JANUARY TEST DRIVE MEME!

[reddosmod]

JANUARY 2023 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: Bloody Candles]
[Image Two: Anatomically Correct Chocolate Hearts in a Coffin]

Prompt Two
[Image One: Woman in restaurant, dressed in pink, surrounded by mannequins.]
[Image Two: Creepy looking mannequin staring]

Prompt Three
[Image One: Hands touching and holding at sunset]
[Image Two: Girl Screaming with her Mouth Fused Shut.]

[NAVIGATION]

TDM Questions • Reserves • Taken • Applications • Full Navigation

[Jump to Comments]

A TYPICAL ARRIVAL WITH A SWEET TWIST

WHEN: Last Week of January through all February

WHERE: The Shores, Boardwalk and throughout Trench

CONTENT WARNINGS: Mild Body horror for arrival, additional warnings for Blood Bonds and the Chocolatier:
* Blood Bonds: Blood ceremony, bodily ceremony, telepathic/empathetic connections, possible forced/coerced relationships.
* Choclatier: Themes of temptation (non-sexual and/or sexual), addiction, blood sacrifice, severely warped personality/reality including temporary amnesia, inability to use body, paranoia, vomiting organs, homicidal feelings, mild body horror.

---

For those who are arriving, they are fortunate. The worst of the ice and chill of the Season of Bone is fading. Any ice flows are breaking up and it is safe for little squidlings to come to shore, wakers present to help them with cups of hot cocoa and heavy robes to ward off of the cold. Nothing, however, removes the almost bleak and dreary state of the world. All of the beach seems washed with a sort of white that remindes the mind of bleached bone. Transformation from squid to the sleeper's natural form is slower, because of the cold, but does not pose any real difficulty.

Warm Food is prepared in the form of stews, complemented by bread that tastes heavily of mushroom. Unlike prior years, no roses are given to the new sleepers, though there are roses found throughout the city of trench. All of them, however, are black as midnight and there is an ominous sense to them should a sleeper think to reach out and pluck the blooms. Should someone do so, they will feel an increased paranoia about their relationships for the next few days and the natives of Trench will give them a wide berth, refusing to sell them anything at the shops and shooing them away, though there is no outward sign of anything being amiss. Whispers in town hint that the Doorway is in a poor mood this year.

Nevertheless, the patron pthumerian of the month can be seen around Trench. Bonding Rituals remain very popular this month and many seek to curry her presence during their rites. She shows no outward sign of discomfort or disapproval, yet there seems to be more blood than usual on her ivory blade as she stands in silent vigil wherever a ritual is performed.

Anyone who yearns for a bit of sweetness that they might associate with the waning chill of winter will find themselves meeting a sudden and disturbing fellow (CW: Some Blood/Disturbing Content in some chocolates. Please check warnings in prompt). The chocolatier, who was seen in past years, still wanders about and appears to any who yearn for a happier time in the otherwise gloom of the month. His offer is simple. A little bit of blood, for a little bit of sweet. What is the harm in it? Why his sweets even have mystical properties to make life interesting!

FAQ:
* The Chocolatier option remains identical to what happened in 2023, and is available throughout the last week of January and into February. The chocolates offered have not changed this year.
* Blood Bonds are available all year round, and the method of getting one is easily learned from any local in Trench, or from a Sleeper. While they can be performed every year, they are more powerful if performed in this month (Player discretion) and the Doorway is more likely to be present to bless them personally.

WAIT FOR ME

WHEN: Anytime in February

WHERE: Anywhere in Trench

CONTENT WARNINGS: Body Horror, Loneliness, Depression elements, Being Trapped in One's Own Body, Psychological Horror

---

Sleepers have been working to put an end to the strange plague afflicting pthumerians. Still, while there has been success, something seems off this month nevertheless. Even if she is not ill, the Doorway appears to be in a foul mood and it is felt by many. There is a moody, brooding sense that permeates the whole of the city, as if something were supposed to happen that did not. It's the awful sense that one gets when they expect to meet up with someone for something important and, without warning, that person does not show and there's no explanation. That light gnawing at the pit of the stomach when worry or irritation sets in grows steadily worse. Is this about someone specific, or a general malaise? It's hard to tell what sets it off. For some, it comes waiting by the coast in the hopes a loved one arrives this month. For others, maybe someone was just busy and ended up late for lunch. It might not even have a visible cause.

