⇨ 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

[toogoodtoopure]

The word makes Yuugi's lips quirk a bit before he shrugs. "They're just spirits, and as far as I can see they haven't attacked anyone, so that's a bonus from the ones I'm used to dealing with." Though Yami Malik and Yami Bakura were special cases as far as that went. The ones that he's interacted with seem to just be doing their jobs, even when he does see the occasional jerk customer.

He tilts his head, brow raising to his hairline as he just has to question. "Lion? Ah, you don't mean like an actual lion, do you?" He's pretty sure she doesn't, but it doesn't hurt to be cautious.

Will O' Wisps

[yakan]

Mmmh, yeah? [ Gon shrugs. He doesn't really feel like doing physical labor beyond the stuff he does at the games that he is in charge of. ] Are her wisps any similar to anythin' ya have in Europe, Joker-no-danna? [ The purple smoke from his kiseru forms a question mark of curiosity. ]

[1halfofawhole]

[ That impressive display of tail even has Ranma hesitate for a moment. He hadn't been expecting it and it surprised him a little. More surprising is the stance the bird takes. He thinks he knows that martial arts style...maybe. Hard to tell with just a stance. But he's got more important things to worry about, like knives flying at him.

He bends nearly in half backwards to avoid it. ]

Whoops. Hey watch where you're throwing those buddy. I'm just trying to help you out.

[ By giving chase with the kettle. It probably looks like some really demented clown show. One martial artist chasing another one around the ring while carrying an entire kettle of water. ]

Look, I get not wanting to change back in front of an audience and all. [ Because unlike him, most the curse barers ended up naked when they turned back into humans. He sort of gets why the guy is avoiding him ] Just go backstage. I'll change you back and then you can finish your show the way you're supposed to be.

[hooffaceturn]

[Sunset can't help but stare at Zecora's tail when she flicks it, noting that it doesn't move in a way with which she's familiar. Her answer comes a second or two later when she's able to pull herself away from staring, blushing a bit,

She scratches the back of her neck.]

It isn't this place that changed me. Like I said, long story, with...portals and alternate dimensions. [She waves her fingers around for added effect] There's a whole other world where everypony, well, isn't a pony.

It...kind of sounds like you've been here for awhile.

[1halfofawhole]

"You don't have to tell me that." He sort of laughs a little, though it's really not all that funny. He's the one that has to live with the guy and put up with that sort of stuff. He's the one that has to be the honorable one of them and make up for all those shortcomings. It's what a man would do, right?

"But sure. I'll walk with you. Not sure I wanna speak with the leader. I just wanna find my pop and kick him in the head. But you don't get it. I gotta. If that moron does something stupid, I gotta fix it. It's my duty. But thanks for the warning....ah...." He shouldn't just call this woman that helped him out Goatlady. He really really shouldn't. "Goatlady." Damn it.

Saskia Oriana | World of Darkness OC | Veteran | OTA

[someplacetobeflying]

Do Your Work

[Most of Saskia's work involves her being elsewhere; scouting for the carnival and 'acquiring' whatever's needed on behalf of the Acquisitioner. So, there's not a lot to be seen unless she's taking a partner along, which sometimes happens. Just as often, though, she works alone.

When she's working within the carnival itself, the slight and perpetually active teenager is usually filling in for someone. Need a ride jockey? She's been around long enough to know how most of the major ones work, especially the roller coaster. Or perhaps she's encountered at the gamer's circle as a shill, showing just how easy it is to play those dart or water gun games and win something neat. Nevermind her sharp eyesight and reflexes, anyone can do it. Anyone approaching will be met with an infectious grin as she claims one more prize for her pile.] One more win for me! I can't seem to lose tonight. Go ahead, maybe my luck will rub off on you.

[That or she's patrolling the area in search of disgruntled customers to pacify. Most of the time, Saskia doesn't even bother to rely on her animal magnetism to improve their disposition towards her, as offering free tickets or vouchers usually seems to do the trick. Upon spotting the nearest source of distress, she'll wander over, as calm and cheerful as ever though with a sympathetic air as well.] What seems to be the problem?

Will O'Wisps

[Oh, not again. Saskia sighs upon seeing some of the rogue wisps at the center stage as workers are setting out chairs and stands for a musical performance. There isn't much time left before it's set to begin, but the presence of the wisps could easily delay or entirely derail such plans. Knowing the carnival needs to run as smoothly as possible, Saskia will glance around for the nearest poor soul, and beckon them over.]

Yeah, you! C'mon, help me play wisp wrangler again before the concert begins. Just don't touch them or get too close, if you can help it.

