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

[ Qrow is at first taken aback by Makoto's reaction, nearly jumping out of his seat and upsetting the drink he'd just set down - because listen, he'd just come from a devastating war only six months ago. He can be a lil' jumpy.

But once he's assured that he isn't going to get a lapful of cocktail and he's shaking the alcohol and juice off his hand, Qrow happens to spot when Makoto must be hiding under his collar.

He barks a laugh. ]

Look, if it's those hickeys you're worried about - [ he gestures towards Makoto's neck ] - don't be. You aren't the only one.

[ Not like Qrow wouldn't be littered with scratch marks and love bites if he wasn't capable of rapidly healing them. Who is he to judge? ]

[ Well bringing attention to those hickeys does nothing but intensify his flush, though his tone is admirably even and he's staring into his drink with a frown. ]

No, it's just, you shouldn't be forced to undress. It's wrong.

[ Not that he'd been eager to show those hickeys off either. Without thinking, he's taking an angry swig of his drink, expression settling into disgruntled. The hand in his shirt loosens and he's relaxing against the cushions again with a huff, not really caring to fix the collar now that Qrow's already seen them. He was going to ask the other man about the island but now he doesn't even want to think about it.

Makoto turns his head, looking more drunkenly curious up at Qrow than upset now. ]

If you don't mind me asking: where are you from? Originally?

Edited 2020-12-26 20:37 (UTC)

[ Well, the guy's got a point there, but the crooked grin on Qrow's lips suggests that he doesn't quite believe that's the whole source of Makoto's discomfort. Then again, maybe Qrow has just been on this crazy island long enough to be desensitized to the idea of robots none-too-subtly pushing them into doing this and that.

After all, his first night here was a weird, aphro-fueled orgy.

But that aside - ]

Ah, well.

[ Qrow rubs at the scruff on his chin, pausing for a moment as if he's trying to decide where to begin. The bright scarlet hue of his eyes aside, he does have the lean body, dark hair, and angled cheekbones to suggest someone of ambiguously Asian heritage - perhaps mixed. ]

It's a planet called Remnant. Specifically Anima, though these days the closest thing to what I'd call a home is the Kingdom of Vale.

[ Makoto's watching him, idly sipping at his drink and letting himself melt into the cushions. This whole place was a little overwhelming for him, but at least the only thing that happened on his first day was getting a blowjob on a bench. Now, though, it's sort of easier to let himself drink and try to keep the stress of it all at bay.

Oh, another person from a different planet than Earth. He'd learned earlier not to judge based on his own Earth standards of looks alone, though now he's looking Qrow over in earnest fascination. While he felt he was a pretty average looking Japanese guy, he knew he wasn't ugly or anything, some of the people here he thinks are decidedly cooler looking than anyone he's ever seen in person. Qrow is now included on that list. ]

What's the Kingdom of Vale like?

[ Makoto sounds genuinely curious, surprised when he goes to take another drink out of his now empty glass. This time, he holds it to his chest, afraid the robots will show up again. ]

Edited 2020-12-26 22:24 (UTC)

[ Qrow isn't used to being asked about home - it happens more often than his conversations with new arrivals turn quickly towards life on the Island. Trying to remember what Vale was like after six months in this bizarre pocket dimension and nearly a year on the road is almost a challenge.

But of course, Qrow could never forget that feeling of relief that would settle over him the moment he stepped back into the comfort of Taiyang's log cabin after a long mission, greeted by the thrilled shouts of his two nieces.

The memory of it brings a passing warmth to his smile. ]

Ah, Vale is... well, it was - [ here the smile fades, his expression going a little more somber, ] - a pretty great place. It was safe, y'know? Mountains kept most of the monsters out, and it didn't have as many of the social ills as the other kingdoms either. Helped that the headmaster of our combat school was one of the wisest guys around.

[ ...or so they had thought, at the time. A moment passes where Qrow seems to fidget with his hands, his eyes downcast and darting - but it passes when he notices that Makoto has already drained that latest drink. After latching onto this detail, Qrow gestures to his own half-spilled, half-melted cocktail with a fresh grin. ]

Got another one if you want it.