Whatever happens, the dreadful reality settles in almost immediately. As they wait, the person begins to feel their body stiffen. It does not feel like the lockjoint disease, but rather a sudden and whole-body hardening of the person. Within seconds, they feel their body solidifying into a state almost like a mannequin. Unable to move, they can feel a dread cold leeching into their heart as they are forced to watch, to wait for whoever was supposed to be there. Why aren't they here? The longer that they are there, the colder that they feel, and if they are in a secluded place it could feel quite perilous. However, no monsters can seem to harm the person, their body nigh indestructible. The frigid state, however, denies them the ability to sleep or even blink, forced to watch the world as a prisoner in their own mind.

Palebloods are somewhat fortunate in this state. All palebloods trapped this way find themselves able to telepathically communicate with loved ones or people close, regardless of distance. Their voices, however, are always in a state like the wail of a ghost regardless of their mental state. For anyone else, they can manage to mentally connect through the network to plead for help using an omni on their person, though only in Text form until they are released. So, at least they are not trapped without escape, unless by chance they forgot their omni, but you wouldn't be so foolish as to leave home without your phone would you?

HOW TO CURE THE CONDITION:
Several options exist. Anyone with a "Blade of Mercy" (a gift given last February) could use it to sever whatever connection caused the person to feel like they are waiting, though that might very well sever the emotional connection entirely! The very person that they are waiting for could arrive, in which case a kiss (on the cheek, on the lips, gallantly on one knee to the back of the hand. Whatever works for you!) or an apology for tardiness should suffice to warm the heart. If there is no source, or if that person cannot arrive (or chooses not to), any friend or even new acquaintance can try to help the person not feel quite as alone in their waiting through some reasonable means. Any cure-all for corruption will also help with this condition.

The locales do not have any idea officially how to cure the condition, but they may suggest some of the above simply because it seems helpful at the time. At the worst, the condition does eventually fade with time.

FAQ:
* This can happen in a public location, or entirely remote, wherever you wish.
* The above "Cures" are not exhaustive. Any reasonable act that establishes or re-establishes empathy for the person trapped will cure them.
* Paleblood Telepathy is not limited by distance. However, non-palebloods must have their omni on their person in order to mentally link to it.
* This condition does not lead to death, but if allowed to persist is a reasonable source of higher corruption.
* If untreated, it will usually clear up in a couple days, or at most a week. If a player wishes to use this as a form of hiatus in February, they may, in which case it can last all month.

YOU TAKE MY BREATH AWAY

WHEN: The First Week of February

WHERE: Anywhere in Trench

CONTENT WARNINGS: Choking, Asphyxiation, Body Horror, Dependency, Possible Death

---

Self-reliance is a powerful tool in the city of Trench. You have to be able to take care of yourself, lest the dangerous elements on the fringe of the city overtake you and claim you in the night. Right?

The Doorway could not disagree more. To her, people depend upon each other. Corruption is only cleansed through the presence of others and conversation, connection. Cures and potions are, in her thought, unreliable. Even going to the Blood Ministers is more of a last-ditch effort when all else fails as she sees it. Sometimes? People need a little gentle reminder, a push to get them to rely upon each other more. Unfortunately, what a Pthumerian considers a gentle push to be tends not to be so gentle.

It happens at random, though it seems to happen most of all when it involves people who might not want to be close. You come into contact with a person, and just as you start to speak, you feel your throat throttle. It is like there is an invisible noose around your neck. No visible rope exists, but the air is cut off. You double over, gasping for air that will not come. Even if you don't or can't breathe you find yourself choking like a flopping goldfish out of water! As you reach out for help, you can see to your horror that the person you are trying to meet is choking too! What do you do? There is only one cure to this situation. You have to get to the other person quickly. There's still time. Maybe you can find some sort of solution if you get there. Deep down, you know you just need to be closer.

