Baymod Helpers (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
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bopbay2025-05-10 10:00 am
bayhelpers) wrote in bopbay2025-05-10 10:00 am
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003 ⟡ MAY TEST DRIVE
⋆✩ test drive 03 ✩⋆
The day begins like any other.
Routines, eventful scenes, and boring errands — no matter what you were in the middle of, there's a moment where everything begins to feel wrong. A searing pain tears through your body, so intense that it feels like every nerve has been struck at once. Muscles spasm, joints scream in protest, and as you double over, you find yourself clawing or clinging at anything within your reach. As your attempts to maintain composure fail you, your bones begin to twist with an agonizing force, the pain rising in a crescendo until it becomes unbearable to even breathe. Then, as quickly as it began, everything stops.
For a single, terrifying moment, there's nothing. No sight, no sound, no touch, no taste, no smell — just the weight of nothingness swallowing you whole. The absence of sensation might even be worse than the pain, leaving you adrift in a void you can't escape. Hopelessness threatens every fiber of your existence, and try as you might to fight it, your darkest thoughts begin to surface, flooding your mind in an onslaught of suffocating feelings and ideas.
In the darkness, you hear a voice.
It's faint, a gentle flashing of something warm along the edges of your mind, like sunlight itself. It's a voice, but you can't identify who or what it comes from, how it sounds, or what it means — still, you know it's directed at you. Something tugs at your heart, a powerful ache that throbs once and ripples outwards. You can feel the aches again, like fresh sores throughout your body. You feel off, like something isn't quite right, like you're not where you should be, or who you should be. But the voice continues, whispered just beyond your understanding. The sound is warm like hope, and it wraps around you, distant yet intent, before you wake up.
i. arrivals
FROM TUNNELS DEEP
The scent of must meets your nostrils, perhaps more strongly than it normally would. To open your eyes is to meet the dark — though if you're fortunate it could be that something about this new body, or perhaps the body of another, leaves some faint illumination to see by. Either way it soon becomes clear that where you are is somewhere underground. They are deep and sprawling tunnels, with corners of some unknown civilization storied away in their many carvings and ruined pottery. Portions of the cavern walls even bear the appearance of old structures and dwellings, as if the earth itself swallowed a city whole.
Trickling through the tunnels in quiet streams are tendrils of fog. It's difficult to see, but not in the least hard to feel. The mist is damp and cloying, clinging to every inch it finds on you to the point that it seems to grasp at the very soul; and the longer one lets it have its way, the worst it feels. You begin to question your body. Your mind. Your very memories — are they really yours?
Staying underground may be unwise anyway. Diglett and Dugtrio soon make themselves known to the weary arrivals here, and unlike these newcomers they have had far too long to succumb to the mist. They will attack without hesitation, and the only options are to fight or flee above ground.
The forest above unfortunately is not much better. The fog here is thick, even if some light somehow makes its way through the canopy above. What could have once been helpful landmarks become sources of dizzying misunderstanding, and the gnarled trees seem to move when no one watches. Rescuers from the city will have their work cut out for them once it becomes clear how many could be stranded out there, and time will be of the essence. The sooner that these wanderers can be brought to the clinic to be treated, the better!
ii. under the weather
RAIN RAIN, GO AWAY
The first thing anyone will notice as the month of May truly sets in, is the rain. Light or heavy, sunny or cloudy, a near constant rain pours down upon Bottlecap Bay and its surrounding areas. There's no escaping it; it pours, and it pours, and it pours ever long, until it becomes impossible to do even basic tasks outside one's dwelling without getting soaked to the bone.
While it's not unusual to receive rain at this time of the year, the amount of rain is unnatural according to the Guild Leaders. To ensure no one suffers any more than they already have, all three are quick to open their doors to these new Pokemon in their midst. Or at least, they're quick to offer other foreigner's doors. Pokemon who originated from other worlds soon find themselves with new bunkmates and housemates, and with the rain as bad as it is there’s no good way to refuse.
