pedalbike | 2nd Event: Choices We Make

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2nd Event: Choices We Make

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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.

C-C-Changes

Thankfully the fog has gone down to what it was before, a slow creeping crawl over the ground. And too, the monsters of before are gone, leaving the town much like it was before. Well...close to what it was before.

For now the season's have changed, from a lingering summer to a cooler fall.

There’s new foods to try, even if some things like lattes cause people to slip into warm boots and tie up their hair, and soups make people curl up under blankets on the couch. And it also means decorations of all sorts, made of the leaves from the forest, orange, yellow and red things and...we can not forget...

Pumpkin overflow

Pumpkins! They're everywhere. Wickies will find pumpkins infused into all sorts of things, like coffee, ice cream, even spaghetti options! It's wild.

There’s also many jack o'lanterns. They have been placed everywhere in town, outside homes, and even small ones have been made into table decorations. The Jack o lanterns have very cheerful faces, and seem to watch Wickies every single move.

That is, until a Wickie bashes or otherwise abuses a pumpkin. That's when it changes- there seem to be more of them. Their expressions change to that of anger, sadness and disgust. None of them attack- yet. But their faces become more and more horrifying, as they follow the Wickie more and more- outside of the bathroom perhaps, or found on top of them as the Wickie wakes up in the middle of the night.

It shouldn't matter right? They're only pumpkins.

What a ride

Funny enough, with the pumpkin invasion, there also comes a dull colored horse wandering about the island. Its head is drooped, and it looks depressed and lonely. The horse is tame on approach and will accept pats and treats, even from those who are obviously not human.

But it also wants something, for all that it seems to be begging for attention. It wants someone to ride them, seems to even be begging for it with its big eyes. The horse will help Wickies to figure out how to mount; it will even stand beside the Town Center benches, rocks, or even go down in order to make it possible for the Wickie to get onto the horse’s back.

That’s when it changes. The Wickie is immediately wrapped in chains from their barrel to the Wickie’s waist. The horse turns a coal black and the Wickie’s clothing changes into that of a soldier's uniform, with a hand either holding a whip modeled after a human spine, or a jack o'lantern.

The Wickie cannot get off the horse on their own, no matter how much they struggle. As the horse moves throughout the town, they will go anywhere from a walk to a full canter, seemingly impervious to any magic or physical attacks. The same cannot be said for their unfortunate rider.

If the rider is hit, or simply in pain, the Wickie will feel an impulse that grows and grows until they scream a name of someone in town, someone they know.

And the named will drop, paralyzed. Paralyzed wickie are likely to die within minutes, more so if they are too close to horse and rider. The horse will happily trample anyone on the ground to death.

Even without the impulse, should the Wickie rider use anyone’s name, that person will drop, paralyzed, and unable to breathe.

There is only one way to possibly save the rider: scatter golden objects in their path. The horse will shriek, and promptly buck the rider off, before running away. Just make sure to catch the rider, or at least cushion their fall: they have no way of saving themselves until they hit the ground.

Heart game: confession

Current residents of the island may remember this particular beeping alert, and how it doesn’t go away, no matter what they do! That is, unless they open up the Heart Game, and answer the question.

Welcome back everyone! It’s so good to see you again! Now let’s play that game, Confession! And the question isssssss…

How do you celebrate the changing seasons! Don't be shy!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

My name is Adora.

[ She fixes him with a determined expression, narrowing her eyes at his teasing look. Now she has something to prove. ]

I can handle it. Go ahead and tell me.

A'ight , if you're sure...

[That's the spirit! What kid didn't like a good ghost story? He strokes his chin, making a show of trying to remember.]

Well, I heard about this from a buddy of mine. His cousin got stuck working late one night and wound up missing the last train. Poor dude had to walk all the way home. Longer he walked, the quieter it got - no cars, no other people, nothing. Just him, and the streetlights for company.

Then suddenly... [He lowers his voice, leaning in slightly towards Adora, but looking past her as if there's someone there.] He felt a tap on his shoulder, just behind him. Even though he hadn't heard anyone else walking.

