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Deer Country Mod ([personal profile] reddosmod) wrote in [community profile] countryclub2022-04-27 07:28 pm
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APRIL 2022 TEST DRIVE MEME

APRIL 2022 TEST DRIVE MEME
Another month, another test drive meme! Our test drive memes are open to anyone interested - regardless of whether or not you join our game!

All Test Drive Memes are game canon. Players can choose to keep their TDM threads canon or not. TDM threads can be used for AC and can be used as your writing sample for your application.

Our TDMs serve as a way to build into the actual lore and worldbuilding of Deer Country and we strongly encourage everyone to enjoy and participate! Current players are always welcome to pull prompts from the TDM to reference on the Network or bring into logs as well as tag out to new characters top-leveling on the TDM itself.

Characters will always be able to actively die during TDMs as this is an extremely dangerous world. You can still have this be game canon! Check out how character death in Deer Country works here.

If you have any questions about the TDM, please ask down below!

IMAGE DESCRIPTORS IN ORDER OF APPEARANCE

Prompt One
[Image One: Delicious, Gelatinous Fruit Treats]
[Image Two: Women in white dancing around a May Pole (Animated)]

Prompt Two
[Image One: A woman turning away from a mirror. ]
[Image Two: A woman trapped inside a mirror with disembodied hands grabbing at her. ]

Prompt Three
[Image One: A Forked Trail on a Wooded Path]
[Image Two: The Grim Reaper at the end of a sewer tunnel]

A MOSTLY PLEASANT ARRIVAL
WHEN: May
WHERE: The Farther Shores/The Boardwalk
CONTENT WARNINGS: Forced honesty, personality changes, physical changes.


Congratulations, sleeper! You're one of the lucky ones to arrive in a month that is not awful to come ashore. The transformational process is almost alarmingly quick and painless. In fact, it is so quick that it is deceptively easy to change back into a squid and do it all over again! Partial transformations are not uncommon during this month for the first twenty-four hours after arriving, and even brief transformations of minor facial features like hair color, eye color, height, weight and a few more extreme possibilities have been known to happen. Don't worry, because the transformations are all temporary and none are inherently monstrous (Unless you already are a monster, in which case good luck with that!). Greeters are present in force to help accommodate you as you make your way, your welcome backpack and items all freshly and neatly cleaned and ready for you as they put the robe on. Everything is so welcoming and inviting that it almost seems like they're having a party.

This is, in fact, because they are. The Wild Moon is about and festivities are in full swing throughout the month of Bauphomette. May poles are set up and it is possible to dance around one if you should wish. Doing so can help to ground oneself in their current form, which may help new arrivals settle in a bit better. Even ignoring that, it feels good to sing and dance, and everyone is very friendly. Even the usually grim Hunters who guard the roads and entries to the shores seem to have less stern smiles on their faces, though their eyes are ever watchful to keep the peace of the festivities.

SEASONAL DETAILS ON THE BOARDWALK

Decorations this month are decidedly floral in nature. Everyone is dressed in white, regardless of their usual preferences. Flowers adorn many of the people of Trench and the weather throughout the first week of May is pleasant. Even if it rains, it is a refreshing, light and pleasant rain, and there are many awnings and umbrellas to take shelter underneath.

And of course, there's refreshments. What festival in Trench would be without them? The foods this month have a very floral theme to them. Edible flowers have been grown and prepared especially for this time of year. They've been used to help create infused and gelatinous sweets, Floral spring rolls and edible flower cookies and the like, along with floral teas that are meant to calm the mind. Additionally, the people of Trench will note that any of the foods present can have a beneficial, albeit transformative effect on the mind and body. They promise it won't last long, but if you're really concerned there is hard tack and water available that's quite filling.