[ Makoto's still paying attention even if he looks a little listless at this point. His eyes don't really leave Qrow's expression as he talks, and he can't help himself from frowning when his expression goes somber. He didn't mean to upset him. Something must have happened and even with his mind a little muddied, he knows better than to press on that. ]

Monsters?
... So many people here have had to deal with monsters or demons before.

[ Makoto eyes the new drink lazily and nods, lifting up the glass from his chest and holding it out for him to trade. Without the suggestion, he probably would've stopped drinking. But the feeling isn't half bad, and it is helping him relax. His other hand seems content to stay on his chest. Though a moment later, he pulls at his shirt a couple times to get some airflow. It seems to do the trick though, based on Makoto's expression. ]

Steady there, tiger.

[ Qrow snorts under his breath as he takes the emptied glass from Makoto's unsteady hand and exchanges it for the melty cocktail. The new guy looks like he's had enough, judging by the rosiness in his cheeks, but Qrow figures that Makoto has probably had a hard couple of days and he's earned it. (And Qrow definitely isn't the guy to go to for lectures about moderating alcohol intake, that's for sure.)

Anyway, at least he's here and sober to look after the guy. ]

Met another monster hunter already, huh? [ He chuckles. ] So much for impressing you with my job description.

Thanks, I'm fine.

[ That said, Makoto's still going to take this next drink as slow as possible. Since the new glass is still a little fuller than his last, he sits up very carefully, using his free hand to readjust some of the cushions so he doesn't actually have to put that much effort into staying up. It's a little slower than usual, but he thinks he's doing an excellent job of acting sober.

He laughs at Qrow's answer though as he's adjusting. ]

Hey, my world is pretty boring compared to everyone else.
We don't have actual monsters. Stories about them, sure.

[ Makoto kicks off his shoes so he doesn't mess up the cushions when he brings his legs up and crosses them. He also gives in and unbuttons his shirt just a bit. ]

Don't tell me you have a cool sword, too?

[ Makoto might very well be doing an excellent job of acting sober, but for better or for worse, Qrow is only alive today because he is a very observant man. He's glad that Makoto seems to be relaxing enough to literally unbutton a little. ]

I'll have you know,

[ After setting the empty glass aside, Qrow leans in close enough that he can feel the warmth rising off Makoto's skin in the chill of the air. His grin splits into a confident smirk, a hint of mischief in it. ]

I have the coolest sword.

[ His hands spread wide in front of them. ]

It's huge! I mean I'm talking enormous, here.

[ Makoto blinks at him, and doesn't really have the reaction time to move back. Not that his sluggish mind catches up in time either. He pulls his drink towards him though so it's not in Qrow's way, it's only polite, his face still flushed as ever.

The sudden cold on his bare skin making him wince at first but then it doesn't feel so bad so he leaves it there, still staring up at Qrow with genuine curiosity. ]

Really?
[ He is still thinking of the different (real, actual) swords he's seen and briefly wonders if it's as big as Dante's. That one, he was sure he couldn't have lifted even if he wanted to. ]

What's it look like?

Edited 2020-12-27 02:50 (UTC)

[ Qrow can see that Makoto isn't picking up on the innuendo, even drunk as he is, and that's charming in its own right. Give it time, and he'd catch onto life on the Island. In the meantime, Qrow just chuckles, giving him a brow-waggle just blatant enough to border on ridiculous. ]

Oh, I'd love to show you sometime.

[ Which, despite his jest, isn't a lie. Qrow designed that thing (his actual, real sword, that is) himself, why wouldn't he love showing it off? ]

[ Well, there are a couple beats of silence and Makoto furrowing his brows. Then his sluggish mind sort of comes together and he frowns at him. It's the brow waggle that cinches it and now he's looking at him with a very unimpressed expression. ]

That wasn't funny. [ He grumbles heatedly into his drink, sulking into the cushions and feeling stupid. ]

It's not my fault so many people here have really cool weapons.

