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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
wattages: (Default)

arthur watts | rwby

[personal profile] wattages 2022-04-28 01:13 am (UTC)(link)
I.) A Mostly Pleasant Arrival

[ As they say: Out of the frying pan and into the ocean. Honestly, Arthur can think of several directions this could have gone. But now, he has emerged as a new man. One writhing away from his tendrils and into skin and bone. And it comes with a welcome wagon! How unbelievably inefficient and unnecessary. Yet he takes his bag and (after much thorough inspection) carries it to the Broadwalk in search of a watering hole for a parched mouth.

Petal Infused Hot Tea is the beverage of choice. He savours all of its aromatic notes. The sweet escape from the fires of hell itself. If his and Cinder’s paths cross once more, he will have to go out of his way to personally thank her.

For now, he will have a proper rest on the bench, legs crossed and held up against his lips. ]


II.) A Dim Reflection

[ At first, the sensation from within is mild. For years, Arthur had to master the art of repression. Repression of one’s anger towards the other, keeping it in check anytime it boiled over. But the more he walks the path, the more that anger pushed its way outward, finding some manner of escape. It wasn’t until his confrontation with Cinder that said annoyance—anger met its pressure point. Every single grievance coming out all at once, emphasizing every syllable to outline how much of a failure she was!

His feet continue to follow the path along the alleyway. Though this doesn’t feel like a stroll any longer. Anger doesn’t quite do it justice. This was fury. Unabashed, pure fury.

To a point, it contorts his expression to become more feral. He extends a hand to grab for the closest inanimate object and yolks it down in a yell. ]


III.) Wildcard

[ Pick your own scenario! I'm legit down for whatever you want to throw in my direction. Just giving this ol' chap a voicetest! Feel free to give me a shout via PM or on my plurk [plurk.com profile] robutting ]
yandhero: (013)

himiko toga (hero au) | my hero academia | paleblood

[personal profile] yandhero 2022-04-28 01:34 am (UTC)(link)
[a]rrival
himiko takes surprisingly well to squid transformations.
[ those sleepers that wander the beaches each month will be treated to an odd sight: a japanese flying squid nestled up in oversized welcoming robes, with a welcoming bag already directly at its side. it looks remarkably comfy - or at least as comfy as a squid can look.

someone approaches. one eye swivels to stare at the newcomer; it makes no attempt to escape or wave them down.

well? you gonna risk your luck with a curiously aware squid?
]

bauphomette [b]oardwalk
himiko, regrettably, drinks the floral iced tea.
[ the festival really is quite the sight. beneath the gently misting water, flowers are in bloom, and against the sea of trenchies in white attire the colors only become more beautiful. such a lovely time could only be improved by good company, wouldn't you agree?

himiko toga certainly feels that way. in fact, she feels that way and then some, if the red flush across her cheeks is any indication. which is probably why she can be found practically tackling people up and down the boardwalk, clinging onto them and saying things like-
]

Hey, heeeey~ You're a real cutie, aren'tcha?

[ the tilde is audible in her voice. this could be a problem. ]

flashba[c]ks and futures
himiko sees what her future could have been.
[ she's being watched.

it's not really a surprise. this whole place reeks of some strange set-up. a way for the teachers to evaluate their decision-making skills in foreign environments, or something like that. it even feels a bit like it - the eyes on her back don't feel cruel in the slightest, after all.

and yet she's standing still, waiting for her unwitting companion to catch up. curious.
]

Oi. [ her voice is flat, almost monotone - a stark contrast to her normal enthusiasm. ] You feel it too, right?

[ it doesn't feel like a trap. and it doesn't feel like she's in danger.

so why does she find herself so resistant to the idea of walking forward?
]

wildcar[d]
ooc notes
[ ooc: without going into too much details, this is a himiko toga whose childhood was slightly less awful for everyone involved! her motivations are mostly unchanged in the swap to the hero side. just think of her as a toga that learned about the importance of consent early, and also maybe the importance of only taking manageable quantities of blood once people agree??

if you want to contact me, whether it's for more details, questions or custom top-levels, i can be found at [plurk.com profile] beelzebae or beelzebae#2319. looking forward to threading!
]
Edited 2022-04-28 02:01 (UTC)
moldyolddad: (Nervous)

Ethan Winters / Resident Evil 7 & 8 / Vileblood

[personal profile] moldyolddad 2022-04-28 01:59 am (UTC)(link)
[CW: RE 8: Village spoilers ahoy. Character Canonic Death references inevitable.]