Changes from Food will last a few hours at most. There are several options available among the drinks and foods. These may be combined as the player sees fit. Drinks have mental effects, while Treats have physical ones, the Trenchies will inform:

Pomegranate Juice: Sweet and tart, anyone who drinks it or has some of the fresh pomegranate and seeds will feel compelled to speak nothing but the truth. Pomegranates are found littering makeshift shrines to Bauphomette throughout the party, and Trenchies insist they are free to take.
Petal Infused Hot Tea: Pungent and aromatic, it is relaxing. The heat gives a warmth and vibrancy that fills a person with confidence, to the point of arrogance and fearlessness, leading the emboldened to try something that they might not otherwise do, even if it's very risky!
Floral Iced Tea: While refreshing, it feels like there's something just a little lacking, and anyone who drinks some will feel that they need more but not what they need more of at first, making them clingy and affectionate towards other people, especially strangers.
Iced Water: It's not the tastiest, but has a way of washing things away. Water can cleanse and remove the effects of other drinks, though it leaves the person feeling emotionally drained if it is used this way.

Floral Spring Rolls: Trying one of these surprisingly edible treats will have the added effect of giving a person plant traits temporarily. Hair may convert into tresses of ivy or carefully manicured moss, or perhaps a mushroom cap! Skin might become bark-like or chlorophyl green. The more that one eats, the more that they change.
Gelatinous Sweets: These curiosities come with a note. “Have you ever wondered what it is like to walk in someone's shoes?” Eating one has a profound physical effect, causing a person's appearance to transform into that of another person in Trench! It may not even be someone they've met, or seen yet! It would be awkward to meet someone, not looking the way you're supposed to, or worse? Looking like them!
Edible Flower Cookies: They come with lovely notes saying “Eat Me!” What could be sweeter? Well, like something out of Alice and Wonderland, eating one can cause a person to grow or shrink by a foot. More cookies can cause the height difference to become worse and worse, though if you're only a foot tall, it's a good way to end up an inch tall! So, maybe eating more to fix the problem is risky.
Hard Tack: Like the water, it can fill the stomach and remove prematurely any physical effects, though if it does so, removing a physical change physically drains the character.

A DIM REFLECTION
WHEN: May
WHERE: Throughout Trench
CONTENT WARNINGS: Paranoia, existential dread, hallucinations, possession-related horror.


They warned you about mirrors. Every once in a while, one of the locals in Trench might have whispered it, made a sign of warding when they passed by mirrors, but nothing seemed out of place. They told you that you might see yourself in it, and you would never be the same. However, every time you've looked it's been fine. So, maybe they were being superstitious about something? It certainly wouldn't have been the first time someone had gotten paranoid about nothing in Trench, would it?

How wrong you were. Maybe it was when you were looking down at a puddle rippling in a light breeze. It might have been a formerly polished piece of bronze covered in tarnish that adorned a building. Perhaps it was that lovely bit of obsidian in the shop where you caught your reflection garbled by the shape. It happens only when a reflection is seen in a distorted surface, especially those that are naturally occurring, though occasionally damaged and weathered surfaces that were polished will work. When you were looking at the image, it seemed to look back at you and something was wrong, distorted, imperfect. By then it was too late.

The natives were right. You saw some part of yourself there in the mirror. It might be something that you've hidden from others for a long time, or it might be an exaggeration of a single part of yourself that you aren't proud about. What it is, is a distorted and incomplete part of yourself, something that you try to keep controlled and in check, and it was there, smiling at you and winking. The moment it winked, it was like you were riding in your own skin, watching and unable to act as you changed into a self that reflected that distorted, unnatural and incomplete side of yourself. What shadows do you hide from yourself?

This effect lasts for, at most, one solar cycle. From the rising of the sun to its setting, or the moon to its setting, the effect can last no longer than that. Especially strong-willed people, particularly palebloods, can end this effect sooner through force of will, though it usually lasts at minimum an hour. The character is, for the duration of this effect, changed in personality to behave in accordance with some singular aspect (of the player's choice) of their personality that they do not usually focus on in their day to day behavior. This change can be subtle, or it can be drastic and even dangerous. Its goal is to make sure that everyone sees and witnesses this change, and goes out of its way to impact others in a memorable fact, making sure that they see there is more to the character than what they are revealing. This could be relatively innocuous or extremely dangerous, depending on the person, and the whole while the dominant personality is riding inside their skin, forced to watch what is happening.

