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

[laeradr]

[ It actually wouldn't surprise him terribly to meet someone who can talk to animals, but he somehow doubts that's the case here. ]

Is it so unusual for an animal to be curious?

[ Just as Matoba seems unbothered by this exchange, Vangeance's tone of voice doesn't waver much, either. But he does look away from Matoba, instead addressing whatever it is that's holding the goose aloft. ]

How about putting it down? The interrogation can continue once it has both feet on the ground.

[ Will that ghostly figure respond if spoken to? Or is it some sort of summon? ]

[worldbent]

[The figure, indeed, turns to look towards Vangeance- but its movements remain frozen in place. It doesn't have much of an 'expression' to make, given that its face consists of a featureless mask, but if one had to assign an emotion to its posture upon being spoken to, the closest thing might be "wariness".]

Have you never heard that curiosity killed the cat? [Matoba smiles at his own stupid joke before he makes a short motion to the tall figure, a sort of flippant wave, and the goose is immediately dropped in a soft flurry of feathers and honking. He turns instead to face the masked man, and his shiki mirrors his movements, although it remains still and watchful as before.]

[Perhaps he was just waiting for confirmation.] Now, then; let's test your theory. Do you want to ask first?

[They had better ask quickly, in any case; the goose runs in some harried circles around them first before it starts pattering away... Who can blame it?]

[laeradr]

[ He only smiles politely at the stupid joke, not even bothering to look away from the figure. It does seem to have some sort of agency, unless this man's control of it is just that nuanced. But it doesn't feel quite like a standard magical summon, either.

Interesting. Just as that figure seems to regard him warily, he won't let his guard down fully, either.

Still, he quietly watches the goose run circles around them, waiting until it starts tottering away before looking back to Matoba. ]

I don't recall saying I was interested in participating.

[ Obviously. ]

I was merely suggesting you let it stand on its own feet instead of holding it up. But now that you've decided to let it go, why not let it be?

[worldbent]

No? That's a shame.

[But Matoba does let it be. He's found something more interesting, anyway... And as Matoba's attention fully turns on Vangeance, the shiki seems to lose interest in holding his staring contest, instead clumsily attempting to shoo the goose away (to not much success; it doesn't seem that the goose can see it, now that it's freed).]

Do animals often perform acts of thievery around here? Ah, aside from monkeys, of course. That's only in their nature.

[laeradr]

I'm afraid I couldn't say. I haven't run into too many animals here other than our friend over there.

[ He gazes placidly at the wraith(?) as he answers, noting the strange lack of fear from the goose now that it's been released. He'd had his suspicions, but this confirms that the wraith isn't a corporeal creature, doesn't it.

He smiles politely as he looks back to Matoba. ]

Though I've never been robbed by a monkey, either. Perhaps something about your demeanor attracts troublesome animals?

[ Maybe it's karma from bullying them, you big meanie. ]