Baymod Helpers (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
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bopbay2025-09-10 10:16 am
bayhelpers) wrote in bopbay2025-09-10 10:16 am
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005 ⟡ SEPTEMBER TEST DRIVE
⋆✩ test drive 05 ✩⋆
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
HIDDEN IN THE TALL GRASS
All around you now, is the scent of loam and plantlife. It is just slightly damp - the morning dew has not yet dried, and the sun’s light visible even while the sun still crawls up from the horizon. The grass around you is somehow ridiculously tall however.
Or perhaps you’re just small?
It’s difficult to see much of anything in the fields you’ve arrived in, but at the very least you can see yourself. Your limbs, no longer what they should have been. Your very skin, covered perhaps with fur, scales, or something else entirely. There is much about this situation that bears no answer, but maybe that will change as you wander through the sea of grass.
The sounds of other Pokemon soon become clear to your new ears. Other confused wanderers, fumbling with their new bodies. One by one, you make your way through the grass to each other - or maybe, someone finds you. Pokemon who didn’t wake up dazed in the grass also begin to appear, and they bring with them offers of help and explanation. All of them point toward the same place, eagerly indicating a series of gleaming lights through the blades.
Don’t worry friends - Malamar is here to help!
Or perhaps you’re just small?
It’s difficult to see much of anything in the fields you’ve arrived in, but at the very least you can see yourself. Your limbs, no longer what they should have been. Your very skin, covered perhaps with fur, scales, or something else entirely. There is much about this situation that bears no answer, but maybe that will change as you wander through the sea of grass.
The sounds of other Pokemon soon become clear to your new ears. Other confused wanderers, fumbling with their new bodies. One by one, you make your way through the grass to each other - or maybe, someone finds you. Pokemon who didn’t wake up dazed in the grass also begin to appear, and they bring with them offers of help and explanation. All of them point toward the same place, eagerly indicating a series of gleaming lights through the blades.
Don’t worry friends - Malamar is here to help!
ii. The Town of Death Blood Murder Skull
AN OMEN OF THE SEASONS
Shortly after the sun sets, on the very same day that new arrivals began to wake in the grass, eerie lights and music drift down from one of the distant mountains. They wind their way into the valley, bringing with them an unseasonable chill. Something is coming.
Something is Froslass, queen of those dead by frost and in lonely spaces, and she is on her traditional visit down from the mountains. Does this happen yearly? Every few years? It's hard to tell - Ghosts aren't always the best at keeping track of living time - but however often it is, she is delighted to see that the Ghosts of the forest and valley have built an entire town this time, just for her!
What? Malamar wants her to know it's not just for her? Of course it is, silly! It has Death and Murder and Skulls in the name, doesn't it? She'll even magnanimously accept all these living participants, since they so graciously showed up to pay her tribute.
Quibbles over the town aside, Froslass's presence heralds the beginning of an undead ritual. Ghostly flames make delicate, flickering paths through the valley, visible only at night but felt even during the day. Trip through one of them and you will find yourself shivering, maybe even feeling slightly disconnected from your body.
Froslass herself holds court in town, expecting attention and entertainment, particularly near dawn and dusk. While she's not outright hostile, she is rather volatile: she's easily delighted by anyone who puts in a genuine effort, no matter how unskilled, but she's very quick to anger if she thinks someone isn't sufficiently motivated - or worse, avoiding her! Be ready to either participate or stay far, far away to keep unnoticed. Even that might not save you, as her presence seems to have a very odd effect on Ghosts and even other Pokemon in town. You may be subject to encouragement... and some of it might not be gentle.
Something is Froslass, queen of those dead by frost and in lonely spaces, and she is on her traditional visit down from the mountains. Does this happen yearly? Every few years? It's hard to tell - Ghosts aren't always the best at keeping track of living time - but however often it is, she is delighted to see that the Ghosts of the forest and valley have built an entire town this time, just for her!
What? Malamar wants her to know it's not just for her? Of course it is, silly! It has Death and Murder and Skulls in the name, doesn't it? She'll even magnanimously accept all these living participants, since they so graciously showed up to pay her tribute.
Quibbles over the town aside, Froslass's presence heralds the beginning of an undead ritual. Ghostly flames make delicate, flickering paths through the valley, visible only at night but felt even during the day. Trip through one of them and you will find yourself shivering, maybe even feeling slightly disconnected from your body.
Froslass herself holds court in town, expecting attention and entertainment, particularly near dawn and dusk. While she's not outright hostile, she is rather volatile: she's easily delighted by anyone who puts in a genuine effort, no matter how unskilled, but she's very quick to anger if she thinks someone isn't sufficiently motivated - or worse, avoiding her! Be ready to either participate or stay far, far away to keep unnoticed. Even that might not save you, as her presence seems to have a very odd effect on Ghosts and even other Pokemon in town. You may be subject to encouragement... and some of it might not be gentle.
