JANUARY 2020 TEST DRIVE MEME

[sodder]

JANUARY 2020 TEST DRIVE MEME

Welcome to January's Test Drive Meme! This month's Test Drive's theme is: OCEAN 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.

PLEASE NOTE FOR CHARACTER ARRIVALS: This month, all players can choose to have their characters wake up in the town of Deerington or on the Titanic.

CW: Ghost of a child, rotting corpses, drowning, hallucinations, paranoia
Don't forget to tag content whenever necessary. Have fun!

Prompt One
Prompt Two
Character Arrival
Master Navigation

WHERE FEET MAY FAIL

For those who were left behind in Deerington while everyone else was whisked away in the flood during the New Years Eve party, they will find that the town is a little more wet than usual. The streets are still flooded, houses are damp, and the chill of winter isn't making it easy to deal with. Your hands can feel like ice any day of the week and it's hard to focus with how badly you may find yourself trembling from the cold.

But it's almost preferable to the visions. They start off while you're sleeping; large sea monsters roaming the ocean, waiting to pull you down into the darkened depths; or maybe it's a strange, ghost looking girl with glowing eyes and tattered clothing, her skin blue and rotting the way a body does when it's been submerged in water for too long. She's calling out to you, beckoning you down, and all around her are the strung up, floating corpses of the people who were foolish enough to listen.

It's just a dream though, right? Slowly you start to see the girl around town. She's still calling to you, watching you, waiting for you. If you get too close, she'll even be able to grab onto you, pulling you down into the waterlogged streets, and into what you thought was only a puddle of water. It's as deep as an ocean, and just as dark and cold too. Someone near by can grab onto you before she can drag you under and the vision will disappear. If no one does, maybe if you're a strong swimmer, you'll be able to struggle free, but when you resurface, there will be a bruise forming on your arm in the shape of a hand – something to remind you that maybe these visions are a little more real than you gave them credit for.

The only way to stay safe is to travel in pairs. The girl seems to keep her distance when there's more than one person around, but it doesn't mean she won't try to find the means to separate you. Whether it's increasing the flooding in certain areas of the street or trying to distract one of you long enough to put some distance between you and your comrade, she'll do whatever it takes to try and grab onto whoever she can.

GHOST SHIP

Those who are on the boat might find that life is a little easier, depending on what class you've found yourself in. The struggles between first, second, and third are certainly rough on everyone, but many seem to find themselves thinking this is just the way of things. Maybe your mind has been altered to just accept the class differences or your memories completely rewritten and you think you've led a completely different life so far; either way, only a handful of passengers seem to fully understand that this isn't the way things are supposed to be.

There's nothing anyone can do to change things, though, and so many find themselves getting lost in day to day activities. Whether it's working on the ship, enjoying the finer foods in the first class dining halls, or enjoying the rowdy parties in third class storage after hours, everyone seems to be finding something to keep themselves occupied. As the days pass, even those who know full well what's coming seem to forget the looming doom, and you might even find yourself feeling lost in the monotony of day to day life.

But those who stare into the water too long, who look at the strange, large shapes swimming just under the surface might find a sense of dread filling them. The paranoia will shake you to your very core, leaving you with a sense that all is not right with this journey. You can try to tell people, but most will look at you as though you're insane. Eventually, your fear will become so heavy that you start to see destruction all around you. Whole sections of the ship will look flooded, rotting wood and rusted steel taking over every inch of the once proud ship, and every section is covered in algae. You might start to realize it looks uncannily like an old shipwreck.

The ship is still floating, though, and the coarse steady. So it's all in your head, right? Staying away from the water will make the visions and paranoia eventually ebb, but any glance at the floating shapes will cause it to come back tenfold. Maybe just stay inside and away from the ship's edge. It seems a lot safer that way.

Character Arrival

You can read how all characters arrive in Deerington here.

NOTE: Character's this month can wake up in Deerington or on the Titanic.

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.

Comments

[pinballs]

[Kim lets out a sound that resembles a laugh--no, it sounds more like a cough trying to cover up a laugh. A "good skeptic". Being a "good skeptic" definitely has gotten him far as a detective....]

So you're dedicating your time to drinking and feasting while you can. A sound decision, I guess.

[At least he doesn't sound disapproving. When you work with people as corrupt as the RCM, you get people much worse with their drink (and other assorted drugs), and Kim honestly doesn't case--so long as they can still do their jobs and don't involve him.

A question leaps to the front of his brain, and he hesitates for a moment. It's stupid. He'd never ask this sort of thing during any sort of questioning. Wasn't he supposed to be gathering information on more important things?

Ah, fuck it.]

Just to be clear, was it a dimension filled with chickens, or was everything in that dimension made of chickens? [A pause.] This is for investigative purposes, obviously.

