APRIL 2022 TEST DRIVE MEME

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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]

[NAVIGATION]

TDM Questions • Reserves • Taken • Applications • Full Navigation

[Jump to Comments]

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

Comments

D | Vampire Hunter D | warmblood???

[distant_one]

[CW: probably violence and blood drinking at some point]

A: A(n) (un)Pleasant Arrival

Avoiding the festivities but lingering nearby, D stood as still and pale as a statue. perfectly sculpted, beyond the beauty any mortal hand could make. Perfectly still, except for subtle inhale and exhale, and the way his dark eyes moved to follow people. He was unwilling to join in, but also not completely uninterested in the proceedings. The neutral, almost tranquil expression gave no hint to what he might think about everything that had happened in the past few days.

No sign of troubled thoughts at his transformation, or enjoyment of the lively and carefree atmosphere. Only on approach did anything become apparent, a feeling of foreboding in the air. The only indication of his wariness, the always alert hunter even more prepared than usual to kill any threat that might appear in this new place.

There was a drink in his hand, accepted only because it was easier to accept with a quiet nod than to argue.

Then the wind shifted, and a brief glint of red lit his eyes before he tilted his head forward, the wide brim of his hat shielding his face for a moment. D quickly abandoned the post where he'd been lurking to find somewhere more favorable to stand. In his haste, he nearly bumped into someone, but at the last moment and with an unearthly grace managed to avoid either a collision or spilling a single drop of his drink.

There was a brief, almost pained expression on his face, finally revealing that D was not having nearly as easy nor enjoyable time with his arrival and uncontrolled transformations.

B: The Road Not Taken

A dream world. D had limited experience with shared dreamscapes, and none of it had ever been pleasant. He knew wasn't quite a mental attack, he could sense no hostility in the presence responsible, but that didn't make him any more willing to tolerate mental manipulation on any level.

But D was uninclined to linger, even if he wasn't alone. There was only one way to go, undoubtedly planned by the architect of this shared dream. He had not been long in this strange world that was so similarly dangerous and unforgiving as his own. D had an air of weary resignation about him as he went towards the path, prepared to face whatever danger lay ahead with the same lethal focus he had for any unavoidable trials placed before him.

He spared only a moment to pause to start at the pause of the path, to glance back. Whether to wait for the other person in the field to join him on the path out of some reluctance to abandon one who might be less capable than himself, or to assess if he was leaving a threat at his back, or both.

"There's only one path." It was as close as an invitation to join him as any stranger was going to get, as D didn't immediately resume walking, but stood there, still waiting.

C: [your ad idea here. Got an idea? Go for it]

A!

[hammerbearer]

"Oh!" comes from the person who was almost bumped into. A teenager, probably around sixteen or so, who didn't notice D's sudden movement as she was passing by. Gaia fortunately makes what seems to be the right choice to stop moving forward while the much more graceful figure avoids bumping into her. Though there are a few staggered steps past before she finally manages to turn around and face D.

"Hey, are you alright?" The teenager seems assertive and perhaps a bit flustered by the moment but she's not aggressive. "I didn't realize you were going to move so quickly." Gaia probably didn't catch the pained look on his face at first.

Though a moment after she speaks, the teen finally does appear to catch a glimpse of D's features and her own could be called a little pale after. A step back is even taken as if she were startled by what she saw before Gaia shakes her head firmly and dismisses whatever her thoughts were as 'silly'.

Alabaster-like skin and perfect, inhuman-like features aren't exactly good memories to people of the First. Even for Gaia's own scattered recollections.

[distant_one]

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?

[hammerbearer]

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.

[distant_one]

An affliction. It wasn't altogether a bad way to describe Vampirism from the human perspective, and he'd even seen cases where it spread as fast as any plague through a town. D wouldn't discount the idea that she came from a place with something similar.

"You have nothing to apologize for," D said, his placid tone approaching something resembling reassuring. If anything, he should have apologized for nearly running into her. It was the polite thing to do.

He wasn't going to, but he did turn to face her. At least a small bit more of his attention was focused on the girl, and it was a sign he didn't plan on simply leaving the conversation just yet.