THE ROAD NOT TAKEN
WHEN: May
WHERE: Dream worlds
CONTENT WARNINGS: Existential dread, disturbing visions


It happens when you are asleep one night. There is no warning for this effect, and it comes without apparent cause. One night, you go to sleep, and then suddenly you find yourself in a dreamscape, on a path. You can sense eyes on you the whole time that you are present in this field, and though they have a sense of benevolence to them, there is a deeply alien element to the experiment, almost like you are being observed by a scientist through a microscope. You are not alone on the path, either. One, or possibly more than one, other people that you may know or not know, they seem to have entered the same dreamscape. Behind you is nothing but shadow, and before you is a path. Might as well get going if you want to wake up, right? That's how these things work.

Introductions and questions aside, there's nothing but the path and dense, impenetrable woods on both sides, so eventually you and your companion start walking. As you do, shortly you see a branch in the path ahead of you. The fork has two paths, one of which shows the traffic of many feet, footprints grooved well into the worn cobblestones and mud. One of you will somehow recognize that the footprints are their own, and will notice that the other path has no footprints or very few. That is when the compulsion hits. It is inexorable and impossible to deny, the curiosity to see what is down the path that those footprints do not travel.

Travel, walk and taking that path, you will be treated to a vision. It is a moment in the dreamer's life, where they see something that happened in their life, which involved a choice. Did they go left or right? Did they say yes, or no? A choice they made, even one that seemed immaterial at the time, had some profound effect, and now you and they watch as the other choice was taken. And, within the hour, you will see the results, to your horror. Something terrible will happen to them. It could be anything, but it will be life-shattering, perspective altering and ghastly. They might even die from the experience or see a loved one die. The horror of it will still be in your hearts as you stand there for a moment, trapped in the sight of the aftermath, trying to come to terms with what you have just seen, and just at this moment, after a few parting words are said, both will wake up in a cold sweat.

The event that plays out can be from either character. Close CR is not required. Bauphomette has summoned the characters into the dream directly, and is sharing a distorted mirror of an opposite choice that could have been made. Actual “What if” canon events such as alternate timelines in Supernatural could be used for this, or the entire event can be concocted for this scene. The characters themselves are witnesses, and cannot be personally harmed in any physical way, but the horrific ending for the 'vision' version of the one whose dream this can be as awful as desired and take any form wished so long as it is unpleasant. Please be aware and mindful of each other's Content Warning Preferences in setting these scenes up.

CODING
uncoventional: (feral trash goblin)

Eda Clawthorne | The Owl House (Voicetesting)

[personal profile] uncoventional 2022-04-28 09:30 pm (UTC)(link)
Arrival

You know what interrupts loud snoring very effectively? Sand. She sits up, suddenly, spitting and hacking and batting at her face to get the sand away.

"What in the..." She gets the last of it off, looking around. "Uuuugh, waking up on a beach is a lot less attractive as you get older." Then she blinks a few times, looking around. Then at the people waiting for her. Then at herself.

"Wait, was I just a squid? Who are you? Am I naked? Why am I naked and a former squid?!"

It takes some time to explain and she's not happy until she's back to her properly dressed self, shaking her head to clear out the rest of the sand. Which is, frankly, quite a lot. She has a lot of hair that can hold quite a lot of sand.

"Still the third weirdest thing I've ever been turned into," she grumbles, being presented with her backpack - which has her grinning and diving in.

"Ooooh, loot! Gimme!"

It will take...some time for her to figure out how to use it all properly. Mainly as her first reaction to the lantern is to scream at it and throw it as far as she can.

"Creepy little whatsit!"

The Boardwalk

Naturally, presenting Eda with things to eat or drink produces an instant, goblin-like reaction. To wit: she steals extensively.

