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

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[Buried in a mound of sand on the beach is a vaguely familiar pair of glasses. Suzaku plucks the pair out of the sand and dusts them off, turning them this way and that in an effort to jog his memory. He feels like he's seen these before. He feels like he's punched them right off a very, very familiar face before, but whose?]

...Lloyd?

[Nearby, a man is squawking at a small squadron of chubby dragons. Ah. So they do belong to Lloyd. Suzaku wanders over to him and offers his long-suffering engineer the glasses he's in desperate need of.]

Did you drop these, or were they taken from you?

[These dragons are awfully helpful by nature, but a few of them are... well. Troublesome and inclined to play pranks.]

[ A very familiar, very punchable face indeed, and one that looks up sharply at Suzaku's voice, putting aside his whinging at the dragons for the time being. He squints but without his glasses, everything nearby is a blur of color. What he can do is toss the garish heart-shaped ones away and hold his hand out for his real glasses, though! And provided they get handed over, he can fix that little problem by putting them back on.

Okay, now he can take a good, long look at Suzaku through slightly sandy lenses. Well then. He can't help but give a snort of laughter. ]

What's this? The ghost of Suzaku Kururugi appearing to return my long lost glasses? How interesting! [ Is he kidding around? It's Lloyd, so yes, he is, kind of! He does know better but he can't help it sometimes. ] I lost them earlier in the water when I first got to shore. It's been a bit of a mess ever since with...

[ He waves at the little dragons still around them, all now hopping ridiculously for joy now that Lloyd's found his glasses. Mission accomplished! Just not by them! ]

A pack of lizards? [ Wait, hang on. He can get a good look at them now, too. ] Do these things have wings?

It's me, in the flesh.

[No spooky spirits here! Suzaku can't help a thin smile– the dragons try, they just... aren't very helpful. At Suzaku's feet, a silvery dragon rolls around and draws messy figure eights in the sand. He's had enough time to acquaint himself with the dragons to know that they're (mostly) harmless, so he picks it up and gives it a gentle squeeze. As a result, the dragon exhales a small plume of fire and pumps its tiny little legs.]

They're dragons. Believe me when I say they aren't the strangest things on this island. Did you just get here?

Or in the dream, anyway. Dragons? These?

[ Lloyd immediately plucks the nearest one — a little blue one — up out of sand and holds it up, turning it this way and that despite the way it squeaks at the sudden and somewhat rough handling. ]

These can't be dragons... [ They look ridiculous! ] You and the robots would make sense for my mind to come up with but these? I can't even fathom what fat little dragons mean.

[ He may not answer the question about getting here directly but referencing the robots kind of gives it away. He's freshly arrived and not quite accepting it yet. ]

[It doesn't take long for the dragon in Suzaku's hands to slowly lean to one side and chomp down on his finger. To his credit, he doesn't drop it, but... ouch?! Wincing, Suzaku gently sets it back down on the beach, leaving it to waddle back over to its dragon brethren.]

Ow... Well, there weren't dragons here until recently. Someone probably wished for them.

[...which naturally begs the question: people can wish for things like dragons and said wish will come true? Yes, yes they can. The truth is stranger than fiction, as they say.]

Unfortunately, this isn't a dream. If it is, this is the longest dream I've ever had.

If not a dream, then a coma, but I don't recall any accidents happening just before arriving.

[ One or the other. He's really hoping for the former since a coma presents a much larger problem for him! But he isn't going to worry about it. He squishes the dragon he's holding between his hands a little before dropping it back to the beach, letting it scamper away. ]

Hmm... Although, if they're biting you, they could be an analogue for cats!

[ There. Dream mystery solved. Anyway, now that he has his correct glasses back, he plucks those same heart-shaped sunglasses he'd been waving around before back up and springs to his feet! Suzaku is going to find himself getting those gaudy things popped onto his face if he doesn't duck back fast enough. ]

That hits a little too close to home.

[There isn't an animal on this island, be it geese or dragons, that hasn't taken its turn to dig their pointy teeth into Suzaku. It's become something of a problem, but Lloyd won't hear him complain about it. The beginnings of a pout on Suzaku's lips should speak for itself.

