upcyclingmod (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
upcyclingmod) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
pedalbike2020-10-16 08:19 pm
upcyclingmod) wrote in pedalbike2020-10-16 08:19 pm
Entry tags:
Third TDM: Don't Turn Around
Welcome to the Test Drive Meme.
| Premise | FAQ | Full Navigation | Rules | Reserves |
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!
no subject
Well.
That's a no... for a bit. Russel will have to endure it for an unconscionably long time, if he's not willing to say anything. What are manners?
Finally, though, he tilts his head at Russel.]
... I am sorry, sir. Is this an inconvenience? I am uncertain how to assist.
[He's... really not very good at speaking like a human. Sometimes, he can get Pieces' inflection down right, but the man is so often muttering to himself that the amount of information Xavier's been able to gather is very low. What it results in is just this... calm, stilted intonation of words, largely devoid of emotion.]
no subject
[ being called sir at this age? god, the experiments really must be making him look old. well, he was tried as an adult, wasn't he?
but hey, at least russell's voice sounds almost equally emotionless. quiet, even, like he just doesn't really want to be here. ]
Um... your, uh...phone. [ he points at the thing in the other's hand. ] It's...it's ringing.
no subject
... Or is his name 'Fourteen'? That would be strange, Xavier decides, but... not impossible.]
Oh. I am... sorry? I do not know anyone's designations or ages.
[And so, he settles on that as a middle-ground. The intonation of Russel's voice... also means practically nothing. Oops. Perfectly manicured nails shift the phone once more, screen facing upward.]
I am sorry. [Boy, the apologies are strong with this one.] I am unsure how one is to turn off the ringing. I have not received data on how to use this machine.
no subject
[ should he tell him? is it worth telling him?
this guy talks weird. what does he mean by designations? it's like he came straight out of a game, or something.
so he'll focus on the phone instead. ]
It's a cellphone. [ it's not like russell had much experience with them either. his parents never bothered to give him one and prison definitely didn't have one. but he remembers some of his classmates with them, so he has a slight idea on how to use it. ]
I think that...they're sending you messages. [ he looks away. ] Maybe you...should look at them?
no subject
[He sure does talk weird. It's like someone input the words after direct translation, but didn't really bother with any effort on making them flow.]
Cellphones are common technology, but I am unfamiliar. Pieces did not have one for me to learn from.
[A pause, his head tilting further as he stares at the phone. He's trying for sheepish confusion. It just looks. Weird.]
... Who are 'they'? I do not comprehend. I do not know how to view these messages. I am sorry, sir.
no subject
[ okay he had to say it. sir is what he hears adults being called and he's nowhere close to that. hell, he won't ever be an adult, considering his situation.
so the title only makes something in his stomach boil unpleasantly, which he has to push down. ]
They...I don't know. Other people messaging you, I guess. [ he approaches the strange man cautiously, putting his hand out. ] I can check...if you want.
no subject
... I comprehend. What would you prefer your designation to be listed as?
[He sounds neither offended nor terribly interested, though he watches Russell with a quiet intensity.]
I do not know any other people. You are the first aside from Pieces I have met. [Oh. He's just going to hold out his hand, delicate-looking fingers splayed out to allow the annoying, beeping thing to rest there.]
If it is not too much trouble, the assistance would be greatly appreciated.
no subject
[ okay he HAD to ask it. at this point he doesn't know why this guy talks like a robot and is half inclined to believe that he is a robot, but just needs the final confirmation.
he'll take the phone without any complaints however. he had never been given a smartphone before arriving here, so his own movements are a little clumsy still. but russell remembers how much his own phone was beeping and how he solved it, so he'll try to follow the same steps--and bingo.
he'll hand it back to xander. ]
It's a game. They ask you a question, and you answer it.
no subject
[That uh. Is an answer, probably. But hey, Russell is taking the phone and Xavier watches diligently as he pokes and prods the thing, the message finally open and its irritating noise dying out.]
... I comprehend. Thank you very much, s-- I am sorry. I do not have a listed designation for you.
[He does not comprehend. And there's that dead pause, with Xavier's programs literally unable to solve the variable: Russell's designation. But the noise is gone now, and that's what matters, right? He'll just stare at the phone, finally starting to press the buttons. It's... Well, it's baby's first learning experience, anyway.]
no subject
[ at this point 'robot' makes more sense than a 'really really weird person', but russell will probably easily accept either explanation. or even one that's completely different all together.
and all this talk of designation...is he asking for his name?? is that what he's been doing this whole time? ]
My name's Russell.
no subject
[Sure is what he was asking, too! Maybe with that information, the awkward attempt at a smile makes slightly more sense...]
It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Russell.
no subject
[ what else can he say to that??? that's all so much information that he doesn't know what to do with so...he'll just try to take it in stride. a robot? okay, he guesses.
he wonders what would happen if he took this AI apart. would it feel pain?
hm. he looks away. ]
It's... nice to meet you too. [ um... ] If you're a robot...uh...why didn't you know how to use a phone?