SEPTEMBER TEST DRIVE MEME!

[reddosmod]

SEPTEMBER 2022 TDM

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: Bread Cornucopia filled with fruits and veggies]
[Image Two: Creepy glass eye embedded in sand]

Prompt Two
[Image One: A Lone Lighthouse by night]
[Image Two: Ghost Ship in dilapidated condition]

Prompt Three
[Image One: Wasps, Wasp Nest made from human Mask screaming terror, swirling eddies in wasp Nest]
[Image Two: Horribly mutilated Cenobite in Latex gear with exposed teeth]

[NAVIGATION]

TDM Questions • Reserves • Taken • Applications • Full Navigation

[Jump to Comments]

STANDARD ARRIVAL

WHEN: First Week of September
WHERE: The Farther Shores/The Boardwalk, Koz's Orphanage
CONTENT WARNINGS: Creepy Prosthetics buried in the sand

---

On some level, you are one of the fortunate ones. The storms of August are now a distant memory. It is the waning of the Blood Moon and the tempestuous state of the Beast Moon this year is fading finally while the harvest is being collected. Sleepers arriving find no particular difficulty in actually reaching the shores for the most part, and transformations back into their natural state of being are relatively easy. They are met by happy Trenchies and fellow Sleepers with robes of white and their bags as normal, and motioned towards the waiting tents set up along the

What is strange, however, is that when Sleepers arrive, they may find their eyes drawn to something disturbing amongst the sand. Water washes with the waves and tide, and reveals a body part! They are always prosthetics of some variety, and many are glass eyes that eerily stare at the person. They can be retrieved with some ease, though they're in bad need of cleaning. Perhaps they belong to someone in town? If not, however, asking around will get a suggestion to bring those to Koz's Orphange in Crenshaw. They have a Lost and Found there, and it is the season of finding what and who is lost. If they do, they might catch a glimpse of Koz floating mournfully through the area, and one of the children will gratefully take the item, saying that they will add it to the rest of the Lost and Found, before coming back with a photo in hand. "Here, I found this, and I think it might be yours?" The photo is, indeed, of the giver and someone from their past. Perhaps it is an actual photo taken, or one they cannot remember having been taken. Regardless, it is offered to them in a cheap wooden frame. How it got there, the orphan does not know. It was probably there when they arrived.

SEASONAL DETAILS ON THE BOARDWALK
The Boardwalk is quite the spectacle this time of year, and those who were here the prior year will remember many of the decorations and festivities. Pumpkins have been stacked on spikes lining the Boardwalk with grotesquely realistic carvings of faces decorated on them. Massive white linen has been hung in the air to look like ghosts floating back and forth against the ocean wind.

Delicious smells waft from the Boardwalk as fresh donuts, candied apples, and hot apple cider are sold at every other booth, along with complementary cornucopias given to each new Sleeper made out of bread that has fruits of all varieties but always seems to have a small jar of the favorite fruit, seed, vegetable (or even meat) of the person receiving it. If asked where it is from, the Sleepers shrug and say "The Orphans took up a collection to give a welcoming gift to new arrivals." If what is in the jar is eaten by the person given it, it will help to ease their mind and give them a calm that can last up to a week as they acclimate.

Preparations are in order for this year's Black Parade. An annual celebration, it is promoted among the excited locals as something that people can participate in. Face Painting booths and costumes are available to those who wish them, with the statement by the Trenchies, "We do it to disguise ourselves from roaming spirits and hungry beasts."

[JUMP TO TOP] • [JUMP TO COMMENTS]

A FADED MEMORY

WHEN: Mid October
WHERE: In Swimming distance (Barely) of the Farther Shores
CONTENT WARNINGS: Ghostly Ship & Lighthouse, Threat of Corruption, Remains of Ghastly Murder and Dismembered Corpse

---

It is by accident that your eyes chance to look towards the Farther Shores. There, you happen to see a lighthouse, but you know for certain that it cannot be the lighthouse that is normally there and manned by the fishermen. You can't usually see that from this angle. The moment that you see it, a feeling of mounting dread falls upon you, and you realize that there is no light in the lighthouse. Though the compulsion to investigate can be resisted, there is an almost overwhelming urge to go, to investigate, to re-ignite the flame before it is too late!

