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Chroma, Moonlacing, and You

a breakdown by Anonymous for the Moonblessed
Congratulations! You're now on the planet Prismatica, in the city of Lunatia, population: Prismals and Moonblessed. (That's you!) What do you want to know about Chroma, Moonlacing, and your survival in this place?

What is Chroma?

To recap what the Lunar Scientia should have said when you were processed, Chroma is a form of energy that we, the Moonblessed, generate. In Prismatica's history, Chroma was also produced through various means on world, but since the Calamity, Prismatica has only been processing energy crystals for demichroma to keep things working. Demichroma is both a less powerful form of energy and the standard currency throughout Lunatia, and is what any person working in the city will be paid in. Weird enough yet? It gets weirder.

Why should I care about Chroma?

You should care because if your body's Chroma levels fall too low, you'll begin crystalising. You need direct infusions of Chroma to reverse the process, and the only way of getting that Chroma is through moonlacing.

If your body loses all Chroma, you will completely crystalise and die. This should be difficult. Should be! If you're feeling horrible, take at least one hand held out to you so you don't get to this point. See What happens when we die? for more information.

What the fuck?! Why do I lose Chroma?

Chroma is a form of energy. It seems like it may be linked with your life energy here on Prismatica. Living your life means burning energy, and now you don't only use the energy of food or whatever the fuck usually keeps you functioning, but also use Chroma in order to stay functional on this world.

You lose Chroma because you burn it up like any other energy source by existing. Which is why you need to moonlace for more Chroma to stay active and healthy.

Be warned, Moonblessed! You can burn through Chroma faster by doing any of the following:

participating in any non-moonlacing related physical activities that take a lot of normal energy;
using any special or advanced abilities you may have (magic, superpowers, energy manipulation, psychic abilities, any and everything, even whatever you're thinking about now, probably);
or being under the influence of outside forces. Are you influenced by the Cordis moon? Sorry, Moonblessed, but you may find your Chroma consumption goes up whenever your moon's in phase! Have you been drugged with Glow? Welcome to your new energy vampire urges!

It's fucked, we know.

Then what is Moonlacing?

When one Moonblessed and another Moonblessed come into physical contact, they generate Chroma. Think of it as a reaction that naturally occurs when two Moonblessed come into contact and maintain that contact, though it does not appear to work well or at all in instances of senseless violence or force. Sparring is a different matter, but punching someone for no reason or choking them for Chroma if they're not into breath-play and haven't given consent is not going to work.

Moonlacing is the name for this process of Chroma generation between two Moonblessed. No one knows what the fuck is up with it, only that it happens, and can be measured for how much Chroma-energy is generated at a time. Chroma is weird, because you need it to live, and yet it also is credited as "energy" you've added to Prismatica... and since energy is money here, it's money you've earned.

Now, Chroma that you naturally lose seems like it's absorbed by the world around us, or by some technology the Prismals in Lunar Scientia use, or maybe both or something else, which is how it's out there getting measured by Lunatia. Chroma you consume directly to use any abilities you have does not get released out into the world, but still appears to be counted as currency "earned" at time of moonlacing. This Anon doesn't understand it either. Financial records are visible and yet still mysterious.

How do you Moonlace?

Any way you can imagine that isn't rejected by one or more people involved. Two things of importance to note:

Moonlacing does not require direct skin contact.
Moonlacing will always feel good, but that does not mean all moonlacing will feel arousing. (Arousing can be of any associated emotion, okay! Any emotion! Any emotion!)

Addendum: While moonlacing is necessary, we advise you only moonlace with people you find tolerable. We advise against forcing yourself to moonlace with people you can't stand.

Forms of moonlacing contact can include, but are not limited to:

Napping on or in physical contact with someone. (Also ideal when you have a full animal moonphase form.)
Clasping a shoulder or upper arm.
Holding hands.
Brushing each other's hair.
Shoulder massages.
Wrestling.
Supporting your drunk friend home. Or at least out of the bar.
Carrying someone.
Hugging.
Cuddling.
Snuggling. (Is there a difference between this and cuddling? This Anon just does not know.)
Leaning shoulder to shoulder.
Kissing foreheads, cheeks, hands, anywhere really.
Everything remotely sexual does too. I'm not making that list for you. Sexy Anons out there can make that list for you!

