soddersays | AUGUST 2019 TEST DRIVE MEME

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AUGUST 2019 TEST DRIVE MEME

Welcome to August's Test Drive Meme! This month's Test Drive's theme is: DYSTOPIAN HORROR.

All Test Drive Memes contain at least one clue to the Deerington's upcoming in-game events for the month! Keep your eyes peeled! But...not literally.

Characters may die during TDMs, but you do not need to count it towards a game-canonical death unless you want to. Consider it a freebie. All TDMs can be considered game canon as TDMs introduce minor aspects about the world of Deerington that can be revisited by characters later on in the game. You may also use TDMs for your application writing sample as well as AC.

CW: Physical violence, monster violence, creepy ogre-like monster in link, being hunted by a monster.
Don't forget to tag content whenever necessary. Have fun!

Prompt One
Prompt Two
Character Arrival
Master Navigation

BLOOD IN MY VEINS

With supplies low and food getting even more scarce, things in Deerington, Maine seem to be getting that much more tense. For those who pay attention to the habits of the townspeople, there’s something that might add to that feeling of stress; all of them seem to be involved in some kind of physical training, whether it’s archery, hand-to-hand combat, or fighting with firearms, they all seem like they’re getting ready for something and it definitely feels like it might be something big.

But no one wants to train against a townsperson - it’s highly likely they’re not going to fight fair with the way they’re all glaring at the Sleepers, as though they’re to blame for everything that’s been going on. Unless you’re sparring with people in your own backyard though, it seems like there isn’t any space to get your own training in.

The Betties are starting to pop up around town pretty regularly, waiting until they find Sleepers on their own, and quietly waving for them to come closer. “You need to prepare,” they’ll whisper to you in hushed urgency, before grabbing your hand to try and get you to follow them. If you fight, they’ll insist only once more, before leaving you alone. But there’s something inside of you urging you to comply and follow.

They’ll lead you down an alley, pushing aside a large dumpster, and revealing a trap door in the middle of the concrete. You’ve never noticed it before, even if you’ve been down this alley a hundred times. The Betty leading you leans down, pulling it open, and the ladder that goes into the tunnel is long and dimly lit. You could leave now, but the Betty will insist this is for the best.

“Knock twice. No more or less. Show them what you’re made of.”

Once you get to the bottom of the ladder, there’s an equally long hallway that leads towards a closed metal door. You knock twice and the door shakes before sliding open. The light that comes through is almost blinding with how bright it is compared to the dim tunnel, but as your eyes adjust, you can finally step in to a fully stocked training room.

There are instructors in basics for beginners, areas for intermediate, and most abundantly there are one-on-one sparring areas. The moment you come close enough, you’ll be immediately paired with another Sleeper, and the two of you will be locked in the room together to be observed. You could choose to not fight, of course, but you’ll be stuck there for a good long while if you do. It might be best to just get it over and done with.

So feel free to help others who seem to be struggling or show off your strength for everyone to see. It looks like everyone is going to need to be ready for some kind of fight.

I AM THE GREAT UNKNOWN

Maybe you got knocked out during a fight or maybe you fell asleep in your own bed - or maybe you don’t even remember closing your eyes at all, especially if you don’t usually have the ability to go unconscious for one reason or another. No matter the cause, everyone will wake up in the same place, surrounded by tall, thick hedges in the middle of a... maze?

It doesn’t take you long to realize you aren’t the only one waking up, too. Someone is next to you and it seems like you’re stuck finding your way out of here together. Literally. On each of your wrists is a metal cuff with a long chain connecting them. It can’t be broken, no matter how strong a person is or how powerful a weapon or spell they try to use against it. You’re in this together whether you want to be or not.

Once you can pick a direction to head in, it seems like this might almost be boring - that is until you start to hear the sounds of rustling leaves and breaking twigs. At first it seems like it might just be a trick to spook you, but the more you ignore it, the louder it gets, until finally you see it, charging down the row at you, scythe raised and ready to strike.

You can try to fight, of course, but it’s hard when you’re chained to one another. Learn to work together quickly and maybe you can make it work. It seems to go down with normal attacks, though it takes a long time to get the creature to fall unless you cut off the head. Ultimately your best interest might be set in running as fast as you can to get away. You can lose it in the maze if you’re quick about it. But then you might also be lost yourself.

