livinglot | ⇨ TEST DRIVE MEME #1

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⇨ TEST DRIVE MEME #1

WELCOME TO THE SHOW!↴

Or, more specifically, Lost Carnival's first 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 open October 5th at 12:01AM EST.
Applications open October 7th at 12:01AM EST.
You can apply as a newcomer or as a "veteran" character who has been in the carnival for up to three years.
TDM threads can be used as game canon after the fact if both characters are accepted and the players agree to it.
If you are interested in additional IC and OOC plot responsibilities, consider applying for a Supervisor position.
Supervisor applications will start being processed a few days after apps open, and will be selected on a competitive basis. If you want a supervisor position, it is best to submit your application as close to the beginning of the application cycle as possible. If you don't get chosen for your desired supervisor position, you will be given time to rework your application to be a regular veteran, or to apply for a supervisor position that is not yet taken.
Lost Carnival could use some additional moderation assistance! If you are interested, please let us know here.

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.

► 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.

► NOT YOUR WHEELHOUSE (NEW): 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?

► 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?

► 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!

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[He had approached her because she had the only Pokemon he'd seen in the sizable crowd. To say that was unusual was a gross understatement. Not that he, the great and brave Blue, was getting the heebie jeebies or anything.]

Never be-- that doesn't make any sense!

[Uh oh. There had been a bit of a waver in his voice there. Changing his tone, he gave her a dismissive wave.]

Ah, you're just a little kid. Ask your parents. I bet they'll tell you you're in Kanto now.

Edited 2016-10-01 02:50 (UTC)

[She knows very little of cheating or bluffing, admittedly.]

The subject asks for your most valuable possession and information about you you are.

[Hopefully he won't cheat her.]

[Koel would be so insulted, if she didn't kind of understand the whole eating for herself....thing.

Not with plants of course.]

Of course. I'll be right back.

[She quickly excuses herself. Without five minutes, she has a few small bags, tied neatly with ribbon. Apple cores and seeds, pumpkin seeds and strawberries.]

I hope this will suffice?

[Two pairs of eyes blink confused in Gilgamesh's direction.]

I mean, if you want to? But I really feel like we should catch all the wisps first.

► DO YOUR WORK (NOT REALLY)
There's a certain degree of plausible deniability regarding some of the other carnies when it comes to their outlandish looks. You could imagine that their strange features are some mixture of makeup and SFX. In Sans's case it's a little hard to convince yourself of that, though. He's made of nothing but bone, and you can practically see the breeze blowing through his phalanges. No skin here, nope.

Sans isn't really feeling it today, but that's not surprising, because he rarely is. He's actually doing something resembling his job as the Warden, however, because he's moving around to place to place and keeping his eyes on things, which is more than he does usually. It's mostly because he has the excuse to walk his weird dog.

It's not really a dog, he guesses. It's one of his magical summons, which he originally created because it could shoot lasers out of its mouth. Since coming to the carnival, though, the blasters have managed to develop into something far more complex, and attending to their new and exciting interests is something he genuinely enjoys. He's used to dogs, after all. Most of his coworkers were dogs, back home.

So, get ready to get ogled by this weird looking skeleton guy on digitigrade feet with glowing cyan tattoos and his very large skeleton dog minion. In fact, the skeleton dog is probably going to make it its business to trot over and smell you with its weird skull. Sans doesn't seem very concerned about it, but he doesn't look concerned about a lot of things.

► DO YOUR WORK (EVEN LESS)
Or, you'll find him sitting back in his chair somewhere, literally asleep. It could be a lot of places - he has a tendency to teleport himself and the chair around, so he doesn't have to remain standing when it's unnecessary. One of his dogs is curled up and also sleeping at his feet.

This is super normal in carnival terms. He'd probably be doing a better of patrolling if his eyes were open, though.

My most valuable possession is my life.

[He's not saying no, necessarily, but...]

[Tanyuu chuckles and shrugs slightly, clearly amused and fond of the performers on stage.]

A little of everything, I suppose! Apparently it's much more complex than it looks, and both of them get a bit too competitive about stealing the show--it makes for a fantastic performance once they finally settle into things, as you can see, but...

[She takes a bite out of a fried turkey leg, swallowing before continuing.]

Until they do, they're giving themselves and everyone around a headache.

(OOC: Georgia is not only depressed but suicidal and it is mentioned in this starter as well as may potentially come up in any thread with her. Please don't interact with her right now if this may cause distress.)

She stood just inside the carnival, unsure of what she's supposed to do now. This was not what hse was planning to do today, not by a long shot. She thought she would be dead by now but that clearly didn't happen.

