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

[inutilis]

[ 'nosy' she says,

.....and is absolutely correct!!! he doesn't look put-off at being called out, however, nor does he seem to think that the curfew would stop her from Doing Things if she were so inclined. listen... when as a curfew ever stopped the determined?!?! ...he hopes she isn't lying, however, and does get some rest. that sleepiness is... well. it's getting a bit harder to ignore each day, isn't it? Abel isn't sure if it's a relief he isn't alone in that experience. ]

Hm.

[ HMM. ] Well, if you wanted to share your errand with me, Ciel, you could just come out and say it... I'm a very good listener, for your information~! Unburden yourself as much as you need...!

[ yes, that is his takeaway from all this. but on the next point-- ]

Hm? Hmmm...? [ HMMMM. ] Ah. That's a good question; the card doesn't seem to change no matter how many times I swipe it... isn't that strange? Is it supposed to deplete when I'm out of money?

[septieme]

["Hm", he says.]

I could, but I wonder if I should be worried about your potential reaction. You're the freeloader type, after all. Isn't that right?

[Said casually without sparing him a glance! They're just walking.

...]

How were you expecting it to change, exactly? Your attempts to pay with it will simply be declined, once there is no longer enough funds to cover whatever you're trying to buy.

[a beat.]

So credit cards aren't used, in the future you come from? That's interesting...

[Interesting, indeed...]

[inutilis]

Freeloader!! I resent the implication, thank you...! [ yet 'resent' the implication and 'dispute' the implication are two very different things, aren't they, ]

...L-listen, I don't know-- maybe it makes a... noise? O... or, ah. A message appears! Yes, that might make sense?

[ no. it doesn't, does it. ]

Anyway, how are you supposed to tell what's on it? Magic...? ...You know, this does have me thinking. Is this the year you're from, Ciel? All of this has come very naturally to you, hasn't it?

[septieme]

Well then, would you feel resentful, if I told you that my errand is to deliver dinner to a friend living at Bonnie's Flophouse?

[...Smiling...

...]

There's an app you can install on your phone that can help you check, the mobile device we're all issued after orientation. Everyone who came to the café today had their own too, except Ms. Williams. [teenagers and cell phones, name a more iconic duo tbh-- that is, she will proceed to pull hers out of her coat pocket, flashing it to him briefly. A black sleek standard modern cellphone... She misses the flip covers personally, tbh,]

Hm? I'm from two decades back of our current year here, actually. What about you, Father of a Distant Future? [...wow, that sounded way cornier out loud than it did in her head. But he wouldn't mind, right??]

[inutilis]

Ah~! Do you enjoy cooking, Ciel...? Making dinner for someone and delivery, how nice~! [ so this is more personal a favor? she's made a friend here already, huh? or someone she was previously acquainted with...? ABEL IS NOSY now he has even more questions-- ]

...Oh, the phone. [ said like a boomer who is about to say something like, BACK IN MY DAY, PHONES WERE HUNG UP ON THE WALL AND WE DIDN'T HAVE NO FANCY APP TO TELL US HOW TO TURN RIGHT AND BLAH BLAH, ] Yes, yes, that tiny computer that does it all if I'm to believe what I hear~! --Wait, are you saying it can tell me how much money is on my card? How does it know...?!

[ he is glad he left it at home. STRANGE DEVICE....... SPYING... more like he can the battery dead and forgot to charge it last night, ]

Ah, so you're from around this time period? Just a bit behind, is it... I see! I see, I guess it wasn't a leap to adjust to the changes in technology since then? Or are they still difficult to get used to? [ maybe she's just one of those youngins who adapts really well? considering how much she seems to have (willingly) loaded onto her plate... maybe that is closer to the truth. ] Um, I mean-- you're not wrong...! 'Distant Future' sounds about right. Sounds kind of like the 'Ghost of Christmas Future' when you put it like that, though, doesn't it...

[septieme]

It's nice to make what you like, of course. Cooking is a good skill to hone too, given our situation now. [Wow he isn't asking for a portion nor what she's making, this fake hobo priest really has "selectively nosy" down to an exact science, doesn't he?]

Yes. And if you're curious, you can look that information up on your own time. Manuals and online sources would explain it far better than me, so I won't bore you with the details. Are you not carrying yours?

[...This guy. She hasn't missed how he's yet to give her any specific numbers, so finally, she's putting her phone back into her pocket before shifting to open the closed paper bag she's been holding onto since leaving the store.

...And draws out a single double chocolate chip cookie,]

Technology has really improved, but I've been managing without trouble. What year are you from, Father?

