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TDM 006: SPECTRAL SPECTACLE
| 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 |
no subject
[This is getting a little bizarre. Apollo's aware that a lot of people here come from different worlds, and ones that weren't necessarily Earth, but he never expected to meet someone with a similar culture from what's starting to sound like a completely different planet. Unless he's talking about cities instead of countries, but Apollo isn't getting that gist from the conversation.]
I'm not sure that's the best way to establish trustworthiness, but I appreciate it. I've really been starting to miss stuff from home that's hard to obtain here. Like butter tea and momo, for starters.
no subject
[ he should probably be a little more disturbed that no one knows what he's talking about, but he also finds it's a little amusing - to tell someone who has no knowledge of it. a little freeing, in a sense.
either way, he brightens considerably. ]
I know how to make momo. [ he tells the young man. ] I didn't have the supplies, right now - but if I could get them, I could make some. Butter tea would be a little more complicated, I haven't seen any Garula to milk.
[ he doesn't say cows - he specifically uses the word garula. ]
no subject
[And he can't help but wonder what sort of creature a garula is, if it can be milked. Hopefully not something too frightening. Most of the creatures here that Apollo's not familiar with have been monsters, to be fair.]
We have cows now, so milk isn't as much of a problem. Flour would be the hard part. Sure, we can get wheat from the greenhouse if we ask the robots nicely, but no one's established a mill or any other way for us to easily process it for cooking or baking. I guess having meat and vegetables means that bread's been left on the back burner.
[And then, Apollo adds with complete seriousness,]
At this point, I would do terrible things for a fresh loaf of bread. Someone is going to have to, if we want to get a mill eventually.
no subject
[ it's his turn to tilt his head a little, looking mightily confused. after a moment, though, he picks up enough context clues that he figures that's what garula are called here, or something similar, and -
he can't help it, he laughs a little bit at the utter seriousness in apollo's tone for bread. ]
Well - if you can get me some wheat, and a grinder of some kind... blender, spice grinder, hell, even a mortar and pestle would work - I can probably make some flour, and get to working on momo and bread.
[ after a moment, he offers his hand. ]
Nyx Ulric.
no subject
Really, you'd do that? I'm going to owe you big if you can pull off making flour. That's bound to take forever even with a blender.
[And it'd be worse if all they can find is a mortar and pestle. Apollo's going to have to think of something really good to give him in exchange. Using this as an excuse to pawn off that terrible fondue fountain just wouldn't cut it.]
I'm Apollo Justice. [The handshake Apollo gives him is polite and professional, because that's just he's used to.] Welcome to Erku, by the way. This is a pretty weird place, but you look like you'll do okay here.
no subject
[ it's a fun little project, to start with. he knows what's expected, but finding something else that's not sexual in nature will keep him sane.
the name is interesting, at the very least, and he gives a grin. ]
A pleasure to meet you, Apollo. I think our meal's had enough time to simmer, now.
[ he turns to unearth two more of his finds - a pair of bowls, ceramic, a little chipped but cleaned and in good condition, and some forks. ]
No roti to go with it unfortunately.