The question is getting out there. The fishermen, when the lighthouse is mentioned, will make warding gestures and look terrified. All will resolutely refuse to sail out, muttering incomprehensible curses and lashing their boats securely to the shore. There will be no fishing tonight. The lighthouse, from the docks and shores, is out in the water on a rocky outcrop that nobody remembers being there, though any Trenchy asked will pale at the mention. The only way to get out there is to swim. It is a hard, dangerous swim, but the tide is coming in, rather than going out, so the riptide is not pulling down. It can be done, or a raft can be hastily made. When clambering up the stone steps to the lone lighthouse, it is apparent its door is ajar. And within? Horror awaits.

The insides of the tower are caked in viscuous, green blood. The Lighthouse itself is barely standing. It looks as if a thunderous, colossal fist has battered it repeatedly, the building nearly collapsing at every step. It does not actually break apart, but those who ascend the steps find themselves fighting not to slip on old, caked and thick blood that smells of roses. The contact with the blood isn't doing anything good to the person's sanity and hallucinations of the screams of the dying can be heard, along with shrieks of "What is it?" at the top of someone's voice. An increase in corruption is possible here, though not required. The more one contacts the blood, the greater the risk is. In the top of the lighthouse, dismembered, skeletal remains lay in gobs of what may once have been flesh. One of them holds desperately a torch in their hand, and there is a lighter present. One look out into the night will see a great vessel approaching, broken, its sails tattered and ruined. there is little time, and hopefully the lighter works!

The moment the torch lights the lamp in the lighthouse, the ship veers away from a collision course that would have destroyed the lighthouse and likely the flimsy rock outcropping on which it stood. Shades of dead sailors stare in horror at those who man the lighthouse today, the ship sailing away into the night. All are pointing beyond, and if you look over your shoulder, you can barely see a collosal figure in shadow walking into the town beyond, seemingly confused and wailing. Nothing further happens, and when the people in the lighthouse reach shore again, they will find upon turning back that it is gone, as is the outcropping, though a close inspection does see the remains of a shallow of stone there where the island once stood.

Note: The Ghost ship cannot be interacted with. If someone has the ability to reach it, they will pass through it only to realize it is nothing more than a memory in the land. Fragments of rotted wood and broken masonry can be found in the water below, covered in countless barnacles. Nothing within them shows any proof of what once transpired. There is a risk of corruption from blood exposure, though this is very much up to the players if they wish to incorporate it.

No Trenchy will willingly speak of what transpired, though a careful investigation at the Pale Sanctuary may find a tome among the sacred texts associated with Cloverfield. Reading from it, one might find a forgotten marking that the first sighting of Cloverfield, long ago, saw the collapse of the original lighthouse. No Disciple recalls the incident, and none will speak of it.

[JUMP TO TOP] • [JUMP TO COMMENTS]

FRIEND OR FOE

WHEN: Anytime in October
WHERE: At the frindges of the main districts
CONTENT WARNINGS: demonic bugs, Bug Horror, Grotesque death, Self mutilation, Bug Infestation

---

The first thing that alerts you to the danger is the screams. They are agonizing, gut-wrenching and full of naked horror. When traveling near the edge of any of the districts, particularly the Crenshaw district, it is possible at times to witness a truly horrifying sight. The screams, if investigated, come upon the grisly attack of a horde of not exactly wasps but closer to demonic insects swarming over a person. They shriek, their whole form shrouded by the terrible creatures as they're being stun and the things seem to be extruding some sort of substance to cocoon them while still alive to one of the trees. There is no cry for help, as the person is clearly unaware of who is there, but do you reach out to save them?

If you do not, the scene is horrific and grisly beyond reckoning. The wasps trap the hapless victim against a tree, grafting the extruded paper all over their screaming visage to form a new wasp nest before they ultimately begin crawling inside of them, devouring them from the inside out and implanting their eggs in the new 'home' created for them. It is at this time that the palpable danger may dawn upon you. The infernal bugs have not yet seen you, but they seem to be aware that there is other life around. Do you take this moment to try and beat a hasty retreat, or do you fight it out with the bugs? They can be destroyed, but only by means of abilities and powers that destroy multiples at once, such as great gouts of flame. Hopefully you have a coldblood present! Fleeing them is easier, but can you leave this person to their fate? Still, if instead you observe and take no action, eventually the bugs seem to notice you, and though they swarm near, as long as they are not attacked, they seem to do nothing.

