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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 |
no subject
She shakes her head, not denying his theory outright, but not able to fall behind it completely. But she can't deny that they are here, however it works. She waves off that part of the conversation, moving on. ]
It is good that he is well, especially if the doctor Bones did not arrive with you.
[ Forget that there's a hospital somewhere in the city, these robots have too-strange ideas to trust with health. ]
Just us three. [ Hm. ] We will make do with that. It is far better to have three than to be alone. I am glad for it.
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Jim nods, shoulders falling only slightly. He's gotten so used to having Bones around, it's still weird to think that he's not here with him. Probably for the best, but. Anyway. ]
Yeah. I mean, I'd rather no one else was stuck here too, but some familiar faces are always a comfort.
[ Even given the theme of the island. A topic he won't be too quick to touch on right now. ]
Have you found a place to stay, yet?
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[ Honestly, she could have gotten by in the woods with a stolen tent and a stick to beat off any curious animals or tentacles that came to snoop. Still, it's nice to live in some relative comfort, even if the apartment she's tucked herself into is relatively run-down; she's confident in her ability to fix up whatever doesn't suit her. Her house doesn't have to be pretty, so long as it's functional. ]
I am looking for... [ A brief pause, considering the words. ] A more defensible house. One the electronic men do not enter as they please.
[ She looks past him, to a dragon floating along nearby, oblivious to Jaylah's attention on it. These, too, she would prefer to leave outside where they can not tamper with the things she's acquired, and she does fully believe that they would. ]
Or those.
no subject
[ Just in case it gets cold or starts raining. At least the apartments offer some level of comfort, even if they come only with the bare minimum. He looks a bit more awkward when she mentions finding something better, but finally decides to go on and add. ]
Getting better living arrangements isn't, uh... well, difficult? Those kinds of boons or improvements are fairly easy to get by generating Eros energy. So, you know, with the A5 cards, and...
[ Well, basically, having sex. A lot of sex. The kinkier the better, apparently. ]
I've met a guy who has a literal mansion here, for instance. It's massive.
no subject
[ She's done it before with even fewer resources at her disposal, after all. Still, it couldn't be so bad to have it done for her, especially if people were out there having giant houses made by filling their cards. Is that what Kirk had done, she wonders. Jaylah shifts to stand more comfortably, hands on her hips, peering at Jim with a discerning eye. ]
Have you been making this Eros energy, James T?
[ Her guess is yes, and Jaylah adds Jim to her mental catalogue of people she's met that have participated in this sexual bingo game. It's not an act of judgement, or leering over knowing who is and isn't going around whipping it out, but only that she's trying to understand the type of person who jumps into these activities.
Unfortunately for her, the type of person that falls into doing so appears to be everyone she's met so far, so Jaylah has learned approximately nothing at all. ]
I have spoken with the Augur and learned of the cards and energy. I know how it works, but it did not yet seem important to make use of this resource. Should I, if it is so easy?
no subject
[ Jim could've probably just set up camp somewhere, make do with what he had. He may not be used to roughing it but that doesn't mean he's not capable of it. That said, if he can find a way to be more comfortable then he'll take it, particularly when the way to achieve it isn't exactly one he finds disagreeable.
He lifts an eyebrow at her question, but he's not particularly embarrassed to admit it. Not like it'd be much of a secret to her anyway. ]
I have, yes. Fairly regularly.
[ As for whether or not she should too, that's a more complicated question. He crosses his arms, shrugging. ]
That's up to you, Jaylah. You should do what makes you feel comfortable, not force yourself into anything. Granted, sex is going to be the easiest and quickest way to get supplies and improve living conditions here— [ And frankly, he has no desire do starve or go cold. ] —but there always other ways to survive, and people here who'd be willing to help you out. Like me.
no subject
[ It's as sullen as she'll permit herself to be on the matter. She was ready to move on from Altamid, to get on with her life in the stars, and being grounded somewhere new has her hackles raised. Still, Jaylah adapts, doing as she must now that this is what she's facing, and the island has made doing so relatively tolerable by having resources in abundance. ]
I have spent many moons uncomfortable, and this island is not my first choice, but... It will be fine. My only wish is to not be left alone.
[ She drums her fingers on her hip, considers seriously his participation in these auspicious acts, gaining energy and benefiting from it. In her years, she's not had opportunities to try such a thing as sex for herself, too young and under the eye of her father before the crash, and not in any situation to trust another person after they'd fallen. Yet Jaylah remains dubious about it solely because she's not certain of how useful the Augur's rewards will be to her. It is worth considering, at the very least, should there being something she wants to ask for which is not easily gathered herself. ]
I will make use of your help, and I may make use of this energy, as well. We will see.
no subject
[ It's not like Jim's ever given any thought to Jaylah's experience before, but now he wonders. He thinks it's entirely possible that she has no experience, given where she was stuck before, and how she was pretty much on her own before they found her. So 'comfortable' can definitely take a whole new meaning. ]
You're not alone. At the very least you have me and Spock, and I'm sure you'll meet plenty other people here. Most everyone here seems to be plenty friendly, so there's that.