ercookies | TDM 003

001 ☣ [ f o g ]

[ he doesn't necessarily mind the sun, but 10k has the instincts of exploration on his mind, coaxing him closer towards the veil of fog. his gut tells him its dangerous, but after having spent eight years traveling along the apocalyptic stretches of the country, where zombies roam everyone you look, it's natural to always feel the lingering sense of danger behind you at all moments in time.

it's why he keeps his rifle secure in his hands, tucked up beneath his arm, body leaning in to get a better visual on the angle of his target. being the talented marksman that he is, a single shot from his gun would land exactly where he wants it, posing a good threat to whatever might walk through the fog towards him —

if only he could remember why he stumbled into there in the first place.

eventually, the fog seems to be in his own mind, nose scrunching with confusion as he foregoes remembering where he even is or what he'd come looking for.

not that it convinces him to let down his guard, only heightening it all the more, as he spins where he stands, eyes wide as he hears the brush of footsteps against the ground, urging him to turn in their direction, gun pointed directly at whoever approaches. ] Who's there!?

002 ☣ [ d r i n k s ]

[ eventually, 10k will find his way back out of the fog, making a mental note that even he shouldn't go around stumbling in there, before he works his way over to the beach. of course, even more suspicious than the mists from before is the very lively beach of festivities, which ... isn't the most common sight when you're fighting for your survival.

of course, when your throat is parched, made all the worse by the panic-inducing fog of the city, it's hard to say no to a few offered drinks — especially when they come all colorful like that. ]

A ) GELOSO [ his teeth grit a little at the bitterness, face scrunching into a scowl that doesn't seem to soften as he begins to peer around him, gaze eventually locking on someone nearby. ]

Aw, man. Why don't I look more like that? [ he mutters, almost in a sad whine, as he ducks his head briefly to look over his scrawnier appearance. he isn't large by any means, of the word, though his arms have built enough muscle in them to not be any kind of real disappointment. still, it doesn't seem to make his own sudden concern any less apparent. ]

B ) VIVACE [ as soon as he tastes the fruity texture on his tongue, he begins to giggle, a little higher pitched in its sound, as the smile on his face only stretches wide before he looks to the person beside him. ]

Heeeeeey. [ his smile remains, face appearing a little goofy. ] Can I get you a, uh ... [ oh, they already have a drink in their hand, don't they? ] — baby umbrella for that or something?

C ) CONOSCERE [ 10k's typically the quiet sort, and while he's so scaredy-cat in the face of a hoard of zombies, bravery excelling when he has his hands secure on a gun or slingshot to take them all down, he's — not quite so confident in the romance department.

so when he's suddenly met with someone beyond attractive, at least in his current mind's eye, he takes a deep breath, trying to forget every moment he's run away in the face of confronting a cute girl, and simply blurts out, ]

Can I kiss you!? [ oh god, that was loud. way too frackin' loud. ] I mean, no, wait, that's not — [ holding up his hands, he almost panics, but shakes his head. he totally has this. ] Okay, that sounds completely weird. I know. I just ... feel like that's something we should do. Right?

003 ☣ [ s n a c k s ]

[ he hasn't felt like himself all day, and after some pretty embarrassing scenarios with the drinks, 10k decides to avoid ever letting himself get offered something to digest ever again. most of his life, he's provided for himself anyway, so when he hears there's a collection of ponds and rivers to snatch his own food, he goes quick without a hesitant beat.

stocked in his vest are a few bits of fishing line and bait, and while not as much as he'd want to stash for the long run, it's enough to get himself fed for the afternoon.

setting up a line, he lets it fall into the water, getting himself comfortably seated on a rock as he waits. if someone eventually arrives, he looks at him cautiously at first, trying to determine if they're a friend or foe, before he ultimately asks, ] You, uh, want a line?

004 ☣ [ s p a r k l e s ]

[ 10k's been to a lot of places in his young life, the last almost-decade spent traveling back and forth across the united states, from one corner to the other, eventually steering him upwards into canada. but a sight like this is entirely brand new, and when he sets his eyes on it, his gaze almost shine as brightly as the water.

boots dug into the sand at the very edge of the short, he crouches down to get a closer look, trying to see how much detail of the jellyfish he can catch. ]

Think it's safe to put my feet in? [ he honestly doesn't know in this case, since it's not the kind of jellies he's seen before. ]

005 ☣ [ w i l d c a r d ]

( everything is open to m/f and m/m, with 18+ for m/f, 18-30 for m/m, and gen open to all. feel free to offer a variation of one of the above prompts! or if you'd like to discuss something more or even entirely different, send over a pm or hit me up at sausages on plurk ♥ )

Edited 2020-07-18 14:56 (UTC)

I. beachy

[What kind of person wears a heavy coat covered in feathers to the beach? This kind. The logical step is to take off the coat, but no, he's skulking around lean-tos instead, seeking shade. The goal is to find one that's, hmm, unoccupied, and so if he slinks into the shade with a sigh of relief and only then notices someone there, he sort of comically double takes. Woop--]

Oh— is this your... hut? [hovel, generously, but he's been there, no judgment] I thought it was something of a free-for-all. My mistake.

[Correct him? Commit to the bit? It's a very lovely piece of garbage lean-to, really.]

II. drinx

[You're out here minding your own business when from somewhere nearby, a scoff and a low muttering of something interrupts. It's at that perfect petty volume, not intended to be shared but very intended to be heard, and looking around, Anders there is definitely the only viable source of this unsolicited commentary on... whatever. Appearance, clothes, having a friendly conversation with someone else— clearly he has some opinions.

He's holding one of those drinks, too, sipping it innocently with a shrug when whoever's passing by makes eye contact with him. Hello? What? He has done nothing.

Of course, the moment anyone turns away, the precise second they might be spared from his pettiness, he actually speaks up:]

I've been meaning to ask, [to this total stranger,] How is all this working for you?

[It's definitely petty commentary (tm), but his words and the gesture up and down he makes are just vague enough to be anything.]

III. snax

[After a truly unproductive argument with a robot at one of the food stalls, Anders has given in and agreed, with as much surliness as a person can produce, to man one of the kissing booths. It's the last thing he wants to do right now when he's hungry and it's hot and he's still feeling just a little petty from the drinks (or perhaps that is his own natural pettiness, who can say), but he's there. He's offering his services to the community.

Sort of. He has a cat with him, a darling little tabby once stray, now officially his since it's arrived here in his care, and the cat is currently stretched out on the booth counter in the shade of the flimsy roof it offers. Anders is sitting there with his arms folded, and if anyone approaches him to use this booth for its intended purpose, he nods at the cat.]

He's the one taking customers. Think of me as the handler.

[Pet this cat for fun and profit? He's not going to make any credits from this, but he'll learn that soon enough.]

IV. evening/jellies

[Later in the evening, Anders finds a quiet place along the beach to just... sit. He's taken his coat off finally, but he's still overdressed to be at the beach, mercifully now in the cooler temperatures of the evening. The coat sits at his side with the cat curled up on it, asleep, and Anders just sits there in the sand, arms folded on bent knees, watching the glowing waves come in and out with a pensive expression. There is... plenty to think about, now that he's mostly been left alone with his thoughts. Mostly.

He wouldn't turn down anyone coming to sit beside him for a chat, but it's also getting dark and he's not dressed for visibility, so it's just as likely that he or his coat just straight up trip somebody passing by. Should that unlucky thing happen, he first makes a noise of genuine annoyance, thanks, but ah--]

—I didn't hear anyone coming. Sorry— here. [An offered hand,] You didn't hit any particularly nasty shells down there, did you?

wildcard

[hoo-ray..... hit me? ping me at jojoveller if you want. horny stuff optional w/ some groundwork, m/f and m/m, preferably 21+]

kissing booth: kiss kiss fall in love
just make sure her knight doesn't see you

[ guess who's been volun-told to man the kissing booth?

yes, it's one (1) britannian princess, prim and proper in her formal regalia, who is standing underneath the huge and equally pink (and garish) sign that says "kissing booth". the robots didn't specify the kind of kisses she'll be giving so she assumes it's simply a peck on the cheek, which is something she can effortlessly give if it means celebrating this festival with everyone. after all, it's either this, or the gloryhole tent and, well. she's not entirely sure what gloryhole means or what it entails her to do.

she starts when a robot nudges at her side, reminding her of her job and the person standing in front of her. euphemia blinks in surprise before she looks up and smiles graciously at her first customer. ]

Hello, are you here for a kiss from me?

