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thecrossinglogs2025-05-16 05:09 pm
thecrossingmods) wrote in thecrossinglogs2025-05-16 05:09 pm
Entry tags:
TEST DRIVE #3
TDM #3
Welcome to The Marsh, wayward souls.
It's good to see you again.
The TDM is game canon and will be active MAY—JUL. For further details about the setting, please reference our current setting page. All the information there is fair game for this TDM.
It's good to see you again.
The TDM is game canon and will be active MAY—JUL. For further details about the setting, please reference our current setting page. All the information there is fair game for this TDM.
arrival
— TANGLED BELOW ( NEW CHARACTERS ONLY )
CW: trapped underwater, drowning
Your journey begins as it has for all of those before you: in The River.
The water is lukewarm, and murky with dirt and vegetation. The surface isn't far away— but it might be hard to tell what direction you need to go in to reach it. To make matters worse, you are tangled in the plantlife around you, and will need to break free in order to escape The River's grip. There are others here who may be able to help you... but they'll have to find you first.
It's not possible for you to drown here; you may or may not recognize that you don't need to breathe, even down here. But every moment you spend with your head below the surface, you will spend trapped in the memory of your death, as if by a flashback. Depending on what brought you here, it may exacerbate your panic and confusion: maybe it isn't reeds, holding you back - maybe it's an assailant's hands; maybe it's not water clouding your vision, maybe it's something else, claustrophobic, smothering you. Or, maybe it's the dreamy, floaty peace you were expecting when you closed your eyes.
Regardless, you'll need to push through — to even start your journey, let alone finish it.
— BALANCED ABOVE ( EXISTING CHARACTERS ONLY )
You've traveled a long way to get here. Finally, there is a reprieve from the heat and chaotic energy of the Desert: the environment emerging around you is cooler and calmer, if not quieter. There are quite a few creatures populating the Marsh, both fantastical and not. Frogs croak quietly from the reeds; fireflies float along the surface of the water.
Wading around and through the muddy shallows of The River isn't exactly comfortable, so it may be a relief when the group comes across a wooden walkway rising out of the water and leading deeper into the Marsh. The planks creak under your weight, but they hold firm, and draw something like a path through the dense same-ness of the environment.
That path is anything but straightforward, though. And in the seemingly-perpetual dusk around you, it might be easy to get turned around: whether you have to retrace your steps from a dead-end, or lose track of others in the gloom.
You must be tired. But surely it's only a little bit further... right?
a marsh less traveled by
— THE VILLAGE
However much further it is, eventually you reach it: a small village, mainly comprised of wooden, multifamily homes lifted above the water on stilts. (Be careful which ones you choose to rest in, though — some of them might wander off with you still inside!) As with the shelters in previous locations, the homes are decorated as if by many tenants before you, continuously building on top of what was there before, and you may happen upon small items you recognize from home.
Unlike previous shelters, these don't seem like they've been abandoned for long. The items you find might be in better condition than they would have been elsewhere, and there might be newer or more comfortable amenities. Beds with softer sheets and more numerous pillows; pantries stocked with shelf-stable foods; unbroken toys or even board games with all their pieces.
Given the nature of The River here, this is also the closest The Ferryman has kept their vigil to the group's living quarters so far. While they still remain on the outskirts of the village — seemingly as separated as they can manage while still casting the Lantern's light where it needs to be — it's not as much of a trek out to see them. You might even pass them more than once on your regular goings-on during the day.
If you continue following the walkways, out to the edges of the village, you'll find a small pier with a number of rowboats lashed against it. They're small, and maybe a bit dusty or mossy, but they're sturdy, and large enough to accommodate two people at a time. There's no one else here but you — presumably no one will mind if you take one out deeper into the Marsh?
mist of memories
— AND BEYOND
There's plenty to be found, if you venture out: from the burping firedamp, to curious reflections of familiar places, to the choking mists of the mangroves.
Try not to get lost in those mists. It's a disorienting situation on its own, but certainly exacerbated by the wraiths that will follow you in great numbers, their misty forms often camouflaged within the mist itself. It's stressful. That must be why you might feel like you're seeing other ghosts in the mist as well, figurative or literal. Snatches of familiarity, just at the edges of your vision; maybe a face you never thought you'd see again.