She consumes a vast quantity of Pomegranate Juice - running off with it despite the locals insisting it's free. The Petal Infused Hot Tea? Well, she drinks that, feels nothing, and demands a refund. Even though it had been free.

The bigger problem, however, are the cookies. She simply keeps devouring them, rapidly changing sizes without seeming to care much which one she ends up at. By her logic, she'll wind up regular sized eventually, and in the meantime, there's free cookies to eat. If you're already going down the path, heck, might as well have a full stomach on the way.

So enjoy the sight of a white haired, white-skinned woman in a red dress rapidly changing sizes, looking completely unconcerned whether she's half a foot tall or pushing past twenty.

She'll stop when she's regular-sized Eda. Probably. Though the temptation to roll the dice and add an inch or two is tempting.

The Road Not Taken

She opens her eyes and is...not where she was. She groans, immediately and audibly, shoulders slumping. "Uuuuuugh, another stupid magical dream. I've had enough of these!" She shakes a fist upwards. "D'you hear me, Baphomette?!"

She's silent after that, then sighs, starting to tromp forward. "Fiiiine, let's get this over with. Stupid dreamscapes with their hidden meanings - unconscious should just mean unconscious!"
madgamerhat: (Cafe)

Sato | Ajin | Darkblood

[personal profile] madgamerhat 2022-04-28 09:31 pm (UTC)(link)
🎮 A Mostly Pleasant Arrival 🎮

[ The water is cool and dark as small eyes blink open. A shimmering light shines above. Curious, the creature swims towards the surface. While bobbing on the waves, a Grey squid scans its surroundings. In front spans a dark shore. The squid notices others of its kind. Dozens of small tentacles swim towards shore as part of some ritual. As the curious mind swims closer, it observes the others mid transformation! Incredible, what once were squids are now more human. Before the squid can wonder about their own state- a surge of energy flows through its body. The transformation does not frighten the squid, but delight the little one. As the waves bring the being closer to shore, black energy swirls around tits frame. No longer does it swim with tentacles but hands. A naked old man lands ashore. Surrounding him, are other nude individuals- the squids. There is a large group of folks tending to the newcomers: giving them robes and bags filled with essentials. The old man is among the assisted. He grins while accepting his bag from a jovial young man. Once dressed, the man heads over to the smell of food. He peruse through all of the refreshments offered. While taking a cup, he drinks hot tea- there's a strong floral scent. The old man feels refreshed. A sound from behind catches his attention. The old man turns to see you and asks: ]

Are you a newcomer as well?

[ His words seem smooth despite the transition from squid to man. He has a wide friendly grin as he sips more tea. ]

🎮 Road not Taken 🎮

[ While resting beneath the boardwalk, an old man drifts off into sleep. He feels comfortable despite being in an unfamiliar territory. Although he cannot recall much, the old man is excited to observe more. Yet, what's that odd feeling? ]

Where am I?

[ The old man sets his gaze towards a dirt path. Surely he is dreaming. Yet, the presence of another leaves him with doubt. ]

How are you here?

[ The old man asks the stranger with his head tilted. Behind his warm smile is a hint of skepticism. ]
Edited 2022-04-28 22:00 (UTC)
yandhero: (015)

[personal profile] yandhero 2022-04-28 09:44 pm (UTC)(link)
Only the ones I want to touch!

[ but she's not completely tonedeaf, and she finally lets go of anna, stepping back a step or two with her hands up and open. ]

Anna... Anna. [ she mulls the name over in her mouth, looking like she's coming to some sort of conclusion for herself - probably a positive one, given the slight flush on her cheeks - only to stop halfway through as anna's words finally register. she looks up, genuine confusion clear on her face. ] Huh? You're kidding, right? How do you not know what a Quirk is!?
hauntedsavior: (analyze your apathy)

[personal profile] hauntedsavior 2022-04-28 10:02 pm (UTC)(link)
[oh, good, the 16 year old wants to touch her. thank god no one's around to ask her to take a seat. anna fixes toga with the same level of confusion in her one eye, but at least she can relax a little now that the girl's backed off. for now.]

