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

thanatos | hades

[expiry]

i. here there be dragons (ft some draconic marvin gaye playing in the bg, maybe)

[Well, credit where credit is due: these dragonlings sure are persistent! Persistently annoying, that is. They seem drawn to Thanatos, dour as he is; one is always fluttering about his head as he explores this city, or perching atop the stupid scythe he's lugging about, and while he looks none too pleased, he's doing his best to pay them no mind. Really. He has practice ignoring, ah, particularly annoying individuals, you see, so if he just keeps pretending they're not here...

Except that dragons, as Thanatos is finding out, are not so easily deterred.]

a. [Having snagged the hem of Thanatos' chiton, this pesky dragonling is now doing its absolute best to drag Thanatos closer to... whomstever happens to be nearby. Enjoying some solitude? Well, too bad! This dragon (and its scowling prisoner) is zipping toward you, anyway, tiny wings beating furiously—and when it reaches you, why, it's so exhausted that it perches right atop your shoulder, or falls right into your waiting arms. Nap time... all while its claw still holds fast to the fabric draped around this scowling man.]

I... apologize. I'll take this creature off your hands.

[Is the dragon cracking open an eye? Watching this interaction before a single glance from Thanatos sends its eye slamming shut once more, all as it pitifully (re: dramatically) flops against this person already supporting it? O, woe is this poor dragon... so tired... please protect it...]

b. [Or maybe this dragonling is zipping toward you sans a god in tow? All so it can drop a small stuffed buddy into your hands before flying away. Cute! Less cute is the fact that, as you turn this rat over in your hands, there's a sudden flash of green-ish light—and Thanatos poofs into existence before you, eyeing you with evident displeasure before shifting his attention down to that aforementioned rat. Like appearing out of thin air is totally normal! Spoiler alert: it is.]

That doesn't belong to you. Why do you have Mort?

[Mort!]

ii. the ruins have eyes

[The sky is cloudy, yes, but it's still too bright for Thanatos' liking. He has his hood pulled as far down as it will go, so, you know. A tall, hooded figure carrying a giant scythe, moving so quietly through this forest it's as though he's floating just above the ground (because he very much is)—there's nothing spooky about that, right? Nothing worrying about that at all? It doesn't help that he keeps his distance from both people and robots, sticking to the shadows as he moves from here to there. Cool, cool, cool...

But if Thanatos spies someone a) wandering off the path and b) dealing with ghostly hands attempting to shove them back on it, he'll break his self-imposed exile to approach them. It's probably a bad idea to, like, poof right beside them, even if it would be more efficient; it's why he approaches slowly, instead. Carefully, all while those ghostly presences fall back, seemingly eager to avoid him. Hmm!]

Shades, [he explains, watching as yet another shadow in the distance ducks behind a tree.] With no one to guide them, I suppose they've... lost their way.

[He looks almost troubled by that, for a moment—but then he frowns, a quiet tsch escaping him as he glances back at this person he's helped? Scared half to death? Both.]

Inefficient.

[Anyway, bud, you good...]

iii. wildcard

[i am, as ever, open to anything... if these don't work for you/you really want to bone the surly god of death in these spooky ruins (ota 21+), just throw something my way or hit me up at tuchanka !]

it's durgons

[takeroot]

[Constantin is out and about minding his own business, you know, for once, but what he really wants is to catch one of these little butterball dragons. Look at them! Adorable! He wants five of them in his plant hell apartment at all times, which naturally means they only seem to want to zip over to him, drop trinkets on him and leave, so it is... going so poorly... woe is him.

At least until this very special butterball zooms up and flops uselessly into his arms, a very delightful stroke of luck. He doesn't really care that it's brought a big surly man along with it until he realizes, a few seconds late, that it is attached to him, which is... hmm. Funny?

Yes, kind of. Actually for sure, it's funny. He holds the very clever dragon against his chest and kind of turns away a little, like no, this is his now, actually.]

Whatever for? Has he done something wrong?

[lol... like rip somebody's weird outfit....]

[expiry]

[Sir? Please? Turning to the side means Thanatos is forced to come, like, a half-step closer, thanks to the dragon still holding onto his very cool chiton—and he really isn't about this life. Personal space is important; he'd keep at least ten feet between himself and (most) others at all times, if he could, so this guy being totally chill with this turn of events is a mystery.]

It's an obvious nuisance.

[Spoken slowly, deliberately, like this man is too dense to realize what should be a plain fact, but—hhh. Far be it from him to spell this shit out.]

You want to keep it? Fine. [Time to sort of, ah, lean to the side, just to glare down at this dragon.] Release me.

