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!
fortuneglass: (<o<)

[personal profile] fortuneglass 2016-10-07 01:36 am (UTC)(link)
AH! [Well aren't you ON THE BALL, little sir! The marks on her body practically glow (and probably do), and the bird preens.] That's exactly right~! Everyone who works here looks different, but we all look really magical, I think!

[The darts all in order, she watches the two continue their exchange, silently making note of the prize goal. Like a sunflower...] It really does look like one... [she mutters, before jumping back into the mindset of the challenge.] Right!!

I bet they're even FASTER than my fancy bird speed! Double fast! [She insists, turning to her spot. The bell rings-AND THE DARTS WILL FLY!

Lucky dart first! ('AHH!! A MISS!?') ...UNLUCKY DART NEXT! ('IT MISSED AGAIN!!')

She's still got plenty, don't count her out yet!
]
starseedling: (i am a forehead kiss hoe)

[personal profile] starseedling 2016-10-07 01:47 am (UTC)(link)
[Steven watches and pumps his fists appreciatively.]

Whoooo! Go dad, go!
fragileandsoft: (sick speedboat donuts)

[personal profile] fragileandsoft 2016-10-07 01:57 am (UTC)(link)
[ YEAH! With Steven cheering Greg on, and the fate of a big toy on the line, there's no way he can lose!!

Especially since he makes sure to aim where there's a lot of balloons left. That makes it pretty easy to hit something, for the first few shots. Greg's first few darts get satisfying POPs, but once the crowd has been thinned it's a lot harder.

By the time Greg's run out of darts, he's only popped six out of ten.
]

Wait! Wait wait wait. Lemme have another go, I can get it!

[ He holds up the tickets before the shade can protest. It's still the wrong number of tickets... but it says nothing, and hands him a few more. ]

Yessss! Don't worry, Steven, I got this, for sure!
fortuneglass: (>3>)

[personal profile] fortuneglass 2016-10-07 01:59 am (UTC)(link)
Ahhhh-I need another round too..! [Carly's managed the same amount, astonishingly enough-and with her own tickets handed over, she takes a deep breath and...]

GO! [THROW THROW THROW!! She's totally got this this time, she does!!]

Hmmn... [They have a curious party watching as well, in any case. The shadow is certainly amused by the little details everyone is 'missing' at least.]
fragileandsoft: (let's go before the cops come)

[personal profile] fragileandsoft 2016-10-07 02:21 am (UTC)(link)
[ This time around, Greg makes a careful extra moment to aim each shot, but he's already made it harder for himself with their competition having popped so many already.

A final score of eight out of ten is pretty good though, right?
]

Ahh man... Hey, that's more than ten in total, though! That's gotta count for something!

Rules are rules.

[ Greg deflates. He doesn't have it in him to argue. This job's thankless enough without customers fussing over it. ]

Sorry, Steven.
fortuneglass: (.3.)

[personal profile] fortuneglass 2016-10-07 02:29 am (UTC)(link)
Ahh...! And...Almost..! [...pop.

9 out of 10, with one dart remaining, and it is the voice of the sprite that keeps her from throwing. Holding it in one hand ready to throw, she stares as Greg gives the sad news to his son, quiet.

Rules ARE rules, after all. She stands rather frozen, almost forgetting about the dart she's yet to even throw.
]
starseedling: (in a way we practically won the lottery)

[personal profile] starseedling 2016-10-07 02:32 am (UTC)(link)
[Steven laughs and shrugs, wrapping his arms around Greg's middle.]

It's okay! You did really good! Way better than I did.

[He really doesn't care about the stuffed animal that much, he'd mostly been invested in hoping his dad would win just for the sake of it. That's how prizes at carnivals are, right? You just want them as a keepsake of the fun you had.]

Good job to you too, Carly!
fragileandsoft: (for the best)

[personal profile] fragileandsoft 2016-10-07 02:38 am (UTC)(link)
Thanks, bud.

[ The prize was hardly the point of it, but it would've been nice to show off for his kid a little. Even if Steven's proud either way.

Greg wraps an arm around Steven to return the hug, and grins at Carly.
]

Looks like you got me beat! I should've known better than to take on an expert.
fortuneglass: (.3.)

[personal profile] fortuneglass 2016-10-07 02:46 am (UTC)(link)
Ah... [Now that's just not fair. The girl stares, rather lost for words for a few moments. He tried hard and everything! Even if it was a contest, when it comes to winning prizes for the ones you're with, you're not supposed to fail..!

She stammers a little, unable to keep herself quite as bouncy about the matter.
] I- I only did my best...! [She starts, looking down to her dart with a swallow.] We both did, after all, so...

[...No! Clutching the dart tight, she makes her decision-the minute they're not looking, she's doing it-she takes aim at that last balloon, and-!

POP!
] Th-The sunflower lion..! [she requests, keeping her voice down. This will only be good if it's a surpriseeeeeee...]
starseedling: (if you read this then you are a cutie)

[personal profile] starseedling 2016-10-07 03:12 am (UTC)(link)
[Steven frowns a little, but not because of the contest. It's because he's looking at Carly.]