Trying to Leaf (for newbies)

[Saskia hasn't been interested in escaping the carnival for years, having willingly signed on after that first incident. She's sent out often enough to keep her from going stir-crazy and there's usually enough to keep her attention when here. So, freedom breaks aren't a thing that happen with her.

That said, she isn't without sympathy upon spotting yet another person turned back around from attempting to depart. Observing them from nearby, Saskia flashes an apologetic smile. Anyone who seems to need a friendly face will get one, if she's around.]

Sorry, but you're not getting out that way. You can keep trying, but you'll either end up here again or lost out there...and as weird as the forest is, I wouldn't recommend it. Gum? [She offers her pack for them to take a piece or not, as they please.]

[missionfail]

[Jasper watches the display, impressed despite herself, but merely shrugs her shoulders.]

I'm afraid without the mallet I can't say how fair that was. I did warn you.

[It's not like giving him a prize would be a big deal, but she's a stickler for the rules in a situation like this - mostly because it's the only authority she really has here outside of merc duties.]

If I make an exception for you it could start a bad trend.

Break time!

[mistweaver]

[She's close to what Lord Shen might be familiar with; and Jou Shan is definitely a fresh-faced newbie sort, but she's also the friendly type of fresh-faced newbie. As of yet, she hasn't been given a lot to do, so she tends to go around as a roustabout for lack of a better job to fill.

However, one thing she does know is brewing (both tea and beer!), and while the carnival, she notes, does its best to get excellent raw ingredients, putting it together can be a challenge.

And, well. Jou Shan both thinks the peacock is an attractive fellow, and has noted the tea he drinks isn't up to fabled Pandaren snuff. So she comes bearing gifts after his guandao practice, including a chilled cup of the tea brew she's fashioned.]

Do you fancy a drink, my lord? You have certainly been doing hard work!

[ferlwin]

"Goatlady?..." Ferlwin manages to keep a straight face all of five seconds before breaking into laughter. "Well, that's a new one." She giggles and wipes away a single tear of laughter before calming down and shaking her head. In a manner of speaking he was actually correct, so it was pretty hard to get mad at him.

"Depending on who you ask, I'm either a Satyr or a Faun... but just call me Ferlwin, please."

Back to the issue at hand though. "First, this is not a normal carnival, so when I say leave him to deal with his own debts, it would be a good idea to take that advice." If he takes her advice to heart or not, well, that's his choice.

"Before I get into that, how is his stupidity your responsibility? He's an adult, he is more than capable of knowing when he's making an immoral choice..."

Break Time

[no_secret_ingredient]

[Yeah, Po was trying to keep his distance, complex feelings and all about the man who murdered his mom. And yet, he was doing a poor job being stealthy as he stepped on a nearby plank.

The plank *creeeeeaked* and then THUD, it fell over.]

OOOOH sorry, sorry, I'll just get that...

[Hark, the wild Dragon Warrior scrambling to clean up the mess which swiftly escalated as he knocked over crates with his butt.] I got it! Oh, hi...?

[leglesspariah]

[What does that mean? It's vaguely threatening, and Kadin's eyes flick to the side, a quick glance over at his tail. If he grabbed the goat with his arms on his way backwards towards the fence he could probably make it over before this guy could catch him. Kadin doesn't see wings, but on the other hand he might breathe fire or something.

Well...he'll keep the idea of escaping on the back burner as a 'Plan B'. For now, the man is right. Kadin bows his head, genuine regret in his voice. He's fallen so far so quickly. A killer, a liar and a thief. He should be ashamed. His tail loosens around the goat, and he shimmies off of it, letting it slump gently to the ground.]

I'm sorry. The truth is I'm very, very hungry.

Danae Lavellan | Dragon Age: Inquisition | Newbie | OTA

[enasalin]

[ooc: There be Trespasser spoilers here! Read no further if that's not your thing.]

Admission Fees

'Anything of value?' [Well, that's vague. The slight elven woman takes a moment to reach her travel bag, taking a little longer than usual by her standards to get it open. Her left arm below the elbow is no longer present (sleeve pinned up to avoid showing the stump), and that's taking some getting used to. But familiarity wins out and she takes out a couple of books with a small fond grin.]

I have signed copies of the works of Varric Tethras; Swords and Sheilds and The Tale of the Champion. Might those count?

[A signed copy of All This Shit is Weird remains in her satchel. She's not giving that up, or the heartfelt message within, for anything.]

Trying to Leaf

[Danae's had her fun exploring the incredible sights the carnival has to offer, but it's getting late and what remains of her left arm is starting to ache. That's usually a sign that it's time to rest, and she'd rather deal with phantom pains and bouts of anxiety somewhere familiar. She plans to return, though, which is convenient given that her trek takes her back to the carnival entrance. Glancing back and then forward, she frowns in confusion and decides to ask around before making another attempt.]