It's best to remain in similar company after all, and until there’s time to sort out who fits where, it’s all these newcomers have.
While it's not unusual to receive rain at this time of the year, the amount of rain is unnatural according to the Guild Leaders. To ensure no one suffers any more than they already have, all three are quick to open their doors to these new Pokemon in their midst. Or at least, they're quick to offer other foreigner's doors. Pokemon who originated from other worlds soon find themselves with new bunkmates and housemates, and with the rain as bad as it is there’s no good way to refuse.
It's best to remain in similar company after all, and until there’s time to sort out who fits where, it’s all these newcomers have.
THE WATER CYCLE
While Pokemon begin to settle into their new lives at Bottlecap Bay, the rain continues to fall. On some days it’s harder — hard enough to bring sheets thick enough to blot vision, sharp enough to leave unprotected pelts stinging for minutes after retreating inside. Thunder booms, and lightning flashes, a clear message to all within the city when they see it. These storms are bad. Dangerous. And the danger is in more than just the weather itself.
At first the signs are subtle. Those same symptoms from the forest can be felt, lasting only as long as a Pokemon is damp from the downpour outside. Even the gentle drizzle causes absent thoughts, an empty mind staring into the distant grey skies as you forget.
Staring longer still, as you remember. But is what you're remembering actually yours? Something about the concentration of forest mist in the form of raindrops changes the effects as the days go by. The body and mind rebel against what it knows doesn't belong, and it finally comes bursting out with a shout! Those memories you've seen, they aren't yours! They're someone else's!
And the world needs to hear it!
At first the signs are subtle. Those same symptoms from the forest can be felt, lasting only as long as a Pokemon is damp from the downpour outside. Even the gentle drizzle causes absent thoughts, an empty mind staring into the distant grey skies as you forget.
Staring longer still, as you remember. But is what you're remembering actually yours? Something about the concentration of forest mist in the form of raindrops changes the effects as the days go by. The body and mind rebel against what it knows doesn't belong, and it finally comes bursting out with a shout! Those memories you've seen, they aren't yours! They're someone else's!
And the world needs to hear it!
iii. the archives
RECORDS KEEPING
The longer the rainfall persists, the more clear it is that staying outside is unwise. Not only is it dangerous to non-water type Pokemon's health for the most part, but the full scope of side effects only increase the risks. After one too many shouting matches caused by vitriolic memories, Polteageist offers a simple but beneficial solution. The doors of the archives are opened up, as senior members in the Lum Guild offer up their time as temporary librarians.
Polteageist's solution is as follows; instead of training their bodies out in the rain, everyone will be training their brains. There have been many questions raised over the last number of weeks, and now is the time for everyone to investigate the mysteries. Entering the Archives means entering a building of clear splendor, filled with couches and beanbags for sitting and beautiful flowers and plants to accentuate the green hues within the halls. The shelves are well stocked with records kept on stone tablets, and the additional guides within the guild are eager to help everyone find what they're looking for.
The illustrious leader of the Lum Berries is well aware however, that not everyone is willing to spend all their time reading. As it would be counterproductive to expect anyone to sit twiddling their thumbs (or tails, or ears) he has thus arranged for a few of the archive meeting rooms to host additional activities. They are simple things; there's classes on recording writings properly in clay before firing, minor history lessons where newly arrived Pokemon can share in what many others already know, and even community building exercises. They're nothing like the escape rooms organized during the last two months, but they're good for passing the time.
And eventually, the rain will hopefully calm down. A few skilled Psychic Pokemon are offering their services to keep others dry until then however, at least so that everyone can get home safely.
Polteageist's solution is as follows; instead of training their bodies out in the rain, everyone will be training their brains. There have been many questions raised over the last number of weeks, and now is the time for everyone to investigate the mysteries. Entering the Archives means entering a building of clear splendor, filled with couches and beanbags for sitting and beautiful flowers and plants to accentuate the green hues within the halls. The shelves are well stocked with records kept on stone tablets, and the additional guides within the guild are eager to help everyone find what they're looking for.
