⇨ TEST DRIVE MEME #1

[ringleaders]

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!

Comments

[dorkypantsuit]

[As the stranger stays, and continues not to do anything threatening the Ψiioniic visibly relaxes. His freckles shift from startled pink to a wary magenta, dimming a bit as his anxiety passes.]

Oh, I work here, but technically the answer to both of your questions is yes.

[He'd wound up here unexpectedly as well after all. Most of the workers did.]

I got here a little over a sweep ago. I don't think I've aged though, not totally sure on that.

[pokepochette]

Dedenne can always shock you too.

_{[That's an option as well.]}

[pokepochette]

<sub>[Was she lost? Technically, yes, yes she was. That was how she ended up at this carnival in the first place. It's not a point she likes being reminded of, that she'd been separated from her brother, and if it weren't for Dedenne, she'd be completely alone.

That said, he was probably looking for her (why wouldn't he be?) and the best thing to do when you were lost was to stay put. Surely he'd come up with an invention and track her or Dedenne down. It was only a matter of time before he'd come!]</sub>

Um...yeah, kinda. _{[She answers, scooping up Dedenne to let him perch atop her head.]} I know there's no show though! Wait...am I in trouble?

_{[Was this his stage? Was he a performer?]}

[stormcalling]

[Bluntly:] Yes. Now that we've established that you are far too young to be harassing your elders would you start playing nice?

[Her tone hasn't reached annoyed yet but whatever tolerance she has for nonsense is starting to wear thin. The heavy and dramatic sigh she ends her question with being testament to it.]

[zebrarhyme_everytime]

[Zecora has learned never to quite relax during a run. Lions aren't the first dangerous customer this place has attracted, after all. So at the sudden flurry of motion, she springs off the bench, and Nala's claws tear only cloth.]

[...they SHOULD have still torn hide, but after two years in this carnival, Zecora's body doesn't properly physically exist when it isn't exposed to light. In some aspects the zebra looks more like a wraith than a living being as she lands a few feet away, then swivels to glare at the lioness.]

When you paid your admittance fees
Did they not say, 'Don't eat employees'?!

[linkedpenumbra]

As easy as it would be for me to switch gears, that implies I care about these people having a good time.

[And he's not that soft. His magic here is actually pretty weak, especially compared to the level they were at... when evil started creeping into the land where he came from. But the boy expected that too. He floats himself into the air and crosses his arms behind his purple-haired head.]

But a break for now sounds good. Can't have people getting wise.

[Definitely a lost soul unsure of their purpose for being pulled to this realm.]

admission fees

[atouts]

Where you may be getting the short end of the bargain regardless.

[ Childermass has an inkling of what this place is, hence why he's here at all, though it's taken him a few minutes to find his voice when finding himself waiting in line with a talking bear. A talking bear... person? Woman? He's not entirely sure and he imagines there's no polite way to even ask that. Well, he'd expected some oddity, but this is a bit much, even for him.

Still, he does find the will to interrupt as she haggles with the clerk, at some point. Just a little. ]

[mistweaver]

Not from my food, good sir! From...whatever this place is, though? For me? Perhaps!

[And yet, it seems like her (yes, by the voice, definitely a she!) demeanor is easygoing enough that the fellow could ask her his questions, and she'd give him a serious answer.]

You seem disenfranchised, sir. Are you all right? [She might try helping haggle him in, if it seems like he needs a hand...]

[masterballer]

... h-hey! That's okay! Maybe it's not a dream after all!

[He crosses his arms in front of his chest with a huff.]

Whatever's going on, I'm not getting any closer to the answer wasting time talking to some kid. I'm gonna figure this out.

[mistweaver]

[She was too polite to comment on Zecora's bright muzzle, but if Jou had, she might make a comment about how there was a passing resemblance to Metzen the reindeer. Jou had no familiarity with 'Rudolph', after all.]

Well, it might not be so bad if it was my tail. And it is something I expect, seeing my compatriots here. Just what path it will choose, I do not know!

It is a small price to pay for being here, I suppose.

[pipers_son]

[Joker is on his break for once, or, presumably that's what he's doing sitting away from some of the more public areas and tapping his foot as he spaces out. Apparently he's gotten so lost in thought that he's missed eating for a while, which is presumably why Champloo is here.]

[His sudden appearance snaps Joker out of it, and he gives a grin over to the other.]

Now ain't ya handy? Thanks a bunch.

...And don't gimme that look now.

[Ah, the Champloo Caring service. Joker's grown fond of it, he really has, but he always struggles just a bit in divulging even mundane problems.]

[brb_looting]

Ah, ah, ah you misunderstand.