The moment that the two choking sleepers make contact, they will be able to breathe. The relief of oxygen entering the lungs comes instantly, though there is a problem. Any time you break contact, you begin to choke again. So long as you are able to stay in contact, you're safe but any attempt to break that contact is potentially life threatening. There is no solution other than to hold onto each other, hold hands, whatever it takes to maintain contact. For how long you ask? Oh, for at least an hour. But it's not like anyone's actually going to give you a timer on this. Will you just put up with it, or will you keep experimenting only to be choked repeatedly.

FAQ:
* Anyone can be affected by this, no matter physiology. It defies magical powers, biology and even blood powers.
* The effects last no more than 6 hours at the absolute max and most of the time it will end within 1 hour.
* Effects will cease when the two participants go to sleep (No accidental chokings). As a result, the effect will always start at least an hour before you might normally go to sleep.
* Yes, you can choke to death if you want.
* There is no knowledge of the effect amongst the locals and no warning about it, so there is no real warning on how to "cure" this other than the compulsion to get close to the other choking person and trial and error. Or Patience!
* No, the Doorway isn't sorry.

CODING

Comments

Chozen Toguchi | Cobra Kai | Coldblood

[toguchi]

1. wait for me
[cw: body horror, locked in, psychological horror]

[ The situation Chozen found himself in is beyond strange. So far past strange, in fact, that the only thing for it was acceptance, since beating his fists against the universe's whims has never gotten him far in life. The people he encountered after he crawled out of the sea have been kind, and a cup of hot chocolate and some comfortable robes went far in bolstering his spirits.

After only a few conversations (and how lucky he is these strangers speak Japanese!) he has come to a tentative understanding of his circumstances. The concept of falling into another world isn't so outlandish he can't come to terms with it, presuming this isn't a particularly vivid dream (maybe produced by his new, more comfortable sleeping arrangements).

As much as a person could handle this well, Chozen would like to think he's given his best in the attempt. His own person isn't what concerns him. The thought that crept into his mind, persistent and worrying, was of another.

A passerby unaware of the affliction besetting Sleepers might mistake the grave looking figure of a man closer to sixty than forty poised by the sea with a mug held between his hands as an extraordinarily lifelike statue. He has no way of informing them otherwise. ]

2. you take my breath away
[cw: choking, asphyxiation]

[ And if it's not one predicament, it's another. Chozen's wanderings on the boardwalk brings him into accidental glancing collision with someone else - around the corner of a warming tent, perhaps, or when he steps back from a railing he was wistfully peering over.

He is about to offer a prompt apology for his clumsiness when his throat closes. He reaches for his neck, foolishly, as though to grab at fingers there, but abandons the effort immediately when he sees the other person struggling for their own breath. Without thinking, he reaches out, meaning to offer what help he can without regard for the limited help one choking person can give another - only to find his airway cleared at the second contact.

Chozen sucks in huge, grateful lungfuls of air, blinking away his shock. With a tight rasp, he asks the first question that springs to mind: ]

Are you all right?

3. wildcard
[ PM me or ping me at terriblepurpose for alternate starters! ]

1

[miyagimagic]

[ Having only just shown up at the beach, Daniel is still entire unaware as to what's tending to afflict people there this month. He's more there because word has come out about new arrivals, and he can never quite stop himself from going to look, because what if this time it is Amanda or the kids, and what if there's something dangerous going on, and what if he isn't there--

There seems to be no sign of them out there on the sand as Daniel looks around - though that doesn't mean there's no sign of anything familiar at all. Sure, the figure he's spotting in the distance could be someone else entirely, a case of embarrassing mistaken identity, but it would certainly not be the first time Daniel has allowed his thoughts and heart to run away with an assumption and take it as truth.

So he ignores the idea that he could be wrong here, instead allowing the onset of emotion and near-adrenaline to carry him, starting to run across the sand in the direction of the figure, probably accidentally bumping into someone in his hurry (though graciously apologizing, Daniel is a man with tact!!) before he gets closer to the figure. ]

Chozen!

