TEST DRIVE MEME #3: WELCOME TO NEVERWINTER

[balancemod]

No trace; not one carton NAVIGATION WELCOME TO NEVERWINTER Click for a full view. BACKGROUND Neverwinter, the most powerful city in all of Faerun, the Jewel of the North. Located on the northwestern part of the Sword Coast, it boasts a long history as an outpost at the once termed "Savage Frontier," where today it enjoys the wealth of free trade and craftsmanship the world over envies deeply. Its population is as diverse as it gets; turn a corner to find a mercantile street owned and operated by Dragonborn. Elves give lectures in the open libraries. Dwarves bring their findings from the Sword Mountains to turn into wondrous steel edges. And, for the most part, the city thrives on a sort of organized chaos. Temples dot the landscape, offering praises to Tyr, Oghma, and Helm, among a pantheon of other faiths. Pickpockets keep their hands busy, blacksmiths warm their irons in the fire to strike with heat. The Lord's Alliance has an unprecedented presence within Neverwinter, and all swear fealty to the most powerful man in the world: Lord Artemis Sterling. Few in the world know of the Bureau's presence and what it tries to accomplish, but the young lord is one of the Director's close confidants. It may seem odd for someone so concretely detached from the world of politics like Madame Director herself to ever engage in the local political administration of a city, but when you're as big as Neverwinter, it's good to have a friend or two in a high place. They keep out of each other's hair, up until the point that they don't. Today is that day. She receives a message in her office chair, bearing the seal of the Lord's Alliance. She can't help but roll her eyes at the sight. She has more important things to attend to- but she reads it over regardless. Lucretia, The city is being held ransom for 10 million Dragons. (Dragons are a colloquial term among the merchants of the Sword Coast, meaning gold pieces.) A powerful mage has enchanted Neverwinter with a powerful geas. This might be something you're looking for. Yours, Lord Artemis Sterling Grand Vizier of Neverwinter Magic that powerful can't be ignored, but neither can Arty's pomp. "You didn't need to sign this as Lord Artemis. I swear, that boy would kiss his own statue if he thought it'd make him more venerable." 1. THERE MUST BE MORE THAN THIS PROVINCIAL LIFE A. TRY THE GREY STUFF, IT'S DELICIOUS. DON'T BELIEVE ME? ASK THE DISHES! Things are quite amiss when you first make your way into Neverwinter, and it's about 8 or 9 p.m. There's an air of unease at every corner, and several of the most busiest streets have been all but abandoned, aside from people scurrying from one building to another to go about their business. Doors are locked tight, windows are barred, and everywhere you go, signs of chaos are left in a trail of unhappy circumstance. But wouldn't you know it? Someone's left the light on for you. One lone tavern is well lit in the midst of a city-wide lockdown. The front sign reads "The Rockport Inn," and it's just about the only place that seems alive tonight. Opening the door, a scene unfolds before your eyes like you've never seen before. Aside from the striking, (possibly familiar) image of Tom Bodett behind a bar counter, everything in the tavern that shouldn't be moving is... alive? The tables are floating in the air, the silverware is performing cabaret on the nearby fireplace, and some of the town's most carefree mages and adventurers here are living for it. Tom smiles at you, "Welcome, travelers. See you've made your way to the Rockport. Take a seat, enjoy the show." You'd think it'd be dangerous here. An errant knife flies forward, as a nimble and smart witted bus boy catches it in mid air, using it to carve out a nice haunch of meat to be served this evening along with the musical entertainment. Looks like Faerun's found its own version of STOMP, as the chairs have assembled themselves up against the wall on a raised platform and are currently attempting a very piss poor version of "We Will Rock You." Settle in, it's going to be a pretty wild night. B. WE TELL JOKES, I DO TRICKS WITH MY FELLOW CANDLESTICKS As you wind your way through the roads of Neverwinter, you come upon a small shopping district. It seems nondescript and completely not suspicious enough — given the unsurprising range of goods for sale, the inhabitants going about their day, the way they stare at the ground while fumbling past each other, the way a man at the nearest stall hands over the item you've purchased with his gaze purposely fixed anywhere but you. Completely normal. What isn't normal, however, are the signs plastered all over the buildings, seemingly inviting you to take a closer look: NOTICE TO NEVERWINTER CITIZENS Today I have a very important to discuss with you in this: PERFECTLY NORMAL PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCMENT. Yes, that's right. It's time to warn you, the viewer...er...reader...about the evils of various stuff. Today's lesson is: subliminal messages . That's right, folks, mass hypnosis via commercials. Now, I'm sure you've at least heard of subliminal messages , right? No? Well...prepare to be enlightened. Subliminal messages are an advertising technique that puts hidden pictures and words into a main image. You don't see them, but your subconscious (dreaming) mind does. Your subconsious mind acts on whatever it is told. What does this mean to you? It means that FANTASY COSTCO IS EVIL! EVIIIIIIIIIIIIL!!!!! That's only one of them. There are countless others, covering an inexplicable range of topics, and perhaps most alarming of all, the second you start reading one, you are physically incapable of tearing yourself away from the sign's message. It's almost as if someone's used magic to charm you into stopping and examining every random item Atlus wrote a dialogue for and programmed into the game, and your fellow party members are starting to get concerned. You'll be stuck there until you finish reading — or at least, until someone is kind enough to smack you upside the head and knock the spell right out of you. C. COURSE BY COURSE, ONE BY ONE, TIL YOU SHOUT 'ENOUGH! I'M DONE!' After your BIAS rations run dry, and after you've managed to pull off a few odd jobs, it's finally happening — you've got the coinage to purchase yourself a nice dinner for once. And after whatever the hell was in those rations, you are good and ready, and Neverwinter looks to be the place that knows its cuisine, and does it well. You find yourself outside of an, on the surface, snappy looking outdoor sort of dining setup, half empty, but bustling with a curious sort of energy all the same. As you're seated and as you place your order, you get the distinct sense that the people who are feeding you seem kind of ... dead inside. Like they're going through the motions of cooking, serving, brewing, and other general restaurant tasks. It becomes very obvious why once you're served your dinner, as well as a piece of paper and pencil. That steak and potatoes you ordered? They taste like lemon tart. The cold, frosty mug of ale or whatever beverage you feel like imbibing? Absolute essence of lemon tart. That grey stuff you ordered out of desperation? Lemon. Tart. That lemon tart? Yes. Even the lemon tart. After choking down the meal you were so looking forward to, you direct your attention to the piece of paper. Mandatory survey, the man who brought you your had dinner said. If it isn't filled out, he might make everything taste like wet socks instead. The paper reads: I AM THE GREAT MAGESTO, KING OF NEVERWINTER. LOOK UPON MY WORKS, YE MIGHTY, AND let me know what you think in the comments. How was the service? Was the food okay? Don't hold back now; I'm going to need your honest feedback. 2. THERE'S ALWAYS A CHANCE, DOCTOR. AS LONG AS ONE CAN THINK. You arrived in Neverwinter with the basic premise — that someone is holding the city hostage with magic bordering on the absurd — but what you lack is information about the man himself. The one behind it all. Aside from his ability to make food taste like wet socks, apparently. It's time to meet with some citizens. D. OH, IS HE IN FOR A SURPRISE! Your first target for questioning is Lord Artemis Sterling, Grand Vizier of Neverwinter. Arty is, to be frank, a pompous shit with Neverwinter's very reputation and safety on the line — he will listen to your questions, of course, but don't expect for him to provide answers without him demanding something in return. Specifically, he would like for you to locate and dispense of a gaggle of enchanted brooms that have been plaguing the nearest marketplace. Someone — whoever is controlling them — managed to sharpen the tips of their handles to something actually dangerous, so, for once in this city, it's not completely outrageous. Or, maybe it is. "Death by broom impalement would be a rather idiotic way to die, so do take care to avoid that," Arty says, as you're escorted out the door. Best of luck with that. E. YOU MUST MEET HIM, HE'S JUST THE CHAP FOR THIS Wandering down a random alleyway will lead you to Tomes and Tapestries, an expansive, multistoried bookstore. Lorkoris, a half elf, is the owner. He's sort of a softie at heart, and even though he has a wide variety of tomes for sale, his true claim to fame in Neverwinter is an impressive collection of Faerun romance novels. If there's a fiction trope, no matter how ridiculous, he's got a romance novel for it. His most popular fiction stock is the Longing, Loving, Good series by Iden Firehell: they're all stories of star-crossed lovers, cursed by the inexplicable magics of a demon, or a jealous wizard, or gods knows what else. Asked about the series' popularity, Lorkoris will simply smile, saying that perhaps the people of Neverwinter enjoy commiserating in their fiction. Seems a bit odd to him, he'd say, considering most tend to read to escape reality, but it couldn't hurt to take a book home with you, right? By the way, the books are enchanted, too. The simple act of reading a magical effect will transfer it to you as well. We'd like to keep this open-ended, you're free to have whatever magical effect you'd like, but here are a few thematic suggestions: ○ Whatever you touch turns into a stone for the next hour. That includes people! They'll be turned into an Adonis, or Fabio-like caricature of themselves, for peak romance novel cover purposes. ○ Every time you speak, it comes out in melody. Specifically, this melody. Yes, that means you'll be singing slowly! ○ You may be cursed to blurt out your deepest desires to the next person who addresses you. If you're the type to have no filter to begin with, you'll find that you can't speak instead. F. SHE HAS A TALE TO SPIN Finally, your investigation leads you to Oracey, a Halfling fortune teller who decided she already has a half-pun name for the job, so she may as well work it. Have a seat, traveler. For five Dragons, she'll gaze into the raging flows of time, like a river with one destination in the end, before you both and discern one fact about your future. You'll also get a lecture on how one should always take care with that knowledge. Changing one's future isn't as easy as it sounds, and should death be reaching your doorstep before you're ready, the knowledge of that fact alone may not be enough to save you. At least, that's how it would be if Oracey was good at her job. In every fortune she divines, in fact, the exact opposite will occur. Did she say you were about to come into some wealth very soon? Prepare to be mugged the next alleyway you look down. We encourage creativity with this one! 3. CALL TO ARMS (CHARISMA, INTELLIGENCE): THE CELEBRITY PLAGIARIST By this point, the Bureau of Balance has provided some frank feedback on the grey stuff, chased down some murderous broomsticks, and identified the culprit behind the absolute Relic-enhanced chaos gripping Neverwinter. It is, of course, none other than famed author Iden Firehell, a man utilizing the Trickster Tome — a book that enchants inanimate objects with the whimsies of whatever the holder writes into it — to gather as many genuine reactions to his bizarre magic twists for his next bestseller. That's right, Neverwinter, you've been PUNK'D. SLAM DUNK'D. When the news reaches the Director, she leans back into her chair with a sigh of a thousand years of utter suffering. "Not that lout again." You approach Firehell at his latest book signing in front of Tomes and Tapestries. He is a man of about 50, silver-grey hair down to his shoulders and a charismatic, all-too-knowing twinkle in his eyes. Before him, amidst a table of fresh copies of his latest work, "Meet Me at the Dancing Diner," sits a large hardcover notebook, open to a page somewhere in the middle. Scribbles, drawings, the most obnoxious of trickster curses line the pages. There's your target. Do you have the wits about you to take it from him? 4. A NOTE FROM YOUR MODS Hello everyone and welcome to the third Balance TDM! Here are some quick notes for you: The purpose of this TDM is to give you an idea of what our missions look like. It already assumes that your character has been initiated into the Bureau of Balance, and has been sent out on their first mission to retrieve a Grand Relic. To that end, threads in this TDM will not be considered game canon. What we're aiming to do with Balance is a little different from your typical DWRP game. In a typical setting, the mods set up some NPCs that have limited contact with you, the player, under a very structured set of conditions. For example, The Director is one of those NPC types, as are her two counterparts (Davenport and Garfield). However, in Balance, we'd like to take a moment to instill something early on as we run through the first TDM of the game. We've listed a few NPC's up there to give you a flavor of their personality and what their look and feel constitutes. Those NPCs are completely pilotable by any of you, at any time. What we're looking to do is give you all a structure for adventure and seeing where you all can take it. It's part of our core value and how we'd like to see things move along. Be amazing- not just in the sense of being amazing to each other and to your characters, but also with your character choices in-game. The world is completely malleable and up to you to meld, mend, repair, or bust. In a nutshell, what we're saying is... go wild. It's okay not to ask permission for something cool you'd like to do. We've given you some outlines of events, but the story that you create as you thread these out is entirely yours. And we, as a mod team, can't wait to see what you bring to the table. blurb code by photosynthesis

