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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.
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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
Honest to god, guy looks like a statue a little bit. Kind of feels like one, too? It's all the same, nothing at all in terms of response to any stimulus. Thank god his internal processes haven't completely ceased, because the last thing anyone needs is all of these facts and also the weird mannequin to not be actually breathing.
And then... then, there is a brief moment, as Nick's hand passes in front of Xavier's eyes, just ahead of the deep, unfathomable blackness, where all of the absence stops.
"I am sor-" Is all that manages to get through before Nick's hand is no longer covering the thing, and his whole body returns to its stock-still state. Oh dear.
A stray wonder passes by -- perhaps it was to do with the sign? Well, he certainly isn't going much of anywhere fast, much less figuring all this out.
no subject
"Well, that was something, at least." Let's try that again. Touch his shoulder. Nope. Then it must be...
He waves his hand before the frozen man's eyes again, slower this time.
no subject
"--ry to have caused disappointment, shall I return to the be-" Goodness. This really would be easier if his speech software would stop cutting out every time he could see the spooky hell void guy. Xavier only has to wait out the one sentence, at least, before he can continue on to more relevant conversations later... But here we are.
For Nick, there's a very plain value of monotony in the guy's voice, added to the obvious persistence of, y'know, not actually repeating himself. There are still a couple of other options, but he certainly doesn't seem actually human despite his everything.
At least they have a little progress, though.
no subject
"There. How's that?" He keeps his hand blocking the man's eyes. "You okay?"
no subject
"-ginning?" Oh. Thank goodness, he reached the end of the sentence. There's a moment of silence, but there's considerably more movement to it. He still isn't sure if he should be walking back down or turning to the top, or... what... but! At least his motor functions are working... better.
"Yes." Like he didn't just finish a question that took three full stops to ask, intended at an individual with a different voice than the new, who he couldn't properly describe if he wanted. "Error detection has returned to normal thresholds. Thank you; I was not sure how to request assistance from the figure who expressed disappointment in my actions."
The what.
no subject
No idea what any of that is supposed to mean, but the weirdly technical vocabulary sticks out at him. Is this guy a synth? Or whatever the local equivalent?
At least he's figured out the eye-covering part of this. "Listen, I think we better get out of here. And I think we'd better do as the sign says and not look backwards. I'm gonna start walking backwards. You okay to come with me?"
no subject
Xavier doesn't know the exact makeup of his saviour - he can hear, in parts, things that suggest some type of non-human origin, but that's hardly relevant right now.
"Oh, yes. Of course, sir." There's no hesitation, and the natural assumption is probably 'whatever freaky thing had him immobile was terrifying', but... Well, it doesn't matter really. "The path is clear and lacks many features, so I do not require optic sensors to follow. Please do watch your step." Those two statements are in complete dissonance, Xavier...
no subject
"Don't worry about me. I'll keep us from walking off any cliffs."
With one hand over Xavier's eyes and the other on his shoulder, Nick starts carefully walking backwards. One step at a time, mindful of any rocks or divots in the path.
"So what's your name?" May as well keep conversation friendly while they partake in whatever kind of mystical weirdness this is. "Mine's Valentine. Nick Valentine. Or just Nick, whichever combination you prefer."
no subject
"I understand." Another response that's completely unnecessary. They begin walking and... At least walking is easy.
"I do not have a registered name. I am FH-76854-XVY, but if it is easier, you may call me what you like. Our model short-name is 'Xavier', but I will answer to any defined request."
There's a pause as he's given an option, which he is... Woefully unequipped to deal with. "I would prefer to call you the designation that you most prefer." A mild answer that completely sidesteps the decision.
no subject
"It's more about what you'd like to be called. I'll go with 'Xavier' for now." Gotta be patient. Just because Nick's had several hundred years to thoroughly grasp concepts like "individuality" doesn't mean every synth-or-local-equivalent has. "And 'Nick' is fine for me." May as well spare him that stress.
"If you don't mind me asking, Xavier, what are you? Android? They call 'em 'synths' where I'm from."
no subject
The question has Xavier's head dipping forward minutely before answering. "I am an Artificial Intelligence, created by ONEMATE, incorporated. I am part of a line of domestic and labour helper companions, known as DoLLs. If it is easier, you may call me a synth - logic suggests this is short for 'synthetic human'...?" There is his first moment of curiosity, settled in how different their origins are.