upcyclingmod: (Default)
upcyclingmod ([personal profile] upcyclingmod) wrote in [community profile] pedalbike2020-08-29 10:30 am
Entry tags:

First TDM: Sterile Blues


Welcome to the Test Drive Meme.
| Premise | FAQ | Full Navigation | Rules | Reserves |


Arrival



Not all characters (known as Wickie, singular or Wickies, plural) arrive at the same time, surprisingly enough! That’s life for you. Some Wickies find their way to the island at a pivotal (or very mundane) point in their life, or even after or during their death.

Wickies who were standing or walking often find themselves entering the town South Sister, located on Lighthouse Isle, through an open doorway. Those that were laying down, or sleeping, tend to be found lying prone in beds, bathtubs, showers, couches, and similar places within the cottages on Cottage Row. There’s no rhyme or reason to it all! To Wickies familiar with the era, they will realize that everything looks as if it’s come from the ‘90s.

The house which a Wickie finds themselves within could already be occupied. This includes walking into a fellow Wicke, waking up in the same location, or accidentally scaring a room full of people with their sudden appearance.

Oops.


Sterile Blues


After arriving, Wickes will find that food and water are easy enough to come by, as they can be readily found in the various houses which populate Lighthouse Isle. Medical supplies, on the other hand, are not so easily acquired. Bandaids and other simple trappings can be pilfered from the odd medical cabinet, but otherwise you’re on your own.

Thankfully, if a Wickie or their friend are in need of medicine or a pair of trauma shears, while you won’t find a full-fledged hospital on the island, there is a clinic. The clinic, named Sister’s Helpers, is like the rest of the buildings in town. Its appearance is well kept, and the doors are unlocked. Whether the Wickie goes in through the windows (because they can), or through the front door like most would, they’ll find that the clinic’s interior is crisp, clean, and orderly. There are plastic chairs, a desk where a receptionist would sit, white walls, but then—

There’s a sound. It could be mistaken for a breeze, at first. But as the sound goes on, it becomes more obvious that the ‘breeze’ is an exhale, prolonged and forced. At the end, there’s a murmur, professional and assuring.

“That’s good. Breathe.”

And with that, the clinic becomes awash in shades of blue. Sister’s Helpers itself hasn’t become warped in any way. There is only monochromatic coloring which, upon further realization, is not truly in the building, but a problem with their vision. Leaving without investigating further will mean having blue vision for the next twenty-four hours.

But for Wickies who choose to stay and explore, there is a chance at clearing their vision. This is is especially difficult for those who have a history of not taking care of their injuries. Gradually, it becomes more difficult to walk, as if there are weights on their feet. For Wickies are especially guilty of not tending to their wounds, their movements will become even more sluggish, and weight will settle on their arms and chest, forcing the worst of offenders into a crawl as they explore from room to room.

Laying on the patient beds will alleviate the situation for a short amount of time. The cure, however, will come from characters taking the supplies which they need for themselves and not for others.

If the Wickie fails this, over the course of an hour they will be crushed to death, and will eventually wake up outside of the clinic. Their vision stuck in shades of red with a weakness in their limbs for the next twenty four hours.

The Wickie’s only cure for that is either taking medical supplies for themselves or by doing some form of self care.


Ashes, Ashes


It’s the middle of the night when all the Wickies are jarred awake from sleep by the blare of a broken siren. Wailing into the dark, the siren functions as a foghorn might, warning of hazardous conditions to come. Beneath Wickies feet, the ground trembles, pulsating once. Twice. Three times. And again, and again until—

The world changes, and it is no longer the foggy island the Wickies knew.

Ash falls steadily from above, blanketing the ground, and at first glance it can be mistaken for snow. Whether by scent, by touch, or even by taste (an option for the brave, the bold, the few), the truth of the ‘snowfall’ can be easily revealed. It is strange, though, that there are no signs of fire in the vicinity. In fact, there doesn’t seem to be much of anything at all. There’s still no sign of the mainland. There are no buildings in this desolate place, either.

Lighting in this new landscape is hazy and sullen, but still conducive to exploring despite it being the dead of night just moments ago. But while Wickies walk, there’s a growing feeling of foreboding. There’s something… something else with them.

And it conceals itself in the ash.

It attacks by lashing out to grab at the ankles and the calves, attempting to drag the unsuspecting victim down, to somewhere far deeper and hidden by billowing piles of ash. It’s easy to save a Wickie from the pull, so long as they’re quickly freed from their assailants grasp. Retrieving someone out of the ash itself is nigh impossible, though.

Grabbed Wickies who lived to tell the tale, may find themselves bitten. The stalkers in the ash sink their teeth into the foot or calf of their prey, leveraging the force of their bite to take down their target. And once there’s blood, more of these creatures will be attracted to the smell.

