ercookies | TDM 009: I'M IN LIKE WITH YOU

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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.

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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!)

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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.
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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.

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N A V I G A T I O N

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

It would have been embarrassing if Caduceus realised how inappropriate it was, covered up or not. Still, from time to time he felt himself almost zoning out and his eyes tracing downwards. A quite few blinks and he was focused once more.

"You have? That must be nice, it seems like a pretty neat place to live... Um, wherever this is, that is." He laughed a little at himself, blinking as a hand and name were offered. "Mister Jim, it's real great to meet you. Caduceus Clay, it's a pleasure." Taking the hand in his own, Jim might notice how the fine fur that covered his hands felt as soft and smooth as velvet.

"Were you looking at the stars too? I feel like I should be doing something else, something more productive. Does that vibe kinda float around her often?"

"That's the real question now, isn't it?" He chuckled too, allowing himself a moment to admire the hand offered to him. He didn't stare too long or hold it too firmly, but there was a definite lingering, thumb tracing briefly over the fur as he shook the hand, then he let go.

"Ah. Yes, there's definitely a vibe that floats around here," he said, amused by the choice of word. Very... archaic, almost, in his time. "I think to those of us who're used to an exciting life, things can be pretty quiet around here. But there's some excitement popping up every so often, even if it's almost invariably related to sex."

Caduceus' smile grew larger the moment he heard the sound of Jim's laugh. Laughter was awesome, everyone should smile and enjoy their first meeting with a chuckle. Noticing the lingering touch as their hands gently parted, a slight quirk of his brow from the nice contact, before his attention wavered, trailing from Jim's hand to the top of his trousers again. Thankfully, his new friend's voice brought him back into the moment.

The Firbolg had a very relaxed way of speaking, using words that felt right regardless of how old fashioned they might have been, even his friends back home often found some of the things he said to be funny. "Ah, I see, you're a man of adventure too. Y'know, I had a feeling about you, that you've seen a lot of the world, or well worlds all things considered."

Conversation came easy and Caduceus found himself relaxed around Jim, even when he divulged such information about his new home. "Oh well, I wouldn't know anything about that." Slightly embarrassed now that he thought about it, he never usually spoke about sex or anything of the sort, but he wasn't about to be rude and stop talking. "I guess maybe that's the vibe I was picking up." Slight awkward laugh as one of his floppy, fuzzy ears twitched and flicked about.

Jim was easy to smile, and easy to laugh too, so Caduceus was bound to hear plenty of it if they got along from here on out. It was early to say for sure, granted, but at least so far Jim had a good feeling. He was admittedly intrigued by him, if nothing else.

"Worlds would be correct," he confirmed. "I'm a starship Captain, so I'm very accustomed to visiting all kinds of new planets out there. Unfortunately I landed here just like everyone else, so I have no real easy way out."

Caduceus's confession that he didn't know much about sex, however, got an eyebrow raise from him, followed by a slow nod. "I see." He honestly didn't understand why people with little or no experience (or interest) kept getting picked out and brought here. Maybe it amused the Augur, or something.

"Well, maybe unfortunately for you, that's a very common theme around here. We are very... ah, encouraged to engage." By the tone, it was clear Jim had a few issues with some of the tactics used to make it happen. But anyway. He gestured to Caduceus's head. "I like your ears. They're cute."

That's something to be pleased about at least, being in the company of someone that could enjoy smiling and laughing, Caduceus felt lucky in a sense, that fate had steered them together for his first encounter in this very strange new land.

There was an almost childlike curious glint to the Firbolg's large shell-pink eyes as Jim spoke of his profession. "Wow. That must be pretty neat. Captin to the stars. I've only ever looked at them, it must feel real freeing to be among them." Looking back up to the sky with wide eyes. "It all kinda makes me feel small." Which is honestly ironic, considering his height.

Caduceus copied Jim's slow nod. It wasn't so much that he didn't know much about sex but rather the life he had chosen, the job he had before adventuring, made it hard for him to think about anything else other than keeping his friends alive and tending to his graveyard. That and no one had ever shown any interest in him that way.

