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seasonsgreetings2023-02-12 12:01 pm
seasonsmods) wrote in seasonsgreetings2023-02-12 12:01 pm
Entry tags:
Test Drive Meme #1
Test Drive Meme #1
LOGS | NETWORK | OOC | MEMES | NAVIGATION
You arrive in an unknown space, dressed in white clothes (player choice what kind of clothes, as long as they cover everything). Whatever was happening to you before no longer happens. It's like everything was put on a pause and you were transferred away from the situation without you realizing it happened.
The space that you find yourself in is one of these four options:
An empty landscape filled with snow and ice, almost like a blank canvas.
A field with cherry blossom trees and spring flowers.
A sunny beach near an ocean that seems never ending.
A quiet forest with falling autumn leaves.
All of the spaces seem to continue endlessly. No matter where or how far you walk it almost seems like you're not moving at all. There are no animals here - just those who happened to wake up there at the same time, in the same place. Everyone is wearing the same kind of plain, white clothes.
Despite the possible rollercoaster of emotions you might be feeling, the place somehow feels familiar. Like somehow you belong there.
And it looks like you're not alone.
After half an hour has passed the surroundings change as everyone is teleported into a room with all the other new arrivals, no matter what space they woke up in. It's a large place with plenty of seats to sit in and beverages to enjoy. Medical attention is offered to those who need it and the doctors here are very prepared for any challenging situations.
Here, in this room, everyone gets an answer to where they are and why. A hologram of a man appears at the center of the room, waiting to be heard. He brings a message on behalf of the leaders of Ellipsa.
The Message [ Click to Expand ]
Hello, my name is Olwen. I'm one of the leaders of Ellipsa as it currently is. I'm also one of the four who summoned you here.
Our world is in trouble and we need your help. I apologize for tearing you away from your world and forcing you to come here but I hope you understand. The magic we used doesn't let us ask in advance, nor does it let us choose who we bring here.
This world is composed of four Seasonal Segments. All of them represent one of the seasons. They were the places we used to get our resources from, but now they're dangerous places no one should go into unless they have the power to fight back. All of them have their own sets of powerful monsters and natural catastrophes.
We used to have plenty of people here who could control the powers of the four Seasons. We called them Seasonal Power Holders. Unfortunately, due to a tragedy you can read about later, we lost almost all of them. Now only four of us remain and the world is in chaos. We have done our best to protect the world, but we need more power holders to do that.
That's where you come in.
All of you have been assigned to one of the seasons. Whatever space you were in just now is what season you represent. You will learn different skills based on the season and those skills are going to help you save this world.
These powers don't interfere with your own natural powers. They use a new energy that has formed inside of you. It's harmless to your health, but it's vital to your seasonal powers. Your own powers should still work, even if the dark energy outside the city might interfere with them.
Unfortunately bringing you here wasn't as simple as it sounds. We couldn't do anything about how to keep you anchored to this world other than making a simple spell that helps with it. That is, you need to touch someone else who is not from this world ideally at least once a day. It will help you stay in control of your powers and boost your magical energy. If you don't, the consequences aren't very good. But as long as you hold someone's hand or give someone a handshake, you should be fine.
That's all I have to say about the situation. The staff of the Research Center will give you more information about housing and other necessary things. I will, however, promise that you will be sent home once the situation becomes better. That's the least we can do.
The hologram can be viewed in private in a separate room later, should someone wish to look at it again. For now, the staff of the Research Center hands everyone their new smartphones with their small flower lucky charms (the flower is anything the player decides). They're also told that the building next door is where everyone can find a room assigned to them with some of their belongings there and possibly even any animal companions. Those concerned about their mount-sizes companions are welcomed to the stables downstairs to see if their friends are there. The mounts are allowed to stay there until you find a place more suitable for them.
Once you get your smartphone and necessary information, you're urged to go out and find your apartment. After that whatever you want to do is up to you.
Part 3
The building next door is where everyone can find their new apartments. As you enter, you're told by a friendly native that for the first two months you can live anywhere rent-free and five meals a day are paid for you. After that they get a monthly payment that helps with some of their living expenses, but otherwise they have to have a job to support themselves.
