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:

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NAVIGATION

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Comments

[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.]

[lovesbitch]

[ he sits up, slowly coming around because this girl clearly isn't scared of him. and he doesn't blame her really. the blanky is drawn up around his shoulders and he snatches the device off the deck where he'd left it, clearing his message while watching her from the corners of his eyes. alone. he'd know that word, spoken or mouthed or signed in any language. he is alone. he's always been. maybe he shouldn't shun the one person who isn't leaving him. ]

What do you care if I'm alone? [ he shows it to her, but his expression is earnest, not the raging upset of a moment ago. it seems she isn't the only one who deflates fast. ]

[bossily]

[God, she hates texting. It makes her feel like one of her students, or like one of those people who spend all day on Twitter. Still, it's the best way to talk to him. So she pulls her out and works on a response.]

Being alone is awful. I'm not very good at it, and it's how I've felt the entire time I've been here. No one deserves to sleep outside without a blanket. All alone.

[Relax, Clara. You literally have only been here like a day or two.]

[lovesbitch]

[ it's not like spike's overly fond of it either, he'd rather yell nonsense words at anyone who would (not) listen. but this is the hand they were dealt. he's pretty used to getting screwed in deals like this, but even so, this is a biT MUCH. ]

Maybe I deserve it. You don't know me enough to say. [ but he doesn't have the energy for this. he's out. ] Neither of us are alone now, right?

[ he sighs, then sits up and drapes the blanket across his lap, offering her half of it since now he's stolen her blanket and he feels bad. super intimidating, spikey. ]

Alternate universes really do my nut, you know? [ it's an apology. look at that. or at the very least, an admittance of guilt. he was a dick, you were right. etc etc be smug if you want. ]

[bossily]

[If she was an anime character, she'd have starry eyes right now. Not only is he sharing the blanket with her, he knows about alternate universes? Her face lights up with a smile and she gives him a don't I know it look. ]

The last time I had to deal with alternate universes I had to drink to forget about it. Don't think that's gonna happen this time.

[Since they're sitting side by side and he's right there, she shifts so she's leaning over and resting her head up against him. Even if this place is total shit, at least she's made a friend. A friend that's like a beaten up hobo that sleeps outside. At least he's right about neither of them being alone. That's nice, since she was close to feeling sorry for herself and having a good cry.]

[lovesbitch]

[ oh... he's not doing very well at making her hate him. he reaches over and -- pat pat -- there, there. he pats her on the arm before slouching to make himself a better pillow and looking out at the stars. they're different from the ones he remembers from france, even if that was a lifetime and some away. still, it's notable. ]

That's just about the best idea anyone's had yet. Our quest for booze starts first thing tomorrow.

[ after a moment, he gets curious and aims his device towards the stars. it starts telling him about them, which is enough to start calming him down. ]

[bossily]

[Yeah, he's completely failed at being scary and making her go away. All he's managed to do is make himself her favorite person here. Her own device is set on the wooden planks of the deck they're sitting on, ignored for the time being. Instead, her eyes look tiredly over to his where there's information about the stars on display.

Without lifting her head she cranes her eyes to look out at the sky, then back over to the device. Her finger taps at the screen and makes a scolding motion. It's then that her head lifts, so she can shake her head.

Wrong, she mouths. Look who's a know it all about the stars, new bff.]

[lovesbitch]

[ his shoulders jump in a silent laugh, which is killing him right now. he pulls back up the texting screen after a moment. ]

even their stars suck

[bossily]

[Seeing that makes her laugh, and she doesn't bother to try and muffle it. She does eventually dip her head to turn against his shoulder so it's not going to risk them getting killed just because she's amused. Her device is picked up and she tries explaining things to him.]

The stars are fine. But that's not the right name for that group. I'd know, because I've been to see them up close.

[lovesbitch]

[ the sound startles him, even though it shouldn't. it's just a laugh, and not a bad one at that. but then she turns to laugh against him and he supposes he's tolerating that too. why not after everything else he's endured? (it feels nice, spike. just admit it feels nice.) ]

alternate reality pet. Remember?they also call demons Sound Eaters and throw sand everywhere so what are you expecting from them exactly

[bossily]

[He sure is talking casually about all of this. It makes her sit up and really take notice of him. There's more to him than just whinging and sulking. ]

I've never seen a demon before. Just monsters and aliens. Is that what the sound eaters are? Demons?

[Because if so, she's even more insanely curious about them and wants to see them up close ASAP.]

