TDM 004: WASHED ASHORE

[erkumods]

TDM 004: WASHED ASHORE

Arrival This time, you come out of the water. While the Augur reboots, the Nameless Island's own inherent energy draws people in. It's like being suspended between realities and walking through a rift in dimensions. It may make you sick, or that might be the motion of the ocean, lifting you and carrying you to shore. Waterlogged and covered in sand, new arrivals will be greeted by robots who welcome them with towels and bracelet devices. The A5 card is already loaded up. Inventory will be found a day later, wrapped up haphazardly and delivered to each person's makeshift home. ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● I. Feel the friendship! Recent arrivals and visitors to the beach may notice a sudden influx of hundreds of bright red crustaceans crawling (and coupling) across the sand. It's crab mating season, as it turns out, it's a regular invasion! To keep the beach a pleasant place to gather for the island's inhabitants, the robots are offering credits to especially enterprising crab-catchers. Grab a bucket and get to work! Be sure to watch out for their pinch, mind you. Their little claws are tiny, but that doesn’t mean they don’t hurt. Surprisingly, there is another effect that even the robots don't anticipate: islanders who are pinched by the crabs find themselves feeling instantly buddy-buddy with the next person they spot. Did you just become best friends?! Get pinched one too many times, however, and those feelings may sour into a crabby mood, indeed. If you are feeling particularly vengeful (or just hungry), the little crabs do make for delicious gumbo. Once cooked, they have no side effects whatsoever. ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● II. Phallus Phestival Although the Augur is offline and supplies are scarce, the robots of Erku are still eager to make their run-down little island a welcoming place for the new arrivals. To that end, they have arranged a three day festival to boost morale and promote the generation of plenty of Eros energy to assist in the restoration of the damaged and decayed parts of the city. The robots claim that this celebration was once a cornerstone of the long-lost civilization of the island. By the dawn of the first day, every island resident will find at their doorstep (or tent flap, mobile suit, etc) the traditional costume of the ancient islanders to wear to the festival. It appears to be... a giant sheet? There doesn’t seem to be any rhyme or reason to the sometimes garish colors and patterns of the fabric, but at least the robots have uploaded instructions on how to wear it to your bracelet device. Attendees will find food (mostly crab-flavored), confections, and household necessities in rather suggestive shapes, as well as goods you might find handy to complete your A5 squares: sex toys, pervertibles, sexy maid outfits, and the like. While islanders are welcome to set up shop on the festival grounds and sell (or charge) whatever they like, all items from the robots are offered up for free to those who wear their traditional island garb! ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● III. Fireside Adventures Each night of the festival is wrapped up in style with an enormous bonfire on the beach, where drinks, fruity cocktails, and lively music appropriate for dancing is all provided at no cost by the robots. Even if you’re not usually much of a dancer, the longer you stand by the fire and allow it to warm your limbs, the more you feel like moving! Not only that, but everyone is looking quite beautiful by the firelight, are they not? If you’ve grown tired - or if dancing just isn’t your thing - you might prefer to sit back and swap stories on one of the many driftwood log benches the robots have prepared for seating. Or, maybe you’d prefer to rough it for the night in one of the beachside canvas tents. Better claim one quick, though, or be prepared to share… there’s only one sleeping bag! ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● N A V I G A T I O N

Comments

[waswrongtoo]

Oh. Well, I suppose there's nothing to worry about, then.

[At least, not from her. Summer's actually very relieved... though the comment about lacking self-defense is pretty worrying. There are threats around the city on occasion, after all.]

Sand and sea salt? So... basically you arrived in the worst possible environment you could have?

[That's almost comical.]

Let's get you off the beach then.

[karintous]

[ The more he talks to her, the less she likes his attitude. His perfectly pleasant, sympathetic, friendly attitude. Who does he think he is?? And she doesn't trust that smile. She's confident she's given him zero cause for happiness in this moment, if ever. Whatever's going on in that smug head of his, she doesn't like it. ]

Can't I be unhappy to see you because I'm unhappy to see you? Believe it or not, glimmer boy, not everyone is head over heels in love with you.

[ In an amazing show of self-restraint, she finally decides against throwing the crabs at him -- the crabs don't deserve that -- and dumps them on the sand so that they can stop trying to pinch her. Wary of Klavier's step forward but too stubborn to step backward, she simply glowers up at him. ]

I haven't been here for very long. I don't have the currency for anything in those stalls.

