TDM 006: SPECTRAL SPECTACLE

[erkumods]

TDM 006: SPECTRAL SPECTACLE

00. 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. ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● I. The Dragon's Matchmaking Welcome to the Island, cherub dragons! The auspicious actions of your fellow Islanders have foreseen the reintroduction of dragons to the world. Unlike the hulking, possessive creatures of ancient lore (and recent hot springs), these well-meaning little critters love to help. Their small size and roly-poly frames make them unsuited to laborious tasks, but they will be the perfect companion to any residents who endeavor to pick up a small item, wish for their lunch to be delivered to an absolute stranger, or need a fire started from a tiny, flaming sneeze in their drafty homes. If a cherub dragon sees an Islander they perceive in need of their assistance, they will zip right in and refuse to scram until they’ve done the job! No visible struggles? No problem! The little dragons also love to play matchmaker. Persistent dragons will gleefully nudge together Islanders they believe will have chemistry, and sometimes they aren’t wrong! Of course, even if sparks fail to fly, the dragons’ trilling songs are known to kindle romantic feelings between strangers and long-time lovers alike. ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● II. Ruins While the Islanders have been enjoying their autumn relaxation, the ‘bots of Erku have been hard at work clearing the surrounding forests of dangers for their guests’ safe habitation. If you are of deft hand with monster slaying, forestry, or even just hauling debris and weed picking, the robots will gladly exchange credits for help with reconstructing the recently unearthed mountain temple grounds from the rubble that remains there. Just follow the path of gently glowing mushrooms to the site of the temple ruins. Beware of lurking creatures, grabby plants, and falling rocks! The temple ruins are tall and breathtaking, despite the eerie chill of the fog that lingers just beyond. Or is it the fog that sends a shiver up your spine? After all, this place was very spiritually important to the original inhabitants of the Island, the robots say to anyone curious enough to ask. Although their own programming does not include religious worship, the Augur believes the restoration of this place to be vital to the continued augmentation of Eros energy. When questioned about the strange shadows that seem to slip from tree to tree, or the unsettling feeling of ghostly hands that seem to nudge volunteers deeper into the grounds, the robots respond with nothing but bafflement. Their sensors detect no unknown organic presence afoot. ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● III. Ritual Islanders who chase those mysterious shadows may find themselves particularly drawn to a structure that lay deeper within the ruins, beyond where the robots have made the most progress. Three sets of crumbling, moss-covered stairs join to form a central platform, which - despite the overcast skies - seems to emit a soft glow. Those who step onto the platform may begin to hear a quiet, compelling voice, which urges them to be free of their inhibitions and to offer their energy to the spirits to be multiplied hundredfold. Visions of naked bodies in the throes of carnal worship dance before the eyes. Those who are especially spiritually sensitive - or perhaps, just lucky - may feel as if possessed by a consciousness that is not their own, and that consciousness is filled with a burning sexual desire. Leaving the platform is an option if alone, but the intense and overwhelming urge to seek companionship will persist until an Auspicious Act is completed. Those who are fortunate to be joined by company within the temple will feel compelled to worship right then and there, no matter the risk of being seen. Within the walls of the temple, Eros energy is enhanced such that any erotic act - big or small - will be enough to break the spell. ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● N A V I G A T I O N

Comments

[devilstongue]

[ He pulls on one of his sad curls and then chuckles. ]

It's still a little too short for me to do that myself. Yasha... my friend, she does... did... these amazing braids in my hair that she then stuck flowers into. Made me look like some faerie prince.

[ He misses her already. ]

Some exercise after dinner sounds like the perfect thing, doesn't it?

[warpspammer]

Hmm.. Well, after we find some place to wash up, I could always give it a shot, if you'd want. I used to help my friend Libertus with his.

[ and his sister, though that's more painful to speak of. but he has braids that sit close to his own skull, so he's not overstating his ability to do so. ]

And yeah, exercise after eating sounds like a plan, though you might have to help me finish this pot off.

[ he's teasing. he made enough for a couple meals, and he's sure he can cover it to keep it good. ]

[demonsgt]

[ If nothing else, Ilsa can objectively appreciate how, out of everyone she works with, perhaps Eustace is the best person she could have hoped to be in this situation with. Zeta would have stubbornly searched for an alternative solution, bless her headstrong ways. Beatrix may have fainted and perished from the idea of doing anything like this. And she can't even fathom the idea of Vaseraga allowing anyone to see anymore of him than they have to.

