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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 while— 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 movements— 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: (excuse tf outta me)

[personal profile] littlelesshelpless 2020-04-02 05:50 pm (UTC)(link)
...really. [That is...not what Bella had been expecting. Maybe not outright laughter, but definitely caution, or unease. Not someone who's basically been through the same dating life as she had. Have a long moment of just...staring.]

You did? What -- was it like?
littlelesshelpless: (i'm a princess)

[personal profile] littlelesshelpless 2020-04-02 05:55 pm (UTC)(link)
[Oh. Well, okay then. Bella scurries to catch up, following in the pig's footsteps. She's all but gotten her brain wrapped around the idea of pig-transformation by the time they get to the base of the mountain, and she stoops down, then.]

Uhhhh, I think I'm...supposed to carry you. Is that...okay with you?
thighzits: (no time to die)

[personal profile] thighzits 2020-04-02 06:13 pm (UTC)(link)
[is someone hurt, is someone hurt, is someone- The question rattles and circles in her head, and for a moment it's like she's stuck, watching Brad on the gymnasium floor, only he's not Brad anymore, not really, because he doesn't have a- ]

No. [A lie, one that won't be believed, and she needs someone on her side, so, ] No one you can help.

[Brad isn't hurt. Brad isn't anything, anymore, and it's all Syd's fault.]

I-I need to get this off of me. [She scrubs helplessly at her nose. A bathroom, then. A sink. Her jaw works around the request, and then freezes into a futile shake of the head, hoping the boy understands.]
pineneedles: (rne (38))

[personal profile] pineneedles 2020-04-02 06:17 pm (UTC)(link)
(The basket Johanna woke up with had some maps in it. Maybe she would take a look at them, compare them to one of the US. Turns out, some scholars (pushes up glasses) believe that District 7 was in Oregon.)

I think I'm from the future. (have a shrug) I mean. I dunno.

(Johanna takes a few steps forward and looks at the wound. Or lack thereof.) Means you're a princess, princess. You got anything else-- (Johanna was about to make a very obscene joke and decided against it, this girl might die.) Nevermind. Well, I'll see you around Princess Bella.
littlelesshelpless: (Default)

[personal profile] littlelesshelpless 2020-04-02 06:20 pm (UTC)(link)
[The hand-squeeze is -- it's nice. It makes the weird, uncomfortable situation a liiiittle bit better. Bella manages a smile in return.]

I like it for a couple days, but it rains almost every day in Forks. [Bella frowns, thoughtfully, trying to think.] Umm...lobster. There's a lot of lobster in Maine. Oh, and uh, lighthouses? I think?
thighzits: (more than this)

[personal profile] thighzits 2020-04-02 06:34 pm (UTC)(link)
... Yeah. I did.

[Hoping the girl can't tell the difference between pig guts and human brain, Syd takes the wet paper towels and starts to scrub at her face. It takes work, but gradually the dark red starts to give way to pink smears, and then to a galaxy of freckles. She looks up, and gives an awkward twist of her mouth, a thankful quarter-smile.]

Um. [Just as awkward as her face.] What's with the Popeye suit?
laruetheday: (we'll ask Powerpoint.)

[personal profile] laruetheday 2020-04-02 06:47 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Oh, ffffffffffffuck. ]

No. Forget it.
knewaguy: (1055)

[personal profile] knewaguy 2020-04-02 07:29 pm (UTC)(link)
Yeah, well. Maybe I'm psychic.

[Shouldn't be as pointed as he is, purposely using the word psychic because it's a dig on actual telepathy but he's a salty boy. He's thinking this place is really starting to fuck with him on purpose and when he gets emotional? Upset? Worked up? He channels it out the only way he knows how to anymore - he is kind of a prick. A prick that's hobbling along to try and exit this conversation before he has to commit to it.]

Have a great day.
laruetheday: which is saying something. (i'm a trash bag from arizona.)

[personal profile] laruetheday 2020-04-02 07:46 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Clarisse looks down at the dejected pig, not sure what to do. It's kind of funny, sure, but she's not a total sociopath. She doesn't want this girl to just... live as a pig forever, unable to speak or use opposable thumbs. Finally she sighs again and leans down to scoop Robin up under one arm. ]

So here's what I'm thinking. You're either a terrible gift from my father or this is a thing that happens in this town sometimes. I need to find out which.
littlelesshelpless: (pnw lewks)

[personal profile] littlelesshelpless 2020-04-02 07:57 pm (UTC)(link)
So you...don't want to get pizza? [Bella doesn't intend for it to come out disappointed, that just kinda...happens.]
wiseass: (pic#13700744)

[personal profile] wiseass 2020-04-02 08:02 pm (UTC)(link)
"Sounds like too much effort. You fit the bill for a weirdo offering candy more than I do anyway." The point comes across just fine, she wouldn't have missed it anyway. Not after what she's been through, definitely not while being a twenty-something in a shady town with ritual sacrifice and monsters on the regular. No thank you.

"Believe me, I know. This place likes to lure you into doing shit you wouldn't normally do." It's not fine, whatever it does it ain't worth finding out because it can't be anything good.
thighzits: (hey little girl)

[personal profile] thighzits 2020-04-02 08:05 pm (UTC)(link)
[For a moment, Syd just watches her, brows furrowed and eyes suspicious. A couple of old women exit the nearby bank and bustle away from the stand-off, and as soon as they pass-

Syd takes off running.

