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Sodder ([personal profile] sodder) wrote in [community profile] soddersays2020-03-25 05:21 pm
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APRIL 2020 TEST DRIVE MEME




APRIL 2020 TEST DRIVE MEME









Welcome to April's Test Drive Meme! This month's Test Drive's theme is: ENCHANTMENT 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: Enchanted food, possible body horror, mild finger injuries, magic based mind control, rapid aging, possible death
Don't forget to tag content whenever necessary. Have fun!











YOU UNCULTURED SWINE


Pork is on sale!! Time to buy it up for all your family meals. It also means anything with pork in it in all of the restaurants is on special and super affordable for just about anyone. New arrivals can even get a free meal of bacon, sausage and eggs at the diner! Seeing all the low prices, you find yourself craving pork more than ever. But who doesn't love bacon, right? Maybe you had ham and pineapple pizza at Peter's or those delicious and mouthwatering pork dumplings at the Hot Pot. You could have cooked a nice pork loin with your friends and family for a large get together. Candied bacon is a real treat to munch on in the park!

You're cooking it yourself or getting it from the local restaurants, so nothing bad could happen with a little self-indulgence, right? Just about everyone has learned not to trust the food at a giant feast in Deerington, but short of the lunch and dinner menus at the diner, the restaurants and the grocery store have never done a Sleeper harm! At least, that's the way it's always been before. Two years is long enough to start taking things for granted.

Anyone who has any of the specials from the restaurants or who cooks any kind of pork related product at home will find that once they have finished their meal, they will slowly turn into... pigs. It seems to vary on how fast a single person turns, some moving slowly over the course of days while they eat more and more food, and others will turn into a full blown pig in a manner of minutes. At first you can still talk to others and display your usual personality in pig form, but the longer you stay a pig, the more boarish you'll become.

So how do you break the curse? Locals say there's a magic stream up on the mountain that will stop these kinds of enchantments, but you can't go alone. Someone will have to carry you up and sing to you while you drink. It might be a friend or a lover or a complete stranger, but whoever you can nudge into it will have to physically carry you in their arms up the side of the mountain looking for this stream. It can take a whileβ€” the walk is fairly long, a few hours at best, but you'll know it when you find it. The stream sparkles unnaturally in the sunlight and it seems like none of the animals are willing to drink from it's unnaturally cold waters. The moment you take a long sip while your companion sings whatever song pops into their head, you'll turn back into a human. Hopefully your clothes turn back with you.

If your character does not eat meat/pork, then they'll be safe from this event!


GOOD ENDURES


Mirror mirror on the wall...

The pork doesn't seem to be the only enchanted object around Deerington this month. There are several of them cropping up all over the place and each one has a different outcome for those unfortunate enough to run into them.

Spinning wheels seem to be in the most random of places. Some of them will even just appear in your house. Sometimes multiple spinning wheels show up. Anyone who gets to close will have the strong urge to prick their finger on the spindle, the needle very easily cutting the tip and making you bleed more than you might have expected. Hopefully you have a first aid kit around.

Anyone who pricks their finger will find that they are forced to follow the next person they see around everywhere. They'll follow them to work, to school, to the bathroom, to the kitchen, even to bed. It doesn't matter if it's someone you've never spoken to in your life, you will follow them like a lost duckling every hour of every day. It's enough to drive anyone bonkers.

Mirrors will also suddenly be being displayed in every home and every shop, even if you never had them before. It doesn't matter whether or not you have a reflection, any person who looks into the mirror will find that they are forced to imitate the next person they make eye contact with. This can be their personality, their posture, the way they speak, their basic movementsβ€” you'll start to become a total mirror image. If it goes on too long, you might even start to find the two of you start to look more and more alike...

Apples start to pop up in all the stores as well as in your fridges. They're bright red and look so delicious, you can't resist taking a bite. Even if you don't like apples or are normally allergic to them, you'll want to eat these, and you'll find they taste delicious and don't bring harm to anyone. At least... not at first.

A few hours after eating the apple, you'll start to notice differences in your appearance. Your hair has start to thin and become gray and limp, your skin is wrinkled and covered in spots, your hands become frail and shaky. You're aging, and rapidly at that. Before you know it, you've turned into a hideous hag, one that would frighten children in any fairy tale book. But how do you reverse it?

The cure for all three enchantments is to tell three facts about yourself. Even just introducing yourself will show improvement if it's to someone who never knew your name before. Those who ate the apples will have to seek someone out, but anyone who pricked their finger or looked in a mirror will specifically have to confess these three facts to the person they're enchanted to follow/imitate. Once three facts have been shared, you'll be able to leave, return to normal, and age back to your regular self.



