ercookies | TDM 008: A WALK IN THE THEME PARK

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TDM 008: A WALK IN THE THEME PARK

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. SIX FLAGELLANTS

Welcome, one and all, to a thrilling new location! Robots have worked tirelessly to build, from the ground up, what can only be recognizable as an amusement park. You are just in time for the grand opening of Six Flagellants: Great Advagtures!

The Ferris Wheel routinely stops when lovebirds reach the top, waiting for a kiss - or something more daring! - before it starts up again.

Robots warn of the scary Haunted House: a dark building with wall-to-wall creeps, and hot and cold running chills. Flickering ghosts roam the halls, and you may find an eerily realistic Headless Horseman -- who bids you, "Come closer. Give me head," while pointing to yours. Hey, get your mind out of the... Nevermind.

The Carousel is a two-story affair. Nude figures with familiar faces lounge about, waiting to be ridden, and closer inspection proves that they have the faces of your fellow islanders. Hop on your favorite person and take them for a spin!

There are even Bumper Cars, which have the interesting effect of making one feel more aroused with every bump and impact. (It's randomized each time, so don't try to guess based on car color!)

What should be a similar ride, the Teacups, has the robots' madness written all over it instead. They have misunderstood the gentle spin-cycles for dangerous, dizzying loop-the-loops across a wide track. Some would swear that the ride has a supernatural invocation for fear. Others are simply man enough to admit they're afraid.

Lastly, the Tunnel of Love is not what you expect. Although flavored lube and guides to cunnilingus are on each fleshy-log-shaped boat, the motion of the ocean is quite soothing, and there's a pleasant floral scent in the air that causes a light intoxication.

Don't forget to try the food! Similar to the Street Kiosks, there's a ton of faire food: cotton candy, corn dogs, and the like.

Mascot outfits are available and those who wear them will be rewarded generously with credits.

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II. LIKE A FIREWORK

The next morning, you receive a message on your device: You are cordially invited to a celebration of skinship at the House of Worship. Please do not dress for the occasion.

If asked about it, the robots will confirm that is not a specific holiday, but a simple joyous event. If you pry, they may even say that the Old Ones often made merry and partook in the pleasures of the flesh - and so too should you.

For an hour, there will be food and drink - alcoholic and aphrodisiac. Then, at the designated time, once the sun has gone down, clothes will be shed and a revelry begun.

As fireworks explode overhead, the different colors send the naked senses reeling:

Red: You are amorous towards the people around you. Yours is a joyous celebration. The Auspicious Acts you offer are happy and lighthearted, full of kisses and sweet nothings.
Orange: You feel bold and adventurous, eager to try something - or someone - new. Your preferred Acts may be dangerous or exciting, perhaps with more than one person.
Yellow: You feel reverence when you watch the fireworks, reverence when you look at your fellow people. You feel blessed to be part of the celebration at the House of Worship, and you make the Acts you complete into Acts of worship. You are all about the spirit of generosity.
Green: You are not here to celebrate. Jealousy is your lot. Uncover a new side of yourself, full of bitterness and resentment, and try an Act that treads the fine line between light and dark.
Indigo: You are proud to celebrate! Those around you are lucky to bask in your presence. You have a newly-minted domineering attitude that makes itself known, and your Acts are likely to be something where you'll come out on top.
Violet: These fireworks make you feel unusual - the opposite of yourself. You are different in all that you want to do, preferring Auspicious Acts that you may not have thought twice about before.

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III. MISTLETOE

mistletoe

sensory deprivation

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N A V I G A T I O N

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Perhaps from anyone else the size of the Iron Bull, being called big guy might sound condescending. Yet Caleb doesn't feel mocked in the least, as that clearly isn't the intent.

"Okay. Okay. That works." Carefully, Caleb lays a hand against the Bull's arm, just above his elbow. The touch is light, but it serves to connect them so that Caleb can lead him.

Gods, that arm is massive. It becomes really, really apparent when compared to his own hand.