Comments

TDM QUESTIONS

[balancemod]

[weliveinasociety]

How does the Call to Arms prompt work for people who are test driving (and don't have an app ready?) Do we need to include what our character's main 'stats' would be, or is there some kind of format...?

CALL TO ARMS (CHA/INT)

[balancemod]

What are your plans for taking down the holder of the Grand Relic? Leave them here, and we will roll to see how successful you are.

[weliveinasociety]

Alright here we go. If say, Reigen were to approach Mr. Firehell and introduce himself as a huge fan of his works, (and had done enough background reading to be able to back up such a claim, yes our boy does the research,) basically just patting his ego and kissing up to him with a somehow well-loved and earmarked copy of "Meet Me at the Dancing Diner" to try and get a chance to see hold the book.

So in other words, Reigen's plan would be pretty much that: pose as a fan, having done an insane amount of research to back up said lie. Play to Firehell's ego and ooh and ah at the book, eventually asking if he could just hold the book for like a few seconds in hopes that "even a miniscule speck of his talent might rub off on him." That sort of thing.

So I guess... would that work?

RNG

[balancemod]

If you would like for your character to try something within the setting, whether it's fighting a broomstick or fighting a lemon tart-flavored steak, we can randomize the outcome for you here!

Let us know if you have a specific path in mind for your character, as that may affect the roll itself. No worries if not, though.

[peacedout]

HELLO can i roll for all might using emphatic duty on the enchanted brooms to get them to stop trying to stab people

Bendy | Bendy and the Ink Machine | Warlock

[figmentpigment]

1A.
The demon surveys the madness with his fixed grin. Shenanigans! It's been a long time since he's enjoyed some nice, harmless shenanigans.

Bouncing on the balls of his feet, he tries to find the rhythm of the inn's unwieldy dance. He tugs at the hand of whoever's closest, urging them to join him. If they keep on the beat, they're sure not to get stabbed, probably! Hopefully. Maybe.

2D.
This felt like a good idea when he started. For whatever reason, a bunch of animated brooms sounded an awful lot like something Bendy should be able to handle with ease. He'd got himself a big ol' hat and everything, which traditionally is the most important part of the process.

He just can't figure out where he went wrong, getting swatted and slapped about by angry bristles and batted about by handles. Most alarming of all, it seems as though dark stains are starting to get left in the little guy's wake... which doesn't make a lot of sense, there's no visible wounds on him, but it still seems awful worrying.

Also some guy is yelling about getting his hat stolen, someone should look into that, sounds like a real problem.

2E.
This book is neat! Well, it has a lot of words Bendy doesn't understand, and there's a lot of weird boring parts where everyone's talking, but it sure knows how to paint a picture!

Or, he does, and the book knows how to use him. Rooms around Bendy tend to swirl with inky aura until redrawn into romantic vistas with beautiful sunsets (or they would be if not all in monochrome black and white), or bedrooms with massive luxurious beds, or cozy cottages with a snowstorm raging outside. Walking through any given door will lead back to a perfectly normal setting, but it's a fun little getaway, right?

Wildcard
[whatever else you can think of, I'm open for! You can find me at yunisverse. ]

CTA Prompt

[figmentpigment]

Outside the shop of Tomes and Tapestries there's a strange little trail of guilty shadows. Darkness pools around corners, leaks down alleyways, creeps along crevices, and vanishes as soon as anyone thinks to investigate. The writhing stains may as well have been a trick of the light.

The tall figure trailing shadows in its wake doesn't stop moving until it's a long way from the bookstore, huddled near a wall. Breath rattles out from between its teeth, frozen in a smile. Against its emaciated chest it clutches a book.

Slowly, Bendy begins to shrink back down into his fake shape. He did it. He did! He did it all by himself. He's a hero now. The fixed smile grows a bit more genuine at the thought. He looks down at the book grasped in his gloved hands.

He stops shrinking. This thing... it feels familiar. Like he's read it before, or had the story told to him. A ripple runs over his body, a shudder potent and physical. He knows this thing. He's lived it.

Creativity, made real. His spine cracks. His body shifts again. It's been used against you, all along. Never for you. Never your own. Tendrils of darkness ooze over the walls around him again. It's not fair. It's never been fair.

Ink dribbles down over his forehead, and falls on the book.

future gohan | dragon ball z | monk

[lamentingly]

> 1A

"... Well..."

Gohan gulped the lump in his throat, staring blankly into the room. His eyes following another knife flying through the air, up until the point someone grabbed it, and stuck it into a slab of meat, treating the knife like a fork. This was... not even remotely what Gohan was expecting when he walked in, that much he could admit.

It wasn't all that bad though. If anything, it was actually kind of... lively.

"This sure is... something."

> 2D

Gohan may not have been a fan of this Artemis guy, but he wasn't about to ignore a request for help. Sure, the man was pompous, conceited, and had an air of arrogance about him that reminded him of a certain prince... but if people were in danger, Gohan could put up with the attitude if it meant being able to keep people safe. It was how they got what little information they did, thanks to Gohan being as polite as possible, even if every word out of the man's mouth made him want to roll his eyes.

But it didn't matter now. Now, they had to find whoever was controlling the enchanted brooms. They had very little information to work with, mostly just a general area of where the brooms had been last seen. But if that bothered Gohan any, he didn't show it.

In fact, he looked confident.

"First, we need to find the brooms. If we have the brooms, we can find someone who can tell us what magic was used on it, and see about tracking the caster down. What do you think?"

> Z

( Wildcard! Hit me up with whatever! My plurk is megasquip if you wanna plot! )

1A

[tormado]

Gueh!

[Amado ducks out of the way as a plate whizzes by his head. He gives it the stink-eye, then squawks as a chair bumps into his leg as it shuffles by, en route to giving someone a place to sit down.]