All of the apartments are comfortable, two bedroom apartments with all necessary utilities. They are also completely soundproof. Sometimes the magic system, however, does glitch and you might find yourself rooming with a stranger. This is not the intention and the staff will immediately prepare you your own room if you ask them. But maybe having a roommate isn't all that bad?
Once you get your smartphone and necessary information, you're urged to go out and find your apartment. After that whatever you want to do is up to you.
The building next door is where everyone can find their new apartments. As you enter, you're told by a friendly native that for the first two months you can live anywhere rent-free and five meals a day are paid for you. After that they get a monthly payment that helps with some of their living expenses, but otherwise they have to have a job to support themselves.
All of the apartments are comfortable, two bedroom apartments with all necessary utilities. They are also completely soundproof. Sometimes the magic system, however, does glitch and you might find yourself rooming with a stranger. This is not the intention and the staff will immediately prepare you your own room if you ask them. But maybe having a roommate isn't all that bad?
The city outside the Research Center and the apartment building is a very futuristic and bright place. There's a lot of fancy technology and the weather seems almost too perfect all of the time. Even the weather here is artificial and doesn't feel natural at all. This is the center of the whole Nightwake City and it's called the district that never sleeps for a good reason. It feels like any time of the day you choose to go out there's something going on.
Everyone was given some money on their money app BankCrow to spend. Why not go for the Gacha Restaurant on the main street if you're hungry? You can either choose what style/type of food you want (different cuisines, pizza, junk food, etc) OR pick any ingredients and list your allergens before rolling the gacha machine and what comes out is a meal that fits your choices. Most commonly they're mediocre quality (2-3 stars), slightly rarer are the very bad and very good dishes (1 stars and 4 stars) and the rarest of them all is the golden 5 star dish that is the most delicious and sophisticated meal you'll ever taste. But hey, at least the drinks are all the same no matter what meal you end up getting.
If the futuristic city style isn't for you, there are other district with various different atmospheres waiting for you just outside the city center.
In the District Spotlight [ Click to Expand ]
Blossomcrown is a modern city, but not as futuristic as the central district. Cherry blossom trees have been planted on the side of the streets to give some color for the otherwise gray scenery. It's a busy place with a central park full of spring flowers in the middle, that gives some much needed peace and quiet from the hustle and bustle of the city. There's even the famous Botanical Garden open to all visitors. It's a home to many exotic plants that can't be grown anywhere else (that's safe, at least). There are also plenty of butterflies and bees living in the gardens. Attached to the building it also a flower shop where anyone can purchase a plant for themselves - they're even divided by suitability for each district. But if plants aren't your thing, why not check out the concert venue, which is an arena made for holding concerts. It can be transformed into both an outdoor and indoor venue by opening or closing the roof. Anyone can book the venue to hold a concert as long as they have the funds to do it. They will even advertise your concert for you everywhere!
Those who really just want to see something that's not a city, why not try Frostreign? Sure, it's very cold but there aren't very many buildings. It's more like a small village in the middle of Eternal Winter. The easiest ways to move around here are sledding, skiing and sleigh rides, where either excited huskies or chill reindeers will take people on a ride around the district. There are some snowmobiles too for those, who want to try them. One of the most popular locations is the giant, nevermelting ice castle in the center of the town, where kids love to play hide and seek. It's also a popular locations for dates, as the natural magical crystal lights inside the castle make the place look romantic. Another popular spot is the ice hole, where some brave souls go either swimming and some others at least try staying in the icecold water for a little moment before running to the Sauna Spa! It's an area full of different kind of saunas but it also doubles up as an inn, and due to knowing Otherworlders were going to come today, it's even available for booking!
Those who want to test out their powers right away, Dayrise is the place to go! The Grand Colosseum is designated for power holder practice for at least the following week. After that the natives would like to watch sports again rather than continuous fighting, but even then you're welcome to use the colosseum when there's a chance. After testing your powers, the luxurious baths of Dayrise are a good treat. They're all public baths and none of the natives are ashamed of being naked for hours with strangers. They will also encourage anyone coming with a towel to throw it away.
