The Bardsong DMs (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
dm_screen) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
mundane_realms2020-10-11 08:37 am
dm_screen) wrote in mundane_realms2020-10-11 08:37 am
Entry tags:
Bardsong's First Test-Drive Meme!
How to Use:
It all began when you fell from the skies above, wreathed in flame. When you landed, you learned that you weren't alone: So many others, each from worlds entirely different from yours, have found themselves in his predicament, and know about as much as you do! The locals greet you with a cautious friendliness, welcoming you to the town of Concord. They tell you that the world was broken apart mysteriously not long ago, and are trying to devise ways to step far beyond the town borders to find where the rest of the globe went, get to the bottom of things.
But your arrival is nothing short of a blessing. Perhaps you, the Starfallen, are the answer to their prayers. They explain how live presently works in Concord, they give you that tour of their guilds, and even give you a place to stay at Concord Crossing, where you're randomly assigned roommates. You hope your roommates are amicable...
In the days following, after shaking off the shock of your current situation, you find yourself beginning to integrate into Concord life. But while you await word from the local researchers among the many guilds dotted through town, each looking for new members to bestow their teachings, you need to fill your pockets with precious, precious sol. You'd also heard that there was to be a celebration very soon, and everyone is invited. A little partying never hurt anyone, right? Besides, free food!
Now, where to begin...?
I. More Than This Provincial Life
Concord, the large city that it is, hosts many opportunities for work. Between the multiple quarters and their specialties, just about anyone can find a job. With the isolation from the rest of the world, employers eagerly welcome the Starfallen with part time or temporary work (Apparently, all full time positions are taken and employers conspicuously nudge people out the door if they spend too much time on the clock) to coincide with the life of an adventurer. For those who wish for something to do and a source of income outside of quests, there's always an honest day's wage to be made! With the exception of a few tasks the South Quarter may have to offer, but those aren't the kind of jobs spoken of too loudly.
I-A. Magicka Cleanup Detail
The Concord Magic Academy, between bright-eyed students trying their best and young nobles whose admission was paid in cash, sees quite a few accidents in its halls. Alchemy experiments, wayward fireballs, testing theories given by their Occultist friends, anything can come up and make a mess of a lab or a classroom. As such, the academy welcomes the brave and the patient to the field of custodial engineering, especially those with strong stomachs and combat experience. It wouldn't be the first time stains fight back or gravity ceased to be, so on top of keeping to their own personal hygiene standards, employees are expected to be thorough in their cleaning and expect the unexpected.
I-B. Amazing Paperboy Deliveries
The Concord Truthogram is dedicated to bringing the truth right to the doors of paying customers as soon as the next issue is ready. They're looking for delivery workers and runners equally dedicated to I bringing the truth to subscribers! Runners will need to deliver newspapers all across Concord before dawn breaks. Subscribers are all throughout the city, so runners are encouraged to find an optimal route and coordinate with their co-workers to bring the truth the world in a timely and orderly manner! This job favors the agile, as early Concord mornings are filled with people bustling through the streets and occasional hazards to trip up the distracted runner. Try not to make too many mistakes, as unsatisfied customers will unsubscribe and deny themselves the gift of the Concord Truthogram. Watch out for stray dogs and the occasional grim reaper.
II. O Valley Of Plenty, Whoa-oh-oh!
Working at a coffee shop or helping to organize a wizard's dusty study isn't for everyone, and the people of Concord understand. Every world runs on some currency, and here, it's known as the 'sol'. For those looking to do a 'dirtier' work, the citizenry helpfully direct the Starfallen to the Men-At-Arms Guild, your source of monster-busting work!
Lit by the glow of lanterns, the following work is looking for takers, posted on a large board outside the guild:
II-A. Rabites!
"We need someone to handle the Rabite problem! A couple that chooses not to be named found a pair and decided to raise them as pets, but they have since bred out of control into feral, very bitey colonies. They may look cute and cuddly, but you may need to bring a friend to be on the safe side."
Reward: 50 sol per pelt
II-B. Bumps in the Night!
"We need graveyard shift relief for the town guard posted along the outskirts of Concord. Lately, the guards have been reporting strange noises through the night, and have seen an influx of ghoul sightings coming down from the nearby hills. Take care care not to get bitten; it won't make you like them, but it will make you sluggish and leave you as easy prey."
