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pedalbike2020-10-16 08:19 pm
upcyclingmod) wrote in pedalbike2020-10-16 08:19 pm
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Third TDM: Don't Turn Around
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.
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!
Luna | Zero Escape
[The thing about being bound to one place for the entirety of one's life is that they can tell immediately they're not where they belong. Especially if said person is not actually a person, but a machine whose brain ought to be elsewhere. Whose body is supposed to have been shut down for good.
Luna feels so out of place and unsure of what her next task should be that she can't even enjoy how natural this place is compared to her home. She wanders vaguely, continuously winding up the locket around her neck to play a song, the only thing grounding her and giving her some kind of connection to home. The notes ting away as she approaches, her fingers entwined in front of her.]
Excuse me? I'm sorry, I don't mean to interrupt... Would you mind telling me where I am? I seem to be lost.
II. Braving the Trail
[Once the shock has worn away, Luna does appreciate all this natural beauty, especially on a trail such as this. The promise of an even more spectacular view is even more tempting, and so she goes!
She never gets that temptation to look back, though. To her, the sign counts as an order, and she will not disobey even if it might not be directly from a human. Instead, she looks ahead of her, smiling as she takes in all the sights and sounds that she never got to experience back on the moon.]
Have you ever seen anything like this before? [She asks her companion, who may be having far more trouble fighting the temptation to look back than she is.]
III. It Arrives
[Luna does not have any bells, but the bird cage locket she keeps around her neck is particularly shiny. She has no idea how it happened. She has no idea why it happened. All she knows is that there was honking, a rustle of feathers, and then the necklace was gone, slipped from her neck and into the beak of a horrible goose.]
Ah! Please, stop!
[She gives chase, but the goose is pretty dang fast! Help a damsel in distress?!]
IV. Confession Network
[She's never known the world outside of her home, so...]
Some place that's full of nature and greenery. It always sounds so peaceful...
iii (luna!!)
Let's corner it. I'll go ahead and help.
[ The plan is pretty simple, so hopefully it works. ]
:D!!!
[No time for introductions. That necklace is precious to her, and she's willing to follow whatever plan necessary to get it back.
The goose, meanwhile, flaps its wings a couple of times and honks with the necklace still in its mouth, as if taunting the two of them.]
no subject
[ The audacity of this goose. 2B has no intention of hurting it, but it's clearly annoying. The sooner she captures it, the better which is why she starts running faster, eventually outrunning the goose and standing in its way, her arms stretched out forward in an attempt to catch it. ]
ii
It's been a while.
[ Back to sounding perfectly calm and pleasant. He glances at the foliage around them before offering her a gentle smile. ]
My work doesn't often give me the opportunity to enjoy places like this. It's quite calming, isn't it? Despite the strange warning when we entered.
no subject
His smile is met with her own, and a sidelong glance in favor of actually turning her head.]
It's more calming than I thought it'd be. I've seen videos and pictures, but I've never actually set foot in... any place like this.
[The one green place in the Rhizome is all fake, and she still loved it because it's the closest she could ever get. Now, having seen this, she realizes just how cheap of an imitation it was.]
no subject
[ Coming from a world where much of the landscape is still untouched nature, he has a hard time imagining what that must be like. Still, he gives a sympathetic nod. ]
It must be quite the experience, then. Ending up in this strange place is no doubt stressful for everyone, but I'm glad if some good could come of it.
[ His tone of voice is a little distant, but not insincere. He does mean it. ]
But may I ask what kind of place you're from? It must have been quite harsh, to be so devoid of nature.
no subject
[Her hands clasp in front of her, fingers entwining. Stressful... yes, for sure. Luna ought to be... well, for lack of a better term, dead. Shut down for her crime of disobeying, of obeying. And she deserved it.
Waking up here, functioning properly, "healthy"? It was certainly stressful. Better to focus on other things.]
I come from a... facility, of sorts. [She can reveal that much, right? The order Akane had given her is basically null and void at this point.] One of many on the moon, all being used as shelters from the Earth.
no subject
I'd noticed people here seem to come from varied places, but I didn't expect such a drastic difference.
