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Well Mod ([personal profile] wellie) wrote in [community profile] wellcome2023-07-19 04:51 pm
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3.0 Test Drive Meme

3.0 Test Drive Meme

Welcome to Well! Characters arrive a little differently this month (see the first prompt). Your character arrives this month in the middle of the formless desert with only a handful of memories, clad in old west style clothes of your choosing, with no items from home.

Anyone is free to play on the TDM, but you need an invite to apply. Feel free to use these prompts, and interact with the arrival or locations. NPCs are around, but only say a certain set of phrases. TDMs can be considered game canon.

This TDM takes place from the first week of August onward, and can happen concurrently with other events during August and September. This will be the only TDM for August, September, and October.

Applications are open July 26th until August 1st, and August 27th until September 1st. Invites are available for friends of current players.

A Little Lost
Content warnings: heat exhaustion, feelings of unreality

You wake up in a sea of sand. It’s hot, and dry, and it seems to go on forever. You don’t remember much about yourself except your name and a handful of memories that most likely aren’t useful right now.

The sand slip-slides under your feet with every step. Sun beats down heavy and hot on your neck and your head. You’re so thirsty. How did you get here? How long have you been walking? Where are you headed? You can’t know. You feel like you’ve been walking forever, but the sun stays high above you, like it’s always noon. It may have been hours, it may have been mere minutes. What are those things circling in the sky above you? Vultures? That can't mean anything good.

Eventually, you find someone else, another new arrival, maybe, or a resident of the town who may have wandered a little too far into the desert. Maybe they have some water on them? Either way, company is exactly what you need right now, because there sure isn’t anything else in this desolate place. Not a cactus, not an animal, not even hints of a town.

Once you’re together, it seems a little easier to move forward. Time starts to move, too. The sun dips in the sky, your feet tread through the sand, and together, eventually you find the town.

If you take too long after you find one another, and the sun sets, be careful. Cacti sprout up closer to town, and after the sun sets, the cacti start to move, and they seem hungry for blood.

tl;dr:
  • This time, new arrivals wake up lost in the middle of a vast desert.
  • There's too much sun, too much sand, vultures circling and too little water.
  • Finding each other makes time start again, and lets you find the town.
  • If you don't make it back to town before nightfall, vicious living cacti appear to attack you.

Face Your Fears
Content warnings: hallucinations, reality shifts

In this town, fear soaks the hot, dry air. It lurks in shadows and the corners of rooms, waiting for their moment. What is it that you fear? Monsters? Disappointing your parents? Maybe you’re afraid that everyone you love will leave you, or that you’ll end up alone. Whatever it is, right now, there’s a chance of becoming very real.

It happens suddenly. Your mind drifts. You lose focus on what you were doing, and when you look up again, the world around you has shifted. What was a nice lunch with a new friend or a fun visit to the saloon becomes a nightmare. What fear manifests is totally up to you, and it can be different every time. The person beside you could become a monster you think is trying to attack you, or you could be suddenly alone in a cold dark space, desolate and empty.

Whatever horror your mind conjures up for you, it will feel real in all ways and with all senses including, of course, your perception of pain. As far as you know, you’re trapped in a nightmare with no way out.

Except, of course, there is a way out: you just need to figure out that it isn’t real. Maybe you’re strong enough to do that on your own; maybe you’ll need help from a friend or a new pal, reaching through the illusion to pull you back. After all, these hallucinations are entirely in the mind of the beholder: to everyone around you, it sure just looks like you’re yelling at your pancakes!

tl;dr:
  • You start hallucinating that the things you fear most are actually happening to you.
  • These fears feel like real, concrete sensory experiences, even though they're only happening in your head.
  • You can escape by recognizing that what's happening isn't real, either on your own or with help.



Bullrider
Content warnings: mild bovine coercion, alcohol

Come on, hot stuff. You know you want to.

Bet you can’t stay on for more than half a minute.

You don’t look too tough.

You think you can tame me?


In the saloon, you hear a voice in your head. It calls to you, the words seductive and enticing: you want to prove it wrong, you want to find out what it’s promising, you hate to lose. Whatever the motivation, you find yourself abandoning your drink and making your way to the new attraction at the back of the saloon: the bull.

It’s a big boy: a massive mechanical bull. Covered in spotted cowhide, with a bull head and big horns, this thing sits on a massive pedestal like a challenge. Around it is spread... relatively thin padding and a flimsy rope to keep the audience back an appropriate distance.

The compulsion keeps a hold on you until you’re on the bull. Maybe you’re on it with a friend, or a stranger, and it starts up with a mechanical buzzing. It starts to sway under you, and now you have just one job: stay on.

It starts easy, but gets harder as it goes along. It’s incredibly difficult to stay on for more than a minute. But during that minute, you feel amazing. You feel hot as hell, in whatever way that works for you: sexy, powerful, bold, in control.

Until he throws you off onto the padding or into the crowd! When you get thrown, there's a good chance you'll go flying into the crowd. Hopefully they're ready to catch you!

