sphererpmod: (Default)
Sphere Mods ([personal profile] sphererpmod) wrote in [community profile] thespherelogs2019-09-02 08:19 pm

Fourth Wall Month!

Who: Everyone and visiting Characters!
What: The Fourth Wall log!
When: The month of September!.
Where: All over.
Notes: If you have any questions about how this all works, please head over here to the Fourth Wall info post!.

Fourth Wall Log!
Company's coming!
So the Sphere is malfunctioning and there’s new arrivals here. In order to give them somewhere to sleep and rest, the Sphere has given them all temporary housing in dorm dome number two! That means sunken beds, three squares a day that are already prepared for you and clothing in the closets that just happen to be to your character’s taste. (And you know if they happen to die then you’ve got a nice space to Rez.) All and all it’s a nice little home base for people to have. There’s several common areas for mingling, and all though there aren’t individual rooms for the characters who are staying there, the domes also provide screens for privacy. Don’t worry, no one’s spying on you or something. Probably.

John (one of our resident NPCs here, who is a doctor and also a ghost but shush) knows the importance of family, and she knows how tough it can be when people arrive in a place they don’t know. The visitors haven’t really had the same experience as people brought in the traditional way, so John has stationed herself in the dorms with a sort of ipad thing, and she’s offering to take people’s information and to show them how things like the network work. She’s also there to hold hands and deal with any medical issues that these new arrivals may just happen to have. If people don’t want to talk to her, that’s totally fine! She won’t push. But she’ll also provide directions to places if people need them. Or at least point them in the general places that they need to go.

Speaking things out into the void.
This is a prompt for visiting characters to be able to put out a network post without actually joining the network community! Upon waking in The Sphere, each character (even temporary ones!) are fitted with a small golden circle behind their right ear. This is how they are connected to the network through a neural link. Touch and hold the button to create a broadcast of one of three types:
  1. Audio. Your character thinks audible words onto the network.
  2. Writing: Your character thinks text into the network.
  3. Video. Your character projects a broadcast of a video of themselves onto the network.
Replies are determined by the player. The network needs to be accessed by choice, so character broadcasts are not automatically beamed directly into people’s heads. The Sphere isn’t that rude.

Private messages are allowed by pressing and holding and pressing and holding again as you picture the person in your mind. This can be an image or a name, err more on the side of things being more accessible than less.

God let people have their pumpkin spice lattes, Karen!
It’s September, and that means that fall has hit the Sphere hard. Well, as hard as any place can be without having actual seasons or sunlight. So, in the artificial sun of the Sphere, what there is instead of colder weather and leaves changing is a new festival. The festival, which if you ask someone who’s been there for a while is in celebration of the most fall thing in the entire world: pumpkin spice. That’s right, there’s an entire festival just centered around pumpkin spice flavored things! Of course, the people of the Sphere do try and make an effort to invoke the spirit of the season, with large garlands of fake brightly colored leaves lining the street. The scents of pumpkin spice fill the air and there are small fire pits near Adirondack chairs that are clustered together with all the things to make s’mores.

For those not pumpkin minded, there are also a fair amount of apples picked from the Sphere orchards, and a few small knives. Some older women promise that if people can peel the apples in a long spiral and throw them behind them, then the peel will form the initial of the person that the thrower is destined to marry. Of course there is also bobbing for apples and pumpkin carving.

In both the merchant dome and the agricultural dome there’s massive tables brimming with enough pumpkin foods to make Harry Potter jealous. There’s all sorts of pumpkin baked goods, pumpkin ravioli, roasted pumpkin and vegetables and there’s even roasted meats with pumpkin sauce! There's also drinks of both the alcoholic and non alcoholic sort: pumpkin beer, pumpkin spice wine, pumpkin spice vodka, apple spiced whiskey and so on! At each place is a coffee cart with a poor overworked barista who is doling out every sort of pumpkin coffee, hot chocolate and tea imaginable including yes pumpkin spice lattes.