"Ah, there's nothing unfortunate about it. I believe destiny put me here for a reason. Just not sure what it is yet." Smiling though he picked up on Jim's tone of voice, frowned a little at the thought of puppeteers making people play to their tune. Though, there wasn't much time to contemplate why he was here or who brought him, as the compliment had him blinking, pleasantly surprised by it. "Oh, my ears?" Both flapping a little as he spoke about them, a very slight warmth coloured the grey of his cheeks. "I've had them all my life, never realised they were cute." Said with a rumbling chuckle before leaning down a little, to Jim's hight, staring him dead in the eye and returning the compliment- "I like your eyes. They're very deep."

"It is. It's always an adventure, for sure," he said, looking between the sky and Caduceus before answering. "Well, we're all small by comparison. But it's all a matter of perspective."

Small compared to the universe, big compared to atoms. Each being might just be a whole universe in themselves. And they might be small, but that certainly didn't make them insignificant.

(Also who are these people, what is wrong with them. Who wouldn't want to get it on with him.)

"Maybe it's just my personal opinion, but yes. I think you're cute, in general," he admitted, all the more inclined to spare the praise when he spotted the way his cheeks darkened a hint. He leaned back slightly when Caduceus leaned down to his eye level, smile growing wider at the words. "Thank you. I'm glad you like them."

Jim said the magic word, perspective. Caduceus was a strong believer in perspective, in that you should always be aware of it, remind yourself of that and the bigger picture. His smile grew, spreading into his gentle rose-hued eyes. "It really is, isn't it..." Lost for a moment at the thought.

That was the beauty of being alive, of being a part of something so much bigger than yourself. Not knowing what your impact on the universe was if any. It was something Caduceus could spend hours pondering over.

Honestly, no one had ever tried to even hit on him before. He'd spent his early life tending to the family Graveyard and temple, then living there all alone for the longest time. The adventuring party Caduceus had joined never seemed interested in him that way either, they were all more wrapped up in each other and Caduceus was alright just to live vicariously through them and their relationships.

There was a moment of silent smiling, his eyes scanning Jim's face. Bashfully, the Cleric dipped his head, waves of pastel pink hair from the unshaved side of his head tumbled over a shoulder and partly hide his face. He didn't know what to do with such a confession. "Thank you, that's real nice of you to say so." Peeping back out from behind his hair, inclining his head aside softly. "I'd really like to offer you a drink, watch some stars with you but I don't seem to have my kettle."

Jim was very used to looking at the bigger picture. That was a big part of his work, and his life, so he had to keep an open mind; in fact he wanted to keep an open mind with regards to anything, no matter where he went or who he interacted with. That determined the impact he had on his surroundings, on other people's lives, and the universe in general.

"I like to be honest and straightforward about things like that," he smiled back, finding the way Caduceus reacted in such a bashful way to be all the cuter. Really, if no one had ever hit on Caduceus, then that was a terrible oversight that he was more than happy to correct. "Well, we can fix that. What do you like drinking? Tea, maybe? There's a cafe nearby, or I have some tea at my place."

He would have to tell Caduceus more about his work, his life, it all sounded very interesting. As much as the Firbolg liked to think he was seeing the world, now, with his friends, it was hardly the same as flying through space in a ship of some kind!

"Straightforward is something I find most people overcomplicate." Caduceus was full of wisdom, even if he did have a funny way of sharing it. It was nice, talking to Jim like this, Caduceus was honest to a fault (honestly! he's never lied a day in his life!) so learning that Jim was too, really made it easier to trust him right off the bat.

Not being used to people making advances on him, Caduceus often found it hard to know what to say or do, so if he just went a little bashful or silent now and then, he wasn't being rude, just a little flustered.

"Oh, tea. I must insist." Patting his empty pockets and humming a little puzzled as he just couldn't seem to find his pouch of leaves. "Not to worry, I can pick some up along the way. I eh, I don't have any coin for a cafe..." A slight pause, the Cleric glanced around at their surroundings. "Might have to find a graveyard on route though."

Luckily for Caduceus, Jim could talk for hours on end about his job, space, Starfleet, what have you. Here, there was little reason to stick to the Prime Directive (and even if there was, Jim always sucked at it anyway), so he was all too happy to share as much as he could, or answer any questions Caduceus might have.

"I try not to overcomplicate much," he assured Caduceus with a smile. Some things he may feel a little more out of depth, and that in itself made him overthink it, but for the most part, he liked to keep simple; and yes, honest. A little subterfuge was necessary when on a mission, dealing with certain delicate situations, but here? No, absolutely no need for it.