This is very unsettling. I feel like I'm at risk of getting a fork in the ass at any moment.

Are you sure this is the only place that's open?

Sayori | Doki Doki Literature Club! | Bard

[hxppythxughts]

1C ☼
[As someone with a sweet tooth and already piss poor eating habits, Sayori actually finds it a little funny when the first course ends up tasting like a lemon tart. What a clever trick! And so tasty, too! She can't help but laugh at the absurdity of consuming a steak that tastes like a lemon tart.

Her initial amusement gets her through the rest of the meal, but though she isn't mad, she does end up a little disappointed by the end. It tastes like she swallowed a whole zesty, zesty lemon. The back of her mouth is still sour.

But that's what the survey is for! Sayori has no problem offering her constructive feedback--in the form of poetry. Her handwriting is cute, but clumsy.]

I liked the taste of the lemon tart!
When I ate it, it warmed my heart.

But sometimes a lot of lemon
Is just too much
When life gives you lemons
Isn't that enough?

A sweet treat is something special
But it's not special when that's all there is.
Let your steak be steak, and your tarts be tarts
And that way your food will warm more hearts!

[Sayori, perhaps, feels more generous about this meal experience than most people, potentially even her companion.]


2D ☼
[Chasing around animated brooms actually sounds kind of fun, but the last warning gives Sayori some pause. She fidgets with her fingers a little before turning to her fellow party member.] Um, you don't think the brooms will be mad because I don't clean my room, do you?


2E ☼
[Satisfied with her brief reading experience of a robber being caught red-handed, Sayori returns the book and moves to get on with her business. But as she pushes open the door of the shop--] Uwaah!

[It's red! The handle and the frame where her hand brushed against it! She glances around frantically and bolts from the shop.

And trips over the doorframe. And lands on the ground. Where she leaves two very red handprints on the ground where she's caught herself. And as she tries to right herself and fix her clothes--they turn red too!

With a troubled wail, Sayori finally looks at her hands. Wouldn't you know it--they're red now, right down to the skin beneath every little fingernail. It doesn't hurt, but...] What if I turn myself red?!

[Terrifying, truly.]


wildcard ☼
[DO YOUR THING. Or hit me up at ceesawaseesaw if you want to talk about an idea! ♥]

2D

[ribticklers]

[Sans doesn't seem like he looks prepared to actually do anything on this mission, given he's dressed as a farmer. He might just be going along to watch the chaos from afar.]

Don't worry, if they don't like stuff like that, they'll go for me first.

Toshinori Yagi/All Might | My Hero Academia - Paladin (s3 spoilers if you haven't seen it yet)

[peacedout]

1A. enchanted furniture and dad jokes

[There's a distinct unease in the air when they arrive that night that sets All Might's nerves on fire, an aura that speaks to trouble afoot after a lifetime of crimefighting. But even someone who had been used to punching the problems that threatened society knows that one cannot help if they don't actually know what the nature of a problem is. Besides, he's retired, technically. (Does the distinction matter anymore, when the institution no longer exists, nor any of the things it sought to protect? Don't think about that.)

Anyway, the Rockport it is; All Might isn't nearly as alarmed by the scene that unfolds as he could be--he's seen many, many different kinds of Quirks over the years and something that animates inanimate objects is definitely Out There but not the most Out There he's ever seen. And there's a relaxed air in the tavern that's a breath of fresh air from everything outside, so, as always, All Might smiles as he takes a seat. Trick the fear inside yourself, and become a bulwark for others. That's who he's always been. The Symbol of Peace is no more, and yet, he's still alive. This is the least he can do.

To that end, when a dancing fork does a particularly interesting trick before lodging itself into the wall, he laughs a bit more boisterously than he feels.]

That's certainly one way to make a point, I suppose! Ha ha ha!!

1C - so long puckers

[Due to some unfortunate circumstances involving the loss of his stomach, Toshinori Yagi does not eat very much. As such, the rations last him quite a while, but eventually he does run out. Eventually, he does stop at that quaint little outdoor cafe, planning to just have a nice snack, when he experiences the establishment's sour, citrusy betrayal. It's not necessarily that the tart flavor itself is bad, but why.

So he turns his attention to the comment card, and begins to fill it in with perhaps more effort owed to something one was made to do on pain of food tasting like wet socks. Maybe you're interested in what this vaguely giant skeletonesque man is writing so much about? If you happen to read over his shoulder (he's too engrossed in his feedback to notice or stop you!), it says:

Dear King Magestro,

I appreciate having the opportunity to dine at your fine establishment this evening. The wait staff was all very kind and efficient, and I had a very pleasant time! However, if I may offer a suggestion, perhaps it would be beneficial to include flavors that are not, ah, lemon tarts? Not that there is anything wrong with lemon tarts, of course! They are quite delicious, ha ha! But some of your customers may not be fond of lemon, and either way it may prove tiring to be able to taste nothing other than lemon tarts if you are not in the mood for lemon tarts or after already having one.

Very sincerely yours,
Toshinori Yagi (All Might!)

However, in direct contrast to this, the moment he spots you, he'll start making the universal hand gesture across his throat for no don't bad idea. Don't sit down here, don't subject yourself to the endless lemon, you can probably even eat properly so there's only disappointment in your future.]

2D - this might as well happen

[You ever have one of those days where you regret your life and choices? Yeah. All Might went to go see Artemis, and now he's in the marketplace, chasing enchanted brooms and attempting to lecture them via Emphatic Duty that it's very dangerous to be harassing people while their handles are so sharp, and it's very rude besides....!

He's way, way, too old for this. Please help him.]

wildcard

[Hit me with your best shot! Or send me a message on plurk @ [Bad username or site: goodluckmodes" @ plurk.com] if you wanna plot ♥]

2D

[seasaltkeys]

[Something about this is vaguely familiar for Roxas, in a really loose way that he doesn't care to dwell on. Especially since he's currently blocking one of the brooms with his keyblade and wondering how he got himself here.]

You sure we can't just knock them down? I don't think the lecture's working!

Izuku Midoriya ("Deku") | My Hero Academia | Bard

[shootstyles]

1C

[Wow, that was... unpleasant. He was never much for lemon flavored things and eating steak that tasted like it was an experience that Izuku never expected to have and wasn't keen to ever repeat. If he wasn't such a comically polite person, he might have considered the prospect of doing a dine n dash, but instead, he just choked it down like the good boy that he is.

Now he's staring at the request for a review like he's about to vomit. Maybe from the cake or maybe at the prospect of having to lie to these people. His face is ashen as he mutters to himself.]

The presentation was good, but the texture was a little unexpected... As for the taste it was... unconventional. It's... how was it even possible to make it taste like that and yet look like that? It was all very...

[He mutters aloud as as he stares at the paper, sweat pooling on his forehead. Someone save him please.]

2D

[Okay, now this is a little more of Izuku's speed. With what remains of his Quirk, he twists with super human speed to dodge an incoming broom stab and then leaps into the air to grab the handle of one and bring it crashing to the ground. The sudden blow seems to break the magical control and it becomes an ordinary broom once more.

However, the merchants keep expecting him to also save all of their wares that keep getting knocked around by these dastardly brooms now they see he can move pretty fast. So that's how he ends up balancing a delicate glass orb in one hand, a hat too big for him on his head, and three goblets clutched in the other hand.

Oh and then a trio of brooms are going for a shop of mirrors and the merchant is yelling at him to get over there and stop it before it ruins his business!]

Hey! Sorry about this but... catch!

[And now the orb is being tossed to you fellow party member! Hope you have good reflexes!]

2F

[You shall live long and in good health and accumulate a large amount of wealth.

A nice fortune, Izuku had thought. He's wasn't one for believing in them completely after everything with Sir Nighteye, but in a world of magic and other strange things, maybe there was something to it.

Or so he thought until he made the mistake of sneezing in front of the potion shop. Or not really a shop, just a guy with a slapped together shelf of a random assortment of things. Immediately, the owner comes to accost him, gripping his shoulders and insisting "young man, you sound like you have the plague!]

I-I don't! It was just from the cold air, I'm fi-

[But the opportunistic shop owner is already shoving multiple potions into his hands and then dumping a vial full of sparkling dust on his head (which is very expensive the shop keeper notes but just makes Izuku sneeze again), all of which he claims will save Izuku from "most certain death".

Oh man, he's gonna have to pay for all of this to escape, isn't he. A-are these even real potions? So much for all of his Dragons. What the heck, Oracey!!]

WILDCARD

[Feel free to plot or hit me up for anything at mythal]

2D

[tormado]

Oh - geez!

[Amado almost runs right pass the orb, but he snaps an arm back behind him and snags it out of the air before it goes past him. He then immediately glowers at Deku.]

Come on, eye contact! Y'gotta make eye contact, don't just lob it blind! [He brandishes the orb at Deku as he follows him.] What if this has the soul of a murder lich in it or something?! [He is, to be fair, a little stressed because he's also holding some brooms under his arm, carefully clutching what appears to be a fragile sculpture of a spider in his other hand and he has a...tiara of some kind on his head. ]

ochako uraraka | mha | merchant!!