[ Adora, despite her self-professed bravery, immediately hangs off his every word. It all sounds so true — and she knows what a cousin is, now, so even that part makes sense. There's no way anyone would just... tell lies about this stuff.

She turns to follow his gaze, but tries to act casual about doing it, even as she squints suspiciously into the empty air beside them. ]

A ghost? [ The only thing keeping her from freaking out (more) is the fact he must have survived to tell the tale, which is better than what happens in most of Shadow Weaver's stories. Maybe... maybe it's a nice ghost? Do those exist? ] What did it want with him?

[Oh, Chikai is absolutely loving how into it Adora seems to be. He hasn’t had an audience this good and attentive since his little brother was, like, nine. Those were the days... clearly, for her sake, he had to nail this little re-telling.]

Well, when he turned around to look, he saw a woman was standing behind him, wearing an all-white mask. No expression on it at all. And she asked him, in this soft, muffled voice, “Am I pretty?”

Now, the guy was pretty freaked out by all of this. Who wouldn’t be? But he still says, “Yeah, of course.” He was real polite like that. So she lets out a sigh, and then takes off her mask... and her mouth is way too wide and jagged, like someone carved up the sides of it, and her eyes are just these empty, staring black holes.

[With a smirk and burst of inspiration, he nods his heads towards a very sinister-looking pumpkin snarling nearby.] Looked an awful lot like a jack-o-lantern, as a matter of fact. And she asked again, [Then he lowers his voice into a raspy kind of growl.] “Am I still pretty?”

[ This is way, way more detailed than anything she's heard before. Shadow Weaver was the type to say a few lines, make a few threats, then let their childish imaginations do the rest of the work. Of course, that's probably why the rest of the kids stopped believing her stories before they were even teenagers... but not Adora. Adora took everything she said at face value, and she's doing the same now; noticeably flinching when he rasps out the question. ]

I don't like it. [ She manages to squeak after a moment. ] Wow. I bet Shadow Weaver would call her The Masked Princess. She'd stalk the Whispering Woods, tricking people into answering her question, and then...

[ She shudders. ]

But he got away, right? [ Now she's actually having doubts. ] I mean, he told your friend what happened. He must have.

[Like all good ghost stories, Chikai knows a few different endings he could share. He toys briefly with going all out and giving her the most gruesome one, but... what the hell, she’s been a good listener and he's had his fun. No harm in going a little easy on her.]

Well, like I said, this guy was super polite. Even though he was scared outta his mind, he still managed to answer her, “Yes!” before he finally bolted off. That musta been what she wanted to hear, ‘cause she didn’t go chasing him or anything, and he got home safe and sound.

But y’know, when he went and told my buddy about it, he knew it had to be true. ‘Cause his cousin had these jagged marks on his cheeks for like, a week afterwards. Just like the ghost’s.

[He taps his own cheek for emphasis, letting the idea linger for a second, before straightening back up with a grin.] So! Moral of the story, kiddo: ghosts are totally weak to flattery.

[ What a ride. Adora lets out the breath she's been holding for the past thirty seconds as she waited to hear his fate, trying (and failing) to be subtle about it. ]

So... don't insult the creepy ghost lady. Got it.

[ Even if she already failed the test by calling her creepy. She looks around one more time, but not seeing any suspicious mask-clad women anywhere, finally manages to relax a little. ]

I'm glad your friend's cousin was okay. Usually, those kinds of stories end pretty badly. [ She shrugs. ] I mean, the last person who messed with the Screaming Princess ended up going insane, because all they could hear were her screams. Every day, for the rest of their life. That's way worse than a couple of scratches.

[Man, she really bought it hook, line, and sinker, huh? He'd expected a little more skepticism - either he's just that convincing a storyteller, or she's too honest for her own good.]

Oh, for sure, for sure. That'd be a way bigger pain. [He smiles and nods indulgently, like he's talking to a little kid.] Can't imagine what a princess would have to scream so much about, though, living in the lap of luxury like they do.