Jim looked a little puzzled as Caduceus patted himself down, then let out a soft chuckle. "Oh, no. You don't need to, the cafe will have its own tea leaves already. We just have to ask for it," he waved a hand at him. His eyebrows rose as Caduceus mentioned a graveyard. "It's fine, I can pay for it. I'm sorry, did you say a graveyard? Now you're gonna have to explain that one to me." How did one get coins from a graveyard, anyway?

Caduceus could listen for hours, so that was a promising start. He was used to listening to some of his more excitable friends going off on tangents or conspiracy theories, so to hear someone talk about something as new and interesting as the Stars, well, that just sounded wonderful.

It was nice, seeing Jim smile as they spoke, the contours of his face moved and shaped in an attractive way and his eyes seemed to light up a little when the smile hit them. Caduceus couldn't help but smile back each time.

The offer to buy their tea was kind indeed, Caduceus would remember that! He'd have to pay him back for it somehow, sometime but as for now, he was more than happy to try this cafe's tea. Noticing the raised eyebrow and curiosity in his question, the Cleric smiled softly, his tone of voice becoming more gentle than before. "For the flowers that grow there. I'm a, well, sort of a priest I guess you could say. I make tea from the plants that grow in graveyards. To honour the dead." Maybe learning that he was a graverobber and intended to take coins from the buried was easier than to think about drinking tea that came from the dead?

Jim tended to smile a lot about things that excited him, and around people who made him feel comfortable and at ease. Caduceus just happened to have this mood about him that made the captain relax, and even unaware that he was doing it right now, it was likely that he was going to be doing a lot of smiling around him.

"Ah. Yeah, that— makes more sense," he laughed, fingers running through his hair as they both started to make their way back to the city together. "I thought you meant you needed to go there to get coins for some reason. Sorry. But anyway— let's try the tea they've got and you can tell me if what you can usually find is better than that."

Caduceus had a way with people, a way to make them feel at ease, to make them feel comfortable. The fact that Jim was smiling so much, that he was laughing and seemed curious, was a wonderful feeling indeed. Why, Caduceus almost forgot that he had not long been in this world, simply from being around Jim.

The Cleric watched as his new friend combed fingers through his hair, watching how the strands caught what light there was. It looked soft, well looked after and Caduceus's floppy ears gave a little twitch as she smiled. "I'm sure the tea they have is just fine... But uh, I'd love to forage some for you sometime?"

As they walked, Caduceus (being as perceptive as they are) continued to look around, glancing here and there, taking everything in. The few other people that were out and about, if they caught eyes with the Firbolg, he gladly smiled, waved and offered them a hello in passing. Far too comfortable and friendly. "Y'know, I think I'm gonna like this place."

"I'm never one to refuse a gift," he agreed with a smile and a small bow of his head. He'd admit that tea wasn't his favorite drink, but he enjoyed it plenty, and the mere gesture of having Caduceus forage leaves to gift him was very touching. He might want to be careful about which plants he goes with, however, given how so many around here were natural aphrodisiacs.

Jim looked around, chuckling when he noted a few people looking their way. "You're very striking," he said, looking back to Caduceus. "I can tell you right away you will be very popular around here. But whether or not you'll like it here might come down to how at ease you'll feel about various types of intimacy. It's very... ah, 'in your face', so to speak."

"Good! You should never refuse a gift. Even if it's something you don't want. You might upset the one giving the gift. You wouldn't want to do that." He wants to say something along the lines of there's no such thing as a bad gift but he knows that not to be true!

As for the special plants that grew here? They could be very interesting. Sure, Caduceus might pick and utilize some for himself, if he's struggling to fit in or participate. Something to help take the edge of nervousness from him, should he need it.

The compliment had Caduceus blinking those long, heavy lashes of his once more and a warm flush peaking out from under the thin velvet skin across his cheeks. "Oh, I don't know about that. I'm sure they're just curious as to what I am." His eyes, scanning Jim's face as he spoke about the Cleric being popular. They seemed to be being genuine and Caduceus felt himself feeling more bashful at his growing curiosity. Curious as to what exactly the intimate things Jim was talking about.