The take away point is this: moonlacing is necessary to keep your chroma levels high enough so that you don't crystalise and die. So don't be a fool: moonlace. Survive. Those who want to go home under their own choice are only going to have that chance if they don't kill themselves along the way.

Can Moonlacing help heal?

For those who participated in recent tournament events, the answer appears to point toward "yes." However, it should be noted that increasingly more intimate levels of moonlacing were better at helping bodies recover quickly: kissing provided more than hands held over wounds, but massaging helped muscle aches, embraces helped generate enough Chroma for people's natural abilities to take control, and so on.

Short of something incredibly ill advised with someone suffering fatal injuries, moonlacing is not enough to save you when you're already dying. Talk to Prismals, and they'll tell you even in their general knowledge, "healing" was for minor injuries. It's what all those kisses exchanged before people swaggered out onto the arena were about, and all the hugs from Daddy Dearest before we went down. Moonblessed seem to be able to heal more than minor injuries with enough moonlacing, but it is not! Enough! To prevent you from dying if you've lost all your chroma already. Understood?! Don't go testing this out!

What happens when we die?

When you die, either because you used all your Chroma or because you managed to kill yourself or get yourself killed... your corpse is encased in crystal. Just your corpse. You're movable by anyone who can manipulate the crystal sculpture you've turned into, and as this Anon has been assured, the Prismals will take care of the crystal body if your friends don't want to.

But wait! There's more! Like everything else here, it gets weirder. After enough chroma has slowly seeped back into your body... you resurrect. Not entirely okay, but at least you're not fucking dead because you fucking died.

Prismals find nothing weird about this. Crystalising when you die is normal here. The not normal part is coming back out of the crystal, which if you remember waking up on the moon? Sounds like the same fucking process.

What happens when we disappear?

Great question. No idea. Does anyone have an answer from Lunar Scientia about this?

This is "as accurate as it can be right now," which means if you have information to add, comment for Anon to update. If you have questions, ask and this Anon or any of the other people reading can speak up and try to answer.

A question for anyone who knows: is there any noted increase in overall moonlacing if more than two people are involved in an act of moonlacing?

[ What follows is an audio version of this post with a big, green play arrow for anyone who doesn't read; it will narrate this post and replies in a voice oddly similar to Samuel L. Jackson. ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

You answered many! Hmmm I need to think. I'm still wrapping my head around how Chroma can be used to decorate the house or clothes.

[For all her years, science still isn't her strong point. Just tell her how something works, then yes. Make her figure it out? Hell no.

Also anon, you got wild.]

I see! So it worked because you would have to be supporting them, and then you got Chroma at the same time. Both of you won.

I once did a fist bump with a comrade and it worked. I just remembered.

Until the supply fails and suddenly you're without clothes if you don't read the important part of Chromagear conditions!

[ Really, being a cultivator helped him understand the decor better than being a modern millennial, if only because energy manipulation having an effect on the environment? Making the eyes see what isn't there?

Oh, yes, yes, he's seen that, very impressive, please and thank that none of it here is about arrays or illusion abilities or anything vaguely demonic!

He's the wildest anon. Until you know who he is. Then he's not nearly as wild as his life history is. ]

Yes, that's what I concluded.

2333! One thing I wouldn't have thought about! Would high fives do the same?

I still wear my own clothes, purchased from shops or from anything I've sewn if I buy the fabric. Mostly because I do not understand Chromagear, but now you've mention it, it's best to be careful in general.

[Thank you talented anon, you brought up Good Points and she will remain cautious still. Amazing! Now it's time to see his home, show them all the decor, anon! Maybe!

Also he's so wild he left a guide. So maybe he's a cute anon?]

I haven't tried a highfive! Perhaps this is something we must test.

Ah, you sew your own clothes! Highly talented! Chromagear is meant to be used over real clothes, to make yourself look different, not as something you use on its own. So if you do as you do now, and also use Chromagear, you'd be fine.

[ Talent abounds here! Truly!

And look who doesn't leave a guide if they're trotting around anon? (Most, SQQ. Most.) ]

Yes! The scientific process requires the testing of a hypothesis, and a highfive should be simple enough.

