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redstringtheories2021-10-01 02:11 pm
TDM #4
(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.)
(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?
(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.
(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.
- 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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The speakers turn off with the signature clicking noise once the explanation is done, the personnel at the mic no doubt waiting a moment for that information to all sink in. And there's a pause for a moment, then another, before Gen looks back at Abel. Stares at him for a moment without really seeing him -- his head full to bursting from trying to process all that information that was just dumped on him -- before letting go of his clothes.
The first thing he does afterwards is retrieve another cigarette from his pocket. Puts it between his lips and fishes out his lighter to get it going -- trying to ignore the way his hands feel awfully stiff. Takes a long drag, though he doesn't manage to hold the smoke in his lungs for long, not with the way his chest feels weirdly tight. As much as he wants to laugh off that entire speech as some sort of ridiculous joke, there's no ignoring the fact that he's been transported to some unfamiliar place, and has been granted English fluency merely by touching a piece of paper. ]
... so. [ He raises an eyebrow as he looks back to Abel; though he tries to keep his voice low, level, sardonic, there's no masking the slightly hoarse edge to it. ] What. You gonna tell me you have superpowers or something?
[ Because he sure doesn't. ]
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it isn't like he believes it himself, really-- it's just that, like Gen, he cannot discredit the fact that something has clearly gone awry, wires have gotten crossed, and this boy has literally learned how to speak another language with eerie fluency in a matter of seconds from the mere act of entering this room. Abel finds himself at a loss to explain any of it; the fact that Gen were speaking Japanese at all to begin with, that he claims he is from Japan itself, that the year is supposedly 2021, that this is America--
it is all absolutely madness, of course. but sometimes the world is mad.
he finds himself half-starting to speak before Abel seems to think better of it, clicking his mouth shut again and gently nudging at his glasses in some slightly nervous, disquieted tic. the smile that tugs at his lips may be just vaguely awkward, but Abel is keeping his voice purposefully low and quieter as well. it's possible they're being watched, observed; maybe it is futile, trying for any kind of privacy, but... ]
If bad luck were to count as a superpower? Absolutely.
[ yes, that smile is certainly wry as he dusts himself off and sends another glance to the door, though he isn't making any moves to approach it. ]
...So, I take it you aren't any more keen than I am to swallow this pill at face value? You don't seem the type, sir. --And I mean that politely, of course! Of course.
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He's not sure who, or what, he can believe. Probably nothing. ]
Yeah, I'm not buying it.
[ Gen's answer also comes low. He's not the smartest when it comes to studies, but he's always been surprisingly observant and astute, and has picked up on Abel's cue to keep his voice quiet in case it'll do anything against the cameras and mics no doubt directed their way. He leans against a nearby wall before exhaling slowly. Closes his eyes in thought for a moment before continuing. ]
But it's not like I know what else to believe. Can't deny the fact I learned an entire language in a second, and I dunno what kind of crazy nonsense you believe, but I really am from Japan. Never been outside of it. [ So they're both way out of their comfort zones. ] ... might have to just play along with them for now.
[ Because, at the very least, it seems plausible that he's in America right now, given the landscape he'd seen out the window. And he sure as hell doesn't have the money for a plane ticket, even if he were to somehow get himself to an airport.
Still, he can't help sounding a little hesitant as he comes to that dour conclusion, and he automatically find himself looking to Abel afterwards, looking to see what the other might be planning.
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...Well, I have to say-- watching you become fluent in an entirely different language in the span of, say, five seconds total was a first for me. If nothing else, perhaps I'm a little intrigued to find out more.
[ 'Apocalypse.' that word is, to say the least, worrisome and not to be used lightly. though Abel can't say he has bought into everything happening here, he isn't insincere in his curiosity. the year 2021... to speak with someone from Japan, standing in America... is any of this truly possible?
he offers his hand toward Gen, cautiously. ]
Then, how about you and I call it a truce for now? Or at least a ceasefire...? It looks like we'll be in this together, sir, for better or worse. I'd like to get out of here without any more bruises today if I can help it...!
