❧ Off-Season 3 - Whispers Out of the Ether

[luministimods]

[Someone has been in the Luministi Research Labs.

To the untrained eye, everything is still in its place despite the undetected intrusion. Not a paper has stirred. No chairs have been pushed out of their original positions in the slightest. Not even a single blade of grass in the town square has bent or crushed. Yet something has changed.

Perhaps it's a slightly different tang in the air. One check of the life support systems, however, will tell one that the oxygen mix is the same as ever. The strange objects and rooms from the old citizens are still there as well, so still and untouched as the rest of the things in the town generally are. Even the remnants of the old Neptune sundial outside the library and the stone sundial in the park have been left alone.

The intruder smiles, knowing it is only the beginning. If the test goes as planned, then perhaps...

As quietly as the intruder came, the intruder now leaves without a trace. There are several observations to be done.

No sooner does the intruder leave, a video begins to play on all CAT units that shows a rather beautiful montage of the town while a kind gentleman's voice speaks. Some will recognize the voice as belonging to Mayor Caligin.]

Hello and good morning! It gives me great pleasure to be able to greet you and welcome you to the Town of Luministi. My name is Constantine Caligin, Mayor of Luministi. I am sorry I am unable to greet you in person, but there is always something to be done here in town hall! Surely you understand.

While I have a minute though, let me give you the highlights of our great and beautiful town.

Here in Luministi, we strive to maintain the integrity of our quiet small town life while slowly bringing in new blood and new technologies. One look at our fine, eclectic town square and you will see how well we are progressing! There are many new and exciting places in town for you to explore, like our fabulous restaurants, recently renovated cinema, and our famous library. We welcome any feedback about them, from convenience to pure aestheticism. Our latest additions are identical housing developments situated in the west and east of Luministi's town borders and we hope you enjoy the accommodations! They have been built with the ideas of comfort and ease in mind.

Unfortunately, that--[there is a slight disturbance in the audio, as if the original has been altered]--will be all for today. This has just been merely a test. Soon, you will see what joys your stay in Luministi will bring you. And it will bring you plenty of joy and happiness. So much so, you will never want to leave.

Not ever again.

[And on that note, the video ends on a rather ominous shot of the town hall, and unintelligible voices begin to whisper to fill the void the video broadcast has left...]



Plot Details: Off-Season 3

Welcome to Luministi's pre-season Fourth Wall event! If you have never participated in 4th wall with us before, the portion above the cut there is an IC continuation of the story that has been in the making for the past two seasons (a summary of which can be read here if you are curious, but it's not required reading!) But unlike past events, the majority of our in-game characters are off on different journeys or are even back home in their worlds! The town itself has been pretty empty for a while, so the video that was mysteriously broadcast just then will be everyone's view of the town.

Now, for those of you new to the game, the CATs, or Communications Audiovisual Transmitters, are personalized communication devices about the size of your palm, and for this day only, visiting characters will have this device. They'll have found it randomly on their person with no idea how it even got there. From a video broadcast standpoint, you'll be able to see the the immediate surroundings of the person you're talking to. More information about the CATs can be found on the FAQ page, which also has some handy tips about how the game is run and other questions about the game that aren't answered elsewhere in the mod journal. But if you don't see your question answered anywhere, please don't be afraid to ask!

In-game time, this event lasts a day, but you can tag for however long you want!

If visiting players do app into the game when applications and reserves open on April 14th, 12:01am EST, they will be able to remember the video of the town and everyone they meet the moment they show up in the town of Luministi for real. Yeah for ready-made CR, right?

And for returning players and those still in play in off-season shenanigans, here's the link to the most recent batch of updates, especially regarding things I'll need from you guys. I think I have just about everyone, but it's here again for your convenience! And character-wise, it's up to you what your character was up to when that somewhat familiar broadcast came over the CATs. Just when you thought you were safe from the town again, huh? Alas...

This event is merely a preview of what is to come in Luministi's third and final season. All of the storylines and mysteries introduced back in June 2010 when the game first opened will be brought to a close, and how it all does will be up to everyone involved. There are choices to be made and tasks that need to be accomplished--but only if you do it. Not doing something also will result in something, but whether it's for better or worse, well... You'll just have to come along for the ride and see, won't you?

luministi formally opens May 19th, 11:59am EST. I look forward to seeing everyone here! ♥

Now, let the fourth-walling commence! Have lots of fun~

Comments

[painlessfighter]

[First things first:]

Ah! Kitty!

[fortune_sought]

[...oh, why did it have to be you? Sophie's hackles rise instinctively] I'm not a "kitty," thank you!

[painlessfighter]

[You know you love it, Sophie. ♥

His eyes go wide.] ... Ah! Sophie! [Now he looks... shocked. Maybe even a little concerned.] What happened? You're a cat!

[fortune_sought]

Yes. [way to state the obvious there, Natsuo] But it's only a spell; I'm on my way to Kingsbury now to have Ben break it. I just have to find it... [she sighs, turning to look around her. she really has no idea where she actually is other than probably somewhere in the mountains to the north]

[painlessfighter]

You're lost? [blink!] Hey. If Ben knows you're supposed to be there, maybe he'll come to find you if you can't get there?

[fortune_sought]

[she lowers her head in a worried sort of way] Unfortunately, it's a bit more difficult than that. I doubt that Ben does know. You see... [she sighs; she's been trying not to think about her situation, an attempt which has actually been aided by her lack of human communication] The castle's been stolen by a djinn. Howl turned me into a cat to protect me, but when it was taken, I landed in these mountains. I think they must be somewhere in the middle of the four places where the castle was when it happened... So it's difficult to say if anyone might be looking for me. They're probably quite busy protecting the king's daughter from the djinn.

[painlessfighter]

[Natsuo nods periodically as she speaks, taking it all in. Surprisingly, he actually seems to grasp the gravity of the situation - probably because it involves someone he actually likes. Who woulda thunk...?]

But... What about after that? Wouldn't they come then? Waiting that long sucks! It works, though.

But I think you can find where you're going anyway! You're Sophie. [Because that's that, apparently.]

[fortune_sought]

Well, yes, but there's no telling how long that would take. And I really can't wait...

[she's surprised at that] Thank you, Natsuo. I'm certain I will. I suppose the problem is more the time that will take.

[but there's a soft mew behind her at that point, and Sophie turns. this reveals a tiny kitten, old enough to have his eyes open but hardly more than that. Sophie licks him and adjusts her position to wrap around him]

[painlessfighter]

Then just... keep walking? You'll get somewhere eventually, at least. Right? And maybe you can figure it out from there?

[Aaand then he sees the kitten. His eyes go REALLY WIDE, but he doesn't say anything just yet. Too absorbed in the cute!!!]

[fortune_sought]

[Sophie sighs] I am. [but she doesn't mean to snap at Natsuo, so she adds, her tone less sharp:] And I've just seen two passing travellers. But neither of them even look like they're from Ingary, so I'm not certain if it would be a good idea to join them...

[that's okay, Natsuo. Sophie is busily cleaning Morgan now. don't mind her]