[ It's only after calling out the other's name that he arrives next to the form, realising that it is at least not an embarrassing case of mistaken identity, though Daniel is a little too caught up with his head in the realisation that the other man really is here to realise just how rigid his form is.

(And, you know, it is Chozen. If anyone would be sitting like that..) ]

Chozen, you're-- you're here! [ And not dead being the implication in there that no one could pull out of those words, though there might be a little more breathlessness and emotion in those words than such a statement may need without that implication haunting Daniel's mind.

But surely something will start concerning Daniel a little more in a moment that the thought may have to be pushed to the back of his mind for a few more moments. ]

[toguchi]

[ Daniel-san.

An already improbable situation made even more so. Daniel had been the person Chozen's thoughts turned to first after he regained his equilibrium. He was, after all, the one most likely to mark Chozen's absence. Chozen had been struck with the worry that Daniel might be concerned something untoward had happened to him, and imagining his distress and ready self-blame had been the cause of no small amount of dismay on Chozen's part.

Now, it is almost as though those feelings called Daniel to his side, complete with the wrenching ache of hearing exactly the sort of concern Chozen had hoped his friend would be spared in Daniel's calling out to him.

And Chozen can do nothing to soothe him. He cannot will even his eyes to shift one iota to show Daniel he has heard him, let alone move his mouth to answer. The icy dread flooding him from his heart to his belly seems to plunge an impossible degree further into frigid stillness, eclipsing any relief Chozen might have mustered otherwise at the prospect of help.

Thus, a paradox: from the cold, a spark. This is an intolerable position to remain in, and although Chozen does not know how to escape it, he is more determined than he already was that he must. It will not do to leave Daniel in fear for Chozen's safety, however (arguably) reasonable such a fear might be.

Chozen focuses with all of his concentration on stirring the index finger of his right hand. He cannot see it, with his eyes fixed forward, or feel much of it in the chill that holds him in place - but one twitch, one tremor, one sign of life - anything at all -

Nothing happens yet. He does not give up. ]

[miyagimagic]

[ There's no response.

And, sure, Daniel's rational mind can think of explanations for it. Chozen could just be a hallucination - it wouldn't be beyond what this place usually pulls, especially since it must have known he wanted to see the other man, to make sure he was alright, to apologize. Or Chozen could be pranking him all over again - and while some may say he wouldn't prank him with something that could obviously cause Daniel distress, but the other did threaten to kill him out in the woods as a 'fun' 'little' 'prank'.

But his heart won't have it. It's already running three miles ahead of him, bringing on the panicked worry that's so familiar to Daniel when it comes to other people's wellbeing, and even more so the wellbeing of people he cares about. He isn't even considering those rational explanations, because Chozen is here, but he's not moving. He's not reacting at all.

If anything, he almost seems--

Daniel drops to his knees in the sand next to the other figure, not caring about the wet sand getting all over his nice pants. His hand reaches out to latch onto the other's wrist, fingers pressing into the skin there firmly, but not enough to hurt. He's just looking for a pulse, and thankfully Daniel is at least met with that. Even if it's only a small relief in the middle of all of this. ]

What's wrong..? [ He tries to ask, even though it's not like he got a response a moment ago either. Maybe the words flow out of his mouth more instinctual than anything else - worried, caring - and the next moment he's already turning his head to try and find someone paying attention to the two of them around them.

He raises his voice, trying to grab anyone's attention - even though it makes the worry and rising panic in his voice all the more audible. ]

Hey, I-- I need some help here! [ .. it seems that everyone is a little too busy with other things for now though, since no one approaches, despite Daniel's attempt.

It makes the man turn his attention back to Chozen for now, frowning as he desperately tries to figure out what's going on here, or how to fix it. His hand moves, relinquishing its hold on the other's wrist to instead rest his hand right on top of where the other's fingers are curled like stone around the mug, like the contact is the only thing that's keeping Daniel from fully flipping out in this situation.

(His own hand trembles faintly.) ]

1. CW: Drunk behavior. Johnny Lawrence.

[strikefirster]

[Comfortable robes and a hot chocolate? Meet a ratty old bath robe, a formerly white tank top stained yellow from beer and sweat, and a stubby bottle of Coors Banquet. Johnny had... gotten a little better at walking around town in a drunk stupor, but that didn't mean it didn't still happen from time to time.