[thriftea]

1a - discount disneyworld

[Dinner and a show! Nice. This loud environment isn't the place for everyone, but it's obvious that Ochako... is having an absolute blast watching those chairs dance their way across the stage. Catch her sitting right next to you, laughing as she claps along to the (incredibly wonky) beat. She isn't the least bit familiar with this song, but she knows a good time when she sees it. ...Hears it? Whatever!

But maybe you're having an, um, less than enjoyable experience, thanks to the floating tankard full of something that seems keeps gently bopping against your head? Someone—well, something—clearly wants you to enjoy a second drink, but don't worry—Ochako is HERE to HELP! She's all smiles as she leans in to grab that pesky mug.]

I think it likes you!

[A lot, apparently, because it promptly... zips over to the opposite side of your head to avoid being grabbed, sloshing some of its contents on your shoulder in the process. Huh!]

Oh— [WHOOPS.] Sorry, sorry! Maybe if you lean a little closer...?

1b - it's the floaty prompt

[Poking around the marketplace shouldn't be such an ordeal, but... man, those flyers really are everywhere! Maybe Ochako's spent a good hour or so reading these things, or maybe she's chatted up her fellow merchants and heard all about the mysterious goings-on; either way, when she spots someone bending in to read a sign's extra-fine print, of course she's going to zoom right over to them. Hello, friend she may-or-may-not know... nice job finding the wordiest sign in the entire marketplace...]

This is going to feel really weird, but... please trust me, okay? I'm going to get you out of here.

[Weird might just be an understatement, because as she places a hand on this person's back... well, is anyone ever prepared to go from their normal state to being completely weightless? To feel their feet drift slowly drift off the ground?? It's disconcerting, to say the least, but Ochako makes sure to snag her new buddy's sleeve before they float too high.]

Don't worry! I've got you—I promise!

[And she's not letting go! She is, in fact, going to try to them away from the paper they absolutely MUST keep reading. Oh, dear...]

2e - stormy romances, am i right

[Who can resist a silly romance every now and again? It's purely for research purposes, of course, but there's still something so very interesting about this book's tumultuous, will-they-won't-they plot-line; Ochako skims through the first forty or so pages, thoroughly entertained, before she just has to flip to the final pages to see if everything turns out a-okay.

...Oh, so this is part one of two? Hmph. She closes the book with a sigh, looking around for the shopkeeper before eventually turning to her partner. Time to get back to work, even though she's dying to know if those two managed to patch everything up! Cliffhangers are the worst!]

So, do you think we should—

[Belay that, actually, because... BOOM! That sure was a sudden clap of thunder, and it sure did come from that small, dark grey cloud that's now hovering right over Ochako and her unfortunate friend. Where did it come from? A Mystery, but as she glances up at this new companion—]

H-Hey!

[It's raining, it's pouring, and it's ICE-COLD! And is that flicker... the tell-tale sign of lightning? Oh, dear. Time to duck...]

issa wildcard

[i will seriously roll with ANYTHING! throw stuff at me, y'all... or hit me up over at tuchanka if you want to chat!]

1a

[ardainianhonor]

[The mug (mugging?) Mòrag had come to terms with. In fact, she'd accepted that there would likely be no peace tonight. At the very least the mug's persistent tapping didn't hurt.]

Does—[it?, she would have asked skeptically, but the question cuts off when cold liquid splashes against her shoulder and neck and seeps under her collar. It takes a moment more to compose herself than Mòrag would have liked.]

Think nothing of it. Accidents happen. [Well, Ochako will get the benefit of the doubt to start with, at least. The taller woman carefully leans closer, her chair scooting over, more than a little eager to put an end to the mugging.] Please, take it. I'm not even sure what's in it.

Mòrag Ladair | Xenoblade Chronicles 2 | Paladin

[ardainianhonor]

1A
Tell me this is not the norm.

[Mòrag meant that rhetorically. She didn't even really mean to say it. The words tumbled out from shock and disbelief, more than anything, and with a tinge of distress. Yes, she got her supplies and briefing from the Bureau, and vague idea of what to expect.]

[This was not it. Nearby, cheers and bets rose up wildly as a bread knife began to fence (or duel?) a chef's knife. A drunken man (kind of) waltzed with a broom; the broom seemed to be leading. The woman in brass-colored half-plate still stood in the doorway, gawking—and probably blocking said doorway.]

Architect, what manner of world was I swept into?

2D
[Or, apparently, violently animated objects might be the norm for this place. Mòrag was beginning to adjust enough to take it in stride. Outwardly, at least.]

The lord was right, at least in that regard—being... injured here would be unfortunate. [For their pride and reputations, her tone implies, as Mòrag stares into the broom-terrorized plaza from the mouth of the street.]

We'd best be cautious putting them down, in any case. Are you ready?

Wildcard
[Or surprise me! I'm open to other options.]

1A

[tormado]

Hell if I know. My world has all sorts'a nutty magic, but, uh, not like this. [Amado just looks. Very nervous about getting clocked by a flying piece of cutlery.]

...I'm not even sure how we find a table and order in this scenario.

Mirio Togata | My Hero Academia | Monk

[lemirio]

1A:

[It's a wild, enchanted bunch in here tonight, but this guy seems completely enraptured by it all. After all, it's not every day that the entirety of the room really is actually the life of the party, from the tables and chairs to the silverware that people really can't seem to get their hands on. It's just a good time, he doesn't even seem perturbed by the fact that this all is...really dangerous.

Instead, one might notice Mirio sitting next to them, who has his attention on a cup of tea vibrating on its saucer as if it's impatient for him to have a drink while a pot of sugar sits next to it. A spoon taps against the rim, to which Mirio nods.]

A little sugar never hurt anyone, go ahead!

[He props his chin up in one hand, grinning as he watches the spoon move on its own to dump a heaping helping of sugar into the cup.]

Keep going.

[Another.]

Little more?

[And another.]

Could be a little sweeter-!!

[And by then Mirio can't contain his laughter against his fingers, a second too late to avoid the spoon rapping itself against his knuckles. You didn't even try it yet!!]

Sorry, sorry! I couldn't help myself!

1C:

[You know, he thinks he's getting some real karma from his trick with the sugar, earlier. Because boy...boy. He had ordered himself a bowl of soup and some ale, only to find the flavor of both to be so stunning to him that he has to try them both several times to make sure he's not gone crazy.

Then he starts laughing, stirring his spoon in the soup that's clearly some sort of potato based fare, only for it to taste...completely, 100% like lemon tart.]

Okay, this is just silly.

[And his response to the survey?]

It tastes like lemon tart!

All of it!


2E:

[Mirio can't say he's ever been a huge book person. That was always Tamaki's area of expertise. But who doesn't love a good book, right? Besides, it would be nice to have something like this for those long nights between stints of traveling.

He decides to remain in the bookstore itself for a while, reading some of the tomes to decide which he might like to purchase for himself. And once he's found one, he'll bring it to the owner and open his mouth to tell him what he's thought of it so far-

...only for nothing to come out.

No matter what Mirio does, or how hard he tries to make a sound, it looks more like he's choking than actually attempting to speak. Lorkoris takes the book from his hand with a chuckle as Mirio's hand wanders to his throat, chortling something about how he must have liked it so much he's beyond words!

Which...that's a word for it, alright.]

WILDCARD: [If you want to plot something with me, feel free to DM or hit me up on plurk winterbolt]

1A

[bakucchan]

[This mission was definitely much, much different than the last. It feels oddly calmer-- more energetic and like people were having a lot of fun.

Certain loud, annoying people that Bakugo barely recognizes as a third year in UA. The only reason he actually does recognize him is because he's hailed was one of the "Big Three", and Bakugo being the competitive person he is decided to do a little research on them so he could inevitably beat their asses on his quest to become the number one he---

Yes. You get the idea.

Either way he's already annoyed just by the atmosphere of this place, but Mirio's boisterous laughter just tips him off. Especially because for some reason he decided to sit next to Bakugo when Bakugo just wanted something to fucking eat.

So he watches the spoon smack him on the knuckles and watches Mirio apologize, and in a tone so dead and stern:]

Drink up, senpai.

[this is the grave you dug for yourself so fucking lay in it]

Alphinaud Leveilleur | Final Fantasy XIV | Wizard

[spellweave]

A.

[Such a lively place should be a nice way to learn more about their new location yet when he actually steps inside he thinks otherwise. The strange display aside it also make it awfully loud and impossible to even eavesdrop on the locals’ gossip. Although with how much they seem to be enjoying it all maybe nothing of value is to be found here.

With everything else shut tight and the uneasy atmosphere in the air, however, he has little choice.

He does spare a tired glance at Tom for the offer to “take a seat”.]

On what, pray tell? [At the moment all the empty chairs are floating well above his reach or in mid-performance.

Please, he just wants something to eat…]

D.

[He wonders if this is how certain adventurers must feel. Performing strangely mundane yet life threatening tasks on a day to day basis was probably the secret to a particular one’s strength. Not that he ever really thought about it.

Alphinaud doesn’t think he’s equip to deal with this threat but then he can get proper information from the irate Vizier if he succeeds. So he might as well make an attempt.