[A command which earns him both a half-snort, half-snore and that claw gripping all the tighter.]

[takeroot]

[Social distancing is actually not allowed on this island, sorry Than, it's time to get up close and personal with fat baby dragons!! Constantin raises both eyebrows at him for that tone, amused by it at least if only because he's holding a little dragon (👌😔 dope) and thanks to the sheer seriousness with which this guy demands to be let go... and is promptly ignored...

This dragon really resonates with him. He purses his lips in an obvious attempt to not laugh, but give him the credit for trying.]

Was it you who acted out of line? Did you frighten him?

[Watch as this dastardly little lizard wiggles further into the skinny embrace of Connie and his knowing smirk.]

I daresay he seems insistent on getting an apology!

[expiry]

[It's official: no one on this island respects Thanatos. 😔 But while that dragon hams it the heck up, Than spares it one last look—death is inevitable, buddy—before glancing back up at this obviously amused man. Did this tall, dour man frighten a small, cute dragon... perish the thought...]

It won't be receiving one. I didn't ask for it to attach itself to me.

[RIP, cool outfit and Than's cool cred.]

Maybe it will listen to you.

[Hint, hint? Before it starts singing and things get Romantique.]

ii;

[occulti]

<sub>[ Klaus doesn't always take up these odd jobs that the robots put out in exchange for credits, but he's slipped backwards into some of his pesky old addictions; having money was actually vital now. He's been talking to whatever spirit has been bothering him, though it's debatable if the spirit is actually responding back to him. Klaus isn't sure; up until now his power hasn't been working even with all of his attempts to actually make contact. It's strange to just hear silence over and over where he grew up being tormented by them, but he'd be lying if he said he didn't somewhat like it, even now that he has his power under control.

By the time Thanatos discovers him, he's seeming to have an argument with it. There is a physical push that causes Klaus to topple forward. Despite all of this, he doesn't seem afraid in the least, though it's probably good that someone breaks them up. ]</sub>

Hey, hey, hey, buddy! Easy! This is pre-ci-ous cargo. You.. youuuu watch what you're doing, asshole.

_{[ Now he's being approached by a man with a scythe and that ghastly presence is gone. Klaus' shoulders relax, seeming relieved, but then he looks up at the newcomer. ]}

I know it didn't look it, but we were hitting it off real nice.

_{[ Klaus is talking to ghosts and acting like an idiot. It's just another day ending in Y. ]}

[expiry]

[Than will give this guy a full point for not losing his shit after being confronted by the... unseen? Unknown? Mortals aren't usually very good with the concept of such things, so to find one, like, arguing with a shade as opposed to screaming his head off before running for the hills...

...Well, you know. Nice job. Thanatos eyes him for a moment, waiting for that shell to crack, but—no, no. This mortal is perfectly calm, and Thanatos, despite himself, just barely raises a brow at that quip. Mortals shouldn't like being shoved around, right? Or is this some weird friendship ritual? And here Than though you made a friend by just waiting for someone to read your mind...]

I suppose that's one way to put it.

[Dry as a desert, baybee, before he looks away once more, scanning their surroundings.]

It will come back for you, once I leave. These shades are... determined. Lost. [Hmm, wait—] Are you alone?

[occulti]

_{[ You have no idea, mister death sir. Klaus exhales steadily— even though he has conquered his fear of the dead, there is still some uneasiness that comes with it, but for the most part he is relatively calm.
He fidgets, arms coming around to embrace himself, a common gesture he made when he did want to comfort himself. He looks over (and up?) at Thanatos. ]}

That's a bit overdoing it, isn't it?

_{[ He takes in another breath and brushes off his attire. ]}

I am, but that's fiiiine. It's typical.

_{[ He says, then follows up quickly: ]}

You know, with the scythe and the cloak and everything. I mean, I like black and edgy as much as the next guy, but seriously. I mean, I guess, live your extra life.

[expiry]

[Typical to be alone, huh? Well, Thanatos can't fault him for that, given that, he, too, is alone most of the time. It be like that. But hey, now, bringing up his fit like this—]

"Overdoing it?"

[He thinks his look is super cool and, like, timeless. :/ Underworld Chic, which is why he looks, like, mildly disgruntled by this unasked-for critique. It's not his fault he has to wear his stupid hood because the surface is too bright for him... woe is Death...]

My appearance serves a purpose. Your kind... expects something, of me. [Mortals!] Being recognizable makes it easier for them to accept it.

[It's a uniform? It's a uniform.]

[occulti]

My kind would toooootally hit on you at a party and suggest that your scythe could be used for better purposes. Sexier purposes.

