TDM 009: I'M IN LIKE WITH YOU

[erkumods]

TDM 009: I'M IN LIKE WITH YOU

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. STARGAZER On the first night that new arrivals wash ashore, the moon rises. It's full and beautiful and surrounded by stars. The robots quickly bring old, dusty telescopes out of storage and line them up on the beach to help people get a truly spectacular view. "Look to the heavens! Behold, the chicken, the cat, the owl, the donkey!" It's... the cock, the pussy, the hooters, and the ass. For the rest of the night, characters will become fixated on the specific asset associated with the constellation they've gotten an eyeful of. Whether this leads to some body worship or just casual appreciation is up to you. You can learn about the stars and constellations later this month in some of the rare, non-pornographic books in the library. (More info will go up soon, so please be patient!) ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● II. STIMULATING CONVERSATION An ancient courting ritual has been announced! It involves the give-and-take of candy hearts with slogans printed on them. Of course, since these hearts are being manufactured by robots, their sense of taste is a little... off? Or perhaps off-putting? "You'll do." "5/10." "Acceptable." "Sloppy Seconds." Receiving a negative heart makes one feel insecure, jealous, and submissive. "Be mine." "Nicest ass." "Swell bulge." "They're good lays, Bront." Receiving a positive heart will make one feel confident, boastful, and dominant. Your friendly neighborhood 'bots will give them out to anyone who asks - and maybe even those who don't. ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● III. Eat Or Dare The robots have set up a stall by the beach with a banner that reads: Eat Or Dare. They have procured bigger candy hearts than ever before -- fist-sized and larger -- with actions written on them instead of derogatory slogans. "Take a dive." "Lick me." "Get handsy." The name of the game is to follow the instructions or forfeit the challenge by making the evidence disappear into your mouth. Delicious! Those who eat the candy hearts will feel themselves getting giddy and unreasonably invested in the love affairs of others. They will feel compelled to play matchmaker to spread the cheer. ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● N A V I G A T I O N

Comments

[heretic_blade]

[ Because you're a convenient target, Kurama. It could have been literally anyone else but he was in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Izō just huffs. He doesn't even consider the weird candy he ate might be causing this -- he just acts this way most of the time. ]

You were lookin' at me funny... [ He closes the distance between them now, his posture needlessly aggressive. ] I don't take shit from no one.

[afoxbyanyothername]

[Really? This guy is lucky this is Kurama and not any of his other three friends, else he'd be getting an attempted drop or a right hook. Being as it is Kurama though, his tone remains gentle even as he looks down a bit at this other man.]

I wasn't looking at you until you yelled at me, but I apologize if you thought I was.

[heretic_blade]

[ He's yet to find his belongings, so he doesn't have his swords on him -- so much the better for everyone involved. It doesn't stop him from being Like This, though.

Somehow, Kurama's lack of a reaction is making him all the more angry. ]

You're jus' gonna walk off, then? Sorry ain't gonna cut it.

[ Little does Izō know that if a fight does start, his posturing will collapse and he'll want to submit to him without much resistance. ]

[afoxbyanyothername]

[The fox is used to swords, and would still very much not be afraid or reacting more than remaining pleasant. And logical. Vulcans would have nothing on him some days.]

Look... I don't want a fight, so what are you looking for, exactly?

[heretic_blade]

[ Of course he had to find the one person who is an immovable wall when it comes to threats. Threats are all he has!!

So he grabs for his clothes and gets even further in his face. ]

A fuckin' fight. [ What else could he want?? ] Nothin' else is gonna get me t'leave ya alone.

[ Unless Kurama manages to evade his grasp and hurry off before he can chase him, of course. And there are other ways to defuse the ticking time bomb that is Izō. ]

[afoxbyanyothername]

[This is just a normal day with the guys to him, so of course he's unmoved. Even lets Itou grab at his clothes, and finally sighs a bit, green eyes suddenly seeming to change.

Gone is the politeness, replaced by the look of someone who has not only decided he will have to change tactics, but of someone who is reading the man before him.]

I'm not entirely sure, [That polite tone is also gone, now serious and cold]but I do have a feeling that a fight would be something neither of us came out of unscathed, and I'm not in any mood to test that theory.

So let go of my shirt, because whether I am in the mood or not, I will not hesitate to defend myself if you continue this course of action.

[heretic_blade]

[ Now that submissiveness kicks in. He doesn't let go of Kurama just yet, but his will to fight seems to be gone. Instead of continuing to posture and try to start a fight, Izō...kisses him instead, then releases his grip on him. His hands stay on the other man's chest, though. ]

...Not like I really wanted to fight ya, anyway. [ He looks like a kicked dog now, it's a little pathetic. ] Any way I can make it up t'ya?

[afoxbyanyothername]

[There's a bit of relief as Izou seems to react to the threat in the way it was supposed to be taken, but that is quickly replaced with full-blown shock. The hell is with the kiss?!

