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!

Comments

jude mathis ¤ tales of xillia 2

[spryite]

i. braving the trail
[The sign about "no turning back" had Jude a touch nervous when he first read it, but the ominous warning was quite easy to put out of his mind once he actually got into the woods proper. His progress is still going at a snail's pace, however, and anyone else passing by would find the black-haired boy in a lab coat fiddling and/or observing the plants, occasionally taking out a notepad too to jolt things down while mumbling to himself.]

It's similar, but also nothing like it. I could take a sample, but I've never seen anything like this on Elympios or Rieze Maxia. I wonder if there's any herbalist in town...

[A trail potentially haunted by supernatural phenomena is probably not the best location to do plant study, but you gotta learn and note what you can in a wholly unfamiliar environment! ...Or is that just a nerd's excuse, maybe...]

ii. It arrives
H-hey! Get back here!

[Today's scenery: one boy with a messy do chasing after one feathered hellspawn carrying a bottle between its beak. He's keeping up pace decently well, but still looks flustered enough to get one curious about exactly what that stolen bottle may be about.]

I'm sorry for doing this, but... Demon Fist!

[He seemingly throws an ineffective punch to the thin air in front of him, before a shockwave suddenly juts out from the ground and proceeds to cut forth towards the winged thief like a blade. Jude aimed to miss the goose by an inch, hoping to startle it enough to make it drop its quarry. He may have no intention of harming it, but that sure may not look like it to onlookers--]

iii. confession network
[The weird noises this strange GHS makes sure are unique! It's too curious to leave alone, so Jude activates the app without giving it too much thought and hears it out. Except...]

How is this a game? Isn't it an attempt to get the townspeople socializing at best, or force prisoners to make small talk at worst?

[And this one is playing 'nitpick the game' over 'going along and just answer the (probably) harmless question'... He's not a party pooper, he swears!]

iii; un: schwarzer-vi

[whiteshroud]

Maybe it's both?
Seriously, it's a pretty popular thing to do back home online.
Ask a question like this where lots of people can answer.

[spryite]

It works? ['Back home online' sounded rather alien, and while he's curious, this didn't feel like a good time to ask.] I guess socializing exercises can be game-like, but given the circumstances, isn't this still a little... ['Inappropriate'] much?

[whiteshroud]

It works!

Mm, it can be. But I'm guessing it's a way to make new arrivals use their phone, since many come from worlds where they don't exist yet.

[spryite]

It still sounds off. Why ask people where they want to be when we've all been trapped here with no way to leave? I can't help but feel like that question was picked on purpose to make fun of us. [small sigh, maybe his bullied instincts are too keen.]

That's a good point. I've only had my GHS for less than a year before, but getting used to them wasn't too bad. The ones in mine aren't as advanced though, so it's been interesting at least to see how they could potentially develop.

[whiteshroud]

It is a little tactless. When I arrived, we got asked about our scariest memory. [Which was also tactless!]

How advanced are GHSes?

[spryite]

That's just mean. [EXTREMELY TACTLESS.] Does it always ask such awful questions?

Elympion GHSes have flip covers, all inputs are registered through key presses. They also store banking data though, I'm surprised we're given a separate card for it here.

[whiteshroud]

Not sure. There was another time where they just asked if you do anything to celebrate the change in seasons.

[So. That one is harmless. What a lucky group that one was.]

Well, putting your banking data on your phone isn't always safe. [But that's a worry for another day.]Flip phones huh? I think I remember seeing some like that when I was a little kid and the phones here are pretty close to the ones in my world so...your world is maybe about 10 years behind.

Assuming the progress is at the same pace, of course.

[spryite]

I'm starting to think I'm definitely better off not knowing... [Regret of even trying to make sense out of that question rising...

--but more importantly, the confident estimate given by the other boy is... kinda alarming. Technology is something of a loaded topic for him, considering Fantasy World Logistics™. There's a careful pause before he asks for clarification, the time to bury the brief worry of what'd happen in ten years if he doesn't succeed.]

Ten years? So your world had devices like the GHS I was using in mine, and it took about that long to become the sort of phone we're given here?

[whiteshroud]

Haha, maybe so. [These questions are pretty tame compared to what Jun's seen on reddit, but there's no need to let Jude know of that]

Something like that. Afraid I couldn't give you a more specific timeline than that, I was a kid so I didn't follow phone technology that closely.

[....Also he grew up in a secluded convent. But like. No need to point out either.]

[spryite]

[That'll just get a groansigh from the other side of the line, and he leaves it at that. Yes this nerdy researcher here only texts/mails friends and professional contacts for work stuff and is wholly oblivious to the horrors of message boards/social media, pls let him keep his innocence]

That's alright, thanks. [How to put this... He could still channel mana here, he confirmed after arriving, but it still felt odd, even if it's not as dry as Elympios the first time he got there.] My world's technology is pretty different from this world's anyway, so it may not make for much of a reference point.

[whiteshroud]

[Yes some things are better for Jude's brain not to know.]

Oh is that so? [This guy must be pretty tech-head if he's able to tell that fast. Huh.] That's too bad. But I suppose it doesn't matter much anyway right now.

