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upcyclingmod ([personal profile] upcyclingmod) wrote in [community profile] pedalbike2020-10-16 08:19 pm
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Third TDM: Don't Turn Around


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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.


Braving the Trail

A new trail has opened up in the woods today! Funny, that there’s never been a real path before, but this one promises a spectacular view for all Wickies who brave it.

However, the view has to be earned with one stipulation: until the Wickie reaches the trail’s end, they are forbidden to turn around. At all. There’s no mention of what may happen if the Wickie does glance back, but the scripted text on the sign marking the trail hints that the consequences just might be dire.

The hike itself is fairly easy. It even feels peaceful with the sounds of bird calls echoing in the distance. But for Wickies who are known for past procrastination, the walk will prove to be difficult. These individuals will experience an itching urge to turn around and leave the trail, and the itch worsens with every pause of their footsteps.

If a Wickie does turn around, they will find themselves staring up at a blank masked figure, slightly taller than themselves. And as wisps of fog cover the packed-dirt path, the figure hisses out a sigh, their voice barely audible as they issue their reprimand:

“I’m disappointed.”

Why, it’s not clear at all.

But with those words, the Wickie will find their body locked into place, unable to scream as their limbs become paralyzed, their eyes remaining fixed upon the masked figure. Somehow, the figure moves without walking, inching closer and closer until their mask and the Wickie’s face are close enough to touch.

The only way to become unlocked from this position is to have someone come and cover the Wickie’s eyes before leading them back to the trail’s start, somehow breaking their vision of the masked figure, or by speaking of a past regret outloud.

Otherwise, the Wickie has a good chance of dying from exposure.


Currently residing

It’s been nearly three months since the first arrivals started off on the island. It’s had its ups and downs, but with the previous quiet month, it’s been easy to relax in the cottages and houses, and even feel safe.

But not everything stays as it should. Whether a Wickie is just scoping the houses out, or returning to sleep in one of those comfy beds during the night, they will find that things are just a little..off. It’s as if someone has moved everything just a little, by no more than an inch or two. Sometimes, it even looks as if someone hurried away from the middle of a task. For example, mugs left in the sink will be washed; unslept in beds have been stripped, and their sheets are found in the laundry.

It’s only after sitting down with a fellow Wickie, that what’s going on will slowly become apparent.

People, looking more like blue tinted holographic designs, appear within the house. Slowly they become more visible, going through the motions of daily life. People with their significant others, children playing, even pets can be seen, playing with their owners or doing things that pets do.

These residentials don’t seem to notice the newcomers in their surroundings. But they do notice objects are moved, particularly if it’s furnishings. They frown, confused, before talking to one another and seeing the items returned to where they believe it should be. And curious too, that while the residentials appear to speak to one another, there’s not a sound that’s uttered when their mouths move.

It’s not possible to interact with them, unless the Wickie has the spiritual power to speak with spirits. Even then they’re quite confused, and do not believe themselves dead- it’s as if they think the Wickie is the ghost instead.

It is possible to deter the residentials manifesting by lighting a candlek. Upon the candle being lit, they recoil, some of them violently, and with great upset, before fading.

But they weren’t causing any harm.

Are they?


It Arrives

The pumpkins have vanished (finally!) there’s no more costumes in the various drawers in town; the apple bobbing is done, and there’s no more bonfires. Pity that means the food is gone too.

But something else has arrived. Something...small, white, and with webbed feet.

You’ll know it by its sound. It’s unknown what has brought this particular goose to the island; it might have been a laden desire, or it had flown here over miles. Or who knows, maybe the Admin has set this goose out as some kind of petty revenge.

All that is known as that this goose likes to wreak havoc. It likes going into the flower and vegetable gardens, looking for seeds, vegetables, and flowers to pull up; it likes to grab keys and toss them just out of reach.

It’s also clever enough that it figured out how to get into Fruits Basket, into homes, and even...sometimes...onto roofs.

Thankfully, while the goose likes to startle people, its mischief is rather harmless, and even, at times, enjoyable to watch. Just be sure not to leave anything electrical it can throw into a body of water by accident- or any bells it can keep in its temporary home by the woods.

For those who are curious, yes it will accept all sorts of snacks, and it is a wild, ordinary goose. (So yes, it is as harmless as a normal goose and yes it is edible).


Confession network

Yet again, the phone goes off. Doesn’t look like it’s anybody in town, but it’s that weird, cheesy app called The Heart Game. And it’s persistent, too: it doesn’t want to be ignored, making a series of beeps and chirps, much like a pet that wants attention.

The message that pops up is as follows:

We’re back! It’s the time for everyone's favorite game- Confession! So beloved users, our question is:

If you could go anywhere in the world, where would it be? Why? Tell us everything!
kuroi_taiyo: (135)

[personal profile] kuroi_taiyo 2020-10-18 04:31 am (UTC)(link)
It happening in the first place means there's always a chance of getting pulled to more worlds that pull people from outside itself.