1/2
... quietly scoffs at it.
Even with his cigarette firmly parked between his lips, there's no masking the traces of an insufferable, sardonic smirk on his face. ]
And why would I need to accept that from you? Not like you've been much of a threat to me.
[ Maybe saying this is stupid. On some rational level, Gen knows that being this antagonistic towards a stranger in the same plight as him might just make his life unnecessarily more difficult down the line. But something about that request for a truce -- the unspoken implication that simpering blabbermouth considers them 'the same' in some way -- grates at his nerves. Having surrendered immediate control of his life to the people of this place, he finds himself digging his claws into this ugly struggle for superiority just to keep himself grounded. ]
no subject
Do whatever you want. As long as you're not bothering me, I don't have any business with you, either.
no subject
and the smile on his face remains frozen, too. it is as if time has stopped. it is as if he has stopped. ABEL.EXE HAS EXPERIENCED AN ERROR AND NEEDS TO SHUT DOWN.
.........and then he drops his hand and his head to exhale a laborious sigh as if the very weight of the world has come upon him. oh. he sees. it is to be like that, then? this one is playing the cool cucumber card, huh? spiteful and indifferent, apathetic to the fate of his closet-fellow.
hm. seems to tickle at some sense of familiarity from somewhere. can't imagine why, ]
Ah. Ah, I see. Right. Well, then.
[ the door is opening at last, the Security officers having deemed the men had enough time to absorb -- and attempt to make sense of -- the message imparted over the speaker. the priest is once more gently nudging at his glasses as he rights at his cassock, like he is attempting to recompose himself after this REJECTION.
d-don't mind him... he's not going to cry... he's a big boy......
...p-probably, ]
no subject
... probably.
That meek little answer pretty much goes ignored, and Gen perks up only when the door opens up; he prompotly pushes away from the wall to step forth, exiting the room and answering with a nod when the guards ask if he's willing to cooperate. His slouched posture and wary gaze make it clear he isn't happy about the circumstances, but at least he doesn't try to fight the men any more, holding his hands forth when beckoned so they can unlock his handcuffs.
And despite everything, when he spots Abel (is he moping???) lingering a step back, he huffs and gives a jerk of the head to beckon him forth. ]
Get your shit together, man.
[ ... ugh. Ugh. It's not like he cares about this delusional weirdo, it really isn't. But maybe a small part of him is still used to keeping an eye on pathetic, spacey, accident-prone people. Just a little bit. ]
no subject
yeah, maybe he's hanging a bit back a bit, maybe he is speaking low for Gen and Gen alone, and maybe, just MAYBE, he is having himself a little mope. SO WHAT, huh? ]
I can't help it... I felt like we were just beginning to bond back there, you know? We survived the closet together~! And then you went and flipped me the proverbial bird, only because your hands were cuffed or I'm pretty sure you would've flipped me the regular bird. It hurt my feelings, sir, I'm a very sensitive spirit!
no subject
Oh yeah? You'll live.
[ Why did he even extend that hint of a olive branch. Shouldn't have bothered. He's never going to do that again. (He tells himself.)
Having tossed out that obnoxious answer, Gen speeds up a step to speak to the guards.
'Hey, I'll go along with all this, but let me try to contact someone first.'
'This is a no-smoking building,' the guard reminds him first. Gen scowls but grinds out his cigarette into a nearby trashcan, then looks to the guard once more, whence he reluctantly answers, 'You're free to try, but so far nobody who's ended up here like you has managed to get into contact with anyone they know.'
It's followed by a moment of silence as Gen processes that answer; he otherwise doesn't respond. But he's clearly a little stressed by that revelation, and he shoots Abel a sideways glance afterwards, as if daring him to remark on it -- or call him 'delusional' again. ]
no subject
...no contact.
lifting a finger to lightly prod at his glasses again, Abel catches Gen's gaze as it is leveled his way, and... his own is slightly pensive, a small knit marring his brow as he gives this consideration. no idea how they got here, and no way to reach out to home is... less than ideal. but-- it must be even more grave a situation for Gen, right? he has a family who must be missing him, a normal life to get back to. ]
Is there someone in particular you'd like to get ahold of...?