...and because Lloyd is someone Suzaku implicitly trusts, he doesn't immediately duck away when those garish glasses find their way onto his face. He blinks, the world drenched in a rosy hue, that frown deepening just a bit.]

Ah... I don't think these suit me. [Nor do they block much sun. What good is a pair of sunglasses if it can't block out some sun?! Suzaku, for one reason or another, doesn't attempt to take them off.] Have you had much time to look around? I'm guessing you haven't sought out shelter yet.

[ Geese are pure evil and can only be expected to bite, though, so! Still, the pouting tells enough and Lloyd can only find amusement in it, even if he doesn't know the full story. ]

No, they really don't. [ Not that he makes any move whatsoever to remove them after agreeing. Enjoy your useless new sunglasses, Suzaku. Instead, he steps back again and finally takes a good look around them. Beach, beach, buildings. Really terrible looking ones, at that. ] Well, without my glasses, that was a bit of a problem. I could see the city in the distance but, real or not, I wasn't too inclined to chance wandering about.

[Not wandering about without those handy dandy glasses was a smart move on Lloyd's part, but Suzaku would expect no less of him. He sets his eyes on the horizon, having accepted his fate of viewing the world through heart-shaped lenses, before turning back to Lloyd.

Earnestly, Suzaku pitches his offer.]

Do you want to stay at my place for the time being? We have a guest room you're welcome to use until you've found somewhere more suitable to stay.

[Suzaku's just... gonna avoid the topic of the hangar, stuffed to the brim with knightmares and gundams and living robots (oh my) for the time being. Knowing Lloyd, if he takes him there now, he'll never want to extricate himself from its depths.]

[ It's the right call. He would never leave it. ]

Oh?

[ We? He almost asks but, in the end, Suzaku's choice of roommates won't remain a mystery for very long, not with how he's already offering up a guest room. Still, he swings his attention back around to Suzaku and leans forward, obnoxiously into his personal space, as it always is. ]

Don't think I'd be able to find somewhere all by myself?

[ Without Cécile here, too? The answer is very much no, no he would not be able to find somewhere all by himself. It doesn't matter if he believes otherwise. ]

Although, [ And he draws back again. ] That does beg the question of how you have a guest room at all when most of the buildings I see look, hm, poorly off.

[Suzaku knows this, so Lancelot's activation key is staying hidden away in his pocket for the time being. Lloyd can have his baby back soon enough, but in an effort to be helpful, Suzaku's keeping his priorities straight here.

Suzaku eases back, but... well, what does it say about him that he's missed the company of the few people who'd frequently invade his space? At any rate, he doesn't mind it much, his smile no less assured for it.]

It's not that. I'd like to be a help to you if I can, that's all. [Suzaku knows all too well that Lloyd needs a keeper. Cecile's left behind some big shoes to fill, but nevertheless, Suzaku will do his best. That's all he can do.] My house is pretty large. There's a being here called the Augur that grants favors in exchange for... well, a certain kind of work.

[Cough cough. Suzaku seems reluctant to talk about it, but Lloyd's a genius, right? He'll figure it out on his own in no time flat, he's sure.]

Though I guess it's more like a mansion. All I had in mind when I'd wished for it was a home not unlike the one I grew up in, but I guess my imagination's more active than I thought.

[ Oh yeah, it'll become all too clear when he finally starts fiddling with his bracelet. But until then! ]

A being called the Augur that grants favors? This really is getting too fanciful for even me... [ Right up until someone informs him the Augur is a supercomputer, anyway. Even without knowing about the hangar or the Lancelot, that and the robots aren't going to escape his attention for long. ] But there's no harm in believing you've been granted a mansion on a desolate island full of robots, I suppose.

[ Alright, alright, so the robots immediately didn't escape his attention. How unlucky for them! They did hand over a towel and that aforementioned bracelet, after all. ]

Very well. I can't help but imagine you'd end up following me around until I agreed, anyhow.

Seeing is believing, right?

[...which is to say, yes, Suzaku absolutely will follow Lloyd around if need be. But he's agreed to humor Suzaku's hospitality, so there's no need to follow him around like a worried parent, is there? Suzaku's already begun to walk in the direction of the house when... ah. Wait. He turns back to face Lloyd.]

Ah... it's a bit of a walk. Will you be okay? [How insulting?!] Hmm. Maybe I should get Gawain and bring it down here...