Arrival - I - The cold of the mountains and the cold of death burn through his veins, something that even Eveline's mutamycete could not keep out. Then the heat of the N2 mine exploding burned through his body. Then the light and heat extinguished, taking the pain and cold, even consciousness with it.

Warmth suddenly fills his senses, rousing him from the darkness, a watery warmth embraces him. A current pulls on him and he tries to push against it, but it overpowers him, drawing him onward. He tries flexing his limbs, only to find tendrils in their place. A memory of a deformed creature, with a head like a frog's and a body that had belonged to a human, bloated and distorted into something between fish and frog.

A wave lifts him and he feels the water breaking over his... head. He gasps and gazes about, realizing his body has phased to something between squid and human, his limbs tentacular. The waves lift him and toss him onto a shingled shore, leaving him sprawled there. He shivers despite the spring warmth around him. People mill about on the shore, figures in long white robes, some accompanied by others carrying leather satchels like old-time country doctors.

"Whuh... wheh... where ...the hell... is this... place?" he murmurs, finding his voice.

II - Some time has passed and Ethan sits in the shadow of a white and red umbrella ("Of course," he'd murmured when he first saw it.), dressed in a greyish blue hoodie over jeans, a glass of what he thought was red wine but which turns out to be something less strong though no less flavorful.

"So... local festival? Ren faire in season? Or does it all look like this?" he asks the first passerby who comes his way. "Gotta feeling I should be asking 'when' this place is as much as I should be asking 'when' or what'.

"The name 'Mother Miranda' wouldn't happen to ring any bells, would it?" Because truth be told, it's looking like he found his way out of the mountains and down a river to the sea.

Wildcard

[Feel free to throw anything and everything at him; this is as much a voice test as it is a TDM and I'm open to possibilities.]
ofnewmoon: (Default)

nadia vulvokov | russian doll

[personal profile] ofnewmoon 2022-04-28 02:01 am (UTC)(link)
arrival. cw: references to historic cults, drug use
What is this, fuckin' Waco?

[ As far as Nadia Vulvokov is concerned, there are only two places where you can find crowds of people dressed only in white: cults and horror movies. She's not entirely certain she hasn't found herself in both. She'd like to chalk up the whole being a squid thing to a really bad trip, but by now, she knows better.

Might as well get her bearings. She's also wrapped in white, which is a bit of a drag, but Nadia likes to think her robe is cinched around her waist in a way that really shows off her girlish figure. She's not going to ask how her krugerrand wound up in her welcome bag; she's just glad it's there for her to wear.

Pronouncement made, Nadia will stumble swagger towards the party. (Hey, she's still getting used to her human legs, all right?) At one point, a Trenchie will give Nadia a glass of pomegranate juice, which she downs like a shot. It's not half-bad, really, for kool-aid that's probably gonna kill her. After that, it's time to make some party conversation. ]


Hey, man. You know what year it is? Or if linear time is, yanno, a concept around here? Because lemme tell you what, I do not feel like being three-for-three with the universe fucking around with me, temporally speaking.

dim reflection. cw: russian doll season two spoilers, smoking, blood, addiction
[ Mirrors can be dicey. Sometimes you have a bad hair day, sometimes you confront your imprisoned existence as a time-looper, sometimes you are literally your mother. It happens. Thankfully, the mirrors here have been pretty normal.

So far.

Nadia is in the bathroom of a bar in Cellar Door, when it happens. She looks up into the mirror after washing her hands, and her reflection lights a cigarette. She takes a drag.

She smiles, and her teeth are filled with blood.

It's wrong, in every conceivable way, and before she has time to realize what she's doing, Nadia has put her fist through that mirror. It shatters, of course, leaving Nadia's knuckles bloodier than those teeth.

Whatever. She's gone. Nadia wraps her hand in toilet paper, and returns to the bar to order another drink. If you so much as look at her funny, Nadia will narrow her eyes and snap: ]


What're you looking at, asshole?

( ooc: nadia is from the end of s2, but i'm happy to avoid spoilers! just let me know. also, feel free to hit this toplevel with a wildcard, or pm this journal for plotting. )
melodramatrauma: (huh)

Double Trouble | She-ra and The Princesses of Power | Paleblood

[personal profile] melodramatrauma 2022-04-28 02:18 am (UTC)(link)
I. A Mostly Pleasant Arrival
The fluidity of form had always been a specialty of Double Trouble, so the change from squid to usual form and back was nothing new. For the thespian, it was as simple as slipping from one costume to the next, even if the two were entirely different forms with different appendages. More than happy to accept the robes, Double Trouble kept the usual greenish appearance, the tall lithe form a stark contrast to most of those in trench, not that they complained. All the more eyes to see the performance, and besides if it did become problematic then all Double Trouble had to do was shift into any one of the locals and shift the unwanted attention elsewhere.