It wasn't that anything bad or traumatic had happened either. He just got a little too drunk and managed to get loose from the dojo. That's what happened when there was no one there to reign in him.

Either way he comes stumbling down the road and only stops when he comes across the frozen Chozen. There's a brief moment where he stares at the other guy, unable to discern if he was real or a statue.]

...What are you looking at?

You never see a guy out having a good time? Huh?

[toguchi]

[ The voice is unfamiliar. The face, once it crosses Chozen's fixed point of view, is not.

It is beyond baffling to be confronted with the fabled Johnny Lawrence, Daniel's first rival, on an otherworldly winter beach. If Chozen could speak, he would wonder aloud at the odds, which surely must be astronomical.

But there is nothing he can do but weather Johnny's haranguing, and ponder how it is that he speaks such excellent, natural sounding Japanese. If Chozen were not looking, he would think he was outside a bar back home, being harassed by a drunk there - which he thinks of now wistfully as an alternative. ]

CW: NSFW - PEE?????

[strikefirster]

[Johnny on the other hand has never seen this guy before in his life. But he's squinting in a mix of confusion and annoyance.]

Oh. I see how it is.

You're too fuckin good to talk to me huh?

You must think you're all that? Well you aren't.

I'll fuckin' prove it too.

[And unfortunately for anyone who might be in the area. Johnny undoes his pants and a faint stream of yellow bursts forth, gently sprinkling along Chozen's leg. The snow on the ground. ...And unfortunately Johnny's own leg because his aim is really not great in this state.

He's giggling up a storm as he does it. Like he's real proud of his work too.]

Yeah? What do you think about that? Not so high and mighty now are you, statue?

2

[slightlytaller]

[His throat suddenly closing when he accidentally bumped into the stranger he was checking in on was a shock that ignited the righteous anger of a tiny young man-- and the rush of cold air that filled his lungs was a relief, but not a balm on the sparks that had ignited into a roaring rage. Waver Velvet, still appearing all of nineteen and looking like a small ghost in his oversized white cloak that signified his status as a Waker, whirled on him with venom in his eyes that were the same green as an angry sea.]

What the fuck was that for?!

[He sputtered, jerking away-- and immediately dropped to his knees when his throat started to close up once more.]

[toguchi]

[ Chozen darts forward with speed and deftness that belies his age, joining Waver on his knees, clasping the young man firmly by his shoulders. Breath returns once more, and Chozen does not need a diagram set out for him to connect the dots. ]

I apologize. I was careless.

[ He is not surprised the boy is angry, and so takes no offence to it. He had a hair trigger temper himself at this age. ]

As for this - [ he taps his chest ] - I do not know what is causing it, but I must ask you to remain calm. We will figure this out together.

[slightlytaller]

Ehhhh~!

[A scowl grew on his young face-- though, this time it wasn't expressly because of the new arrival. Waver Velvet heaved a long-suffering sigh of resignation, recalling the responsibilities that the Lord Professor had taken on as well the way a certain someone who was larger than life had pulled him under his great mantle in times of danger.]

Okay, [he said, ceding the point to the stranger.]

The Pthumerians have been sick. I bet something's wrong with Doorway, and that's why this is happening.

[It was a puzzle that he would need to ponder over later, when he had a few moments to himself.

... Whenever they came.]

I guess we're stuck together until we figure this out, [he said, reaching out to hold onto the stranger's arm. ] At least you seem pretty calm about it. Some people really freak out when they wake up.

[centi]

Excuse me, sir.

[ Ritsu has always held a polite reference to his elders, and now is no different. If he could avoid disturbing this serene old man he would, but the situation is urgent. ]

Have you seen my older brother around? He sort of looks like me, but with flatter hair...

[ That's not a very good description, but he's anxious. Ritsu had only taken his eyes off Shigeo for a second, and he doesn't want to walk all the way back to the house just to meet up again. Does Shigeo's nice lady house have free hot chocolate? It doesn't seem likely! He's so caught up that it takes him a moment to realize the man isn't moving. ]

Um... hello? Excuse me?

