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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

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.

Here? A few, maybe. Back home? A few, yes. Also those willing to help with shopping.

[ Both in China and the world he'd lived in after. ]

It's better if we can. While having respect for ourselves, too! Being more... open to affection out of necessity isn't a weakness. I do prefer privacy, still, but no one remarking on it in public is helpful.

Oh, for sure, those who help make things so much more enjoyable.

[Deets now boy.]

You're right. I would rather this kind of attitude, it doesn't make it awkward when it does have to happen. Like they really want us to enjoy it?

It's true. Their enthusiasm can carry things forward. Or leave you drowning for different reasons. How many bags can one person possibly need?!

[ China: he has a younger sister and he loves her very much. Fantasy Not!China: Anything he wanted with scrolls and books on how to survive an impending horrible death, and also: hunting down pants that grow you a new body, under the appropriate circumstances.

... His shopping lists can get very, very odd. ]

They wish for us to feel like they feel. A sense of unity in sharing a cultural value. It's the better society movement here.

Aha, some bags are important for different occasions! Well, you don't need all of them.

[She totally gets it. She usually buys enough for herself, and she's not so fashionable to get everything ever, but even she falls for the nice bag now and then.

Also it sounds like he needs to be saved?!]

I do not mind it, actually! Well, I still need to get used to being more affectionate, but the movement, as you said, is better.

Bags will remain mysterious to me. Truly, they remain beyond my knowledge.

[ He needs fashion help, it's true, how do you make things work in familiar ways when your body changes so dramatically? ]

I understand and appreciate it, but I'm still not sure I'll be inclined toward generous public displays... it's too embarrassing to contemplate!

I suppose it could be similar to clothes. Just, a very fancy accessory, that happens to have practical origins. Or so it is now.

[LOOK, SHE CAN ALTER HIS CLOTHES FOR HIM.]

I agree. For it to be so public I would need some time.

A status symbol then too? It is one, in some circles.

[ if he knew how to "learn" that while under his own name he'd HIRE HER SO FAST ]

Yes, yes, yes, the same here. Time to accept such boldness! My face isn't thick enough for that right now!

Especially if it has a brand!

[TO THINK THEY NEED TO MEET AGAIN (oh wait--)]

I am sure that is why everyone teases me. My face just shows.

Yes! Prestige in symbols, and brands are big ones, even I know this.

[ it's okay, in that future, he can complain about wing clothing issues... ]

Yes, yes, that is the way of things... people who care about you still tease, because a visible reaction is entertaining! Or cute. Or something along those lines! So rude, leaving no face...

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

anonymous text post

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 die?

What happens when we disappear?

no subject

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

HAVE THEY SAVED US YET

I WANT TO KNOW THIS TOO DID YOU GET THEM

I DID NOT, must strike for cr!

YEEEEEAAAH THE BEST HUNT

game on

HEH

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