TDM 003

[erkumods]

TDM 003: #BEACHBUMS

I. BEACH Welcome arrivals, new and old! The skies on Erku may be perpetually gray, but the weather has taken a sudden turn to summertime heat. Fortunately, soaring temperatures have chased away more of the strange fog that conceals so much of the island, unveiling a charming, sandy cove dotted here and there with rustic love shacks. These shabby little lean-tos are dusty and sparse, but they provide everything one (or two, wink wink) might need for a little relief from the sun. Just don’t wander too far... that fog has memory-loss properties. II. DRINKS The 'bots are very apologetic about the whole fog incident, and they are trying to get on the new arrivals' good sides by giving out fancy drinks. Of course, they still haven't mastered the art of making things properly, so each drink has a little something... extra. Geloso: Has a slightly bitter, yet refreshing herbal taste... and it will make you feel inexplicably envious of virtually anything, to a petty degree! Be it someone else’s shoes or their incredibly muscular physique, you’re jealous enough to tell them about it! Colpito: Fruity and sweet like candy. If you drink this, you will feel hopelessly infatuated with the very next person who catches your eye! Vivace: Delightfully tart, with a flavor somewhere between citrus and raspberry. This summery drink will fill you with bubbly energy. Whether you’re feeling flirty or just mischievous and playful, you’ve never felt more alive! Verace: Creamy, earthy, and a little nutty - the flavor is hard to describe, but delicious. After drinking this, you’ll feel strangely compelled to spill something you’ve been keeping a secret, no matter how incriminating or embarrassing. Conoscere: The robots are especially excited about this flavor! They’ve heard organic beings enjoy chocolate, and hope you like their first attempt (it’s a little bitter, but it is chocolatey). Those who drink this will feel incredibly confident and sensual. Better yet, if you share it with a partner - which the 'bots encourage you to do - you’ll find that every touch is enhanced, and every sensation is shared between the two of you. A lucky few may even be able to sense one another’s thoughts! III. SNACKS Lo! As you ask, the Augur shall provide. Thanks to the efforts of your organic predecessors in restoring the planet’s Eros energy, edible fishes and seaweeds have returned to the ponds and the shores of Erku. If you fancy yourself savvy to basic survival skills, why not fashion up a fishing rod and catch yourself dinner? Just be careful if you happen to hook one of the octopus creatures from the deeper waters - they can be quite forward with their tentacles! Or, if primitive angling isn’t in your repertoire, you can always trade some credits for a tasty catch from one of the food stalls along the coast. Most stalls are manned by 'bots, but there’s nothing stopping an enterprising arrival from setting up shop. No credits? No problem! The robots have also provided a bit of entertainment, and any volunteers to man the kissing booth, get dunked in the wet t-shirt dunk tank, or grill up some fish - among other opportunities - will find credits automatically loaded onto the payment app of their bracelet devices. The 'bots are recruiting especially hard for participants to work in the gloryhole tent! IV. SPARKLES As dusk descends, the white sands of the beach suddenly come alive with glittering lights. It’s as if the darkened waters have carried a thousand shining stars from the depths of the sea to the shores of the cove. In actuality, each little twinkle is a bioluminescent plankton or jellyfish! Feel free to wade among them and admire their shine; even the sting of the jellies won’t hurt you... though they do pack a different punch. The tentacles of the jellyfish elicit a powerful aphrodisiac response, which gets the heart racing and the blood pumping for an intimate touch. The effects come on within a matter of minutes, and last for a few hours. Only time will relieve the symptoms, but a partner will help to make it more bearable. ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● N A V I G A T I O N

Comments

[my_own_will]

[Eleanor couldn't blame her. Nothing good could come from Laphicet being here.]

I'm guessing you haven't seen anyone else we know here either?

[She couldn't hide her concern when Velvet mentioned the fog and didn't explain exactly what happened when she went in. Obviously nothing good. There was a temptation to show her concern, but she knew Velvet's pride would just make her shrink away. So she just shook her head to the question.]

