SEPTEMBER 2020 TEST DRIVE MEME

[sodder]

SEPTEMBER 2020 TEST DRIVE MEME

Welcome to September's Test Drive Meme! This month's Test Drive's theme is: CHILDREN/YOUNG ADULT 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: Evil dollhouses, potential body horror (turning into a doll), heights, pranks with the potential to cause harm, some stalking vibes
Don't forget to tag content whenever necessary. Have fun!

Prompt One
Prompt Two
Character Arrival
Master Navigation

THE EVIL DOLLHOUSE

When you wake up, you find you're not in your own bed, your own room, or even your own house. The room is well decorated, almost Victorian in fashion. The bed is pretty uncomfortable and you're not even sure the mattress is a real mattress. The chairs look like they might be made of plastic and the doors are flimsy. But it might not be what catches your eye, especially if you look out the window.

Through the clear panes (which also seem to be plastic), you will notice you do not see the town of Deerington, or even the outdoors at all. You see a living room that feels larger than life. There aren't any people in it, but as you look around at the fake looking furnishings and the strange view, you might be hit with a realization: you're inside a dollhouse.

The dollhouse has three floors for those who explore; the second floor you woke up on has two bedrooms and a fake little bathroom, all decorated in the same Victorian dollhouse style as the room you originally found yourself in. The bottom floor has a cute little kitchen with small porcelain dolls sitting around the table, a living room with all the basic furniture one would expect to find (in fact, it looks a great deal like the living room outside the windows), and an office filled with books that can't actually be pulled out of the shelves. On the very top floor is an attic. It's dusty and filled with broken toy beds and chairs, a few shattered doll pieces, and on the far wall you'll see another bookshelf. All seems... fairly standard, really, if you're used to seeing dollhouses.

But what there doesn't appear to be is an exit.

While searching, you may run into another Sleeper. A friend or a stranger, it's clear you're both stuck here together. And the longer the time ticks by, the more concerning things get. You might not notice at first, but anyone inside the dollhouse starts slowly... changing. It seems to go at a different pace for everyone, but the results are always the same. Your skin will start to become porcelain, your cheeks more rosy, your clothes made of cheaper cloth material, your joints become stiffer, and your eyes will start to become more and more glass like. If you don't get out of the dollhouse soon, it's clear that you may become the next doll at the kitchen table.

Searching the house again may feel fruitless, but keen observers may find light scratches on the floor in front of the bookshelf in the attic. Maybe they were like that because of someone moving things around or maybe there's a reason. If you decide to eventually pull the bookshelf aside, there will be a large door in the wall. It may seem strange, given that the wall only leads to the outside, but it's the only door to the outside that actually opens. You expect it to open up into the living room, but instead you'll see the grass of the park below. Far below. It's likely you could get hurt jumping, especially if you've started to turn to porcelain, but what other choice do you have?

Once characters take the plunge, they will find that they land rather softly in the grass, despite how high the jump may have seemed. As soon as you are out of the dollhouse, your body will have returned to complete normal.

And the house with the dollhouse in the living room will be nowhere in sight.

THOSE PESKY KIDS

You start off thinking maybe you're just forgetful and moved minor pieces around in your house without paying attention. You might think you're just seeing strange things out of the corner of your eye, because why wouldn't you? It's Deerington. Things are always strange. But each day, there's something weirder going on. Small objects might turn into entire rooms being rearranged, strange sightings out of the corner of your eye might turn into you swearing you saw a lake monster running through the street, and you swear you can hear the rattling of chains or the sounds of someone telling you to leave echoing in your house at night or following you down the street.

A haunting seems plausible. It wouldn't be the first time in Deerington. But no amount of herbs burned, or exorcisms performed, or chants and spell cast will make these things go away. In fact, they seem to just becoming more and more frequent, and more and more intense. Eventually, the strange creatures you see running around may start to try and attack you. They may start to try and kill you. But they always run off before you can attack back or show yourself to be stronger than them. It's probably the first time the monsters have ever been so easily scared.

Anyone who looks into it further may start to find weird clues lying around after a monster has been chased off. Footprints that don't look quite monster-like, tapes or records that when played will make strange rattling sounds like the chains you've been hearing, a piece of rubber that looks a lot like the monsters skin... Huh. The more you follow the clues, the more they'll lead you towards the answer to your dilemmas; these aren't hauntings.

