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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 |
dragon matchmaking
His little dragon starts to sing too, a high-pitched trill that reminds him of birdsong, and makes him feel a little lightheaded, though not in an altogether unpleasant way.]
Persistent little things, huh? [He rubs at the back of his head, awkward now, and listens to this explanation from the woman, which earns a grunt of acknowledgement.
A good match, huh. He doubts it, but it's this or wander around aimlessly like he's been doing, and maybe getting to know the folks around here wouldn't be terrible. It'd be nice to talk to someone who wasn't in Shinra, at least. Two already was too many.]
That so?
[He rubs at the back of his head again. It's not something he'd normally entertain, but the singing has him feeling a little more open than he'd be normally.]
Hmph. The name's Barret, then. For a start. And you are?
sorry for the delay!
I'll say. Matchmaking doesn't exactly seem up a dragon's alley, but things do seem to work differently around here.
[ Understatement of the century, given how things literally run on "Eros energy". Ilsa extends her hand out in a friendly greeting. ]
Ilsa. It's nice to meet you, Barret.
[ Almost immediately after introducing herself, her gaze settles on his weapon (a gun?), which seems to be literally a part of him. That piques her curiosity, and though the dragons' song is lowering her inhibitions by the second, she keeps the conversation fairly light. ]
We seem to have one thing in common, at least. [ She pats Nybeth, her beloved gun that rests along her hip. Ordinarily, she wouldn't draw attention to it, but she senses no danger from this man. Oddly, she feels... calm. ]
It's not often I see a model like that, though. I'd be interested in seeing it in action someday, if you're open to the idea.
no subject
[He is not much of a smiler, himself, especially not with strangers — but he does smile now, a hesitant twitch of his mouth, enough to soften his features before it's gone again.
His handshake is firm, and upon mention of his gun-arm, his gaze flickers down to where Ilsa motions to her own weapon. It's rare he has opportunity to "talk shop," as it were. Most of the time, people are too scared to bother overmuch. Not often you saw a man with a weapon for an arm, not even in Midgar. But despite everything — the unease at this strange new world, how disorienting everything was — he feels calm too, for the first time since he'd woken up on that beach.]
There aren't many of them like mine. [He huffs out a laugh.] I can show you — as long as we can find somewhere clear enough for target practice!
[He nods in the direction of her gun again.] You must be one hell of a sharp shooter, with that thing.
no subject
I'm told there is a vast area of wilderness just outside of the city. I was on my way to check it out for my own training purposes, actually, if you'd like to join me.
[ That's the sort of person she was, unfortunately. Not more than a few hours into waking up in a strange land, and she's getting antsy to find space for her daily runs and training exercises.
At the compliment, her cheeks flush with embarrassment and the tips of her ears quiver. Which is strange, considering she's extremely confident in her marksmanship abilities, so why would a stranger's compliment affect her so? Odd. She regains her composure quickly. ]
Not to be cocky, but I can hold my own. I'd be glad to offer a demonstration.
[ She frowns. Maybe easier said than done. ] Unfortunately, whoever brought us here decided to be real stingy with my bullets.
no subject
[He notes the sudden flush to her cheeks, and wonders if he's given her cause for embarrassment. Maybe he should cool it with any compliments?
The ear thing was cute, though.
(Where had that come from?)
He rubs awkwardly at his neck, and takes a moment to recenter before responding, a little flustered himself now.]
Stingy with bullets, huh? Think I noticed that myself — say, you don't think there's a way to get more, do you? Has to be! I heard some things are dangerous here. It wouldn't make sense to limit ammunition.
no subject
It may be because said instincts are instead dialed in to wonder why Barret seems to be losing his composure a bit, and her own reaction is to smile.
That smile very quickly disappears, however, at the inquiry. Reason wins out over everything else, even if just for a brief moment. ]
This isn't what you're gonna want to hear, but... We can receive bullets the same way every other resource is acquired here— by fulfilling "Auspicious Acts".
[ Her eyes flicker with concern. ]
You're aware of what that means, correct?
no subject
[Barret's smile fades too, shifts into a frown so deep it's a wonder it doesn't leave permanent furrows on his face.] Was hoping I didn't have to think about that for a while. Freaky as hell.
[He exhales deeply, shakes his head in either disbelief or resignation.] Yeah. I've been told. Not pleasant news, I'll say that much.
[He knows of the people in Wall Market, what sort of business they got down to, and it reminds him too much of that — the desperation inherent in it, for all that those acts could be positive and loving in any other situation.
Especially for the young, and for any woman. It didn't sit right with him.]
It's not right, you know — shouldn't be that way. It's supposed to be, y'know. Fun. Loving. [A dark flush climbs its way up his neck.]
Are you alright? [He asks after a moment, perhaps in an attempt to talk about something else, but largely out of genuine concern.] How are you taking that news, I mean to say.
no subject
I can tell you that I'm in complete agreement, Barret. Back home, I didn't even have time for a boyfriend. To be expected to jump into intimacy like this with complete strangers...
[ She would not... normally be this candid about her sex life (or lack thereof), but that's the level of comfort she's evidently reached.
At the same time, his concern returns the smile to her face. It's slight, but she wants nothing more than to reassure him. ]
It's not ideal, but I'll be fine. I've had to endure a lot worse for the sake of my job. For the time being, I'll just have to be conservative about my bullets.
[ So maybe they should take a raincheck on the whole "showing off their skills" thing. She grows quiet for a moment. ]
Why don't we find somewhere to sit down? I'll admit I haven't stopped moving since we got here.
no subject
I was married. [He admits, after a moment, his tone less boisterous than it had been throughout this conversation.] A long time ago. That was the last time I even thought about a relationship, let alone something like all this.
[This is not information he had revealed to anyone, not in a very long time, though the grief and anxiety he expects to accompany this is absent. There's sadness, true, but it seemed very far away in a way it had never been.
He hesitates for a moment, inwardly debating, then his hand settles on her shoulder — brief, an attempt at comfort, before it falls away.] It's not exactly the same. But I know how you feel. I think so, anyway.
[He sighs, the sound rumbling in his chest, and nods.] Yeah, I think finding somewhere to sit down's a good idea.
[Not too far from where they're walking is a clearing, where a fallen log lies, wide enough at the least two adults to sit on without being too uncomfortable. Barret settles heavily on on side, his hand settling on his knee, and for a time is quiet, his expression contemplative.]
no subject
You were married?
[ Past tense. It implies that he's either separated from his spouse, or worse yet, a widower. She isn't bold enough to ask for clarification. It feels like prying, and for some reason, she's starting to care a lot about this stranger's opinion. ]
I knew the bastards running this place had no morals, but I am truly sorry. [ She sighs. ] You seem like a good man, Barret. It's not my place to judge anyone for having casual fun if that's what they want, but there's nothing like sharing intimacy with the person you love most.
[ She starts to move towards finding a place to sit, and though his hand on her shoulder is comforting, her troubles are nothing compared to what he's just shared, she rests her palm on his arm gently.
She too, grows quiet, finally looking up and seeing that not only have their dragon's not flown away, but they're now perched on both of their shoulders, watching with interest as they sing. ]
... Do you think there's some sort of trick to get them to leave us alone?