TDM 004

[etrayamods]

⏵ the usual arrival ⏴ NOTES\WARNINGS: Horror elements, themes of addiction, supernatural changes, light mind control Arrival goes as anticipated. Characters awaken in the sterile white glow of artificial lights, the hum of soft machinery thrumming in the background like a mechanical lullaby. The hospital room is pristine - almost too pristine - sterile, but oddly calming. Every surface gleams in a way that feels calculated as if someone had specifically designed the space to be comforting. Yet, a faint whiff of antiseptic clings to the air, and the silence feels unnatural. The first face they see is Aurora's: her smile appears to be warm, but it doesn't quite reach her eyes. She might offer a quick explanation, or leave characters to figure it out for themselves depending on their approach. The door to the room swings open, revealing a hallway that stretches out ahead of them. They're free to explore their surroundings now, but something tells them this place is more than just a hospital. The lobby is a stark contrast to the sterile rooms above. It's warm, almost welcoming. Currently, an array of cookie trays are strewn about the area just inside the door that leads them to the outside world, decorated with frosting shaped into leaves, pumpkins, and the occasional snowman. They aren't perfect, but - the companion bots tried their best, they're still figuring out this whole cookie decorating thing. At least most of the cookies are normal cookie flavors this time. However, it doesn't feel as if this is what they should be eating. Something is telling them to go outside. To find something more filling. ⏵ the unusual arrival ⏴ Perhaps you skip all of that, somehow, slipping through the cracks of the system. You arrive outside of the normal purview, outside of the hospital walls. Perhaps you come to, standing in line for a food truck covered in slime. You could be anywhere, though. At the Diner, perhaps the apartments, or a random shop. Anywhere. It’s okay, though. This has happened before, and they are more prepared for it. No matter where you are, the helper bots will be ready with a quick and convenient remedy. A companion bot approaches you, bidding you to step into a clear tube. Should you do so, it will seal before power-washing you from head to toe in an efficient handful of seconds. And then it will release you, sopping wet but clean! Oh dear, are you catching a bit of a chill? …They will come up with a solution for that next time, I’m afraid. ⏵ lunchtime ⏴ As the swelter of summer begins to fade into the first hints of autumn, a small fleet of food trucks arrives in each part of Etraya. When you arrive at one they offer a stamp card with a little map of Etraya and the location of each truck’s loop. "Make sure you don’t lose it," the cashier warns in a friendly tone despite their vague and shadowy visage. Once you begin sampling their offerings, stopping becomes near-impossible. The food is delicious--or seems to be. However, each dish comes with a catch, and the more you eat, the more its effects intensify. To break this curse, one must sample all and fill their stamp cards. Traveling between the Apartments, Hospital, Ramsey Farm, S.T.A.R. Labs, Bangsan Market, and Corrine’s Cafe, Bau Haus serves dumplings and bao so good you'll start feeling feral for them. And the more you eat, the more animalistic you become - your senses sharpen, your temper flares. Senses and reflexes may become sharper, and boy does that slab of uncooked meat sound satisfying. Do you feel the need to growl at people who come too close to you and your meal? Surely that can't be related. Moving between Hannibal Lecter’s house, Sector 5 Church, Wayne Tower, Daily Planet, Shinra HQ, and Clint Barton’s Apartment Building, the Owl Feather serves soothing tea and delicious boba. But overindulgence may make you overly affectionate and obsessed with helping others, whether they want it or not. Muy Biento serves Mexi-Japanese fusion bento boxes from the Avengers Compound, Bishop Publishing, Dhali-Wal-To-Wall Books, and Cafe Millennia. There are teriyaki chimichangas, tempura carne asada, carnitas onigiri, and more. After a meal, you begin seeing ghosts out of the corner of your eye, always vanishing when you turn to look. Serving fried chocobo and "popoto" wedges, The Golden Chocobo makes you ravenous no matter how much you eat. Soon, you'll be eyeing increasingly strange items to satisfy your hunger. It travels between Ebbet’s Field, the Diner, Wayne Manor, and the Bunker. Offering crepes between Xavier Institute, Harry’s Hideaway Pub, Roxx, Kwikk Trip, and Big Belly, Thyme Served’s food seems innocent enough—until the night terrors begin. The more you eat, the worse they get, with the truck still there the next day, calling for you. Perhaps… a banana one this time. Bill’s Buffalo Burgers travels between Beviin-Vasur Farm, Point Blanc Academy, and Muten-Ichi-Ryu Dojo and serves only one burger - topped with pork rinds for a satisfying crunch, but it sounds good to you. However, after your first bite, you're told there's a price: a lock of someone else’s hair. Refuse, and it will feel like hair is stuck in your mouth, driving you mad until you pay the price. After all that trouble, you go home and can’t stop thinking about getting another burger. Offering blue milkshakes and ice cream, repeated visits to the Milk Man will turn your tongue—and eventually your blood—blue. A creeping chill settles in, growing worse each time until no amount of warmth can help. ⏵ nova city ⏴ Nova City, vast and sprawling in its corner of Etraya, remains mostly abandoned. Its towering buildings stand silently, watching over empty streets where only stray cats and the occasional bird roam. The dragon, Zhaera, perches protectively atop the tallest spire at the heart of this desolate city. She has been guarding her egg since her arrival, waiting for the young dragon within to mature enough it can survive in the outside world. As its incubation period draws near, her anxiety grows. A tremor spreads through Etraya, an instinctive call to those nearby. As the egg nears its hatching, strange forces awaken within Etraya itself, spreading too into Nova City. Shadowy creatures crawl out from the ground, surrounding the tower the dragon and her unborn child have taken shelter on. The air crackles with the energy coming from the egg itself, and the cats throughout the city seem unsettled. The sheer amount of magic the egg gives off is enough to attract anyone capable of sensing it. The dragon, normally composed and fierce, appears to be visibly distressed by the changes going on in the city below it. Her maw opens, sending flames to ward off the inky black tendrils intent on getting to her egg. But she may need some assistance keeping it safe. ⏵ NOTES ⏴ This TDM covers September and October. The events happening in the TDM are game canon. Threads can be kept as game canon if wanted! For any questions relating to the contents of this log, please use the mod queries thread. All other questions can be directed to the FAQ.