Perhaps you’re here doing the same task or maybe you’re innocently wandering around this particular corner of the marketplace. Whatever your reason for being here you’ve failed to notice (or perhaps you notice too late) one of the wayward broomsticks launching itself right at you.

This would surely end in your implement if not for a steak of something white and glowing that snatches it out of midair mere inches from your body. The creature wrestles it into submission with tiny, angry growls until the broom snaps in half and lays still.

Alphinaud is on its heels and jogs over to you as the Carbuncle sits back on its haunches, staring at him expectantly as it awaits further commands.]

Are you all right…?

E.

[A bookstore more expansive than even some of the libraries in Sharlayan is definitely the place for him. Nerd status not withstanding it’s also an ideal location to learn more about Neverwinter. He’s getting a bit tired of the locals and trying to question them. So far they’ve proven to be immune even to his silver tongue. So some time spent along with some books sounds like a nice remedy.

Although the owner enthusiastically pointed him toward romance novels Alphinaud eventually found books more suited to his interests. Tucked away among tall shelves stacked with books he feels like a student again which brings a sense of both warm nostalgia and sorrow when he recalls the fate that brought him here.

Regardless, he’s standing here with a nose in a book for quite awhile. Upon shelving it, he immediately takes another one. However when he opens it it spontaneously combusts into quite the brilliant fireball. This understandably scares all seven hells out of him and he yelps very loudly, stumbling backwards into the opposite shelf.

All this noise may catch your attention and should you investigate you’ll see poor Aphinaud looking pretty out of sorts with at least two piles of ashes that were once books at his feet.]

[wilcard.]

[hit me with something else if you want! i’m easy.]

A

[ardainianhonor]

Take it as a figure of speech, for now.

[Mòrag can't help that same, tired tone. This whole display would be more entertaining if she weren't so tired and it wasn't so overwhelming—or if there was a promise of it simmering down so they could all sleep, later.]

Unless you want to subdue one of those chairs. I think it'd be best not to interrupt them. They might take offense. [She's joking, at the last part. Kind of. The soldier doesn't want them taking any ideas from the cutlery zipping around.]

Amado Tsukayama | Original Character | Monk

[tormado]

1B.

Hey, look at that, this one says walking around on your hands will improve blood circulation!

[Amado points at a sign as he approaches. Then, he grimaces and looks over the top of his sunglasses.] Wow, twelve paragraphs long. That is some small typeface. [Then he looks away from the sign.]

You, ah.

Want some help?

[...so he can look at his fellow Bureau member as he leans on the wall the sign's posted on. He doesn't expect them to make eye contact, because they seem quite captivated by the sign in front of them.]

If y'can't talk, just wave. Or blink, or stomp your foot on the ground or something.

[Purity of Body, if you were wondering. Charm immunity. He's pretty happy about that right now.]

2D.

THAT WAY! DOWN THE STREET, IT'S GETTING AWAY!

[Amado has about five wriggling brooms under his arm. He's trying to make it half a dozen as he bolts past several merchants and shoppers, even vaulting over a stand selling some knick-knack or another so he can try to catch up to the broom before it shanks somebody. He passes by someone sweeping the street with a broom...or at least he almost does. Before the broom, doing an excellent job masquerading as a regular broom, leaps out of the sweeper's grasp and throws itself between Amado's legs.]

OH -- SHI--

[At the speed he was running, he trips and smacks into the ground. He immediately throws his arms over his hand and neck because those five brooms he had grabbed? Are now all smacking him with their sweepy parts and poking him with their sharp parts.]

AH! I'M DOWN! OW! Not in the side, geez!

[Nobody would blame you for abandoning him.]

2E.

[Amado's girlfriend loves these kinda books. So, yeah, he grabbed one. Because he's still in the 'my girlfriend is definitely safe and fine back home, there's nothing to worry about on that front, I'll just get her this book to give to her when I get back home' phase of things. At any rate, it's about an elf that's engaged to be married, but she falls in love with a dwarf and the dwarf duels her fiancee for her hand in marriage.]

Listen t'this. [He glances at his fellow Bureau member and reads a passage to them.] "How dare you lay hands upon my betrothed, you stubby knave? I shall cut thee from bow to stern!" [He can't help but snicker. This Firehell guy has a way with words. He closes the book and puts it back in his bag.]

[...and then someone comes down the street and throws their arms around both of them and kisses them both on the cheek, one, then the other.

"Oh! I can't bear to hide our love anymore! I simply must have you!" They exclaim. Amado's eyes widen and he goes rod straight.]

U-uhhhh. I'm. Uh. Spo -- wait, which one of us are you talking about?!

[Before they can answer, someone else approaches, looking...not happy about what they're seeing.

"My love! How could you turn your back on me, for these...WRETCHES?!" Amado mutters, "Wretches....?" under his breath and quirks an eyebrow, a little offended. The apparently...spurned lover, or something? Pulls out a fireplace poker. "I shall cut out their black hearts!" Amado's eyes widen again and he leans back.]

Ah, crap.

Wildcard

[Go nuts, or hit me up at ViewtifulJeff for planning!]

2E

[milkisgross]

[Edward was not paying attention to the guy who just spontaneously started speaking to him. He had been flipping through one of the many books on the shelves as well and had been able to completely tune the guy out. What did grab his attention was the third person coming in and kissing him. He dropped the book and his face turned bright red.]

Wha-?!

[And before he knows it, someone's brandishing a fire poker. He looks from the disgruntled lover to the other confused guy, then back to the lover.]

What the hell's going on?!

Eijirou Kirishima | My Hero Academia | Dancer

[kirimson]

1B

[As helpful as notices can be sometimes, especially public service announcements, nobody really wants to read them every single time they see one. Especially when, halfway through, you realize that it's nothing important at all. And yet all of these ones make it impossible for Kirishima to tear his eyes away from them, somehow. What kind of magic can do that?? He's got no clue. And it's not until after the fourth or fifth one that he starts trying to figure out how to combat it, once "just having a really strong will and wanting really badly to look away" doesn't fix it.

That's why he's...currently wandering around with one hand stretched out in front of him and the other firmly clamped over his eyes. He's got a victorious grin painted on his face as he confidently makes his way through the area, apologizing when he manages to bump into anyone but at least trying not to.]

Those dumb signs can't get me now!

[The signs are not the only dumb things here.]

2D

[Becoming a Dancer didn't really give him much to work with, when it came to fighting. Like...at all. Moving stuff with your mind is great and all, but he's found that it's going to take a lot of work to figure out how to use that effectively. And a lot of concentration, something which he has less of while facing off with living, murderous broomsticks.

Luckily, however, what doesn't need too much concentration is using his quirk. And they're also...just broomsticks. Sharp and magic though they are, it also doesn't take a lot to harden enough to make them pretty pathetic opponents.

Kirishima does his best to shield civilians and merchants caught in the fray, letting the enchanted brooms bounce off him as many times as they want.]

I'll keep 'em at bay, you focus on taking 'em out!

[Whether you're a party member or just a capable looking stranger passing by, he's roping you into helping. Two heroes are better than one, right? And he's not going to let you get stabbed, so what's the harm in lending a hand?]

2F

S-sorry!! I'm sorry! [It's a messy scene in the merchant district, a small stand having been...completely destroyed, their goods scattered everywhere and the old woman red faced as she yells at the perpetrator. Kirishima keeps his head bowed, picking things up as quickly as possible and shrinking away as the angry merchant simply chases him off. Understandable that she wouldn't want his help after he destroyed her stand...

But it's only a few moments later that his elbow catches on some banners, unceremoniously bringing them and the bunting attached to the ground. Nobody's hurt, luckily, but the locals don't look very happy with the ruined display.

After that? Yeah, of course he bumps into someone carrying the potions they'd just happily purchased, sending the delicate glass bottles crashing to the ground. As he pays the man the cost to replace those bottles, he wanders off, muttering to himself.]

That lady said I'd be graceful or something. This isn't graceful at all!

[Maybe you want to give the clumsy Dancer plenty of space, or maybe you're the next victim of this poor bout of bad luck...]

Wildcard!

[I'm up for rolling with whatever, if you've got a better idea! Feel free to hit me up at knittybitty!]

1b

[bakucchan]

[Yeah, there's definitely something here dumber than those stupid signs. Bakugo had been so goddamn surprised when Kirishima showed up nearly a month ago by now, reacting in a mixture of anger-- angry that despite everyone from home supposedly being dead, his best friend managed to arrive two months after he had himself-- yet happy. Happy that he was alive. And hopeful that meant there were more who had survived the Hunger, somehow.

Their first day together definitely involved a lot of punching, and a stupid sleepover where they stayed up until three in the morning as Bakugo told him of all the things he'd went through so far.

Today the two were on a mission, and Bakugo was determined not to fuck up as horridly as he had last time. The last mission cost him the ability to see colour-- an impairment that wasn't anything he couldn't deal with, but it was frustrating as hell and a permanent reminder of his mistakes. He couldn't let that happen to him again, nor would he let it happen to anyone else as long as he was there to stop it.



Though you know.

This situation....

Didn't really seem like one that needed stopping.