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.
littlelesshelpless: (pnw lewks)

[personal profile] littlelesshelpless 2020-03-29 04:23 am (UTC)(link)
[Bella stares for a heartbeat too long, something in her chest twisting at the sight of the marks, recognizing them immediately. She hates the spark of hope it gives her, the idea that there might be something familiar, even if it's as crazy to hope for as werewolves.

By the time Nancy looks back up, Bella's recovered enough to look off into space, face red, though she can hopefully just blame that on blood loss dizziness. She reaches out for the bottle, hesitantly, managing a weak smile.
]

If I turn into a frog, I'm gonna be kinda upset. Just so you know. [Cue a rather pathetic moment of her trying to open the bottle one-handed. Help.]
littlelesshelpless: (i'm a princess)

[personal profile] littlelesshelpless 2020-03-29 04:24 am (UTC)(link)
It's in my top ten, for sure. [Talking about her nearly-medical-grade levels of clumsiness is always a good distraction. The mention of her home makes her sober a little, frowning lightly.]

Forks. It's a really small town in Washington state. I...guess there's not an airport here, huh?
littlelesshelpless: (Default)

[personal profile] littlelesshelpless 2020-03-29 04:27 am (UTC)(link)
It's so long. [Bella has the vague, sudden urge to reach out and touch, but she was raised with manners, thankfully, so she absolutely doesn't. She will admire Usagi's hair, though, wishing her own was as bright or shiny.] Thanks. My mom reaaaally wanted me to be Italian, I guess.

O-Of course. I'm a big klutz too. I trip over nothing, all the time. [She frowns at the mention of the letter, crossing her arms over her chest.] Yeah, that was really creepy. Do you think it's real, all this? Or just...some kind of weird messed-up prank?
portraitor: (tell me dear)

[personal profile] portraitor 2020-03-29 04:38 am (UTC)(link)
[Well, Mary's not gonna deny the fact that this place is dangerous sometimes, but she's been here long enough that she's gotten rather used to it...]

No, but... dream? What are you... oh, oh! Wait, are you new here?
noblebeast: (Calm: We're not friends)

[personal profile] noblebeast 2020-03-29 04:42 am (UTC)(link)
[ While he's rather intelligent, languages aren't his thing. He knows English, but at least he can recognize its one of the Romance languages. ]

If there is I haven't seen it.

[ Which is why he's not going anywhere near those things. ]
noblebeast: (Hero: Unrestrained)

[personal profile] noblebeast 2020-03-29 04:46 am (UTC)(link)
[ It's more like not falling, but he's got enough control to make it look like he can. And lo-and-behold, she's running on rooftops. He smirks, adrenaline spiking his blood. This is what he lives for, a challenge.]

Think you can keep up?

[ And he blasts away. ]
hsalf: (blah blah speedforce)

[personal profile] hsalf 2020-03-29 04:59 am (UTC)(link)
You really have no appreciation for classics. No surprise there. All you do is repeat yourself over and over.

[ and yes, he notices the aging process is receding now. oh well, it was fun sneering at old wrinkly barry allen while it lasted. ]
chrismas: all icons by that milk bitch(me im the bitch) (Default)

[personal profile] chrismas 2020-03-29 05:05 am (UTC)(link)
Ouch.

(Chris was still smiling though. He always preferred his company with people who could jostle each other. Plus, guys like Bill always thrilled him. Smart guys with fast wit and big words. It amazed Chris that there were people out there like that. Not that he really knew if Bill was all that smart, but he obviously wasn't a goddamn brick either. Chris can't imagine spitting comebacks with a stutter was easy. That shit took dedication.

It isn't surprising to hear that this place wasn't great. Not as bad as Derry, but that wasn't saying much either considering Derry. Chris wondered where Deerington ranked on a scale of Maine's general shittiness.

The question makes Chris get a wise, thoughtful look on his face, and almost immediately after Bill asks, he sighs:)


I h-have the b-b-biggest dick in M-Maine. (Listen sometimes it was more important to make a dude laugh than cure yourself of a curse. Sue him.)

chrismas: all icons by that milk bitch(me im the bitch) (Default)

[personal profile] chrismas 2020-03-29 05:09 am (UTC)(link)
I don't have a knife.

(Which is his funny way of suggesting yes on the psycho bit. He was a Chambers, after all, and he was pretty sure 'psycho' ran in the family. But Chris was far more distracted by the shimmer of cherry on the kid's hand, but no wait- no.

That was definitely blood.)


Hey.

(Chris says this a bit uselessly, and he feels a rush of Oh no followed immediately by his whole body going straight and steady. He strides towards Will, his eyes locked on his hand.)