Strange.

If, however, you try to save the victim, a very different scene plays out. The same rules apply to fight the swarm, and if you stop them short of killing their victim, you will see just who it is that you have saved. There, mutilated through self scarification and brutally altered in horrible ways that seem almost fetishistic, is one of the blood crazed zealots. Despite being weakened and badly injured, they lash out at you, their defender. The power that they wield with their blood is incredible, and they demonstrate an ability to wield it that is well documented. The only note is that no Cold-blooded Zealots are present, and so their powers are not represented this time. However, they are drained and though they pose a threat to your life, they can be killed here with a bit of care, can be resisted with great difficulty and certainly be escaped. Either way, there is no true reward for having killed them other than knowing that you have done so. Why are they here? Alone?

It is almost as if they were an advance scout, and the wasps were someone's defense against them, someone's early warning.

[JUMP TO TOP]

CODING

Comments

terry silver (re-app) / cobra kai / vileblood / S5 SPOILERS BELOW

[dynatox]

1. arrival /

[ Ah, I'm here again. That's his first thought as he changes out of his squid form and back to human as easily as riding a bike. All things considered, there are worse places he could be right now. Trench wasn't pleasant, and neither was home. So was his lot in life, thanks to Danny boy and his fucking protection squad.

Now he's back in the place that branded him a vileblood. It makes more sense than it did last time he was here, as much as he hates to admit it.

Those who knew Terry last time he was here may notice something different about him. That air of feigned kindness is all but gone, even if he'll still be polite. His appearance is disheveled and the look in his eyes is intense, like a hungry animal.

Still, he nods politely at anyone who looks his way. Old habits die hard. ]

2. lighthouse / cw: toxic codependency

[ Terry goes into the lighthouse without putting up much of a fight, but once he gets inside it's easy to become overwhelmed. Perhaps because he's a little bit corrupt already, or perhaps because the blood this place is caked in seems to be vileblood like his, it drives his senses wild and makes him feel dizzy.

All of the sudden he really can't stand to be alone. It's like he'll melt into the ground or blow away like dust if he doesn't have someone nearby, so he cries out as soon as he hears footsteps: ]

Hello? Is anyone there?

[ He sits down while he waits for help to arrive, feeling the blood soak into his clothing. There's a sharp pain in his side, but he can't quite place it. ]

3. wildcard /

[ ooc: Surprise me or ping me at dandymott or vellocet#7191 ]

1

[terriblepurpose]

Sensei Silver?

[ The boy that calls out to Terry, low and careful, is some months older than he was the last time they saw each other. His hair is more wild, his shoulders a touch broader, and he sports two flat, pale stud earrings in each ear, but beyond that, not much has changed about Paul Atreides, one of Johnny Lawrence's students.

For one: he still bows, bringing booted feet together neatly and bending neatly at the waist before he straightens, readjusting the strap of the back slung over his shoulder. ]

Do you remember me?

[dynatox]

Mr. Atreides. Of course I do. [ He returns the bow, though his is more of a nod. ] Ah, how long has it been, if I might ask?

[ He's relieved that someone here still recognizes him, and that it isn't Johnny himself he's confronted with even if it is one of his students. Paul seemed like a sensible kid aside from his inexplicable attachment to Sensei Lawrence. ]

[terriblepurpose]

I[ Usually, Paul would think that makes this easier, but Silver doesn't seem to be in an improved mood for his familiarity with the place - but if Paul were in his position, he doesn't imagine his state of mind would be sanguine, either. ]

Since I last saw you, half a year.

[ He unbuckles the mouth of his bag, but doesn't go rooting in it yet. He doesn't know what Silver might yet need. ]

Sensei Lawrence is still here. I'm sure he'd welcome you at the dojo. [ Johnny can explain the change of name, Paul decides; it wouldn't be appropriate coming from him. ] Especially since La-

[ Paul cuts himself short, shaking his head slightly at himself. ]

We should see you settled first.

[dynatox]

Half a year? That's...almost right.

