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upcyclingmod ([personal profile] upcyclingmod) wrote in [community profile] pedalbike2020-08-29 10:30 am
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First TDM: Sterile Blues


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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

[personal profile] freezeframes 2020-09-04 05:44 pm (UTC)(link)
Yes, it's okay.

[ It isn't. But like, that's just Stefano being Stefano. ]

So, shall we move on? It seems like death isn't a topic that we can agree upon, let's find something we can both enjoy talking on. What are your thoughts of art?

[personal profile] grice 2020-09-04 05:45 pm (UTC)(link)
HOW DO I CHANGE THE LETTERs
LETTers
letters
I think I got it.

What's that you made? It almost looks like a face.
grice: (pic#14283557)

[personal profile] grice 2020-09-04 05:54 pm (UTC)(link)
Thanks.

[ he gives his answer by answering, and probably only did after listening to connor's reasoning in the first place. he hasn't talked about it to anyone beyond gabi, it looked like they didn't have time to. ]

Something was about to happen to me, almost like dying, and there'd be a lot of heat. Too much of it to survive if a person was too close. We didn't want it and he knew what would happen, but he didn't want to let go. His name was Colt.
whiteshroud: (thinking)

[personal profile] whiteshroud 2020-09-04 05:58 pm (UTC)(link)
It's a city in a country called the United States.

I've heard it's a cool city, but some time ago there was a string of murders where people got hacked to death with an axe in their beds.

The culprit was never found.
Edited 2020-09-04 19:04 (UTC)
grice: (pic#14283396)

[personal profile] grice 2020-09-04 06:02 pm (UTC)(link)
[ baby carrots for a baby bird......... please say lunchables ]

Nappy, like— tired? [ he's unused to people using more childlike vocabulary with him, and it feels weird when they do. not because he doesn't want to be treated like a child, that was silly when he was one. the problem had been the upbringing. guns instead of toys and days out in the blaring heat doing laps, or in the front lines, instead of playing with friends. he takes the cup with tentative but slowly growing enthusiasm, bringing the drink to his lips and— smiling, enough that he has to hold it in not to look so excited. ] It's like candy-!

[ in how sweet it is, sweeter even. with more certainty, he drinks another full three gulps. ]

[personal profile] grice 2020-09-04 06:17 pm (UTC)(link)
[ the lowering was appreciated at its best when falco's hazel eyes widen, stare— then melt. it's . . . it's baby his heart. a very odd baby that he doesn't think is human from the looks of it, but being looked at like that with those big round eyes-! it has this unknown charm that doesn't make him scary, and if the man confirms his health, what's falco to say of his appearance? he curls and uncurls his finger at the air around it, pulling back when feeling uncertain if he should touch, but out with his shy smile comes a: ]

Hi . . . [ says bean to smaller bean. with rejuvenated energy and newfound purpose, falco takes a step back with something new: a bright look that suits him. ] Don't worry about carrying the jars Mister Mandalorian, I'll get you a bag!

[ one! that he!! can carry for him!!! and promptly, falco turns heel to the front of the store and jogs back with a shopping bag, opening it from its handles to catch the jar the mandalorian holds. ]

What's his name?
umeralis: (10)

[personal profile] umeralis 2020-09-04 06:31 pm (UTC)(link)
( it's definitely not okay, but it's going to have to be for now. )

i'm not good at it is my biggest thought. but i like looking at it.
grice: (pic#14283406)

[personal profile] grice 2020-09-04 06:36 pm (UTC)(link)
[ there's less of a flinch in falco's eyes, more used to rough-around-the-edges coarseness or curt words he'd receive on the daily. to be frank, this was like water and sugar. it was fine, and he's considerate; she's stressed, and clearly expresses herself in a way he can catch through body language alone. he too, is patient, and only lets the bag rest on the ground before he'd have to hoist it up onto his shoulders again— oh, but. oh. ]

Oh— [ to both of those, ] Thank you.