[ or you know, dragging her away from the booth is an option too. ]

sparkles: walks on the beach
wow, it's like kaminejima all over again

[ without the rather depressing talk about the burdens of being in the royal family, that is.

euphemia has her skirts pulled up as she walks along the shore, her shoes left some ways away. it's a bit of a quiet moment after a long day, letting her think of what being on this island entails: the bracelet on her wrist, the card that appears when she goes through its settings and the acts they need to do to complete it. it's something she'll need to come to terms with and eventually learn as she goes along. ]

Oh, my! [ she exclaims as she walks closer to the edge of the water, eyes wide with fascination over the glittering lights. ] Those are very beautiful.

[ and if you're passing her by as she oohs and aahs at the lights on the water, she'll turn to you with a bright smile. ] Do you know what those are? Are they safe to touch?

[ wading in the water in three ... two ... ]

wildcard
where the wild things are

[ any secrets you'd like to spill with those fancy drinks? maybe you'd like to teach her how to fish for actual fish instead of men? feel free to toss her a different starter or pm me to set one up for you. ]

One - Fog

[Velvet had, upon arrival, managed to not destroy the teleporter, the chatty AI, or any of the robots. So far. Points for her? But her temper was barely in check, which left her pacing a long, angry path along the edge of the ocean, hands balled into fists, her gaze on the horizon. This was ridiculous. And insane. And she had more important things to be doing! And none of that seemed to matter in the least to those ridiculous robots, except that they were all very sorry for the inconvenience. Bleh.]

[So instead of arguing anymore, she'd gone out to see if they were lying, and whatever this trick was, she could get back to where she needed to be. This certainly wasn't the first time (or even the second time) she'd woken up with no idea where she was, but she'd always found a way out before.]

[Which was what eventually brought her to the edge of the fog. She stood there frowning at it, arms crossed, the bandaged fingers of her left hand drumming irritably against the gauntlet on her right wrist. She'd been warned, several times, to not go into the fog. So that meant it really was dangerous. Or it was a way out.]

[After a longer period of uncertainty than she'd admit to later, she uncrossed her arms and turned to hurry into the fog. Someone should probably stop her. Or follow her. Whoops?]

Two - Drinks

[Hours later, back on the beach and almost embarrassed for her own stupidity at wandering into the memory loss fog, Velvet was milling about between the beach and the food stalls, a glass in hand. The robot had called it Vivace, and she had to admit she liked the color and texture, though the flavor meant nothing to her. (She'd even checked to make sure it wasn't alcoholic, as confused as the robots seemed by the question...) She was sipping it mostly to have something to do with her hands.]

[Still, each sip left her feeling a little more relaxed, at first, and then...well. The grimace on her face faded into something closer to a smirk. She was halfway finished it when she found herself leaning back against a tree, her gauntlet arm resting across her bare stomach, leg bent to rest her foot flat against the tree. She probably looked rather inviting, though it was (at least consciously) unintentional. But her amber eyes were actually bright and inviting. Except that anyone familiar might get the distinct impression she was eyeing them much like a cat would be looking at a new toy. Or a bird that had come within reach. And when someone who had caught her attention passed close enough by...]

Hey.

Three - Cooking?

[Velvet loved to cook. It hadn't taken much convincing by the robots at all to get her to man one of the food stalls in the early evening, and after a few minutes of familiarizing herself with the various tools, she was cooking away. And actually humming faintly to herself as she did it. After the day so far, she needed this. Something solid she could accomplish and actually, hopefully, be good at.]

[Still, there was one massive roadblock, since she didn't actually recognize most of what she was working with food-wise. So she did the best she could, before turning with a plate of rather artfully arranged food, and setting it on the counter of the food stall.]

Hey you!

[More rudely than she had really intended, she called out to someone walking by, then gestured her bandaged hand at the plate.]

Come try this? On the house. I just need to know what you think of it.

[Not having a sense of taste was such a pain in the ass...]

Four - Jellies

[She worked at the food stall for hours, until the robots finally chased her away and told her to go relax. Damn it. She just needed something to do. To get her mind off all of this. Which brought her back to the edge of the water, though admittedly the view and the haunting glow from the jellyfish was enough to settle her nerves again. There was something inviting about the ocean that she'd never thought about until recently. Too much time in the dark without the sky had made sailing something wonderful. If the best she could manage was to sit and watch the sea, well...it would have to do.]

[She tugged off her boots, tucking them under her arm as she waded out to a smooth flat rock about twenty feet from shore, then dropped them with a clang onto the stone as she climbed up onto it. Then she just turned and let her bare feet settle in the water, watching the jellyfish swirling around her ankles. With the breeze in her hair and the lap of the waves against her legs, this was...peaceful. Content. Which was a very rare thing for her.]

[Anyone who happened to pass nearby would get a bit of a smile or even a raise of her hand in a wave. Neither chasing them off, nor inviting them over.]

[Of course, she was a bit oblivious to the painless stings of the beautiful jellyfish, just shaking them off when one tried to wrap around her foot. But it was definitely getting warmer despite the breeze. Hm...]

[OOC: Any and all welcome! f/m, f/f, Just hit me up. If you want a different starter or have something else to throw at Velvet, feel free. Or PM me first if you like. For anything more adult in nature, Velvet is actually completely inexperienced in spite of her attitude, so it'll probably end up mostly a disaster. But fun? And only in the last prompt.]

DRINKS :: GELOSO

[ Ivan's eyes may be purple, but you'd swear they were green. He knows that he has nothing -- he came to this world with the clothes on his back and hasn't found anything else yet -- and so, the possessions of other people are everything.

So he watches them. It's blatantly obvious, but if you catch his eye, he'll still immediately look down in shame. ]

Sorry...

DRINKS :: CONOSCERE

[ Washing away jealousy with a few gulps of the new beverage, Ivan's self-confidence goes from zero to hero. As the robot overlords (under-lords? vassals??) suggest, he realizes he'd like to find someone to share it with.

Who would he most like to give an indirect kiss to...? Is it you?

He offers the drink out shyly. ]

W- [ He swallows his nerves. ] Would you like to try some?

SNACKS :: GRILLING

[ They make him do it hadaka apron style, which in hindsight is probably a terrible idea if something spills on him, but is otherwise hilarious so... yolo, he's still under the effects of conoscere when he agrees to it. But the drink is wearing off, and you look helpful. ]

...I'll trade you this fish for some pants.

WILDCARD :: NINJA HERO FOR HIRE

[ Want to play with a dose of a different drink? Got some party games you want to rope him into? Hit me with your best shot or ask for a starter via PM or at

silverchaos and I'll be happy to oblige! ]

Beach

Being brought here had been a surprise. Beyond just the usual reasons her last memories were chaotic and painful. So to be brought to a place like this. An almost idyllic beach caused some mood-whiplash. She barely even thought about the implications of what the AI told her she was so distracted.

There was a lot of nervous energy for her to work off so while she would listen and not go deeper into the fog she could be found walking its perimeter, deep in thought.

Drinks

She could only walk along the beach for so long before she started to become thirsty. So she returned to the central area where she was helpfully offered a cool drink right away. That was... prompt at least. The red-head gratefully took it and took a seat.

Pyrrha was sipping on her drink when she noticed someone looking at her from nearby. Maybe they were just looking at a pretty girl, maybe they were looking at her armor, either way she offered them a warm welcoming smile.

(ooc: I'll choose the drink based on the thread.)

Snacks

None of the 'jobs' the robots were offering were palatable to Pyrrha so she endeavored to catch her own food. With a makeshift wooden spear in hand she made her way to the water to catch fish. She had decided not to go the fishing rod route despite it being suggested. So anyone watching would see her dive under the water to go spear fish.

Sometime later she would emerge looking very cross. A spear-full of fish in one hand and dragging a dead Octopus Creature by the tentacle in the other. The thing had picked the wrong target.

Wildcard

(ooc: Nothing fit? Feel free to suggest ideas! I'm keeping actual sex for later with her, but flirting is alright. Any gender welcome, but women will get better reactions.)

[I: Drinks On You]

[Raven is not above having some booze. In fact, she's been known to enjoy it every now and then. Not to the extent of her brother, god no; she has some self-control.

But one thing she's less sure about is having drinks prepared for her by other people and just offered to her. Raven is a suspicious person by nature, especially after having just been kidnapped by a mysterious power, and this is just setting off all sorts of alarms in her mind.

Even if she does see others drinking them without care. Idiots. Idiots who can't help but indulge.

Hmm.] You.

What's in those things? [Might as well ask.]

[II: Snacks on Me]

[Festivals are hardly unheard of in the Branwen Tribe. Even bandits have celebrations. The festivities don't bother her.

