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staysilentooc2021-04-30 07:15 pm
staymods) wrote in staysilentooc2021-04-30 07:15 pm
Test Drive Meme #1
Crash Course
It happened in an instant. One moment you were in your own world, doing your own thing. The next, you were standing on a small wooden dock. Or on a grassy hill surrounded by sheep. Or on a rocky outcropping near a lake. Or, if you were particularly unlucky, in the lake itself.
Regardless of your exact arrival spot, you were quickly scooped up by some gruff men and women in uniform who said you would get answers so long as you cooperated. The answers they had to provide, however, were sparse. You had ended up in the Saimaa lake system in Finland in Year 99, and nobody knew the 'how' or 'why'. All they had beyond that was a promise of a safe place to stay, so long as you followed the rules and didn't cause trouble. Some fought, some argued, but those who listened were eventually taken to "Otherworlder Settlement #5". A new home for the foreseeable future, until more answers can be discovered.
The Finnish government promised that this settlement was safe to stay in, but that doesn't mean it's easy living. Food and basic supplies are provided, but there is very limited electricity and not much in terms of modern commodities. Do you know how to use a canoe? Do you know how to cook over an open fire? Can you stand taking a bath in a lake? The first few days of life on this island are going to be a crash course in surviving without most modern conveniences, and for some it might be more of an adjustment than others.
But hey, at least there are others around to help you learn, right? Maybe your new neighbor is willing to swap skills with you.
Regardless of your exact arrival spot, you were quickly scooped up by some gruff men and women in uniform who said you would get answers so long as you cooperated. The answers they had to provide, however, were sparse. You had ended up in the Saimaa lake system in Finland in Year 99, and nobody knew the 'how' or 'why'. All they had beyond that was a promise of a safe place to stay, so long as you followed the rules and didn't cause trouble. Some fought, some argued, but those who listened were eventually taken to "Otherworlder Settlement #5". A new home for the foreseeable future, until more answers can be discovered.
The Finnish government promised that this settlement was safe to stay in, but that doesn't mean it's easy living. Food and basic supplies are provided, but there is very limited electricity and not much in terms of modern commodities. Do you know how to use a canoe? Do you know how to cook over an open fire? Can you stand taking a bath in a lake? The first few days of life on this island are going to be a crash course in surviving without most modern conveniences, and for some it might be more of an adjustment than others.
But hey, at least there are others around to help you learn, right? Maybe your new neighbor is willing to swap skills with you.
Cats! Cats! Cats!
As you settle in to life on this chain of islands, a few things are going to become quickly evident. Firstly, life here is slow. With strict warnings to not leave the safety of the sea nets and communications from the outside world only coming once a week, there's a lot of time to explore and think.
Secondly, while there is an abundance of birds, fish, and insects, mammal life on these islands is rather sparse. You may see a small land mammal here or there- rabbits, mice, maybe a fox or two- there isn't the level of biodiversity you might expect of a backwater forest. It certainly is strange, and you'll need to investigate the islands further to see just what there is to offer.
The sole exception to this lack of mammals? Cats. Nearly every island- excepting only Snake Island- has at least one colony of semi-feral cats living on it. While these cats are out outright hostile, they do seem a bit aloof. It will take time and effort to win their affections, if you are inclined to gaining a feline companion. Or food, if you don't mind sharing. The cats do seem motivated by food.
If asked, the local NPCs who drop off supplies once a week will tell the Otherworlders that all cats are helpful for detecting threats, but that if you can find young kittens of around 3 months old that they can be more easily acclimated to being around people. The NPCs also warn the Otherworlders that if all the cats suddenly poof up and start hissing while staring in the same direction that you need to leave that area immediately and radio for help. The ominous message isn't explained further.
Secondly, while there is an abundance of birds, fish, and insects, mammal life on these islands is rather sparse. You may see a small land mammal here or there- rabbits, mice, maybe a fox or two- there isn't the level of biodiversity you might expect of a backwater forest. It certainly is strange, and you'll need to investigate the islands further to see just what there is to offer.
The sole exception to this lack of mammals? Cats. Nearly every island- excepting only Snake Island- has at least one colony of semi-feral cats living on it. While these cats are out outright hostile, they do seem a bit aloof. It will take time and effort to win their affections, if you are inclined to gaining a feline companion. Or food, if you don't mind sharing. The cats do seem motivated by food.