SOIREES AND SERVICE
Fortunately, the festivities required aren't particularly deadly or horrifying! Froslass expects to be well fed and entertained as recompense for her very important role, but she is very happy to share with everyone as long as she's getting her dues.
Pokemon can choose to help make and serve elaborate dishes for Froslass, and attend on her needs - she'll require them to be well-decorated if so, to match her brilliance! Those who are less skilled with food can choose to sing, tell stories, make music, or dance for her - she particularly enjoys performances with fans or ribbons - or offer her little Ghost Pokemon figures made out of harvest fruits and vegetables. Barring that, Pokemon can decorate Skull Town and their less crafty townmates, making sure everyone is adequately adorned for the occasion (or crafting necessary props like those fans and ribbons)!
Pokemon who aren't particularly artistic have at least one other option: help maintain the ghostly flames throughout the valley. These lights were originally made by Froslass, and while they're currently placed to guide other Ghosts into town, they're being saved for another purpose later. She'll be very put out if any of them are snuffed! Fortunately, the lights are easy to keep flickering. It takes days for one to die, and the judicious application of a Ghost, Fire, or Ice move - or, lacking any of those, the addition of some completely normal kindling - brightens it right up again. There are, however, rather a lot of them...
Froslass outright expects any Pokemon who has taken a turn contributing to the festivities to have some time to enjoy them, too. Come, sit down, have some good food served to you by Pokemon in elaborate outfits, and enjoy a fun diversion! Or at least take a relaxed stroll through town with her and her retinue and take in the atmosphere!
Pokemon can choose to help make and serve elaborate dishes for Froslass, and attend on her needs - she'll require them to be well-decorated if so, to match her brilliance! Those who are less skilled with food can choose to sing, tell stories, make music, or dance for her - she particularly enjoys performances with fans or ribbons - or offer her little Ghost Pokemon figures made out of harvest fruits and vegetables. Barring that, Pokemon can decorate Skull Town and their less crafty townmates, making sure everyone is adequately adorned for the occasion (or crafting necessary props like those fans and ribbons)!
Pokemon who aren't particularly artistic have at least one other option: help maintain the ghostly flames throughout the valley. These lights were originally made by Froslass, and while they're currently placed to guide other Ghosts into town, they're being saved for another purpose later. She'll be very put out if any of them are snuffed! Fortunately, the lights are easy to keep flickering. It takes days for one to die, and the judicious application of a Ghost, Fire, or Ice move - or, lacking any of those, the addition of some completely normal kindling - brightens it right up again. There are, however, rather a lot of them...
Froslass outright expects any Pokemon who has taken a turn contributing to the festivities to have some time to enjoy them, too. Come, sit down, have some good food served to you by Pokemon in elaborate outfits, and enjoy a fun diversion! Or at least take a relaxed stroll through town with her and her retinue and take in the atmosphere!
iii. Fête of the Forgotten
VESSELS SAILING AWAY
As the festivities welcoming the immaculate Froslass settle down, the end of the month gradually brings the true meaning of the occasion to light. When she first arrived, it was easy to lose the facts among the fanaticism - not to mention, Malamar’s frustrations. It’s always difficult when friends fight. However, as the leaves slowly turn to the color of flame and the air begins to crisp for harvest, Skull Town gathers more and more Ghost Pokemon ready to bring forth their core traditions.
A tradition of remembrance. Of connection. A celebration of ‘ghosts’ who no longer walk the mortal realm.
During the final week of September, Pokemon such as Spiritomb and Oricorio begin to reach out to the Outpost citizens to collaborate for their final tradition. Having spent some time among the Pokemon of Bottlecap Bay, they feel confident that the communities of Spectrunk and Bottlecap can harmonize with its meaning. They spin tales of boats sailing across distant seas, and of faint lights floating through the blackest skies to guide spirits to their new home. Here and now, as the summer season officially greets the autumnal one, Pokemon may be granted a chance to reconnect with those who sailed ever further.
Those who sailed beyond, to their final place of rest.
Where the weeks prior were filled with festivities and excitement, the final week of September is a somber time as small boats to carry spirit flames are prepared for the final day. They will sail them down the river and out to the sea as the sun sets in those last moments - a tribute to the departed, as well as a message to those who still reside in the places they came from.
To the quiet surprise of Pokemon beyond this world, it seems there is something to this ritual. As their boat sails outward, spirits of those they left behind in their homes - whether deceased or otherwise - appear before their very eyes! It is a chance perhaps, to get some closure.