[ He went home for a few months, not quite half a year, but the difference isn't too disturbing. ]

I'm glad Sensei Lawrence is alright. [ No, he isn't, he really isn't, but he also knows enough to burn his bridges after he's crossed them. He needs to get back on his feet here, and Paul is loyal to Johnny, so he'll keep his true feelings down.

His eyes narrow when Paul cuts himself off, but one syllable isn't enough to make a judgment call on just yet. ] And I would appreciate that very much. My visit home was not fortuitous. I'd rather be back here.

2

[survivalthroughhate]

[Maul doesn't like this place one bit. It makes him feel off-balance like he can't quite feel the Force with the usual intensity that he can. It's as if one of his senses has been muted to an unhealthy degree.

When he hears someone call out, he heads towards where he can hear them. His eyes take in the man. Oh yes, he'd run into him once before in the Jumanji jungle. He'd been freaking out badly then and doesn't look very stable right now either.]

Is this place getting the best of you?

[dynatox]

[ It's hard to forget someone like Maul, even if they've only met once. Of course he'd have to run into the same guy at a low point twice in a row. ]

Ah, my friend, I'm afraid you keep catching me at the worst of times. [ But now that he has a companion he rises to his feet again; he's not so overwhelmed by everything now that he's not alone.

He takes a look around at all the vileblood caked on the walls. It makes him feel dizzy all over again. ] That's not my blood, is it? [ He shakes his head, trying to get his senses about him. ] No, no, I couldn't lose that much.

[survivalthroughhate]

[Maul gives a slow nod.]

That does seem to be the way this place likes to do things.

[Maul hates those moments himself, showing him to be weak and vulnerable to other people in his own mind. Still, Terry doesn't seem like a bad sort, just like he has specific things that trigger him just as Maul has his own.

He glances at the vileblood coating the walls. Some of it seems fresh but a lot of it is old and thick, caking the walls and with that sickly smell of roses.]

I don't think it is either of ours.

[dynatox]

Good. That's good.

[ He seems assured enough that it's not his blood that he can keep moving forward up the stairs. ]

I've been gone for a while. I forgot how tricky this place could be.

2

[abornfighter]

[The sense of forboding if the lighthouse wasn't lit was enough to push Tory toward confronting whatever horror awaited. The fearful attendant handing her a torch didn't exactly help alleviate that.

When Tory approaches, she's barely recognizable, clad in the local style, and sporting a gas mask on top of that. There's a sword neatly tucked into a sheath at her hip. Still, in the light of the torch's flames, her eyes and hair can clearly be seen. And despite the gas mask distorting her voice a little, it's recognizably her.]

Sensei Silver?

[She's grateful for the mask in this moment. It helps to hide her reaction toward seeing him. It also means he can't see when she mouths 'what the fuck'.]

What happened? How did you get that?

[With her free gloved hand, she gestures to his bleeding side.]

[dynatox]

Miss Nichols. [ Not someone he's thrilled to see, given everything, but he knows time is funny here. If she knew what he knew, she'd probably be a bit more hostile towards him right now.

And besides that, he'd even choose his traitorous student over being alone right now, so he doesn't want to blow it. ]

Oh, this? [ He lifts up the side of his shirt. There's a tattoo, identical to the one on Kreese's arm, and it's bleeding as if it were freshly done. There's a brief sense of wrongness when he looks at it for the first time, but that fades fast.

Of course he should have it. He and John got them as a matching reminder of all they'd been through. Why would he ever want to be rid of it? ]

I've had this for fifty years now. We got them together, Sensei Kreese and I. After the war.

[abornfighter]

[She nods her head.]

I see.

[Well, at least it's not a serious wound, concerning as it is that such an old tattoo would be bleeding in the first place. She doesn't fully trust him - not after he encouraged her to cheat and knowing that he bribed the referee. It's soured her perception of him, along with the way he spoke to her and Robby at the All Valley. But she doesn't dislike him enough to abandon him to whatever the attendant is so afraid of.]

Do you remember being here before?

[That's probably the best place to start. At least she'll know how much he needs to be filled in on. On the chance that he doesn't remember anything, she'll help him find somewhere to stay that's not in Crenshaw so that Robby, Mr.LaRusso and Sensei Lawrence have adequate warning before running into him.]

