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soddersays2020-12-27 12:14 pm
sodder) wrote in soddersays2020-12-27 12:14 pm
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JANUARY 2021 TDM
JANUARY 2021 TEST DRIVE MEME
Welcome to January’s Test Drive Meme!
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: Claustrophobia, panic attacks, ghosts, demons, hallucinations, blood, violence
Don't forget to tag content whenever necessary. Have fun!
THE ONLY ME IS ME
The room is unfamiliar. You're not even sure how you ended up in here. Had you fallen asleep? That has to be it. Even if you're not a being who ever sleeps (which must make being in a dream world feel that much more surreal), it feels like the answer. There’s no door, no windows, and the only source of light in the whole place is two tiny, extremely dim side table lamps that give a soft, orange glow to your surroundings. It’s hard to see and easy to bump into the sparse amount of hotel room furniture that seems to be scattered around the small space. Hopefully you don’t have bad knees.While there is no exit, if you look along the walls, you will eventually find a peep hole. The small hole in the wall makes you feel instantly uneasy, even if you’re someone who isn’t prone to fear in the first place. You’ll feel fidgety and tense, but there’s a part of you that still desperately wants to look through it. Avoiding the peep hole will make the tension disappear eventually, but it creeps back up every time you look at it.
If you woke up here alone, another person will appear in the bed you woke up in the moment you turn your back. It’s good to not be alone, right? But with the room so small, the air might start to feel a little thin. Is it getting hot in here? Is the ceiling feeling a little lower than it did last time? Are the walls closing in? It’s hard to tell if it’s all in your head or if the room really is getting smaller. Having to share it with another person, to share the limited air with someone else, is enough to make anyone panic a little.
Whenever one of you decides to look through the peep hole, you will see a man standing on the other side in a typical hotel hallway. He’s just waiting. Watching. Or at least you think he’s watching; it’s hard to tell when he doesn’t have a face at all. His presence makes that fear in you spike, your worst memories flashing before your eyes, and you won’t be able to look for long without going into a full panic attack. Getting as much distance between you and the peep hole is the fastest way to get a chance to calm down. If you can get yourself to calm down at all.
The key to getting out is the person beside you. If you choose to let them close, eventually the panic will start to ebb, and you’ll find yourself feeling more at ease the longer you sit beside them. Touching, whether it’s a hug, a hand on the shoulder, or more, will eventually make the room stop feeling so tight and the air won’t feel as thin. Eventually, you might start to feel some semblance of trust— trust that they can keep you safe. Approach the peep hole with your roommate and look through it together; while you’ll still see the painful memory from before, one of your happier memories will play soon after to soften the blow. Seeing both your dark and Your light is the best way for someone to truly get to know you, after all.
Once the memory fades, you’ll both be on the other side of the wall, and the man outside the door will be nowhere in sight, with no sign that he was ever really there at all.
DON'T TOUCH THAT DIAL NOW
Walk through a door, any door and you're not where you thought you'd be. Instead, what lies before you as well as to your right are what looks like perfectly normal hallways you'd find in an apartment building or a very large, fancy house. There's doors spread out along either side at varying intervals and one of them opens to let another person in, someone just like you who probably meant to go to the restroom and ended up here. If you try opening the doors, none of them budge no matter what you do and so it seems the only choice you have is to pick a direction and walk.There's a tingling sense of dread that creeps up your spine as you go. You pass what looks to be doors to restrooms, bedrooms, living rooms and recreational rooms, but none of them seem to be an exit. On the walls are pictures and paintings, it looks like there's a familial theme to them, there's group portraits and moments captured in time such as when someone's Dad spilled punch all over himself at the family barbecue. All wholesome and loving looking pictures but oddly not of just one family, in fact you might see some familiar faces in there. Along with pictures, there's narrow hall tables with vases and more photos in frames and all the drawers seem to be locked, though you get the sense there's something in there...
Eventually, you turn a couple corners and it almost feels like you've come full circle, but at the end of the hallway there's a clear exit. Three steps down to a cracked open door. It sort of looks like a garage from what you can see, but when you open it... you're right back where you started. Only now, the halls are colder, the lights overhead that were once warm and steady are flickering and the pictures on the walls are tilted, some even cracked. There's a creaking sound somewhere far off, like something heavy swinging from a rope. You feel as though something is watching you, following close behind as you hurry your way through the halls again to find another exit.