[gremlinkeeper]

Maybe he should be happy. But Sizhui is a special case, so he's less than pleased that there is danger to his son. Wangji glances to his side at the junior, expression remaining just as composed as before (maybe a little gentler, but not by much) when he sees Sizhui brave his fear to see it for himself.

"Our best. Check the perimeter."

[gremlinkeeper]

It's subtle, how he moves to better block her from the view of others. Just a shift in position, really. And a very hard stare at anyone who looks like they might approach. It makes most people veer off after paling, and that suits him just fine.

After a moment to be sure, Wangji glances back at her.

Why she is dressed so scantily, he doesn't understand. Isn't even sure he wants to know. But she can't be warm enough, so he thinks for a moment of what should be done. And what he's noticed on his wanderings.

"...Some warmer clothes might help. Come, I saw where new clothes can be purchased." And he has some silver and gold with him so he can pay for it if she can't.

Lan Sizhui | The Untamed

[lanofsizhui]

I. Third class to first class
Lan Sizhui woke up alone, far from the warm safety of home of his village in Cloud Recesses. He's on the ship on the lower level. Woke up in the third class, wandering around without his fellow juniors to accompany him. It's unsettling to him to wake up alone.

The youth stick out like a sore thumb compared to everyone else. He's wearing a snow-white robe with a headband around his head in an ancient oriental fashion from another era. As he made his way up to the higher levels of the deck, he can't find anyone familiar and he felt aware he's one of the poorer classes.

Still, upbeat with a cheerful smile, he did make his way to the dining area to see if he can find anything to eat. This is sorely tempting because everything back home in Cloud Recesses the food is bland and almost vegetarian diet.

Seeing so much food in first class dining room is tempting. If he could even have those chicken wings on the table....

II. Deck
He came upon the higher decks to have some fresh air. But what are those strange shapes swimming beneath the water? Is it a ghost? Just coming close to the rail and he feels a sense of dread, a memory long buried and forgotten.

Very carefully, he steps away from the rail before he becomes overwhelmed and fear this fear is too much before he starts seeing things and flooded with fear.

"Don't come near the water...there's something below, I don't know what is it."

III. Wildcard!
[Want to do something in the town instead? Arrival, going to shops, or get together? Plot with me and hmu!]

[neverstudied]

Hey, beats panicking over shit that can't change.

Dimension filled with chickens. Specifically, a pocket dimension created by a demon, and every chicken that existed on earth got teleported there by some guy with weird priorities. He sent us there too, we started plummeting towards the ground 'cause for some reason everything sent to that dimension appears in the sky, and then we got saved by getting sent to Hell.

[A beat.]

Sea monsters don't sound so fucking bad anymore, huh?

[lanofsizhui]

Facing his fear is a lesson he must overcome. Lan Wangji is his first teacher, and he learns his lesson well. He steps away from the rail and feels a little better. The dread from before lingers still. His father's presence is calming and he wants to be just like him.

With a nod, Sizhui clutched his sword. "Our best. I'll go check the perimeter. In case we get lost, where shall we meet again?"

First Class

[gremlinkeeper]

Wangji was being led to his table when he spies a familiar robed figure peeking in longingly. He glares at the waiter until the poor man grows flustered, then gestures at Sizhui.

"Bring him in. He will eat with me." The or else is only just left off.

The man scurries off after blustering uselessly for a moment and goes to escort the junior in while Lan Wangji waits impatiently until his son is brought over, then sits with a short nod to the poor man who quickly bows and all but runs off.

"Where did you wake?" He murmurs to his son, visually checking to make sure Sizhui is unharmed in any way.

[gremlinkeeper]

Truly though, Lan Zhan is very proud of Lan Yuan. He nods his approval, then looks away, considering where the best bet would be. And out of concern for his son, he doesn't suggest the narrowest point. So he looks to the opposite end, half turning to one of the large stacks belching out smoke.

"The base of this metal building. Do you have a signal flare on you?" Because he will always come if Sizhui needs help.

[lanofsizhui]

Sizhui did not expect to see his father here, but upon invitation, he's all smiles. He's not harmed. He is all right. Just woke up hungry and disoriented, and haven't figured out they're no longer home in Cloud Recesses.

"Hanguang-Jun." Always respectful to his father though there is confusion in the junior's expression. "I woke up an hour ago. Where are we? Is this a ship? I didn't know we're taking a trip! You could have told me!"

[gremlinkeeper]

His severe expression gentles just a little at his son's sweetness. And there's an attempt at reassurance as well, but he's never been very good at that. People tend to think he's being reassuring when he's just...being...brutally honest.

"Mm. We are on a very large ship. I believe we are heading West."

Wangji shakes his head slightly. "This was not planned."

[lanofsizhui]

With a nod, understanding his father's strategy, he sees that. Likewise, if he needs help and guidance, he'll come running.