So this is more than fine. Extremely fine, she finds herself thinking, watching his naked body take a few steps to find some appropriate spot on the cold stone floor. All of those years of training and fieldwork have made for a partner that makes Ilsa's stomach flutter, a feeling she has to reign in before responding.

Try as she might, there's no masking the nervousness. ]

No. You're fine as you are. It's a shame we're surrounded by nothing but stone.

[ A shame she really can't keep her libido reigned in until they could find somewhere more appropriate. She actually does feel a glimmer of guilt at that, but it's overshadowed by the sensation of cool air hitting her bare skin making her crave his body heat again. ]

I'm going to sit on your face. Is that alright?

[ Ilsa lowers herself next to him, not yet positioning herself to do just that, waiting for the affirmative. But while she's waiting, she doesn't want to pretend like she can approach this completely coldly, as practical as their actions may be.

She idly runs fingers through his hair, keeping a careful and steady hand as she lowers her touch to frame his jaw. ]

[schwarzen]

[ He is, unfortunately, quite dense, so Aphrodite is a blessing for considering such measures.

He beams when she voices her approval. Someone else approves of a fashion choice he made, which is a rarity in his world. ]

Yes, I thought so too. I have a pug like this named Taro, though I believe he may be outside in the garden.

[ The suggestion of receiving a kiss makes his eyes flicker with confusion, though the way his ears flush with color betrays his otherwise decent poker face. ]

Oh... there's no need to repay me, miss.

[ Not that he would mind a kiss, but he doesn't want her to think any help comes with strings attached. Please help I want the smooch. ]

I've been here for a few months now, so I don't mind helping new arrivals however I can. I'm Siegfried, by the way.

[ He can at least look her in the eye now. ]

yeah im in pieces after ur seonho simp tag

[eolja]

[it’s only gonna get BETTER (doubt) FROM HERE

It's a light touch, and yet it feels a lot like an arrow to the chest. only some discomfort though, and no pain, and mostly pleasure. It’s the heat radiating from the other mans’ hand on his chest, the jawline he can see more clearly now that they’re on level ground, and the now unhindered view of his cock.

And Seonho had thought the stone had turned him on. This would be immensely embarrassing if it wasn’t also arousing (actually it’s absolutely both)]

No,

[and he does almost hate how he sounds so breathless already, but he makes up for it by the determined tilt of his chin. Never mind that Eustace only has to look down to see how Seonho’s really feeling, (i don’t want to write big dick seonho u_u he just has a normal-sized one since he’s not a furry) he can absolutely pretend that he’s in control.

he presses his right hand against Eustace’s hip, tracing the downward slant with his fingers,]

I think the time for conversing is over.

[he finishes, palming eustace’s cock. intimacy is a strange thing, especially sexual intimacy. Seonho’s experience mostly revolves around his own (almost always on his own, and if not, then with the gisaengs at ihwaru and a few scholar-students back when he was still attending school). Always under mostly-repressed, shameful circumstances – because how can he let himself go with the women who all know of his feelings for Hui-Jae or with the boys who openly sneered at his social status – so the situation now of knowing absolutely nothing about Eustace (NOT EVEN HIS NAME?? he doesn’t even know if eustace is a HUMAN?? HE HAS WOLF EARS???) and knowing that he too has no idea who Seonho is

Freeing.

And a little awkward, because Seonho only has his own standards to work with. At least nothing’s stopping eustace from pointing flamek at him (HEH) and shoving him down the stairs if he does anything wrong]

[demonsgt]

[ This is all so very strange, and the objective part of her mind knows that it likely has to do with the... trance-like state their dragons have fallen into, but none of her instincts are telling her this is anything nefarious.

It may be because said instincts are instead dialed in to wonder why Barret seems to be losing his composure a bit, and her own reaction is to smile.

That smile very quickly disappears, however, at the inquiry. Reason wins out over everything else, even if just for a brief moment. ]

This isn't what you're gonna want to hear, but... We can receive bullets the same way every other resource is acquired here— by fulfilling "Auspicious Acts".