Excuse me, but do you know how I can leave?

Do Your Work

[And then Danae doesn't want to leave anymore, not planning to do so for at least a year and a day. It was a strange bargain, to be sure, but Danae has made stranger in her time, and this one is already proving to be well-worth it.

The newest member of the carnival's patrol awaits her assigned trainer by the Big Top, admiring not only that structure but her brand new arm. It might seem strange for the elf to be turning her perfectly normal arm this way and that, but this is one limb she is not taking for granted. After what she's been through, a normal arm with no sliver of green attached to it is exactly what she needs.]

[missionfail]

None of your concern, traitor.

[She has no desire to show Peridot what she's working on, and even less desire to hear her commentary on the subject. She can only handle so much nerdspeak. The other gem should be able to guess enough anyway.]

Can't you figure it out?

[dontpokethat]

Ginko hauls the still-halfheartedly-squirming animal over to the pen nearby, letting out a quiet huff. The moment it's released, the possum thing bolts for the door again, but Ginko latches it in a hurry.

"I would hope so, but I'm not so sure he really does. Probably doesn't care too much, in any case."

maybe she needs a new bf

[missionfail]

If you're the sort of person who needs to feel validated.

[Jasper's received so many compliments from those on Homeworld that honestly they stopped meaning much to her a long time ago. Even though she's less at ease here, the idea that she'd suddenly want to enjoy the feeling of being complimented again is beyond her.]

Do you want a thanks?

probably the worst lbr

[fortuneglass]

[If Carly knew that Shen was after the position of Nightrider she'd probably be a little conflicted; on the one hand, the current Nightrider...on the other...Shen. Which one would be better in that role? ...Or at least, better for her for that matter?

The art of the blade is dazzling, and even when the bird lands, Carly is left in a trance.

...A little too long, perhaps-Shen has a good few seconds to wait before she snaps out of it.

And, rather predictably, panics. How did she survive that war again??] A-AH- Hi-!

Th-That was amazing! Amazing!! [And she really hopes she wasn't interrupting, because something tells her if she was it'll end bad!!] ...How did you even do all of that?

[dontpokethat]

"...Yeah, that's fair. Sorry, not a great question." He sighs, looking around again and shoving his fingers through his hair. "Dammit. Well, thanks anyway--"

Ginko cuts himself off, one of his ears twitching a moment before he turns to stare at a point under one of the game booths. "--Did you see that?"

[dontpokethat]

[Yeah of course she thinks that. Ginko isn't quite tactless enough to object outright, instead just letting out an amused little huff.]

Yeah? Glad to hear you enjoy it; it can be a pretty tough job.

[dontpokethat]

[Ginko's brow furrows as he looks Kadin over. Well, with that body, he guesses it shouldn't be too surprising that he'd go after an entire goat. ...Though Ginko doesn't much want to think about how he might go about eating it, especially if he was desperate enough to just grab it like this.]

...We do have food here, you know. That's specifically meant to be eaten, that is.

[fortuneglass]

[This appears to be ending about as well as it always does, by this point. From here there's really only standing there, frowning, and finally leaving...and...

No! Definitely not, there's got to be something...maybe the dogs are around? Or...Or...

(Really it looks as if Carly's been standing and seething for a good five minutes already. It's enough to have her shadow frowning at her for a bit before looking in Sans' direction.)]

Doesn't this get...'old', after a while? [The shadow hums, Carly herself jumping with a shout.]

HEH!! [How much time has passed?!]

[fortuneglass]

[If it were possible, the chest seems to tighten even more.] HAHH!?! How can we be more wrong?!

Honestly, the both of you...Tooth Hurty.

W...what?

[The shadow grumbles, before fading back to normalcy once more.] Don't make me repeat it.

[missionfail]

[Jasper feels like they've had a similar conversation numerous times since they've been here, but that doesn't mean her answers are going to be any different. She scowls.]

Peridot got lucky once. I'm sure the two of you would simply fall back on fusion.

[And that would be hideous.]

wheezes fortunately for carly these two have very different core values

[fortuneglass]

Eh? What does that have to do with...

[Now she's even more confused!] W-Why would I want thanks for complimenting someone!? [That makes even less sense! How backward is this person?!] It's about others being happy, not yourself!!

[fortuneglass]

EH?! [You know, funny enough, she very rarely uses that word to describe herself. The smile she has in turn however is proud and wide, even if a bit nervous all the same.] Y-You think so?!

[fortuneglass]

Mmhmm! [The obliviousness persists!

At least she seems nice though-she very quickly shakes her head, holding her hands out.] Oh-!! No no, you should go first!! You're actually a patron here, I just work here!!