[ People taking shelter on the moon. He never would have guessed. ]
I see. These woods must feel all the more wonderful, then. I suppose I shouldn't take them for granted either.
1
thankfully, it is the former. he sees her as the melody ends, standing tall in his beskar armor as ever, and listens to her question in silence. ]
New in town? [ seems like people are going to just keep coming in. not good. ] You're on an island. We think it's called South Sister.
no subject
[It sounds... unfamiliar. Which shouldn't happen. All of Luna's geographical databanks are updated for Earth and the moon, and she ought to know even the smallest, most deserted island.
But she doesn't know that name. The surprise from this is reflected on her face.]
A-Are you sure? Ah, I mean... [She regains her composure a bit, though she still worries her brow as her hands entwine in front of her.] You said "we think", right?
no subject
[ 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. ]
no subject
Without even thinking of it, she winds up the tiny music box around her neck again, letting it chime away once more.]
I see... And how did we get here?
[Yet another puzzle she can't figure out, because the last thing she remembers was the slow, painful process of being shut down for good.]
no subject
[ which, yes, isn't much of a real answer. so after a quiet sigh he adds on- ] Either that makes sense to you or doesn't.
[ people come from very... unique places. ]
IV
It's hard to find places like that back home. You from a city?
no subject
There's nothing natural in that place.
no subject
I wouldn't go wandering around without company, but the scenery around here's pretty decent.
III.
Probably.
If there's a damsel being distressed by it.
One can hope....]
Hey, get back here with that! Your goose is gonna be cooked!
[He takes a quick glance at the pretty young lady to see if she appreciates his terrible pun as he runs past after the goose. At this point in his timeline, he doesn't recognize her, though her face is kinda familiar.]
I'm debating between her and Quark tbh
[Luna is. Not fast. But she still gives chase, now after both this guy and the goose! Because puns, unfortunately, sail right over her head.
He's a bit familiar too, but she doesn't know this version of him. Maybe if he were about 46 years older or so.
The goose, now with two people after it, gives a little hop, two, then gives its wings a flap, lifting up in the air a bit. It's not quite flying, but it's sure tempted to!]
A+ Choices
[He trails off, wondering if he's being trolled or if this lady's actually that clueless. Of course he's not gonna cook it! Maybe future apocalypse-him would be able to kill and eat a goose, but he's not there yet. Most days this version of Junpei barely manages boiling water for ramen.
But he's totally gonna get her whatever-that-is back! If there's one thing Junpei can do, it's figure out how to put the pieces of a puzzle together.
As he runs, outpacing the girl if nothing else, than by virtue of longer legs and no encumbering skirts, he shrugs off his cool leather jacket. He'd bought it to impress Akane, but she's not here, so now he's gonna use it to catch a different chick. Goose. Whatever.]
Keep following it!
[He shouts over his shoulder, then breaks off to try to circle in front of it.]
1
There is a high probability that she has already been made aware of the circumstances surrounding her capture, so he elects to tell her about the building they stand before instead.]
This building is called 'Sister's Helpers.' I believe it is this island's clinic.
no subject
No... or if it is one, it's off model, one she's never seen before. Regardless, it's a machine just like her, though lacking the ABT to give him a human look.
She's not quite sure what to make of it.
Pushing that aside for now, Luna smiles up at the building, her hands coming up to her cheeks once she hears the name of it.]
Oh, what a cute name for a clinic! [She gives him a glance. Still not sure what to make of it.] Do you know if anyone works here?
no subject
no subject
[So... no one has any kind of doctor or nurse to look after them? Well, that won't do.]
In that case, I'd like to lend a hand. I have a medical license, and I'd hate to see anyone hurt with no one to care for them.
["Medical license". An old excuse at this point, a more human way of saying she's built with the program necessary to aid people, but she's used to saying it now.]
no subject
We are few in number, but I am part of a network of medics. This group was established by one of the other residents some time ago.
I am Eyegee-Eleven. A nurse droid. What is your name?
(no subject)
(no subject)