"This way, Herr Bull." He squeezes gently, tugging forward as he starts to walk at a sedate enough pace, though he soon realizes he has to walk a little faster just to keep up with Bull's amble. "Have you found somewhere to stay since arriving yesterday?" He makes conversation as they walk, keeping an eye on the road ahead.

"Just Bull is fine. Never been much for honorifics."

Using them is one thing, being assigned random ones is another.

Despite his size, Bull responds to gentle variations in pressure relatively well. Caleb doesn't have to push or pull too hard to get his attention. He keeps his breathing deep and even, mostly to keep himself level. He'll deal with this and he just has to hope it isn't permanent. But this kind of sudden disability would be career-ending.

"Yeah, kind of bare but it's got a roof on it." He isn't picky about his sleeping conditions as long as he's dry and relatively safe. "It's a place to sleep."

For a man of his build, Bull is remarkably graceful. With how responsive he is, Caleb's job is easy. Stay on the path, avoid obstacles. Give a soft push or pull. Verbal directions aren't even needed.

"I think that is how most accommodations here start out. I am lucky to share a house with friends who spruced it up a little before I arrived."

The library looms in front of them, an imposing building with towering columns and grand archways. "A few steps here," he warns. "Wide ones." He's intending to guide Bull into one of the arched alcoves along the building's façade, somewhere both quiet and out of the way.

"As for your problem, I can guess at a few possible solutions, given the way these tricks tend to work here." Though that sort of thing was not what he'd signed up for here, and probably not what Bull had, either. Still, he's clever. Surely there's something to be done. He isn't about to just leave him out here blinded.

Bull slows down on the steps, taking them carefully to avoid tripping himself just by misjudging distance or depth.

"You gonna tell me those possible solutions?" he asks as they land on even ground again. He hasn't been here very long, but he's starting to get a sense of the place. Bull stops whenever Caleb does and turns his head toward the mage, even if he can't see him. Seems rude not to at least face him while they're talking.

"I--yes, just--"

Caleb forces himself to take a deep, slow breath so that he doesn't sound quite so flustered. Bull can probably feel the way his fingers nervously tighten a little and then release against his arm.

"How much do you know about the, ah...supposed purpose of our presence here? The 'creating eros energy' part, specifically?"

"Heard a bit about it. Something about auspicious acts and a lot of sex," he rumbles. He's still not sure how he feels about all of that, especially when the whole place seems set up to coerce people into complying one way or another. He doesn't like that.

Case and point.

Caleb's nervous, he can hear it in his voice and feel it in the way his hand goes tight.

"You worried we're gonna have to do something like that to make this go away?"

If Caleb's face wasn't red before, it definitely is now. He can feel the heat of a flush suffusing his skin, knows he'll be nearly the color of his hair if this continues. "That...ja, that's about it. Knowing this place, it is the most likely option."

He swallows hard as he guides Bull to the alcove he'd intended, having spent several afternoons reading at the stone table and chairs there. They're a little weathered, but serviceable. Though Bull is probably better served sitting on the table, himself. "Here we are," he announces. "You can sit down if you like. The stone behind you is sturdy enough."

When Caleb can take his hand back, he almost immediately clasps them together. "Not to say that we have to," he continues. "If there is someone here you might be more comfortable with, I could call them for you."

"I don't know anyone here. Showed up alone."

And he hasn't had a lot of time to get to know anyone that he would consider calling on for something like this. He settles back carefully when he feels the stone behind him, leaning his weight into it carefully. Caleb says it's sturdy, but there's no need to go crashing down on it.

"You aren't obligated to help, you know." Bull feels like he should probably make that clear.

Alone. Gods, Caleb had just about lost his mind (again) when he'd thought he was alone his first day here. Though Bull can't see it, his expression tightens with sympathy.

"I understand that," he says, clipped. "But I would prefer not to leave you here blinded, Bull. I am very capable of stopping should things progress further than I am comfortable with." This might not be typical for him--the brand-new acquaintance part, especially--but he isn't new at it. And if he's going to kiss a stranger, this seems like the right situation for it. It's for a purpose.

His concern is audible when he adds, "But you--you should have a say in this too, of course. You have not even seen me. How do you know that I am someone you would even want to engage with this way?"