Thank you very much! If you ever need for me to sew anything, I am willing. Although you are anonymous right now. Perhaps one day when we meet properly. Through a coincidence? And...I will try that. I am unsure what I would change my clothes to.

[YEAH SQQ THERE ARE SO MANY QUESTIONS RIGHT NOW.]

Indeed. Although as an anonymous, who would you find to try this out?

[Like any loser who ends up refined most of the time, she wants to highfive.]

May our paths cross in the future! I'm not sure it'll happen, but it seems more likely than not. I know there's been a few people facing strange needs in tailoring, so your skills must be in high demand! As for what to change one's clothes to... I'm not certain. Different styles common here in case one wishes to blend fully with the crowds? Winter clothing? Summer outfits?

[ Those are his first suggestions, as someone who also hasn't really jumped onto the chromawear train. ]

That's a good question... I can't really ask without becoming unanonymous, can I? Or can I. There's a lot of us from modern worlds!

[ WHICH HE IS NOT BUT HE CAN LIE because it's also true once upon a time. So in theory. Anyone not him can ask about high fives... but an ancient cultivator would be way too obvious! ]

If there are more...I guess it will be something to do! Very well, if we ever meet again, and the others are still in need of assistance, I'll help you all. And...do you like the fashion of this world?

[She knows some of it can be really in yo face.]

I mean, do you know anyone who can do it with you who is also modern?

[HMMMMM she's wondering about this anon now. He's really wanting to hide his identity! Now she wonders why he posted this without attaching his name in the first place.]

Your kindness is commendable! As for the fashion, some is easier to accept than others. Rainbow feather vests that glitter are ???

[ he saw that the other day when looking for things he could adapt to giant wings, and no... no thanks ]

There are a few I can think of, yes. Same for you?

[ People he can think of but wouldn't ask unless he can pass off "why were people performing this motion" somehow. Ugh! There are inherent troubles when you're a walking anachronism! ]

It's the least I can do, really! We're all comrades here, even if you're anonymous. Ah, I don't think I suit the rainbow feather vests. It's very large because of the plumage, and I'm very small. I'll drown in the feathers.

[See, she could make clothes just for his changes!]

The same for me as well. I have been taught recently.

[Thanks punkasses like Renji. And WOW, IT'S OKAY. Guess he needs more punkass friends.]

There's a few of us who've been Anonymous on here so far... and as you say, we're all comrades! Though I see what you mean about drowning in feathers. Small or large, I feel only certain people can pull wearing fathers off if they're not just sprouting anyway.

[ It would be so tempting... he's got to meet her off this network! Where he has plausible deniability to know anything that's said here as Anon! Wait, he's also on here? Fuck, what is plausible deniability when he's had to be conversing with himself anyway! ]

Congratulations! Learning new social greetings is part of the crazy fun of this place!

It seems to be one of the most common forms of available communication on this network, but I see many have embraced their identity. Not even with a display name! And you're very right. Someone with confidence?

[THEN IT'S TIME TO MEET...somehow. She doesn't want to blow his cover here, he did so much for them with this article! Also dude you are heading down a dark path or existentialism just then.]

It really is. Although, I feel like I haven't truly discovered any unique forms of greeting here. All the ones I've seen, I've already seen back home.

Confidence and a less than round build?

[ Small and round sounds like it's a recipe for ballbird looks... Also his whole life is a dark path of existentialism, don't remind him!!! ]

There's a strange sort of prevalence for very Earth greetings here, isn't there? I haven't seen anyone lock horns or rub noses or even rub cheeks against each other or something. Or preen. Birds preen, don't they?

And height!

[Because it's true, small and round...only birds can look cute. And oh. LOOK!!!]

You're right! I haven't seen any like that! Animals themselves have their own greetings. Birds preen, but I am unsure if it's a greeting.

Height really is important, too...

[ Now thinking about this he's just insanely curious if he's been missing these signs because of his own expectations. ]

I don't know either, I just guess they groom each other's feathers as a fondness thing? Still, nothing except ways of greeting that I'd recognise as having come from Earth... including the processing on Iris.

[ h a h a h a, ah, the government center where they were all processed... ]

I'm quite short, so it's hard for me to find clothes that suit me, sometimes.

