ercookies | TDM 006: SPECTRAL SPECTACLE

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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N A V I G A T I O N

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ He's quiet all the way home, which a miracle for Molly, and once he steps inside he heads for the room with the bath to take off his leggings and rinse them.

He can't feel sorry for himself, here. He was not the most wounded party.

Not really owning any smallclothes, he covers himself with the coat, walking out of the room to hang them up somewhere. ]

[ It's not all about Fjord, he reminds himself of that as he keeps his eyes off Molly (I know you've looked at me) and on the road, saying something about getting dinner started once they're back at the house. It's not about how Fjord's brain keeps melting when he thinks about the press of Molly against him and the way it felt to kiss him, shaking off those memories like the guilty, sullied things they are. It's definitely not about how, for a split-second (or thirty) he may have enjoyed the way it felt to have ... everything he did in his arms. ]

You're disgusting. Stop. None of it was real.

[ Muttering under his breath, he gets back to roasting them some goose and adding some grapes to the finished platter. He knocks on the master bedroom's door, not knowing if it's okay to waltz right in as he usually would. ]

Molly? Hey, ah. I've got you something to eat.

[ He doesn't know what's worse - having done this to Fjord or the fact that he really, really liked kissing him. He's ruined it all, though. Why did he get so close? How could he not have noticed he was walking up the stairs?

Molly's not expecting Fjord to knock on the door and bring him food, and he looks over at the half-orc with a wan smile. ]

I... thank you. You don't need to do this. I'll...fuck, I'm so sorry, Fjord.

[ He should move the extra mattress out of this room and sleep in the bed it belonged to. ]

I never wished to hurt you this way.

I'm not hurt, sorry to break it to you but your dick's not that powerful.

[ He keeps the tone light, offering a chagrined smile. The plate is set down on the bedside table and he straightens as casually as he can, hands on hips. Should probably be an adult; Molly's the one who was enchanted, who had his autonomy taken away. Fjord is just ...

Well. Never mind that can of worms right now. ]

Listen, it's fine. What happened ... It was those bastard ghosts messing with you, I know that. We're good. Just tell me if you need anything to feel better. Getting manipulated like that must have been awful.

[ He can't help the slight chuckle at that, partially wanting to quip back and say that he has many people vouching for how powerful his dick is.

Probably not the best idea right now. ]

It wasn't... pleasant. Well, I felt good about all of it until I came to my senses. You didn't... I'm sorry I coerced you into something like that. It wasn't right.

[ Even if Molly liked it. A lot. ]

You didn't know what you were doing. It's really, you know. It's fine.

[ He doesn't have another word for it right now, Fjord is still compartmentalising. ]

I'll take the first watch and let you get some rest.

[ That's probably more appropriate. ]

[ Molly's quiet for a long time, and then he nods. ]

Alright. I'll... I'll get the mattresses, hold on.

[ Heading towards the master bedroom, he starts dragging the bedclothes and all other pilfered things towards the other room where they had been taken from. ]

... What?

[ Stepping between Molly and the other room, he holds out a hand to stop him. ]

What are you doing? Leave it all in here, I can't watch over you from another room.

[ Molly looks surprised at that, dropping the things. ]

...you still want me in the same room as you?

Molly.

[ His heart sinks hearing that. ]

Of course I do.

I...

[ He doesn't know what to say. ]

Fuck. Well. At least that's... something.

You were enchanted, none of that was your fault. I don't blame it on you.

[ He gestures to the window and the world beyond. ]

This place is unpredictable, you didn't know some ghosts were going to fire you up like that.

I know... I... it was really messed up.

[ Molly sighs, flopping down on the half-dragged mattress. ]

I wish you didn't have to kiss me to make it stop. I was saving that for a good day.

[ What a sad tiefling lump. Fjord perches on the edge of the main bed. ]

Tell you what, [ leaning forward on his knees, he offers a supportive smile, ] we'll say that that one didn't count. It can have a ... a do-over ... some time.

[ That sure is a thing he just said, whether to make Molly cheer up or soothe some of Fjord's horny memories, he doesn't know. ]

[ Fjord is a big soft idiot and Molly smiles up at him, finally feeling a little bit better about the whole thing. ]

A do-over some time. I like that idea.

[ The smile turns to a smirk as he wiggles a bit, taking his coat off under the blanket and tossing it over a chair. Next follows the doublet, and he gives Fjord an eye, trying to gauge how he'd take his usual dumb jokes.

Desperate to pull things back together between them. ]

I make no promises to you about not seeing my ass tonight, my pants are still drying.

[ He turns down the covers of the bed as he gets off it, taking off his armour to set in a corner. ]

Eat your dinner, you can keep the cloak until your pants are dry.

Yes, mother.

[ Not that Molly ever had one, but he'll be a good boy and eat the goose and grapes. It feels like a sharp stone has been removed from his heart, hearing Fjord go on as if nothing bad happened.

(There was nothing about the kiss itself that was bad. On the contrary. ]

[ He's not going to let himself think about that whole kiss until later, but. There is one comment Molly made (amongst the many) that he can't stop thinking about. ]

Ah, do you mind if I ... say one thing? About the whole mess earlier.

[ Armour tidied away, Fjord sets up their armchair with a stray blanket and cushion for his watch, turning the latter over in his hands. ]

No, I... of course not.

[ If Fjord had anything gnawing at him, Molly wanted to hear it. So they could fix this fucking mess he had gotten them in by walking up those stairs for no reason. (Why did he do that? He doesn't understand!) ]

Please.

You said you've ... seen me looking. At you.

[ He doesn't know what to do with his hands, waving them a bit before rubbing the back of his head. ]

And I have. Looked. [ Yellow eyes flicker to Molly's, holding. ] I admit that.

I just ... want to apologise.

[ Molly looks a little taken aback at that, cocking his head to the side like a confused puppy. It really doesn't suit him. ]

...why do you want to apologize for that? It's something I enjoy.

[ His red eyes meet gold, the very faint outline of a pupil seen inside. ]

You can look all you want! Why do you think I tease you with it so much?

Because I'm not perving on you, you're just ... fuck you, you're. You know you look good, I shouldn't have to say it.

[ And now he's flustered, oh no. This was going so well with the sincerity and all. ]

My point is, I'm not thinking the things you thought I I was thinking!

[ He has to laugh a little at that, shaking his head. Flustered Fjord was definitely one of his favorite things. ]

I don't mind if you are!

[ It's hard to actually pinpoint if it's true or not, and he doesn't want to stick his toes further down his own throat. ]

Honestly, I'd just be flattered. I'm out here challenging people to look at me in any way. Glad to know you find me attractive, though.

... Just. Go to sleep.

[ He gets settled in his chair and chins a hand, face lit up by the weird device he's poking at it a bid to have something to distract him from the smug bastard in the room. It feels like he lost some kind of game that Molly plays with everything that has eyes: look at me and lose! Great.

He doesn't think his opinion is that cheap but it stings a bit to be reminded Molly isn't bothered much either way.

Too many thoughts. ]

[ It didn't draw the laugh as he thought it would, and Fjord withdraws. Molly, now obviously kicking his own liver for how deeply he's put his foot in his mouth, imagines he just said too much again. He gives a small nod to the half-orc retreating to the chair.

Looks like they're definitely not sharing a bed anymore. ]

Goodnight.

[ He says with a slight sigh, wrapping himself up in blankets and lying down. He keeps quiet and pretends to fall asleep, but there are too many thoughts on his front as well. ]

00. Arrival

I. The Dragon's Matchmaking

II. Ruins

III. Ritual

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