Comments

heather mason ― silent hill 3

[ingestion]

‣ usual arrival

( 'they've come to witness the beginning, the rebirth of paradise despoiled by mankind.'

these were the words that seemed to wrap themselves around heather's mind, echoing and calling for her as her body lied paralyzed on the bed underneath her. her mind was so tired of fighting and running, witnessing needless deaths, one after another. even though she had found her mind was awake now, her body refused to move. it was as if she were trapped within herself, a whirlwind of emotions taking over. eventually though, her eyes began to open and she was flooded in with an array of bright lights and information she could barely grasp or understand.

finally though, she pushed herself up with a loud groan and got off the bed, nearly falling down from it. the scene before her is familiar, a little too familiar if she were asked. at least there wasn't blood and grime all over the walls or at least not yet.

soon though, she's venturing out the door and the first thing that caught her attention was the lobby. she went to it and for the first time, she found herself shocked. this wasn't silent hill, was it? the brookhaven hospital wasn't as inviting or warm, and much less had cookies.

like a small child, she silently walked alongside them. her head was tilted downwards and taking in each tray as she passed it, as if it would jump out at her and attack. eventually though she made it outside and whoever happened to accidentally bump into her, would be able to sense just how tense and worried she was. )

Oh....sorry....

( she apologized, holding her hands up before speaking once more. )

Hey, wait. Is this....is this still Silent Hill?

‣ lunchtime ― owlfeather

( intuition and self-perseverance were traits harry mason instilled in heather at a young age, to protect herself from both predators and cult-members alike. she was never this careless nor trusting of anyone or anything but she was a teen girl after all-

who could truly resist free food when others had been consuming it without a care? it was like watching what animals in the wild ate and following along. only she didn't realize she was being led by the blind. at first she didn't seem phased by the first food truck as she found herself quickly moving onto the next, one stamp from the bau haus on her card.

now however, she could sense something was off about her. there was no 'other-self' speaking or acting for her as far as she could tell, instead it was a strange feeling sweeping her up. she couldn't explain it, but she was starting to become desperate for love and to serve others in an almost spiritual way. it wasn't that she wasn't a kind person, but she was rough around the edges and it took her time to open up to anyone.

with the food in her stomach fueling her new attitude though, whoever happened to be near her would be approached with a soft expression, and if allowed, she would gently touch their shoulder. her gaze was magnetizing, a desperate yearning to have her heart pour out love that even an ocean could not contain. )

You seem to be in need of something...I don't know, but I want to help you.