But what does bother her is how crowded it is. There are so many people here, it's crowded and noisy. On the one hand, perfect for blending in to a group and disappearing... but on the other, for a woman accustomed to regularly checking over her shoulder, it's difficult to do just that.

Still, she has to eat. Her stomach's rumbling is proof enough of that.

Instead, she's going to find her way down the beach to a quieter section of the waters, and the little fish swimming around give her an idea.

So don't mind the weird lady standing up to her knees in the ocean, stabbing a long, pointed sword into the water with blindingly fast strikes and pulling it out with a fish speared on the end of it.]

[III: Nobody on their Knees]

[Also annoying: Being pressured to participate in festivities that she really has no interest in. Some of these are irritating, but harmless. But one particular request is really getting under her nerves.

Which is why, when she hears footsteps behind her, she casually rests a hand on the hilt of her sword.]

Do I look like some sort of whore? Ask me again about that gloryhole tent and you'll regret it.

[IV: Wildcard]

[Anything else!]

I: BEACH

[Since his arrival, Jeremiah’s been working on pacing every inch of the island, avoiding both contact and the bizarre fog clinging to the outskirts, which eventually leads him down to the beach. It’s startlingly different from the crumbling buildings of the city, the natural beauty less foreboding, peaceful even. He’s still at an utter loss as to where he’s been taken, but he supposes some of the scenery could be a lot worse.

His boots crunch in the sand as he slows his pace, eventually stopping just short of one of the shacks scattered about the coast, scanning the full extent of his surroundings. The display functions of his prosthetic eye seem to be malfunctioning, but its mechanical workings are as unnaturally sharp as always, as he looks out over the water. He finds nothing, not a trace of land or ships or anything else to be seen on the horizon, just unbroken ocean stretching into the beyond.

Jeremiah ascends the short steps, walking to the side of the porch where a table and a couple chairs have been tucked. He sheds his jacket, somewhat excessive in this weather, folding it neatly over the banister and seating himself for a moment.

No way in or out, it seems. At least he’s not entirely alone, but he’s almost as wary of the other people he’s seen from a distance as he is of the robots. Wary like this whole place makes him, wary like he is of the bracelet sitting heavy on his wrist, what it signifies. Feeling displaced as he is has left him in a bit of a mood, so Jeremiah simply watches the waves for a moment, wondering what he does now.]

II: DRINKS

[It doesn’t take long after heading towards the bustle of activity for Jeremiah to find where the beverages are being served. If he has to be stuck here, he might as well be stuck on a beach and treat it as an impromptu vacation, to see if it eases his mind a little. After some observing and an inquiry to one of the serving bots, he discovers none of them to be alcoholic, but he decides he’ll make do with a mocktail. When in Rome, right?]

- Colpito

[The flavor draws a bit of an expression, more surprise than distaste, though the sweetness leaves him a little reeling. It’s not so much that he sets it down, though, the coolness of the beverage refreshing enough to keep drinking. Seating himself nearby, Jeremiah doesn’t take long to finish it, thirstier than he perhaps realized at first.

Once he’s finished it off, a slight warmth settles in his bones, making him wonder if perhaps they’d snuck in some liquor after all. Movement in his periphery makes Jeremiah smile a little, turning to whoever’s joined him, comment on the offerings at this place dying on his lips. Instead, he just stares at the newcomer with a sudden fixation, mouth hanging open as his words leave him, his one visible eye wide, pupil slightly blown.

Prompt him if you want him to speak or, you know, stop, because Jeremiah’s at a loss right now. He manages to close his mouth, but beyond that seems set on just staring.]

- Verace

[It’s definitely bizarre to his tongue at first, but something about the combination of notes appeals to him in the drink. Jeremiah’s a bit of a traditionalist with beverages, trends often flying over his head, but there might be something to this one. It’s comforting oddly enough, soothing and creamy, summoning thoughts of home for a brief moment, before sadness wells up along with it.

Jeremiah doesn’t remember anything past stepping back down the ladder in the orchard. He could have done something as simple as slipping and hitting his head, though the aftermath isn’t the prettiest scene to paint. How a fall like that would injure his particular physique, then lead to him waking in a hospital this far away still escapes him, but he’s still more concerned with what he left behind. More importantly who he’s left, assuming she didn’t get brought here with him. His trees will be fine by themselves, but Anya?]

… I do hope things are all right.

[Murmured to no one in particular, as he sits seemingly by himself. Jeremiah’s not sure why it comes out of his mouth, but as far in his thoughts as he is, the filter comes right off.]

III: SNACKS

[Jeremiah already rifled through everything he’d received at the hospital, but money wasn’t something among his items. He’s stashed everything not on his person in one of the many nooks and crannies about the island center, though now he’s wondering if he should have brought it to barter with. The robots seem happy to offer him another way, though, after he’s been standing there staring in hunger for long enough, suddenly left wondering the last time he ate properly.

So if anyone approaches looking for food, Jeremiah’s there, coat, vest, cravat, and gloves all stripped, his sleeves rolled up as he tends to the grill. He’s not exactly a master chef, still rusty to cooking his own meals all the time, but he gets the hang of this quickly enough, flipping the fish with just the right amount of time for char lines to form down the descaled skin. It’s hot enough under the tents that he’s broken out into a slight sweat, but he doesn’t mind it too much. Jeremiah’s gotten rather used to the grimy reality of manual labor in recent months, though in the back of his mind he’s balking at how much he’s going to stink of barbecue after this. Maybe he should have left his work clothes on after all.

The next person to approach receives a greeting over the hiss of the grill, the robot that had been taking orders having stepped away to acquire more napkins.] Welcome! What can I get you?

IV: SPARKLES

[He’s still in the vicinity by the time night falls, in slightly better spirits after eating and conversing enough to clear his head. There’s still so much to absorb about this place, but things feel less desperate with the reassurance that he’s not alone. Acceptance and resignation both can read similarly, but with enough people in the same boat, it’s unlikely that they won’t exhaust all their options.

Attempting escape still seems sensible. They may have been brought here for a reason, and nothing on the island itself poses a deadly threat, but it doesn’t seem justifiable to stay just from that alone. Whatever lost society and autonomous remnants remain don’t concern Jeremiah much. Empires don’t fall every day, but even they can, and they do. It’s the way of things.

Still, there are others here that seem to hold good intentions. As long as he’s among them, Jeremiah sees no reason not to join the fight towards something better.

His clothes from earlier are still bundled, the ones still on him definitely still smelling a bit of smoke. Evening has cooled the surroundings enough to make him roll his sleeves back down, but by far not enough to forego cleanliness so he can layer back up. The temptation to shuck his boots as well and wade in is definitely calling to him, though he refrains. He’s spent enough time wearing these clothes in a desert to want to invite sand in any more than it already has.

Jeremiah instead sets his things down on a driftwood log, stepping just to where the waves reach furthest on the shore, leaving glowing watermarks in their wake. He’s never seen anything quite like this, not in person anyway, nor in such brilliant display. Beauty so vivid it makes itself suspicious, which is what ultimately holds him back. It may not all be so insidious, for all the strikes he’s tallied against this place by now, but he’s far from letting his guard down.

Just not enough to stop him from crouching down to observe more closely, dipping his hand in the half-inch of water and watching the tiniest organisms surge around his fingers with the tide. If he could, he’d be scanning them for information, but his left eye yields nothing once again, just pristine specks and swirls of light. How frustrating.]

V: WILDCARD

(OOC: Got a starter? Hit me with it. Open to whatever, 18+ for mutually shippy stuff, though flirt with him if you want. Any other prompts I didn’t touch on? PM on this acct, pinstripes on Plurk, or syntheticoid#7133 on Discord. I'm always up to plot.)

Beach

Well, she's certainly had worse ways to be welcomed to a new place. Nah already knows to stay well away from any strange fog, so she has absolutely no problem sticking to the sands of the beach and just along the shoreline of the water. She hesitates to go out further not because she can't swim (though she's... not great at it) but because she's worried there might be more out there than water.

Of course, one might see her leaning dubiously over the shimmering surface, glaring at the sea as if trying to will it to give up its secrets, dressed in a white dress and a red cape and get ideas...

Drinks

She's not drinking those. Not until she's seen them consumed and knows exactly what they do.

Which means it's time for some guinea pigs! She sits down at the bar, but rather than order anything she just looks around as if she's expecting someone. When a person comes close, she jerks her head up to look at them and smiles cheerfully and disarmingly.

"Hey. Want a drink?"

She is a master of deception.

Gone Fishin'

Some people swim with poles. Some with spears. Some swim out to nab the fish with their bare hands.