[ Makoto huffs, and then shoots him a look like he's just daring him to make another joke. ]

Oh come on, it was funny.

[ Well, Qrow is laughing, anyway - slapping his knee, in fact. It's not that he means to make Makoto feel stupid, but he can't help teasing someone when the opportunity to loosen someone up presents itself.

Seeing the man take to sulking into his drink might be pinging at Qrow's guilt complex, however. He judges Makoto's shoulder. ]

If it makes you feel any better, I really do have a big sword and I'll show it to you if you're interested.

[ Makoto drunkenly mumbles to himself before taking a small sip. It's not like he really trusts himself to be able to leave without looking stupider so give him a minute to stew on his cushion pile.

Makoto comes back around in time for Qrow's next statement. He's looking at Qrow again, not really upset anymore though still a shade embarrassed. Makoto's filter is also a little broken right now though, so it doesn't appear like he's thought it through before his next sentence comes out. It's more than a little accusatory. ]

Are you talking about your dick again?

[ He keeps a straight face for as long as he can drunkenly manage before laughing though. See? He has jokes, too. And he looks a little proud of himself for that one. ]

[ Qrow's snort of a laugh is unrestrained. The joke wasn't even that great, but there's something about the look of accomplishment on Makoto's face when he (rightfully) accuses Qrow of being a pervert that is hopelessly funny.

Whatever strange tension Qrow had in him at the start of this encounter, it's gone now. ]

Listen, I've been alive long enough to know a man shouldn't make promises about the size of his dick until he's seen the other guy's.

[ Makoto's laughing with him this time, not realizing that Qrow isn't laughing at his joking skills.

He's in the middle of taking another drink, choking on it once he comprehends what Qrow just said. Makoto looks away, coughing a little. He tries to recover and laugh it off like nothing as he very smoothly relaxes against the cushions again. Totally cool, not suspicious at all. ]

Size isn't everything, you know.

[ Makoto's not really wanting to talk about his own dick. It's more of a burden than anything. At least, that's how he felt before coming here. Unbidden, his drunken mind reminds him that no one here has had a problem with it being too big. That deserves another drink. ]

So, you said you have a real sword though, right?

Edited 2020-12-27 17:48 (UTC)

[ Naturally, Qrow isn't going to miss Makoto choking on his drink at a moment like that. Interesting. His grin turns a little knowing, though he can only guess at what Makoto might be thinking about.

Regardless of the details, it probably has to do with big dicks. ]

I do have a real sword. Designed it myself.

[ Nodding, Qrow pauses just long enough to likely give Makoto the false hope that he's going to let the previous subject go. He does not. ]

...but believe me, I know. My, uh - [ Qrow realizes mid-sentence that he doesn't have a word for what he and Clover are, but charges on ahead anyway ] - partner? is... well. Let's just say it's not a bad thing that he prefers to bottom, heh.

Oh. That's really cool.
Depending on how good you are at designing swords, I guess.

[ Makoto doesn't really say it as an insult, more just his broken filter letting more of his thoughts out than usual. He'd been successful with that topic change, so he's a little caught off guard when dicks are brought back up again. It's not really helping his flush. Oh, right, he has to constantly remind himself that everyone here has had sex. It's always hanging over everything and it feels suffocating.

Even he'd had more encounters since getting here than he'd had in the past decade almost and it still felt strange to think about. And he's still not comfortable actually talking about sex like this so casually. Not to mention, it felt impolite to talk about someone who wasn't there. ]

That, uh, makes sense.
[ Makoto's really trying to act cool about this still, no big deal. But now there's the thought of him bottoming and he doesn't know how he feels about that yet. It wasn't something he'd considered before if he's honest. He's just going to shift a little uncomfortably now. ]

[ It's tough to be a virgin on Fuck Island, not that Qrow knows anything about that. In general he is very sympathetic to that plight - everyone has the right to dictate their own sexual agency, etc. etc. - except when he's already having a ball making some poor guy squirm and blush. ]

Yeah, that's one advantage to this place. You get to find out what makes sense for you.