What'd you do? Jesus, kid. You really got yourself good. Lemme see that sucker.
laruetheday: and the grand canyon. (crying: acceptable at funerals.)

[personal profile] laruetheday 2020-03-29 05:15 am (UTC)(link)
Someone named Sodder.

[ As for the "not really," she just rolls her eyes. She doesn't believe that for a second. Maybe it's just school or a part-time job, but everyone has something going on. ]

I'm in the middle of the semester at U of A, so I'd like to get back there. Y'know, someday.
incandescentfaith: <user name=cupcakegraphics> (Thoughts)

[personal profile] incandescentfaith 2020-03-29 05:37 am (UTC)(link)
I don't...think so?

[Rei frowned slightly and scooted closer, putting a gentle arm around Usagi's shoulder. This was very confusing, she knew, as she'd absolutely been in this position twice. She's not exactly the best at this sort of thing, giving comfort, but if there's any single person she can? It's Usagi.]

...I remember seeing a vision of my body once, asleep in my room, but nothing more than that. I didn't wake up with any injuries, though I certainly sustained a few in Deerington during that time.

[Tilting her head this way and that, she keeps wracking her brain...]

The last thing that happened to me in Deerington, the last night I remember, I was just talking with a friend. Max. Just...life advice. Nothing particularly exciting. I'm reasonably certain nothing happened to me that night. I just...woke up and was home.

[The rest of that is history.]

...Is this...making sense to you?

[personal profile] hiyosilver 2020-03-29 05:40 am (UTC)(link)
[ Any thoughts if the shitty qualities of Deerington or Derry are lost at the statement and Bill can’t even try and stifle the laughter that bubbles up, his nose wrinkling in the process. Chris had the humor and the disposition that would fit in well with the Losers and there’s a feeling of ease that washes over him with it. The kind of kid that resonated with the same vibes of the tight knit group would always make him feel more comfortable in an instant. ]

Shit, y-you coulda at l-east gone for just Pr-Presompscot County. Mmmm-aybe it woulda worked then.
chrismas: all icons by that milk bitch(me im the bitch) (Default)

[personal profile] chrismas 2020-03-29 05:49 am (UTC)(link)
(Chris has no idea what makes him grin wider: getting Bill to laugh again or Bill's own joke. Chris himself was used to being a complete social outcast, and it was nice not having a clean cut looking kid like Bill rush in the opposite direction just because Chris was coming his way. Refreshing.)

Y-You g-got me there. (Chris hesitates, contemplating something he could tell Bill. A truth of some sort, and then, he's grinning all over again, filled with absolute simple immature, childish glee:) I d-definitely don't have the smallest d-dick in Maine.

(It works like a charm and Chris gives a whoop of delight because he can feel the curse slipping off of him. He immediately takes his pack of cigs from his sleeve and knocks one out, relishing in the freedom of his own movement again.)

God damn. (The stutter was gone too, which gives him a little less joy. He was grateful to not have it anymore, but now he knew how much it sucked that Bill was stuck with it. He tucks a cigarette between his lips and lights it.)

Does that shit happen here a lot? Actually, you know what- to save you your delicate word count - It's Maine. Of fucking course it does.

(Chris sighs, slotting his fingers around the cigarette and tugging it out, staring at Bill now. His actual posture was a lot more slummin' it than Bill's natural posture, his shoulders curved inward, but his legs stockily and firmly planted.)

You smoke, William? (He's already offering his pack out as a sign of genuine friendship.)
lightthedarkness: (Usagi) (I understand)

[personal profile] lightthedarkness 2020-03-29 06:00 am (UTC)(link)
I- yeah, it's just... a lot. [She rested a hand over Rei's and smiled, leaning in to rest her head on Rei's shoulder and closed her eyes, nodded. So, they could get hurt here, she knew that much, mostly because there was still the pain in between her shoulders. Which... she should have Rei look at that. She didn't say anything for a long while, just merely trying to take everything in.

She wasn't here because of some new enemy... at least, not in the sense she and Rei were used to. There WERE enemies, but they weren't after Earth, the ginzuishou or sailor crystals, and they didn't want to marry Mamoru. But Rei said that the things that went on were all things they could handle. So what was it that went on if Rei could get injured? She was Sailor Mars, she was one of the most magically powerful of the senshi in and outside of her form. She was also one of the smartest and most alert.

They were home, but this nightmare realm had them here... for some reason. She couldn't trust any of the citizens but she could trust the other dreamers. She'd be able to tell them apart because there was something off about the citizens. Time was funky, Rei had been gone for a YEAR here but not really because it had only been a couple of days back home only to be another year here.