If a Wickie is clever or strong enough to draw the stalkers out of the ash, they will find that the attackers are shark-like people. Most of their head consists of oversized jaws housing an impossible amount of teeth, and lacking any eyes. Their bodies are covered in ashen chitin and bone, with elongated feet and thin, taloned fingers. These Ash Sharks do not like being exposed, and will respond accordingly.

Ash Sharks cannot be reasoned with. Trapping one in ropes, magic, or other means will elicit angry shrieks which will attract other Ash Sharks, either to eat the trapper, or trapped, or both if they can. Being dragged completely under the ash will start a feeding frenzy, and the Ash Shark will proceed to rip and tear chunks out of its prey.

In dying, Wickies will reset to a random location within the ash filled fields, completely intact but for a purpling bruise where the initial bite took place.

Good luck.


Network Time: The Heart Game


There’s a beeping alert on all Wickie’s smartphones that refuses to stop until a particular notification is read. The notification is for something called the Heart Game (which, yes, looks annoying, overly bright, and cheesy). And surprise! The game opens up automatically with a loud ping!

The game begins (and ends!) with a question, one which will not go away even if you try to close out of it or shut off your smartphone. It reads:

It’s time for everyone's favorite game! Confession! Heeeeere is today’s question which you must confess!

What is… the scariest thing you’ve experienced? It can be anything!


code bases by tricklet
plasticasshole: (✦ hard to be soft)

[personal profile] plasticasshole 2020-09-03 03:12 am (UTC)(link)
That depends. My "skin" will heal over most injuries, but my plastic can't heal itself. I also can't regenerate thirium the way humans can do so with their blood. I have to drink it in order to replenish it.

[He's not used to gentle touches, but he finds he likes it. It's pleasant. If he knew what Virgil was thinking, he might be less inclined to enjoy it, though.]
extinctive: (you leavin' me here)

[personal profile] extinctive 2020-09-03 03:13 am (UTC)(link)
[ you know what, that's fair. ]

They have a general store that sells liquor, actually. Just show them this white card, and there you go.

[ do they card children, though? who knows. it's not like anyone's looking after said store, so it should be free real estate. ]

Want some? If you're of age, that is. I'd still get in trouble even as a doctor, you know?

[ his smile tells nothing. is he not aware that he's offering alcohol to a freaking child, or does he somehow know that the guy's older than he seems? who knows. this isn't the first time he drank with an old fogey in a kid's body anyway. ]

[personal profile] freezeframes 2020-09-03 03:15 am (UTC)(link)
You haven't? Such a pity, but I'm pleased you're willing to start with me.

[ He rests one hand on his chest as he bows his head slightly. Yes, yes, ever the humble artist. ]

And of course, of course. What is art without an audience? [ Stefano smiles wide before his smile fades. Ah, he remembers saying that to someone else that refused to appreciate his work. Of course, that detective was able to make him into a masterpiece at the end. So, can he really stay mad? ]

You know... I've been wondering something, but not quite sure how to bring it up. [ So time to just brute force it. ] That circle on the side of your head that's glowing... what is that?
inthemiddle: By me (Confused)

[personal profile] inthemiddle 2020-09-03 03:17 am (UTC)(link)
I was. Looking for patients. I'm a doctor.

[Not that he looks much like one, in this strange world. His lily flowers flutter on his head, far too animated to merely be decorations plucked and placed in his hair. They swivel like little satellites to take in Ethan's words, though how they might be attached to Silas is obscured with his curly mop of pink hair]

If you are in need, sir. My magic has very little it cannot solve. My current state of being... aside. [a big aside]

he's real determined..............

[personal profile] freezeframes 2020-09-03 03:22 am (UTC)(link)
No? Not the last time I've checked?

[ He smiles at his own joke. ]

I'm human. [ Stefano says this answer with a sigh, because he rather liked the other answer that he gave. He likes the idea of just being known as 'an artist.' But ah, well. ]

And what are you?

[personal profile] freezeframes 2020-09-03 03:24 am (UTC)(link)
Really? Forgive me, then. I fear that I took your words of before as a disparaging remark for my own opinion.

That is why I considered it to be unfortunate that it was viewed a little poorly.
sweariff: (sheriff ⭐️ 273)

[personal profile] sweariff 2020-09-03 03:25 am (UTC)(link)
which part
the pig or the hot dog?
weirdnecro: (Here’s your gown)

[personal profile] weirdnecro 2020-09-03 03:25 am (UTC)(link)
[No one could blame him. Not for jumping, nor for tumbling in, even if it leaves his butt up in the air, much like something out of a cartoon.