[ he's careful to grab one of the canteens snapped at the side right next to his plush bear keychain swinging around before inhaling, suspending the bag and offering it to her. abby will find that the weight his bag carries is alright for her, what she'd expect an adult to lug around on a few day camping trip— but not him. he still managed to walk and not seem tired, scarily enough. ]

It's right down there, the last cottage before the turn. [ he's going to take a guess and— ] Did you just show up?
Edited (words getting eaten!) 2020-09-04 18:38 (UTC)
ragsnbone: (hmm mystery)

[personal profile] ragsnbone 2020-09-04 06:40 pm (UTC)(link)
Ah.

[ He could understand that. It wasn't safe here, not when the whole building seems to press down on him, slowing him down, making all those bones he'd broke years and years ago throb as if they were recently healed. Wu Xie sets the box and his cane down for a moment and then unsnaps his jacket, pulling it off and starts making a sling to carry things in. Under the jacket was a sleeveless vest also with patches of reflective cloth, a red band of rubber wrapped lightly on his upper left arm, and a old leather notebook shoved into the single inner pocket. Scars march up the inside of his right arm, old and deep and ragged, while the outside of his left arm showed freshly healed defensive cuts. His nastiest scar though was the one cutting along his neck narrowly missing the major vein there. ]

What kind would you be comfortable with? I'm not sure if you would find a thermal, but those are easiest to use.

[ The clinic looks easily like one of those from a small mountain town and he was intimately familiar with those kinds of places and how behind their supplies could be. Putting the box into his makeshift sling, he uses the cane to push himself to his feet, hanging the sling over his right shoulder. ]

I'm looking for zingiber officinale, lycium barbarum, and a few others. [ A pause and then a shake of his head as he moves to another cabinet, sliding open the door. ] I can probably find most of it in the grocery store. But it's always best to grab what you can just in case.
fogsong: (30)

[personal profile] fogsong 2020-09-04 09:10 pm (UTC)(link)
Only some of them. [ but enough of all that. ]

So, did you escape? [ The freaky corrupt virtual world. Sure, he didn't seem like he was too torn up over being there—not afraid of it, at least—but she was curious. ]
missingache: ([98] I'm looking right at)

[personal profile] missingache 2020-09-04 11:17 pm (UTC)(link)
[???? Is that not normal?]

Yeah. To a lot of different ones.
whiteshroud: (jun41)

[personal profile] whiteshroud 2020-09-04 11:50 pm (UTC)(link)
[What the fuck, Jun thinks quietly to himself.]

Interesting...
You sound casual about it. Is traveling worlds normal where you're from?
irefire: all by <user name="graywaves" site=plurk.com> (― excited)

[personal profile] irefire 2020-09-05 12:36 am (UTC)(link)
Oh. Well, that's good to know!

Birds are pretttyyy nice though. They symbolize freedom and whatnot. Maybe that's what your parents had in mind when they named you!
sweariff: (sheriff ⭐️ 121)

[personal profile] sweariff 2020-09-05 01:14 am (UTC)(link)
[Bigby doesn't expect Roxas to take immediate action, and he definitely doesn't expect him to conjure a blade out of thin air. He pulls his hand back, out of instinctive surprise just as much as reflex as the monster uselessly leaps up like a dog trying to get a bone dangled over its snout — close, but no cigar.]

Wait!

[Now that he knows the kid knows magic, the least they could do is come up with some sort of plan. Unfortunately, Roxas doesn't seem to hear him and his strange looking weapon rebounds off the shark's hide. Fortunately, the shark doesn't land a bite on him — the last thing it expected was an attack from behind, and it doesn't know which target it should concentrate on more — and Roxas is able to get a handhold on the roof of the shelter. Bigby grabs him by the arm and helps him the rest of the way up. The shark, meanwhile, dives back into the ashes with a hiss and begins to circle again.

Bigby looks over at Roxas, scooching back to give him some breathing room, frowning as he gets a better look at the kid's sword. If he squints, it looks a little bit like a key.]


What kind of magic? You mean [he gestures to the key, a bit at a loss for to describe it,] with that?
Edited (dialogue tweak! saving the original one for later) 2020-09-05 01:19 (UTC)
plasticasshole: (◎ i'm at the back of the club)

cries because that icon above is now so inappropriate lmao

[personal profile] plasticasshole 2020-09-05 02:12 am (UTC)(link)
[Connor is very curious now, but he doesn't want to push Falco too hard. So instead of pressing for more answers, he dials it back.]