[ She assumes the ice is dick-shaped and therefore being sold for credits. The island just seems unfair like that. ]

[chariotsofcarbonfiber]

[ Modern day Japan isn't a free ride either - but it seems like no one's doing the whole money thing with this event. It's embarrassing but, also, pretty neat to see it all out in the open, people far less ashamed of sex toys than she's used to. ]

That'd mess me up. ...I think you can just sorta clamp those on whatever if you think it'd feel neat?

[ Emi's not very kinky either, no matter how sexually active she is. ]

I'm Emi, fellow newbie. Nice to meet you.

[shangrilady]

[ The Anti Everyone Union Group, honestly. ]

They were fighting the guys that were makin' our lives hard, so...

[ Also, food! Money! Air conditioning! ]

If I paid more attention in class.

[torso]

[ He doesn't even try to give an answer before finding somewhere to sit down — on the nearby foot of his holon. It leaves him space to gesture at the tank behind her as a part of the explanation of whats been on his mind even if it feels like just the tip of the iceberg. ]

I guess it's just...

[ He shakes his head, scrubbing his fingers through his hair with a noise of frustration. Though he speaks quietly at first, he gets more steady in his words, though the tension of them is reflected in the line of his shoulders and anxious bounce of his knee, which is silent despite the way his foot keeps hitting the Chaser model. From the other side of the tank, there's a few warning pings that his BP has peaked above optimal levels, and that's the loudest thing around for a moment. ] I'm confused? But I'm also kinda relieved, and just as pissed off.

Like, look. Last time I somehow made it back into my body it wasn't really me. Whose to say that hasn't happened again, right? [ He wants to believe that Weller was telling the truth, that no extra duplicates were made on their end, but the possibility of it has been nagging at him for a very specific reason. ] Whose to say that someone — maybe this Augur didn't clean rip the most recent me right out of the brain housing and upload just another copy?

[ of a copy, of a copy, of a copy, of a copy... ]

[onewayoranother]

But you're also... not...

[Alive? Here? Piers isn't sure if there's an inoffensive way to ask a guy why he's a hologram.]

Sure. [The error sound is loud and clear a second later though.] What's up? It won't transfer or whatever?

Can you, I don't know, put it in your inventory? [As if Chase is a living video game.]

[videnije]

[ she watches him carefully, not prompting him to go faster. she's content to wait and listen, and it pays off as he finds his words, even if anxiety runs through every form of his body - both bodies, as a matter of fact.

she was half right, at the very least. after a moment she pushes herself up, moving to crouch in front of his projection sitting at the foot of chaser. ]

I know all that is a very real possibility that we can never discount ... but I do not believe that is true. Mechanically, if I have been gone two months you would have noticed; I had no Holon to be copied from at the time. I remember coming here in my body. There must be some time disparity to explain that.

But in the end? You are the Chase who is here with me now, and I want to take care of you. Even if for some reason you are a copy, that does not make you any less of a person, in my view.

[ without thinking, she reaches out, trying to take one of his hands in hers. ]

[torso]

[ His locks his jaw, wanting to hear Valentina out as much as he's tempted to fight the point. There's more of him out there, he's sure of it, even if it's an entirely different branch. He can't help but go down the rabbit hole of believing that if there's more that came from Nemesis, they'd be as much of Chase as he is.

As he's starting to let those ideas run, he swears he feels pressure as her fingers close around his, and the surprise of it grounds him back from the wandering thought like a slap to the face, unable to help the gasp he lets loose.

When he looks down for proof he sees the way he's clipped through, digital artifacts glowing over the bracelet there. Because of course they are. Even with the unexpected illusion of touch lost, Chase runs his thumb over her knuckles affectionately, carefully, so as to not go through them as he often does when he tries to mimic such actions that have been long-lost to him. ]

I don't... I think Nemesis messed with my head, left some impressions beihnd that I gotta figure out. I'm not saying I don't believe you. I do. It's just— between that and coming here and getting back into my body, there's been one hell of a wrench thrown into things, yeah?

[torso]

I'm as here as I'm able to be. Probably about the only way I can check this party out, 'cause I'm pretty immobile otherwise.