She's never been athletic or agile, but she's at least not half bad at hauling ass for her life. It's a straight shot down Main, but she zips a quick right behind the pet store, and then another down the side of the spa, not daring to look over her shoulder. By the time she sees the hulking brick of the apartments where she'd woken up, there's a stabbing stitch in her side, and she's choking on rain-damp air, but she doesn't stop. Not until she's thrown open the heavy front doors and clamored into the stairwell. Not until she's panted up the flight of stairs, wiping sweat out of her eyes, and staggered to the door she left out of half an hour ago.

Only then, once she's twisted the lock behind her, does she drop to the floor and suck in a deep, aching breath.]
littlelesshelpless: (pnw lewks)

[personal profile] littlelesshelpless 2020-04-02 08:06 pm (UTC)(link)
...oh. Um, I'm from 2006. I mean, I guess if you're from waaaay in the future, there's probably a totally different timekeeping system for years and all, huh? [Like in a cool post-apocalyptic movie. Bella's down with that.

The nickname makes Bella laugh, awkwardly, ears turning red with sheepish embarrassment.
] Thanks. It was nice to meet you. Sorry about...following you.
slayertude: (pic#6692705)

[personal profile] slayertude 2020-04-02 08:10 pm (UTC)(link)
Well, I guess that counts for something, but- When do we get to the reversing thingy? I don't want to be stuck like this forever. [ She's well aware that she sounds just the slightest bit whiny, but this is very, very annoying. ]

Sorry, I get that you probably don't know that. This really wasn't how I expected today to go.
slayertude: (pic#6692692)

[personal profile] slayertude 2020-04-02 08:14 pm (UTC)(link)
Yeah, I see the shirt, but since when do you care? [ Wait a minute. Who does that sound like? ] Xander, wh- Are you copying me?

[ And then she just puts her hands on her hips. ]

Okay, I know I've never said anything like that before.

[ Similar sentiments, maybe, but nothing involving big fat pumpkins. ]
laruetheday: they're just pizza that's harder to eat. (calzones are pointless.)

[personal profile] laruetheday 2020-04-02 08:21 pm (UTC)(link)
If somebody actively tries not to follow ~their person~ in the spinning wheel prompt, what would happen to them?
laruetheday: (i'm not interested in caring.)

[personal profile] laruetheday 2020-04-02 09:51 pm (UTC)(link)
[ What—what is happening? ]

Do you? Sounded like you didn't a few seconds ago.
holybeasts: (065)

[personal profile] holybeasts 2020-04-02 09:52 pm (UTC)(link)
[Not that she was dour before but those words do seem to cause Maria to light up.]

I'm glad to hear that! It's the duty of those who can to help those who need it.

[She says as much with some conviction.]
pineneedles: (vlcsnap-2018-10-05-14h51m52s168)

[personal profile] pineneedles 2020-04-02 09:56 pm (UTC)(link)
Nah, 2147. (They really didn't talk about the exact date, they usually talked about the Dark Days and the time since then. It had been 75 years since the Dark Days when the rebellion made them stop doing the Hunger Games. Whoo buddy, that's a story for another time.)

It's okay, you're cute. Now get outta here! (she would smack her on the ass but, you know, restraint.)
holybeasts: (006)

[personal profile] holybeasts 2020-04-02 10:01 pm (UTC)(link)
[That causes Maria to look intrigued.]

I'm not familiar with Sokovia. I know of Serbia but I'm afraid I've never eaten anything from there.

[She seems apologetic then.]

I haven't traveled outside of Romania really. One day maybe but... ah, well, things have been difficult.

[I.E. she's spent much of the last year traveling Romania searching for Richter, perhaps dipping into both Bulgaria and Serbia along with others but never staying to sight-see.]
lightthedarkness: (Sailor Moon) (Hm I wonder)

[personal profile] lightthedarkness 2020-04-02 11:10 pm (UTC)(link)
Mnn! Please, Mami-chan. [The most informal.]

Well, hopefully, I can pay it forward if I'm here that long. Hmm... maybe we should have a welcome center or something. [She laughed.] Ah but, uh, is there anything... no, wait, let me rewind and start over. What would you have liked to know when you first got here? [She's pat herself on the back for such a good question.]
lightthedarkness: (Usagi) (Cute but ditzy)

[personal profile] lightthedarkness 2020-04-02 11:11 pm (UTC)(link)
Oh... I... well actually I don't have any friends here, I just got here this morning. But I'll be okay! [She waved a dismissive hand.] I can figure it out, I'm sure, thanks, Varian-kun for being concerned.
lednikovyy: CW (Touched by angels)

[personal profile] lednikovyy 2020-04-02 11:13 pm (UTC)(link)
Bucky Barnes. Lefty is the goat/demon that lives in my back yard and eats my food and also things that aren't food.

make sure you don't sing any songs about bacon.
lightthedarkness: (Usagi) (Little cutie)

[personal profile] lightthedarkness 2020-04-02 11:16 pm (UTC)(link)
I barely graduated. If it wasn't for my friend, Ami-chan, basically hounding me with study sessions I'm not sure I would have graduated. [Usagi also didn't think it would look that good for the future queen of Earth to not have finished high school. It was why she was even bothering with college.]

Academics aren't for me either. I much rather spend all day eating, sleeping, playing video games and reading manga.

A year? Ah wow! Um... well, hmm... I guess... geez, I've got a million questions but uh, what's something you wish someone told you when you first got here?