[ he is preparing himself for a 'IT'S NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS' or something of the like, but, hey. you miss the shots you don't take right?? right??? ]
no subject
... [ He starts saying something, but swiftly changes his mind. The one person he does automatically want to check on the most ... is probably best if they cut contact for a while anyway. And while his father's bound to be displeased by this turn of events, he doubts things will immediately blow up. It's not like he's always been a good kid keeping curfew; it'll probably be a few days before anyone starts actually getting concerned. ] ... it's fine.
[ wow that's totally a non-answer. ]
What, don't you have anyone?
[ And he's quick to flip the question back to Abel, looking him over again. This guy's from London? Knows a lot of languages, and dressed kind of weird and formal. Certainly seems the type of guy to have contacts. Or, well, maybe he's just fancy and nuts, given he was talking about Japan being gone for centuries or whatever. ]
no subject
...
w-well, it is more polite than what he was expecting!!! honestly. he'll take it. ]
Me...? Of course I do, thank you~! But I wasn't engaged in anything terribly pressing, and they'll probably just assume that I've gotten lost or, you know, eaten by wild dogs or something. It's probably fine.
[ waving his hand in dismissal..... listen, there are some other subjects he would like to tackle if Gen is going to be PRICKLY on the subject of parties awaiting them at home, okay? ]
Um-- sir, can I ask you something? I know they said the year is 2021, before... does that sound right to you?
no subject
Still, some part of him welcomes the change of subject -- the excuse not to dwell on things that he can't fix anyway -- and Gen responds mildly enough to Abel's question. That is to say, he only raises an eyebrow. ]
Why're you calling me that. [ 'Sir,' he means. What kind of adult calls a student 'sir.' ] -- whatever.
[ Again, just assuming this guy's not right in the head. ]
Yeah, it's 2021. Does that sound too far back for you?
[ There's a hint of that same, insufferable dry sarcasm starting to sneak back into his voice, but at least it's tinged with some genuine curiosity this time. Might as well hear out the extent of Abel's delusions, he figures. ]
no subject
...well. the boy might be sarcastic, but from the look on Abel's face-- maybe he isn't far off the mark. the priest is giving a quiet noise somewhere between a hum and something more like a displeased grumble, before he forgoes a proper answer for tilting his eyes for the door they're passing on the way back to the lift. ...he thinks. was this the way back to the lift?? um, ]
Could you say that again, sir...? You know, really try to drive it home that you think I'm absolutely off my rocker, would you? I don't feel quite as insulted as I feel I should, yet. If I haven't reached the point I'm sure you consider me about on par with the dirt beneath your heel? You haven't gotten it right, I suspect.
[ GOD!!!! teenagers. he's aged at least 40 years since that closet, which ironically does indeed feel like it happened 40 years ago. coincidence???? i think not. and none of this is a healthy dose of deflection from the year, for the record!! kind of an awkward subject when you think about it, especially after the word "apocalypse" was thrown around, huh, how does one casually drop that Japan has been irradiated dead lands for the past 800 years in polite conversation??? hmph. ]
no subject
What year did you think it was.
[ 'You moron,' he needs to keep himself from adding, if only because insulting the guy doesn't seem to have much effect and he's not intent on wasting his breath. ]
You're the one who brought up the subject. If you're gonna pretend to be all polite calling me 'sir,' then answer your own question.
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[ ...he really can't believe the gap in time. it makes no sense to him-- none of this does, but that in particular is a... bitter pill to swallow.
Abel can see he's opened the door, however, and the boy already thinks he's off his rocker; he makes something of a face as he's waving his hand in dismissal again. ]
The year was 664 of the Holy Calendar, it's... ah, goodness, hold on a second. [ he is counting on his fingers, here... like an adult-- ] 3064? Yes, 3064 AD-- is that right...? So obviously I'm trapped in some kind of strange fever dream and fighting for my life in a hospital in Londinium right now, probably after that wild dog attack I mentioned. You know, it's very rude of my subconscious to come up with bullies who will kick and shove at me in my own mind, you know...? What does that say about me as a person....? Perhaps I ought to do some self-reflection if I'm not a vegetable at the end of all this.
no subject
Maybe your subconscious wouldn't be letting you get beaten up if you learned to stop running your mouth all the time.