Reward: 800 sol a night + 100 sol per head
III. Like One of Those Music Videos
While typically only those following the paths of their departed founders and enduring Masters of the Manor are granted entry to the Glistering Estate, the Guild of Steel and Lace nonetheless occasionally open the gates to outsiders. Oftentimes, this is simply to showcase a performance at the theatre, or to offer a chance for newcomers to join their ranks; today, however, is a special occasion: the anniversary of the Estate's groundbreaking. For the evening, the entire Estate grounds have been made available to the residents of Concord, and an exquisite buffet has been prepared for all who would raise a glass to their Founders. Many who come may be tempted by the lavish wealth on display, but aspiring thieves and troublemakers must be warned: Behind the gold and silk lies a house packed to the brim with the likes of veteran Paladins and entrapping illusionists.
III-A. Black Tie...?
Before one is permitted entry to the Estate proper, they must be willing to show a modicum of due deference and wear the proper attire. For an open-door event such as this, simple and tasteful formalwear will suffice; a collared dress shirt or modest blouse, at the very least. Fortunately for those who cannot afford- or, as is sometimes the case, simply forgot- such fineries, the Guild of Steel and Lace happily provides attire of the sort worn by their own members on the estate grounds, and their stocks accommodates all shapes and sizes. Unfortunately, their standard attire inevitably takes the form of service attire such as maid outfits and butler uniforms. They have even provided booths to change in private, so please, don't make a scene.
III-B. Upper, Upper Class High Society!
Once inside, the guests have freedom to enjoy the manor's full facilities; the Guild of Steel and Lace have spared no expense in setting up food options from their in-house chefs ranging from terrestrial crab legs and tropical fruits to... erm... unfamiliar flora or fauna that are unidentifiable, but thoroughly delicious. At least, to the locals who have already acquired the taste. Additionally, The theatre is hosting an ongoing series of performances from the Guild's bards, though they're not above letting the Starfallen have their turns at the microphone. Nonetheless, from ballroom to gardens to bathhouse, the entire estate is open to visitors, so why not have a look around...?
Ralsei | Deltarune | Seeker, Steward
"Now can you really call me an oil spill if I spilled myself on purpose? I mean, really, you'd think they'd want to be at least a little precise on these things. Isn't magic all about precision and all that gobbledygook?"
Ralsei stares at the oil -- if not spill, what? -- in befuddlement. "I... ah, sure?" How had they gotten themselves into this? They'd volunteered to help clean up a magic academy because they wanted to help, and now they were arguing with a thankfully nonhostile oil... whatever it would like to be called. "What would you rather be called?"
"Now, would you believe nobody's asked me that? I mean, honestly, just because I've only been around for twenty minutes and have at most ten left in me doesn't mean I shouldn't be called what I want. Now, I'd prefer to be called an Oil Drop, thankyouverymuch." The capitalization could be heard in its -- his, their? -- voice.
This conversation had been going on for ten minutes and did not seem to be abating, despite the goat creature's increasingly-stringent efforts to convince the Oil Drop into the bucket.
Black Tie
Both of his white-furred hands twitched toward the clothes lain out for unprepared party-goers. He didn't expect this to be such a challenge. He had always tended toward loose-fitting, flowing outfits -- hence his robes: green, roughly sewn together, with a black heart patched onto the front -- but here he was put forth to choose between outfits.
On the one hand, he'd be more comfortable in the maid outfit: It was pretty, and what he was used to. Plus, he could always personalize it later if he decided he wanted to take on with the stewards!
On the other hand, he thought that he might look rather dashing in the suit. He'd seen other people of all shapes and sizes entering, and it did look rather good on them. Hum...
He heard someone approaching from behind him, and so coalesced his plan of action, "Oh! I'm sorry, I'm in your way, aren't I? But, if you have time... Which outfit do you think I would look better in?"
Upper Class High Society
...
There's a light inside your soul,
where the hurt can't make a home.
There we keep this promise in our hearts.
Don't forget, I'm with you in the dark.
Somehow, he'd gotten himself dragged onto stage to sing, of all things. He didn't mind, as such, he just wasn't used to doing it before a crowd, so he defaulted to the song he'd made up to sing to himself when he was feeling lonely, forever ago. His voice was a soft, gentle tenor, the tremulous nature of it only adding to his performance.
By the end of it, his cheeks were red with blush, and he gave a small bow, hands gripping against his clothes lightly out of nervous habit.
Ralsei shuffled off the stage with his hat pulled down over his face and leaned back against the wall, taking a few deep breaths. That was... nerve-wracking. But hey! He did it, and didn't faint or anything! That counts for something, right?
Black Tie
Helpfulness, darling. Let's be a helpful sort!
"Well, that all depends on if you're feeling a skirt or coattails. Both are delightfully swooshy."
Re: Black Tie
"I suppose I'm more used to that style of clothing..." He gestures toward the maid outfit. "But I don't know, perhaps I ought to push my comfort zone a bit, you know?"