The illustrious leader of the Lum Berries is well aware however, that not everyone is willing to spend all their time reading. As it would be counterproductive to expect anyone to sit twiddling their thumbs (or tails, or ears) he has thus arranged for a few of the archive meeting rooms to host additional activities. They are simple things; there's classes on recording writings properly in clay before firing, minor history lessons where newly arrived Pokemon can share in what many others already know, and even community building exercises. They're nothing like the escape rooms organized during the last two months, but they're good for passing the time.
And eventually, the rain will hopefully calm down. A few skilled Psychic Pokemon are offering their services to keep others dry until then however, at least so that everyone can get home safely.
✩ OOC NOTES.
⟡ TDM CWS: body horror, disorientation, hallucinations, dysphoria
⟡ TDMs are game canon and act as events for the month they are posted.
⟡ New characters can link to their top level beneath the NEWBIE DIRECTORY
⟡ All new arrivals are not assigned to any one guild. However, if they participate in the Archive's bonding activities, they may receive a unique reward.
⟡ Remember that at least one thread for your application must come from the TDM! There is no comment minimum, but we will be looking for engagement, as well as for players and characters who take the time to delve into things like character thoughts, emotions, morality, and other deep themes. Take this time to engage with the setting as you would in game!
⟡ As a reminder, reserves and applications are permanently opened. Please see their respective pages for details on processing time.
⟡ Have any questions related to the TDM? Ask here! If your question is more general for the game, please make sure to direct it to the FAQ page instead. Thank you, and happy threading!
⟡ TDMs are game canon and act as events for the month they are posted.
⟡ New characters can link to their top level beneath the NEWBIE DIRECTORY
⟡ All new arrivals are not assigned to any one guild. However, if they participate in the Archive's bonding activities, they may receive a unique reward.
⟡ Remember that at least one thread for your application must come from the TDM! There is no comment minimum, but we will be looking for engagement, as well as for players and characters who take the time to delve into things like character thoughts, emotions, morality, and other deep themes. Take this time to engage with the setting as you would in game!
⟡ As a reminder, reserves and applications are permanently opened. Please see their respective pages for details on processing time.
⟡ Have any questions related to the TDM? Ask here! If your question is more general for the game, please make sure to direct it to the FAQ page instead. Thank you, and happy threading!
i want you to know that i turned on the song Your Best Nightmare RIGHT before you responded.
EHEHEH... sorry. I, TECHNUS, CANNOT CONTROL MY VOLUME VERY WELL.
AND I AM A GHOST! BUT A VERY POWERFUL ONE. I SHALL DEFEND YOU IF YOU NEED IT!
our minds... connected
[How strong can he really be if he's just running around screaming? At the very least, he might serve as a meatshield (ghostshield?), so Flowey will keep him around.]
[This assessment runs through his mind in less than a second, betraying none of it on his face-- mostly. There's just a little quirk in his smile.]
Golly, thanks! I'm lost down here, so I could use the help! I'm Flowey-- and you must be Technus, huh?
no subject
YES! I AM TECHNUS, LORD OF ALL GADGETRY, MANIPULATOR OF MACHINES!
...FLOWEY, HUH? GEEZ LOUISE, YOUR FORM'S SURE FITTING! I'M ASSUMING YOU USED TO LOOK DIFFERENT, TOO?
no subject
What about you, champ? Ghost in your past life, too, or maybe a robot?
no subject
[He furrows his brow, making the wrinkles on his forehead- the feature that most differentiates him from the average Rotom- more pronounced.]