[ Her eyes flicker with concern. ]

You're aware of what that means, correct?

[lockedon]

[ It truly is a shame there's nothing but crumbling rock surrounding them on all sides, hard and unyielding like the respective masks they wear in public. All things considered though— ]

We've dealt with worse.

[ And he'll gladly suffer through worse for the chance to run his hands through her hair and across her body again, bury his face into the heat of her body as he explores each pleasure point that's been hidden from him until now. His control unravels further as the compulsions of the temple settle their roots even deeper into his body, fingers itching with impatience as he lies where he is, watching silently as she approaches. Even if he can't do anything, he can appreciate the sight she makes, eyes skimming across her naked figure as desire warms his body.

Her question catches him by surprise - it's forward, unabashed - but past the initial burst comes a wave of hunger as his body stirs at the anticipation of having her settle atop him, thighs framing his face as he devotes himself to the sole task of pleasuring her. ]

It is.

[ A surprisingly simple answer that does little to contain his excitement at the prospect. ]

[ecocentric]

Ah, shit.

[Barret's smile fades too, shifts into a frown so deep it's a wonder it doesn't leave permanent furrows on his face.] Was hoping I didn't have to think about that for a while. Freaky as hell.

[He exhales deeply, shakes his head in either disbelief or resignation.] Yeah. I've been told. Not pleasant news, I'll say that much.

[He knows of the people in Wall Market, what sort of business they got down to, and it reminds him too much of that — the desperation inherent in it, for all that those acts could be positive and loving in any other situation.

Especially for the young, and for any woman. It didn't sit right with him.]

It's not right, you know — shouldn't be that way. It's supposed to be, y'know. Fun. Loving. [A dark flush climbs its way up his neck.]

Are you alright? [He asks after a moment, perhaps in an attempt to talk about something else, but largely out of genuine concern.] How are you taking that news, I mean to say.

[reorienting]

Hmm. My usual method of repairs is too costly in terms of energy at the moment, and worthless on others like fabric, but I can at least do this.

[Picking up a spare rag, his clothing ripples at the shoulder, forming a long tendril about two inches wide, and the end of it rapidly transforms into a hand. With that, Glenn passes a rag to the hand without looking, and the tentacle gets to work with cleaning up the ceiling first. A space near his neck ripples next, forming an eye on a stalk to keep an eye on his actions while his face looks elsewhere, taking stock in the surroundings. Another tentacle and eye rapidly joins in, both hands seamlessly working together despite the fact that it's clear that the clothing-covered flesh has no bones at all between Glenn's shoulder and the wrist of those appendages.]

I am a shapeshifter. And the only humanoid on my ship, so someone needs to clean up, even the high places. So I learned how to do it this way.

[Glenn offers a faint smile, the expression delicate and almost shy.]

Oh. My name is Glenn. Nice to meet you.

i wish i could simp more but honestly i'm in too much pain after your tag

[lockedon]

[ A man of action, huh? He's into that.

Other things he's into: the steady grip of Seonho's fingers around his length, well-practiced motions befitting of a man who at least has some idea of what he's doing, as compared to a total novice. That makes things easier, at least. He doesn't have to treat this man like fine china, overly considerate of his experience (or lack thereof) as they navigate through the murky haze of desire that this temple has forced upon them.

Unless that's what Seonho is into, of course. Guess they'll find out, in due time.

He's not about to stand here and just take what's given, in any case. It takes two to tango, or so they say, and he's not about to waste what's been given to him.

While his hips tilt foward, further into Seonho's slender fingers, his own hands are moving, skimming across the expanse of the other man's toned chest, thumbs brushing over the occasional scar in a light, lingering touch. Eustace isn't much of a romantic all things considered, but he can appreciate an athletic figure when he sees one, and pay the proper dues. The slight difference in their height means it's convenient for him to lower his head until the ends of his hair are brushing against Seonho's shoulder and he's close enough that his breath falls warm over the bare skin there. ]

I wonder, [ he starts, pressing the tip of his nose against the other man's neck, right against the pulse point ] if you like it gentle...or rough?