If you do manage to lose the monster rather than killing it, stay quiet and you might not attract its attention again. It may take a while to find the end of the maze. The hedges feel like they stretch on forever and the sun is blaring down. You’d think there would be shade with all the height of the bushes, but there’s no relief from the heat. Hopefully you don’t burn easy.

When you get to the end of the maze, the two of you will come up on three doors. One door will lead out of the maze and back into the center of Deerington, cuff free. Another door will lead you right back to the beginning, forcing you to start again. And what’s behind door number three...?

The monster, of course.

Choose wisely.

Character Arrival

You can read how all characters arrive in Deerington here.

There is not a collective "all these characters showed up at the exact same moment" occurrence in Deerington. Since characters fall asleep, die, or pass out at various times throughout all their worlds, it wouldn't make too much sense if they arrived in game all at the exact same time. There should be some discrepancy between character arrival, whether by a couple minutes, hours, or even days up to a week.

The players are entirely in control of how/when they want to play their characters arriving in Deerington. For TDMs, you can play it like your character has just arrived and that can be maintained as your game canon, or you can wait until game events for that moment. Or you don't need to acknowledge it at all. The flexibility for character allows a bit more of an organic feel to the character arrival situation, so please play it to whatever feels right for you.

If you are interested in having an "arrival" introduction for one of your TDM prompts, you are more than welcome to explore that option.

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Haunted! [he repeats, snorting a little laugh. what a completely bizarre situation. buzz is already sauntering ahead, rebalancing the phone over his shoulder as he approaches the door. he doesn't intend to get too close; figures the window is gonna be the way as it always is. gosh, but even doing this is having all his instincts scream at him to keel over and pretend to be inanimate, assuming some kid or their parent is gonna burst out of it at any moment. perhaps it's the miasma of unease that being in deerington brings that buzz isn't really consciously aware of beyond it being terribly illogical. like many new 'arrivals', there's still plenty he hasn't really processed about the situation and likely won't for a while. bless that one-track mind of his.] Maybe you could try lifting a trick or two from that movie... er-- House Alone?

[close enough, even if he knows that's likely a far more active role than woody's been taking. he does briefly wonder if it involved making spooky noises and running around with a sheet on his head...

...ridiculous. he holds back another little laugh at the mental image. this is a far easier and better thing to focus on than the existential nightmare of woody having no idea about their recent adventure, forky and bo. buzz figures he can come up with a plan of action for all that once they're inside and woody's told him all that he'd mentioned before-- there's no point immediately dumping a load of information on him that he won't understand and that buzz knows will make him feel awful, given who it involves. besides! the sitrep is far more important!

something occurs to him as he looks up at the window, working out a way up to it. something he should've probably asked immedaitely when woody picked up on his broadcast but neglected to for the shock of it.]

How long have you been here? [in the house, in the town...]

... It's Home Alone, Buzz.

[We were all waiting for it, and it has been done. A-thankyou. But he looks much more at ease with Buzz around, that's for darn sure. Living here for so long (or at least so long while so isolated) has really been making him feel desperate. He does seem to be considering traps and additional tricks, so there's that.]

I guess as long as nobody gets their heads set on fire...

[Woody moves to jump up on a potted plant next to the door, clumsily leaping and jimmying the door open like he's done this far too many times (he has). It's certainly odd for a toy to use the back and front door like they own the place, but... well. He owns the place. It's weird.

Oh. Oh? Buzz asked a question.

He hops back down to push the door open, biting his lip.]

... Uuuuh... I think going on two months now.

I've tried to figure a way out of here, but... nothing yet. The roads in and out won't work.

[he just makes A Face, looking away briefly. whatever, woody! it's no haywayai!]

Certainly not. We don't need to Buttercup this. [though that would result in... them going to jail, and not bonnie's dad? hm. buzz watches woody go through the motions, mentally filing them away for later so he can repeat it if he needs to. woody's already maximized the effectiveness and speed of it, he can tell that much.

you know, on some level that's the sort of answer he'd expected. how else do you explain woody having been squatting in a house he's already used to navigating as well as a chunk of bad experiences? it still surprises him, though. buzz... mmmmostly works on clear logic, but he had only seen woody less than a day ago.

dreams are weird. this place is stupid. hoofed mammals stink so bad.] Someone else picked up on my coded message; the topic touched on that. It was no-one we know, but-- they made it clear. It's not for lack of trying.