Never heard of it. Not from around here—but you're not either anymore, kid. Tell you what, let's fill each other in. You go first.
yandhero: (005)

[personal profile] yandhero 2022-04-28 10:04 pm (UTC)(link)
Right? I'd remember someone like you! [ she finally pulls away once the other girl pulls the hood over her face. looks like she's got some tact, at least. ] Luz, Luz... Ahh, what a cute name!

[ ...that doesn't answer luz's question, himiko?? thankfully, it's not long before she focuses on the other girl's words, shaking her head with a grin. ]

Nope! It makes perfect sense to me. The lady that helped me out told me I was the fastest they'd ever seen someone remember what they looked like! [ she flashes two peace symbols, beaming all the while. ] Probably because I'm used to trying on other bodies!

[ himiko??? ]
drawsghosts: (08)

Talwyn Kallig | Star Wars The Old Republic | Paleblood

[personal profile] drawsghosts 2022-04-28 10:19 pm (UTC)(link)
Arrival
Talwyn wonders if this is what it feels like to be a Nautolan. Or a Mon Calamari. He flails about the ocean in squid form for a while, but once he washes ashore he's back to being a Sith pureblood. Yellow eyes take in his surroundings, fingers brushing long, wet hair away from his face. What happened to his hair tie?

"Khem? Andronikos? ...Xalek?"

He must be really desperate if he's asking for Xalek.

Boardwalk
As he wanders about, finding his way to the boardwalk, he comes across the refreshments, feeling rather hungry and thirsty. Talwyn selects a glass of pomegranate juice and a floral spring roll. Taking a sip of the juice, he lets it sit on his tongue for a moment before swallowing.

"Not bad."

Wildcard
[Feel free to request a special prompt]
yandhero: (007)

[personal profile] yandhero 2022-04-28 10:23 pm (UTC)(link)
Wow. You're really serious, huh? [ she still looks utterly baffled - but it doesn't stop her from offering an explanation. or at least, sort of an explanation. ] A Quirk is like... ah, I think some people used to call them Meta Abilities? Anyway, it's something that lets you do things nobody else can do!

Like, take me for example! [ she points with two fingers up to her face. ] My Quirk allows me to transform into anyone as long as I have some of their blood. It's not really the greatest for big and flashy hero work, but it's really good for going undercover! And besides...

[ why is she blushing. why is she blushing. ]

...I mean, it's kind of romantic, don't you think??

[personal profile] onewiththewild 2022-04-28 10:41 pm (UTC)(link)
[ is that........ beef?

Toboe's eyes go wide when the smell of meat hits his nose and immediately he is ready to start wagging his tail fast, but then the girl stops there and she doesn't follow through with the motion and does not give him the beef.

No... beef...

Toboe sits down, staring at the empty hands and then back at the girl. Naturally, he can't tell anyone he can talk, but he is good at pretending limited understanding at least, so Toboe tilts his head and after tries to paw at the girl again.

Please... give beef. ]
distant_one: (pic#12360502)

[personal profile] distant_one 2022-04-28 10:55 pm (UTC)(link)
Faces going pale in fear upon sight of his own was not new to D. More unusual was the quick dismissal of the very natural and reasonable fear.

D didn't bother to answer her question beyond a slight nod. It was everyone else who needed to be concerned. His vampiric side was lingering closer to the surface, more difficult to control than usual. D hadn't completely turned to face the girl, his posture poised but relaxed, glancing at her over his shoulder.

At the moment he was under control once more, and his expression once again showing no emotion.

