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!
upadly_aniol: (indifferent)

[personal profile] upadly_aniol 2016-11-06 06:48 am (UTC)(link)
As if I knew how a trickster's and a liar's mind works.

Nevermind. Come with me, then if you try anything, I'll see it immedietaly with my own eyes.

[And he goes back towards the carnival, expecting the winged man/creauture/whatever to follow, hopefully without further irritating suggestions. And as for flying off, Ishida's first thought is to cut those wings off if the man ever acts suspiciously. That's what he'd do if a bird attacked him, after all, and it's the same thing, isn't it?]
Edited 2016-11-06 06:51 (UTC)
neighborofthebeast: (human: adlfsffdsg)

sorry for the delay!

[personal profile] neighborofthebeast 2016-11-06 03:04 pm (UTC)(link)
Two or three fluffy kernels land in his hair. The boy doesn't stir. He's plumb tuckered out. However a fourth one lands just close enough to his face that his instincts take over. He sniffs a couple of times in his sleep and a long forked tongue darts out to snatch it up.

Ever try to eat something really really dry in your sleep?

"Hkkk! Pphht! Guh!" Roman sat bolt upright, heels hooked over the edge of the cart, and started to cough and spit.
neighborofthebeast: (Phhppttttt)

[personal profile] neighborofthebeast 2016-11-06 03:20 pm (UTC)(link)
Roman puffed himself up, the needles on his split tail standing on end.

"No. I think I'm going to stay right here."
amusicaladventure: (Smirk)

[personal profile] amusicaladventure 2016-11-06 03:55 pm (UTC)(link)
It's only off the rails if you're not used to magic. I mean, think about it. Weird circus in a place I've never seen before with all sorts of wild things happening and a mirror maze that doesn't even pretend to be the right size? It all adds up to abracadabra! [Her hands curl around each other, then flick outwards like she's spreading glitter.]
amusicaladventure: (Thinking)

[personal profile] amusicaladventure 2016-11-06 03:58 pm (UTC)(link)
"Yeah, I get that. Uh, how about water? Water good for you? Or is that... I'm betting you're hand-wash only, huh?" She was really, really tempted to look for a label, and suppressed that urge with an effort of will.
seariadn: (Default)

[personal profile] seariadn 2016-11-06 04:37 pm (UTC)(link)

At the mention of water, he just shrugged a bit. Water wasn't scary like fire was. "I guess?... I'd rather not get water logged, but I'd dry..." He paused and looked at himself curiously. "I think at least..."

atouts: (029; nine of cups)

[personal profile] atouts 2016-11-06 08:01 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Then the poor man is in for a bad surprise later, when he tries to leave, but Childermass isn't going to be the one to tell him that. Instead, he raises his own hands up, a gesture similar to Josh's own, though his is to show that he's meaning no harm here. ]

Which is fine. [ Not really, but, again, what's done is done. ] You'll be able to settle that later, sir, I assure you, but I only wish to ask you what is wrong. I can tell you right now that no one here means you any harm, if that is what you're thinking.

[ So long as he doesn't mean any harm to them back, in any case, but from the state he's in? That's doubtful. ]
swingintoaction: (Yeah?)

Still not sorry at all

[personal profile] swingintoaction 2016-11-06 09:35 pm (UTC)(link)
[Only because he creeps closer to the strange beast for a much better look and then-]

Gong? Is that really you?

[The fun has only just begun.]

[personal profile] mettatronic 2016-11-06 09:45 pm (UTC)(link)
[His brow lifts and his smile takes on a tiny extra twist that isn't at all judgey or above-it-all at that - got to find a little panache charming!

Lightly claps his hands together.]


Innn-dubitably, darling!

[Sincere agreement!]

But, let me tell you, I am - [Brushes his bangs slightly aside with a flick o' the wrist.] - plenty used to magic. Seems as though I might be too much so, if anything.
Edited 2016-11-06 21:46 (UTC)
betheman: (W H Y)

u come into my house, on this day, the day of my voicetest-

[personal profile] betheman 2016-11-06 10:21 pm (UTC)(link)
[WHAT

THE

CRAP-
] MMH?!