_{[ However, Klaus does have snuff on his A5 card, but anyway. Suddenly, something clicks. ]}

Oh.. my kind. Like my species. Yeah, well..

_{[ His lips form into a thin line and his eyes narrow as he hums, trying to figure it out. ]}

Gerard Way. 2006. The Black Parade. But maybe with a little Greek twist. That's how I recognize you.

[expiry]

[Maybe I'm apping Thanatos just to neatly knock out everyone's snuff squares. 👊😔 But Thanatos bears this scrutiny well, even if he has, like, no idea what's coming out of this guy's mouth. Using the tools of his trade for ~sexy purposes~... that's so disrespectful on so many levels...

Or: Thanatos is a professional. Upper management!! It's why he's crossing his arms.]

You don't. [Clearly!] There are no parades, in my line of work. And this... Gerard is unknown to me.

[Sad. Anyway, though: Normally Than would just poof away? Wouldn't be eager to confuse a mortal, because hey, death comes for them all in the end; they'll find out about him or his coworkers in their own time, but as this place is Weird As Hell:]

What do you know of death?

[occulti]

A lot of stuff. More than some poseur guy with a Halloween prop would know.

_{[ kLAUS??? he has no idea... I'm sorry..
He's cagey with answering the question, though, pawing around for something on his attire— shirt pockets, pants pockets.. ]}

I know that it sucks.

_{[ thanks.. ]}

I also know.. there's a light. Sometimes spirits that are lost.. they don't exactly take that ticket to the light and head to the afterlife. So they're stuck on Earth or where ever.

_{[ Ohhh. ]}

[expiry]

[Bruh, what is Halloween? Sounds fake. But while Than allows the pseudo-insults to slide right off him, all too used to dealing with this sort of thing from souls he comes to collect, the notion of spirits normally roaming about prompts a sharp:]

Letting a shade escape is an unforgivable mistake.

[He would never!! The others... might, but he would never.]

Though I'm not surprised you hold such a view. Your kind often misunderstands death, in all its forms. [Hmm.] Do you fear it?

[He didn't fear that shade, so you know what! Color Than curious.]

cw: weed ig

[occulti]

_{[ Considering Klaus has died several times... no. ]}

Nah, not really, man. I just hope everyone on the other side actually likes me.

_{[ Finally, he pulls out a little pill bottle, looking relieved. Inside is not pills, however. Instead, it's.. ]}

Hey, spooky guy, do you have anything against marijuana?

i. b.

[hashira]

[While he had been able to desert the creature that persisted on saddling up to him, to draw him towards any passerby or stranger it saw fit now another has come to take it's place. There is no welcoming smile on his face when it gets close, not a single thought about it's aspect comes to mind for Giyu. These were nothing more than nuisances that were distracting him at the moment but at least it seems this one flying creature had to intention on pushing him towards anyone. Instead something is deposited in his hands.

He holds it and stares it in silence until the flash of light draws his attention away and the weird stuffed rat is held in his left hand while his right is at the hilt of a sword ready to be drawn. It takes him a moment to realize he is the one being addressed as he looks about.]

No. This is — Mort?

[expiry]

[Thanatos' eyes drop, briefly, to that weapon, but far be it from Death Incarnate to fear death—or, like, serious injury—at the hands of a mortal. There are more important things to focus on here, like that stuffed! Rat!!! Which is connected to him in such a deep way, and should be in the hands of a very important idiot...

...But here Mort is, instead. Squeeze him a bit and he squeaks, cutely, which makes the fact that he apparently belongs to this sourpuss all the stranger.]

Yes. [Duh! But he's dealt with confused mortals of all types, through the years, so, again:] Why do you have him? He's... more than he appears.

[Which would explain why Mort apparently summoned this guy, but hey! Don't worry about it.]

[hashira]

[Slowly it dawns on him that the man before him is practically using an accusatory tone with him. An implication that even he can decipher to the point he can even look offended. No, he doesn't squeeze the stuffed rat because frankly he really hadn't known what he would do with it. While he could recognize it for what it is at face value — a child's plaything — he wasn't being enamored by it's supposed cuteness.

And he wouldn't have worried too much about it and probably would have handed it over had this man not said that Mort was more than he appears before Giyu is once again looking it over.]

This is a plaything. And it is yours?

I did not take him from you.

dragons a;

[zutsuki]

[He's decided to befriend his own little dragonling, or as best he can with something he can't wholly communicate with, and has scooped it up into the crook of his otherwise useless left arm. So when Thanatos' own tumbles onto his shoulder and subsequently into his other arm, Tanjiro makes a startled little sound, but doesn't hesitate to make sure to catch the little thing.]

