pedalbike | Fourth TDM: Winter's breath

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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!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

(He's considering Abel's words, thinking about everything that has been said very carefully. Benevolent captors with an undetermined goal, here out of dedication and motivated for some cause regardless of how unpleasant things have been... there are parts that remind of certain people back home and he really isn't too eager to just accept things as they are because of it.

But is there much choice? Work with what you can, take what you can get, but be cautious and mindful.)

Tell me: All things considered, do you trust these powers that be?

(He's only been here for a short time. It's best to see what those with more experience think. And Abel seems to be... thoughtful enough.)

Well, trust is quite a strong word! Maybe that’s not the one I would use... hm. It’s a bit complicated, but...

[ he taps knuckles to his chin thoughtfully, before there’s the look of a man whose settled on something — and he pleasantly smiles ]

I definitely trust that the Admin believes he’s doing what’s right, if that makes sense. And that he doesn’t wish us any harm, but... I also get the feeling that ‘harm’ might come to us as part of seeing all this through to the finish line. That’s the sort of thing he’s come to terms with and accepted. [ Abel’s given this a good lot of thought - one doesn’t have much else to do but think, these days... ]

So... I think we’re capable of working with him, even if we might not see eye-to-eye.

(...

What difficult situation, he thinks and now it's his turn to be thoughtful.)

It wouldn't be the first time something terrible happened for the right reasons. (The weight of his words betrays the light and airy tone he carries.) I wonder what the limits are for everyone involved, though.

(How much is this admin willing to accept? And how much are the people here willing to endure? He can't help but glance at the rows of houses in sight. Assuming each house has a certain minimum number of people, that's still a large number. Navigating so many boundaries isn't an easy task and he wonders how balanced things are...)

Eye-to-eye or not, we'll have to see. Look forward but watch our back...

(He says "we" and "our" but he's speaking mostly for himself.)

This is quite the conundrum, isn't it? Confounding and confusing... A considerable conspiracy. Hah! A real con situation in a sense.

(Get it? Because all of his words start with con-? Let him laugh at his own jokes.

He's definitely taking all of this very seriously.)

[ so it seems Claude is no stranger to difficult circumstance. whether it was his own personal experiences or those of someone close to him, it was apparent he had some knowledge of how tricky the subject could be. well... Abel wishes he could say it was surprising, but it seemed like everyone in Fogtown had a complicated — and often painful — sort of life.

his eyes briefly soften, none-the-less, wondering what sort of world Claude comes from... what he’s seen and been through. people who tended to laugh things off and we’re quick to find the humor in things... that often betrayed something else about them, too. hm... ]

[ ...but Abel gives a little laugh when all is said and done, waving dismissively as he drains the rest of his (now kindly discardable) champagne flute ]

My~! You truly are a wordsmith, aren’t you? Claude, don’t tell me you’re some sort of poet or scholar back home... I can see it all too well~! That kind of thing does wonder for your popularity with the ladies too, right? That’s what I hear, anyway...

(Wonder and sympathize all he wants, Claude doesn't appear to notice and if he does, he certainly doesn't react to it. He sees nothing, he gives nothing.)

Me? (Li'l ol' him? He bats his eyes. He's oblivious. He has no idea what he means. But it's so very clear that he's playing around,) I'm only one of the most popular guys at school.

(For better or for worse. Also he sure is a student so... a scholar in a sense? He's a nerd that keeps his handsome nose clean and in books.)

Though, it's less because of what I have to say and more because of my roguish good looks, I'm sure.

(He's hot and he knows it. The status and power that comes from being a Riegan helps too but #details. Those aren't important here. His title won't curry him any favors, his blessing won't grant him any special rights. Let him revel a bit in the sweet, sweet anonymity of this horror jamjar.)

[ Abel sets his empty glass down (voila, wonder of wonders, their toast indeed was the magic trick) and pats Claude heartily on the shoulder. ]

Ah, the vigor of youth~! You're a young man in your prime, Claude, so please make sure you stop and smell the roses as they say, you know? Schooling is quite important, but you also have to live a little, right~? [ this priest is just looking out for your immortal soul by encouraging some casual debauchery, no thanks necessary, really ]

( What kind of priest encourages indulgence... He lets himself jerk forward a bit at the shoulder pat. Did he need to stumble like that? No but it’s not like he was really in any danger of being knocked over. )

Oh, you don’t have to tell me twice. You know what they say about all work and no play. ( It makes you a dull boy? Yeah, that sounds about right. ) But school isn’t as uptight as you might think. Occasionally, there’s dancing, singing, and feasts for sharing.