[ He edges around to the side, trying to get a better look at Grandpa-sama without actually touching or disturbing him if the old man is just deaf or lost in thought. When this gets no reaction he tries harder to get the man's attention, even overcoming his sense of proprietary to gently tap Chozen's arm, wave a hand in front of his face. He can tell the man has lifeforce, is not a statue, but that's where it ends; Ritsu is no telepath. ]

Huh...

[ He might try more ludicrous ways to help. What if he uses telekinesis and floats the old man someplace with other adults?

Or, Chozen can find him later, when being reunited and kissed has brought him back to movement and life, and explain the situation since Ritsu is going to be worrying about him otherwise. ]

[toguchi]

[ This is awful.

This young man is clearly in need of assistance, and Chozen is unable to provide it, or even to acknowledge the request. Worse yet, even in his search for his missing older brother, he has stopped to take the time to attempt to assist Chozen, who surely is better off than this polite young fellow. After all, Chozen has no brother to have lost sight of.

The gentle tap on his arm is a startling burst of warmth and motion in his frigid state. He feels the rigidity that has trapped him tremble like crystals in resonance, which is not the most reassuring feeling he has ever had, but it seems to dislodge something in his throat. Chozen seizes on the glimmer of opportunity, musters all of his will, and squeezes out a sound from between his slightly parted lips. ]

Hnnnnn...

[centi]

[ A noise!

Ritsu startles, and then grabs Chozen's arm much more firmly. Not because he thinks it's the contact, just because he wants to try and turn that frozen body a little more, away from the serene view and towards Ritsu. ]

Hey, are you okay? Are you trying to say something?

[ The movement disturbs the liquid in the mug, and a little spills. ]

Careful!

[ Ritsu will just take that, carefully unwrapping the fingers as needed to place it on the railing. It's gone cold, which is when he really starts to think something might be like. Wrong-wrong. Didn't Ritsu say there was strange stuff that happened here? Pthumerians? Beasts?]

2

[toteninsel]

[ It's not Chozen's fault he's bumped into Ariane. She's been so absorbed in her work that she didn't even notice him come near, and besides, the chilly boardwalk isn't exactly the ideal place for sketching. Judging by how absorbed she is, however, Ariane doesn't seem to mind, her legs swinging over the sea as she sits with her pencil and paper.

The choking does snap her out of it, though, and like Chozen, Ariane reaches thin fingers towards her own neck.

And then, just as suddenly, it stops. There's a hand on her shoulder, and she looks up to the person offering it. ]

I -- yes. I'm sorry, I don't know what happened. I must not be used to the sea.

[ An explanation that doesn't make much sense, but then again, neither did that entire episode. ]

Are you?

[toguchi]

[ Chozen is not the sort of old man who makes a habit of grabbing at young women. The awkwardness of the situation strikes him almost as quickly as the lack of air did, but he is strangely reluctant to pull away, a suspicion already half-formed in his mind. ]

I am, yes.

[ He smiles as harmlessly as he can manage at her, although he cannot know how it comes across. He has been told his smiles can be somewhat...intense. ]

I live by another ocean, on an island called Okinawa. It is a very beautiful place.

[ A nice, calming detail. It will be more difficult to think of him as a crazy old man if she knows something about him as a person, after all, and that is important for the next part of their conversation. ]

I have a strange request, if you could humour me...would you brace yourself on the railing, to make yourself steady?

[toteninsel]

[ A beautiful name for what sounds like a beautiful place. Ariane does her best to imagine it. She likes to think she's getting close.

The intensity of the stranger's smile doesn't bother her, and neither does his request. Ariane sets her work down and nods. ]

Sure.

[ There's a certain awkwardness to her movements, and it takes her a little longer to stand than the average person, but soon enough, she's braced against the railing, looking out towards the sea. It's much more interesting to her than this man. ]

Are you testing something? [ A half-smile, a shitty joke: ] I didn't study.

2!