Or to simply say hello, as the Ghosts would say.
A tradition of remembrance. Of connection. A celebration of ‘ghosts’ who no longer walk the mortal realm.
During the final week of September, Pokemon such as Spiritomb and Oricorio begin to reach out to the Outpost citizens to collaborate for their final tradition. Having spent some time among the Pokemon of Bottlecap Bay, they feel confident that the communities of Spectrunk and Bottlecap can harmonize with its meaning. They spin tales of boats sailing across distant seas, and of faint lights floating through the blackest skies to guide spirits to their new home. Here and now, as the summer season officially greets the autumnal one, Pokemon may be granted a chance to reconnect with those who sailed ever further.
Those who sailed beyond, to their final place of rest.
Where the weeks prior were filled with festivities and excitement, the final week of September is a somber time as small boats to carry spirit flames are prepared for the final day. They will sail them down the river and out to the sea as the sun sets in those last moments - a tribute to the departed, as well as a message to those who still reside in the places they came from.
To the quiet surprise of Pokemon beyond this world, it seems there is something to this ritual. As their boat sails outward, spirits of those they left behind in their homes - whether deceased or otherwise - appear before their very eyes! It is a chance perhaps, to get some closure.
Or to simply say hello, as the Ghosts would say.
✩ OOC NOTES.
⟡ TDM CWS: Disorientation, Grieving/Death (as a topic of conversation), Hypnosis/Mental Influence
⟡ 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, they may assume themselves to share rooms within any one of them during the course of the TDM.
⟡ 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, they may assume themselves to share rooms within any one of them during the course of the TDM.
⟡ 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!
2
Akechi screeches to a stop, utterly baffled by the strange (and very loud) bug. TV. Quizzes. Physical challenges.
"...Would it not be more comparable to a live performance than television?"
How bizarre.
no subject
"Don't get smart with me, kid," he deadpans, before shamelessly picking the bird up, and plopping him onto the stage without ceremony. "Everyone! Welcome our newest contestant, who has so kindly signed up to one of our patented QUIZZES! Let's give them an applause!"
There's cheering from the surrounding Pokemon, and Tenna bows repeatedly, before turning to the bird.
"So, small round bird-thing, what's your name? Be quick, because you, yes, you are going to star in Mr. Tenna's Marvelous Mystery Challenge!"
no subject
But... there's cheering, and Tenna does place him down quick enough. And, clearly, Froslass is enjoying this, which puts him in a rather difficult spot.
So... fine. 'TV' it is. He takes a deep breath, then slowly exhales. "It's Akechi." There. To the point. "And what exactly does this challenge entail?"
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He doesn't give Akechi time to interject, pulling out a... blank piece of paper? before calling out the first question:
"Question one! What, exactly, does CRT stand for?
A: Copper Red Trinket
B: Corridor Rumbling Travels
C: Caleidoscope of Rotating Triangles
D: Cathode Ray Tube"
... One of those is totally mispelled, but Tenna doesn't care about that! He holds out his arm to Akechi, and grins.
"Now, what's your answer? Time's ticking!"
no subject
He'd rather not don the pleasant mask of the Detective Prince, but he can at least try to engage with the quiz.
"Cathode Ray Tube, of course." He could point out the misspelling of kaleidoscope, but he'll be lenient for Tenna's sake. "These, of course, refer to the tubes within a CRT television."
no subject
The audience cheers for Akechi. You're doing great!
"You must really love TV to know that one! I'm impressed!" Tenna titters happily, before clearing his throat. "But don't get comfortable yet, there are two more questions to go! Ready? Here's the second one!
What's the highly memorable heading of TV Time?
A: Don't Touch that Dial!
B: Marvelous Mystery Challenge
C: Magical Mystery Challenge
D: Don't Lick the Screen!"
no subject
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And the crowd goes wild!
"Good on you for having listening skills!" What. "Because the same can't be said for everyone, haha!" He throws his hands up in the air. "But enough of that! It's now time for your third and final question! Can our Catchy Contestant keep up his streak? Let's find out, folks!"
He clears his throat, and with flourish, pulls another blank piece of paper. There's a dramatic pause, before he speaks once more.
"Final Question! I'm not a TV anymore, but then what the heck am I? No, seriously, I've gotten at least 4 different answers!
A: An Illumise
B: A Ledyba
C: A Kricketot
D: A Volbeat."
He actually looks expectant. Does he even know the answer to his own question...?
no subject
Of course, rather than jump straight to the answer, he might as well use a little showmanship. "An Illumise would almost be a forgivable misconception, as they share many physical similarities with your present form. However, all Illumise are female at birth, so unless one of them transitions, you'll not find a male one."
...Do Pokémon even know about gender transition and drag? Well, that's a question for another day.