Keeping to the sweets, and water Double Trouble watched carefully as people enjoyed the other beverages and the peculiar effects, as well as the rolls. After a bit the shapeshifter found someone that looked interesting and offered them a glass, it didn't seem like anything special. And in truth, it might not have been, then again it just might be an iced drink of pomegranate juice or perhaps floral tea.

"You just have to try this darling, it's remarkable. Come on bottoms up."

II: Dim reflection
Reflection sand images, superstitions of shadows and hidden truths, Double Trouble couldn't help but to laugh and mock some of the stories that they were telling. Mainly because generally the image that was just so slightly off and winked back, had been Double Trouble having a little fun. But then there was that uneasy feeling that occasionally popped up when catching a glimpse just out of the corner of the eye, that something seemed off. Was that, a genuine smile, rather than a smirk or toothy imitation from twisted pleasure? No, surely it was just an imperfection in the mirror.

But then there it was again, a smile and compliment, and one that wasn't even slightly backhanded at all. Just what was going on?

III Wildcard.
Feel free to spot Double Trouble living up to the name, or just have someone curious about the six-foot-tall person that's green with blonde hair. Feel free to PM me or plurk me at [plurk.com profile] likethelibrary if you want to plot something.
onekindsoul: (pic#15034863)

I.

[personal profile] onekindsoul 2022-04-28 02:28 am (UTC)(link)
[Honestly it had been a very long time since Ruby had seen from home show up that she didn't particularly get along with. ...And even at this point she and Neo had managed to put most of their beef to rest.

She stops dead when she sees Watt's just sitting there having a relaxing afternoon to himself. She didn't really know much about him- But she knew the types he hung around with. She wasn't a huge fan of them.

...Now it's been more than two years since she had been in Remnant and she didn't quite look the same. Her lone silver eye was probably the main tell of who she was. The mechanical eye that replaced her other was obviously based on technology from Atlas too.]


Uh- Heeeeeeeeey.

You uh- just hanging around here?

[Awkward.]
terribibble: (he was shaking his head yes)

Fiddleford McGucket | Gravity Falls | Coldblood

[personal profile] terribibble 2022-04-28 05:25 am (UTC)(link)
This is not the first time Fiddleford has washed up on this black sand beach. The last time the crush of information had overwhelmed him and he'd thrown himself back into the sea in hopes that the blissful ignorance of squidhood would be better than the acute awareness of altered humanity. This time his body reforms more quickly and his mind returns more quickly too and with it comes a sinking feeling of resignation very at odds with the joyful proceedings up on the boardwalk. He's going to keep washing up here until he gives in, isn't he.

Fine.

He gives in.

A.

The first order of business is collecting his belongings. This time he has the good sense to approach the Wakers and get a robe on first thing, and after that it's not hard to find the horrible eyeball bag meant for him. A quick check confirms the belonging he's most concerned about isn't in there, so once again he spends a lot of his initial arrival combing up and down the beach, clearly looking for something. The longer he doesn't find it the more annoyed muttering anyone passing by him is liable to hear.

"Don't understand why they can't just keep everything in one place, it'd be easier on everybody, you have the time to make bags with big ol' eyeballs set in but can't even manage to get all of a man's belongings together when he shows up on your beach--"

He is a man in his late thirties and here he is kicking sand like a petulant kid. He's having a day, alright?

B.

Eventually he finds what he's looking for. Once the Memory Gun is tucked safely into an inside pocket of the horrible eyeball bag he starts feeling a little better, or at the very least a little less snippy. It helps that he's also found one of his banjos, surprisingly not at all damaged from the water, which is now slung across his back along with the bag. It's a lot to be carrying all at once but the familiar weight is comforting so he's not about to give it up.

The one mistake he makes is stopping to sample the food. He figured 'transformative' was meant figuratively, which was a stupid thing to figure, and now he's got a pair of twisting rosemary plant 'horns' growing out of his head. They said it was temporary; he has no idea how temporary but he isn't about to eat the hard tack to fix it. No more eating or drinking things on this boardwalk. Fool him once, sure, but nobody's going to fool him twice.