She closed her eyes. And Minako was here, but she hadn't sensed anything... well, of course, she couldn't sense anything, that wasn't her area of expertise to begin with and apparently a year here was nothing but a day back home.

She took another deep breath and sat up, smiling.
]

I'm glad Rei-chan was able to make friends here, and didn't have to go this all alone. I hope I can meet the people who are important to you, Rei.

There's probably a lot of other important things I should know, I'm trying to understand it all. But is there anything else really important?
lightthedarkness: (Usagi)(Luna) (Cheer up Luna!)

[personal profile] lightthedarkness 2020-03-29 06:11 am (UTC)(link)
[She laughed, which honestly, it felt like she hadn't done in weeks despite only having been here a few hours.]

We'll get you a little headset and a flag so no one leaves the group.
wordsandmetal: <lj user=proverbially> (pic#)

πšŽπš£πš›πšŠ (πš™πš›πš˜πšœπš™πšŽπšŒπš)

[personal profile] wordsandmetal 2020-03-29 06:12 am (UTC)(link)
πšŠπš›πš›πš’πšŸπšŠπš• -
As the little commandeered rockjumper pitched into orbit to intercept the sling-back, Ezra’s last conscious thought as he stared out the window was that Green Moon looked almost peaceful. It’s a feeling that lasts through waking, which strangely does not occur aboard the long-haul space freighter as expected. When the light finds his eyes there’s nothing artificial about it.

Ezra reaches instinctively for his pistol. Instinct wants that the grasp come from his right arm, and it takes some time to remember that he is without it. His mind might be inclined to dwell on the lack of this primary weapon for longer if everything else weren’t so demanding of his attention. But even before Green Moon, he’s not seen anything that resembles the place he finds himself now.

The music draws him to the hearth and the food is a welcome sight, strange berries unrecognizable in structure and taste. When he finally cracks the puzzle of the jar lid - wedging the vessel in his armpit and unscrewing with his left - Ezra eats his fill and thinks how nice it is to chew and taste a natural sweetness that doesn’t come from rationed slurry packs.

He dons his environment suit before he opens the door. The filter is half-worn out and dispenses oxygen in sparing puffs that make Ezra gasp if he inhales too deeply, but what’s a man to do? Everything around him is strange. He clomps along in the jumpsuit with the needless length of the empty right sleeve folded up under his armpit. The first person he sees, Ezra calls out for.

"Ho, there! You! Could I have just one moment of your time, illustrious traveler?"


𝚒𝚘𝚞 πšžπš—πšŒπšžπš•πšπšžπš›πšŽπš πšœπš πš’πš—πšŽ -
He’d almost forgotten what a symphony of delight the mere act of eating could be. On Green Moon, Ezra sustained himself on rations of slurry packs and Bits Bars - nutritionally sound but lacking a certain panache a man should rightly desire in the things he puts in his mouth. But here he’s only needed to follow his nose to find delightful fare the likes of which he hasn’t known since leaving Central some time ago.

With some reluctance he’s allowed himself to be convinced of the security of the atmosphere, so Ezra is without his environment suit as he shovels string beans as though he’s never tasted anything more rapturous. He doesn’t know patron from preparer and he doesn’t rightly care. The next person to pass while carrying anything resembling edible is getting stopped.

"I must tell you that what you have there smells absolutely divine. If you don’t mind the asking, what do you call that?"


πš—πšŽπšπš πš˜πš›πš” - πšŸπš’πšπšŽπš˜ - πšžπš—: πš”πšŽπšŸπšŸπšŠπš πšŠπš’πšπšœ -
The technology of the Fluid - whether too archaic or too advanced - is just plain foreign enough to give Ezra trouble. The video begins with a minute of chaos as the screen is tapped and adjusted. Just as the man steps back it falls from its perch, and the picture twists and tumbles before showing an extended shot of the ceiling. From offscreen comes a long string of extraplanetary cursing - at least seventeen languages’ worth - and finally a tired-looking man holds the device like he’s taking a selfie.

It’s the one arm he’s got, so forgive him for not waving hello. Instead Ezra flashes a charming smile. "Gentle citizens, I can’t tell you how good it is to be among you all. Your hospitality rivals even that of the Toharjia, and I’m sure you are aware that no one throws a party like a Toji compΓ¨re.

However, ah…" Ezra grimaces, catches himself, and smiles even brighter, "I have something of a predicament that begs a few queries, if I may trouble?"


