TDM #4

[apocalypsehowmods]

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➥ Arrival

(cw: potential for severe disorientation/vertigo, claustrophobia, arachnophobia, body horror)

It happens in the blink of an eye. You may have been asleep. You may not have. You may have stepped through a door or turned a corner. You may have seen a flicker of something at the corner of your vision and turned to look. Or maybe you didn't.

It doesn't matter. What matters is that you find yourself somewhere entirely new and entirely unfamiliar. The arrival point is not always the same. (If you're lucky, it might be a canteen or an open office. If you're not, well... you aren't claustrophobic, are you? Or arachnophobic. These ducts do seem to be a bit cobwebby.) There is no one waiting for you but you don’t seem to be alone, either. Even in a janitor’s closet or the bathroom, you’ll find at least one person who seems to be just as out of place as you are.

If characters have arrived in a location devoid of NPCs, they may want to work together to figure out what is going on... or to avoid their 'kidnappers.' If you’ve arrived in the middle of the entry foyer or the gym, there may well be a few people who startle a bit at your arrival and try to approach (or discreetly leave the room... where are they going?). Will you cooperate or fight? Do you even understand what they're saying? You might need to find a translator, if you’re not immediately willing to follow a stranger.

After characters follow their new hosts (or are forcibly taken in) there will be a limited tour and the chance to settle in at the ADI-provided housing. (Do you enjoy living with strangers? Well. It's a new situation to navigate, anyway.)

➥ Toying With You

(cw: creepy toys, possible violence, supernaturally induced emotions)

Weird things happen in Dogtown, everyone knows it. The Apocalypse Disruption Initiative (ADI) is not above taking advantage of that to test out the waters for its newest arrivals. They're not looking to send anyone to their death, though. That's far too much paperwork, you'd been assured with a wink from the employee who'd directed you to the park trailhead. You've been left with another person. Maybe they're a new arrival, as well, or a more seasoned 'veteran.' Either way, you're together for the next while and you've been asked to find and record any paranormal activity in the park. You have your phones and any other equipment you might have brought with you. Those who succeed in documenting anything peculiar will receive a $100 reward to be used as they see fit.

This month...characters who enter the area will eventually stumble upon...a very interesting sight. Take enough confusing, branching paths, and they’ll find a variety of toys abandoned in...a variety of ways.

Some, reminiscent of the happenings of the past month, can be found dangling from branches, or from contraptions of sticks and string staked into the ground. Others might be found arranged in patterns...or simply discarded. Some appear to be tied up. Perhaps surprisingly, there is no evidence of the destruction of these toys. Some may appear to be disintegrating but that’s age, not malice. There are old toys and new toys to be found. Maybe it’s just a prank, or an art installation?

Nothing seems to happen to anyone who ventures to touch the toys. At least...not right away. However, any character who does decide to touch a toy will start to feel like they just don’t have...enough. It might manifest as being particularly possessive over things or people they feel are theirs...or in coveting what they don’t already have (be it material or immaterial). These urges will fade away on their own in time, but who knows what might happen before they do?

➥ Pick a Pocket

(cw: mention of vehicular collisions, supernaturally-induced sleep/fatigue)

There is an ethereal music spreading throughout town. It started in the graveyards last month, but now it's spreading, even as collisions and other accidents continue to pile up. Tourists and locals, alike, will find keeping awake incredibly difficult as October rolls in with a rumble of thunder and a splash of rain. Even caffeine doesn't seem to help much with the problem. The music is only just there, just at the edge of awareness, and it's a song that you know. You can't entirely place it, but it's maddeningly familiar.

The local gangs seem to have taken note of the situation, and have taken to sending out their seemingly more resilient members for some mischief. Specifically, pickpocketing those they might find sleeping or less alert than usual. You might be half-falling asleep on a bus when a hand reaches into your pocket or your bag. You might witness the thief in action, stealing from someone else. Or maybe you're someone keen to take advantage of the situation, yourself. There's money to be made for someone with even moderately light fingers when the target is snoring on a park bench or zoning out while sitting at a cafe.

There doesn't seem to be an even effect to the music. It impacts some people in the same vicinity more than others with seemingly no rhyme or reason. The one constant that does appear for those digging deeply, is that ADI HQ and the ADI housing complex seem to be less affected by the music. It can still sometimes be heard, but it's not nearly as prominent as it is throughout the rest of the city.