And the water is starting to get tinted with red because well...Sokie hit her head on the porcelain. Not sure about Silas is contributing to this pink bath water but who knows!

At least their faces are above the water. Sokie slowly holds up one shaky water covered finger. (And no, it's not the middle one).]


Okay. You get up first, then I'll get up.

[Yeah that sounds good. That'll give her a second.]
syntech: (♫Your whole life through)

[personal profile] syntech 2020-09-03 03:27 am (UTC)(link)
[A doctor, huh? Ethan's brows rise up at the talk of magic - but again, that's hardly the most bizarre thing here, isn't it? Moreover, there's the movement of lily flowers and now, now they certainly catch attention, moving not unlike an animal's ears in response to stimuli. How bizarre.

The pause before he 'speaks' again isn't wholly that, though. There's a hesitation with which his hand moves to type, and a thoughtfulness to the tilt of his head as he forms the words.]


{The presence of a doctor is reassuring, but my condition probably isn't that easily cured. I've been this way since birth, after all.} [There's a pause, punctuated by the very plain contemplation of whether or not to broach the subject of magic - and of course, Silas has at least found something he was looking for... of a sort. So hey, small positives?]

{Granted, I can't claim to know much about magic, given it's not something we have where I come from. Either way, as far as I can tell this place is making everything feel heavy and harsh the longer we're here. It's probably the best and worst place to find patients both. I'm about to take something for stop-gapping the minor issues and leave while standing is still a possibility.}
weirdnecro: (Heave-ho he said)

[personal profile] weirdnecro 2020-09-03 03:28 am (UTC)(link)
Oh, certainly. Let's start with something simple, not too sugary.

[She makes a motion, swirls her mug, and offers it. The liquid turned from brown to orange. It's orange juice, but she's not going to tell him that. That'd be leading him along.]

Here. You don't have to stick your finger in. You can...just stick your tongue in, if you don't want to swallow.

[This is going to be a disaster isn't it.]
inthemiddle: By me (Why this?)

[personal profile] inthemiddle 2020-09-03 03:28 am (UTC)(link)
BOTH?

OR IS IT LITERAL?

IN WHICH CASE WHY WAS SOMEONE COOKING THE DOG TO EAT AND NOT THE SWINE?
nobirdsallowed: (scary)

[personal profile] nobirdsallowed 2020-09-03 03:29 am (UTC)(link)
I'll have to take a look at the layers, then. I'm good with a soldering iron.

[No, he wouldn't be super comfortable with it, though it's more of an idle threat. The touch is still tender, though, and he runs a hand down Connor's arm until he's holding his palm.]

If you prick your finger, do you bleed this thirium?

sweariff: (sheriff ⭐️ 001)

[personal profile] sweariff 2020-09-03 03:29 am (UTC)(link)
[On his end, he blinks and feels his lips press together, flatten into a line and turn lopsided. Walked right into that one.]

wrong kind of dog. this one's more like a sausage on a bun.
plasticasshole: (✧ something in your make up)

[personal profile] plasticasshole 2020-09-03 03:29 am (UTC)(link)
[Connor tilts his head slightly, but he isn't offended by the question.]

That's my LED. It's there to show that I'm an android.

[That pretty much is all it's used for. Sure, it can change colour depending on his mental or physical state, but that isn't necessary. Right now, it's just a solid blue.]

[personal profile] freezeframes 2020-09-03 03:31 am (UTC)(link)
[ He is a lot to unpack. ]

It's my response, right?

[ Hm, Stefano wonders if anything has scared him. He supposes that he felt scared and lost when he joined that cult. His depression and anguish at being unheard and unseen as an artist was truly weighing down on him. But he found a means to crawl his way out of such sorrows and saw the liars for what they were. ]

Things have. But they were but fleeting moments. I feared that I would never be understood or appreciated. But that's a different kind of fear than what we're talking about...and what this heart game is talking about.
Edited (forgot to change his icon) 2020-09-03 03:32 (UTC)
weirdnecro: (You haven’t slept)

[personal profile] weirdnecro 2020-09-03 03:32 am (UTC)(link)
Weird. You'd think they'd leave a note or something for people that are around or...

[Oh. Oh no. That's too much.]

Wait wait wait, too much too much...!

[Yeah she's just going to. Grab the towel like fabrics even as they fall in her.

She's gotta clean the floor with something after all.]
reine_verzweiflung: (Ich tu' dir weh)

Ashes to Ashes

[personal profile] reine_verzweiflung 2020-09-03 03:33 am (UTC)(link)
[ Raven is not a hero. He is an observer...Generally. This is not his home and he is no longer relegated to that role. It's not that the plight of the pig particularly perturbs him, more than it's something to do. Something familiar. A chance to feel pain.