It's not all dark and dreary, though. There are patches of brightly colored wildflowers growing throughout the Marsh as well, hidden among the leggy roots of trees and patches of reeds out on the water. In particular, the same bright orange marigolds that dotted the path you traveled in from the Desert also peek out in places throughout the Marsh, usually in clumps of three or four. They almost seem to follow you as you pass — maybe, even, smile knowingly at you. But surely that's a trick of the light?
Harder to ignore are the rarer, but unmistakable, bioluminescent blue flowers scattered among the others. If you touch one, it may have something to whisper to you — but if it's a voice, it's almost too soft to hear, and even if you could, the words themselves are unfamiliar.
But there's no one else here but you. Right?
Image credits: 1, 2 + stock imagery unless otherwise noted
Your journey begins as it has for all of those before you: in The River.
The water is lukewarm, and murky with dirt and vegetation. The surface isn't far away— but it might be hard to tell what direction you need to go in to reach it. To make matters worse, you are tangled in the plantlife around you, and will need to break free in order to escape The River's grip. There are others here who may be able to help you... but they'll have to find you first.
It's not possible for you to drown here; you may or may not recognize that you don't need to breathe, even down here. But every moment you spend with your head below the surface, you will spend trapped in the memory of your death, as if by a flashback. Depending on what brought you here, it may exacerbate your panic and confusion: maybe it isn't reeds, holding you back - maybe it's an assailant's hands; maybe it's not water clouding your vision, maybe it's something else, claustrophobic, smothering you. Or, maybe it's the dreamy, floaty peace you were expecting when you closed your eyes.
Regardless, you'll need to push through — to even start your journey, let alone finish it.
— BALANCED ABOVE ( EXISTING CHARACTERS ONLY )
You've traveled a long way to get here. Finally, there is a reprieve from the heat and chaotic energy of the Desert: the environment emerging around you is cooler and calmer, if not quieter. There are quite a few creatures populating the Marsh, both fantastical and not. Frogs croak quietly from the reeds; fireflies float along the surface of the water.
Wading around and through the muddy shallows of The River isn't exactly comfortable, so it may be a relief when the group comes across a wooden walkway rising out of the water and leading deeper into the Marsh. The planks creak under your weight, but they hold firm, and draw something like a path through the dense same-ness of the environment.
That path is anything but straightforward, though. And in the seemingly-perpetual dusk around you, it might be easy to get turned around: whether you have to retrace your steps from a dead-end, or lose track of others in the gloom.
You must be tired. But surely it's only a little bit further... right?
a marsh less traveled by
However much further it is, eventually you reach it: a small village, mainly comprised of wooden, multifamily homes lifted above the water on stilts. (Be careful which ones you choose to rest in, though — some of them might wander off with you still inside!) As with the shelters in previous locations, the homes are decorated as if by many tenants before you, continuously building on top of what was there before, and you may happen upon small items you recognize from home.
Unlike previous shelters, these don't seem like they've been abandoned for long. The items you find might be in better condition than they would have been elsewhere, and there might be newer or more comfortable amenities. Beds with softer sheets and more numerous pillows; pantries stocked with shelf-stable foods; unbroken toys or even board games with all their pieces.
Given the nature of The River here, this is also the closest The Ferryman has kept their vigil to the group's living quarters so far. While they still remain on the outskirts of the village — seemingly as separated as they can manage while still casting the Lantern's light where it needs to be — it's not as much of a trek out to see them. You might even pass them more than once on your regular goings-on during the day.
If you continue following the walkways, out to the edges of the village, you'll find a small pier with a number of rowboats lashed against it. They're small, and maybe a bit dusty or mossy, but they're sturdy, and large enough to accommodate two people at a time. There's no one else here but you — presumably no one will mind if you take one out deeper into the Marsh?
mist of memories
There's plenty to be found, if you venture out: from the burping firedamp, to curious reflections of familiar places, to the choking mists of the mangroves.
Try not to get lost in those mists. It's a disorienting situation on its own, but certainly exacerbated by the wraiths that will follow you in great numbers, their misty forms often camouflaged within the mist itself. It's stressful. That must be why you might feel like you're seeing other ghosts in the mist as well, figurative or literal. Snatches of familiarity, just at the edges of your vision; maybe a face you never thought you'd see again.
