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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!
no subject
She found herself wanting to fidget out of nervousness. Leanne was still scared of them... Of humans but right now, all the death surrounding her was scarier than the human before her.
A small and light breath leaves her when he finally speaks and answers her question. "Thank you... My lord." She felt a little guilty for waking him if he was sleeping. But then, he goes to ask her what language she can read and she goes to blush and fidgets even more.
".... I can't... I don't know...." She just whispers as this was a huge blow against her pride. To admit that she doesn't know how to read.
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"You don't have to call me that. I'm pretty much nobody." He hadn't been sleeping, by any means - but he also doesn't have a clue where her worries lie. Thank the Heavens he's sitting down, though, because Donar is nearing seven feet tall. Her blush and fidgeting, on the other hand, earns more of his attention. Did he make her nervous? Well, he'd just... try to keep on her level, then. "... That's alright. I'll help you."
That statement is a little more warmly given, and he reaches out - very slowly, such that she could back away with plenty of time to spare - to pat her gently on the head. "Do you want to answer it honestly, with what your scariest experience is? I can write whatever you want to say." It'll require a bit of trust, but... well, it'll stop the noise for her.
no subject
She goes to shake her head when he calls himself a nobody. "You are not a nobody. You are alive and because of that, you are not a nobody." Oh goddess yes, it was a good thing that he was sitting down as he would easily tower over her.
His statement, there was so much warmth in it that she felt a little guilty for being so fearful of him, because of his race. She goes to reward him by standing still for him to give her head a gentle pat. Though when the first pat came, she froze completely for a brief few moments. Contact... Physical contact from another living being, when was the last time she received it?
That warmth from the contact and the warmth of his offering to help causes her to nod her head. "I have a feeling that if I lie... it will find out. Plus, I would fail them if I told a lie."
She goes to close her eyes and let out a slow breath, trying to screw in her composure so she can tell at least a brief account of what happened.
"The scariest experience, it was meeting your race and kind for the first time. The looks of joy on their faces as the killed and slaughtered not only my family but also my people when I was weaned off of my mother. They set fire to everything, everything that had a life in it."
That... That was enough. That should be enough detail to satisfy the person who was asking that sick question.
no subject
He was, in essence, a warm person. Physically and mentally, and his temper... well. Easily, it's not likely to be turned on her, but it'll be a notable fact in general. He tries to keep it in check, but he's... it's a long story.
"You're probably right, but it might not force truth." It's all he offers before she starts her story. Admittedly, it's difficult to listen to - though his memory holds no joy in his destruction, it doesn't change the fact that he's seen it in person. Over and over... that he knows exactly what explosive, fire-laden power lies in the hearts of men.
The heat of anger flares before it's tamped down, hard, His expression is closed and tight, and he types the words almost automatically before he can allow his anger to get the best of him. Someone would be... disappointed in him if he gave in to it that easily after all this time. Right?
The words he comes forward with for her are thus: The scariest experience for me was watching humans slaughter and take whatever they pleased, leaving nothing left alive. It should work. It's close enough to give the story without being too raw, perhaps for her sake. "We can be an awful sort. I'm sorry that you dealt with that." His cool tone is back - but it won't be hard for her, after all that, to judge it for what it is. Beneath it lies the tumult of someone struggling to control his own emotions.
Large fingers hold the phone out, and he chews on a thought for a long moment. "... I don't know if I'd be any good at it, but I can help you learn to read, if you want. Phones - these things - are very useful." Never mind that they're in some insane horror-show of a world. He's never cared about how hard things are for him, only for others.
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She can sense the hidden flares within his warmth. No, she isn't strong enough yet to read him. For now, she will just bask in his warmth.
"With what is happening so far in this strange place... Do we really want to risk it? Especially if it decides to punish you as well for my lie." And no, she can't have someone else get hurt because of selfishness... But most importantly, because of her.
Emerald eyes watches as he goes to type something into the strange device, but not just that... But also the sudden heat coming out of him, intermingling with his warmth. What? Just what was that?
But soon, that heat dims into a quiet simmer and his normal warmth comes back. A small timid hand reaches out to try and cup his face in it. It was small compared to his large size.
"It is okay... I have already forgiven your race and kind for it. I have already forgiven." She coos out in the most soft and gentle tone she could muster. "All has already been forgiven."
She then removes the hand from his face in order to take her phone back, smiling softly. "Thank you, my lord." But then, her wings perked up. "Really? But, I do not wish for this one to become a burden on you. And... Please, do not let anyone else know of this?"