Those who really just want to see something that's not a city, why not try Frostreign? Sure, it's very cold but there aren't very many buildings. It's more like a small village in the middle of Eternal Winter. The easiest ways to move around here are sledding, skiing and sleigh rides, where either excited huskies or chill reindeers will take people on a ride around the district. There are some snowmobiles too for those, who want to try them. One of the most popular locations is the giant, nevermelting ice castle in the center of the town, where kids love to play hide and seek. It's also a popular locations for dates, as the natural magical crystal lights inside the castle make the place look romantic. Another popular spot is the ice hole, where some brave souls go either swimming and some others at least try staying in the icecold water for a little moment before running to the Sauna Spa! It's an area full of different kind of saunas but it also doubles up as an inn, and due to knowing Otherworlders were going to come today, it's even available for booking!
Those who want to test out their powers right away, Dayrise is the place to go! The Grand Colosseum is designated for power holder practice for at least the following week. After that the natives would like to watch sports again rather than continuous fighting, but even then you're welcome to use the colosseum when there's a chance. After testing your powers, the luxurious baths of Dayrise are a good treat. They're all public baths and none of the natives are ashamed of being naked for hours with strangers. They will also encourage anyone coming with a towel to throw it away.
Around the city of Nightwake, Valentine's Day is being celebrated. There are plenty of decorations, all in pastel colors (mainly pink). The Spring Segment districts have also contributed by giving all other districts flowers for decorations for some pleasing aromas. Most of the restaurants also have discount for those who dine together instead of alone.
There are plenty of treats that lift up your mood. Eating too much of the treats results in becoming very clingy to the next person they see. The effect usually wears off in half an hour, but it could take longer depending on how many treats you've eaten.
Another popular Valentine's are the game stalls that are intended to be taken on as couples. Anything you win will only be given to your partner. If you play alone, all you get is a round of applause even if you'd do a new high score. These game stalls include a lot of classic from carnivals and festival, racing with horses or vehicles and even video games.
Each district has a small stall that acts as a starting point for the main Valentine's Day challenge. The goal is to travel from one check point to another within the district while holding hands with someone. There is a small task to be done at each checkpoint (like eating a full course meal or popping balloons while still holding hands). The point is to never let go of your partners' hand. Once the pair gets to the end of the course they get a reward.
The reward for getting past the course is a free item from Riki's Rewards (any prize) and a pair of friendship bracelets that sends messages to its pair bracelet (like "I miss you", "Let's meet up").
Exploring the city isn't something that interests you? Well, the four bridges that lead to the Seasonal Segments are always open and you're definitely allowed to go outside. However, due to the summoning magic, the dark energy outside the city has temporary gone haywire and all of the Segments are suffering from their natural disasters at the same time.
Winter Segment is suffering from a raging blizzard and the usual beautiful landscapes are just a white blur for the time being.
Spring Segment is in the middle of a hurricane, with all of the lightest beings being picked up and tossed all over the place with the wind.
Summer Segment is literally on fire. Only the rain forests and jungles, as well as the Great Ocean Lake are safe from it.
Autumn Segment is suffering from a thunderstorm. Chances of getting struck by lightning are quite high should someone step in.
If you're prepared for the weather, no one is going to stop you from going out to explore. It might be a good idea to bring a friend with you. Luckily, the natural catastrophes calm down after two days and the Segments are more normal after that. So it might actually be worth a while to wait before going out.
After the storm the sun shines and sheep appear [ Click to Expand ]
When you venture out to the Spring Segment after the storm, there's a herd of Fabric Sheep wandering near the Flower Yard. These sheep are tame and while they usually run and hide, sometimes they look for people to help them get their wool sheared. Luckily natives on the Dayrise bridge are handing out shearing scissors for those who would like to help.
The sheep get scared very easily, but if you don't make too many sudden movements, you will be able to do your job easily. The sheep might even boop you gently as a thanks before heading off again. If you're mean to sheep, however, you might get an angry Gravity Goat chasing you.
Anyone who visits the Flower Yard of any of the Segments will hear a story from a native there. A story of the magic that has been put in place that lets all the otherworlders "respawn" to their respective Flower Yard if they die in Ellipsa. The flower will be the same as it is in everyone's charms. The natives say that more details can be asked from the main four seasonal power holders, but that they've heard it's painless for otherworlders to emerge from the flower.