[he slips in after woody, putting his tiny plastic hand on the door to push it shut after them. it is slightly more comforting to be back inside, that feeling of too many eyes on you that being out in public with no kid... whew. speaking of, buzz certainly knows woody well enough to be able to see the changes in his demeanor, even if they're slight.]

Do you, uh... need a moment before we get into the... everything of this?

Hey, it was a good code. I new exactly who sent it the moment I laid my eyes on it.

[He grabs his shoulder, gives him that friendly little best bud shake.

The house itself is nice; it's no kid's bedroom, with all of those perfect imperfections and messes and toys that welcome you back warmly, but... it's a place to hide out. And it's neat and orderly, not that it's that hard for a toy to be just that. Heck, toys tend to have a habit of orderliness just by virtue of wanting to be the best they can be for the ol' human boss.

He should probably ask Buzz to clarify what 'Buttercupping' is, because surely, he hasn't already been close to said toy for a long enough time for it to be him, right??? Right! But instead he sighs a bit more exasperatedly. Still smiling:]

The everything. Right.

Well... I guess it's best to start with the fact that this place? It's a dream.

All in our heads, I guess. As in — we're all asleep back home.

[Toys need their rest, too. Usually Woody's nightmares are of being disposed of, though, not Maine, USA.]

[it looks like buzz goes through the five stages of grief inside about half a second, before he settles on acceptance. it wasn't too hard for him to believe that it's impossible to leave, given he can easily quantify it as... the roads blocked off for whatever reason, or... whatever. nebulous government work. guess this is better than the space-y theme his dreams usually have, or the incinerator and being reset themes his nightmares have.

it's usually space, though. which he would admit would probably not make this situation better, for once.]

Did you try pinching yourself? [he asks, and taps his index finger off his thumb for emphasis, looks for a moment like he's about to reach out and pinch woody himself. he's really got nothing else for that.] Though I feel like you're about to tell me that's the least of our problems.

[Woody absolutely leans back and puts a hand up to those pinchy toy fingers.]

Yes, Buzz, I've tried pinching.

I've also tried yelling at the sky in frustration to wake up.

... But yeah, actually, it's the least of our problems. This place is more like a nightmare, depending on the day. [He motions at Buzz's back.] Here, we can use your Fluid to look at the network — it's got a bigger screen than mine.

[His is actually... small enough to fit in his hands.

Poor Buzz. But this could actually be an advantage!]

There's some stuff on here that'll help clue you in on the hot water we're swimming through. See, this place... it was accidentally made by some gal by the name of Sodder. Nobody's sure how old she is, or what she looks like — just that she had these powers as a kid, and it made things like this.

We got pulled in by accident.

[buzz slips the phone off himself, unhooking it with a light pop before placing it between them, angling it to give woody more opportunity at the screen. there are a bunch of apps open; a game, the torch, deerfeed. looks like he opened deerlybeloved and immediately closed out of it after seeing the log in screen.

should he ever find out they come smaller or how hard they are to damage, he might be slightly put out. buzz went extremely out of his way to keep this thing in working condition.]

Better than malicious intent. [just about. kind of.] I hope this isn't hurting her...

[no, wait, he'd rather it be done on purpose rather than not knowing. whew. okay. that's not something he's going to dwell on. he'd far rather go right into left-in-poultry-palace mode and figure out how to get home. wake up. whatever. also not thinking about how woody's been here a couple months and hasn't achieved it. it's fine? it's fine. they can work it out together.

anyway:] All I saw was someone posting pictures of a load of candy. Not what I expected. Has she posted on the network? Have you spoken to anyone on there?

Edited (lemme just get rid of that header iTS ANNOYING ME) 2019-09-08 15:45 (UTC)

From what I understand, Sodder doesn't really post — she's being held somewhere by some, uh... I guess you could call 'em villains. There's this 'Mother Superior' lady who seems like a real piece of work, and she's been keeping Sodder in some lab on the mountain... I'd say she's the one who might have all the malicious intent.

[It's miles away from the softball that is One-Eyed Bart. But at least Buzz might have some recollection of Space Ranger adventures with that kind of high stakes misery? This is definitely going to be the scariest story they've faced yet — honestly, maybe even scarier than the incinerator, now that there are actual human beings at risk.]

She made things even worse lately by sending her weird nun flunkies to start destroying supplies; people are low on food and I've been trying to make sure the kids have food in their kitchens, but it's... slow work.