[hammerbearer]

Said affliction's final end does have similarities to the concept of vampirism to be sure. But it seems whatever she's seen in her second once-over of D and shaken off is vastly different from her perspective.

She looks up with relief and a smile that indicate she's happy that he hasn't taken offense.

"Well thanks for being understanding." Though her arms cross with a bit of leftover nerves, she takes a stance that seems to suggest the teen has judged D relatively safe to hang around for a bit of conversation. Now she's looking curious too. Is the tall man wearing the standard robe everyone's given on arriving? Does he have the welcome bag in sight?

Looking her over probably reveals a few things, like a sense she's been here for a bit. She's not wearing white like most of the Trenchies do, but a sturdy long-sleeve shirt, gloves, pants of durable material and water-proofed leather thigh boots.

The familiar robe handed out by the Wakers has been turned into a style of outerwear. Gaia's hair is braided firmly into a french-style and there's goggles around her neck, suggesting a very pragmatic outlook to hidden dangers somewhere that the seasonal decorations might cast an illusion on. Her welcome bag is a satchel against her side. There's a sense that everything's been arranged to match as best possible and there's light cosmetics about her face, suggesting some personal vanity she's stubbornly trying to maintain.

"I'm Gaia." She'll offer out her hand by way of greeting for a customary handshake. "Are you maybe a new arrival?" She sounds uncertain about this.

[distant_one]

Her words of thanks don't earn any response from D other than a slight nod of acknowledgement. D had replaced the robe he was given on arrival with more familiar clothing, which had been conveniently and unnervingly placed in the bag he'd been given upon regaining himself. His sword, too, had been there for him, the long handle of the slightly curved long sword visible above his shoulder.

The only hint of color on his person was the blue pendant around his neck and the dark brownish red of the welcome bag, worn at his side and barely visible beneath the dark, heavily patched coat. D was clearly dressed both for travel and for ease of movement in a fight, there were even silver spurs on his boots.

"I'm D." He answered, entirely ignoring the offered hand and offering no indication of why he wasn't shaking her hand. "I just arrived. Is this place very different from the world you remember?"

B: The Road Not Taken

[unphase]

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.

[distant_one]

D's dark eyes tracked her movement, even in the dreamscape darkness didn't hinder his vision. He stood almost unnaturally still, but inclined his head slightly when she chose to come up beside him instead of moving in front or following behind.

A purposeful choice, and one he can respect as well as slightly appreciate. D seems to have nothing more to say on the matter, setting off with unnaturally silent footsteps down the path. The path is just a bit too neat and perfect, as if it's more of an ideal picture of a forest path than something real. An artist's rendering in dreams, rather than on canvas, but it smells and sounds real.

"Does this place look familiar to you?"

It's unfamiliar to D, certainly nothing from his mind or memories.

[unphase]

She moved with the easy grace of a ballerina, yet with the purposefulness of a martial artist. Anyone who tried to accuse her of one but not both would be smiled at, then dismissed. And she's not about to not face head-on what this place may have to offer.

There were those who told her that she ought to be a lot more frightened. Move a lot more carefully. But she did move carefully, the simply put herself into situations where she was reasonably sure she could get herself out of.

But there was a first time for everything.

"I'm afraid not. My mind doesn't seem tasty by the local standards. I wish I could figure out what does make a mind tasty or worthwhile, it would save a great deal of trouble.

This place isn't yours, either?"

[distant_one]

The phrasing she used was curious, and D wasn't certain if it said more about her perspective, or the world they shared. He had no desire to be viewed as 'tasty' by any standard, and also wished more of the locals had less appeal as a potential meal for him. D's body was still the same as he remembered, and yet not quite. It was hard to say if it was the subtle differences or the transformation itself that had worn thin his so carefully practiced self control.

"Not this place, but my footprints are on the path ahead of us." There was less cobblestone and more dirt and mud ahead, the winding path had only just now revealed a section muddy enough to have clear footprints. Something that wouldn't have even needed his skills at tracking to determine.

