pedalbike | Fourth TDM: Winter's breath

Welcome to the Test Drive Meme.
| Premise | FAQ | Full Navigation | Rules | Reserves |

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!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Kantera pulls out an obviously homemade charm, with letters inscribed in a language that doesn't exist.]

Keep this on your person and you should be protected from the effects of cold for... it depends on severity, but for a mundane winter the magic should last for a week.

[huh. . . curious. Akira isn't sure he believes these charms actually work, though it isn't because he doesn't believe in magic]

[he just. . . you know. also believes in con artists]

That sounds great, but. . .

[rocks back on his heels, toes kicking at the ground thoughtfully]

How do we know they actually work? Can we test drive it before we buy it?

Oh, that could be easily enough arranged. Why don't you pick it up?

[This is a trap that will lead to ice magic in the face.]

[THE COMPLETE OPPOSITE OF WHAT KANTERA IS ADVERTISING FOR??]

[but unfortunately as business-savvy as Akira can be, sometimes. . . sometimes he makes mistakes. so he's picking up one of the charms to give Kantera a curious and somewhat expectant look]

Now then, allow me.

[Kantera flicks his wrist, and a ball of ice and snow appears and launches itself directly at Akira's face.

Despite that, it doesn't feel nearly as cold as it should be?? Or, it's the same temperature, but less uncomfortable. Still wet though.]

Edited 2020-11-28 01:50 (UTC)

[STRANGLED NOISE OF SURPRISE???]

[please. . . please give him a moment, he wasn't expecting that, and the moment the ball of ice and snow smacks into his face he winds up dropping the charm. oops]

[once what happens sinks in, he. . . makes a face and then lifts a gloved hand to brush some of the snow from his cheeks and bangs]

Touche.

[well-played, mister. he may just have to buy one of these now]

You wished for a demonstration.

[don't blame him, you asked!!]

[a soft snort, and he flicks his fingers to the side to dry them off]

I did, I did. Mmm-- so what sort of payment are you looking for?

[Instantly:] That hat which you are wearing, or one like it.

[gentle gasp, and Akira immediately grabs the hat flaps and pulls said hat even more tightly down his ears]

Absolutely not.

[IT'S HIS!!!!]

Come now, not even a moment's consideration?

[it's so cute and he wants it!!]

[yes, and that's why Kantera can't have it]

Nope. Not a single one.

[reaches up to tug on his hat's cute li'l ears]

The hat is happily spoken for.

Then, at least tell me where you acquired it, so that I may obtain one for myself?

[don't be mean!!]

[he can't help it was with him when he arrived!!]

Sorry; it's a one-of-a-kind, limited edition hat.

[a beat]

By which I mean, I found it next to my person when I first got here. Whoever gave it to me has great taste.

Ah, I see...

[His wings droop in disappointment.]

In that case, I suppose I will have to settle for something less valuable than that.

[aw. and now he feels kind of bad]

If you find someone who can knit, I bet they'd be willing to make one for you. For a price.

[not that. . . Akira can help with that, unfortunately]

I would pay any number of charms for such a thing. I love cats, you see.

[If only Akira could be that person...]

Good taste.

[Akira is also a cat person, though this conversation is making him miss the familiar weight of the Mona bag against his shoulder. . .]

I'll keep my eyes peeled for a similar hat, okay?

Edited 2020-11-28 18:18 (UTC)