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TDM 009: I'M IN LIKE WITH YOU
| 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 |
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"That was more information than I expected," Caleb confesses, though his surprise is clearly not unpleasant. But in the interest of reciprocity, of keeping Vax's interest too, he gives just enough information about himself to seem like he's showing his hand, though all of it is common knowledge.
"My name is Caleb Widogast. I grew up in a small village in the Zemni Fields, the northern part of the Dwendalian Empire. No siblings. I am an arcanist of some skill and a member of the Mighty Nein. Beyond that, I am not a very interesting man." Being a wizard and an adventurer is hardly typical, but Caleb deliberately understates to draw attention to that.
"You are not the first I know of to arrive here after death," he adds quietly, in an effort to be at least somewhat reassuring. Though is that technically true? Mollymauk doesn't remember dying the way that Vax seems to. "Or when you are meant to be dead, at least," he amends.
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"being an arcanist makes you an interesting man," vax counters, giving him something of a playful smirk. a mage from wildemount has landed himself here, and vax comes to the conclusion that he wasn't sent, or chosen, and if he was, then it couldn't have been for any specific reason. this must be outside of the matron's reach, and that... makes him nervous. she had almost become a source of comfort for him, and now without her, without vex.
his breath catches in his throat at the thought of her again, and so he swallows it and moves back to the conversation.
"you have more merit than you give yourself. someone as handsome as you has seen his fair share of adventuring, i'll bet gold on it. maybe you could tell me about..." gods, what does vax know of magic? "tell me about a spell you've created. i'm sure there's one you're proud of."
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"I--ja, I can show you one," he says, latching onto the offer to talk about magic like a drowning man grasping for a rope thrown overboard. "The others I have created would be difficult to demonstrate here and now. But this one is actually pretty complex, even if it does not seem impressive."
With a familiar gesture, he summons two dancing lights above them for him to better see by. They bob gently overhead with a warm glow. His fingers pass over the necklace he wears, five amber stones strung together, and he unfastens it to lay it on the sand in front of him. The unlocking is much simpler than the initial casting; all he has to do is mutter a single word: "Una."
The stones spread out, and in their center a small pile of objects materializes: his coat and scarf (just in case; he's been caught off guard by a blizzard here once before), a book from the library (it's smut), a stack of paper, several bottles of ink, and the bottle of rum he'd procured from the bar to take home to his friends, because booze never seems to last long in their house.
"It can fit much more than that," he explains to Vax, expression softened in the gentle light above them, "but I don't have many things to carry around with me."
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"this is amazing," vax comments, smiling as he reaches out to gently touch the objects now freed. a brush of fingertips over the scarf, another to flip through the pages of the library book. "you contained all of these in your gemstones?" he presses, his own excitement now genuine and hard to keep at bay. "you're talented, caleb, this is incredible. if you've made more than this, i'm excited for the day i can see them."
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"Everything is stored in the central gem. That is the vault." He taps the largest amber stone with a fingertip. "If you look closely at it while the spell is active you can see everything that is inside, but at about this size." He demonstrates, holding his forefinger and thumb just an inch apart. Bolstered by Vax's interest, his smile grows a little wider, a little less tentative.
"I have made or modified a few others. Several are for combat, so it is for the best that I don't use them here."
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some red hair has loosened itself from where it's tied, and it blows into caleb's face. he's smiling, and he's in his element. it's... hard to take his eyes off of. vax'ildan marvels at him for another moment, so deeply invested that he doesn't hear his sentence at first.
when it finally registers, vax blinks as though coming out of a trance, and he leans forward to brush caleb's rogue hair back behind his ear without a second thought. his hand lingers on his jawline, just for an extra moment.
"of course. that-- yeah. makes sense."
vax feels a familiar twinge in his chest, the same twinge that came when he'd first met shaun. he doesn't recognize it immediately, but it feels comfortable all the same, and so here is where he'll stay with it.
"your smile is nice, you know."
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He searches Vax's face, blue eyes darting over his features, asking a question without words. Why him? Surely Vax could choose someone else to bestow his personal honesty and his flattery on--anyone else, really, charismatic and attractive as he is. But here he is with Caleb. His hand moves almost of his its accord up to his ear, fingertips tracing lightly over the skin Vax had just brushed, though there is no hair to tuck this time. His jaw still tingles with the ghost of that same touch.
"So is yours." It's a clumsy response at best, but honest. Caleb can flirt, but it's much easier when he knows who he is flirting with. "Where are you staying?"