Eventually he realizes that despite all his walking he doesn't actually have any sort of idea where he's going. He can't just wander this boardwalk forever politely but firmly declining offers of food and drink. He needs a place to sleep. And pants.

"Okay. Alright. Excuse me--" He flags down a passerby who looks, at least at first glance, reasonably non-threatening. "Can you tell me where is the least-haunted place a man can go in this city?"

C.

[Wildcard! Hit me with whatever or contact me at [plurk.com profile] mister_inkwell to talk ideas.]
yandhero: (003)

dim reflection

[personal profile] yandhero 2022-04-28 05:37 am (UTC)(link)
[ "funny" is certainly one way to describe the look the blonde girl in the bar has been giving. she's been staring at nadia ever since she returned from the bathroom, her gaze alternating between nadia's face and her poorly bandaged hand. when the woman finally snaps at her, she doesn't even flinch before responding- ]

You! [ her voice is surprisingly high, with a certain energy behind it. ] You're a lot cuter than I thought.

[ ...she says it with her eyes squarely trained on the bloody toilet paper. gross. ]
mehanizovati: (33)

b!

[personal profile] mehanizovati 2022-04-28 05:38 am (UTC)(link)
Curiosity always gets the better of Viktor one way or another- in this case trying to figure out the odd traditions of the Trench and how they change each month. The spring-like festivity isn't exactly what he was expecting but after a month without the sun? A little color doesn't hurt.

He has no doubt that same color will somehow becoming menacing one way or another, but sometimes one had to roll with the punches, as it were.

So he's simply strolling down the boardwalk, crutch under one arm and wondering if he wants to even bother trying the dubious food when he's called. He glances over, immediately gathering it's a new arrival- immediately a little amused at 'least haunted.'

"Ah, I suppose it depends what you mean by haunted. If you mean least likely to involve some sort of menacing nonsense I'm afraid the selection is slim. Cellar Door and the Willful Machine at least are decently populated without much incident."
ghostharasser: Art by me! (173)

b

[personal profile] ghostharasser 2022-04-28 05:49 am (UTC)(link)
It's a nice change from the past month, all this celebrating and such. The floral decorations were colorful, and the mood of the city seemed to be much higher now that they were free of that eternal night. Despite everything in the past month being both stressful and demoralizing, the upbeat cheer of the city around him was enough that he couldn't help but be drawn to the festivities.

Of course, the Pines had plenty of reasons to visit the boardwalk anyway, but at least his step was a little less weighty today, in spite of that depressing task.

So, it's with a curious expression, rather than a cranky one, that Dipper turns his head towards whoever might have called out to him.

"Huh?"

Fiddleford's at least right that Dipper was not very threatening at first glance. He's all of five-feet tall with wild fluffy hair. He wears shorts, coupled with a long coat, in exactly the way that comes off trying too hard, and he couldn't be any older than thirteen or fourteen. The most striking thing about him, though, are his mismatched eyes; one brown and the other a pale, pale red. As they focus on him, they go from curious to extremely wide with surprise.

"McGucket!?"

It took him a second, but it was unmistakable in a surreal way. After all, he'd only seen this version of him through recorded memories that were decades old.
terribibble: (8 crimes is not bad)

[personal profile] terribibble 2022-04-28 06:02 am (UTC)(link)
"It's alright. I figured completely un-haunted was too much to ask for."

Anyway they're all weird magical squid werewolves now as far as he understands it (he got about half a welcome speech last time collectively and that was enough). Any place he's in is haunted if you really want to stretch the definition to its breaking point.

"Does everywhere have names like that? Sorry -- sorry. Maybe that's rude. I just don't exactly fancy living somewhere called, I don't know, The Demon's Sock Drawer or whatever else."
terribibble: (was that there was a snake on it)

[personal profile] terribibble 2022-04-28 06:14 am (UTC)(link)
"Uh."

Recognition was not what he was expecting. Nobody here should know him except the people he met on the beach last time and, regrettably, Ford. For a long second his brain ground against itself, trying to make sense of this unexpected turn of events, before his eyes caught up. Brown fluffy hair. Prominent nose. Ridiculous fashion sense. Oh.

"You're a Pines?"

