ercookies | TDM 005: HAPPY SPOOKTEMBER

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TDM 005: HAPPY SPOOKTEMBER

Arrival

This time, you come out of the water, the Nameless Island's own inherent energy drawing people in. It's like being suspended between realities and abruptly pushed from behind through a rift in dimensions. It may make you sick, or that might be the motion of the ocean, lifting you to the surface 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. Feel free to explore the Island, though there isn’t much to see. Most of the buildings are abandoned and in dire need of repair, and beyond the city lingers a thick fog that obscures much of the wilderness from view. Wander too far into this fog, and you will find yourself mysteriously looping back to where you began, your memories of what you were doing and how you got there erased.

With that in mind, it may be wise to stake your claim on a rundown apartment, a tent on the beach, or a bed in the "comfortable" new barracks. Your inventory will be found a day later, wrapped up haphazardly and delivered to each person's makeshift home.

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I. Harvest Hunt

As the daylight grows shorter and the muggy heat of the island’s summer gradually shifts to temperate days and chilly nights, Erku’s accessible wilderness explodes with a colorful collection of tempting fruits, fragrant-smelling herbs, and nuts and seeds plumped and ready for harvest. With warnings to beware of monsters, the robots of Erku encourage Islanders to take advantage of the land’s bounty by distributing basic camping supplies to those who are interested in exploring, hunting, and harvesting. They strongly encourage making the journey with a friend! Any surplus foods that Islanders bring home with them can be exchanged for credits with cafeteria robots! Just be careful out there - some of these fruits have strange effects once consumed.

For extra protection out there in the wilds, the robots have fashioned crowns of flowers or foliage to wear on their adventures. The sweet and herbal smells from the crowns will discourage most Erku-native monsters from approaching, they assure - this is ancient knowledge from the planet’s long-gone civilization, so it can’t be wrong!

What the robots don’t know is that the crowns have a deeper, more ritualistic purpose: after a few hours, the scent of flowers or herbs begins to awaken primal instincts within the wearer. Those who are wearing the foliage crowns feel overwhelmed by an urge to hunt, while those who wear the flower crowns delight in every opportunity to tease, outrun, and outwit the hunters. What happens when the chase ends? Well, that depends on the personalities and the chemistry between the hunters and their prey.

While the robots are very insistent on placing crowns atop the heads of any Islander they see, they aren’t stuck on in any way and they are easy to remove, which can prevent or break the hunting trance.

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II. seeds and sap

Of particularly high credit value, the robots explain, is an elusive flower known as the skull sunflower. It appears exactly as one might imagine: at the center of an otherwise innocuous, towering sunflower is the gruesome visage of an open-mouthed skull. Don’t worry, the flowers are harmless! Even if it’s strange how the empty-socketed eyes seem to follow your every move. And why is it that the teeth - which, on closer inspection, are actually the seeds of the flower - only seem to chatter when your back is turned?

Any Islander who can withstand their heebie-jeebies long enough to collect the petals and seeds from the flowers will fetch a handsome reward in credits upon exchange with the robots. Beware the sticky, blood-red sap that seeps from the eyes of each skull, however. Those who absorb too much through their skin will begin to hallucinate, visions of frightening or emotional events from their past dancing in the shadows. One might even mistakenly imagine that another Islander is someone they recognize from their past, someone who meant something to them - no matter whether that person is alive or dead in the present.

The hallucinogenic effects of the sap can last for hours, or they can be shortened by a dip in the public baths.

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III. Tarot

Night comes, and in the darkness, a robot sets up a table by the beach. A solitary candle sits in the center, illuminating a deck of cards. F̶i̴n̵d̸ ̸y̶o̸u̸r̵ ̵f̵o̸r̷t̵u̶n̶e̷?̴

The robot reveals tarot cards and will do a variety of spreads to tell your fortune. Each fortune can be distilled into one central theme, which characters will find pervades their life for the next 24 hours. There is magic afoot: it can be sensed, and perhaps even dispelled, if luck is on your side.

