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

[winscenario]

It was exciting for the most part. At times it got monotonous, other times it was dangerous, overwhelming, exhausting, but it was the life that Jim chose, and honestly he wouldn't change a thing about it. Comparing it to Caduceus's own journey just wasn't right, though; different worlds, different reach, different resources. Both were just as grand, just as meaningful, neither worth more than the other.

And in all honesty, for all that Jim had visited of other planets, he never really did spend much time exploring his own.

He pulled back, albeit reluctantly, when their tea was brought over, eyebrows raising and smile wider on his face. "Thank you," he offered to Caduceus, and once the tea was poured, he reached out to take his own. "I gotta be honest with you, I don't often drink tea, so my knowledge here is limited. I'm more of a coffee guy."

[eyesofthegrave]

"Oh, then you really must try some I brew myself some time." Smiling as he sat back down, cupping his teacup in both hands, happily watching Jim take his. "Coffee? Oh, yea, the rest of the Nein drink it now and then. I'm more of a leaf than a bean guy, y'know?" Chuckling as he pressed the cup to his lips, taking a small drink and closing his eyes.

There was something almost ritualistic, the way he took his drink. His posture, expression, the calmness of it all. Caduceus was a very serious tea drinker. After a mouthful, he set the cup back on the table and smiled. "First familiar drink in an unfamiliar place." Watching Jim curiously as he drank his own drink.

[winscenario]

"I'd like that a lot," he agreed with a smile, whether or not Caduceus managed the means to produce his own brew here. Just because he preferred coffee that didn't mean he didn't like tea, all the more so when, as far as drinks were concerned, tea was something that was much more easily found all across the galaxy, curiously a very common trait among most sentient species, no matter how their evolution process went or how long ago it had started.

Jim didn't have much of a ritual so far as drinking tea went. He had participated in a number of ceremonies during his duties as Captain and diplomat, after some study and practice, but this was more lax, he felt like. He took a couple of sips, but when he noticed how Caduceus drank his tea, he tried to mimic the way he held his mug, particularly when he made it seem almost like a ritual. "Hopefully you'll find other familiar things. And a few unfamiliar ones, just to spice things up."

[eyesofthegrave]

Caduceus possessed a rather strange magical ability. He was able to help decompose matter into mulch, the rot he accelerated was then magically used to help things grow, so there shouldn't be much trouble in him being able to grow something he could make tea from, so long as he had his magic.

Tea was possibly the oldest form of communication, no matter the world or planet or culture, Caduceus would be fascinated to know of all the places Jim had been that had tea in it! Shame there was no way to leave this place or he'd respectfully ask him to fetch some for him next time he was off-planet.

"Oh, I eh, I have a little bag of spice with me already." Total misunderstanding but hopefully one they can laugh off together when explained. The Cleric noticed hos Jim tried to copy him in his tea drinking and honestly, it warmed him. A kind smile offered as he took his cup again and just drank it normally this time, he wanted his new friend to just be comfortable and be himself around him. There was no need to impress with Caduceus.

[winscenario]

They'd probably find a few plants here that could be used to make tea, provided that Caduceus did his research beforehand. Wouldn't want to make tea that ended up being an accidental aphrodisiac. Then again, that might just be fun, provided all parties were informed and willing.

"That's not what I meant," he chuckled nevertheless, amused that Caduceus took him that literally. But anyway, that could be a whole other conversation about linguistic expressions and turns of phrase. Right now he was happy to drink his tea, and as Caduceus seemed to relax, so did he, leaning on his elbows a little as he sipped from his mug. "This is nice. Invite me for tea another time, I'd love to do it again."

Hopefully, next time, with tea that Caduceus grew and prepared himself.

[eyesofthegrave]

It's one of the things the Cleric intends to spend his square's on when he comes around to the idea of them and isn't terrified by just the thought of them, that is. An aphrodisiac tea? You know, there's probably already a tea like that out there, when put in that kind of context, maybe he could get behind something like that?

Watching his new friend seem to easy and enjoy his drink, warmed Caduceus' heart. If there were two things he loved more than anything else, it was good tea and good company, this was the perfect day all in all. At Jim's comment, the Firbolg's ears picked up and he smiled with a nod of his head. " Oh! I'll gladly invite you for tea again, Jim! You're a most pleasant man indeed."

Hopefully next time, Cadcues has a wide range of teas for Jim to try too!