He probably shouldn't have said it like a question. It was pretty obvious. Thank God Ford told him about the kids last time or he'd be real lost right now instead of only just as lost as he already was.
ghostharasser: Art by me! (193)

[personal profile] ghostharasser 2022-04-28 06:29 am (UTC)(link)
He kicks himself a little for having such a reaction. If McGucket is as young as he looks, then he wouldn't have any clue who he is. It's ...sad in a way, and it takes the wind out of his sails. Towards the end of the summer Dipper got the chance to finally get to know who McGucket really was, and he'd come to really like the guy. However ...you can't really understate what the man went through to get there.

It looks like he was still sane, whenever he was from. His question snaps him out of it and he sputters for a moment, trying to smooth over what was a surprising encounter for them both.

"I- yeah. Yeah, sorry. My name's Dipper Pines. We uh, I know you in the future? It's kind of a long story." After a moment of thought, he adds. "Great Uncle Ford said you went back into the ocean."
terribibble: (this is some lovecraft shit)

[personal profile] terribibble 2022-04-28 06:41 am (UTC)(link)
"Well I sure tried but apparently I'm not allowed to stay there."

It's not like he couldn't have stubbornly thrown himself back into the water again, but he's not stupid. Something wants him here and it's going to keep nudging him out of the ocean and onto dry land until he stays there, and it's not worth fighting with it when he can put his energy toward getting his feet under him. He's too proactive to spend his time beating his head against a brick wall when he could just climb over it.

"... That came out mean. I'm sorry. What I mean is, it's nice to meet you-- again?"

Not for the first time he wonders about the him in 2012 and decides he isn't going to ask.
ghostharasser: (116)

[personal profile] ghostharasser 2022-04-28 06:56 am (UTC)(link)
Honestly, of what he knew of McGucket, that tracked. The man had taken the weirdness of Gravity Falls as gracelessly as humanly possible. The idea of him throwing himself back into the ocean in a fit of nope does not even remotely surprise him. He does not look offended by that comment.

Dipper cracks a small smile and holds out a hand.

"It's nice to meet you. Again."

Even if he's not the McGucket Dipper knows, he can't help but be glad to see him again. And also ...maybe this way, he'll avoid that terrible fate waiting for him back home. That was a hopeful thought.

"Hey, so, you were looking for somewhere to go?"
terribibble: (8 crimes is not bad)

[personal profile] terribibble 2022-04-28 07:07 am (UTC)(link)
The hand Dipper shakes is firm enough in terms of grip. It's also just a little blue-tinged. Just like last time, Fiddleford has arrived corrupted and seems to have a harder time shaking it than most. He is dealing with that by resolutely ignoring it! It's fine!

"That seems like the next logical thing. I figure I want a good four walls and a roof between me and most of this place."

He has a sinking feeling that anywhere a Pines might recommend to him will not be all that un-haunted. If Dipper is anything like his Great Uncle Ford then his idea of a good place to stay will be very skewed. On the other hand, maybe the Pines common sense (or lack thereof) skips... uh... every two generations?
ghostharasser: (23)

[personal profile] ghostharasser 2022-04-28 07:39 am (UTC)(link)
It's sad that the corruption also doesn't surprise him, either. Like, it's definitely worrisome, and it's something he's logging away for now, but his sister also maintains a certain level of corruption as her baseline. The blue tinge also ...reminds him of Stan. It looks like they might have the same blood type.

Dipper shakes back in a handshake that's firm for a teenager. Luckily for Fiddleford Dipper and Mabel have a remarkable amount of sense when you compare it to Ford. Unfortunately that did not stop Dipper's interest in the supernatural.

"There's a residential district that should definitely have some places for up for grabs. This place runs on a bartering system, but the locals are pretty generous to Sleepers, so getting somewhere and getting established shouldn't be hard," he explains.

"This place is packed to the brim with ghosts, though, so finding one that isn't haunted might be tricky. However, If that's the case, I can probably get rid of them for you."
terribibble: (this fuckin dweebus tho)

[personal profile] terribibble 2022-04-28 07:56 am (UTC)(link)
His face does something really interesting the more Dipper talks. It starts carefully neutral, grows cautiously optimistic, and then sort of wavers like a candle that just got hit by a gust of wind. 'Packed to the brim with ghosts' is a sentence that is not doing him a lot of favors, but he manages to yank his expression back into some pale semblance of 'doing alright' by the time Dipper finishes talking.

"You, uh. You take after your Uncle that way, huh."

Which is a nice way of saying 'oh my god you're all weird, all of you, you're all just like this, I'll never escape it, I'll be in my deathbed and there'll be a Pines there offering to do a séance the second I pass over'.