And some turn into huge red dragons and hurl huge amounts of fish inland with their tails.

Nah figures she might as well help out those who don't have any real angling skill while she's getting herself some food, so she leaves plenty of fish flopping on the beach, waiting for someone to come pick them up and slap them on the grill. She finishes up with one last toss... And finds an octopus attached to her face when the throw sends it up too high.

"Wha... get off!" She growls through the tentacled grip, shaking her head this way and that. Growling in anger, she takes in a deep breath...

Hope you like your calamari extremely well done.

Smooches

A short girl with blond hair in pigtails and a flat expression stares up from behind the desk of the kissing booth, looking her prospective client over. She doesn't seem to be doing all that much to entice them to spend their money, or barter for her services...

"Tongue's extra."

And she proceeds to stick out a very, very long, lithe tongue, which wiggles in the air a couple times before she withdraws it. Ah. So that's the selling point.

Wildcard!

[OOC: Go ahead and make something up! Nah's 22, just very short, and coming from another sex game she knows a thing or two about this. And if you prefer brackets, just respond accordingly! I'm good either way. Always available for plotting on

friedunicorn]

001: Stray Dog

[Rather than socializing with his fellow new arrivals, Garrett gets to work chopping wood (with a very pretty battleaxe that does not look like it was made for woodcutting) and picking fruit - that he hasn't eaten yet bc he knows better than to put his drink down at parties.

While he's minding his damn business, his dog grabs a sunflower from the pile of plants at his feet and goes running.]

Oi! Get back here, you giant moron!

[Ox is a very beefy dog- think a Cane Corso that's the size of a Great Dane. Just incredible beefcake absolute unit. The man chasing him is pretty much the same- a shirtless 6'6 dude with objectively Too Many Scars chasing the giant hound in exasperation.

Ox runs up to the first person he sees, playfully bowing with a giant sunflower in his teeth. Friend? FRIEND.]

002: Drinks On Me

[Hawke might be dumb but he ain't stupid. He knows better than to carelessly eat or drink anything in these pocket dimensions. The fact that these aren't any drink he's ever seen before, are weird looking (even by his standards), and are made by these bots?

Yeah, nah.

When one of the bots gives Hawke a drink, rather than sipping it himself, he turns to the person next to him and offers the drink up with a charming smile.]

Can I buy you a drink?

[Har har so funny.]

003: Glory Hole

[Okay, listen. He might be trying to do a Serious here, but he's not made of stone. Let it never be said that Garrett Hawke didn't heed the call of destiny when the time was right.

Which is to say, he's manning the glory hole. Giving or receiving. Each time someone new enters the booth, he waits a few moments to see if anything comes through the hole at him- to see if this next person wants to give or to take.]

004: Sparkly

[Nightfall takes his breath away. Bioluminescent beaches- that's something he never thought he'd see again.

The struggles and fun from earlier in the day seem to fall away when the waters light up. Garrett plops down on the stolen blanket he's spread out, resting his makeshift spear (a knife strapped to a piece of driftwood) at his side next to a pile of fish he's caught.

For now, he's content to just gaze out at the beauty of it. To share this moment, fleetingly precious, with whoever happens by.]

Beautiful, isn't it?

A. DRINKS

[ find klavier standing by the beachside stall, leaning his shoulder against a nearby palm three and pushing his straw through the ice in his drink. ]

NO DRINK YET
[ if you look closely enough, you'll see that his attention isn't on the drink at all—rather, at the watch wrapped around his wrist. he's pointedly frowning. when he sees you, his lips spread into a calm smile and he leans away from the tree onto his feet. ]

You're a part of this farce as well, I take it.

CONOSCERE
[ his eyes still on his watch, klavier lets go of his straw and absently lowers his head to drink. after he swallows, he looks up and finds you.

he stares without remorse for a moment too long, and you see his eyes soften as he smiles warmly at you. mistake or not, he swirls his drink in his hand and approaches you.

he's already confident enough, but you seem to bring out a whole other side of it. when he stops beside you, his eyes flicker down as he raises his drink between the two of you. ]

Our captors here, [ he nods towards a nearby robot, ] tell me that there may be some reward when sharing this drink with someone.

[ his eyes dart back towards you. he raises the drink again slightly, tipping its straw towards you. ]

I unfortunately can't test this idea by my lonesome. From what I've heard, we might both reap those benefits, if that entices you at all.

B. KISSING BOOTH.....

[ following a conversation with one of the robots regarding his new getaway's credit system, klavier decides to gracefully accept his disconnection from his wealth. whatever con had brought him to the island, he would play by its rules for the time being.

he's been provided a wooden booth of his own to man, with 'KISSING BOOTH' printed on a large plank fixed over his head. he's shed his purple coat, which is folded carefully and rests on one side of the booth's counter. his black, collared shirt is rolled up to his elbows.

you might not be coming to the booth itself, but klavier is willing to fish for credits. as he leans on both arms over the counter, prepped for his next customer, he will give you a wink if you meet his eye. ]

I could use your help, if you have a moment.

C. JELLYFISH

[ anyone who catches a glimpse of klavier rolling up his pant legs and wading a few short steps into the sparkling water might think he's done this before, despite the danger. his shoes are hanging by his side, fingers hooked into the heels and black socks rolled and nestled into the toes. his other hand is tucked into his pocket.

this should be a good sight for whichever cameras might be watching him at the moment.

he's admiring the swirl and glow around his feet before he catches you nearby—looking or just loitering—and offers you a debonair smile. ]

Almost otherworldly, aren't they? Are you afraid?

D. WILDCARD

( ooc: anything goes! feel free to hit me up with a dm or nat#1824 on discord. i'm also willing to write out other drink options. klavier is 24; 18+ partners only, please. m/f or m/m! )

Edited 2020-07-19 01:42 (UTC)

[1. - Beach]

[The beach was a welcome departure from everything he'd encountered since arriving in Erku.

[He was used to turbulent seas, sparsely populated islands, and aetts of collapsible tents ringed with palisades of stone, bone, and whatever wood could be found. The hospital and the ruined buildings beyond it were as utterly alien to him as the glowing, phantasmic gothi who'd explained the situation and their steel-skinned servants.

[Nothing like any of it existed on Fenris. Why would it? The quakes that come in the summer months can drag entire islands back down into the sea. Tents can be torn down and moved when that time inevitably comes, stone structures just shook themselves to pieces. You didn’t build them unless you were desperate, prideful, or stupid, and you damn sure wouldn’t build them a dozen floors high the way they did here -- provided you knew how to do it all.

[Aleifr found them uncomfortable and overwhelming in equal measure. Stark, impossible to miss reminders that he’s far from home and completely out of his element, rendered even more ominous by their abandoned, ruined state.

[The beach, though ... waves lapping at the sand, warmth beating down from the unseen sun, the wooden lean-tos scattered along the crescent of the shore ...

[It was greener than any place he'd been before, but it was closer to what he knew. Close enough that the tension he's carrying can ease just a little and he can actually think over what's happened and what to do about it. Clear his head just a little.

[Aleifr makes his way over to one of the shacks and peers inside. Finding it to be empty - seemingly devoid of any sign that it's been inhabited recently - he sits down in the shade of the doorway. He draws in a deep breath through his nose, smelling the sea on the air, and lets it out in a long, slow, exhale.

[What the fuck has he gotten himself into now?]

[2. - Drinks]

[Even after he's done his bit of brooding, Aleifr keeps largely to himself - enjoying the quiet of his little slice of beachfront and observing the people and machines to get a better sense of his new surroundings.

[He does, however, make his way over to the bar at least once when the bots begin serving drinks near the entrance to the beach. The colors might be a bit odd ... but, well, a drink's a drink, and he's needed one from the moment he arrived.]

[So he selects one of the brightly colored beverages, gives it an experimental sip, and once he decides that it isn't unpleasant ... well, he drinks a bit more.]

(OOC: We can figure out whatever he grabbed based on the thread.)

[3. - Snacks]

[Aleifr's been distracted enough by the events of his arrival that he didn't realize how hungry he was until he smelled the cook-fires and grilling fish.

[As such, the food stalls have his attention, even if he could hardly be less interested in whatever else the metal men have to offer.

[Ordinarily he might go out and catch something for himself, but he doesn't know this place. He doesn't know what's safe to eat, what might be harmful, or what he'd need to do to resolve matters if he did happen upon something toxic. He's got a fairly dim view on the competence of the locals considering they apparently brought him here by accident, but considering the fact that people survive here, he has to assume they know what's safe to eat. He gets a look at their selection, he'll have an idea of what he can catch for himself later on.]