➥ Sleeper's Paradox

(cw: supernaturally-induced sleep/fatigue, mild memory loss)

For as much as everyone seems to be sleeping lately, it does not seem to be restful sleep. In fact, people dozing off regularly will find themselves even more exhausted and irritable than usual. Again, this seems to be far more pronounced for anyone straying too far from ADI's properties for extended periods.

Another feature of this latest round of supernatural irritation is that even those who tend to remember their dreams may have trouble with that. You might remember that the dreams weren't pleasant, but that's about it. The specifics are as elusive as the source of the singing.

Festive planning for the end-of-the-month Halloween Party is in full swing at ADI, and characters may find themselves strong-armed by Pam and other HR personnel, in spite of any grumpiness and exhaustion, into helping with some part of it. Will you be assisting with making decorations? Buying supplies for the kitchens? Helping those who might not understand Halloween to find the perfect costume? Everyone is feeling a little out of sorts, and having trouble focusing, so there's some particular pushing to spread tasks out to everyone possible so it doesn't fall on a single individual. Anyone who helps will be compensated for their time, and they might even get some extra cash to buy their own fancy costume or preferred food for the party.

➥ Mod Notes

• ARRIVAL (Oct 1 - 31): Two people will always arrive in the same general location together. Arrivals occur throughout the early month, not all on the same day or in the same place. Arrivals are not naturally fluent in English/other languages immediately upon arrival. Characters may attempt to evade capture, but they will eventually be snagged before they can leave the building. PC's already in-game are more than welcome to interact with and try to guide new PC's to get them oriented. Please refer to the Arrival page for details regarding the arrival and onboarding process.
  
  
• Toying With You (Oct 1 - 31): Characters who physically interact with abandoned toys will find themselves overwhelmed by feelings of jealousy and/or possessiveness. Depending on how much interaction they have with the toys, these feelings might be stronger or last longer. (Anyone who, for example, removes a toy from Dogtown will probably find themselves helpless NOT to act on the feelings.) Strength of feeling and duration of time is up to player discretion. The source of these feelings could be anything, including the toys themselves. The toys can be destroyed but are not clumped all in one spot. It may take some searching to find them all.
  
  
• Pick a Pocket (Oct 1- 25): Characters are welcome to experience, enact, or stop a crime. You may find yourself victim, hero, or perpetrator. The number of people asleep or having trouble staying awake will increase the closer you get to graveyards and seem to decrease the closer you get to ADI-owned buildings. The decrease in sleepiness around ADI buildings does not extend to anyone living at Bonnie's. Characters may find themselves falling asleep in the middle of trivial or important tasks, perhaps even in the middle of conversation. This is a supernatural sleep, but for the moment, it seems easy enough to wake someone up with a loud noise or a shake. Or, if you're feeling particularly vindictive, a splash of water to the face.
  
  
• Sleeper's Paradox (Oct 1-25): Characters are welcome to take part in whatever party planning they wish to for ADI's Halloween party. Everyone affected by the drowsiness that's taken over the city will find that they cannot remember the specific nature of their dreams; although, they will have the sense that they did have them, and they were unpleasant. The effects of the fatigue may affect other memories or result in increased irritability, and decreased focus and reaction times. Characters may find themselves more prone to error than usual, even those who are typically known for being on-point at all times.
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Comments

[septieme]

[...

She is starting to have some second thoughts about her proposal to this 'game', now, as much as she is wholly aware that it is irrational. Home, huh?

How kind of him, to have helped her with formulating an answer in the same breath.]

Japan, then. You can't get good quality matcha anywhere else, after all!

[And within the next beat:]

What about you, Father? I'd like to ask you the same thing, now that you brought it up.

[inutilis]

[ there is an ever-so-slight tilting of his head, something curious behind the old-fashioned lenses now back where they belong, but... the rules of the game are to be respected, right? he can wait his turn.

so he taps his chin thoughtfully instead, ]

Well~! That would have to be Rome, though admittedly... I don't quite have comfy slippers or matcha there, as much as I wish I could claim the contrary. Milk tea, though? [ a satisfied nod. ]

Then, Ciel-- pardon my asking, but... are you from Japan? Or is that merely where one goes for good matcha? I met someone else from Japan, ironically enough, so I'm just a bit curious, I suppose!

[ mhm, just idle curiosity, ]

[septieme]

That does lend credibility to your holy vocation, Father. Milk tea still tastes better in Asia than Europe however, at least in my opinion. But we make do with what we have, right?

