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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!
no subject
[It's honest concern that drives the conversation, though he does notice Nick's wear and tear seems age related and not from physically being harmed.]
How old are you?
[He nudges the goose away gently when it starts pecking at his shoe.]
no subject
No idea. Old memories are a bit spotty. All considered, I'm in pretty good shape.
[The goose, undissuaded, takes a step back from Connor and lifts its wings in what could be interpreted as indignance.]
You don't sound surprised about the concept of androids.
no subject
[He sounds baffled by that, though. Are his scans faulty? Still, at the question (and thoroughly ignoring the goose for now) he deactivates his skin, showing the plastic underneath.]
You're right, I'm not.
no subject
His eyes widen as Connor's... entire skin vanishes. Though overall, he's nowhere near as fussed as one might be with this discovery.]
That's a neat trick. So it's "android" where you're from, huh?
no subject
Correct. What is it called where you're from, if not android?
no subject
[Now the goose has turned its vicious attention to the bottom of Nick's slacks, pecking and tugging at the slightly ragged hems. As long as it doesn't start grabbing wires, he's fine ignoring it. Kind of admires the persistence, really.]
Name's Valentine. Nick Valentine.
no subject
[That's what his mind goes to, anyway. He smiles though, holding out a hand to shake.]
Connor. I'm impressed that your world can create synthetic beings of flesh and blood, though. It must be very advanced.
[Connor is all plastic and biocomponents.]
no subject
[Nick's a little embarrassed his right hand is skeletal metal, lacking the plastic skin that covers the left. But he shakes anyway.
Mmm yeah about his "advanced" world...]
It's, uh... bit of a long, touchy story, but I'll spare you. In the meantime...
[He very, very gently nudges the goose with his foot.] Go about your business, goose. C'mon now.
no subject
It's odd... there aren't often wild animals roaming around here. Maybe people are wishing for these things, and something is responding?
[Falco is wishing for chickens, maybe there's been a mix-up.]
no subject
[The goose is undeterred, even as Nick adds a little scoop of his shoe along with the nudge.] Go on. Get. Satan's flock.
no subject
[And personally he doesn't know if he cares for it.]
no subject
[Because... it really might be? Wow.]
What is it, some kind of magic?
no subject
[He shakes his head.]
It sounds crazy, but it's all true.
no subject
You, ah... you've been here long, then? And did you just randomly show up like I did?
[The goose tugs aggressively at the leg of Nick's slacks. He admirably ignores it.]
no subject
[He can't help but smile slightly at the goose. Charming little thing, isn't it?]
I suggest you find somewhere to stay, in any case. There are free cottages or houses to stay in, though you'll be sharing a home with others most likely.
no subject
[The goose starts indignantly honking. IT WILL NOT BE IGNORED.]
Am I right about something here being... off, though? I'm used to abandoned places, but something isn't right. Call it a detective's intuition.
no subject
[He looks down at it, hovering ever-present by their ankles.]
We had a bad fog once. And that's when we started to hear whispers, and monsters that looked like our friends came out of the walls, trying to kill us.
[He's glad Hank arrived after that, so he could actually hug him.]
no subject
Connor, you up for a little look-around? Seems like a good idea to use the buddy system in a place like this. [To the goose:] You don't count, pal.
[It has gotten its beak beneath Nick's slacks and is trying, very hard, to tug at a bit of bare steel around his ankle. If there were any wires visible in there he'd be a lot more concerned about its apparent obsession with taking him apart.]
no subject
[Part of him wants it to? It's kind of cute. He wouldn't mind having a goose of his own.]
no subject
[It is very likely that the goose will follow them, as it has apparently declared war on Nick's left leg.]
So, tell me about yourself, Connor. What do you do when you're not spirited away to a creepy abandoned island in the mist?
no subject
[A detective who got no respect from anyone, but that's besides the point.]
But I had no free will or emotions up until a day or so before I got here. So really, all I did was my job.
[He gives a wry smile.]
I haven't really had the chance to explore what I like to do, otherwise. Sorry, that's probably a boring answer. What about you? What did you do back home?
no subject
[Oh, sure he did. But programming and propaganda can be stupid that way, so Nick isn't going to lecture him on that.]
I'm a detective too, actually. Private eye. Mostly missing persons cases, but I'll take whatever people will pay me to investigate.
no subject
[A fellow android detective... Connor hopes they can become friends. He's easy to talk to, that's for sure.
He leads Nick up a path towards the town square, and pauses outside Fruits Basket, the grocery store.]