TEST DRIVE MEME #1

[expiationmods]

TEST DRIVE MEME #1

Welcome to the TDM for Expiation, a pan-fandom adventure game with fantasy, science fiction, and sometimes subtle horror elements. We ask that top-level comments are reserved for new characters and players looking to experience a taste of the world and overarching storyline. Feel free to submit any TDM / prompt-related questions to the corresponding comment below.

New players / characters looking to app are free to use TDM threads as samples in their application. Preexisting players / characters may use TDM threads as part of their AC proofs.

You may find the below links helpful in getting to know themes of the world, locations, the people, and so on.

info | world

A WARM WELCOME

The journey here has not been a particularly convenient one. The last thing you can recall is the room of blinding white and the incomprehensible voices that were speaking about you. Then came the dropping of the floor beneath you and suddenly you were falling into black. As you come to and regain a more clear vision of the world about you, you find that you are surrounded by pleasant greenery.

Deciduous trees are sprinkled here and there in some miscellaneous fashion. There are plants and flowers all about, the chirping of birds. Above you rests a fairly clear sky with a dotting or two of clouds. The sun is pleasant. Overall, it’s comfortable. Perhaps too comfortable.

MEADOWLANDS ARRIVAL

     

Within eyesight, though you can’t possibly know the footing distance, there appear to be fields. A portion of them dedicated to long stalk vegetables and the rest a neatly organised collection of leafy greens. Upon closer inspection, you’ll find that some of these look ready to be picked right away. Not much further past the fields are other buildings. Simple in style and not at all grand in structure or make. There’s people, too. It looks lively. The locals will tell you that you’ve set foot in Aldrip.

Not far from you, in fact relatively close if not in hand already, is a rolled parchment bound by a rather nondescript twine. If you unfurl it, you’ll find a generic welcoming message addressed specifically to you.

Welcome to Expiation. We, who have found you so worthy and deserving, have declared you to be one of the Chosen.

The cryptic written greeting is followed by a collection of recorded statistics—physical and mental attributes, along with other observations about your person that clearly weren’t made by you (but may not necessarily be inaccurate).

Nearing the bottom is a peculiar line—

You have been charged with ▬▬ and in accordance with the doctrine of this world, you have ▬▬ until you will face your sentencing. Prepare your defence adequately or face the repercussions.

In spite of that strange little addition at the bottom, which may or may not make sense to you, you’re not the only one arriving in the meadowlands. You have some options. Maybe check with a nearby fellow otherworlder, scour the fields, meet the locals. First impressions, after all, can sometimes last a lifetime.

---

WILD COMPANIONS

     

The collective of newly-arrived aren’t the only ones exploring the meadowlands. Curious about the various sounds created by those not native to the world, there are animals living in and near the surrounding areas drawn to the attention. Different types and sizes of birds and beasts or other creatures that may resemble ones from your home world begin to close in on your location. Do they mean to do you harm or are they only simply wary about who you might be and what you’re doing?

Some of them are incredibly friendly, especially if you’re inclined to provide them with food, or if they’re younger and they simply don’t know better. But be aware, for every young animal, there is likely to be a parent not far behind, and less inclined to be understanding of your strange fate in this new predicament. As such, no matter how cute something may be, reconsider taking it with you, else you may simply stir the ire of their families.

If you find yourself in a position where you’ve inadvertently stepped into a territory not meant for you, you’ll need to find either a strategic escape or resort to force and self-defence. Fortunately, some of these larger, more aggressive beasts, are much the same ones that the locals in Aldrip have been seeking to cull for the safety of the citizens. Maybe you can make some fast friends with the Expiation natives by bringing them something you’ve had to put down.

THOSE WHO WERE THERE

Those Who Were There are what the locals refer to their gods as, considering them responsible for their continued growth in the world, the abundance of their crops and sea life, the greenery that surrounds them, native wildlife, and some of the strangely advanced luxury items that make their livelihoods a touch more convenient.

You’ve arrived at an opportune time. Although the peoples of the continent freely show their appreciation for their higher beings, every once in a while, they celebrate by way of joyful festivals, grand songs, and more expressive means of their devotion.

FESTIVITIES

     

Aldrip seems to be a bit busier than usual, with a little more foot traffic than what may be considered a normal day in the life. There’s music in the air provided by lutes, panpipes, and the dulcet tones of men and women alike, expressing songs and tall tales of those they have come to revere as celestial beings. They believe that honouring their betters can be done with song and dance as much as it can be with offerings and prayer.