AND NOW I AM STUCK WITHOUT LEGS ONCE AGAIN.
no subject
[Soon, though, his curiosity has outweighed his frustration at his limbless form.] So ghosts are real where you came from? How'd you bite the dust? One of your inventions short-circuit?
no subject
AND YES, GHOSTS ARE REAL WHERE I AM FROM. WE HAVE OUR OWN DIMENSION, CONNECTED TO THE HUMAN WORLD. BUT I FAR PREFER THE HUMAN WORLD.
no subject
Heh. To each their own. I dunno, I think dying of old age is probably way less painful than 'a spectacle'. [Of course, his 'spectacle' was particularly brutal. He doesn't say that, though.]
There are ghosts in my world, too, but they fall under the classification of 'monsters'! The humans locked us all up underground because they were scared. It was kinda like this! [He gestures- as much as one can without arms- all around the tunnels.] The ghosts just came into being, though-- they weren't human before.
sorry for deleting and redoing. i remembered The Fog:tm: and had to change my reply a lot
[Technus looks around at the tunnels, and frowns.]
THAT SOUNDS AWFUL FOR THEM. I WAS LOCKED UP IN THE GHOST ZONE FOR A FEW YEARS, BUT THAT WAS AN INFINITE VOID- UNDERGROUND IS FAR MORE CRAMPED. THEN THERE WAS...
[The fog is creeping up on them, and Technus suddenly can't remember what he was talking about. It feels like a weight off his non-existent shoulders.]
...WELL, THAT'S IRRELEVANT!
[Perhaps Flowey will be the one to pick up that memory up, perhaps not. But it's a strong one. Being trapped in a small, dark space, barely enough room for yourself, desperate for freedom but unable to get it, and swearing vengeance on those brats who locked you up.]
its all good! :]
No... NO!
[The memory leaves his mind, and he realizes that now he's the one who's yelling. Maybe the memory returns to its owner-- maybe not. Either way, Flowey is panting for air like he just swam up from the depths of an inky black ocean.]
W-what the heck was that?! Remind me to never compare with you again! [He starts hopping again, sticking closer to Technus this time for protection. Flowey might have been stuck in a loop for countless months- maybe years- but at least he could move around and experiment.
The memory may creep its way into Technus's mind, too-- everyone he knows becoming nothing more than a collection of variables and lines of dialogue. No longer being able to see them as people. Killing them just in an attempt to feel something.]
no subject
ARE YOU ALRIGHT? DID YOU SEE SOMETHING?
[And then the question is answered as Flowey's memory comes to Technus. Variables, dialogue lines, people as data. Like computer files, he thinks, and it makes a surprising amount of sense. "Deleting" them doesn't.
The memory strikes Technus as incredibly sad. He feels everything incredibly intensely, and the idea of someone lacking feelings so much that they kill to try and feel something... it's something he would never have been able to imagine if he hadn't felt it for himself.]
...NEVERMIND. IT APPEARS I HAVE AS WELL. BAFFLING.
no subject
... But, Technus hasn't acted against him yet. Maybe he'll test the waters a bit.]
... Hey, buddy. You didn't see anything strange, didja? [His smile is guarded.]
no subject
...IT DEPENDS WHAT YOU DEFINE AS "STRANGE." I HAVE SEEN MANY THINGS IN MY TIME.
WAS THAT YOUR MEMORY? THAT COMPUTER WORLD?
no subject
Um... no? [He lies, sweating (somehow, despite being a seed).] I mean, little old me? I'd never hurt a fly! Honest! It must be someone else's.
no subject
I DID NOT MENTION ANY HURTING, SUNSHINE.
no subject
Ah ha ha... heh... hurting? Who said anything about hurting? I wouldn't, um... [He sighs.] Okay, that memory was mine. I was pretty messed up back in my world. But I had a whole thing about it, and I wouldn't say I'm able of feeling bad, but I wouldn't kill anyone again. You don't have to tag along with me anymore.
no no its okay i get it im clarifying mostly for other ppl who may be reading this
[Technus's morals around death and killing are really skewed. So his main issue here is how awkward things have just gotten.]
no subject
[With that, he retreats down a side tunnel.]
and... end thread! that was fun