[ The thing is, he's not wrong. Adora might know, now, that the Princesses aren't some grand oppressors of the planet, but compared to life back in the Horde, luxury doesn't even begin to describe what she has in Bright Moon. (Like, does her room really need a waterfall in it? Or all those crystals? They don't even do anything.)

She frowns in thought. ]

I guess it's hard being a ghost. Maybe screaming is the only way anyone can hear her? [ Oh. ] Wow, that's... actually kind of depressing.

Eh, maybe. But she’s sure not gonna get any decent conversations outta anyone by driving ‘em crazy.

[Not that Chikai buys for even a second that this ghost is real - however weird this island is, he’s sure it’s an exception. His own world hadn’t had anything magic about it, so why would any other? But it’s fun enough to play along.]

Hey, there’s an idea. If you ever run into her, try throwing a pen and paper at her. Maybe taking up letter writing will get her to chill out a little.

[ She nods, mentally making a note of his suggestion. ]

I'll try that. [ Said in all seriousness. ] But what about the Handless Princess? Or the Blind Princess?

See, this is why ghosts are a problem. You can't just fight them off with a sword. ... At least, I don't think you can. I've never actually seen one before, but Shadow Weaver made it sound like they were pretty tough. [ Pause. ] But I can handle it. I think.

Guess you'll just have to meet one and find out~

[Though, now that he thinks about it, something bugs him about the names she keeps dropping.] ...So why are all the ghosts you've heard about princesses, anyway? Just how many of those do you even have where you're from?

Actually, there aren't that many. Being a princess is a big deal on Etheria. As far as I know, there's only fourteen, and only five of those have kingdoms. I'm still figuring out the differences there.

[ A pause, and her eyebrows knit together. ]

... Huh. You know, it is weird that all the ghosts Shadow Weaver told me about were princesses. And nobody else ever mentioned them, either. [ . . . ] I can't believe I'm only realizing this now. Maybe she just... made them up?

Whaaat? No way, you think?

[He doesn't even bother trying to feign his shock convincingly, already grinning a bit as Adora has her revelation.]

Is Shadow Weaver an older kid or something? They can get pretty nasty with their jokes.

[The name sure sounded like something an edgy teen would come up with - and he'd know, having been one himself. It was pretty easy to imagine she was some kinda upperclassman messing with Adora.]

[ She frowns, not so stupid that she can't tell when she's being made fun of. ]

No, she... she raised me. She taught me how to read and write, how to formulate strategies, and the best way to defeat our enemies.

... She's also a really bad person. I used to think she was looking out for me, but she only ever looked out for herself. And she didn't joke, either; just threatened us a lot. That's why I thought the ghost stuff was all real.

[Her admission is more serious than he expected - not quite enough to make him regret messing with her the way he's been, but it does give him pause.]

Well, bad people are the ones who survive in this world. [He mutters it with less conviction than he used to, almost begrudgingly. Then he sighs.]

Sorry to hear that, kid, she sounds like a piece of work. But giving the shit she's told you some good ol' skepticism's probably a good idea.

I can see that. [ Inwardly, Adora admonishes herself for not realizing sooner. Sure, a few ghost stories don't matter in the scheme of things, but she still instinctively believed them. She thought Shadow Weaver didn't control her anymore, but is that really true? ] It's just... hard, sometimes. I know she's evil, but she was my... [ mom ] ... she was my commanding officer. I trusted her.

[ With everything. With worse things than this, lies she didn't realize until too far late. His cynicism reminds her of Catra, and she wonders if that's just how some people end up; a way of surviving she's always been too privileged to understand. ]

Sorry. I don't even know your name, and I'm being a huge downer. [ She forces herself to smile, and it almost reaches her eyes. ] I'm not usually like this, I promise.

[Yeah, Adora was definitely a good kid alright. Like his brother was. Chikai wondered briefly how Toi might wind up talking about him when he wasn't around, if it'd ever sound like this... and then shoved it right out of his mind. He didn't want to think about it, and it wouldn't do him any good either way.]

