⇨ 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

Joker - Kuroshitsuji - Veteran

[pipers_son]

Trying to Leaf (for newbies)

[So you're trying to leave- whether this being your first attempt or maybe you're starting your first dozen. Frustrating. While you stare at the dark forest stretching out around the carnival, a thick British voice suddenly drawls off from the side.]

Oi, ya seem a tad bit confused over there. Need a hand?

[Joker would be eye catching on his own, being a redhead and dressed in a flashy circus appropriate suit where the right sleeve is flapping empty, but he's been in the carnival for a couple years now. The wooden antlers, wooden and mildly clawed left hand, and large magpie wings folded along his back draw attention themselves. Still, his smile is amiable enough.]

Will O' Wisps (for Veterans)

[As a supervisor, Joker is taking a personal approach to the whole thing, and is thus approaching the other workers himself with a casual yell.]

Hey! Have ya heard about what the Ringleader needs from us today? The wisps and all that?

Joker's Wild
[That is to say, wildcard. I'm game for whatever.]

Will O' Wisps

[osteothropy]

Nah.

[He says, presently leaning back in his chair with his eyes closed. He has heard, he's just acting like he didn't, because that means he is less obligated to actually look into it. It's not his job, after all. He's pretty sure there is someone else whose job this is.]

[pipers_son]

[A low snort from Joker. He expects nothing less from Sans.]

Yeah and I bet ya haven’t seen ‘em, either, considerin’ I’d put hard money down that ya haven’t opened yer eyes since the mornin’.

[osteothropy]

[His grins widens a little, exposing some extra fang.]

Maybe not both of them at the same time...

Trying to leaf

[stormcalling]

[Valamia waves a hand dismissively. Of course she would like to think she has it under control. Who likes to admit that they're lost? Stubborn as she may be she seems entirely unfazed by the oddities that come with his appearance. Slowly her tails unwraps from her hips and she lets it fall back to place.]

Depends. Know the nearest portal to [a small shrug.] ...well I guess a lot of places would work.

[pipers_son]

[Hey, that works for him. The less people who freak out about all the little additions the carnival bestows, the better. At least, in Joker’s opinion. For now, he just grins wider.]

Not particularly interested in headin’ ta home, eh?

[She wouldn’t be the first.]

[stormcalling]

[She instantly shakes her head. The problem was that he was both right and wrong. Without knowing exactly how to explain it she decides to lean towards what she hopes would lead to the safer place.]

I can't quite go back to my home. There is a place I'm staying at that I am fond of. I have the feeling wandering through a forest won't get me back there.

[Given that she can't teleport home she doesn't have too much faith but she's going to hope.]

Trying to Leaf

[linkedpenumbra]

[The boy huffs. Honestly he's not too concerned about getting back, but it felt like it was worth a shot to try.]

Depends on if you'd be able to tell me anything about this carnival.

[It's not like there's much for him to go back to.]

[pipers_son]

[Joker gives a relaxed shrug, his wings moving with the action.]

Well, what would ya like ta know?

[linkedpenumbra]

[The guy looks strange, but he's more than familiar with monsters to not be caught off guard by such a sight.]

... Where are we exactly? This doesn't look like any place I've been to before.

[Hyrule? The Dark World? Both? Shadow won't specify.]

leaf!

[kagehira]

Nnah... It's gotta be somewhere around here...

( The kid that Joker's pulled aside seems to have thoroughly enjoyed himself at the carnival while he was there, carrying at least three different stuffed animals in his attempt to leave, though from the looks of things, this is hardly his first. Still, he hasn't entirely given up, and while Mika appears to whip his head around more out of fear than relief, his expression softens somewhat once he's had time to process the words. In fact, he seems overjoyed. )

Really? Thank ya kindly! ( He takes a moment to look around, followed by some especially nervous fidgeting. ) I was tryin' to find the way back, but I'm no good at directions an' stuff, ya see? But Mentor'll be real mad with me if I don't come home tonight. Do ya happen to know how to get back from here?

Re: leaf!

[pipers_son]

[The part of him that still remembers doing this business the normal way- no magic nonsense, no hopping through other worlds, just traveling along dirt roads and taking plain money for tickets- is actually pleased that the kid seems to have had such a good time. That was the part of circus life that Joker had loved the most: letting people enjoy themselves.]

[Pity they’re short on employees. He knows that’s likely why the forest is acting like it is.]

[For now, however, he grins back to Mika.]

Yeah, the forest is tricky like that, ha, ya would’t be the first! I could… probably figure it out for ya, ha ha, but… [He makes a show of looking thoughtful, his hand coming up to his chin thoughtfully.] What if I said ya could be here for as long as ya like, and still make it back ta yer mentor on time?

