Third TDM: Don't Turn Around

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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

[binghua]

It's amazing what the body can do to make up for the loss of one sense. Xingchen had to take time to adapt, of course, and he tripped and fell and scraped his hands far more than he'd ever like to say, but every time he'd get back up and try again. And try again. And try again. Until he eventually grew to feel the world around him, not just by physical touch, but sensing it in other ways. He's so much more aware now than he ever was before.

Zichen's question makes him pause, thinking. "I've been here...I think about two months now?" And then he's all but ushered into a seat at the table and although he wants to object, having Zichen here convinces him to just give way. He listens to the bustling in the kitchen for a few moments, just letting it settle around him. This is how it should have always been, whether or not Zichen's eyes were ruined or not. And then his own...

Xingchen sits quietly, wringing his hands in his lap. And then, quietly, "You...healed well?" Meaning the transplant. Xingchen assumes he's able to see well enough, or at least he's able to get around even better than Xingchen himself. But he says nothing else right now, knowing this is a sore subject.

[distantbittersnow]

"Two months." He said. That's a fair assessment. Two months.

In the meanwhile, he's happy to see that he has taken his suggestion and Zichen set to work. It's a start, but this is how he wanted to make amends. He boil the water, searched for ingredients, and clean the utensils, and with much experimenting, he managed to boil a pot of noodles with vegetables and meat once he figure out how to operate a stove. There's a warm aroma of noodles and broth in the air.

"I can see." He answered, not to mention speak, since his tongue cut off, but miraculously grown back since his arrival. He's about to ask him what's the last he remembered, but then he wanted to be as gentle as he could with his questioning, remembering he lashed at him and humiliated him, blaming him for what happened at the temple.

"What do you last remembered? After you left me at the temple? What happened to you?" He tried to keep calm, but there is pain, and he kept his tone soft. "I'm sorry...let's retrace our steps since we last met. I spend a year in recovery at the temple to heal, and then I went looking for you across the provinces."

[binghua]

"Good...good." Zichen can see and it's confirmed. Not that Xingchen really doubted Baoshan Sanren's hand in the matter. With her knowledge and skill, it would be more surprising if she weren't able to do the transplant successfully. But it's still comforting to hear. His efforts weren't in vain and Zichen is whole again. That's the most important.

Hearing he spent a year recovering, though...no wonder he couldn't find Xingchen so easily. "I ended up in Yi City, in Shudong. I've been there for what I think must be a couple of years." Here his lips turn up in a fond little smile. "A young blind girl attached herself to me early on and we nursed a badly-hurt young man back to health not long after. I haven't been alone." But even despite finding a new little family, there has been an aching emptiness in Xingchen's chest, one that can only be filled by his dearest friend. "Zichen, I..."

I missed you.

He can't say that, though. Probably. It's too much. He just got Zichen back and they haven't touched upon their parting and the words spoken. What if Zichen doesn't want to go back to the way things were? No. He has to hold himself in check for now. "I'm so glad you're well."

[distantbittersnow]

Zichen is mostly whole he is sure of it. Being no longer a fierce corpse, he felt alive again. Even if Xingchen sacrificed for Baoshan Sanren's help, he doesn't feel like he's worth his sacrifice, but it was done.

He works carefully in the kitchen. He's not so much of a cook, but he has seen vendors in the market cook before during his travels through the provinces in his search of him, and it's not a hard dish to make. Eventually, he cooked the noodles, taste tested it, and it's delicious to his approval, maybe slightly bland, but it's something.

He brought two bowls, one for his dearest friend and one for him at the table, sitting across from him. He realized there's no chopsticks, so a fork will do to adapt.

"Yi City." He couldn't tell him he found him and met the blind girl too. He simply listens for now. His eyes nearly narrow with bitterness and hate bubbling in the seat of his chest as he figured the young man described is probably Xue Yang, the same man who tricked him and upon his arrival to the city, Xingchen killed him. No, he will kept that information and hold himself back for now with self-restraint on his emotions to keep the peace.

"I see." There's irony with the remark. "Not too worry. I'm here now. This is an island, correct? So I have much to learn about this place now that I am here." As he tries to shift the subject of their past and kept what he knows a secret. He can't burden Xingchen with his death, how Xue Yang controls him as a fierce corpse and who he truly is, and used him like a puppet.

With a sigh, "I'm glad too. We have much to catch up on and make up for lost time. I...Xingchen, I am fool. For hurting you when I lashed out at you. After I recovered, I realized how much I hurt you. It wasn't your fault." He stressed.

In the meanwhile, he places a fork in his hand. "There's a bowl of noodles in front of you. Careful, it's hot. I can feed you if you like." He'll do that much.

[binghua]

Listening to Zichen work in the kitchen, despite him not always talking, gives Xingchen comfort. There's something about just being in his presence again, doing mundane tasks like cooking, that calms him. He still feels a little unsure, like if he presses too hard on any one topic of conversation or old wound they've weathered together, this will all fall apart again. It's tentative, but promising.

When Zichen does speak, he listens. Oh, how he's missed his friend's voice. Zichen could talk about his laundry regimen for hours right now and Xingchen thinks he'd hang on every word. Even now he does, though there is the added bonus of hearing things that do make him feel a little better. Not because Zichen undoubtedly suffered in all that time he searched for Xingchen, but because it means that he's not still angry with him.

It wasn't your fault.

He would still be justified in blaming him, Xingchen thinks. Yes, he had acted with justice when he turned Xue Yang in, but had he not also brought him and Zichen to the forefront of that awful boy's mind? Had he not painted a target on their backs? Xue Yang isn't justified in his baseless attacks, of course, and for what he did to Zichen, Xingchen doubts he'd ever be able to forgive him, but he can connect the dots. Xingchen himself is at the center of that picture.

But those are thoughts for another day. For now, Zichen is more important. "Don't berate yourself for my sake. As far as I am concerned, all is forgiven between us." He would always take Zichen back, whether it it be two days after they parted or two lifetimes.

Once the food is served and the fork is placed in his hand, Xingchen smiles gently and shakes his head. "You've already done so much. I can handle it from here." And then, a little quieter, "Thank you."

[distantbittersnow]

If Xingchen keeps beating himself up in this endless circle of the pain of their past, and it all started with them both hunting after the criminal and delinquent Xue Yang long ago, then Zichen has to do something about it. A part of it, he is responsible and he will take the blame.

"I'll try not to. And of course, Xingchen. I have forgiven you too. You...you don't have to forgive me. Not right away. But I would rather you take your time and think about it. From now on, I will help you now that I am here. You just need to ask." He will insist on taking care of him. It will be a lot of work, but he is up for the task.

"All right." Xingchen will not be able to see, but he smiles also, though more sad and solemn, and smiles are rare. Zichen is so used to pain, that he won't be able to cry, after being used to the grief, his own emotions frozen other. Still, he is not hard anymore, and he will try not to hold bitterness in his heart. Soft, gentle, "You are most welcome, Xingchen."