[4. - Sparkles]

[Aleifr lingers at the waterfront for a good few hours. Eventually, the sun sets and little glimmering pinpricks of light begin to appear in the surf, like stars floating just under the surface of the water, glowing steadily brighter as the world around them dims.

[He hasn't seen anything like it before. Pretty, though. Pretty enough that he wants a closer look.

[He rises to his feet and pads barefoot across the sand up to the water, kneeling down just past the point where the lapping waves finally run out of momentum and watching the waves roll in and draw back.]

Edited 2020-07-19 00:13 (UTC)

drinks.

( The temperature is going to become a problem. Yazoo's armour wasn't designed with sunshine and sand in mind: the high collared, ankle-skimming leather is a heat absorbing black, and he can already feel warmth settling at the high points on his cheeks as he skirts the sun in the man-made shade. Perhaps it's just as well that he's so preoccupied with keeping cool; Yazoo has no idea how his skin will respond to such prolonged exposure to sunlight, and he's fair enough that he runs a real risk of burning himself.

It won't be pretty.

Fortunately, complimentary drinks are handed out before Yazoo can become too uncomfortable. The part of him that would usually react with suspicion is quickly overridden by a sudden, desperate thirst, and he wordlessly reaches out to take one of the proffered concoctions. )

i. geloso

( It happens almost instantly. Yazoo swallows the botanical mouthful and immediately catches sight of someone dressed in far less then him, their legs and arms bared to the sun and the scant traces of the sea breeze. His usually neutral expression sours around the edges: his brows pinch into a frown, and his lips thin as he looks the person up and down. )

That isn't fair.

( He says quietly, although his tone is sharp enough to cut. )

You could at least be considerate of those of us who don't feel comfortable in so little.

ii. vivace

( Yazoo had expected a tingle of refreshment, perhaps, but the first sip of his drink races through his core like a crackle of Mako energy. For all the heat pulling at his limbs he feels somehow energised—he's ready to move—as his mood lifts to the kind of spirited heights he feels in the midst of battle. Green eyes slide over the people around him in search of a suitable plaything ...

But his gaze doesn't get much further than the nearest person, and their drink. Yazoo tilts his head, unblinking, as a feline smile touches the corners of his lips: )

Yours looks nice.

( His smile melts into a smirk. )

Will you let me try it?

iii. conoscere

( The drink is bitter, but not unpleasantly so. Yazoo turns the flavour over on his tongue as the aftertaste of chocolate finally melts into the flavour, only dimly aware that it seems to be warming him from the inside out. He feels better, to the point where he's certain that other people must see it too, and when he unintentionally catches the gaze of a person heading towards the free drinks ...

Well. Why not have a little fun?

This is the first time he can recall feeling desirable to another. Yazoo holds their gaze as he brings his gloved middle finger to the plush of his lips, catching the tip of the leather between his teeth as dark lashes dip lower over his eyes. Then, slowly, he tilts his head and pulls his hand free of the sheath, which he pockets with an easy smirk as he switches his glass to his now bare hand.

Believe it or not, this is Yazoo showing a lot of skin. )

Do you see something you like?

snacks.

( Fishing, it turns out, is a lot more frustrating than it looks.

It had seemed like the most sensible course of action when given the options of how to earn something to eat; Yazoo is still unsure as to what a glory-hole might be, but he does know that he isn't all that interested in finding out. Kissing, getting wet, or trying his hand at cooking ... nothing appealed, but the idea of a little peace and quiet away from the hubbub? That, he could get his head around.

... Or so he'd thought. After an unsuccessful half hour in which he's managed to catch absolutely nothing at all, the shallow puddle of his patience has finally dried up. He rises abruptly, ignoring the odd looks he gets from the people set up around him, and simply walks away from the line without giving it so much as a second thought. He cuts a strange figure as he heads back towards the food stalls, the scent of grilled, seasoned fish upping the pangs in his stomach from bearable to a deep, gnawing pain. Someone walks past with a filled plate and Yazoo all but feels his pupils blow wide at the sight of the food: )

Wait.

( Yes, he's talking to you! Those strange eyes rest on the food before flitting up towards the passer-by's face. )

Can I have that?

sparkles.

( Dusk brings with it a cloak of darkness that paints the beach in deepening shades of indigo. Yazoo is grateful for the breeze that rolls in from the sea to cool the sun-scorched sands; it's been a very long, very strange day, shot through with moments of excessive confusion, but as the sun slinks beneath the horizon he is at least alleviated of the weight of the heat. It gives him the space he needs to breathe, and to sift through the muddle of his thoughts—but then something happens that he never could have predicted. Daylight fades, and the sea begins to glow.

It plucks at something buried deep within the dark parts of his memory—a fragment unintentionally left there by the man who created him. The overall effect is one of familiarity, both soothing and enraging, and for a moment he finds himself remembering a vast, glittering sea that bore a greenish hue instead.

No. Not the sea. The Lifestream.

The absence of his brothers, of Mother, becomes a great ache. Yazoo drifts towards waves like a man hypnotised under some spell, his already bright eyes a brilliant green as they fill with light from the water. He's hip deep in his leathers but doesn't seem particularly fazed by the soaked-through material, nor by the brush of translucent fronds against the bare skin of his hands as he lets them dip below the surface.

... Just water. Water, and a gently blooming heat that begins to simmer beneath his skin. )

wildcard.

( Or hit him with something else! Just a heads-up that Yazoo is physically around 19 but is technically 2 years old, as he's a physical manifestation of some nobody in his late 20s' personality. OTA for gen, characters 18+ for a little spice, and if you'd like to plot something / have any questions please hit me up on Plurk at scry! )

Edited 2020-07-19 01:02 (UTC)

I. BEACH
[ As disorienting as it is to arrive in an entirely new world with no explanation, Siegfried takes it in relative stride, all things considered. He remains calm, taking his time to thoroughly explore what little there is of the main city, filing every bit of information into his mind as he investigates. It doesn’t take long for him to realize that most of the populace has gathered near the shore, and while he is extremely on-guard and wary about his current situation, he knows he will not be easy conversation in his full armor. The Captain, Lyria, and Vyrn have taught him that much, at least.

So, when at the beach, he works quickly to blend in, changing into his summer yukata as he walks along the shore.

He’s reached a relatively peaceful part of the day, with not many others around. So he indulges a bit, dipping his feet into the water and feeling the waves splash around his ankles. His attention is caught by a piece of clothing that the water drifts onto his feet. He leans down to pick it up, looking at it quizzically. ]

Now, where did this come from?

[ Uh oh, looks like you lost all (or part) of your swimsuit! ]

II. DRINKS
[ Yes, objectively, he is intelligent enough to know that whatever he ingests here could be bad news. However, given that he has no money to his name, he is rather dependent on whatever food or drink he can get his hands on here. One must stay hydrated in the hot summer, after all! ]

IIa. COLPITO
[ After taking a sip, Siegfried stares down at his cup with a thoughtful frown. ]

Hm… I may have made a mistake ordering this. It’s much too sweet for me. [ But he’s ordered it already, and it would be a shame to waste food. He sets it aside for now, intent on making his way through it slowly, when his attention is caught by something, nay someone so radiant he cannot bear to look away.

When has he ever felt like this? The answer is never, because he has always been too preoccupied with his duty to act on anything resembling romantic attraction. But it’s as if his body moves of its own accord, pulse beating wildly as he approaches them. ]

Excuse me. Could I have a moment to speak with you? [ Or a lifetime to hold you, perhaps? ]

IIb. CONOSCERE
[ For a reason that was only explained to him as “you really need to share this one!”, Siegfried departs the drink stall with two of the chocolatey drinks in hand. He supposes there’s no harm in making acquaintances here if he’s stuck for the time being. He doesn’t do great at cold approaching others, but he does his best, clearing his throat. ]

The machines told me this drink is meant to be shared. Unfortunately, I don’t know anyone else here.

Would you be willing to drink the extra glass with me? [ He smiles, an attempt at friendliness, but he’s definitely awkward. ]

III. SELLING SNACKS...ISH
[ Siegfried wastes little time in trying to earn currency. Currency would lead to resources (at least, for the time being. He isn’t ready to tackle the can of worms that is those A5 cards), and resources would give him more power to investigate a method of returning to his world.

The stall he’s set up has a relatively normal selection of grilled fish, but that’s not what he’s trying to get you interested in. ]

There is an interesting specimen in these waters I was able to hunt down. The taste is quite… exhilarating. [ What. ] Can I interest you in a free sample?