[ On the last word his fingers pause, thumb and forefinger closing around one nipple and giving it a firm pinch. ]

[badluckblues]

[ Qrow isn't bashful so much as just practical, coming from a world where the majority of women he knows - including his sister - can kick his ass. He notices her gesture that the coast is clear and turns his eyes back to her as if nothing out of the ordinary has happened.

You know, other than yet another Ace Operative washing up on this intergalactic beach. ]

Well, I guess in a sense the purpose is pleasure, heh.

[ Qrow's laugh is dry, and his amusement is all cynicism. ]

What brought us here is a bunch of horny robots, that's what. Don't ask me how, that's beyond me.

so much irony

[allthetimekept]

[Miranda listens to him talk and she comes to a realization. He doesn't know. He doesn't know what happened. Like some of the other people she's met so far, he's from before.

He's still an Exorcist and no one has tried to arrest him. He's safe. For now.

More tears are coming but Miranda's smiling and just wants to cling to Allen some more. She just wants to hold him forever.]

Y-Yes, you're right! We'll get to go home and see everyone and it'll be fine. Everyone will be together again.

[Because Miranda will do whatever she can to make sure that can happen.]

[hare_faster]

[Maybe but there were just as many people that wanted Harriet to wrap her thighs around their face while not kicking their ass too. So it was pretty clear why a bunch of horny robots would want here there. But bring this guy along then?]

Sounds pretty weird, sure it's not the person who built the robots? Or someone just taking control of them?

[Look after everything that happened lately with Watts and hacking everything in Atlas, drones, and robots were a bit hard to entirely trust. They were just a helpful tool, not something that you could really trust.]

Still sounds like a bad vacation though. Anything trying to kill us or attacking the people?

[devilstongue]

That sounds interesting, and I'm always up for interesting.

[ Braiding hair, just being bros? Molly can get with that.

Looking over to the pot, there's a laugh from the tiefling and he shakes his head. ]

As great as it is, I'm sure there are a lot more hungry people to feed.

[badluckblues]

[ Hey Qrow may not have the thicc thighs but he has nice... uh. Bone structure?

He regards Harriet with some suspicion, given how calmly she seems to be taking all of this... but hell. They all have different coping strategies, don't they? And he's always considered Atlas soldiers to be an especially odd and inhuman lot. ]

If something's controlling them, it's another robot. There was nothing organic when we got here, and I mean nothing. No people, no plants, not even a bug.

The 'bots are friendly, at least. They won't hurt you. Some of the monsters in the forest will, though.

[demonsgt]

[ Ilsa feels a bit guilty for dampening the mood. Especially because even though her own frown deepens and her ears lower a bit, the critters lingering around them and continuing their song means that her sympathy for the other man's dismay is only amplified. ]

I can tell you that I'm in complete agreement, Barret. Back home, I didn't even have time for a boyfriend. To be expected to jump into intimacy like this with complete strangers...

[ She would not... normally be this candid about her sex life (or lack thereof), but that's the level of comfort she's evidently reached.

At the same time, his concern returns the smile to her face. It's slight, but she wants nothing more than to reassure him. ]

It's not ideal, but I'll be fine. I've had to endure a lot worse for the sake of my job. For the time being, I'll just have to be conservative about my bullets.

[ So maybe they should take a raincheck on the whole "showing off their skills" thing. She grows quiet for a moment. ]

Why don't we find somewhere to sit down? I'll admit I haven't stopped moving since we got here.

[hare_faster]

[There was the mission and not much else. And for Harriet that meant keep moving. Horny interdimensional robots didn't seem like an immediate threat, and she didn't really know the law of the land just yet to know how busting a few of them up would go.]

If there was nothing organic when you got here, then where did the monsters and the forest come from? It's not like they just appear out of thin air.

[badluckblues]

That's the thing, though. They really did. Every plant, animal, half these buildings -

[ Qrow turns to sweep an arm in the direction of the tents and shacks on the beach, and the forest and the city beyond - ]

Weren't here when we got here.

[hare_faster]

So robots pull you here, no plants, no monsters, no buildings, and then what summon them the same way?

[Really it wasn't tracking.]