Georgia isn't entirely sure why she did it, why she decided to come here instead of going to the bathroom and getting it over with. But she's here now and she's not sure she's going back any time soon.

She takes a few more steps into the carnival, eyes scanning the area and analyzing the space around her. She was pretty sure there were no zombies here, at least that's what the ticket taker said but she was still uneasy with no weapons and no backup.

Maybe this was a mistake.

Maybe it was all a fucking mistake. Maybe she should have stayed home. Maybe...Maybe...

She shakes her head, trying to clear her mind and keeps walking. She has no idea where she's going but she's on guard, tense and a little nervous at this whole thing. Still, it's better than where she could be or what she could be doing.

Edited 2016-10-01 02:44 (UTC)

[Tanyuu frowns a little at his shock, her tail shifting self-consciously as he looks her over. For a moment she wonders if he's going to accuse her of some level of outlandish freakishness...but it turns out to be rather well the opposite. She smiles, and shakes her head with a soft laugh.]

Oh! It's no problem; I hadn't either before being hired on. This is actually a, ah, rather recent development for me.

[She does look somewhat contrite, admitting that.]

Are you the only one of your kind, where you are from?

Mirror Maze

[ Mitsuki's not sure how he got to this carnival but it's a good distraction and he likes mazes well enough. The mirrors made it far more challenging but soon the visible reflections are nothing compared to what's he's hearing. It's his own voice--he knows it well enough, he's listened to his own recordings--but it's saying out loud the kinds of things he usually only thinks. Crybaby. Graceless. Fat. (The last one is confusing but he catches a glimpse of himself in the closest mirror and it's just an optical illusion.)

He's started to rush just to find the exit but the mirrors make the path deceptive and rounding a corner, he smacks into one hard. The maze is immediately filled with the sound of his own laughter bouncing back at him, and Mitsuki's had enough. He kicks the nearest mirror, not even reacting when the reflection in it jumps out of the way, then starts berating it. ]

You have no idea what you're talking about! I'd never laugh at something like this, someone could've gotten hurt! If you think you're going to get into my head or freak me out this way, you've got another think coming!!

[ Except he's yelling at a bunch of mirrors so clearly it's working better than he's willing to admit. ]

Wild Card: Ferris Wheel

[ After enduring the indignity of having to prove his height and his age to get on (sure, he had to give them his ID card but surely he'll get that back when they get down, right?), Mitsuki is determined to make the most of this ride. The glow of the wheel's lights has felt like it was calling to him since he got here and now that he's seated on it, he's sure he was right. After all, it feels like he could just reach out and--

Wait, he did reach out and touch that star. That's not how stars work! Just how high is this wheel!? He looks across the car at you, startled but not entirely displeased. After all, he did just touch a star. ]

Did you see that?

Wild Card: byo prompt!

[Mari recognised this was about to go wrong like, MAYBE one picosecond before it actually DID go wrong. Which is to say, just enough time to make a sharp, abortive hissing sound before cracking heads spectacularly with Gilgamesh and dropping less like a stone and more like a bag of flailing cement.

She rolls in the dirt, clutching her face with one pair of taloned hands and making an undignified series of pained sounds.]

Ow, owow owwwwww....!!!

[She does actually manage to keep an eye on Gilgamesh, but only by virtue of having literally dozens of them all over her body. And most of those are closed to protect themselves from the fact that she's rolling on them.]

The subject cannot take the life of any being. It's not a thing that is merely a matter of choice. I have been programmed to not take a life. Are you sure this is your choice?

Well, Celestials know I can help with that!

[And yes, far be it from a Pandaren to be far from a brew keg, but this is more like a cask. Smaller than Brewfest's pony kegs, that was for sure.]

I'll spot you a share! Well, if you have a mug. I only have a mug for myself. [Jou pauses, then, a little sheepish.]

You could use the mug, but I am not sure you'd want beer from the cask after the hole touched my mouth. [And she couldn't blame you.]

[Gilgamesh was more often than not bound to honor his word, which is why he's hastily rephrasing here.]

You may have an extension of my life, a favor, should you succeed. Is that acceptable to you?

[Seriously.

Seriously.

This is the third time this week Koel's caught him snoozing. The sense of pride that her human emotions granted him prickled with annoyance and anger. How? How is he Warden? Its one more incident she has to let the Ringmaster know. ~~How the Ringmaster hasn't feed each individual bone to the lions is beyond Koel, especially with him slacking off at such a high position.~~

So. She supposes she has to get San's attention. Walking over to one of the game booths, she tosses a ball into a glass, and picks out a whistle from the prize pot.

