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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Equestria? Never heard of it.

[But if no humans live there, that would explain it.]

Why do you speak in rhymes?

That's so cool... [He goes back to watching it, entranced. Machines like that just don't exist, that he knows of, and so he can't help it.]

Oh. So should we find who's doing it? See if they're good or bad?

[He's a little disappointed that Steven got to his feet normally instead of doing some cool alien trick, but he doesn't say so.]

[Kadin slumps in relief a little bit, then turns and slides over to the dead goat. He heaves it up in his arms, then brings in his tail to coil around it again. When his tail is successfully holding it upright he glances back at Ginko a little nervously.]

Uh you might want to turn around...

[Someone is on a mission. His arms full of a burlap sack containing god only knows what (is it squirming?!), a redheaded teenager is walking at a steady pace towards the backyard area.

Out of the corner of one icy gray eye he spots the other slumbering against a wall. The sight makes him cluck his tongue.]

If you get caught slacking, the boss is going to punish you, y'know.

Edited 2016-10-08 00:08 (UTC)

[It's not too hard to see the weariness in the set of those wings, or the way the man still seems to consciously mind the position of his antlers. They must take some getting used to; both are more dramatic physical transformations than Lancer has experienced.

Perhaps there isn't much to change in a man whose entire life was swathed in similar magic. Like the heavy charm crystallized in a single grain of colour on his cheek, most of Diarmuid's new affectations have been subtler marks of beauty meant to draw others to him. He's tall and handsome, soft and sparkling, poisonous in a way that drives people to self-destruction.

It makes him very, very good at his job. Which means he can get away with encouraging an extra moment of rest here or there.]

Wouldn't be the first time. [And he grins broadly, full of warm and infectious pride, before twirling the spear over his arm and presenting it toward Joker in a move so fluid and casually graceful that it can't be anything but a playful response to that teasing.] Is that your challenge?

['Cause buddy, it's a losing bet.]

I didn't say that!

[ It's true but he didn't say it so stop implying things, sheesh. He has reputation to uphold; Sougo's the one who breaks things. Most of the time, anyway. And Mitsuki doesn't think it'll take that long either but there is that whole seven years of bad luck thing.

Mitsuki looks past Tamaki when he starts to look around. He's not sure who else might be here either, after all. ]

Nothing, I was just asking. ... Wait. Why are you alone?

[He gives an understanding nod and a comforting smile. Ah yes. Feeding issues. They'd been quite a problem for him in the past too, (and again now with his 'performance' but that's a different issue).]

There's probably two things that can help with that. Snakes don't eat regularly. Running a digestive system full time takes a lot of energy that cold blooded animals don't necessarily have. So it's best to eat a whole lot all at once. [He pauses putting a bit of extra stress on his words here.] And I mean a lot. You should be just starting to feel uncomfortably full when you stop. Then just don't eat until you actually feel hungry again, which probably won't be for a week or two.

[As for the second thing, he was kind of making an assumption, so it might not be an issue at all. He doesn't want to seem condescending by explaining things she's already figured out.]

And also uh, have you just been eating regular food like you used to?

Edited 2016-10-08 01:16 (UTC)

WILL O' WISPS

[Near the hustle and bustle of the front entrance, there's a human figure clad in black treating the visitors standing around like a living obstacle course. Someone managing to follow him as he darts and weaves between bodies will soon notice he is chasing a particularly artful wisp. While the pursuer manages to always stay within a few millimeters of the ball of light, his attempts to get it into whatever he's holding always fall short. Little mind is paid to the visitors he's nearly colliding with, his eyes are locked on his target and he hasn't got time to waste with pointless apologies.

In spite of all this effort having made him visibly tired, the futility of it hasn't seemed to sink in for him yet. His face is contorted in absolute concentration, and any falter is treated as if it never happened. Apparently, at this point, it's personal.]

WILD CARD

[At the edge of the woods, a boy sits on a stump watching the poor souls trying to escape with a lopsided grin. In one hand he lazily rolls a dual colored orb, its surface glinting in the moonlight.

Perhaps of greater interest, however, is the bat-like creature flapping in the air just a few feet away from him. It too seems to be watching those attempting to flee, turning its red eyes down to the boy with a chirp that seems like it's asking a question.]

I dunno. They've been trying for an hour. I give them another thirty minutes before they wear themselves out.

[Playing innocent, Joker splays his fingers out and grins.]

If I made that my challenge, one of the stalls would probably get destroyed, and the Ringleader would chew me out until I was mush.

[Especially after all the renovations they've just had to do in the last year. Yeesh. Letting his arm swing down, he whistles idly and lets his eyes roam the Gamer's Circle. It's not like he really needs to. Being with the Carnival long enough has gotten him pretty familiar with just about everything here. Still, it's nice to look at his options now and again.]

Lessee, what game are we both bleedin' atrocious at? Just ta put things fair.

[...You know, he would be confused if it weren't for the fact that this guy is apparently about to eat an entire goat, and however that works it sounds like it might not be something he wants to see.

Even if he's sort of curious.]

Uh... yeah, sure. [He turns away, tucking his hands into his pockets and resisting whatever impulse he may have to go ahead and look.]

[Whatever sounds are made by a human torso stretching wide enough to engulf a whole goat via the mouth cannot possibly be pleasant. There's the innocuous sounds of scales shifting against each other, and general noises of movement, but then there's the far more alarming popping, cracking and creaking of bone and sinew moving to accommodate something large.