He rushes in towards the ash sharks and slashes them with the slender needles on his fingers. There's no attempt made to avoid the bites of the sharks -- they only seem to drive him into some sort of frenzy, really. ]


Run while you can, pig.

[ It's not a threat, rather an attempt to give Silas a chance to flee. ]
plasticasshole: (✧ but twice as fast)

[personal profile] plasticasshole 2020-09-03 03:37 am (UTC)(link)
[Connor supposes he'd get more of the taste if he used his tongue, so he makes a face before leaning in to dip his tongue in. Only a little, though. He can't swallow it. He analyses it as he mulls it over, but when he speaks it accidentally spills out. Someone isn't used to having that much of anything in their mouth.]

...Orange juice?

[Is orange juice sweet? Is this what sweet is? It's... not bad, but he doesn't get why humans enjoy it so much if that's it. Then again, humans enjoy coffee, don't they? Strange. He wipes his mouth on his sleeve apologetically.]
weirdnecro: (The captain howled)

[personal profile] weirdnecro 2020-09-03 03:38 am (UTC)(link)
[What a little nugget she has with her. Maybe, just maybe if she's so lucky, they can become allies. And hopefully she won't get him addicted to coffee while she's at it.

Tea...she could get him addicted to tea. Green tea might be good for him..]


Oh, consider it a few generations removed from the telegraph. There's going to be quite a bit that you'll need to get used to but- it's not all bad.

[She blinks, surprised, and motioned to the drink display on the counter.]

No? These are options for you to choose. Well. There's the coffee too, and I could make tea if you'd like- but I did mention fruit juice first. I don't know what you like.

[Or what he'd want to give a try.]
inthemiddle: By Kippie (Baffled)

[personal profile] inthemiddle 2020-09-03 03:39 am (UTC)(link)
I, I should... insist... you first, madam... [even ass up he's a polite boy! Really all one needs to know about Silas, huh. With head above water, he twists himself toward the faucet and reaches for it, turning the knob first on more and then swiftly closed, stopping the source at least. Further scrambling, he falls fully into the water with a heavy thud and splash.

The dark room is oddly more illuminated now and the source would be... those lily flowers on his head. They're glowing with a pink light, like a luminescent plant might in a dark cave.

It's just because he's embarrassed, a strange expression they flowers manifested when he grew them in. Expressive things, they are...]
weirdnecro: (And pray we get there soon)

[personal profile] weirdnecro 2020-09-03 03:40 am (UTC)(link)
Mmhmm. It's a kind of sweet. Of course, with your permission, I could make it taste like something else. Tea? Soda?

Oh-let me get a napkin. You can't swallow, right?

[Whoops. That was a slip, but hey, she's turning around to get a napkin so he can wipe off his mouth and sleeve.]
weirdnecro: (And pray we get there soon)

[personal profile] weirdnecro 2020-09-03 03:43 am (UTC)(link)
[They're more or less acting the same way, she thinks, especially with that expression on his face. She offers him a smile and a nod.]

Aye, likewise. I'm called Sokie Undertown. And I was speaking of your coffee, not your demeanor.

Sorry. Wasn't being clear.
sweariff: (sheriff ⭐️ 296)

[personal profile] sweariff 2020-09-03 03:45 am (UTC)(link)
[This should not be as funny as it is and he shouldn't be so amused, but.]

you've got it all wrong
a hot dog's not a dog, it's
[and here he has to pause to really think about how to finish this sentence because he as a lot of thoughts on the matter, hoo boy] kind of like a sausage?

you can use all types of meat from them, but most of them are made from pork
allegedly
weirdnecro: (Heave-ho he said)

[personal profile] weirdnecro 2020-09-03 03:47 am (UTC)(link)
Should, but you're on top of me.

[She's trying to be polite! Really she is! But she can feel herself start to shiver even as he finally turns the water off- and grunts, uncomfortable, as he falls in. The light from the horns- flowers? Are good, but still...

She tries to snap her fingers. Nothing happens. She tries again, and realizes her fingers are too wet to do a decent snap.]


...Two things. One, please get off. And two, please go to the far wall and flick the weird nose looking thing to the up position?
plasticasshole: (✦ nothing to lose)

[personal profile] plasticasshole 2020-09-03 03:50 am (UTC)(link)
[A soldering iron would be helpful. He glances at his hand as he feels Virgil hold it, and casually deactivates the skin there. The white plastic shows instead, and he turns his palm up to face the ceiling.]

You would have to puncture the outer shell of my plastic.

[He glances at Virgil.]

I can stop the bleeding if it's just a prick.