"Oh, I have some very in your face kinda friends back home." Chuckling a little as he spoke. "Jester is such an adorable little thing, you wouldn't think it to look at her but she's constantly talking about dicks." He paused a moment, then added. "Oh and our Monk is always finding someone to sleep with. I'm more than happy enough to just watch... Not watch them like that! That came out wrong...Oh boy. That cafe is around here huh?" Having embarrassed himself Caduceus simply smiled and rubbed the bridge of his nose.

"I agree," he nodded promptly. "Accepting all kinds of gifts often comes with my line of work. During diplomatic procedures it's often customary for many species to exchange gifts as a sign of good will. I've gotten far stranger things than tea leaves, believe me."

As for the local flora, Jim wasn't opposed to their use for whatever purposes either, so long as people knew about the effects. He hadn't shied away from the natural aphrodisiacs either, he'd actually been very curious about a few of them, he just didn't like it when those effects snuck up on unsuspecting people. They should definitely help Caduceus to participate a little more, at least.

While listening at first, Caduceus's little slip of the tongue was just too much for him to hold back. He burst out laughing, gently swatting a hand at his arm. "Oh, that's alright, Caduceus. Plenty of people prefer to just watch..."

His eyes alight with amusement, he stepped a little closer to Caduceus, shameless teasing in his tone. "I mean, personally I don't mind watching, but I vastly prefer participating." He certainly enjoyed being watched more than watching... but anyway.

He nodded down the street. "Just around the corner."

Well then, if Jim was used to receiving strange things, hopefully, should Caduceus ever get around to finding some decent dead people leaves, they shouldn't find it too bizarre.

The Cleric would be glad of the aphrodisiacs, even if the thought of them was rather embarrassing. He'd feel more confident, more comfortable at least for the first few times. Maybe, if he grew braver, he might ask Jim more about them? See if the Captian had any recommendations even? But it's still early days and the thought is honestly a brief one.

Swaying as his arm was swatted at, for a tall fellow Caduceus wasn't all that strong and considering he wasn't focused due to the turn their conversation took, it was safe to say the playful bump took him by surprise. Blinking as Jim spoke, his neck pulling back and eyes actually growing rather large and open in his awkwardness. "Oh? You do huh? That eh... Well, that sounds neat um..." Swallowing, a nervous smile and waving of his hand near his face to try and deflect the attention from his now heavy blush. "Think I'll just um... Yea, watching is... It's good." What do you even say when you're teased like this?!

Seeing Jim nod and confirm the cafe was near, Caduceus let out a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding in and smiled. "Oh good. I think I'll get an extra-large tea."

The struggle between letting the subject drop and further teasing Caduceus was real, particularly with that cute blush barely hidden by the soft fur. He really was cute, not that Jim was complaining. But for the sake of Caduceus's comfort, he took a step back and let him have just a bit of breathing room, letting the topic change for the time being.

"Need a lot of calming down, mm?" He winked. Okay, fine. Last one, promise. He walked them over to the cafe, opening the door and gesturing for Caduceus to go in first. "Here we are. Where do you want to sit?"

Caduceus was used to getting tested from time to time, so it wasn't exactly a new thing, just the topic of said teasing that was new. Still, it was fun and the cheeky glint in Jim's eyes as he playfully poked at him, well, it was worth it just to see that.

"Actually? No, not really, but also kinda yes?" He admitted, speaking honestly and freely as he so often did. It wasn't as if he truly needed calming but it sure as heck would help! Caduceus wasn't used to so much attention on just him, as nice as it was, it was also very new to him.

As Jim help open the door, Caduceus ducked down, to make sure there was no unexpected bump to his head, and looked around with a pleased smile. "Don't s'pose they have a garden?" If not, he'd gladly take a table with Jim by a window or maybe by some potted plants. Smiling as the few people inside looked over curiously, then back to their own business, Caduceus took in a deep breath and smiled wider, more relaxed. "It smells like a good feeling in here. I think their tea will be just fine."

There was no garden, but there was a small table by a window, with a few potted plants on the windowsill. Jim directed Caduceus to it, gesturing to the seats. "How's this? Next best thing."

Once Caduceus seemed pleased, Jim took a seat across from him, and not long before they were presented with the menus. They knew what they wanted, though, so he didn't bother looking. For good measure, he asked Caduceus before ordering. "Do you want a special kind of tea, or just any will do?"

Not that they had a vast list of choices to begin with, but there were still a few he could choose from.