They're pranks.

People can work together to catch a monster or ghost (or killing it, if you decide to); catching them will lead to them getting quite flustered and angry, struggling to get away. Pull off the mask or the sheet and underneath you'll find... a very disgruntled townsperson. Maybe your business was taking too much money away from theirs and they were hoping you'd close down with enough scares, maybe you talked back to them one time and they were looking for revenge, maybe you ruined their house or garden when you were fighting the things in Deerington that actually try to kill you, or maybe they were just having some "harmless" fun; they all have a different excuse, but they're clearly angry about getting caught.

They woulda gotten away with it if it weren't for you pesky Sleepers, after all.

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.

Comments

Perseus (Percy) Jackson l Percy Jackson & the Olympians/Heroes of Olympus

[natation]

[ooc: Just for fun? I have others I'm more inclined in terms of actually apping but. I'm impatient on waiting for the next book and figured why not.]

Arrival:

[He's done the whole suddenly weird things going on before. It's been his life since he was twelve and he was introduced to the world of the Greek gods and goddesses being real and his father being none other than Poseidon. This still doesn't mean Percy takes this well. At all. Initially, upon waking up somewhere he doesn't recognize that isn't even an infirmary or anything, he assumes Hera is pissed at him again or something. Well, it was a long list of gods and goddesses that weren't exactly endeared with him anyway but Hera in particular never seemed to be a fan. And she had history in having messed with his memories and such before.]

What? Where's this now? [Reading the letter.....taking a moment.] Maine?! Why am I in dreamland Maine?! I don't have time for this! I gotta get back to Mum and Estelle, to Annabeth!

[Cue Percy just stomping on downstairs from his room after taking a snack of a banana or something, picking up Riptide, his sword-pen from the basket and going off in exploring because clearly that would explain things? That would help him magically somehow find his way back home? He might just be running around outside now calling for Blackjack? His pet? Did he lose a dog? No actually, he means his pegasus horse but close enough.]

Doll House:

How does a house have no water anyway?! What sort of place seems all done up with a bathroom and everything and has no plumbing?!

[Percy grumbles to himself in frustration in finding he cannot actually just. Well even he might not be quite sure on what he might have done? Try flood the place in breaking the windows with the water? Use the water to warp the door open or something? He kicks at the plastic bath, before wincing at the pain with his sneakered foot. Running a hand through his mop of messy dark hair, he frowns.]

Can't even uncap Riptide.....the heck is going on around here? I know I've pissed off.....a lot of gods and goddesses and monsters and been cursed but come on.

[His life. Why this? He just wanted to figure focusing on studying for university and spending time with his girlfriend and new baby sister. Not get pulled into this nonsense. Not get dragged into quests or whatever else this was?]

Those Pesky Kids:

[He's no stranger to monsters or the like attacking. Tracking him from his scent or use of technology. It's why he's been so unsure in using the provided Fluid phone thing at all. Still, he's capable enough in defending himself, even just with using Riptide, let alone his abilities as a demigod in regards to being the Son of Poseidon.

So when he thinks someone or something is following him? He turns and throws out a hand, summoning the water from the sewers under the street from the drains and manhole nearby to target who or whatever it is. Drenching them quite thoroughly and knocking them off their feet. He doesn't even really get a good look at who or what? it even was. He just reacts instinctively after having been involved in two wars and all back home. He seems to take a moment before untensing, before seeming to relax his posture some and breathe as they flee before he even uncaps Riptide, his sword disguised as a pen.]

Who or what was that anyway?

Arrival

[envisioner]

[What smells like the ocean? Alice tries to pinpoint it and comes across this teenage boy. She frowns, staring at him thoughtfully. There's an underlying scent to him that's familiar]

Oh! Another demigod!

[He smells different from Clarisse but kind of similar]


[ooc: wish I had a Riordan-verse character other than Percy to tag you, but here we go :D]

[natation]

Huh? Wait, another? Who else is here? Annabeth?

[Of course she's the first he would ask on. That he wants to know she's alright. If she were here and then they could both figure getting back home? Then again it would be more like Annabeth figuring it and Percy just. Trying to do what he could to help out at least. He pauses with his calling for Blackjack when he hears Alice though, glancing to her with wide expectant eyes that almost plead.]

