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

[clamoris]

[Thank goodness Mion had actually called her name, honestly she came dangerously close to being hit in the face with a chair. However, upon hearing her name, the chair freezes in the air from the arc it had been swung in, avoiding coming in contact with her friend.

A friend that she wasn't expecting to see standing there... or really anywhere else, given the condition Mion was in the last time Satoko had seen her.]

Mi... Mion-san? Is that... is it really you? How?

[Her tone is one of cautious hope... and yet, a good amount of wariness. As if she's being confronted by a ghost rather than just suddenly seeing someone familiar in an unknown place.]

[sononizaki]

...

[For a good moment, her voice stills. That's definitely not the kind of reaction that she expected from Satoko in the slightest bit. But then she's reminded of the words that Kei-chan had told her about Rena, and how Rena somehow recalls differing events.

Could this also apply to Satoko, too...?]

Yeah, it's really me. I— [What does she even say?] It's really me, I promise.

[She puts out a hand out to show that it's fine, that she's here.]

[clamoris]

[Satoko stares at the offered hand for a long moment, at war with her emotions. She wants so badly to reach out, but it could also be a trick... Mion was dead on the floor of their school alongside Keiichi and Shion, she shouldn't be able to be standing there with her hand held out. If this is someone else pretending to be Mion, they are doing a really good job of it, considering that Shion is supposed to be dead too and incapable of potentially pulling a swap here on us.

For that reason, she lowers the chair down to let it's legs rest against the floor, but she doesn't completely let go with it either, one hand still gripping the back of it. She drags it with her as she takes a few cautious steps towards Mion, prepared in case something goes wrong until finally, she's standing close enough that it would be easy to reach out and grasp that hand.

And sure enough, Satoko does start to reach a hand toward it, but then her hand wavers, hanging in the air when she speaks. Despite her obvious suspicion, it's obvious she's trying really hard to fight past it, because there really is nothing more she wants than to truly have at least one of her friends back again.]

You look and sound just like her... it really is you, right Mion-san? You wouldn't lie to me, right?

full spoilers for higurashi itp just in case

[sononizaki]

[This phrasing is sending chills down her spine, and while she could act all casual, this is neither the time or place for that. If Satoko is struggling and only able to meet her partway through, Mion has to cover the rest of it, trying to be careful as she brings both of her hands to cover around Satoko's own, if she's allowed.]

It's me.

[...Maybe that's not enough.]

It's Sonozaki Mion. [She's not Shion. Not anymore.] I wouldn't lie to you. Not about this. I promise. So... trust me, okay?

[Mion will even squeeze Satoko's hand gently in an attempt to reassure her. To see Satoko like this, in a way that seems almost torn up only reminds her of memories of long ago, of things that she couldn't prevent, much else help her with.

...Of her past sins.

So now, she wants to be able to do something. Even if it might be small. This much is enough, right? Mion wants to hope on that.]

[clamoris]

[Satoko startles a bit when Mion wraps both her hands around Satoko's outstretched hand. Her grip on the chair tightens, that ugly feeling of fight or flight burning under her skin, but when Mion speaks... her words are so certain, and her hand is warm, not the cold grip one would expect of someone who is supposed to be dead.

It's a warmth that she hasn't had the chance to experience from any of her friends in a while, but it's a familiar warmth... she doesn't want to think that not only could someone fake being Mion, but that they could fake that, too.

Sonozaki Mion is the leader of their club. She would never lie to her club members, not when it matters the most. Satoko... wants to trust in this, if nothing else.

She lets go of the chair, letting it clatter to the floor as she brings her other hand up to join the ones clasped in Mion's, her tears falling free now.]

Mion-san... Mion-san, I'm sorry...

[She doesn't know what to say. How do you apologize for doubting your friend's existence, or even explain that it was because they shouldn't be there at all? And if it actually isn't Mion... does that make her selfish for wanting to wish that it was?]

[sononizaki]

[The tears are a definite confirmation of Mion's thoughts. At the very least - they're a sign that something is wrong.

Not that she didn't have her suspicions from the very beginning.

But those suspicions of hers aren't out of malice. She's just simply concerned about her friends. How can she not be, when she's vaguely aware that they might remember things that she doesn't?

That they might remember much sadder times, of tragedy, of pain--]

It's okay, Satoko. Whatever you're sorry for...

[Is this the right thing to say?

She doesn't even know, really, what Satoko is even apologizing for. Maybe she's even wrong for doing so. But if she doesn't do it now, then when?]

I forgive you. So it's fine. Really. The others are here too, you know? Kei-chan, Rika-chan, Rena... even silly Shion.