A dog whistle. Plastic, not the best make. But it should do the job.

Thus, once in range, grandma puckers her lips and blows.

Hard.]

Edited 2016-10-01 02:45 (UTC)

[Four eyes blink down at Sam as The Ψiioniic pulls away from the carnival guest. His glowing freckles are a bright startled pink.]

I... Can't really. I don't think anyone can.

[Well no one except her at least.]

[Gilgamesh locks eyes with him—or at least a single pair—and is at once fascinated, drifting closer.]

I believe I have caught something far more interesting now.

[~~You win no points for that pun.~~

Is that a slight against his height or a slight against his vision? Well, it doesn't matter, Rei will try to prove that this guy is wrong either way!]

Just three baskets? Should be easy enough.

[He lifts the ball, aims, and then shoots. His arch towards the hoop is a bit low, but it looks like it's on target to at least stumble its way through the hoop.]

[Although often a slow learner when it came to avoiding conflict, Gilgamesh at once recognizes there was nothing further to be gained from this. She's stronger than anticipated and he doesn't particularly like the odds of a rematch, even at his best. Once he's able to sit up properly, he exchanges a look with at least a few of those eyes and deadpans:]

I believe we are mutually agreed to never attempt that again.

[...but, honestly, it may have been one of the better outcomes. The extra edge of ego in his tone has died off, and he doesn't seem eager for a second bout. It's a draw.]

[ ...well. He does appreciate the forthrightness, if nothing else.

Archer listens, and while he is still wary and skeptical of this new world, at the same time, he doesn't think anything here can be any worse than the cycle he condemned himself to long ago.

If this "Ringmaster" can grant favors and was powerful enough to allow him to be here, then perhaps...

He doesn't answer at first, but clearly, he's taking her words into consideration. He's not stupid, and he isn't rash, either. He's practical, and being what he is, contracts are something he's very familiar with.

Still thoughtful, he appraised her quietly. ]

You were granted something of value.

[ It's not a question. ]

[Four eyes? That's two too many. This is a really good makeup job, Rei thinks.]

Lusii...? Ah, are you a foreigner?

[He has no idea what language "lusii" is from, but it's not like he's heard every language there is. The inclusion of the word "human" was odd, though. Maybe this person just doesn't speak Japanese very well...?

He hasn't realized he's not speaking Japanese anymore, either.]

Ah, but if there's no train, I guess I'll have to walk... [He sighs.] Do you know the way or not?

Annabel seemed utterly delighted by the sight of the carnival. She wandered up and down the paths, looking at everything with a cheery inquisitiveness. It was a new experience, a new sight to see and while she was a little nervous, she was more intrigued than anything else.

She poked around at the games for a little, then wandered towards the smell of food. She'd been in her lab before this and had altogether forgotten about food in favor of science. That was normal for her but it didn't stop her stomach from responding at the smells coming from ahead.

Acquiring cake, Annabel found that she got distracted looking at the other people eating. Some looked average but others, oh they looked terribly interesting indeed!

She sat down, picking at her cake every so often but mostly watching people come in and out of the Cookhouse. She would get up and explore again soon enough, she just needed to eat and get rid of this terribly annoying headache she'd developed, probably from lack of nutrients.

[Her neon pink eyes soften, at this. Perhaps in spite of herself, as she thinks of what she received.]

Yes. I was.

Edited 2016-10-01 02:52 (UTC)

Well what is it? We don't need anyone else's help to win.

[Ferlwin ate more than just plants, however she avoided anywhere that cooked or prepared food with tools that might be made of iron or steel. Plant seeds and the like should be safe enough.

Honestly, she was somewhat surprised that nobody had yet to ask why she avoided eating anything from any of the carnival stalls or the cookhouse.]

Oh! Thank you so much. I can find a lot of plants in the forest, but these are just impossible to find.

[She has a bright smile on her face, quite happy that she didn't have to try and find them herself or attempt to make substitutions.]

Can I try to find anything for you in the forest the next time I go out? I've seen a number of herbs and edible plants in there.

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⇨ TEST DRIVE MEME #1

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will o' wisps

SANS | UNDERTALE | VETERAN

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Georgia Mason - Newsflesh - Canon AU (Fed) - Newbie

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mitsuki izumi ♭ IDOLiSH7 ♭newbie

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DO YOUR GODDAMN WORK SANS

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Annabel McAlistair | The Dolls Of New Albion | pre-canon | Newbie

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