pedalbike | 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

[if Okuni had to choose between making Zhongli chuckle (once) or cry, then she'd... be happy with either!!! She's an all-opportunity punk!!! (That said, she'd immediately feel bad if Zhongli started crying, because ultimately, Okuni is just a big ole softie). It's a good thing he did the former...]

Of course not, that's half the fun! [Okuni's only ever bullies when she's sure she'll get a rise out of them... Better to be Extremely Annoyed than sad!!] It's better to be angry than afraid -- and far more interesting, besides.

[she'll stick this little snow rabbit she just made right next to the tangyuans... it's just the size of the animal-shaped talismans, and perhaps... someone will come along and end up eating it?? she can only hope...]

What do you think, mister pacifist? If you're bored just looking at things, then you're always welcome to seek revenge against me.

[ So then, she has the spirit of an adventurer instead of a spirit of malevolence. He can respect that. It makes him feel nostalgic, alongside a whole host of other things.

He looks straight at Okuni, letting a hint of steel creep into his amber gaze - not as a threat, but acknowledgement. ]

Are you a warrior?

[ Do you know how to fight, is the more accurate question. Snowball stuff is easy for him, but he is intent on keeping himself as low-key as possible.

Then again, knowing allies who are capable of combat would be very useful... ]

[zhongli.... now it's Okuni's turn to Chuckle. She unfurls her iron fan, the sound it makes when she slides it open is a clear metallic clang, and props it partially in front of her face.]

I'm the head of a shrine. [leave the warrior monikers to MEN like her brother Baren, who'd probably brag and jump at the chance to be acknowledged so.] But what kind of woman, or head, would I be if I didn't know how to fight?

[she peeps at him over her fan,]

And you? You're serious enough to be a warrior, but I want to know for certain.

[ Now Okuni is interested. It was the correct decision to phrase it that way.

As for her answer... Zhongli isn't in the habit for theatrics like the flourish of Okuni's fan. He doesn't really project the image of a warrior either, with his suit and ornaments ill-suited to combat... but as with his seal, it's entirely intentional. ]

A warrior must hone themselves in the same way as they hone the edge of their blade. If you have the intent to keep yourself sharp, I could be of some assistance.

[Zhongli in his suit and ornaments, and with his orange eye-liner and extreme height... Okuni hasn't forgotten how he barely flinched when she snowball-smacked him though, if nothing else, then he must have trained his instincts well.]

What an interesting offer, even when phrased in such a stiff way! [OKUNI....] I'll take it! Let's fight! Let's fight right now! I'm feeling oh so stiff right now, and so terribly out of shape! I need assistance! A thorough beating is just the solution!

[yeah... a thorough beating for OKUNI....]

[ Sparring... now? Well, she did say that she doesn't have any other matters to attend to, and neither did he.

It has been very long since he last took up the spear.

Hm. ]

Not here. It is too dangerous. A clearing would be more suitable.

[ This is to avoid the property damage. ]

[Okuni just nodding like following a complete stranger to another location isn't the premise of every murder mystery ever,]

I passed by a beach earlier... Oh, and a forest! I don't mind either -- both of those places could be fun. I'll leave the decision up to you, mister warrior.

[Okuni is VERY CONFIDENT that she can KICK ASS in either of those places anyway, HEH]

[ Forests imply the existence of trees. Trees are obstacles, and he wouldn't want to intrude on the land here by felling them unnecessarily. The beach will have to do. ]

The beach then.

[ But he doesn't have any weapons?

... not that he's ever at a disadvantage if he's fighting on the ground. But Okuni doesn't know that. ]

[look, Okuni's not questioning his apparent lack of weapons?? He could easily be a shinobi and have like a half a dozen kunai pinned beneath his suit jacket. She loves surprises!!!

The beach seems normal enough -- especially in comparison to the town itself. Okuni runs on over so she dip her hands in the surf for a few seconds, then she comes flying on back as if remembering that she's here to talk shit get hit with Zhongli,]

You can use anything you like -- whether it's weapons or spells, or just your bare hands... I'll do the same! And... let's make it so that whoever surrenders first loses! How's that?

[ To have a healthy sense of childish wonder does great things for one's mental constitution.

For humans, of course. Zhongli appears to think for a moment ]

I would not advise that. I will be careful, but you must stop when you have sufficiently exerted yourself. This is only a spar, there is no need to push your body.

[Okuni pulling an expression that perfectly encapsulates the emotion of "BOO"]

You say that -- but it would be far more helpful for me if you took this seriously! After all, I am but one woman stuck in a strange town in a far away land, separated from all that I know and everyone I can trust, without any knowledge whatsoever of the dangers here! I won't gain anything if you go easy on me!

[FRIENDLY SPAR?? why not... BATTLEPALOOZA??]

[ Zhongli... sighs.

He's definitely not going to use his full power. ]

As you wish. If you want to stop, you only need to let me know.

[ He holds out his left hand, and a black spear appears in his grasp. He turns it expertly to rest its blunt end on the sand, as if it weighed no more than a single feather. ]

Whenever you are ready.

Edited (MY LINKS ARE BREAKING) 2020-12-01 09:05 (UTC)

Fourth TDM: Winter's breath

wow............... im taking all his money now

unlimited money is too much power

okuni will put it to MUCH better use :3

IM AFRAID

she buys 6000 mugs for zhongli that all say "#1 gramps" on them

OH NO THATS SO CUTE!!!

THEY JUST HAVE ZHONGLI'S FACE PAINTED ON THE BACK

NOOOOO

THEY'RE CUTE STOP okuni sells them at 2x the price and calls them god of war merch

wtf profitting off his face huh!!!

but what about his fans.... the horde of zhongli fans....

THATS TRUE im laughing i think he's going to break the server on release....