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

[ Finn sat up as James came back. Some part of him nearly reached out on impulse, probably to help take some of the load, probably to coax him into a cuddle/kiss combo. Whatever it was, it felt like instinct, so Finn tamped it down and did nothing except watch. ]

It makes sense. I didn't learn how to cook until I didn't have much choice. [ Aside from simple field training, anyway. ] It can be useful in a place like this. I'm no expert, but... I can fill you in on the basics? If you wanted.

[ Did he just try to get a second meeting between them? Yes, he did. Fuck. ]

[ The food isn't that special, but at least there's enough for them both. Jim sets the plate down on the mattress, briefly glancing at Finn at that almost-touch that doesn't happen, but says nothing to it as he hands Finn a glass of water, then carefully takes a seat next to him. ]

Mm, you know what? That actually would be a big help. I don't foresee any replicators popping by in the nearest future, so I may as well learn a few things.

[ Well, a second meeting was going to happen regardless, at least this way Jim doesn't need to just show up completely unannounced. ]

Could always teach me to make you pancakes in the morning.

[ That's totally a basic thing to teach, right. ]

[ Finn didn't realize how often he touched James until he was trying to stop. Another unforeseen problem that was causing nothing but trouble and pain. At least he was too preoccupied with berating himself that he still hadn't noticed that Jim was noticing.

His smile is slow and warm. ] I think we can do that. [ He's just... not going to think about the original morning-after that he made pancakes. There was no marathon sex planned for tonight, he was certain.

Finn takes a sip of water, debates, and says what's on his mind anyway. ] Though, from what I've gathered about this place, you probably could get a replicator. I don't know what the limits are on this- [ waving his hand ] -sex energy thing.

[ Look, it's a marvelous invention and the whole island could probably benefit. That's all he's saying. He's not talking about sex. He's totally, 100% not talking about sex... It's a strange day when he doesn't want to talk to James about sex. ]

[ Some other time he might say something about it. For now the restraint is appreciated in a way, and most definitely necessary for them both. Much as he might've been okay with touching, just sharing a room and a bed for the night is already going be pretty overwhelming as it is.

He makes a thoughtful hum at Finn's suggestion, helping himself to some food. ]

Maybe I could. I mean, no harm in trying, I guess, but still. Replicators are complex machines, and there's not as much need when we have the means to cook, here. We just need the supplies— and we can get that through the same means.

[ AKA a lot of sex. ]

[ Sleeping in the same bed tonight? Yeah, pretty overwhelming. Yet, it was Jim's idea. And Finn agreed to it. So here they are.

He decides to nibble on a fruit while he thinks. ] That's true. We could probably skip the whole thing and just get hot meals instead. [ Said with a shrug. Though he knows full well that the ingredients will go further. Finn just means that the sheer amount of sex that's going to be had on this island might power a whole fleet of Star Destroyers, never mind a soup kitchen. ]

It wasn't like this last time. We didn't get things for sex, just... sex. [ Finn can't help laughing, like "just sex" isn't reward enough. ] I have no idea what I could want. You have any plans?

[ Yeah, Jim suspects there's a lot of sex happening already as it is. He laughs too when Finn does, shooting him a look. ]

What, like 'just sex' isn't great already?

[ Come on, really. Still, at Finn's question, his smile fades somewhat. ]

I... don't know. Honestly, right now my main focus is making sure we have what we need to keep everyone alive, healthy and safe. I'm still not sure how I feel about all this, it's...

[ He pauses, trying to think of the best way to describe it. ] Consent-wise, it could be problematic with some people. And personally, I'd rather know that people want to be with me, not just trying to fulfill some goal.

Mm. [ That's... a very good point. Sure, there was a bit of problematic stuff before what with the Iris heat but this is different. There's manipulation involved now... Finn's well aware that James had a few friends like him (or he thinks it was just like him but whatever) and he knows how deeply James can care about people.

Wow, he doesn't want this for him.

Finn doesn't really think about himself. Sex was never really on his mind that much. Hell, on Prismatica, he only slept with two people and James was 99.999999% of it. ~~That's mostly the mun's fault, though.~~ ]

You're good at reading people. You're a genius... If you still aren't sure, you can come to me. Apparently, the Force can be used like a lie detector, so maybe I can help.

