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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[Indeed, anyone. Though Gilgamesh does quirk a brow once his new companion comes into view; that's a lot more bones than he was expecting and necessarily cared for in a partner, but it intrigues him enough to approach and study him curiously.]

A "lady" horse?

[Wait, no, would that be lady skeleton? Lady centaur? Uh...]

You're some sort of something, alright. Explain yourself.

Do I look like I'm interested in sharing that?

[She doesn't understand it when people don't immediately get the hint. She's not here to make friends, nor does she need to in order to do her job.

It would help, sure, but it isn't necessary.]

[Gilgamesh was fairly strange, even as far as carnies went. He took pleasure in the unusual and indulged in the outright bizarre, with no concern for how the outside world judged him; after all, even if he's no longer King of Heroes, he's still beautiful, still dazzling, and therefore very much beyond reproach. A pity not all could see themselves that way, but as he always said, it was best not for mongrels to labor under delusion. It was an insult to look upon them, as one of his superior station.

This individual, however...

He's interested. And Gilgamesh's interest tended to spell trouble for the target of it. He waits patiently for Kadin to finish up this little display, and once he's safely gobbled up the goat, he approaches. He approaches and, apparently having forgotten his own half, starts touching his scales without invitation. Because of course he doesn't need it.]

How beautiful.

[Some way, somehow... it seems as though Kadin has gained an admirer.]

[Kadin glances up at Ginko, a pained sort of look on his face.]

I can't- [No that's not right, he can eat food for humans it just doesn't work right, and in his current state he's not sure it would do any good.] I need to eat like this, all at once.

[And of course there's his other problem.]

And I have no money.

[Or anything else actually. He makes a gesture, open palms facing Ginko. He doesn't even have a shirt on his back.]

Then I shall respect your station.

[For whatever respect even meant to someone like Gilgamesh, as he'd already demonstrated a sincere lack of it. He had left much of his former culture behind, but an "elder" was still very much an individual to be heeded in his eyes. Besides, she's so striking in appearance he can't help but be fascinated by her.

Note: this was not a good thing.]

I know the way out. Follow me.

[...maybe following this man wasn't the best idea, either, but considering he'd appeared out of nowhere, maybe he really does have some idea of what he's doing.]

[...dammit. Don't panic, don't panic.]

It is a suitable coin for this purpose.

[Technically not a lie. Hopefully enough to deter her from further questioning.]

You are certainly striking.

[Hm... but in this case, maybe it's best to win him over with a job well done rather than leaping into immediate harassment. For once. He hasn't had much luck on his own, yet together they might be able to make some progress with the wisps. It's a small sacrifice of time he's willing to make in exchange for a much bigger indulgence.]

Is there a specific tactic that works best, here? I find they tend to slip between my fingers as soon as I catch them.

[Which meant flying wasn't of much use if they were always faster.]

Yeah, yeah! Aww, he even talks. I ain't seen anythin' like him before, where'd ya get him?

( Obviously not at the fair, but you know, he's never seen something like that before? Half of him is still under the impression that it might be some kind of toy; in fact, it kind of reminds him of the kinds of creatures they put into video games. It's cute though, and he's absolutely delighted to see it. It actually snaps him out of his admiration when she points out his own prize. )

Thanks! I saw him at one of the stalls an' I couldn't just leave him there, yanno. Nn, but, I've never heard of an Aipom before..?

[ An annoyance, indeed.

Archer doesn't overtly react to his personal space being invaded, standing as stiff and firm as he has this entire time. Even so, gray eyes flash dangerously, an almost feral look that is quickly wiped away.

He'd snap the man's finger off himself if he felt it was at all prudent, but instead, he very calmly and coldly brushes that hand aside. ]

Don't hold your breath.

[ And with that, he turns and walks away. ]

[When the act is done, Gottlieb gives an ovation that is just as enthusiastic as it was while the show was going on. He only wishes he had a rose to throw! He's also still happily chattering away to anyone who will listen.]

I have never seen such a spectacle! This is a truly wonderful place.

An Aipom is a monkey Pokemon. Dedenne's a Pokemon too.

_{[So many people don't know what Pokemon are it's getting kind of weird...]}

My brother caught him for me because I'm not old enough to be a Pokemon trainer so I can keep him and take care of him.

[She sticks her nose up, flushing angrily.] I did, I just, didn't want to make any assumptions!

[YEESH.]

[A little of column A, a little of column B...

