redstringtheories

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TDM #4

➥ Arrival

Photo of a modern office building from the outside. There is a manicured lawn with several trees and bushes. To the left side of the photo, there is a waterbody with reeds around the fringes. There is a purple gradient filter over everything.
(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

Photo of multiple children's toys, which include baby dolls and clown toys, all piled together. The toys are of various shapes and sizes. There is a purple gradient filter over everything.
(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

Photo of an older, Caucasian man in sunglasses dozing on a wooden park bench. His feet are up on the bench and his arms are crossed. There is a purple gradient filter over everything.
(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

Photo of a middle-aged, dark-skinned woman with long hair pouring a pot of coffee into a mug. Her hand is over her mouth as she yawns. There is a purple gradient filter over everything.
(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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[ a man tries to do a good deed, and this is the thanks he gets... can we get an F in the chat,

Abel gently lifts a hand to adjust the sit of the glasses on his face, smile unwavering despite this grievous blow to his ego (spoiler: no damage was taken, as one must possess an ego to be dealt damage, big brain shit) ]

Ah. Well. In that case... what if I bring the ingredients and observe a master at work...? You know, until my culinary skills reach a satisfactory level that I might join you. I mean-- I'd be happy to serve as a sous chef... even a simpleton like me can dice or stir, you know~!

[ let him enable her addiction..... LET HIM, ]

[He really puts the fool in foolproof, a round of applause more like for that galaxy brain tier reasoning,]

How astute of you! That's right, my unwillingness to help you is unrelated to your potential role as an observer... or assistant! Those are still possible, but you'll have forgive me for having reservations about your helper prospects for the moment. Can you fry eggs or make steamed rice, for starters?

[a fattydingdong party really is all but inevitable at this point, isn't it,]

Um-- Ciel, I have to admit... the only cooking I've done has been in severe desperation and usually involved a toaster or salting raw vegetables, I'm afraid~!

[ this is, sadly, completely true... ]

M-maybe it'd be best to solidify my position as an observer, for now! ...Or I can be on washing duty! That task I can certainly handle, how about that...?

...Goodness, you sound hopeless. [And British.

...that is! it's a wonder that she's saying this now when she's already suffered thru this beanpole's company since midday tbh,] Yes, one thing at a time. Why don't you take this opportunity to learn, now that you're here? There should be bookstores stocking simple beginner recipes, you should have some free time outside of ADI work, and cooking at home will save you money in the long run.

It's something I'm beginning to realize I might need to put some time into for sure, you're right...

[ but the way he says it-- it sounds like Abel is not particularly thrilled by this slow realization he has been coming to. yes, the slight sag of his shoulders would certainly indicate that much. ]

It's just-- I am far better at eating than I've ever been at cooking, you know? Some people have a natural knack for it, but I seem to be missing that particular bone in my body. You know, the cooking bone?

[ yes, the cooking bone. as you do. ]

Nonsense. The knowledge to eat is tied to basic survival, so of course every living being knows how to do it. Cooking on the other hand is a skill, and like any other skill, takes practice to hone and perfect. If you've never learned and practiced something properly, how can you expect to be good at it?

[Meanwhile her back is perfectly upright and she's going on like a kindergarten teacher lecturing the kids she's looking after.]

That is to say, if you're serious about making your own curry someday, you definitely need to learn how to cook the right way first. Are you truly committed, Father Abel Nightroad, or are you just paying me lip service because you want to eat what I make?

[lbr... don't lie, what's the truth here]

[ this feels So Familiar and he can't put his finger on why.... HMM... hmm, why does this feel so familiar? hmm, 🤔

Abel's back is straightening as she goes on-- as if he is instinctually responding to her tone of voice and that is the only appropriate reaction one could have, ]

R-right! Right, practice makes perfect...! [ nodding along in assent, mmhm, ] Miss Ciel... [ he leans a little closer, abruptly reaching out and seizing her hands in his own with the FLAME OF INSPIRATION behind his eyes!!! ] --Then I can become your protégé, do you think?! Your words have moved me!! To think you believe even someone of so little skill and absolute wretched luck with two left feet and no sense of a refined palate whatsoever might be able to cook like a pro one day... I-I'll give it my best!!