I spent some time studying there, it was a lot of fun! [She could feasibly pass off as some university student looking as she does right now, honestly, 🤔] And yes, there's quite a few Japanese people here from out of town as well. Most seem to be high schoolers too, which is very curious, now that you mention it. I wonder why that is?

[idle curiosity x2...]

[inutilis]

Ah... does it? I'm afraid I've never partaken, but I wonder if there's some way while I'm here? [ it is wasted on him either way, with his thirteen sugars dumped in. sigh, ]

--Oh! Were you a University student? [ yes, she certainly does look around the right age for that. ] Were you studying abroad...? I take it you aren't a native, then. It's really quite curious... I wonder if there's a reason the children from that region are so popular a candidate for, um. Transfer, as you put it?

[ most curious indeed..... ]

I can't say I understand all of this by a long shot, nor that I'm quite ready to say I'm even close, but... you know, it's a terribly human thing to do-- looking for patterns in everything, right? Maybe it's just coincidence, though.

[septieme]

You could ask and look around? Gloucester Massachusetts isn't particularly well known as far as populous cities in America go, I believe, but it could be worth a try. [fattydingdongs... At least she found basic curry spices already, that's her bases covered]

Something like that. I can't very well pretend that my name is Japanese either, aha. [Not without brainwashing alas Said a bit sheepishly, though she brushes the topic off as quickly as it is touched upon. After all, if there's one language/region her own name may invoke...]

You should be spending more time at the office and getting to "know your fellows" as you put it, if you were really curious about patterns of hire. Mingling with the locals won't be of much help, we're even advised against doing it.

[inutilis]

Right? Right! It would definitely be worth a looking into... milk tea is my personal favorite, and if you say it is better prepared in the Asias...? Consider my curiosity piqued~! I am not a man to turn down a good cup of tea regardless.

[ hunting down some poor sod from somewhere in Asia to make him tea...... is this like a side quest?? ahem, ]

Mm, 'Ciel' is quite a pretty name, especially for the imagery it evokes, hm? Franc, isn't it? [ yes, yes, quite a nice namesake, and he can see why her parents had gifted it to her -- whether it had been the grace of her eyes or hair, it was fitting, he thinks. ]

...Ah, you know-- you might be right again. I had been trying to spend some time in town to get my bearings, but-- w-well, as you can see, I was not being particularly productive...

[ .......he does not look particularly chastised nor self-deprecating about this, instead running his finger idly along the rim of the mug in front of him with the same stupid ...stupid smile. ]

But I ended up running into you, right? So it isn't a waste at all, I'd say!

[septieme]

Asia is where tea was first drank and cultivated, after all. The British may try to improve their imported blend, but they will always pale next to the original. [no don't sound smug about it--]

--Aha, you got me. ["Franc"? That sounds... a little archaic, doesn't it?] Nightroad, Nightroad... That's an unusual family name, but it sounds British. Are you British, Father? [nevermind the fact that she just lowkey dissed the British for their tea barely a sentence ago, let's focus on the important things yeah?

(At least while they keep making pointless small talk, she's more or less cleaned the whole shop up... Next shift will have nothing to complain about, probably!)]

If you kept running around with such an eye-catching cassock, it was only a matter of time before we would have met. I'm calling you like this out of respect right now, Father, but it'll be mister Nightroad once we see each other in the office, you know?

["Mister Nightlroad"... something about it just sounds disturbing, doesn't it......]

[inutilis]

Was it? In the Asias, really? [ NEWS TO HIM or something, he is tilting his head even further in vacant innocence. my! he is getting a history lesson on top of hot chocolate, sweets, and equally sweet(??) company, it seems! ] British? ...Um, Ciel-- I think this is about the time that I save us both a very large headache and a great deal of confusion by prefacing something before we go any further. I-in hindsight, I probably should've mentioned this before, but--

[ he leans in a bit, as if he is about to share some Gravely Important Secret, and whispers (loudly): ]

I am from the faaar and distant fuuuuuture... [ ...yes, he said this with the kind of idiotic spooky inflection you might expect, ] --And no, I don't know the lotto numbers this year, before you ask.

1/2

[septieme]

[She

stops from whatever she was doing, looks up at him, tilts her head a bit, and blinks once.]

Okay...?