[spryite]

It's given me some ideas, actually. I should note that down and look into it later. This could end up becoming very helpful, and it may be a while before I can return to the lab again anyway. [Spyrite GHS piloted by the Spyrite itself, some form of communication with the user via tactile touch and screen display, while acting as a guide/assistant... Could the GHS be an easy Spyrix to convert and improve? Definitely merits testing and researching, whenever he has access to his equipment and other tools/notes again.]

i!!

[flowertalks]

[ he may be mumbling to himself, but aerith isn't far behind him when she spots him. she's curious as to what he could even be doing — interested, as well, considering her background in plants — and so she moves up to him, catching what he says just barely.

sorry if her sudden voice is startling. ]

I'm no herbalist, but local florist, at your service!

[ she's far more well-versed in flowers, but she also definitely knows quite a bit more about plant life than most around here. so maybe it'll help. ]

[spryite]

O-oh, hi! [Jude's back does straighten at the voice, blinking a few times as he tilts his head to look up at her. If Aerith manages to snag a glimpse of what he's scribbling, she could see neat handwriting listing out characteristics on opposing sides of the page, along with the rough sketch of a clover-like herb in the center. He's no artist, but boy definitely knows how to take organized notes.

She got directly to the point, so he'll do the same:]

It's very nice and convenient to meet you, miss florist. Would you happen to know if the plants here have any medicinal properties? Some of these remind me of herbs from my world, but they're definitely very different, too.

[flowertalks]

[ she rocks back onto her heels before planting her feet back on the ground, moving her hands behind her back comfortably. ]

It's Aerith. You can call me Aerith. [ even if 'miss florist' sounds cute, she likes that.

and she glances down at what he's inspecting and scribbling. ]

Knowing this place, they're probably different from the ones you know. I haven't been here long enough to know which ones do what, but there's got to at least be a few, right?

[ at least, she's optimistic of it — that there's some with medicinal properties. maybe one of the others in the doctor network she's a part of could help out. ]

[spryite]

[In hindsight, maybe he should have waited for introductions before greeting. …Let's not overthink it before the self-consciousness gets to him.]

Miss Aerith. I'm Jude. [Nodding once, he stands up and docks the pen back onto his lab coat's front pocket. His botanical curiosity can wait, and it would be rude to hold a conversation and not face the other party properly.]

Right, I noticed. There may be workable similarities though, so with any luck, I could recycle some of what I used to know. [He's probably being too optimistic about it, but that small hope still beats dwelling over the possibility that all he knew from home is now obsolete.] Yeah, I thought so too, and it's best to prepare when we still have the chance to. I haven't seen any monsters since I got here, but this place is still pretty suspicious.

[flowertalks]

Nice to meet you, Jude.

[ always happy to make new friends. ]

Yeah, it... can be that way. I wouldn't say I've seen monsters, but the things I've seen here are... unique, I guess. [ that's probably the best way to put it. aerith hasn't been here during many concerning events, but she has some knowledge of what happened before she arrived, and she's met some strange things herself, albeit not things that particularly harmed her. ]

Best to be careful. So you've got the right idea.

[ she has some interest in his botanical medicines anyway, just out of curiosity. ]

[spryite]

You too!

[Likewise, even if "getting mass kidnapped to an island from a different world" doesn't make for the most ideal setting. Gotta make the best out of things though, no point crying over spilled milk anyway.]

Unique... What do you mean, if you don't mind me asking? That sounds like trouble. I want to help if things do get bad, learning about the flora here and any healing properties they may possess is part of that.

[flowertalks]

Mmm. Not trouble, just strange, I guess. Some things might act kind of scary, but they're not all bad. Like the pumpkins.

[ the pumpkins she befriended, being the way she is, but others had angered them and therefore been tormented by them. ]

But you sound pretty diligent. Those probably wouldn't be a problem for you.

[ someone who takes the time to research the local flora couldn't possibly piss off pumpkins. granted, they're not really a problem anymore anyway. but who knows if something like them will happen again. ]

[spryite]

The... Pumpkins? Could they move and talk? [He blinks, curiosity lighting up his amber eyes. Somehow he was immediately reminded of Teepo, a certain floating, talking, fighting, and face-sucking stuffed toy. Not that he's any stranger to sentient plants to begin with, when the likes of mandragoras and treants are rather common threats roaming the wilds back home. Miss Aerith crossed out the possibility already when he first mentioned monsters, however, so these pumpkins must be something else?]

[flowertalks]

Hmm, sort of.

[ kind of depends on who you were? she could understand them, but it was harder for others to do so. it was actually pretty fun to befriend them like she did, and help others get on their good sides, too.

she's not amazing at explaining these things. ]

1/2

[spryite]

[His brows faintly crease as he falls silent and tries imagining it to himself, index finger thoughtfully rubbing at his temple out of age-long habit.

...

Nope. He shakes his head once. His scientific curiosity has decided that it's had enough.]

Guess I'll find out, if they show up again.

2/2

[spryite]

Oh, but I must be holding you up, sorry about that. Were you in the middle of something, miss Aerith? [Nothing pressing he'd assume, since she took the time to talk to him first, but she could still have more leisurely plans he's unwittingly interrupted.]

[flowertalks]

[ she's totally willing to just take him to meet them, if they stick around past halloween. let her help you befriend pumpkins, jude.

she shakes her head at his question, though. ]

Oh, no, I wasn't doing much. I'm glad I met someone else on this trail, actually.

[ it means she has a buddy for the spectacular view at the end! ]