"I see it." At his question, Sizhui searched his inventory. "Ah, Hanguang-Jun. I only have a few carried on me." As he did not come quite prepared for this journey and he came carried sparsely.

"I shall meet you back at the base in half an hour....?"

[gremlinkeeper]

He waits for the answer, serene and patient. Sizhui is swift and efficient, so he doesn't have to wait long. Wangji nods- better than nothing.

"Mm. Half an hour. Walk with care, this ship is unlike what we are familiar with." And this is his son, of course he's protective. But Wangji also trusts his son to do well, and be able to defend himself against most things. And so he turns without another word and heads for the rear of the ship, taking the larger section for himself.

I DIE LAUGHING every time I see Ten licking his lips. XD

[so_dark_a_road]

"Those who seek tend to create opportunities to learn what they need to know in order to find the truth," Jan answers, with a smile. He'd be perfectly happy to meet John again after John reads Einstein's paper. And he might just tag along to that meeting with Einstein! Just try and get rid of him! (Nevermind the shipwreck, Curufin will haul John out of the water and into the lifeboat.)

"No apologies necessary, but thank you for that." Smile.

Curufin went to engineering school, of course, not to any prestigious academy. But he's aware that those academies do provide an excellent education to any who are able to profit from it. Clearly, John is one who did.

"And if I have interrupted your studies, I apologize for that." Might as well be as gracious as John is.

[hauabunga]

[Hau breathes a sigh of relief at being fully released, taking a moment to stretch before ultimately resting both his hands comfortably behind his head.]

Well yeah! We, like, were all just talking weren't we?

[The way he called Sun a brat though... well, ok that checked out somewhat just by this being Guzma, but then he goes on about Hau ever having a bone to pick with him and the trial captains? That just makes Hau's face scrunch up in confusion.]

Wait— What are you talking about?

[blackwaterchild]

Miu straightens as people tend to scatter from Wangji's chilling gaze, herself more amused than intimidated. But maybe that's just because it's not being used against her.

As he looks to her, though, she opens her mouth to say--something, but the moment's lost in his offer that has her snapping her mouth shut with a look of confused suspicion. She looks ready to argue, more just for the sake of it and because she doesn't like the feeling of owing someone anything.

"I'm not col--" She begins, but then she shivers violently and her expression sours, like she can't believe her body would betray her like this. She sighs heavily. "...I don't have any money on me though. It's kind of pointless to look at what I can't buy."

[lanofsizhui]

The very idea of classes was lost on him. So he can't figure out the difference between third, second, and first other than he was being treated differently because he was designated in third class. From his point of view, he just saw Wangji a few days ago after he left with a certain cultivator going on their journey, so there's mild disorientation.

He was used to his honesty. "We were? I didn't know I could come along." Still, if he didn't mind it, then this is welcoming. "Not planned."

With a grin, he looks around to see what people are having. Their table is empty, with no orders yet. "What we're going to eat? The food around here seems quite luxurious. Is this what it means? To eat in first class?"

[nihiletgo]

Huh?

[Hau's confusion...confuses Guzma. Well, that and the fact he was talking about the three of them chatting? That's never happened, hell, the last time he had any sort of "chat" with that part-timer was at the tournament, when he wrecked the boy's arm, and then got crushed...

His expression sours recalling that, but also because he's not sure what to think of this Hau before him. Narrowing his eyes once more, his brow furrows, those scars adorning his forehead pronouncing the creases.]

I don't got a clue what the hell you're talkin' about, kid. I suggest you start makin' sense.

[Everything so far has been strange since he's arrived, so he's starting to wonder if this Hau is just another part of the oddity this place seems set on. If maybe he's some sort of...delusion, or illusion, or...something. The way his posture stiffens and becomes tense when just before he had eased, isn't a good sign...]

[lanofsizhui]

With a nod, he obediently obeys, walking around, surveying the ship. He's not liking this trip one bit. Every time he goes near the railing close to the water, he felt the dreadful fear again. He blinks once, then twice, and he sees a vision of the ship's true nature in his mind. A rotting wreck, a section of the ship looks rusted, algae-covered. Once he steps away from a distance, he blinks again. The ship is normal.

Is he really imagining it? Is the vision real? He knew he was sensitive, seeing things, dealing with spiritual matters is his lifelong study. He wanted to flee back to find the safety of another person or back to Wangji's side, but he doesn't want to show this fear and let his father knows of this as a weakness. This is unlike him.

When his patrolling is over, he waited at the designated spot where they agreed, and when his father returns, he felt relieved seeing him.

"I'm done. There's nothing to see." There's a pause, a beat. "But this ship is strange. THat I wonder..."