Again, the only exit is the garage door and with no other option, you step through. And you're back where you started only now other doors in the halls are cracked. In one you see the light of a television playing static in a dark room and someone sobbing and muttering to themselves, in another there's bright red light spilling out of the crack and you see movement, something swaying, the creaking is louder. Heart pounding, you make your way around the corner and the drawers of the tables in the hall all open at once to let damaged photos fly out, all of you and your friends and family in horrifying circumstances or dead.
Run to the exit again and you are back at the start and there's now spatters of blood over the walls like a grisly murder occurred in several locations along the halls. The creaking is louder and so are the wails of the person in the room with the television. More doors are open a crack here and there and each promises something horrifying should you open them. Maybe they're abstract manifestations of your greatest fears, painful memories coming through the static T.V. set, or a stereotypical ghostly spectre with unfinished business. There is a supernatural force in this place and it feeds on your deepest traumas and fears whatever they may be, or it'll be content to sip on the fear brought on by a jump scare or a ghostly shadow watching you from afar wherever your turn, waiting for the moment to suddenly appear beside you.
To escape this haunted loop of rising torment, you must bring the demonic spirit with you as you pass through the exit door. This can be any way you wish, though the easiest is to allow it somehow to possess your body while your companion wrestles it, and you, through. You can discover this solution through clues behind the pictures and scratched into the wood on the bottom of the drawers in the form of riddles, or you can stumble upon it by accident. Once the spirit is pulled through the door, it will break the loop and you will be back in Deerington, though perhaps not quite where you were when you opened the door the first time.
NOW'S THE TIME FOR ACTION
There's something watching you. You don't know what, but you can feel it in your bones. Sometimes you think you see it (them?) out of the corner of your eye, but you can't quite make out the who or the what that might be following your every move. Sometimes it looks supernatural, a mythical creature from your own world maybe, and other times... It looks like someone from home you never wanted to see again. People show up here all the time, it's not impossible...It doesn't stay just one being, though. Eventually you start to see small groups of people or things you can't quite make out before they disappear. It's hard to tell if they're really there at all or if it's all in your head. But the danger feels real. The inexplicable feeling of pure terror, the solid idea that they're going to kill you and you aren't going to be able to fight them off, the absolute assurance that they're evil. The longer this goes on, the more drawn to a crowd you'll begin to feel. There's safety in numbers, after all. But just being surrounded by people doesn't feel like enough, not when the other Sleepers you find feel just as on edge as you are.
In the center of the crowd are scattered tables. Each table has a bowl or jar filled with various party supplies. Bluetooth speakers that can connect to your Fluid to play music, noise makers, snap poppers, even pots, pans, and their lids. It's enough to make a real ruckus. And you're realizing that that might be the answer. You start encouraging the people around you to make as much noise as possible. Grab the things on the table and just start shouting whatever comes to mind. The more noise you make, the more the fear ebbs, and the shadows following you start to disappear. They almost seem like they're actually running from the noise. You keep shouting just to drive them as far away as possible.
You might notice that you're shouting out things you never expected— and so are the people around you. Emotions you wanted to keep buried, confessions you never planned on giving to someone, secrets you've been trying to keep to yourself. They come pouring out faster than you expect them to and they're there for anyone to hear before you can even stop yourself. Hopefully this doesn't have too big of a fall out for you.
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.
Now's The Time For Action
You're who?!
No way, I just can't believe it!
[... Heya Miles. Peter is really just getting bad at introducing himself to familiar faces these days. Can't he have a little fun??? But then Peter's grinning under the mask, one part happy to recognize the kid — and one part already fretting about the fact that he's here, in the worst kind of town for a pleasant vacation.]
Having compulsions to yell things, huh?
Maybe we should get out of here before you go for round two.
[Not... that keeping secret identities around here ever works out.
But you know. Ease the kid into the situation.]
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[Miles will probably never not be kind of star struck with that. Seeing him up close and all, getting to know him after growing up admiring Pete. Hence the way he all but lights up at the familiar sight, at that familiar voice. He grins in seeing the familiar face -- or, masked face anyway. Not that he's aware on how his presence immediately has his poor mentor in distressed protector mode already as he gives a sheepish look and nod of agreement to the idea.]
Ah, y-yeah, okay.
[Miles only recently arrived so of course all the nonsense this town puts them through, he's still figuring it all out yet. He's trying? Slowly figuring things and trying to adjust but it's definitely a work in progress.]
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[It's nice to hear someone happy to see him, of course. He's made too many friends who would have immediately rolled their eyes (as they rightly should). He hops down from the table and stands up, giving him a little nudge in the shoulder.]