After the Segments have settled down, a message appears on everyone's smartphones. Everyone is invited to join some observational cruises at the Airship Station in Nightwake District. There are four different ships leaving at the same time, but if you come back again later you will be able to go to them all eventually. The trip targets are the Seasonal Segments. Of course, there are long instructions as to how one should dress to handle the different weather they would be experiencing while in the air. You have time to shop as the invitation is open for a good while.
The Airship Station is a very modern, almost futuristic, place with a lot of docks with various airships lined up. Most of the ships there are used for in-city transportation and there are various holographic displays that tell how many ships are available and where. Various restaurants are also found here and view from the ones on top of the building is amazing. There's time to look around, but your final destination is the biggest docks at the end of the station.
The point of these cruises is to give otherworlders a chance to see what the Segments are like without interacting with the monsters down below. The ships will fly to the airship station of each Segment and then come back a different route to cover as much of the segment as possible. In total the trip is said to take four days.
Because of the length of the trip, everyone has been provided with a simple two to four person cabin (with their own bathroom/shower) and three meals are served per day throughout the trip. Snacks can also be found from the cafeteria and they're free of charge.
Enjoy the view, bond with your fellow passengers and relax. Staying on the deck is safe, especially if you don't start leaning over the rails to look down.
The old lady and her cats [ Click to Expand ]
Each airship station in the segments is unique in their own right. They're not very well-kept like the one in the city and various weather changes have definitely modified them to look old and worn down.
Strangely enough, each of the airship stations has someone living there; an old lady with a herd of different cats depending on the season: winter cats are spirits that can be seen by anyone due to them taking control of stuffed animals, spring cats are part flowers, summer cats look like small lions or tigers and autumn cats are essentially the same as will-o'-the-wisps but in cat shape.
The old ladies explains that they are quite comfortable living there and don't have any plans to "evacuate". They will kindly decline anyone who tries to help them. The airship staff explains there are some special arrangements in place to help them live in the stations as those are safe places to stay in.
Each of the ladies will tell you a story. Winter lady will talk about the Watchtower and who used to live there, spring lady will tell all about the abandoned farm and its owners, summer lady talks about the abandoned castle and its royalty and autumn lady tells about the abandoned mansion and who used to be the lord.
If you talk to the same lady again later the story is different. She tells a different version of the story every time she is talked to. No one is really sure which of the stories is true because of how many versions are circulating around.
The ships only stay docked at the station for as long as the staff of the airship delivers some food and other necessities to the old ladies and then it's back towards the city again. Of course, nothing stops anyone from leaving the ship and experiencing the segments themselves.
Strangely enough, each of the airship stations has someone living there; an old lady with a herd of different cats depending on the season: winter cats are spirits that can be seen by anyone due to them taking control of stuffed animals, spring cats are part flowers, summer cats look like small lions or tigers and autumn cats are essentially the same as will-o'-the-wisps but in cat shape.
The old ladies explains that they are quite comfortable living there and don't have any plans to "evacuate". They will kindly decline anyone who tries to help them. The airship staff explains there are some special arrangements in place to help them live in the stations as those are safe places to stay in.
Each of the ladies will tell you a story. Winter lady will talk about the Watchtower and who used to live there, spring lady will tell all about the abandoned farm and its owners, summer lady talks about the abandoned castle and its royalty and autumn lady tells about the abandoned mansion and who used to be the lord.
If you talk to the same lady again later the story is different. She tells a different version of the story every time she is talked to. No one is really sure which of the stories is true because of how many versions are circulating around.
The ships only stay docked at the station for as long as the staff of the airship delivers some food and other necessities to the old ladies and then it's back towards the city again. Of course, nothing stops anyone from leaving the ship and experiencing the segments themselves.
- Ask your questions related to the TDM here.
- The TDM is available only to friends of the mods and their friends. If you want to play in the TDM, please leave a note here to inform us who invited you over. We will get to you as soon as possible.
- The TDM is game canon so anything in the TDM can happen for your character(s) in the game as well.