"My appearance startled you, perhaps I should be the one asking if you're alright." Was she from the same place he was, or a similar world?
unphase: (then she says you're controlling the way)

[personal profile] unphase 2022-04-28 11:05 pm (UTC)(link)
Yes, I suppose it is. [she's seen far stranger things than a pose on the boardwalk. even though she's only been here five months. the girl has a flair for the dramatic, she'll give her that] Right. The flirtation is appreciated, but for naught. I'm nineteen and I know better than to go with anyone under eighteen. [trying to soften the blow] Sorry. But there are a lot of young men and women your age here, I'm sure one of them would be your exact type.

[let them stare. she doesn't really care if they do or don't]
hammerbearer: (Default)

[personal profile] hammerbearer 2022-04-28 11:06 pm (UTC)(link)
[Beef is a precious commodity in Trench, Toboe, considering what it takes to raise a cow and thus reserved for good dogs. Are you a good dog right now, Toboe? Tricking a young, innocent teen into thinking you're a helpless doggo? At the second pleading, Gaia primly places her hands to her hips and looks 'sternly' down at the wolf.]

Oh no you don't! I'll have you know I've been here for a while. [And is possibly from somewhere were wolves tend to look somewhat different or aren't common.] Though if you're needing help because you're new, I can probably do something about that.

[Yeah she's putting up a cool front but she's got a soft heart inside. Gaia crouches down before Toboe to be 'eye to eye' with him. There is a gentler look in her eyes now they're down at this level.]

You are new, aren't you?

[Of course at this point she's going to start reaching out and trying to place a hand on Toboe's head. Because who can resist petting the doggo, really? This teen has some different scents. There's the hint of beef jerky that her hand had brushed, but also a few others. Light cosmetics (even in a place like this), soap, human. Also the scent of an actual dog imprinted enough to gather she is often near or lives withone. Definitely not wolf in this case though.]
unphase: (the source without the blame too far)

(CW: gore referenced)

[personal profile] unphase 2022-04-28 11:15 pm (UTC)(link)
Ornateness she can appreciate. It's a very Terran thing, her foremothers had held an ironclad grip on the reins of power by crushing others financially or socially. Better yet, both at the same time. Hot wars were for the Terrans. Cold (ice cold, the kind of cold which would make flesh stick to metal and tear off rather than let go of its prize) was for Bgztlians.

But she's always been fond of the road less travelled, both by her family (and home planet, but the two were one in the same) and by her fellow Legionnaires.

"Really? May I ask how old you are? You look like you're somewhere around my age." Though, the latter statement made her grin. "The Mistress knows I'm awfully fond of treasure and prizes. So I suppose we'll be on our way?"
hammerbearer: (Contrite-Gaia)

[personal profile] hammerbearer 2022-04-28 11:16 pm (UTC)(link)
Gaia doesn't appear to be aware of the actual nature of the risk D represents. While saying she's suddenly relaxed wouldn't be correct, the teen isn't panicked. In fact as the tall man brings up the fact that he noticed her reaction, Gaia has the grace to look embarrassed.

"Ah no, sorry!" One hand comes up and she gestures her hand as if dismissing it. "I'm fine, really." Letting out a sigh she looks up at what she can see of D's face before explaining.

"It's a bit embarrassing to say this, but your face did startle me a moment. On my world there was an... affliction people could have which could give them features similar to how yours look before they succumbed to it. It's definitely not the case here though! I just wasn't expecting it. Sorry."

Gaia's expression does look contrite as she lowers her eyes.
unphase: (the tip of your star is there room in yo)

B: The Road Not Taken

[personal profile] unphase 2022-04-28 11:24 pm (UTC)(link)
It's Tinya's first time in a shared dreamscape, so she hopes it's gentle. Though, she wouldn't bet on it, even the gentle things seemed to have a catch somewhere. The trick was in springing the trap without actually stepping on it first. Call her paranoid but it had kept her alive for four years mostly on her own.

This planet is unlike Tinya's, unless one counted the poles. No one lived on the poles, the weather was too harsh and the landscape too unforgiving. Even phasing couldn't keep a person from freezing to death, at least not forever. And she's good enough at reading people to tell that he seemed less than enthused to continue on the path.

