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memestertrucks2025-01-01 12:01 am
monstertruckers) wrote in memestertrucks2025-01-01 12:01 am
Entry tags:
JANUARY TDM
After tumbling through shadow you find yourself in a shrouded, ruined garage. It’s full of shattered windows and broken mechanical equipment; watch out for shards on the floor, in between the strange symbols scrawled into the ground. Outside the daylight is fading; night is rolling in, and there’s just a few dying lights flickering on and off. It’s going to be hard to see in here and avoid bumping into things and people, if you don’t get outside soon.
Beyond the rundown garage is an overgrown gas station surrounded by thick, wetland forest. Starlight is streaming through the trees, along with light from a broken moon. The one thing that isn’t overgrown with plants is a large Convoy of vehicles, parked right underneath the station canopy.
01: START UP
The Convoy looks like a cross between a semi truck and a train; there’s no one at the front, but there’s still power humming through the entire Convoy. It’s also the most hospitable thing in sight. Why not make yourself at home a little? You just have to chase that eerie, empty feeling since there’s no one else present.
Alternately, there are the cars scattered around the Convoy; all of them in better shape than the gas station. And some of them looking and feeling almost like they might belong to you. That feeling is only increased, when you see there’s a key to the car nearby. Perhaps the key is already in the ignition, on the dashboard… It may have even been on your person, ever since you woke up in that garage. Either way, you have the keys to the vehicle now.
…But there’s a few rough edges on these vehicles. Flat tires, cracked windows and mirrors, maybe some stuck doors and locks; all of them the sort of thing that requires two pairs of hands and supplies. The garage can take care of the supplies… Now it’s just a matter of finding some extra hands.
Alternately, there are the cars scattered around the Convoy; all of them in better shape than the gas station. And some of them looking and feeling almost like they might belong to you. That feeling is only increased, when you see there’s a key to the car nearby. Perhaps the key is already in the ignition, on the dashboard… It may have even been on your person, ever since you woke up in that garage. Either way, you have the keys to the vehicle now.
…But there’s a few rough edges on these vehicles. Flat tires, cracked windows and mirrors, maybe some stuck doors and locks; all of them the sort of thing that requires two pairs of hands and supplies. The garage can take care of the supplies… Now it’s just a matter of finding some extra hands.
02: RUIN EXPLORATION
The ruined gas station and garage are the only man-made structures around, and have seen better days. The store still holds packaged food, and tepid drinks of all sorts. The garage has old mechanical equipment for working on cars, along with that strange summoning circle.
There's also a giant tree bursting through the gas station roof. And clinging to its branches, half melted into the surface, are metallic bodies. Graffiti is spray painted onto the tree, reading ‘avoid the Husks.’
Those who ignore the warning and get closer hear a faint hum coming off those bodies. It’s almost like whispers, though it’s impossible to make out any clear words. Some Husks are clutching supplies in metal fists. For a few unlucky new arrivals, those Husks might even be holding the keys to their vehicles.
Making direct contact with the Husks intensifies the hum, and the whispers begin to form into pained cries, and give the impression of something rummaging through their thoughts; trying to pry out things that hurt Drifters, and reflecting those hurtful things on the bodies of the Husks for anyone to see.
There's also a giant tree bursting through the gas station roof. And clinging to its branches, half melted into the surface, are metallic bodies. Graffiti is spray painted onto the tree, reading ‘avoid the Husks.’
Those who ignore the warning and get closer hear a faint hum coming off those bodies. It’s almost like whispers, though it’s impossible to make out any clear words. Some Husks are clutching supplies in metal fists. For a few unlucky new arrivals, those Husks might even be holding the keys to their vehicles.
Making direct contact with the Husks intensifies the hum, and the whispers begin to form into pained cries, and give the impression of something rummaging through their thoughts; trying to pry out things that hurt Drifters, and reflecting those hurtful things on the bodies of the Husks for anyone to see.
03: MONSTER ATTACK
The night grows darker, and the shadows grow deeper. And from those shadows comes the glint of something moving across the Husks, rippling over the metal… And breaking it apart in a flurry of too sharp claws and teeth. That’s when the radio chooses to come on in another mess of static.
