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

[ Makoto looks at him with genuine concern. Guess his first assumption about Akira having it rough was probably true. How bad were his experiences to say something like that? ]

I know we just met, but. [ He pauses. This feels too familiar. Like he's had this conversation before, but it feels right to say it anyway, so he does. ]
Talking about things can really help.

Not that you have to, or anything.
But the offer's there if you ever need it, though.

[ Makoto smiles at him, softer than he meant to. This is deja vu. He's not going to push, just like he didn't back then. ]

[There are far too many things to address for Akira to know where to start, if he were ever going to start. Which he's not. He's going to get lost in a detached emotionless void again and be fine.]

Thanks.

[It's more than he would have said to anyone else, because Makoto's presence is somehow... safe. Like he'd felt that day in the church. He didn't have much to say then either, but it was okay. There's something wrong here, he's picking up on that much, but he can't figure out what it is.]

[ Makoto doesn't say anything for a moment. But he is looking at Akira like he's content with that answer, a small smile as his gaze falls to the ground. Even if it wasn't a conversation meant for Akira, the offer would be there. Then he blinks, looking around like he's just noticing they are still standing around near the kiosk. Not that anyone is close, but there are still other people around. ]

Are you still hungry?

[ Makoto asks, taking the moment to stretch and release the tension from the last couple moments. ]

No.

[He offers Makoto the rest of the chocolate. For a moment, he'd forgotten about the amusement park, like it had gone out of focus from even the edges of his thoughts. Now it's louder and intrusive again.]

[ Makoto accepts the chocolate, popping off more pieces into his mouth. He's looking around, but his attention is still fully on Akira. ]

Do you wanna sit somewhere quieter?
You don't strike me as the type to want to check out the rides.

[He's only gotten a close look at a couple of rides and that was enough for him.]

Yeah.

[It's out of his mouth before he can take it back, and he may have doomed himself to idle conversation without the easy distraction of food stalls to change topics.]

Alright. C'mon.

[ Makoto's smiling again, before turning and walking between the candy kiosk and whatever kiosk is next to it. There's some benches out of the way. Though he's sure they were probably put there for other reasons, they're empty now and the bushes dampen the sound of the crowd some. It feels weird to be sitting on a bench again, but at least this time he isn't deaf. ]

It's sort of peaceful here, at least.

[ ooc: he's gonna miss akira oops ]

It is.

[The noises are distant, and there's a tranquil atmosphere. It's not something Akira experiences often, but he has hazy memories of a similar place; a bench somewhere by the trees, and there were wind chimes. The reason for the benches being out of the way completely passes him by and he doesn't give any thought to what they may have been used for last.]

[ Makoto relaxes against the bench with a sigh. It's nice to sit here for a moment. There's still the murmur of the crowd and the park rides in the distance but everything here feels calm. He leans to his side of the bench, resting his head in his hand. Makoto turns to look at him, trying to read his expression before continuing. ]

... Oh, I can't believe I never asked.

Where are you from? Is it on Earth?

[Somehow, he hadn't thought about the fact people aren't from Earth. Every science fiction idea seems to actually exist; robots, aliens, possibly alternate dimensions, superhuman abilities, he saw some guy with horns... Yet the question is still met with initial surprise.]

I.. yeah. East Japan. Are you not from Earth?

[Makoto said he was human, but if all that other shit is real, humans could have colonized some other planet.]

No, I am. I'm from Japan too, actually.

I've just met people that aren't. Or if they are, it's not always the same Earth as mine.

[ Makoto tilts his head, looking away. ]

I never knew all these other worlds existed before coming here.

Edited 2020-12-26 05:14 (UTC)

Neither did I.

[Akira looks a little contemplative on that, because it wasn't a concept he ever entertained nor wondered about. The existence of other worlds. It's now cementing the idea that he's really somewhere else and this isn't a fever dream he's having while he's dying somewhere.]

We're not from the same place.

[ Makoto shrugs. It's something he is learning to wrap his head around even if he doesn't let on how much it still bothers him. It's fascinating, sure, but it also makes him feel... insignificant. But he doesn't want to dwell on that feeling. ]

True.
Same country but on different Earths?
Or maybe they're all parallel universes?

Who knows.

Might as well throw time-travel in there.

[This is more casual conversation than Akira tends to engage in, but it's not uncomfortable or tedious. He finds himself relaxing his posture and taking up more room on the bench.]

That would suck for your world.

[He's assuming his timeline would be the future in this hypothetical scenario.]

Oh, yea, that's a good one.

[ Makoto hadn't thought of that one yet. But it does make sense. Why would time be an obstacle when interdimensionality didn't seem to be a problem?

Makoto furrows his brow at that. It sounded so ominous. ]

Why's that?

[There's no indication in his voice of what he thinks about this topic. It happened, he never knew what it was like before, not from a personal standpoint. He's never really talked about it, because it was everyone's reality.]

Third Division. The third world war. It ended a few years ago, but we're on the verge of a civil war now.

[It could start at any time. It could already be happening and he's just not there to know.]