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vax is transfixed, again, for another moment. and for that same moment, the urge to lean forward and kiss him takes hold, and is reluctant to let go. vax'ildan has to fight it back, keep it down, swallow it down. he'll have another opportunity, right?
he looks back up, where caleb is glowing again in that beautiful amber light, and his heart flutters in his chest.
shit.
"ah, fjord? invited me to stay on his couch. i haven't made my way there yet. i have something much more interesting catching my eye."
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The mention of Fjord is met with a brief moment of surprise that melts quickly into amusement. And it's deeply flattering, honestly, that Vax clearly means him when he talks about something more interesting.
"If Fjord has offered you his couch, then that is my couch also," Caleb reveals warmly. He feels a little better knowing that Fjord has also met Vax and apparently found him trustworthy enough to give him a place to crash. "I, ah, apologize in advance for how hectic the house can be at times."
That is part of the reason he finds himself out here tonight. There's a long pause as Caleb considers his next words carefully, taking the opportunity to seal his belongings inside the vault of amber again with a gesture and another few muttered words. He shakes a little sand off the necklace when he picks it up, fully formed once again, and glances at Vax as he secures it around his neck.
"I...would like to stay away a little longer, honestly. And to spend more time with you, if you will have me."
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it's the same house? huh. vax'ildan nods in acknowledgement, but he laughs off the apology. "no need. i come from my own group of..." of what? "ruffians. i learned to sleep through a lot of things."
vax reaches forward when caleb goes to reattach his necklace, taking the clasp from him and taking a gentle step into his space.
"let me."
vax leans in even closer to reach around caleb's neck, attaching the clasp carefully without pinching. when he releases him, it's slow, and he adjusts the way the amber sits on his collarbone with a gentle hand.
"i'm." where are his words. say something, vax'ildan. "i would love that. we can stay as long as long as you like. i know i'm enjoying myself."
he realizes too late that his hands are lingering on caleb's chest, and he pulls them away, quickly.
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The way his fingers remain there near his collarbone for longer than they reasonably should is hardly lost on Caleb, but his breath is caught too tightly in his chest to say anything about it. This is without a doubt the strangest first encounter he's had on the island (which is saying something), but not in a negative way. Vax'ildan has caught him off guard with his honesty, his forwardness, and his appreciation. It's odd, but not unwelcome. Caleb likes to know where he stands with people, and so far Vax has made no secret of it.
When Vax has drawn back, Caleb catches the edge of his cloak again before he can pull away too much. It's the nearest thing he can manage to reaching for his hands to bring them back, curious despite himself about where else they might linger if given permission.
"You mentioned that this belonged to a champion of the Raven Queen?" It's impossible, uttering that name, not to think about the black feather hanging around Wulf's neck. She keeps bringing us together. He doesn't know if he believes it, and coincidences are just that, but he wonders all the same.
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"to me, yeah. i'm her champion." it's a quiet confession, not meant to sound like bragging or trying to claim his superiority. he's only as good as others think he is, and besides, this isn't something to brag about. it was hard to get, and he paid the price of vex's life for it. "it was hard earned," is all he says, but he's changing the subject as quickly as it had come up.
he sweeps the cloak around caleb's shoulder, too, hoping the gesture might draw him in even closer.
"are you familiar with the matron of ravens?"
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Just as Caleb releases the corner he's taken hold of, Vax sweeps the dark fabric around him, giving him implicit permission to move into his space. After a moment to consider--a moment that he hardly needs; he's already made a choice--he shifts several inches closer, enough that their shoulders and knees brush beneath the cloak.
"I know of her in a historical and cultural sense, but I would not call myself familiar," he explains. "I was close with someone who is a devout follower."
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“she’s a bitch,” he mutters with a hint of amusement in his voice, drawing ever closer and closer to caleb. “you’re better off.” and that’s all he needs to lean down and catch caleb’s lips in a soft kiss.
soft is a good word for it. vax’ildan doesn’t want to rush things, he wants to taste caleb, that hint of smoke on his tongue and that hammering heart that he isn’t sure is his or caleb’s. he tastes of something else unique, something that vax has loved about kissing humans: they’re all different, like a fingerprint, leaving their marks over the ones they touch. vax supposes he’s next.
tongue peeks through lips to tease, brushing gently over caleb’s, and that’s where he parts. one hand trails from caleb’s waist to his neck, cradling.
“sorry. i couldn’t stop myself anymore.” that smile on his face tells that he’s not sorry at all.