When'd you get here? [He refrains from saying 'again'. This is the first time he's seen his Miles; it makes the knot in his stomach a little worse? This is no place for a new spiderling to be.] I mean, did you get the rundown on what's going on?
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[As much as anyone can figure the absolute basics of the town from Sodder's letter at least. Miles gives a shrug. At least. The distraction of Peter's arriving seems to have helped with the random outbursts? For now? He does give a small smile though at the nudge, giving Pete one right back, though gently in not actually wanting to hurt him like when Pete had tried to teach him to fight back then.]
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[God, there's so much to learn after the letter. Poor Miles is gonna be just beside himself after a hearty information dump. He reaches over, hand to Miles' back as he starts leading him away from the crowd and in the direction of his townhouse.]
We're definitely kind of stuck here — pulled from universes, we're thinking? We're all basically sleeping somewhere while we're trapped in a superpowered child's dream world. Allegedly, because proving things around here is like pulling teeth.
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[He obviously tried his phone but that hadn't worked here, aside from him still having it with the old messages and photos or such. The Fluid can only get in touch with people already here. Miles has to ask though. Has to be sure. His mother is all he has back home now. He has to be sure she is alright. He lets Pete start leading him along, easily following and letting Pete guide him even if he isn't entirely sure on where. He knows Pete at least. Trusts Pete. He's one familiar face around here at least.]
Pretty realistic dream.
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Pretty sure they're not. Considering you just yelled you're Spider-Man, I'm betting a million bucks you're from a later point in time than me. Do you remember me vanishing at some point for over two years?
[Yeaaaah... Two years. Over two years. It's nuts.]
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[Someone had to? It wasn't that he ever intended or was trying to actually replace Pete or anything. Miles just wanted to help out. Let Pete know someone was keeping an eye on things and all while he was away with MJ and all. Miles isn't sure what to make of it, still processing the little he has managed to figure from the letter, assuming even that was legit in having some explanation for this.]
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[Spider-Man stops —
Lifts up his mask with wide eyes.]
Wait. Me, overseas? Are you sure that wasn't a dream before you got here?
[Listen, he doesn't like planes too much, okay. Wait-]
You said... with MJ? Why?
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[He's. Not sure how much he should say? But he isn't sure how much if this Pete might even remember when they....woke up? back home? So Miles gives a shrug, in his slight nerves as he glances when Pete lifts up the mask.]
But. Yeah. You left me a suit, some holos for training exercises and stuff. Not that....a lot didn't go down but. I handled things. But. Considering the Spidey thing, guessing you hadn't left before in being worried what would happen without you around, huh?
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[Miles may notice with some... bafflement, maybe?, but Peter doesn't seem to care much about pulling his mask back down. In fact, he's walking as if he's just Peter Parker out here and not Spider-Man.]
Last time I was home...
[He quiets for a moment, glancing away.
Funny how it's been years now, but his stomach still goes icy.]
It was the night I brought the antiserum for Devil's Breath back to FEAST.
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[Pete still has the rest of the costume on? But then. Miles has no idea what has been going on the last couple years? that Pete said he was here. For all he knows, people here might generally be aware of Pete being Spider-Man? Miles' eyes widen and he purses his lips, glancing to Pete sympathetically, placing a hand to the other's shoulder.]
Sorry. I didn't mean to bring all that up again.
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It's alright, Miles. It's been... over two years now.
Enough time to try to talk about it without getting worked up.
[There's still a profound lack of closure, for him. He still hasn't gotten to bury May. Hasn't laid her to rest beside Ben. But... time has helped ease the pain.]
As for this... [He smooths out his mask in his hands.]
I'm afraid Peter Parker came out of the Spider closet over a year ago.
Too many people connected the dots, so I figured I'd just get it over with.
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[The funeral or anything. Funerals weren't necessarily cheerful events to gather for but. It was closure at least? Miles at least got that with losing his dad. He isn't sure if he should mention much if anything more than that as it is. He glances down to the mask, raising an eyebrow. Sure. He's aware that some know, or knew, about Pete being Spider-Man. Some know about him back home too, but....this is different.]
W-wait, everyone? Everyone here knows? Pete...
[They wore masks for a reason. Sure, maybe he isn't aware on if anyone else from home is here but even here he probably has friends that could be targeted or something? Miles isn't sure how to react to it. It isn't that he's ever had an issue with finding out about Peter. But still. It's risky.]
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Hey, hey, I know. It wasn't the easiest decision in the world... but I don't know if you noticed, back when you were yelling your secret hero identity at the sky? This place doesn't let you keep things under wraps as neatly as home does.