[Because clearly Lloyd is as incapable of walking long distances as Lelouch and needs to be taxied around the island in a giant robot, right? Right.]

Oh, it can't be that far—

[ Whoa, whoa, whoa, hang on. Forget that Suzaku is assuming just how far he can — or cannot — walk, what's this about the Gawain?! He was starting to follow along after Suzaku but as soon as that's said, he stops dead in his tracks and stares.

Congratulations, Suzaku's finally startled the poor man. ]

The Gawain? But... that crashed into the ocean. Don't tell me... that was also a favor?!

[ Wishing for a mansion? Sure, whatever, no big deal. Wishing for a long lost Knightmare Frame? Completely different story! ]

[Oh? Is Lloyd surprised? Suzaku supposes he must be, because Gawain shouldn't exist as anything other than a heap of scrap metal, right? Wishing for everyone's favorite chonky boy knightmare frame would've been one thing, but wait, the real answer is so much more confounding.

Suzaku shakes his head, and the answer's delivered as earnestly as ever.]

No. When Lelouch arrived here, Gawain arrived with him.

[Which of these things is harder to believe— Gawain's return from its watery grave or the continued existence of their demonic emperor? It's... all a bit hard to believe, he knows, but Suzaku isn't the sort to lie about these things, so take his word for it?!]

And... [HESITANT PAUSE] ...Lancelot is here too, but I don't think you want to squeeze into the cockpit with me.

[Welp, cat's out of the bag. So much for keeping Lancelot a secret from its overprotective father.]

...this is beginning to sound more like a nightmare than a dream. [ Is that rude? Maybe! Lloyd can really never tell. ] Particularly the part where you took this long to tell me the Lancelot is here!

[ Lelouch back from the dead? Sure, that's a big deal but not as big a deal as Lancelot. Frankly, he goes from any surprise shown just a moment ago to looking severely disappointed in poor Suzaku. If there had ever been a time to simply not mentioned Lancelot, that was probably it, considering the next thing he says is, ]

That you'd honestly think I'd choose the Gawain over Lancelot... I am aware it's built for two but you fail to recall who had her awful fingers all over it after it was stolen. [ Spoiler: it was Rakshata. Gawain is tainted. Tainted! ] Which is why we will be walking. To where Lancelot is.

[ Of course, after stating they will absolutely be walking, he does pause to look around again. Just how big is this island, anyway? ]

Er, depending on... [ And back to Suzaku. ] Just how far is it?

Sorry about that. [But is he truly? No, not really. Who's the rude one now?] I thought you might want some space to spread out. That's all.

[Whoops, his bad! Sure, Lloyd could cram himself into Suzaku's lap in the cockpit or ride along on Lancelot's palm, but... actually, no buts. Lloyd is a very odd, very particular guy. If Suzaku considers all the things he wouldn't do in a situation like this, maybe then he can start to understand Lloyd's line of thought. Y'know. Maybe.

Suzaku shrugs, gives off the impression that they aren't at all far from their destination... and follows it up with this:]

It isn't too far. Five miles from here, at most.

[...which is nothing for a certain pilot, granted, but for a guy like Lloyd? Shrouded in mystery as he is, (read: you're a weirdo, Mr. Asplund) Suzaku can't tell if that's a jaunt too far. Suzaku's inclined to think that it is, and so he makes another very thoughtful suggestion, being the largely kind and somewhat questionable fellow that he is.]

Oh, but if that's too far and you don't want to wait for me to bring Lancelot, I could carry you?

[...very, very thoughtful.]

[ He's definitely a weirdo but, for once, he may actually be reconsidering his previous proclamations here. ]

Five? [ That isn't too far?! Suzaku's assumptions are spot on since Lloyd's expression visibly falls at the mention of the distance. He probably can walk five miles but does he want to? No! He doesn't! ] Ah, no. I think I'll pass on being carried...

[ Normally, he doesn't let things like 'dignity' get in the way but how awkward that would be! And slower, if one accounts for the additional drag of his weight! Which leaves his options as: walk five miles, hang onto the Lancelot for five miles, or— ugh. He heaves a sigh and immediately flops back down to sit on the beach again, one great big huff, like this is the most terrible thing Suzaku's ever asked of him! Ever! It isn't but he's being dramatic here. ]

Fine. I'll tolerate the Gawain for your sake. [ Yes, for Suzaku's sake. Definitely not his own. Nope. ] But don't take too long. I'd prefer not to be swarmed by dragons again.