[giving him a look like "and?",]

[septieme]

[...


oh, wait, lightbulb moment--]

--Ah, are you implying that you don't know what 'British' means?

[inutilis]

[ he slaps his closed fist into his palm enthusiastically as the lightbulb clicks. yes!! she is a quick cookie. ]

I'm pretty sure the area you're talking about existed before the Dark Ages, Miss Ciel~! And the Asias, too-- that one I know for sure after talking to my punchy friend, you see.

[ anyway... that established-- ]

Um-- the areas I'm familiar with are in today's Europe, but... the borders are all wrong, it's quite confusing! --Just in case we aren't on the same page, somewhere along the line, that might be why. Please go easy on me, okay?

[septieme]

[ok but if he's a cookie monster she doesn't want to be a cookie,

"Dark Ages", he casually drops, doesn't that sound ominous. Motoring along, then--! ("Punchy friend"? He's just dropping flags left right center, isn't he? MESSY...)]

Great Britain, United Kingdom, what else... The most well known cities include London and Birmingham, maybe Glasgow and Manchester too? The Buckingham Palace and Stonehenge are international landmarks, also. Do any of those ring a bell?

[They both pretty much forgot about the question game at this point, huh... oops]

[inutilis]

[ okay but what if she already is......... 😳

......Abel is scratching at his cheek and making 🤔-ing faces for a moment, but-- she says 'London' and he immediately brightens, leaning back in again. ]

--London! Londinium...? In Albion! Yes, yes...! Buckingham Palace-- yes, precisely!! That's it!

[ WOW he's so excited, they traded one game for another or something, ]

Good job, Miss Ciel~!

[septieme]

[Excuse you this is a PURE thread in a PURE... horror jamjar, yes, pure,

...

Frankly, Ciel is not sure what to make of this, other than it sure confirms why "Franc" sounded so archaic the way he said it because Albion... Is he really from the future because that's some King Arthur myth terminology tbh,]

I... see. [She may not actually see, she's still trying to decide,] Does that make you an... ah, a man from Albion? [Albionese? Alb...ritish? Albanese? Wait no that's a real modern place, also is it just her or does Londonium sound kinda Steampunk??]

[inutilis]

[ PUREly something, that's for sure, 😏

...

Abel is cupping his mug even if it's empty, looking pleased as punch as he nods along. ]

I was originally born in Londinium, yes, but-- like I said, Rome is much more my home, these days! You're right, though-- I suppose those are my roots; did my name really give me away? [ 'Nightroad,' mm... interesting. ] Oh, is Franc different too? And, wow... I would love to hear about your time in Japan, Miss Ciel. Were you there long? What were you studying?

[septieme]

[Brits, smh... That is, his first name is more Biblical than English, isn't that sorta interesting too? Definitely stowing that for later though, just because she chose against asking now doesn't mean this will stay true forever--]

I was just curious. I'm in no place to judge you anyway, considering that I also don't spent much time in my country of birth. ...Well, a lot is in a name, right? It doesn't just tell of your origins, but also at what your parents may have wanted for you when they named you. [There's Some Sort of irony here, which she pays no heed to as she continues smiling through the small talk.] Yes, the country as I and this place know it now is called "France", in both English and French. That sounds pretty close to 'Franc', doesn't it? [She has pronounced his first name in a very decidedly French way too, and will continue doing so even though she's only got it out once or twice so far. Ah-bel vs Ei-bull, a well travelled European can surely tell?

A beat.]

Is that your next question, Father?

[That was still a thing, she may or may not be remembering now...]

[inutilis]

[ ah... well, that certainly is an interesting thought-- that the name reflects what one's parents wishes may be? Abel hums contemplatively at that, and perhaps he is mulling over the hopes and wishes Ciel's parents had instilled into the name they bestowed her. freedom, maybe? like the wide open sky... ah, that would be nice...

--he is stirred from his daydreams and nudges at his glasses (now they're in place; back home where they belong and this habitual gesture finally pays off), nodding his head in assent. to which part? yes, ]

France... ah, interesting! I'll keep that in mind, thank you. And yes-- yes, that's right, we sort of got off track, huh? I have a feeling that was my fault... but-- mm, please regale me with your tales of Japan, would you? You said you were studying or something of the sort, right? And you must have enjoyed it to call it 'home,' I'd think~!

1/2

[septieme]

Yes, it was quite a lot of fun! I finished my last year of high school there too, and...

