Third TDM: Don't Turn Around

[upcyclingmod]

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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

[selforphaned]

[ vangeance's request for him to stay is certainly enough to keep the jumpy russell in his place, though he does look like a deer in the headlights that's ready to run off.

he even jolts when he sees the plant growing next to him. did he notice? what he was going to do? was he going to kill him in retaliation for what he almost did? russell did not see a reason why that would not be the case--not until the moment it became all too clear what was happening.

why was he apologizing?

under the canopy of those nice smelling leaves, russell realized that his--his fear?-- was slowly ebbing away. but...why? why would he use his magic again on him after what he almost did? why does he continue being so kind to russell?

he wants to know. ]

W-wait!

[ russell's voice sounds timid and brittle, like it's beginning to break at the seams under the pressure of that strange, foreign emotion in his chest. ]

I was... I was just about to kill you. Y-you knew, right? [ of course he had to know. he's a knight, and knights fight all the time. ] So...why are you... being this nice?

[laeradr]

[ Aah, so that's it. He'd thought he sensed something familiar in Russell, but it's not himself that he sees in the boy. That open declaration of intent to kill makes it clear -- it's someone else he sees in Russell. Someone far more sad, and angry, and wounded. ]

... I think everyone deserves kindness. [ Maybe that's hypocritical coming from a knight who's prepared to fight and kill if necessary. But at his core, he truly believes it. ] Anger and fear can make people want to do terrible things. But that doesn't make them inherently undeserving of kindness.

[ Vangeance pauses to let that sink in before continuing gently. ]

Even if you were considering killing me, you held back. That's something you should be proud of.

[ He hopes some positive reinforcement will help. And he doesn't say that he won't be killed by something as trivial as a kitchen knife; he can't and won't die that easily. ]

If you're upset with me, I understand. I'll do what I can to fix it. But I'd appreciate it if you tried your best not to hurt other people. If you held back, like you did just now. Do you think you could try?

[selforphaned]

That's...

[ he doesn't know how to feel about that. about anything that comes from the knights mouth. it sounds honest, sure, but it all feels like a pipe dream; an idealist's lullaby. once again, a part of russell is irked at hearing the words.

but a bigger part of him only shrinks back further, taking another step back. his blue eyes break from vangeance's gaze, pained and confused. he's just so absolutely confused. what would he say if he knew about all he had done before coming here? about all the lives he took?

...

he sighs. this person doesn't have to know if he's not going to ask. so instead of telling him how useless of an endeavor that will probably be, russell nods, still looking away. ]

[laeradr]

[ Vangeance doesn't expect a response at all, actually. Just extending the request was the point -- suggesting that someone expects something of him, believes in him enough to ask.

But Russell does respond, and gives him a gentle smile in return. ]

Thank you.

[ His cloak flutters behind him as he starts to turn away. ]

My other request still stands -- please let me know if you find anything truly dangerous. My name is Vangeance. [ He pauses briefly, but he doesn't want such a wary child to feel obligated to give a name in return. So instead, he settles for, ] I'm glad to have met you. Take care.