We're waiting for the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown.
There’s even a pumpkin carving contest in the agricultural dome! Pumpkins of different sizes ranging from small sugar ones to ones that could comfortably form a children’s fort are stacked around, and there are picnic tables set in newspaper and with things like knives and scoopers and nails and even drills for those people who want to remove the pumpkin guts or use them to do some carving. Everyone who participates receives a ribbon as well as a bag of toasted pumpkin seeds to take home.

They hope you really like pumpkin seeds. There’s a ton of them.

When the dark comes, people hunker down between the false stars above, with blankets all around them, the scent of pumpkin in the air. Flashlights and small lanterns are distributed by people, and when asked what’s going on, they’ll say that they’re waiting for The Great Pumpkin. Children whisper the name excitedly, and even some of the more inebriated adults do the same. Either way, at midnight the largest pumpkin rises above the crowd to gasps of shock and awe before it just magically changes into the types of candy and small toys that one would expect to come from an excellently stocked pinata.

The color of magical bounty.
In the rec dome, some magically gifted people have conjured up massive piles of dried leaves for people to frolic in. And when I say massive, I mean massive. It’s almost like an entire forest of leaves that’s thankfully free of all of the problems that come with jumping in leaves. With no animals in the Sphere, there’s not any of their presents hiding in the leaves and anything sharp hasn’t been created! Which means that it’s great for things like jumping in, burying things in and of course leaf fights.

If your character is missing nature, the area smells exactly how one would expect a late September walk in the woods to smell: it’s almost as if you’re there! The sunlight in the dome has also been altered a bit where the leaves are located, so it’s cooler, and a slight wind seems to be in the air, stirring the leaves every so often. It’s enough to encourage sweaters and scarves, that have been provided by people if they’d like them. The scarves and sweaters all seem to be of the handmade variety, and just the tiniest bit irregular, with one sleeve longer than the other, or the fringe on a scarf being slightly askew, that sort of thing. But they’re still lovely and soft and warm and smell of dryer sheets and leaves.

And we're flying, flying far beyond...
So the Sphere saw that everyone just loved the fireflies last month so this month it decided that what the city needs is to fly for real! So in the Rec dome, there’s a marked pad that people can step on that lets people fly around this particular dome for 30 minutes at a go using the same sort of controls that the communications behind your ear has! Press quickly once to go up and twice to go down. The clearance in the dome clocks in somewhere around 400 feet so there’s plenty of room for flying and even going up and touching the top of the dome and staring out into the abyss of water.

Be careful though because sometimes if you stare too long into the abyss, things just happen to stare back at you and then there are things in the deep water that you may not expect. Or that you might. Giant fish and squid may just find all this unusual activity quite interesting. But don’t worry the dome won’t crack. Guess what! You are now the fish in the aquarium for them! Or you know the bird flying past the cat in the window.

Wanna go to a real party? (CW: Mentions of drugs and alcohol.)
If people are looking for more illicit entertainment, and discreet inquiries are made, a passcode to the Black Market hidden behind some of the stalls is offered. The entrance is hidden enough that someone needs to be looking for it, and there is a rather large bouncer guarding the door and asking for the proper passcode. The passcode of the day happens to be I hate pumpkin.

Inside the black market is large, but much more dimly lit than the regular market dome. There are various pockets of people clustered under bright neon lights. The lights, someone confides to you, are code for what they’re offering. And nearly everything is on offer if a person has the ability to make a trade. Things from home, character skills and even favors tend to be the currency here, but watch out: the hawkers within are shrewd and sharp. If they make a deal with someone, it’s nearly always going to favor them. Eventually.

There’s also a large and loud party happening inside. Think of a rave with a large amount of people who happened to be a bit out of their minds. Drugs aren’t given freely here, they’re too valuable, but should someone want to figure out what they’re rolling on, eventually someone will ask or offer. The drug that they are currently using is called ‘self’ and it’s something that affects your character in an intensely personal way. For some, it’s an experience like your favorite cocktail mixed with vicodin, and for others it’s just like being drunk. For still more people, it’s like ecstasy without the side effects.

