ercookies | TDM 008: A WALK IN THE THEME PARK

Entry tags:

!tdm

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.

● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●

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.

● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●

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.

● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●

III. MISTLETOE

mistletoe

sensory deprivation

● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●

N A V I G A T I O N

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Bull side eyes the mechanical thing, which is apparently just going to stand there until it has something better to do. He shakes his head and uses the towel to carefully dry beneath his eye patch. Then he tosses it over his shoulder and accepts Mollymauk's offered hand. His touch is firm but careful: he's used to dealing with people much smaller than he is.]

The Iron Bull, at yours, [he answers, quietly amused by the dramatic flare. It reminds him of someone.] Where the hell am I?

[ Molly appreciates the gentleness, smiling again. ]

The Iron Bull? What as wonderful name! Very suiting.

[ He's never seen such interesting horns before, after all. ]

As for this place... well. It's quite strange. It belongs to something called the Augur, and I think it wants us to rebuild it? I honestly didn't pay attention much.

[ He shrugs a little. ]

Apparently rebuilding it means doing 'Auspicious Acts', some kind of carnal worshipping. So essentially have a lot of sex. It's absolutely crazy about sex.

[ It sounds like a line to say to get laid, but it's literally true (this time). ]

Thanks, picked it myself.

[The more Mollymauk talks, the more Bull starts to wonder what the hell he's been pulled into. He can't tell if the Augur is a god or something else, but apparently it's an entity that someone, at some point, has actually interacted with. Or it has acolytes.

His eyebrow slides up when auspicious acts are explained. It might sound like a line to get laid, but it is just weird enough for Bull to believe it might actually be true.]

Last time I felt like this I fell through a rift, [he grumbles. He looks at Mollymauk again and decides to ask the obvious question:] You're not a demon, are you?

[They're having a relatively decent conversation, and Bull hates surprises.]

Isn't that just the best way to get a name?

[ Molly replies, voice animated and face full of smile and panache. He kind ofnamed himself, even if it was technically a joke that then turned serious when papers needed to be shown.

The reaction to the sex island part was somewhat confusing. Fell through a rift? He doesn't get that part, but he's very used to the latter. ]

Oh yes. Terrible evil demon, me. Always out helping people on the beach.

[ The sarcasm is scathing. ]

Definitely here to steal your soul, your newborn and whatever else fiends steal, I don't know.

Kind of had to when I started living around humans. They make a big deal about that kind of thing.

[Bull rolls his eye as sarcasm drips off the next comment. He gets it: he's had plenty of people take one look at him and assume the absolute worst. A smirk tugs at his scarred mouth.]

Hm... depending on who you ask, I don't have a soul, so you're out of luck there. And I hear we also eat babies, so I think I wouldn't be inclined to share.

[He's a big guy with a pretty decent appetite.]

[ He doesn't quite understand what the fuck that first part was about, but he's feeling a lot better about this guy as soon as he starts going along with his dumb shit.

Molly's red eyes take another gander at said size, and he's seen full orcs smaller than this dude. Might be a little too much to- no, he's letting those well-filed claws wander up a strong arm. ]

Here I am, so willing to share, and you come with no soul or baby? A shame, honestly. What kind of man are you?

[ He's not a tiefling, obviously. No matter what others say, he doesn't look like one at all to Molly. Such a big guy, walking freely without a tail to counterbalance? Bullshit. ]

Either way, if you got questions, I'm your friend. If you have urges, I'm your friend.

[ ...what, did you expect him to not be a hoe? ]

[Bull tips his head down, watching as Mollymauk's fingers drift up his arm.]

I'm great at sharing things I actually have, [he rumbles warmly.] And I think the answer to that depends on who you ask.

[He does have questions, though. And he suspects that while Mollymauk might have some answers, he won't have all of them. The second offer is duly noted.]

You know a place I can dry off?

[They can start there.]

Oh, I'm sure you have a lot.

[ He winks and then gestures for Bull to follow him. ]

Sure thing, there's some tents further up the beach. They might even have more towels in them if you're lucky.

[ Look at him, he's so helpful. ]

There's also a bath house if you feel like washing off after the sea bath.

