ringleaders: (firebreather)
Lost Carnival Mods ([personal profile] ringleaders) wrote in [community profile] livinglot2016-09-29 10:38 am

⇨ 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!
puddingemote: (i been livin a lonely life)

[personal profile] puddingemote 2016-10-10 06:03 pm (UTC)(link)
[Clearly not a good place. Tamaki is glad he'll get to hang on to the last of his stickers, though.]

Yeah. If it's fun, maybe we can do a circus-themed show...

[Ah, right, but he said he was quitting...]
otokogi: (stand up now and face the sun)

[personal profile] otokogi 2016-10-10 06:55 pm (UTC)(link)
That might be fun! Riku could be the ring master, Iori could be a magician because their suits look good on him... You'd make a good strong man, Tamaki! Or mezzo" could do something together, like a trapeze act. You'd have to talk to Sougo again, though.

[ Mitsuki doesn't necessarily intend to try to fix things between the two of them but he does know that whatever happened, it's not exclusively either of their faults. It never is.

Plus he thinks the sight of guys like Sougo and Tamaki flying through the air and catching each other would have audiences screaming, provided Sougo didn't give himself a heart attack. It'd all be wires anyway. ]


What kind of thing would you want to do?
puddingemote: (i don't know where i went wrong)

[personal profile] puddingemote 2016-10-10 07:09 pm (UTC)(link)
[That all sounded really fun until Mitsuki brought up Sougo and MEZZO" again. Tamaki makes a face like he's a little put out.]

I wanna do that... the swing thing.

[Though he's not sure it's something Sougo should try, because of his stomach...]

Doesn't have to be with Sou-chan, though. [So there.]

What do you want to do, Mikki?
Edited (wow I misread that lmao) 2016-10-10 19:10 (UTC)
faking: (pic#1381783)

fees

[personal profile] faking 2016-10-10 07:40 pm (UTC)(link)
[It's Alois' habit to lurk around the front gate and glare. He's good at talking, good at cons or being coy, but he has a personal stake in contracts and the like, so he doesn't enjoy seeing some ignorant fool get roped into this carnival without knowing what's really going on. Of course, he doesn't blab about any of this to patrons—his sense of self-preservation is greater than his compassion. ...In most cases, anyway...

Because when he sees this little girl, teary-eyed and totally unsuspecting, something in him twists like hot pliers.

He skirts his way round to where she stands, not minding the ticketmaster or anybody else in the way. And he stoops to Bonnie's level—he knows how to do it just the right way, so that it isn't condescending. His hands are braced on his bent knees, and he's wearing the gentlest smile he can muster—and for once it's genuine.]


There, there! No need for all that. A big girl like you needs a handkerchief and something fun to do, I think. How does that sound?

[He's a pretty boy, to be sure, but he looks stranger now because of the carnival: his ears have a distinct point to them, and there are peeks of what looks like amethyst and sapphire creeping out from underneath his sleeves. They decorate his delicate fingers, too. (He hates them so, so much, but he can't seem to scratch them off, and now only tries to when he's feeling particularly nasty.)

As if he's fulfilling a promise, he plucks a plain white handkerchief from his coat, and offers it to her.]
Here you are, treasure. Now, what's the trouble, exactly?
dragonsattendant: (ugh...)

[personal profile] dragonsattendant 2016-10-10 08:42 pm (UTC)(link)
I-I think so. My island is a mountain, so I've had worse... falls...

[ Medli trails off, and her eyes go wide at the transformation in front of her. She was only part bird, herself, so seeing someone go from full bird to partial? ] W-wow! How did you do that?!
fortuneglass: credit - haptisms @ lj (:))

[personal profile] fortuneglass 2016-10-10 08:47 pm (UTC)(link)
You've fallen off of mountains?! Seriously?!

[Her panic, thankfully, is easy enough to cast aside for excitement when faced with praise. With a wide smile, the girl's wings even start to wiggle a little.] Oh! With magic!

I asked for a way to move faster, and got that spell!

[personal profile] babbylon 2016-10-10 09:14 pm (UTC)(link)
[Gilgamesh is... maybe... a little... slightly... beginning to appreciate this sort of sense of humor. He scoffs to cover it up.]

I suppose that would depend upon the nature of the question. If you waste my time, you suffer the consequences nonetheless.
dragonsattendant: (listening)

[personal profile] dragonsattendant 2016-10-10 09:25 pm (UTC)(link)
Medli, (un?)fortunately, hadn't been in long enough to see the mirror's trickery yet. Beginning to walk, she glances back at Hinawa. "Why is that, ma'am?"

Medli's reflection removes her hand from the real one's in the meanwhile.
dragonsattendant: (yay!)

[personal profile] dragonsattendant 2016-10-10 09:34 pm (UTC)(link)
Yup. Can't learn to fly without taking a few falls, right? [ Of course, there was usually someone around to help, but that's not important here.

Rubbing her backside with a quiet "ouch", she manages to get back on her feet, and although she tries not to stare, she can't help it.
] I've never seen a Rito with wings on their backs before...
rescuee: (12)

[personal profile] rescuee 2016-10-10 09:36 pm (UTC)(link)
[ That's good, because he has an endless supply of it. ]

I'd never dream of it. [ The little half smile fades out again, and more seriously: ] May I ask why you're here?

[ He's heard little hints and whispers of people staying on to join the show, not always voluntarily. It feels like a matter worth looking into. ]
fortuneglass: (<o<)

[personal profile] fortuneglass 2016-10-10 09:37 pm (UTC)(link)
It feels like that's too much of a fall though... [she groans, scratching her cheek. Well, all that aside.] Rito?