The town is bustling, a plethora of additional street stalls selling all kinds of local cuisine, jewellery, weapons, and accessories branded with insignias that represent the same wave motif as can be found on the charms every newly-arrived will receive. There’s raucous laughter, a plethora of drinks (alcoholic and non) that are passed along merrily to those wandering through if one doesn’t have a drink already. It’s the perfect way to integrate yourself with the people whilst taking in the celebration.

A portion of the town has had the land cleared, set up with a minimalistic coliseum ring for archery competition and one-on-one combat. Winners of these exchanges don’t get anything grand, but are presented with plenty of free food and drink, and some may even be awarded with some modest badge accessories from the local shops for providing the people with some sport.

Out by the fields, closer to the shoreline of the Talion Sea, there’s a grand pillar of fire that’ll burn all through the day and into the dark of the night where more music follows and accompanies spirited dancing.

---

SENTIMENTAL OFFERINGS

     

If you’re searching for a momentary reprieve from the bustle of the festival, there’s a modest walkway of cobblestone that will lead you from the main streets of stalls, drinks, and making merry. Following the way it winds and curves will eventually take you to an elaborate display of dried flowers, jewellery, fanciful cloths, and other items. Some of these hang from nearby trees. Some are draped over an altar fashioned of dark wood.

A local who spies you there kindly explains that it’s a place to leave items of offering for Those Who Were There, as gratitude for all they have granted their loyal people. They also explain that the more sentimental attachment you hold for the item you give up, the more pleased the gods will be with you. What does that mean, exactly? It’s difficult to say, but it seems that it might endear you to the locals at the very least.

Those who leave an item will receive a noticeable wave-like mark on the interior of their dominant hand wrist, almost as if it’s a brand of some kind. This is temporary mark and will only last the length of the festival, but if locals see it, they will be more inclined to give information on the land, the people, and perhaps even extra drinks, food, or shop wares.

Even if you don’t leave an item, as you’ve only just arrived and you may not have much on your person, the locals won’t punish you or think ill of you. It’ll give you a chance to gather yourself before you go back to the festival proper. If you choose to go back at all. The relative quiet is so welcoming, after all.

THE GLITCH EFFECT

NO SIGNAL

     

If you’ve arrived in this world with a mobile device or something akin to (notebook, laptop, and so on), you’ll find that whilst there are no electrical outlets, there are slender and flat platforms available to keep items of this nature with a charge. You cannot connect to a network and there’s no signal for a connection to grapple onto. That said, programmes that don’t require a connection to be of use (note taking applications, calculators, games), are still operable.

You may find, however, in the use of these programmes that perhaps images are not displaying properly. The colouration may be inverted. There may be unexplainable lines drawn across graphics. Text may not accurately be presented, instead a jumble and tangle of letters, forming what looks more like a mass of verbal tendrils across your screen.

Bizarre and strange sounds may emerge from your device, sometimes a low hum that may be indiscernible to others. Sometimes a high frequency that lingers in the air. It may be just a flash of sound. It may be several seconds long.

Furthermore, it is possible that you may find strange imagery imprinted on the screen temporarily, even where there should be no graphic at all. It’s there for a moment or two before it fades away, almost as if it’s subliminal messaging. The strange imagery is difficult to make out—a highly detailed eye, or perhaps what appears to be an angular face. No two images will be the same, though some may hold some eerily similar depictions.

This strange happenstance will occur periodically until the festival reaches its conclusion.

---

STATIC BUZZING

     

Don’t think if you didn’t arrive with a mobile device or related that you’re free from some of the strange electronic phenomena. Devices that are native to Expiation will experience similar errors. The difference is that the devices as a collective (personal computers, printers, cameras, the platforms for charging devices, and more) will emit a fluctuating and repeating frequency of sound cycling from high to low. Some will be able to hear it, some will not, but for those who do, it will come accompanied with a static buzzing sound, as if a connection somewhere is on its last proverbial legs.

There isn’t a means to stop the sound from emerging without depowering the device in question and even the locals don’t seem to know what to do. There are several devices strewn about Aldrip, however, so even if you should unplug one, there will be others expressing the same assault on the ears. Aldrip’s people don’t seem particularly alarmed, however, explaining to those who ask that this sort of thing simply happens every so often, and should they but have faith, Those Who Were There will handle all things ‘in good time.’

