pedalbike | Third TDM: Don't Turn Around

Entry tags:

Third TDM: Don't Turn Around

Welcome to the Test Drive Meme.
| Premise | FAQ | Full Navigation | Rules | Reserves |

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!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

A - Arrival
[Riku had just been taking a moment to rest. After spending so long hunting across different worlds for clues about Sora's whereabouts, and then later pouring over Cid's computer terminal to get through the mess of data he'd dug up, Riku was tired. And despite his burning desire to search for his missing friend, he knew he needed the rest. And so, at the urgings of the rest of the Restoration Committee, he had laid down in the nearby cot and closed his eyes to take a rest.]

[When he awoke, he realized something was amiss. Blinking the sleep from his eyes, Riku was quick to realize he was not asleep in Merlin's house, but somewhere else entirely.]

[He gets up slowly, looking around. It's an unfamiliar bedroom he's woken up in, and it doesn't sound like anyone else is here. Travelling to different worlds isn't new for Riku, but suddenly waking up in one certainly is different.]

[Wariness settling in, Riku sits up and slowly rises, looking around his surroundings briefly before heading to the door. Whoever's house this is, he hopes they aren't home; he would hate to surprise any unsuspecting people with his sudden appearance.]

B - Braving the Trail
[The forest trail is actually rather peaceful. The wind gently rustles through the trees, the birds chirp in the distance, and the air is clear. All in all, Riku should enjoy this little nature walk.]

[But he can't shake the unease he feels in this place. A nagging feeling tugs at his bones, and despite the peace, he feels something... not quite right with this forest. Perhaps it's that unease that has him on edge, for when he hears a twig snap nearby, he turns around to look despite the prior warnings.]

[His eyes widen as he sees the figure, and he can't stop the gasp that escapes him.]

What--?!

[On instinct, he reaches to summon his Keyblade... only he can't. He can't move. His eyes widen a bit, but despite his struggles he cannot move an inch. All he can do is watch in terror as the masked figure inches closer, and closer...]

C - It Arrives
[Riku is just out minding his business, doing a little bit of grocery shopping in Fruit's Basket. He's just browsing the different products, picking out things for dinner. Though, he can't help shake the feeling something is watching him, even though every time he looks over his shoulder there's nothing to be seen.]

[So he goes about his business, which is fairly normal... until he passes by a display of stacked cans. And just as he passes it...]

HONK! HONK!

[The sudden noise makes Riku jump unexpectedly... which makes him bump into one of the cans. Which is just enough of a nudge to cause the entire display to come crashing down around him.]

[Overall, Riku is unharmed. But when he looks up and sees a goose waddling by, he can't help but stare in bewilderment... and then look on in dismay at the pile of cans around him. And sigh in defeat.]

Really..?

Edited 2020-10-17 05:08 (UTC)

[ A hand gently presses over Riku's eyes before the figure can reach him. It lingers until she's sure its gone, and then, Rena lowers her hand back to her side. Riku will see a short girl who had been standing on her feet to reach him stare up with a soft smile on her face. She urges him to turn back around to face the opposite direction again by lightly pulling on his arm. ]

Be careful, okay? This place is dangerous.

[Riku stiffens as the hand presses over his eyes, but he can't do anything about it in the moment other than let out a small cry of alarm. But once the hand lowers, he's face to face not with the masked individual, but with a short girl. He blinks in surprise.]

Huh..?

[He doesn't put up a fight as she urges him to turn around, and follows after her at her gentle tug to his arm.]

What... just happened?

[ Rena lets go when he starts walks with her, folding her hands in front of herself. She glances up at him every once and awhile then back onto the path ahead of them. ]

You okay? That was scary...

I'm okay. But what was that... thing?

[He tries to focus on walking forward, but can't help the half-glance over his shoulder. Now that he knew something was behind them, he wants to glance behind him to make sure it's not following them...]

[ When she sees him trying to look back again, Rena grabs his arm again but a little more firmly this time. She stares straight ahead without looking at him. ]

I don't know... Rena didn't see it...

[ It's not a lie either. She'll let go of his arm once more. ]

I overheard some people talking about what was happening out here in town, so I came to see for myself. But... then I saw you. And I was too scared to also look.

[Her grabbing his arm draws his attention to her, and he decides to focus on her, and on the path ahead like she is. He lets out a small breath, but nods.]

It sounds pretty dangerous. Thanks for your help.

We should probably get out of here, before that thing comes back.

[He would like to face dangers head-on, but not if he's going to just end up frozen again. And also not while there's someone else here who probably also wants to just get out of this forest.]

I'm just glad you're safe; that's all. [ Rena smiles at him and then nods at his follow up. That would be for the best. ] We could keep following the path, but... I'm a little worried it won't take us back.

Buuuut we could try walking backwards?

[ It's only half a joke. ]

[Okay, the idea of walking backwards did sound a little silly, and that does make him chuckle a bit.]

As funny as that sounds, I don't know if that will work. [Maybe it could work, being able to walk backwards. But just knowing that something is behind them sends an unpleasant feeling crawling down his back.]

I think our best bet is to go forward. We can figure out how to get back when we're out of this forest.

Riku || Kingdom Hearts

B

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

A

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

C

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject