❧ 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.]

[fortune_sought]

[Sophie looks quite as stunned at his appearance] Oh goodness! [she pulls her head back for a moment before poking curiously at the projection again] Talking cat!? Now why would he think that? I can't speak!

[but considering what he just said, it seems she can. frowning, she asks curiously:] Agent Washington, can you understand me?

[vengefulagent]

[he merely raises a very skeptical eyebrow at her words, not commenting on the fact that he could hear her say all that. as it is, he's vaguely wondering what all this says about his sanity...]

I can, but I'm...not sure I understand what's going on. The last time I saw you, you were a human, Miss Hatter.

[fortune_sought]

Well, yes, of course I was! This is just a spell, after all.

But that isn't right. [she ducks her head, troubled] I should be a cat. And I don't think those other men understood me... [not that she gave the soldier much of a chance to try, but still. if they'd heard her speaking, wouldn't they have reacted differently?] Now that is strange.

[by which, of course, she means that part is strange. clearly nothing else is]

[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]

1/2

[wind_of_reason]

...

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

2/2

[wind_of_reason]

[Equals...]

Miss Sophie! You're such a pretty-looking cat! Did you just recently learn how to do that?

[fortune_sought]

[Sophie is certainly surprised to see that face!] Oh, Fuu! These are working for everyone again, aren't they?

[confused] What? Of course not! Howl did this. But thank you, I suppose. It's meant to be a disguise.

[wind_of_reason]

Ahh. It's really quite good - except for your voice I'd never have known. Being a cat must be comfortable...

...

Is your baby okay? [How does that work? Best to not think about that too hard?]

[bonnypiperlad]

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

Hey?

[fortune_sought]

Jamie! [now there's a face that she's glad to see--except, perhaps, that this means he still has his CAT as well] You aren't back in Luministi, are you?

[bonnypiperlad]

Sophie? [That's definitely her voice - and he's staring at the cat in his CAT, not at all sure what to make of this.]

B-but...you're a cat!

[worldsapart]

... a kitty?

[fortune_sought]

[Sophie can't help a short hiss in offense] Xion, I am not a kitty!

[worldsapart]

[asdkf;lkdjgkfdkj] Kitty knows my name?!

... wait.

Sophie?!

[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.]

[fortune_sought]

Oh, Mr. Hawk! [Sophie looks at him in surprise--and immediately spots his wrapped arm] Goodness, what's happened?

[desertdaggers]

Oh- well- [he raises his good hand] I took a few more hits than I really should have on the way down, and Xan Bie was a little… intense.

And- what about you? What was it that was coming?

[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.]

[fortune_sought]

[Sophie hisses instinctively and, without warning, literally starts to grow in size. she lashes out at the CAT with long claws, her appearance halfway between a cat and a panther now--and then she catches herself and shrinks again]

Oh, goodness! But this is strange! [she seems quite shocked at herself]

[supervisor194]

[At the sound of the panther, a pair of hands reach down to pick up the other black cat. And then the CAT, for an older man with fierce blue eyes and a thick brow to stare at the screen.]

Sounds as though you're having an unusual day, madam. No, Isis. I don't think you'd know her- [He says that last part to the black cat now pressing a single dainty paw into his shoulder as she's held.]