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aworldwithoutboxes2024-11-17 03:00 pm
paranomasias) wrote in aworldwithoutboxes2024-11-17 03:00 pm
mistletoe meme but people die-
This is probably too straight to accurately represent most murdergame ships but like. We take what the stock image industry gives us.
So, you've been put into a murder mystery game where you're going to have to fight for your life! Every week another body or two, surrounded by strangers- Wait, you knew that? You actually kind of have your bearings? Well fine, here's a different problem - see that person over there? Yeah, that one. Wouldn't it be a really terrible idea if you fell in love with them right now?
This is a meme for that sometimes most fun of bad choices in murdergames: shipping. Leave a toplevel with info that might be in your character's profile (recommended, so everyone knows what your character is About), maybe a murdergame title (optional but encouraged), and any extra info you want to give along with whatever your shipping prefs are, then either pick from the prompts below or wing it and go tag around! Profile code and some prefs options below, if you want a format to follow. Remember - unexpected murdergame ships are the best kind! Don't be afraid to tag out and across canons!
SETTINGS (note: absolutely not an exhaustive list)
1. Shopping Mall - Live your teen movie romance dreams! Sure, someone seems to get mcfucking murdered in the Starbucks every week, but that doesn't mean you can't go on a coffee date, right?
2. School - Live the... other party of your teen movie romance dreams! It's a little hard to be romantic when the only place for a dinner date is the cafeteria, but in fairness you are also constantly overcoming bigger problems than that here.
3. Generic Facility - Looking for romance? Try scenic Sealed-Off Building Full of Rooms! It's themed in some way - science, underwater - but the concept is the same. Surely there's some kind of bar or inexplicable amusement park in here you could use for a romantic evening, right?
4. Spooky Mansion - You know what they say about going on dates to scary movies, right? What if the scary movie was uh. The whole thing. The whole place. Where you live. And die, sometimes.
5. Romance Zone - I mean hey, maybe you're stuck somewhere literally built for both romance and murder! Pleasure and pain. Life and death. Smoochin' and stabbin'.
6. Musical Theater - Sing a love song! Whether you're playing from a specific musical or not, live your romantic duet dreams!
7. CHRISTMAS!!!! - The holidays really can be murder! Welcome to some kind of cozy Christmas-themed residence, and remember: they're your present this year! Because the only other thing you're liable to get is fucking murdered.
8. Other - If you can block off an area, you can put a murdergame there. Get creative!
PROMPTS (ship scenarios)
1. Confession (Fun) - Ah, the start of any good murdergame relationship. Maybe you've been dancing around each other for a week or two, maybe over the course of one thread and a lot of screaming your players decided you're gonna kiss. Time to figure out what these feelings mean while you're, you know. Here. Can be combined with some of the other prompts too, if you like.
2. Dating??? - Where do you even go to date in a murdergame? Is it even worth trying to hang onto this kind of normalcy when either of you could die any day now? It's probably fine.
2b. Dating+ - Can be combined with any other prompt, but somehow, some way, one of you is taking the lead in this date and getting a bunch of emotions in... because you're deathflagging. You're deathflagging hard.
3. Afterparty - Hey, that was a rough trial! Whatever it was! But you're both alive, so... better try to comfort each other, huh? Enjoy whatever kind of snacks you guys have available.
4. Confession (Unfun) - Oops, uh. One of you... seems to have confessed to murder. Better get whatever last moments in that you can before voting ends and one of you gets brutally executed!
5. The Couple That Kills Together - Okay, so maybe you did or didn't actually kill someone together. But at least one of you did a murder, and the body hasn't been properly discovered yet, so... time to talk this through? Make bad choices for love?
6. Deadland Romance - Maybe you've just reunited in the land of the dead, or maybe this is where you're trying to get your relationship off the ground. Either way, there's gotta be some weird emotions to "we're dead and trying to make it work."
7. Golden End Reunion - Great news! You beat up the mastermind (or befriended them, I don't know your style) and got all of the dead people back, including the other half of your ship! That's gotta feel good, seeing them again after however many weeks.
8. What now? - The game is over, it's time to go home. But... which home? If you split up, is there going to be a chance to visit each other again? Can you work that kind of long-distance?
9. Smut Option - Look. It's not generally onscreen, but hookups happen. Did you have to kick roommates out? Is this the fabled... you know, variant of option 5? Basically look, if you wanna use this meme for smut I'm not gonna say no, just tag appropriately.
10. Anything else! - Look, one of the fun things about murdergame ships is how many ways they can go in the emotional crucible inherent to them. I can't account for a lot of things ahead of the basics, so plot with your thread partner and have fun with it! Hell, maybe bring a good ol' murdergame polyblob into the mix, I'm not gonna stop you! Go with ur heart, assume other characters, live your truth!
PREFS CODE:
welt yang | honkai star rail
Age: 82 | Species: Human | Occupation: Astral Express Strategist
Likes: Astral Express, animation, inner strength, his friends, Earth
Dislikes: Betrayal, Inhumane research, Antimatter Legion
Traits: Astute, Cerebral, Distant, Kind, Nerdy, Self-Sacrificial
Trivia: Welt once went into a place called the Sugars dimension, meeting small creatures that can fit in the palm of one's hand.