Alana Bloom / Hannibal (S1)

[guestlectures]

Arrival

[ After three days on board Alana still isn't certain she's not suffering from ongoing hallucinations. She is (somehow) on the Titanic (though it's sailing in the wrong direction) and she's being treated by most people on board like she belongs here. In second class. On a ship destined to sink.

As much as possible she tries to go along with-- whatever this is. She spends a lot of time watching, and after a few days she thinks she's not the only one who doesn't belong here. There are others who don't seem as comfortable with the language and the mannerisms.

Picking her time, making sure they'll both be alone, she approaches-- ]

You don't belong here either, do you? [ There's no guarantee she's right. She might be talking to someone who's firmly part of the world. ]

Ghost Ship

[ Some time into the voyage Alana stops scrutinising her fellow passengers so closely and lets her attention turn to the ocean.

And she immediately regrets it ]

Did you see that? [ She reaches out for the arm of someone passing by. With her other hand she points down into the water ] There's something down there, following the ship.

ghost ship, 2x12

[gentrify]

Seriously? [ mickey's just coming from a shift in the engine deck, thin, white tank top and tied off jumpsuit smudged with charcoal and dust, smoke clinging to him all over. ] Can't even go on a fucking cruise without stumbling over some zoned out crackhead, Jesus Christ.

[ he's muttering, sighing out as he crouches down to grab at the man's ankles and start to drag him down the hall. these places are narrow and this douchebag's a tripping hazard, okay? just gonna find somewhere out of the way to dump him. ]

[hauabunga]

Eh? You're the one not making sense!

[Hau can't help that he's confused and of course Guzma getting confused too just makes things worse! The shift in Guzma was noticeable though, prompting Hau to put his hands up in front of him disarmingly.]

I don't get what's going on, but before coming here I was, like, training for the league, yeah? I saw you and Sun recently though outside of the Aether House. Dunno what you were talking about before I got there, but I asked you about your Golisopod and you told me about your island challenge!

[Who knows if this actually clears up the misunderstanding, but Hau tries anyways.]

I've never had a bone to pick with you, Guzma!

[nihiletgo]

[Guzma's silent as he studies Hau, still having not a single damn clue what he's talking about. His island trial...wasn't something he so freely talked to anyone about, and while he's opened up to Hau in the past, it's never been like that. Not to mention that bit about a league? What league..?

Golisopod seems to sense the unease in Guzma, his cross-shaped eyes looking to his trainer, then to Hau as if trying to decide what to do. Usually Guzma and himself are far more in sync, but it seems even this has Guzma out of wack, and with it Golisopod. The low rumble from the giant isopod is enough to pull Guzma out of his thoughts.]

...Nah.

[He shakes his head, then shrugs with an eerie smile.]

We never talked about that.

[Suddenly Guzma steps forward to grab at Hau himself. His fist grasping the front of the kid's shirt, lifting him up by it. He doesn't say anything, just stares at Hau as he is seemingly assessing him—appraising him through both staring him down and the weight of him in his hold. His eyes scanning over Hau's face, then looking at the shirt grasped in his hand, his brow furrowing before releasing that hold, letting Hau fall.

His hands find their place in his pockets once more as he begins to speak once again, staring down at Hau with an eerie calmness.]

I don't know what's going on, but I ain't likin' it.

[watchmethwip]

"Okay, Siren Amara, just an fyi," Peter starts, taking the offered hand to get up, then stepping away as he puts his palms to his lower back, arching and cracking his spine with a little grunt on each twist. "It's not 'Flying Spiderant Person'. That's a mouthful. It's Spider-Man. Spidey if you're a friend, I guess. And for another, I can keep myself safe. Shocking, I know, but I'm pretty used to it by now."

Squinting at the tentacle, Peter rubs his chin for a moment in thought. "There's no point just attacking one limb. We need to see that thing's body. I can try getting it out and give you a chance to go for the body..."

[watchmethwip]

First off, thanks.

[Pushing up his own mask halfway to expose that stubbly jaw and crooked nose while the free hand eagerly reaches for the offered slice.]

Secondly, rude. Which one are you in all the multiverses?

[heisenbitch]

[ Jesse yanks his arm away from that hand, startled, and flings about-face on the spot. He trips over his own cold, bare feet, nearly sprawling backwards in a heap, and catches himself unsteadily just in time. His hand shoots up to clutch his throat as he drags in another rasping breath into his still burning lungs while he gapes wildly at the guy. ]

B-Back off, asshole!

[ Feverish panic is scribbled all over his pasty face. Wait, is... Is this person real? He can't tell; the shock of nearly drowning still has his pounding head in a dissociated fog. Is that a real person standing in front of him? That girl — where is she? Jesse darts a manic glance all around him. Seeing nothing, his attention snaps back onto the guy. ]

Th-That girl—! [ He's shrieking but his voice comes out strangled and hoarse. ] Wh-Where'd she go?