❧ 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

[fortune_sought]

[there is a blue-eyed black cat pawing at the...CAT. she's peering into it, looking terribly interested. she plays with it for a moment, and when the cat isn't filling the view, it's possible to see a rocky ridge behind her. it's hard to tell too much, however, as it seems to be sunset, and the light is dim at best]

[the cat lifts her paw to give the CAT a few more pokes before declaring, in a voice that will be familiar to many:] But where could it have come from? I certainly can't have been carrying it since the castle! So what's it doing here...?

[vengefulagent]

[Wash kind of...stares at the black cat. it's a good thing he isn't superstitious, or else having a black cat cross his path (albeit virtually) would just figure with the kind of day he's having.]

...A talking cat. [another short pause] Well, now I've seen everything.

[yep, that definitely answers those questions of yours, Sophie.]

[painlessfighter]

[First things first:]

Ah! Kitty!

1/2

[wind_of_reason]

...

[Fuu takes a moment to process this one. Cat+Miss Sophie's voice=]

[bonnypiperlad]

[Confused Jamie...is pretty darn confused. He could have sworn that cat sounded like Sophie just now.]

Hey?

[worldsapart]

... a kitty?

[desertdaggers]

[on his side, Hawk's giving the CAT a long thoughtful look before speaking.] Whatever means keeps them on us when we're in the town, I suppose, Sophie.

[for his part, he's got one arm wrapped up, and is being careful with the one he's using for his stew. His hair's been trimmed a little, too, rather unevenly.]

[supervisor194]

[Another cat appears on the cat, and stares at it with confusion. Who is this strange other cat? Though it's sort of a knowing, expectant look. As if to say, If you're one of us, out with it. Because Isis would like to know where this came from and what precisely is going on.]

[vengefulagent]

[this time, Wash's location is...more difficult to discern than the last time he received an odd message, but thankfully, he has time to speak. it'll be a welcome change from the fans surrounding him and Croix during their time on Hyne-Savage]

This again, huh? If they are trying to frighten us with veiled threats, then they've failed.

[pvtmuffinman]

[Hey, have a dude in lightish red armor! ♥]

Yeah! They're not even threatening! What's supposed to be so threatening about a nice little town that's apparently known for its wonderful diversity?

((OoC: Canon point = Recreation - Chapter 4. ... :3))

[mightyappendix]

[Perhaps a little older looking than he was last time, but here's a Kiki, staring into the CAT screen quizzically.]

Ehhh...this thing again?

[fortune_sought]

[well, there's someone Sophie didn't expect to see! then again, Kiki might not be expecting a cat with Sophie's voice either...] Kiki! Is that you?

[desertdaggers]

Ah… again? [but you do look fairly familiar…]

[arcielwaath]

[You'll hear the sounds of a busy restaurant slowly fading away as the CAT is... apparently carried out the door. A face comes into view: a young girl with purple hair, matching eyes... wearing a restaurant's mascot-girl-ish uniform. She looks...absolutely baffled.]

Huuh? So what is this? What... kind of town is that? Is that even real? You can't see the Tower!

[bonnypiperlad]

Aye, it's quite real. [The young man responding to her looks considerably less baffled, although he does eye that purple hair curiously for a moment.] I've been there before, although I don't think I've seen ye there.

[Which isn't a good sign, and his mouth pulls off to one side.] What Tower would ye be talking about, though?

[grandbellknight]

[Croix's just recently been, erm, fan-mobbed. So he generally looks a mess. Poor guy. ♥

And honestly... that broadcast hits too close to home, on a few levels. Even though he's covered in lipstick smudges and his hair is a little bit mussed, his eyes are narrowed and his expression is severe.]

Just what are they going to do?

[wind_of_reason]

Hello, Mister Croix.

It seems that they are determined to kidnap us again?

[ragebreath]

[Okay, what the fuck.

... No, seriously, what the fuck. This was not part of any sort of plan at any sort of time. This is not a stupid meteor. This is - well, looking a lot better than anything in the Veil, actually, but that's not the point.

The point is, what the fuck.]

Hello? Does this actually fucking do anything, or am I just going to be talking to nothing while trying to fool myself into thinking I haven't finally flipped my shit off the frying pan and into the hot coals of what is this bullshit.

[He could not feel more like a giant tool than he does in this moment. What is this CAT thing. What is this town. Just. What.]

[worldsapart]

[This person certainly doesn't... sound happy. Not that Xion can blame him. But she feels obligated to try to help him, since she's been involved with Luministi for so long.]

Hello. What you're holding lets you talk to the other people trapped in this realm. This isn't just a dream or something, I'm afraid. It's real.

[wind_of_reason]

Ah...

[Fuu has paused in her commute home, leaning against a bike rack just outside the train station. In the background one can hear the bustle of people and traffic, and an occasional tonal chime.]

So it's working again! I suppose everyone can hear me? [She waves, a bright smile on her face.]

If anyone in Luministi is listening [she's sure they are], I'd rather not take the Mayor up on his invitation. I have plenty of joy and happiness here, thank you.

[worldsapart]

[Fuu...!]

We'll do what we can to try and make sure you don't have to.

[bitchslapping]

[Wow, he cannot actually be bothered to handle any of that message! Blahblah town. Blahblah important messages. Blahblah too long didn't listen.]

Bah... This is so boring.

[He doesn't even realize his CAT's on, as he turns it over trying to figure out exactly what this is and how he got it.]

[arcielwaath]

What? Boring? [She frowns at the stranger on the CAT.] You mean you're not worried about any of that? Or that these things are suddenly just... here?

[summerdoor]

[... This is not... supposed to be around him at all ever. Why does he have his CAT. Why is this a thing. He groans as he slumps back in his seat, fighting off a wave of motion sickness from the train ride coupled with the random discovery of something he would have rather not seen again, thankyouverymuch.]

Is this actually still working?

[Please say it isn't.

Maybe if he pokes it enough it'll break or something.]

[fortune_sought]

[oh, a familiar face! hi, Willis. have a black cat with blue eyes--and Sophie's voice. her tone is quite sour] Unfortunately, it seems it is! Though I don't understand how it's here at all. Where are you? In Luministi?

[bit_impossible]

[he frowns as he strains to listen for a thread of intelligible noise following that broadcast. so far, he hasn't been able to catch anything, and seems to be holding the CAT to his ear, so he won't immediately notice if anyone appears until they actually speak]

[fortune_sought]

[this is quite possibly an advantage, as Sophie's voice gives no indication of the fact that she is currently a blue-eyed black cat]

Doctor! Does everyone have their CATs back?

[lumifangirls]

EEEEH!?! OMG IS THERE GOING TO BE A NEW SEASON!!!

OMG i need to post this to my Spacebook!!!!!!

[worldsapart]

H-Huh?!

[painlessfighter]

Again?

[Natsuo groans and rolls his eyes.]

Be more interesting next time! Boo.

[worldsapart]

Natsuo!

[<3!]

Hey, how are you?

[gothelproof]

[Flynn's chosen to go with a deadpan stare for this message before shaking his CAT, possibly trying to make it declare that this is -not- in fact, what it looks like.]

I thought I selected a great big no on this invitation.

[desertdaggers]

Clearly why they didn't include an RSVP.

[lamb_of_gold]

[This signal is broadcasting, but it's broadcasting a while lot of nothing, looks like.]


[just sayin.]

[desertdaggers]

…that's new. [and slightly disconcerting. Hawk sets the bowl to one side, and leans forward, waving one hand in front of him.] Hello?