That was enough to have D pause, and after staring hard at the foot prints, turn to face the woman beside him. "Have you been inside a mental ability like this before?" She didn't smell of fear, but had the air of someone who knew to be cautious in the face of the unknown.

[unphase]

Her perspective, coming from first a galaxy where there was an entire planet of telepaths, then going to a world which seemed to know exactly where one's pressure points were and poked them mercilessly, then to this world which...also knew where one's pressure points were. She was a little too used to encountering things which triggered certain responses. Though, the locals might always seem tempting, as far as she knew they didn't have the same blood abilities Sleepers had.

"That's peculiar. And very potentially a trap." Okay, call her paranoid, but all of her life experiences have made nearly everything seem like a trap. She didn't like the notion, but it was now ingrained into her. Just like the footprints seemed like a deliberate effort to mislead.

"No, but I know it's possible. Even likely." And that would be correct, she was difficult to scare, but knew to be on guard at all times under strange circumstances. She learned to do that the hard way.

[distant_one]

D nods in agreement with the potential of a trap. Just because the presence he sensed wasn't hostile, didn't mean they would remain unharmed.

"I won't ask you to stay behind, but if I am ahead try not to stand between me and myself. The rules in spaces like this are different, and vary by what made it, and why. A simple cut could vanish upon leaving, or cause long damage to your mind, or anything in between." Having said what he felt needed to be said, D turned towards the path again, prepared to set off if his companion of circumstance was ready once more.

Whether or not she chose to continue with didn't seem of much concern to him, and he clearly thought enough of her to make her own choice. Or perhaps he simply didn't care what happened to her, the line between respect for her capability and apathy for her fate was hard to discern. Except that he had cared at least enough to share information.

Re: D | Vampire Hunter D | warmblood???

[thevengefuldoll]

As the demon walks further, he notices that mist is on the rise. The path is clear except for one lone stranger. Uncertain, he stops to study the other. Is he a part of the dream? The demon only realizes that he is dreaming due to the uncanny temperature of the land.

"Who are you?" He asks the stranger.

While planting two feet on the ground, the demon prefers knowing whether or not the one in front of him is real. After all, they could be a part of the illusion.

[distant_one]

D remained expressionless as he regarded the stranger, and was silent for a long moment after the question. Long enough that it almost seemed like he would stay there, motionless aside from the slight movements caused by breathing.

"I'm D."

Apparently satisfied by whatever he saw while scrutinizing his fellow dreamer, D turned and started to walk once more, but kept his pace slow.

[thevengefuldoll]

Upon the duration to receive a reply, the demon remains skeptical. The Trench has a way of connecting people with those they would have a low chance of acquiring an acquaintance. Once D provides a name, the demon is quick to respond.

"I am Min," he states with a hand above his heart. "It appears we are now well met."

He smiles as he regards the other for a moment. With a glance passed onto the path, Min decides there are no other options left.

"Shall we continue?" The demon motions to the road ahead.

[distant_one]

D answers the question with a nod, apparently having nothing further to say and no smile to offer in return.

The path was too quiet and still to be in any genuine forest. The ever-present mist and complete lack of anything else alive gave the already still air a strange, lifeless quality.

"Does any of this look familiar to you?"

[thevengefuldoll]

The demon scans the landscape. When one enters a forest, they may believe themselves to hold onto an assumption that all woods are the same. Yet, every forest is distinctive to itself. Even so within this hazy dream.

"No, I'm afraid not," 'Min' answers.

He remains quiet for a while. With an attentive mind, the demon keeps his eyes wide open. There must be some clue as of where we are.

The sound of running water echoes in the distance. Min points towards the source.

"We should be careful not to drink anything," he states as fact. "Dreams make for poor consumption."

The demon peers over at his fellow dreamer. He looks onward to the path with a sigh.

"I wonder how far this trail leads," he raises a hand to his chin in thought. "Have you noticed anything out of place?"

[distant_one]

D was briefly reminded of a previous dream he'd been trapped in, and the glass of wine he'd had. But dreams were different from person to person, and he doubted this one would be nearly as benign.