‣ lunchtime ― thyme served

cw: blood/body horror mentions

( by now heather had caught onto what exactly was going on with the stamp system and the food trucks. after embarrassing herself earlier with anyone who caught her at such a loving and vulnerable state, she was now rushing through each one as soon as possible to avoid whatever other curse would be thrown at her.

unfortunately, after consuming and ingesting so much food, she started to feel sick and dizzy. it was then when she approached the thyme and saw normal western food for once, that she thought she would at least be okay. what was the worst that could happen?

so boldly and ignorantly, she decided to go slow with this meal and take her time. she finished it up and sat around, sighing softly as she rested her head onto her hand, leaning onto the table. despite this place seeming okay, she was starting to wonder if this was truly a different place or just the town of silent hill playing tricks on her mind.

whatever the true answer was, she eventually found herself falling asleep on the table. she began to dream of her father, still alive and well and having a nice conversation with her. soon though, his face began to melt off of his skull and blood began to pour from his mouth. whoever happened to be nearby would get to hear heather bolt up from the table and scream out violently as she began to thrash about. )

Father! No, please don't die again....I can't handle being alone again....

( distressed and with wide eyes, she began to fall onto the ground. her hands gripped the sides of her head, screams filling up the space around her. )

‣ wildcard

(ooc | feel free to come up with anything! you can shoot me a dm for further plotting/contact information.)

lunctime/wildcard-ish

[banworthy]

They really know how to get my goat.

[ Vincent snarls this at no one in particular. Instead, he glares at the stamp card in front of his eyes as he walks. Eating a crepe had led to horrific terrors the night after yet he yearned for the food a day later. Trial and error brought him to the conclusion that the horrors would end so long as he filled the card. Why give it in the first place if it wasn't some clue?

His home has taught him the importance of unimportant events and items. It taught him the meaning of subtlety and insanity. Still, he slaps the stamp card against his palm, as he heads to Owlfeather. Yet he's surprised by who he happens to see there - well, the surprise fades as he chuckles to himself seconds later.

Swooping in, he taps her shoulder like she reaches out to tap someone else's. ]

I don't know whether to say this is unlike you or not. [ The willingness and desire to help others; he is honest in what he says that it doesn't seem like her. But, then again, the people begging for her help and assistance were all trying to manipulate her in some way. So, what does he know? ] Anyway... shouldn't you be more concerned about yourself, Heather?

[ingestion]

( despite the food affecting her overall demeanor, the trauma and anxiety that came with nearly facing god remained in her body. so when she jumped up just a bit from his touch, it was muscle memory acting up. soon though, the previous demeanor she held before swept over her like a warm blanket.

she couldn't remain disturbed for too long-

not when a person she thought was dead was right before her, alive and well. )

Vincent?

( she spoke softly before her body moved on its own, reaching out to grab his shoulders and look up at him with a softness she hadn't had in a long time. )

You're here...alive...how?

[banworthy]

It's as God wills it.

[ A snide remarks slips out before any sincerity. His personality has always been like sandpaper but if he wants to work with others, he smoothes over those parts so that he can use -- ahem, work with -- them as he sees fit. ]

Well, the God of this place. You've already been informed about that, haven't you?

[ This is as close as they've ever gotten. His eyes flick to her hands on his shoulders before returning his stare to her face. ] I didn't know you cared. But I guess seeing a person die in front of you is still upsetting regardless of who you are.