"I imagine if I've got an exorcist on call that opens up my options, so that's... that's good. That's goin'-- going. To make things simpler."

No you don't. You push that accent down. You're normal and respectable and in control of yourself and you aren't upset enough to be forgetting the g on the end of words. You're fine.

He has no idea that Dipper is used to hearing his accent at full force just as a baseline so he's making an effort for absolutely no reason.
mehanizovati: (30)

[personal profile] mehanizovati 2022-04-28 08:00 am (UTC)(link)
"If it helps I've never seen a ghost here." This is said very much in the tone of a man who does not think that means it won't happen, maybe just to spite him saying that.

The bit about the names makes him snort softly. Good point. "Let's see- Lumenwood I suppose isn't dreadful but Gaze? Unpleasant all around. Crenshaw though, you might try there. I don't know much about the area myself but at least the name isn't offensive."

He pauses a moment, regarding Fiddleford and considering before he decides to offer, "You are new, yes? From the eh... tradition arrival robes I imagine. If you'd like you are welcome to sleep on the cot in my lab until you find more comfortable accommodations." He doesn't use it anymore so why not? The first days are rough besides.
ghostharasser: <user name =seishirou> (155)

[personal profile] ghostharasser 2022-04-28 08:47 am (UTC)(link)
Boy there sure is a lot going on in Fiddleford's head that Dipper has absolutely no privy to.

Fiddleford is extraordinarily lucky that Dipper's paleblood abilities limit him in the telepathic department by comparison. He does not hear any of this, and is none the wiser. For now, anyway. He's caught on that Fiddleford is nervous, but that's really not surprising considering the guy just got here, and everything is probably a lot.

"Yeah, you could say that." Dipper unsurprisingly took that as a compliment. "You ...want me to show you around? I've been here long enough that I know the city pretty well."
terribibble: (he IS a little spectacle)

[personal profile] terribibble 2022-04-28 08:54 am (UTC)(link)
Fiddleford gives him a look that definitely says he also doesn't think not seeing a ghost means there aren't ghosts around. Being incorporeal is sort of the main talent ghosts have. The rest of it, though, that's bolstering.

"Lab? What sort of work do you do?"

It's not a complete 180, exactly, but it's a sentence that sounds almost normal and he's grateful for it and he's going to focus in on it. The offer of a place to sleep... he'll mull that over. It's good to have options.
terribibble: (have to enter in my cheat codes)

[personal profile] terribibble 2022-04-28 09:03 am (UTC)(link)
It's probably good Dipper can't peek in there, all things considered. There's always a lot happening in a sort of unfortunate jumble, and it really is just a toss-up of how equipped he is to sort it out on any given day. That he only comes across as nervous means he's doing pretty good!

"I suppose it beats sitting here not knowing where to start. You wouldn't happen to know a place a man could barter for some pants?"

He figures if they're really on top of things they can do that as part of the tour, on the way to... wherever he winds up. That's still a big question mark.
mehanizovati: (27)

[personal profile] mehanizovati 2022-04-28 09:05 am (UTC)(link)
Ok, good point about ghost seeing. In fact probably excellent, very true point about the amount of ghosts in any given area at any time, which given they're all just squids with fancy new blood then who the hell knows.

"Engineering of various sorts, though my specialties are biomedical engineering and robotics. At the moment I have a few projects, such as trying to make a laser with lunar energy for welding purposes." And maybe defense purposes, but still deciding that. Viktor gives a one shouldered shrug as he continues, "I have only been here for a month and a half, so I am afraid I am ever in the process of building up resources for more ambitious endeavors."
terribibble: (i like those little spectacles)

[personal profile] terribibble 2022-04-28 09:21 am (UTC)(link)
"That's a real coincidence. My PhD's in mechanical engineering. You ever want help with that laser, I'd be happy to look at your setup."

This is quite possibly the only thing that could actually make him forget to be upset and just get genuinely excited. Not that he knows jack or shit about lunar energy, but he imagines he could pick it up quick enough with some explanation of the basics. It's, what, something like solar power but at night? Sure. That's logical enough. Mostly he knows a lot of shit about lasers and making functional machines in situations where he really shouldn't be able to, both of which seem relevant here.

"Fiddleford McGucket," he adds, remembering his manners a good several minutes too late. "Sorry, ought to have introduced myself before but I'm all sorts of discombobulated." He imagines he doesn't have to explain why.

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