She's coming along, not following blindly like a little puppy. That wasn't her style. No, she was following at his side so that she could see everything he saw and face whatever danger may come at them. She may have lost her birthright, but this planet had gifted her with fire, with ice, with lightning. She knows better than to not be leery, but she could keep herself safe.

"It certainly seems that way." A statement, not a question. And she came up alongside him fully, bright blue eyes calm.
umbrosus: (he said will you defeat them)

on the boardwalk

[personal profile] umbrosus 2022-04-28 11:25 pm (UTC)(link)
[The still slightly damp and bedraggled man Shouta has taken hold of at first responds with only a profoundly stricken stare, as if he's just been given terrible news instead of being approached by a friendly stranger. He opens his mouth very slightly, closes it, looks from Shouta's face to his hand and back again, and appears to come to a distressing conclusion.]

...sure.

[With carefulness so telegraphed as to seem exaggerated, he twists his shoulder away, taking a shuffling step backwards to put more space between them.]

What do you want to talk about?
thisislife: (in the land of gods and monsters)

Arrival

[personal profile] thisislife 2022-04-28 11:33 pm (UTC)(link)
[this was certainly something Lexi could say she hadn't expected, a wolf with a welcoming bag. but god knew there were some strange people in Trench, she shouldn't have been that surprised to see a wolf.

she also shouldn't let the wolf approach her, but Orville seemed to think the wolf was okay, so that was good enough for Lexi. even pawing at her leg was no big deal, the poor thing seemed to be doing his best to seem completely calm and sweet, considering those puppy eyes.

so she crouched down so that she could be at eye-level with the wolf]
Hi! I'm Lexi. I don't have any food with me, but if you're okay with coming to my place, I have lots of fresh salmon. Would you like that? [never mind that the salmon was originally intended for her dinner, she'd figure something out]
ghostharasser: <user name =seishirou> (169)

[personal profile] ghostharasser 2022-04-28 11:49 pm (UTC)(link)
He is doing pretty good! If Dipper didn't know better, he would seem on par with most new comers. Dipper does know his history, and he is also an empath, and while he's gotten good at shutting out the emotions of others (otherwise he'd be inconsolable in large crowds), it's hard for him not to get the echos of Fiddleford's turmoil from where he's standing.

He doesn't want to lose sight of McGucket, so he needs to be careful not to scare him away. That sounds easy enough, but the McGucket Dipper knows is so thoroughly unshakable by virtue of having had his mind broken for decades he feels like he's walking on eggshells around this ...much more jumpy, younger version.

"Yeah, dude. The boardwalk has a ton of stalls and shops. They won't have anything fancy there, but we can definitely find pants," he explains with a nod. "There's also a full-blown shopping district further in the city if you wanted to find actual clothes."

Dipper takes a moment to look around, climbing on top of a bench to get a higher vantages point. He makes a triumphant ah-ha! before climbing down and pointing.

"That way. C'mon!"

Time to follow this small, strange Pines child.
hauntedsavior: (the voice of sympathy)

[personal profile] hauntedsavior 2022-04-29 12:10 am (UTC)(link)
[she just. wants to know what's going on first. she can sort of relax now that she has more information—it sounds like superpowers, basically, and this girl is coming from a place that definitely had superpowers. in a sense, anna did, too. still, toga is much... different from the last girl with actual superpowers she knew. in many, many ways.]

I mean... I guess? [she shrugs, finally starting to loosen herself up.] I don't know if I consider that romantic exactly, but I'm not the kind of person anyone should go to for traditional romance anyway, you know? [why is she blushing?] You're about to have a hell of a time here, though. Whole place runs on blood. Kind of gives all of us stuff that not a lot of people can do. But, uh, the robot thing is way older than this.
terribibble: (this fuckin dweebus tho)

[personal profile] terribibble 2022-04-29 12:36 am (UTC)(link)
Oh boy, that man is half tree. Funny that this is not the first plant person Fiddleford has run into here, though this goes a little beyond 'green with flowers in the hair'. It's not exactly what he'd consider horrific but it sure is unnatural and he winds up looking very carefully over Jacob's shoulder as he addresses him instead of directly at him.