In fact, it's taking a lot for Bakugo not to huff out a laugh at the sight of Kirishima walking around with one arm outstretched, bumping into just about everything. Instead he just sighs and reaches out to grab the red-head's wrist before he ends up tripping over his own two feet.]

How's that working out for 'ya, you fucking dumbass?

Arataka Reigen | Mob Psycho 100 | Merchant

[weliveinasociety]

1-C. My compliments to the chef

[ You know, a good meal is just the thing to wind down from a very eventful day. Tales of what Reigen's day entailed will no doubt vary from person to person, but one thing is certain: Reigen worked hard for the money and he's treating himself to dinner dead-eyed service employees aren't anything new but the food, that's... Well. He takes a sip from his water (lemon water?) and a forkful of pasta (lemon?? pasta??) and he swallows it down because he paid for this, dammit, even if he's having regrets.

So many regrets. You'd think a business-savy guy like him would have checked the Yelp reviews before he got here. ]

Uh, excuse me. [ He smiles, cheerily trying to get some of the waitstaff's attention. They ignore him, obviously. Even as he raises a hand and tries to flag down another table's server -- nothing. Did he turn invisible, or is it just them? ] Hey, uh... Can I get a-- nope? Okay. Yeah. Alright then.

[ Whatever, he's not going to be picky when it really is food he spent money on. He finishes his dinner and manages to mutter to himself before his comment card comes around. Sadly, his attempt to grab the guy with the card doesn't work out either. ]

You know what, I have to admire their commitment to the, uh, theme. But the service in here, just not good.

[ His notecard reads: ]

5/5 stars. Great service. Good food. Definitely worth it if you like lemons. I'm definitely coming back!

[ Wow, he's not a jerk who leaves negative reviews, who do you think he is?? ]

2-F. This Is a Job for a Real Psychic

[ Reigen knows a thing or two about psychics. He has a nice enough chat with Oracey, sharing tales of past clients over tea. And when she tells him he's going to have a great rest of his day? Well, that's great!

Naturally Reigen proceeds to trip into a puddle on his way out, lose his wallet, and winds up losing his favorite knife. All in the span of half an hour. He's definitely been cursed. ]

Hey! [ From behind the door, Oracey yells "no refunds!" Reigen knocks a little harder. ] What do you mean you don't give refunds? That's Psychic 101!

[ It's not. But if you happen to be heading towards Oracey, you'll see this guy. Yelling. Gesturing. The door won't open for him for some reason. Ah, but don't make eye contact! Reigen switches to salesman-mode almost immediately. Is there some kind of code they should be abiding by here? Maybe? ]

If you want your fortune told, I can give you one for half of what she'll take.

[ Oh yeah, I guess this is a good time to point out Reigen is a Merchant. So why not give it a shot? He holds out his hand, confident smile on his face. ]

Even if you're the type to "make your own" fortune, I can guarantee my readings are flawless.

[ Would a Merchant lie to you? ]

4. Something else?

[ idk any other prompts here? ]

CTA PROMPT

[weliveinasociety]

A: Stealing is bad unless you're being paid to do it

[ Guess who got his hands on the ol' Trickster Tome? Reigen did! I'm sure nothing bad could possibly happen. After flattering and cozying up to Iden Firehell himself, Reigen manages to hold the Trickster Tome in his hands.

So what does he do with it? Well, he makes a run for it, obviously. But uh, Reigen's not actually very fast? So if you happen to be at this particular venture, be it standing in the crowd or waiting in line for an autograph, there's a pretty good chance that in his "daring" escape, Reigen will run into you. ]

Ah! Uh, hey! Hi! Sorry, I gotta -- yep, I was just leaving! [ He trips over himself, casting a rapid glance behind him before he stands up and tries to brush by you again. Hey maybe you can steal the book off of him? I mean, don't do that! That's bad. ] Stealing is bad! Now, uh, excuse me --

B: Should've wished for psychic powers, my dude.

[ In the event that Reigen manages to make it outside with the Trickster Tome, he will be standing outside the building, heaving heavy breaths and wiping a serious amount of sweat from his brow. Geez, he's gotta start working out again. And maybe quit smoking.

Now that he's got a break though, he can no longer ignore the irresistible pull of the Tome. He sits down right there on the ground and pulls out a pen. ]

Anything I want, huh...

[ Reigen starts with "I want..." is this close to writing "financial stability" in it. But le'ts say he fails this particular INT check and even the Tome thinks that's incredibly boring so instead he ends up writing the following: ]

I want... infinite money.

[ Guess what? It's raining gold coins! In the alley! There's just a cloud floating above his head that is raining money. He smirks and catches several of the coins, stuffing them in his Bag of Holding for a few minutes until the repercussions of his wish become painfully obvious. Because you know what else? Getting pelted by raining money hurts! ]

Ow! Ohhhh, this isn't gonna stop, is it. [ This is what happens when you don't think things through. He stands up and makes to move the book, trying (and failing) to outrun the cloud. ] I may have made a slight miscalculation here.

Ferran Gallagher | OC | Wizard

[noblegarnet]

1-B

At first Ferran thinks the avoidant behavior might have something to do with him. Is he not blending in properly? Is it his hair? Did he not pick the right clothes?? It's enough to make him grit his teeth from nerves and keep a hand tight around the necklace hidden under his cloak, however completely non suspicious it is. It doesn't take too long for him to spot those posters, though. And being who he is, he wants to read it. And then the next one. And that one over there. Why are there so many? Who writes this stuff??

It's not like it's that big a deal—he's a quick reader, even if he happens to go through a face journey every time one of them catches his eye. ... The reality is that he is perhaps becoming a little too curious for his own good, as anyone who tries to preemptively take him away from these may discover when he starts pushing back.

"Wait, no. This one's about seizing the means of production, I have to know if there's a Fantasy Marx."

2-D

Brooms. Magic brooms, obviously that's a thing. It's easy enough to accept that's a thing around here. An egotistical ruler who looks down on the very people he asked to come help, also reasonable. Predictable, even, in a kind of storybook way. Said ruler sending them on an errand to take down a bunch of potentially murderous magic brooms? That one makes Ferran start questioning his entire life and why it's come to this, as if it could get any worse. Regardless, there's a job to do, so he... guesses he's going to do it. What else is he going to do?

His first instinct when they come across the marketplace in question is to reach up towards where his necklace is hidden—but then he glances down at his hand and clenches it, returning it to his side. Right. The whole magical transformation sequence isn't a thing anymore. It's fine—he can still do something.

He has an ice spell, something that can freeze them in place if he can just act quickly enough... and avoid being impaled, as Artemis so graciously suggested. The young man is, unfortunately, a little new to fighting with other people, so at first he sends out a Ray of Frost (spellcasting here is weird) in an attempt to freeze a few brooms in place without thinking too much about it. It gets him noticed.

He hits the deck just in time to lose a few hairs, oh god those are really sharp. Someone help him please.

Wildcard

[Feel free to get in touch either here or over at lumieresdedragon if you have any other ideas!]

CTA Prompt

[noblegarnet]

It was a cool plan, sort of. Solid in a kind of theoretical sense. Just make a fake copy of the book, cause a little chaos, slip out with the real deal. It would have been cooler if he'd asked someone to help, probably.

He probably didn't hide his copy well enough, or he didn't trip into the table in a convincing way, or he wasn't sneaky enough in reaching for the real notebook—whatever it was, said plan failed and now there is an angry relic holder and two guards approaching the nervous-looking teenager. He seems a little out of it, though, frozen in place like he's not going to react in time to actually do anything about it, so he needs some assistance. Help?

There are some potential options: grab him and leg it; fight the guards off and leg it; or watch him get dragged off by guards hopelessly and break him out of jail later. (He looks so miserable, don't let him go to jail please.)

Mia Fey | Ace Attorney |

[doubledsofjustice]

1A

[It's been quite a while since Mia's been somewhere so... lively, for all intents and purposes of the word. Ushered in by the chaos, Mia actually seems quite amused, watching from the sidelines and clapping her hands along with the errant beats. It's like a festival, sort of, maybe. And the more she pretends to be wrapped up in the party, the more she can ignore the prying eyes and useless comments of men in the tavern hungry for more than just meat.]

Oh-- I'm sorry, I just can't hear you over all this,

[she says to most of the people who try to disturb her, but... if you're not being weird, hey, maybe she'll talk to you, too.]

2d

--Are you kidding me?

[Sharp brooms, new abilities, and little training-- and so many new complications. While Mia's priority would be to find out who did the enchanting, there's the problem of actual brooms zooming around first, and there's no way she can continue investigating without solving this first.

Monks love to solve things with their fists and Mia does too, but how can you punch a broomstick? After a few hops and screams and dives to stay out of their way, Mia makes another leap to the safety of the underside of a nearby table, finding underneath her... a wooden plank.]

Well... It's something.

[Holding her breath, Mia grabs her new weapon loose from the pile of debris and rushes out swinging, swatting at the brooms like huge mosquitos, indiscriminate of whatever should get in her way.]

2F.... sort of.

[Now, Mia Fey is a psychic herself, at least in her own world. The psychics she knows of, however, can't actually tell the future. That? All that is hogwash.