Be careful- Keep your fear and rage in check- Calls the monsters- We need the shield up-
The warning comes too late as monsters arrive. Some human-like but with razor teeth mouths that stretch from face to groin; others resembling alligators with bloated proportions and jaws that spit lightning; and still others where the vegetation has come to life, sporting thorn covered appendages.
The Pisaca monsters act as shock troopers, wearing the Convoy down with venomous bites and debilitating howls, before the heavy and brutish alligators bull in, using their bulk and electric attacks to obliterate what’s left. The capparwires scurry in the periphery, taking cheap shots with thorny vines and sparking electricity where they can. It’s a task to keep the monsters at bay until the generator fires up. Especially when one last enemy makes an appearance…
Be careful- Keep your fear and rage in check- Calls the monsters- We need the shield up-
The warning comes too late as monsters arrive. Some human-like but with razor teeth mouths that stretch from face to groin; others resembling alligators with bloated proportions and jaws that spit lightning; and still others where the vegetation has come to life, sporting thorn covered appendages.
The Pisaca monsters act as shock troopers, wearing the Convoy down with venomous bites and debilitating howls, before the heavy and brutish alligators bull in, using their bulk and electric attacks to obliterate what’s left. The capparwires scurry in the periphery, taking cheap shots with thorny vines and sparking electricity where they can. It’s a task to keep the monsters at bay until the generator fires up. Especially when one last enemy makes an appearance…
03-A: MIRRORMIC
There's as a metallic shiver along one of the remaining Husks, and a strange ringing whisper in the ears. The next moment, the Husk breaks open in a gleaming pool of quicksilver. That quicksilver catches reflections, and molds itself into a darker copy of a Drifter.
The mirror monster whispers faults and secrets at the reflected Drifter, and anyone close by. It tries to goad Drifters into an attack. And when struck, the mirror monster plays its second trick; whatever damage it takes is reflected back onto the Drifter as a transformation. An injury to the arm transforms the Drifter's arm, and so on.
It's possible to banish this monster through direct lights shone on it from a car, flashlight, or magic… But such action needs to be swift, before the Mirrormic completely changes its Drifter.
03-B: BOMBADGY BOMBARDMENT
Before, during and even a little after the monster attack, there’s an extra presence scurrying around the vehicles, snuffling and barking when startled. A band of chunky, raccoon-esque monsters known as the bombadgy are raiding anything that looks like it could be food storage… And this includes vehicles!
The bombadgy’s claws are deft and sharp with tearing through windows and door seams. These creatures are a touch skittish and won’t attack unless provoked. They also can expel a flammable gas… And this means they can explode if sufficiently spooked or stressed. This also means that they can be treated as living bombs, and be lobbed at other threats if needed.
04: WIND DOWN
During the monster attack, there’s changes gripping the Convoy, and especially the people in it. It might feel like your control is getting worn away by the second… At least until something in the trucks starts to whirr to life. It’s a soft enough noise, little more than a hum as something blooms out of the engines. It fast turns into a shield that envelops the Convoy in a shimmering, glowing dome.
And while it might not be enough to reverse those changes, it can at least stop them from growing any worse. Give you a moment of breathing space to adjust to everything that’s happened, and give you some measure of clarity and control. There’s time to breathe and mend now. Take stock of one’s injuries and changes.
But there’s a few strange surprises still waiting, it seems. Because the corpses of the monsters begin to disintegrate, like they are bleeding out motes of sickly light. Light that you quickly absorb; it has the side effect of lessening pain, even mending wounds… Though it might make you feel a bit off. Maybe a little more excitable, maybe a little more irritable, or maybe expressing a certain odd psychological quirk. Still, that sudden surge should pass in about an hour or so; just need to keep it together until then. Perhaps with a little company.
And while it might not be enough to reverse those changes, it can at least stop them from growing any worse. Give you a moment of breathing space to adjust to everything that’s happened, and give you some measure of clarity and control. There’s time to breathe and mend now. Take stock of one’s injuries and changes.
But there’s a few strange surprises still waiting, it seems. Because the corpses of the monsters begin to disintegrate, like they are bleeding out motes of sickly light. Light that you quickly absorb; it has the side effect of lessening pain, even mending wounds… Though it might make you feel a bit off. Maybe a little more excitable, maybe a little more irritable, or maybe expressing a certain odd psychological quirk. Still, that sudden surge should pass in about an hour or so; just need to keep it together until then. Perhaps with a little company.