His eyes widen a bit as he stares up at them. "Oh, but I never introduced myself! My name is Ralsei. It's a pleasure to meet you!" His gaze held all the excitement that a dog's would on meeting a new friend, held back only by a restrained posture, in contrast to his speech.
no subject
She went through the racks and pushed obviously-bigger dresses aside. Something that'd fit the little guy, and won't have him tripping over the hems.
"I am Madhuri, and the pleasure is mine, Ser Ralsei! Now let's get you dressed for success!"
no subject
It wasn't hard to tell. Not to say that what he was wearing was poorly made, but there were personal touches: the heart patched on front, the hat fitted to his horns, little tears neatly sewn up. "Thank you for the help, Miss Madhuri. You're very kind."
His voice was almost painfully genuine, a grin so big it left his eyes half-closed plastered on his face as he leaned in to look through them with her.
"What about that one? It'd go well with my hat, I think..." And boy wasn't that an accomplishment; it only avoided fluorescent green by dint of long use. It worked for him, though, somehow.
no subject
"Oh, that one should work! And they said you could store your clothing in the lockers. Why don't you put yours with mine? I belong to the guild and I have my own little lock."
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
Clean Up Detail
Playing nice wasn't getting either him or the timid kid anywhere. It was time to be a little more firm.
"I'll call ya whatever you want, just get in the doggone bucket before I go downstairs and get the sawdust!!"
Re: Clean Up Detail
The Oil Drop literally jumps, its mass moving... oddly. The bottom part half pushes itself up through the middle of the top and this repeats in escheresque fashion, reversing at the apex of its jump.
There's a splat. Ralsei glances between the -- dog(?) -- and the bucket, where the Oil Drop had ended up, looking now for all the world like a mundane bit of oil.
He beamed back up at the dog(?) -- given the mental addition of a question mark to it, in his head -- fear forgotten, and stood carefully, giving a short bow. "Thank you very much!"
After a moment, they reach up and grab at their hat, pulling the edges down out of nervous habit. "Um, are you here to help clean up, then? My name's Ralsei, by the way."
no subject
The dog (no question mark needed)- or 'Caninu', if one wished to be technical- offered a self-satisfied wave over to his clean-up team-up.
"Don't mention it. I'm just glad that's over."
If he ever had to hear another anecdote of blob-bellyaching, it'd be too soon.
"Ralsei, huh? mine's Red. And yeah, I signed up thinkin' it'd just be the usual crate-pushing and cargo lifting work, but..."
The rest fell under a grumble as he started mopping up some kind of weird spill that smelled like claw polish remover. "These wizards are somethin' else."
no subject
"At least we're able to help out! Imagine what a mess this place would turn into if we weren't here." His good cheer seemed to be a near permanent state of affairs.
That smile transitioned to something more mischievous, though, after a moment. "Doggone, though?" He giggled softly, amidst stacking blocks of what looked to be blocks of liquid cheese, remaining in that shape through unknown means. At least it didn't leave residue on his paws.
no subject
Not like most people ever have to deal with their world being reset, let alone a little goat kid.
But Red soon found his thoughts in a new sort of confusion from Ralsei's amusement at his entirely ordinary parlance. "...yeah? What about it?"
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
Black Tie 1 / 3
Then he actually looks down to see--
Black Tie 2 / 3
Black Tie 3 / 3
Re: Black Tie 3 / 3
The second thing he noticed was that they looked remarkably similar to him -- other than seeming as if they could use a nap. The lines of their jaw, the setting of their eyes... it was as if they were siblings, almost.
The questions about his choice of clothing were swept aside by a wave of nervous curiosity. "Um... I don't think I'm a prank." He fiddled with his hat a little before bowing slightly, falling back on formality. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Mister...? My name is Ralsei."
Black Tie
The kobold takes a deep breath, and closes her eyes, pressing her hands together silently. Oh beloved dragon god, thank you for the gifts you bring.
And then she breaks into a smile, stepping up to look closer around the fluffy thing. "Mmmh, you look good no matter what you wear!" She says, beaming at him. "But if you took that suit, you might be a bit tight in it! All that fluff wants to breathe, you know? I mean. Not that I would, but that's what my fuzzy friends seem to think~"
Re: Black Tie
"I, uh, um, thank you!" His face soon vanished beneath the brim of his hat, hiding that blush and visibly squirming in place. "B-but, well, I guess you might be right."
He veritably fled into the changing stall, scarcely grabbing the outfit of choice on the way in. It was not hard to imagine how thoroughly he must be blushing.
When he came out after a few minutes of shuffling, he looked quite good. The white and black of the dress matched well with his own fur color, the scarf and hat remaining in place. He glances around to find the kobold, and clears his throat, pirouetting briefly. "S-so? How do I look?"
