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

[boarishness]

Hnghh.

_{[ Inosuke complies easily, which is surprising for him and his hands are hesitant but they wrap around Tanjiro, giving him a proper squeeze. He even buries himself in Tanjiro's neck. ]}

.. I'm glad to see you. I thought I was alone.
Which would have been fine!! But that doesn't matter since you are here!!

[zutsuki]

[Good pig. Tanjiro, in turn, puts his nose in Inosuke's hair and hums, lips pulled wide against his teeth in a smile.]

You're allowed to say you'd be lonely on your own, you know. [A beat, and he scrunches his face, leaning back from him.] ...I don't think you're gonna like it here very much, though.

[boarishness]

I'm never lonely. I'm amazing. Too amazing for that!!
_{[ Yeah, whatever. We all now you were lonely most of your life before you met Tanjiro and company. ]}

Whuh..

_{[ Inosuke also leans back, analyzing Tanjiro further. ]}

Your eye.. what happened?

[zutsuki]

[He startles, and scoots his way back in the sand to be out of arm's reach for the moment, and it takes him a minute to collect himself, looking Inosuke over.] Ah, don't worry about it...! It's fine.

[boarishness]

_{[ Oh. That is a strong Concern feeling coming from Tanjiro and Inosuke cocks his head to a shoulder before looking at his arm. ]}

Huuuuh? What about that?

_{[ Suddenly, Inosuke tenses up. ]}

WHO DO I HAVE TO KILL, TANTAROU..!?

[zutsuki]

[He swallows his heart out of his throat and shakes his head, reaching back out-- but only with one arm. The other stays dead at his side.] No-- none of that. We already did. [Excuse him, he's just going to climb directly into Inosuke's lap and put his face in his neck.]

[boarishness]

_{[ Oh. What. No. Seriously, what. Inosuke stiffens his posture, making a few warbling noises before holding Tanjiro again. ]}

Y.. Yeah? What'cha mean? Did I do good? Was I strong at least?

_{[ A pause. ]}

If I was strong, then why are you hurt..!?

_{[ OH. He's sad. ]}

[zutsuki]

[Oh sweet darling pig. Tanjiro makes a soft soothing sound and pets his hair with his good hand.] You were amazing, Inosuke, don't worry. It's unlike you.

[boarishness]

Bwuh.

_{[ BWUH. Usually being told he's amazing is enough, but not this time. ]}

I probably could have been better. Protected you better. It doesn't matter what happened. If I wasn't there, I should have been there.

I'm sorry.

[zutsuki]

[Inosuke you are literally going to make him cry. He shushes him again, shaking his head and putting their foreheads together.]

I did this myself, Inosuke. You've only ever supported me, and I can't express how much that means. I wouldn't change it, because it could have been one of you.

[boarishness]

Mm. I don't understand, but if you sacrificed yourself for us...
.. Thank you.

_{[ He lifts one of his hands to hold Tanjiro by the cheek, tilting his head as he examines the eye. Finally, his lips curl upward in a soft smile. ]}

You fought hard. You're so strong.
I always thought that.

_{[ VERBAL PRAISE??? FROM HIM?? ]}

[zutsuki]

[Who are you and what have you done with Inosuke?? Tanjiro is pretty sure his heart stops for a second, and he balks at the unrelenting softness and praise. His ears proceed to turn scarlet, and he shies away from Inosuke's hand.]

It was hardly a sacrifice, I'm still alive. [Barely, at the time??? You were unconscious for like three months???]

[boarishness]

I would kill you if you were dead. Stupid Tanjiro.

_{[ ???? He can feel Tanjiro turning red and it makes him shiver slightly but he takes a steady breath outward. ]}

You wanna tell me what happened at least?

[zutsuki]

[He frowns, shaking his head.] You only get my name right to scold me... [But that's okay. He chews on his lower lip, looking away and shrugging.]

...I guess I owe you that much, even if I don't really want to.

[boarishness]

Huh? Why ya don't wanna?
You scared?

_{[ INOSUKE?? But he doesn't seem teasing. Just concerned. ]}

[zutsuki]

[He just smiles, his shoulders shaking with a silent laugh, and he shakes his head, reaching back out to take Inosuke by the back of his head and bump their foreheads together gently, keeping his head there.]

No. I'm not scared of anything with you guys around. [Oh.]