Aah-! I'm human actually! You just start to look different when you work here long enough, it's normal!

[personal profile] babbylon 2016-10-10 09:52 pm (UTC)(link)
Because there was nowhere else to go.

[...well, that didn't sound harrowing at all.]
dragonsattendant: (apprehension)

[personal profile] dragonsattendant 2016-10-10 10:07 pm (UTC)(link)
Really?? That seems like kind of a dramatic change... [ She shuffles, looking downwards. ] Um, not to be rude, but does that apply to your eyes, too? I didn't think humans had eyes like that... Not that I've met many humans...
rescuee: (on the shoot)

[personal profile] rescuee 2016-10-10 10:31 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Whoa, did he just ask after a Really Dramatic Thing? He considers the answer for a few seconds, solemnly, then nods. ]

Have you found anything here that makes you happy?

[ You know, just to continue the theme of Suddenly Serious. He's hoping he's read Gilgamesh correctly in thinking the question will get him an honest answer. ]

[personal profile] babbylon 2016-10-10 10:32 pm (UTC)(link)
No.

[It would seem he certainly did.]

I have found something here that keeps me entertained. It is not the same.
fortuneglass: credit - haptisms @ lj (owo'')

[personal profile] fortuneglass 2016-10-10 10:33 pm (UTC)(link)
AH... [........It does not.

That bit came from dying and being revived as a cult zombie.
] Th-That's just something I've had for a while, let's go meet the Ringmaster now!! [she sputters, hurriedly walking toward the carnival's gate-or at least where she feels it might be.] It's not worth questioning..!
faking: (pic#1381878)

wild card

[personal profile] faking 2016-10-10 10:44 pm (UTC)(link)
Bit mean, don't you think?

[Alois has come up nearby, and now he leans forward to watch the escapees as well, knees bent, hands braced against them. The comment is kind of rich coming from him, since he's been known to make some pretty mean remarks himself, though they've been tempered a little, the longer he's spent here.

It may sound like he's decrying Silver, but regardless, Alois is wearing a small smile, calm, almost gentle. Maybe a little curious, too. Notably, he stands opposite the batty thing; creatures like that make him suspicious... But for now, at least, he seems mellow.]
meanlook: (Please don't tell me)

[personal profile] meanlook 2016-10-10 10:53 pm (UTC)(link)
[Silver rolls his shoulders in a languid shrug.]

Not like it's my fault they're trapped.

[He turns to look over at Alois, his expression slightly tired.]

Tch, they brought in way too many today. I've barely had time to breathe.
otokogi: (yes i am yes i am yes i am)

[personal profile] otokogi 2016-10-10 10:54 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Mmm, Mitsuki thought that might happen. Testing the waters does mean making ripples! For now, though, he'll leave it. Moderating between these two is really more Yamato's specialty anyway. ]

You're right! Hmm... Actually, I might have fun doing the trapeze with you, Tamaki! I'm light so you'd be able to catch me but I'm strong too so maybe I could catch you!

[ Mitsuki tucks his hands in his pockets and looks up at the lights around them, thinking. ]

If not that then maybe a clown. They make a lot of people smile.
faking: (pic#5386543)

[personal profile] faking 2016-10-10 10:58 pm (UTC)(link)
Not your fault, but...

[Secret thoughts or attention-seeking, but Alois doesn't finish his sentence. Instead he stands up straight, then rocks back on his heels, hands behind his back.]

You know, idle hands, devil's workshop, all that. If you're overworked, doesn't that mean they like you? Haha, or maybe it's the other way around.
rescuee: (you ain't knee-high to a lamb)

[personal profile] rescuee 2016-10-10 11:00 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Well, that's a disappointing answer. But probably the most realistic answer... there are no shortcuts to these things.

But still, this is getting a little morose to want to inflict on someone he'd just met. Out comes that gently teasing tone again.
]

Not even little things, moments of happiness? I've seen some really impressive candy displays, those must be good for an enjoyable moment or two.
meanlook: (Surrounded by idiots.)

[personal profile] meanlook 2016-10-10 11:02 pm (UTC)(link)
[There's a low groan from Silver's throat, accompanied by eyerolling only a champion eye roller could pull off. Apparently, this is hardly his first exchange with Alois.]

'But' what? You're doing that thing again. Spit it out.
faking: (pic#1381914)

[personal profile] faking 2016-10-10 11:08 pm (UTC)(link)
But! I'm just saying! [Alois does this every time, too, flaring up as if he's been offended, acting flustered like he doesn't want to give up the rest of his thought.

...

But, yeah. He wanted to be asked.]


It's just pitiable, that's all.

[For someone who often mocks the weak (and anyone else), Alois seems to have a heart for contracts and conditions.]
solaris9: (smokin')

[personal profile] solaris9 2016-10-10 11:12 pm (UTC)(link)
"Wow, that's it?"

What did she do? Goku wasn't sure anything happened at all. He cocked his head curiously to the side as he touched the coins that flipped over.

"What did you do? How do you know it's done?"
meanlook: (I'm going to pretend I don't know you.)

[personal profile] meanlook 2016-10-10 11:14 pm (UTC)(link)
[A pre-carnival Silver wouldn't have sat around for this. He wouldn't have had the patience or the maturity to deal with Alois and his games. But nowadays, he found the walls he'd once had between him and others weren't quite as impenetrable as they used to be. Some small part of him wanted a little pointless conversation.

He really loathed it.]


Yeah, well, nobody felt sorry for me when I was suckered into this place. And I bet it wasn't any different for you.