"It could go on forever, dreams are strange like that." He had some recent experience with the strange reality of dreams as well, but this wasn't that chaotic cloudscape either. "Everything is out of place. There's nothing living here, not even the trees."

They certainly looked alive, might even feel alive to the touch, but they had an eerie imperfection D couldn't put into words.

A

[faithfulson]

With everything going on, Luke should have known that something as innocent as tea would have something wrong with it. Since imbibing the floral tea before, in addition to the unsettling itch under his skin, there was a need there he couldn't describe, leading him to being cuddly and affectionate with way too many people he didn't know.

Fortunately, the Force still worked, so when it felt like someone was about to bump into him, he was able to dodge around them with a similar grace as the tall stranger. Once he was stable on his feet, he looked up at him, a small, affectionate smile on his face... only to immediately drop it when he noticed the other person didn't look like they were feeling well.

He reached out, trying to send a soothing calm through the Force even as he rested a hand against the man's chest, trying to ignore the happy trill that went though him at the contact.

"Are you okay?" he asked. Did something happen to him when he arrived? Or was it something else?

[distant_one]

D paused after their awkward dance to study the young man he'd nearly bumped into. Not quite human, with that scent that D was learning to associate with sleepers, and in fact he smelled quite appealing.

There was a brush of some mental presence that wasn't his own that immediately had D mentally bracing himself. But it wasn't an attack on his psyche, just a breeze of mental calm and not an attempt to subdue or dominate.

D remained still as the young man reached out to put a hand on his chest, and he was uncomfortably aware of the faint warmth and the suddenly impossible to ignore sound of beating hearts and blood flowing through arteries and veins.

It made D's throat tight with painful, familiar thirst, and he lifted his glass to take a drink. The cool, flowery tea did nothing to calm his thirst, but the act of drinking made it slightly more tolerable. "I'm fine." D said calmly, outwardly looking perfectly tranquil despite how unsettled and conflicted he was inside, struggling to maintain his human side.

[faithfulson]

Luke frowned in concern at that, keeping his hand pressed firmly against the man's chest as he leaned a little closer, peering up at his face. He could tell he was lying, of course, but he learned pretty quickly here that people didn't appreciate being called out on it.

Instead, he offered a wave of calm again, tilting his head curiously.

"You're clearly not all right," he replied, nudging him carefully over to where he could sit down somewhere safe. "C'mon, rest. It'll help."

[distant_one]

He really wasn't, but it was grating to think that his control was slipping to the point that it was obvious. Unless the young man was relying on some sense beyond the traditional five? The repeated brush of calm flowing against his mind indicated that could be the case.

"I'm not tired."

That, and there was something oddly pleasant about the hand on D's chest, as if it was satisfying some hunger he hadn't been aware of. D allowed himself to be directed. Sitting down out of the way seemed better than standing around in the middle.

It wouldn't help any if he lost control of his blood thirst, but it might give him some extra space to maintain control over himself and his other side. The only help he had at keeping that darker side in check was the sunlight, and even that only offered so much.

[faithfulson]

Luke just shook his head, amused at how stubborn he was being. But at least he was cooperating with him, allowing himself to be seated on a bench away from the majority of the festivities. He sat down beside him, not even thinking twice about snuggling up close to him, never mind he had never met him before this moment and had no idea who he was. It was fine, though; clearly he was just doing it to be a calming presence. That's all.

"Better?"

[distant_one]

"No." It wasn't better at all. At least not for D. Better for the people who were further away and therefore less likely to die before Left Hand had a chance to intervene if D snapped.

The young man pressing up against D's side, close enough to feel the thick musculature that wasn't usually apparent through his dark clothing, would no doubt be the most at risk.

The smart thing to do would be to get him to leave, but D couldn't bring himself to break away from that physical contact. Very different from his usual reaction to attention, and D couldn't say it was unwanted. It took him a few moments to identify that the desire to hold someone close wasn't natural, and probably wasn't even a result of whatever changes he had from the form he remembered.

"Go find someone else to help." D's focus was all on avoiding letting his vampiric side out, he didn't have the attention to spare on this new urge for closeness.