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]

[ here is Abel newly planted back in 2021 having absolutely no idea how much things cost, dw about it?? how many honey buns can you buy for 35$, that will give him a better idea,

oh-- he is abruptly putting back the hideous bright orange parka he had been looking at for God knows what reason, we don't need to talk about it, and reaching out for this much more tasteful coat instead. ]

Ah-- this looks rather nice~! Let's see...

[ shrugging into it quickly, he brushes himself off before giving her a suitably dumb smile and holding his chin high, waiting for her verdict. ]

So~! What do you say? Does it make me look normal and un-priestlike, Ciel...? I am such a regular Joe with a regular Joe job who definitely doesn't have a weird job or anything, haha~!

[septieme]

[Works for Ciel! 35 maybe depending on where he's getting those sweet puffy BUNS from??]

I think it looks nice, makes you appear more put together than you actually are. [...] What about you? Have you looked yourself into the mirror yet?

[...his hair, tho, rly lowkey giving her a faint urge to run a brush thru it properly, sigh. Let's just not focus on it, yeah...]

[inutilis]

[ more put together than he actually is? wow...!! such a compliment, Abel preens and looks utterly proud to hear such praise, either willfully choosing not to see the backhanded nature of this statement or completely missing it. who can say? who, ]

Ah-- no, should I...? O-okay, okay, hold on!

[ watch him scurry off to go find one!! ...and then pose in front of it, with finger? guns??? he just made a "bang bang!" noise, too. ]

...Bing. John Bing.

[ The SpyPriest Who Loved MeWas Stupid, the next James Bond John Bing movie coming to theaters near you. ]

Hey, not bad...! I think I like it, Ciel~! I feel fancy...

[septieme]

[...

Ciel really out here holding onto TWO bags now (cookies and clothes), this 5'4 waman smiling gently over this 6'4 idiot...idiot like he was her son she took shopping for the first time in his life or something,]

You're missing a few extra props for the full effect, but it's passable enough. [Ah yes sequel to the critically acclaimed From Russia Mars with Love Space Rabies, is it,]

That should tide you until your first paycheck, I hope? They're given out as cards too, so don't throw them out. [Another F for Harry...]

[inutilis]

Yes, yes-- this is definitely more than enough~! [ he is shrugging the coat back off and regathering all of the things he will be coming away with, but... as he takes the remaining items from her, Abel lingers just a bit. ]

Hey, Ciel? Thank you. I mean it. It is a special sort of someone who gives without looking for anything in return, and I'm sure you know that well. Whoever else you've taken under your wing in your short time here is doubtlessly lucky to have you, and I hope they-- and you-- know it.

[ and that extolled, he is taking everything they need to pay for in hand and beginning to head toward the register (and the diligent teenager manning it who must have gotten quite the Earful of the two of them over the past ??? amount of time)... ]

--Come on! No time to dawdle... my time limit is almost up, right?! Cookie, cookie...

[septieme]

[So the dog does know how to be polite and behave itself... That is--

...Haah, really. Of course it's nice to be thanked, as unexpected as that may be considering the idiocies she's been dragged into so far because of this hobo priest she's accosted by her own will. But it's painting a decisively curious picture of him, too: clearly playing the fool at every chance he gets, yet capable of "sobering up" when he really feels like it. There's a noticeable pattern to that, too: every time he's done it so far, was to...

...

Curious, indeed.]

You're welcome, Father Abel. [Here's that French pronunciation again, in case it wasn't already noted before.] But I've taken no one under my wing, you shouldn't misunderstand. I simply do what I want to do, as I've already told you, but maybe I will reconsider how I choose to spend my money more carefully in the future. ...And yes, there's only a few minutes left. Shall we finish up?

[Bring everything to the cash and (finally) check out! Total's securely covered by a day's salary no problem, which she easily clears with her own card once withdrawn from the wallet in her book bag. The paper bag that all the clothing is packed into will be handed to him after, since he'll be the one taking that home.]

Make sure to wash these first once you get back, they should be washer and dryer friendly. [A beat.] Do you know how those work, by the way, just making sure?

[inutilis]

[ he is flashing Ciel a grateful and cheery smile as he accepts this parcel filled with his future wardrobe from her, looking for all the world as pleased as punch. it's the simple things in life, sometimes, that make a man happy...!! whether it's the new clothes or just having had made a new friend, who could say the reason for his good mood? suppose it doesn't matter in the end, does it...

Abel is holding the door open for her as they exit back into the streets, obligingly bobbing his head in assent. right... he needs to remember to wash these-- mental note taken, got it!! ]

--Oh, mm, though I'm quite used to washing things by hand, admittedly... but I really can't ruin my kindly bought wardrobe, so I'll do my best to take care of them, I promise~!

