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

[canceller]

[The body language is warning enough. Whether influenced or not, some simply take to this place differently, he's discovered. Her touch doesn't surprise him, even as he tilts his cheek away. Honestly.]

You sound awfully sure of that. There are few things here that don't pose some sort of threat.

[If you can call horniness a threat. He is, evidently.]

[videnije]

[ even as tipsy and drugged as she is, when he leans away she obligingly drops her hand, watching him through lidded eyes. at his comment, though, she gives a gentle laugh. ]

Give the monsters a wide enough berth, and the only thing you have worry of is ending up with a bit more in your drink than you intended.

[ now, normally, that would piss her the fuck off. she takes drugs willingly, not unwillingly, but she's also seen the kind of place this is. she's also playing it off lighter for her own sake, perhaps. ]

Or in the jellyfish.

wtf I thought I hit post yesterday

[canceller]

[Talk about something he really should have found the time to seek at some point in the day. Jeremiah could use more than the single drink he'd received off the last handsy stranger he's met, but there was already so much going on in the day. He couldn't possibly have absorbed or done everything.

Including the full extent of the ocean's sea life.]

There are jellyfish? [Ominous. Very ominous. He'd only seen plankton, and it had rendered no effect on him. He examines Valentina with a more careful eye, that... wow, is really hard not to misconstrue when someone is bearing skin. His gaze flicks back to her face, expression carefully neutral.]

Were you stung, by any chance?

listen we all been there

[videnije]

[ very hard not to misconstrue how he's looking her over, but considering he hadn't wanted her to touch him, she keeps it to herself. even if she pushes out her chest a little bit more when he looks. like what he sees? ]

Da, some jellyfish are the reason for the glow. But they are not poisonous - at least, not the kind that kills. More like everything else on this island.

[ horny venom. ]

[canceller]

[He sees it, that's for sure. Not bad at all, though in the context, it's both easier and harder to register it accordingly. It's still a tug of war in his mind, how much quarter he'll give to a place that demands this of them.]

Such would be my suspicion.

[And if he were smart, perhaps he'd walk away now. Apologize for not being able to assist in this particular matter, because he shouldn't. Concern holds him fast. Leaving them unattended to cross paths with someone else... well, it might not be unsafe, but.]

Do you feel the effects of anything yet?

[videnije]

Yes - it seems it's quite fast acting.

[ aside from her word, there's the fact that there's already a flush dotting her pale cheeks, perspiration beginning to sprout into existence along her brow. but she shakes her head. ]

I'm familiar with the effects. I should be fine.

[canceller]

[Oh boy. Here we go.

Jeremiah hasn't seen this yet, doesn't know the severity, the duration, what will become of her behavior. He doesn't exactly relish the opportunity, either, but their reassurance doesn't bolster his confidence.]

Are you sure? Did you get stung once already?

[He'd ask if there's any antidote, but it's pointless to entertain. If there is one, he suspects it's not in the conventional sense.]

[videnije]

I did. And while I'm not familiar with this creature, I'm familiar with the effects.

[ she emphasizes it again, quirking her lips up. ]

A desire to be close, to maintain contact, to know someone intimately. It's not poison, it's a drug - an aphrodisiac.

[canceller]

... I was afraid of that.

[What else would this place do, really? Have some semblance of normalcy? That warning he got was definitely well-founded. Jeremiah stands a little stiffly, meeting Valentina's gaze but concerned for the intent there, even if it's nothing he's not expecting. He's been stalwart in dodging the influences pushing him towards the inevitable. He doesn't intend to get bested now.

Not that anyone ever does.]

Let me state that I didn't approach you with any assumptions. It's my intent to mind your safety, first.

[videnije]

[ valentina laughs softly; the sound isn't amused, but neither is it unkind, either. ]

I appreciate the concern, but it is not the first time I have encountered this. I will be fine, if you wish to fuss over others.

[ she can absolutely restrain herself from throwing herself at jeremiah - but why would she bother when it'd be easier to find a partner? it's not intended to be dismissive of jeremiah, at the very least. ]

[canceller]

[Jeremiah is listening, yet he still dislikes the idea of leaving someone like this, dislikes the part of his pride that feels bruised for doing so.]

I understand. [And yet-] Would you like me to escort you somewhere, first?

[There's literally beach shacks with locking doors a stone's throw away. He's just struggling.]

[videnije]

[ she could tell him to leave her alone to her own devices but - his concern is rather touching, in a manner she won't examine too closely. so after a moment she steps closer. ]

One of the huts would be fine, thank you. My escort's name?

[ it's a little teasing as she asks it - she even offers her hand again. ]

[canceller]

[Being humored is still better than being dismissed. If anything, Jeremiah actually welcomes it, mollified by the compromise. His expression softens.]

Jeremiah Gottwald, at your service.

[He extends his hand as well, taking Valentina's in his own, politely.]

And whom do I have the pleasure of escorting?

[videnije]

Valentina Romanyszyn. The pleasure is all mine.

[ she flashes him a little smile. ]

Do you often make a habit of rescuing those in distress, Jeremiah?

[canceller]

[Jeremiah gives their hand a shake once properly introduced, then releases it, gesturing to the path ahead to say after you.]

I'd say I like to help when I can. [Not that Valentina needs it, but.] It seems prudent to watch out for one another here.

[videnije]

[ valentina seems a little disappointed he doesn't keep a hold of her hand, but she doesn't press it. ]

Mm, you have a point. Here, it seems even the fauna will take its chance to affect you.

[ case in point, herself. ]

Though I am more used to worrying about myself.

[canceller]

[He doesn't miss that, and it's minute but it stings. It's the heat of her touch that makes him withdraw, like that alone could be dangerous to have too close.

Instead of rectifying it, Jeremiah leads them on their way.]

Have you encountered any other animals with similar effects?

[videnije]

[ he'll have to make it up to her later, somehow.

at his question, she shakes her head. ]

No. Well, not personally. I encountered several warnings regarding some of the plants here, however. They are apparently... aggressive.

[canceller]

[Hold him to it. rimshot]

... Aggressive? [That doesn't sound good.] How so, with similar poison?

[videnije]

Stronger, from what I have heard relayed. It rendered their victims mindless and willing, to both the plants and to others.

[ she winces a little. ]

As much as I am not opposed to a nudge myself, that is a step too far.

[canceller]

Willing to the... plants themselves?

[Oh god. No, don't tell him. He's piecing it together in his head, because Jeremiah has been on the internet before. If there are jellyfish that can make you horny, there could be anything here.]

That's horrific.

[videnije]

[ val just nods her head seriously. ]

Yes, they'll end up feeling you up - or worse. Like a bad internet video.

[ she sighs. ]

So as I said, I will take the drinks over the animals.

[canceller]

I'll... be mindful of that.

[If he ever goes back even near the forest again. Now he's not sure he'd want to, staring dubiously at the sand in front of them. Their pace has remained leisurely, though it isn't much further yet to the nearest shack.]

It feels like there should be warning signs all over this island.

[videnije]

I guess the warnings come from the people here.

[ after a moment, she shakes her head, grinning. ]

The robots said we are the ones restoring energy to the island. Maybe we have someone with naughty thoughts to blame.

[canceller]

Unmistakably. I have to assume as much of their creators.

[His eyes scan out to the sea, all the beautiful, threatening dots of light.]

How these toxins have made their way into the flora and fauna, though... I don't fully understand the Augur yet, but it seems like a very strange way to play god.

[Like there's any good way. He's yet to see one.]