[Matthew raises an eyebrow at the levitation, but otherwise doesn't comment.]

I'm not talking about charity, I'm suggesting a partnership.

[He extends his hand now that the kid is conveniently at roughly the same height as him.]

There are prizes to be won here.

[pipers_son]

[Anachronistic folks isn't really an unknown to Joker- especially because he's come to realize that in some ways that means he's an anachronism himself after all he's seen. Still, with recent events, something about the excited little thing gets his attention and he stops his wandering to grin down at him.]

Need help choosin' where ta start, my good sir?

Trying to leaf

[pipers_son]

[Every now and then, you get the curious types around here, too. Joker likes those types of visitors the best- minimum panicking, usually, and the ones most likely to join the circus whether by accident or... not.]

[So he stops on his little errand run when he sees her, and chuckles.]

Interested in the sights, eh?

[pokepochette]

I'm not just 'some kid', y'know. I have a name.

_{[Dedenne squeaks his name in agreement. Be more polite!]}

[mistweaver]

Eh, you are young! [Jou. Jou, you only have a couple years on Pidge, please! And not having a taste for beer is not a crime to the Pandaren, luckily.] There is plenty of time to pick it up as a hobby, if you like!

Though if we are trying to go home, it is a shame I could not show you a few things! All I have are snacks that I brought with me, not supplies for actual cooking.

[pipers_son]

"Hey now, Ferlwin, ya ain't gettin' lost in yer own thoughts now, are ya?"

The familiar accented voice pops up somewhere above her, and soon there's the sound of wings flapping as Joker flutters down from somewhere up above. It's taken him a year, but he's gotten the hang of flight by this now. There's a brief glimmer of light from the inside of his wings- a recent addition- before they fold along his back and he twists on his heel to smile at her. A small bag is swinging from his one good (if wooden) hand, sweet smells wafting out from it.

"Mind a bit a company, or am I bein' a right pain?"

[drrdrrdrr]

"Probably just needs to build up some resistance," says Amethyst, with the air of an expert. "You should let him eat, like, just a little trash..."

[linkedpenumbra]

A partnership?

[He peers at the man, not suspicious but still caught off guard by the gesture. Also the last time Shadow felt like he had a real partner, they betrayed him, nearly killed him. And yet because of the princess's words, he helped him and the other heroes.]

If what's in it for me is a share of whatever they're offering at this carnival, then I don't see the appeal.

[All he's seen so far is plushes and other toys.]

[masterballer]

Yeah, yeah. Susie or Melody or whatever your name is, it doesn't really matter.

[There's that dismissive hand wave again!]

You might already have heard my name, what with me being Champ and all. But it's Blue. You'll wanna remember it.

[mistweaver]

Ohhh. I do not do makeup, but for those with skin....I see, I think. [She does look thoughtful.] Patience to apply, and patience for the canvas, hai.

[There's a small start at all that tail, but Jou doesn't have a total conniption. There are many types on Azeroth, and this lady is not the type of naga to have a thing against Pandaren, it looks like.]

How wonderful! You are a naga! I have not had a chance to speak with a gentle naga before! [She's calling it like she sees it. And honestly, Jou is tickled, indeed.]

Oh? I would think it was more important to be more of a cohesive unit. That is the way it was back home, at the farm--we all needed to do our part, or there were some lean times. And believe me, no Pandaren likes a lean time!

[pokepochette]

Bonnie. My name's Bonnie!

_{[God Blue, could you be any more of a brat?]}

And no, I've never heard of you before, but I'll remember your name because you're so rude.

[drrdrrdrr]

Aw shoot --

[There the wisp goes... Amethyst makes an uuughhh of frustration and dismisses her whip so she can give Tanyuu a hand up.]

Almost had it, huh?

[atouts]

Do I? [ He's a ragged-looking sort of man, coat considerably re-patched, and he does, overall, a bit shabby. So maybe he shouldn't be surprised she would ask. ] Ah, I suppose I must seem so. I am fine, though. Thank you.

[ Shabby-looking, yes. Unable to make his own way into the carnival, not so much. ]

And from this place, I meant. You had it right the second time. Do you know where here is?

[ Though Childermass won't warn her outright (the clerk's already giving him a look for this much). To be fair, he's not even completely sure himself beyond "probably Faerie". ]

[veinglory]

[When Gottlieb looks up at Joker, his face lights up even more. He admires the other's fantastical attire with a pleased clap of his hands.]

Oh ho ho! It is quite the quandary! Do you have any suggestions, good sir?

[The fact Joker is kind of handsome certainly doesn't hurt his enthusiasm. He might be blushing the tiniest bit. Not that it's easy to tell with the rouge.]