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

Ruins (hi, hopefully this is okay! <3 i love garrus, so i couldn't resist)

[zenryokubatankyu]

[So...he got a rundown apartment. He got his stuff back. Not much to do, and he was getting desperately lonely. So. Exploring it is! He's heading through the woods, humming to himself, trying to explore...there's something else out here.

Or someone. He freezes in place, and immediately Osomatsu raises his arms up in the 'don't shoot!' signal. But he slowly relaxes when the person lower their gun.

The person.

The...person? That's not a human. That's. Well. His voice is silky smooth. Like velvet. Not bad. The person, not a human being, but a person nonetheless warns him to be more careful. He lowers his arms, scratching behind his neck idly.]

...I was just exploring! There's not much to do in a crappy little apartment. Sorry, sorry...I guess I really wasn't being careful. I'm kinda completely thrown off my game here. And new. I guess that's, ah, kind of obvious, though...

[Ya think? You're looking lame in front of the alien man with a gun and a hot voice, Osomatsu! Shame!]

totally okay!

[dextroaminos]

[ Well, if Garrus had any doubts about whether this guy could be dangerous, they are promptly extinguished as he begins to ramble. Is that better or worse? Garrus waves a hand as the other man trails off, as if to clear the words from the air. ]

I'm new too, and I still figured out the monster thing. [ That may be a bit too harsh. This place was disorienting as hell, he shouldn't judge too harshly. Garrus laughs softly, deciding to blunt his approach. ] But seriously, there's some nasty stuff out here. You probably shouldn't be out here without a buddy.

[ Oh no... that makes him the buddy. ]

[zenryokubatankyu]

[Aaaaand he was rambling. But hey, this guy seemed good-natured about the whole thing. So all of his fear was pretty much gone as well. He smiles a little, ashamed...well. He already looked like a dumbass, but Osomatsu figured that hell, that was nothing new. Most people found out that fact of his life sooner or later.

He does end up laughing a bit at his own stupid impulsive actions, though.]

I shoulda figured, yeah. Nothin' like this back home.

But hey, you're out here alone too! So! We can meet in the middle and be buddies together! Doing stupid, dangerous things is one of the best ways to make friends, I think. What'cha say?

[He's beaming like this is the most flawless logic in the world.]

[dextroaminos]

[ Yeah... he should have seen this coming. He practically invited it, really. And-- as much as he thinks this human really isn't on the same level as he is, there's a point to be made about doing stupid dangerous things, and friendship. If he really thought about it, he might acknowledge that was really the only way he made friends at all. That thought, however true, is pushed aside, and Garrus lets out a huffed breath to show his begrudging agreement. ]

Look, I just don't want to feel responsible for you being eaten alive.

[ At that his talons curl almost defensively around his rifle, as though he expects something to come crashing through the brush to make him back that statement up. ]

You can stay with me, but I'm not here to be your bodyguard. Try not to get yourself killed, okay?

[zenryokubatankyu]

[This wasn't immediate agreement, but it was good enough. Osomatsu beamed.] Don't worry about it! I taste awful! [He says this so cheerfully. He does not even remotely have one drop of self-awareness that this sounds as stupid as it does, though to his credit he at least seems to be the slightest bit aware of his situation.]

I know. You're here to probably hunt monsters, right? No problemo. I'll just stick by your side and out of your way. And I'll get to watch, which is neat and badass. [The 'not getting himself killed' vibes are very weak but it's okay, he's got a weird sense of luck about these things.]

I'm Osomatsu, by the way. Nice to meet you.