[ somehow he has volunteered her to teach him. somehow. somehow that happened. ]

[oh gross he's got his GRUBBY PAWS on her... well ok as long he doesn't make her drop her cookie bag, guess she can put up with it... every excitable dog licks your face all over after all, this is basically the human-limbed version of that right]

Pro? Don't get ahead of yourself. It's going to take a lot of hard work, you know. But everyone has to start somewhere, so maybe you just haven't had a chance to get going properly yet.

[...]

Start small first, okay? And make sure the fire alarm in your unit is in good working order.

[...what has she gotten herself into]

[ start small... mm, yes, very small. very, very, very small, ]

Mm, right, right~! I should probably warn my roommates, too. Y-you know, just in case. [ tfw Abel is kicked onto the street week one, pls look forward to it,

...is the bus approaching their stop yet? it might be. ]

What do you think is a good launching point? Do you have a suggestion for my debut?

[Looking at him with a Bit of concern, now...]

Fry some eggs, sunny side up? Mac and cheese or pasta can work too, you can buy canned or bottled premade sauce at the store.

[While ducking a bit from his ray of INSPIRATION so that she can peer out from the window, ah, should be within a couple more stops, almost there.

...Did he let her hands go yet]

[ ...........no, though he seems to have forgotten he is holding them. or maybe he is just. very passionate about his first meal?? no, he probably forgot. ]

Pasta~! Ah, who doesn't love a good pasta?! It can't be that hard to cook, right...?

[ right, Ciel? ...r-right?

if one of the apartment buildings burns to the ground in the next few days, she'll be the first one who knows why, ]

Perfect! Then it's settled...! I'll be sure to report back how it went when I'm done, okay? Look forward to it~!

[...it's mostly just boiling water and putting noodles in, drain them after they're spaghet, and then dump the sauce

HOW INDEED CAN YOU FUCK IT UP

(don't answer that)]

...You can call or text me if you have questions. [she doesn't need to be physically present to supervise some man she JUST met today making PASTA, does she?

(don't answer THAT either)]

--Ah, and we're almost there! Can you... please let go of my hands, Father?

[they're probably also getting stared at... causing a scene wherever they go, smh]

[ guess she will find out when he's done precisely how that can be fucked up, she will find out... oh, she will find out,

...

right, right, the phone really is nifty huh-- he nods along to this, and then--

--abruptly releases her hands with a bright pink flush to his face, clearing his throat awkwardly which turns into an embarrassed sort of chuckle, h... haha, whoops, ]

C-carried away, I got a bit carried away, didn't I...? Sorry, Ciel-- pardon me...! Um, so... I guess since we're almost home, I should give my thanks again for your help today... You really were a life saver~!

[She's pressing the STOP button to request next stop once he does... Finally free, but also nice timing!]

You have a tendency for that, I'm starting to feel. Aha... The buildings are all in the same area, so we'll probably be going the same way too after we get off, you know?

[She is getting to her feet and shuffling to the bus' back door once he lets go though, they're almost there. Can he even recognize the area...? ~~a dog would, so hmm 🤔~~]

[ a tendency for that?? no, no, couldn't be... (yes,)

...

oh. ...oh, right. their buildings are together. he is clearing his throat again as he lifts to his feet to follow after her, waiting for the doors to open once the bus begins approaching their stop. r... right... ]

H-haha, that's right~! I forgot they're all so close to one another... We're like neighbors!

[ wow that is so sad for her, isn't it, ]

[let's just get off first...]

How do you forget something like that... [mumbled under her breath but she wasn't exactly really trying to be sneaky about it]

There's four buildings, plainly ordered from A, B, C, to D.

[...she's wisely choosing to not ask him which one he's at, or hint at her own,

but yes the cluster of buildings are very much in view, once they've stepped off the bus and are back out in the street. Almost 'home', hm?]