πš πš’πš•πšπšŒπšŠπš›πš -
(Lay it on me.)
Edited 2020-03-29 06:13 (UTC)
lightthedarkness: (Usagi) (Little cutie)

[personal profile] lightthedarkness 2020-03-29 06:15 am (UTC)(link)
If I let it out of my buns, it actually touches the ground. [She laughed.] My hair can get even longer if I let it. [Serenity had WAY longer hair than what she was currently maintaining.] Where are you from, if you don't mind my asking?

[At the mention of it being a prank, she shook her head.]

I mean, I'm from Japan and I'm apparently in America now, so I mean, that'd be a lot for a prank. I do think it's real... which may make it worse, honestly. But at least we're not alone in this, right?
accelerate: (pic#13857816)

[personal profile] accelerate 2020-03-29 08:46 am (UTC)(link)
[ all barry hears is blah, blah, blah. he's eying his half-eaten apple curiously. ]

Do you think if I eat this again, I'll start ageing? Or is it a one-off kind of deal?

[ look, it doesn't take a genius to figure out if he overshares, his wrinkles disappear. ]
variantcover: (proposal)

[personal profile] variantcover 2020-03-29 10:59 am (UTC)(link)
[ Not knowing what a smartphone is doesn't phaze Gwen that much. There are people here from all sorts of times and worlds. Her best friend is from the 1920s in Harry Potter world. ]

It's like a phone-sized computer, with a camera and other apps-- programs-- and stuff. [ She had to remember that they didn't call them apps until the iPhone years. ]

Cool to meet you too, Usagi! [ Should she use an honorific? She's read enough manga to know the basic ones... -san, -chan, -kun... But would it be weird for an American to use them? ]

Don't worry about not being smart. I'm a total dumbass and I've managed it here just fine.
shield_heroine: (By The Door)

[personal profile] shield_heroine 2020-03-29 01:03 pm (UTC)(link)
... Can you?

[That's a logic she just can't understand.]
holybeasts: (060)

[personal profile] holybeasts 2020-03-29 02:15 pm (UTC)(link)
[It's a shame neither Seiryuu or Suzaku aren't large enough for her to hitch a ride with anymore. She considers as she runs and he taunts whether Genbu might help with her stamina but she doubts it and Byakko's flames don't work quite the way this man's own flames seem to.]

I did just finish with a big workout but it looks like I'll have to keep going for a bit.

[In the midst of bounding to one of the larger rooftops she tries her hand at summoning while on the move.]

Suzaku!

[Tossing her hand upward, a snowy white owl appears keeping pace with her as she runs. She glances upward.]

Can you keep an eye on him from up there? I may lose sight of him.
webshoots: (pic#13806315)

idk y the fuck not

[personal profile] webshoots 2020-03-29 02:39 pm (UTC)(link)
— audio, @ parker.

[ murdock, comma, matt. peter knows the name, of course he knows the name. matt's defended him once or twice or — you know, a few times and peter owes him. there's a difference to the voice though — it's subtle, and peter might not have noticed it at all if it weren't for the fact that the audio is all he has to go on. there could be a couple of explanations for it, some more complicated than others, but of everything it's not the most important thing. ]

—Of Nelson and Murdock? [ half a question, half a statement and punctuated by a breath of a pause. ] You helped a buddy of mine out once. Least I could do is return the favour, right?
nockturnal: (pic#13782954)

[personal profile] nockturnal 2020-03-29 02:58 pm (UTC)(link)
That he recognizes him puts him on edge. He's unlikely to be an assassin, at least from the look of him -- and he does get a once over just to be certain he knows what he's dealing with here.

And then it hits him. The wanted posters. Oh. He knows who this fool is.

"That would depend on what business you have with him. Perhaps it is better that your eyes are playing tricks on you," he replies coldly, and something in his stance shifts ever so slightly. Whatever business this man has with him, he doubts it is anything good.
pineneedles: (rneg (83))

[personal profile] pineneedles 2020-03-29 03:39 pm (UTC)(link)
Well, tell that feeling to go away. I have nothing for you.

(No, it doesn't make sense. Johanna does get an idea, though.)

Bella, what did you hurt your finger on?
demonicbeauty: (Surprised)

[personal profile] demonicbeauty 2020-03-29 03:42 pm (UTC)(link)
Ariadne's gray eyes widened about to the size of silver coins. And she couldn't stifle a gasp, as she stared at Larxene in unabashed, unfiltered shock. "You...you came back from the dead?"

It wasn't...entirely unheard of.

But so rare that Ariadne had yet to know anything about it, beyond thousand-year-old stories, passed down through generations of Elves.

It was the stuff of fairy tales. Myths. Legends.

Larxene had to be someone truly special indeed.