[ It’s a small fish on a skewer, like all the other fish. But it looks like this... ]

SPARKLES
[ At the end of the day, despite being extremely worried about being here, he has to admit that this world is interesting, if nothing else. He resolves to rest for the time being, and to continue exploring the city tomorrow.

For now, he can appreciate the pleasant sight of the bioluminescence in the water as the sun is beginning to set. Nature is truly wondrous, regardless of the planet. He sits and dips his feet in where the water just meets the shore, surprised to find that he isn’t alone. ]

My apologies. I hope you don’t mind some company enjoying the sunset. It’s somewhat comforting to know sunsets everywhere are the same.

IV. WILDCARD
(( Send me whatever, I’m chill. You can even have them attacked by a flock of seagulls, I’ll roll with anything.

baklava or nano#0666 on discord to plot! m/f and m/m are both good, generally ages 18+ for shippy/smutty, as Siegfried is 32. ))

I. BEACH

[ as a born and bred city boy, Leslie has never seen anything like it. the sky he'd used to; you were lucky to see a peek of sun through all that Midgar smog. but the sand? the whisper of the waves? that tantalizing blue of the water? it's enough to mitigate the growing heat of this place he's found himself in, at least for a little while. it almost feels like a reward for all the stress that hospital had caused him upon arrival. and he wishes, more than anything that she were here to see it, or that he could at least take a piece of it home to show her when he finds her. he glances wearily at the bracelet on his wrist, and pushes it out of mind.

but, as a born and bred city boy, the heat gets to him sooner rather than later, even though the sun is little more than a glowing white ball behind all those clouds. sweat trickles down and into the collar of his jacket which, at length, he decides to shrug off, leaving him in grey t-shirt, layered over a black tank top--a welcome reprieve for the insulation of black leather. draping it over his arm, he looks first to the fog, more to make sure it isn't actually rolling back in as he seems to be imagining, before he makes for one of the lean-tos. he doesn't expect much but shade, and that's fine with him. however, he also doesn't expect the one he picks to be occupied already. ]

Oh. Sorry--

II. REFRESHMENTS

[ the beach is littered with strands and fronds of plants Leslie isn't sure he trusts. something about the colors they come in is off-putting, murky and dull, like standing water. but he is getting hungry (and thirsty, for that matter), and he knows that no matter how wary he is, he'll have to ingest some of it eventually. of course, he's in a bit of a bind as he eyes the food stalls: the robots had been pretty eager to tag him, but less so to provide him with any means to sustain himself. why bother having currency at all in a place like this? irritated but hardly showing it, he wanders away from the booths for now, and pointedly ignores one of the 'bots flagging him down, trying to coerce him into trying the dunk tank for some reprieve from the heat. (and another trying to entice him into something else, that rubs him the wrong way, but honestly embarrasses him to think about more than anything.)

at least, he discovers, drinks are on the house. they honestly don't look much more appetizing than the plant life for the opposite reason, but free is free and he's not exactly in a position to refuse anything that might alleviate the gnawing in his stomach. still, he's hesitant, and gives a glance to the person beside him, to size up their drink and the look on their face, as if trying to determine whether they might secretly be poisoned or even just plain unpalatable, despite the sales pitches of the robots.

in the end he reaches for a (colpito/vivace/verace).* at least the taste isn't as bad as he'd expected, though it's a little sweet for his liking. ]

[*ooc: feel free to choose for him, or i'll choose based on your reply.]

III. SPARKLES

[ now here is something that finally looks familiar, although Leslie knows, deep down, that the water hasn't suddenly turned to mako. still, the familiarity of it is the first thing all day that's put him somewhat at ease, false connotation or not. and it's a bonus that the heat seems to be lifting, too, no longer as oppressive as it was earlier with the sun at its peak, making it far easier to relax. although he surely isn't about to let his guard down.

nothing today had happened in the way he'd anticipated, but it would make it a lot easier to know what to expect for tomorrow. it had also shattered his trust of those robots--as if he'd had any left to begin with after the warm welcome he'd received upon arrival. but here, with the water just out of reach of his boots, there were no robots. there were no complicated compulsions or other people to pull at parts of him he no longer thought anyone else would be able to reach. this had been a day of questions more than answers, and there are more than a few now that he's not so sure he even wants the answer to.

the sand can't be good for the leather, but then neither can the salt in the air. Leslie leaves his jacket beside him anyway as he sits, reclines back on his hands and just watches the waves reach for him. the shimmer of it is tempting, in the same way the blue-green glow of mako can draw a person in--and that's exactly why he doesn't trust the water, no matter how pretty it is. ]

IV. WILDCARD

( if you've got something else in mind, feel free to PM to plot or just go for it! i'll roll with pretty much anything you can throw. m/f preferred but with some chemical coercion anyone (of any age) is welcome. Leslie, although he is 18, is going to be a bit wary regardless as he's left a (runaway) fiancee behind. )

I. you lose this?

( it's not the most ideal place to be wearing a suit--that much is obvious, with the sun panning down, making even the shade of the trees unbearable enough that he considers losing it entirely, a hand going up to tug in annoyance at the stiff knot of his tie at his neck. and why does he have to be here, anyway? something about seeing others, maybe, or catching some scrap of intel, some explanation for why he's here or what any of this means.

he's been in worse plights--he's been in worse weather, yet a bit of sweat trickles down, staining his temple, and it's enough to get him to shed his gloves with painstaking difficulty, peeling them off and pushing them into his pockets so that he can brush the sweat away. maybe he should venture out further, take a walk along the shore, and he's turning to do that--when there's a sudden thump at the back of his head, a painful whack that nearly jerks him off balance. whipping his head around, his eyes narrow: at his feet, there's some kind of beach ball, and he can't tell whether it's been thrown on purpose or whether it's some happy accident, but either way he's visibly displeased. )

II. challenge accepted

( maybe it's better to just sit down. eavesdropping has always been a particularly painless method of information acquisition, and there are plenty of stands to choose from--plenty of people to neatly avoid, sticking to the end of one of the rustic lean-tos and trying not to draw too much attention to himself. that seems impossible, given the way the robots clamor around offering drink after drink that seem to have names he can't quite parse--and it would be dangerous, anyway, to partake of something in a strange place he knows relatively nothing about.

still, it's annoyingly hot and he's already stained the crisp collar of his shirt with sweat and there's no one he knows, no one he can ask about anything--the robots talk in circles, and he's never been particularly keen on the kind of artificial consciousness from a machine. besides, isn't everyone always telling him he's too straight-laced? too bad they're not here to see it. with one stiff hand, he takes the next drink offered by one of those chirping little robots and stubbornly fits the straw between his lips.

he'll go for a colpito, at first, but if anyone else brings him another drink, he won't necessarily turn it down. )

III. wet dress shirt contest

( food, apparently, does not come easily--it comes at the price of credits, of which he has none, and arguing coolly with the robots does nothing to entice their sympathies... and this is why he isn't particularly fond of these machines. still, there are opportunities, they say, and if he's going to be stuck here, he might as well put in a little effort. having currency may mean having access to other things in the future; he's already planning about four steps ahead.

so maybe he's not particularly listening or maybe it's just too hot to think clearly, but he's being skidded along the sand towards a tall ladder, a helpful robot voice telling him it would do him well to take off his jacket, and the pool of water before him casts a cool enough breeze that he decides to throw his caution right into it. reticently, he peels off his jacket, drapes it over the ladder and climbs up to sit in the dunk tank, his chin held high as he starts to neatly roll up his sleeves.

it's not like anyone will actually try. one glance at the look of ire on his face should be enough to weaken their aim--so he'll get credits for sitting around and doing, essentially, nothing. )

wildcard

( if you want a different starter or have any ideas you want to discuss, feel free to hit me up via PM or

whitemagics! pretty much open to anything, and also open to other drink options as well. m/m and m/f friendly! tseng is taken from remake and is therefore around 30, though he hardly looks it, so 18+ for shipping and smut. )

i. beach shack

[ the sudden change of scenery is most unbecoming -- the chaos of a battleground abruptly switched around for unnerving serenity and distinct unfamiliarity. the image of his fallen prince is forever seared into his memory, the ring in his own fingers as he faced down nifleheim's chancellor in the pouring rain, outclassed but never outmatched.

he doesn't get to find out what happens because he ends up here, a world away from friend and foe alike.

ignis, fortunately, has always been the adaptable sort even with his worry over noctis' well-being hanging heavy in both heart and mind. the first thing he has to do: figure out just where he is. second: if noctis and the others are here, too. if he had been brought here, who's the say the others weren't? which, of course, presents its own set of problems, but one at a time.

he gathers his wits about him by using the shack as a reprieve. once ready, he pulls the door open -- ]

Oh.