[He rubs a hand over his face. Ya boy's been working overtime, Buzz. He'd never thought in a million years he'd be freaking over the thought of everyone around him going hungry while he sat perfectly dandy. He's scrolling through the feed, though, trying to find those critical information attachments.]

... I've spoken to a lot of people on my down time. They haven't caught on, not with the text.

But it's been a real event trying to get back and forth where I need to go.

Mother Superior, [he repeats with a grimace.] Evil Dr Porkchop was about ten times more subtle.

[oh, yeah, what entertainment series worth its salt doesn't have the dramatic arc where the heroes are seemingly beaten by the villains? there were plenty of episodes where it seemed like emperor zurg had won, only for a patrick warburton-voiced buzz (!!!) and friends to pull something out at the last moment! it wasn't even always a macguffin!]

I need to get another map-- the one I had before was just a basic tourist-y one. If you show me where all your frequent visits are I can work out alternative, two-person routes. [it really does go without saying that buzz is immediately ready to drop everything and help woody with anything. not that... he was holding much to begin with. no part of him thought that woody would've just spent the months he was stuck here sitting around, though he still feels a little swell of pride for his friend for doing so much for the kids here. it's the job of a toy, sure, but woody always goes above and beyond in such an admirable way.

which hasn't made him a little sad! not at all. you can't miss someone that's standing right next to you. that's ridiculous. what a dumb dream feeling! it'll probably go away if he ignores it enough.] Do they have RC cars in this town? It'd be weird using one, but if it's for a good cause, then... I can't imagine it would mind too much.

[he falls silent as he watches the posts scroll by, catching bits and pieces of them. mostly what he expects people to post about.]

I barely said anything coherent and it was almost too strange to get a response back from a human. I guess even if they don't know what we are, I always expected the reactions to have a lot more... [...] screaming.

[rip sid's budding psyche]

There might be some toy cars around; I've been making friends with a lot of the pets around these parts, actually. Buster was always a good way to get around, so I didn't really wanna ruin a good formula...

[He looks to Buzz, though, eyebrows lifting. Finally, he has someone who can share how completely weird this is with him.]

It's really crazy, isn't it? Hearing a reply back to something you say. Not that there weren't some unpleasant eggs in the basket... But it's helped pass the time, and none of them had a single clue they were talking to a stuffed cowboy doll.

[He taps a finger to his chin, scanning the feed thoughtfully.]

... Some did say I sounded like 'Tom Hanks'. Whoever that is.

[he's not so sure the pets would really like some bulky plastic on top of them, even if he's smaller than woody. it doesn't bother him at all; buzz has always found animals a little too... unpredictable for his tastes. he can always find other ways to get around-- even if they involve breaking the laws of physics slightly. why do his wings work, pixar? that's not how gravity do!]

Maybe we could find something online and have it delivered next door. [he says, though he's thinking aloud more than anything. that is extremely risky but... how cool would it be to have a roomba they could ride around in the house?? also extremely. thank you. also probably wouldn't hurt to have some spare batteries around the place if woody hasn't grabbed some already. his own battery case has been feeling a little weird since he woke up, though he doesn't yet realise it's because of his new... wing decals. this space for rent indeed.] Did this place come with a vacuum? Anything with wheels and a motor.

[that one especially is a bad idea, which buzz is fully aware of. desperate times, though, right?

buzz glances to woody, expression betraying the fact that... yeah, he has no idea who that is either. hamm would probably know. hamm knows everything. too bad the piggy bank isn't here.] Better some random, unknown guy than any suspicion. I couldn't imagine going past typing...

[he did talk to bonnie, technically, but it was under the guise of it being one of his button phrases and when he had no other choices left. guess woody's always been braver when it came to breaking the rules than buzz.]

I think there's an old vacuum in the closet...

[Very 50's, very retro. But Woody hasn't really done too much with the place, all things considered. It's not like he's... had to use any of it. There are a number of magazines on the kitchen table, newspapers... sudoku and jigsaw puzzles...

He's been very isolated, okay.]

Oh, oh oh oh! You remember those transformers happy meal toys Andy was really into for a hot minute? The autobots? They were kind of a serious bunch but — there's a real one here! A real, live robot from space! I've met 'em face-to-face and everything!

[HE'S A ROBOT, HE'S NOT AGAINST THE RULES BUZZ.]

I'll see what I can do with it. Worst case we can just use it to further the haunting set-up...

