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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
[ Not even trying to deny trying to sneak up on him, tbh. But hey... can you blame her? Not everything that walks on two legs and appears human will end up being friendly, after all, and she doesn't lug a frankly comical amount of weapons around just for the hell of it.
Hide turns her face slightly in his direction, eyes still trained on the path ahead. ]
Interesting that you did not. Why would that be, I wonder?
[ You wanna play the passive-aggressive jabs game, then let's play, fam. ]
no subject
It's good to stay aware of one's surroundings.
[ It's said lightly, like it's a casual observation anyone could have made. But a keen eye for spiritual matters might sense a faint current of energy swirling around him, and around the vines at his feet. He wasn't just relying on his hearing, obviously. ]
And it's been quiet. I haven't encountered many others yet, so it was easier to notice. Have you come across anyone else?
[ In other words: "have you startled anyone else on the way here?" ]
no subject
No-one other than you. Then again, I haven't been looking very hard.
[ Not to mention it'd be harder not to notice him wandering around on his own. That cape! That MASK! It's a point that necessitates some delicacy so as not to offend.
Delicacy that's immediately ruined by Hide's palpable amusement. ]
Your attire is very... vibrant. An odd choice for hiking, don't you think?
[ In other words: "bro what the actual hell are you wearing????" ]
no subject
I suppose it's odd for hiking, yes.
[ He's actually well-accustomed to his less-tactful colleagues dunking on his mask, so the fact that she even bothers feigning delicacy is a plus point in his book. Sure, he can hear the mocking amusement in her voice, but he absolutely isn't going to acknowledge it. ]
But it's what I'm accustomed to. Not all Magic Knights in my homeland are required to wear a uniform, but I've found it helps build camaraderie.
[ Still, part of him kind of misses his shitty colleagues from back home, so he'll indulge her a little if she wants to tease. ]
My attire isn't anything unusual where I'm from. Is it that strange?
no subject
Hide makes a noncommittal noise at first; whether due to genuine reluctance to criticize his sense of style, or just to make him wait for the heck of it, who knows. Probably the latter though. ]
Strange, maybe. Unsuitable for the terrain, definitely.
[ Cape, twigs, bright colours, remote area? That's just common sense! ]
What is a Magic Knight, exactly?
no subject
He waits patiently during that silence, looking up at the sound of a bird chirping somewhere. Really, this would be such a nice place if it weren't for that ominous warning. ]
A mage who fights to protect the kingdom.
[ He doesn't turn to her, but his gaze does dip to glance over the hand she has on her sword. ]
I take it you're also a combatant.
no subject
[ Don't worry about capes? DOUBT TBH....
While Hide isn't 100% on what a "mage" is, she can reasonably assume a position similar to the Daimyo's personal guard. He certainly has the demeanour, and that also explains how he managed to pick out her movement so quickly.
Very impressive! Colour her intrigued. ]
You could say that. [ Which is neither agreement nor disagreement, despite the mild tone it's delivered in. ] Nothing like your job, I imagine.
no subject
I come from the Clover Kingdom.
[ He wonders what's the point of her ambiguous answer if everything about her screams 'I know how to fight.' Maybe she's just trying to be contrary? She'd been awfully honest about trying to sneak up on him, too, so ... ]
I'm curious what your profession is, if you're so certain it's different from mine.
[ Maybe she'll answer if he just asks her straight up. ]
no subject
[ There's no doubt Hide is debating whether or not to draw out the unnecessary "I have no idea what you're talking about" act for a little longer. While entertaining, she's probably pushed that angle as far as it'll go without being tiresome.
She'll give him a freebie just this once. ]
Demon hunting. Pays well, but the risk is very high.
[ ...........technically a truth. It's one half of her actual job. ]
no subject
It sounds like something to take pride in. The willingness to face such risks to eliminate such threats.
[ Is he just being polite, or does he mean it? His delivery is so perfectly, mildly pleasant that it's probably hard to tell. ]
Then, if I may ask for your opinion as a demon hunter. Do you feel any such dangers are present in this area?
no subject
[ Ever so modest. Even if he didn't mean it as a genuine compliment, she's still going to interpret it that way! ]
Danger is always present in some form or another, but yes. It isn't safe here.
There was some talk of acidic mud taking the shape of loved ones. However, I have yet to see any of the reported creatures with my own eyes. [ And from talking with several residents who have been here longer, the mud monsters don't fit the profile of any yokai Hide has knowledge of. Very worrying indeed. ] There are possible countermeasures of course, but whether or not they'll be effective...
[ Hide's voice trails off while she waggles a hand in a "so-so" gesture. ]
Living here is going to be a struggle for anyone that can't defend themselves. That much is abundantly clear.