The drug has no physically addictive properties. It does however cause a hangover. The Sphere doesn't want to take all the fun out of imbibing too much.

photo inspiration

tevinteraltus: {<user name="vikael">} (097)

[personal profile] tevinteraltus 2019-09-08 06:14 pm (UTC)(link)
You believe the Free Marches to know something of luxury? [He laughs, but it's in amusement rather than anything akin to judgment. Dorian's particular, and he jests, but he's not a monster.] Or decadence?
notonmyspace: (Default)

[personal profile] notonmyspace 2019-09-08 06:14 pm (UTC)(link)

Yes. I consider Thor a good and trusted friend. There is no one better I could trust to have at my back.

stantheman: (Default)

Stan Uris ( It )

[personal profile] stantheman 2019-09-08 06:15 pm (UTC)(link)

( A. God let people have their pumpkin spice lattes, Karen! )



Stan actually likes the fall festivities a little better than the ones that had seemed so reminiscent of the 4th of July. The homesickness isn't quite as deep with this, even though, he can remember the trees in Derry and how their colors turn, the different bird sightings he could see going into that Autumn season. There isn't any bird watching to be done here, a fact, that always perturbs him. It'd been his happy place at home and in the Quarantine.

But still, it's nice. He isn't all about the pumpkin spice craze but some of it is pretty good.

Without goading of friends he's liking to be an observer -- at some point getting some roasted pumpkin and some sort of hot spiced apple cider and settling somewhere with a good view.

( B. The color of magical bounty. )



[ Stan had been drawn to the area and once he was in it he's pretty sure he never wanted to leave. He'd acquired one of the sweaters. He didn't jump or frolic in the leaves but he walked.

With all the influx of people it'd brought someone he knew or ... sort of knew and his mind was heavy. Walking in an area that felt something like normal helped calm him. ]


( C. Wildcard )



[ I'll match tenses and styles! Feel free to hit me with your best shot or hit me up via PM or on plurk at [plurk.com profile] poetanarchy if you want to plot something or want a specific starter. ]
lyriumspecter: (✘ I'm actually offended)

[personal profile] lyriumspecter 2019-09-08 06:15 pm (UTC)(link)
A trick. [The glare is evident even through the feed.] I know no "Laica Hawke".
thegrifter: (I think I'm in love~)

[personal profile] thegrifter 2019-09-08 06:19 pm (UTC)(link)
[For Cole's part, it's been way too long since he's actually laughed, and it shows.]

Nice one.
winebending: (Default)

Voice: un.Mera

[personal profile] winebending 2019-09-08 06:20 pm (UTC)(link)
I highly doubt anyone here needs your protection.

[The only time anyone recently might have is two months gone, and they'd done well enough on their own.]
shockinglyold: (Jenny Sparks - Keep it cool)

[personal profile] shockinglyold 2019-09-08 06:24 pm (UTC)(link)
We getting that drink or arguing over whether you're pretty enough to turn tricks?

[Cole is one of her favorite people (sometimes), but if he doesn't get her that drink, she'll end him.]
itsnothingpersonal: (loki_023)

[personal profile] itsnothingpersonal 2019-09-08 06:26 pm (UTC)(link)
Loki was, of course, expecting enhanced speed, Tommy had claimed as much, but he hadn't expected that. It isn't often the prince looks impressed, but he sure does as he takes that plate. Not to mention, the food there smells delightful.

"I...Heaven. That was...something."
lordmajestros: (pic#6228410)

[personal profile] lordmajestros 2019-09-08 06:28 pm (UTC)(link)
A lucky draw, then.
fromthelevee: (Default)

[personal profile] fromthelevee 2019-09-08 06:30 pm (UTC)(link)
[Beverly intends on ordering some of the pumpkin goodness- but is caught short by the question. She rips her attention from the hand-painted menu to the boy that, up until a few days ago she’d forgotten about. It seemed so impossible.