That's why, frustrated with the fact the answers have pointed her here, Mia can be found pacing almost furiously around the outside of the Oracle's residence, mumbling to herself.]

(It just doesn't make any sense... Nothing I find out here is going to be of any use.)

[She mumbles, quite sure she's not speaking audibly. She is.]

(The rules might be different here... but how much can she really tell me? Am I wasting my time...?)

CTA PROMPT

[doubledsofjustice]

tbd

Honoka Kousaka | Love Live! School Idol Project

[korekara]

1A & 1C

[ If you're expecting Honoka Kousaka, of all people, not to be down with a good bop then you've come to the wrong toplevel. Sure, the performance tonight might be kind of... lackluster... but Honoka's a good sport and she's not about to rain on the parade of a group of people doing their best. So she gasps and "oohs" and "aahs" in all the right places, doing a pretty good impression of someone who's actually having a good time.

When the music finally squeaks out on that despondent final note, Honoka immediately breaks out into enthusiastic applause, probably wildly out of proportion to the actual quality of the performance. ]

A-maaaaa-zing! Encore, encore! [ And if you're sat next to her, you'll be on the receiving end of a nudge to the side. ] Wasn't that just awesome?!

[ However, by the looks of things, even Honoka's enthusiasm can't stand up to the bitter acid burn of their lemony dinner. For the first few bites, she looks amused by the novelty, but when she realizes her steak isn't going to start actually tasting like a steak, she looks a bit deflated. ]

Well, that's kind of pointless. [ Puuu! She puffs out her cheeks, clearly unimpressed. Then she sticks her hand up, to get the attention of her fellow diners. ] So, hey, um... does anyone else's dinner taste kinda... zesty?

2D

I didn't mean iiiiit! Don't hurt me!

[ There it is, folks: The siren call of a total dumbass who's gotten herself into trouble. It's kind of hard to tell what Honoka's endgame was here, but she seems to have gotten it into her head to fight fire with fire (or uh, broom with broom) and found herself an enchanted broom with which to thwack around the other brooms floating around. As you can imagine, none of the cursed cleaning utensils took particularly kindly to that, so now Honoka is in the unenviable position of being menaced by a whole gaggle of brooms that seem to be sweeping their way, intimidatingly, in her direction. It'd be ridiculous if it wasn't for the seriousness of the situation... no, actually. Let's face it. This is still pretty damn ridiculous. ]

Heeeelp! Someone help me before I get brushed to death!

CTA PROMPT

[korekara]

this is a placeholder!! wao !!

Carmen Sandiego | Netflix!Carmen Sandiego

[rougerebelle]

1A
[Carmen’s eyes go wide as an errant dish comes flying out of the open doorway. This was...not what she’d been anticipating. She glances back at the sign of the place ‘The Rockport Inn’]

Well, I’ll give it to them, this place certainly seems to be rocking.

[Seeing as the rest of town is almost painfully silent, this seems like her best option for somewhere to check things out. Besides, who can pass up a little dinner and entertainment. She offers a small smile back to Tom.]

How about a table in a corner then?

2D
[As obnoxious as Lord Artemis had been, Carmen was more than used to dealing with his type and she couldn’t help but agree. After everything she’d been through it really would be ridiculous to go out via broom impalement. She’s decided that instead of engaging right away though that she’ll take a chance at scoping the place first. Maybe she can figure out a pattern to their movements or a good place to trap them all. After all, her skill set lies more in that realm than a direct fight.

Besides, Carmen enjoys the view from up here on the roof of one of the market’s shops. It doesn’t take long to notice the crowds parting as a pack of brooms come sweeping down towards them. Again, another surprising sight even though she’d been told to expect it.]

Okay...so there are the brooms. Now we just need to find an enchanted broom closet, right?

[It’s hard not having Player in her ear, but she’d grown so used to having him there that it was a hard habit to break. She follows their movement for a bit, keeping an eye out for anyone on her side. She notices the brooms definitely seem to be heading for the more crowded and subsequently dirtier parts of the market and decides she might have a plan after all.

Now she just needs to find someone to help.]

2D

[figmentpigment]

[Dirtier parts of the market, you say.

Like, perhaps, someone leaving stains wherever he goes?

Bendy's been taking turns chasing down brooms and getting chased down by them. Every time he manages to corral a few, another wave of them seem to catch up and take the advantage. There's only so much one little cartoon can do on his own, after all.

The strain of it is really starting to wear down on his stamina, and the ink that makes him up has begun to leak, dark drops trailing behind him. The little demon leans against the wall of a building, not yet noticing the red-clad figure above. His breath comes out as a faint squeaky wheeze, and he tries to pull himself together.]

carlos palmer • welcome to night vale • chemist

[whatitis]

1c;

[While Carlos tries to see the learning opportunities in all potentially teachable moments, or at least a shade of optimism amidst a strange and often dissatisfactory situation, this one is a tough nut to crack. Or, not really, if he’s being totally accurate (and when is he not?), as his tree nut allergy prevents him from cracking any kind of nut. It’s a lonesome road, but—oh!]

Oh! [he exclaims in harmonic unison with the narration.] That’s one. “I...am not...allergic...to lemons.”

[Sitting a table alone by himself with the remnants of the real lemon tart in front of him, Carlos returns the Fantasy Bic Pen to a comfortable perch behind his ear, staring forlornly—but less forlornly than a mere few moments previous—at the slip of paper that was given to him. The only thing written on it so far is the phrase “I am not alergic (sic) to lemons”.

Throw this poor guy a bone, and pray it’s not also citrus-based.]

2d

[Sometimes things are more realistic than they first sound. Postgrad, for instance. Or rollercoasters. And then you find yourself talked into a grand idea of adventure and fun, and you end up nauseous, and tired, and with a bunch of broom bristles in your perfectly manicured hair. The sentiment is the same even if the circumstances are at least slightly different.

Really, he’s not even sure why he signed up for this. Well—he knows Why. The Why is that he is into anything that sounds scientifically interesting, which is most things, but particularly Creatures and other Mobile Objects of Interest. That’s the Why. He didn’t think far enough ahead to how a slightly out-of-shape chemist would wrangle the herd of murder-brooms. That would be the right thing to do, but he didn’t do it, and he most likely will not learn much from this experience, so good luck trying to get him to stop doing it.

He can be found cowering (observing from a safe distance) under a table at a closed (due to Broom Crimes) bistro, a very helpful pile of papers scattered next to him and an equally helpful pile of potential tincture in his cupped hands. It’s like science, he tells himself. You just mix, and think, and clap when something goes well, and also chant spells sometimes. Hide with him, fellow Reclaimers! Be the bold and courageous people you were meant to be by practicing Fantasy Titrations.]

2e

[In his copious amounts of spare time (really, where does he get it from?), Carlos can be found in the bookstore, absorbed in some ancient tome of secrets, or an especially steamy novel about a romantic drama between three different orcs from three different orc tribes who all are named variants of the syllable “bog” (both the orcs and their respective tribes). It’s extremely engaging.

So engaging that, in fact, he doesn’t notice the approach of anyone else in his particular corner of the building, leading to a very red-faced and flustered Carlos when he does see whoever is trying to engage with him, you know, like a normal person.]

Hi! Sorry, hi. Um. Hello. I’m reading erotic bog-fiction.

[It’s difficult to discern from that interaction alone, but it’ll soon become plain to see: the man is incapable of telling a lie. Jeez, what was in that book to do that to him? At least he’s not speaking Orcish.]

wildcard;

[ go for anything else you want to do! i am wide open for any ideas y’all have. hit me. ]

1c

[versusnurture]

[Someday, Abigail reflects, pushing a plate of what she wanted to be a simple grilled cheese sandwich and tomato soup away from her, she will receive a totally non-suspect food item and just eat it and everything will be fine. But not today, apparently.]

[It could be worse. She could have tried the foie gras and had that lemonized experience. But she's learned quickly. First, that foie gras is cursed; second, that this restaurant leans way too heavy on the acid part of salt-fat-acid-heat. And there's singing.]

[So she gets up to go. But, as anyone too nosy for their own good might, she finds herself screeching to a halt as she passes Carlos's table. What . . . is this. And of course she can't help herself.]

You spelled "allergic" wrong. [Good grief.] What are you doing?

Edward Elric | FMA (Manga) | Chemist

[milkisgross]

1. A.
Edward was still in a daze from his abrupt arrival to the Bureau of Balance, and he wandered the dark, empty streets of Neverwinter without having much of a destination in mind. Perhaps it was natural, considering the events that had led up to this.

In any case, Ed had been walking around for he didn't know how long before he came upon the only lit building around. There was nothing else to do but check it out, so he did.

And he immediately regretted it. He stood there, blankly gazing into the Rockport Inn and watching the various furniture and utensils dancing around. He was invited to come in and take a seat, but decided instead to turn right back around and leave. He wasn't going to put up with this kind of crap right now. Unless someone made an effort to stop him, of course.


2. D. CW: Severe Injuries Mentioned
Edward wasn't convinced that he wasn't dreaming. Could anyone really blame him? There was his arrival to the Bureau, that weird jellyfish thing, the inn full of dancing furniture, and now he was asked to take care of enchanted broomsticks. He knew he had passed out after Kimbley's chimera goons had helped him remove that iron bar from his abdomen. He just hasn't woken up yet, right?