- Smut is not allowed on the TDM. You can play situations leading to it, but if the thread is turning into smut, please move it to a private space such a post in your character's journal, or a locked post in the game's log community if you decide to app!
- Check Locations: City to find more areas to explore inside the city. Every place in the districts are open, except for the Guilds for now.
- Similarly, Locations: Segments is useful for outdoors adventures.
- You can find monsters to encounter on Beastiary, including information on the two mentioned on the TDM.
- FAQ has information on characters' smartphones as well as general things about the world that might be handy.
- Feel free to also hit our EMP/ATP meme while you're here!
Blossomcrown (HF Spoilers)
Coming here wouldn't give her any answers on her master, or on her sudden summoning to this world, but it gave her time with her thoughts.
It was then that she felt someone's presence, and heard them turn into the street Rider was lurking on. A familiar presence. An ally.]
...Rin.
[Her tone was as cool as ever, but without the hostility one might expect from an enemy Servant.]
no subject
Except she hasn't been home in over a year, she doesn't expect anyone to want to continue it here either and well, despite finding Archer here, she's somehow still not prepared to see more familiar faces here.
So when she's suddenly there as soon as Rin turns to that street? Rin seriously isn't prepared or expecting it at all. She's--- Alive. That's the least surprising thing; she spent over a year with the man, wo died to save her. And besides, she looks much better that way compared to the last - gross - time when Rin saw her.
NOT THE TIME to be thinking about that and not about that last time either!! Rin may not be mentally prepared to suddenly being in front of an enemy, but at least she has her literal fingergan, which she is pointing at Rider like her life depends on doing that as soon as she gets over the first surprise of seeing her there! What is she doing around this corner? Stalking?? No, it's more likely just a coincidence but hell if Rin knows that for sure!
That-- What? Why does she say her name like that? Or even say her name at all? She's NOT attacking??? Rin doesn't shoot. She looks like she absolutely will shoot if Rider gives her even one reason to do so.]
So, tell me... What's the last thing you remember from Fuyuki, Rider?
[Because wow, different timelines and all, she's seriously not new with those and Rider saying her name like that? Well, it doesn't sound like they're from the same one. Did she even know Rin's name in that one, where Rin comes from??]
no subject
But...why?
Having not encountered other timelines- aside from whatever strangeness she'd heard about Chaldea anyway- Rider couldn't understand why Rin would suddenly turn on her when they'd been working together to save Sakura moments before.
Her own footwork shifted, moving one foot back. She could bolt, if the situation somehow became worse. But her arms stayed by her side. Not summoning her weapons, or reaching for her blindfold to unlock her mystic eyes.]
...we travelled to the underground cave at the Ryudou Temple, with Shirou.
["Don't you remember, you left us to fight Saber whilst you went after Sakura-" but those words didn't make it out. Her exact last memory was fighting the corrupted Saber, but she hoped that what she said would be enough to jolt Rin's memory.
It was...important, that she remembered.]
What do you remember, Rin?
no subject
It's been a while since she met anyone from home, even more since she met more people from another timeline. (You know, aside from finding her Archer here.) Buuuuut it's also not her first time running into people from different timelines or even running into someone from her timeline, who wasn't her enemy after all.
She's trying to remember, did she and Archer or she and Shirou ever even talk about Rider? Rin -- doesn't remember. It was a lot of information and things right after arriving into an entirely different world and any details about Caster's death were enough to say, that they sure were from different timelines.
She's-- if she heard about Rider being their ally or whatever in that timeline, she sure as hell doesn't remember hearing about it. Why the hell does she have to deal with this bullshit just because Emiyas never tell her anything or everything???! And if she just happens to forget hearing about it, she'll... blame them anyway for so much information right after arriving there. Even if it's not their fault.
But it's -- not like Rin doesn't believe that it could be true though she's still not letting her guard or fingergun down.]
So, we're some kind of allies where you're from? Huh. That's--- Different. Last time when I saw you? You were dead and before that I saw you, when I made you run away from being about to kill Shirou, or at least that situation looked like you were about to kill him.
[UMMMM. She doesn't want to think about very nice memories about Rider's head spinning or Rider being about to do that thing to Shirou's eyes. Nope. Not thinking about that shit, they can go to hell from her mind right now.]
