pedalbike | Third TDM: Don't Turn Around

Entry tags:

Third TDM: Don't Turn Around

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!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

A - ARRIVAL.

[ he trips.

more precisely, Megumi trips on top of somebody. long limbs and lanky angles, growing pains and all. monochromatic and messy.

obviously, he balks. instinct beats out courtesy, and he's rolling to the side before anyone can voice the very reasonable what the fuck that should come along for the ride; instead of 'hello'-s or 'i'm sorry'-s, the first word that comes out of this dweeb's mouth is a very level, very low: ]

『 Kon 』.

[ along with that one very cryptic syllable is a smooth motion with his hands, fingers lacing into a shadow puppet of a dog with the snap-snap of jaws opening and closing. it's a nerdshit move to do, probably, but the only saving grace is that an actual wolf-creature does come flying out of that dog-shaped silhouette against the wall, mouth open in a howl.

kinda extra, yeah. he breathes in and out, venting shock from between his teeth. a moment to regroup, and he almost looks like he regrets the overreaction. the dog follows suit in its transition from aggression to calm— finally elects to sit and look to make eye contact with its master.

you really fucked this one up, it seems to say. Megumi clears his throat. ] ...Bad assessment. [ phew. ] Sorry.

[ to whoever he just. probably scared off with this mess. amazing. ]

B - BRAVING THE TRAIL.

[ no wasting time: if you happen to have found yourself paralyzed by one of those faceless guests, you'll suddenly find yourself with a hand over your eyes, with a none-too-gentle slap of palm to face.

calmly, with a measure of urgency: ] Close your eyes. [ a tug backwards, voice to ear. ] Don't look at it.

[ there's probably, uh. a gentler way to do this, but whatever. ]

C - IT ARRIVES.

[ the goose shits on him. that's it, that's the prompt.

but, context: here's Megumi, minding his own business, when a goose flutters past him and leaves a wet patch on his sneakers. of all the things that could happen to him in this hellscape... this must be the worst.

eyes wide, mouth half-open, he stares at his foot for a good ten seconds. ] ...You...! [ the goose looks over its shoulder. if beaks could curl, it would've.

honk. Megumi has never wanted to kill anything more. ]

[ Two can play this stupid shounen anime game.

The sudden movement and the flare of energy in the air is enough to put Vangeance on guard in turn, and just as Megumi whirls away while summoning his wolfsona, Vangeance dodges back a step. He might not have a furry pal to call upon, but he does whip out his grimoire -- the hardcover book promptly floats at his side, flipping open to a page and glowing green.

Good thing he has enough self-control to keep from actually attacking. He only stays on guard, watching quietly as Megumi and the dog calm down. ]

... no need to apologize.

[ Actually, Megumi is probably perfectly justified in acting wary towards this sus-looking asshole, cape and mask and all. But Vangeance's tone of voice is perfectly amicable, and he smiles politely. ]

You must have been quite startled. Are you alright?

[ He doesn't seem terribly surprised that Megumi managed to conjure up a whole-ass dog out of nowhere. ]

[ disrespect his dogsona and die..........

that said, thank god someone here is as disgustingly shonen as he is. small mercies in his hectic lifetime, truly. despite the fact that this stranger looks like he came right out of a Gundam reboot, Megumi is, in fact, acquaintances with a talking panda, so there's that for desensitization.

the grimoire... definitely sus. the tone of voice, even more so. he doesn't expect patience or amiability here— maybe fear, and maybe uncertainty. he narrows his eyes in caution. ]

...Fight or flight. [ he wasn't startled, okay!!!!!!!! ] It's a natural reaction to being placed in an unpredictable situation.

[ yeah, he's One of Those. but his giant wolfdog remains quiet by his feet, meaning his enmity's kept at bay.

unspoken, but obvious: who and what are you? ]

[ Totally startled. What a nerd.

Still, that youthfully cool, stoic attitude reminds him a bit of a certain someone, and Vangeance exhales softly. Not quite a fond laugh, but close. ]

But not everyone could respond with such swift aggression. [ A brief pause that almost suggests, 'You must have been really startled.' But no, he instead goes with, ] It's impressive.

[ He'll be the adult and back down first. The grimoire loses its glow, gently shutting itself as it drops into his hand, and he stows it away once more. He's not looking for a fight, see? ]

Your caution is understandable, of course. I've also yet to fully understand the circumstances. I take it you aren't familiar with this place either?

[ "impressive". the denotation doesn't evoke much of a reaction, nor the implication; there's something matter-of-fact about the way he moves right along, as if he doesn't want to waste time.

calm eyes note how the other man stows away his weapon (?), but Megumi doesn't follow suit. his shikigami turns its nose to the sky, head swiveling as if to search for something malevolent in the air. ]

Yeah. [ no point in hiding something that's obvious. ] This place doesn't feel like anything I know.

[ not anywhere, anything. venting tension, he scratches the back of his neck.

sighs. ] ...I really don't have time for this. [ please, everything happens so much, let him live. ]

[ That impatience, too, is a familiar sight to him. But he gets it. Ending up in a foreign location without much warning is inconvenient for everyone. ]

Hm. The mana in the atmosphere isn't familiar to me, either.

[ Yeah, just saying that JRPG-ass bullshit with a straight face. That aside, he glances at the shikiagmi. ]

Is your ... companion [ (???) ] capable of scouting? Or are you still prepared for an ambush?

[ It's partly a practical question, to gauge how wary Megumi is towards him. But there's also a note of genuine curiosity to his voice, and he quietly regards the shikigami. It's not like any sort of typical magic summon he's seen before. ]

[ rational, practical, self-aware. it isn't enough for him to assume that he's traveled across borders— when nothing adds up, the next best guess is that he's completely out of his element. completely, being the operative word.

mana, the stranger says. this is why Megumi doesn't like fiction: it's a whole new set of rules and standards to learn. he has trouble enough reconciling his own values in his own world. ]

A little bit of both. [ he admits when the question comes, and his tone isn't cold or uncaring, so much as it is resigned. the sentiment is these things happen. the neutral set of his mouth is the same; not emotionless, but thoughtful. ] For the ambush part— if not from you, then from whoever brought us here.

[ because he assumes there's a reason??? probably. maybe someone is collecting ability users from different dimensions, which would be a fucking preposterous thing to consider if not for the masked man with a grimoire standing just a hop and a skip away. still, he doesn't want his lack of vigilance to be the reason that either of them gets hurt. ]

[ He laughs softly at that, just for a moment. ]

I appreciate the honesty. [ He doesn't blame Megumi for being wary of him, but most people would skirt around even suggesting that sort of thing. The blunt approach is kind of refreshing. ] Your caution is understandable. Then, allow me to warn you -- I'm about to act.

[ 'So don't get jumpy and attack me,' being the implication.

He doesn't wait long for the warning to sink in before raising his hand. Thin tree roots immediately begin spilling forth from the ground before him, spidering out in all directions around them -- though they notably give Megumi a wide berth, allowing him and his furry friend a neat little circle of foot space. ]

... I don't sense any other presences in the immediate vicinity. Can your companion detect anything?

megumi fushiguro | jujutsu kaisen.

a

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

a

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

C

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

arrival

no subject

no subject

no subject