( It’s hard to believe that those things weren’t too long ago. So much can change in just a few months. )

... It’s still pretty uptight, though.

( Hah. )

Oh? Oh, well that’s wonderful to hear~! It seems like you’re having a wonderful time... I quite like the sound of that!

Ah, so what are you studying in school? Any particular subject, or are you going for a well-rounded approach? [ most of the younger generation of islanders seemed to have rather different ideas of what schooling entailed; he’s a bit curious if Claude’s falls into that category of odd, too! ]

The usual.

(He shrugs,)

Government, economics, science, history, religion, music... (Pretty ordinary and he could probably leave it there but after brief consideration, he adds,) Combat, magic, and other specialties.

(He suspects the last two will come up eventually so he might as well. He also knows this isn't quite the same as a regular school for commoners or a specialty school like a magic academy so he'll offer,)

Not that I expect it to mean much here but I go to the Officer's Academy at Garreg Mach Monastery. Think of it as... a military academy. But fancy.

(JRPG Catholic Hogwarts for nobles and only the luckiest and most talented commoners. Because if you aren't born with it, you gotta work for it.)

[ he's nodding along as Claude extols the contents of this list - yes, yes, pretty normal fare there... until he gets to the last bits. ]

--Ah. I see, I see, so it's another 'magical' world...

[ is he disappointed? is he depressed...? who knows, but his shoulders are sloping and he certainly looks dejected. ]

C-Claude, I... I'm beginning to think I'm some sort of freak of nature or something... Everyone here comes from some super cool world filled with magic, or sorcerers, or... or demon exorcists and-- you're from a magical MILITARY academy, and I just-- I... how can I possibly compare to that...?!

Our friendship is just beginning to bloom, and I'm already realizing I'm a pale shadow of your greatness...!! Th-this is too cruel...

(...

Raising a brow? My dude, are you okay? Claude reaches out to pat him on the shoulder,)

Hey, hey... don't beat yourself up. (Magic and sorcerers? Fine. Normal. Demon exorcists definitely catches his attention, though.) If it helps... I'm not a mage or anything like that.

(No magic talent here. He's talented in a lot of things but magic isn't one of them.)

And I don't see why we've got to let something like where we're from or who we are stop us from getting along. Seems real silly when we were just kicking it off, you know? None of that matters here anyway. I could be a prince or the Archbishop herself and what a load of good that'll do me here.

I'm starting off here with nothing and I'm going to need everyone's help to step up. (And he's looking at Abel as he says this.) No matter who we are, we're in the same situation here.

(And isn't that equal?)

[ ah. ah, Claude is simply... he’s simply just—

the priest captures this FINE gentleman’s hands in both his own, eyes shimmering with the light of a man truly touched, moved, inspired~!! ]

Claude, you— you truly do have a way with words, don’t you...? I... I completely understand what you mean!! We’re all in this together, and I really think it’s wonderful of you to reach out your far more interesting and well-rounded hand to that of a measly, tedious priest who comes from an extremely boring and uninteresting world in comparison to yours a-and—

[ is he about to cry...? possibly. ]

I’m really... really grateful such kind and selfless people exist in this Godforsaken place, I... I’d truly be lost without your shining kindness to cast light on all this shadowy gloom...!!

(WHAT IS HAPPENING

Suddenly his hands are being held so firmly in Abel's and he really isn't sure what to make of this. Actually, he sort of just leans back out of reflex because he's so caught off guard. His guard is caught. He's lost it. And he's just trying to regain it now.

Is this priest really so emotional? He'd been so collected just moments before. Well, he supposes some of the signs were there before? But they've only just met and he isn't sure what to think exactly.)

Hey. Are you going to cry? (Is he going to cry?) Don't go crying on me.