[...munch,]

[inutilis]

[ ....hmph. HMPH, HMPH-- he is lifting his chin to Peer as she removes

A COOKIE,

and everything else has abruptly fallen to the wayside. he is Watching it as a man stranded in the desert might observe an oasis..... o-oh. that looks... good, ]

Ah. That's good; no trouble, good, good. [ ah. ] What? ...Pardon? Oh-- the year? [ ... ] This might sound strange, but... the coo-- um, calendar is a bit different where I'm from? [ cookie, ] I've had to do the math, so-- it is a little rough around the edges, but it is something like 3064 AD. Um-- is that double chocolate chip...?

[septieme]

[munch, munch, swallow so that she's not talking with her mouth full--]

Goodness. 3064 AD? That is quite the distant future!

[That much said, since she only took one bite out of her cookie so far and it's still preserving its round and decidedly cookie shape, she'll simply hang onto it by her teeth, which frees up her hand to

Simply take out another one and offer it to him, without a single word to acknowledge his (barely coherent) response/commentary/question (???).

Is the dog he gonna take it or is he gonna stare all day? GOOD BOYS get treats when they behave or do the tricks they're told, after all, and he DID finally answer the question she wanted to know about. Only natural to offer him a REWARD, right?

...The cookie is somewhat burnt, for the record, but it's 100% double chocolate chip, and more than edible! Just. A bit of a charcoal-ish aftertaste, but only picky eaters ought to complain, probably?]

1/2

[inutilis]

[ o... oh. is this-- ]

For me?

[ Abel looks. touched?? as if Ciel has just held out the holy grail, the ticket to his salvation, the most delicious baked good he has ever laid his eyes on... taking it delicately, as if it were made of glass. ]

Ah, Ciel, you truly are some kind of saint, aren't you...?! First the hot chocolate, and now...

[inutilis]

[ ...well, who is he to look a gift horse in the mouth?? (slightly)burnt or not, Abel is taking a bite and his face is lighting up in a perfect delight-- it doesn't seem to sour his enjoyment in the least~! wowwww thanks Ciiiiellll...

ez 2 plz..... ]

It's good~! My very tastebuds are all coming alive again... what is it about chocolate that makes everything extra tasty, hm~?

[septieme]

[simp...le... right, he's just simple, who even wants to know what sort of (unlucky) waman this loser would blindly follow after haha, SURE ISN'T ANYTHING CIEL WANTS TO EVER FIND OUT

She's munched a bit more of her own cookie in the meanwhile, but of course is self-conscious enough to NOT talk with her mouth full, can't speak for him though,]

Anyway, a smartphone is highly convenient. Not just to keep in touch with others like us, but also for a lot of everyday convenience. Are you not carrying yours with you, Father?

[inutilis]

Smartphone? Wow, aptly named... No, I left it at the apartment when it wouldn't turn on anymore. Um-- it just shut off after I was making it play the radio for a while... you don't think it's broken already, do you?

[ JustBoomerThings,

but he is looking at her Earnestly...... did he break it already, Ciel?!?!?! tell him his smartphone, psychic money-keeper isn't lost already...

ah, yes, she really is polite and well-mannered except when she is viciously calling him out without any kind of remorse, huh? look at her pausing in between bites to talk to him!!! ]

[septieme]

[another thoughtful munch...]

Did it run out of battery, perhaps? You do need to keep it charged, and it's normal to need to do that every day if you make hefty use of it. In the meanwhile, can you pass me your card? I should be able to check how much money there's left on it with my phone, too.

[ok boomer She doesn't hear him complaining, so!]

[inutilis]

Battery...? --Oh, that could be it! It did flash a little symbol before it went black.

[ he definitely killed it dead. at least it can be returned from where it is resting, bereft of charge!!

...but he is digging into his pocket, fidgeting about for a second before producing his prepaid card and passing it over. ]

This is what you're looking for, right? This card? You can check it on your phone, too...? W-wow, those things really are useful...!

[septieme]

You just need to plug in the charging cable, and attach the other end of that to a power source. Do you know how to do that? [Does he need cable and charging block explained and demonstrated to him... Will she have another additional trip to make today, smh]

Yes, that's it. [Finishing her cookie, she's fishing her phone back out, and after a few quick taps, has pulled up a scanner app.] Please just hold it with the back side up? [So that she can give the bars and numbers a proper scan, and once that happens


How much does he have


Is it 4.20$




Or 0.69$, be honest]

[inutilis]

[ listen...... listen, listen. listen.

.........perhaps it is 0.69$,

Abel is leaning over a bit as he obediently holds out his card and permits her to swipe and read it. ]

Oh, I think I have the charger, but-- I'll figure it out, don't you worry~! Ah, what does it say, Ciel? Do I have a lot? How much do clothes cost around here, anyway?

[ .... ☠ ]

[septieme]

[this fake hobo priest really has 0.69$ to his nigh-loaded name ☠☠☠☠☠

TO HER CREDIT, Ciel's expression


does not change, from the thin smile that she is wearing down to perfection. She just flashes her phone's display screen back at him, which is accurately displaying in clear Arabic numbers the exact balance remaining on his card.]

