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

[expedience]

Hm? Is this not good enough?

[ Oh? Schneizel is more than willing to follow if the younger man would at least tell him why. There's an amused smirk to his features as he eyes the room, empty, and yet there's a power lingering here and in him at the moment. It feels alive and charged with a strange presence that Schneizel can't quite place. Interesting and intriguing all at once.

He can tell the other is slightly put off by his advances and normally he wouldn't care, perse, but the type of place this is it wouldn't do to not at least respect it. ]

Very well, but I'd to at least know your name.

[hashira]

[Good enough?

He won't answer that question and he won't make a second attempt to tug the tall man along, away from the platform while it isn't necessary. It seems he doesn't need to anyway and he is making taking a few steps away putting some comfortable distance between them. He won't let his guard down like that again. That had been a terrible mistake on his part but how was he to know this man would act with such boldness? It was odd, it certainly had something to do with the ruins.

When the second question is made for a brief instance he pauses in his steps. A glance back is offered before he continues on.]

I won't share my name with you now start walking.

[expedience]

[ There's a mirthful pull at his lips as Schneizel opts to follow. Curiosity over the other man's reaction outweighing the platform and its mind games. ]

Not even if you are to escort me to safety? Then how shall I know who to repay, as thanks, for doing this?

[ He sounds honest and at least sincere about the payback. ] You could have chosen to leave me there but you did not. A noble act should be rewarded somehow, no?

[hashira]

[This time Giyu does not stop walking but he keeps a steady pace making sure by the sound of their steps that he doesn't pull too far ahead of the man he was leading out of the ruins. He had to make sure they both made it to safety and even if he was not all too inclined to humor him Giyu is listening. However it doesn't necessarily mean he able to pick on the sincerity found in those words. Not that he questions it because he wasn't here for any reward.

His line of work meant saving people, there were never any expectations of getting anything in return from them. It was enough that they had been saved and in this case it would be much the same.]

A reward is unnecessary. And until we're outside then there is no need to talk.

[Having said that no matter how much he is spoken too it isn't likely he will respond, it was best he remained focused because while he has yet to encounter monsters or any other creatures within the ruins it did not mean they weren't present but it seems they do safely make it outside. It's only then he speak again.]

It doesn't appear that you are injured. [And that's cue for the unvoiced suggestion that he should leave this area.]