05: CAMP
A screen in the Convoy flickers to life. The image isn't visible through a snowfield of static. Same with the audio:
“Still… Alive? Good. Connection- Can’t hear you. Can't talk. Convoy will- take you closer to Nirvana.”
After that, the connection is dropped, leaving a collection of text:
I’m sorry. I have no answers for you. But you’re still alive. You’re not as broken as the rest of the world. When the sun rises, this Convoy and all the cars around it will start moving North towards Nirvana. If you want answers, and to stay as close to human as you can… I suggest you stay with the Convoy. Good luck.
A last alert flashes across the screen: “TESTING LOCAL NETWORK CONNECTION.” And then… Music starts to play on the speakers. Mellow guitar and brass music that’s at odds with all the weird that’s happened recently, but perhaps just the thing to relax to.
“Still… Alive? Good. Connection- Can’t hear you. Can't talk. Convoy will- take you closer to Nirvana.”
After that, the connection is dropped, leaving a collection of text:
I’m sorry. I have no answers for you. But you’re still alive. You’re not as broken as the rest of the world. When the sun rises, this Convoy and all the cars around it will start moving North towards Nirvana. If you want answers, and to stay as close to human as you can… I suggest you stay with the Convoy. Good luck.
A last alert flashes across the screen: “TESTING LOCAL NETWORK CONNECTION.” And then… Music starts to play on the speakers. Mellow guitar and brass music that’s at odds with all the weird that’s happened recently, but perhaps just the thing to relax to.
MICRO ENCOUNTERS:
PLEASE NOTE! These are small bits of set dressing for players to include in threads if they wish, rather than full fledged prompts or events. You may handwave your exploration of these areas, or thread them out.
Race Track: There’s a race track that winds around the gas station! It’s a bit threadbare in places and little more than a mossy and muddy trail. But it’s still a race track that weaves under and over trees, and seems like a good place to test new wheels.
Gone Fishing: The gas station area eventually turns into the start of a swamp; that explains where the alligators came from. It may be possible to do a little bit of fishing, though the fish are just as weird as everything else. Still edible though. Swimming in the swamp is not advised. The alligator monsters and fish tend to bite back.
Spray Paint Messages: The paint on the trees and gas station is starting to fade and wash out, but can still be legible; most of it contains messages warning about the end of the world, prayers to the heavens for mercy, and dire warnings about husks and something called “moon warps.”
03: Triage
Though he'd cut a bloodied swathe during the monster attack, there was almost no evidence of it when he'd reverted. Still, it was hard to avoid getting some blood on his shoes and lower legs walking through what remained of the corpses and viscera on the way back. So he's uninjured, all the blood belonging to the monsters and not himself.
And because he isn't with his tribe, who can understand him with nary a word spoken, he adds-]
I'm fine.
[His gaze very obviously lifts, fixing on the blood oozing from the stranger's cheek before his gaze slides over to the hand covering one ear.]
You should tend to yourself.
no subject
[Not sure if he's unnerved, or impressed. He could always opt for both, Akihiko decides; that is when he isn't wondering over the stranger's clothing and mark on his face. It's a lot of information to take in.]
"Don't worry, I can patch myself up in a second. Just needed to get my breath back, and check everyone else, first."
[And he's compelled to add,]
"It's what I'm supposed to do, in a team.
Even if we just formed that team twenty minutes ago."
no subject
His next words are spoken evenly, not quite judgemental but there's a gentle chiding in it, his gaze not leaving the hand covering Akihiko's ear.]
A medic tends to themselves before others.
[After all, if they're down, who will help the others?]
no subject
...And in my defense. I'm used to a lot worse. Fact that I can still move around and feel my ribs in one piece means I'm lucky."
[Still, he's not going to ignore the advice. Or risk anymore scolding. With a sigh, Akihiko, starts to draw his Evoker-
...And then he remembers how he's already freaked out a few people tonight. This guy looks like he's made of stern stuff, but Akihiko doesn't want to really test that.]