[ Shrugs! Thankfully he's got a few years under his belt of not being able to get around physically, and though most of that was spent with people used to him mixing in as a projection, he kinda gets that it's not the way of things for everyone.

As he explains, he tries the transfer just a few more times, each one met with an error message. ]

... My inventory. [ Even as a guy who likes gaming, that sounds pretty lame.] Like, my pocket? No, I can't do that. Can't delete it, either.

[pawper]

[When Lys can only understand one word in five of someone's explanation, and if that explanation happens to register as being non-essential in some way, she has a bad habit of tuning it out. This, however, has her full attention, if only because it sounds so....absurd? Alien? Like 6O was talking about playing table tennis with a brick, or claiming that she could hold a conversation with butterflies.

Though polite enough to let 6O finish speaking, Lys immediately holds up both hands as soon as she's done in a bid for silence, a chance to marshal her thoughts.]

Wait, wait! I, uh, I think we've been talking about two different things? I'm not a "android" and I don't have "specs", so.....

[infiltrar]

What can I say, I'm a woman of many talents.

[ Being a pain in the ass for no reason being right up there with her hacking skills. Her mischievous grin swaps to something more playful, a bit more nice. As much as she'd say she doesn't need the company she's pretty sure she's alone in this weird city. Hasn't run into a familiar face just yet, so the more connections she can gather, the better.

There's the whole matter of her needing to have sex too. No better time to start filling up a little black book than now. ]

Aren't you cute? Sure, show me around then. I promise I'll behave just a little.

[infiltrar]

[ The stand in particular seems to have a wider arrangement of donuts, but of course, all in their chubby dick shapes. There's even some mini ones though, and what appear to be donut holes. Lonely balls without their shaft, how sad.

His next comment has her practically grinning from ear to ear. ]

You like getting cream filled, huh?

[ They have so much in common already its astounding. She's also trying very hard to not start cracking up. ]

You're making this really, really too easy by the way.

[infiltrar]

[ Ugh, can she at least stop holding her hand? But she's having too much fun to show any degree of irritation. Gotta keep the act up. ]

Maybe I did. Maybe it was for your own good. Pretty little girl like you out here getting nipped by a tiny crab. You'll get hurt way too easy if you're not more careful.

also slides in late with tequila

[infiltrar]

[ How dare you ruin her teasing ploys, you shitty wannabe cowboy. Sombra frowns, which appears more like a pout, as she chews and swallows her bite. Long time no see she would say, but she has a feeling Jesse would prefer this follow-up meeting didn't happen. Gosh, he's not even happy to see her, rude. ]

I come and go as I please. What, I gotta tell you my schedule? You're not my dad.

[ She gives a little nudging kick at his ankle, like a child meeting their annoying sibling. ]

[mettle]

[ ...why is this person just carrying around pieces of candy.

How old is this man?? He's almost insulted, but Barnaby knows he needs to make good appearances and be friendly if he wants to get on anyone's good side as a newcomer, so he simply takes the little foil-wrapped treat. ]

Thank you very much.

[ Now he has to hold onto two things. Ugh. ]

Please lead the way, I'll follow. May I have your name to begin with? I'm Barnaby. I come from the city of Sternbild. Does this sound familiar to you at all?

[mettle]

I think it would be not one but multiple little villains with terrible attitudes and sinister claws.

[ He promises he's not making fun of you, Origami. ]

[mettle]

By "a while", I would assume you mean more than two days, which is the length of time I've been here for now.

[ He's a newbie, basically. ]

I did gather as much information as I could, but I would say I'm not the most reliable source for a thorough explanation to this entire mess.

[mettle]

[ Of course he does not expect to bump into someone who immediately calls him "Bunny". Nor does he expect for said person to have the sort of beard that looks like a pair of kittens shaved into his face. But then, only one person fits all this criteria, and wouldn't you know it, it's exactly who he thinks it is. Barnaby is speechless for a moment before he prattles on. ]

Kotetsu...? Are you alright? Did you just arrive as well? You're not hurt, are you?

[ He knows his partner has a terrible habit of hiding pretty much anything that bothers him, so already, he's intently looking him over like a fussy mother hen.

Which means he sees the drink in his hand. All concern gone. His expression goes more firm. ]

...why are you drinking? This isn't the time for that!