Gilgamesh doesn't look too pleased with any of this so instead of being a normal person and buzzing off, he gets all up in her space and hovers in a way that's likely much too close for comfort. Although, up close, she does seem kind of cute. Maybe. Possibly. Slightly. Time to endear himself.]

That plate should have killed you.

[...time to endear himself by way of making death threats.]

[The Gem has to pause to watch Jacky drunkenly stumbling about. It's... Well, at least she can take comfort in the fact that she's not as bad off as her coworker over there, and that's including the singed paw in the equation. At this point, Peridot puts on the brakes, letting one of the little wisps flit away from her.]

Okay, this is ridiculous. We need a different approach! I mean, you and I are both smarter than this, there has to be a better solution!

[She snorts.] Yeah, and if we did? You'd still lose. I'm just sayin'... you couldn't beat me and Steven. We're, like, the weakest Crystal Gems. I don't know what you think you're gonna do different that'll let you take Garnet and Pearl.

[It's always kind of weird to just... talk to Jasper like this, openly antagonistic but so removed from the actual context of what they're talking about.

Although... Amethyst is half kind of hoping that Jasper will try something. When she decided to offer another year of her service in exchange for increased strength, she promised herself this wasn't about wanting to be a Real Quartz, wasn't about beating Jasper, but... she wants to know if she could. Is that so wrong?]

[ Kerubim scratched his chin, looking around. If her brother was looking for her, there was a good chance he was here.]

I'm sure he's worried about you. I'd bet he's already here at the carnival.

I can help you find him, if you want.

Without any better idea of where she is or what direction to go, Nala ends up padding cautiously in the direction of that voice. She's surprised by the sight of both the huge wolf and the tiny glowing creature she seems to be addressing... but not as surprised as she would have been an hour or two ago.

She keeps her distance, cautious but curious.

"What... is that thing?" There might not be any point in asking, but... She knows she can climb better than a wolf can, even one this unnaturally large, and perhaps if she does someone here a favour they'll help her find her way out.

[She squints, uncomprehending, at the game.]

One really good... duck?

[Ohhhh no no no. He knows that look. He's seen it a million times on Moneybag's face whenever treasure is involved.

Spyro's tail swishes over the ground behind him, as he sits back on his haunches and frowns.]

Hey. Lady. You gonna be alright?

[The more Kadin explains, the more concerned Ginko looks.

This... might have been more or less unavoidable. Which could well be why Kadin was brought here to begin with.

Dammit.

He sighs and rubs at the back of his neck, his mouth twisting with frustration.]

...'Course you don't. Look, I'm sorry for the position you've ended up in, but there's not really a way around it. You've got a debt now.

Kerubim had to give Ginko credit, this wasn't as easy at it looked. But from this angle, the creature couldn't get any leverage to escape, and so he was able to carry it over to where Ginko was waiting. With a grunt of effort, he tossed it as far into the pen as he could, slamming the door shut after it.

He looked up at Ginko triumphantly.
"There you go. A lot easier with help, wasn't it?"

[Kerubim looked up at whoever had approached him, giving him an appraising look. He'd never seen anyone quite like that, but in all his travels he'd also gotten used to the unexpected.]

You've clearly never played a game against an ecaflip kitten. But you're right. Any idiot with a bit of luck could win here.

There was a limit to the kinds of new ingredients Yukine Miyazawa liked to experiment with when she used to cook back at the reference room. That she was willing to even touch and inspect a slice of meat that glowed a strong purple over her was either an act of extreme devotion towards her job as a caretaker and cook, or resignation that she would not see herself as human for a long time, anyway. She was already growing like a tree in just a month in here, anyway.

"Is... all of this bound to have secondary effects on us, by exposure or consumption?" She turned to Yako, before looking at her own uniform, which felt smaller and smaller every passing day.

"Why, are there traps? I haven't run into any so far."

Whoever his new companion was/were, they did seem very nervous, and it wouldn't be a shock in a dungeon like this to find out there were traps. Kerubim looked around the space, focusing on the floor and the ceiling, but didn't see any clues that would give away any hidden threats.

"We should work together. Our chances of getting out quickly will be much higher."

Edited 2016-10-04 03:34 (UTC)

We get all types here. Give it a try.

[Regular human strength probably won't cut it, to be honest. They get too many customers that are a little sturdier than the norm, and it wouldn't be a real test of strength if just anyone could walk away with a prize.]

I can always give you a consolation prize to make you feel better.

[She smirks.]

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⇨ TEST DRIVE MEME #1

oh my god this thread is going to be full of regrets

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Work | Playing as newbie

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