[ But those questions have Judar staring at Connor, considering. He's not good at lying, doing worlds better with omitting truths or being technical with his words. Yet it's not really fair to say how much he knew, or why he stared at the android like someone familiar to him.

Maybe it's better being obtuse. ]


I remember the last, but I might not with the next. People could be here, but have also been other worlds without knowing it.
bindsthedead: (Art-Notice; Almost a smile)

[personal profile] bindsthedead 2020-10-18 04:32 am (UTC)(link)
A Charter mage, yes. [Among other things, which weren't relevant right now.]

Dreams can be frightening sometimes. And I don't think dreams are ever completely ordinary. [Although this seems far too coherent to be a dream, from what Sabriel can remember of her own. And in dreams, she never thought this doesn't make sense, while here, it's been a reoccurring thought.]
kuroi_taiyo: (79)

[personal profile] kuroi_taiyo 2020-10-18 04:35 am (UTC)(link)
[ Oh. Shit.

He's got an idea of what's on the way, though. He'll just back away... and up. Just enough out of reach, as long as Sokie's on the ground. Well, more importantly, keeping his hair out of reach. ]


If you remember me, you'd know there's no fucking way I'm doing that.
plasticasshole: (◎ there's a surge in my psychosis)

[personal profile] plasticasshole 2020-10-18 04:35 am (UTC)(link)
[Nodding, Connor studies Judar properly.]

I wonder if I've been to other worlds before, then.

[If he has, he doesn't remember. That bothers him a little... he could have had an entire life somewhere, and not remember any of it.]
softwarelacunae: (♪I can't recall how it all began)

[personal profile] softwarelacunae 2020-10-18 04:36 am (UTC)(link)
[He's a mobile little bastard, honestly. Really, he explored as much of the island as he thought was possible. He also didn't take in too much of the details, since he was... just... looking for Pieces.]

It is a pleasure to meet you, Connor. I will set your designation.

[Ah. There, his mouth shifts, pursing slightly.]

I am not an owned model, and therefore do not have an official designation. You may call me whatever you like, Connor. If it is helpful, FH-76854-XVY maintains the short-name "XAVIER". If you have a preferred designation to use for me, I shall note it in my database.
bindsthedead: (art-speech)

[personal profile] bindsthedead 2020-10-18 04:38 am (UTC)(link)
I see. I can't- quite imagine how it's possible, but it sounds... peaceful, in its own way. Like rivers flowing to join the ocean.

Although I wonder what happens to these spirits? If it's more like your world, or mine?
kuroi_taiyo: (80)

[personal profile] kuroi_taiyo 2020-10-18 04:38 am (UTC)(link)
[ And that casual wondering has Judar glancing away, considering. ]

... Would you really want to know, if that ended up being the case?
kuroi_taiyo: (145)

[personal profile] kuroi_taiyo 2020-10-18 04:41 am (UTC)(link)
It's something like that.

[ Well, as long as the energy isn't corrupted, but he's omitting that. That would make it more complicated, and they were changing the way those rules worked anyway. ]

If it was more like my world, they wouldn't have enough sense of individual self to fade into reality and move stuff around. It could be like neither of our worlds, and the bleed over can be something natural.
plasticasshole: (◎ i was built to be magnificent)

[personal profile] plasticasshole 2020-10-18 04:41 am (UTC)(link)
Xavier is fine.

[He frowns a little, though. He isn't owned, so he doesn't even have a name?]

Though I think you should pick a name that you like. You don't have to be owned to have an identity.
plasticasshole: (◎ you seem kind of phoney)

[personal profile] plasticasshole 2020-10-18 04:43 am (UTC)(link)
...Perhaps not.

[He shakes his head.]

Knowing I'd forgotten an entire world and the people who lived in it would be upsetting, I think.

[Who knows who he might miss if he remembers?]
arcanistic: ({did wane the lover's moon})

4 un: carbuncle

[personal profile] arcanistic 2020-10-18 04:48 am (UTC)(link)
'Twould seem as such, I think. It's a little different, perhaps, compared to the linkshells one finds in Eorzea, but the mindset is still the same. I'm certain a friend of mine would find it incredible.

[The network. He's talking about the network.]

Unfortunately I cannot say the name "Europe" is familiar, in terms of geography. Is it a city or a continent?
beskarad: (Epsilon)

[personal profile] beskarad 2020-10-18 04:48 am (UTC)(link)
The clinic is accessible to the public, but it appears to have been abandoned by its original staff.
Edited 2020-10-18 04:49 (UTC)
weirdnecro: (But I don’t want to go to sleep)

[personal profile] weirdnecro 2020-10-18 04:49 am (UTC)(link)
And if you remember me, you know what's coming next.

