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upcyclingmod ([personal profile] upcyclingmod) wrote in [community profile] pedalbike2020-11-24 06:53 pm
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Fourth TDM: Winter's breath


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As a quick note: This will be the last TDM and Application Round of the year! Have fun everyone!

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.

Start of Winter

Thankfully things have more or less dried out, for the seasons are already changing. Or at least, the weather is, and with it...comes snow.

The grass on the island is covered, various trees lose the last of their leaves, the sand becomes crunchy, and even a portion of the ocean water becomes frozen solid. (Take THAT, water!). And with it, Wickies wake up at their feet (or suddenly in their hands if they don’t sleep) warm clothing and various ways to keep warm- or at least keep the cold from messing with their joints!

And with it, there are snow shovels and boots that are set out neatly by the door. It seems more snowk is expected, and foot protection is more important than ever. While it is possible for some (those who are not infected by the Silence at least) to use the teleporter to get from town to their homes, there are pathways that need to be cleared for everyone.

It might be a good time to offer a helping hand! Especially with some Wickies who are snowed into their homes.

Or it could be a good time to use the shovels to gather snow for snow ball fights, snow forts, and similar winter activities. The nice thing about the winter shovels is that they’ll have them for a few months.

Too bad the ground is nearly frozen solid, and these particular shovels are not good for digging into the ground.


Frosty Protections

While there may be the snow and the quiet that’s coming in, there are other things that are coming into the island too. There are tables that linger day or night, which have tangyuan. Some in the shape of various animals, and some of them that are simply balls of colored dough. They are edible, and thankfully they don’t have a negative consequence to eating them (unlike the mooncakes from before) but there are written instructions, which also proclaim outloud to a Wickie if they linger for awhile:

“For the use of protective talismans! Stick it on your chair, your door, your window!”

Interestingly enough, they do seem to work. Wickies who are Silence infected are repelled by them, feeling uneasy and nauseous around them and touching the tangyuan even with covered hands will cause a burning sensation.

Infected Wickies who eat the treats...they’re in for a rough time. Really rough.

There are also little tables with various drinks, some being fruit juice, sparkling fruit juice, champagne and of similar ilk- but not ever with water. That’s just bad luck after everything.

The inscription for this table, which is again read out loud, “Toast to others health”

Picking up the cups, they will be unable to drop it, and the fluid will refill in the Wickie’s cup until they find someone to toast to- whether it’s in humor or in earnestness.

For the next twelve hours after the toast is made, even if the drink is not drunk after, the Wickie toasted will find they will have better luck in that subject, whether it is in health, love, or friendship, or just in general.

The same applies if Wickies toast together to a group of people as well.


Of hooves and horns

The strangest thing of all isn't the sweet rice balls, nor is it the smell of evergreens heavy in the air. Instead, it's the masks set to everyone, and the ruckus music that thrums through the air, deep into the night.

The masks are of a haggard old woman, well worn and aged, and that of a man with horns and facial hair similar to a goat.

There are different effects when it comes to the masks, both happening at night with the music starts.

Wickies wearing the devilish mask find themselves wearing a ragged fur suit, prancing in the streets, ready to whip other Wickies whose behavior has been suspect or bad as of late. Finding the wicked and punishing them is an impulse, neigh impossible to ignore. And, too, there is a sense of wicked glee when they do punish someone with their reeds and whips. Krampus masked Wickies thankfully can be pacified with rum or brandy. They'll need the help of another to pull of the mask. But once it's off, the costume vanishes, and the chagrin of what happened ( or the satisfaction) follows.

Wickies wearing the woman’s mask will find that they’re not trying to scare people, but instead, they find themselves loping in and out of the crowds, searching, scanning, for certain people, all the while wearing ragged clothing, and often a scarf on their now ratty, graying hair.

It’s with a sickening horror that Wickies will realize there is something in the mask that is watching through the mask itself, and is nodding to itself far away and writing their names on a list.

And it’s not Santa Claus.

The Wickie’s wearing the old woman’s mask can be distracted by scattering seeds or threads in front of them- one inducing a true distraction to count and pick up the seeds, and a rage that comes over that of wasted thread.

Seeds make it easier to pull off the mask, and thankfully popcorn counts as a seed! But thread...well, it is a distraction too, but one that can lead to violent consequences. It might mean some rounds of bait and switching until the mask is taken off.

And that’s when the Wickie who had been wearing the mask realizing the list is of ‘bad’ Wickies, But…

how bad could they be?