Unlike the personal devices brought in by newly-arrived, the electronic devices of Expiation will not display incorrect / jumbled graphics, text, or bizarre flashing images, which may be considered a blessing in disguise, despite having to experience the potentially annoying hum. This strange occurrence, too, will mysteriously end once the festivities have drawn to a close.

Comments

the doctor | doctor who

[twelfthsong]

𝗮 𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗺 𝘄𝗲𝗹𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲.

[ You don’t spend millions – billions – of years jetting through space and time and not accidentally land somewhere you hadn’t intended to go.

So all of this is to say that landing somewhere new, with very little recollection except a blind white light, isn’t all that strange for the Doctor. It’s weird, of course. Disorienting, definitely. But by his standards, being dropped in the middle of a field surrounded by ready-to-harvest vegetables with a strange piece of parchment in his hands is not the worst scenario he’s ever been in.

That being said there is something amiss — he seems to be missing someone. Or rather two someone’s. At one point, probably immediately after arrival he might turn to you, eyebrows drawn into an expression that makes him look very much like an angry owl. His Scottish drawl gives off the impression that he’s very much cross with you or the situation (it’s hard to tell) but his words betray his confusion more than anything else. ]

You’re not Clara. Or the TARDIS.

[ He takes a step back to get a better look at you. ]

Unless you’ve turned into a human form of the TARDIS again in which case this is certainly a choice. [ His eyes light up eyebrows shooting upward as if weirdly delighted by this prospect. ] Or you’re Clara in someone else’s body – because that has happened before. In which case we can probably fix it so don't panic.

𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗱 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 (𝗼𝗿 𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗶𝘁𝗹𝗲𝗱 𝗴𝗼𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝗴𝗮𝗺𝗲, 𝗶𝗿𝗹).

[ Having spent some time in the fields picking some of the leafy greens (surely the village off in the distance will appreciate a helping hand harvesting instead of letting them spoil), the Doctor can also be found wandering the meadows as he makes his way towards the village. His meandering and curious nature means that he doesn’t take the direct path though – he cuts through some of the woods and trails there.

Thanks to his basket of goodies and the large stalk of celery in his hand, he seems to have attracted some attention from the local wildlife. Unfortunately what should be a cute princess moment quickly turns south. Maybe it’s because it’s something the Doctor said (he can speak bird) or maybe they just didn’t like how he looked (some people find his stick insect-like appearance offensive). Either way, the wandering quickly turns into sprinting.

Is that a penguin running with its ass on fire across the meadows followed by what looks like an incredibly angry flock of geese? Oh no. It’s just a man running for his life. ]

If you’ve never been bitten by a goose you might find out what it’s like soon!

𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗴𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗰𝗵 𝗲𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁.

[ The white noise is annoying to say the least. It’d be hard for anyone to ignore but thanks to his Time Lord biology, it’s irritating. He’s gotten better with his social niceties and EQ over the course of his time travelling with Clara but he’s having a difficult time, arguably more difficult than being chased by geese. To say he’s grumpier than normal is an understatement.

You might have seen him stalking around Aldrip, turning various devices off and even asking you (telling you) that he can help you turn your device off if you don’t want your ears to continue to bleed. You might also find him posted up outside of a cafe with what looked like a chunky, old television that he’s taken apart and something that looks like a screwdriver beside him that is also, unfortunately, emitting the same irritating noise. Upon closer inspection, you’ll hear him muttering something about how whatever god or entities that have this “handled” clearly weren’t handling it well. ]

𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗱.

( Feel free to toss me anything that fits your fancy or reach out via PM to work on something together!

The Doctor can also be found at the festivities probably with a plate full of something or other, checking out the pillar of fire, or having a quiet moment of contemplation at the shrine for Those Who Were There. )

IRL Goose Game

[makemeasong]

[ This tracks. Finally, finally something makes sense, and Clara could cry at the sight of a crazed man running with a basket chased by animals. What an idiot, but at least she knows him. ]

Doctor!

[ And then they're more or less sprinting together. Just a normal day as the Doctor's companion, honestly. ]

He's really sorry!

[ Clara shouts it over her shoulder, hoping the message is accepted so they can stop running, so she can ask him if maybe their brains are being slowly digested again. ]

[twelfthsong]

Clara!

[ He sounds happy that he's found her, and would probably sound like it more so if it weren't for the fact that they're being chased by some angrily honking geese and he's huffing to try and send enough oxygen to his legs to keep running.