But it had happened. And now, he was asking her questions she’d always known the answer to, deep down. Deep down when he’d asked her that day when they made the promise. And he’s known, too. That’s why he asked.

She quickly orders something, before turning her attention to Stan and how the hell she was going to explain this.]


Stan... [Tears pool in her eyes and she moves to wrap him in a hug.] it’s okay. We’re not mad. We understand. [Richie was furious. But they’d all felt the terror in the pit of their stomach when Mike answered the phone. She’d tried to make excuses. They all had, and they had all planned to leave.] we miss you so much...
stantheman: (WQIF2BV)

cw; allusions to suicide/ideation

[personal profile] stantheman 2019-09-08 06:41 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Stan's not looking at her, not even in his periphery. He's watching as their orders are made quickly. Because, it really isn't fair that he asked but he knows she's going to answer. He really is pretty sure he already knows the answer.

His breath stops for a minute when she wraps him in a hug. That's not what he'd been expecting. It reminds him of when he thought everyone had left him alone in the sewer and the terror of that moment. He'd never been so afraid as being alone and not knowing where he was but it was dirty and gross and he was hurt. But all of them had just held him until he could calm down again, until they had to keep moving. ]


I'm sure someone's a little mad... [ Stan says quietly. ] I didn't just... not come, right?

[ He had to be sure because if he hadn't done it right then that meant that things were worse for all the other Losers. He'd meant the oath when he took it but in the back of his mind, there'd been that impending sense of inedibility. ]

You guys really understand?

[ He's not sure if she's just trying to make him feel better with those platitudes or not. ]
doubled_speed: (I'm Quicksilver Fast)

[personal profile] doubled_speed 2019-09-08 06:42 pm (UTC)(link)
"Yeah, sorry it took so long," Tommy shrugs as he flops down onto the ground to start eating fried pumpkin slices seasoned with pumpkin pie spices. "I can't go over a certain speed if I'm carrying food. More likely for it to go flying."

He didn't like having to go so slow when trying to show off. But sometimes you did what you needed.
notonmyspace: (Default)

Re: pumpkin spice

[personal profile] notonmyspace 2019-09-08 06:48 pm (UTC)(link)

Tony finishes the apple and sips his cider for a moment before smiling at the man who had walked over. "Maybe," he says easily, "not much of a leaf jumper unless my daughter pulls me into them." He looks sad for a long moment missing his family. "and my party days are long behind me. I'm content to just people watch and enjoy a bit of peace."

He offers his hand. "Tony Stark...I don't think we've met?"

stantheman: (pic#11910008)

PSL

[personal profile] stantheman 2019-09-08 06:48 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Stan is still apting for apple drinks. the overload of pumpkin is definitely excessive. ]

It's a lot isn't it?
notonmyspace: (Default)

[personal profile] notonmyspace 2019-09-08 06:50 pm (UTC)(link)

The question makes Tony laugh softly. "All the time, since I am a version of him." He smiles at the young man. "thought I'm mostly a mentor these days. Not so much Iron Man anymore."

10milliondollars: (srsface)

[personal profile] 10milliondollars 2019-09-08 06:50 pm (UTC)(link)
[Well, that sends a chill through Rhys. He looks away for a moment, thinking it over, then looks back to the man.]

And what, exactly, do you think they're testing?
leovaldez: (Default)

[personal profile] leovaldez 2019-09-08 06:51 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Of course, Nico doesn't see the joy in something like this. Leo rolls his eyes and he scoops up a handful of leaves and dumps them on Nico's head with a laugh as he then dives into one of the piles. ]

If you relax and stop acting like an old man it would be.
leovaldez: (Default)

[personal profile] leovaldez 2019-09-08 06:57 pm (UTC)(link)
"Where there is pumpkin, there is spice, Annabeth," Leo grins at her and he's brandishing what is probably some kind of pumpkin whiskey because no one had particularly tried stop him and it sounded like it might be good. So, there's that.