If asked, the local NPCs who drop off supplies once a week will tell the Otherworlders that all cats are helpful for detecting threats, but that if you can find young kittens of around 3 months old that they can be more easily acclimated to being around people. The NPCs also warn the Otherworlders that if all the cats suddenly poof up and start hissing while staring in the same direction that you need to leave that area immediately and radio for help. The ominous message isn't explained further.
Ruins of Yesteryear
Not much information is given about "Otherworlder Settlement #5" upon arrival. The Otherworlders are told that the settlement used to be home to a small village that was destroyed 20 years ago, but that it has since been cleansed and is safe for resettlement. The government assures everyone that such practices are normal, and that with limited 'safe spaces' they have to cleanse and rebuild where possible.
That may not be much of a comfort, though, when you have to face the charred remains of houses on a daily basis.
While there are a few buildings still usable, the majority of the buildings on Rabbit Island have been partially or completely burned to the point of being unusable. They will eventually need to be cleared for new houses and facilities to be built, but for now they have been left standing due to a lack of manpower to do the demolition. They stand as a grim reminder that while the island is supposedly safe now, it wasn't so in the recent past.
Remnants of the past can be found in the charred ruins, though. Bits of metal in the form of silverware, tools, and jewelry are the most abundant, having weathered the hot flames all those years ago. In some lucky places with less fire damage, partially-burned blankets and books remain. Dishware, cooking utensils, small pots for indoor herbs. Traces of those who used to live here can be found here and there. But will you go looking, or will you leave those trinkets where they lay?
That may not be much of a comfort, though, when you have to face the charred remains of houses on a daily basis.
While there are a few buildings still usable, the majority of the buildings on Rabbit Island have been partially or completely burned to the point of being unusable. They will eventually need to be cleared for new houses and facilities to be built, but for now they have been left standing due to a lack of manpower to do the demolition. They stand as a grim reminder that while the island is supposedly safe now, it wasn't so in the recent past.
Remnants of the past can be found in the charred ruins, though. Bits of metal in the form of silverware, tools, and jewelry are the most abundant, having weathered the hot flames all those years ago. In some lucky places with less fire damage, partially-burned blankets and books remain. Dishware, cooking utensils, small pots for indoor herbs. Traces of those who used to live here can be found here and there. But will you go looking, or will you leave those trinkets where they lay?
Deep Dreaming
It might not happen the first night, or the night after. But at some point early into your stay on the islands, you will fall into a deep sleep, one so deep that you cannot easily awaken. You feel as though you are drifting down slowly, like a leaf falling from the sky, until you find yourself laying on the ground.
When you open your eyes, the area around you will seem familiar and safe. It could be your childhood home, or a city you live in now. Regardless, it is far away from the islands you have settled on, and for a moment it might look like you've made it home. That thought will be quickly dashed by two important details: there are no other people in this dream, and the dream only takes up a space of about 50 square meters before it abruptly ends.
If you go to the edge of the dream, however, you will be able to see the space between dreams, an endless expanse of water and starry sky. Be careful stepping outside of the safety of the dream, though! Those who wander too far will feel uneasy, like something dangerous is watching them.
Your dream isn't the only thing there besides the space between, though! You will find yourself about 2 meters away from the boundary of another person's dream. And while you won't be able to step in of your own accord, you might be able to knock on the barrier of the person next to you to say hello. Or maybe they're already there, awake and waiting to say hello. Or maybe they're knocking on the boundary of your dream, waiting for you to let them in. Regardless, it should be okay. While the space between feels dangerous, the dreams themselves are safe.
Do be courteous, though. Those who see the dreams will remember what happens when they wake up.
When you open your eyes, the area around you will seem familiar and safe. It could be your childhood home, or a city you live in now. Regardless, it is far away from the islands you have settled on, and for a moment it might look like you've made it home. That thought will be quickly dashed by two important details: there are no other people in this dream, and the dream only takes up a space of about 50 square meters before it abruptly ends.
If you go to the edge of the dream, however, you will be able to see the space between dreams, an endless expanse of water and starry sky. Be careful stepping outside of the safety of the dream, though! Those who wander too far will feel uneasy, like something dangerous is watching them.
Your dream isn't the only thing there besides the space between, though! You will find yourself about 2 meters away from the boundary of another person's dream. And while you won't be able to step in of your own accord, you might be able to knock on the barrier of the person next to you to say hello. Or maybe they're already there, awake and waiting to say hello. Or maybe they're knocking on the boundary of your dream, waiting for you to let them in. Regardless, it should be okay. While the space between feels dangerous, the dreams themselves are safe.