... Nobody knows you're Spider-Man, though. I don't think, anyway.
So you can keep trying to lay low about it, if you'd like.
[... He sighs, looking down.]
It just gets hard when you start getting teleported around without your say-so.
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[He wouldn't want to be a risk. To cause Pete trouble if someone found out? Miles isn't sure he would want to put any potential friends he makes here at risk either for that matter. He's a lot more confident than he was initially, but he's still pretty new with all of this still with the whole superhero thing and dealing with his secret identity that is.....not as secret as one might think.....anymore.]
Teleported?
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Oooh, yeah. Teleported. One time I stepped out of my shower and ended up in another place entirely. It's kind of hard to manage identities when you're just struggling to manage having a towel on.
[He grins, though, trying to offer some comfort with an easy-going pat on Miles' shoulder.
(Really, he's a little freaked about Miles being here, but-)]
Other than you, I've only ever seen one person from our world, so I think we'll be okay.
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[As if he doesn't have enough to worry about in that regard in never knowing when he might be needed with some crime or other. Miles at least has some backup in knowing he can relax around Ganke and his mother back home but still. Here? It's just Pete, as far as he can tell. Miles gives a frustrated pout, making a mental note to, at all times aside from showering, be clothed. Or at least have clothing nearby? Hopefully?
Though the next does have him glance to Pete, what he says more than with the pat at his shoulder. He's not necessarily yet really figuring just how dangerous and creepy this place is to how much his being here puts the other on edge.]
Wait, someone else? Who?
[He's not sure if Pete means a past tense as in that person is no longer here or something but. Miles can't help being curious. Hopeful, perhaps, somehow.]
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... Two versions of her total.
[Yeah, no, that's not totally awkward and painful to hear said out loud. But he was glad to see Felicia, for a time. Uh, all... two of her.]
She stuck around for a few months at a time. Just long enough to make me worry. [But after a moment, he offers him a little smile, a pat on the shoulder.] But aaaaanyway... I guess I should probably try to fill you in here. The more you know, the better.
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[There's a raised eyebrow for a brief moment at that. He's not sure if he wants to know or if that's just going to get confusing. Miles just got here and all, more or less. He's not sure on the reasons Pete worries, whether that is because of this place being dangerous in general and he's just fretting because that's what Pete does, or if there's more to it. He does know and like MJ, but that doesn't necessarily mean Pete's really gone into detail with his previous relationships.]
But uh, yeah. Sure. The letter had some basics and all but. If you've been here that long you can probably fill me in better.
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[You know, that one thief who had worked with Spider-Man for a short time? That one? Yes, they were absolutely banging. Cover your ears, young man. He smiles a wince.]
Anyway. More importantly, I've got some papers for you, you can read 'em to get a better idea of what's going on around here. Feel like visiting the townhouse?
Aggie'll be happy to see someone other than me popping in, for once.
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[Given his age he could have missed that. If anything on their relationship was public in the first place. That and, well it makes sense if he dated other people before MJ or while they were on a break or something but. Miles didn't exactly pay attention to that in knowing the history there.]
But uh, sure. Townhouse sounds fine. Aggie?
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We sure were. For a short time, when me and MJ had broken up for a little while.
[Townhouse it is; he veers them toward that direction, and hopes Miles isn't too surprised when he inevitably walks into a messy home. Peter has never been very good at keeping the space he lives in clean... well, other than the time he crashed with Miles. Which, you know. He'd never dirty up Rio's home, for one thing.
(Not that he's lived through that yet, but you get me.)]
Aggie. Agatha. She's a humongous dog who will expect a lot of petting and hugs.
You like dogs, right?
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[Or really paid interest or attention to rumors of Spider-Man's romantic life? He just admired the hero, in hearing stories from people he helped or saved and all. Miles gives a shrug, not seeming too worried on the potential mess he might walk into. It isn't like, as a teenager, his room is probably much better in comparison.]
Dogs are fine. I can totally give her pets and hugs!
[Not that his family had pets but still. Miles was friendly enough and comfortable enough with dogs or cats at least.]
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Technically, MJ and I aren't together now, either. I mean... for me. [But you know. Romance. God, he's gonna have to explain Wade Wilson sometime, huh? That'll be interesting. For now, though, he trudges onward.] Agatha's pretty humongous; don't be surprised if you have to use that spider-strength of yours to stay upright.
She was left to me by someone really important, so I've been, uh. Struggling at being a pet owner. But hopefully I'm not too bad at it, now.
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