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

giyu tomioka | kimetsu no yaiba

[hashira]

ARRIVAL

[The corps uniform was meant to resist water but it wasn’t completely impervious to it and having been completely soaked within the sea meant that Tomioka Giyu would find himself upon this mysterious shore a soggy mess. As he sat himself up sand would be brushed away with a hand before he feels for his sword. The sword no longer at his side, he had to confirm but he wouldn’t be alone for long before something came upon him.

Something that he makes sure to keep at a distance and he regards with wary and suspicious eyes. Not long there is another and while those things seemed keen on treating him as a guest, welcoming him, attempting to offer him a towel and something else he does his best to dismiss them even pushing one aside but he wouldn’t be left to his own devices until he finally accepted their offering and it’s only their persistence that got him to take everything offered. Then he was left to wonder. It didn’t take much exploring before he had his first encounter with the fog. Only two attempts were made to get through it before he made the very clever choice to move on.

Giyu doesn’t initially take to the idea of making any claims here although he saw the value in a temporary place of operations. So it was a matter of finding any unoccupied apartment, tent or whatever. And with small soft steps he would let himself right in.]

THE DRAGON'S MATCHMAKING

[He held the creature in his hands tightly, almost squeezing the poor thing as he looked unsure of what to do with it. It was persistent in wanting to remain near him. Nudged him at times to get closer to people and exchange a few words which for the moment he thoroughly refused to do so. One thing he was certain this was no demon, it was completely harmless even if he caught sight of a few being able to manifest small flames. And here he stood lost not knowing what his next move was or what to do with the thing he held in his hand but finally Giyu let it go.

It fluttered about until it set off to nudge him in the direction of someone nearby and then began the strange noise that he had finally understood it to be some kind of song. And the first thing he does in this moment of supposed romance is to pick up the small dragon and offer it to the stranger.]

Take it.

RUINS

His forte would come in slaying monsters as he can apply his skills from the corps in this situation. He hadn’t exactly come looking for credits but to give his help, and perhaps come to understand this land a little better but so far Giyu had no such luck. The purpose of clearing the forest was not known to him and in the end he couldn’t say no to receiving payment. It could become useful to him later.

And as he progresses through his work he ends up catching sight of the strange path. It’s tempting to follow, but ever cautious he is able to avoid the dangers to be found here. It’s only when he catches sight of the temple that he begins to comprehend the world done here.

And yet the more he progressed the more shadows that moved about and the presence of some unknown force seemed to reach out to him. While he can dispatch anything physical these others things he has no way to truly fight against so it was best he steeled. He would plant his feet firmly where he stood and spotting someone else trudging forward he would reach out for them with the lightest of touch to stop them and get their attention.]

Something is wrong.

WILDCARD

[Got any other ideas, I'll welcome just about anything, throw it at me.]

matchmaking;

[zutsuki]

[Or... not-stranger, as the case may be. Tanjiro would recognize that split-pattern haori anywhere, and he's approaching all on his own when Giyu's dragon catches wind of him. In the end the pillar extends the dragon to him as Tanjiro comes up on him from behind, and the straightforward near-demand from the dark-haired man has the younger slayer laughing.]

[He of course, reaches out to claim the creature anyway, scooping it under his arm as he's done with his own, who blessedly appears to be sleeping.]

They're a bit of a handful, aren't they? Have you been here long, Giyu-san?

[hashira]

[There is some level of surprise shinning through his blue eyes as he processes the fact he is now standing before Kamado Tanjiro. This was unexpected even when he didn't have any set assumptions about what or who he could see in this land. It's why he doesn't say anything right away and truly the persistent creature is no longer his focus especially when it seemed to have been reined in by the younger slayer.

A brief glance is spared its way and he noted that Tanjiro already had one under his charge. But that's barely anything to keep his focus on.

It's Tanjiro he looks over. Despite his expression not hinting at concern his words were a different matter.]

Not long. You were hurt. [That's putting it lightly. While he notes the damage to the eye, he can't the full scope of what is wrong with Tanjiro's arm but it's not difficult to discern that he had suffered damage to it.]

beef jerky time

[zutsuki]

[Well that answers at least a few questions Tanjiro had considered asking. He shrugs a little, smiling.]

Demon Slayers are constantly putting their lives on the line, aren't we? You shouldn't be surprised.

make it dance

[hashira]

That is not a new injury.

[In those few words the meaning he trying to convey is that he cannot comprehend how this had come to be. He had seen Tanjiro not to long ago. He had spoken with him. He had shared some story of his own interaction with the wind pillar and he had gotten some odd ideas into his own head about his future interactions with that man in an attempt to befriend him.

But Tanjiro had been in good health then. He had even come to train with him. However Giyu does not press him for an explanation. That could come another time. First they had to address the matter of their current whereabouts.]

Tanjiro, do you recall how you arrived here?

[zutsuki]

[He looks down at his own dragon wedged under his gimp arm, humming thoughtfully.]

It isn't, no. And I don't think most people know how they got here. [Which doesn't answer the question, exactly.]

[hashira]

[There is enough there for him to draw some conclusion, that is about the question he posed. That was a no, which would align with his own experience but now he notes that perhaps he should have been making more inquiries but getting to that point at times evaded him.

As for Tanjiro not providing a further explanation about his injuries, it wasn't tactfulness that made him keep silent but his focus being on the present situation. There were clearly no plans to remain here from him, watch him start walking now.

Only that taking a couple of steps away caused the small flying dragon that had attached itself to him earlier wiggle out of Tanjiro's grip and try to get him to stand close again.]