The process is not quick either. Even after the strange organic sounds stop, there's more shifting as Kadin works on his meal.

He's pretty self-conscious about this whole process. He's glad that Ginko cooperated and turned away, he's painfully aware of just how much time this is taking. As soon as the hooves get past his mouth he rehinges his jaw with another sharp pop, struggling to get at least this head and neck back to a position where they can work as normal.]

I'm almost done, really. I'll just tell you when it gets into the...tail part instead of y'know. The top half.

[However technically inaccurate the word 'half' has always been to describe his human portion.]

[He didn't have to say it, it was the only conclusion. Though Tamaki would definitely agree that Sougo is the one who breaks things, especially if you give him a weapon (which, in Tamaki's opinion, you should never do).]

Because I walked out here by myself.

[Unfortunately, if Mitsuki wants to know why he walked out here by himself, he'll have to ask more questions. Tamaki still isn't any better at explaining things.]

Are you alone, Mikki?

It's pretty impressive, that's for sure. [He turns to watch it, too, the end of his tail swishing back and forth behind him.] Apparently some people think it's fun, too.

Edited 2016-10-08 02:03 (UTC)

[That... sure is a sound. Fortunately, as much as it makes Ginko kind of curious, it's also distressing enough that he decides that, yeah, he really should not look after all.

He nods when Kadin speaks up.] Take your time. [Despite how it may sound, it's not actually intended as sarcasm or anything like that.]

_{[Despite all her wandering around the carnival, Bonnie hadn't been able to find her brother. That left her moving back to the front of the carnival where she'd been admitted, only to find herself wandering back from where she'd come from. Maybe she'd find him here?

Her efforts to look for Clemont however are put on hold when she notices the older boy sitting off in the distance with a crobat flapping about. There's no mistaking the large bat Pokemon for anything else as she hurries over toward him excitedly, Dedenne peeking out of her pochette. Finally, someone else who had Pokemon other than her! Whether or not he'll be friendly is something she can worry about later, right?]}

Uwah! You have a crobat! It's so big!

[ But is it enough to qualify as a mass? Maybe just a shared one, a level below mass, if that's a thing. ]

Well, yours could have been influenced by mine. It still should have been kind of different, though, and it looks exactly the same.

... Can you bring it in here? Maybe if we both touch the same one at the same time, we can tell if it's real.

[ Granted, it's a star so both of them touching it almost certainly means it can't be real, but that has to at least mean it's not a hallucination. ]

[The boy turns. When he does, it becomes clear he's perhaps not as human as he seemed from a distance. Chances are the most obvious thing is the long, forked tongue darting out of his mouth as she approaches. There's also the whip-like tail ending in a spade-shaped tip swishing to one side of him, and lastly the way his ears come to a sharp point.

He doesn't make a move to get up, but his eyebrows raise in clear interest.]

... you know about Pokemon?

_{[What's with this place and people having such odd features! His appearance has her giving pause but what little hesitation is brushed aside when he asks her if she knows about Pokemon. What a silly question! Although maybe, on second thought, it isn't that silly.]}

Course I do!

_{[Dedenne squeaks from her bag, giving a little wave, although he seems uncertain about this semi-human person.]}

[Neither the Crobat or his trainer return the wave, instead exchanging surprised glances before returning their attention to the girl and her Pokemon.]

I can't believe it. I never thought she'd --

[The thought is cut short, exchanged instead for a blunt question.]

Where are you from?

Bingo~!

[Quick study, he likes that. Joker’s grin widens.]

A lotta things about this place are like that. So that said... [He straightens up, legs crossing.] What’s this dream a yers, if ya don’t mind me askin’? Maybe we could help ya out there, if ya like. The pay here ain’t exactly for money… Well, unless that’s what some people want.

[Enthusiasm like that never fails to make Joker laugh, even as the shockwave ripples through his hair.]

When ya gonna stop callin’ me kid, eh? I think this particular bottle a wine has aged a bit since I first joined.

Ha. Someone’s heard his fairytales.

[Joker shrugs as he turns around, feathers rustling, and makes for what’s become home.]

S’fine, so long as ya pay for it. Patrons gotta pay, ha.

[Actual genuine enjoyment is written across Joker’s face as he listens to the tale, chuckling when it’s all said and done with. 1925, huh? If it’s anything like his world, then that’s a bit later, but you can never tell in this place. At the question, he grins encouragingly.]

No need ta worry, this place is safe as safe can be, and that means with the games too. Wouldn’t want any of our handsome patrons such as yourself gettin’ hurt, would we now?

[Ah, wrong thing to say. Oh well. Joker doesn’t dwell on it for long. These things happen sometimes, especially when you never know who will pop up in the carnival next. At least it’s not the kind of situation where he’s almost died… again. For, what, the third time? It doesn’t matter. Hastily, he thinks of a new angle to try.]

My apologies, didn’t mean no disrespect. [He had a bow, arm crossed over his chest, for good measure.] Yer right, a course- ya would know better all about yer mentor’s business, especially as I’m afraid I’m a bit oblivious when it comes ta things outside the carnival.

Only reason I was bringin’ up my Ringleader is because we’ve been lookin’ for new workers and the like. Of course, now that I’ve talked with ya, it’s clear you’ve got the best job in the world, workin’ under yer mentor, ain’t that so?

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⇨ TEST DRIVE MEME #1

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break time

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Silver | Pokemon | Veteran

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Wildcard

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