I can explain because this is not the first time when I've been in a similar situation, where my memories don't match with people but last time this happened with Shirou and Archer.
[So, that was fun, suddenly having different memories and all with them after spending so many days with both of them! :)]
But tell me, how did Caster die wherever you're from?
[ Let's... See if that's at least the same what those two told her. ]
no subject
Thankfully, an attack that hadn't yet come.
And that gave her time to think on Rin's words. Under different circumstances, sure, killing Shirou was certainly on the table. If Sakura hadn't asked her to make sure he lived...but the idea of their memories simply contradicting one another was a lot to get her head around.
The next question snapped her out of her thoughts. The fate of the Servant Caster. That was something she could at least give a little insight on.]
...Caster and her Master were removed quickly. They weren't a threat.
[Not by her, but she didn't know the exact circumstances around their death.
And now it was her turn to get some important clarification. If Rin's memories were completely different to Rider's own, did she actually know who her true Master was? A small, troubled expression came into her face as she considered how to ask this subtly.]
If I was killed, what happened to my Master?
[Whether Rin answered with a name or with a pronoun, that would tell her all she needed to know. And if Rin didn't know the truth...she'd play along and do what she could to avoid exposing Sakura's secret.]
no subject
I see. Well, there are at least two, but possibly even more, different versions of the Fifth War. I'm from an entirely different timeline than you and going through different events there. She's still alive there at the moment, but she'll die later according to what I heard from someone, who was from my future.
Is Zouken Matou a participant in your side of War? Or at least around doing his bullshit?
[...If Rider even knows who that fucking gross ancient creep is... Either way, Rin sure heard about him using Caster as a puppet, so that's a relevant question.
That's interesting. Asking about her Master because Rin doesn't know who her real Master is but she is pretty fucking sure it isn't Shinji. Is she trying to fish information? How? If Rin had one guess about her true Master --- nope, she doesn't want to think about who it would be but she'd be correct. She's had a lot of time to think, okay, not that she even wants a confirmation to it.]
That depends are you talking about your fake Master because that useless loser left you to die alone... But he's not your real Master, right? [A beat. Another.] Nevermind, I don't even need to hear the answer to that. Everyone else's fine even after your death.
[But. There's something else, that she knows from another timeline. Rin looks like she hates what she's even about to ask or more like, she hates thinking about the whole thing even happening.]
Do you-- happen to know anything about a fight, that lead to an explosion involving at least me, Archer and Shirou? See, neither of them never told me anything, but they both were from... after that. Because then you'd be from the same place as them.
[ONCE AGAIN, EMIYAS NEVER EVER TELL HER FUCKING ANYTHING!!! ...Not that she would have even wanted to know about it, probably, it's fucking complicated considering everything that happens because of it. Walking into a Shirou with one of his arms being from after that? THAT WAS FUN! Not that either of them ever told her the (more or less obvious) details, she heard about that explosion from Lancer, who heard about it from Archer -- who even told him, that he cares about Rin so little, that he took that blow for her. So of course Lancer told all of that to her too. Oh hey, making a mental note to herself: stop her stupid idiot from doing anything similar here now when she's been reunited with her own Archer aka the one from the same timeline as her.]
no subject
At the mention of Zouken Matou, a small scowl crossed into Rider's face, and she gave a curt nod.]
...Mm. With his Assassin.
[Not Caster's Assassin, but Zouken's.
Still, that didn't matter right now, and Rider listened closely to what she said next, careful to avoid her feelings showing on her face. Even if Rin didn't dismiss her own question, Rider would never have confirmed or denied whether or not Shinji was her true Master.
...It didn't surprise her that Shinji had left her to die. He'd always made it apparent how worthless he thought she was. All that mattered was to hear that everyone else was fine. She couldn't ask anymore without exposing her Master, but she had to believe that Rin's comment included her, too.
As for the last question, that she could answer, and as she thought back she found herself gripping onto her own left arm. The one Shirou had lost and replaced with Archer's. She remembered talking to a dying Archer, back then-
"Have you gone mad? If you do such a thing, you will..."]
Yes, I remember. When Archer was defeated. And Shirou's arm was...