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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
Yeah... sure. Don't- you don't have to do that.
[He just seems uncomfortable now.]
Who the hell is Pieces and why is he giving you orders?
no subject
If you are sure. I will append my database.
[Is Boone ready for more confusing information? No? Well, too bad.]
Pieces is my registered maintainer. As I am to stay with him until my system repairs are complete, I am sometimes tasked with retrieving items or running errands.
no subject
You'll what your what now?
[System repairs? What is this guy, some kind of walking terminal?]
no subject
[Hm. What would be a better...]
I will make a note in my programming that you would prefer me not to bow.
[I mean, you're technically not far off, Boone.]
no subject
[He thinks of Rex, or a Mr Handy. Both are very obviously either robots or augmented. This guy? Not much of a giveaway, save for the weird mannerisms.]
So what, you're a robot? You don't look like one.
no subject
Correct. I am an Artificial Companion, model FH-76854-XVY. We are designed to be functionally indistinguishable from humans under mild scrutiny, to assist them with their needs.
no subject
[That model number is already something he doesn't remember.]
No offence, but you don't talk like a human. Didn't take much scrutiny on my end.
[He still isn't sure he believes him, but it's one hell of a lie so whatever, he'll go along with it.]
no subject
I am not offended. I am an incomplete model, and my databases do not contain the required information to properly perform my function. This is why I was in the custody of Pieces.
no subject
[Boone folds his arms. He's having some trouble with Xavier's speech, but he's managing... sort of. He just doesn't know what a lot of this stuff means.]
no subject
My function is dependent upon my owner. As I have no registered owner, I am unsure if I was intended for domestic or labour use, or what level of attachment I am intended to have.
[One might think his visual appearance would preclude one over the other, but... one would be wrong in a good portion of cases.]
I suppose it will be defined by who accepts that role, when I am repaired.
no subject
You got any proof you're a robot? 'Cause I'm still not entirely convinced, I don't think.
[Could just be a weird act...]
no subject
I am uncertain how to best prove the fact. If you would like, I can allow you to remove my maintenance panel, or I can find a way to show you my system fluid.
[One of these options is going to be a lot less suddenly horrifying than the other. The other will require less removal of clothing. Good luck, Boone.]
no subject
[He wonders where that is, though.]
It, uh... where is it?
no subject
[He simply... shrugs, blinking at the question.]
It is on my upper back. DoLL components are stored in a panel that runs down a path adjacent to a human's spine. It can be difficult to see, at first, but once unlocked, it responds to any registered individual's touch.
no subject
I'm sure I'll see it if it's there.
[Waiting for this guy who still doesn't have a name to take his shirt off...]
no subject
I understand, Sir.
[That's not at all the right answer to make here, but hell if he'd know what is. There's no hesitation whatsoever as Xavier pulls the loose sweater he'd arrived in over his head, letting it rest folded over one arm and pulling his hair out of the way.
To say the least, Xavier is very well sculpted.]
... May I ask your name to add a designation to my databases?
[It's such a belated question, as he stands there with his back to Boone. And the panel? It's a small thing, nestled just between his shoulderblades - to most, it'd require some searching and squinting to see, forming an odd trapezoid of space stretching from the middle of the bones to about a third of the way down his spine.]
no subject
[Boone squints at his back, poking until he finds something odd... he pokes again and it folds up, causing Boone to pull away as if burned.
...Yeah no he's curious now. He comes back, and prods at the panel that opened up.]
What the hell...
no subject
[The panel is, unsurprisingly, incredibly advanced - it slides into place under the 'skin' of his shoulderblades, neatly out of sight.]
If it is easier to remember, my model type is given the short-name "Xavier". I will happily define any name requested, as well.
[The maintenance panel is probably downright mystifying to Boone - it's essentially a long, spine-aligned panel full of what look like crystal or glass sectors. Each one is labeled, and several look like they were forcibly cracked or crushed with pieces partially removed for... some reason. Solid sectors glow a steady, calm blue, and visibly damaged areas as well as areas with no components pulse slowly red.]
Is this a sufficient explanation, sir Boone?
no subject
[He touches at the glowing parts, surprisingly gentle.]
Xavier is fine, I guess. And it's just Boone. No "sir".
[Thoroughly convinced that Xavier isn't human, he starts running fingers over his shoulder blades in an attempt to get the panel to close again.]
no subject
[The parts are faintly warm to the touch - Xavier's system is kept at a perfectly average human temperature, after all - and simple touches at least have no obvious effect on the pieces.]
I apologise. Boone. I will append my database.
[There is a visible shiver when Boone goes about running fingers over his shoulderblades, and Xavier's shoulders rise slightly. That feels. Weird. Probably looks a little strange, too, where flexible paneling still just looks for all the world like a normal human body's musculature.]
If you tap the side of the opening, the panels will close on their own when your hand is removed.
no subject
[He mumbles it, preoccupied with closing the panel. At least he can follow instructions, and he taps the side and watches with a slightly dumbfounded expression as it slides closed again.
Goddammit, this is weird.]
You feel stuff too?
[He noted the shiver, and he moves away to let Xavier put his shirt back on.]
no subject
Correct. I am designed to be able to feel much like a human - it is important when performing tasks like cooking or drawing baths, among others. I am missing my ability to feel pain responses, but am otherwise acceptably functional.
no subject
[Ever been stung by a cazador and wished for sweet death? No? Lucky.]
So this... maintainer guy. Pieces. He here too?
no subject
[His lips purse as he shakes his head.]
I do not know. I have not had a chance to search for him - and if you did not pass him in coming here, then I must assume that he is either elsewhere or not here. The hallway from which I entered this room would have been in your direction, and Pieces was at his desk when I left.