Bull huffs a quiet laugh. It's a sweet concern, but Bull is far more worried that he isn't exactly Caleb's type.

"I don't intend to push any further than you're willing to go," he assures quietly, thinking that should be made clear. Maybe that's a problem here, but it won't be with him.

"I'm not incredibly concerned that you aren't my type," he teases, voice warm. "You're willing to help me. That's all this has to be right now."

Now that they've mutually agreed to take this slow, he feels a little more comfortable, more certain that he really can do this. It helps that Bull is apparently an easy-going man, and not at all hard to talk to.

"So you are not picky? That is encouraging," Caleb says with a quirk of his lips, teasing right back. See, he does have a sense of humor! "As long as you are not opposed to average-looking human men, we should be fine to proceed."

He is not at all worried about a lack of attraction on his part. While not his sole 'type' by any means, he's always had a thing for impressive musculature, and Bull certainly has that. One of his long-time exes is a man of similar proportions, though smaller scale-wise and without the horns, being human. Bull's rugged sort of handsomeness reminds him just enough of Eadwulf to be comforting, but beyond that they are not so similar that it is painful.

"Are you going to come closer?" he asks with a wry smile.

Bull reaches a hand out for Caleb, inviting him near. They have to start somewhere, and kissing is as good a place as any. That's the mistletoe tradition, isn't it? One of them, anyway.

And if that doesn't work... they can go from there.

"Might have to guide me a little. Don't worry about grabbing a horn or something."

He returns that smile. "I am now that you've asked." And he does. A step and another shuffle brings him close enough to stand between Bull's knees. Finally he has the opportunity to examine him more closely now that he isn't focused on leading him somewhere, and with Bull currently unable to see him, Caleb feels he can look more freely. He notices the impressive number of scars scattered across his torso, and that the dark geometric shapes that adorn his shoulders and back are not actually tattoos, as he'd first assumed. The eye patch was something he'd noted already, of course, but now he examines it more closely along with the thick lines of scarring on either side. It must have been a nasty injury.

Caleb lays a hand against Bull's forearm, at first little more than a brush of fingertips. "Okay," he says, under his breath and mostly to himself. "Okay."

Then he chooses to take Bull's words at face value, apparently, because his other hand boldly grabs near the base of a horn and tugs. The pull has no significant strength behind it--Caleb has none of that to speak of--but it's a clear directive urging Bull to bend closer to him as Caleb leans up. His lips are warm and slightly parted when he presses them to Bull's. It's an exceedingly gentle kiss, but not hesitant. Once Caleb decides to do something, he commits.

Bull lets Caleb guide the kiss. Rather than leaning into it, he slides his arm around Caleb to draw him a little closer. Sitting keeps him from craning his neck too much, which is nice. The kiss is gentle, but not chaste, and the Bull strokes his fingers along the small of Caleb's back before he breaks away.

He sits there for a moment, waiting, then huffs a quiet sigh.

"Nothing's changed."

Apparently kissing is not quite auspicious enough.

Caleb's hand moves to brace against Bull's chest as he's drawn in, keeping himself from toppling into him completely. Standing beside the Bull on their walk here had given him a good sense of his dimensions, or so he'd thought. But standing between his legs with that arm around him brings him an entirely new awareness, and it's--intimidating? intriguing? attractive? all at once.

For Bull, it will be immediately apparent that Caleb is exceptionally slender, the tunic he's wearing nipped in at the waist and belted. That, and there is a thick book in a leather holster strapped to his left hip.

At the news that their first experiment hasn't worked, he gives a small frustrated exhale, not quite a sigh.

"I anticipated that. Usually it is not so simple." But he's seized by curiosity, so he can't quite stop the way his fingers wander from the base of the horn he's grasping up a little further, exploring the unique texture. "I am fine to continue. We probably need to, ah...put in a little more effort."

Bull notices the figure, but it's the book that catches his interest. It's not necessarily a surprise, he's used to mages carrying them around, not unlike the way Caleb is.

He tips his head a bit like he means to make it easier for Caleb to stroke along his horn. The touch is nice, he doesn't mind.

