TDM #003

[bequiet]

TEST DRIVE MEME
You wake, standing. A thick, muddy red dust coats your skin and clothes - it sticks to your tongue and blocks your vision. Inhale and it chokes you, exhale and your breath puffs out in front of your face in a transparent maroon cloud. It tastes of copper, tangy and harsh. Movement is difficult, every limb tingles and aches. Look to your left, your right. Evenly spaced in each direction stands another person indistinguishable in every way from the next. You're disoriented and lethargic, unable to grasp onto a single thought. A pinprick of light blooms ahead and grows steadily larger; a door has opened.

Hands grip your wrists, push at the small of your back and guide you out of the darkness into a room with four walls and a thin, sagging ceiling. The plaster is peeling, the air is musty, and the floor is slick. White plastic piping juts up from the center and curves into multiple spouts, clean water flowing in uneven streams. Those hands pull your clothes off and clear the dust from your body, redress you in handsewn jumpsuits.

A finger is pressed to your lips. Kind eyes meet your own and a single word is whispered - hush.

Led out of the room in a line, you’re taken down a short hallway and into another, much larger room. There’s a woman waiting for you there, a child hugging her leg, and a cloth bag in her hands. She reaches in and pulls out a device, passes one to each of you. Once finished, she begins to move both hands in graceful gestures, a language. One of the people who helped you lifts their device and the screen lights up, tracks the woman’s hands. Letters appear on the screen and you understand the device’s purpose. She tells you what she knows and it’s not much.

This world is haunted. Noise attracts them, so it is not allowed. Communication is through body language, soundless writing, and the device. She tells you that your feet must be light and your mouth never used. There is a community outside these doors, where you can survive together, but only if you agree to one thing: complete and total silence. You'll have time to talk it over. Acceptance allows you to journey outside. The ground is marked in pathways of sand, lining the paths to each building and everywhere in between. You notice that the locals hold their devices always, aloft and glance to it often. It will not vibrate or make a sound to signal a message.

Notices appear. Rules. Guidelines. Feet on the sand and never anywhere else. To open a door you brush your fingers along the hinges - oiled and you may enter. If not, take the brush from the can sitting nearby and coat the metal with the dark liquid. You're to settle into your new home.

Caught me unawares
Content Warnings: Confusion, disorientation
Themes: Survival, horror, it's like groundhog day

The ending of the floor has caught me unawares. This must be the reason why I’m falling down the stairs.

That night, when you fall asleep, you dream of your life before The Quiet Place. At first it's the happiest moments of your life played on repeat, over and over. Everything good and sweet and fun. The second night, it's much the same. You go to bed anticipating another restful and pleasant sleep. But on the third night it changes.

For everyone, it starts the same. There's a long hallway with a door at the end. You walk towards it with nowhere else to go. You twist the knob and when you step forward, the floor ends and you fall. Falling lasts for seconds, minutes, or hours and when you land, it's with a jolt and a cloud of red dust all around you. There's someone else next to you, stumbling, coughing and choking on that familiar dirt that coats your tongue and mouth. When your eyes meet, everything blurs and you're falling again - this time, when you land, it's inside that dream from the first night. Only you're not alone. They're with you. The only way out is to experience the dream together. And when you do wake up, for real, that same red dirt is on your hands.

Falling down the stairs
Content Warnings: Confusion, disorientation
Themes: Survival, horror, it's like groundhog day

The ending of the floor has caught me unawares. This must be the reason why I’m falling down the stairs.

That night, when you fall asleep, you dream of your life before The Quiet Place. At first it's the worst moments of your life played on repeat, over and over. Everything bad and sour and awful. The second night, it's much the same. You go to bed anticipating another restless and dreadful sleep. But on the third night it changes.

For everyone, it starts the same. There's a long hallway with a door at the end. You walk towards it with nowhere else to go. You twist the knob and when you step forward, the floor ends and you fall. Falling lasts for seconds, minutes, or hours and when you land, it's with a jolt and a cloud of red dust all around you. There's someone else next to you, stumbling, coughing and choking on that familiar dirt that coats your tongue and mouth. When your eyes meet, everything blurs and you're falling again - this time, when you land, it's inside that nightmare from the first night. Only you're not alone. They're with you. The only way out is to experience the nightmare together. And when you do wake up, for real, that same red dirt is on your hands.

OOC
From your mods:

Please remember to mark your content in your starters or subject lines as material comes up. The threads on this meme can be used as game canon. Feel free to thread out arrival style meetings as well! If you have questions, pp the mod account, use the faq or comment below. Have fun!