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:

What do you love about winter? Is it the nip on your nose? The hot drinks? Playing in the snow? Tell us!
poisonelegance: (Default)

[personal profile] poisonelegance 2020-12-10 07:27 pm (UTC)(link)
[ their glasses clink, and vil takes a delicate sip from his own drink, his own glass also freed from the curse now. ]

Hard work. Luck won't give you everything you need, it's far more satisfying when you achieve something by your own efforts, no?

[ he's not opposed to conversation. vil's used to networking, this isn't that much different. ]
heartinparadise: <user name="shipping"> (pic#14485339)

[personal profile] heartinparadise 2020-12-10 08:09 pm (UTC)(link)
[It used to be rare to hear any sort of reassurances or compliments, but Hua Cheng was always generous with them, and earnest enough that Xie Lian never felt like he was being patronized or made fun of.]

Mm, it might be a good start.

[Knowing more about who was supplying food here, and how it was getting in and out, it would all help them get a better idea of what was going on here and how they could help. It had to be by sea, a magical array every time they needed supplies would be pretty wasteful. Not surprising, if they were able to steal people from all over, but at least they would have some idea of how far this whole thing went.]

Once we get our accommodations settled, we should return and do some research.
plasticasshole: (◎ supersonic elements amaze me)

[personal profile] plasticasshole 2020-12-10 10:47 pm (UTC)(link)
Me? Not specifically, no.

[Well, he kind of wanted the gun store too but that probably wouldn't give off the best impression to the stranger.]

Oh, but I was going to ask for a pet goose. I saw one roaming the island recently and it had quite the attitude. I'd like one of my own.
dragonslaving: (Not while I'm eating!)

[personal profile] dragonslaving 2020-12-10 11:35 pm (UTC)(link)
While Lina wouldn't hesitate to blast Zel, there has always been something about Zelgadis in a temper, or bad mood, that throws her off. There is a part of her that would rather just blast him, but food.... Maybe she can learn, after all.

"I'm going to let that slide because there's nothing but food surrounding us. And maybe I'll be gracious enough to forget it, because you're probably grouchy and need to eat, too," Lina so magnanimously offers.

"You want any tea to go with this meal?"
illegibly: (Default)

[personal profile] illegibly 2020-12-11 12:06 am (UTC)(link)
Hard work doesn't always get you what you want.

But good luck, that always does.

[ And it's also something that he can give. Not that Vil needs to know that. ]
thetragicbackstoryguy: (23)

[personal profile] thetragicbackstoryguy 2020-12-11 12:07 am (UTC)(link)
"Excuse me, who's the grouchy one here?"

Okay, so maybe he is a little grouchy, but he thinks it probably has more to do with waking up in some weird town with no explanation as to why than it does with being hungry. Either way, he decides that there's no point in arguing about who's grouchy and why. He sighs and just deflates a bit, giving Lina a quick shrug.

"Actually, tea does sound pretty nice right about now." He's not so sure he's call that box of colorful snack cakes that Lina's found a meal, but he'll just keep that to himself.
Edited (O HTML) 2020-12-11 00:07 (UTC)
illegibly: (maybe you don't know enough)

[personal profile] illegibly 2020-12-11 03:19 am (UTC)(link)
En. But only after we get settled.

[ It won't do to come back to the house and have nothing and go hungry. He'll make sure to take good care of Dianxia as he hasn't been able to thus far, and gege could use a break.

On the bright side, at least if the food is poisonous, it won't really affect either of them, and so, he makes sure to get them enough food and water for two or three days. It's a bit extravagant, but they do have a refrigerator!
]

If we like the food here, I say we split a watermelon with some of the other residents.

[ He smiles at Xie Lian as if asking for his permission, or at least, pitching him the idea and wondering what he thinks. ]
heartinparadise: <user name="shipping"> (pic#14485345)

[personal profile] heartinparadise 2020-12-11 03:55 am (UTC)(link)
[Still feeling out of sorts, and having no reason not to comply, Xie Lian does as asked. He stays motionless, blinking over at the other man and in a moment, his clothes steam off the moisture, feeling dry and soft once more.]

Oh! That's so handy, thank you!

[He pats his chest, marveling at how quickly he's dried.]

You're too kind. I, ah-

[Right. There's that whole business about being transported from his humble shrine in Puqi, to a completely new place.]