Though most robots on the island show a capacity for greater-than-average artificial intelligence, this pseudo-psychic 'bot -- M.S. Cl30 -- is less advanced. It only has six interpretations prepared:

Always watch your back. - Characters will be compelled to walk, or even speak, backwards for the duration of the day. Those who mishear it as "wash your back" may spend longer in the shower than usual.
Fake it til you make it. - Characters will feel compelled to act performatively. They will more readily fall into acts for serious or flirtatious roleplay, or try on costumes that reflect a particular persona they're interested in exploring. Faked orgasms will seem quite realistic.
You will receive an affectionate letter from a friend. - Just as it is said, someone will be compelled to engage in correspondence - and whether it turns dirty or not, well, that's up to you! Characters may also quite literally receive an article of clothing with a red letter sewn on the top. What could it stand for?
Hold on tight. - Characters who are given this life advice will start to feel rather clingy. They'll attach themselves to someone's side and refuse to leave, or they may find a "security blanket" item and won't let it go.
You are a generous, giving person. - Characters will feel compelled to do something kind for someone else. Maybe they'll invite someone to the movies, come over and cook, or do that thing their partner is always asking for.
Don't think. Feel. - Even if they weren't before, characters temporarily experience impulsive and hot-headed urges. They will also become very tactile.

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N A V I G A T I O N

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ Percival is not in his armour today, so he has no gauntlets to protect him from that incredibly firm hand-hold. Of course, it's not the discomfort that irritates him. It's the fact that a stranger is holding his hand at all, and in public too. That's embarrassing and he doesn't often appreciate being touched without permission. ]

Do I look like someone who requires your protection? [ Probably not, with the large sword by his side. He raises their joined hands and starts trying to shake Vaati's hand off. ] You will release me.

You sure do. The metal thing that read my cards said so. 'Go seek out the pretty one, with hair like embers and hold on tight.'

[ with his free hand, he levels a finger at percival's face. his tone is completely dry, and he might just be bullshitting the entire exchange with the tarot robot, but who knows? ~~roll insight.~~ his hand tightens all the same, almost violently, and a sharpness creeps into the corners of his eye and his mouth. vaati is NOT keen on letting go. even not under card-spell, he wouldn't be.

shifting his stance, he slides himself a little closer to percival, practically in his face and gleeful for the opportunity to be there. ]

-- it's not like I'm a terrible escort. Surely you can accompany a man bewitched for a moment or two?

[ 'Pretty'. Well, he doesn't dislike compliments, even if he's not good at showing appreciation for them, showing a frown like it's something displeasing to the ears (when it's not...). What he does dislike is someone getting into his personal space, to which he steps back and huffs. ]

I'm not a fool. There's no way they told you that. [ Actually, with the way the mechanics of Erku likes to push people together, who even knows ... The hand over his is gripping harder, and it's getting more painful now, but Percival isn't the type to complain about pain. He tolerates it with an irritated look, still trying to pry Vaati off. ]

... Are you really bewitched?

From their metal mouths, to mine ears.

[ with his free hand, he taps one of said ears - illustrative in gesture despite his dry tone. the other hand is rather stubbornly clutching at percival's fingers, wrestling silently with his every attempt to be rid of vaati's claws. there's a twitch at the corner of his eye, a souring of his smile at the resistance. being outright refused isn't something he is particularly "good" at. ]

Don't I look it? I wouldn't be clutching at you so tightly were I not. It's been a long while since I had to use my airs and graces, but not so long that I've forgotten them. Be merciful, Red. I'll make it well worth your while.

Who said you could call me 'Red'? [ He would be crossing his arms in disapproval now if not for the fact that one of them is preoccupied. At this point his many attempts at shaking Vaati off have proved futile so far, and despite Percival's tendency to dish out threats, he's not actually a very violent person. Plus, it's possible that this man may actually be bewitched, given the strange happenings that occur in the Nameless City from time to time. ]

Hmph. Those robots can be meddlesome, so I'll take your word for it for now. However, know that there are consequences for lying to me. [ Not really... ]

Whichever of your predecessors gave you that hair. It practically begs for it.