[ Haha, you thought he was gonna-... Anyway. Besides, everyone wants to be with James Kirk. Finn can't imagine someone who wouldn't be. ]

[ It's just a little tricky to navigate, he thinks, but he'll figure it out. He's never really been anywhere that uses sex as a means to an end, at least not to this extent, so it's bound to be something for him to adapt to.

But Finn's right. He's good at reading people. Hopefully he'll be able to tell.

His lips twitch into a smile, like he expected Finn to offer, yet not at all surprised when it goes in another direction. ]

Really? So you can tell if I'm lying?

Probably?

[ He did just promise he could help, so testing the ability out might be a good idea. ]

Like I said, it's new and it feels... distant here. It's hard to explain...

But you can try me.

[ Jim hums, nodding slowly. It's an interesting ability, normally Jim would be averse to it, but right now he's honestly curious.

So instead he tries to think of something about himself that Finn might not know yet. ]

Alright, then... my mother's name is Diana.

[ It's a lie, but said simply enough. Maybe he's told Finn his mother's name before, he doesn't know, but it's as good a first try as any. ]

[ Funnily enough, the subject of parents hadn't come up often between them, so Finn doesn't know the name of Jim's mother. That said, it would be easy to take what he knows of James and watch his body language to try figuring it out.

But that misses the point entirely. So instead of watching, he tries it with a little feeling. For a moment, Finn just stares at James and thinks on it... ]

You're lying. [ A beat. ] But I have no idea if the Force told me that or not.

[ He seems certain, though. ]

[ Jim's not sure if he's supposed to feel it or not, but he waits anyway, still and quiet until Finn makes his guess. Or... not a guess, since he's supposed to be able to tell.

He does smile when Finn answers, and he nods. ]

Either way, you got it right. Her name's Winona, by the way.

[ Not gonna linger on the subject of parents, though. Not with both his and Finn's history on that. Instead, he moves onto the next... "guess". ]

I... don't think you're cute at all.

[ Yeah, Finn's not gonna need the Force for that one. ]

[ Oh, yeah? Finn smiles a little at that one. Any pang of guilt or longing doesn't come. Instead, he finds that he missed the flirting. ]

I hope that's a lie.

[ He's more than certain it is. But, again, not the point. Jim's probably just joking around now, but Finn reaches out, anyway. Not physically, but he's getting a better handle on the Force now that he's looking for it and feeling around.

Honestly? This is the first time he's ever tried something like this, and he doesn't even realize that he's finally stepped over that threshold.

James probably does feel something this time. Just a brush against his thoughts, an extra consciousness that's there and gone all in the same breath. Finn doesn't even notice the touch but he does feel... something. ]

You are lying.

[ His smile gets softer. ]

[ Of course it's a lie. It's also blatant and shameless flirting that he shouldn't be indulging in, but screw it. Gonna roll with it anyway.

He does seem a little surprised when he actually feels something this time. It doesn't feel invasive, but it's like... a presence, something barely there, barely ghosting the edges of his mind. It's making his heart pick up pace in a mix of dread and excitement and curiosity, and his eyes are a little wider when Finn finally speaks. ]

Can you... do that, again? That... [ He trails off, just touching his own temple. ] I don't know. Reaching out to me in my mind. That was... I don't know. Just want to feel it again.

[ Uh. His smile drops. James felt something? Did it hurt? He wants it to happen again so it must not have hurt.

Finn debates for a second, wondering how safe or wise this is, wondering how safe or wise refusing is. He's unsure, extremely unsure, still very much settled with that deep fear of hurting someone he loves, but-- ]

Okay...

[ He sits up straight, turns to face James, and folds his legs his beneath him. It's just a matter of repeating what he just did, gently... After a moment of confusion, relearning how to replicate it and squashing down some brief panic, Finn does manage to reach out again.

It's a lot like before. He doesn't invade and barely even touches, but there's a ghost of something there drifting at the edge of Jim's thoughts. A presence, like before, but it doesn't move away this time. Finn doesn't know it and it's uncertain if James could even know it, but it's warm and brimming with love and curiosity and awe and not a little bit of fear.

Finn himself can feel James, too. It's... what he expected. James always felt like the softest supernova always exploding outward into the universe, and it's a little overwhelming and addicting and powerful the closer he is, but he can't help but love it. Love him. ]

[ It didn't hurt, no. Not in the slightest. It was a little weird, sure, but actually there was something vaguely similar to his experience with Ambassador Spock. But that had been sudden, intense, too much information, too many thoughts and feelings dumped into his brain at once when he wasn't even sure what was happening to begin with.