NAVIGATION

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Comments

spike | from that old show

[lovesbitch]

arrival;;

[ he fights tooth and nail, his eyes glowing gold as he throws natives away from him like they're fleas. it's with some concerted effort on his part that he doesn't break out into the monster's face, but he doesn't mean them harm -- not really. he just won't be caged again. he can't. he'll break for the last time and that will be it for him. eventually they manage to strip him of all that he has, and it feels familiar in the worst way. he's left in a sunny yellow jumpsuit and a scowl, snatching the device they give him out of native hands with a growl. they just press their fingers to his lips and shove him out to watch constance's little... performance art. ]

Alright, already. We get it. If you're so bloody special what do you need us for?

[ he snipes over everyone, interrupting questions and generally causing a raucus until they carry him away. it takes five big guys to corral him but they take him back into the first reset chamber and start again. he busts out only to be carried back in for a stern talking to three different times, his yells can be heard in the main room, he's not giving it up. ] Get your grubby mitts offa me! I was William the Bloody once, you know. I ate guys like you for a snack! Tasted a little gamey, but I powered through.

[ endless babble eventually, eventually comes to an end and spike re-enters the populace looking beat down in more ways than one. bruises are starting to form on his arms where he ripped off the sleeves to his jumpsuit, but the raised angry red should be gone by morning. he's stomping off, angry to have lost his boots. it doesn't quite have the same effect with bare feet in the sand, does it? spike is a creature who thrives on sound. he needs it to know he's still alive. or whatever approximation he passes for.

whoever tries to approach the vampire will get a glower and a v sign courtesy of all the salt in britain. not that he even really considers himself english anymore. he throws his device on the ground and storms off like a totally mature 200 years old child. ]

settling in;;

[ spike has calmed down... somewhat since the reset room incident, but after fighting the natives so much now it's very late and he is very sick of this place already. he's just going to creep up onto someone's deck and fall asleep there in a jumble of limbs in the corner like a stray feline. sorry, he probably won't be moving for a while. his device is open next to him with a message flashing. ]

spike: touch me and lose an apendage.
i'll let you pick which one :)

caught me unawares;;

[ spike looks a little different in this dream, and his mother is here. he has his head in her lap and he's reading her scriptures while she sings softly under her breath. his heart swells, and he feels complete. there's a part of him that knows this isn't real; that knows this is just a fake version of something that happened a very long time ago, but the comfort is welcomed anyway.

then the scene shifts. spike looking more like himself but still with his head pillowed on a woman's thighs. this time it's a dark, dangerous woman. she coos nonsense while petting long fingers up and down his back. he closes his eyes, and when he opens them -- he's in a hallway. okay... he's glancing sharply around. if that cheese guy comes out of the closet he swears to GOD. then there's a door. something tells him to open it. he puts out his hand and swallows, then turns it quick like it might bite him.

and then he's falling ... falling.

still falling.

now he's just bored.

at least, until the landing. which he nails by the way. if anyone were to ask later. you know. whatever. ] For fuck's sake! [ he tosses around red dust like a toddler throwing a tantrum. he hates this place more than he's ever hated anywhere, and that includes the place without shrimp okay. he's done, he wants out. ] Eternal torment was one thing, but this is bleeding sick. Whoever sets this up needs a head shrinking.

[ then he sees whoever is in there with him and he makes a face like WHAT ] Got something to say? Jesus. Everyone here's a critic. Ain't that swell.

falling down the stairs;;
cw: attempted rape

[ there's only one moment spike holds in the 'worst' category. it isn't the night his mother died. it isn't the night dru left him. it isn't even the night he stumbled into sunnyhell, no. he had said all of those were the worst, but they were just moments. links on a chain that brought him to buffy summers. that led him to his destiny.

except this? this isn't who he is, is it? this isn't the man he wants to be. spike pushes buffy down on the tile, moving her robe aside. he's telling her she wants this, she wants him. but it's all, all wrong. she shoves him off and he sees the bruises he'll leave; he sees the pain in her eyes. all he ever wanted was her love and adoration. for her to notice him, to notice he was trying to be a good man.

he swallows, and he thinks he ekes out an apology. he can't hear anything over the rush of blood in his head. he feels a heart beat that's been dead for centuries and he flees. he's dust in the wind and clawing desperately at the hollow void inside him. he did that, him. there's no one else who he can blame.

then there are the trials. they're hard, they hurt; but they're nothing when compared to what he's done. spike doesn't think she'll ever forgive him -- she shouldn't. but he has to try. he has to be a better man. the moment his soul is restored, he feels all the hurt he's caused. all the suffering -- accutely. this is what he wanted. this is what he fought for.

spike clutches his chest and he's running again. the stone cave turns into asphalt and back into that long, stupid hallway again. he groans, but he's already given into his fate. spike pushes the door open and gracefully tumbles through the air this time, landing on his feet in the reset room. gUESS WHo'S BACK ]

settling in

[bossily]

[She had been in the room when he had been taken by the natives. She hadn't known him, and she still doesn't know him now, but she had fought to try and get them to leave the guy alone. She had been worried about him, especially when she didn't see him emerge. So when she slips out of the house she's staying in and takes notice of him up on the deck, she decides not to head outside to explore at night. She's exhausted thanks to being so worked up most of the day, so she tells herself she can just go out tomorrow. Instead, she goes inside and grabs a blanket.