"Ah... To be clear. Not a real gun. I guess you'd call it a focus, to help me cast magic and stitch up my wounds. Normally I'd make a whole speech about how I'm not making this up, but-"
[He gestures to the surrounding area and the dissolving monster corpses. 'Normal' went out the window a while ago.]
no subject
Immediately his gaze flicks to the gun. Or gun-like tool, as it seems; it certainly looks like a striker-fired pistol. But if the stranger says that it helps him cast magic... Well, he knows his own abilities best. Why would he think Serph would think he's making things up?
Serph nods, let's see this healing magic, curious about how this stranger intends to use the gun-focus. Why is it in the shape of a gun? It has a trigger, which implies it is pulled-]
suicidal imagery warning, as you do in Persona 3
He doesn't drop, though; there's the faintest shimmer of something hovering over him, and somehow it makes Akihiko stand up just a bit straighter. That wound along his head starts to heal over and patch up, wiping away the worst of the blood. Leaving him with just a smear of red...
...And still that weird ear sprouting out. Akihiko grimaces as the summon fades away, and runs his hand along his head, feeling out the change still there.]
"Damn. Was hoping it'd fix everything, not just the wound."
no subject
Serph's seen a lot of things but even that gets a reaction out of him, a widening of the eyes and half a start forward. He knows he was told that the gun wasn't real but nevertheless... His gaze flicks up at the being that briefly materialises, taking a step back once it's clear that the stranger has not, in fact, killed himself in front of him. Akechi had one of those... Did he also need to 'shoot' himself in the head, too?
Despite the shocking appearance of self-harm, the wound does indeed close up. What a perfectly normal way to heal a wound. And the cover of mystery over why the stranger was hiding his ear is finally pulled away. A small frown. Is that what the message had meant about people staying close to human? Is he not affected because of the Atma?
lol noSerph gestures towards the canine ear.]
This is new?
[And because it clearly seems to bother the stranger, he adds-]
No matter your appearance, you're still you.
no subject
"Sorry. Little hard to explain it, beyond assuring people the gun isn't real.
I just need to... Sort of silence and focus my thoughts, if I want to work any spells. The Evoker does the job of that."
[He carefully holsters the Evoker.]
"Yeah, it's new. And I keep trying to tell myself that. Still working on believing it."
no subject
There's something he wants to confirm, though.]
I saw a strange being when you [he fishes for a slightly more polite way to say, appeared to shoot yourself in the head] focused. Is that the source of your magic?
no subject
[The gun gets a quick tap, to show what he means.]
"I can do a couple of tricks with mine. Call down lightning, patch people up a little, even if I'm not the dedicated medic on the team. I mostly survived that monster fight because of my Persona."
[And some really weird quirks and fluctuations with his lightning. He doesn't want to dwell on what that could mean, right now.]
no subject
Akechi has a Persona. [He says it assuming Akihiko knows who Akechi is, given the mention of others being 'like him.'] He said his abilities are limited here.
[Serph weighs up how much information he wants to reveal. Once, revealing information of his combat abilities would be a weakness to be exploited. But he isn't in the Junkyard anymore and he will be travelling the same path as those lingering here...]
I am the same.
[He tilts his head, as if to wordlessly ask, Is it the same for you?]
no subject
[The other Persona user looked collected enough. And Akihiko always assumes that if someone has a Persona, they know their way in a fight. Or know how to keep well out of trouble and direct others in battle.
Akihiko closes his eyes, considering the unspoken question.]
"I... Can still call lightning. And patch my wounds. But now that you mention it, feels like something is missing outside of those two things. Don't know if I'd be able to kick my speed up a notch, if I had to. And I was never able to command my Persona to do any attacks, outside of magic.
Something happened to us, didn't it? And it's STILL happening to us."
[Oh. He's not happy about that, as the growl in the back of his throat shows.]
no subject
Listening, Serph remains calm even in the face of Akihiko's rising frustration. He remembers the fear that arose from not knowing or understanding the nature of the Atma they had gained... And the anger because it had been forced upon them.]
When I arrived in a new world [before all this] my Atma was diminished. But it didn't matter. Experience stays with you. [A brief pause.] It's the same coming here.
[Anyway, he wonders...]