[Satoko's nee-nee, she subtly implies but doesn't say aloud.]

[clamoris]

What?

[That takes Satoko by surprise, looking at Mion in shock. Not just the forgiveness for her suspicion, but for the news that followed after.]

Everyone... even Rika... they're all here too?

[All of her precious friends that she had thought she had lost... was the world really so kind as to reunite all of them together in one place again, after the horrible tragedy that had taken place?]

[sononizaki]

Yeah.

[She says that single word full of confidence and a bright smile. She doesn't exactly know about the tragedy of 1983 - of the Great Hinamizawa Disaster.]

They're all here. So we can do club activities together, same as always.

[clamoris]

Oh... that's good. That's really good...

[Satoko manages a tiny smile, despite the fact that she's still crying.]

I'm sorry, did I... did I keep you all waiting for me? That was pretty rude of me, as a lady here...

[sononizaki]

You did! Which means that you'll just have to take your punishment game for being late.

[If she goes back to being her usual energetic self, maybe it'll at least dry Satoko's tears. Or at least, she hopes so.]

[clamoris]

Yeah, you're right. That is how our club works, after all.

[Who would have thought that she'd ever look forward to a punishment game? It certainly does make Satoko smile thinking about playing these games with her club again, despite everything that happened.]

[sononizaki]

Naturally! Nobody gets exceptions, after all~!

[She says those words so playfully that it's almost a huge contrast to the earlier conversation.]

Let's see, let's see... maybe I should make you go on a supplies run for everyone?

[clamoris]

A supplies run?

[Satoko blinks at that. She wonders vaguely if it's just Mion's grocery list, but given that they don't appear to be in Hinamizawa anymore...]

What do you need me to get?

[sononizaki]

Yep. Should I write it down somewhere...?

[She asks, the words directed more towards herself than Satokko, although she certainly isn't going to say no to hearing the small trap master's thoughts on the matter.]

If there's canned food, we'll probably need to get some of that for sure.

[Thankfully she's not her sister.]

Oh, and water bottles.

[clamoris]

[Satoko nods as she listens, indicating that a list would be good, and that she's taking mental note of what Mion has said they needed so far.]

Okay... I'll make sure to grab any I see.

[...]

I suppose I should also grab some supplies for some defensive traps to set up around here.

[Wow, just got here and already she's thinking about traps... then again, given the need for food or water, it seems she's gathered that there might be concerns for their safety here as well...]

[sononizaki]

[She's absolutely going to make a handwritten list, then. Mostly of supplies, they might need in the off chance an emergency happens.]

Good, good~! We'll be all settled if anything bad happens.

[Better to be overprepared than under, one might say.]

Oho... already preparing traps, hm? That's not bad at all!

[clamoris]

Of course... I mean really, would you expect anything less from me?

[Satoko isn't called the Trap Master for nothing after all.]

[sononizaki]

Of course not~! In fact, if you didn't, I would think that you're some sort of imposter or something.

[YELLOW WOULD BE SUS]

[clamoris]

[We're not an imposter, please don't throw us out of the airlock Green-san...]

How rude, Mion-san! I'm no imposter...

[She pouts in typical Satoko fashion... somehow, it really does feel like they're back at school doing club activities when they tease each other like this.]

[sononizaki]

Wahaha...! I know, I know, I was just joking. But... that's good.

[At the very least, she's happy about it. That this is the real Satoko and not some sort of fake or figment of her imagination.]

[clamoris]

[Satoko is happy, too. Despite everything, she's certain now that this is indeed the real Mion and not a figment of her own imagination either.]

Well, I guess I'd better get started on fulfilling my punishment duty here as soon as possible... [But then she pauses, considering.] Will you be accompanying me, or will someone else from the club also be facing this punishment?

[Since... well, Satoko is new here and doesn't know where everything is yet.]

[sononizaki]

I'll be coming with you, of course! After all, we gotta stick together.

[And also because she is very much aware that Satoko is new and dealing with what seems to be a lot.]

Follow me!

[clamoris]

Okay.

[Satoko nods in agreement, prepared to follow her wherever Mion may lead her. Only natural to do so really, falling back into step with their club leader in preparation for the next game or punishment.]

I'm ready when you are.

[sononizaki]

... Alright~!

[She says it with such enthusiasm as she starts to skip in the direction to the store.]

Feel free to keep an eye out on the lay of the land too, Satoko.

[clamoris]

You got it! I shall make sure to memorize everything I see!

[She even salutes here, determined to see their supply run through to completion.]