Happiness turns to mild audacity as if he can't believe that Clara is apologizing to the birds. ]

I didn't even do anything wrong – why are you apologizing to them? They should be apologizing to me!

[makemeasong]

Because I just assume when anything is chasing you and shouting angrily you've said something offensive!

[ She takes a beat to look up at him and even though he looks cross, she gives him a brilliant grin, then points ahead. ]

The crowd, c'mon we'll get lost in it.

[ Clara thrusts her hand out and grabs his, tugging him in that direction with a laugh. She's so glad to see him that suddenly everything feels so much better. ]

[twelfthsong]

They're not shouting they're honking. [ It sounds so matter-of-fact, as if Clara is proposing something preposterous.

That smile of hers, that blinding smile of hers that he had missed more than he would ever care to admit, is enough to stifle the annoyance at her betrayal into a mild one. Without complaint or protest his fingers automatically curl through his as they take off down the stretch of the meadow and down a slope. ]

You really want to subject a crowd to some angry geese?

warm welcome.

[enactors]

( there have been occasions in marc's life where he's not been sure whether what he's experienced or experiencing is real. he recalls a bright light, people discussing him and he thinks that was probably real, whereas this? there's an edge of doubt. he could be dreaming, or hallucinating, or something in between: it wouldn't be the first time, though ordinarily those experiences are a little more rooted in (marc's) reality and tends towards being reflections of his experiences and thoughts and feelings.

this, for all else it may be, is not that, though he can't argue with the summation of his person, nor the crime he's been accused of.

where the doctor's eyebrows and accompanying expression is intense, marc wears a drawn, tired frown that sits somewhere between guarded and watchful, as if he's as equally unsure what he thinks of the doctor as the situation they're in. )

No. ( it's a blunt, absolute utterance, though it's not immediately clear as to what he's saying 'no' to: no, he's not clara (whoever clara may be)? no he's not TARDIS, or the TARDIS, or anything turned human or body-swapped? or no to all of the above?

(spoiler: it's the latter.)

though there's a slight, subtle hint of new york thanks to years of living in the city and claiming it as home, marc's accent paints him as a chicago native.

a beat, then— ) Mr. Knight, and this is definitely my body.

[twelfthsong]

[ Thankfully a blunt utterance isn't enough to deter him. He hands blunt answers out all the time so he's more or less immune to it most of the time and if he took any offence to being on the receiving end of similar treatment he'd be a hypocrite.

(Spoiler: He is often a hypocrite.)

This time around however, he seems almost disappointed about the to-the-point answer. And here he wase thinking he could have a bundle of mysteries instead of just the several that he's already got plainly laid out in front of him. ]

Shame. I would have liked to see how Clara would react to finding out she's got several days worth of a five o'clock shadow growing on her face. [ He shrugs, as if settling that and moving on. ] First name Mr., last name Knight? Or is there a first name?

[enactors]

( 'marc' is what a rapidly decreasing pool of individuals call him: marlene, who — rightfully — wants nothing more to do with his lifestyle; frenchie who — also, quite rightly — no longer wants to feature as any part of marc's life; tigra; and his therapist.

(and khonshu, of course, but he's otherwise detained at present).

marc spector is not an identity marc enjoys being known as. it serves as a consistent, broad reminder of his many, many mistakes and poor choices. mr. knight is not that.

still, as far as probably-not-real names go, it — combined with the very deliberate crescent moon details on his waistcoat and shirt — is fairly transparent, though marc shows precisely zero (0) intention of acknowledging the fact, and nor does it means he's any more amused by the question. )

There's no first name. ( dryly and uttered entirely without irony in spite of being wholly aware of how it sounds.

(ridiculous. it sounds ridiculous and he knows that if tigra was here, she wouldn't let him live it down.)

but it's not not true: mr. knight doesn't have a first name because it's a pseudonym, a more law-friendly, less christ, he's a lunatic spin on the moon knight persona.

but more importantly, marc's not of the opinion that his first name even matters, even if whoever had written the parchment had a disturbingly thorough knowledge of his person.

what is interesting is that he's not recognised: not as marc, not as mr. knight, and not as moon knight. marc's not sure where that leaves him on the 'this is real' scale of things. )

—Do you have a name?