[Like certain dresses. She doesn't know how tall he is, what if he's super tall and can pull off feathers!]

Ah yes, there are new greetings that are...I'd say are rather bold?

Ah, my sister complained of this before. She had to get everything hemmed.

[ he pulls off feathers a few days of every month but he'd refuse to wear them voluntarily!!! ]

Which ones come to mind when you say bold?

It is very inconvenient! It is not to terrible where I live, because my height is average there for a woman. But when I buy anything overseas, it is hard. Sometimes it is easier to make my own clothes. I understand your sister's pain.

[Now she got to see those FEATHERS.]

I am unsure if you were there, but there was that time at the casino where that gentleman was hugging everyone in greeting. It was very sudden and warm. I suppose hugging could be considered normal, but I was just surprised by it.

That was part of her trouble, her choices in where to make purchases. Sizing between countries is anything but consistent, or so she said, loudly.

[ you can see all of them and marvel at how damn annoying they are! also what an effective weapon they are for a cultivator who can infuse leaves and small objects with qi to turn them into tiny guided knife-missiles. ]

I remember hearing about that man. He's with the Moon Knights, isn't he? Sudden hugs seems... very intimate from a stranger. Or even within a family.

Absolutely true. It only gets bigger. Small sizes do not exist!

[Feather weapons is already something she wants to see as well. That's getting creative! What can she do, smack someone with her tail?]

Yes, that gentleman! It was very surprising, at least I am not used to it. I think others may be. That hugs could be more casual than intimate for them.

If I did more shopping, I might have known that too. Then again I'm not short...

[ Shorter than he is now in his first life, yes, but not by much. A little less leggy, too... ugh, he had a different body because he had a different body! ]

I can see how that might be the case... even some of my friends were more willing to touch each other back home than others. Even so, this place would be a shock. Have you noticed Prismals being more hands on in reaching out to touch you when you're in public? Especially during the moons?

You don't do a lot of shopping?

[She's curious only because how does he get clothes? Many ways, so she just would like to know.]

Yes, with the times that change, more become open to it. I have colleagues here who feel the same way, but also some who are open to touch. And you're right! It starts to affect us too, I believe.

I don't enjoy it as a hobby.

[ Bare necessities and wearing the same sets of robes beats out having to actually go shopping, okay! ]

In what way do you mean? That we become more willing to touch others in public?

Just as a necessity, then?

[She could understand it because she normally shops more out of practicality and even her own clothes could be specials if she didn't make it. She only started to indulge a little more here because she has more time.]

Yes. In particular, during the moon cycles.

Yes, for the most part. If someone else really loves it, that might not be so bad to go along with.

[ Practicality and also not having needed to go shopping for things for years has made it all kind of an annoying reintroduction! No more Logistics Peak! Now it's all up to him!]

Ah, yes. I've run into more of others being willing to touch me without invitation, but I haven't allowed myself to shy away from holding hands or such things. The luxury of privacy truly feels... that's what's sacrificed.

Is there anyone around you who loves shopping?

[She's wondering if he does get roped into these kinds of things even here!]

When you put it that way, I can truly feel it. We haven't had pure privacy in a while. I've grown more open to the fact because of the bonds I have made here.

Chroma, Moonlacing, and You

What is Chroma?

Why should I care about Chroma?

What the fuck?! Why do I lose Chroma?

Then what is Moonlacing?

How do you Moonlace?

Can Moonlacing help heal?

What happens when we disappear?

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im laughing so hard at my own typo, pull off wearing 'fathers' indeed

LOLAKLJS only the most talented can pull off wearing fathers

so basically the mc from dream daddy

oh my god...you're right

would that mc go after all single dads is my 3am wondering

omg the mc should and just achieve world peace through a harem of single dads

tbh this sounds like a very good strategy that would absolutely pay off

SEE this is end game material. flawless

meanwhile: dream daddy characters on the reserves page, we shall be saved soon

I SAW THIS IS AMAZING, WE'RE SAVED

NOW THEY'RE ACCEPTED, THE (HAPPY???) END IS NIGH

OH MY GOD WE'RE ACTUALLY SAVED. PRAISE BE. SAVE US NOW.

TIME TO LEAVE IT TO A DADDY

NOW WE WAIT FOR A DADDY TO POST TOO