G-GONG- [He starts, his protest tearing him from meditation. The shock is only increased when he sees who just called him that.] YUUYA?!
betheman: (NOT GONNA LIKE WHAT'S BEHIND ME)

DO YOUR JOBBBBBB

[personal profile] betheman 2016-11-06 10:28 pm (UTC)(link)
[This is a little bit of an awkward situation for the customer, no doubt. One minute they're insisting on someone more 'normal' to deal with their woes, the next they appear to be wondering if maybe they were better off with the large dog-taur thing.

Gongenzaka, for his part, explains wonderfully.
] As I, the man Gongenzaka, explained; they claim that their wallet has gone missing, and requested assistance from one among our patrol number to aid in the search... ...however, when I went to offer my services, [he admits, quite visibly growing more and more tense and uncomfortable as he speaks,] They noted as well that they would be more...comfortable with someone more...

[IT'S UNFORGIVABLE!!

But they're in front of the customer, he needs to keep calm-
] ...human.

[Cough cough.]
pipers_son: (icons-for-the-baes) (I'm going to hell in a handbasket.)

[personal profile] pipers_son 2016-11-07 12:40 am (UTC)(link)
[That’s definitely not Joker snickering into his hand, don’t mind him.]

Magic. The Ringmaster doesn’t let folks leave until they’ve had their fun, y’know.

[Or until they’ve been recruited one way or another. It’s a bit of a dirty trick, but Joker can’t judge too much.]
pipers_son: (bestia-domitor) (How do you say "get out of my)

[personal profile] pipers_son 2016-11-07 12:41 am (UTC)(link)
[One of these days, Snake’s…. Snakes might one day calm down a bit and not run the show so much, so to speak. For now, however, Joker lets out a slow breath.]

Well, if ya really insist….

[Hastily, he goes through his options before nodding to himself. Being supervisor means he gets away with certain liberties, and right now that’s cutting through the rest of the line without a care in the world as the person at the window looks up. Joker tugs at the tie around his throat until it’s loose and falling over his fingers.]

Hey there. Payin’ for this one. S’my best tie, so that outta do just fine, yeah?

[As the tie is exchanged, he nods back to Snake.]

Alright then, c’mon. I'll show ya around.
pipers_son: (bestia-domitor) (And I'd rather cry while putting a)

[personal profile] pipers_son 2016-11-07 12:45 am (UTC)(link)
So rude, so rude.

[Not that his tone reflect that he’s bothered in any way, and he’s still grinning as he follows along, although he tries to keep out of range of that sword.]

Why don’t we introduce ourselves? I’m Joker~.
pipers_son: (bestia-domitor) (He threw a pool chair off of an)

[personal profile] pipers_son 2016-11-07 12:49 am (UTC)(link)
And everything went better than expected.

No, really- Joker bursts out into unpleasant sniggers as the demon jolts upright, popping a few pieces of popcorn into his own mouth as well. He was expecting to make a little bit of a mess, not for anything to get eaten, but he’ll take it. “Go down the wrong hole?”

[personal profile] goregies 2016-11-07 03:35 am (UTC)(link)
'Ss not real.

[That's what's wrong. It can't be, and fuck, yes, he knows he drove himself here, please, believe he knows it now, but god please he is still too exhausted to take more of this right now, please..]

'S not -- it can't be, I, I just want it to stop -- ...

[Raising his hands, shutting his eyes, sucking in a tight breath, god dammit, something of a crack in his voice there but ha-ha, what irony there'd be in playing tough to what is more likely than not a delusion.]

Please, just...

[personal profile] goregies 2016-11-07 03:43 am (UTC)(link)
[This is surreal. It's so freakin' surreal, even more than seeing Alan giving him rules was with the inherent absurdity of strangers, creatures, carnivals, what is this...

But, speaking of absurdity, speaking of 'em, ha, fucking pathetic as this is, Jesus, he doesn't want to go back any more than he wants to be here.]


Why...?

[Shallowly, feverishly answered. In this moment, he's not sure what to say, or what to do but grasp for meaning. He's not even sure what he's asking - why would it be that easy to end it, what the hell are the gates for, why is he being encouraged back, heck, any of it and/or all of the above.]
betheman: (well that's NEW)

[personal profile] betheman 2016-11-07 03:47 am (UTC)(link)
Auh...why? [Josh is just full of questions he's not expecting, isn't he? He stares rather confusedly yet again, scratching behind his ear after bringing his crossed arms down 'at rest' ('I Visited The Carnival And All I Got Was This T-Shirt', the shirt says). Why...] Well...at the moment, it just happens to be stopped here; a carnival doesn't merely stop at their venue point, after all! As for why you entered then...