[ almost there...!! she is almost free of him; does it feel good... like a burden is close to being lifted from her shoulders..... an Abel-sized burden,

as they're disembarking together, the priest is giving his companion a small little smile at her explanation; yes, teacher, A B C D... ]

But not all of the, um... 'transfers' are in the apartments, right? There was somewhere else some of them were staying, isn't there?

Yes, Bonnie's Flophouse. There are rules to stay at the apartment complex, and those of us who have chosen to take the offer obviously have to respect them. Those who can't or have other personal circumstances are at Bonnie's. There's a curfew here, for one. You're not the type who tends to wander around suspicious places at night, are you Father?

[It almost sounds like a leading question? Nah, just his imagination.]

[ oh? he frowns softly at that as if he couldn't even fathom a world in which he, an innocent itinerant priest, would ever find the need to go wandering the dredges of the city late in the evening... ]

No, no; I find myself quite early to bed these days~! It's hard enough to get up in the morning as it is, and there were several nagging nuns who insist on rising at a truly abhorrent hour at home. Even if they're not here to chide me, it's as if I can feel their spirits breathing down my back if I sleep in too long, s-so it's really for the best not to keep late hours, you know?

[ mmhm, mmhm!!! ]

And what about you, Miss Ciel? Hm...? Are you burning the midnight oil around here?

Morning truly are difficult, no matter where you are. [She nods wisely to herself at that, as if he's just said something very profound (he hasn't).] So you often get an earful from your colleagues at home? I can picture that. [She nods wisely to herself once more, as if he's said something relatable (he may have).] There's been the unnatural sleepiness permeating the city since the turning of the month too, which is also making restful sleep difficult. Please try to rest properly when you can, we never know what may happen and when things may start getting hectic in town.

[...]

I wouldn't be staying at the apartment complex if the curfew didn't sit well with me. We're all human here, for better or worse. [Lightly tossed out because it's the truth, as she unfurls the paper bag and takes out another cookie to munch on.

Oh hey they're almost at building A. She's not the only one keeping track, is she?]

[ Abel takes her warning into stride, bobbing his head along like a diligent pupil absorbing the wisdom of their master. ah yes, get some rest; best to be prepared for when things should get hectic. (what that entails? Abel cannot be sure, but considering his debriefing he supposes he has an idea...?)

regardless, that last bit earns her another nod of his head-- this one accompanied by a meagerly brighter smile!! ]

Well~! I find myself the sort to enjoy a nice cup of tea before bed, so... if you find yourself looking to wind down one evening and in need of one, do be sure to look me up, would you? It seems the least I can do in some small part for all your help, Miss Ciel!

You're supposed to calm down before you sleep, Father. Are you sure you wouldn't just get overexcited from company?

[She may be teasing a little between noms, as building A is passed onto B. Tangentially related to excitable tho, what if he just follows her straight home... 🤔]

[ this is why you don't feed the strays... next thing you know.......

...

m-mistakes were made, perhaps? though she could just remind him if she wanted to avoid him following her all the way to the door; he didn't really intend to bypass building A-- ]

Oh, well-- on that point, I wouldn't worry overmuch~! I really don't have any trouble falling asleep, especially these days! There must be something in the air, you know...? Dreamland is never far away, maybe even a little too close for comfort if you know what I mean... Considering what happened at the cafe today, I'd say I'm not the only one with that sort of feeling, hm...

[Not like she knows he lives in A, just like how she hasn't told him where she's at either OOPS--]

We haven't had concrete news at the office either, so the company seems as clueless over the phenomenon as everyone else. That's a good point, though... Hopefully we get to the bottom of it soon.

[Passing by B now...

...]

Right! Right, so... my tea invitation stands, hm? I'm over in building--

[ ...wait.

wait, hold the phone, here. he is abruptly stopping in place and tossing a glance to B building, the gears beginning to turn in his ~~pea~~ brain-- ]

--ah...! I passed right by it?! How in the...

[ ..... ]

A, I'm in building A over there, h... haha-- I guess I really am a bit scatterbrained today, aren't I...? Embarrassing...

[ WOULD HE HAVE AUTOPILOTED ALL THE WAY TO HER APARTMENT??? probably... ]

TDM #4

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