ CURSE YOU SNACKS!)

[personal profile] squeedlyspooch 2017-05-16 04:15 am (UTC)(link)
[He stops trying to pull away, but only so he can turn to face the two of them and hiss.]

ZIM will destroy BOTH of you, you filthy -- RRGH -- monsters!
periphrasing: (I NEED TO IMPRESS)

[personal profile] periphrasing 2017-05-16 04:20 am (UTC)(link)
[She looks kind of offended.] It was an emergency-- He was firing lasers everywhere, I mean do you not see all of the holes in the tent!?

[Peridot gestures aggressively at said holes with one hand, ignoring Zim and his threats for the moment.]
Edited 2017-05-16 04:20 (UTC)
drrdrrdrr: (hay gurl)

[personal profile] drrdrrdrr 2017-05-17 12:51 am (UTC)(link)
I mean, yeah... but it kinda looks like you got it taken care of. [She gives Peridot a friendly punch in the shoulder with her free hand.]

Who is this guy anyway? [Amethyst plants a shoe on Zim to keep him in place while she peers down at him.] Hey, you new or what?
squeedlyspooch: (∀ Go. Away. Now.)

[personal profile] squeedlyspooch 2017-05-17 01:04 am (UTC)(link)
[Zim's response is to give a very buggy hiss. Kind of cicada-y. But hey, he actually answers! Sort of.]

ZIM! I AM ZIIIM!

[That's clearly the answer she was looking for, right?]
periphrasing: (Jasper sux.)

[personal profile] periphrasing 2017-05-17 01:45 am (UTC)(link)
[Peridot would've loved to bask in that compliment, if Zim wasn't over there pitching a fit. She glares at him irritably.]

Yes. His name is 'Zim'. He's a patron, I guess. He kept trying to convince me he was a human too, for some reason.
drrdrrdrr: (....?)

[personal profile] drrdrrdrr 2017-05-17 01:48 am (UTC)(link)
[Amethyst gives Zim a lopsided squint.] What? Why–? Oh, you think he's from one of those worlds where not being a human is, like, a big deal or somethin'?
squeedlyspooch: (∀ I'm gonna watch it again.)

[personal profile] squeedlyspooch 2017-05-17 01:57 am (UTC)(link)
[It's probably just best to tune him out, really. Especially when he realizes they aren't exactly listening to him. Then he just kinda stops and squints back.

What is this, why isn't he the center of attention.]


Hey! HEY! Let go of me so I can destroy you! HEY!
periphrasing: (literal hissing)

[personal profile] periphrasing 2017-05-17 02:19 am (UTC)(link)
[Peridot gives him the stinkeye right back, and also. Hisses. She takes half a step behind Amethyst as she does so, and peers over the purple gem's shoulder.]

I think we should interrogate him. That way we can find out for sure.
drrdrrdrr: (Default)

[personal profile] drrdrrdrr 2017-05-17 02:27 am (UTC)(link)
Geez, seriously? [She glances back at Peridot.] This little guy really gave you some trouble, huh?

[And to Zim, nudging him with her foot:] Hey. What's your deal, dude?
squeedlyspooch: (∀ Oh. Oh well.)

[personal profile] squeedlyspooch 2017-05-17 02:40 am (UTC)(link)
[Zim looks like he's about ready to keep hissing at them (especially Peridot. Green alien catfight).]

I'm not telling either of you hideous monsters anything! [Just ignore all that yelling before.]
periphrasing: (GET DOWN)

[personal profile] periphrasing 2017-05-17 03:01 am (UTC)(link)
[DON'T TEST HER ZIM. DON'T DO IT! SHE'S REAL GOOD AT INTERROGATING!

Just ask Lapis

Anyway, just like that she springs forward again, baring her teeth.]


You said something about an Empire, but who sent you!? WHERE ARE YOUR LEADERS!?
drrdrrdrr: (Default)

[personal profile] drrdrrdrr 2017-05-17 03:05 am (UTC)(link)
Hey, Per – [Amethyst tugs her back a little by the arm.] It probably doesn't matter if he's here, right? I mean... doesn't sound like he knows what the deal with the Carnival is.
squeedlyspooch: (∀ You have it all WRONG.)

1/2

[personal profile] squeedlyspooch 2017-05-17 03:09 am (UTC)(link)
[It totally counts as a victory that they don't have the answers to Peridot's questions, right? In Zim's mind it does anyways, so he just gives her a loud laugh.]

You'll never find out until it's too late, you smelly -

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