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pedalbike2020-08-29 10:30 am
upcyclingmod) wrote in pedalbike2020-08-29 10:30 am
Entry tags:
First TDM: Sterile Blues
Welcome to the Test Drive Meme.
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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.
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.
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.
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!
I
[How odd. Well-all of this was odd, from walking through a random door, to watching some random person wearing odd clothes playing with rocks and flowers.
But it might explain the activity in the first place. Carefully, Caren squatted, trying to get to his level. (She was likely shorter then Ferdinand, but still).]
I don't see any particulates but please. What seems to be the problem?
[At least she knew enough medical things to offer an opinion.]
no subject
Well, you may not believe this, as I am not so sure that I believe it myself... but I cannot seem to see any other color than blue. It is all I see.
[ He feels fine otherwise, which is what makes it so confusing, though there is an underlying fear that he's been poisoned. Is this just a preliminary effect before he actually starts dying? The thought makes the crease in his brows deepen, but he keeps looking about his surroundings regardless. ]
It is the strangest thing! However, as I am not from these parts, I know not whether this is some sort of prank or common spell from this region. If you could enlighten me, I would be grateful.
[ ... this person must be from around here, right? Naturally, he assumes most of the people around in curious looking clothes and speaking in such different ways must be natives to this place. ]
no subject
More important was hearing Ferdinand's plight. Which was...enough for her to lean back for a moment, startled, before settling back into a more normal sitting position.]
I'm no mage, but sometimes the simplest answers can be the right ones, and do not need a magic cure.
[That may be a clue.]
If you're not usually colorblind or color deficient...would you mind telling me how it started?
no subject
There was the strangest whisper in my ear when I was standing inside there, searching for an authority figure of some sort, [ He gestures to the clinic which is not at all too far away. ] Then it all happened at once, if you can imagine. This is why I am inclined to believe it may be some sort of magic rather than a medical problem.
[ Perhaps what he heard had been an incantation? Very puzzling. ]
no subject
[She took a few more moments to stare at his eyes, his face, before nodding, and pushing herself up and onto her feet properly.]
But the words were likely the start of the spell. And while it may not be wise...your solution may be inside. It seems the most logical thing, if that's where it started.
[She shrugged, her gaze moving to the medical building. It didn't seem sinister- just a normal building.
Guess nothing was what it seemed.]
I can go with you, if you'd like.
no subject
[ Still kneeling, he gives a little half bow, the picture of polite nobility. He feels badly that he's already bothering someone with his strange issues, afterall, and he doesn't want to interrupt her day further! Ferdinand gives a genuine smile, despite still looking distantly confused over his predicament, and moves to rise to his feet. ]
Unless you are also in search of answers, as I am, as a foreigner to this place. In that case, I would be happy to accompany you.
no subject
[She's not used to such noble gestures, not geared towards her. It shows in the small pause, the startled look in her eyes before she moves on.]
I'm also in search of answers, and perhaps if it's both of us inside, we can be of help to each other.
Shall we?