003 ⟡ MAY TEST DRIVE

[bayhelpers]

⋆✩ 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!

CAUGHT IN THE BRAIN FOG

⟡ While the fog does not cause illness specifically, it is still incredibly dangerous to spend extended periods of time within it. Disorientation, hallucination, as well as mental and physical dysphoria are all symptoms noted from the fog and it is vital to remove oneself from its presence. Fortunately, the symptoms fade quickly once exposure ends.

⟡ The severity of the above varies; characters may feel that time is moving too quickly, or simply become incredibly aware of their inhuman limbs. Players may increase or decrease symptoms as they desire, at this time.

⟡ In addition to the above symptoms, memories become scattered across characters in the fog. The longer one remains within it, the more memory they lose to it — and the more foreign memories they gain. Players are encouraged to offer memories within their top-levels for others to use, but unlike other symptoms, characters need to come in contact with the memory's source to be free of them.

⟡ As many within Bottlecap Bay can guess, the location of all of this is the Southern Forest; which means all the dangers discovered in earlier quests apply. In addition to the disorienting fog, this particular branch of forest is rife with time and space distortions, making it difficult to navigate safely through.

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.

RAIN CHECK

⟡ Though the epidemic from earlier in the year has now passed over, Dr. Denne does not let his guard down. New pokemon are herded to the clinic for mandatory check-ups, to be absolutely safe. The clinic will house pokemon exhibiting any sign of illness, but otherwise send them off to rest in their temporarily assigned housing.

⟡ Unfortunately, many of the offered Guild rooms belong to those recently admitted into the fold. At these lower tiers, rooms are often exposed to incoming water. Rain causes floods to rise up within Oran Guild, bringing at least an inch of rainwater along the shared ground. In the Cheri Guild, it pours between leaves and over walls during particularly stormy weather. The only guild with surefire methods to avoid the rain is Lum Guild; all of these buildings are fully enclosed.

⟡ Even if Pokemon are able to avoid getting wet while sleeping, this won’t spare them when they go outside; it is at minimum drizzling at all times for the rest of the month.

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!

STORMY MOODS

⟡ After May 10th, the rain for the rest of the month is constant. Severity of the downpour is up to the player to decide, but it never stops drizzling at the least.

⟡ While symptoms from earlier prompts can still be in effect, additional consequences are caused by the rain. Light drizzle carries lighter memories; happier thoughts, caring moments. Pokemon capturing these from the rain are drawn to quietly whisper their opinions on such memories, and can pass them to the original owner in this way. Raging storms bring the opposite; Pokemon will inherit despairing, or wrathful memories from another in the rain, and feel compelled to instead shout their opinions to cast the memory aside.

⟡ Despite the above, Pokemon do not need to pass the memory to their original owner to get rid of them. NPCs can be used as well, and it can be assumed the memory eventually made its way home.

⟡ Side effects of the rain carry over into any puddles formed. Sleeping while soaked in water will cause effects to manifest as sleep-talk, and potentially affect their dreams.

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.

SHUSH!

⟡ The Archives, while acting as the base of operations for the Lum Berries Guild, additionally acts as a library. Players are encouraged to come up with their own available texts within these halls, but should keep in mind that not all knowledge is publically available. If a player is unsure about whether or not something can be easily accessed, please comment about the topic under questions.

⟡ Examples of available topics include general folk tales and fairy tales (with examples given here), as well as non-fiction matters such as pokemon types, species, and moves. As a note, paradox pokemon and canonically synthetic pokemon such as Type: Null are not included.

⟡ The history of Bottlecap Bay is no different from what is noted within the game's premise; guild members teaching the history will explain that the settlement came about when a number of Pokemon escaped from human lands, seeking refuge where no humans could be found.

⟡ Players may be creative with team building exercises, provided they would not cause damage to their surroundings; examples include bonding activities such as 'two truths and a lie', '20 Questions', and even scavenger hunts within the public Archive limits. The focus is always upon getting to know one another.

✩ 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!

FULL NAVIGATION

Comments

[rindouweed]

Naturally, yes... [ Unfortunately, it does, no one will remember her son's sweetness. The world will move on. ] The world has to move on.

[technusrulez]

...I SHALL TRY TO BE MORE CAREFUL.

[Technus normally doesn't care about other people very much. But this woman's memories, the love she clearly has for her children, has affected him more than he wants to let on.

A memory slips out from him- covering up the mirrors in his mother's apartment, sitting with her and praying.]

[rindouweed]

[ Oh! ] Yes, that's very good. You should do that. [ Rei nods her head only slightly, ensuring that the agreeable circumstance was made true. When her mind refocuses, she sees the mirrors covered and a woman with whom she is praying. Rather than bring it up, concerned that they are both seeing things likely best kept within their own hearts. She speaks again, ] Do you know where we can go, to stop this madness from happening again...? I don't want to forget my children.

[technusrulez]

IF WE CAN GET IN FROM THE RAIN, AND DRY OFF, IT SHOULD SUBSIDE.

[He looks around.]

NEED TO FIND SOMEWHERE WITH ACTUAL SHELTER...

[rindouweed]

Okay. [ Rei does not look around, she simply watches him quietly instead. ]

Where will we go?

[technusrulez]

HM... THE ARCHIVES ARE DRYEST, IF YOU CAN MAKE IT HALFWAY ACROSS TOWN.

[rindouweed]

Is that where you are headed?

[technusrulez]

YES! COME WITH ME, WE SHALL GET OUT OF THE RAIN TOGETHER.

[rindouweed]

[ Rei steps forward and tries to move herself beside the other, her eyes look up regarding what was above them with wonder. ]

Do you know anything about this place by any chance?