[twelfthsong]

Ah. [ As much as he enjoys pestering and digging into the heart of a matter, there's other curiosities that are more pressing than a stranger's name. Perhaps it's a good thing that the Doctor is nobody's actual therapist because he wouldn't be doing a very good job of it. Instead, maybe surprisingly, his eyes light up as he simply accepts the man's words at face value. ]

Like that one singer. What's their name? [ He's snapping at this point as if doing so will magically cause the synapses in his brain to connect and fire off the exact name he needs. ] Ozzy? No. Although he's brilliant. A little unhinged but the best are.

Prince? [ He screw his lips up. ] Not right either. But closer to what I was thinking — ah! [ A loud exclamation, as he claps grinning, his arms spreading wide as if the motion pulls the light into the rest of his face. ] Cher.

[ What were you saying about ridiculous, Marc? ]

The Doctor. 'The' isn't really part of the name by the way, so really it's just 'Doctor'.

a warm welcome!

[aceslow]

[ The man beside the Doctor - looking befuddled, worried, and annoyed all at once - certainly could be Clara in someone else's body, but the look he gives the Doctor probably rules that out. ]

No, [ he says plainly, folding up his own piece of parchment and shoving it into his front pocket, trying to figure out if the man is stark raving mad or, much to Kim's displeasure, perfectly sane and describing yet another phenomena that he doesn't care to see happen to him. The very idea of someone else in his body makes his skin crawl. ] I'm Kim in Kim's body. Are you in the right body?

[twelfthsong]

[ ...You say that but the look that Kim gives the Doctor could definitely be a look Clara would give him. Despite only having recently reunited with her (and then promptly being separated, but details, he'll find her eventually), he's got a very good catalogue of all the Expressions of Clara Oswald. Or at least most of them. It all gets a little confusing when she puts make-up on. ]

Good question.

[ Kim's question seems to make him pause, and there's some awkward (or hilarious) business as he quickly runs a hand through his hair, checks the shape of his nose, and furrows his eyebrows in and out before declaring - ]

I've still got my furious eyebrows so no. Still the same body. [ A pause. ] Are you sure you're not Clara? That look was very Clara. It could strike fear into the heart of any pudding-brained teenager.

[aceslow]

I am absolutely, one-hundred percent sure that I am not Clara, [ Kim says dryly, but doesn't otherwise bat a lash at the question. Prolonged exposure to one Harrier Du Bois has ensured that he's able to remain unflappable in the face of nearly any question that comes his way. He eyes the Doctor with vague curiosity, watching as he furrows his thundrous brows as though that's the greatest sign of one's authenticity.

Then again, maybe it is. At least he's aware of his most defining trait. Kim removes his glasses and fishes a handkerchief out of his pocket to polish them, more to have something to do with his hands than it is anything else. ]

The ability to strike fear into the heart of teenagers isn't so unique a talent. Though, considering some teenagers, you may overestimate my abilities.

[ There are some rowdy teens out there he wishes he could inspire some fear in, instead of being called some very rude names on a regular basis. He puts his glasses on, takes a deep breath, and straightens his spine. ]

My name is Kim Kitsuragi -- although I already told you my first name. And yourself, sir?

[twelfthsong]

Good. Glad to know the the arrival here didn't knock anyone into bodies they shouldn't be in. Now we don't have to worry about that.

[ Never mind that his initial reaction and questions had any sign of worry in them whatsoever. ]

Teenagers are plucky - too plucky - for their own good. I'd admire it if it wasn't so equally annoying in the same breath sometimes.

[ His mind can't help but go briefly to Courtney. Now that was a girl that was plucky, stubborn and could give Clara run for her money. Despite that he undeniably had a bit of a soft spot for Clara's student as much as he hated admitting. But oh right, Kim was asking his name. ]

The Doctor. [ Remember his parchment he pulls it out and waves it briefly at Kim. ] Have you had a chance to look at your charge? Anything outrageous written on yours?

The Glitch Effect - cafe

[sleepfan]

[One of the first and most important tasks Linhardt had set to himself in Aldrip is discovering which of the little shops had the best tea and would not mind someone setting up on a table with a bunch of research materials. It would seem he isn't the only one who's had the idea, and the older man's research materials are far better than Linhardt's. He's fascinated by the devices - what someone else has called a 'computer' - but the noise is absolutely unbearable to the point that he's shamelessly stuck wadded up fabric in his ears.

It would be rude to interrupt the other researcher - he would hate if someone did that to him - so instead Linhardt stands over the Doctor's shoulder and takes notes as he removes different parts of the big, blocky 'computer' and how he handles them. He doesn't quite understand what the screwdriver does; it's not unscrewing anything, but maybe if he watches, he'll understand.