If by some miracle you manage to stay on for more than a minute and a half, the bartender slides you a bullrider special: a spicy whiskey cocktail with a hint of lime. Feel free to leave it up to pure chance, and have the mods roll a die for you to see whether you manage to stay on or not.


tl;dr:
  • There's a mechanical bull in the back of the saloon!
  • There's a strange deep voice in your head, coercing you into giving it a shot.
  • It's hard to stay on, but when you're on it, you feel powerful, bold and in control.
  • The padding's pretty thin and you'll get thrown hard when you do. You might hit someone!
  • If you stay on for more than a minute and a half, you'll get a fun little drink as a reward.



sighsheavily: (pic#14281461)

[personal profile] sighsheavily 2023-07-26 08:33 pm (UTC)(link)
[she drags her hands down her face and then up back to press at her temples while he rattles on.]

I did say that, but I have a very strong inkling that we're both too utterly stupid for that right now, thank you. I'll retract my statement.

GADS. I'm so embarrassed. [she scowls over at what she can see of him.

his legs and knees.]


I can't even be mad at you, can I? Because you weren't even trying to seduce me! Stupid! Ugh.
forgeabettertomorrow: (Back to my carefree days)

[personal profile] forgeabettertomorrow 2023-07-26 08:36 pm (UTC)(link)
[He is silent for a couple of minutes. Cecelia might be forgiven for thinking that he just straight up died from how stupid this whole situation is.]

[But finally, she'll hear him snort.]

[And that snort slowly changes into full on laughter.]


Oh...Oh man!

I could totally see how it sounded like I was trying to seduce you! Ahahaha!

[His legs start to kick as he laughs harder.]

I can't believe I fumbled that so hard! I'm such a dumbass! Hahahahaha!
sighsheavily: (pic#16420024)

[personal profile] sighsheavily 2023-07-26 08:38 pm (UTC)(link)
[petulantly:] It's not that funny... [but yes, she agrees: he's stupid.]
forgeabettertomorrow: (We can fly if you believe)

[personal profile] forgeabettertomorrow 2023-07-26 08:44 pm (UTC)(link)
Oh come on, it's hilarious! Two intelligent adults who are clearly attracted to one another completely missing and misinterpreting signals? That's the kind of thing books are written about!

[He heaves an audible but bemused sigh and rolls away from the bed so he can right himself. His spiky blue hair crests the edge of the bed first and then he lays his chin on the mattress like a golden retriever while he looks at her.]

I honestly just wanted you to sleep here with me. During the day we're always working and I know you want to keep this private for now and I want to respect that. I figured when we're here, alone, we can be as close as we want to be. I can hold you and we can just...bask in each other's warmth, you know? I want that. And I think you do too.

As for...the other thing...yeah. I want that too. But I also know that you're still adjusting to all of this at a much slower pace than I am. I care about you too much to barrel into something like that with you. When it happens, I want it to happen because you're ready and you're able to communicate that to me rather than me just...leading you into unknown territory blindly.
sighsheavily: (pic#14281458)

[personal profile] sighsheavily 2023-07-26 08:48 pm (UTC)(link)
[her mouth stays puckered in a displeased pout even as he's making his case, her gaze pointedly across the room, arms folded. of course, she can't stonewall very well, so it's clear his point is getting across - the reasonable one, at least.

but her poor pride!!! she will never financially recover from this.

rigidly:]
I do appreciate that. Truly. It's sensible. [she flicks a glare sidelong before the rest of her head turns.] Maybe be a bit more clarifying next time you're issuing an offer while seductively towering over and kissing me, mm?
forgeabettertomorrow: (I'm about to do something awesome)

[personal profile] forgeabettertomorrow 2023-07-26 08:50 pm (UTC)(link)
[He chokes back another laugh.]

I'll make my intentions more clear from now. I was doing that because I thought you liked it so...

I'm sorry. What can I do to make it up to you?
sighsheavily: (pic#14281461)

[personal profile] sighsheavily 2023-07-26 08:53 pm (UTC)(link)
[bristling, red-faced:] I do like that! But you're not allowed to use that as a, a negotiation tactic! Unless you use better words!

[angrily:] This is a reasonable misunderstanding and I'll choose to forget it after I'm done being utterly mortified, thank you!

[ever get absolved of wrongdoing by someone being so cranky.]
forgeabettertomorrow: (I think I know where I belong)

[personal profile] forgeabettertomorrow 2023-07-26 08:58 pm (UTC)(link)
[Gods she's so damn cute he can't stand it.]

[He climbs back up onto the bed and crawls over to her, reaching out to pull her sideways into his frame.]


Well, if you don't mind, I'm gonna remember it. Because I want to do better and because it's still a happy memory. Embarrassing as it may be.

...Because it's proof that you actually want me.