[Hi. Did you miss her.]
outofthepast: (Puzzled)

[personal profile] outofthepast 2020-10-18 04:52 am (UTC)(link)
Pleasure, Connor.

[Nick's a little embarrassed his right hand is skeletal metal, lacking the plastic skin that covers the left. But he shakes anyway.

Mmm yeah about his "advanced" world...
]

It's, uh... bit of a long, touchy story, but I'll spare you. In the meantime...

[He very, very gently nudges the goose with his foot.] Go about your business, goose. C'mon now.
kuroi_taiyo: (148)

[personal profile] kuroi_taiyo 2020-10-18 04:52 am (UTC)(link)
[ Well, obtuse was the right course of action then. Which is probably for the best. Now he has to do his best in making sure he doesn't slip and ask about people that Connor would know about, from his original world. That can't be too hard, now can it? ]

Yeah, I can see it that way. At least sometimes you get lucky and other people from your world show up as well.
kuroi_taiyo: (93)

[personal profile] kuroi_taiyo 2020-10-18 04:55 am (UTC)(link)
I'm still not going to just let you have your way, you hag.

[ Nuh uh, no way. He's staying nice and high. Maybe he's a little happy that someone familiar is around and knows him. ]
bindsthedead: (art-shock)

Re: It arrives

[personal profile] bindsthedead 2020-10-18 04:56 am (UTC)(link)
[Sabriel tackles the goose... And misses. But she does get it to drop the bandolier.

As she's lifting it with a triumphant expression, she realizes that while she missed the goose, she hit someone else, and she hastily traces out the counterspell with her free hand.]


I'm so, so sorry. I was aiming for the goose, and I didn't see you!

[Sabriel knows the spell wasn't a dangerous one, but it's still embarrassing that she missed.]
softwarelacunae: (♪An artificial dream)

[personal profile] softwarelacunae 2020-10-18 04:56 am (UTC)(link)
As you prefer.

I do not need an official name prior to ownership; my identity is as a DoLL. We are built to specification prior to shipment, to our intended owner. I am proud of my abilities, though they are currently incomplete, as is my ownership data.

[He actually sounds so serene, talking about it???]
plasticasshole: (◎ everything's a lie)

[personal profile] plasticasshole 2020-10-18 04:56 am (UTC)(link)
[Connor doesn't seem bothered by the missing plastic, at least. He eyes the goose as Nick tries to get it to leave.]

It's odd... there aren't often wild animals roaming around here. Maybe people are wishing for these things, and something is responding?

[Falco is wishing for chickens, maybe there's been a mix-up.]
muffled: (cowboy dan)

[personal profile] muffled 2020-10-18 04:56 am (UTC)(link)
No one's told us. We only have landmarks to make guesses off. Those running this town don't give much detail.

[ as she will learn in time, there's sister's helpers, the south sister town center, and so on. he can't say for certain, but they have to call it something. ]

plasticasshole: (◎ i was born yesterday)

[personal profile] plasticasshole 2020-10-18 04:59 am (UTC)(link)
Yes, I got both lucky and unlucky in that regard.

[He makes a face.]

My partner from home, Hank, arrived not long ago. Unfortunately, my successor also showed up at the same time I did, and we've been trying to kill each other ever since.
muffled: (chain gang)

[personal profile] muffled 2020-10-18 05:01 am (UTC)(link)
Some would. Stories get told for a reason.

[ the galaxy is compromised of so many. he can't say he has the patience to listen to some fable about old gods, if only because he rather get to the moral or point in it. that's what the stories are about in the end - lessons to teach. he knows what he needs to. ]

Anyway, don't think too hard about it. It's just a path. Get to the end and don't turn back.
bindsthedead: (art-pensive)

[personal profile] bindsthedead 2020-10-18 05:01 am (UTC)(link)
Perhaps- but I wonder what killed them. These buildings are too intact for the village to have gradually declined and died off.

[There are no signs of violence, no bloodstains... but those can be washed out, and in Sabriel's mind, the Book of the Dead opens to pages describing how a human might be killed by Free magic that stopped the heart, or sealed nose and mouth shut.]

And they didn't seem aware of their own deaths.
plasticasshole: (◎ your opinion is irrelevent)

[personal profile] plasticasshole 2020-10-18 05:02 am (UTC)(link)
Do you... want an owner?

[That's so strange to Connor. Most androids who deviate want to be free. But this android... he seems to have a sense of identity and pride in it, but he wants to be owned? Like an object?]

I don't understand... can you not function properly without an owner?
outofthepast: (R U Sure?)

[personal profile] outofthepast 2020-10-18 05:04 am (UTC)(link)
Pardon me. Wishing? That some local parlance, or...

[The goose is undeterred, even as Nick adds a little scoop of his shoe along with the nudge.] Go on. Get. Satan's flock.

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