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"If I were to be punished protecting someone, then I would have no complaints." He inclines his head briefly, seemingly to solidify that being fact. "It's always been my place. And-" And his words are cut off then, as such a small, gentle hand comes to rest on his face. He has no complaints, and doesn't recoil in the least at the touch. In fact, he seems almost to lean into it, just a touch.
"... It isn't forgiveness I'm looking for, with that apology. And... just call me Donar. 'My lord' is far too formal." He rubs his cheek in some measure of self-consciousness when she takes the phone back, shoulders shrugging absently. "It's not a burden to help others. I'm usually not good for much more than protection, and I don't... ah. Really know anyone. Speaking of, what should I call you...?" He can't help but shrug, shifting his weight slightly. Maybe he'll deal with his own phone sooner or later. "It'll be our secret."
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She goes to listen to him and she can sense that his words were truth. "Even if it was your place... Please, not for this one." She doesn't want more blood on her hands from being protected. She notices him leaning into her touch, even such a tiny amount. He... He seemed to be the same as her in that aspect. She will have to remember to give him that touch again.
"My lord Donar?" She goes to repeat before letting out a small sigh. "I can try to call you just Donar." She listens to him and shakes her head. "But you know how to use this strange device and can read while this one cannot. You seem to find ways to ignore the device as well." She smiles at the promise of keeping it a secret. "Thank you... I am known as Leanne, the 8th child of Lozerneth of Serenes."
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"I'm historically bad at keeping promises like it... but I will try." He won't talk of his durability, of his background, his... everything else. He even manages a little crooked smile at her agreement to try. "We will work together, it seems. And... admittedly, it is less annoying than..." How to put this... "... some of the deities I was around, at home." At least the phone isn't making marriage proposals. To literally everyone. "I will probably answer it soon enough." Will he be honest? That's harder to say.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, miss Leanne. I know naught of whence you come, but I am happy to assist in whatever way I can." There's nothing but honesty in that, and he shifts in his seat to bow forward - he still thinks it better, perhaps, than standing up just yet. "And, to be truthful - I know how these work because they're plentiful where I come from. There's no shame in not understanding something you've never seen before."
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Though when he mentions that deities are annoying, she goes to tilt her head. "Yes, it seems that way. But if I am starting to be annoying, please do not feel like you have to be around me." She goes to let out a sigh and moves to place her hand to cup his face in it.
"And it is a pleasure and honor to meet you as well Donar. I will try my best to aid you as well. So that this one will be of use to you as well." She lets out a soft chuckle at his words, still blushing a little from embarrassment. "Where I am from... We do not have such a curious thing."
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He has many other things he thinks, words he could say, but his attention is caught by her words, confusion furrowing his brows. "Why would I find you annoying? I can hardly conceive a reason for that." Her hand receives much the same, tiny reaction - the subtle shift of someone starved for touch and who doesn't seek it.
He inhales deeply and slowly as he considers her words, lips curling a little wryly upward. "You don't have to do anything to deserve aid. Having someone to talk to has its own merit, too." Besides, he neither deserved nor needed aid, if one asked him. When she explains further, he only nods. "There are whole countries that don't have anything like this where I'm from. So it's nothing you need to be embarrassed over, really." That wouldn't fix the embarrassment, but it might mute it later on. He could hope. "And--" he pauses, finally deigning to pull out his own phone and address the persistent beeping, entering his answer quickly before flicking back to the main page and setting the screen to sleep. "And there are hundreds of written languages, too. Even I only know two, and pieces of a third."
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She blinks at his questions before letting out a small sigh. "For now, I do not know. But in case in the future if such a thing happens, please." She continues to coo and goes to just caress his cheek with her thumb, her hand remaining on his face, giving him the touch he has been starving for.
Was... Was that a smile? She thinks it is and just goes to smile back at him. "Even if you say so, I still want to help and aid you." She listens to his attempt and does feel better about not knowing how to use a smart phone... Or a phone in general. She knew what he was doing and appreciated the gesture he was giving her. When that annoying beeping came back, but this time from his phone, she removes her hand and takes a step back to give him space to answer it. "In my world... There was only two languages. Common and Ancient or Old Laguz."
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He is... conflicted, in these moments. Listening to her, allowing her to accept him as someone kind - even if he is kind, he should be warning her about the dangers of someone like him - it's all something he feels like he's doing wrong. It's not something he'll bring up, though, because... that's just not what he does, honestly. "Then if there is an issue, I will bring it up at that time." He'll try, anyway. He's historically not great at that, either.