But Finn reaches out to him in a way that's so soft, so careful, even with the excitement he feels, he finds a comfort of sorts. He's not sure if it helps or not, but he closes his eyes and takes a deep, slow breath anyway.

And then there it is again, that gentle brush against the edges of his mind. He can almost feel that worry on Finn's end, the panic that's there and gone, the confusion that melts away into something warmer and sweeter.

The longer he lingers there, the more easily Jim can pick up on those feelings, especially when Finn's doing very little to hide them. He's not sure what it is that makes his heart pick up pace when he realizes what he's sensing from Finn, but it does feel kind of like riding a roller coaster for too long, coming out of it stumbling and dizzy and out of breath.

The link doesn't quite break, but Jim can't stay still. He can't listen to reason either, apparently, because regardless of what any voice might be saying at the back of his mind, he shoves it down further and leans in, cupping Finn's face in his hands and pressing their lips in a kiss. ]

[ The supernova gets warmer before drawing away. It doesn't leave, the connection doesn't stop, but he can tell that James is distracted. Finn's halfway to opening his eyes, unsure when he closed them, when the kiss comes and everything else fades into the background.

His first thought, for just a split second, is that this is not a good idea. Then the thought's gone, and he's kissing back. What's more, his hands have started clinging to James' clothes at some point, pulling him in and trying to press their bodies flush. He's missed him, and that longing must sing through the connection thanks to how strong the emotion is. That and all of the other overwhelming things, the immense sadness that James doesn't remember, the unbridled joy that he's alive alive alive.

Later, he might wonder if he made James kiss him, if his own emotions affected him or if he performed some sort of mind trick on accident, but that's not a thought right now because he knows it's not true. Because the Force tells him that's not true. Not entirely, anyway. And besides, Jim would probably be furious that Finn thought such a thing at all. ]

[ No, Finn didn't make him do this, and he's right in thinking that Jim would be upset if Finn said anything to that effect. But at the moment he's returning the kiss, rather eagerly at that, so that can't be such a bad thing.

Honestly, after their lips meet, Jim can't really imagine why any of this is such a bad thing anymore. The way Finn reaches out to grab him makes his breath shudder, and he's quick to move closer when pulled in, letting out a soft pitch of a sound, lips parting into the kiss and arms moving so they wrap completely around Finn's neck, clinging onto him while he more or less ends up climbing onto Finn's lap.

At least he recognizes that he's getting carried away, he just doesn't care that much that he is. Finn's feelings bleed out of him, unbridled, and they all make him feel warm and safe and overwhelmingly happy. ]

Edited 2020-09-26 12:49 (UTC)

[ All of that warm happiness flowing out of James only spurs Finn on, making him believe that this is totally okay and there will absolutely be no consequences. But hell, maybe it is and there won't be.

His hands have ended up under Jim's shirt at some point, one running over his back while the other snakes around his ribs. Again, acting on instinct, and he nearly doesn't catch himself before that hand moves south. He does, though, and no southern movement occurs. If anything, it helps clue him in to what's going on.

He actually considers ignoring it and pretending he's still lost in the moment until he does get lost again... His hand moves north, over Jim's chest for just a moment, and Finn gently pulls hardly a breath away from the kiss. ]

That was-... [ That was an accident? That was a lot? That was amazing? His voice is low and a little hoarse, so he leans forward and kisses the edge of Jim's lips and his jaw instead.

The connection is still there and it's probably the only reason he hasn't stopped this yet. Jim still feels so... warm. Happy. Like this is okay. ]

[ Well, those hands sure are going places. The touch is definitely something surprising and unexpected and it draws a sharp sound from him, muffled into the kiss. Even so, he doesn't really stop it— doesn't so much as try. He just shudders and arches in response to the touch, clinging to Finn tighter, the kiss breaking with a gasped breath from him.

He can feel his face warm, he's almost sure he's bearing a faint fluster on his cheeks, heart hammering in his chest. This is all much more intense than he was counting on, but it feels so good, he can't even think to put a stop to it.

In fact he just tilts his head and presses closer, as though offering up his jaw and neck for Jim's lips to explore all he likes. ]

Finn... [ The name is barely a breath on his lips, fingers twisting into Finn's clothes, hoping to keep him close. ]

[ The flush he notices before moving on to James' neck is enough to make his heart pound that much harder, becoming that much more sure of himself. The sound of his name-

The still thinking part of him doesn't want this to escalate too far. In fact, it would very much like to separate, slow down, talk, and not freak out. Like, he knows that maybe it's what should be done right now.