[ingestion]

( he was right about that, it seemed that the more time she spent here, the more she realized this place was far beyond the powers that lured them both into silent hill. this was a completely different place and she was out of her element.

however, that meant he would be too right? he could forgive this moment of kindness and affection from her, spurred on by powers outside of her control. couldn't he? she could only hope.

after a soft smile, she released her grip from him and held her head down. )

You didn't deserve that...not even someone like you deserved that.

[banworthy]

[ His lips pursed at the comment "someone like you" but he accepts her guilt and anguish on his behalf for what it is. ]

Well, no use crying over spilled milk.

[ He had another liquid that he could have substituted but decides to spare her simply because of how upset she seems to be about his death. ] It does make me wonder, though, if I'm only alive for this trial and when this is over, it's over.

[ But simply because he may only be alive for a short period doesn't mean that he isn't going to use every minute and second to his advantage. ] But let's not worry about that, shall we? It's a concern that'll happen when it happens. Surprisingly, dying once tends to make a person not want to count how many hours they have left.

[ Or maybe that's his terrible personality coming to light? ] In any case, welcome to another test and trial for the sake of bringing salvation to our world.

[ingestion]

Yeah..

( for as awful as he was to her back home, he did know how to say the right thing at the right time. even at the expense of her mental sanity.

perhaps the food truly was affecting her more than she wanted it to, because she actually finds herself happy in his presence. it could also be the familiar was more comforting to her than the unknown-

just in the same way she became close to detective douglas, she wondered if the same could happen here. little did she know... )

I guess it could be worse...so far I haven't seen any monsters appear or Claudia at all. Unless..

Is anyone else here?

[banworthy]

Don't mention even that woman!

[ Vincent drops all pretenses in having a warm reunion with Heather. Regardless of what the food has done to her mood, he refuses to speak on that lunatic. ]

I haven't encountered her if she is here. I'm not looking for her, either. [ He spits out the words before pulling back into himself. The anger subsides. It always does. It comes out in bursts but he reigns it in quickly. ]

So far it seems to be us, but I'm not about to advertise anything. Just because I'm in a better -- [ He pauses. ] -- mental headspace doesn't mean she would be. [ He scratches the area above one eyebrow. ] Though, who knows? Many people might be from our world without knowing it.

They just might have escaped ever being called by that town.

[ingestion]

( mood changing food or not, her body immediately reacted to the anger that seemed to swell and come out of vincent. she took a step back, her expression becoming dim. it seemed that despite the fact that he had been given a second chance at life, he hadn't changed one bit.

while the effects of the curse were still strong, that resentment and anger she had towards him was starting to build back up slowly. )

Take it easy Vincent...I was just hoping she wasn't here..

( her mood keeps her from arguing back, but she does hold up her hands. almost as if to protect herself from him. )

I see what you mean...people like the employees at the mall who don't even know about Silent Hill. I kinda thought that might have been the case with everyone else here but I started seeing some strange 'people' who seemed like they came from a dream.

lunchtime - owlfeather

[ornithologist]

[ Harold does seem like he could use help. He's an older man carrying a short stack of aged library books, a task which takes both of his hands as he limps along past the food trucks, eyeing them warily. Dressed in a staid yet tasteful three-piece suit, he has a professorish appearance only enhanced by his glasses and the way he pauses politely at being addressed.

By now he's put together that the food is having untoward affects on people, and his expression rapidly shifts from polite interest to alarm at Heather's question. ]

Oh, dear. [ He thinks fast. He doesn't feel comfortable leaving a young girl out here unattended in this kind of state, and he's certainly not going to take advantage of it. ]

Would you carry my books for me, perhaps?

[ He'd shown up with them in hand and he should probably just discard them somewhere, but there's a certain sentimental stubbornness to holding onto them that Harold can't quite move past. ]

[ingestion]

( although she was distrusting of most adults and those she didn't really know, there was something about the state she was in that was blinding her to her true self. it also didn't help that this man seemed to remind her of her own father-

the books, the polite way of speaking. it made her feel a sense of nostalgia. so with a soft smile, she nodded her head and held out her arms towards the man. )

No problem, just hand them over.

( once she had them in her arms, she held them close and looked onto the other for direction. )

So, where exactly are we taking these anyways?