[ horrible. he hadn't even called the redhead in his former traveling band by such a nickname! nicknames aren't his style, so he'll chalk this one up to being trapped under the card's command. ]

You've got a mouth that begs for it, too.

[ now that, is mean of him to say. his voice twists, the same as his mouth. a sneer that picks at the corner of one mouth and flashes the line of his teeth, his cutting incisors. percival has one of those tones that makes vaati want to be cruel to him, to put him through some paces and see what it makes of him. ]

But, I wouldn't dream of lying to you. On my honor as a scout.

[ His mama gave him this red hair and he's proud of it, thanks u_u ]

What? [ Squints. What is that comment about his mouth supposed to mean? Percival decides to ignore it because he has a feeling knowing the answer is only going to irritate him further. ]

You will address me with the proper respect, if you know what's good for you. My name is Percival of the House of Wales. And who are you supposed to be?

I've never been accused of 'knowing what's good for me', wow.

[ yeah, he really wants to bully this guy. ]

Vaati Auv'rahne. Formerly of the Amber Company. You'll forgive me for the lack of courtly manners, yeah? I don't typically run across nobility while traveling, it's been some time.

[ Percy deserves all sorts of bullying. ]

It's basic manners that you seem to lack. [ He definitely doesn't expect courtly manners from people but calling someone a nickname off the bat is definitely not good manners in general. Or, that could just be Percy disliking nicknames. ]

Fine then. You're unable to release me, but that's no matter. You'll just have to follow me as I go about my day. [ Follow HIM because he's the boss here, thanks. ]

That, too.

[ easy as sin, he agrees. being part of a half-feral adventuring band charged with doing no less than "survive and pay off one's debt" tends to leave you with little by way of social graces and skills. couple that with the fact that he has the air of someone who'd rather live in the woods than a household, and voila. rude and darkly debonair in a single messy package. ]

Who's following who, again? [ this time, he hauls on percival's wrist skyward, jerking his arm up and away from that handsome weapon on his waist. it balances vaati forward, on his toes, his chest pressed to the redhead's and his mouth finding pervical's ear. ] My place is here, on the beach.

[ there's a terrible smirk in his voice. ]

I'm sure there's a way to break this geas that's far more fun than running errands with you.

[ Somehow, in Percival's mind, it's a privilege to be following him around and helping him out on things (even if his next plan for the day was to finish some laundry), so he doesn't quite understand why anyone would refuse. He would have relented with a simple refusal for the most part, but now Vaati is getting up in his face and far too close for comfort.

His body tenses as the other man speaks directly into his ear, his face colouring pink in fluster. Percy pushes the other man away by the chest. ]

You --! I may have accepted your compulsion to grab my hand, but don't think I won't still punish an oaf for his insolence!

You lordly types, springing for violence so quickly when faced with a little foul play.

[ he practically hums the words, hand still tight around Percival's wrist while the other man shoves him back, putting a measure of distance between them once more. he doesn't fight that, but there's a sharpness to his expression and his tone that betrays his darker, deeper fathoms. ]

It's all play.

[ if Vaati hopes for that to be reassuring, perhaps he ought to not bare his teeth in a facsimile of a smile. the sharp canines and the curl of his obscenely too-wide jaw draw forth the ideal of a serpent, some tightly-wound beast that's already coiled itself around parts of Percival that are softer, more delicate and aren't keen on releasing without a fight. ]

Come on, princeling -- play with me a little, and I'll let go. No harm.

Continue to test me and I can certainly find my own way of loosening your grip. [ The implication is that he's going to cut off or burn his hand, but that's mostly an empty threat, made in posturing like most of Percival's threats. Naturally, this situation doesn't call for any actual violence.

He would like to be let go, however. Especially since Vaati won't roll over and follow him around like he had ordered him to. ]

What are we 'playing' then? Enlighten me.

How feisty.