[he's putting a hand on the screen to scroll a post they've stopped on when he gives woody a look so dry it practically makes the water shortage in the town ten times worse.]

Oh, I see, you believe him when he tells you he's from a space faring galactic peace Corp.

[he does a pretty good job of sounding so very faux-offended. he just can't resist the incredible opportunity to give woody some shit. one like this might not ever arise again!]

[u lil shit]

... Yeah. Well. You crash-landed on my spot on the bed. I had a little bias.

[He gives him a shove on the arm with all the strength of a wet noodle.]

Grow another 9 feet and then we'll talk, Mr. Lightyear.

[buzz just snorts, shaking his head.

then... slowly...] W--wait, you met him? As in, he's not a toy. You two spoke face to face??

[there it is. the ??!!??!? is practically comically visible above his head.]

[He grins smugly at that with his hands on his hips.

Boy, he sure missed you, buddy.]

I sure did, and he sure isn't.

He's 100% the real deal.

[so here's a thing that's probably only happened once or twice before in the entire decade woody has known buzz: he's so shocked his voice goes up a couple of octaves. enjoy it while it lasts, cowboy.]

There is no way I am believing that you got to hang out with an actual giant robot from space, Woody! That's too much!

[the jealous salt is flowing. in this moment buzz lightyear is sheriff woody pride, circa 1995.]

This is serious!

[He tips his had back, looking pleased as pie, nudging Buzz with an elbow.]

Buzz Lightyear, are you jealous?

[Hey, this cowboy's gotta get some joy out of life where he can find it.]

[buzz stands up ramrod straight and puts one hand behind his back, the way he does in staff meetings. uses the free one to pinch the bridge of his nose. slowly inhales.]

No. [yes] This-- Autobot better watch his feet around you... [or what? or what, buzz? seriously considering how to plush rush a giant robot.] Anyway. You've had some deeper interaction with people than just over the phone. That's... good?

Edited (pone????????????????????) 2019-09-18 14:56 (UTC)

Oh, don't worry about Ironhide; he's a pretty serious guy, but he's got good morals.

[Teasing aside, it's good to have... someone who seems trustworthy.

They seriously need it.]

I think... it's good. I've had a few talks with people while hiding behind things — uh. One time I had to pretend to host a puppet show at a booth... there was a time I hid in a saddle bag and pretend to be a talking horse...

[jesus lord alive.]

[kinda goes without saying he's glad woody found someone like that, even if he's apparently a giant friggin' space robot from actual space. shared advertisty makes strange bedfellows and all that.]

Well, I don't think anyone can say you're creatively lacking. [he says, looking back to the screen with his brows furrowed.] You know, you weren't asleep last I saw you back home.

[that's the part that he can't wrap his head around; clear in his tone. it even frustrates him to a tiny degree, but it's aimed at the situation more than anything else. haven't they been through enough?]

Is there anything else? Otherwise, I have... more than enough to read and watch.

That's what I don't get either. I don't remember going to sleep, but I guess I must've... I mean, we'd had a long, long night — what with the... the visit to the landfill. We were all pretty exhausted...

[Maybe he'd laid down a second, while Bonnie and her mother had gone in. After the introductions, they'd had some time to themselves... And. Maybe he'd just... closed his eyes a spell.]

I think that'll do it... for now.

Honestly, trying to think of everything to tell you about this place leaves me kinda dizzy.

... I'm just sure glad I've got you to talk to in this big ol' house, partner.

[well, that puts some of it into perspective. poor woody... right out of the incinerator into to the creepy town in maine, huh?

buzz glances over, putting his hand on woody's shoulder to give it a squeeze.] Well... you know I wouldn't want you to go through something like this alone, right?

[he never wanted woody to suffer through anything alone, even if that's what ended up happening. admitting there are some things they just can't do anything about doesn't come easily to any of them.]

To infinity and beyond... even if that means going through a creepy town in Maine.

[oh, saying that cuts through his little battery operated heart, but he doesn't mean it any less. all these terrible things woody's said and implied-- as long as they can face it together then they'll come out fine on the other side... right?]

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wasonayoyo - 2019-09-21 17:14 (UTC) - Expand

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AUGUST 2019 TEST DRIVE MEME

AUGUST 2019 TEST DRIVE MEME

BLOOD IN MY VEINS

I AM THE GREAT UNKNOWN

Character Arrival

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