Hm... bath might be nice, [he says after a moment of considering. The water is drying on his skin, leaving behind salt. Bull doesn't mind right now, but it's going to itch eventually. Besides, it's been a while since he's had a bath he could really fit in, and it sounds like what Molly is describing might, hopefully, have large pools.

He considers the man for a moment, then nods.]

Show me the way there?

Bath it is!

[ Molly's all smiles and makes fancy gesture to follow him, a showman and a thirsty slut in one. He winks at Bull again and sashays off to lead the interesting man towards the bathhouse.

It's a bit of a walk, so of course he has to chatter to fill the time. ]

So what kind of world are you from, hmm? It looks similar to mine rather than the stranger ones.

[ He gestures to Bull's clothing. ]

I was in a country called Orlais, out in the desert in the Western Approach. Imagine my surprise to wash up on a beach.

[Bull admires the view he has as Mollymauk strides ahead. Maybe he's in some weird country, maybe he's hit his head really hard and having weird dreams. Maybe he really did fall through a fucking rift and end up... somewhere else. And maybe Mollymauk is really a demon, despite what he says. Only one way to find out.

Besides, none of the demons he's ever seen are quite this talkative. Not this kind of talkative.]

Guessing none of that rings a bell for you, though.

[ Molly's tail swishes like an extension of his hips, and he glances back now and then with a smile as Bull talks. ]

Nope, not ringing any bells at all. Going to assume you're familiar with swords, magic and the like, though.

[ He turns on his heel gracefully, walking a few steps backwards. ]

Those arms are used to heavy weapons, hmm? Almost as big as my friend's.

[ That's kind of a lie, Yasha isn't as wide as Bull... but he kind of wants to see them throw down. ]

Yeah, more or less.

[Bull would rather not be familiar with any magic, but he doesn't really have that luxury. So he copes with it. He chuckles when Molly turns around to walk backwards.]

Yeah, that's my job. Most of what I wield probably weighs as much as you do.

[Some of the mauls and axes, anyway. Swords tend to be lighter all around, but Bull is comfortable switching between melee weaponry as it suits him.]

Oh, I'm sure you could toss me around~!

[ Molly winks and then turns again so he doesn't trip over the broken pavement as they reach the broken city. ]

Welcome to Fucksville, as I'm calling it. Apparently it used to look worse, now we have some nice luxuries. I hope you like goose.

[ He gives the flocks of asshole birds a look and puts a hand on one of his scimitars. Fuckers bit his tail once, okay? ]

[Bull eyes the geese as they pass and he tries not to laugh when he sees the real ire in Molly's face, hand on a weapon. He's had enough bad encounters with ornery waterfowl to understand the caution.]

At least it's not swans, [he rumbles dryly.] Had a few of my Chargers nearly taken out by one of those. They're bigger than you think.

[He moves easily to pass between Molly and the geese, providing an effective wall should the birds decide they needed to make a point.]

Fuck no, I'd rather fight an entire horde of angry gnolls than a swan. They call me a fiend, but those things? Definitely demons.

[ The change of Bull's position to act like a bul(l)wark between him and the geese is rather sweet, and he feels appropriately rescued from any goose nipping. It earns the giant man a gentle hipcheck and a tiefling hand on his arm, like they are nobles going to a ball. ]

So what's a Charger? I smell a group name.

[He laughs quietly.]

You're gonna have to tell me what a gnoll is. And yeah, the Bull's Chargers, that was the name of my mercenary group.

[Part of him wishes a few of them had washed up with him. Krem, in particular, is a grounding presence. He looks down as a warm hand slides over his arm. Well, if they're turning this into a proper escort, he'll play the part. Bull adjusts the way he's holding his arm: not the first noble he's escorted, real or feigned.]

A gnoll is like... a hyena person. Very bitey and angry. Likes to eat people sometimes.

[ Molly's quite pleased to see that Bull moves his arm, both accepting the clingy tiefling and making him feel like a pretty princess. ]

Bull's Chargers, huh? I love that, very suiting.