Eh, it's fine. Not like it costs me anything to stand around and listen, right?

[He briefly considers giving her a fake name, but would there be any point? The odds of anyone here knowing his reputation were slim at best. May as well not risk slipping up later.] But hey, if it makes you feel less awkward about spilling your life story - the name's Chikai. Nice to meet ya.

No, you're right. But it's still a lot. Like... a lot lot.

[ Bow and Glimmer usually look at her like she has two heads whenever she mentions something about her upbringing, and while she knows they're just being sympathetic, it's not easy feeling as though your entire life was wrong, somehow. She can blame Shadow Weaver for the abuse, but she mostly blames herself for not realizing sooner, especially when it all seems so damn obvious to everyone else.

His name doesn't sound Etherian, but she's used to that by now, and doesn't react in any negative way. She just nods; regretting being a little snappish earlier when she gave her own name. (In the Horde, nicknames were almost always demeaning — and like a lot of other things, she's still training herself out of seeing it as a perceived slight.) ]

Can I ask one more thing? I promise it'll be quick. [ She looks guilty, not used to imposing on other people for her problems. ] If you meet anyone named Bow, or Glimmer, tell them you saw me. They're... they're my best friends, and I don't know if I want them here, because this place could be dangerous. But if they are, it's important that I find them.

Bow and Glimmer? [Names in Etheria sure are wild. If he didn't know better, he'd think she was messing with him.] Sure, if they turn up anywhere I'll clue 'em in. Then in exchange...

[Did he want to ask her to look out for Toi? ...No, his brother wasn't gonna show up here. There was no rational reason for that thought, but he latched onto it firmly anyway.]

You spot any lollipops around here, grab a few for me. Deal?

[ It's even worse when both sets of parents have totally normal names. Like damn, okay; don't typecast your kid or anything. ]

Okay, sure. I can do that.

[ Adora nods, and considers leaving it at that... but if she's promising to do something, she needs to know what to actually look out for. So, as much as she prefers trying to figure things out on her own (she knows there are a lot of things she doesn't understand yet, and she's trying really hard), she bites the bullet on this one. ]

What's a lollipop? It, uh... kinda sounds like it explodes? [ The whole pop part. ] Not that I'm judging! Explosives can be a useful tool for military operations. ... Is that what you need them for?

[For a moment, Chikai just blinked at her confusion... and then bursts out into a short but loud laugh. He can’t help it, she’s just so earnest about asking, and the mental image of exploding lollipops is too ridiculous. Though it would be a handy way to get some surprise headshots in.]

Nah, dude, it’s candy. Hard candy on a stick, usually ‘bout this big. [He holds his fingers four or five inches apart to demonstrate, as he gets his snickers under control.] You really never heard of ‘em before?

Oh. Ohhhh. [ A pause. ] Nope, doesn't ring a bell.

But I can work with that description. [ With military efficiency, she rattles off the arrangement. ] So, how many do you need? Five, ten...? Ten sounds like a good amount. Glad we could make this exchange work for the both of us.

Yeah, sure, that sounds like a decent enough number. But are you sure you'll be able to find 'em okay? Or do you need me to explain what candy is too?

[He says it like he's teasing - and he mostly is - but there's a tiny part of him that's honestly wondering, and an even tinier part that's almost concerned about it. From how she talks, this Shadow Weaver chick doesn't seem to have given the kid a whole lot of fun growing up.]

[ Confidently: ] No, I'm good at tracking things down. I've had training.

[ Of the finding people kind, not lollipops, but she figures it'll carry over. (It won't.) ]

I know what candy is. It tastes better than ration bars, but the nutritional value is low, so you shouldn't eat too much of it. [ Adora nods, proud that the knowledge stuck. She spent eighteen years eating two varieties of the same thing, over and over, so the idea of different food took some getting used to. ] ... Sorry, you probably knew that already. Just, uh, making sure you know that I know. Because I do.

[ Nailed it. ]

2nd Event: Choices We Make

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