[lovesbitch]

[ monsters and aliens... stars. hmm. spike is noticing a few things himself. ]

havent seen them yet have I? but from what they said sounds like a demon to me. There are these groupof demons who steal people's voices but I've got nothin after that. if this was their doin everyone would be all cut up and organless. Monsters and demons are damn near the same where I come from. I guess monsters are a little more... blobby, you know. less humanoid lookin maybe. We don't get many aliens though I've met one once or twice. nice guys

[ if you wanted spike to babble this was your ticket. though honestly it doesn' t take much, like. at all. ]

you travel in space then? Are you an alien?

[bossily]

[He almost makes her laugh again, but instead he just gets a deadpan stare.]

I'm a schoolteacher from London. I just travel with an alien.

[That first wall of text has given her something to think about though. Her curiosity about the Sound Eaters has grown, but all of Frank's warnings make her worry about what exactly it might mean if they're demons. She worries at her lower lip with her teeth as she sends off another thought, this one a little more somber.]

Someone mentioned that you reset when you die because of the Sound Eaters. If that's true, and they're demons, do you think that means we're all dead and this is some sort of limbo? I've been to Hell before and it was nothing like this. But it could be an in between sort of place. Like the strawberry jam between two biscuits.

[lovesbitch]

[ he does a soundless snap and points to her. he knew she was english. they can sense each other or something. ]

girl I know is here. She said you come back whether it's monsters or something else. [ he gently eases an arm around her, prepared for her to shove him off but whatever, it's more comfortable for both of them right?? he looks around as if assessing the place. ] Could be a Hell dimension. a little lame but some of em are

Don't you dare mention jammy dodgers right now [ he might actually be pouting ]

[bossily]

[She lets him keep his arm around her because it's not doing any harm. With how close to a breakdown she's been all day since arriving, it's also pretty nice to have someone right there with her. It doesn't even dawn on her that they've been so busy chatting and essentially cuddling that they haven't even traded names yet.]

If jammy dodgers are involved, it must be a Hell dimension.

[She's had plenty of those to last her a lifetime, thank you Doctor. Not that it's this guy's fault. Maybe there's some lurking around somewhere she can grab for him.]

I'd much rather have tea and a nice victorian sponge anyday

[lovesbitch]

oy I kinda like the little buggers. at least they're better than a bleedin OREO [ fuck that, california. ] though them girl scouts biscuits the butter ones and the ones with the coconut

[ he's hungry in more ways than one so he should really shut up. goddamnit. he's pleased she's letting him hold her. he soaks in the warmth from her actually live body and doesn't have any regrets. ]

now you're just reading my bloody mind. There's gotta be a proper tea around this bollocks place right? Got to be.

[bossily]

[She scoots so she can lean back over and rest her head against him again. If he isn't against keeping each other warm, then she isn't either.]

A boy that says I'm his mother promises he's got proper tea for me in the greenhouse. Normally I wouldn't be too keen on sharing but I'll make an exception for you.

[She turns her head just enough to peer up at him as he reads it, trying to judge his reaction to a little playful flirting. ]

[lovesbitch]

hey thanks can't say no to tea can I? then you'd see through my clever disguise. [ there's nothing clever about it but wait- ] he says you're his mum? is HE from an alternate reality?

[bossily]

[To that, Clara sits up and rubs at her temple. She's got a headache just thinking about crazy timeline issues.]

I'm not sure. It's all a bit overwhelming really. About as confusing as your lack of a disguise you think is so clever.

[lovesbitch]

[ he automatically shifts to accommodate her, rubbing at her shoulder in a comforting fashion. ] hey why don't we talk about something else. Like your alien friend? wanna talk about him?

[bossily]

[There's a fond little smile on her face as she shakes her head. No, it's better not to get into the Doctor. She could go on for hours.]

I know this is gonna sound properly bonkers because I don't even know your name, but I think you listen to me better than just about anyone. Including my alien friend.

[lovesbitch]

[ oh wow, oh wow. this is so disappointing. not only did he fail at being intimidating. he's the best listener? ever???? ]

not to be a prig but I think you need better friends. [ he's one to talk. his friends try to kill him and you know, actually did this time. whatever. ] I'm Spike. Of course. Scourge of Europe, or you know. once upon a bloody time

[ he puts the hand around her out to make a little motion. obviously his rep does not precede him in her universe and you know what? that's actually fine with him. ]

and I'm not really listening. that's part of the disguise, luv. [ s-so convincing. he's just trying to avoid ever getting credit for anything ever. sorry about it. credit=responsibility and he wants no part in that shit. ]