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A sound catches at the back of his throat with the barest brush of Vax's tongue, something between a sigh and a whimper. Caleb's hands find their way to the half-elf's waist, clutching him close for lack of anything else to hold onto--and he must have something, or else he feels he might stumble back, dizzy. The hand on his neck becomes an achor point, too, when they finally part. The kiss hadn't lasted long, but it feels significant. This isn't...Caleb doesn't do this, even here, where it's literally the point. But he's been swept up in Vax's presence, the mystery of him, his intriguing outlook, his charm and his genuine, open interest. Their strange connection. If Caleb is going to sleep with someone he's just met for the first time in his life, Vax'ildan sets a high standard.
The wizard huffs a soft, warm laugh, through which his nerves are probably apparent. "I was expecting that," he murmurs with a smile far more bashful than Vax's, but not hesitant or uncertain. "I...don't do this often," he admits, the words somehow softened by the lilt of his Zemnian accent. It's true; despite being on the island more than two months now, he's had only a few sexual experiences. And before that--well, the latter half of his life is hardly worth mentioning in that regard. "But I am interested in you, Vax'ildan."
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vax feels a blush creeping onto his own cheeks, just at the warm comfort that being near caleb brings, just at observing how beautiful he is. he's so smart, vax can tell, and shy, and worth so much more than he thinks. vax has seen what he can do just with a few gemstones and magic hands, he can only imagine what he must have been like in exandria with the world of spells at his disposal. a powerful force, no doubt. a beautiful force.
that same feeling he's only felt around a certain marquesian sorcerer bubbles in his stomach, so vax pushes it down by reaching a hand to cup caleb's cheek for a second time. thumb strokes cheekbone, touches over the array of freckles that dot his skin. it comes to rest on caleb's lip, brushing it down, sweeping side to side. "it's alright. you don't have to explain. i'm not asking, but i'll listen if you want to tell."
he keeps caleb close so he can kiss him again, again, peppering them to his lips until he has to deepen it. he's given himself a taste, and now he wants more. the rough scratch of caleb's beard on his palm only urges him on, to kiss him deeper and pull him closer.
"caleb," he murmurs, breathless, "is there somewhere more private we can go...?"
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(And he is going to try, steadfastly, to ignore the voice in the back of his mind saying of course, that's the only way anyone would want you. Somehow, it isn't true. It's been proven wrong before.)
Pausing to talk again is slightly surreal, and it takes Caleb a moment to collect himself. "I share a room here," he explains a little self-consciously. And even if he didn't, there's nothing private about that house anyway. He's also never brought someone home before, with all the implications thereof, and he has no idea about the proper protocols or procedures for it. Could he leave a scarf tied to the doorknob to warn Essek away? Would that work? Essek tends to be awake during nighttime hours to avoid the sun, but he can't very well keep him out of their room the entire time. Yet he also wouldn't want to ask Vax'ildan to go.
Scheisse, this is complicated. Which is probably at least part of the reason he's never done it. "I...don't think that is ideal. But I could make this place more comfortable and more private for us." The tent is sturdy enough, and with his magical dome around it, he can both control the temperature and obscure them completely. It's better than being overheard by everyone in the house.
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"you brilliant creature, you," vax says with enthusiasm, grinning against caleb's neck. "so bloody smart. do your thing. don't let me get in your way."
a hungry lovebite to the skin he finds at his neck and then vax is stepping back, sliding back into the tent he's found for himself. he wants to watch caleb cast, to see him in his element. it's attractive, caleb is attractive.
he can see there's something behind those blue eyes. something sad, something tragic. vax can relate. he knows what that's like, to have lost everything. to live with that tragedy behind his eyes forever, just like caleb. they're very alike in a lot of ways, a fact that isn't lost on him. maybe one day vax'ildan can hear about it, maybe they can trade shitty stories. maybe.
"hurry, please. i'll get cold without you here."
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With a mark from Vax's mouth still stinging on his throat, it doesn't take long for Caleb to rejoin him. He slips into the tent too, finding it as well-appointed as he'd expected. He had stayed in a similar one on his first night on the island--alone, unfortunately--and it had been stocked the same way, probably by the robots in anticipation of new arrivals. A bedroll wide enough for two, pillows, and a kit containing basic hygiene supplies and necessities for sex. The Nameless Island essentials.
Caleb settles close beside Vax, bumping shoulders. "Warmer now, ja?" He sounds a little proud, perhaps even a little overtly flirtatious. "You cannot tell from inside, but anyone walking down the beach tonight will see only a dome the color of sand."