"Ledyba, as the name suggests, is a ladybug Pokémon, while Kricketot is a cricket. While both similar in shape and size, the similarities are rather superficial. Thus, the truth of the matter is that you're a Volbeat."
no subject
The crowd cheers, though some of them look a little... confused. Confused cheers!
"Would you look at that! Three wholly correct answers!" The last one couldn't even be incorrect, Tenna. You would've just accepted whatever he told you. "Looks like our catchy contestant is a winner, everyone! Against all odds, he made it through without a hitch! I believe that deserves a thunderous applause!"
The crowd claps and calls Akechi's name! A-catchy! A-catchy!
no subject
"You certainly know how to get an audience's attention."
PANCAKES. ALWAYS PANCAKES
Doubtlessly, most of the audience doesn't know what TV even is. Still, they cheer and whoop, influenced by Tenna's energy and Froslass' magic.
"Right you are! Now, Akechi, you've won, and that means you deserve a prize!" Tenna claps excitedly. "Are you ready? Mike! Bring us-"
... But there is no Mike, he remembers at the last moment, and his energy falters. Though he's quick to recover, hiding it behind a smile.
"Whoops! Apologies, I misspoke. As a reward for winning, you get..."
He briefly descends behind the stage, and fishes out... a stack of pancakes! They're hot and fresh, decorated with a variety of berries!
"... This lovely, homemade meal! Congratulations!"
1/2
Pancakes. It had to be pancakes.
It must be a coincidence. There is no feasible way Tenna could know his history with "delicious pancakes."
2/2
"How thoughtful!" There. Prim and pleasant and, to be fair, it does smell good. "And did you prepare this yourself?"
no subject
He rushes Akechi off-stage, and meanwhile, an... Orthworm crawls by (?) and takes the stage (???).
"Wow! Good job out there, kid! You've got real talent playing the public." He laughs. "It's almost like you've done this before!"
no subject
Ah.
...Right, Tenna had said something. Something about his talent.
Shaking himself out of his stupor, Akechi shifts effortlessly back into a composed state. "There was a time where I was a beloved celebrity, particularly among teenagers."
no subject
"Now is that so?" He sounds way too excited about this. "Ah, I can always tell when someone is a veteran in the entertainment business! Call it a TV's intuition."
He reaches up to adjust his tie, only to remember last-minute that he doesn't have one anymore. He clears his throat.
"You were popular with the youth, then?" He leans a little closer. "So you would say... you know a lot about all the things they enjoy, yes?"
no subject
"You mean that you're a television." A... living television. That does explain some things while failing to explain several others. Give him a moment to process this. "...At any rate, yes. I may know a thing or two."
no subject
Which is fun too, right? Not as fun as a TV, of course, but-
Hey, wait a second! Right, the youth!
"Wonderful." He leans forward again, and there's a bit of a... desperate(???) edge to his voice. "Then, you'd be able to tell me what an email is, yes?"
no subject
But... email. Email of all things.
Akechi's face scrunches up a bit. "You don't know..." Well, fine. "Email stands for 'electronic mail.' It's effectively text-based communication sent through the internet as opposed to communications sent via the postal system."
no subject
"And... how does that work?" He'd heard of the internet from- well, nevermind. But still!
no subject
...
Well, perhaps there is a way.
Akechi hums, brushing his wing below his beak. "The internet is a series of networks that allows the transferal of information across devices in a similar fashion to radio waves, telephone lines, and even broadcast signals. Through the internet, one can access variety of 'websites,' as well as share images, writing, and videos. One could liken email to a phone call that's entirely sent through text."
no subject
"... But why choose it over TV, then?" he asks, quietly. "I... can also share images. And writing. And Video. What's the internet got that I don't?"
... He supposes he can't send phone calls over text... but he probably could! If he tried!
Not to mention...
"What's a 'web site' even? What do spiders have to do with anything?"
no subject
But... hm. Why choose it over TV? His head slightly tilts. Is it that they chose it over TV, really? "I would say that the internet's appeal lies in its interactivity and wealth of material that can be accessed with just a few keystrokes. Forums for communication, venues to share art and written works... Even shopping has grown much easier in the advent of the internet, though I wouldn't say TVs are without their place in the modern age."
no subject
He sounds... offended. Angry. It's just so unfair! Interactivity? That's what games are for, right? Who needs- who needs-
He withers. Oh, he's doing it again, isn't he?
"Sorry I- I didn't mean to yell. Ha-haha, I guess I just don't understand the appeal! Nothing beats classic TV, after all! Of course I have a place in the modern world!"
He sounds more like he's trying to convince himself than Akechi.
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Deltarune chapter 3 spoilers
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