[dynatox]

Yes, I do. I was here for a few months before.

[ That another version of himself could come here, ignorant to everything, is a possibility he doesn't much like. But he's here now, and he does remember, so he supposes he won't have to worry about it. ]

We should...keep on going to the top. No use spending more time here than necessary.

1

[miyagimagic]

[ Daniel always makes sure to check out the beach around the time new people show up each month - just in case there's a familiar face.

Granted, the familiar faces he was thinking were very, very different from the one he finds out there standing on the beach - and for a moment Daniel isn't sure whether this is real. After all, he knows by now that Trench loves messing with people, dangling their greatest fears in front of their noses. And it's true that if Trench would digs its claws into Daniel and rip his deepest fear right out of him, it would take the exact shape of the man standing there.

But that would be too coincidental for the time, or the location. This is no fear given flesh by this place. It's the man himself. All the relief brought on by the times people mentioned Terry had been here but had left is wiped clean off the table in an instant.

A tiny part of Daniel wants to turn and walk away. To get away from here as quickly as possible, not wanting to face this. But it's a part of him he doesn't give in to. After all, if Terry fucking Silver is here, then it's Daniel's personal responsibility to make sure that psychopath doesn't hurt even a single person here. If he doesn't do that, then who would?

So he steels himself. Daniel forces himself to walk over in the other's direction. Keeping his shoulders straight, his head high. Don't show fear. That's exactly what he'd want. ]

I suppose it's too late to push you right back into the ocean.

[ Such a friendly greeting. ]

[dynatox]

[ Terry sees Daniel and he grins, big and wide. Daniel's a thorn in his side back home but here? Oh, he's giddy about the possibilities that exist for the two of them here. After all, he's seen people do worse than a little torture and still be walking free.

Just think of all the fun they can have, here in this warped hell-hole where Terry has very little to lose.

He steps closer to Daniel (always a little too close, mirroring any steps he might take to maintain the uncomfortably short distance that exists between them) and leans in over him. ]

Is that any way to greet an old friend, Danny boy? [ He shakes his head, clicking his tongue in a scolding manner. Tsk tsk. ] Awfully uncharitable of you to be antagonizing the newcomers.

[miyagimagic]

[ The reaction on the other's end is both unsurprising and unnerving at the same time. Daniel has seen this expression on the other's face around him before, after all. It's like a snake spotting a mouse - like Terry would swallow him whole, given the chance.

Daniel isn't planning on letting him. His face doesn't do as much as twitch (for now, anyway), no matter how much effort it takes to keep it in the exact same position as he stands there, forced to look up at the other. ]

Newcomers. [ The venom in the way he nearly spits out that word is clear as day though, followed up by a shake of the man's head. ] You and I both know you're more like one of the monsters that occasionally crawls out of the sea here.

[ No, even worse. At least those monsters don't play mind games. ]

I'm just here to tell you that you better not be thinking of messing with people in this place. Just go quietly back into.. retirement, or whatever the hell you were doing with your life. [ Especially when shoving Terry back into the sea and being rid of him truly just isn't an option.

If only. ]

[dynatox]

Danny, Danny. [ He shakes his head. ] What power do you think you hold over me?

[ He doesn't know how much Daniel remembers, and he can't flat-out ask it because that would make his gambit too obvious, but he's hoping his little trip home put him far enough ahead that no one can call his bluff.

And if he's wrong, well, there are other ways to deal with annoyances. ]

After everything that's happened, I thought you'd know well enough to leave me alone.

1. I'm so sorry????????

[strikefirster]

[Terry may find that somethings have changed in Trench since he was last here. Specifically a familiar 2009 Challenger comes barreling down the beach kicking up a ton of sand and rocks in it's wake.

Only the Challenger is now painted crudely red and black. It also has a bald eagle holding an American Flag in it's fangs emblazoned upon the hood. When the driver sees Terry he makes a sharp turn and the breaks shriek as it the vehicle comes to a halt.

A few moments later Johnny Lawrence steps out and frowns.]

Well well well.

Look what the old folks home managed to choke back out.

Did they find out you were giving Kreese the old rub and tug on the other side?

don't be sorry

[dynatox]

Excuse me?