[...fidgets,]

...Um, this is a little embarrassing to talk about, but I wasn't sure what I wanted to do in university, ahaha...

[And at that moment, the front door chimes again, and it's a young man stepping in this time, a book bag slung over one shoulder with a pair of fancy looking headphones hanging around his beck. Looks like a student by his casual form of dress, how topical--]

[septieme]

[SAVED BY THE BELL PERKING AND STIFFING UP IMMEDIATELY, albeit not smooth enough to quite wear her Customer Smile™ fully just yet. Give it a few more seconds...]

--Good afternoon, and welcome to Duncan's Donuts! What can I get you today, sir?

[Don't mind the lanky beanpole in a fancy ass cassock lounging by the table closest to the front over an empty mug, he's gonna behave right]

[inutilis]

[ Abel was attentively leaned on his elbows, ready to drink in his newfound friend(??)'s tale, when--

in steps the young man, pulling one of his earbuds out (why is he wearing earbuds when he has headphones around his neck...? who knows), approaching the counter without sparing the priest so much as a glance. it is as if this man Does Not Exist as he hones in on the woman behind the register, his expression one of the Apathetic, Tired Student who is cramming for one (or multiple) tests come morning. ]

"Yeah, gimme a Venti blond roast. And a pumpkin loaf. To go."

[ he isn't looking up from his phone, and is already moving to re-insert the earbud into his ear-- but perhaps from her vantage point, Ciel can hear the sound of some deafening dubstep bass wubbing through...... lordt,

but before he can fully place it back where it belongs, he is hesitating and giving the blue-haired barista a second glance. ]

"Are you like... new..."

[septieme]

[Teenagers...]

Venti blond roast and pumpkin loaf, to go. Understood!

[She's affixed in place her Bright and Cheerful Customer Service Smile™ at least, chirping back the Tired Cramming Student's order to confirm.

...]

Yes, I am. [She's not elaborating more tho, she has enough common sense to NOT ramble on and dig herself into a grave.] Can I do anything else for you, sir?

[This order is simple ("simple") at least, she'll start with bagging the loaf if he doesn't have anything else to ask of her--? Hoping to make this quick, her shift is ending in like fifteen minutes...]

[inutilis]

"...are you friends with Tina?"

[ Tired Cram Student is still holding his earbud in his hand, looking at Ciel from his periphery without making full eye contact?? for some reason??

Abel is mouthing WHY is TINA so popular, to himself before resting his face in his hands. this Tina woman. THIS TINA WOMAN... ]

[septieme]

[Tina really out here carrying the business of this backwards ass coffee shop over her dainty shoulders all by herself it's starting to sound more and more, what a MVP... A true kween, clearly,]

Aha, I'm a bit too new to befriend everyone, but she did show me the ropes and helped train me. Something unexpected came up for her today though, it's why I got this shift on short notice. She should be back next week, I believe; would you like for me to take a message from you to her? You're not the first to ask about miss Tina today, I'm sure she'll be touched to hear that her regulars miss her!

[n_n~☆]

[inutilis]

[ we stan a hardworking npc waman yesss queen give us everything,

oh. there is a sink of disappointment, before... Tired Cram Student awkwardly looks at his feet as he fishes out his debit card in anticipation of paying. ]

"Oh. No, whatever, it's fine.

[ ... ]

"So you're not the single friend who was like. Looking on Tinder for a boyfriend, right... just checking. 'Cause she was supposed to set me up with her friend who works here and I haven't seen any other girls..."

[ Abel coughs, choking on

????

something, in the background, ]

[septieme]

[Ah, is he paying first? She was in the habit of finishing the order first and charging after unless they're using the terrace, but this probably makes more sense, all things considering. She was in the middle of punching in the numbers, but then the Tired Cram Student explains himself--]

--Eh? Oh, um... So she, and you...

[She's stammering a bit, because what sort of maiden keeps a straight face at this sort of indirect propositioning??? Complete with cupping her cheeks because this is so shocking??/? She just ends up looking younger like this, for better or worse...]

I-- I don't know what to say, I had no idea! I'm sorry, I didn't mean to mislead you... But I'm just too busy, between my jobs and--my studies. I'd make for a terribly inconsiderate and absent girlfriend...

[...She should get on making that blond roast, any moment now, and Abel's back at being basically not even there anymore again huh, isn't that a strange sense of déjà vu?]