Do be courteous, though. Those who see the dreams will remember what happens when they wake up.
no subject
[A shower really does sound nice. He's willing to help, for the potential of a hot shower.
...he still isn't too keen to go into those buildings though.]
I wonder if we can ask for it from those guys who bring us food.
no subject
[Sighing and finally giving up on this building, Soma starts walking towards the exit. Starts. Only to hear a pretty loud CRACK, as the floor starts to give way.]
ShiiiiIIIII---
[Dust, soot, and more dust explode upward even as the shoddy wood breaks down, and Soma goes with the floor. Ten feet isn't really a huge drop for someone reasonably fit and agile - but toss in a lot of splintered wood and whatever debris was down there, and it's a recipe for broken limbs. Or worse.]
no subject
[Yeah, Rin pays no mind to the dust and splinters that is exploding everywhere. As soon as he hears the cracking wood, he's running right in, trying to catch Soma as he falls.
...yeah, Rin is probably going to step on some nails or get injured in some way. But he heals fast, even from broken bones, so that's preferable to someone else breaking an arm and having to stay put for six weeks. If they could get a cast on a break in the first place.]
no subject
Just... for the record [cough], that hurt.
[The debris shifts as he tries to shove it aside, or at least off of more tender bits. He only achieves a tiny bit of success in this, unfortunately.]
...yeah... definitely gonna feel that in the morning. Careful, I don't think this heap's done collapsing...
no subject
Well don't just sit there! You need to get out of there before it falls on you!
[And he's just. Stepping on in to try and get over to Soma. Even if it's still at risk of collapsing, someone needs help and Rin isn't going to just stand there and do nothing. He's trying to get over to Soma to at least offer him a hand up, and possibly help him out of the house entirely if a leg is broken or something. Rin is stronger than the average human, so he can handle Soma's weight. It's more a matter of care and if he can get to Soma without the house collpasing.]
no subject
Being in position to feel the shifting of components more directly, Soma holds up a hand when Rin is almost in reach.] Stop. There's something sharp at my back, and it poked at me hard when you took that last step. Don't put your weight on your left foot.
[He's going to try to shift himself away from the stabby pokey bit, attempting to turn his torso to one side so it's at least not aimed at anything vital - like the kidney he was pretty sure it was poised to puncture.]
no subject
Dude, I'm really strong. Lemme lift this thing off of you, yeah? You're gonna get skewered if you stay there.
no subject
[Wait, what did he say? Soma shakes his head, then nods.]
Alright. Just... be careful. I could lift it myself, if I could get leverage.
[That, and he was reluctant to use any of his magic here. The way these people talked about souls, he was pretty sure they would be able to understand what sort of power he had, if he used it - and the last thing he wanted was someone trying to slay the 'demon' among them.]
no subject
Also it's ironic that Soma has those worries while he's near a half-demon. They're in the same boat, really.
But yeah Rin is going to be as careful as he can (read: he gives 2 seconds of consideration before crouching down to grab the beam) and hoists it up. He could probably toss it to the side easily, but that might cause more structural damage to the building and trap both of them. So he settles for holding it up like a foot or so, giving Soma room to wiggle out.]
C'mon, I'll set it down when you're out.
no subject
This is where he'll give Rin a glimpse of one of his own peculiar skills - one second he's standing amid the wreckage, the next, he's standing beside Rin, a few feet off to the side. When did he move?] You can let it down now, I think.
no subject
At Soma's comment, Rin lets go of the beam. It really feels like he hasn't been holding onto it that long though. Was it five seconds? Could someone actually get out that fast?
But then the building groans and starts to collapse further, so Rin doesn't question Soma's speediness. Instead, he lets out a yelp and starts shoving at Soma, trying to get him to step back from the collapsing house.]
no subject
Soma doesn't need telling twice, quickly acquiescing to Rin's shoving. It's not like he wants a concussion either, after all.]
Well... least we won't have to pull it apart. Maybe we'll find something in the wreckage, when we dig it all out.
no subject
Hopefully whoever was living here isn't planning on moving back...
[He does feel a little guilty about helping to destroy this house. Also don't tell him that this house is so burned that the occupants are probably dead, let him dream.]
no subject
...Not that Soma looks any older.]
Yeah. Getting insurance out here must be a real pain in the ass.