She's in the middle of draping it over him and making sure it's around him properly when she takes notice of his device. What she reads makes her lightly scoff and roll her eyes. It does absolutely nothing to deter her from making sure he's warm and not about to die or anything.]

[lovesbitch]

[ he's coming around measure-by-measure, curling into the pleasant, soft warmth of the blanket thrown over him. spike smacks his lips and wraps his limbs tight into a ball, which only makes him resemble an alley cat even more in the end. spike cracks open an eye, taking in pretty features knotted in concern. well, fuck that. he squeezes his eye shut again like he can just pretend to still be asleep and rolls over with his back to her. this is mine now. thanks or something. ]

[bossily]

[Does he really think that's going to work? Not a chance. She's small enough to wedge herself between his back and the exterior of the house. Sitting there isn't much of a problem for her, since keeping an eye on him means she'll at least have something to focus on. Whenever he decides to roll over a little while later, he'll be directly face to face with her sitting and watching him I hope he enjoys his taste of what goes around comes around.]

[lovesbitch]

[ he feels her gaze on his back, smells her skin and hears her heartbeat; the blood rushing to her internal organs. being petty doesn't pay off because he can't sleep like this anyway. so after what feels like hours of enduring her stare, but is probably like 20 mins, spike flops over dramatically which makes a tiny thump against the wood. barely audible, but up against the backdrop of nothingness, it's noticeable. WHAT? he mouths. Do I have something on my face?! he points to his face and raises both eyebrows expectantly. ]

[bossily]

[Something about how angry he is all the time makes her feel secure with him. While her anger builds up and builds up until it explodes, his is just set on explosive all the time. It makes her smile as she shakes his head in response to his question. You were alone, she mouths to try and explain.

The fact that she doesn't think he should be is left unspoken. Obviously she thinks that, if she's willing to sit outside in the cold night air to keep an eye on him.]

arrival!!!!

[rockypath]

[Faith's sees a familiar bleached blonde head in the distance and it makes her legs move of their own volition in silent chase before her brain fully catches up with the idea. It couldn't be... could it?

And why the actual fuck, if this place is going to pull an ensouled vampire into this shit show of a world couldn't they have brought in the other one? No offense, Spike. But Faith likes Angel better. But then she's well aware that Spike will wish she's the other one too. So they have that in common. Always second fiddle.

When he turns around though and flicks her off in that weirdo British way, an amused Cheshire grin spreads slowly across her face. Alright then. Good to see you too, buddy.]

[lovesbitch]

[ he drops his device in the sand with a dramatic flair and when he looks up, he sees-- what the bloody hell???? his face cycles through about 50 different looks in just as many seconds. confusion gives way to relief which then gives way to indignant rage. he isn't wishing faith is buffy, he's wishing he were dead. holy fucking no. just as fast as he'd dropped it, he's snatching the device off the ground and typing furiously at her. ]

WHAT

[rockypath]

[She didn't forget what happened to him, the way he'd died. It's all coming back to her with crystal clarity just by the way he's looking at her. Like a maniac. It seems she needn't ask when he came from. Her smile falters, to a thin line of her lips.]

You'll have to be more specific, Spike.

[lovesbitch]

No I think that's bloody well specific enough actually

[ this whole place is a big ol question mark for him, so fill him the fuck in or something. his anger is starting to deflate. she's so calm. she can't have just gotten here like he did or she'd be just as testy. if there's one thing they have in common, it's attitude. ]

How long's it been, Slayer?

[rockypath]

[She's not necessarily calm. Just resigned. And Sunnydale. The First. It all feels like a lifetime ago with all that's happened. Kilgrave being at the forefront of that something. She's pushed it all down, opting for the pretending. Smiles and jokes. It's easier. But it's harder to do though, looking at him.]

I've been here two months. Came from a little after what happened. With the First.

settling in;

[morphogenia]

[Truth be told, Kamala felt sorry for him. She remembers basically begging people to stay at her current place. She was about to tap him so she can properly invite him inside until she sees the message. She loses her temper predictably once the weirdo teenager hanging around wakes him up.]