[technusrulez]

DO YOU MEAN THE ENTIRE WORLD, OR THE ARCHIVES SPECIFICALLY? BECAUSE THOSE ARE VERY DIFFERENT ANSWERS.

[He knows a bit about the world, but not much. The creatures here are still strange to him. The world as a whole is still strange to him. He's still trying to wrap his head around the idea of living people having powers.]

[rindouweed]

Is it...? [ Rei cants her head, uncertain of what he means. ] The Archives have information on everything, do they not? I do mean... The world... And this place. Should I just read then?

[technusrulez]

[Technus tries to shrug, but just ends up waving his little lightning arms around.]

THERE IS MUCH TO READ IN THE ARCHIVES. PERHAPS YOU SHOULD ASK ONE WHO HAS BEEN HERE FOR LONGER TO HELP YOU.
BUT WE CANNOT DO THAT IF WE DO NOT GO THERE! FOLLOW ME!

[Base stats say a Rotom is slower than an Alolan Ninetales. But base stats also say that a Hasty Nature boosts speed. And Technus is far more used to floating than Rei is used to being quadrupedal. He spent approximately 30 years stuck with this form of locomotion, after all!

So, all that said- Technus starts floating off at top speed without thinking, and he's fast enough Rei can't catch up with him.

It takes him a bit before he realizes what he's doing, and eventually he turns around to go get Rei.]

...AHA... FOLLOW ME!

[rindouweed]

[ It's okay, Rei will definitely walk in pace with the other as she carefully pads along behind - but then the little Rotom races off and before long Rei is standing there a bit bewildered by what just happened. She doesn't move a pace until she can hear the sound of something coming back, and when she does she steps a bit forward with the sound of her voice a bit lighter as if she had found the exchange funny, ]

No problem, I would be careful though, you seem to be rather fast? Is that normal?

[technusrulez]

I AM USED TO FLYING EVERYWHERE, I FORGET HOW SLOW PEOPLE WITH LEGS CAN BE.

[Since he's died, he's rarely ever touched the ground. And most of the people he knows back home can also fly.]

[rindouweed]

Sorry, I also am new to walking on all fours.... [ Rei steps bit by bit, often looking down at her paws to make sure she isn't stepping over herself. ] It's very different, almost like a rhythm I have to learn.

[technusrulez]

NO, NO, I GET THAT. WHEN I FIRST DIED, I KEPT FLOATING INTO THINGS.

[A memory floats off in the rain- looking down at his own body. He's wearing a labcoat, but below the waist, there's nothing inside it. It swishes like a tail and there's a feeling of fear and horror in the memory.]

cw: 431 spoilers +

[rindouweed]

[ Rei listens and at first, she almost finds it - funny in a manner of speaking. The way he is so forward in how he talks about his death is odd. Unreal even... She almost doesn't believe it until she sees the memory and finds herself hesitant to move forward again. ]

Can you maybe... Not talk about being dead... It's not... It's not your fault, I promise. I just.... [ She is - trying not to think of it. Forcing herself to think of him when he was a kid - a young boy with red hair as it begins to turn white(Toya). Excited, wanting his father to notice him so badly. Talking to her about all the things he's going to do, in order to become the greatest hero ever, she tries to keep that image in mind, but the panic in her stomach rumbles. She knows these memories are being shared by now - and sometimes they are taken away.

Does she want to remember him(toya) in his last moments - dying, broken, and in a metal contraption just biding his time to death - or does she want to remember him as the son she had? The boy that deserved better than what she gave him. ] I'm sorry.

[technusrulez]

SORRY, SORRY. I FORGET IT'S NOT... NORMAL, TO YOU. I AM MORE USED TO INTERACTING WITH OTHERS LIKE MYSELF.

[Technus falls silent, just leading Rei to the Archives building. Ugh, interacting with the living is so hard!]

[rindouweed]

[ It's like a weight, her mind goes temporarily blank, and as she follows, she keeps asking herself the same questions over and over again. Quiet, despite seeing the Archives in the distance - ]

Are you okay with being a ghost?

[technusrulez]

I THOUGHT YOU WANTED ME TO STOP TALKING ABOUT IT!

BUT YES, I AM. I WAS OLD, AND WOULD HAVE DIED SOON REGARDLESS! AT LEAST THIS WAY I CAN CONTINUE EXISTING!

[rindouweed]

[ She did, very honestly did, but some part of her wanted to know - ]

Does it happen to everyone?

[technusrulez]

...THERE ARE BILLIONS OF PEOPLE ALIVE AT ANY GIVEN MOMENT IN TIME, AND AT LEAST ONE PERSON DYING AT ANY GIVEN MOMENT IN TIME.
AND ABSENCE OF EVIDENCE IS NOT EVIDENCE OF ABSENCE.
THEREFORE, IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO KNOW IF EVERYONE BECOMES A GHOST WHEN THEY DIE OR NOT!

[That's the gentlest way he can put it.]

[rindouweed]

[ Rei nods her head in response, mind still burning with thoughts. She isn't thinking of any sort of memory, and instead, just going through logic in her mind. Finding herself sometimes feeling at odds with this new information she keeps coming to. ]

I think I will do some reading at this.... ? Archives?

[technusrulez]

GOOD IDEA! I HAVE BEEN READING THROUGH AS MUCH OF IT AS I CAN, ALTHOUGH I DO OCCASIONALLY NEED TO LEAVE IN ORDER TO EAT AND SLEEP.
IF YOU CANNOT GET SOMETHING OFF THE SHELF, ASK SOMEONE ELSE TO ACQUIRE IT FOR YOU- THE PEOPLE HERE ARE HELPFUL.

we can wrap here? if you want ♥

[rindouweed]

[ Rei stares at the building in question, looking it over with thoughts in mind. ]

Thank you.

[ She means that, in a lot ofways. ]