The judgement Linhardt agrees with, so he breaks his silence.]

You're right, but I would rather have incompetence than malice.

[It could be worse.]

[twelfthsong]

[ Despite the irritating, ever-present ringing in the Doctor's ears, he does hear the approach of another and doesn't really mind being observed as he takes apart the ancient computer in front of him. The observer's respectful silence does actually earn them the Doctor's respect even if he hasn't actually seen him.

Part of his dogged focused is because he has half a mind to toss his sonic screwdriver at a wall. But this entire exercise is part him discovering what features of his sonic do and don't work, and part him trying to understand if there's anything that could possibly be the cause in the machinery here to trigger the noise.

When the silent observer breaks his silence, the Doctor's gaze tears away only briefly from the circuit board he's unearthed. The green-haired man isn't wrong, the Doctor is simply cranky. ]

This could easily be malice. An incessant ringing that won't stop and could potentially keep you lot that sleep awake and more importantly me when I'm trying to do deep thinking? [ He scoffs. ] Sounds malicious to me.

[sleepfan]

[It doesn't matter that the Doctor isn't making eye contact because, as he sees when he finally does look, Linhardt isn't either. He's too busy sketching out the circuit board that the Doctor is working on. So far, Linhardt hasn't managed to successfully open any of the computers with the parts intact, but once he does, he needs to compare what's inside them.

At least one thing the Doctor says penetrates Linhardt's brain.]

You don't sleep? Ugh, what a horrible existence.

[The discussion of sleep merits a yawn, ringing or no. Sleep is one of life's small pleasures, and Linhardt is always tired.]

It's not going to keep me awake. Or anyone else. I can sleep just fine-

[But he is so tired he falls asleep on the battlefield and is not normal with his sleep habits-]

And everybody else will eventually pass out or gouge out their ears.

[As Linhardt says it, a look of horror dawns on his face, because that would result in so much work. He can see it now: The line of deaf people lining up to get their ears fixed. A boring use of healing magic.]

So if that's the goal, then I would level that as incompetent malice. Which is still better than competent malice.

Unless you're right and the purpose is to keep us from thinking. I can't discover anything if I have to tend to everyone's ears.

[twelfthsong]

Sleeping wastes away time that you could be filling with activities. [ The great sleep debate is often one that he gets into, but Time Lord biology simply didn't work the way human biology did. They didn't need much sleep. The longest they did sleep was post-regeneration and that seemed to sustain them for years at a time. ] I take standy up cat naps and then get on with it.

[ While most people would probably look a little more than alarmed at Lindhardt's statement about people either passing out or doing something awful to their ears that would otherwise prevent them from hearing, the Doctor doesn't seem fussed at all. He does however keep his gaze trained on the young man watching with the utmost curiosity at the realization that dawns on his features. For a moment the debate about incompetence or malice is shelved in his mind. ]

You're a healer that doesn't enjoy healing?

[ It's part statement/observation than a question. ]

wild companions, rip his cute princess moment

[theleadingman]

[The sight is so very strange that Balthier simply cannot bring himself to look away, even if his initial desire is to quickly remove himself to keep from getting involved. He's had enough nonsense for one day, he'd argue— but it looks like he's about to have a bit more.]

They're not even half the size of chocobos, I don't see how—

[One of the geese among the flock honks loudly in his direction; apparently, speaking to the man on the run is enough to have drawn their ire, and before he can give it much thought, he also takes off at a sprint, keeping pace with the gentleman who does, indeed, seem to be running for his life.]

What did you say to them?!

when will he get his Disney princess moment balthier

[twelfthsong]

[ How dare this pirate-esque dressed man accuse him of saying something rude to the geese? And why does everyone always assume that he's the one who's done something wrong? It could very well be the damn geese!

(Spoilers: it wasn't the geese.)

As if to add insult to injury, he can hear what sounds like a British accent saying those accusatory words. While it has been a fair bit of time since he's gotten over his insistence that even vaguely British accents sound "wrong", there's something almost gutturally reactive to the entire situation that makes him turn so incredulously offended towards the man who is running alongside him. ]

I don't know what chocobos are but they have absolutely not met a goose before in their life. And why am I the one at fault?! They're just as rude if you can understand them but, oh wait, you probably can't speak geese.