But when was he going to?

Grumbling under his breath, he makes his way to the market. It's not exactly difficult to find, what iwth people panicking and the brooms floating around everywhere. He instintively claps his hands to transmute his automail...

...oh right. That doesn't work here for some reason. Oh well. His fist would have to do. He charges in to break the damn things apart, though it's not hard for them to float up out of his reach.

"Damnit! Get back down here!" It's like they were taunting him.


2. E.
Ed's slowly scans through the volumes of the bookstore. He's separated from most of the customers, as he has absolutely no interest in the romantic fiction that seems to be so popular here. No, he's looking around for information. Any information that might help him make sense of everything he's already seen here.

He picks up a book and flips through it a bit before deeming it unhelpful before returning it to the shelf. He reaches out and grabs another, but more of the same. As he turns around to check out another shelf, he bumps into someone. As he opens his mouth to apologize, a stream of bubbles floats out of his mouth.

Well, that was different.

He tries to speak again, if only to let out 'what the hell,' but instead of sound, it was more bubbles. He's visibly upset now, punching the nearest shelf and sending books tumbling down on top of him. He's not hurt, but he's still pissed off.

Bonkers D. Bobcat | Disney's Bonkers | Dancer

[toonpatrol]

{1B}

[While enthusiastically trying to chat up a gerblin merchant, who was just as enthusiastically trying to ignore him and do inventory, the toon abruptly cuts himself off mid-sentence after spotting that first sign tacked to end of the vendor's stall. One read over the odd little rambling missive turns in to two, then three, four, five- and he couldn't stop!

There was something wrong with it, something he wasn't getting, something that kept compelling him to read it. It had to be something IN the message right? But no matter how many times his eyes scanned the sign he still couldn't get it, and he still couldn't stop reading it!

It's only after he starts to look visibly distressed and his eye starts twitching that the vendor finally begins paying enough attention to look annoyed and mildly concerned. When attempts to get the toon to go away only result in mutterings about subliminal messaging the peevish merchant looks to you. Whether you were actually with the toon or were just unfortunate enough to be nearby, the merchant is now dragging you into this, shouting to you in broken common.]

You! Tabaxi with you? You do something, yes? Take annoying cat thing away! Is creepy, scaring customers!

[The last statement is debatable considering he didn't seem to have much in the way of customers before the bobcat showed up.]

{2D}

[Animated objects acting out wasn't exactly new for Bonkers, if anything it was another Wednesday, but in this situation that familiarity might have been more of a hindrance than a help. Trying to talk down toon objects on a rampage hasn't always worked for him in the past but they were at least sentient enough to know they were being lectured. Not so much the case for these brooms it seemed.]

Look, fellas, I know years of cleaning up other peoples messes probably has you feeling washed up and used, but this is no way to make a point-yYIPE! [A sharp jab in the back makes the cat jump, and by the time he's spun around to point an accusing finger at the culprit, the broom is already sweeping a path away from him.] That pun wasn't a challenge!

1B

[figmentpigment]

[Is the cat fella the problem? Bendy would have guessed it was the dreadfully drab decorations set all around that failed to draw people in. Well, whatever helps out!

Bendy first tugs at the frozen bobcat's sleeve, then stretches up on his tippy toes and waves his hand in front of Bonkers' face. When that fails to do the trick, the pint sized devil goes the next step, climbing up Bonkers' back, perching on his shoulders, and craning over to put his face right up between the transfixed view of the flyer.

Have you heard, Bonkers? You're annoying people! Bendy can't imagine what kind of person would be annoying.]

((SORRY FOR DROPPING THE BALL LAST TIME i still hope for toonanigans if you're up for it))

hibiki kohaku | blazblue | dancer

[secrowtary]

( 1C )

[ To be fair, Hibiki can't blame people working here for looking dead inside, not when he's going around and telling everyone that he's empty himself. Besides, he understands the sentiment a little—he's a cook himself and more often than not he's in charge of serving meals in the branch office he's working at.

The compassion is all gone after the appetizer, though. He's pretty sure that garlic chicken bites aren't supposed to taste like a lemon tart. Why should he wait until the next course when something clearly went wrong right from the start? This appetizer is a disgrace to all appetizers. ]

Excuse me.

[ His attempts to express a complaint are ignored, even though he's trying quite hard a few more times. The staff seems to only react when you're trying to make an order, too. Which, naturally, Hibiki uses to his own advantage: ]

Excuse me, I'd like to place an order. [ He's pretty confident this is going to work. ] One conversation with the cook, please.

[ The person taking the order doesn't even note it down and walks away. Not only the food here is a disgrace, but the service isn't much better, either. Before heading to the kitchen on his own, he wants to investigate this a little more.

Which is the reason why he's going to approach whoever is sitting in his close proximity to ask them a simple question: ]

Pardon the interruption, though I have something I would like to ask. Are you enjoying your meal?

( 2D )

[ Being a servant to a very influential man back home meant having to deal with pompous shits every now and then. It's not like Lord Artemis Sterling is anything special in that regard; full of himself, arrogant, and unwilling to cooperate, of course. He's hardly surprised when the man mentions "a favour", to be honest.

It's a ridiculous one, for that matter. And yet, for the sake of the investigation, Hibiki does find himself chasing animate brooms that threaten anyone who decides to come close with their sharp tips. Since there's no such thing as a pattern when it comes to how they're floating in the air, it's impossible to tell when they're going to attack.

However, if you find one flying straight into your direction with the tip pointed at you, Hibiki will try to stop it with telekinesis. Just an inch away from your face. ]

Oh my, are you alright?

[ He doesn't seem to be fazed at all. ]

( 2E )

[ While Hibiki decides to avoid the apparently famous romantic novels section, he manages to find some interesting in others. Blissfully unaware of the magical effects, he's flipping through an album featuring confectionery. ]

Ah. [ Some of these were really good, but he puts it back on the shelf—he needs to be careful with his funds for the time being. ] Sometimes, I just want to quit my job and murder my superior.

[ Well...that sure was uncalled for. ]

( WILDCARD )

[ give me your best shot, I'm open to all ideas! if you'd like to plot, feel free to pm this journal or pp me at koohii! ]

2E

[noblegarnet]

[The brown-haired teenager perusing the titles on the nearby shelf turns towards Hibiki with a blink of surprise.]

What, like... your old job?

[He would hope that someone he's going to have to work with on this whole mess doesn't actually want to give up and kill off the director. ... sometimes he wants to give up for different reasons, but that's not the same.]

Zelda | Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess | Druid

[forhyrule]

1-C; lemon zest

[ This was hardly the meal Zelda had been looking forward to, especially after the bland fare of the BIAS for the past several days. The unexpected lemon zest was amusing at first, particularly because it was an improvement over the usual ale served at these kind of establishments. But Zelda's good nature faded when the rack of lamb that was her main course turned out to be, what else, lemon flavored.

Not that you would be able to tell from her expression that she was displeased. Zelda's expressions remained unflinchingly pleasant as she ate her meal and made small talk with her companion.

When it comes time to give mandatory feedback, she politely offers to pen the response herself. She is royalty herself, so she knows how to communicate with those types. ]

To His Royal Highness, the Great Magesto of Neverwinter,

First, I must thank you kindly for the opportunity to dine in this fine establishment. This is my first visit to Neverwinter and I was delighted to sample the local cuisine. As you have requested the honest feedback of your diners, I am happy to oblige.

[ Perhaps the letter is a tad formal, but one must never be too casual with royalty. Zelda pauses for a moment to look up at her companion. This should be feedback from both of them, after all. ]

What were your impressions of the meal? I found it rather overwhelming of lemon myself, but perhaps that is the customary flavor here.


2-E; we don't have books like this in Hyrule


[ Tomes and Tapestries is exactly the sort of store that Zelda could get lost in for hours.

... Which is exactly what she did. Even though her mission is to be investigating Neverwinter for clues about the Grand Relic, Zelda has been deeply engrossed in a novel entitled Shadowwalker, A Terato Love Story, recommended to her by Lorkoris. Judging by the hours she has been in the store and the vibrant blush on her cheeks, it must be a very interesting book.

The only way to break the spell of a dirty novel is to catch the person while they're reading it. And just by being in Zelda's vicinity and making the slightest bit of noise, that is exactly what you have done.

Zelda lets out a startled shriek and drops the book to the floor. She looks up at the newcomer in shock, pressing a hand to her chest to calm her racing hart. ]

You startled me!

2-E

[calatian]

[For as flustered as she might be, Link... isn't. There's a sense of mild curiosity about him, but little more than that.]

That must have been a very interesting book, your highness.

[It had never particularly bothered him that she was a different Princess Zelda. Having already met two on his own journeys, a third one didn't really come as much of a surprise.

Book and old tomes didn't interest him that much, though. For all that he had learned spell-casting, he much preferred learning it from masters than from books. The book of spells he had, he only ever managed to learn to cast the first spell in it.

... and then gave up the book to the Royal Archives and never looked back.]