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“you’re incredible,” vax purrs, leaning in to kiss caleb once again. the warmth affects him almost immediately, his cheeks heating up and legs already beginning to tangle with caleb’s. the positioning quickly starts to be not enough for him, and so he switches their positions. vax’s heart hammers in his chest as he moves to crawl over caleb, slotting a knee between his thighs. kisses trail along his neck, his collarbone, and start tugging at the collar of his shirt.
“i want to taste you. may i?”
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Caleb is startled by his own need, how badly he wants Vax against him, with him. There's a hitch of his breath and a soft gasp for the way that knee nudges between his thighs, a reedy moan as Vax explores his neck with his mouth. The touch of his lips leaves his skin sensitive and tingling, and a flush spreads from his face down.
"Please." It's just above a whisper. The tunic he's wearing is asymmetrical, with clasps down the front to open it--easy enough to figure out, he hopes, because he doesn't want to move his hands from where they've come to rest against Vax's hips, keeping him close. This is thrilling. Vax is a beautiful puzzle, so of course Caleb simply can't resist.
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as much as he can't wait to explore this wizard and get him inside, he knows that he can't rush into it like he might have once upon a time with shaun. this wizard needs time, he needs care. those excited hands get trousers open, as they planned, but he doesn't push them inside just yet, instead opting to slip just underneath the waistband to hold the bare skin of his hips.
bites, hot and hungry and yes, excited, lead down to caleb's nipple, which he sucks between teeth and rolls with his tongue. his eyes flick up to caleb, searching for a response, making sure it's okay.
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As overwhelming as it is, it's also incredible. Caleb can't focus on anything but Vax'ildan. Between strong, slender fingers sliding beneath his waistband, bright eyes focused up at him, and the spark of pleasure-pain as his teeth and tongue play over his nipple, it is probably fairly obvious by now that his cock is stiffening quickly, a clear indicator that they're on the right path.
But he reaches out, too, one hand leaving Vax's hip to brush strands of long, dark hair tenderly back from his face. His fingers slide deeper into Vax's hair, thumb tracing the line of a sharp cheekbone. "Go on," he urges. "But I want to see you, too."
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vax is pulled out of that tunnel vision when caleb asks to see him too, and vax typically has reservations about this kind of thing. when he has sex, his lover comes first; he isn't much for his own pleasure. but caleb wants it, so... vax sits up on his knees, and peels his shirt over his head to expose a lean, toned body, muscled without excess. he's thin, but his years of adventuring show on his skin with various scars and scrapes. vax allows a moment for caleb to take him in, but he doesn't want to be away from him for long.
one hand presses to caleb's arousal through his clothes, and his mouth, eager and hungry, returns to trail down caleb's stomach, now. he drags teeth over abdomen, then to hips, where he sets to work creating a mark in his skin.
happy with his work, vax helps caleb out of his trousers, all the while letting dark brown eyes glance up to blue, checking for permission, making sure he's alright. vax tosses his hair to fall to one side of his face, then settles between caleb's thighs once they're bare. his cheek presses against caleb's arousal, lips leaving hot breath and wet kisses to the skin of his hips.
"may i?"
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Thankfully Vax'ildan doesn't let him dwell on this line of thinking for long. A warm hand closes over his cock, and even through layers of fabric it's enough to make Caleb swear softly. He bites a Zemnian curse out under his breath as his mind goes blank for a blessed few seconds, registering only pleasure and anticipation and attraction. Heat is spreading quickly through his body, blooming fastest in the places that Vax deigns to touch, especially with his mouth. Marks rise easily on Caleb's skin. Anywhere Vax has a mind to put one will show nicely, and Caleb gives particularly encouraging gasps at the application of teeth.
It's a matter of just a little coordinated shifting and tugging to remove his trousers. Despite the lack of a verbal exchange, the process is smooth and swift, probably because Vax is so attentive. For Caleb, taking his eyes off his face is nearly impossible, enraptured as he is by each questioning glance, the toss of his hair, the way his mouth trails over his skin. And the rush of sensation, bright and focused, just from the brush of his cheek. He can't answer fast enough.
"Yes," he says, voice tight. "I--yes." No one has done that for him yet, not here, so not--
Suffice to say, it's been a long time.
Caleb rests a hand against Vax's shoulder, close enough for his fingers to trace the line of his shoulder blade almost reverently. He wants to spend time exploring all the lines of Vax'ildan's body, memorizing them, burning them into his mind. An inky strand of hair slithers its way forward past where he has spread his fingers, and without even thinking about it Caleb guides it back into place.
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