No, nothing. I don't even know how we got brought here. I'm not going to quit looking, but we might need someone more knowledgeable or with a power that can help us get out of here.

[hascomeundone]

No. I assumed it was just me till you turned up.

[Velvet was a bit surprised Eleanor hadn't pushed, if only because the other woman wore her emotions on her face moreso than anyone Velvet had met. So it was obvious she wanted to. But better that she didn't, even Velvet could admit that.]

The way everyone talks, there isn't any way back.

[She started putting the things she had been cooking on a plate.]

I don't believe it. But it's frustrating to hear.

[my_own_will]

[She'd learned a good deal about Velvet in her time with the other woman. So she knew she could only push so much. Eleanor would just have to satisfy her need to help by sticking with Velvet and helping where she could.]

Considering what we've done and what we plan to do I don't think impossible is in our dictionary.

[Getting out of this place wasn't anywhere near as impossible-sounding as defeating the Shepherd and his god.]

I think all we can do right now is gather information. Doing anything drastic before we have at least a theory wouldn't be good.

[To be completely honest she was surprised Velvet hadn't started bashing robots to see if they would decide she was too much trouble to keep around. She's glad Velvet didn't of course.]

[hascomeundone]

[That made Velvet smirk, giving her a decidedly catlike expression for a moment.]

I said they think it's impossible. Nothing is for us.

[Her tone definitely approved of what Eleanor had said though.]

Maybe. Though I'm not sure I want to hang around given...what it is they seem to want us to do here.

[As she finished, she set the now full of food plate in front of where Eleanor was standing.]

Here. Try this.

[my_own_will]

[It never hurt for them to affirm to each other what they already knew, just to lift their spirits. Velvet's approving tone was all the thanks she needed.

The mention of what this place was for lead to a blush and frown.]

I know what you mean. It looks like we're stuck here for the time being though.

[She pauses, thinking.]

Should we try staying near each other? Just for safety in numbers.

[Having the plate of food put in front of her surprises her.]

Oh! Thank you.

[She trusted Velvet's cooking, she'd eaten it plenty before on their journey. So she took a bite happily.]

It's good! I think you managed to get the seasoning just right.

[Probably after a few testers before her.]

[hascomeundone]

[Velvet let out a relieved breath when Eleanor seemingly liked the food. She wasn't sure she trusted strangers to tell her the truth, but she was sure the redhead would've said if it was bad. She was infuriatingly honest sometimes.]

Good. Most of these ingredients are...similar to what we have back home, but. Not quite. And it's not like I can test them myself.

[Well, better safe than sorry.]

Ah. Probably? [Staying near each other.] Although we may have better luck finding a way home if we investigate separately too. And ah...

[Well. If what she was learning about here was true, there were times people did things against their will, and...well. She was pretty sure she didn't want Eleanor around for that.]

[my_own_will]

I see, well then I'll be happy to test when you try making other foods too. I'm no Phi, but I can give my honest opinion.

[She smiles warmly. It was funny she had gone from hating Velvet's guts to considering her a friend.]

Hm? I guess we should cover more ground, but this place also isn't particularly large.

[Eleanor doesn't know enough about the details of this place to come to the same conclusions as Velvet, but she still considers the other woman's comfort.]

I understand if you want your own space, but I would appreciate it if we were in easy walking distance at least.

[They did have these devices to stay in contact apparently.]

[hascomeundone]

Oh! [Velvet had clearly misunderstood what Eleanor had meant. She wasn't going to admit that, of course. Instead she half-turned away to check another dish on the stove.]

That shouldn't be hard.

[She said finally.]

It seems like people just...claim a place here. I'm sure we can find something large enough for us both while still having room to ourselves.

[She also wouldn't admit it, but she'd gotten used to sharing a room with Eleanor.]