"You can't hate it that much that you're not going to have anything right?"
doubled_speed: (Hands Free Interface)

[personal profile] doubled_speed 2019-09-08 06:59 pm (UTC)(link)
Wow. Tommy's left staring at him, because a Tony Stark that wasn't Iron Man seems... well, impossible. Stark's been that all his life back home, probably will be until even Tommy dies. Wow.

"Huh. Well, never thought I'd see the day where you retired, Stark. Just sorta used to you and the Avengers always being there."
fromthelevee: (Default)

cw; allusions to suicide/ideation

[personal profile] fromthelevee 2019-09-08 07:06 pm (UTC)(link)
[She hugs him tighter and squeezes her eyes shut. She won’t know why he did it, not his true reasonings, until much later. But it doesn’t matter. He’s still her friend and she loves him. But there’s a small nod and she knows she has to tell him. She’s so sure he already knows, deep down.]

We were all scared. Are scared. We all had similar thoughts, but... I’m so sorry, Stan.

[She pulls back so she can look him in the eyes.] your wife told me you... that you killed yourself. Right after Mike called. I am so, so sorry, Stan.
norabbits: (Default)

Magical Bounty

[personal profile] norabbits 2019-09-08 07:08 pm (UTC)(link)
Pepper was told she needed a vacation more than once in her life. She'd never listened then, and she suspected no one eve meant a kidnapping to some underwater fishbowl in what was presumably the Mariana Trench (Some Mariana Trench, somewhere, in some world). It wasn't as if she weren't worried about it all either, occasional worried glances toward the dome walls would more than say she was incredibly aware of the precarious situation everyone was dealing with.

She found the seasonal offerings to be a comfort. It's what it would have been like at home (or would have been), so she happily accepted a pumpkin spice and a piece of apple pie and set about finding a quiet spot to think about her situation and eat the pie. After a few moments, she noticed Tony sitting in a quiet spot and scribbling in his notebook. She made her way over to quietly look over what he was writing.

She couldn't tell what it was, but she knew it was something new and interesting.

"Another suit?" She raised an eyebrow as she took a sip of her drink, still looking over the notebook.
notonmyspace: (Default)

[personal profile] notonmyspace 2019-09-08 07:08 pm (UTC)(link)

Tony smiles again. "Kind of had to," he admits, "got badly injured on a mission and it was either retire of risk my neck and undo all my hard work and leave my family alone. Not going to do that ever again."

shockinglyold: (Default)

[personal profile] shockinglyold 2019-09-08 07:09 pm (UTC)(link)
Or unlucky, depending on the point of view. Point is that no one needs you to rescue them.
doubled_speed: (Future's So Bright)

[personal profile] doubled_speed 2019-09-08 07:11 pm (UTC)(link)
Yeah, the scars are sorta... Unnerving. But it reinforces that it's not the Stark of his world. Though the family thing sells that point too. Because the day Tony Stark settled down and had a family would be, well, impressive. And back home Tommy was SORTA sure that Stark MIGHT be dating his great-grandmother.

The hero world was so insanely tangled back there.

But not his Stark, which means Tommy offers a hand out to him.

"Tommy Shepherd. Speedster. Sorry you're not with your family."
notonmyspace: (Default)

Re: Magical Bounty

[personal profile] notonmyspace 2019-09-08 07:13 pm (UTC)(link)

Tony's head snapped up and he quickly closed the notebook and standing up. He was quietly overjoyed to see his wife, but he was well aware this might not be his Pepper. At least not yet. "Just tinkering," he replies, "can't fault me for that can you Ms. Potts?" His voice is gently teasing. He moves so he's sitting next to her and he sips his cider. This would give her a good look at him with his graying hair and the light patchwork of scars on the right side of his face and down his arm.

"You just get here?"