[kagehira]

( Such a thoughtful expression... certainly thoughtful enough for Mika to read it as sincere. He seems to hesitate to consider the words because of it, but even so, as soon as they've worked their way through his empty head his brows draw together in an look that seems almost offended. )

Hey, if ya were just gonna try an' play a trick on me, ya didn't have to go outta yer way.

( As willing as Mika is to accept candy from a stranger, so to speak, even he knows how time works. )

Even someone as dumb as me knows ya can't stop time, an' if I don't get outta here soon, Mentor's definitely gonna give me a scoldin'.

► TRYING TO LEAF

[upadly_aniol]

[Mitsunari quickly turns in the direction of said voice, instinctively drawing his sword and pointing it at the voice's general direction. The fact that it's so dark in this forest doesn't exactly help, but he's furious with himself at having been caught off-guard. How could he have allowed somebody to sneak up on him?!]

Show yourself!

[pipers_son]

[Well. There’s always someone.]

[Lazily, Joker spreads out his wings. Not full span, no, but enough that the very insides of his wings can be seen. Amongst the dark feathers there, light glitters in soft pinpricks of pale blue. It’s by no means enough light to show him completely, but combined with the lights of the carnival still visible in the distance, there’s enough to show his general vicinity.]

Mate, put down the sword, thank ya kindly. I ain’t got any interest in hurtin’ ya. I just work at the carnival, yeah?

[upadly_aniol]

[He's not sheathing his katana, but he at least lowers it slightly, now looking at Joker's wings with wariness and suspicion.]

What are you? And who would employ a demon like you, or if not demon, whatever freak you are?

Though I don't care. Tell me how to leave this place, and begone.

Trying to Leaf

[ouiboo]

Thank you sir! [ When he speaks this teenager's English isn't broken but it definitely carries a French accent. ]

I can't find my way back to the exit. Could you point me in the right direction?

[pipers_son]

Yeah, that’s easy ta do in this place.

[Hell…. It’s just a kid. Joker always feel the most guilty when it’s a kid in this place, although he’s learned now that coming here is usually for a reason. If it was an adult, he could con him no problem, but… No. Whistling out a breath, Joker scratches the back of his neck.]

I think yer best bet would be ta go back ta the carnival and wait it out. After a while- [Whenever they’ve gotten enough workers, although he doesn’t say that.] -the path should show up again.

[ouiboo]

So it's some sort of magic trail back out. That should have been obvious now that you mention it.

Do you know what type of magic this carnival runs on?

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. ]

[pipers_son]

[Like herding cats in this place, he swears. Still, he doesn’t seem to be particularly bothered by the response, just coming to a stop and resting gnarled wooden knuckles on his hip.]

A bit different I would think, although I had the blessed luck ta not run into any when my old troupe was travelin’. Those ones’d lead ya straight into trouble. Hers seem a bit less of a bother. How about yerself? They a familiar sight for ya?

Will O'Wisps

[trustme]

[ The Doctor turns around to see who's yelling and waves at him with a grin. ]

Joker! The wisps! Have you had any luck with the wisps? I got one!

[ He holds up an empty jar. ]

[pipers_son]

[Pausing, Joker leans down to get a better look… before glancing up with a quirk of an eyebrow.]

Eh, ya sure, Doctor?

Joker's Wild

[bespotted]

[Here is someone who well remembers Joker's own acclimation to those first few weeks of service, and as such finds some amusement in watching the younger man direct veterans and newcomers alike with his easy flair. It's a skill the acrobat respects, at least, and if asked he would confess he could think of none more suited to the role.

It's with an ounce of that camaraderie shining on his face that the knight calls out to his recently-appointed supervisor.]

Joker! It's about time for your break, isn't it? Play a game with me.

[The very appropriately named Lancer rests Gáe Dearg upon his shoulder, and nods toward the circle of booths once Joker's broken away from the fledgling recruit. Tired of playing nigh-impossibly rigged carnival games for fun and profit after three years? Not this guy.]

[pipers_son]

[It's been a long busy day- and with this place, who knows, maybe it's actually been a couple and none of them have simply caught on. Still, Joker prefers days like this: entertaining guests, trying to go after easy marks, chatting it up with other workers. It keeps his mind busy. Their recent little, ah, "take of leave"? A nightmare for him on some level. Now, he's back in action, and it feels good.]

[Still, even someone with his absurd amounts of energy needs a break sometimes. Joker's starting to feel it, he thinks, wings drooped a bit after dealing with the latest recruit. That familiar voice is just in time, and he twists around to grin at the acrobat.]

Maybe it is, ha ha! Lord knows I could use one. [Stretching his good arm over his head (and trying to avoid the antlers), he saunters over.] Wotcha gonna do with that, win a game with it?

[His head nods to Gáe Dearg, even as a teasing smile curves along his face.]