...I, the man Gongenzaka, suppose that if not mere coincidence, one could call it some sort of 'fate', depending on your situation. [It's not as if he has any clue what's going on with you, after all.]

[personal profile] goregies 2016-11-07 04:01 am (UTC)(link)
[Fate! Well, that's a god-awful laugh - takes a couple wheezing breaths that fall short of being laughs accompanied by hard blinking - thoughts of "depending", Jesus, stop acting like you don't know...]

-- Can't be...

[Somewhere in that pause was an "it", too barely pronounced to entirely be what it is. Starts shaking his head, meandering.]

'Ss not... It's all... [Ever more trembling god damn it what a mess he is - ] -- not even real, it's not, it's not, it's not real, just --

[Hard swallow.]

-- just let me go -- ...!

[Honest pathetic and fff, pretty much guaranteed-to-be-ineffective plea there, but, ha. It... is what it is, really, especially when you've got no options either way.]
otoko: (That wasn't very steadfast of u 8|)

[personal profile] otoko 2016-11-07 04:07 am (UTC)(link)
No one is holding you here.

[His voice is steady and calm, and he is back to crossing his arms like some disappointed parent with their child.] What you see here is as real as the air that you breathe, and you are free to leave whenever you wish!

The gate is right there, [he adds, gesturing toward the path leading to it.]

If you truly wish to be rid of this place, then go!
yakan: (gon001)

[personal profile] yakan 2016-11-07 09:45 am (UTC)(link)
I heard some rumors about something like that while I was working and eating. [ But he was awfully distracted while eating, since he loves eating so much. He wanders over to Oscar. ] So how're we supposed'a be finding these chests?
atouts: (006; l'amoureux)

[personal profile] atouts 2016-11-07 03:40 pm (UTC)(link)
Oh, but it is real. [ Much to the misfortune of some, sure, but still real. ] And you'd have to speak to the woman in charge about making it stop, though I think she might disagree.

[ Throughout Josh's entire emotional ordeal, Childermass is merely calm, almost impassive about the younger man's terror. There isn't much more he can do, anyway, besides be patient and try to offer help. Well, short of shaking him until he makes more sense, but that really won't help, either.

He'll move from keeping his hands up, in sight, to turning a little to one side and sweeping an arm back to gesture in that direction, further into the carnival.
]

There are quieter places to sit and wait this out, if you'd prefer, Mister...?

[ He ends that with a questioning note, his look expectant. ]
amusicaladventure: (Ash!)

[personal profile] amusicaladventure 2016-11-07 04:47 pm (UTC)(link)
"So not to get too nosy, tell me if I should back off, but what is it like for you?" Of all the strange creatures she'd run into over time, a living plush doll wasn't one of them, and -- well, curiosity tended to run in her kind. "Do you eat?"
amusicaladventure: (Smile)

[personal profile] amusicaladventure 2016-11-07 04:51 pm (UTC)(link)
[Oh, are we flaunting it? We're totally flaunting it, aren't we?]

[Ash shifts her weight to one leg, letting her hip jut out and her upper body lean in a perfectly calculated pose she pulls off looking like she's just born to. Which, to be fair, she mostly is.]


Oh yeah. Me too.

[Pulling her claws back in, she lifts a hand to snap her fingers -- and when she does, a guitar chord rips through the air, all warm distortion and tingly on the skin. It hadn't come from the instrument on her back.]

S'why I thought of it.
seariadn: (Default)

[personal profile] seariadn 2016-11-07 06:08 pm (UTC)(link)

(ooc: Sorry about any tag formatting/icon issues. I'm replying by e-mail.)

"What's it like?... um... lonely..." He's not entirely sure what she means by either question, but he's trying to figure things out a bit at a time.

The latter question could lead to confusion, so he goes with the 'safe' answer. "Fabric and cloth?" Really, Seariadn could technically ingest anything he could fit in his mouth, but the only thing he could actually make use of was fabric, thread and the like. Anything else would just sit in him, unharmed until he coughed it out, he was 'just' a plush after all. A living one, but a plush all the same.