[ornithologist]

[ Harold smiles, relieved that this ploy seems to work. Maybe partly because it's not entirely a ploy: Harold really does have difficulty getting around, and having his hands free to help him balance is beneficial. ]

I hadn't yet decided. I arrived only this morning and I'm learning my way around.

[ Truthful, and a bit direction-less, nicely open-ended. There's probably nothing he could do if someone truly nefarious came along, but he can at least keep an eye on her and deter the more casual opportunists until the effects wear off. ]

My name is Harold Finch. Were you... ah, having tea? I'm partial myself. [ He is. It's been quite irritating to have to resist the urge to get a nice sencha, but the self-restraint was undoubtedly necessary if this is the outcome. ]

[ingestion]

( if she knew of his difficulties, cursed food or not, she would have helped him regardless. she was a bit rough around the edges, but she was a kind person deep inside. to see someone who was genuine struggling, well she couldn't just abide by that [even someone as cruel as vincent got her to feel some level of empathy for him].

with a soft smile of her own, she followed along and nodded at his words. )

I arrived a day or two ago, and honestly I'm still learning about this place too.

( they were technically in competition with each other, weren't they? but she couldn't focus on that right now. no, her mind was full of eagerness to help and be helpful. )

I'm Heather-

( she was about to say her last name but despite the effects of the food, she had made a promise right before harold came along. she wasn't going to divulge too much about herself, he could be a member of the cult from her world. still...last names couldn't hurt, right? one of the leaders of the cult was technically dead and she hadn't been seen around here... )

Heather Mason, and yes I was with that boba thing in it. It was pretty good, to be honest, I'm more of a coffee girl but I liked it.

[ornithologist]

[ Harold's solution to a similar problem is to have a plethora of fake names available to give out at any time. It does seem rather pointless to persist in that here, though; he can call himself whatever he wants and no one else is going to be the wiser. All his normal work fabricating a cover and a background is unnecessary. Not that Finch is his real name either, but it's truer than most. As a point of curiosity, he wonders if she hesitated because Mason is her real surname or a false one.

Unencumbered, Harold moves at a reasonable pace, the overall affect in his suit a bit like a gentleman taking an afternoon constitutional. ] Perhaps we can learn some of our surroundings together, then, Ms. Mason. I do appreciate the help.

[ Harold absolutely does not ascribe to the view that they are in competition with one another. This whole set up is deplorable, if not outright morally offensive, but that doesn't mean they as individuals have to act in accordance with those standards.

Instead, he's having a casual stroll talking about tea with a very nice young lady while he makes sure nothing untoward happens to her. ]

I'm afraid boba is not to my taste, but if you normally appreciate coffee there may be some other teas you'd like.

[ingestion]

( this was surprisingly nice- sure she was being put to work, and helping a stranger of all things, but coming hot off the heels of facing god, and the chaos that she had been in prior to arriving here, well...

it was a nice change to be honest. it helped her relax and feel normal again for once. she wasn't sure what this man's true intentions were and if he could truly be trusted, but she felt no sense of immediate danger from him. perhaps she would come to regret this once the effects wore off but she was going to take this for what it was for now.

a nice conversation about tea with someone who seemed like a kind grandfather figure. )

Yeah, I don't blame you, it's totally a younger person's drink.

( she says, almost sounding old herself. which technically she was, but this body was a teenaged one. )

Is that right? What do you recommend then? I wonder if we could even find it here...

[ornithologist]

[ Has he been classified as grandfatherly? Is he that old now? Goodness. Admittedly, words like goodness in his internal narrative are probably not helping him on that front. Harold prefers to think of himself as avuncular. He's often a mysterious, somewhat detached figure, but he does care.

His life would be far simpler if he didn't care. ]

Hopefully I don't seem all that old, [ Harold says wryly, perfectly self-aware. ] Though really, telling you to try a lesser-known Chinese tea varietal is not likely to help me in that regard.

I believe there is a grocery store nearby -- again, at the risk of being your elderly neighbor, it would be helpful if you could accompany me and carry my things home. We can see if they have lapsang souchong.

[ This is genuinely helpful to him but also a little test to see how much she might still be under the influence. ]

[ingestion]

No not at all, just you know...

