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

[backstreetbard]

[ A flicker of apprehension catches in Dorothea's chest at his invitation, mirrored however briefly in the stiffening of her posture, or a pinch in her brow, though her smile does not fade. She masters it quickly, however. Back in Fodlan she'd have confidence in her ability to defend herself, but in a place like this where every variable is unknown, she can't be sure if her power is enough and she doesn't like that feeling.

He seems friendly, but she's seen enough of the world to know how quickly that can change. Even so, Dorothea fancies herself a decent judge of character, and nothing about him makes her think he'll betray whatever trust she chooses to place in him.

Nodding once, she extends her hand to gesture in the direction Siegfried just came from. ]

You're too kind. I'd be incredibly grateful for a change of clothes, fashionable or not.

[schwarzen]

[ Siegfried is quick to catch that flicker of doubt, and it doesn't take long for him to realize the source of it. She's a young woman who's just washed up in an unknown land, with little resources, in a world that is literally fueled by sex. Only the most naive (or foolish) of people would blindly follow a strange man's offer. The realization causes him to begin to speak up. ]

It's—

[ alright if you'd rather not, he starts to say, but she's much quicker at responding and agreeing.

He gives her a small smile and a nod, turning to walk back towards his home. ]

I imagine you must have a lot of questions. I'd be happy to answer any as best I can.

[backstreetbard]

[ Yes, maybe it's foolish to go along, but Dorothea is a master mage. She can summon lightning from the sky with a snap of her fingers. There's no cause for alarm. Following Siegfried, Dorothea observes him--his posture, his grooming, his clothing. There's no denying he's handsome, and he plays the role of a helper very convincingly. ]

How long have you been here? You said earlier that I didn't have much choice--are we all prisoners, then? Forced to perform the acts on this card?

[schwarzen]

Hm. To your first question, around six months or so.

[ He leads, but only slightly, staying at her side so that conversation can continue as they cross the sand. ]

Your second question is a bit more difficult to answer succinctly. [ He hesitates, frowning. ] There is magic here that can influence your thoughts or emotions... make you more suggestible to performing such acts.

And though we are free to roam around the island as we please, there is no way to leave it. We are, in that sense, prisoners.

[backstreetbard]

[ Dorothea seems to mull that over for a few moments, humming softly. ]

I'm not exactly a pushover when it comes to the magical arts. There's no way to break those sorts of spells?

[ She shakes her head, sighing. ]

Where are you from, then?

i'm... sorry

[schwarzen]

Not as far as I can tell. Although, if you find a way, I'm sure everyone here would appreciate it.

[ But she practices magic, which means she can easily defend herself, which quells any of Siegfried's initial concerns. She speaks with enough quiet confidence, typically a sign that someone is strong. ]

I'm from a world comprised of many different skydoms— islands in the sky, so to speak. I'd be interested to learn more about the type of magic you practice someday, if you don't mind.

[ It doesn't take long before they come to a stop near his door. His abode is a small house, charming enough and well-kept. It would be perfectly normal if it weren't for the two giant Home Depot skeletons in the front lawn, posed as if they're dancing. ]

Here we are. You're welcome to come inside, if you'd like.

[backstreetbard]

I'll take a look, though the truth is I had classmates who'd be much better suited to figuring out that sort of technical problem.

[ Dorothea sighs and shakes her head. ]

Islands in the sky? That sounds fantastic, like something out of a fairy story. I'd love to hear more about that--we can swap stories. I use reason magic, mostly, but I have a few faith spells up my sleeves, as well.

[ She's about to give an explanation of the difference when they reach his house, and she has to stop for a moment. ]

Ah... What--what are those?

[schwarzen]

[ He's about to ask her something about that particular brand of magic, but her question catches his attention first.

He follows her gaze curiously. ]

Oh, That's Tiramisu and Shortcake. They're Halloween decorations that I grew fond of, so I decided not to take them down.

[ That's normal right. ]

[backstreetbard]

I see.

[ She really doesn't. ]

What's "Halloween"?

[schwarzen]

[ Wow, usually he's the one that doesn't know what things are. ]

It's a holiday. Many worlds celebrate it, evidently. It's a day to embrace spooky and scary things such as ghosts and monsters. In my world, children dress up as these fantastical beings and go from door to door asking for candy.

[ He looks back up at his giant skelly friends. ]

These skeletons are quite frightening, but I think they're full of personality. I couldn't bring myself to put them away once the holiday was over.

[backstreetbard]

I... suppose they do have quite a bit of character. We don't have holidays like that where I'm from, though.

[ She'd never been able to be so jovial as a child, anyway. ]

Not that we don't have holidays, but none of them are fun, exactly. They all either celebrate one of the saints of the predominant religion, or the days of founding for the nations that make up the continent. There are celebrations held, but... nothing like you've described.

[ Upon closer inspection, the skeletons aren't that scary. She looks back to Siegfried and gestures towards the house. ]

After you?

[schwarzen]

I see. I'd be interested to learn more about this religion, or the nations of your world. Perhaps someday when you've gotten more of your bearings?

[ They're here to help her, after all, not indulge his curiosity about other worlds. And definitely not when it's more beneficial for her to learn about things here, for the time being.

He steps inside, stepping out of his shoes and gestures to the living room. ]

Make yourself at home. I will return with a few garments I think may fit you. Would you like anything to eat or drink?

[backstreetbard]

I don't mind talking about it now, though you're right to be practical.

[ She follows Siegfried into the house, carefully stepping out of her boots in the foyer and waiting there, debating how to proceed. She's... damp. It's uncomfortable. She wouldn't want to track water over his floor, though, so she lingers in the foyer for a moment before giving a mental shrug and stripping off her tights, gathering the hem of her long skirt and draping it over her arm.

That done, she steps further into the living area, glancing around curiously. The offer of food and drink immediately perks her up--she'd been on the march after an intense battle, so of course she's famished. She's used to hunger, though, and the pressing nature of everything else going on meant that gnawing pain was just part of the background noise of her existence at this point. ]

Water would be more than appreciated. As for food... anything, honestly. My only request would be... not fish, please and thank you. I realize we're by the ocean, but...

[schwarzen]

[ The first order of business is definitely to get her dry and comfortable.

He realizes he's completely forgotten to offer her a towel when he sees her pulling up the hem of her skirts, and so he quickly disappears down the hallway. Not only does he appear with an assortment of shirts (some tackier than others) and pants, but there's a large towel hung over his shoulder, too. ]

Sorry, I completely forgot to offer you a towel. And I'm sure all of these clothes are much too large, but they should tide you over until you're able to get proper garments.

[ So he's got a belt, too. ]

You're welcome to use my bathroom for privacy.