I wonder if I might impose on you further; as you may have surmised, I've no real idea what I'm doing here.
heartinparadise: (pic#)

[personal profile] heartinparadise 2020-12-11 04:57 am (UTC)(link)
[It would be a treat, to get to share one, even if it would feed a small village on its own. And San Lang did seem rather adorably excited about the idea.]

It would help us get to know our fellow islanders. I imagine there are plenty willing to share a few words in exchange.

[He glances up over his shoulder unable to keep a hopeful look from his face. If they needed an excuse, he'd be happy to find some.]

Oh, perhaps a hospitality gift, to share with whomever we might stay with?
illegibly: (coyly)

[personal profile] illegibly 2020-12-11 06:05 am (UTC)(link)
Oh, yes.

[ Even though he's sure it's not their house any more than it belongs to him and gege, but still. They can get them a nice gift to break in the fact that they've got two more people living with them. ]

Is this enough, do you think?

[ He reaches down and rifles through the things they do have to take a tally, careful not to accidentally touch gege somewhere he shouldn't, though he might purposely brush his hand against his arm, his shoulder. ]

For the two of us? I don't know what our new roommates like.
heartinparadise: <user name="shipping"> (pic#14485381)

[personal profile] heartinparadise 2020-12-11 07:24 am (UTC)(link)
[If the house Hua Cheng had arrived in was anything close to the home Xie Lian had accidentally invaded, there could be at least a handful of people there. Hopefully they could spare a bit of floorspace for them and now, apparently, their food supplies as well.]

For just us? More than enough, this could last weeks if we had to.

[Xie Lian knew how to stretch their supplies, after all. And compared to what he'd grown used to, this was a bounty. He bends to help move things around, organizing their selections into neat piles and accidentally reaching for the same object from time to time. There's no flinching away from Hua Cheng's casual touches, and he wears a faint, but genuine smile.]

If we need to share or get more, I'm sure we can figure things out from there, but if they are anything like the residents I met this morning, they should be amply supplied.
policedefective: (Drinking coffee)

[personal profile] policedefective 2020-12-11 08:45 am (UTC)(link)
Preciously.

[Thank you for understanding and not trying to have another of your bleeding heart moments.]

Isn't it obvious? Figure out what caused use to appear here, and then once that is resolved, find an escape route to return home.

[Nothing different than a planning an outing to the Metaverse, it seemed.]
whiteshroud: (jun79)

[personal profile] whiteshroud 2020-12-11 05:16 pm (UTC)(link)
Um...a few. We got a gun shop? Though it's not like it's actually functional... [Actually it's pretty much useless]

We're working on getting a clothing store next.
afoolshope: (🌕 066)

This ended up in my spam along with like five others asdfghjkl DW needs to stop

[personal profile] afoolshope 2020-12-11 08:14 pm (UTC)(link)
Mm. The dorms are in Iwatodai, but the school is in the island. Are you from Tokyo?

[He moved around himself, the consequence to going between relatives but he was curious if Akira was a Tokyo native. He had lived there is only briefly.]
dragonslaving: (Just shut up!)

[personal profile] dragonslaving 2020-12-11 09:15 pm (UTC)(link)
It's a good thing he thinks there's no point in arguing, because that's exactly what Lina will do, stubbornly, and finish with abuse, if given the chance.

"You're the grouchy one, clearly," Lina says darkly as she looks back, a ball of fire starting to build in her hands.

She's already grabbed pre-popped popcorn and bag of "shrimp chips". She'll grab rotisserie cooked chicken and some fresh fruit and vegetables on the way out, but first, she's going to make sure she's prepared!

"Look? Already made tea," Lina cheerfully tells Zel, like she hadn't been just about to verbally bite his head off (and possibly physically fry him), as she picks up a bottle and shows it to him.

"I think you need some."
thetragicbackstoryguy: (13)

[personal profile] thetragicbackstoryguy 2020-12-11 11:00 pm (UTC)(link)
Zel is half tempted to counter with a spell of his own, but seeing as Lina is very quickly distracted by something other than setting him ablaze, he'll just let it slide. Talking to Lina is like conversational whiplash sometimes, and one just has to learn to roll with the punches. And fireballs.

"You may be right," Zelgadis says, reaching for the bottle to inspect it closer. The ingredient list catches his eye, and he squints to read the tiny print.