[ baby's first laundry endeavor??? ...no, thankfully it will be fine, some things even Abel realizes would be foolish to squander and Ciel's gift is one of them. ]

Hey, Ciel... do you mind if I ask where you're living? In the apartments too, right?

[septieme]

["New" clothes but are they really when it's secondhand... ok semantics sure BUT. She is actively wondering if she needs to show him how the washer and dryer works, this guy really be from AD 3064 but apparently not familiar with 21st century technology in general? His version of Europe is very wack too apparently, with the naming convention and all. ...Wonder why that is, 🤔

What a gentleman, maybe someone should get him a fedora too... That is, she gracefully accepts the door holding and steps out first in front of him, and with this, the thrift store is finally free of two idiots unnecessary racket at long last.]

Just ask for help if you're not sure how something works, that would be far better than risking accidents on your own.

[...]

Hm? Asking for my address before asking for my number? Goodness, Father, I'm not sure if that's entirely appropriate. You really enjoy skipping ahead and doing things outside of their proper order, don't you?

[inutilis]

Mm, right~! Don't you worry; if I can't figure it out myself, I'm sure the good fellows I'm shacked up with will give me a hand. Never fear, Ciel!

[ maybe a lil baby fear is good, tho,

...

uh, well-- he is waving that point off without much consideration, ]

Hm? Ah, I guess asking your phone number would be useful, but I'm still not very good with that phone thing. [ said like a true boomer, ] And we're living and working around the same places, aren't we? I figured it would be easier to find you like that~! Am I wrong?

[ >assuming she wants him to find her at all

maybe a man wants to drop by with a hideous Halloween sweater uninvited, Ciel, did you ever think of that?? HUH?? DID YOU?????? ]

[septieme]

[wow didn't get a rinse out of him, she's ALMOST disappointed. Then again, as far as "disappointment" go, he probably won't leave her hanging for long, will he...

Anyway, motoring right along it is--]

It's primarily a portable communication device, but a lot of other features got added as technology progressed. You can stay in touch with everyone like us at ADI through it, there's also many other convenient things you can do like keeping track of your card balance, use it as an alarm clock, a calculator, so on and so forth. Everyone carries theirs on them at all times, nowadays. Just be careful to not lose it, maybe you should look into getting a tracker for yours too to make sure? [...it's a Feeling, not a premonition.

...also good point, giving him her contact means he can harass her 24/7, and that's probably dangerous...

They're still walking too, she's headed for a nearby bus stop. He's just following along without any question whatsoever, is he?]

[inutilis]

[ he is absolutely just blindly following her as if he thinks that's what he's supposed to do......?? or maybe Abel is just No ThotsThoughts following her because it's familiar, 🤔, hm,

either way, he is happily carrying his parcel right alongside her!! wow, her very own lanky shadow, what every Ciel has always wanted... ]

Losing it is definitely a concern, but-- I mean, it looks kind of expensive too, don't you think? W-what happens if I break it...?

[ 'if' he breaks it

(he will eventually break it is the assumption here.) ]

Hmm... it really is that useful, is it? It's like having your own personal assistant~! So tiny!

[septieme]

[side... glances...]

You would get issued a new one and your pay will be docked accordingly, I imagine. Please ask HR about it the next time you're in the office.

[She's also taking out another cookie to munch on after...

...Oh, and since they made it out of the thrift store without notable disaster, she'll hand him another one too. Treat? TREAT!]

[inutilis]

[ oh my god??? Abel is reaching out to gently accept this, an offering from the gods, with a look of pure and unadulterated delight. best day ever, perhaps???? w-wow... hot chocolate and now cookies and clothes a-and... ]

Thank you, Ciel...! Oh-- hey, by the way, did you make these at Duncan's yourself? Double chocolate chip is divine, right~?

[ the second part of that might be a little muffled as he shoves half a cookie in his mouth, spraying crumbs everywhere, but hey. hey. he is just assisting the local ant population who will love those crumbs. he is a gentle and generous soul, okay? ]

[septieme]

[ants also simp for their queen... wow maybe he's ant-brained too, ant elephant and dog what an amazing chimera this beanpole is]

It was a collaborative effort. The morning shift was giving me a demonstration.

[--And then they got a bit burned, but it's still fattydingdong A-okay right? He's free to be messy as he wishes, as long as he's not spraying crumbs in her face...]

[inutilis]

[ ohhh, right, she had been just starting out, right? Abel is curiously tilting his head at this as he shoves the other half in his gob, too. ]

What made you decide to pick up a job at the cafe, by the way?