[ that other hand of his fits itself along the small of percival's back, the way one might when preparing to lead a partner onto the floor for a proper quadrille or a waltz. it's a terrible simulacra of a courtly dance, because vaati stands far too close and his hands are far too inappropriately placed to belong in proper society. ]

We're going to play a guessing game. You're going to close your eyes and I'm going to move my hands around without actually touching you, when you think you know where my hands are - you'll guess. Then, I'll touch.

[ hovering on his heels, he arches his one brow, as though waiting for percival to refuse. ]

-- since I was told to 'not let go' by that robot, this toes that line. I can wean myself off of you.

[ Percival's body tenses when he's gathered into Vaati's hold, face reddening in indignation and a bit of fluster at being handled inappropriately without permission. His curiousity over what Vaati is trying to suggest is the only thing that stops him from hitting the man immediately.

Even if he can understand the reason behind the strategy Vaati is employing, Percival isn't sure he likes the thought of closing his eyes and not knowing where he's going to be touched next. There's a sense of vulnerability there that's difficult for his prideful self to accept. ]

What sort of foolish game is this? Is this a trick you're pulling?!

[ if percival believes this is inappropriate, just wait. ]

Have a little faith, princeling. I'm not going to hurt you, or mock your pride.

[ as if to prove such, he releases his hold on percival's wrist. it allows him to gather the cloth at the man's spine into his hold, to tug it downward - as though to force his shoulders back and his hips foward. the pretty arch of his spine is a handful that vaati is eager to feel, and it puts rough control of percival's core in the literal palm of his hand. ]

You're acting like a startled maiden, ready to call out for her chaperone. I know you're made of sterner stuff than that.

[ The hands on him force him to draw a startled breath, but after being called a 'startled maiden', he's feeling quite petulant and making an effort to control his fluster. The last thing he wants is to prove this insolent man exactly right. ]

Who are you calling a maiden?!

[ In his annoyance he really wants to push Vaati off him, but the implication that he's afraid makes Percival spiteful. He's always been a person very motivated by spite. ]

Fine then. I'll indulge your little game just so I can finally be free of you. However, if you turn out to be lying to me after all, I'll burn you to cinders.

[ It twinges through him - the sensation of wanting, very badly, to seize this young noble by the long, slender column of his throat and push him back, back further, back until he can hold him to the nearest surface and tense his fingers, press them in roughly until that haughty tone of his becomes rough and pained. He has a temper, Vaati does, it burns cool and slow, but it exists. It rises uncommonly quickly when his words are questioned, when the things he says are dismissed and turned back upon him so --

The princeling isn't a sly man. He is brassy and youthful and full of pride, but he does not seem the type to toy with Vaati's words, only to willfully rise in response to them. He's irritated. It's not ( "You traitor." / "Who are you to call me the traitor, when it was you who let me in? ) like that. ]

Oh, you make such vicious little promises, princeling. You'll be so hard pressed to find a place on my skin that's yet to feel heat's kiss.

[ With that lingering in the air, he lifts a hand and shakes off the black mood that has crawled up the back of his spine and gripped the back of his neck - that ghost will not turn his head, not when Percival is conceding, if only because he's been so readily mocked. It's cute of him, to be like that. Motivated by spite, and all.

He covers Percival's eyes with the flat of his hand --] Close them. No cheating, or I'll have to punish you.

[ Once he's sure those eyes are closed, he leans his head in, tips it to the side and blows a soft stream of air across the top edge of Percival's ear, and takes his hands away from his body. They hover nearby, but do not touch, not yet. He has to guess first. ]

[ Having his vision obscured is not something he particularly enjoys, bringing upon that immediate feeling of vulnerability. Percival can feel his heart beating quicker in apprehension, senses heightening now that one of them is deprived. There's also a part of him that feels foolish for leaving himself at the mercy of a person he had just met, but he's confident in his ability to defend himself should this sharp-tongued stranger intend to harm him after all.

His heart continues to race when he feels the breath of the other man against his ear, and Percival tenses up, clutching at the fabric of his clothing. He dislikes not knowing what's going to happen next, but he's determined not to show weakness in front of anyone. ]

Punish me? I'd like to see you try. [ Letting out an exhale, he focuses on locating Vaati's hand now, stilling his breathing and calming his senses. He can't be certain if he's correct, but he makes his guess anyway with assertiveness. ]

Chest.