But most of him isn't thinking, not about that sort of thing, and doesn't want to start now.

His hands are still blessedly beneath Jim's shirt, pressing them close together while they continue exploring, trying to keep his no-escalation policy in mind. Besides, things may be intense but it feels a lot slower now, and he doesn't want to rush. If anything, he wants to make James feel amazing and has a lot of experience in that field.

He shivers, starts exploring down Jim's very familiar neck, and breathes his name against his skin. ] James... [ There is some lust creeping into their connection but it's overwhelmed by the desire to be of use, to give pleasure where he can. Which, of course, is overwhelmed by all the love he's trying to contain in his body right now. ]

[ Jim's well aware they should stop right now. Well, not stop, but definitely slow down a little there. He still enjoys being close, and he doesn't want to lose that connection, but if they keep going they're going to end up having sex and he's really not sure that that's the best idea right now.

Those hands on his skin are doing very little to help keep his mind clear, though, just like Finn's lips on his neck. He lets out a shuddered moan, head tipping back slightly, gripping Finn's shirt tightly.

Somehow, he manages to muster the strength to pull back, even if only an inch or two. ]

We should... [ He pauses, clears his throat. His cheeks are warm, and he cups Finn's face with one of his hands. ] We should, maybe— slow down a little.

[ Even though that moan makes him hold tighter and shiver, Finn does pull back when James does. It's not by much, seeming pretty clear that he doesn't want to get much further away.

His cheeks are warm, too, while he takes deep breaths, his eyes half-lidded and clouded even as he finds James gaze. Slow down. They should slow down. ]

Sorry. [ His hands slide away from beneath his shirt, kind of reluctant to leave the warmth, but they find a new home in similar spots only with cloth as a barrier. Through the connection, there's some confusion and guilt but mostly caution. Protectiveness. He doesn't want to mess things up.

And Finn recognizes that would include closing this connection he somehow linked, realizing that they've overwhelmed each other with it even if he isn't totally sure what part made James start getting physical. Not that he's complaining. But, with some reluctance, Finn pulls away in the Force, attempting to put his mind back in his own head. It's just... really difficult to let go of all that light. Makes him feel a little darker and colder even though he can still see it. ] You're still just as beautiful, you know.

[ That's probably not the right thing to say, and he glances down as soon as it's out of his mouth, but that same mouth twitches along one edge into a smile. It's just the memory of saying that over and over. He used to love telling him as much. ]

It's okay, [ He says, a quick response, wanting to ease Finn's worries. He's smiling a little when he meets Finn's eyes, forehead pressed to Finn's for a moment there. ] It's okay. I don't mind it, actually I liked it a lot. Just... don't want us to get overwhelmed, is all.

[ Which may or may not be happening already, even with the bond between them being broken. Quietly he regrets that loss, but he says nothing. Maybe it really is for the best they give that a break for a little while.

Either way, it looks like Finn's got plenty of ways to surprise and overwhelm him anyway, and that little comment there is met with a sudden yet soft laugh, lips curled up in a bashful smile, head bending forward so he can press his forehead against Finn's shoulder. ]

[ At least they're of the same mind that getting overwhelmed - or, well, more overwhelmed - isn't a good idea right now. Still, the whole thing gives him an idea of what could be, and it's a much better picture than he assumed beforehand. For a brief moment, he allows himself to hope for what they had or perhaps just something like it before he brushes that to the side.

Distracting himself is easy to do what with that shy, bashful reaction. Not that he's complaining about it or about how close they are right now. He wraps his arms around James, laughing once breathlessly and so so happy, bending his head forward to press a more chaste kiss to his neck.

James is surprised to hear such a thing. That's new. Finn will definitely have to tell him more often this go around. ]

I liked it a lot, too. I... never did that before. [ Which means he's suddenly realizing that he actually did that and he's thankful to James for pulling that out of him. But he doesn't say it. Finn just rests his face in his neck and enjoys this. It somehow doesn't feel as close as when they were connected, but the privacy of his own mind allows him to feel okay about getting a little overly emotional right now.

Because, no, that wasn't overly emotional before. He's just... really happy. ]

TDM 005: HAPPY SPOOKTEMBER

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