[ is it a friendly face? an unfamiliar face? ]

ii. drinks

vivace
[ this is -- surprisingly also very new. ignis is no stranger to the energising bursts that caffeine provides him. in fact, he lives off that shit, and would probably mainline it if it's ever humanly possible. but anyway. this particular drink is tart and flavourful, and before he knows it he's already drained the entire thing. goodness, he didn't know he's that thirsty.

the effects set in almost immediately, even more potent than caffeine as he takes a breath and finds himself smiling despite himself, the intensity of his mission lifted, if only a little, from his shoulders. he glances down at what's left of his glass, straightening up before gracefully sliding the empty glass back. ]

What's in the cocktail?

conoscere
[ his next drink is bitter chocolate, rich and fulfilling and full of flavour that he hasn't anticipated. he takes a breath after he finishes it, aware of the shift in his mood -- is there something in this drink, or does it just taste that wonderful?

he feels bolder, oddly more confident, as if he can take on the whole world and win, and maybe that's what happens when he puts the ring on and defies the chancellor's will, saving noctis, dear noctis, as he puts himself between them both.

perhaps --

-- he glances up, then turns to whomever's seated beside him: ]

You should try this.

[ he doesn't usually do this, not really; there are a lot of things that can go wrong with this approach and ignis has catalogued about twenty-three of them -- but this drink has him feeling invincible, renewed and in the mood for... well, for something different.

then again, he's only twenty two, even if he's lived all his life as an adult since the tender age of five. so. ]

iii. snacks

[ it's not hard to catch and grill fish, especially impeccably-seasoned ones. it's not that he's selling, really; he'd just got hungry and decided that seasoning the food he's just caught is the only sensible thing to do before he moves onward to finding noctis and the others, if they're even here at all.

and so, it turns out, he's even willing to share if you ask. ]

iv. sparkles

[ ah.

the glowing of the plankton and jellyfsh along the shores are remiscent of noctis and the electric blue of his magic -- or perhaps the light in his eyes. he would've liked this, ignis thinks absently, and prompto and gladio would probably tease him endlessly for it.

where are you? he wonders, delicately stepping along the shore and its lapping waves, white noise and serenity a far cry from the chaos he had been ripped from. his own fighting instincts are reluctantly quelled even if he's never been more alert and ready to battle at a moment's notice.

but there's -- nothing. no enemy coming out of the woodwork, no massive sea monster baying for blood. there's nothing but an endless stretch of ocean and shoreline, and ignis pauses for a moment before he runs his fingers through the shimmering, luminous blue.

something stings him, presses close, soft but painless, and he frowns at the oddness of it, the heat rising in his chest and a giddy warmth-longing that he's always been adept at repressing.

mm. warm. too warm. he tugs on his collar now, unbuttoning the next button in a bid for cooler air. ]

What is this...?

v. wildcard!
[ ota, m/m, m/f welcome! feel free to come up with anything or ping me on plurk @

percivals to hash stuff out! ]

Edited 2020-07-19 12:18 (UTC)

( beach )

[ if you weren't in new york to hear quentin freaking beck reveal his identity to the world, then the sight of peter on the beach is probably pretty upsetting for a very particular reason. he's stripped down to swim shorts, and basically every bruise, cut, scrape, or stitched wound from his last fight is on show for just anyone to see.

normally, he'd care about something like that. after all, people tend to ask questions when they see a wounded teenager, and he (normally) can't really afford those questions. also, he desperately wouldn't want anyone to think badly of aunt may.

it doesn't really matter all that much here, though, and he's not giving up the chance to go to this newly-revealed beach.

so it is that a teenager that looks like he's had the shit beaten out of him stands at the edge of the fog, arms folded across his bare pale chest, head tilted thoughtfully. ] D'you think it's magic? [ he unfolds his arms to reach out, waving his hand through the wall of fog. ] Some kind of drug and a ginormous fog machine..?

( drinks )

[ the drink--what did they call it? colpito? sounds italian--is pretty tasty, though really sugary. who knew non-stark robots could mix drinks that well?

then he glances up, and spots the most perfect creature to ever grace the face of this or any planet. his eyes widen, his breath stutters, and he fumbles the drink, nearly dropping it in the sudden shock. he catches it before it hits the floor, though, feeling his face go hot with embarrassment. ]

S-Sorry! [ he blurts out, as if dropping the drink could offend whoever this is. ] Sorry, just, uh-- [ he fidgets, clearing his throat awkwardly. ] Hi.

( sparkles )

Wow. [ peter's voice is hushed, a little awed. he's seen photos of this effect on earth, but he never imagined he'd get to see it in person like this.

he plops down on the beach next to someone, pushing his feet into the sand at the edge of the tide. ] This effect is usually caused by dinoflagellates back home, I think, but.. are those jellyfish?

I. absolute sunny misery

[Or: what's the biggest portable thing a guy can find to block the sun out here? Essek is trying his best, as the sunlight is actually viscerally uncomfortable and that impedes, predictably, his hunt to find something he can carry around like an umbrella. There's only so long a person can lurk in the shade before it becomes tiring, and so he's ventured out to find... something. Anything.

He is also gliding, quite literally hovering several inches off the ground as he goes around. He's this close to taking off the cloak he has on and holding it over his head in the absence of a proper hood, but that would be undignified.

You know, unlike using telekinesis to pick up a slightly damp... piece of a lean-to, gingerly despite the fact that he is not actually touching it. Frowning at this piece of shabby wall that's fallen off is much, much more cool and composed than using his literal huge cloak to block the sun.]

Ah, excuse me... [Hi, hello. He's squinting and visibly uncomfortable, wincing every so often.] Do you happen to know where I might acquire... a parasol of some kind?

[Maybe, he would settle for a hat.]

II. drinks

[Eventually, Essek has succumbed to just lurking in the shade. He has to move every so often as the day grows later, dipping out into the terrible sunlight only briefly to get fancy drinks. He'll be enjoying them in the shade, and doing as well as he can with the effects:]

A. vivace
[Essek has never been bubbly in his life. Frankly, he's never even been chipper, but after a few sips of this particular drink, he is feeling... slightly more cheerful than usual, which for Essek means he'll smile at strangers instead of glance critically and find them wanting. It's very subtle. A few times he looks like he might speak up until he finally does, to himself at first:]

Let's see— considering how best to do this... [okay!!] Are you enjoying... the sun?

[This is all the bubbly he's got in him, please accept his efforts.]

B. conoscere
[He's yet to try this one; the other one established that these drinks do things like some kind of spell, and while that is very interesting, carelessly drinking anything put in his hand isn't the most compelling of options. So! He's got it here, hovering in midair at just about eye level, spinning slowly so he can look at it from all angles. This is necessary study, see—]

Do you know which components were used to create these?

[Is there, like, dirt and bat shit in this. Is there.]

I must admit a certain curiosity, although perhaps... if you would try it for me. I would appreciate the help.

III. evening

[Finally, the goddamn sun has gone down. Essek has never been more grateful to see the dark again, drifting down the beach with a curious eye on the sparkling jellies in the water. He's... never been to the beach before, not properly, and while he is still cloaked to the point of concealing his entire body and looking fairly serious, he's not having a terrible time now that it's dark. The jellies are curious; he floats close to the water's edge, leaning down just so to peer at them maybe an inch or two closer.

Yep, these are mysterious jellies and probably lethal. He can only assume. Probably deadly. Idly, without looking up at whoever is nearby:]

I would advise against venturing out into the water.

[Will he elaborate? No? Totally not, but he has the tone of someone who is completely certain of what he's talking about. Now he looks up, canting his head curiously. Everyone else is walking on the ground here, so if someone's feet are in the water:]

Unless, indeed, you already have...?

[are ya dying, son]

wildcard

[hit me with whatever! jojoveller also available. he's awkward, but let's go for it. and he does indeed float everywhere, yes.]

Snacks

The beach is unfamiliar, footsteps carrying her past the small buildings, the stalls, Wen Qing searching the faces of anyone she sees for something familiar, although given how she came to be here, maybe that's too much to expect.

But she does slow down when her stomach rumbles, the reaction enough to bring her up short as she stares at one of the grills, her eyes taking in the food on offer. "...What does it cost?" To whoever's manning the thing.

"I don't have any money on me but.."

Sparkles

When night falls, she settles to sit on the sand, staring at the water, a slight smile tugging at her lips. Ning would have loved to see something like this, but the thought is enough to have her drawing her knees up to her chin, eyes closing for a moment.

Surely he'll find her soon if this is where they're meant to end up. Not that she's as sure about that as she had been earlier in the day, but for the moment, it's something she can hold onto.