[centile]

[this is a much nicer time to come out of the ocean, mob decides. to be fair his experience involved nearly drowning under ice so the bar is on the actual ocean floor. either way he comes by to see if there's anything to do to help, keeping an eye out for familiar faces, the usual.

spacing out makes it easy to bump into someone. he also turns to apologize when his throat seems to close.

it's not unfamiliar, for the briefest of moments he can see hanazawa's face, feel his hands on mob's throat. but there's no hands, just that same pressure. (45%, 46%, 47%) his eyes go a little wide, thinking of what happened last time. what he did when he passed out without knowing it. how bad it could have been, how bad it was. (48%, 49%, 50%)

then it's over.

he sucks in a breath, suddenly realizing several things. the man by him, who mob grips the arm of in turn, more from steadying after the shock than anything. this man is breathing hard too, he had been panting too.]

I... I am. [he manages, a few blinks, trying to settle himself.] Are you-

[he pulls away now, to be polite, and suddenly his throat closes again when there's no contact. his eyes widen a little. uh oh.]

[toguchi]

[ It is very inconvenient to be unable to speak. Chozen only hopes he does not frighten the boy further when he takes a firmer, but not crushing or confining, hold of his shoulder. ]

I am fine - and you will be as well, so no worrying allowed.

[ He holds up his hand palm out, inviting the boy to share in his calm by projecting an appearance of feeling completely in control of the situation. He doesn't, but he would be some teacher if he weren't able to fake confidence in the face of a young person's distress. ]

There is a temporary curse going around that stops people from breathing if they break contact with one another...but the good news is, it wears off on its own, and you will be back to normal in no time. It is an inconvenience - but we will get though it together.

[ He nods, smiling in sunny reassurance, and offers a crisp thumbs up - he knows it looks a bit ridiculous from him, which is the point. It is much harder to be afraid if you are amused. ]

My name is Toguchi Chozen. What is yours?

[centile]

[and he can breathe again. it takes him a moment to realize that it might be contact then, which... well, that's weird but seems to fit with things like ice zombies and murderer santa.

the man seems so calm about it which does help. he takes a breath (50%, 49%, 48%) and nods. still a tiny bit shaky but after another beat he looks better. even cracks a tiny smile for the thumbs up. what a good guy, he thinks, even though he was struggling just a moment ago too.

he'd like to be someone who can be so calm and reliable one day.] I see... thank you.

[but then chozen says his name, and a faint light of recognition hits mob's placid face.] Ah, are you sensei's karate cousin? [welcome to one of the ways daniel explained it.] Sensei Larusso, I mean.

[sorry, he'll introduce himself properly in a minute, right now he's remembering edgy teen chozen having dramatic deadly karate fights and trying to see the resemblance. yup, very old but maybe? his smile warms just a tiny bit. oh, sensei larusso will probably be excited about this.]

1

[wapples]

[It's far from unusual to find Billie on the beach, combing through the sand for treasures to trade away. Shiny rocks, or shells that wash up on shore, or beach glass, although some of his collection is still sharp, as though freshly broken.

The statue is new, though, and whoa. It's so lifelike. Billie pauses in front of Chozen, staring up at him, as though trying to figure out where came from. Experimentally, the boy raps his knuckles against the statue's knee. Is it wood? Stone? Some kind of plastic? A whiff of the hot chocolate suggests that maybe the whole statue is made of some kind of food, and briefly there's a look on his face that suggests he might be contemplating putting that theory to the test.

Wait, that doesn't make sense. Who puts a chocolate statue on the beach? Billie knows first hand chocolate covered sand does not make a great snack. Sure, it might taste okay, but the texture leaves a bit to be desired.]

So weird... who gives a statue chocolate anyway? You are a statue, right? Or are you just pretending?

[toguchi]

[ The little boy who knocks his knuckles against Chozen's knee is immediately charming. It is a great shame he cannot respond with an indulgent smile and a joke, as he would usually do. He cannot even see the boy clearly, and is making an educated guess as to his gender.

Chozen has never had children of his own, but he is fond of them as a teacher and as a person. He wonders if he will see his own students again, be they those in Okinawa or the ones he has yet to meet at Daniel's dojo. If he has been transported to another world, will he be able to open a new dojo? Perhaps his task in this realm is to help train some hero, as he is a bit past the prime of heroing himself.

