upcyclingmod (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
upcyclingmod) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
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.
| Premise | FAQ | Full Navigation | Rules | Reserves |
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
I do not know much. At a guess, it is less than four or five miles in diameter. It appears to be surrounded by water on at least three sides. It contains-- [Yeah, he's going to go through a... surprisingly thorough list of information? Xavier has been walking all over hell and gone looking for Pieces, after all.]
Of dangers, I have not specifically reached any, although there is a path with a notation to not turn around. Doing so resulted in a complete immobility of my non-critical processes. There was a presumed visual hallucination of an indistinguishable individual, who drew closer over time, following a statement of their disappointment.
I have not found any way to leave, but I have not explored the entirety of this place yet.
no subject
I see. Thank you, very much. Which parts of the island haven't you explored? [If there is a path back to Belisaere, it might be there.]
no subject
[Here, his smile... even almost looks like a proper smile. It's still a little bit uncanny, a little weird and unrehearsed, but hey.]
I have not approached the lighthouse itself, the beach, or the south-eastern part of the area.
no subject
I see. [The lighthouse holds her attention the most, as does the possibility of any buildings in the latter two areas. If she entered through a door, there must be a door she can leave by.] I will investigate the lighthouse first. If nothing else, perhaps I'll see something from a higher vantage point.
no subject
Plus, he can't find Pieces in the first place. Getting back to his maintainer should be his first priority, right?]
... I would be happy to accompany you, miss Sabriel, if you would consent to such. I am not certain why Pieces would have arrived at such a place, but it is nonetheless a location to examine.
no subject
no subject
[Shit's weird, fam.]
no subject
no subject
[But as to how, he doesn't know. What is and isn't... well, he'll figure it out eventually. Maybe. It'll definitely be a learning experience.]
Would you like me to lead the way? It is not difficult to find.
no subject
What I still don't understand is why we were taken. If it is to become 'perfect', why not give us more instructions. [Sabriel can't keep the frustration and suspicion out of her words.] Hopefully the lighthouse will be the way out. [And wasn't that their purpose? To guide ships on their way home?]
no subject
There's a moment of pause, even, when she mentions perfection. It was such a different voice, he almost didn't register it as anything more than a software error. But, if Sabriel heard it too...]
... I am not sure why perfection would be needed for a human... if there is a value of perfection that I could gain here, then perhaps it makes sense for me, however. I am damaged, after all. [There's no sadness, no sense of upset at these statements - they're simple facts. It's why Pieces was repairing him in the first place. He keeps his pace perfectly moderated to stay in line with her, head tilting as he speaks.]
But, it is not an uncommon way for humans to choose to make their worlds. If you offer rigid parameters, deeply detailed instructions, or otherwise plain information, then it is natural that the act might skew individuals toward one path or another.
That is the logical reasoning, at least. I do not know why they would choose a location such as this, of course, but I do hope that you are able to return from there.