"Water, high fructose corn syrup, tea, phosphoric acid, sodium hexa...metaphosphate... What-- what is this stuff? Red 40? What is that? What--"

He is absolutely perplexed by the bottle, don't mind him.
dragonslaving: (Side-eying you)

[personal profile] dragonslaving 2020-12-11 11:16 pm (UTC)(link)
"Dunno...." Lina mutters as she finally looks at the "ingredients" on her own packages. She can't help but check into it now that Zelgadis has started it.

"At least yours says tea. I'm not sure there's any shrimp in these chips, at all."
thetragicbackstoryguy: (10)

[personal profile] thetragicbackstoryguy 2020-12-11 11:31 pm (UTC)(link)
He's too smart for his own good. They could just be eating garbage food and going about their day, but nooo, Zel had to go and read the big words. Now he's just suspicious of everything in this store.

In the name of science, he's opening this bottle up right now and taking a drink because what does sodium hexametaphosphate taste like, and almost immediately grimaces.

"Gah, this is horrible! It just tastes like sugar! Tea should be the easiest thing in the world to make, it's just water and tea!"

No, fuck this, now he's on a quest. He will find real tea in one of these goddamn bottles if it's the last thing he does. Sorry Lina, he is now grabbing one of each different type of bottled tea and obsessively reading the label.
pragmatism: (12)

[personal profile] pragmatism 2020-12-12 02:59 am (UTC)(link)
[ A gun shop?

Zhongli appears to think for a moment. A gun... ah yes, those special inventions that were only used by the Fatui. A tightly guarded secret from all that are outside the organization, but for someone familiar with the intricacy of the elements, Zhongli could understand a little just by looking.

Anyways, matters of commerce are more important to him ]


Then do you know who or what is maintaining the supply chain?
whiteshroud: (jun79)

[personal profile] whiteshroud 2020-12-12 03:08 am (UTC)(link)
[Oh that is actually an insightful question. but jun shakes his head]

No, not really. We just know the stores restock and maintain themselves. It's probably magic of some kind, but I don't know the source.
pragmatism: (02)

[personal profile] pragmatism 2020-12-12 03:22 am (UTC)(link)
[ What is this flagrant disregard for rules and supply-side policies?????



Ahem. Zhongli's expression doesn't change, but he closes his eyes for a moment. ]


Another one of this world's mysteries, then. [ He doesn't sound approving of it, though... ]
illegibly: (right back)

[personal profile] illegibly 2020-12-12 05:10 am (UTC)(link)
[ He makes no comment about that first part, because if it's up to him, he won't let gege go hungry again. He won't let any harm befall him, now that he's here once more.

What he really wants to do is reach down into the cart, and give him a hug. But he knows that won't be accepted, so instead, he proceeds to take them to the checkout lane, so they can go back to the house.

He figures out the payments easy enough, and then as he stands by the cart return, he bends over and reaches out his hand, one to guide gege, one to act as a step.
]
dragonslaving: (Kitty smile! Trouble)

[personal profile] dragonslaving 2020-12-12 03:46 pm (UTC)(link)
"They better not make us pay for that," Lina gripes. She's willing to pay for the other stuff, but not the tea Zelgadis taste-tested and decided to leave.

She gets bored pretty quickly of Zel's crusade to obtain just tea and goes around the corner to find...well, a very interesting aisle, indeed.

Lina opens her mouth to shout over at him, and let him know what she has found, but closes it. Nah. She'll tell him in a little bit.
heartinparadise: <user name="shipping"> (pic#14485293)

[personal profile] heartinparadise 2020-12-12 06:15 pm (UTC)(link)
[Xie Lian blames the silence on his uncanny ability to kill conversations, and doesn't think much more of it. He helps with the grocery checkout, handing Hua Cheng things from the cart one-by-one, as they're bagged up and- sure enough, Hua Cheng's card worked just fine.

Getting out of the cart is a lot trickier than getting in, and Xie Lian takes the offered hand for balance before clambering out. If it nets him a few odd looks, he doesn't seem at all bothered, and dusts himself off before reaching into the cart to help carry some of the remaining bags.]
thetragicbackstoryguy: (36)

[personal profile] thetragicbackstoryguy 2020-12-12 07:00 pm (UTC)(link)
"I'm certainly not paying for this filth," so he says, but he probably will anyway if only to avoid unnecessary conflict. For now, though, he's going to spend the next 20 or so minutes reading bottles. With so many options to choose from, surely at least one of these will actually be ingestible.

Eventually he does find one that he deems acceptable, and brings it over to Lina to show her.

"There, see, this is all tea should be. Water and tea, how hard is it to get that right?" And now Zelgadis is an organic food snob, good times.