I see. I'm sorry to hear about Colt. If you ever want to talk about it, I can always lend an ear.

[He's reminded vaguely of Cole, Hank's son, but it isn't his place to bring that up even if Hank isn't here.]
plasticasshole: (◎ 'cause i'm not like these people)

hell yeah

[personal profile] plasticasshole 2020-09-05 02:19 am (UTC)(link)
[Breaking free... Connor can't help but gravitate towards that. Even if breaking free didn't mean much for Stefano. He looks down at the hand on his chest though, and feels a pang of fear at the thought of that kind of death.]

That sounds awful.

[Both being trapped in the virtual world, and the "death".]

You don't think... this is a similar situation, do you?

[He's not sure how it would have happened, but there has to be some kind of explanation for this, right?]
plasticasshole: (◎ i'm feeling immortal)

[personal profile] plasticasshole 2020-09-05 02:24 am (UTC)(link)
BBQ?

[Well, okay... that seems like it would be easy enough to do.]

I've never cooked before, and I wasn't built for such a task. However, I'm a very quick learner.

[Though the idea of having a barbeque here is... kind of ludicrous, honestly. Shouldn't they be trying to leave?]
nowi_wins: (Jackie Paper came no more)

Nowi | Fire Emblem Awakening

[personal profile] nowi_wins 2020-09-05 02:25 am (UTC)(link)
Ashes, Ashes

[The brave, the bold, the few.... the excitable dragon who totally thought this was snow at first glance and tried to catch some on her tongue.]

Ugh! It's ash! Pteh! Pteh!

[She is so disappointed. Just when she thought there was going to be all kinds of winter fun to be had. Boo... But before she settles in to full on pouting, Nowi gives a hopeful glance at whoever happens to be nearby.]

Hey... do you think we could still have snowball fights with ash?


The Heart game

[Nowi likes games but this seems sort of... sad. Well... maybe it'll get better as she plays..]

Being alone. Okay, your turn!

[And she waits expectantly.]
plasticasshole: (◎ and they checked my pulse)

[personal profile] plasticasshole 2020-09-05 02:26 am (UTC)(link)
I wonder what they were going through before they arrived here, then.

[Is this place better or worse for them? It's hard to say... Connor hasn't seen enough of it to get a grasp on how dangerous it is.]
ragsnbone: (aho yeah)

hearts game

[personal profile] ragsnbone 2020-09-05 02:35 am (UTC)(link)
but i already answers this
don't want to repeat myself
how about..... what's your favorite food
syntech: (♫Your whole life through)

Heart Game

[personal profile] syntech 2020-09-05 02:36 am (UTC)(link)
I don't know if you'll get a response from the people actually asking this.

[But hey, he's feeling pretty generous.]

But, in fairness: Causing pain through negligence.
binghua: (2)

Ashes

[personal profile] binghua 2020-09-05 02:39 am (UTC)(link)
[And her nearest companion happens to be a tall and handsome man with a sword on his back and a cloth wrapped over his eyes. It's fine, don't worry about it.]

I don't think ash packs the same as snow. I can't imagine it would feel much more pleasant, either.

[The noises she made earlier make Xingchen tilt his head, though.]

You didn't swallow any of it, did you?
plasticasshole: (◎ we are the ammunition)

ashes

[personal profile] plasticasshole 2020-09-05 02:40 am (UTC)(link)
I don't think so.

[Connor looks around to eye their surroundings nervously.]

I think we may have bigger problems than that, though.

[He takes her gently by the arm.]

I have a bad feeling about this. Let's leave.
nowi_wins: (Painted wings and giant's rings)

Re: hearts game

[personal profile] nowi_wins 2020-09-05 02:46 am (UTC)(link)
Oohh that one's way better!
I like all kinds of food though.
Do I have to pick just one?


littlesundog: (wat)

[personal profile] littlesundog 2020-09-05 02:50 am (UTC)(link)
PEOPLE WHO ARE TIRED OF ARROWS

???????????????