And, perhaps predictably, there's no movement to shoo her away, and his wry little smile broadens just a little. "If I find something I feel I need help with, I will do my best to ask." It's a feeling he can understand, after all. As a protector, he himself often feels antsy and ill at ease when he has no one to help. It shows in how readily he finds things to offer commonality for, in how quick he is to help her and also shove away his own problems. "That sounds... rather uncomplicated." He admits, blinking up at Leanne. "For us-- well, humans have many countries, and many of those have their own languages. I won't bore you with trying to recall a long list of them, but nevertheless. A large portion of us only know how to speak and read one language themselves." Now, it's just sort of giving information - painting a picture of where he came from. "I'm fairly sure that youkai or other spirits have their own languages as well, but," he waves a hand dismissively, shrugging, "I hadn't had the opportunity to interact with many. Old Laguz is definitely not something I've heard of - and I think the only time I've heard 'Common' as a tongue was in some old..." What did you call tabletop books to someone who wouldn't know what they were...? "instruction booklets? For people who wanted to play imaginary games, usually."
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Conflict, she could sense it within her new friend. Like he was hiding something but it was not in her place to pry. Just accept him for who he is and the kindness and warmth he was showing and giving her. She felt a little selfish for burdening him with so much already. "I shall do my best not to be annoying to you." She coos softly towards him.
There is that smile. It is getting wider and that was good. "Good, my clan, we were a clan of healers. I can at least keep you well here." She feels at peace and her wings begin to glow a little from the peace and also a small amount of happiness. She leans over to try and give him a small and light kiss on the forehead. "It sounds like your world is very complicated. Youkai? Are they like me?" She was a little curious and huh, imaginary games? With devices like a phone... She guesses it wouldn't be too far fetch that such a thing would be true in his world.
Oh. 1/2... I don't even have the right icon uploaded, rip, we do this the old-fashioned way
Conflict will be a common thing to feel, with him, if they spend much time around one another. As to burdens? He would say she's added none, really. "So long as you are yourself, I am content." That will be the best way for her not to be 'annoying', after all.
And he is, if nothing else, perceptive. The shift, however subtle it might be, as her wings glow... he can't be certain without asking, but he can guess. After all, the entire conversation has ended with him just a little bit more calm and comfortable, hasn't it? She is a strange creature, to be certain. "... A healer..." He can't help but laugh. "I may be the one annoying you, in the end. I am not good at taking care of my injuries." And by "not good" he actually means "what do you mean, I should probably seek medical care when I have literal holes in my body? They heal up fine eventually." He's stopped, though, by her leaning forward to kiss his forehead.
Actually, he stops altogether at that, for... for an embarrassingly long time. She just??? ????? What???? Why would she see fit to?? Sorry, Leanne, you broke him for a bit there. Touch-starved might have been a slight understatement. Just a little.
2/2 /jazzhands
LE GASP!
A part of her still fears him but yet... It was so much easier to relax in his presence now. She blinks at his laughter and then gains a playful expression on her own face. "Well then, I better keep an eye out for you. It wouldn't do my any good to have you always hurting."
But then his reaction to her kiss and she blinks in surprise. What? It was just a kiss to the forehead. She was tempted to bring it up but decided to focus on his explanation. "I see... So they are nothing like we Laguz." A small breath. "My race, we were created because the goddess Ashera became lonely. We became her pets, we have changed since our first creation and split into many clans. My clan, we were task in watching over the dark goddess who was imprisoned in our kingdom, as well as watching over our world to make sure that all life within is protected as well as the balance of the world."
This is so pure it's making my teeth rot
And there is relief in her moving past his complete shock, allowing Donar to nod and tap his cheek as he listens.
"In Japan - the country where I was before... wherever this is - the closest they would have had were retainers to the Gods, I think." He offers it almost absently, and... though there is a spike of something - frustration, perhaps - at her speaking of herself as a pet, he can still quell it easily enough. "It sounds like you had a great and terrible job, your whole clan. And... if it isn't too large an offense, it sounds like you're not so dissimilar from humans, in that we were thought to have been created as an... experiment, of sorts. That depends on which mythos you follow... and it's probably considerably different." On this, he wavers considerably, unsure if it's the right thing to say. Their worlds are obviously terribly different, but still... For how cold he can appear, he clearly cares about his words and actions quite a lot.
The purity is so blinding.
Leanne listens as he explains his world a little bit more and she shakes her head. "No, it isn't offensive. Beorcs, our term for your race, they were created by the dark goddess, Yue. Experiment? I fear that I don't fully understand that word... Is it the same as pets?" She pauses for a moment before shaking her head. "No, it doesn't sound nearly as nice as pets. At least, being Ashera's pet. She especially loved we Herons the most I believe. She gifted us with her songs and magic so our magic is nearly akin to her own."