Aww... don't feel bad! You tried hard too, so you deserve to win...
fragileandsoft: (human beings)

[personal profile] fragileandsoft 2016-10-07 03:24 am (UTC)(link)
[ Greg, at least, hasn't quite yet noticed what Carly's up to. He stands, dusting off his jeans.]

Well, you earned it. Thanks for a good game!

[He looks down to Steven.] Hey, what d'you say we check out that funhouse? They ought have--

Whoa, don't you go anywhere.

[ Holly, they sound suddenly so intent. Surely they want to keep Greg from leaving before Carly gets her prize!!!]
fortuneglass: (<o<)

[personal profile] fortuneglass 2016-10-07 03:30 am (UTC)(link)
HEH! [While the worker at the stand is busy getting ready to take down that massive lion, Carly jumps, feathers spread wide and tall,] A-AHHH-

W-Well, sometimes, even the winner can feel bad about winning, you know..! [she answers, not quite understanding her own words.] It's, um...

[Don't say pity don't say pity-] It's realizing you lost something else that's really important!

[...........This has nothing to do with this situation at all!!!] A...anyway, [She coughs, glancing at the stand.] You should enjoy yourself, and your time with your dad, while you're here-ok?

[Yeahhhh... Errm. There is a cough, and she tries her best to hold her wings up behind her back, reaching around for the lion as it's handed over. Here's step one...now to just. Very carefully walk with her back ALWAYS FACING THIS STAND until she can tap Greg's ankle!! THE MASTER OF STEALTH!]

....Psssst...!
fragileandsoft: (really should have expected that)

[personal profile] fragileandsoft 2016-10-07 04:43 am (UTC)(link)
What? Oh, uh...

[ She sure is acting natural. Even if Greg didn't quite see her collect her prize, he has an inkling by this point. It takes restraint not to try and peer around her wings. ]

What's up...?
fortuneglass: (:'3)

[personal profile] fortuneglass 2016-10-07 04:44 am (UTC)(link)
[THE MOST NATURAL. And with a coughed-] Shhhhhh-

[She'll be moving the one wing just enough to let Greg see the thing.] Take it, ok~? I don't need a lion! [She whispers, smiling.]
fragileandsoft: (bigger bits to fry)

[personal profile] fragileandsoft 2016-10-07 04:55 am (UTC)(link)
Ah...

[ His first instinct is to protest, but... he can tell she's earnest. It's a sweet gesture. Greg smiles at her, taking the doll and murmuring back. ]

Thanks, Carly. Seriously. It'll make a great memory.

AH-HEM.

[ Greg jumps as the shade clears a nonexistant throat, ignoring all attempts at subtlety. ]

If you all're done, we have business to discuss.

Oh! Uhh, right. Sorry, Carly, I'll leave you to it--

Not me and her, pal. I gotta clear stuff up with YOU.

...Uhhh.
starseedling: (will scream ‘dog’ when there’s a dog)

[personal profile] starseedling 2016-10-07 05:01 am (UTC)(link)
[Steven hasn't noticed anything Carly's been doing with the doll, because something about the shade has been slowly gaining his attention. There's just something about its particular focus on his dad that's started to give him the willies, and make him wonder what it wants. He's just about to ask, when the shade speaks up on its own.

Steven feels a sudden sensation of vertigo.]


What... what do you mean? Is there something wrong?

[He doesn't know what it is yet, but he senses something off about this...]
fragileandsoft: (magic + puberty)

[personal profile] fragileandsoft 2016-10-07 05:40 am (UTC)(link)
Think I didn't notice there, cheapskate? Those ticket prices aren't a suggestion.

What? But I thought...

[ Greg has to take a second to realize what was happening. ]

Oh--oh jeez. I'm sorry, I got mixed up with the employee discount. It's my mistake. Here, I've got the extra tickets, let me find them... [ He lets the lion fall to the wayside as he digs through his pockets, but... ] ...uhh... I thought I... had... [ He scrounges up his last two. It's not even close to enough. ] ...Oh boy. Um, look, I can--Seriously, I can pay, if you let me run to the booth, or--

Save it. You can pay it off the old fashioned way.
Edited 2016-10-07 06:07 (UTC)
starseedling: (i will NEVER log off)

[personal profile] starseedling 2016-10-07 06:44 am (UTC)(link)
[This doesn't make any sense. Steven sees that the disagreement is happening, but the crux of it is just going over his head, because he can't imagine how it could be a problem like this. He knows his dad has money now. That isn't a problem anymore, right? If he didn't pay enough, it should just be as simple as buying some more tickets.

But that doesn't work for some reason? He's trying to sort out the source of the conflict in his head so he can try to defuse it, but the first thing he can think of is digging through his pockets to see what he has left. He's only got one ticket, and in that moment it feels like a grave personal failing.]


Dad, you can have... oh geez. I... I spent all of mine except...

[He frowns, looking at the shade, and speaking more assertively.]

How many do you need? I'll get them, right now!
Edited 2016-10-07 06:50 (UTC)