[ From what he's seen of Bull, at least. Were they all giant horned men? ]

Ours is the Mighty Nein. Bit of a pun.

Edited 2021-01-01 21:20 (UTC)

Sounds like fun, [he rumbles. He's never fought a hyena person before. Actual hyena, yes.]

Yeah, figured they aren't paying us for our creativity. [That's not entirely true, but the Chargers weren't any worse off than other mercenary groups he's heard of. Most of them have someone's name in them, or, barring that, are ostentatious.]

What's the pun?

[He's wondering if it's language based, or otherwise related to something from Molly's world.]

It's all fun and games until you're in a cave full of them, I promise.

[ Especially when some of them were falling down holes during the fight. ]

...and I'm not telling you that yet~! Breaks the fun of it.

[ They've finally arrived at the bath house, though, so Molly walks them inside to show it off. There is a huge pool, the steaming, mineral-rich waters quite inviting. It's still a little bare and run-down in areas, but the water? Perfect. ]

Welcome to the heavens! I went here every day until we got a 'hot tub' in our home.

Can't be worse than giant spiders. Or deepstalkers.

[Bull doesn't like fighting in caverns and caves - his height and his horns are more of a hindrance than a help in those occasions, and while he generally doesn't panic, he recalls the anxiety of getting stuck in tight spaces. The Deep Roads had been a special exercise in discipline.

The exterior of the bath house is in better shape than some of the other buildings around it, but not quite as impressive as what Bull remembers of home. The interior is the only part that matters, though. He breathes easier as the warm steam hits his lungs.]

You gonna join me?

Ugh, spiders. We fought one that teleported around and could turn invisible... in a sewer.

[ That had been fun. Not.

Molly visibly relaxes as he steps into the bath house, almost purring from satisfaction as the steam and the scents of the pool hits him. Giving Bull a fanged grin, he's already shedding layers before the big man could finish his sentence. ]

Definitely.

[ The coat and doublet are on the floor, and he slips out of his wide-hemmed shirt to toss that as well, baring all those vibrant tattoos. ]

[Bull glances around and finds a low bench to sit on so he can start undressing. The brace on his left leg comes off first. While Mollymauk's disrobing has a flare of drama, Bull is utilitarian in his efforts. Once the brace is off, he tucks it under the bench and kicks his boots off to go with it. He considers a moment, then removes his eye patch, revealing the extensive scarring beneath. Feels weird to have condensation trapped under the patch so it's just easier to have it off. He finally stands again to shed what little clothing he has left.

Where Molly bares brilliant tattoos, Bull bares scars. Some have faded with ages, others have not. And some, all told, are relatively fresh. He takes a moment to appreciate the view as Mollymauk finishes undressing.]

[ Molly sheds his boots and leggings as well, tail swaying tantalizingly as he bends over to unlace them. When he turns around he's fully nude with no shame in the world, instead cocking a hip to the side and smiling at the warrior, definitely giving Bull a long and appreciative look.

That was a lot of scars and the missing eye looked gnarly, but to Molly, that's just what happens when you live a dangerous life. Hell, his own chest, arms and neck are covered in silvery scars, slim and mostly horizontal over his lavender skin - sometimes even cutting through the extensive tattoos. ]

I see it's not just the horns that makes you 'Bull'.

[He can't decide if the show is entirely for him or if it's just part of who Molly is, but he enjoys it either way. Bull huffs a quiet laugh.]

So I'm told.

[There's no shame on his end, either. His body has gotten him this far in life, and it bears the evidence of more than two decades of battle. Mollymauk's scars have him a little curious: they're thin and seem almost uniform in some places. He wouldn't mind getting a closer look, and he suspects that might be on the table, unless Molly is just talking a big game.

The tattoos suggest the tiefling isn't the sort of man to make half-ass efforts, though.

Bull moves to the edge of the pool so he can ease himself in. As soon as the hot water envelopes his leg, he sighs with relief. The brace helps, but it can't solve everything. Once he's in, Bull offers Molly his hand.]

00. Arrival

I. SIX FLAGELLANTS

II. LIKE A FIREWORK

III. MISTLETOE

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject