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

[ecocentric]

[The guy's friendlier than Cloud was, that was for certain. Not that Barret himself had been the friendliest guy around when they'd first met either, but he's based his knowledge of SOLDIER on Cloud's demeanor, having little experience with that group outside of it.

This stranger's good natured calm makes him uneasy, but in Angeal's defense, Barret would've been mistrustful no matter what. He follows anyway. Not like he knew where the hell he was going, except for toward those ruins. It might be a good idea to follow along, see what this SOLDIER guy was all about.]

Yeah. [He says this with the slight air of befuddlement, like he's a little thrown to receive politeness from anyone in Shinra's ilk.] You're right.

[They continue on in silence for a moment, the ruins getting closer, from where he can see over the treeline, and finally he thinks to ask the question on his mind.]

You in SOLDIER? You've got those eyes.

[wingsofhonor]

[To tell the truth, Angeal is a little surprised when the gun-toting man decides to follow. He half-expected the big guy to head back to town after getting spooked like that. While he doesn't know a damn thing about this wannabe badass, Angeal can tell that this guy isn't cut out for this kind of stuff. Sure, the big guy looks like he has some experience but overall, he's a bit too twitchy.

The silence between them is comfortable enough. Unlike his protégé, Angeal isn't the type to indulge in idle chitchat while on a mission. While he isn't a SOLDIER anymore, he still thinks and behaves like one. He keeps his eyes peeled for anything lurking within the trees nearby as they venture closer to the structure up ahead. It looks like a temple of some kind to him.]

I don't remember seeing that before.

[He mutters to himself before stalking off ahead with the same telltale nimbleness of a Shinra elite. However, he makes sure not to leave his new companion behind. Angeal awaits at the top of the cobblestone steps with a smirk upon his lips. However, his smirk quickly fades once the big guy asks about his eyes. Surprisingly, it's not a question that comes up often.]

I was.

[Angeal answers tersely with an arched brow.]

What's it to you?

[He's on the defensive for a reason.]

[ecocentric]

[The forest is creepy as all hell, true, but Barret's accustomed to dangerous situations, and having someone else around, Shinra or otherwise, seems to take some of the edge off.

He's still on alert, but seems less jumpy than he'd been earlier, and the response to his question is met with raised eyebrows. He hadn't expected the guy to be so defensive about it, but maybe that was a good thing.]

Just wondering. You haven't got to be on the defense, [he delivers this statement with surprising gentleness] I've got no love for Shinra, either.

I'm friends with a guy like you. You ever heard of someone named Cloud Strife? 'Bout ye tall, [He motions somewhere under his chest] kinda cocky? Spiky blond hair?

[wingsofhonor]

[Despite the intensity of his gaze, Angeal visibly relaxes. During his life, Angeal has come across two types of people: those who support Shinra and its less than altruistic goals and the folks who hate them. To be honest, he used to be the former until realizing the truth for himself. His time in the military warped him, especially during the war.

He's seen some shit. The kind of shit that lingers with you for a long time. It's a miracle that Angeal didn't go completely crazy as Genesis did. He certainly would've if he didn't have a sense of honor anymore.]

Good. [He abruptly says as he turns back around.] Then we have something in common.

[That would've been the only thing they had in common if Barret didn't mention Cloud. Just when was about to lead onward, the big guy mentions that blond-haired punk. A laugh escapes Angeal as he turns to face him again.]

You're one of Spike's friends?

[Judging from the grin, Angeal definitely knows that spiky-haired kid.]

Yeah, I know him, or rather I knew of him. He's changed quite a bit.

[He mentions offhandedly while trying not to speak too much about the poor guy. There's something fishy about Cloud, something that doesn't sit well with Angeal. He's been more than content to let the kid wander about on his own but he's been keeping a watchful eye on him. However, something still feels off about Cloud. It's almost as if he's pretending to be something he's not.]

You know that's my sword, right?

[A smile curls onto his lips as he thinks of that fond memory. His stepfather was a cut above most men, a talented welder who started learning how to make weapons in order to help pay the bills around the house.]

It was a gift from my old man when I first joined SOLDIER, the last thing he ever gave me.

[His smile fades somewhat but it's still there.]

Along the way, I passed it down to another. I guess he saw it fit to pass that sword down to him.