Oh, and then there were two.

[He startles, then, realizing the creature has hold of someone's... was that a cape? He looks up and hefts the little dragon upward toward him, smiling.]

I don't mind too much, but I can certainly give him back.

[expiry]

It doesn't belong to me, but its return would be for the best.

[How tall is Tanjiro... Thanatos is surely towering over him right now, but Thanatos doesn't look, like, particularly concerned about being polite. He's focused on the bit of cloth stretching between them, tugging lightly at it in an attempt to free it from the dragon's grasp—but the dragon only holds on tighter, opening its wide eyes to give Tanjiro what might just be the saddest face of all time as Thanatos finally reaches for him. New friend... don't let him go... 🥺🥺🥺

In fact, this lil dragon is going to suddenly scramble upward, aiming for the relative safety that is Tanjiro's shoulder. So lively, all of a sudden! Huh! Now it's time for Death Incarnate to glare at a cute critter.]

Stubborn.

[zutsuki]

[Tanjiro is a wholeass 5'4", so he's Very Tiny. He takes a moment to look at the absolute wibble of the dragon's expression, caught somewhere between sympathetic and aghast that it would throw him into the middle of this obvious quarrel between it and the man it's claimed as its charge, but he doesn't dissuade it from scrambling up to his shoulder.]

...I'm gonna go out on a limb here and say I think it likes you.

[He reaches up with his good hand to try and get it to let go of Thanatos' cloth, smiling.] Hey, buddy, let go.

dw, give me my NOTIFS... shakes it

[expiry]

[Thanatos is six feet somethin', at least. Tall friend! Currently looking down at this pain in the ass parked on small friend's shoulder and wondering who it reminds him of more: his annoyingly peppy (yet beloved) brother, or his annoyingly optimistic (yet beloved) childhood pal? Tough call.]

I doubt that's the case.

[He hasn't encouraged its affections! But while the dragon releases its hold the slightest bit, apparently won over by Tanjiro's Tanjiro-ness—who isn't?—it's still reluctant to let go entirely. It's a Process, apparently, and Thanatos can't help but to glance down at its better-behaved, ah, cousin.]

The other creature hasn't troubled you?

[Dragon whisperer...]

oh same

[zutsuki]

[Okay but consider: porque no los dos. Your annoyingly peppy yet beloved brother can also be your annoyingly optimistic yet beloved childhood pal, Thanatos, seize the moment. But Tanjiro is most certainly both annoyingly peppy and annoyingly optimistic, and frequently falls under the category of "yet beloved", so congratulations you've probably begun to adopt a tiny Demon Slayer.]

[He continues to wiggle his finger at the dragon to hopefully coax it into slowly but surely releasing Thanatos entirely, smiling at it.]

Sometimes animals like you when it doesn't seem to make sense. They can tell when someone is a good person, even if they do their best to not act like it. [Thanatos probably does not need this callout, Tanjiro? He looks up to the (very) tall man and smiles, shaking his head a little.] Not really. He tried to set my tent on fire, but that's why I'm not in it right now, I'm pretty sure he was just trying to help me dry off.

[expiry]

[He definitely doesn't need this callout, thanks!!! But it's a callout he gets, resulting in a slight scowl even as the dragonling's claw opens up that much more. It just wants to help Thanatos make a friend or two... even Death Incarnate needs to live...

...And Thanatos doesn't want to explain why living creatures as a whole are, like, usually less than thrilled to see him, so.]

Causing trouble by trying to help. [Pfh.] Reminds me of someone I know.

[And because Than is a bit of hypocrite, when it comes to these things:]

You shouldn't indulge it.

[Next time it will light... an even bigger fire!]

[zutsuki]

[Congratulations, little dragon, you've brought him to the right person-- Death Incarnate, meet Friendship Incarnate. He smiles, though, laughing quietly with a nod.]

I think most people know someone like that.

[He tilts his head and looks up at him again, still working to nudge the cloth around Thanatos free of the dragon's little claws.]

It's helping you if I get it to let go, isn't it?

[expiry]

[People should worry more about their own business and less about the business of others! Poking one's nose where it doesn't belong is how you end up with, say, tents on fire—but ah, well. He sees what you're doing, little guy, even as his Look intensifies.]

It's solving a problem it caused. [Hhh. Grudgingly, then—] More helpful than the alternative, I suppose.

[That's all he's going to give this little beast—and it seems to realize it, hence the way it promptly releases Than's clothing. Pro: Than is free! Con: It's just going to tuck itself even closer to this human, hooting softly.]