[ Barnaby please, let your partner get his wits together and enjoy himself. Also be more appreciative of him being here with you! Not that he isn't, he's very relieved and happy, but it's easy to fall into the habit of scolding Kotetsu. ]

[videnije]

[ for a moment, she swears she can feel the contact of skin. but whether that's true or just her brain trying to parse touching someone that's not actually there, the illusion breaks when her fingers pass through his hand.

she murmurs an apology even as he "brushes" his thumb over the back of her knuckles, listening to him speak. ]

It is a lot to take in. [ she agrees; not just for him, although that's the person she's worried most about, but for herself as well. realizing chase had given up his body to save them, then to find him here, still in it, had her reeling a little as well. ]

These things take time, and time is something we have not had much of.

[ it had been one thing after another; weller's death, believing they'd lost the anvil, the revelations at RTASA and then dealing with nemesis, capped off with arriving here. she's not sure she's even had time to process it all - and she didn't know many of the people lost. ]

Even if it is just me here, though, I will honor our promise. That you won't be alone.

[pawper]

Yeah! See?

[Someone else might feel a twinge of pity, or exasperation, or a dozen other perfectly reasonable emotions, but Lys' face betrays nothing but earnest pride as she tilts the half-filled bucket to let Ema see the crabs inside. After all, even though diving face-first into the sand might not be her chosen method, there's no arguing with results!

.....scientifically speaking.]

One more go should do it!

[and then maybe ema can eat something besides uhhhhhh shit]

[occulti]

_{[ It is sad, and maybe Sombra sees him frown comically when his eyes stop to look at the donut holes, but yeah. He does reach out and get himself one that he is knows is cream filled. Delighted, he responds: ]}

Who doesn't like getting cream filled?

_{[ He's paid for his and lingers by to buy Sombra's. Taking a gentle bite out of the tip, he speaks with a lower tone. ]}

Well. That's kind of how it goes with me. It's just so easy being easy.

[occulti]

Oh my god. You've been misplaced too? Wow. I mean, it's happened to me at least.. three times already. Oh, wait, maybe.. four if you count me being born.

_{[ Stop, that's sad. But it's true. What kind of kid just becomes born without a father?
He wiggles his feet into the sand idly, a smile slowly appearing on his face at her offer. ]}

I would just.. love to.

_{[ Klaus offers his arm to her, cause despite blocking all of the prim and proper behavior that was drilled into his brain as a child, there's still some aspects of a gentleman lingering in there. ]}

[lockedon]

[ He will absolutely show her how it's done, thanks, never mind the fact that he too has never hunted a single crab in his life. But surely it can't be that difficult? They'll find out either way.

First matter of business! ]

See if you can find any snails or plant matter. Anything the crabs can eat. [ And since he is not above getting his own hands dirty, he follows that issued order with: ] I'll work on building a walled-off area in the sand.

[ He has gloves and she doesn't, it's only logical if they want to minimize annoying little crab injuries from their crustacean buddies crawling all over. Speaking of (the effects of) annoying crab injuries: ]

Since you can't catch crabs, what can you do?

[ Technically he's asking about her interest but boy does it sure not sound like it. Maybe he would make friends better if he knew how to talk to people. ]

[schwarzen]

Is that not what you were implying—

[ Oh no, if he's taken things the wrong way, that means this place has truly affected him in an awful way.

Even though Klaus had literally just offered a show with the cursed dildo.

Thankfully, it looks as though he's just spoken too soon, but what Klaus had initially offered just makes him more confused. ]

It's not generosity, merely fair and mutually beneficial.

[ He can't believe Klaus was gonna give it up for nothing in exchange.............

Anyway. Despite his calm tone, it's very obvious this interaction isn't something he's done a lot by the way he grows silent (and takes a while, sorry, Ye Olde still figuring out technology) while he sends his card to Klaus' bracelet.

He offers Klaus his hand again. ]

Come with me, please.

[ If he takes it, he'll notice it's warm, because he's actually pretty fuckin' embarrassed. ]

[dreamofrain]

[ And there it was again... She'd brushed it off before. A turn of phrase, not meant to be taken literally. "Human nature". But she couldn't brush this off. And slowly her eyes widened again, and for a long moment she just... stared at Lys. But it wasn't a normal sort of staring it was more like...

Baring witness to God. ]

You're... human...

[ Her reverie spoke the name as if it were holy to her. ]