[envisioner]

I'm sorry, no. Her name is Clarisse.

[She really does feel bad. He has that same anxious look she would get were she to hear another vampire was here and she somehow wasn't aware if it was Jasper or not]

[natation]

Clarisse? Really?

[Of all the people? All the demigods? Well. It wasn't like he hadn't worked with Clarisse before. They were kind of on better terms than they used to be at least? Just not the first he would have expected. He can't help but to raise an eyebrow in surprise at that.]

I guess better than being completely alone though. She okay?

[envisioner]

I don't think she'd like me telling you.

[In other words, no. She's not really okay]

[natation]

Maybe not.

[He wouldn't be surprised? They weren't necessarily exactly the closest. Even if things kind of improved over time a little with how things were between them. Percy's not even sure if Clarisse even expects him of all to show up for that matter. Still, he could at least try ask her himself. Maybe.]

I guess it'd be on her to tell me. I don't mean to uh...pry or anything. Just, if you're saying it's only her and me here from home.

[Well. Then they'd only have each other.]

arrival

[laruetheday]

[ It's not like she's never seen Percy Jackson looking out of his element before, but this time might be the worst. He looks pretty dumb, running up and down the street and yelling for his horse, and for a minute Clarisse just watches him, trying not to smile. What? It's funny. ]

You look like a total idiot, you know.

[ Yeah, yeah, this is not a great situation, and they're both stuck in it together, now. She's no better off than he is, when it comes down to it. Except, since she's been here longer, she gets to act like she knows the deal. He's going to have to ask her for help. The thought fills her with perverse happiness. ]

[natation]

[Out of all the demigods? He probably. Doesn't expect to see Clarisse. Not that he hasn't gotten better in their friendship and teamwork together over the years in getting to know and understand her more. He has. And well, yeah, it isn't like she and the other Campers hadn't seen him while he was still flailing and new and figuring his powers and such. He turns, eyes wide in confusion and surprise.]

Huh? Clarisse? You're here too?

[laruetheday]

I've been here. Seven months, so far.

[ She crosses her arms, leaning back against someone's mailbox and watching Percy. ]

So if you're looking for your girlfriend, she isn't here.

[natation]

Seven months? I know I haven't been at Camp as much but I think I'd have heard if you went missing.

[Though. Dreamland or whatever? He's still figuring all this yet exactly. Give him a moment as he pouts, lowering his gaze and running a hand through his mop of hair. A sigh escapes his lips, the huff of air messing up his hair all the more if possible.]

Anyone else? Or just us?

[laruetheday]

I wasn't even at Camp before. I was at school.

[ Ugh, is this one of the weird time things? She's heard about it and not really paid much attention, because it wasn't directly her problem. But if Percy is from some other time than she is, it's going to screw up her whole day. ]

Just us. And Orpheus. [ So random, right? ]

[natation]

Guess it doesn't matter where we were back home. If this is dreamland or whatever. Everyone sleeps.

[So it doesn't matter where they were at the time? Presumably. They all sleep so it makes sense that anyone would possibly be dragged here however it worked? In some weird way anyway.]

Wait, Orpheus?

Pesky kids

[bend_it_like]

Nice bending. [ Korra says. She saw the whole thing and was about to jump in before the kid showed he could defend himself. ] Those guys are really starting to piss me off. They're terrorizing the whole town.

I still need to see Korra but yes Percy and water benders cr would be gold

[natation]

Nice...wait, what? Bending?

[What is this bending she speaks of? Percy isn't sure, this his tilted head and raised eyebrow in confusion and questioning her as he seems to relax slightly more in having dealt with whoever that was exactly. Perhaps he has yet to really figure the warps on his own abilities, given just how powerful he could be back home in regards to his abilities as the son of Poseidon, but that was something of an easy demonstration of what he could do. If kind of forced his hand with that. ]

yeees i love that

[bend_it_like]

Water bending! What you were just doing. Uh, I guess you don't call it that here. [ She laughs, and then does her own little demonstration, moving her arms smoothly. The water rises back up out of the storm drain, moving around them both before something breaks and the water splashes down on both of them ] Ugh! Come on! I really hate what this place is doing to me.