[ Maybe Makoto is squirming a bit too uncomfortably, however. Qrow is here for a little antagonistic teasing and flirting, sure, but not outright torture.

Qrow bumps shoulders with him again. ]

Hey, should I back off? It can be overwhelming here at first, I get that.

[ Makoto just sighs heavily at that. ]

Yea, well it feels more like this place is trying to decide for me. Not really fair.

I didn't agree to any of this.

[ Makoto shakes his head after that though to redirect his train of thought, working up a placating smile for Qrow. His drink is almost finished but he's taking a break from it, head already swimming enough and he doesn't really want to get so drunk that he passes out or anything. Just enough to stop having small panic attacks would be great. To that end, it's been successful.

It's a good thing that his drink wasn't more full though, because he would've spilled it with that shoulder bump. But he doesn't move, just sort of slumping there between his cushion wall and Qrow. ]

No, it's ok. You don't seem like a bad guy.
You're still not very funny though.

[ There's a smirk directed up at Qrow, if it wasn't convincing enough that he's fine. ]

[ 'Probably not awful' is fairly high praise in Qrow's book, at least as far as things usually go for him. Makoto's obvious jab gets a chuckle out of him. ]

Just wait, I'm hilarious. A real joke.

[ His thoughts are lingering on the heaviness of Makoto's sigh, however, despite the reassuring smiles and teases the man is trying to give him. Qrow's expression grows a little more serious.

Sex might be a casual thing for him, but Qrow is still a man who has family and other people he cares about here on the island. He loathes the idea of leaving someone feeling like their hand is forced in a decision that should be a very personal one. ]

Don't feel like you have to rush into anything you don't wanna do though, y'know? There are people here who will help you out if you need anything.

I'll believe it when I see it.

[ Makoto shoots back before shifting his gaze to look out at the crowd. More people are naked by now and he already feels warm enough so he averts his eyes again down to ground. It's not the sex part so much, he's not scared of it or anything, but sex has never been a focus in his life for a variety of reasons. A lot of those reasons were just out of his control, and he figured it would happen at some point before coming here. This place makes him feel rushed.

Then there's a drunkenly genuine smile forming like he's actively trying to find good things about being here. ]

Thanks.
Actually, everyone here has been really nice so far, and. [ He pauses, remembering what he was going to say. ]
There's so many different worlds and life experiences to learn about all in one place. That part's not so bad.

Yeah, guess you're right.

[ There's just something so disarming about a drunk and yet genuine smile, Qrow has to smile back. He just isn't the type to sniff out the silver lining in any situation, much less a sexy trans-dimensional kidnapping, but... well. He can see what Makoto is trying to do and Qrow respects that, in a way. Positivity is a skill he just doesn't have.

Sinking back into the cushions, Qrow looks out across the crowd while Makoto keeps his eyes downcast. The nudity doesn't bother him, not before and certainly not now. ]

So, you learn anything interesting yet?

[ Makoto's smile stays in place as he turns from the crowd to look up at Qrow. As far as Makoto was concerned, most people had some good in them. Even if it was deep down. Humans all go through different things and might have different beliefs, but that didn't make them bad people. Even the nonhumans here all seemed to have their own struggles. If nothing else, the common thread of existence they all seemed to share made it easier for him to accept all the differences. ]

Yea. Giant robots, demons, aliens -- they all exist.
Before being here, I had no idea all these other worlds existed. So it's all pretty interesting to me.

[ Makoto settles against the cushions again, head swimming. ]

[ Qrow nods along, shoulder-to-shoulder with Makoto as the other man leans back. That's a pretty fair assessment, he thinks, and it sounds like Makoto's met a pretty diverse crowd already. ]

You know I didn't even know space travel was possible before I came here? And somehow I ended up way the hell across the universe. Learn new things every day, even at this age.

[ He thinks he hears the burst of a firework, at long last, and looks up to catch the brilliant explosion of light. ]

TDM 008: A WALK IN THE THEME PARK

00. Arrival

I. SIX FLAGELLANTS

II. LIKE A FIREWORK

III. MISTLETOE

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