"I'll follow your lead," he says warmly. It might be for his benefit, but he's already decided that they're doing this on Caleb's terms.

Caleb can't reach all the way to where the horn curves, so he stops well before, just tracing the pad of his thumb over a particularly deep ridge. The texture is interesting, different from other horns he has seen. He has already thought to wonder, of course, about Bull's people, because it does not seem to be one he is familiar with. But those questions can wait until the man is more comfortable, with his sight restored.

"That sounds good," Caleb smiles, grateful and a little sheepish. Is it so obvious that he is rusty at this? "It may also help if you tell me what you enjoy? The effect is focused on you, so it is likely your pleasure that really counts here."

Bull seems to consider that for a moment. The answer is fairly uncomplicated, but most people tend to be surprised by it when he's honest. So he debates saying something a little easier to grasp. But this feels like a fine line to walk, especially with the faint uncertainty or hesitation he keeps picking up in Caleb's touch and the sound of his voice. Can't tell why it's there, but it is.

"I like getting other people off," he says at last, deciding to go with blunt honesty. Bull has no idea if that will fulfill the terms of whatever curse or mischief this is.

That is blunt. "Oh," Caleb says, a little startled. But he's the one who'd asked, and honesty is what he prefers. He still sounds surprised when he observes, "That must make you popular."

There's a momentary pause where Caleb reconsiders his words with increasing embarrassment. He takes a sharp breath in, lips pressing together in a grimace. "That sounded foolish. I am just going to kiss you now."

And he does, without any further hesitation. This kiss is a little more forward than the last, emboldened by the knowledge that Bull is allowing him to set the pace here. The hand he has splayed against Bull's chest takes a little more weight as he leans in. It's a firm press of lips before he yields, parting them to deepen the kiss with a softer curiosity.

Bull hums quietly into the kiss and manages to sound amused as he does it. He slides his hands over Caleb's sides as the mage leans into him. It's nothing to take his weight. As the kiss deepens, Bull makes another quiet, pleased sound deeper in his chest. One hand strokes over the small of Caleb's back, and when they finally part again, a smile tugs at his scarred mouth.

"It didn't sound foolish," he murmurs. "Kind of observant, actually."

Bull knows that his popularity has a lot to do with his size and, back in Thedas, his reputation. And his reputation has a lot to do with what he just confessed to Caleb.

Well, at least he hadn't sounded as stupid as he thought. "Good to know that I was not completely off the mark," he says, bemused, but also still a little breathless from the kiss. It takes very little to get him worked up, for better or worse.

That reassurance is enough to make Caleb a little more confident when he goes for another kiss, operating on the assumption that Bull will let him know when he can see again. He's careful, but not tentative, parting his lips more eagerly now and even daring to apply a little of his teeth in a gentle scrape.

He likes the touches to his back, apparently, as he leans further into Bull and lets himself be held there.

Bull holds Caleb close as they kiss again. He likes that the mage is getting a little more bold with teeth and tongue, it's exciting to feel him open up more. His hand presses more to Caleb's back, closing the small bit of space left between them.

Given Caleb's hesitance, Bull keeps it at that. He won't push anyone further than they're willing to go, and he's hoping that this will be enough. He parts for breath, but then leans in again. His other hand cradles the back of Caleb's head, encouraging his daring.

"Oh," he gasps, entirely involuntary, when he's pressed flush against Bull at last. A large hand encompasses the back of his head, laying over the strands of long hair being loosened from their low tie. It's remarkable that he feels held but not trapped, and that difference is everything.

It's good enough that he begins to lose himself a little in the kisses that follow, slow and deep and thoroughly exploratory. Part curiosity, learning what Bull seems to like as well with every stroke of his tongue, and part simple enjoyment of being close to someone. Until today Caleb could count the number of people he's kissed in his life on one hand, and the number of people he's kissed without knowing them--well, Bull is the very first.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

TDM 008: A WALK IN THE THEME PARK

00. Arrival

I. SIX FLAGELLANTS

II. LIKE A FIREWORK

III. MISTLETOE

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