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

[idratherbeasleep]

[It's interesting. That's not a reaction Linhardt is used to. Linhardt is aware that he isn't unattractive, and he does care for his appearance, but being examined - being the focus of attention rather than the giver of it - is at once mortifying and pleasing. So it's Linhardt that breaks the eye contract, clearing his throat as he examines the musculature in Lorenz's legs, hands reaching out to feel how the heels change his stance. The touch is assertive, Linhardt's hands moving with a healer's professionalism.]

I'm sure Her Majesty appreciates that.

[Despite his disagreements with Edelgard, Linhardt does want her to be happy. That's what he wants for all of them.]

Interesting, though, I would have assumed you were the same. You certainly seemed to take this sort of thing quite seriously.

[The young man realizes that could be taken multiple ways, so he dips his head to hide his embarrassment.]

Erotic or amorous actions in general, that is. Not this.

[Linhardt removes one of his hands from a leg to gesture vaguely.]

How often do you wear these? You are stretching more often, aren't you?

[When in doubt, ignore the issue and indulge some other aspect of your curiosity. One of Linhardt's rules for life.]

[silky_bearing]

[Oh wow okay just call him out Linhardt.

Lorenz stumbles back into old habits with that, eyes going wide and looking absolutely scandalized.]

I- you- I beg your pardon?!

[He actually takes a step back, pulling his leg away from Linhardt's hands, one arm crossed over his chest to support the other when he brings a hand up over his face. Flames, Linhardt! HOW DARE?!]

I'll have you know I do my absolute best to keep my affections focused on- well who is none of your business, now is it? Even the best of intentions can be foiled by this place. Goddess, I cannot believe you!

[idratherbeasleep]

[And Lorenz considers himself socially adept. Way to avoid the opening Linhardt left to orient the conversation towards less awkward areas. The mage sighs and rises to his feet, being petty enough not to zip up the man's boots.]

I was asking for a reason. Or do you believe that I'm ordinarily inclined to ogle my comrades?

[Yes, he's admitting to it.]

If your inclinations or methods of erotic expression have changed here out of more than sheer practicality, that is good information to have.

[And then, just because he's feeling petty and defensive.]

Some of my spellwork focuses on removing unwanted bodily effects, in case you've forgotten.

[Like most people, Lorenz is attractive... but ugh, people. There's a reason he prefers strangers.]

[silky_bearing]

[If he wasn't horrified before, the fact that he's utterly overreacted for something that was meant to be a practical question would certainly have him absolutely flustered beyond belief.]

Contrary to whatever you might recall, we have not spoken in years Linhardt. How am I to know what your habits are or the specifics of your abilities?!

[The last time they uh... "spoke" was Linhardt's death excluding that? back in academy. He can be as petty and defensive as he wants, no one is more petty than Lorenz Hellman Gloucester. ]

You could hardly be blamed for making an exception when you have such a fine example of beauty and perfection before you!

[Sothis save him, he sounds like Constance.]

[idratherbeasleep]

[Ah yes. The different Fodlans that Ferdinand and Constance mentioned. Interesting. So this Lorenz is... not his Lorenz. Maybe he's been here long enough that he's not surprised at being approached by people he hasn't seen in years; Linhardt isn't sure he would've reacted so well.]

So you're from a different Fodlan. In my Fodlan, you joined us. We don't speak often, but it certainly hasn't been years.

[He's not judging the differences, just making note of them.]

Yes, Lorenz, you are attractive. By looks alone, I would certainly take you to bed.

[The green-haired Adrestian seems to have no compunctions about admitting it, his voice and tone as breezy as though he were discussing his favorite meals.]

Is the intention to be looked at but not approached then? That isn't an intense departure... you've always been conscious of your presentation to others. Much in the same way I'm inclined towards exploring and experimenting.

Interesting...

[silky_bearing]

[Look he has threatened Dimitri's life over Mercedes at this point. Dead people is par for the course, okay. As far as he's aware the only people here that aren't dead are Hilda, Seteth, and Flayn... And maybe? Annette? He's not sure, they never fought her.

And y'know they had to kill Nemesis so really it's not even here that's the issue.

Not that it helps him deal with the blase statement like it's perfectly natural to discuss taking sworn enemies to bed. Ah. But they're not as far as Linhardt recalls. How many people think Lorenz turned his back on Claude and the Alliance? The thought makes his heart ache... which is precisely why he doesn't acknowledge it.]

That's hardly the sort of thing you're meant to just say to people!

[But he does have a point. Lorenz is... rather fond of being appreciated for his beauty and aesthetic sensibilities.]

As I said earlier, I do my best to keep the particulars of this place restricted to a select few. [Even if those few are now even fewer after losing Claude and Constantin.]

[idratherbeasleep]

[That is fine and understandable. Linhardt also has a strong preference for not addressing things that concern him. At least until the questions and mental chatter build up in his mind until he explodes them all over someone. Usually Caspar. Whose solutions always seem to involve hitting something.]

You were upset when you thought I was ogling you and upset when I wasn't. Do make up your mind.

[He accepts Lorenz's explanation. Because yes, Lorenz is attractive and yes, he has a nice behind, but many people do.]

Well then I hope your select few appreciate your efforts. It seems like entirely too much work to me.