No garden? Such a shame but nevermind, it can't be helped. The small table Jim gestured to looked just fine. Caduceus smiled, nodded and walked over, carefully taking his seat. Being such a tall fellow he had to be careful not to bump into anything or anyone but he was a lot lighter than he looked so at least the chair should take his slim weight.

As Jim to the seat across from him, Caduceus turned his attention to the plants in the windowsill. Lightly he stroked his soft fingers over them, before digging a little into the soil. "You seem well looked after, my name's Caduceus Clay but you can just call me Caduceus. If you need anything while I'm here, just let me know, alright?" As strange as it seemed, the plants almost looked as though they understood what he said, very slightly moving towards his voice and looking a little more vibrant in his presence.

Jim's voice snapped him from his little distraction, pulling his hands away from the greenery and going to hold the menu, albeit upside down. "Oh, I'll have a nice withered tea if you have any? If not, chamomile would be fine thank you." Smiling across the table towards Jim as he handed his menu back to the staff looking a little embarrassed, seeing as he couldn't exactly read everything that was written on it in the first place.

Jim made a mental note to show Caduceus the greenhouse. He'd like that. There were a few gardens around too, which Jim actually liked a lot, full of plants and flowers he liked to admire.

Jim watched Caduceus with a mild smile and a slightly arched eyebrow, asking for whatever passed as Earl Gray around here, then handing back the menus. Whether or not he noticed that Caduceus hadn't even held up the menu properly, he made no note of it, crossing his arms on the table and leaning over once they were alone again.

"You can talk to them?" He nodded to the plants. He'd seen so many strange things here, stuff that would be impossible in his reality, that he was actually very quick to accept that Caduceus might be capable of communicating with plants, and that they might actually understand him.

Plants and flowers just love being admired, Caduceus would be happy to learn that Jim was fond of them. After all, something so pretty as a flower should be looked at fondly and often.

Once their orders were in, Caduceus copied Jim's body language. Folding his arms and placing hem upon the tabletop, lent leaning over a little closer as he smiled and listened, always listening.

"Can't we all?" Answering Jim's question with a question of his own, taking a pause to see what the other man's reaction would be. "If you talk, they will listen. I like to think they know what I'm saying, I get a good vibe from them." There were special spells and items in Caduceus' world that would allow one to actually hear and understand the plans in return, but Caduceus didn't have anything like that on him at the moment, unfortunately. Just a gut feeling.

"You have a curiousness about you, Mr Jim. I can see questions and wonder in your eyes. It's a good trait. Don't lose it." Smiling with a nod after spending what felt like the longest moment, just looking at his new friends face.

Jim rose both eyebrows, lips curling upwards in amusement. Whether it was at Caduceus mirroring his boy language, or the answer he gave to his question, it was anyone's guess. (But actually it was a mix of both.)

"I guess we can. What I meant is— that they can understand you. That there's a level of communication and reciprocity to it," he explained. Plenty of people talked to their plants, after all, but it had felt different when Caduceus did it. It seemed almost as though the plant was reacting to the gentle words.

"I hope not to. If I ever stop being curious, then I may as well die," he said, then added with a finger pointed at Caduceus. "And it's Jim. I don't want any of that 'mister' crap."

Caduceus let out a little silent chuckle to himself, seeing the change in Jim's expression. He looked amused yet happy about being so and that was what the Firbolg wanted to see. His own smile, almost always permanently across his lips.

Nodding in agreement, tossing a casual look sidelong towards the plants then back towards Jim. "It's something my people can do naturally, among other things, isn't that right, bud?" Looking back across to the flowers, there in the middle of a bunch of them was a small bud that had yet to open. If you looked closely and just for a few moments, it almost looked like bud very slightly and slowly started to open up some.

Caduceus blinked as he was pointed at, putting his hands up, like as to surrender before he started to laugh, a lovely, low sounding octave that just rumbled out of his lips. "Alright, just Jim it is."

It was nice, feeling comfortable enough with someone he had only just met, being able to laugh and relax without any worries. Something the Cleric would have to adjust to. He was used to being in danger most days and sleeping in shifts to keep the other safe. So, letting his hair down like this, really was a treat! "I'm guessing you're a human?"

00. Arrival

I. STARGAZER

II. STIMULATING CONVERSATION

III. Eat Or Dare

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