[ He really doesn't need fifty more pairs of random glasses now that he has his own back. ]

[Ah, but Lloyd is willing to endure five miles worth of sheer, unadulterated agony at the hands of Gawain's leather upholstery. Suzaku appreciates his sacrifice more than he could possibly put into words, or... something. Frankly, he's just glad Lloyd didn't kick up a much bigger fuss.

At long last, Suzaku peels off those offensive heart-shaped shades and hands them off to the nearest dragon.]

I'll try my best. Hang on tight.

[And in a flash, he's off! Ten minutes later, give or take, Suzaku arrives in Gawain. Notably, it looks like it hasn't seen anything like combat in a long while. It looks like it hasn't seen any combat, frankly, which is a testament to the Augur's ability to reproduce anything the heart desires. Lowering Gawain onto one knee, Suzaku makes the task of getting into this big ugly thing that much easier for poor Lloyd. God knows having to ride in it is torturous enough.]

Are you ready to go?

[Will Lloyd ever be ready for a joyride in Gawain...?]

[ Lloyd will just have to get over it. Sooner or later, he'll realize without Rakshata here, he gets to tinker with it as much as he wants, although the distinct lack of wear and tear from combat does imply there may be fewer chances to do just that. In any case, when Suzaku returns in a disgustingly short amount of time, he'll find Lloyd still in the spot he sat, which is probably a relief in itself.

He could have wandered off. He chose not to. Most of that is due in part to how he's finally been scrolling through the data on his bracelet and... well... ]

Er. [ He's quick to shoot a look back towards the Gawain as it arrives, kneeling down to offer him a hand up. ] Yyyes. Let's.

[ If nothing else, he's at least more than capable of scaling a Knightmare Frame to drop himelf down into the second seat it sports, and once seated, he has questions? Yeah, he has questions. ]

Suzaku. Does that certain kind of work you mentioned involve what's on this... [ tapping the bracelet. ] device here, by any chance?

[Of course Lloyd has questions. He's an inquisitive man by nature, isn't he? Suzaku's always happy to answer them, because he's a helpful sort, but– maybe not that question?! As Gawain's engine hums to life and it begins to trundle along the coast, Suzaku hesitates, reluctant to speak.

Can't they just... talk about the weather or something..........]

Well... yes. [And admitting as much probably answers a great many questions for Lloyd, like where Suzaku's mansion came from! Amazing. Incredible.] I'm guessing you've seen it by now– your A5, I mean. Filling out those squares will allow you to request favors from the Augur. There isn't much it isn't willing to grant.

Oh, yes. I've seen it. [ It does answer a great many questions for Lloyd but also presents quite a few more! Like, many, many more. ] So, just how many squares is it for an entire mansion?

[ Why talk about the weather when this is so much more entertaining? ]

[Great, this is literally the one conversation Suzaku didn't want to have!! Lloyd really is the gift that keeps on giving. With great effort, Suzaku answers that cursed question.]

...it takes a full "bingo." In this case, five squares.

[Are you having fun back there, Lloyd? Are you???]

[ Inquiring minds can never be stopped, Suzaku! Just look on the bright side here. He isn't going to ask anything about which squares he used for it. ]

You could at least try and act a little more scandalized over it. [ Always so serious! ] Oh well. I've no interest in mansions, personally, but having a general idea is good to know.

[Not without a lobotomy! Unfortunately, all Suzaku can offer is a well-timed kick to the head, but even more unfortunately, Suzaku kinda needs Lloyd. After all, no one else is qualified to tinker with Lancelot.]

I'm trying pretty hard [isn't he always] not to get embarrassed, you know. It's difficult when you ask questions like that so bluntly.

[And now it's Suzaku's turn to ask the questions, right? Right.]

Don't feel obligated to answer this, but are you going to fill out your card as well?

[As well, he says, like Suzaku wasn't the first to fill his out entirely. He had good reason to, he swears!!]

00. Arrival

I. The Dragon's Matchmaking

II. Ruins

III. Ritual

glasses 🤓

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