[ The obnoxious car doesn't phase him much. Of course Johnny Lawrence would have a stupid car like that. It's an eyeroll, at most.

But when he starts talking, it takes all of Terry's composure not to slap him then and there. He clenches his fists, bites down on the inside of his cheek, and considers his words carefully.

He knows that this place makes people act in strange ways at times, and he can only hope that has something to do with this. The thought that Johnny fucking Lawrence of all people has clued in to his feelings for Kreese is simply repulsive. ]

Is there something in the air that's making you run your mouth, or have you decided to be this crude and disrespectful on your own?

[strikefirster]

[Johnny, like the high school bully he was in his youth, sees that he struck a nerve with Terry and makes him feel pretty proud of himself. He's not so mad about the fact that he was getting played when Terry was around. He's at least a little self aware and knows that it was bound to happen.

But this guy had been pissing around with his students and Kreese. After Kreese stole his dojo. ...Or stole his own dojo back, but that's a detail Johnny is going to overlook for the moment.

He leaves the door to the Challenger open as he slowly starts to approach Terry.]

The way I see it there are a few things stinking up the place.

It could be your old man stench.

It could be the fact that you and your husband stole my dojo out from under me.

Could be the fact you both got your claws into Robby and Tory's lives.

[Tory was more Kreese's student than his, but he was still claiming a finders fee on that one.]

Doesn't really matter though. You can crawl your ass back into the ocean or I can kick it there for you.

[dynatox]

Our claws, Mr. Lawrence? You're so dramatic, you should've gone into acting. [ He'll call Johnny 'sensei' around his students, but not one on one. Terry doesn't respect him or his methods enough for that. ] We teach kids to be champions. To survive. I'm sorry if you're not cut out for that anymore.

[ Terry doesn't back away from the approach, and in fact moves to close the distance between them so he's looming over Johnny. He knows his height is his most striking feature, and he's more than happy to leverage it and make his opponent feel small. ]

Or maybe you never were. [ He squares up, ready to fight. ] Are you sure you want to follow through on that threat?

Lighthouse

[gotaknife]

[Loneliness and lighthouses somehow seem to go hand in hand, and it's easy for Martin to get drawn in by the desire to investigate, to help, and to re-ignite the lamp he's sure lies at the top of the stairs.

Cautiously, he pushes the door that stands ajar a little further open, and he recoils at the scent of floral scented vileblood that brings a wave of dizziness with it. With a soft noise of disgust, he brings his arm up to cover his mouth and nose with the sleeve of his robe.

The voice that calls out draws him in to investigate further, and it hits as a surprise when he comes across the man.

Of course Martin is going to try to help him. He can't not at least try to be of some assistance.]

Oh, god. This isn't all yours is it? No, of course not. It can't be. Are you hurt? How bad is it?

[dynatox]

I don't think so. [ But it looks like his. Smells like his. He feels like he could just dissolve into the mess any second now.

He shakes his head, gathering his wits about him again. ] No, that's impossible, you're right.

[ He stands up, bracing himself against the bloody wall. ]

I'm not hurt. This place just brought up some bad memories, is all.

[ He doesn't expect Trench to treat him gentler than it does anyone else just because of his PTSD. Life isn't fair like that. But damn if it didn't make some things difficult. ]

[gotaknife]

Yeah. Yeah, I bet this place has that affect on a lot of people, especially with the - the blood, and everything.

[He watches attentively as the man rises to his feet, ready to step in should he stumble. He looks up the crumbling stairs with trepidation. It feels like something is calling to him to climb to the top, to ignite the lamp.]

I think we're supposed to go up there.

[He doesn't want to go alone, but he sets his hand on the rusted railing, and immediately releases it as he touches the green blood smeared everywhere.]

Ugh! Right, of course.

[He looks up the steps, then back to Terry.]

I think maybe we should stick together?

[dynatox]

Yes, I think that would be best.

[ Missions shouldn't be done solo, but also he's just awfully lonesome right now. A stranger is better than nothing. ]

Try to step straight up and down, don't let your feet drag on the ground or you'll slip. [ This reminds him of rainy days in the military, trekking through mud in the jungle. Blood was a little worse than mud, but the same strategies still worked. ]

I'm Terry, by the way.