[ Ciel is quite an interesting sort of person... he thinks she probably doesn't like sitting still or not being busy. or, at least... that's the impression she certainly gives off. ]

[septieme]

[At least don't eat and talk at the same time, smh]

Shouldn't that be obvious, especially to you of all people?

[...Idle thought that may become a concern soon™: is he even carrying his ADI issued bus pass with him? Should she start getting worried...]

[inutilis]

[ fortunately (perhaps??), he is!!!! he knew he was going to be out and around town, so... that, he did take with him for the day. wow!! amazing.

Abel is making something of a face at that, though... ]

What is that supposed to mean, exactly? Me of all people...?!

[ JUST WHAT IS SHE TRYING TO INSINUATE THIS TIME... ]

[septieme]

[Thank you God, a small miracle in these trying times...]

No guesses? And you call me a killjoy.

[what does he think she's insinuating :3c]

[inutilis]

Oh, I didn't realize I had signed myself up for a guessing game! Well, if that's how it is...

[ HMPH... he huffs quietly, but after dusting his hands free of cookie crumbs and readjusting the sit of the parcel under his arm, he doesn't actually seem particularly bothered. ]

But should I guess what the answer is, or what you were insinuating...? Or are you trying to get me to guess both? N-now I'm getting a headache.

[septieme]

I don't think any of us signed up to be here either, so you can just chalk that up as another thing you haven't signed up for, Father.

[She seems to be in a great mood in "contrast", for better or worse...]

I'd like to hear both, now that you mention it!

[Since he so kindly offered,]

[inutilis]

[ well if she is going to be so cheery about it, suppose he is obliged to play along!! gosh,

so, he is putting a good show of looking thoughtful as if this particular topic requires a great deal of Thinking, even if they both know that between the two of them, there might be One Fully Realized ThotThought to be had, ]

Well! First thing's first. Do I know why you got your job at the café...? Hm, well. If I had to hazard a guess, I'd say it was because you are incapable of relaxing and wanted to ensure every single second of your day was filled to the brim with things to do, which ties into that whole 'not knowing how to have fun' bit I was on about before, Ciel. In fact, I think all of it comes together quite nicely when you look at the whole picture in hindsight... ah-- we really ought to do something about that, shouldn't we? --A relaxation day! [ he slaps his closed fist into his palm like, 'EUREKA!' ] Maybe we can try to find you some matcha tea~! You find that relaxing, right? And tea is fun~! Can't go wrong!

[ what was he talking about again? ...the original point has been lost, somewhere, but that's fine. ]

[septieme]

[...]










...

[Did he ever wonder what she'd look like as a kicked puppy

because that's an expression that's happening now along with a lowered head and slumped shoulders (still hugging the cookie bag like it was some comfort pillow), as she stops walking right at an intersection they've come up against before a street crossing (and yes, she was right as rain and very chipper not even 2 minutes ago,)]

[inutilis]

[ C... CIEL?? nO--

it takes Abel a few extra steps to notice that his walking-mate is no longer keeping pace beside him; he is half-turning to ask her if she's forgotten something, when

he sees it. THE LOOK. the look.

a... ah. ah? no, w-wait. what?? he is quickly trotting back with his hands held out in a placating gesture of concern-- ]

M... miss Ciel? Are you alright...? Wh... What is it? Stomach ache...? Did you eat too many cookies? H-here, do you need to sit down...?

[ ??????? STOP??? stop, his hands are hovering just short of touching her, like he's afraid to make it worse, hELP-- ]

[septieme]

[She's shifted 90 degrees to face the other street and isn't taking another step towards any direction, simply closing her eyes and looking for all the world like she's just been told everyone she loved was dead. Her posture isn't wobbly, but she is almost leaning into the street sign/pole that she just so happens to be next to...]

...So that's all you see.

[It's murmured soft enough that the noise of any passing car could've easily drowned her voice out; good thing the street is quiet, right now?]

[inutilis]

[ those words are terribly quiet, aren't they? yes, if it hadn't been for the lull in traffic, maybe Abel might not have picked them up at all. but he did, and they earn her a puzzled, perplexed sort of look where Abel's brow has furrowed with a (genuinely) mild concern. ]

All I can... see?

[ all he can see? ...w-what does she mean by that?? this time, his ponderings over implications behind her statement are sincere. after a brief hesitation, Abel might just be dropping his hands from their place of anxious hovering as he gently angles his face to try and get a better look at hers, instead. ]

Ciel? You-- you know I was just teasing, right...? Please don't tell me you took it to heart? I mean, I really would love to bring you matcha-- but the rest, was just...

[ he tapers off...... C-Ciel?? Ciel? 🥺 ]