(Please don't cry. Don't make this strange. It's usually his job to make things uncomfortable?)

Think about the moment. We were having a moment! Don't go ruining it!

Th... there’s no shame in tears among men, and I’m not afraid to say it!!

[ oh... no; it appears yes, he is crying now, dragging Claude’s hands toward his chest as if to impart the overwhelming emotion deep in his heart upon him. ]

The moment is precisely why I’m—

Y-you’re just so... the way you eloquently—

—I’m simply moved, and...

[ incapable of full sentences, also??? he’s sniffling, red-nosed and snotty. wow Claude sure must be glad he picked this loser to toast with huh welcome to fogtown...... ]

There's nothing to be ashamed of.

(He said nothing about shame? Look, go ahead and cry for all he cares... wait, no. Don't cry. He's just helplessly being moved about now and he just... tries to pat Abel awkwardly on the chest now?

There, there.... please, relax.)

... Guess I don't know my own power sometimes. (Usually he's got a pretty good idea of his powers and the effects he can have on people.) Look. Let me reach for my handkerchief.

(Let him go. Please.)

[ wow, he didn't try to shame him either...!! maybe he's gotten too used to Father Leon's rough demeanor -- that or everyone here truly was a new and unfathomable level of kind.

thankfully, the priest does ease up his death grip on Claude's hands at that, though... he goes and rubs at his face with his sleeve a moment later. sanitary. ]

Y-you don't have to go through the trouble, I... I wouldn't want to dirty it, a-and you've been so kind to me already, I...

[ his eyes. they sing a tale of great admiration... ]

I'm so glad our paths crossed today~! I won't forget the newfound friendship you've so generously offered, and... I promise, I'll make you proud!! [ what that entails... who knows, but if Claude starts hearing rumors about him being some kind of valiant magical knight who slays dragons and rescues fair maidens from castles between walking away from explosions without looking behind him and driving helicopters at top speeds to perform daring drops onto moving trains, well. you know. all in a day's work. ]

( Honestly everyone here has been kind so far? Even to Claude who is so used to being the most judged person in the room. It’s almost like if you give people a fair chance, they’ll prove themselves to be good people........ wild. )

The whole point is to get it dirty. ( Or keep it as a decorative thing which isn’t really his style. He’d rather things be practical. Reaching into his coat pocket, he pulls out a nice little handkerchief! It probably has a fancy R monogrammed on it or something because social class. He’ll offer it out to Abel though. ) Here, wipe those tears away.

( He’s just going to roll with everything now because he’s accepted this is just how things are going to be. This Father Abel will be dramatic and Claude will just vibe with it! )

Really, that isn’t necessary. ( He’s just a humble guy here, ) But if you insist, then I’ll hold you to it.

( If promised something good, he’s going to hold that person accountable. )

[ o-oh... he takes this handkerchief as if it were some prized possession being handed over, holding it tenderly before dabbing lightly at his face. wow, Claude really is the best. just... the best, isn't he? ]

Please~! I'm a man of my word, and I'll absolutely be sure to see this through! Next time you see me, I'll have a long list of reasons you'll definitely find pride in... your kindness is just that inspiring, you see...?

[ it's the power of ~friendship~ that moves him!! he's brightening up already, look at him. ]

So don't you worry! I won't let you down~! By the way, if you have any suggestions then, by all means...! Who am I to turn away the guidance of the infamous Claude?

[ btw he's infamous, now. just fyi. ]

( But he actually is infamous back home, Abel.............

As for if he has any suggestions or not? For a half second, he considers it and there’s a brightness in his eye. Ideas? Ideas. He always has ideas. And then it’s gone, replaced with a more neutral, general thoughtfulness. )

I think you would know better than me, being my senior and all. ( It’s true. Even if he’s never really been one to care too much about things like seniority. But he’ll give credit and respect where due. It’s good for morale. ) I have a feeling you’ll do just fine without being told by me.

( And he could say more! There’s a lot more he could say but those things might reveal just a little too much this early in his arrival. He’s just going to keep low and enjoy this sweet anonymity as long as he can. )

Just look out for yourself.