[ It's spat out with such ferocity that you'd think speaking geese is just as admirable as being to speak any other language and not utterly ridiculous. ]

for his sake, I hope soon

[theleadingman]

[Apparently, he's touched a nerve. Not much time to stop and apologize for it when they're on the run, and in truth, he wouldn't feel terribly inclined to do so anyway.]

As they've given chase, it seemed a fair assumption!

[His response is sharp, without hesitation, though he does look back over his shoulder to see how they're faring so far.

Those geese are awfully close to them, but they can't be nearly so fearsome as this man insists.]

Do you mean to tell me you do speak geese?

[Seems an awful waste. Also, why.]

[twelfthsong]

Some creatures are aggressive about their territory, or some just have awful temperaments!

[ But then that means it would still be his fault somehow, so he's simply not going to dwell on that particular thought for too long. ]

Along with baby and dinosaur.

[ And a slew of other languages but they won't be helpful here. What is helpful though is that tall field of corn off in the distance. They might have a chance of shaking them off in there. Unfortunately before he can say anything, a goose has manages to speed up ahead of the group, particularly hell bent on chasing down the stick insect man and the pirate. It honks, snapping his beak at the tail of the Doctor's coat as he runs and he can't help but let out a bit of a yelp when he feels some tension before his forward force rips it from the goose's mouth. ]

That way! Hurry up!

wildcard - shrine

[emyoji]

[The displays and offerings decorating the shrine are beautiful. Seimei has to check them out and even pay some respects, but he doesn't really want to engage further than that. The information about Those Who Were There sounds good, but doesn't everything at first? He's lingering around the grounds, watching other outsiders come and go and observing their reactions when he picks out the Doctor, who seems at home enough in the strange setting. At least he isn't panicking or lashing out. This must be a good candidate for his questions.]

Do you think they're the ones that brought us here?

[twelfthsong]

[ The Doctor usually had two modes of being when he was in a new place: observe quietly like the bystander he had so often played in his various incarnations, or get right into the thick of things because when in 'insert location here which could actually be Rome on occasion'. There was another unofficial mode which often involved trouble finding him or his curiosity seeking it out -- but that had been swiftly ticked off shortly after arrival when he angered a flock of geese.

The peace at the shrine is a welcome change and one that allows him to take on the role of a quiet observer. Much like Seimei he watches people come and go, leaving something or not leaving anything more than what he supposes to be a silent acknowledgement or reverence. At the sound of a voice he glances over, gaze settling on the owner of said voice. ]

The people offering or the great omnipotent beings that they're leaving offerings for?

[ It seems like an obvious answer but he wants to be sure. ]

[emyoji]

Either.

[ The answer is cheerful enough, although maybe it's a bit too much of a chirp for their situation. Seimei seems to realize that and soon follows up the response by adding: ]

If the gods here grant blessings to those that give offerings to them, perhaps they would grant some wishes with their power. And we don't know what kind of wishes people might make in this land. Although, I guess bringing so many people to one place would be a challenge for a mortal even with borrowed gifts. It just seems a bit strange for gods to take such interest in strangers.

[ That means there must be something interesting about them, right? So naturally Seimei wanted to know what was interesting about everyone else that had been pulled along. He should get to know their situations if he wants to really understand his own place. ]

Are you going to leave them something?

[twelfthsong]

The latter.

[ He doesn't seem particularly bothered by the cheerfulness and it isn't clear if he noticed it at all; even if he did, the Doctor isn't exactly known for being an expert at reading social situations so they can bungle through them together.

Everything Seimei is saying is all sound reasoning. From his experience, gods enjoyed their offerings in some way, shape, or form regardless of whether or not they were benevolent or malicious. ]

They probably want what most humans do: health, wealth, knowledge or some kind of success in their life. They might throw in some ill wishes on their enemies too, who knows. But if listening to any of the locals helps you come to a conclusion it could also be as simple as good harvests.

[ Curiosity and seeing what happened was an entirely different thing than belief. Time Lords didn't believe in gods when they were effectively gods. Was that hubris? Probably. But when you were an almost immortal race that looked after time and space, it was hard not to develop some sort of god-complex. That outlook drove the Doctor mad with frustration; it was part of the reason he had left in the first place. ]

I was considering it. But the time on return doesn't seem enticing so far. [ He motions to someone placing what looks like a necklace onto the shrine. ] It could be immediate or it could be a whole growing season from now. What about yourself?