[ The Basics: Welt Yang is a quiet older man, though it is a clear that he's a kind, experienced individual who will express towards most - except the Mastermind - genuine respect, understanding, and kindness. Even if that isn't a given towards his person. He is someone who tries to get along with others, and that is his goal - even if he's at times awkward when it comes to emotional matters, or sometimes just in general. He is generally calm, ready to tolerate a lot of actions/personalities. Though, while he strives for group harmony, he is willing to say or to do what needs to be done, understanding the potential consequences.
In a normal setting Welt isn't necessarily so secretive in talking about himself (beyond intimate matters), though in the beginning of a murdergame, a lot of pertinent private things - unrelated to The Astral Express and those adventures - will be gated until a higher social rank. It does help he likes to generally speak about the AE and geek out about his hobbies/interests when he has a chance to talk about them. He has a Lot of baggage. Yet, somehow he gets away with not revealing much about himself.
Tips/The Down Low: Welt is a bit difficult to get into a romantic relationship quickly or at all. It's definitely possible, though his self-worth issues - and the fact he keeps a distance - may get in the way. His type generally leans towards morally dubious people on some level that may or may not clash with his point of views, people who are unafraid to poke fun or fluster him, or quirky and kind-hearted heroic/protagonist type, though irredeemable/straight-up/big bad villains will be a challenge.
General very close platonic CR is still fine for all genders, but for shipping Welt will prefer adult men (he'll icly be comfortable with those 21 and up so it's not too much of a leap for him, personally.) ]
no subject
If it helps, Alvin in a nutshell is... a guy who has done bad things for pretty bad reasons, yet somehow remains sympathetic. He's trying to do better, honest.]
no subject
An earlier thread to help build up on things shipwise, etc. will work out as well. Alvin also trying to get a rise out of him sounds fun! ]
I rolled 3 - Facility. Please let me know if I should change anything!
And maybe that all would be fine and dandy for someone without Alvin's particular biases, except there's that other room lined with those big, soldier-sized tubes, and, well. He's already seen enough laboratory-designed war crimes to draw a conclusion or two.
He keeps away from that room. It gives him the heebie-jeebies.
Anyway, they're more than forty-eight hours into this fun, new nightmare, and Alvin's decided to lean into what he does best: smarm his way into people's good graces. He's selected his targets deliberately, after the last couple days of observation and studying the profiles. He decides the best place to look for an astute, cerebral strategist is the facility's small library.
He peeks in and grins at his guesswork's reward.]
Aha. Hey there, Professor. Just the man I was hoping to run into.
[A day or two is definitely enough time to assign nicknames. Alvin offers Welt a jaunty salute as he enters.]
Looks good to me~
In certain respects, anyway. At the least no matter what kind of facility he's been, there's always some sort of library-like area. This place being no exception.
There are various pieces of fiction available for Welt's personal perusal - and others for that matters. To the point where he's found himself engrossed in an inspiring adventurous tale about a person who finds hope in a destitute situation against a great evil, finds friends in their time of need, and the like. It's some kind of obvious fantasy story about heroes saving the day, probably with an apt title, and illustration of such as well.
Just in time for Alvin to come along when he's standing nearby a bookshelf - and so when the other man grants him a title...well, it is pretty ironic, because he has been called a Professor in the past before. Such that, he blinks at the other for a moment, and remembers that this is certainly nowhere near Caltech. ]
...Hm? Why do you say that? Is there something I can help you with, Alvin?
[ Welt closes his book, Adventures of the Dawn Hero, to signify his full attention. ]
no subject
[He's smiling as he finishes walking to a comfortable conversational distance. Welt's book gets a brief, genially curious glance, but Alvin lifts his gaze to meet Welt's without lingering on it. He's just here to chat, not to snoop. See, he's friendly! He won't bite.]
Not every grown-up here has shown they can keep their head in this... situation. [He raises his hands and shrugs broadly, as if to indicate all this bullshit. This facility, their imprisonment, the lethal game they're supposed to play--that's the 'situation.'] In my book, being able to think under pressure's a good thing. So, you know. I wanna get to know you better. See if maybe we can work together on a way out.
[Or, read more cynically: Welt seems smart, and Alvin sees a higher chance of survival if he gets on his good side.
Also, there's something comforting about buddying up with a polite, grandpa-like nerd. Alvin doesn't want to dwell on that too much. It smells suspiciously like attachment.]
no subject
Or perhaps simply seek to form authentic bonds with one another. He is one of those people who do happen to have a resting stoic expression regardless, but...as Alvin elaborates, he nods his head. He has seen glimpses of people's tempers flaring already, keeping note of such individuals. ]
...I don't think there's anything wrong with that.
While I confess I was a bit surprised that I was sought out already, I firmly believe already at this point that it makes perfect sense. Becoming familiar with those here and aiming to leave based upon that bond is going to be a way to find an unexpected path to freedom.
Rather, than one made on the bodies of everyone else, like some might presume can be the final conclusion to this unfortunate situation.
[ He says this with as every bit of gravitas as it deserves. ]
You probably already know my name. But, I've always thought there is something to old-fashioned introductions. My name is Welt Yang. It's a pleasure meeting you, and I imagine it will be getting to know you as well.
[ A little stiff. Old-fashioned. But true, as the older man extends one hand to Alvin for a shake too. ]
no subject
But then he grins and takes the hand offered.]
I'm sure you did your homework on me, too. Please, just call me Alvin. The pleasure's mine, Welt. [He shakes Welt's hand with the firm, but not painful grip of someone used to making deals and accepting jobs. Whatever Alvin is, he's a professional.] And I do try to make interactions with me as fun and painless as possible.
[Introduction secured. Alvin doesn't comment on whether he finds it old-fashioned or not. Instead, he motions towards a table with a bob of his head, inviting them to sit and chat rather than stand around in the stacks.]
So, mind telling me about yourself? I don't even know what kind of world you come from, or what half the stuff in your profile actually means.
no subject
Alvin, then.
I will have to take your word for it until proven otherwise.
[ Welt says, a slight tug on his lips indicating a point upwards, however minute; hard to notice for most people, perhaps, but evident nonetheless. After the moment, though, his expression settles back to how it is before, and then Welt will let go so he can move towards the table, taking a seat as well as placing the book down. ]
I don't mind at all.
I suppose before I get too into it, I shouldn't hit you with far too many odd concepts at once. While it is true that I do come from a world just like most people, I was currently on a vehicle of sorts. The Astral Express, to be exact.
...But, before I go into that, I have to ask:
Are you familiar with animation or space travel? Or at least the concepts?
[ Some people here are not far too technologically inclined, so mentioning of holograms or space travel or even the internet at this point even in the vaguest and minimal of senses has gotten him some stares. He'll be most glad to expound on subjects relating to the Astral Express, but he'd rather not leave Alvin far too confused. ]
no subject
His expression is curious, slightly bemused, as he rests his chin on his crossed arms.]
Sounds like "space travel" might mean something more specific than getting from one space to another. And I take it "animation" isn't just the concept of something being alive.
[Still, the latter term tickles something in the back of his mind. He frowns, closing his eyes, trying to pull the thread free.]
No, wasn't that something... like... [Damn, what was the word? It's been so long. Rubbing his chin until something bubbles to the surface of memory, Alvin picks his head up and tries, uncertainly:] ...Cartoons? For kids?
no subject
He immediately launches into an explanation with an extensive explanation at the ready. ]
Hmm, I believe I am glad I asked now.
...Space travel is more specific than going from one space to another, yes - in fact, to expound on this, it usually involves taking a vessel or vehicle that is engineered for planetary or off-world travel. So, essentially, it involves going beyond a world and sailing through the stars on a space-faring ship or machine of some type.
While usually some kind of ship is the ideal vehicle, there are some outliers. Which leads me to point out one such as the Astral Express - a train that travels through the stars. And where I was before all of this happened.
It's also where I've made some close friendships.
[ Though, clearly he's been separated from those friends. Either way, he thinks he makes the bridge from 'space travel' to 'Astral Express' even if it's probably still something not very commonly heard of where Alvin's from. If he has further questions, he's glad to answer them, however. ]
...Going back to animation and cartoons, I would say that while both are essentially one and the same, though animation or a cartoon doesn't necessarily simply keep to the audience of children. But, I did make cartoons for children - primarily by conveying the story of Arahato to a large audience. It involved a mecha as the titular character, who gave his all in protecting the world from a myriad threats that would come and go.
no subject
Going beyond a world...
[Whatever he's thinking, he doesn't share right away. Instead, he hangs attentively on Welt's explanations until he's done, and only then lets his hand fall.]
Sounds like where you're from, technology's a lot more advanced than you'd find anywhere in my world. I mean, I'm familiar with trains and constructs, but I've never heard of any machine--I'm guessing that's what a "mecha" is--sophisticated enough to have a gender, let alone a heroic personality.
[His tone takes a turn for the thoughtful.]
So... people board your off-world train on purpose, I take it? To travel among the stars? ...What do they find up there?
no subject
Either way, he's already granting a nod to Alvin's conclusion on the matter. ]
You'd be correct that it is highly advanced compared to some - and the universe I found myself in before here was even moreso.
[ So, yeah, there's that. And while they're on the subject... ]
They can board the train on purpose if that is indeed their choice. Those who choose to board the train can do so as a visitor, as a guest, or as someone who is looking to become a Nameless. After all, the reasons for why someone would board the Astral Express can number many - they could just be looking to travel, or to help mark pathways amongst the stars to other worlds. Though, the latter is typically a goal of the Nameless.
Of course, I've made some implications, but I'll make it clear that traveling amongst stars grants one the opportunity to discover different stars entirely - or worlds, or perhaps other places in space like space stations, ships, or odd phenomenon that can't be explained in short and easy terms.
...What do you think of the subject so far? I suppose it may not only be new to you, but quite a bit to take in.