Third TDM: Don't Turn Around

[upcyclingmod]

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!

Comments

I

[takemycall]

[Fiona may not know the place as a new arrival, yet she can at least tell something is different about the tree. (There's a lot of things that feel strange about the island, but still.) The priestess gravitates to the tree and circles it once, running her fingers along the trunk, before looking up to spot the stranger overhead. She blinks at Vangeance as her thoughts wander from his appearance to a certain acrobat. The man looks like he could fit in with the circus crew-- not that that's a bad thing.]

Any captivating views from such a height?

[Her smile is vaguely amused as she calls up to him.]

[laeradr]

[ He'd been briefly lost in thought, trying to figure out how to proceed from hereon, but snaps to attention at the sound of a voice from down below. ]

... it's beautiful, though almost any landscape contains some beauty once see from above.

[ Said with a soft laugh as he slips from the branch he was standing on. Vangeance descends the tree with unnatural ease, each branch seeming to bend and curve perfectly to let him hop down with barely any effort, his ridiculous cape fluttering behind him. ]

I hope it wasn't a hindrance. I'm afraid this place is rather unfamiliar, and thought a view from higher up might reveal more.

[takemycall]

[That's the sort of answer she can appreciate. It goes along well with how he alights from his perch, reminding the priestess of nature-based cults that she's stumbled upon in the past. A druid of sorts? It's her best guess for how the tree reacts to Vangeance and his comment, but the outfit really doesn't match if that's the case.]

It is not an obstacle for myself. In fact, any means to broaden horizons are always valuable. Especially in unknown territory. [She pats the tree as if it were some gallant stead. Very useful!]

Perhaps you would be so kind as to shed some guiding light upon someone who has also been displaced?

[laeradr]

[ So she's a similar situation, then. In which case, her calm and grace are admirable. William gives a small nod at the way she pats at the tree before looking up into its branches. ]

I'm afraid I can't shed too much light on the situation. [ Through the eyeholes of his mask, she might just barely spot the way he squints in thought, recalling the vista he'd seen from up there. ] I wouldn't claim to be familiar with the entirety of the Kingdom. But I've traveled to a fair few regions, and the scenery here is unlike anything I've seen ...

[ A low exhale before he looks back to her, wearing an impeccably polite smile. ]

Would you like to see for yourself? You may recognize something that I wasn't able to.

[takemycall]

[A kingdom, huh? Fiona is quite certain that this place is not a trick of the manor, and she has a feeling this place is also not part of this man's homeland. However, she'll hold onto that piece of information for a little longer.]

If I did not suspect you had other plans, I would have inquired how you expect a woman to climb a tree in a dress, fufufuu~ [Definitely teasing, but she relents:]

...I am interested in the view if you are willing to assist me, sir.

[laeradr]

[ He only responds to the teasing with a gentle laugh, ever courteous and polite. The feathers on his ridiculous helmet bob a little when he shakes his head. ]

I wouldn't dream of doing something so inconsiderate.

[ Indeed, when he reaches out and places a hand on the tree's trunk, it gently extends a few branches downward. They weave into a leafy little platform, lowering down until Fiona can easily step aboard. ]

Will this suffice?

uwu

[takemycall]

[The priestess' eyes are practically shining as the tree bends to his will and the platform is presented.]

Oh my, what a magnificent display! ["Don't mind if I do!" She doesn't seem to mind stepping on branches with bare feet. In fact, she's extremely excited that any little scraps or cuts will completely go unnoticed. She's got enough calluses to buffer her.]

You must be a druid, yes?

[laeradr]

[ He'd wondered if he should extend a hand to help her on the platform -- not the sort of gesture he's used to making, but one probably deemed appropriate by etiquette -- and is pleasantly surprised by her visible delight as she steps aboard. Her bright attitude's quite refreshing. ]

A druid ... ? [ Vangeance steps aboard the platform himself, standing at the edge so he can keep his hand on the tree trunk. ] I'm afraid I'm not familiar with the term. But I'm a mage.

[ Light glows softly beneath his palm as the platform begins to rise with the creak of wood and rustle of leaves. ]

A million years later & Fiona's official age got dropped, she's 30 lolololol idk young face I guess

[takemycall]

Hmmmm~? Is that so... [Fiona folds her arms across her chest, and a finger taps her chin thoughtfully as the platform climbs. (Her balance is perfect.) The lack of knowledge is telling for one who considers themselves a magic user. Any sort of self-proclaimed mage of such power would know of druids. Perhaps she's working with a different scale here; the thought of another world entirely passes through her thoughts with little surprise. After all, the universe that God gazes upon should not be so small, limited to one planet alone in the void.]

Simply put, druids are those aligned with nature. Never ones to dominate the earth or its creatures, as they consider themselves extensions or the will of the planet itself. [Keen eyes watch for any sort of reaction from the man, although Fiona relents as she clasps her hands in front of herself.]

Perhaps you may consider me a mage as well by your standards, but I am a priestess of the Lord. The bearer of the Holy Key.

[As her palms separate, a strange metal ring grows in the space between. It hovers there until Fiona takes a hold of it in such a loving manner. A precious and powerful item gifted by a terrifying master, and there is no hesitation in her revealing it. To her, everything is right with the world when it is in her hands.]