There won't be much left. It's already a dystopian shithole.

[At least East Japan. Apparently, it's a little better on the other side, but he has doubts.]

[ So that's what he meant. It sends a shiver up Makoto's spine, forcing him to sit up straight. His is expression is even but shaky if held up under strict scrutiny. Hopefully they are from different Earths, and not just times, because the thought of getting home only for there to be a world war has him swallowing hard and tensing just a fraction. ]

That sounds pretty serious.

We've only had two world wars...
[ And then, under his breath ] ...so far.

[ Makoto looks back to him, watching Akira's expression again. ]

So, is the island really so bad for you, then?

[Akira averts his eyes, and it takes him a while to answer.]

It's not... worse.

[A month ago, had he been brought here, he'd have a little bit of a different outlook. His hang-ups with this island are personal and not objective; removed from those, it's not an entirely horrible place so far. He can't imagine having even this much freedom or peace back home, idly sitting on a park bench where nothing smells like blood or rotting corpses, and he can get up and walk away if he wants. Looking back at Makoto, it seems he's come to a realization about it all.]

I wouldn't go back. I like... this.

[He vaguely gestures at the scenery around the bench, but he means everything he's done since meeting Makoto.]

[ Makoto is quiet, undemanding, but he doesn't take his eyes off Akira while he waits patiently. It's not an uncomfortable silence for him and he can almost pretend he wasn't kidnapped and brought here for just a moment. Akira still feels far too familiar for having just met him today, but that doesn't seem like such a bad thing after all. He idly wishes he had a capsule toy to give him, but he hasn't seen any on the island.

When Akira answers, he gets rewarded with a warm, lopsided grin. Makoto's genuinely happy to hear him say it and he just hums in agreement after a moment, nodding. He relaxes again, still being mindful of how small the bench is. ]

Yea, this isn't so bad.
I can't say I wouldn't want to go back if I got the chance, but... I'm glad I got to meet you.

[ Helping Akira makes him feel like he's accomplished something. Though with his own fears about being here, helping Akira probably helped himself almost as much. Not that his goal was ever helping himself. ]

I wish I could show you my Japan, though. It's even nicer than this.

[Akira nods slightly; he'd like to know what Japan was like before the war. The few pictures he'd seen were so far removed from what it is now.

Makoto's smile is getting to him again, reminiscent of some other situation, real or imagined, someone he should have said these kinds of things to. Shown any small appreciation to. Hadn't taken for granted. But he can say something now, to the too-familiar presence of Makoto.]

I...

[Or not. Akira curls his fingers around the edge of the bench; he doesn't speak again until his knuckles have turned white from holding on too tightly.]

I'm... glad I met you too.

[Had he ever said that before? It's a normal and common sentiment. He's probably never said it to anyone.]

[ Makoto watches him intently, eying the way his hands tense against the bench. It looks almost painful to him. He's tempted to say something but decides to give Akira a moment to finish instead, gaze centered back on Akira's expression. Seeing him struggle somehow makes it matter more when he does eventually get the words out.

This part is new. Even though it feels like he's known Akira longer for some reason, no one's really ever said that to him either. It twists a knot in his stomach and it feels like too much all of a sudden. But he tries not to let it show, smile unwavering. ]

Thanks. I'm just glad I could help.

[ Makoto's voice is quieter than before, though his tone is still warm. It's been a while since he could just sit with someone comfortably like this. Eventually, he slides his gaze from Akira to the sky as he leans back. But he's not really paying attention to where he's looking exactly, he just didn't want to zone out and make Akira uncomfortable. ]

[He doesn't search for something to say, nor want to leave, in the silence that follows. There's a tranquility to it, and for once he doesn't feel like he's lost and looking for something unknown. Akira brings his feet up on the bench, taking up more space, but he intends to be here for a while and he's going to get comfortable.]

[ Makoto's gaze falls from the sky and he blinks at Akira when he shifts on the bench. Happy that he seems more relaxed, he casually shifts to get more comfortable himself, also taking up just a fraction more space. Now, he can feel Akira next to him and it's a comforting warmth in contrast to the cooler surface of the bench itself. He feels only slightly overheated himself, unknowingly mostly due to the food he'd eaten, but it's not overwhelming. ]

[Having someone this close and not being tense about it is rare. There's no immediate danger to heighten senses and make every movement something to jump at. He's not cold, so there's no logical reason to do it, but he moves a little closer to Makoto without giving it much thought. It feels somehow natural, despite his usual instincts to go in the opposite direction upon personal space invasion.]

[ To be honest, Makoto isn't that used to being this close to someone like this either. This was different than public transportation. And with the exception of his experiences on another bench on the island, which he tries not think about, it's unfamiliar. He only tenses a moment out of surprise but then he relaxes again, stretching his arms out behind them on the back of the bench and letting Akira decide how close to get. If it makes the other man more comfortable, Makoto can put up with his own nerves on it. ]

00. Arrival

I. SIX FLAGELLANTS

II. LIKE A FIREWORK

III. MISTLETOE

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