[ Percival's hands aren't restrained now, nor is his body. Should he want to lash out, it will be on him to do so - it won't reflect on anybody but him, and his nobility, should he lay hand upon someone else. Vaati knows how to play with nobles. He knows how to make them upset, how to make them squirm in their shoes, how to play off their pride -- he used to live among them, once upon a time, very long ago. ]

Good guess.

[ Slowly, he lines the palms of his hands up with the shape of Percival's chest, rolling his thumbs along where he assumes the line of his collarbone sits underneath his clothes. He fits his hands to the space under his arms, sweeps them down along his ribs and -- well, there's no doubt that he's feeling the redhead up. Nice and slow. As his mouth hovers around the edge of Percival's jaw, his hands slipping off his body once more. ]

Okay, [ he hovers, ] where will I touch you now?

[ Percival's breaths start to quicken at the bold touch, the deprivation of his sight only heightening his sensitivity to any contact against his skin. Right now, eyes shut and another man's arms around him, he feels vulnerable, and it's a feeling that stands at odds with his strong pride. Still, it's that pride that prevents him from removing himself from the situation, having already agreed to humour this game.

His body tenses, trembling slightly when touched, and he can feel his nipples harden uncomfortably under the silk of his robe, but he's determined to see this through. ] You complete imbecile ...

[ He doesn't like the disrespect he's facing, but his body betrays him by reacting in tow, blood starting to pump from within. Letting out an exhale to calm his nerves, Percival makes another guess. ]

Arms.

[ Percival's next guess - arms - is met with the soft 'tsk' of tongue. ]

Wrong.

[ That makes him one-for-one, on the guessing scale. It also means that Vaati gets to withhold contact from Percival, preparing to make him guess again. He'd instructed that it'd be where his hands touch, and they hover where he's placed them, waiting for Percival to guess again. If anything, he's not looking to play a long, cruel game. The anticipation alone will make this enjoyable, the look on the redhead's face as he strains his senses to find where Vaati's hands will be his reward. ]

I know you can do it, [ he breathes the words into the other man's ear, and waits: ] You can feel the heat of my body, like this. Focus on it.

[ The anticipation and frustration both put him on edge in a way he doesn't really want to be put on edge right now. That anticipation heightens when he remembers the way Vaati had touched him before, in that brazen way that could only be deliberate. ]

I don't need you to guide me. I am a knight, and I've trained for over a decade. [ With his battle senses, something like this should be no difficult feat. Percival relaxes himself, focusing on the tactile stimuli he's getting against the skin. ]

... Hips.

A prince and a knight, I see.

[ Said with a tone that implies he's more amused, than impressed.

Wordlessly, he presses his hands to Percival's hips, dragging them forward without missing a beat to press his thigh along the other man's. He aligns them like that, slid smooth and taunt as a bowstring against one another while his hands steady upon the redhead's hips. His mouth hasn't left the vicinity of Percival's ear as he laughs. ]

It wasn't a jab at your skill, princeling. I just want to feel you anticipate me.

[ With his vision obscured, he doesn't quite expect the sudden press of contact over the curves of his thighs, letting out a surprised sound as he's pulled close. Now they're pressed so close together he can feel the contours of the other man's body through the silk fabric of his pants. It has his heart racing again, and the breath lingering by his sensitive ear does him no favours. All that proximity has him in a fluster, but he works hard at controlling his reaction, wanting to put on a tough and calm front. ]

Such degenerate hobbies you have. Fitting for a classless animal. [ Being felt up so intimately is stirring up within him a rather physiological reaction, and Percival knows that well. He feels a bit more urgency now, wanting to get this over with as quickly as possible just in case the exercise makes him too worked up. Reaching down, he brushes Vaati's hands off of his hips. ]

Get on with it. The less time I have to spend with you the better.

TDM 005: HAPPY SPOOKTEMBER

hand holdin

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