[He's not entirely sure why that warms his heart so much. When he thinks on it too long, that headache starts to appear...so he can only assume it has to do with his past. He can kinda piece it together from there. He knows he was an orphan after all.]
sighsheavily: (pic#16590723)

[personal profile] sighsheavily 2023-07-26 09:02 pm (UTC)(link)
[she is a small ball of simmering fuss, easily handled and pulled along without breaking her crossed-armed posture or her flush-faced pout.]

Proof. Pah. So now my words are not trustworthy enough, are they?

Dense or complicated: pick one.
forgeabettertomorrow: (this Lance guy sounds alright)

[personal profile] forgeabettertomorrow 2023-07-26 09:05 pm (UTC)(link)
Hey now, is it so wrong that I want to feel and be told I'm desirable?

[Well, if she's not going to pull away he's going to flop them both onto their sides on the bed so they can have a proper cuddle while lying down.]
sighsheavily: (pic#16420024)

[personal profile] sighsheavily 2023-07-26 09:09 pm (UTC)(link)
[once settled in the crook of his arm, she uncurls a bit and turns to better fit in that space against him and make a more comfortable headrest of his shoulder.]

Schedule that after making very specific propositions next time, thank you.
forgeabettertomorrow: (eyyyyyy this guuuuuy)

[personal profile] forgeabettertomorrow 2023-07-26 09:10 pm (UTC)(link)
At least there'll be a next time~
sighsheavily: (pic#14281459)

[personal profile] sighsheavily 2023-07-26 09:11 pm (UTC)(link)
[she scoffs.]

You're so pleased with yourself... The sun truly did boil your brain.
forgeabettertomorrow: (Back to my carefree days)

[personal profile] forgeabettertomorrow 2023-07-26 09:13 pm (UTC)(link)
Of course I'm pleased with myself. You think I know what I'm doing when it comes to romance? I didn't even think I was capable of seduction!

All in all, this has been a huge boost to my confidence. That's a win in my book~

[It really is almost impossible to break his optimism, isn't it.]
sighsheavily: (pic#16416826)

[personal profile] sighsheavily 2023-07-26 09:16 pm (UTC)(link)
[sigh.]

You're welcome. I'll collect backpay later. When I'm done being irritated, thank you.
forgeabettertomorrow: (Ehehehe well...)

[personal profile] forgeabettertomorrow 2023-07-26 09:18 pm (UTC)(link)
I'm alright with that.

[He draws her up a little closer. More securely.]

We've got a lot of work to do starting tomorrow. Should we try and sleep?
sighsheavily: (pic#14315118)

[personal profile] sighsheavily 2023-07-26 09:19 pm (UTC)(link)
You may.

[beat.

...

uh:]
I don't actually...sleep very much. At all. Will that be disruptive?
forgeabettertomorrow: (Just Say Run Goes WIth Everything?)

[personal profile] forgeabettertomorrow 2023-07-26 09:20 pm (UTC)(link)
...You don't? How does that work?

It shouldn't be. I don't really have issues with sleep.
sighsheavily: (pic#14667795)

[personal profile] sighsheavily 2023-07-26 09:21 pm (UTC)(link)
[her exposed shoulder lifts in a shrug.]

I've laid about trying to sleep, but more often than not I just wind up just...drifting in thought, awake. Meditating. Most any time I've properly gone entirely unconscious was due to extreme exhaustion.
forgeabettertomorrow: (I don't really get it but...)

[personal profile] forgeabettertomorrow 2023-07-26 09:23 pm (UTC)(link)
Huh...I guess I have no real room to talk. I mean, I heal faster than anyone and I'm starting to think my stamina is superhuman.

[Discussing stamina shortly after the misunderstanding they just had certainly is a choice.]
sighsheavily: (pic#14667796)

[personal profile] sighsheavily 2023-07-26 09:27 pm (UTC)(link)
[cool something new to ruminate on for her waking hours thanks.]

Mm. But do you startle or react dramatically when unintentionally awoken? I am asking in advance of being, say, thrown or something inadvertently.
forgeabettertomorrow: (Ehehehe well...)

[personal profile] forgeabettertomorrow 2023-07-26 09:28 pm (UTC)(link)
No? I mean, as long as it's not a violent awakening. If you just jostle me a bit, I'll probably just fall back asleep.

It'll be fine, don't worry.
sighsheavily: (pic#14667794)

[personal profile] sighsheavily 2023-07-26 09:31 pm (UTC)(link)
[she unfolds her arms and turns a bit further, draping one around his chest.]

I think it was a reasonable question; I don't have the constitution for any further confusion right now.
forgeabettertomorrow: (Ehehehe well...)

[personal profile] forgeabettertomorrow 2023-07-26 09:36 pm (UTC)(link)
It was. We've got a lot to learn about each other so...

[He laughs a bit, a tinge of nervousness coloring the sound.]

...Our first night together. You think you'll be able to relax?
sighsheavily: (pic#14667795)

[personal profile] sighsheavily 2023-07-26 09:38 pm (UTC)(link)
Not for a while. Not unless you do sleep, I wager. You tend to...be the one who shows it's safe to feel one way or another.

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