[ The retort comes easily because it's true, but there's no real bite to it because his thoughts are elsewhere. Specifically, Gen's thinking back to Abel's weird reactions to any talk about Japan. His shock and surprise had seemed pretty genuine, like he really did know the country to have been gone for centuries, and that broadcast had mentioned something about people coming from different worlds.
Either this guy is truly, wildly off his rocker, or ... ]
You got any proof?
[ He's not sure if he wants to believe what Abel is saying or not, but either way, keeping his mind occupied on this one concrete issue -- whether this guy's lying or not -- helps him avoid thinking about the bigger problems looming in his near future. So Gen continues bluntly, ]
You're dressed weird, but it doesn't scream future. There's gonna be fancy tech or something if you're from so far ahead, like you say.
no subject
...proof? ]
Ah...? You want... proof?
[ well, that's... very reasonable a response, honestly!! Gen, you become more interesting by the moment, you know that? Abel is patting himself down as if in attempt to locate something suitable for the task, but... it isn't like he carries anything especially fancy or demonstrative on his person. ]
Um, well-- I'm afraid I'm not exactly sure what would constitute proof, exactly... I mean-- if it's fancy tech you're looking for, that's way above my paygrade, sir~! Come on, now...! Isn't the bond of camaraderie we've forged through this harrowing endeavor enough for you to take me at my word...? Huh?
[ making the dumbest smile, as if to implore Gen's trust!!!! 😊 ]
no subject
... you don't even have a phone?
[ because someone living without a phone? unimaginable??? what was it Abel was thinking about teenagers being exhausting to being around? he was so right. ]
What kind of job do you have where you don't even have a phone.
[ Is this guy basically just a very fancy bum-slash-freeloader. ]
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[ teenagers are exhausting, and so Abel has to up the ante to counter this, naturally. ]
...Um, but seriously-- the only phones aren't anything like the one you have. You were checking for reception earlier, right? Is there any kind of signal out here?
no subject
(Although it hasn't escaped his noticed that Abel hasn't so much as admonished him for his smoking or his violence. Maybe he's just a lousy preacher.) ]
No reception.
[ The question reminds him to pull his phone out to check again, just in case, but of course nothing's changed. Gen huffs before tossing his phone over for Abel to check if he wants; it's locked though, so he won't have access to much more than the dialing screen. Of course, the options are all in Japanese. ]
Might be able to connect it to the networks here or something eventually, I guess. [ Pause. ] Can you figure out how to use it?
[ What the hell did that even mean anyway, 'phones aren't anything like the ones you have.' ]
no subject
Do you have something against the clergy, sir...? I saw that face.
[ and now he's holding the phone to his ear as if it is ringing. (it is not.) ]
Yes, hello? Yes, this is him. Ah, what...? You think Mister Closet could do with a lesson on manners and lightening up and being nicer to poor, innocent priests trying to survive coma fever dreams? ...Yes, please, by all means, tell him yourself. [ he is holding the phone out again, ]
Apparently it's for you.
no subject
Didn't know priests are allowed to be so annoying.
[ A low huff as he pockets his phone once more, looking back to the guards. He wants this briefing or whatever done with soon, just so he can get to somewhere quiet and gather his thoughts.
But before that, one more thing -- ]
And don't call me that again.
[ 'Mister Closet.' What kinda stupid moronic nickname is that. ... leaves a bad aftertaste, too. ]
no subject
[ well! phone handed back off and Security waiting to usher them to the next foot of their travels, Abel hesitates but a moment. ]
Should we do introductions properly, then? You won't give it a swat if I offer you my hand for a shake, will you? ...I don't mind going about this officially, you know.