Re: Black Tie
"Now, that's what I'd call a good look for you. Buuuut...~"
The kobold leans in a little, looking him over. "You know, you don't really have to care about what I think." She says. "What matters most is what you want. Do you think you're enjoying this more than wearing the suit?" She asks, smiling at him.
Re: Black Tie
"That said... I do think I'm quite happy with this. Thank you for the advice!" He gives a grin wide enough that it forces his eyes closed.
He paused, and blushed a few shades brighter. "Ah, I... never got your name, miss. I'm called Ralsei. It's been a pleasure to meet you!"
>flirt
A hand is taken.
A hand is smooched by a kobold.
"Don't mistake things, darling, the pleasure's all mine~" She says with a flourish and a little bow. "Anyone ask you to dance yet, or are you untaken for this whole spectacle thing?"
Re: >flirt
Black Tie
A skeleton currently clad in a black suit with flame-patterned lapels because it's Papyrus. Of course it's got fire.
His first thought comes out in a very... loud outburst. "OH MY GOD, IT'S A TINY TORIEL!!!"
...Only then do Ralsei's words register and. Oh. Right. Questions! Advice! Fortunately, the Great Papyrus is incredibly stylish! And cool. And well equipped to give wardrobe advice...
If this were a costume party, maybe. But! Parties are parties! Nyeh heh heh.
He clears his nonexistent throat and says, "WHEN IN DOUBT, CREATE YOUR OWN STYLE!!! YOU COULD ALWAYS MIX AND MATCH THE COOLEST ATTRIBUTES FROM BOTH AND MAKE A STATEMENT. SOMETHING LIKE, 'HELLO, FELLOW COOL DUDES! I AM AN INDIVIDUAL!!!'"
Re: Black Tie
Flame motif? Goggles? Definitely someone confident in themselves. "I-- Who is -- Kris' mother?"
It took a good few seconds for Ralsei to recombobulate himself, adjusting his hat slightly. He was far less confident in his own fashion skills than they were. "I, err. That's an interesting idea. Maybe leggings and..."
He shakes his head for a moment. "Oh! But I haven't introduced myself. My name's Ralsei!" He beamed back with a grin to match the skeleton's impressive own one. Whatever the case, he was always happy to meet someone as self-confident as they seemed to be! "Nice scarf, by the way! Did you make it yourself?"
If they knew Kris' mother, maybe his other friends would be showing up soon? "You know Toriel? Are her sons with you?" A blossom of hope grew in his chest. Maybe Kris and Lancer and Susie would show up soon, too...
Re: Black Tie
Goodness, that's not a very pleasant topic, is it? Tittering, Papyrus looks the other way for a moment.
But wait.
"OH! BUT WHAT AM I SAYING?! THE MULTIVERSE IS VAST AND DIVERSE! IT'S ENTIRELY POSSIBLE THERE ARE TIMELINES WHERE MISS TORIEL STILL HAS KIDS AND IS VERY HAPPY AND HEALTHY. I, FOR ONE, AM HAPPY FOR HER! AND HER KIDS, WHO I'M SURE ARE JUST AS GREAT AS SHE IS! AND YOU, AS WELL!!!"
There. Nailed it. A quick, smooth transition. No sad faces here! Here, he'll even crack a big, skeletal grin for reassurance. "AT ANY RATE, RALSEI, I'M THE GREAT PAPYRUS! AND AS A MATTER OF FACT, THIS ATTIRE IS OF MY OWN DESIGN! RIGHT DOWN TO THE CUSTOM FLAME PATTERNING ON THE SUIT."
Clothing mods are valid if you want to look cool!
Re: Black Tie
"Well... Worst case, I've got a new friend in the making, right?" He grinned, hiding nervousness in that smile. It's certainly not the worst thing to find. Maybe the day's looking up after all?
"Oh, but you designed that yourself? Did you do the sewing, too? That's so cool!" He takes in the skeleton's look anew. He'd previously thought it must have been some premade costume, modified maybe a little, but looking, he could see the personal touches. "I do a lot of sewing too, just didn't have anything formal prepared for here... and I feel bad modifying loaners like these."
no subject
He chuckles, nodding as Ralsei explains himself. "THAT'S VERY COURTEOUS OF YOU. BUT FEAR NOT! I GUARANTEE WE CAN COLLECT THE NECESSARY SUPPLIES TO CRAFT ALL MANNER OF COOL COSTUMES LATER. PERHAPS THEN YOU CAN UNLEASH THE RAW, UNFILTERED POWER OF YOUR NEEDLE AND THREAD!!!"
It may seem silly that he's taking sewing so seriously. But that's Papyrus. Everything with effort is to be respected and adored! Mostly. Sans might argue that he puts great effort into his laziness.
That doesn't count!
(no subject)