She can sense how he was picking and choosing his words and actions. A more rewarding gesture should be given to him as now she just goes to brush a still glowing wing across one of his cheeks, gently. A brief touch but one hopefully that isn't unwanted.
It really is. Squishes them both
"It's... hm." This, at least, is less being choosy with words and more being unsure what words will even make sense to her. "If you ask some of the religions, humans were born of a God who wanted to understand what would happen if you created something with free will." So no, not really as nice as pets, and they weren't given anything in particular... though with his lifestyle and the lifestyle of all Awakened, it's hard to say what would be truth. Plus, he's actually met Gods. The idea that a single one created them all... well, it feels unlikely. "It's... a strange thing."
Her wing touching his cheek is better received than the kiss, perhaps amusingly, though he still clearly doesn't really know what to do with it. He can't figure out the why, either, but it keeps him content enough. A hand even reaches up to brush along her wing gently, curious enough that he can't just let it be completely. He'll just hope that she doesn't mind.
All of the squishing!
She goes to give him her full attention as he explains further about his world and the gods there. "I... I see.... I can see why you have explained it in those words." She thinks she understands. But it was easy to put two and two together.
Yes good, it seems like touch his face with her hands and wings seem to be the best way to touch him. It was something she is getting used to as well. She smiles as he goes to carefully touch her feathers. He would find them soft to touch as well as warm thanks to the small glow. She doesn't mind it if he were to judge by her smile, they were bonding.
no subject
"When you get down to it, Earth is... confusing." He'll spare her the gory details of the myriad wars and the sadness that comes with them, let alone most anything else. It's not a topic for the here and now, not when they have bigger questions to answer.
Which is a fact that really should bring him back to wondering how she's dealing with this... but he's actually still caught in the veil of her gentle comfort, bonding without so much as thinking twice. It's probably better for that, because he's got a bad habit of withdrawing when he thinks he's getting too close to someone. And in this situation? Any closeness is probably too close.
"..." He inhales softly after a time, head shaking. "I can't see what would drive someone to harm such gentle creatures." He's never understood what drives someone to that place. Probably never will.
no subject
"Earth? Is that the name of your world?" She coos and can pick up that he was hiding things from her. Perhaps at a later time they can talk about it.
A hand timidly goes to pet his hair in a comforting manner as she coos. How she dealt with it? She had no choice but to, to try to live up to the expectations of the dead. Her life doesn't belong to her, it belonged to the dead in her mind. This bond, she was starved to have a bond like this again.
She was content in the gentle silence, freed from the beeping. At his words, she gained a sadden look on her face. "I... I do not know... I want to know. Want to know why myself? What have we done to deserve such a gorey execution."
no subject
"... If Beorcs are anything like humans, you needn't have done anything." He's allowed the touches without the slightest balk, wondering at her noises - acknowledging that perhaps her nature as a Heron has something to do with it. That... isn't so bad, either way. "Some humans will find any reason to cause pain, and it doesn't matter at all what they cause pain to."
That's not a comforting thought, and he knows it. It's why he and his ilk are so necessary, or so he's been told... at least, those who are better at controlling themselves are assuredly necessary. "That's why we have those of us who are... awakened to abilities, to protect others. Sometimes, that too can be dangerous, but those of us with these abilities usually aren't intentionally violent." He pauses as he speaks there as well, simply unsure which words to use in that case.
no subject
Her hair petting slowly losses it's timidness as he doesn't show any distress or any other signs that the touches were not welcomed. She lets out a slow sigh as he goes to speak again and no... That wasn't a comforting thought. It sadden her to think that her people were killed like that on a whim. That so many had the same whim. Before she could stop it, a few tears slipped and fell from her eyes.
"Beorcs... Beorcs is our respectful term for humans." She nearly whispers as he goes to speak again. "And you are one of those that have awaken powers." It was obvious from how he talked but also how protective he was of her so quickly. She goes to let out a sigh and shakes her head. "Those that have a strong protective nature... Also seems to have a violent streak in them."
no subject
Her reaction prompts a shift of his brows, and they furrow slightly before reaching up, to wipe them away. It's another markedly gentle gesture, and he nods in understanding. Then it's just a terminology difference.
Ah, but... "... It's a lot more complex than that." His head shakes, hand waving. "Not all of us, as protectors, are violent. Most of us are able to fight, but... not all of us are predisposed toward it. Someone who is Awakened is simply awakened to their innate spiritual power. Healers and fighters are the most common types of protectors, but... it's complicated." Humans were... complicated. As to him, he certainly has a violent streak to him - he doubts he need confirm that for her to know he's among those he speaks of.
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