I'm not going to touch you, you weirdo! >( I was going to ask if you wanted to come inside, but nvm bc you're clearly a crazy person who wants to rip off limbs!! So get off our porch!!!! >((((

[lovesbitch]

[ her presence wakes him up long before his screen is lighting up with her rant. jesus christ. he thought he was the angry one. spike sits up in a hurry, holding out a hand like stop right there before snapping up his device to read all that garbage. she immediately reminds him of dawn, and he heaves a deep, silent sigh in her direction. ]

Not gonna rip anyone's limbs off willy-nilly like. Only if they deserve it. [ he smiles even if it comes out more as a grimace. he looks at her again like, anything else?? ]

[morphogenia]

[Kamala somehow has mastered the art of silently huffing at people. She still has a few rants left in her.] What makes you think you can judge that?? That's a serious threat!

[lovesbitch]

if it were a serious threat you'd be at least armless by now. COME ON [ chill tiny girl he's so not having this ]

[morphogenia]

[UGH HE'S RIGHT. That's annoying.] Fine, but maybe your first impression shouldn't be threats!

arrival; (assuming ur cool with kiddos, if not feel free to nope out!)

[deadlight]

[ bev wasn't exactly approaching the other man as she was engrossed in her device and watching the sand below her feet. when she looks up, realizing she's about to walk into someone, here's this distinctly eighties asshole giving her a rude hand gesture. bev doesn't have to know what it means to know it's rude! and then he just takes off? what the hell? she scowls, and settles in to type something with all the swift, righteous indignation of a teen born to text instead of an angry tomboy from 1989 just trying her best.

then, she dutifully storms after him to thrust her own device in his face. ]

what's ur problem
did billy idol fuck ur mom????

[ and she takes a hand off her own device to flip him off, american style. ]

i was legit about to tag you so we'RE GOOD lol

[lovesbitch]

[ he has no idea a girl is following him he's that miffed. he should for all intents and purposes but his wires are all crossed in this bullshit alternate reality. hasn't he been through ENOUGH. and now there's a teen shoving a phone in his face. it's like being back in california with none of the home sweet home vibes.

spike blinks a few times, lifting his eyebrows like oh yeah? and since he ditched his device he'll just cross his arms across his chest and raise his chin with a smug smirk. what are you going to do little girl???? ]

I MEAN you still can if a prompt super spoke to you

[deadlight]

[ ooc: ain't gonna pretend like i didn't immediately BECOME a thirteen year old girl at the sight of spike so like. radical all around. ]

[ jesus, this turd. bev rolls her eyes, the epitome of dawn at her worst like, just so petulant and annoyed. she gestures to her device, and then back to the sand path where spike left his.

like, hello? you need this to communicate? they'll get into your desperate rebel yell phase, or whatever this is, later. ]

i might just X(

[lovesbitch]

[ ooc: lmfao aww glad 2 be of service ]

[ he tightens his arms around himself, sucks in his cheeks and stands as tall as his bare feet will allow. make. him. or get fucked. ]

thumbs up emoji

[deadlight]

[ oh my god, somehow managing to be more irritating than six teenage boys all in the same room together, this guy should be proud. bev points at him, then mimics dying by drawing a finger across her throat and sticking out her tongue.

she means he's going to die if he doesn't follow the rules and just wanders around off the paths and stuff. but she also doesn't know sign language so it's open to interpretation. ]

settling in

[bloodyrose]

[Zero hasn't been sleeping as well as he'd like to as of late, even despite having Yuuki with him, and the fact that they now have a proper bed. So he's taken on some idle reading, since it likely isn't the best idea to explore at night, regardless of how he otherwise is perfectly capable of navigating on his own.

—What he's not expecting is the rather sudden presence of someone right outside his window. At first he actually doesn't make much of it, until he sees the message.]

kiryuu:
How very generous of you. There are other houses with vacant rooms, you know.

[lovesbitch]

[ wow no he's not rising to the bait!!! he's sleeping. watch him totally sleep. there are zzz's coming from his face like a cute little comic. it takes maybe two minutes for him not to be able to take it anymore and he flops over and snatches up his device, sneering at the other man through the window. ]

come out here and make me go then

[bloodyrose]

[He's hardly fazed by such a look. (Try harder, Spike).]

I think I'll pass. I don't have a suicide wish.

[lovesbitch]

[ if this guy isn't going to fight him, then... spike is just going to flop back over. he's not really sleeping, but maybe if he pretends for long enough he'll eventually get there. and then maybe he'll wake up dead. funny thing about a suicide wish, when you don't stay dead you start to feel kind of silly after. ]