Quickly, the red-head takes a step back, and just stares... because, what? Even he can't fathom that sudden shift...
Is this some weird tactic like Karasu was trying to use to unnerve him?]

W...what?

[heretic_blade]

[ It doesn't make sense, but it's what he feels compelled to do. He flashes a somewhat apologetic smile, though he doesn't at all apologize for what he just did. ]

I'll do whatever ya want t'make up for wastin' your time. I'm good at suckin' dick.

[ Because that's just something normal to advertise to a total stranger. ]

C'mon...Jus' name it and I'll do it.

Broken fox... please reload program...

[afoxbyanyothername]

[Staring... lots of staring here as he processes things and tries to come up with reasonable explanations. Kurama hasn't been this confused in a while.

Though finally...]

I appreciate the offer, but I have no idea who you are, or why you would offer such a thing.

[heretic_blade]

Ya can jus' call me Assassin for now.

[ The other part of the questions, well...He has no idea why he offered it, but it's out there now and he's just wild enough to not be embarrassed about it. ]

I wanna suck ya off t'make up for tryin' to start a fight. Is it that weird?

[ Yes, yes it is. ]

[afoxbyanyothername]

[Weird enough Kurama still has that confused look on his face, though it's dimming a bit.

He has yet to put think fully, or maybe doesn't want to, that the island may be having an effect. So he's just going to go with the only logical thing he can think.]

Is this your version of a pick up line by any chance?

[heretic_blade]

Kinda? [ He shrugs. ] I dunno. Ya gonna give me an answer or keep askin' questions instead?

[afoxbyanyothername]

[What does 'kinda' even mean? Any why is Kurama so unsure of this offer?

Oh, right, because this guy was in his face a few moments ago and then suddenly went all... Strange.

The red-head moves over, placing a hand onto Itou's forehead. Maybe he's just sunburnt?]

[heretic_blade]

[ Izō swats his hand away with a glare. ]

Hey, fuck off, I didn't say y'could touch me. [ Izō please. ] What's your problem? Jus' yes or no. Ain't that hard, is it?

[ A key to his behavior might be the remaining candy hearts tucked into his sleeve for later eating. One of them pops out when he swats at Kurama, bouncing onto the floor. ]

[afoxbyanyothername]

[And another change. Thankfully Kurama takes no offense, instead kneeling to look at the heart that fell, puzzling over it's message, before looking back up.]

Did you eat one of these earlier?

[heretic_blade]

Yeah, one'a th' robots gave 'em to me.

[ He's not too bright and doesn't even consider there might be a connection between the two. ]

Why? What's that gotta do with anythin'?

[afoxbyanyothername]

[Yet Kurama is the opposite, capable of putting ideas together. Especially after some odd desires the night before to stare at a stranger's ass.

Which means he now smiles as he stands, a little too nicely, and remarks]

Could you do me a favor and eat this one? I'll answer your question afterwards.

[If it is looked at, the candy reads "nice bulge."]

[heretic_blade]

[ A little suspicious, but what's a little floor candy? Izō snatches it out of his hand, gives it a cursory glance, and pops it into his mouth. It tastes just as bad as the first one, yet he eats it, anyway. ]

...'kay, now what?

[ Give it a minute. He grins and straightens up, putting a hand on Kurama's chest again. ]

I saw what that said...So whaddya say, huh? [ The submissive posture from before is gone. ] I'm waitin'.

[afoxbyanyothername]

[Kurama waits patiently as the candy is eaten and a few moments pass. Watches the change and has to sigh.

Seriously?

He might have to experiment more, but he's totally getting the idea here. And it's rather disturbing.

Which means he gently removes that hand from his chest and shakes his head no.]

I don't think so... I'm not going to swear to being right, but I do believe you are being influenced by something and I'm not the sort to take advantage.

[heretic_blade]

[ Normally, he'd understand that reasoning...but this isn't normal. It just makes the need to dominate flare in him. Izō bristles a bit at the rejection and snorts. ]

I'm offerin', ain't I? How's that takin' advantage? [ A huff as he crosses his arms over his chest. ] Your loss.

[afoxbyanyothername]

I'll accept that loss.

[Kurama laughs]

Now, unless you have other outrageous ideas, I would suggest you avoid others for a time. And that candy.

[heretic_blade]

Get bent, I'll do what I want.

[ Ah, yes, it's like nothing's changed at all...All these candies are really doing is amplifying the worst parts of his personality. ]

I'll jus' find someone else t'have some fun with.

[afoxbyanyothername]

[That earns another sigh. Now what? He could just leave him here, but...]

I'm going to regret this, but...

[Kurama offers Itou a hand and a bit of a smile.]

Come with me. I'm sure we could find some fun that you aren't going to regret later.

[heretic_blade]

[ Izō grins, but doesn't take his hand. No, he's too proud for that nonsense. He will follow along after him without a fuss, though. ]

I promise ya won't regret it... [ A beat. ] Hey! I wouldn't regret this anyway. Sounds like ya'd be th' one with regrets.