But it is a pretty sight, at least.

[Wildcard me. No smut with some CR buildup for crosscanon. 18+ preferred for anything heading that way.]

i. drinks
So, sorry about that nasty fog, sir! Please, take a complimentary drink on us.

[Octane had no idea what this robot is talking about but a free drink is a free drink. His hand hovers between the different drinks, eventually picking the brightest looking one.] Gracias, amigo.

Colpito, a brilliant choice. De nada, senior! [The robot chimes back in hilariously flat Spanish.

That immediately wins him over and he pulls down his mask to take a long slurp.] Mmm.... mm? [His sigh of enjoyment turns into one of interest as the next passerby catches his eye.]

ii. kissing booth
All I have to do is kiss a few people and you'll pay me? Seriously?!

[He's already hopping behind the booth and pulling his mask down, a lopsided smirk plastered on his face, revealing his missing tooth.]

Come one, come all! All aboard the Octrain! Biting most definitely encouraged. 'Ey! You there. Care for a kiss? [He leans forward through the booth and nearly causes the whole flimsy booth to topple over, leaning back onto his prosthetic feet with a hydraulic sound.]

iii. wildcard
[Or hit me up with something random!]

( teach a man to fish )

[ it's a bit odd to stand on a beach in sweltering heat but not be able to see the sun.

duo still raises a hand to cover the top of his eyes as he looks out over the celebrations taking place on the beach. he can see people fishing and cooking, a bunch of booths, a tent he's definitely giving a wide berth to, and a spot serving drinks.

of course, the booths selling food give him an idea, as he turns and looks down the beachside, looking at some of the more ramshackle lean-tos and driftwood hanging around.

give him a couple hours, and he's staked out a spot along the beach. he's fashioned himself a rod, and while it takes him a few tries to get bites with his shellfish-bait, he does eventually secure some dozen of fish.

he cleans and guts them, stuffs them with some herbs he managed to find, and then sets them roasting over a little fire he started. and of course, then he starts yelling. ]

Fresh caught fish! Get your fresh caught fish right here!

( at least it's not a drunk tank )

[ when the heat hits high enough, duo sells off (or gives away) the last of his fish and heads to the dunk tank. he's dressed in some obnoxiously bright blue shorts and yes, a white t-shirt.

he's also jeering at people who miss. ]

You call that a throw? I've seen people do better with their eyes closed!

[ please someone dunk him so he'll shut up. ]

( ooh sparkly )

[ as the evening hits, duo and his wet braid hang out along the waterline, occasionally messing around with seashells - which means he's delighted when it lights up like the night sky. he moves to the edge of the waves, crouching down to look at it. his survival training means he's not going to run into the water without verifying those glowing animals are... but that doesn't mean he might not stick his hand in, eyes wide with wonder, and get stung, pulling back his hand more out of reaction than pain. ]

Well, that's new.

( ooc: i'll match prose or text! feel free to wildcard me as well, and i'm open to doing a drink thread if anyone wants. )

Edited 2020-07-20 04:51 (UTC)

( glory to the losers )

[ well.

they had been wanting to get drunk and find a nice club for a while now. given the state of the polity, though, she didn't think she'd be getting access to such a thing so soon.

valentina squints gently at the crowd around them on the beach. they're still dressed in their protective suit and their cloak, which might be a bit too warm for the weather on this beach. but it wasn't like they had anything else to wear at the moment, not while being credit-less.

she gives a gentle 'hmph', folding her arms. nearby, one of the bots is talking to someone about a glory hole tent, which makes her tilt her head a little, listening in. there are plenty of other booths recruiting, but this bot seems particularly frantic, which makes her smirk a little.

all right, easy credits then.

a little while later, still in her suit, she's lounging behind one of the walls set up in the booth, fiddling with her new bracelet. she hears someone step into the booth beside her, and she moves to kneel in front of the hole - which is large enough for anyone's equipment. when no dick is forthcoming immediately, she reaches up and taps the wall. ]

Well? I would not expect someone to be shy in this place.

( verace, not versace )

[ it doesn't take much work, in valentina's opinion, to get enough money for what she needs, which is better clothes - and a drink. she leaves to secure her gen:LOCK suit in the upload pod, and comes back wearing a pair of sandals, a dark purple one-piece with a deep neckline, and a white shirt over that. to drink, she chooses the verace because it sounds good, from the description.

of course, not knowing the effect, she begins eyeing up other beach-goers for potential conquests. a little while later, she approaches someone boldly, drink in hand, and reaches out to tug on the material of their shirt, jacket or bikini top. ]

This is not a good look on you. I think it'd look much better on the ground.

[ the problem is, as flirty as she is coming off... she also seems genuine about hating the shirt. ]

( in russia, sea is under you )

[ when night falls and she's still a little tipsy from her last drink, the beach lights up and she looks entranced. indeed, she kicks off her shoes and makes the bold, foolish decision to step into the water, disturbing the plankton and jellyfish.

the sting makes her laugh. ]

You are not hurting me, little creature.

[ she speaks in russian, smirking and kicking her foot out at the jellyfish, causing a little splash. ]

(ooc: i'll match prose or brackets! feel free to wildcard me as well~)

DRINKS.

( the vibrant drinks in flashy glasses with neat-looking straws remind her of socialites and towering walls around the glades, designed to keep the riffraff out. one eyebrow ticks up in skepticism ( a healthy amount, thank you ) and mia peers at it questioningly for all of four seconds. after that, she figures a) she’s parched, b) she’s never tasted an alcoholic beverage she hasn’t liked and c) what the hell, right? what does she really have to lose? she’s already here, quiver strapped to her back and compound bow in her other hand. she wouldn’t go near them at all if she had a choice, but being uprooted puts a damper on personal aversions to the only weapons you own. )

➳ GELOSO.
( her first drink is reminiscent of tea or green smoothies packed with kale, it’s earthy. she doesn’t hate it but the more she sips, the more she gets disgruntled by attractive women in bikinis and sarongs. she feels overdressed in combat boots and plain black clothes. she’s claimed a spot in the sand beneath the shade of a tree, weapons propped behind her. she’s harbored a green monster for plenty of reasons in the past ( kids that had normal lives, had both of their parents ), so it’s not a foreign emotion when she leans over and scoffs at the closest person. )

I could wear that. ( a beat as she examines the person she’s actually talking to. ) Or that. Where did you get your shirt?

➳ COLPITO.
Hi. ( congrats on tipsy girl lottery! couldn’t say why but she’s a teensy bit obsessed with her new acquaintance and in the moment, it doesn’t seem that far out there. could be correlated with slamming two of the fruit bombs but the research is inconclusive. star city? don’t know her. william, who? her sole existence hinges on the hottest person she’s seen in any timeline.

what’s a girl to do with no filter, less patience, and determination? ) Who are you taking home tonight?

➳ VERACE.
( the treachery of this drink! somewhere between eggnog and funky cheese, and it is decidedly not her friend. she pushes it away after one drink, probably even tries to pass it into someone else’s hand because no, thank you. she intends to say, can we vote that flavor off this island? her mouth has other ideas. ) I’m a vigilante.

SNACKS.

( the lost and confused soul ( see: bot, no human would entrust her with cooking ) that allows her to grill fish for others to earn credits must think charred is a flavor. is it supposed to be black? she prods at it with a pair of tongs and grimaces when a piece of burned fish flakes off. this is the third one. someone should probably rescue her or the hungry person on the other side of the stall. she drops a blackened piece of unrecognizable fish onto a plate with a straight face, not even an apologetic grimace in acknowledgment. ) You wanted it extra crispy, right?

SPARKLES.

( when other kids got to vacation in disneyworld or take road trips, mia got to do vigorous obstacle courses or hand-to-hand training in the yard. she’s unarmed by the time the sun sets, having opted for a slightly more incognito demeanor after the drinking fiasco. she walks along the water’s edge, barefoot with boots in tow, careful of the tide that washes in. balance doesn’t get her anywhere when the wave crashes closer than she expects and brings those glowing creatures in the proximity of her feet.

she laughs because she’s drenched in splotches up to her knees, rolling her pants up did little to protect her from a splash that high up. it’s a short-lived joy because she feels a pinch on her foot — not hard enough to cause pain, but she still cries out, ) Hey! You little bastard.

( don’t mind her, hopping on one foot all graceful-like, practically doing the hokey-pokey, not that she knows what that even is. is it off? did she step on it? is it dead? is she going to die? )

Edited 2020-07-20 07:08 (UTC)

10k | z nation

anders | dragon age

QUESTIONS

euphemia li britannia | code geass