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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
Haha, no, I'm fine. Maybe a bruise to the ego. I don't want you thinking so little of the techniques from my world when we've just met. [It's cheerful, jocular, and he even as he says it he's extracting a handful of paper dolls from his pockets; Natori isn't necessarily the best person from his world to be demonstrating their spiritual prowess anyway, though he'd like to think he strikes a good balance between 'has the training to know what he's talking about' and 'isn't an insufferable dick.'] Thank you, though. For how quickly you acted.
[He's also, incidentally, familiar enough with the entertainment industry that the use of the word 'mana' doesn't throw him. He really is one of those fantasy types, huh (thinks the exorcist/movie star as he animates several pieces of paper and watches them weave their way around the shrubbery).] Can you normally see things like this, then? Spirits or supernatural creatures, along those lines. Or rather, not just see them, but catch them in... [a gesture towards the ground. Whatever the fuck that was.]
no subject
Please. I haven't accomplished enough here to be looking down on anyone.
[ His magic's showy, certainly, but it's not like he managed to bag their masked culprit, so he doesn't have much to brag about. ]
I'm familiar with spirits, but they may be different from what you're referring to -- they represent the elements and are visible to everyone. Nothing like this. And though I'm aware some types of magic can make individuals invisible and intangible ... only the most skilled users would leave no trace of mana. It should also still leave them vulnerable to physical attacks. [ He watches Natori work while he speaks, widening their foliage dome and opening little windows if those paper dolls want to fly out. ] The spell I've cast outside should have drained the mana of anyone in the vicinity, trapping them, or at least tripping them up. But for a foe like this ... I apologize, I may only be able to serve as brute force.
[ Like, a lot of brute force. But only that. All of his broke-ass abilities rely on mana, and if that's not there, his arsenal is much more limited. ]
no subject
[Oh, of course. He's forgetting the obvious way to narrow it down. He wiggles around within their little arbor cage until he's showing the back of his neck to Vangeance, shoving the ends of his hair up to ensure the ayakashi that lives on his skin isn't covered by anything. It looks like the shadow of a gecko, solid black and flat against the nape of his neck like a tattoo, except that when it's revealed it skitters to the right towards his collarbone with a quiet slithering sound.] See anything?
[It's only visible to people with that same spiritual sense-- like, I'm guessing Vangeance can see it, basically follow the same rules we'd follow for Stands]
no subject
When Natori starts squirming around, Vangeance leans back at first with a puzzled noise, balanced at the edge of the 'doorway' to give him some room. His first thought is that the phantom(?) Natori saw has left some sort of lingering effect. He has his grimoire flipped open to a healing spell, all ready to cast it when he finally realizes what he's supposed to be seeing. ]
... yes. [ The startled pause before his answer is notable only because he's been so calm and prompt about almost everything else so far. He's still squinting to try and make out the details, and when it audibly skitters away he gives a tiny start, boots shifting against the foliage underfoot. ] The shape of an animal. Some sort of lizard.
Is it some sort of curse? Or one of the spiritual creatures you mentioned.
no subject
If you can see that, you'd be able to see the spirits I'm referring to-- so my guess is that the figure I saw is only visible to the person who turns around. --Haha, sorry if I threw you off guard. I probably should have explained what I was doing beforehand, given everything else that's going on here. [Then he blinks, realizing after a moment that--] My doll stopped. The one I sent back the way we came. It's not flying anymore.
no subject
... right. Right, of course. He should have known, given the flow of the conversation -- that mark is meant to be proof that he can see these spiritual creatures. Of course it wouldn't be a curse. It's just that his mind went there first, and Vangeance clears his throat to try and focus himself once more. ]
I can attempt to confront whatever has caught your doll, but I assume I won't be able to do much if it's the same presence that you saw before. It may only manifest to those who've turned back. [ The ridiculous feathers on his mask bob when he cants his head in thought. ] ... conversely, if I've nothing to fear from it, I can attempt to transport you in this state. I assume it hasn't appeared inside this enclosure? That presence.
no subject
[The downside to using his dolls; easy to make, but severely limited in terms of what information they can convey back to him. Maybe it's considered an extension of Natori himself due to the sliver of his power that animates them. Or maybe a bird ate it. It could mean anything.]
In any case, we might as well try. If it's not too much trouble.
no subject
[ His grimoire flips through its pages while Vangeance ponders for a few moments, then there's a flare of magical energy around him as he gestures with his hand. There's the sound of creaking tree roots and rustling dirt underfoot as their little foliage chamber starts lumbering backwards like a tank, carrying them back down the way they came. Not the smoothest ride tbh, but at least they won't be tripping all over the place trying to walk backwards. ]
And thank you. [ That done, he gives Natori a small nod. ] For risking your safety. With this, we've confirmed at least one way to help people who might have made the mistake of looking back. I'll have to traverse the path later in case anyone else has been caught. ... though I hope there aren't any ill effects from being left in that state for longer than a few moments.
no subject
What an insanely impressive piece of magic.]
...That's my line. This is incredible. [and then the princess gets carried back to safety in the magic plant carriage, the end, this half-finished tag has been sitting open on my laptop for a week but TAKE THAT it's done]