[natation]

Bending? No idea on bending. But I'm gonna assume you mean because of me being the son of Poseidon. Demigod. Godly father, mortal mom, Sally. I'm Percy. Well, named for Perseus but nobody calls me that.

[He does watch her demonstration though. Noting how she moves and so does the water and all. She seems so graceful with it. Almost like a dance of sorts. He gives a shrug.]

I haven't really tried much in the way of my powers yet to be sure but maybe this place affects things somehow?

[bend_it_like]

It does. It really does. [ Korra sighs, flicking some of the water off her arms. ] A god, huh? That's pretty cool, I guess. My parents are just normal people. And water benders.

Sorry, for splashing you. I'm Korra.

[natation]

Being a demigod isn't all as amazing as you might think. I mean, I didn't even know I was one till I went off to Camp.

[It was. A rough introduction. And really rushed. Suffice to say. Still, he gives a chuckle, shaking his head at that and simply attempting to will himself dry as usual where water is involved. Reaching a hand through his mess of hair before reaching to shake hers in a belated introduction of sorts.]

Korra then.

doll house

[smudging]

[ After the appropriate amount of time spent freaking out, Blue comes to the conclusion that she can't just stand around having a panic attack, she needs to find a way out.

And then a way further out -- because by looking out the cheap windows, it's obvious that she's inside of another larger room. But, she'd rather not think of that bigger picture, it brings back that anxious feeling she's trying to avoid.

There's the sound of a voice in the distance and Blue perks up when it finally reaches her ears. Someone else is there with her. Someone she might know, someone who might be able to help her. Her steps quicken as she follows the sound further down the hall, the voice becoming more unrecognizable the closer she gets to the source -- the bathroom.

Well, this is no time for politeness. She's already partially eavesdropping, anyway. ]

Only some of the stuff in here works. [ Blue speaks up, taking a cautious step into the bathroom. ] Nothing in the kitchen does, either.

[natation]

So no water or gas or electricity at all?

[Sure. Technology like phones or such could be dangerous with demigods given how the monsters could use it to track them or such but. They weren't this primitive! For all that some things about them might be given their usual more traditional and less modern weapon choices and such anyway. Percy sighs, running a hand through his mop of dark hair in frustration and frowning. If he could burst a pipe or worse with his current mood, it sure would be flooding in this doll house.]

But I guess. Not alone? We can figure this together, right? I'm Percy.

[smudging]

Some of the lights work, but nothing else.

[ That along with the plastic food in the fridge were the real giveaways that this was a dollhouse that she’d been trapped inside of. But Percy makes a good point, two heads are far better than one and Blue is more than grateful she won’t have to wander this creepy house alone any longer.

It was starting to make her feel weird... but maybe that was all in her head. ]

Blue Sargent. [ She extends a hand in greeting. ] I looked around a little already, but I didn’t see a door anywhere.

[natation]

Blue?

[Somehow, of course he's distracted a little with that name. Blue is his and his mother's favourite colour and all. Including with blue food. So of course he piques his interest in that. Even if she didn't choose the name herself, he can't help then seeming more endeared to her just with that. As silly as it might be. He takes the offered hand to shake.]

Well. Gotta be some way here if we got in, right? We just have to find it. Somewhere. Maybe it's hidden?

[smudging]

Blue. [ She nods firmly. She doesn't quite understand why so many people seem puzzled by her name -- it certainly isn't the most normal one in the book, but she's sure stranger ones exist.

Blue gives Percy's hand a quick shake before reaching to scratch her head in thought. He seems to have a sensible head on his shoulders as well and that's something she can really appreciate right now. (She doesn't want to be the only sensible one here.) ]

Like an escape room? [ If a lightbulb could appear above Blue's head, it would have. ] Maybe there are clues hidden somewhere. [ She pulls the cabinet door under the sink open with her foot, trying to peer inside of it. ]

[natation]

Sorry. I just -- my mom and I kind of have a thing with blue as our favourite colour.

[Which kinda fits. His whole being a son of Poseidon and all. Still, he tries to focus on the task at hand in helping check the room for any sort of clues or way out. Checking in shifting the shower curtain to the side but obviously not figuring anything there. The bath and shower and toilet and sink don't even actually work anyway.]

I dunno. Maybe something like that? I'm still figuring this out yet myself. I guess if we go room by room we're bound to find something. Some way out, if we got in here somehow, I mean.