It's not all dark and dreary, though. There are patches of brightly colored wildflowers growing throughout the Marsh as well, hidden among the leggy roots of trees and patches of reeds out on the water. In particular, the same bright orange marigolds that dotted the path you traveled in from the Desert also peek out in places throughout the Marsh, usually in clumps of three or four. They almost seem to follow you as you pass — maybe, even, smile knowingly at you. But surely that's a trick of the light?
Harder to ignore are the rarer, but unmistakable, bioluminescent blue flowers scattered among the others. If you touch one, it may have something to whisper to you — but if it's a voice, it's almost too soft to hear, and even if you could, the words themselves are unfamiliar.
But there's no one else here but you. Right?
Image credits: 1, 2 + stock imagery unless otherwise noted
no subject
Despite everything that happened, he still cares more about Basil than how much he can bring himself to be angry with him.]
Huh?
[Seeing.. things? Part of him would just want to scream 'that's Sunny's specialty, not mine' but no- Kel looks at Nagito for a moment then starts looking around once more. where is he? Where. Is. He?]
I know it's him! And if for some reason that's not true, I cannot take the chance of- [He can't abandon him again.] If it's him, I have to reach him.
[Kel does take a wrong step, there, almost slipping into the River.]
I know we usually can't get hurt but...
[Their bodies may be invulnerable for the most part, he he knows all the hurt his friends carry isn't just 'physical']
no subject
I saw someone from home, too. But it wasn't actually them. Your friend can't walk on water, can he?
[Nagito is still hanging onto the back of Kel's shirt in case he decides to dart off again. Kel may be stronger than him, but Nagito can at least be dead weight if he has to be.]
no subject
Does he want to help Basil? Yes... But e also doesn't want to hurt Nagito.]
There are boats. Rafts. How can you be so sure, huh?
[The shirt in such conditions it wouldn't be a surprise if when Kel pulled away it would just... stay in Nagito's hands, but for now he's not immediately rushing away.]
If Basil is here, I can't risk... abandoning him. Not again.
[Four years. He failed all his friends for four years
And now he couldn't even remember why, he couldn't remember the whole year struggling with Heroand Kel's 'be positive' attitude prevented him from... doing the right thing. He couldn't take more risks. Oh. Oh, right. Fuck.Kel turns aroudn just enough to try to reach for one of Nagito's arms. He's been... yelling quite loudly.]
Mari and Sunny. Don't... use that name around them, okay? Not until I confirm whether he's really here ornot.
no subject
no subject
[And it keeps luring Kel further and further toward the water. The teen still managed to avoid slipping down but he got close a few times already.]
... I see. But... his person would have a reaso to avoid us. To hid a run away. I- even if you say it's the Mist, I can't- [He pauses, glancing toward the mist once more.] Someone has to reach for others when they keep running away, right?
no subject
Regardless, you can't walk on water. If we're going anywhere, we're taking a boat.
[This is now a group activity.]
no subject
Not to mention Sunny seems on the unstable side, Kel wouldn't know how to handle seeing them around each other. IF they actually chose to interact. Basil wasn't the kind of person who ran away from others, but Sunny was and a lot of crap went down so...]
... okay. Let's find a boat and let's find Basil. [A pause.] If... if he's dead that only leaves Aubrey still alive on our old friend group. Hah. [he sounds so bitter.] I really hope it's just the Mist.
no subject
Nagito will steer Kel away from the edge of the walkway toward the boats.] You've never mentioned Basil-kun before. What's he like?
no subject
[A pause as he breathes in, deeply. He should probably tell Nagito about Basil, at least a little- just in case they meet and someone has to drag the flower boy there.]
He's a blond teen, pretty much as short as Sunny is. Very pretty blue eyes, unlike Aubrey's one where you can tell she's using contacts. He often wears floral themed stuff and he has this 'prim and proper' aura from a distance until you see his hands and you can tell he spends his days gardening away. Or, well, he did. Little callouses all over it, a more toned body than almost anyone in our group- I still beat him- and a very kind looking smile. That's what he looks like so if you happen to see him, please bring me to him.
[But also, what he's saying may make Basil sound... guilty of something? WHICH, if Kel is right, is true. And that's not even touching the 'Sunny's eye' department.]