He does not know why these thoughts in particular seem to soften his heart and his frozen body, but when his nose begins to itch and his tongue flops loosely in his mouth he does not waste time before seizing on the opportunity. Mustering his will, he ekes out a strangled, faint noise, hopeful it will at least persuade the child he is not a statue.

Or perhaps that he is an especially interactive statue. He cannot be sure. ]

Nnn...

[wapples]

Whoa!

[It's said half-startled, half in awe as the statue speaks.

The statue speaks.

Or, sort of speaks, at least. Billie is fairly sure that was supposed to be an attempt at speech. Except statues don't speak, so maybe this actually is a Sleeper. It would make more sense too, he supposes, given the mug of hot chocolate in his hands.]

How come you're stuck? You don't look frozen - I don't see any ice or anything on you. Besides, it's not that cold.

[The tiny boy circles around the man, looking him up and down, trying to work out a solution.]

I guess someone already tried getting you a drink to warm up, and that didn't work. Maybe some blankets or something. Or - or a fire! I could make a fire!

3

[abornfighter]

[Around this time of the month, Tory regularly goes to check the beach in case someone she knows happens to show up so that she can be there to help them and explain the bizarre place she's come to think of as her home away from home. She doesn't quite get to the beach before she identifies someone who's obviously a new arrival.

Though the man's face isn't familiar to her, the sight of the Sleeper robes is. So when she sees the man walking around, she greets him with a little wave.]

Hi. Weird place, isn't it? I've been here for more than half a year now and I'm still getting used to Trench.

[She's on the cusp of saying something else when a breeze blows an unpleasant scent downwind. Though she mostly manages to keep herself from making a face, she does raise an eyebrow and side eyes the man.]

...why do you smell like pee?

[She isn't even assuming that he might have wet himself from shock upon arrival. Everything about his body language and expression indicates that's unlikely - he's unusually composed for a new arrival. Instead, morbid curiousity has her wondering if somehow urine became essential to helping a new Sleeper wake and transform. Stings from magic jellyfish? She hates that this place has her even considering that as a possibility.]

[toguchi]

[ Chozen, on the other hand, does recognize the young Miss Nichols, champion of Cobra Kai. They did not part on the most amenable of terms, which was his only true regret from his time infiltrating Silver's dojo. He had liked her spirit, and it had been a shame to learn her in the hands of such an unscrupulous teacher.

The path of a young and angry person under the guidance of a teacher like that is not a good one.

These thoughts flit by swiftly, and have very little to do with anything in the moment except his recognition followed by surprise, followed by concern. She may not be his student, but he has reason to worry about the well-being of any young person whisked away from their home to a strange place -

But first. Yes. The odour. He had hoped a discreet scrub in the sea had diluted it, but it seems that he had only gotten used to the lingering smell. He smiles ruefully and offers her a slight bow of greeting. ]

That is a story with a long and a short telling.

[ Did she say six months? Stranger and stranger... ]

The short one is that someone in the course of a difficult time had an unfortunate accident, and it seems I am not so good at unexpected laundry.

[ That's the politest way to put it, at least. It has several elements of the truth, arranged in a slightly different order. ]

[abornfighter]

[Her assumption is that a panicking person lost control of their bladder near him, and she decides she doesn't need to pry for any further details than that.]

All right. Well, I can't do anything about that person's bladder issues, but I can help you get some fresh clothes and soap and help explain some things about this place.

[Though she's too blunt to be regarded the most gentle and gracious person to assist new arrivals, she at least tries to help out new Sleepers when the opportunity comes her way. If nothing else, she has a good sense of what the most important things to know about getting started here are.]

Some people wind up with powers they didn't have before. Mine let me make stuff out of thin air. It's pretty useful.

[And because seeing is believing, she sizes him up to determine what might fit and produces a men's track suit and running shoes for him. First it appears as black and midnight blue glitter before taking form and becoming tangible clothing.]

Here. I know some places that have a washroom for customers to use. You can change there.