And they want us to burn off a little steam in order to what, build more? Until eventually we go back, or are we just stuck here now?

slamming in fashionably late heLLO

[kintsugambol]

[ well, she has one dragon hanging around her shoulder, and her ears flick up at the sound of a man apparently beset by the things and coming closer.

she turns on her heel to face him. he hasn't met the man, but it's a face she's seen before—old photos on yang's scroll, mainly. and yang did excitedly text her earlier about his arrival.

well then. ]

Ah, um. Hello. You're... Yang's dad, right? [ she expected this to be a more formalized meeting. probably with yang there. oh brother gods why. ]

Better late than never.

[better_goodbyes]

[Apparently they'd gotten the memo about the dragon dad being around as well. Luckily Tai had managed to get his bandana back and was tying it back in place when he heard someone approaching. It was true that he hadn't had the opportunity to meet Blake yet, but Tai certainly felt like he knew enough about her. Ruby wrote about all of them frequently, back before the fall. Tai took a moment to seem to consider her, Yang had been pretty beat up about her leaving. But at the same time, he knew that Yang wasn't really mad at Blake as much as she was herself.]

I am. Taiyang Xiao Long. You're Blake Belladonna, right? I recognize you from the pictures and letters Ruby and Yang would send home.

[After a moment offered a smile and reached out his hand, something told him she wasn't really a hugger.]

It's good to have the chance to meet you.

[kintsugambol]

[ not especially a hugger, no. there are some people she hugs on the reg, but for the time being, she thinks her girlfriend's dad isn't going to be one of them.

so blake takes his hand, shaking it once. ]

The same to you. I, ah... [ she... really doesn't know how to handle this. should she ask if he has any questions? ask about him? WHAT IS THE PLAYBOOK HERE SHE THOUGHT YANG WOULD BE HERE FOR THIS ]

[better_goodbyes]

Don't know what to say?

[Tai laughed, it seemed like Blake was a bit of a shy one, or at the very least had been caught off guard.]

Just relax, take a deep breath. It's not like this is an interview or entrance exam for something.

[It was just two people who likely heard a lot about each other from others meeting for the first time. The fact that she had been through so much with Ruby and with Yang already made her a good person in Tai's book.]

[demonsgt]

[ Being forthcoming like this, forward as it may be... it's one of the only ways Ilsa can feel as if she has some semblance of control. Her body is out of her control, evidently. As is her desire, a craving that wants nothing more but this man.

She truly can't remember the last time she's felt like this. She's felt desire, of course, a feeling that she can't help due to her very nature, but to want to share that desire with someone in particular—

Well, it's evident by the way her skin flushes when he looks up at her, by the way her thighs press together in growing impatience... the aphrodisiac may have stirred her interest, but it's Eustace's agreement that has already made her wet with hunger. ]

Don't disappoint me.

[ She smiles, just a little sly, before shifting to lower herself, oriented so that she has an ample view of his groin, too. She's never done this before, but she's certainly fantasized about it. Her thighs rest against the sides of his face, tense, because despite everything, she's nervous. She's also careful not to rest her entire weight on him.

This also renders her more vulnerable than she initially thought, realizing that she'd just offered Eustace an incredibly personal view. She shivers as she feels the tip of his nose brush against her sensitive groin and his warm breath against her inner thigh.

Despite her attempt to keep her voice level and even a bit authoritative, it's not quite there. Her palms rest against his chest, nails lightly digging into muscle. ]

Do a good job and I'll reward you, as well.

[paramounts]

[She takes the opportunity during all of the flustering to pull the shirt on over her head – there's a lot of her hair that gets caught in the shirt, and the dog's printed face is stretched across her breasts, but it's long enough that it should offer her some modesty for now.]

My name is Lady Aphrodite, and I insist.

[Don't think she doesn't see the tips of his ears turning red, and, most importantly, feel the flutter of his heart betraying his otherwise stoic expression. And in case he thinks he can escape without giving into her whims, she slinks up closer, letting her fingers rest on his shoulders, leaning in like she's sharing some kind of secret.]

I would like my first kiss on the island to be with a... helpful gentleman such as yourself.

[...She's hamming it up a little. And before he can argue or somesuch nonsense, she leans in the rest of the way, pressing a (regretfully) chaste kiss to the corner of his mouth.]

There. Debt repaid. That wasn't so bad, was it?