He's a good one. He's... very sweet. very kind. Very caring and, in his own way, very protective- he would be loved by everyone in here, but- things are complicated back home. And people ended up snapping a bit right before me and Sunny landed here. Mari had been gone for four years by then. But, complicated things or not, Basil is one of our friends. I just... know why Sunny never talks about him, it's why I avoid bringing him up, and I think Mari may have picked up on it as well? She never asked me about him as well...
[He stares down at the boats before shamelessly jumping in the studier looking one and glancing around.]
Last time I saw him, he was in that direction.
no subject
It's satisfying, putting the pieces together. It doesn't put Mari's puzzle pieces in place, but Sunny's and Kel's make a picture on their own. It would be more satisfying if he confirmed it. He's missing the motives.
Nagito steps into the boat with Kel.]
Every situation between you and your friends seems complicated. There's a lot of things to not say to people!
no subject
[the frustration is there. It seems that losing bits of what gave Kel stability -Hero, Sally, Hobbeez that was a safe haven- are starting to make him a bit less... positive? At least when the siblings aren't around. Shit, he couldn't even talk honestly with Sunny that one time when he tried, the other just fainted and Kel can't help but blame himself.
As for... everything? The timeline thing? Nagito is right, but Kel is just convinced Sunny forgot and the wound looks like that because Sunny never got to truly see himself as anything else/keeps some level of blame for his own situation.]
I would like to talk. Sunny clams up when you try to. Mari doesn't know half of the things that went down since her death. It sucks.
[He stares in the distance, looking for Basil, hands clamping the paddles just a bit too thight. There's a moment of silence before he spots a bundle of blonde hair in the distance.]
Ah! There he is! Basil!
[Needless to say, he's already moving toward it, putting all his energy in pushing the boat as fast as possible.]
no subject
Nagito is also keeping an eye out for the various creatures that live here. He gets the idea Kel might not be paying attention to that.]
no subject
[Basil almost killed Sunny. Basil was somehow involved with her death, of that kel is almost certain the more he thinks about it. How... can he even begin to explain her everything?]
She died before everything went... sour. She shouldn't have to deal with any of that.
[He's still padding and Nagito is right, he's not caring about anything beside looking for him. When they don't sem to find anything, Kel drops the paddles and almost tips the boat trying to get as high as possible on it.]
Basil? Please, answer if you're here. I know you must feel awful but we're supposed to be a team!
[No answers, no shadows in the distance. Just... silence. Kel sits back down on the boat's wooden surface and sighs. Maybe it's really a hallucination but-]
I'm sorry for dragging you out here like this. Maybe you're right.
[Still, he doesn't seem ready to go back.]
no subject
[...Wait. This conversation is getting away from him. What he means is:] It's better if she's crying and then she can help out then if she's crying because it's too late to fix things!
[Because everyone is murdered! ...Except they don't have to worry about that part, so Nagito leaves it out.]
no subject
[And get a chance to blame Kel for it. He also wants to address her own death, but that's not something he wants to share with Nagito right now.]
You are weird. But sometimes you actually make very solid points. Thanks, man.
no subject
no subject
[For how, though? nothing seems to appear in the mist.]
Do you see anything or is it just us?
no subject
I don't think I can help you with figuring out the best thing to say, though. I'd probably start with "can we talk about your murder."
[Good to know it was a murder, though!]
no subject
[He was close friends with a flower boy, he knows the difference and can tell an annoying, invasive and disgusting pest apart from a tiny friend with a house on its back and a mouth full of razor sharp teeth.]
I'm not sure I can be so blunt. Especially considering... [He leaned back against the boad, eyes still scanning the horizon.] A lot of things. And I don't have much to go by beside knowing who did it, just a lot of suppositions.
[A long, long pause.]
One of my suppositions is: Basil knew before us all. That's why he pretty much isolated himself after Mari died. That's why I think he'd run away from us if... he was here. You have no idea how much I pray you're right and this is just a hallucination.
no subject
He doubts it was intentional. But that's still just theory. And they've already established in this very conversation that "can we talk about murder" is not something Kel does. He knows Sunny definitely doesn't. And he promised not to bring things up to Mari.
Well, he'll just have to keep going on his own.]
I'm not an animal expert, of course-- [There's a little pause as he redirects himself from his impulse to go off about how he could not possibly compare to Gundam. Kel will just give him that look again if he does, probably.] --but it seems like the animals are just reacting to us, not to anyone else. I think it's just us here right now.