( Self before causes. )

[ now he can be infamous here, too, but for all the wrong reasons!! Abel is kind enough to spread a wonderful and elaborate reputation about town for him. it'll be great!! Claude'll love it!!! what could go wrong!!!!!

--senior. he flinches a bit at that word -- excuse you, is this YET ANOTHER 'grandpa hair' joke?? look, it isn't his fault he was born with old man hair, alright? GOD. you kids.

still... the little note at the end saves him a lecture, and the priest is sniffling once more before fixing his glasses and righting himself. ah, the recovery from gratuitous sobbing seems to be complete. ]

What, no friendly advice from the wise and benevolent Claude...? I'm a little disappointed, I was looking forward to what you might say... [ oh, well. you win some, you lose some. ]

But don't you worry~! There are disgusting amounts of talent around here, so even if I were to get myself into any trouble, I could probably wave my hand and fifteen superpowered knights in shining armor would come running to save me! Isn't that nice?

[ is this him justifying getting into trouble

maybe. you know, HE'S sharing this tidbit of wisdom, just in cause Claude might need it too. who knows?? could come in handy one day. ]

That's it. (He laughs! Judge and tease all you want, he's going to be nonchalant about this.) Look out for yourself.

I don't like the idea of dying or sacrificing things for some noble cause. If the going gets tough, get out. There's nothing cowardly about saving your strength and resources and living to fight another day.

(If you wanted a real noble then maybe this world should have pulled Dimitri or Edelgard into Fogtown instead of Claude. The kind of people who go on about noble causes and being willing to make any sacrifices necessary... He dislikes those that go to extremes.

...

Hmm is that for Abel or Claude, though? He doesn't miss it! But if Abel is going to speak indirectly and refer to himself, Claude will roll with it,)

Lucky you. (To have people who would bail him out of trouble and save his life if it was ever in danger.) Be careful though. You don't want to rely on others too much, you know.

(It's best to be independent and self-reliant. Grow strong and learn to fight your own battles.)

[ it's an interesting response - not one he had been particularly expecting, either. 'live to fight another day,' hm? preaching to condemn the self-sacrificial martyr... ]

Eh? But I'd hardly have gotten to this, the prime of my life, if I hadn't been relying on others... I'm not too proud to admit I'm something of a liability by nature, you know? I have extremely bad luck, so it really can't be helped. I sneeze and next thing you know there's a train hurdling in my direction, jumping the tracks, and it's on fire, and it's being driven by man-eating bears... that kind of thing.

[ a very apt analogy, if there ever was one. ]

What about you? Are you saying you're the self-sufficient sort? If you're in a school where they teach combat training and all that, are you some super cool secret swordsman or martial artist or something?

Luck, huh? (He's not a big believer when it comes to luck! In his experience, luck has little to do with most things. It usually comes down to things that can be easily explained and predicted. But if someone is that unfortunate? There's gotta be some bad luck there. Oof.) Maybe you should get yourself a charm.

(Or pray to whatever god is in Abel's land. But he'd rather believe in luck before gods.)

Hah! (He laughs,) Me? You'd be hard pressed to find me on any frontline. I'm a real delicate flower. (Seriously, hit him more than once and he's out of commission. Sometimes you're a the fast, dodgy, but squishy protag in your JRPG.) I'd rather get someone from afar. Minimize the risk, save myself the injury.

(He holds out one arm and in front of him and draws his other arm back... almost as if he was readying an arrow to a bow. Actually, that's exactly what he's doing because he's an archer. And when he "releases..."

He winks at Abel.)

Don't go looking for me in any fight.

(He's probably out of sight. Except not really because he actually really will be on the frontlines with his friends but no one has to know he has other talents here!!!)

[ o-oh, Claude's so smooth... Abel looks thoroughly impressed by this mock-archery demonstration! ]

Ah! I see, I see... the long-range type! A delicate flower, though? Really...? I never would've guessed~!

[ it's all that charm he oozes. very strong vibes. yup, definitely. ]

Ah, then the two of us can huddle together and watch people punch holes through our enemies with their monstrous magic-strength!! There's nothing wrong with being moral support, you know? Just as long as we don't end up getting eaten if something sneaks past the front lines and finds us delectable morsels sitting there, of course!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Fourth TDM: Winter's breath

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