But you really should stretch your calf muscles more if you're wearing those.

[silky_bearing]

[Lorenz gives him a sharp look. The only part he was upset about was the bit where he accused him of being.... too free with his affections. Of course, after the ball he had to wonder at himself a little as well which only made his reaction worse. Fawning all over Ferdinand and Dimitri like that, never mind Peter.]

Well, no one is asking you to put such efforts into your appearance. Of course should you ever be interested in such a thing I'm certain Hilda or I would be more than happy to assist your endeavors.

[At least the Golden Deer have a sense of style, goodness.]

And I assure you I am keeping up with my training perfectly well enough to account for a slight change in footwear.

[idratherbeasleep]

[Of course, to Linhardt he hasn't made such an accusation. For something to be an accusation, it has to be something that he would consider scandalizing. If he claims you're stupid, or you have no curiosity, or you're a hypocritical detriment to your beliefs, those are accusations. How many bed partners someone has is an entirely neutral characteristic. It would be like accusing Lorenz of having purple hair. So he is completely bewildered by Lorenz's reaction.

People are exhausting.]

That may be necessary, depending on how many of these squares I need to do to obtain a satisfactory amount of research materials and bedding.

[Which are, of course, of equal importance. Linhardt doesn't seem to be struggling with the requirements either, he's seemed to accept the Augur as easily as he does most things.

Lorenz's last sentence makes Linhardt actually laugh a bit.]

Of course. I apologize. I've been spending too much time around Caspar. He's always wanting to jump into things without preparation and then he's surprised when he ends up with muscle cramps.

[Linhardt sighs and rubs his forehead thinking about it.]

[silky_bearing]

[If Lorenz looks a bit pleased it isn't as though he's... looking forward to an opportunity to help dress someone else up for once. And maybe do something fancy with Linhardt's hair. It's lovely, it's a shame he doesn't do more with it.]

A single square should be enough to improve your housing satisfactorily. Perhaps a second given that we are all rather accustomed to much finer accommodations than are available here.

[He'd only used two because he had to convert his apartment and the one beneath it into something of a carriage house so he could keep Darby nearby. He... didn't like her being so far away.]

You know... I suspect Caspar would rather enjoy the extra height.

[He can't help laughing as well at that, though. Poor Caspar is so short compared to his fellows the idea of him wearing heels to compensate is somehow adorable. Hush.]

[idratherbeasleep]

So if a single square will improve my entire quarters, do you suppose I could use one for a better bed? I don't particularly mind the state of things, but I have this lovely down comforter from Sreng, and I miss my silk sheets from Dagda. Sleep isn't the same without them.

[Linhardt is, as far as Fodlan's nobles go, one of the ones least inclined towards ostentatious displays of luxury, but there are two areas that are exceptions: His bedding and his library. He can handle rickety tables and dirty floors. But that mattress is a crime against humanity.]

You're right.

[The man's purple-blue eyes twinkle with a mischievousness that seems more like it belongs on Claude's face than Linhardt's.]

I told him about the height advantage that exists in combat. He took it so personally. It's clearly not the only thing that matters or else we would all ride wyverns or pegasi into battle, but you really should see him wracking his brains to figure out the solution. It's amazing. Truly.

[And fair turnabout for all the times Linhardt has had to extricate his friend from trouble.]

[silky_bearing]

I'm certain if you asked the Augur for a bed in exchange for a square it would absolutely be the most absurdly comfortable thing you've ever felt. You know they have all sorts of materials here that are far superior to what we have in Fodlan. That said we do have a rather infuriating goose population so it would hardly be difficult to get down.

[But seeing Linhardt so pleased with himself over pulling one over on Caspar is adorable and he can't help smiling in return. It's... nice to see. It helps ease the weight of their deaths from his shoulders a little more. But because of that weight he doesn't dare encourage too much discussion of those that are not here.]

[idratherbeasleep]

Oh? That sounds quite promising.

[And in that sentence everyone is reminded Linhardt is in fact a spoiled noble. He smiles back, enjoying the fact that the tension is easing. He's also enjoying the memory of Caspar. He misses him, but still, it doesn't do to dwell on it.]

Well, thank you for indulging me and sharing some very important information with me at the very least. I'm going to go find a tree to nap under.

[silky_bearing]

[Lorenz huffs a little breath of exasperation and cocks a brow in the other man's direction.]

Honestly, you're not even going to zip me back up? [But he just rolls his eyes, leaning down to gather his boots in hand instead of fussing with them here. He'll find somewhere out of the way to sit down and fix them.]

Go on. Just be aware that napping in public is a good way to ah... invite the Augur's particular brand of interference.

[idratherbeasleep]

I was, but now I'm standing up.

[And he's not leaning back down without sufficient curiosity to spur him into work or being uncomfortable. Linhardt's answer to Lorenz's exasperation is to just yawn. He really could use a nap. Still, the warning is appreciated.]

Really? That's good to know. Well, I'm certainly not changing my habits for the Augur's sake, so I'll make sure to nap without other people around.

Goodbye, Lorenz.

[And, in true Linhardt fashion, the scholar walks off without looking back, his mind having already moved on to its next topic: Finding a suitable napping spot. Is he still considering Lorenz's behind and those shoes? Possibly. But there's no need for the conversation to continue.]