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
How rude, Keiichi-san... you really haven't changed at all.
[And that's a good thing, in this instance. She's happy that she can see him again here, even if it's under these peculiar circumstances.]
no subject
Haha... everyone's gonna be thrilled to see you. You just got here, right? When the rest of us showed up here, we were all looking for you, so I'd feel bad if we kept you waiting.
no subject
[Satoko had previously wondered if maybe this was actually the afterlife... maybe that was why the others had gotten here before she did. Which, if that was the case...]
I feel like I should be the one apologizing for keep everyone waiting.
no subject
But what he can do is smile for her. ]
That doesn't matter. You're here now.
[ But on to more immediate concerns. ]
Sorry I set off your trap. Were you trying to catch the goose, too?
no subject
[Satoko had forgotten about them in the face of reuniting with Keiichi. She looks around for some sign of which direction it ran in.]
Where did they go? Did you see which way it went?
no subject
[ He points in a direction, but if Satoko looks, there will be no sign of the goose. And that doesn't escape Keiichi's notice, either. ]
H-Haha... I probably scared it off when I shouted. Sorry about that.
no subject
Well, since you scared it off... that means you'll need to do something to make up for it, Keiichi-san. I worked very hard on that trap, you know.
no subject
[ He strokes his chin thoughtfully. How can he make up for scaring off her prey?
Oh, there's an idea. ]
I could take you to one of the shops here. Hmm... did you know that they have pumpkin-flavored drinks here, Satoko? I'm sure that a lady of refined tastes would love such a thing!
[ Tease tease tease. He's missed her. ]
no subject
How rude, Keiichi-san! Subjecting someone to a thing they hate... that's no way to make up for your mistakes!
no subject
Ah...? Oh, right. I'm sure they have things you'll like, too.
[ He reaches out and rubs the top of her head playfully. ]
no subject
I really am glad to see you again, Keiichi-san. Even if you're not a proper gentleman at all.
no subject
[ He actually feels bad about that. Satoko was probably trying to catch that goose for a good reason, while he was just trying to satisfy his curiosity. ]
no subject
[God, Keiichi, out here getting lectured by a 10 year old on proper etiquette...
At the mention of her trap, she looks back at it in contemplation before she shakes her head.]
It should be okay to leave alone for now... besides, you don't really think that's the only trap I've set in this spot, do you?
[She's prepared in case the goose comes back and triggers a different one...]
no subject
No, that's right. You probably have a whole sequence of traps lined up, and I'm glad I didn't set them all off.
[ Now that he's looking for traps, he can see where some dirt has been moved around, possibly a diversion from the actual trap. Probably best that he just avoid that area altogether, come to think of it.
He gestures for her to come with him, hoping that he'll be able to avoid any other traps she might have left in his general vicinity. ]
Anyway, you've seen Rika-chan and the others, right? They're all living in a house together except for Mion. She lives in the same house as I do.
no subject
You and Mion-san? Really?
[Well, isn't that interesting.]
And how has that been going so far?
no subject
[ Not yet, anyway.
That thread starts later than this one.]Honestly, since I was used to having my parents around, it's keeping me from getting completely lonely. As bad as I feel for saying it, I'm really glad we have almost everyone here... the entire club, plus Shion.
no subject
[... Sans Hanyuu, though unfortunately Satoko is from a timeline where she doesn't know who that is yet...]
no subject
[ He gives her a wide smile, perfectly willing to admit that she's way more of a cook than he is. As they start nearing the town center, Fruits Basket looms in the distance, and judging by how confident he is, he's made this journey a few times on his own already. ]
no subject
[Though, has she ever actually cooked in front of or for him before? She feels like she has, but the memory seems strangely fuzzy... maybe she's just remembering when she had made meals with Satoshi and is mixing up the details? Hmm. She will have to think about that later.]
no subject
[ It's all safe, don't worry. She doesn't let him cook without supervision.
As they reach the door to Fruits Basket, he opens the door for her. The first thing Satoko will probably notice is that there are absolutely no employees, yet it's fairly well stocked. ]
no subject
[Rude, Satoko...
But anyway, once they step inside the store, Satoko looks around for a moment before she speaks.]
Are we the only ones here right now? I don't see anyone working...
no subject
[ He looks like he's just accepted it, but it still weirds him out every time. ]
Anyway... they don't have a very wide selection, but they do have the basics, at least. I haven't tried to see what happens if you leave without paying, but I bet it's not any good.