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

[heeroics]

[ Is this what 'communication' got him? Duo not even deigning to look at him? Heero's teeth clenched, though he was well aware that this was all his own doing. He still couldn't help but think they wouldn't be having this conversation at all if he hadn't said anything.

Were anyone spying on their little scene, they'd probably be shocked by how quickly the two of them had shifted from something intimate and sweet to growling at each other like a couple of territorial street dogs.

His fingers tighten slightly over Duo's jacket. ]

Obviously we're not clear.

[ Heero definitely hears the irritation in Duo's voice. He tries not to let it get a rise out of him. Predictably, he fails. He knows he isn't very good at this, but it's insulting for Duo to ask him to talk and then refuse to listen. ]

[braidedwonder]

What the fuck are we not clear on, then? [ Duo finally turns to look at him again, though this time it’s with that usually contained temper barely held in the blue violet of his eyes and the determined set of his jaw.

Or the barely contained venom as he repeats back : ]

We work well together.

With Relena here, I need you.

It’s business, Yuy. That’s pretty damn clear. [ Surnames are usually reserved for Heero when Duo is putting him at arms length, angry, or both. ]

In your own words, even.

[heeroics]

[ The naked fury simmering just beneath Duo's tone is what takes Heero back. Duo is unabashedly expressive, unafraid to say whatever the hell he wants. Heero has seen him explosively angry before. This is something different. It's the full force of Duo's anger kept firmly under a lid, like Duo is afraid for Heero to see him any more honestly than this.

Heero studies the other boy for a beat, silent, his expression severe - but there is also a tugging at those thick brows that hints at concern. Worry, even.

He didn't start this conversation with any intention to hurt Duo this badly. ]

...that isn't what I meant.

[ His tone is subdued again. Chastised. ]

[braidedwonder]

Shut up. [ Duo, possibly, wouldn't have reacted so badly if Heero’s unintentional dots didn’t form a line, in Duo’s mind, to every little bit of insecurity Duo has.

It’s why, in turn, he rips back his affections so hard, slams the brakes, and simultaneously becomes furious at himself.

Shutting down completely is the easy way out to explaining to Heero that he is so damn assured that he’ll continue to be nothing and no one to anyone, and teenage fumbling of two people who have no idea how to cope or communicate like regular people stand a damn good chance at stepping on these many, many emotional land mines.

The same ones that have Duo pulling away again, this time physically, muttering to himself as if in reminder - ]

This is why I just fucked off to space and didn’t bother with anyone. The rest of you will always be up to the same shit.

[heeroics]

[ That's an order he hasn't heard in many years. Heero does shut up, and that hint of worry that had been haunting his expression falls away with the suddenness of glass shattered by a hammer strike. It happens with the complete and total immediacy that only years of ruthless training could instill in a teenage boy.

His is the face of someone who knows when further protest will only bring further punishment.

And, well. He doesn't want to hurt Duo anymore, either, and that's all Heero seems to be doing. Which is why he lets Duo pull away this time, with nothing but a silent, inscrutable stare in answer to the other pilot's grumbled barbs. ]

Find Chang, then. I'm going back.

[ Heero doesn't elaborate any further than that before he turns away, giving Duo - and himself - his space. ]

[braidedwonder]

Whatever. [ Duo more than likely will not be back that night. Not without Heero bringing him back, if he can manage it in any form or fashion. It wasn't like he wasn't used to sleeping rough when he needed to, or would disagree on doing it when the situation was as it was currently.

Considering the concern was Relena, so far as he could tell, it wasn't exactly fair to fight as they do with her stuck in the apartment with them, either.

He may not necessarily be Relena's biggest fan, but he doesn't really want to make her that uncomfortable, either.

He has no idea where he's going but, with a huff, Duo walks in to the crowd, intent as ever on disappearing as soon as possible.

.. And maybe finding some cigarettes or booze. Whatever came first and worked. ]