"I didn't say safe." Please. He's just looking for wherever he's least likely to get possessed or stabbed. "I just want somewhere that's less... ah... ghost-dense."
cuddlery: (who what now)

II

[personal profile] cuddlery 2022-04-29 12:42 am (UTC)(link)
Scorpia was wandering around and checking out the festivities - but she came to a stop when she saw a familiar figure nearby, looking into a mirror. She looks over at them with surprise.

"Double Trouble? Is that you?"
cuddlery: (chipper)

Post-Arrival

[personal profile] cuddlery 2022-04-29 12:48 am (UTC)(link)
There's a scorpion-woman nearby, who is also trying out some of the floral spring rolls. While Scorpia herself is oblivious to any effects, it's possible for someone else nearby to notice her scorpion-y parts shifting to be made of some kind of wood.

She pauses as she glances towards the girl nearby, noticing that clover-filled hair with a smile. "Wow! Really loving your hair!"
monoceroscaeli: <user name="optimisty"> (71)

wildcard imo, with food shenanigans

[personal profile] monoceroscaeli 2022-04-29 12:53 am (UTC)(link)
[That guy looks especially tired, Childe thinks from his little perch on one of the tables.

Yes, on.

The man has managed to make himself four inches tall, because he'd enjoyed a few too many cookies. He wonders if he can convince him to take him home, because at this size, he's not getting home anytime soon considering he lives in Purfrock and they're on the Boardwalk. Fighting ants doesn't sound especially fun, so it might be better if he just finds a way home in a more efficient way. Thankfully his Vision still works, so he's using any and all hydro techniques he has under his belt to get up on Aizawa's shoulder and right up to his ear, sitting in the man's clothing.

That's when he might hear the sound of Childe's tiny voice:]


Hey, think you could help a guy get home?
cuddlery: (totally gets it)

On the Boardwalk

[personal profile] cuddlery 2022-04-29 12:53 am (UTC)(link)
[There's a scorpion woman nearby checking out the festivities. But her wanderings come to a stop when a hand grips her bumpy shoulder. She looks at the guy with a confused smile. She's used to being quick to befriend others, but even so, this feels... strange.]

Iiii try my best to excel in the whole 'niceness' department! [She says with a little laugh. And she gently pats his shoulder with a pincer, hoping that will complete this cycle of gestures and get him to remove his hand.]

But, um, yeah, always down for a friendly talk! My name's Scorpia?
imaglyphwitch: (HUH?)

[personal profile] imaglyphwitch 2022-04-29 12:57 am (UTC)(link)
Thanks! It means "Light!"

[Wew, ok. Luz was recovering now. She was pretty sure she was no good to anyone when she was a blushy mess, and pulled her hod back again].

Oh that's good! I know some people do have trouble with that part!

[That made sense and-]

Wait, what? What do you mean by "trying on other bodies?"

[That wasn't what she THOUGHT she meant, was it]?

terribibble: (this guy's face is an accident)

[personal profile] terribibble 2022-04-29 12:59 am (UTC)(link)
Yeah. This is how today is going to go, it looks like. Fiddleford walks after him through the crowd, careful not to accidentally bonk anyone with the neck of his banjo. At least even living in suburbia and resigning himself to wearing shoes couldn't get rid of the farm boy mile-thick calluses, so walking around barefoot isn't much of an issue. Shoes are going to be the last thing on his list of things to figure out how to trade for, at least until someone explains to him that maybe direct contact with the blood-soaked ground is a bad idea.

"I don't need fancy, I just need them to fit." Which... actually given his height and what a beanpole he is can sometimes be an issue, but he imagines the addition of a belt will fix that pretty fast. "If it's all barter, what do folks usually pay with?"

He doesn't have a lot to his name right now, and most of what he does have he isn't interested in giving up.

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