We're almost at the thrift store. You can get lots of clothing for cheap! Just make sure to wash it all thoroughly first, you wouldn't want lice or bed bugs or worse. Especially not with pretty and unruly hair like yours, is that platinum silver by the way? [instead of 'senile white' which sounds a lot less elderly friendly, right,]

1/2

[inutilis]

[ ...wait, is that number what's left?? Abel is leaning in a bit further until his nose all but presses against the screen of the phone, before he is peering at Ciel beyond it. ]

I... is that... enough? Forgive me my ignorance, my dear Miss Ciel, but-- that, ah... d-doesn't seem like much--

[ uh, she doesn't seem concerned?? oh, okay, guess we're just going with it and moving on to the subject of his... hair?? apparently? p-pretty, did she just say-- ]

[inutilis]

A-ah~! Pretty and unruly... well! I and my hair have certainly been called far worse things, so I will take that as a compliment! It is indeed a platinum silver, I am so glad you said that! [ instead of OLD MAN HAIR or GREY or anyother such abuse he takes on the regular. Ciel truly is a gentlewoman and scholar. ] --But I certainly agree; I'd much prefer to avoid any lice or bedbugs if we can help it! Unpleasant little mites, you know? What a nuisance. Y-you don't really think that's an issue, do you...?

[septieme]

It's not, correct. You should be concerned about your future spending, Father. What if you end up frivolously wasting away your actual paychecks and can no longer afford basic amenities like food until the next one? Or perhaps you are planning to fast, sometimes very soon? [as if, hah... fattydingdong, and that was obvious within 10 seconds of meeting him.

abelline with platinum silver princess hair confirmed...]

Ah, here we are. [At the thrift store!! How convenient that it is in walking distance of the café, truly. She'll be holding the door open to usher him in, free hand still cradling that bag of cookies they both ate one of each (so far).] Would you happen to know your size, or shall we measure you inside on the spot?

[Not saying it's some Salvation Army, but that's the idea. There's a lot of secondhand stuff... Black slacks and white shirts are pretty common at least and take up several racks of their own, which is probably a good thing?]

[inutilis]

Ah, but making due on very little is my specialty, Miss Ciel~! If a man is particularly keen, he can make good for up to three days without much of anything in the way of food, especially if he's lucky enough to drink away the hunger pangs with well-sugared tea!

[ he sounds entirely too enthusiastic about starving, tbh.

...oh, but once they're inside-- he is turning his attentions to the clothing racks and trying to drop the decibel of his voice from Obnoxiously Loud to Slightly Less Obnoxiously Loud, curiously thumbing through a variety of Ugly Halloween Sweaters?? why are there so many?? who hoarded these to donate, one day?? there is no way multiple people gave these away, they look too..... coordinated. ]

I do know my measurements, mm, I just had my summer cassock tailored quite recently... um-- hey, Ciel, do you celebrate Halloween?

1/2

[septieme]

Absolutely not! That would be bad for any normal person's health. I don't know if you have some special workaround where you're from that makes it okay to ignore a human body's basic needs, but here, it's different. [A quick but subtle glance around; no one's paying attention to them, as much as the fake hobo beanpole priest is still standing out.] You did listen to the orientation, didn't you?

[As if she's chiding a child, despite the... potential gravity of the subject, considering the implications, hm.]

[septieme]

[And just as quickly, her demeanor's shifted again to casual with the enxt beat.]

Let's get you a basic pair of pants and a couple of shirts, maybe a coat too for the season? And there's an office party at the end of the month I believe, you can ask HR for more details.

[that totally answers "do you celebrate X holiday", right,]

[inutilis]

Ciel, Ciel, Ciel... it is all about discipline~! I'm not sure what you're on about, but a man does what he must when he is faced with making due with what little he has, I assure you!

[ a shake of his head as if he has simply ascended to another plain and she just needs to get on his level tbh,

...when they both know perfectly well he just cries at people until they take pity on him and feed him. like, 0% chance she buys any of this. A for effort? (no),

...

....

he is leaning closer to her, now. why is it like they have to whisper here? he feels like he has to whisper. whispering, loudly: ]

By the way, that is not an answer! Are you going to participate? Dress up? Get candy? People still do that kind of thing, don't they? Or maybe you are more interested in the feast of All Saints...? --Do you want a cute sweater~?

[septieme]

Like committing theft? Who do you plan to call for bail if you get arrested, Father? I don't think our gracious employers would take very kindly to that, in my personal opinion.

[Without an ounce of pity or hesitation, nope

...Leaning away as she browses the Lanky Men™ section, smh she's doing all the work isn't she, is he even looking when they're here for HIM]

Depends on my schedule, I suppose. Handing out candy could be fun, shame we live in a privatized apartment complex. As for dressing up, I haven't thought about it yet. Hmm...

[...🤔]