Maybe this happens because we crossed the borders of worlds.
no subject
Is that like Persona?"
[It's hard for him to keep the curiosity out of his voice, so Akihiko doesn't bother. Instead he leans forward, clearly interested. He also offers a quick nod, accepting the theory about crossing worlds easily enough.
Helps that he does something almost the same, every midnight.]
no subject
A transformation, not a projection. A demon.
[The brand upon his face pulses with a blue glow, once.]
no subject
[He'll need just a second to process that.
...Maybe another second. Let him turn over all seven words, one at a time, string them all together into something coherent, and then:]
"So what you said before. About still being you...
...I'm guessing you're speaking from experience with this?"
[...Weird.
His hands have opted to shake, given that new set of information.
And they keep shaking, despite his attempts to have them stop, or trying to ball them into fists. Doesn't help that there's a weird burning sensation on the back of his left hand.]
no subject
If Akihiko will allow it, Serph will reach over to place a hand on his shoulder, unflinching and unyielding.]
It's alright to feel.
[Fear, disgust, rage, maybe even exhilaration. Serph doesn't know what exactly Akihiko may be turning into, but he seems to be going through the same struggles so many of his tribe endured as they grappled with their new emotions and Atma.]
You don't need to hide it.
no subject
[So he says... But the idea of showing fear or unease? Something about that rankles and leaves a sour feeling in the back of his throat.
Maybe it's just that he wants to match this stranger, with being unflappable. Or it's that he's used to being the reliable and the strong one.]
"But I'm not... Afraid. I can handle whatever gets thrown at us-"
[He trails off as his hand gives another throb. With a wince, Akihiko pulls at his glove and peels it off his skin. And that's when he looks at a strange, lightning shaped mark slowly forming on the back of his hand.]
"...And that wasn't there before."
no subject
We were afraid when we gained such brands upon our flesh.
[Confused as he wondered if his friends had always sounded the way they did. Something had changed within them all that day. Even Heat, who had embraced the Atma without hesitation, was different.]
It was easier knowing we weren't alone.
[He considers the emotions lining Akihiko's voice. It is clear the situation is rattling him. Not knowing is the most difficult thing, isn't it? Fred's friend... Serph had been direct with what had happened; they must not turn away from the truth.
And so he offers, the brand on his face pulsing gently with blue light-]
Do you want to see?
no subject
[He pauses over that offer. Not every day that someone offers to turn into a monster (or a demon) in front of him. He swallows once, almost ready to say no-
...And then decides, what the hell. Far be it for him to back down from any challenge. He's not about to turn coward now, no matter how much his heart rate is arguing otherwise.
So instead Akihiko settles for a single nod. And reminds himself to keep his hands well away from the Evoker. This is a different sort of challenge; not fighting, just keeping his nerves steady.]
no subject
He wonders, briefly, what exactly happened 5 years ago... and then lets go of that thought.]
Remember. I am still myself.
[And so he raises his left hand, his brand glowing a bright, electric blue as lines spread across his face and over the rest of his body. Briefly, his form darkens and shifts, momentarily amorphous as his mass grows -- taller, scaled plating, fish-like fins -- before coalescing into his demon form, humanoid but not human.
And so Serph calmly waits, unmoving save for his breath, observing Akihiko's response with a seemingly eye-less face.]
no subject
...But he decides that staring is okay. Glowing digital lines are a new thing for him, and it turns out he can still be surprised. Especially because he wasn't quite thinking of 'tall, bone plated figure with no eyes' when he thought of the word 'demon.'
Akihiko allows himself one long breath, and then he speaks.]
"Well... You're not going for my throat. So that much hasn't changed.
Like you said. Still yourself."
[And Akihiko can't help but feel a little satisfied with himself for standing his ground. Good to know he's still got stern stuff in his system, even after a night like this.]
no subject
He ignores the thought.
For now, Serph nods, appearing to 'look' down at Akihiko now that he's taller. When he speaks, his voice is a little more guttural.]
We were not always in control.
[He flexes a hand but does not release the blade hidden within his arm.]
We learned.
[They had to.
Serph reverts, the transformation just as easily coming undone as his demonic form shrinks back into his human shape, gaze flicking to the mark on Akihiko's hand.]
If you need help, I'll be there.