( well he's an adult and he probably wouldn't enjoy such sugary drinks and what not. it wasn't an insult at all, it was meant to be endearing. after all, heather had a tendency to bond easily with those she could sense some level of kindness from.

without hesitation, she nodded at him and even seemed excited. this was different for her, being normal for once in such a long time. it felt nice, and she was more than happy to help. )

I don't mind at all, really. Anything you need, I'm happy to help.

( her response made it clear the influence had a tight grip on her- she wasn't able to give him any affection, so it seemed to prolong her willingness to help him even more.

really, she was lucky he was the one who she approached to help. anyone else would have driven her down a dark path. )

thyme

[bookofpowers]

(he didn't mean to bump into her again, not so soon, but it's been a couple of hours and he's still checking place by place, making notes, taking some of the food home with him so he can use it at a different time, if that's even possible. gathering resources, intel - whatever he can take, he's taking, no second thoughts about it.

chrollo wasn't going to wake her from slumber, but it seems whatever is in the food does that either way. goddamnit. he hears the cries, sees the scene, and rushes as fast as he can, a hand very gently setting on her shoulder, his voice low and comforting.)

Hey, hey, you're here, okay? You're okay.

❤️

[ingestion]

( the nightmare had swept her up in a haze of emotions and fears that she thought she had left behind. being in this place meant she had to set her traumas aside and yet here she was, reliving them. the warm touch to her shoulder was enough to silence her for now, but she looked up at chrollo as if she didn’t recognize him at all-

in fact her gaze was wide, filled with confusion. it took her a moment as she stabilized herself and began to realize it had all been a dream.

with cool sweat on her face and a shake of her head, heather finally spoke up. )

Where…what…was that all just…

a dream?

[bookofpowers]

Given you were taking a nap, I'll suppose so.

(or a hallucination, or -- most likely, a side effect from whatever this particular food happens to give the consumer. he'll find out soon enough. without his long jacket fur to drape over her shoulders, he wraps an arm to help her ground.)

Let's take a rest. You helped me, so I'll help you.

[ingestion]

( the sudden warmth from the coat came as a comfort to heather. she wasn't feeling as helpful or affectionate as she had been before, but his kindness here [even if it was repayment], was appreciated.

she rose up from her place on the ground, relying on chrollo for stability. soon she was up from the ground, her head hanging low. )

I..can I tell you something? And you promise not to tell anyone?

( it wasn't anything out of this world, but with her mental state at the worst currently, she needed to tell someone. )

[bookofpowers]

(slowly, but steady, he moves with her step by step to the nearest bench to take a seat on. he wishes he had something to offer, a bottle of water, something to eat, but she asks for something much simpler - secrecy.

that's more than fine with him.)

Of course, what is it?

[ingestion]

( without hesitation she moved alongside him until they reached the bench. the air was much cooler now than when they had first met, so her arms immediately reached for the sides of his jacket and pulled them closer to her.

with a foggy breath, she leaned forward and kept her gaze from him. her eyes were red, bags under them quite heavy. )

I'm...I'm not suppose to tell anyone about my world or myself but....

Fuck it, he doesn't control me. What I dreamt of...how real it felt...it's something I've experienced in my world before too.

[bookofpowers]

(he has to wonder what this world means to her, if she isn't allowed to speak of the one she inhabited. a new start, considering all she says next? not that he believes one can run from where they started.

an arm wraps around her, so she can find some comfort, and perhaps speak a little more. or a lot more.)

Hey, hey, who doesn't? What did you dream of, Heather?

[ingestion]

( in an effort to gather her thoughts and shake of the emotions, anxiety that came from the dream, she took a few deep breaths before leaning into his embrace. he was kind to her so far, so she felt like she could trust him.

at the very least, it wasn't like he could use this against her. vincent and her had argued and come to the somber realization their world may be doom either way. )

You might run into him...he's a weird guy with brown hair and glasses. His name is Vincent and he's from my world.

( she won't say too much, but she needed to vent about the terrors she witnessed back home and here. )

I had a dream of my father...he....was murdered a least a week before I arrived here.